WRITTEN QUESTION E-2529/99

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 January 2000)

Subject: Comitology costs

According to the EC Treaty, the Commission is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Council. The Council has this process supervised by committees of national experts.

How many advisory committees, management committees and regulatory committees of national experts assist the Commission in its executive tasks?

In what areas?

What was the cost of these committees in 1997, 1998 and 1999?

What budget is provided for these committees in 2000?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2000)

The Commission is assisted in the exercise of its implementing powers by 260 committees. Of these 27 use procedures not in conformity with Council Decisions 87/373/EEC of 13 July 1987(1) and 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999(2) laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (committee procedures), while 233 follow procedures in conformity with these Decisions. Of the 233, 189 use only one procedure: 24 use the advisory procedure, 56 the management procedure, and 109 the regulatory procedure.

44 committees use two or even three procedures: 21 use advisory and management procedures, five use both advisory and regulatory procedures, 12 use both management and regulatory procedures, and five may use any one of these three procedures.

The committees in question function in virtually all the areas covered by the EC Treaty, primarily the environment (over 40 committees), enterprise (over 30), transport and agriculture (nearly 30 each) and health (over 20).

The answers to the other parts of the Honourable Member's question will be sent to him at a later date.

(1) OJ L 197, 18.7.1987.

(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999.