ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 222 Volume 38 of the European Communities 28 August 1995
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents page
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer
95/C 222/01 E-2 8 9/95 by Antonio Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission Subject : Technical assistance contracts awarded by DG XI and DG XVI 1
95/C 222/02 E-361 /95 by Carmen Di'ez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission Subject : European Tourism Agency 2
95/C 222/03 P-929/95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission Subject : European Tourism Agency 2
Joint answer to "Written Questions E-361/95 and P-929/95 2
95/C 222/04 E-365/95 by Imelda Read to the Commission Subject : VAT on NGOs, charities and welfare organizations 3
95/C 222/05 E-376/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Regulation of the growing and distribution of cannabis in the Netherlands 3
95/C 222/06 E-506/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Sectoral studies of services to enterprises 3
95/C 222/07 E-532/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Unemployment rates and convergence criteria 4
95/C 222/08 E-533/95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission Subject : Monopolistic practices in the Spanish electricity sector 5
95/C 222/09 E-536/95 by Luciano Vecchi to the Commission Subject : Co-financing of NGO activities 6
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95/C 222/10 E-574/95 by Karla Peijs to the Commission Subject : Distortion of competition as a result of differences in excise duty on various alcoholic beverages 7
95/C 222/11 E-608/95 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission Subject : Discretionary rates of VAT 7
95/C 222/12 E-609/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Convergence criteria 8
95/C 222/13 E-6 10/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Convergence criteria 8
Joint answer to Written Questions E-609/95 and E-610/95 8
95/C 222/14 E-6 12/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Single currency , payments system and bank accounts 9
95/C 222/15 E-624/95 by Robert Sturdy to the Commission Subject : National aids in the sugar sector 9
95/C 222/16 E-627/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Ecology of paper pulp 11
95/C 222/17 E- 636/95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject : Discrepancies concerning the implementing of provisions on speed limitation devices 11
95/C 222/18 E-645/95 by Claude Desama to the Commission Subject : Sale of certain medicaments by post 12
95/C 222/19 E-725/95 by Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission Subject : European industrial policy 13
95/C 222/20 E-730/95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission Subject : Local Environment Operational Programme ( Objective 1 ): projects in Malaga 13
95/C 222/21 E-731 /95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission Subject : Structural Funds : projects in Malaga 14
95/C 222/22 E-734/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Biofuels 14
95/C 222/23 E-744/95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission Subject : Aids to SMUs — projects in Malaga 14
95/C 222/24 E-801 /95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission Subject : Private sector involvement in ERDF 15
95/C 222/25 E-821 /95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : ERDF aid for Lelystad Airport 16
95/C 222/26 E-827/95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject : Programme of exchanges of experience 16
95/C 222/27 E-831 /95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject : The Republic of South Africa and the Lomé Convention 17
95/C 222/28 E-836/95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission Subject : State subsidy for Norwegian stationery manufacturers 17
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95/C 222/29 E-842/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Trans-European Transport Network 17
95/C 222/30 E-850/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Research carried out by the Commission 18
95/C 222/31 E-853/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : ECSC projects affecting the environment 19
95/C 222/32 E-868/95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission Subject : Free movement of footballers 19
95/C 222/33 E-874/95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission Subject : Article 100a 20
95/C 222/34 E-877/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject : European Union aid for the Albayzin district of the city of Granada 20
95/C 222/35 E-878/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject : The liberal professions, freedom of movement and membership of professional associations 20
95/C 222/36 E-903/95 by Francoise Grossetete to the Commission Subject : Eco-management and audit scheme 21
95/C 222/37 E-923/95 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission Subject : Directive on cocoa and chocolate products 22
95/C 222/38 E-933/95 by James Provan to the Commission Subject : Frontier controls in Spain 23
95/C 222/39 E-938/95 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission Subject : Sustainable waste management 23
95/C 222/40 E-948/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of modern industrial architecture ( Supplementary answer ) 23
95/C 222/41 E-954/95 by Wolfgang Nuftbaumer to the Commission Subject : Enlargement of the European Union to include central and eastern European countries 24
95/C 222/42 E-961/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Fishing 25
95/C 222/43 E-962/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Fishing nets 25
95/C 222/44 E-963/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Technology transfers 26
95/C 222/45 E-968/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject: The fruit and vegetable sector 26
95/C 222/46 E-972/95 by Antonio Trizza to the Commission Subject: The use of jojoba oil 27
95/C 222/47 P-976/95 by Riitta Myller to the Commission Subject : Support for pilot projects in EU border regions 27
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95/C 222/48 E-989/95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission Subject : Promoting the European Union amongst small children by means of mascots, symbols and advertising images 28
95/C 222/49 E-993/95 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission Subject : Contamination of food chains by dioxin and furans 29
95/C 222/50 E-l 001/95 by Josep Pons Grau to the Commission Subject : New Community agencies and offices 29
95/C 222/51 E-1008/95 by Salvatore Tatarella to the Commission Subject : Floriculture 30
95/C 222/52 E-1015/95 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission Subject : Structural support in areas affected by drought — the case of the Alentejo region ( Portugal ) 31
95/C 222/53 E-l 030/95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission Subject : Risk assessment within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and the Directive making the first adaptations to technical progress ( Directive 94/15/EEC ) 31
95/C 222/54 E-l 03 1 /95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission Subject : Assessment of the risks posed by deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment 32
95/C 222/55 E-l 035/95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission Subject : Accident statistics in the EU 33
95/C 222/56 E-1039/95 by Alex Smith to the Commission Subject : Human rights in Indonesia and East Timor and the sale of arms to Indonesia 34
95/C 222/57 E-l 047/95 by Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject : Bee-keeping 35
95/C 222/58 E-1051 /95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of handicapped workers in the European institutions 35
95/C 222/59 P-1055/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission Subject : Rights of foreign nationals in municipal elections 35
95/C 222/60 E-1058/95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission Subject : Methods of detecting whether foodstuffs have been irradiated 36
95/C 222/61 E-l 060/95 by Mathias Reichhold to the Commission Subject : Oil seeds 37
95/C 222/62 E-l 063/95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission Subject : European Regional Development Fund after 1997 37 95/C 222/63 E-l 064/95 by James Provan to the Commission Subject : Beef premiums 38 95/C 222/64 E-1078/95 by Vassilis Ephremidis to the Commission Subject : The agricultural sector in Greece 38
95/C 222/65 E-l 079/95 by Joan Colom i Naval to the Commission Subject : Irradiation of vegetables from the Netherlands 39
95/C 222/66 E-l 08 1 /95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject : Development of the European area 40
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95/C 222/67 E-l 088/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission Subject : EC aid to development projects in Uruguay 40
95/C 222/68 E-l 093/95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission Subject : Ostrich farming 41
95/C 222/69 E-l 103/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Food additives 41
95/C 222/70 E-l 104/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Problems in applying the principle of mutual recognition 41
95/C 222/71 P-1118/95 by Irini Lambraki to the Commission Subject : Deduction of income tax from agricultural production subsidies 42
95/C 222/72 E-l 126/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Fixed periods for anchovy fishing 43
95/C 222/73 E-l 128/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Fisheries agreement between Spain and France 43
Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 126/95 and E-l 128/95 43
95/C 222/74 E-l 129/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso , Juan Colino Salamanca and Josep Pons Grau to the Commission Subject : The drought in Spain 44
95/C 222/75 E-l 134/95 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission Subject : Protecting and developing the potential of the major collection of palaeolithic rock carvings discovered in Coa ( Portugal ) 44
95/C 222/76 E-l 151/95 by Robin Teverson to the Commission Subject : United Kingdom Government's administration of United Kingdom sheep quotas .... 44
95/C 222/77 E-l 154/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Resider I and II programmes 45
95/C 222/78 E-l 155/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Rechar 46
95/C 222/79 E-l 157/95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission Subject : Submission of the position paper on fisheries agreements 46
95/C 222/80 E-l 165/95 by Graham Mather to the Commission Subject : Technology transfer agreements 46
95/C 222/81 E-l 170/95 by Per Stenmarck to the Commission Subject : Discharges of oil in the Baltic 47
95/C 222/82 P- 11 72/95 by Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject : Access to technology for people with disabilities 48
95/C 222/83 E-l 173/95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission Subject : Rules on tendering 49
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95/C 222/84 E- 1175/95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission Subject : EU Research in the field of Transmutation Technology 49
95/C 222/85 E-l 182/95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject : Combating fraud 50
95/C 222/86 E-l 189/95 by Leo Tindemans to the Commission Subject : Open Competitions for the new Member States COM/A/904 and COM/A/909 50
95/C 222/87 E-l 190/95 by Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission Subject : 1994 food-aid programme for the most needy 51
95/C 222/88 E-l 192/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Possible misuse of an ERDF grant for the construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South Limburg 51
95/C 222/89 E-l 193/95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission Subject : Organic farming 52
95/C 222/90 E-l 194/95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission Subject : Age discrimination 52
95/C 222/91 E-l 196/95 by Saara-Maria Paakkinen to the Commission Subject : The use of child labour 53
95/C 222/92 E-l 202/95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission Subject: Community support for provision of the resources required for combating drug trafficking 54
95/C 222/93 E-1209/95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark, James Provan, John Corrie and Anne Mcintosh to the Commission Subject: Temporary transfers of milk quota 55
95/C 222/94 E-l 2 10/95 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Evaluation of the 'Youth and Cooperation' programme 55
95/C 222/95 E-l 21 9/95 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission Subject : Exceptional aid for Lake Geneva 56
95/C 222/96 P-1221/95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Finance for an urban park project in the Flisvos area of the Athens Basin 57
95/C 222/97 E-1224/95 by Wolfgang Nuβbaumer to the Commission Subject : Promotion of closer links between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean Basin in the energy sector 57
95/C 222/98 E-l 226/95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission Subject : Environmental impact assessment 57
95/C 222/99 E-1227/95 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission Subject : Labelling of foods containing gluten 58
95/C 222/100 E-l 23 0/95 by Salvador Jove Peres to the Commission Subject : Allocation of aid in the agriculture sector 58
95/C 222/101 P- 1243/95 by Stanislaw Tillich to the Commission Subject : Use of appropriations from the Structural Funds in Saxony in 1994 59
95/C 222/102 E-1248/95 by Christine Crawley to the Commission Subject: Subsidies to dog breeders 60
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95/C 222/103 E-1406/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Subsidies for greyhound breeding in Ireland 60
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1248/95 and E-1406/95 60
95/C 222/104 E-1250/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : The European civil service 60
95/C 222/105 E- 1254/95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission Subject : Consolidation of the common agricultural policy 61
95/C 222/106 E-l 257/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Competitions for Swedish , Finnish and Austrian Commission administrators 62
95/C 222/107 E-1263/95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Human rights abuses in Guatemala 62
95/C 222/108 E-1269/95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Tobacco subsidies and death from smoking 63
95/C 222/109 E-1301 /95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject : Europe in Tadjikistan — war and peace 63
95/C 222/110 E-1307/95 by Alexandras Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Confiscation of the newspaper ' Balkan News' at the Greek-Turkish border 64
95/C 222/111 E-130 9/95 by Wim van Velzen to the Commission Subject : Unreasonably high health insurance premiums paid by frontier workers 64
95/C 222/112 E-1321/95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission Subject : Anti-dumping policy 65
95/C 222/113 E-1329/95 by Monica Baldi to the Commission Subject : Archaeological park in a former mining area in the Val di Cornia — Resider II initiative 66
95/C 222/114 P-1340/95 by Bernie Malone to the Commission Subject : Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public Dunes and Amenity Areas in Dublin 66
95/C 222/115 E-l 342/95 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission Subject : Directive on minimum Community measures to control diseases affecting bi-valve molluscs 67
95/C 222/116 P-l 344/95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission Subject : Request for sanctions and compensation for damage caused by acts of vandalism committed by French farmers 67
95/C 222/117 E-l 347/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission Subject : State aids for the second Munich airport 68
95/C 222/118 E-1353/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Diesel catalysts ( following an article in ' Ends' 2/95 ) 68
95/C 222/119 E-l 372/95 by Marco Pannella to the Commission Subject : European funding for the region of Puglia 69
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95/C 222/ 120 E-l 389/95 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission Subject : Oppression of Christians in Bulgaria 69
95/C 222/121 E-l 398/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission Subject : Renewable energy sources in the Tunis Conference 70
95/C 222/122 E-1400/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : Old people 's homes 70
95/C 222/123 E-1401/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : Diversion of the River Acheloos 71
95/C 222/124 P-1403/95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject : Imports of beef into the European Union 71
95/C 222/125 E-1407/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Lindane and the food chain 72
95/C 222/126 E-1409/95 by Mark Watts to the Commission Subject : Human rights in Guatemala 73
95/C 222/127 E-141 1 /95 by Mark Watts to the Commission Subject : Human rights in Guatemala 73
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1409/95 and E-1411 /95 73
95/C 222/128 P-1416/95 by Honorio Novo to the Commission Subject : Amendments to the Pronorte Sub-programme B Regulation 73
95/C 222/129 E-1424/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Studies carried out by the Commission 74
95/C 222/130 P-1434/95 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission Subject : Community support for Mr Thierry Roussel 's scheme in Odemira 74
95/C 222/131 E-1436/95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission Subject : Medicine 75
95/C 222/132 E-l 437/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission Subject : EU projects in El Salvador 1980—1992 75
95/C 222/133 E-1456/95 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission Subject : Environmental nuisance of high-tension cables 76
95/C 222/134 E-1462/95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission Subject : Traffic in toxic waste 77
95/C 222/135 E-1464/95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission Subject : Member States ' gas safety regulations 77
95/C 222/136 E-1490/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Nuclear energy 77
95/C 222/137 E-1492/95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission Subject : Member States' gas safety regulations 78
95/C 222/138 E-1497/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : Protection of the caretta caretta turtle on Zakynthos 78
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95/C 222/139 E-1524/95 by Petrus Cornelissen to the Commission Subject : Bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany on inland shipping 79
95/C 222/140 P-1544/95 by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn to the Commission Subject : Delays in the distribution of The Official Journal of the European Communities .... 79
95/C 222/141 E-1554/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Progress of the report on thermonuclear fusion 80
95/C 222/142 E-l 580/95 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission Subject : Subsidies to Flemish ports 80
95/C 222/143 P-l 629/95 by Angela Sierra Gonzalez to the Commission Subject : Environmental impact of two thermal power stations being built on Tenerife and Gran Canaria ( Spain ) 81
95/C 222/144 E-l 676/95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission Subject : Inclusion of poultrymeat in the Food-Aid programme 81
95/C 222/145 E-l 847/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of handicapped workers in the European institutions 82
EN 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/ 1
I
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION E-289/95 are selected from a list of potential contractors established by Antonio Gutiérrez Díaz ( GUE/NGL ) after a call for expressions of interest . Where a potential contract requires it, a notice of a call for tenders is published to the Commission in the Official Journal ( 1 ). The publication of the (9 February 1995) announcement ensures maximum transparency and the ( 95/C 222/01 ) selection of those most able to fulfil the selection and award criteria .
Subject: Technical assistance contracts awarded by DG XI Commission investigations have shown that the contracts and DG XVI awarded do not favour any one nationality group over another . The criteria for selection are announced in the call I am informed that over 60 % of studies relating to DG XI for tender, and candidates are required to possess sufficient and DG XVI technical assistance contracts are carried out administrative and personnel resources to complete the by British consultants , 25 % by French consultants and the work they are hired to do , as well as showing that they have rest is shared out between the other countries . the necessary experience and knowledge in that particular domain . Nationality is not among the criteria . It is possible Can the Commission say whether these figures are correct that the selection of candidates is disproportionate to the and , if they are not, can it give the actual breakdown by population of Member States but the Commission cannot nationality ? confirm that the Honourable Member's figures are correct .
Statistics giving a breakdown according to nationality are Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard misleading . Not only do they vary between financial years , on behalf of the Commission but they also fail to account for the composition and status (12 June 1995) of the individual enterprise which could be an affiliate , subsidiary or part of a consortium . However the available information giving the amounts received by individuals and All Commission public procurements respect financial and organisations from each Member State , broken down by administrative procedures requiring that all potential major instruments of expenditure , is as follows : suppliers have an equal opportunity to tender . Potential tenderers for the studies and technical contracts in question (') OJ No C 31 , 2 . 2 . 1994 ; OJ No C 157, 8 . 6 . 1994 .
DG XI
Proportions received by individuals and organizations from Member States from the environment budget ( four largest recipients in each category )
B DK D G E F IRL I I NL P UK %
1993
Study contracts 18,9 — 8,8 11,0 — 18,2 56,9
Consultants 24,6 — — — — 13,3 — — 8,7 33,5 — — 80,1
Financial contributions 12,4 — 10,9 — — 9,6 — — — 6,9 — — 39,8 Regulated financial contribution — — — 13,6 10,4 12,1 — — — — 13,8 — 4 9,9 Provision of technical services 18,0 — — — 7,4 21,3 — — — — 7,6 54,3 No C 222/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
B DK D G E F IRL I L NL P UK %
1994
Study contracts — — — 11,6 — 14,9 — — — 10,5 — 38,8 75,8
— Consultants — — 27,0 — — — — — 41,9 — 31,1 100,0
Financial contribution — 31,0 9,4 — — 15,2 — — — 8,7 — — 64,3 Regulated financial contribution — — 16,0 — 14,6 15,6 — 11,7 — — — — 57,9 Provision of technical service 27,0 — — — — 19,6 — 10,7 — — — 13,7 71,0
DG XVI Can the Commission amplify this commitment and set a date for the presentation of a Regulation setting up and establishing the functions of such an agency, as has been Figures showing contracts for studies concluded by DG XVI in the done in the case of the European Environment Agency ? context of technical assistance 'outside CCA' since 1989 . The studies are attributed to the country in which the seat of the organization is situated
(in /o ) WRITTEN QUESTION P-929/95
By value of By number of by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE ) Country contract contracts to the Commission
Belgium 4 9 (17 March 1995) Denmark 1 1 ( 95/C 222/03 ) Germany 8 5 Greece 1 4 Spain 3 9 Subject: European Tourism Agency France 22 15 Ireland 2 4 What steps does the Commission intend to take to respond Italy 6 5 to Parliament's request to start laying the foundations for setting up the future European Tourist Agency ? Luxembourg — — Netherlands 2 4 Portugal 10 4 United Kingdom 20 20 Joint answer to Written Questions Other 22 20 E-361/95 and P-929/95
Total 100 100 given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (3 May 1995)
WRITTEN QUESTION E-361/95 The Commission is aware of the Parliament's position regarding the creation of a European Tourism Agency , by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE ) which could even work together with the European to the Commission Environment Agency . (15 February 1995) ( 95/C 222/02 ) It does not, however, feel that discussions on this matter have reached the stage where they can examine the feasibility of such an agency and the powers which might be delegated to it . Subject: European Tourism Agency
The possibilities for the Community institutions to It was interesting to hear the new Commission undertake , at implement a policy on tourism do , nevertheless , need to be the recent hearings , to set up the European Tourism Agency, increased . in accordance with Parliament's wishes and with its adoption of the Diez de Rivera Icaza report ( on 15 December 1994 ). 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/3
WRITTEN QUESTION E-365/95 purposes of consumption within the Netherlands in order to by Imelda Read ( PSE ) reduce the influence of criminals in the field of soft drugs . Under certain conditions, people growing cannabis in the to the Commission Netherlands and supplying it to sales outlets ( whose (15 February 1995) existence is already tolerated under current Netherlands ( 95/C 222/04 ) Government policy ) would not be liable to prosecution or to seizure of their stocks .
Subject: VAT on NGOs , charities and welfare Does the Commission believe that Community law presents organizations any obstacles to such a policy of toleration ?
When is the Commission likely to publish its discussion Will the Commission pay the customary European aid per paper on the definitive VAT regime and confirm whether hectare for hemp cultivation to Dutch growers of hemp NGOs, charities and welfare organizations currently containing a high level of tetrahydrocannabinol , the active benefiting from zero and reduced rates will be able to do so substance in Dutch cannabis ? under the definitive regime ?
With regard to the strong feelings across the EU over the burden of irrecoverable VAT on NGOs, charities and Answer given by Mr Fischler welfare organizations, will the Commission consider on behalf of the Commission undertaking a review of the VAT treatment of charities , with a view to amending the Sixth Directive , to ensure that (22 March 1995) NGOs do not pay such excessive amounts of irrecoverable VAT ? Production and distribution at international level of Would the Commission be prepared to endorse the psychotropic products does not fall within the competence introduction of a VAT refund mechanism for charities , of the Community but is regulated by United Nations conventions . NGOs and welfare organizations to ease the VAT burden ? Moreover the Treaty on European Union does not permit Community law to be extended to these products, which are a matter for the exclusive competence of the Member Answer given by Mr Monti States . on behalf of the Commission (20 March 1995) The Community aid scheme for hemp is restricted to varieties offering certain safeguards as regards the intoxicating-substance content of the harvested product . A The Commission intends to present the main featues of a list of eligible varieties has been drawn up in which the definitive VAT system before the summer . The preparatory average tetrahydrocannabinol content does not exceed the work includes consideration of the way in which non acceptable limit of 0,3 % . governmental organizations , charities and welfare organizations are to be treated . The Commission has no intention of raising this limit .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 76/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-506/95 by Nel van Dijk ( V ) to the Commission by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission (15 February 1995) (27 February 1995) ( 95/C 222/05 ) ( 95/C 222/06 )
Subject: Regulation of the growing and distribution of cannabis in the Netherlands Subject: Sectoral studies of services to enterprises
The Netherlands Minister of Justice is considering The Commission has announced that it is carrying out 'regulating' the production and distribution of cannabis for sectoral studies of services to enterprises with the aim of No C 222/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 providing the necessary economic references to carry out a Answer given by Mr de Silguy follow-up study of the internal market in services to on behalf of the Commission enterprises . What is the distribution of these publications (10 May 1995) and will these studies lead to any specific decisions by the Commission ?
Although individual members of the British Government may have suggested in speeches that the convergence criteria Answer given by Mr Monti might be widened in the manner indicated by the on behalf of the Commission Honourable Member , the British Government has made no (10 May 1995) formal proposal along these lines .
The Honourable Member seems to refer to the studies on The Commission takes the view that there is no question of different business services the Commission carried out amending the Treaty to include new convergence criteria , in several years ago . They have been distributed among the this case the unemployment rate . The Treaty was undertakings in the sector concerned , and some of them negotiated , signed and ratified by all the Member States have been published ( such as that on management using democratic procedures . Work is now needed to consultancy ). The Commission does not envisage their implement it. publication on a general basis .
No general measures have been specifically adopted on the However , it is clear that, in the context of multilateral basis of these studies , which aimed to give the Commission surveillance , special attention will continue to be paid to clearer knowledge of the sectors concerned and to identify employment trends in the Member States since it is essential the remaining obstacles to the completion of the internal to increase growth and the employment content of growth . market in order to establish priorities for action in the In other words , nominal convergence and increased future . employment must go hand in hand .
In the framework of the 1996 study on the effectiveness and Reducing unemployment and increasing employment has economic impact of the internal market, the situation of been the top priority of the Union for some years and business services will also be addressed . However , no continues to be so . This was reaffirmed in the White Paper sectoral study will be devoted to this type of services . The on Growth , Competitiveness and Employment and was essential element of this general study is identify the recently strengthened in the conclusions of the Essen strengths and weaknesses of the single market programme European Council . The Essen conclusions urged the and to obtain a quantitative evaluation of its impact . The Member States to transpose these recommendations ( on results of the study will influence the formulation of future employment ) in their individual policies into a multi-annual policy . programme having regard to the specific features of their economic and social situation .
In order to pursue these objectives , the Council requested the Labour and Social Affairs and Economic and Financial Affairs Councils and the Commission to keep close track of employment trends , monitor the relevant policies of the WRITTEN QUESTION E-532/95 Member States and report annually to the Council on by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) further progress on the employment market, starting in to the Commission December 1995 . (1 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/07 ) The Commission would reaffirm the priority of this request . Such is the purpose of employment surveillance as proposed in its communication to the Council of 8 March 1995 , Subject: Unemployment rates and convergence criteria which was also sent to Parliament .
What is the Commission's view of the British proposal to include unemployment rates in the criteria for nominal convergence ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/5
WRITTEN QUESTION E-533/95 What action does the Commission plan to enable Spanish by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE ) industry to gain access to the electricity supply at market rates and free of monopolistic control ? to the Commission (1 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/08 )
Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission Subject: Monopolistic practices in the Spanish electricity (10 May 1995) sector
Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union defines one of the The Commission agrees with the conclusion that the activities of the Community as 'an internal market Honourable Member draws from Article 3 of the EC Treaty , characterized by the abolition , as between Member States , namely that electricity too should form an integral part of of obstacles to the free movement of goods , persons , services the internal market, this not yet being the case . and capital'; another is 'a system ensuring that competition in the internal market is not distorted'.
The amended proposal for a Directive concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity ('), which is Under the Treaty on European Union electricity is one of the currently being discussed by the Council , reflects the goods or services whose free movement should be Commission's concern to incorporate this sector into the guaranteed by the Commission, by taking appropriate internal market in a consensual fashion , without prejudice measures to prevent monopolistic practices which could to the normal application of the Treaty in this respect . distort the internal market .
The Commission notes that Law 40/1994 of 30 December 1994 on arrangements for the Spanish electricity system , Law 40/1994 on arrangements for the Spanish electricity which entered into force on 20 January 1995 , does not system, adopted by the Spanish Parliament on 30 December fundamentally alter that system . Leaving aside its 1994 , will severely curtail competition on three points : compatibility with the Treaty ( currently being examined ), unified operation , electricity planning and charges on the the Law could give rise to difficulties when the Spanish basis of standard costs . This restriction will encourage electricity sector is eventually integrated into the single inefficiency in the sector , and also conflicts with price market . competition and the most basic Directives of the single market .
The Commission also notes that, under Article 13 of Law 40/1994 , long-term electricity imports and exports remain Among these restrictions , charges based on standard costs the sole preserve of the company managing the unified will consolidate privileged positions for some undertakings , system where such imports and exports come from, or are particularly the State-owned company Endesa , as it will be intended for, all the installations of an integrated system , granted recognition over and above the value of its assets in subject to prior authorization by the Ministry of Industry specialized , complex installations , whilst it maintains and Energy . chronic inefficiencies in recognizing and charging for specific levels of consumption in these installations at much higher rates than in other EU Member States and than the technological norm for decades . The result is extremely high Under the new Law ( Article 11 ( 2 )), all energy produced in profits due to this monopolistic situation ( 1 5,9 % of sales in Spain and energy traded internationally is included in the 1993 ), which is hard to reconcile with maintaining one of integrated system . Article 16 ( l)also stipulates that the price the highest electricity tariffs in Europe . paid for energy purchases from foreign or independent electricity systems is to be set by administrative means .
What steps will the Commission take, as watchdog of the The Law also provides for the effective development of an Treaties and hence of competition, to prevent monopolistic independent system in which the energy produced is not practices by the Spanish national electricity system and more subject to standard arrangements but is freely traded by the specifically by the Endesa company ? parties concerned , on condition that the activities under this No C 222/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 independent system do not adversely affect unified Answer given by Mr Pinheiro operation or the integrated system's transmission and on behalf of the Commission distribution arrangements ( Article 12 ( 3 )). (16 June 1995)
Taking account of the above , and notwithstanding the fact Since the subject raised in the Honourable Member's that the new rules derogate from Law 49/1984 of question is the joint responsibility of Mr Marin and Mr 26 December on the unified operation of the national Pinheiro , this answer is given by both on behalf of the electricity system ( which assigned to Red Electrica S.A. Commission . exclusive rights in Spain for the import and export of electricity, prompting the Commission to institute infringement proceedings which are now before the Court The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member , in of Justice ), the Commission has not deemed it expedient to the sense that proliferation of prior administrative stay proceedings since the new Law does not resolve the procedures and checks does not improve , as such, the proper matter in a satisfactory fashion . and efficient use of Community funds by non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ); quite the reverse : it may unnecessarily and disproportionately complicate the NGOs' ( ! ) COM(93 ) 643 final — OJ No C 123 , 4 . 5 . 1994 . burden of administration .
As soon as it took up its duties the Commission put in hand an exercise to modernize and rationalize its internal procedures in relation, among other things , to the detailed rules for implementing the budget . In so doing, however, it must comply fully with the provisions of the Financial Regulation which lays down inter alia the procedures for the commitment and payment of budget appropriations , WRITTEN QUESTION E-536/95 including prior checks by the Financial Controller . True , these checks may be streamlined , provided that by Luciano Vecchi ( PSE ) ex-post-facto checks and the evaluation of results of action to the Commission by NGOs provide the necessary guarantees of compliance (1 March 1995) with the principles of sound financial management and , specifically, of economy and cost-effectiveness ( Article 2 of ( 95/C 222/09 ) the Financial Regulation ).
Article 9 of the General Conditions governing co-financing Subject: Co-financing of NGO activities with NGOs lays down that an NGO project may be co-financed provided that it is not virtually complete when the application for co-financing is submitted . The Commission takes the view that this rule must be retained Positive results have hitherto been achieved in the field of because it takes account of the speed of action and spirit of development cooperation as a result of collaboration initiative of NGOs which are backing action by their between European Union institutions and partners in the South, who are not able to wait for the formal non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ), but there has preparation of the application for co-financing by the NGO been an unjustified increase in the number of controls and and for it to be processed by the Commission or the local administrative formalities imposed by the Commission's people concerned may lose motivation . The Commission financial control departments , which frequently conflict takes account of the specific features of action by NGOs , with the general rules on co-financing themselves . which therefore have great latitude in taking the initiative without having to await the completion of formal procedures to approve their application for funds . Does the Commission not agree with the Court of Auditors that the instruments for the qualitative evaluation of NGO operations should be improved , rather than pedantically The Commission is of the opinion that some simplifications and arbitrarily increasing the number of management of administrative requirements relating to projects carried requirements and 'oppressive' formal rules ? out by NGOs could be decided on in a forthcoming review of the ' General Conditions ' for NGO co-financing by easing the rules laid down by the administrative authority which would in practice prove burdensome . The aim will be to Does it not consider that, where the execution of all the focus checks more clearly on those points which can truly be budget lines that are basically devoted to NGOs is used to verify sound financial management and quality of concerned , their specific characteristics should be taken into projects . account, particularly in order to permit partially retroactive funding of cooperation activities , to simplify the drafting of budgets for projects and to make the arrangements for The Commission also points out that bank guarantees are checking the requisite bank guarantees more flexible ? not required where NGO projects are co-financed but only 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/7
— and subject to certain conditions — where projects are Answer given by Mr Monti 100% financed from Community funds ; this is to be on behalf of the Commission retained . In other cases , too , there is no reason to require (2 May 1995) such guarantees , whatever the sums involved , where genuine NGOs are being financed which properly should not be treated like profit-making organizations . This is 1 . The Commission is aware of the conclusions of the particularly the case when NGOs make their own financial report in question . contribution to their projects or when the Community wishes them to act on account of the specific nature of what 2 . The Commission accepts the conclusion that, among they do . the factors that affect consumption of alcoholic beverages , the rate of excise duty can have an influence on their consumption through its impact on consumer prices , but Humanitarian aid projects administered by the Commission this impact varies widely from product to product and are governed by the specific provisions of the 'framework country to country . partnership contract' for financing humanitarian projects . Its aim is to reconcile the flexibility required by the inherent 3 . The Commission does not view Article 9 of Directive nature of humanitarian aid projects with the requirements 92/84/EEC as giving rise to any discrimination against for sound management of public funds . The framework beer . contract is currently under review to seek possible improvements to it . 4 . The Commission is aware of the existence of deflection of trade from the United Kingdom to France, as a result of widely differing excise rates in those two Member States . It would point out in this respect, that France increased its rate of duty on beer ( the most widely purchased product ) to meet its internal market obligations and has since experienced a drop in consumption . The United Kingdom however , has actually increased its already very WRITTEN QUESTION E-574/95 high excise rate on beer . by Karla Peijs ( PPE ) to the Commission 5 . The Council is required , under the provisions of Article 8 of Directive 92/84/EEC , to examine the various (6 March 1995) minimum rates on the basis of a report from the ( 95/C 222/10 ) Commission . This report will be submitted a soon as possible .
Subject: Distortion of competition as a result of differences in excise duty on various alcoholic beverages
WRITTEN QUESTION E-608/95 1 . Is the Commission aware of the conclusions of the by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE ) Bossard report concerning competition among the various types of alcoholic beverages ? to the Commission (6 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/ 11 ) 2 . Does the Commission agree with the report's conclusion that the level of excise duties affects competition among the beverages ? Subject: Discretionary rates of VAT
Is the Commission reviewing the list of goods and services 3 . Will the Commission amend Article 9 of Directive that may, at the discretion of Member States , be subjected to 92/84/EEC C ) to eliminate its discriminatory impact on beer lower rates of VAT ? in comparison with wine ? The minimum rate for wine is ECU 0 ( six Member States apply this rate, i.e. levy no excise on wine ), whereas the minimum rate for beer is ECU 8 . Will the conservation of historical buildings , and work carried out on them , be included in this new list ?
4 . Is the Commission aware of the growing deflection of trade caused by differences in excise ? Trade flows between Answer given by Mr Monti the United Kingdom and France are one example . on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1995) 5 . If so, what will the Commission do about this ? Under Community legislation — The Sixth Council VAT (') OJ No L 316 , 31 . 10 . 1992 , p . 29 . Directive as amended by Directive 92/77/EEC — repairs and No C 222/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 maintenance to church buildings and other buildings of Who would decide whether or not severe tensions existed in historic importance are not eligible for the reduced VAT the case of a national currency ? rate . The Council is required to undertake a review of this legislation on the basis of a Commission report .
The first such report (') was adopted by the Commission at WRITTEN QUESTION E-6 10/95 the end of last year and has been sent to the Council and the by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) Parliament . That report reviews the operation of the present to the Commission VAT rate arrangements in the context of the transitional (6 March 1995) VAT regime currently in force . The approach taken in the report, as in all matters of VAT rate approximation , is based ( 95/C 222/13 ) on the criterion set out in Article 99 EC Treaty which specifies that such approximation must be necessary to ensure the establishment and the functioning of the internal Subject: Convergence criteria market . The report's conclusions are that , in present circumstances and on the evidence available , no distortions Can a Member State meet the ' exchange-rate stability' of competition or disfunction of the internal market have convergence criterion without belonging to the Exchange arisen which would call for any change in the list of supplies Rate Mechanism ( ERM )? eligible for a reduced rate .
The Commission must, moreover , bear in mind the need to establish the conditions necessary for the introduction of the Joint answer to Written Questions definitive VAT regime in 1997 . Accordingly, it considers E-609/95 and E-610/95 that it would be inappropriate at this juncture to widen the given by Mr de Silguy scope of the lower rate and thus of the optional elements in on behalf of the Commission Community legislation . Whether or not such extensions of (16 May 1995) the lower rate may be desirable or possible can therefore only be judged in the context of the discussions that will take place on the definitive regime . In the view of the Commission , the EC Treaty together with the Protocol on the convergence criteria , is sufficiently clear The Commission will of course take careful note of the to allow for the examination of the achievement of a high views expressed on this subject both in the Council and in degree of sustainable convergence , including the the Parliament . It should be noted , however, that any examination by reference to the exchange criterion . changes to Community VAT legislation must be agreed unanimously by the Council . The criterion on exchange rate stability is defined as the criterion on participation in the exchange rate mechanism (') COM(94 ) 584 final . ( Article 3 of the Protocol on the convergence criteria ). According to Article 1 09j ( 1 ), the reports by the European Monetary Institute ( EMI ) and the Commission will make reference to the observance of the formal fluctuation margins provided for by the exchange rate mechanism . This criterion includes a condition that no severe tensions exist during at least two years before the examination . The aim is WRITTEN QUESTION E-609/95 to ensure the consistency of the economic and monetary by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) union ( EMU ) process . Indeed , the macro-economic and to the Commission financial convergence has to be reflected in the stability of the exchange rate before moving to the third stage of EMU . (6 March 1995) Furthermore , the two reports will have to examine ( 95/C 222/12 convergence by reference to the durability of convergence achieved by the Member State and of their participation in the exchange rate mechanism being reflected in the Subject: Convergence criteria long-term interest rate levels .
Article 109j of the EC Treaty and the Protocol on As concerns Member States which do not participate in the convergence criteria define the 'exchange-rate stability ' ERM , it is up to them to take the initiative to participate . In criterion in terms of three requirements . order to be able to participate in the third stage of EMU, the Member States concerned will have to take into account the Treaty requirements . One of these is the absence of severe tensions . The assessment concerning the fulfilment of the criteria will Could the Commission define precisely what it means by be made by the EMI and the Commission in their respective severe tensions ? reports and on that basis , the Council will take its decision 28 . 8 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/9 according to the procedure provided for in Article 1 09 j of The green paper on the move to the single currency, the EC Treaty . currently under preparation , will help to reduce uncertainties and in this way facilitate a realistic estimate of the costs and lead-times involved .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-6 12/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-624/95 (9 March 1995) by Robert Sturdy ( PPE ) ( 95/C 222/14 ) to the Commission (9 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/15 ) Subject: Single currency , payments system and bank accounts
Subject: National aids in the sugar sector Transition to a single currency will make it necessary to change payment systems and bank accounts . The initial estimates suggest that private banks will need five years to Could the Commission explain the legal provisions prepare properly for the transition . governing admissibility of national aids in the sugar sector ? If it is proposed that the transition takes place in 1997 or 1999 and in view of the fact that it would be expensive to How many national aid was provided , in millions of ECU , speed up the banking changes mentioned , has the by Member State , in the most recent year for which data is Commission assessed the cost of preparing for the transition available ? to a single currency in the banks of the Union's 15 Member States ? For those Member States where national aids are paid , by how much have total returns been raised above common As private banks ar speaking of five years of preparation , support levels of both beet growers and beet sugar when would it be necessary to decide which countries are processors ? moving on to the third stage ? By how much does the Commission estimate EU sugar Will Community funds be provided to encourage the production is raised as a result of the payment of these necessary changes in payment systems and banks ' national aids ? automated accounts ?
How does the Commission view these aids with regard to their distortionary effect on the Single Market ? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (16 May 1995) Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission According to the evidence available to the Commission , ( 11 May 1995) estimates differ considerably as to the costs for banks arising from the changeover to the single currency as well as the required time for preparation . It is too early to make a firm 1 . With only two exceptions the legal basis for national judgment . aid schemes in the sugar sector is Article 46 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785/81 on the common organization Precise estimates are difficult, not least because it is hardly of the markets in the sugar sector . This allows Germany, possible to identify among the investments planned by Italy , Spain and the United Kingdom to grant national aid banks those projects which are specifically caused by the on certain terms . introduction of the single currency . The legal basis of the aid that France may grant on sugar The time and the costs also depend on the scenario chosen production in the overseas departments is Article 4 of for the introduction of the single currency . Furthermore , the Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1254/89 fixing, for the costs should be seen against the expected benefits from the 1989/90 marketing year inter alia certain sugar prices and single and stable currency . the standard quality of beet . No C 222/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Article 1 10 of the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal of of 200 000 tonnes , the total aid that France is authorized to 1985 is the legal basis for the authorization held by Spain to grant works out at around ECU 15 million per marketing grant national aid to beet growers up to 31 December year . 1995 .
Spain has delegated the granting of aid under Article 1 10 of The Agriculture Council of 10 and 11 April 1995 agreed the the Act of Accession to its autonomous regions . The principles of the common organization of the sugar sector Commission is not informed of the total amount of this aid markets for the 1995/96 to 2000/01 marketing years . granted in Spain . Amending Article 46 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785/81 , it authorized Italy to grant degressive aid , to end in 2000/01 in the North and Centre regions but tailing off in the South so 3 . The impact of national aid schemes on the prices paid that in 2000/01 it is still allowed to be 50 % of that granted to beet growers and sugar producers can only be estimated in 1994/95 . For Spain it authorized degressive aid similar to on the basis of various assumptions , namely that the that for Central Italy and also aid for the cane-sugar authorization to grant national aid is used fully up to 100 % production sector . and that aid is spread over a volume of sugar production equal to the sum of the A and B quotas or of beet production equivalent to this volume . All the abovementioned instruments were adopted by the Council after Parliament had given its opinion , their legal basis being Article 43 of the Treaty in particular . Thus as regards the aid covered by Article 46 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785/81 it can be estimated that the aid granted in Italy is equivalent to 28,3 % of the minimum price for A beet 2 . The Council Regulations in question generally restrict set by the Council and that the aid granted to undertakings the Member State's aid to a maximum overall amount or to in the new German Lander and in Spain is equivalent to a specific rate in ecus per 100 kilograms of sugar and , this 8,8 % and 2,3 % respectively of the intervention price for being a matter of authorization given to the Member States , white sugar . they need not grant the full aid amount .
The maximum aid that can be paid on sugar production in Thus , given the limits specified in Article 46 of Regulation the French overseas departments is equivalent to 11,5 % of ( EEC ) No 1785/81 , a maximum total aid amount the intervention price for white sugar . authorized for Italy can be calculated of ECU 169,8 million . In recent years aid has been given exclusively to beet growers . It is estimated that the regional aids granted to beet producers in Spain are equivalent to around 8 % to 10 % of the minimum price for A beet . The United Kingdom is authorized to grant aid on the refining of raw sugar imported under the Protocol on ACP sugar annexed to the Lome Convention and under the 4 . It is impossible to estimate as a separate quantity the Agreement between the Community and the Republic of share of sugar production arising from the granting of India . The maximum aid is ECU 0,54 per 100 kilograms of national aid , since a number of other factors , including the white sugar equivalent . In the last three marketing years the price relationship between beet and other agricultural United Kingdom has not granted this aid . products , geography and climate , help determine each Member State's sugar production .
Germany was authorized over the period 1990/91 to 1994/95 to grant aid of ECU 235,9 million to 5 . The Commission would remind the Honourable sugar-producing undertakings located in the new Lander . Member that the national aids covered by Article 46 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785/81 and authorized on the basis of Article 42 of the Treaty and that consequently Lastly, since for the purposes of completion of the single competition and single market rules are not applicable in market on 1 January 1993 Spanish prices were aligned these instances . earlier than the scheduled date , Spain was authorized over the period of the 1993/94 to 1 995/96 marketing years to grant aid of ECU 45,6 million to sugar-producing The Commission has consented to these national aids as a undertakings in connection with restructuring plans to temporary measure to resolve certain difficulties in specific rationalize the sugar industry . parts of the Community . It considers that they must be tapered off in the course of a period during which beet production has been brought adequately into line with Sugar production in the French overseas departments varies modern techniques and the industry has undergone a certain widely from one year to another . On the basis of production amount of restructuring . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/11
Lastly it should be noted that the national aid schemes in WRITTEN QUESTION E-636/95 question have not prevented the development of trade flows by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR ) from areas producing a surplus of sugar to areas in shortfall , to the Commission the latter being in general those in which national aid has been allowed . (9 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/17 )
Subject: Discrepancies concerning the implementing of provisions on speed limitation devices
WRITTEN QUESTION E-627/95 1 . Is the Commission aware of the provisions set out in by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) the Netherlands Official Gazette of 9 August 1993 implementing Directive 92/6/EEC (') of 10 February 1992 to the Commission on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for (9 March 1995) certain categories of motor vehicles and setting the ( 95/C 222/16 ) maximum speed at 85 km/h ?
2 . Is the Commission aware that other Member States , Subject: Ecology of paper pulp for example, Spain, have fallen hopelessly behind with the introduction of implementing rules and have failed even to set a time limit for implementation ? The use of recycled fibres is now a dominant criterion , to the exclusion of other principles , and according to experts these 3 . Is the Commission also aware that, in other countries new criteria , applied to toilet paper and kitchen paper , will where the directive is being implemented , the maximum be detrimental to the management of forests . At the speed has been set at around 90 km/h ( Belgium ) or even moment, there is no provision for paper based on virgin pulp slightly above ( UK )? from forests managed to last, and this discourages the use of virgin fibres to produce toilet paper and kitchen paper, 4 . Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands is the which require an ecological label . only Member State which has drawn up a directive on monitoring and sanctions with regard to speed The points system method of managing forests does not take limitation devices, imposing extremely heavy fines for account of wood shavings and sawdust and wood cut to infringements ? make way for other trees to grow or to remove diseased trees . 5 . Is the Commission aware that, as a result, Netherlands drivers consider that they are being placed at a disadvantage compared with their counterparts in other Member Does the Commission not consider it necessary to prepare a States ? directive to reformulate the criteria and to establish a balance making it possible to promote ecological forestry practices together with recycling ? 6 . Does the Commission consider that such major discrepancies in the implementation of Directive 92/6/EEC are resulting in distortion of competition between operators from different Member States ?
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard 7 . Will the Commission take prompt action in response on behalf of the Commission to this ? (25 April 1995) If so , what action will it take and , if not, why not ?
The approach set out in Commission Decisions 94/924/EC ( ! ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992 , p . 27 . and 94/925/EC of 14 November 1994 ( J ) on ecological criteria for toilet paper and kitchen rolls ( eco-label ) recognizes the value of promoting use of wood waste . Wood residues are excluded from the calculation of the 'renewable Answer given by Mr Kinnock resources ' parameter . This consequently favours paper from on behalf of the Commission forests in which such residues are recovered to produce (3 May 1995) paper pulp .
(!) OJ No L 364 , 31 . 12 . 1994 . The Commission follows closely the implementation of Directive 92/6/EEC and is taking appropriate action against Member States which have not implemented the legislation , according to the usual procedures . No C 222/12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
As regards the set speed of the speed limiter for lorries , the distant in space and time , and it becomes difficult, if not text of Directive 92/6/EEC has given rise to some different impossible , to withdraw defective products . interpretations in Member States as it states in Article 3 that 'the speed limiter should be set in such a way that the speed of the vehicle cannot exceed 90 km/h'. The Commission has Accordingly , would it not be appropriate for the accepted an interpretation that allows the speed to be set Commission to adopt a general policy whereby slightly higher than 85 km/h if a speed limiter is used which medicaments were not regarded in the same way as simple has a smaller technical tolerance than 5 km/h . The result of commercial products ? this interpretation ensures that no lorry equipped with a speed limiter can ever go faster than the upper limit of 90 km/h . The Commission recalls , in this context, that the technical characteristics of speed limiters must be in conformity with the prescriptions of Directive Answer given by Mrs Bonino 92/24/EEC ( 1 ) which is one of the separate Directives for the on behalf of the Commission European type approval system for those vehicles . (11 April 1995)
The Commission intends shortly to include the speed limiter as one of the items to be controlled in the roadworthiness The amended proposal for a Council Directive on the test as governed by Directive 77/143/EEC ( 2 ). As far as protection of consumers in respect of contracts negotiated at roadside enforcement is concerned , the Commission regards a distance ( distance selling ( COM(93 ) 396 final )) (') is a this to be a matter within the competence of the Member general Directive relating to all products and services . It does States provided there is no discrimination relating to not entail a ban for any particular sector . In fact , it gives each nationality . However, the Commission has no reason to Member State the opportunity to regulate this kind of believe that the Dutch enforcement policy is discriminating marketing of medicinal products on its own territory . against Dutch hauliers . If the Honourable Member has specific and relevant evidence of such discrimination , he is welcome to provide it to the Commission . The Commission has never viewed medicinal products simply as commercial products ; this can be clearly seen by analysing all the Community legislation on the subject, in ( 1 ) OJ No L 129 , 14 . 5 . 1992 , p . 154 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 47 , 18 . 2 . 1977 . particular the Directives relating to the labelling and advertising of medicinal products . It should also be noted that Directive 92/28/EEC on the advertising of medicinal products for human use ( 2 ) bans all public advertising of medicinal products which can only be issued on prescription , thus making catalogue sales of such products impossible .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-645/95 It is the doctor who moves around , not the pharmacist . Working on this premise , home delivery firms have been set by Claude Desama ( PSE ) up in many Member States , usually in conjunction with the to the Commission postal services . Sometimes it is actually the postal operator (9 March 1995) who provides this service . The service supplied to the consumer by these firms is very useful , but does not ( 95/C 222/ 18 ) endanger the monopoly held by the pharmacists .
It should also be pointed out that the Court of Justice of the Subject: Sale of certain medicaments by post European Communities has already ruled on cases of purchase of medicinal products which have been prescribed by a doctor in one Member State and purchased in a In the proposals for the amendment of the Directive on pharmacy in another Member State ( 3 ). The Court contracts negotiated at a distance , it seems that this practice concluded that a total ban , in this case particularly for safety will not be prohibited but that each Member State may take reasons , would be incommensurate with the desired what it considers to be the requisite provisions at national objective . level .
(') OJ No C 308 , 15 . 11 . 1993 . For reasons of public health and patient safety protection , is ( 2 ) OJ No L 113 , 30 . 4 . 1992 . it not essential that patients receive professional and proper (') Case C 62/90 Commission against Federal Republic of advice when they purchase medicaments ? Apart from the Germany . risks connected with self-medication, conditions for storing the medicaments are not guaranteed , and no one can ensure that their quality is maintained . Dispatch by post is too 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/13
WRITTEN QUESTION E-725/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-730/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE ) to the Commission to the Commission (15 March 1995) (15 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/19 ) ( 95/C 222/20 )
Subject: European industrial policy Subject: Local Environment Operational Programme ( Objective 1 ): projects in Malaga According to Eurostat figures , industrial production in the European Union grew by 5% in 1994 in relation to the previous year . What projects have been selected in Malaga for financing from the Local Environment Operational Programme Will the Commission propose and develop active policies for ( Objective 1 )? Will the Commission specify the size of the the promotion of European industry ? Community contribution and the dates on which the Member State concerned presented the various projects , on which the Commission gave its approval and on which the Spanish authorities made available Community funding for Answer given by Mr Bahgemann each project ? on behalf of the Commission (21 June 1995)
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member on behalf of the Commission that it has recently launched numerous industrial policy initiatives in line with the basic principles of Community (12 May 1995) industrial policy , as approved by the Council in 1 990 and set out in the Title of the Treaty that deals with industry , and with the general guidelines as described in the White Paper On 20 December 1994 the Commission approved the Local on Growth , Competitiveness and Employment . Their main Environment Operational Programme for the Spanish aim is to increase the overall competitiveness of European Objective 1 regions . The programme lays down the industry but they also have a major impact on Community objectives and the selection criteria for projects , but does not industrial activity in terms of both quantity and quality . identify the actual projects to be funded by it .
These initiatives are based on compliance with the principle The Operational Programme lays down the amounts for of subsidiarity and on complementarity with the activities of each region within an indicative funding range . the Member States themselves but also concern the economic , commercial , competitive and regulatory environments in which companies operate as well as other The Member State is responsible for choosing the projects recognized factors in these areas such as infrastructure , and it informs the Monitoring Committee of its choice . The technology, vocational training and the industrial fabric of Committee ensures that the aid measures run smoothly in small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ). order to achieve the set targets . It also ensures that the rules governing the eligibility of the operations and projects are Particular reference should be made to the various complied with and that the schemes and measures reflect programmes relating to the implementation of Community both the priorities laid down in the Community support policies on trans-European networks , the information framework ( CSF ) and the aims of the assistance . society, telecommunications , biotechnology, the research priorities defined in the fourth framework programme , The Member State chairs the committee and convenes it at SMEs and the improvement of vocational qualifications . the appropriate time . The Commission has also launched a series of industrial initiatives to improve the economic environment in certain markets such as the aircraft industry, the motor industry , Information on project funding is available from the the electronics industry , shipbuilding, the mechanical Member State authorities , which in this case are : industry and textiles . — the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance , These initiatives have now been supplemented by the Directorate-General for Planning , Madrid proposals on the encouragement of investment and the development of industrial cooperation set out in the — Junta de Andalucia , Consejería de Economía y communication on an industrial competitiveness policy for Hacienda , Seville . the Community . No C 222/14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-731/95 life , can the Commission submit a Directive as soon as by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE ) possible to regulate their production and establish an appropriate scheme of taxation ? to the Commission (15 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/21 ) Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Subject: Structural Funds : projects in Malaga (12 May 1995)
What projects have been selected in Malaga for financing As a part of the reform of the arable sector , a farmer may from the Structural Funds ? Will the Commission specify the continue to claim compensation in respect of the obligation size of the Community contribution and the dates on which to set a portion of his land aside if he grows certain raw the Member State concerned presented the various projects , materials on that land which are to be used primarily for on which the Commission gave its approval and on which purposes other than human or animal consumption . the Spanish authorities made available Community funding Biofuels are considered to be end-products eligible for the for each project ? scheme .
Raw materials covered by the scheme include cereals and certain oilseeds when they are processed into, amongst other Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies things, bioethanol and biodiesel . on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1995) It is also permitted to grow sugarbeet on set aside land for biofuels . In that case , however, the land upon which the sugarbeet is grown does not benefit from such compensation . On 9 December 1994 the Commission approved the 1994—1999 European Regional Development Fund In addition to this scheme , at the beginning of 1992 the ( ERDF ) operational programme for Andalusia . The Commission put forward a proposal for a Council Directive programme implements the Community support on excise duties on motor fuels from agricultural sources ( ] ), framework ( CSF ), lays down the priorities for assistance the aim of which is to bring about at Community level a and the characteristics thereof but does not generally specify reduction in the rates of excise duty on fuels produced from the projects for implementing those priorities . agricultural sources , that is to say ' biofuels'. The proposal which has been approved by Parliament, is still being The Honourable Member is asked to refer also to the answer considered by the Council . to Written Question E-730/95 ( ] ). Concerning in particular the oxygenated compounds , the (') See page 13 of this Official Journal . possibility of their utilization is already provided by Council Directive 85/536/EEC ( 2 ). Consideration is being given to the possibility of a wider use .
í 1 ) OJ No C 73 , 24 . 3 . 1992 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 334 , 12 . 12 . 1985 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E- 734/95 by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission (15 March 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-744/95 ( 95/C 222/22 ) by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE ) to the Commission (15 March 1995) Subject: Biofuels 95/C 222/23 )
The production of biofuels is one of the basic factors in the Subject: Aids to SMUs — projects in Malaga development of products alternative to food products . Can the Commission tell me what SMU projects have been Since these products , being oxygen compounds , will help decided on for Malaga , specifying the size of the Community combat air pollution effectively and improve the quality of contribution, the date of approval and the project-type ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/15
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies WRITTEN QUESTION E-801/95 on behalf of the Commission b peter Crampton ( PSE ) (8 May 1995) to Commission (20 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/24 )
The bulk of Community regional aid to small and medium-sized firms in Andalusia is provided through the forms of assistance provided for implementation of the Subject: Private sector involvement in ERDF Community support framework ( CSF ).
What are the target figures for private sector contributions to the regional single programmes in the UK ? On 9 December 1994 , the Commission approved the operational programme for Andalusia for 1994—1999 . This includes aid schemes for industry which will enable all firms in the region to secure aid in accordance with the While the UK Government has made it clear that it is seeking selection criteria laid down under the schemes . There is no to maximize the private sector contribution to projects to pre-established territorial breakdown within the region . which the ERDF makes grants, how will the Commission ensure that such projects are of general economic benefit to the area concerned and that ERDF grants do not lead to excessive profit ? The Commission is currently considering the proposal for a global grant for Andalusia , to be specifically directed to small and medium-sized firms and managed by the Instituto de Fomento de Andalusia ( Andalusian development institute ). No date for the adoption of this programme by the Commission has yet been set because this depends on the Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies examination now going on . However , the Commission on behalf of the Commission hopes that a decision can be taken before the summer . (8 May 1995)
In both cases, the selection of projects is a matter for the Member State , which notifies the Monitoring Committee of The target figures for private sector contributions to each operation . The Monitoring Committee ensures that the approved regional single programming documents ( SPDs ) operation proceeds smoothly in order to achieve the for Great Britain ( Objectives 1 , 2 and 5b ) are ECU 1 454 objectives laid down and in compliance with the regulations . million in relation to the operations of the Structural Funds It also ensures that the measures are in line with the as a whole and ECU 1 054 million in relation to operations priorities in the CSF and the aims of the assistance . co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ). For Northern Ireland the targets are ECU 915 million and ECU 601 million respectively .
The Member State provides the chairman of the Monitoring Committee and calls meetings at the appropriate time . These sums represent the direct contribution of the private sector as matching funding and form part of the eligible expenditure to be declared to the Commission . The authorities of the Member State ensure that financial information on the projects is available . The Commission takes the view that, in order to enlarge the total overall programme expenditure and its economic impact, the private sector contribution should be The SME Community Initiative , intended to help small and maximised, subject to maintaining the level of public medium-sized firms to adapt to the single market, could well national expenditure necessary to ensure the required be used to support such firms in Andalusia . The additionality of funds . Commission hopes to be able to adopt a decision on this matter before the summer, once the Spanish authorities have made their proposals . Precise conditions of eligibility, fixed in the SPDs, require that any project, public or private , demonstrates an additional and sustainable benefit to the economic development of the area . The amount of the Community contribution to any project should be fixed at the lowest level that will allow the project to proceed . No C 222/16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Further conditions apply when profits are generated Will the Commission take steps to prevent, suspend or through ERDF-funded projects . Where a project generates possibly demand repayment of the ERDF aid to Lelystad revenue , the grant rate should , in accordance with Airport ? Article 17 ( 3 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253/88 as amended ( 1 ), be modulated to ensure that the return to the private sector is at market rate . The Commission is Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies discussing with the United Kingdom authorities on behalf of the Commission mechanisms for the application of these conditions . (2 June 1995)
(M OJ No L 193 , 31 . 7 . 1993 . The Commission confirms the reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-789/95 ( J ). It considers that investment in airport infrastructure does not qualify for European regional development fund assistance under the single programming document for Flevoland . It has made its position known to the provincial authorities . WRITTEN QUESTION E-821/95 by Nel van Dijk ( V ) With regard to the possible application of Article 92 EC to the Commission Treaty to the financial injection given by the Dutch (24 March 1995) authorities for the development of the airport of Lelystad , the attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the (9SIC 222/25 ) Commission guidelines for state aids in the aviation sector ( 2 ), which outline in paragraph II . 3 that the construction or enlargement of infrastructure ( such as Subject: ERDF aid for Lelystad Airport airports ) 'represent a general measure of economic policy which cannot be controlled by the Commission under the The Flevoland Provincial Executive in the Netherlands Treaty rules on State aid'. intends to make ECU 2 341 920 in ERDF funding available for the expansion of Lelystad Airport into a ' business í 1 ) OJ No C 196 , 31 . 7 . 1995 , p . 49 . airport'. This project involves inter alia constructing a new ( 2 ) OJ No C 350 , 10 . 12 . 1994 . terminal building with a tower and platform, improving the take-off and landing runways ( including creation of a parallel grass runway), extending a runway to 1 800 metres and installing an Instrument Landing System . WRITTEN QUESTION E-827/95 Should the Commission be informed , pursuant to Article 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) of the Treaty, of the Netherlands State aid ( F1 8 250 000 ) to the Commission and the ERDF aid for the expansion of Lelystad Airport — which incidentally is wholly owned by N.V. Luchthaven (24 March 1995) Schiphol ? (9 SIC 222/26 )
If so , has it been so informed ? Subject: Programme of exchanges of experience
If so, has the Commission approved the aid scheme ? Could the Commission adopt a specific management system which is more flexible and better suited to the programmes of exchanges of experience , the implementation of which is If not, is it permissible for Flevoland Provincial Executive to currently being seriously held up by the management sign an agreement or implementation agreement with constraints to which they are subject ? Lelystad Airport and to pay a 10% advance on the ERDF aid , which is scheduled to happen at the end of February 1995 ? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission Is the Commission aware that the environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) concerning the expansion of Lelystad (18 May 1995) Airport into a ' business airport' has not yet begun ? The Commission is currently re-examininig the So long as the EIA has not been completed , is it permissible management arrangements in relation to inter-regional to grant and pay ERDF aid to Lelystad Airport, in the light cooperation , which has exchanges of experience as one of its of the European EIA Directive, the Netherlands EIA Decree objectives . The results of this examination will be made and the condition attached by the European Parliament to public before the summer . item B2-120 of the Community budget for 1995 that all projects which receive aid from the Structural Funds must The Commission would like to emphasize the need for undergo an environmental impact assessment in advance ? regional partners who receive financial and from the 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/17 jt
Commission for exchanges of experience and the transfer of WRITTEN QUESTION E-836/95 know-how to respect Community Regulations governing by Glyn Ford ( PSE ) the administration of aid . These Regulations have in the past to the Commission been published in the procedural guidelines sent to bodies engaged in inter-regional cooperation, and will continue to (24 March 1995) be so . Training workshops have also been organized on this ( 95/C 222/28 ) subject.
Subject: State subsidy for Norwegian stationery manufacturers WRITTEN QUESTION E-831/95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) Has the Commission taken action yet on behalf of ESMA to the Commission ( European Stationery Manufacturers' Association ) over (24 March 1995) Norway's breach of the bilateral agreement, with particular reference to her State subsidy for stationery ( 95/C 222/27 ) manufacturers ?
Subject: The Republic of South Africa and the Lome Convention If not, what can and will be done to rectify the position of the European Stationery Manufacturers ' Association who are What is the Commission's proposed response to the request trading in an unfair arena ? by the Republic of South Africa to become a signatory to the Lome Convention ?
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (2 May 1995) (3 May 1995)
In November 1994 the South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki sent a letter to the EU Presidency requesting The complaint submitted by ESMA in respect of aid 'to open negotiations with a view to establishing the closest allegedly granted by Norway to the Frederik Lindegaard possible relationship with the Lome Convention'. South group was transferred by the Commission to the EFTA Africa also asked 'that negotiations should cover a possible Surveillance Authority, which is responsible for monitoring agreement with the European Union on specific elements aid in the EFTA countries pursuant to Article 109 ( 4 ) of the that might more appropriately be accommodated outside Agreement on the European Economic Area . the Lome Convention, to the benefit of the existing Lome members and South Africa itself'. The complainant was notified that its complaint had been On 29 March 1995 the Commission has adoped a passed to the EFTA Surveillance Authority for verification . communication to the Council proposing draft Directives It was also requested to contact that body direct for any for the negotiation of a new, long term framework for further information relating to the case . cooperation with South Africa . The Commission followed the same twin track approach that is implied in the letter of Deputy President Mbeki . Its proposal is aimed at ( a ) a Protocol to the Lome Convention covering the terms and conditions of South Africa's accession to the Convention, and WRITTEN QUESTION E-842/95 ( b ) a bilateral trade and cooperation agreement between by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) the European Community and South Africa , which could include provisions for a mechanism leading to the to the Commission establishment of a Free Trade Area . (24 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/29 ) With this proposal the Commission gives full support to South Africa's request for qualified membership of the Convention of Lome . Elements for which South Africa cannot be eligible ( like the general trade regime ) or that need Subject: Trans-European Transport Network additional coverage outside the Convention ( like financial cooperation and the political dialogue ) will find a proper framework in the separate bilateral Agreement . What research has the Commission conducted into the macro-economic impacts and indirect economic benefits, of the Trans-European Transport Network proposals ? No C 222/18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Answer given by Mr De Silguy In addition, under the Fourth Framework Programme for on behalf of the Commission research and development for the transport sector, the (4 May 1995) impacts of TEN will be evaluated in detail .
The Trans-European networks ( TENs ) are an essential complement to the single market . The effect of completing WRITTEN QUESTION E-850/95 the TENs according to the guidelines that are currently being discussed is in the process of evaluation . by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission (29 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/30 ) Work is most advanced in relation to the European high-speed train network ( HST), not surprisingly as it was the first network to take shape from a planning viewpoint . As more than half of the priority projects decided by the Subject: Research carried out by the Commission European Council at Essen concern HST projects , and due to the size of the investment programmed , it can be said that The Commission carries out research in its own right and the evaluation of the HST economic impact is particularly relevant . commissions hundreds of outside studies and reports throughout the year . What sources of information are available to the general public and to interested bodies to enable them to find out what work has been published ? How can copies be obtained and how much do these Consequently, as a result of a Council resolution of cost ? December 1990 , the Commission contracted a series of studies on the socio-economic impact of the HST network , its environmental impact, and its effects on employment . The socio-economic profitability of the network has been estimated at 13,7 % , environmental and employment effects Answer given by Mr Oreja excluded . A report from the high level group on the HST on behalf of the Commission network will soon be distributed showing the impact of this (13 June 1995) project and its indirect economic benefits .
A large number of studies made on behalf of the Commission are published and distributed by the Office for The abovementioned studies have a meso-economic sectoral Official Publications of the European Communities . The character , which is very important from a policy and Office advertises them in the same way as its other operational point of view . In addition , the Commission publications . Studies and summaries of their conclusions are intends to finance a study on the impact of inadequate generally publicized in the general and specialized press or in transport infrastructures on the functioning of the internal Commission newsletters which are distributed widely to the market . This study will estimate the opportunity costs circles concerned . Studies are often also brought to the arising for users , and will assess the impact on the EU public's attention at conferences, symposia or other economy of the increased public and private capital seminars . investment required for the adjustment of the TENs to the internal market . Studies which are not published are treated as ' Commission documents' and are accordingly covered by the Commission Decision of 8 February 1994 on public access to The Commission also has access to the socio-economic Commission documents ( l ). Under this Decision , which analyses being prepared for the large TEN priority projects , gives effect to a common code of conduct for the which ensure that those projects make sense from a Commission and the Council , the public has the widest financial , economic and technical point of view . This is access possible to Commission documents , provided always moreover a pre-condition for the attribution of Community that public and private interests are protected . A fee of ECU support for such projects . 10 plus ECU 0,35 per sheet is charged for copies of printed documents exceeding 30 pages . Documents of less than 30 pages are supplied free of charge .
Furthermore , a study is currently under way concerning the (!) OJ No L 46 , 18 . 2 . 1994 . territorial strategies linked to trans-European transport networks . Several aspects, including the economic impacts from the development of TEN are examined . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/19
WRITTEN QUESTION E-853/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-868/95 by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) by Maria Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (29 March 1995) (29 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/31 ) ( 95/C 222/32 )
Subject: ECSC projects affecting the environment Subject: Free movement of footballers Under the 1991—1995 steel research programme (*), financial aid is being provided for projects which affect the environment . What projects are being financed , and is the Article 48 ( 2 ) of the Treaty states that freedom of movement Commission in possession of any firm results yet ? for workers
(') OJ No C 252 , 6 . 10 . 1990, p . 3 . 'shall entail the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality between workers of the Member States as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment.' Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (27 April 1995) However, in the case of football , professionals in the EU Member States do not have complete freedom to work in Member States other than their own , as the national As part of the ECSC — Steel research programme federations restrict the number of footballers from other ( 1991—1995 ), 52 projects were financed which had an countries allowed to play in a particular team . impact on the environment . The financial contribution by the ECSC amounts to ECU 32,61 million and represents 15,4 % of all of the aid intended for ECSC — Steel research What measures does the Commission, as guardian of the from 1991 to 1994 ( l ). So far two projects have been Treaty, plan to take to end this restriction of the free completed and the final reports have been published ( 2 ) movement of workers ? Does the Commission not think while five others are in the process of publication . that, given the amount of European public interest in this sport, abolition of discrimination on grounds of nationality It must also be stressed that Parliament approved specific and in contravention of the Treaty would encourage the appropriations for ECU 1,5 million ( amendment No 853 , general public to feeling that they are part of a true C3-250 , 19 October 1993 ) for the practical application of Union ? the results of research in the steel sector for 1994 . As part of these activities ECU 165 000 ( 3 ) have been earmarked in order to finance a project having an environmental impact . This project began last December and the results are expected for late 1996 . Answer given by Mr Flynn Finally mention must be made of a study involving ECU on behalf of the Commission 1,32 million ( 4 ), the aim of which is to assess the overall (18 April 1995) impact of the iron and steel industry on the environment. This study is based on a Community inventory and is devoted to analysing the scope offered by the use of the best available technologies ( BAT ) in protecting the iron and The Honourable Member's question is currently the subject steel-making environment . Another aim of this work is to of a request for a ruling submitted to the Court of Justice by identify the research and development needed in order to a Belgian court ( Case C-415/93 , Bosman ). The Court is meet the expanding specification as regards environmental expected to deliver its judgment during the second half of protection in this area . This study is at the stage of analysis this year . Under these circumstances the Commission is not and validation of results . A final report is planned for the in a position at the present time to give a definitive answer to end of the year . the question . If the Court finds against the nationality clauses imposed by the sports federations, the Commission 0 ) SEC(91 ) 1193/3 , SEC(92 ) 1281 , SEC(93 ) 330/2 and SEC(94 ) will take the measures which are within its sphere of 368 . competence in order to ensure the effective implementation ( 2 ) EUR No 15626 and 16021 . of the judgment . P ) SEC(94 ) 1731 /5 . ( 4 ) SEC(91 ) 1193/3 and SEC(93 ) 330/2 . No C 222/20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-874/95 mark of distinction and a clear commitment to conserving by Karl Schweitzer ( NI ) and enhancing the beauty of this unique Spanish architectural treasure . to the Commission (29 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/33 ) Experts have already calculated that to restore this historic site, and provide it with an infrastructure which will meet its specific aesthetic and town-planning requirements will cost Subject: Article 100a some Ptas 10 billion . Such an amount could clearly upset the budget of the celebrated Andalusian city . Given the current formulation of Article 100a , can the new Member States maintain their higher environmental Does the Commission believe that it should take the standards , even if this means breaking Community rules ? Albayzin under its protection, welcoming the fact that an urban district of the European Union has been declared a World Heritage site , and make a significant contribution to renovating and restoring an urban district which will , when Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard rescued from its current state of decay , once more constitute on behalf of the Commission a jewel of Andalusian culture ? (2 lune 1995)
Article 100a paragraph 4 EC Treaty provides that Member States deeming it necessary on grounds of major needs Answer given by Mr Oreja relating to the protection of the environment to apply on behalf of the Commission national provisions after the adoption of a harmonization measure by the Council , shall notify the Commission of (13 June 1995) these provisions . The Commission is required , before confirming the provisions, to verify that they are not a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction Due to lack of financial resources and the need to on trade between Member States . concentrate upon on-going projects, the Commission cannot at the present time provide financial support for the The new Member States may apply measures which would rehabilitation of this historic quarter . otherwise be in breach of Community law, in so far as this is permitted by the Act of Accession .
In the field of product related environmental standards , the Act of accession provides for a four-year transitional period during which national rules can be maintained by way of derogation from specific Community legislation ( Annexes VIII , X , XII of the Act of Accession ). It further stipulates WRITTEN QUESTION E-8 78/95 that these provisions shall be reviewed during the by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) transitional period . In this respect, the Commission attaches the greatest importance to the promotion of a high level of to the Commission health, safety and environmental protection, as required by (29 March 1995) the Joint declaration included in the Act of Accession . ( 95/C 222/35 )
Subject: The liberal professions, freedom of movement and membership of professional associations WRITTEN QUESTION E-877/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) In the context of the four basic freedoms enjoyed in the to the Commission European Union, that of those exercising the various liberal (29 March 1995) professions is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the removal of frontiers brought about by ( 95/C 222/34 ) the provisions of the Treaties .
Subject: European Union aid for the Albayzin district of the This achievement is , however , somewhat tarnished due to city of Granada certain practical difficulties which make the movement of those exercising the liberal professions within the Unesco has just declared the Albayzin district of the Spanish Community rather less than entirely free . I refer in particular city of Granada a World Heritage site . This is both a high to the fact that in certain countries , they need to join each 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/21 professional association of the region, area or district in The system of registration by region , area or district depends which they intend to exercise their profession . This means on the territorial organization of each Member State . While considerable expenditure every time they join one of the it is true — as the Honourable Member points out in his area's professional associations , quite apart from the question — that the excessive fragmentation of professional periodic payment of dues . associations presents practical difficulties ( both for a Member State's nationals and for those of other Member States ), the Commission is unable , for the reasons given Could the Commission propose a sort of 'single membership above , to impose on Member States rules governing the arrangements for registering with such professional of professional associations' for those exercising liberal bodies . professions in each country of the Union, so as to obviate their needing to join a wide range of such organizations , at great expense , due to the excessive fragmentation of these (^) See the judgment of 22 September 1983 in Case 271 /82 ( Auer ) associations , a situation which could be avoided by means of [ 19831 ECR 2727 . a single membership allowing the holder to exercise his or ( 2 ) OJ No L 19 , 24 . 1 . 1989 . her liberal profession in any part of the host country ?
Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-903/95 (2 May 1995) by Françoise Grossetête ( PPE ) to the Commission (29 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/36 ) The EC Treaty provisions on freedom to provide services and freedom of establishment do not prevent Member States from imposing on a profession specific rules and regulations, such as a system of compulsory registration Subject: Eco-management and audit scheme with professional bodies , provided that they seek 'to ensure the observance of moral and ethical principles and the disciplinary control of the activity' of the professional Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1836/93 ( ) calls on people in question and that the principle of industrial companies to participate voluntarily in an non-discrimination is observed ( M. eco-management and audit scheme which will enable them to integrate environmental concerns into their development strategy . In order to facilitate exercise of the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment, the Council adopted Directive 89/48/EEC on a general system for the This eco-management scheme could be implemented using recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on technical standards established by Member States . completion of professional education and training of at least three years ' duration ( 2 ). The preamble to the Directive The French standards association has established a states that standard, X 30-200, to enable companies to apply the EEC Regulation . 'the general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas is intended neither to amend the rules, including those relating to professional ethics , For reasons pertaining to French standardization rules and applicable to any person pursuing a profession in the to internal procedures of the European Committee for territory of a Member State nor to exclude migrants from Standardization, it is possible that the references of this the application of those rules ; . . . that system is confined 'experimental ' standard will not be published in the Official to laying down appropriate arrangements to ensure that Journal of the European Communities . migrants comply with the professional rules of the host Member State'. However , this experimental period has allowed the technical merit of the standard to be tested . Its validity has now largely been demonstrated . Member States therefore retain the right to lay down conditions governing the exercise of a profession on their territory provided that those conditions comply with the Could the Commission of the European Union state principle of equal treatment ( as regards rights and whether it considers that the technical content of this obligations ) between Community nationals . standard allows compliance with the European regulation, No C 222/22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 pending a European standard and , if so , for which WRITTEN QUESTION E-923/95 requirements this equivalence applies ? by Maartje van Putten ( PSE ) to the Commission 0 ) OJ No L 168 , 10 . 7 . 1993 , p . 1 . (31 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/37 ) Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1995) Subject: Directive on cocoa and chocolate products
Article 12 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1836/93 ( ] ) foresees that 1 . Can the Commission confirm that it is drawing up a companies implementing national , European or proposal for a new Directive on cocoa and chocolate international standards for environmental management products ? systems and audits and certified according to appropriate certification procedures, as complying with.those standards 2 . Is it true that the draft proposal currently circulating shall be considered as meeting the corresponding allows chocolate to contain cocoa butter substitute fats ? requirements of this Regulation , provided that :
( a ) the standards and procedures are recognised by the 3 . Has the Commission asked its legal service to examine Commission acting in accordance with the procedure whether the draft proposal is compatible with : laid down in Article 19 ; ( a ) Article 130v of the Treaty establishing the European ( b ) the certification is undertaken by a body whose Community, accreditation is recognised in the Member State where the site is located . ( b ) the commitments entered into by the European Union in the Lome Agreement, The Commission recognises the benefits to organizations , and to the level of participation in the eco-management and audit-scheme, that recognition of the standards will ( c ) the obligations set out on the International Cocoa bring . Agreement ?
The extent to which the Commission is able to recognise the 4 . ( a ) If so, what are the conclusions and what opinion has standards presented is limited ; by the wording of Article 12 , the legal service given on the basis of those only national, European or international standards may be conclusions ? recognised . At this time , there are no international or European standards in place . National standards need to be ( b ) If not, does the Commission intend to seek such an in conformity with the rules that apply to these matters . opinion before submitting the new Directive ? With respect to the Afnor X 30-200 pre-standards , the Commission has completed an assessment of the degree to which the French document corresponds with the requirements of the Regulation . It appears to the Commission that this document has the status of a Answer given by Mr Bangemann pre-standard or experimental standard rather than a full on behalf of the Commission national standard , which is the only type of document other (6 June 1995) than a European or international standard which can be given recognition under the Regulation . By the rules of European committee for standardization ( CEN ), Afnor ( Association frangaise de normalisation ) is bound to take no Following the conclusions of the European Summit in action that may prejudice the harmonization that is Edinburgh in 1992 , the Commission was asked to simplify a intended by acceptance of the Commission's mandate to whole series of Directives which were felt to be too detailed , draw up a European standard in this field . This includes including Directives in the foodstuffs sector . Directive enhancement of the status of the pre-standard to give it the 73/241/EEC on cocoa and chocolate products ( ] ) is one of status of a full standard . those Directives . The Commission is continuing to examine the expediency of amending the Directive . To date no Without taking a position on the technical content of NF proposal has been adopted . In any event, the Commission X3 0-200 , the Commission can not propose its acceptance as will make sure that the international commitments to which a recognised standard under the Council Regulation it has subscribed , including the International Cocoa referred to since it is not a full standard and can not by the Agreement, are complied with . rules of CEN ( which has not agreed to observe by virtue of its membership of CEN ) be given the status of a full (!) OJ No L 228 , 16 . 8 . 1973 . standard . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/23
WRITTEN QUESTION E-933/95 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard by James Provan ( PPE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission (15 May 1995) (31 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/38 ) The integrated waste management philosophy is that put forward by the Commission in 1989 in its communication on a Community strategy for waste management that was Subject : Frontier controls in Spain ratified by the Council resolution of 7 May 1990 ( 1 ). Under this strategy the minimization of waste production is Is the Commission aware that Spanish frontier officials are given priority, as is recycling and the extraction of economic still seeking proof of ownership of vehicles and green cards benefit before final disposal . for insurance purposes for vehicles entering Spain on holiday from other European countries ? This strategy has already been followed through in several Directives , including the framework Directive on waste What action does the Commission propose to take to ( Directive 91/156/EEC ( 2 ), which amends Directive remove these difficulties faced by tourists ? 75/442/EEC ( 3 )). In addition there is , in particular, the recent Directive on packaging and packaging waste ( Directive 94/62/EC ) ( 4 ) which , by laying down percentages of waste to be recycled and put to economic use , does not simply leave things to the mercy of market forces . Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission The Commission fully intends to continue to work along (3 May 1995) those lines .
(M OJ No C 122 , 18 . 5 . 1990 . Checks on insurance against civil liability in respect of ( 2 ) OJ No L 78 , 26 . 3 . 1991 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 194 , 25 . 7 . 1975 . vehicles based in another Member State were abolished by ( 4 ) OJ No L 365 , 31 . 12 . 1994 , Directive 72/166/EEC C ).
The Commission has received no complaints that this provision is not respected . If such complaints were received or proof otherwise was presented in this context, the Commission could initiate the procedure under Article 169 WRITTEN QUESTION E-948/95 of the EC Treaty . by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission (') OJ No L 103 , 2 . 5 . 1972 , p . 1 . (31 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/40 )
Subject: Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of modern industrial architecture
WRITTEN QUESTION E-938/95 As part of the construction work on the Athens metro , the by Winifred Ewing ( ARE ) Greek Government and the undertaking responsible for the to the Commission project have decided to demolish the FIX factory, a monument of modern industrial architecture . The (31 March 1995) expropriation of the building for demolition took place with ( 95/C 222/39 ) Community funding and this decision triggered strong protests from many quarters both in Greece and abroad ( the European Association of Architects , various Universities, distinguished architects , etc .). Subject: Sustainable waste management Given that : Does the Commission believe that the management of recycling should be left at the mercy of market forces , or is — the policy of the European Union as set out in the Green legislation required to ensure progress is made towards an Paper on the Urban Environment emphasizes the integrated waste management system, which includes waste importance of modern industrial monuments both for minimization as a priority, in order to achieve long-term the urban environment and for the future of modern environmental benefit ? architecture; No C 222/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
— the Granada Convention endorsed by all members of the Granada Convention fall within the competence of the European Union also provides for the protection of national authorities . modern industrial architectural monuments ;
— Greek law also provides for the protection of such (!) OJ No C 145 , 12 . 6 . 1995 , p . 60 . monuments , and this unique example of modern industrial architecture by the famous architect and teacher of modern architecture , Takis Zenetou has been deemed worthy of conservation ;
Will the Commission say :
1 . whether it is familiar with the above facts ; WRITTEN QUESTION E-954/95 by Wolfgang Nul?baumer ( NI ) 2 . whether it intends to use its influence to ensure that this to the Commission monument can be saved and restored and used for (31 March 1995) contemporary cultural or productive purposes and that the alternative schemes put forward by the relevant ( 95/C 222/41 ) bodies for the metro project are taken into account;
3 . whether it might even suspend funding for this project Subject: Enlargement of the European Union to include until a solution emerges that is more responsible and central and eastern European countries more in keeping with European policy in this field so that the future of this important architectural monument is safeguarded ? Addressing the European Parliament at its sitting on 2 March 1995 , the Commission President, Mr Santer , commented on relations with the countries of central and eastern Europe . He made the point that constitutional and Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission institutional improvements needed first to be brought about before any enlargement could take place , and cited a number (23 June 1995) of examples . In his impressive speech in Strasbourg, President Mitterrand similarly talked of the need to consolidate the Union as it stands, maintaining that Further to its answer of 19 April 1995 ( ), the Commission enlargement must not serve to weaken what we now is now in a position to communicate the following have . information .
The partial demolition of the former Fix factory, as part of What, therefore, in the opinion of the Commission, are the the plans for the construction of the Athens underground , principal economic and security goals and conditions that was required by the project owner ( Attiko Metro ) in its need to be attained in order to stabilize the existing Union contract with the contractor, in accordance with the terms before tackling enlargement ? of contract between them which were ratified by the Greek Parliament on 29 December 1994 . Demolition started on 3 February 19 95 , in line with a requirement on the project owner to speed up the construction work on the basis of a ministerial order permitting it . Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission A month later , on 3 March 1995 , when demolition work (16 lune 1995) was already well-advanced , the Ministry of Culture classified the building as a 'monument for preservation', although in the same decision it also permitted the At its meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993 , the European demolition in question . The decision of the Ministry of Council stated that accession of associated countries of Culture also stipulates that the demolished facades are to be central Europe can take place when 'an associated country is rebuilt later based on the original plans for the factory . able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions required ' and that Alternative solutions were examined . They were not chosen ' membership presupposes the candidate's ability to take on because they presented major disadvantages both for the the obligations of membership including adherence to the project and for urban traffic on nearby major roads . aims of political, economic and monetary union ' and further 'the Union's capacity to absorb new members , while The Commission would like to point out that Community maintaining the momentum of European integration, is also action in the cultural field is an area covered by subsidiarity an important consideration in the general interest of both and that the leading role is played by Member States in such the Union and the candidate countries'. This was confirmed cases . Accordingly, the preservation of the cultural heritage by the Essen European Council in December 1994 , which and compliance with international treaties such as the adopted a strategy to assist the associated countries 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 25 in preparing for accession . That strategy is based upon the The quota alloction will be addressed to the NAFO Europe agreements and on the setting up of 'structured Contracting Parties in the framework of the Special relations' between the associated States and the institutions Fisheries Commission's meeting of 7—9 June 1995 and the of the Union . annual session in September 1995 .
The question of the relationship between the common foreign and security policy and enlargement may be examined in due course by all the institutions and Member States concerned within the framework of the 1966 conference . WRITTEN QUESTION E-962/95 by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission (31 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/43 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-961/95 by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission Subject: Fishing nets (31 March 1995) ( 95/C 222/42 ) Tuna stocks have been preserved without any need for a TAC . This is because fishing with rods is highly selective and has maintained balanced fish stocks . Now, the Subject: Fishing inappropriate use of fixed nets, in addition to upsetting this balance , has resulted in unfair competition against those still using rods . The Community fleet's share of the TAC ( Total Allowable Catch ) for the Greenland habitat is to be cut from the 1994 level of 40 000 tonnes to a mere 3 600 tonnes ( out of a TAC Will the Commission ban this method of fishing ? of 27 000 tonnes ). This would imply a loss of some 7 000 jobs in the fishing industry and related activities .
Furthermore , the principle applied by Canada to the Answer given by Mrs Bonino distribution of the quota , whereby the EU's share was on behalf of the Commission reduced by 90% and Canada's share was tripled, or , in (24 May 1995) other words, half the open-sea quota was reserved for the coastal State , violates the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea . The highly selective nature of fishing for tuna with rods has indeed been acknowledged by the Scientific, Technical and Can the Commission take steps to restore a fair balance ? Economic Committee for Fisheries .
The introduction of driftnets into the tuna fisheries has Answer given by Mrs Bonino given cause for concern and has led to a number of initiatives on behalf of the Commission at international level . (9 June 1995) Under Community rules , apart from the situation in the Baltic where Regulation ( EEC ) No 1866/86 ( J ) permnits the Until 1994 the catch levels of Greenland halibut for use of driftnets up to 21 km long, the length of driftnets used Community fleets were not determined by a total allowable may not be greater than 2,5 km . This rule is to be regarded as catch ( TAC ). They were the result of un-regulated fishing conforming to the spirit of various resolutions ( Nos 44/225 , activitiy in deep waters of the NAFO regulatory area 45/197 and 46/215 ) adopted by the United Nations General developed since 1990 . In this context the TAC of 27 000 Assembly . During last year's tuna fishing season the tonnes adopted for 1995 by NAFO is a first conservation Member States concerned deployed considerable measure devised to reverse the trend of increasing fishing surveillance resources in order to ensure compliance with effort on this stock . the Community rules .
As to the allocation of this TAC amongst NAFO The Commission, for its part , has presented to the Council a Contracting Parties, the agreement recently signed with proposal for a Regulation amending for the sixteenth time Canada on this subject ensures a share of the TAC for Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3094/86 ( 2 ) providing in the Community fishermen substantially higher than that short term for the cessation of all fishing activities involving decided by NAFO at its meeting of 30 January— 1 February the use of driftnets after a transitional phase to allow for the 1995 . economic and social constraints on the fleets concerned . The No C 222/26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 proposal is now before the Council but to date agreement WRITTEN QUESTION E-968/95 has not been reached on its adoption . by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission 0 ) OJ No L 162 , 18 . 6 . 1986 . (31 March 1995) ( 2 ) COMÍ94 ) 131 final . ( 95/C 222/45 )
Subject: The fruit and vegetable sector
In relation to the development of and outlook for WRITTEN QUESTION E-963/95 Community policy in the fruit and vegetable sector, the Commission is being asked to lay down provisions under by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) which withdrawals are used purely as a means of adjusting to the Commission the market so as to manage cyclical surpluses and are under (31 March 1995) no circumstances allowed to become a production target . ( 95/C 222/44 ) Can the Commission take suitable steps to ensure that cyclical surpluses do not become production targets ? Subject: Technology transfers Can the Commission also define and develop measures which provide an alternative to destroying withdrawal The transitional arrangements laid down in the draft products ? Regulation on patent agreements, and the Regulation on licensing know-how currently in force , appear unsatisfactory . Will the Commission stipulate that the new rules and procedures for implementing the agreements will only apply to agreements which take effect after the new Answer given by Mr Fischler Regulation enters into force, since it would be a very on behalf of the Commission complicated matter for firms to apply new rules to existing patent agreements ? (27 April 1995)
In its communication to the Council and Parliament on the development and future of Community policy in the fruit Answer given by Mr Van Miert and vegetables sector ('), the Commission clearly expressed on behalf of the Commission the need to introduce a new way of managing short-term (17 May 1995) surpluses and to eliminate structural surpluses over time .
To this end , the Commission has proposed establishing a The Commission would favour a very long transitional Community withdrawal subsidy set at an obviously period for agreements concluded under Regulations ( EEC ) unprofitable rate for products that now qualify for No 2349/84 ( ! ) and ( EEC ) No 556/89 ( 2 ). Community support . The measure should prevent even short-term surpluses from becoming production targets . It will take steps to ensure that the text still to be presented to the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Article 21 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035/72 on the common Dominant Positions reflects this concern . organization of the market in fruit and vegetables ( 2 ) provides for the disposal of such products withdrawn from the market by various means, including free distribution However, it does not seem appropriate for such agreements to charitable organizations and foundations , to to remain subject to the existing Regulations beyond such a schoolchildren , prison institutions, children's holiday lengthy transitional period as this would result in the same camps , hospitals and old people's homes . The products can subject being governed by two or more Regulations . also be used as animal feed or be put to non-food use .
(M OJ No L 219 , 16 . 8 . 1984 . (') COM(94 ) 360 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 61 , 4 . 3 . 1989 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 118 , 20 . 5 . 1972 . 28 . 8 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/27
WRITTEN QUESTION E-972/95 At the moment, plants obtained have a yield of 40 quintals by Antonio Trizza ( NI ) of grain per hectare with a wax yield of around 18 quintals per hectare . These results are comparable to the yields to the Commission currently obtained in California and Israel, which countries (31 March 1995) are the pioneers of jojoba cultivation . ( 95/C 222/46 ) The pilot project resulted in the production of a high-performance material ( genetically homogeneous Subject: The use of jojoba oil plants, assured yield ), perfect control of cultivation techniques, identification of a prototype for the extraction The jojoba plant, a bushy perennial which grows wild in of wax, and identification of feasible outlets . Mexico, the United States, Greece, Spain, Israel and Italy ( in Apulia and Sardinia ), has been the subject of research and experimentation for a number of years in view of its A mixed technology of wax extraction procedure has been special properties and the many possible uses for the oil perfected in the pilot project . The first, mechanical-pressure derived from its seeds ( particularly in the cosmetics , step , produces a high quality wax-oil, residue free , which pharmaceuticals and automobile sectors and also as a means can be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries . of combating desertification and protecting sperm The press-cake is put through a second solvent extraction whales ). process . The wax-oil is used as a lubricant.
Can the Commission give details of the progress achieved in (!) OJ No L 181 , 1 . 7 . 1992 . recent years in carrying out research and experiments ( 2 ) OJ No L 238 , 23 . 9 . 1993 . relating to this 'miracle plant' and can it state whether there ( 3 ) OJ No L 93 , 3 . 3 . 1985 . are any alternative uses for this product and new prospects for exploiting it commercially ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 May 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION P-976/95 by Riitta Myller ( PSE ) to the Commission As a part of the reform of the arable sector ( Council (22 March 1995) Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765/92 ) 0 ), farmers remain eligible to be granted aid in respect of their obligation to set aside a ( 95/C 222/47 ) portion of their land if they sow certain raw materials on that land which are to be used primarily for purposes other than human or animal consumption . Subject: Support for pilot projects in EU border regions The jojoba bush is considered as a raw material eligible for the scheme , when it is processed into certain Enlargement eastwards , the idea of which is generally pharmaceuticals , cosmetics , and biofuels, amongst other accepted in the EU, requires increasing interaction between 'non-food and non-feed ' end products ( Commission EU Member States and the countries of central and eastern Regulation ( EEC ) No 2595/93 ) ( 2 ). Europe . Structural Fund programmes , such as Phare and Tacis, have been developed for this purpose . A particular In addition to this, the Community has financed a jojoba problem regarding Tacis is that it makes no separate pilot-demonstration project, which aims to cultivate and provision for cooperation between EU border regions and valorize this crop in southern zones of the Community to CIS countries . It is, however, important for this cooperation substitute traditional crops ( Article 22 of Regulation ( EEC ) to be stepped up . This might, for instance , permit the No 797/85 ) ( 3 ). enormous gulf between living standards to be reduced and its attendent problems as far as possible to be averted and prevented in advance . The demonstration field in the south of Italy covered 105 hectares in total in different locations in order to define the zones where jojoba represents a viable alternative . It was In view of the above , does the Commission support the shown that jojoba could be cultivated in Mediterranean possibility of individual EU Member States' developing and countries in so far as there is shelter from wind and winter promoting cooperation in border regions, with, for frost, on non-irrigated land but having possibilities of example , the assistance of pilot projects . If so , what financial watering . Cultivation techniques are relatively well known and other support would the EU give to these pilot now . projects ? No C 222/28 [_EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek WRITTEN QUESTION E-989/95 on behalf of the Commission by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE ) (16 May 1995) to the Commission (6 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/48 ) The Commission attaches great importance to the development of cooperation between the border regions of Member States and central and eastern European Subject: Promoting the European Union amongst small countries . children by means of mascots , symbols and advertising images
For the territory of the Union, the Structural Funds may Awareness of the existence of the European Union is support cross-border cooperation in the framework of the something which needs to penetrate the minds of citizens Community initiative Interreg, on the one hand , and , from earliest childhood , so that it becomes a completely pursuant to Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation ( ] ), pilot integral complement to their sense of their own citizenship schemes for inter-regional cooperation, on the other hand . and membership of the Union . As there is now a common border between the Union and the CIS countries , i.e. that between Finland and Russia , its Specific advertising 'characters' have enjoyed a resounding Finnish border areas will be eligible for Interreg funding . As success as mascots or similar symbols focusing the attention soon as the corresponding allocations per border have been of small children on specific political , social and societal decided , the Commission will invite the new Member States feelings , with ideas related to their having a specific to present detailed proposals for operational programmes collective identity . relating to their border areas . The Interreg guidelines ( 2 ) will apply correspondingly . In the European Union, there have been attempts to create a symbolic nexus of this kind, which would allow children to identify with the socio-political environment in which they As far as pilot schemes for inter-regional cooperation are will have to live their future lives . This was the case of the concerned , partners from the whole Union territory may Sirius mascot, whose development has gone beyond the participate, also for cooperation with partners from areas current advertising world for which it was created . within the CIS countries . A number of such pilot schemes exist already and others might be added in future . Their Can the Commission tell me about the present state of financial and thematic scope will depend on the resources development of creative programmes in this area , and the and the guidelines that the Commission will decide in the current circumstances of projects such as Sirius and others near future for the measures to be supported , until 1999 , which would help small children to identify with the under Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation . European Union ?
There is already a strong regional and cross-border dimension to the Tacis programme . The annual budgets for Answer given by Mr Oreja the larger CIS countries set aside significant amounts for on behalf of the Commission assistance projects in ' areas of regional concentration'. (13 June 1995) Indeed , under the 1995 action programme for Russia , one of these areas will be North West Russia where a range of actions is planned including forestry resource management The Commission fully realizes the importance of making and energy related projects . children aware from an early age of the environment in which they will grow up to be citizens of the European Union . Existing cross-border cooperation in the framework of the Barents Sea council has been taken into account in planning The Commission would like to see children and adolescents the North-West Russia regional programme . growing up with a spirit of tolerance, open and inquiring minds and feelings of mutual respect .
In addition, the Commission has recently proposed a The Sirius mascot to which the Honourable Member refers revision of the Regulation governing the Tacis programme , is a very imporant way — though by no means the only way which , if approved , will make it possible to support in future — of conveying this message . joint cross-frontier cooperation together with the Interreg and Phare programmes . The Sirius character systematically carries a little European passport containing a few simple facts , which teaches the child ( and possibly parents and educators ) basic í 1 ) OJ No L 193 , 31 . 7 . 1993 . information about the other Member States . The passport ( 2 ) OJ No C 180 , 1 . 7 . 1994 . has been widely distributed and a report on its distribution in the first half of 1995 has been sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/29
An even wider distribution is planned and should reach This point of view appears to be shared by the Member schools in the new Member States . In addition to the Sirius States, since only two Member States have established limits project, the Commission considers it important that the for the levels of dioxins in certain foodstuffs , while no European dimension should be given its full weight in Member State has established such limits in respect of curricula for young pupils . It is ready to lend its assistance furans . As an alternative to establishing limits , most for this purpose to Member States' education authorities . Member States have preferred to concentrate on reducing emissions at source . Experiments with competitions in the classroom and in cooperation with regional authorities have produced Following the adoption of Council Regulation ( EEC ) excellent results and will also be continued . No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in foods ( j ), the legal powers of the Commission to deal with questions concerning contaminants in foods have increased substantially . Furthermore as a result of Council Directive 93/5/EEC of 25 February 1993 on assistance and cooperation to the Commission by the Member States in the scientific WRITTEN QUESTION E-993/95 examination of questions relating to food ( 2 ), the resources by Paul Lannoye ( V ) available to the Commission and the SCF to consider to the Commission questions relating to the safety of contaminants in the food (6 April 1995) chain have also increased substantially . ( 95/C 222/49 ) In consequence , the Commission has asked Member States to consider addressing the safety of dioxins and related chemicals as a new task to be undertaken within the Subject: Contamination of food chains by dioxin and scientific cooperation process . In view of the complexity of furans this task, it is anticipated that about two years will be required for its completion . In response to my Written Questions No 2733/90 and No 2734/90 ( J ) on pollution by dioxins and furans and the 2 . Until the evaluation of these substances has been limits for concentrations of dioxins , the Commission completed , the Commission is unable to indicate what indicated on 26 February 1991 that, with regard to the weekly or daily intakes it might use as a basis for any future contamination of food chains by these substances, it had regulatory action . addressed its concern to the Scientific Committee for Food . The Commission also said that, given the large quantity of t 1 ) OJ No L 37, 13 . 2 . 1993 . data to be analyzed , it would take some time before the ( 2 ) OJ No L 52 , 4 . 3 . 1993 . Committee was able to deliver an opinion fixing tolerable weekly or daily intakes for dioxins .
1 . At what stage is the Committee with its work ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-1001/95 If this work has not yet been completed , what are the by Josep Pons Grau ( PSE ) reasons for this delay ? to the Commission 2 . Which weekly or daily intakes does the Commission (6 April 1995) intend to propose for these substances ? ( 95/C 222/50 )
0 ) OJ No C 141 , 30 . 5 . 1991 , p . 17 . Subject: New Community agencies and offices
The Council has set up the following new agencies and offices : Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission — Germany : European Monetary Institute (7 lune 1995) — United Kingdom : European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
1 . As indicated in the replies to the Honourable — Denmark : European Environment Agency Member's Written Questions No 2733/90 and No 2734/90 , the Commission addressed the question of the safety of — Greece : European Centre for the Development of dioxins to the scientific committee for food ( SCF ) in 1991 . Vocational Training ( Cedefop ) However discussions within the committee at that time indicated that the limit resources available should be — The Netherlands : Europol concentrated in the first instance on other questions of — Italy : European Training Foundation greater concern to public health , including, in respect of contaminants , the evaluation of certain heavy metals , — Spain : Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market mycotoxins and nitrates . and Agency for Health and Safety at Work No C 222/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
— Ireland : Office for Veterinary and Plant Health financial support, when the importance of financial Inspection and Control intervention in the sector is recognized ,
— Portugal : European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and 2 . make participation in co-financing under Interreg II Drug Addiction conditional upon a more equitable distribution of funds among the sectors concerned so that the agriculture 1 . What stage has been reached in the setting up and sector is less severely penalized , operation of each of these agencies and offices ? 3 . point out to the Puglia regional authorities that 2 . Have their respective governing bodies been excluding the floriculture sector, firms and members of established ? European economic interest groups is arbitrary and that it is undesirable to maintain the privileges and priorities 3 . Have their head offices been set up yet, and , if so, are of out-dated forms of association, which have been they provisional or permanent ? shown to encourage dependency and patronage ,
4 . To what extent have the State and local authorities 4 . introduce procedures for access to Community concerned helped with and cooperated on the setting up programmes which will protect operators from of the various head offices ? interference from national and regional authorities which is not based solely on technical considerations ?
Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 May 1995) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (9 June 1995) Parliament's resolution B4-61/94 on the implementation of the 1994 budget, passed on 27 September 1994 , calls on the Commission to supply a full progress report on the establishment of all the satellite agencies . The Community Initiative Interreg II is implemented by the Member States through operational programmes and When adopting the 1995 budget, Parliament asked for a projects which they draw up and submit to the Commission full timetable for establishment of the agencies to be laid in accordance with the Commission communication of before it . 1 July 1994 (*). The Commission evaluates the conformity of the proposals presented by the Member States with the provisions of the above communication and , more The technical questions raised by the Honourable Member generally, their compatibility with the various Community are answered in the Commission report transmitted to policies . Parliament on 20 March 1995 , which summarizes in tabular form all the information thus requested . The proposal for a programme for Italy and Greece was A copy of the report will be sent direct to the Honourable submitted jointly by the two Member States . In accordance Member and Parliament's Secretariat . with the principle of subsidiarity, the national authorities defined the assistance priorities and the schemes to be included in the proposal for programme . The current negotiations between the Commission and the national authorities will make it possible to evaluate the proposal in detail in order, where necessary, to make the adjustments WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008/95 necessary to render the programme in conformity with the by Salvatore Tatarella ( NI ) objectives of the Interreg II Initiative . to the Commission (6 April 1995) At the present stage it is premature to say what the final result will be , from both the technical and financial point of ( 95/C 222/51 ) view, in particular with regard to the distribution of funds between the various areas for assistance and the definition Subject: Floriculture of priorities and of the schemes which will form the programme . The Commission will be careful to ensure that a proper balance is struck between the various measures The Commission is about to begin negotiations with Italy envisaged . and Greece on Interreg II . In this context, does it accept the need to : H OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 . 1 . criticize the Puglia regional authorities for damaging the interests of flower growers in the area by taking decisions which in fact preclude them from applying for 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/31
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1015/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1030/95 by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) to the Commission to the Commission (6 April 1995) (7 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/52 ) ( 95/C 222/53 )
Subject: Structural support in areas affected by drought — Subject: Risk assessment within the meaning of Directive the case of the Alentejo region ( Portugal ) 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and the Directive making the first adaptations to If the current state of affairs continues, 1995 will also technical progress ( Directive 94/15/EEC ) witness the effects of drought, which is creating obvious problems in vast areas of the Alentejo region ( Portugal ). Could the Commission provide information on the specific 1 . What criteria have been laid down to govern risk structural support to combat and prevent drought which assessment within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC on was offered to the Alentejo region under the first CSF the deliberate release into the environment of genetically ( 1989—1993 ) and on the funding available and the projects modified organisms (*)? Which bodies and organizations to be initiated under the second CSF ( 1994—1999 ), ( NGOs or environmental protection or consumers ' including, if possible , an annual break-down ? associations ) were involved in drawing up the criteria ?
( a ) Are the risk assessment criteria being adapted to take account of the latest scientific findings , for example relating to gene transfer, the stability of 'naked ' DNA, Answer given by Mr Fischler health risks, or ecological consequences ? What on behalf of the Commission specific procedure is followed when making such (13 June 1995) adaptations ?
( b ) Are the information requirements set out in Annex II to Directive 94/15/EEC ( 2 ) — which adapts Directive The Commission has always been concerned about the 90/220/EEC to technical progress for the first time — problems caused by natural disasters occurring in the based on the findings of long-term studies ? If so, over Community territory, and in particular the drought which what period of time were the experiments conducted ? If has affected Portugal in recent years . In this connection , not, why not ? under the first Community support framework for 1989—1993 , the Commission approved an operational programme relating to the 1992 drought in Portugal . This 2 . Will the Commission also apply socio-economic programme provided for assistance involving : criteria when determining whether to authorize release applications ( as in the case of BST)? — animal feed ; If not, why not ? — interest-rate reductions ; 3 . What attitude is the Commission taking to risk — support for water-supply projects ; assessment in the light of the newest scientific findings concerning the possible transfer of resistance genes from one species to another ( Abigail , New Scientist ) and the highly — the prevention and control of forest fires . significant comprehensive studies on pathogenicity and interaction ( Holmes )? On this programme, by way of additional information , the Commission would remind the Honourable Member of its 4 . According to the findings of research by B. Tappeser reply to his Written Question No 1602/93 f 1 ). and M. Jager ( Freiburg Ecological Institute ), the persistence and stability of free DNA have been grossly underestimated . The implication is that the potential danger of its spread is Under the second CSF ( 1994—1999 ), specific measures to far greater than previously supposed . Will the Commission prevent and combat the effects of drought are not undertake the necessary revision of Annex II to Directive envisaged . 90/220/EEC ( Annex II A, points II(A)(11 ) and ( 12 )) and impose a moratorium on release until satisfactory provision ( i ) OJ No C 251 , 8 . 9 . 1994 . has been made for risk assessment ? If not, why not ?
(M OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990 , p . 15 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 103 , 22 . 4 . 1994 , p . 20 . No C 222/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard are not, therefore, within the scope of Directive on behalf of the Commission 90/220/EEC . (9 June 1995) Commission policy on socio-economic aspects of biotechnology product assessment was described in the 1 . According to Directive 90/220/EEC the risk Commission communication to the Parliament and the assessment is carried out on the basis of the information Council ('). notified in accordance with Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC . The evaluation of the risks is carried out on the 3 . Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC as amended by basis of the latest scientific knowledge . Commission Directive 94/1 5/EC , provides for the consideration of all relevant recent scientific information , including the studies mentioned in the question, when Directive 90/220/EEC was adopted in 1990 and all its carrying out the risk assessment . dispositions, including the notification requirements ( Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC ) were based on the scientific information available in the late 1980's . 4 . Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC already provides for the possibility to take into account the persistence and possibility for spread of genetic material ( including that During the preparation of the proposal for Directive resulting from the degradation of the GMOs ), as the Annex 90/220/EEC consultations were carried out with experts contains information requirements concerning the from Member States , non-governmental organizations dissemination of the genes . ( NGOs ) and other interested parties . Free DNA in the environment results from the breakdown ( a ) Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC has recently been of all organisms , whether or not they are genetically adapted to technical progress through Commission modified , and has , therefore, existed since the start of life on Directive 94/ 1 5/EC . The potential for gene transfer is earth . covered by Annex II A, point II A. 9 and by Annex II B , point D.6 . Health risks and ecological effects are Genetically modified organisms, when degraded , will addressed by Annex II A , points II A 1 1 , IV C 1 —9 , and release into the environment DNA molecules which have by Annex II B points D7 , HI—4 . Naked DNA is not covered by Directive 90/220/EEC since this Directive been released from the recipient, donor or parental organisms for thousands of years . covers organisms . Amendments to the notification requirements can be (') SEC(91 ) 629 , see Bulletin of he European Communities, introduced following the procedure outlined in Supplement 3/91 , European Industrial Policy for the 1990s . Article 21 of Directive 90/220/EEC , according to which the Commission should submit a proposal to the regulatory committee for opinion . The proposed amendments can then be adopted by the Commission if they are in accordance with the opinion of the committee . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1031/95 by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) ( b ) Commission Directive 94/15/EC has been based on the to the Commission knowledge gained by numerous releases of transgenic plants carried out in Member States since 1986 as well (7 April 1995) as worldwide releases and has , therefore , taken into ( 95/C 222/54 ) account the accumulated experience concerning releases of a number of different plant species and inserted traits . This accumulated experience provided Subject: Assessment of the risks posed by deliberate release the basis for the establishment of precise information of genetically modified organisms into the requirements for notifications of genetically modified environment plants . Regarding assessment of the risks posed by deliberate 2 . Directive 90/220/EEC is based on the principle that release of genetically modified organisms into the preventive action for the protection of human health and the environment in accordance with Directive 90/220/EEC ( ! ), environment should be taken and that products utilising as amended by Directive 94/15/EC ( 2 ), making the first genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) should meet a high adaptations to technical progress , can the Commission level of human and environmental safety . answer the following questions : 1 . Does the Commission believe that the findings of release Consequently, Directive 90/220/EEC is concerned with the experiments can be safely assumed to hold good for safe development of such products . According to Articles 6 releases for commercial advantage , which take place on and 10 consents for the release into the environment of a far larger scale and , in general , over a wider area ? How GMOs are granted following an assessment of the risks for does it view the differences in practice and the human health and the environment . Socio-economic criteria opportunities for monitoring ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/33
2 . In the case of higher plants , why does risk assessment and C 2 ( b ). Point B. 3 ( frequency of mobilization of the not entail a requirement to provide conclusive vector or genetic transfer capabilities ) is not relevant in the information about the safety of the vectors used case of genetic modification of higher plants where the ( possible gene transfer , pathogenicity, persistence , vector does not remain in the plant cells in a form that can be possible activation of latent viruses , and so forth ), as is mobilized or transferred as in the case of micro-organisms . mandatory under Annex II A where all other GMOs are Current Annex II B, points C 1 —3 and D 2 ( a ) not only concerned ? cover all the other information requirements concerning the vector which are found in Annex II A, but extent them to 3 . Has the Commission made plans to set up a cover carrier or foreign DNA remaining in the genetically documentation system to keep track of the spread of modified higher plant . organisms which may be marketed , in order that unexpected effects may be detected sooner ? It should also be mentioned that pathogenicity and possible ( a ) If so , what data are recorded ? activation of latent viruses are information requirements concerning the donor, recipient or parental organisms and ( b ) If not, how does the Commission propose to ensure not the vector used . that undesirable and unintentional or dangerous effects are recognized as early as possible and As far as persistence is concerned , it has never been an further harm is averted ? information requirement concerning the vector ( neither in former Annex II, nor in present Annex II A ). f 1 ) OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990 , p . 15 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 103 , 22 . 4 . 1994 , p . 20 . 3 . ( a ) As already mentioned under 1 ( b ), Member States have to give a report on the control of all products on the market under Directive 90/220/EEC and the Commission has in turn to report to the Parliament Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission and the Council on the control by Member States of such products . (9 June 1995) The Commission has no other powers under Directive 90/220/EEC . 1 . ( a ) Directive 90/220/EEC, in particular Article 11 , sets out the information that should be taken into ( b ) According to Article 4 of Directive 90/220/EEC consideration when carrying out the required risk Member States are responsible for ensuring that all assessment for the placing on the market of appropriate measures are taken to avoid adverse products . Results from previous notifications at the effects and for organizing inspections and taking research and development stages are just some of the control measures, where appropriate . elements that have to be considered when carrying out the risk assessment .
The information elements outlined in Annexes II and III extended as necessary to take into account the diversity of sites of release of the product have also to be taken into consideration . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1035/95 by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR ) ( b ) According to Directive 90/220/EEC ( Article 11.6 ), to the Commission the notifier is obliged to inform the competent (7 April 1995) authorities of any new information concerning risks of products for human health and the environment, ( 95/C 222/55 ) while Member States ( Article 18 ) have to give a report on the control of all products placed on the market under Directive 90/220/EEC . Subject: Accident statistics in the EU Furthermore , according to Article 4 Member States are responsible for ensuring that all appropriate Is the Commission aware that is not sufficiently clear how measures are taken in both commercial and complete and how representative accident statistics in the experimental releases of genetically modified Member States of the EU are ? organisms ( GMOs ), to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment . Nor is it known how many people are involved in accidents in Member States other than their own; for example the 2 . A number of the requirements of the original Annex II number of Dutch people involved in accidents in France . ( which with minor modification has now become Annex II A following Commission Directive 94/ 1 5/EC ) were Will the Commission consult the Member States with a view appropriate for genetically modified micro-organisms and to compiling more comprehensive and representative not for higher plants . Former Annex II contained four statistics on road accidents , in the interests of road information elements concerning the vector ( points B 1 —4 safety ? No C 222/34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Does the Commission not agree that safety measures are Answer given by Mr Marin effective primarily where based on the number of accidents on behalf of the Commission by means of transport or other factors , such as the number (12 May 1995) of kilometres travelled or routes taken , in the Union as a whole ? The Commission and the Member States have been following closely the respect for human rights in Indonesia . Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission Concerning East Timor, the Commission and the Member (19 June 1995) States have repeatedly brought to the attention of the Government of Indonesia their condemnation of The Commission realizes that official national accident unjustifiable actions by the Indonesian security forces such as the incident at Dili in November , 1991 ; as well as their statistics as reported by the police or gendarmerie from the support for fair trials and humane treatment for those site of the accident are sometimes incomplete or inaccurate . arrested , for proper access by international organizations ; and for a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable settlement of the East Timor issue , respecting the principles In order to improve the quality of the figures , it would be of the United Nations Charter, and taking into account the necessary to have more sophisticated forms and need to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms , as data-collection methods and these would have to be used by well as full respect for the legitimate interests and specialized teams as the police have neither the training nor aspirations of the population of East Timor . the manpower for this kind of work . On 18 July 1994 , the Union again reaffirmed the need for The information collected by the police rarely refers to the the observance of human rights, particularly as regards the nationality of the driver or accident victims . A breakdown freedom of worship and free access to East Timor for by nationality would be useful if it specifically showed that international organizations . accidents were typically caused by differences in awareness or knowledge of the national highway codes . At the Asean-EU ministerial meeting in Karlsruhe in September, 1994 , ministers emphasised their common The development of the Care database ( Council Decision commitment to the promotion of, and respect for, human 93/704/EC of 30 November 1993 on the setting up of a rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of the Charter Community database on road accidents ) ( l ) will provide a of the United Nations, the Universal declaration of human platform for discussion of these points with the Member rights, and the Vienna declaration and programme of States in order to raise awareness of the problems action . concerned , to make good the abovementioned deficiencies and to highlight areas in which action is justified , in particular at Community level . Recent incidents, particularly on the occasion of the APEC summit in Jakarta last November, as well as the report of the (M OJ No L 329 , 30 . 12 . 1993 . United Nations Secretary General's representative Mr Ndaye , confirm that tension remains in East Timor . The Commission supports the bilateral discussions between Portugal and Indonesia in the United Nations context . It sincerely hopes that these discussions will help to result in a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable settlement of the East Timor issue . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1039/95 by Alex Smith ( PSE ) Throughout this period , the Commission and the Member to the Commission States have kept the human rights situation permanently (7 April 1995) under review . ( 95/C 222/56 ) Very recently the Union through its presidency expressed its concern to the Government of Indonesia concerning the Subject: Human rights in Indonesia and East Timor and the events in East Timor . On that occasion , it was learned that sale of arms to Indonesia two commissions of inquiry had been set up , by the military and the national human rights commission respectively, and that any faults found to have been committed during the Given the European Union's respect for human rights , what recent events in East Timor will be sanctioned . efforts has the Commission made to promote human rights in Indonesia and in East Timor ( which is under occupation by Indonesia ) and can it provide details of the sale of arms The national human rights commission in fact recently and military hardware by EU Member States to the condemned the execution by the army of six civilians at Indonesian regime ? Liquisa , East Timor , in January of this year . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/35
The Commission will continue , in liaison with the Member WRITTEN QUESTION E-1051/95 States, to encourage and contribute to a just and by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR ) internationally acceptable solution , respecting the interests to the Commission of the population of East Timor . (7 April 1995) The Commission is not in possession of information ( 95/C 222/58 ) concerning arms sales to Indonesia . Subject: Quota regulation for the appointment of handicapped workers in the European institutions
Is there a quota regulation in the European institutions for WRITTEN QUESTION E-1047/95 the appointment of handicapped workers ? by Mary Banotti ( PPE ) If so , what are the results of this regulation with regard to to the Commission the appointment of such workers in 1992 , 1993 and (7 April 1995) 1994 ? ( 95/C 222/57 ) If not, why not ?
Would you be prepared to introduce such a quota Subject: Bee-keeping regulation giving qualified handicapped workers preference in appointments to positions within the European Recently the European Parliament called for assistance to institutions ? bee-keepers and honey producers .
Will assistance be paid to domestic bee-keepers and what Answer given by Mr Liikanen controls regarding domestic bee-keeping are currently in on behalf of the Commission operation ? (29 May 1995)
The provisions of the Staff Regulations in respect of Answer given by Mr Fischler recruitment do not specify a quota for the appointment of on behalf of the Commission disabled officials in Community institutions . (8 May 1995) An inter-service working group has been established within the Commission with the object of producing a code of practice for the employment of people with disabilities . The The Commission thanks the Parliament for its careful group will need to consider all aspects of this important examination of the Commission communication ' discussion question . paper on European agriculture' (') and for suggesting interesting lines for further exploration as well as aid measures .
The Commission communication concluded that it is not WRITTEN QUESTION P-1055/95 appropriate to set up a specific market organization for by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) honey nor a global system of support . Nevertheless , the to the Commission Commission indicated in its discussion paper possible measures to improve the production and marketing of (28 March 1995) honey . ( 95/C 222/59 )
These measures would cover the fight against varroasis , the Subject: Rights of foreign nationals in municipal rationalization of transhumance , the management of a elections network of regional beekeeping centres and a study of the production and marketing structures in the sector . Article 8b(l ) of the Maastricht Treaty stipulates that any citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he The Commission will consider the resolution of the is not a national has the right to vote and to stand as a Parliament carefully and it will present as soon as possible candidate in municipal elections in the Member State in proposals for appropriate measures on which Parliament which he resides . On 19 December 1994 , the Council will be consulted . adopted Directive 94/80/EC ('), which defines and partly limits this right .
f 1 ) COM(94 ) 256 final . The right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections in the Member State of residence is expressly reserved , both in the Maastricht Treaty and the Council No C 222/36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Directive, for persons who are nationals of an EU Member WRITTEN QUESTION E-1058/95 State . However, there are millions of people in the EU who by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE ) are not nationals of an EU Member State, but of third to the Commission countries . Such people , some of whom have been living legally in the Community for decades and have put down (7 April 1995) roots in their municipalities of residence ( and , in a country 95/C 222/60 ) such as Germany, where ius sanguinis applies , even their children who were born in that country ), are to continue to be deprived of any rights to take part in municipal Subject: Methods of detecting whether foodstuffs have elections . been irradiated
Is the Commission aware of initiatives in the Member States designed to give such people the right to vote in municipal Pursuant to Directive 89/395/EEC C ) of 14 June 1989 on elections ? the approximation of the laws of the Member States relative to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer, foodstuffs treated with Does it consider it reasonable not only for citizens of the ionizing radiation may only be placed on the market if they Union ( as the Council Directive states ), but also for people bear a corresponding indication . Effective monitoring of from non-member countries who have been living in the compliance with this provision , particularly in countries Member States for many years , to be better integrated in where irradiation is banned , is only possible if appropriate their host country ? detection techniques are available . Would it support the idea of granting special Union citizenship to people, whether or not they are nationals of a Can the Commission provide an overview as to : Member State, which would allow nationals of third countries who were born or have lived legally in the 1 . how monitoring is carried out in the Member States ; Community for five or ten years to vote in municipal elections ? 2 . the techniques and methods of analysis available for detecting whether foodstuffs have been irradiated ; (!) OJ No L 368 , 31 . 12 . 1994 , p . 38 . 3 . which of these methods of analysis are used in the individual Member States; Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission 4 . and whether analysis techniques standardized at a European level exist for detecting whether foodstuffs (5 May 1995) have been irradiated ?
The Honourable Member raises the question whether local 0 ) OJ No L 186 , 30 . 6 . 1989 , p . 17 . voting rights which are granted to Union citizens by virtue of Article 8B paragraph A of the EC Treaty and the corresponding Council Directive 94/80/EC should be extended to nationals of third countries . Article 8B Answer given by Mr Bangemann paragraph A of the EC Treaty, which limits the scope of on behalf of the Commission beneficiaries of local voting rights in the Member State of (22 May 1995) residence to Union citizens , forms part of the provisions of the EC Treaty devoted to Union citizenship . Some Member States have introduced such rights for third country nationals residing on their territory . This is the case of The Commission every year receives general statistical Denmark , Ireland , Netherlands , Finland and Sweden . figures on the annual results of the inspections carried out in the Member States pursuant to Article 14 of Directive For its part, the Commission both in 1976 in its first action 89/397/EEC on the official control of foodstuffs (*). The programme in favour of migrant workers and their results received clearly show that a high level of control is families { l ), and later in its guidelines for a Community carried out with regard to the conformity of the labelling policy on migration ( 2 ) subscribed to the objective of full and the presentation of foodstuffs . However, these results participation by immigrants in local elections and cover the main categories of inspection and do not make it considered that the granting of local voting rights to third possible to identify specific cases of inspection of labelling country nationals by Member States would constitute with regard to irradiation . an important supplementary tool for a successful integration . In view of the opinion expressed by Parliament, the Commission has embarked upon a concerted action for the (!) Suppl . 3/76 — Bull . EC . development of methods for the detection of irradiated ( 2 ) Suppl . 9/85 — Bull . EC . foodstuffs . Six methods have been developed for the detection of certain irradiated products or categories of producs based on the following : 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/37
( a ) analysis of the electronic paramagnetic resonance tural projects relating to oilseed production . If any projects ( EPR ) or the electron spin resonance ( ESR ) spectrum of receive national aid , they must respect the provisions of the bones in meat or fish, the stones or kernels , skins or Articles 92—94 of the EC Treaty . shells and dry parts of fruit or nuts containing cellulose, for example berries , pistachios , prunes , hazelnuts, etc . Without details of the specific programmes to which the and fresh fruit containing crystallized sugar ; Honourable Member refers, the Commission cannot comment about their compatibility with Community ( b ) gas chromatography of foodstuffs containing fats or legislation . raw chicken meat, pork or whole raw eggs (2 alkyl-cyclobutanone mass spectrometry ) and of raw As regards the possibility for Austria to make degressive chicken meat, pork and beef ( hydrocarbon analysis ); transitional payments to producers of oilseeds , Austria is constrained in the same manner as the other Member States , ( c ) thermoluminescence analysis of the silicated minerals by the terms of the Memorandum of understanding on in condiments, spices and mixtures thereof and in oilseeds which was approved by Council Decision vegetables, fresh fruit and seafood . 93/355/EEC ( l ).
The effectiveness of these methods has resulted in their Paragraph 3 of this Memorandum excludes the Community official adoption by some Member States . from engaging in any market support expenditure in respect of rape and colza seeds , sunflower seeds and soya beans The Commission has given the European Committee for except in accordance with the terms and conditions Standardization ( CEN ) a mandate to convert these methods provided by Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765/92 ( 2 ). into European standards . CEN has already called for comments on the preliminary draft standards for five of the The proposals for transitional degressive payments methods to be submitted by 22 June 1995 . If no comments specifically for oilseed producers made by Austria would have been received by that date , the first standard methods constitute market support expenditure on oilseeds and their for irradiant foodstuffs will subsequently enter into terms do not fall within the scope of Council Regulation force . ( EEC ) No 1765/92 . Therefore , the Community must preclude these payments . With regard to the sixth method in respect of fresh fruit as referred to in ( a ) above, the preliminary draft standard will The Commission cannot condone any type of payment be drawn up at a later date to allow for the scope to be being made to oilseed producers in Austria that would lead extended . to a breach of the terms of the Blair House agreement by the Community . H OJ No L 186 , 30 . 6 . 1989 . (M OJ No L 147 , 18 . 6 . 1993 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 181 , 1 . 7 . 1992 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1060/95 by Mathias Reichhold ( NI ) WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1063/95 to the Commission by Peter Crampton ( PSE ) (7 April 1995) to the Commission ( 95/C 222/61 ) (7 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/62 ) Subject: Oil seeds Subject: European Regional Development Fund after In Austria , there are a number of oil seed projects based on 1997 very generous support schemes . What time scale does the Commission envisage for deciding Will it be possible to maintain such schemes ? eligible areas for ERDF funding for the period commencing 1 January 1997 ? Can the degressive compensatory payments be effected in the form envisaged by Austria ? If not, what alternatives does Which ( if any ) Member States has the Commission entered the Commission propose ? into discussion with about post-1997 ERDF eligibility ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1995) (8 May 1995)
Under the terms of the Accession Treaty, Austria must apply The current lists of areas eligible under the regional prevailing Community legislation in respect of any agricul objectives of the Structural Funds were introduced with No C 222/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 effect from 1 January 1994, or 1 January 1995 in the case of appropriate consultations to arrive at a proposal which the three new Member States . These lists remain in force for excludes fighting bulls, but without affecting the same the period to the end of 1999 with the exception of the list of producer's right to rear other beef cattle . regions in industrial decline , eligible under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds, where assistance is planned and implemented on a three-yearly basis . Actions are Concerning repayment, in its reply to a certain number of co-financed from both the European Regional Development oral and written questions formulated in 1994 , the Fund and the European Social Fund in Objective 2 Commission has already pointed out that fighting bulls are regions . not expressly excluded from the premium system intended for the male bovine cattle which has existed since 1987 . Consequently, since there is no fraud , it is not legally The current programming period for Objective 2 regions , justifiable to seek repayment of the Community subsidies except for those in two of the new Member States, comes to granted to this type of cattle . an end on 31 December 1996 , which will provide an opportunity to review the list of eligible areas in Article 9 ( 6 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052/88 , as amended ( [ ). It is envisaged that this review will commence at the beginning of 1996 to allow a smooth transition to the next generation of Objective 2 programmes due to begin on 1 January 1997 . The review will be conducted under the partnership arrangements and the Commission will begin consultations WRITTEN QUESTION E-1078/95 early in 1996 with all the Member States concerned . by Vassilis Ephremidis ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission ( ] ) OJ No L 193 , 31 . 7 . 1993 , p . 5 . (12 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/64 )
Subject: The agricultural sector in Greece WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 064/95 by James Provan ( PPE ) The agricultural sector in Greece plays a major role in the to the Commission country's economy . It employs 22% of its working population and accounts for 33,1 % of the value of Greek (7 April 1995) exports and 16,3% of GDP . ( 95/C 222/63 ) Although the balance of trade in the agricultural sector was in Greece's favour until the country joined the EEC , since Subject: Beef premiums membership there has been a downward trend because of the CAP ( common agricultural policy ) and in recent years it Has the Commission any current initiatives to look at has been badly affected by the difficulties of transport funding of producers of male bovines in Spain whose bulls through former Yugoslavia ( the embargo , the war etc .). are to be used in bullfights ? Between 1961 and 1991 investment in agriculture fell from If not, will the Commission act to deprive such producers of 17% to 5% and , although many of the crops grown in Community funding or seek ways in which the subsidy Greece are in short supply in the European Union ( e.g. granted to them can be repaid ? cotton , tobacco, raisins ) measures are being taken to cut back even further . The result of this is a need to import from third countries and the abandonment of farmland in Greece which has a direct impact on the ecological balance in the areas concerned . Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 May 1995) Productivity in this sector in Greece is 55 % of the Community average with an added value per farm of ECU 9 100 is opposed to ECU 16 500 for the EU in 1990/91 , a situation which will deteriorate once the GATT agreement is In the context of last year's price fixing, the Commission implemented . proposed as a market measure , to limit the second of the two premia to steers . Under this measure, all bulls which could be considered for selection for bullfights would be excluded Farmers' incomes are plummeting as prices remain stable or from this premium . However, the Council did not adopt even fall while the prices of raw materials ( seeds, fertilizers , that proposal . At this moment, the Commission is making pesticides etc .) are rising . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/39
In view of the fact that abandonment of farming will WRITTEN QUESTION E-l079/95 exacerbate the unemployment problem since a dwindling by Joan Colom i Naval ( PSE ) Greek industrial sector cannot absorb the surplus labour and given that de-population of the countryside will cause to the Commission environmental problems , does the EU have plans specifically (12 April 1995) for Greece , for measures to compensate for the dramatic ( 95/C 222/65 ) impact on the Greek agricultural economy , or will this disastrous situation continue to worsen as powerful interests in certain EU countries would like ? Subject: Irradiation of vegetables from the Netherlands
Recently there has been a large increase in the quantity of Answer given by Mr Fischler vegetables on European markets which can be kept for on behalf of the Commission longer than the normal period . (17 May 1995) According to criticisms voiced by several consumer associations , these vegetables — particularly lettuces and The Commission is at one with the Honourable Member in radishes — have been subjected to irradiation processes acknowledging the vital importance of agriculture to the banned under Community rules . Greek economy , particularly as regards employment and the social and economic equilibrium of many Greek regions . Can the Commission refute these accusations ? Can it provide guarantees that the proper phytosanitary checks The Commission notes that in 1994 Greece enjoyed one of have been carried out ? Can it banish all fears concerning the highest increases in farming incomes in the Community, unfair competition and health risks ? estimated by Eurostat at 11% . Farming income has also risen over time , by 64,5 % in real terms between 1973 and 1993 .
Answer given by Mr Bangemann Furthermore , the Greek rural and farming community is one on behalf of the Commission of the primary beneficiaries of Community structural measures . All of Greece is classed as an Objective 1 region (8 June 1995) and since accession the country has received ECU 2 600 million from the EAGGF Guidance Section, or 12% of the total ; in contrast, the Greek contribution to the The Commission cannot confirm the allegations of Community's final agricultural output is only 5% . consumer organizations that the better keeping quality of vegetables that has been seen on the European markets of late is to be attributed to treatment by ionizing EAGGF Guidance Section commitments radiation .
Greece Europe % ( in ECU million ) ( in ECU million ) According to the information available , only the United Kingdom has permitted the irradiation of vegetables up to 1981 17,356 715,397 2,43 now, not that it is known whether any application has been made for a licence for this . 1982 30,333 781,719 3,88 1983 84,977 926,785 9,17 1984 111,094 842,505 13,19 The Commission cannot comment on the implementation of control procedures , since these are the responsibility of 1985 137,886 898,293 15,35 the Member States . It has , nevertheless , developed detection 1986 139,549 972,534 14,35 methods for certain foodstuffs , which will shortly be put 1987 105,141 939,974 11,19 into the form of European standards ( see the Commission's answer to Written Question E- 105 8/95 from Mrs 1988 148,610 1 180,000 12,59 Schleicher i 1 )). Some Member States have already officially 1989 235,297 1 461,991 16,09 adopted these methods . 1990 270,165 1 925,676 14,03 1991 274,205 2 408,159 11,39 Furthermore , the proposal for a Directive on foods and food 1992 392,200 2 874,814 13,64 ingredients treated with ionizing radiation ( 2 ), presented to the Council as far back as 1988 , provides for control 1993 383,243 2 995,910 12,79 procedures for the installations used and the implemenation 1994 266,288 3 335,426 7,98 of the process , both on Community territory and in third countries . It authorises the treatment of a small number of Total 2 596,344 22 259,183 11,66 products , which would be entered in a Community list . No C 222/40 ΓΕΝ Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
The Commission's proposal was justified by the conclusions Strasbourg on 30 and 31 March 1995 , a new stage in the of the most competent authorities , notably the World formulation of the European spatial development Health Organization ( reports for 1981 and 1992 ) and the perspective ( ESDP ) is now to commence with the Scientific Committee for Food ( 1986 ). None of these reports preparation of a ' desired scenario ' ( scenario volontariste ) attributes any human health risks to ionization if the that will be the subject of an interim document for procedure is applied correctly . On the other hand , it is examination at the ministerial meeting to be held during considered to be one of the best ways of destroying the Spain's Presidency . pathogenic organisms transmissible via foodstuffs, some of which, like salmonellae and campylobacteria , are kept in in check only by ionization . As in the case of the trend scenarios examined at Strasbourg, this 'desirable development' scenario will be translated into maps and will deal with the major transnational As to the possibility of disinfection of foodstuffs by means of development planning areas , in particular the chemicals, this alternative is not always possible since Mediterranean Arc , the Alpine Arc and the Atlantic Arc , but certain of these substances are prohibited or undesirable also other areas such as the maritime basins of the Baltic and since they are harmful to health or the environment the North Sea and the river basins of the Rhine and Meuse , ( ethylene oxide , methyl bromide , ethylene dibromide ). recently affected by widespread flooding .
On the other hand , the lack of Community legislation on ionization does not allow the treatment conditions of imported food to be checked either .
For all of these reasons, the Commission regrets Member WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088/95 States' unwillingness to adopt Community rules for the by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) treatment of foods with ionizing radiation . to the Commission (12 April 1995) ( l ) See page 36 of this Official Journal . ( 2 ) OJ No C 336 , 31 . 12 . 1988 . ( 95/C 222/67 )
Subject: EC aid to development projects in Uruguay
What major projects ( exceeding ECU 500 000 ), either carried out in the years 1980—1994 or still in progress , WRITTEN QUESTION E-1081/95 particularly in the fields of industrial development, by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) dam-building and infrastructure , has the Commission co-financed in Uruguay ? to the Commission (12 April 1995) Does the Commission have any plans to finance and ( 95/C 222/66 ) implement such projects in Uruguay in 1995 and 1996 ?
Subject: Development of the European area Answer given by Mr Marin How does the Commission envisage integration of the on behalf of the Commission major regional and transnational development areas of (12 May 1995) Europe , such as the Mediterranean Arc, the Alpine Arc and the Atlantic Arc , into the development plan for the European area ? Uruguay is a middle-income country , which benefits mainly from economic forms of cooperation .
Such cooperation takes the form mainly of a transfer of Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies know-how to diversify production and modernize State on behalf of the Commission structures . (17 May 1995) No infrastructure work is planned .
Subsequent to the informal meeting of ministers responsible for regional policy and development planning held in 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/41
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1093/95 safety of the combined ingredients of certain types of by Karl Schweitzer ( NI ) industrially manufactured food for mass consumption ? In other words , additives are evaluated individually, but the to the Commission question is whether the Commission has studies evaluating (12 April 1995) finished products as they are available in the shops , ( 95/C 222/68 ) analysing possibile interactions between additives , potentiation, metabolites etc .?
Subject: Ostrich farming
Ostriches did not have uropygial glands, the secretions from Answer given by Mr Bangemann which are used by our indigenous birds to oil and thus on behalf of the Commission waterproof their feathers . In the cold , wet climate of (22 May 1995) northern Europe it is impossible to keep ostriches in the conditions they require . What measures will the Commission take against this form of livestock farming , which is inappropriate to the species concerned ? All food additives contained in the recently adopted Directives 95/2/EC (*), 94/3 5/EC and 94/36/EC ( 2 ) of the Parliament and the Council were evaluated by the Scientific committee for food and found acceptable for human Answer given by Mr Fischler consumption . on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1995) The evaluation by this Committee involves a wide range of scientific disciplines and indeed interactions between different food additives and interactions of food additives It is true that ostriches and emus lack a preen gland and so with food constituents are considered . For example, the do not have the ability to oil their feathers to provide a committee examined the effects of the use of sulphites on waterproof plumage . vitamin B1 containing foodstuffs and established acceptable daily intakes for groups of additives . Recommendations on the welfare of ratites ( ostriches , emus and rheas ) are currently under discussion in the Standing committee of the European convention for the protection of The detailed scientific opinions of the committee , including, animals kept for farming purposes . The Community is a where necessary, the effects mentioned by the Honourable Contracting Party to this convention . In formulating its Member , are published in the reports of the committee . recommendations , the committee takes full account of the These reports are sent to the Parliament on a regular biological characteristics of the animal under discussion . basis .
( 1 ) OJ No L 61 , 18 . 3 . 1995 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 237, 30 . 6 . 1994 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 103/95 by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission (12 April 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1 104/95 ( 95/C 222/69 ) by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission Subject: Food additives (12 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/70 ) European Union legislation on foodstuffs constitutes a genuine legal instrument . Extensive harmonization has been achieved , but it has not been possible to convey a message of confidence and security to the general public . Consumers Subject: Problems in applying the principle of mutual are uneasy and mistrustful at the increasing consumption of recognition industrially manufactured food containing on average about a dozen additives of various kinds such as colourings , In 1994 there was still considerable difficulty in definitively anti-oxidants , emulsifiers etc ., of complex chemical removing non-tariff barriers , in connection with the composition . application of the principle of mutual recognition which , in product sectors where there is no Community Does the Commission have specific technical reports harmonization, allows the relevant authorities in the evaluated by the Scientific Committee on foodstuffs on the purchasing countries to recognize the regulations of the No C 222/42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 other Member States . What action does the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION P-1118/95 intend to take to ensure that the principle of mutual by Irini Lambraki ( PSE ) recognition is respected ? to the Commission (5 April 1995) Can consideration be given to a regulation applying the ( 95/C 222/71 ) principle of mutual recognition under which as a general rule it would be automatically applied , and in the event of a discrepancy , the matter would be brought before a Commission arbitration committee , but without paralysing Subject: Deduction of income tax from agricultural trade in the disputed product ? production subsidies
On 20 March 1995 the Agricultural Bank of Greece authorized the deduction of income tax from production premiums for agricultural products pursuant to Greek Law 2065/92 . Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1995) Are such deductions consistent with Community law and , if not, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that the premium system operates properly and to protect farmers ' incomes ? In accordance with the interpretation given by the Court of Justice in its ' Cassis de Dijon' judgment ( J ) and confirmed by all subsequent judgments in the field , any product lawfully produced and marketed in a Member State may, as a general Answer given by Mr Fischler rule , be imported to , and marketed in , any other Member on behalf of the Commission State . However, obstacles to free movement within the Community resulting from disparities between national (8 May 1995) rules may be accepted in so far as those rules are appropriate and not excessive in order to satisfy mandatory requirements of public interest . Community law does not prevent the application and enforcement of national taxation on the income of farmers , or of any other citizens of the Community . Provided In this connection , Member States may not conduct tests national taxation systems do not violate the fundamental and checks already carried out in the Member State of principles laid down in the Treaty, Member States are free to production and are required to recognize the relevant conduct their own income tax policy . certificates issued by that Member State . Nor may they make the marketing on their territory of goods produced in other Member States subject to prior checks except where The principle of Member States ' autonomy was confirmed serious and specific health risks are involved . Accordingly , for the agricultural sector by several judgments of the Court compliance with the principle of mutual recognition of of Justice C ). The Court of Justice founded this national laws which have not been harmonized at interpretation in particular on Article 39 ( 2 ) ( c ) EC Treaty Community level is already one of the obligations directly which states that, in working out the common agricultural incumbent on Member States by virtue of Article 30 of the policy, account is to be taken of the fact that in the Member EC Treaty, as interpreted by the Court . States agriculture constitutes a sector closely linked with the economy as a whole . The Court's case law also reveals that an incompatibility with the provisions of the Treaty on As regards the proposed measures to facilitate application of agriculture, or with the provisions on the common the principle of mutual recognition between Member States , organizations of the markets , would exist only to the extent the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the to which the tax had the effect, in particular as a result of its proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision influence on price formation or through the change in the establishing a procedure for the exchange of information on structure of agricultural holdings which might result national measures derogating from the principle of the free therefrom, of impeding the functioning of the common movement of goods within the Community ( 2 ), and to the organization of the markets . Whether this is the case can discussions on this proposal . only be determined on a case by case basis . At present, the Commission does not dispose of the information to conclude that the market mechanisms are indeed affected in ( ! ) Case 120/78 Rewe-Zentral AG v . Bundesmonopolverwaltung such a negative way by law No 2065/92 . für Branntwein [ 1979 ] ECR 649 . ( 2 ) COM(93 ) 670 final , OJ No C 18 , 21 . 1 . 1994 . As regards the question of the Honourable Member whether income taxes due by farmers can be recovered by the Greek State through a set-off against subsidies payable under the common agricultural policy , the answer must be that, in 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/43
principle, such a method of recovery is not incompatible France and in return French fishermen suspend their activity with Community law, provided set-off is allowed under for a fixed period . Greek law and is applied without discrimination against Community subsidies . The Commission is , however, of the opinion that the agricultural subsidies paid under the What mechanism does the Commission have to check that so-called 'compensatory payment schemes' provided for by this agreement on catch distribution is honoured ? the 1992 reform of the common agricultural policy, cannot be subjected to set-off. This conclusion follows from the provision in the relevant Regulations ( Council Regulations What measures will the Commission take if it is shown that ( EEC ) Nos 615/92 ( oilseeds ), ( EEC ) No 1765/92 ( arable either of the parties is not complying with the agreements , crops ) and ( EEC ) No 805/68 ( beef) specifying that the aid reached and currently in force ? must be paid in full to the beneficiary . A similar provision is laid down in Article 21 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253/88 on structural aid .
( ! ) See , e.g. , Joined Cases 36 and 71 /80 , Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ECR 1981 , P. 750 and 297/82 , Joint answer to Written Questions Samenwirkende Danske Landboforeninger, ECR 1983 , E-1126/95 and E-1128/95 p. 3299 . given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (1 June 1995)
At the Fisheries Council in December 1994 , France and WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 126/95 Spain informed the Council and the Commission that a by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) ' Franco-Spanish fisheries committee ' had been instituted to and Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) examine and discuss all pertinent issues arising from the exchange of quota . Consequently , this Committee is , in the to the Commission Commission view, the appropriate forum to discuss and (20 April 1995) decide upon the issues referred to in the Honourable ( 95/C 222/72 ) Members ' questions .
Subject: Fixed periods for anchovy fishing The 1995 quota for anchovy agreed between Spain and France is being monitored in the usual manner , that is to say, the French authorities communicate to the Commission the The fisheries ministries of Spain and France have signed an quantities taken by the French fleet . Due to adverse weather agreement whereby between 20 March and 1 June French conditions on the fishing grounds in the early part of 1995 , inshore fishermen will suspend their activities in the catches are well below the levels taken in previous years . The anchovy fishing season to allow Spanish fishermen to fish Commission will of course continue to monitor catches and over those months . to accompany the Member States ' inspectors on their missions to ensure that national authorities are recording and checking the quantities landed . What would be the Commission's attitude if the agreement were not respected by either party ? In order to find a solution to the problems in the anchovy fishery, which basically arise from gear conflicts and quota distribution between the two Member States concerned , the WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 128/95 Commission had encouraged these to agree bilaterally on appropriate measures to end the recurring difficulties . The by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) Commission thinks that the quota arrangement and the and Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) establishing of a Franco-Spanish fisheries committee are to the Commission excellent moves to deal with this controversial matter on a (20 April 1995) long-term basis . In the — hypothetical — case of one of the parties not respecting the engagements undertaken , the ( 95/C 222/73 ) above committee appears to be the competent body to settle any possible dispute . Under the aspect of subsidiarity, the Commission would only intervene if so requested by the Subject: Fisheries agreement between Spain and France Member States concerned .
The French and Spanish Governments maintain bilateral agreements whereby Spain cedes 9 000 tonnes of anchovy to No C 222/44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 129/95 A 'Movement for the protection of the Rock Art of the Coa by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ), Valley' has been set up by associations of local secondary Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) and Josep Pons Grau ( PSE ) school pupils ( Vila Nova de Foz Coa ) and university students ( Universities of Tras-Montes , Minho and Evora to the Commission and the Arts Faculty of Oporto ) dedicated to preserving (20 April 199S) what they call 'the greatest open-air rock art heritage site in ( 95/C 222/74 ) the world'; amongst other activities , the Movement has been organizing visits by Portuguese political and cultural bodies . Subject: The drought in Spain However , there is a need for studies to be carried out and for At its part-session in March 1995 Parliament adopted a the countryside around the 'palaeolithic sanctuary' to be resolution on the effects of the drought in Spain ( B4-414 , systematically surveyed — since it is already known that 457 and 474/95 ). there are buried boulders with carvings on them , while other as yet unidentified remains run the risk of being left What action has the Commission taken on this protected . These studies and surveys need to be made as a resolution ? matter of urgency, and will require considerable funding .
What measures has it taken or does it intend to take once the I would ask the Commission whether , following the negative effects of the prolonged drought in Spain have been examples of other initiatives such as Conimbriga , its DG X ascertained and analysed ? might not take an interest in this discovery in view of its attested historical cultural and scientific interest; and whether it should not promote or corporate in the systematic study of the site and in protecting it and Answer given by Mr Fischler developing its potential ? on behalf of the Commission (10 May 1995) Answer given by Mr Oreja The Commission has taken note of the points made in on behalf of the Commission Parliament's resolution on the effects of the drought in (13 June 1995) Spain .
It has always regarded the question of natural disasters , The Commission informs the Honourable Member that, including drought in certain areas of the Community, with according to Article 128 EC Treaty and the principle of considerable concern . subsidiarity, this matter is dealt exclusively by the national authorities . The Commission is considering the various aspects of the resolution so that it can decide on the action to be taken in However , the project in question could , possibly, be the light of the applicable rules and available finance . considered within the framework of the actions envisaged in the Commission's proposal for a Parliament and Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage , the Raphael programme , once it has been adopted . WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 134/95 by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission (20 April 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1151/95 ( 95/C 222/75 ) by Robin Teverson ( ELDR ) to the Commission Subject: Protecting and developing the potential of the major collection of palaeolithic rock carvings (20 April 1995) discovered in Coa ( Portugal ) ( 95/C 222/76 )
The historical and cultural value and exceptional scientific importance of the recently discovered palaeolithic rock Subject: United Kingdom Government's administration of carvings in the Coa Valley in Portugal , have been confirmed United Kingdom sheep quotas by the interest shown and preliminary studies made by outstanding national and world experts and by Unesco ; The EU has set out Regulations regarding the these discoveries must be properly protected and the administration of sheep quotas in the Member States potential of the site properly developed . allowing the national governments a free hand to 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/45
set up and administer a national reserve system for those Resider I and II programmes are concerned with the producers who have not received quota rights for annual development of tourism . sheep premium . Can the Commission say what tourist activities for the The UK Government set up seven different categories in Asturias region have been accepted into the Resider I and II 1993 but in one ring-fenced area the English non-LFA ran programmes ? out of quotas after categories 1 and 2 , leaving the other sheep producers in the remaining five categories empty-handed . This has resulted in hundreds of sheep producers suddenly finding themselves with sheep but no possibility of turning them into a future income . They have been led along by the Government's empty promises of Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission quotas . (17 May 1995) Is the Commission aware of these problems facing sheep producers in the UK and the lack of coordination in allocating quotas ? What can it do to improve the situation The Resider I operational programme ( OP ) for the Asturias of sheep farmers who have been deceived due to the region, approved by the Commission on 21 April 1989 , incompetent management of the national reserve system by provided for spending of ECU 13 million in aid from the MAFF ? European Regional Development Fund over the period 1989—1993 . The total cost of the investments carried out under the programme amounted to ECU 24 million approximatately . Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Investment in tourism accounted for 20 % of total (18 May 1995) programme investment .
The Council Regulation governing the common market Examples of infrastructure investment are the Railway organization for sheepmeat conferred on Member States the Museum at Gijon and the camping site at Infazon, some 5 authority to determine the order of priority for particular km from the city centre . With a view to encouraging tourism types of sheep producer in the repartition of annual ewe initiatives , aid to small businesses was part-funded enabling premium rights from the national reserve . 75 small projects investing in the refurbishment, upgrading or creation of small , mainly family-run , hotels to be grant-aided . The Commission monitors closely the management of the annual ewe premium scheme in all Member States and is indeed aware that, in the case of the United Kingdom, the The Operational Programme for all the Spanish areas number of rights available in the initial national reserve was eligible under the Resider II Community Initiative was lower than the number of rights requested by producers . submitted to the Commission on 8 December 1994 and is at However , the information which is currently available to the an advanced stage of scrutiny . Commission does not appear to indicate that the UK Government has acted outside its competence in this matter . Although the programme has not yet been finalized, a measure is planned to promote tourism in the eligible areas of Asturias . It will involve 8,25 % of the Community's Structural Fund aid for the region under the Resider II OP for Spain .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 154/95 Outfitting the Railway Museum at Gijon and measures to by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) promote the region's tourist attractions and improve the marketing of them are planned in particular . to the Commission (20 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/77 ) However, it is worthwhile remembering that the actual projects to be carried out under an operational programme may only be identified within monitoring committees as the form of assistance evolves , while remaining within the scope Subject: Resider I and II programmes of the aims and selection criteria established beforehand .
Among the measures intended to promote new industries to mitigate the effect of the decline of the steel industry, the No C 222/46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 155/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1157/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (20 April 1995) (20 April 1995) (9 SIC 222/78 ) ( 95/C 222/79 )
Subject: Submission of the position paper on fisheries Subject: Rechar agreements
When will the position paper on fisheries agreements , Among the measures intended to promote new industries to prepared by the Commission in 1994 , be submitted to the mitigate the effect of the decline in mining, the Rechar Council and Parliament ? programme is concerned with the development of tourism .
Answer given by Mrs Bonino Can the Commission say what tourist activities for the on behalf of the Commission Asturias region have been accepted into the Rechar (24 May 1 995) programme ?
The Commission has not yet examined the paper referred to by the Honourable Member . Once it has been adopted , it will be presented to the Council and Parliament .
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (17 May 1995)
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 165/95 The operational programme ( OP ) covering all the Spanish by Graham Mather ( PPE ) areas eligible under the Rechar II Community Initiative was to the Commission submitted to the Commission on 28 December 1994 and is (20 April 1995) now at an advanced stage of consideration . ( 95/C 222/80 )
While the programme is not fully established as yet, it can be Subject: Technology transfer agreements said at this stage that a measure is planned to promote tourism in the eligible areas of Asturias . The measure will attract 2,5 % of the Community aid from the Structural In June 1994 the Commission published a proposal for the Funds for this region under the Rechar II OP for Spain . application of Article 85 ( 3 ) of the Treaty to certain categories of technology transfer agreements ('). The Commission subsequently held a hearing on this proposal The plans include renovation of the former Parador at the on 31 January 1995 . At that hearing European industry port of Pajares and various measures to develop all kinds of unanimously expressed concerns about the effect of this tourism potential , especially through the provision of proposal and , particularly , that it may deter technology appropriate small infrastructure works . transfer in the Community .
Industry is concerned that in deciding to include market The characteristics of an OP should , however , be borne in share thresholds the Commission has not ascertained how mind i.e. the actual projects to be carried out can be decided many technology transfer agreements will require on within the Monitoring Committees as the form of notification to the Commission to be valid . It is also assistance progresses, while maintaining the aims and concerned that the Commission has published no guidelines selection criteria established beforehand . and has no policy for cases which fall above the market share threshold .
Can the Commission indicate how many agreements a year it anticipates will fall above the thresholds , how it proposes 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/47 to handle those cases within its current resources and what ways , this is the worst environmental disaster in this region its policy to such cases will be ? for a quarter of a century . Parts of the mainland around the Baltic, and the islands of Oland and Gotland , which (') OJ No C 178 , 30 . 6 . 1994, p . 3 . contains some of northern Europe's most important breeding grounds , are among the worst affected areas .
The long-term trend has been encouraging . Since the early Answer given by Mr Van Miert 1980s , detected discharges of oil in the area have fallen from on behalf of the Commission 500 to around 300 a year . Despite this , ships persist in (17 May 1995) washing out their bilges and engine-rooms and flushing the waste into the sea . However, it is now rarer for modern tankers to clean out their oil tanks straight into the sea . The Commission is currently considering a number of amendments to the published draft, in the light of comments Efforts must now be made to persuade less conscientious received from business representatives at the public hearing shipowners to recognize the problems that their actions on 31 January 1995 , with the aim of reducing to a minimum cause . As a number of countries are affected , the the administrative burden imposed on European industry, Commissioner responsible should take the initiative to whilst ensuring that the Treaty's competition rules are resolve this problem . respected .
Since the draft has not yet been finalised and the Advisory What measures will the Commissioner responsible for the committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions environment intend to take to avoid a repetition of last must still be consulted , in particular as regards the level at winter's environment problems in the Baltic ? which market share thresholds may be fixed , it is not possible at this stage to estimate how many agreements annually will require notification . However, the revised draft will ensure that the number is not excessive and may be Answer given by Mr Kinnock handled within the Commission's resources . on behalf of the Commission (16 June 1995) As to the Commission's policy towards agreements falling outside the block exemption Regulation, there will be no presumption that such agreements should not benefit from a comfort letter or individual exemption , nor will there be any Governments and industry, including shipping, have long presumption of abuse of a dominant position . Moreover, recognised the damaging effects of oil on ecosystem . In the the Commission recognises that the grant of an exclusive early seventies the International Maritime Organization licence to a larger company may be the most appropriate adopted an international convention for the prevention of means by which small and medium enterprises can exploit pollution from ships ( Marpol ). This convention entered into their technological innovations and that such licences may force in 1983 and has been ratified by almost all maritime therefore benefit consumers . countries . It applies strict requirements to the construction of ships and their equipment, especially for oil tankers .
The convention also regulates the discharge of hazardous or noxious substances . This includes the discharge of oil and oily residues from engine rooms and cargo banks . Recently these requirements of the convention have been WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 170/95 considerably strengthened . In the Baltic more stringent by Per Stenmarck ( PPE ) discharge criteria apply . to the Commission (27 April 1995) The implementation and enforcement of international ( 95/C 222/81 conventions for shipping is however not easy . The primary responsibility for the implemenation of international rules rests with the flag States . In some cases flag States have not Subject: Discharges of oil in the Baltic taken these responsibilities seriously, especially the 'flags of convenience ' States . It became apparent that the ports of call could also play an important role in enforcement . Thousands of birds were killed last winter through oil being dumped into the Baltic, the Sound and along the west coast of Sweden, damaging ecosystems and the tourist industry The Commission recognised this and proposed a Directive throughout the region . The Swedish coastguard has done its on port State control . A common position on this proposal utmost to clear up the oil by mechanical means and was adopted by the Council on 14 March 1995 . It is volunteers have joined in to help contain the damage . expected that the Directive will enter into force on 1 July Nevertheless, the effects are extremely serious . In many 1996 . No C 222/48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
A study on the enforcement in Community waters of safety Would the Commission lend its support to ensuring that and environmental rules will be finalized in the autumn for Microsoft Europe — since we do not have any competitive the Commission . It will identify present practice and best European software producers — implements a policy that practice for enforcement policies within the Community only software that is accessible to all people will be placed on and suggest possible further policy options . It is already the market ? envisaged that it will identify scope for considerable improvement in the policy of international environmental regulations and for the surveillance of European waters and the collection of evidence against violators of the discharge provisions . This will have a high priority . Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1995) The Commission will monitor closely all actions resulting from this study to assess and analyse their effects . The aim is strict compliance of the shipping industry with the international requirements for the discharge of oil and oily Computer interface access by blind or visually impaired waste from ships , which should result in cleaner beaches and computer operators involves at least three interrelated better protection of sensitive ecosystems in enclosed areas issues : like the Baltic Sea area . 1 . Standards , regulations and public procurement implications .
2 . R&D development of accessible computer interfaces .
3 . Availability in the market of the adequate interfaces and WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 172/95 financial , social and service delivery schemes to solve the by Mary Banotti ( PPE ) socio-economic barriers for purchasing them . to the Commission (7 April 1995) The Commission is involved in the following actions ( 95/C 222/82 ) 1 . In relation to standards and regulations issues : Financing studies and workshops ( mainly through the application of the Heart study recommendations Subject: Access to technology for people with disabilities financed by the Technology for the socio-economic integration of the disabled and elderly people ( TIDE ) There are two million blind people in the European programme ( ! )) to introduce the accessibility criteria in the standardization work . Community who may be denied employment and educational opportunities if computer software is not made accessible to them . 2 . In relation to R&D developments of accessible computer interfaces : The access to Windows interfaces has been and is a priority topic of TIDE workplans in As the pace of technological change gathers momentum and all its phases . Two of the TIDE projects GUIB and two thirds of the PCs in the workplace now use Windows , VISA have developed solutions for Windows and does the Commission have any plans to introduce X-Windows, both based on braille and speech . Some of Regulations to ensure accessibility for people with them are already available on the market . During the disability ? project development they worked in close cooperation with Microsoft and Sun ( through the Mercator project ) Will the Commission state how much of the software and have agreements with them to be provided with preliminary versions of software , so that solutions for bought through public procurement for internal use i.e. in blind users can be available earlier . the Community institutions, is accessible for visually impaired users ? In the TIDE programme there are also some efforts devoted to the implementation of tools that will help in Microsoft USA have recently announced their intention to the design of common interfaces that are accessible for speed up the process of making Windows ' 95 accessible for blind and sighted users . visually impaired users and have announced that four new posts will be made available to people with disability in 3 . In relation to market and service delivery issues : the programme development so that in the future accessibility TIDE study Heart has already collected systematic will be considered in the design at the early stage and not information and produced useful criteria for when it arrives on the market . ( This was the case with improvement of the current situation , including the Windows 3 operating system released in 1990 and it took questions related to service delivery and legislation . For five years for blind users to gain adequate access .) However their implementation, cooperation with the Member no such decision has yet been taken in Europe . States is essential . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/49
The Commission plans included in the white paper on WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 175/95 European social policy ( 2 ), especially in chapter VI, 23 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V ) related to the implementation at European level of the to the Commission United Nations 'standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities', are of (27 April 1995) paramount importance to produce effective instruments ( 95/C 222/84 ) for the availability of accessible technologies 'designed for all', independently of disabilities or age conditions . Subject: EU Research in the field of Transmutation Technology The Commission has already established the consultation channels and the user involvement schemes to make possible an effective coordination between the The Joint Research Centre is undertaking research into the different R&D programmes and the social programmes separation and transmutation of nuclear waste , as part of of the Community . the specific research programmes adopted by the Council in April 1992 . f 1 ) COM(94 ) 333 final . 1 . What fundings have been submitted to the Commission by the Joint Research Centre in connection with this research which has now been in progress for three years ?
2 . How much aid has been allocated to the research work referred to above ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 173/95 3 . Has an interim report been submitted on the research by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE/NGL ) work undertaken by the Joint Research Centre ? to the Commission If so , can the Commission forward this report to the (27 April 1995) author of this question ? ( 95/C 222/83 )
Answer given by Mrs Cresson Subject: Rules on tendering on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1995) Does the Commission intend to respond to the Danish Government's call for Directives on tendering to include rules on making it possible to establish environmental 1 . The Joint Research Centre (JRC ), in collaboration criteria , thereby creating a clear legal basis in this respect with partners from Member States , has demonstrated the and promoting comprehensive monitoring of the feasibility of a partitioning and transmutation cycle for minor actinides . The initial results indicate that a reduction environment while counteracting discrimination on in the amounts of minor actinides of 50 % can be achieved in non-objective grounds ? two to three years . The extraction of minor actinides from irradiated fuel has been improved to the extent, that the radiotoxic hazard for final storage could be reduced by a factor of 100 . Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission 2 . In the years from 1992 to 1994, the JRC has spent (28 June 1995) about ECU 4,5 million for R+D in the area of partitioning and transmutation .
3 . The results of the research and development activities The fifth action programme on the environment stresses the of the JRC have been published in the scientific literature need for critical analysis by administrations of their own and in the JRC annual reports 1992—1994 . Reference can operations , including purchasing and procurement policies , also be made to the annual reports of the European Institute from the point of view of environment and sustainable for Transuranium Elements in Karlsruhe ( Germany), where development . In the context of the current review of the fifth the majority of the work is performed in the area of programme , the Commission is examining progress in this partitioning and transmutation . area and will consider whether it is possible to introduce environmental considerations into public procurement at Community level . These reports are sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament . No C 222/50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 182/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 189/95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) by Leo Tindemans ( PPE ) to the Commission to the Commission (27 April 1995) (28 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/85 ) ( 95/C 222/86 )
Subject: Open Competitions for the new Member States Subject: Combating fraud COM/A/904 and COM/A/909
The European Council has asked the Council of Ministers to 1 . Is it correct that the Commission has delegated suggest a joint action to combat fraud for the first half of the correction of the written exams of the Open 1995 . What are the Commission's proposals for ensuring Competitions COM/A/904 and COM/A/909 to the national transparency in the use of the European funds ? administration, who apparently decided to have both the essay question and the case study corrected by dependent Austrian civil servants ?
2 . Can the Community character of these entrance Answer given by Mrs Gradin exams be safeguarded if national civil servants , working in a on behalf of the Commission purely national context, probably without ever being (2 June 1995) exposed to Community affairs , have the decisive say over the results ?
3 . Can the Commission ensure the principle of In 1994 the Commission presented to the Council and the non-discrimination if the Austrian essays are corrected by Parliament a proposal for a Regulation on administrative national civil servants , whereas Swedish and Finnish essays sanctions and a proposal for a convention on the legal are corrected by independent experts ? protection of the financial interests of the Community ( 1 ). The proposal for a convention was put forward in the framework provided for by Title VI of the Treaty on 4 . Can the Commission ensure confidentiality and European Union . The Commission assumes that the impartiality in the process of correction of the Presidency will carry out the wishes of the Essen Summit to competitions ? reach results before the Cannes Summit in June this year . 5 . Is the mode of correction of the Competitions COM/A/904 and COM/A/909 not in contradiction to the The Commission would point out that it attaches great independence of the Commission services ? importance to openness in the fight against fraud , in particular with respect to the Parliament . In this context, the Commission makes a report each quarter to the committee on budgetary control on significant cases of fraud and submits each year to the Parliament and to the Council its Answer given by Mr Liikanen report on the protection of financial interests and the fight on behalf of the Commission against fraud ( 2 ). The Commission also presents its (29 May 1995) antifraud work programme ( 3 ) in which it develops the actions it foresees each year to improve the fight against fraud . These documents are published and available to the Open Competitions for administrators and assistant public . administrators of Swedish, Finnish and Austrian nationality are currently underway . The Staff Regulations stipulate that the proceedings of the selection boards for competitions are On this issue of openness, the Commission would also refer secret . The Commission can however confirm that the the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question selection boards are being assisted for certain of the written E-459/95 by Mr Kaklamanis ( 4 ), on transparency in the tests by examiners from the Member States concerned who management of Community resources . are acting in accordance with the Staff Regulations in an advisory capacity . It is the selection boards themselves (!) OJ No C 216 , 6 . 8 . 1994 . which have the responsibility for all decisions on the marks awarded to candidates . ( 2 ) COM(95 ) 98 . ( 3 ) COM(95 ) 23 . ( 4 ) OJ No C 196 , 31 . 7 . 1995 , p . 30 . The Commission would point out that the competitions are organized separately for each of the new Member States . Austrian nationals are not, for example , in competition with Swedish or Finnish nationals . Nonetheless , to ensure equal 28 . 8 . 95 1 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/51 treatment, the selection boards used the same written tests The intervention products that Senpa made available to the for all the competitions . Red Cross were :
— durum wheat: 19 986 tonnes The Commission is confident that it has taken all necessary steps to ensure both confidentiality and impartiality in these — olive oil : 2 202 tonnes competitions . — butter : 4 115 tonnes
— beef: 4 481 tonnes
The number of recipients was 975 338 , including 105 948 in Catalonia . The Commission has no information on what quantities were distributed in Catalonia . WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 190/95 by Concepcio Ferrer ( PPE ) (!) OJ No L 227 , 8 . 9 . 1993 . to the Commission ( 2 ) OJ No L 82 , 25 . 3 . 1994 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 352 , 15 . 12 . 1987 . (28 April 1995) (9 SIC 222/87 )
Subject: 1994 food-aid programme for the most needy WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1192/95 by Nel van Dijk ( V ) Could the Commission specify the quotas allotted to Spain, to the Commission and to Catalonia in particular, in the 1994 food-aid (28 April 1995) programme for the most needy , i.e. the quantities of beef and veal, dairy products etc ., and name the organizations in ( 95/C 222/88 ) charge of distribution ? Subject: Possible misuse of an ERDF grant for the construction of a golf course in Brunssum , South Limburg Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Has the Commission drawn any conclusions , provisional or otherwise , from its scrutiny of the final report on (2 June 1995) the Europees Stimuleringsprogramma vor Oostelijk Zuid-Limburg ( European Programme for the promotion of eastern South Limburg ) ( See the Commission's reply to my By Decision 93/484/EEC ( ), amended by Decision Written Question E-2181/94 ) ( ! ). 94/177/EC ( 2 ), the Commission adopted the 1994 plan for distribution of foodstuffs from intervention stocks to the Have the Netherlands authorities been informed of the most needy in the Community . Commission's conclusions , provisional or otherwise ?
For each Member State this specified the quantity of each What are the Commission's conclusions , provisional or otherwise , as regards the possible misuse of an ERDF grant type of product requested that might be withdrawn from for the construction of a golf course and hotel in Brunssum, intervention for distribution, within the limit of the financial and how have the Netherlands authorities reacted if at all resources made available for execution of the plan . ( See my Written Question E-1825/94 ) ( 2 )?
Under Article 2 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) What measures will the Commission take if it is established No 3730/87 ( 3 ) the organizations carrying out distribution that a misuse of funds has taken place ? are designated by the Member State . In Spain the Ministry of Agriculture , Fisheries and Food designated the Red Cross , (M OJ No C 75 , 27 . 3 . 1995 , p . 24 . which entered into a cooperation agreement with the ( 2 ) OJ No C 30 , 6 . 2 . 1995 , p . 23 . ' Servicio nacional de productos agrarios' ( Senpa ), the national intervention agency . Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies For Spain the products requested for the 1994 plan were on behalf of the Commission durum wheat ( 30 000 tonnes ), olive oil (4 500 tonnes ), (29 May 1995) butter (6 000 tonnes ) and beef (7 000 tonnes ). These maximum quantities were shown in the plan for indicative purposes since a financial limit applied of ECU 41,6 million Following receipt of the final report on the Oostelijk ( Pta 6 408 million ). Zuid-Limburg programme , the Commission asked the No C 222/52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Member State for additional information . This was received In relation to the funding that has been granted , however, it recently and is being examined . The Commission will ensure is not possible to distinguish the amount devoted to organic that the credits from the European Regional Development agriculture . It must also be noted that the programmes are in Fund are used in conformity with the Structural Funds an early stage of implementation and that information on Regulations . uptake by farmers is scarce . As regards the resources available, the total allocated within European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF ) Guarantee Section for co-financing of expenditure under Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078/92 ( EUR 12 ) in the period 1993—1997 amounts to around ECU 3,600 million .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 193/95 The development and promotion of marketing of organic by Freddy Blak ( PSE ) and environmentally friendly products, as well as consumer to the Commission information, is not undertaken as such at Community level . However , Regulation ( EEC ) No 2092/91 on organic (28 April 1995) production of agricultural products and indications ( 95/C 222/89 ) referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs , has established a standard for labelling, production and inspection of organically produced products , in order to increase consumer confidence in this type of products and Subject: Organic farming consequently promote the marketing thereof. Moreover Regulation ( EEC ) No 4256/88 ( 2 ) on the EAGGF Guidance What EU appropriations have been set aside — and where Section includes in its Article 5 promotion , quality labelling — for and investment for quality local or regional agricultural and forestry products among measures for Objective 1 regions and Objective 5b areas . Within this framework and 1 . converting from conventional to organic farming wherever requested , the promotion of local or regional organic agricultural products has been included among the 2 . developing and promoting the marketing of organic and measures to be co-financed by the fund . environmentally-friendly agricultural products
f 1 ) OJ No L 215 , 30 . 7 . 1992 . 3 . developing and promoting national and transitional ( 2 ) OJ No L 374 , 31 . 12 . 1988 . training activities for ecological production and marketing and consumer information ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission
(13 June 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 194/95 by Thomas Megahy ( PSE ) to the Commission The conversion from conventional to organic farming, as well as training and demonstration projects aimed at (28 April 1995) understanding and applying organic production methods , ( 95/C 222/90 ) fall within the scope of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078/92 (*). This provides for Member States to implement multi-annual zonal programmes, targeted to local situations, whereby an annual premium per hectare is given to farmers who Subject: Age discrimination undertake to apply one or more agri-environmental measures . In addition, the programmes may include demonstration projects and measures to improve training of In answer to a recent question from Mr Mather farmers with regard to production practices compatible ( E-2214/94 ) ('), the Commission stated that 'Current policy with the environment, such as organic farming . ( i.e. of maintaining age discrimination ) has . . . increased the proportion of women candidates and recruits'. As age limits inevitably disqualify women who have taken a career break At present there are about 150 programmes implemented in in order to have and raise children, could the Commission the Member States , some of which are applied horizontally cite the studies which were used to establish its surprising throughout their territories , while others are relevant only at view, giving details of methodology and findings ? local level . Aid for organic farming is foreseen in all Member States , either among the horizontal measures or among the regional ones . (») OJ No C 75 , 27 . 3 . 1995 , p . 27 . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/53
Answer given by Mr Liikanen tourism and the sex industry . A relatively large amount of on behalf of the Commission information exists on undertakings using child labour . (1 June 1995) The use of child labour is increasing sharply . It has been estimated that as many as 80 000 new children begin Commission policy on age limits and their effect on the working every day . The use of child labour is increasing all participation of women candidates is based on internal over the world , not only in developing countries , but also in analysis of statistical evidence of numbers applying to industrialized ones . successive competitions . The use of child labour is contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child , which had been ratified by 152 Age limits are applied for a number of reasons explained in countries by 1993 . the reply to Mr Mather . One objective of this policy, and the Commission's recruitment policy in general, is to encourage more women to apply . One way in which this is done is Going to work prevents childen from going to school, through a special provision allowing the age limit to be damages their health — often also their mental health — and raised by up to five years in respect of time spent out of paid makes it impossible for them to feel secure and develop employment to look after children . properly .
The policy of concentrating recruitment on young assistant What measures does the Commission intend to take : administrators has had the effect of increasing both the proportion and the absolute numbers of women applying to 1 . to prevent the use of child labour in the EU ? A-grade competitions . This approach has been confirmed by recent experience . In three successive A8 competitions ( with an age limit of 32 ) women made up around 50% of 2 . to publish the names of firms using child labour ? applications , compared with approximately 37% for the corresponding A7 competitions ( with a limit of 35 and a 3 . to promote schooling in poor countries ? minimum of two years' professional experience ). 4 . to make the prohibition of child labour into a guiding principle for cooperation with third countries ? Any decision to raise the age limits in general would be likely to be counter-productive . It would open the door to a greater number of applications from men, while doing nothing to solve the barrier to female participation . Further , if the existence of age limits were to discriminate against Answer given by Mr Flynn women , one would expect to see this reflected in the actual on behalf of the Commission numbers of applications to recent competitions . In fact, (29 June 1995) neither the proportion of women applicants nor the absolute numbers applying to recent competitions suggests that age limits, together with the derogations , are discouraging women . On a proposal from the Commission, the Council adopted, on 22 June 1994, Directive 94/33/EC (*) on the protection of young people at work .
The provisions of Article 1 of this Directive state that the Member States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit work by children; it is also stipulated in the same Article that the minimum employment age shall not be lower than the WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 196/95 age at which full-time schooling ceases to be compulsory, or by Saara-Maria Paakkinen ( PSE ) 15 years in any event . The Directive also provides that the to the Commission Member States shall ensure that young people are protected (28 April 1995) against economic exploitation and against any work likely to harm their safety, health or physical, mental, moral or ( 95/C 222/91 ) social development or to jeopardise their education .
The Member States are required to implement all measures Subject: The use of child labour necessary to ensure compliance with the Council Directive by 22 June 1996 at the latest . It is estimated that there are over 300 million under-age children working worldwide . Child labour is used in Within the framework of development cooperation , the industry for factory work, in mines, in construction work , Commission has drawn up proposals to increase coordina No C 222/54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 tion between the Community and the Member States on WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1202/95 education and training schemes in developing countries ( 2 ). by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE ) One of the main aims is to make aid operations more to the Commission effective . (28 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/92 ) In this connection , the Council has emphasized that education , and particularly basic schooling, is a basic human right . The proposed guidelines , which were Subject : Community support for provision of the resources confirmed by the Council in November 1 994 , start from the required for combating drug trafficking premise that support for local institutions is a key factor for the effectiveness of external aid operations in the field of In view of the growth in drug trafficking, it is essential that education and training . Aid from the Community and the the necessary monitoring and security resources should be Member States should therefore underpin the policies and available with a view to combating the increasing measures being carried out by develloping countries availability of drugs , especially from Africa and Latin themselves, as was agreed at the 1990 world conference on America . 'Education for all'. A number of Union Member States already possess such As regards the problem of inadequate resources being resources in the form of aircraft and vessels which are allocated to education and training, and in order to meet especially suited to combating this flow of drugs into the increasing demands, the Community and the Member States Community . It would therefore be both desirable and useful have agreed to look at ways of making additional resources for the entire territory of the Union to be protected by available ( particularly through the re-allocation of funds similar monitoring and security systems . between sectors ) for the purpose of increasing aid operations in the area of education and training, and in Can the Commission state what support it has provided or particular basic schooling . can provide to Member States wishing to acquire vessels and aircraft with special resources with a view to improving the effectiveness of action against the flow of drugs into the The Commission has on several occasions indicated the Community ? importance it attaches to the promotion of fundamental social rights throughout the world , including observance of the International Labour Organization ( ILO ) convention concerning the minimum age of employment . The Answer given by Mrs Gradin Commission's position on this question is essentially on behalf of the Commission reflected (2 June 1995)
— in its declaration at Marrakesh in April 1994 which called for social matters to be included in the work A number of Community actions and actions relating to schedule of the World Trade Organization ( WTO ); cooperation in the areas covered by Title VI of the Treaty on European Union are currently under way to reinforce the controls on the external frontiers of the Union and so, in — in its proposal , which has been adopted by the Council , particular, to fight against the illicit trafficking of drugs . that the generalized system of preferences should include a special promotion scheme in the social field , based on Therefore , and in the light of the Commission internationally recognized norms , with particular communication on an action plan to combat drugs emphasis on child labour ; ( 1995—1999 ) ( ! ), the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 9 and 10 March 1995 adopted a strategy for combating the — in the preparatory work for the World Summit for Social illicit trafficking of drugs , which aimed to increase Development held in Copenhagen in March 1995 . In its cooperation between Member States and to increase communication ( 3 ), the Commission emphasised that efficiency by improving coordination between police and one of the basic objectives of the Community should be customs forces . to advance social rights by encouraging ratification of ILO agreements , particularly that on child labour, and This strategy is based on rationalizing controls , above all on to integrate multilaterally negotiated social standards the external frontiers of the Union, and implies re-deploying into the policies of UN bodies and specialized agencies , personnel and controls at ports and airports . The strategy the WTO , the International Monetary Fund and the also rests on other specific measures, such as improved World Bank . detection equipment and modified air and sea protection ( e.g. aeroplanes , helicopters and patrol boats ). (») OJ No L 216 , 20 . 8 . 1994 . ( 2 ) COM(94 ) 399 final . In the past Community funding has been granted for the I 3 ) COM(94 ) 669 final . purchase of such equipment, but the possibilities of the Commission providing the sort of material help envisaged have always been clearly circumscribed by the terms of the Community budget . The Commission would draw to the 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/55 attention of the Honourable Member the new provisions Answer given by Mr Fischler introduced by the Treaty on European Union concerning the on behalf of the Commission funding for cooperation in the fields of justice and home (31 May 1995) affairs, which of course includes the fight against illegal drug trafficking . Article K8 of the Treaty on European Union states that the Council may : The Commission can understand that producers who will — either decide unanimously that operating expenditure to exceed their individual quotas might wish to lease quotas which the implementation of those provisions from other Member States in order to avoid the risk of the ( cooperation in the fields of Justice and home affairs ) superlevy . However, it cannot support this proposal . gives rise is to be charged to the Community budget ; in that event, the budgetary procedure laid down in the EC Treaty shall be applicable ; The quota system is operated and controlled on a national basis . It would complicate the system to allow quota to — or determine that such expenditure shall be charged to move , even temporarily, from one administration to the Member States , where appropriate in accordance another . Leasing is not authorised in all Member States . with a scale to be decided . Some Member States are inflexible in their way of implementing the system , allowing leasing only between The general question of funding for Title VI is still being producers delivering to the same purchaser, or imposing discussed in the Council and the use of the ECU 5 million limits on the quantities to be leased . The differences in the written into the budget for 1995 depends on the decision way Member States have implemented temporary transfers reached . make it difficult to conceive a scheme of temporary transfers among Member States .
(M COM(94 ) 234 final . It is also clear that, if the proposal could be made to work, it would increase total milk production . Quota unused in one Member State would be available elsewhere . Around 30 % of existing milk production exceeds what the Community can sell without subsidy . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE), James Provan ( PPE ), The Commission also considers that mobility of quotas John Corrie ( PPE ) and Anne Mcintosh ( PPE ) inside the Community would also lead to the desertification to the Commission of some regions where milk production is an important (28 April 1995) economic activity, and to the over-concentration of cows in other regions, creating pollution and health problems . ( 95/C 222/93 )
-The Commission does not intend to draw up a report on the Subject: Temporary transfers of milk quota 'feasibility of temporary transfers of quotas between Member States . The milk quota system has resulted in a situation where some Member States cannot satisfy the demand for milk and others are unable to use their quota fully . The Court of Auditors in its special report 4/93 ( x ) on the implementation of the milk quota system recommended that consideration should be given to authorizing transfers of quota between producers in different Member States . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210/95 Does the Commission agree that temporary transfers of by Raymonde Dury ( PSE ) quota between producers in different Member States would satisfy the need for additional quota in some countries to the Commission without increasing total Community quota ? (28 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/94 ) Does the Commission agree that temporary transfer would provide a valuable outlet for producers in Member States where quota is not fully utilized ? Subject: Evaluation of the 'Youth and Cooperation' programme Will the Commission make a report on the feasibility of temporary transfers of milk quota ? At the ACP-EU Joint Assembly in Dakar, resolutions were (!) OJ No C 12 , 15 . 1 . 1994 , p . 1 . adopted to encourage integration of and participation by No C 222/56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 young people . One resolution called on governments to WRITTEN QUESTION E-1219/95 facilitate implementation of the 'Youth and Cooperation' by Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE ) programme which promotes twinning of schools and youth to the Commission exchanges . Commissioner Pinheiro expressed the view that the lack of a youth programme in the Lome Convention (28 April 1995) should not prevent programmes being devised for young ( 95/C 222/95 ) people .
Can the Commission take action in this area by requesting Subject: Exceptional aid for Lake Geneva an evaluation of the 'Youth and Cooperation ' programme , which has carried out pilot projects for young people ? Lake Geneva is an international site which needs to be protected in the interests of the entire Rhone valley and of the Mediterranean ; the French shore of this lake was recently classified a 'sensitive area ' under the water law of 3 January 1992 and Council Directive 91/271/EEC (*). Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (19 May 1995) The Sivom undertaking of the Bas-Chablais which comprises thirteen communes on the shores of Lake Geneva is currently working to improve waste-water treatment, and needs to build a new sewage treatment plant to meet the needs of this thriving region and also to meet European 'Youth and Cooperation' is an international standards in this field . non-profit-making organization governed by Belgian law . It was launched in 1991 in Brussels by a Cameroonian , Mr Nestor Fleml, and intended to promote greater Despite the fact that aid for this project is likely to exceed understanding by young people of the concept of 60 % of the total cost, this policy will result in a sharp interdependence and partnership between North and South increase in water prices for consumers . via a three-strand development education programme : twinning between schools in the North and South , a 'dialogue of the generations ' which brings students into Given the unique nature of this region , could the European contact with European decision-makers , and information Union subsidize this project ? videos .
(M OJ No L 135 , 30 . 5 . 1991 , p . 40 . In 1994 the 'Youth and Cooperation' programme received a grant of ECU 1 591 under budget heading B7-5031 ( formerly 5032 ) to promote the twinning of schools in Africa and Europe . The project is continuing this year and has received ECU 6 080 under the same budget heading, which each year provides funding for some 60 European Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission youth organizations . (31 May 1995)
The Commission has been working jointly with 'Youth and Cooperation' in a search for potential new programmes . One possibility, for example , is a scheme to complement the The Lake Geneva area receives assistance from the 'Youth for Europe' programme which would involve a Structural Funds through a programme under the priority initiative to promote youth exchanges with ACP Community Initiative Interreg II . However, this programme countries . — which will be adopted soon by the Commission — does not provide for financing waste-water treatment .
The Commission considers that the 'Youth and In view of the limited funds available and the need to Cooperation' schemes are still on too small a scale and are concentrate the assistance from the Structural Funds on too recently established to warrant an evaluation and would priorities defined within the framework of partnership , it is prefer to carry out such an exercise in 1996 , once the not possible to envisage a subsidy for the construction of a currently-financed programme has been completed . sewage plant on the French shores of the Lake . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/57
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1221/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1224/95 by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) by Wolfgang NufSbaumer ( NI ) to the Commission to the Commission (20 April 1995) (28 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/96 ) ( 95/C 222/97 )
Subject: Finance for an urban park project in the Flisvos Subject: Promotion of closer links between the EU and the area of the Athens Basin countries of the Mediterranean Basin in the energy sector
The Athens planning department ( Law 1515/85 ) has set aside a 44-hectare site in the Flisvos area of Paleo Faliro for In the Tunis Declaration, the product of the recreation and walking at the seaward exit from Athens . Euro-Mediterranean Conference on cooperation in the This area is of grant town-planning, social, archaeological energy sector held in the Tunisian capital on 27 and 28 March 1995 , the EU and the countries of the and ecological interest . Some of it has been developed as a yacht marina , a maritime museum and watersport centre Mediterranean Basin reaffirmed their resolve to develop closer energy-sector links as an essential element of the and park . However, it has not yet been possible to find the money for the complete refurbishment of the communal planned common prosperity area . area . Finance from Community sources would be vital to preserve the communal character of Flisvos, as the local Is aid to the Mediterranean countries in the energy sector to authorities and inhabitants of the area are interested in include subsidies for new nuclear reactors ? If so, in which having one of the few remaining communal areas developed regions would the reactors be built ? in the interests of the environmental renewal of Athens .
1 . Would works of this nature to set up an area for recreation and walking be eligible for inclusion in the Answer given by Mr Papoutsis Second Community Support Framework when it is on behalf of the Commission revised , provided that a proposal to that effect is (19 lune 1995) made ?
2 . Are there other programmes, apart from the CSF, which The Commission is not at the moment aware of any might cover this project ( Urban, LIFE, etc .)? particular project in a Mediterranean country to use nuclear energy to meet the country's energy needs .
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1226/95 by Karl Schweitzer ( NI ) The project in question should be eligible for Structural to the Commission Fund Assistance provided that its connection with tourism development can be established . The final decision rests , (28 April 1995) however, with the Greek authorities who , depending on ( 95/C 222/98 ) their priorities , can decide to use such funds for this type of project . Subject: Environmental impact assessment A project of this nature is not, however, eligible under the Community Initiative Urban . Austria's law on environmental impact assessments was due to enter into force on 1 January 1994 , but a six-month transitional period was granted , during which a large As regards the LIFE programme, when a second phase is number of projects were submitted in order to avoid having approved , local authorities may submit proposals for the to comply with the new law . implementation of pilot projects of innovatory character in the field of the environment . These proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their individual merits in order to The planned refuse incinerator project in Ranshofen , select those to be financed . Semmeringsbasistunnel between Lower Austria and Styria and the 380 kV transmission line across Burgenland are examples of the many projects submitted in the power, transport and refuse incineration sectors . No C 222/58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
1 . Is the six-month transitional period granted in the allergies or intolerances . Discussions on this subject took Austrian environmental impact assessment law place last year at Community level and at international level compatible with European law ? within the framework of Codex Alimentarius . 2 . If not, how should be projects submitted during the transitional period be dealt with ? The scientific committee for food was entrusted by the Commission with a study which aims to make a list of foodstuffs or ingredients causing allergy or intolerance and to count the population affected by these allergies as well as Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard the danger to health . The study which should be finalized in on behalf of the Commission late summer should make it possible to evaluate the need to (16 June 1995) amend Directive 79/112/EEC relating to the labelling of foodstuffs .
With the entry into force of the agreement on the European Economic Area ( EEA ) between the Community and the European free trade association ( EFTA ) states ( except Switzerland and Liechtenstein ) on 1 January 1994 , Austria had to implement Directive 85/337/EEC ( on environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) of certain public and private projects ) in national legislation . In the EEA agreement no WRITTEN QUESTION E-1230/95 transitional period for the implementation was allowed in this field . by Salvador Jove Peres ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission As the Austria EIA Act entered into force on 1 July 1994 the (28 April 1995) transposition was six months late . ( 95/C 222/100 )
With the accession of Austria to the Community in January 1995 , the EFTA Surveillance authority submitted all complaints concerning the implementation and the Subject: Allocation of aid in the agriculture sector application of the EIA Directive in Austria to the Commission . The Commission is now considering these complaints . In 1991 , in its reflection document of 1 January 1991 entitled 'The Development and Future of the CAP' the Commission stated that 80% of EAGGF aid goes to only 20 % of farms . It would now be extremely useful to know what effect the 1992 CAP report has had on this state of affairs . Although there is some indication that the unequal WRITTEN QUESTION E-1227/95 distribution of aid prior to the reform has not been corrected , analysis is hindered by the shortage of available by Caroline Jackson ( PPE ) information . to the Commission (28 April 1995) This lack of information should be remedied , especially in ( 95/C 222/99 ) view of the fact that the reform , under which some of the support is converted into direct aid , facilitates the Subject: Labelling of foods containing gluten compilation of data , much of which can be obtained directly from the CAP payment administration systems . The Commission is therefore asked to provide information Does the Commission have any plans to include within concerning the allocation of EAGGF aid amongst farms and future amendments to the Food Labelling Directive including the following details , relating to each year and ( 79/ 112/EEC ) ( ! ) a provision for labelling of foods each Member State : containing gluten, or for the compulsory use of the gluten-free symbol where appropriate ? 1 . Total EAGGF aid per economic size bracket and number of farms in each bracket (!) OJ No L 33 , 8 . 2 . 1979 , p . 1 .
2 . For each type of direct aid ( compensatory payments , premiums , etc .): Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission — total amount of aid for each economic size bracket, (8 June 1995) accompanied by the number of farms in each bracket
The Commission is aware of the problems that incomplete — total amount of aid for each group of beneficiaries, labelling of foodstuffs can cause people suffering from classified by bracket on the basis of the amount of 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/59
aid received by each farm, and the number of farms WRITTEN QUESTION P-1243/95 in each bracket . by Stanislaw Tillich ( PPE ) to the Commission (') COM(91 ) 100 . (20 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/101 )
Subject: Use of appropriations from the Structural Funds in Answer given by Mr Fischler Saxony in 1994 on behalf of the Commission (9 June 1995) What appropriations from the ERDF, ESF, EAGGF ( Guidance Section ), Community initiatives and transitional measures were used in Saxony in 1994 , and what expenditure has been incurred to date ? 1 . It is still too early to be able to assess the impact of reform of the CAP on the distribution of agricultural support, given that implementation of the reform began only in 1993 and is not due to be completed until 1995/96 and that the information available for the first two years is Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies insufficient to permit any thorough-going analysis . In on behalf of the Commission particular the Commission does not have a breakdown of (31 May 1995) EAGGF aid by size and economic class of farm .
The appropriations committed and paid under the 2 . Despite the present lack of statistical information , a Structural Funds in Saxony during 1994 are as follows : number of facts and analyses indicate that the CAP has had and will have a positive impact on distribution of (in million ECU) support : Commitments Payments
( a ) although less ambitious than the Commission's initial European Regional Development proposals , the reform measures adopted by the Fund Council contain provisions involving some degree of redistribution of support in favour of smaller farms — Operational Programme 247,33 197,86 ( exemption of small producers from set-aside , — mainly ERDF restriction of beef and sheepmeat sector premiums to a — Operational Programme 25,30 12,65 maximum number of animals , calculation of — mainly EAGGF compensatory payments for field crops on the basis of average regional yield , etc .); Total 272,63 210,51 European Social Fund ( b ) in both 1993 and 1994, farm incomes rose markedly in — Operational Programme 120,00 83,00 most Member States , in particular in the reformed — mainly ESF sectors . CAP reform appears , thanks to the compensation introduced to offset lower institutional — Horizontal measures 42,72 34,18 prices , to have achieved its aim of greater security and Total stability of income and consequently the survival of 162,72 117,18 those farms most threatened by a restrictive price European Agricultural Guidance policy; and Guarantee Fund — Guidance Section
( c ) a number of analyses carried out in some Member — Aid for farms 1,5 1,5 States using the 1993/94 farm account figures clearly — Regulation ( EEC ) show that the rise in incomes is markedly higher for No 2328/91 lower-income farms . The Commission intends to make — Operational Programme 61,8 49,8 this type of analysis for all Member States once all the — mainly EAGGF 1993/94 account figures are available . It has substantially altered the farm-return form used to Total 63,3 51,3 collect the accounting data so that the impact of the CAP reform on farm incomes can be more accurately assessed . No commitments or payments were made in 1994 under the Community Initiatives . No C 222/60 HEN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1248/95 breeding . This is an extremely modest amount of aid within by Christine Crawley ( PSE ) the amounts available for diversification . Ireland is a major producer of greyhounds aimed principally at the market in to the Commission the United Kingdom . In the period 1989—1993 124 (5 May 1995) beneficiaries received aid of £ Irl 172 504 for improvement ( 95/C 222/102 ) of breeding kennels . In the period 1994—1999 , in addition to these improvements aid is provided for breed improvement and market development in order to improve saleability of progeny . It is emphasised that greyhound Subject: Subsidies to dog breeders production in Ireland takes place under the supervision of Bord na gCon ( the Irish Greyhound Board ).
Would the Commission outline the amounts of subsidies paid to dog breeders throughout Europe , breaking the The Commission would be concerned to learn of abuses in figures down by country and , if possible breed . What is the greyhound racing, even if confined to a minority of owners . philosophy behind such subsidies ? Owners of animals have a responsibility to treat their racing animals humanely and without cruelty . Abuses should be reported to the authorities in the Member States .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l406/95 by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) to the Commission (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/103 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1250/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Subject : Subsidies for greyhound breeding in Ireland Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) to the Commission Is the Commission aware that there is great concern about (5 May 1995) the cruelty involved in greyhound racing; is it the case that ( 95/C 222/104 ) EU subsidies are used to encourage greyhound breeding in Ireland , and will the Commission cease this subsidy ?
Subject: The European civil service
Joint answer to Written Questions The open competitions organized by the various European E-1248/95 and E-1406/95 Union institutions frequently pass more candidates than given by Mr Fischler there are vacancies for . Thanks to the so-called 'reserve list' on behalf of the Commission this gives rise to hopes which are not always fulfilled . (15 June 1995)
The internal mechanisms for recruiting those who have passed the competition do not always, in practice , meet the As part of the Community policy for rural development the criteria of independence and objectivity . Commission has encouraged Member States to provide aid for the diversification of agricultural production towards non-food products and non-surplus products . In particular Is the Commission aware of this situation , which causes no in Objective 1 regions ( regions lagging in development ) and Objective 5(b ) rural areas , the Commission has approved little frustration amongst candidates for the European civil service in Union institutions ? operational programmes containing measures encouraging the diversification of agricultural production and the widening of the economic base of rural areas . Much of this activity takes place on a small scale aimed at local niche Would it not be better, when organizing competitions, to markets based on regional specialities . The Commission state the number of places to be filled ? does not have information on the funding paid to dog producers. Would it not be more proper to employ an objective system of making appointments on the basis of the places to be In the case of Ireland Community aid was used to help filled, rather than the present system of recruiting staff from farmers and other rural dwellers to diversify into greyhound amongst those on the reserve lists ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/61
Answer given by Mr Liikanen There must also be improvements with regard to durum on behalf of the Commission wheat and high-protein crops . The Council's undertaking of (2 June 1995) 18 and 19 July 1994 on flexibility in the management of premium rights for durum wheat in traditional areas must be put into action . The Commission recruits principally through open competitions to establish reserve lists of suitable candidates . Can the Commission ensure that there is a clear and reliable In most of these competitions , the Commission indicates the regulatory structure , which is what our farmers need if they number of posts it is seeking to fill . Given the delays in are to adapt their production strategies to the new organizing competitions , the estimate of posts takes into international economic environment ? account not only vacancies at the moment of publication but also future possibilities from new posts and staff turnover . Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Article 5 of Annex III of the Staff Regulations stipulates , however, that selection boards should draw up lists which (12 June 1995) 'wherever possible contain at least twice as many names as the number of posts to be filled'. The competition notices make clear that inclusion on a list is not a guarantee of an The Commission shares the view that the rules governing offer of a job . Reserve lists allow the Commission a choice of set-aside suffer from a certain degree of complexity . Farmers candidates to ensure recruitment of those most suited to the quote particularly the five-year requirement for rotational functions in question . set-aside and the rule under which land cannot be set aside unless it has been part of the farm for at least two years ( two-year rule ). The Commission could not agree with the statement that job offers are not made in an independent and objective manner . The Commission would like to point out that these rules In accordance with the Staff Regulations , recruitment aims have been made not to hamper farmers but to ensure the to secure the services of officials of the highest standard of effectiveness of the set-aside scheme in terms of reducing ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest production . possible geographical basis from among nationals of the Member States . In the case of rotational set-aside , the five-year period was fixed to ensure the withdrawal from production , in succession, of a maximum of arable land , including also the best land . Farmers can avoid the management problems involved by opting for permanent set-aside .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254/95 In the case of the two-year rule , this was introduced to avoid poor-quality land being brought back into production solely by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) in order to benefit from the compensation . to the Commission (5 May 1995) With regard to the penalties provided for within the ( 95/C 222/105 framework of the integrated administration and control system, the Commission would like to point out that they have already been eased somewhat . Subject: Consolidation of the common agricultural policy As regards the scheme of compensation for protein crops and durum wheat, the Commission considers that the areas sown are in line with the forecasts worked out at the time of On 1 July 1995 the common agricultural policy will enter a the implementation of the CAP reform . Accordingly, there new phase of its history, with the implementation of the are no pressing reasons to modify the relevant support Uruguay Round agreement on agriculture . Agricultural regimes in the near future . This also applies to flexibility in organizations wish to prepare themselves as well as possible the management of rights to durum wheat premiums . for this date , and would like to draw the attention of However , the management of premium rights for durum Parliament and the Commission to the following important wheat, as in the case of other farming enterprises such as matters : sheepmeat and beef and veal production, is currently the subject of reflection within the Commission in accordance with commitments it has made to the Council . The results of The set-aside measure should be adjusted and simplified to this reflection will be the subject of a report to the make it easier to manage at farm level . With this aim in view, Council . does the Commission intend to review the specific eligibility criteria and the tariff of sanctions for non-compliance with this measure ? No C 222/62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1257/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1263/95 by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (5 May 1995) (5 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/106 ) ( 95/C 222/107 )
Subject: Human rights abuses in Guatemala Subject: Competitions for Swedish, Finnish and Austrian Commission administrators According to a report in the Financial Times dated 15 March 1995 , the United Nations monitoring mission in Guatemala reports that the security forces are allegedly involved in Can the Commission confirm that the written papers for its running illegal paramilitary gangs , drug trafficking, and competitions to recruit Swedish, Finnish and Austrian other criminal rackets and points to torture and officials are to be corrected by the respective national assassinations . Impunity from prosecution is cited as the administrations and not, as normally happens , by the most serious obstacle to respect for human rights . Commission's services , as would normally be the case ? What steps will the Commission take to alleviate human If so , does the Commission not feel that this may be rights abuses and to support the peace process in prejudicial to the fairness and transparency of the Guatemala , given the seriousness and gravity of the results ? situation in that country ?
Will the Commission explain what measures it intends to Answer given by Mr Marin take in order that the competitions are held in such a way as on behalf of the Commission to guarantee the utmost fairness, transparency and independence from the national administrations ? (1 June 1995)
The Commission supports the actions undertaken by Minugua ( United Nations Mission for Guatemala ). At Answer given by Mr Liikanen present, working meetings regarding projects financed by on behalf of the Commission Minugua are being held and the Commission is hoping to reach an agreement in the near future allowing further (12 June 1995) support for human rights initiatives .
Since 1991 , the Commission has maintained its support for Open competitions for administrators and administrative any developments which favour the consolidation of the assistants of Swedish, Finnish and Austrian nationality are peace process . currently in progress . Article 6 of Annex II of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities Over the last few years , several projects have been financed stipulates that proceedings of the Selection Board shall be with the express aim of educating civil society on awareness secret . However, the Commission can confirm that, as of human rights and the democratization process , devoting provided for in the Staff Regulations , the Selection Board special attention to the fair administration of justice . may be assisted by examiners from the relevant Member Institutions such as the Human Rights Procurator, the States serving in a purely advisory capacity for certain National commission for reconciliation and the Supreme written tests . The Selection Boards alone are responsible for ballot court have also benefited from Community decisions on the marks awarded to candidates . The funding . independence of competition selection boards guarantees equal and impartial treatment of all candidates . It must also The Commission has remained strongly supportive of non be pointed out that all procedures safeguard the anonymity governmental organizations and the development of social of candidates . Papers bear only a secret number so that the welfare with the intention of addressing the specific candidate cannot be identified . Furthermore , any candidate difficulties relating to street children . In this way , the who attempts to breach the anonymity rule by marking his Commission has started an important ECU 2,5 million or her paper with a distinctive sign of any sort will be programme favouring the street-children community . Such disqualified forthwith . programme provides support to both , public bodies such as the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office , the Social Welfare Office, Court of Minors and , collaborating NGO's such as Lastly, the Commission would draw the Honourable Casa Alianza , Solo para Mujeres and CEOIC . Member's attention to its answer to Question 1189/95 by Mr Tindemans ( l ). Guatemala benefits from every regional project financed by the Community through the budgetary line democracy and ( ! ) See page 50 of this Official Journal . human rights in Latin America , which focuses in great part on the power of the judiciary and the training and modernization of both the armed and security forces . Accordingly , Guatemala has been assigned funds committed 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/63 for several years of project execution, exclusively from this aid to this sector is justified , as it has no impact at all on the budgetary line : level of tobacco consumption .
— in 1991 ECU 2 800 000
— in 1992 ECU 950 000
— in 1993 ECU 1 300 000 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301/95 — in 1994 ECU 1 200 000 by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Commission In addition , the Commission is determined to preserve its (5 May 1995) close relationships at governmental and non-governmental ( 95/C 222/109 ) levels to ensure further political contacts in order to overcome unfair immunity from prosecution . Subject: Europe in Tadjikistan — war and peace
It appears to be difficult to ascertain exactly how many people have been killed in the civil war in Tadjikistan ; one WRITTEN QUESTION E-1269/95 special correspondent ( Steve LeVine of the Washington Post ) referred , in December, to 'at least 50 000 lives', while by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) in January the Russian affairs expert Andrew Meier cited a to the Commission figure of 'perhaps 50 000 lives', over and above 650 000 (5 May 1995) refugees , in the New York Times . ( 95/C 222/108 The European Union seems to be resoundingly absent from this country, partly as a result of the civil war . Nonetheless , Subject: Tobacco subsidies and death from smoking certain private companies are interested in it, above all with the growing consolidation of the strength of the government How can the Commission justify subsidizing the tobacco headed by Imali Rakhmonov . The expert referred to believes industry by £ 920 million in 1993 and spend barely that humanitarian aid — none of which he cites as coming £ 1 million per year on anti-smoking campaigns ? from Europe — must continue , while the granting of funding for economic development must remain dependent on the existence of a legal system and respect for human Is the Commission aware that approximately 511 000 rights . people die annually in the EU as a result of smoking ? All this explains the minimal EU presence in Tadjikistan, which amounted to ECU 4 million in 1994, out of the ECU Answer given by Mr Fischler 510 million Tacis budget . on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1995) Can the Commission comment and amplify ?
The Commission is aware of the detrimental effects of tobacco on health . Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission The Commission would like to point out that no subsidies (26 June 1995) are given to the tobacco industry . In fact, the Community supports only the tobacco producing farmers . The Commission is unable to make any comment on the As long as smoking persists there will be a demand for figures of deaths and refugees in Tajikistan . It is certain that tobacco within the Community . The suppression of aid to the civil war did indeed create grave problems and that Community producers would certainly make tobacco fighting continues not only on the border but also production unprofitable, but this would only increase sporadically in the various urban centres . Nevertheless , imports of tobacco from third countries, which already many refugees have returned to the country and the stand at around 70 % of the total consumption within the reconstruction of their houses is one of the projects partially Community . funded by the Community as part of its humanitarian aid . Tobacco is largely produced in disadvantaged regions and cropped by small farmers, who have no real alternative The Commission has for some two years had a sources of income . Therefore , the Commission believes that correspondent in Dushanbe who follows the evolution of No C 222/64 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 needs and ensures that projects are correctly implemented . The Commission is continuing to monitor the general In 1994 ECU 9,8 million of humanitarian aid was provided human rights situation in Turkey very carefully and is to targeted beneficiaires in the country and in addition , calling for major changes in the country's law and nearly 50 000 tonnes of wheat flour has been provided as practice . part of a special food programme for the Caucasus , Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova . Already in 1995 over ECU 6 million of assistance has been provided and the need The Turkish authorities realize how much remains to be for further special food assistance is currently under done . In a recent speech at Ankara 's Bilkent University , Mrs study . Ciller herself set out the programme of reforms to be implemented . These concern the constitution, the law to It was because of the internal difficulties of the country that combat terrorism and other laws which stand in the way of the Tacis programme was suspended , but in 1994 ECU freedom of organization and expression . Naturally , the 4 million was allocated and a Tacis liaison office should be programme must now be translated into action , with established shortly . adoption by the Turkish parliament of the necessary amendments and new laws .
The Commission is calling on Turkey to undertake these far-reaching changes and , like the local human rights WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 307/95 organizations in the country, believes that the best results are obtained through dialogue and cooperation rather than by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) through a policy of isolating Turkey or breaking off contacts to the Commission with the government there . (5 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/110 )
Subject: Confiscation of the newspaper ' Balkan News ' at the Greek-Turkish border
At the beginning of April, the Turkish customs authorities at WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/95 the border with Greece confiscated copies of the weekly English language newspaper ' Balkan News and Eastern by Wim van Velzen ( PSE ) European Report', which is published in Greece , without to the Commission offering any explanation . This is the second time that this (12 May 1995) newspaper has been confiscated by the Turkish authorities . ( 95/C 222/111 )
Persecution of the press and infringements of the freedom of the press in Turkey ( abductions , murders, imprisonment of Subject: Unreasonably high health insurance premiums journalists and closing down of newspapers ) are well paid by frontier workers documented by international human rights organizations . This most recent incident constitutes a dangerous precedent which threatens freedom of expression and runs contrary to Dutch frontier workers employed and subject to international conventions on the protection of human rights compulsory health insurance in Germany are forced to pay and freedoms as well as to the EEC-Turkey Association unreasonably high premiums compared with persons Agreement . working and living in either the Netherlands or Germany . Frontier workers who live so far from the border that they What steps will the Commission take to obtain an opt for medical care in the Netherlands are forced to take explanation of the incident from the Turkish authorities and out additional insurance even though the premiums they to deter them from taking further action against Balkan pay in Germany are significantly higher than in the News and the rest of the imported press in Turkey ? Netherlands .
Does the Commission feel that this situation is in keeping Answer given by Mr Van den Broek with the principle of the equal treatment of EC citizens ? If on behalf of the Commission not, what does it intend to do rectify the present (19 June 1995) situation ?
The Commission has asked the Turkish authorities for an Is the Commission aware of the German Government's explanation of the case referred to by the Honourable plans to pass on the cost of 'Pflegeversicherung' to frontier Member . workers ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/65
Answer given by Mr Flynn ( Pflegeversicherung ) in Germany , the Commission is able to on behalf of the Commission inform the Honourable Member that this problem is (3 July 1995) currently being discussed by the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers . The Commission hopes that it will be possible very soon to find a 1 . The Commission would inform the Honourable solution to the problem of these contributions, as well as Member that Article 19(1 )( a ) of Regulation ( EEC ) other comparable social-security contributions in other 1408/71 (' ) states that a worker residing in the territory of a Member States, being imposed on frontier workers . Member State other than the competent State for social security benefits shall be entitled to health-care benefits in (M OJ No L 149 , 5 . 7 . 1971 . kind provided on behalf of the competent institution by the ( 2 ) See especially the judgment of 15 January 1986 in Case 41 /84 institution of the place of residence in accordance with the Pinna ( 1986 ) ECR 1 , point 20 , and the judgment of 7 February legislation of that institution as though he were insured with 1991 in Case C-227 Rônfeld ( 1989 ) ECR 1-323 , point 12 . it .
Therefore , a worker residing in the Netherlands but working in Germany is covered by the German social security scheme , but may take advantage of health-care WRITTEN QUESTION E-1321/95 services in the Netherlands . by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR ) to the Commission In this case , however, the Dutch institutions adhere to Dutch legislation as regards the reimbursement of expenses . They (12 May 1995) thus make such reimbursement in the same way as if the ( 95/C 222/112 ) person concerned were insured with them , in so far as this is provided for in their own national legislation . Subject: Anti-dumping policy 2 . The solution chosen in Regulation ( EEC ) 1408/71 was for the institutions of a Member State providing services to In its resolution ( A3-336/90 ( )) on the Community's apply their own national legislation; this was for reasons of anti-dumping policy the European Parliament referred practicability . Indeed , it is difficult to imagine a situation in to substantial delays before the publication of the which , for example , Dutch institutions would apply Commission's annual reports . Parliament asked the German legislation , which is totally alien to them , in Commission to submit future reports no later than three connection with the reimbursement of medical expenses . months into the year following the period covered by each report . 3 . It is therefore possible that, in the situation to which the Honourable Member refers , the social-security The Commission has ignored this request . The 1990 and contributions which a frontier worker should pay in the 1991 reports appeared five months , the 1992 report ten Member State in which he is employed do not correspond months and the 1993 report . . . months after the end of the exactly to the non-cash benefits he would be entitled to in year to which they related . the Member State in which he is resident . In the interests of the required transparency of its policy, is This , however , is the result of differences in the level of social the Commission still prepared to comply with the European protection in the Member States concerned . It should be Parliament's resolution in this respect ? remembered that Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408/71 does not set up a common social security scheme, but rather (') OJ No C 19 , 28 . 1 . 1991 , p . 633 . maintains separate national schemes . The Court of Justice has ruled on a number of occasions ( 2 ) that Article 51 of the EC Treaty allows differences to exist between social-security Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan schemes in the Member States . on behalf of the Commission (15 lune 1995) 4 . The Commission would nevertheless like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to Article 20 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408/71 , which stipulates that a frontier worker The Commission notes the concern of the Honourable may also obtain medical care in the territory of the Member in respect of the delays incurred in the publication competent Member State . These benefits are provided by of successive annual reports to the Parliament on the the competent institution in accordance with the legislation Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy activities , of the Member State concerned , as though the worker were particularly in the light of the Parliament's resolution on the resident there . This means that frontier workers may receive anti-dumping policy of the Community which requested the medical care in the competent Member State under the Commission to submit future reports no later than three legislation to which the payment of their contributions is months into the year following the period covered by the subject . report .
5 . As regards the imposition on frontier workers of Far from ignoring the Parliament's resolution, the insurance contributions for long-term nursing care Commission has made conscious efforts to improve its No C 222/66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 reporting to the Parliament . Indeed , since the resolution was Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies passed, the Commission has considerably extended the on behalf of the Commission content of the reports in order to enhance transparency . In (16 June 1995) particular, an extensive section on individual proceedings under anti-dumping or anti-subsidy legislation has been included with the aim of informing the Parliament of The Commission has part-funded the first stage of the important cases in this area . This , together with archaeological/mining park in the Val di Cornia under the administrative difficulties related to the new format of Resider Community initiative . reporting ( not the least of which concerns translation into all Community languages ) were the main reasons for the As the Commission was not aware of the construction of a delay in presenting the 1993 report . The situation has cement works beside the park , additional information has improved with regard to the 1994 report, though difficulties been sought from the Tuscany regional authorities . The have arisen as regards translation into Finnish and Swedish . Commission will raise the issue at the next meeting of the The report for 1994 is likely to be transmitted to the programme monitoring committee . Parliament in the coming weeks . In future , it can be expected that the reports will be available in the period envisaged by the Parliament, given in particular the recruitment of new staff — obtained very largely thanks to the Parliament's support — during the course of this year . WRITTEN QUESTION P-1340/95 by Bernie Malone ( PSE ) to the Commission (27 April 1995) ( 95/C 222/114 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1329/95 by Monica Baldi ( UPE ) Subject: Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public Dunes and Amenity Areas in Dublin to the Commission (12 May 1995) In the light of the discussion in the Petitions Committee on ( 95/C 222/113 ) 21 March 1995 concerning petition 471/94 from the 'Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public Dunes and Amenity Areas' in Dublin on the construction of a hotel in an area of unique ecological and recreational importance , Subject: Archaeological park in a former mining area in the what progress has the Commission made in investigating the Val di Cornia — Resider II initiative use of EU funding in the construction of this hotel and when would it be in a position to provide the information on the environmental , regional and tourist policy aspects , Among the initiatives proposed by Italy ( for Tuscany ) and requested by the committee ? What is its stance on the approved by the European Commission, funds in the region possibility of EU funding being returned in the case of of four billion lire have been allocated to an archaeological non-compliance with EU law ? park in the Val di Cornia , for the landscaping and the economic redevelopment of this former iron and steel producing area for the purposes of tourism , in the context of the Community initiative Resider II . In the . district of Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies Campiglia San Vincenzo ( Livorno ), an application has been on behalf of the Commission submitted to build a cement works in the Solvay quarry and (19 May 1995) extend it to within just over 50 metres from the park . The cement works would be built approximately 1 200 m from the edge of the park , inside and outside of which there are The Commission has asked for further details of this project important archaeological remains . A new cement works from the Irish authorities . It will then be in a ' position to would inevitably cause atmospheric pollution ( the provide the information required by the Parliament . In the formation of nitrogen oxides etc .), noise pollution ( shock meantime, it can be stated that no Community funding is waves , vibrations etc .) and general environmental involved in the construction of the hotel . European regional pollution . development fund assistance of £ Irl 500 000 relates solely to development of the associated golf course . In view of this , can the Commission say what it intends to do to prevent a conflict of interests between the The regulations governing the operations of the Structural establishment of the Community-financed park of touristic , Funds provide for the repayment to the Commission of sums archaeological and cultural value, and the building of the received unduly and to be recovered . cement works, whose aims would obviously clash with those of the Community initiative Resider II ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/67
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 342/95 order, who were present at the time and allowed such by Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE ) malicious behaviour to take place ? to the Commission Will the Commission call on the French authorities to adopt (12 May 1995) punitive measures on a sufficiently large scale to ensure that ( 95/C 222/115 ) such destruction is not repeated periodically, as it has been hitherto , and ensure that the sanctions are effective , preventive and act as deterrents ? Does the Commission Subject: Directive on minimum Community measures to know that after these attacks and acts of aggression French control diseases affecting bi-valve molluscs farmers are threatening further criminal acts ? Would the Commission say why it believes the single market would be incomplete and progress towards the construction Will the Commission bring legal proceedings against France of Europe would be impeded if the Directive 'introducing for its failure to guarantee the free movement of goods ? minimum Community measures necessary for the control of diseases affecting bi-valve molluscs ' was abandoned in the Does the Commission consider that the coincidence of the name of the principle of subsidiarity ? elections and the French presidency of the EU might explain this inexplicable passivity ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Fischler (14 June 1995) on behalf of the Commission (19 May 1995) Certain diseases which are prevalent in the Community ( bonamiosis , marteiliosis ) have serious consequences for shellfish-farming businesses . These diseases were The Commission has expressed its views on a number of introduced via commercial transactions and have led to the occasions on the problem of acts of vandalism committed almost complete disappearance of the common oyster in repeatedly by certain French producer groups and certain regions of the Community . Other diseases exist and organizations involving fruit and vegetables from Spain and could cause identical problems in other species such as on France's obligations in this situation to maintain law and cupped oysters . A way of preventing these problems is the order in connection with the exercise of the principle of the introduction in the Member States of a monitoring system free movement of goods . making it possible to detect newly introduced diseases as quickly as possible , in order to prevent their spread to other The Commission would refer the Honourable Member also Community regions and to develop methods of identifying to its answer to Written Question No 1818/94 by Mr Juan them if necessary . It should be noted that in some Member Colino Salamanca ('); it would like point out that, under States such a system already operates in this sector and that Community law , the Member States' public authorities are in other sectors identical systems exist and have proved their required to adopt the measures necessary to prevent actions effectiveness . which are an attack on the effective operation of the internal market and the free movement of goods .
A lapse in this duty constitutes failure to meet one of the obligations of Member States under Article 30 of the EC Treaty and the legislation on the common market WRITTEN QUESTION P- 1344/95 organizations in conjunction with Article 5 of the Treaty . by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE ) to the Commission The Commission, forced to conclude in 1994 that the (27 April 1995) French authorities were not in a position to demonstrate ( 95/C 222/116 ) clearly that the preventive measures taken by the forces of law and order against the inadmissible obstacles to the free movement of goods were effective and adequate , decided to Subject: Request for sanctions and compensation for initiate the procedure for infringement by sending a letter of damage caused by acts of vandalism committed by formal notice . French farmers In view of the fact that the acts of vandalism on the night of What kind of sanctions and demands for compensation will 20/21 April 1995 demonstrate that incidents similar to be brought against French farmers who committed acts of those referred to in the letter of formal notice have occurred vandalism on the night of 20/21 April 1995 against nine again and that the French authorities have failed to provide Spanish lorries carrying strawberries from Huelva , evidence that their forces of law and order intervened tomatoes and courgettes , and seized , set fire to and actively and in a diligent manner, and given the threat of destroyed Community produce in the face of absolute such acts being repeated in the course of this marketing year indifference on the part of the French forces of law and for fruit and vegetables , the Commission has considered it No C 222/68 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 necessary to take the procedure a step further by delivering a outside the scope of application of the communication in so reasoned opinion . far as they aim to meet planning needs or to implement general national environmental and transport policies . The type of penalty likely to be imposed on the perpetrators of the abovementioned criminal acts is a matter for the This general principle is only valid for infrastructure . It is national authorities whose duty it is to consider the facts in without prejudice to evaluation of possible aid elements the light of the national law applicable , in particular the resulting from preferential treatment of specific companies criminal law . when using the infrastructure .
(') OJ No C 24 , 30 . 1 . 1995 . In the case referred to by the Honourable Member the loans have not been notified to the Commission and thus have not been examined under the State aid rules .
However , on the basis of the information given in the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347/95 question it appears that the loans referred to are granted for by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) the operation of the infrastructure , but do not provide to the Commission specific advantage to individual companies using the infrastructure . Therefore , the loans do not seem to fall (12 May 1995) within the scope of Article 92 EC Treaty . ( 95/C 222/117 ) (>) OJ No C 350 , 10 . 12 . 1994 . Subject: State aids for the second Munich airport
According to the Miinchener Flughafengesellschaft ( Munich Airport Company ) itself, the company is receiving interest-free and non-redeemable loans of DM 2,5 billion from the State Government of Bavaria and other public WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 353/95 bodies for operating Munich's new second airport . by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) Does the Commission consider that a public loan to the Commission commitment in this form and of this amount is a subsidy (12 May 1995) which must be submitted for approval ? ( 95/C 222/118 ) If the airport had had to pay interest on and redeem the proprietor's loans it received from central government, the Subject: Diesel catalysts ( following an article in ' Ends' state government and the City of Munich , the DM 2/95 ) 100 million net loss would have risen to DM 275 million . Does not the Commission think , therefore , that these interest-free and non-redeemable loans do not constitute Now that technology has been developed to fit restructuring aid by way of knock-on financing, but are in diesel-powered vehicles with catalytic converters , does the fact an on-going operating subsidy ? Commission have any plans to make the introduction of such catalysts compulsory ? Has the State Government of Bavaria notified this aid to the EC Commission ?
Was the aid approved ? ( If so , on what grounds ?) Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 une 1995) Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission Pursuant to Directive 94/ 1 2/EC ( ), the Commission will (2 June 1995) shortly be putting forward a proposal for measures to reduce air pollution caused by road traffic . These will be based on air quality criteria and a cost-effectiveness analysis The Commission defined its policy on State aid in the of the various options available from the year 2000 aviation sector in a communication adopted in December onwards . As in the past, the Commission will not be 1994 ('). advocating any particular technical device for vehicles , but indicating performances to be achieved . According to the communication the construction or enlargement of infrastructure projects , such as airports , represents a general measure of economic policy which (') OJ No L 100 , 19 . 4 . 1994 . cannot be scrutinized by the Commission under the Treaty rules on State aid . Infrastructure development decisions fall 28 . 8 . 95 I EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/69
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1372/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389/95 by Marco Pannella ( ARE ) by Leen van der Waal ( EDN ) to the Commission to the Commission (12 May 1995) (12 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/119 ) ( 95/C 222/120 )
Subject: European funding for the region of Puglia Subject: Oppression of Christians in Bulgaria
Puglia is one of the Italian regions whose Integrated The Reformatorisch Dagblad of 10 March reported Operational Programme has not yet been approved to allow increasing repression of religious minorities in Bulgaria . The the release of funds already allocated at European level . growth in the number of Baptist communities in particular since the revolution of 1990 appears to have induced the former Communists and the leaders of the Bulgarian Unless these funds are released immediately, there is a Orthodox Church to take joint action against them in the serious risk that the Community funding for the current year form of campaigns of press vilification , intimidation , church will be lost, and a considerable percentage will be lost for evictions and the unlawful expropriation of property . subsequent years . Information has recently been received from the 'Kom Over En Help ' foundation which assists churches and Christians in eastern Europe about the threatened expropriation of a Puglia submitted its plan , albeit with an unacceptable delay , plot of land in Sofia where the Baptist Union is building an several weeks ago . orphanage and church centre . This action is being taken despite the fact that these Baptist communities acquired the Will the Comission say, as a matter of urgency, when it land in 1992 , the building permit was granted in 1993 and intends to approve the Integrated Operational Programme there are no planning arguments to justify the proposed for Puglia ? expropriation of the land by the local authority .
Will it also say what, if any, obstacles are holding up its Can the Commission confirm these reports ? What action immediate approval ? does it intend to take to ensure compliance with the Europe Agreement signed by Bulgaria ?
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (9 June 1995) (19 June 1995)
The multifund operational programme ( MOP ) for Apulia was adopted by the Commission on 22 May 1995 . The Association Agreement between the Community and Bulgaria clearly states that the domestic and international policies of both sides should be informed by respect for The time needed for the approval of programmes depends democratic principles and human rights as laid down in the mainly on the degree of completeness of the original Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter for a New Europe . proposal . The negotiations between the national authorities This is an essential part of the Agreement . Respect for and the Commission , within the framework of partnership , human rights includes the right to freedom of thought, made it possible to add in the elements of information opinion and religion as set out in Article 9 of the Convention missing from the original proposal and to readjust certain on the protection of human rights and fundamental parts to the requirements and priorities of the various freedoms , which Bulgaria ratified in 1992 . Community policies .
Now that relations with Bulgaria have become that much It should be recalled , finally , that, whatever the date of closer, the Community is increasingly attentive to approval of the MOP, the expenditure which will be developments in the human rights situation there and to the accepted for part-financing will be that eligible from the date potential emergence of worrying trends . of presentation of the proposal for the programme .
On his visit to Bulgaria in May , the Commission member responsible for external relations with central and eastern No C 222/70 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Europe said that there was no alternative to genuine WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400/95 democracy and that full integration of Bulgaria into the by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) European family required the consolidation of democracy, to the Commission including a free press , pluralistic thought and freedom of conscience . (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/122 )
Subject: Old people's homes
An enquiry by Ministry of Health inspectors has revealed WRITTEN QUESTION E-1398/95 the wretched conditions in which elderly people are living in old people's homes in Athens ( homes operating without by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) permits, lack of fire precautions , inadequate diet, shortage to the Commission of staff, non-existent hygiene ). (12 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/121 ) In the light of :
1 . the statements made by various Commission officials during the Year of the Elderly , Subject: Renewable energy sources in the Tunis Conference 2 . the Green Paper on European Social Policy which contains a separate chapter on the situation of the elderly and related policy , and According to the index of subjects dealt with at the Tunis conference on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the 3 . the plan drawn up by the French Presidency for energy sector , sectoral energy cooperation in the field of new employment for the elderly, and renewable energy sources was discussed .
will the Commission : Can the Commission state what conclusions were reached in this field , and what proposals it intends to make in the ( a ) submit a comparative study within a year on the interests of continuity, above all in view of the forthcoming position of the elderly in the Member States of the EU Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference ? and
( b ) draw up a proposal for a Directive to harmonize the various forms of care available to the elderly and , in particular , the conditions on which the various Answer given by Mr Papoutsis establishments housing elderly people may operate ? on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1995)
Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission With regard to new and renewable sources of energy, the Tunis conference suggested the penetration of new (28 June 1995) technologies throughout the Mediterranean area . 1 . A comparative report on the situation of older people To that end , it recommended that institutions and experts was prepared by the European observatory on ageing and from both north and south of the Mediterranean meet more older people and was published in 1993 . Copies of this regularly . It also emphasized the need to include the report, including an update for 1994, are forwarded to the development of new and renewable energy sources among Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the energy policy priorities , and to remove any technical , Parliament . administrative and legal barriers to the market penetration of those energy sources . 2 . The Commission, in its proposal for a Decision on Community support for actions in favour of older people , With a view to Barcelona , the Tunis conference agreed that adopted on 1 March 1995 , envisages the promotion of energy cooperation needed to be stepped up , especially with exchange of information on best practice between Member a view to encouraging investment and partnerships in the States in the matter of care for dependent older people . An area of new and renewable energy sources . initiative to harmonize the various forms of care is not envisaged . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/71
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/95 Programme for Central Greece ), well before Council of by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) State Decision No 2760/94 of 9 July 1994 . to the Commission (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/123 )
Subject: Diversion of the River Acheloos WRITTEN QUESTION P-1403/95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE ) to the Commission According to the latest environmental impact assessment (4 May 1995) ( EIA ) and the Acheloos operational programme under the Community support framework 1994—1999 , the volume ( 95/C 222/124 ) of water to be diverted may not exceed 700 million m 3/per year . However , the two main projects on the river ( i.e. the Sikia dam and the tunnel diverting the Acheloos to Thessaly ) Subject: Imports of beef into the European Union are on an enormous scale designed to cater for a much larger volume of water, some 1,3 billion mVper year . In other words , the scale of these two projects is exactly the same as Will the Commission explain how the GATT agreements in those submitted under the previous plan . force affect, or will affect, current arrangements relating to the importation of beef into the European Union ?
In the light of the government's comments that the latest EIA concludes that the project has been altered and is less Will it provide a detailed breakdown ( by country ) of import intrusive and that less water will be diverted , will the quotas and the extent to which such quotas are Commission state : implemented ?
1 . why the Greek authorities do not scale down the tunnel Will it state what means are available to the European Union and the dam at Sikia in accordance with the latest EIA in to stop imports of meat treated with growth-promoting order to save resources and reduce the impact on the substances ? environment, and Will it also state its position as regards scientific research 2 . its position on the latest EIA and the continuation of the ( inter alia by the Lamming Working Party ) which works on the upper Acheloos in breach of decisions demonstrates that the use in stockfarming of oestradiol 178 , taken by the Council of State ? testosterone , progesterone , zeranol and trenbolone does not have a deleterious effect on public health if the correct conditions are observed ( correct doses , administered by specialists , after sufficiently long waiting periods )?
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies Does it endorse the view that the provisions of the GATT on behalf of the Commission agreements relating to the meat sector manifest (21 June 1995) unacceptable disregard for the views of the vast majority of European consumers and for European public opinion ?
Will it follow the recommendations formulated by The Commission has not yet seen the new environmental Parliament on 16 March 1995 ? Will it , therefore , maintain impact assessment and is thus not in a position to state and continue to defend at all costs the blanket ban on the use whether certain aspects of the project need to be reworked of hormones ? from a technical viewpoint . It would also point out that it has not taken a decision on whether to part-fund the Acheloos operational programme or not . When the time arrives to do so the Commission will make an overall assessment of the project based on the documentation Answer given by Mr Fischler submitted to it . on behalf of the Commission (1 June 1995) The Commission cannot commeiit on the continuing works at Messochora , especially as it . is no longer funding the project . The last financial commitments in that regard Under the current GATT regime , in force until 30 June date from 1992 ( under the Integrated Mediterranean 1995 , imports of beef mainly take place under import No C 222/72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 quotas or special import regimes . This will also be the case WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 407/95 under the Uruguay Round agreement . So the changes will be by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) very minor . to the Commission (22 May 1995) As there are more than ten different quotas and special ( 95/C 222/125 ) import regimes for beef, it is difficult to give a detailed overview for each country in the framework of a written question . Subject: Lindane and the food chain
The present system avoids the import of meat coming from animals which have been treated with hormones for Public concern has been expressed in the UK about the use of fattening . All the trading partners have provided the lindane in agriculture . Lindane has been reported in breast Community with guarantees , in some cases involving special fat and breast milk and there are fears about a link with separate production and processing circuit lines , in order to breast cancer . What studies has the Commission made or ensure that the present rules of importation are respected . gathered on this subject and which EU Member States still The Office of veterinary inspection keeps arrangements permit the use of lindane in agriculture ? under regular surveillance to ensure that agreed arrangements are put in practice .
The Ad hoc scientific committee of experts on anabolic Answer given by Mr Flynn agents in animal production , the Scientific veterinary on behalf of the Commission committee , the Committee on human foodstuffs and the (28 June 1995 ) Committee on animal foodstuffs gave advice between September 1982 and February 1983 . In essence , these committees supported controlled use of natural hormones , but were opposed to the use of trenbolone and zeranol due Many studies on organochlorine structures and pesticides to insufficient data . have been conducted , especially on dioxines , PCBs and the pesticide DDT and its metabolite DDE . The Commission's scientific committee for pesticides considered lindane in On 12 June 1984 , the Commission published its 1988 . There was no evidence that lindane was linked with proposal (') which envisaged the controlled use of three an increase in breast cancer nor is there at present any substances for fattening . This approach was rejected by the indication of a statistically significant causal correlation Parliament ( report of Mr Collins ) and by the Council . The between lindane and breast cancer . However the Commission modified its proposal in the light of these Commission is aware of a 1993 study ( 1 ) of the incidence of reactions , confirming a ban on the use of all substances carcinogens in milk in Israel which has since suggested that concerned for fattening purposes . lindane could be cancinogenic , and induce breast cancer .
The Uruguay Round agreement was the object of lengthy The Commission has started a programme for re-evaluation of the pesticide active substances under Directive negotiations and the final result was a delicate balance in 93/71 /EEC ( 2 ). Lindane is one of the 90 active substances which are to be found both negative and positive aspects for all the negotiating parties . It is the Commission's view that which are covered under the first phase of this programme the overall agreement is extremely beneficial in terms of the ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 3600/92 ( ? )). Depending on the development of world trade and for the Contracting Parties results of the re-evaluation , the Commission will take any necessary measures to ensure safety for human health and to GATT in particular . The vast majority of European the environment . consumers will benefit from this agreement even if some may disagree with some of its aspects . According to the information available to the Commission , lindane is authorized in all Member States with the The Commission will defend the provisions of Community exception of Finland , Sweden and Denmark . law as decided by the Council including the total ban on the use of hormones , as recommended by the Parliament in March 1993 . (') Westin J.B. Carcinogens in Israeli milk : a study in regulatory failure International journal health service 1993 , 23 497-517 . (■) COM(84 ) 295 final . ( 2 ) OJ No L 221 , 31 . 8 . 1993 . ( ? ) OJ No L 366 , 15 . 12 . 1992 . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/73
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1409/95 The ultimate beneficiaries of these measures are the by Mark Watts ( PSE ) Guatemalan people as a whole : by strengthening the rule of law and the democratic basis of society, through action to the Commission involving both the authorities and civil society generally , it is (22 May 1995) hoped to train citizens in awareness of their rights and duties ( 95/C 222/126 ) and their defence vis-a-vis legitimate and credible public authorities .
Subject: Human rights in Guatemala Community-financed projects in Guatemala under other budget headings almost all concern the poorest sections of Is the Commission monitoring the human rights situation in the population , in many instances suffering the effects of Guatemala ? failure to observe human rights , with the common aim of giving them decent living conditions and better access to basic services . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1411/95 by Mark Watts ( PSE ) The Commission trusts that pursuing this positive approach to the Commission of encouraging the observance of human rights and democracy will provide a means of tackling existing (22 May 1995) violations . ( 95/C 222/127 ) All the Community-backed measures to help the poorest Subject: Human rights in Guatemala sections of society — themselves the prime victims of human rights violations — are intended to secure progress in What conditionality does the Commission place on trade establishing peace and democracy and in consolidating the aid links with Guatemala with regard to human rights proper rule of law in Guatemala . generally and the plight of street children in particular ?
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1409/95 and E-1411/95 given by Mr Marin WRITTEN QUESTION P-14 16/95 on behalf of the Commission by Honorio Novo ( GUE/NGL ) (20 June 1995) to the Commission (4 May 1995) The Commission monitors the human rights situation in ( 95/C 222/128 ) Guatemala very closely and uses all the means at its disposal to support the Guatemalans ' efforts to promote and ensure the observance of human rights in their country, in Subject: Amendments to the Pronorte Sub-programme B accordance with the positive attitude adopted in this matter Regulation by the Community . According to the Pronorte Sub-programme B Regulation , Since 1991 the Community has financed a series of measures 60 % of its funding should go to the medium-sized 18 towns under the budget heading covering democratization and of the Northern Region of Portugal . These cities can only human rights in Latin America in order to develop and apply for ' Action 1 ' of the Sub-programme if they have consolidate the observance of human rights in the context of adopted their respective strategic plans . the rule of law .
The schemes are carried out by official bodies and also by The Sub-programme Regulation was adopted by the organizations made up of private citizens which have a Commission which, as far as I know, did not amend it . It special aptitude or interest in the areas of activity concerned . seems to me that this means that it must be respected by all These areas cover a very wide range : protection of Member State authorities . vulnerable sections of the population ( children , native peoples , women , victims of violence ); backing for Press reports indicate that the Sub-programme's institutions supporting the peace process ; the legal process management unit decided to amend the conditions of the and legal aid ; promotion of human rights in civil society; and Regulation , and to consider applications on the basis of human rights-related training for members of the army and these amendments on 9 May 1 995 . Their basic thrust is that the security forces . Very considerable support has been the more government funding applicants have received , the given to the human rights ombudsman in Guatemala . more funding they will receive under Sub-programme B; Lastly, assistance has been provided for a number of this includes large urban conglomerations . The 18 schemes to help street children , including most recently a medium-sized towns could be deprived of 10 billion major multiannual programme for such children in escudos ' worth of the total funding earmarked for Guatemala City . Sub-programme B for the 1994—1999 period . The town of No C 222/74 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Viana do Castelo would be particularly badly affected ; It has to know what specific studies have been carried out, what in fact submitted its strategic plan . arrangements exist for obtaining copies and , where appropriate , how much they cost ? Is the Commission aware of the changes to the Pronorte Sub-programme B Regulation , and does it intend to accept them ? If not, will it intervene to prevent the 9 May selection Answer given by Mr Santer of applications on the basis of these amendments ? Is the on behalf of the Commission Commission aware that if these amendments are accepted , (13 June 1995) the much-trumpeted political principle of encouraging development in regional centres as a counterbalance to over-concentration in urban areas will be affected ? The Commission would point out that this question is exactly the same as the Honourable Member's Written Question No 850/95 .
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable on behalf of the Commission Member to the answer it has already given to that (29 May 1995) question i 1 ).
(') See page 18 of this Official Journal . The Commission was only notified at the meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Norte programme , held in Porto on 11 May 1995 , of the implementing Regulations for the programme measures , adopted at national level . It is now considering these documents , including the one referred to by the Honourable Member . WRITTEN QUESTION P-1434/95 by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) The Commission is anxious to emphasize its interest in the to the Commission adoption of a development strategy for the medium-sized (10 May 1995) towns and cities of Portugal which could help reduce the harmful impact of over-concentration in urban areas on the ( 95/C 222/130 ) metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto . Last year it provided funding, as part of technical assistance , for a Subject: Community support for Mr Thierry Roussel's special study on these problems, the findings of which scheme in Odemira have already been presented and approved by the Commission . Mr Thierry Roussel's farm scheme in Odemira , which was presented to the Portuguese public as a 'model project', is in At the meeting of the Monitoring committee referred to ruins , despite its having obtained Community investment above the Portuguese authorities expressed agreement with more easily, perhaps , than a Portuguese citizen would have the views of the Commission and pointed out that support done . measures and a development strategy for medium-sized towns and cities are provided for also under other Can the Commission tell me how much Community funding programmes covered by the Portuguese Community was invested in this scheme and what steps have been taken support framework , in particular the programme to to recover it ? promote regional development potential .
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1424/95 by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE ) The Commission approved the operational programme for to the Commission development of the Mira area of the Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal in a decision dated 21 November 1991 . (22 May 1995) This is the location of the projects to which the Honourable ( 95/C 222/129 ) Member refers .
The Commission must first make clear that it has no Subject: Studies carried out by the Commission responsibility in the selection of projects for Community part-financing and formulates no opinion on their Every year, the Commission has studies carried out by its suitability . Under the Structural Fund Regulations the own services , as well as contracting out hundreds of external Commission has responsibilities for monitoring, reports and pieces of research . What sources of information devaluation and surveillance of implementation of the are available to citizens and interested social sectors wishing operational programmes ( OPs ). 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/75
The agricultural projects in question involved two standards and leading to a Community authorization for the companies growing fruit and vegetables under glass and in medicinal product . the open with a particular emphasis on off-season production . They received some 45 % of the public subsidies Beta interferon (a medicinal product derived from granted for rural development in the Mira . biotechnology ) will be evaluated using this centralized mechanism and as a result of a single marketing The Community contribution to this OP was initially set at authorization , valid for the entire single market, will be ECU 22 million . When the relevant monitoring committee available to all citizens at the same time . met on 29 July 1993 this was reduced by 40% to ECU 13,5 million in view of the difficulties of implementation The social and health systems of the Member States being encountered . The project in question received aid generally provide access to such important new medicines , from the Portuguese authorities of ECU 8 million, of which using the national schemes . ECU 6 million was contributed by the Community .
I 1 ) OJ No L 214 , 24 . 8 . 1993 . The Commission voiced concern about the unsatisfactory progress of the two projects as early as 1 993 . Having learned informally that the financial viability of the two companies is said to be threatened , it has asked the Portuguese authorities to provide a detailed picture so that it can consider what action to take . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1437/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) to the Commission (22 May 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1436/95 ( 95/C 222/132 ) by Freddy Blak ( PSE ) to the Commission Subject: EU projects in El Salvador 1980—1992 (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 222/131 ) What projects did the EU carry out with the El Salvador Government during the war of 1980—1992 ?
Subject: Medicine What agreements made it possible for the EU to carry out projects with NGOs in El Salvador even before the end of Over 300 000 people in Europe suffer from multiple the war ? sclerosis , a disease which attacks the central nervous system . It is still not known what causes the disease , although recent What conditions did the then El Salvador Government clinical research has demonstrated that beta-interferon impose ? provides effective treatment . How were the right conditions created for beginning major In view of this , will the Commission state whether it has projects in El Salvador soon after the peace treaties were taken, or intends to take , steps to ensure that this signed ( on 16 January 1992 )? information and form of treatment is made available to sufferers ? What assistance and how much money did the EU provide for gathering FMLN fighters in transit camps during the demobilization stage from February to December 1992 ? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1995) Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission The rapid availability of new and improved medicinal (22 June 1995) products has been a priority objective of the Commission for many years . January 1995 saw the introduction of the fruits of these efforts by virtue of the setting up of the European Between 1980 and 1984 Community aid to El Salvador agency for the evaluation of medicinal products ( Regulation totalled around ECU 9 million , consisting primarily of ( EEC ) No 2309/93 i 1 ). emergency and food aid .
This new European agency ensures a rapid evaluation of Cooperation between the two parties only really got under new medicinal products , using the highest scientific way in 1985 , following the conference held in San Jose , No C 222/76 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Costa Rica , that inaugurated a dialogue between the soldiers who , having laid down their arms , are lodged in Community and Central America . One of the main camps under UN supervision ( ECU 2 million ). The objectives was to help put an end to the fighting in those Community is also financing a Medecins Sans Frontieres parts of the region still in the throes of war , and to promote programme to maintain decent sanitary conditions in the democracy, human rights and social and economic camps ( ECU 0,8 million ), and a UNHCR project to development . This led to the first major European-backed reconstitute municipal registers destroyed during the war so projects in El Salvador, testifying to the Community's that former soldiers can be issued new identity papers commitment to transcending the underlying causes of the ( ECU 0,9 million ). conflict and to improving the lives of ordinary people . Finally , in 1 992 the ALA Committee approved the first wave of programmes for the social and economic reintegration In 1985 the Community financed a project for ECU of demobilized soldiers in the provinces of Usulutan 3,3 million to rehabilitate the buildings housing the and Chalatenango , which should make a substantial University of El Salvador ( ALA 85/19 ). contribution to establishing a lasting peace .
In 1987, inspite of the continuing political instability and serious civil disturbances , the Community financed a project supporting small-scale traditional production in the poorest parts of the country ( ECU 6 million : ALA 87/10 ). In the wake of the earthquake that year , a further ECU 12 million was provided from the ' disaster' reserve to build and commission a 200-bed hospital in San Salvador ( ALA WRITTEN QUESTION E-1456/95 87/12 ). by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR ) to the Commission (22 May 1995) Between 1990 and 1993 third-generation cooperation ( 95/C 222/133 agreements were concluded with all the Latin American developing countries . One of the innovations of these agreements was the introduction of a clause on democracy and human rights . Subject: Environmental nuisance of high-tension cables
It was against this backcloth that the Community financed a The proliferation of high-tension cables to convey electricity series of projects carried out by NGOs in 1990 and 1991 in from one country to another is harmful to the environment the following fields : electoral participation and the return to and a bane for residents of the Belgian Province of a democratic system ( ECU 250 000 ); institutional support Luxembourg . for the Archbishopric's office for the promotion of human rights ( ECU 85 000 ); a public awareness campaign in with the Human Rights Commission ( ECU 100 000 ); and Does the European Union plan to create 'corridors' to limit support for communications training at the Central this nuisance as far as possible ? American Catholic University ( ECU 300 000 ). NGOs also played a key part in implementing a 1991 project to support micro-businesses with the aim of strengthening the structure and organization of the informal sector ( ECU 7 million : ALA 91/29 ). Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1995) At the eighth San Jose conference , held in Lisbon in February 1992 in an atmosphere enlivened by the signing one month previously of the El Salvador peace agreements , the Community announced its intention of supporting the As a general rule , the criteria governing the installation of peace process by providing a financial package totalling high-tension cables are determined by the Member States . around ECU 60 million for projects linked to the Consequently, and in accordance with the principle of implementation of the Chapultepec agreements . subsidiarity, 'corridors ' for high-tension cables have not been defined at Community level .
In cooperation with Observadores de las Naciones Unidas However, it should be pointed out that, with a view to en El Salvador ( Onusal ), the Community is currently playing tackling to nuisance effects of certain public and private a leading role in supporting the demobilization of the projects on the environment , a Council Directive FMLN through the work of the organization Caritas in the ( 85/337/EEC ) ( J ) on the assessment of the environmental field of food security and initial training for former FMLN impact was adopted in 1985 . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/77
High-tension cables are subject to such an assessment WRITTEN QUESTION E-1464/95 whenever the Member States consider this to be necessary by James Moorhouse ( PPE ) by reason of their operational characteristics . to the Commission (22 May 1995) (M OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 . ( 95/C 222/135 )
Subject: Member States' gas safety regulations
Having recently appointed a French firm to investigate Member States ' laws , regulations and rules on gas safety , WRITTEN QUESTION E-1462/95 can the Commission : by José Barros Moura ( PSE ) to the Commission — state what are the objectives of this project ? (22 May 1995) — give a detailed report of progress so far ? ( 95/C 222/134 )
Answer given by Mrs Bonino Subject: Traffic in toxic waste on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1995) What measures does the Commission plan to take to combat the illegal export of toxic and hazardous waste within the EU, as in the case where the German company Grundig used As previously indicated in the answer to Written Question its plant in Bragan^a for this purpose ? No 2564/94 ( l ) the project aims to pinpoint gaps in the national rules concerning the installation, maintenance and inspection of appliances burning gaseous fuels and liquid What are the responsibilities of the two Member States fuels ( including gaps in the implementation of these rules ) so directly concerned ? as to identify measures to reduce accidents either in the home or in buildings frequented by consumers, such as hotels or holiday homes . When the results of the study are Has either of them requested the Commission to take known the Commission will consider what action may be action ? necessary .
The present position regarding the study is that contractors ATG France have submitted an interim report dated Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard 26 April 1995 to the Commission . The final .report is due by on behalf of the Commission 15 July 1995 . If the final report is accepted by the Commission then the Parliament will be informed of its (28 June 1995) content and , subsequently , it will be made available to the public .
The Commission is not informed of the case of illegal traffic (') OJ No C 139 , 5 . 6 . 1995 . raised by the Honourable Member and has not been requested to take action in this respect .
The current Community legislation on shipments of hazardous waste is Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of hazardous WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490/95 waste within , into and out of the Community i 1 ). Provisions by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) concerning responsibility in cases of illegal traffic are laid to the Commission down in Article 26 . However , without more information about the alleged illegal traffic , the Commission cannot (22 May 1995) indicate what the responsibilities of the Member States ( 95/C 222/136 ) involved would be .
(') OJ No L 30 , 6 . 2 . 1993 . Subject: Nuclear energy
In which Member States , if any, is nuclear energy privatized ? No C 222/78 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497/95 on behalf of the Commission by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) (19 June 1995) to the Commission (22 May 1995 ( 95/C 222/138 ) Nuclear energy for the production of electricity is privatized in Belgium , Germany and Spain . In Spain , however , the State is a major shareholder in the owner/operator company . In Sweden , two 600 MW are in the private sector while the rest ( two-thirds ) is State-owned . In Finland , 61 % Subject: Protection of the caretta caretta turtle on of nuclear energy is privatized and 39 % State-owned . Zakynthos
The marine turtle , caretta caretta , has been declared an endangered species within the EU and is one of the priority species designated under Directive 92/43/EEC ( 1 ) on natural habitats . On 5 July 1990 , the Greek Government issued Presidential Decree 347D designating particular areas as WRITTEN QUESTION E-1492/95 ' nature conservation areas'. These included Sekania which is by James Moorhouse ( PPE ) one of three beaches in the world with the highest to the Commission concentration of caretta caretta nests . The Environment Ministry has also announced that a marine park is to be set (22 May 1995) up on Zakynthos with a budget of Drs 350 million from the ( 95/C 222/137 ) Second Community Support Framework .
Subject: Member States' gas safety regulations To locate Sekania at the centre of the marine park, the private land behind the biggest section of the beach was bought by the Greek WWF with the backing of the Having recently appointed a French firm to investigate Environment Ministry and 75 % funding from the EU under Member States ' laws , regulations and rules on gas safety , the Acnat programme . Recently , at Sekania , the local can the Commission : authorities have turned a blind eye to the illegal felling of woodland , the filling-in of the river bed and the building of a — state what are the objectives of this project ? road to the beach , which has severely damaged the turtles' breeding grounds (a 40 % reduction in the number of nests ). It should be noted in this connection that the Council of — give a detailed report of progress so far ? Europe has looked into the question of demolishing unauthorized buildings in the neighbouring area of Daphni and has submitted a ' recommendation ' to this effect to the Greek Government .
Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission In view of the above : (30 June 1995)
1 . what measures does the Commission intend to take against the Greek Government for allowing these The Commission would point out that this question is projects to go ahead in breach of Community law exactly the same as the Honourable Member's Written and Question E-1464/95 .
The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable 2 . will the Commission ask the Greek Government to Member to the answer it has already given to that submit a specific timetable for setting up and operating question ('). the National Marine Park to ensure that the Drs 350 million earmarked for this purpose under the Second Community Support Framework is effectively (') See page 77 of this Official Journal . spent ?
(') OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7 . 1992 , p. 7 . 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/79
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard 2 . Does it agree that the German authorities are guilty of on behalf of the Commission discrimination ? (28 June 1995) 3 . If so, does it intend to put an end to this practice ? If not, on what grounds ?
The Commission is aware of the problems facing Caretta caretta on the Greek island of Zakynthos, including the incidents on the beach at Sekania . Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission It is currently examining a complaint regarding the (27 June 1995) protection of this species on Zakynthos to determine whether Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora is being properly applied . Annex IV to the Directive lists animal and plant The Commission is aware of the situation referred to by the species of Community interest in need of strict protection, Honourable Member which is not in conformity with the including Caretta caretta . general principle of freedom to provide services . In order to help resolve this problem in accordance with the judgment of the Court ofJustice of 22 May 1985 in Case No 13/83 ( J ), The Commission has established direct contact with the on 10 May 1995 it sent to the Council a proposal for Greek Environment Ministry to ensure that the Greek Regulation on common rules applicable to the transport of authorities take rapid and effective action . goods or passengers by inland waterway between Member States with a view to establishing freedom to provide such services ( 2 ).
The proposal invites the Council to introduce, pursuant to Article 75(1 ) ( a ) of the EC Treaty, Community rules for access to transport services between Member States which WRITTEN QUESTION E-1524/95 ensure that the principle of freedom to provide services applies in law to all international transport links within the by Petrus Cornelissen ( PPE ) Community . The achievement of this objective will make it to the Commission possible to ensure that all Community carriers can carry out (31 May 1995) transport operations covered by the bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany on inland shipping . ( 95/C 222/139 )
(!) ECR ( 1985 ) p . 1556 . ( 2 ) COM(95 ) 167 final . Subject: Bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany on inland shipping
Since Austria's accession to the EU the bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany has not been terminated by either country . Austria, unlike Germany, has promised to interpret the agreement 'liberally'. WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 544/95 by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn ( PPE ) Under this agreement non-German and non-Austrian to the Commission vessels require authorization to transport goods between (22 May 1995) Germany and Austria . Since 1 January Austria has not ( 95/C 222/140 ) objected to any applications for authorization , but when processing the same applications , the German authorities want first to establish whether the goods concerned can be transported by German vessels . Subject: Delays in the distribution of The Official Journal of the European Communities
This attitude towards non-German carriers , which is discriminatory in commercial and operational terms , seems Is the Commission aware that delays of several months incompatible with the EU Treaty . occur not infrequently in the distribution of The Official Journal of the European Communities and thus in the publication of European Union legislation ? 1 . Is the Commission aware of complaints about the German authorities' enforcement of the bilateral agreement between Germany and Austria on inland The new anti-dumping Regulation and the new rules on shipping ? European Union export controls provide examples . The No C 222/80 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95 former was adopted by the Council in September 1994 and WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554/95 came into force immediately , but the relevant issue of the by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR ) Official Journal only became available on 7 February 1995 . to the Commission The export control rules were published in the Official Journal of 31 December, but this was only dispatched by the (1 June 1995) relevant distributors at the beginning of April 1995 . ( 95/C 222/141 )
Subject: Progress of the report on thermonuclear fusion This distribution practice not only means that those to whom legislation applies may sustain losses , but also places a question mark, in the public mind , over the seriousness of What progress has there been following report A4-66/94 ( ! ) the European Union's law-making . on adopting a specific programme of research and training in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion ?
(M OJ No C 341 , 5 . 12 . 1994 , p . 150 . Does the Commission see any way of putting a stop to this delay in the distribution of The Official Journal of the European Communities ? Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1995)
The greatest account has been taken of Report A4-66/94 , Answer given by Mr Oreja which sets out Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a on behalf of the Commission Council Decision adopting a specific programme of research (29 June 1995) and training in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion . The Commission has accepted the seven amendments adopted by Parliament and incorporated them into Council Decision 94/799/Euratom (').
The Official Journal is published on behalf of the (•) OJ No L 3 31 , 21 . 12 . 1994 . institutions by the Publications Office , which is an inter-institutional service administratively attached to the Commission . The two examples given by the Honourable Member concern Regulations adopted by the Council , which is responsible for the documents . WRITTEN QUESTION E- 15 80/95 by Leen van der Waal ( EDN ) The problems mentioned by the Honourable Member are to the Commission caused primarily by delays which arise prior to the (7 June 1995) institutions' transmitting the 1 1 ( previously nine ) language versions of the final manuscripts to the Publications Office . 95/C 222/142 ) In the case of the two examples given : Subject: Subsidies to Flemish ports — publication of Council Regulation ( EC ) No 3381 /94 adopted on 19 December 1994 was delayed because an According to press reports , shipping companies are amending Regulation ( EC ) No 837/95 deferred the date transferring their container dispatch business from on which it took effect to 1 July ; in order to avoid any Rotterdam to Antwerp as a result of a 20 % lower rate there confusion , the Council asked that the Regulation and for the loading and unloading of containers . the amending Regulation appear on the same day , which 1 . Can the Commission confirm that the tariffs for the turned out to be 21 April 1995 ; loading and unloading of containers in Flemish ports are lower than those set in the ports of Rotterdam , Bremen — the Publications Office did not receive the whole of and Hamburg ? Council Regulation ( EC ) No 3283/94 , adopted on 22 December 1994 , until 20 January 1995 . It was then 2 . Are these lower tariffs partly the result of subsidies from published on 6 February, which is a normal time for the Flemish Government, e.g. the funding of an publication . under-employed labour force and/or government contributions to terminals ?
3 . Does the Commission consider the provision of subsidies by the Flemish Government to be compatible with the Union's rules of competition ? 28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222/81
4 . If not, what measures does the Commission intend 2 . Can the Commission guarantee that construction will taking to counteract this distortion of competition ? not begin until the required environmental impact study has been approved ?
3 . Does the Commission really believe it is necessary to Answer given by Mr Kinnock build these thermal power stations in the Canaries , given on behalf of the Commission that they would increase the CO2 levels in the area and would have other significant consequences , such as the (27 June 1995) construction of high-tension lines ?
The Commission does not monitor levels of port tariffs in the Community, and is not therefore in a position to confirm differences in the levels charged between individual ports or Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission the reasons for the differences . The Commission is , of course , acutely mindful that the rules of the Treaty (28 June 1995) governing State aids apply to the port sector, and stresses that Member States should be vigilant in notifying new aids . The Commission takes extremely seriously its responsibility The facts referred to by the Honourable Member are the for ensuring that State aid rules are respected , and is always subject of a case now pending before the Court of First ready to investigate formal complaints and to follow-up Instance ( J ). substantial evidence concerning breaches of the rules . If the Honourable Member has such evidence he should make it available to the Commission . The Commission does not therefore wish to comment until the Court has delivered its judgment .
(') Case T-585/93 , Greenpeace and others v. Commission .
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1629/95 by Angela Sierra González ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676/95 (1 June 1995) by Peter Crampton ( PSE ) ( 95/C 222/143 ) to the Commission (15 June 1995) Subject: Environmental impact of two thermal power 95/C 222/144 ) stations being built on Tenerife and Gran Canaria ( Spain ) Subject: Inclusion of poultrymeat in the Food-Aid Two thermal power stations are currently being built in the programme Canary Islands , one in Granadilla , Tenerife , and the other in San Bartolomé de Tirajana , Gran Canaria . Given that : Has the Commission any plans to include poultrymeat in the Food-Aid programme ? If not, what are the difficulties , — both projects are financed by the European Union ; because this puts European producers at a disadvantage compared to those in the USA and Brazil ? — operating power plants of this kind would significantly increase emissions of carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), one of the gases responsible for climate change ; Answer given by Mr Pinheiro — the Canary Islands' energy scheme anticipates an 88 per on behalf of the Commission cent increase in CO2 emissions by the year 2005 ; (28 June 1995) — there have been no serious energy efficiency and energy-saving programmes or renewable energy schemes undertaken in the Canaries ; As from the 1995 programme , poultry meat will be included in the list of products which can be supplied as food aid . This list will be published in the Official Journal . 1 . How much does the Commission know about the possible environmental impact of these power stations ? No C 222/82 ΓΕΝΊ Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 847/95 institutions which gives preference to qualified by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR ) handicapped employees ? to the Commission 3 . Are records kept of the numbers of handicapped (3 July 1995) employees working for the various institutions ? If so , ( 95/C 222/145 ) what were the relevant percentages for Parliament, the Council and the Commission respectively for the years Subject: Quota regulation for the appointment of 1992 , 1993 and 1994 ? Do these figures suggest that a handicapped workers in the European quota system needs to be introduced ? institutions (') See page 35 of this Official Journal . The answer I received to my Written Question E-l 05 1 /95 ( 1 ) on the appointment of handicapped workers in the European institutions was that no quota system existed for such employees , but that an inter-service working group had Answer given by Mr Liikanen been established within the Commission to produce a code on behalf of the Commission of practice on this subject . (17 July 1995) 1 . Does such a code of practice mean that more handicapped people will in fact be appointed ? The Commission is collecting the information it needs to 2 . Why does the Commission not introduce a quota system answer the question . It will communicate its findings as for appointments to posts within the European soon as possible .