ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3564/02

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 December 2002)

Subject: Uniform animal welfare standards at EU level

As some EU countries (Austria and Germany) have very high animal welfare standards while other countries provide animals with no protection whatsoever, it seems necessary to introduce Community legislation to institute minimum standards of animal welfare, in the spirit of Protocol No 24 on the protection of animals annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty.

Is the Commission willing to draft a directive to this end?

If so, when will the Commission submit such a proposal for a directive?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 2003)

Since 1974 Community rules have been adopted in respect of the protection of animals on farms, during transport and at the time of slaughtering. Furthermore, there is legislation in place for the protection of wild animals and the protection of animals used for experimental or scientific purposes. These rules are regularly reviewed.

In some cases, such as the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, the Member States are entitled, in respect of the general requirements of Community law, to maintain or adopt stricter standards for their country. Concerning other issues, such as the protection of animals during transport, Community legislation constitutes a nearly full harmonisation of the welfare standards to be applied.

The Protocol mentioned by the Honourable Member requires full regard to be paid to animal welfare when drafting and applying legislation in relation to the Community's agricultural, transport, internal market and research policies. The Community can only act within the powers that have been conferred to it by the EC Treaty. Prevention of cruelty to animals and of their mistreatment, in general, remains the sole responsibility of the Member States except when breaches of the above-mentioned Community rules also amount to cruelty or mistreatment.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/423

(2004/C 78 E/0443)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2771/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2003)

Subject: European Project Funding for Enable project

A representative of Dementia Voice, a partner in the Enable project, funded by the EC has expressed concern about the deficits they have incurred as a result of not yet receiving the balance of their European funding. Despite submitting all their paperwork by the deadline in June this year, they have been informed by the Commission that their project has not yet been processed and they will have to wait until the autumn. They are now in a deficit on this project of about GBP 8 000 which will be reflected in their annual accounts and may have a detrimental effect on applications for other funding.

What plans does the Commission have to improve deficit funding arrangements which are currently making it difficult for small but innovative projects and organisations to manage?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2003)

As far as the Project under consideration is concerned, the payment corresponding to the eligible costs has been made to the project co-ordinator in charge.

The Commission is constantly striving to improve its performance. Within this context and taking into account the strengthened controls put in place in the context of the Reform and the new financial circuits, the Commission is taking substantial measures in order to ensure efficient payment of projects, both in terms of human resources (the services are steadily fulfilling all vacant posts regarding financial management and payments: out of 16 vacant posts, only one still remains vacant) and in terms of rationalisation of the financial management (some measures implemented: on the job intensive training, in addition to the standard requirements; strict implementation of deadlines, both internal and external, i.e. deadlines given to co-ordinators).
No C 291/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 11. 82 
CORRIGENDA 
Corrigendum to the answer given to Written Question No 754/82 by Mrs Lizin 
(Official Journal of the European Communities No C 245, 20 September 1982) 
Page 17, the first paragraph of the answer should read as follows: 
'The number of bovine animals slaughtered for brucellosis in the Community during the years 
1980-1981 was 539 107.'
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3598/95 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council (12 January 1996)

Subject: European programme of measures in favour of the elderly

The Social Affairs Council meeting on 5 December 1995 failed to adopt the European programme of measures in favour of the elderly, moreover, the German delegation announced that this programme would never be accepted.

Given that:

- The programme in question is the only one that exists for this category of persons in the European Union;

- The UN declared 1999 international year of the elderly and the EU will be working together with the relevant UN bodies to develop specific actions to mark this year: a Community programme of activities in favour of the elderly is therefore necessary;

- On 1 March 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a decision on Community support for measures in favour of the elderly;

Will the Council say:

1. Does it consider that the first action programme and, in particular, the European Year of the Elderly, have demonstrated the value of Community action in favour of the elderly and, if so, how does it intend to provide a constructive follow-up to this Community initiative;

2. Does it consider irrelevant and superfluous a programme of measures which will contribute to the implementation of recommendations by the Council itself on the convergence of objectives and policies in the field of social care? and

3. What is the rationale for the rejection of the programme of actions in favour of the elderly, given that social and demographic developments mean that a European initiative is now even more necessary than before?

Reply (20 May 1996)

On 5 December 1995 the Labour and Social Affairs Council re-examined the proposal for a Decision on Community support for actions in favour of older people. On that occasion it noted that the unanimity required for adoption of the Decision had still not been achieved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2745/95 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (12 October 1995)

Subject: Relocation of industrial firms using EU funds

1. Is the Commission aware of the fact that firms who - motivated by the possibility of aid from EU structural funds - plan and make investments in Ireland, often subsequently (probably due to lower production and unit wage costs in Ireland) 'wind up' their original location in Germany?

2. Is the Commission aware that this occurred in the case of American Home Productions Corporation or Wyeth in Wolfratshausen, Bavaria?

3. Does the Commission regard such practices as being in line with the spirit of structural funds assistance or the aim of encouraging investments in accordance with Objective 1? Does the Commission agree that this practice constitutes misuse of EU funds?

4. What does the Commission intend to do about this? If nothing - why?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1996)

The Irish authorities have provided the Commission with information on the assistance received by the two companies mentioned by the Honourable Member. American Home Productions corporation has not received aid from Community funds. The Wyeth company has received 3.5 MECU of aid from Community sources since 1991.

As regards the more general aspects of the question of the possible influence of structural funds assistance on companies' location decisions, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-86/96 by Mr Wolf during question time at Parliament's February 1996 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (February 1996). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3438/95 by José Escudero (PPE) to the Council (3 January 1996)

Subject: Second language at school-leaving certificate level

Does the Council intend to take any steps to encourage the study of a second language at school-leaving certificate level in countries where this is not compulsory?

Given that English has turned into the Esperanto of Europe, does the Council believe that the study of a further language should be encouraged amongst younger students? Will it be taking steps in this connection?

Does it plan to take any measures which would be effective in the short term, such as encouraging the teaching of frontier languages in the appropriate schools?

Reply (25 June 1996)

Acting on the basis of Article 126 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the Parliament and the Council adopted a Decision establishing the action programme 'Socrates' on 14 March 1995; bearing in mind the second paragraph of that Article, which deals with the teaching and dissemination of the languages of the Member States, the Socrates programme's objectives include promoting a quantitative and qualitative improvement of the knowledge of the languages of the European Union. The programme contains many activities along these lines.

Building on the Socrates programme, the Council adopted a Resolution ((OJ No C 207, 12.8.1995, pp. 1 to 5. )) on language learning and teaching on 31 March 1995, which states, as the Honourable Member would wish, that 'pupils should as a general rule have the opportunity of learning two languages of the Union other than their mother tongue(s) for a minimum of two consecutive years and if possible for a longer period'. The Commission was invited to support action by Member States aimed at that objective, and the other objectives mentioned.

It should be noted that neither the Socrates programme nor the abovementioned Resolution specify which particular languages should be studied; however, some stress is laid on the Union languages which are less widely used or less frequently taught.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0678/95 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1995)

Subject: Commission proposals in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and regulations in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises were put forward by the Commission in 1994?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0662/95, E-0663/95, E-0664/95, E-0665/95, E-0666/95 E-0667/95, E-0668/95, E-0669/95, E-0670/95, E-0671/95, E-0672/95, E-0673/95, E-0674/95, E-0675/95, E-0676/95, E-0677/95, E-0678/95, E-0679/95, E-0680/95, E-0681/95, E-0682/95, E-0683/95, E-0684/95, E-0685/95, E-0686/95, E-0687/95, E-0688/95, E-0689/95, E-0690/95 and E-0691/95 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

Further to its answer of 10 April 1995, the Commission can now give the following information.

The table below gives the number of proposals for legislation transmitted by the Commission in 1994 for adoption in the various areas to which the Honourable Member's questions relate.

Some were designed to implement new measures and others to update earlier legislation. They may also relate to the management of certain common policies (for example, commercial policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries, customs union).

Consolidation proposals are also included. Proposals amending proposals transmitted earlier are not included.

The statistics and list are taken from the Commission's APC database, to which Members of the European Parliament can have access, like the other institutions and the public.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0674/95 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1995)

Subject: Commission proposals in the field of industrial affairs, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and regulations in the field of industrial affairs were put forward by the Commission in 1994?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0662/95, E-0663/95, E-0664/95, E-0665/95, E-0666/95 E-0667/95, E-0668/95, E-0669/95, E-0670/95, E-0671/95, E-0672/95, E-0673/95, E-0674/95, E-0675/95, E-0676/95, E-0677/95, E-0678/95, E-0679/95, E-0680/95, E-0681/95, E-0682/95, E-0683/95, E-0684/95, E-0685/95, E-0686/95, E-0687/95, E-0688/95, E-0689/95, E-0690/95 and E-0691/95 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

Further to its answer of 10 April 1995, the Commission can now give the following information.

The table below gives the number of proposals for legislation transmitted by the Commission in 1994 for adoption in the various areas to which the Honourable Member's questions relate.

Some were designed to implement new measures and others to update earlier legislation. They may also relate to the management of certain common policies (for example, commercial policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries, customs union).

Consolidation proposals are also included. Proposals amending proposals transmitted earlier are not included.

The statistics and list are taken from the Commission's APC database, to which Members of the European Parliament can have access, like the other institutions and the public.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0672/95 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1995)

Subject: Commission proposals in the field of economic and financial affairs and monetary matters, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and regulations in the field of economic and financial affairs and monetary matters were put forward by the Commission in 1994?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0662/95, E-0663/95, E-0664/95, E-0665/95, E-0666/95 E-0667/95, E-0668/95, E-0669/95, E-0670/95, E-0671/95, E-0672/95, E-0673/95, E-0674/95, E-0675/95, E-0676/95, E-0677/95, E-0678/95, E-0679/95, E-0680/95, E-0681/95, E-0682/95, E-0683/95, E-0684/95, E-0685/95, E-0686/95, E-0687/95, E-0688/95, E-0689/95, E-0690/95 and E-0691/95 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

Further to its answer of 10 April 1995, the Commission can now give the following information.

The table below gives the number of proposals for legislation transmitted by the Commission in 1994 for adoption in the various areas to which the Honourable Member's questions relate.

Some were designed to implement new measures and others to update earlier legislation. They may also relate to the management of certain common policies (for example, commercial policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries, customs union).

Consolidation proposals are also included. Proposals amending proposals transmitted earlier are not included.

The statistics and list are taken from the Commission's APC database, to which Members of the European Parliament can have access, like the other institutions and the public.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0669/95 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1995)

Subject: Commission proposals in the field of financial services, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and regulations in the field of financial services were put forward by the Commission in 1994?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0662/95, E-0663/95, E-0664/95, E-0665/95, E-0666/95 E-0667/95, E-0668/95, E-0669/95, E-0670/95, E-0671/95, E-0672/95, E-0673/95, E-0674/95, E-0675/95, E-0676/95, E-0677/95, E-0678/95, E-0679/95, E-0680/95, E-0681/95, E-0682/95, E-0683/95, E-0684/95, E-0685/95, E-0686/95, E-0687/95, E-0688/95, E-0689/95, E-0690/95 and E-0691/95 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

Further to its answer of 10 April 1995, the Commission can now give the following information.

The table below gives the number of proposals for legislation transmitted by the Commission in 1994 for adoption in the various areas to which the Honourable Member's questions relate.

Some were designed to implement new measures and others to update earlier legislation. They may also relate to the management of certain common policies (for example, commercial policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries, customs union).

Consolidation proposals are also included. Proposals amending proposals transmitted earlier are not included.

The statistics and list are taken from the Commission's APC database, to which Members of the European Parliament can have access, like the other institutions and the public.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0687/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: Conservation of fish stocks

1996 will see the expiry of the multiannual guidance programmes for the Community fishing fleets.

What broad criteria will the Commission use when submitting a revised version of these programmes?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1996)

The fourth generation multiannual guidance programmes (MGP IV) will replace the MGP III from 1 January next year. The programmes, which run from 1997 to 1999, are designed to reduce overcapacity in the Community fleet, bringing it into line with available fish stocks.

The Commission will therefore be setting fleet reduction targets for each group of fishing vessels on the basis of recommendations by scientific bodies. In doing so, it will take account of the socio-economic impact of such moves on fishing areas. For the purposes of the programmes, the fleet will be divided up according to type of fishing vessel, zone and gear while fishing capacities will be worked out on the basis of the tonnage, power and number of vessels.

The Council is due to discuss the links that are needed between the capacity reduction measures under the MGP and the conservation measures under fishery management schemes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0098/96 by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission (26 January 1996)

Subject: Aid for the Cahors region (département of Lot - France)

In July 1995, hailstorms devastated part of the Cahors region, in the département of Lot (France), causing large-scale damage to vineyards and fruit trees.

Can the Commission say what aid has been granted to the region to make good the estimated loss of FF 70 m?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (8 March 1996)

The Commission received no request for aid following the natural disaster referred to by the honourable member. Indeed, it should be pointed out that the Community has no power to make good any damage or loss of revenue resulting from natural disasters.

Nonetheless, support is available from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), Guidance Section, for restoring lost capacity in the agricultural and forestry sectors resulting from natural disasters, as part of rural development programmes falling under Objective 5(b).

Assuming the area concerned is in an Objective 5(b) region, the first step would be for the prefect of the Midi-Pyrenees region, as the authority responsible for implementing the programme, to present proposals for action, and any changes in the programme which this may entail, to the monitoring committee. The proposals would then be considered in accordance with normal procedure.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 326/96 by Per GAHRTON to the Council. Dispute between Greece and Turkey



Official Journal C 185 , 25/06/1996 P. 0051



WRITTEN QUESTION P-0326/96 by Per Gahrton (V) to the Council (9 February 1996) Subject: Dispute between Greece and Turkey According to press reports, the new Greek Prime Minister has declared that he would be prepared to 'go to war' to 'defend' the uninhabited islet of Imia. What is the Council's view of the fact that the leader of an EU State can even entertain the absurd, insane, chauvinist notion of starting a war to 'settle' a dispute between two nations? Reply (20 May 1996) The Council is not aware of a declaration such as the one the Honourable Member is referring to. Otherwise, it refers the Honourable Member to the answer given to parliamentary questions Nos 263/96 and 374/96.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0721/96 by Clive Needle (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: EEC-Syria Cooperation Council

What does the Commission view as the specific benefits to arise from the EEC-Syria Cooperation Council apart from the usual benefits of dialogue? Which human rights cases have been progressed as a result of this dialogue, and how is the Commission proposing to further those that have been brought to their attention such as Yusef Obeid?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1996)

The establishment, objectives and specific responsibilities of the Cooperation Council are expressly provided for in the Cooperation Agreement concluded with Syria on 18 January 1977 (Articles 5, 35 et seq.). ((OJ No L 269, 27.9.1978. ))

Although human rights was not on the agenda of the Cooperation Council's meeting on 28 November 1994, it was raised informally by the Member States' Foreign Ministers with their Syrian counterpart.

Partly as a result of Parliament's initiative in connection with the approval of the Fourth Protocol, the Commission ascertained that some progress had been made on this front. Subsequent improvements have been recently noted. In November 1995, 1 500 political prisoners and 500 ordinary prisoners were released and others had their sentences reduced.

Some 2 000 prisoners are to be released at a later date.

The situation is, however, still unsatisfactory despite these signs of relaxation and greater freedom of expression. The European Union is keeping a close eye on the situation and taking every opportunity to voice its concern to the Syrian authorities. Any new association agreement which may be negotiated will, in accordance with the Council's decision of 29 May 1995 and the conclusions of the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean conference, include a reference to the fact that respect for democratic principles and human rights are a keystone of the agreement.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0789/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: Implementation of directives

Whether directives can be implemented by means of collective agreements is still a moot point. In general, about 80% of the Danish labour market is covered, but it is not known whether the Commission will accept coverage of about 60% in individual sectors.

What is the Commission's latest thinking on the subject? Will it accept that by analogy most people are actually covered by a directive even though it is implemented by collective agreements that apply to as little as 60% of the labour market, or does it adhere so rigidly to the erga omnes principle that further legislation is needed for the other 40%?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1996)

The Commission has on several occasions stated and explained its position regarding the possibilities of implementing Directives via collective agreements (see the Commission's joint answer to written questions E-2398/94 and E-2400/94 ((OJ C No 103, 24.4.1995. )) and the answer to oral question H-835/95 by Mrs Jensen during question time at the Parliament's part-session in November 1995 ((European Parliamentary Debates (November 1995). )).

Moreover, it is not for the Commission to comment further on potential or purely hypothetical situations concerning the scope of collective agreements in Denmark.