ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0777/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(13 March 2001)

Subject: Uranium contamination

The question issue of the use of depleted uranium during the Kosovo war has rightly alarmed the public, who are fearful that possible contamination may have caused an increase in irreversible diseases.

Medical authorities in various countries are performing health tests on military and civilian personnel who operated in the areas affected by depleted uranium bombs, but have found it difficult to determine whether they were contaminated or not.

According to press reports a company known as Nuclear Manufactures New Technologies and Advanced Services, located in Bosco Marengo (Alessandria Province), has in its possession two examples of an instrument known astotal body', which is able to measure the amount of uranium present the a human body.

In the light of this, will the Commission say:

- Whether it is aware of the existence of this instrument?

- Whether it thinks it should be used to carry out tests on soldiers who took part in the NATO campaigns in Bosnia and Kosovo or who are still in the Balkans, in order to find out for certain whether uranium contamination occurred and on what scale?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2001)

The instruments mentioned by the Honourable Member are presumably body counters, which are used for the control of the incorporation of radioactive matter by the human body. There are many of these instruments in use in different Member States, but the Commission has no specific information on the ones in Bosco Marengo.

A body counter may in particular cases not be suitable to determine the quantity of radionuclides present in the human body.

The soldiers who were in the Balkans are thought to have adsorbed only very small amounts of depleted uranium. Depleted uranium itself emits alpha radiation which is not detectable, and the low energy gamma rays emitted by decay products are attenuated by the body tissue. In addition, the body rapidly eliminates most of the absorbed uranium. As a consequence, it seems that the absorption of depleted uranium by the soldiers may not be detectable by this technique, and other methods (bio-assay) may be preferred.

The question of whether or not to conduct tests on soldiers who served in the Balkans is a matter for Member States, not the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0718/01

by Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 March 2001)

Subject: Use of satellite dishes and freedoms on the single market

Can the Commission say whether it intends in the near future to submit a document clarifying the relationships between the freedom to provide services underlying the single market and the rules governing the use of satellite dishes?

A document on that subject, in the form of a communication setting out the terms in which the above relationships were to be interpreted, was already included in the 2000 work programme but has not yet materialised.

Satellite dishes provide an easy means of receiving advanced-technology services (radio, TV, Internet, etc.) from other countries and thus help to foster contacts between the Union's different languages and cultures. Since the costs are relatively affordable, they are becoming increasingly popular with families. However, their use sometimes encounters unreasonable obstacles stemming from administrative formalities, charges, or collective decisions connected with the management of jointly owned buildings.

Is the Commission prepared to say whether and within what limits, if any, it believes that the freedoms offered by the single market can be brought to bear at the practical level to benefit consumers in this area of their daily lives?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2001)

As indicated in its answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-2216/99(1), the Commission wishes to reemphasise here the importance it attaches to the question raised by the Honourable Member.

The fact that users whether professionals or private individuals have the opportunity to receive broadcasting or information society services easily and affordably is important both from the economic point of view and from the point of view of increasing knowledge of the languages and culture of other countries.

In view of the enormous interest aroused by this subject and the considerable number of requests for information about regulatory and administrative obstacles in this field, the Commission confirmed in its work programme for the current year which, incidentally, has already been submitted to Parliament an interpretative communication on the application of the principles of free movement of goods and services with regard to the use of satellite dishes (operation 2000/378).

It therefore reaffirms here its intention to submit such a document shortly for the various parties concerned, particularly consumers who, as the recipients of services, also benefit from the free movement of services which is a basic freedom directly applicable in national legal systems.

More generally, the Commission has recently set out a new Internal Market Strategy for Services(2), the ultimate aim of which is to remove barriers to the free movement of services across borders using, inter alia, non-legislative instruments such as a communication on satellite dishes.

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001.

(2) COM(2000) 888 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1276/01

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 May 2001)

Subject: Charter to protect the Alboran Sea

A group of experts has launched an initiative for a Charter of Rights for the Alboran Sea in order to preserve its resources, improve its use and control its environmental quality.

Two thirds of the world's oil tanker traffic goes through the Alboran Sea, causing major spillages in what is a closed sea, akin to a massive lake, whose environmental quality is very difficult preserve.

In view of the ambitious objectives of the Charter of Rights for the Alboran Sea with a view to preserving a natural system whose environmental quality is in great danger, can the Commission affiliate itself to the Charter, in whatever manner it sees fit, in order to help ensure that the latter is effective and that its objectives find the requisite financial support to guarantee their realisation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Unfortunately the Commission had not been aware of the proposed Charter for the Alborán Sea referred to by the Honourable Member. This makes any judgment concerning possible Community cooperation premature.

The island of Alborán has been put forward by Spain as an area of Community relevance under the Habitats Directive(1). In time this area would become a special conservation area included in the Natura 2000 network.

The Commission is fully aware that the effective implementation of Community instruments aiming at activities having an impact on the marine environment offers certain scope for greater cooperation among the operators on the ground, and other interested parties.

This is even more important if one considers that effective protection of marine biodiversity requires an integrated strategy in order to confront the many pressures with which it is threatened. The development of such a strategy, which is based on broad cooperation with other parties, and the use of appropriate scientific tools, is already considered to be a priority by the Commission(2).

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992). As amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (OJ L 1, 1.1.1995).

(2) Communication from the Commission on the sixth programme for Community action on the environment - Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision introducing the Community action programme on the environment for 2001-2010, COM(2001) 31 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/01

by Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: Compensation in respect of the new BSE rules

Will the Commission say what national compensation schemes have been introduced, or are envisaged, in the various Member States?

Does it take the view that those schemes are compatible with the Treaty's provisions on state aid?

If it does not, what action has it taken to prevent the unlawful use of state aid?

If it does, how will it ensure that there is no distortion of competition amongst Europe's farmers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2001)

The Member States have only started to notify measures that are related to the current bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis. The Commission at present does not have a complete view of the measures Member States may want to implement.

So far the Commission has only assessed one State aid measure, N 777/00, which was considered compliant with the EC Treaty (for the full text of this decision see Internet site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/sg/sgb/state_aids, where all State aid decisions taken by the Commission are made public).

If a State aid would be incompatible with the EC Treaty, the Commission would prohibit such an aid. If the (incompatible) aid concerned would have been granted already, in contravention of Article 88 (ex Article 93)(3) of the EC Treaty, the Commission would ask for a recovery of this aid from the beneficiaries.

To prevent such a situation, the Commission has recently reminded all ministers concerned of their obligation to notify State aids related to BSE.

According to the settled case law all State aids are capable of distorting competition(1). However, Article 87 (ex Article 93)(3) c of the EC Treaty allows this distortion as long as the aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. A short recapitulation of the State aid rules in force(2) that allow, in substance, the financing of preventive measures and/or indemnisation for culling on the basis of national or Community legislation addressing the epidemy, provided that there is no overcompensation of the costs incurred, was attached to that reminder.

(1) Case C-730/79, ECR 1980, p. 2671, paragraphs 11 and 12.

(2) See Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector (OJ C 28, 1.2.2000).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1765/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Zimbabwe

What is the progress, or otherwise, of consultations between the EU and Zimbabwe under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement?

In view of recent increased violence, intimidation and repression, at what point will the Commission decide that further measures are necessary?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(13 July 2001)

The political dialogue between the Union and Zimbabwe started at the beginning of March 2001. Meetings between the Union troika in Harare and the government of Zimbabwe have so far been held on eight occasions, most of them under the leadership of the Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiwewe, but also with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mudenge. The subject of the dialogue meetings has so far largely been about the format and agenda for the dialogue. Discussions on the agenda did give the opportunity to raise Union concerns and to identify problems. The agreement on the agenda including key issues such as governance issues and land reform is important when analysing the results of the dialogue. Dialogue will now concentrate on how to transform the agreed agenda into clear actions and results on the ground.

The Commission is aware that this constructive and critical dialogue has not yet yielded enough tangible results. It remains, however, convinced that the dialogue should continue despite the difficulties as it could be an important instrument in stabilising relations between Zimbabwe and the Union and in preventing conflict within Zimbabwe.

For the Commission, one of the Union's major political objectives is to support free and fair 2002 elections. The Union policy is to remain neutral, engaged and to keep a medium and long-term view on the crisis. Therefore, the Commission maintains its strategy of constructive engagement consisting in providing humanitarian- type assistance and supporting the democratic process, so that the Zimbabwean people can express their will through the ballot box at the next Presidential elections. In this perspective the Commission has already started preparations for election assistance and observation. The Commission believes that the political dialogue must be constructive and positive and that time has not yet come to have recourse to Article 96 consultations and sanctions. In the course of a Commission mission to Zimbabwe early June 2001, Mr. Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) encouraged the Union to continue on the path of engagement and dialogue rather than sanctions and ostracism, and in a conversation with Commissioner Nielson July 4 he emphasised the importance of a strong EU engagement in the electoral process, both in terms of technical support and electoral observation.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2080/01

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Emissions inside motor vehicles

Increasingly I have been receiving complaints about harmful emissions inside motor vehicles, particularly new vehicles. These emissions, caused by various synthetic materials and air conditioning systems, are said to constitute a threat to health and affect drivers' competence, thus causing accidents.

Is the Commission aware of this problem?

What is the Commission's assessment of the possible risks of emissions inside motor vehicles?

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent risks, e.g. by changing type-approval specifications?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The Commission is aware of concerns that the air quality within a vehicle may actually be poorer than that found at the roadside but this is really due to the vehicle following directly in the exhaust emissions left by the vehicles in front. This may be particularly the case in areas of dense traffic congestion at slow vehicle speeds or when travelling through a long tunnel with very poor ventilation. More and more new vehicles are equipped with air filtering systems to alleviate such a problem when the vehicle draws air in from the outside through its cabin ventilation system. The Commission has no information that points to the atmosphere within a vehicle as a specific cause of traffic accidents.

The Commission is not aware of any concerns that the air quality within a vehicle is due to emissions from the materials the vehicle is constructed from or from air conditioning systems. At the time of type-approval, the vehicle, having been run-in by driving at least 3,000 km, undergoes a test to measure the evaporative emissions from a vehicle as a whole, not point sources of evaporative emissions. In this way, emissions from new plastic materials, new paint and the fuelling system are assessed over a rigorous test regime to ensure that the overall evaporative emissions are no more than 2 grammes per test (the test requirements are given in Annex VI to Directive 98/69/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/220/EEC(1)). However, at this time the test protocol does permit a manufacturer to propose a test method that takes into account the loss of hydrocarbons by evaporation coming only from the fuel system of the vehicle. The Commission has no data that shows how many type-approval authorities have accepted an evaporative emissions test on the basis of the manufacturer's test method.

(1) OJ L 350, 28.12.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2410/01

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(21 August 2001)

Subject: Implementation of Directive 98/5/EC in Spain

Directive 98/5/EC(1) to facilitate practice of the profession of lawyer on a permanent basis in a Member State other than that in which the qualification was obtained was required, pursuant to Article 16 of the directive, to be transposed into national law in the Member States by not later than 14 March 2000.

To my knowledge, that has not yet happened in Spain.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Is it correct that this directive has not yet been transposed in Spain or in other Member States, and, if that is the case, what is the reason?

2. Should that be the case, what does the Commission intend to do to ensure that this directive is transposed?

(1) OJ L 77, 14.3.1998, p. 36.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2001)

1. Directive 98/5/EC(1) on the practice of the profession of lawyer has been transposed in Spain by Royal Decree 936/2001 of 3 August 2001, published in Boletin Oficial del Estado No 186 of 4 August 2001. It has not yet been transposed in Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal. In Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal bills are before Parliament. There can be no justification for not keeping to the deadline laid down in the Directive.

2. The Commission has commenced the infringement proceedings provided for in Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty against these Member States and will pursue them to the extent necessary.

(1) Directive 98/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 to facilitate practice of the profession of lawyer on a permanent basis in a Member State other than that in which the qualification was obtained (OJ L 77, 14.3.1998).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1896/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: Preservation of North Sea cod and haddock stocks

With reference to Commissioner Fischler's answer to Written Question E-1138/01(1), are the observers who are required to sample the percentage of each species caught by vessels fishing for sandeels employees of the Member States or the Commission, and are their findings sent to the Commission and made available as a matter of public record?

Could the Commission also indicate whether any independent bodies, including university marine biology departments, have issued findings which support the Commission's view that there is little if any evidence that industrial sandeel fishing in the North Sea deprives species such as cod, haddock, whiting etc. of their food?

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 212.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

The observers referred to are employees of Member States.

Their findings will be sent to the Commission. At present, the Commission has no intention of publishing these findings. However, they will be made available to officials of Member States and will be discussed with Member States when formulating further details of the North Sea cod recovery plan.

To date, the Commission is unaware of any findings issued by university marine biology departments or any other scientific body on the effects on food supply to cod, whiting, haddock etc. of industrial fishing for sandeels or any other species. However, the Commission has part-funded a research project in which relationships between the abundance of sandeels and factors such as growth rate of cod were investigated in a geographical area off the east coast of Scotland. The results of this study have still to be worked up and published. This study has been continued on the initiative of British authorities. Results of the continued study are not yet available.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2108/01

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: New banana regime

Further to the answer provided by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission to Written Question P-1511/01(1) I request answers to the following:

- The importance of reaching an agreement with the US is not in dispute, but it should not be an agreement that is badly damaging to Banana importing companies in Britain. I would, therefore, ask the Commission why it has ignored their strenuous objections and those of the European Community Banana Trade Association, the Banana Plantation Workers' Union (SITRAP) of Costa Rica, the National Chamber of Independent Banana Producers SA, the CSIB (Higher Council of Banana Importers - France) and the Banana Consultative Committee and many others?

- I request the Commission's response to the Banana Consultative Committee's strong criticism of the Regime on the basis that it is damaging the UK/EU banana trade, damaging to Caribbean sources and discriminatory and that the timetable for implementation does not give sufficient time to renegotiate the necessary substantial amendments to fruit purchase and logistical contracts.

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that agreement had to be reached with the United States and Ecuador in order to restore harmonious trading relations with the Community's main partners in the banana sector, since an unresolved dispute was harmful to all concerned.

It should be emphasised that the agreement reached is relatively balanced because as well as satisfying the Community's partners it above all enables the sector's operators/importers to be kept in the Community market, since a not inconsiderable share of the tariff quotas is reserved for non-traditional operators.

The Commission would also stress that the management methods adopted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 896/2001 of 7 May 2001 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 as regards the arrangements for importing bananas into the Community(1) were discussed beforehand with everyone in the sector, either through consulting individual operators direct or via the European Community Banana Trade Association (ECBTA).

Managing tariff quotas by reference to past trade patterns also has the advantage of providing security for importers, including as regards trade with their suppliers and customers. In addition, allowing licences to be transferred makes it possible to maintain a dynamic element in the system.

The African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) are due to have a reserved quota from 1 January 2002 onwards, which will also entail further amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on the common organisation of the market in bananas(2).

(1) OJ L 126, 8.5.2001.

(2) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993.