92001E0166

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0166/01

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: State aid to Dutch greenhouse gardeners

According to the Danish Ministry for Food and the Netherlands' Ministry for Agriculture, Dutch greenhouse gardeners have received DKK 574 million in aid. The Netherlands' Ministry for Agriculture has justified the aid on the grounds of it being a contribution to an energy-saving programme.

Can this Dutch aid scheme for greenhouse gardeners be construed in any way other than as state aid pure and simple?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2001)

The Commission is not in a position to indicate whether the DKK 574 million allegedly granted to the Dutch glasshouse producers for an energy savings programme constitutes State aid in the sense of Articles 87-89 (ex Articles 92-94) of the EC Treaty. Further information would be required about the alleged grant and the conditions attached to it.

The Commission has inquired with the Dutch authorities about aid measures which would have been taken to compensate the Dutch agriculture sector, and in particular the glasshouse sector, for the increased energy prices. By letter of 19 January 2001 the Dutch authorities have confirmed that no such measures have been taken yet. Certain measures are contemplated to reduce the energy dependency and exhaust of carbondioxide (CO2). The concrete measures are not yet known. The Dutch authorities have assured the Commission that any such measures would be notified in accordance with Article 88(3) (ex Article 93) of the EC Treaty.