8. 10. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 270/1 (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER WRITTEN QUESTION No 2040/84 sheepmeat sector submitted by the French Government on 21 by Mr Louis Eyraud (S—F) December 1984. With reference to the particular proposals in this report raised by the Honourable Member the to the Commission of the European Communities Commission does not feel that the time is opportune for their (25 February 1985) introduction and therefore has not made any proposals on (87/C 270/01) them. The Commission does, however, point out that its report on the sheep sector to the Council due before October Subject: Problems facing sheepmeat producers 1988 has now been brought forward to July 1987. In this report the Commission intends to examine fully the 1. In view of the serious problems facing sheepmeat operation of the sector and make proposals for any changes producers (20% fall in income in certain areas), the French that may be judged necessary. Government has sent a memorandum to the Commission setting out various proposals, including four which it regards H OJNoC 151, 20. 6. 1985. as indispensable: — that reference should no longer be made to green rates but that the adjusted central rates be used, — reduction of imports from third countries, — negotiations in GATT on the unbinding of import duties on fresh or refrigerated meat, — elimination of the distortions of competition arising in WRITTEN QUESTION No 2713/85 particular from the fact that UK producers are granted a by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) slaughter premium. to the Commission of the European Communities What stage has the Commission reached in its consideration (10 February 1986) of this memorandum and has it already come to any (87/C 270/02) conclusions? 2. In view of the serious distortions of competition Subject: Clearance and collection of import duties for existing on the market in sheepmeat between France and chartered boats from other Member States under Ireland on the one hand and the United Kingdom on the Greek law other, imports from third countries and the inadequacy of Community Regulations, it is vital to rectify the situation and harmonize the sheepmeat sector by revising the Regulation 1. What information does the Commission have on the governing the common organization of markets. Is such a simplified clearance procedure at Greek ports for boats review planned and, if so, when? chartered to private individuals, in particular as regards increased dues and general frontier checks? 2. Will it, if necessary, contact the Greek Government to Supplementary answer given by Mr Andriessen obtain the relevant information? on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1987) 3. Will it examine the information thus obtained from the viewpoint of the freedom to provide services and the Further to its answer of 17 April 1985 (]), the Commission application of the relevant provisions by Greece? If so, will it has completed its examination of the memorandum on the state its findings? No C 270/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 10. 87 4. Is it true that people are not allowed to sail between WRITTEN QUESTION No 1213/86 Greek ports unless they have a transit log? by Mrs Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (ARC—D) to the Commission of the European Communities 5. What is the significance in this respect of Greek Law No 438 of 1976, which clearly predates Greece's (2 September 1987) membership of the Community? (87/C 270/03) Subject: Communication from the Commission concerning the Community's role as regards the safety of Supplementary answer given by Mr Clinton Davis nuclear installations and the protection of public on behalf of the Commission health (13 April 1987) The communication from the Commission (COM(83) 472 final) was submitted to the Council on 1 August 1983 and Further to its answer of 5 May 1986 (l), the Commission can was based on a resolution adopted by Parliament as long ago now inform the Honourable Member of the result of its as 20 November 1980. investigations. The matter dealt with in this communication is still topical. 1. The Commission is aware of the existence of a special Indeed it is becoming more and more important and urgent tax of 15% of the amount of charter money agreed in the with each nuclear plant that is commissioned. charter party, which has to be paid by persons representing owners of commercial tourist boats and craft under a foreign 1. Which of the measures put forward in the flag. communication on transfrontier cooperation on disaster prevention in the event of accidents in nuclear plants The special tax, according to the Greek authorities, is have been pursued since the communication was intended to be the counterpart of the fiscal requirements submitted? applying to operators of Greek flag boats and craft. The simplified clearance procedure and general frontier checks 2. The Commission originally organized groups of experts are features of the 'transit log' referred to in point 4 of the to look into the problems of emergency plans and the question. assessment of the effects of radioactive fallout on the aquatic environment. Have these groups been working 2. The Greek Government has been contacted to obtain on these matters? Where were the results published? the relevant information. 3. What action has the Council taken on the proposals 3. Operations between Greek ports by commercial tourist contained in the communication? boats and craft are forbidden under foreign flag, but may exceptionally be permitted under special licence if there is a shortage of such boats and craft under Greek flag. From the viewpoint of the freedom to provide services, no infringement by Greece can be established since the Council Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis has not yet adopted a Regulation to apply this principle to on behalf of the Commission cabotage. (19 March 1987) 4. The 'transit log' concerns Greek customs formalities to be fulfilled by foreign flag vessels entering Greek waters. The 1. The Commission's work in the field of transfrontier 'transit log' contains a description of all equipment on board emergency planning, subsequent to COM(83) 472 final, the ship, to be made once only upon entry in Greek waters largely consisted of reviews of related topics carried out by and thereby constituting a simplified clearing procedure. The groups of experts from the Member States. However, in the 'transit log', which is obligatory according to Ordonnance wake of the Chernobyl accident which demonstrated the 41 /1961, implementing Article of Law 1165 of 1918, will be inadequacy of certain aspects of emergency planning, the compared during frontier checks with the relevant Commission has taken further initiatives as indicated in equipment. COM(86) 434 final, entitled 'The development of Community measures for the application of Chapter III of the 5. Greek Law No 438 of 1976 contains inter alia Euratom Treaty Health and Safety': provisions on operations of commercial tourist boats and craft referred to above and cannot be considered an — The Communication to Council COM(87) 28 final, infringement of Article 59 of the EEC Treaty for the reasons concerns a permanent system for establishing limits for given in point 3. the radioactive contamination of drinking water and agricultural products in the case of nuclear accident. C1) OJ No C 233, 15. 9. 1986. — A proposal for a Council decision on a Community system of rapid exchange of information, in cases of abnormal levels of radioactivity or of a nuclear accident, 8. 10. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 270/3 is in preparation. The Article 31 Group of Experts and by the application of dairy quotas. The already critical the Economic and Social Committee have been situation of many producers was suddenly made far worse by consulted. the application of penalties for overproduction under the quota arrangements. Does the Commission not consider that — A submission to the Council concerning mutual national or Community compensation should be paid to assistance in emergency situations is in preparation. small and medium-sized producers and particularly to young farmers who have recently started up? 2. The Commission has published the following reports relevant to emergency planning and resulting from studies carried out by expert groups: 2. Will the Commission acknowledge the failure of the dairy quotas policy introduced in 1984, which has not even — 'Aims and practices of transfrontier emergency planning managed to prevent further increases in butter and milk within the EC countries in case of an accident in a nuclear powder stocks? The actual effect of the application of quotas installation' (Doc. V/2138/86 e, f), which provides a has been to accelerate restructuring at producer and dairy guide for use in bilateral agreements. level, enabling 'dairy factories' to take over the production of small-scale producers who have gone out of business. Given — 'The technical basis for emergency planning and these circumstances, will the Commission launch a new dairy preparedness' (EUR 9623 EN 85), which describes policy which would penalize those really responsible for technical approaches used, relevant criteria and practices excessive surpluses and involve: taxation of 'dairy factories' and developments following the TM12 accident and (already proposed by the Commission), a halt to imports of which proposes an approach to harmonization. An New Zealand butter, a ban on the production of imitation updated report covering more recent developments is in milk products from imported soya and the improvement of preparation. export policies by the introduction of long-term contracts? — 'Radiological protection criteria for controlling doses to the public in the event of accidental releases of radioactive materials' (Doc. V/6290/82 e, f) covers criteria in 3.