MEPs set to reignite row over film quotas

Date: 11/01/1996

By Fiona McHugh

MEPs and culture ministers are set to collide over whether or not to tighten quotas limiting the number of foreign films shown on European screens.

In a move likely to infuriate ministers who finally decided last November to leave the EU's quota rules unchanged, members of the European Parliament's culture committee have decided to call for the current voluntary quota system to be made mandatory.

Under that system, TV companies must broadcast a minimum of 51&percent; European-made products, but only “where practicable” - a legal loophole which the committee now wants closed.

Startling though it may seem, it took ministers almost a year to decide to maintain the status quo and they are unlikely to want to reverse that decision at the Parliament's behest.

France had wanted to tighten controls on cheap Hollywood productions which it feared would wipe out its ailing film industry, but was forced to abandon its protectionist plans in the face of bitter opposition from liberal countries such as the UK and the Netherlands.

While the Parliament as a whole is not obliged to follow the committee's lead, it is likely to do so. Most deputies are still smarting over the fact that ministers, breaking EU rules, came to a political decision on quotas three months before the Parliament was due to deliver its verdict.

With Rome's commitment to quotas less than certain, most observers believe the Council of Ministers wanted to push the directive through before Italy took over the EU's rotating presidency. In so doing, however, it trampled on MEPs' toes.

They warn that the Parliament will not accept the fait accompli with which the Council has presented it, vowing to go to the barriers to defend their right to a genuine say in the legislative process.

“They usurp the Parliament's position at their peril,” warned the Socialist culture spokeswoman Carole Tongue after ministers took their decision. “They do not have a monopoly on wisdom in this affair.”

Under the 'co-decision' procedure, Council and Parliament are supposed to share decision-making power on the Television Without Frontiers Directive.

Given the likely conflict in opinions on quotas, the two institutions seem certain to wind up in formal 'conciliation' meetings aimed at hammering out a compromise.

The committee also decided to call for a number of other controversial changes to the directive. If they are taken on board by the full assembly and national governments, video-on-demand, a new audio-visual service which allows customers to select what they want to see on TV and when, would be forced to comply with an investment quota five years after the directive comes into force.

Industry has fought desperately to have new services excluded from the quota regime, claiming costly investment obligations would stifle innovation. Theme channels, such as those focusing on sports or films, would also be obliged to invest 5&percent; of their turnover or 25&percent; of their budget in home-made productions after three years.

The full assembly is due to vote on the directive during its February plenary session in Strasbourg.