ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0039/99

by Umberto Bossi (NI) , Luigi Moretti (NI) , Marco Formentini (NI) and Gipo Farassino (NI) to the Commission

(20 January 1999)

Subject: A racist incident in an Italian school

In the last few days there have been reports in the Italian press, in particular the daily newspapers "La Repubblica", "Il Corriere della Sera", "La Provincia Pavese" and "La Padana", about a serious violation of the civil rights of a pupil, the eleven-year-old Paolo Buttaboni, at a middle school in Mirandolo Terme (Pavia). His physical education teacher, Anna Conforte, tore off him a T-shirt bearing the name of "Padania Calcio", a football team which is officially registered with CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) and plays many matches in both the north and the south of Italy. The teacher also threatened to ask relatives of hers from southern Italy to beat up the child and his parents. It should be noted that neither the child nor his parents are political or party activists. The deputy head Giancarla Simonini defended the teacher. The other children were urged to show their contempt for their fellow pupil and to wear their own favourite teams' T-shirts, whilst the pupil himself was forced to write out the words of the Italian national anthem fifty times. This is a serious example of racism, perpetrated moreover by a teacher, which goes against all European laws and regulations on the freedom of the individual and the family.

Is the Commission aware of this racist incident?

Does it intend to express its views on the incident, in view of its commitment to actively combating all examples of racism?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1999)

The Commission attaches a great deal of importance to awareness-raising campaigns in schools and amongst young people to promote tolerance.

However, it does not believe that the case presented by the Honourable Members comes under its jurisdiction. It is up to the Member States themselves to detect and penalise specific cases of discrimination arising in their territory.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0023/99

by David Hallam (PSE) to the Commission

(12 January 1999)

Subject: Poultry imports and residue testing

Given that producers of poultrymeat in the UK and indeed other EU Member States comply with the strict EU veterinary residue testing regime aimed at ensuring the highest level of protection for consumers, will the Commission:

1. Provide details of the testing programme and substances tested for applied to poultrymeat producers in countries such as Brazil and Thailand who export poultrymeat to the EU?

2. Guarantee that third-country residue testing regimes for poultrymeat exported to the EU are not less rigorous than those applied within the EU itself?

3. Publish the results of the residue testing programmes of Third Countries exporting significant volumes of poultrymeat to the EU.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

According to Council Directive 96/23/EC on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products(1), the results of these national plans for 1998, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 3, should be presented by third countries to the Commission by 31 March 1999 at the latest.

At present the Commission, together with a group of experts from the Member States, is examining all the third countries' national plans (including Brazil and Thailand) in order to take appropriate action.

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1066/99

by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Problems in implementing Tacis nuclear safety programmes

Tacis-Phare nuclear safety programmes have, quite rightly, been criticised. Although in particular the safety culture and know-how have unquestionably improved as a result of the programmes, the problems described, for example, in the special report of the Court of Auditors seem genuine. I have learned that project partners are concerned about the fate of projects under the Tacis programmes for 1993/1994 which have undergone protracted preparation and are still open. Of these projects, around 20 concern supplies of equipment which, due to the slow pace of the Tacis bureaucracy, have only reached the contract stage and yet which are important with a view to maintaining installations and improving their safety.

How will the Commission remedy this unfortunate situation, bearing in mind the budgetary time limit, which in principle is five years? Will the Commission ensure that similar problems do not arise in the Tacis programmes for 1995 and subsequent years? How has this point been taken into account in planning?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

In its communication of March 1998 on nuclear activities in the East(1), the Commission provided an analysis of the difficulties which have been encountered in implementing the nuclear safety programme.

The main conclusion in that communication is that budgets should be committed only on the basis of well-defined projects which are ready to be tendered, and that the number of projects should be limited (there should be an increase in average size).

In the day to day management of the programmes, the Commission is now putting these conclusions into practice.

(1) COM(98) 134 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0225/99

by James Janssen van Raay (UPE) to the Commission

(3 February 1999)

Subject: Fees for road use in the Netherlands

Following the repeated grand-scale infringements by the Netherlands of European rules of law (e.g. Securitel), is the Commission prepared to examine whether the disastrous idea of introducing a pay-as-you-drive scheme infringes European rules, not least in the light of fierce protests from the Netherlands at German and Belgium toll roads which, in fact, could only be introduced at a European level? Are not the proposed controls a violation of protection of privacy, which is guaranteed at European level?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

The Dutch government consulted the Commission at the beginning of 1998 on the possible introduction of a regulatory change on road use in the Randstad during peak hours. That consultation took place in accordance with Council Decision 308/62/EEC of 21 March 1962 as amended by Council Decision 73/402/EEC of 22 November 1973 instituting a procedure for prior examination and consultation in respect of certain laws, regulations and administrative provisions concerning transport(1) proposed in Member States. On 28 May 1998 the Commission delivered the opinion that the submitted draft law was compatible with Community law.

In accordance with Council Directive 93/89/EEC of 25 October 1993 on the application of Member States of taxes on certain vehicles used for the carriage of goods by road and tolls and charges for the use of certain infrastructures(2), Member States may decide to introduce road tolls in their territory.

The Commission has no reason to believe that the foreseen introduction of a regulatory charge by the Dutch government infringes any privacy rights of European citizens.

(1) OJ L 347, 17.12.1973.

(2) OJ L 279, 12.11.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0298/99

by Kenneth Coates (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Private prisons

The construction of private prisons has become a very general policy in the United States of America and is spreading to the United Kingdom.

How far is it extending throughout the European Union? How many private prisons have been opened in each Member State? How does their staffing ratio compare with that in corresponding public institutions? What statistics exist about self-injury and suicide amongst prisoners in these institutions?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 1999)

The Commission underlines the need for respect of human rights in compliance with the European Convention for the protection of human rights and the prison standard rules for treatment of prisoners adopted by the Council of Europe in 1973.

However the Commission does not keep an exhaustive database of private penitentiary institutions in the Union. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to other international organisations, such as the Council of Europe, which regularly publishes statistics on prisons situaton in Europe.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0549/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Measures to replace the cultivation of "Tsempelia" and "Mavra" tobacco varieties in Greece

The Commission has proposed measures to replace the cultivation of the "Tsempelia" and "Mavra" tobacco varieties, which are grown in some of the poorest and most infertile areas of Greece, where no alternative forms of cultivation are possible. If the proposal is adopted, tobacco growers in these areas will be forced to cease their activities since the soil quality, together with climatological and other conditions make it impossible to cultivate other varieties. The Commission's assertion that the "Tsempelia" and "Mavra" varieties are not marketable does not hold water since almost the entire crop is sold to eastern European countries.

Will the Commission withdraw its proposal to end the cultivation of the "Tsempelia" and "Mavra" tobacco varieties in Greece, given that such a move would cause severe hardship to tobacco producers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Commission's proposal for transfers from certain groups of varieties which are hard to market to other varieties which are easier to market, and for which producers will get higher prices, was based on information available at that time, which also appeared in the report(1) submitted to Parliament and the Council.

Moreover, as the Honourable Member indicates, a large quantity of group V tobacco is exported to Eastern European countries. However, although the production of these varieties is again on the increase, there are no sure outlets in the long term.

After consultating the Greek authorities, the Commission has agreed to propose a moderate transfer of Mavra and Tsebelia until 2001 (i.e. to keep 11 000 tonnes of production) and to review the situation after that date.

(1) COM(96) 554 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0511/99

by Ludivina García Arias (PSE) to the Commission

(8 March 1999)

Subject: Criteria to assess non-profit-making investment in the future of the European electricity sector

What competition policy criteria does the Commission intend to adopt to assess non-profit-making investment effected by the electricity sector arising out of the universal service obligations established within regulatory frameworks prior to the liberalisation introduced by Directive 96/92/EC(1)? Does it intend to consider only the economic evaluations submitted by undertakings and Member States, or will it compare them with independent audits which take the established market value into account? Are its administrative services sufficiently capable of ascertaining whether a part of the investment was financed from State aid at any time?

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997, p. 20.

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-0510/99 and E-0511/99 given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 1999)

The Commission is examining the notifications given by different Member States of the schemes they intend to apply in order to offset the stranded costs incurred in connection with Parliament and Council Directive 96/92/EC of 19 December 1996 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity(1). In the decisions which the Commission will be required to take to apply the aforementioned Directive and, where required, Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty, it will give due consideration to all elements which ensure the correct functioning of the electricity market, including, of course, consumer protection.

Given that this is a completely new area, the Commission is currently attempting to draw up specific assessment criteria for stranded costs in the field of State aid, and these criteria will be discussed with the Member States. For information purposes, it can, however, be stated that the aid should cover clearly determined costs arising from commitments made prior to the entry into force of the Directive; that it may not be granted unless it complies with the principle of necessity; that it may not have the effect of protecting the national market from external competition; and that it should be of a degressive nature over a reasonable period. It would seem premature at this stage to specify whether independent experts need to be called in to analyse these elements. The Commission feels that it does, in theory, have sufficient capacity to carry out a proper appraisal of this dossier.

The Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by the Commission to his oral question H-0162/99 during question time at the Parliament's March 1999 part-session(2) and the Commission's answers to written questions E-204/99 by Mrs Frutos Gama(3) and E-264/99 by Mr Cabezón Alonso(4).

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997.

(2) Parliamentary Debates (March 1999).

(3) See page 35.

(4) OJ C 341, 29.11.1999, p. 76.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0866/99

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Fresh attacks on Spanish fruit and vegetables

On 15 March 1999, a lorry carrying strawberries from Spain was attacked by a group of masked men, who forced the conductor off the road and rendered some 17 tonnes of strawberries unusable. Despite the fact that in 1998, there were no attacks of this kind, this latest incident joins a long list of such attacks perpetrated in recent years by French activists, directly or indirectly the support e.g. by farmers radically opposed to imports of Spanish fruit and vegetables.

Does the Commission intend to take any measures to prevent any further repetition of such incidents, which infringe the fundamental European Union principles of the right to freedom of movement and fair competition?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 1999)

As is well-known, the Commission has consistently condemned the violence used by private individuals to hinder the free movement of goods as well as the failure of the competent authorities in the Member State concerned to take the necessary public order measures to stop such violence. The outcome of the infringement procedure initiated by the Commission against France was a ruling by the Court of Justice in its judgement of 9 December 1997 in case C-265/95 Commission v France that, "by failing to take all necessary and proportionate measures in order to prevent the free movement of fruit and vegetables from being obstructed by actions by private individuals, the French Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations under the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and Article 30 of the EC Treaty, in conjunction with Article 5 of that Treaty".

In addition, on 7 December 1998 the Council adopted Council Regulation (EC) 2679/98 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States(1), which establishes mechanisms for action by the Commission with a view to ensuring that the Member States, which retain sovereign authority for the maintenance of law and order, eliminate forthwith the serious threat to freedom of movement that is caused by such actions on the part of private individuals.

The Commission is closely monitoring events during the current marketing year for fruit and vegetables and is determined, where necessary, to apply the above instruments to ensure that the French authorities take adequate and appropriate action to guarantee that the principle of the free movement of goods is observed, and thus complying with their obligations in this area.

(1) OJ L 337, 12.12.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 307/99 by David BOWE Radioactive waste



Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0088



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0307/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (17 February 1999) Subject: Radioactive waste What action does the Commission plan to take in order to improve coordination between Member States on the issue of orphan radioactive waste? Does it agree that efforts should be made to coordinate and share technical information in a way similar to the US Technical Cooperation Project which dealt with the recent discovery of radioactive waste in Georgia?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0820/99

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(6 April 1999)

Subject: Future of medical gynaecology

Can the Commission indicate whether, as a result of the harmonisation of medical specialisms, medical gynaecology, as practised in France, is likely to disappear?

Should not, rather, this specialism be extended to the whole of Europe, given its importance for women's health?

This specialism which complements obstetric gynaecology, which is more technical and interventionist because geared towards deliveries and surgery, allows:

- contraception,

- prevention of certain cancers

- treatment of STD

to be treated more effectively and for women to receive a more sympathetic hearing for their problems.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No E-3227/96 by Mr Baldarelli(1).

(1) OJ C 138, 5.5.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0079/99

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare on the welfare aspects of the production of foie gras from ducks and geese

This report, drafted by the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare under the auspices of DG XXIV, was adopted on 16 December 1998.

What action does the Commission propose to take on the basis of this report?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1005/99

by Ian Hudghton (V) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Research into synthetic and plant-derived hormones

Given the animal welfare controversy surrounding production of the hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin, can the Commission indicate if the EU currently funds research into the production of alternative synthetic and plant-derived hormones and whether there are plans to increase such funding?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission is currently funding research on the safety aspects of post-menopausal therapy but not research into the production of alternative synthetic and plant-derived hormones.

In the fifth framework programme for research and technical development (1998-2002), it is foreseen to support research on the development of new therapeutic substances, including recombinant synthetic therapies and hormones which are specifically mentioned in the working programme under key action "Cell factory", bullet point 3.1: "New and innovative health related processes & products".
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1003/99

by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Regional Airports

The EU is committed to the concept of regionality. Key to the development of the regions in the EU is the need for air transport links to be available from regional airports to major centres/hubs (e.g. Frankfurt). Regional airports have difficulty obtaining viable slots at these hubs as there is no commercial incentive for the hub airport authorities to allow in smaller aircraft at the expense of larger, more lucrative aircraft, each carrying many more passengers. This is a clear conflict with regionality and is likely to lead to the continued under-utilisation of regional airports and the demand-led pressure on large airports to become even larger.

Given this conflict, how does the Commission plan to resolve this matter? A potential solution would be the limited but mandatory requirement for large hub airports to provide viable slots for regional airport/airline use. This is the procedure in continental North America where the world's busiest airport (Chicago O'Hare) is obliged to allocate 20 % of its slots in this way.

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1000/99, E-1001/99, E-1002/99 and E-1003/99 given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

The Commission is aware that airlines operating to and from regional airports find it increasingly difficult to secure appropriate slots at congested hub airports.

The Commission is in the process of preparing a proposal to amend the existing Council Regulation (EEC) 95/93 of 18 January 1993 on the common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports. In that context, consideration is being given to the possibilities of introducing appropriate mechanisms to take into account the specific situation of regional routes.

The current Regulation provides for the possibility of reserving slots on vital routes to and from regional airports where public service obligations have been imposed under Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes(1). Member States therefore are able to reserve slots in order to ensure the continued operation of such services between regional and hub airports. The Commission is considering whether these provisions should be maintained or reinforced.

In relation to the situation in South West England and all other Community regions, it is for the relevant Member State authorities, and not the Commission, to take any appropriate decision on the imposition of public service obligations, in accordance with their own regional and transport policies, provided that the obligations envisaged meet, for each individual route, the various criteria set out in the Regulation.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0675/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

Regions whose per capita income is less than 75 % of the average Community per capita income are described as "Objective 1 regions" and they receive significant amounts of Community aid.

To determine whether or not this threshold has been exceeded, the draft Council Regulation COM(98) 131 final(1) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds states that the figures corresponding to the last three years for which Eurostat has data available will be used.

At the moment the only figures available are those for the 1994, 1995 and 1996 financial years.

What are the figures for those years for Melilla?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-0657/99, E-0658/99, E-0659/99, E-0660/99, E-0661/99,E-0662/99, E-0663/99, E-0664/99, E-0665/99, E-0666/99, E-0667/99, E-0668/99,E-0669/99, E-0670/99, E-0671/99, E-0672/99, E-0673/99, E-0674/99 and E-0675/99 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.