ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2882/96 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Drilling for gas in the Waddenzee

The Dutch section of the Waddenzee has been designated as a Special Protection Area under the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, and qualifies under the Habitat Directive.

1. Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands Government intends to permit the mining company NAM/Mobil to drill for gas in the Waddenzee?

2. Would not the licensing of drilling for gas in the Waddenzee contravene Article 4(4) of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. ))?

3. Is it not, at the very least, dubious whether the licensing of drilling for gas in the Waddenzee accords with the requirements laid down in Article 6 of the Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. ))?

4. In reply to Question E-1722/95 ((OJ C 109, 15.4.1996, p. 2. )), the Commission says that the issue of whether there are imperative reasons 'of overriding public interest' depends on whether or not there are alternative solutions. If the Habitat Directive and the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds are to be more than vague words without practical consequences for nature conservation, can the Commission say what criteria it uses to decide whether there are alternative solutions?

5. Are not long-term interests, such as the preservation of gas reserves for possible use by later generations and conservation of ecosystems, of far greater public concern than the short-term interests in using gas and generating public revenue from it?

6. If the licensing of drilling does not accord with the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitat Directive and Article 4 of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, what measures will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Netherlands Government?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1996)

1. The Commission is aware of the intended gas exploitation in the Wadden Sea and is looking into this matter in the framework of a complaint.

2. - 3. The Commission aims to exclude risks of significant deterioration within the special protection area (SPA) in the Wadden Sea and to guarantee that gas exploitation plans comply in particular with Article 4 of the birds Directive and Article 6 of the habitats Directive.

4. There are no fixed criteria to judge such questions, because judgement depends on the specific case.

5. The Commission shares the wider view, that there are different well reasoned possibilities in this case to argue either way.

6. If the necessary permits are not in accordance with the two directives mentioned above, the Commission will consider taking further steps to ensure compliance with Community legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2933/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Call for tender for a method to determine the content of vegetable fats in chocolate products

Can the Commission confirm that DG III has published a call for tender for research into a method to determine the content of vegetable fats in chocolate products?

How does the Commission explain the fact that recently in a proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consumption it proposed raising the content of vegetable fats in chocolate products from 0 to 5% although the content of vegetable fats cannot be determined at 5% accuracy?

What percentage of vegetable fats in chocolate products can in fact be determined precisely?

Does the Commission not think it would be better to draw up such a Directive once its implementation can be monitored properly and accurately?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (6 December 1996)

The Commission published an invitation to tender for the development and comparison of reference analysis methods for determining cocoa butter and other vegetable oils and fats in chocolate products. ((OJ C 227, 6.8.1996. )) This followed on from an earlier invitation to tender for the evaluation of analytical methods used for chocolate. ((OJ C 195, 29.7.1995. )) The contract was awarded to the Joint Research Centre in Ispra.

It should be made clear that the lack of analysis methods for chocolate poses the same problems whether 0% or 5% of vegetable fats other than cocoa butter are used, as currently laid down for certain Member States by Directive 73/241/EEC on chocolate. ((OJ L 228, 16.8.1973. ))

The analysis methods currently used to determine vegetable fats other than cocoa butter date from the 1980s. Where 5% of such vegetable fats are used in chocolate products these methods give results ranging from 3% to 7% in absolute terms. The degree of accuracy depends very much on the type of vegetable fats used and on the other ingredients. Use of certain types of vegetable fat results in greater accuracy; on the other hand, analysis is more difficult where the chocolate is mixed with other ingredients, e.g. hazelnuts, which already contain fats.

The interim evaluation report by the Joint Research Centre in Ispra shows that analysis methods could be made more accurate by using more up-to-date analysis techniques and modern techniques for evaluating statistical data. That is why the Commission sent out a new invitation to tender for the development of reliable methods for detecting and determining the components of cocoa butter and other vegetable fats.

The Commission would point out that checks are already carried out pursuant to Directive 89/397/EEC on the official control of foodstuffs, ((OJ L 186, 30.6.1989. )) notably at the production stage, including checks on raw materials, on the basis of both visual inspection and written and documentary material. It is on this basis that national control authorities check on compliance with the current legislation on chocolate.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3212/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Orihuela: deadline for projects under Article 10 of the ERDF

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the municipality of Orihuela (Valencia).

When does the Commission intend to decide whether the Orihuela project is eligible for EU funding under Article 10 of the ERDF?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/96 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (11 November 1996)

Subject: Child abuse

During the current paedophile and child abuse scandal in Belgium, several newspaper reports have suggested that it was the dismantling of the Belgian legal system and welfare state which enabled the situation to continue for so long without action being taken by society. The tough EMU membership criteria have been one of the factors behind such cuts. In view of Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which lays down the right of children to protection from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation for the purposes of prostitution and pornography, will the Commission state whether it has analysed the impact of the EMU criteria on the rights and protection of children?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1996)

The Commission has not analysed the possible effects of the criteria for economic and monetary union on children's rights and the protection of children in the Member States. It feels that it would be very difficult to make a reliable analysis of that kind.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2638/96 by Christine Crawley (PSE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Street children in Guatemala

Can the Commission explain what action it has taken recently to put a stop to the continued killing of street children in Guatemala City?

Can it also provide information on EU funded programmes which are specifically for the benefit of street children in Guatemala?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1996)

The Commission wishes to thank the Honourable Member for the interest that she has shown in the problems of street children in Guatemala.

The Commission is well aware of the scale of the phenomenon and the incidents that befall these children. The causes of the problem, both social and economic, are well-known including mass emigration to the capital, breakdown of families, loss of cultural identity and lack of prospects.

In 1994 the Commission adopted a programme worth 2.5 MECU for street children in Guatemala, which was signed by the Office of the human rights ombudsman on 4 June 1995. The local contribution to the project amounts to ECU 500 000. The programme has been fully operational since the beginning of 1996 and an evaluation of the first results will be made available halfway through 1996.

The purpose of the project is to strengthen the capacity of non governemental organisations (NGOs) and public bodies to provide refuge, bolster the ability of the various public bodies responsible for protecting minors (Secretaría de Bienestar Social, Minors' Tribunal, Human rights ombudsman) to take action and to train those concerned by the new child protection laws. These various schemes represent a key step towards a solution to the problem of violence.

In addition, between 1991 and 1994, the Community financed a number of initiatives both for NGOs and public bodies designed to remedy the problems of street children. The basic objective of these measures is to provide assistance and training to children in order to improve their living conditions and get them gradually off the street by offering them refuge and lodging (reception centres, training schools).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2663/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Internet

The rapid development of communications via the Internet is of great benefit to the international community, but involves serious dangers. For example, serious abuses have occurred in Italy in connection with the activities of paedophiles.

Does the Commission agree that, even if national laws exist to ensure that public order is upheld in relation to the telecommunications services of the country in question, it would be desirable, in view of the growing transnational significance of the Internet, to assess these possible dangers and draw up a directive to harmonize and regulate this situation?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1996)

The Commission is particularly attentive to the questions of the protection of general interests in the development of new electronic services, and in particular worldwide communication networks and the Internet.

While these new means of communication offer new opportunities, in particular in terms of freedom of expression, it is clear that their use to distribute material which seriously offends human dignity, including paedophilia and infantile pornography, creates real problems.

The Commission is working on a number of fronts. On 16 October 1996, for instance, it adopted two documents:

- a communication on illegal and harmful content on the Internet, ((COM(96) 487 final. )) which analyses the various problems posed by the circulation of this type of material and proposes options for short-term measures to combat and control them;

- a Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information services. ((COM(96) 483 final. )) The aim of this Green Paper is to provoke a wide-ranging debate which should lead to medium and long-term measures relating to all electronic services from television to the Internet.

The consultations which will be held shortly on the basis of these documents with the Member States, industries and other parties concerned will determine how the Community can contribute effectively to the development of adequate solutions.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3204/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: Gandía: possibilities of acceptance for pilot urban project

On 30 November 1995 the Commission published a call for the submission of pilot urban projects, in the context of the innovative measures under Article 10 of the ERDF. Of the projects submitted, 91 were from Spain.

One of the projects submitted concerns urban renewal in the municipality of Gandía (Valencia).

What are the possibilities of the Gandía project receiving the Community funding for pilot urban projects provided for in Article 10 of the ERDF?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3198/96, E-3199/96, E-3200/96, E-3201/96, E-3203/96, E-3204/96, E-3205/96, E-3206/96, E-3207/96, E-3208/96, E-3209/96, E-3210/96, E-3211/96, E-3212/96, E-3213/96, E-3214/96 and E-3215/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

The Commission received over 500 applications in response to its call for proposals; of these, 97 were from Spain. The available budget of ECU 60 million will enable the Commission to part-finance some 25 projects throughout the Union.

With regard to the selection procedure, the call for proposals states that: 'a team of independent international experts will assist the Commission services to identify the most innovative ideas in order to select those proposals which correspond most closely to the criteria set. The final number of proposals to be part-financed will be decided by the Commission, taking into consideration overall availability of funds, themes of proposals and distribution of appropriate projects within the territory of the Union.'

Since this procedure is now under way, it is not at present possible to assess the chances of a town being selected or the amount of Community part-finance which it might receive. Equally, no other estimate concerning a Member State or region can be made.

With regard to the number and name of projects which could concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia other than those expressly referred to in these Written Questions, the Commission cannot derogate from the principle of confidentiality which applies to this stage of the procedure, particularly since proposals for measures involving more than one local authority may be accepted if that cooperation increases the value added.

The time required for the thorough consideration and careful selection of the exceptionally large number of applications received means that the Commission will not be able to take a decision before the end of the year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3300/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in Austria is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2229/96 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) and Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 August 1996)

Subject: Poseima-craft programme

Council Decision 91/315/EEC ((OJ L 171, 29.6.1991, p. 5. )) of 26 January 1991 set up a programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of Madeira and the Azores (Poseima).

Section 16.1 of this programme makes provision for Community measures to assist small craft businesses (embroidery, rug-making, ceramics, basketry) - the Poseima-craft programme - which was approved at the end of 1992 for the three-year period 1992-94, with an allocation of ECU 6 million in addition to the CSF appropriations.

Can the Commission confirm what specific measures were implemented over the three-year period 1992-94 in the autonomous region of the Azores under the Poseima-craft programme and what sums were disbursed in each of the measures carried out?

Can the Commission say whether the Poseima-craft programme has been closed or whether it is to be extended?

If it has been closed, has any independent financial provision been made to continue the measures introduced?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2229/96 and E-2230/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1996)

A number of measures were financed under the craft provisions of the Poseima programme for the Madeira and Azores autonomous regions to help local businesses making e.g. embroidery, tapestries, ceramics and baskework. Support took the form of training schemes, help with the introduction of new technology and access to new markets.

The total earmarked for craft businesses under the programme approved by the Commission was ECU 6 million. The Commission has just received the Portuguese government's final report on the Poseima measures and will be studying it closely.

The new operational programmes for the two autonomous regions approved as part of the Community support framework for Portugal 1994-99 reflect considerations similar to those underlying Poseima.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Raising awareness of asthma

Asthma is on the increase all around the world, particularly among children and as a result of contact with certain substances at the workplace. It is a disease which is often not properly diagnosed or only diagnosed when already at an advanced stage; in many cases, its seriousness is underestimated and inadequate treatment is provided.

Given that asthma has a major social impact, would the Commission not agree that it should make provision for a 'National Breathe Freely Day' to be held in 1997, with the involvement of pneumology institutes and departments and voluntary organizations throughout the Community?

Such an event would provide the Commission with an ideal opportunity to raise awareness among the general public and those working in this area.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 January 1997)

The Commission is aware of the rising prevalence of asthma,and is currently examining the possibilities for a Community action programme on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health (1998-2002) which could include actions on the prevention of respiratory diseases.

The Commission agrees that events like a national respiratory health day would contribute to the public awareness of this topic and its social impact. Events of this kind may be eligible for support under a future programme on pollution related diseases.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3303/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1996)

Subject: 'Hidden economy' and GDP

The media are increasingly reflecting the current difficulty of obtaining universally accepted statistics.

What proportion of GDP in Spain is accounted for by the 'hidden economy'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3280/96, E-3298/96, E-3299/96, E-3300/96, E-3301/96, E-3302/96, E-3303/96, E-3304/96, E-3305/96, E-3306/96, E-3307/96, E-3308/96, E-3309/96, E-3310/96, E-3311/96, E-3312/96 and E-3313/96 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1997)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the impact of the hidden economy on gross domestic product, since the methods used differ considerably from one Member State to the next and several Member States also make implicit corrections which are very difficult to assess.

It is intended that the work on the issue of exhaustiveness be completed by the end of 1998, and it should then be possible to compile the estimates requested with a certain degree of reliability and comparability between Member States.