92003E1477

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1477/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(2 May 2003)

Subject: Refunds on exports from Member States to the Vatican City State of butter and other fats and oils derived from milk, milk products

A table containing data on the quantities and value in euro of products eligible for export refunds was appended to the supplementary answer to question P-3202/02(1).

Examination of this table shows that, for exports to the Vatican City State of butter and other fats and oils derived from milk, milk products (code 0405):

(a) in 1998 exports from Austria totalled 155 kg for a refund of EUR 272 200,57, equivalent to aid of EUR 1 756,13 per kg of butter exported;

(b) in 1999 exports from Italy totalled 0,064 kg for a refund of EUR 402,90, equivalent to aid of EUR 6 295,31 per kg of butter exported;

In all likelihood, 155 000 kg were exported in 1998 and around 230 kg in 2000, at a more credible level of aid of between EUR 1,76 and EUR 1,75 per kg of butter exported.

If one were to make these corrections, total exports would be 174 215,50 kg for 1998, 156 230 kg for 1999, 145 560 kg for 2000 and 146 200 kg for 2001.

Under Regulation (EC) No 419/2002(2), it should also be possible for the tabular data, extracted from the CATS database, to be used for monitoring and forecasting purposes.

It is specified in the table that the units of measurement, weights or quantities and the amounts in euro are provided by the Member States.

In the light of the above, could the Commission indicate:

- whether the data supplied by the Member States are checked and who is responsible for doing this;

- whether the quantities of butter and other fats and oils derived from milk, and milk products exported from Member States to the Vatican City State were subject to any monitoring, what form that this took, and what forecasts were made in respect of these quantities;

- whether it does not consider the level of imports to the minuscule Vatican City State to be too high, or in other words that it can be assumed these products are sold in Italy?

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 172.

(2) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 8.

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1477/03, E-1478/03, E-1479/03 and E-1480/03given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.