91998E0037

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0037/98 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Excise

In his answer to question E-3239/97 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998. )) Commissioner Monti indicated that the Commission was currently studying the issue of excisable goods in the field of alcohol and tobacco products and will make a report, together with any appropriate proposals, to Council and the Parliament.

Considering this report has been due for some time, can the Commissioner give a date when he intends to present his report to both Parliament and the Council?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (10 March 1998)

The Commission intends to produce separate reports for the tobacco products and alcoholic drinks sectors before the end of March 1998.

As regards the alcoholic drinks report, there is absolutely no consensus among Member States as regards the most basic tax issues confronting the Community. The Commission is working to identify a line of action which would be likely to obtain the necessary unanimous agreement of the Council, while Parliament has in the past been more or less equally divided on all the points at issue. At the same time, few would regard the current Community system of drinks taxation as being commensurate with the requirements of an internal market.

The Honourable Member will recall that the situation was similar at the time of the Commission's last report on drinks rates. On that occasion the Commission took the view that it was inappropriate to make any proposals for further harmonization (in particular in view of the reform of the wine market which the Commission had recently proposed). That approach was generally welcomed by both Council and Parliament.

Against that background, the Commission will endeavour to put its report to Council and Parliament as soon as possible.