GwendalTsang/DEFT09-parquet huggingface dataset:
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, as long as nearly thirty years ago, the European Commission made attempts to draw up a European water policy. A hundred and twenty-nine chemical substances had to be regulated. Eventually, standards were drawn up for only a dozen or so substances. The unanimity principle was at the root of this debacle. Some seven years ago, it still looked like the European water policy was going to be sacrificed on the altar of subsidiarity. The conservative government leaders Messrs Major and Kohl decided in a cosy fireside chat at the Edinburgh Summit that it was totally unnecessary for the Spanish to receive drinking water supplies which were as good as those of the Germans or English. This sentiment is partly reflected in the common position which came about under British Socialist Presidency. That position is like holey cheese, or to keep it the sphere of water, as leaky as a sieve. It explains the ground swell of amendments which were tabled by the Committee on the Environment: nearly one hundred amendments for the second reading. This is unusual, but most of these amendments are desperately needed to plug the holes. The dangerous chemical substances constitute a big leak. The chemical industry and, unfortunately, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers too want to draft a separate risk analysis for each dangerous substance. This is very time-consuming, and, more importantly, there is no acceptable level of pollution for dangerous chemical substances. Only the background level of the ocean is acceptable. This is what is meant by the term “close-to-zero”. The Commission already has a list of 32 priority substances, many of which have a hormone-deregulating effect. These are so-called endocrine disrupters and cause, even in extremely minimal quantities, changes in the gender of animals and even humans, as is more and more being ascertained by scientists. This is why it is so important that the European Parliament declares itself openly in favour of the OSPAR objective of close-to-zero by the year 2020. I would like to mention two substances from the Commission’s list: mercury and tributyl, abbreviated to TBT. On the bottom of the Wadden Sea, the values of mercury and TBT are higher than the OSPAR value, to wit, ten and one thousand times, respectively. The chemical industry and society as a whole have to learn to replace these dangerous chemical substances by harmless substitutes, and if this is impossible, to apply them in closed systems. For the substance TBT, this means that it can no longer be used as an anti-fouling substance. A sound alternative would be to clean the ship’s sides mechanically. I would like to finish off by expressing the hope that the European Parliament will pick up once again its green image and will argue in favour of the close-to-zero option for dangerous chemical and hormone-deregulating substances by the year 2020.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, Commissioner, the has not approved of Customs Union in the past. The majority in this Parliament did approve following tortuous debates since approval would encourage the Turkish Government to arrive at an acceptable human rights policy, true democracy and a political solution to end the Kurdish issue. We find that the outcome is not altogether convincing. With the sentencing to death of the Kurdish leader Öçalan and confirmation thereof, we are once again faced with the tragic consequences of an unresolved request for respect and right of self-determination on behalf of a people, the Kurdish people, in Turkey. In Turkey, a great deal of pressure is being exerted by various parties and groups on Turkish society to demand the execution of Öçalan. Turkey is not yet ready to abolish the death sentence by a long shot, even if the death sentence is not actually carried out. Turkey has to provide us with a guarantee that the life of Öçalan will be spared. If this is not the case, the hope that a political solution will be reached for the Kurdish issue in Turkey will once again be dashed. The despair of the Kurds will not do much for stability in our countries either. We know that thousands of Kurds live here. I would nevertheless like to join in the congratulations extended to the rapporteur, as the text of his report is, in many ways, an improvement on the Commission’s proposal. One could say that the financial support follows on from earlier decisions reached by us. But think it through: if we vote on the text, the report stipulates that financial cooperation can be suspended in the event that the democratic principles of the constitutional State, human rights or fundamental liberties are violated. Does this not imply that, if we grant financial benefits today, the goalposts for human rights, etc. have already been set and that, consequently, only a deterioration of the current situation could lead to suspension? As far as we are concerned, the goalposts of these measures do not go far enough. We would like to see the situation in Turkey drastically improve in terms of democratisation and human rights and in terms of a solution to the Kurdish issue, but we hope that this is possible without having to exert financial pressure.

Political group: Verts-ALE
Mr President, this resolution does not evoke the same feelings. In fact, we all welcome the developments that have taken place since Mr Ehud Barak was elected Prime Minister of Israel. We welcome the relaunch of the peace process and the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum, which came into being after what were certainly laborious negotiations and which, to this day, has had the respect of all parties. The protocol that was signed yesterday concerning the link between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan is also a cause for celebration. We may be in optimistic mood but we are still troubled. The new Israeli Government is persisting with its policy of colonising Palestinian areas and remains the hostage of the Likhud party, which multiplied the number of settlements in order to prevent people from returning to the Palestinian areas. As far as these settlements are concerned, both in the Syrian Golan Heights and in the Palestinian areas, we want to draw the Commission’s attention to the matter of the preferential tariffs that Israeli products attract. Commissioner, we need to ensure that these preferential tariffs also apply to products from the settlements. The previous Commission took certain precautions to this end. More attention must be given to these measures, otherwise we will be giving de facto encouragement to those pursuing a policy of colonisation, and that when the European Community together with the rest of the international community, the United States included, has constantly condemned this policy and we are all aware that Israeli settlement policy is a major obstacle on the long road to freedom and a true Palestinian state.

Political group: Verts-ALE
I would just like to say that, three years after hurricane Mitch, Central America is once again being struck by the fresh tragedy of hurricane Michelle. We must not forget that, since then, it has suffered an earthquake, drought and famine. However, despite these disasters, democracy is slowly being established in these countries once again, and the European delegation, of which I am a member, which has just been to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, is unanimously agreed on this point. The proper running of the elections which have just taken place in Nicaragua is also evidence of this. Therefore, I feel that we can be proud of the decisive role played by the European Union action in the development of democracy in these countries. That is why I call for two measures: firstly, to increase the funds appropriated to the Programme for the Reconstruction of Central America, which currently amounts to EUR 250 million for the 1999-2002 period, since the latest disasters were not taken into consideration; and secondly, to review the European Union’s outdated position on Cuba. Also totally devastated by the latest hurricane, the worst it has suffered for 50 years, Cuba is currently the only country in Central America which has not signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union, and its only hope in these times of trouble is humanitarian, emergency aid. I could smile and tell you, with regard to Cuba, not to be more Catholic than the Pope, in the knowledge that he had no difficulty in identifying the right choice, but the appalling situation of this countries prevents me from smiling. Rather, I will warn you not to focus on the wrong enemy. The enemy is no longer communism: it is terrorism and terrorism thrives on destitution; democracy cannot be built on famine. Cuba is an important, or rather essential part of the process of bringing integration and peace to Central America which is currently in progress. Therefore, I urge the Council to instruct the Commission to reopen democratic cooperation negotiations with Cuba, insisting on total respect for European democratic values, which will not accept two different sets of values.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, I fully support the report on the recommendation on drinking of alcohol by children and adolescents. Who would not do so? What is important is that recommendations are not issued for reducing the alcohol consumption of elderly people for, it is well-known, when taken in moderation, alcohol is beneficial to health.

Political group: PPE-DE
To unravel the chain of responsibility, to respect shipboard social standards, to re-establish the ‘polluter-pays’ principle and to innovate in the field of equipment must be our top priorities. In this context, making the construction of double-hull vessels, especially those used to transport toxic and/or dangerous goods, more widespread as quickly as possible is a useful measure. Europe must not be out of step with regulations in the United States which, thanks to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, aim to phase out single-hull vessels between 2000 and 2015. We must at least keep pace with the United States while adopting measures not to shift the activities of the whole fleet of coffin ships towards third-world countries. Moreover, replacing the outdated ships is a means of giving a fresh boost to shipbuilding. We must envisage improving the system of double hulls. Many technical experts have pointed out the difficulties encountered when inspecting the space between the two hulls and during its maintenance. Yet Mr Hatzidakis makes proposals which restrict the scope of the Commission proposals. As he explained, they aim to enhance maritime safety while respecting the system of competition or, in other words, the quest for the lowest cost. In short, what is being proposed is to eliminate the lack of maritime safety without attacking its causes. This draft directive is moving in the right direction, but we must reject all exemptions and delays in implementation. We must stick with the Commission proposal.

Political group: GUE-NGL
The report voted on in Parliament improves the text proposed by the Commission, by increasing references to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as privacy. In some aspects, however, it upholds the line taken by the Commission, as well as suggesting the communitarisation of policies. It should be noted that the Commission proposal falls in line with the approach of taking advantage of the events of 11 September 2001 by restricting certain fundamental rights, which has not led to much protest, specifically rights pertaining to the area of freedom, security and justice. Furthermore, the Commission proposal betrays an obsession with regulation, an attempt to harmonise criminal law and a suppressive rather than preventive viewpoint, with which we cannot agree. Hence our vote against the report.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Mr President, like you I welcome the final referendum which took place in Latvia this weekend and resulted in a strong 'yes' vote for joining the European Union. I look forward to seeing full ratification by all 10 accession countries. One issue raised is the need to ensure that the citizens of all 25 states who are resident in Member States other than their own are entitled to vote. Would the President's office undertake a review of the 25 Member States to see which arrangements are in place allowing these European citizens to vote in states which are not their own? It is important that they are not only entitled but also encouraged to do so.

Political group: PSE
Mr Haarder said, amongst other things, that the meeting in Elsinore had been very calm and that none of the expected, or feared, disturbances had arisen. That is good, of course. I wonder, however, whether this might possibly also have had something to do with the fact that there were strict border controls, so that any foreign demonstrators who might have wanted to get to Denmark and Elsinore were in fact unable to do so. It would be helpful if Mr Haarder could deny that this is the case and state clearly that no one has yet been turned away from the Danish border during the Danish presidency.

Political group: GUE-NGL
Classical swine fever is one of the scourges of the animal world in Europe. This viral infection in pigs, which is harmless to human beings, occurs time and again because the virus is widespread in certain regions of the EU where it is carried by wild pigs. It makes sense to develop strategies to fight this disease in periods of respite rather than crisis, strategies based on preventive measures since, if there is an outbreak, animals have to slaughtered on a massive scale. The EU's vaccination policy is attracting more and more attention, especially since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth. If conventional vaccines are used, the stock affected must be totally isolated for long periods. The situation would be different if we could use marker vaccines, which are currently being investigated and improved. We must be able to distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals. Mrs Redondo has presented a good, balanced report on the problem of classical swine fever. I support the call for more research and development on vaccines. Using marker vaccines would give us another very useful tool with which to fight the disease in areas with a high density of pigs, obviating the need for wholesale slaughter. Hygiene plays a very important part in connection with disease. Feedingstuffs must be prepared to strict standards which can and must be controlled. I am opposed to a total ban on swill feeding because this would destroy valuable feedingstuffs, merely because we feel we are not in a position to prepare it, that is, to heat it so as to destroy any risk of disease.

Political group: PPE-DE
Mr President, naturally I share what was said by my colleague Mr Fodé Sylla in his speech and by the other Members who have spoken here this afternoon. This problem has come to public attention due to the voyage of a boat, the Etireno, from Benin to Gabon. However, UNICEF had already clearly said that more than 200 000 children in Western and Central Africa were growing up in this awful way. When we see how European children grow up, we have to think about these African children. It is terrible to think that children aged between 7 and 15 are used as modern-day slaves in a wide variety of work, and sometimes for the sexual perversions of certain people. I completely agree with the measures that are proposed in the resolution: we need to inform consumers not to buy products that are known to be made or produced through the work of these children. We need to ask for a fair price and practice fair trade. I fully agree with the amendment tabled by my colleagues from the Green Group on the revision, with this in mind, of the World Trade Organisation standards. The Council and the European institutions need to work together with the countries that these children come from and go to in order to fight this horrific trafficking. Also, at the next sitting of the United Nations, which is devoted to children’s rights, the European institutions need to adopt a belligerent approach to this problem. As my colleague Mr Fodé Sylla was saying, recital G talks clearly about the effects of growing poverty on this problem. I think that we should ask ourselves if it is ethically acceptable to support a system that has such an awful effect on a sector of the population that is as weak as children are. Mr President, I think that we need to start thinking about whether we can allow this to happen. (Applause from the left)

Political group: GUE-NGL
I certainly accept that there is a place for social policy in these more extreme situations. However, there is a risk of taking it too far. Would the Commissioner not agree that the most important thing for the European economy, in order to provide the social benefits that we would all like to have, is for it to be allowed to develop without millstones round its neck of excessive social commitments and problems? If we are to compete in the global economy, as this question asks, there should be a measured level of social support and policy and not an extreme binding of our businesses and our economies by social requirements.

Political group: PPE-DE
I must say I think most Members will think that a six-month delay is exceedingly disappointing, but it is nice to hear something positive. Can you indicate to us what the possible obstacles are? Does anybody have a veto on this date of 3 December or can you give us a guarantee that it is actually going to happen? You are not going to tell us at the end of the Belgian presidency: I am so sorry it slipped; somebody got it in the way! Can you guarantee it is going to happen or does someone have a veto?

Political group: ELDR
Mr President, Commissioner, it is no coincidence that I am the fifth Member of this House from Scotland to rise to speak in this debate. That is a measure of the importance to us of our postal services. Scotland as a country is larger than some Member States. It has many remote mainland communities accessible only by road, sometimes served poorly by public transport, sometimes not at all. Such communities rely for their survival on having local facilities, such as a school, a post office and a shop. It is on the last two that the elderly, in particular, depend. Often they are located together, each service being made more viable by the existence of the other. Scotland also has many island communities, some of which can be reached by air but most of which depend on sea ferries. It has been calculated that the actual cost of carrying a letter from Edinburgh to the Central Highlands is about ten times that of carrying the same letter across London. And it is about four times the postage cost actually charged. The more remote the community, the greater the difference becomes. That is the measure of the problem. It is not to oppose liberalisation to ask that it be done in a way that takes account of these factors and allows the continuation of a universal and affordable postal service. It is for all our remote and island communities, no matter where in the European Union they are situated, and not just for the people of Scotland, that I ask you to preserve the vital lifeline that their postal services provide.

Political group: ELDR
Madam President, in an article in an Italian newspaper today, President Prodi refers to the conclusions of the Gothenburg Summit on sustainable development as an example of directing globalisation towards objectives of world redistribution of wealth and protection of the environment. I will focus on this last aspect. It is true that Gothenburg incorporated the environmental dimension into the economic and social dimension. Protecting the environment is no longer merely a moral matter but an opportunity for a new wave of innovation that will generate growth and employment. The political importance is clear: this is a point of no return for the Member States but also for the candidate countries and third countries. Following the announcement that the United States wishes to oppose the Kyoto Protocol, this is a genuine declaration of intent with a view to the forthcoming international events: Genoa, of course, but then, more specifically, Bonn and, after that, Johannesburg in 2002. However, the point is this: even when they produce such major results, the great international summits do not succeed in communicating with what are known as the Seattle movements and, above all, do not connect with that much deeper, much more widespread, silent demand for security on the lips of the citizens, the submerged base of an iceberg whose tip is represented by the raft of different types of protests. Why? Why then is dialogue so difficult, not to say impossible? Of course, there is an element of parading before the media at these summits which is no longer tolerable. However, I also feel that confidence in the ability of politicians to implement these types of commitments has crumbled. There are many reasons why and we too bear some responsibility. Even at Gothenburg, when we needed to move on from words to action it was put off to a later date. There was no Sustainability Council, no time frame, no tangible reference to the implementation of environmentally friendly rules. When will these things happen?

Political group: PSE
Mr President, Commissioner Schreyer, Commissioner Fischler, ladies and gentlemen, let me make it clear from the outset that on the whole we support the proposals on the mid-term review; even though they will not affect the 2003 budget, they appear to be the right steps in the right direction. Of course there are still a number of points that would merit further discussion. This is after all unquestionably a proposal for debate. What will be decisive for us, however, will also be the extent to which we will be able to transfer funds that have not been used in the first pillar to the second pillar in forthcoming budgets, and that also includes the 2003 budget, because the development of rural areas is something that we are of course all concerned about and it will certainly be an absolutely decisive factor in the future. The question is whether there is already any prospect now of going beyond the Interinstitutional Agreement and implementing this. A further question is of course: how much progress has been made with implementing the SAPARD programme, Commissioner? What is the position with this LEAR-EAST programme, formerly known as INPART? I should also like to mention this once more. It is also interesting for farmers to know – and you have only given vague hints about this in the mid-term review – what the future holds for the tobacco, sugar and milk sectors. What is going to happen about quotas in the milk sector? This too is a very important question. As far as cofinancing is concerned, I should like to ask you to comment on this once more: this is an area where we certainly need greater flexibility.

Political group: PSE
Mr President, allow me to ask the Commissioner one more question. Commissioner, you mentioned the controls which will need to be carried out in connection with the processing premium, and these must indeed take place. Now if you combine our proposal to double the aid per hectare when proof is furnished with the proof for the processing aid, which also has to be provided, and if you join these two things together – of course this is not elaborated upon in the report – then the controls which need to be carried out for both kinds of premium are guaranteed and farmers do not lose out. If you implement your scheme, as proposed, you will be depriving European flax and hemp growers of land and that has nothing to do with controls.

Political group: Verts-ALE