ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0388/97 by Ilona Graenitz (PSE) to the Council (14 February 1997)

Subject: Genetically modified maize

On 18 December 1996 the Commission decided to authorize the placing on the market of genetically modified maize, notified by Ciba-Geigy in accordance with Directive 90/220 ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p. 15. )). This decision was based on reports from three Scientific Committees (the Scientific Committee on Food, the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition and the Scientific Committee for Pesticides). The decision was reached although a large majority of Member States (13 out of 15 members) as well as the European Parliament strongly opposed the placing on the market of this maize.

In the view of the above, does the Council agree that this case proves once again that the existing comitology procedures applied for such important decisions do not correspond to the necessary democratic standards and therefore need to be revised substantially in the course of the current Intergovernmental Conference?

Answer (30 May 1997)

The Council has no powers to intervene in the proceedings of the IGC; however, were the Commission to submit a proposal for an amendment to Directive 90/220/EEC, the Council would certainly give it its immediate attention.

The Honourable Member is also requested to refer to the reply given by the Council on 19 February 1997 to Oral Question No H-63/97 put by Ms Jensen.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0868/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Youth for Europe

With regard to budget heading B3-1010: Youth for Europe, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0862/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Combating cancer

With regard to budget heading B3-4301: Combating cancer, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0519/97 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (14 February 1997)

Subject: National interpretation of EU procurement rules

I refer to the Commission's letter of 6 September 1995 to the Danish Government in which it stated that local authorities may not carry out tasks for public authorities in areas where there is greater competition from private undertakings than for example child care. To judge from the Danish Government's most recent statement on the implementation of Law No 378/1995 by the Danish local authorities, there would appear to have been a breach of this requirement.

Does the Commission consider that, in the light of the Danish Government's statement, there are grounds for action to establish greater transparency in financial transactions between local and regional authorities and their commercial activities, possibly by hiving them off?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1997)

The Commission considers that, at this stage, transparency in respect of activities falling within the scope of Act No 378/1995 authorising municipalities and counties to perform certain services for other public authorities is satisfactory.

Pursuant to ¶ 2(2) of the Act, municipalities and counties may conclude such service contracts if they have been submitted to a public tender procedure according to Danish legislation and if important enough, according to Community directives on public procurement. This obligation ensures that the provision of such services is based on commercial market conditions.

Moreover, pursuant to ¶ 2(4) of the Act, municipalities and counties are required to make a full calculation of all costs involved in providing the service before they conclude a contract with another public authority. In addition, at the expiry of the contract the supplier must include an accounting statement about the fulfilment of the contract in its annual accounts. These accounting statements are publicly available.

Moreover, reports have been submitted to the Commission about the implementation of the Act. These show that the contracts are in many cases of a low value, local in nature and related to services which are unlikely to affect trade between Member States (park maintenance, laundry services, and supply of food). The report also shows that a number of contracts of a higher value and relating to services which might affect trade between Member States (consulting services, and laboratory analysis) have been awarded using a Community-tender procedure. However, the Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of the Act and take measures if required.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1014/97 by James Moorhouse (PPE) to the Commission (19 March 1997)

Subject: Prisoner of conscience in Vietnam

Deep concern has been expressed about the continued imprisonment of Dr Nguyen Dan Que, a Vietnamese prisoner of conscience who is said to be in a very poor state of health. Has the Commission received any representations concerning his case and if so, what action has it taken? Have human rights issues been discussed during the meetings of the EU/Vietnam Cooperation Council?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1997)

The Commission is taking a close interest in Doctor Nguyen Dan Que, whose case was one of a number brought to the attention of the Vietnamese authorities last year by the Commission and the Member States in a bid to secure an amnesty and improved prison conditions. No direct action has as yet been taken in response to the formal request made but the Commission and Member State representations in Hanoi will continue their lobbying efforts again this year.

Human rights issues were raised at the first meeting of the joint committee set up under the framework cooperation agreement, which took place in Hanoi on 26 and 27 September. The Commission and Vietnamese government confirmed that human rights and democratic principles formed the basis for their cooperation ties. In a bid to engage in constructive dialogue, both sides consequently agreed to set up a cooperation framework to encourage national administrative and economic reform. The aim will be to make the state more accountable to ordinary people and to increase their involvement in public affairs.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1120/97 by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission (19 March 1997)

Subject: Plans to build in the Ijmeer (Netherlands)

In view of the plans of the city of Amsterdam to build homes in the Ijmeer, can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Is the Commission aware of Amsterdam city's building plans in the Ijmeer? Does it the know how many homes are involved?

2. Does the Commission feel that the existing plans are in line with European legislation, and in particular the natural habitats directive and the wild birds directive?

3. Has a limit been set to the maximum area of the Ijmeer which can be used for building? If not, would any further development be in line with the EU natural habitats directive and the wild birds directive?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1997)

The Commission does not have sufficient information to take position on the Ijmeer building project and therefore can not say whether Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )) or Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979. )) or other Community environmental legislation is likely to be infringed by the plans in question. The Commission can however provide the Honourable Member with the following information.

In November 1994 the Netherlands authorities designated under Aticle 4 of the birds Directive a special protection area 'Ijmeer, Gooimeer and Eemeer'. Only part of the Ijmeer has been designated as a special protection area. To be more precise, the part designated is in the south-eastern distal part of the Ijmeer close to the town of Muiden.

Under Article 6 and 7 of the habitats directive, Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid disturbance of the species for which the area has been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of the Directive. According to Article 6 (3) of the Directive, any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on the management of the designated site, must be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives.

In principle, the competent national authorities shall agree to the plan or project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned and, if appropriate, after having obtained the opinion of the general public. Nonetheless, according to Article 6 (4), it is possible under certain conditions to carry out the plan or project, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site.

Since, as stated above, only part of the Ijmeer has been designated as a special protection area, it is unclear in the absence of more detailed information whether the Amsterdam building project in question is likely to affect the designated areas. Therefore, the Honourable Member is invited to send detailed information for further examination to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0895/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: UN Commission on Human Rights

The UN Commission on Human Rights will be meeting from 10 March to 18 April 1997 in Geneva.

Can the Commission say what contributions it has made with regard to Turkey, Algeria, Colombia, Indonesia/East Timor, Nigeria and Burma, and how it has taken account in its contributions of the views of the European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1997)

Under the common foreign and security policy the Commission takes part, along with the Member States of the Community, in the preparation of the positions to be adopted on the human rights situation in various countries of the world. The countries to which the Honourable Member refers have been of special interest to the Community in the context of the UN Commission on Human Rights which began its 53rd meeting in Geneva on 10 March.

Parliament's views are one of the main sources on which the Commission draws for the implementation of human rights policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1395/97 by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Restrictions on regional development funds

Regional development funds were provided for the development of airport facilities at Benbecula in the Western Isles. this is an airport also used for military purposes, particularly with reference to the Royal Artillery range and the RAF.

Were any specific restrictions put on the spending of European Union funds on civilian facilities rather than military ones and, if not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1997)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the Honourable Member. It will inform him of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0380/97 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: Commission draft directive on limiting exhaust emissions

The European Parliament is currently studying a draft directive on restricting exhaust emissions from vehicles, which sets new limits for new motor vehicles from 1 January in the Year 2000. This scheme provides for 'green box' technology for On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) - in principle a very positive measure. Access to OBD will be provided by a special device which is compatible with it.

Will the Commission say why no provision has been made for a standardized method of access to OBD - as occurs in the USA, for instance - so as to ensure the freedom of choice of consumers regarding vehicle repair and maintenance work and to avoid sharp increases in repair and maintenance costs? Does the Commission intend to amend the draft directive in order to increase consumer protection?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (2 April 1997)

The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to refer to Appendices 3 and 4 to Annex XI to the proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive on measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles and amending Council Directives 70/156/EEC and 70/220/EEC ((Doc. COM(97) 61. )).

Appendix 3 standardizes the interface between garage equipment and 'on-board diagnostics' (OBD), in order to make use of the data stored by the on-board computer, whereas Appendix 4 standardizes the default codes.

Precisely the aim of those appendices is to avoid access to the information stored in the OBD requiring special equipment depending upon which model of vehicle is involved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0563/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (24 February 1997)

Subject: Euro-lottery for employment and culture

The Euro-lottery for employment and culture is a non-profit-making project designed to generate funds to create jobs and enable those playing the lottery to participate in investments.

In October 1986 the then European Commissioner, Mr Ripa di Meana, told EU Finance Ministers that a feasibility study of the project was being undertaken and in July 1987 asked them to adopt a position on the matter. Between January 1988 and December 1994, work of all kinds was done on the project pending a final decision.

Will the Commission say what the current situation is regarding this project, given the clearly favourable stance adopted by the Commission at the time and bearing in mind that in May 1996 the French Government considered the possibility of introducing the project at national level?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

The Commission can confirm that, in 1985, it did in fact have a feasibility study conducted by a consultant on the possible introduction of a Eurolottery in order to promote employment and culture. This study was part of the implementation of the proposals made by the Adonino Committee on a people's Europe.

Between 1985 and 1988, this matter was raised a number of times in the Council and Parliament. However, in view of the reservations of several delegations and some Members of Parliament, the Commission decided not to take the idea any further.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0638/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Lack of transparency in administering the Community Horizon initiative

Following the invitation to tender, issued in Italy in 1995, for the Community Horizon initiative, the Associazione Italiana per l'Assistenza agli Spastici (AIAS) (Italian Association for Assistance to Spastics)

submitted a multi regional project, in conjunction with the United Kingdom and Belgium, which involved 13 European regions. Despite the favourable opinion of the regions concerned, the AIAS project for a centre for Horizon resources was repeatedly rejected by the Ministry of Employment which, according to the AIAS, preferred projects from associations which were not expressly dedicated to helping the disabled, or were not union organizations, for example the ENAIP (National Association for Vocational Education and Training), which has had some 16 projects approved. On 23 October 1996, the Lazio administrative court (TAR) upheld the appeal lodged by the AIAS and requested explanations from the Ministry of Employment.

Can the Commission check the criteria adopted in this case by the Ministry for the compilation of the lists of admissible projects?

What is the Commission's overall position on the Ministry of Employment's compliance with the principles and goals which inspired the Community initiatives for which it is responsible (Now, Horizon, Youth Start and Adapt)?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1997)

The criteria used to select projects and the procedure adopted at national level were presented to the monitoring committee (set up under the regulations applicable to the Structural Funds), on which the Commission is represented. The committee felt that the principles and goals of the initiatives were complied with by the selection procedure, which - on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity - is the responsibility of the Italian authorities.

Generally speaking, the Commission is of the opinion that the principles and goals of the Community initiatives Employment (which includes Horizon, Youthstart, Now and Integra) and Adapt are complied with at national level.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1039/97 by José Escudero (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Aid for translations of television programmes

Is any aid available for dubbing or subtitling European television films or documentaries into other European languages, similar to the Ariane programme for books, which would enable a German documentary to be translated into Spanish and Portuguese, thereby allowing it to be seen in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa and the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America?

Any such aid would be supporting the European television industry, culture and languages and, to some extent, cultural cooperation.

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1997)

The Media programme - distribution (established by Council Decision (95/563) of 10 July 1995 on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development and distribution of European audiovisual

works ((OJ L 321, 30.12.1995. )) (Media II - development and distribution) (1996-2000)), supports the strengthening of the European audiovisual industry. The Media programme aims, in particular, at favouring the wider transnational distribution of European audiovisual products. In particular, the Council decision also recognizes the value of supporting the linguistic diversity of audiovisual and cinema works.

The Media programme grants support in the form of loans and subsidies to professional distributors on the basis of detailed distribution strategies, as well as to projects which aim to enhance transnational networking and cooperation within the industry. Dubbing and subtitling are known to enhance the marketability of audiovisual products and hence improve the distribution prospects. Dubbing and subtitling are therefore among the expenses which the distributor of the audiovisual works proposed for distribution may receive support. However, as the aim of the programme is to help increase the competitiveness of the industry, selection of beneficiaries must be based upon the true market potential of the product. The Media programme therefore grants support to dubbing or subtitling of audiovisual products only if it is supported by other means of improving the transnational distribution of the product.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0537/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (20 February 1997)

Subject: Reducing noise pollution on EU motorways

Further to Mr Kinnock's answer to Written Question P-1144/96 ((OJ C 322, 28.10.1996, p. 34. )) given on behalf of the Commission on 7 June 1996, and with reference to the Commission Green paper: Future Noise Policy (COM(96) 540 final), would the Commission list the EU motorways eligible for the granting of Community financing as trans-European networks to support the cost of noise and other environmental mitigation works?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

All motorways and high-quality roads included in the trans-European network outline plan for roads (maps of annex I of Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network ((OJ L 228, 9.9.1996. ))) are in principle eligible for Community financial assistance under Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 of 18 September 1995 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks ((OJ L 228, 23.9.1995. )).

According to the provisions of the Regulation, the requests for financial support must be submitted either by the Member State concerned, or by the body directly responsible with the agreement of the Member State. These requests are evaluated by the Commission on the basis of the rules and criteria laid down in the Regulation and the proposals for financial support are presented to the relevant committee comprising representatives of the Member States for its opinion.

It should be noted that under the European regional development fund, and under the Cohesion fund, the additional costs incurred in carrying out the obligatory environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are eligible for Community assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0449/97 by Georges Berthu (I-EDN) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Respect for the Union's powers and subsidiarity

It is surprising to learn that the Tourism Unit in Commission DG XXIII has financed the publication of a guide containing practical information for tourists in Europe.

Is this action consistent with the powers conferred on the Union by the Member States and the proviso that the 'measures in the sphere of tourism' mentioned in Article 3 are subject to a declaration attached to the Treaty to the effect that the final decision on that matter will be taken at the IGC? From the legal point of view, can the necessary powers be considered already to be in existence? Even if the Union's powers encompassed tourism, would not guides published by European institutions be contrary to subsidiarity and constitute a form of unfair competition vis-à-vis the private publishing industry?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (21 March 1997)

The practical guide for tourists in Europe to which the Honourable Member refers was produced on electronic medium and mostly includes information on protection and assistance measures set up in the Member States of the European Economic Area.

This project was conducted as part of implementation of the Community action plan to assist tourism (1993-1995), adopted by Council Decision 92/421/ EEC of 13 July 1992 ((OJ L 231, 13.8.1992. )) on the basis of Article 235 of the EC Treaty. Point 4 of the annex to this Decision explicitly provides for the support of such initiatives.

In order to ensure that the principle of subsidiarity is respected in practice, the guide - whose purpose is illustrative - was designed to be used and adapted in accordance with the requirements and interests of operators, both public and private, acting at regional, national and international levels. The Commission therefore considers that it has acted in conformity with the principle of subsidiarity and without infringing upon either private interests or initiative.