ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1205/97 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: Televised broadcasting of major events

On 5 February 1997 the Commission submitted a communication on the compilation by the Member States of a list of major broadcasting events.

The list is supposed to distinguish two types of event, those common to all Member States and those of interest only to individual Member States.

In the light of the cultural diversity of the European Union and the existence of television channels within Member States which do not broadcast throughout a Member State, can the Commission explain how the communication takes account, as far as the list of events of national interest is concerned, of the interests of such channels?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1997)

On 16 April 1997, in the context of the overhaul of Directive 89/552/EEC (Television Without Frontiers), Parliament and Council delegations held a meeting of the consultation committee at which overall agreement was reached on a directive amending the Television Without Frontiers Directive, including the provisions relating to the broadcasting of events of major public interest. The joint text is currently being finalized by Parliament and the Council.

In line with the Commission's analysis of the need for Community-level action (as outlined in the communication referred to by the Honourable Member), the joint text allows Member States to adopt measures designed to guarantee that the public will continue to have access to television broadcasts of events of major public interest

on 'free' television (i.e. without the viewer having to pay an additional fee). The Commission will be responsible for checking that such measures are in line with Community law. Each Member State will be responsible for seeing that broadcasters under its jurisdiction comply with those measures adopted by other Member States that the Commission has deemed to be compatible with Community law.

This means that it is primarily up to each Member State to choose the most appropriate measures to guarantee the public access to major televised events.

For example, in the case referred by the Honourable Member (an event of national interest to be broadcast country-wide) broadcasters who had acquired the exclusive rights would have to broadcast the event unencoded (either by themselves or in conjunction with other broadcasters) throughout the country concerned. There is no reason why this could not be achieved, for example, by a network of regional broadcasters rather than by a single national broadcaster.

The Commission would also point out that one of the recitals in the joint text states that the term 'major events' covers events that may interest only one large part of a Member State (the example often quoted is the Scottish Cup Final). In cases like this, an arrangement whereby a broadcaster covering only part of the country broadcasts the event in question unencoded may be enough to satisfy the objective that the audience concerned should have access to the broadcast.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301/97 by Manuel Porto (PPE) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Imports of footwear from China and Indonesia

Following the conclusion of an inquiry, Commission Regulation (EC) No 165/97 ((OJ L 29, 31.1.1997, p. 3. )) of 28 January 1997 authorized the imposition of import duties in respect of footwear originating in China and Indonesia.

However, it has reached our attention that exporters from China and Indonesia and European importers have already set up a system to avoid paying anti-dumping duties by channelling these products through Bangladesh where they receive the relevant certificate of origin.

Will the Commission say what attitude it has taken - or intends to take - in this matter?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1997)

To ensure that anti-dumping measures are properly applied the Commission is always especially vigilant towards imports subject to anti-dumping duties. Here the Commission works closely with the Member States' customs departments.

The Honourable Member can be assured of the interest taken by the Commission in the proper implementation of measures applying to imports of certain footwear originating in the People's Republic of China and Indonesia since 1 February. In this context the Commission is prepared to examine any precise, substantiated information, with a view to its subsequent use by Member States, which might be supplied to it about any false declarations, notably about origin of goods.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0455/97 by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission (7 February 1997)

Subject: Decision of the Galician regional government rerouting the electrical power line (400 kw) through the locality of Merza (Pontevedra), with adverse effects extending to EU investment

The EU has invested, and will continue to invest, substantial funds in rural regional development in this area (Leader Portodemouros, river beach, bathing complex, crafts centre, hostel, woodland footpath, etc - Leader I and II and ERDF).

The decision of September 1996 by the Galician regional government (Xunta) to reroute the electrical power line (400 kw) so that it passes right through the locality of Merza (Pontevedra), which has over 800 inhabitants, represents a serious danger, an attack on the environment and a decisive blow to the hopes of tourist development in the area.

Is the Commission aware of these plans on the part of the Xunta? Does it intend to ask it to withdraw its proposals? Does it intend to ask for compensation in relation to the EU investment?

What action does the Commission propose to resolve this problem?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1997)

Further to its answer of 7 March 1997, the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

The public service company Red Electrica de España S.A. is the entity responsible for the realisation of the project in question. Although the European regional development fund (ERDF) did cofinance the construction of the high tension electricity line (400 kW) between Meson (La Coruña) and the Portuguese border at the town of Lindoso as part of the operational programme Galicia 1990-1993, this cofinancing did not include any additional work carried out in 1996, such as the subsequent re-routeing of the electricity line.

The Spanish authorities have the primary responsibility for ensuring the respect of Community law in the execution of projects cofinanced by the ERDF. The Commission is not at present aware that any infringements of Community legislation have taken place in this case and therefore has no basis on which to take further action.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0280/97 by Gérard Caudron (PSE) to the Council (14 February 1997)

Subject: Summer time

Since 1980 the Commission has been responsible for harmonizing the beginning and end of summer time in the Member States which apply this system. It has repeatedly explained that the decision whether or not to implement the summer time arrangements does not fall within its powers but within those of each Member State.

Recently the French delegation to the Council announced its intention to go back on the summer time system applied in France.

An expert opinion from the Council states that, in that event, France would be disregarding compulsory provisions on summer time.

Will the Council state whether it intends to oblige a Member State to maintain the summer time arrangements?

Will the Council state what progress has been made with discussions on whether all the Member States might abandon the summer time arrangements?

Answer (5 June 1997)

1. The Commission has submitted a proposal for an eighth Directive ((OJ C 342, 14.11.1996, p. 1. )) maintaining the summertime arrangements laid down in Directive 94/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ((OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 1. )) for the period 1998 to 2001 inclusive to the European Parliament and to the Council. These arrangements provide basically for common dates and times for the beginning and end of summertime, "given that the Member States apply summertime arrangements¨ ((See second recital of Directive 94/21/EC. )).

2. The Council's discussions are not, therefore, concerned with "whether all the Member States might abandon the summertime arrangements¨. The Council adopted a common position and its statement of reasons on 14 April 1997 pursuant to Article 189b of the Treaty, the proposal referred to in paragraph 1 being based on Article 100a of the Treaty establishing the European Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1409/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Draining of the Infernaccio waste-disposal site in Rome

In a council meeting of 7 February 1997, the municipality of Rome earmarked LIT 9.5 billion for draining the Infernaccio waste-disposal site in Rome, district 15, close to the Via della Magliana Vecchia. Many inhabitants of the area have asked for this to be done on a number of occasions relying, inter alia, of a report of 4 October 1993 by the Environmental Protection Office of the Municipality of Rome which refers to the potential risk of environmental pollution in the area due to fracturing containing the waste. So far, however, the drainage work has not begun and the inhabitants of the area think that the amount of money earmarked is not sufficient to drain the whole area, where conditions are, from an environmental point of view, very worrying.

The situation at the Infernaccio waste-disposal site appears to be a manifest breach of the provisions of Directive 75/442/EEC ((OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39. )) on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32. )), which provides that 'Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment ...'.

Will the Commission check whether the situation described above involves an infringement of the Community directives on waste disposal and in particular Directives 75/442/EEC and 91/156/EEC?

Could the Commission say whether it thinks any action should be taken against Italy or the Municipality of Rome in this matter in order to restore respect for Community law?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1409/97 and E-1410/97 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (27 May 1997)

The Commission will be contacting the Italian authorities on the subject of the fact referred to by the Honourable Member and reminding them of the need to comply with Article 4 of Directive 91/156/EEC, to which the Honourable Member referred.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0833/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Disparity between Italian and German milk quotas

Will the Commission state its reasons for allocating Italy a milk quota which puts it at a serious disadvantage against the other EU nations, while the justifiable discontent of tens of thousands of farmers and producers in Italy continues to rise?

It should be emphasized that, for example, Italy is placed at a serious disadvantage compared to Germany:

- Italy imports 40% of its milk consumption, amounting to some 7.1 million tonnes of milk;

- back in 1992, Germany produced 24.2 million tonnes of milk which was not only enough to cover its own needs but left a surplus of approximately 10 million tonnes, an amount which exceeded Italy's entire quota (9.9 million tonnes);

- Italy's quota equals 60% of national consumption;

- Germany's quota (after reunification) was set at 28.5 million tonnes which is more than double its milk consumption!

These details were given in the Corriere della Sera on 15 February 1997 by Andrea Belloli, an expert in the field and chairman of the regional association of Lombardy farmers. Will the Commission say how and why this absurd situation, which is so beneficial to Germany and so harmful to Italy - which is, moreover, losing Lit thousands of billions to the European Union - arose?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

The Commission does not share the opinion of the Honourable Member. The overall guaranteed quantities per Member State were fixed in 1984 on the basis of the quantities produced in 1981, in the case of Italy and Ireland, for which 1983 was taken as the reference year, which was to their advantage. Moreover, the Council decided in 1993 to allocate an additional 900 000 tonnes to Italy. Since then, individual quantities have been allocated to Italian producers by taking the 1988/89 milk year as the reference year, corrected by deliveries made during the 1991/92 marketing year where these were higher. Because of the rise in yield this has resulted in a considerable advantage to Italian milk producers compared to producers in the other Member States.

The allocation of the reference quantities to each Member State was carried out on the basis of past production. This method enabled the Council to arrive at a compromise without having to deal with other aspects of the dairy economy in each Member State, particularly consumption levels.

The application of this method has led to several Member States having quotas lower than their consumption needs. This is the case for Italy, but also for Spain, Greece and the United Kingdom.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1410/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Huge waste-disposal site at Tor Lupara

A number of citizens have recently condemned the worrying situation at a huge waste-disposal site - known as the 'Inviolata site' - at Tor Lupara, between the communes of Guidonia and Mentana near to Rome. The site is located in a very densely populated area and waste converges there from 140 communes. The total surface area of the site has, according to local press reports, now reached three square kilometers.

People living in the vicinity have to put up with the nauseating smells emanating from the site and fear that even when it is closed, because of the vast proportions it has assumed, the biogas generated by the fermentation of the waste will continue to be given off into the air for a long time.

Moreover, a group of doctors has apparently reported that the area has witnessed an increase in diseases that could have environmentally-related causes.

That situation appears to be in manifest breach of the provisions of Article 4 of Directive 75/442/EEC ((OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39. )) on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32. )), which provides that 'Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that waste is recovered or dispose of without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment ...'.

Could the Commission check whether the situation described above involves an infringement of the Community directives on waste disposal and in particular Directives 75/442/EEC and 91/156/EEC?

Could the Commission say whether it thinks any action should be taken against Italy in this matter in order to restore respect for Community law?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1409/97 and E-1410/97 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (27 May 1997)

The Commission will be contacting the Italian authorities on the subject of the fact referred to by the Honourable Member and reminding them of the need to comply with Article 4 of Directive 91/156/EEC, to which the Honourable Member referred.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: European Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) establishing a European Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection (COM(96)223 final - 96/0143 (CNS)) ((OJ C 239, 17.8.1996, p. 9. )), (CES 1396/96 -96/0143 CNS).

To ensure the proper functioning of the internal market and adequate protection for consumers a strong, efficient veterinary and phytosanitary inspection and monitoring body is vitally important. This body must have full authority to enforce Community directives and check that the requirements for third countries are being met.

Nonetheless, the Commission is asked not to convert the existing inspection office into an agency. The office should be strengthened by means of the recruitment of new permanent staff, unless it is proved beyond all doubt that the establishment of an agency would bring substantial improvements to health, consumer protection and the food industry. As things stand at the moment, this would appear far from certain.

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1997)

The Commission welcomes and fully supports the Honourable Member's remarks on the need for strong and efficient veterinary and phytosanitary control and inspection services at Community level. The Commission has recently agreed a communication on the action to be taken to reinforce the provision of scientific advice and the operation of control and inspection procedures in the food production, veterinary and phytosanitary fields in both Member States and third countries ((COM(97) 183 final. )). The Commission looks to the budgetary authorities to provide the necessary resources so that the actions proposed in this communication can be fully implemented as quickly as possible. In the light of recent developments, the Commission intends to review its original proposal for the establishment of a veterinary and phytosanitary inspection agency, to assess whether it continues to represent the most effective way of ensuring that the above goals can be met ((COM(96) 223. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1398/97 by Olivier Dupuis (ARE) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: UN Decade for the World's Indigenous People

In the light of the UN Decade for the World's Indigenous People, whose first quarter has almost passed, can the Commission indicate the projects through which it has supported the indigenous peoples of French Guyana in 1995 and 1996?

Can the Commission list the names of the projects and the amounts of financial support it has given for all the different financial instruments it has at its disposition to support the indigenous peoples of French Guyana?

Does the Commission feel that it has adequately reacted to the resolutions of the UN General Assembly which has called upon states and intergovernmental organizations to promote the rights and interests of the indigenous people living in their territories, as reflected by the title of the Decade: 'Indigenous People: Partners in Action'?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1398/97, E-1399/97 and E-1401/97 given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1997)

The Commission is contributing to international action to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people.

In 1996, it supported the newsletter published by the European Alliance with Indigenous Peoples, whose aim is to inform a target group of people interested in action taken by the Community on issues affecting indigenous people. In October and November 1996, the newsletter published two articles on the position of indigenous peoples in French Guyana and Finland.

The Commission has not yet adopted a policy on indigenous peoples and development cooperation. However, a number of Community instruments refer to them specifically and to the need to encourage their participation in development projects. One of the objectives set for the conservation of tropical forests is to improve living standards for local people, as they themselves are crucial to forest conservation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: Murder of the Italian citizen Giacomo Turra in Colombia

On 4 September 1995 the Italian citizen Giacomo Turra was brutally murdered by policemen in Cartagena (Colombia). He had gone to Colombia to study and was never suspected or accused of being involved in any criminal activity.

Since then the Colombian civilian and military authorities - except the office of the Attorney-General - have completely boycotted all investigations, despite repeated assurances of their willingness to cooperate, and have prevented the policemen responsible for the murder from being brought to justice.

Can the Commission say:

1. whether official steps have been taken to demand that the Colombian authorities clear up Giacomo Turra's murder and ensure that his murderers are brought to justice?

2. whether it considers it appropriate to take steps, including the threat of sanctions against Colombia, to ensure that the lives and safety of Community citizens are no longer jeopardized by the criminal and outrageous behaviour of members of the Colombian police force?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1997)

The Commission views developments in Colombia with concern and is aware of the case of Mr Turra, to which the Honourable Member refers. An escalation of hostilities between the guerrillas, paramilitaries and the armed forces has caused the death toll to rise steadily and has seriously undermined the rule of law in Colombia. The Commission continues to follow developments closely through its delegation in Santa Fé de Bogota, liaising with the embassies of Member States with diplomatic representation in Colombia.

The Commission hopes that opening an office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bogota will lead to an improvement in the human rights situation in Colombia.

The new office will be asked to draft a report for the High Commissioner on the basis of information and complaints received on the spot. It will be run by an international director appointed by the United Nations, and will employ five international observers, financed by the European Community.