ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1868/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 1999)

Subject: Radioactive leak at the Tokaimura power station in Japan

Will the Commission evaluate and provide information as soon as possible on the risks posed to the population and the environment by the uranium leak at the Tokaimura nuclear power station in Japan on 30 September 1999, given that initial estimates suggest that the level of radiation in the vicinity of the plant is fifteen thousand times higher than normal?

What steps will it take to monitor the situation in Europe to avoid a repeat of previous disasters such as the Chernobyl accident (1986) and what preventive measures has it taken or does it plan to take with regard to other nuclear power stations which could pose a threat to the health of European citizens?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The facility in which the accident occurred at Tokai Mura in Japan on 30 September 1999 is a plant involved in the preparation of nuclear fuel. It is not a nuclear power plant nor is it, as often incorrectly identified, a reprocessing plant.

The Commission has been in close contact with the Japanese authorities and with the International atomic energy agency (IAEA) concerning the evaluation of the accident and its impact on the population and the environment. The IAEA has recently published a preliminary report on the subject. This identifies human error and the flouting of safety regulations as the main cause of the criticality accident.

Information available to date shows that radiation levels monitored at the boundary of the site rose to over one thousand times normal background during the period of criticality, but returned to or near background levels the following day. Almost 100 people have been identified as having received enhanced exposure to gamma and neutron radiation. With a few exceptions, they are employees of the plant or emergency personnel. It is reported that very small quantities of radionuclides were released from the site and that none have been detected in local farm products.

The Commission will continue to examine carefully the reports on the accident, in particular to see what lessons can be learned to improve further nuclear safety in Europe.

It appears that inadequate training and poorly qualified personnel were important factors in this accident. The Commission is preparing a study to examine the level of training in nuclear safety for operators and other workers in nuclear facilities in the Community. It is important to be sure that lack of knowledge of the hazards associated with nuclear technology will not put at risk the health of Europeans and that the situation is in conformity with relevant Community directives on the basic safety standards.

In addition, research on the organisation and management of safety in the nuclear sector is included in the research and training part of the Community's fifth framework programme(1). Research on nuclear reactor safety is also included in the programme.

(1) OJ C 173, 7.6.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1911/99

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Progress in implementing the Community's URBAN initiative in Greece

Will the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing the Community's URBAN initiative in Greece in terms of payment of scheduled appropriations? Does it consider that progress has been satisfactory and, if not, to what does it believe any delays are attributable?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 1999)

The delay in implementing the URBAN Community Initiative programme in Greece was produced by the need to set up a decentralised management structure, which entailed lengthy discussions and required management contracts to be signed between the Greek Ministry of Economic Affairs and the agencies in charge of implementing the programme in the six cities involved.

Once this structure had been put into place rapid progress was made. The contracts have now been signed and all the projects are currently being implemented, while some have even been completed. Given the small scale of the projects, they should be completed by the end of the first half of 2000.

According to the information sent to the Commission by the Greek authorities, all the appropriations allocated to URBAN have been committed and it is therefore realistic to believe that all the appropriations allocated to this programme will be used. However, this is not reflected in the amount of payment appropriations, which are still relatively low as a result of the late start of the programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1862/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 1999)

Subject: The establishment of a European human rights network

In December 1998 an inter-ministerial meeting at Vienna decided that the European Union would issue an annual human rights report.

Does the Commission consider that the establishment of a European NGO human rights network would provide a useful channel of communication between NGOs working on human rights issues and the European Commission?

Will it support a feasibility study to examine how such a network would operate?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1999)

The Commission attaches a great deal of importance to the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the field of human rights and their considerable contributions to safeguarding and promoting human rights.

In the declaration it adopted in Vienna on 10 December last year, the Union undertook to consider organising a regular human rights forum involving the EU institutions and representatives of academic institutions and NGOs. The Forum organised by the Presidency on 30 November, bringing together representatives of the institutions, NGOs and academia, will represent the first stage of an in-depth dialogue.

The Commission also welcomes the setting-up in 1997 (on the initiative of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Federation of Human Rights) of a contact group for the free exchange of views on human rights issues between NGOs, parliamentarians, the Commission, the Council and

Member States. This group, which has the makings of an NGO human rights network, could be developed along the lines of other initiatives that have proven fruitful in this area, such as the General Assembly of development NGOs.

The Commission intends to present a communication on human rights next year. The NGOs will be consulted during its preparation. Among other topics, the communication will address the issue of how best to access the added value that NGOs can bring to the Commission's human rights work, and the possible establishment of a human rights network.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1735/99

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Rules on cross-border noise nuisance

Following questions from concerned inhabitants of the border region between Belgium and the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands.

I should like to ask:

1. What is the Commission's view on the absence of European rules on combating and controlling cross-border noise and vibration nuisance in general, and caused by industrial complexes in particular?

2. What is the Commission's view of the need for laying down European rules in this respect?

3. Can the Commission say what action it will take in this field and what timescale is involved?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 1999)

The Commission is aware that present European and national legislation cannot deal properly with noise and vibration generated in neighbouring Member States. In particular, the Commission is aware of industrial sites and airports that are causing problems across borders and about the difficulties faced by local and national authorities handling these cases. The Commission believes that some harmonisation of noise legislation would considerably simplify the tasks of these authorities in seeking improvements.

The Commission's green paper on future noise policy(1) gave many reasons to undertake some harmonisation of noise legislation. As a direct result the Commission is therefore considering presenting a directive on environmental noise exposure that will provide a basis for such harmonisation. A major element of such a directive would be the harmonisation of indicators and assessment methods. In order to have clarity in discussion and information exchange, other elements will be European wide noise mapping, local action plans, publication of data by the Commission and further improvement of the Community noise emission policy. The Commission hopes to present a proposal for such a directive to Council and Parliament in the course of 2000.

The Commission has no intention at this time to include vibrations in such a proposal or to prepare a separate directive on that subject.

(1) COM(96) 540 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1996/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Subject: Abolition of tax privileges for diplomats

In the course of the Commission's renewal it was decided last month that in future new Commissioners would no longer enjoy the tax privileges so long accorded to them. Following this notable and praiseworthy reform, could the Comission indicate whether in the near future this arrangement will be extended to the entire diplomatic corps within the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 1999)

Tax and duty free privileges for diplomats are based on long-standing reciprocal traditions that have been codified in general terms in the Vienna Convention from 1961. They are also explicitly provided in Community legislation (as to VAT, the exemptions are laid down in Article 15(10) of Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes(1), while similar exemptions from excise duties are provided by Article 23(1) of Council Directive 92/12/EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products(2)). They are subject to the conditions and limitations fixed by the Member States.

At its meeting on 29 September 1999, the Commission decided that all of its members would voluntarily renounce several of the special privileges traditionally granted to them by the Belgian authorities in their application of the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. When it comes to expenditures of a private nature, members of the Commission will therefore no longer exercise their right to claim exemption from VAT and excise duties on wine and spirits, cigarettes and petrol or to purchase, free of VAT, a wide variety of items for personal use.

In general, one could argue that in an internal market, privileges of that kind for diplomats of one Member State posted in another Member State are no longer justified and should be abolished. This would however require an amendment of current Community legislation and, at this juncture, a unanimous vote of the Council on a proposal from the Commission. This is a matter that needs careful examination as it interferes with Member States' application of the Vienna Convention. As a consequence, the Commission has no intention to submit any proposals on this issue in the near future.

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977.

(2) OJ L 76, 23.3.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2154/99

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Regionalisation of the Italian State Corps of Foresters

In Italy, conservation of woodlands and natural resources is the responsibility of a police force, the State Corps of Foresters. Law 59/97, however, stipulates that members of the corps are to be transferred to the service of the regions if they are not needed in order to carry out the tasks still incumbent on the State. Although it has been estimated that very substantial manpower is required to enable the State to perform its role, about 70 % of the personnel concerned have nevertheless been transferred to the service of the regions.

Given the international as well as national importance of environmental protection and the body of expertise built up by the Corps of Foresters, which is the only means of ensuring compliance with Community environmental regulations and which is in danger of losing its cohesion, would the Commission state:

1. whether it considers that the transfer of responsibilities to the regions will greatly weaken the efficiency of the State Corps of Foresters and severely damage environmental protection;

2. whether it has drawn up any documents on the subject;

3. its general views on the matter;

4. what forms of organisation are laid down for similar forces in other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The organisation of the national administration is strictly a matter for the Member State. The Commission considers that the regionalisation of certain tasks does not necessarily involve any reduction in their effectiveness, but that it requires in certain cases a strengthening of coordination between the regions and the Member State.

The Commission is not in a position to give an exact description of the organisation of similar services in other Member States. Several situations can arise, from complete decentralisation as, for example, in the management of forest fire prevention which, in some Member States, is at municipality level, to responsibility at provincial, departmental, regional or national level.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2178/99

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Customs duties on meat exports to Norway

Further to my oral question H-0389/99 for Question Time to the Commission at the May 1999 part-session(1), does the Commission consider that it is in accordance with the trade agreements between Norway and the EU for a Danish company exporting meat to Norway to be subject to customs duty of NOK 84,31 per kilo of meat?

For information, the net cost of the product in question is DKK 16,50 for 850 g.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (May 1999).

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 1999)

The current agreement between Norway and the Community is the European economic area (EEA) Agreement. Article 8 of the Agreement excludes agricultural products from its application, except for certain closely specified products. Further the EEA is not a customs area, so the Agreement has no influence on the Norwegian tariff structure. There is therefore nothing in the Agreement to regulate the duty paid by Community exporters to Norway.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1803/99

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 October 1999)

Subject: Introduction of a Europe test for all national legislation

On 2 August 1999 the previous Commission wrote in reply to Question E-0850/98(1) that it would be better to foster consultation between border regions in this field in order to resolve the problems concerned on the spot.

Is the Commission aware that in many cases these border regions (or their provincial and municipal authorities) are not responsible for the relevant legislation because it is mostly adopted at the level of the national Member States, while any adverse impact makes itself felt in the border regions, particularly affecting businesses, frontier workers and local and regional authorities there.

Will the Commission again seriously consider drafting and submitting to the European Parliament a European Directive providing for a Europe test, particularly because this has been requested frequently, both in the Euregions and in the European Parliament?

(1) OJ C 27 E, 29.1.2000, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 1999)

In its reply to written question E-850/98(1), the Commission confirmed the position it had expressed during the discussions at the session of 27 May 1998 on Ms Van Lancker's draft report on frontier workers, which was that when problems arose, the most appropriate response appeared to be to foster cross-border cooperation between the parties involved. It had also pointed out on this occasion that, under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty, it had powers to ensure that Member States' legislation was compatible with Community law, and more specifically with the rules governing the freedom of movement.

In this question, the Honourable Member refers not just to the problems encountered by frontier workers, but also to those experienced by businesses and local authorities.

The Commission would be grateful if, for fields other than the free movement of workers, the Honourable Member could clearly describe, or give specific examples of, the adverse impact felt in border regions following the adoption of national legislation, which is mentioned in her question.

(1) OJ C 27 E, 29.1.2000, p. 2.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2001/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Subject: Dumping of polish coal

It is estimated that Polish coal producers are exporting one million tonnes of subsidised coal to the United Kingdom every year, which has a knock-on effect on Britain's domestic coal market. Indeed, the UK Minister for Trade and Industry has lodged a complaint with the Polish authorities to halt the dumping of coal on the UK market.

What action, if any, has the Commission taken to prevent the dumping of subsidised Polish coal? Will the Commission be taking any anti-dumping measures against Polish coal producers in the future?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1999)

So far, the Commission has not undertaken any action against the imports of coal originating in Poland.

The initiation of an anti-dumping or anti-subsidy investigation is only possible after receipt of clear and documented evidence of injurious dumping or subsidisation, which normally takes the form of a duly substantiated complaint from the Community industry. Measures can only be imposed after an investigation has confirmed the existence of injurious dumping or subsidisation, and when the Community interest calls for intervention.

To this date, the Commission has received no complaint regarding the importation of this product from Poland.

Should any complaint or relevant evidence of injurious dumping or subsidisation be presented, the Commission will analyse it with the utmost consideration.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Use of force against young people in the USA

The media repeatedly carries reports of violence by American young people. It would not be unreasonable to suspect that such actions could be a direct consequence of the violence they themselves have experienced, as young people in the USA (and elsewhere) are the victims of acts of violence every day, not least violence by the national authorities. The case of an 11-year-old boy with Swiss and American nationality, who was taken from his bed by the police in handcuffs and shackles and is currently being held on remand in America on charges of incest, provides evidence that children are forcibly removed from their parents without proper evidence.

In the light of such horrifying cases, does the Commission intend:

- to bring increasing pressure to bear on the United States to prevent such acts of violence being carried out against children and young people, in particular by the national authorities?

- to point out to the United States that, in view of its alleged support for observance of human rights throughout the world, including China, it is essential that such rights are also observed at home?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member that the rights of children and young people should be properly observed around the world. The individual case, to which the Honourable Member is referring, has now been settled by the Court. The boy has been released and returned from the United States to Switzerland.

It should be recalled that the Community and United States have an open dialogue on issues in the field of freedom, security and justice within the framework of the New transatlantic agenda. In general, this exchange of views includes criminal matters, such as money laundering, corruption and the fight against illegal drugs. The Community and United States have recently jointly organised a conference on combating child pornography on the Internet.

The Commission will not hesitate to raise with the appropriate American authorities issues of concern similar to the one put forward by the Honourable Member whenever the need arises.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 November 1999)

Subject: Losses from EYDAP (Athens) water supply network

The European Union provides funding for projects relating to the water supply network in Attica. As water is a basic human requirement, it must be managed to minimise the risk of wastage so that supplies are secure and in sufficient quantity. The EYDAP network reportedly loses large quantities of water.

1. Are there internationally recognised standards for the quantities of water lost in transit through supply networks? What is the percentage range?

2. Given that a large part of the water supply and sewerage network in Greece is funded by the Community, are there figures for the quantities of water lost from the EYDAP network?

3. Is the Commission aware of the above problem and, if so, what measures does it propose to take?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1999)

1. The water lost from the EYDAP network counts as non-recorded consumption, which mainly covers water leaks but also includes water used by firemen for fire hydrants and that used by the municipal services for cleaning purposes and for watering parks.

There is no international standard in this field. However, non-recorded consumption of around 8 % to 15 % is considered acceptable, with a European average at roughly 15 %.

2. According to information forwarded by the Greek authorities, the level of non-recorded water consumption for the company referred to by the Honourable Member is about 23 %. The authorities aim to bring back this rate down to 15 % over the next eight years.

3. The Commission is aware of the problem and is closely monitoring the situation. It is willing to examine the possibility of aid from the Cohesion Fund should the Greek authorities make such a request.