(2004/C 84 E/0887)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject:   Exports of peat to Italy

Peat is one of the most common bulk materials used in horticulture. Countries rich in peat, such as Germany, the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands, export a large amount of this material to countries such as Italy, which have little peat of their own. For many years now, a large number of Italian companies have been importing peat from those countries by sea. However, there are problems which hamper the import of this material by sea. Because of difficulties in Italian ports (e.g. labour problems, high costs and charges), such materials are now transported across Europe by road. Statistics show that 76 % of Italian peat imports from Germany, 79 % of peat imports from the Netherlands and an astounding 100 % of peat imports from France are transported by road, although transport by sea would be perfectly feasible, cheaper and less harmful to the environment.

What are the Commission's views on this situation?

Does the Commission actively encourage sea transport?

Is the Commission giving consideration to the drafting of a proposal for a Community Directive whereby sea transport would be given preference over cross-Europe road transport, which is expensive and harmful and pollutes the environment?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

The Commission believes that the exporters of German, French and Dutch peat to Italy choose the mode of transport which in their commercial assessment is the most appropriate one. The ultimate destination of peat in Italy is likely to be far away from ports and any assessment, therefore, has to take into consideration, ‘inter alia’, costs in ports, loading, unloading and transport to final destination.

The Commission has for a number of years pursued an active policy of promoting short sea shipping which is becoming more and more a viable alternative to road transport.

Furthermore, the recent Community guidelines to State aid to maritime transport (C(2004)43) include in their chapter 10 the possibility for the Commission to approve certain aid to short sea shipping.

Within the basic concept of users' free choice of the transport mode, the main emphasis on promoting the sea alternative is not put on direct legislative measures but on offering and encouraging sustainable and safe ways for those products that can be carried by various modes, such as peat in bulk.

The main objective of the Commission's policy is to maintain sustainability in the European transport system now and in the future. The policy has been outlined in the Commission Communication on the development of the Short Sea Shipping mode (1) and Programme for the promotion of this mode (2).

(1)  COM(1999) 317 final.

(2)  COM(2003) 155 final.