ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Nickel and the euro

The journal Nature has published a study by the University of Zurich revealing that EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins may contain levels of nickel 240 to 320 times greater than the limits allowed under European law. Apparently, sweat on the hands may produce a reaction which affects the alloy and causes allergies.

1. Will the Commission say whether this information is correct?

2. If so, does it intend to amend the relevant directive or declare illegal the two coins which fail to comply with it?

3. What steps will it take to prevent the spread of a further allergy among Union citizens?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The Commission can confirm that a new study was published in the magazine Nature on 12 September 2002, in which scientists from the University of Zurich claim that the release of nickel from bi-colour euro coins can be up to 240-320 times the limit stipulated by Directive 94/27/EC of the Parliament and of the Council, of 30 June 1994 (hereafter Nickel Directive) amending Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations(1).

This conclusion drawn by the authors is misleading, because the Nickel Directive refers to objects that come into direct and prolonged contact with the human skin, such as jewellery or wristwatches. This Directive does not cover coins. Secondly, the results were generated by sticking EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins to the skin of patients with a known nickel allergy for 48-72 hours. After this period they showed an allergic reaction. As these conditions clearly do not reflect the normal use of the euro coins, the Commission does not see the need for action either with regard to the euro coins or with regard to the Nickel Directive.

The recent publication does not change the Commission's view that the normal use of euro coins does not represent a risk for European citizens. The Commission is not aware of any particular cases of patients suffering from nickel allergy which can be traced back to the handling or use of EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins coins. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence of a recent increase in nickel allergies among European citizens.

These conclusions were confirmed by a recent independent study, which showed that the amount of nickel released from the EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins is significantly lower than from the national coins used prior to the introduction of the euro.

(1) OJ L 188, 22.7.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3358/02

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council

(27 November 2002)

Subject: Research on supernumerary embryos

At its 2451st meeting held in Brussels on 30 September 2002, the Competition (Internal Market, Industry and Research) Council adopted an arrangement under which:

the Council and Commission agreed that detailed implementing arrangements for research activities involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic

stem cells that may be financed under the sixth framework programme would be laid down by 31 December 2003 and the Commission stated that, until then, it would not propose to finance such research projects unless they involved banked or isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture.

Does the term banked or isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture mean the same thing as supernumerary embryos up to 14 days?

Is it true that funding is currently being provided under the sixth framework programme for research on supernumerary embryos up to 14 days in countries where such research is authorised?

Reply

(20 February 2003)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Commission is responsible for the implementation of the Council Decision of 30 September 2002 adopting a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area (2002-2006)(1) relevant to the issue in question. In this context, the Council, at its meeting on 30 September 2002, noted the intention of the Commission to submit to the programme Committee, established under this specific programme, procedural modalities concerning research involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells, in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 3, first indent. The Honourable Member is therefore advised to turn to the Commission for any further information as to the implementation of the Council Decision.

As regards funding currently provided under the on-going framework programme, the Honourable Member is also advised to address the Commission as the institution responsible for the implementation of the fifth framework programme and in particular the specific programme on quality of life and management of living resources (1998-2002)(2).

(1) OJ L 294, 29.10.2002, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 1 and OJ L 64, 12.3.1999, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3082/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(28 October 2002)

Subject: Failure in Sweden of EIB preferential loans for small businesses

There is much talk from political quarters in the European Union of protecting and promoting small and medium-sized enterprises. Preferential loans for such businesses is one method of assisting them. Because of its high standing, the EIB is able to lend money on preferential terms. The overriding objective of the EIB is to promote development in the EU and integration between the Member States.

In 2001, Föreningssparbanken became the first Swedish bank to conclude an agreement with the EIB to offer preferential loans to small and medium-sized businesses. Within the framework of a global loan, Föreningssparbanken had the facility to lend some SEK 400 million, which was primarily intended to finance small businesses' investments in infrastructure and industry.

A year later, however, in May 2002, it was noted that the EIB's partner had not lent a single krona of the amount earmarked. The bank had had numerous inquiries but the customers thought that the benefits were poor in relation to the terms. The bank in Sweden had hoped to be able to deliver something of benefit to its corporate customers. The idea was that the EIB loan would be cheaper than the commercial banks' but in May 2002 it was observed that compared with Föreningssparbanken's normal business loans, the difference in interest rates was not even half a percent but rather 10 to 20 percentage points, which was not particularly advantageous for borrowers.

Another reason for entrepreneurs' lack of interest was the additional administrative work. The involvement of the EIB means that yet another party demands scrutiny of the company, which may be reasonable but is also a source of irritation. As the EIB is a participating party, it must in some way take part in the lending process but, at the same time, the risk remains with Föreningssparbanken.

In what way will the Council take this experience from Sweden into account when it discusses setting up preferential loans for small and medium-sized businesses and the terms and conditions for them?

Reply

(20 February 2003)

It is true that in some cases the EIB loans may be less competitive than in others. On the one hand, the EIB obtains its resources in the market and on the other, interest rates in Sweden are relatively low at this moment for small and medium-sized businesses. The Council will consider all relevant experiences if and when considering a possible proposal by the Commission.

In any case it is always the intermediary bank that decides on terms and conditions of its loans to the final beneficiary since it takes the ultimate risk.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3256/02

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Chemical testing on animals

Data obtained from animal tests can be misleading due to difficulties extrapolating results from animals to people and from laboratory doses to realistic levels of human exposure. The use of human exposure data could drastically reduce the need for animal-based toxicity testing during implementation of the proposed EU chemicals policy, and would ensure that data used for the evaluation of existing substances is directly relevant to effects in human beings.

What efforts are being made by the Commission to ensure that human exposure data is used to evaluate the toxicological effects of existing substances? Will a systematic evaluation of human exposure data be incorporated into the REACH system, and will such data be made publicly available?

Furthermore, does the Commission agree that it is unsatisfactory to use data from animal tests that have never been validated to modern standards to validate new non-animal test methods? Are there plans to use human data generated from ethical human studies (such as skin allergy testing results), as well as from occupational information, hospital records, epidemiology and accidental poisoning records, to assess and validate non-animal test methods?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

The Commission is currently preparing a legislative proposal, which will be based on the White Paper on the Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy. One of the approaches proposed in the White Paper to limit the need for animal testing was that existing information on the toxicity and ecotoxicity of substances, including epidemiological studies, will be taken into account. Accordingly, the proposal will make appropriate provisions for the use of data from human epidemiology.

The White Paper also proposed that the general public should have access to non-confidential information from the REACH system. Much human exposure data is expected to be non-confidential and so would be publicly available.

Any test method, be it animal or non-animal, cannot predict with certainty the response in humans. Validation is therefore a process of establishing the level of uncertainty associated with a given method. While the data from animal tests are not perfect models for human responses, they have been successfully used for decades to predict human responses to pharmaceuticals and other chemical substances. They can therefore contribute to the validation of non-animal test methods.

While the Commission does not, a priori, exclude the use of human exposure data for the validation of non-animal test methods, experience shows that it is rarely possible to obtain a sufficiently large and diverse human data set of the quality needed for use in a validation study.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3377/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 November 2002)

Subject: Deductions from farming subsidies by the Agricultural Bank of Greece

In its answers to my previous questions E-3807/00(1) and E-3376/01(2), the Commission recognises that there are problems concerning the failure to pay EU subsidies in full to Greek farmers. According to a recent complaint, which has just come to my knowledge, the Agricultural Bank of Greece in the prefecture of Rodopis does not pay the subsidies in full to Greek farmers but deducts an amount to offset farmers' debts to the bank.

What view does the Commission take of the deductions made by the Agricultural Bank of Greece from subsidies intended for Greek farmers?

What developments have there been as a result of the Commission's representations to the Greek authorities concerning deductions made by the cooperatives from Community subsidies for Greek farmers?

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 148.

(2) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 225.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2003)

Following the Commission's investigations the Greek authorities have for most sectors introduced with effect from 2002 for payment of aid amounts directly into the recipient's bank account.

The Commission's checks show that the problem appears to have been resolved as far as the integrated administration and control system is concerned, all payments are now being made in full direct to the recipient. For the other sectors the Commission is monitoring the situation closely.

Further checks will be made.

Where the Community rules incorporate a full payment requirement any direct or indirect levy when the aid is paid is automatically incompatible with Community law. In the case of outstanding debts to the banks that have not arisen in connection with management of the aid scheme, the recipient in question would have to authorise the bank explicitly in writing to offset his outstanding debts to it against an amount due to him direct aid scheme. If the debts have arisen out of the bank's administration of the aid scheme offsetting is not consonant with Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2928/02

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(10 October 2002)

Subject: Temporary support for Dutch shipbuilding

It was reported in Dagblad van het Noorden on 5 October 2002 that Between 60 and 80 jobs are to be lost at Centraalstaal in Groningen. This amply demonstrates the plight of northern shipbuilding. Since the beginning of this year, at least 400 jobs have already been lost in this sector, where 7 000 people are employed. The latest restructuring is taking place at Centraalstaal, which produces prefabricated steel and aluminium plating for ships.

The Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr Heinsbroek, has so far refused to adopt any temporary support measures, although the industry in question is suffering badly and European and national protection are badly needed. Will the Commission as a matter of urgency draw the Minister's attention to the fact that it was agreed within the EU earlier this year with the full support of the European Parliament that Member States could adopt temporary support measures against unfair competition from Korea (among other countries).

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1177/2002 of 27 June 2002 concerning a temporary defensive mechanism to shipbuilding(1) (the TDM) is one part of the Commission's twin-track strategy against unfair Korean practices in the shipbuilding sector.

Under the terms of Article 2 of the TDM, aid may only be authorised for final contracts signed after notice is given in the Official Journal that dispute settlement proceedings against Korea have been initiated.

The Notice indicating that the Commission had launched the WTO action against Korea was published in the Official Journal on 24 October 2002(2). Accordingly, aid may now be authorised in line with the provisions of the TDM.

The Dutch Government participated fully in the negotiation of the TDM and is fully aware of its content. The Commission would emphasise that the question of whether or not aid is to be granted under the TDM is a matter for the appropriate authorities of the Member States. It is not the Commission's role to encourage Member States to grant aid, but to ensure that any aid granted is in line with the TDM's provisions.

(1) OJ L 172, 2.7.2002.

(2) OJ C 257, 24.10.2002
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3318/02

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2002)

Subject: Basel II and the sixth research framework programme

The introduction of the new rules under the Basel II agreement, currently still under negotiation, will have far-reaching and in some cases unforeseeable consequences for borrowing by European SMEs. The impact of the more stringent capital requirements on credit institutions and hence on all SMEs can be properly assessed and mitigated through additional in-depth studies. In particular, this would involve research into the practical consequences of the new capital requirements and improved and/or new methods of financing from capital for SMEs.

Is it possible for the Commission to have research carried out on the preparations needed on the part of European business (banks and firms, in particular SMEs) in the context of the EU's sixth research framework programme, with a view to cushioning the impact of the Basel II agreement?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(23 December 2002)

The Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) does not presently foresee calls for proposal on the impact of Basel II on the European economy (banks, businesses and, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)) either under its seventh priority Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society or under its SME programme.

However, the Barcelona European Council (15/16 March 2002) requested in its conclusions that the Commission [] present a report on the consequences of the Basel deliberations for all sectors of the European economy with particular attention to SMEs. Following up on the Barcelona conclusions, the Commission is in the process of selecting a tenderer for this study. The tenderer will start working in the first part of 2003 and the study will be used as a basis for a Commission report to the Council and the Parliament end 2003. This timetable will leave time for the Commission and all other institutions to have a view on the consequences of Basel II on the European economy before the Commission adopts its proposal of capital adequacy Directive(1).

Moreover, the Commission issued a Communication entitled More Research for Europe: Towards 3 % of GDP(2) on 11 September 2002. The action plan that will follow the Communication will address the issue of Research and Technological Development (R & D) financing, taking into account the impact of Basel II on the European economy.

(1) OJ C 240, 6.8.1997.

(2) COM(2002) 499 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2990/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 12 of the EP's resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents(1) calls on the Commission to finance a tender for EU safety equipment manufacturers to design different models of personal flotation device for fishermen that are capable of being used in the different working conditions on fishing vessels and with the objective of promoting their use.

Has the Commission taken any steps in this connection?

Does it not believe that improving safety equipment and making the use of the most appropriate equipment standard practice would help cut the number of fisheries accidents?

(1) OJ C 21 E, 24.1.2002, p. 359.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Although improving safety equipment and making use of the most suitable equipment standard practice would be undoubtedly be a big help in reducing the risk and the gravity of accidents at sea, the Commission's functions do not extend to financing a tender for safety equipment manufacturers to design various models of personal flotation device for fishermen.

The Commission has however, in its call for proposals for transnational projects of an innovatory nature in the fish sector for 2002, invited interested parties to propose projects on ongoing professional training in safety at sea. The proposals are under examination.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3214/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(12 November 2002)

Subject: Arrest by the Danish government, at the request of the Russian government, of Akhmed Zakayev, Vice-President of the elected Chechen government

The Danish government, which had earlier tried to block a meeting of the World Chechen Congress in Copenhagen and, on the request of the Russian authorities, to effectively force the Danish Presidency of the Council to move the EU-Russia summit from the Danish capital to Brussels,

has now arrested Mr Akhmed Zakayev, Vice-President of the elected government of Chechnya, in Copenhagen, where he had been sent on official business by President Maskhadov. Coming on the heels of the barbaric action against the hostages in Moscow and the hundreds of lives which it claimed, this unprecedented measure is the latest excess in the record of President Putin, whose attitude is part and parcel of a growing tendency worldwide to use the fight against terrorism as a pretext for overriding respect for human life which is increasingly assuming the features of a new and dangerous form of militarist fascism that refuses to acknowledge human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Can the Council state whether any remotely legitimate grounds exist permitting a government occupying the EU Presidency to arrest the Vice-President of a government such as that of Chechnya, democratically elected in a small country which is fighting for its independence?

Reply

(20 February 2003)

This matter is a subject for the judicial authorities of Denmark. For this reason, it is not appropriate for the Council to make any comment whatsoever upon it.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2456/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 August 2002)

Subject: Alleged mismanagement of funds entrusted to the European Communities

Marta Andreasen was Budget Execution Director and Accounting Officer at the European Commission, a very senior post. According to the relevant legislation, she had full responsibility for the funds entrusted to the European Communities. Any allegation made by her of mismanagement is, therefore, extremely serious.

In the Budgets DG, how many staffed are trained and qualified accountants?

Who is the highest grade accountant in the Commission, and what position does he/she hold?

Who is the current Accounting Officer, and what are his/her qualifications for the post?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

Directorate General Budget (DG BUDG) staff with tasks directly concerning the accounting system and procedures have relevant educational qualifications, on-the-job experience and/or by in-house training. The heads of unit in place in the Accounting Department all have a background/education and/or experience in accounting or economics.

DG Budget has over recent years organised internal training aimed in particular at staff working in the accounting sector (e.g. General Accounting, module I, The Commission's accounting framework). Such training is organized regularly several times per year, and open to all staff.

As regards the use of the official accounting system Sincom2, specific training for accounting staff working in the SAP R/3 module is organized by external consultants whenever demand arises.

The highest grade serving Accountant in the Commission working in the financial area is Mr Jules Muis (grade A1), Director general of the Internal Audit Service.

Mr Oostens (grade A2) is since 1 September 2002 the Accounting Officer of the Commission. Other more senior officials have accounting qualifications but are not in function as accountants. Mr Oostens' university qualifications are those of a commercial engineer (from the Solvay Business School of the Free University of Brussels), which qualify him to do accounting work. Mr Oostens' whole career both in private business and the Commission has centred around financial management, audit and accounting, which is why he was selected for this job.