ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0555/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: India and the environment

Who will take part in the forthcoming high level meeting between the EU and India on environmental issues?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 1999)

There are currently no plans to hold a Community-India high level meeting on the environment. Environmental issues are, however, discussed regularly in the framework of Community-India cooperation, as was the case recently in the meetings of the sub-commission on development and of the joint commission that took place on 13 and 14 January 1999, respectively.

As a follow-up to the joint commission meeting, bilateral discussions are under way on the establishment of a number of working groups of experts, including a working group on the environment.

Environment has been designated as one of the three main areas of the cooperation programme with India, in addition to primary education and basic health. This is in line with the Commission's communication on an "EU India Enhanced Partnership(1)".

Furthermore, the Commission has in recent months made proposals to the Indian side to deepen the bilateral dialogue and cooperation on the environment, also as part of the Commission's endeavour to promote exchanges on soft security issues.

The Commission specifically raised the environment at the last Community India annual ministerial (Troika) meeting at New Delhi on 13 November 1998, proposing to organise jointly a Community-India conference on the environment as a first step towards a "new partnership on the environment".

(1) COM(96) 275 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0688/99

by Fernand Herman (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Situation of the starch industry and its industrial clients in the European Union

In my oral question O-0025/96(1) I drew the Commission's attention to the fact that the European starch industry was no longer capable of supplying its customers (the paper, fermentation and biotechnology industries, etc.) satisfactorily, inter alia because of the low level of refunds.

Commissioner Fischler replied, in plenary session in Strasbourg on 15 February 1996, that the Commission would do all it could to guarantee our industry a satisfactory competitive position vis-à-vis its competitors in third countries.

Today I note that during more than half of the three-year period that has elapsed since February 1996 production refunds have been insufficient.

As a result, a number of European businesses have located units that use starch as a raw material outside the European Union, some of them in an industry with excellent prospects - biotechnology.

In order to dispel some of the uncertainties that have dogged the European starch industry for a long time and to remedy the harm that inevitably results from such uncertainties, could the Commission:

- give assurances that the system of refunds on the use of starch will be maintained and improved,

- confirm the principle whereby starch production refunds will cover the difference between maize prices in the European Union and those on world markets?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission endorses the undertaking it gave in Strasbourg in plenary session on 15 February 1996.

The Commission has always been mindful of the need to ensure the competitiveness of the starch industry and sectors downstream in the Community, like the biotechnology industry that uses starch and starch products as a raw material.

Under the refund scheme, very large and increasing quantities of starch and processed starch products amounting to up to 3,5 million tonnes of starch equivalent are disposed of each year.

The Commission does not agree that production refunds were inadequate in the period referred to by the Honourable Member.

The way the refund is calculated must reflect the real difference between the world and Community market prices for agricultural raw materials used in the manufacture of starch. This principle has always been applied to ensure the Community industry's competitiveness as far as the prices of the raw material used are concerned. In practice, the only reference market is the one for maize.

The Commission will maintain this market management instrument as long as there is a significant difference between prices on the world and Community markets.

(1) European Parliament debates 4-475 (February 1996).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/99

by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Subject: The Environment Institute (Ispra) food analysis unit

The Ispra-based European Environment Institute has a food analysis unit which checks the quality of ingredients, additives and chemical products in general which are used in preparing food.

Will the Commission provide me with details of this unit's work in 1998?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-139/99 during question time at Parliament's March I 1999 part-session(1).

In particular, the Commission would like to highlight some of the 1998 activities of the food products unit including validation of methods for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food; development of methods for the determination of vegetable fats in chocolate; participation in studies on migration of phthalates in toys; validation of methods concerning bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) safety of feedingstuffs and enlargement of data bank on authentic wines (data on more than 10 000 wines).

In addition, the Commission is preparing a detailed report regarding the achievements of the unit in 1998 that will be available at the beginning of May 1999.

(1) Debates of the Parliament (March I 1999).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Consumption of isotonic drinks by children

According to research carried out by the Union's Scientific Committee for Food, the consumption of isotonic soft drinks by children causes agitation, anxiety and irritation. Can the Commission provide more information on these findings? What measures will it take to protect children from consuming this type of soft drink?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The scientific committee for food expressed an opinion(1) on caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone as constituents of so-called energy drinks. It concluded for caffeine "that the contribution of energy drinks to the total caffeine intake does not appear to be a matter of concern for adults. For children however, who do not normally consume much tea or coffee, and who might substitute "energy" drinks for cola and other soft drinks, consumption of "energy" drinks might represent an increase in daily caffeine exposure compared with their previous intake. Such intake could result in behavioural changes, such as increased arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety. For pregnant women the committee advised moderation of intake from whatever source of caffeine". As regards the other constituents evaluated (taurine and glucuronolactone), the scientific committee was unable to conclude that the safety in use of these substances in the concentrations in certain so called "energy drinks" has been adequately established.

It is primarily the producer, who must make available the scientific data allowing a risk assessment of the safety of these substances in energy drinks. The Commission has therefore informed the Member States of the opinion and asked them to ensure that, in conformity with the obligations under Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety(2), products placed on their market are safe. The Commission will continue to follow the scientific evaluation of the substances in question once new relevant information is made available.

(1) Accessible via the Internet at: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scf/out22en.html).

(2) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0817/99

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1999)

Subject: Community campaign against alcohol abuse amongst young people

The message in the figures showing a rise in alcohol abuse amongst young people is so abundantly that it cannot fail to cause the deepest concern. The statistics reveal that the daily alcohol intake of 3 % of people aged between 15 and 30 is excessive, whilst the corresponding figures for weekends are three times as high.

Whilst the European Union has conducted highly effective information campaigns against other forms of abuse, such as smoking, there would now appear to be an urgent need to alert young people to the fact that alcohol abuse is as harmful to one's health as the wholesale addiction to drugs or other substances.

Does the Commission believe that it ought to propose a campaign to Member States against alcohol abuse amongst young people which, besides encouraging them to give up alcohol, would help rehabilitate young people addicted to alcohol, offer them alternative leisure activities and generate health awareness which changes modern society's excessively tolerant attitude to alcohol consumption amongst young people?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that this is a matter of importance. The Commission is paying the utmost attention to this very issue in the context of Health promoting schools, a European network which covers all Member States and involves over 5 000 schools.

In addition, the Commission is preparing a proposal for a Council recommendation on alcohol consumption by children and adolescents in which special attention will be given to raising the awareness of the effects of alcoholic drinks on children and adolescents, to strengthening the appropriate health promotion efforts targeted at these age groups, and to calling upon producers and retailers of alcoholic beverages to enforce regulatory or self-regulatory control of the promotion, marketing and retailing of alcoholic products.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0020/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 1999)

Subject: Small states and the re-negotiation of the Convention of Lomé

Would the Commission consider it appropriate to include a separate chapter on small states in a new convention drawn up to replace the Convention of Lomé?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

The negotiating directives approved by the Council on 29 June last year for a development partnership agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) posit a differentiated approach as a basic principle of the future agreement. This approach will involve tailoring cooperation procedures and priorities to a partner's development level, needs and long-term development strategy.

The directives expressly provide for special treatment for the least-developed countries, with due account being taken of the vulnerability of land-locked and island countries. This will particularly affect the way resources are allocated. When assessing a country's needs, account will be taken of structural or geographical factors of vulnerability. In the current negotiations with the ACP States, the parties have already planned discussions on the parameters to be taken into account.

The Commission feels that such provisions would enable account to be taken of the particular difficulties facing small countries, without there being any need for a specific chapter in the future agreement. It should be noted, moreover, that, depending on the parameters used, a great many ACP countries could be considered small states.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0781/99

by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission

(22 March 1999)

Subject: EU aid for company relocation

Lear, the US motor vehicle components giant received a SKR 20 million subsidy when it opened a plant in Bengtfors, Sweden. The company has now decided to transfer part of its manufacturing activities to Portugal after securing about SKR 75 million worth of EU subsidies and SKR 75 million worth of tax breaks from Portugal. At least 350 people, mainly sewing machine operators, will lose their jobs at Bengtfors, where the workforce is up in arms. Should EU subsidies really be used to lure jobs away from one EU Member State to another? It is a well-known fact that the Swedes are the biggest net contributors to the EU budget and, naturally enough, it is therefore even more galling for them to see EU subsidies used to relocate jobs from Sweden.

What action can the Commission take in this particular case? What can it do to prevent similar occurrences in the future?

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

(16 April 1999)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the joint answer the Commission gave to oral questions H-0274/99, H-0286/99 and H-0288/99 from Mrs Sch[phgr ]rling, Mr Andersson and Mrs Sandberg-Fries respectively at question time during the April 1999(1) Parliamentary session.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (April 1999).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0528/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(8 March 1999)

Subject: Fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it declared that "in the event that the general interest of the Union's external trade relations or the development cooperation policy require maintaining certain imports that involve market access on terms that mean unfair competition for Community preserves, the latter should be declared sensitive products and compensatory aid should be allocated to the industry".

Can the Commission say what measures have been taken to comply with Parliament's request, and what results have been obtained?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 295.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0582/99

by Mark Killilea (UPE) to the Commission

(3 March 1999)

Subject: State aid to commercial property

Can the Commission provide full details of operating aid to commercial property that has been approved for State aid purposes in all of the Member States? In particular, can the Commission categorise and quantify the volume of aid as it relates to capital allowances or accelerated depreciation arrangements, rent subsidies or other similar arrangements and waivers from local or regional authority charges?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1999)

A detailed breakdown of state aid grants as requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available. The Commission's surveys on state aid only distinguish according to the following types of aid: grants, tax exemptions, tax deferrals, equity participation, guarantees and soft loans. Tax exemptions and deferrals together amounted to 24 % of the state aid to the manufacturing sector in the period of the last survey (1994-1996).

The research required to retrieve all the requested information from the notifications and annual reports of Member States and to provide a detailed answer to the Honourable Member's question would be out of all proportion to the result obtained and would be inappropriate in the context of answering a written question.
It is important to remind the Honorary Member that the Commission is currently examining whether it
would be appropriate to transmit to the Council a proposal concerning the accession of the Community toUNECE Regulations 108 and 109 and that the Council could adopt, if appropriate, a proposal to this effectafter Parliament has give a favourable opinion.
(1) OJ L 346, 17.12.1997.
(2000/C 27 E/033) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1376/99
by Ole Krarup (EDD) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: EU funding for the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation)
Will the Commission carry out an investigation within its own Directorates to provide details of the
contributions received by the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation) from the EU? How much doesthe EU pay to the ETUC as an organisation and how much money do its affiliated organisations receive?The investigation should include contributions of all kinds, including expenses paid to members and otheraffiliates for travel, accommodation etc.
The ETUC did not wish to provide information concerning the amounts which the organisation and its
members receive from the EU.
Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission
(4 October 1999)
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European sectoral trade union federations do
not receive operating subsidies from the Commission.
However, in the context of calls for proposals, trade union organisations may submit requests for financial
support for actions with a European dimension in the field of industrial relations and the social dialogue.The Commission may thus allocate funds to targeted actions of this kind which are limited in time andwhich require resources over and above those available to the requesting body.
In this context, the ETUC has received subsidies for the information and training of workers representa-
tives on European issues in the context of line B3-4002 and for joint actions with another social partner inthe context of developing the European social dialogue (line B3-4000). In the case of these joint actions, inagreement with and at the request of the employer party, the ETUC sometimes manages the financing.
(2000/C 27 E/034) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1377/99
by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Law on chimney sweeping in the Federal Republic of Germany
A law on chimney sweeping was passed in the Federal Republic of Germany on 15 September 1969.
Among its more important clauses, the law stipulates that the remuneration for the legally prescribedactivity of borough (Bezirk) master chimney sweep is a fee governed by public law and that the law hasthe effect of imposing a legal obligation to accept contracts between the borough master chimney sweep,to whom a working district is allotted, and the owner of a house in that district. The remuneration isprescribed to the various Federal Länder.C 27 E/30 EN 29.1.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0767/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Archaeological excavations at Pydna, prefecture of Pieria

Ancient Pydna in the prefecture of Pieria was the oldest town in 5th century Macedonia A number of important archaeological finds have been unearthed during construction of the new railway line, the second section of the road between Katerini and Thessaloniki and the natural gas pipeline. Owing to a lack of finance, there has been no systematic excavation hitherto, merely 'salvage' operations to tie in with the needs of these major public works.

If the Commission received a request, would it consider continuing the excavations in a more systematic fashion and setting up a museum in the area to exhibit the finds for the benefit and development of the region?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1999)

Archaeological excavations as such cannot be cofinanced by the Raphael programme or the Community's Structural Funds. However, projects to enhance archaeological sites with a view to attracting more visitors and thereby promoting tourism in the regions concerned may be eligible under the Structural Funds.

A project to enhance the Pydna archaeological site (including the building of a museum) could be eligible if it contributed to the development of Central Macedonia. It should be pointed out that it is for the national authorities to propose projects to be financed under operational programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0043/99

by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission

(22 January 1999)

Subject: Institutional reform

In view of resolution A4-347/97(1) adopted by the European Parliament on 19 November 1997 embodying its opinion on the Amsterdam Treaty, has the Commission begun drawing up a proposal for institutional reform, as called for in paragraph 20 of the resolution?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

This year, the Commission informed Parliament and stated in its 1999 Work Programme, that it will present a "communication on the guidelines for institutional reform." The entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the ongoing discussions on "Tomorrow's Commission" and the guidelines which will emerge from the next European Council in Cologne will determine when the communication will be presented.

As the Honourable Member already knows, some institutional reforms do not require formal amendments to the Treaties. A case in point is the implementation of Declaration 32 on the organisation and functioning of the Commission, annexed to the final act of the Amsterdam Conference. The Commission is completing the work as part of the "Tomorrow's Commission" exercise.

Meanwhile, the Vienna European Council in December 1998 scheduled the decision "on how and when to tackle institutional issues left unresolved at Amsterdam" for the Cologne European Council on 1 June 1999.

In the President's address to Parliament on 11 January 1999, the Commission tried to cast these considerations in a coherent mould. Thus the Commission should be able to inform Parliament on progress on internal reform and institutional matters in general before June 1999. Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty and discussions at the Cologne European Council, the Commission will present a communication ahead of the next intergovernmental conference, which will study institutional reform prior to enlargement.

(1) OJ C 371, 8.12.1997, p. 99.