ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3600/98

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

(3 December 1998)

Subject: 1999 autonomous Community tariff quota for tuna backs from third countries

Can the Commission provide information concerning its forecasts for the 1999 autonomous Community tariff quota for tuna backs from third countries? Within what range are the quota size and tariff percentage likely to fall?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

There are no tariff quota forecasts for these products for 1999. Quotas are opened from 1 April, so the Commission will not be presenting its proposals until February, for adoption by the Council in March.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2901/98

by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Proposal for common rules for direct support schemes under the CAP

Article 8 of this proposal would require the Member States to restrict payments to certain producers who did not comply with certain conditions, including their income-related activities. However, this could result in those people whose off-farm income contributes to the overall household income being penalised and this would appear to contradict the Commission's approach to date, which has been supportive of agricultural diversification and has emphasised the important interrelationship between agriculture and rural areas. Would the Commission please clarify the thrust of this proposal and how it envisages its implementation, since rules should not be drawn up which place at a disadvantage those members of the farming community who engage in multiple activities?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Article 8 of the proposal for a Council regulation establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy(1) deals with the restriction of payments.

As explained in the penultimate recital of the proposal, this provision was designed to give Member States the power to deal with so-called "premium hunters", i.e. those individuals who do not exercise genuine and serious farming activities but merely carry out activities solely or predominantly to obtain Community agricultural support. It was not intended to penalise those who also have off-farm incomes provided that they do at the same time pursue genuine and serious farming activities. As the draft makes clear, implementation would fall to the Member States.

The proposal is now before the Council, where negotiations on the whole Agenda 2000(2) package are continuing. The Parliament's opinion on the proposal is also awaited.

(1) COM(98) 158 final.

(2) COM(97) 2000 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3704/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Health insurance and discrimination against women

1. Is the Commission aware that women pay higher health insurance contributions?

2. Does it see this as contravening the principle of equality?

3. What measures is it planning to take to put a stop to this discriminatory practice?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The legal situation regarding differences in contribution levels for sickness insurance as between women and men varies according to the type of sickness insurance scheme. As regards statutory schemes providing protection against sickness, Council Directive 79/7/EEC of 19 December 1978 on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security(1) precludes any discrimination whatsoever on grounds of sex, including in the calculation of contributions.

For occupational schemes of sickness insurance, the relevant legislation is Directive 86/378/EEC as amended by Directive 96/97/EC of 20 December 1996 on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes(2), interpreting the provisions of Article 119 of the EC Treaty. This Directive provides that it is contrary to equal treatment to set different contribution levels as between men and women workers, but allows Member States to defer compulsory application of the principle until 1 January 1999, if the difference results from different actuarial calculations.

There are no Community rules requiring private sickness insurance schemes to apply the principle of equal treatment to the calculation of members' contributions.

The Commission is not aware at present of any sickness insurance schemes which contravene the relevant provisions of Community equality law.

(1) OJ L 6, 10.1.1979.

(2) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3532/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Failure of Greece to comply with Community legislation on provision of satellite services

The Commission has requested the Greek Government on numerous occasions to incorporate into national law Directive 90/388/EEC(1), as amended by Directive 94/46/EEC(2) on the abolition of all measures and provisions concerning the granting of special and exclusive rights to any body for the provision of satellite services.

These directives require the Member States to have provided the relevant assurances by August 1995 at the latest.

Until recently, however, Greece had not taken any measures to allow any enterprise or body other than the national telecommunications organisation, OTE, to provide the above services on its territory.

Will the Commission, therefore, say whether it has asked or intends to ask the Greek Government for an explanation and whether and to what extent it intends to make use of Article 169 to bring the matter before the Court of Justice, should the Greek Government fail to comply in due time?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 1999)

The Commission is aware that Greece has failed to fulfil its obligation to fully transpose Article 2(2) subparagraph 1 of Directive 90/388/EEC, as amended by Directive 94/46/EC, as regards the provision of satellite services and satellite network services, or to apply effectively the relevant measures. Therefore the Commission sent a formal warning to the Greek authorities on 15 May 1998.

The Greek authorities replied by letter dated 2 July 1998, informing the Commission of the adoption of ministerial decisions nos 61646/98, 61647/98, 62087/98. The decisions at issue deal with the tariffs for the use of radio frequencies, the licensing of satellite services and the granting of frequency approval.

A later communication from the Greek authorities on 20 October 1998 stated that there are already three applications pending in the national telecommunications committee (EET). The latter committee is to consider the applications after the relevant regulatory framework is complete. It appears that a ministerial decision is still necessary to set out the conditions and proceedings for the provision of mobile satellite personal communications.

Since no authorizations for the provision of satellite services in Greece have been granted so far under the notified measures, the Commission is currently considering whether to deliver a reasoned opinion under Article 169 of the EC Treaty. If a reasoned opinion is delivered, the Commission would request Greece to take the measures necessary to comply with the reasoned opinion. If Greece still fails to authorise the provision of satellite service, then the case could be brought before the Court of justice.

(1) OJ L 192, 24.7.1990, p. 10.

(2) OJ L 268, 19.10.1994, p. 15.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3051/98

by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Interaction among the disabled

The organisation "Mental Health Europe" has been receiving a European subsidy to coordinate mental health at European level for more than 10 years.

This year, for the first time, the organisation was refused this subsidy. As a result, it no longer has the necessary funds to continue its work.

1. Why is the Commission no longer willing to provide financial support for the work of Mental Health Europe?

2. Does not the Commission fear that the network of patients' organisations, associations of relatives and professional carers which the organisation has built up over all these years may be jeopardised if a different organisation takes over its work?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 1998)

These subsidies are designed to provide support for the co-ordination of European non-governmental associations (NGOs) active in the field of promotion of equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Mental Health Europe applied for a subsidy in the framework of the 1998 call for proposals but did not receive the full amount requested for the following reasons.

In accordance with the suggestions put forward by many NGOs following the 1997 call for proposals, the Commission decided to increase the maximum amount of subsidy from ECU 80 000 in 1997 to ECU 120 000 and the maximum co-financing rate from 50 % to 70 %. Given that the global co-ordination budget available remained unchanged, only 13 NGOs could receive Community funding to support their activities in 1998, as opposed to 26 in 1997. Consequently, the assessment for awarding subsidies under this framework has become more stringent. The two major criteria in this respect focused on the extent of the co-ordination amongst the fellow national members and the active involvement of people with disabilities in the running and co-ordination of such activities. In that context, the application submitted by Mental Health Europe ranked lower than other proposals received by the Commission.

However, the Commission is keen to ensure that where possible the valuable work carried out so far by Mental Health Europe for the promotion of mental health in Community policies should continue. In the framework of the promotion of public health, Mental Health Europe is currently benefiting from a substantial subsidy to undertake a 24-month Europe-wide project on mental health promotion for children up to 6 years of age. Moreover, Mental Health Europe has in the context of actions against social exclusion been contacted by the Commission to explore its possible contribution towards a more inclusive society.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3549/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Fees of private clinics in Greece

Public hospitals in Greece have raised their fees by 60-100 % and psychiatric clinics by 35 %; these fees are paid by the insurance funds. In contrast, the fees of general clinics in the private sector have been frozen for a period of six years despite repeated protests from the Greek Association of Private Clinics against such unfair treatment.

Is this situation consistent with the rules on competition and is there a means of eliminating these disparities?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that possible anti-competitive practices which have consequences mainly for a national market have in principle to be examined by the authorities in that Member State under national competition law. The practices described by the Honourable Member appear to relate only to Greek hospitals and clinics, so the Greek competition authorities are the most appropriate authorities to deal with the her question.

As to the compatibility of the situation with competition rules, the Commission does not have sufficient information to allow it to take a position.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3512/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Counterfeit and pirated goods



Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0091



WRITTEN QUESTION E-3512/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Counterfeit and pirated goods With reference to the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) 3295/94 laying down measures to prohibit the release for free circulation, export, re-export or entry for a suspensive procedure of counterfeit and pirated goods (COM(98) 25 final - 98/0018 ACC)(1), can the Commission call the attention of the national governments to the urgent need for a speedier procedure as requested in the third part of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement)? (1) OJ C 108, 7.4.1998, p. 63.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3425/98

by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: Breakdown of EU subsidies for Baden-Württemberg

1. What subsidies from EU programmes flowed to Baden-Württemberg in 1995-97?

2. What amounts were involved, for what projects and in what places?

Supplementary answer

given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 1999)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe

In an answer given by Mr Oreja on 27 November 1996 to a previous written question which I submitted (E-2761/96)(1) about the need for better management and protection for Italy's artistic and cultural heritage, the Commission stated that no specific studies on action by centres and institutions aimed at promoting the national artistic heritage at European level were available to the Commission. However, at the same time, it indicated that a directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe which sought to review the organisations producing cultural statistics on a systematic basis was currently in preparation.

Despite the fact that this statement was made some time ago, I understand that the directory has not in fact been published yet.

In view of the above can the Commission say:

1. whether the process of preparing the directory has been completed;

2. and whether, in the meantime, other instruments have been put in place for the purpose indicated?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

The Commission is pleased to confirm that the "Annuaire des sources statistiques culturelles en Europe" was published in 1997(2).

Furthermore, and as a follow-up, the Commission is working on the pilot project "Cultural statistics-development of comparative data, 1996-1999" which involves four task forces on methodology, employment, financing and participation. The results of this pilot project will be presented in an international conference, in Geneva in October 1999, with the participation of the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation (Unesco) and the Economic commission for Europe (ECE). The results will focus attention on the tools, data collection methods and number of indicators used in the field of cultural statistics. The main long term objective is to establish comparative cultural statistics in order to help the formulation of cultural policies.

(1) OJ C 83, 14.3.1997, p. 64.

(2) ISBN 92-827-9275-7.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3750/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Shipment of euros

Given that there will be euro coins with "national symbols" on one side, and allowing for the enormous movement of people around the EU, can the Commission estimate, without involving some absurd system of shipping "foreign coins" back to the country of origin, how long it will be before the coins are effectively randomly distributed across the EU?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 1999)

According to Article 105 A2 of the EC Treaty, Member States retain the responsibility for issuing coins. Both Member States and the Commission exclude the idea of organising any system of repatriation to bring "foreign" euro coins back to their Member State of origin. In the absence of such a system of repatriation, one can imagine that a mixing of the euro coins with different national symbols will occur throughout the euro area over time.

The Commission is aware of the importance of cross-border movements inside the single market. Those broad movements of people, necessary to develop the feeling of a common citizenship, embrace business matters, tourism, family visits and culture. In a single monetary area, travellers from participating Member States will spend money they have in their pockets regardless of the national face printed on the coins. The random distribution of coins will be the result of those movements. The Commission has made no estimates but two elements sustain the idea that the random distribution of coins could take a substantial amount of time. First, cross-border movements do not concern the majority of Union citizens. Second, people usually travel only with a small amount of coins. Coins with national symbols will most likely remain predominant in their respective Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2978/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Wild Atlantic salmon

Is the Commission aware of growing public concern at the declining stock of wild Atlantic salmon, particularly the decline in numbers entering Irish and Scottish rivers, and has any action been proposed by the Commission to arrest this decline.

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 1998)

The Commission is aware of the public concern at the situation of Atlantic salmon and is itself seriously worried by the state of the wild salmon stocks in the North Atlantic.

In the light of this situation, the North Atlantic salmon conservation organisation (NASCO), of which the Community is the largest contracting party, at its annual meeting in June 1998 agreed to develop an action plan for the application of a precautionary approach to salmon management. This action plan, which is specifically designed for the North Atlantic, foresees a number of measures which will be undertaken by the contracting parties to NASCO in the coming years in order to restore the North Atlantic wild salmon stocks. The action plan will comprehensively address the management of fisheries, socio-economic issues, unreported catches, stock rebuilding programmes, habitat issues and aquaculture. This action plan was drawn up with the full support and involvement of the Community at all stages.

The Commission considers that this action will generate effective measures to halt the decline in the wild salmon stocks in the North Atlantic.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3547/98

by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Eurostat publication on the population of European countries by country of birth

In its publication "Statistics in focus - Population and social conditions" (Volume 10, 1998), Eurostat provides data on the population of selected European countries by country of birth. The survey gives details of the number of inhabitants born outside the EU, the country of origin of immigrants, figures for the recruitment of labour and the age of foreign-born inhabitants. The Member States included are Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Sweden but not Germany.

Why does the Statistical Office conduct surveys of the population structure in EU Member States that exclude the Member State with the largest population and what contribution does a survey that gives no details of foreigners or the foreign-born population in Germany make to knowledge of the Community?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

Following regular requests to the Commission for data on population by country of birth, Member States were asked in 1996 to provide the relevant information to Eurostat. Several Member States, including Germany, could not provide all the information requested, but given the interest of the public it was considered useful to publish the available information in "Statistics in Focus" and in the Eurostat database "New Cronos." No totals for the whole Community are calculated, given the lack of information from Germany and other Member States. When more information becomes available from Member States (for example after a census) it will be put in the database.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1995/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. The Terminator Gene (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)



Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0002



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1995/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (30 June 1998) Subject: The Terminator Gene What is the Commission's estimate of the impact of Monsanto's Terminator Gene over the next few years on the livelihoods of farmers in developing countries?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3117/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Regulation of foreign exchanges

Is the Commission aware of the problem of abuse, physical and sexual, of foreign exchange children in host family accommodation, which is often unregulated?

If the Commission is aware of the problem, what action has been taken to protect minors, in particular have any steps been taken towards the regulation of language schools and host families throughout the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

The programmes for education, training and youth do not offer transnational exchanges for children below 14 years. No case of abuse of participating young people has been reported to the Commission, and the risks of abuse are likely to be limited since young people are not sent abroad unaccompanied.

The Socrates programme provides support to Lingua joint educational projects which normally involve two groups of young people aged 14 years and older. One important part of the project is a reciprocal stay of at least 14 days in the partner institution when joint project work is carried out. Preferably the students should stay with each others families, i.e. with a youngster of the partner group, in order to learn as much as possible of the language and culture of the host country. The groups of students are always accompanied by teachers, one male and one female in the case of a mixed group, and normally the families are involved in the project.

Participation in the European voluntary service programme is limited to young people from 18 to 25 years old, while the Youth for Europe programme involves young people from 15 to 25 years old. The exchanges of young people which constitute the most important part of the Youth for Europe programme concern groups of young people and are limited in length (6 to 21 days). Lodging in a host family does not constitute a rule in the Youth programmes, but rather an exception. In any case young people are always accompanied by youth workers or tutors.

The promoters of the youth projects are aware of the problem of abuse and some of them develop specific actions in this field. In the framework of the youth programmes, the Commission supports projects, seminars and workshops treating welfare and safety questions in mobility involving youngsters.

The Commission runs the Daphne initiative, a programme which assists non-governmental organisations (NGOs) opposing violence against children, young people and women. Projects introduced by NGOs could be eligible for support under this programme.