Brussels, 27/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - In an opinion adopted in October and published on 16 November in the Official Journal of the European Communities (C321/02), the ECSC Consultative Committee welcomed the presentation by the Commission of a draft regulation on state aid to the coal industry (see EUROPE of 27 July 2001, p.12) but expressed reservations about the text.
The Committee "considers it useful that the scheme apply right through until at least 2010". The Commission's proposal only makes specific provisions until 2007 and makes plans for a review covering 2007-2010, but the Committee notes that the review "may entail quite different provisions, thus clouding the future outlook". The Committee says it is "also problematic that a scheme which aims to improve the security of energy supply by creating a solid primary energy base, should demand the "continuous reduction" and reallocation of coal aid to renewable energy sources. It is desirable that the new scheme make it possible for the Member States to strive for the long-term goal of a stable minimum output of indigenous coal, which allows continued access to substantial deposits, thus ensuring the preservation of the infrastructure in working order, skilled core workforce and technological know-how required for this purpose. The reduction of the aid earmarked to secure these resources should therefore only proceed to the point at which this minimum level is reached".
The Committee stresses that the social and regional consequences of future adaptation must also be given consideration.