^—^ /•/•# • "fl "W *fl ISSN U378-6V86 Orhcial Journal c 177 Volume 30
of the European Communities 6 July 1987
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer:
87/C 177/01 No 2176/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: 'Butter trips' 1
87/C 177/02 No 2529/85 by Mrs Elise Boot to the Commission Subject: Community information policy 2
87/C 177/03 No 2536/85 by Mrs Elise Boot to the Commission Subject: Answers to questions 3
87/C 177/04 No 2554/85 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission Subject: Consumer information on duty-free prices 3
87/C 177/05 No 2562/85 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Transfrontier cooperation 3
87/C 177/06 No 2716/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Customs checks and payment of duty on goods in trains 4
87/C 177/07 No 2722/85 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Expenditure under regional aid — Industrial projects 4
87/C 177/08 No 2848/85 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser to the Commission Subject: Repeated interference with the occupational mobility of couriers and hence with the freedom of movement of tourist parties 5
87/C 177/09 No 2931/85 by Mr Pieter Dankert to the Commission Subject: Allegations of illegal refunds granted by the Swiss shipping company 'Schweizerische Reederei und Neptun AG (SRN)' 6
87/C 177/10 No 2959/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: A People's Europe 6
87/C 177/11 No 3027/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Customs ceremonies aboard railway refreshment cars in Luxembourg 7
Price: £ 6,60/£Irl 7,10 (Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued) Page
87/C 177/12 No 3058/85 by Mr Egon Klepsch to the Commission Subject: Hindrances to free movement of goods and persons on waterways at the Community's internal frontiers caused by the action of Dutch customs authorities 8
87/C 177/13 No 3149/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Personal checks at internal frontiers 8
87/C 177/14 No 8/86 by Mrs Barbara Castle to the Commission Subject: People with disabilities 9
87/C 177/15 No 29/86 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission Subject: Storage space for surpluses 9
87/C 177/16 No 30/86 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission Subject: Exporters' difficulties 10
87/C 177/17 No 60/86 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject: Deregulation of air transport 10
87/C 177/18 No 91/86 by Mr Raphael Chanterie to the Commission Subject: Authorized tonnage of lorries 11
87/C 177/19 No 137/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Commission Subject: Customs duties between France and Belgium levied on a private individual 11
87/C 177/20 No 160/86 by Mr Terence Pitt to the Commission Subject: Fixed Channel link 11
87/C 177/21 No 197/86 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Patrol dogs at European internal borders 12
87/C 177/22 No 210/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Commission Subject: Freedom of movement 12
87/C 177/23 No 323/86 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Road haulage operations within Europe — Unfair competition from Eastern European operators, especially Bulgarians 13
87/C 177/24 No 373/86 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission Subject: M25 orbital motorway round London 14
87/C 177/25 No 397/86 by Mr Thomas Raftery to the Commission Subject: Vehicle insurance 14
87/C 177/26 No 638/86 by Mr Pieter Dankert to the Commission Subject: Provisions in Dutch legislation granting exemptions from Community law 15
87/C 177/27 No 642/86 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Chernobyl disaster — Assessment of the damage to agriculture and the agri-food industry in the Member States 16
87/C 177/28 No 655/86 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission Subject: Food aid 17
87/C 177/29 No 1144/86 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Implementation by the Member States of the Regulation on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures 17
87/C 177/30 No 1164/86 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission Subject: Weathering of architectural monuments 18 Notice No Page
87/C 177/31 No 1201/86 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission Subject: Olive oil surpluses in the EEC 18
87/C 177/32 No 1206/86 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission Subject: Meat and dairy surplus storage 19
87/C 177/33 No 1230/86 by Mrs Elise Boot to the Commission Subject: A political declaration on the part of the Council on Community information policy . . 19
87/C177/34 No 1293/86 by Mr Winston Griffiths, Mr David Morris and Mr Llewelyn Smith to the Commission Subject: Rules for State aid to the coal industry; security of supply and production targets .... 20
87/C 177/35 No 1335/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Commission Subject: Closure of the Michelin factory in Belgium 20
87/C177/36 No 1374/86 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission Subject: Freedom of movement for employed and self-employed persons 21
87/C177/37 No 1381/86 by Mrs Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission Subject: Nitrate content of cheese 21
87/C 177/38 No 1384/86 by Mr Marcel Remade to the Commission Subject: Forest death 22
87/C177/39 No 1391/86 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission Subject: Distortion of competition affecting the Community's meat-canning industries 23
87/C 177/40 No 1406/86 by Mr Rolf Linkohr to the Commission Subject: Lead-free petrol 24
87/C 177/41 No 1411/86 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: The failure of milk quotas to control over-supply 24
87/C 177/42 No 1434/86 by Mr Hans Nord to the Commission Subject: Advisory Veterinary Committee 25
87/C 177/43 No 1440/86 by Mr Robert Battersby to the Commission Subject: Danish pig-feed additive irregularities 26
87/C 177/44 No 1450/86 by Mr Danielle de March to the Commission Subject: Common measure for forestry in the Mediterranean areas of the Community 26
87/C177/45 No 1461/86 by Mr James Provan to the Commission Subject: Supply and demand for herring 27
87/C177/46 No 1466/86 by Mr Konstantinos Filinis to the Commission Subject: Radioactive pollution of Greek wheat 28
87/C 177/47 No 1528/86 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission Subject: Smuggling across the Northern Ireland border 28
87/C177/48 No 1555/86 by Mr Dominique Baudis to the Commission Subject: Consequences of the drought in the Midi-Pyrenees region 28
87/C177/49 No 1556/86 by Mr Dominique Baudis to the Commission Subject: Difficult situation of maize producers 29
87/C 177/50 No 1567/86 by Mrs Francesca Marinaro to the Commission Subject: Election of Italian Emigrants Committees in the Federal Republic of Germany 30
(Continued overleaf) Contents (continued) 1 Page
87/C 177/51 No 1730 / 86 by Mr Giorgio Almirante, Mr Antonio Tripodi and Mr Pino Romuladi to the Commission
Subject: Delay in elections to the Italian Emigrants Committee 30
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1567/86 and 1730/86 30 87/C 177/52 No 1571/86 by Mr Ray MacSharry to the Commission Subject: Imported cereal substitutes 30 87/C 177/53 No 1579/86 by Mr Roger Fajardie to the Commission Subject: Resolution on the education of children whose parents have no fixed abode 31
87/C 177/54 No 1587/86 by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission Subject: Discrimination against women in language 32
87/C 177/55 No 1607/86 by Mr Roberto Costanzo to the Commission Subject: Medical assistance for unemployed young people abroad 32
87/C177/56 No 1629/86 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission Subject: Fixing of threshold prices for broken rice and maize 33
%1IQY77IS7 No 1636/86 by Mr Dario Antoniozzi to the Commission Subject: Community aid for potato-growing in Sila 33
87/C 177/58 No 1637/86 by Mr Dario Antoniozzi to the Commission Subject: Community tourism 33
87/C 177/59 No 1640/86 by Mr Dario Antoniozzi to the Commission Subject: European Social Fund aid for Calabria 34
87/C177/60 No 1641/86 by Mr Dario Antoniozzi to the Commission Subject: Aid from the EAGGF Guarantee Section for Calabria 34
87/C 177/61 No 1679/86 by Mrs Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission Subject: Salaries of men and women employed in the banking and insurance sectors of the various Member States 35
87/C 177/62 No 1681/86 by Mr Jose Barros Moura to the Commission Subject: Community aid to countries hit by forest fires 36
87/C177/63 No 1682/86 by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni to the Commission Subject: Financing in the wine-growing sector in Italy 37
87/C 177/64 No 1693/86 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Measures for the protection of genetic diversity 38
87/C 177/65 No 1698/86 by Mr Emmanuel Maffre-Bauge to the Commission Subject: Quality of wines 39
87/C 177/66 No 1700/86 by Mr Pierre-Benjamin Pranchere to the Commission Subject: Encouragement of natural rearing of calves 39
87/C 177/67 No 1705/86 by Mrs Sylvie Le Roux to the Commission Subject: Fishing for immature fish 40
87/C 177/68 No 1710/86 by Mr Peter Price to the Commission Subject: Cereals Advisory Committee 40
87/C 177/69 No 1711/86 by Mr Peter Price to the Commission Subject: Publication of minutes of Advisory Committees 41 Notice No
87/C 177/70 No 1712/86 by Mr Peter Price to the Commission Subject: Audio-visual materials for industrial or commercial audiences 41
87/C 177/71 No 1717/86 by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni to the Commission Subject: Exceptional crop of apples in the Community in the 1986/87 marketing year 42
87/C 177/72 No 1718/86 by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni to the Commission Subject: Use of the Martin method to prove the authenticity of wines marketed in the Community 42
87/C 177/73 No 1724/86 by Mr Eisso Woltjer to the Commission Subject: Common fisheries policy 43
87/C 177/74 No 1725/86 by Mr Eisso Woltjer to the Commission Subject: Common fisheries policy 44
87/C 177/75 No 1727/86 by Mr Eisso Woltjer to the Commission Subject: Common fisheries policy 44
87/C 177/76 No 1737/86 by Mr Ingo Friedrich, Mr Ernest Muhlen, Mr Karl von Wogau and Mr Rudolf Wedekind to the Commission Subject: Statistics on the development of small and medium-sized undertakings (SMUs) 45
87/C 177/77 No 1761/86 by Mr Jean-Pierre Abelin to the Commission Subject: Recognition of the route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella as a Community itinerary of historical and cultural interest 46
87/C 177/78 No 1799/86 by Mr Hans-Jurgen Zahorka to the Commission Subject: Distortion of competition caused by export duties imposed on petrochemical raw materials in producer countries 46
87/C 177/79 No 1801/86 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Surpluses of tomato juice, sauce, concentrates and preserves 47
87/C 177/80 No 1802/86 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Fishing quotas allocated to Belgium: 1986 fishing year 48
87/C 177/81 No 1812/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Council Subject: The case of Mrs Perinciolo 48
87/C 177/82 No 1816/86 by Mr Konstantinos Filinis to the Commission Subject: Tax changes in the Federal Republic of Germany detrimental to migrant workers .... 48
87/C 177/83 No 1822/86 by Sir Peter Vanneck to the Commission Subject: Aluminium smelting capacity in the European Community 49
87/C 177/84 No 1855/86 by Mr John Marshall to the Commission Subject: Replies (or lack of them) from Commissioner Marin 50
87/C 177/85 No 1942/86 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission Subject: Netherlands export subsidy for heating manure 50
87/C 177/86 No 2287/86 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission
Subject: Incentives for the export of liquid manure 50
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1942/86 and 2287/86 50 87/C 177/87 No 1945/86 by Mr Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject: Closure of High Spen Garage in the Durham Euro constituency 51 87/C 177/88 No 1965/86 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: EEC assistance for grasshopper control programme 51
(Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (continued) Page
87/C 177/89 No 2043/86 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission Subject: Importation of live plants and floricultural products from the Canaries 52
87/C177/90 No 2061/86 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission Subject: Grants for road and rail transport in the United Kingdom 53
87/C 177/91 No 2118/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin to the Commission Subject: Shell boycott — purchases of petrol for EEC officials and petrol coupons for members of the permanent representations . . 54
87/C 177/92 No 2133/86 by Mr Ernest Muhlen to the Commission Subject: Limited scope of the disaster plan for the Cattenom nuclear power-station 55
87/C 177/93 No 2149/86 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission Subject: Publication in the Official Journal of the results of invitations to tender provided for in the Financial Regulation applicable to the Fifth European Regional Development Fund 55
87/C 177/94 No 2159/86 by Mr Robert Delorozoy to the Commission Subject: 1992 Olympic Games 56
87/C 177/95 No 2198/86 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Own resources and the cost of the common agricultural policy 56
87/C 177/96 No 2216/86 by Mr Horst Seefeld to the Commission Subject: Amount of cadmium in children's toys 56
87/C 177/97 No 2228/86 by Mr Robert Cohen to the Commission Subject: Sysmin 57
87/C 177/98 No 2232/86 by Mr Alfons Boesmans to the Commission Subject: Emergency aid to El Salvador 58
87/C 177/99 No 2245/86 by Mr James Moorhouse to the Commission Subject: Community-Japan trade 58
87/C 177/100 No 2255/86 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission Subject: Ecology and development: protection of natural resources on the Philippine island of Palawan 59
87/C 177/101 No 2297/86 by Mr Hans Poetschki to the Commission Subject: Principles of regional policy 60
87/C177/102 No 2308/86 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Greasing the wheels of Soviet industry 60
87/C 177/103 No 2321/86 by Mr Luis Perinat Elio to the Commission Subject: The incidence of illiteracy in the Member States 60
87/C 177/104 No 2329/86 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission Subject: Community poverty programme — Proportion devoted to evaluation and research ... 61
87/C 177/105 No 2350/86 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: ERDF and SMUs 61
87/C 177/106 No 2370/86 by Mr Andrew "Pearce to the Commission Subject: Customs duties on fresh lemons originating in Cyprus 62 Notice No
87/C 177/107 No 2379/86 by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias to the Commission Subject: Cooperation in the Andes region (Peru) 62
87/C 177/108 No 2382/86 by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias to the Commission Subject: Promotion of SMUs in Latin America 63
87/C 177/109 No 2383/86 by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias to the Commission Subject: Economic aid for SELA 63
87/C 177/110 No 2393/86 by Mr Richard Cottrell to the Commission Subject: Stock disposal programmes 63
87/C 177/111 No 2402/86 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission Subject: Asbestos and the demolition of buildings 64
87/C 177/112 No 2404/86 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission Subject: Liberalization of capital movements 64
87/C 177/113 No 2431/86 by Mrs Marie-Noelle Lienemann to the Commission Subject: The proliferation of crabs in the paddy fields of Andalusia 65
87/C 177/114 No 2519/86 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Sale of beef to welfare institutions and bodies 65
87/C 177/115 No 2524/86 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject: Transportation of food aid 66
87/C 177/116 No 2537/86 by Mr William Newton Dunn to the Commission Subject: Community policy for bees and honey 67
87/C 177/117 No 2545/86 by Mrs Anne Andre to the Commission Subject: Belgian schools in frontier regions 67
87/ C 177/118 No 2560/ 86 by Mr John Iversen to the Commission Subject: Export refunds on butter which is not exported 68
87/C 177/119 No 2569/86 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Action brought against Belgium 68
87/C 177/120 No 2574/86 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission Subject: Boat race to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome . 69
87/C 177/121 No 2598/86 by Mr Julian Grimaldos Grimaldos to the Commission Subject: Earthquake in El Salvador 69
87/C 177/122 No 2674/86 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Council Subject: Policy in respect of SMUs 69
87/C 177/123 No 2747/86 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Council Subject: Voting rights in local elections for nationals of Community Member States who are resident in a Member State other than their own 70
87/C 177/124 No 2793/86 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Council Subject: Allocation of EEC multilateral haulage permits for 1987 70
87/C 177/125 No 2794/86 by Mr Franz Stauffenberg to the Council Subject: Booklet containing recommendations for the exercise of the presidency 71
87/C 177/126 No 2795/86 by Mr Hans-Jurgen Zahorka to the Council Subject: Booklet containing recommendations for the exercise of the United Kingdom presidency 71
87/C 177/127 No 2967/86 by Mr Axel Zarges to the Council Subject: Booklet 'Guidance on the exercise of the Presidency' 71
(Continued overleaf) Contents (continued)
Joint answer 72
87/C 177/128 No 2819/86 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Council Subject: Equivalence of diplomas in physiotherapy 72
87/C 177/129 No 2844/86 by Mr Jochen van Aerssen and others to the Commission Subject: EEC-Argentina Cooperation Agreement 72
87/C 177/130 No 2846/86 by Mr Sylvester Barrett to the Commission Subject: Possible consequences, for Irish products, of the EEC-USA dispute following American reactions to the Community provisions applied in pursuance of the act of accession of Spain and Portugal to the Community 73
87/C 177/131 No 2878/86 by Mr Gilbert Deveze to the Commission Subject: Relations between the European Community and the United States in the agricultural sector 73
87/C 177/132 No 2879/86 by Mr Bernard Antony to the Commission
Subject: EEC-US trade relations 74
Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2846/86, 2878/86 and 2879/86 74
87/C 177/133 No 2979/86 by Mr Giovanni Cervetti to the Council Subject: Liquidation of the CML-SAE company in Lecco, belonging to the multi-national Brown Boveri 74 87/C 177/134 No 3011/86 by Mr John Tomlinson to the Council Subject: The Court of Auditors 74
87/C 177/135 No 3031/86 by Mr Paul Staes to the Council Subject: Disposal of waste by the phosphate industry in Morocco 75
87/C 177/136 No 3074/86 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Council Subject: Closure of establishments belonging to multi-national undertakings 75
87/C 177/137 No 38/87 by Mr Emmanuel Maffre-Bauge to the Council Subject: Management of the market in fruit and vegetables 76
87/C 177/138 No 112/87 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject: Energy projects 76 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/1
I
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2176/85 Answer given by Mr Delors by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (9 June 1986) (3 December 1985) (87/C177/01) 1 and 2. The Commission is aware of the Fourth Order Subject: 'Butter trips' amending the Order on tax and duty allowances on entry, dated 28 March 1985 (published in Bundesgesetzblatt I, 1. Is the Commission aware of the measures adopted by page 618). the German Federal Government^, with effect from 1 October 1985, to implement the Court of Justice's rulings on this subject and what is the Commission's view of these The Commission does not share the Honourable Member's measures? view; it considers that the rules applied in Germany since 1 October 1985 do not take proper account of the Court's 1 2. Does the Commission agree that in adopting these judgment in Case 325/82 ( ). measures the German Federal Government has made a substantial contribution to honouring its commitments as a Member State of the European Community? If not, why The judgment makes it quite clear that for passengers to not? qualify as travellers it is irrelevant whether the vessel remained on the high seas for some minimum period; the sole 3. In how many cases have Member States failed to abide test is whether the vessel called in another State and by rulings of the Court of Justice and their principal passengers had an opportunity to make purchases there. consequences? Which Member States have failed to abide by which rulings? As the German Order is based entirely on the notion of a 4. Will the Commission now give full support to the minimum stay, which is nowhere referred to in the judgment, amendments tabled by the European Parliament to the it cannot be said that the Federal Republic of Germany has proposal for a Seventh (Travel) Directive in its discussions complied with its obligations in the light of the judgment. with the Council and does it agree that the basic idea behind these amendments deserves consideration whilst there are still tax-free shops allowing travellers within the Member 3. The Commission's Annual Report to Parliament on the States to obtain exemption from duty, contrary to the monitoring of the application of Community law contains a principles of the internal market? list of the Court judgments which have not yet been complied with (2). 5. What policy is the Commission pursuing on the abolition of all exemptions from value added tax and special consumer taxes on journeys within the Member States? 4. The Commission does not feel able to take up Parliament's proposed amendment under which the so-called 6. Does the Commission agree that it would be best to 'lighthouse trips' would be treated in the same way as travel 3 abolish existing tax exemptions while increasing the between Member States ( ). This would be undesirable in the duty-free allowances for journeys within the Community at Commission's view because lighthouse trips are, in the terms the same time? of the judgment of the Court previously cited, artificial activities which have nothing to do with meeting demand for 7. When will the Commission submit relevant transport, and take place only in order to secure a tax proposals? advantage for those taking part. No C 177/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
This is the essential point which distinguishes the customers 2. Does the Commission intend to adopt an information of duty free shops, who are genuine travellers from one policy worthy of the Community within the foreseeable Member State to another, from the passengers on lighthouse future? trips.
3. Can the Commission provide detailed and precise 5. As is stated in its white paper to the European Council information on the activities and sectors of information on completing the internal market (4), the Commission takes policy which have suffered as a result of the cutbacks in the view that national rates of indirect taxation should be the information budget and indicate the extent to which brought closer into line as a matter of urgency. Once this has this adversely affected Community citizens (in 1985)? been done, goods will no longer be subject to indirect taxes at the Community's internal borders, and the question of exemptions for travellers will no longer arise.
6. The Commission feels that once national rates of indirect taxation have drawn closer, tax-free sales in travel Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana within the Community will not be able to continue. on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1986) 7. The Honourable Member is referred to pages 33 to 35 of the Annex to the white paper.
0) ECR. 1984, pp. 777 to 798. The Commission entirely agrees with Parliament that the (2) COM(85) 149 final of 23 April 1985. Community needs an effective information policy to ensure (3) Parliament opinion on Commission proposal for a Seventh that its decisions are taken in a democratic manner. Council Directive amending Directive 69/169/EEC (OJ No C 10, 16. 1. 1984, p. 42). (4) COM(85) 310 final, paragraphs 187 et seq. However, it does not share the Honourable Member's view that 'the Commission is still not pursuing a satisfactory information policy worthy of the Community'. Indeed, it feels it has done everything within its power, in view of the very small budget, the need for public information to cover the entire Community and the whole world, and the complex political, economic and social situation in which the Community has had to develop its information policy.
It feels that a more effective information policy can only be achieved if the necessary funds are provided in due course to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2529/85 match this policy to the scale of the task. Once again, the Commission welcomes Parliament's awareness of this by Mrs Elise Boot (PPE—NL) matter. The Commission has adopted a new approach to the to the Commission of the European Communities programming of its activities and is endeavouring to (21 January 1986) concentrate human and financial resources on priority (87/C 177/02) objectives linked to the broad lines of Community policy.
The 1985 financial year was marked first and foremost by Subject: Community information policy Parliament's rejection of the budget; information activities had to be planned in accordance with the provisional twelfths arrangements which allowed only the 8 million ECU entered On several occasions in the past, the European Parliament in the Council's draft (the 1984 information budget was 12 has drawn attention to the need for an effective information million ECU). By summer the budget had been adopted and policy ensuring that decision-making within the Community this amount increased to 9,9 million ECU. is carried out on a democratic basis (Schuyt, Schall, Beumer, Hahn). It has become clear in several instances that, despite oral statements on the importance of an effective information In these circumstances, only basic information activities were policy, the Commission is still not pursuing a satisfactory possible. It is therefore difficult to say what campaigns would information policy worthy of the Community. This applies have been conducted had the budgetary situation been to an even greater extent to the Council, which in 1985 cut normal and hence what reductions occurred as a result; the the Commission budget for information by more than three activities of the Information Offices in the Member States, million ECU (divided over various items) and plans to make a the press departments in non-member countries and the further cut of two million ECU (or more) in 1986: headquarter units had to be cut back drastically.
1. Can the Commission indicate clearly how important it regards information as being for the European Community? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/3
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2536/85 down by Directive 69/169/EEC (*), last amended in 2 by Mrs Elise Boot (PPE—NL) 1985 ( ). These arrangements do not cover sales in shops under customs control at airports and ports (duty-free to the Commission of the European Communities shops). (21 January 1986) (87/C 177/03) However, it is clear from two judgments delivered by the Court of Justice in 1981 and 1984 (Case 158/80 and Case 278/82) that goods bought in duty-free shops by persons Subject: Answers to questions travelling between Member States are eligible for exemption up to a value or a quantity equal to that granted under Would the Commission be so kind as to answer Written Directive 69/169/EEC to travellers from non-member Question Nos 2529/85 to 2535/85 (*) inclusive within the countries. next few months and to give a clearer and more precise 2 answer to Written Question No 888/84 ( ) than that given so The proposal for a Directive formally granting such far? exemption has been sent to the Council, but not yet 3 (>) No 2529/85 (see page 2 of this Official Journal); No 2530/85 adopted ( ). (OJ No C 190, 28. 7. 1986, p. 20); No 2531/85 (OJ No C 249, 6. 10. 1986, p. 7); No 2532/85 (OJ No C 249, 6. 10. 1986, As noted in the BEUC report referred to by the Honourable p. 7); No 2533/85 (OJ No C 249, 6. 10. 1986, p. 8); Member, the duty-free prices charged in the shops vary No 2534/85 (OJ No C 299, 24. 11. 1986, p. 8); No 2535/85 considerably from one Member State to another. Moreover, (OJ No C 233, 15. 9. 1986, p. 4). there are a number of other components that enter into the 2 ( ) OJNoC71, 18. 3. 1985, p. 9. price paid by customers, in particular certain airport charges. Consequently, the Commission feels that compulsory indication of the rate of VAT and excise duty normally applied, but not included in the price of the articles Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana sold, would give only a very imprecise idea of how prices had on behalf of the Commission been determined.
(4 June 1986) (») OJNoL 133, 4. 6. 1969, p. 6. (2) OJ No L 183, 17. 7. 1985, p. 24. 3 The Commission hopes that the answers to Written ( ) OJNoC 114,28. 4. 1983, p. 7. Questions Nos 2529/85 to 2535/85 will have provided the Honourable Member with the information she requires.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2562/85 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2554/85 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR—NL) (21 January 1986) to the Commission of the European Communities (87/C 177/05) (21 January 1986) (87/C 177/04) Subject: Transfrontier cooperation
With reference to Written Question No 1139/85 (J), does Subject: Consumer information on duty-free prices the Commission intend to submit to the Council the proposal that the European Community should become party to the In view of the results of the survey carried out by the Council of Europe's Outline Convention on Transfrontier European Bureau of Consumers' Unions in January 1985 on Cooperation? duty-free shops in the EEC (BEUC Bulletin 45, June 1985), what does the Commission intend to do to ensure that n OJNoC 334, 23. 12. 1985, p. 23. duty-free shops will clearly indicate the VAT and customs duties that are not included in the price of the articles they sell, so the consumer is not misled by the duty-free label? Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer on behalf of the Commission (S June 1986) Answer given by Mr Varfis on behalf of the Commission The Commission believes that the arrangements for (5 June 1986) cooperation proposed in the Convention can usefully complement existing Community action in the regional The general arrangements for exemption from turnover tax policy field. In view of such complementarity, therefore, and and excise duty on imports in international travel are laid since there is no conflict at present between the Convention No C 177/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 and Community action, the Commission does not feel that disappearance of this incorrect reference to what are in there is any need for the Community to become party to the reality formalities of a fiscal and administrative nature Convention. carried out at internal borders, pending the disappearance of the formalities themselves, and intends to take further action to eradicate all references to customs controls and formalities.
2 to 5. So long as Member States retain the right to carry out certain checks at internal borders, their exercise will tend WRITTEN QUESTION No 2716/85 to result in dissatisfaction and lack of understanding on the by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) part of travellers. These reactions are more likely, and more to the Commission of the European Communities justified, when the measure adopted by the authorities of Member States are as excessive as those described by the (10 February 1986) Honourable Member. However, the Commission has been (87/C 177/06) informed by the Luxembourg authorities that the instructions given in the trains concerned stipulate not that Subject: Customs checks and payment of duty on goods in travellers must leave the restaurant car but rather that they trains should be in the same place as their luggage when this is required to be checked in conformity with the existing In Das Parlament, No 49, of 7 December 1985 the journalist provisions. This inevitably obliges some travellers to leave Ewald Rose reported that on a journey in the E 391 from the restaurant car. Brussels to Strasbourg, shortly before the frontier of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg the passengers were asked over As the Honourable Member knows, the Commission a crackling loudspeaker to leave the restaurant car as it had to continues to work for the elimination of checks and remain closed until Thionville in France. In answer to a formalities currently carried out at internal borders and has question it was stated this was necessary for customs put forward a programme to this end, including measures purposes: aimed at establishing the 'Peoples' Europe' endorsed by the 1. What customs clearance is possible and is carried out in a Heads of State and Government. Among other things, the customs union pursuant to Article 9 of the EEC Treaty? Commission has proposed a Council Directive on the easing What is the legal basis for these measures? of controls and formalities applicable to nationals of the Member States when crossing intra-Community borders (2). 2. Are similar procedures carried out on other railway The proposed Directive would, among other things, put an routes crossing frontiers between Member States, e.g. end to systematic checks on rail travellers. Meanwhile, where between Cologne and Brussels, and if not, why not? it appears that Member States are using excessive means to carry out permitted objectives the Commission reserves the 3. If the first question is answered in the affirmative, why right to take appropriate measures. The attention of the does the Commission consider that such checks and Luxembourg authorities has been drawn to the possibility of procedures have not yet been discontinued? Does it abuses in the present arrangements for checks in trains and consider it has some responsibility for this obvious the Commission will continue to follow the situation in order failure, and if so, to what extent? to determine whether any further action is necessary.
4. Are other dues handled on such railway routes, and, if (») COM(85) 462 final. so, on what legal basis and with what success? (2) COM(84) 749 final.
5. Does the Commission agree that purely out of respect for railway passengers, the discontinuation of all such checks or clearance measures in trains is long overdue?
Answer given by Lord Cockfield WRITTEN QUESTION No 2722/85 on behalf of the Commission by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) (4 June 1986) to the Commission of the European Communities (10 February 1986) 1. The Commission's position on the use of the term 'customs formalities' has already been made abundantly clear (87/C 177/07) in its proposal for a resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Member States meeting within the Council on the removal of customs signboards from the Subject: Expenditure under regional aid — Industrial Community's internal borders (*). This proposal gives projects concrete form to the resolve of the Commission to support the comments made on this subject by the Adonnino Point 7.32 of the Court of Auditors' annual report for 1984 Committee. The Commission would welcome the general states that observations made during the audit of industrial 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/5 projects in France point to the need for better coordination An optimal selection of projects for assistance is the with other Community measures and for greater permanent concern of the Commission. The Commission is effectiveness. The audit of the Federal Republic of Germany elaborating an ex ante method assessing the Community projects reveals a failure to monitor the attainment of interest of the ERDF intervention, on the basis of the criteria objectives. laid down in the new Fund Regulation. This method and the procedures for carrying out the assessment should help to make the ERDF more effective. Both observations therefore indicate that there are various shortcomings with regard to industrial projects in the (!) OJ No C 326, 16. 12. 1985, p. 191. framework of regional policy.
Can the Commission say what measures it will take in the light of these findings by the Court of Auditors?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2848/85 by Mrs Ursula Braun-Moser (PPE—D) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer (21 February 1986) on behalf of the Commission (87/C 177/08) (5 June 1986)
Subject: Repeated interference with the occupational mobility of couriers and hence with the freedom of The observations of the Court of Auditors concerning the movement of tourist parties industrial projects in France and the Federal Republic of Germany to which the Honourable Member refers have already been subject to answer from the Commission, which 1. Is the Commission aware that non-French couriers in has been published in the Official Journal of the European France are still required to obtain a 'carte professionelle', by Communities along with the annual report of the Court of sitting a couriers' examination in French, in order to pursue Auditors concerning 1984 (*). their occupation? According to the French Government, there is a 1984 Act on the job profile of couriers (guides-interpretes); this should be suspended in order to put As far as the industrial projects in France are concerned, the an end to the restrictions on, and penalization of, foreign Court of Auditors notes that the Commission did not take couriers in France. sufficient account of the profitability of the investment when assessing the projects in question. In its reply the Commission 2. What action has the Commission taken thus far to put indicates that the Court of Auditors bases this general an end to restrictions on couriers from Member States conclusion on only 42 industrial projects inspected in France elsewhere in the Community, particularly in Greece and selected from several hundred projects so far financed in the France? regions concerned. In fact 12 of the 42 projects related to firms that had discontinued or suspended business. However, it has to be recognized, in the present economic climate, that there are no guarantees that investment in any industry will prove successful. Answer given by Lord Cockfield on behalf of the Commission In the case of the industrial projects in the Federal Republic of (30 March 1987) Germany, the Court of Auditors on the basis of audit inquiries undertaken in the regional development area 'Neckar-Odenwald' notes that the ERDF has not focused its 1. Yes. Further, the Commission calls attention to its grants on industrial investments intended to create skilled reply to Written Question No 376/84 by Mr Irmer (1). jobs, which should be one of the primary goals of its aid. In fact the action programme for this region does not indicate, 2. In this connection, the Honourable Member is asked to as a specific objective, the creation of qualified jobs, but refer to the Commission's reply to Written Question No concentrates its preoccupations on the employment 1681/85 by Mr Vandemeulebroucke (2). situation, a very large number of young people in the zone being employed in agriculture and the area having a surplus (») OJNoC71, 18. 3. 1985. of labour. The priority objective is thus creation of new jobs (2) OJ No C 143, 1. 6. 1987. whatever the level of qualification. The industrial projects assisted by the ERDF in the area in question correspond to this objective. No C 177/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2931/85 for example, it proposed a tariff system for national and by Mr Pieter Dankert (S—NL) international markets for all modes of inland transport. It went on to propose in 1975 a reference-tariff system to the Commission of the European Communities for international transport by inland waterway. There is (5 March 1986) also still a Commission proposal before the Council on (87/C 177/09) the liberalization of transport between seaports and their hinterland (*); i.e. on the solution to a problem that can be regarded as the kind of distortion of competition Subject: Allegations of illegal refunds granted by the Swiss which arises out of the coexistence of open markets and shipping company 'Schweizerische Reederei und controlled markets. Parliament delivered its opinion on Neptun AG (SRN)' 18 February 1986 (2).
1. Is the Commission aware of the article which appeared 4. The Commission, following on from its white paper on in the magazine Der Spiegel on 13 May 1985 entitled Kopie the completion of the internal market (3), will continue im Tresor (safe copy)? with its efforts to organize the internal waterways navigation market on a Community scale. 2. In the opinion of the Commission, is it correct that, as (') OJ No C 14, 16. 1. 1985, p. 7. alleged in the article, SRN is getting round the fixed freight 2 tariff system operated by the Federal Republic of Germany ( ) PE 103.481, 18. 2. 1986. (3) COM(85) 310 final. on the Rhine by illegal refunds?
3. Does the Commission not consider that the fixed freight tariff system operated by the Federal Republic of Germany results in distortion of competition on the Rhine?
4. If so, what action does the Commission intend to take on this matter? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2959/85 by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis (7 March 1986) on behalf of the Commission (87/C 177/10) (4 July 1986)
The Commission has no knowledge of the particular case Subject: A People's Europe raised by the Honourable Member, but it would like to stress the following general points in its answer: 1. Which Member States issue the European Community 1. The coexistence of free trade in Rhine navigation, as standard driving licence, and since when have they done established by the Mannheim Convention of 1868, and so? compulsory tariff systems for transport by inland waterway, which exist not only in the Federal Republic 2. What representations has the Commission made with of Germany, but also in Belgium, France and the Member States not yet issuing the European Community Netherlands, is a reflection of the division of the inland standard driving licence, and with what outcome? waterway market into different types of organizational set-ups. 3. Is the Commission prepared to publicize its answers to This situation can lead to distortion of competition questions 1 and 2 at a press conference? through the interdependence of inland waterway markets. In particular, the systems of compulsory tariffs, 4. Is the Commission aware of the difficulties created by which are not always in line with the market, make, with insurance companies and police and customs services in the likewise compulsory freight systems and the rules certain Member States for a driver whose driving licence has governing market access, for one of the main causes of not been issued by the authorities of the country in which his excess capacity in inland waterway navigation, which or her vehicle is registered? has a negative effect on price formation in international transport on the Rhine. 5. Is the Commission aware that some Belgian local 2. This does not mean to say that there are major authorities — more particularly, Foreign Residents' infringements of compulsory tariffs only in inland Registration Bureaux — insist that a foreign resident waterway navigation. Structural developments in the exchange the driving licence issued by his or her Member transport economy have made these systems weaker and State of origin for a Belgian licence? weaker. 3. The Commission has submitted various proposals on What is the Commission's view of the general refusal to price systems in inland waterway navigation. In 1963, comply with relevant Community rules? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/7
6. Is the Commission prepared to request Member States Written Question No 328/85 by Mrs Maij-Weggen (2), which did not begin to issue European Community standard which gives details of the position in each Member State. driving licences on 1 January 1986 to replace free of charge There has been little change since then, except that Greece national licences subsequently issued by a Community has started to issue these passports. The Netherlands still has standard licence? not.
0) OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1. 7. Which Member States issue the 'European passport', (2) OJ No C 334, 23. 12. 1985, pp. 6 and 7. and since when have they done so?
Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1986) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3027/85 by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities 1 and 2. The Member States of the Community of Ten, with the exception of Italy and Ireland, have submitted to the (14 March 1986) Commission for an opinion a planned driving licence based (87/C 177/11) on the model Community driving licence appearing in Annex I to Council Directive 80/1263/EEC of 4 December 1980 on the introduction of a Community driving licence (*). Subject: Customs ceremonies aboard railway refreshment The Commission has endorsed seven of the models but has cars in Luxembourg expressed reservations regarding the one submitted by the United Kingdom. It has asked all Member States, including During the passage of international trains through Spain and Portugal, to submit specimens of the driving Luxembourg, a curious ceremony takes place whereby all licences they have been issuing since 1 January 1986 to check service in refreshment cars is suspended, evidently by order of whether they comply with the above Directive. It will inform the customs authorities, and no passenger may receive the Honourable Member of the outcome of its enquiries. refreshment of any kind while technically upon Luxembourg territory. Why is this so? Since Luxembourg is part of the Benelux union, this hiatus appears to be in direct conflict 3. The answer to this Written Question will be published with the provisions of that union, not to mention the Treaty in the Official Journal of the European Communities in the of Rome. Or, do the customs authorities regard the lower normal manner. taxation on alcohol and tobacco in Luxembourg as somehow amounting to the equivalent of duty-free? Will the 4. Yes, but the difficulties are to do with the registration Commission kindly investigate the matter for the greater of the vehicle and not the driving licence. The holder of a comfort of railway travellers? driving licence issued in a Member State may drive in the other Member States a vehicle registered in any Member State. However, under present Community law, a person who has his normal residence in one Member State may not use a car registered in another Member State. This is mainly Answer given by Lord Cockfield for tax reasons. on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1986) 5. The Community rules provide that if the holder of a driving licence issued in one Member State establishes his normal residence in another Member State his licence The Commission has taken up the matter with the remains valid for not more than a year following the Luxembourg authorities, who have informed it that the establishment of the new residence. During this period the practice described by the Honourable Member has been licence holder must apply for his driving licence to be discontinued. If, however, the Honourable Member has exchanged for a national licence of the new country of evidence of recent incidents of this kind, the Commission residence. The Belgian authorities are therefore not justified would be ready to investigate them. The Community is, as in demanding that a licence be exchanged until the year has the Honourable Member will be aware, committed to the elapsed. elimination of systematic checks and formalities at internal borders and of all other practices which detract from the spirit of the People's Europe. In the meantime, where it 6. The Commission will enter this item on the agenda for appears that Member States are using excessive means to the next meeting of the committee of government experts on exercise controls which are still permitted under Community driving licences. law, the Commission reserves the right to take appropriate measures. 7. With regard to the issue of the European passport, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given by Lord Cockfield on 10 October 1985 to No C 177/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3058/85 and the following Articles of the EEC Treaty, but in the by Mr Egon Klepsch (PPE—D) present case the practice is apparently not systematic. to the Commission of the European Communities It should be noted that the proposals put forward in the (14 March 1986) Commission's white paper of June 1985 on completing the (87/C 177/12) internal market (*) would completely eliminate the need for any checks in the circumstances described by the Honourable Member. Moreover, more than six years ago the Subject: Hindrances to free movement of goods and persons Commission proposed to the Council a Directive on the on waterways at the Community's internal frontiers Community value-added tax and excise duty procedure caused by the action of Dutch customs applicable to the stores of vessels, aircraft and international authorities trains (2) which, if adopted, would institute a Community procedure dealing with the stores of ships plying on the Pleasure vessels plying the Rhine naturally carry on board a Rhine. supply of food and drink to offer to passengers during cruises. Extra stocks carried are sealed by the customs If the Honourable Member acquires evidence that the Dutch authorities in the country of origin (Federal Republic of authorities are instigating excessive checks, the Commission Germany) in order to avoid unnecessary checks when the will naturally be ready to examine such evidence and take any vessels leave and re-enter the country. necessary action.
Does the Commission take the view that the Dutch customs 0) COM(85) 310 final. authorities should restrict their inspections to the registered (2) OJNoC 31, 8. 2. 1980, p. 10. and opened stocks which such vessels are allowed to carry when entering the Netherlands or are they justified in opening the sealed storerooms as well and subjecting their considerable contents to painstaking and time-consuming inspection?
Does the Commission consider this bureaucratic pettifoggery WRITTEN QUESTION No 3149/85 to be compatible with the decisions of the governmental conference in Luxembourg, in particular, and what action by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) will it undertake to ensure the creation in this field, too of an to the Commission of the European Communities area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of (24 March 1986) goods, persons, services and capital is guaranteed in (87/C 177/13) accordance with the provisions of the EEC Treaty?
What is the legal basis for the action undertaken by the Dutch Subject: Personal checks at internal frontiers customs authorities and which provisions of Community law are thereby infringed? 1. Does the Commission agree that the legal position of Community citizens crossing frontiers is at present as confused as it is unsatisfactory?
2. Does the Commission agree that all regulations that Answer given by Lord Cockfield require more than the presentation of identity cards and on behalf of the Commission passports on demand are contrary to the EEC Treaty? (16 June 1986) 3. Will the Commission institute proceedings against the The Commission is informed by the Dutch authorities that Member States concerned for infringement of the Treaty the checks described by the Honourable Member are carried with regard to all requirements exceeding those listed in point out in only a small proportion of cases. At present Member 2, and if not, why not? States have the right to carry out certain inspections at the Community's internal borders in order to ensure the correct 4. On what does the Commission base its hope, expressed application of a variety of fiscal and other provisions. In this on several occasions in the European Parliament, that its own particular case the Dutch authorities affirm that they very far-reaching proposal for a Directive might be undertake random checks in a limited number of cases where immediately adopted? risks of fraud are judged to be greater than usual.
The Commission believes that such checks should be limited to what is strictly justified in the light of the actual risks of Answer given by Lord Cockfield fraud. Systematic unsealing of stores sealed under the formal on behalf of the Commission supervision of the German authorities might indeed be (24 June 1986) thought incompatible with the commitment to free movement of goods within the Community reaffirmed at a number of European Council meetings in the past two or 1. The Commission does not agree with the Honourable three years, and could be considered contrary to Article 30 Member that the legal position of Community citizens 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/9 crossing frontiers is confused. Community law on personal Answer given by Mr Marin checks states quite clearly that citizens of a Member State on behalf of the Commission may enter or leave another Member State 'simply on (4 June 1986) production of a valid identity card or passport' (*). The Commission does not have information for each The Commission has described this situation in detail in its Member State available as to whether dual disability is taken answers to the Honourable Member's Written Questions 2 3 into consideration when assessing thresholds of eligibility for No 611/84 ( ) and No 1395/84 ( ). specific benefits. It is, however, known that within social security schemes all a person's impairments are normally The Commission does, however, agree with the Honourable taken into account when making assessments for general Member that the situation is unsatisfactory in that the disability benefits. Council has not yet adopted its proposals for the easing of controls or the proposal for a Directive on right of The Commission is at present launching a study of possible residence. anomalies or inequities in benefit systems for disabled people within the European Community, and in the course of this 2 and 3. The Commission is in no doubt that any extra work will bear in mind the point which the Honourable requirements imposed on a citizen of a Member State Member has raised. crossing a frontier within the Community are contrary to the Treaty and to secondary legislation.
The Commission takes proceedings under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty wherever it finds that there has been a violation of Community law. WRITTEN QUESTION No 29/86 The draft Directive on frontier facilitation is an integral part by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED—GB) of the programme for completion of the internal to the Commission of the European Communities market (4). (10 April 1986) (*) Articles 2 (1) and 3 (1) of Directive 73 /148/EEC (OJ No L 172, (87/C 177/15) 28. 6. 1973), Articles 2(1) and 3 (1) of Directive 68/360/EEC (OJ No L 257, 29. 10. 1968). (2) OJ No C 62, 11. 3. 1985, pp. 3 — 5. Subject: Storage space for surpluses (3) OJ No C 189, 29. 7. 1985, p. 6. (4) COM(85) 310 final. What information does the Commission have regarding the dates, with respect to each Member State, on which it is likely that each respective intervention authority will run out of storage space for surpluses of (i) grain, (ii) beef and (iii) wine?
Or is it the opinion of the Commission that the amount of space which can be found for the storage of surpluses of the three types of agricultural product previously mentioned is WRITTEN QUESTION No 8/86 infinite? by Mrs Barbara Castle (S—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (10 April 1986) Answer given by Mr Andriessen (87/C 177/14) on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1986) Subject: People with disabilities Responsibility for the physical storage of commodities In assessing people with hearing disabilities for benefits in the withdrawn from the market lies with the agencies created United Kingdom, there is no concession given to the extra within each Member State for the implementation of the rules burden which may be caused by another disability such as for intervention. In general the storage space is provided by blindness. For instance, the case of someone who has 62 commercial operators. Although storage facilities cannot be decibels inthe left ear, 43 decibels in the right ear, therefore extended ad infinitum, in general the operators can provide an average of 52 decibels. The threshold for occupational as much as is required at a price. Problems experienced deafness is 50 decibels in each ear. If a person is blind as well recently have been on a local basis. When storage facilities in there is a case for a lower threshold coming into operation a particular locality are full, stocks may be physically because of the added burden of a double disability. relocated. In exceptional circumstances (i.e. when it is cheaper to do so), stocks may be moved from one Member Will the Commission provide information as to whether such State to another. a dual disability would be taken into consideration in assessing thresholds to qualify for benefits in each of the When considering the question of storage capacity it is useful other Member States? to bear in mind that stocks of crops produced within the NoC 177/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Community are significantly less than the size of one harvest only Belgium has so far not ratified. The Commission and that public stocks normally represent only a proportion understands that the United Kingdom has passed the of the total stocks held at any one time. Grain storage is necessary legislation to enable it to ratify the Convention and expected to rise again beyond the record levels of last year, at that it will do so when Belgium ratifies, thus bringing the which time sufficient storage facilities were found to be Convention into force between the United Kingdom and the available. six original Member States. (') OJ No L 304, 30. 10. 1978. Wine is not stored by the public agencies. It is the alcohol which results from the distillation of surplus wine which is stored. Hitherto the Commission has received no indication that storage facilities are less than sufficient.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 60/86 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek (LDR—NL) to the Commission of the European Communities (13 March 1986) WRITTEN QUESTION No 30/86 (87/C 177/17) by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Deregulation of air transport (10 April 1986) (87/C 177/16) Can the Commission state how far deregulation of air transport at Italian category 2 airports will affect bilateral agreements concerning traffic at category 1 airports? Subject: Exporters' difficulties Does it mean that all passenger transport between foreign Is the Commission aware that trade between the United airports of all categories and Italian category 2 airports has Kingdom and certain other Community countries is being been liberalized and should authorizations for such routes hampered because of exporters' difficulties in collecting not be linked to similar routes operated by Italian payment and the high level of bad debts? What does the airlines? Commission propose to do to try to ensure that a businessman in one Community country exporting to another is paid promptly and that the level of bad debts is minimized? Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1986)
Answer given by Lord Cockfield The publication in March 1986 of the Italian Decree for the on behalf of the Commission implementation of Council Directive 83/416/EEC (!) on (5 June 1986) Interregional Air Services may have given rise to some confusion. This publication concerns the last legal formality for the application of the abovementioned Directive in Italy. Difficulties in obtaining payment, and the level of bad debts, The Directive has de facto been applied for quite some time in are a result of economic conditions prevailing in certain Italy. This does not in any way amount to deregulation in this Member States, which may affect the solvency of country. businesses. The Directive introduces a flexible system for bringing into The difficulties facing United Kingdom exporters trying to being air services between categories II and III airports in the obtain settlement of their claims on residents in other Community. It constitutes in fact a multilateral scheme, Member States will be considerably lessened with the entry which is independent of the existing bilateral agreements. into force of the Convention of Accession of 27 September The Directive takes precedence over the bilateral agreements 1968 of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom to the in the instances where it is more liberal. Moreover Member Convention on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments in States are free to agree to more liberal rules in applying the J civil and commercial matters ( ). One of the purposes of this abovementioned Directive. Convention is to simplify formalities governing the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of The Directive, therefore, does not provide for liberalization courts or tribunals in the various Member States. of all passenger traffic coming from foreign airports of all categories to Italian airports of category II. Before the Convention of Accession can enter into force it needs to be ratified, on the one hand, by all six original (') OJNoL 237, 26. 8. 1983, p. 19. Member States plus Denmark, Ireland or the United Kingdom, on the other. Of the original six Member States 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/11
WRITTEN QUESTION No 91/86 Could the Commission draw attention to the rules in force in by Mr Raphael Chanterie (PPE—B) this area between the Member States, in particular the size of the duty-free allowances, and explain the difference in to the Commission of the European Communities treatment from one customs post to another? (10 April 1986) (87/C 177/18)
Subject: Authorized tonnage of lorries Answer given by Lord Cockfield Can the Commission provide a list of the authorized tonnage on behalf of the Commission of lorries on the roads in the various Member States? (25 June 1986)
It woud appear from the documents attached to the Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis Honourable Member's question that Belgian Railways' on behalf of the Commission customs agency entered the present, which should have been (18 June 1986) granted the tax relief allowed on the importation of goods in small consignments of a non-commercial character within The maximum authorized vehicle weights in the various the Community, as dutiable goods. This entry was accepted Member States are as follows: Netherlands 50 tonnes; by the customs office concerned, which consequently Denmark 48; Italy and Belgium 44; Portugal 40; France, the collected Bfrs 130 in VAT. Belgian Railways, for their part, Federal Republic of Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, collected Bfrs 195 in charges for customs presentation as Ireland, Greece and Luxembourg 38. payment for carrying out the formalities.
These are maximum weights for vehicle combinations The Commission has raised this matter with the Belgian (articulated vehicles or road trains) and depend on the authorities with a view, if it is found that a mistake has been configuration and number of axles in the two separate units made, to requesting reimbursement of the amounts of the combination. collected.
From 1 July 1986 as concerns transport between Member States the situation will improve, due to the coming into force of the provisions of Directive 85 / 3 / EEC (!), which provides for a maximum gross vehicle weight of 40 tonnes generally and of up to 44 tonnes for articulated vehicles transporting 40 ft ISO containers in combined transport operations. OJ NoL 2, 3. 1. 1985. WRITTEN QUESTION No 160/86 by Mr Terence Pitt (S—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (21 April 1986) (87/C 177/20) WRITTEN QUESTION No 137/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S—B) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Fixed Channel link (24 March 1986) Would the Commission indicate what assessment has been (87/C 177/19) made of the environment impact of the fixed Channel link on both sides of the Channel? Subject: Customs duties Between France and Belgium levied on a private individual In his reply to the emergency debate on the fixed Channel link J An inhabitant of Bonneville in Belgium who received from a at the plenary sitting of 18 April 1985 ( ), Mr Stanley Clinton member of his family resident in France a Christmas present Davis indicated that 'there would be a possibility that the consisting of a small stainless steel dish worth approximately Community could assist with the construction of associated Bfrs 800 was required by the customs post at Erquelines infrastructure'. Station to pay duty of Bfrs 325, i.e. approximately 40 % of the value of the object in question (see attached What assessment has the Commission made of the likely need documents). for associated infrastructure?
At the same time, two other members of the same family What assessment has the Commission made of the likely resident in Brussels who received the same parcel (identical requirement of public investment in "that infrastructure? format, contents and packaging) were not required to pay anything. (J) Debates of the European Parliament No 2/325 (April 1985). No C 177/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis deplorable relic of an outmoded concept of sovereignty that on behalf of the Commission ought to be abolished in the internal market now being (18 June 1986) created?
3. Can the Commission provide information, if The 'invitation to promoters' issued by the United Kingdom necessary, by contacting the Member States, on the number and French Governments on 2 April 1985 required that an of dogs working at internal frontiers and in which Member environmental impact assessment be carried out in the States, indicating the breakdown between rural frontiers, United Kingdom in accordance with the draft Directive (since road crossings, airports, etc. (i.e. dogs trained to detect adopted) (*) and in France in accordance with the relevant drugs), the breeds of dogs used, the annual cost of their regulation. training and keep, per animal, per official and per department, and above all what and how much each animal The Commission has not made any assessments of the likely eats daily to fortify himself for his duties? need for associated infrastructure for the Channel Tunnel. However, it is understood that the French and United Kingdom authorities have the matter under consideration and that a communication outlining the situation will be made to the Commission. When this communication is made Answer given by Lord Cockfield the Commission proposes to inform the Committee for on behalf of the Commission 2 Transport Infrastructure ( ) in order that the impact on the (19 June 1986) Community transport networks may be discussed.
Some initial estimates for investment works are becoming 1 and 2. Member States are at present entitled to use available but there is as yet no overall picture. Among the whatever means are appropriate to carry out frontier checks; principal unknowns is the decision regarding the for certain purposes, that may include that use of dogs. construction of TGV Nord from Paris to the Tunnel. The However, as the Honourable Member knows, the Commission hopes to be in a position to examine this issue in Commission's programme for Completion of the internal market envisages the abolition of frontier controls on a the context of the medium-term plan for transport a infrastructure which it plans to present in the near future. systematic basis by whatever means by 1992 ( ).
Finally, the attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to 3. The Commission does not have the necessary resources the reply made by the Commission to Oral Question No to carry out the kind of detailed enquiry which the 894/85 by Mr Megahy at Question Time during the plenary Honourable Member requests. session of May 1986. 0) COM(85) 310 final. i1) Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40). (2) Committee set up under Council Decision 78/174/EEC of 20 February 1978 (OJ No L 54, 25. 2. 1978, p. 16).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 210/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S—B) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 April 1986) WRITTEN QUESTION No 197/86 (87/C 177/22) by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Freedom of movement (21 April 1986) 1. Does the Commission not think that the attitude of the (87/C 177/21) Belgian Ministry of Finance, as revealed in the following cases, is contrary to Community regulations, particularly Subject: Patrol dogs at European internal borders EEC Directives that call on the Member State to encourage the free movement of persons and goods and economic integration? 1. Is the Commission aware that patrol dogs are being used by the authorities at the Community's rural internal (a) In 1985 a Belgian citizen, resident in Belgium, was given a borders, and if not, is it willing to make appropriate inquiries summons for driving in Belgium in a car belonging to his of the Member States? mother (a Luxembourg citizen resident in the Grand Duchy) and asked to pay 25 % VAT despite the fact that 2. What is the point of using patrol dogs within a customs 10 % VAT was paid when the car was bought in union, and does the Commission agree that this is a Luxembourg in 1981. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities
In addition the motorist was fined Bfrs 40 000 for driving the Gaston Schul judgments (Cases 15/81 of 5 May 1982 in Belgium in a car belonging to his mother who is resident and 47 / 84 of 21 May 1985) in respect of the importation by in Luxembourg. an individual of used goods on which VAT had already been charged in another Member State. (b) In 1986 a Belgian citizen resident in Belgium was asked to pay double VAT of 25 % as a fine (Bfrs 563 100 in total) The Commission has also published in the Official Journal of for having occasionally driven in Belgium since 1981 in the European Communities a communication on the four vehicles belonging to a haulage firm registered in conclusions it draws from the abovementioned Luxembourg of which he is manager, although the firm judgments (3). sold three of the vehicles in Luxembourg in 1981, 1984 and 1985 respectively. The vehicles in question were used (>) OJNoC 156, 23. 6. 1986. more or less equally in the two Member States by a (2) OJNoL 105, 23. 4. 1983. Luxembourg citizen resident in Luxembourg and a (3) OJ NoC 13, 21. 1. 1986, p. 2. Belgian citizen resident in Belgium.
This driver was asked to pay double road tax as a fine although road tax has already been paid on all the vehicles in Luxembourg.
2. Furthermore, are the Belgian customs and excise authorities not violating Community regulations when they prohibit a Belgian citizen resident in Belgium from using a WRITTEN QUESTION No 323/86 goods vehicle belonging to a haulage firm registered in by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR—B) Luxembourg of which he is manager to transport wood from to the Commission of the European Communities his parents' house in Arlon to his own house in Liege, on aim of confiscation of the vehicle? (13 May 1986) (87/C 177/23) .
3. What is the Commission's view of this rising tide of wrongful and vindictive treatment of dozens of European Subject: Road haulage operations within Europe — Unfair citizens by the Belgian customs and excise authorities? competition from Eastern European operators, especially Bulgarians
The association of internal road haulage operators which was set up by French operators suffering from what they regard as unfair competition from Eastern European Answer given by Lord Cockfield operators, especially Bulgarians, has condemned the on behalf of the Commission disparity between the number of permits issued to the latter for operations within the EEC (5 000 to 10 000 a year for (8 July 1986) France alone) and the number of permits issued for operations to Eastern Europe (50 for journeys from France to Bulgaria). As it indicated in its answer to Written Question No 2705 / 85 l by the Honourable Member ( ), the Commission considers The French road haulage operators have instituted legal that it is unable to comment on specific cases of this kind proceedings against the French State. Is the Commission unless those concerned supply it with full details. aware of the situation as regards Eastern European road haulage operators? What proportion of intra-European road Council Directive 83/182/EEC of 28 March 1983 on tax haulage services do they account for? What action does the exemptions within the Community for certain means of Commission plan to take to put an end to this imbalance? transport temporarily imported into one Member State from another (2) has laid down the basic principles to which reference must be made in assessing the rights which vehicle users in the Community currently have in such circumstances. Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis on behalf of the Commission The Commission is always prepared to examine problems (3 July 1986) which are brought to its attention by Community citizens and, where appropriate, to raise the matter in question with the competent authorities in the Member States concerned. Road haulage operators from State-trading countries are not Should a Member State fail to comply with Community law, allowed to engage in intra-Community road haulage. the Commission is prepared to use the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EEC Treaty. For example, it initiated Road haulage operations between EEC Member States and infringement proceedings for non-compliance with the Eastern European countries are at present governed by provisions of Article 95 of the EEC Treaty as interpreted by bilateral agreements for each of the routes concerned. Under NoC 177/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
these agreements, there is generally a transport quota on a British public opinion is not generally aware of financial fifty-fifty basis and in all cases there are bilateral assistance coming to major projects such as the M25. As the authorizations. road is not yet finally completed, will the Commission consider requesting the United Kingdom Department of Apart from on the route between the Federal Republic of Transport to put up permanent signs acknowledging the Germany and the German Democratic Republic, where contribution to its building from Community funds? balance has been more or less achieved, Community haulage operators fail to obtain half of the transport business on routes to and from Eastern European countries. On these routes there is a permanent and marked imbalance in favour of Eastern European operators (EEC 35 %, State-trading Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis countries 65 %). on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1986) The Commission has already examined road haulage problems in connection with State-trading countries and has proposed that the Council set up an information {l) and The Commission considers it important that when projects consultation procedure (2). However, the Council has not receive aid the Community is given full credit. However, the acted on these proposals although it has requested the relevant Article in the Regulation on special measures for the x Commission to produce an annual report on road haulage United Kingdom ( ) referred only to 'suitable' publicity. In between Member States and Eastern European countries. the event this was interpreted as requiring only that press releases were issued and a number of Parliamentary statements made. In the rather special circumstances As part of the development of the common transport policy surrounding the exercise this position was accepted by the and taking into account the contacts under way at present Commission. with a view to normalizing relations between the Community and the European countries which are members of the Assistance given in 1984 under the 'transport infrastructure' Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, the Commission is 2 at present examining whether it would be appropriate for the heading has a different legal base ( ). In this case the decision Community to step up its efforts and what the possible scope made by the Commission refers specifically to site notices. of the action in question might be. Clearly there may be cases where the isolation of the project or other requirements make forms of publicity other than site H OJ No C 36, 12. 2. 1982, p. 8. notices more appropriate. However, in the checks that will (2) OJNo C 350, 31. 12. 1980. be made of the compliance of the recipient authorities with the Commission's decision the Honourable Member may be assured that the question of publicity will be examined and the Member States will be required to demonstrate that they have made the best effort possible to ensure proper publicity.
(>) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1889/84 of 26 June 1984 introducing special measures of Community interest relating to the transport infrastructure (Article 9) (OJ No L 177,4. 7. 1984, WRITTEN QUESTION No 373/86 p. 4). (2) C(85) 1147 final. by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (28 May 1986) (87/C 177/24)
Subject: M25 orbital motorway round London WRITTEN QUESTION No 397/86 The M25 orbital motorway round London has received two by Mr Thomas Raftery (PPE—IRL) different types of funding from the Community — 79,9 million ECU as part of the United Kingdom refunds exercise to the Commission of the European Communities and nine million ECU from the 1984 transport infrastructure (28 May 1986) grant regulation. Nowhere throughout the length of the M25 (87/C 177/25) is this contribution from Community funds acknowledged. The United Kingdom Government acknowledged the contribution in a press release and in a Ministerial speech at Subject: Vehicle insurance the opening of the M4/M40 section of the M25. Is the Commission aware of the wide diversity in the costs of According to the United Kingdom Department of Transport, vehicle insurance between the Member States and indeed in the Commission has not suggested that permanent notices some cases between the various regions of the Member should be put up. States? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/15
Is the Commission further aware that in Ireland vehicles incidence of premium taxes and parafiscal charges levied in engaged in international road haulage are required for the various Member States. purposes of road tax to obtain insurance from Irish-based companies only? The insurance sector is included in the Commission's White Paper on completing the internal market (3), and a specific If so, will the Commission state: Directive to facilitate the provision of services in the field of third party motor insurance is provided for in the timetable — which other Member State operate similar practices, annexed to the White Paper. and (») Commission v. France (220/83) (OJ No C 299, 5.11. 1983, p. — whether such practices are applied to non-commercial 5); Commission v. Denmark (252/83) (OJ No C 327, 1. 12. vehicles as well? 1983, p. 6); Commission v. Federal Republic of Germany (205/84) (OJ No C 233, 4. 9. 1984, p. 3); Commission v. Ireland (206/84) (OJ No C 236, 6. 9. 1984, p. 4). Would the Commission not agree that this kind of policy is (2) Report on freedom to provide services in respect of motor vehicle both discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of the Treaty of insurance against civil liability (SEC Doc. PE 78 221). Rome? (3) COM(85) 310 final.
If so, will the Commission provide a detailed comparison of insurance rates for both commercial and private vehicles so that Community citizens can decide for themselves where they wish to obtain their insurance?
Will the Commission further undertake to bring about a genuine 'internal market' for motor insurance at the same pace as for other products, i.e. by 1992? WRITTEN QUESTION No 638/86 by Mr Pieter Dankert (S—NL) to the Commission of the European Communities (19 June 1986) (87/C 177/26) Answer given by Lord Cockfield on behalf of the Commission Subject: Provisions in Dutch legislation granting (30 June 1986) exemptions from Community law
In the area of compulsory third party motor insurance the On page 273 of the 1985 report of the Netherlands Public United Kingdom is the only Member State whose law allows Accounts Committee, reference is made to the fact that the the free provision of services by non-established insurers. In chairman of the producer group for fish and fish products is non-compulsory motor insurance the situation is only entitled to grant exemptions from Community law: slightly better. This is true both for commercial and for 1. Does the Commission consider that Community law non-commercial vehicles. allows for exemptions such as those contained in the regulation drawn up by the producer group for fish and The Commission believes that the ban imposed in most fish products? Member States on the coverage of risks in their territory by non-established insurers is contrary to Article 59 and 60 of 2. Does the Commission consider that Community law the EEC Treaty. The Commission is at present awaiting the permits exemption to be granted to the provisions of> judgments of the Court of Justice in cases brought against Directives 70/524/EEC (!) on additives to 1 four Member States ( ). feedingstuffs, 74/63/EEC (2) on the fixing of maximum permitted levels for undesirable substances and products in feedingstuffs, 77/101/EEC (3) on the marketing of The special features of compulsory third party motor straight feedingstuffs and 79/373/EEC (4) on the insurance in the context of freedom to provide services are 2 marketing of compound feedingstuffs, as provided for in dealt with in detail in a report ( ) presented to Parliament by the regulations of the producer group for cattle the Commission. fodder?
Apart from the unquantifiable effect on motor insurance 3. If not, what measures will the Commission take in this premiums of the lack of any real cross-frontier competition connection? within the Community, the wide diversity of premium levels reported by the Honourable Member can be attributed inter (*) OJ No L 270, 14. .12. 1970, p. 1. alia to differences in claims experience, driving standards, (2) OJ No L 38, 11. 2. 1974, p. 31. traffic densities, the levels of repair costs and court awards, (3) OJ No L 32, 3. 2. 1977, p. 32. the levels of compulsory and non-compulsory cover and the («) OJNoL 86, 6. 4. 1979,.p. 30. No C 177 /16 Official Journal of the uropean Communities 6. 7. 87
Supplementary answer given by Mr Andriessen such exemptions are allowed by the Directives on behalf of the Commission themselves. For instance Directives 70/524/EEC and (5 January 1987) 74/63/EEC provide for emergency Community procedures under which a Member State may take temporary measures if it considers that the presence of an additive or an undesirable substance or product in a Further to its answer of 26 September 1986, the Commission feedingstuff represents a threat to animal or human is now in a position to communicate its findings to the health. Honourable Member:
1. No authority may grant exemptions from Community law unless it is empowered to do so by that same law.
The Commission has the impression that the report of WRITTEN QUESTION No 642/86 the Nederlandse Algemene Rekenkamer (Netherlands by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR—B) Public Accounts Committee) to which the Honourable Member refers is based on the Verordening 1973 to the Commission of the European Communities Denatureren EEG — basis vissorten of the Produktschap (19 June 1986) voor Vis en Visprodukten, as amended at 1 March 1983. (87/C 177/27) This instrument is designed to ensure correct application of the common marketing standards for fishery Subject: Chernobyl disaster — Assessment of the damage to products, and in particular the provisions of Regulations agriculture and the agri-food industry in the (EEC) No 103/76 and (EEC) No 1501/83, in cases Member States where the marketing of products for human consumption is prohibited. Since the regulations in the The full extent of the ecological disaster brought about by the Netherlands are more stringent than those of the Chernobyl nuclear power station has certainly not been Community, exemptions from the national requirements assessed as yet. may be allowed on condition that all the requirements of the Community legislation are fulfilled. In addition to the measures taken by the Commission with a view to protecting Member States and providing for an Consequently, an exemption granted pursuant to Article exchange of information between them on radiation levels, 8 (2) of the Netherlands order does not necessarily could the Commission contemplate carrying out a constitute an infringement of Community law. thorough-going scientific study into signs of deterioration appearing in wild fauna and flora and domestic animals in 2. According to the information available to the the regions of the Twelve most affected by the radioactive Commission, the provisions of Directives 70/524/EEC cloud? (additives in feedingstuffs), 74/63/EEC (undesirable substances and products in feedingstuffs), 77/101 /EEC Can the Commission assess the financial impact (loss of (marketing of straight feedingstuffs) and 79/373/EEC crops) caused by the restrictions on the consumption of (marketing of compound feedingstuffs) have been agricultural products (milk, vegetables, meat . . .) in the transposed into the national legislation of the different countries affected? Netherlands by the Verordening diervoeder 1975, the Verordening voor ongewenste stoffen en produkten Does the Commission intend to take legal and economic 1975, the Verordening Handel in enkelvoudige measures against those responsible for the pollution and, if diervoeders 1980 and the Verordening Handel in so, what form will these measures take? mengvoeders 1980. These orders each contain a clause delegating to the president or secretary of the Produktschap voor veevoeder the power to take specific implementing measures or to grant exemptions from the Answer given by Mr Andriessen orders in question. on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1986) The Commission takes the view that the existence of a procedure for delegating certain powers to the president The transfer of accumulated radioactivity to natural or secretary of the Produktschap voor veevoeder is not in ecosystems (forests, lakes, etc.) as a result of the accident at itself incompatible with Community law because that the Chernobyl nuclear power station is to be studied under law leaves Member States free to allocate as they deem fit the Commission's radiation protection programme, the aim the powers for implementing the Directives in being to draw up an inventory and to study the question. bioavailability of the absorbed quantities. The initial deposition measurements taken in Europe suggest that the However, it is clear from the principle set out at the increase in radioactivity levels in the worst-affected regions beginning of point 1 above that no authority appointed of the Community will not allow degradation phenomena in by a Member State is entitled, by virtue of the powers the biota of these ecosystems to be demonstrated, since the entrusted to it under any national legislation, to take any principal fall-out constituent is iodine-131 (half-life: eight action which might confer exemption from the days). Nevertheless, the research scientists conducting these provisions of the Community Directives, except where studies will monitor the long-term behaviour of » 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/17
radionuclides having a longer half-life than iodine 131, The Community's budget (Guarantee Section of the paying particular attention to caesium 137 (half-life: 30 European Guidance and Guarantee Fund) takes years), whose metabolism is very similar to that of natural responsibility for that part of food aid supply expenditure potassium-40, which is widely distributed in living corresponding to the export refunds fixed in accordance with organisms and the environment. Community Regulations.
Since it lacks the necessary data, the Commission is unable to Accordingly, it would not be right to argue that the evaluate the financial loss suffered by farmers as a result of implementation of food aid is hampered by unduly high the restrictions imposed on the consumption of agricultural prices for the supply of intervention stocks. products in the Member States after the Chernobyl accident.
The Commission intends to participate in the international discussions and activities centring on the re-examination of the rules governing civil liability for nuclear damage. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1144/86 by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC—B) to the Commission of the European Communities (2 September 1986) (87/C 177/29)
WRITTEN QUESTION No 655/86 Subject: Implementation by the Member States of the by Mr Leen van der Waal (NI—NL) Regulation on improving the efficiency of to the Commission of the European Communities agricultural structures (19 June 1986) (87/C 177/28) Could the Commission give a review of how Regulation (EEC)" No 797/85 (*) has been implemented by the various Member States so far? Subject: Food aid In particular, could the Commission state what progress has Can the Commission confirm that for food aid supplied by been made at national level on putting into effect: the Member States the current market price has to be paid for 1. the system of investment aid designed to protect and products purchased from EEC stocks such as meat, cereals, improve the environment (last indent of Article 3 (1) of butter and milk powder? Regulation (EEC) No 797/85),
If so, can the Commission explain why this is the case in view 2. the system of aid to farmers who undertake to farm of the fact that, at the same time, food surpluses are often sensitive areas so as to preserve or improve their sold at dumping prices for other purposes? environment (Article 19 of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85), Would the Commission continue charging the market price if it were to prove that such a measure prevented or restricted 3. the system of aid for the afforestation of agricultural land deliveries of food aid? (Article 20 of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85)?
(*) OJNoL 93,30. 3. 1985, p. 1.
Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Andriessen (4 November 1986) on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1986) For the purposes of the Community financing of expenditure arising in connection with the supply of agricultural products The Member States have all adopted provisions as national food aid, the value of the products drawn from implementing Regulation (EEC) No 797/85, but there are stocks held by intervention agencies is defined, barring special situations for Italy and Denmark. The arrangements exceptions, not by reference to the market prices but by made by the Italian Government are to be supplemented by application of the relevant intervention price in force during implementing provisions in the regions; but so far, not all the the month of withdrawal from stock. This valuation entails a regions have adopted these. For Denmark, in the absence of price lower than the market prices, in normal circumstances; the latest implementing provisions, a decision concerning the it is also a very stable price, allowing of financial planning granting of aids for the execution of the improvement plan undisturbed by market fluctuations. cannot yet be taken at the present stage: No C 177/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
1. Application of the last subparagraph of Article 3 (1) of possible to define the programme needed in this area more Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 does not require a specific clearly. system of aid to investments designed to ensure the protection and improvement of the environment. The (>) Supplement 6/82 (Bulletin of the EC, p. 29). provisions of Articles 4 and 8 apply in the same way whether or not the investments contribute mainly to one or other of the objectives mentioned in Article 3(1).
2. Implementation of Article 19 of Regulation (EEC) No WRITTEN QUESTION No 1201/86 797/85 has led to a limited number of applications, by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (ED—E) coming from only two Member States: the Federal Republic of Germany and Denmark. The United to the Commission of the European Communities Kingdom is preparing to send in a set of projects, which (2 September 1986) require a national legal basis that has had to be created. (87/C 177/31) Certain Member States are only including the principles of Article 19 in their regulations, without so far sending Subject: Olive oil surpluses in the EEC applications. In practice, the Commission has already endorsed four systems: one in Denmark, for The liberalization of vegetable oil imports to Spain and compensation where drainage authorization is refused, Portugal at more competitive prices than olive oil is likely to and three in the Federal Republic of Germany lead to a switch in consumption from olive oil to vegetable encouraging the extensive use of grasslands. oils, thus increasing Community surpluses of that product. 3. At the present stage, specific provisons concerning the application of Article 20 have been adopted only by one By way of identifying the present volume of surplus olive oil Member State. For other Member States, the question production in the enlarged EEC, would the Commission arises as to whether Article 20 could be applied on the indicate the volume of the olive oil surplus in the enlarged basis of national provisions already in existence. EEC in 1985 and 1986? What measures has the Commission adopted, or does it plan to adopt, to reduce these surpluses?
Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 1164/86 (19 December 1986) by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S—E) to the Commission of the European Communities The situation described by the Honourable Member should not arise until 1991, that is until the end of the standstill (2 September 1986) period, during which provision is made in the Act of (87/C 177/30). Accession of Portugal and Spain for measures to prevent a drop in olive oil consumption in the new Member States.
Subject: Weathering of architectural monuments The same Act includes a joint declaration to the effect that discussions on the adjustment of Community legislation on Cannot Community action include a research project to seek vegetable oils and fats should be started as quickly as possible ways of combating the formation of sulphate in the after accession, on the basis of Commission proposals which calcareous stone, brick and marble of the monuments which should take account, among other things, of the guidelines represent the architectural heritage of Europe? on olive oil and the development of the oils and fats market adopted by the Council in October 1983. If appropriate, guarantee thresholds would be applied under the conditions spelt out by the Council at its meeting in March 1984, within the framework of the guidelines to be followed for the Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana organization of markets in products which are or might be in on behalf of the Commission surplus or products which might give rise to a rapid increase (4 December 1986) in expenditure.
Intervention stocks of olive oil were: The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its communications on Community action in the cultural sector (a) at 31 October 1985: and in particular to paragraph 3 of Annex IV to its — 64 756 tonnes in the Community of Ten, J communication of 12 October 1982 ( ). — 254 000 tonnes in Spain,
Following these communications and their approval by — 11 000 tonnes in Portugal; Parliament, the Commission has just signed two study (b) at 31 July 1986: 260 686 tonnes in the Community of contracts. The findings of these studies should make it Twelve. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/19
Pending the decisions on the measures referred to above, the For reasons of financial management, stock levels given are Commission will continue to pursue the policy adopted by as at 30 November. the Council in order to maintain olive oil consumption in the Community, in particular by aid for consumption and promotional measures, and to maintain, and if possible Community expenditure entailed by storage costs in 1985 expand, exports of Community oil to the world market, in (ECU millions) particular by suitable refund arrangements. Technical Financing Total costs (') costs (2)
Butter 134,3 234,5 368,8 Beef 198,1 128,2 326,3
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1206/86 Total 332,4 362,7 695,1 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (ED—E) (*) Technical costs cover intake, storage proper, withdrawal and to the Commission of the European Communities processing (boning) of the merchandise. 2 (2 September 1986) ( ) The financing costs represent interest costs whicht the EAGGF Guarantee Section finances vis-a-vis the Member States on a (87/C 177/32) flat-rate basis covering national funds immobilized as a result of the public storage of agricultural products. } Subject: Meat and dairy surplus storage
According to recently published figures, the surpluses of butter and beef stored by the Community currently amount to 1 300 000 and 750 000 tonnes respectively.
The cost of storage of either product involves an extremely WRITTEN QUESTION No 1230/86 substantial level of annual expenditure. Would the Commission therefore state how many tonnes of butter and by Mrs Elise Boot (PPE—NL) beef were being stored by the EEC in each Community to the Commission of the European Communities country at the end of 1985? (2 September 1986) (87/C 177/33) What was the level of spending by the Communities on the storage of butter and beef surpluses in 1985?
Subject: A political declaration on the part of the Council on Community information policy Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission In answer to Written Question No 2535/85 (J), the (25 November 1986) Commission stated that a political declaration on the part of the Council on the subject of information policy would be The figures requested concerning public stocks of butter and most welcome. However, in answer to Written Question No beef, based on EAGGF accounts, are given below. 2537/85 (2), the Council said it had received no proposal from the Commission in this field: Butter and beef in public store with the intervention agencies at the end of 1985 1. Is the Commission prepared to submit a proposal to the (tonnes) Council in the near future for a Council policy declaration on the new prospects for the Community's Beef Beef Member States Butter (carcases) (bone) information policy indicated by the Commission (see answers to Written Questions No 2529/85 (3) to No Belgium 8 228 7 225 2537/85)? Denmark 15 762 8 769 27 991 Germany 402 549 93 316 24 779 2. Is the Commission also prepared to play its part in Greece enabling the Council to adopt a political declaration on France 78 004 201 457 36 359 information policy in 1986? Ireland 107 414 44 046 74 948 Italy 1 260 170 760 (^ OJ No C 233, 15. 9. 1986, p. 4. Luxembourg 504 (2) OJ No C 106, 5. 5. 1986, p. 33. 3 Netherlands 191 668 28 442 774 ( ) No 2529/85 (see page 2 of this Official Journal; No 2530/85 (OJ No C 190, 28. 7. 1986, p. 20); No 2531/85 (OJ No C 249, United Kingdom 212 746 34 907 49 350 6. 10. 1986, p. 7); No 2532/85 (OJ No C 249, 6. 10. 1986, p. 7); No 2533/85 (OJ No C 249, 6. 10. 1986, p. 8); No Total 1 018 135 588 922 214 201 2534/85 (OJ NoC 299, 24. 11. 1986, p. 8); No 2536/85 (see page 3 of this Official Journal). No C 177/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana field (world market prices for coal, the US dollar exchange on behalf of the Commission rate, production costs for Community coal, etc.), partly in (25 November 1986) the political field of national governments (strategic interest; social problems) result in constant change. In view of all these considerations, its seems inappropriate for the Commission The Commission is considering making a proposal for a to estimate which would be a sustainable level of coal declaration on the Community's information policy. production for the Community in the future. Dangers from coal imports are judged differently by different Member It believes that such a proposal demands careful thought as States and it is they who, on the basis of Article 71 of the regards both content and timing. ECSC Treaty, have competence for coal imports.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1293/86 by Mr Winston Griffiths, Mr David Morris and Mr Llewelyn WRITTEN QUESTION No 1335/86 Smith (S—GB) by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S—B) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (2 September 1986) (3 September 1986) (87/C 177/34) (87/C 177/35)
Subject: Rules for State aid to the coal industry; security of Subject: Closure of the Michelin factory in Belgium supply and production targets Can the Commission say what legal channels are open to the In paragraph 1 of Section III of the preamble to Commission J employees of Michelin-Belgium to gain a hearing from the Decision No 2064/86/ECSC ( ), the Commission states 'the French parent company, given that no prior consultation or creation of securer supply conditions inter alia by developing information was offered? domestic energy sources in the Member States of the Community under satisfactory economic conditions, is an essential element of Community energy policy'. Yet there is When does the Commission plan to re-submit the Vredeling no mention in the text of any level of coal production proposal to the Council and the European Parliament? capacity which it might be desirable to achieve in order to create 'the securer supply conditions' the Commission refer to in their text.
Will the Commission make such an estimate — as they have Answer given by Mr Marin done in the past — so that Community coal producers have a on behalf of the Commission guideline to refer to in the framework of their (3 December 1986) decision-making on future coal production, as well as indicating the level of production they consider desirable in order to provide insurance against future exploitation either The rules in force in Belgium (*) require the 'head of the by OPEC or by organizations of coal exporting nations or undertaking or his representative, whose acts are deemed to undertakings? bind the head of the undertaking', to inform and consult the works council 'prior to any decision' in the event of collective (') OJ No L 177, 1. 7. 1986, p. 1. redundancies. Where appropriate, these information requirements will apply in respect of 'multi-site undertakings, international undertankings and groups forming an economic entity'. The texts in force give no Answer given by Mr Mosar further definition of 'head of undertaking', but they would on behalf of the Commission not appear to give the works council the right to approach the management of the parent undertaking abroad when local (28 October 1986) management has not informed or consulted them. Where this is the case, however, those concerned have the right to bring proceedings before the relevant Belgian courts with a view to The reference in the preamble to Decision No ensuring compliance with the rules in force, which include 2064/86/ECSC to 'satisfactory economic conditions' shows provision for criminal law penalties. that security of supply is both a political and an economic problem. Improvements in security of supply cannot be achieved regardless of cost. And the costs involved cannot be It it true that the amended proposal for a Directive referred to accurately forecast; too many factors, partly in the economic by the Honourable Member (2) includes a provision to the 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/21 effect that, where the management of a subsidiary failed to On 24 July 1986, the Council adopted the Comett comply with its obligations, the representatives of its programme (*). This decision is concerned with a employees would have the right to approach in writing the programme of cooperation between the universities and management of the parent undertaking and the latter would industry in respect of training in the technological field. be 'obliged to communicate the relevant information without delay to the management of the subsidiary'. The Commission As regards the Erasmus programme (2), the Council, at its takes the view that this proposal is still before the Council meeting held on 9 June 1986, expressed its approval of the and does not therefore need to be resubmitted. aim of this programme, i.e. that of increasing the mobility of
3 students within the European Community. It called on the For its part, the Council stated in July 1986 ( ) that it would Education Committee to continue its examination of the resume its deliberations on this question at the beginning of Commission's proposal and to report to it at its meeting 1989 on the basis either of the Commission's amended scheduled for the end of 1986. proposal or of any other proposal which the Commission might submit to it in the meantime. It also invited the Furthermore, the European Council, which met at The Commission to report to it each year on major developments Hague on 26 and 27 June 1986, called on the Council — as in this area. part of its endeavours relating to a 'People's Europe' — to (*) Royal Decree of 20 December 1985 making generally binding reach an early agreement on the Erasmus programme. Collective Agreement No 24 b. Royal Decree of 11 June 1986 entering into force on 1 July 2. The budget proposed by the Commission for the 1986. Comett programme in 1987 is 13 million ECU, while that for Royal Decree of 12 September 1972 making generally binding Collective Agreement No 9 of 9 March 1972. the Erasmus programme is 25,36 million ECU. Royal Decree of 27 November 1973. (2) OJNoC217, 18. 8. 1983. 3. The Commission is making every effort to get the (3) OJNoC203, 12. 8. 1986. Erasmus programme adopted by the Council. The Commission is concerned to make sure that, by 1992, up to 10 % of students involved in higher education will be able to spend part of their course of study at a university in another Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1374/86 It would be premature to make any comment on the by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S—D) Council's decision, although the Commission regrets that, in its first reading of the budget, the Council set the amount to the Commission of the European Communities allocated to the Erasmus programme at 11,2 million ECU (18 September 1986) instead of the 25,36 million ECU proposed by the (87/C 177/36) Commission. I1) OJNoL222, 8. 8. 1986, p. 17. Subject: Freedom of movement for employed and (7) COM(85) 756 final/2. self-employed persons
1. Which of the most important proposals submitted in 1985 on freedom of movement for employed and self-employed persons, particulary those relating to students, educational establishments, universities, high-techno logy-related training, the expansion of youth exchanges, and mutual recognition of higher education diplomas, have been adopted by the Council? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1381/86 by Mrs Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE—NL) 2. What are the financial implications of the programmes to the Commission of the European Communities adopted by the Council for the 1987 budget? (18 September 1986) 3. Is the Commission content with the action taken by the (87/C 177/37) Council on its proposals? Alternatively, does it propose to submit supplementary proposals, where appropriate, to improve the situation in areas which have been neglected? If Subject: Nitrate content of cheese so, when and on what areas will it submit proposals? 1. The Dutch State Secretary for European Affairs recently reported the Greek Government to the Commission for objecting to imports of cheese from the Netherlands, Answer given by Mr Marin Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germany, allegedly on behalf of the Commission because the nitrate content was too high. (3 December 1986) 2. It appears from further inquiries that the international 1. The Honourable Member is, no doubt, referring to the maximum nitrate content for cheese, laid down by the FAO, Comett and Erasmus programmes. is 50 mg/kg. No C 177/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
3. The Netherlands, Denmark and the Federal Republic (f) in the Netherlands, for the Gouda and Edam varieties, as of Germany abide by this standard, the average nitrate a result of the addition of nitrate during manufacture, content of Dutch cheese being between 14 and 35 mg/kg maxima of 50 mg/kg were detected and the average was according to ripeness. 35 mg/kg; (g) in the Federal Republic of Germany, in the absence of 4. Greece, however, apparently applies a maximum of 1 treatment, the nitrate level could range up to 22 mg/kg. mg/kg in soft cheese and 10 mg/kg in harder varieties. Could On the other hand, wherever use of nitrates was the Commission state what action it has taken on the Dutch authorized, the level was about 30 mg/kg (addition of State Secretary's report? 20 g of nitrate for 100 litres of milk) and even 100 mg/kg (60 g of nitrate for 100 litres of milk). 5. Could the Commission also state what standards for the nitrate content of cheese are applied in the various The Commision takes the view that the quantities of nitrates Community countries? now used in the Member States' cheeses do not represent a danger of any kind for the consumer.
6. Does the Commission not believe the Member States The Commission is planning to submit a proposal should all apply the same standards for the maximum nitrate determining conditions for the use of nitrates in cheeses on a content of cheese so that the consumer is afforded equal Community basis, according to principles set down in the protection throughout the Community and the internal Commission's Communication concerning the completion of market operates smoothly in this respect? the internal market (part concerning legislation on food) (*). The Council and Parliament have yet to endorse this new 7. When can Parliament expect the Commission to put approach. forward a proposal for harmonization in this area? At the present time, the Commission is studying methods of analysis of nitrate contents. Until this work is completed, it cannot make a proposal on this question.
(*) COM(85) 603 final. Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1986)
Following the complaint mentioned, the Commission started the infringement procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EEC Treaty against Greece to ensure compliance with the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1384/86 requirements relating to freedom of movement of goods. by Mr Marcel Remade (S—B) to the Commission of the European Communities At the present time, the Commission does not have accurate (18 September 1986) and full data on the maximum nitrate content of cheeses manufactured in each of the Member States. (87/C 177/38)
Nonetheless, a survey carried out in 1979 of Member States Subject: Forest death by the Commission's staff revealed the following maximum contents for some of the States: The real causes of forest death, to which attention is regularly (a) in Italy, maximum levels recorded were below 2 mg/kg, drawn, have not yet been established. It is generally ascribed except for processed cheeses; to 'acid rain' formed by emissions of S02 from the burning of petroleum products, chiefly in road vehicles. (b) in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for cottage cheeses, levels reached 22 mg/kg and for soft cheeses, maximum It is suggestive, however, that along motorways, where levels were 18,5 mg/kg; exhaust emissions from vehicle engines are at their peak, vegetation is not only not dying but is astonishingly (c) in France, in-certain cheeses other than Cheshire, luxuriant. Cheddar and soft cheeses, levels of up to 5 ppm of nitrates were found? The maximum permitted sulphur content of petrol is 0,1 % (d) in Belgium, in a number of Belgian, Dutch and Swiss (by weight) in the Federal Republic of Germany and the cheeses, nitrate concentrations reach 43 ppm. For a Netherlands, under 0,15 % in France (0,2 % in normal number of cheeses of unspecified type, the levels did not grade petrol) and under 0,2 % in Italy and Belgium. The exceed 23 mg/kg; levels for diesel are under 0,6 % in Belgium and the Netherlands, under 0,7 % in the Federal Republic of (e) in Denmark, levels recorded ranged up to 16 mg/kg; Germany and France and under 0,8 % in Italy. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/23
The sulphur content of industrial fuel oil, which accounts for foremost to ensure the reduction of pollution by nitrogen the bulk of the oil refined, is higher: up to 2 % and frequently oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. more. Community legislation on motor exhaust gases leaves the Member States entirely free as to the choice of technical Is this dieback not due to a virus spread by insects or the wind methods used to cut down such pollution. in the same way as fireblight, another disease that attacks hedgerows and trees? C1) OJNoC324, 16. 12. 1985. (2) OJNoC72, 2. 3. 1987. Could it not also be due to reduced soil humus caused by plantations of various families of fir, pine and spruce trees, which are resinous and dry out the soil?
Which species of tree are most affected by forest death?
What is the truth behind this phenomenon, about which the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1391/86 only current theories are not scientifically substantiated and by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty (RDE—F) which seems to have been blown up out all proportion by firms involved in selling pollution-reduction equipment? to the Commission of the European Communities (18 September 1986) (87/C 177/39) Why is it being recommended that motor vehicles be fitted with catalytic converters, which are extremely expensive in the case of most cars, when sulphur can be removed more Subject: Distortion of competition affecting the easily during the refining process? Community's meat-canning industries
A further factor is the pollution caused by cars in town 1. Is the Commission aware that by selling meat from driving, where frequent stopping, starting and idling releases public intervention stocks at very low prices for export to highly concentrated and therefore pollutive gases. third countries such as Brazil, where this meat is likely to be processed into corned beef before being re-exported onto the world market, it is exposing the Community's meat-canning industries to unacceptable competition?
2. Does the Commission intend, as it has been asked, to provide the Community's meat-canning industries with meat Answer given by Mr Andriessen from stocks under conditions which put these industries on on behalf of the Commission an equal footing, as regards conditions of supply, with (26 November 1986) comparable industries in third countries?
3. In more general terms, what precautions does the The Honourable Member may refer to the answers given by Commission intend to take to ensure that heavily subsidized meat exports are not re-imported into the Community after the Commission to Written Questions No 830/85 by Mr processing or other types of preparation (e.g. jointing of d'Ormesson (J) and No 1035/86 from the Honourable exported quarters or carcases), leading to a further build-up Member (2) concerning, respectively, the types of tree most of stocks? affected by acid rain and the influence of exhaust fumes from motor vehicles on forest dieback.
With regard to the effect of resinous trees on soil quality, it should be stressed that these are complex processes Answer given by Mr Andriessen depending on the large number of location, weather and on behalf of the Commission cropping factors affecting the woodland ecosystem. There (10 December 1986) can certainly be no question of reduced soil humus because of the presence of conifer trees. 1. The intervention beef recently sold to Brazil under The gradual acidification of certain woodland soils by acid Regulation (EEC) No 1812/86 (*) will be used as a buffer depositions is, however, generally accepted as a fact by stock managed by a government agency with a view to scientists with knowledge of this subject. restoring a normal situation following a shortage of meat on the Brazilian market. In connection with the sales mentioned above, the Commission obtained the fullest assurances that The equipment of motor vehicles with catalytic converters, the meat would not be used to step up traditional Brazilian to which the Honourable Member refers, is designed first and exports of processed products. No C 177/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Accordingly, the Commission does not believe that the Belgium: 100, Community's meat-canning industries will suffer undue Denmark: 900, competition as a result of these sales. Federal Republic of Germany: 12 500, 2. Through regular sales at low prices the Commission France: 89, provides intervention beef for processors. In 1986, these Greece: 40, sales will reach an estimated 70 000 to 80 000 tonnes. Ireland: n.a. Italy: 90, Also, for 1986, the Council opened a 25 000-tonne beef Luxembourg: 24, import quota under the 'balance-sheet' system for the Netherlands: 8 000, European processing industry, the meat to be imported either Portugal: n.a., levy-free or with a much lower levy than the normal levy. Spain: 70 United Kingdom: 174 3. When establishing the refund, the Commission n.a.: not available. observes the principle that export refunds may not exceed import levies. Strict application of this principle means that 2. The Commission is keeping a close watch on the re-imports cannot be profitable. With regard to canned situation in the Member States: for example, as can be seen products, for which the import duty is restricted to 26 % of from point 1, oil companies operating in the United the commercial value under GATT Agreements, the Kingdom decided recently to install some 170 pumps Commission would stress that the main outlets for our beef dispensing lead-free petrol. exports, apart from the case of Brazil mentioned above, are non-member countries having no large processing industries 3. The Commission would like to draw attention to the 4 and which are therefore not in a position to process European fact that under Council Directive 85/210/EEC ( ) of 20 beef and return it, in preserved form, to the Community. March 1985 Member States have until 1 October 1989 to ensure availability and balanced distribution within their (!) OJ No L 157, 12. 6. 1986, p. 43. territories of lead-free petrol.
The same Directive allows measures to be taken by the Member States to introduce lead-free petrol on their markets before that date.
The Commission is in favour of the wide introduction of lead-free petrol as soon as possible and its position was expressed in the answer given to Written Question No WRITTEN QUESTION No 1406/86 1236/85 mentioned in point 1. It is aware of the problems by Mr Rolf Linkohr (S—D) currently facing motorists travelling in the Community with to the Commission of the European Communities cars having catalytic converters. (18 September 1986) In countries where measures have not been taken to promote (87/C 177/40) either lead-free petrol or vehicles with catalytic converters, the oil companies have installed lead-free petrol pumps on a voluntary basis, but it must be noted that sales of it are very Subject: Lead-free petrol low and do not cover the operating and capital costs. This situation should improve over the next two years. 1. Can the Commission indicate the extent to which lead-free petrol is available at service stations in the (') OJNoC263, 14. 10. 1985. (2) OJNo C29, 10. 2. 1986. individual Member States? (3) OJ NoC 175, 14. 7. 1986. (4) OJNoL96, 3. 4. 1985. 2. How does the Commission view the fact that in the United Kingdom lead-free petrol is still not available at service stations?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1411/86 Answer given by Mr Mosar by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED—GB) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (18 May 1987) (18 September 1986) (87/C 177/41) 1. Further to the answers to Written Questions No J 2 382/85 by Mr Franz ( ), No 1236/85 by Mr Seefeld ( ) and Subject: The failure of milk quotas to control over-supply No 2101 / 85 by Mr Vernimmen (3), the Commission has the following figures for pumps currently supplying lead-free Fact: The stored surplus of unsold butter has now reached petrol in the various Member States: 1,3 million tonnes. Fact: rancid butter is now being sold off 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/25 by the Commission at one-and-a-half pence a pound to feed action or of expecting immediate and spectacular effects or calves which will, in the ironic perpetuation of the effects in the very short term. And there can certainly be no over-supply circle, eventually make their own contribution. question, after more than 20 years of vigorous public support Fact: by 16 August 1986, the United Kingdom had an of European agriculture, of suddenly abandoning farmers to accumulated surplus above quota of 128 million litres, or market forces, i.e. discontinuing the common policy 2,7 % above quota, with weekly production running 6,9 % altogether in the sector. This would be all the more ahead of quota. Fact: milk powder stocks throughout the unacceptable given the fundamental objectives which the Community topped one million tonnes on 14 August 1986, Treaty assigns to the common agricultural policy and the double the figure 12 months previously. As yet unknow: the economic and social hardship which such a decision would full horrors of the 1986 grain surplus, whatever the dent entail for European farmers. Hurricane Charlie might have managed to inflict on it. Like H COM(86) 510 final. messengers in a Greek tragedy, the Commission is forced to 2 repeat new stories of disaster on almost every front of the ( ) COM(85) 750 final. common agricultural policy.
Will the Commission therefore now inform this Member that all false hopes — quotas, price restraint, set-aside, and all other substitute mechanisms dreamt up to deny the inevitable power of market forces — will now be quashed and the introduction of a sensible supply-and-demand food policy WRITTEN QUESTION No 1434/86 instead given immediate priority? Alternatively, the Commission may prefer to make themselves prisoners of by Mr Hans Nord (LDR—NL) fortune and predict what they think the position will be in the to the Commission of the European Communities agricultural markets precisely one year from the date of this (26 September 1986) question, 28 August 1986. (87/C 177/42)
Subject: Advisory Veterinary Committee
The Commission's decision of 15 June 1976 to set up an Answer given by Mr Andriessen Advisory Veterinary Committee confirmed the importance on behalf of the Commission of consulting professional opinion on the problems of (20 November 1986) harmonizing veterinary legislation.
However, the Advisory Veterinary Committee did not meet The Commission agrees that an agricultural policy allowing between July 1984 and November 1985, despite a good deal more fully for market conditions, in a situation in which the of activity in this area and despite the White Paper on the surpluses of many products had assumed a structural completion of the internal market by 1992, which advocates character, could go far to help restore better equilibrium on numerous measures for harmonizing veterinary and the agricultural markets. This has been the thinking behind animal-health aspects. Commission proposals in recent years for a number of adjustments and for fundamental reforms of the common Recently the committee's meeting scheduled for 2 July 1986 agricultural policy, entailing greater responsibility for the was postponed until September. farmers for the economic and budgetary consequences of their production decisions. Can the Commission explain why the committee does not hold meetings? Does not the Commission think that it would be desirable to draw up a programme for the consultation of While some of the schemes set up, for example the milk the veterinary profession, particularly in connection with the quotas mentioned by the Honourable Member, have so far implementation of the white paper and the rules for the failed to achieve complete control of production, it is also application of basic Directives, such as the Directive banning true that the upsurge in production in previous years has been certain substances with hormonal effects and substances with appreciably curtailed. The Commission has now proposed a thyrostatic effects or the Directive on the financing of first set of emergency measures on milk designed to tighten veterinary inspections of fresh meat and poultrymeat? up the operation of the quota scheme and to render the intervention system more flexible and more closely related to real market conditions (J).
As ist stated in its communication to the Council and to Answer given by Mr Andriessen Parliament on the guidelines emerging as a result of the on behalf of the Commission 2 consultations conducted following the green paper ( ), the (21 November 1986) Commission does, none the less, take the view that, while it is desirable that farmers should assume a more responsible attitude with regard to production and the market, there can Because of budgetary difficulties, in 1984 and 1985 only one be no question of achieving this through drastic and specific meeting of the Advisory Veterinary Committee could be No C 177/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 scheduled each year. Such a single meeting is normally held in From 3 December 1986 onwards, the marketing of additives summer or early autumn. The 1984 meeting was arranged will be subject to the provisions of Council Directive without special problems in July. For administrative and 84/587/EEC (2) of 29 November 1984 amending Directive logistical reasons, the 1985 meeting was deferred to 70/524/EEC; as a result, the use of all antibiotics, growth December, not November, as indicated in the question. promoters, coccidiostats or other medicinal substances and pre-mixes manufactured from these additives will be In 1986 the Committee's meeting was held in September and restricted solely to compounders registered on national lists a working group of the Committee met on 10 October. in accordance with the provisions of Annex III to the above Directive. The Commission hopes that in future it will be possible to ensure consultation of those working in this field on the These arrangements should put an end to the practices to problems mentioned by the Honourable Member. which the Honourable Member refers.
(>) OJNoL270, 14. 12. 1970. (2) OJNoL319, 8. 12. 1984.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1440/86 by Mr Robert Battersby (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (26 September 1986) (87/C 177/43) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1450/86 by Mr Danielle de March (COM—F) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Danish pig-feed additive irregularities (26 September 1986) The Danish Government has banned the use of tylosin (87/C 177/44) phosphate in animal feed for pigs over 20 kg and is enforcing this ban with the Danish compound industry. Subject: Common measure for forestry in the At the same time tylosin phosphate is on open sale in Mediterranean areas of the Community Denmark and home mixers are using this chemical in preparing feeds for pigs over 20 kg. Moreover, the buyers of 1. Funding was provided under Regulation (EEC) No government-approved compound feed supplied without 269/79 of 6 February 1979 establishing a common measure tylosin phosphate are adding this chemical prior to feeding it for forestry in certain Mediterranean zones of the to their pigs. Community (*) for a range of improvement and protection work on Mediterranean forests. What action does the Commission intend to take in order to ensure that the ban on the use of tylosin phosphate in animal feed for pigs over 20 kg in Denmark is properly enforced? Could the Commission provide a survey of the projects founded by the Community between 1980 and 1985, broken down by project type (and indicating the area covered and the What steps does the Commission intend to take to control the funding involved). sale of tylosin phosphate on the open market in Denmark? 2. This Regulation was extended until 31 December 1985 and is therefore no longer in force. It is intended that this Community scheme specifically for Mediterranean forests should be continued under the integrated Mediterranean programmes. These, however, have still not been agreed on Answer given by Mr Andriessen and their implementation will not start until 1987. This delay on behalf of the Commission is damaging to the forestry scheme. In view of this, does the (26 November 1986) Commission not think it should propose that the common forestry measure for the Mediterranean be further extended until 31 December 1987 by allocating new funding to it? A review of the regulations shows that Denmark does not prohibit the use of tylosin phosphate for feeding pigs weighing more than 20 kg; Danish rules merely endorse the 3. Although afforestation and improving land conditions for use prescribed for tylosin phosphate in earkmarked for forest are included in the action to achieve Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 the goals of the IMPs, they are competing with a wide range concerning additives in animal feedingstuffs (1). of other measures. There is therefore a danger that forestry 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/27 work will not receive Community aid at the same level as in 3. In addition, as it stated in its recent 'Forestry 1980 to 1985 when priorities for the framing of IMPs are memorandum' (2), the Commission intends to include decided on. This would particularly seriously hamper afforestation and woodland improvement among the major improvements to fire protection for forests (prevention and concerns of the forestry action programme that it will shortly fire-fighting), which is of the utmost importance given the be submitting to the Council. This programme will naturally many lives lost and the serious damage caused to property in take account of the special position of the Mediterranean fires in the summers of 1985 and 1986. To intensify work to regions of the Community. improve and protect Mediterranean forests, does the (») OJNoL128, 14. 5. 1986. Commission intend to propose that a new Regulation 2 specifically for Mediterranean forests be implemented, based ( ) COM(86) 26 final. on the guidelines for the 1979 Regulation and extended to cover all the Mediterranean regions of the Community?
0) OJNoL38, 14. 2. 1979, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1461/86 Answer given by Mr Andriessen by Mr James Provan (ED—GB) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (13 November 1986) (26 September 1986) (87/C 177/45) 1. The situation as regards work funded since the implementation of Regulation (EEC) No 269/79 was as follows on 31 December 1985: Subject: Supply and demand for herring
In view of the increase in the supply of herring in Community Total Italy France (ha) waters and the currently limited internal consumption market what action does the Commission intend to take to Afforestation 42 571 36 835 79 406 restore balance to the market. In particular: Improvement of deteriorated forests 99 004 39 062 138 066 1. Is the Commission considering the introduction of a reference price for frozen herring? Related measures 52 311 27 352 79 663 Fire protection 180 105 95 717 275 822 2. Given the very severe misgiving about certain types of Forest roads 2 124 1 381 3 505 industrial fishery, will the Commission provide a clear statement of its position on this subject? Projects financed by the EAGGF Guidance Section under Regulation (EEC) No 269/79 (1980 to 1985) 3. Will the Commission follow the recommendation of the European Parliament and consider how such species as Number of Amount of Total herring could be promoted at the Community level? Member State projects aid granted investments 4. Will the Commission support research into the France 24 89 537 775 181 928 187 production of new products such as surimi using pelagic Italy 61 197 088 103 426 412 712 fish?
Total 85 286 625 878 608 340 899
Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha 2. The Commission is aware of the desirability of on behalf of the Commission continuing and extending Community measures in the (13 November 1986) Mediterranean area aimed, in particular, at replanting woodlands on barren land, improving damaged stands and protecting woodlands against fire. Since this is a complex issue and there are many possible solutions for restoring global balance on the Community market in herring, the Commission is currently engaged in a detailed examination of all the measures which could help to However, it does not plan to propose a further extension of improve the situation. Regulation (EEC) No 269/79 since corresponding provisions are already in force under the IMPs and The Commission will of course inform the Honourable Regulations (EEC) No 1400/ 86 and (EEC) No 1401 / 86 (»). Member what action it intends taking in the matter. It will see to it that the continuity of the forestry measures provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 269/79 is ensured through these new provisions. No C 177/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1466/86 Answer given by Mr Andriessen by Mr Konstantinos Filinis (COM—GR) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (26 November 1986) (26 September 1986) (87/C 177/46) In order to avoid speculative movements of merchandise in trade with Ireland resulting from the devaluation of the Irish agricultural conversion rate, the Commission adopted Subject: Radioactive pollution of Greek wheat transitional measures concerning the application of certain monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs) in Ireland (!). Is the Commission aware of the problems that have arisen These measures consist in the application of the old MCAs on with the marketing of Greek wheat as a result of radioactive export for products for which there is a risk that they have pollution? Can it assure us that the health controls on been imported before the devaluation of the Irish pound. As radiation levels that have been introduced in the Member this danger will of its nature disappear in time, the measure States are applied with equal strictness to both locally adopted is not permanent. As for the permanent danger of produced and imported products? fraud created by the existence of price differences, the Commission recalls the relevant provisions it had adopted in Regulation (EEC) No 3154/85 (2), which enable the Member States concerned to make application of the MCAs subject to special conditions, in order to avoid irregularity of Answer given by Lord Cockfield any kind. on behalf of the Commission (1 April 1987) (') OJ No L 269, 20. 9. 1986, p. 13. (2) OJNoL310, 21. 11. 1985.
The Commission has not been officially informed by the Greek authorities of any specific cases relating to the contamination of durum wheat or problems with its marketing. Nevertheless, the Commission is in contact with the Greak authorities to examine the situation.
There is an obligation under Council Regulation (EEC) No WRITTEN QUESTION No 1555/86 1707/86 0) for Member States to respect common rules for imports from third countries. When this Regulation was by Mr Dominique Baudis (EPP—F) adopted and again when it was renewed until 28 February to the Commission of the European Communities 1987, the Member States agreed not to impose stricter limits (13 October 1986) on imports coming from other Member States than on those coming from third countries. There is no undertaking or (87/C 177/48) obligation for the Member States to impose these limits on food produced and sold in their own territory, although Subject: Consequences of the drought in the Midi-Pyrenees Member States have similarly undertaken not to apply region stricter limits to imports from other Member States than the limits they apply nationally. The rainfall recorded in the Midi-Pyrenees region since the 0) OJ No L 146, 31. 5. 1986, p. 88. beginning of May has not even been a third of the monthly average. Given the dangers inherent in this situation, will the Commission: 1. release the necessary funds from the integrated Mediterranean programmes currently under discussion and the existing structural funds to enable the regions affected to complete the water management measures already undertaken? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1528/86 by Mr Thomas Megahy (S—GB) 2. give priority, in financing water storage and to the Commission of the European Communities management, to maintaining minimum river water levels (13 October 1986) in order to supply the adjacent land with drinking water and combat pollution? (87/C 177/47) 3. reconsider its position on the co-responsibility levy and Subject: Smuggling across the Northern Ireland border the length of the intervention period for the most severly threatened products, such as maize and sunflower? What steps is the Commission taking to deal with the probability of increased smuggling across the Northern Irish 4. examine a series of urgent measures to assist farmers who border arising from the recent devaluation of the Irish green have already been hard-hit by last year's drought and a pound? generally precarious short-term financial situation? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/29
Answer given by Mr Andriessen transfer of 400 000 tonnes of intervention cereals to areas on behalf of the Commission which had suffered, the cost of the operation to be charged to (10 December 1986) the EAGGF Guarantee Section. (') OJNoL197, 27. 7. 1985, p. 1.
1. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2088/85 on the integrated Mediterranean Programmes 0) allows financing, as soon as the programmes are adopted, of structural schemes in the beneficiary regions from the date of the presentation of the programmes for operations chargeable to WRITTEN QUESTION No 1556/86 the additional IMP budget line. For assistance from existing by Mr Dominique Baudis (EPP—F) structural-funds, eligibility will depend on the specific rules under which each fund is run. to the Commission of the European Communities (13 October 1986) (87/C 177/49) The Midi-Pyrenees IMP having been presented on 4 February 1986 to the Commission, this means that as soon as it is Subject: Difficult situation of maize producers adopted, approved work concerning, in particular, water control will be eligible for Community financing from 4 The recent agreements between the Community and the February 1986 onwards, if it is chargeable to the additional United States have aggravated the situation facing maize IMP line, and if not, according to the specific procedures of producers, some of whom, in a number of regions in the each structural fund. South of France, have also been seriously affected by drought. In these circumstances, will the Commission: — provide details of the future breakdown by country of the 2. In its general guidance memorandum for the minimum volume guaranteed to the United States and an preparation of the final version of the IMP concerning the assurance that this minimum volume will, for the most Midi-Pyrenees region, sent to the French authorities on 29 part, be concentrated on Spain? September 1986, the Commission includes among — consider granting export refunds from the free market for intervention priorities in the agricultural sector the financing of water control work in so far as this links up with neighbouring countries? adaptation or diversification operations of sensitive types of — consider abolishing the co-responsibility levy on agriculture in concentration areas where there are problems maize? with regard to appropriate types of farming. — extend the intervention period for maize production to the end of the marketing year? — expedite the financing of irrigation for maize production, 3. The July 1986 agreement between the Community and particularly under the IMPs? the United States makes no provision for allocation by Member State of the maize and sorghum to be imported under reduced levies or of a tonnage guarantee for a specific exporting member country. It is therefore not possible to give in advance a breakdown of the quantities which will be Answer given by Mr Andriessen imported, either by origin or by destination. on behalf of the Commission (18 March 1987)
Under market management arrangements, there are no plans The answer to the written question is outlined below but for at the present time to establish refunds for maize exported to further details the Commission would ask the Honourable countries close to the Community. However, if such a Member to refer its answer to his Written Question No measure should prove necessary, it could be implemented. 1555/86 0).
It is not possible to state in advance the volume of maize Nor are there plans to propose to the Council that the imports broken down by origin or destination, since the co-responsibility levy for maize be discontinued or that the agreement between the Community and the United States period during which maize can be sent to intervention should does not provide for any particular allocation of the quota to be extended. be imported with a reduced levy. According to trade sources, however, most of the quantity accepted up to now under the reduced-levy tendering procedure (1,02 million tonnes at 20 January 1987) comes from the United States. 4. With regard to the need for emergency aid to drought-stricken farmers, the Commission adopted last In view of Spain's feed grain supply problems, 500 000 summer a scheme for cattle fodder supplies in the form of a tonnes of Community maize have been committed for Spain No C 177/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 since December 1986 with an aid of 8 ECU/tonne elections to be held to the Italian Emigrants Committee corresponding to the additional abatement of 8 ECU/tonne (Coemit), an attitude called for and shared by the powerful granted to Spain in connection with the reduced-levy German trade union organization, the DGB? Our emigrants tendering procedure. In addition, it is proposed to invite are therefore denied a fundamental desire for — purely tenders in late January 1987 for the export of 500 000 tonnes consultative — involvement. What action does it intend to of French maize to non-Community countries. On the other take to enable voting to take place without hindrance in the hand, there is no proposal to abolish the co-responsibility other Member States and to encourage maximum levy or to extend the period during which maize may be participation in the consultation process due to be completed offered to intervention. by 30 November?
The Midi-Pyrenees region presented its programme to the Commission on 4 February 1986, so the work approved at the outcome of the negotiations which are in progress, including the water control measures, will be eligible for Joint answer to Written Question Nos 1567/86 and Community financing from the beginning of 1986. 1730/86 given by Mr Marin 0) See page 28 of this Official Journal. on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1986)
The Commission is aware of difficulties — which to its knowledge, are of a legal nature — concerning the organization in the Federal Republic of Germany of public elections for the Italian Emigrants' Committees (Coemit) as WRITTEN QUESTION No 1567/86 laid down by Italian law. by Mrs Francesca Marinaro (COM—I) to the Commission of the European Communities Negotiations are going on between the German and Italian (17 October 1986) authorities to enable the elections to take place. The Commission has not been consulted by the parties concerned (87/C 177/50) and does not intend to intervene in the bilateral talks in progress. Subject: Election of Italian Emigrants Committees in the Federal Republic of Germany
Is the Commission aware that the Federal Republic of Germany has refused to allow elections to the Coemit (Italian Emigrants Committees, set up by Italian Laws No 205 of 8 May 1985 and No 530 of 16 August 1986) to be held on its WRITTEN QUESTION No 1571/86 territory? Does not the Commission consider that the attitude of the Federal Republic (the only Member State of by Mr Ray MacSharry (RDE—IRL) the Community to oppose the democratic election of the to the Commission of the European Communities Coemit by Italians resident in Germany) limits the (17 October 1986) opportunities offered to migrant workers to take part in the management of their own affairs, thereby jeopardizing the (87/C 177/52) chances of establishing a People's Europe? If so, does not the Commission feel that it should intervene in the matter? If not, Subject: Imported cereal substitutes why does it not intend to take any action? 1. What was the total Community imports in tonnes of raw materials that could be used as cereal substitutes in animal feed (manioc, maize gluten, citrus cake, wheat bran and molasses) in 1983, 1984 and 1985? WRITTEN QUESTION No 1730/86 by Mr Giorgio Almirante, Mr Antonio Tripodi and Mr Pino 2. What is the percentage use of fodder imports from Romuladi (DR—I) third countries, in each of the Member States, for the most to the Commission of the European Communities recent year for which figures are available? (30 October 1986) (87/C 177/51)
Answer given by Mr Andriessen Subject: Delay in elections to the Italian Emigrants on behalf of the Commission Committee (20 November 1986) Is the Commission aware of the attitude of the German Federal Government, which is currently refusing to allow The tables below give the information requested. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/31
TABLE I WRITTEN QUESTION No 1579/86 by Mr Roger Fajardie (S—F) EEC IMPORTS OF SUBSTITUTES FROM NON-MEMBER to the Commission of the European Communities COUNTRIES (17 October 1986) (87/C 177/53) ('000 tonnes)
NIMEXE Description 1983 1984 1985 code (') Subject: Resolution on the education of children whose parents have no fixed abode 07.06-30, 10, 20 Manioc 4 504 5 257 6 336 07.06-90 Sweet potatoes 142 101 351 1. What action has the Commission taken on the Bran, of maize or rice resolution published in Official Journal of the European (maximum starch content 23.02-01 Communities No C 104 of 16 April 1984, page 144, on the 35%) 265 190 80 education of children whose parents have no fixed abode? Bran, of maize or rice (starch content exceeding 23.02-09 35%) 7 4 3 2. In particular, would the Commission state whether it Bran, other (maximum has started work on seeking various solutions to the problem starch content 28%) 1 679 1 002 887 23.02-21 faced by a large section of children with parents of no fixed Bran, other (starch abode, i.e. the conflict, to which Parliament drew attention, 23.02-29 content exceeding 28 %) 7 1 3 between the demands of specific artistic training for the 23.03-81 Beet pulp 529 417 488 circus and those of 'normal' education through the 23.03-15 Maize gluten feed 3 566 3 734 3 542 traditional school system? 23.03-90 Brewers' draff 498 416 436 23.04-06 Oilcake of germ of maize, 3. Is the Commission aware of the objectives and the fat content 3 % 735 609 530 programme of the 'Ecole Superieure des Arts du Cirque' 23.04-08 Oilcake of germ of maize, (College for Circus Arts) inaugurated by the French Minister fat content between 3 and 567 427 428 for Cultural Affairs on 13 January 1986 at 8% Chalons-sur-Marne ? 23.06-20 Grape musts 42 38 8 23.06-50 Fruit waste: citrus chips 1430 1 322 1467 23.06-90 Other fruit waste 157 95 106 4. In the Commission's view, would it be appropriate and possible to cooperate with this college, e.g by awarding Total 14 128 13 613 14 665 Community grants to a certain number of young people from the various Member States?
17.03-00 Molasses 2 839 2 981 2 948
(!) The grain substitutes are those given in Annex D to Regulation • (EEC) No 2727/75. Molasses is not listed in Annex D. Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (28 November 1986)
TABLE II Following the resolution to which the Honourable Member refers, the Commission asked an expert to carry out a study on the educational situation of the children of parents IMPORTS FROM NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES FOR working on barges, in the circus, fairs and itinerant ANIMAL FEED AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL salesman. RESOURCES OF MARKETABLE FEED (1983/84)
(average EUR-10: 37%) The first part of the study is complete. It covers the Ecole superieure des Arts du Cirque at Chalons sur Marne, the only — Greece: 8% higher vocational training school in the Community in circus — France: 19% occupations. — United Kingdom: 27% — Italy: 30% When the study is complete, the Parliament, the authorities — Denmark: 33% and the persons concerned will be notified of the follow-up — Ireland: 35% planned by the Commission. — Federal Republic of Germany: 39% — Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union: 65% — Netherlands: 85% No C 177/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1587/86 These young people are: by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S—E) — no longer dependent on their parents because they have to the Commission of the European Communities left the family home, have completed their studies and are (17 October 1986) looking for their first job, (87/C 177/54) — unemployed and after a short time in employment have not yet acquired the right to unemployment benefit and relevant insurance, Subject: Discrimination against women in language — students over the maximum age to be dependent on their Discrimination against women is to be found even in parents. linguistic usage. Is the Commission aware that in some cases these young Unmarried women are even more discriminated against than people, who do not have sufficient means, are asked to pay married ones. medical expenses which they are quite unable to afford?
In various languages an unmarried woman is referred to as a In view of this situation, can the Commission say whether it 'little' or 'half-grown' woman, e.g. Fraulein, senorita, has considered the possibility of extending the application of mademoiselle, signorina, etc. Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 (») and (EEC) No 574/72 (2) to these categories as far as sickness insurance is In view of the deep-rooted nature of linguistic habits, could concerned? the Commission perhaps take into account in a Directive on women, the discriminatory treatment of women, especially With regard to the cost of all this, does the Commission not single ones, even in language? think it should propose the payment of a flat-rate contribution — as is the case for certain categories of pensioner — by the young person's country of origin to the Member State which is paying the expenses? Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (») OJNoL149, 5. 7. 1971, p. 2. • 2 (18 December 1986) ( ) OJ NoL74, 27. 3. 1972, p. 1.
The Commission has approved its medium-term programme on equal opportunities for women, 1986 to 1990. Its aim is to bring about equality of opportunity in practical terms in Answer given by Mr Marin economic, social and cultural life. A policy which relates to on behalf of the Commission working life will of course have a considerable effect on all (12 December 1986) the problems women have to cope with.
However, Community competence in the field of The Commission is aware of the shortcomings in some discrimination against women is limited to the aspects national laws as regards social protection for young concerning their working life, while the Directives adopted in graduates, students and unemployed young people referred this field deal only with matters of employment, vocational to by the Honourable Member. training and social security. Community law in respect of social security (Regulations Consequently, the Commission is not empowered to deal (EEC) No 1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72) aim only at with questions concerning discrimination against women in coordinating national laws without changing their content, language. so as to ensure the social protection of workers, whether self-employed or not, and their families who move about within the Community. It should be pointed out that students are covered by the aforementioned Regulations only as members of the families or self-employed or non-self-employed workers or if they exercise a self-employed or non-self-employed economic activity WRITTEN QUESTION No 1607/86 alongside their studies. The Administrative Commission on by Mr Roberto Costanzo (PPE—I) Social Security for Migrant Workers is currently studying the advisability of, and opportunities for, extending the scope of to the Commission of the European Communities application of Community law to this category of persons in (17 October 1986) their personal capacity. (87/C 177/55) At all events, it is entirely a matter for the Member States themselves to determine the scope of the social protection, in Subject: Medical assistance for unemployed young people particular sickness insurance, which they grant to all or part abroad of their populations without discrimination by reason of Is the Commission aware that thousands of young people in nationality. Europe today are without any form of insurance cover for illness and accident? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/33
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1629/86 Will the Commission review the situation and grant aid for by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC—B) potatoe-growing in Sila, where there is now a serious market crisis? to the Commission of the European Communities (22 October 1986) (87/C 177/56) Answer given by Mr Andriessen Subject: Fixing of threshold prices for broken rice and on behalf of the Commission maize (11 December 1986)
The threshold prices of the various cereals are fixed annually The Commission would remind the Honourable Member by a Regulation. The threshold price for broken rice has been that the Community has never provided production aids for fixed at between Fl 1,3 and 1,4 times that of maize. potatoes from Sila, or for other regions, as this sector is not controlled at Community level. Can the Commission state its reasons for introducing this measure, which is extremely discriminatory in its effect? With regard to aids granted to other Italian regions, it is probable that these measures concern the Avezzano area (Abruzzi), which has commercial organization problems to contend with; but the aids are granted, though rarely and only when there are serious crises, by the regional Answer given by Mr Andriessen authorities. on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1986) The Community is therefore not in a position to grant aids for potato-growing.
Article 15 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1418/76 (!) on As regards the present crisis, so far market prices for wane the common organization of the market in rice stipulates that potatoes are well above those for the last market year, and it the threshold price for broken rice must be calculated at a is very likely that these prices will rise further because of a level between 130 and 140 % of the threshold price for poor 1986 harvest and heavy exports to South America. maize.
The basis of this provision is strictly economic and reflects technical relationships as regards yields and markets.
Both products have similar uses in starch-making, fermentation and for animal feed. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1637/86 by Mr Dario Antoniozzi (PPE—I) The threshold price is adapted — within the limits set by the regulations — in the light of changes in the technical to the Commission of the European Communities relationships between the two products on the Community (22 October 1986) and world markets. (87/C 177/58) (') OJ No L 166, 25. 6. 1976, p. 1. Subject: Community tourism
In connection with its very welcome commitment to develop Community tourism, will the Commission say what progress has been made on the preparations for the 'States-General of Community Tourism' which the Commission plans to create in 1987 and which would represent a positive and valuable WRITTEN QUESTION No 1636/86 contribution to a European policy on tourism? by Mr Dario Antoniozzi (PPE—I) to the Commission of the European Communities (22 October 1986) Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana (87/C 177/57) on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1986) Subject: Community aid for potato-growing in Sila The Commission understands that the Committee on Youth, Will the Commission say why Community aid is no longer Cultural Affairs, Education, Information and Sport is to granted for potato-growing in Sila (Calabria), when it is organize a hearing on tourism in February 1987 with a view given for other regions in Italy? to drawing up its report on this subject. The Commission No C 177/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
therefore proposes to wait for Parliament's report before II. ESF ASSISTANCE UNDER DECISION 85/516/EEC itself organizing a conference on tourism (probably towards (Lit '000 000) the end of 1987), at which Parliament's comments, recommendations and proposals could be studied. Financial year 1984 1985 1986
General measures (Article 3.1) Young people Vocational training 11,5 6,9 19,3 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1640/86 Recruitment subsidies — 1,6 — by Mr Dario Antoniozzi (PPE—I) Adults to the Commission of the European Communities Vocational training 5,3 1,1 1,2 (22 October 1986) Recruitment subsidies — — — (87/C 177/59) Specific measures (Former Article 3.2) Young people — — Subject: European Social Fund aid for Calabria 1,1 Adults — — 1,2 Will the Commission give details of the aid, including the amounts of expenditure involved, granted to Calabria from Total 16,8 10,7 21,7 the European Social Fund during the period 1979 to 1986? H Decision 83/516/EEC (OJ No L 289, 22. 10. 1983, p. 38). Regulation (EEC) No 2950/83 (OJ No L 289, 22. 10. 1983, p. 1).
Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1986)
The two tables below show the amounts granted under European Social Fund assistance to the Calabria Region. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1641/86 The amounts are broken down by budgetary year and type of by Mr Dario Antoniozzi (PPE—I) action. The breakdown is made in accordance with the to the Commission of the European Communities changes in the Social Fund rules following the 1983 revision (l). (22 October 1986) (87/C 177/60) It should be noted that data for 1984 and the following years are complete. On the other hand data for years prior to 1984 take no account of amounts which, in the context of overall Subject: Aid from the EAGGF Guarantee Section for applications (national or multiregional) more particularly Calabria concern the Calabria Region. Computerization and regionalization of data regarding Fund assistance cannot be Will the Commission give details of the aid, including the considered complete until 1984. amounts of expenditure involved, granted to Calabria from the EAGGF Guarantee Section during the period 1979 to 1986? I. ESF ASSISTANCE UNDER DECISION 77/801/EEC
(Lit '000 000) Financial year 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission Former Article 4 (11 December 1986) Farmers 0,3 Young people 1,1 2,3 The payments chargeable to the EAGGF Guarantee Section, Women 0,3 in particular those for intervention, are made by the national Former Article 5 paying agencies. As these agencies declare their expenditure to the EAGGF staff for the whole of the Member State Regions 9,6 14,1 10,5 18,9 18,1 concerned, the Commission has no breakdown by region; as Disabled people 0,8 1,2 a result, it has no way of determining what proportion of EAGGF guarantee expenditure relates to Calabria, so that it Total 10,7 14,1 10,5 19,7 22,2 cannot answer the Honourable Member's question. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/35
However, the Azienda di Stato per gli interventi nel mercato type of statistic which does not distinguish between agricolo (AIMA), via Palestro, 81 Rome, is the Italian agency structural effects, are neither a total nor a partial measure of concerned, and should be able to provide the information wage discrimination between men and women in comparable requested. jobs within the meaning of the Community legal provisions (Article 119 of the EEC Treaty and Directive 75/117/EEC of 10 February 1975), i.e. for equal work or work of an equal value.
The overall gap between the averages for the two sexes and consequently the differences between these gaps, notably WRITTEN QUESTION No 1679/86 from one country to another, conceal the effects of a number by Mrs Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE—NL) of variables which affect the structure of the male and female to the Commission of the European Communities workforces. Such variables or descriptive 'criteria' or explanatory 'factors' inculde, for example, the employees' (29 October 1986) occupational group, their age, seniority in the firm, size of (87/C177/61) the firm, sector and region of activity, etc.
Subject: Salaries of men and women employed in the banking and insurance sectors of the various It is therefore necessary to take account of a certain number Member States of these 'factors' which explain the size of the wages and which, owing to the different structural weighting of the men Eurostat Publication No 1/2 of 1985 contains a survey of the and women workers in question, determine the size of the salaries of men and women employed in the banking and 'overall' wage gaps noted. insurance sectors in the various Member States.
This survey shows that in 1984 the average salary of women These data can at present be found only in the results of the engaged in the banking sector (IV) was 77,5 % of that of Community survey on the structure and distribution of 1 their male colleagues in the Federal Republic of Germany, wages for the reference period 1978/79 ( ). while for Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands the figures were 76,7, 72,3, 64,6 and 60,1 % respectively. 1. On this basis, a more detailed analysis allows us to compare wage gaps between relatively 'homogeneous' In the German insurance sector, the average salary of women groups of male and female employees from the point of view was 76,9 % of that of their male colleagues, while in of occupational group (the most important explanatory Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands the 'factor'), age, and size of firm. figures were 73,1, 68,8, 66,6 and 65,5 % respectively;
— Can the Commission indicate the reason for which the If a comparison is made between the average overall average salaries of women employed in these sectors are differences and the simple arithmetical mean of the wage so much lower than those of their male colleagues? disparities of all the 'homogeneous' groups of employees, — Can the Commission say why, in the Netherlands and which 'corrects' quite considerably for the structural effects, Luxembourg, the difference between the average salaries the figures then change: of men and women is much greater than in the other abovementioned Member States? — in the banking sector:
— Is the Commission prepared to ask the governments — from -24,9 % to -5,3 % in Belgium, concerned to encourage the relevant sectors to take positive action to enable women to catch up? — from -25,9 % to -5,4 % in Germany,
— from -26,0 % to -9,3 % in France,
Answer given by Mr Marin — from - 34,3 % to -14,3 % in Luxembourg, on behalf of the Commission — from -42,1 % to -10,3 % in the Netherlands, (16 January 1987) — in the insurance sector: The publication to which the Honourable Member refers concerns the results of the harmonized quarterly statistics on — from -28,0 % to - 1,4 % in Belgium, earnings in industry and services. In particular, it provides data on the gross monthly average earnings of employees in — from -27,3 % to -9,3 % in Germany, the banking and insurance sectors. — from -33,7 % to -6,7 % in France, It is clear that the very considerable 'overall' gap between the average salaries of men and women, as they emerge from this — from -40,0 % to - 8,7 % in the Netherlands (2). No C 177/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
It is probable, moreover, that if smaller 'groups' were taken, PROPORTION (%) OF WOMEN AMONG BANKING AND especially as regards occupational group, these gaps would INSURANCE EMPLOYEES IN 1978/79 be further reduced. (by occupational group)
BANKS 2. Although it is impossible to give a clear and sufficiently accurate answer to the second question, the attached table, which gives the proportion of women among bank and Occupational group (') Member State insurance employees respectively by occupational group, A B C D E F Overall shows that this proportion of women among qualified and even senior groups is distinctly smaller in the Netherlands Belgium 4,7 4,3 11,5 32,3 52,0 55,9 32,6 than in the other Member States referred to. Federal Republic of Germany 0,0 2,8 10,7 49,1 71,8 80,8 52,4 France 4,8 15,7 46,2 53,3 59,8 58,0 47,6 Thus, for example 6,8 % of the highly qualified clerical staff Luxembourg 1,7 2,9 14,7 33,2 55,2 61,7 43,2 in Dutch banks are women as against 53,3 % in French Netherlands (2) 1,0 2,9 6,8 43,8 73,6 45,6 banks, 49,1 % in German banks and 32,3 % in Belgian 1,4 banks. As regards executive staff in banks in the 0) A: Directors, top management. Netherlands, 2,9 % are women, compared with 46,2 % in B: Senior executives. France, 11,5% in Belgium and 10,7% in the Federal C: Executives (junior management). Republic of Germany. D: Highly qualified clerical staff. E: Qualified clerical staff. F: Other employees. Another major 'distortion' could also be identified in the area (2) 1979. of 'seniority' in the firm: 62,1 % of women employees in Dutch banks have four years or less seniority (against only 34,2 % of men), whereas in France, for example, the INSURANCE percentages are 25,5 and 23,8 % respectively. Only 9,8 % Occupational group (') women have 10 years or more seniority in Dutch banks, Member State (compared with 38,5 % of male employees), whereas in A B C D E F Overall France the percentages are more or less the same for women (41,0%) and men (42,7%). Belgium 2,8 8,4 13,6 31,7 49,7 67,6 39,2 Federal Republic of Germany 2,8 2,9 13,2 47,9 56,8 78,4 42,9 These figures point up the segregation of women's France 6,2 16,7 37,5 68,2 65,7 61,7 55,1 employment and underline the relevance of the third question Luxembourg 0,0 4,8 14,8 23,9 58,6 75,3 39,8 put by the Honourable Member. Netherlands (2) 0,9 3,7 6,2 5,7 17,5 56,7 28,3
1 3. It was precisely with the aim of remedying the i ) A: Managers and senior management executives. segregation of women's employment that the Commission's B: Middle management executives. C: Junior executives and personnel with equivalent two recent programmes on equal opportunities (3) stressed qualifications. the need to develop positive measures to correct the D: Highly qualified employees. inequalities experienced in practice by women. E: Qualified employees. F: Other employees. (2) 1979. On 13 December 1984, following a proposal from the Commission, the Council adopted a recommendation on the Source: Eurostat. Special series 'Structure of earnings 1978/79'. promotion of positive action for women which is, of course, Table T303. applicable in all the Member States (4).
The Commission is also increasing its efforts to stimulate positive action in the public and private sectors through direct contacts with the firms concerned. It would remind the WRITTEN QUESTION No 1681/86 Honourable Member in this connection that its first measure by Mr Jose Barros Moura (COM—P) concerned the banking sector. to the Commission of the European Communities
(') EUROSTAT 'Structure of earnings 1978/79'. Special series of (29 October 1986) the 'Social statistics' (yellow cover). Nine volumes (one volume (87/C 177/62) per member country). See in particular Tables T343, T303 and T305. 2 ( ) Luxembourg could not be included in this comparison which Subject: Community aid to countries hit by forest fires requires the 'crossing of several criteria' as the sample was too small. (3) Action programme 1982 to 1985. New medium-term At its September part-session the European Parliament programme 1986 to 1990. adopted various motions for resolutions (Docs. B 2—756, (4) OJ No L 331, 19. 12. 1984, p. 34. 744, 732, 786 and 798 of 1986) emphasizing the need for 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/37 emergency action to help the inhabitants of areas devastated — No 2088/85 concerning the integrated Mediterranean by the forest fires which hit the southern European countries, programmes (3), and maintaining that the time for symbolic aid (such as the — No 1975/82 on the acceleration of agricultural allowance made to the families of the firemen who died in 4 Agueda, Portugal) was now past and that it must give place to development in certain regions of Greece ( ), effective assistance for prevention and reafforestation — No 619/84 extending the common measure provided for projects. in Regulation (EEC) No 1975/85 (5), — No 797/85 on improving the efficiency of agricultural Among all the countries affected, Portugal stands out with structures (6) which provides for afforestation, woodland more than 70 000 hectares of forest burned in 1986 alone, improvements and related preventive measures such as after more than a decade of waves of fires leading to the building of forest roads and firebreaks. incalculable losses. 2. No further financial aid will be granted in addition to Nevertheless, on 16 September 1986, the Commission the emergency aid for France. approved 250 000 ECU in aid for the exclusive benefit of France. I am forced to ask the following questions: 3. Following the Agueda tragedy and at the request of the — What action does the Commission propose to take on Portuguese Government, the Commission: Parliament's resolutions? — granted, on humanitarian grounds, emergency aid — Is the financial aid to France a one-off action or will there totalling 175 000 ECU to the families of the victims; be others? — decided to implement a preparatory scheme to provide — What measures apply to Portugal in the area of protection against forest fires in the communes of Agueda emergency aid and aid for prevention and and Tondela. The Community will contribute 50 % of reafforestation? the 240 000 ECU required to finance this scheme.
The Commission will ensure that the technical guidelines emerging from the preparatory scheme are taken into account for the purposes of implementing the reafforestation measures eligible under Regulation (EEC) No 3828/85. Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission 0) Regulations (EEC) No 3528/86 and (EEC) No 3529/86 (OJ No (9 January 1987) L 326, 21. 11. 1986, pp. 2 and 5). (2) OJ No L 372, 31. 12. 1985, p. 5. (3) OJ No L 197, 27. 7. 1985, p. 1. («) OJ No L 214, 22. 7. 1982, p. 1. 1. The Commission's proposal for a Community scheme (5) OJ N0L68, 10. 3. 1984, p. 1. to provide forests in the Community with increased (6) OJNoL93,30. 3. 1985. protection against fire and acid rain was adopted by the Council on 17 November (*).
The parliamentary resolutions to which the Honourable Member refers probably helped to speed up the Council's decision.
Under the Regulation on protection of the Community's WRITTEN QUESTION No 1682/86 forests against fire, Member States will qualify for Community financial assistance in respect of preventive by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni (PPE—I) measures. The Community contribution will cover 30 % of to the Commission of the European Communities expenditure. The five-year allocation for the scheme (29 October 1986) amounts to 20 million ECU. (87/C 177/63)
In anticipation of the Council Regulation, a number of preparatory schemes were initiated by the Commission. Subject: Financing in the wine-growing sector in Italy
Moreover, the various forestry measures which may be Whereas the wine-growing market in the Community — implemented in the context of the policy on agricultural particularly in Italy — has been made cumbersome by the structures, and pursuant to the following Regulations in restrictive measures adopted in Dublin in December 1984, particular, enable Member States to deal with many of the and needs to adapt to the changed circumstances: problems mentioned in the Resolutions to which the Honourable Member refers: 1. How does the Commission account for the fact that Italy is receiving a smaller and smaller share of the allowances — No 3828/85 on a specific programme for the laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 (x), and that development of Portuguese agriculture (2), the number of projects approved in the past few years has No C 177/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
shrunk considerably in comparison with the number 3 and 4. The Commission takes the view that the choice submitted, if it is true that in the first quota for 1986 one criteria it has approved enables the Community to provide project was approved out of 11 submitted (9,1 %) assistance for projects the investments for which are likely to whereas in 1983 no fewer than 34 projects were further the Community's priority objectives, within the approved out of a total of 44 submitted? limited appropriations available to support action under Regulation (EEC) No 355/77. 2. Can the Commission indicate whether it is a case of administrative difficulties — linked to the procedure for (») OJNoC78, 26. 3. 1985, p. 7. scrutinizing the projects — or of insufficient resources? If the latter, what justification is there for the growing number of projects approved and grants made in respect of countries, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, where wine-growing does not have the economic importance it has in Italy?
3. Does not the Commission consider that — though WRITTEN QUESTION No 1693/86 without subsequently encouraging wine production — it by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC—B) should take firmer action in the form of measures to restructure and rationalize the sector which would to the Commission of the European Communities enable agricultural spending to be contained, (29 October 1986) wine-growers' incomes to be increased and competition (87/C 177/64) to be regulated?
4. Does not the Commission take the view that a substantial Subject: Measures for the protection of genetic diversity rationalization of the sector would be a way to reduce the area under vines at less additional cost to the budget? According to a report published by the FAO (the environmental impact of financial incentives for agricultural 0) OJNoL 51, 23. 2. 1977, p. 1. production, Legislative Study No 38, page 43) the legal measures relating to financial incentives for the development of genetic resources are still far from adequate and it is particularly urgent to draft special laws for the protection of genetic diversity.
Answer given by Mr Andriessen What measures does the Commission contemplate in this on behalf of the Commission respect? (17 December 1986)
1. Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 on common measures to Answer given by Mr Andriessen improve the conditions under which agricultural and fishery on behalf of the Commission products are processed and marketed applies to the entire sector and is therefore not confined to wine projects. For the (17 December 1986) sector taken as a whole, Italy benefits under this scheme as much as in the past. Conclusions cannot be drawn from a The Commission has not yet completed its examination of single set of decisions, as the approval decisions for the whole the report to which the Honourable Member refers. year must be taken into account. However, it is prepared to confirm the attitude it had already 2. With regard to wine projects in particular, the previously adopted: it has always supported measures Commission has decided, because of the difficult conditions designed to safeguard and increase plant genetic diversity. for wine, to make its choice criteria even more selective (*) in order to concentrate available funds on those projects most in It has, in particular. line with the objectives of the common agricultural policy. These criteria exclude certain types of investment from — supported the objectives pursued by the FAO's Community aid and may necessitate the adaptation of other international undertaking on plant genetic resources, projects. — taken part in international work being carried out with a view to the establishment, management and utilization of With regard to the Federal Republic of Germany, it is true gene banks, that a relatively large number of aid applications concern this — agreed to cooperate in action necessary to promote the sector, given the special importance of rationalization of conservation of plants in situ, wine-growing for the regions concerned and the restrictions imposed for other sectors (in particular, milk) from which, in — ensure that Community legislation, and in particular that the past, a large share of the German projects had come. relating to agricultural, horticultural and forestry seeds 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/39
and reproductive material, allows for the need to stipulating the size of the characters to be used for the safeguard and increase genetic diversity. identification of blended wines so that consumers can make their choice without any doubt. However, it has so far received no evidence showing the need to adopt 'special laws' in this field. In view of the reticence shown by the Member States with The Commission is also about to organize a symposium regard to the Commission's proposals to the Council for entitled 'Biological diversity: a challenge to science, the raising the minimum quality characteristics of table wines economy and society'. and for limiting the productivity of wine-growing areas, the Commission considers that, at the present stage, blending offers the only way of attenuating, or compensating for, the quality shortcomings of certain wines.
The impact of a generalized ban on blending on Community trade would be out of all proportion to the aims pursued. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1698/86 by Mr Emmanuel Maffre-Bauge (COM—F) Finally, the Commission considers that it is through an to the Commission of the European Communities improvement in the organization and coordination of the (10 October 1986) work of the wine inspection authorities rather than through a ban on blending that the Community can ensure that wines, (87/C177/65) whether blended or not, are up to standard.
Subject: Quality of wines 0) Council Regulation (EEC) No 355/79 (OJ No L 54, 5. 3. 1977). 2 The scandal involving methanol-adulterated wines has ( ) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1625/86 (OJ No L 144, 29. 5. 1986). highlighted the shortcomings in the operation of the 3 Community wine market and it is essential to make full ( ) Commission Regulation (EEC) No 997/81 (OJ No L 106,16. 4. 1981). legislative provision to meet this situation: 1. What measures does the Commission intend taking to improve information about the origin and quality of wines?
2. Is the Commission prepared to propose a ban on the blending of wines which runs counter to a policy of quality?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1700/86 Answer given by Mr Andriessen by Mr Pierre-Benjamin Pranchere (COM—F) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities (S January 1987) (29 October 1986) (87/C 177/66) Wine labelling has been subject to Community law (J) since 1976. The legislation has been amended by the Council on the basis of Commission proposals on several occasions, the last time being 26 May 1986 (2), to take account of Subject: Encouragement of natural rearing of calves experience gained and to inform consumers more effectively. Natural rearing of calves is a sound method of encouraging the production of quality meat, curbing a rise in dairy The last amendment, which makes the declaration of actual production and contributing towards the development of alcoholic strength compulsory on all wines from 1 May 1988 stock-farming in certain disadvantaged regions: onwards and provides for the optional inclusion of additional analytical data on wine labels in accordance with 1. If the Commission shares this view, how can it justify its procedures yet to be defined, should help to inform rejection of specific aid for the natural rearing of calves customers more fully about the quality of the products on the when it proposes to subsidize the incorporation of butter market. in calf feed in addition to the aid granted for dried milk? On the question of provenance, the Commission considers that wine labelling should enable consumers to distinguish clearly between table wines derived from blendings with 2. Is the Commission prepared to submit new proposals for wines of different Member States and table wines originating the payment of a significant amount of aid — perhaps in in a single Member State. Accordingly, it has prepared a draft the region of 60 ECU per calf — to specialized producers Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 997/81 (3) and in order to correct distortions of competition? No C 177/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Answer given by Mr Andriessen Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1986) (10 December 1986)
1. The Commission wishes to stress that the aid to the 1. All fish not having reached sexual maturity rank as natural rearing of calves was a French national aid and not a immature. For a single species, the age of starting maturity Community aid. As required by the Treaty, the Commission can vary from one individual to another, and the maturity reviewed this aid in 1985 and, on the basis of Article 92 of the curve of a given population, which takes the form of a EEC Treaty, ruled that it was incompatible with the common sigmoid, can be later or earlier depending on the waters, market. because of the importance of water temperature. Also, correspondences between age and length may vary from one region to another, depending upon the growth laws for each It should be pointed out that naturally reared calves are an stock. Because of these biological facts, the Commission is integral part of the suckler cow system, which has been not in a position to provide a record of catches of young supported by a Community premium scheme since 1980. immature fish. Nor is there any publication of breakdowns This scheme has contributed in the past to an improvement by length and age. and a development of the production of quality beef/veal. The production from naturally reared calves benefits in full from this scheme: each suckler cow qualifies for the 2. The principle of the rational management of resources Community premium of 15 ECU, to which a further national is based on the objective, for each stock, of a maximum premium of 25 ECU is added. long-term weight yield. The achievement of this objective depends on a complex relationship between growth rate, natural mortality rate, fished mortality rate and the meshing 2. The Commission has no plans at the present time to of fishing nets. take the initiative with regard to the introduction of a specific aid for naturally reared calves. However, by proposing, in its Certain resources not appropriate for use for direct human memorandum on adjustments to the market organization for consumption, like the small sandeel and Norway pout, are beef/veal (*), an appreciable increase in the premium, the more suitable for processing into meals and oils. Catches of Commission acknowledged the importance of the suckler these species are not necessarily made up of young fish. To herd in the Community and underlined its policy of ban them would mean a loss of major resources. However, supporting the production of quality beef/veal, to which there may be by-catches of protected species, including naturally reared calves contribute. immature fish. The restriction of such by-catches to strict levels by Community regulations is one of the fundamental (>) COM(85) 834 final. bases of equilibrium between two types of fishing: fishing for direct human consumption and industrial fishing.
The Commission had laid before the Council (J) a set of measures concerning mesh sizes with a view to minimizing catches of young fish, particular for the fishing of nephrops, but the Council adopted only some of the measures (2). The Commission has no plans at present to propose further technical measures concerning net meshes. WRITTEN QUESTION No 1705/86 by Mrs Sylvie Le Roux (COM—F) V) COM(85) 710 final (13. 12. 1983). (2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3094/86 of 7 October 1986 to the Commission of the European Communities laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of (29 October 1986) fishery resources (OJ No L 288, 11. 10. 1986). (87/C Ml 161)
Subject: Fishing for immature fish
1. Can the Commission provide details of catches of young immature fish, broken down by Member State and WRITTEN QUESTION No 1710/86 year since 1983? * by Mr Peter Price (ED—GB) 2. Does the Commission take the view that catching to the Commission of the European Communities young immature fish for manufacturing meal is a serious (29 October 1986) waste and runs counter to the principles of rational resource (87/C 177/68) management? What measures does the Commission intend to propose in order to limit and prevent such fishing for industrial purposes in the future? Is it prepared to supplement Subject: Cereals Advisory Committee the recent Council decision on technical conservation measures with fresh proposals on the size of net mesh used in Will the Commission state in respect of the Cereals Advisory fishing for young fish. Committee: 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/41
1. the date and duration of each of its last four WRITTEN QUESTION No 1711/86 meetings; by Mr Peter Price (ED—GB) 2. the cost, in travelling and subsistence expenses paid by to the Commission of the European Communities the Community, of each such meeting; (29 October 1986) (87/C 177/69) 3. the number of Commission proposals discussed and the number of differing opinions given as recorded in the minutes of these four meetings; Subject: Publication of minutes of Advisory Committees
4. the number of members; Do the Commission consider that it would be appropriate to publish the minutes of committees such as the Cereals 5. the number of members who are women; Advisory Committee? If not, why not? 6. the number of members drawn from or representing cereal producers or producers' cooperatives;
7. the number of members drawn from or representing Answer given by Mr Delors manufacturers who use cereals; and on behalf of the Commission (24 March 1987) 8. the number of members drawn from or representing consumers? The proceedings and opinions of the advisory committees referred to by the Honourable Member — like the Advisory Committee on Cereals, made up of representatives of Answer given by Mr Andriessen economic and social life — are of an internal nature. on behalf of the Commission Since their role is to advise the Commission, their opinions (17 December 1986) and the records of their meetings are, as a general rule, reserved for the institution consulting them and are not made 1. The last four meetings of the Advisory Committee on public. The reason for this is to guarantee the objectivity and Cereals were held on 21 March, 13 May, 27 June and 12 independence of the experts advising the Commission. September 1986, lasting an average of about four hours.
2. The average cost of each meeting was, depending on numbers present, about 14 500 ECU.
3. Consultations at the four meetings included the following points: WRITTEN QUESTION No 1712/86 — assessment of the supply balance, by Mr Peter Price (ED—GB) — situation on the internal market to the Commission of the European Communities — situation on the world market, (29 October 1986) — analysis of the effects of the decisions on prices and (87/C 177/70) related measures, — introduction of co-responsibility. Subject: Audio-visual materials for industrial or commercial audiences The views expressed enabled the Commission staff to achieve a better assessment of the situation in the light of the What audio-visual materials about the Community do the reactions of the various groups represented on the Commission produce which are designed specifically for Committee and to draw conclusions for the purposes of audiences comprising managers and /or workpeople in day-to-day management. industry and commerce? Have the Commission any plans to produce such materials? 4. The Committee has 46 members.
5. Three members of the Committee are women.
6. 23 representatives of the producers and agricultural Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana cooperatives are members of the Committee. on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1986) 7. Seven seats are assigned to the processors of the relevant agricultural and food products. The audio-visual material produced by the Commission is 8. There are six members representing consumers. principally aimed at the general public, although some material is available for a specific audience such as managers and/or workers in industry and commerce. No C 177/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
At the moment, two films exist in this field: has been made of this possibility so far. The. latest information available to the Commission in mid-October — 'J°bs for All' (15-minute film about the Community's indicated that 177 tonnes of apples had been withdrawn at activity in the sphere of job-creation), that time. — 'The European Community and Small Firms' (25-minute film on Community aid to small and medium-sized companies). The quantities of apples withdrawn from the market vary from one year to another. On average, in the long term, they represent only a small proportion of the harvested crop. The Commission intends to produce further material, within Moreover, by means of its price policy, the Community the limits of its budget possibilities, and is presently involved ensures that the withdrawal option appears increasingly in the production of a video programme on professional unattractive. Withdrawals concern standardized apples training within small and medium-sized companies. intended for sale in the fresh state, which, for various reasons, have found no takers on the market. Because of the seasonal nature of such surpluses, they cannot constitute a source of supply for the Community processing industry.
To ensure regular supplies the processing industry usually signs contracts with growers before the start of the year. Such contracts normally concern apples of an inferior class which WRITTEN QUESTION No 1717/86 are not suitable for marketing in the fresh state. Moreover, they are delivered in bulk in conditions corresponding to by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni (PPE—I) products intended for processing. to the Commission of the European Communities (30 October 1986) (87/C 177/71) Until now, these management mechanisms have ensured satisfactory disposal of the Community apple crop.
Subject: Exceptional crop of apples in the Community in the 1986/87 marketing year
There are signs that the apple crop in the Community in the 1986/87 marketing year will be very good, and the Commission has already decided to withdraw 286 000 tonnes as a precautionary measure. The processing industry, however, imports apples from third countries for the production of juice.
1. Does the Commission not think it should facilitate the use of surpluses for processing and intervention, try to encourage industrial uses and thus help to improve WRITTEN QUESTION No 1718/86 relations between agriculture and industry? by Mr Ferruccio Pisoni (PPE—I) to the Commission of the European Communities 2. Does the Commission not think that if it did this, the industry could be supplied by Community producers and (30 October 1986) the functioning of the market could at the same time be (87/C 177/72) better controlled?
Subject: Use of the Martin method to prove the authenticity of wines marketed in the Community Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission Adulteration of wines produced in the Community is (18 December 1986) reaching alarming proportions, and appropriate and uniform steps must therefore be taken to boost the image of this beverage, whose production involves millions of According to the latest figures, the Community apple crop in winegrowers. Does the Commission not think that, in the 1986/87 is estimated to be about 10 % larger than in interests of producers and consumers alike, the Community 1985/86, but not as large as in 1984/85. would be well advised officially to adopt the Martin method (of nuclear magnetic resonance) in order to identify and thus Although the Community rules provide for preventive guarantee the authenticity of the wines marketed, which is withdrawals of 286 000 tonnes in 1986/87, very little use impossible with the analytical methods used hitherto? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/43
Answer given by Mr Andriessen — the registration in the Member State of the producer on behalf of the Commission selling the fish, (22 December 1986) — the registration in the Member State of the producer bying the fish, and The Commission is familiar with the Martin method for — possible confusion of the above data? determining the origin of alcohol contained in wine. (d) Does the Commission have evidence of the klondiking The method was developed partly with the aid of of fish between fishermen from the Community and Community research funds. It is a method which is also third countries? What guarantees can it give that fish known to the specialized scientific world, where it has caught over and above the total allowable catch (TAC) generally been very favourably received, notably by the is not being resold to third countries? International Vine and Wine Office.
Like the Honourable Member, the Commission considers that this method should be brought more rapidly from the experimental to the operational phase; it intends to contribute towards this by submitting samples obtained from Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha various Member States to analytical tests. on behalf of the Commission
The method is based on the comparison of products for (6 January 1987) analysts with reliable reference samples. Assembling a collection of reference samples covering the entire Community wine industry is a fairly long-term task. 1. The transshipment at sea known as 'klondiking' is common practice in the exploitation of fisheries. In order for the method to become definitively operational, therefore, it is necessary, before its adoption by a The Commission, together with the Member States, is Commission regulation as an official Community method of currently examining the implications of klondiking for the analysis, to test it on a much larger scale. operation of the common organization of the market in fishery products. It considers that sales to klondikers represent an important outlet for some fishery products, particularly those which are in surplus (herring) and cannot at present be absorbed by the Community market. For this reason the Commission believes that this outlet should not be impeded.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1724/86 2. As regards the control of klondiking, on 29 June 1982, by Mr Eisso Woltjer (S—NL) the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, adopted Regulation (EEC) No 2057/82 establishing certain to the Commission of the European Communities control measures for fishing activities by vessels of the (30 October 1986) Member States (*). Some provisions of that Regulation, (87/C 177/73) which were reinforced in 1985 on the Commission's initiative (2), are specifically intended to ensure that catches of stocks subject to a TAC or quota which are transshipped at Subject: Common fisheries policy sea from a fishing vessel to another vessel are registered, verified and notified to the competent control authorities. 'Klondiking', as the trading of fish at sea between fishermen from different countries is known, has become an 3. The Honourable Member is asked to refer to Article 7 indispensable alternative business practice for many of the Regulation mentioned in point 2 above, which sets out fishermen. in detail the measures to register and monitor the size of catches subject to a TAC or quota transhipped at sea which (a) How does the Commission view the above practice? are the responsibility of Member States. When does it consider it admissible and when inadmissible? 4. The Commission is notified by Member States of the (b) Does it have any means of preventing what it considers size of catches subject to a TAC or quota transshipped at sea to be undesirable transactions at sea between by their fishermen to vessels from other Member States or producers? third countries. (c) What are the procedures which guarantee correct registration of the quantity, species and catch area of Verification of the quantities actually transshipped is the 'klondiked' fish? Will the Commission take into account responsibility of the coastal Member State in whose waters in its reply? transshipment takes place. No C 177/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
The Commission makes use of its fishery inspectors to check laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2108/84 of 23 July on the spot whether the Member States are applying the 1984 (') detailed rules for determining the mesh size of Community control provisions. fishing nets. It is one of the Commission inspectors' duties to make sure that these rules are complied with. (>) OJ No L 220, 29. 7. 1982. 2 ( ) Regulation (EEC) No 3723/85 of 20 December 1985 amending (») OJ NoL 194, 24. 7. 1984, p. 22. Regulation (EEC) No 2057/82 (OJ No L 361, 31. 12. 1985).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1727/86 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1725/86 by Mr Eisso Woltjer (S—NL) by Mr Eisso Woltjer (S—NL) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (30 October 1986) (30 October 1986) (87/C 177/75) (87/C 177/74)
Subject: Common fisheries policy Subject: Common fisheries policy On 9 June 1986 the Commission report on the enforcement The Commission concludes in paragraph 4.1.5 of its report of the common fisheries policy appeared (COM(86) 301 (COM(86) 301 final) that existing Community legislation is final), in which the legislative, judicial and administrative inadequate to enable it properly to discharge its task of structures in each Member State intended to guarantee the verifying the implementation of the control Regulation; thus, implementation of the common fisheries policy are discussed not all national inspectorates actually inspect all the areas as well as the results of the checks carried out by the Member within their responsibility, and Commission inspectors may States. also be refused access to certain ports: (a) Does the Commission not consider its inability properly The Court of Auditors has also produced a report on the to verify the implementation of the control Regulation fisheries sector (OJ No C 339, 31. 12. 1985): to be inadmissible? What steps does it intend to take to rectify this situation? (a) How does the Commission view the lack in some Member States of adequate national measures for the (b) Does the Commission attach any value to the statement implementation of Community legislation? What action by Dutch fishermen recently detained by the German does it intend to take to ensure that the Member States inspectorate, that the same fishing nets pass the mesh concerned make the necessary adjustments? What is the width test one day and fail it the next? Does it not deadline for the completion of such measures? consider such a situation to be untenable on grounds of equality before the law? (b) How does it view the marked differences between the Member States in the way in which monitoring of the proper application of the fisheries policy is carried out? Is there not a great danger, in view of the lack of harmonization of monitoring measures in the Member Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha States, which results in these being selective in character, on behalf of the Commission that producers in the different Member States will not receive equal treatment? Will the Commission illustrate (6 January 1987) its reply? (c) Has is taken note, in this context, of the recent decision 1. The Commission shares the Honourable Member's of the Zwolse magistrate for economic affairs to suspend view and has therefore proposed to the Council to the case brought against the Urk fishing firm C. Post appropriate changes to Community legislation on the control pending an opinion from the European Court of Justice of fishing activities so as to remedy in particular the on the question of whether, since some Member States shortcomings mentioned in point 4.1.5 of its report on the do not fish their full quota, the need for quotas to be enforcement of the common fisheries policy. established, i.e. the preservation of the species, still applies. Can the Commission give its view of this 2. The matter raised by the Honourable Member has not matter? Is it not afraid that the entire EEC fisheries been brought to the Commission's attention either by the policy could be affected thereby? Dutch fishermen's representatives or by the German inspectorate. (d) How does the Commission view the recent events in Lauwersoog in which the records of catches were, In order to ensure that the procedures for testing mesh sizes through no fault of those concerned, destroyed? What are the same throughout the Community, the Commission action does it intend to take on this matter? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/45
Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha 2. How many large undertakings are there in the on behalf of the Commission Community, broken down by Member State, and what is (9 January 1987) their significance for the economy in general and employment in particular?
1. The Commission uses every means at its disposal, 3. Does the Commission believe that it has adequate data including where necessary the infringement procedure laid on SMUs and, should it be inadequate, what action does down in Article 169 of the Treaty, to ensure that Member the Commission propose to take to improve it? States adopt and notify as soon as possible all the national measures required for effective enforcement of Community 4. (a) What trends have been recorded in recent years in rules. the Member States in the number of self-employed, in the overall economy and broken down by sector, 2. The Commission would point out that checks on the and what proportion of the total workforce is implementation of the common fisheries policy are accounted for by this group? essentially the responsibility of the Member States. The (b) In this connection, how significant are working Commission, for its part, maintains regular contacts with the family-members ? national control authorities and has undertaken an in-depth examination of the existing rules with a view to upward (c) Can the Commission provide a breakdown by harmonization of the degree to which the common fisheries Member State of these data too? policy is applied and thus ensuring full compliance with the rules on the conservation of resources and fair treatment for 5. How many firms have been founded or have gone into all producers. liquidation, broken down by Member State, in recent years, and what is the overall balance of these developments? 3. The Commission feels that at this stage no comment should be made on the decision mentioned by the Honourable Member, which has been referred to the Court 6. What proportion of the total number of companies of Justice of the European Communities for a preliminary ceasing trading is accounted for by bankruptcies? ruling.
4. The Commission deplores the incidents to which the Honourable Member refers, whilst noting the steps taken by the Netherlands authorities to enforce the rules of the Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer common fisheries policy. on behalf of the Commission (24 March 1987)
1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. It is impossible for the Commission to supply the information in the form requested by the Honourable Members from the statistics currently available on small firms.
However, other figures have been published on small and WRITTEN QUESTION No 1737/86 medium-sized industrial firms and their contribution to by Mr Ingo Friedrich (PPE—D), Mr Ernest Miihlen industrial activity in the form of the findings of the (PPE—L), Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE—D) and Mr Rudolf coordinated annual survey of industrial activity, which are Wedekind (PPE—D) broken down by size of work-force. Although these data to the Commission of the European Communities cover only firms employing 20 persons or more, data on smaller firms are added once every five years. (30 October 1986) (87/C 177/76) The statistics on firms in the distributive trades and services sector have yet to be harmonized Community-wide. As a result, methods and content vary widely from one Member Subject: Statistics on the development of small and State to the next. medium-sized undertakings (SMUs)
By contrast, the Statistical Office of the European For the purposes of the answers, a SMU is an enterprise Communities (SOEC) has a regular supply of detailed employing up to 500 people, with a fixed-asset ceiling of 75 statistics on farms. million ECU and no more than one-third of capital resources held by a larger undertaking: 3. Recently the SOE C urged the national statistical offices 1. How many SMUs are there in the Community, broken to endeavour to improve the situation. They undertook to down by Member State, and what is their significance for supply the Commission with the maximum data allowed by the economy in general and employment in particular? their limited resources. No C 177/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
In this context it must be remembered that the Commission cultural affairs, meeting within the Council, of 17 February has said that it wishes to cut down the administrative 1986 on the establishment of transnational cultural obligations imposed on small firms. Accordingly, the itineraries (1). statistical surveys take full account of the concern shared by the Commission and by the Member States to make life easier In this resolution, the ministers, taking into account the work for small firms. Naturally, this reduces the chances of fuller accomplished by the Council of Europe and the potential role statistical coverage of phenomena affecting small firms. of the European Foundation in this field, agreed to stimulate activities in the field of transnational cultural itineraries and The Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs noted that such schemes might be eligible for support from has initiated a project to gather data on business accounts the various Community instruments in accordance with their which, in due course, will produce a breakdown by size of aims and rules. business. It was on this basis that they undertook to review progress in The Community's action programme on SMEs highlights the projects in this area by 17 February 1988. weakness of the statistical base. The Task-Force on SMEs, together with the SOEC and other interested parties, will be The Commission has already received requests from certain attempting, as part of the action programme, to improve the Member States for application of this resolution and will do quality and availability of statistics on SMEs. all that lies within its power.
The Commission will give the fullest consideration for any concrete proposal from the Member States concerned for the preparation and publication of a guide to the pilgrim routes in Europe from their various origins to the common destination towards which they were all heading.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1761/86 (») OJ No C 44, 26. 2. 1986. by Mr Jean-Pierre Abelin (PPE—F) to the Commission of the European Communities (30 October 1986) (87/C177/77)
Subject: Recognition of the route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella as a Community itinerary of WRITTEN QUESTION No 1799/86 historical and cultural interest by Mr Hans-Jurgen Zahorka (PPE—D) In view of the need to promote among citizens of the to the Commission of the European Communities European Community not only their material interests but (6 November 1986) also a closer sense of unity based on historical and cultural (87/C 177/78) values which their countries all share, does the Commission intend to devise, in cooperation with the countries through which St James' Way passes, a guide retracing the different Subject: Distortion of competition caused by export duties itineraries taken by pilgrims from their various starting imposed on petrochemical raw materials in points to their common destination? producer countries
Does it also plan to declare the route of pilgrimage to Petrochemical producers established in the European Santiago de Compostella an itinerary of historical and Community have to pay import duties on palm stearine, cultural Community interest and to set aside appropriations palm oil, unprocessed coconut oil etc. Most of the producer under the Community budget to improve the roads and hotel countries are members of the Asean Group. The derivatives facilities in the disadvantaged areas of the Community made from these raw materials (fatty acids used for technical through which the route passes? purposes, stearic acids, etc.) are imported into the Community duty-free. The price of the raw materials is further affected by export duties levied in the producer country:
Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana 1. Does the Commission not see here the danger of on behalf of the Commission distortion of competition caused by export duties which have to be paid by Community importers in addition to (13 March 1987) import duties?
The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's 2. How does the Commission regard the view that countries attention to the resolution of the ministers responsible for producing raw materials for petrochemicals can exploit 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the uropean Communities No C 177/47
the generalized system of tariff preferences for their own WRITTEN QUESTION No 1801/86 manufacturing products (petrochemicals), but that the by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR—B) Community and producer countries artificially increase the prices of raw material exports? to the Commission of the European Communities (6 November 1986) 3. How does the Commission view the fact that this results (87/C 177/79) in excess capacity for Asean producer countries' regional markets in the petrochemical sector whilst here there is unexploited capacity for imports of raw materials? Subject: Surpluses of tomato juice, sauce, concentrates and preserves
4. Is the Commission prepared, after consulting the parties The Community is faced with the problem of surpluses of concerned within the Community, to raise this issue at tomato concentrate and derived products. There seem to be the next round of EEC-Asean talks and, possibly, problems on the internal market, and the closure of export consider whether the current GSP status of exports of markets, the USA in particular, has accelerated the build-up petrochemicals from the producer countries in question of stocks. should be reviewed? Italy has the EEC's authorization to produce 3 000 million kg of tinned and bottled tomato products over the coming year, and already has stocks of 1 200 million kg.
The main French producer, Otra-Rolli-Barbier-Dauphin, is on the brink of bankruptcy, and may soon be filing its Answer given by Mr Cheysson petition. on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1987) What is the Commission's policy for bringing the tomato market, and, on a larger scale, the tinned and bottled foods sector, under control?
The Commission would first of all point out to the Honourable Member that imports of palm oil, coconut oil and palm stearin into the Community are subject to zero Answer given by Mr Andriessen import duty in the case of the ACP countries under the Lome on behalf of the Commission Convention, and are subject to reduced customs duties under the generalized system of preferences granted by the (12 December 1986) Community to other developing countries. Thus, while the preferential duty is 11 % for palm stearin, instead of 17 % The Commission is aware of the difficulties on the market for under the normal arrangements, it is nevertheless only 2,5 or processed tomatoes. These are due to a level of production 4 % for crude palm oil, instead of the normal 4 and 6 % which in recent years has run well ahead of demand. respectively, depending on its use. To restrain production, the Commission introduced the guarantee thresholds system, which from 1984/85 onwards The Commission would also point out that while stearic acid has covered all tomato-based processed products. Under this and other fatty acids are imported duty-free under the GSP, system, whenever production exceeds the thresholds set, the same cannot be said for oleic acid (3 % duty) or for fatty there is an automatic reduction in the aid. alcohols (5 % duty). The GSP was set up precisely in order to encourage the industrialization of developing countries and, However, the guarantee thresholds system has not proved consequently, the processing of local raw materials. strong enough to control production and the Community has been compelled, for the 1985/86, 1986/87 and 1987/88 marketing years, to underpin this arrangement with a The Commission recognizes, however, that the imposition of production quotas system. This new scheme imposes, in export duties on these raw materials by certain developing addition, a quantitative limitation on the granting of the countries results in a real distortion of competition for aid. producers in the Community. Moreover, the Community formally raised this question at the last meeting of the EEC-Asean Joint Cooperation Committee. At the present time, the tomato-based processed products industry qualifies only for a reduced aid because of the application of the guarantee thresholds system, the guarantee The Commission is aware, however, that the present GSP being applied only up to fixed quantities. tariff structure could be more consistent. This is why it is reviewing the tariff scale in detail, with a view to preparing The Commission is well aware that these arrangements have proposals for the whole sector, once all the groups involved placed the processors in a difficult situation. None the less, it in the Community have been consulted. takes the view that they are necessary if market trends are to be controlled and the co-responsibility principle complied with. In so far as necessary, the Commission will take appropriate action when the aid limitation system expires, and before the 1988/89 marketing year. No C 177/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Also, the information available to the Commission reveals no WRITTEN QUESTION No 1812/86 major problems of market equilibrium for other preserved by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S—B) products, in particular for those subject to specific market to the Council of the European Communities organization schemes. (6 November 1986) (87/C 177/81)
Subject: The case of Mrs Perinciolo
Mrs Perinciolo was appointed as an official of the Council of WRITTEN QUESTION No 1802/86 Ministers on 16 January 1964. by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR—B) On 6 November 1965 she had a riding accident as a result of to the Commission of the European Communities which she was unable to return to her normal work. (6 November 1986) (87/C 177/80) Since the Council's medical committee decided, however, that she was able to perform her duties, Mrs Perinciolo was dismissed on 1 March 1975 and her pay was stopped. Subject: Fishing quotas allocated to Belgium: 1986 fishing year In the light of new medical evidence supplied by Mrs Perinciolo on the basis of recent medical techniques (e.g. The Centrale des Armateurs beiges recently complained to scanner), which shows that she was already suffering from the Belgian Minister of Agriculture that it was unthinkable her present invalidity at that time, does the Council intend to that Belgian fishing fleets should have to remain in port reconsider Mrs Perinciolo's file and permit her to defend her throughout the second half of 1986 because they had case? If so, is it willing to provide legal aid for her, since she exceeded their quotas. has no financial resources whatever?
Belgium did not use up its quotas for 1984 and 1985, whereas 1986 is an exceptionally good year for fishing.
It the Commission aware of the 'technical unemployment' Answer which may well affect the activities of Belgian fishermen from (20 May1987) September onwards? While this cannot prejudge a possible examination of the Has the Commission received a request from the Belgian humanitarian aspects of the case in point, the Council does Government to waive the quotas and to authorize fishing in not normally reply to questions concerning the strictly zones closed to Belgian fishermen? personal affairs of officials or former officials of its Secretariat. Does the Commission intend to grant extra quotas to Belgium in 1986, bearing in mind Belgium's conciliatory position in 1985?
Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 1816/86 (18 December 1986) by Mr Konstantinos Filinis (COM—GR) to the Commission of the European Communities (7 November 1986) The Commission confirms that fishing for certain stocks by Belgian fishermen (and by the fishermen of most other (87/C 177/82) member countries) has had to cease because the quotas have been used up before the end of the season. The Commission Subject: Tax changes in the Federal Republic of Germany has received no applications for quota derogations, which it detrimental to migrant workers would in any case be unable to allow. The quotas granted to Belgian fishermen in 1986 have nothing to do with the fact that Belgium stayed within its quotas for 1985, as, moreover, In response to a question of mine concerning the obstacles it was bound to do; they depend on the total allowable which the new tax law in the Federal Republic of Germany places in the way of migrant workers (Written Question No catches adopted by the Council, in which the Commission J has no intention of proposing any increase. 5/86) ( ), the Commission, through Commissioner J. Marin (30 June 1986), referred me to an earlier answer it had given to Mr de la Malene (Debates of the European Parliament of 12 March 1986, question 11). In its answer the Commission 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/49 said that it was 'considering . . . whether the provisions of electricity prices, will the Commission pursue this matter the German law in this respect infringe Community law within GATT negotiations? prohibiting direct or concealed discrimination against Community workers'. 8. Is the Commission satisfied that other Could the Commission say whether this investigation has energy-dependent Community industries are secure in been carried out and if it has been completed, what international markets given the absence of energy price conclusions have been arrived at and what steps the transparency within and without the Community? Commission proposes to take? H OJ No C 202, 11. 8. 1986, p. 11.
Answer given by Mr Mosar Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1987) (30 March 1987)
The Commission has informed the German authorities of its 1. Primary aluminium smelting capacity in the concern regarding the compatibility of the new German tax Community in the period 1970 to 1986 changed as law with the principle of nondiscrimination as interpreted by follows: the Court of Justice. 1970* (the Six): 1 030 000 tonnes, Depending on the reply received from the German 1973 (the Nine): 2 040 000 tonnes, authorities, the Commission will decide on action to be 1980 (the Nine): 2 110 000 tonnes, undertaken. 1985/86 (the Nine + Greece) 1 950 000 tonnes.
The changes are explained, firstly, by enlargement of the Community in 1973 and 1981 and, secondly, by restructuring of smelting capacity in the United Kingdom, WRITTEN QUESTION No 1822/86 France and Italy. The data do not take account of the by Sir Peter Vanneck (ED—GB) accession of Spain and Portugal, which added 370 000 to the Commission of the European Communities tonnes to Community capacity. (7 November 1986) (87/C 177/83) 2. Imports into the Community of primary unwrought aluminium were as follows between 1971 and 1985: Subject: Aluminium smelting capacity in the European 1970 (the Six): 690 000 tonnes, Community 1973 (the Nine): 673 000 tonnes, 1980 (the Nine): 946 000 tonnes, 1. Will the Commission provide statistics for the 1985 (the Nine + Greece): 1 163 000 tonnes. aluminium smelting capacity in the Community in 1970, 1973, 1980 and 1985? During the past 10 years, in particular, imports have 2. What was the tonnage of aluminium imports into the increased steadily, indicating a structural shortfall in Community for each year, 1970, 1973, 1980 and 1985? Community production relative to consumption. 3. What potential is there in the Community for an aluminium regime resembling that established for steel? 3. The Commission takes the view that it is not possible to set up an aluminium regime similar to that for steel as the 4. Will the Commission tabulate the price paid for provisions of the EEC Treaty applying to this industry do not electricity by each of the major aluminium producers in the permit intervention of the type possible under the ECSC Community, in conformity with the Council Treaty. recommendation on electricity tariff structures? 4. The Commission does not have the information 5. Does the Commission consider that harmonization of requested. It is extremely difficult to obtain details of the industrial electricity tariff structures among OECD states is exact prices paid for electricity by aluminium producers as feasible? this is generally treated as a business secret. Electricity prices 6. What possibilities are there for achieving have become considerably more transparent since 1981 harmonization of electricity tariff structures for supplies to (principle 7 of Council Recommendation 81/924/EEC on major large industrial consumers in the newly industrialized electricity tariff structures (*)). However, there are still countries, in view of their significance for product costs and problems with heavy industrial consumers. The Commission selling prices? is continuing its efforts to improve the situation. A survey was conducted for the Commission comparing average prices 7. In view of the consequences for the competivity in of electricity supplied to aluminium producers in Europe and international markets of major Community firms of the rest of the world. In 1984 prices ranged from 0,38 US NoC 177/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 cents/kWh in Canada to 4,7 US cents/kWh in Japan. The WRITTEN QUESTION No 1942/86 average price in Europe is 1,5 US cents/kWh. by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S—B) 5. The Commission has no means of exerting direct to the Commission of the European Communities influence on tariff structures in non-Community OECD (21 November 1986) countries. However, the Council Recommendation cited in (87/C 177/85) paragraph 4 and the IEA findings on energy prices are based on identical principles. It should be borne in mind that Subject: Netherlands export subsidy for heating manure harmonization of tariff structures does not necessarily mean uniformity of prices. Is the Commission aware of the intention of the Netherlands Government to halve the tax on the storage of surplus heating 6. The Commission cannot concern itself with manure if such surpluses are exported? harmonization of tariff structures in the newly industrialized Does it not take the view that this measure amounts to a non-member countries. national subsidy incompatible with the common market within the meaning of Article 92 of the EEC Treaty? Has it 7. The harmonization of electricity tariff structures was been informed of the introduction of this national subsidy in not discussed during the preparatory work which led to the accordance with Article 93 (3)? Does it intend to apply the Punta del Este ministerial declaration on the new round of procedure laid down in Article 93 (2)? trade negotiations under the GATT. Is such an export subsidy prohibited under any other rules of 8. The Commission understands the concern of the EEC Treaty? If so, which rules? electricity-intensive Community industries to remain Does the Commission take the view that the Member States competitive in international markets. But it is inevitable that which are burdened with these surpluses that are particularly electricity prices depend on regional or national resources. damaging for the environment may invoke Article 36 of the Moreover, the price of electricity is only one of the factors EEC Treaty in order to ban imports? affecting the international competitiveness of Community industries. What effect will the measure introduced by the Netherlands Government have on the infringement procedure initiated (>) OJ No L 337, 24. 11. 1981. pursuant to Article 169 and currently in progress against the Belgian ban on imports of heating manure (see Written Question No 1062/84) (»)? (») OJNoC 111, 6. 5. 1985, p. 6.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1855/86 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2287/86 by Mr John Marshall (ED—GB) by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC—B) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (7 November 1986) (21 January 1987) (87/C 177/84) (87/C 177/86) Subject: Incentives for the export of liquid manure Subject: Replies (or lack of them) from Commissioner Marin The Netherlands are apparently planning to reduce taxes on liquid manure surpluses by half, provided they are I wrote to Commissioner Marin on 5 January 1986 enclosing exported: a brochure about a theatre trust to be formed in my 1. Does the Commission consider that a tax system of this constituency. I wrote to him again on 21 May 1986 about the kind is equitable and justified when it encourages exports same project. Neither of these letters has been answered. of liquid manure to other countries, particularly Would the Commission indicate why neither letter was Belgium? acknowledged or answered? 2. Will the Commission introduce a Community system to control movements of livestock effluents between the Member States?
Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1942/86 and (20 March 1987) 2287/86 given by Mr Sutherland The Commission regrets the delay in answering the on behalf of the Commission Honourable Member's letters and has now contacted him with a view to supplying the necessary information. (1 April 1987) As the Commission has not been notified to date of the planned measures referred to by the Honourable Members, it 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/51 is unable to ascertain whether the scheme entails aid In general terms what redress does the Commission have prohibited under Article 92 (1) of the EEC Treaty. The against companies who successfully apply for grants/loans Commission has therefore requested the relevant details from for specific projects which are then either mothballed or the Netherlands Government and will not fail if necessary to closed down in a relatively short period of time. Would the initiate the requisite procedures. Commission not agree that an undertaking should be given by such applicants to the effect that they will guarantee the The Netherlands measures will have no effect on the continued use of such grant-aided facilities for a specific procedure pursuant to Article 169 of the EEC Treaty period (say five years)? initiated against the Belgian Government with regard to regional measures hindering imports of liquid manure.
A Member State to which a product which is particularly Answer given by Mr Varfis damaging for "the environment is dispatched may invoke on behalf of the Commission Article 36 of the EEC Treaty in order to prohibit imports, in (19 February 1987) so far as the conditions emerging from the case-law of the Court for the application of that Article are fulfilled. In particular, it is for the Member State concerned to The Commission was not aware that the Northern General demonstrate that the measures taken are necessary to protect Transport Company were considering the closure of High the environment effectively and that the product in question Spen Garage. It can confirm that a European Regional presents a serious risk to the environment. Development Fund grant of £ 46 500 was made on 20 December 1983 (ERDF No 83/09/04/064-001) towards In the case in point, however, Directive 80/68/EEC on the the construction and installation of new facilities at High protection of groundwater (*) provides that Member States Spen bus depot, Gateshead. are to take all measures necessary to limit the introduction of the substances listed in list II of the Annex, in order to avoid The Commission examines cases in which projects are not the pollution of groundwater. Since ammonia and nitrites are implemented as planned or fail to fulfil their intended role on included among them and as liquid manure deposited on the a case by case basis and requires decommitment or ground is liable to constitute an indirect discharge, the repayment of grant where appropriate. It will examine the Member States are therefore required to take the measures details of the case in question in consultation with the United necessary to limit this type of pollution. Kingdom authorities and inform the Honourable Member of the outcome in due course. The Commission has no plans for any Community system to control movements of livestock effluents between the Member States.
(>) OJNoL20, 26. 1. 1980.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1965/86 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S—NL) to the Commission of the European Communities (24 November 1986) (87/C 177/88) WRITTEN QUESTION No 1945/86 by Mr Stephen Hughes (S—GB) Subject: EEC assistance for grasshopper control to the Commission of the European Communities programme (21 November 1986) In answer to Written Questions No 867/85 i1), No (87/C 177/87) 624/85 (2) and No 731/85 (3), by Mr Muntingh, Mr Ford and Mrs C. Jackson respectively, Mr Natali said that: Subject: Closure of High Spen Garage in the Durham Euro — in requests for Community funding for the purchase of constituency pesticides for ACP countries the conditions applying to the use of these pesticides in the Community would be Is the Commission aware that the Northern General taken into account, and that Transport Company are considering the closure of one of — in the tsetse fly control campaign for southern Africa no their depots at High Spen which is within my Community funds would be made available for the constituency? spraying of insecticides the use of which was prohibited in the Community. Can the Commission confirm that part of the cost of building this depot was borne by the Community through either grant The FAO report on the 1986 Grasshopper Control aid or subsidized loans? Campaign in the Sahel states on page 14 that the Community No C 177/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
has promised to supply 350 tonnes of BHC for this The product was not used for subsequent operations in Mali, campaign, to be sprayed by local people using spray bags. nor in any other of the Sahel countries. The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer to Written Question No 1690/86 (a) by Mr Roelants du Vivier for details of other The effective component of BHC is HCH, which is on the list available methods. of substances whose use is prohibited or strictly limited in the EEC: The Commission therefore used the product in question only in quite exceptional circumstances, considering that this was 1. Can the Commission say whether the spraying of BHC a case where, as the Honourable Member put it in his Written using this method (spray bags) is also to be allowed for Question No 867/85, the drawbacks did not outweigh the this purpose in the Community? benefits, especially when it was used under the conditions described above. 2. If not, can it explain why an exception is being made in this instance to the policy described by Mr Natali? Faced with the alternatives of dealing immediately with this threat to harvests or waiting for the arrival of other products, 0) OJ No C 341, 31. 12. 1985, p. 13. the Commission chose the former solution to avoid a fresh (2) OJ No C 263, 14. 10. 1985, p. 39. outbreak of famine in a Sahel country. (3) OJ No C 263, 14. 10. 1985, p. 39. (») OJ No C 112, 27. 4. 1987.
Answer given by Mr Natali on behalf of the Commission (27 February 1987) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2043/86 by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (ED—E) to the Commission of the European Communities In the Community's locust and grasshopper control (28 November 1986) campaign in Africa, BHC has been used only in highly exceptional circumstances, in Mali, where it was used for (87/C 177/89) reasons of urgency, the locust and grasshopper threat being most imminent there; overall, BHC has accounted for only a Subject: Importation of live plants and floricultural very small percentage (3,8 %) of all Community spraying products from the Canaries activity. EEC imports of live plants and floricultural products in 1985 In response to emergency appeals launched by the FAO since totalled some 911 000 tonnes with an approximate value of January 1986, it was necessary to treat infested areas several 2 336 million ECU. Of this amount, imports from times. In Mali, where the danger was particularly pressing, non-Community countries represented only 102 000 tonnes, the necessary resources had to be mobilized in a very short with a value of 342,7 million ECU. time. Accordingly, in March 1986, following an invitation to tender, the Mali plant protection department opted for In the same year, EEC imports of these products from the HCH. HCH was available immediately on the spot, whereas Canary Islands totalled only 2 419 tonnes with a value of propoxur, which would have been preferable, was not 14,7 million ECU, i.e. 0,26 % of the imported tonnage and available until August 1986 — too late to start the control 0,63 % of its value. campaign necessary to protect seedlings. Does the Commission believe that even if the Canaries' duty-free quotas of live plants and floricultural products are In the circumstances the Commission did not object to the doubled, there could be distortion of the European market in choice of HCH, also chosen initially by the FAO, in view of these products, owing to the meagre volume involved? the urgency of the control campaign and the fact that manual spraying could keep the area treated (25 000 hectares) to a minimum; HCH being applied by means of spray bags, its use can be controlled. Answer given by Mr Andriessen Note that the Mali plant protection department, responsible on behalf of the Commission for supervising the spraying operations carried out by (24 March 1987) peasant farmers, took all necessary precautions to ensure that spraying was carried out in accordance with the required standards and that the product would have no harmful Live plants and flowers are among the items in Annex A to effects on its users when applied with spray bags. Protocol 2 to the Act of Accession. For products in this 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/53
Annex, tariff quotas have been agreed for items grown in the the United Kingdom for the roads and railways Canary Islands, under Article 4 of the Protocol. For 1986, sub-programmes and for the special road investment the quota approved was 3 466 tonnes. This therefore programme under the multiannual special programmes: represents a quantity exceeding the figure of 2 419 tonnes of Community imports of these products in 1985.
Also, in a decision of 21 October 1986 taken in connection with the discussions on Mediterranean policy, the Council, ECU million £ million (') on the basis of a Commission proposal, approved an increase in this quota to 4 700 tonnes for 1987 and thereafter. The Roads sub-programmes 686,4 396,6 Commission believes that this decision meets the concern Special road investment programme 441,0 254,8 expressed by the Honourable Member. 1 127,4 651,4
Railways sub-programmes 317,4 183,4
(') At the December 1983 rate (1 ECU = £0,577728), at which the last payment was made.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2061/86 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED—GB) A chronological and geographical breakdown of these contributions for roads and railways, which total 1 444,8 to the Commission of the European Communities million ECU (£ 834,8 million), under the supplementary (28 November 1986) measures is given in Table 2. (87/C177/90)
Community assistance of 453,8 million ECU for road Subject: Grants for road and rail transport in the United projects and 40,9 million ECU for railways projects was also Kingdom granted under the specific Regulations on common transport policy. In the Commission's opinion, all this assistance has What is the total of grants and loans in pounds sterling which led to an improvement in transport at Community level. it has made available to improve and develop (a) the British road and (b) the British rail system since 1973? What H OJ No L 284, 29. 10. 1980, p. 4. contribution does the Commission judge that this has made to the development of a common European transport policy within the Community? TABLE 1
EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (ERDF)
UK roads (January 1975 to November 1986): — number: 1 848, Answer given by Mr Varfis — investment: £ 2 160 310 123,0, on behalf of the Commission — contribution: £ 522 701 050,9. (18 February 1987)
Infrastructure Studies Total Between 1975, when it was set up, and November 1986 the 1975 1 625 389,4 European Regional Development Fund granted the United 0,0 1 625 389,4 Kingdom £ 522,7 million for road infrastructure projects 1976 6 275 720,8 0,0 6 275 720,8 (including £ 1,5 million for studies) and £ 49,9 million for 1977 6 004 780,4 0,0 6 004 780,4 railways projects. A year-by-year breakdown of these 1978 11 021 015,3 0,0 11 021 015,3 contributions, which total £ 572,6 million, is given in 1979 33 213 342,3 0,0 33 213 342,3 Table 1. 1980 30 605 203,8 0,0 30 605 203,8 1981 43 792 852,1 0,0 43 792 852,1 The Commission also granted £ 38,624 million for road 1982 67 124 126,1 10 000,0 67 134 126,1 investment projects that formed part of national programmes 1983 55 111 337,1 334 500,0 55 445 837,1 of Community interest in the United Kingdom. 1984 128 290 506,0 1 157 840,0 129 448 346,0 1985 109 595 621,0 0,0 109 595 621,0 Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2744/80 establishing 1986 28 538 816,5 0,0 28 538 816,5 supplementary measures in favour of the United Kingdom (which came into effect on 1 November 1980 and expired at Total 521 198 710,9 1 502 340,0 522 701 050,9 the end of 1983) (J), the following amounts were allocated to No C 177/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
UK Railways (January 1975 to November 1986): Sub-programmes — number: 88, — investment: £ 227 058 758,0, Special road *»* Railways investment — contribution: £ 49 897 773,4. programme
Infrastructure Total Wales a 73 484 12 842 b 63 456 6 016 — 1975 0,0 0,0 c 57 276 4 050 1976 0,0 0,0 1977 174 913,3 174 913,3 % of public expenditure a 50 50 59,22 1978 337 032,2 337 032,2 b 40 40 57,05 1979 0,0 0,0 c 30 30 1980 1 377 469,2 1 377 469,2 1981 2 368 364,7 2 368 364,7 Northern Ireland a 46 463 2 097 — 1982 27 238 060,2 27 238 060,2 b 26 590 3 581 1983 7 040 373,8 7 040 373,8 c 16 149 1 592 1984 6 844 560,0 6 844 560,0 1985 3 983 500,0 3 983 500,0 % of public expenditure a 60 60 (Northern Ireland) ^ 1986 533 500,0 533 500,0 50 50 — c 30 40 Total 49 897 773,4 49 897 773,4 Road investment a — 181 461 b — 259 517 TABLE 2 c
SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURES IN FAVOUR OF THE Total a 283 143 150 009 181 461 UNITED KINGDOM b 222 399 101343 259 517 c 180 811 66 086 Breakdown by region and sub-programme of commitments made in: — a: 1980 and 1981, — b: 1982, — c: 1983. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2118/86 by Mrs Anne-Marie Lizin (S—B) (ECU million) to the Commission of the European Communities Sub-programmes (10 December 1986) Special road (87/C 177/91) «~u Railways investment programme
North of England a 30 350 17 658 Subject: Shell boycott — purchases of petrol for EEC b 17 332 13 608 — officials and petrol coupons for members of the c 10 333 11 216 permanent representations
North-west of England a 48 692 30 499 — Can the Commission say why the petrol coupons which it b 44 834 22 202 issues (and which the national delegations issue) are valid only for purchases from Shell, bearing in mind this c 28 456 11 632 company's actions in South Africa?
South-west of England a 6 714 — b 358 2 936 c 11 061 1 039 Answer given by Mr Christophersen Yorkshire and Humberside a 17 199 35 961 — on behalf of the Commission b 17 117 24 996 (23 March 1987) c 14 384 17 344
Scotland a 66 955 44238 In Belgium, where it registers nearly 70 % of its fuel b 52 712 28 004 — consumption, the Commission's supplier is Fina, which was c 43 152 19 213 awarded the contract following an invitation to tender. It was possible to put this contract up for tender since several of 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/55 the main suppliers have a sufficiently large distribution On the basis of bilateral relations, neighbouring States are network in Belgium. informed of the measures contemplated to cope with an emergency and agreements are concluded on the practical This is not the case in other countries in which the aspects of information exchange and mutual assistance in the institution's service cars are frequently used. Shell has the event of an accident. largest network in all these countries together and offers the facility of supplying fuel without requiring payment at the The objectives and methods of transfrontier planning of pump, the invoices being sent to headquarters at no emergency aid in the countries of the European Community additional cost. in the event of an accident in a nuclear installation are the subject of a recent Commission publication (2).
Accordingly, in the case of Cattenom, there are agreements between France and Luxembourg and between France and the Federal Republic of Germany which concern the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2133/86 exchange of information and the organization of emergency by Mr Ernest Muhlen (PPE—L) measures in the event of an accident. to the Commission of the European Communities 0) OJNo C 82, 30. 3. 1987. 2 (10 December 1986) ( ) Doc. V/2138/86-FR. (87/C 177/92)
Subject: Limited scope of the disaster plan for the Cattenom nuclear power-station
With reference to Written Question No 1319/86 (J) on the same subject, which was tabled in September and to which I have not yet had an answer, I should like to put the following WRITTEN QUESTION No 2149/86 supplementary questions: by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE—B) 1. Can the Commission say whether it is true that the French Government has limited the scope of its disaster to the Commission of the European Communities plan for the Cattenom nuclear power station to a radius (16 December 1986) of only 10 km around this plant which is located in a (87/C 177/93) frontier area?
2. Does the Commission regard these limits as realistic or Subject: Publication in the Official Journal of the results of does it consider that it should make up for the invitations to tender provided for in the Financial shortcomings of the French authorities by taking the Regulation applicable to the Fifth European initiative of introducing truly European measures Regional Development Fund commensurate with the real risks? 0) OJNoC 157, 15. 6. 1987. With reference to Written Question No 2786/85 (») of 17 February 1986 on the above subject and the Commission's answer given by Mr Natali on 3 April 1986, I would point out that contrary to what was stated in that answer no results Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis have been published for 1985 and that for 1986 the time on behalf of the Commission elapsing between the awarding of a contract and publication (2 April 1987) is more than four months.
The answers to Written Questions No 1319/86 and No Also contrary to what was stated in the Commission's reply is 1399/86 (x) were forwarded to the Honourable Member on the fact that the information published is not merely of 3 February and 13 January 1987, respectively. interest for the compilation of statistics by the institutions responsible for establishing the distribution of contracts As regards the supplementary questions, a study report and among firms from the various Member States. an assessment of the consequences of any accident that might occur have to be presented to the competent national Many firms which have not been awarded contracts do not authorities in the case of each nuclear installation. The know why they have been rejected. emergency-measures plan is prepared on the basis of the results of such an assessment. A radius of 10 km around a Does the Commission not consider that in order to prevent nuclear power station determines the zone in which any groundless suspicion, it would no doubt be preferable for implementation of the most extensive emergency measures the results of invitations to tender to be published as soon as that might be required should be considered. The existence of possible, stating the name of the awarder and the price at that radius does not preclude the implementation of which the awards are made. measures beyond that distance should they prove to be necessary. (M OJ No C 214, 25. 8. 1986, p. 23. No C 177/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Answer given by Mr Natali WRITTEN QUESTION No 2198/86 on behalf of the Commission by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED—GB) (19 February 1987) to the Commission of the European Communities (22 December 1986) Publication of the results of invitations to tender for 1985 has (87/C 177/95) had to be postponed until 1987. Subject: Own resources and the cost of the common Although the draft text has been available in the original agricultural policy language since February 1986, the Commission departments concerned have had considerable problems with publication, Now that the Commission can effectively quantify the particularly since the text has to be published in the nine volume of the 1986 harvest, and evaluate the budgetary cost official languages. therof, will it state precisely when a proposal will be made to increase the VAT levy on Member States in order to support The Commission will endeavour, as far as its resources own resources at a practical level? The answer to the question permit, to publish the results of invitations to tender several should be framed within the context that the CAP cannot be times a year. contained within the budgetary forecast for 1987, and it is pointless for the Commission to massage the figures in order to suggest that it can.
Answer given by Mr Christophersen on behalf of the Commission (23 March 1987) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2159/86 by Mr Robert Delorozoy (LDR—F) The Honourable Member knows certainly about the recent proposals put forward by the Commission both in the field of to the Commission of the European Communities the future financing of the Community budget and of the (16 December 1986) reform of the CAP. (87/C 177/94)
Subject: 1992 Olympic Games
The decision to hold the 1992 summer and winter Olympic WRITTEN QUESTION No 2216/86 Games in Barcelona and Albertville respectively, both of by Mr Horst Seefeld (S—D) which are situated in Community Member States, has given the European Community the opportunity of making itself to the Commission of the European Communities better known throughout the world. Does the Commission (22 December 1986) intend, within the framework of the Treaties, to turn such an (87/C 177/96) opportunity to suitable advantage?
Subject: Amount of cadmium in children's toys
According to a standard for children's toys, the permitted amount of cadmium in modelling clay is 50 mg/kg. In Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana contrast to this, in sewage sludge for example, the permitted on behalf of the Commission level is 20 mg of cadmium per kilogram. (23 March 1987) Why is the permitted quantity of cadmium higher for children's toys than for sewage sludge? The Commission will not fail, in particular in its initiatives on a People's Europe, to take whatever action is needed in Will the Commission review the situation and require lower respect of these major sporting events which will be taking levels of cadmium in toys? place in two towns in Community countries.
Contacts are already planned with the national Olympic Answer given by Mr Varfis Committees of the Member States which an eye to promoting on behalf of the Commission the Community image in the sporting arena, in particular in connection with the Olympic Games. (1 April 1987)
Without the precise reference of the standard mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission assumes that he is 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/57 speaking of the value in European standard EN 71, part 3, WRITTEN QUESTION No 2228/86 published by the European Committee for Standardization by Mr Robert Cohen (S—NL) (CEN) in 1982. The Commission has asked the CEN to prepare to revise this standard in the light of the adoption by to the Commission of the European Communities the Council of a proposal for a Directive (J) on the (22 December 1986) approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning (87/C 177/97) the safety of toys, which lays down essential safety requirements, including a limit for cadmium. Consequently the cadmium level that will eventually be adopted for Subject: Sysmin modelling clay is not yet known. 1. Could the Commission give a general account of the The Scientific Advisory Committee on the Toxicity and ways in which the funds made available for Sysmin under Ecotoxicity of Chemical Compounds was consulted on the Lome II were spent? (The amount committed, the amount bioavailability limits for various heavy metals in the proposal disbursed and on what, the countries that benefited and the for a Directive on which Parliament has been asked for its products to which money was allocated.) opinion. 2. Is the Commission already able to give some idea of how Sysmin might be used under Lome III? Sewage sludge is regularly spread on soil and therefore any cadmium it contains may well end up in plants intended for 3. Is the Commission satisfied with the way in which the human consumption. There is no similar danger with toys, Sysmin system has been used so far and with the procedures even though the likelihood of a child putting a toy in its involved? mouth must be taken into consideration.
The Commission assures the Honourable Member that it attaches the greatest importance to child safety and in particular to the safety of toys, which it regards as a priority Answer given by Mr Natali issue. on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1987) (*) OJ No C282, 8. 11. 1986.
1. As of December 1986, the record of Sysmin operations under Lome II can be summed up as follows:
Applicant country and mining Commitment Disbursement Aim of the operation sector concerned Admissibility (million ECU) (million ECU)
Zaire I (copper-cobalt) X 40 40 Rehabilitation of mining equipment Zambia I (copper-cobalt) X 55 55 Rehabilitation of mining equipment Rwanda (tin) X 2,84(') — Aid to artisan miners Guyana (bauxite) X 3(2) 1,7 Buying spare parts Zambia II (copper-cobalt) X 28 15 Rehabilitation of mining equipment Zaire II (copper-cobalt) X 41 Rehabilitation of mining equipment and infrastructure Liberia (iron ore) X — Surinam (bauxite/alumina) XX — Jamaica (bauxite/alumina) XX —
Total 169,4 111,7
X = Admissibility agreed. XX = Admissibility under examination. (x) First instalment of a planned total of 12 million ECU. (2) Advance on a planned total of between 25 and 35 million ECU. No C 177/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Alltogether, the specific financial commitments already to respond very rapidly indeed to the needs created by this made take up 60 % of the Sysmin allocation under Lome II disaster. All the aid, sent by air within a few days with the (282 million ECU). The amounts already committed plus help of the British Red Cross, had been distributed directly to those planned where admissibility has been agreed represent those who needed it in less than three weeks, thanks in 71 % to 75 % of this allocation, and leave available a sum of particular to the presence of the Commission. 71 to 81 million ECU which, in the Commission's view, should be amply taken up by the cases already being financed The temporary shelter programmes, which were completed or whose admissibility is still under examination. However, by the end of January, are, according to the information this cannot be determined in terms of figures until all the available to the Commission, very much appreciated by the projects have been established precisely and the Commission recipients. Implemented in collaboration with parish and has made a financing decision on them. district authorities to the neediest sections of the population, they cover the distribution of local materials and tools and 2. Four ACP States have made applications under Lome the provision of a regular water supply. HI: Mauritania, Guinea and Zambia under Article 180(a) for iron ore, alumina and copper respectively, and Niger under (>) OJ No C 100, 13. 4. 1987, p. 27. Article 180 (b).
3. In order to accelerate the implementation of the projects financed by Sysmin, it is proposed under the Lome III procedure to adhere to the principle of initiation in two phases (admissibility decision and financing decision) but to bring these two decisions as close together as possible. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2245/86 by Mr James Moorhouse (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (12 January 1987) (87/C 177/99)
Subject: Community-Japan trade WRITTEN QUESTION No 2232/86 by Mr Alfons Boesmans (S—B) The following statement was made by Mr Hideo Kagami, to the Commission of the European Communities Japanese Ambassador to the Community, in an address to (22 December 1986) the 'London Europe Society' on 6 November 1986. (87/C 177/98) 'In terms of liberalizing the Japanese market, we believe that the Japanese market is now very open. This is the result of a series of efforts we have made, including the Subject: Emergency aid to El Salvador implementation of the action programme announced in July 1985. Stated simply, foreign goods which are How much emergency aid has the Community sent to El competitive with Japanese products can be accepted in the Salvador following the recent earthquake? Japanese market, assuming that their producers make appropriate efforts to penetrate that market and to sell their goods.' Can the Commission give a detailed description of the form this aid took and state which organizations were involved and what practical effects the aid had in the region Can the Commission cite any sector where it believes this concerned? statement to be true?
What conclusions does the Commission draw from this statement about Japan's commitment to the further, significant opening of its markets along the lines repeatedly requested by all of its major trading partners, including the Answer given by Mr Natali United States and the European Community? on behalf of the Commission (26 February 1987)
The Commission invites the Honourable Member to refer to Answer given by Mr De Clercq the answer given to Mr Vergeer's Written Question No on behalf of the Commission 2037/86 (J) for details concerning the amount of aid, (2 March 1987) distribution and form.
In order to give a correct assessment of the impact of the aid, The Commission acknowledges that Japan has greatly it first of all should be stressed that the Commission was able reduced its customs tariffs in the industrial sector and 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/59 abolished nearly all quantitative restrictions, except in the Within the PIADP a subprogramme is being financed by the agricultural and agri-foodstuffs sector. Much still remains to European Community that aims to establish ecologically be done regarding certification standards and procedures, responsible and rational management of the natural the financial markets and purchases by public or semi-public resources of the island. On behalf of the Commission, an bodies (construction of the Kansai airport). A whole series of advisory bureau has drawn up a plan to this end. It emerges less visible obstacles, linked to Japan's social and economic from the findings of the thorough report prepared by this system, have also yet to be removed. In reality, conditions of bureau how significant the Commission's initiative was in the access to the Japanese market for Community businessmen funding of the subprogramme. 'Without land-use planning are non-reciprocal, as is revealed by the continuing based on ecological considerations, there is a threat of very imbalance in trade. serious erosion that will have a strongly counteractive effect on the intended economic development of the island and will thereby weaken the foundations of the PIADP. There are a few sectors in which European products have managed to penetrate the Japanese market — consumer goods (electric coffee-makers, electric shavers), for example, and pharmaceutical products, skis and equipment, or Can the Commission say what measures it contemplates helicopters for civilian use. Certainly, it is essential for taking in order to ensure that the promotion of rational European producers to make a sustained effort to sell their management of natural resources is integrated into the products, but the Japanese market is still one of the most PIADP and that the plans drawn up by the advisory bureau difficult to penetrate for foreign products, no matter how on behalf of the Commission can be executed as soon as competitive they are. possible?
The Commission is continuing its efforts to persuade the Japanese Government to go beyond a formal opening of the market and set specific targets for increasing the level of imports of manufactured products and processed agricultural products. The Japanese Government has up to now failed to comply with this request. Answer given by Mr Cheysson on behalf of the Commission On 7 December 1986 the European Council asked the (4 March 1987) Council to examine fully methods of obtaining more balanced trade relations with Japan. At the ministerial meeting on 11 December 1986 in Brussels, the Commission raised all these matters with the Japanese ministers. A The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its satisfactory solution was found for skis and equipment and answer to Written Question No 2253 / 86 (1) which should be for domestic electrical appliances. Discussions with the read in conjunction with the answer to this question which Japanese authorities will take place in the spring of 1987 with refers to measures taken, or to be taken, in those areas a view to resolving the difficulties encountered in two other designated as suitable for human occupancy. sectors: motor vehicles and electrical items of medical equipment. The plan prepared by the consultants in collaboration with the Philippines bureaux and agencies has established the criteria to distinguish between forest and other reserve areas from land more suited to stable agriculture and hence human occupancy. The latter is referred to in the Philippines as 'alienable and disposable' (A and D). The exercise to delineate the boundary between the two types of land is currently underway, financed by the EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2255/86 Within the A and D land the plan also sets down the broad by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S—NL) categories of land use, associated with which are the basic to the Commission of the European Communities criteria for soil and water conservation. The project is now at (12 January 1987) the stage at which the plan has to be translated into a series of area development projects based on semi-detailed land use (87/C 177/100) planning. This exercise also requires a major training programme for government personnel for whom the principles of land use planning and conservation measures Subject: Ecology and development: protection of natural are quite unknown. resources on the Philippine island of Palawan
In the Philippines work is progresing on establishing the Behind the plan there is also a need to redefine at provincial Palawan Integrated Area Development Project (PIADP), level the policies and programmes followed by government which is intended to promote the development of Palawan agencies other than those directly involved in land Island. management. For instance, physical and social infrastructure No C 177/60 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
should be concentrated on those areas and centres where human consumption but to end up as a lubricant for Soviet human settlement is to be encouraged. industry. Will the Commission express an opinion on the political consequences if any butter disposed of in this At this stage the project has suffered an hiatus caused by the manner greases the wheels of the Soviet military machine. In political upheavals in the country. The Commission has been any case how is disposal of any butter in this way justifiable told, with the changes in government structure now decided to European consumers and taxpayers? upon, that there is every prospect implementation can now progress. There are still sufficient funds within the project for 12 to 15 months of field activity. While this is not sufficient for the Commission to see the full application of the plan it will be sufficient to determine whether or not the government Answer given by Mr Andriessen is prepared to prosecute actively the more sensitive of the on behalf of the Commission plan's measures and thus for the Commission to decide (23 March 1987) whether further funding can be considered.
(J) OJNoC171, 29. 6. 1987. The Commission cannot confirm or deny these reports, which it has not seen, but on economic grounds it seems highly unlikely that they are true.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2297/86 by Mr Hans Poetschki (PPE—D) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 January 1987) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2321/86 (87/C 177/101) by Mr Luis Perinat Elio (ED—E) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Principles of regional policy (14 January 1987) In the Commission's view, what role will the principles of (87/C 177/103) regional policy, namely subsidiarity, sectoral neutrality and decentralized development and planning, play in implementing Article 130 D of the Single European Act? Subject: The incidence of illiteracy in the Member States
Although the European Economic Community is obviously one of the most advanced and (in every way) Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer highly-developed groups of countries in the world, there is on behalf of the Commission nevertheless a high incidence of illiteracy among its population, which is in sharp contrast to its advanced and (24 March 1987) progressive international position.
The role to be played by the regional policy principles The rate of illiteracy in the Community has changed as a referred to by the Honourable Member will be dealt with in result of the accession of Spain and Portugal. This makes it the comprehensive proposal which the Commission is to necessary to reconsider both the figures for illiteracy in the 12 submit in accordance with Article 130 D inserted into the Member States taken together, and the specific measures to EEC Treaty by the Single European Act. be taken to eradicate it gradually and completely within the borders of the Community.
On the basis of the latest available figures, can the Commission say what the present rate of illiteracy is in the Community as a whole and what steps it intends to take to help to eradicate illiteracy gradually and totally? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2308/86 by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED—GB) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 January 1987) Answer given by Mr Marin (87/C 177/102) on behalf of the Commission (26 March 1987) Subject: Greasing the wheels of Soviet industry
Will the Commission confirm or deny reports that surplus Following the conclusions of the Council and the Ministers of Community butter is being sold to the Soviet Union, not for Education of 4 June 1984 on the campaign against illiteracy, 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/61 the Commission has organized a group of national officials Answer given by Mr Marin delegated by the Ministries of Education who are competent on behalf of the Commission as regards the campaign against illiteracy. This group which (20 March 1987) meets regularly in Brussels has examined the problem raised by the Honourable Member. In accordance with the wish expressed by the European Parliament in its discussion of the Commission's draft for a It has become apparent that one of the major aspects of the Council Decision on a specific action to combat poverty, a problem of illiteracy in the industrialized countries is the fact major portion of the appropriations (roughly 70 %) was that it is extremely difficult to quantify; there are in fact no allotted to research actions. systematic studies designed to evaluate the percentage of illiterate persons in the adult population. The next largest portion of the appropriations went to the Clearing House (J) and accounts for some 22 %.
In Belgium and in France, tests are organized in connection Some 5 % went to the third component of the programme: with military service. Applying the figures registered by the the drawing up of statistics and poverty indicators. Ministry of Defence in Belgium and in France to the whole of the population, the percentage of illiterates is estimated at The Commission is satisfied with this share-out, which is in 5 %, but this figure probably falls short of the actual line with the wishes expressed by the European number. Parliament. (!) COM(86) 216 final. Considering nevertheless that the scale of the phenomenon is considerable, since 1984 the Commission has been undertaking various initiatives to counter illiteracy, principally preventive measures (from nursery to secondary level).
A report on the progress achieved in this area by the Member WRITTEN QUESTION No 2350/86 States and at Community level has just been drawn up for the by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) Council meeting on education in May. This report which to the Commission of the European Communities includes a work programme for 1987 will be forwarded to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the (20 January 1987) European Parliament. (87/C 177/105)
Subject: ERDF and SMUs
Can the Commission provide a list of the projects submitted by SMUs and approved under the ERDF in 1985 and 1986 and the total amount granted to SMUs via such projects and the percentage that this figure represents of the respective ERDF budgets for the years concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2329/86 Answer given by Mr Pfeiffer on behalf of the Commission by Mr Thomas Megahy (S—GB) (24 March 1987) to the Commission of the European Communities (14 January 1987) The classification system for ERDF grants does not permit (87/C 177/104) the identification of contributions benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises. The necessary steps have recently been taken in order to get the appropriate information to allow such a classification; the relevant data relating to new Subject: Community poverty programme — Proportion grants will be available only as from the end of 1987. devoted to evaluation and research However, it should be noted that some programmes financed under the ERDF, such as those within the non-quota section, are by definition mainly orientated towards supporting Can the Commission state what proportion of funds SMEs. The total financial envelope of these programmes is available under the poverty programme is devoted to over 1 000 million ECU. evaluation and research and what proportion is devoted to action projects? Is it satisfied that these proportions are properly balanced? No C 177/62 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2370/86 various priority areas of the Andes. This programme by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED—GB) concentrates on the specific needs of the population and aims to provide them with basic services for sanitation, education, to the Commission of the European Communities transport and farming. The objective is self-sufficiency in (20 January 1987) food, and more than 50 % of the funds have been allocated (87/C 177/106) for self-help programmes to build irrigation systems, new terracing and access roads.
Subject: Customs duties on fresh lemons originating in Cyprus Is the Community participating in any way in this programme on behalf of one of the poorest regions in the Has the customs duty applied to imports of fresh lemons world in terms of its social and economic indicators? If not, originating in Cyprus (in pursuance of Council Regulation does the Community not consider it important also to make a (EEC) No 1252/73 (J), etc.) been reduced for the period contribution towards the social and political stability of a ending 19 November 1986 for lemons originating both in region which is menaced by the presence and influence of that part of Cyprus know as the Turkish Republic of violent extremist groups such as 'sendero luminoso' which Northern Cyprus as well as in the rest of the island of base their activities on the desperate situation of the Cyprus? population in this region? (») OJNoL133, 21. 5. 1973, p. 113.
Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (12 March 1987) Answer given by Mr Cheysson on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1987) The preferential duties applied to imports of fresh lemons originating in Cyprus arise from the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1252/73 (*), in the framework of the Agreement establishing an Association between the EEC and the Republic of Cyprus (2). The provisions of this Agreement Under last year's financial and technical aid programme, the apply to the whole of the island. Commission approved funds for a rural development programme in Peru (Financing Agreement ALA/86/1) to help marginal populations in two of the poorest provinces in The Commission can therefore confirm that the preferential the Puno department, Huancane and Azangaro. duties applied to lemons imported into the Community originating in Cyprus most recently by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3577/86 (3) apply to products originating in the whole island without distinction between A Community grant of 16 million ECU plus a national communities. contribution will be allocated to this three-year programme, which directly contributes to the main objective of the H OJNoL133, 21. 5. 1973, p. 113. Government of Mr Alan Garcia Perez, President of the 2 ( ) OJ No L 133, 21. 5. 1973, p. 2. Republic of Peru, and its new policy of rural development aid 3 ( ) OJ No L 331, 21. 11. 1986, p. 12. for marginal peasants in the Sierra (the so-called 'Trapezo Andino' area in the south of the country, bordering Bolivia and Chile), which is based on geographical and administrative decentralization at a more local level.
The programme will develop small-scale social and productive infrastructure, help increase crop and livestock WRITTEN QUESTION No 2379/86 production, and provide training, extension services and by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias (S—E) credit, thus helping to increase and secure the incomes of the people concerned and improve their living conditions. to the Commission of the European Communities (20 January 1987) (87/C 177/107) In doing so, the programme will help reduce internal social tensions. Subject: Cooperation in the Andes region (Peru)
The Government of the Republic of Peru has begun to implement an ambitious development aid programme in 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/63
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2382/86 WRITTEN QUESTION No 2383/86 by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias (S—E) by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias (S—E) to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities (20 January 1987) (20 January 1987) (87/C 177/108) (87/C 177/109)
Subject: Economic aid for SELA Subject: Promotion of SMUs in Latin America Is it true that there are loans intended for SELA which are blocked? Can the Commission provide details of measures it has taken under the cooperation agreement with the Latin American What are the reasons for this? countries to promote small and medium-sized undertakings and the amount of funding involved? What stage has been reached in drafting a framework agreement between the EEC and SELA?
What institutional contacts have been made with regard to this?
Answer given by Mr Cheysson on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Cheysson (24 February 1987) on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1987) To date, under its cooperation agreements with the Latin American countries, the Commission has organized two There are no funds intended for SELA which are blocked. industrial conferences for small and medium-sized The Community has never contemplated allocating funds enterprises. These took place in 1984, in Guadalajara specifically to this institution. (Mexico), and in 1986, in Caracas (Venezuela). Nor have there been any negotiations on a framework agreement between the Community and SELA. At the The aim of the conferences was to establish present time the Community has cooperation agreements mutually-beneficial industrial cooperation between with Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, the Andean Group and the European and Latin American firms. Such cooperation countries of Central America. The Commission also intends should encourage direct investment and the various other in the near future to present a proposal to place the forms of industrial cooperation such as joint ventures, Community's relations with Haiti and the Dominican technology transfers, subcontracting, etc. Republic on a contractual basis. The Commission does not at present intend to propose an agreement with SELA.
In addition to these activities carried out under the No institutional links with SELA exist. The Commission's cooperation agreements in the strict sense, the Community departments, in particular its delegation in Caracas do, has financed two projects/programmes concerning SMEs in however, maintain contact and regularly exchange Latin America as part of its financial and technical aid to information with SELA at technical level. developing countries in Latin America and Asia. These are: The Commission also maintains close relations on a regular basis with the Group of Latin American heads of Mission in — a regional project in Central America (Financing Brussels (GRULA), by organizing working meetings on Agreement NA/84/14) in conjunction with the Banco matters of common interest. Centroamericano Integracion Economica (BCIE) to boost SMEs ans SMIs in the countries of the Central American Isthmus (Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala). Aid for this regional project amounts to 20 million ECU,
— specific action in favour of SMEs in the Andean Group of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2393/86 countries, as part of a larger regional programme of by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED—GB) technical cooperation entitled 'Sub-regional industry and trade' (Financing Agreement NA/85/3), in conjunction to the Commission of the European Communities with the Andean Group's JUNAC, to help member (23 January 1987) countries of this sub-region — Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, (87/C 177/110) Colombia and Venezuela. Aid for this regional programme amounts to seven million ECU. Subject: Stock disposal programmes
A key element of the recent agreement in Brussels designed to limit farm output was an aggressive stock disposal No C 177/64 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 programme. Butter is the main feature of that. But what buildings, ships and large structures are being about other commodities — including beef, milk powder, demolished'. wine, olive oil and sugar? Details, please, of the stock disposal programmes in those areas. Can the Commission indicate what measures have been taken to comply with this recommendation by the European Parliament? 0) OJ No C 125, 17. 5. 1982, p. 155.
Answer given by Mr Andriessen on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1987) Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1987) The agricultural decisions taken by the Council in December 1986 concerned in particular measures designed to reduce Directive 83/477/EEC (*), which covers the protection of the rate of stock accumulation of beef and dairy products. workers exposed to asbestos when buildings are being Such action, in the Commission's view, constitutes a demolished and was adopted by the Council on 19 September pre-requisite for an active stock disposal programme. 1983, lays down specific measures: 'A plan of work shall be drawn up before demolition work In order to help finance major stock disposal actions, the or work on removing asbestos and/or Commission tabled a proposal to enable the budget burden 1 asbestos-containing products from buildings, structures, of such actions to be spread over a multiannual period ( ). plant or installations or from ships is started. This proposal is designed to cover specific measures for the disposal of all agricultural products from public stocks. The The plan . . . must prescribe the measures necessary to opinion of the European Parliament has been requested upon ensure the safety and health of workers at the place of this proposal. work.'
The Council has decided that some of the provisions of this The details of the stock disposal measures for various Directive should be reviewed before 1 January 1990 in view agricultural products will have to take account of outlet of advances made in scientific knowledge and technology and possibilities when the particular decisions are taken. For the experience gained in the application of the Directive. butter such possibilities have been described in detail in the explanatory memorandum of the abovementioned proposal. The Commission intends to consult the Advisory Committee For the other products, the Commission intends to keep the on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work to decide European Parliament informed of such actions. on the most appropriate measures. ] ( ) COM(87) 6. (>) OJNoL263, 24. 9. 1983, p. 25.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2404/86 by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR—NL) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2402/86 to the Commission of the European Communities by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC—B) (23 January 1987) to the Commission of the European Communities (87/C 177/112) (23 January 1987) (87/C 177/111) Subject: Liberalization of capital movements 1. Does the Commission share my view that in the opinion of the Court of Justice there should be no restriction Subject: Asbestos and the, demolition of buildings or discrimination whatsoever as regards completely free capital movements (list A) (which goes further than the In its resolution of 23 April 1982 (J) on the proposal from the requirement to grant foreign exchange authorizations, as Commission of the European Communities to the Council pleaded by the Commission in Case 157/85) (')? for a Second Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to agents at work: asbestos, the 2. Will the Commission honour the Court's European Parliament specifically urged: 'that a committee of interpretation in its monitoring of compliance with the inquiry be set up to study the most suitable techniques for Directive on the liberalization of capital movements of 17 eliminating the dangers from asbestos dust in cases where November 1986? 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/65
3. Will the Commission therefore ensure that for all treatment in respect of assets constituted once the transactions appearing on the new list A (such as direct corresponding capital movement had been performed. investment, admission of securities to the capital markets, operations in securities), there will no longer be any The Commission is currently examining in detail the distinction on grounds of the nationality of domicile of those implications of fully fledged financial integration in the involved or depending on the area in which the capital is Community, in preparation for the second phase of the placed? liberalization programme and for the new proposals to accompany it. It will take care to draw all the necessary 4. Will the Commission therefore also inform the inferences from the Court's ruling. The examination under Member States that, in the case of all such transactions, way should bring to light the various types of discriminatory restrictions other than foreign exchange authorizations (such treatment that exist in the financial sphere and should make it as limits on holdings by non-residents in State-owned possible to determine to what extent their removal is a matter undertakings that are to be privatized) and discrimination for the planned liberalization of capital movements or calls (such as tax incentives to encourage investment only in for more specific Community measures. securities issued by undertakings established in the Member (') OJ No 43, 12. 7. 1960, p. 921/60. States concerned) are strictly prohibited? (2) OJ No L 332, 26. 11. 1986, p. 22. (3) COM(86) 292 final (23. 5. 1986). (*) Case 157/85 of 24 June 1986 (Brugnoni and Ruffinengo).
Answer given by Mr Delors on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION No 2431/86 (13 March 1987) by Mrs Marie-Noelle Lienemann (S—F) to the Commission of the European Communities In the Commission's view, the provisions of the Directive of (23 January 1987) 11 May 1960 for the implementation of Article 67 of the Treaty ('), as last amended by Directive 86/566/EEC of 17 (87/C 177/113) November 1986 (2), entail the removal of restrictions on the conclusion and performance of liberalized capital Subject: The proliferation of crabs in the paddy fields of transactions and corresponding transfers. The restrictions in Andalusia question include not only those that affect the actual transfer of funds (exchange restrictions narrowly defined) but also For some time now, the rice crops in Andalusia have been any measure, whether or not applicable under exchange suffering from an invasion by crabs, a problem which is regulations, the effect of which is to prohibit or impede the apparently difficult to combat. Can the Commission say if conclusion or performance of the underlying transaction. there are any measures in hand to deal with it? Has a study of the problem been carried out? The special checks and formalities to which the conclusion and performance of liberalized capital movements and corresponding transfers may be subject must be limited to what is strictly necessary for Member States to verify the Answer given by Mr Andriessen authenticity of the transaction or to thwart infringements of on behalf of the Commission their laws and regulations. (25 March 1987) Moreover, pursuant to Article 68 (2) of the Treaty, Member States are required to apply to liberalized capital movements The Commission is unaware of the problem raised by the in a non-discriminatory manner the domestic rules governing Honourable Member either in Spain or elsewhere and no the capital market and the credit system. study has been carried out.
In the grounds of the judgment referred to by the Honourable Member, the Court of Justice appears to have opted for a broader interpretation of the obligations flowing from the Directive on the liberalization of capital movements in that those obligations could also apply in respect of WRITTEN QUESTION No 2519/86 discriminatory treatment, even where it is not apt to prohibit by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S—B) or render illusory the right to engage in liberalized capital to the Commission of the European Communities movements. (29 January 1987) In its communication to the Council setting out a programme (87/C 177/114) for the liberalization of capital movements in the 3 Community ( ), the Commission pointed out that Subject: Sale of beef to welfare institutions and bodies completion of the internal market in the financial sphere involved not only removing any restrictions on capital The Member States of the Community may authorize welfare movements but also putting an end to discriminatory institutions and bodies situated on their territory which so No C 177/66 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
request to purchase certain products in the beef and veal Those receiving aid, for all manner of reasons, are often sector out of stocks held by the intervention agencies at unable themselves to carry out these checks and indeed reduced prices fixed in advance. Requests from such on occasions do not — regrettably — want them to be institutions or bodies must be accompanied by a written carried out. The simple knowledge that the Community undertaking to use the products concerned only for the was assisting with checks would certainly be enough to benefit of the persons for whose needs they are ensure that aid reached its destination. In view of the responsible. purpose of Community assistance with checks made during the transportation of aid, should not a For information, can the Commission provide a list detailing contractual requirement to this effect be laid down as the institutions or bodies that have benefited from the soon as possible? arrangements provided for under Regulation (EEC) No 2374/79 (*)? The measures and financial resources involved in our assistance with checks certainly deserve to be on a par (') OJ No L 272, 20. 10. 1979, p. 16. with those employed by the European Investment Bank for example, with a view to the strict monitoring of the allocation and use of this aid;
Answer given by Mr Andriessen (b) whether, in addition to this basic principle, the team of on behalf of the Commission Community and non-Community experts specially employed to carry out these checks and ensure (25 March 1987) compliance with every stage of the aid agreements could be put into operation in the near future? At present, there are 56 welfare institutions and associations in Belgium qualifying for the arrangements made by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2374/79. About 25 000 individuals are covered by these measures.
In view of the large number of such bodies, the Commission is not in a position to give a detailed list, with addresses, etc.; Answer given by Mr Natali however, it can state that the main beneficiaries are on behalf of the Commission retirement homes, youth centres, establishments caring for (4 March 1987) mentally and motor handicapped persons, special educational establishments and public welfare centres (CPAS). Food aid delivery terms are determined according to certain For further information on the application of Regulation objective criteria, which accounts for the three types of (EEC) No 2374/79 in Belgium, the Honourable Member delivery: fob, cif and fad. may wish to contact directly the Belgian Ministry of Agriculture. Whichever method is chosen, those receiving aid are able, at the time of loading, to carry out quality and quantity checks (for milk products) or (in the case of cereals) be present at checks made by the intervention agency of the Member State responsible for allocation.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2524/86 The Commission encourages those receiving aid to carry out by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S—B) such checks by financing the cost and providing sufficient information on the advantages of doing so. to the Commission of the European Communities (29 January 1987) It seems that this is not enough to guarantee the quality of (87/C177/115) Community food-aid products. For this reason the Commission has drawn up other regulatory measures Subject: Transportation of food aid stipulating that the Commission itself has the authority to have quality and quantity checks carried out by specialized Having regard to recent developments in the practical firms, both on loading and on landing. measures for managing the transportation of food aid, could the Commission state: The new draft Regulation on the mobilization of food aid, (a) whether it would be possible to arrange for Community incorporating these provisions, is currently being considered or non-Community experts to carry out systematic by the competent bodies. It should be possible to put it into checks, or assist with checks, to ensure that the effect during the second half of this year. transportation of aid beyond the fob stage (an Incoterm provision that now seems to be the rule for delivery contracts) is successfully completed and properly implemented. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/67
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2537/86 Community budget under various headings since 1983, and by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED—GB) continues to figure in the research coordination programme (1984 to 1988). Also, the expenditure of 500 000 ECU to the Commission of the European Communities included by the Parliament itself in the 1986 budget (Item (29 January 1987) 3815) is currently being organized in consultation with the (87/C 177/116) beneficiary central beekeeping organizations in the Member States. The Commission has included the same sum and item in the draft budget for 1987, as a continuation of this pilot scheme, and pending possibly more formal measures which it Subject: Community policy for bees and honey may propose in the light of the current experience.
The European Community is a major net importer of honey. There are a number of currently unsurmountable difficulties Does the Commission intend to propose measures to which stand in the way of providing subsidized sugar for encourage an increase in Community honey production? beekeeping. The total cost of providing winter feeding sugar subsidized to world market price level and necessarily denatured (estimated refund for 1987 at least 420 ECU, If so, could these measures include a cheaper price for sugar denaturing cost 50 ECU/tonne or more) would be about 50 — nearer the intervention price than the higher market million ECU for the Community of Twelve. However, price? denatured sugar is now clearly unacceptable to the majority of beekeeping organizations due to the persistence of residues in the honey, and the dyes which it is economically feasible to use are unusable under their public health legislation. Denaturing costs are further exacerbated by the need for storage of the treated product away from the vicinity of human foodstuffs or ingredients thereof, and the Answer given by Mr Andriessen uneconomical scale of operation required due to the small on behalf of the Commission consignments involved. (18 March 1987)
On the other hand, it is not conceivable that sugar benefiting from such high refunds should be provided out of so-called It is true, as the Honourable Member points out, that the 'free stocks' without prior denaturing, without water-tight Community is anything but self-sufficient in honey (40 % at controls as to end-use. The prevalence of large numbers of the most on latest figures), despite a Common Customs very small often hobby-type operations in the sector, and the Tariff of 27 % (25 % under the generalized system of high degree of diversity in the type and degree of organization preferences), one of the highest on any agricultural product. among the Member States, would make such control The highly fragmented structure of the beekeeping sector in arrangements everywhere prohibitively complicated and most Member States, with a heavy proportion of hobby and costly, and in fact impossible in some. part-time production, has always made it difficult to envisage measures at a Community level: it is estimated that in the (') OJ No L 122, 6. 5. 1981, p. 1. Community of Twelve there are currently almost 6,45 million hives kept by 463 500 beekeepers. Aid schemes operated in the past, lastly under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1196/81 (^ from 1981 to 1983, did not produce the results desired due to the small budgetary resources available and distribution difficulties.
In the light of this experience, the Commission concluded in its report to the Council in 1984 on the last aid scheme WRITTEN QUESTION No 2545/86 referred to that: by Mrs Anne Andre (LDR—B) — it was innappropriate to continue the aid scheme in view to the Commission of the European Communities of its limited economic impact, (2 February 1987) — that further support be provided by specific measures on (87/C 177/117)- research into bee diseases, and by encouraging the profession and Member States' authorities to make use of existing or proposed measures in the field of agricultural Subject: Belgian schools in frontier regions structural policy. Since 1 September 1986, Belgian schools located in frontier These conclusions were endorsed by the Council. regions have been subject to discrimination in respect of certain of their pupils whose parents or legal guardians are not subject to income tax laws in Belgium and who have been Thus, research aimed at the eradication of the most serious given a rating of 0,8 % as regards the allocation of school bee disease, Varroatosis, has been financed from the staff, expenditure and operating subsidies. This change No C 177/68 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
affects pupils and students in frontier regions whose parents Italian customs to prove the Community status of the goods are not subject to taxes on natural persons in Belgium. and false Turkish import certificates that were meant to prove arrival of the goods at destination were given to the Is the Belgian state not seeking to evade the provisions of Dutch authorities. Article 7 of the Treaty of Rome and the decision previously taken by the European Court of Justice (Forchen case of 13 Whenever payments in the form of subsidies, etc. are made in July 1983)? commercial transactions, the risk of falsified documents being presented to obtain the payments always exists.
The Commission does not believe it possible to exclude that payments can be obtained in this way, whether in respect of Answer given by Mr Marin export refunds or other payments from public funds. In this on behalf of the Commission particular case it should, however, be emphasized that the (2 April 1987) illegal transaction was in fact disclosed by the Dutch and Italian authorities and steps have been taken by them to elucidate the circumstances and to recover the amounts The Honourable Member is kindly referred to the joint unduly obtained, or alternatively deduct them from the answer given by the Commission to Written Question No guarantees held. 1613/86 by Mrs Lizin and No 1691/86 by Mr Roelants du Vivier (J), and the answer to Written Question No 1684/86 2 The experience gained in this case, as well as in other similar by Mr Glinne ( ). cases, is availed of to reduce the possibility of such risks (>) OJNoC133, 18. 5. 1987, p. 26. occurring in the future. Information on the fraudulent (2) OJ No C 133, 18. 5. 1987, p. 29. practice applied, as well as the method of detection, is distributed to all the other Member States and the case is discussed in the Commission's expert group meetings where delegates from all Member States meet regularly to examine such cases and exchange experience.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2560/86 by Mr John Iversen (COM—DK) to the Commission of the European Communities (2 February 1987) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2569/86 (87/C 177/118) by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) to the Commission of the European Communities Subject: Export refunds on butter which is not exported (2 February 1987) According to reports in the Dutch and Italian press on 6 (87/C 177/119) January 1987, the Community has paid out Dkr 16 million in export refunds on 1 000 tonnes of Dutch butter intended for Subject: Action brought against Belgium export to Turkey. While on its way to the harbour from which it was to be shipped to Genoa, the butter was diverted to Milan. Here the idea was to sell the butter for Dkr 20 The Commission brought an action against Belgium for million, which would bring the total profit up to Dkr 36 granting subsidies to five Belgian pharmaceutical companies. million, for an investment of Dkr 4 million (the price of The Belgian authorities did not supply the Commission with buying it from the Community's surplus stocks). Will the the required information. Is the Commission in possession of Commission say how such a thing could have been allowed to the required data yet, and, if so, what further developments happen and what supervisory measures it proposes to have there been in the case to date? introduce to prevent a type of fraud which at the moment can clearly be carried out very easily?
Answer given by Mr Sutherland on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Andriessen (19 March 1987) on behalf of the Commission (17 March 1987) In the procedure initiated under Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty, the Belgian authorities have recently submitted their The irregularity was made possible by falsifying customs comments to the Commission on the aids referred to by the documents. False T2L documents were presented to the Honourable Member. The Commission is currently 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the uropean Communities No C 177/69 examining these aids and considers it premature to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2598/86 pronounce on the substance and eventual outcome of the by Mr Julian Grimaldos Grimaldos (S—E) case. to the Commission of the European Communities (6 February 1987) (87/C 177/121)
Subject: Earthquake in El Salvador
Can the Commission confirm that the relief aid sent for the WRITTEN QUESTION No 2574/86 victims of the most recent earthquake in El Salvador was actually used for the humanitarian purposes for which it was by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR—B) given? to the Commission of the European Communities (2 February 1987) (87/C 177/120) Answer given by Mr Natali on behalf of the Commission Subject: Boat race to commemorate the 30th anniversary of (30 March 1987) the signing of the Treaty of Rome The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its A new transatlantic boat race has just been officially answer to Written Question No 2232/86 by Mr announced, the EEC-USA Brussels-Philadelphia race, the Boesmans (J). principle being liaison between the old and new continents to J commemorate two anniversaries, the signing of the Treaty of ( ) See page 58 of this Official Journal. Rome and the signing of the Constitution of the United States.
Commission Member Willy De Clercq outlined the project on behalf of the Commission a few days ago. What is the Commission's financial involvement in this project? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2674/86 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) The rules governing this transatlantic race limit the number to the Council of the European Communities of participants to one per country representing the national (12 February 1987) emblem. Why should there not be sponsoring by large firms as for other sea races? (87/C 177/122)
Subject: Policy in respect of SMUs
The Commission has submitted to the Council of Ministers Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana proposals for more intensive aid to small and medium-sized on behalf of the Commission undertakings. In particular it has called on the Council to adopt an action programme at European level. (24 March 1987) Can the Council indicate whether these proposals have been discussed and whether it has some idea when the first The constitution race is being organized by the Sail for measures are to be adopted? Europe Association, of which the Commission, in common with the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee, is a patron. Answer In addition, the Commission has decided to grant the (20 May 1987) association 50 000 ECU for a campaign to highlight the European dimension of the race. On 3 November 1986 the Council approved in principle the main lines of the policy followed and the strategy in the The second question is a matter for the Sail for Europe action programme, subject to approval of individual Association. For its part, the Commission can see no proposals and their financial implications (*) objection to each Member State being represented symbolically by one boat only. The Council expects to receive in the near future a first report from the Commission on the achievement of the action Sponsoring by large firms is restricted in view of the special programme's objectives. nature of this race. (») OJ No C 287, 14. 11. 1986. No C 177/70 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2747/86 Community institutions and the Member States should by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR—NL) pursue in more depth the discussions on this matter (point 2.2) to the Council of the European Communities (27 February 1987) 3. The Council would, however, point out that this is a (87/C 177/123) matter for the Member States, as is also indicated in the recommendation by the Adonnino Committee.
Subject: Voting rights in local elections for nationals of 4. In its resolution of 16 July 1985 on guidelines for a Community Member States who are resident in a Community policy on migration, the Council moreover Member State other than their own recognized that priority should be given to 'further consideration of rights and procedures in respect of the integration of, or participation by, migrants, individually or 1. Is the Council aware that Article 13 (2) of the Spanish collectively, in the different aspects of the host Member constitution explicity makes provision for foreigners resident State's life'. in Spain to take part in Spanish local elections? Voting rights depend on the principle of reciprocity, thus Spanish nationals also have to have the same right to vote in the country of 5. The Council has also noted that in October 1986 the origin of the foreign residents in Spain. The right to take part Commission drew up a report for the European Parliament in local elections has to be established by an implementing on voting rights in local elections for nationals of other act. Community Member States.
2. Is the Council aware that since the Netherlands' constitutional amendments of 10 November 1981, which came into force in February 1983, and the amendment of the electoral act and the local government act on 7 May 1985, voting rights in local government elections have been extended to persons who are not Dutch nationals provided that they have been legally resident in the Netherlands for at WRITTEN QUESTION No 2793/86 least five years (which would therefore also apply to Spanish nationals)? People who are not Dutch nationals were able to by Mr Thomas Megahy (S—GB) vote and stand in local government elections for the first time to the Council of the European Communities on 19 March 1986. (5 March 1987) (87/C 177/124) 3. Does the Council not think that, in the light of the Commission's memorandum (COM(85) 48 final, paragraph 19) of 1 March 1985 on guidelines for a Community policy Subject: Allocation of EEC multilateral haulage permits for on migration and the European Parliament's resolutions (A 1987 2-4/ 85 of 7 May 1985 and B 2-881/ 86, paragraph 1(b),of 9 October 1986), voting rights in local elections should, as a United Kingdom international operators have complained first step, now be granted in Spain to nationals of Member that, in the latest allocation of multilateral haulage permits, States that also grant voting rights to Spanish nationals (thus Britain's allocation increased by 12,9 % compared to to Dutch, Danish and Irish residents in Spain)? Greece, Holland and Italy, which all won increases above 30 %. It is understood that the Council of Ministers is hoping to approve more terms based on an overall 40 % increase in 4. Will the Council take steps to ensure that such people March. When this is done, will the Council of Ministers take will actually be able to obtain this fundamental right in the account of the complaints of discrimination against the near future? United Kingdom in the last allocation?
Answer Answer (20 May 1987) (25 May 1987)
1. The Council would draw the attention of the 1. The Council is aware of the interest repeatedly shown Honourable Member to the provision of Article 3 (6) of by the European Parliament in entitlement to vote.in local Regulation (EEC) No 3164/76 (»), under which the elections in a host Member State for nationals of other Commission is authorized to decide on an additional increase Member States. in the Community quota if the evolution in road haulage capacity between the Member States subject to a quota 2. In its report of 28 and 29 June 1985 the Adonnino proves to be insufficient in relation to the growth in haulage Committee on a People's Europe recommended that the demand. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 177/71
2. Pursuant to this provision, and to paragraph 5 of the could be taken that a number of new ideas had been put same Article, the Commission adopted Decision forward which needed to be examined in the various capitals 86/491 /EEC of 30 September 1986 (2), whereby inter alia it and by the Commission, or by cancelling a meeting on the granted extra Community authorizations for certain grounds that the room was already occupied by another Member States. This Decision was. confirmed by Council committee? Decision 86/647/EEC of 16 December 1986 (3), under which the Council granted 60 extra authorizations to 3. Is the Council prepared to submit a copy of these Belgium. recommendations to the Members of the European Parliament? 3. The Council has no plans, in the framework of its deliberations on the definitive number of Community 4. Does the Council consider such 'recommendations' to authorizations allocated to Member States for 1987, to be compatible with the obligations and duties, under the decide on any change to the present formula for allocating Treaties, of the Member States and Council Members or Community authorizations amongst Member States. their representatives in Community bodies?
4. However, the Council has been informed that the 5. Has the current presidency also issued instructions or United Kingdom inter alia has made a request to the recommendations to Belgian officials or authorities for the Commission under Article 3 (6) of Regulation (EEC) No exercise of the Belgian presidency and, if so, is it prepared to 3164/76 for an increase in its allocation of Community forward copies to the Members of the European Parliament authorizations for 1987. for their information?
0) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3164/76 of 16 December 1976 on the Community quota for the carriage of goods by road between Member States (OJ No L 357, 29. 12. 1976, p. 1),-as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3677/85 of 20 December WRITTEN QUESTION No 2795/86 1985 (OJ No L 354, 30. 12. 1985, p. 46). (2) Commission Decision of 30 September 1986 fixing the by Mr Hans-Jiirgen Zahorka (PPE—D) allocation to Member States of the extra authorizations resulting to the Council of the European Communities from the increases in the Community quota for the carriage of goods by road for 1987 (OJ No L 285, 8. 10. 1986, p. 29). (5 March 1987) (3) Council Decision of 16 December 1986 fixing the allocation to (87/C 177/126) Member States of the extra Community authorizations for 1987 resulting from the annual and additional increase in the Community quota for the carriage of goods by road (OJ No Subject: Booklet containing recommendations for the L382, 31. 12. 1986, p. 2). exercise of the United Kingdom presidency
1. Is the Council aware of the supposed existence of a 'handbook' issued by the United Kingdom Government in May 1986 containing instructions to officials active at EEC level during the British presidency in the second half of 1986 (press reports in Die Welt of 10 February 1987 and The Independent)? WRITTEN QUESTION No 2794/86 2. Can it confirm, following consultation with the United by Mr Franz Stauffenberg (PPE—D) Kingdom Government, that this handbook was drawn up by to the Council of the European Communities Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the (5 March 1987) Department of Administrative Affairs under its minister, the Right Honourable Jim Hacker MP (the British TV series (87/C 177/125) 'Yes, minister')?
Subject: Booklet containing recommendations, for the exercise of the presidency WRITTEN QUESTION No 2967/86 1. Is the Council aware of the existence of a booklet containing instructions or recommendations from the United by Mr Axel Zarges (PPE—D) Kingdom Government to its offices and authorities active at to the Council of the European Communities EEC level during the British presidency in the second half of (18 March 1987) 1986? (87/C 177/127)
2. Is it true that in this document {The Independent, quoted in Die Welt, 10 February 1987), those chairing Subject: Booklet 'Guidance on the exercise of the committees or other bodies were advised to prevent the Presidency' taking of decisions which ran counter to British interests, specifically (in paragraph 10) by keeping the other members 1. Is the Council aware that, in a booklet on the exercise talking, or by declaring before any undesirable decision of the presidency, the Government of the United Kingdom No C 177/72 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87 has issued instructions to the chairmen of Community bodies obliged to take an examination on subjects from the French or committees so that they can and should always promote third year of physiotherapy studies. British interests in creating EEC policy? Does the Council consider that this requirement is 2. Does the Council consider that such anti-European compatible with the principle of free movement of workers instructions or guidelines on behaviour accord with the within the Community? obligations of a member of the Council, in particular in the Council's capacity as a Community institution which, Does it not consider that study and examinations should be although obliged to acknowledge and consider national required only for subject-matter not covered in the diplomas interests, must always act in the interests of the Community already obtained? as a whole, to which individual interests are surbordinate, in order to produce a Community policy? Should one not therefore totally reject paragraph 10 of the instructions which says that decisions should be delayed if they run Answer counter to British interests by allowing the other members to (20 May 1987) 'ramble on' or, prior to an undesirable decision, declaring that 'a number of new issues have been raised which require There is no Community Directive on the recognition of consideration in the various capitals and reflection by the diplomas in physiotherapy. Commission' or by cancelling a meeting 'because another group needs the meeting room'? On 13 May 1986 the Commission submitted to the Council an amended proposal for a Council Directive on a general 3. Is the Council aware that the current presidency also system for the recognition of higher education diplomas issues Belgian officials and departments with similiar awarded on completion of vocational courses of at least three instructions for handling the presidency? years' duration (1), which is under examination by the Council. 4. What will the Council do to prevent such 'underhand' instructions being issued in future? Under these circumstances, at the present time a Member State is not obliged to recognize diplomas in physiotherapy issued in another Member State and it is for it to determine the training requirements to be fulfilled by migrants. (») OJ NoC 143, 10. 6. 1986, p. 7. Joint answer (20 May 1987)
Any recommendations from presidencies to the Chairmen of Council Working Parties on how discussions should be conducted are not a matter for the Council. WRITTEN QUESTION No 2844/86 by Mr Jochen van Aerssen (PPE—D), Mr Georgios If presidencies do draw up such recommendations, it is not Anastassopoulos (PPE—GR), Mr Dario Antoniozzi for the Council to judge their substance. (PPE—I), Mr Luis Beiroco (PPE—P), Mrs Elise Boot (PPE—NL), Mr Michelangelo Ciancaglini (PPE—I), Mr The Council can but welcome any initiative aimed at Otmar Franz (PPE—D), Mr Rolf Linkohr (S—D), Mr Pol ensuring that its proceedings are efficiently conducted in a Marck (PPE—B), Mr Meinolf Mertens (PPE—D), Mr coherent manner. Georgios Sardakis (PPE—GR), Mr Gustavo Selva (PPE—I), Mr Frederick Tuckman (ED—GB), Mr Ioannis Tzounis (PPE—GR), Mr Rudolf Wedekind (PPE—D), Mr Hans-Jurgen Zahorka (PPE—D) and Mr Axel Zarges (PPE—D) to the Commission of the European Communities (10 March 1987) (87/C 177/129) WRITTEN QUESTION No 2819/86 by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE—B) Subject: EEC-Argentina Cooperation Agreement to the Council of the European Communities : (5 March 1987) Bearing in mind that in its resolution of 13 June 1985 ( ), the European Parliament called for 'contacts to be pursued with (87/C 177/128) the aim of normalizing relations and concluding a Cooperation Agreement between the Community and Subject: Equivalence of diplomas in physiotherapy Argentina', how have recent contacts between the Community and Argentina developed and what are the prospects for concluding a Cooperation Agreement? Physiotherapists who have qualified in a Member State of the Community and wish to become established in France are (') OJ No C175, 15. 7. 1985, p. 245. 6.7.87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/73
Answer given by Mr Cheysson cheese, po^ sausages, tinned ham, olives, chicory, li^ish and on behalf of the Commission Scotch whisky,hops,leather,anumberoflow^quahty white fUMay 1927J wines and certain tinned vegetables, etc.
Aware of the potential implications of enlargement for the Argentina signed a Trade Agreement with the Community in United States, the Commission, as long ago as ^iarch, 1970. This Agreement, which was renewable each year, has sensibly proposed that the dispute be discussed withmthe not been renewed since 1980, at the request of the Argentine framework of Article eB(eB(lV^ of the CeATT ^customs authorities. unions and their formations taking the view that the Community shouldofferglobalcompensation for the real With Argentina's return to democracy, the negotiation of a prejudice,if any,suffered bythe American economy.TheUS new agreement would have been possible if Argentina and for its part would hlee compensation on a the United Kingdom had resumed normal economic and product^by^product basis before luly or August, especially in trade relations. respect of sorghum and mai^e.
Since the Falkland Islands conflict, Argentina has maintained If it were agreed to mal^e global compensation, what would a number of discriminatory measures in its economic and be the consequences for products such as Irish and Scotch trade relations with the United Kingdom. whisky, beer, hops, dairy products and traditional Aran lemtwearB In these circumstances #nd until such time as Argentina normalizes its economic and trade relations with the Community market as a whole, the conclusion of an If the Community and the US were to conclude agreement between the Community and Argentina, to the p^oductby^pt^oduct agreements,would theoutcomebemore Commission's regret, is not foreseeable. or less damaging for these products^
Emally, given the serious budgetary pass in which the Community in general and the structural funds in particular now find themselves^especially in view of the new financial requirements resulting from enlargements how does the CommissionpiDoposetoprevent the settlement negotiated with the United States ^whether global ot product^by^product^becommgasecond source of problems ^rTTE^C^ST^C^^o^^^ andpenali^mg twice over pi^oductsasimportantasdairy by ^r Sylvester Barrett ^UE^ot^ products, whisky, beer, etc., thereby exacerbating the to the Commission of the European Communities already precarious social situation in the sectors of economic activity directlyand indirectly concerned^
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^^^ ^ossibleconsequences,forlnshproducts,of the EEC^USA dispute following American reactions to WRITTEN QUESTION No 2878/86 the Community provisions applied in pursuance of the act of accession of Spain and Portugal to the by Mr Gilbert Deveze (DR—F) Community to the Commission of the European Communities ^OMarcA? 2937; Eollowing the accession of Spain and l^ottugal to the (87/C 177/131) Community, the levy systems applicable to American imports in thosetwocountnes have beenmodified^to replace the fi^ed^rate mechanisms, the Community authorities will Subject: Relations between the European Community and in future apply variable levies ^according to world price the United States in the agricultural sector movements^.
^ith effect from ^viay 1^^, the American authorities 1. Following the GATT conference held in Punta del introduced a series of quantitative retaliation to these Este, what steps does the Commission intend to take, in provisions, namely on various chocolate products and response to the American BICEPS programme, to maintain sweetmeats, apple and pear mices, beer and certain wines, and develop Community agricultural exports? etc. 2. What measures does the Commission intend to take on The permitted maxima allowable under the tlS quantitative expiry of the agreement (on 31 December 1986) under restrictions arethef^^importvolume plus ^O^inthecase which, in view of enlargement, the United States is ofcertamwhite wines and ^O^o inthe case of the other authorized to export 234 000 tonnes of maize and sorghum products. Unless the situation is resolvedbyi^uly, these per month to the European Community until 31 December restrictions will be extended to other products, in particular 1986? No C 177/74 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
Will the quotas at reduced rates be cut back or discontinued the region. Above all, it constitutes a breach of the right of after this date and will the United States continue to enjoy employees in multi-national companies to be given export guarantees? information and be consulted.
Furthermore, during meetings held with trade unions during the past few days, the directors of the company showed no WRITTEN QUESTION No 2879/86 readiness to withdraw their decision to wind up the company. by Mr Bernard Antony (DR—F) to the Commission of the European Communities In view of this and many similar incidents, does the Council (18 March 1987) not consider it a matter of urgency to adopt the 'Vredeling' Directive on information and consultation of employees of (87/C 177/132) undertakings with complex structures, on which Parliament delivered an opinion on 12 October 1982? Subject: EEC-US trade relations Does the Council not consider that in such cases, dialogue Negotiations between the United States and Europe on the between the two sides serves as an excuse for the European disputes connected with enlargement are to resume shortly in institutions for not doing what they should, i.e. proposing Geneva. The United States will undoubtedly challenge the solutions and adopting decisions? EEC's claim that the enlargement of the Community in January 1986 has opened up new markets for US exports of manufactured products.
Will the Commission say what attitude it will adopt in these Answer negotiations and what its reaction will be if the Americans (20 May 1987) renege on the agreements concluded following enlargement? The Council is not in a position to comment on the actual case to which the Honourable Member refers.
As regards the general question of informing and consulting Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2846/86, 2878/86 employees in undertakings of complex structure, the Council and 2879/86 is convinced of the importance of dialogue between given by Mr De Clercq employers and employees and welcomes the progress it is on behalf of the Commission making at Community level. (29 April 1987) Finally, the Council would refer to point 5 of its conclusions of 21 July 1986 to the effect that at the beginning of 1989 it The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the will resume examination either of the amended proposal for statement made by the Commission in the debate on the same the so-called 'Vredeling' Directive or of any other proposal subject during the February 1987 (a) part-session of that the Commission might submit to it on the matter (J). Parliament. (») OJ No C 203, 12. £ 1986, p. 1. (x) Debates of the European Parliament No 2/348.
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2979/86 WRITTEN QUESTION No 3011 / 86 by Mr Giovanni Cervetti (COM—I) by Mr John Tomlinson (S—GB) to the Council of the European Communities to the Council of the European Communities (27 March 1987) (27 March 1987) (87/C 177/133) (87/C 177/134)
Subject: Liquidation of the CML-SAE company in Lecco, Subject: The Court of Auditors belonging to the multi-national Brown Boveri Under Article 78f (1) of the ECSC Treaty, Article 206a (1) of The manufacturing firm CML-SAE of Lecco was put into the EEC Treaty and Article 180a (1) of the Euratom Treaty liquidation on 10 February 1987, although the agreement on the Court of Auditors, and it alone, is invested with the the group's production activity signed in May 1985 is still in power to examine the accounts of all the revenue and force. This was a dangerous industrial policy decision which expenditure, including those of the Court of Auditors will inevitably have a detrimental effect on output and jobs in itself. 6. 7. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 177/75
Is any body external to the Court of Auditors involved in environment and development and 6 November 1984 on the examining the accounts of the Court of Auditors? If so, to environment and the Community's development policy, the what extent? If not, does not the Commission believe that an Council has clearly expressed the Community's annual review of the accounts of the Court of Auditors by determination to treat the protection of the environment and external auditors should be compulsory, the more so as such the preservation of natural resources as an integral part of an external audit is a protection to the reputation of the sustained development. In the same spirit the Community Court of Auditors? has embarked upon the European Year of the Environment, which began on 21 March 1987.
As regards the specific point raised by the Honourable Answer Member, the Council knows nothing about any intention on (20 May 1987) the part of the Moroccan Government to discharge large quantities of waste from the phosphate industry into the sea. Should this prove to be the case, it would be for the 1. The Council would point out that as stated in the first Commission to make appropriate suggestions. There is also part of Article 206a (1) of the EEC Treaty (and of the the possibility of tackling the issue within the framework of corresponding Article of the ECSC and Euratom Treaties): the EEC-Morocco Cooperation Council, whose task it is to 'The Court of Auditors shall examine the accounts of all seek ways and means of implementing cooperation in the revenue and expenditure of the Community'. areas defined by the Cooperation Agreement with Morocco, 2. It is therefore up to the Court of Auditors to define in one such area being protection of the environment. practice the methods of auditing its own accounts.
3. Thus, in its annual report concerning the financial year 1982, the Court indicated in point 13 of the introduction the way in which it intends to audit its own accounts (J). (») OJNoC357, 31. 12. 1983, p. 6. WRITTEN QUESTION No 3074/86 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S—B) to the Council of the European Communities (30 March 1987) WRITTEN QUESTION No 3031/86 (87/C 177/136) by Mr Paul Staes (ARC—B) to the Council of the European Communities Subject: Closure of establishments belonging to multi-national undertakings (30 March 1987) (87/C 177/135) The recent closure of establishments belonging to multi-national undertakings (Michelin in Belgium, Subject: Disposal, of waste by the phosphate industry in Caterpillar in the United Kingdom, Kodak in France) Morocco without prior consultation of worker representatives or of the local authorities has demonstrated the continuing need It is rumoured that the Moroccan Government is intending to for a European legal instrument enabling those working for give its approval for the building of a pipeline to take waste the local establishments of multi-national undertakings to products from the imposing Moroccan phosphate industry take effective counter-measures in defence of their which has undergone spectacular growth in recent years to be interests. discharged untreated into the sea. These waste materials contain particularly high levels of inter alia heavy metals and Can the Council indicate what measures it has taken or radium 226. Such a massive dumping of poisonous and intends to take in order to speed up the introduction of such radioactive waste into plentiful fishing grounds will have a an instrument? serious effect on local fishing. The European Community is directly involved inasmuch as some of the fish caught there is exported to the European Community.
Does the President-in-Office not consider that urgent action Answer must be taken to protect both the fishermen and European (20 May 1987) consumers? The Council stated its position on this matter in its conclusions on 21 July 1986 on procedures for informing and consulting the employees of undertakings with complex Answer structures (J). (20 May 1987) 0) OJ No C 203, 12. 8. 1986, p. 1. As can be seen in several of its resolutions and in particular those of 12 October 1984 on the link between the No C 177/76 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 87
WRITTEN QUESTION No 38/87 Commission thought it necessary to give a signal to by Mr Emmanuel Maffre-Bauge (COM—F) producers intended to encourage the reorientation of production towards products or qualities for which there was to the Council of the European Communities a market demand and which did not involve an excessive (2 April 1987) burden on the budget because of the high level of (87/C 177/137) withdrawals. In the context of the examination of the '1987/88 price package' the Council will take into account Subject: Management of the market in fruit and all the economic, financial and social aspects raised by the vegetables proposals relating to this sector.
The Commission has adjusted the conversion factors 3. The Council is aware of the effect which management applicable to purchase prices in the fruit and vegetable sector. decisions may have in sectors which are experiencing genuine This decision has resulted in a substantial drop (between 30 difficulties and in which unavoidable readjustments will have and 50 %) in the withdrawal prices of many kinds of fruit to be made. and vegetables: (») OJ No L 334, 27. 11. 1986. 1. Does the Council not think that this 'technical adjustment' made by the Commission effectively calls into question the political decisions taken by the Council? Is the Council determined to oppose this move or to take steps to compensate for the negative effects of this change on producers' incomes? WRITTEN QUESTION No 112/87 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC—B) 2. The Commission is tending increasingly to take decisions with political implications in various sectors, on the to the Commission of the European Communities grounds that they are needed for technical reasons (9 April 1987) connected with the management of those sectors. Is the (87/C 177/138) Council aware of this development and will it oppose any such move? Subject: Energy projects
The European programme of demonstration projects on energy saving offers the opportunity of developing new Answer technologies for substitutes for hydrocarbons, liquefaction (25 May 1987) of solid fuels, alternative sources of energy, etc.
1. On 20 November 1986 the Commission adopted Some Member States were very successful in obtaining grants Regulation (EEC) No 3587/86 (J) fixing the conversion for such projects. factors to be applied to the buying-in prices for fruit and vegetables with a view to 'bringing the said factors up to date Can the Commission list the number of projects submitted with the actual prices recorded on the markets, on the basis of and the number accepted for each Member State? data provided by the Member States'. According to the Commission, the situation is, for pilot products, i.e. for the most representative varieties, quality categories and sizes, no Answer given by Mr Mosar change for peaches, lemons, grapes, oranges, apricots and on behalf of the Commission aubergines and a price reduction of 5,4 % for summer cauliflowers, 9,4 % for tomatoes, 5,6 % for pears and (21 May 1987) apples and 5,5 % for mandarins. The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable 2. The Council has noted that, in its proposals regarding Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the information the fixing of 1987/88 prices for fruit and vegetables, the requested. COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
INVENTORY OF TAXES
1986 Edition
In collaboration with the Member State the Commission of the European Communities — Directorate-General XV 'Financial Institutions and Taxation' — publishes a survey of the duties and taxes in force in the Member States of the EC. The present edition reflects the situation on 1 September 1985 and replaces the previous edition which was based on the situation on 1 September 1983. This publication aims to provide all those interested in tax law — public servants, university staff, students, businessmen, tax advisers, etc. — with a general view of the tax systems of the Member States.
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Louring its early years of activity, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and WorkingConditions hasnot, strictly speaking,carriedoutresearchonspecificcategoriesof European citizens. This does not mean, however, that women have heen left out of the reckoning. In fact, although women as such have never heen at the centre of research projects,women— especially working women — have heen considered frequently and quite separately in the investigations of researchers. in order to emphasise the specific implications for women of its research, the Foundation decided, at the end oft^^^t, to review the studies so far undertaken ^sincet^^.
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