ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C49 Volume 34 of the European Communities 25 February 1991
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents Page
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer
91/C49/01 No 94/90 by Mr Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission Subject: Unsafe microwave ovens
91/C49/02 No 537/90 by Mr Yves Galland to the Commission Subject: Specific taxation of fuel
91/C49/03 No 617/90 by Mrs Michele AUiot-Marie to the Commission Subject: Common agricultural policy and regulation of the pigmeat market 2
91/C49/04 No 623/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission Subject: Proliferation of ballistic missiles in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East 3
91/C49/05 No 734/90 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Pension entitlements 3
91/C49/06 No 901/90 by Mr Petrus Cornelissen and Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten to the Commission Subject: Safety of oil heaters (Supplementary answer) 4
91/C49/07 No 967/90 by Mrs Concepci6 Ferrer to the Commission Subject: Situation of Portuguese and Spanish students in France 5
91/C49/08 No 1019/90 by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega to the Commission Subject: Subsidies towards the creation of self-employed activities 5
91/C49/09 No 1025/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji; Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission Subject: Management of fishery resources and the marine environment 6
(Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued)
91/C49/10 No 1032/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Rivera Icaza, Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez and Mr Josep Pons Grau to the Commission Subject: Fishing gear and conservation of the marine environment 6
91/C49/11 No 1033/90 by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo and Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji to the Commission Subject: Possible fisheries agreements with Mediterranean third countries 7
91/C49/12 No 1058/90 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission Subject: The remit of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) 7
91/C49/13 No 1074/90 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission Subject: Japanese motor cars 7
91/C49/14 No 1095/90 by Mrs Raymonde Duty to the Commission Subject: Measures to combat cochineal 8
91/C49/15 No 1138/90 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject: Infringement of Council Directive 74/577/EEC on the stunning of animals before slaughter 8
91/C49/16 No 1212/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission Subject: Banking legislation in the United States 9
91/C 49/17 No 1222/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Cafiete to the Commission Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Italy 9
91/C49/18 No 1223/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Cafiete to the Commission Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for the United Kingdom 10
91/C49/19 No 1224/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Cafiete to the Commission Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Ireland 10
91/C49/20 No 1225/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Cafiete to the Commission Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Denmark 10
91/C49/21 No 1248/90 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject: Harmonization of vaccination campaigns 11
91/C 49/22 No 1263/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission Subject: Incidence of leukaemia among the children of workers in the nuclear industry 11
91/C49/23 No 1280/90 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission Subject: Application of Directive 77/62/EEC 12
91/C49/24 No 1285/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission Subject: Excise duties on alcoholic beverages 13
91/C49/25 No 1301/90 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission Subject: Euratom 14
91/C49/26 No 1339/90 by Mr Bartho Pronk to the Commission Subject: Length of time taken by the interim appointment procedure for members of the Economic and Social Committee 15 Nonce No Contents^continned^ ^
91/C 49/27 Nol344/90 by Mr ^vesVer^aerde and Mr jean^RierreRaHarin to the Commission Subject: Common agricultural policy 15
91/C49/2^ Nol3o3/90byMr^dbamNe^tonL^nnntotbeCommission Subject: ^itbboldin^of^^C^O^^funds 15
91/C49/29 Nol375/90 by Mrs AnnemarieCoedmakers, Mr ^im van Velzen and Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission Subject:C^O^^CoP ID
91/C49/30 Nol392/90 by Mrs Marie Jensen to theCommission Subject: Possible exemption from tbe provision contained in Article^^ of Commission l^e^ulation^^C^o^^40/8^concernin^tbe loss of certificates in postal transmission 17
91/C49/31 Nol402/90byMissChristineC^ddytotheCommission Subject: ^ual retirement a^es 17
91/C49/32 No 1421/90 by Mr Reimer Boge, Mr Honor Funk, Mr Reinhold Bocklet and Mrs Hed^igK^enr^elhoH^iechert to the Commission Subject: Compensation for s^vine fever 1^
91/C 49/33 Nol427/90byMrHenryMcCnbbintotheCommission Subject:recbnical standards in the cinema 19
91/C 49/34 Nol451/90 by Mr Herman VerbeektotheCommission Subject: Construction ofapolycarbon^te factory ^tUelf^ijI 19
91/C 49/35 Nol4o5/90 by Mrs CristianaMnscardini to the Commission Subject: education for cbronicallyill children 20
91/C49/3o Nol524/90byMrLliodiRnnototbeCommission Subject: Preventive measures against occupational accidents in agriculture 20
91/C 49/37 Nol545/90byMr]nanBandresMolettotheCommission Subject: Pollution of the loiadePontevedra by industrial activities 21
91/C 49/3^ Nol550/90byMrLrnestClinnetotheCommission Subject:Aid to tbe European Institute in ^asbin^ton 21
91/C 49/39 Nol5o2/90byMrMibailRanayannakistotbeCommission Subject: Protection of tbelo^erbeadturtle^Carettacaretta^ 22
91/C 49/40 Nol574/90byMrBrian^imr^sontotheCommission Subject: Uistributionofbeer 22
91/C 49/41 Nol5^2/90byMrMadron^ehgmantotheCommission Subject: Crueltyto animals in^fenerife 23
91/C 49/42 NolDl3/90 by Mr ]aakVandemenlebroncke to tbe Commission Subject: Community measures to promote minority lan^ua^es and cultures 23
91/C 49/43 NolD^l/90byMrVictorMannelArbeloaMnrntotbeCommission Subject: excessive demands placed on^C^COs 24
^Continued overleaf^ Notice No Contents (continued) Page
91/C 49/44 No 1703/90 by Mr Hugh McMahon to the Commission Subject: Execution of the budget — Chapter 6, budget line 600 25
91/C49/45 No 1711/90 by Mr Wilfried Telkamper to the Commission Subject: Monitoring of discharges into the Rhine by the Stracel Company 25
91/C49/46 No 1712/90 by Mr Wilfried Telkamper to the Commission
Subject: Pollution of the Rhine by the Stracel Company 25
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1711/90 and 1712/90 26
91 /C 49/47 No 1716/90 by Mr Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission Subject: Oil slick at Cape Malia 26 91/C 49/48 No 1755/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject: EIB and ECSC loan assistance 26
91/C 49/49 No 1768/90 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission Subject: Minimum social rights 27
91/C 49/50 No 1777/90 by Mr Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission Subject: Unequal treatment of official Community languages 27
91/C 49/51 No 1801/90 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject: Regional development plan and Community support framework for Greece 28
91/C 49/52 No 1803/90 by Mr Pierre Lataillade to the Commission Subject: The hunting of turtle doves 28
91/C 49/53 No 2042/90 by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie to the Commission
Subject: Traditional forms of hunting 29
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1803/90 and 2042/90 29
91/C 49/54 No 1808/90 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission Subject: Expert Working Group on Eco-labelling 29 91/C 49/55 No 1812/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission Subject: Study of movements of migrant workers 29
91/C 49/56 No 1853/90 by Mr Niall Andrews to the Commission Subject: European Centre for the observation of intra-Community movements of people and workers 29
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1812/90 and 1853/90 30
91/C 49/57 No 1813/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission Subject: Development of consumer organizations in southern Europe 30
91/C 49/58 No 1835/90 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject: Conservation of the River Kravsidon 30
91 /C 49/59 No 1845/90 by Mr Virgilio Pereira to the Commission Subject: Oil slick off the island of Porto Santo 31
91/C 49/60 No 1883/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission Subject: Environment policy in East Germany and Central and Eastern Europe 31 Notice No Contents (continued)
91/C49/61 No 1946/90 by Mr Jose Montero Zabala to the Commission Subject: Problem of the blind in Spain 33
91/C 49/62 No 1948/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission Subject: Annxes to the proposal for a Council directive on the protection of natural and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora 33
91/C49/63 No 1958/90 by Mr Alain Lamassoure to the Commission Subject: The hunting of birds 34
91/C49/64 No 1979/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Imports of mist nets into the Community 34
91/C49/65 No 1980/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Sale of dead wild birds in Spain 35
91/C49/66 No 1999/90 by Mr David Morris to the Commission Subject: UK postage stamps without denomination 35
91/C49/67 No 2000/90 by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission Subject: Community measures for the integration of the disabled 36
91/C49/68 No 2028/90 by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission Subject: Delays in payments for projects 37
91/C49/69 No 2034/90 by Mr Paul Lannoye, Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes, Mrs Eva Quistorp, Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr Didier Anger to the Commission Subject: Basic standards and derived standards concerning protection against ionizing radiation 37
91/C49/70 No 2048/90 by Mrs Raymonde Duty to the Commission Subject: The impact of demilitarization upon employment 38
91/C49/71 No 2069/90 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission Subject: European Community regulations on social security 38
91/C49/72 No 2080/90 by Mr John Bird to the Commission Subject: Contract of employment 39
91/C49/73 No 2100/90 by Mr Henry McCubbin to the Commission Subject: Nuclear reprocessing 39
91/C49/74 No 2105/90 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission Subject: Nuclear power station in Zarnowiec near Danzig 40
91/C49/75 No 2135/90 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission Subject: Import restrictions on medical equipment 40
91/C49/76 No 2141/90 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission Subject: Asteroid '1990 MU' 40
91/C49/77 No 2144/90 by Mr James Ford to the Commission Subject: Control of and research into use of artificial sweeteners 41
91/C49/78 No 2181 /90 by Mr Reimer Boge to the Commission Subject: Damage to the environment from accidental oil spillages 41
(Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued)
91/C49/79 No 2188/90 by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann to the Council Subject: Implications of the Community driving licence 41
91/C49/80 No 2208/90 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission Subject: Aid for India 42
91/C49/81 No 2264/90 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Report by the Task Force on the environment and the internal market 42
91/C49/82 No 2303/90 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission Subject: Mineral water quality 42
91/C49/83 No 2381/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject: Declaration on the environment 43
91/C49/84 No 2436/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council Subject: Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child 43
91/C49/85 No 2482/90 by Mr Jean-Marie Alexandre to the Council Subject: Programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of the French overseas departments (POSEIDOM) 44
91/C49/86 No 2519/90 by Mr Winfried Menrad to the Commission Subject: Contribution from the European Structural Funds to the Stuttgart district in Baden-Wurttemberg 44
91/C49/87 No 2544/90 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Council Subject: Protection of social security rights 44
91/C49/88 No 2545/90 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Council Subject: Protection of social security rights 45
91/C49/89 No 2546/90 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Council Subject: Volunteers' rights to social security benefits on return from work overseas 45
91/C49/90 No 2582/90 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Council Subject: Social protection for volunteer development workers 45
91/C49/91 No 2585/90 by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon to the Council Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking Voluntary Service Overseas 45
91/C49/92 No 2586/90 by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon to the Council Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking Voluntary Service Overseas 45
91/C49/93 No 2587/90 by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon to the Council Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking Voluntary Service Overseas 46
91/C49/94 No 2647/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council Subject: Voluntary overseas workers 46
91/C49/95 No 2648/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council Subject: Social security entitlements for voluntary overseas workers 46
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2544/90, 2545/90, 2546/90, 2582/90, 2585/90,2586/90,2587/90,2647/90 and 2648/90 46
(Continued on inside back cover) Notice No Contents (continued)
91/C49/96 No 2579/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council Subject: Directives on atypical employment 46
91/C 49/97 No 2580/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council Subject: Environmental protection by economic and fiscal instruments 47
91/C49/98 No 2599/90 by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission Subject: Community aid for victims of terrorism 47
91/C49/99 No 2618/90 by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission Subject: ERASMUS programme 48
91/C49/100 No 2646/90 by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Council Subject: Discrimination against conscientious objectors 48
91/C49/101 No 2669/90 by Mrs Claudia Roth to the Council Subject: Racism and xenophobia in the Community 48
91/C49/102 No 2719/90 by Mr Bruno Megret and Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevallier to the Council Subject: Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Racism and Xenophobia 49
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2669/90 and 2719/90 49
91/C 49/103 No 2943/90 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Council Subject: Support for the development of ethanol production in the Community in the light of the crisis in the Gulf 49
91/C49/104 Corrigenda Corrigenda to Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission to Written Question No 1382/90 by Mr Alex Smith {Official Journal of the European Communities No C 312 of 12 December 1990, page 38) 50 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/1
I
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION No 94/90 down by CENELEC (European Committee for by Mr Dimitrios Nianias (RDE) Electrotechnical Standardization) and based on international publication 335-2-25 (1976) of the IEC to the Commission of the European Communities (International Electrotechnical Commission), which (2 February 1990) specifies, among other things, maximum radiation limits. (91/C 49/01) Products which conform to the harmonized standards applicable are presumed to meet the above compulsory safety requirements. Subject: Unsafe microwave ovens
In the United Kingdom a list has been published of 24 Appropriate protection for the users of microwave ovens types of microwave oven which failed to meet required against hazards other than electrical ones, and hence also safety standards during tests organized by a government against the specific hazards of 'cool patches' in cooked committee. Specifically, these ovens fail to heat up food foods as referred to by the Honourable Member, is uniformly throughout, leaving 'cool patches' which do already provided for, in general, in Community not reach the temperature of 70 °C required to kill regulations relating to the legal principles and obligations dangerous bacteria. on manufacturers.
What measures does the Commission intend to take to However, as far as standardization is concerned, the harmonize the rules governing the operation and safety of technical manufacturing specifications laid down by microwave ovens? CENELEC have not yet taken account of this aspect of the safety of such equipment, and an updating of the above harmonized standards may prove to be necessary.
Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission For this purpose, although none of the. Member States has so far invoked the safeguard clause provided for in (5 September 1990) Directive 73/23/EEC, the Commission will obtain information immediately so that it can make a clear The equipment to which the Honourable Member refers decision as to the need to incorporate the hazards falls within the scope of Council Directive 73/23/EEC of referred to by the Honourable Member in future 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of the European standardization. Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (the Low Voltage It should also be pointed out that a priority programme Directive) ('). for consumers provided for in the Council resolution of 4 November 1988 (2) and included in the Commission's This Directive lays down the safety requirements with programme for 1990 is being prepared by the departments which equipment placed on the market must comply and responsible for consumer policy. compliance with which is checked by the Member States in their territory in order to protect persons, domestic animals and goods. This programme, which aims to identify the areas in which Community action seems to be necessary in view of In the case of microwave ovens, the Directive is the importance of problems affecting consumers, notably supplemented by harmonized standard HD 270 SI laid as regards safety, also underlines the importance and the No C 49/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
priority nature of the problem to which the Honourable Particular account was taken of the implications of Member refers. existing objectives in road transport policy when fixing the proposed rate band for road diesel fuel. This was set at O OJ No L 77, 26. 3. 1973. between ECU 195 and 205 per 1 000 litres as an important (2) OJNoC293, 17.11. 1988. element in the harmonization of the fiscal conditions of competition in road haulage within the Community.
In relation to the deductibility of VAT on road diesel in France, it is the Commission's understanding that the restriction referred to by the Honourable Member is currently being phased out and that international hauliers are already entitled to complete deduction. WRITTEN QUESTION No 537/90 O COM(89)526. by Mr Yves Galland (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities (16 March 1990) (91/C 49/02)
Subject: Specific taxation of fuel WRITTEN QUESTION No 617/90 by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie (RDE) Ori 1 July 1990 the first phase of the liberalization of road to the Commission of the European Communities haulage in the EEC will begin. If these measures are to take full effect, however, and not damage the (20 March 1990) competitiveness of undertakings in some Member States, (91/C 49/03) the Community must harmonize taxation, technical standards and social security regulations. In France the specific tax on fuel, mainly the internal duty on petroleum Subject: Common agricultural policy and regulation of products, is one of the highest in the Community, the pigmeat market whereas only part of the VAT on diesel can be recovered, in contrast with the other EEC countries. What is the Commission planning to do to abolish this discrimination There has been a serious drop in the price of pigmeat. The and encourage Member States to align their regulations average price fell from FF 13 in August 1989 to FF 8,54 on on the average it has laid down for the specific taxation of 18 January 1990. This has had a serious effect on farmers' fuel? incomes and, in some cases, on the continued existence of farms. It appears that two Community decisions have contributed to this downward trend in prices: first, the decision to decrease export refunds, which led to a surplus in supply on the European market (in particular from Denmark), and second, the decision to grant an annual Answer given by Mrs Scrivener quota of 18 000 tonnes at a reduced levy to Poland and on behalf of the Commission Hungary. (5 May 1990) Minimum regulation of the market is doubtless desirable. Economic aid to the countries of Eastern Europe is also The Commission has recently brought forward a proposal an economic and political imperative. However, neither for the approximation of the rates of excise duty on should seriously disturb the market to the detriment of a mineral oils (1). certain sector of farmers and citizens.
1. To what extent and when does the Commission plan This sets out minimum rates or bands of rates for each of to re-establish Denmark's traditional export channels the major product categories. The aim of the proposal is (to the USA and Japan) so as to regulate the European that Member States should bring their rates into line by 1 pigmeat market afresh? January 1993. 2. To what extent and when does the Commission plan Such an alignment is seen as a first step towards, the to authorize the export of additional agricultural eventual establishment of common rates of indirect quotas to the countries of the East so as to offset new taxation. These rates, to be known as target rates, are to imports coming from this source? be proposed by the Commission in the course of the current year at a level compatible with transport, energy 3. What measures, in particular with regard to and environmental policy. compensation, does the Commission plan to take to 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/3
remedy the highly adverse effects on pigmeat WRITTEN QUESTION No 623/90 producers ? by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (20 March 1990) (91/C 49/04)
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry Subject: Proliferation of ballistic missiles in the Eastern on behalf of the Commission Mediterranean and Middle East (4 May 1990) What are the Commission's views concerning the proliferation of ballistic missiles in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East and the implicit dangers Pigmeat prices rose by 40 % in the year to August 1989 in a in this situation for the southern Community Member spectacular upsurge caused by shortage of supply to the States? Does the Commission intend to take any measures Community market. This led the Commission to reduce to prohibit the sale of missile technology by Community export refunds in a desire to act consistently by not Member States to Middle East and Eastern promoting exports of a product scarce on the internal Mediterranean countries and does it intend to adopt market and showing a strongly rising price. Community legislation to this effect or to extend and strengthen the missile technology control regime, to which four Member States of the Communities belong (Federal Republic of Germany, United Kingdom, France A crisis in the pigmeat market occurs every three or four and Italy) ? years. The reason invariably is that improving profit margins encourage producers to increase the size of their holdings. Profitability during summer 1989 was so great that a considerable rise in pig numbers was to be expected, so provoking a fresh crisis. Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission The successive reductions in the refunds brought prices (21 November 1990) down to more reasonable levels, and it was only in mid-January 1990 that a seasonal fall, due primarily to an increase in carcase weights and hence in production The problems raised by the proliferation of missiles and volume, jeopardized market stability. The Commission ways of tackling such problems are examined within the reacted by increasing refund rates, enabling prices, as is framework of European political cooperation. now evident, to recover. Between the fourth week of the year and that ending on 4 March French prices rose by 12% or ECU 14,7/100 kg. The average European price rose over the same period by ECU 8/100 kg or 6%.
As far as recent developments in Eastern Europe are concerned, the reduced levy quotas approved for certain WRITTEN QUESTION No 734/90 pigmeat sector products reflect existing trade flows. The volume of 18 300 tonnes imported annually under these by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) arrangements is only 0,1% of Community production. to the Commission of the European Communities The rules of application are drawn up to prevent any (2 7 March 1990) distortion of the Community market, the quotas being (91/C 49/05) staggered over the four quarters of the year with the validity of import licences restricted to 90 days. The Commission considers therefore that the market cannot be threatened by these measures. Subject: Pension entitlements
The transfer to the pension scheme for European Forecasts by experts based on the latest pig census on 1 Community officials of pension entitlements acquired in December 1989, for which the French figures are at employment in Belgium by European Community present lacking, enable the Commission to anticipate price officials prior to their recruitment, as provided for in stability for 1990 at a satisfactory level to producers. Article 11 (2) of Annex VIII of the Staff Regulations, has been an issue for some time.
A number of Member States settled the matter some time ago; Belgium has still not done so. No C 49/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Can the Commission say what the precise position is on 4. Will the Commission promote a Community policy this matter and, more particularly, has it any notion as to for the authorization or prohibition of these heaters? when a comprehensive solution will be found? See article in the consumer magazine Test-Aankoop No 282 of October 1986, entitled 'Oil heaters reasonably efficient but not without risk'. Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1990) Supplementary answer given by Mr Van Miert Although the Court of Justice ruled on 20 October 1981 on behalf of the Commission (in Case 137/80 O) and again on 3 October 1989 (in Case (6 September 1990) 383/85) that Belgium had failed to meet its obligations under Article 11 of Annex VIII to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities, the problem of Further to its answer of 5 June 1990 (*), the Commission is the transfer of pension rights between the Belgian and the able to communicate the results of its enquiries. Community schemes has still to be resolved. 1. The Commission is currently in possession of various Recently the Brussels Court of First Instance also held items of information, some of which, moreover, have that the Belgian authorities had failed to meet their been the subject of complaints, relating to the dangers obligations. of oil heaters of all makes and origins resulting in part from the lack of clear and accurate instructions for The Belgian Government has in fact drafted legislation to clear up the matter and has notified the Commission of the bill in question, but the Commission has asked for 2. Yes. Some Member States have adopted measures laying down safety requirements for the technical certain points which, in its opinion, still need clarification features of these appliances, the measures being to be redrafted. applicable not only to new products but also to those already on the market, which manufacturers are The Commission would hope, therefore, that a final expected to bring into conformity or modify. It seems agreement can shortly be reached on the bill so that it can that other Member States are taking steps to adopt go through the Belgian legislative process and enter into similar technical regulations and/or standards. force as soon as possible. 3. On the basis of the information at its disposal, the O [1981]ECR2393. Commission considers that the appliances in question on the whole present serious risks, both with regard to their essential safety and as a result of the absence or inadequacy and imprecision of information concerning the product and its installation (method of use, warnings, precautions to be taken, etc.).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 901/90 However, at the present time, it does not consider by Mr Petrus Cornelissen and Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten further investigations into the subject necessary, but (PPE) will remain attentive and responsive to further items to the Commission of the European Communities of information which may subsequently be brought to its attention. (9 April 1990) (91/C 49/06) 4. In the context of the Commission's policy aimed at ensuring the safety of various products, in particular consumer products, the following achievements must Subject: Safety of oil heaters be taken into consideration:
1. Is the Commission aware of discussions on the (a) The proposal for an EEC Directive 89/C193/01 safety (or hazards) of oil heaters, in particular Japanese concerning general product safety (2), oil heaters, resulting in part from a frequent lack of clear incorporating, with amendments, the system for instructions for use in the users' mother tongues? the rapid exchange of information provided for in Decision 89/45/EEC (3) and providing for 2. Can the Commission confirm that 'Zibro Kamin' oil mechanisms allowing for the adoption of national heaters are prohibited in some Member States and measures of an interim nature prohibiting authorized in others? products presenting grave and immediate risks.
3. What is the Commission's opinion of the safety of Furthermore, a consultation and investigation these oil heaters, and does it consider it necessary to carry procedure is also introduced, in order to examine out further investigations? in depth the need for adopting appropriate 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/5
measures directly applicable throughout the States' nationals with regard to access to vocational Community. training in the Community. Equal access to vocational training implies the right to be present in the territory of (b) The provision of suitable preventive measures. the Member State where the instruction is given. This right of residence is nevertheless currently governed by Such a solution, which would be preferable to the provisions laid down by national law. solution set out at (a) above, is currently under discussion. The suitability of such a solution is However, last June the Council adopted Directive underlined by the programme of priorities in the 1 context of consumer safety, currently being 90/366/EEC on the right of residence of students ( ). The drawn up, which is provided for in Council Commission thinks that application of that Directive will resolution 88/C293/01 of 4 November 1988 (4) put an end to the difficulties which students are and is included in the Commission's programme sometimes still encountering today. for 1990. O OJN0LI80,13.7.1990. O OJNoC207,20.8. 1990, p. 48. O OJNoC 193,31.7. 1989, p. 1. O OJNoL 17,21. 1.1989,p. 51. (4) OJNoC293, 17. 11. 1988, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1019/90 by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega (LDR) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 967/90 (11 May 1990) by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer (PPE) (91/C 49/08) to the Commission of the European Communities (25 April 1990) Subject: Subsidies towards the creation of self-employed (91/C 49/07) activities
The assumption by citizens of their own risks and Subject: Situation of Portuguese and Spanish students in therefore their own business and vocational France responsibilities calls for specific EC subsidies. For many reasons, this is a positive step. The Regulation on the It has come to my attention that young people from Spain European Social Fund (4255/88) (') qualified subsidies and Portugal wishing to study in France are required to towards the creation of self-employed activities as one of complete a set of procedures which are not required of the items of eligible expenditure and the guidelines for students from the other Community Member States. Objective 4 included subsidies towards the creation of Specifically they are required to obtain a visa, for which self-employed activities. purpose it is necessary to show that they hold a current account in their country of origin, they have sufficient resources to live on and that they have undergone a What amounts of money were spent in the Community as medical examination with satisfactory results. If they do a whole last year for this purpose? not obtain a visa, it is impossible to acquire a residence permit. What percentage of the subsidies applied for were granted? Is the Commission aware of this undeniable form of discrimination against Spanish and Portuguese citizens What is the Commission's view of this experience? compared with other Community citizens? O OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 21. Is it acceptable in any instance for a Community Member State to oblige Community nationals to produce a visa?
What measures can the Commission take to end this Answer given by Mrs Papandreou situation? on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1990)
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou Under guidelines 2.3 and 3.2 of the European Social Fund on behalf of the Commission according to Commission Decision of 29 April 1987 on the guidelines for the Management of ESF in the financial (5 October 1990) years 1988-1990 (*) (i.e. those guidelines relating to job creation/employment support for the under and over The Court of Justice has ruled that Articles 128 and 7 of 25s), the ESF supported activities in 1989 to the amount the Treaty prohibit any discrimination between Member of ECU 313,5 million. No C 49/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Under guidelines 2.4 and 3.3 of the ESF (i.e. those The draft Council Directive on the protection of natural guidelines relating to vocational training through and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (") employment initiatives taken by local groups for the also covers protection of the marine environment. under and over 25s), the ESF supported activities in 1989 Article 16 of that proposal states that 'Member States to the amount of ECU 34,7 million. shall take the requisite measures to ensure that inshore fishing and protection of crops with nets are not The total amount requested was ECU 668,8 million, 52 % detrimental to the conservation of threatened species of which was granted. The Commission is not yet in a specified in accordance with Annex II, and, as far as position to fully assess the impact of the above in respect possible, other species of wild fauna and flora'. of 1989. All these measures should help improve the quality of the (') OJNoL 167,26.6.1987. waters, the flora and hence the fishery products of the Mediterranean.
(') OJNoL129, 18.5. 1976, p. 23. O OJNoL31,5.2. 1976, p. 1. O OJ No L281.10.ll. 1979, p. 47. (4) COM(88) 381 final. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1025/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji^ Mr Josep Pons Grau and Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (11 May 1990) (91/C 49/09) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1032/90 by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Subject: Management of fishery resources and the marine Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Rivera Icaza, Mr Juan environment de la Camara Martinez and Mr Josep Pons Grau (S) to the Commission of the European Communities Does the Commission not feel that any attempt to (11 May 1990) improve the management of fishery resources will be in vain unless accompanied by increased measures to protect (91/C 49/10) the marine environment in the Mediterranean? Subject: Fishing gear and conservation of the marine environment • Answer given by Mr Marin The use of drift nets in the Mediterranean has been on behalf of the Commission widely condemned both by the fishery sector and marine (27 June 1990) conservationists. Although this destructive technique has also been used in the major oceans, it is undoubtedly in the Mediterranean that the damage caused has been most The Commission believes that it is both possible and striking and extensive. What does the Commission intend desirable to improve the management of fishery resources to do to eradicate this technique and when will it prohibit in the Mediterranean independently of measures to it, at least for the Member States? improve protection of the marine environment.
The Community is a contracting party to the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution. Under this, recommendations for measures to reduce pollution caused by certain substances Answer given by Mr Marin in marine environment have already been made. on behalf of the Commission (22 June 1990) Furthermore, the Community Medspa and Envireg programmes have similar objectives. In addition, the Member States of the Community which have a The Commission is aware of the problems which may be Mediterranean coastline are required to apply Directives caused by the use of drift nets. It has considered this 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous matter and intends to ban their use when it introduces substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community measures for the conservation and Community ('), 76/160/EEC concerning the quality of management of fishery resources in the Mediterranean. bathing water (2) and 79/923/EEC on the quality The Honourable Members will be aware that a proposal required of shellfish waters (3). for a Council Regulation banning the use of gill nets in 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/7 tuna fishing in the Community waters has been placed According to the preamble and Article 2 of Council before the Commission, which has not yet taken a Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 (') of 10 February 1975, decision on it. such grants are to be used for the promotion of vocational and in-service education within the Community.
Can the Commission explain why CEDEFOP is funding publications and activities relating to Eastern Europe, given that there are a number of problem regions within WRITTEN QUESTION No 1033/90 the Community which have not yet been investigated? by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo Does the Commission intend to remind CEDEFOP of its and Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji (S) proper task? to the Commission of the European Communities (11 May 1990) O OJNoL39,13.2. 1975,p. 1. (91/C 49/11)
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou Subject: Possible fisheries agreements ith on behalf of the Commission Mediterranean third countries (24 October 1990) Are there any plans for the Community to negotiate fisheries agreements in the near future with The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to Mediterranean third countries such as Algeria, Tunisia or its answer to Written Question No 1375/90 by Mrs Libya, along the same lines as the fisheries agreement with Goedmakers etalQ). Morocco? O See page 16 of this Official Journal.
Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1990) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1074/90 The Community is seeking to establish fisheries relations by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED) with certain countries in the Mediterranean basin, to the Commission of the European Communities principally those, such as the Maghreb countries, which (10 May 1990) have concluded cooperation agreements with the Community providing for the development of (91/C 49/13) cooperation in the fisheries sector. Subject: Japanese motor cars Fisheries relations can be established only in a context which safeguards the interests of both sides and so only a What is the current state of talks regarding the impact of fisheries agreement with Morocco has as yet been Japanese motor cars post 1992? What concessions does concluded. However, the Community is willing to hold the Commission anticipate obtaining from the Japanese in discussions with its Mediterranean partners on the return for any concessions which it offers? conclusion of further agreements in the fisheries sector.
Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1990) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1058/90 In the Commission's view it is necessary to complete the by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S) single market by 1993 in the motor-vehicle sector as in to the Commission of the European Communities other sectors. Internally, that completion will, in practice, (10 May 1990) imply the termination of national quantitative restrictions. In order to avoid a disruptive impact on the Community (91/C 49/12) industry as a result of such dismantling, transitional measures from the Japanese side would be needed. Subject: The remit of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training Following official discussions with the Member States in (CEDEFOP) the Council, the Commission is pursuing informal contacts at technical level in order to define the scope of The European Centre for the Development of Vocational such transitional measures. Training (CEDEFOP) received a grant of ECU 8 371 000 from the European Community for 1989 (the sum At the same time, the Commission continues its efforts to allocated for 1990 is ECU 8 950 000). achieve a better access to the Japanese market and a better No C 49/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91 balance of trade overall, in order to serve the long-term — Act No 1197/81, which states that mammals must be harmonious growth in international trade. stunned before slaughter, — Act No 829/78, which prohibits the slaughter of animals without supervision or health inspection, since it constitutes a serious public health hazard (e.g. the transmission of animal diseases to consumers, the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1095/90 dissemination of tapeworm larvae etc.), by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S) — the Slaughterhouse Act, which categorically prohibits to the Commission of the European Communities the slaughter of animals anywhere outside municipal (10 May 1990) or communal slaughterhouses, (91/C 49/14) • — Council Directive 74/577/EEC (') on the stunning of animals before slaughter. Subject: Measures to combat cochineal What measures does the Commission intend to take to: Urban green areas have two implacable enemies: man, — prevent this inadmissible bloodshed, which is carried who destroys them in order to build car parks and the out in public view, constituting a health and an 'Pulvarinia vitis' species of cochineal which proliferates in affront to our civilized values and the sensibilities of our trees, bushes and shrubs. our citizens, in particular our children, Can the Commission say: — ensure that legislation is adopted to create enough slaughterhouses for the entire country, 1. what is the situation in the various EEC Member States, — launch a public information campaign, and 2. what measures have been taken to date to combat this — monitor strictly the implementation of the relevant pest? Council Directive? O OJNoL 316, 26. 11.1974.
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry (14 September 1990) on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1990) The information available to the Commission indicates that Polvinaria Vitis is a common insect which attacks a Concerning the problem raised by the Honourable wide range of host plants including urban trees and fruit Member, the Commission discussed it with the relevant trees. It is easily controllable by standard insecticides and, Greek authorities. Council Directive 74/577/EEC on as far as the Commission has been able to establish, stunning of animals before slaughter (') has been represents a nuisance rather than a major problem within transposed into Greek law by Act No 1197/81, which the Community. makes it an offence to slaughter animals for human consumption without prior stunning. In addition, Greek presidential Decree No 562/88 imposes an obligation to slaughter animals, intended for sale for human consumption, in slaughterhouses or other places under the control of the veterinary services of the Ministry of WRITTEN QUESTION No 1138/90 Agriculture. by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) The Greek authorities have, in the past, encountered to the Commission of the European Communities difficulties in enforcing this legislation in the face of (14 May 1990) traditional practices, but they consider that breaches (91/C 49/15) which now occur are isolated cases and the appropriate legal action is taken when such breaches are brought to Subject: Infringement of Council Directive 74/577/EEC their attention. on the stunning of animals before slaughter Several Greek municipalities have benefited from the In recent years the abominable spectacle of goats and Community funding available under Regulation (EEC) 2 sheep being slaughtered on open ground in Athens and No 355/77 ( ) for the construction of modern the suburbs by the side of major roads has become slaughterhouses. The list of projects financed under this commonplace during Holy Week. Regulation in the last two years may be found in the Official Journal of the European Communities, numbers: — The slaughter and sale of goats and sheep in this period leading up to Easter on open ground 'in situ' — C 260 of 7 August 1988, for the first part of 1988, and in front of the purchaser is illegal, takes place — C 59 of 8 March 1989, for the second part of 1988, without veterinary supervision and seriously endangers public health. It also constitutes an — C 213 of 19 August 1989, for the first part of 1989, infringement of: — C 57 of 8 March 1990, for the second part of 1989. 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/9
Given that the practices referred to by the Honourable The measures that the Community may take in the face of Member constitute an affront to civilized values and to such obstacles from 1993 onwards are set out in Article 9 the sensibilities of citizens, it would not appear necessary of the Second Banking Coordination Directive for the Commission to launch a public information (89/646/EEC) ('). In deciding whether action needs to be campaign on the subject. taken before then, the Commission has been mindful of the fact that the issue of trade barriers in the financial area The Commission veterinary inspectorate carries out is currently under discussion in the Uruguay Round of regular on-the-spot checks in Greek slaughterhouses to trade negotiations. The Commission is working actively monitor the implementation of Community rules relating for a successful outcome to these negotiations, which are to pre-slaughter stunning and to meat hygiene. Any due to be completed by December 1990. infringements of these rules are brought to the attention of the appropriate national authorities who are O OJNoL386,30. 12. 1989, p. 1. responsible for ensuring compliance with Community law.
O OJNoL316,26. 11. 1974, p. 10. O OJ No L 51, 23. 2. 1977, p. 1. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1222/90 by Mr Arias Canete (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (22 May 1990) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1212/90 (91/C 49/17) by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR) Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for to the Commission of the European Communities aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Italy (22 May 1990) - (91/C 49/16) Having regard to Commission Decision 88/4/EEC (*) of 11 December 1987 on the multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) submitted by Subject: Banking legislation in the United States Italy pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 (2), can the Commission give details of the In an address to the American Enterprise Institute in programme's specific objectives, in order of priority, and Washington in March 1990, the Vice-President of the the investment provided for in the programme? Commission, Sir Leon Brittan, expressed concern about certain aspects of banking legislation in the United States O OJNoL4,7. 1.1988,p. 21. (e.g. the Glass Steagall restrictions, the McFadden Act, O OJNoL376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7. and the Douglas amendment to the Bank Holding Company Act).
1. Has the Commission made an assessment of the harm Answer given by Mr Marin caused to European banks by American protectionist on behalf of the Commission measures? (16 July 1990) 2. What has the Commission done or what will it do to remedy this state of affairs? The overall objective of the programme is to promote substantial development of aquaculture, while paying heed to environmental factors, for all species that can be farmed with a reasonable profit margin. Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission The priorities for Italian aquaculture are to construct hatcheries and fish nurseries and to optimize the use of (17 July 1990) suitable coastal areas, notably lagoons.
The Commission would draw the attention of the Five regional development areas have been selected: Honourable Member to its recently published report on Sardinia, Veneto, Tuscany, Lazio and Apulia. 'United States' trade barriers and unfair restrictive practices 1990'. The section therein concerning the A total of ECU 132 million in capital investment is financial sector sets out some aspects of US legislation envisaged for the modernization of existing installations which are of disadvantage to non-US financial and the construction of new facilities. The expected institutions, and also certain restrictions to the expansion production increase as a result of such investment is of the of activities which affect EC and US financial institutions order of 4 500 tonnes of saltwater fish and 35 000 tonnes similarly. Neither set of restrictions may necessarily be of molluscs. protectionist in the sense of having been designed to protect US, relative to non-US, financial institutions. No C 49/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1223/90 programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) submitted by by Mr Arias Canete (PPE) Ireland pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 (2), can the Commission give details of the to the Commission of the European Communities investment provided for in the programme? (22 May 1990) (91/C 49/18) (') OJNoL4,7. 1.1988, p. 23. O OJ No L 376, 31. 12. 1986, p. 7. Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for the United Kingdom Answer given by Mr Marin Having regard to Commission Decision 88/5/EEC (') of on behalf of the Commission 11 December 1987 on the multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) submitted by (19 July 1990) the United Kingdom pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 (2), can the Commission give details of the programme's specific objectives, in order of The Irish Multi Annual Guidance Programme forecasts a priority, and the investment provided for in the rapid expansion in the aquaculture sector particularly in programme ? the production of salmon and oyster. At the commencement of the period (1986), Irish production comprised 1 300 tonnes of fish in salt water (93 % Atlantic O OJNoL4,7. 1.1988, p. 22. O OJNoL376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7. salmon), 470 tonnes of trout in fresh water and 11 100 tonnes of molluscs (96% mussels). The programme forecasts an increased production in excess of Answer given by Mr Marin 200% to 15 500 tonnes salmonids in salt water, 1 500 tonnes of trout in fresh water and 23 000 tonnes of on behalf of the Commission molluscs. Also included are fresh water hatcheries with a (16 July 1990) capacity of 6 million juvenile salmonids and 400 tonnes of other species including turbot, eel, clam and ormer. The overall objective of the programme is to promote the development of aquaculture in waters suitable for the Total investment in aquaculture for the period is purpose in order to increase production of high-quality estimated at ECU 61 million with the national types of fish, crustaceans and molluscs for which there is a contribution of between ECU 6,5 and 10 million. substantial market demand.
A schedule listing 26 specific requirements and priorities The Irish authorities perceive aquaculture as an important was drawn up for salmon, trout and other saltwater and sector for development because of the abundance of freshwater migratory species, including eels, molluscs and suitable sites and because it provides opportunities for crustaceans, plus a list of protected marine areas. employment in remote areas.
United Kingdom investment of the order of £ 30 to 40 million/year is envisaged for potential production of: — 200 000 tonnes/year of salmon (60 000 tonnes in 1991), — 18 000 tonnes/year of trout in 1991, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1225/90 — 14 000 tonnes/year of mussels in 1991, by Mr Arias Canete (PPE) — 5 250 tonnes/year of scallops, and to the Commission of the European Communities — other species in smaller quantities. (22 May 1990) (91/C 49/20)
Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for WRITTEN QUESTION No 1224/90 aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Denmark by Mr Arias Canete (PPE) Having regard to Commission Decision 88/7/EEC (') of to the Commission of the European Communities 11 December 1987 on the multiannual guidance (22 May 1990) programme for aquaculture (1987 to 1991) submitted by (91/C 49/19) Denmark pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 (2), can the Commission give details of the Subject: Multiannual guidance programme for programme's specific objectives, in order of priority, and aquaculture (1987 to 1991) for Ireland the investment provided for in the programme?
x Having regard to Commission Decision 88/6/EEC ( ) of O OJNoL4,7. 1.1988, p. 24. 11 December 1987 on the multiannual guidance O OJ No L 376, 31. 12. 1986, p. 7. 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/11
Answer given by Mr Marin None the less, it does maintain close contacts with the on behalf of the Commission World Health Organization, which regularly publishes a (19 July 1990) review of European vaccination legislation.
At the start of this period aquaculture in Denmark was confined almost entirely to trout in fresh and brackish water.
The objectives of the Multi Annual Guidance Programme WRITTEN QUESTION No 1263/90 do not forsee any expansion of fresh water trout culture by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) although an investment of ECU 7,5 million is proposed to to the Commission of the European Communities improve the quality of the effluent from these farms and so limit their environmental impact. The main areas of (22 May 1990) development forseen are the culture of large rainbow (91/C 49/22) trout in brackish water and the on-growing of eels in intensive recycling units. A substantial increase in the production of mussels and oysters and a small industry Subject: Incidence of leukaemia among the children of for turbot and other marine fish is also planned. workers in the nuclear industry
The total investment in aquaculture for the period is The British Medical Journal of 17 February 1990 published the results of a study on the high incidence of forecast as ECU 35 million with a national contribution leukaemia among children born near the Sellafield around 10 % of the total. nuclear reprocessing plant in West Cumbria in the United Kingdom. The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table This study has shown a strong correlation between men containing production and forecast for Danish employed in the nuclear reprocessing plant and the Aquaculture. incidence of leukaemia among their children (compared with the children of workers employed in other undertakings). In addition to homogeneous irradiation of the body, radioelements concentrate in the genito-urinary tract (internal irradiation). As a result the spermatozoids are subject to high doses of radioactivity, causing WRITTEN QUESTION No 1248/90 increased teratogenesis. In this case, the readings given by the dosimeters carried by workers may be lower than the by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE) real levels. to the Commission of the European Communities (22 May 1990) Other factors such as contamination of the house by (91/C 49/21) radioactive substances from clothes, for example, may be contributing to the problem.
Subject: Harmonization of vaccination campaigns Within its terms of reference laid down under Article 118a on health and safety in the working environment, does the The provisions governing compulsory vaccination Commission intend to launch similar studies in other campaigns in the countries of the Community are far from Member States with nuclear power stations in order to being in harmony. The extent of vaccination campaigns assess the real levels of risks to workers in the nuclear and the number of vaccinations carried out other than industry? during campaigns promoted by the health authorities also varies. Since there are also schools of thought which advise against certain vaccinations being carried out, it would be of interest to health in Europe if the legislation Answer given by Mr Pandolfi on the subject were harmonized at European level. What on behalf of the Commission plans or ideas does the Commission have with regard to this question? (16 July 1990)
Professor Gardner (') observed eight cases of leukaemia in children born of fathers who, prior to the child's Answer given by Mrs Papandreou conception, were exposed to radiation at the Sellafield on behalf of the Commission plant. This observation was surprising, since such an effect had never before been reported in humans and only (28 June 1990) one animal study had indicated such possibility of paternal transmission of a tumour, albeit after doses of The Commission has no immediate plans to harmonize more than an order of magnitude higher, after acute vaccination campaigns in the Community. exposure as opposed to the chronic exposure of the No C 49/12 Official Journal of th« European Communities 25. 2. 91
workers, only in the adult animal, and for a very different introduces as of 1 January 1989 the principle of an type of cancer. It should also be noted that no increase in indicative notice to be published each budgetary year leukaemia was seen in the children born of parents solely by the contracting authorities listed in Annex I of exposed to the atomic bomb explosions at Hiroshima- Directive 80/767/EEC (3). Nagasaki. It is therefore advisable to search for additional information from humans, from experimental animals and from molecular studies. In this respect, ongoing Can the Commission state: investigations near two nuclear installations in the United Kingdom should give additional information in the very 1. the number of such indicative notices published in the near future. Official Journal of the European Communities between 1 January 1989 and 30 April 1990? The Community Research and Training in the Field of Radiation Protection Programme (2) supports several 2. the figure for each Member State? multinational contracts with questions related to the problem mentioned. Human cancer is being studied in 3. how it has monitored this obligation up to the present persons exposed to radiation for medical reasons, in (the number of infringements by each Member State)? workers in several nuclear installations and in areas of high natural radioactivity. Experimental studies are 4. the reasons why it has not proposed to the Council performed on the transmission of genetic damage from that this provision be extended to the other male germ cells and its expression in the progeny. contracting authorities, after consultation of the Molecular and biophysical investigations deal with the European Parliament, by 1 March 1990, as it was mechanisms by which radiation-induced cancer can arise. required to do under Article 9(1), second paragraph?
Following the publication of the report by Professor 5. its precise intentions regarding such an extension? Gardner, the Commission convened an expert group to discuss the report and to suggest investigations which O OJNoL13, 15. 1.1977, p. 1. could elucidate the problem further. This group chaired O OJ No L 127, 20. 5. 1988, p. 1. by Sir Richard Doll, consisting of epidemiologists as well O OJNoL215, 18.8. 1980,p. 1. as radiobiologists, suggested several possible approaches which are now being examined for their feasibility, for example epidemiological investigations and experimental studies to explore possible mechanisms of action. It should be emphasized in this respect that such epidemiological investigations must be carefully planned Answer given by Mr Bangemann and can only be carried out in Member States where on behalf of the Commission appropriate cancer registries exist without infringing on existing data protection laws. Cooperation has already (31 October 1990) been established with the International Agency for Research on Cancer to perform these studies under optimal conditions. 1 and 2. In the period of 1 January 1989 to 30 April 1990, indicative notices on public supply contracts were (') Professor of Medical Statistics, MRC, Environmental published as follows: Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton. O OJNoL200, 13.7. 1989. Belgium 7 Denmark 4 Federal Republic of Germany 54 Greece — Spain - France 91 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1280/90 Ireland 0 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR) Italy 2 to the Commission of the European Communities Luxembourg 10 (22 May 1990) Netherlands 0 (91/C 49/23) Portugal 1 United Kingdom 17
Subject: Application of Directive 77/62/EEC Total EC 187 Other (EFTA) 21
Article 9 (1) of Directive 77/62/EEC C) on public supply Total 208 contracts, as amended by Directive 88/295/EEC (2), ^291 Official Journal of the European Communities ^o(G^Bl^
The modified suppliesDirective88B^^BEEC^doesnot alcoholic beverages^ will the commission introduce a enter into force in ^pain^ (Greece and Portugal until 'two-tier'svstemofexcise duties to simplifythe situations l^via^cht^^.Asaresult^ contracting authorities in these countries are not at present obliged topublishadvance information notices. The'two-tier'system provides that^
^. The respect of this requirement of the Directive t. the alcohol contained in all beverages with an actual requires firstly a correct transposition and secondly alcoholic strength belowt^^vol. should be taxed at correct implementation at the level of contracting entities. the same rate per degree of alcohols called the'lower Anumberof ^iember^tates haveexperienceddelavin rate' transposition and the procedures are notyet complete in the Netherlands and Italy. Eor this reason the (commission has initiated procedures under Article l^of 2. the alcohol contained in all beverages with an actual the EECTreaty against both these member states. alcoholicstrengthabovel^^o vol.should be taxed
TheElonourable^iember will be aware that the notices in question are published annually. Taking account of ^ onthefirst P^^alcohol by volumes at the'lower the difficulties in transposition referred to above^ the rate'^and commission would expect to see an increase in the rate at which these notices appears and is monitoring the ^ on the alcohol over and above the first l^^o publications in the Officialjournal with this in mind. Eirst alcoholbyvolume^atasecond'higherrate' indications are that this is taking place.
Furthers the fdonourable member will recall that the ^. the difference between the 'higher' and the 'lower' thresholds which apply to advance information notices rarest expressed in ECL^Bhlpa^ should not be increased are higher than those applying to calls for tender and that bv subsequent community legislation. one notice may cover manv intended purchases. The commission wouldpointoutthatitis therefore tobe The advantage of this system is that it obviates the need expected that the number of advance information notices for complex definitions of different categories of published will be much lower than the number of calls for beverages. tender.
In view of the limited resources availableghe Commission has therefore concentrated its initial effort on problems of transpositionandonproblemsexperiencedinaward procedures. Elowever^ it intends to pursue this matter in more detail inthe course of this year.The commission Answer ^iven by l^rs^cr^vener has not received any complaints regarding advance on behalf ofthe commission information notices.
^and^u Inviewof thedifficultiesreferredtoabove and to the priority it attaches to achieving its primary legislative programme for the opening up of public procurements the commission has considered it The Commission investigateda'two-tier'system of excise inopportunetomakeaproposalat this stage. Elowever rates of the kind described by theHonourable^iember it remains the Commission's intention to make such a before it issued its original proposals to approximate the proposal as soon as it is in a position to evaluate rates of excises on alcoholic drinks p^. It concluded^ experience with existing rules and progress on the however^ that this approach to harmonization would legislative programme allows. hinderratherthan aid agreement.
Aparticular disadvantage of suchasystem is that itwould tend to maximize disruption of revenues and markets^ whereas the system proposed by the Commission is specifically designed to minimize such disruption.
by^rs^inifredEwm^A^ to the commission of the European communities Eorexample^underatwotier systems alitre of typical wine would bearaduty rate two to three times higher than ^2A^^^^ a litre of typical beer^ resulting in a very significant ^tBC^^B^ revenue loss from beer — borne verv larely by the northern member states ^ and a verv significant ^^c^. Excise duties on alcoholic beverages increase in the revenue from wine — accruing almost entirely in member states which currently charge little or (Given the difficulties associated withp^esent moves to no duty on the product, ^o such disruption occurs under achieve approximation of the rates of excise duties on the system proposed by the commission. No C 49/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Similar, although less striking, problems arise in the Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha application of the two-tier system to other alcoholic on behalf of the Commission drinks. (4 July 1990)
O COM(87) 328 amended by COM(89) 527.
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its report on Euratom safeguards operations (1).
1. From 31 May to 2 June 1960 at CEN Mol, Belgium.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1301/90 2. 168 inspectors as of 90-06-01 and 57 staff in other categories. by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)
to the Commission of the European Communities 3. 32 inspector's posts mostly due to lack of budget (28 May 1990) coverage. (91/C 49/25) 4. Euratom does not normally account inspection man-days by Member States but by installations Subject: Euratom under safeguards. However, in 1989 Euratom spent 7 417 man-days to be subdivided as follows: 1. On what date did Euratom carry out its first inspection? At which facility did the inspection take place? Belgium 594 Denmark 21 2. How many inspectors does Euratom currently Federal Republic of Germany 2 237 employ, and how many staff in other categories ? Greece 6 Spain 170 France 2013 3. How many posts for inspectors are currently vacant? Ireland 2 Italy 165 4. How many man-days of inspection were spent in Luxembourg 0 each Member State in 1989? Netherlands 137 Portugal 7 United Kingdom 1 967 5. How many joint inspections did Euratom carry out CEC 98 with the IAEA in 1989? At how many facilities were these carried out? 5. 1 101 inspections were carried out in 1989 at 203 6. Does Euratom take any active measures (e.g. use of installations in the presence of IAEA inspectors. seals) to safeguard nuclear materials in transit between Member States? 6. Such measures are applied on nuclear material in transit between installations under safeguards in the 7. Does the Commission discuss new investment Community so as to maintain continuity of projects in nuclear activities with the undertakings safeguards knowledge. concerned as provided for by Article 43 of the Euratom Treaty? Have such discussions ever resulted in changes in 7. Yes. Changes in the design, stricto sensu, did not the design of a facility to accommodate safeguards occur but safeguards instruments needed to be requirements? If so, how often has this occurred? integrated into/during the construction of the plants.
8. On average, how much notice are operators given of 8. In order to enable compliance with Article 81 of the an impending inspection? Treaty, Member States authorities are informed on dates and places of inspections between two hours 9. What is the incidence of operators refusing and one week in advance. Operators are notified in containment and surveillance measures? Does Euratom case of the need to introduce certain instrumentation possess legal powers to impose such measures? into protected areas.
10. Has Euratom any plans to move from a 9. In accordance with Article 7 (d) of Regulation (EEC) facility-orientated safeguards approach to a 'fuel-cycle' No 3227/76 (2), the Commission specifies in the approach? If not, is Euratom currently involved, or has it 'particular safeguards provisions' the procedures by previously been involved in studies to investigate which the persons or undertakings concerned shall alternative safeguards approaches? meet the requirements in relation to safeguards 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/15
imposed on them. Among others these procedures introduce or continue to use production methods include: (d) containment and surveillance measures, compatible with protecting natural habitats and the in accordance with the modalities agreed upon with countryside. the plant operators. In the event of an operator's refusal the Commission may proceed in accordance with Article 83 of the Treaty. Can the Commission say which countries have benefited the most from this provision and what level of aid has 10. In accordance with Article 78 Chapter VII of the been disbursed? Euratom Treaty, Euratom deals with persons and/or undertakings when performing safeguards. O OJNoL93,30. 3. 1985, p. 1. Consequently, facility-orientated safeguards approaches are applied taking, of course, account of the interrelationships between and interfaces of the various installations. In addition, Euratom is always open to consider new safeguards approaches which have a potential to further improve the safeguards Answer given by Mr MacSharry effectiveness and efficiency. on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1990) O SEC(90) 452 final. O OJ No L 363, 31. 12. 1976, p. 1.
Four Member States have so far adopted provisions, approved by the Commission, implementing Article 19 of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85: Denmark, the Federal WRITTEN QUESTION No 1339/90 Republic of Germany, the Netherlands and the United by Mr Bartho Pronk (PPE) Kingdom. Provisions sent by Italy, Luxembourg and France are being studied by Commission staff. to the Commission of the European Communities (11 June 1990) The annual aid per hectare paid to farmers in areas (91/C 49/26) designated as environmentally sensitive who make voluntary undertakings depends on the undertakings Subject: Length of time taken by the interim appointment made, but generally varies from ECU 25 to 115 in procedure for members of the Economic and Denmark, ECU 25 to 250 in the Federal Republic of Social Committee Germany, ECU 100 to 500 in the Netherlands and ECU 4 to 300 in the United Kingdom. How long does the consultation of the European Commission under Article 195 (2) of the EEC Treaty take? In 1989 the EAGGF reimbursed ECU 3,4 million to the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom, the Danish and Dutch measures being too recent to Answer given by Mrs Papandreou qualify for any reimbursement. This sum should increase on behalf of the Commission as the measure is developed and is applied in other (2 5 July 1990) Member States.
One or two weeks may elapse between the time when the Commission is officially consulted by the Council under Article 195 (2) and the time when its opinion is delivered to the Council. This is the length of time needed to complete the Commission's internal procedures.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1363/90 by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1344/90 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (11 June 1990) (LDR) (91/C 49/28) to the Commission of the European Communities (11 June 1990) (91/C 49/27) Subject: Withholding of EAGGF funds
Subject: Common agricultural policy Is the Commission prepared to withhold EAGGF funds Under Article 19 of Community Regulation (EEC) from Member States which are shown to be abusing the No 797/85 (*), aid may be granted to farmers who rules or allowing them to be abused? No C 49/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Answer given by Mr Delors groups and that, without such a policy, it has no raison on behalf of the Commission d'etre? (11 July 1990) 5. Does the Commission intend to urge CEDEFOP to give priority to policies directed at the above target groups and to step up its efforts in this area? Under Article 5 and Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 O, Member States are financially responsible for incorrect application of Community provisions by their administrations and for losses as a result of fraud in the event that these are a result of negligence on the part of the national administration. These provisions are Answer given by Mrs Papandreou rigorously applied by the Commission on the occasion of on behalf of the Commission the 'clearance of accounts' of the EAGGF Guarantee (2 October 1990) Section or, if appropriate, in the context of payments of EAGGF advances.
CEDEFOP's work programme is drawn up by its O OJNoL94,28.4. 1970, p. 13. Management Board each year pursuant to Article 8 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 establishing the Centre. The Management Board adopts the annual work programme in agreement with the Commission. The programme takes into account the priority needs indicated by the Community institutions.
1. Yes. The Commission has devised special programmes WRITTEN QUESTION No 1375/90 for these target groups: the Iris programme to promote equal opportunities, the Helios programme by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers, Mr Wim van Velzen and for disabled people and the Petra programme for Mrs Christine Crawley (S) initial vocational training for young people. Through to the Commission of the European Communities the Social Fund and the special programmes the (11 June 1990) Commission devotes particular attention to these target groups and the vocational training problems (91/C 49/29) which affect them.
2. Yes. Pending the establishment of the European Subject: CEDEFOP Foundation for Training, it was important that the knowledge and information about educational and The CEDEFOP programme of work for 1990 states that training systems in Central and Eastern Europe in view of developments in the Member States and in the gathered by CEDEFOP should be put to work. In Commission, the Centre is obliged to reassess a number future, however, it will be up to the European of projects and reallocate the available funds accordingly. Foundation for Training to provide the Central and As a result, the Centre has decided to wind up a number of Eastern European countries with the support they (sub)projects directed at particular target groups (women, require in relation to vocational training. migrants, the disabled and mentally handicapped young people) by the end of the year. The Centre will, however, 3. The Commission does not think that there has been intensify its activities in respect of countries in Central any kind of shift in CEDEFOP's activities away from and Eastern Europe. the area of training for the target groups towards the area of Central and Eastern Europe. 1. Does the Commission agree that the above target groups constitute an important area of social policy in 4 and 5. The Commission considers that it is the the European Communities and must therefore be responsibility of CEDEFOP's Management Board, on included in vocational training measures? which it is represented, to determine the priorities for CEDEFOP's work programme in the light of 2. Does the Commission agree that measures concerning developments and requirements in the field of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe should be vocational training, with due regard for the the responsibility of the European Foundation for constraints on CEDEFOP in terms of financial and Vocational Training and not CEDEFOP? human resources. The question of the target groups, in particular, should be looked at on the basis of 3. Does the Commission agree that it is improper for „ results so far, taking into account the Commission's CEDEFOP to end support for the above target groups own programme, which gives priority to the target in favour of activities in Central and Eastern Europe? groups in question.
4. Does the Commission agree that it is vital for the Centre to pursue a policy aimed at the above target 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/17
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1392/90 for aid. Therefore it is not desirable to waive the by Mrs Marie Jepsen (ED) requirement for an original certificate to be produced in order to obtain aid. to the Commission of the European Communities (13 June 1990) (91/C 49/30)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1402/90 Subject: Possible exemption from the provision contained in Article 8 (4) of Commission Regulation (EEC) by Miss Christine Oddy (S) No 3540/85 concerning the loss of certificates in to the Commission of the European Communities postal transmission (13 June 1990) (91/C 49/31) Under Article 8 (4) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3540/85 (') of 5 December 1985, no replacements may be issued for certificates in respect of peas, field Subject: Equal retirement ages beans and sweet lupins that are lost, except in the case of What plans do the Commission have to introduce certificates lost in postal transmission from the issuing legislation which will ensure men and women are not body to the first buyer after having been sent by recorded discriminated against in retirement age? delivery.
In practice, however, a number of cases have arisen in Answer given by Mrs Papandreou which the above procedure cannot be applied, since the on behalf of the Commission seller of such crops is seldom able to identify the actual purchaser (user) but only the first buyer, usually a (10 July 1990) business undertaking which mainly acts as an intermediary in sales to further users. For the same reason There have already been two Directives on equal the necessary certificates are usually sent to the actual treatment for women and men in matters of social purchaser (user) by recorded delivery either by (a) the security. The first Directive, 79/7/EEC (') of 19 seller or (b) the first buyer (business undertaking). December 1978, concerns only the statutory social Certificates lost in postal transmission between the seller security schemes and its scope does not cover the and the first buyer or between the first buyer and the retirement age (Article 7 (1)). actual purchaser cannot be replaced, which results in a totally unacceptable loss for the seller (producer). Will the The second Directive, 86/378/EEC (2) of 24 July 1986, Commission therefore ensure that lost certificates can be concerns (supplementary) occupational social security replaced under all circumstances, provided that they were schemes; it likewise excludes the retirement age from its sent by recorded delivery?. scope (Article 9).
However, it would be useful to distinguish between three O OJ No L 342, 19. 12. 1985, p. 1. concepts: 1. retirement age 2. age limit Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry 3. the age at which legal protection against dismissal is on behalf of the Commission lost or reduced. (20 July 1990) 'Retirement age' is understood to mean the minimum age at which a person can claim a pension. 'Age limit' is The question of whether the Community legislation understood to mean the age at which a person is obliged concerning the replacement of Minimum Price to give up his job. Certificates could be amended has been reviewed on several occasions. The importance of this distinction was highlighted by Cases 151/84 Roberts C), 152/84 Marshall {*) and 262/84 Beets-PropperC), on which the Court handed down its Under current legislation, the certificate of purchase at rulings on 26 February 1986. The upshot is that the fact the minimum price is only issued after it has been that Community law admits that men may not apply for a ascertained inter alia that the products concerned are of pension at the same age as women in some Member States Community origin. That forms an essential element of does not mean that women lose their protection against proof in the system of controlling entitlement to aid, since dismissal in those Member States at the (lower) retirement it enables the improper payment of aid on peas or beans age laid down for women. originating in third countries to be avoided. On 23 October 1987, the Commission put forward a A 'lost' certificate, whose destruction could not be proposal for a Directive (6) completing the proven, could be used as the basis for a fraudulent claim implementation of the principle of equal treatment for No C 49/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91 men and women in the field of social security, which also How can the outbreak be contained and what covers retirement age. compensation will be provided, particularly for the loss of valuable breeding stock? Two solutions are proposed (Article 9): How does the Commission intend to meet these new — either a flexible retirement age, demands in budgetary terms? — or the same age.
This proposal for a Directive is still pending, the Council not yet having reached agreement on its adoption. Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry on behalf of the Commission Moreover, in a ruling handed down on 17 May 1990, in (17 September 1990) Case 262/88 Barber, the Court confirmed that the payments made under an occupational scheme constitute remuneration within the meaning of Article 119 of the Treaty and that there should therefore be no difference in The Commission intends to play a full part in helping treatment between men and women as regards the age at control any future outbreak of foot and mouth disease, as which an occupational pension is paid. it has done in the past. This will be done in cooperation with the Member State, whose function it is to carry out the actual control measures. The Commission's objectives It should be stressed that the ruling of 17 May 1990 (Case will continue to be: 262/88 Barber) applies only to wage-earners, since Article 119 of the Treaty concerns only such persons. As (a) to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible; to what is to become of the provisions of Directive 86/378/EEC, now invalidated to some extent by the Court's ruling of 17 May 1990 (Barber), the Commission (b) to prevent the spread to other parts of the has already begun consultations within the various Community. departments concerned on the approach which should be adopted. Hence the Commission will act in two ways. Firstly, it will provide all necessary technical assistance and, secondly, it a) OJN0L6, 10. 1. 1979, p. 24. will study the measures taken by the Member States to ;2) OJ No L 225, 12. 8. 1986, p. 40. ensure conformity with Community law, advising on ;5) ECR1986,p. 703. additional measures if necessary. ;4) ECR1986,p. 723. ;5) ECR1986,p. 773. ;6) COM(87) 494 final. Since 1987 there have been Community rules for control reflecting differences between the needs of vaccinating and non-vaccinating countries. These differences will go, of course, when the non-vaccination policy is adopted throughout the Community, leaving only the rules for the non-vaccination situation, which have been proven over the years in those countries which have never vaccinated. These rules must be applied by the Member States in WRITTEN QUESTION No 1421/90 question. by Mr Reimer Boge, Mr Honor Funk, Mr Reinhold Booklet and Mrs Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert (PPE) Community financial aid will be available, as before, for to the Commission of the European Communities the costs of slaughter and compensation for farmers (13 June 1990) directly affected. Since this is given on the basis of a (91/C 49/32) percentage of the Member States costs, this automatically allows for full indemnification for high-value herds. Initially 60 °/o is available, but this may be increased if the Subject: Compensation for swine fever situation warrants such action.
Following an outbreak of swine fever in Belgium 500 000 This action is not seen as a new requirement. Provisions breeding and fattening pigs, including piglets are to be for these measures have always been present. However, slaughtered and destroyed. additional support will be available to Member States through the creation of a Community epidemiological In addition, the Belgian Government has ordered that all unit and through the budgetary proposals recently pigs within a radius of one kilometre from the infected adopted by the Council. The Commission will also carry stock must be destroyed. out a study of the veterinary services of each Member State and provide any necessary support. What specific measures does the Commission intend to take if outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occur in cattle after vaccinations are discontinued? 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/19
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1427/90 Ministry of Transport and Communications to construct by Mr Henry McCubbin (S) a polycarbonate factory on the industrial estate at Delfzijl. The environmental movement has objected to the Commission of the European Communities strongly to this factory as the production of (13 June 1990) polycarbonate releases extremely toxic dichloromethane, (91/C 49/33) a substance which may not be discharged under Community law (black listed). Subject: Technical standards in the cinema 1. Does the Commission share the view that the expected With the completion of the single market in 1992 in mind annual discharge of 200 kg of potentially carcinogenic and the need to harmonize standards, does the dichloromethane into the Waddenzee from this Commission have any plans to harmonize the standards Xantar plant is an unacceptable pollution of this regarding the quality of sound and picture presented to unique natural area? the customer in the cinema? 2. Is it prepared to instruct the Dutch government, the May I draw your attention to the fact that in France province of Groningen and the commune of Delfzijl standards are set under the French standards code NFS to comply with Directive 76/464/EEC ('), as regards 27001 and NFS 27002. the discharge of dangerous substances such as dichloromethane, when granting building and discharge permits to this polycarbonate factory?
Answer given by Mr Bangemann 3. Does the Commission consider that it is possible in on behalf of the Commission this and similar cases to prevent 'ecological dumping', (18 September 1990) i.e. to prevent undertakings moving to countries, in this case Belgium, which have less stringent The Commission has already given several environmental requirements? If not, does the standardization mandates to the European Commission intend to create legislation to make it standardization bodies CEN, CENELEC and ETSI as possible? part of its technical harmonization policy. However, these mandates are given only in very specific circumstances. O OJNoLl29, 18.5. 1976, p. 23.
The sectors involved are mainly those defined in the 'New approach' Directives, most of which derive from the White Paper. Requests for standards are confined to such aspects as safety, public health, environment and consumer protection. Support is also planned for Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana standardization in certain other cases relating to advanced on behalf of the Commission technology, information technology or the opening-up of (5 September 1990) public contracts.
Otherwise, it is the national standardization bodies or the Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain relevant European associations which make requests; the dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic Commission does not intervene. Thus if market forces environment of the Community provides for the justify it, standards regarding the quality of sound and elimination or reduction of pollution of inland, coastal picture in the cinema, similar to standards NFS 27001 and and territorial waters by dangerous substances. NFS 27002, could be drawn up at the initiative of the abovementioned bodies. Article 3 of the Directive requires that all discharges of substances belonging to the families and groups of substances in List I (blacklist) are liable to prior authorization by the competent authority of the Member State concerned. The authorization shall lay down WRITTEN QUESTION No 1451/90 emission standards with regard to such discharges. by Mr Herman Verbeek (V) to the Commission of the European Communities Article 6 of the Directive states that the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, shall lay down the limit (13 June 1990) values which the emission standards must not exceed for (91/C 49/34) the List I substances. For the time being, such emission standards have been laid down for 17 substances and a Subject: Construction of a polycarbonate factory at proposal is being prepared for a further 16. For Delfzijl dichloromethane, however, no emission standards have as yet been decided or proposed. This implies that The Xantar company has obtained permission from the dichloromethane must be considered as belonging to provincial authorities in Groningen and from the List II of 76/464/EEC, defined in List II as 'substances No C 49/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
belonging to the families and groups of substances in cooperation with the Italian Government as part of the List I for which the limit values referred to in Article 6 of Helios programme, experimental projects in the field of the Directive have not been determined'. cooperation between disabled children's parents and teachers will be on the agenda. For List II substances, including for the time being also dichloromethane, the Member States — amongst them (') OJ No L 104, 23.4. 1988, p. 38. the Dutch authorities — were requested to implement Article 7 of Directive 76/464/EEC and to adopt the programme in order to control pollution and to fix quality objectives and to send both to the Commission. Since the Commission has not received this information from the Dutch authorities, it has decided to take legal action. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1524/90 As far as the 'ecological dumping' is concerned, it may be by Mr Elio di Rupo (S) recalled that the EC Directives, in this specific case to the Commission of the European Communities Directive 76/464/EEC, are applicable in all Member (21 June 1990) States to the same extent and that the monitoring of the compliance with existing Directives by Member States is (91/C 49/36) one of the important tasks of the Commission. Subject: Preventive measures against occupational accidents in agriculture
The annual number of fatal accidents among agricultural workers in the Community is estimated at 5 000. To this WRITTEN QUESTION No 1465/90 should be added some 140 000 serious accidents and 2 million accidents requiring time off work. by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission of the European Communities 1. Can the Commission indicate the situation in this (13 June 1990) sector in 1989? (91/C 49/35) 2. What measures does it intend to take in 1990 to increase the safety of agricultural workers in a significant and lasting manner? Subject: Education for chronically ill children 3. What financial and/or fiscal means and incentives Is there a directive for chronically ill children and their does it have at its disposal to achieve this objective and families designed to help them learn the best way of encourage accident prevention? handling the disease in accordance with their level of ability and awareness, so that the need to tackle the disease itself does not result in hyper-protection? If not, does the Commission intend to propose such a directive? Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1990) Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission Only some Community countries have sufficiently (12 September 1990) detailed statistics on accidents in agriculture. In the period 1979-86, on the basis of these statistics, it is estimated that there were between 3 000 and 5 000 fatal accidents per There is no directive on the training of chronically ill year in all 12 Member States. The Commission provided children and their families in the area to which the detailed figures in its reply to Written Question Honourable Member refers. The Commission is not l No 558/89 by Mr Maher ( ). preparing any special action in this field at this stage. At the moment action by the Community and the Member 1. In the Member States for which data are available States involves initiatives aimed at integrating disabled there is a downward trend in the number of fatal children into the ordinary educational system (see the accidents but an increase in other serious accidents. conclusions and resolutions of the Council and the This, however, is not necessarily the situation in the ministers responsible for education meeting within the other Member States. Council of 14 May 1987 and 31 May 1990, and, in particular, the Council Decision of 18 April 1988 2. Member States generally have difficulty in taking establishing a second Community action programme for action to improve safety, because most of the disabled people (Helios)) ('). regulations are directed at employers and agricultural workers and not at self-employed farmers, though the At a European conference in Cagliari on 25 and 26 latter account for almost 80% of the total workforce October 1990 which the Commission is organizing in in agriculture. 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/21
At Community level, there are a number of directives environment and in particular Article 13 thereof, a covering safety in agriculture, and the Commission is general request for information was sent to the Spanish considering whether there is a need for other authorities. The data they have provided does not, measures. however, appear to be sufficient.
3. The Commission has undertaken action in the They have supplied only a few details on mercury Member States to increase agricultural workers' discharges, and these are incomplete. The ELNOSA plant awareness of and training in accident prevention. is mentioned, but there is no reference to an authorization to discharge. The additional information promised has (') OJNoC 125,21.5. 1990, p. 3. not yet reached the Commission.
The Commission has not received any information on the ENCE factory.
In view of the above, the Commission will send the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1545/90 Spanish authorities another request for additional by Mr Juan Bandres Molet (V) information. to the Commission of the European Communities (27 June 1990) (91/C 49/37)
Subject: Pollution of the Ria de Pontevedra by industrial activities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1550/90 by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) The Ria de Pontevedra in the Autonomous Community of Galicia in Spain is suffering severe ecological damage. to the Commission of the European Communities The Lourizan industrial complex, particularly the plants (27 June 1990) of the ENCE (manufacture of kraft paper) and ELNOSA (91/C 49/38) (manufacture of chlorine and soda) is a focus for activities which are highly polluting both for the aquatic environment (discharges with high mercury, lead and Subject: Aid to the European Institute in Washington cadmium content) and the atmosphere (fumes, odours) which disturb the environmental balance and have adverse In June 1988 President Delors opened the European effects on fauna and the shellfish industry, while also Institute set up in Washington with contributions from jeopardizing the quality of life and threatening the health US and European private companies and with the aim of of citizens. encouraging greater awareness on the part of the general public and non-governmental decision-makers in the Does the Commission know whether the discharges into United States concerning the Community, its problems the aquatic environment by various firms located in the and its development, without interfering, however, with Ria de Pontevedra comply with Community rules on this the task of the Commission delegation in the US federal matter and in particular with Council Directive capital. The Institute enjoys academic and diplomatic 76/464/EEC (') on pollution caused by certain dangerous •backing from various sources and is under the substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the management of Mrs Jacqueline Grapin, journalist and Community? author (notably of 'Pacific America, la derive du continent americain, nouvelle donne internationale', Does the Commission have details of the type and Plon, 1988), merits both moral and financial support from quantity of the substances discharged into the Ria de Europe, in particular from the Commission and the Pontevedra? governments of the Member States.
(') OJNoL129, 18.5. 1976, p. 23. Will the Commission give details of the amounts given to the Institute from its own funds and from other European public sources of funding, together with details of the present situation of this non-profit-making organization? Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1990) Answer given by Mr Andriessen The Commission has very little information on the on behalf of the Commission situation in the Ria de Pontevedra and the plants in the (18 October 1990) Lourizan complex which are polluting it.
In pursuance of Directive 76/464/EEC (') on the The Commission has made financial contributions of discharge of dangerous substances into the aquatic nearly $US 80 000 to the European Institute since its No C 49/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91 establishment. These include grants for the organization for any projects which might harm the marine turtle of a series of information meetings on European until the current gap in legislation is filled? integration, study grants and a grant for a seminar on 'The Emergence of the European Economic Space'. 4. Does the Commission intend to put pressure on the Greek Government to offset any negative effects on The institute has received individual grants from several the marine turtle? Member States. However, the Commission does not have details of such funding. It is Institute policy to maintain a O OJ No L 38, 10. 2. 1982, p. 1. balance between public and private funding and between European and American participation.
Concerning the present situation of the European Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana Institute, officials from the Commission regularly on behalf of the Commission participate in programmes organized by the Institute. The Institute provides an independent non-partisan forum in (30 November 1990) Washington and New York for dialogue, research and information exchange on European economic and political developments and EC/US relations. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 423/89 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (').
According to the information forwarded to the Commission by the Greek authorities:
(a) A new ministerial order has been adopted extending WRITTEN QUESTION No 1562/90 ministerial order 18.670/777 on measures to protect by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) the marine turtle Caretta caretta, which breeds in to the Commission of the European Communities Laganas bay. This is in the process of being published. (27 June 1990) (91/C 49/39) (b) A presidential decree has been adopted (OJ 347/D/5.7.90) which classifies the whole of Laganas beach as a protected area. Subject: Protection of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) (c) As regards the IMP programme, the Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with the Zakynthos On 10 March 1988 the Greek Government issued authorities, is preparing the cadastre and determining Ministerial Decision No 18670/777, valid for two years, the sea/land demarcation line in the Dafni and on measures to protect the loggerhead turtle (Caretta Scania areas with a view to purchasing the land caretta) which breeds in Laganas Bay on the Greek island required. They are also commissioning a study on the of Zakynthos. management of Laganas bay.
Having regard to Council Decision 82/72/EEC (x) (Berne O OJNoC 171,12.7. 1990. Convention), the December 1986 declaration on Zakynthos by the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention, the proposal for a Council directive on protection of the natural habitat and wild fauna and flora, the European Parliament's resolution (Doc. A2-152/88) on the protection of marine turtles and the expiry of the abovementioned ministerial decision, which means that WRITTEN QUESTION No 1574/90 there is no legal protection for Laganas Bay, the most important turtle breeding-ground since the greatest by Mr Brian Simpson (S) number of eggs are laid there, can the Commission answer to the Commission of the European Communities the following: (27 June 1990)
1. What measures have been taken to date to implement (91/C 49/40) the European Parliament's resolution?
2. What action has been taken on the IMP programme to Subject: Distribution of beer set up an 'ecotourism' centre on Zakynthos, with a budget of approximately Dr 300 million? What progress has the Commission inquiry on beer distribution made, and would the Commissioner be 3. Does the Commission intend to ask the local and willing to meet with the British trade unions to discuss the national authorities in Greece to suspend permission situation as it appertains to the United Kingdom? 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/23
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan fighting, illegal and to ensure humane treatment of on behalf of the Commission animals at breeders' premises and in petshops. (24 September 1990) Is the Commission prepared to take action to encourage the Spanish authorities to introduce much needed reform On 13 June 1990 the Commission announced the results with regard to the cruel treatment of animals in Spain and of the EEC Beer Review. Spanish territories?
The principal conclusions were as follows:
— no general change is required to the Community rules which govern the tying arrangements between Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana brewers and their outlets. These rules are set out in a on behalf of the Commission block exemption regulation adopted by the (20 July 1990) Commission in 1983 (Regulation (EEC) No 1984/83), which expires in 1997. However; As stated in the Fourth Environment Action Programme, — the Commission will evaluate whether further the Commission is very concerned with the welfare of measures are needed to take account of the United animals within the European Community and has already Kingdom market when newly introduced national introduced legislation in those areas where it has the measures have had time to take effect; currently 62 % competence to do so, in particular animal experimentation of all British beer sales pass through the tied-house and farm animal welfare. system; However, in view of Article 130R of the EEC Treaty, it — the Community rules concerning exclusive also believes that certain practices such as cock and dog purchasing arrangements should not apply to small fighting are best regulated at the level of the Member breweries; such agreements should be covered by States concerned. national law;
— licensing agreements between major brewers will be It is nevertheless able to fund information/education examined by the Commission to see whether they are campaigns on animal welfare under budget line 668 in being used as vehicles for market sharing or control order to create a better awareness and understanding of of imports. the problems within the European Community. One such project was undertaken in Cataluna in 1988 and 1989 by the 'Federacion Espanola de Sociedades Protectoras de The Commission is always willing, during the course of Animales y Plantas' and it was therefore of great interest its investigations, to receive representations from to note that the Catalan government recently introduced interested parties. legislation on the protection of animals.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1582/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1613/90 by Mr Madron Seligman (ED) by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (27 June 1990) (2 July 1990) (91/C 49/41) (91/C 49/42)
Subject: Cruelty to animals in Tenerife Subject: Community measures to promote minority languages and cultures I am informed that a member of the Canaries Parliament had proposed a law forbidding cock-fighting and cruelty Since the end of the First World War, the Community to animals in general. However, there was strong local Member States have offered a home to numerous political opposition to the proposed reform, and he has since and economic immigrants. resigned. A fair proposition of these immigrants, who arrived as My correspondent urges the need for legislation in Spain foreigners in the states which now make up the European to make cruelty to animals, including cock and dog Community, have put down roots in their host countries No C 49/24 Official Journal of th< European Communities 25. 2. 91 and have become citizens in every sense of the word. by the Community made it impossible to reach agreement, However, they have remained attached to their culture, particularly in the case of the poorest sectors of the Third traditions, and languages, thus enriching the Community World which were unable to meet certain conditions. To with their own distinctive genius. what extent does the Commission view this criticism as justified or, alternatively unfounded? Could the Commission make a contribution, under Article 636/B of the budget, to help the associations that are endeavouring to keep alive their mother tongue by organizing appropriate classes for later-generation immigrants? Among the possible beneficiaries might be Answer given by Mr Marin the descendants of immigrants from the old Russian, on behalf of the Commission Ottoman, or Austro-Hungarian empires, as well as more (10 October 1990) recent immigrants from Africa or Asia.
The Commission assumes that the question refers to the comments made by the representative of a large Irish Answer given by Mrs Papandreou NGO who deplored the fact that the conditions for on behalf of the Commission cofinancing operations carried out by the development NGOs under budget heading 9410 (formerly Article 941) (18 September 1990) require, among other things that the cofinanced operation is viable, in other words that it is planned and realized in such a way that it can be maintained and if possible The objective of budget line B-636, created by the developed by the recipients once financial and technical European Parliament in 1982, is the safeguard and assistance from the European NGO have ended. This promotion of the less widely used languages and cultures, condition would exclude NGO operations on behalf of in the different regions of the European Community. This the most disadvantaged groups. concerns indigenous communities within the Member States rather than the linguistic and cultural needs associated with immigration. The Commission would like to recall that the financing instrument under heading 9410 was set up 15 years ago to help the NGOs in Europe to increase their basic In the case of the latter, the relevant reference should be development operations on behalf of disadvantaged the commitment of the Member States with respect to the groups in the Third World. The Commission sets out via education of migrant workers' children, where Council this instrument and together with the NGOs to reach Directive 486/77/EEC (*) provides for measures to be those social groups which in most cases do not benefit taken in respect of children of Community migrants, and adequately from official inter-governmental cooperation. for which the Member States undertook to extend the Since the outset the NGOs and the Community agreed same measures to children of all migrant workers in the that heading 9410 should be reserved for operations Community. In this context, Member States promote the concerned with the autodevelopment of the recipient teaching of the mother tongue and culture of migrant populations, i.e. projects of a durable nature, which allow children, and support has been given by the Community the recipients to profit from them and develop them by to pilot projects in this field. their own means without permanent outside assistance.
O OJNoLl99,6. 8. 1977, p. 32. This concept excludes purely charitable operations which involve the simple takeover of the recurrent costs of social institutions, schools and hospitals for example, or the subsistence costs of those without homes or income. In some circumstances for this kind of operation the Community offers the NGOs priority assistance and food aid to back up the NGOs' recourse to the solidarity of WRITTEN QUESTION No 1661/90 their members and of the public via public collections. by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S) to the Commission of the European Communities As regards the funds available under heading 9410 the Commission does not consider that they should be used to (4 July 1990) finance these operations so that they do not prejudice the (91/C 49/43) cofinancing of small scale autodevelopment operations realized by the NGOs. Since the outset this programme has produced very favourable results for recipients. The Subject: Excessive demands placed on NGOs development NGOs in the Community, speaking via their representative institutions, generally share this view. At the meeting of the Committee on Development and Cooperation held recently in Dublin, some NGOs voiced the criticism that in some cases, the stipulations imposed 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/25
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1703/90 effluent discharged into the Rhine by the Stracel by Mr Hugh McMahon (S) Company is 'unquestionably . . . toxic' and 'the receiving ecosystem is thus highly disturbed' (paragraph 5), but the to the Commission of the European Communities 'reversibility of this disturbance and its long-term effects (5 July 1990) has not yet been resolved'. What 'disturbances' of animal (91/C 49/44) and plant life in the Rhine are known to have been caused by effluent from the Stracel Company? In view of these 'disturbances', does the Commission consider the limit Subject: Execution of the budget — Chapter 6, budget values laid down in the relevant directive are appropriate? line 600 Does the Commission think that regulation and action in the case of such disruptions to the ecosystem become necessary only when the questions of reversibility and the Can the Commission inform the House why it is that on long-term consequences have been settled? 31 March 1990 the information on Commission document — SEC 90 596 — XIX hi — indicates no spending whatsoever against this budget line, involving 2. The Commission also said that it thought there were both the carryovers from 1989 and the credits voted by no grounds-for restrictions, seeing that Stracel performs a Parliament in December 1989? What explanation can the large number of daily analyses on its waste water. Do the Commission give to the budgetary authority for this, and French authorities not carry out their own measurements what action will the Commission take to expedite matters? of the discharges or test the data provided by the company? Does the Commission think that a Member State is satisfactorily carrying out its duties in keeping water clean, in accordance with the directive, if it leaves supervision of discharges to the party responsible? Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber on behalf of the Commission 3. The Rhine is also used as a reservoir for drinking (18 September 1990) water. In the light of Directive 75/440/EEC (2), to what extent is the Rhine's suitability as a source of drinking water compromised by Stracel's discharges? What At 31 March 1990 the Commission had already made a additional purification processes are required to make the number of commitment decisions involving carryovers, Rhine a suitable source of drinking water despite Stracel's but they had not been recorded in the accounts at the discharges of, for instance, chlorinated hydrocarbons and date. dioxin, phenol and furan compounds?
Since 1990 is the first year the new rules for administering l ( ) OJNoC93, 11.4. 1990, p. 16. the ESF have been in operation, no ESF commitments O OJ No L 194,25.7. 1975, p. 34. could be made until the Community support frameworks and the corresponding operational programmes had been adopted. The appropriations will be used later in the year and a report will be made to Parliament and the Council.
The new computerized accounting system (SINCOM) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1712/90 could not be used to record ESF commitments until May. by Mr Wilfried Telkamper (V) These technical teething problems have now been solved. to the Commission of the European Communities (5 July 1990) (91/C 49/46)
Subject: Pollution of the Rhine by the Stracel Company WRITTEN QUESTION No 1711/90 by Mr Wilfried Telkamper (V) With reference to my question No 519/89 (x) and the to the Commission of the European Communities Commission's supplementary answer of 7 February 1990, I should like an answer to the following questions. Under [5 July 1990) Directive 76/464/EEC (2) on the discharge of dangerous (91/C 49/45) substances, the Member States are obliged to take appropriate measures to end or reduce water pollution.
Subject: Monitoring of discharges into the Rhine by the 1. Have the French authorities given 'Cellulose de Stracel Company Strasbourg' (Stracel) the authorizations required under Articles 3 and 7 of the directive to discharge 1. In its supplementary answer of 7 February 1990 to chlorinated hydrocarbons into the Rhine? If so, when, my Question No 519/89 ('), the Commission stated that on what legal basis and on what conditions (e.g. limit No C 49/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
values under Article 6(1) and time limits under ecological disaster along the south-east coast of the Article 6 (4) in conjunction with Article 3 (3) and Pelopponese, what measures will the Commission take to Article 7 (5))? grant immediate financial aid to combat and contain the slick and provide the local authorities with the necessary 2. Have the relevant French authorities drawn up a facilities to construct a floating barrier and clean the programme or programmes on reducing water water by using special vessels to spray the oil with pollution in the Rhine, as required under Article 7 (1)? detergent? If so, have the programmes and the results of their implementation been communicated to the Commission under Article 7 (6)?
3. Is the Commission prepared to make use, if necessary, of its rights under Article 13 to be informed and to Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana make the information obtained available to the on behalf of the Commission European Parliament? (12 November 1990)
4. In its supplementary answer of 7 February 1990, the Commission stated (paragraph 4) that 'because of The oil spill mentioned by the Honourable Member problems of analysis, the identification of individual originated from an operational discharge which is compounds is incomplete at present and covers only a regulated by the MARPOL Convention and for this kind small percentage of organic chlorine compounds of pollution the governments concerned should ensure found in discharges'. Is it true that although a wide compliance with the rules established in the range of priority substances, such as phenol, dioxin aforementioned Convention. In accordance with the and furan compounds is being discharged into the information received from the Greek authorities in charge Rhine, in addition to the discharges reported in 1987, of fighting the pollution, the clean-up has finished, the it is only because of 'problems of analysis' that polluter has been identified as the Norwegian tanker information on this is not available from the Stracel 'Happy Leader', the master has been taken to court which Company? requested a guaranty of Dr 1 000 000. In addition, the ship has been detained until the owner has deposited Dr O OJNoC93, 11.4. 1990, p. 16. 150 million to guarantee the settlement of pollution costs (2) OJNoLl29, 18.5. 1976, p. 23. and claims.
The Commission has foreseen the possibility of giving financial support in the framework of the ENVIREG Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1711/90 and programme through which the concerned regional 1712/90 given by Mr Ripa di Meana authorities can obtain adequate equipment to minimize on behalf of the Commission the effects of the accidental discharge of pollutants into (18 October 1990) the sea.
In order to be able to answer the Honourable Member's In addition, at the request of the authorities concerned, questions satisfactorily, the Commission has requested the EEC Task Force services can provide every possible details from the authorities involved through the French assistance and coordination to help them in the Permanent Representative's Office (7 August 1990). anti-pollution operations.
As soon as it receives t,he information requested, the Commission will provide a more detailed answer.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1755/90 by Mr Stephen Hughes (S) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1716/90 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Dimitrios Nianias (RDE) (12 July 1990) to the Commission of the European Communities (91/C 49/48) (5 July 1990) (9X/CA9/A7) Subject: EIB and ECSC loan assistance Subject: Oil slick at Cape Malia Can the Commission provide figures for the amounts of In view of the enormous oil slick, 12 miles long and 40 EIB and ECSC loans granted to Northern England in metres wide, which threatens to produce a serious each of the last four years ? 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/27
Answer given by Mr Christophersen To what extent is this achieved by the Social Action on behalf of the Commission Programme?
(28 September 1990)
EIB loans Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission European Investment Bank loans, including allocations from global loans, to the northern region of England for (17 September 1990) the four years 1986—1989 are as follows: The Community Charter of the Fundamental Social ECU GBP Year Rights of Workers is a formal declaration setting out a million million broad framework for giving the internal market a social dimension. Depending on circumstances, social rights will 1986 340,13 215,92 be implemented by Member States, by regional or local 1987 194,55 139,73 authorities or by the two sides of industry, together with 1988 293,19 193,30 the European Community. 1989 8,07 5,20 When the Commission drew up its programme of action to implement the Charter it took account of the principle Total 835,94 554,15 of subsidiarity; consequently, the proposals in the action 1990 (end June) 35,60 26,16 programme by no means exhaust all the Charter's possibilities.
Included in the above is finance from New Community The action programme consists of a review of practical Instrument resources, as allocations from global loans, measures the Commission considers are necessary to give totalling ECU 0,41 million in 1986 and ECU 0,88 million effect to the Charter's most important principles, and in 1990. includes a number of measures on employment policy and combating unemployment. ECSC loans Implementation of the social rights recognized by the ECSC loans under Article 56 of the Treaty for 1986 to Charter will call for appropriate initiatives on the part of 1989 to the northern region of England are as follows: Member States and the two sides of industry, in addition to what is proposed by the Commission in its programme ECU GBP Year of action. million million
1986 3,12 2,10 1987 11,68 8,18 1988 41,13 27,28 1989 14,80 10,11 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1777/90 by Mr Dimitrios Nianias (RDE) Total 70,73 47,67 to the Commission of the European Communities (12 July 1990) It should be pointed out that as the disbursement of some sub-loans is notified to the ECSC some time after the (91/C 49/50) disbursement has taken place, the 1989 figures may be subject to upward revision. Subject: Unequal treatment of official Community languages
During most of the meetings held at the Council, the Commission and the ESC, no Greek interpretation facilities are available — the same often applies to WRITTEN QUESTION No 1768/90 Portuguese and Danish — with the result that the by Lord O'Hagan representatives of these countries are disadvantaged vis-a-vis their counterparts. Could this serious to the Commission of the European Communities shortcoming be the result of a deliberate attempt by the (12 July 1990) Commission to downgrade and phase out certain official (91/C49/49) languages of the European Community? What measures will the Commission take to remedy this unacceptable Subject: Minimum social rights situation? Would it not be expedient to recruit immediately interpreters capable of translating from and It is asserted that minimum social rights in every into all the official languages of the European European Community country will be brought about by Community and to ensure that such interpretation is the Social Charter. available for all meetings? No C 49/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Answer given by Mr Delors 6. the Commission's decision on Greece's regional on behalf of the Commission development plan was adopted? (22 November 1990) 7. the above decision was published?
Full interpreting services are provided at ministerial-level meetings of the Council and at plenary sessions of the Economic and Social Committee. At some of the meetings held in the various institutions (and there are 50 meetings Answer given by Mr Millan per day) the situation described by the Honourable on behalf of the Commission Member does obtain — because of a shortage of qualified (25 October 1990) conference interpreters.
Although the Commission is under no obligation to 1. The deadline of 31 March 1989 for submission to provide training instead of the national authorities, it is the Commission of regional development plans for the constantly at pains to seek out, recruit and train objective 1 regions is laid down in Regulation (EEC) interpreters. And the Joint Interpreting and Conference No 4253/88. Service itself operates a permanent programme for training young university graduates (in law, economics, 2. Greece submitted its regional development plan science or other disciplines) as interpreters. under Objective 1 on 31 March 1989.
As regards interpreting facilities for Greek in particular, 3. The Commission does not intend to publish this the Honourable Member is referred to the answers which plan. the Commission gave to Questions Nos H-689/90 (') and 801/90 O from Mr Hadjigeorgiou. 4. The Commission approved the Community support (') Debates of the European Parliament, OJ Annex 3-391 (June framework for Greece on 30 March 1990. 1990). 2 ( ) Debates of the European Parliament, OJ Annex 3-392 (July 5. The Commission Decision approving the CSF for 1990). Greece was published in all the languages in Official Journal No L 106 of 26 April 1990. The text of the CSF for Greece was published in Greek, French and English in mid-August 1990.
6 and 7. The structural Funds Regulations make no provisions for the approval of regional development WRITTEN QUESTION No 1801/90 plans. by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) to the Commission of the European Communities (13 July 1990) (91/C 49/51)
Subject: Regional development plan and Community WRITTEN QUESTION No 1803/90 support framework for Greece by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE) to the Commission of the European Communities Can the Commission give the exact dates on which: (13 July 1990) 1. the Member States were notified of the deadline of 31 (91/C 49/52) March 1989 for the submission of the regional development plans? Subject: The hunting of turtle doves 2. Greece submitted its regional development plan?
3. Greece's regional development plan was published? The Commission is undoubtedly aware of the problems in France regarding the ban on hunting turtle doves in 4. the Community support framework for Greece was Gironde in May. agreed? Would the Commission be prepared to tolerate the 5. the Community support framework for Greece was French Government's use of derogations such as those published (a) in Greek and (b) in the other provided for in Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 Community languages? April 1979 which would enable the hunters concerned 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/29
(who number several thousand) to continue to practise Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana what is generally considered to be a traditional sport? on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1990)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2042/90 The Commission is discussing ways of setting up a system for ecological labelling within the 'Eco-products' by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie (RDE) Working Party. The members of this working party are to the Commission of the European Communities national experts nominated by the Member States. (5 September 1990) (91/C 49/53) The Working Party has met three times, on 26 March 1990, 12 and 13 June 1990 and 20 July 1990.
Subject: Traditional forms of hunting
The application and interpretation of Community legislation on hunting does not always make it possible to maintain a balance between carrying on a traditional activity and respecting the environment and wildlife. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1812/90 by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) Can the Commission clarify the concept of traditional to the Commission of the European Communities forms of hunting? (20 July 1990) (91/C 49/55)
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1803/90 and Subject: Study of movements of migrant workers 2042/90 given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission Freedom of movement for workers in the Member States (15 November 1990) of the Community presupposes a serious study of movements of migrant workers covering both Community citizens and citizens of third countries. Such Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds a study could make a decisive contribution to the creation makes no mention of the concept of 'traditional forms of of the internal market. hunting'. What measures will the Commission take to set up an The Member States are responsible for taking all steps to institution to monitor movements of migrant workers in ensure that the bird species to which hunting regulations Europe? apply are not hunted during their return to their nesting grounds (Article 7 (4) of Directive 79/409/EEC).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1853/90 by Mr Niall Andrews (RDE) to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1808/90 (20 July 1990) by Mr Kenneth Collins (S) (91/C 49/56) to the Commission of the European Communities (13 July 1990) Subject: European Centre for the observation of intra-Community movements of people and (91/C 49/54) workers
Subject: Expert Working Group on Eco-labelling Whereas the unification of the internal market will increase the intra-Community mobility of people and In reply to Oral Question No H-129/90 by Mr workers, Cushnahan (') on eco-labelling, the Commission stated that 'preliminary discussions in an expert working group whereas it is necessary to follow and study these are ongoing'. movements in order to evaluate their economic, social and regional impact and orient and coordinate Community Will the Commission provide the names of the experts actions, constituting this working group and let me know on what basis they participate, i.e. whether in a personal capacity, whereas it is necessary to define and follow all possible as representatives of the Member States, etc.? sources of information in order to assist this process (e.g. national and local authorities, industry, trade unions, (') Verbatim report of proceedings, 16 May 1990. social security organizations, etc.) No C 49/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
What measures is the Commission ready to undertake to What specific measures does the Commission intend to establish a European Centre for the observation of take in order to achieve this objective? intra-Community movement of populations and workers?
Answer given by Mr Van Miert Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1812/90 and on behalf of the Commission 1853/90 given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (30 November 1990) (21 November 1990)
The Commission intends to promote the development of The Commission takes the view that the sources of consumer organizations in southern Europe and Ireland information already available on migration questions by providing them with financial means to that end, enable it to keep abreast of developments. within the limits of the budgetary resources available.
The Commission has at its disposal, for instance, the The Commission will also encourage the more established statistics based on Regulation (EEC) No 311/76 of 9 associations to give the new associations in southern February 1976 (*). Because of the heterogeneous nature of Europe the chance to benefit from their experience and the statistical sources of the Member States or their technical and financial resources. unreliability, Eurostat has undertaken a study which will make it possible to put forward proposals for improving the collection and comparability of data.
Furthermore, the Commission is also kept regularly informed by its own Committees and working parties of experts which deal with questions relating to migrant workers and their families and the systems for collecting information on migratory movements set up by various WRITTEN QUESTION No 1835/90 intergovernmental bodies. by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE) to the Commission of the European Communities The report Employment in Europe published annually by (20 July 1990) the Commission also contains chapters which refer to movements of manpower in the Community. (91/C 49/58)
O OJNoL39, 14.2. 1976. Subject: Conservation of the River Kravsidon
I should like to return to the issue of the covering of the River Kravsidon raised in a previous question No 1162/89 ('). Despite a storm of protest in Greece and Commissioner Ripa Di Meana's statement that the information given to the Commission by the Greek WRITTEN QUESTION No 1813/90 authorities was considered unsatisfactory and that, by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE) therefore, it was not possible for the project to go ahead, to the Commission of the European Communities work has in fact started on covering the Kravsidon. There were clashes between local residents and the police when (13 July 1990) the former protested against the felling of trees on the (91/C 49/57) bank and the bed of the river which acts as a natural air duct.
Subject: Development of consumer organizations in As the Commission itself stated in its reply that it was southern Europe taking the matter further, would it say (1) in what way it is doing so when the Greek authorities have gone ahead The Commission is currently launching a three-year with the project, ignoring the petition and the complaint programme of action as part of EC consumer policy by the people of Volos to the European Parliament and (1990-1992). The specific measures being promoted by the Commission as well as the Commissioner's reply to the Commission include measures to encourage the my previous question, (2) whether Community funds development of consumer organizations in southern have been used to finance the project and, if so, which Europe. department authorized this and what sum is involved, and 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/31
(3) what measures it intends to take in response to the The compensation paid to date by the Aragon's insurance violation of Framework Law No 1650/86 on the company is intended for the removal of the oil slick and protection of the environment and Directive the cleaning of the coastal areas affected. 85/337/EEC (2)? However, by all accounts, the payment of indemnities to If there are no saitsfactory answers to the above individuals, especially by way of compensation for the questions, then the competent Community authorities are fall-off in the tourist trade, will be a slow process. clearly guilty of negligence. If this proves to be the case, will the Commission say what action it intends to take Can the Commission take measures to ensure that against those responsible in order to avoid such a individual losses are made good within a reasonable deplorable state of affairs arising in the future? period of time, in economic terms, thereby ensuring that the 'polluter pays' principle is properly understood and (') OJNoC 139,7.6. 1990, p. 30. accepted by the public? (2) OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1990, p. 40.
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1990) (6 November 1990)
The Commission has questioned the Greek authorities on The Commission is not entitled to replace the existing a number of occasions about the project to build a road international compensation schemes for damage caused covering the Kravsindon. by accidental oil pollution of the sea. Portugal is party to the International Convention on Civil Liability (CLC) According to the information provided by the Greek and the Fund Convention establishing the International authorities the project involves the construction of a main Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, through which road to improve traffic conditions in the town of Volos. instruments the indemnities are proceeding, and in An impact study of this project was carried out and the principle they also cover the tourism sector and other local population gave its opinion, which was taken into claims. consideration by the Ministry of the Environment.
On the basis of the information at its disposal the Commission does not believe that there has been an infringement of Community law, and it will shortly be required to decide what further action should be taken in this matter. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1883/90 by Mr Ernest GHnne (S) If the Honourable Member were to have additional information indicating that Community directives have to the Commission of the European Communities not been observed, the Commission would be glad to (2 August 1990) receive it. (91/C 49/60)
Subject: Environment policy in East Germany and Central and Eastern Europe
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1845/90 The energy policy followed in Central and Eastern Europe is proving to be Pandora's box, containing the by Mr Virgilio Pereira (LDR) elements of veritable ecological disaster: 44% of East to the Commission of the European Communities German forests are seriously damaged; only 3 % of (20 July 1990) watercourses contain drinkable water; 10% of tap-water does not comply with minimum safety standards; (91/C 49/59) pollutant emissions from the GDR are four times higher than those from the FRG and the levels of sulphur dioxide Subject: Oil slick off the island of Porto Santo measured in the GDR are 30% greater than in Czechoslovakia, three times greater than those recorded An oil slick, which caused serious damage to the island of in Poland and eight times greater than in the FRG. Up to Porto Santo on 15 January 1990 as a result of the spillage 70% of the GDR's energy is supplied by thermal power of about 30 000 tonnes of crude oil from the Spanish stations fuelled by brown coal. The situation in Poland is supertanker, 'Aragon', has had severe economic almost identical. consequences for the inhabitants of the island and the disastrous effects are still being felt, particularly in the 1. What measures do the Commission and the tourist sector. specialized UN agencies (which should take action to No C 49/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
assess life expectancy in the worst affected regions, 1991-1993. It also provides for the development plan to be combat the spread of cancer and respiratory diseases submitted to the Commission before 31 January 1991. In and compile accurate statistics), together with the view of the acute nature of the environmental problems European Environment Agency, intend to take to help facing this part of Germany, the Commission would clean up the environment as a matter of urgency. welcome the inclusion of action in this field among the priorities of the plan and the Community Support 2. Together with the countries concerned, how do they Framework. Environmental protection measures tend in intend to encourage the participation of local any case to be a priority area of the CSFs. populations in clean-up programmes? 2. It is primarily for the authorities in the countries 3. Could a remodelled nuclear sector play a more concerned to encourage public participation in clean-up prominent role in this essential clean-up operation, programmes. despite the warnings already issued by Mr Conrad Von Moltke, the founder of the Institute for European Environmental Policy and Mr Alex Hittle, As democracy takes root, increasingly wide sectors of the the international Friends of the Earth coordinator in public are associated with decisions on the environment Washington? and other sectors. Full respect of democratic pluralism is a condition for assistance from the Community and from the G-24. 4. Given that obsession with increasing GNP has led to the ecological disaster inherited from the Stalinist era, how can economic and ecological considerations be 3. It is up to the authorities in the countries concerned reconciled now that priority is to be given to a market to decide whether to make use of nuclear energy. economy, taking account of the provisions of the proposal for a Council Decision on the Conclusion of the Articles of Agreement establishing a European As regards nuclear safety, assistance will be provided, Bank for Reconstruction and Development? where necessary, on the basis of the safety standards in force in Western Europe and in close cooperation with the IAEA, of which most Central and East European countries are members.
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana 4. GNP growth tended in the past to be taken simply as on behalf of the Commission an indication of economic progress, and failed to take account of the environmental costs. In order to remedy (13 November 1990) the situation, environmental resources must be taken into account in the overall assessment (Environmental Resource Accounting). Consequently, the Commission 1. The new governments in Central and Eastern will not finance projects which are likely to have a Europe have put the protection and cleaning up of the negative impact on the environment, but will seek to environment at the top of their list of priorities. The promote projects which contribute to economic problems are enormous and solving them will be all the development while also protecting the environment. more difficult in view of the state of the economy in these countries and the fact that they lack the necessary resources. Furthermore, the funds allocated by the European Investment Bank and the World bank must be used for projects which are compatible with environmental If progress is to be made, outside help such as that protection; scrutiny of the projects includes an assessment provided under the PHARE programme is required. The of their ecological impact. The agreement establishing the action taken by the Community's executive at the request European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the Central and East European countries to help clean states that the bank will take measures, in the context of up the environment is geared to both immediate and its overall activities, to promote environmentally sound long-term needs. The Commission is coordinating the and sustainable development. It further states that the work with other international organizations and the G-24 Bank's activities will encompass programmes connected countries. with environmental protection.
In choosing the projects to receive assistance, efforts have Finally, the provisions governing the structural Funds lay been made to select those which will bring about a direct down rules ensuring that full account is taken of and rapid improvement in the living conditions of the environmental considerations. populations concerned. (') COM(90) 400 final. As regards the former German Democratic Republic, the Commission proposal (x) makes provision for ECU 3 billion in structural Funds assistance for the period 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/33
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1946/90 — it has set up a data bank called HANDYNET, the by Mr Jose Montero Zabala (NI) first module of which contains a large amount of information on technical aids for the motor-disabled, to the Commission of the European Communities the visually handicapped persons and people with (1 September 1990) communication disabilities, as well as a sub-module (91/C 49/61) of educational software; use of the HANDYNET system also provides for specific measures for blind people on access and exit, Subject: Problem of the blind in Spain — it has supported a campaign to establish a European The problems of blind people in Spain are giving great standard for town maps in relief for the blind, thus cause for concern, since the public authorities are enabling them to move about more or less neglecting their responsibilities, leaving help for the blind independently, in the hands of the ONCE (Spanish National Organization for the Blind), a public 'welfare' body. — it intends to disseminate some Community information in Braille or acoustic form, The ONCE, far from promoting the full rehabilitation of the blind and providing education and training in all areas — it organized a seminar in Birmingham (UK) from 28 and employment opportunities for a socially marginal and to 30 June 1990 on 'occupational training for the largely illiterate (65 %) section of the population, mainly blind' with special emphasis on the use of new puts them to work selling coupons for the blind (an technologies, which was attended by forty operation which is extremely profitable for the institutions and experts from the 12 Member States; institution) thereby relegating them to a marginal the results of the seminar will be taken into account in position, both socially and on the job market while the framing further initiatives. institution concerned engages in lucrative financial and speculative transactions with the result that its share The Commission intends to adopt further specific portfolio is currently worth Pta 100 000 million. initiatives aimed at the integration of blind people in close cooperation with their representative organizations. Has the Commission envisaged any Community measures to help the blind? As to the Honourable Member's second question, no incompatibility between Community and Spanish If so, would such measures be compatible with Spain's measures has emerged; on the contrary, cooperation with current welfare system? the Spanish organization representing the blind was recently intensified.
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission (28 September 1990)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1948/90 Over the last few years, the Commission has undertaken a number of initiatives at the political level with a view to by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V) improved economic and social integration of people with to the Commission of the European Communities a serious physical or mental disability. These initiatives (1 September 1990) fall within the scope of the Helios programme, especially in fields such as employment, integration in schools, (91/C 49/62) technical aids, mobility and transport and specially adapted accommodation. Subject: Annexes to the proposal for a Council directive on the protection of natural and semi-natural As regards technical cooperation with blind people, the habitats and of wild fauna and flora Commission has undertaken a variety of measures, including the following: Should not the following corrections be made to these — it has encouraged cooperation between national annexes, in line with the opinions expressed by a number associations for the blind at Community level and the of experts: setting up of a European body representing the blind throughout the Community and responsible for Annex I: practical cooperation with the Commission, — Opbioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun should be called — under the Helios programme it has set up four O azoricum C. Presl. networks of innovative experiments involving a total of 130 pilot activities, 55 of which are concerned with — Add: DROSERACEAE: Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. all forms of disability and 16 with the blind in (RANUNCULADEAE): Aconitum napellus L. subsp. particular, neomontanus (Wulfen) Gayer. No C 49/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Annex II: Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission — Add: (LILIACEAE): Tulipa ssp (5 October 1990) Annex III: The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to — Add: (PG. ANGIOSP): Artemisia glacialis L., refer to the answer given to written question No 37/90 (') Artemisia umbelliformis Lam, Fritillaria ssp, Leucoium put by Mr Seligman. ssp (replacing the two species contained in the annex which are neither the most attractive nor the rarest), The Honourable Member could also refer to the report Tulipa ssp. EUR 12835 'Information on the application of Directive 79/409/EEC, a copy of which has been sent to the Annex IV: Honourable Member and the Secretariat of the Parliament. — 37. ADD 'flood plains with Viola elatior, and Oenanthe silaifolia^ (') OJNoC 171,12.7. 1990.
— 62-3 Add '. . . and on sandstone flats'.
— 62-4 Add '.. . FRANCE (Burgundy, Quercy);'
— Woodlands: in fourth line add: '. . . rare, peripheral WRITTEN QUESTION No 1979/90 and/or residual'. by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S) to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1990) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana (91/C 49/64) on behalf of the Commission (17 October 1990) Subject: Imports of mist nets into the Community
The Commission is collecting the information required to Mist nets (nets with an extremely fine gauge) are imported into the Community from Japan. These nets are used to answer the Honourable Member's questions. catch birds. Their only legal use is for scientific research and to capture birds for 'judicious use in small numbers' The Honourable Member will be informed of the results under a derogation in accordance with Article 9 (1) (c) of as soon as possible. Directive 79/409/EEC (l).
The Commission would stress that a species or genus such 1. Can the Commission state how many mist nets were as Tulipa ssp. cannot be listed in both Annex II and imported into the Community on 1989 (or the latest Annex III of the draft Directive in question. year for which figures are available), broken down country by country?
2. Is the Commission satisfied that appropriate licensing arrangements are in place in all the Member States to control the sale of these nets?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1958/90 3. If not, what suggestions can the Commission make for ensuring that mist nets are used only for legal by Mr Alain Lamassoure (LDR) purposes? to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1990) (') OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1. (91/C 49/63)
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana Subject: The hunting of birds on behalf of the Commission Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC O of 2 April 1979 (26 October 1990) states that, by way of derogation, certain birds may be caught 'in small numbers'. The Commission has no comprehensive documentation on the use or the sale of mist nets. Can the Commission be more specific? Illegal use of mist nets will have to be investigated on a Can it give details concerning the wood pigeon, thrush, case-by-case basis, having recourse, if necessary, to lapwing and skylark? infringement proceedings.
O OJ No L 103, 25.4. 1979, p. 1. 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/35
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1980/90 other Member State was the same as sending the letter to by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S) an address within the Member State. to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1990) This greatly simplified mailing both for individuals and organizations in the EC. (91/C 49/65)
Recently the British Post Office have introduced postage Subject: Sale of dead wild birds in Spain stamps which bear no denomination but simply say 'first' or 'second' indicating the class of postage for which they are intended. A recent study by the Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds found that in the first three months of 1989 in Andalucia, The Post Office has now admitted that: 857 706 dead passerine birds were sold in bars and by dealers. The sale of dead wild birds in this way is illegal (a) these stamps cannot be used for overseas post and under Article 6 of Directive 79/409/EEC 0). (b) no warning to this effect is given to the public. What action has the Commission taken or does it intend to take to end this illegal practice? Does the Commission agree that the Post Office's action represents a retrograde step not conducive to the 0) OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. establishment of the single market, or good consumer relations?
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Pandolfi (6 November 1990) on behalf of the Commission (20 September 1990)
The Commission has no knowledge of the report mentioned by the Honourable Member. It would point It appears that there are two issues here; firstly, the out that the responsibility for the complete and correct implementation of the inland mail tariff for letters up to application of Community environmental provisions lies 20 g for delivery within the Community; secondly, the use with the Member States. The means available to the of stamps without value denomination for mail for Commission to enforce Community environmental law are circumscribed by Article 169 of the EEC Treaty. By delivery outside the United Kingdom. the beginning of 1990 the Commission had decided in 47 cases to initiate infringement proceedings against Spain With regard to the first issue, the British Post Office for failure to comply with Community environmental continues to uphold the principle that the same first class provisions. tariff should be used for a 20 g letter for delivery in other Member States of the Community as for delivery within the United Kingdom.
With regard to the second issue, the Commission understands that it was never the policy of the British Post Office to permit use of these stamps without value denomination for mail for destinations outside the United WRITTEN QUESTION No 1999/90 Kingdom. The reason apparently arises out of the fact by Mr David Morris (S) that, while mail up to 20 g to EC destinations would have the same tariff as for inland destinations, mail to other to the Commission of the European Communities European countries would cost more. The Commission (1 September 1990) understands that the concern was that customers, (91/C 49/66) unaware of this distinction, would use the stamps without denomination for European destinations outside the EC.
Subject: UK postage stamps without denomination Drawing the two issues together, the main principle of extending the inland first class tariff to EC destinations A year ago, considerable work by the Commission led to for items up to 20 g is being upheld. Being able to use the an improvement in the rules of the postal services within same stamps (as well as paying the same tariff) for both the EC, such that the cost of sending an ordinary letter inland and Community destinations could help to from an address in a Member State to an address in any stimulate awareness of the Community and the single No C 49/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
market. However, while the inland stamps without value (c) B 6730: sports events for disabled persons denomination cannot be used for mail to Community destinations, the same tariffs still apply. The British Post (d) the budget items for all the Community action Office thus continues to apply the EC's recommendation programmes in which disabled persons may on this matter. participate, in particular Community programmes and activities in fields concerned with:
— education, training and young people,
— telecommunications,
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2000/90 — new technologies, by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities — research (COST, etc). (1 September 1990) (91/C 49/67) In the resolution of 31 May 1990, the Council and the Ministers of Education stressed the principle embodied in their respective education policies, namely to intensify Subject: Community measures for the integration of the their endeavors to integrate, in all appropriate cases, disabled disabled pupils and students in the normal education system or to encourage such integration. Recently the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution calling on Member States to adopt a policy for the They also agreed that the work of the special schools and integration of disabled students into the normal education centres for disabled children and young people should be system. seen as an extension of the work carried out by the normal education system. The European Parliament has also continued to call for increased funding for the HELIOS programme and for other possibilities to be considered particularly through It is for the Member States to implement the specific the ESF, in order to finance policies to assist the disabled. measures laid down in the resolution and to report to the Commission by 1 September 1992 on the measures which have been adopted and the progress which has been made. Can the Commission say what budget entries relate to the measures called for by Parliament in this area? The financing of the policy of integrating disabled Can measures be adopted for the setting up of special persons is based on the budget items and the programmes training workshops to facilitate the social integration of referred to above. disabled persons who cannot be integrated into the normal education system? In addition, the HORIZON programme, which is now being drafted, provides for the financing from 1990 to Which entries in the 1991 draft budget and ESF 1993 of transnational vocational training and employment programmes can be used in one way or another to finance measures, especially in the fields of: policies to facilitate the integration of the disabled? — new technologies, What plans does the Commission have to facilitate the implementation of the resolution adopted by the Council — information and communication, of Ministers? — the training of instructors to promote the transition of disabled persons from a protected environment to the labour market, Answer given by Mrs Papandreou on behalf of the Commission — the establishment of small businesses and (2 October 1990) cooperatives,
— the adaptation of public infrastructure, etc. The budget items for financing activities designed to integrate disabled persons are as follows: In July 1992 the Commission will present a general report (a) B 6450: the HELIOS programme (including the on the implementation of the HELIOS programme, in school integration programme); particular the facts as regards integration in the normal education system of disabled children and young people. (b) ESF: Vocational training and employment measures Furthermore, the Commission intends to take into for disabled persons consideration, as far as possible, the specific needs of 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/37 disabled persons when it is establishing the programmes The standards currently in force are based on and activities which it aids in fields related to teaching, recommendations from the International Commission on training and young people, as well as the transition to Radiological Protection which, over the years, have adulthood and working life in general. become stricter, with particular regard to the general public. The ICRP's documents demonstrate clearly that a standard of 100 mrem per year should be adopted internationally in the case of prolonged radiation instead of 500 mrem per year.
Furthermore, a recent report by the US National WRITTEN QUESTION No 2028/90 Academy of Sciences concludes that risks from small by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S) doses are currently being underestimated, thereby to the Commission of the European Communities confirming a number of scientific papers on this topic. Finally, it now appears that certain delayed risks (mental (5 September 1990) impairment of children subject to radiation while in the (91/C 49/68) womb) linked to ionizing radiation should be taken into account with a view to establishing reliable standards. Subject: Delays in payments for projects Why has the Commission still not adopted the ICRP's recommendations ? Sponsors of projects which have been approved for Community cofinancing (mainly ESF and EAGGF-Guidance) encounter inexplicable bureaucratic What measures does it intend to take in the near future, obstacles and unnecessary delays within some areas of the not only to amend the basic standards but also to review Commission in securing payment of sums earmarked for the limit values for radioactive contamination of their projects. foodstuffs drawn up on manifestly obsolete data?
Is the Commission prepared to take swift and decisive action to remedy these shortcomings and delays which merely serve to create problems and distrust as far as Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana promoters are concerned? on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1990)
Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber With regard to the future revision of basic Community on behalf of the Commission standards concerning radiological protection in order to (17 October 1990) adapt them to the ICRP's new recommendations, the Honourable Members are invited to refer to the answer given to written question No 1959/90 by Mr Peter The Commission would be grateful if the Honourable Crampton ('). Member would provide details of the projects to which he is referring to enable it to look into the matter. With regard to the limit values for radioactive contamination of foodstuffs, it is necessary to make a distinction between the system currently applicable following the Chernobyl accident and the permanent system adopted in the event of an accident (2).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2034/90 These regulations set the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs in order to by Mr Paul Lannoye, Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes, Mrs ensure that the currently applicable maximum annual Eva Quistorp, Mr Virginio Bettini and Mr Didier Anger doses for the population, established in Council Directive (V) 80/836/Euratom of 15 July 1980 laying down the basic to the Commission of the European Communities safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing (5 September 1990) radiation (3), are adequately respected from the point of (91/C 49/69) view of safety.
Subject: Basic standards and derived standards O OJNoC325,24. 12. 1990, p. 46. concerning protection against ionizing radiation O Council Regulation (EEC) No 737/90 of 22 March 1990, OJ No L82, 29. 3. 1990, p. 1. Council Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22. 12. 1987, OJNoL371,31. 12. 1987, p. 11. Pursuant to Articles 31 and 32 of the Euratom Treaty, the O OJNoL246, 17.9. 1980, p. 1. Commission is responsible for the revision of the basic standards applied in the European Community concerning protection against ionizing radiation. No C 49/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2048/90 Answer given by Mrs Papandreou by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (17 October 1990) (5 September 1990) (91/C 49/70) The Honourable Member refers to the situation where a worker who is a national of the United Kingdom and has Subject: The impact of demilitarization upon worked for seven years in France was refused employment unemployment benefit, based on contributions made in France, on the grounds that she had not worked in the One of the consequences of detente is gradual United Kingdom between her most recent arrival and the demilitarization, with cuts in the armed forces. This will date of her claim. increase the number of people looking for work, many of whom are not highly qualified. Does the Commission Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72 have provisional estimates of these numbers among the coordinating the application of social security schemes to Twelve and is it planning Community action (for instance, employed and self-employed persons and members of calls for special training and retraining programmes for their families moving within the Community, contain unemployed soldiers)? provisions designed to ensure that persons who have acquired social security rights in one Member State and who go to another State to seek or carry out employment, will not lose those rights as a consequence of that move. Answer given by Mrs Papandreou Member States are obliged by the Regulations to accord on behalf of the Commission equality of treatment to Community nationals in the (12 October 1990) application to them of their social security schemes. The Regulations provide for the transfer of entitlement to all social security benefits, except unemployment benefit to The scale of any demilitarization process cannot be which special rules apply, linking entitlement to forecast on the basis of the recent developments on the availability for employment. They also provide for the international scene. aggregation of periods of insurance, residence or employment completed in more than one Member State, for the purpose of entitlement to benefits.
The aggregation of periods of insurance or employment for the purpose of entitlement to unemployment benefit however is not unconditional. Article 67 (3) of Regulation WRITTEN QUESTION No 2069/90 (EEC) No 1408/71 provides that, except in the cases by Mrs Christine Crawley (S) referred to in Article 71 (1) (a) (ii) and (b) (ii), to the Commission of the European Communities aggregation shall be subject to the condition that the person concerned should have completed, lastly, periods (5 September 1990) of insurance in accordance with the provisions of the (91/C 49/71) legislation under which the benefits are claimed. Except in the cases referred to, it is not possible for contributions paid in France to be taken into account by the United Subject: European Community regulations on social Kingdom, for the purpose of unemployment benefit, security unless a period of employment in the United Kingdom immediately precedes the date of the claim for Having regard to the European Commission's stated aim unemployment benefit there. The reason for this of encouraging the free movement of workers throughout provision is to be found in the nature of unemployment the European Community, would the Commission benefits. As the European Court of Justice stated in its comment on the following case which has come to light in judgment of 9 July 1975 (Case 20/75, ECR 891), the my constituency. entitlement to unemployment benefit supposes that the unemployed person is available to the employment My constituent returned to the UK in August 1989 after services of the State where he has lost his job. working for seven years in France. She was refused unemployment benefit, based on contributions made in France, on the grounds that she had not worked in the Subject to certain conditions, Article 71 (1) of Regulation UK between her most recent arrival and the date of her (EEC) No 1408/71 makes exception to the requirement claim. Does the Commission not agree that this is against laid down in Article 67 (3), at subparagraph (a) (ii) in the spirit of the reciprocal arrangements for social favour of frontier workers and at subparagraph (b) (ii) in security (Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (»), Article 67 (3) favour of certain migrant workers other than frontier and 71 (l)(6)(ii))? workers. The decisive element in applying Article 71, as a whole, is the residence of the person concerned in a O OJ No L 149, 5. 7. 1971, p. 2. Member State other than the State to whose legislation he 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/39 was subject during his last employment. If the constituent The obligation to provide written proof of the existence was, during her employment in France, residing in the of an employment contract or relationship using a United Kingdom, she could benefit from the provisions of standard form should create greater transparency for Article 71 of the Regulation and be entitled to United employed workers as to working conditions throughout Kingdom unemployment benefit. However, it is for a the Community market and guarantee them greater national court only to decide whether she was actually certainty as to the law. resident in the United Kingdom during that period.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2100/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2080/90 by Mr Henry McCubbin (S) by Mr Bird (S) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (17 September 1990) (17 September 1990) (91/C 49/73) (91/C 49/72)
Subject: Nuclear reprocessing Subject: Contract of employment Could the Commission please state its involvement in the In recent months there has been a spate of unilateral high flux reactor at Petten in the Netherlands? terminations of employment contracts by employers in and around my constituency area. Could it also state whether a contract has been negotiated between the operators of the Petten reactor and the Will the Commission provide details of laws in Member United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority with a view to States concerning the mutually binding, or otherwise, reprocessing spent fuel at its establishment in Dounreay, nature of employment contract? and, Caithness?
Does it envisage that its action programme in response to Would the Commission state the policy with regard to the the Social Charter will lead to the introduction of a possible routes for the transportation of this waste from Community-wide contract of employment, the terms of Petten to Dounreay, should the contract go ahead? which could only be dispensed with by the mutual consent of employer AND employee?
Answer given by Mr Pandolfi on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mrs Papandreou (22 November 1990) on behalf of the Commission (18 October 1990) The Commission exploits the High Flux Reactor at Petten under an EAEC supplementary programme; the last The comparative study on rules governing working Council Decision in this respect dates from 14 October conditions in the Member States prepared by the 1988 C). Commission (Part II, Chapters I and II) will provide the Honourable Member with information on the legal Alternative possibilities for reprocessing spent fuel aspects of employment contracts in the 12 Member States. elements from the HFR have been investigated on a The Commission is sending a copy of this document strictly exploratory basis and following these direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's investigations the Commission confirms that the option to Secretariat. reprocess HFR fuel at Dounreay is not under consideration for the time being. Therefore, in this In its action programme relating to the implementation of context the question of transportation does not arise. the Community Charter of fundamental social rights for workers, the Commission announced that it would be O OJNoL286,20. 10. 1988. sending the Council a proposal for a Directive designed to provide every employed worker with a form to serve as proof of an employment contract or relationship. No C 49/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2105/90 position to make any assessment of its compatibility with by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S) Community law. It has therefore asked the Dutch authorities to send it the text in question. to the Commission of the European Communities (17 September 1990) However, as it would seem, on the face of it, that the law (91/C 49/74) lays down provisions applicable to public supply contracts for hospitals, it should also be examined in relation to the Subject: Nuclear power station in Zarnowiec near Danzig directives on the subject.
Was the technical survey by the Belgian firm Tractebel of The Commission will keep the Honourable Member the Polish Zarnowiec nuclear power station, which is informed of the progress of its investigations and of its currently under construction, financed from EC funds, conclusions about the compatibility of the measure in and does the Commission envisage further financial question with Community law. support for this power station ?
Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1990) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2141/90
The Belgian firm Tractebel did indeed carry out a by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S) technical survey of the power station under construction to the Commission of the European Communities to which the Honourable Member refers, under a (27 September 1990) contract financed by the Commission. (91/C 49/76) The Commission may examine the possibility of providing further financial support for this power station, Subject: Asteroid'1990 MU' if the Polish Government asks it to do so.
Is the Commission aware that Australian researchers at the University of Adelaide fear that the asteroid '1990 MU', which is several hundred metres long, may collide with the Earth in about two years?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2135/90 Does the Commission know whether any technologies by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR) exist to protect against asteroids and, if so, what they are? to the Commission of the European Communities (27 September 1990) What does the Commission intend to do to eliminate this (91/C 49/75) source of danger?
Subject: Import restrictions on medical equipment
Article 18 of the Dutch law on hospital facilities prohibits Answer given by Mr Pandolfi the provision of health care services or the acquisition or on behalf of the Commission use of hospital equipment without government authorization. This ban applies not only to medical (13 November 1990) equipment but also to non-medical equipment, such as computer equipment for data processing. The Minor Planets Center of the Smithsonian Center for Does the Commission consider this provision to be Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), compatible with Articles 30 and 36 of the EEC Treaty? keeping the international recording of data on asteroids (Commission 20 of International Astronomical Union), confirms that the Asteroid 1990MU will have its closest approach to the Earth in 1994 at a distance of 15 million Answer given by Mr Bangemann kilometres. At this distance, there is no danger of a on behalf of the Commission collision with Earth. More generally, from a probabilistic approach, it is estimated that the earth might be hit by an (23 October 1990) asteroid of that size once every 40 million years.
The Commission has no knowledge of the Dutch law to which the Honourable Member refers, and so is not in a 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/41
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2144/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2181/90 by Mr James Ford (S) by Mr Reimer Boge (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (27 September 1990) (4 October 1990) (91/C 49/77) (91/C 49/78)
Subject: Damage to the environment from accidental oil Subject: Control of and research into use of artificial spillages sweeteners 80 km north-west of the island of Sylt, a Norwegian oil-drilling platform capsized and sank; the crew was Can the Commission say how it is proposing to deal with saved only after a very difficult rescue operation. my call for an urgent inquiry into the research into and control of the use of artificial sweeteners by the food Could the Commission state how much oil is contained in industry? The dossier which accompanied the request the hydraulic system of a platform of this type? (now in the Commission's possession) was delivered to Does the Commission agree that it is necessary to MAFF in the UK earlier this year; am I correctly informed introduce legislation requiring all hydraulic oils and that they had not forwarded the dossier to the lubricants for machinery and systems comprised in Commission, themselves calling for an urgent inquiry? outdoor structures to consist of environmentally-friendly (for example, plant-based) substances, in accordance with the principles of preventive environmental policy? Could the Commission state what quantities of hydraulic Answer given by Mr Bangemann oil and lubricants are used in the Community for outdoor on behalf of the Commission structures, both on land and on water, and what (12 November 1990) proportion of it is not recuperated for reprocessing or environmentally safe disposal?
The question of artificial sweeteners has been extensively examined by the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana over many years and the sweetener aspartame, to which on behalf of the Commission the dossier supplied by the Honourable Member refers, (14 November 1990) was first evaluated by the SCF in 1984 and an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 40 mg/kg bodyweight was The oil contained in the hydraulic system of a platform is established. a technical specification depending on the kind of equipment, the design and other conditions established by In 1987 the Committee, on its own initiative, re-evaluated the factory which has built the platform. The Commission the use of aspartame in food, because of reports from the has no information on this matter and no Community United States which concerned the possible harmful regulations exist in this respect. effects of excessive consumption of aspartame and the validity of the toxicological tests on which the previous The Commission supports the suggestion of using any evaluations were based. These questions were those special kind of hydraulic oil and lubricants for these contained in the dossier submitted by the Honourable systems which might prevent pollution both during Member, and the Scientific Committee for Food was operations and in case of an accident. aware of this information when its 1987 opinion was Finally, the Commission has not established any kind of given. control measures to evaluate the .quantities of hydraulic oil and lubricants used in the Community for outdoor In August 1990 the Commission made a proposal for a structures. Council Directive to control the use of sweeteners in food in which it put forward rules for the use of all permitted sweeteners based on the opinions of the Scientific Committee for Food. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2188/90 No request for a re-evaluation of aspartame has been by Mrs Mechthild von Alemann (LDR) made by any Member State; however the Commission to the Council of the European Communities was aware that the questions regarding its evaluation had (4 October 1990) been raised with the United Kingdom authorities. (91/C 49/79)
It should be noted that the German Government enacted Subject: Implications of the Community driving licence legislation in 1990 admitting the use of aspartame in various foods. 1. Would the Council state what steps are being taken to prevent people who have had their driving licences withdrawn in one Member State for offences such as drunken driving from obtaining a new licence in another No C 49/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Community country and thus circumventing measures WRITTEN QUESTION No 2264/90 taken to protect the public? by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S) 2. Does the Council agree that the probationary to the Commission of the European Communities driving licence is essential for road safety in Europe? (8 October 1990) (91/C 49/81)
Answer (25 January 1991) Subject: Report by the Task Force on the environment and the internal market 1. Community legislation on driving licences is to be found in Directive 80/1263/EEC of 4 December 1980 ('). It is reported that the Commission is soon to issue as an A proposal for a second Directive on the driving official publication the report of the Task Force on the 2 licence ( ), forwarded by the Commission, is currently environment and the internal market. being examined by the Council's subordinate bodies. Directive 80/1263/EEC does not contain any provisions applicable to the situation to which the Honourable Is this the case and, if so, will the officially published Member refers. At present the question should therefore version be identical to the version published in the name be seen as more a matter for national law and of the Task Force, and with a disclaimer indicating that intergovernmental cooperation. the_views expressed were those of the Task Force only, at the end of last year? 2. As regards point 2, the Council acknowledges the importance of the problem of road safety, but considers that it is not for it to comment on the specific question put by the Honourable Member on the introduction of a probationary driving licence; at present there is no Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana Commission proposal on this subject before the Council. on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1990) O OJNoL 375, 31.12. 1980, p. 1. O OJ No C 48, 27. 2. 1989, p. 1. To meet the continuous and growing demand for the report by the Task Force on environment and the internal market, the Commission has authorized publication through an independent publisher. The report is expected WRITTEN QUESTION No 2208/90 off the press around mid-November 1990. by Mrs Maartje van Putten (S) to the Commission of the European Communities The publication has the same status as any study carried (4 October 1990) out by outside experts at the request of the Commission. The views expressed in the report are those of its authors (91/C 49/80) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission.
Subject: Aid for India
1. Can the Commission supply a detailed list of the aid programmes and projects for India which it supports, carries out or has commissioned, the sums involved in each project, the specific objectives of each project and the extent to which these objectives have been achieved? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2303/90 2. Can the Commission indicate how far these projects by Mr Virginio Bettini (V) are of benefit to the poorest groups in Indian society to the Commission of the European Communities (farm workers and landless peasants, and particularly women) ? (15 October 1990) (91/C 49/82)
Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission Subject: Mineral water quality (20 December 1990) There are no rules laying down quality criteria for mineral The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable waters intended for human consumption as there are in Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the the case of tap-water. information requested. The levels of certain substances (fluoride, sodium, potassium, and calcium) found in some mineral waters on 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC^B^ sale in Ital^e^ceed the ma^imum^alues permitted for — 'contains sodium' when the content in sodium is ordinary drinking water. greater than 200 mg/1.
The substances concerned could damage the health of — 'contains calcium' when the content in calcium is consumers if taken in large quantities o^er long periods. greater than 150 mg/1. — 'contains fluoride' when the content in fluoride is What steps does the Commission therefore intend to take greater than 1 mg/1. as regards monitoring the quality of mineral waters^ Will it take the specific measures required in order to protect As regards potassium, only much higher concentrations consumers^ than those normally found in natural mineral waters are detrimental to human health.
^oi^oL^^o^m^o Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (/9A/o9em6fr7990J council Poirecti^e ^OB^^BLLC^ on the exploitation WRITTEN QUESTION No 2381/90 and marketing of natural mineral waters la^s down a comprehensive definition of natural mineral waters by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE) ^Article Pt.andAnne^lSectionl^. to the Commission of the European Communities (2o-Ocfo6er7990j Natural mineral waters can be clearly distinguished from ordinary drinking waters^ (91/C 49/83)
^ b^ their nature characterised b^ their content in Subject: Declaration on the environment minerals, trace elements and other constituents, Could the Commission state whether they have begun — b^their original state. preparations to implement the Declaration on the environment agreed to at the Dublin Council meeting on The guide levels laid down for certain minerals forwaters 26 June 1990, especially the idea to create a European intended for human consumptions ^g^ drinking or tap Fund for the environment? water^ouncilMirecti^e^OB^^BLEC^e^^l^^g^^he qualit^of water intended for humanconsumption^ ma^ not be appropriate in man^ cases for natural mineral waters because no treatment other than filtration and Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana oxygenation is allowed. The content in minerals and other on behalf of the Commission componentsgi^e themthe characteristics, suchastaste, that consumers expect to find in natural mineral waters. (14 November 1990)
Aiember States grant recognition as natural mineral A proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a new waterstowaterswhichcompl^withthe definition after financial instrument for the environment is being the required geological, physico-chemical and prepared by Commission staff. pharmacological studies ha^e been carried out.The^ are also required to carr^ out periodic controls to check that the natural mineral watersmaintaintheir characteristics and that the conditions of exploitation laid down b^ the PoirectcBearemet. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2436/90 minerals present in natural mineral waters are derived fromgeologicalformationsof thesource.lf testsshow by Mr Ernest Glinne (S) that the source is contaminated, the person exploiting the to the Council of the European Communities spring must suspend all operations until the cause of (7A/b%;e^er7990 pollution has been eradicated r^Anne^Nof the Mirecti^. (91/C 49/84) The Mirecti^e contains ^er^ detailed provisions concerning the labelling of natural mineral waters to Subject: Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of identify clearly the product and its characteristics to the Child inform the consumed. Besides the reference to the composition in minerals, high levels of certain At the World Summit for Children, held in New York in components ha^e to be mentioned on the label b^ September 1990, the Convention on the Rights of the appropriate indications. These indications are also Child adopted by the UN General Assembly in November established in the MirectnBe ^Article ^, Anne^Pna. 1989, was signed by 13 more countries and ratified (i.e. Examples of these indications are^ given the force of law) by three others. No C 49/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
Can the Council say: Answer (25 January 1991) 1. Which Member States have not yet ratified the convention and what reasons for this were given by their governments; Apart from the Council Decision concerning the dock dues arrangements in the French overseas departments, 2. Whether the Member States have introduced any the Council has not so far received any Commission restrictions or refinements in ratifying the convention, proposals for implementing the POSEIDOM for instance, as regards enlistment in the armed forces programme. at the age of 15? The Council believes, however, that the Commission intends to submit proposals on this subject shortly.
Answer (25 January 1991)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2519/90 It is not for the Council to make statements on questions by Mr Winfried Menrad (PPE) relating to the ratification of UN Conventions by to the Commission of the European Communities Member States. (16 November 1990) (91/C 49/86)
Subject: Contribution from the European Structural Funds to the Stuttgart district in Baden-Wiirttemberg WRITTEN QUESTION No 2482/90 A number of projects in Baden-Wiirttemberg are by Mr Jean-Marie Alexandre (S) receiving funding from the EC Structural Funds. to the Council of the European Communities What amounts have been paid over the last five years from (16 November 1990) the structural funds (European Social Fund, European (91/C 49/85) Regional Development Fund, European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund) for projects in the administrative district of Stuttgart (northern Subject: Programme of options specific to the remote and Wurttemberg) in Baden-Wiirttemberg and how have they insular nature of the French overseas been used? departments (POSEIDOM)
1. At the 18th General Assembly of the Conference of the Community's peripheral maritime regions, held in La Answer given by Mr Christophersen Baule on 4 and 5 October 1990, Mr Pierre Lagourgue, on behalf of the Commission President of the Regional Council of Reunion, (20 December 1990) emphasized that the Commission had not yet proposed or implemented certain specific measures set out in the In view of the length of its answer, which includes a Programme of options specific to the remote and insular number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to nature of the French overseas departments the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. (POSEIDOM), although this had the support of the European Parliament;
2. The Council of Ministers had itself set a deadline of six months for certain provisions to be adopted, and Mr Lagourgue emphasized the need to speed up the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2544/90 decision-making process. by Mr Thomas Megahy (S) (a) Can the Council supply a list of the measures it has to the Council of the European Communities adopted and implemented under POSEIDOM (16 November 1990) within its power and responsibilities? (91/C 49/87) (b) Which provisions remain to be adopted and implemented, and what will the timetable be? Subject: Protection of social security rights
(c) What are the reasons for the lamentable delays which Recognizing the importance of volunteer-sending we have seen? agencies in the developing assistance provided by the EC 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/45 countries, and the importance of free movement of people WRITTEN QUESTION No 2582/90 as part of the campaign for a barrier-free Europe, will the by Mr Christopher Jackson (ED) Council of Ministers require the Commission to produce a report for their next meeting on the implementation of to the Council of the European Communities Council recommendation 85/308/EEC (') on the (20 November 1990) protection of the social security rights of their citizens (91/C 49/90) serving abroad as volunteers?
O OJ No L 163,22.6. 1985, p. 48. Subject: Social protection for volunteer development workers
Recognizing the importance of volunteer sending agencies in development assistance provided by EC countries and the importance of free movement of people WRITTEN QUESTION No 2545/90 as part of the campaign for a barrier-free Europe, will the by Mr Thomas Megahy (S) Council of Ministers request the Commission to produce to the Council of the European Communities a report for their next meeting on the implementation of Council recommendation 85/308/EEC on the protection (16 November 1990) of the social security rights of their citizens serving (91/C 49/88) abroad as volunteers?
Subject: Protection of social security rights
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2585/90 Recognizing the importance of volunteer-sending agencies in the development assistance provided by the by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon (S) EC countries, and the importance of free movement of to the Council of the European Communities people as part of the campaign for a barrier-free Europe, (20 November 1990) will the Council of Ministers ask member governments to comply with Council recommendation 85/308/EEC by (91/C 49/91) ensuring that their citizens are not discriminated against in their entitlement to social security on return home if they choose to serve overseas through an agency based in Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking another EC country? Voluntary Service Overseas
Recognizing the importance of volunteer sending agencies in the development assistance provided by the EC countries and the importance of free movement of people as part of the campaign for a barrier-free Europe, WRITTEN QUESTION No 2546/90 will the Council of Ministers require the Commission to by Mr Thomas Megahy (S) produce a report for their next meeting on the implementation of Council recommendation to the Council of the European Communities 85/308/EEC on the protection of the social security (16 November 1990) rights of their citizens serving abroad as volunteers? (91/C 49/89)
Subject: Volunteers' rights to social security benefits on return from work overseas WRITTEN QUESTION No 2586/90 by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon (S) Recognizing the importance of people in developing to the Council of the European Communities countries acquiring the skills to manage their own (20 November 1990) development, and the proven success of Europe's (91/C 49/92) non-government volunteer-sending agencies in passing on these skills at local level, will the Council of Ministers ask the governments of Spain, Portugal and Greece why Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking they are still making it difficult for their citizens to serve Voluntary Service Overseas overseas as volunteers through not protecting their rights to social security benefits on their return, by failing to comply with the Council recommendation S5/308/EEC Recognizing the importance of volunteer sending of 1985 on this subject? agencies in the development assistance provided by the No C 49/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
EC countries and the importance of free movement of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2648/90 people as part of the campaign for a barrier-free Europe, by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC) will the Council of Ministers ask member governments to comply with Council recommendation 85/308/EEC by to the Council of the European Communities ensuring that their citizens are not discriminated against (23 November 1990) in their entitlement to social security on return home if (91/C 49/95) they choose to serve overseas through an agency based in another EC country? Subject: Social security entitlements for voluntary overseas workers
Will the Council of Ministers ask the Governments of Spain, Portugal and Greece why they are still making it difficult for their citizens to serve overseas as volunteers WRITTEN QUESTION No 2587/90 through their failure to protect the volunteers' rights to by Mr David Morris and Mr Hugh McMahon (S) social security benefits on their return? to the Council of the European Communities (20 November 1990) (91/C 49/93) Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2544/90, 2545/90, 2546/90, 2582/90, 2585/90, 2586/90, 2587/90, 2647/90 and 2648/90 Subject: Social security benefits for those undertaking (25 January 1991) Voluntary Service Overseas
The Council attaches great importance to social security Recognizing the importance of people in developing protection for volunteer development workers and to the countries acquiring the skills to manage their own implementation of Council recommendation development, and the proven success of Europe's 85/308/EEC of 13 June 1985. non-government volunteer sending agencies in passing on these skills at local level, will the Council of Ministers ask the governments of Spain, Portugal and Greece why they It would like the Commission to submit to it as soon as are still making it difficult for their citizens to serve possible the report provided for in point B of that overseas as volunteers through not protecting their rights recommendation on progress achieved and obstacles to social security benefits on their return, thereby failing encountered in the provision of social protection for to comply with the Council recommendation volunteer development workers. 85/308/EEC of 1985 on this subject?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2647/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2579/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC) by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR) to the Council of the European Communities to the Council of the European Communities (23 November 1990) (20 November 1990) (91/C 49/94) (91/C 49/96)
Subject: Directives on atypical employment Subject: Voluntary overseas workers What measures does the Council intend to take under the proposals for directives on conditions of part-time, Will the Council of Ministers request the Member fixed-term and temporary employment to ensure that Governments comply with EC recommendation 85/308 employees' contracts in this field guarantee: (and any review thereof) by ensuring that citizens who choose to serve overseas through a volunteer agency — treatment equal with that accorded to employees with based in another country are not discriminated against in open-ended contracts, their entitlement to social security benefits on their return? — fair competition between undertakings ? 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/47
Answer competition policy, R&D and technology, social policy, (25 January 1991) Structural Funds and cohesion, environmental policy, etc.) in an integrated manner. The sum of these national and Community actions will, the same report emphasizes, At its meeting on 26 November 1990 the Council held a secure a lasting improvement in macroeconomic policy debate on the three proposals for Directives performance. concerning 'non-standard' employment relationships.
At its meeting on 18 December 1990, the Council It is worth noting that one fiscal measure introduced by continued its examination of the proposal for a Directive, certain Member States of the Community to improve based on Article 100a of the Treaty, on certain environmental protection, i.e. lower taxation of lead-free employment relationships with regard to distortions of petrol, has clearly not had the inflationary effect feared by competition. It also signified its agreement on the the Honourable Member. common position on the Directive, based on Article 118a of the Treaty, supplementing the measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of workers with a fixed-duration employment relationship or a temporary employment relationship.
The purpose of the Directive is to ensure that workers with a fixed-duration employment contract and interim WRITTEN QUESTION No 2599/90 workers enjoy, in the field of safety and health at work, by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE) the same level of protection as that enjoyed by the other workers of the user undertaking. to the Commission of the European Communities (20 November 1990) (91/C 49/98)
Subject: Community aid for victims of terrorism WRITTEN QUESTION No 2580/90 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR) In his reply of 5 June 1990 to my Written Question to the Council of the European Communities No 859/90 O, on assistance for the victims of terrorism, tabled in March, Mr Delors stated that 'the Commission (20 November 1990) has started to examine whether the Community has any (91/C 49/97) jurisdiction in this area', and that 'on the basis of this study, which will soon be completed, the Commission will Subject: Environmental protection by economic and consider how it can best help to improve the position of fiscal instruments victims of violent crimes?
Is the Council not afraid that the introduction of 1. Has this study been completed and if so, what are its economic and fiscal instruments for the protection of the conclusions? environment, in addition to existing rules, may have an adverse and inflationary effect on the economies of the 2. If it has been established that the Community has Member States ? jurisdiction in this area, what measures has the Commission chosen to help improve the position of victims of terrorism?
Answer 3. Which Member States have so far ratified the Council (25 January 1991) of the Europe's Convention on compensation for victims of violent crimes?
To date the problem to which the Honourable Member O OJ No C 283, 12. 11. 1990, p. 24. refers, i.e. the inflationary effect of the introduction of economic and fiscal instruments designed to improve environmental protection, has not been referred to the Council. Should the problem arise, the Council will certainly not fail to examine it on the basis inter alia of the analyses of the economic situation made by the Answer given by Mr Bangemann Commission. on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1991) It should be borne in mind that the last annual economic report adopted by the Council mentions that the Single European Act embodies the political decision to develop The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the different policy functions (internal market, the reply to the oral question H-578/90 by Mr Stewart, No C 49/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91 which it gave during question time at Parliament's Despite this, a number of Member States, and in October I part-session ('). particular Greece, have continued to discriminate against conscientious objectors, subjecting them to severe (') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-394 (October I penalties (imprisonment, ill-treatment, etc.). 1990). In its conclusions the Schmidbauer report calls on the Member States to take measures to solve this problem and make it easier to carry out alternative Community service.
Has the Council taken measures in this direction and if so WRITTEN QUESTION No 2618/90 what measures? by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission of the European Communities (23 November 1990) (91/C 49/99) Answer (25 January 1991) Subject: ERASMUS programme
During one of the recent meetings of the European As the Council has already stated on several occasions, Parliament's Committee on Youth, Culture, Education, the question of the status of conscientious objector does the Media and Sport, a university representative observed not fall within the Council's purview. that the humanities were being neglected to a certain extent by the ERASMUS programme.
Can the Commission give details concerning the practical application of the ERASMUS programme in the various courses of study and specialist fields?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2669/90 by Mrs Claudia Roth (V) Answer given by Mrs Papandreou to the Council of the European Communities on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1990) (18 December 1990) (91/C 49/101)
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply to her oral question H-l 141/90, which it gave Subject: Racism and xenophobia in the Community during question time at Parliament's November J part-session ( ). 1. Does the Council share the view that its resolution on combating racism and xenophobia in the Community (') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-396 (November falls wide of the mark in that immigrants who are 1990). nationals of third states continue to be excluded?
2. Will the Council adopt a supplementary declaration to correct the impression created by the above?
3. How does the Council propose to act on the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2646/90 recommendations by the European Parliament set out in by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V) the report by Mr Ford? to the Council of the European Communities (23 November 1990) 4. Does the Council share the view that the initiative taken by five Member States of the Community — the (91/C 49/100) so-called Schengen group — with their common external frontiers policy is an obstacle to a humanitarian asylum Subject: Discrimination against conscientious objectors policy at Community level and could help to provoke an upsurge in racism? By adopting the resolution by Mr Macciochi in February 1983 and the report by Mr Schmidbauer in October 1989, 5. Does the Council not take the view that the Parliament has demonstrated its wish for the right of Schengen information system will make effective data conscientious objection to be recognized and respected. protection in the Community impossible? 25. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 49/49
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2719/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2943/90 by Mr Bruno Megret and Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevallier by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty (RDE) (DR) to the Council of the European Communities to the Council of the European Communities (11 January 1991) (10 December 1990) (91/C 49/103) (91/C 49/102) Subject: Support for the development of ethanol Subject: Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Racism production in the Community in the light of the and Xenophobia crisis in the Gulf
In the preamble to the Treaty establishing the EEC, the The crisis in the Gulf once again highlights the Member States specify that they are determined to lay the Community's vulnerability with regard to oil supplies. foundations for 'an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe' and to work towards 'the constant Given that the US has announced its intention of improvement of the living and working conditions of doubling its ethanol production, which in 1989 totalled their peoples'. 36 million hectolitres, does the Council not feel that a Community initiative is called for in this domain? 1. Does the Council not think that implementing the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry's The decisions taken hitherto in application of the report will be tantamount to giving preferential recommendations of the Brussels European Council of treatment to nationals of non-Community countries February 1988, linking Community aid for ethanol over European citizens, in violation of the Treaties? production to the set-aside scheme, are totally inadequate. 2. Does it not think that measures to give voting rights to non-nationals and to provide them with access to jobs Is the Council willing to propose the introduction of a in the civil service constitute intolerable interference in programme for the production of ethanol of agricultural areas falling exclusively within the national origin on a scale comparable to the American programme competence of the Member States, and that only the which provides a response to strategic, economic and peoples of Europe, consulted by referendum, should ecological concerns, since it is a well-established fact that decide on such amendments to the constitution of ethanol makes a substantial contribution to reducing their respective countries? atmospheric pollution when it is used in fuel? 3. Is it not afraid that, following the adoption of this report, it may become embroiled, together with the Commission, in a purely party-political issue in which it has no right, either in fact or in law, to adopt a Answer partisan position? (25 January 1991)
1. Since the start of the Gulf crisis, the Community has been keeping careful track of all the problems caused by Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2669/90 put by Mrs that crisis and in particular those concerning oil supplies. Roth and 2719/90 put by Mr Megret and Mr Le Chevallier (25 January 1991) 2. Regarding the measure referred to by the Honourable Member in his question, namely the doubling of ethanol production, it should be pointed out The Council would ask the Honourable Members to refer that contrary to what is said in the fourth paragraph of to the replies it gave on 9 October 1990 to the Oral that question, it is up to the Commission and not the questions put by Mr Nordmann and others in the context Council to propose any such introduction of a of the debate on the findings of the Committee of Inquiry programme. into Racism and Xenophobia.
3. The Council has not hitherto received a proposal along these lines. No C 49/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 2. 91
CORRIGENDA
Corrigendum to the answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission to Written Question
No 1382/90 by Mr Alex Smith
Subject: Euratom safeguards report — frequency of preparation and publication
(Official Journal of the European Communities No C 312 of 12 December 1990, pag. 38) (91/C 49/104)
The answer reads as follows:
'The Commission envisages that the Euratom safeguards operation report will be prepared biennially and addressed to the Council and to the European Parliament.' OFFICE DES PUBLICATIONS OFFICIELLES DES COMMUNAUTES EUROPEENNES Luxembourg
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