Question for written answer E-002672/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christian Ehler (PPE), Sabine Verheyen (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE), Ivan Štefanec (PPE), Sara Skyttedal (PPE), Iuliu Winkler (PPE), François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE), Peter Pollák (PPE), Franc Bogovič (PPE), Sven Schulze (PPE), Pernille Weiss (PPE), Tomasz Frankowski (PPE), Theodoros Zagorakis (PPE), Andrius Kubilius (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Pilar del Castillo Vera (PPE), Henna Virkkunen (PPE), Eva Kaili (S&D), Massimiliano Smeriglio (S&D), Ibán García Del Blanco (S&D), Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D), Andrus Ansip (Renew), Klemen Grošelj (Renew), Dace Melbārde (ECR), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), Ivars Ijabs (Renew), Cyrus Engerer (S&D), Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE), Angelika Niebler (PPE)
Subject: Economic recovery of the film and audiovisual industry in the COVID-19 context
Parliament has agreed to launch a COVID-19 recovery plan – a light at the end of the tunnel for European citizens and businesses. Moreover, the Commission’s flexibility in terms of EU State aid rules has mitigated some of the economic impact of the lockdown cycles.
The film and audiovisual sector is one of the very few industries, along with hospitality and air transport, that has been unable to resume physical activities due to COVID-19 restrictions, even as economies are reopening. Its businesses are mostly SMEs which look to the EU institutions for support in this crisis.
1. Given the disruptive nature of lockdown cycles, flexibility in terms of State aid rules – including Member States’ tax incentives – is a prerequisite for successful post-pandemic economy recovery. What is the Commission’s position on this?
2. Given that the Commission has launched guidelines for a ‘safe reopening of culture’, what steps will it take to ensure that the voices of important stakeholders, including the sector itself, are taken into account? For over a year, the industry has worked successfully with local and national authorities to ensure – when possible – that content was created and showcased in safe conditions. Will the Commission consider best practices?
Supporter(1)
(1) This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Laurence Farreng (Renew)