ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1475/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 May 1998)

Subject: Pollution of the River Asopos and the southern Gulf of Evvia

The Asopos delta is an important wetland in Attica and a 'staging post' for migratory birds. Approximately 140 different species of birds have been recorded in the area, 31 of which are listed in Annex I of Directive 79/409/EEC(1). Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture's Directorate-General for the Protection and Development of Woodland classifies the area between Oropos and the mouth of the Asopos - 420 hectares - as one of the regions eligible for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network under the terms of Directive 92/43/EEC(2).

In the broader region of Oinophyta and Schimatario there are around 350 industries (including numerous chemical plants) which discharge their waste into the Asopos, mostly without any form of biological treatment. Furthermore, in 1995 the Greek Government decided that an industrial estate for tanneries should be set up at Daphni, Viotia, also discharging its waste into the Gulf of Evvia together with the waste from the industrial plants in the Oinophyta - Schimatario area and household sewage from the entire Oropos region.

Given that:

- measurements taken in the sea at the mouth of the Asopos have shown that the sediment contains particularly high concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and nickel,

- there are various infringements of Directives 76/464/EEC(3), 76/160/EEC(4), 79/923/EEC(5), 79/409/EEC, 92/43/EEC and Article 6 of Directive 85/337/EEC(6) concerning information to the public,

- licences are issued to industries always provided that waste undergoes biological treatment, which is not being complied with, and that inspections are practically non-existent,

will the Commission say:

1. whether the Oinophyta - Schimatario industries are operating in accordance with Community law,

2. whether their operating licences are legal and whether the conditions concerning the biological treatment of waste and its disposal are being observed and verified,

3. whether provision has been made for an environmental impact assessment of the tannery site, with reference to biological treatment, and whether Community funding has been provided, and

4. what measures it will take in general to ensure that the Asopos and the southern Gulf of Evvia are not treated as repositories for all kinds of sewage and pollutant waste, that Community directives are respected and that work is begun on cleaning up the Asopos with the aid of joint funding?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(3) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.

(4) OJ L 31, 5.2.1976, p. 1.

(5) OJ L 281, 10.11.1979, p. 47.

(6) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1054/98

by Josu Imaz San Miguel (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Cohesion Fund

The Spanish Government recently set up the ACESA public company (Ebro district water company) with a capital of ESP 43 000 million. The company's purpose is to carry out overdue hydraulic maintenance work in the Ebro valley. Much of this work concerns projects that have been waiting to be done for decades.

Through ACESA the Spanish Government aims to obtain the private finance needed to tackle these projects in a relatively brief time-scale.

The government of Aragón will be responsible for restoring the power lines, roads etc. that will be affected by the dams as a result.

Could ACESA, as a concessionary undertaking, receive funding from the Cohesion Fund without the need for mediation by the Spanish Government?

Could the Cohesion Fund finance the work to restore roads, power lines, residential developments etc. that might be affected by the dams?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Under Council Regulation (EC) 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund(1), all applications for aid from the Fund must be submitted to the Commission by the Member State concerned (Article 10(3) of the Regulation). In the case of Spain, the authority responsible presenting applications is the "Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda".

The type of work mentioned by the Honourable Member is normally a part of major infrastructure construction projects and is in principle therefore eligible for part-financing as part of the project concerned. However, if the application for part-financing concerns only this part of the work, it would have to be examined on its own merits in the context of the overall project.

(1) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0354/98

by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE) to the Commission

(6 February 1998)

Subject: Secret service activities inside the Union

According to reliable news reports, both the Commission and the European Parliament are the targets of secret service operations by the US National Security Agency, which has official electronic eavesdropping facilities in several EU Member States, for example in Bad Aibling in Germany. It appears that one aim of these activities is to discover the Union's negotiating position in advance of world trade talks.

This being so:

1. Does the Commission agree that such activities should not be tolerated, even if they are carried out by states which the EU regards as partners?

2. Is the Commission aware of intelligence operations of this kind? If so, what countermeasures has it taken? If not, does it consider that any action is required?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 1998)

1. The Commission is aware of the existence of the United States base referred to, but has no knowledge of its activities. They fall outside its competence as defined by the Treaty on European Union.

2. No. However as far as the protection of Community interests against unwarranted risks, whatever their origin, is concerned, the Commission remains vigilant and takes the appropriate security measures.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1262/98

by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Links and training programmes with the applicant countries

What administrative offers and programmes have been put in place by the Commission as a means of developing links with the applicant countries (training programmes, trainees, etc.), particularly in this period of pre-membership for the Central and Eastern European countries?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 1998)

The conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council, confirmed by the Essen European Council, stipulate that the countries of central and eastern Europe, which have Europe agreements with the Community, should be offered the possibility of participating in Community programmes, especially in the fields of education, training and youth, with the option of having recourse to Phare funds to cover part of the costs of their participation. The formal steps establishing the legal bases to implement this decision were concluded by September 1 1997 for Hungary and Romania, October 1, 1997 for the Czech Republic, March 1 1998, for Poland, and April 1 1998, for Slovakia.

As of these dates the countries are fully integrated into the Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes. Those which joined at the end of 1997 have already had funding attributed to projects presented by them.

Bulgaria has asked to participate in the programmes partially. The preparation for the integration into the programmes of the Baltic countries is underway and will be initiated for Slovenia as soon as the Europe agreement enters into force.

Meanwhile the Tempus programme, which continues to be funded with Phare funds, albeit at a decreasing rate, remains in operation. It will be phased out gradually in parallel with the increasing participation in Community programmes of the candidate countries. Funding for these countries will cease completely as of the end of 1999.

The principal instrument in support of institution building in the candidate countries, one of the two priorities under the new orientation of the Phare programme, will be the establishment of twinning projects between the administrations of candidate countries and Member States. The purpose is to provide assistance from practitioners to the candidate countries' efforts in creating the institutional and administrative capacity to implement and enforce the acquis. The backbone of these twinning projects will be the long-term secondment of experts from the Member States in the candidate countries and the hosting of trainees from the candidate countries in the Member States. This will be accompanied by other appropriate components where targeted training activities will occupy a prominent position. Opportunities will be provided for civil servants to attend training programmes related to Community integration and the specific application of the acquis. Special programmes are being developed for the training of judges and diplomats.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0795/98

by Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Staff shortages in DG VI

In the light of experience in dealing with BSE, the Commission has carried out a thorough restructuring of its departments.

Can the Commission state:

- what staff changes have been made within DG VI and DG XXIV?

- how many posts have been transferred from DG VI to DG XXIV?

The Commission's Special report to the European Parliament on the recommendations on BSE (30 January 1998), refers to the fact that, as a result of staffing shortages in DG VI it has not been possible to deal adequately with some issues (p. 7 para. C.: "However, due to staff shortages a proposal could not yet be finalised, but remains one of the priorities of the BSE dossier")

When will the necessary selection procedure finally be set in motion to increase the staffing of the veterinary services? The problem cannot be solved satisfactorily by the appointment of temporary officials.

In addition to this procedure, is the Commission prepared to give greater consideration to this glaring problem in drawing up the Establishment Plan for the 1999 draft budget, or to resolve it by transferring posts when they come free?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

In the light of the experience in dealing with BSE, the Commission has transferred the entire personnel of the phytosanitary and veterinary office to DG XXIV, that is 42 A, 7 B and 13 C, plus 3 national experts attached to the office, as well as additional staff amounting to 5 A and 14 C. As compensation, 8 A posts were allocated to DG VI.

The measures for assuring the availability of a sufficient number of veterinarians for recruitment as permanent staff are currently being examined. In order to avoid short-term problems, an appeal has been made to Member States to provide lists of veterinary experts who would qualify for temporary agent status.

According to the 1999 draft budget, 10 permanent posts shall be made available to DG VI. DG VI planning foresees to allocate 4 of these posts for the clearance of accounts (increase of staff in this field is considered a priority also by the Parliament). Most of the remaining 6 posts will be used for reinforcing the units dealing with public health, animal health and phytosanitary matters, which are an absolute priority.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1641/98

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(18 May 1998)

Subject: Environmental impact

The contract between the Italian State Monopoly Company (AMS) and the Solvay company governing exploitation of the rock-salt deposits in Volterra (Pisa) is damaging the environment. The substratum (halite and clay lentils) is being emptied out, causing the strata above to collapse. Enormous quantities of water are being taken from the river Cecina, and for three or four months every year a stretch of river about 4 km long therefore dries up, leading to all the related consequences. Effluent is dumped at sea.

In addition, it has been established that groundwater levels have fallen and the groundwater itself is contaminated by sodium chloride, adversely affecting farming.

At present, Solvay mines some 1 800 tonnes of salt a year in an area of 378 hectares. According to the contract, however, it is entitled to mine up to 2 000 000 tonnes a year in all three AMS concessions, covering an area of approximately 1 726 hectares. If they were exploited on that scale, the reserves would be exhausted within a few decades.

Does the Commission not believe that it should investigate the case described above and, if need be, check whether the contract infringes Community legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 1998)

In accordance with the mission of ensuring the observance of Community law, as set out in Article 155 of the EC Treaty, the Commission is entitled to undertake interventions only when a provision of Community law is concerned.

Given the insufficient information provided by the Honourable Member, the Commission is not in a position to identify which Community law provisions would be at stake in this case.

In the light of the above, the Commission invites the Honourable Member to indicate the provisions of Community law which he considers to be relevant to this specific case and to describe more precisely the factual circumstances which appear to have a relevance under Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1578/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Asteroids

The Commission will be aware of recent reports in the press that there is some possibility of the earth colliding with a small asteroid at some time in the future. These concerns will be augmented in the summer with the release of the latest Steven Spielberg film on this theme.

Scientists tell us that levels of danger are extremely low, with the risk to each individual being equivalent to being killed in a plane.

However the Union does devote resources to ensuring safety of aircraft passengers. Therefore what plans does it have to joint any global activities to monitor the possibility of such future events and take appropriate avoiding action?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 1998)

The Commission is aware of the reports in science literature and in the media about asteroids having a possible encounter with the planet earth.

This issue would be addressed in Europe by the European space agency (ESA), which also deals with problems of space debris in its European space operations centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, and in the United States by the National aeronautics and space administration (NASA).

Within the framework programmes of the Commission on research, technology and development, this question has not been addressed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0712/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation - consumer health

In connection with "The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union" (Commission Green Paper) and "Consumer Health and Food Safety" (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that HACCP principles are valid for the whole food chain (from producer to consumer), irrespective of the type and size of firm concerned?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 238/98 by María ESTEVAN BOLEA to the Commission. Biological diversity



Official Journal C 386 , 11/12/1998 P. 0007



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0238/98 by María Estevan Bolea (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1998) Subject: Biological diversity In accordance with the principle whereby in situ conservation has priority over ex situ conservation (as laid down in the convention on biological diversity), how does the Commission envisage conserving and maintaining natural habitats and ecosystems when the restoration of damaged ecosystems is carried out? Has the Commission any plans for a system for establishing appropriate criteria?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1296/98

by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Lower band of VAT on repairs to churches and religious buildings

Can the Commission confirm that it would be possible for the Government of the United Kingdom, if it wished to do so, to allocate to churches and religious buildings to the lower band for purposes of Value Added Tax?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 1998)

Under current Community VAT legislation, Member States are not allowed to allocate repair, renovation and maintenance of churches and religious buildings to a reduced rate of VAT.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0349/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Environmental taxes

The Commission has issued a communication entitled "Environmental Taxes and Charges in the Single Market" (COM(97) 0009).

Will environmental taxes be set at such a level that they will not increase the total tax burden in any Member State? Will the possible effects on the competitiveness of the Community economy and its job-creating capacity be taken into account?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1998)

The objective of the communication is mainly to clarify the Community legal framework for the use of environmental taxes or charges by Member States within the framework of the single market. The communication therefore does not contain any proposal for new environmental taxes at either Community or Member State level.

Member States are free to use any type of environmental taxes or charges, and set whichever rates, provided they respect the Community legal framework. The Member States normally take competitiveness aspects into account when implementing new environmental taxes or charges.

If the Member States so wish, they can use the revenues from environmental taxes to reduce other taxes, such as taxes on labour. Such an approach, so called green tax reform, has been recommended by the Commission in other documents such as the white paper on growth, competitiveness and employment(1) and the proposal for the taxation of energy products(2).

(1) COM(93) 700 final.

(2) OJ C 139, 6.4.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0833/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Democracy clause and the Lomé Convention

There is a clause in the Lomé Convention making it possible to suspend all or part of the Community support or aid provided under the Convention when a signatory state fails to respect human rights and democratic freedoms or rules.

To which states is this so-called "democracy clause" in the Lomé Convention currently being applied?

What aid or support has been suspended or withdrawn from these countries?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 1998)

The Commission would first of all draw attention to the limited value of a list because the situation in a particular country can sometimes be very fluid.

The Commission would further point out that the democracy clause in Article 5 of the Lomé Convention, which makes respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law a key element of the Convention, primarily fosters positive action in that framework and makes them points of common interest and a matter for dialogue. This approach must therefore be perceived first and foremost in a spirit of joint commitment to respect for and promotion of universal values. In that sense this clause is applied in a large number of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Between 1994 and 1997 projects financed on this basis amounted to about ECU 200 million and related in particular to support for democratic processes, strengthening of the administration of justice, support for parliaments and an independent press, education in human rights and the culture of peace, human rights observer missions and protection of vulnerable groups.

The corollary of this positive approach is the ability to take appropriate action in the event of serious and persistent infringements of human rights or suspension of democratic processes.

At present, and with the exception of humanitarian aid or aid targeted on the poorest population groups, financial and technical cooperation has been frozen with Sudan since 1990, with former Zaire since 1992 and with Nigeria since 1995. More recently, conditions relating to respect for human rights have been laid down, directed towards the new authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the resumption of full, unrestricted cooperation.

Cooperation with some countries runs into difficulties calling for appropriate treatment. These include Equatorial Guinea, where gradual resumption of financial and technical cooperation depends on progress with respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law; also countries such as Somalia, Sierra Leone and Burundi, where special treatment is warranted by the crisis or conflict situation prevailing there.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1941/98

by Lyndon Harrison (PSE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Public holidays

Given there are only 50 days a year, clear of national, public holidays, where the whole of the European Union and its single market is open for business, will the Commission indicate what it might do to improve the business environment by rationalizing the timing of such public holidays across the Union?

Does the Commission agree that such measures should not detract from the holiday complement currently enjoyed by Europe's workforce?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1430/98 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. European cooperation in developing the fisheries sector in third countries



Official Journal C 386 , 11/12/1998 P. 0127



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1430/98 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (11 May 1998) Subject: European cooperation in developing the fisheries sector in third countries Will the Commission say what percentage of the funds earmarked for cooperation has been allocated by DG VIII to the development of the fisheries sector in third countries over the past five years?