I refer to COM (2003) 464 on the production of annual Community statistics on steel. This proposal would allow for some technical amendments to proposal COM (2002) 584. The sub-committee decided at its meeting on 12 December 2002 that the proposal did not warrant further scrutiny. It is proposed that it should be forwarded to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 552 relates to aid rates in the seeds sector for 2004-05. The proposal seeks to put in place aid rates for production in the seed sector for 2004-05. The Department of Agriculture and Food has indicated that this is not a significant area in Ireland and that, consequently, the amounts drawn down in Ireland are quite small. It is proposed that this does not warrant further scrutiny but should be forwarded to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 561 lays down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks. This is an amended proposal to one considered by the sub-committee in April this year. At that time it was considered that the proposal did not warrant further scrutiny, but that the sub-committee should be kept informed of related developments. This revised proposal is being advanced in the context of the Italian Presidency's Action for Growth initiative, which has suggested that a number of transport projects relating to Ireland should be grant-aided by the EU, for example, a "motorway of the sea" between Spain and Ireland. The proposal under consideration proposes that the level of European grant-aid for trans-European transport networks, TENS, should increase from 10% to between 20% and 30%. The earlier proposal had suggested an upper limit of 20%.
The Department has indicated the TENS proposals have not advanced in working groups due to the opposition of a number of net contributing member states. Should the funds available for TENS remain at current levels and the percentage level of aid increases, the number of projects that can be funded will reduce substantially. This could have negative consequences for proposed projects. It is likely this proposal will be amended to take account of the outcome to the ongoing debate. It is, therefore, proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny at this time but should be forwarded to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and the Department should be requested to keep the sub-committee informed about major developments on this matter. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 562 refers to the common organisation of the market in hops. This proposes that these measures to provide fixed levels of aid on a per hectare basis for hops should be extended to include the 2004 harvest. The Department of Agriculture and Food has indicated that the number of hectares dedicated to hops in the state has declined in recent years and, currently, no growers are claiming under this scheme. A claim had been received last year for two hectares of hops. It is proposed the measure does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 563 refers to special temporary measures for hops. The Commission is required to submit by 31 December 2003 an evaluation report on the hops sector and proposals for reform of the sector from 2005. Temporary measures have been in place in this sector since 1998 and this proposal proposes that these should be extended until 2005 when these new measures should come into force. The 1998 regulation, EC No. 1098/98, provides assistance for temporary resting and grubbing up in the hops sector. The total amount available for this budget heading is €13 million. It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Commission document 580 corrects the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Community. This proposal takes account of the situation and adjusts upwards the salaries of EU officials by 1% with effect from 1 July. The original figures provided by France had resulted in the calculation of a 0.7% increase. The revised figure is 1.7% and is set out in a table, which I understand has been circulated. The proposal indicates that the net impact on the EU budget will be €30.3 million. This is an adjustment for inflation because of bonus payments to French civil servants.
It is proposed to note this document. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next document is Commission document 583 on food additives other than colours and sweeteners. This proposal is an amended text of COM (2002) 662, which was scrutinised by the sub-committee on 16 January, and it was considered that the proposal did not warrant further scrutiny. The amended proposal would allow, inter alia, for the Commission to report on an evaluation of relevant additives within two years after the adoption of the measure to the Council and European Parliament. It would also mean that an additive in flavouring would be considered as an additive to the food to which the flavouring had been added. The Department has indicated that the proposal will benefit the consumer through the uniform application of legislation on food additives in all member states.
It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next document is COM (2003) 589. This proposal arises, as the Commission's memorandum points out, in the context of the poor state of several Mediterranean fish stocks. It proposes new restrictive technical measures regarding fishing gear sizes, the closure of certain areas, and the introduction of special restrictive measures. The Department has indicated that the proposal has no implications for Ireland, but that it is likely that it will be advanced during Ireland's forthcoming Presidency.
It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 593 concerns fisheries agreements between the EU and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. This proposal follows from a review of the fisheries agreement between the EU and Guinea-Bissau (2001-2006) that took place in Bissau in May this year. It allows for a reduction in the fishing for certain species of fish and for the refocusing of some of Europe's financial assistance, which it is providing in return for fishing opportunities for vessels from Europe. Currently vessels from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Greece are accessing these opportunities.
The financial assistance is being refocused on a scientific and technical programme, support for investments in the small-scale fishing sector, fisheries surveillance, and institutional support for the ministry of fisheries in Guinea-Bissau, which I understand is one of the poorest countries in the world.
It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Commission document 659 concerns the establishment of new financial services committee organisational structures. This proposal concerns the reconfiguration of the committee architecture relating to financial services. It seeks, inter alia, to establish separate committees for each of the tasks outlined. This should allow, for example, each of the dedicated committees to focus on their particular area of responsibility. The Department’s note makes clear that the proposal is composed of technical adjustments and does not extend the regulatory powers of the Commission.
It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny but that it should be forwarded to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Sector for information. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 662 concerns anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of fluorspar originating in China. I understand fluorspar is a soft mineral, calcium fluoride, which is fluorescent in ultra violet light and a chief source of fluorine. In September 2000 the Commission put in place measures that meant that the importation of fluorspar from the People's Republic of China would be the subject of a minimum import price. This means that there is a lower limit set for the importation price of that product into the EU.
Since this form of control is open to price manipulation between related companies, the Commission initiated a review of this measure in June 2002. Following consultation with interested parties, including industry in Europe, the Commission has determined that more direct measures are not required.
It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2002) 803 is a Council regulation. This proposal follows from Council Regulation (EC) 58/2003 laying down the statute for executive agencies to be entrusted with certain tasks in the management of Community programmes. The Commission outlined its vision for executive agencies in COM (2000) 788 as a means of achieving excellence through "specialised management bodies, sufficiently distinct from the Commission to enjoy maximum autonomy and flexibility in day-to-day management, but with the Commission retaining enough control to ensure that its strategic objectives are met. I understand there are currently no executive agencies operational.
Regulation (EC) 58/2003 allowed for the Commission to propose standard budgetary guidelines for the operation of such agencies' budgets. This proposal outlines the fundamental budgetary principles that would govern executive agencies for example, that no expenditure may be committed or authorised in excess of the appropriations authorised by the budget. The Department has indicated that the proposal is purely technical and has no implications for Ireland.
It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
COM (2003) 634 concerns the application of generalised tariff preferences for certain developing countries. The implementing Regulation, No. 2501/2001 and the related guidelines on the application of generalised tariff preferences for certain developing countries will expire on 31 December 2004. These tariff preferences allow products from these countries to enter the Single Market at very low rates of tariff duties or even without the addition of any duties. Since the WTO's so-called Doha development agenda will not be completed in time for the tabling of new tariff preferences, this proposal proposes the extension of the existing tariff regime for an additional year, 2004-05.
The proposal also contains an amendment to the current regulation that would allow for special incentives for countries that engage in "significant ongoing efforts to incorporate and apply" ILO conventions on freedom of association, non-discrimination in respect of employment, child labour and on forced labour. Special arrangements are also already applied in relation to the environment, least developed countries, and to combat drug production.
It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Commission document 617 relates to the special rules governing the milk super levy to the Azores. Producers in the Azores currently benefit from a margin of error in calculating their levy, whereby the producer is not fined for technically breaching the quota up to a ratio of 73,000 over 450,000. This proposal proposes that the current system continue for the marketing year 2004-05 and that it be progressively reduced in subsequent years. The Department has indicated that the proposal has no implications for Ireland and it is likely to be adopted at the Agriculture Council on 17 November.
It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
