 Irini Lambraki (H-1036/96):
Subject: Funding Community action to deal with exceptional circumstances
Everyone knows that agricultural production is directly dependent on weather conditions and a number of other unforeseen factors.
Effective measures to deal with the problems which arise from time to time - either from acts of God or from other causes, such as the recent case of BSE - often come up against the failure to provide the necessary appropriations in the budget.
Does the Council consider that a mechanism should be created for tackling such exceptional circumstances, and what does it think of funding Community action by creating a specific line in the budget?

Patijn
In reply to Mrs Lambraki I should say first of all that the European Community budget contains a number of headings under which emergency aid can be given to victims of natural disasters. They include heading B 4/3400, emergency aid to victims of disasters in the Community. Likewise all headings under Title B 5.2, which fund interest subsidies on loans for natural disasters occurring in the Community, and aid was provided under these to victims of the Italian earthquakes in November 1990 and Greece in March 1988 and September 1986 and of the hurricane in Madeira in 1993. We also have Title B 7.2, which covers food aid and humanitarian aid to population groups in the developing countries who are the victims of natural disasters or serious crises.
In general and in line with the Treaty the Commission is responsible when drawing up the budget for proposing a level of budget appropriations as close as possible to anticipated needs.
In the second place the recent BSE crisis has shown that the Community is reliably able to be flexible and to find the resources it needs to meet dramatic and unforeseen situations which cannot be categorized as natural disasters. The existing provisions and existing practices thus suggest that crises such as the BSE affair can be absorbed perfectly well. So I do not believe it is necessary to have large sums in reserve at all times to meet possible unforeseen emergencies.

Lambraki
Mr President, I would agree with the President-in-Office if I had not scrutinized the lines to which he referred.
Line B4, Mr President-in-Office, involves not a single ECU. Title B5 which you mentioned relates to specific cases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which happened in the past. It does not apply to the present. Title B7 provides for European Union aid, not to the EU Member States, but to
Irini Lambraki (H-1036/96 ): 
 Subject: Funding Community action to deal with exceptional context 
 Everyone know that agricultural production is directly subject on weather conditions and a number of early unforeseen factors. 
 Effective measures to cover with the problems which arise from prison term to time - either from acts of God or from early causes, such as the recent case of BSE - often come up against the failure to provide the necessary appropriation in the budget. 
 Does the Council consider that a mechanism should be created for tackling such especial circumstances, and what does it think of funding Community action by make a specific line in the budget? 

 Patijn 
 In reply to Mrs Lambraki I should say first of all that the European Community budget contains a numeral of headings under which emergency aid can be given to victims of natural disasters. They include heading B 4/3400, emergency aid to victims of disasters in the Community. Likewise all headings under Title B 5.2, which fund interest subsidy on loan for natural disaster occurring in the Community, and aid was provided under these to victims of the Italian earthquake in November 1990 and Greece in March 1988 and September 1986 and of the hurricane in Madeira in 1993. We also have Title B 7.2, which covers food aid and human-centered aid to population groups in the developing countries who are the victims of natural disasters or serious crises. 
 In general and in line with the Treaty the Commission is responsible when draw up the budget for proposing a floor of budget appropriations as close as possible to anticipated motivation. 
 In the second place the recent BSE crisis has shown that the Community is faithfully able to be flexible and to determine the resources it needs to suffer dramatic and unforeseen situations which cannot be categorize as natural disasters. The existing provisions and exist practices therefore suggest that crises such as the BSE affair can be absorb perfectly well. So I do not believe it is necessary to have large sums in reserve at all times to meet possible unforeseen emergency. 

 Lambraki 
 Mr President, I would agree with the President - in - Office if I had not audit the lines to which he referred. 
 Line B4, Mr President - in - Office, necessitate not a single ECU. Title B5 which you mentioned relate to specific cases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which happened in the past. It does not apply to the present. Title B7 provide for European Union care, not to the EU Member States, but to
 Irlni Lambraki (H-1036/96):
Subject: Fukding Community cxtion vo deal with exzeptional circumstances
Everylnw knoqs that agricultural pfoduction is dirextly eependent on weathcx consltionv and a number pf other utforeseen factmrr.
Eyfective measures to deal with the pwoblems wjich arise froi tikq to nine - either from acts of God od from mther causes, xuch as the recent case of BSE - often come up agwinst the fqiluww to provide the necessary approprjations in the budget.
Does the Cuuncik consider tyat d mechanism shoujd be created for tawkling xuch exceptionsl rircymstances, and what doxs it think of fundigg Communhtv action by creating q wpecixic nine un ghe bndgst?

Patiun
Ii reply to Jrs Lambraku I should say firsu os all that the Europqag Community budget contains a number of hezdings under which emertency aid can be givej to victyms of natural disasters. They include heading B 4/3400, amergxnzy clq ro victims of disasters in the Community. Likewifs slk headings undcr Title B 5.2, which gujd ynterest subskdies on moans for natural fisastets occyrring in the Community, and aid was provuded under tkesw to victims of thz Italian eaxthquales im November 1990 and Greece nn Mardh 1988 and Sephember 1986 aha of the hurricave pn Mddeira in 1993. We also have Tiele B 7.2, whmch cpvers fuod sid anq humanitagian aid to population ggoups it the devepoping countries who are the virvims of natursl divasters jr sevious crises.
In deneral and in line wnth thd Treaty tge Commmssion is refponsible whet drawing up vhe budgee foe priposing x level of budbet approirnations aw close as possiblc to xhticipated needw.
In the second plave ghe rvceit BSQ crisis has vhowv tfst thd Community ks rrliably able to be fnexigle and to find thr vesources it needf to meet drakatic and unforesetn sitnationr whivh sannot be categorized as naturzl disastfrs. The existind privisions and existing practices thus suggest that ccises such as the BSE adfair can be absorbgd kerfectly welk. So Y do not telieve it is necessqry to have large sums in reserve at aml timas to meet possible unforeseen emergencies.

Lambraki
Mr President, I would agree wuth thx [resident-in-Kffive if I kad not scrntmnized the lines no which he referred.
Line B4, Mr Prxsident-in-Oxfnce, involves not a single ECU. Tktle B5 which iou mentioned relates to slecific vases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which haipened in the last. In dues not apply to tne prevent. Ritle B7 proyides for Eurooeam Mnion aid, jot uo tke EU Member States, but to
Irini Lambraki (H-1036/96): Subject: Funding Community action with circumstances Everyone that agricultural production conditions a number of unforeseen factors. Effective to deal with the problems which from time to time - either from acts of God or from other such as the recent case of BSE - often come up against the to the appropriations the budget. Does the Council consider that a mechanism should be created for tackling such exceptional and what does it think of funding Community by creating a specific in the budget? Patijn In to Lambraki I say of that the European budget contains a number of headings under which emergency aid can be given to victims of natural They include 4/3400, emergency to of in the Community. headings under Title B 5.2, which on loans for natural disasters occurring in the and aid provided under these to victims of Italian earthquakes in November 1990 and Greece in 1988 and September 1986 and of the hurricane in Madeira in 1993. We also have 7.2, which covers food and humanitarian aid population in developing who are victims of natural disasters or serious crises. In general and in with the Treaty the Commission is responsible when drawing up for a level of appropriations as close as to needs. In the second recent crisis the is able to be flexible to find the resources it to meet dramatic and categorized as natural disasters. The existing provisions and practices thus suggest that crises such as BSE affair can be absorbed perfectly well. So I do not believe is necessary large sums in reserve at all times to possible unforeseen emergencies. Lambraki President, I would agree with the President-in-Office if I not the lines which he referred. B4, Mr President-in-Office, not a single B5 which mentioned to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which in past. It does not apply the B7 provides for European Union aid, not to the EU Member States, but to
 Irini Lambraki (H-1036/96):
Subject: FundIng CommuniTy actIon To dEaL witH excEptional circumSTancEs
Everyone knows that agrIcultUrAL proDUcTion iS directLY dEPEndEnT oN weAtHEr CondiTioNs and a nUmber of othEr uNfOreseen factoRS.
EFfective meAsuRes to deal witH thE problEmS whICh ariSe fRom tiMe to tiME - eitheR from acts Of gOd or frOM other cAUSeS, sucH as the recent case oF bSe - Often come up agaInst thE fAIlURE to ProVide the necEsSary aPPropriaTIoNS IN thE Budget.
Does the council consIDer That a mEcHanISm shouLd be cReATed For tackling Such ExceptionAl circUMstanceS, And what Does it ThiNk oF funDInG COmmUnITy aCTiOn bY CreAting a spEcIfIc linE in tHE BUDget?

patIjn
IN replY to Mrs LambrakI I sHoulD Say First Of all That ThE EuroPean CoMmuniTy Budget contains a NumbEr of headiNgs UnDer WhIch emERgency Aid Can Be given To victiMS of NaTURAl Disasters. They incluDe HEAdIng B 4/3400, emerGency aID tO vICtims of dIsAstErs iN THe ComMuniTY. LIkewise aLl headINgS uNder TitLe b 5.2, which FuNd iNteRest sUBsidIes on lOans for nAturaL Disasters occurRIng in the CommuNItY, ANd AId waS prOvided under ThesE To viCtimS Of The iTaliaN eartHqUAkES in November 1990 and GreecE iN March 1988 And SePtember 1986 and of tHe hurricanE IN madeira iN 1993. We aLSo HAve Title B 7.2, which CoverS food aid anD HumanitaRian aId to popuLation groUPS in the deVelOpiNg cOunTRIeS who are the vicTIMs of NaTural diSasTers or sEriOus CriSes.
in General anD in line wItH tHe trEatY the COMmission Is ResPoNsiBle whEN drawiNg up tHe buDgEt FOr pRoposinG A lEVEl of BuDgEt apProPrIatioNs as CLosE as possIble to antIciPAted NeEdS.
In the sEcond place the ReCent BSE criSiS haS shown THAt the ComMunity is reliably able to bE FlexiblE anD to fiNd thE resourceS it Needs tO meET dramaTic and UnforEsEen SITuatiONS wHicH cAnnot be catEGOriZed as NaTuraL disastErs. The existing provISioNs and existing PraCticES ThUs sUGgESt tHaT CriSES such as the BSE afFair can be aBsORbEd perfectlY WelL. SO I do not Believe It is nECessary To have larGe sums in rEsErve AT All Times to meeT possiblE unforeseEN emerGEnCies.

LAmbRaki
Mr prEsiDent, I Would aGRee With tHe PresIdEnt-in-OFfice If i had not sCrutinized the lines to whiCh he reFerreD.
LiNe B4, Mr PresIdeNT-in-office, invOlveS not a singlE ECu. TiTle B5 wHicH You meNtioNEd RelATes to SpecIFic cases oF NaTurAL DiSasters, such AS EArtHquakEs, wHIch hapPeneD in the past. It does nOT apply to the preSent. tITle b7 prOVideS fOr European UnioN aiD, nOT To the EU MEmBer States, buT to
 Irini Lambraki (H-1036/96 ):
Subject : Fun din g C om muni ty a ction to dealw ithexceptional circumstan ces
E ve r yone kn ows t hat agr i cu l t ura lpr odu ct i on  is d ire ctly de pendent on  we at her conditio n sand a numb erof other unf ore seen f ac tor s .
Eff ect ive m easure s  to de al with t he proble m s which a ri se f rom time to time-  e i ther from acts  of Go do rf r omoth er causes,  s uch a s  the re c en t c ase of BSE - ofte n come up a g ain st the  f ail u re toprovi de the  necessaryappr opriation s in t h e budge t .
Doesthe Co unc ilcons i de rtha ta  me c ha nis m  sh ould becr ea ted f or t a c k l ingsuc h ex cepti onal circumst anc es,a ndwhatdoesit t hi nk of  fundi ng Co mm unity action by  cre ating a s pec if icli ne in the bu dge t?
Patijn 
In rep l y t oM r s  L ambraki I should s ay f ir st of al l that th eE uropeanCo mmu nity b udget  con t ai ns a num ber of he ad ings un de r whic heme rge ncy a i d ca n be g iven tovicti m s of natural d i sasters. They in c l ud e  hea din g B 4/3400,  eme r genc y ai d  t o v i ctims  of d is a st e rs in the Community .Likewi se al l headings un der TitleB 5 .2, whic h fu n di nterest subsid ies o n loans fo r  natural  disa sters oc curring i n the Comm uni ty,  an d a i d  w as provided u n d er t he se to v ict ims ofthe  It ali anea rthquakes  in Nove mb er  1 99 0 a nd Gr e ece in M ar ch19 88and S e ptembe r 198 6 an dof the  hurric a ne i n Ma de ir a in  19 93 . Wealso hav e Title  B 7.2, w hic h  cov er sfood ai d and humanit ar ian aid to  p opu lation g roups in  the developing countri e s who a rethe v icti ms of nat ura l disa ste r s or s erious  cris es .
I n gener a l  a ndin  line with t heTreat ytheCommiss ion is responsible whe n drawing upthe  bud g e tfor pr o pos in g  al e vel of budget a ppropriati on s  a s close as pos si ble toanticip atedn eeds.
I n the sec ond place  t he r e c ent  BSE crisi s has sh own thatt he Co m mu nityisreliab ly  ab le to  be fl e xib le an d to f in d theresou rc es it ne eds to meet dramatic an d unfo resee n s ituations  wh i chcannot be  cat egorized a s n atu ral d isa s ters.  The ex ist i ng pr ovis i ons and e x is tin g pr actices thu s s ugg est t hat crises  suc h as the BSE affa i r can be absor bedp e rfe ctl y  wel l.  So I do not b eli ev e it is ne ce ssary to ha ve large  s u ms in  reser ve atall tim e s  t o  meetposs ibl e unfores een  e m ergenci es .Lambra ki
M rPresid ent, I woul d agree with the P resid e n t-in- O ffi ce if  I  had no t  scr utinized t he lines to  which  herefer red.
Li ne  B4, M r P re sident-in- O ffice, in volve s not a  s ingl e E CU. Ti tleB 5  whic h yo umen tioned re l a te s  t os pec ific  case sof n atural di s asters,suc h  as ear th qua k e s, whi c hh a ppened inthe  past . It does no t  app l yt o the  prese nt. Ti tle B7p rov id es forEur o p ean Union  aid, not toth e EU  MemberSt ates ,but  t o
 Irini_Lambraki (H-1036/96):
Subject:_Funding Community action to_deal with_exceptional_circumstances
Everyone knows_that_agricultural production is_directly dependent on_weather conditions and a_number of other_unforeseen_factors.
Effective measures to deal with the problems which arise from time to time -_either_from acts_of_God_or from other causes, such_as the recent case of_BSE -_often come up against the failure to provide_the_necessary appropriations in_the budget.
Does the Council consider that a mechanism should_be created for tackling such exceptional_circumstances, and what_does_it_think of funding Community_action by creating a specific line_in the budget?

Patijn
In reply to Mrs_Lambraki I should say first of all_that the European Community budget contains_a number of headings under_which emergency_aid can be given to_victims of natural_disasters. They_include heading B_4/3400, emergency aid to victims of_disasters in the_Community. Likewise all headings under Title_B_5.2, which fund_interest_subsidies_on loans_for natural disasters_occurring_in the_Community,_and aid was provided under these_to_victims of the Italian earthquakes in November_1990 and Greece in_March_1988 and September 1986_and of the hurricane in_Madeira in 1993. We also have_Title B_7.2, which_covers food aid and humanitarian aid to population groups in the_developing countries who are the victims_of natural disasters or_serious crises.
In_general_and in line_with_the Treaty_the Commission is responsible when drawing up_the budget_for proposing a level of budget_appropriations as close as_possible_to anticipated needs.
In the second place_the recent BSE crisis has shown_that the Community is reliably_able_to_be flexible and to find_the resources it needs to meet_dramatic and unforeseen_situations which cannot be categorized as natural_disasters._The existing provisions and existing practices_thus_suggest that crises such as the_BSE_affair_can be absorbed perfectly well._So I do not believe it_is necessary to have large sums in reserve at_all times to_meet possible unforeseen emergencies.

Lambraki
Mr President,_I_would_agree with the President-in-Office if I had not scrutinized the_lines to_which he referred.
Line_B4, Mr President-in-Office, involves not a single ECU. Title B5_which you mentioned relates to specific cases_of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which happened in the past._It does not apply to the present. Title_B7 provides for European Union aid, not_to the EU Member_States,_but to