Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/1

I (Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1861/86 Consequently, the Commission has initiated an by Mr Louis Eyraud (S) infringement procedure against France. In the meantime to the Commission of the European Communities France has notified its intention to regularize the situation. (7 November 1986) (89/C 262/01) At the present juncture, the Commission has insufficient information on which to base any presumption that there Subject: French artificial insemination centres is an infringement of the Community rules on competition and freedom to supply services. The Court of Justice of the European Communities has twice stated its position on the French artificial (') OJ No C 60,9. 3.1987. insemination system from the point of view of Community law (!). Its rulings, which relate solely to the compatibility of the system with Article 37 of the Treaty of Rome and Directive 77/504/EEC on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species, refer to the possibility of indirect infringement of the rules guaranteeing the free movement of goods. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1567/87 Can the Commission state what is the position with by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) regard to the rules concerning freedom to provide services to the Commission of the European Communities (Articles 52 to 59) and those concerning competition (6 November 1987) (Article 85 etseq.)} (89/C 262/02) O Cases 271/81 and 161/82. Subject: Fraud regarding exports of cheese

Answer given by Mr MacSharry The allegations made by the Netherlands Member of the on behalf of the Commission European Parliament, Piet Dankert, rapporteur on the combating of fraud, regarding the fraudulent practices of (26 May 1989) Dutch and Danish exporters of cheese to the United States which have cost the European Community several Further to its answer of 25 November 1986 ('), the millions, ha^e now gradually become known to the public Commission is now in a position to inform the through various press reports. Similar frauds had already Honourable Member of the outcome of its inquiries. been uncovered in 1982.

It has reached the conclusion that the system of prior Mr Middelveld, Secretary of the Holland Export authorization applied in France to imports of bovine Association, which coordinates exports of Dutch cheese semen and the importer's inability to constitute a stock of to the USA, claims to have no knowledge of any new semen at an approved insemination centre of his own reports of fraud. He knows only about the 1982 cases. choice constitute an infringement of the principle of free trade within the Community, as contained in Article 30 of Can the Commission state whether it has as yet any ideas the EEC Treaty. whether these allegations are true? No C 262/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

If so, how does it explain that this type of fraud is again basis. It is on such a basis that one non-member country taking place after the revelation of the 1982 cases? which receives Community imports has set up a surveillance system through which the Member States are Does this mean that the measures taken then were not informed of any request submitted for reimbursement of sufficient? import duty for goods which are reexported within six months of entering the territory of that country. What further action is the Commission now envisaging? In addition, the Commission is engaged in negotiations to introduce a certificate of origin for cheese exported in the United States. If the American authorities accept the certificate, a large number of problems will be resolved, particularly those concerning abuse of Community quotas Answer given by Mr Andriessen by certain non-member producer countries. on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1988) All the cases of fraud concerning exports of all types of cheese and involving payment of refunds were put to and discussed in detail within the European Parliament's During the course of an investigation (still in progress) Committee on Budgetary Control at its sittings of carried out by the Commission in close collaboration with 22 September 1987 and 26 January 1988. the authorities of the Member States, a number of fraud rings involving cheese exports and the payment of export refunds were uncovered. The acts of fraud involved were committed over a number of years in transactions between several Member States and non-member countries.

The 1982 case mentioned by Mr Middelveld, Secretary of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2297/87 the Holland Cheese Export Association, is but one example which is well known to the Commission. by Mr Karel De Gucht (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities The reasons for which these acts continued for several (5 February 1988) years are, on the one hand, that the paying agencies must (89/C 262/03) await proof from the authorities of the country of destination that the products have been imported before paying the appropriate rate of refund and, on the other, Subject: Ban on advertising by non-Dutch banks in the that they do not exchange among themselves all Netherlands information relating to anomalies or suspected anomalies that they might come across. According to various reports in the press, banks not established in the Netherlands are no longer allowed to It has become apparent that national civil servants in some advertise. The Dutch Government is apparently basing its non-member countries fail to realize the importance and decision on the credit system act, which states that only financial consequences to the Community of documents registered institutions may advertise. Foreign banks, proving arrival at destination. There have been however, are not registered. occurrences of customs clearance certificates being signed and stamped for goods which remained in transit in a free Does the Commission find it acceptable to protect the port or customs warehouse without being imported or national market in this way? import duty levied, and which were reexported to a final destination in a non-member country for which no export refund is payable. If not, what measure is the Commission considering to put an end to this situation? As regards the recovery of the amounts paid out in error, aside from procedures set in motion at the initiative of the Member States (paying agencies or other bodies) for the cases which have been uncovered, the Commission and Answer given by Lord Cockfield the Member States' authorities have been cataloguing and on behalf of the Commission investigating all the cases of fraud, working jointly and in collaboration with the authorities of the non-member (10 August 1988) countries concerned. Given the number of cases and the complexity of the inquiry, investigations are still going on. On the basis of the information at its disposal, the Commission considers that the Dutch provisions on the It must be pointed out that non-member countries are not soliciting of deposits of less than HFL 100 000, applicable legally obliged to cooperate in a Commission to all non-registered institutions and individuals whether investigation. All collaboration is therefore on a voluntary national or foreign, are not contrary to the EEC Treaty. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/3

Nevertheless the White Paper on the Internal Market (') services. The Council adopted the new Directive on 22 envisages complete freedom to provide services in this June 1988 (2). area and the proposal for a Second Banking Coordination Directive, which was approved by the Commission in January, will upon entry into force of the relevant Freedom to provide services in the insurance field requires provisions, accordingly preclude such requirements of that an insurer with its head office in one Member State prior authorization. must be allowed to cover a risk situated in another Member State without having to act through an establishment in that State. The text of the proposal for a The Commission would furthermore refer the Directive was strongly influenced by a recent judgment of Honourable Member to its answers to oral questions 2 the Court of Justice, in Case 205/84 Commission v Nos H-830/87 by Mr Vernimmen ( ) and H-861/87 by MrCroux(3). Germany, and provides for two different arrangements depending on the policy-holder's need for protection. For 'large risks' supervision is for the most part a matter for O CPM(85) 310 final. the Member State in which the insurer has its head office O Debates of the European Parliament No 2-361 ('home country control'); for 'mass risk' (small 1988). policy-holders) the Member State where the risk is O Debates of the European Parliament No 2-362 situated may, under certain conditions, exercise 1988). far-reaching supervision, and require that the insurer seek authorization (which is a restriction on freedom to provide services, but is nevertheless justified in the general interest), pending completion of a second stage of further harmonization of insurance legislation.

From 1 Januar 1993, 'large risks' are to be as follows: WRITTEN QUESTION No 2506/87 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) — transport (no thresholds); to the Commission of the European Communities (2 March 1988) — credit and surityship (no thresholds, but on condition that the policyholder is engaged in a commercial (89/C 262/04) activity);

— fire, damage to property, general liability and Subject: Insurance — freedom to provide services in miscellaneous financial loss, on condition that the Europe policy holder or the group of undertakings to which it belongs satisfy at least two of the following three On 18 December 1987, the Council adopted a directive tests: 250 employees; turnover of 12,8 million ECU; allowing an insurance company established in one balance-sheet total of 6,4 million ECU. Member State to underwrite insurance policies in another Member State without being established there. However, this applies only to cover for industrial risks for During a transitional period lasting until 31 December companies employing at least 500 people and with a 1992 the thresholds are to be roughly twice as high. There turnover of at least 24 million ECU. are also specific exemptions for certain Member States which are to apply over longer transitional periods.

Can the Commission clarify the usefulness of such a measure? To which firms does it apply? What impact is it These measures form pan of the process leading towards likely to have on what proportion of the insurance market completion of the internal market, and will allow firms in in each of the Member States by 1992? all lines of business to choose their insurer anywhere in the Community. This should generate more intense competition on the European insurance market, in terms What is meant by 'industrial risks'? not only of premiums but also of the nature and quality of the insurance cover provided, and thus improve the cost-benefit ratio for insurance in the European economy. In particular, it will now be possible for a firm with risks in several Member States to take out a single policy Answer given by Lord Cockfield covering them all, which is not generally the case at on behalf of the Commission present. (14 July 1988) There are no comparable figures available at a sufficient level of detail to allow the impact of these measures to be On 18 December 1987 the Council reached agreement on determined in advance, but it is reasonable to suppose that the main points of a Second Non-life Insurance Directive, the opening up of the large risks market as a result of the amending the First Directive, Directive 73/239/EEC O, Directive, while it will not happen all at once, will and facilitating the exercise of freedom to provide nevertheless be quite considerable. No C 262/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

For mass risks too the Commission intends to bring which were renegotiated recently, is to promote forward appropriate proposals which would put an end to economic, technical and financial cooperation between the need for authorization by the Member State where the the two parties and to develop trade between them; there risk is situated, with more extensive harmonization in is no provision under which matters relating directly to order to protect the interests of policy-holders and the status of national minorities can be raised. insured persons, and thus to secure a degree of freedom comparable to that established for large risks. Nevertheless the Commission is obviously concerned to safeguard the position of national minorities, whose O OJ No L 228,16.8.1973, p. 3. importance for cooperation between countries is O OJ No L 172,4.7.1988, p. 1. recognized in the Helsinki Final Act, which in turn is referred to in the preamble to the Agreement between the Community and Yugoslavia. This clearly covers the case of the Italian-speaking minority in Yugoslavia.

The Commission welcomes the discussions that are now under way on these problems between Italy and WRITTEN QUESTION No 2727/87 Yugoslavia and hopes that the talks can resolve the by Mr Francesco Compasso (LDR) difficulties which may have arisen or prevent them from to the Commission of the European Communities occurring in the future. (4 February 1988) (89/C 262/05)

Subject: Safeguarding the rights of the Italian minority in Croatia and Slovenia WRITTEN QUESTION No 237/88 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (ED) In 1953 there were 35 000 Italians still living in Istria, but according to the most recent census (1981) there are now to the Commission of the European Communities only some 15 000. (25 May 1988) (89/C 262/06) If this trend continues, the Italian minority in Istria will progressively disappear because of inadequate protection of their language against such measures as the restriction Subject: Safety and hygiene at work of the right to education in Italian to only 30—40 % of the Italian population. The Commission has announced that the Community has adopted a programme on health and safety at work (Doc. No 5184/3/85). A new regional law in Croatia seeks to abolish Italian-language nursery schools and a Federal bill to limit the use of Italian as a mother tongue. Of the measures proposed in the European Community action plan for 1986 in the field of health and safety at work, which were really implemented and what did each There is therefore a risk that the Italian-speaking of them cost? minority will die out altogether and a popular petition has called for action to avert the threat of extinction hanging over one of the two national components which make up Istria. Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission In the framework of the new EEC-Yugoslavia agreement, intended to promote and strengthen relations between the (29 September1988) Community and this country, does the Commission not consider that it should make urgent representations to the Since 1986, the Commission has put before the Council Yugoslav Government with a view to securing protection the following proposals for Directives on: for the rights of the Italian minority in Croatia and Slovenia? — improvement of health and safety at the workplace ('); — minimum safety and health requirements at the workplace (2); Answer given by Mr Cheysson on behalf of the Commission — minimum safety and health requirements for the use (14 July 1988) by workers of machines, equipment and installations (3); The purpose of the Cooperation Agreement between the — minimum requirements for the use by workers of Community and Yugoslavia, some of the provisions of personal protection equipment at the workplace (4); 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/5

— minimum safety and health requirements relating to s infringement procedure against Greece. The work with visual display units ( ); Commission's reasoned opinion was notified to the Hellenic Republic on 8 February 1988. — minimum safety and health requirements relating to the handling of heavy loads where there is a risk of If legislation in conformity with the Directive is not back injury for workers ('); adopted very soon by Greece, the Court of Justice will — the protection of workers from risks related to have to rule within the framework of the procedure set in exposure to carcinogens at work (sixth individual motion by the Commission on the compatibility of the Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of legislation now in force in Greece with the Directive 80/1107/EEC) (7); aforementioned Council Directive.

— the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (').

To implement its action plan in 1986 the Commission spent 1 900 000 ECU. WRITTEN QUESTION No 455/88 by Mr Manuel Fraga Iribarne, Mr Fernando Suarez O COM(88) 73 final. Gonzalez, Mr Antonio Navarro Velasco, Mr Miguel Arias O COM(88) 74 final. Canete, Mr Carlos Robles Piquer, Mr Jos* Valverde Lopez, O COM(88) 75 final. Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez, Mr Arturo Escuder Croft, Mrs O COM(88) 76 final. O COM(88) 77 final. Carmen Llorca Vilaplana, Mr Ramon Diaz del Rio O COM(88) 78 final. Jaudenes, Mr Pedro Arguelles Salaverria, Mr Salvador O COM(87) 641 final. Garriga Polledo and Mr Pio Cabamllas Gallas (ED) (*) COM(88) 165 final. to the Commission of the European Communities (17 June 1988) (89/C 262/08)

Subject: Discriminatory taxation on sherry in the United Kingdom WRITTEN QUESTION No 307/88 by Mr Konstantinos Filinis (COM) The Group of Sherry Exporters and the Regulatory to the Commission of the European Communities Council of the registered designation of origin for J6rez-Xeres-Sherry together drew up a memorandum for (3 June 1988) the Commission on 17 November 1987 complaining (89/C 262/07) about the discriminatory taxation on sherry in the United Kingdom which in their opinion violates the provisions of Subject: Breach of Community Directive No 77/187 Article 95 of the Treaty of Rome.

The Greek Government has not complied with its On 15 March 1988, the British Government presented the obligation to incorporate into Greek law by 1 January Finance Bill 1988 to the United Kingdom Parliament, in 1983 Community Directive No 77/187 (*) on the which several changes had been made to the excise duties safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers on alcoholic beverages. This measure, which increases the of undertakings, businesses or parts of businesses. In view differences in tax between sherry and British sherry, of the fact that some important provisions of the Directive aggravates this discriminatory situation. are being breached, such as Article 4(1) and (2), and 1. Does the Commission consider that such measures Article 5 and 6 concerning the protection of employees, facilitate freedom of movement and the development what action does the Commission intend taking to ensure of the single market? that Greece complies with this particular Community Directive? 2. If not, what action will the Commission take to halt this discrimination. O OJNoL61,5.3.1977, p. 26.

Answer given by Lord Cockfield Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1988) (30 November 1988) As indicated in its reply to Written Question No 2180/87 by Mr Caamano Bernal (') the Commission has received The Commission takes the view, like the Honourable the complaint to which the Honourable Members refer, Member, that the Hellenic Republic has failed to and it has taken the matter up with the United Kingdom incorporate Directive 77/187/EEC correctly in its authorities in the context of Article 169 of the EEC national law; the Commission has therefore instituted an Treaty. No C 262/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

The Honourable Members will be kept informed of — and the survival of 10 000 small and medium-sized developments in this matter. farms.

O OJNoC303,18.11.1988. Following the French Government's request to the Commission that it take the requisite measures to protect production, 80 % of which is accounted for in France, the Community acknowledged the severity of the problem in its regulation of 19 January 1988 and placed Community imports of maize seed under surveillance. WRITTEN QUESTION No 467/88 by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED) What specific protective measures will the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities take in this field? (17 June 1988) (89/C 262/09) Answer given by Mr Andriessen Subject: Vehicle lights on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1988) Volvo cars sold in Britain have front and rear lights permanently 'on' when the engine is running, whereas this Community production of hybrid maize seed rose from is apparently contrary to the law in Germany during some 1 100 000 quintals in 1983/84 to 2 000 000 quintals daylight. The use of dipped headlights is encouraged in 1986/87. Over the same period total Community though not obligatory during bad weather in some imports rose from 290 000 q to 520 000 q. These increases Member States. What does the Commission intend to do in both production and imports resulted in very high to standardize the situation? levels of stocks. The consequence of this situation was that in 1987/88 production and imports fell by some 30% and 20 % respectively. Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission The situation as regards Community production of hybrid maize seed cannot be assessed on the basis of how (14 December 1988) production and imports have varied over a single marketing year. The Commission is therefore keeping a The Commission is collecting the information needed in close watch on developments in the sector, particularly order to answer the Honourable Member's question. where trade with non-member countries is concerned. In addition, a working party which has been set up within The Commission is contacting the Member States with a the Management Committee for Seed will have the task of view to obtaining relevant information. studying ways to prevent any disturbance of the market. The Commission will send him the information which it As things stand, and bearing in mind developments in receives, and notify him of the Commission's point of 1987/88, the Commission feels that no special measures view, as soon as possible. need be taken.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 657/88 by Mr Jean-Paul Bachy (S) WRITTEN QUESTION No 787/88 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Thomas Megahy (S) (30 June 1988) to the Commission of the European Communities (89/C 262/10) (22 July 1988) (89/C 262/11) Subject: Protection of Community production of maize seed Subject: Beef, pork and lamb — production and consumption Community production of maize seed is threatened by a gradual drift towards third countries, particularly What is the latest estimate of the amount of Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia. (a) beef, This trend represents a serious threat to: (b) lamb, and — the Community maize-growers' independence as regards supplies, (c) pork — the independence of European genetic research, produced and consumed internally by the EEC? 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/7

Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (22 November 1988)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the latest figures available for the production and consumption of beef, pork and lamb in the EUR-12 are:

('000tonnes)

Beef and veal Pork Sheep Sc goats

1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987'

Gross indigenous production 8 010 8 051 12 406 12 756 948 975 Exports of live animals (') 38 43 10 Imports of live animals (') 90 44 25 Usable production (slaughtering) 8 061 8 122 12 407 12 735 962 1002 Imports (') 433 411 157 70 208 235 Exports (') 1 184 866 451 435 2 5 Total human consumption 7 480 7 505 12 113 12 404 183 1239 Human consumption (kg/head/year) 23,2 23,2 37,5 38,3 3,7 3,7

(') Imports and exports from third countrie s (EXTRA )•

WRITTEN QUESTION No 957/88 Answer given by Mr Marin by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (22 November 1988) (1 September 1988) (89/C 262/12) Subject: The high accident rate in technical colleges The Commission is aware of the importance of safety in According to the 3 June 1988 issue of the 'Journal du technical and vocational training colleges. It would draw Medicin', a publication produced for the Belgian medical attention to the fact that its proposal for a framework Directive on the introduction of measures to encourage establishment, two French specialists in preventive improvements in the safety and health of workers at the medicine, Dr Zorman and Dr Chomat, conducted a workplace (') and notably the proposals for individual survey, over a 12-month period, of all accidents involving Directives concerning the minimum safety and health the 6 100 students attending 19 technical and vocational requirements: training colleges in the Department de l'Isere (France). More than half these young people (3 397) suffered an (i) for the workplace (') and accident during the reference year in question. This accident rate is substantially higher than that recorded in (ii) for the use by workers of machines, equipment and industry. Most of the injuries sustained were to the hands installations (2) (89%) and the eyes (5%). Faced with these appalling facts, the authors of the survey apply to any public-sector or private-sector entity sought to identify the causes and pinpointed a number of engaging in educational activities and concern all workers factors, including: unsatisfactory educational methods, 'including students undergoing training and apprentices'. frequent friction between students and teachers, and poor instruction in accident prevention on the part of many At present, through the Ehlass system (European Home teachers, who themselves often neglect to take the and Leisure Accident Surveillance System) adopted by the essential protective measures (wearing of goggles, use of Council on 22 April 1986, the Commission has earplugs as a protection against noise, etc.). Community-wide access to data on the material factors Can the Commission arrange for a study to be carried out involved in accidents. Such data supplements and of the accident rates in the vocational training and amplifies the statistics published in the survey in question technical colleges of the Member States? on accidents in technical and vocational training colleges In the light of the results of this study, could the in the Departement de l'Isere. Commission draw up proposals for the implementation of safety and accident prevention measures in all the In general, the nature of the injuries recorded by Ehlass vocational training establishments in which this problem indicates faulty utilization of individual or collective arises in all the Community Member States? protective equipment. No C 262/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

The Commission, with the aid of the Ehlass hospital Queensland correction factors, and the potentially network, will undertake a more detailed survey in order to disastrous outcome for the hunted populations? analyse the various risk factors involved in accidents. 2. Does the Commission consider Australia's kangaroo In this same context, the Community organized on 18 and management programmes to be adequate when these 19 October, at the European Parliament premises in programmes do not take internal trade into account? Strasbourg, a symposium on safety in educational establishments, a notable part of which was concerned with technical and vocational training colleges and the 3. Does the Commission consider Australia's kangaroo development of safety awareness in children. management to be humane when the Australian Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare recently The Commission will closely study the findings of the acknowledged that, where skin-only shooting applies, survey and of the symposium. some skin-only shooters are less discriminating in the point of aim, their main concern is killing kangaroos, not O OJNoC 141,30. 5.1988,pp. l-5and6-13. the method of doing it. The RSPCA concluded that there O OJNoC 114,30.4.1988,pp. 3-12. was a greater level of inhumane killing among skin-only shooters.

Does the Commission realize that skin-only shooting accounts for approximately 70 % of kangaroo shooting in Queensland, which is the king-pin of the kangaroo WRITTEN QUESTION No 1107/88 industry? by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities 4. Does the Commission consider that the commercial kangaroo industry is primarily motivated by economic (2 5 August 1988) factors rather than the need to protect property? (89/C 262/13) 5. Will the Commission now implement the Subject: National arrangements concerning the right of recommendations of the European Parliament as laid asylum down in Document A 2-91/87, which urged the Commission and Council of Ministers to partially restrict What arrangements exist in each Member State to imports of kangaroo products to the European accommodate those seeking asylum? Community?

Answer given by Lord Cockfield on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Andriessen (28 November 1988) on behalf of the Commission (23 February 1989) Most of the information about legislation and procedure relating to the recognition of refugee status is contained in the annexes in Part B of the report on the right of 1. The Commission has been advised that the annual asylum produced by Mr Heinz Oskar Vetter on behalf of quotas in force in the States that operate an approved the Committee on Legal Affairs and Citizens' Rights ('). management programme are determined using all The Honourable Member could refer to this. available information and are set conservatively at levels considered to be non-detrimental to the species. The data O DocumentA2-227/86/B;PE 107.655/B/fin.of 23.2.1987. obtained from aerial surveys are subjected to the sighting correction factors developed by Dr Caughley. Recent research, however, has shown that in the case of grey kangaroos these factors are likely to underestimate population sizes.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1217/88 2. Australia's kangaroo management programmes do by Mr Paul Staes (ARC) take internal trade into account. Kangaroos may only be to the Commission of the European Communities taken, traded internally, exported and held in possession pursuant to the provisions of State legislation. (3 October 1988) (89/C 262/14) 3. The code of practice for the humane killing of kangaroos that is being promoted throughout Australia Subject: Kangaroos does not differentiate between carcase and skin-only shooting. The Royal Society for the Prevention of 1. Is the Commission concerned by the discrepancy Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) data quoted in the report of between the estimated population of the Eastern Grey the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare was Kangaroo as predicted by the Caughley and the collected prior to the implementation of this code. The 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/9

Committee recommended that the commercial shooting appropriate arrangements should be concluded between of kangaroos continue to be permitted for the Community and Norway and Sweden. Since then the damage-reduction purposes while favouring full carcase Community has received a formal request from Norway shooting in areas where that is practicable. The Australian and Sweden for early negotiations with a view to Government's response to the report is expected to be concluding an agreement on scheduled air-passenger available in early 1989. services between them and the Community. 4. The information available to the Commission indicates that: The Commission is currently considering this request and expects to make a formal proposal on the matter to the (a) in setting quota levels the Australian government Council in the near future. does not take into account the potential income to the commercial kangaroo industry. 0 OJNoL374,31.12.1987. (b) the industry operates within the limits determined by the Government.

5. The Commission maintains its earlier position that there is currently no reason for restricting imports of kangaroo products, but will continue its permanent WRITTEN QUESTION No 1285/88 review of the situation in the light of any relevant by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S) developments. to the Commission of the European Communities (10 October 1988) (89/C 262/16)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1270/88 Subject: Regional development and assessment byMrHorstSeefeld(S) to the Commission of the European Communities 1. Does the Commission agree that the autonomous region of Sardinia, as part of the Italian republic, is a (10 October 1988) particularly good example of the form regional (89/C 262/15) development can take and also affords an opportunity of observing such development? Subject: The consequences of the liberalization of air transport for the airline SAS 2. What does the Commission regard as the development trends and features specific to Sardinia and What problems have arisen as a result of the liberalization how are these publicly documented? of air transport for the airline SAS, in which, in addition to Denmark, countries are involved which are not 3. Are there similar discrete regions of outstanding Member States of the Community, and what solutions development — in terms of tourism or industry — and have been found or are envisaged? what is the relationship of such regions to the Member States of which they are part?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Schmidhubcr (1 March 1989) on behalf of the Commission The particular position of SAS was recognized in the (5 January 1989) Community's package of aviation measures adopted by the Council of Ministers last December (') in which SAS is 1. An analysis of Sardinia's economic performance designated as a Community airline. over the last 10 years, as measured by per capita GDP expressed in purchasing power parities, reveals no Denmark made it clear at that time that it considered significant change in the region's position relative to the more far-ranging measures should be taken and that Mezzogiomo and Italy as a whole (see the table below).

Per capita GDP expressed in purchasing power parities (1977—1986)

Region 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

1. Sardinia (Mezzogiomo — 100) 110,5 111,4 110,6 105,9 102,9 107,1 104,7 106,8 106,9 106,9 2. Sardinia (Italy - 100) 75,9 76,0 76,8 73,3 71,6 74,2 74,5 74,5 74,2 74,2 No C 262/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

2. The following are some key aspects of Sardinia's WRITTEN QUESTION No 1297/88 economic situation: by Mr Ernest Mtthlen (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities — an analysis of demographic data covering the period 1981 — 1985 shows a 2,7% increase in the region's (10 October 1988) population as a result of natural growth and (89/C262/17) in-migration. On the labour market, the unemployment rate was 21 % in 1985, well above the average for the Mezzogiorno and twice the national Subject: Harassment at the border between Gibraltar and figure; Spain

— the breakdown of employment by productive sector 1. Is the Commission aware that travellers entering underwent changes over the period 1974—1985. Spain from Gibraltar are systematically searched, and that While the share taken by agricultural employment coach passengers crossing the Spanish border have to fell, though remaining at a fairly high level in relation alight from their vehicle and walk past customs officials to the national average, that of the tertiary sector without being allowed to reboard until the coach has been increased, both for non-market services and for thoroughly inspected? market services (particularly tourism and related activities). The share taken by the industrial sector 2. What are the Commission's views on this remained roughly unchanged at 60 % of the Italian harassment of persons crossing intra-Community average; borders?

— finally, an analysis of infrastructure endowment in 3. Will the Commission request the Spanish authorities Sardinia shows it to be one of the least favoured to stop this practice? regions in the Mezzogiorno (and, a fortiori, in Italy as a whole). Major infrastructe deficiencies exist in the case of internal transport, water resources, energy supplies and boating and sailing. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission All of this information is contained in the regional development programme (RDP) which was (14 March 1989) transmitted to the Commission by the Italian authorities pursuant to Article 2 (3) of the ERDF Regulation. The 1986—1990 Italian RDP was 1. No. submitted to the Regional Policy Committee in May 1988 and received the Committee's endorsement. It is 2. Gibraltar is part of the territory covered by the shortly to be published. Treaties establishing the Community but not part of its customs territory. The rules of the Treaty concerning the 3. The Balearic Islands can be cited as a region which, free movement of goods do not therefore apply to trade while in a similar socio-economic situation to that of between Gibraltar and Spain, while goods coming from Sardinia, has undergone major development. that territory are subject to the common system governing imports into the Community. The facilities provided by the Community rules with regard to intra-Community Oyer the period 1977 to 1985, the economic situation in trade in goods therefore do not apply \o cross-frontier this region has improved remarkably, helped by the boom traffic between Gibraltar and Spain. in tourism and related activities (tourism provided 60 % of the region's income in 1985). Its per capita income index Community law applicable to checks on persons deals increased from 117 to 136 (Spain - 100), which put the only with the abolition of restrictions on the movement Balearic Islands first among the Spanish regions (eighth in and residence of Member States' nationals within the 1977). Community in connection with establishment and provision of services (Directive 73/148/EEC). It is that Directive which applies to checks on persons at the As regards the institutional situation, the 1978 Spanish frontier between Gibraltar and Spain. constitution recognized the right of autonomy of the nationalities and regions making up the Spanish State; 17 'Comunidades Autdnomas' were thus set up. This has It stipulates that checks on Member States' citizens must entailed a transfer of powers from central government to be confined to 'production of a valid identity card or the regions, particularly in the fields of regional planning passport' ('). In its judgment of 3 July 1980 0, the Court and development, agriculture, industry, transport and of Justice stated that this does not 'justify administrative public works. measures requiring in a general way formalities at the frontier other than simply the production of a valid identity card or passport'. The only exception to this principle can be for reasons of public policy, as stated in Directive 64/2210. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/11

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's WRITTEN QUESTION No 1337/88 attention to the fact that the norms for policing at frontiers fall within the jurisdiction of the Member States. by Mrs Winifred Ewing (RDE) However, the problem is being considered in the to the Commission of the European Communities follow-up to the Rhodes European Council (abolition of (10 October 1988) physical frontiers). (89/C 262/19) 3. The Commission will consider with the Spanish Government the problems raised by the Honourable Subject: Licences for fishing vessels Member. Will the Commission conduct a survey into the way O Directive 73/148/EEC:OJNoL 172,28.6.1973. 2 licences for fishing vessels are changing hands at ( > Case 157/79 Regina v. Pieck (1980) ECR 2171. O OJ No 56,4.4.1964, p. 850/64. enormous prices and does the Commission not agree that licences which have come to a natural end should be put into a common pool and awarded on merit?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha WRITTEN QUESTION No 1333/88 on behalf of the Commission byMrGijsdeVries(LDR) (14 December 1988) to the Commission of the European Communities (10 October 1988) Under Community legislation on the conservation of (89/C 262/18) fishery resources ('), it is for the Member States and not the Commission to determine, in accordance with the applicable Community provisions, the detailed rules for Subject: The ECU the utilization of the quotas allocated to them.

1. Has the Commission noted the interesting move by (!) Article 5(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 - OJ No L 24, the French postal administration to indicate the ECU 27.1.1983. value on the FF 2,20 stamp (0,31 ECU)?

2. Is the Commission prepared to bring this to the notice of the Member States' Ministers for Posts?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1360/88 Answer given by Mr Delors by Mr Louis Eyraud (S) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (19 December 1988) (20 October 1988) (89/C 262/20) The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answer to Written Question No 538/88 by Mr Raftery (') in which it stated that the question had been raised with Subject: The crossing of intra-Community frontiers representatives of the postal authorities of the Member States at a meeting in June 1988 and that it had been In 1985, in its White Paper on completing the internal agreed that it would be discussed again at the next market, the Commission said it was proposing 'measures meeting, scheduled for November. to eliminate completely by 1988 checks on leaving one Member State when entering another. This type of check The November meeting was subsequently postponed. The has already been virtually abolished in practice at internal Commission will shortly be sending the postal authorities frontier crossings by road. This step would entail of the Member States a technical document on ECU administrative cooperation between the police postage stamps. It considers that their representatives authorities ...'. keep the Ministers for Posts of the Member States informed of progress on this matter. How does the Commission reconcile these claims with the behaviour of the French and Italian customs authorities, (*) OJ No CI 14, 8. 5.1989. who each separately check vehicles and their occupants entering or leaving the country via the road frontier at the Mont Blanc tunnel (Chamonix/Courmayeur) ? What kind of administrative cooperation is this? If the authorities of No C 262/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 the two Member States really have to carry out checks, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1403/88 could they not do it together, as is the case on trains? by Mr Ernest Muehlen (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities What steps does the Commission intend to take to put an (20 October 1988) end, in the near future, to such practices, which hold up traffic, cause discontent among travellers and increase (89/C 262/21) scepticism regarding European integration? Subject: Fare discrimination in air transport

1. What is the Commission's view of the current practice of national airlines to charge different fares for domestic flights depending on whether a journey is solely Answer given by Mrs Scrivener within national territory or forms part of a journey which on behalf of the Commission began on the territory of another Community country (15 March 1989) and is incorporated on the same ticket, when the differences in price for the same journey can be as much as 40% and more? With regard to formalities and checks concerning the movement of goods and means of transport, on 24 2. What does the Commission intend to do to put an October 1986 the Commission sent the Council a end to this practice of dual pricing, in the interests of proposal for a Regulation on the abolition of exit non-discriminatory freedom of movement within the formalities at internal Community frontiers — Community? introduction of common border posts (').

This proposal, which was a consequence of the desire Answer given by Mr Van Miert expressed at the Fontainebleau European Council in on behalf of the Commission 1984, went beyond the unification of the checkpoints on (7 March 1989) each side of a common frontier to which the Honourable Member refers. It provided for traffic in each direction to stop only once for checks to be carried out by the Member At present, Member States are free to decide on what State of entry. basis to approve air fares for internal flights, provided that, amongst other things, there is no discrimination on the grounds of nationality and provided that Articles 85, On 21 December 1988 the Council adopted a Regulation 86 and 90 of the EEC Treaty are observed. Council 2 on this subject ( ) falling far short of the Commission's Directive 87/601/87 (') on fares for scheduled air services proposal, which had been endorsed by Parliament. applies only to fares between an airport in one Member State and an airport in another Member State. Under this Regulation, from 1 July 1989 controls and formalities on leaving a Member State will be abolished at However, in the context of completing the internal common frontiers for goods accompanied by an ATA market in air transport, it may be necessary for the carnet (temporary admission), a Community movement Community to take action in this area so as to avoid carnet (temporary use within the Community) or a distortion of competition. The Commission will bear this NATO form 302 (military equipment). in mind in submitting further proposals aimed at completing the Community's air transport policy.

In the case of travellers and their luggage, in 1985 the O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1987. Commission sent the Council a proposal for a Directive on the easing of controls and formalities applicable to nationals of the Member States when crossing intra-Community borders (J) (the 'green disc').

On 18 April 1985 Parliament adopted a favourable WRITTEN QUESTION No 1420/88 opinion on this proposal (4) but it has still not been by Mr Rudolf Wedekind (PPE) adopted by the Council. to the Commission of the European Communities (20 October 1988) O OJNoC282,8.11.1986,p. 13. O Regulation (EEC) No 4283/88; OJNoL 382, 31.12.1988. (89/C 262/22) O COM(84) 749, OJ No C 47, 19. 2. 1985, p. 5, amended by COM(85)224 0JNoC 131,30.5.1985. Subject: Border formalities in Sicily for Community O OJNoC 122,20.5.1985. citizens travelling within the Community

Is the Commission aware that travellers from Sicily to other Community Member States are subjected to lengthy 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/13

baggage checks by customs officials, ostensibly for Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana customs purposes? on behalf of the Commission What legal justification can the Commission give for such (23 December 1988) obstacles to free travel within the Community? Can it say whether the autonomous region of Sicily is as fully 1. The Commission contributes to the training of integrated within the Community as the Republic of Italy conservation specialists by granting scholarships to the itself and other autonomous regions of Italy ? following institutes:

— European Centre for Training Craftsmen in the Conservation of the Architectural Heritage, Venice. Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission — Centre for the Conservation of Historic Towns and Buildings, Leuven. (22 May 1989) — International Centre for the Study and Preservation The Commission has noted the information provided by and Restoration of Cultural Property, Rome. the Honourable Member concerning baggage checks — Centre for Conservation Studies, Institute of carried out by the Italian authorities on travellers leaving Advanced Architectural Studies, York. Sicily. — Institute of Archaeology, University of London. Community legislation applies to Sicily in the same way as it applies to all other parts of Community territory. — European University Centre of the Cultural Heritage, Ravello. The Commission is raising the matter referred to by the Honourable Member with the competent authorities in 2. In 1984 the Commission set up the European the Member State concerned. It will inform him of the Monuments and Landscapes Fund for the protection and outcome of its inquiries. conservation of the architectural heritage. Through this Fund it has already backed 99 restoration projects involving a total of ECU 6 700 000. The Commission would also refer to its answer to Written Question No 1323/88 and No 1485/88 by the Honourable Member ('). The list of assisted projects will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's WRITTEN QUESTION No 1486/88 Secretariat. The Commission is also supporting by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) maintenance work on the monasteries at Mt Athos, to the Commission of the European Communities Greece, and awards an annual subsidy for restoration work on the Parthenon in Athens. (28 October 1988) (89/C 262/23) 3. In 1988 the Commission had a list drawn up of the various conservation training courses in the Member States. Subject: Architectural heritage — training of conservation specialists This list is now being revised and improved. The answer given in 1980 by Mr Brunner on behalf of the Commission to Written Question No 1157/80 (') by Lord (') OJNoC 151,19.6.1989. O'Hagan on the architectural heritage was that the Community was providing practical support for a number of projects, including the training of conservation speciaJists, and that it was contributing to the financing of conservation projects. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1490/88 1. What specific training projects, or training institutes by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) for conservation specialists, has the Community supported since 1980, and what has been their nature? to the Commission of the European Communities (28 October 1988) 2. For what projects for the upkeep of monuments has the Community provided financial aid, and what (89/C 262/24) funds have been involved? Subject: Frozen yoghurt — Judgment of the Court of 3. Does the Community have a survey or inventory of Justice — implications for the Member States the various conservation training courses available in the various Member States, or is such an inventory The Community recognizes frozen yoghurts. The being compiled? European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has recently delivered a judgment upholding the concept of yoghurt as O QJNoC 302,20.11.1980, p. 43. a living product. No C 262/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

The Court of Justice does not accept that a Member State of workers have, would the Commission say what should prohibit a frozen product from being labelled as measures it will take to put an end to this unacceptable yoghurt when its characteristics are not substantially situation, in particular now that Greece holds the different from the fresh product. presidency and accords particular priority to the social and employment sectors? This decision conflicts with the regulations now enforced in France which are extremely strict.

Does the Commission intend to open a conciliation Answer given by Miss Papandreou procedure with the French Government in order to on behalf of the Commission harmonize the definitions of products labelled as (14 March 1989) 'yoghurt' in the Member States in accordance with the ruling given by the Court of Justice? In 1982 the Commission sent to the Council a proposal for a Directive concerning temporary work and fixed-term contracts ('), amended in 1984 (*) in the light of the opinions delivered by the European Parliament. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission The Commission subsequently published a working paper on the social dimension of the internal market which (10 April 1989) announced a proposal for a Directive on employment contracts and relationships other than full-time or of indefinite duration. As soon as this text has been adopted Following the judgment of the Court of 14 July 1988 (Case 298/87), the French authorities adopted Decree by the Commission, Parliament will be consulted on this No 88-1203 of 30 December 1988 on fermented milks and proposal. yaourt or yoghourt (JORF1 No 16750 of 31 December 1988). The new provisions no longer exclude the use of O COM(82) 155 final. the terms 'yaourt' or 'yoghourt' to describe yoghurts that O COM(84) 159 final. have been frozen.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1529/88 byMrlsidorFruh(PPE) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1504/88 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Konstantinos Filinis (COM) (28 October 1988) to the Commission of the European Communities (89/C 262/26) (28 October 1988) (89/C 262/25) Subject: Ban on hormones for calf fattening

The declaration by Commissioner Andriessen to the Subject: Unacceptable contracts of 2 500 employees of European Parliament on 14 September 1988 and the the Greek racecourse organization debate which followed left the public with the unacceptable impression that only the United States of 2 500 employees of the Greek racecourse organization America and, of the European countries, principally the (ODIE), many of whom have spent decades in the Federal Republic of Germany were involved in the employment of the organization, have one-day contracts hormone controversy. with the ODIE, i.e. they are taken on at midday and dismissed in the evening. Apart from the fact that this 1. Is the Commission certain that the Federal Republic unacceptable and unjust arrangement is a flagrant of Germany is the chief offender against the ban on violation of workers' rights (holidays, allowances, hormones and that the other Member States adhere previous employment, compensation etc.), it creates an to it strictly? everyday climate of insecurity, fear and intimidation among the workers in that they are subject at any time to 2. What percentage of calf fattening in the European arbitrary action on the part of the employer. Community is carried out by industrial or contract fatteners and what is this percentage in each of the Member States? Given that (1) this type of working arrangement is unprecedented in Europe, (2) we are facing the challenge 3. In which of the Community Member States, if any, of 1992 and (3) this arrangement poses a further threat to are such comprehensive, frequent and careful the right to work and deprives the workers in question of inspections carried out as in the Federal Republic of a number of rights which all other comparable categories Germany and with what results ? .16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/15

4. Does the Commission consider the immediate 3. All' Member States are required to carry out slaughter of calves and their processing in examination of animals and meat for the presence of slaughterhouses to be essential for the protection of residues in accordance with the criteria laid down by the consumers and is this done in other Member Council Directive 86/469/EEC ('). In addition to States? requiring statistical checks to be made of the whole 5. Who, in the Commission's view, is responsible for animal population in their territory, all Member States infringing the ban on hormones and who should must make more intensive examinations and trace back meet the cost of the rigorous procedures involved, problems to their source when positive findings are made. the industrial fatteners or the fatteners on contract to them? 4. The trace-back system provided for requires farms which are under suspicion to be subject to special control 6. In how much time, if at all, could the harmful effects and investigation. If the examination reveals the presence of hormones be remedied by other methods of stock of prohibited substances, the animals must not be placed farming and feeding and the fattened calves then on the market for human or animal consumption. released for sale? 5. Any cases of breach of the regulations will relate to 7. What compensation can be provided for the damage the individual circumstances determined by the courts. It suffered by the entire calf fattening sector caused by is not possible to give general indications concerning the consumers' reluctance to purchase veal? position of individual persons that might be concerned. By virtue of Council Decision 88/408/EEC (2) on the 8. Are all Member States registering the same drop in levels of the fees to be charged for health inspections sales as the Federal Republic of Germany? Is the and controls of fresh meat pursuant to Directive penalty for infringing the ban on hormones the same 85/73/EEC (J), Member States are obliged to include an in all Member States and is it uniformly amount of 1,35 ECU/tonne to cover the costs of implemented? obligatory programmes for the examinations for the 9. Is it true that veal containing hormones is presence of residues. The fees are payable by the natural particularly harmful in children's food and are the or legal person who has the slaughtering, cutting or effects of consuming such meat less harmful for storage operations carried out. adults? 6. Where the conditions of use of an authorized 10. Are there any findings concerning the quantity of therapeutic substance have not been followed, the period veal containing hormones which has to be consumed of time which must elapse will vary depending upon the before it can harm infants, growing children and nature of the abuse, such as the dose given, the time it was adults? If so, what is the nature of these findings? given and the nature of the product used.

In the case of prohibited substances the animal must not be placed on the market for human or animal Answer given by Mr MacSharry consumption. on behalf of the Commission (13 April 1989) 7. The Commission does not consider that compensation for any loss suffered by the sector concerned is a matter for Community financing. 1. No. All Member States are required to take necessary steps to ensure that the prohibition of the use of 8. Sporadic drops in veal-meat sales can be experienced hormones is properly applied in their territory, and that following disclosure of illegal use of hormones. The appropriate action be taken in the case of any illicit use in penalties and sanctions in connection with the this field. The Commission will take steps within its enforcement of the ban are presented in national powers under the Treaty if it concludes that any Member provisions and depend generally on the nature of the State has failed in its obligations in this respect. offence.

2. The Commission is not in possession of the precise 9. *A1I meat, including veal, contains natural levels of details requested by the Honourable Member. The hormones which are not harmful either to children or definition of what is an industrial fattener and the various adults. Where abnormally high levels of certain hormonal forms of contract fatteners permit only rough estimates. substances are included in the diet, prepubertal children Almost 98 % of veal is produced in only six Member are more likely to be harmfully affected than adults. The States, i.e. France 38%, the Netherlands 19%, Italy 17%, Commission has consistently taken steps to establish Spain 12%, the Federal Republic of Germany 8% and legislation at Community level to ensure that the latter Belgium 4%. In France, six fatteners account for 40% of situation does not arise and will continue to follow this total production, in the Netherland 90% of veal is policy. produced under contract in larger units, in Italy 62% of veal is produced in large units, in Spain more than half the 10. Scientific studies in relation to the use of hormones production is concentrated in big units, in the Federal in animals, the level of residues in meat after treatment Republic of Germany 20% of calves are raised in farms and the amount of meat which may be safely consumed, with more than 500 animals while in Belgium eight have been made using a combination of practical producers account for over 90 % of veal production. observation and theoretical calculations. In consequence, No C 262/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

on the basis of this approach, an acceptable residue level This meeting bears witness to the importance attached to for drugs is generally established which takes into account the social dialogue by the Commission and the positive the fact that prepubertal children have the lowest normal contributions economic and social parties can make to range of circulating hormones. It has been concluded fully implementing the Single European Act. It marked an scientifically that the residues arising from the use of important stage on the way to developing a genuine future approved hormones in accordance with the proper industrial relations policy at Community level, respecting conditions are unlikely to pose a hazard to human health. both the autonomy of labour and management and the specific features of the Member States' industrial relations O OJNoL275,26.9.1986,p.36. systems. O OJ No L 194, 22.7.1988, p. 24. O OJNoL32,5.2.1985, p. 14. To this end, which is to give the social dialogue a higher profile so that it may one day lead to collective bargaining, in the conditions laid down in Article 118b of the EEC Treaty, and in particular to promote a new style of more constructive industrial relations in all the Member States of the Community, the participants unanimously adopted the text of the 'Social dialogue WRITTEN QUESTION No 1566/88 internal conclusions relating to future work' which will be by Mr Claude Wolff (LDR) forwarded directly to the Honourable Member and the Parliament Secretariat. to the Commission of the European Communities (8 November 1988) (') Programme of the Commission for 1988. (89/C 262/27)

Subject: Moves by the Commission to develop the dialogue between management and labour at European level WRITTEN QUESTION No 1642/88 Article 118b of the EEC Treaty stipulates that the by Mr Roberto Costanzo (PPE) Commission shall endeavour to develop the. dialogue between management and labour at European level, to the Commission of the European Communities which could, if the two sides consider it desirable, lead to (18 November 1988) relations based on agreement. (89/C 262/28) What steps does the Commission propose to take to promote the implementation of this provision of the Subject: Application by the United States of derogations Treaty? from GATT rules in the agricultural sector

Since 1955 farmers in the United States have been able to obtain exemptions granted by the American Administration from the GATT rules restricting imports Answer given by Miss Papandreou of certain agricultural products. on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1989) Since these derogations were allowed for the purpose of enabling the United States to re-organize a number of As announced in the programme for 1988, after having agricultural markets, and since more than 30 years have taken many initiatives at various levels 'to guide the two gone by since that date and the USA still uses the sides of industry towards true social negotiations', the instrument in question as a means of restricting imports of Commission made an assessment of the results of the milk and cheese products, sugar, cotton and peanuts, social dialogue launched in Val Duchesse in 1985 and went on to 'give some thought to the new aims it should 1. can the Commission give any information as to the be set so that the dialogue can contribute in full to duration of these derogations, which ought, as such, development of the social dimension of the large to be subject to a time limitation; market' ('). 2. is the Commission able to quantify the positive effects on the incomes of American farmers from the With this in mind Mr Delors, the President of the application of these derogations; Commission, assisted by Mr Bangemann and Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-Presidents, and Miss Papandreou and Mr 3. does the Commission, lastly, not consider that, despite Cardoso e Cunha, Members of the Commission, met on the considerable efforts by the Community to review 12 January with the President and Secretaries-General of the workings of the common agricultural policy, not the ETUC, UNICE and CEEP and those of their national least in relation to third countries, the United States is affiliated organizations. still moving in the opposite direction? 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/17

Answer given by Mr Andriessen In the light of disturbing reports on the premature and on behalf of the Commission ill-planned discharge of sick, homeless people from (13 April 1989) hospitals into night shelters in Ireland, has the Commission communicated the text of the Parliament's resolution on homelessness to the Irish health authorities In 1955 the United States secured the agreement of the (the Department of Health) insofar as it relates to the GATT Contracting Parties to an arrangement allowing it discharging of homeless people? to waive Articles II and XI of the General Agreement and apply import restrictions on certain agricultural products. No time limit was attached to the waiver. . Answer given by Miss Papandreou on behalf of the Commission The United States still maintains quantitative restrictions by virtue of that waiver on imports of some dairy (28 March 1989) products, cotton, groundnuts and sugar-based products. Sugar imports are subject to restraint under the headnote The Commission has called for a study on the feasibility to the schedule of US tariff concessions. of a monitoring centre for the homeless in the Community. It is planning to examine the possible The waiver being extremely broad in scope and subject to consequences of this study in the context of the new no specific time limit, the Commission's approach has programme to foster the economic and social integration of the least privileged groups (1989 — 1993) which it has been to check whether the conditions attaching to its use l were being properly complied with, and in particular recently forwarded to the Council ( ). whether the restrictive programmes which were supposed to accompany it were in fact in force. As regards the second part of the question, point 39 of the resolution on the homeless of 16 June 1987 instructs the President of the European Parliament to forward the It has been forced to conclude that behind the barriers resolution in question to the governments of the Member raised on the strength of the waiver, the United States has States. in many cases expanded farm production at the expense of world agricultural markets. (') COM(88) 826 final.

The Community has accordingly asked GATT to set up a panel to look at the import restrictions and other restraints imposed by virtue of the waiver or the headnote in respect of sugar and sugar-based products, reserving its position with regard to the other products, since this is the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1666/88 area in which the world market is worst affected by the US measures. by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities To date the United States has opposed the setting-up of a (18 November 1988) panel. (89/C 262/30)

Subject: Housing policy for the homeless in the Community

Will the Commission reconsider its attitude, as detailed by Mr Marin on 1 June 1988 (Written Question No 1874/87) ('), not to make housing policy a priority WRITTEN QUESTION No 1665/88 and not to make housing a priority when applying by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE) Community Loan Instruments? to the Commission of the European Communities Will the Commission include as a priority for 1989 a study (18 November 1988) on housing conditions in the Community, as per (89/C 262/29) paragraph 20 of the resolution on homelessness adopted by the Parliament on 16 June 1987?

Subject: Homelessness in the Community What steps has the Commission taken to prepare a study of the 'transitional dimension of homelessness' referred to in the resolution on shelter for the homeless adopted by Will the Commission report on the recent progress that the Parliament on 16 June 1987, in the light of the social has been made to alleviate the conditions of the homeless implications of the completion of the internal market in in the Member States as a result of the Report on Shelter 1992? for the Homeless in the Community, as adopted by the Parliament on 16 June 1987? O OJNoC289,14.11.1988, p. 16. No C 262/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou institutional prices and related measures for agricultural on behalf of the Commission products for the 1988/89 marketing year? (17 April 1989)

Answer given by Mr MacSharry As the Community loan instruments (NCI and EIB) were on behalf of the Commission created solely to finance investment, the Commission can (21 March 1989) only confirm, as regards the first part of the question, its answer to Written Question No 1874/87. Following the commitment undertaken by the Commission in June 1988, a report accompanied by As far as the second point raised is concerned, given the proposals for Regulations concerning the nut-growing limited financial resources available, it is unlikely that the sector was sent to the Council on 31 October 1988 ('). study referred to in paragraph 20 of the resolution on Taking account of the serious deficiencies in the homelessness adopted by the European Parliament on 16 Community nut-growing sector, in particular the June 1987 can be included among the priority studies in inadequate production and marketing structures, which 1989. have a negative impact on the quality and presentation of the products, and the weakness of the producers' As regards the last point raised in the question, the organizations in this sector, the Commission has Commission is supporting a number of initiatives in 1989, proposed bearing on two main areas: including the feasibility of an 'observatory' for the — concentrating supply from the producers by homeless in the Community to provide more detailed encouraging the formation of nut producers' groups information and enable the problems associated with and allowing them to play a part in stabilizing supply these specific groups to be monitored. This will help the by helping them to acquire the necessary financial appropriate authorities at local, national and Community means; level to look for effective solutions in the light, among other things, of the social implications of the completion — encouraging varietal, cultural and marketing of the internal market in 1992. improvements in Community nut production. In order to achieve this, the producers' organizations need to be able to draw up plans to improve the quality of the products and give impetus to their product marketing through promotion schemes and the introduction of quality standards. These measures, which the Council has recently adopted, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1700/88 are as follows: by Mr Francesco Compasso (LDR) — additional aid for the formation of producers' to the Commission of the European Communities organizations; (5 December 1988) — aid for the creation by producers' organizations of a revolving fund designed to permit storage and to (89/C 262/31) improve the quality and uniformity of the products; — aid for measures for varietal and cultural Subject: Support measures to alleviate the crisis in the improvement and modernization of marketing within hazel-nut sector the framework of a plan to be submitted by producers' organizations; The nut sector in the Mediterranean regions of the — aid to finance and execute measures to promote the Community is undergoing a serious crisis. In the region of use and consumption of nuts. Campania in particular, there are signs of a serious crisis in the hazel-nut-growing sector, which is one of the O COM(88) 597 final. leading sectors of fruit-farming. Hazel-nut production in Campania accounts for 60 % of national production (there are extensive quality hazel groves in the farming region of Nola, in the hill areas of Avellino and those of the province of Caserta). As a result of the current market WRITTEN QUESTION No 1756/88 situation, small farmers and producers are suffering losses by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser (PPE) of 30—100 thousand lira on the production price, which to the Commission of the European Communities is fluctuating between 200 and 300 thousand lira. As there are no surpluses in hazel-nut production in the (8 December 1988) Community, does the Commission not consider that it (89/C 262/32) should submit a draft regulation to the Council introducing a support mechanism for the nut-growing Subject: European standards for air-traffic control sector, in particular hazel-nut production, thereby systems honouring the commitment undertaken by the Council of Since national air-traffic control systems are currently Agriculture Ministers in June 1988 when adopting the being expanded at considerable expense — in the Federal 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/19

Republic of Germany alone, communications facilities, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1770/88 radar equipment and navigation systems will have accounted for DM228 million, DM200 million and by Mrs Ien van de Heuvel (S) DM62. million respectively by 1993 — does the to the Commission of the European Communities Commission not propose to lay down common European (8 December 1988) technical standards in connection with extensions to air-traffic control systems? (89/C 262/33) Subject: Psychiatric institutions Is the Commission planning a technical programme in this regard or does it propose to submit a directive on Has the Commission taken note of the article in the integrating the existing systems? British periodical 'Open Mind' of October/November 1987 on the disgraceful conditions in the psychiatric institution on the Greek island of Leros?

Is it true that the Commission has made funds available to the Greek authorities for the modernization of Greek Answer given by Mr Van Miert psychiatric institutions? on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1989) Can the Commission say what amounts are involved and under what conditions they were made available to the Greek authorities? The Commission has recently prepared a communication on the cAir Traffic Systems Capacity problems' which Is the Commission prepared to send a team to Leros and presents a report of the current situation and makes Daphne to investigate the situation there as soon as proposals for positive action at Community level ('). possible? What other steps will the Commission take to improve the One of the elements highlighted in this document which situation in the psychiatric institutions of Leros and adversely affects the capacity of the air traffic systems is Daphne as soon as possible? indeed a marked equipment incompatibility which again is due to a lack of cooperation and coordination in system Is the Commission prepared to consider ways in which it planning and implementation at European level. can contribute to the development of Leros and Daphne to compensate for the job losses which would be caused by the immediate closure of the institutions there? The Commission is therefore proposing a number of measures in order to ensure the coordination of Member States' activities regarding the Air Traffic Systems. Answer given by Miss Papandreou on behalf of the Commission The proposal (annexed to the abovementioned Communication) for a Council Decision on the (28 March 1989) consultation and coordination between Member States in the field of air traffic services and air traffic flow Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 ('), the management introduces a framework for the exchange of Community made available to Greece exceptional information at an early stage in particular regarding the financial support for, inter alia, a programme to develop planning and acquisition of air navigation facilities, the an infrastructure for the rehabilitation of mentally sick establishment and functioning of a centralised air traffic and mentally handicapped persons. flow management system and the development of common Air Traffic Control procedures. Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 provides for an overall budget of ECU 120 million. Community financing of the above programme is likely to cover approximately With particular reference to technical harmonization and 50 % of this sum. The qualifying conditions for projects research the Commission will shortly call a meeting of are set out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84, in experts with a view to developing concrete proposals. particular in Article 5.

Finally, it should be noted that the Commission has The Commission regularly monitors the projects financed already launched a study the objective of which is to under Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84, including define the advanced telecommunication technologies to those relating to the institutions of Daphne and Leros. be incorporated in a fully integrated Communication — Their situation is well known and there is therefore no Navigation — Surveillance (CNS) and Air Traffic need to send a team to investigate. Management (ATM) system. The Commission has helped Greece to put its programmes into effect, and will continue to do so in the O OJNoC34,10.2.1989. future. Several technical assistance schemes have already been implemented and these activities will be developed still further in the future under the extension of Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84. No C 262/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Council Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 does not make The Commission recently sent a letter of formal notice to provision for compensation for any job losses in the the competent Italian authorities pointing out that certain Greek psychiatric departments. On account of the special Italian customs offices have no authority to effect role played by the psychiatric hospital in the Leros customs clearance of steel products. economy, specific measures for the economic development of the island are laid down in the Integrated As to the other situations described, the Commission Mediterranean Programme for the Aegean Islands. recently asked the Italian authorities for further information. It will inform the Honourable Member of The Honourable Member is also requested to refer to the the outcome of its inquiries. answer by the Commission to Written Question 2 No 2067/88 by Mrs Maij-Weggen ( ). 5. The Italian customs authorities' use of the old import documents ceased shortlty after the introduction (') OJNoL88,31.3.1984. of the single administrative document. O See page 27 of this Official Journal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1787/88 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1782/88 by Mrs Winifred Ewing (RDE) by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (8 December 1988) (8 December 1988) (89/C 262/35) (89/C 262/34) Subject: Retirement age and discrimination against men Subject: Barriers to steel imports in Italy The Council recommendation 82/857/EEC (') on the principles of a Community policy with regard to Is the Commission aware that: retirement age stipulates that 'to ensure that retirement is voluntary, the rules governing the age from which a 1. steel products have not been given customs clearance retirement pension should be drawn should be made at the port of Messina since 1981; flexible'. 2. in practice, the customs in Palermo do not allow steel products to be shipped on to Messina in the same Does the Commission agree that in some European vessel after clearance; countries — such as the UK, men are discriminated against because they cannot retire until a later age than 3. when clearing foreign steel, the customs authorities at women? Will the Commission put forward proposals to Italian ports get help from Italsider inspectors; ensure that men can retire at the same age as women if they wish? 4. customs clearance at Rimini is subject to the provision of documents stating origin; (') OJNoL357,18.12.1982, p. 27.

5. despite the introduction of the standard document on 1 January 1988, the Italian customs still require the old import documents? Answer given by Miss Papandreou on behalf of the Commission What action has the Commission taken to end these (21 April 1989) illegal import barriers as soon as possible?

The Community has produced legislation on equal treatment between men and women in matters of social security. Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission Nevertheless, Directive 79/7/EEC (!) on the progressive (10 April 1989) implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security and Directive 86/378/EEC (2) on the implementation of the 1. to 4. The difficulties described by the Honourable principle of equal treatment for men and women in Member have been brought to the Commission's occupational social security schemes both provide for attention by a number of Community steel producers, exceptions to the principle of equal treatment, specifically dealers and dealer associations. with regard to setting the age of retirement. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/21

To end this discrimination the Commission submitted a Nuclear Fuels and the French Cogama undertaking for a proposal for a Directive to the Council on 27 October total supply of 45 tonnes of plutonium up to the year 1987, completing the implementation of the principle of 2000. This means that five tonnes of plutonium per year equal treatment for men and women in statutory and J are to be returned to Japan from the above reprocessing occupational security schemes ( ); this proposal includes plants. In 1984 a consignment of 250 kg of plutonium was measures to ensure that men and women receive equal shipped to Japan from Cherbourg under military escort, treatment in respect of the age of retirement. an operation which was not repeated because of the high costs involved. It was decided that future consignments This proposal is currently being discussed within the would be sent by air on a non-stop polar route, which Council. means that these consignments will inevitably cross Community territory twice a month for a decade. O OJN0L6,10.1.1979, p. 24. According to a report by the American Nuclear O OJNoL225,12.8.1986, p. 40. Regulatory Commission, this 'plutonium air-lift' to Japan O COM(87) 494 final. is to commence in 1990.

Given the high toxicity of plutonium, the frequency of the projected flights and the unavoidable risk of accident, can the Commission say: WRITTEN QUESTION No 1808/88 1. whether it is prepared to prohibit the transport by air by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC) of such consignments over Community territory on to the Commission of the European Communities the strength of the authority vested in it by the (9 January 1989) Euratom Treaty with regard to health protection, safeguards and relations with third countries and by (89/C 262/36) Article 130r of the EEC Treaty;

Subject: Transport of plutonium over Belgium 2. which Member States will be overflown by this 'plutonium air-lift' to Japan? Plutonium which is produced in French and British reprocessing plants is conveyed to Japan by air, since the safety precautions required on overland and sea routes proved to be too expensive. Joint Answer on Written Questions No 1808/88 and The aircraft, a Boeing 747, carrying 250 kg of plutonium, 1841/88 flies oyer Belgium with the knowledge of the Belgian authorities, inevitably causing a degree of risk to the given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha civilian population. on behalf of the Commission (17 March 1989) If such flights over European airspace do in fact constitute a danger, can the Commission say: The Community has not yet sent any shipments of — what routes are being followed and which countries plutonium to Japan under the provisions which were are affected? approved by the Japanese Government and entered into force in 1988. Such consignments can be dispatched by air — what is the risk of accidents to the civilian or by sea; in the case of air transport, it is clearly population? stipulated that aircraft would follow a polar route and — what view does it take of this 'cheap' but unsafe thus avoid flying over any country except for the country airfreight method? of origin (France or the United Kingdom). In the event of an in-flight emergency, the aircraft would nevertheless be allowed to land in the United States at military bases remote from densely-populated areas. No consignment can be dispatched without the express agreement of the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1841/88 Community Member States concerned. by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities As regards the health risk to the public, all transport (9 January 1989) operations must comply with Directives 2 (89/C 262/37) 80/836/Euratom C) and 84/467/Euratom ( ) laying down the basic safety standards for the health protection on the general public and workers against the dangers of Subject: Transport of plutonium to Japan by air over ionizing radiation and the 1985 Edition of the IAEA Community territory Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, which has been transposed into the Convention In order to satisfy the requirements of its nuclear power on International Civil Aviation. The risks that would be stations, Japan has concluded contracts with British incurred by the public as a result of an air transport No C 262/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

accident should be assessed in the light of the foregoing: WRITTEN QUESTION No 1840/88 any plutonium dispatched by air must be transported in by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) certified containers designed to remain intact even in the event of an aircraft crash; for each consignment, detailed to the Commission of the European Communities emergency plans must be drawn up in advance setting out (9 January 1989) possible emergency situations and the corresponding (89/C 262/39) countermeasures to be taken.

Those concerned will be better able, at a later date, to Subject: Accession by the Community to the Sofia evaluate the detailed transport plan that will have to be Protocol of 1 November 1988 on measures to approved before each plutonium shipment is made. combat nitrogen oxide emissions and the Declaration of 31 October 1988 (') OJ No L 246,17.9.1980, p. 1. O OJNoL265,5.10.1984, p. 4. On 1 November 1988 the Protocol on measures to combat nitrogen oxide emissions was signed in Sofia under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. Under this Protocol signatories are merely required to limit their national emissions of nitrogen oxide until the end of 1994 to 1987 levels. Only in a second phase will negotiations commence for the actual reduction of these emissions. In addition, twelve Western European WRITTEN QUESTION No 1837/88 countries, including only six EC Member States, signed a by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) Declaration on 31 October 1988 containing a firm commitment to reduce their annual emissions of nitrogen to the Commission of the European Communities oxide by 30% by 1998. (9 January 1989) (89/C 262/38) Can the Commission say:

1. whether the Community as such will accede to the Subject: Community export of mineral water Protocol and the Declaration under Article 130r (5) of the EEC Treaty, The American State of Massachusetts is contemplating new legislation in respect of mineral waters. This involves 2. how the other Member States will be encouraged to the introduction of new criteria which must be respected sign the Declaration of 31 October 1988, by spring water and mineral water, thereby threatening to place imports from the Community at a disadvantage. The 3. whether, in view of the forthcoming negotiations on question arises as to whether such a measure runs counter measures to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, a to the GATT code on technical barriers to trade. Community negotiating position will be formulated with a view to adopting provisions on acceptable levels of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere ? Can the Commission say whether a Community response is being considered in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Bangemann (26 May 1989) on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1989) 1. The Commission intends shortly to lay before the Council the necessary acts to enable the European The Commission has intervened with the Massachusetts Economic Community to adhere to the Sofia protocol on authorities in respect of their draft law, drawing to their measures to combat nitrogen oxide emissions. attention the consequences for international trade and the GATT obligations of the USA. The adoption of this The Declaration only binds the twelve countries who have proposal has been delayed, and discussions are in hand signed. The Community is not a signatory as technical with a view to obtaining the modification of this and other difficulties would make a reduction of nitrogen oxide draft legislation in the USA so as to permit the continued emissions by 30% in the Community very unlikely import into the USA of mineral water conforming with between now and 1998. Council Directive 80/777/EEC (')• 2. It is up to Member States who have not signed the O OJ No L 229, 30. 8.1980. declaration to decide whether or not to do so. The decision to join is voluntary and unilateral and the Commission does not intend to urge Member States to do so. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/23

3. The recent adoption by the Council of Ministers of the fourth environmental action programme for the the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain period from 1987 to 1992. pollutants into the air from large combustion plants is a first step towards reducing nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere ('). The action programme states that the proposals presented by the Commission for demonstration projects on the job The Commission is presently examining the possibility of creation potential of environmental measures should play further reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides, with a view an important part in this report. to solving, in particular, the problem of photochemical pollution in Europe. However, although the Council has considered the matter several times, it has not so far been able to reach The Commission is also taking part in the discussions agreement on the Commission's proposals on the presently being held within the United Nations Economic environment and employment. Commission for Europe (ECE) on acceptable levels for pollutants (including nitrogen oxides) in the atmosphere (critical level). The Commission is aware of the wide range of serious problems facing the urban environment in some of the Community's major cities: different forms of pollution, At the present moment Community negotiations on the industrial wastelands, dilapidated buildings, waste subject would be premature. management, etc. 0 OJNoL336,7.12.1988, p. 1. In fact, following the reorganization of the structural funds, the European Regional Development Fund can help to finance the infrastructure required to revive urban areas, particularly in those areas specified under its second objective. Similarly, the ERDF can help to finance investment designed to protect the environment where WRITTEN QUESTION No 1843/88 this is linked to regional development. by Mr Juan Garaikoetxea Urriza (ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities (9 January 1989) (89/C 262/40)

Subject: The Community's urban policy WRITTEN QUESTION No 1935/88 In the draft Council resolution on the continuation and by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE) application of the European Community's environmental to the Commission of the European Communities policy and programme (1987-1992), the Commission refers to the preparation of a report on possible forms of (16 January 1989) collaboration between the public and private sectors and (89/C 262/41) other interests for the regeneration of certain urban areas.

Would the Commission state what is the current position Subject: Taxation of cross-border passenger transport with regard to this report? In its proposal of 21 August 1987 (Doc. COM(87) 322 Does the Commission not agree that priority within the final, page 4) for a Council Directive completing the Community's environment policy should increasingly be common system of value added tax and amending given to the urban environment? Directive 77/388/EEC — removal of fiscal frontiers (!) the Commission announced that taxation on passenger What part does the Commission envisage playing in transport would be the subject of a separate Directive, solving the serious environmental problems affecting applicable in principle from 1 January 1990. some urban areas? 1. When can the Commission's proposal for a Directive on the taxation of cross-border passenger transport be expected? Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission 2. Does the Commission share my view that this (26 May 1989) Directive is particularly urgent in view of the proposed elimination of controls at internal borders and should really be adopted by the Council quite soon ? The Commission has not yet completed the report referred to by the Honourable Member, as mentioned in O OJNoLl45,13.6.1977, p. 1. No C 262/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener does not at present have a detailed knowledge of all on behalf of the Commission national laws on advertising and the other points (26 May 1989) mentioned by the Honourable Member. It will be investigating the matter in the next few months.

The Commission is aware of the importance, for the single market project of harmonizing the VAT arrangements applying to passenger transport within the Community.

The common procedures for applying VAT to such transport operations are currently being studied at the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1975/88 Commission. by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (19 January 1989) (89/C 262/43)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1937/88 Subject: Prevention of the maternally transmissible by Mr George Patterson (ED) negative effects of synthetic oestrogen hormones to the Commission of the European Communities Issues of 'Le Monde' dated 16 February 1983 and 30 (16 January 1989) November 1988 contained reports on the potentially (89/C 262/42) harmful effect over two generations of distilbene (DES) when administered to pregnant wonfen. This was revealed Subject: Restrictions on advertising of financial services seventeen years after studies in the United States led to the substance being banned. Highly reputable In each Member State, what restrictions, if any, are placed gynaecologists refer to a 'monumental medical error' and upon: criticize the use of synthetic hormones whose efficacity has not been proved and which are suspected of (a) the advertising of financial services in newspapers or encouraging cancer of the uterus, prenatal complications journals, with tear-off coupons for applications to and infant mortality, instead of protecting against purchase; miscarriages. Are the Community's executive authorities making moves to ensure that such harmful 'medication' is (b) the sale of financial services by direct selling (mail or included in the Vidal dictionary of prescriptions and electronic order)? equivalent publications and to circulate throughout the twelve Member States a health warning to the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public similar to those which the French Ministry for Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Public Health is planning to circulate on a large scale in on behalf of the Commission February 1989? (26 May 1989)

It should normally be possible to offer financial products in the markets of other Member States without being Answer given by Mr Bangemann hampered by national rules on marketing and in particular on behalf of the Commission advertising. In any case, nationally imposed restrictions (16 March 1989) on advertising could hardly prevent the dissemination of advertising messages through modern media which are crossing national frontiers with increasing freedom. In The matter raised in the newspaper quoted by the general, the kind of restrictions referred to by the Honourable Member has been well-known for a number Honourable Member should be regarded as obstacles to of years and has been the subject of regulatory measures freedom to supply financial services. Such obstacles may in all Member States and information campaigns for be maintained only in exceptional circumstances, for doctors. The contra-indications in question now appear in example when the public interest is involved and no all drug lists commonly used by doctors. The additional coordinated solution has been found to protect it. An measures planned in France therefore constitute a illustration of coordination is the harmonization of follow-up to previous warnings, aimed at ensuring that provisions governing securities markets, in particular regulatory decisions are put into effect, a task that each those on the issuing prospectus. health ministry is responsible for carrying out in the most appropriate manner. There are still some restrictions in force, however, in areas where coordinated solutions have not been found, The Commission has requested the Committee for such as insurance against small risks. The Commission Proprietary Medicinal Products and its working parties to 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/25

conduct a more general study of the risks associated with Community of VAT rates contained within two bands: a the use of drugs during pregnancy, with a view to sending reduced rate of between 4% and 9%, and a standard rate recommendations on the topic to the competent national of between 14% and 20%. Manufactured tobacco, authorities of the twelve Member States during 1989. including cigarettes, is to be taxed at the standard rate. In the case of the other taxes charged on manufactured tobacco products, i.e. excise duties, the Commission has proposed harmonizing rates on the basis of current practice in the Community as a whole. The introduction WRITTEN QUESTION No 1990/88 of a greater degree of flexibility in these proposals is currently being studied. by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S) to the Commission of the European Communities On the question of distribution monopolies, a distinction (19 January 1989) should be made between wholesaling and retailing. (89/C 262/44) Community law requires all wholesale monopolies to be Subject: Commercial sale of enriched uranium abolished by the end of the transitional period, and this has already been done in France and Italy. Retail What information does the EC possess on the commercial monopolies may, however, be maintained provided they sale of enriched uranium from the EEC, via a third represent objective and non-discriminatory trading non-EEC state, to Argentina, by A. G. Hempel of the arrangements. This is the case of the French and Italian Federal Republic of Germany? manufactured tobacco monopolies.

The Commission will ensure that this test is also met by Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha the Spanish manufactured tobacco monopoly, which will on behalf of the Commission have to be completely adjusted by 31 December 1991 (cf. Article 48 of the Act of Accession). (17 March 1989) On the question of advertising, it should be stressed that, The Commission has no knowledge of any such in the absence of Community rules, Member States are transaction. free to regulate this matter themselves provided that national rules do not discriminate against imported products as compared with domestic products.

According to the information at the Commission's WRITTEN QUESTION No 2013/88 disposal, only Italy and Portugal prohibit all advertising by Mr Gerard Benhamou (LDR) of tobacco products. In the other Member States, laws or agreements with the industry exist which limit advertising to the Commission of the European Communities in the interests of health, particularly of young people. (25 January 1989) (89/C 262/45) (*) OJNoC251,19.9.1987.

Subject: Rules on trade in tobacco and products derived therefrom

Can the Commission indicate its intentions in regard to the harmonization of tax on tobacco and products derived therefrom? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2026/88 by Mr Kenneth Stewart (S) Can it also state what it intends to do about the distribution monopolies existing in certain countries and to the Commission of the European Communities restrictions on advertising which encourages the (2 5 January 1989) consumption of tobacco and derived products? (89/C 262/46)

Subject: Conwy tunnel project (Wales) Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission The Commission is no doubt aware of the Conwy tunnel (16 May 1989) project in Wales. This is funded by the British Government (Welsh Office). As part of the programme to complete the internal market, the Commission has already presented proposals The contract was awarded to Costain Tarmac, who in for the closer alignment of indirect taxes, including tax on turn subcontracted various sections of the work to cigarettes and other manufactured tobacco products ('). subcontractors, one being Ceebar Developments Limited, These proposals provide for the application within the whose contract came to an end on 16 June 1988. No C 262/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Ceebar Developments will not release their former of employees from those countries provided for in the employees' P 45 tax certificates or holiday pay per the contracts is funded by most Member States from their building and civil engineering agreements. They say they development cooperation budgets. This form of aid often are not in possession of the addresses of the former amounts to an improper promotion of exports. employees, which is confirmed by letter from a Mr T.J. Brittain of the Welsh Office Roads Division. What measures is the Commission going to propose in respect of Member States' tied development aid and Does the Commission not agree that if the company is not improper promotion of exports, in order to safeguard the in possession of the addresses of its employees it would be completion of the internal market and compliance with in an intolerable position if an accident occurred on site Community competition rules? and it was unable to inform the families and that this constitutes a flajgrant breach of regulations and safety standards, especially on a government contract? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission Does not the Commission also agree there is a case of unfair competition of these practices are in use? (26 May 1989)

Would the Commission state whether there is any Development policy is implemented by the Community European funding to the A55 Conwy tunnel project? and its Member States. There is no problem at Community level, since aid is tied to the Member States collectively and also, in some cases, to certain developing countries. The Member States, however, provide a more or less sizeable part of their official development Answer given by Mrs Papandreou assistance in the form of bilateral aid, involving an on behalf of the Commission element of aid tying, which varies in scale according to the Member State concerned. (2 7 April 1989) Obviously tied aid, while having development as its The questions raised by the Honourable Member are not principal objective, included this subsidiary element of aid covered by Community law but by United Kingdom law tying, which can in certain instances amount to export aid. on public contracts. EHiring its policy debate in October 1988 on the external dimension of the single market, the Commission called It is thus up to the United Kingdom authorities to see to it upon its departments to take the measures necessary to that national rules are complied with in this field. avoid any distortion of competition which might arise from the application of different national rules on export The Conwy tunnel project is receiving no funding from aid. the European Social Fund or the European Regional Development Fund. It is therefore in the context of the progressive harmonization of export aid rules that solutions may be found to the potential distortions of competition referred to by the Honourable Member, as long as these solutions do not adversely affect trade within the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2027/88 by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 2031/88 (25 January 1989) by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebrouckc (ARC) (89/C 262/47) to the Commission of the European Communities • (25 January 1989) (89/C 262/48) Subject: Member States' tied development aid and the completion of the internal market Subject: Incorporation into national legislation of Directive 88/146/EEC (') prohibiting the use of Member States' gifts or loans on special terms, granted hormonal substances under national development cooperation policy, are mostly provided on the condition that the recipient third The Directive prohibiting the use in livestock farming of world country buys goods or services exclusively from the substances having a hormonal action has been in force Member State concerned or an undertaking from the since 1 January 1988. In addition, a series of decisions Member State (tied aid). When such undertakings concerning monitoring of the Directive's implementation conclude contracts with developing countries, the training have been enacted. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/27

1. Can the Commission give a brief description of how 2- an<* 3. Where the implementation of legislative far the Directive and the decisions on monitoring have provisions is concerned a distinction has to be made been incorporated into national legislation? between decisions and directives. 2. Can the Commission give an overview of the measures taken by each Member State? Under Article 189 of the Treaty decisions are binding in their entirety on those to whom they addressed. 3. What measures is the Commission considering with regard to those Member States that have failed to They do not, however, contain any requirement that implement the Directive ? Member States notify the Commission of the action they (') OJNoL70,16.3.1988, p. 16. take to ensure their application. The Commission consequently has no precise information on the means by which decisions are applied in the various Member States.

Directives on the other hand, including Directives 81/602/EEC, 85/358/EEC, 88/146/EEC and 88/299/EEC, stipulate that Member States are to bring Answer given by Mr MacSharry into force the laws, regulations and administrative on behalf of the Commission provisions necessary to comply with the Directive by the (26 May 1989) date stated therein and to inform the Commission thereof. 1. The Community's legislation on hormones comprises: The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member a detailed list of the national implementing — Council Directive 81/602/EEC of 31 July 1981 measures that Member States have notified to the concerning the prohibition of certain substances Commission. having a hormonal action and of any substances having a thyrostatic action ('); Where Member States fail to meet their obligations under — Council Directive 85/358/EEC of 16 July 1985 Community Directives, the Commission initiates supplementing Directive 81/602/EEC concerning the infringement procedures against them under Article 169 prohibition of certain substances having a hormonal of the Treaty. A detailed list of these procedures is action and of any substances having a thyrostatic published annually in the report to Parliament on action (2); monitoring of the application of Community law.

— Council Directive 86/469/EEC of 16 September 1986 (') OJ No L 222,7. 8.1981, p. 32. concerning the examination of animals and fresh O OJNoL 191,23.7.1985, p. 46. meat for the presence of residues (J); (*) OJ No L 275,26.9.1986, p. 36. (4) OJNoL70,16.3.1988, p. 16. — Council Directive 88/146/EEC of 7 March 1988 (*) OJ No L 128,21.5.1988, p. 128. prohibiting the use in livestock farming of certain <*) OJN0L8,11.1.1989,p. 11. substances having a hormonal action (*); O OJNoL8,11.1.1989,p. 17. (*) OJ No L 94, 12. 4. 1988, pp. 22 to 32; OJ No L 105, 26. 4. — Council Directive 88/299/EEC of 17 May 1988 on 1988, p. 28. trade in animals treated with certain substances having a hormonal action and their meat, as referred to in Article 7 of Directive 88/146/EEC (5); — Commission Decision 89/15/EEC of 15 December 1988 on the importations of live animals and fresh meat from certain third countries ('); WRITTEN QUESTION No 2067/88 — Commission Decision 89/18/EEC of 22 December by Mrs Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE) 1988 concerning the conditions of importation from to the Commission of the European Communities third countries of fresh meat for purposes other than human consumption (;). (27 January 1989) (89/C 262/49) It should also be noted that the Commission has approved all of the plans relating to examination for hormone residues submitted by the Member States (*). These Subject: The treatment of the mentally ill and the specify the national measures implemented in order to mentally handicapped in Greece ensure effective examination and inspection, in accordance with the requirements of Directive In 1984 the Commission allocated 60 million ECU for a 88/146/EEC, for hormone residues in animals, their four-year plan to improve the treatment of the mentally ill excrement and body fluids and in animal tissues and fresh and the mentally handicapped in Greece (Council meat. Regulation (EEC) No 815/84) ('). No C 262/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

By 1987 only a quarter of the amount allocated had been been completed. The project is still under way and the used and only five of the 500 training places to be Greek authorities have informed the Commission that provided for Greeks in other Member States had been implementation will now be speeded up. taken up. (') OJNoL362,30.12.1988. The situation of psychiatric patients in institutions on the islands of Leros and Corfu has not improved since 1984 (according to observations made in 1987), but has become even worse.

In 1988 various measures were taken to improve the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2116/88 situation, but they have proved inadequate. by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE) Can the Commission say whether the Community to the Commission of the European Communities programme is to be continued or whether it is not to be (27 January 1989) extended because of the unsatisfactory results achieved? (89/C 262/50) Can the Commission also say what short-term measures are to be taken to bring about a rapid improvement in the situation of patients in the psychiatric hospitals of Leros Subject: Completion of the internal market in 1992, and Corfu? topics, reports and information — Document No 2 of 15 March 1988

O OJ No L 88, 31. 3.1984, p. 1. As the Commission states in the above document, it is implementing a two-stage plan for the elimination of physical barriers. During the first phase immigration controls and formalities are to be transferred from the Answer given by Mrs Papandreou borders to points inside each country. This phase was to on behalf of the Commission be completed, where possible, by the end of 1988. (22 March 1989) However, the Council's press release of 18 November Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 was extended until 1988 on the internal market seems to indicate that it has 31 December 1991 by Council Regulation (EEC) not been possible to adopt a common position on the No 4130/88 of 16 December 1988 ('). This extension of directive on the official inspection of foodstuffs. the term of validity was necessary because the amount of 1. Will the Commission be able to achieve the goal it has time initially planned for the implementation of the Greek set itself by the end of 1988? programmes had proved insufficient. 2. What specific legislative proposals does the Council of The revised programme for psychiatric reform that the Ministers still have to adopt in order to achieve this Greek authorities communicated to the Commission in objective? December 1988 includes the following measures for the psychiatric hospitals of Corfu and Leros for the period 1988-1991: Answer given by Mr Bangemann (a) renovation of buildings and replacement of on behalf of the Commission equipment to improve gradually the living conditions (17 May 1989) of patients; (b) for Leros, construction of new units and transfer of The Commission last explained its position on the patients to other centres near their place of origin in progress so far achieved towards the White Paper order to reduce overcrowding; objective of the abolition of barriers to intra-Community trade in its report to the Council of 18 November 1988 (c) increase in the number of medical and other staff unter Article 8 B of the EEC Treaty. caring for patients and raising of their qualifications; In relation to the reduction of controls at frontiers, (d) social and vocational rehabilitation measures for significant progress has been made in relation to the patients. controls applied to goods (for example, the SAD, common border posts, etc.), while very little progress has The implementation of the psychiatric reform programme been seen on the proposal for the easing of controls on should also gradually reduce new admissions and the individuals. length of hospital stays, which will have a positive impact on the living conditions and treatment of patients. In relation to the complete abolition of controls, the Commission still maintains the priority of the measures Under Regulation (EEC) No 815/84 the Commission concerning indirect taxation which are critical to the approved a project in 1985 to train Greek psychiatric staff overall objective of the abolition of controls on goods. At in other Member States. The project provided for training the same time, the Commission called in the Article 8 B courses for 75 people; to date 18 training courses have report for a fresh political impetus to be given tp 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/29

Community and inter-Governmental action for the with the world of employment have enabled many of abolition of controls on persons; an impetus which it is those taking part therein subsequently to find work. hoped the newly-established group of national co-ordinators will supply in relation to such matters as the control of terrorism and drug trafficking. In view of this positive experience, and the fact that their connection with the European Social Fund acts as a Concerning the proposal on Official Food Inspection, it is common denominator, it is presumably to be hoped that true that no decision was taken at the Internal Market such courses would be fully recognized in any European Council in November 1988. However, a common position country and that they would help towards the creation of was reached at the Internal Market Council on 21 a single employment market. December 1988 and formally adopted by the Council on 23 January 1989. Would the Commission state what criteria it applies in deciding whether such courses should receive financing from the European Social Fund, what stipulations it makes to ensure that such courses are fully recognized in all Member States and what contribution these courses can make to the consolidation of a single market in WRITTEN QUESTION No 2121/88 employment? by Mrs Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (19 January 1989) (89/C 262/51) Answer given by Miss Papandreou Subject: European charter for children in hospital on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1989) On 13 May 1986 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on a European charter for children in hospital. It called on the Commission to submit a proposal for a The training courses co-financed by the Social Fund do European charter for children in hospital as soon as not, generally speaking, lead to a diploma which could be possible. recognized by several Member States. What steps has the Commission taken in this respect since then? Nevertheless, these courses are such that they generally enable those who follow them to acquire a better qualification and training likely to facilitate their integration in the labour market of any State. Answer given by Miss Papandreou on behalf of the Commission This concern to promote 'transnational' training (26 May 1989) measures is confirmed, for example, by the content of Article 1 (2) of Regulation 4255/88 concerning the Mindful of the various proposals in hand aimed at provisions for the application of the Social Fund (notably improving the health and living conditions of citizens, the points a, b and c) ('). Commission is giving careful consideration to the substance of Parliament's resolution on a European charter for children in hospital ('). As part of the reform of the structural Funds, the European Social Fund is contributing to the financing of O OJN0CH8, 16.1.1986, p. 37. the implementation of the five objectives defined by the Community, notably objectives 3 and 4, the campaign against long-term unemployment and the occupational integration of young people.

On 15 February 1989, the Commission took a decision on WRITTEN QUESTION No 2134/88 overall guidelines for a multiannual period which contain by Mr Jose Alvarez de Eulate Penaranda (ED) and specify Community options and criteria in respect of to the Commission of the European Communities objectives 3 and 4. These guidelines will serve to determine the Community support framework for these (27 January 1989) objectives. It is also within the support framework that the (89/C 262/52) rates of Community contribution will be determined.

Subject: Courses financed by the European Social Fund (') OJNoL374,31.12.1988,p.21.

The courses financed by the European Social Fund for unemployed persons, businesses and bodies connected No C 262/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2137/88 what specific measures are planned to facilitate their by Mr Kenneth Collins (S) transfer to other employment sectors, bearing in mind that this work involves special skills which in Greece, to the Commission of the European Communities at least, may not at present be applied to other fields? (6 February 1989) (89/C 262/53) 4. Are any financial incentives foreseen for those customs agents who wish to change their occupation? Subject: Salmonella in eggs 5. What measures are planned for the permanent job security of those who ultimately remain in this field? Is the Commission aware of the outbreak of salmonella in eggs in the United Kingdom? Is the Commission aware of such a problem in other Member States, does it consider that the matter is related to the way in which battery hens Answer given by Mrs Scrivener have included in their feedingstuffs a percentage of dead on behalf of the Commission chickens and does the Commission consider that this is a practice which ought to be allowed? (16 May 1989)

1. The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the Answer given by Mr MacSharry Commission's answers to Written Questions No 1976/87 on behalf of the Commission by Mr Cot O and No 861/88 by Mr Cornelissen and others (2). (17 May 1989) It would also point out the need to adapt the tasks The Commission is aware of the findings in relation to the performed by customs agents to the objectives set for presence of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs in the United completion of the internal market. Kingdom. 2. The Social Fund is not designed to finance The Commission has sent a questionnaire to the Member retirement measures. States in order to obtain information on the situation in other parts of the Community. 3 to 5. The Social Fund can provide assistance under Objectives 1, 2 and 5 (b) of Regulation (EEC) The Commission has no information on the role played in No 2052/88 on the tasks of the structural Funds (3) for this outbreak by the feeding of dead chickens to poultry. measures designed to encourage job stability and create However, it considers that the use of feedingstuffs of new job opportunities for: unprocessed animal by-products is a practice to be avoided in order to protect both public and animal health. — the unemployed; — person's under threat of unemployment, above all because of restructuring due to technological modernization or major changes to production and management systems; WRITTEN QUESTION No 2145/88 by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (COM) — persons working in small and medium-sized to the Commission of the European Communities enterprises. (6 February 1989) This assistance is provided by financing vocational (89/C 262/54) training measures, giving recruitment aid for newly created stable jobs and aid to start up self-employed Subject: Job prospects for customs agents during the activities. completion of the internal market The Commission gives assistance in the form of a global In view of the guidelines for the completion of the single grant for an operational programme or series of projects. internal market, for example the abolition of the It is up to the interested parties to propose their training Community's internal frontiers and so forth: or employment measures in these forms for Community financing. 1. Why is the Commission not providing responsible information on the future of customs agents, given the In this connection, the Honourable Member is requested imminent prospect of a very considerable reduction in to refer to the Commission's answer to Written Question their workload? No 2247/88 by Mr Aboim Inglez (4). 2. Have specific appropriations been set aside for the pensions of those who have completed a certain O OJ No C 229, 5.9.1988. number of years of service in that sector so as to O OJ No C 104, 24. 4.1989. O OJNoLl85,15.7.1988, p. 9. facilitate their retirement? O See page 34 of this Official Journal. 3. In view of the fact that, in Greece at least, about 70 % of customs agents are between 30 and 40 years of age, 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/31

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2156/88 The Commission also intends to make a proposal for a by Mr James Provan (ED) directive on tendering for services, including transport to the Commission of the European Communities services. Operators will therefore have the possibility to participate in such procedures organized by the public (6 February 1989) and semi-public sector without discrimination on grounds (89/C 262/55) of nationality. It should be noted that tendering for such services is not covered by the Commission proposal for a J Subject: Independent bus operators directive ( ) on procurement procedures of entities providing water, energy and transport services.

How will independent bus operators compete in France (*) OJ No C 77,24.3.1987. and will they be allowed to offer for a franchise in France O OJ No C 120,6.5.1987. following the achievement of the single market in 1992? 0 COM(88)377.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2157/88 by Mr James Provan (ED) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2167/88 to the Commission of the European Communities byMrPolMarck(PPE) (6 February 1989) to the Commission of the European Communities (89/C 262/56) (6 February 1989) (89/C 262/57) Subject: Independent bus operators Subject: Waxing of apples How will independent bus operators be able to compete with nationalized bus industries or operators in Germany In Belgium, waxing is banned by the Ministry of Health, following the achievement of the single market in 1992? although imported apples can be waxed. In France, apples are given a *cire alimentaire' to make them shiny. Apples from the southern hemisphere are waxed as protection against storage diseases. The packaging does not state Joint answer to Written Questions No 2156/88 and whether they have been waxed. 2157/88 given by Mr Van Miert Does this not constitute discrimination, and what does on behalf of the Commission the Commission intend doing? (17 May 1989)

Bus and coach operators from a Member State are already Answer given by Mr MacSharry able to establish themselves in another Member State in on behalf of the Commission accordance with the provisions of Article 52 of the EEC (17 May 1989) Treaty, and therefore to run passenger services there, subject to the same national legal provisions as the According to the information supplied to the Commission persons living in that State. by the Belgian Government, the Belgian rules do authorize the use of wax for coating apples. In particular, The right to provide transport services freely throughout carnauba wax is permitted (100 mg/kg). This the Community is laid down in Articles 61 and 75 of the authorization is valid for all apples, whatever their origin. Treaty and is reinforced in the White Paper 'On Completing The Internal Market'. Thus, the Commission has submitted two proposals to the Council to implement this freedom.

The first proposal of 27 February 1987 (!) would enable WRITTEN QUESTION No 2197/88" non-resident operators to carry out road passenger by Mr Konstantinos Filinis (COM) transport operations temporarily within a Member State. The operator would be subject to the national laws and to the Commission of the European Communities administrative provisions of the Member State where he (14 February 1989) carried out the operation, provided these were not applied (89/C 262/58) in such a way as to discriminate against him on grounds of nationality or place of establishment. Subject: Failure on the part of Greece to implement Directive 80/68/EEC of 17 December 1979 The second proposal of 9 April 1987 (2) would enable operators from any Member State to run road passenger By Ministerial Decision No 26857/553/1988 (Official transport services between any Member States. Gazette 196/B/6.4.88) Greece brought its national No C 262/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 legislation into line with Council Directive 80/68/EEC of 2. More generally, does the Commission envisage 17 December 1979 on the protection of groundwater harmonizing tax policies for 1993 in a way which includes against pollution caused by certain dangerous concern for the environment? If so, how will this be done? substances ('). 3. Does the Commission not consider, for example, Under Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the above Ministerial that VAT on water supplies should be progressive so as to Decision, the implementation of the Directive is governed discourage wastage and that retrieved and/or recycled by Article 4 of the Framework Environmental Act products should enjoy particularly favourable VAT rates, (N 1650/86). However, the administrative acts necessary as should 'soft' energy plants? for the implementation of Article 4 of the Framework Act have not yet been issued, with the result that the above Directive has not been fully implemented.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the Greek Government implements the EEC Answer given by Mrs Scrivener Directive in question? on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) (') OJ No L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.

1 and 3. In its global communication (') which introduced the package of proposals for the abolition of Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana tax frontiers, the Commission, in the light of Article 99 of on behalf of the Commission the EEC Treaty, clearly stated that, in its opinion, the restriction 'to the extent that such harmonization is (26 May 1989) necessary' meant that it should refrain from proposing anything which was not strictly necessary for the purpose. Greece has embodied Council Directive 80/68/EEC of 17 December 1979 on the protection of groundwater against Action must necessarily start from the existing situation pollution caused by certain dangerous substances (') into and a definition of the minimum changes to be made. The national legislation in the form of Ministerial Decision Community already has a very homogeneous system of No 26857/553 of 4 April 1988, which has been in force VAT which operates on a common basis; there is no since 6 June 1988. differentiation of treatment — which in practice would mean a multiplicity of rates — for the special purpose of Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Ministerial Decision refer to protecting the environment. It would be to defy the spirit Article 4 of Framework Law No 1650 of 1986 on and the letter of the Single European Act to want to assessment of the environmental impact of certain public abandon established principles; on the contrary, the and private projects. Commission believes that the number of rates should be cut to two — a reduced rate and a standard rate. Water supply falls into the limited category of goods and services The Commission is now examining the Greek Ministerial which it is proposed to tax at a reduced rate. Decision to check that it conforms with Community provisions. As a general rule, management of resources, rationalized (') OJ No L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43. charging for resources and direct aid and incentives are better means of meeting special needs for protection than selective application of VAT.

2. The Commission has not, however, missed any chance of taking environmental concerns into account where it is possible to do so. In the work on harmonizing WRITTEN QUESTION No 2206/88 excise duties, this has led to the proposal that a reduced by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC) rate be applied to unleaded petrol, thus spreading the practice of a number of Member States. In addition, by to the Commission of the European Communities basing its proposals on the rates currently applied in those (14 February 1989) Member States, the Commission has implicitly taken into (89/C 262/59) account all environmental elements which may have been introduced at national level into the excise duties to be harmonized. Subject: Taxation and environment (') COM(87) 320 final. 1. How, to date, has environmental protection been integrated into the Community action on the harmonization of rates of Value Added Tax (VAT) ? 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/33

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2210/88 Finally, environment policy must be made an integral part by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC) of the Community's other policies on, for example, to the Commission of the European Communities agriculture, research, energy and transport. (14 February 1989) O OJ No LI 85,15.7.1988, p. 9. (89/C 262/60) O OJ No LI 75,5.7.1985, p. 40.

Subject: Environmental assessment of the EEC action

In its fourth action programme on the environment WRITTEN QUESTION No 2235/88 (1987—1992), the Commission clearly showed its by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC) intention of strengthening the environmental assessment procedures of all its political proposals and declarations to the Commission of the European Communities of general policy, plans, procedures, programmes and (15 February 1989) individual financing decisions. (89/C 262/61)

What progress was made towards this end in 1988? Subject: Processing of waste close to the place of production

In its resolution of 7 July 1988 on the transport of dangerous goods and substances (OJ No C 235, 12. 9. 1988, p. 118), the European Parliament repeated its Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana recommendation that the principle be established whereby hazardous waters are processed or dumped in on behalf of the Commission their country of origin, as close as possible to their place (26 May 1989) of production.

Does the Commission agree with this principle? What As part of the reform of the Structural Funds initiated by measures does it intend to take to ensure that it is Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 of 24 June 1988 (') the implemented? Commission has established ad hoc procedures for assessing the environmental impact of the projects funded by the Community. Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission The fundamental idea of these procedures, which are (16 March 1989) based on Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (2), is to provide details of the The organization of adequate waste management state of the site and of the foreseeable environmental presupposes the weighing-up of all the attendant risks, impact of the projects planned together, where which may be identified as arising during waste appropriate, with details of any measures planned to production, transport or disposal. soften or counterbalance any significant impact. For example, during production there is the risk of emissions from treatment and disposal plants. Treatment With this in mind, the departments administering the and disposal plants attached to the point of production Funds have been instructed to check that the plans, would be difficult to monitor, open to abuse to the programmes and projects submitted by the Member States detriment of the environment and ineffective. for joint financing by the Community include all relevant environmental data. During transport the risk is essentially the same as that posed by hazardous substances. It is true that the volume of waste can aggravate the problem. As regards hazardous These instructions were sent to the Member States and waste, its transport has been satisfactorily regulated by brought to the attention of Parliament's Committee on Directive 84/631 /EEC of 6 December 1984 on the the Environment, Public Health and Consumer supervision and control within the European Community Protection by a letter dated 13 February 1989. of the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste (').

During disposal the risk may be both general, in terms of With the same end in mind, the Commission has started a bulk and emissions, and specific, in terms of local study with a view to drafting a new Directive to extend the geological and demographic conditions. This poses scope of Directive 85/337/EEC to plans and programmes particular problems for dumping, quite apart from any in the Member States. consideration of public opinion. No C 262/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Whatever the case may be, from the point of view of the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2237/88 internal market, even if the idea of organizing waste by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC) disposal on the principle that disposal be carried out as close as possible to the point of production at least to the Commission of the European Communities deserves sympathy, the disposal of waste only in its (15 February 1989) country of origin does not seem acceptable. It is quite (89/C 262/63) possible that certain Member States, whose means of disposal are exhausted or non-existent, will have to make use of facilities in other Member States. Even if Subject: Code of conduct for multinationals on the Community regionalization based on proximity to the environment point of production were conceivable, it would not necessarily be constrained by national borders. Moreover, As long ago as 13 December 1984 in its resolution on the a regionalized waste-treatment policy does not seem Bhopal poison gas disaster in India (OJ No C 12, 14. 1. justified on environmental grounds. 1985, p. 82), the European Parliament stated that it would be appropriate for multinationals to adhere to a code of conduct on the environment. O OJ No L 326, 13. 12. 1984, p. 31, as amended by Directives 86/121/EEC of 8 April 1986 (OJ No L 100,16.4.1986, p. 20) and 86/279/EEC of 12 June 1986 (OJ No L 181, 4. 7. 1986, Can the Commission state whether any recent initiative p. 13), and adapted to technical progress by Commission has been taken with a view to giving concrete form to this Directives 85/469/EEC of 22 July 1985 (OJ No L 272,12. 10. idea? 1985, p. 1) and 87/112/EEC of 23 December 1986 (OJ No L48,17.2.1987, p. 31.) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission (2 7 April 1989)

The Commission is aware of the problems concerning the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2236/88 export of dangerous technologies to the Third World. by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC) The Fourth Action Programme on the Environment to the Commission of the European Communities stresses that the safe transfer of technologies must be accorded a high priority. Therefore the Commission will (15 February 1989) consider whether it is possible to introduce Community (89/C 262/62) legislation on this matter.

For its part the European chemical industry has already Subject: Appropriate methods of transport for dangerous responded to political pressure on this subject, pressure goods and wastes which was also brought to bear in the Resolution the Honourable Member refers to in his question, namely the In its resolution of 7 July 1988 on the transport of European Parliamentary Resolution on the Bhopal dangerous goods and substances (OJ No C 235, 12. 9. accident (*). 1988, p. 117), the European Parliament called on the Commission to look into the most appropriate method of In fact, the European Council of chemical Manufacturers' transport for dangerous products and wastes. Federation (CEFIC) has already introduced 'Principles and Guidelines for the Safe Transfer of Technology', Does the Commission intend to act on this request, and if which was adopted in April 1987. so, how? O OJNoCl2,14.1.1985, p. 82.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (17 May 1989) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2247/88 by Mr Carlos Aboim Inglez (COM) The Commission plans a study of the matter raised by the to the Commission of the European Communities Honourable Member. (15 February 1989) The study should look in particular at the impact of (89/C 262/64) possible transfers of certain dangerous goods and wastes from one mode of transport to another on road safety, Subject: Consequences of 1992 for customs clearance environmental protection and the safety life. agents in Portugal and Spain At a meeting held in Barcelona in November 1988, the Federation of Transport, Communications and Maritime 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/35

Workers of Catalonia and the Portuguese Union of The agencies responsible for grouping together the Customs and Clearance Agents stated that the creation of projects transmit them to the Commission, for its the single market in 1992 would entail a direct threat to approval, via the competent national authorities. 85 000 jobs and an indirect threat to a further 100 000 in Portugal and Spain. The trade union organizations (') ' 1992: The European challenge'. consider that, as a matter of urgency, tripartite O OJ No C 229, 5.9.1988. committees should be constituted with a view to drawing O OJNoC 104,24.4.1989. up a plan for redeployment in the sector, to enable it to O OJNoLl85,15.7.1988,p. 9. adapt to the single market without job losses, and that steps should be taken to ensure modernized and efficient management, the simplification of procedures and the standardization of rules and documents. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2250/88 Can the Commission state what its forecasts are in this area, in respect of Portugal and Spain, and what measures by Mr Jose Barros Moura (COM) are being contemplated by the Commission and the to the Commission of the European Communities national authorities concerned, in cooperation with the (15 February 1989) representative organizations of the workers affected, in order to deal with the likely consequences? (89/C 262/65)

Subject: Mass redundancies at Setenave; restructuring of the shipbuilding industry; the Renaval programme; the IDO for the Setubal peninsula Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission Having enforced 1 200 redundancies in 1988, the management of the Setenave shipbuilding company has (20 April 1989) just dismissed a further 1 000 workers, including several dozen delegates, union leaders and other workers' representatives. The Commission notes with interest the view expressed by the trade organizations referred to by the Honourable This is happening in an industry which has been seriously Member. affected for several years by crisis and unemployment, and in a region of Portugal where several other large With completion of the internal market in 1992, which companies are in crisis. However, the reduction in the will involve doing away with controls and formalities in labour force has not been accompanied by measures for trade in Community goods, the tasks of this sector will the restructuring of the shipbuilding industry or the have to be redefined within the Community. redeployment of the workforce in new industries. Can the Commission state whether and how far such On the basis of estimates made by trade organizations throughout the Community, the Commission reckons measures are being contemplated within the framework that the figure mentioned by the Honourable Member of the Renaval programme; which, according to the might be the figure for all the Member States taken planning guidelines for 1989—1992 submitted by the together. Portuguese Government, is to be implemented in Setubal 'starting in 1989', with ERDF funding to the amount of 14 million ECU? Can the Commission confirm this Nevertheless, any reduction in the numbers employed in information? What concrete measures will be taken, and this sector must be analyzed against the backdrop of the how will the thousands of redundant workers benefit? overall economic impact of 1992, for which the Cecchini Report O gives a figure of ECU 200 billion, equivalent to Can the Commission state what possibilities exist for a 5% increase in Community GDP. Allowing for the restructuring the shipbuilding and/or ship repairing economic back-up measures envisaged, a total of between industries without further job losses? 2 million and 5 million jobs might be created. How does the Commission view this situation in the light Further to its answers to Written Questions No 1976/87 of the Integrated Development Operation for the Setubal by Mr Cot (2) and No 861/88 by Mr Cornelissen and peninsula, which, precisely, entails the recognition of the others (J), the Commission would point out that, in the need to reduce unemployment and create jobs? social sphere, the European Social Fund is able to grant assistance under Objectives 1, 2 and 5 (b) of Regulation 4 (EEC) No 2052/88 ( ) for measures aimed at promoting Answer given by Mr Millan stability of employment and developing new job on behalf of the Commission opportunities. (16 May 1989)

In this context, Community assistance, notably in the Council Regulation (EEC) No 2506/88 O institutes a form of global grants, will be made available for Community programme to assist the conversion of operational programmes or groups of projects. shipbuilding areas (the Renaval programme). No C 262/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Where the first part of the programme is concerned, the and demand must pursue the objective of optimizing Regulation has applied to the Setubal area from its entry productivity and reducing the gap between the cost of into force on 16 August 1988 (Article 3 (3)). The total production in the Community's shipyards and those ERDF contribution to Portugal is to be ECU 9 million, or elsewhere, principally in the Far East. This aim might be some ESC 1 547 million. achieved, for example, through a high degree of specialization in those types of ships in respect of which the Community enjoys a relative advantage, and by The ERDF contribution under the second part of the promoting research and technology. programme is intended for any shipbuilding area in the Community which, in the past three years and not earlier (') OJ No L 225,15. 8.1988, p. 24. than 1 January 1984, has been experiencing or has been threatened with substantial job losses in shipbuilding. Community finance for this second part is to total ECU 189 million. The Community contribution to the Member States which seek assistance will amount to ECU 3 200 for each job lost over the said period. Member States' applications relating to the second part of the programme must be submitted to the Commission no later than 30 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2251/88 April 1990. by Mr Jost Barros Moura (COM) to the Commission of the European Communities On 15 February 1989 the Portuguese Government (15 February 1989) transmitted to the Commission a draft programme of (89/C 262/66) assistance in respect of the first part of the Renaval programme. The measures it proposes would absorb the entire Community contribution envisaged (ECU 9 Subject: Olive oil unfit for human consumption supplied million). The draft programme is currently being to Portugal by the EEC examined by the Commission's staff. The Portuguese press has reported that a consignment of 677 000 litres of Italian olive oil deriving from the EEC's The aim of the assistance programme is to help overcome surpluses and donated some two years ago to social obstacles to the development of new job-creating welfare institutions in Portugal proved to be unfit for economic activities by channelling finance to the Setubal human consumption. In fact, this oil, already widely area. distributed to less-favoured sectors of the population in the districts of Lisbon, Setubal, Leiria, Evora, Coimbra, Braganca, etc., was proved to contain a product known as The specific measures envisaged are intended to improve perchloroethylene, which is used as an organic solvent for and/or create sufficiently attractive infrastructures which, the cleaning of oil-presses, and is considered by the alongside the area's general potential, would be likely to Lisbon regional health authority to be 'harmful to draw in firms and their investment, thereby providing new consumer health'. jobs for the workforce made redundant by restructuring in the shipbuilding industry. The programme also seeks to create the necessary conditions for providing technical The reports have already spoken of people, especially children, whose health has been affected. and technological assistance to the area's businesses. Can the Commission provide the requisite further The Renaval programme for Portugal is linked to other information on the matter, and indicate what measures it Community support measures in the Setubal Peninsula, in intends to take to identify those responsible? particular the Community programme to assist the conversion of steel areas (Resider) and the national Can the Commission guarantee that olive oil and other programme of Community interest, part-financed by the products donated in similar circumstances to EEC ERDF, under which assistance is granted to promote Member States will be fit for human consumption? What productive activities in Portugal. Coordination of these measures does it intend to take to repair the damage efforts to revitalize the area will be achieved through an caused? integrated development operation which combines ERDF assistance with assistance from the Community's other structural Funds and financial instruments, thus maximizing the impact on the region. Answer given by Mr MacSharry on behalf of the Commission The Commission would point out that restructuring by (20 April 1989) the Community's shipbuilders in the crisis years since 1976 has been rendered necessary by existing surplus production capacities. Consequently, any form of Following the discovery in March 1988 that certain olive restructuring aimed at restoring a balance between supply oils were contaminated with perchloroethylene, in April 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/37

1988 the Commission adopted a Regulation excluding education but there are no plans at present to focus from Community support arrangements all olive oils with attention on the particular question of addiction to a perchloroethylene content in excess of 1 mg/kg ('). tranquilizers.

Although the Scientific Committee for Food maintains that this value is well within the danger limits and unlikely to pose any sort of health hazard, on its recommendation the Commission, adopted a new Regulation on 1 July 1988 O prohibiting as from 1 January 1989 the sale of olive oils with a perchloroethylene content of more than WRITTEN QUESTION No 2276/88 0,1 mg/kg, which is the lowest value capable of being by Mrs Maria Cinciari Rodano (COM) , detected by scientific analysis. to the Commission of the European Communities (15 February 1989) The transitional measure adopted in April 1988 was kept (89/C 262/68) in force until the end of 1988, following assurances by the Scientific Committee that the levels of perchloroethylene which had been detected were harmless. Subject: Exports of European products to the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip In the absence of any Community provisions prior to April 1988, national health and hygiene measures would With a view to improving the economic situation of the apply to any oil sold before that date. Occupied Territories the Community regulation of October 1986 allows Palestinian exporters to enter into direct contact with European importers. (') OJNoL98,15.4. 1988, p. 36. O OJNoLl66,1.7.1988, p. 16. 1. Is it possible, with the same end in view, for Palestinian importers to enter into similar contact with European exporters, to acquire raw materials from the Community for use in agriculture and industry, without passing through Israeli middlemen?

2. Do the occupation authorities restrict such imports and, if so, what is the Commission doing to combat WRITTEN QUESTION No 2254/88 such discrimination? by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED) 3. If this is not the case, how does the Community plan to the Commission of the European Communities to encourage this kind of contact in order to promote Community exports? (15 February 1989) (89/C 262/67)

Answer given by Mr Matutes Subject: Addiction to tranquilizers on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) What evidence does the Commission have of an increase in addiction to tranquilizers, particularly Valium, amongst both men and women, especially in the more 1. In principle, Palestinian importers can contact economically affluent parts of the European Community? European Exporters without the intermediation of Israeli What plans does the Commission have for a Community- individuals or companies. wide health education programme to counter this trend? 2. Palestinian importers are subject to the same legal limitations as Israelis on this matter. However, Palestinians reportedly do face many operating difficulties from which the Israelis are free. These include rigorous security checks of the totality of merchandise, or Answer given by Mrs Papandreou delays in the payment of VAT refunds, or difficulties in on behalf of the Commission obtaining import licences. Should specific cases of (2 7 April 1989) discriminatory practices be brought to its attention, the Commission would certainly bring the matter to the consideration of the Israeli authorities. The Commission has not collected information on the use of tranquilizers. 3. At present there is no programme to promote the exports of Community goods to the Occupied Territories. Within the wider context of drug abuse, the Commission is already supporting initiatives in the field of health No C 262/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2277/88 by examining the diagnostic effectiveness of by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivicr (ARC) radioactive and non-radioactive methods. to the Commission of the European Communities (') OJNoL246,17.9.1980,p. 1. (H February 1989) O OJ No L 265,5.10.1984, p. 4. (89/C 262/69) O OJNoL265,5.10.1984, p. 1. O COM(88) 663 final.

Subject: Radio-isotopes in medicine

1. What standards, if any, are being considered at European level with regard to the use of radio-isotopes in medicine? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2307/88 by Mrs Konstantina Pantazi (S) 2. Does the Commission have any information about to the Commission of the European Communities the development in the Member States of alternative (17 February 1989) techniques to the use of radio-isotopes in vitro? Does it (89/C 262/70) not think that these alternative techniques merit development at Community level? Subject: Protection of mothers from dangerous substances and radiation

In recent years in all the developed countries and in the Answer given by Mr Pandolfi countries of the European Community there has been an on behalf of the Commission increase in the use of chemical substances, artificial colouring and so on in the manufacture of foodstuffs and (2 7 April 1989) drugs, accompanied by an increase in the consumption of manufactured foodstuffs and drugs.

1. With regard to the dangers associated with the use Frequently in the past dangerous drugs have been of radio-isotopes in medicine, the Commission would withdrawn from circulation and the use of certain remind the Honourable Member that the basic safety substances has been prohibited in the manufacture of standards laid down in Council Directives 2 foodstuffs and drugs following the tragic discovery that 80/836/Euratom and 84/467/Euratom ( ) on the health they were the cause of genetic change (birth deformities, protection of the general public and workers against etc.). the dangers of ionizing radiation are applicable. Furthermore, basic measures for the radiation protection It is also true that in recent years the use of nuclear power of persons undergoing medical examination or treatment, 3 to produce energy, together with reactor accidents (e.g. laid down in the Council Directive ( ), are also applicable. Chernobyl), and nuclear testing for military purposes, have led to a substantial increase in the amount of natural In addition, in preparation for the single internal market radiation to which the human organism is exposed. in 1992, the Commission has submitted to the Council and Parliament a proposal for a Directive to harmonize Will the Commission say what information it has on this the criteria for authorizing the marketing of radiophar­ matter and whether it intends to examine the effects of maceuticals (4). pollution of this kind in the Member States, particularly on mothers and foetuses, without reference to notorious cases such as thalidomide and independently of its 2. The Commission receives information about the carcinogenic effects on the population as a whole? work under way in the Member States and elsewhere on alternative techniques to the use of radio-isotopes through the specialized scientific and technological press. Answer given by Miss Papandreou The Commission is also informed of developments under on behalf of the Commission study as part of various projects, in particular through the scientific monitoring of research ^activities under the (25 May 1989) following Community R&D programmes: As regards the chemical substances, the Commission has — Medical research; concerted actions in the field of set up an ad hoc group of experts to develop a method for biomedical engineering and its assessment. evaluating the effects of chemical substances on the reproductive cycle as a whole (man/woman). With this — Radiation protection; reducing the patient's exposure method, it will be possible to evaluate chemical substances during radiodiagnosis, search for alternative methods systematically. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/39

The Commission has also requested the Committee for Can the Commission say to what extent the findings of Proprietary Medicinal Products (CSP) to draw up these research programmes have been disseminated to guidelines for evaluating the effects of medicinal products relevant sectors which could make use of them? on human procreation.

Where ionizing radiation is concerned, and according to With particular reference to solar, wind and geothermal the information available to the Commission, the energy, with which Greece and the countries of southern collective dose to the population which results from Europe are particularly well endowed, to what extent have natural background radiation and human activities has the results of this research been developed in these not varied significantly in recent years. regions, bearing in mind the more general positive impact that energy self-sufficiency would have on the economic development of these regions? Even the Chernobyl accident only brought about an increase in the collective dose to the population of the Member States of less than 10% of the annual natural collective dose over the first year after the accident and had a negligible impact in subsequent years.

Within the framework of the Commission's Radiation Answer given by Mr Pandolfi Protection Programme, research is under way on on behalf of the Commission radionuclide transfers in utero and on the effects of (26 May 1989) irradiations, particularly cancer induction and effects on the developing brain of the embryo and the foetus. The results of the Commission's R&D and/or The Community applies a special rule in the case of demonstration programmes are published by the pregnant women who are exposed at their workplaces to Commission staff and made available to interested ionizing radiation. Under the terms of Article 8 (3) of parties. The information is published at many conferences Council Directive 80/836/Euratom of 15 July 1980 ('), attended by delegates from all the Member States — amending the Directives laying down the basic safety including, therefore, the southern European countries — standards for the health protection of the general public and by representatives from interested firms, bodies and and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation, the associations. Records of these conferences have also been dose to the foetus, accumulated over the period of time published and are still available. The press has helped between declaration of pregnancy and the date of disseminate the information so that many research delivery, may in no case exceed 10 mSv. findings have been made accessible by well-known publishers. 0 OJNoL246,17.9.1980, p. 1.

Moreover, a programme aimed more specifically at the industrial exploitation of the results of Community research — the 'VALUE' programme — is to be adopted in the near future. It should, in particular, make an active contribution to the process leading to the industrial exploitation of those results. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2308/88 by Mrs Konstantina Pantazi (S) to the Commission of the European Communities The countries of southern Europe have benefited considerably from Community research contracts and (17 February 1989) have made an important contribution to the acquisition of (89/C 262/71) specialized knowledge in the fields of solar, wind and geothermal energy and to developing the associated technology. Subject: Development of Community research policy in the field of renewable energy sources In Regulation (EEC) No 3301/86 of 27 October 1986 the The Council resolution of 14 January 1974 on the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, coordination of national policies and the definition of adopted the 'Valoren' Community programme (for projets of interest to the Community in the field of science regional development by exploiting endogenous energy and technology and the resolution of 25 July 1983 on potential) (') which includes ECU 392 840 000 of aid framework programmes for Community research, from the ERDF. The programme covers the period development and demonstration activities expressed the 1987—1991 and affects, inter alia, Greece (except area A Community's desire to tackle the economic, industrial of the nomos of Attica), the Mezzogiorno (Italy), and technical challenges of our age by focusing on various Portugal, Corsica and several regions of Spain. fields of research including research into energy sources (renewable forms of energy including solar, wind, The Valoren programme contributes to the development geothermal and photovoltaic energy, biomass, etc.). of these regions by exploiting local renewable energy No C 262/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 sources and promoting the efficient use of energy, and by WRITTEN QUESTION No 2326/88 introducing local and regional measures to promote better by Mr Hugh McMahon (S) use of energy potential. to the Commission of the European Communities (17 February 1989) The ERDF aid to Greece amounts to ECU 50 million, nearly 50% of which relates to renewable energy (89/C 262/73) resources (geothermal, wind, solar, biomass and small-scale hydroelectric schemes). Subject: Rule 60: Commission responses to Members' correspondence In Regulation (EEC) No 2618/80 of 7 October 1980, as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 218/84 of 18 January Can we have an assurance that the second Delors 1984 (J), the Commission adopted the special energy Commission will reply promptly to correspondence from programmes for Italy (Mountain areas of the regions of Members of the European Parliament? the Mezzogiorno) and Greece (all the Greek islands except Salamina).

Joint answer to Written Questions No 2324/88 and The ERDF aid totals ECU 39 million for the Italian 2326/88 programme and ECU 20 million for the Greek given by Mr Delors programme. In the case of Greece, the programme covers on behalf of the Commission the period 1984—1989 and provides for the exploitation of wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy potential. (16 March 1989)

The Community is also sustaining its previous efforts in The Commission is concerned by the problem raised by this field by means of the new 'Joule' R&D programme the Honourable Member and regrets that certain delays adopted by the Council on 14 March 1989. have occurred. These are frequently due to the complexity of the questions asked. The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that, as announced in its answer From the date of its accession until 1988, Greece received to Written Question No 1382/88 by Mr Blumenfeld (*), aid totalling ECU 15,6 million as part of the energy steps have been taken to establish a procedure which will demonstration programme, downstream of the research speed up the handling of correspondence from Members programme, for implementing projects relating to solar, of Parliament and ensure prompt replies. wind, geothermal and hydroelectric energy and for deriving energy from biomass and waste. O OJ No C 36,13,2.1989.

It should also be noted that spin-off from the Commission's energy programmes has been applied in other fields and been exploited in all branches of industry.

(') OJNoL305,31.10.1986. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2346/88 O OJNoL27,31.1.1984. by Mr Hugh McMahon (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (27 February 1989) (89/C 262/74)

Subject: Set-aside

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2324/88 Can the Commission inform the House how many by Mr Hugh McMahon (S) recipients there have been in each Member State for the set-aside scheme and also how much money had been to the Commission of the European Communities disbursed on each scheme by 31 December 1988? (17 February 1989) (89/C 262/72)

Answer given by Mr MacSharry Subject: Rule 60: reply to Members' letters on behalf of the Commission (2 7 April 1989) Is the President of the Commission so engrossed in speechifying about European unity, that it takes him more The arable land set-aside and the number of beneficiaries than three months to acknowledge correspondence from for the set-aside scheme were as follows at the date of elected Members of the European Parliament? 14 March 1989: 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/41

Member State Arable land set-aside Number In order to remedy the shortage of fodder caused by the (ha) of beneficiaries drought the Council on 6 March adopted a Regulation on the transfer to Italy of 300 000 tonnes of barley held in Denmark 170 635 25 289 Community stores in Spain ('). United Kingdom 57 613 1816 Spain 6 202 178 Action to offset losses to farmers will be possible within France 3 000 180(30)0 the framework of the reform of the structural funds. Ireland 1918 97 Netherlands 1222 98 Between 1975 and 1988 the European Regional Grece 500 to 1 000 500 Development Fund financed 278 water infrastructure Belgium 200(180)0 26(13)0 projects in Sardinia, granting ECU 121 million. Both dams and water catchment and distribution projects have EEC (8) 241 790 28 184 been financed.

O Applications still to be examined. Under Regulation (EEC) No 1787/84 (2) the Commission on 30 November 1988 approved the national programme of Community interest submitted by the Italian No payments were made under the scheme before Government for Sardinia. The total cost of the 31 December 1988. programme, which runs from 1988 to 1992, is Lit 675 000 million (ECU 440 million), of which Lit 337 600 million (ECU 220 million) will be contributed by the ERDF. The Commission is preparing a preliminary report on the application of set aside. Under the environment subprogramme, investment of Lit 213 000 million (ECU 139 million) is planned to improve and rehabilitate locations on which tourism depends, with particular emphasis on water supply systems and mains piping.

Under the new system set up following the reform of the structural funds (J) Italy has submitted a development WRITTEN QUESTION No 2354/88 plan for the Mezzogiorno regions indicating the types of by Mr Andrea Raggio (COM) action for which a Community financial contribution is to the Commission of the European Communities requested. Development of water resources is one of the priorities selected both for special central aid and for (2/'February 1989) regional aid. (89/C 262/75) O OJ No L 65,9. 3.1989. O QJNoL 169,28.6.1984. Subject: Damage caused by the continuing drought in O OJNoL374,31.12.1988. Sardinia

Sardinia is suffering the effects of a continuing drought. It has hardly rained for 11 months, there is a shortage of drinking water, livestock is in serious danger and a large proportion of the harvest has been lost.

Can the Commission say what decisions it has taken or intends to take concerning the applications for both emergency and structural Community aid submitted by ' WRITTEN QUESTION No 2364/88 the Region of Sardinia via the Italian Government? by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED) to the Commission of the European Communities (27 February 1989) (89/C 262/76) Answer given by Mr MacSharry on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) Subject: Bank charges

The Commission has been informed of the drought Businessmen throughout Europe complain that banks problem in many parts of Italy, in particular in Sardinia, refuse to disclose the basis on which they construe bank and has also received a Parliament resolution. charges to their customers — in other words there is no No C 262/42 Official Journal of thi European Communities 16. 10. 89

obvious transparency and clearly the banks vote general The measures for the transparency of bank charges which rules without explaining to customers how the charges are the Commission is studying are not concerned with made up. This is an anti-competitive situation since those interest rates in consumer credit agreements. That who seek business loans particularly, are unable to make a question is dealt with in another proposal for a directive, qualified decision that they would be better off banking which is restricted to agreements concluded by individual elsewhere if all or part of the charges were unreasonably consumers. Member States are free, however, if they so described. It is also probably true that small and medium desire, to extend the method of calculation of the annual sized interprises are unreasonably penalized. percentage rate of charge and of the items and costs included in the calculation to transactions other than those concluded by consumers. The proposal on the Will the Commission now bring forward the directive calculation of the annual percentage rate of charge has insisting on the written transparency of bank charges? had a first reading in Parliament and is being examined by the Council (').

0 COM(88) 201 final.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989)

The meetings of a working party of experts instructed to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2374/88 draft a proposal for a directive on the transparency of by Mr Angelo Carossino (COM) bank charges have highlighted the difficulties experienced by institutions carrying out cross-border transfers of to the Commission of the European Communities money. These have to do in particular with the calculation (27 February 1989) of costs and hence the prediction of charges to be (89/C 262/77) indicated and made to customers; whether firms or individuals. Subject: Abolition of phytosanitary certificates for Cross-border transfers are not as easy to make as flowers transported between certain countries as transfers within one and the same country. One or more a result of the Schengen agreement intermediary institutions are needed, and have to be paid for their services, because of a complex system which The agreement concluded between the Benelux countries, requires advance cover to be available in the country of France and Germany on the abolition of border controls destination in one of the currencies usable for the (knowns as the Schengen agreement) also contains transfer. provisions regarding the abolition of phytosanitary certificates to accompany flowers and fruit. The compatibility of these provisions with Community law The experts on the working party have reported that in no derives from Directive 77/93/EEC (') which lays down Member State are the administrative authorities in a compulsory checks of this kind but allows Member States position to supervise the way in which such transactions to depart from the rules on the basis of bilateral are carried out, or to limit the associated costs. They take agreements. the view that self-regulation by the banking industry is probably the only rapid and effective way of resolving the problems of transparency of transfer charges and This situation leads to disparities between States which commissions while preserving the institutions' ability to have concluded such agreements, whilst other countries compete. have been or are being excluded.

Can the Commission say: The Commission is now working along these new lines, and should be helped by the findings of a working party of experts from three European federations of credit 1. what it thinks of the situation which has arisen in this institutions (the Banking Federation, the Savings Banks sector as a result of the Schenken agreement? Group, and the Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Institutions). 2. whether it does not consider it is contradictory and illogical to establish compulsory certification on the basis of scientifically valid phytosanitary criteria but The bankers represented on this group indicated that they then to permit derogations simply on the basis of could rapidly produce European-level proposals which bilateral agreements? would provide users with clear and exhaustive information and which would be fairly simple for banks 3. whether it does not consider, in the light of the results to implement. of the application of the provisions in question, that it 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/43

should amend Directive 77/93/EEC by either importation, to be offset by more intensive checks in the abolishing checks on plant health or, if they are still exporting country, under the supervision of Community considered essential, making them compulsory for all agencies. Member States without exception? O OJNoL26,31.1.1977,p.20. (') OJ No L 26, 3.11.1977, p. 20. O OJNoL313,19.11.1988, p. 39. O COM(87) 97 final. O OJ No CI 17,4. 5.1988, p. 11.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2376/88 The agreement signed at Schengen on 14 June 1985 byMrHorstSeefeld(S) between the Governments of the countries of the Benelux Union, of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the to the Commission of the European Communities French Republic on the gradual abolition of controls at (27 February 1989) common frontiers covers the whole area of customs and (89/C 262/78) movement of goods, including the plant health aspects.

Under the agreement, the inspection of certain products Subject: Roadworthiness testing for motor cars and the issuing of a phytosanitary certificate, provided for in Council Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 on 1. Does the Commission know about the French protective measures against the introduction into the Government's intention to introduce compulsory Member States of harmful organisms of plants or plant roadworthiness testing for motor cars, a points system for products ('), as last amended by Directive 2 drivers guilty of traffic offences and a machine-readable 88/572/EEC ( ), are discontinued pending an agreement driving licence? at a later date on these matters.

2. Has the French Government come to an agreement The agreement is not considered to conflict with with the Commission regarding the Commission Community law. Article 14 of the Directive can be proposals on roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles (') interpreted as encouraging under certain circumstances and the European driving licence (2), which are now under the conclusion of such arrangements between Member discussion? States, it being stated that 'Member States may provide for derogations from Articles 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (phytosanitary inspection and issuing of certificate) for 3. Can we expect the Community directive on the introduction of plants, plant products and other roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles to be adopted objects into another Member State where the latter soon or are there still some Member States who oppose exempts the consignor State from applying the this measure in an irresponsible manner and thereby put abovementioned Articles'. people's lives at risk? (') OJ No C 76,23. 3.1987, p. 192. The approach adopted in the Schengen agreement O COM(88) 705 final. corresponds to one of the three facets of the White Paper on 'Completing the internal market' and of the 'New strategy in the field of plant health' (J) submitted by the Commission, i.e. removal of physical barriers such as phytosanitary inspection. Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission It is, however, without prejudice to the measures to be (18 April 1989) implemented for the entire Community in line with the programme set out in those documents. As regards specifically the abolition of phytosanitary inspection, the 1. The Commission is aware of French intentions to Commission submitted to the Council on 18 April 1988 introduce a compulsory roadworthiness test for cars and the first of a series of proposals scheduled in the driving licences with a penalty points system. programme (4).

2. The Commission proposal for roadworthiness This proposal contains provisions on the reduction and testing of cars sets a higher frequency of testing than the subsequent complete abolition of inspection on French draft legislation. When the Commission proposal No C 262/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

is adopted France, like other Member States that now the EEC originating from Yellowfin tuna caught in the operate a different testing scheme, may have to adapt this Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, the area concerned with part of the legislation. the incidental killing of dolphins, are very marginal.

The monitoring and administration of the points system The Commission is in close collaboration with the Inter for driving licences will be computerized, independently American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and from the licence itself which will remain of the follows any recommendations issued by this organization, 'Community model' type; that means in line with in order to avoid the deaths of any dolphins. Directive 80/ 1263/EEC (').

3. As regards the prospects of adoption of the proposal for roadworthiness testing there are indeed still some Member States opposing the adoption mainly because of the costs of the establishment of an efficient testing WRITTEN QUESTION No 2381/88 infrastructure. by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities . (') OJ No L 375, 30.12.1980. (2 7 February 1989) (89/C 262/80)

Subject: Toll roads in France

Is the Commission aware of the fact that the French WRITTEN QUESTION No 2377/88 Government intends to extend the levying of tolls on by Mrs Christine Crawley (S) motorways in France until the year 2035? to the Commission of the European Communities Does the Commission consider this to be compatible with (27 February 1989) the wish expressed by Parliament and the Commission (89/C 262/79) itself that motorway tolls should be abolished especially since the principle of territoriality is being introduced for the allocation of road costs? Subject: Dolphins Is the Commission willing to contact the French The practices employed by US tuna fishermen in catching authorities and make it clear to them that their intention is Yellowfin tuna are causing the deaths of some 50 000 incompatible with Community policy? dolphins per year (greatly in excess of the US Congress limit) and unrecorded numbers of injured ones; dolphins are highly developed creatures and yet, after the fisherman's haul, are left to fall lacerated and bleeding on Answer given by Mr Van Miert the deck, gasping and thrashing in agony ... some with on behalf of the Commission their faces and flippers ripped off and blood running (2 5 May 1989) down their sides: Yellowfin tuna constitutes only 10% of tuna sold worldwide; what actions will the Commission take to ban imports of Yellowfin tuna into the EC, which The Commission has not been informed officially about will not restrict the availability of other tuna but go a long the French intention to extend the concessions for levying way towards stopping this unnecessary and unwanted tolls on motorways. cruelty to these intelligent mammals? The Commission's proposal in the field of charging road infrastructure costs to heavy goods vehicles, to which the Honourable Member refers ('), foresees that motorway tolls together with vehicle excise duties and excise on Answer given by Mr Marin diesel fuel should be considered as the payment for the on behalf of the Commission use. (2 7 April 1989) Motorway tolls are already levied according to the principle of territoriality; the levying of excise duties to a The Commission is deeply concerned about the large extent reflects the same principle. This leaves only protection of all marine mammals and will encourage any the collection of vehicle excise duties to be switched from measures taken (including research into new fishing the nationality to the territoriality principle, a change methods) to reduce the number of dolphins killed while which should come into effect as from 1 January 1993. fishing for Yellowfin tuna. The sum of the three charges should be determined in such a way as to cover the effective costs of using road Community consumption is mainly covered by tuna infrastructure. If that condition is satisfied also caught in the Central Eastern Atlantic and Indian Ocean, distortions of competition of a fiscal nature will be where tuna is not associated with dolphins. Imports into eliminated. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/45

The proposal of the Commission is to introduce a certain The response of these authorities, in the form of number of conditions for motorway tolls, which will numerous revisions and modifications to the original apply during the transitional phase ending on 31 submission, was received on 2 February 1989 and is now December 1992: no discrimination on the basis of being considered by the Commission services in the light nationality, the level should relate to the cost of of their previous comments. In addition, Commission construction and operation of the infrastructure and the officials visited Merseyside in mid-March for further collection of the tolls should take place without hindering discussions, the outcome of which is also being taken into the flow of traffic. account.

The first priority now for the Council should be to accelerate its discussions on the proposal of the The Commission hopes to be in a position to take a final Commission. view on the submission within the near future.

O OJ No C 79,26. 3.1988. As regards the application under the poverty programme, the Commission wrote to the local authorities on 31 October 1988 suggesting that they contact it again at the beginning of 1989, when it would be in a position to supply information on the medium-term Community action programme to foster the economic and social integration of the least privileged groups, which it has WRITTEN QUESTION No 2397/88 approved in the meantime. The Commission has heard by Mr Kenneth Stewart (S) nothing from the Merseyside authorities since then. to the Commission of the European Communities Assuming this programme is adopted by the Council (which is expected to take a decision in June), the MIDO (6 March 1989) scheme could be put forward via the national authorities (89/C 262/81) for assistance under it.

Subject: Poverty in Liverpool, England The Commission is aware of the document 'Poverty in Liverpool': however this has been published only recently. The Commission is aware of the application by the When it does become available to the Commission, it will Merseyside local authorities for aid under the MIDO consider the information contained therein in the context Scheme, (Merseyside Integrated Development of the socio-economic analysis already provided in the Operation). Would the Commission state what progress IDO submission. has been made in assessing the application and if it will be supported by the Commission ?

Is the Commission aware of the recent publication, 'Poverty in Liverpool'?

If not, would the Commissioner study this document and the statistics contained therein which highlight the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2428/88 deprivation of the city and the poverty existing in the by Mr Fernando Perez Royo, Mr Antonio Gutierrez Diaz, Merseyside area? Mr Alonso Puerta Gutierrez, Mr Alexandras Alavanos, Mr Vassilis Ephremedis, Mr Jose Barros Moura, Mr Dimitros When is the Commission expected to have an answer on Dessylas, Mr Konstantinos Filinis, Mr Natalino Gatti and the Merseyside application? Mr Emmanuel Maffre-Bauge (COM) to the Commission of the European Communities (6 March 1989) Answer given by Mr Millan (89/C 262/82) on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) Subject: The need to raise cotton production ceilings in the Community in order to assist the sector in As far as the regional Fund is concerned, following Greece, Spain and Italy submission of the Merseyside IDO application on 18th July 1988 the Commission services, after an appraisal With the exception of Italy, Greece was the only thereof, indicated that integrated operation status was in cotton-producing country in the Community before the principle merited. accession of Spain. At the time, the production ceiling was fixed at 567 000 tonnes of raw cotton. Upon the accession Several aspects of the application however required of Spain, the Community decided to raise the ceiling to further clarification or development and the 752 000 tonnes, that is to say, by a mere 185 000 tonnes. Commission's requirements in this respect were This amount has been shown to be inadequate, since the forwarded to the United Kingdom authorities concerned production of Greece alone is 720 000 tonnes and in on 9 November 1988. Spain, with 135 000 hectares given over to cotton, the No C 262/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 expected output is 367 000 tonnes, which gives a total of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2430/88 1 087 000 tonnes. by Mr Alexandras Alavanos (COM) to the Commission of the European Communities When fixing the production ceilings, the Community took (6 March 1989) as a basis Spanish production figures for 1983 and 1984, years in which output was lower than usual partly because (89/C 262/83) of the drought and partly because growers were then in the process of switching to mechanized forms of Subject: Situation with regard to the psychiatric cultivation and harvesting. Given that yields are low institutions on the island of Leros (between 1 500 and 2 000 kilograms per hectare) and that heavy rain in the current season has had an adverse effect A few months ago, representatives of the Commission's on the quality of the fibre, a production ceiling of 250 000 departments visited the psychiatric institutions on the tonnes seriously penalizes Spanish producers. Greek island of Leros as part of the procedure for the extension of the period of validity of Regulation (EEC) It should also be noted that the Community's level of No 815/84 ('). What are the basic conclusions reached by self-sufficiency in cotton is only 20 % and that the volume the Commission with regard to the situation in Leros and of imports is increasing at a disturbing rate. The bulk of the utilization to date of funds earmarked for social fibre imports, which rose by 27% in 1987 and by 25% in purposes? the first six months of 1988, comes from Turkey and various Far Eastern countries, which not only benefit (*) OJNoL88,31.3.1984, p. 1. from dumping and national subsidies, but also maintain barriers to imports of textile products from the Community. Answer given by Miss Papandreou on behalf of the Commission In the light of the foregoing, is the Commission prepared (26 May 1989) to press for a substantial rise in the production ceilings of raw cotton in the Community which takes into account the serious problems currently affecting the cotton sector? During their last visit to the psychiatric establishment on the island of Leros, in August 1988, the Commission's representatives noted that the situation remained unsatisfactory.

Within the context of an extension of the period of Answer given by Mr MacSharry validity of Regulation (EEC) No 815/84, the on behalf of the Commission Commission has insisted that an adequate solution be (26 May 1989) found to the problems on Leros; the revised programme on psychiatric reform for 1988—1992 presented to the Commission by the Greek Government provides for the The Honourable Members are reminded that when the following measures as regards Leros: aid scheme for cotton was adjusted in 1987 the Council (a) a gradual reduction in the number of residential stipulated that the Commission was to present it with a patients in the institutions on the island until the final report on the functioning of the scheme and on the trend closure of the 'PIKPA' centre before the end of 1989, of cotton production in the Community. In 1988, on the and the transformation of the present hospital (1 200 basis of this report, the Council decided to retain the aid patients) into a smaller unit (50 places) by 1995, scheme, including the maximum guaranteed quantity. which will serve the local population alone;

In addition, Community rules provide for the (b) a sustained improvement in the living conditions and Commission to present a further report to the Council on treatment of patients remaining on the island, with a the functioning of the aid scheme before the end of the view to reaching a satisfactory level for the institution 1991/92 marketing year. The question of the maximum as a whole by 1992; guaranteed quantity will be examined on this occasion. (c) more intensive in-service training of medical, The Commission feels, however, that it will not be in a paramedical and nursing staff, with the help of position to present the report requested by the Council organizations from other Member States. until sufficient time has elapsed to enable it to assess fully the effects of the measures adopted in 1987. Having consulted independent experts, the Commission believes that the Greek programme is realistic and The Commission also wishes to point out that since the feasible. The amended Regulation, moreover, provides accession of Spain and Portugal cotton production has for the setting-up of a follow-up and evaluation system doubled both in Greece and in Spain. and for technical assistance to improve the managerial efficiency of the programme. 16 10 89 - - Official Journal of t European Communities No C 262/47

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2433/88 Dutch authorities. The latter will take steps to ensure that by Mrs Nel van Dijk (ARC) the students in question enjoy favourable treatment. to the Commission of the European Communities O OJNoL375,31.12.1980,p. 1. (6 March 1989) O COM(88) 705 final. (89/C 262/84)

Subject: Validity of driving licences WRITTEN QUESTION No 2456/88 The Vaals weekly magazine of 3 February 1989 reported by Mr Niall Andrews (RDE) that two German students who had been living in Vaals for oyer a year had received police fines, since they were to the Commission of the European Communities not in possession of valid Dutch driving licences, (13 March 1989) although they did have German licences. Since German (89/C 262/85) law recognizes two places of residence, they need German licences to drive in the Federal Republic of Germany. The Dutch authorities, however, require them to surrender Subject: The use of plastic bottles their German licences before issuing them with Dutch licences. The proposal for a Council Directive COM(88) Certain Member States of the European Community have taken steps to encourage recycling of plastic rejects 705 is intended to solve such problems, but does not enter (especially plastic bottles), while other Member States into force until July 1990. The many students studying at favour the use of glass. Aachen College of Technology and living in Vaals cannot wait that long. Could the Commission give information on these measures concerning the individual Member States? 1. Is the Commission aware of this situation ? What steps does the Commission intend taking, within 2. In view of the proposal for a Council Directive on the the framework of its competences to encourage the driving licence, COM(88) 705 final, is the recycling of plastic rejects or on the other hand the use of Commission prepared to request the Dutch glass so as to assure the protection of the environment? Government not to issue any more fines pending the entry into force of this Directive? Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana 3. Is the Commission prepared to request the other Member States also to refrain from taking action in on behalf of the Commission such cases? (26 May 1989)

As far as drinks containers in general are concerned, some Member States use refillable containers, while others prefer to use recyclable containers. Concil Directive Answer given by Mr Van Miert 85/339/EEC on containers of liquids for human on behalf of the Commission consumption allows the choice ('). {26 April 1989) The situation in the individual Member States is as follows: 1. The Commission is aware that, in accordance with — Germany has sent the Commission a set of proposed Council Directive 80/1263/EEC (') the Dutch authorities targets, shown in the following table, for the use of exchange driving licences when licence-holders take up refillable glass. normal residence in the Netherlands. However, the Commission was not previously aware that the exchange procedure also applied to students going to the Netherlands to study there. Refillable containers

2 and 3. As the Honourable Member states, once the 2 Targets to be met within proposal for a Directive on the driving licence ( ) has been 1986 figures two years of publication adopted by the Council, the problem will be resolved. of the Regulation

Meanwhile, the Commission has informed the Member Beer 87,2% 90% States about the problem in question and has asked them Water 89,1% 90% not to require students to exchange their driving licences. Fizzy drinks 76,4% 80% Juice 29,4% 35% In connection with the case reported by the Honourable Wine Member the Commission has made representations to the 43,2% 50% No C 262/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

— The United Kingdom will maintain the proportions ' In addition, the lack of an effective environment policy is of refillable containers at their existing levels and will contributing to the disruption of ecological balance both promote recycling of all other packaging materials. in the soil and the lower strata of the atmosphere as a This emerges from the programme of measures result of inadequate controls on industrial pollution and communicated by the United Kingdom, which has private and public transport. been drawn up on a voluntary basis.

— France is working on the basis of voluntary Given that the European Parliament has repeatedly drawn agreements by sector and is strongly in favour of attention to the risks involved, can the Commission say plastic recycling. It should be noted that France is the what stage has been reached with the common largest European producer of PVC bottles. environmental protection policy in this area? Specifically, what measures have already been taken, what measures will be taken and what timetable is envisaged, particularly — The Netherlands has a voluntary system based on a in the light of the fact that the Montreal Protocol (under declaration by the industry, whereby producers the Vienna Convention on the protection of the earth's undertake to achieve the following objectives: ozone layer) entered into force on 1 January 1989? refillable containers: beer 90%, soft drinks 95%, milk 20%.

The recycling and standardization of bottles will also be promoted in the Netherlands. Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission — In Denmark there is a compulsory deposit system for beer and soft drinks and a voluntary system for wine. (26 May 1989) There is 99% rate of return. A voluntary system is under consideration to reduce the amount of PVC. The Community adopted the following Acts on 14 — In the context of the application of Directive October 1988: 85/339/EEC concerning containers of liquids for human consumption, the Commission is studying the measures taken by the Member States to assess their — The Council Decision 88/540/EEC concerning the conformity with European law and the Directive. It conclusion of the Vienna Convention for the realizes that there are problems in connection with protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone the internal market, and has therefore decided to layer ('). amend the Directive and make it more precise in order to avoid distortions and achieve a high level of environmental protection. It hopes to present a — The Council Regulation (EEC) No 3322/88 on proposal before the end of this year. certain chlorofluorocarbons and halons which deplete the ozone layer (2). This implements the (') OJ No L 176,6. 7.1985. Montreal Protocol in the Community.

— The Council Resolution for the limitation of use of chlorofluorocarbons and halons (J).

Moreover the Community has been active on three fronts in order to help halt further ozone depletion: WRITTEN QUESTION No 2457/88 I. On 2 March 1989 the Council decided that the by Mrs Konstantina Pantazi (S) Community shall phase out the controlled to the Commission of the European Communities substances by the end of the century and that it shall (13 March 1989) reduce their use by 85% with respect to the 1986 figure as soon as possible. It is expected that this (89/C 262/86) Community initiative will influence other Parties to the Protocol to take more progressive positions. Subject: Destruction of the ozone layer II. The Commission has taken action to implement the Council Resolution. Discussions have been initiated The disturbing forecasts concerning the future of the on voluntary agreements at the Community level planet as a result of the destruction of the ozone layer in with the aerosol, foam plastics and refrigeration the upper strata of the atmosphere and the creation of the industries to reduce the use of controlled CFCs. The 'greenhouse effect' are compounded by the slow, hesitant voluntary agreement with the aerosol industry has and piecemeal manner in which the various countries are already been concluded. It is hoped that agreements taking preventive measures. can be reached with the foam plastics and 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/49

refrigeration industries in the first half of this year. The following questions therefore require precise Discussions with the electronics industry and answers: to what extent does the Community rely on halons-user industries are to be initiated very 'strategic minerals', especially chrome, imported from shortly. South Africa; what measures have been taken to find alternative sources of supply and to develop alternative HI. The European Community is contributing to the products; what provisions have been made to prevent revision of the Montreal Protocol. The controls access to the Community market for South African iron imposed by the Protocol on production and and steel products in place of chrome with value added consumption of CFCs are being evaluated in the for processing (see abovementioned South African light of new scientific evidence. Four review groups weekly)? have been set up to examine scientific matters, technological aspects, environmental effects and the economics of substitution. The Commission is chairing the last group and will be contributing Answer given by Mr Bangemann substantially to the others. It is planned that these on behalf of the Commission reviews will lead to the formulation of proposals for the strengthening of the Protocol controls later this (26 May 1989) year and for their adoption by the Parties to it in the spring of 1990. Of all the minerals produced in South Africa, chrome is by far the most crucial for the manufacture of special steels. (') OJNoL297,31.10.1988,p. 8. O OJ No L 297, 31.10.1988, p. 1. O OJ No C 285,9.11.1988. South Africa, like all countries with mineral resources, tries to obtain the greatest possible benefit from them. As a result South Africa has reduced exports of chromite, the only chromium ore used, in order to increase its production capacity for ferro-chromium, an intermediate product used in manufacturing special steels, including stainless steel.

There is certainly nothing exceptionable about these WRITTEN QUESTION No 2470/88 plans, because South Africa has the advantage of by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) possessing both the raw materials and the energy to the Commission of the European Communities resources required to process them into ferro-chromium. (13 March 1989) World statistics for 1988 are not available, but here are (89/C 262/87) some figures for 1987: Chromium ore production: Subject: Import into the Community of chrome, World: 11,471 million tonnes 'strategic' minerals and steel from South Africa South Africa: 3,339 million tonnes

In the resolution on South Africa and southern Africa Chromium ore imports into the EEC: adopted at its meeting in Barbados on 26 January 1989, World: 747 967 tonnes the Joint Assembly of the Lome Convention forcefully stressed the need to draw up and implement a programme of which from South Africa: 273 066 tonnes - 36 % of,'positive sanctions' to replace imports of 'strategic Ferro-chromium production: minerals' from South Africa and to develop alternative sources of supply, particularly from the countries of the World 0:2,850 million tonnes SADCC, and the utilization of non-South African South Africa: 0,948 million tonnes transport routes. EEC: 0,144 million tonnes

2 What is the present attitude of the Community's executive Source of imports of charge chrome ( ) into the EEC- institutions on this matter, having regard to the World: 776 036 tonnes references, previously made in a similar question, to the South Africa: 379 228 tonnes - 48,9% activities of Mr Paul Jourdan, an expert from Zimbabwe? EFTA: 72 509 tonnes Community dependence on South Africa, particularly for Zimbabwe: 50 249 tonnes. chrome, should also be viewed in the light (see Financial Mail of 23 December 1988) of the declared intention of Prices for charge chrome, which were around 40 cents per the government and private sector in South Africa to pound two years ago, had risen to almost USD 1 per reduce chrome exports: whereas 45% of South Africa's pound at the end of last year. production of this mineral are exported, much more is now used in situ for producing stainless steel intended A number of ferro-chromium manufacturers have primarily for export. increased their production capacity and various No C 262/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

newcomers have arrived, or will soon arrive, on the world This was necessary since the Community has only partial market. Some of them have no mineral resources of their competence in this area as regards products covered by own and are therefore obliged to buy ore from the small the ECSC Treaty. number of producers, which include South Africa. (') Estimate. (2) A ferro-chromium with 6% of carbon, used mainly for In the Community, apart from New Caledonia, Greece is producing stainless steel. the only country which produces chromite. Its annual O OJNoL268,18.9.1986,p. 1. production of about 230 000 tonnes is used to produce O OJ No L 120,7.5.1988, p. 1. ferro-chromium, particularly in the Community.

With funds unavailable for an effective surveying campaign, reserves of ore, estimated at some 8 to 10 million tonnes, might in fact be higher. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2474/88 The ferro-chromium industry produces some 140 000 by Mr Francesco Compasso (LDR) tonnes of charge chrome per year, 45 000 tonnes of which to the Commission of the European Communities comes from Greece. Apart from Greece, all other (13 March 1989) producers (in Italy, Germany, Spain and France) have to (89/C 262/88) rely on imported raw materials. Naturally, because of their relatively high energy costs, Community producers have difficulty in selling their product at competitive Subject: Introduction of VAT at a rate of 4% on prices on the world market, especially when there is excess newspapers and periodicals in Italy capacity. Using its own mineral reserves, the Greek producer rightly intends to increase production from Is the Commission aware that Italy has introduced VAT 45 000 tonnes to 1000 000 tonnes per year. at 4 % on newspapers, periodicals and books?

What is the Commission's view of this measure which will Community ferro-chromium production covers barely further exacerbate the already difficult situation facing 20% of the steel industry's requirements. To stay the publishing sector, particularly publishers of competitive on the international market, the steel industry periodicals and small publishers? has to buy its ferro-chromium as cheaply as possible. Since imports of ferro-chromium are subject to a customs What action does the Commission intend to take? duty of 8%, the Council can, on a proposal from the Commission, open tariff quotas at a zero rate of duty. These quotas are granted only if it is known that all Community production has been sold. Answer given by Mrs Scrivener on behalf of the Commission There is therefore no possibility of direct intervention to (26 May 1989) prevent the Community steel industry from buying ferro-chromium from South Africa, because South Africa is the largest producer. In order to diversify their sources, The Commission is aware of the measures taken in Italy the countries competing for these supplies, such as Japan that put an end to the zero-rating of newspapers and and the USA, use the same non-South African suppliers of periodicals. chrome as the Community, and unfortunately supplies are limited. It would point out that, as regards transactions within the territory of the country, zero-rating is prohibited by the Sixth VAT Directive ('), although, pursuant to Article 28 As for provisions to block access to the Community of the Directive, it may be applied on a temporary basis market for South African steel products, imports of some and subject to the limits laid down in that Article. iron and steel products were suspended by Decision 86/459/ECSC of the Representatives of the Governments The proposal for a Directive on the approximation of of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of VAT rates (2) provides that the reduced rate, which may 16 September 1986 (J) (amended by Decision not be less than 4 % or more than 9 %, will apply inter alia 88/280/ECSC (*) to take account of the introduction of to books, newspapers and periodicals. the Harmonized System). The measures referred to by the Honourable Member are, therefore, consistent with the approach advocated by the The suspension affects neither import licences already Commission. issued nor contracts concluded before the date of its publication. O OJNoLl45,13.6.1977. O OJNoC250,18.9.1987. All Member States immediately implemented the Decision, which entered into force on 17 September 1987. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/51

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2490/88 — to supplement its report with a view to assessing by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED) future developments in the industry in the perspective to the Commission of the European Communities of the achievement of the internal market and (17 March 1989) — to seek ways of promoting the necessary cooperation (89/C 262/89) between the different links in the textile-clothing chain in the fields of research, technological development and industrial innovation so as to ensure Subject: Multifibre Agreement their competitiveness, in particular in those production activities where the incidence of In view of the fact that the Multifibre Agreement comes labour-costs is high'. up for renewal in 1991, can the Commission state what studies it has carried out or intends to carry out on the effects of the MFA on the following:

— the clothing and textile industries,

— employment in those industries, WRITTEN QUESTION No 2493/88 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED) — other industries and employment in them, to the Commission of the European Communities — consumer prices ? (17 March 1989) (89/C 262/90)

Subject: Report by Euromonitor Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission Does the Commission agree with the recent report by (26 May 1989) Euromonitor, the London based market research group, that Japanese companies are best placed to benefit from the single European market? In particular, does it accept The Arrangement regarding International Trade in these points from the survey: Textiles (MFA), as extended by the Protocol of 31 July 1986 for a period of five years until 31 July 1991, states in 1. that job losses will result in the short term, although in its Article 10 that not later than one year before the expiry the longer term, 1,8 million new jobs should be of this Arrangement should it be considered whether the created; MFA should be extended, modified or discontinued. 2. manufacturers in many EC countries, including the For the preparation of the Community's position in these UK, will lose out unless their industries have better negotiations the Commission will in due course consider representation on standards bodies? the necessity for updated or new studies on the European textiles and clothing industry. With a view to the What does the Commission propose to do to counteract negotiations on MFA III (1982—1986) and the current these negative items? MFA IV, studies were carried out on the situation and the prospects of the textiles and clothing industries in the Community in 1981 and also in 1985. These studies also covered certain aspects of employment and prices. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission Only recently, in November 1988, the Commission (16 May 1989) presented another study on the situation of the textile and clothing industry to the Council. This study was subject to discussions in the 'General Affairs' Council on 21/22 The Commission does not have any evidence that November 1988 as far as trade policy was concerned and Japanese companies are best placed to benefit from the in the 'Industry' Council on 13 December 1988 as far as single market, and "considers that Euromonitor alone is industry aspects were concerned. responsible for its forecasts.

The official conclusions of these discussions include the The Commission has made its own estimates of the following invitation from the Council to the Commission: employment effects of unifying the EC market, and comes to the conclusion that there will be a net positive — 'to develop further the analysis submitted in order to effect, the size of which is dependent notably on the reveal the particularities of the sub-sectors and of the accompanying policies that are followed. Looking at the regional situations and enable adjustments to be short term effects, there is little doubt that increased made to the various Community policies applied to competition will lead to more rational structures and the textile and clothing industry; some concomitant loss of jobs. On the other hand, the No C 262/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 advent of the single market is already stimulating a wave Answer given by Mr Matutes of investment that will create new jobs and the higher on behalf of the Commission than average growth rates of the Community expected for (26 May 1989) years to come will reinforce this process. The Commission therefore does not believe that rationalization effects can be looked at alone and, considering the total picture, does 1. The Honourable Member is requested to refer to not believe there is a firm basis for claiming that there will the answer given by the Commission to Oral Question be net job losses, even in the short term. H-509/88 asked by Mrs Ewing at question time during Parliament's February 1988 part-session (').

The Commission encourages all European companies 2. According to information supplied by Eurostat and to participate actively in the work of national the public corporation Companhia Vale do Rio Doce standardization bodies, so as to enable them to bring into (CVRD), the sole producer of iron ore in the northern their sector specific experience. However the impact of region (Carajas), exports of iron ore to the Community the work of national and European standardization break down as follows: bodies should not be over-emphasized, as the information on new standards are made known at an early stage to all of which: Brazil south (') interested companies. Over the past five years, the north (') Commission has developed a standards policy which entails the systematic vetting of all new national industrial Belgium/Luxembourg (J) 4 895 4 654 241 standards at European level and allows the Commission Germany 16 976 10 976 6 000 to entrust the relevent European standardization bodies Spain with the development of new common standards. 2 338 1904 436 France 5 559 4 396 1 163 Italy 5 348 3 653 1695 Netherlands (J) 14 369 14 369 United Kingdom 2 253 1719 534

Total 51738 41671 10 069

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2523/88 O From the ports of Tubarau, Vitdria, Ponta do Uba, Sepetiba and Rio de Janeiro. by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S) (2) From the port of Ponta da Madeira (Carajas). J to the Commission of the European Communities ( ) Based on figures for 11 months. (17 March 1989) (89/C 262/91) According to Eurostat, in the same year, imports of pig iron from Brazil totalled about 272 000 tonnes, breaking Subject: Imports of iron from Brazil down as follows:

In its reply of 25 January 1988 to Written Question No Belgium/Luxembourg 5 304 O 897/88 O on the Carajas programme which involves Denmark 6 534 large-scale deforestation, the Commission has stated that under the terms of the financing agreement between the Germany • 52 636 Community and the CVRD it has asked the Brazilian Spain 40 785 authorities for information on the environmental France 5 847 situation of the region where the foundries are to be built Italy 65 102 and also on respect for the rights of the Indians who live in the region. Netherlands 47 663 Portugal 12 053 1. Has the Commission already received this United Kingdom 36 008 information? If so, can it make it available. If not, will this failure to provide information affect future (') Based on figures for 11 months. cooperation with Brazil?

2. Can the Commission indicate the quantity of iron ore Until January this year all exports of pig iron were shipped or raw iron imported by each Member State in out of Minas Gerais. Since then shipments have also been previous years from the Minas Gerais and Carajas made from the port of Ponta da Madeira. mines respectively? 3. Iron ore is not subject to import quotas. Pig iron, 3. Were these imports allocated under a quota system ? however, is subject under the ECSC Treaty to quotas set in annual arrangements between the Community and the O OJNoC93,11.4.1988, p. 28. Brazilian Government. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/53

In this way the 1988 quota of 295 499 tonnes has been as a period of reference. These tables will be sent directly increased by 3 %, to 304 364 tonnes for 1989. to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's Secretariat. 0 Debates of the European Parliament, No 2-374 (February 1989). O 'Earnings. Industry and services'. Theme 3, Population and social conditions; Series B, Short-term trends. (') 'Earnings in agriculture 1986'. Theme 3, Population and social conditions; Series C, Accounts, surveys and statistics.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2533/88 by Mr Edward Newman (S) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 2553/88 (17 March 1989) by Mr Pedro Argiielles Salaverria (ED) (89/C 262/92) to the Commission of the European Communities (17 March 1989) Subject: Average earnings level (89/C 262/93) What is the level of average earnings (on a common currency basis) in each EC country now compared to Subject: Publicizing Regulation 797/85 on improving the 1979? efficiency of agricultural holdings

The provisions of Regulation 797/85 (') on improving the efficiency of agricultural holdings confirm the desire of Answer given by Mr Christophersen the European Community to place agriculture on the on behalf of the Commission same footing in every respect as other forms of work, and (17 May 1989) especially as regards the employment of temporary replacements, whether to cover for holidays or for any other reason. The statistical sources available in the Statistical Office of the European Community do not permit comparisons to However, this major improvement has as yet generated be made, between periods, of the levels of workers' very little interest because it is so new and revolutionary earnings throughout all sectors of economic activity. that farmers have had no time to find out about it. Nevertheless, data on the earnings of workers in agriculture, industry and certain sectors of services are regularly gathered and published by the SOEC, allowing Does the Commission not agree that it should, via an comparison in those cases. appropriate publicity campaign, ensure that as much information as possible reaches agricultural workers about this Regulation, which is going to give such The harmonized statistics of earnings, regularly workers greater freedom? published by Eurostat in the publication 'Earnings. Industry and services' ('), provide six-monthly data (April C) OJ No L 93,30. 3.1985, p. 1. and October) on the level and trends of earnings of workers in industry and several sectors of services (wholesale and retail distribution trades, banking and finance, insurance). Answer given by Mr MacSharry The biannual survey on the earnings of manual workers in on behalf of the Commission agriculture provides data on the level of earnings of (26 May 1989) permanent manual workers employed on a full-time basis in agriculture (2). The Commission would like to draw the Honourable The definition of earnings covers the remuneration in Member's attention to the fact that the organizations cash paid directly and regularly by the employer at the closest to the farming community are in the best position time of each wage payment, before tax deductions and to carry out this type of information campaign. social security contributions, which are payable by the wage-earner and retained by the employer, and before Such campaigns, therefore, normally form part of fines. national or regional schemes. In the case of Spain, for instance, there are a number of organizations — These sources have been used to elaborate several particularly in the agricultural departments — which summary tables comparing average levels of earnings include this type of work among their activities. between October 1980 and October 1987; the availability of data has obliged us to use October 1980 instead of 1979 No C 262/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2557/88 the use of a single payment document for settling by Mr Jose Alvarez de Eulate Penaranda (ED) transactions and making cash withdrawals or deposits at all banking establishments). to the Commission of the European Communities (17 March 1989) (89/C 262/94)

Subject: The issuing of banknotes and coins of the same WRITTEN QUESTION No 2561/88 size in all the Member States by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S) to the Commission of the European Communities At a time when the European Community is anxious to achieve monetary union the fact that all the Member (17 March 1989) States issue banknotes and coins of totally different sizes (89/C 262/95) and types is surprising. Subject: Disinfection and disinsectization of packaging Harmonizing the size of coins and banknotes in the fabric various Member States — making coins easier to use and giving a certain impression of unity, to say nothing of the 1. Is it true that the regulations concerning freight advantages as regards the use throughout the Community transport between the Member States, including Spain of coin or banknote-operated automatic machines — and Portugal, within the European Communities customs would be a useful first step towards monetary union. union are based on Community rules?

Does the Commission not agree that for these reasons it 2. Do these Community rules also apply to the sale and would be a good idea, as many colleagues have suggested, supply of cotton packaging compacted into bales for later to encourage the Member States to produce coins and use as cleaning cloths or garnetted scrap cloth, for notes of the same size? example as supplied by the Federal Republic of Germany to Spain?

3. Does the Commission have information concerning trading patterns in this sector and is it aware that the Answer given by Mr Delors Emsdetten company Luke and Co. in Westphalia has for on behalf of the Commission years been exporting packaging fabric in the form (21 April 1989) described in paragraph 2 from the Federal Republic of Germany to Spain?

Harmonizing the characteristics of banknotes and coins 4. What view does the Commission take of the demand within the Community would certainly be desirable as a made in January 1989 by the Spanish customs authorities, means of fostering a sense of belonging to the concerning the last export consignment of this product Community among the public and of facilitating the from the above company, that a health certificate be circulation of cash. It would then be in the interest of the provided in evidence of the disinfection and national monetary authorities to consult together more disinsectization of the packaging fabric? closely when deciding on the materials to be used and on other physical characteristics of forms of money (e.g. 5. Does the Commission agree that this demand by the presence of a watermark, format of notes, etc.). Spanish authorities can only be interpreted as obstruction Manufacturers and users of automatic cash dispensers of the free movement of goods between the Member might also benefit from a standardization of the States in contravention of Community law and is it dimension of banknotes. prepared to bring to an end immediately this anomalous and totally pointless measure or institute proceedings for However, excessive standardization might be a source of infringement of the Treaties? confusion and, hence, inconvenience for users, and particularly people with poor eyesight. What is more, harmonizing the characteristics of the different forms of Answer given by Mr Bangemann money would not eliminate the risks of exchange-rate on behalf of the Commission variations. Such variations, coupled with increased costs of administration and equipment (in particular, of (22 May 1989) coin-operated automatic machines which would have to be able to distinguish between coins from Member States 1. On the basis of the text of the four questions under that have identical characteristics but different values), consideration, the Commission is of the opinion that the would probably result in very unfavourable conditions of first has to be treated as questioning the application of exchange for small transactions. For this reason, and Community law on the movement of goods between the given the current arrangements for foreign exchange, Member States of the Customs Union of the European interbank relationships at European level would offer the Community, including Spain and Portugal. Community most fertile ground in the near future for moving towards law, and in particular the articles mentioned below, is unification of the networks and means of payment, (e.g. applicable in this matter. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/55

2. Community law, and more particularly Articles 30 What measures has the Commission taken to oblige and 36 of the EEC Treaty and Article 42 et seq. of the Act Belgium to implement EC environmental legislation to of Accession of Spain and Portugal, applies to the sale and the full? supply of cotton packaging compacted into bales and intended for the production of cleaning clothes or pulled What measures can the Commission take, in the specific rags and exported by the Federal Republic of Germany to case of cadmium discharges, in response to possible Spain. negligence in Belgium in connection with the EC 'Cadmium Directive'? 3. The Commission is aware of this fact. O QJNoL291,24.10.1983, p. 1. 4. The Commission considers that the requirement by the Spanish customs of official health certificates of disinfection and disinsectization for cotton packaging fabric is not in conformity with Articles 30 and 36 of the Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana EEC Treaty and Article 42 et seq. of the Act of Accession on behalf of the Commission of Spain and Portugal. (25 May 1989)

5. The provisions in force in Spain requiring The Commission was not aware of the facts referred to by certificates of disinfection and disinsectization for the the Honourable Member. It will question the Belgian import of certain goods, including the product in authorities on the issue in order to discover which question, have already been the subject of an enterprise was responsible for the discharge of cadmium infringement procedure on the basis of Article 169 of the and the terms of the authorization granted to it. EEC Treaty. Following the initiation of the procedure, the Spanish authorities submitted a draft amendment to Belgium incorporated Council Directive 83/513/EEC the Commission of the rules in question, which does away into national legislation with the Royal Decree of 18 with the requirement for these certificates for certain March 1987 (Moniteur Beige, 11 April 1987) on industrial products, including the product referred to in the activities and the Royal Decree of 4 August 1986 question. (Moniteur Beige, 6 September 1986) on sectoral conditions for the discharge of waste waters from the The Commission has taken action to ensure that this production of fertilizers into ordinary surface waters and amendment is applied to these products by the Spanish public drains ('). customs authorities even before the draft is officially adopted. Like some other Member States Belgium has not yet incorporated into national legislation and/or applied certain Directives on the environment. On this subject the Commission asks the Honourable Member to refer to the annual report to the European Parliament on Commission monitoring of the application of Community law (2). WRITTEN QUESTION No 2562/88 by Mrs Hanja Maij-Wcggen (PPE) In such cases the Commission initiates an infringement to the Commission of the European Communities procedure under Article 169 of the Treaty. (17 March 1989) An infringement procedure may be considered if, on the (89/C 262/96) basis of the information received from the Belgian authorities, it appears that Directive 83/513 has not been Subject: Cadmium pollution of the Meuse complied with in the case of the Meuse.

Is the Commission aware that from 30 November to 5 O OJNoL291,24.10.1983,p. 1. O COM(88) 425 final. December and from 7 December to 12 December 1988 it was necessary to stop the extraction of drinking water from the Meuse because of the unacceptably high cadmium content originating from Belgium?

Can the Commission find out from the Belgian WRITTEN QUESTION No 2564/88 Government who was responsible for the cadmium by Mr Roberto Costanzo (PPE) discharges? to the Commission of the European Communities Can the Commission say whether Belgium has already (17 March 1989) implemented the EC 'Cadmium Directive' (Council (89/C 262/97) Directive 83/513/EEC of 26 September 1983 on limit values and quality objectives for cadmium discharges) (')? Subject: Problems of fraud at the expense of the Community budget Can the Commission say whether Belgium has also neglected to carry out other environmental directives and Having regard to the stir caused by the report of the which directives specifically? European Community's Court of Auditors on the 1987 No C 262/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 financial year, in particular concerning the reliability of measure in question is disallowed. At the same time, in the checks by the competent national and Community drawing up new agricultural regulations, the bodies on the implementation of measures to support Commission's practice is to give the provisions farm prices and safeguard the market balance, governing checks greater force and couch them in unambiguous language, so as to make sure that they having regard to the information contained in the are uniformly and incontestably applied in practice by Seventeenth Financial Report concerning the EAGGF the Member States. Guarantee Section for the 1987 financial year, particularly the chapter on investigations into the increase in the recorded cases of irregularity and connected activities;

1. What will the Commission do to ensure that the national intervention organizations apply controls WRITTEN QUESTION No 2566/88 with the necessary stringency? by Mr Robert Battersby (ED) 2. What measures will the Commission take to allay to the Commission of the European Communities suspicion that the national administrations are failing (17 March 1989) to carry out all necessary checks with due stringency, (89/C 262/98) since the losses primarily affect the Community budget rather than the national budgets, and indirectly, the farmers? Subject: Article 994 - Community aid to university hospital centres in third countries

Will the Commission detail the objectives to which it intends to devote budget articles 994 during financial year Answer given by Mr Delors 1989? on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission The Commission has always regarded combating fraud as a priority and has always worked inflaggingly and (26 May 1989) resolutely against it. As in 1988, the Commission intends to devote budget line The Commission would point out, however, that the basis 994 in 1989 to the reinforcement of medical training in for implementing the anti-fraud policy is a division of third countries, within the framework of technical responsibilities between the Commission, which defines cooperation schemes between the recipient University and puts forward proposals for the regulatory Hospital Centres and similar institutions in the framework, the Council, which adopts it, and the Community. Member States, which implement it and ensure that it is complied with under Commission supervision.

1. As part of the procedure for clearing the EAGGF, Guarantee Section, accounts, the Commission exercises a supervisory function the purpose of which WRITTEN QUESTION No 2567/88 is to make sure, by checking individual operators' files, that Community law is being properly applied by by Mr Amedee Turner (ED) the national intervention agencies. The Commission is to the Commission of the European Communities also currently devising a form of systems audit, i.e. a (17 March 1989) critical analysis of Community fund management and national supervisory mechanisms. This involves the (89/C 262/99) Commission's inspectors in looking at the administrative procedures applied by the paying Subject: Medium-scale European scientific projects agencies to check whether expenditure has been carried out in accordance with Community law. If A recent editorial in 'Nature' highlighted the importance shortcomings are found in the checks carried out by of funding an important class of medium-scale European the paying agencies, they are pointed out to the scientific projects, such as the European Member States concerned with proposals for Very-Long-Baseline Interferometer network linking improvement. radio-astronomy telescopes throughout Europe.

2. If it emerges that a Member State has not carried out What are the prospects for accommodating such projects the checks required under Community rules or has not within the revised Community's Framework Programme complied with such provisions, funding for the for Research and Technological Development? 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/57

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi Will the Commission take measures to ensure that there is on behalf of the Commission a total ban on this type of food additive in the (26 May 1989) Community?

Indeed, European radio-observatories are playing an Answer given by Mr Bangemann important role in wider international scientific on behalf of the Commission collaboration. Most of them now belong to a club called (26 May 1989) the European VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) consortium which organizes collaborations. The Commission has been informed that the United Kingdom is considering restrictions in the use of mineral Realizing the importance and usefulness of the European hydrocarbons in food. VLBI and supported by the Committee for the European Development of Science and Technology (Codest), the The use of mineral hydrocarbons in food is covered by the Commission has offered ECU 200 000 to the consortium provisions of the general directive on food additives ('). for the purpose of financing the design phase of the VLBI These substances are being examined with all other food network. The money is already set aside within the additives in the course of the preparation of the global Community 'Science' Programme. positive list of food additives envisaged in the general directive.

The Commission has also started a new plan to support The Commission will take appropriate measures in the and facilitate access to large-scale scientific facilities of light of the Committee's opinion. European interest. It consists of temporary financial support measures designed to facilitate access to and (') OJNoL40,11.2.1989, p. 27. hereby develop the exploitation of existing large-scale scientific facilities situated in the Community.

Unfortunately, although the Commission has initially requested ECU 150 million, the budget allocated to this WRITTEN QUESTION No 2581/88 plan within the context of the present Framework by Mr Alman Metten (S) Programme (soon due to be revised), is ECU 30 million to the Commission of the European Communities and must be distributed among various projects. The present situation, therefore, does not allow the (17 March 1989) Commission to consider very large projects such as the (89/C 262/101) VLBI (for which a cost of about ECU 25 million has been proposed). Subject: Mergers in the foodstuffs sector (takeover of Van Nelle)

1. Is the Commission aware of the takeover of the foodstuffs concern Van Nelle by Douwe Egberts/Sara Lee?

2. Does the Commission consider that, in view of the market shares held by the new group in the Netherlands, that is to say 73% for tea, 72% for coffee and 65% for WRITTEN QUESTION No 2576/88 tobacco, sufficient guarantees are being provided that the new group will not, in fact, begin to fix prices on the by Mrs Winifred Ewing (LDR) Netherlands market with the result that consumers will be to the Commission of the European Communities paying monopoly rates ? (17 March 1989) 3. How will the Commission ensure that fair (89/C 262/100) competition continues to be guaranteed on the Netherlands foodstuffs market?

Subject: Banning of mineral hydrocarbon food additives Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan The food additives known as mineral hydrocarbons on behalf of the Commission which are used to prevent dried fruit from sticking (16 May 1989) together have recently been proved to have harmful effects on the liver, spleen and lymph nodes of animals. 1. The Commission is aware of the acquisition of stock These additives will now be banned in the UK. of the share capital of the Van Nelle Holding NV by No C 262/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

Douwe Egberts Koninklijke Tabaksfabriek- the month in which the taxpayer first earns profits as Koffiebranderijen-Theehandel NV. a result of that expenditure.

2. The Commission is currently studying the effects of 2. Most Member States apply rules similar to those in this operation, in the light of the Community competition the United States. Some have introduced other measures, rules, on the Benelux market in roasted household coffee such as the application of a reduced rate of tax to income only. This study is not yet complete. arising from the sale of patents or know-how, (France), exemption from tax for public-benefit institutions 3. The Commission seeks to ensure that competition is engaged in promoting science and research (Federal not distorted in the common market by exercising its Republic of Germany) or the granting of a tax credit in present competition policy powers strictly. respect of the increase in research costs from one year to the next, to be set against corporation tax (France). On 30 November 1988 the Commission sent the Council an amended proposal for a Regulation providing for 3. As.part of the work on the harmonization of the systematic control of Community-scale mergers ('). rules for determining the taxable profits of enterprises, the Commission envisages measures similar to those (') OJNoC22,28.1.1989, p. 14. described at point 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2620/88 by Mr Edward Newman (S) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2593/88 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR) (24 April 1989) to the Commission of the European Communities (89/C 262/103) (14 April 1989) (89/C 262/102) Subject: Retirement pensions

Subject: Tax incentives for research and development Can the Commission give the current amounts paid out on state retirement pensions in the twelve Member States in: 1. What tax breaks for research and development do American companies currently enjoy under US law? (a) monetary amounts (local currencies),

2. Do any Member States in the Community provide (b) monetary amounts ECU, tax incentives for R&D and, if so, under which laws? (c) percentage of average wage? 3. Does the Commission envisage steps to encourage Member States to stimulate R&D through fiscal measures?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mrs Scrivener (26 May 1989) on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) Pensions are currently paid in most Member States as an adjustable percentage (in relationship with past work 1. According to the information at the Commission's period) of some final wage concept usually called disposal, United States tax legislation provides that R&D pensionable wage. Household conditions do also account expenditure may, at the taxpayer's choice: for additional benefits. This is why typical pension amounts are difficult to provide. — either be considered as deductible expenditure in the year in which it is incurred; The Commission carries out regular exercices on 'replacement rations' for major benefits of social — or be carried over and written off, over a period of protection. A new exercise on pensions has been launched not less than 60 consecutive months, counting from illustrating the situation at January 1989 ('). 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/59

. Country

! B DK D EL(') E( ) F IRL I L NL PC) UK

Monthly average wage (a) 45 824 13 869 3 284 68 716 93 188 6 277 685 1 274 788 56 728 3 154 42 269 788 Monthly average wage in ECU 991 1684 1 467 658 775 913 944 923 1248 1258 325 1 185 Gross monthly pension (b) 28 855 3 878 1673 — — 4 838 289 892 388 41589 2 288 — 288 Net monthly pension (c) 28 855 4 557 1639 — — 3 994 223 784 688 33 983 1 785 — 228 Net monthly pension in ECU 459 559 732 581 387 568 . 746 787 372 Net monthly pension in PPS 552 553 758 — — 646 382 754 919 888 — 468 Net replace rentratio (d) 69% 61% 82% 78% 188% 79% 49% 81% 84% 93% 88% 46%

(') Countries not included in this exercise. The data provided only for average wage and for the theoretical replacement ratios suggested by the respective national legislation. (a) In current national units, for workers in the manufacturing sector in December 1984, except for Greece, Spain and Portugal: July 1985. Amounts before personal taxes and social security contributions. (b) In current national units, for a single person at his/her legal retirement age and after a full contribution career retiring in January 1985. Amounts before personal taxes and social security contributions. (c) Gross pension plus other cash transfers and minus (plus) taxes (tax credits). (d) Net replacement ratios are defined as net pensions over net previous earnings. As taxes on wages are much heavier than taxes on pensions. Net replacement ratios are higher than gross replacement ratios. Net replacement ratios for Greece, Spain and Portugal are not available; instead maximum (gross) percentages of pensionable earnings allowed by the respective national legislation have been provided. Pensionable earnings are generally lower than final earnings.

Absolute comparisons between Member States should be Does the Commission approve of such action given the made in PPS (purchasing power standard, an ECU risk to road safety in allowing inexperienced and even corrected by the purchasing power of each currency in its unqualified lorry drivers on the road? own country). The comparison of replacement ratios acros countries is straightforward. Can the Commission say how such certificates are issued in other Member States? O Doc. V/1122/1/86. 'Old-age pensions, net benefits compared to previous net earnings, Doc. 1987.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2625/88 by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR) The employers' declarations required under Netherlands to the Commission of the European Communities law on the carriage of goods by road are always issued as (24 April 1989) blank certificates. The Dutch authorities responsible issue them to employers and the employers then have to fill (89/C 262/104) them in, mentioning among other things the name of the driver.

Subject: Issue of certificates for drivers in the road haulage sector Since these declarations are designed to establish the link formed by the contract of employment between, on the one hand, the employer who holds the transport Is the Commission aware that during the strikes in the authorization and, on the other, the employee who drives road haulage sector the Netherlands Ministry of the vehicle, the approach adopted by the Dutch Transport and Communication issued large numbers of authorities causes no risk to road safety, but rather the blank certificates? opposite. No C 262/60 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

According to the information available to the procedures now applicable under the European Commission, these employers' declarations are not Convention against Torture. required in the other Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2661/88 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2627/88 by Mr Francesco Compasso (LDR) by Mr Anthony Simpson (ED) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (24 April 1989) (24 April 1989) (89/C 262/106) (89/C 262/105)

Subject: Destruction of 7 000 villages in Romania Subject: Human rights in Turkey

1. What steps has the Commission taken to pass on to In accordance with decisions taken by President the Turkish Government the frequently-expressed Ceaucescu, a gigantic programme has been set up in concern of the European Parliament about the existing Romania for the demolition and total destruction of 7 000 state of human rights in Turkey, particularly in the case of villages. This 'rationalization' programme decreed by the detainees and prisoners and in the use of torture? Romanian dictator will not spare a single rural dwelling, either in the 7 000 villages or the surrounding countryside. This cruel and inhuman measure has aroused 2. Will the Commission be considering the question of the indignation of the entire civilized world. human rights in the opinion it will produce later this year on the request by Turkey for accession to the Community? In view of this: 1. What measures have been taken by the Commission of Is the Commission satisfied with the existing state of the European Communities to obtain an accurate affairs in Turkey? Will it suggest the full return to human picture of these acts of violence involving the rights as a necessary pre-condition for Turkish accession demolition and destruction of 7 000 villages? to the Community? 2. Would it not be desirable to set up a committee of experts — similar to those set up by Unesco — to investigate and report on the implications of the Answer given by Mr Matutes Romanian 'rationalization' programme for the on behalf of the Commission cultural, civil and social heritage of Romania? (26 May 1989)

The Commission has over the years made it clear that it Answer given by Mr Andriessen keeps a close watch on the observance of human rights in on behalf of the Commission Turkey, a country linked to the Community by an Association Agreement signed as far back as 1963. (26 May 1989) Through the machinery of European Political Cooperation it has also frequently participated with the Community's Member States in representations in which As indicated in a statement to the European Parliament on concern has been expressed about the situation 16 March 1989 ('), the Commission is deeply concerned concerning human rights. about the present situation in Romania including the 'systematization' policy which threatens a large number of villages with destruction. This was among the reasons In the view of the Commission, while there has certainly for the suspension by the Community of negotiations been a significant improvement in recenty years in with Romania for a trade and cooperation agreement. Turkey's record on Human Rights, further progress The Commission would welcome the further clarification could and should be made. This question will be taken of conditions in Romania which might be obtained into consideration in the drawing up of the opinion through investigations, along the lines suggested by the requested by the Council under Article 237 of the EEC Honourable Member, by the Community. Treaty. (') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-375 (March 1989). The Commission will continue to monitor developments, and in particular will examine carefully any reports made public of inspections which take place under the 16. 10.89 Official Journal of European Communities No C 262/61

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2670/88 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2672/88 by Mr John Tomlinson (S) by Mr George Patterson (ED) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (24 April 1989) (24 April 1989) (89/C 262/107) (89/C 262/108)

Subject: Debt collection for companies trading across Subject: Assessment of the cost of the CAP on food prices borders

Does the Commission's answer to Lord O'Hagan's In view of the increasing cross border trade for smaller Written Question number 724/88 (') include any companies with progress towards the European Single assessment of the impact of the common agricultural Market, the collection of trading debts across borders will policy on food prices? become an increasingly important issue. Cases have recently been brought to light where small UK companies have had great difficulty in collecting bad debts from their Does the Commission accept the OECD calculations of French trading partners and are encountering difficulties the cost of the CAP which suggest that the cost of the in pursuing these matters through the national courts. CAP on average for a family of four in the EEC is an extra £ 13,50 per week in tax and higher food prices? In view of this, are the Commission services proposing to take any action to facilitate the collection of bad debts O OJNoC36,13.2. 1989, p. 56. across borders by smaller companies who do not wish to use the services of specialized debt collection agencies?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) (16 May 1989)

The Commission is aware of the fact that difficulties The estimates given in the Commission's answer to the could arise, particularly in the early stage of the single Written Question No 724/88 by Lord O'Hagan relate to market, from different commercial practices as between the cost to the taxpayer of the common agricultural Member States with regards to the time within which policy. They do not therefore include the impact of the commercial debts are normally settled. It has in fact common agricultural policy on food prices. commissioned a study of practices with regard to delays in payments and will publish the results of that study shortly.

Several organizations, notably the OECD, have tried to The Commission will consider whether it needs to take estimate the cost of the common agricultural policy to the any specific action to facilitate the collection of debts consumer by comparing the prices, at the consumption across borders by smaller companies on the basis of the stage, of agricultural products on the world market with results of the study and of any comments received thereon those observed in the Community. For the reasons given from interested parties, in due course. in its answer to Written Question No 722/88 by Lord O'Hagan ('), the Commission regards the results of these calculations as having a purely theoretical value because they are based on completely unrealistic working assumptions regarding supply to Community consumers in the absence of the frontier protection afforded to Community production by the common agricultural policy. Moreover, the OECD itself acknowledges the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2690/88 limitations of this method in stating that it is a static by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) estimate which in no way prejudges the dynamic or to the Commission of the European Communities secondary effects of a reduction in frontier protection on national and international prices (2). (24 April 1989) (89/C 262/109) (') OJNoC 111,2.5.1989. O OECD: Ministerial trade mandate. Annex III: Costs of Subject: Telecommunications — Yeutter report — agricultural policies, Paris, October 1986. USA-Europe relations-protectionism

Mr C. Yeutter, who was given responsibility by the ex-President of the United States, Mr Reaga'n, for No C 262/62 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89 international trade negotiations, has drawn up a report of the Trade Act, not only as concerns tele­ attacking the protectionism of the European Community communications but as regards any practices in other countries and Korea in the field of communications countries which — rightly or wrongly — are perceived as equipment. This report to Congress automatically opens being against the interests of US commercial operators. the way for new negotiations and possible American sanctions.

The Commission has stated that it is extremely concerned by this move on the part of the USA.

According to EC figures, trade with the USA in this WRITTEN QUESTION No 2697/88 sphere has brought about a surplus of 600 million dollars by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) for 1988. to the Commission of the European Communities (24 April 1989) Can the Commission state what attitude it intends to (89/C 262/110) adopt in view of this new threat to USA-EEC trade?

Subject: Truffle production — disappearance of the Does the Commission consider that this tense situation in truffle oak in France — EEC aid a sensitive area of high technology could be solved by negotiations within the framework of GATT? At the start of the twentieth century, 1 000 tonnes of truffles were produced in some 40 French departments. How does the Commission view this matter with regard to the future policy of the Bush Administration? Over the years, production has declined, falling from 410 tonnes in 1927 to 50 tonnes in 1988. The 1989 season is likely to be bad because of the dry summer in the Lot region, which is the principal producer department.

Answer given by Mr Andriessen In 50 years, the truffle has disappeared from many on behalf of the Commission regions because the truffle oaks, upon whose roots the truffles grow, have died out. (26 May 1989) Efforts at replanting oaks have been made in a dozen departments in the South of France, but these have been The US Trade Representative, Mrs Hills, has written to inadequate. Is the Commission aware of the difficulties Mr Andriessen requesting the European Community to connected with this activity in that region? Does the enter into negotiations on telecommunications trade. Commission intend to contribute to the plan for USTR's concerns have not yet been specified, although replanting truffle oaks? they have indicated that in their view some, but not all, of the problems could also be addressed in the Uruguay Round.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry The US Administration is well aware, through 'fact on behalf of the Commission finding' discussions held in the past three years, of the implications for the telecommunication's sector of the (26 May 1989) Community's Single Market Programme. The Commission regards truffle-growing as a traditional The Commission has informed USTR that it would be activity with large, reliable outlets, and is therefore willing to continue the fact-finding discussions which had prepared to continue the efforts made hitherto in order to already begun before the US Trade Act was adopted. develop the sector. This can help to improve the economic However, the EC will not enter into bilateral negotiations situation of certain areas in difficulty. on the basis of US domestic legislation. In any event, bilateral contacts should not impede progress in the In the past, the Commission has financed major schemes Uruguay Round, where issues relating to to promote the truffle-growing sector, especially in the telecommunications are likely to be subject to context of the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes. negotiations in various groups (including inter alia the Group of Negotiations on Services). The IMP for Aquitaine, covering 1986—88, made provision for research, studies and experimental work in The Commission is aware of the pressures within the US connection with truffle-growing and the installation of Administration and Congress to implement the provisions collective irrigation schemes in truffle oak plantations. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/63

Schemes of this type are envisaged in the second phase of The Agreement on trade in textile products between the the Aquitaine IMP (1989-92). Truffle-growing is also Community and China, initialled at the end of 1988, has provided for in the IMP for Drdme (1989—92), and there been applied provisionally since 1 January of this year are proposals for truffle-growing in the Italian regions of pending its formal conclusion, and is valid until 31 Marche and Umbria (IMP 1989—92). December 1992.

Schemes for the replanting of truffle oaks may be What will happen when the Agreement expires will accepted by the Commission as eligible for Community depend on the negotiations to be held in due course with financing under Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 (') on the the Chinese authorities. Account should also be taken of improvement of agricultural structures, within the context the situation then prevailing in international trade of farmland afforestation measures where soil conditions relations in the textiles sector and the situation on the and climate are appropriate. Community market.

O OJNoL93,30.3.1985,p. 1. The outcome of the discussions on China's application to join GATT should also influence the situation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2698/88 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2701/88 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) (24 April 1989) to the Commission of the European Communities (89/C 262/111) (24 April 1989) (89/C 262/112) Subject: Increased Chinese exports to the EEC — textiles Subject: South Korea — opening of the market According to the China daily newspaper, China is planning to increase its textile exports to the EEC in 1989, Willy De Clercq, a former European Commissioner, but considers that the Community countries should open recently stated in Seoul that the Commission wants South their frontiers further to Chinese imports. Korea to open its internal market and change its monetary system so that it can assume its responsibilities as the The third EEC/China agreement, which entered into eighth world trading power. force on 1 January 1989, provides for an increase in quotas (clothes, silk, angora, cashmere). What demands for the liberalization of trade does the EEC intend to make on South Korea, given that it has What is the scale of Chinese textile imports into the EEC recently and quite justifiably taken anti-dumping and what Member States are the principal importers? measures against major Korean manufacturers (Dyewoo, Samsung) of certain types of products (Hi-Fi, What is the Commission's position as regards China's mass-market electronics) ? desire for a further increase in its quotas for the period 1992—1995?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Andriessen (26 May 198 9) on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) The Commission wants to see trade relations with the Republic of Korea develop in a harmonious and balanced China is the second largest exporter of textiles to the way. That is why the Commission asked Korea to take all Community, and its exports go mainly to Germany, Italy, the necessary measures to open up its market quickly and the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. assume its responsibilities in world trade. Korea did then present a programme for opening up its market, but the Commission felt that this programme did not go far In 1987 China took second place after Turkey as regards enough, and that the market would open too little and too the volume of textiles and clothing imported into the slowly. The Commission will therefore continue to urge Community, accounting for 8,33% of total imports fron Korea to take more appropriate measures. non-Community countries. On the basis of the same imports considered in value terms, China took fourth place and accounted for 5,94 %. No C 262/64 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2710/88 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2732/88 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR) by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (24 April 1989) (25 April 1989) (89/C 262/113) (89/C 262/114)

Subject: Spanish state aid for Ford Subject: The future of the International Potato Centre in Peru The Spanish Minister for Industry and Energy has .announced that Ford will receive 2,875 thousand million In December 1988, at Huancayo in the high Andes of pesetas (24,3 million dollars) in Spanish state aid for the Peru, Sendero Luminoso assassinated a member of the construction of a factory in the coastal town of Santa staff of the International Potato Centre, an organization Maria (near Cadiz in the South of Spain). sponsored by the United Nations with the aim of preserving the 2 900 varieties of tuber, studying their nutritive qualities and adaptability (one hectare of In addition to this, it will receive a further subsidy from potatoes produces as much food as two hectares as wheat) the independent Government of Andalusia. The new and determining their genetic and pharmaceutical factory represents an investment of 8,16 thousand million pesetas (72 million dollars) and will create 350 jobs. properties.

Does the Commission consider that this Spanish state aid We are baffled by the cruelty and absurdity of this crime, is compatible with the rules of the Treaty concerning and the threats made against the Centre and its officials competition policy? (who include Europeans from the Community). Would the Commission describe the arrangements for financing or subsidizing the Centre, notably by the UN, the FAO and the Member States of the European Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Community and say what steps — if any — the Twelve on behalf of the Commission have taken to ensure that the Peruvian authorities protect (26 May 1989) the staff and property of the Centre whose work is not only harmless but in the public interest?

The area of Cadiz has been qualified by the Commission as a least developed area falling under Article 92(3) (a) of the EEC Treaty with a ceiling for regional aid of up to Answer .given by Mr Matutes 50 % of the investment cost which may be awarded by the on behalf of the Commission central government without prior notification. Where national or regional authorities want to grant aid for this (26 May 1989) investment under other previously notified and approved aid schemes, such additional aids are subject to the In the context of its financial and technical cooperation cumulation rules set up by the Commission in its with the LAA developing countries the Community communication on the cumulation of aids for different devotes each year a small percentage of its commitment purposes of 5January 1985. appropriations (approximately 3%) to supporting international agricultural research. In this way, institutes In the case of Ford's investment project in Cadiz, the of the CGIAR ('), whose technical and financial Commission does not dispose of precise information as secretariats are provided by the FAO and World Bank regards the investment and the aid amount involved nor respectively, have received financial support from the as regards the aid scheme applied by the regional Community. Three of these institutes are located in Asia authorities of Andalusia. and Latin America, including the IPC (International Potato Centre), to which the Honourable Member's Furthermore, all new aid projects would since 1 January question refers. 1989 fall within the scope of the new Framework on State aids for the motor vehicle sector and would then be The Community's contribution to each of these centres subject to prior notification to the Commission, as the consists of an annual grant not exceeding 10% of their investment cost exceeds the ECU 12 million notification annual budget. The Community's annual contribution to threshold foreseen in that Framework. the IPC, which has its headquarters in Lima, is of the order of ECU 1 million. In view of the above, the Commission will request the Spanish authorities to submit further information on this With regard to the security problem, the Commission has project. made recommendations with regard to all the projects which it is currently financing in Peru and in which the Community is participating directly by providing technical assistance. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/65

The terms under which the IPC receives aid from other State in order to assess the present state of drinking-water donors, such as the United Nations or the FAO, are quality in the Community, and to determine to what stipulated in agreements between Peru and those extent the Member States are complying with the organizations. The Peruvian Government is responsible requirements of Council Directive 80/778/EEC (') for the security and protection of the IPC's staff and relating to the quality of water intended for human property. consumption.

O Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. If the Belgian authorities have found nitrate levels above 50 mg/1 in certains supplies, the Commission would consider it appropriate for health authorities to advise that low-nitrate bottled water be used in the preparation of food for bottle-fed infants until such time as the public water supply has been restored to the required quality. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2745/88 Since practical compliance with the requirements of Directive 80/778/EEC should have been achieved by by Mr Ernest Glinne(S) 1985, the Commission would further consider it to the Commission of the European Communities appropriate that the Belgian authorities rectify, as rapidly (2 5 April 1989) as possible, any situations of non-compliance which may arise. When the Commission has obtained the report (89/C 262/115) requested from the Belgian authorities, it shall examine this aspect with particular care. Subject: Presence of nitrates in Belgian drinking water With regard to the suggestion that the MAC for nitrate According to a recent report by the Belgian Health should be reduced to 25 mg/1, the Commission must Authority, the drinking water in 28 Belgian communes inform the Honourable Member that at this stage and to has a nitrate content level higher than the maximum authorized by Belgian law (50 mg/1). If the level of 25 the best of the Commission's knowledge, there is no mg/1 is applied, 19% of Belgian drinking water is beyond recent scientific evidence showing that such a this limit. modification should be proposed.

The Health authority therefore recommends that for Finally, with regard to possible limits for nitrate levels in infants bottled water with no more than 25 mg of nitrate fresh vegetables, the Commission is currently discussing per litre should be used. this matter within its Scientific Committee for foodstuffs.

As regards vegetables, the Health Authority considers 0 OJNoL229,30.8.1980, p. 11. that the high nitrate content, noted in certain vegetables can be tolerated by an adult population with a varied vegetable diet, but recommends that the consumption of fresh vegetables by young children and infants be limited.

Does the Commission not consider that it is unfair and dangerous to oblige the parents of young children to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2746/88 substitute drinking water with bottled water, which is 200 by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) to 400 times more expensive? to the Commission of the European Communities Does the Commission not consider that for obvious safety (2 5 April 1989) reasons the nitrate content of drinking water should be (89/C 262/116) limited to 25 mg/1 and fresh vegetables should be free from these poisons? Subject: Presence of pesticides and heavy metals in Belgian drinking water

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana According to the Belgian magazine 'Test-Achat' of March on behalf of the Commission 1989, infrequent checks are made on the presence of pesticides and heavy metals in Belgian drinking water. (27 May 1989) The most recent statistics available on the matter are those The Commission shares the concern expressed by the issued by the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Honourable Member at the report by the Belgian 'Conseil Superieur de l'Hygiene', on exceedance of the 50 mg/1 These involve 304 samples of drinking water in Wallonia maximum admissible concentration (MAC) for nitrates in (between 1982 and 1985) and 844 samples taken in certain drinking-water supplies in Belgium. Flanders (between 1979 and 1982). The results were considered 'most reassuring' by the Belgian public health The Commission is in fact currently awaiting a full report authorities, but 'Test-Achat' has drawn some less on recent drinking-water analysis results in each Member optimistic conclusions: No C 262/66 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

— one of the most problematic factors, namely pesticide The provisions regarding monitoring for sulphate are residues, was not taken into account; identical to those referred to above for heavy metals and pesticides. It should be noted therefore that, even — 76 % of the samples taken in Wallonia exceeded the after 1985, lack of monitoring for sulphates in a European guide-limit with regard to sulphate particular area would not constitute a breach of the content; directive unless sulphates were likely to be present at levels affecting the quality of the water. — the sulphate content was not tested in Flanders; — few of the figures exceeded the Belgian limit (50 (c) To the best of the Commission's knowledge water mg/1) for nitrate content, but the European containing nitrate in excess of 25 mg/1 but below 50 guide-limit of 25 mg/1 was exceeded in 28 % of cases mg/1 does not present a risk to public health. in Wallonia and 11 % in Flanders. 2. The Commission recently received a general report 1. Does the Commission share the satisfaction of the on drinking water quality in Belgium for 1985—1987, but Belgian authorities? According to the figures, is there has since requested that a more detailed report be or is there not a risk to public health? provided. This report should specify recent results of analysis and remedial action being taken where situations 2. Has the Commission received more recent and more of non-compliance with Directive 80/778/EEC have complete statistics on the state of drinking water in arisen. A similar request has been addressed to each Belgium? Are they satisfactory as far as public health Member State to allow the Commission to assess the is concerned? current quality of drinking water throughout the Community. 3. Has Belgium obtained any derogations exempting them from implementing European directives on the 3. Belgium notified the Commission in 1985 of quality of drinking water and, if so, what are they? derogations granted under Article 9 of Directive 80/778/EEC.

Some of these derogations have since expired or have Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana been withdrawn. The remaining derogations, the sites at on behalf of the Commission which they have been granted, and the maximum (26 May 1989) concentrations permitted, are listed below. In each case, the Commission is of the opinion that the conditions of Article 9 are met and has no information to indicate that 1. The analysis results quoted relate to water quality in the supplies are not otherwise than of sound quality. Belgium before 1985, the year by which all water intended Consequently, the Commission considers that these for human consumption should have complied with derogations do not constitute a public health hazard. the quality standards set out in Council Directive 80/778/EEC ('). Potassium: Antwerp (20 mg/1), Zuid-Oost Brabant (20 mg/1), Mouscron (25 mg/1), Espierres (25 mg/1), Kluizen Bearing this point in mind, the Commission would make the following comments in response to the facts and (20 mg/1), Wattripont (40 mg/1), Tribury (40 mg/1), figures quoted as appearing in Test-Achats' in March Dikkebus (20 mg/1) 1989: Ammonium: Schoten (1 mg/1) (a) According to Annex II of Directive 80/778/EEC, the minimum frequency of monitoring for heavy metals Manganese: Kapellen (0,1 mg/1), Dour (0,1 mg/1) and pesticides can be determined by the competent national authorities. The Belgian authorities have in Iron: Neerpelt (0,3 mg/1), Moustier (0,3 mg/1), Hautrage fact informed the Commission that monitoring for (0,3 mg/1) pesticides will be carried out systematically in 1989. Oxidisability, sodium and chloride: Bredene (6,5 mg/1, (b) With regard to the quoted incidences of exceedance 215 mg/1 and 300 mg/1 respectively) of the 25 mg/1 guide value for sulphate in Belgium, the Commission would point out that, since there is Potassium, sodium and chloride: Vilvoorde (15 mg/1, 190 no health risk where sulphate levels reach the mg/1 and 230 mg/1 respectively). maximum admissible concentration (MAC) of 250 mg/1 set in the drinking water directive, there is The expiry date for the derogations is July 1990 except at certainly no cause for alarm at levels found to be Antwerp and Zuid-Oost Brabant (no expiry date given) at between 25 mg/1 and 250 mg/1. Mouscron (new derogation for 20 mg/1 K as from 1990) Furthermore, it should be noted that, in comparison at at Espierres (new derogation for 20 mg/1 K as from with World Health Organization recommendations, 1990). the 250 mg/1 MAC represents a conservative estimate of the taste threshold for sulphate in drinking water, (*) OJ No L 229 of 30. 8.1980. but is well below the level at which health effects may occur. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/67

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2747/88 Although the directive itself does not require Member by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) States to submit such reports, the Commission may request that they provide any information necessary to to the Commission of the European Communities demonstrate compliance with any directive. The right of (2 5 April 1989) the Commission to request and duty of Member States to (89/C 262/117) supply such information derives from Articles 5 and 155 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Communities. Subject: Test-Achat and the quality of drinking water in Belgium Exceedance of guide values, as discovered by 'Test-Achats' during its survey of Belgian water quality, In March 1989, the Belgian magazine 'Test-Achat' should not give rise to alarm unless the corresponding published details of an investigation of drinking water in values for maximum admissible concentrations (MAC) Belgium. Eleven samples were taken in major cities are also exceeded. Where no MAC value has been set in throughout the country and analysed for the principal criteria governing quality laid down by Belgian legal Council Directive 80/778/EEC (such as in the case of regulations and the guide-limits set out in Council chlorides), the Commission would take the opinion that guide values should not be exceeded to such an extent that Directive 80/778/EEC. However, the presence of health effects may occur. pesticides and heavy metals could not be monitored because of the high cost involved in carrying out this analysis. The main results of this investigation were as To the best of the Commission's knowledge, MAC values currently in force constitute adequate protection of follows: human health. Consequently, at present, the Commission does not consider it necessary to propose adoption of 1. Chlorines: all the samples exceeded the limit laid the current guide values as maximum admissible down by European levels (25 mg/1); concentrations. 2. Sulphates: not one sample met the European guide-limit of 25 mg/1; (') OJNoL229,30.8.1980.

3. Iron: one sample (Charleroi) contained more than the level permitted under Belgian law;

4. Sodium: four samples clearly exceeded the European guide-limit of 20 mg/1. WRITTEN QUESTION No 15/89 Is the Commission satisfied with the Belgian by Mr Kenneth Collins (S) implementation of Community legislation on water? to the Commission of the European Communities Do the Belgian State authorities and its community, (28 April 1989) regional, intercommunal and municipal authorities meet (89/C 262/118) their obligation to present an annual report to the Commission on the application of these directives? Subject: Patent protection Does the Commission not consider it a matter of urgency that the guide-limits set out in the directive on the quality Will the Commission state what initiatives it intends to of water for human consumption should be made take to restore the effective duration of patent protection compulsory? for pharmaceutical products?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1989) (26 May 1989)

The Commission is aware of the problems the The Commission has recently required a full report on pharmaceutical industry is facing in connection with the drinking water quality in Belgium and each of the other effective duration of patent protection for pharmaceutical Member States, detailing recent water analysis results and products, which is appreciably reduced by the time taken remedial action carried out or underway where any supply to obtain the marketing permits that are required on has been found not to meet the requirements of Council public health grounds. The Commission is examining the Directive 80/778/EEC (') relating to the quality of water possibilities of restoring the period of protection provided intended for human consumption. Once it has obtained by national and Community patents. these reports, the Commission will be in a better position to judge whether Belgium and the other Member States have achieved practical compliance with this directive. No C 262/68 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 10. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 20/89 WRITTEN QUESTION No 22/89 by Mr Jesus Cabezdn Alonso (S) by Mr Andre Fourcans (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (28 April 1989) (28 April 1989) (89/C 262/119) (89/C 262/120)

Subject: The distribution sector and fisheries policy Subject: Supervision of stock exchanges in the Member States Does the Commission intend to introduce any specific regulation for the fisheries distribution sector (defined as Certain recent events have demonstrated the need for the the activity carried out by associations of fish wholesalers Member States to strengthen the national institutions in the country of origin and/or exporters) ? which supervise stock exchanges.

Is it likely that, in the near future, the above associations In this context, the adoption of the directive on insider of wholesalers, distributors and exporters, given their trading, COM(88) 549 - SYN 85, represents a first step activity and their role in the market and as economic which should be built on by further coordinated actions operators in the fisheries sector, will be included or called by the Member States. on to participate in the common organization of the market? Can the Commission inform Parliament of the situation regarding this directive at Council level? Can it specify, in particular:

1. whether a timetable has been fixed for its adoption ? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission 2. whether there are major obstacles to the rapid adoption of the directive? (26 May 1989) 3. if so, what measures the Commission intends to take to speed up adoption of the directive? The instruments of the common agricultural policy are intended to achieve the objectives set out in Article 39 of 4. whether the Commission intends to propose further the EEC Treaty, namely to increase productivity, ensure a directives with a view to consolidating moves towards fair standard of living for the agricultural community, a European system for dealing with insider trading? stabilize markets, assure the availability of supplies and ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices.

The market organization for fishery products therefore Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan provides for a set of measures necessary for achieving on behalf of the Commission these objectives, including a price system, the fixing of (19 May 1989) marketing standards, various market stabilizing mechanisms and arrangements for trade with non-Community countries. The proposal for a Directive on insider trading is being actively examined by the competent Council bodies. As regards more specifically supplies to the Community However, no timetable has been fixed for its adoption. market, every year the Community opens tariff quotas for The Commission hopes, nevertheless, that the Council imports of fishery products from non-member countries. will reach a common position during the first half of 1989, which would enable the Directive to be adopted before the end of 1989. Lastly, it should be pointed out that the Community has adopted measures intended to improve the conditions under which fishery products are processed and marketed There are no major obstacles to the rapid adoption of the (Council Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 of 15 February Directive since all the Member States are aware of its 1977) (»). usefulness as a means of ensuring the proper functioning of the Community's securities markets.

The Commission therefore considers that the Community It would, for the time being, seem premature for the rules in force in the fishery products sector comprise a set Commission to comment whether other proposals should of well balanced measures which take into account the be drafted in this area. Everything will depend on the final interest of producers, processors, traders and consumers. content of the Directive under discussion and on the effects that Directive has on the proper functioning of O OJ No L 51, 23.2.1977, p. 1. securities markets. 16. 10. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 262/69

WRITTEN QUESTION No 45/89 intervention buying of products and methods of by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE) payment, and to the Commission of the European Communities — explore every means to shed light on all aspects of the (28 April1989) problem regarding Sicilian associations to make the (89/C 262/121) public duly aware of the situation objectively, thus lifting the shadows cast over the image of Sicily and reestablishing the truth? Subject: Export of white cotton wadding to Spain

Is the Commission aware that, since January 1989, the Spanish customs authority has insisted that exports of cotton wadding to Spain be accompanied by an official Answer given by Mr Delors disinfection and disinfestation certificate? Does the on behalf of the Commission Commission regard this as an infringement of EEC rules (26 May 1989) on the free movement of goods ?

The Commission has on a number of occasions looked at the operations of citrus fruit producers' organizations in Answer given by Mr Bangemann Sicily, either in connection with the clearance of EAGGF on behalf of the Commission Guarantee Section accounts, in connection with the fight (22 May 1989) against fraud and irregularities, or as part of its monitoring of the functioning of the market organization for fruit and vegetables. At the moment checks are in The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to progress both for the purpose of clearing the 1987 its answer to Written Question No 2561/88 by Mr accounts and in the form of a specific enquiry into the Rogalla 0). citrus sector in Italy. These take the form of inspections involving thorough scrutiny of records, accounts, O See page 54 of this Official Journal. equipment and the implementing procedures for the various tasks entrusted to producers' organizations by the Community rules. The Commission can thus claim a good knowledge of the general operation of producers' organizations both in Italy and elsewhere in the Community. WRITTEN QUESTION No 56/89 by Mr Vincenzo Giummarra, Mr Salvatore Lima, Mr As far as checks made in the past are concerned the Gerardo Gaibisso, Mr Franco Borgo, Mr Roberto Commission would remind the Honourable Members Costanzo, Mr Nino Pisoni, Mr Ferruccio Pisoni and Mr that its Decision 88/630/EEC of 29 November 1988 on Mauro Chiabrando (PPE) clearance of the EAGGF Guarantee Section accounts for 1986 O disallowed expenditure of Lit 54 186 548 410 to the Commission of the European Communities incurred by the Italian intervention agency in the form of (2 May 1989) financial compensation to three Sicilian producers' (89/C 262/122) organizations (including APAS) for withdrawal of citrus fruit from the market, on the grounds that the organizations did not operate in conformity with Subject: Press reports on alleged fraud by the AIMA Community rules. The Italian Government has appealed to the Court of Justice (Case 34/89) for annulment of this In view of the spate of press reports on alleged fraudulent decision. practices by the Associazioni Siciliane dei produttori agricole (Associations of Sicilian farmers), such as non-compliance with the rules of operation and violation The Commission cannot comment on the checks in of the rules on AIMA withdrawals of citrus products, and progress or on certain enquiries being made by the Italian in view of the alarming effect of such reports on public judicial and administrative authorities. When its staff opinion, does the Commission not consider that it should: have finished their work the Commission will make its conclusions and observations known to the Italian — confirm the legitimacy of the initiative by the APAS authorities and adopt whatever decisions are required in Association of Catania, which has asked for connection with clearance of the accounts. verification that it operates correctly and that it fully complies with the procedures on membership, (') OJ No L 353,21.12.1988, p. 30.