ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 257 Volume 38 of the European Communities 2 October 1995
English edition Information and Notices
Notice No Contents Page
I Information
European Parliament
Written Questions with answer
95/C 257/01 E-2640/94 by Mary Banotti to the Commission Subject : Television without frontiers Directive ( Supplementary answer ) 1
95/C 257/02 E-55/95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission Subject : Community aid for the Second Community Support Framework ( 1994— 1999 ) during 1994 1
95/C 257/03 E-l 10/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Council Subject : Assessing the agreement on nuclear activity in North Korea 2
95/C 257/04 E-l 3 1 /95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Community legislation and a ban on leaving Greece because of debts to the State ... 3
95/C 257/05 E-273/95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Delays in the approval of payments by the Commission services 4
95/C 257/06 P-3 16/95 by Peter Truscott to the Council Subject : Veal crates and the export of livestock 4
95/C 257/07 P-522/95 by Peter Truscott to the Council Subject : Veal crates and the export of livestock 4
95/C 257/08 E-524/95 by Christine Barthet-Mayer to the Council Subject : Intensive battery production of farm animals for slaughter 4
Joint answer to Written Questions P-3 16/95 , P-522/95 and E-524/95 5
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95/C 257/09 E-326/95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission Subject : Allocation of the quota of 27 000 tonnes of plain bonito in the NAFO area 5
95/C 257/10 E-336/95 by Werner Langen to the Council Subject : Forced sale of property in Ireland 5
95/C 257/ 1 1 E-403/95 by Edward Newman to the Commission Subject : Abolition of frontier controls 6
95/C 257/12 E-419/95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission Subject : Expenditure on patent applications and disputes within the context of R&D budgets 7
95/C 257/ 13 E-504/95 by Jose Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado to the Council Subject : Situation of managerial staff in European Community 8
95/C 257/14 E-5 19/95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Council Subject : UN expert in El Salvador 8
95/C 257/15 E-526/95 by Georges Berthu to the Council Subject : Human rights violations in Romania 9
95/C 257/16 E-539/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : 'Television without frontiers' Directive 9
95/C 257/17 E-587/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : The profession of auditor in Greece — violation of Article 90 of the Treaty on European Union in association with Articles 96 and 52 10
95/C 257/ 18 E-594/95 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission Subject : Failure by Member States to honour agreed Union rules on the harmonization of qualifications 11
95/C 257/19 E-622/95 by Ilona Graenitz to the Council Subject : Standards for EU projects with non-member countries 11
95/C 257/20 E-626/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : EU information technology expenditure and procurement policy ( Supplementary answer ) 11
95/C 257/21 E-649/95 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Flooding 12
95/C 257/22 E-746/95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission Subject : Aids to tourism — projects in Malaga 12
95/C 257/23 E-8 17/95 by Philippe-Armand Martin to the Commission Subject : Wine and excise duties 13
95/C 257/24 E-837/95 by Glyn Ford to the Council Subject : Proposed detention of Munir Ceylan 13
95/C 257/25 E-861 /95 by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt to the Commission Subject : Aid for Berlin ( Supplementary answer ) 14
95/C 257/26 E-925/95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Council Subject : Export of equipment for the purpose of torture 14
95/C 257/27 E-971 /95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Competition 15
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95/C 257/28 E-986/95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Council Subject : EU response to the violence in Algeria 15
95/C 257/29 E-987/95 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission Subject : Community initiatives to prevent the mental ageing of older people 16
95/C 257/30 E-992/95 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission Subject : Emission limit values for dioxins from municipal waste incineration plants 16
95/C 257/31 E-1059/95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission Subject : Health problems linked to migration and tourism in- the European Union 17
95/C 257/32 E- 1068/95 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission Subject : Tourism and the environment 17
95/C 257/33 E- 1073/95 by Michel Rocard to the Commission Subject : Reduction and re-organization of working time 18
95/C 257/34 E-1091/95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Council Subject : The right of foreign nationals to vote at municipal elections 18
95/C 257/35 E-l 109/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Distribution of pharmaceuticals 19
95/C 257/36 E-1113/95 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission Subject : Esperanto pilot schemes 19
95/C 257/37 E-l 121/95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission Subject : Entry of EU citizens on the electoral register 20
95/C 257/38 E-1214/95 by Anita Pollack to the Council Subject : Sustainability and oceans 20
95/C 257/39 E-1215/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Agriculture and the environment 21
95/C 257/40 E-1216/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Convention on climate change and Agenda 21 21
95/C 257/41 E-1218/95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission Subject : Konver aid 22
95/C 257/42 E-l 23 8/95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission Subject : Socio-economic aspects of the environment 22
95/C 257/43 P-1244/95 by Daniel Cohn-Bendit to the Commission Subject : Promoting the dissemination of independent information in former Yugoslavia 23
95/C 257/44 E-l 245/95 by Ralf Walter to the Commission Subject : Insolvency risk cover for youth organizations 24
95/C 257/45 E-1249/95 by James Provan to the Commission Subject : Tonnage of fishing fleets in the European Union 25
95/C 257/46 E-1261/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : The wetlands of Schinia in the municipality of Marathon 26
95/C 257/47 E-1289/95 by Christine Oddy to the Council Subject : Human rights in Pakistan 26
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95/C 257/48 E-1305/95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Human capital and mobility 27
95/C 257/49 E- 1308/95 by Wim van Velzen to the Commission Subject : Diabetes research 27
95/C 257/50 E-1317/95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Incorporation of Directive 91/676/EEC into Greek law 28
95/C 257/51 E-1334/95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission Subject : Action against fraud 28
95/C 257/52 E-134 9/95 by Allan Macartney to the Council Subject : Bosnia/Serbia 29
95/C 257/53 E- 1350/95 by Allan Macartney to the Commission Subject : ERDF : Textiles closures — Tayside Region, Scotland 29
95/C 257/54 E-1352/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Contraband cigarettes 30
95/C 257/55 E-1472/95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission Subject : Tobacco theft 30
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1352/95 and E-1472/95 30
95/C 257/56 E- 136 1 /95 by Luigi Moretti to the Commission Subject : Textile and clothing industry and customs union with Turkey 31
95/C 257/57 E-1364/95 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens to the Commission Subject : Community measures in support of home care 31
95/C 257/58 P- 1367/95 by Concepció Ferrer to the Council Subject : Comple ban on anti-personnel mines 32
95/C 257/59 E- 13 84/95 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission Subject : Complete ban on anti-personnel mines 32
95/C 257/60 E-1385/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Route of the A73 and the Habitats directive 33
95/C 257/61 E-l 393/95 by Peter Skinner to the Commission Subject : Funding of the Channel Tunnel rail link and EC competition policy 33
95/C 257/62 E-l402/95 by Alexander Langer to the Commission Subject : Unauthorized building at Is Arenas ( Sardinia ) 34
95/C 257/63 E-1418/95 by Ingo Friedrich to the Commission Subject : Implementation of a European postal services policy 35
95/C 257/64 E-1448/95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Community policy for postal services 35
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1418/95 and E-1448/95 35
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95/C 257/65 E-1420/95 by Mathias Reichhold to the Commission Subject : Rape seed under the CAP 36
95/C 257/66 E-1421/95 by Mathias Reichhold to the Commission Subject : Fruit and vegetable producer groups 36
95/C 257/67 E-1423/95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission Subject : Nuclear energy 37
95/C 257/68 E-1428/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Dangers inherent in 'over the counter' sales of the contraceptive pill in the Netherlands 37
95/C 257/69 E-1429/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Advertising of contraceptive pills in the Netherlands 38
95/C 257/70 E-1430/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : ' Over the counter' sales of the contraceptive pill in the Netherlands in violation of efforts at harmonization 38
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1428/95 to E-1430/95 38
95/C 257/71 E-1439/95 by Klaus Rehder to the Commission Subject : True cost of transport 39
95/C 257/72 E- 1445/95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : Financial support for the European film industry 40
95/C 257/73 E-1447/95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission Subject : EU sugar regime 40
95/C 257/74 E-1459/95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission Subject : Universal and reservable services 41
95/C 257/75 E-1463/95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission Subject : Deaths due to blocked chimneys and flues 41
95/C 257/76 E-1473/95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso and Ana Miranda de Lage to the Commission Subject : Development and poverty in the former Soviet Union 42
95/C 257/77 E-1474/95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso and Ana Miranda de Lage to the Commission Subject : The Copenhagen summit and the European Union 42
95/C 257/78 E-1475/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : EU aid to Guatemala 43
95/C 257/79 E-1478/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : The 'information society' and social change 44
95/C 257/80 E-1479/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Support for Nicaragua 44
95/C 257/81 E-1481/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Poverty and racism 45
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95/C 257/82 E-1482/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Poverty in the European Union 45
95/C 257/83 E-1484/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Construction of a power line in the Verbano Cusio Ossola area and compliance with Community legislation 46
95/C 257/84 E-1487/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Council Subject : Schengen Agreement 46
95/C 257/85 E-1494/95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission Subject : Benefits to the Netherlands from the Community 'Konver' initiative 47
95/C 257/86 E-1496/95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission Subject : Assistance for the return of Eritrean refugees 47
95/C 257/87 E-1512/95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission Subject : World Trade Organization ( WTO ) and animal protection 48
95/C 257/88 E-151 6/95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject : Standards for animal trapping 48
95/C 257/89 E-1540/95 by Fernand Herman to the Commission Subject : Application of the Regulation prohibiting the use of leg-hold traps and the introduction into the Community of pelts of wild animals 48
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1512/95 , E-1516/95 and E-1540/95 49
95/C 257/90 E-1518/95 by Nuala Ahern to the Commission Subject : Garching Research Reactor 49
95/C 257/91 E-1520/95 by Nuala Ahern to the Commission Subject : Final disposal site for nuclear waste in Japan 49
95/C 257/92 E-1523/95 by Nuala Ahern to the Commission Subject : Nuclear transport to Japan 50
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1520/95 and E-1523/95 50
95/C 257/93 E-1528/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Handbooks on the integration of women in the development process 50
95/C 257/94 E-1530/95 by Graham Mather to the Commission Subject : Agriculture : IACS regulations 51
95/C 257/95 E-1531/95 by Peter Skinner to the Commission Subject : Safety standards for heavy goods vehicles and other vehicles circulating within the EU 5 1
95/C 257/96 E-1534/95 by David Martin to the Commission Subject : Commission at voting procedure in Council 52
95/C 257/97 E-1538/95 by Veronica Hardstaff to the Commission Subject : Public's freedom of access to information 52
95/C 257/98 P-1546/95 by Antonio Tajani to the Council Subject : Infringement of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 53
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95/C 257/99 P-1879/95 by Antonio Tajani to the Council Subject : Violation of the European Convention on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms 53
Joint answer to Written Questions P-1546/95 and P-1879/95 53
95/C 257/100 E-1547/95 by Patricia McKenna to the Commission Subject : Approval of water for bathing 53
95/C 257/101 E-1551/95 by Barbara Dührkop Dührkop to the Commission Subject : Cooperation with third countries ( budgetary heading B3-1007 ) 54
95/C 257/102 E-1555/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Splitting the Institute for Advanced Materials between Petten and Ispra 55
95/C 257/103 E-1559/95 by Jesus Cabezón Alonso to the Commission Subject : Funding for projects relating to health at work 56
95/C 257/104 E-1561/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : Imports of pine nuts from China 56
95/C 257/105 E-1567/95 by Renate Heinisch to the Commission Subject : Directive on infant formulae and follow-on formulae 56
95/C 257/106 E-1576/95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission Subject : Large-scale timber-felling in Suriname 57
95/C 257/107 E-1600/95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission Subject : Financial aid to Kenya 57
95/C 257/108 E-1603/95 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject : Deaths caused by smog 58
95/C 257/109 E-1604/95 by Cristina Muscardini to the Commission Subject : Detention of HIV-positive individuals in Sweden 58
95/C 257/110 E- 1605/95 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission Subject : New European agencies 59
95/C 257/111 E-1611/95 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission Subject : Italian appointment to the CID ! 59
95/C 257/112 P- 16 12/95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission Subject : The Commission's opinion on the A 20 in Germany 60
95/C 257/113 P-1613/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Further failure by Italy to transpose Directive 91/271 /EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment into national law 60
95/C 257/114 E-1615/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Statistics for animal testing in the European Union 61
95/C 257/115 E-1627/95 by Bartho Pronk to the Commission Subject : Home care in Europe 61
95/C 257/116 P-1628/95 by Jean-Pierre Cot to the Commission Subject : Respect for the fundamental rights of the European Union by France 62
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95/C 257/117 E-1638/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Community regional planning 62
95/C 257/118 E-l 642/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases 63
95/C 257/119 E-l 648/95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission Subject : Sheepmeat and goatmeat 63
95/C 257/120 E-l 656/95 by Wolfgang NuEbaumer to the Commission Subject : Countries of central and eastern Europe — convergence criteria 64
95/C 257/121 E-l 657/95 by Wolfgang NuEbaumer to the Commission Subject : Alteration of current antidumping instruments as soon as the rules on competition and state aids are implemented by the countries of central and eastern Europe 65
95/C 257/122 E-1658/95 by Wolfgang NulSbaumer to the Commission Subject : Transeuropean transport networks — financing in the countries of central and eastern Europe 65
95/C 257/123 E-l 664/95 by Mark Killilea to the Commission Subject : Destruction of the Aral Sea 66
95/C 257/124 E-l 686/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : ESF 66
95/C 257/125 E-1687/95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission Subject : Tuberculosis 67
95/C 257/126 E-1691/95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission Subject : Use of Community funds in an agricultural hydraulics project in the Vale do Lis , Leiria 67
95/C 257/127 P- 1693/95 by Frederic Striby to the Commission Subject : Recognition of the interim licensing of new vehicles by Member States : Franco-German case 68
95/C 257/128 E-l 703/95 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission Subject : European Social Fund assistance to Portugal 68
95/C 257/129 E-1712/95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission Subject : First CSF for Greece • 69
95/C 257/130 E-l 71 8/95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission Subject : Risks to public safety from mobile hand-held telephones 70
95/C 257/131 E-l 724/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Definition of ' significant effects on the environment' for the purposes on environmental impact assessments Directive 85/337/EEC 70
95/C 257/132 E-l 725/95 by Pervenche Beres to the Commission Subject : Confidentiality of studies carried out by the Commission 71
95/C 257/133 P- 1728/95 by Bernie Malone to the Commission Subject : Bhutanese refugees in Nepal 72
95/C 257/134 E-l 733/95 by Alex Smith to the Commission Subject : Alternatives to nuclear re-processing 72
95/C 257/135 E-l 734/95 by Graham Watson to the Commission Subject : Commission criteria for cofinancing development projects 73
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95/C 257/136 E- 1736/95 by Pervenche Berès to the Commission Subject : Social security insurance and free movement 73
95/C 257/137 P- 1742/95 by Roy Perry to the Commission Subject : Application of GSP rules 74
95/C 257/138 E-1746/95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission Subject : Denied-boarding compensation system 75
95/C 257/139 E-l 755/95 by David Bowe to the Commission Subject : Novel foods Directive 75
95/C 257/140 E-l 765/95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission Subject : Access for ready-made clothing to the Community market 76
95/C 257/141 E-1771/95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission Subject: Re-cycling in the steel industry 76
95/C 257/ 142 E-1784/95 by Nikitas Kaklamanis to the Commission Subject : Nuclear power station in Turkey 77
95/C 257/143 E-178 9/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Disbursement of funds under the Fourth Framework Programme 77
95/C 257/144 E-1790/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission Subject : Prices for the 'Panorama of EU Industry' 78
95/C 257/145 E-1791/95 by Philippe De Coene to the Commission Subject : Implementation of Article 40 of the Fourth ACP-EEC Lomé Convention 78
95/C 257/146 E-l 807/95 by Leen van der "Waal to the Commission Subject : Controls on road transport in the Member States 78
95/C 257/147 E-l 8 13/95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission Subject : SCF in the area of baby and infant feeding 79
95/C 257/148 E-1815/95 by Eryl McNally to the Commission Subject : Panam integrated rural development project in Tibet 80
95/C 257/149 E-l 820/95 by Sylviane Ainardi to the Commission Subject : The human rights situation in Syria 80
95/C 257/150 E-l 827/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the Commission Subject : A uniform approach to social policy 81
95/C 257/151 E-l 846/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Significant delays in publication of the Commission's twelfth report on monitoring of the implementation of Community law in the Member States 81
95/C 257/152 P-l 864/95 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission Subject : Interim Review of the implementation of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme 81
95/C 257/153 E-1867/95 by Iñigo Mendez de Vigo to the Commission Subject : Japanese-USA negotiations in the automobile sector 82
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95/C 257/154 E-l 869/95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission Subject : Derogations until 2006 from the Directive on the incineration of hazardous waste and compliance with environmental targets for the reduction of dioxin emissions 82
95/C 257/155 P-1881/95 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission Subject : Redundancy programme for Cedefop 83
95/C 257/156 E-1893/95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission Subject : Transposition of Community Directives in Spain 84
95/C 257/157 E-1905/95 by Bill Miller to the Commission Subject : Intergovernmental Conference 84
95/C 257/158 E-1906/95 by Bill Miller to the Commission Subject : Intergovernmental Conference 84
95/C 257/159 E-1962/95 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission Subject : The European glass industry 85
95/C 257/160 P-1988/95 by Eryl McNally to the Commission Subject : CCGT 85
95/C 257/161 E-2001/95 by Mair Morgan to the Commission Subject : Greyhound farming in Ireland 86
95/C 257/162 P-2022/95 by Bengt Hurtig to the Commission Subject : The environment 86
95/C 257/163 E-2054/95 by Imelda Read to the Commission Subject : Commission's plans on sects 86
95/C 257/164 P-2068/95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission Subject : Research or technological development projects outside the EU 87
95/C 257/165 P-2099/95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission Subject : Processing of plutonium from Russian nuclear missiles to manufacture MOX fuel in Hanau 87
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I
(Information)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2640/94 Union') ( ), was considered in depth by the parties by Mary Banotti ( PPE ) concerned , in particular at the European Conference in July 1994 . to the Commission (8 December 1994) The Commission felt that the scope of the Directive should ( 95/C 257/01 ) remain unchanged ; the Directive continues to apply to 'point-to-multipoint' services including pay-per-view, Subject: Television without frontiers Directive near-video-on-demand and home shopping . The new 'point-to-point' services will be studied in a Green Paper on Could the Commission inform us of the most recent the new audio-visual services to be presented by the developments of the television without frontiers Commission at the end of 1995 . Directive ? (') OJ No L 298 , 17 . 10 . 1989 . Are the new investment quotas for European programmes ( 2 ) COM(95 ) 86 final . part of the revised text ? (') COMÍ94 ) 96 final .
What is the situation with new services such as video-on-demand and pay-per-view television ? How will they be covered in the revision ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-55/95 Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission (30 June 1995) (30 January 1995) ( 95/C 257/02 Article 26 of the television without frontiers Directive ( 89/552/EEC ) ( J ) requires the Commission to report on the application of the Directive and , if necessary, make further Subject: Community aid for the Second Community proposals to adapt it to developments in the field of Support Framework ( 1994—1999 ) during 1994 television broadcasting . On 22 March 1995 , the Commission adopted a revised proposal ( 2 ) amending the On 19 December 1994 I received the Commission's answer measures on European promotion along the lines referred to to my Written Question E-2472/94 ('), which stated that by by the Honourable Member . 15 November 1994 the Portuguese Government had received approximately Esc 200 billion in Community aid The Commission would emphasize that the aim is to help for 1994 ( II CSF ). mobilize the European programmes industry and enable it to become competitive on the European and world markets . The Portuguese Government, however , maintains that by The question of the obligation to invest in European works, the end of 1 994 it will have received as part of the II CSF Esc raised in the Green Paper on audio-visual policy (' Strategy 290 billion which is equivalent to approximately 80 % of options to strengthen the European programme industry in the various Operational Programmes ( first and second the context of the audio-visual policy of the European instalments of 1994 ). No C 257/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
In view of the above , will the Commission say precisely ESF when it transferred this balance , and in particular whether it (in ECU) did so after 15 November 1994 , ( indicating the amounts Date Date and the Operational Programme concerned ) and also state Sum credited when the request was submitted by the Member State in received question ? Technical assistance Decision 29 . 12 . 94 4 300 000 20 . 12 . 94 (') OJ No C 81 , 3 . 4 . 1995 , p . 36 .
EAGGF
(in ECU) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies Date Date on behalf of the Commission Sum received credited (13 March 1995) Re-imbursement of 3 . 6 . 94 23 . 11 . 94 53 796 1993 expenditure under Regulation The sums transferred to Portugal under the 1994—1999 ( EEC ) No 1035/72 Community support framework between 16 November 1994 and 31 December 1994 are set out below . The figures for the FIFG are given in the answer to Written Question 54/95 from the Honourable Member (').
( 1 ) OJ No C 139 , 5 . 6 . 1995 . WRITTEN QUESTION E- 11 0/95 by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Council ERDF (3 February 1995) (in ECU) ( 95/C 257/03 ) Date Date Operational Sum programmes received credited
Infrastructure Support 8 . 11 . 94 23 . 11 . 94 97 083 000 and Development Subject: Assessing the agreement on nuclear activity in . North Korea Modernization of 15 . 11 . 94 2 . 12 . 94 9Γ S' SO 100 Economic Fabric
Health and Social 8 . 12 . 94 30 . 12 . 94 26 979 500 ( 1 ) Given that three months have now elapsed since the USA, Integration Japan and North Korea signed agreements on nuclear matters with North Korea , can the Council say how it North region 17 . 11 . 94 2 . 12 . 94 14 430 000 assesses these agreements , which affect western and North region 16 . 12 . 94 29 . 12 . 94 32 050 000 ( ] ) therefore European Union security ? Does it believe, for example , that there are grounds for the fears privately Centre region 24 . 10 . 94 22 . 11 . 94 8 299 200 expressed by various officials of the International Atomic Centre region 21 . 12 . 94 30 . 12 . 94 19 174 000 C ) Energy Agency as to possible dangers if North Korea's atomic arsenal remains uninspected over a lengthy period of Lisbon and Tagus 13 . 12 . 94 30 . 12 . 94 9 167 400 Valley time ? As the EU was not a party to these agreements , is there any possibility that European technology and Europe's civil Alentejo 6 . 12 . 94 30 . 12 . 94 6 276 900 nuclear industry might be involved in supply North Korea Azores 26 . 10 . 94 22 . 11 . 94 15 397 800 with two new electro-nuclear power stations ?
Azores 8 . 12 . 94 30 . 12 . 94 26 684 000 (')
Madeira 23 . 11 . 94 19 . 12 . 94 14 126 700
Technical assistance Decision 30 . 12 . 94 4 500 000 20 . 12 . 94 Answer
Prinest 14 . 11 . 94 19 . 12 . 94 2 295 900 (4 August 1995)
Prinest 14 . 11 . 94 19 . 12 . 94 3 664 000 (')
Resider II Decision 30 . 12 . 94 1 280 100 20 . 12 . 94 The United States did not inform or consult the European Union during the negotiation and before the conclusion of i 1 ) First advance on 1995 tranche . the Agreed Framework with the Democratic People's 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/3
Republic of Korea ( DPRK ). In the context of political Are there similar provisions in other Member States ? dialogue Council representatives did however receive some information and explanations as to the tenor of the Will it take steps to introduce special Community provisions agreement after it had been signed . to deal with such issues can be dealt with under which will ensure that taxes and other debts are collected without prejudice to the rights of individuals ? As to the fears mentioned in the Honourable Member's question , although the deferral of full application of the safeguards agreement linking the DPRK to the IAEA is its least encouraging aspect, the Council considers that the agreement concluded between the United States and the Answer given by Mr Monti DPRK is likely to contribute to calming a region in which on behalf of the Commission tension has been high and that it may prove satisfactory if it (23 May 1995) is implemented in good faith by all parties .
The new Article 8a of the EC Treaty establishes the right of Although the Member States of the Union are not parties to every citizen of the Union to move and reside freely within the agreement , the Council will do everything in its powex to the territory of the Member States , although it specifies that see that implementation of the agreement contributes to the this applies ' subject to the limitations and conditions laid security of the Pacific region and to that of the West . down in this Treaty and by the measures adopted to give it effect'.
The organization which will supply the two reactors has Those limitations include the option open to Member States given the main responsibility to the three founding States : of restricting the free movement of persons on grounds of the United States , the Republic of Korea and Japan . Some public policy . For example , it is possible to withdraw the Member States of the Union have decided to participate and right to leave the territory of a Member State , which is laid to contribute financially . down in Article 2 ( 1 ) of Council Directive 68/360/EEC of 15 October 1968 on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for The Council will continue to follow the situation . workers of Member States and their families (*) in the case of employed persons and in Article 2 ( 1 ) of Directive 73/148/EEC of 21 May 1973 on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for nationals of Member States with regard to establishment and the provision of services ( 2 ), in the case of self-employed persons . In so doing, Member States must comply with the provisions of Directive 64/22 1 /EEC of 25 February 1964 on the coordination of special measures concerning the WRITTEN QUESTION E-131/95 movement and residence of foreign nationals which are justified on grounds of public policy, public security or by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) public health ( 3 ), as interpreted by the Court of Justice . It is to the Commission pointed out in this respect that recourse to a public policy (8 February 199S) measure must be based solely on the personal conduct of the ( 95/C 257/04 ) individual concerned and presupposes 'a genuine and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society' ( 4 ).
Subject: Community legislation and a ban on leaving In view of the serious breach of the basic right of free Greece because of debts to the State movement that it represents , the ban on leaving the country must, in any event, respect the principle of proportionality; whether or not this is the case must be judged, among other State Council Decision No 3502/94 decrees that the present things , in the light of the size of the debts involved , the provisions under Greek law prohibiting persons from administrative or legal procedures under way and the leaving the country if they have debts to the State is contrary possibility of having recourse to other means of recovering to Community law and , therefore , that the restrictions the amounts due . imposed under Greek law on the freedom to travel out of the country are no longer admissible . > (') OJ No L 257, 19 . 10 . 1968 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 172 , 28 . 6 . 1973 . ( 3 ) OJ No 56 , 4 . 4 . 1964 . ( 4 ) Judgment of 27 October 1977 in Case 30/77 Regina v. Pierre Does the Commission consider that the ban on persons Bouchereau . leaving a Member State because of debts to the State is contrary to the Maastricht Treaty provisions on the freedom of movement of persons ? No C 257/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-273/95 as well as an audit, which evidently causes delays in the by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) payment procedure . Nevertheless , the Commission is continuously trying to reduce delays in payment . to the Commission (9 February 1995) ( 95/C 257/05 )
Subject: Delays in the approval of payments by the WRITTEN QUESTION P-3 16/95 Commission services by Peter Truscott ( PSE ) to the Council The Greek company Hitec has drawn my attention to the plight of companies , like itself, which have concluded (31 January 1995) contracts with the European Union for the provision of ( 95/C 257/06 ) R&D services and submitted the supporting documents in good time , but have faced serious delays as regards the approval and payment of the relevant invoices . In some Subject: Veal crates and the export of livestock cases these delays have exceeded two years . The above company has written to apprise Commissioner Bangemann of this matter . Will the Council ban the barbaric use of veal crates in the European Union and are there any plans to ban the export of live farm animals from the UK ? Will the Commission say :
1 . Does it consider that the Commission services are not implementing contracts rapidly enough ? WRITTEN QUESTION P-522/95 2 . Which companies , broken down by country, have faced by Peter Truscott ( PSE ) delays as regards payments in excess of six months to the Council during 1994 , after submitting the necessary supporting (16 February 1995) documents ? ( 95/C 257/07 ) 3 . Why have there been delays in the payment of invoices to the Hitec company going back to 1992 ? Subject: Veal crates and the export of livestock
Could the Council give an indication of when it will ban the Answer given by Mrs Cresson barbaric use of veal crates in the European Union ? Are there on behalf of the Commission any plans to ban the export of live farm animals from the UK ? (3 April 1995)
1 . It is normal practice to execute contracts following the WRITTEN QUESTION E-524/95 time-table agreed under the contract . by Christine Barthet-Mayer ( ARE ) to the Council 2 . There is no evidence that there were in 1994 delays in payments in excess of six months , after submission of (3 March 1995) complete supporting documents and approval of all ( 95/C 257/08 ) necessary reports .
3 . In all the contracts in which Hitec is a partner all Subject: Intensive battery production of farm animals for payments have been made as soon as possible after receipt of slaughter the supplementary information required to make the payments . In particular for Esprit project EP 2469 Following the discussions by the Council of Ministers for ( Tempora ) the Commission only received the necessary Agriculture in January 1995 on the need to safeguard the documentation on the last payment period, which ended on welfare of livestock and particularly of battery-reared farm 30 June 1993 , on 8 September 1994 , and the payment has animals , can the Council say what practical steps it intends been processed . to take as a result of those discussions ?
It should be noted that for the cost statements in a number of Does the Council intend to phase out intensive battery contracts with Hitec, additional information was requested production ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/5
Joint answer 31 January, allocating to the Community 12,59% of the to Written Questions P-3 16/95 , P-522/95 and E-524/95 TAC ( total allowable catches ) of this species for 1995 is not (3 August 1995) acceptable to the Commission . It is in total contradiction to the fishing pattern in recent years , the Community share being almost 80% . 1 . On 19 November 1991 the Council adopted Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the Since this decision does not take into account historic protection of calves confined for rearing and fattening . catches , it is not in conformity with NAFO practices . The acceptance of the allocation key for Greenland halibut Article 6 of the Directive stipulates that : established in this way by contracting parties would constitute a dangerous precedent for the future . 'No later than 1 October 1997, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report , drawn up on the basis of The arguments put forward by Canada in favour of the an opinion from the Scientific Veterinary Committee , on the intensive farming system(s ) which comply with the allocation makes reference to coastal State preference ( Canada ). This is not in accordance with international rules requirements of the well-being of calves from the and practices . pathological , zootechnical , physiological and behavioural point of view, as well as the socio-economic implications of different systems , together with For that reason , in view of this disquieting situation , in proposals relevant to the report's conclusions.' which the Canadian authorities are undermining sound and helpful regional cooperation on fisheries matters, the At its meeting on 23 January 1995 the Council took note of Commission made a proposal to apply the objection the Commission's intention to submit the report ( due for procedure , which was approved by the Council on 1 October 1997 ) at the earliest opportunity, and in any 28 February 1995 . event by the end of 1995 . Following the seizure by the Canadian authorities of a vessel Once it receives the said report, together with any relevant from a Member State on 8 March 1995 , negotiations are proposals , the Council will examine the issue at an early continuing with Canada with a view to reaching a date . satisfactory agreement on the definitive allocation of the Greenland halibut quota . 2 . As regards the eventuality of a ban on the export of live animals from the United Kingdom, it is for the Commission , It is therefore premature in the present circumstances to if need be , to evaluate whether such a ban is compatible with consider how the quota should be allocated among the the rules laid down in the Treaty . Member States .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-326/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-336/95 by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) by Werner Langen ( PPE ) to the Commission to the Council (13 February 1995) (16 February 1995) ( 95/C 257/09 ) ( 95/C 257/10 )
Subject: Allocation of the quota of 27 000 tonnes of plain bonito in the NAFO area Subject: Forced sale of property in Ireland
What criteria will the Commission use to distribute the Under Irish law, leases for land and farms normally last quota of 27 000 tonnes of plain bonito allocated to the three years . If the lease does not specifically mention the European Union in the NAFO area for 1995 ? three-year limit, it is automatically extended for a further period of 35 years . It thus becomes a long-term lease , which entitles the tenant to obtain a court order requiring the owner to sell even against his will . As demand for land well Answer given by Mrs Bonino exceeds supply in Ireland, this policy is supported by the on behalf of the Commission Irish Land Commission, a state authority which is (5 April 1995) responsible for compulsory acquisition of land for agricultural use .
The decision adopted by NAFO , at the recent meeting of the 1 . Is the Council aware of this practice of compulsory sale Fisheries Commission which took place in Brussels on in Ireland ? No C 257/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
2 . If so , what action does the Council intend to take , in 3 . The position of the UK , which affects the position of particular with regard to the situation of foreign Ireland , that there is no legal obligation on the Member property owners affected by this state of affairs ? States to suppress checks at the internal Community borders ; if the UK stands firm on this position , then even 3 . What possibilities are open to EU citizens to safeguard if the Convention on the Crossing of External Borders their right to property and land ownership , in were to come into effect tomorrow, travellers from Ireland ? another Member State directly to the UK would still be checked .
Answer 4 . The problem of administrative fines or penalties imposed on carriers — it would be quite meaningless to (3 August 1995) suppress checks by immigration officers or police if such checks are to be maintained by the staff of transport companies or private security firms acting on their Article 222 of the EC Treaty stipulates that 'This Treaty behalf. shall in no way prejudice the rules in Member States governing the system of property ownership'. However, it is pointed out that the Court of Justice of the European Communities ruled in the Robert Fearon v. the Irish Land Commission case ( ] ) that 'Although Article 222 of the Answer given by Mr Monti Treaty does not call in question the Member States ' right to on behalf of the Commission establish a system of compulsory acquisition by public bodies , such a system remains subject to the fundamental (20 April 1995) rule of non-discrimination which underlies the chapter of the Treaty relating to the right of establishment.' 1 . In its communication of 8 May 1992 to the Council (') Ref.: CJEC, 6 November 1984 , Robert Fearon v. The Irish Land and Parliament on the abolition of border controls ( } ), the Commission , 182/83 , ECR 1984, p. 3677 . Commission explained that 'Article 7 a ( formerly Article 8a ) imposes on the Community, and therefore also on the Member States , an obligation to produce results' and that 'that obligation can be met only if all controls at internal frontiers are abolished'. As regards individuals, any interpretation of Article 7a of the EC Treaty which resulted WRITTEN QUESTION E-403/95 in its effects being confined to Community nationals would by Edward Newman ( PSE ) render Article 8a ineffective . to the Commission (15 February 1995) 2 . In December 1992 the Edinburgh European Council ( 95/C 257/11 ) took the view that the draft Convention on the crossing of the external frontiers was one of the three instruments which had to be adopted if internal frontiers were to be Subject: Abolition of frontier controls abolished . At their meeting on 1 and 2 June 1993 in Copenhagen , the ministers responsible for immigration, while observing that the Convention had still not been In its conclusions on 'Visas and Control of External Borders signed on account of the continuing bilateral disagreement of the Member States' issued on 8 December 1 994 , the Select over its territorial application to Gibraltar, stressed the Committee of the House of Lords on the European importance of the work that had already been carried out Communities reaffirmed 'the option that the Single and their intention not to sacrifice what had been achieved European Act does not impose a legal obligation on Member politically . However , the entry into force of the Treaty on States to abolish controls on people at internal Community European Union and of the Agreement on the European borders'. Economic Area meant that the Convention would have to be amended , the changes being strictly limited to these two Will the Commission make a clear and unambiguous aspects . statement on this issue to include inter alia -.
1 . The question of whether Article 7a of the Treaty on It was for this reason that the Commission, exercising the European Union ( Article 8a of the EEC Treaty ) refers right of initiative conferred on it by Article K.3 ( 2 ) of the only to EU nationals or to all nationals residing legally, Treaty on European Union, sent the Council on permanently or temporarily, in a Member State of the 13 December 1993 a recast version of the draft Union . Convention ( 2 ). Pursuant to Article K.6 , the Presidency followed the Commission's recommendation that it should 2 . The issue of the draft Convention on the Crossing of consult Parliament on this legislative initiative , and External Borders which is supposed to be the only Parliament gave its opinion on 19 April 1994 ( see the remaining obstacle to the suppressing of checks at Beazley Report ( doc . PE 208.169 final ) of 29 March 1994 , external borders . which was adopted by the Committee on Civil 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/7
Liberties and Internal Affairs on 29 March 1994 and 2 . What are these amounts and what percentage do they debated in plenary session on 19 April , and the resolution of represent of the total R&D budget ? 21 April 1994 ) ( 3 ).
The work carried out in 1994 has made for progress on the 3 . How do these amounts break down as between public and private research ? technical questions , which the French Presidency hopes to be able to settle between now and the end of the first half of 1995 . There are two political questions still outstanding, 4 . How does the Commission view this in the context of however : the bilateral dispute over Gibraltar , and the the award of research projects ? possible granting of powers to the Court of Justice as proposed by the Commission in accordance with the last part of the third sentence of Article K.3 ( 2 ) ( c ).
3 . The Member States consider that the implementation Answer given by Mrs Cresson of all these essential accompanying measures , including the on behalf of the Commission Convention referred to in point 2 , is a necessary preliminary (15 May 1995) to the abolition of checks on individuals at internal borders . Thus , the implementation of just one of the said accompanying measures will not mean that such checks have been abolished . Recent research by the European patent organization estimates that industry in the organization's 17 Member States ( ] ) in 1992/93 spent about ECU 2 650 million For reasons of legal certainty and clarity, the Commission announced in its work programme for 1995 that a annually on patent protection ( excluding expenditures legislative proposal would be put forward giving practical related to litigation procedures for which no data exist ). Comparable figures for the USA and Japan are not shape to the principle of the abolition of controls on available . individuals at internal borders , taking account of the adoption of all the accompanying measures and, of course , containing further information as to the date of entry into Eurostat's statistics indicate that in 1991 over ECU 102 000 force . million were spent on R&D in the Community . By far the largest share , almost two-thirds , came from the business 4 . The Honourable Member is referred to the answer sector, followed by the government and the given by the Commission to Oral Question No H-800/94 by higher-education sectors , with a little over one-sixth Mrs Pollack at question time during Parliament's each . part-session of January 1995 ( 4 ).
(') SEC(92 ) 877 final . Although directly comparable figures are not available , the ( 2 ) COM(93 ) 684 final — OJ No C 11 , 15 . 1 . 1994 . above data indicate that the expenditures for patent ( 3 ) OJ No C 128 , 9 . 5 . 1994 . protection are some 2—3 % of the R&D expenditures . ( 4 ) Debates of the European Parliament (January 1995 ). The Commission budget allocated to patent protection is in the region of 500 000 ECU per annum . It is, for the most part, spent on protecting inventions from the joint research centre . The reason is that intellectual property resulting WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 19/95 from direct actions or from actions , the cost of which is wholly supported by the Community , is , in principle , the by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) property of the Community , whereas intellectual property to the Commission resulting from work under shared cost contracts is the (17 February 1995) property of the contractors . ( 95/C 257/12 ) The budget of the joint research centre for R&D activities , excluding the scientific and technical support to the Subject: Expenditure on patent applications and disputes Commission , amounts to approximately ECU 150 within the context of R&D budgets million .
1 . Does the Commission have any documentation showing the amounts spent on matters relating to patents The expenditures for protecting inventions from the joint within the research and development budgets in research centre's R&D activities amount to 0,3 % of its R&D expenditures or about one-tenth of the proportion ( a ) the EU, spent in industry . This may be attributed to the fact that the research carried out by the joint research centre can be ( b ) the individual Member States and characterized as fundamental or basic , therefore requiring less patent protection, then research carried out by industry ( c ) the USA ? which is often more of an applied nature . No C 257/ 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
The objective of the Community's policy in this area is to (' Leonardo programme', 1 January 1995 to 31 December develop awareness , disseminate information , organize 1999 ), the Council re-iterated this principle , laying down in training activities and to provide specialized support to that Decision a common framework of objectives , one of the contractors, in parallel with their own patenting activities . It essential points of which was to promote life-long training . is the contractors themselves who are responsible for the The amount deemed necessary to implement the Leonardo protection of the knowledge resulting from their programme is ECU 620 million . participation in Community R&D projects . (') OJ No L 181 , 23 . 7 . 1993 , p . 37 . 0 ) EC-12 , Austria , Switzerland , Liechtenstein, Monaco and ( 2 ) OJ No L 340 , 29 . 12 . 1994 , p . 8 . Sweden .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-504/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 19/95 by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado ( PPE ) by Johanna Maii-Weggen ( PPE ) to the Council to the Council (27 February 1995) (27 February 1995) 95/C 257/ 13 ( 95/C 257/14 )
Subject: Situation of managerial staff in European Subject: UN expert in El Salvador Community Item 19 on the agenda at the meeting of the United Nations In its resolution A3-1 96/93 ( ] ) on the situation of Commission on Human Rights that began on 29 January managerial staff in the European Community, Parliament 1995 was the UN report on El Salvador . called on the Council to 'adopt without delay the Community instruments proposed by the Commission and Will the Ministers concerned state their joint political Parliament on access to initial and continuing vocational position on the report ? training for people of all ages and to make more funds available.' Do the Ministers share the view of UN expert Pedro Nikken that, as the army , police and judicial reforms have not yet Can the Council tell this Assembly what instruments it has been fully implemented, the mandate of the independent UN adopted in this respect and what has been the actual increase expert must be extended another year, especially as the in the relevant financial provision ? Onusal mandate expires definitively on 30 April 1995 ?
(>) OJ No C 194 , 19 . 7 . 1993 , p . 405 .
Answer
Answer (4 August 1995) (3 August 1995) In its resolution 1995/63 on advisory services in the human The Council attaches particular priority to vocational rights field in El Salvador, the Commission on Human training, including continuing vocational training . Rights terminated the mandate of the independent expert as well as examination of the question within the Commission on Human Rights , while welcoming the proposal from In its recommendation of 30 June 1993 on access to independent expert that a technical cooperation agreement continuing vocational training ( J ), the Council be established between the Salvadorian Government and the recommended that Member States , subject to certain Centre for Human Rights and calling for immediate conditions , gear their vocational training policies to conclusion of such an agreement . ensuring that every worker of the Community must be able to have access to continuing vocational training without any form of discrimination and to benefit therefrom throughout The European Union , which was anxious that the human his or her working life . rights reforms undertaken by El Salvador should be followed up , supported that resolution adopted by consensus . In its Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of an European Community vocational training policy ( 2 ) 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/9
WRITTEN QUESTION E-526/95 Church commenced proceedings in the Romanian courts by Georges Berthu ( EDN ) after 1989 against the Orthodox Church , which is currently in possession of the places of worship . For the most part, this to the Council action has nof yet brought results . The Greek Catholic (3 March 1995) Church has been able to recover only a very few buildings . ( 95/C 257/ 15 ) At the present time one cathedral , at Logoj , and two churches , at Bucharest and Timisoara , have been returned to the Greek Catholic Church .
Subject: Human rights violations in Romania The European Union notes that, following the accession of Romania to the Council of Europe , that country is subject to Despite the undertakings to respect human rights given by compliance with the regulations and standards in force Romania , both before the Council of Europe and the within that body , compliance which can be sanctioned by European Union , persistent violations have been recorded , the implementation of the control mechanisms provided for . especially against the Greco-Catholic Church . According to With regard to the European Commission and Court of reports we have received , harassment is an everyday Human Rights, it is for the victims of the violations occurrence, a derisory number of places of worship ( less concerned , once all internal means of redress have been than 3 % ) have been restored , and acts of physical violence exhausted , to refer individual appeals to the implementing are common . No action is taken on most complaints , the bodies of the European Convention on Human Rights . Such perpetrators being classified as 'unknown'. a procedure has not yet been undertaken in the case of Romania .
The Europe Agreement concluded with Romania , scheduled to enter into force in February 1995 ( replacing the current interim agreement), links the tariff and trade concessions granted by the Union to the partner country's respect for democratic freedoms and human rights . How will the Council react to this violation of commitments undertaken WRITTEN QUESTION E-539/95 vis-a-vis the Union ? by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission (1 March 1995) ( 95/C 257/16 ) Answer (4 August 1995) Subject: 'Television without frontiers ' Directive
In the 'Television without frontiers' Directive , the principle Support for the establishment of the rule of law in Romania of maintaining programming quotas and the option is one of the objectives of the European Union's policy ( applicable only to thematic channels and not to general vis-a-vis that country . The European Union is carefully channels ) of applying such quotas to programming budgets monitoring the progress of the democratic transition undermines the European broadcasting quota process and the human rights situation . It will continue to requirement . encourage the Romanian authorities to maintain their efforts in the area of human rights , and notes the progress made during the post-Communist period . Will the Commission reconsider this provision , the effect of which would be to impair the basic broadcasting quota requirement and ultimately vitiate the Directive itself ? The Association Agreement ( Europe Agreement ) which entered into force on 1 February between the Community and Romania stipulates, like the other agreements concluded since 1992 , that respect for human rights Answer given by Mr Oreja constitutes an essential part of the Association . The on behalf of the Commission assessment of the domestic situation in Romania was one of the matters discussed by the Association Council held on 10 (13 June 1995) and 11 April 1995 on the occasion of the General Affairs Council . Article 26 of the television without frontiers Directive ( 89/552/EEC (')) requires the Commission to report on the The material difficulties experienced by the Greek Catholic application of the Directive and , if necessary, make further community, banned and expropriated by decree in 1948 , proposals to adapt it to developments in the field of are well known to the Member States, which are kept television broadcasting . On 22 March 1995 , the informed by their Embassies in Bucharest . In 1989 the Commission adopted a revised proposal amending the Romanian authorities repealed the confiscatory provisions measures on European promotion along the lines referred to adopted in 1948 . The representatives of the Greek Catholic by the Honourable Member . No C 257/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
The Commission wishes to emphasize that the aim is to help opposed to those of the Union, will the Commission say mobilize the European programmes industry and enable it what urgent measures it intends to take in order to prevent to become competitive on the European and world markets . the introduction of the new legal framework for the The question of the obligation to invest in European works, profession of auditor in Greece and thereby prevent a raised in the Green Paper on audiovisual policy ' Strategy decline in the quality of the services provided by auditors , options to strengthen the European programme industry in the incalculable damage that will be done to auditing firms the context of the audiovisual policy of the European operating legally in Greece and the creation of a monopoly Union ' ( 2 ), was considered in depth by the circles concerned , both within the Union and at international level to the in particular at the European Conference in July 1994 . benefit of a single firm of auditors ?
(') OJ No L 19 , 24 . 1 . 1989 , p . 16 . (') OJ No L 298 , 17 . 10 . 1989 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 19 , 24 . 1 . 1989 , p . 24 . ( 2 ) COM(94 ) 96 final .
Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1995)
The Commission would thank the Honourable Member for WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 87/95 the information provided in his written question . by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission (6 March 1995) It will scrutinize the wording of the Greek legislation in question , viz . Laws 2231/94 and 2257/94 , and any ( 95/C 257/17 ) subsequent regulatory measures governing the practice in Greece of the profession of auditor in order to verify whether any special or exclusive rights are conferred on national practitioners . Subject: The profession of auditor in Greece — violation of Article 90 of the Treaty on European Union in According to the case-law of the Court of Justice , the association with Articles 86 and 52 compatibility of special or exclusive rights with the Treaty must be appraised in the light of the various rules referred to in Article 90 ( 1 ), read in conjunction with Article 86 . In 1991/92 , following consultation of the relevant Commission services ( DG XV ) and the adoption of Article 75 of Law 1969/91 , Article 32 of Law 2076/92 and In the case in point, the Commission will examine the Presidential Decrees 226/92 and 121 /93 , Greece undertook aforementioned national provisions in the light of Article 52 a reform of the provisions governing the profession of of the EC Treaty , which provides for the abolition of auditor so as to bring its legislation fully into line with the restrictions on freedom of establishment and , by prohibiting provisions of the Eighth Directive , Directive 89/48/EEC (') any discrimination based on nationality , guarantees and recommendation 89/49/EEC ( 2 ), and to bring the legal complete equality of treatment as between practitioners framework governing the profession into line with that in from other Member States and all those in the Member State force in all the other Member States of the Union . in question as regards access to and exercise of self-employed activities .
However, this legal framework was subsequently amended It will also examine that legislation in the light of Article 59 by Article 18 of Law 2231/94 and Article 3 of Law 2257/94 of the Treaty, which sets out the principle of freedom to and this process of deharmonization is about to be provide services . completed with the enactment of a presidential decree whose basic objective is to grant monopoly privileges to a particular firm of auditors . Once its examination has been concluded , the Commission reserves the right, where appropriate , to institute the procedure under Article 169 of the EC Treaty . As this represents a clear breach of Article 90 of the Treaty on European Union , in association with Articles 86 , 52 and 59 , by involving the pursuit of objectives diametrically 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/11
WRITTEN QUESTION E-594/95 lay down specific provisions with regard to the by Hugh McMahon ( PSE ) environmental aspect of cooperation . to the Commission (6 March 1995) Moreover, the Council has adopted specific standards for each sector concerned , since the standards depend on the ( 95/C 257/ 18 ) nature of the projects . Thus , for example , the import of waste for recovery operations is governed by the provisions of Title VI of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 259/93 ^); the Subject: Failure by Member States to honour agreed Union Lome Convention also lays down rules banning the export rules on the harmonization of qualifications of waste to ACP countries .
In view of numerous complaints by members of the teaching and legal professions about the failure of certain Member Comparable provisions exist for substances that deplete the States , particularly Germany , Italy and France , to honour ozone layer ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 594/91 ), trade in agreed Union legislation , will the Commission publish a list protected species ( Regulation under discussion ) and in of the number of cases in each sector it is currently many other sectors . investigating and say how many cases have been taken before the European Court of Justice ? (') OJ No L .30 , 6 . 2 . 1993 .
Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 May 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-626/95 by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its to the Commission annual report to Parliament on monitoring the application of Community Law — 1994 ( ] ). This report is in the course (9 March 1995) of adoption , and a copy will be sent directly to the ( 95/C 257/20 Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the Parliament . Subject: EU information technology expenditure and (') COM(95 ) 500 . procurement policy
1 . What was the EU's total expenditure , by institution, on information technology ( IT ) in 1992 , 1993 and 1994 on : WRITTEN QUESTION E-622/95 ( a ) hardware , by Ilona Graenitz ( PSE ) to the Council ( b ) software , ( 10 March 1995) ( 95/C 257/19 ) ( c) professional services ,
( d ) hardware maintenance , Subject: Standards for EU projects with non-member countries ( e ) training ?
Which Community environmental and safety standards does the President of the Council of the Council of Ministers 2 . Which companies were the main IT suppliers to the EU, and what percentage of the expenditure did each of for the Environment consider essential for projects them receive , by institution , in 1992 , 1993 and 1994 for : undertaken jointly by the EU and non-member countries ? ( a ) hardware ,
( b ) software , Answer (3 August 1995) ( c ) professional services , ( d ) hardware maintenance , Cooperation agreements concluded between the Community and third countries or groups of third countries ( e ) training ? No C 257/12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Supplementary answer given by Mr Liikanen reinsurance markets . The degree to which the Member on behalf of the Commission States are confronted with the various risks regarded as (21 June 1995) natural disasters would also be borne in mind .
With regard to a coordinated pan-European approach to 1 . As regards the Commission , data-processing regional planning, the Commission is considering proposals expenditure is apportioned to administrative which would give an European planning policy legal form in appropriations as follows : the EC Treaty . ( a ) hardware ECU 37,5 million , As part of the reflections sparked off by the communication ( b ) software : ECU 10,7 million , 'Europe 2000+: Cooperation for European territorial development', which it approved in July 1994 i 1 ), the ( c ) professional services : ECU 34,6 million , Commission has stressed the need to improve cross-border cooperation over river basins which belong to a number of ( d ) hardware maintenance : ECU 7,7 million , Member States in order to deal with questions of planning, environmental protection and economic development ( e ) training : ECU 1,6 million . affecting more than one country .
2 . The Commission is sending the reply to the second The Commission will therefore consider whether it can question direct to the Honourable Member and the participate in cross-border pilot projects which will permit Secretariat-General of the Parliament . the coordination of planning measures to help prevent floods . The Commission will also consider whether flood prevention can be supported through a Community initiative , either specifically for that purpose or including other objectives . WRITTEN QUESTION E-649/95 by Raymonde Dury ( PSE ) Other measures , concerning for example , drought, could be to the Commission dealt with in the same way . (10 March 1995) (') COM(94 ) 354 . ( 95/C 257/21 )
Subject: Flooding
At the January 1994 part-session , in a resolution on WRITTEN QUESTION E-746/95 flooding in Europe , and especially Belgium, the European Parliament called on the Commission to come forward with by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE ) proposals for the harmonization of insurance policies , so to the Commission that flood damage would be covered by private insurance (15 March 1995) policies , and for the creation of a legal basis enabling the 95/C 257/22 ) Union to coordinate a pan-European approach to regional planning . Subject: Aids to tourism — projects in Malaga What action has the Commission taken on these requests ? Can the Commission tell me what projects have been decided on for Malaga in the tourist sector, specifying the size of the Community contribution, the dates on which the Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies projects were approved and the project-type ? on behalf of the Commission (10 May 1995) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies The Commission monitors carefully the measures taken by on behalf of the Commission the Member States to deal with the problems of damage (12 May 1995) caused by natural disasters .
If, with due regard to the principle of subsidiarity , action at Community regional aid for tourism in Andalusia will be Community level appeared necessary, the Commission mainly funded through the Community support framework would consider the measures to be taken , in the light of the ( CSF ). technical and financial problems related to insurance against the various types of risk regarded as natural disasters On 9 December 1994 the Commission approved the and the restricted capacity of the world insurance and 1994—1999 operational programme for Andalusia . The 2 . 10 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/13 programme includes aid schemes for tourism whereby all principle of fair competition taking into consideration the enterprises in the region can have access to aid in accordance size of businesses is being breached ? with the selection criteria established for the schemes in question , and without a predetermined allocation by Could operators in the wine-producing sector, in cases of locality . small-scale intra-Community trade ( up to the level of the exemption provided for in the 'movement' Directive The Honourable Member is asked to refer also to the answer ( 92/12/EEC ), not be dispensed from the compulsory use of given to Written Question E-730195 ( 1 ). tax representatives , who often charge for their services at a flat rate ?
(') OJ No C 222 , 28 . 8 . 1995 , p . 13 . (') OJ No L 76 , 23 . 3 . 1992 , p . 1 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 316 , 31 . 10 . 1992 , p . 21 . (•') OJ No L 316 , 31 . 10 . 1992 , p . 29 .
Answer given by Mr Monti WRITTEN QUESTION E-8 17/95 on behalf of the Commission by Philippe-Armand Martin ( EDN ) (12 May 1995) to the Commission (24 March 1995) The Commission is aware of the problems faced by small {9 SIC 257/23 ) wine producers in exporting to other Member States , and is keeping the matter under review . The root of the difficulties indicated by the Honourable Member , however, is to be Subject: Wine and excise duties found in the lack of harmonization of excise duty rates , as a result of which higher taxing Member States need to take action to protect their revenue . Excise duties are governed by three different Directives : Thus, for example , correct allocation of the revenue on — Council Directive 92/12/EEC of 25 February 1992 on 'distance sales' of excisable products normally relies on an the general arrangement for products subject to excise element of self-policing, in that refund of excise duty in the duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of Member State of despatch is conditional upon proof of such products ('), which lays down the rules for payment of duty in the Member State of destination . intra-Community trade in products subject to excise However , in the case of wine , producing Member States duty; charge no duty at all on the product — while consuming Member States charge high rates — and control problems — Council Directive 92/83/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the therefore arise since there is no duty to be reclaimed in the harmonization of the structure of excise duties on Member State of despatch . alcohol and alcoholic beverages ( 2 ), which sets out product categories and the taxation system ; In these circumstances , it would be difficult for the Commission to propose a relaxation of procedures along — Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 18 October 1992 on the the line proposed by the Honourable Member . approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages ( 3 ), which lays down rules for determining the level of taxation .
The main argument put forward in favour of raising the minimum rate of excise duty ( currently 0 ) is not, as one WRITTEN QUESTION E-837/95 might imagine , the difficulty of checking and monitoring by Glyn Ford ( PSE ) products subject to excise duty ( in this case, wine ), but the to the Council fact that rates are not harmonized , which is an obstacle to the completion of the single market . (27 March 1995) {9SIC 257/24 ) Would it not be possible , in view of the administrative difficulties encountered by wine producers when trading Subject : Proposed detention of Munir Ceylan within the Community with consumers and non-registered traders , to modify the 'movement' Directive ( 92/12/EEC ))? What representations has the Council made to the Turkish Government regarding the proposed detention of Munir Ceylan, the President of a petroleum workers' trade union , Since the vast majority of traders and cooperatives , as well for publishing an article calling for workers to express their as small wine producers , do not have subsidiaries in other ( non-violent ) opposition to the rising wave human rights Member States , does the Commission not consider that the violations in south east Turkey ? No C 257/14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer Supplementary answer given by Mr Santer (4 August 1995) on behalf of the Commission (16 August 1 995)
The Honourable Member refers to allegations concerning Because of the length of the answer, which includes a the export of certain types of equipment that have been number of tables , the Commission is sending it direct to the diverted to uses infringing human rights and , accordingly , Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat . the European Parliament's resolution of 19 January 1995 . The Council is aware of these allegations and has held an exchange of information on the subject .
From this consultation it emerged that the items of WRITTEN QUESTION E-925/95 equipment in question , which are not technically regarded as materials of war , do not appear on the list of dual-use by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE ) goods that are regulated at European level . to the Council (3 April 1995) The exchange of information on export controls , which is ( 95/C 257/26 ) intended to continue , has also helped to identify the legal means available to the Member States for introducing controls on the export of such goods . Subject: Export of equipment for the purpose of torture
There have been allegations that companies within the European Union are continuing to promote and sell equipment to security forces which are used for torture . Equipment includes leg irons and electric-shock batons .
Can the Council confirm , or otherwise , whether this is the case and if so , what measures it intends to take to put an end WRITTEN QUESTION E-861/95 to this trade ? by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt ( PSE ) to the Commission
(29 March 1995) Answer ( 95/C 257/25 ) (4 August 1995)
As the Honourable Member knows , the European Union , Subject: Aid for Berlin while constantly affirming its commitment to Turkey's territorial integrity and its condemnation of terrorism , has never failed to voice its concern at the human rights How much funding, and for what purposes , was made situation in that country . available by the Community to Berlin in the years 1993 and 1994 from : The European Union wants to see a stable and democratic Turkey . It is convinced that anchoring the country into 1 . the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ). Europe will help it along this road . The Turkish authorities are well aware of what is at stake . They have pledged 2 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee themselves — in particular to the Troika on 23 March this Fund ( EAGGF ). year — to implementing the various draft laws on democratization and human rights by the summer . These measures , which include the amendment of the anti-terrorist 3 . the European Social Fund ( ESF ). law , will permit the release of a great many writers , journalists and politicians who were arrested for expressing 4 . Community research programmes . anti-government views .
5 . Community programmes in the energy sector . According to the Council's information , Mr Munir Ceylan has been released from prison, where he was being held on account of his writings . Mr Ceylan is at liberty and there are 6 . Community programmes in the environmental sector . no charges against him .
7 . other Community programmes ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/15
WRITTEN QUESTION E-971/95 by the end of 1996 . These conclusions were endorsed by the by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) Council in September 1993 . to the Commission (31 March 1995) It is appropriate to start the merger review sooner rather than later, and the Commission has already begun this ( 95/C 257/27 ) exercise . The aim is to complete fact finding before the summer-break , then to submit a discussion paper for comment to Member States , the Parliament, the Economic Subject: Competition and Social Committee , and other parties in the autumn . It is hoped that the Commission will be in a position to examine these comments and finalize its proposal to the Council at The Commission needs to ensure that the policy on the the end of this year . control of concentrations between undertakings is applied uniformly . During the fact-finding stage and prior to formal consultation , the Commission intends to contact Member Can the Commission envisage drawing up a Directive to States , other Community institutions , companies , industry enlarge the scope of Community powers and action in this associations and other parties . In this context, the dialogue sphere when reviewing Regulation ( EEC ) No 4064/89 ('), with the Parliament will be very important for the success of which is currently in force ? the exercise . The Parliament was one of the most active supporters of a threshold reduction in 1993 and its (') OI No L 395 , 30 . 12 . 1989 , p . 1 . endorsement will be essential .
0 ) COM(93 ) 385 final .
Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1995)
WRITTEN QUESTION E-986/95 One of the principal objectives of the merger Regulation is by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE ) to subject mergers of a Community dimension to a single standard of regulatory control , thereby ensuring a level to the Council playing field for companies throughout the Community . (7 April 1995) This is achieved through the one-stop shop principle ( 95/C 257/28 ) provided in the Regulation , whereby mergers fulfilling the threshold criteria for establishing a Community dimension fall under the exclusive competence of the Commission . The dominance test set out in the Regulation determines the Subject: EU response to the violence in Algeria compatibility of those mergers with Community law . By contrast, mergers falling below the thresholds are covered Is the EU planning some kind of response to the escalating by national legislation in the Member States . This is violence and appalling bloodshed in Algeria ? essentially an application of the principle of subsidiarity, which the Commission fully supports . However , for the principle of subsidiarity to be properly applied it is also essential to set at the appropriate level the thresholds for Answer determining which mergers are of a Community dimension . (4 August 1995)
With regard to the level of the thresholds set out in the The European Union continues to be extremely concerned merger regulation , the Honourable Member is undoubtedly at the situation in Algeria . As the Honourable Member will aware that the Commission conducted in 1993 a thorough know, the Union has asserted several times that it is for the review of the situation since the Regulation had been in Algerians , and for them alone , to find a peaceful solution to effect . The result of this analysis was a report to the Council the crisis , a solution that will have to be based on on the implementation of the merger Regulation (July reconciliation . 1993 ) ( 2 ), in which the Commission concluded that there were strong economic arguments in favour of a reduction in the thresholds determining the Community dimension of While observing the principle of non-interference , the concentrations . However, in the light of circumstances at European Union is encouraging any initiatives that will the time the Commission thought that it would be prudent revitalize the dialogue . Accordingly , it has welcomed the to gain further experience of the operation of the existing recent initiatives to encourage all the players involved in the regulation before making any proposal for revision . It political life of Algeria to agree on ways and means of proposed therefore to re-examine the thresholds at the latest ensuring a peaceful future for the country . No C 257/16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
The Union has condemned in the strongest terms and with The recent Commission proposal for future actions (*) unwavering determination the use of violence in Algeria , envisages the development of this work , with greater from whatever quarter . It reaffirms its deep commitment to concentration on specific areas of interest . These include respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms initiatives which encourage the transfer of good practice and regardless of the political convictions or religios beliefs of innovation in the promotion of activity in old age and individuals and political forces . prevention of dependence .
The European Union reaffirms its desire to continue In the context of follow-up to the 1993 European year , the working for a policy of democratic development and Commission is supporting a network of 'reminiscence economic restructuring in Algeria . projects' which aim to use the life experiences of older people and their memories as a means of expression , communication and therapy . This network promotes contact and understanding between the generations whilst also promoting mental stimulation and communication amongst dependent older people .
(>) COM(95 ) 53 final . WRITTEN QUESTION E-987/95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE ) to the Commission (6 April 1995) ( 95/C 257/29 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-992/95 by Paul Lannoye ( V ) Subject: Community initiatives to prevent the mental to the Commission ageing of older people (6 April 1995) ( 95/C 257/30 ) General forecasts indicate that by the year 2000 , the European Union is expected to have 100 million inhabitants over the age of 65 . Subject: Emission limit values for dioxins from municipal waste incineration plants
Amongst the problems most affecting this population group In November 1990 I asked the Commission the following is that of mental ageing, which leads to the weakening and question ( Written Question No 2743/90 ) (*): progressive loss of mental faculties , particularly intelligence and memory . For that reason , the relevant groups wish to 'While the Commission has adopted the principle of see special centres set up to research and study ways of minimizing dioxin emissions , which must be " as low as preventing the mental ageing of older people . possible ", as a basis for formulating the operating conditions for incinerators ( Directives 89/369/EEC ( 2 ) Can the Commission tell me whether the Community has and 89/429/EEC ( 3 ), it has not yet fixed the limit values called for or taken an initiative with regard to setting up for such emissions . When will the Commission be able to centres engaged in research into preventing mental ageing propose these limit values ?' and re-constructing the brains of older people so as to improve the quality of their mental activity ? On 23 January 1991 the Commission replied that a group of experts had been established with the objective of reviewing the problematic nature of dioxin emissions from municipal waste incineration plants ( the review was also meant to cover the consequences on dioxin emissions of the Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission provisions in the two directives on ' incineration'). At the same time , the Commission indicated that proposals on (10 May 1995) limiting dioxin emissions were not expected before the end of 1991 .
The main response at European level to the ageing of our Four years later, the limit values have still not been set for societies has taken the form of the Community actions for these emissions . older people 1991—1993 and the European year of older people and solidarity between the generations , 1993 . These 1 . Who are the members of the group of experts referred to actions have promoted and supported the exchange of above ? innovation and experience in the field of ageing, concentrating in particular on improving the situation of 2 . At what stage is the work of this group of experts ? Can Europe's senior citizens and changing attitudes towards the Commission provide copies of the reports on the ageing . work of this group ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/17
3 . When will the Commission be in a position to propose a 2 . Will it state whether immigrants and/or asylum seekers limit value for dioxin emissions from municipal waste receive health checks in the individual Member States incinerators ? and what the results of such checks are ?
(>) OJ Nf > C 141 , 30 . 5 . 1991 , p . 18 . 3 . To what extent does it support measures in this ( 2 ) OJ No L 163 , 14 . 6 . 1989 , p . 32 . field ? ( 3 ) OJ No L 203 , 15 . 7 . 1989 , p . 50 .
Answer given by Mr Flynn Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1995) (12 May 1995) The Commission is aware of the fact that the entry into 1 . The Commission is not in a position to communicate Community territory of nationals of non-member countries the composition of this expert group, since Member States with unsatisfactory levels of health protection is likely to decided who represented them at each meeting . present public health problems . However , it does not have precise epidemiological data available on the state of health of migrants , asylum-seekers and tourists , as it does not have 2 . The work of the expert group has finished . The results competence in this matter, which lies with the Member of the work of this group were published in a report on the measurement and control of dioxins in November 1991 States . With regard to health matters , immigrants and which included : asylum-seekers , on the assumption that they are nationals of non-member countries, are not beneficiaries of Community law as laid down by Article 56 of the EC Treaty and Council — a description of the dioxin problem; Directive 64/22 1 /EEC of 25 February 1964 ( 1 ). As a result, — the sources of the dioxin emissions , including municipal the medical examinations they are called upon to undergo , either on entry into the territory of the Community or waste incinerators ; during the course of their stay, fall within the competence of — measurement methods for dioxins ; the Member State concerned . In the context of its activities , the Commission has at various times been prevailed upon to — technologies to reduce dioxin emissions , and support action by non-governmental organizations working for migrants, particularly in the health field and more — recommendations for the future . especially with regard to educational , health and social guidance . 3 . For the time being the Commission is working on ( ] ) OJ No 56 , 4 . 4 . 1964 . provisions to introduce additional standards for municipal waste incineration plants . An emission limit value for dioxins is part of these provisions .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 068/95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1059/95 to the Commission by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE ) (7 April 1995) to the Commission ( 95/C 257/32 ) (7 April 1995) 95/C 257/31 ) Subject: Tourism and the environment
Can the Commission indicate what projects it has under Subject: Health problems linked to migration and tourism way for integrating tourism and the environment ? in the European Union
The ever-increasing enthusiasm for travel on the part of the citizens of the European Union and the continuing Answer given by Mr Papoutsis attraction of the European Union for immigrants , who now on behalf of the Commission make up 10% of the EU's population, may give rise to (2 lune 1995) potential health problems .
1 . Can the Commission provide an overview of the The Commission sponsored 23 projects on tourism and the diseases associated with such groups of people environment in 1992 under a call for proposals ( ] ). Details ( immigrants , asylum seekers and tourists )? of 17 of these projects are contained in the publication No C 257/ 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 entitled 'Tourism and the environment in Europe' a copy of Although a large number of preparatory meetings were held , a which is sent to the Honourable Member and to the the Council ( on employment and social affairs ) had to Secretariat-General of the Parliament . acknowledge , at its meeting on 7 June 1984 , that unanimous agreement on a compromise text could not be achieved . One A further call for proposals has been published ( 2 ) which of the delegations had serious doubts as to whether a will develop demonstration projects in the field of visitor reduction in working time could improve the employment and traffic management and establish a network to enable situation . Its position could not be reconciled with the greater collaborative actions between the sectors and Commission's proposal , even though most of the other interests involved . delegations were willing to find a compromise solution . In the years that followed , there was no prospect of a change occurring . (') OJ No C 51 , 26 . 2 . 1992 . ( 2 ) O J No C 106 , 27 . 4 . 1995 . Meanwhile , the Commission has taken a number of other initiatives in this field . In legislative terms , the most significant result has been Council Directive 93/104/EEC concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time ('), which was adopted ( by a qualified majority ) on 23 November 1993 . As the Member States have to comply WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 073/95 with this Directive by 23 November 1996 , the effects of its by Michel Rocard ( PSE ) implementation will not become apparent for another two years . In the Commission's reply to Written Question to the Commission No 429/95 ( 2 ) on the same subject, reference is made to (7 April 1995) other recent Commission initiatives aimed at encouraging ( 95/C 257/33 ) the Member States to remove obstacles to a better distribution and organization of working time . The Commission also continues to support initiatives taken by Subject: Reduction and re-organization of working time the social partners in this area . (') OJ No L 307 , 13 . 12 . 1993 . What is the Commission's opinion on the reasons for which ( 2 ) OJ No C 145 , 12 . 6 . 1995 . no decision has to date been taken on the draft recommendation on reduction and re-organization of working time ('), which it presented to the Council on 23 September 1983 , supported by the European Parliament resolution adopted on 18 November 1983 and published in WRITTEN QUESTION E- 109 1 /95 the Official Journal of the European Communities ( 2 ), and by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V ) also supported by the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 84/C 23/19 ) adopted on 23 and 24 November to the Council 1983 and published in the Official Journal ('), has to date ( 13 April 1995) not received a decision ? ( 95/C 257/34 )
Does the Commission intend to bring this Directive before Subject: The right of foreign nationals to vote at municipal the Council again ? elections
(') COM(83 ) 543 final . Article 8b(l ) of the Maastricht Treaty lays down that every ( 2 ) OJ No C 342 , 19 . 12 . 1983 , p . 147 . citizen of the Union shall have the right to vote and to stand (') O J No C 23 , 30 . 1 . 1984 . as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State in which he resides . On 19 December 1994 the Council adopted a Directive (') which defines this right more precisely and , in part, restricts it again . Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission Both the Maastricht Treaty and the Council Directive ( 19 May 1995) explicitly stipulate that only nationals of EU Member States have the right to participate in municipal elections in the country of residence . However, there are also millions of The draft recommendation on the reduction and citizens in the EU who are not nationals of an EU Member re-organization of working time was the subject of lengthy State : 'third-country nationals'. It is intended that these discussions at the Council in 1983 and 1984 . At its meeting citizens , some of whom have been legally resident in the on 8 December 1983 , the Council ( on employment and Community for decades and have put down firm roots in social affairs ) held a detailed exploratory debate on the their town or municipality ( and — in countries like proposal , at the end of which it asked Coreper to continue Germany , where the 'jus sanguinis' applies — even children the work with a view to , and in the hope of, reaching an born to immigrants in the country concerned ), should agreement . This work duly took place during the first half of continue to be denied all right to participate in municipal 1984 . elections . 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/19
Is the Council aware of any initiatives from the Member ( judgments of 21 March 1991 in Cases C-369/88 ( Delattre ) States which have the aim of granting 'third-country and C-60/89 ( Monteil and Samanni )). Has the Commission nationals ' the right to vote in municipal elections ? thought fit to take practical steps in keeping with the above rulings ? Could the rulings have implications for Directive Does the Council consider it appropriate not only ( as stated 92/25/EEC on the wholesale distribution of medicinal in its Directive ) 'to enable citizens of the Union to integrate products (')? better in their host country' but also to extend this opportunity to people from non-EU Member States who (') OJ No L 113 , 30 . 4 . 1992 , p . 1 . have lived in our countries for years ?
Would it be in favour of a separate citizenship of the Union , independent of citizenship of a Member State , which would Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission confer the right to vote at municipal elections on third-country nationals who were born in the European (30 May 1995) Union or have resided there legally for five or 10 years ?
(') O J No L 368 , 31 . 12 . 1994 , p . 38 . The case law referred to by the Honourable Member was known to the Council , Parliament and the Commission when the Directive in question was adopted .
Answer At the time it did not seem expedient to seek to harmonize (3 August 1995) national regulations on the establishment or non-establishment of a distribution monopoly for pharmaceuticals . Article 8 of the Treaty establishing the European Community ( EC ) lays down that : 'Every person holding the In the absence of any problems or intra-Community trade nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the barriers linked to disparities between the relevant national Union'. laws, the Commission does not intend to put forward a proposal to amend the Directive . According to the Treaty, therefore , only Member States' nationals can enjoy the rights of citizenship of the Union established by the Treaty on European Union — in this case the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections ( provided for in Article 8b(l ) of the EC Treaty ) — which is one of the constitutive elements of citizenship . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1113/95 by Marie-Paule Kesteliin-Sierens ( ELDR ) As it stands , therefore , the Treaty does not allow for the to the Commission harmonization between Member States of the electoral rights which could be granted to third country nationals . (12 April 1995) ( 95/C 257/361 It is therefore for each Member State alone to decide whether or not to grant the right to stand for election and/or the right to vote to foreign residents who are not nationals of Subject: Esperanto pilot schemes a Member State and therefore not citizens of the Union . Those who advocate Esperanto as a world language and first second language foresee increasing opportunities for its use as a working language in the Union . With a potential expansion from fifteen to possibly thirty countries the problem of official languages and working languages will be intensified . WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1 109/95 by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) Esperanto is a language that can be learnt in a very short to the Commission time . ( 12 April 1995) ( 95/C 257/35 ) Experience has shown that children who learn Esperanto have an advantage over other children of the same age in their general development and in their ability to learn Subject: Distribution of pharmaceuticals foreign languages .
The Court of Justice has examined the problem of national Would it not be beneficial to develop Esperanto pilot laws creating distribution monopolies for pharmaceuticals schemes ( cf. the Funda-Pax Project in conjunction with No C 257/20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Unesco ) in a number of schools in the Member States with a Answer given by Mr Monti view to a careful , in-depth assessment afterwards ? on behalf of the Commission (7 June 1995)
Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission Council Directive 94/80/EEC ( ) lays down detailed arrangements for the exercise of local voting rights by (17 May 1995) non-national Union citizens in their Member State of residence . Article 7 ( 1 ) of that Directive stipulates that Union citizens exercise their voting rights if they have Community competence in the area of education is 'expressed their wish to do so'. The condition of a request determined by Article 126 EC Treaty . This states explicitly for entry on the electoral roll seeks to preserve the freedom that the Community shall contribute to the development of of choice for the Union voter whether or not to vote in quality education 'while fully respecting the responsibility of municipal elections in the Member State of residence . The the Member States for the content of teaching and the importance of this provision is due above all to the fact that organization of education systems and their cultural and voting is compulsory in a number of Member States . linguistic diversity'. However , Article 7 ( 3 ) of Council Directive 94/80/EEC leaves Member States with the faculty of operating a system The Commission supports the teaching and learning of the of automatic entry on the electoral roll if such system is also languages and cultures of the Member States . Socrates , the operated with regard to national voters . action programme for education , adopted on 14 March 1995 ( Decision EEC/819/95 ( ] ) by Council and the In conclusion , a Member State can therefore establish either Parliament ), envisages explicity the support of initiatives that contribute towards the knowledge of the languages of a system of entry on the electoral roll of Union citizens upon the Member States . request, or , if such system also exists for national citizens , a system of automatic entry on the electoral roll . Neither option can be considered to fall foul of Articles 8B and 6 of The Community attaches great importance to the richness the EC Treaty . and diversity of its cultural heritage , which is reflected in its languages . A language like Esperanto does not have the cultural and historical richness of a natural language . The (') OJ No L 368 , 31 . 12 . 1994 . promotion of Esperanto is not among the Commission's tasks .
(') OJ No L 87 , 20 . 4 . 1995 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1214/95 by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) to the Council WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 121/95 (8 May 1995) by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE ) 95/C 257/38 ) to the Commission (20 April 1995) Subject: Sustainability and oceans ( 95/C 257/37 ) Has the Council held any discussions about promoting the Subject: Entry of EU citizens on the electoral register establishment of an Inter-governmental Panel on the Oceans similar to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change ? In view of the new rights of EU citizens concerning municipal elections , does the Commission consider permissible the procedure followed by the Bavarian state government whereby non-German EU citizens are only Answer entered on the electoral register for municipal elections upon request ? (3 August 1995)
If so , why ? Protection of the oceans and all the seas is expressly mentioned in Unced's Agenda 21 ( see Chapter 17 thereof). Does not the Commission consider that this practice violates The Third Conference on Sustainable Development, held in the prohibition of discrimination under Articles 6 and 8b ( 1 ) New York in April 1995 , instructed an Intersessional Group of the Treaty on European Union ? to examine these problems . That Group will be submitting its report at the Fourth Conference on Sustainable If not, why not ? Development, due to be held in 1996 . 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/21
In view of the importance which it attaches to problems In the context of the review process the Commission is relating to the oceans , the European Community welcomed studying measures like agri-environmental indicators , the brief issued to the Intersessional Group, and will be voluntary agreements and eco-certification of product playing an active part in the discussions at the Fourth life-cycle with the aim of promoting a holistic approach to Conference on Sustainable Development on this sustainable agriculture and rural development . question . (') COM / 94 ) 453 final .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1215/95 by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-12 16/95 (28 April 1995) by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) ( 95/C 257/39 ) to the Commission (28 April 1995) Subject: Agriculture and the environment ( 95/C 257/40 )
Is the Commission satisfied with the application of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme to the CAP and will it list Subject: Convention on climate change and Agenda 21 steps it feels still need to be taken to improve application of this policy to EU agriculture ? Will the Commission list all projects with their funding amounts , which have been undertaken by the EU to date as part of the Rio commitments to promote , facilitate and Answer given by Mr Fischler finance access to and transfer of environmentally sound on behalf of the Commission technologies and know-how to third countries ? (16 June 1995)
Agriculture was selected as one of the target sectors of the Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard Fifth Environmental Action Programme due to its on behalf of the Commission significant inter-dependence with environment . The fifth ( 14 July 1995) programme stressed the double role of the farmers as producers of agricultural goods and stewards of the environment . It built on the proposals for the reform of the common agricultural policy ( CAP ) aiming at both the The Commission has made a great effort to implement the economic objective of reducing over-production and the Rio commitments . The second report from the Community environmental objective of lowering intensity of land use . to the Commission on sustainable development ( CSD ) on The key elements of the reform are a drastic reduction of prQgress towards implementation of Agenda 21 (') was price support for cereals , oilseeds , protein crops and ( to a discussed at the third session of the CSD , which took place lesser extent ) for beef, in combination with a switch to in April 1995 . decoupled income support and accompanying measures promoting afforestation of agricultural land and environment friendly agricultural practices . In the framework of the Convention on climate change , the Community has to report on its activities to combat climate As the 1994 interim review of implementation of the fifth change . An overview of its activities , including the programme (*) made clear, agri-environmental measures cooperation with third countries , was sent in March 1 995 to constitute a first and very positive step towards full the secretariat of the Convention ( 2 ). This report covers the integration of environmental consideration into agricultural promotion and financing of access to and transfer of policy . However , the pace and extent of integration must be environmentally sound technologies and know-how to third strengthened in future adjustments of the CAP . countries .
By the end of 1995 the Commission will publish a review of At this stage the Commission is not in a position to list all the the policy and strategy set out in the fifth programme . This projects financed since the Rio Conference with funding for review will also take into account the first results of the CAP technology transfer . It would be difficult to identify reform and especially those of the agri-environmental amongst all environmental and energy projects those with programmes which are currently under evaluation . an exclusive transfer of technology component . No C 257/22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Technology transfer is often only a part of a project that may also involve other infrastructural or institutional Roeselare losses since 1 January 1990 480 components . losses publicly announced 105 Oostende losses since 1 January 1990 63 (') SEC(94 ) 2172 . losses publicly announced 69 ( 2 ) SEC(95 ) 451 .
The Belgian authorities have not provided any details on the third criterion .
(') OJ No C 180 , 1 . 7 . 1994 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-12 18/95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE ) to the Commission (28 April 1995) (9SIC 257/41 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1238/95 by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission Subject: Konver aid (28 April 2 995; ( 95/C 257/42 ) West Flanders Regional Development Corporation , Belgium , proposed three areas for aid under the Community programme Konver . Subject: Socio-economic aspects of the environment
Of these three areas ( Bruges , Roulers and Ostend ), the The four-year programme ( concluding in 1992 ) of the Commission accepted only Bruges . European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions focused inter alia on the dissemination What were the reasons for the Commission's decision ? of the results of research into health and safety , environmental protection , etc . One of the objectives of the new 1993—1996 programme is to support progress towards the sustainable , integrated development of the socio-economic and environmental aspects of living and Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies working conditions . on behalf of the Commission (24 May 1995) Could the Commission provide information on the studies and reports which have been drawn up and which are available in these fields ? In the Commission's Notice to Member States laying down guidelines for operational programmes or global grants under the Community Initiative Konver ('), Article 5.1 states that to be eligible under Konver , areas should meet the Answer given by Mr Flynn following criteria : on behalf of the Commission (22 June 1995) — they must have lost at least 1 000 jobs in defence activities since 1 January 1990 ; The socio-economic aspects of the environment and — the total number of jobs lost in defence activities since sustainable development policies has been a special chapter that date and future job losses publicly announced must in the Foundation's work programmes since 1993 . It has equal or exceed 1 000 jobs ; included the following projects :
— the total number of jobs lost in defence activities since — The firm and the environment — regional and local 1 January 1 990 and the number of such jobs at risk must cooperation initiatives in the southern Member States . A equal or exceed 1 000 ; synthesis report based on the findings of all studies is being prepared ;
In view of the above criteria , the areas Roeselare and — employment and sustainability . This project brings Oostende proposed by the Belgian authorities could not be together research to establish the costs and benefits , the included in the list of eligible areas under Konver at the time conditions and transitional measures needed to realise of adoption by the Commission . the employment potential of initiatives in relation to market-based instruments, radical changes in sectors The figures given for these two areas are as follows : and business practices , and the role of local communities 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/23
and the individual to achieve success . A report on the — environmental perspectives and the quality of life 2010 . potential for employment opportunities from pursuing A report based on national studies and other material sustainable development is available ; will be published later .
— training in environmental management ( industry and sustainability ). The first report on corporate environmental and resource management and educational requirements is available ;
WRITTEN QUESTION P- 1244/95 — innovations for the improvement of the urban by Daniel Cohn-Bendit ( V ) environment . An overview in twelve Member States of to the Commission urban innovative projects contributing to sustainability has been followed up by four main axes of research . (20 April 1995) Publication and reports available include twelve ( 95/C 257/43 ) working papers ( national reports ) on urban innovations in Member States ' Innovation for the improvement of the urban environment — a European overview', and cover European conference on urban innovations , Subject: Promoting the dissemination of independent Seville , 6—8 October 1993 , and urban innovation and information in former Yugoslavia employment generation ; Since the beginning of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia , — medium-sized cities and the socio-economic and the Commission has supported various independent environmental developments at the regional level . The newspapers , television and radio stations and other project is based on case studies on selected European initiatives to disseminate independent information . This medium-sized towns ( mostly from peripheral regions ) policy is vital with a view to defusing the conflict . highlighting opportunities , problems' and perspectives and exploring instruments and action required for local Can the Commission provide a full list of the activities development . A set of sustainability indicators has been undertaken and the subsidies it has granted for them since developed for each town . Publications available include 1992 ? 'Visions and actions for medium-sized cities ' ( background paper for a workshop in Volos ), ' sustainability indicators for medium-sized cities' ( background paper for a workshop in Oviedo ), and 'visions and actions for medium-sized cities ' — reports Answer given by Mr Van den Broek for the European workshops of Alicante , Volos and on behalf of the Commission Oviedo ; ( 19 May 1995)
— European workshops on eco-products . These workshops , to be held 1 to 9 November 1995 , will test Acting on a Commission proposal , the budgetary authority the design methodologies identified and developed as last year set up a new budget heading, B7-5201 , for part of research on the link between health and safety at Community measures to help democracy and support the the workplace and the external environment in relation peace process in the Republics formerly part of to the design , manufacture and consumption of Yugoslavia . products living up to the requirements of sustainable development . A publication available is 'new materials for environmental design'; In line with the criteria endorsed by Parliament , money from the 1994 budget has gone to the independent media ( press , radio and Television ) as follows : — the cooperation of the social partners in the environment . Based on a number of case studies , a 1 . Coordination Centre of the International Federation consolidated report on industrial relations and the of Journalists ( IFJ ) and the International Federation of environment has been prepared . Publications available Newspaper Publishers ( IFNP ) — Ljubljana . are ' industrial relations and the environment in the Emergency funds for media and consultancy services : Community' and 'industrial relations and the ECU 250 000 environment : ten countries under the microscope , Volume 1 and II'; 2 . Support for the AIM network of independent journalists in former Yugoslavia : ECU 90 000 — European round table on the cooperation and role of the social partners in the environment held 3 . Support for NTV ( administered by Unesco ) — 21—22 September 1994 ; Bosnia-Herzegovina : ECU 80 000 No C 257/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
4 . Radio Tuzla ( administered by the Maison The Commission intends to grant over half this year's Internationale de Rennes ) — Bosnia-Herzegovina : ECU appropriations from heading B7-5201 to the independent 38 000 media .
5 . Vecernje Novine ( newspaper ) — Bosnia-Herzegovina : ECU 40 000
6 . Dani ( newspaper ) — Bosnia-Herzegovina : ECU 35 000 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1245/95 by Ralf Walter ( PSE ) 7 . Radio Ozalj — Croatia : ECU 15 000 to the Commission (28 April 1995) 8 . Feral Publishing House ( administered by Press Now — ( 951C 257/44 ) Stichting Recht van Spreken ) — Croatia : ECU 30 000 Subject: Insolvency risk cover for youth organizations 9 . Arkzin ( newspaper ) — Croatia : ECU 30 000 1 . Can the Commission establish whether the Member 10 . Labin Art Express — Radio station — Croatia : ECU States of the Union have satisfactorily transposed the EU 16 000 Directives covering the risk of insolvency of tour operators ? 11 . Borba ( newspaper ) — Serbia : ECU 60 000 2 . What is the Commission's response to the fact that in Germany, for example , transposition has meant that 12 . Svetlost ( news magazine ) — Serbia : ECU 25 000 non-commercial suppliers — in particular voluntary organizations to assist young people — are forced to incur 13 . Vreme ( news magazine ) — Serbia : ECU 20 000 considerable costs in providing cover against the virtually non-existent risk of insolvency ? 14 . Association of independent electronic media , ANEM — Serbia : ECU 90 000 Answer given by Mrs Bonino 15 . Beta News Agency — Serbia : ECU 20 000 on behalf of the Commission 7 June 1995) 16 . TV Studio B — Serbia : ECU 25 000
17 . Koha ( weekly magazine ) — Kosovo : ECU 33 000 With regard to covering the risk of insolvency of tour operators , the relevant legislation is Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 ( ] ) on package tours . Article 7 18 . Zeri ( newspaper ) — Kosovo : ECU 25 000 of this Directive provides that the organizer or retailer who is a party to a contract must provide evidence of security for 19 . Monitor ( weekly news magazine ) — Montenegro : ECU the refund of money paid over and for the repatriation of the 25 000 consumer in the event of insolvency . The purpose of this Article is to oblige tour operators or retailers to provide 20 . Aniz ( newspaper ) — Niksic Onogost Standard — evidence of security in case they become insolvent or go Montenegro : ECU 12 000 bankrupt . The Member States are free to decide how to transpose this obligation into national law . 21 . Independent Association of Journalists of Vojvodina , Nezavisni — Vojvodina ECU 20 000 On the basis of a brief examination of the legal instruments sent by the Member States which have already transposed the Directive, the Commission was able to establish that 22 . Radio Libertas — Fyrom ECU 20 000 these instruments basically comply with Community law as regards covering the risk of insolvency . The Commission is at present engaged in a detailed examination of the The Commission would point out that a report on the grants individual transposition measures already notified . awarded last year will shortly be sent to Parliament . Furthermore , infringement proceedings are pending against three Member States ( Greece , Spain and Ireland ) because of In the first three months of 1995 , the Commission granted their failure to give notification of national transposition an extra ECU 105 500 to the newspaper , Borba, and a measures . further ECU 278 000 for the media coordination centre in Ljubljana and an emergency aid fund for media overseen by As regards the question of non-commercial suppliers being the IFJ and IFNP . covered by the Directive , it should be pointed out that its 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/25 scope is basically determined in Article 2 and its legal covered by the Directive in order to protect the definitions of the contracting parties and the object of the consumer . contracts falling under the Directive . Accordingly, an 'organizer' within the meaning of the Directive is a person (') OJ No L 158 , 23 . 6 . 1990 . who , other than occasionally , organizes packages and sells or offers them for sale either directly or through a retailer . ' Retailer' is defined as the person who sells or offers for sale the package put together by the organizer . The other WRITTEN QUESTION E-1249/95 Contracting Party within the meaning of the Directive is the by James Provan ( PPE ) 'consumer', i.e. the person who takes or agrees to take the to the Commission package ('the principal contractor'), or any person on whose behalf the principal contractor agrees to purchase the (5 May 1995) package ('the other beneficiaries'), or any person to whom 95/C 257/45 the principal contractor or any of the other beneficiaries transfers the package ('the transferee'). The object of the Subject: Tonnage of fishing fleets in the European Union contract is a package tour, i.e. the pre-arranged combination of not fewer than two of the following when sold or offered Will the Commission provide figures for the number of for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a boats and the gross registered tonnage of the fishing fleets in period of more than 24 hours or includes overnight the following countries : United Kingdom , Ireland, accommodation : Denmark , The Netherlands , France , Spain and Portugal in 1973 , 1983 and 1993 ? — transport, — accommodation , Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission — other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation and accounting for a significant (16 June 1995) proportion of the package . In 1973 the statistics on the fishing fleets were kept by If a Member State complies with these requirements when national authorities and based on criteria completely transposing the package tours Directive into national law, different from those used by the Commission . The table then it is acting in accordance with Community law . accordingly shows only comparable data , for 1983 and Moreover , under Article 8 of the Directive, a Member State 1993 , and also 1987 to include Portugal and Spain after may adopt or retain more stringent provisions in the field accession .
Fishing fleet ( MGP I ) Fishing fleet ( MGP II ) Fishing fleet register
Member State Situation on 31 December 1983 1 January 1987 Situation on 31 December 1993
Gross registered Vessels Gross registered Vessels TON14 (') tonnage tonnage
Denmark 3 320 120 298 136 680 3 303 96 242
Spain N/A ( 2 ) N/A ( 2 ) 631 838 19 013 570 913
France 9 312 192 807 209 560 7 021 187 667
Ireland 576 32 000 58 845 1 435 55 259
Netherlands ( 3 ) 1 041 131 000 128 728 538 142 282 Portugal N/A ( 2 ) N/A ( 2 ) 208 670 13 131 147 425 United Kingdom 7 012 178 184 206 934 11 055 249 574
Total 21 261 654 289 1 581 255 55 496 1 449 362
( ] ) TON14 is the tonnage of London if defined , or if not , the tonnage under Oslo convention , of if neither of these , a national tonnage . ( 2 ) N/A Data not available ( before accession ). ( 3 ) The Dutch authorities have started to 'clean * their fleet register and have eliminated some 1 000 vessels which were pleasure boats . No C 257/26 ' EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1261/95 environmental protection under the Community's Corine by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) programme . The Corine Biotopes inventory , which dates froml989 , is being updated as part of an assessment of to the Commission Greece's ecological resources ( supported by the Life (5 May 1995) Programme ). 95/C 257/46 ) The Greek authorities will use the resulting data to compile a national list of sites which include the types of natural Subject: The wetlands of Schinia in the municipality of habitats listed in Annex I and the species listed in Annex II to Marathon Directive 92/43/EEC (') on the conservation of habitats , fauna and flora . Between 1995 and 1998 the Commission Local organizations in Schinia , in the municipality of . and the Member States will set up the Natura 2000 network Marathon , allege that steps are being taken to convert the of special areas of conservation based on these national lists , wetlands of Schinia into building plots to be sold for the which may be supplemented as necessary . construction of holiday homes . It should be pointed out that the coastal area of Eastern Attica has seen large-scale violations of building and regional planning laws and that Dialogue with the authorities will take place within the the wetlands of Schinia constitute practically the only above framework . The Council resolution on coastal zones remaining environmental site in the region with does not give the Commission a mandate to intervene in this irreplaceable ecological resources . regard .
In view of the fact that : under the terms of the Commission's A number of Community instruments can be used to Fifth Action Plan for the environment , coastal zones in support projects for the integrated development of coastal which the terrestrial and maritime environments meet are zones . However , as regards the Structural Funds , financial especially sensitive ; in March 1994 the Council of aid is given to operational programmes which include Environmental Ministers asked the Commission to propose specific measures to deal with each region's development a general Community strategy for the integrated priorities rather than to individual projects . Member States management of coastal zones to provide a consistent must therefore select those projects which they wish to environmental framework for integrated forms of finance in the context of each measure contained in these development , in accordance with the principle of programmes . sustainability ; the ' development' outlook provided for in the plans for the region of Schinia would cause considerable In the case in hand , neither the Greek environment damage to the site and clearly fails to respect all the existing programme nor the Attic regional programme include guidelines for the protection of the environment in the measures for the management of coastal zones which could European Union . provide a platform for funding such a project .
Will the Commission say : (') OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7 . 1992 . 1 . Whether it intends to request information from the competent Greek authorities and ask them to explain to what extent these arrangements are compatible with the resolution adopted by the Council of Environmental Ministers on the integrated management of coastal zones ; WRITTEN QUESTION E-1289/95 2 . Whether it can confirm that it intends to intervene with by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) the Greek Government with a view to preventing these to the Council projects going ahead , and (10 May 1995) 3 . Whether it considers it advisable , if requested , to ( 95/C 257/47 ) provide financial aid from the Structural funds to ensure that the strategy for the integrated management of coastal zones can be effectively implemented specifically Subject: Human rights in Pakistan in the region of Schinia ? According to the US State Department's Annual Report 1994 on human rights in Pakistan , political and other Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard extrajudicial killings continue to be a serious problem ; there on behalf of the Commission continued to be credible evidence that police tortured and otherwise mistreated detainees , and that mass arrests are (6 July 1995) used to quell civil unrest .
The wetlands area of Schinias near the town of Marathon What steps will the Council take to ensure that respect for has been identified as an important biotope for human rights is observed in Pakistan ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/27
Answer ' human capital and mobility' programme could be of great (4 August 1995) benefit to both parties , and particularly for research in the less-developed Member States ?
(') OJ No L 107, 24 . 4 . 1992 , p . 1 . The European Union is closely monitoring developments in the human rights situation in Pakistan . The European Union's concern in this respect has repeatedly been the subject of demarches — some of which were at the highest level — and of declarations . Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission ( 12 June 1995) The European Union is actively encouraging the Pakistani Government's efforts to improve the legislative framework and to set up the legal apparatus to provide better guarantees of respect for human rights than at present . The One of the conditions imposed on the nationals of Member EU statement of 28 February welcoming the acquittal of the States under the specific programme in the field of human Massih brothers is to be viewed as part of these efforts . The capital and mobility is that they should carry out their European Union has frequently stated its support for the research project in a laboratory situated in a Member State repeal or substantial amendment of the ' blasphemy law' other than the one of which they are a national or in a third which in the past has been the instrument of certain partisan country associated with the programme . In addition , abuses , particularly against religious minorities . candidates must not have carried out their usual activity in their host country for more than two years preceding the date on which they made their application . These The deterioration of public security, particularly in Karachi cumulative conditions make it possible to ensure that one of and its province , has also been the subject of repeated the main objectives of the programme , the principle of the demarches on the part of the EU . Over and above these mobility of researchers throughout Europe, is respected isolated cases , the EU continues to be extremely critical of ( Council Decision No 92/217/EEC and the measures any violation noted , and is using all the channels of political introduced by the Commission to implement this Decision , dialogue available to it to voice its concern . after appropriate assent by the Programme Committee ).
In order to enable fellowship recipients from the less-favoured regions of the Community return home , additional grants may be given under the human capital and mobility programme to young researchers who have benefited from a research training grant ( of post-doctoral level ) in a country other than their own and who wish to WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 305/95 return and work in their region of origin . These return by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) grants , are valid for a year, and enable young researchers to to the Commission participate in research activity in their region of origin . (5 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/48 ) Measures to promote research in the less-favoured regions of the Community have been stepped up under the new programme 'Training and mobility of researchers' ( 1994—1998 ). Subject: Human capital and mobility
The ' specific research and technological development programme in the field of human capital and mobility' ( 92/21 7/EEC ) ( 1 ) provides for young researchers to develop a research activity in a team or laboratory situated in another Member State . There are in fact already researchers WRITTEN QUESTION E-1308/95 from Member States such as Greece , who have studied in by Wim van Velzen ( PSE ) another Member State and are now working there . to the Commission (12 May 1995) Could these researchers be included in the programme at the 95/C 257/49 ) invitation of Greece given that they are carrying out their research in another EU country ? Does the Commission agree that this possibility is of particular importance for Subject: Diabetes research countries which are less advanced in the field of research , many of whose best scientists are permanently based in other EU countries where research and technological How does the Commission explain the fact that diabetes development is at a high level , and that contact through the mellitus is not included under the heading of urgent medical No C 257/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 research in the fourth framework programme for research , 1 . Whether an assessment has been made of the gravity of technological development and demonstration activities ? soil pollution caused by agriculture in Greece ? How serious is the problem ? Is the Commission planning to take measures of a different nature to combat this disease ? 2 . how Greece justifies its failure to implement the directive within the prescribed period of time ? Does the Commission feel compelled to do so in view of the St Vincent Declaration adopted by the World Health 3 . how it proposes to ensure that Greek legislation Organization in 1992 ? is harmonized with Community Directive 92/43/EEC ( 2 )?
(') OJ No L 375 , 31 . 12 . 1991 , p . 1 . Answer given by Mrs Cresson ( 2 ) OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7 . 1992 , p . 7 . on behalf of the Commission (12 July 1995)
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard The fourth framework programme includes diabetes as one on behalf of the Commission of the research topics under Area 4 'research into illnesses with a major socio-economic impact' in the programme of (20 July 1995) health and biomedicine research Biomed 2 .
The Commission is aware of the recommendations The Commission has no knowledge of the severity of the contained in the St Vincent declaration on diabetes . problem of soil pollution as a result of farming activities of whatever kind in Greece . As regards preventive measures , Community support can be provided through a number of actions and programmes , Under the provisions laid down by Directive 91/676/EEC including those concerning the elderly and the disabled , and concerning the protection of waters against pollution in particular on health promotion , information , education caused by nitrates from agricultural sources , Greece has and training on which a common position was adopted by drawn up a code of good agricultural practice . This code the Council on 2 June 1995 , pursuant to Article 129 of the takes the form of a guide to be used by farmers and aims to EC Treaty , following proposals by the Commission promote the proper application of fertilizers and lifestock submitted in June 1994 ( ] ). Under this programme , the manure . adoption of lifestyles conducive to health is to be encouraged , and preventive actions particularly related to Greece has not communicated national measures for nutritional requirements and obesity , which are important transposing Directives 91 /676/EEC and 92/43/EEC ( on the factors in the management of diabetes , will be amongst conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and those eligible for support . flora ). The infringement proceedings initiated to this end by the Commission are following their normal course . (') OJ No C 252 , 9 . 9 . 1994 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1317/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1334/95 by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE ) to the Commission to the Commission ( 12 May 1995) (12 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/50 ( 95/C 257/51 )
Subject: Incorporation of Directive 91 /676/EEC into Greek law Subject: Action against fraud
Directive 91 /676/EEC ( ] ) concerning the protection of The Commission has just adopted the annual report for waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural 1994 of its unit for the coordination of action against fraud sources has not to date been transposed into Greek law , ( UCLAF ). This report reaches a series of conclusions , of although the deadline for implementation was 31 December which the following are the most important : 1993 . Given that enforcement of the Directive can only be monitored after its transposition into national law and that — in 1994 , the Member States and the Commission almost one-and-a-half years of valuable time has already detected 4264 cases of irregularities , i.e. a two-thirds elapsed , will the Commission say : increase on 1993 ; 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/29
— the total amount involved in these fraudulent operations does ensure a financial follow-up . The current ( ECU 1 032,7 million ) was twice as great as in 1993 ; methodology of the Commission is outlined in chapter 6 of the annual report cited above . — despite the increase in the number of cases detected , the proportion of funds recovered amounted to no more 3 . This report as well as the Commission's work than 4% . programme for 1995 ( 2 ) highlight proposals from the Commission , such as , for own resources , the In view of the crucial role of action to combat fraud against amendment of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1552/89 , and, for the Community budget, can the Commission answer the different areas of expenditure , the possibility of following questions : introducing the principle of separate accounts for amounts established but not yet recovered . Moreover , 1 . What are the main causes of the increase in the number the Commission will study the replies of the Member of cases detected ? States to a questionnaire it sent out in 1994 on their practical problems . The national reports requested by 2 . As the Member States are primarily responsible for the Essen European Council ( concerning Article 209 a of recovering the funds diverted , how does the the Treaty ) willl also be examined . The Commission will Commission monitor their actions ? then determine whether further proposals for improvements are appropriate . 3 . Given that the aim must be to recover the funds concerned in their entirety, what new provisions does (') COM(95 ) 98 final . the Commission intend to introduce to this end with I 2 ) COM ( 95 ) 23 final . respect to the recovery procedures ?
Answer given by Mrs Gradin WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 349/95 on behalf of the Commission by Allan Macartney ( ARE ) (28 June 1995) to the Council ( 17 May 1995) The Honourable Member correctly states the figures ( 95/C 257/52 ) relating to the cases of fraud (4 264 ) and to the amounts concerned ( ECU 1 033 million ) contained in the annual report of the Commission concerning the fight against Subject: Bosnia/Serbia fraud ( J ). Can the Council confirm that there are secret pontoon This report contains , however, higher percentages as bridges across the Drina and Sava Rivers between Serbia and regards recovery than those to which the Honourable Bosnia and that there are also pipes under these rivers Member refers ( 17% for the European Agricultural carrying fuel from Serbia ? Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( Guarantee Section ) and 6 % for own resources ). Answer The Commission would make the following comments : (4 August 1995) 1 . These figures are provisional ( in particular for the own resources with an extrapolation based on the first The Council has no information regarding the subject of the six-month period ). For the first time , these figures Honourable Member's question . include cases investigated by the Commission and not yet communicated by the Member States ( 99 cases for an amount of ECU 218 million, i.e. more than 21 % of the total amount ). The increase in the cases of fraud and in the amounts concerned is especially significant in the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1350/95 field of traditional own resources ( 1994 : 2 545 cases for by Allan Macartney ( ARE ) ECU 508 million ; 1993 : 1 254 cases for ECU 181 million ). In particular, the cases handled under the to the Commission arrangements for mutual assistance had a more (12 May 1995) important financial impact in 1994 than in 1993 ( ECU ( 95/C 257/53 ) 181 million against ECU 53 million ). Cigarette smuggling is in large measure the explanation for this . This increase could reflect an increase in fraud cases as Subject: ERDF : Textiles closures — Tayside Region, well as the result of additional efforts to detect the fraud Scotland
cases . 1 . What has been spent in the last three years from the 2 . If it falls to the Member States to recover the unduly paid ERDF on the textiles closure project in the Tayside funds and to recover the evaded duties , the Commission Region ? No C 257/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
2 . What projects have been funded from these WRITTEN QUESTION E-1352/95 monies ? by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) to the Commission ( 12 May 1995) 3 . Is the Controller satisfied that the full amount of available resources has been spent on qualifying projects ? ( 95/C 257/54 )'
Subject: Contraband cigarettes
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission What steps is the Commission taking to curb the increasing (27 lune 1995) trade in contraband cigarettes throughout the EU ?
1 . and 2 . Tayside region has benefited from a series of programmes intended to help overcome its economic WRITTEN QUESTION E- 14 72/95 problems , including those caused by the rundown of the textiles industry . There have been two initiatives specifically by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) targeted at textiles closures : to the Commission (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/55 ) Textiles non-quota programme ( 1984 -—1989 ) — This national programme covered , amongst other areas , parts of Tayside region . The programme ended in 1989 , and expenditure was completed two years later . European regional development fund grants totalling approximately Subject: Tobacco theft £ 2 650 000 were awarded to 19 projects located in Tayside . Can the Commission state how many cases it has detected of theft in respect of manufactured tobacco , especially cigarettes , under the different transit regimes since 1992 ? Community initiative — Retex A one-year national programme was approved for 1993 , with the aim of reducing regional dependence on the textiles industry . An indicative allocation ranging from £ 681 000 to £ 961 000 Can the Commission state in which Member States these was made for Scotland as a whole , and out of this two instances have been detected ? projects concerning Tayside were approved :
— export trade and company development ( Scottish Can the Commission specify the negative impact of these cases on Community funds ? enterprise Tayside ): £ 100 962
— Dundee/Arbróath product development ( Tayside regional Council ): £ 150 750
Joint answer to Written Questions E-1352/95 and E-1472/95 3 . The projects are selected in the context of partnership given by Mrs Gradin and on the basis of selection criteria managed at national on behalf of the Commission level . These procedures should guarantee that resources are spent on the best qualifying projects . Moreover , under the (29 June 1995) relevant Regulations the Member States are required to take the necessary measures to verify that the operations financed by the Community are carried out properly . The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to the oral question H-39/95 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez during question time of the session of March 1995 (') of Parliament , as well as to the 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/31 communication of the Commission on fraud in the transit Answer given by Mr Bangemann procedure , solutions foreseen and perspectives for the on behalf of the Commission future ( 2 ). (4 July 199.5)
Under the mutual assistance communications ( Regulation The Commission is closely monitoring the changes in the ( EEC ) No 1468/81 ) ( 3 ), the Commission has been informed textile and clothing industry within the Community and , in since 1992 of some 20 cases of diversion of cigarettes from particular , the impact on that industry of the new transit regimes . Although the Commission does not always competition situations in international and receive , with these communications , the exact amounts Community-market terms arising, more especially , from the concerned , it estimates the loss in terms of customs duties at entry into force of the Uruguay-Round agreements , the approximately ECU 144 million out of a total loss including prospect of customs union with Turkey , the operation of the national sources of income of ECU 578 million . preferential agreements and the potential accession of China to the World Trade Organization . (') Debates of European Parliament ( March 1995 ). (■M COM ( 90 ) 108 , 29 . 3 . 1995 . In view of the changes in the international environment and (-') OJ No L 144 , 2 . 6 . 1981 . of the Community textile and clothing industry's difficult situation the Council called upon the Member States and the Commission , in April 1 994 , to support that industry's effort to adapt in a spirit of community solidarity .
In the joint declaration concerning the negotiations on customs union with Turkey the Council and the Commission undertook to examine the problems caused in Greece by the new international trade situation and , where WRITTEN QUESTION E-1361/95 appropriate , to draw up any proposals considered necessary in order to deal with the situation . by Luigi Moretti ( ELDR ) to the Commission In addition the Commission explicitly stated that its ( 12 May 1995) proposals would take account of the problems and interests ( 95/C 257/56 ) of the Community textile and clothing industry .
This being the case and if the Commission were to conclude that there was a need to put forward further proposals on Subject: Textile and clothing industry and customs union the situation in this sector throughout the Member States , it with Turkey would not fail to provide the essential coherence of those proposals with the Community's policies on jobs and competition . Within the framework of the negotiations on a customs union between the EU and Turkey, the Greek authorities are making the adoption of a more conciliatory attitude towards Turkey conditional upon the Community committing itself to substantial subsidies for the textile and clothing industry . Although it is important for the negotiations to reach a successful conclusion , the disastrous WRITTEN QUESTION E-1364/95 impact adoption of the Greek proposal could have on the by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens ( ELDR ) Italian and European textile industries by penalizing over to the Commission 720 000 workers in Italy ( which accounts for 30 % of the EU's textile and clothing industry ) is a matter of great (12 May 1995) concern . Subsidies restricted to Greece alone would distort 95/C 257/57 ) competition between industries operating within the single market and would have a negative impact on jobs . Given that both the Commission and the Council ( Coreper Subject: Community measures in support of home care minutes of 14 February 1995 ) have yet to give a clear indication of the position they intend to adopt, does the Commission know how the Council intends to overcome As our population ages , so there will be an increasing the difficulties arising from the new competitive number of people in the European Union in need of care . environment on international markets , with particular Effective home care responds to very many needs of the reference to the stance adopted by Greece , and what steps rapidly increasing number of elderly people in Europe does it intend to take to ensure that the EU does not requiring care . At the same time , in certain instances it is a introduce measures which clearly conflict with Community valid alternative to hospital and can lead to a reduction in employment and competition policy ? the costs of hospital treatment . No C 257/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
1 . Does the Commission have any information on the role whereas the devastating effect they have on agriculture, their of home care in the public health policy of the Member terrible impact on the environment and their harmful effect States of the European Union ? If not, will it seek to on rural development are some of the factors which hold collect information on this matter ? back development in many developing countries, does the Council not think that the European Union should impose a 2 . Is the Commission considering including in its policy on complete ban on the production , sale and use of such the elderly , or in its health policy in general , measures weapons ? specifically aimed at promoting home care in the Member States of the European Union , for example in respect of the education and training of home carers or in respect of an exchange of information and experience Answer on home care between the Member States ? (4 August 1995)
The Honourable Member's concern is matched by that of the Council . In a Decision of 12 May 1995 the Council Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission adopted a joint action on anti-personnel mines .
(10 July 1995) The decision to resort to joint action reflects the Council's resolve to take practical action on a wide scale in response to the problem posed by the use of such mines . That action, As follow-up to the European year of older people and which involves both humanitarian and disarmament solidarity between the generations 1993 and in line with the aspects, falls into three parts : Commission's proposal for Community support for actions in favour of older people , the Commission has recognised — a common moratorium on exports of such the importance of the issue of home care arrangements for anti-personnel mines ; older people through supporting exchanges of good practice and innovative projects on this issue . — diplomatic activity by the Union in preparation for the 1980 Convention Review Conference , particularly as Together with the European foundation in Dublin , the regards the strengthening of Protocol No 2 covering Observatory on ageing and the University of Louvain , the mines; Commission has supported the production of reports on various aspects of this question . These reports , which have — practical action on mine clearance, involving a Union contribution to the United Nations mine clearance fund been published in French and in English , are available on and establishing a framework for specific mine clearance request . operations by the Union .
In 1995 , the Commission is supporting the exchange of The Council will monitor the implementation of such action good practice in the area of Alzheimer's disease . Whilst the and will consider any other measures which might appear majority of the funding decisions have yet to be taken in this appropriate in order to outlaw the indiscriminate use of area , it is likely that support will be given to, amongst others, these weapons . initiatives which promote the advantages of small scale housing and care for Alzheimer's disease sufferers and the exchange of innovation in the creation of training modules for volunteers and professionals working in this field .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1384/95 by Concepcio Ferrer ( PPE ) to the Commission (12 May 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 367/95 ( 95/C 257/59 ) by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE ) to the Council Subject: Complete ban on anti-personnel mines (4 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/58 ) In view of the fact that the existence of approximately 150 million live anti-personnel mines represents a threat to a large proportion of the world's civilian population, Subject: Complete ban on anti-personnel mines Whereas the devastating effect they have on agriculture, In view of the fact that the existence of approximtely 150 their terrible impact on the environment and their harmful million live anti-personnel mines represents a threat to a effect on rural development are among the factors holding large proportion of the world's civilian population , and back development in many developing countries, 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/33
Does the Commission not believe that the Council should be If not, why not ? Would the Commission be prepared to asked to adopt the necessary measures to help clear mines carry out an enquiry now that the Netherlands has again from developing countries and ban the production and opted for the eastern alternative instead of the more export of mines ? environmentally friendly ( and cheaper ) western alternative ?
(!) OJ No C 36 , 13 . 2 . 1995 , p . 3 . Answer given by Mr Van den Broek ( 2 ) OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7. 1992, p . 7 . on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1995) Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission The Commission is very conscious of the suffering caused in many parts of the world by the indiscriminate and (6 July 1995) irresponsible use of anti-personnel landmines ( APM ), and has responded directly by sponsorship of mine-clearance actions in Afghanistan , Cambodia , Iraq, Mozambique and With regard to the project location, the Commission would Somalia , as part of its humanitarian aid and development draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that cooperation programmes . In the last three years , over ECU Directive 85/337/EEC (*) does not allow it to intervene 21 million has been expended by the Commission on such legally in the choice of route adopted by Member States once actions . a project has undergone environmental impact assessment and where measures are planned to avoid , reduce and, if possible , remedy any major adverse effects . Further to this , the Commission has been working closely with the Council in developing the joint action on APM, which was adopted on 12 May 1995 , and which includes Regarding the possibility of recourse to Directive not only a common moratorium on exports of certain 92/43/EEC to protect the threatened biotope , the categories of APM and active prepartion for the 1980 Commission would point out that the badger does not Convention review conference , but also specific and appear on the list of protected species in that Directive . significant contributions to the international mine-clearance effort . The Commission , meanwhile , will be pursuing both Nonetheless, the Dutch authorities have informed the its mine-clearance operations and its research activity Commission that they will send it information on the related to mine-clearance . potential impact of the project on the badger population as soon as possible . The Commission supports further measures for the curtailment of the availability and use of APM, through ( ] ) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . multilateral action , with an effective regime of control and verification , and with the ultimate goal of eliminating such weapons .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 393/95 by Peter Skinner ( PSE ) to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-1385/95 (12 May 1995) by Nel van Dijk ( V ) ( 95/C 257/61 ) to the Commission (12 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/60 ) Subject: Funding of the Channel Tunnel rail link and EC competition policy
Subject: Route of the A73 and the Habitats directive Can the Commission please inform Parliament of:
— the compatibility with EC competition rules of the Following its answer to my Written Question E- 1677/94 (*), has the Commission examined whether construction of the complex funding regime which will be applied by the British Government, involving the private sector , to A73 between Venlo ans Maasbracht on the east bank of the provide the fund for the construction of the Channel River Maas contravenes Directive 92/43/EEC ( 2 ) in view of Tunnel rail link ; the radical change to the habitat of the badger which the projected route will involve ? — the EC rules on the potential return to the European budget of European funds/loans used in the If so, with what result ? development and/or construction of trans-European No C 257/34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
networks where the TEN network is either partly or Community assistance should also take account of the wholly owned by the state and is either sold to the stimulative effect of Community Intervention on public and private sector at a later date or where the company, body private finance . or holding building the TEN is partly or wholly owned by the state and will be operating the network as a private-sector profit-making organization or benefiting European Investment Bank ( EIB ) and European Investment financially , or in an equivalent measure , from its use , Fund participation requires that projects be technically and financially feasible and economically rational . In the case of the EIB , first class guarantees are also required . — the EC rules on the conditions to be met by private-sector companies receiving national and/or EU funds/loans ( including EIB loans , etc .) in order to In general , however there is no distinction in the treatment develop or construct TENs ? of public and private sector companies .
(>) COM(94 ) 62 .
Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1995)
The Channel tunnel rail link ( CTRL ) is to be funded by soliciting bids for : WRITTEN QUESTION E-1402/95 by Alexander Langer ( V ) ( a ) the European passenger services ( EPS ) through the to the Commission Channel tunnel , using initially the existing railway lines (22 May 1995) through Kent, and which provide a stream of revenue . ( 95/C 257/62 ) The debt associated with EPS is being written off by the British Government;
( b ) the assets ( land , etc . . .) and rights associated with Subject: Unauthorized building at Is Arenas ( Sardinia ) Union railways , the promoting body for the CTRL ;
( c ) the concession to build the CTRL itself within a given Starting in 1952 , an artificial pine forest covering 800 time period . hectares and sheltering a range of flora and fauna was developed with public funds on sand dunes along the central western coast of Sardinia in an area known as Is Arenas , in There is also some indirect funding through track charges the districts of Narbolia and San Vero Milis ( Oristano paid by domestic services operated in the public interest Province ). under agreement with the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising . The area is protected by various Italian national laws . It was apparently purchased in 1962 by Is Arenas srl . This The bidding process is designed to ensure that the maximum company has put forward plans for construction work value is put on the assets transferred from the government . consisting of 450 000 m 3 of concrete . While the company There is no evidence at this stage of conflict with claims that 30 % of the project will be earmarked for second Community competition rules or with public procurement homes , estimates by environmental groups give a figure of rules . The compatibility of the aids to be paid to EPS is 70% . Since 1976 various independent bodies have sought presently being examined by the Commission . total protection for the area , together with an explicit ban on building : the Venice University Institute of Architecture ( 1976 ), the Oristano XVIth planning district ( 1985 ) and the As far as the CTRL is concerned , the Community has team led by Professor Alberto La Cava , who was contributed some ECU 45 million towards evaluation commissioned by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia to studies since 1991 . No other Community funding has been draw up the management plan for this protected area . In provided , and there is as yet no question of recovery in the addition , no assessment has so far been made of the case of a possible privatisation . environmental impact of the planned work .
1 . Is the Commission aware of these facts ? The proposed Financial Regulation for trans-European networks (') will provide the legal basis for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European 2 . Does it consider that this scheme should have required networks involving public and private financing . According an environmental impact assessment and, if so , does it to the project selection criteria , the decision to grant plan to approach the appropriate Italian authorities ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/35
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard 4 . What will the Commission do to remedy the above on behalf of the Commission deficiencies ? (17 July 1995) (') OJ No C 48 , 16 . 2 . 1994 , p . 3 .
The Commission was not previously seised of this matter .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/95 The information available to the Commission indicates that at least part of the area in question is important because of by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) the presence of a priority habitat type as listed in Annex I of to the Commission Directive 92/43/EEC (') ( i.e. fixed dunes with herbaceous (22 May 1995) vegetation — grey dunes 16.221 to 16.227 ). It is not clear whether this part of the area will be included in the list of ( 95/C 257/64 ) candidate sites as future special conservation areas according to Directive 92/43/EEC , a list that should be submitted to the Commission by June 1995 . Subject: Community policy for postal services
Such a project falls under Annex II of Directive The Council of Postal and Ministers in the EU adopted a 85/337/EEC ( 2 ) and an assessment of its effects is foreseen if resolution in December 1993 requesting the Commission to it is likely to have significant effects on the environment by establish a Community policy for postal services before virtue inter alia of its nature , size or location . 1 July 1994 .
In view of the potential risks arising from the activities mentioned, the Commission has asked the Italian What steps is the Commission taking to establish a policy authorities for more details concerning this project and and what are its reasons for the delay ? whether it will be subject to an environmental impact assessment .
(') OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7 . 1992 . Joint answer to Written Questions ( 2 ) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 . E-1418/95 and E-1448/95 by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (19 July 1995)
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/95 After the submission of the green paper on postal services an by Ingo Friedrich ( PPE ) extensive consultation with all interested parties was to the Commission undertaken . The Commission then began the preparation of concrete proposals . However, the sensitivity of the subject (22 May ' 1995) and the complexity of the problem requires a thorough 95/C 257/63 ) assessment of a large range of legal , competition , employment and economic aspects which did not allow the conclusion of the Commission's work in 1994 . The Council Subject: Implementation of a European postal services resolution of 7 February 1994 invited the Commission to policy present a policy for postal services before 1 July 1994 .
1 . When will the Commission comply with the call by the The establishment of a regulatory framework for postal Council in its resolution of 7 February 1994 ( ] ) to propose services is to be found in the Commission's work to the Council , before 1 July 1994 , the necessary measures programme for 1995 ( ] ). Recently, the Commission has for an early implementation of a European postal services been preparing draft proposals for the development of policy ? Community postal services as required by the Parliament and the Council . The Commission is still examining several 2 . Is the Commission aware that because of this delay, options for the necessary harmonization and liberalization citizens and businesses in the European Union are denied a of postal services but will come forward with appropriate free choice between different providers of cross-border proposals before the end of July . postal services within the Union ? (') COM(95 ) 26 final . 3 . Is the Commission also aware that because of this delay , citizens and businesses in the European Union are denied the benefit of more efficient postal services ? No C 257/36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1420/95 products not primarily intended for human or animal by Mathias Reichhold ( NI ) consumption, provided that effective control systems are applied'. to the Commission (22 May 1995) The basis of the control required by the Council is a contract ( 95/C 257/65 ) concluded between the farmer who grows the raw material and a party which guarantees that such raw material is used appropriately, according to the provisions of Commission Subject: Rape seed under the CAP Regulation ( EEC ) No 334/93 . This party, defined either as a collector or a first processor, is obliged to lodge a guarantee Austria has four cooperative-type alternative fuel and which is released when the authority with which it is lodged heating production plants started by farmers . In accordance has evidence that the raw material has indeed been with Commission Regulations ( EEC ) No 334/93 (') and processed primarily into an end product other than for ( EEC ) No 608/94 ( 2 ), cooperatives were required by the human or animal consumption . This basic principle has to AMA ( Austrian Agricultural Market ) to contract to grow be respeced by all operators , whether cooperatives or not . and supply rape seed ( 00-1995 crop ). The security is a means to ensure compliance .
However , as these cooperatives only process rape seed The Commission legislation therefore makes mandatory the grown by members in possession of a share certificate , who lodging of a guarantee by the non-farming signatory of the take up equal quantities of produce , the obligations laid contract — there are no derogations from this rule for small down in the Regulations notably the need for a collector, farming cooperatives . It is for this reason that AMA requires and a bank guarantee for aid allocated to the land compliance with this obligation . concerned , threaten the very livelihood of cooperatives alternative units . The Commission has not been informed of cooperative However, Regulation ( EEC ) No 334/93 states : 'Whereas the structures involving farmers and consumers in other role of the collector may be omitted during the initial stages Member States , although it is understood that cooperative of the scheme for control reasons ; whereas this omission structures involving farmers and collectors exist in France must be limited to the shortest possible period in order to and, to a lesser extent, Germany . ensure a harmonized development of the scheme within the Community' and in order to preclude speculation , it is During the accession discussions , the Austrian authorities necessary to set up a control system requiring the collector were given ample opportunity to discuss the implications of or the first processor to lodge a guarantee , the rate of which the ' non-food' set-aside scheme with the Commission . No shall be related to the volume of aid allocated to the land specific agreements were concluded in other Member States concerned'. Cooperative farmers are not speculators . Do in respect of similar cases . Regulations ( EEC ) No 334/93 and ( EEC ) No 608/94 make a collector and bank guarantee mandatory ? (') OJ No L 181 , 1 . 7 . 1992 .
Are there special exemptions from such obligations for small farming cooperatives ?
Are there similar units in other EU States where producers , WRITTEN QUESTION E-1421/95 processers and consumers comprise the same group ? by Mathias Reichhold ( NI ) What sort of negotiations were held with Austria on this to the Commission subject ? What agreements were concluded in other EU (22 May 1995) States in similar cases ? ( 95/C 257/66 ) Why does the AMA require compliance with these obligations ? Subject: Fruit and vegetable producer groups
(') OJ No L 38 , 16 . 2 . 1993 , p . 12 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 77 , 19 . 3 . 1994, p . 7 . What conditions must fruit and vegetable producer groups or cooperatives fulfil in order to receive assistance from the European Union ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Fischler (23 lune 1995) on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1995) The legal basis for the 'non-food' set-aside scheme ( Article 7 ( 4 ) of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765/92 (')) allows set-aside land to be used 'for the provision of The principal condition which has to be fulfilled by materials for the manufacture within the Community of producer organizations ( PO ) or cooperatives in order to 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/37 receive Community assistance is that of being recognized by document, which is still in the preparatory stage . The the authorities of the Member State in question . The Commission will look into the possibilities for including granting and maintaining of recognition is based on a contributions from other sources in the preparatory number of criteria, relating both to the establishment and discussions . running of a PO , and which are laid out in Community law, specifically in Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035/72 , Article 13 ( ] ). Article 40 provides that the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee , on which the various categories of economic and social life are represented , must be sought More specific criteria are set out in Article 13b of the prior to publication of the programme . Regulation for those POs with a main economic interest centered around citrus fruit . With regard to the broader consultation of citizens through their representatives , and in the spirit of openness which The respect of these conditions qualifies the PO for various guides its activities in the nuclear field , the Commission will types of assistance relating to both the establishment of not fail to provide Parliament with all the information a PO ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 2118/78 ( 2 ) and operational necessary in due course . assistance . This assistance varies in form and is related to the type of activity undertaken by the PO ( such as improvement of marketing , and intervention ) and the products which are marketed . The conditions for obtaining this assistance are laid out in the relevant Community Regulation .
(!) OJ No L 118 , 20 . 5 . 1972 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1428/95 ( 2 ) OJ No L 246 , 8 . 9 . 1978 . by Nel van Dijk ( V ) to the Commission (22 May 1995) 95/C 257/68
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1423/95 by Glyn Ford ( PSE ) Subject: Dangers inherent in 'over the counter' sales of the to the Commission contraceptive pill in the Netherlands (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/67 ) The government of the Netherlands intends to remove the contraceptive pill from the services covered by medical insurance and no longer to make it available on prescription Subject: Nuclear energy only . If the Minister of Health's plans go ahead , the pill will be available over the counter at pharmacies and chemist's from 1 January 1996 . It has been brought to my attention that only those persons with a vested interest in nuclear energy were consulted with regards to the document, The future of nuclear energy in the Does the availability of the pill ( according to Article 1 ( 2 ) of European Union . The illustrative nuclear programme under Directive 65/65/EEC the pill is classified as a medicinal Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty : transparency and public product (')) without a prescription contravene Directive involvement ( PINC ). 92/26/EEC concerning the classification for the supply of medicinal products for human use ( 2 ), given that Article 3 ( 1 ) of that Directive says : 'Medicinal products shall Would the Commission please comment as to why this is so , be subject to medical prescription where they : . . . are likely given that I was under the impression that a democratic to present a danger either directly or indirectly , even when government is supposed to express the interests of its used correctly , if utilized without medical supervision, citizens and not those of specific industries ? or . . . contain substances . . . the activity and/or side effects of which require further investigation'?
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis Does the Commission believe that the Netherlands on behalf of the Commission Government has given due consideration to the absolute (6 July 1995) contra-indications of the pill , such as heart and vascular vessels ( in particular, thrombosis ), breast cancer and diseases of the liver ? The Commission is currently preparing the illustrative nuclear programme under Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty . Does the Commission believe that the Netherlands It is correct that those circles with a direct interest in nuclear Government has given sufficient consideration to the energy have contributed to the preparation of the draft scientific uncertainties concerning the possible harmful No C 257/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 effects of long-term use of the pill and hormones ? Is . the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1430/95 Commission familiar with publications indicating a high by Nel van Dijk ( V ) risk , for certain groups of women, of breast cancer, heart to the Commission and vascular diseases and ME ? (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/70 ) In the Commission's opinion , is the Netherlands Government giving due consideration to the risks — mainly for young and/or new users — of inexpert use of the pill , Subject: ' Over the counter' sales of the contraceptive pill in experimenting with it, confusion of brand names, lack of the Netherlands in violation of efforts at expertise amongst chemists , taking the pill in combination harmonization with other medicines , the fact that the packaging leaflet is usually consulted only after purchase , and the fact that some women will opt for the cheapest, rather than the most The government of the Netherlands intends to remove the suitable , pill if the pill is no longer covered by medicinal contraceptive pill from the services covered by medical insurance ? insurance and no longer to make it available on prescription only . If the Minister of Health's plans go ahead , the pill will be available over the counter at pharmacies and chemists (') OJ No 22 , 9 . 2 . 1965 , p . 369 . from 1 January 1996 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 113 , 30 . 4 . 1992 , p . 5 . Is the pill available 'over the counter' in any other Member State of the Union ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1429/95 If not, how do the plans of the Netherlands Government tie by Nel van Dijk ( V ) in with the free movement of goods between the Member to the Commission States and , in this connection , the recital contained in Directive 92/26/EEC to the effect that 'it is important ... to (22 May 1995) harmonize the conditions governing the supply of medicinal ( 95/C 257/69 products to the public'?
Should the pill no longer be subject to prescription in all the Subject: Advertising of contraceptive pills in the Member States , is the Commission prepared to exercise its Netherlands powers pursuant to Article 12 of Directive 92/27/EEC i 1 ) to draw up guidelines for the packaging and package leaflets for oral contraceptives in respect of the formulation of The government of the Netherlands intends to remove the warnings , information for self-medication and legibility ? contraceptive pill from the services covered by medical insurance and no longer to make it available on prescription (') OJ No L 113 , 30 . 4 . 1992 , p . 8 . only . If the Minister of Health's plans go ahead , the pill will be available over the counter at pharmacists and chemists from 1 January 1996 . Joint answer to Written Questions E-1428/95 to E-1430/95 If a prescription is no longer needed for the pill and if it is no given by Mr Bangemann longer reimbursed by medical insurance , is the Netherlands on behalf of the Commission Government then allowed or obliged to permit commercial advertising for the pill pursuant to Directive 92/28/EEC ( ] ) (10 July 1995) on the advertising of medicinal products for human use ? Council Directive 92/26/EEC concerning the classification Does the Commission believe that direct public advertising for the supply of medicinal products for human use of the pill by producers or distributors is desirable ? represents the first stage in the harmonization of this field at Community level . It fixes firstly the supply categories that the Member States establish and secondly the criteria that Given that Directive 89/552/EEC ( 2 ) prohibits television they apply to classify medicinal products into these advertising for medicinal products available only on categories . Consequently, a Member State may neither prescription in the Member State within whose jurisdiction establish categories other than those that the Directive lays the broadcaster falls, is it to be concluded that advertising down nor impose criteria which differ from those laid down for the pill is permitted in the Netherlands but that the same by the Directive . The fact that a specific product or specific advertising is prohibited for commercial TV stations category of product is the subject of a different classification broadcasting to the Netherlands from other Member States in the Member States does not in itself constitute an such as Luxembourg ? infringement of the Directive .
(') OJ No L 113 , 30 . 4 . 1992 , p . 13 . According to the information at the Commission's disposal , ( 2 ) OJ No L 298 , 17 . 10 . 1989 , p . 23 . the Dutch authorities no longer intend to make the 2 . 10 . 95 LM Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/39 contraceptive pill available without a prescription . Be that that the Commission will submit a report to the Council on as it may, it is not for the Commission to give an opinion on its application by 31 March 1996 . An assessment will have whether specific decisions taken by the Member States to be made at that time as to whether the adoption and pursuant to the classification criteria laid down by Directive implementation of Directive 92/26/EEC have produced a 92/26/EEC are justified . sufficient degree of convergence of national decisions on classification . If not, the Commission would doubtless feel The decision on whether or not a specific medicinal product bound to propose greater harmonization in this area . or category of medicinal products such as contraceptive pills should be covered by the sickness insurance scheme is a So far, the need to adopt guidelines concerning the matter for the national authorities alone , provided that such formulation of warnings and information relating to a decision is taken on the basis of objective and verifiable self-medication on the labelling and package leaflet of criteria , regardless of the origin of the products concerned medicinal products for human use , as provided for in ( see judgment of the Court of Justice of 7 February 1984 in Article 12 of Council Directive 92/27/EEC has not become Case 238/82 Duphar [ 1984 ] ECR 523 and Council apparent . The Commission does not consider that a possible Directive 89/105/EEC ) I 1 ). change in the classification of the contraceptive pill is likely to alter this assessment . The Commission is however planning to adopt guidelines on the legibility of package Council Directive 92/28/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the leaflets , as also provided for by Article 12 of Directive advertising of medicinal products for human use requires 92/27/EEC , although this has nothing to do with the Member States to prohibit the advertising to the general proposed decision . public of medicinal products which are available on medicinal prescription only and also permits them to ban (!) OJ No L 40 , 11 . 2 . 1989 . the advertising of medicinal products which , although available without prescription , may nevertheless be reimbursed . Conversely, the Directive does not require Member States to authorize the advertising of medicinal products which are available without a medicinal prescription . It is not for the Commission to decide whether WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 439/95 or not the advertising of such products to the general public by Klaus Rehder ( PSE ) should be authorized . to the Commission (22 May 1995) Article 14 of Directive 89/552/EEC prohibits advertising for ( 95/C 257/71 ) medicinal products available only on prescription in the Member States within whose jurisdiction the broadcaster falls . Medicinal products available over the counter are not, Subject: True cost of transport then , affected by this restriction . Under Article 3 of this same Directive , Member States may also require broadcasters Some time ago , the European Parliament pressed for the under their jurisdiction to observe more detailed or stricter 'true costs ' of each transport mode to be determined , taking rules in the areas covered by the Directive . Member States account in particular of the environmental damage they may therefore have developed different approaches of cause . varying strictness with regard to their own broadcasters in order to take account, among other things , of national What progress has the Commission made to date with this characteristics . By contrast, Member States may not restrict urgently required calculation of the 'true costs ' in every field freedom of reception and retransmission of broadcasts from of transport ? What results are available ? other Member States ( Article 2 ), with the sole exception of the procedure provided for in Article 4 ( 2 ) ( infringement of Article 22 on the protection of minors ). Finally, to take the Answer given by Mr Kinnock example raised by the Honourable Member , the fact that it on behalf of the Commission is received in the Netherlands does not authorize a broadcaster under the jurisdiction of another Member State ( 14 July 1995) to broadcast advertising for the contraceptive pill if the law to which it is subject ( in this case , Luxembourg law ) As already announced to Parliament, the Commission is prohibits such advertising . hoping to submit a communication at the end of 1 995 on the costs of infrastructures and the external costs of the various According to the information at the Commission's disposal , modes of transport . Preparations are in progress . no other Member State has made the contraceptive pill available over the counter . The fact that certain medicinal In this context, the Commission has arranged for a products can be obtained without any medical prescription comparative study to be carried out on a number of recent in one Member State and not in another does not in itself publications concerning the internalization of the external constitute an obstacle to the free movement of goods in so costs of transport . A copy of this study will be sent directly far as national and imported products are subject to the to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's same rules in the Member State in question . Moreover, such Secretariat . a situation is still very frequent, notwithstanding the effect of Directive 92/26/EEC . Article 6 ( 3 ) of that Directive states No C 257/40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1445/95 Answer given by Mr Fischler by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission 8 June 1995) (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/72 Under the measures adopted in Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1101/95 laying down the production and other Subject: Financial support for the European film arrangements to apply in the Community's sugar sector industry after 1 July 1995 ( 1 ), the existing levels of the production quotas applicable in this sector will be continued unchanged for the next six marketing years 1995/96 to 2000/01 . At the What steps will the Commission take to support the same time , however , a new mechanism has been put in place European film industry ? for carrying out a possible reduction of the levels of production guaranteed by the quotas if this proves to be Will it extend the scope of the European Investment Fund to necessary for one or more of these marketing years to ensure cover the needs of the audio-visual industry ? compliance with the Community's obligations under the agreement on agriculture resulting from the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations .
Answer given by Mr Oreja The new mechanism will function through the application on behalf of the Commission of fixed coefficients which predetermine the distribution of (30 June 1995) any future reduction in a balanced way between products ( sugar , isoglucose and inulin syrup ), between producing regions and between individual A and B quotas . These On 8 February 1995 , the Commission adopted two coefficients have been established on the basis of the existing proposals for Council Decisions on a Media II programme marketing guarantees provided to producers under the covering the period 1 996 to 2000 ( 1 ) . The Decisions concern quotas . They take account, therefore , of specific market training for professionals in the audio-visual programme supply situations such as that in the United Kingdom which industry and promotion of the development and has historically been dependent for a significant part of its distribution of European audio-visual works . sugar supplies on the refining of imported raw cane sugars originating mainly from ACP countries under preferential import arrangements , currently those laid down in the They are currently being examined by Parliament, the relevant protocol appearing in the fourth Lome Council and the Economic and Social Committee . Convention .
In accordance with the conclusions of the European Audio-visual Conference ( Brussels, 30 June to 2 July 1994 ), The need for implementation of the new mechanism will be the Commission has embarked on a study and consultations examined in good time before 1 October of each marketing with the industry to assess the feasibility of using financial year on the basis of the market data indicated on the instruments to attract private investments to the Community's balance sheet for sugar and the average loss audio-visual programmes industry . foreseen under the self-financing system particular to the sugar sector . The examination will take place in close cooperation with the authorities of the Member States in the (!) COM(94 ) 523 . management committee for sguar . If a reduction is indeed found to be necessary, this will be applicable to all producers under the quotas , including those in the United Kingdom, through the use of the abovementioned coefficients .
The Commission would however like to stress that the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1447/95 timing and size of any reduction will depend upon by Christine Oddy ( PSE ) developments in the many variable and unpredictable to the Commission factors which directly influence the level and cost of sugar sector exports covered by the agreement on agriculture . (22 May 1995) They will furthermore reflect the results of other ( 95/C 257/73 ) management instrumens and measures that will be implemented in the sugar sector over the coming six marketing years . Subject: EU sugar regime P ) OJ No L 110 , 17 . 5 . 1995 . What moves is the Commission to take to ensure that the UK quotas on sugar production are maintained and not cut, bearing in mind that the UK is a net importer of sugar ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/41
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1459/95 examining several options for the necessary harmonization by Alexandres Alavanos ( GUE/NGL ) and liberalisation of postal services but will come forward in the very near future with appropriate proposals . to the Commission
(22 May 1995) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to ( 95/C 257/74 ) the reply it gave to oral question H-389/95 by Mr Crowley during question time at Parliament's June 1995 part session ( 2 ). Subject: Universal and reservable services (') COM(95 ) 26 . ( 2 ) Debates of the Parliament (June 1995 ). On 7 February 1994 the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution (') inviting the Commission to propose to the Council , as a matter of urgency, before 1 July 1994 measures on , in particular, defining a universal service , ensuring the viability of the provision of the services by defining 'reservable' services etc . Even though that Council WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1 463/95 Resolution was adopted a year ago and the time-limit it laid by James Moorhouse ( PPE ) down expired six months ago , the Commission has not submitted proposals and has not explained its position . to the Commission (22 May 1995) 1 . What is the reason for this inexcusable delay, and when 95/C 257/75 ) is it going to submit its proposals ?
2 . Will the Commission propose measures on universal Subject: Deaths due to blocked chimneys and flues services and reservable services in the same directive ? Is the Commission aware that many deaths from carbon 3 . Does it agree that the proposal for a Directive should be monoxide poisoning occur as a result of flues or chimneys based on Article 100a , as requested by the European which may be blocked for a number of reasons ? Parliament ? Does the Commission have any plans, such as compulsory 4 . Will it include among the measures in the Directive the annual chimney sweeps, to rectify this ? European Parliament's proposals on protected services , and in particular the cross-border post-office and items with multiple addressees , in order to ensure the economic viablity of the supplier of universal Answer given by Mr Bangemann services ? on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1995) (') OJ No C 48 , 16 . 2 . 1994 , p . 3 . The Commission is aware of the potential risks from carbon monoxide, which can come from many sources such as a blocked flue or chimney, inadequate ventilation in a room, Answer given by Mr Bangemann poor positioning of the chimney or flue outlet or poor on behalf of the Commission maintenance of appliances themselves . (10 July 1995) The Community has taken a number of initiatives to help to rectify the situation , albeit at the level of individual products . There is Directive 90/396/EEC of 29 June 1990 in After the Council resolution of 7 February 1994 , an the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to extensive consultation with all interested parties was applicances burning gaseous fuels ( J ), Directive 92/42/EEC undertaken . The Commission then began the preparation of of 21 May 1992 on efficiency requirements for new concrete proposals . However , the complexity of the hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels ( 2 ) and problem requires a thorough assessment of a large range of Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the legal , competition and economic aspects which did not approximation of laws , regulations and administrative allow the conclusion of the Commission's work in 1994 . provisions of the Member States relating to construction products ( 3 ) which covers aspects of the design of The establishment of a regulatory framework for postal chimneys . services is to be found in the Commission's work programme for 1995 ( ] ). During the last months the The Commission is of the opinion that the operation and Commission has worked on draft proposals for the maintenance of buildings is the competence of individual development of Community postal services as required by Member States , especially regional and local authorities . the Parliament and the Council . The Commission is still Provisions for sweeping or other maintenance of chimneys No C 257/42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 is , therefore , best left to Member States which can take the of the value added produced at national level . In Russia the most appropriate action based on their local conditions . gap beween the highest and lowest deciles rose from 8,4 to 14,5 between March 1993 and June 1994 . At the same time , (') OJ No L 196 , 26 . 7 . 1990 . birth and death rate figures bear witness to a general ( 2 ) OJ No L 167, 22 . 6 . 1992 . impoverishment of the population . Life expectancy, which ( 3 ) OJ No L 40, 11 . 2 . 1989 . stood in 1990 at 64 years for men and 74,4 years for women, has dropped to 58 and 68 years respectively . There has also been a huge growth in the unofficial economy , which accounts for 60 % of GDP according to some sources .
The two governments have responded differently to these difficult circumstances . In Ukraine , social , education and WRITTEN QUESTION E-1473/95 health services are deteriorating ( there was a cholera by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Ana Miranda de Lage epidemic in 1 994 ), but since the miners' strike in the summer ( PSE ) of 1993 , the population has remained calm as survival is the to the Commission prime concern of most . Since 1991 the Russian Government (22 May 1995) has been reforming the country's social security system , notably by bringing in unemployment benefits and ( 95/C 257/76 developing social welfare provision , but owing to difficulties with the collection of contributions it has been relying on action by the regions , thus accentuating the inequalities Subject: Development and poverty in the former Soviet between citizens of the various parts of the Federation . Union
The economic improvements observed in some of the countries of Central Europe have not reached the former Soviet Union .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1474/95 The ILO has drawn attention to the decline in living by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and standards in , for instance, Russia and Ukraine , and Ana Miranda de Lage ( PSE ) considers that there are genuine risks of social unrest and breakdown of the social fabric in those former Soviet to the Commission republics . (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/77 ) Does the Commission possess the necessary indicators to confirm these opinions ? Subject: The Copenhagen summit and the European What are the links between this deterioration and increased Union migration , intolerance and rising crime ? The international summit on social development held in Copenhagen has heightened awareness that the great challenge and crucial goal of the developed countries must Answer given by Mr Van den Broek be the eradication of poverty . on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1995) What are the present or future contributions of the European Union to the objectives set at the Copenhagen summit ? 1994 saw the depression continue , with GDP falling by around 17% in Russia and 22% in Ukraine . The sharp What action does the Commission intend to take in the light decline in industrial output ( 50 % of its 1990 level in Russia of the summit conclusions ? and 61 % in Ukraine ) has led to a rise in unemployment, which remains largely concealed . In Russia , official unemployment stands at 4 % of the working population . The International Labour Office puts it at 9 % . If concealed and official unemployment are added together, the figure is Answer given by Mr Flynn 38 % . In Ukraine it would be 40 % . on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1995) Rising unemployment, coupled with an expansion in service activities, has gone hand in hand with burgeoning inequalities . This is because just a few sectors of the The world summit for social development, held in economy and speculative activities account for a large part Copenhagen in March 1995 , resulted in the formulation of a 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/43 commonly agreed and comprehensive view of social WRITTEN QUESTION E-1475/95 development . The political declaration , as well as the action by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Juan Colino Salamanca programme , particularly stress the importance of ( PSE ) eradicating poverty worldwide . The Community , which to the Commission actively participated in the summit, is committed to following up its conclusions , both within the Community (22 May 1995) and in its cooperation with developing countries . ( 95/C 257/78 )
The Community played a substantial role in the outcome of Subject: EU aid to Guatemala the summit . Various existing internal and external Community policies contributed to the objective defined in What concrete actions have been taken this year by the Copenhagen . As regards the fight against poverty , various Commission to support the peace and normalization Community actions can be noted . process in Guatemala ?
What material support has been provided by the The United Nations has declared 1996 the international Commission to the Guatemalan communities displaced by year for the eradication of poverty . In its medium-term the war and thrown on to society at large ? social action programme , the Commission states that
' 1996 will be dedicated to the opening up of a Answer given by Mr Marin European-wide debate on poverty and social exclusion on behalf of the Commission as the basis for identifying the scope for concerted (7 July 1995) action.'
For a long period Community aid was limited to The Commission plans, in 1996 , to hold the first meeting of humanitarian action but increased significantly from 1986 the European social policy forum, in order to launch a with the undramatic return of democratic government in comprehensive debate on matters of social exclusion , Guatemala . It was in 1986 that cooperation between the integration , racism , and fundamental citizens ' rights . Community and Guatemala began to assume significant proportions . Since then the total amount of grant aid has been ECU 181 million ( US$ 217 million ). Since 1975 , the Commission has already been implementing pilot action programmes to combat poverty and social The bulk of Community aid in 1994 was spent on : exclusion . A Commission proposal for a further, somewhat broader , programme to combat social exclusion and to — financial and technical cooperation : ECU 33,89 promote solidarity (') ( planned to run from 1994 to 1999 ) million was submitted to the Council in September 1993 . It has not yet been adopted by the Council . — aid for the expelled : ECU 8,77 million — humanitarian aid : ECU 0,83 million
Eradicating poverty is one of the four main objectives of — food aid : ECU 4,9 million Community cooperation policy, as stated in the Treaty on European Union . In December 1993 , the Council adopted a — aid channelled through NGOs : ECU 2,54 million . resolution on this issue , on the basis of a Commission proposal ( 2 ). One of the objectives is to increase the efficiency of the co-operation policies of the Community in The chief sectors of Community action at present are : this field by means of increased coordination . — development or, in many cases , pre-development, of marginalized rural areas by means of rural and production-support micro-projects ; As regards the specific follow-up of the Copenhagen summit, the Commission intends to prepare an appropriate — support for land reform similar to that in the other strategy, taking into account Community competence and countries of the region ; the subsidiarity principle . — support for the informal sector, which affects a high proportion of the population , with some 800 000 jobs, (') COM(93 ) 435 final . chiefly in towns , and accounts for 20%of GDP; ( 2 ) COM(93 ) 518 . — support for democracy and human rights ;
— support for refugees and the strengthening of institutions . No C 257/44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Community aid for displaced persons and returnees in which resemble face-to-face contacts ( unlike the traditional Guatemala in 1994 took the practical form of financing 17 media , such as the telephone , writing, radio or television ). projects at a total cost of ECU 9,6 million . Most of these ( i.e. Since they facilitate the simultaneous exchange of the 15 , totalling ECU 8,77 million ) were aimed at the social and spoken word , text and image , they can contribute to economic re-integration of expelled persons through strengthening the social fabric and to reinforcing civic projects for restarting production and re-habilitating values . Services geared to the interests of the public ( health, infrastructure and basic social services . education and training, and especially the social services ) will be able to use these systems , not just to improve the way Concurrently with this type of action to assist the they operate but also to get closer to the citizens they serve . self-sufficiency of expellees, the Commission carried out Since these technologies are dedicated to interpersonal two 'humanitarian aid' projects ( totalling ECU 830 000 ) exchanges and to the sharing of information , they constitute one for displaced persons , the other in support of the return a precious instrument for strengthening social and to home areas . All these projects in aid of displaced persons democratic links . and returnees have helped improve the climate for, and enhance the process of, dialogue , joint consultation and As always happens, technological innovations spark off peace in the country . discussions and arouse fears . They are , however, merely a means, and must be made widely available , culturally and socially . The Commission recognizes the vital priority which this new challenge represents . It will present a Green Paper on the social and societal impact of the information society in the second half of 1996 . It is being assisted in this task by a WRITTEN QUESTION E-1478/95 group of experts which met for the first time on 18 May 1995 . In addition, since the Commission wishes to widen by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and the debate as much as possible , it has decided, among other Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) things , to set up an information Society Forum , to the Commission preparations for which will begin in July 1995 . (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/79 )
Subject: The 'information society' and social change WRITTEN QUESTION E-1479/95 The developed societies are now facing the challenge of the by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and new technologies , which are likely to bring about profound Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) changes in society and the world of work . to the Commission (22 May 1995) In what ways does the Commission consider it possible to ( 95/C 257/80 ) correct or neutralize the effects of the 'information society' in terms of the undermining of the social fabric and the possible' unravelling and breakdown of internal cohesion in Subject: Support for Nicaragua our societies ?
What support has the Commission given to the endeavours of the Government of Nicaragua to set up a national Answer given by Mr Bangemann attorney-general's office for human rights ? on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1995) Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission The information society will need to make the most of the potential economic as well as social advantages of the new (17 July 1995) information and communication systems . These systems foster economic competitiveness and simultaneously offer new opportunities for social and cultural exchanges . The The possible creation in Nicaragua of an authority for the effect on jobs illustrates this ambivalence . Technological protection of human rights is one of the matters currently progress and increased competition mean that people are under discussion in that country and the legislation obliged to have higher occupational qualifications . governing its establishment is being studied . Information and communication technologies are providing new tools for education and training . The Commission considers that this approach to the protection of human rights is of fundamental importance Interactive multimedia communication systems afford throughout Latin America and support for such an human beings opportunities for meaningful exchanges institution is , accordingly , one of the priorities of the 2 . 10 . 95 I EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/45
Community's cooperation policy in regard to the period 1994—1999 , was forwarded to the Council in democratization and human rights . The Commission has September 1993 but has not yet been adopted . therefore been giving financial support since 1991 to various projects for the benefit of national However, the Commission's Medium-Term Social Action attorney-general's offices for human rights in Latin Programme ( 1995—1997 ) stresses the need for continued America . efforts to combat exclusion and for concerted action to fight racism, xenophobia , and anti-semitism in our societies . The As far as Nicaragua is concerned, should such an institution Commission undertakes to submit an action plan to combat finally be established, the Commission would be perfectly racism before the end of this year . This plan will take into willing to consider and accede to any request for financing account the conclusions drawn by the European Council on the part of the institution, in line with its approach in from the contributions it requested at the Corfu meeting, other Latin American countries , in order that it may carry and the recommendations of the Consultative Commission out efficiently the responsibilities conferred on it by law . on the fight against racism and xenophobia .
Finally , in March 1996 , the Commission will organise the first meeting of the European Forum on Social Policy, with the aim of launching wide-ranging debate on social exclusion , racism and the fundamental social rights of WRITTEN QUESTION E-1481/95 citizens . The Commission, in conjunction with the by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Parliament, also intends to organise a public hearing on the Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) revision of the 1989 Charter on the Fundamental Social to the Commission rights of Workers , possibly with a view to extending it to all citizens . (22 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/81 )
Subject: Poverty and racism WRITTEN QUESTION E-1482/95 According to ILO estimates , at the end of 1994 there were by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and some 1 300 million people worldwide living in conditions of Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) poverty . to the Commission
In the developed countries, the most vulnerable groups (22 May 1995) include certain minorities , migrants , refugees and others . ( 95/C 257/82 )
Does the Commission not consider that there is a clear need Subject: Poverty in the European Union to combat poverty as a cause of racism in the Union ?
Does the Commission not consider that there should be a Despite the established welfare systems in force , the countries of western Europe have not been spared by the programme specifically targeting the link between racism spread of poverty and social exclusion . and poverty ? The EU's economically strongest Member States exhibit alarmingly high levels of homelessness . Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission It must be asked why the Council is continuing to block (4 July 1995) certain Community actions against poverty .
Can the Commission state what alternative actions it could Since the adaption , in June 1986 , of the Joint Declaration by propose in order to cooperate in remedying this grave state the European Parliament, the Council , the representatives of of affairs ? the Member States meeting within the Council and the Commission, the European Council has issued several declarations on the fight against racism and xenophobia , asserting its strong determination to combat intolerance and Answer given by Mr Flynn racism by all available means , and calling on the Member on behalf of the Commission States and the Commission to reinforce the legal protection (18 July 1995) of third country nationals in the Member States .
As regards the fight against poverty in the Community, the The Commission shares the Honourable Members' concern Commission has implemented multi-annual action at the increasing gravity of poverty in the European Union . programmes since 1975 . The most recent of these , covering Since 1975 , the Community has been implementing a series No C 257/46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 of action programmes to combat poverty and social Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard exclusion . The third and most recent of these programmes , on behalf of the Commission the programme for the social and economic integration of ( 10 July 1995) the last-privileged groups ( Poverty 3 ( Council Decision 89/457/EEC ) ( J ) ran from 1989 to 1994 .
In September 1993 , the Commission presented a proposal 1 . The project referred to by the Honourable Member is for a further, somewhat broader, programme a type listed in Annex 11(b ) to Directive 85/337/EEC on ( Medium-term action programme to combat exclusion and environmental impact assessment . Before consent is given, promote solidarity — a new programme to support and such projects must be assessed where they are likely to have stimulate innovation ( 1994—1999 ) ( 2 ) intending that this significant effects by virtue inter alia of their nature , size or should follow its predecessor without delay . The Council location ( Article 2 ). has not yet adopted this programme . This type of project is not subject to environmental (■) OJ No L 224 , 2 . 8 . 1989 . assessment in Italy , which has still not transposed the ( 2 ) COMÍ93 ) 435 final . Directive in respect of the majority of Annex II projects . The Commission has accordingly instituted infringement proceedings against Italy , which have now reached the reasoned opinion stage .
2 . The Commission would refer the Honourable WRITTEN QUESTION E-1484/95 Member to its answers to oral question H-660/94 ( 1 ) by Mr by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) Smith , Written Questions No 2606/94 ( 2 ) by Mrs Kinnock to the Commission and No 2156/94 ( 3 ) by Mr Hughes and No 757/93 ( 4 ) by Mr Bird and petitions 751 /94 , 676/94 and 471/90 , all dealing (22 May 1995) with the effects of high-tension lines on health . ( 95/C 257/83 )
The amended proposal for a Council Directive on the Subject: Construction of a power line in the Verbano Cusio minimum Health and Safety requirements regarding the Ossola area and compliance with Community exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical legislation agents ( 5 ) includes provisions to protect workers from non-ionising electro-magnetic fields and radiation . Italy's national electricity authority, ENEL, is planning to build a new power line between the San Giacomo Pass in Val ( 1 ) Debates of the European Parliament ( December 1994 ). Formazza and Turbigo . ( 2 ) OJ No C 103 , 24 . 4 . 1995 . ( 3 ) OJ No C 88 , 10 . 4 . 1995 . ( 4 ) OJ No C 332 , 28 . 11 . 1994 . The Piedmont Reginoal Government took a favourable view ( s ) OJ No C 230, 19 . 8 . 1994 . of the environmental impact of the project in its decision of 28 February 1994, in which it took account solely of the power line's direct effects on human beings .
The environmental impact assessment for the power line should have taken into account direct and indirect effects on human beings , as provided for in Article 3 of Directive 85/337/EEC ('). WRITTEN QUESTION E-1487/95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and It is now recognized that high-tension power lines may cause Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) serious damage to health . to the Council (22 May 1995) 1 . Does not the Commission consider that it should initiate proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty against the ( 95/C 257/84 ) Italian State for failure to comply with Article 3 of Directive 85/337/EEC ? Subject: Schengen Agreement 2 . Does it not consider it necessary to bring forward a proposal for a Directive laying down standards for protection against exposure to magnetic fields ? Now that the Schengen Agreement concluded between the governments of seven Member States of the European (M OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . Union has entered into force , does the Council have any 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/47 indications or information as to when the remaining The Commission then gave different weightings to the job Member States might be expected to join ? losses in the defence industry and on military bases to reflect the differing impacts at regional level of the job losses in these different categories . On this basis , the appropriations Answer were then allocated between the Member States . The table below shows the result of this allocation . The share of the (3 August 1995) Netherlands is proportional to the scale of its job losses in the Community context . The Schengen Agreement is an inter-governmental agreement concluded in a different institutional and legal In the case of the new Member States , only Sweden will framework distinct from that of the European Union . receive an allocation under the Konver Initiative . The amount given below was the subject of a separate decision The information which the Council of the European Union by the Commission and cannot therefore be counted in the has on this matter is purely unofficial . Consequently, the total amount provided for originally for the twelve Member Council cannot pass it on to the Honourable Member . States .
KONVER
Allocation between Member States 1994—97 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1494/95 Allocation in by Johanna Maii-Weggen ( PPE ) Allocation Member State million ECU in % to the Commission 1994 prices (22 May 1995) Belgium 2,29 11,45 ( 95/C 257/85 ) Denmark 0,47 2,35 Subject: Benefits to the Netherlands from the Community Germany 43,88 219,40 'Konver' initiative Greece 2,55 12,75
1 . Can the Commission confirm that the Netherlands has Spain 4,66 23,30 received only NLG 25 million from the Community France 14,03 70,15 'Konver' programme ? Italy 9,06 45,30 2 . Can the Commission confirm that the Netherlands Luxembourg 0,07 0,35 requested ECU 25 million, a modest amount considering the total programme endowment of over NLG 1 billion ? Netherlands 2,29 11,45 Portugal 1,56 7,80 3 . Why is it that, despite having requested a very modest amount, the Netherlands received only NLG 25 million , United Kingdom 19,14 95,70 that is to say approximately half the sum requested ? Sweden 3,26 4 . What amounts have been requested and received by the other EU Member States from the same programme ?
5 . What are the criteria on the basis of which funds from WRITTEN QUESTION E-1496/95 the 'Konver' programme may be requested , and how are by Johanna Maii-Weggen ( PPE ) these criteria being applied by each Member State ? to the Commission (22 May 1995) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies ( 95/C 257/86 ) on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1995) Subject: Assistance for the return of Eritrean refugees The procedure for allocating the Konver appropriations among the Member States was not based on applications 1 . What steps is the Commission taking to encourage the from them for predetermined amounts . The Commission return of refugees to Eritrea ? asked each Member State to send it, before the end of August 1994 , the figures for job losses in military and defence activities which had been recorded/were forecast in 2 . What contribution is being made by each of the EU the Member State concerned between 1990 and 1997 . Member States to solve this problem ?
The Commission had these figures analysed by an 3 . Are efforts by the EU and its Member States being independent and recognized institute . coordinated to any extent ? No C 257/48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro — the countries which export the fur of the animal on behalf of the Commission species concerned to the EU have introduced (29 June 1995) legislation banning the use of leg-hold traps , — sufficient progress has been made in the establishment of international humane standards as 1 . Commission activities to stimulate or encourage the an alternative to leg-hold traps ? return of refugees to Eritrea are supported through : 2 . What was the outcome of the recent discussions with — the ECU 20 million short term programme to aid Canada and the United States on this resolution , reconstruction and recovery, in particular : particularly as regards the possibility that a WTO — the education component of the social infrastructure member country might protest against this project, Regulation ? — water wells project; 3 . Does the Commission intend to amend the Regulation or to delay its implementation , and, if so , for what — the malaria control programme in the Western reason ? Can the Commission confirm that Parliament Lowlands ( ECU 740 000 ); will not be deprived of its co-decision rights by merely basing the Regulation on Article 113 rather than on — the five projects of a total value of ECU 3,4 million under Articles 113 and 130s ? the re-habilitation initiative in the Gash/Setit and Barka region ( B7-5076 ). (') OJ No C 55 , 6 . 3 . 1995 , p . 50 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 308 , 9 . 11 . 1991 , p . 1 . 2 . Member States try to stimulate and encourage the return of refugees , as the Commission does , by improving all aspects of infrastructure ( including social infrastructure ) in the areas which will be most affected by the returnees , and WRITTEN QUESTION E-15 16/95 this was the subject of a Proferi ( programme for the by Stephen Hughes ( PSE ) rehabilitation of resettlement areas in Eritrea ) workshop to the Commission meeting in Asmara on 17—20 May 1995 . (31 May 1995) 3 . The only Member State represented in Eritrea is Italy . 95/C 257/88 ) Germany is expected to open an embassy in July 1995 . The Commission's delegation was opened in Asmara on 22 May 1995 , hence coordination with Member States on the Subject: Standards for animal trapping ground is now starting . Coordination between donors in general has naturally taken place before and during Proferi The European Community agreed a Regulation in 1991 workshops in Eritrea and Geneva . Coordination with which bans the import into Europe of fur from animals Member States and international organisations will caught 'in a country where the leg-hold trap is still used or certainly be strengthened as more open offices in Eritrea . where trapping methods do not meet internationally agreed humane trapping standards'. This ban should have come into force by January 1995 , but has been postponed for one year .
Are negotiations under way with the North Americans on WRITTEN QUESTION E-15 12/95 their progress towards meeting humane trapping by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE ) standards ? to the Commission (31 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/87 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1540/95 by Fernand Herman ( PPE ) to the Commission Subject: World Trade Organization ( WTO ) and animal protection (1 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/89 ) With reference to my earlier question E-2302/94 ( ] ) and to the current discussions between Canada , the United States and the Commission, can the Commission quickly say : Subject: Application of the Regulation prohibiting the use of leg-hold traps and the introduction into the 1 . What progress has been made with regard to the Community of pelts of wild animals implementation of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3254/91 ( 2 ) which is to come into force on 1 January 1996 ? In The Commission has yielded to pressure from the USA and particular, can the Commission say whether : Canada and postponed the entry into force of Regulation 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/49
( EEC ) No 3254/91 until 1 January 1996 with regard to pelt WRITTEN QUESTION E-1518/95 imports . by Nuala Ahern ( V ) to the Commission It now appears that the international standardization (31 May 1995) organization is incapable of establishing standards for ( 95/C 257/90 trapping without cruelty , since at its Ottawa meeting, it definitively decided to exclude the words 'without cruelty' from its standards . The entry into force of the Regulation on Subject: Garching Research Reactor pelt imports on 1 January 1996 therefore becomes inevitable . Further to the reply to Written Question E-2650/94 by Mrs Breyer I 1 ) on the Garching Research Reactor, will the But in the 'American Trapper' magazine of March/April Commission now approach the owners of the reactor in 1995 , reference is made to a meeting between Sir Leon question and ask them to give permission for the Brittan and Alaska's Senator Murkowski, during which the information requested in points 1 —3 of the original Commissioner 'told Murkowski he would be willing, under question to be released by the Commission ? some conditions , to support a delay in executing a controversial European Regulation that would halt imports H OJ No C 88 , 10 . 4 . 1995 , p . 30 . of 14 species of fur from countries that have not banned leghold traps'. Answer given by Mr Papoutsis Can the Commission confirm that the Regulation in on behalf of the Commission question will definitely come into force on 1 January 1996 ? (11 July 1995) If not, what is it waiting for before it advises Parliament accordingly and explains itself ? In accordance with various provisions in this area ( including Article 194 of the Euratom Treaty, in some cases Regulation No 3 of 1958 ( J ), Article 3 of Council Regulation ( EEC, Euratom ) No 354/83 ( 2 ) and Article XV of the Agency's Joint answer to Written Questions statute ( 3 ), neither the Agency nor the Commission is at E-15 12/95 , E-15 16/95 and E-1540/95 liberty to divulge information relating to confidential given by Sir Leon Brittan aspects of commercial transactions which is the property of on behalf of the Commission the operators of Member States concerned . (20 June 1995) As the Commission does not have the authority to act as the Honourable Member would have it, the Commission feels, in line with its decision of 8 February 1994 on public access An exact picture of third countries' legislation concerning to Commission documents ( 4 ), that it would be wiser to the ban on the use of leg-hold traps will not be available request the information directly from the operator before the end of June . concerned .
The International Standards Organization process to adopt (') OJ No 17, 6 . 10 . 1958 . internationally agreed humane trapping standards has been ( 2 ) OJ No L 43 , 15 . 2 . 1983 . delayed mainly because of the controversy over the ( 3 ) OJ No L 27, 6 . 12 . 1958 . ( 4 ) OJ No L 46 , 18 . 2 . 1994 . definition of the term 'humane' in that context . The Commission is therefore exploring ways for a more rapid adoption of standards through direct negotiation with the most important fur exporting countries , i.e. USA and Canada . Talks on this are in an initial phase . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1520/95 As far as a World Trade Organisation challenge of the by Nuala Ahern ( V ) regulation is concerned , the Commission would not expect to the Commission such action to be initiated as long as the issue is being (31 May 1995) discussed with the third countries concerned . ( 95/C 257/91 )
There is currently no scope for a further postponement of the implementation of the Regulation or amendments to it . Subject: Final disposal site for nuclear waste in Japan If proposals to that effect were to be made, the Commission would of course keep the Parliament duly informed . In the light of the admission by the Japanese nuclear authorities that no final disposal site exists in Japan for the burial of high-level nuclear waste , will the Commission ensure no further shipments of high-level waste are returned No C 257/50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 to Japan following the reprocessing ofJapanese spent fuel in authorities of the Member States and does not involve the EU re-processing plants , at least until suitable long-term Commission . However, every two years the Member States storage or disposal facilities are available in Japan ? are required to furnish the Commission with reports on the implementation of the Directive and the Commission, on the basis of these reports , prepares a summary report for the Parliament, the Council and the Economic and social WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 523/95 committee . The first of these summary reports , covering the period up to autumn 1994 was recently approved by the by Nuala Ahem ( V ) Commission ( 3 ). to the Commission (31 May 1995) As regards the representations received on the subject, the ( 95/C 257/92 ) Commission makes it a rule not to make public its correspondence .
Subject: Nuclear transport to Japan The Commission considers that shipments of radioactive waste authorized following the procedure laid down in the abovementioned Directive and carried out in conformity When the Pacific Pintail nuclear transport ship arrived in the with the applicable international agreements on transport of port of Mitsu Ogawara at Rokkasho in Japan on 26 April dangerous goods ( which include radioactive substances ) 1995 with its cargo of high-level nuclear waste from the La respect the necessary safety requirements . Hague re-processing plant in France , it caused a sizeable demonstration over safety . (') OJ No L 35 , 12 . 2 . 1992 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 268 , 29 . 10 . 1993 . What information is held by the Commission on the specific (•') COM(95 ) 192 . objections made to this shipment — and future shipments like it — by :
1 . countries on or close to its transport route ,
2 . concerned citizens , WRITTEN QUESTION E-1528/95 by Nel van Dijk ( V ) 3 . environmentalists non-government organizations , to the Commission (31 May 1995) and what response has been made to each of these representations by the Commission ? 95/C 257/93 )
Subject: Handbooks on the integration of women in the development process Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 520/95 and E-1523/95 In the context of the growing awareness of the part played given by Ritt Bjerregaard by women in the development process , the Commission has on behalf of the Commission produced handbooks on awareness of gender-related issues (7 July 1995) in the assessment and implementation of projects , in 1991 for EU development policy towards the ACP States ( L'intégration des femmes dans le développement . Shipments of radioactive waste are regulated by Council Pourquoi , Quand et Comment prendre en compte les Directive 92/3/Euratom on the supervision and control of relations socio-economiques entre hommes et femmes dans shipments of radioactive waste between Member States and les projets et programmes de Lomé IV ( Manuel )) and in into and out of the Community ('). The Directive is 1993 towards the countries of Asia , Latin America and the complemented by Commission Decision 93/552/ Mediterranean ( Femmes et développement . Coopération Euratom ( 2 ) establishing the standard document for the avec les pays d'Amérique Latine , d'Asie et du Bassin supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste Méditerranéen . Gestion du cycle de projet ). The aim is the referred to in Council Directive 92/3/Euratom . integration of women in the development process ( IGD/IFD ). The Directive requires the authorities of the Member State where the shipment begins to authorize it only when all the Can the Commission say : Member States or third countries involved in the shipment, including transit Member States or third countries , have — what percentage of EU officials engaged in development projects uses these handbooks when preparing and given their prior informed consent to the shipment . evaluating projects ?
The procedure laid down by the Directive for implementing — what percentage of projects is assessed in the way this principle foresees a number of obligations for the proposed in the handbooks ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/51
— how many of the attached evaluation forms on the regulations , how many Member States have found IGD/IFD level of awareness of women's integration in themselves being legally challenged with regard to the development are returned ? implementing of the IACS penalties , by producers who have lost some or all of their support payments for the 1994 — what percentage of projects is judged satisfactory when scheme year ? evaluated according to the criteria given in the handbooks ?
Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Pinheiro (27 June 1995) on behalf of the Commission ( 19 Iuly 1995) The Commission does not share the view that the penalties provided in the integrated administration and control system ( IACS ) are unduly harsh , given the importance of Since the matter raised by the question is the joint set-aside in the context of the arable crops regime , in competence of Vice President Mari'n and Commissioner particular , and the need to combat fraud generally in the Pinheiro , the following answer is given by the two members agricultural sector . on behalf of the Commission . To the Commission's knowledge only the United Kingdom The handbooks have been distributed to all Commission has been legally challenged with regard to the application of staff dealing with development cooperation , both at penalties in IACS by producers who have lost some or all of headquarters and in delegations , and additional copies are their support payments for 1994 . According to figures made available to external consultants . The demand for the received from Member States the percentage of claimants in handbooks has been high and reprinting was necessary . the United Kingdom who suffered penalties was however below the Community average . It is too early to assess the results of the new procedures and most of the current projects were designed before their adoption . It is difficult to get satisfactory results if gender issues are ' added in ' to projects not designed and budgeted with them in mind . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1531/95 A useful tool for monitoring on this issue will be the form for by Peter Skinner ( PSE ) reporting on women in development issues which has been to the Commission adopted only recently as mandatory in the Commission . (31 May 1995) Some first results will be available at the end of 1995 .- ( 95/C 257/95 )
It is likewise too early to assess the impact of the new procedures on project implementation . An evaluation will ■ Subject: Safety standards for heavy goods vehicles and not be useful until projects identified and designed under other vehicles circulating within the EU these procedures have acquired some degree of implementation on the ground , and this will take at least What guidelines or standards exist at European level to three years from the identification stage . ensure that both EU and non-EU heavy goods vehicles and any other vehicles circulating within the European Union are not overloaded and are totally roadworthy ?
What guidelines/legislation exist in Member States to ensure that these Community standards are applied ? In addition, WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 530/95 are these inspection systems more stringent in the United Kingdom than in the rest of the EU , particularly for heavy by Graham Mather ( PPE ) goods vehicles ? to the Commission (31 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/94 ) Answer given by Mr Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Agriculture : IACS regulations (13 July 1995)
With regard to the harsh penalty system which exists within Directive 85/3/EEC ( ) sets the maximum weights and the Integrated Administration and Control System dimensions for heavy goods vehicles , buses and coaches that No C 257/52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 are engaged in intra-Community transport . It does not yet WRITTEN QUESTION E-1534/95 apply to vehicles solely engaged in national transport . by David Martin ( PSE ) However, a Commission proposal ( 2 ) which is on the table of the Council aims at an amendment of Directive 85/3/EEC to the Commission in order to achieve harmonisation of the maximum weights (31 May 1995) and dimensions for national as well as intra-Community ( 95/C 257/96 ) transport .
Subject: Commission at voting procedure in Council Member States ' national standards are generally less restrictive than those provided by Directive 85/3/EEC . However, several Member States authorize higher weights Under the provisions of the Treaty ( Article 189 ), the Council and greater dimensions than those laid down by the may only amend a Commission proposal by unanimity , but Directive for vehicles registered or put into circulation in may adopt it by a qualified majority . According to the that Member State when used in domestic traffic . Yes, the Financial Times (6 December 1994 , page 3 ), the abolition of the ' switchover' mechanism in the CAP was passed against provisions of the Directive do still apply to vehicles coming the view of the Commission and the UK Government, from another Member State . The Community regime on weights and dimensions of vehicles set out by the Directive which , with Denmark , voted against the package . has to be complied with also by vehicles coming from third countries . Can the Commission please explain how this was possible ?
Individual Member States ensure the compliance of vehicles with the weights and dimensions limits provided by the Directive . Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (29 June 1995) Directive 77/143/EEC ( ) is concerned with the roadworthiness of vehicles including cars and ambulances as well as commercial vehicles . Trucks have to be inspected The Commission initial proposal on the unit of account and each year . The components and systems that need the conversion rates to be applied for the purposes of the inspection are itemised in the Directive and there are common agricultural policy ( ] ) formed the subject of a separate amending directives concerning the detailed political orientation of the Council on the basis of a inspection and testing of brakes and emission systems . compromise solution .
The Commission accepted this compromise solution and The Commission has not made a systematic comparative amended its initial proposal correspondingly, which study of the roadworthiness schemes set up by the Member enabled a qualified majority decision to be taken . The States . It does not have only evidence that any system is amended proposal has been finally adopted by qualified significantly more stringent than others . majority .
(') COM(94 ) 498 final . From bilateral discussions with Eastern countries , it is clear that some form of roadworthiness checking exists , at least for commercial vehicles engaged in international transport . The sophistication of the checks varies as does the frequency . Nevertheless , there is a general willingness to approximate national laws to those of the Community . Those countries that are signatories to the United Nations ' WRITTEN QUESTION E-1538/95 economic commission for Europe ( UNECE ) 1958 by Veronica Hardstaff ( PSE ) agreement on vehicle standards are proposing to recommend an UNECE regulation based on the to the Commission Community's Directives so they may be signatories to an (1 June 1995) international standard on roadworthiness . ( 95/C 257/97 )
(') OJ No L 2 , 3 . 1 . 1985 . ( 2 ) COM(93 ) 679 — OJ No C 38 , 8 . 2 . 1994 . Subject: Public's freedom of access to information P ) OJ No L 47, 18 . 2 . 1977 . In the light of Declaration ( No 17 ) ( J ) on the right of access to information adopted at the time of signature of the Maastricht Treaty, which recognizes that 'Transparency of the decisions-making process strengthens the democratic 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/53 nature of the institution and the public's confidence in the for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental administration . The Conference accordingly recommends Freedoms , and if so what measures does the Council it that the Commission submit to the Council no later than intend to take to ensure that Italy does not rank together 1993 a report on measures designed to improve public with those countries where basic citizens' rights are not access to the information available to the institutions . Does respected ? the Commission accept that if any reduction in the European information provision for the public arises as a result of the abolition of Humberside County Council it will be against the spirit of this Declaration ? What action will the WRITTEN QUESTION P-1879/95 Commission take to ensure that the public's access to information on Europe and the European decision-making by Antonio Tajani ( UPE ) process is maintained in individual Member States ? to the Council (15 June 1995) 0 ) OJ No C 191 , 29 . 7 . 1992 , p . 101 . ( 95/C 257/99
Subject: Violation of the European Convention on Answer given by Mr Oreja Fundamental Rights and Freedoms on behalf of the Commission
(10 July 1995) Does the Council not agree that the arrest of Marcello Dell'Utri, chairman and managing director of Publitalia , constitutes a violation of the European Convention on The decision to abolish Humberside County Council lies Fundamental Rights and Freedoms , and serious interference outside the Commission's jurisdiction . in the referendum campaign which ended on 11 June when the Italians voted ? If so , does the Council not consider that With respect to openness and access to information , the steps should be taken to guarantee respect in Italy for the Commission has introduced several instruments since 1992 most elementary of citizens' rights ? to increase openness and thereby bring European integration closer to the people of Europe .
These include more systematic preparation of its proposals Joint answer and decisions ( with the publication of green and white to Written Questions P-1546/95 and P-1879/95 papers ), publication of the Commission work programme (3 August 1995) and legislative programme in the Official Journal of the European Communities and increased public access to documents . It is not for the Council to -give an opinion on matters which are not within its sphere of competence . Public access to information has been extended both by the activities of the Commission's offices in the Community and those of the various relays and networks , whose aim it is to bring sources of Community information closer to the people of Europe . WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 547/95 by Patricia McKenna ( V ) to the Commission (1 June 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 546/95 ( 95/C 257/100 ) by Antonio Taiani ( UPE ) to the Council (30 May 1995) Subject: Approval of water for bathing ( 95/C 257/98 ) Can a local community apply for a stretch of coastal water to be approved as suitable for bathing, under Directive Subject: Infringement of the European Convention for the 76/160/EEC (*), or is it necessary for a national government Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental to seek such approval ? Freedoms What steps , if any, does the Commission take to monitor the Do not the facts disclosed by Italian Justice Minister quality of water that has been designated suitable for Mancuso on the activities of the Milan 'pool' of public bathing, in order to allay any fears which tourists and prosecutors constitute a breach of the European Convention recreational swimmers may have ? No C 257/54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Are steps undertaken to ensure balance in the designation of Answer given by Mrs Cresson approved bathing areas, to guard against allegations that on behalf of the Commission certain electoral areas are faring better than others ? (U July 1995)
C ) OJ No L 31 , 5 . 2 . 1976 , p . 1 .
Budgetary heading B3-1007 covers cooperation with third countries in education and training . However , in 1993 it Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard was limited to cooperation with the United States . The on behalf of the Commission origin of this cooperation is found in the transatlantic (25 July 1995) declarations of November 1 990 with the United States and Canada , which stipulate that the partnership must be founded on constant efforts to reinforce mutual Bathing water is , according to Article (2 a ) of Directive cooperation in [. . .| the fields of education and culture , 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the quality of including university exchanges and exchanges of young bathing water, all fresh or sea water in which : people .
— bathing is explicitly authorized by the authorities of each Member State , or 1993 : Together with the US authorities , 23 partnerships representing 134 European universities throughout the — bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised Member States were selected during the preparatory phase . by a large number of bathers . One establishment was made responsible for each partnership , and a list of these establishments is being sent The Member States inform the Commission of the number directly to the Honourable Member and to the of bathing areas identified and monitored . The results of this Secretariat-General of Parliament . Funding amounted to monitoring ( according to the Annex to the Directive ) are ECU 739 954 . sent every year to the Commission . The Commission publishes an annual report on the basis of this information at the beginning of the bathing season . The sum of ECU 50 000 was also allocated to help finance the European dimension of the Fulbright Programme . Identification of areas covered by the Directive is carried out in the first instance by the Member State concerned . Where the Commission considers that insufficient designations 1994 : The last year of the preparatory phase was funded to the amount of ECU 896 1 00 , with the Fulbright Programme have been made it raises the question with the Member State . This has led in certain instances to Member States receiving ECU 60 000 . The Commission was involved in financing travel and subsistence costs to enable making further designations . representatives of the Latin American countries to participate in the joint Community-United States conference on vocational training . This was the first step in cooperation with those countries .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1551/95 The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable by Barbara Diihrkop Diihrkop ( PSE ) Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament more detailed information on selection criteria and a list of to the Commission projects financed in 1993 and 1994 , together with forecasts (1 June 1995) for the distribution of the 1995 budget . 95/C 257/101
In addition to measures undertaken together with developed Subject : Cooperation with third countries ( budgetary countries ( United States , Canada ) where funding is provided heading B3-1007 ) on a cost-sharing basis , the Commission is attempting to encourage new forms of cooperation with certain Can the Commission provide detailed information , stating less-developed countries , on the basis of Member States ' figures and project types , on the definition of funding under opinions and political requirements expressed by budgetary heading B3-1007, cooperation with third Parliament and the Council . countries , with regard to education and vocational training in recent budgetary years ? The limited funds available under this budgetary heading rule out large-scale cooperation programmes . The heading On what criteria are the cooperating countries elected ? is seen rather as playing a catalytic role by providing input from its own programmes and by financing strategic studies Is any attempt made to achieve any sort of geographical in the field of education and training in the countries balance , and on what criteria ? concerned . 2 . 10 . 95 f EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/55
These countries have been selected in conjunction with Answer given by Mrs Cresson broader cooperation activities , first of all the transatlantic on behalf of the Commission declarations with the United States and Canada . In the (24 July 1995) general political climate , the Community is endeavouring to improve relations with the Mediterranean countries, Latin America and South Africa . The measures to be financed 1 . An initial analysis of the reports and programmes of under budgetary heading B3-1007 supplement those the Institute for Advanced Materials ( IAM ) of the Joint implemented under the budgetary headings directly Research Centre (JRC ) does not give a clear enough insight concerned with those groups of countries . into the fruitful and profound complementarity of the cooperative activities of the two sites : more detailed study is required .
For example, surface treatment carried out at the Ispra site has the object of modifying surfaces in order to prevent wear and corrosion . This approach has been a constant source of WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 555/95 information and knowledge that have been useful for the by Elly Plooij -van Gorsel ( ELDR ) coating work being carried out at the Petten site . There has to the Commission also been a continuous flow of knowledge in the other direction , from Petten to Ispra . (1 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/1 02 In the field of high-temperature corrosion, the Ispra site is studying short-term homogeneous corrosion , while Petten is examining hot-salt electrochemical corrosion on the same Subject: Splitting the Institute for Advanced Materials materials . between Petten and Ispra To sum up, the activities at the two sites are complementary On 24 March 1995 I tabled a question ( E-822/95 ( 1 )) on and there is no duplication of effort; it is this whether having two locations for the Institute for Advanced complementarity that supplies the added value . Materials ( Petten and Ispra ) was a cause of duplication of research facilities , management structures and staff . The 2 . Two of the IAM's installations at the Ispra site cannot reply was that having two locations does not result in a be transferred ; in the case of one , the Cyclotron , it is duplication of equipment or staff. The reply is technically impossible , while the other , the Surface unsatisfactory; hence the following five questions . Modification Laboratory, could technically be dismantled and transferred but only at considerable cost . Furthermore , 1 . Does a glance at the annual report and the establishment the useful synergy with the other activities at the Ispra site in plan of the Institute for Advanced Materials show that the fusion field would be lost . The question of costs and the there is duplication in implementing specific loss of synergy with the activities of the other institutes at programmes concerning high-temperature corrosion Ispra is also the key factor in any consideration of possible and surface treatment in Petten and Ispra ? transfer of the institute's other minor installations to Petten . 2 . Could the research facilities ( with the exception of the cyclotron ) and the staff at Ispra be simple transferred to Transferring to Petten the 79 people working for the IAM Petten ? on the Ispra site could in theory be considered if necessary in the interest of the service, but would present enormous human and practical difficulties for the officials The Commission has still not replied to my questions about concerned . extra costs caused by having two locations and about possible impediments to scientific cooperation ( Amico ). I should therefore be grateful if the Commission would now 3 . Dividing up the IAM between two different sites is no reply to these questions which I raised on 24 March obstacle to collaboration among science staff. Scientific 1995 : meetings are held regularly under the name of Amico ( Advanced Materials Institute Cohesion ) to provide for 3 . Does the Institute's split site seriously impede concertation and cooperation between the different units of consultation and cooperation between scientific staff ? Petten and Ispra . These meetings make it possible for the activities at the two sites always to be complementary while avoiding duplication of effort . 4 . What extra costs does the Institute's split site entail per annum ? 4 . The additional cost of having the Institute split between two sites is marginal and in fact consists only of the 5 . On the basis of the foregoing, are there any grounds for mission expenses for staff taking part in the meetings merging the two parts of the Institute ? referred to in point 3 . These meetings alternate between Ispra and Petten and are held in general once every two (') OJ No C 165 , 10 . 7 . 1995 , p . 57 . months with between five and 15 officials attending . No C 257/56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
5 . In the light of the above , the Commission at present These imports have led to a fall in prices and the risk of sees no justification for merging the two sites of the company failures , economic losses , and job cuts . Institute . What steps has the Commission taken or will it take in the light of this situation ?
Does is not believe that the market and imports from third WRITTEN QUESTION E-1559/95 countries should be regulated ? by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) to the Commission (1 June 1995) Answer given by Mr Fischler ( 95/C 257/103 ) on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1995) Subject: Funding for projects relating to health at work
What sums does the Commission intend to use to finance or Statistics on the imports of pine seeds from China into the provide contributions for projects relating to health and Commission have only been separately recorded since 1993 . safety at work ? An examination of the figures available ( see below ) shows that the quantities imported in 1994 were almost identical What priorities will be set when the projects eligible for to the quantities imported in 1993 . Consequently the funding or contributions are selected ? Commission sees no cause for alarm and will continue to monitor the market .
Answer given by Mr Flynn Imports of pine seeds into the Community on behalf of the Commission (Tonnes) (29 June 1995) 1993 1994
The general budget of the Community for the financial year China 1 225 1 280 1995 , authorizes a total commitment appropriation of ECU 203 69 4,4 million for projects in the field of health and safety at Turkey work under budget lines B3-4310 and B3-4313 . Pakistan 88 81
Morocco 68 10 Priority is given to projects which demonstrate Community added value , and are intended to improve safety and health Albania 59 — at work , in particular in small and medium sized Hong Kong 20 56 enterprises . Argentina 19 17 In addition , other budget lines , such as research, may be used to finance projects which may contain components relating to health and safety at the workplace . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1567/95 by Renate Heinisch ( PPE ) to the Commission (7 June 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 561/95 ( 95/C 257/105 ) by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) to the Commission Subject: Directive on infant formulae and follow-on (1 June 1995) formulae ( 95/C 257/104 Does the Commission plan to bring the compositional Subject: Imports of pine nuts from China criteria for infant formulae warranting a corresponding claim into line with the latest scientific research ? Pine nut growing in Catalonia , Castile-Leon, and Andalusia ( Spain ) has been severely hit in the last marketing year by If so , would the label be permitted to bear claims with regard duty-free imports from China . to new scientific discoveries , as is already allowed under 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/57
German legislation in its transposition of Directive Answer given by Mr Pinheiro 91 /321/EEC ( J )? on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1995) Is the current wording of the Directive compatible with the promotion of research in Europe ? The Commission is informed about the draft contracts (') OJ No L 175 , 4 . 7 . 1991 , p . 35 . negotiated between the government of Suriname and three Asian consortia on the exploitation of forests in Suriname .
Answer given by Mr Bangemann In view of the insufficient capacity of the national forest on behalf of the Commission services to control such large scale forest exploitation (6 July 1995) contracts , the Commission has , upon request from the government, financed a study on the institutional requirements for efficient control . The Commission is conscious that the current list of permitted claims for infant formulae is short and may be The Commission is certainly prepared to assist Suriname in considered unnecessarily strict . The Commission is investigating alternatives to large scale logging operations currently considering the matter and will consult with which are ecologically, economically and socially acceptable Member States and interested parties as to whether it would if the government introduces a request to that effect , as be opportune to revise relevant Community legislation on required for all cooperation actions within the framework the matter and if so what would be the most appropriate of the Lome Convention . way of effecting such revision . As regards the Commission's involvement with the issue of logging in Suriname , the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions No 1469/95 and No 1495/95 by Mrs Taubira-Delannon WRITTEN QUESTION E-1576/95 and Mrs Maii-Weggen ('). by Nel van Dijk ( V ) (') OJ No C 230, 4 . 9 . 1995 , p . 42 . to the Commission (7 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/106 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1600/95 Subject: Large-scale timber-felling in Suriname by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE ) to the Commission Under a draft agreement with the government of Suriname , 3 million of the country's 16,4 million hectares of tropical (12 June 1995) rain-forest are to be made available for felling to three Asian ( 95/C 257/107 ) consortia at a cost of only Hfl 25 million per year . The Suriname Government is considering extending these felling concessions at a later stage to cover 40% of the country's Subject: Financial aid to Kenya rain-forest f 1 ). In the light of continued degradation of democracy and Is the Commission aware of the report by the World human rights standards in Kenya , what strategy does the Resources Institute ( USA ) entitled 'Back to the wall in Commission intend to pursue with regard to the allocation of financial assistance under the Lome IV Convention to Suriname', which maintains that the ' selling-off' of the rain-forest is a result of the economic crisis in Suriname, that that country ? the National Forest Management Agency is not capable of ensuring responsible felling and that contracts should therefore be suspended ? Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission Is the Commission prepared, in the context of the Lome (5 July 1995) Convention, to work together with the Government of Suriname and the representatives of the people of the rain-forest to seek for environmentally , economically and The Commission follows closely the human rights situation socially acceptable alternatives to large-scale in Kenya , in the context of its overall cooperation with that timber-felling ? country . In 1991 budgetary support to Kenya was suspended in reaction to a deteriorating situation in the political , human rights and economic fields , and has not (') NRC Handelsblad, 30 March 1995 ; De Volkskrant, 12 May been resumed since . 1995 ; answer given by Mr Pronk , Netherlands [ Development Cooperation ] Minister, to parliamentary questions by Mr Sipkes, Proceedings of the Netherlands Parliament ( Second The Commission, in close coordination with Member Chamber), parliamentary year 1994—95 , p. 1501 . States , is actively pursuing all opportunities to convey its No C 257/58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 concerns to the Kenyan Government about recent A draft proposal for a Council Directive on ambient air developments in the political and human rights fields . The quality assessment and management is currently being calling of a meeting of the consultative group in July 1995 discussed in the Council and Parliament . This will provide a should be considered a clear signal to the government of framework for the development of future daughter Kenya that donors are not satisfied with political legislation , including limit values and alert thresholds , on developments . This , together with the strong donor individual pollutants including black smoke and suspended statements duringh the last consultative group meeting in particulate matter . Under the draft Directive , the December 1994 , can leave the Kenyan authorities in no Commission is required to propose the daughter legislation doubt about the importance the Commission attaches to on black smoke and particulates by the end of 1996 . human rights in Kenya . As part of the process of developing the daughter legislation , the Commission is working with the WHO in revising and updating its air quality guidelines for Europe . The revised WHO air quality guidelines will form the major part of the input on effects on human health in the development of new limit values in the daughter legislation described above . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1603/95 Particulate matter is among the air pollutants being by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) considered by WHO and epidemiological studies to the Commission associating effects on human morbidity and mortality are being fully evaluated in this process by a working group of (12 June 1995) internationally-recognized expert scientists . 95/C 257/108 ) The Commission is currently in the process of preparing legislation on measures to reduce vehicle emissions for the Subject: Deaths caused by smog year 2000 . In the preparation of this legislation the Commission is currently assessing the cost-effectiveness of Major epidemiological studies in Italy show a correlation various measures to reduce vehicle emissions . Among the between urban atmospheric pollution and deaths or measures under consideration are improved vehicle hospital admissions . The statistics show that the death rate technology and fuel quality . While the Commission is still went up by 10 % in the 1980s when smog particles totalled awaiting the detailed results of the analysis , it is nevertheless 100 micrograms/m 3 and by 12% when sulphur dioxide clear that the package of measures finally chosen for their reached the same level . In cities such as Milan and Rome , cost-effectiveness will have considerable effects on the these concentrations of particles have not only been reached reduction of particulates . but have also been exceeded by a large margin .
1 . Can the Commission comment on the results of the studies which reveal a new and alarming development, namely , that even low concentrations of smog particles can affect people's health and that it is not possible to identify a minimal threshold below which human health is not affected ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-1604/95 by Cristina Muscardini ( NI ) 2 . Does the Commission not consider that there should be to the Commission stricter regulations governing minimum smog particle ( 12 June 1995) concentrations , given that studies show that such particles are largely responsible for everyday mortality ( 95/C 257/109 ) ( especially deaths caused by respiratory problems ) and hospital admissions for cardio-respiratory illnesses ? Subject: Detention of HIV-positive individuals in Sweden
As part of measures to prevent the spread of AIDS , the Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard Swedish Government is invoking a nineteenth-century law on behalf of the Commission which , although amended to include special provisions in (17 July 1995) 1968 and 1985 , provides for those infected by illnesses which constitute a danger to society to be forcibly isolated . The application of this law entails internment for life on the The Commission is aware of epidemiological studies on the basis of arbitrary decisions , without a proper trial . effects of small particles carried out in both Europe and the United States with similar results to those obtained in the 1 . Can the Commission hold an inquiry into the conditions Italian studies and is working with the World Health of detention of HIV-positive persons in these penal Organisation ( WHO ) on this important issue . institutions , which have prompted the Council of 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/59
Europe's Committee on Torture to issue a for Drugs in Lisbon , the European Agency for the condemnation of Sweden ? Evaluation of Medicinal Products in London, the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen and the Office for 2 . Does the Commission not consider it a serious matter Harmonization in the Internal Market ( trade marks, designs that Sweden is the only European Union Member State and models ) in Alicante . Can the Commission carry out a which has not signed Recommendation 89 on ethical study to ascertain whether the regulations applicable to matters in connection with infections caused by the officials and other servants of the European institutions AIDS virus ? were complied with during the procedures for selecting and recruiting the staff for these agencies and whether the posts were advertised in such a way as to give citizens the opportunity of applying for them ? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1995) Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission In the framework of the proposal for a Decision of the (12 July 1995) Parliament and the Council ( COM(94 ) 413 final ) f 1 ) on the extension of the Europe against Aids programme , the Commission supports projects concerning the examination In the case of the agencies , the appointing authority consists and exchange of information on the regimes in the of the management board and director of the agency Community for people with HIV and Aids in prisons and concerned . detention centres , and the analysis at Community level and in cooperation with Member States , of discriminatory situations in the Member States , notably in the fields of Responsibility for overseeing proper compliance with the employment , insurance , housing and education and the procedures referred to by the Honourable Member thus lies health care system . with the said authority .
The Commission encourages the study of the implementation in Member States of the provisions against discrimination contained in the resolution of the Council and the ministers for health of the Member States meeting within the Council of 22 December 1989 ( 2 ), and the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1611/95 measures taken in the Member States to avoid discrimination . The accession of Sweden implies the by Roberta Angelilli ( NI ) acceptance of the Community ' acquis'. to the Commission (12 June 1995) It is outside the Commission's competence to control the ( 95/C 257/111 ) implementation of Recommendation No 89 of the Council of Europe concerning the ethical matters related to the infections caused by the HIV virus . Subject: Italian appointment to the CID
(') OJ No C 333 , 29 . 11 . 1994 . ( 2 ) OJ No C 10 , 16 . 1 . 1990 . On 28 April 1995 , at the request of the Minister for Foreign Affairs , Dr Ferruccio Sarti was appointed as the Italian representative to serve on the Executive Board of the Centre for Industrial Development ( CID ), a Brussels-based Community body which acts as a bridge between Community companies and the developing countries party to the Convention of Lome . WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1605/95 by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI ) Dr Sarti was formerly a director of the ICE ( External Trade to the Commission Institute ) under the presidency of Dr Marcello Inghilesi — Dr Inghilesi's term came to an end when he was arrested for ( 12 June 1995) a series of offences connected with the exercise of his ( 95/C 257/110 ) powers . The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has sent notice to Dr Sarti to the effect that he is under investigation in advance of possible legal proceedings . Subject : New European agencies Can the Commission ascertain the legal position as far as Dr The Maastricht Treaty provided for the setting up of various Sarti is concerned and remove him from his CID office while European agencies such as the European Monitoring Centre accusations are still outstanding against him ? No C 257/60 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro principle only invoke considerations of human health or on behalf of the Commission public safety or, further to an opinion from the (7 July 1995) Commission , other imperative reasons of overriding public interest .
The Commission is unable to supply any information on this matter as it was not involved in the appointment in The Commission has examined very carefully the question . implications of the A20 motorway for the two areas concerned ( the Peene valley and the Recknitz-Trebel valley). Mr Sarti was appointed by Council Decision 95/3/EEC of It has based its opinion on a number of scientific studies , 28 April 1995 under a procedure whereby the Member including detailed traffic analyses and possible alternative States nominate oen of their own nationals, the successful routes . candidate then being selected by a vote among the Member States ' representatives . The Commission has no part in the matter . The route first planned through the Peene valley was abandoned in favour of another solution which caused less harm to the environment . As for the Recknitz-Trebel valley , the Commission has confirmed that there is no alternative to the chosen route . WRITTEN QUESTION P-1612/95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V ) to the Commission (31 May 1995) ( 95/C 257/112 ) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1613/95 Subject: The Commission's opinion on the A 20 in by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) Germany to the Commission In an opinion on the German Baltic Sea A 20 motorway (31 May 1995) project the Commission recently advocated that the road ( 95/C 257/113 ) should pass through a protected European area in the Recknitz-Trebeltal region . In its comments the Commission discusses Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ( ] ) and Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of Subject: Further failure by Italy to transpose Directive natural habitats of wild fauna and flora ( 2 ). 91/271 /EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment into national law 1 . What view does the Commission take of the law, especially with regard to Article 6(4 ) of Directive 92/43/EEC ? The Italian Parliament adopted Decree-Law No 79 on 17 March 1995 , which was converted into Law No 172 of 2 . Are there really no alternatives to the route referred to 17 May 1995 , on changes to the rules governing discharges above ? from public sewerage systems and discharges from civilian establishments which are not collected in public sewers . 3 . How was this absence of alternatives proved by the Federal Transport Ministry ? The text that was adopted not only fails to transpose (') OJ No L 103 , 25 . 4 . 1979 , p . 1 . Directive 91/271/EEC i 1 ) on urban waste-water treatment ( 2 ) OJ No L 206 , 22 . 7 . 1992 , p . 7 . fully and properly into national law but also postpones implementation of the Directive indefinitely .
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard Directive 91/271/EEC should have been transposed into on behalf of the Commission Italian national law no later than 30 June 1993 . (6 July 1995)
The Italian state should have identified 'sensitive areas' and Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC stipulates that Member ' less-sensitive areas ' by 31 December 1993 , ensured that the States must avoid the deterioration of natural habitats in discharge of industrial waste-water was subject to protected areas . Article 6(4 ) allows certain exemptions from regulations and/or authorizations in accordance with Annex this requirement, stating that a plan or project with adverse I C of the Directive , established a programme for the implications for a site may be authorized by the national implementation of the Directive and provided the authorities for reasons of over-riding public interest and in Commission with information thereon by 30 June 1994 . the absence of alternative solutions .
Where the site concerned hosts a priority habitat or species it The Italian State has not complied with any of the above enjoys greater protection . National authorities may in provisions . 2 . 10 . 95 I b-N | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/61
Does the Commission not consider that it should initiate for experimental and other scientific purposes ( ). The infringement proceedings against the Italian State , pursuant information provided relates to 1991 . to Article 169 of the Treaty, for incorrect and incomplete transposition of Directive 91 /271/EEC ? The actual collection of statistical data met with a considerable number of difficulties . Firstly, it was an activity (') OJ No L 135 , 30 . 5 . 1991 , p . 40 . which was new to some Member States . For this reason , some of them were unable to provide the requested information , and others provided information that was incomplete . Secondly , there were difficulties or Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission misinterpretations on the part of some laboratories . (10 July 1995) Nevertheless , the experience gained in the course of this first exercise will enable data-collection in the Member States to The Commission has instituted infringement proceedings be better organised and the statistics to be improved . against Italy for failure to communicate its measures transposing Directive 91 /271/EEC . The proceedings have In Germany, statistics on animals used for toxicological or now reached the reasoned opinion stage . other non-toxicity tests have been combined to give a single figure for all animals used in industry, for domestic purposes , or in connection with cosmetic products and food additives .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1615/95 There is a particular problem concerning cosmetic products , and a more detailed study of the relevant statistics is in by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) progress . The figures for animals used in the cosmetics to the Commission industry, which is mentioned in the first statistical report, (12 June 1995) concern tests relating to finished cosmetic products as well as to constituent substances . It should be recalled that under ( 95/C 257/114 ) Directive 76/76 8 /EEC ( 3 ) on cosmetic products , only constituent substances are referred to in the Annexes to the Subject: Statistics for animal testing in the European Directive , these being subjected to toxicological assessment Union before inclusion . These various parameters will be highlighted in subsequent collections of data . Can the Commission list numbers of animals used in testing for cosmetics in each of the Member States for the years ( 1 ) OJ No L 358 , 18 . 12 . 1986 . 1992 , 1993 and 1994 ? ( 2 ) COM(94 ) 195 . ( 3 ) OJ No L 262 , 27 . 9 . 1976 .
Is the Commission satisfied with the information it receives from Member States about animal testing for cosmetic products ? Where , if any , are there gaps and is it true that figures are not being adequately supplied or that in the case of Germany , for instance , the statistics do not include animals tested in private industry ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-1627/95 by Bartho Pronk ( PPE ) to the Commission Answer given by Mrs Bonino (12 June 1995) on behalf of the Commission 95/C 257/115 ) (11 July 1995)
Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for Subject: Home care in Europe experimental and other scientific purposes ( ] ) stipulates in Article 13 that the authority in each Member State shall The programme of Community action on health promotion, collect statistical information on the use of animals in information , education and training within the framework experiments . for action in the field of public health devotes no attention to home care . Furthermore , in accordance with Article 26 of the same Directive , which states that the Commission shall at regular 1 . Does this mean that the Commission does not assign intervals prepare a report on the basis of information priority to home care in Europe ? collected by the Member States , the Commission has published its first report to the Council and the European 2 . If so, is it not aware of the important role played by Parliament on the statistics on the number of animals used home care in the Union ? No C 257/62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
3 . If not, will it carry out additional research to ascertain heard in all proceedings in which sanctions . . . may he the role of home care in the various health care systems imposed ' ( ECJ , 13 February 1979 ). in the Union, possibilities of exchanging expertise and the consequences which EU measures relating to this Does the Commission consider the circular letter of sector may have , such as secondment , competition rules 1 1 February 1960 from the French Prime Minister — which and the price of medicines ? removes this protection if a French civil servant resigns from his post — to be compatible with Article F of the Maastricht Treaty, in particular in the case of a university teacher forced to leave his teaching post because of repeated threats of Answer given by Mr Flynn violence and abuse ? on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1995) Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission The Commission is quite aware of the importance of (6 July 1995) home-care as an aspect of overall public health care . However, home-care as such does not fall within the ambit of Community competence . Article 129 of the EC Treaty The problem raised does not fall within the powers of the sets out the constraints within which Community action Community or the European Union since it does not spring may be pursued . In accordance with this Article , the from a Community or Union instrument . Article F of the programme of Community action on health promotion, Treaty on European Union does not apply . information and training to which the Honourable Member refers is geared towards prevention of disease . If human rights are at issue , the matter lies with the national courts in the first instance and then with the European However, recognising the particular importance of Commission and Court of Human Rights . home-care for dependent older people , it has been included as a priority theme in the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision on Community support for actions in favour of older people .
With regard to the question of research , important work on WRITTEN QUESTION E- 163 8/95 home-care has , indeed , already been published at European by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) level , both by the Commission in its 1993 ' Observatory' report, and by the Dublin Foundation for the Improvement to the Commission of Living and Working Conditions, especially in its report ( 12 June 1995) on family care of dependent older people , published in 95/C 257/117 ) 1993 . In addition , there are several proposals on home-care in the Biomed 2 programme for research on public health . Subject: Community regional planning
In 'Europe 2000 — Outlook for the development of the Community's territory' the Commission points to the need for detailed guidelines on cooperation at various levels and in may areas of regional planning , and acknowledges the urgent need to formulate a European Union policy in this WRITTEN QUESTION P-1628/95 area . by Jean-Pierre Cot ( PSE ) to the Commission Would the Commission not agree that it is vital to establish a (31 May 1995) timetable for implementation of the development plan for the Community's territory ? ( 95/C 257/116 )
Subject: Respect for the fundamental rights of the Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies European Union by France on behalf of the Commission (28 June 1995) The European Union has committed itself in Article F of the Maastricht Treaty to respecting fundamental rights , in particular those guaranteed by the Rome Convention of At their meeting in Strasbourg on 30 and 31 March 1995 , 4 November 1950 . Foremost among these is the 'right to be the Ministers responsible for spatial planning and regional 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/63 policies discussed the drafting of the European Spatial Community action aims to encourage cooperation between Development Perspective and reviewed the work already Member States and lend support to their action in accomplished by the Committee on Spatial Development . cooperation with international organizations working in They also discussed the next stages of the work . the field of public health . Priority actions will be based on the needs in the Member States for which activity at It was agreed that an initial draft of the ESDP would be Community level is useful . submitted to the Ministers during the Italian Presidency and that a progress report would be presented on 30 November and 1 December in Madrid during the Spanish The Community measures for communicable diseases will Presidency . therefore include activity related to vaccination , the development of networks in order to improve the quality of surveillance systems in Member States , and diffusion of epidemiological information .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1642/95 ( ] ) COM(94 ) 413 final — OJ No C 333 , 29 . 11 . 1994 . by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission (15 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/118 )
Subject: Prevention of AIDS and certain other WRITTEN QUESTION E-1648/95 communicable diseases by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) to the Commission The proposal for a European Parliament and Council (15 June 1995) decision adopting a programme of Community action on the prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases ( 95/C 257/119 ) within the framework for action in the field of public health (') represents the continuation , extension and consolidation of Community action to combat AIDS , and Subject: Sheepmeat and goatmeat extends its scope to cover a number of other communicable diseases . The 'proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Can the Commission say whether it would not be better to Regulation ( EEC ) No 3013/89 ( ! ) on the common maintain the proper distinctions between action on AIDS , organization of the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat' ( 2 ), where the Community already has consolidated experience lays down the individual limit on the basis of the total as a basis for further activity and where there are specific amount of premiums granted for the 1991 marketing year features in view of the non-existence of vaccines and the for each producer . problems of confidentiality connected with screening, and other infectious diseases , in respect of which steps have already been taken to ensure Europe-wide coordination , Since the 1991 marketing year was a transition between two which the new programme should enhance and develop , different systems , some producers in Italy and Greece were identifying centres of excellence which can carry out tasks unable to submit the relevant application . similar to what is done in the case of AIDS by the Paris Epidemiological Centre ? Hence , it proved desirable to create special reserves for Italy and Greece corresponding to the estimated maximum (') Doc . C 4-215/94 . potential number of rights which the producers would have been able to claim . The competent authorities of those two Member States will be able , therefore , to grant new rights up Answer given by Mr Flynn to the limit of the special reserve referred to above and then on behalf of the Commission their national reserves will be increased with effect from the (18 July 1995) 1995 marketing year .
As stated in the Commission's communication about a Will the Commission assess the desirability of increasing the programme to prevent Aids and other communicable quotas to deal with legitimate applications from new diseases in the framework for action in the field of public applicants and producers who carried out investment plans health ( Proposal for a Parliament and Council Decision before the introduction of quotas in 1993 ? The regulation adopting a programme of Community action on the clearly specifies that applications from such producers must prevention of Aids and certain other communicable diseases be met out of the reserve . within the framework for action in the field of public health ( ] ), Community action against communicable (!) OJ No L 289 , 7 . 10 . 1989 , p . 1 . diseases is relatively recent . ( 2 ) COM(94 ) 643 ( OJ No C 382, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 37). No C 257/64 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer given by Mr Fischler The Commission does not believe the conference should on behalf of the Commission deal with EMU, the detailed arrangements for which were (3 July 1995) laid down in the Union Treaty , ratified by all Member States .
The measure covered by the Commission proposal to which the Honourable Member refers has just been adopted by the 2 . In line with the pre-accession strategy adopted by the Council . It clearly states that only producers affected by the Essen European Council last December, the Commission is fact that in Italy 1991 was a year of transition towards the engaged in ongoing, structured dialogue on the integration system currently in force can qualify for additional rights of the central and eastern European countries ( CEEC ) into under the special reserve . Accordingly the Commission the internal market and the macro-economic relations cannot make provision for the granting of additional rights between them and the EU . to other categories of producers , such as those who submitted development plans prior to 1993 . It is for the Italian authorities to consider whether such producers can be helped from the existing national reserve . On 3 May , the Commission adopted a white paper on preparing the associated CEEC for their eventual integration into the single market . It aims to help them by identifying the key internal market legislative measures , the technical and administrative mechanisms needed to implement them and the way that EU technical assistance can be adapted . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1656/95 by Wolfgang NulSbaumer ( NI ) to the Commission 3 . In addition, macro-economic issues will also be discussed at the planned twice-yearly Ecofin council ( 15 June 1995) meetings with the ministers of the six associated countries ( 95/C 257/120 ) and the Baltic States .
Subject: Countries of central and eastern Europe — convergence criteria The aim of these meetings is to provide a more structured and better-prepared platform for the discussions . The meeting on 22 May, for example , dealt with the white paper At the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference , in addition to and the macro-economic framework . The reports drafted by the eastward enlargement of the European Union , the issue each of the partner countries and the economic forecasts for of monetary union is to be discussed . Given that the them prepared by the Commission provided a basis for countries of central and eastern Europe already need to discussion . This autumn's meeting should focus more on make a major financial effort to comply with the objectives structural aspects , for which the Commission will draft a laid down in the Commission White Paper on preparing the summary note in conjunction with the countries associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe ( CCEE ) themselves . for the internal market, it would appear impossible for the CCEE to comply with the Maastricht criteria in the foreseeable future . 4 . The Commission feels that the moves to gradually align the CEEC with the internal market cannot be divorced Does the Commission intend to make participation in the from the wider strategy to build healthy national economies . single market by the CCEE subject to submission by these The applicants for EU membership are not being formally countries of convergence plans ? bound by the rules for EMU or the convergence criteria .
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek Nevertheless , continued discussions on economic on behalf of the Commission convergence will certainly help the transition of these economies so that when the CEEC do eventually join, they (7 July 1995) will be better able to fulfil the EMU conditions in the Treaty .
1 . The 1996 Intergovernmental Conference will focus on institutional reform of the Union to accommodate future new members , particularly from central and eastern Europe . 2 . 10 . 95 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/65
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1657/95 this approach is that in such a situation 'a guarantee against by Wolfgang NufSbaumer ( NI ) unfair competition comparable to that existing inside the internal market' would be provided . to the Commission (15 June 1995) An illustration of this approach can be found in the rules ( 95/C 257/121 ) envisaged as an implementation of the Europe agreements in the field of state aids , where under such rules State aids granted by the associated country concerned and jointly Subject: Alteration of current antidumping instruments as analysed with the Community would be found to be soon as the rules on competition and state aids are compatible with Community law, the Community could implemented by the countries of central and agree not to take anti-subsidy measures with respect to such eastern Europe aids . Indeed , the application of such measures would appear to be inappropriate as the economic operators in the Community would , unter these conditions , benefit from a On a proposal by Commissioners Van den Broek ( relations level of protection against the distorting effects of subsidies with the countries of central and eastern Europe — CCEE ) comparable to that inside the Community . and Mario Monti ( internal market ), the Commission published a White Paper on preparing the associated countries of central and eastern Europe for the internal market . The second part of this document has now been published with annexes containing a comprehensive description of the acquis communautaire which the CCEE must incorporate in their economies and national legislation WRITTEN QUESTION E-1658/95 so that the internal market can function smoothly . by Wolfgang NulSbaumer ( NI ) to the Commission Commissioners Van den Broek and Monti have announced (15 June 1995) in this connection that, as soon as the rules on competition ( 95/C 257/122 ) and state aids are actually implemented by the CCEE, the EU's antidumping instruments in their present form will no longer be required and will therefore need to be amended . Subject: Transeuropean transport networks — financing in the countries of central and eastern Europe
What measures does the Commission envisage to ensure In drawing up its plans for trans-European networks , the that, if the present antidumping instruments are altered , the Commission has expressly included the countries of central new rules on competition are observed in the CCEE ? and eastern Europe ( CCEE ) in the proposed transport infrastructures : for example, the road and European high-speed rail networks are to be linked up to Prague , Budapest and Warsaw . According to Commission Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan estimates, ECU 220 billion will be needed up to 1999 alone on behalf of the Commission in order to build the trans-European networks . (17 July 1995) 1 . Does the Commission have a financial plan for the construction of the trans-European transport networks in the countries of central and eastern Europe In May 1995 the Commission stated in the white paper on ( CCEE)? the preparation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe ( CEECs ) for the integration into the internal 2 . If so , are there firm estimates of the amount of funds to market of the Union , that '( A ) satisfactory implementation be provided by the Commission for transport networks of competition and state aid policies ( by the associated in the CCEE over the next five years ? countries ) has been achieved, together with the application of other parts of Community law linked to the wider market . . . the Union could decide to reduce progressively the application of commercial defence instruments for Answer given by Mr Van den Broek industrial products from the countries concerned'. on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1995) In the light of the above it has to be clarified that the precondition for a change in the application of the commercial defense instruments , including the The European Council in Copenhagen in June 1993 agreed anti-dumping instrument is therefore not only the that up to 15 % of the total Phare allocation could be used implementation and application of competition and state for the co-financing of major infrastructure projects in aid rules but also the implementation and application of the particular related to the development of trans-European other rules making up the internal market . The rationale of networks ( TEN ). The European Council in Essen No C 257/66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 emphasized the importance of TENs for the implementation World Bank's Aral Sea programme which has so far cost of the pre-accession strategy, and agreed to increase the ECU 30 million in its initial phase . ceiling to 25 % . The Tacis project started in January and its first phase covers The support is provided inside the Phare programme and the setting up and organization of the executive committee follows the normal programming procedures . Phare of the five countries concerned by the problems facing the financing of TEN projects takes place as co-financing with Aral Sea . It will enable coordination of the international aid one or more international financial institutions . designed to tackle the whole gamut of problems stemming from the dilapidation of the sea as well as planning of In addition to the Phare support the Commission supports priority measures . the mobilization of finanical resources from other sources including private capital , especially for the implementation of the nine multimodal transport corridors agreed at the The Commission expects to receive the first activity report pan-European transport conference in Crete in 1994 . at the end of June .
In addition to the co-financing of major infrastructure projects the Commission gives priority to the elimination of the main international border-crossing bottlenecks .
With the current budget perspective this implies that in the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1686/95 period 1995 to 1999 more than ECU 1 200 million could be by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) made available for the co-financing of infrastructure projects in the sectors of transport , energy , communications to the Commission and environment in central and eastern Europe . The budget (IS June 1995) for this purpose in 1994 was approximately ECU 120 95/C 257/124 ) million .
It is envisaged that around ECU 90 million will be allocated Subject: ESF to the elimination of border-crossing bottlenecks in the period 1995 to 1997 . How much of the ESF is devoted to training and retraining schemes for ex-offenders ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1664/95 Answer given by Mr Flynn by Mark Killilea ( UPE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission (31 July 1995) (15 June 199S) ( 95/C 257/123 ) The European social fund activity to reintegrate ex-offenders is carried out under the policy aim of Subject: Destruction of the Aral Sea combating exclusion from the labour market . Have proposals for assistance been sought under the Tacis programme to stem the untold devastation which has The Member States and the Commission identify in resulted from the gradual drying up of the Aral Sea , once the partnership the particular groups which are exposed to world 's fourth largest lake , which has brought about the exclusion . These target groups can vary from region to region reflecting the multifaceted nature of the phenomenon collapse of a former flourishing fishing industry and the of exclusion . destruction of the surrounding lands from soil salinization and threatens the existence of an entire nation of people ? If not, does the Commission intend to take any action in this Most Member States have identified two broad categories of regard ? groups exposed to exclusion : people with disabilities and other people at a disadvantage in the labour market . Under this broad category of other people at a disadvantage , Answer given by Mr Van den Broek virtually every Member State makes some provision for the on behalf of the Comrfiission reintegration of ex-offenders , and in some cases , such as Ireland, for example, action is already targeted at prisoners (7 July 1995) before their release .
The Commission is financing, via the Tacis regional Member States are following a pathways to integration programme for Central Asia , a special programme on water approach whereby a comprehensive package of measures resources management and agricultural production ( including counselling, guidance , pre-training, advice to ( Warmap : ECU 4,7 million ). This project dovetails with the broaden access to health, housing and education services , 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/67 help with literacy and numeracy , community work , degree of caution is called for in interpreting these figures , job-search and job placement as well as more traditional since the AIDS epidemic has led to a resurgence of interest in vocational training and employment subsidies ) is available tuberculosis and hence to greater vigilance in the and the actions are , as far as possible , tailored to the diverse notification of new cases , and since the Member States do needs of the various groups and individuals at risk of not share a common case-definition for the disease . exclusion . This coordinated and integrated approach to service provisions means that Member States rarely identify a priori how much money will be spent on one excluded In its Communication of 9 November 1994 ( J ) concerning a group compared to another . Community action programme on the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases the Commission identified tuberculosis surveillance as one of the priorities in Overall , around ECU 5,5 billion { ] ) has been allocated to this area of public health . In a forthcoming communication combating exclusion for all target groups for the period on communicable disease surveillance networks in Europe 1994—1999 . the Commission will set out specific action proposals in this regard . (') This figure does not include the three new Member States with programmes still going through the process of approval . (') COM(94 ) 413 final .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1687/95 by Anita Pollack ( PSE ) to the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-1691 /95 (15 June 1995) by José Barros Moura ( PSE ) to the Commission ( 95/C 257/125 ) (15 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/126 ) Subject: Tuberculosis
Does the Commission have any comparable or other data on Subject: Use of Community funds in an agricultural the growth of tuberculosis in the Member States in recent hydraulics project in the Vale do Lis , Leiria years , and has it any plans to gather further data on this communicable disease ? In a unanimous decision by acclamation , the ordinary general meeting of the Vale do Lis Irrigationists' and Users' Association , held on 26 March 1995 , adopted two motions Answer given by Mr Flynn on the position as regards still-uncompleted works to on behalf of the Commission reclaim the boundaries of the irrigated area in the Vale do (6 July 1995) Lis . The association was seeking answers to the questions below :
The Commission does not have any precise data on 1 . What use has been made by the Institute for Agricultural tuberculosis in the Member States , since no structure exists Structures and Rural Development ( IEADR ), formerly at present for the systematic collection , analysis and the Department of Hydraulics and Agricultural dissemination of such data . However , the World Health Engineering ( DGHEA ), and the Portuguese Ministry of Organization intermittently produces a summary of the data Agriculture , of the PEDAP Community funds intended available , with the help of the International Union Against to improve the boundaries of the irrigated area in the Tuberculosis . Vale do Lis ? What amount did the Community institutions agree to contribute to the Vale do Lis According to a retrospective study carried out in 1992 there agricultural hydraulics improvement project, bearing in were 50 000 new cases of tuberculosis reported in the mind that after five years , none of the work planned has Commission in 1991 , i.e. half the number reported in 1974 , been carried out, even though, initially ( in 1990 ), and the downward trend in new cases observed since then various senior government officials maintained in has come to a halt in most Member States . A steady decline statements to the press that the sum of Esc 800 million in cases was observed in Germany , Belgium and France was available ? between 1974 and 1991 , while the situation stabilised in Portugal and the United Kingdom , and increases were 2 . How much money has been provided by the Community reported in Denmark , Spain , Ireland , Italy and the institutions to the Portuguese Government with a view Netherlands . Since 1992 , notifications have been rising by to financing the Vale do Lis agricultural hydraulics 5 % per year in France and the United Kingdom . However , a improvement project ? No C 257/68 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
3 . How much funding for the project has still to be In accordance with these conventions, the contracting supplied to the Portuguese Government ? parties must allow vehicles registered abroad on to their territory provided that they are covered by a valid certificate of registration issued by a competent authority . Such a certificate must, moreover, contain a minimum amount of Answer given by Mr Fischler information regarding the owner and his vehicle . on behalf of the Commission (28 July 1995) As regards the particular case of provisional registrations , they may be subject according to the arrangements in the The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for various contries, to restrictions on movement or may have information regarding the facts referred to by the been issued in conditions which do not meet the minimum Honourable Member . It will inform him of its findings . requirements laid down by international traffic regulations ( on account of the absence , for example , of compulsory particulars or because of the unofficial character of the document issued ). It follows , that, in the light of principles laid down by the international conventions , States are entitled to refuse to allow vehicles which do not fulfil the WRITTEN QUESTION P-1693/95 registration conditions stipulated to circulate on their by Frédéric Striby ( EDN ) territory , unless a bilateral agreement exists between States to the Commission or transfrontier regions . The Franco-German transfrontier (1 June 1995) agreement — of which the Commission was not aware — is a significant example of such an agreement . ( 95/C 257/127 )
While the Commission is not currently planning any Subject: Recognition of the interim licensing of new Community action in this field , it remains attentive to the vehicles by Member States : Franco-German case problems which could arise as regards freedom of movement and reserves the right to take appropriate steps France and Germany have managed to reach agreement, where necessary . through the trans-frontier cooperation agency Infobest-Palmrain ( Haut-Rhin ), on the recognition of provisional licence plates . These have hitherto not been officially recognized by the Germans , causing problems in the frontier region for people with new cars . According to a German circular, French drivers with interim plates may drive throughout Germany provided they have completed a few administrative formalities . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1703/95 Does the Commission propose to introduce this formula on by Sergio Ribeiro ( GUE/NGL ) a general basis as part of the harmonization of driving to the Commission licences and vehicle inspections , thus making the 'free (21 June 1995) movement' of persons a reality ? ( 95/C 257/128 )
Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission Subject: European Social Fund assistance to Portugal (28 June 1995) The fact that vocational training constitutes a priority for The Commission would first of all like to make it clear that activities financed by the Community, in particular under the European Social Fund , has been sta'ted time and time vehicle registration procedures , whether definitive or provisional , are the responsibility of the Member States . again ; on the other hand , it is also part of declared policy to devote special attention to small and medium-sized undertakings, since it is recognized that they have a vital role With regard to the specific question raised by the to play where the economic fabric and , above all , Honourable Member, namely the recognition of licence unemployment are concerned . plates , the Commission would like to make the following clarifications : The news that ESF aid for training in Portugal was used up The international recognition of vehicle registration via in the first quarter of the year is therefore something of a certificates of registration and licence plates is a matter of surprise . What gives cause for a stronger reaction than traffic regulations which are based on international surprise , however, are the additional reports that the money agreements , the most recent of which, the Vienna ran out because unduly large shares were allocated to big Convention, dates from 1968 . companies such as the BCP and BCA banks , with the result 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/69 that SMU projects which , from the technical point of view, evaluation of the results of the seminars in relation to the would have deserved support, were starved of resources . declared objectives . Commissioner Flynn replied on 6 May 1994, inter alia , that Does the Commission think it right that Community aid should be employed in such a way ? . . despite certain weaknesses which came to light in the application of the first CSF, the fact is that the great bulk of ESF resources have been channelled towards objectives which are closely linked to the manifest needs of the labour market'. Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1995) Since many of the beneficiaries were civil servants who had nothing to fear from unemployment, since the 'certain weaknesses' referred to above will mean that Greece will have to refund to the Community Dr 120 billion which have One of the priorities of the European Social Fund is to been spent without justification and given the importance of provide support for training measures in small and Social Fund investments in Greece , will the Commission say medium-sized enterprises . Accordingly, the Community whether, in the light of the report by the Court of Auditors , support framework for Portugal for the period 1994—1999 it intends to revise its assessment of the programmes of the provides for support measures in the area of staff training in first Community support framework , and to make more small and medium-sized enterprises facing increasing determined efforts to ensure that the new CSF will achieve difficulties as regards access to training . better results ?
In view of the articles that have appeared in the press (') OJ No C 340, 5 . 12 . 1994 , p . 5 . concerning the possible exhaustion of funds earmarked for ( 2 ) OJ No C 362 , 19 . 12 . 1994, p . 28 . training, the Commission immediately called on the Portuguese authorities to clarify the situation and to provide information on the criteria used in selecting the projects that are to receive assistance . These requests were repeated during the meeting of the monitoring committee for the Answer given by Mr Flynn ' Occupational training and employment' operational on behalf of the Commission programme , and the Commission is thus awaiting (25 July 1995) clarification to be provided by the Portuguese authorities as quickly as possible . The activities of the European Social Fund ( ESF ) in Greece The Commission will be sure to inform the Honourable during the period 1989—1993 were designed to meet the Member about the outcome of its enquiries . major objective of reducing the disparities between the regions whose development is lagging behind and the Community's most highly developed regions . With this in mind, the ESF's activities in Greece were concentrated on the development of vocational training and the promotion of employment . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1712/95 by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE/NGL ) As regards the eligibility of certain operational programmes to which the Honourable Member refers , quoting a report to the Commission of the Court of Auditors, the Commission can state that it (21 June 1995) has taken into consideration Article 2 ( b ) of Regulation ( 95/C 257/129 ) ( EEC ) No 4255/88 (*), which widens the scope of ESF operations in Objective 1 regions, at the same time giving preference to the 'curing of unemployment' and 'investment in human resources' approaches and the provisions of the Subject: First CSF for Greece said CSF, particularly Chapters 2 and 3 dealing with priority No 5 'Development of human resources', which set out The report of the Court of Auditors of the European guidelines for the OPs in question, the design and Communities has noted a large number of irregularities in introduction of which are based on an integrated the management of the first CSF for Greece during the approach . 1989—1993 period . The most serious of these irregularities concern the type of programmes selected for funding and Consequently, those involved in measures under the OPs duplicate funding from Community sources . referred to have benefited from ESF assistance , either as young people seeking a job for which they could not be In my previous questions ( Nos QE-997/93 ( ] ) and taken on until they had completed initial recruitment E-390/94 ( 2 )) I drew attention to the sharp rise in the training, or as staff taking part in measures aimed at number of seminars being held in Greece, and asked for an restructuring their enterprise , or lastly under an integrated No C 257/70 r EN I Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 approach in combination with the parallel development of The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation material investment . protection recently recommended that the use of radiotelephones be restricted to areas where such Under the first CSF , the ESF granted some ECU 500 million interference effects are unlikely to occur ( e.g. well away a year to Greece , covering various areas such as TEIs , from hospital intensive care departments and similar technical colleges or recruitment premiums . A relatively locations ). Manufacturers of electrical equipment are modest part of this sum was intended for measures taken by encouraged to design and manufacture equipment that is public enterprises . In any event , the Commission cannot intensitive to radio-frequency interference . confirm the amounts mentioned by the Honourable Member , since auditing is still in progress . The Commission forwarded in October 1993 to Cenelec ( Comite europeen de coordination des normes electriques ) a The Commission is aware of the risk of duplicate funding, standardization mandate concerning the drafting of a but no case of this type has been observed up to now in European standard defining safety requirements to protect Greece . However , the Commission undertakes to keep a human beings from hazardous thermal effects which may be close watch on the auditing of all Community funding . caused by the use of mobile communication equipment, in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 6000 MHz in relation Having taken account of certain weaknesses which came to to Directives 91 /263/EEC (') on the mutual recognition of light in the application of the first Greek CSF, the type approvals for telecommunication terminal equipment Commission , in conjunction with the national authorities , and 73/23/EEC ( 2 ) ( low-voltage Directive ) on safety aspects has devised a new approach to ESF operations which will of electrical equipment . Work under this mandate has to considerably improve both their quality and their take into account the essential requirements of Council transparency . In this context, mention should be made of Directive 93/42/EEC ( 3 ) concerning medical devices the creation of the system of certification of vocational ( notably pace makers and hearing aids ) and of the relevant training, the development of structures for identifying standards , as they emerge , as a consequence of the labour market demand and the computerization of Commission's proposal ( 4 ) under Article 118A EC administration . Treaty .
(>) OJ No L 374 , 31 . 12 . 1988 . Moreover, the Commission as requested by the Parliament and the Council , is giving urgent consideration to preparing an action plan to investigate possible adverse effects on health related to the use of mobile phones .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1718/95 (') OJ No L 128 , 23 . 5 . 1991 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 77, 26 . 3 . 1973 . by Stephen Hughes ( PSE ) (■') OJ No L 169 , 12 . 7 . 1993 . to the Commission ( 4 ) OJ No C 230 , 19 . 8 . 1994 . (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/130 )
Subject: Risks to public safety from mobile hand-held telephones
Can the Commission provide information on safety risks WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1724/95 posed by the use of hand-held mobile telephone by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) equipment ? to the Commission (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/131 ) Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1995) Subject: Definition of ' significant effects on the environment' for the purposes on environmental Radio-frequency emissions from hand-held radiotelephones impact assessments Directive 85/337/EEC can , under certain circumstances , cause interference with some electrical and electronic equipment . Such interference may have safety implications . Interference with Article 2(1 ) of Directive 85/337/EEC (') requires an electromedical equipment, especially life support devices, is environmental impact assessment for any project which is of particular concern . ' likely to have significant effects on the environment'. 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/71
However, neither the body of the Directive nor the annexes WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1725/95 actually define what constitute 'significant effects on the by Pervenche Beres ( PSE ) environment' and the absence of criteria defining this to the Commission concept gives rise to problems in the interpretation of the Regulations . (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/132 ) 1 . What criteria , if any, does the Commission use to determine whether a project has significant effects on the environment ? Subject: Confidentiality of studies carried out by the 2 . Does the Commission not feel that it should bring Commission forward a proposal to amend Directive 85/337/EEC to include criteria defining what is meant by significant effects on the environment and ensuring that the When preparing Directives , Regulations or communications relevant legislation is interpreted in a uniform the Commission frequently has recourse to outside manner ? consultants to help further its thinking .
0 ) OJ No L 175 , 5 . 7 . 1985 , p . 40 . Such studies often receive wide coverage and circulation in the European and international press , yet it is difficult for MEPs who wish to do so to have access to this source of information . Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission The Commission cites the international nature of such (19 July 1995) documents as a reason for not releasing them .
1 . Article 2(1 ) of Directive 85/337/EEC defines the Will the Commission respond to requests from MEPs when general obligation to subject projects likely to have they wish to obtain a study on the same basis as the significant effects on the environment to the procedure for press ? assessing environmental impact laid down in the Directive . It specifies which features of a project have to be singled its nature , size or location .
In its role as guardian of Community law , the Commission Answer given by Mr Santer checks whether , when exercising their powers of appraisal on behalf of the Commission concerning the projects listed in Annex II , as is their right, Member States have taken these features into consideration ( 13 July 1995) to decide whether an individual project ought to be subjected to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the directive . The Commission wishes to assure the Honourable Member that it in no way uses the internal nature of documents as a 2 . The Commission would like to draw the attention of pretext for not releasing them . the Honourable Member to the fact that , within the framework of the cooperation procedure , it has sent a proposal (') to amend Directive 85/337/EEC to Parliament Many of the studies carried out on behalf of the Commission for its opinion , the aim of the proposal being to ensure are published and distributed either free of charge or for a coordinated implementation of the Directive's provisions , fee by the Office for Official Publications of the European especially those referring to the problem mentioned by the Communities ( OPOCE ). These documents are therefore Honourable Member . Parliament has not yet stated its accessible to all interested individuals , including obviously position on this proposal . the Members of Parliament . The OPOCE advertises these works as it does its other publications . The Commission will not be able to consider the possibility of changing its proposal unless and until amendments are put forward by Parliament . Those studies which are not published are treated as internal Commission documents and, as such , are subject to Commission Decision 94/90/ECSC, EC, Euratom of (>) COM(93 ) 575 , OJ No C 130, 12 . 5 . 1994 . 8 February 1994 on public access to its documents ('). This Decision , which lays down a common code of conduct for the Commission and the Council , establishes the principle that anyone , regardless of his personal or occupational No C 257/72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 status, shall enjoy the widest possible access to the WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 733/95 documents of the institution, on condition, obviously, that by Alex Smith ( PSE ) public and private interests are protected . to the Commission (21 June 1995) (') OJ No L 46 , 18 . 2 . 1994 . ( 95/C 257/134 )
Subject: Alternatives to nuclear re-processing
WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 728/95 In written reply E-1895/94 ( ) of 15 December 1994 , the by Bernie Malone ( PSE ) Commission suggests that the discussion of the issue raised to the Commission in Parliament's report A3-220/93 ( 2 ), in particular (7 June 1995) recommendation 8 , should be postponed until all of the ( 95/C 257/133 ) alternative options to nuclear re-processing are industrially available .
Subject: Bhutanese refugees in Nepal In light of this conclusion , when does the Commission expect each of the options for dealing with irradiated fuel to In light of the movement of 100 000 Bhutanese refugees to be developed from the experimental to the industrial Nepal as a result of harassment by Bhutanese Government implementation stage , and what criteria will it adopt to troops, and of Parliament's long-standing position on make its judgements on the status of the management human rights thoughout the world , what representations options ? has the Commission made to the King of Bhutan and the Bhutanese Government to help bring an end to this persecution ? What influence will this crisis have on its i 1 ) OJ No C 55 , 6 . 3 . 1995 , p . 14 . attitude to the negotiation of future agreements with ( 2 ) OJ No C 255 , 20 . 9 . 1993 , p . 255 . Bhutan ?
Answer given by Mr Marin Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission 30 June 1995) (25 July 1995)
Most of the problems in the south of Bhutan are apparently caused by illegal immigrants from Nepal into southern Given that industrial and commercial processes for the Bhutan . The Bhutanese have tried at the same time to re-processing of irradiated fuel are available , the integrate the earliest immigrants and to stop the recent Commission takes the view that there can be no useful influx by sending back illegal immigrants who are now in discussion of the points raised in resolution A3-220/93 , in refugee camps in Nepal . The Commission is not aware of particular recommendation 8 , until the option of closing the any harassment by Bhutanese Government troops , but the nuclear fuel cycle without re-processing moves on from the situation is continuously and carefully monitored . experimental stage to the initial stage of industrial implementation ( commissioning of a pilot facility for the conditioning of irradiated fuel elements , setting up of an In this context, the Commission has expressed its concern industrial installation ). about the refugee problem several times to both the Bhutanese and Nepalese Governments and has invited them to find a much needed rapid solution to this issue . The Commission will not be in a position to adopt criteria on which to make judgements until the development Negotiation of an agreement with Bhutan is not envisaged in programmes currently in progress in the Community have the near future since the Bhutanese Government has not yet been completed , which is expected to be around the turn of expressed any wish to enhance the level of its relations with the century . the Community . 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/73
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 734/95 award of a contract, a period which is spent examining the by Graham Watson ( ELDR ) eligibility and quality of the project . to the Commission (21 June 199S) ( 95/C 257/135 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 736/95 by Pervenche Berès ( PSE ) Subject: Commission criteria for cofinancing development to the Commission projects (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/136 ) Development NGOs in my constituency have reported lengthy delays and serious communication problems in their dealings with DG VIII . Does the Commission publish its Subject: Social security insurance and free movement guidelines for dealing with applications from NGOs for the cofinancing of projects ? If not, will it undertake to make In accordance with local legislation still in force in the these criteria known in future , so that NGOs seeking Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle , employees in those funding for their projects may take them into account when departments pay to the Social Security Department they plan their applications ? contributions higher than those in the general scheme and , in return , receive higher benefits ( 100% reimbursement in the case of hospitalization and 90 % in the case of other treatment ).
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro The Social Security Department is refusing to maintain the on behalf of the Commission scheme applied to employees if, on retirement, they no longer live in those departments . (19 July 1995) They are then no longer covered by the scheme, which is much more advantageous than the general scheme . Since the matter raised by the question is the joint competence of Vice President Marin and Commissioner The French courts have frequently upheld cases brought by Pinheiro, the following answer is given by the two members plaintiffs but the French Government categorically refuses on behalf of the Commission . to give them satisfaction .
Can the Commission say whether the French Government The rules for the financing both of projects with NGOs in has infringed the Regulations on migrant workers which developing countries and of awareness campaigns in the EU stipulate that social security insurance is closely connected have been in force since 1 January 1988 . They are well with free movement ( Regulations ( EEC ) No 1408/71 f 1 ) and known to UK NGOs , which are also frequently in touch ( EEC ) No 574/72 ( 2 ) — consolidated versions ) ( 3 )? with the Commission . 0 ) OJ No L 149 , 5 . 7 . 1971 , p . 2 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 74 , 27 . 3 . 1972 , p . 1 . Moreover, each year the Commission publishes its 'Digest of ( 3 ) OJ No C 325 , 10 . 12 . 1992 , p. 1 . and p. 96 . Community resources available for financing NGO development activities', which makes it easier for European NGOs to apply for funding from other parts of the Commission budget besides the NGO co-financing heading, Answer given by Mr Flynn B7-5010 . on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1995)
The Commission has co-financing relations with around 800 European NGOs . This allows it to show a human face The Commission would like to draw the Honourable in its contacts with the representatives of civil society . The Member's attention to the fact that Regulations ( EEC ) NGOs generally appreciate this even though the No 1408/71 and ( EEC ) No 574/72 referred to in their Commission lays down strict rules concerning the quality of question do not provide for a joint social-security scheme , their work and their project dossiers . but rather allow separate national schemes to exist .
The Court of Justice has stated on several occasions ( ! ) that As regards the time taken to deal with applications, it is Article 51 of the EC Treaty , which constitutes the legal basis natural that there should be a gap of several months between for the abovementioned Regulations , allows different the submission of the co-financing application and the social-security schemes to exist in the Member States . No C 257/74 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
It should , however, be noted that Community law, the previous situation of duty-free entry subject to possible especially Articles 48 to 51 of the EC Treaty and Article 3 of re-application of duty once imports had attained a certain Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408/71 do not allow direct or level , to a situation now , where these goods , under the GSP , indirect discrimination between workers from Community receive a preferential tariff amounting to 70 % of the normal Member States under national schemes ( 2 ). tariff, is a result of a major revision of the GSP as a whole . In the process of arriving at the current situation , the interests Therefore , as long as the French scheme as described by the of Member States and economic operators within the Honourable Member does not discriminate between Community had also to be taken into account . workers from Community Member States , it cannot come under Community law . The GSP scheme for 1995 to 1998 for industrial products In addition , the Commission would like to point out that was implemented on 1 January 1995 . This new scheme has Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408/71 sets out similar provisions to changed completely the operation of the previous schemes those under the French scheme described by the Honourable to introduce more security , greater predictability and Member in the event of workers changing their place of simplicity in its operation . The principles regarding the new residence to another Member State . Article 19(1 ) of scheme were announced by the Commission to the Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408/71 stipulates that benefits in and the Parliament in its communication, 'Integration of kind shall be provided by the competent institution of the developing countries in the international trading system , place of residence of the worker concerned in accordance role of the GSP, 1995—2004 (')'. These principles have with the legislation administered by that institution , even if been fully respected in the GSP scheme now in the worker is insured under the scheme of another Member operation . State .
(') See especially the judgment of 15 January 1986 in Case 41 /84 The Commission did not fail to consult with interested Pinna 1 1 986 ] ECR 1 , point 20 , and the judgment of 7 February parties before the implementation of the new GSP scheme . 1991 in Case C-227 [ 1989 ] ECR 1-323 , point 12 . Several information meetings were held on this subject with ( 2 ) See especially the judgment of 4 October 1991 in Case C-341 the principal European associations, representing traders , Parachi 1 1987 ] ECR 1-4501 , point 16 . importers , industrialists as well as the beneficiary countries themselves , throughout the whole adoption process of the regulation .
Last but not least, the Parliament was consulted on several WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 742/95 occasions on the proposed GSP scheme ( 2 ), notably in the by Roy Perry ( PPE ) development and external relations committees and the to the Commission proposal was the subject of a report from Mrs Maij-Wegen which called for several amendments to be made . This was (8 June 1995) noted by the Commission, which accepted several of the ( 95/C 257/137 ) proposed amendments when the Parliament adopted the Maij-Wegen report on 18 November 1994 in Strasbourg .
Subject: Application of GSP rules A Committee made up of representatives of the Member Can the Commission give its reasons for changing the GSP States chaired by the Commission under the title of the rules governing the import of parquet flooring under tariff Committee for the management of generalized preferences, code 4418 ? has been established as required by Article 17 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3281/94 of 19 December 1994 ( 3 ) to In addition could the Commission give its reasons for failing manage the operation of the GSP . Articles 18 and 19 of the to allow for a period of consultation before implementing same Regulation define the tasks of this committee . These the provisions of this change of rule ? Equally could the tasks are primarly of a consultative nature on questions like Commission supply information on the remit and statute of safeguards or possible withdrawals of GSP treatment in case the 'Management Review Committee ' which is being set up of unacceptable practices , but the committee can also act as to review the workings of the changes ? regulatory committee under Article 19 on technical changes to nomenclature or measures foreseen in Article 18 paragraphs 2 and 3 .
Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (') COM(94 ) 212 . ( 2 ) COM(94 ) 337 . (30 June 1995) (■') OJ No L 348 , 31 . 12 . 1994 .
The change in the generalized system of preferences ( GSP ) rules relating to parquet flooring of tariff code 4418 , from 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/75
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 746/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1755/95 by Thomas Megahy ( PSE ) by David Bowe ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (21 June 1995) (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/138 ) ( 95/C 257/139 )
Subject: Denied-boarding compensation system Subject: Novel foods Directive
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 295/91 (') of 4 February Does the Commission think that the amendments proposed 1991 establishes common rules for a denied-boarding by Parliament to the Directive on Novel Foods (') with compensation system in scheduled air transport . regard to labelling requirements of novel food are in any way compatible with the publicized views of a panel of ethical experts in Germany who have said that labels ' should Although this legislation may be in place in Member States it only state how such foods are produced if biotechnology has has been brought to my attention that in the UK, at least, it is led to " significant changes " in the product'? not made easy for passengers to find out about the existence of the compensation should the need arise . (') COM(93 ) 631 — OJ No C 16 , 19 . 1 . 1994 , p . 10 .
Does the Commission not think that publicity for the scheme should be enforced so that, for instance , airlines and tour operators must include the information in their leaflets and brochures ? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission
(') OJ No L 36 , 8 . 2 . 1991 , p . 5 . (12 July 1995)
The Commission believes that the opinion issued on 5 May 1995 by the Commission's group of advisors on the ethical Answer given by Mr Kmnock implications of biotechnology, to which the Honourable on behalf of the Commission Member seems to be referring, is not incompatible with the (7 July 1995) amendments proposed by the Parliament on first reading on 27 October 1993 .
Since April 1991 , passengers have benefited from Like the Parliament , the group of advisors recommends in Regulation ( EEC ) No 295/91 establishing common rules for certain defined cases process-specific labelling for foods a denied-boarding compensation ( DBC ) system in derived by modern biotechnology . The group of advisors scheduled air transport . The Regulation covers all scheduled points to the need to allow consumers to make an informed flights departing from Community airports , of both choice , by providing them with information which should Community and non-Community carriers , and is directly be enforceable , useful, adequate , informative , clear , applicable in national law . Enforcement is , however, the understandable and not misleading . responsibility of Member States . Article 8 of the Regulation requires air carriers to provide 'each passenger affected by denied boarding with a form setting out the denied boarding Hence the group of advisors states that, ' labelling will be compensation rules'. appropriate when modern biotechnology causes a substantial change in composition, nutritional value or the use for which the food is intended , not for only the new food The Commission is aware , however, that it seems that not all composition and characteristics but also , in this specific airlines comply fully with the Regulation . Therefore , the case , for the process'. Commission intends to examine the way in which the denied boarding Regulation has been applied , and if necessary, examine ways to improve it . At the same time the In those cases where the food characteristics remain Commission will take a closer look at the specific issue of unchanged the group does not consider it appropriate to over-booking and other aspects of the contractual situation foresee any special labelling, since it would be neither of air passengers . feasible nor enforceable . No C 257/76 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1765/95 monitor the situation closely and will, if necessary, consider by Joaquin Siso Cruellas ( PPE ) placing the relevant products under surveillance . to the Commission (21 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/140 )
Subject: Access for ready-made clothing to the Community WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 771/95 market by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE ) to the Commission (28 June 1995) On 4 and 5 May, the Commission and the United Arab Emirates held a meeting in Brussels with aim of reaching an ( 95/C 257/141 ) agreement on regulating access for ready-made clothing to the Community market, after it was discovered that there was a danger of trade diversion which would infringe the Subject: Re-cycling in the steel industry rules of origin .
More than 200 representatives of 22 countries, several of According to information I have received , the Commission them from central and eastern Europe , took part in the had already sent a fact-finding mission to the Emirate of conference on re-cycling in the steel industry organized by Dubai to check whether or not rules of origin were being the UN's Economic Commission for Europe, which was infringed . Can the Commission say what the findings of the held in Diisseldorf from 24 to 27 April . At the conference, mission were and whether any measures have been the huge re-cycling capacity in the steel industry was taken ? emphasized . It was also pointed out that the existence of differing standards from country to country was one of the main causes of the distortion in the market in recycled materials and was therefore incompatible with the smooth functioning of the international market . Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission In view of the above , can the Commission say what (25 July 1995) measures are being taken to harmonize the legislation governing re-cycling in the steel sector ?
A second round of talks between the Community and the United Arab Emirates on a bilateral textiles agreement was Answer given by Mr Bangemann held on 4/5 May . The aim was to arrange reciprocal on behalf of the Commission measures to monitor the growth in imports of a number of textile and clothing products and to check that the origin of (24 July 1995) goods was as stated .
Scrap metal , a product that is marketed internationally, is a The search for an agreement was prompted by two raw material that is very important for supplying the investigations in the UAE — one in April 1994 under the Community's iron and steel industry . Scrap re-cycling offers Textile Anti-fraud Initiative ( TAFI ) and the second economic advantages and helps to improve the environment undertaken by a Community fact-finding mission last at the same time . January — which revealed a strong possibility of origin fraud on what were thought to be large quantities of T- shirts and pullovers . Large quantities of scrap iron are traded between the Community and the countries of central and eastern Europe . This trade is not regulated by specific Community One good point to emerge from the latest meeting is the UAE arrangements but simply treated as normal business . The delegation's statement that its country had tightened up its transactions are covered by a multitude of business procedure for issuing certificates of origin . arrangements based more often than not on specifications laid down by the industry itself. However, at the frequent meetings with the central and eastern European countries in The next round of talks are scheduled for September . the contact groups the Commission has discussed the Meanwhile , the UAE has agreed to study a revised draft problems of scrap metal with a view to removing barriers to agreement submitted by the Commission following the free movement . The Commission is currently looking into meeting . For its part, the Commission will continue to the need to harmonize such voluntary measures for scrap 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/77 metal in a general study of recycling as an industrial activity . meets safety requirements and carrying out strict controls in In this context the Commission is closely associated with the the planning and management of nuclear power stations . work of the European Committee for Standardization , Article 17 IV also requires the Contracting Parties to which is currently studying the feasibility of European exchange information that will enable them to evaluate the standards in the re-cycling field . impact of other parties' nuclear projects on their territory . The convention has not yet entered into force as it has still to be ratified by a sufficient number of signatory states . Turkey has ratified the convention . The Community as such cannot demand that this convention be applied before it enters into force and before all Member States concerned have WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 784/95 completed the necessary ratification procedures ( Article 102 by Nikitas Kaklamanis ( UPE ) of the Euratom Treaty ). to the Commission (28 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/142 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1789/95 Subject: Nuclear power station in Turkey by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR ) to the Commission Articles have appeared in the Greek and international press (28 June 1995) concerning the construction of a nuclear power station in Turkey on the coast directly opposite the island of Rhodes ( 95/C 257/143 ) and indeed only a few miles distant from it . Subject: Disbursement of funds under the Fourth — In view of Parliament's position that the use nuclear Framework Programme energy should be restricted, — given that the borders of Greece constitute the southern 1 . How long does it take on average for funds to be borders of the European Union , and disbursed from the Fourth Framework Programme to projects already approved ? — given also that this region of southern Turkey is an earthquake zone , 2 . The time limits within which the first payment is required to be made out of appropriations under the will the Commission say whether it is aware of the programme is 12 months . Is this time limit of 10 exceeded ? construction of this plant, whether the appropriate If so , why ? environmental studies have been carried out and whether it intends to make repesentations on this subject to the 3 . Is it possible to guarantee speedier disbursement ? Turkish Government ? Flow quickly ?
Answer given by Mr Van den Broek Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (20 July 1995) (25 July 1995)
The Commission is aware of the fact that the Turkish The first calls for proposals for specific programmes under authorities are currently examining the possibility of the fourth framework programme were recently closed and starting a programme to build a nuclear power station . The the projects are now being evaluated . project is still only at a preliminary stage and a feasibility study is being carried out by a foreign consultant . No Article 21 of the Commission's model contract , in use since decision to build a nuclear power station has therefore been October 1988 , states that the Commission will make an taken as yet by the Turkish authorities and other ways of advance payment to all the parties within two months meeting the country's future energy needs are also being following the signing of the contract . In practice this taken into consideration . The Commission is therefore payment is made immediately after the contract is signed . waiting to see how this matter develops . From then onwards the Commission pays the amounts due after approving the detailed statements of account sent to it It should be noted, however, that Turkey has signed several in accordance with the timetable for each project . international conventions in the nuclear field, notably the 1994 Nuclear Safety Convention under the auspices of the The average time taken for payment of invoices is between International Atomic Energy Agency . That convention 28 and 41 days . The Commission is continuing its efforts to requires Contracting Parties to give priority to nuclear reduce this delay . safety , particularly by introducing appropriate legislation , preparing for emergency situations , choosing a site that No C 257/78 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 790/95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1791/95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR ) by Philippe De Coene ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (28 June 1995) (28 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/144 ) 95/C 257/145 )
Subject: Implementation of Article 40 of the Fourth Subject: Prices for the 'Panorama of EU Industry' ACP-EEC Lome Convention
The 'Panorama of EU Industry 1994 ' is obtainable both as a Should the Commission's answer to my earlier Written book (1 370 pages ) for ECU 130 , and in CD-ROM form Question No 96/95 (*) on the same subject — an answer ( production cost : less than ECU 1 ). However, the CD-ROM which mentions only multilateral initiatives — be taken to version costs ECU 300, almost three times as much as the mean that no ACP state , relying explicitly on Article 40 of printed version . Lome IV, has requested the Community on a bilateral basis to provide technical information on specific pesticides or other chemical products ? What is the reason for this enormous disparity in price , particularly in view of the low production costs for a If this is not the implication of the Commission's answer, to CD-ROM of this type ? which individual ACP States has the Community provided information pursuant to that Article , and concerning what products ? Is this how the Commission wishes to promote the development of the information society in general and the use of digital communications in particular ? (') OJ No C 139 , 5 . 6 . 1995 , p . 58 .
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (24 July 1995) (24 July 1995) The Community has received no formal bilateral requests from ACP States seeking information or technical assistance The paper and CD-ROM versions of the Panorama of EC to enable them to improve health and safety aspects of the Industry, 1994 are not strictly comparable , as the CD-ROM management of pesticides and other chemical products . version : The activities listed in the Commission's answer to Written — holds three language versions as opposed to one , Question No 96/95 all stemmed from multilateral Commission initiatives . — contains two large databases which, with its specially developed software , enables the customer to present, manipulate and extract data to meet his individual requirements , WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 807/95 — enables greatly superior searches than those possible with the paper version . by Leen van der Waal ( EDN ) to the Commission (28 June 1995) It should be noted that these two latter points involve a substantial increase in the costs of producing the original , ( 95/C 257/146 ) which have to be passed on to the copies . Subject: Controls on road transport in the Member The selling price of the CD-ROM version therefore reflects States these costs and , given current market rates , cannot, in the Commission's view, be considered an obstacle to the In its sixteenth report (*) of 15 October 1993 , pursuant to development of the information society . Article 16 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3820/85 ( 2 ) the Commission gives an account of the state of affairs with regard to controls on road transport in the Member States . 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/79
This report showed that some Member States were not even — organizing meetings with government experts and the in a position to provide information on controls . All this industry in order to achieve more uniform checks hinders the operation of the Internal Market . throughout the Community .
1 . What measures has the Commission taken in this (') OJ No L 325 , 29 . 11.1988 . connection ? ( 2 ) OJ No L 72 , 25 . 3 . 1993 . ( 3 ) OJ No C 243 , 30 . 8 . 1994 . 2 . Have these measures yet been effective ?
(') ( COM(93 ) 494 . ( 2 ) OJ No L 370, 31 . 12 . 1985 , p . 1 .
Answer given by Mr Kinnock WRITTEN QUESTION E-1813/95 on behalf of the Commission by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) (17 July 1995) to the Commission (28 June 1995) The Commission 's sixteenth report concerning the ( 95/C 257/147 ) implementation of social legislation relating to road transport is atypical because it covers the period 1986 to 1990 , which corresponds to the entry into force of Subject: SCF in the area of baby and infant feeding Regulation ( EEC ) No 3820/85 and Directive ( EEC ) No 88/599 (^, the objective of which is to improve the implementation of the social legislation , in particular by 1 . Is it true that Professor Rey, member of the obliging the Member States to carry out a minimum number Commission's Scientific Committee for Food responsible of checks as to its implementation . for baby and infant feeding, conducts studies for the industry himself, or has them conducted by his institute ? The difficulties encountered by Member States in furnishing the Commission with data concerning the implementation 2 . Is it true that, in the SCF , he himself checks and of this legislation during the period in question can evaluates the studies conducted by him or his colleagues ? consequently be accounted for by this state of affairs . For their part, Spain and Portugal were faced with problems 3 . Is it true that Professor Ray ( France ) usually delivers a arising from their accession , which also was taking effect negative assessment of studies and scientific findings on during this period . baby and infant feeding which have not been conducted by himself and his institute ? The new provisions that have been instituted should facilitate an improvement of this situation, particularly as — in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation ( EEC ) 4 . What is the Commission's view of this conflict of No 3820/85 — the Commission has drawn up a standard interest ? form with the aim of making the collection of data homogeneous ( Decision of 22 February 1993 ( 2 )).
This measure has brought about a distinct improvement in Answer given by Mr Bangemann the collection of data needed to draw up the seventeenth on behalf of the Commission report on the implementation of social legislation relating to (18 July 1995) road transport covering the period 1991 /92 ( which is also the first report devoted entirely to the implementation of Regulation ( EEC ) No 3820/85 ). The full effect of this measure should be felt in the report covering the period Professor Rey is appointed as a member of the Scientific 1993/94 . committee for food ( SCF ) in the capacity of an individual scientific expert . The Commission considers his expertise in the field of nutrition , particularly that of infants and young The Commission has taken several steps to achieve more children , to be an asset to the committee . effective checks and ensure that the social legislation concerned is respected , notably by : It is normal practice for professionally active scientists to — submitting a proposal aimed at increasing the undertake work for their institution , for government and for effectiveness of the chronotachograph ( 3 ); industry . It is by engaging in such activities that their expertise is amassed, maintained and kept current . The — studying , with representatives of both sides of industry, Commission considers their active participation in such the question of working hours in the field of transport studies to be a positive factor in relation to their ability to and, secondly , promoting the initial and on-going contribute to the work of the SCF . The Commission rejects occupational training of drivers, and entirely any suggestion that such activities improperly No C 257/80 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 influence Professor Rey's judgement of matters before the WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 820/95 Scientific Committee for Food . by Sylviane Ainardi ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission (28 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/149 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1815/95 Subject: The human rights situation in Syria by Eryl McNally ( PSE ) to the Commission On 17 November 1994 , Parliament adopted a resolution ( J ) (28 June 1995) on the Fourth Financial Protocol to the EU-Syria ( 95/C 257/148 Cooperation Agreement calling on the Commission to submit to Parliament a report on developments in the human rights situation in Syria . Subject: Panam integrated rural development project in Tibet Will the Commission state whether it has drawn up such a report and give its assessment of developments in the human Could the Commission confirm reports in the European rights situation in Syria ? Journal that a £ 5,9 million deal has been approved for the Panam integrated rural development project in Tibet and that this was approved during a closed session in October (!) OJ No C 341 , 5 . 12.1994 , p . 177 . 1994 ?
Is the Commission aware of the environmental tragedy that may result from this decision and that the United Nations Answer given by Mr Marin suspended a similar scheme for ecological reasons ? on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1995)
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission In the resolution referred to by the Honourable Member, adopted by the EC/Syria Cooperation Council , Parliament ( 11 July 1995) reminded the Council of the request made to it when the Third and Fourth Financial Protocols with Syria were approved to provide Parliament each year with a report on The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its the human rights situation in that country . The Commission answers to Written Questions No 94/95 by Mr is consequently of the opinion that Parliament should Vandemeulebroucke ( 1 ), No 276/95 by Mr Langer and Mrs address its inquiries about this report to the Council . Aglietta (') and No 1054/95 by Mr Watson ( 2 ).
The Commission would assure the Honourable Member The project followed exactly the same procedure of that it keeps a watchful eye on the situation regarding approval as other development projects financed by the respect for human rights in Syria and takes every possible Community including bearing of experts in all the Member opportunity to make clear to the Syrian authorities its States and was adopted by the Commission on concern over this subject and the importance attached to it 11 November 1994 following the opinion of the Asia-Latin by the Commission . America Committee . The Commission always considers the environmental impact of a development project before a decision to proceed is taken . The Commission has observed improvements in this field since 1993 , in particular the freeing of some political prisoners , the preparation of trials and permission for So far the financing agreement, which would constitute the humanitarian associations — namely Amnesty official start of the project, has not been completed . International and Human Rights Watch — to hold an inquiry in Syria and to meet responsible officials of that (') OJ No C 139 , 5 . 6 . 1995 . country . ( 2 ) OJ No C 179 , 13 . 7 . 1995 .
The Commission is aware , however, that the situation is far from satisfactory and has made clear that respect for human 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/81 rights is a basic factor in improving of relations with WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 846/95 Syria . by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission (3 July 1995) ( 95/C 257/151 )
Subject: Significant delays in publication of the WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 827/95 Commission's twelfth report on monitoring of the by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and implementation of Community law in the Member States Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) to the Commission The Commission adopted the twelfth report on the (28 June 1995) implementation of Community law in the Member States ( 95/C 257/150 ) over five months ago . The report has not yet been published in the form of a COM document, nor in the Official Journal of the European Communities . Subject: A uniform approach to social policy Will the Commission state when it intends to publish the report and explain the reasons for this delay ? In order correctly to assess the development of the Member States' social and employment policies , does the Commission intend to submit a proposal which would allow a uniform approach to be taken and homogeneous Answer given by Mr Santer statistics to be drawn up at Community level on questions on behalf of the Commission relating to social and employment policy such as 'y°ung (13 July 1995) worker', 'unemployed person', 'flexibility', 'active policies', etc ? Contrary to the assertion made by the Honourable Member, the Commission adopted its twelfth report on monitoring the application of Community law in the Member States during the month of June ( ! ). Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission The French-language version of the report has already been (31 July 1995) forwarded to Parliament . The other language versions will follow as soon as they become available .
In the follow-up to the Essen and Cannes European ( 1 ) COM(95 ) 500 final . Councils , a report is to be prepared annually which keeps close track of employment trends, monitors the relevant policies of Member States and reports on further progress in the employment market . The report for 1995 will be prepared on the basis of contributions from the Member States . For subsequent years the Commission is discussing WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 864/95 with the Member States the use of a limited number of by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE ) quantitative and qualitative indicators which could be used in a concerted manner to assess progress . to the Commission (16 June 1995) In order to provide for appropriate statistics for following ( 95/C 257/152 ) trends in the labour market ( employment, unemployment, flexibility, etc .) at Community level , the Commission is in the process of defining a target-structure for a revised labour Subject: Interim Review of the implementation of the Fifth force survey . This target-structure , which is being defined in Environmental Action Programme collaboration with the national statistical institutes , will aim to provide a labour force survey which is more comparable , Can the Commission tell me first of all what importance it more frequent ( quarterly ) and with a greater number of attaches to the Interim Review of the implementation of the questions ( covering salaries for example ). Fifth Environmental Action Programme ('), and secondly, to whom the communication in question is addressed ?
(!) COM(94 ) 453 final . No C 257/82 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission (10 July 1995) (17 July 1995)
In adopting its resolution of 1 February 1993 on the Fifth It should be noted that the Community's stated wish to be Action Programme on the environment, the Council invited involved in the consultations with the United States the Environmental policy review group ( EPRG ), set up requested by Japan was grounded in the procedures of the under the Fifth Programme , to keep the implementation of World Trade Organization ( WTO ) covering the unilateral the programme under review on the basis of regular reports trade sanctions announced by the United States and aimed from the Commission . at imports of certain models of Japanese cars on the US market . The Commission considered that it would be appropriate , half way through the period between approval of the These procedures provide that a third party , in this case the programme and the review due to take place before the end Community , shall be admitted to the consultations ( in this of 1995 , to make information on progress more widely instance requested by Japan ) on condition that the available . defending party ( in this case the United States ) recognizes the existence of a 'substantial ' trade interest . The communication was therefore sent for information to the Parliament and to the Council . The fifth programme The Community had based its claim to have an interest in stresses the importance of working together at all levels of the consultations on the principles bound up with administration and social and economic sectors in a spirit of compliance by the United States with the WTO multilateral shared responsibility, transparency and partnership . The provisions governing dispute settlement, including the communication was therefore also sent for information to matter of retaliatory trade measures . The United States was other organizations at Community , national , regional and not prepared to accede to the Community request unless it local level . was reformulated to spell out the Community trade interest . The Community declined to accept this response by the The Commission made clear that this was a preliminary United States . report assessing in a qualitative way the progress made . A more comprehensive report on progress will be part of the review process which will also include an updated state of the environment report to be prepared by the European environment agency . WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 869/95 by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE/NGL ) to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1 867/95 (3 July 1995) by Inigo Méndez de Vigo ( PPE ) 95/C 257/154 ) to the Commission (3 July 1995) Subject: Derogations until 2006 from the Directive on the ( 95/C 257/153 ) incineration of hazardous waste and compliance with environmental targets for the reduction of dioxin emissions Subject: Japanese-USA negotiations in the automobile sector Article 13 of Directive 94/67/EEC (') on the incineration of hazardous waste provides for derogations from the rules According to Agence Europe (8 June 1995 ), the USA has applicable to existing incineration plants . Such derogations refused the EU's request for observer status in the may extend as far as 2006 . forthcoming negotiations between Japan and the USA on the question of access to the Japanese market for American The Fifth Action Programme on the environment and cars . sustainable development provides for a 90 % reduction in dioxin levels , with regard to the 1985 figure , by 2005 . This refusal apparently follows Japanese acceptance of the request and statements by the Commission spokesman to 1 . Will the Commission explain how it can meet the above the effect that the EU has a ' substantial interest' in this objective , given the derogations granted under matter and wishes to put forward its case as a 'third party' in Article 13 of the Directive on the incineration of accordance with WTO procedures . hazardous waste ?
What steps does the Commission intend to take following 2 . Does the Commission not feel that, in order to meet the this refusal ? objectives of the Fifth Action Programme on the 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/83
environment and sustainable development, the above Development of Vocational Training ( Cedefop ) is a Directive will need to be reviewed ? decentralised Community body which is managed independently of the Commission . Its four-party (') OJ No L 365 , 31 . 12 . 1994 , p . 34 . Management Board is responsible for the staff's terms and conditions of employment . It is also responsible for negotiating headquarters agreements with Greece , while the Commission provides all the necessary technical Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard assistance . on behalf of the Commission (27 July 1995) In February 1994 , the Commission presented to the Council , Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee the proposal for relocating the Centre , along 1 . The Commission is aware of the fact that a dioxin with an amendment to Article 1 3 of the Cedefop Regulation emission limit value for the incineration of hazardous waste designed to ensure that the staff are covered by the rules only would not be sufficient to meet the target set in the Fifth applicable to other Community officials ( ] ). This Environment Action Programme . So the Commission is amendment makes it possible to resolve most of the preparing a proposal for a Council Directive on the problems facing Cedefop staff affected by the move , which incineration of waste other than hazardous , which is in fact was decided upon by the European Council in October a much more important source of dioxins and furans . 1993 ; it may also lead to the provision of compensation for difficulties experienced by Cedefop staff. Taking its lead 2 . The Commission agrees that it is in fact necessary to from the Commission , the Council has adopted two modify Council Directive 94/67/EEC on incineration of Regulations in this connection . Council Regulation ( EEC ) hazardous waste in line with Article 8 paragraph 3 to No 1131/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing the Centre's seat complete the integrated approach . in Thessaloniki ( 2 ) and Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 251 /95 of 6 February 1995 bringing the rules applicable to Cedefop staff into line with those adopted for other recently created decentralized Community bodies ( 3 ).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1881/95 As a result of a proposal put by the Commission to the Management Board of Cedefop , a 'variable-geometry' by Raymonde Dury ( PSE ) working party has been set up to look into the arrangements to the Commission for helping the staff. Various meetings involving Cedefop (22 June 1995) and the Commission have been organized in 1994 and 1995 . ( 95/C 257/155 )
As matters stand , all members of Cedefop's staff are covered Subject: Redundancy programme for Cedefop by the same rules which apply to other recently created decentralised Community bodies . As a result of The relocation of the European Centre for the Development competitions organized by Cedefop , they have all become of Vocational Training ( Cedefop ) from Berlin to Salonika , established officials of Cedefop , thereby fulfilling one of the scheduled for 1 September 1995 , poses serious problems for measures proposed in the framework agreement . those staff who will not be moving with the Centre and have not found a post elsewhere . 34 people are affected . Not being recognized as European officials since the Centre is Consequently , in order to make the move as trouble-free as not covered under Article 1 of the Regulations and Rules possible , and in accordance with the principles laid down in applicable to officials and other servants of the European the framework agreement , the Director of Cedefop has Communities , they cannot benefit from Article 29 , which endeavoured to take the following steps, which derive from provides for transfer from one institution to another . the rules applicable to European officials and provide for However , a framework agreement concluded between the rapid mobility : Director and the staff stipulated that a solution would be found for each person . How does the Commission intend to — placing of Cedefop officials 'at the disposal' of national implement an acceptable redundancy programme ? public authorities , businesses , universities or large colleges in Europe ;
— 'change of place of employment' for working mainly Answer given by Mrs Bresson with the various institutions to carry out measures and on behalf of the Commission activities forming part of Cedefop's work (27 July 1995) programme .
The Commission wishes to draw the Honourable Member's Within its own sphere of competence , the Commission is in attention to the fact that the European Centre for the the process of drawing up a Regulation concerning No C 257/84 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95 voluntary redundancy, which would be of relevance to a WRITTEN QUESTION E- 1905/95 number of Cedefop officials over the age of 50 with more by Bill Miller ( PSE ) than 15 years of service or over the age of 55 with more than to the Commission 1 0 years of service . It is also drawing up a proposal to amend certain Articles of the rules applicable to European officials , (3 July 1995) with a view to facilitating mobility between the Community ( 95/C 257/157 ) institutions and other bodies .
( 1 ) Regulations and Rules applicable to officials and other servants Subject: Intergovernmental Conference of the European Communities . ( 2 ) OJ No L 127 , 19 . 5 . 1994 . Will the Commission publish the minutes and voting record ( 3 ) OJ No L 30, 9 . 2 . 1995 . of each Commissioner in meetings of the Commission ?
Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (13 July 1995) WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 893/95 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE ) to the Commission The underlying principle of Commission policy regarding its documents is that they should all be accessible, except where (3 July 1995) disclosure could harm public or private interests or violate ( 95/C 257/156 ) the confidential nature of Commission deliberations . Article 7 of the Commission's Rules of Procedure specifically refers to the confidentiality of discussions . Subject: Transposition of Community Directives in Spain Therefore the Commission does not intend to publish the The Commission has submitted data on transposition into minutes of its meetings nor the voting record of its the national law of 14 Member States ( all except Austria ) of Members . the 219 measures listed in the 1985 White Paper, for which the deadline for application in national law has now passed . The average transposition rate is 92,6 % . Six Member States ( Denmark, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Holland and Sweden ) fell short of the 95 % threshold, while in three WRITTEN QUESTION E-1906/95 Member States ( Germany, Greece and Finland ) the rate of by Bill Miller ( PSE ) application is no higher than 90% . to the Commission (3 July 1995) Can the Commission provide information on the following : ( 95/C 257/158 )
What are the measures which have not been transposed in Subject: Intergovernmental Conference Spain, or have not been registered as such by the Commission ? In light of the undemocratic nature of the Economic and Social Committee , would the Commission be prepared to Have any infringement proceedings been opened against look at a possible merger with the Committee of the Spain for incorrect transposition ? If so , in which case(s ) and Regions ? for what reasons ?
Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Santer (13 July 1995) on behalf of the Commission (14 July 1995) The composition of the Economic and Social Committee ( representatives of the various categories of economic and The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its social activity ) is not the same as that of the Committee of twelfth report on monitoring the application of Community the Regions ( representatives of regional and local bodies ). law ( M , which has been sent to Parliament . These advisory committees to the Commission and the Council therefore express different viewpoints . The Commission does not think it would be appropriate to (') COM(95 ) 500 final . merge them . 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/85
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 962/95 WRITTEN QUESTION P-1988/95 by Concepcio Ferrer ( PPE ) by Eryl McNally ( PSE ) to the Commission to the Commission (6 July 1995) (29 June 1995) ( 95/C 257/159 ) ( 95/C 257/160 )
Subject: The European glass industry Subject: CCGT
Soda carbonate is one of the principal raw materials used in Arising from a visit I made to Rye House Combines Cycle the glass industry . Power Station constructed by Siemens for PowerGen in the UK it become obvious that the costs involved were considerably less than figures given by the Commission Disodium carbonate producers have asked the Commission during the Mochovce debate in the EP on 16 February 1995 to establish anti-dumping duties on imports of this product and the hearing held by the EP's Energy Committee on originating in the USA . The Commission's services have 1 March 1995 . The cost of the CCGT given during this agreed to the request and have introduced provisional duties debate were in the order of 1,28 times higher than that for ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 823/95 ( x )). the nuclear alternative .
Since the establishing of anti-dumping duties on imports of How would this factor be changed with station costs of only US disodium carbonate constitutes a serious threat of loss of ECU 300 million for completion of a CCGT station ? competitiveness to the glass industry, and hence to jobs , can the Commission tell me whether it intends to make the provisional duties permanent ? If so , has it examined the How would this factor be changed if the cycle efficiency serious prejudicial effects which such a decision could have used during the calculation had been closer to 60 % ( shortly on the European glass industry ? available ) and 55% ( now available )?
(') OJ No L 83 , 13 . 4 . 1995 , p . 8 . How would this factor be changed using current costs for natural gas and not presumed future costs ?
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr de Silguy (26 July 1995) on behalf of the Commission (25 July 1995)
The Commission is currently studying the comments made by the parties concerned following the imposition of The cost of a CCGT ( Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine power provisional anti-dumping duties on 13 April . station ) referred to by the Commission during the Parliamentary debate and the hearing held by the Energy Committee was the figure established by an independent All the arguments put forward are being considered consultant ( 1 ) . Following a survey of the three main builders carefully and will be taken into account when the proposal of CCGTs in eastern Europe ( GE, Siemens and ABB ), the for a definitive Regulation is drawn up . consultant established a cost figure of US $ 600 per kW, with an additional 3 % to cover site preparation and project management . This figure was also confirmed by the With particular reference to the glass industry , which is European Investment Bank ( EIB ). playing an active part in the anti-dumping proceeding, a full and exact assessment is currently being conducted of the industry's competitive position . The cost figure for the Rye House CCGT is not representative as that project benefited from special conditions which would not exist in the case of The conclusions of the investigation are due to be finalized Mochovce . very shortly and will be presented to the Council for its approval . As regards the other points raised by the Honourable Member of Parliament, the Commission would like to reiterate that it assesses the cost of a project on the basis of No C 257/86 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
all the project documentation and does not feel obliged to membership of the Union . Article 112(2 ) states that the consider variations which are too hypothetical . provisions shall be reviewed in accordance with EC procedures . The reputed aim of the review is to bring EU ( 1 ) 'Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant Least Cost Analysis', Putnam, environment standards more closely into line with Haynes and Bartlett Ltd , 28 November 1994 . Sweden's . What initiatives has the Commission taken to review the provisions pursuant to Article 112(2 )?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2001/95 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard by Mair Morgan ( PSE ) on behalf of the Commission to the Commission (27 July 1995) (8 July 1995) ( 95/C 257/161 ) The Commission is well aware of its role with regard to the review of the relevant Community environmental legislation Subject: Greyhound farming in Ireland as laid down as regards Sweden , in Article 112 and Annex XII of the Accession Act . The Commission has With EU funds being allocated to the farming of greyhounds already undertaken a screening of the work involved , and its in Ireland , is the Commission aware that the majority of implementation is being followed up systematically . In young dogs from this source are sold for racing in the United carrying out this task , the Commission attaches the greatest Kingdom and that large numbers of mature , healthy and importance to the promotion of a high level of health , safety active dogs are routinely destroyed ( not always in a humane and environmental protection . manner ) because they have passed their peak of competitive ability ? In part, the modifications to be introduced in the Directives How does the Commission intend to ensure that EU funds referred to in the review clause of the Accession Act can be , will no longer be used to encourage the production of dogs and are being dealt with by working groups responsible for dedicated for a leisure industry in which they will have a the adaptation to technical progress of these Directives . The short life and the possibility of a painful death ? amendments being discussed at this level can be subsequently adopted by a committee procedure . In Could the Commission confirm the amount of specific EU addition, for some other issues included in the review clause, funding allocated to the farming of greyhounds in the obligation to put forward new proposals is already Ireland ? enshrined in existing Directives .
Despite the fact that the Commission has already made an Answer given by Mr Fischler important effort, it is still too early to give a detailed on behalf of the Commission timetable on the review of the relevant environmental (7 August 1995) legislation . The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it is taking this matter very seriously and will keep the Parliament informed of developments . The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its joint answer to Written Questions No 1248/95 and No 1406/95 by Mrs Crawley and Mrs Pollack ( 1 ).
(') OJ No C 222 , 28 . 8 . 1995 , p . 60 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2054/95 by Imelda Read ( PSE ) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2022/95 to the Commission by Bengt Hurtig ( GUE/NGL ) (12 July 1995) to the Commission ( 95/C 257/163 ) (4 July 1995) ( 95/C 257/162 ) Subject: Commission's plans on sects Subject: The environment In view of the slow progress on the European Statute on According to Article 112 of the Treaty of Accession with Associations, does the Commission have any plans to alert Sweden , the provisions referred to in Annex XII shall not Member States to the existence of dangerous or potentially apply fully in Sweden during the first four years of Sweden's dangerous sects ? 2 . 10 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 257/87
Answer given by Mrs Gradin Diversity governing the safe transfer, handling and use of on behalf of the Commission genetically modified organisms ? (2 August 1995)
Answer given by Mrs Cresson The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to on behalf of the Commission the reply it gave to Oral Question H-280/95 by Me Crawley (28 July 1995) during question time at Parliament's May 1995 part-session i 1 ). The Commission is not aware of any research or (') Debates of the European Parliament ( May 1995 ). technological development projects outside the Community involving deliberate release of genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) which are financially supported by the Community .
The Commission does not have detailed information on research or commercial release of GMOs outside the Community being financed by Community-based private WRITTEN QUESTION P-2068/95 companies or research institutes . by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) A Commission proposal for a Community position to the Commission concerning the need for and modalities of a Protocol as (7 July 1995) stipulated in Article 19 ( 3 ) of the Convention on biological {9 SIC 257/164 ) diversity is under discussion at the present time .
Subject: Research or technological development projects outside the EU
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2099/95 What research or technological development projects by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V ) outside the EU have been or are being either wholly or in to the Commission part financially supported by the EU which involve deliberate release into the environment of genetically (7 July 1995) engineered organisms ( GEOs )? ( 95/C 257/165 )
For each project, please provide the following Subject: Processing of plutonium from Russian nuclear information : missiles to manufacture MOX fuel in Hanau
— country in which the release(s ) have taken place , The German Federal Government is considering plans to process plutonium from Russian nuclear missiles to — recipient of funds , manufacture MOX fuel elements in the fuel element factory in Hanau in Hessen that has not yet become operational .
— amount of EU funding , 1 . Is the Commission aware of these plans ?
— EU-based partner, if any , 2 . If so , how, and to what extent , is the Commission/Euratom authority involved in these — type of organism released ( parent organism and source plans ? of the foreign genetic material ). 3 . Who is the owner of the plutonium to be processed within the Community borders and the MOX fuel to be What research or commercial releases of GEOs in countries manufactured from this plutonium ? outside the EU have been or are being financed by EU-based private companies or research institutes ? For each case , 4 . Which governments/authorities/institutions a're please provide the information requested above . involved in this project ? 5 . How much plutonium is involved in this project, and What is the position of the EU concerning 'need for a how long is this plutonium processing scheduled to modalities of a Protocol' to the Convention on Biological take ? No C 257/88 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 10 . 95
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis 3 . Until the details of the transaction are known, the on behalf of the Commission Commission is unable to comment on the applicability of Chapter VIII of the Euratom Treaty . (27 July 1995) It should be pointed out that in the territories of Member States the materials concerned will in any event be subject to 1 , 2 and 4 . The Commission has not been officially the safeguards provided for in Chapter VII of the Euratom informed of the existence of the plans mentioned by the Treaty . Honourable Member . It was , however, aware of them , on the one hand from reading the press and on the other hand 5 . No figures have yet been received in connection with following a denial by the Russian authorities . these plans .