ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3245/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 October 1998)

Subject: Aromatherapy

With regard to the ongoing discussions being held on herbal medicines with a view to establishing stricter regulation of this industry, what consideration has the Commission given to the possible impact on the aromatherapy industry? Is the Commission aware that the aromatherapy industry could suffer adversely from measures such as the restriction of sales of essential oils solely to pharmacies and/or practitioners? Will the Commission also ensure that the aromatherapy industry is represented on the relevant committees so that it is not sidelined in the debate on stricter regulation?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 1998)

The Commission is not aware of any draft legislative measure or proposal which might directly affect the aromatherapy industry. The regulation of the distribution of essential oils to the consumer falls within the competence of Member States and it is therefore national law that regulates the sale of these products.

Some products used in aromatherapy may fall under the definition of "medicinal product" as laid down in Article 1 of Directive 65/65/EEC of 26 January 1965 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products(1). If these products are industrially produced, they may only be placed on the market if a marketing authorisation has been granted in accordance with Community pharmaceutical legislation. The "ongoing discussion on herbal medicine", to which the Honourable Member refers, essentially deals with the problem of whether the requirements to prove quality, safety and efficacy of a medicinal product should apply to herbal medicines in the same manner as to any other medicinal product.

Were the Commission - in the future - to decide to proceed with a specific proposal to address the above issue, it would ensure broad consultation with all interested parties.

(1) OJ L 22, 9.2.1965.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2550/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Protection against asbestos

Which Member States are preventing the Council of Ministers from adopting legislative measures relating to the protection of persons against asbestos?

Has the Commission any statistics for the last few years concerning deaths caused by the absorption of asbestos in the workplace in each of the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1998)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the replies given by the Commission to written questions P-1451/98 by Mr Skinner(1), E-1742/98 by Mr Whitehead(2), E-1950/98 by Mrs Pollack(3), E-2736/98 by Mrs Oddy(4) and P-2972/98 by Mr Skinner(5) on Community legislation, and measures in preparation, concerning the protection of the health of workers and the public from the health effects of asbestos.

The Commission has no such statistics. In the framework of harmonising statistics on health and safety at work and in particular on occupational diseases (EODS project), the Commission has launched a pilot project on the possibilities for establishing comparable data on recognised cases of occupational diseases. Data has been collected for the reference year 1995 with respect to 31 items chosen from the European schedule of occupational diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma following the inhalation of asbestos dust and complication of asbestosis in the form of bronchial cancer. In total 6,698 cases of asbestos related occupational diseases have been recognised in the Community in 1995. This Eurostat data base, however, holds no information on the number of cases ending in death.

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 34.

(2) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 75.

(3) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 123.

(4) OJ C 135, 14.5.1999, p. 108.

(5) See page 64.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3384/98

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Subject: Shutdown of waste incineration plants in the Canary Islands

Community provisions on solid waste incineration plants establish a series of requirements and conditions including maximum emission levels for polluting gases.

The European Commission has notified the Kingdom of Spain that it should close three waste incineration plants on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands), two in the municipality of Mazo and one in the municipality of Barlovento.

Despite the amount of time that has passed since the Commission notification, a simple visual inspection of the affected areas shows that there has been no change in the situation and that the competent authorities, i.e. the autonomous government of the Canaries and the La Palma Island Council have not adopted any measures to remedy the situation.

What measures does the Commission intend to take and when will it initiate infringement proceedings?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1998)

The Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Spain under Article 169 of the EC Treaty in the matter raised by the Honourable Member. As part of this procedure it has addressed a reasoned opinion to that Member State.

The reply to the reasoned opinion by Spain has just been received by the Commission and is now being examined.

Should the Commission feel that the response from the Spanish authorities to the reasoned opinion is insufficient it may decide to bring the matter before the Court of Justice in order to establish whether Spain has failed to fulfil its obligations.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3105/98

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Environmental characteristics of PVC in the light of proposed Council Directive COM(97) 358

In the light of the proposed Council Directive COM(97) 358 on end-of-life vehicles, will the Commission explain how specifically it has ensured that the directive is based on the most recent data and studies?

This applies in particular to the statement in the proposal that 1 kg of PVC waste generates between 2 and 5 kgs of flue gas residues. It has come to light in Denmark that the Danish Environment Agency made a mistake in its calculations concerning the volume of flue gas residues. This is the study referred to by the Commission in its answer to Written Question P-1524/98(1).

This being so, can it therefore state specifically what figures have been taken as the basis for its statement about flue gas residues in relation to the proposed Council Directive COM(97) 358?

Will it also explain whether it is absolutely definite that overall environmental pollution will be reduced by replacing PVC with any other material? For example, a car's energy consumption is increased by replacing PVC with a heavier material.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Will the Honourable Member please refer to the answer given by the Commission to her written question E-1524/98(2) as regards the general approach and the work in progress concerning the management of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste.

More particularly as regards PVC incineration a study of the quantity and harmfulness of PVC incineration residues is under way, since PVC is the only plastic whose incineration generates hydrochloric acid. That study will constitute one aspect of the analysis in the Danish study mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The study covers all types of incinerator in use within the Community. The neutralisation taking place during the dry treatment of incinerator flue gases causes highly soluble residues to be formed. These are classified as hazardous - particularly because of calcium chloride contaminated by heavy metals. Given the requirements regarding incinerator emissions the incineration of PVC involving dry treatment generates the same quantity of residues. The study in progress should yield precise data as regards the quantity and level of harmfulness of the residues produced by all types of incinerator used in dry, wet, semi-wet or semi-dry flue-gas treatment methods.

The replacement of PVC in vehicles mentioned by the Honourable Member would not necessarily cause a considerable increase in vehicle weights since PVC may be replaced by other plastics.

(1) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 51.

(2) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 51.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2908/98

by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission

(18 September 1998)

Subject: Non-implementation of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of environmental effects in part of a Member State

In its answer to Written Question P-2070/95(1) the Commission stated that the provision laid down in the German Unification Treaty that no environmental impact assessment had to be carried out for mining projects if the authorization procedure for such projects had already commenced by 3 October 1990 was incompatible with Directive 85/337/EEC(2). The Commission also indicated that it had taken formal steps against Germany.

1. What kind of steps were taken against Germany?

2. What stage has been reached in the procedure and what further action is likely, especially with regard to the case of the Heuersdorf brown coal opencast mine?

3. How long is it expected to take to deal with this matter?

4. What measures will the Commission take if Germany does not comply with the demands within the prescribed period?

5. Does the Commission know of similar cases, and how were they dealt with?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

As stated in the reply to Written Question P-2070/95 by Mrs Schroedter(3), the Commission takes the view that the German legislation is not in conformity with Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment as regards inter alia the transition clause set up by the German legislation to transpose the Directive. The Commission therefore opened infringement proceedings against Germany in 1992. The Commission brought the matter before the Court of justice on 20 September 1995. The Court has not yet taken a decision.

Given that the case is still pending the Commission does not have any further information concerning this matter.

If the Court finds that Germany has failed to fulfil its obligation under Directive 85/337/EEC, Germany, according to Article 171 of the EC Treaty, will have to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgement of the Court.

The Commission is not aware of other cases where national legislation provides for transitional legislation of Member States with respect to the implementation of Directive 85/337/EEC.

(1) OJ C 273, 18.10.1995, p. 52.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(3) OJ C 273, 18.10.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3466/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: Allocation of EU funds to Vorarlberg (Austria)

With regard to the allocation of EU funds to the State of Vorarlberg, can the Commission provide information as to:

1. the total amount of EU structural fund appropriations provided, with a breakdown by fund and by individual Community programme and/or initiative, and the amount of EU funds charged to other budgetary headings and disbursed since 1995 for pilot projects and other measures or as direct payments to research institutes, universities, undertakings and other bodies in the State of Vorarlberg;

2. the number of jobs created or saved with the help of these funds?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2963/98

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Drawing pensions in pesetas in Spain

Under the plans for the launch of the euro drawn up by the Spanish Secretary of State for Social Security, Spanish pensioners will, from January 1999, receive information relating to their pensions in euros and pesetas and those who wish to do so will be able to continue to draw their pensions in pesetas until 6 June 2002.

This measure has been greeted with widespread satisfaction by Spanish pensioners who have, in various ways, expressed their concerns about the new currency and their difficulties in understanding the whole process which will require them, in the last years of their lives, to alter age-old customs concerning their currency and methods of payment.

Does the Commission agree that it should introduce measures of this nature in order to reassure this section of the community, give them confidence in the changeover to the single currency and encourage them to believe that they will not suffer any disadvantage and that, at the end of the day, the Commission has not forgotten pensioners and is considering the impact the arrival of the euro may have on their lives?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1998)

The needs of the pensioners are particularly important and the Commission thanks the Honourable Member for bringing the example of dual display to its attention.

The Commission does indeed consider that dual displays of prices and other monetary amounts will greatly facilitate the transaction to the euro for consumers of all sorts, and issued a recommendation on dialogue, monitoring and information to facilitate the transition to the Euro(1). The intention was to lay down a standard of good practice and to describe when dual display should be used. For example the Commission recommends that dual displays should form part of an overall communications strategy to facilitate the switchover of consumers and employees to the euro. Furthermore dual displays on "benchmark indicators" should begin early in the transition period. The idea of putting the euro equivalents of pensions paid in national currency units is a natural application of these recommendations made by the Commission.

(1) C(1998) 961 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Structural Funds and Community law

The fifteenth report on monitoring the implementation of Community law (1997) states that there have been thirteen cases of violations (presumed and established) concerning the implementation of projects receiving Community cofunding in Greece; these include five relating to the environment and eight relating to public contracts.

Will the Commission say precisely which projects are affected by the violations that have been established and what remedial measures have been taken so far?

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

(6 November 1998)

Of the five cases relating to the environment, three involve a failure to carry out in time the environmental impact assessment for certain water treatment projects. The two other cases relate to waste treatment projects. They are currently being studied by the Commission.

The eight cases involving public contracts concern unusually low tenders and compliance with the principle of equality of treatment. The cases relate to infrastructure works in the fields of transport, health and water treatment in particular. Two of the cases have already been closed.

It is for the national authorities to propose and take corrective measures. The Commission is co-operating with the authorities so that such measures might ensure conformity with Community law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3388/98

by Wilfried Telkämper (V) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Security of NGO staff in India

How safe are citizens of EU Member States in India at present, particularly workers with NGOs in general and Christian organisations in particular, in view of increasing attacks by various Hindu organisations on members of other faiths, and of the growth of anti-Western propaganda?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 1998)

The international press and the Commission's delegation in New Delhi have extensively reported on the increased incidence of attacks on Christian families, attributed mainly to alleged Christian missionary activities. These events occur mainly in the north of the country where the Hindu nationalist party, BJP, has its strongholds. According to the South Asia human rights documentation centre, a non governmental organisation (NGO) located in New Delhi, this is a serious and growing problem, the extent of which is still being assessed. The attacks are not necessarily related to activities of Christian NGOs.

Member States' ambassadors have recently expressed their concern in this regard to the joint secretary at the ministry of Foreign Affairs at New Delhi, who confirmed that the government will take all the necessary actions to suppress these activities and protect Community citizens and foreign workers from such criminal acts.

The government of India has this year set up a national commission for minorities, which is charged in particular with the protection of religious minorities in India, and it follows up complaints received. Although the national commission for minorities has no judicial powers, it is hoped that it will exert the necessary added moral and public support and pressure, and thus exert a restraining influence on extremist groups.

Potential risks to the security of Community citizens working in India, especially for Christian and other NGOs need to be carefully assessed in their local context in India.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3518/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Monitoring of State aid

The proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (COM(98) 0073 final - 98(0060 CNS)(1) rationalises a number of procedures and principles laid down in the case-law of the Court of Justice by giving them an organised structure.

The task of coordinating Community action in the field of competition in a legal framework must be continued so that in the next few years greater legal certainty in this field will be achieved.

The scope of that regulation must be extended to cover in addition fiscal measures causing distortions of competition between the Member States.

Can the Commission therefore assess whether it would be appropriate to make public the notifications by the Member States of new aid, if only in summary form?

(1) OJ C 116, 16.4.1998, p. 13.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649/98

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Shooting tests using live animals in Spain

In the Basque region of Spain munitions tests are being carried out using live animals, in order to investigate the effects of different types of ammunition on the animals' bodies. In its answer to a question on this matter last year from Mrs González Álvarez, Mr Marset Campos and Mrs Sornosa Martínez (E-0561/97(1)), the Commission states tersely that it is not aware of such incidents. The Commission goes on to explain that there is no Community legislation on this matter, and that Member States may therefore regulate it as they see fit. In the Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam concerning the protection and welfare of animals, their protection is raised to the status of a Community task. It is stated therein that "full regard" must be paid to the welfare requirements of animals in connection with agriculture, transport, the internal market and research. The only exceptions permitted in the Member States are those "relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage".

1. Has the Commission taken the question from the above Members as an opportunity to seek information about the situation described therein, and if so, with what results?

2. Does the Commission share the view that shooting practice using live animals has nothing to do with religious rites, cultural traditions or regional heritage?

3. What practical possibilities for the Commission to take action are provided by the above Protocol?

4. What view does the Commission take of the possibility of instituting proceedings against Member States for a breach of provisions of the Treaty on the basis of the above Protocol, and how does it judge such a possibility of bringing proceedings in respect of the actual case of shooting tests?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 1998)

1. and 2. The information provided by the Honourable Member would indicate that these experiments are carried out for military or civil defence purposes. In that situation the Treaty does not apply to these experiments at all.

3. The Protocol on animal welfare to the Treaty of Amsterdam establishes animal welfare as a fundamental issue, which has to be addressed when formulating and implementing the Community's agriculture, transport, internal market and research policies. As far as the Commission is aware the experiments mentioned by the Honourable Member fall outside these specified areas and are therefore governed only by the applicable national legislation.

4. In the Commission's view it would not be possible to bring successful infringement proceedings, whether based on the protocol or otherwise.

(1) OJ C 367, 4.12.1997, p. 28.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3321/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Trial of Cuban dissidents for whom "the motherland belongs to everybody"

In its reply of 8 June 1998 to Written Question E-0975/98(1), the Council referred to the declaration by the European Union calling for the release of, amongst others, four members of the Internal Dissidence Working Group, co-authors of a text entitled "The Motherland Belongs To Everybody."

After a fourteen-month detention in prison, they have finally been charged under legal proceedings brought by the Cuban Government, with the request that they serve five- or six-year prison sentences.

Does the Council intend to monitor this case closely, keep Parliament duly informed, and continue pressing for reform of the Cuban civil code to help individuals whose sole crime has been to have "peacefully expressed their political views?"

Reply

(22 and 23 February 1999)

The Council is closely monitoring the situation in Cuba concerning the dissidents and in particular the four members of the Internal Dissidence Working Group. As the Honourable Member knows, the local European Union Troika in Havana made a demarche to the Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs on 23 February 1998 asking for the release of prisoners. On 24 February 1998, the Union issued a declaration urging the Cuban authorities to liberate and fully reintegrate into society all who have been imprisoned because of peaceful expression of their political views, including the four members of the Internal Dissidence Working Group.

In December 1998, the Council carried out the fourth evaluation of the EU common position on Cuba. It expressed the Union's concern at the human-rights situation in Cuba and its deep regret that the four leading figures in the Internal Dissidence Working Group had been imprisoned. Moreover, the Council Decision of 29 June 1998 establishes a firm link between full respect for human rights on the one hand and Cuba's participation in the ACP Convention on the other.

On 2 November 1998, the Presidency of the Council carried out a demarche in Vienna with Cuban Vice Minister Bolanos underlining that any decision on Cuban membership of the future ACP Convention must depend on full respect for all of the provisions contained in the existing and future Convention. The Union also expressed its expectation that the four members of the Dissidence Working Group shall be released.

Many demarches to the Cuban authorities have also been made by the Member States in the last few months asking for the release of all dissidents and full respect for human rights.

The Council will keep Parliament informed on this question and will continue pressing the Cuban authorities for full respect of human rights.

(1) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 162.