ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2955/00

by Emmanouil Mastorakis (PSE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: European Union regional policy

Given that the imminent enlargement equates to an increase in the extent of regional inequalities and a reduction in the European Union's average per capita GDP, it is clear that the Commission must present, in good time, an integrated proposal on the form that regional policy should take, criteria for its application and the level of financial resources after 2006.

What are the Commission's plans on this point?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2955/00 and E-2966/00 given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 2000)

In January 2001 the Commission is to adopt the second Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, which will be submitted to Parliament under Article 159 (formerly Article 130b) of the EC Treaty.

The report will consider the position and development of the regions in the context of an enlarged Union, evaluate the impact of Community policies on cohesion and propose guidelines for cohesion policy beyond 2006.

The Commission wants this second report to be the catalyst for a major debate on the future of this policy. To this end it is organising in May 2001 a forum to which the Members of Parliament and all those actively involved in regional development in the current Member States and in the applicant countries are to be invited.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2590/00

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Council's expectations regarding the measures to be implemented in the outermost regions pursuant to Article 299(2) of the EC Treaty

In line with the statements made by the President-in-Office, Mr Chirac, at Parliament's part-session in July, in which he referred explicitly to the outermost regions when outlining the French Presidency's main lines of action during the second half of 2000, what are the Council's expectations as regards the adoption of measures to be applied to the outermost regions of the European Union pursuant to Article 299(2) of the EC Treaty?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

On 14 March 2000 the Commission submitted a report on the measures it proposed for the implementation of Article 299(2) of the Treaty concerning the outermost regions of the European Union.

This report was followed by a Commission work programme for the introduction of measures designed to implement Article 299(2).

However, to date the Council has received no formal proposals from the Commission and, as a result, is unable to give the Honourable Member a more precise answer to his question about the Council's expectations as regards the adoption of special measures to implement Article 299(2).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3249/00

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: EU aids for olive oil marketing

At a recent seminar on The production and marketing of olive oil present situation and prospects held at a summer school in Baeza (Jaén province), the town which is the centre of Spain's olive oil industry, the view was expressed by both the technical adviser for relations with the EU of the National Olive Oil Agency and an expert on EU policy from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture that the EU aids to the olive oil sector will not be reduced: rather, their nature will change.

These experts considered that the nature of the aids will change in the sense that funding will go not only to production but also to other activities such as marketing.

Since marketing is the Achilles heel of the olive oil sector, can the Commission confirm that the reform of aid to the sector will in fact cover other activities such as marketing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2000)

The common organisation of the market for the olive oil sector in its present form, as provided for in Regulation No 136/66/EEC of the Council of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats(1), expires on 31 October 2001.

To allow new arrangements to be introduced from 1 November 2001, the Commission intends to submit a proposal to the Council and Parliament in good time. The Commission is currently examining the information collected on the basis of studies carried out and from other available sources.

Pending this proposal, the Commission cannot comment on the assumptions made by the two Spanish experts.

(1) OJ B 172, 30.9.1966.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2699/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Agricultural support and accession of Hungary

1. What is the Commission's estimate of the extra annual cost of support if existing EU farm support policies were extended to Hungary on its accession to the EU,

(a) assuming no change in its current agricultural production;

(b) projecting a change in its agricultural production based on changes in price incentives as support and structural policies were brought into line with existing EU policies?

2. What is the estimated annual cost respectively for both Guarantee and Structural Funds in each case?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2690/00, E-2691/00, E-2695/00, E-2699/00, E-2700/00 and E-2701/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

To estimate the extra annual cost of agricultural support resulting from the accession to the Community of Poland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Slovenia and Estonia it would be necessary to know with a reasonable degree of certainty the date, the terms and conditions of the accession of these countries to the Community. These aspects will have to be defined in the accession negotiations with these countries, the agricultural chapter of which was opened for negotiation in June 2000. Consequently, any cost estimate made on the basis of assumptions indicated by the Honourable Member would necessarily be of a hypothetical, speculative and uncertain nature. At the present state of the negotiating process the Commission is, therefore, not in a position to answer the questions asked by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3951/00

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Use of EU funds in Spain (Canary Islands)

In the light of the report by the Court of Auditors and the irregularities in the use of EU financial assistance in Spain, could the Commission clarify the position specifically as regards the Canary Islands?

What amount of funds does the Union allocate to the Canary Islands each year?

Can the Commission supply a more detailed breakdown of the areas receiving support?

Are the funds in question earmarked for particular purposes?

Are there any indications that the funds have not been put to the proper use?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3378/00

by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 November 2000)

Subject: Sea birds and longline fishing

Given the negative effects of longline fishing which kills between 50 000 and 100 000 Northern Fulmars a year in the Northeast Atlantic and given that the survival of a number of albatross species is threatened, what concrete measures is the Commission prepared to take to ensure that EU fishing vessels take the necessary measures to ensure that these unnecessary deaths are avoided?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3268/00, E-3378/00 and E-3379/00 given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2000)

Until now most of the concerns expressed to the Commission have referred to the incidental catches of seabirds in the Southern Hemisphere oceans. The Commission is gathering information on the extent to which this issue constitutes a real problem within Community waters.

As part of this approach, Commission has requested the International council for the exploration of the sea to provide information and advice on the pressures that fishing activity exerts on marine environment and, more particularly, on non-commercial species. Finally the Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question E-3126/00(1) by Mr Davies.

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 190.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3014/00

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Violation of religious freedom in Turkey refusal to reopen the Halki Theological School

Mr Verheugen's letter of 26 July 2000 to the chairman of the EPP Group, Mr Poettering, concerning religious freedom in Turkey, categorically states that the Turkish authorities' refusal to reopen the Halki Theological School constitutes a clear violation of the Treaty of Lausanne and calls on Turkey to respect the obligations concerning the rights of the Greek and Armenian communities enshrined in that Treaty.

Will the Commission, therefore, say:

1. whether respect for and protection of religious freedom is expressly laid down as a condition under the Copenhagen criteria,

2. whether it will urge the Turkish authorities to reopen the Halki Theological School and, should they refuse to comply, what measures it will take,

3. how it is possible to encourage and support the pre-accession strategy for Turkey and the partnership with that country when the Turkish authorities refuse to respect human rights and religious freedom, and

4. whether it can approve the allocation of appropriations to Turkey under Regulation 764/2000 regarding the implementation of measures to intensify the EC-Turkey customs union(1), and the forthcoming Regulation on the implementation of measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey, when that country is in breach of the Treaty on European Union (Article 6) and international treaties, and violates human rights and fundamental freedoms?

(1) OJ L 94, 14.4.2000, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Respect for religious freedom is indeed one of the Copenhagen criteria that all candidate countries must fulfil before accession negotiations can get under way.

As the Commission noted in its regular reports for 1998 and 1999, Turkey does not yet fulfil the political criteria. The Commission found a number of restrictions on the exercise of religious freedom in Turkey that would need to be eliminated before accession. Though the Commission report does not specifically mention the reopening of the Halki Theological School, the issue must be seen in this context.

The aim of the pre-accession strategy approved at the Helsinki European Council is precisely to encourage Turkey to adopt necessary political reforms. The accession partnership around which the strategy revolves lays down short- and medium-term priorities the country must meet in order to satisfy the Copenhagen criteria.

Since Turkey's candidate-country status was confirmed its financial assistance from the Community has been geared to preparing for accession.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3026/00

by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Situation of olive oil producers in Sicily

Article 7(b) of Regulation No 2366/98(1) provides, with regard to the arrangements for the inspection of oil mills, that from the 2000/2001 marketing year the facilities must include an automatic system for weighing olives and recording weights and an electricity meter specifically for the pressing equipment.

Sicilian agriculture, and in particular regional olive-growing, is undergoing a serious crisis as a result of internal factors such as structural organisation and problems of altitude, and of external factors such as the constant increase in production costs, which are no longer subject to control and assessment by the various agricultural market organisations.

The implementation of that provision as required would penalise small-scale regional mills (which characteristically work on a seasonal basis), chiefly because the expenditure on the purchase of the above-mentioned equipment might not be recuperated in the selling prices laid down for the 2000/2001 marketing year.

Implementation of that provision is likely further to marginalise or even eliminate small regional oil mills. This runs contrary to the Community programme the intention of which is allegedly to promote the typical Sicilian extra virgin oils produced precisely by these small oil mills.

In view of these facts, can the Commission provide for a derogation from the application of the provision referred to above by extending by one year the period within which the requirements laid down therein must be implemented?

(1) OJ L 293, 31.10.1998, p. 50.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the reasons for its introduction of automatic weighing systems as a control tool in mills.

In 1998 both the Council and Parliament clearly intimated that the transitional period of three years (1998/1999 to 2000/2001) for olive oil needed to see progress in transparency and control in the sector.

It was evident therefore that greater discipline should be imposed in enabling growers to benefit from what is due to them and continue being supported in the future.

The measures introduced by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 of 30 October 1998 laying down detailed rules for application of the system of production aid for olive oil for the 1998/1999 to 2000/2001 marketing years, notably on weighing of the olives, are undoubtedly the minimum needed to guarantee the transparency that the whole olive oil production industry demands.

Moreover, the Court of Auditors in its Special Report No 11/2000(1) stressed the need to improve controls in the sector. Analysis of the first results achieved and the experience gained through implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 show that these measures must continue. Given the situation the Commission cannot grant a one-year extension of the time limit for compliance with point (b) in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) 2366/98 but must insist that it be strictly respected.

(1) OJ C 215, 23.7.2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3037/00

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Recruitment difficulties in connection with the Northern dimension

The Commission decided on an action plan for the Northern dimension during the Portuguese Presidency. It appears from various sources that the Commission is having difficulties recruiting people to work in this field.

That being so, what does the Commission propose to do to overcome the recruiting difficulties regarding the Northern dimension?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2000)

The European Council at Feira on 20 June 2000 endorsed the Northern dimension action plan and concluded that the Commission would take a leading role in implementing it. The action plan foresees that the Northern dimension should be implemented within existing frameworks and instruments and consequently without additional budgetary or personnel resources. The Commission assures the Honourable Member that the action plan is currently being implemented accordingly.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3321/00

by António Campos (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Common agricultural policy

Will the Commission please tell me:

1. the annual variation, in euros and percentage points, in EAGGF-Guarantee spending in the cereal sector between 1992 and 1999;

2. the total growth in euros and percentage points, in EAGGF-Guarantee spending on cereals between 1992 and 1999;

3. the annual financial growth, in euros and percentage points, of the EAGGF-Guarantee between 1992 and 1999;

4. for the total growth of the EAGGF-Guarantee in euros and percentage points, between 1992 and 1999;

5. the annual variation in market prices for cereals between 1992 and 1999, and the percentage by which they have fallen or risen against 1992;

6. the average difference, in euros and percentage points, of cereal prices between 1992 and 1999?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2000)

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-1578/00

by William Newton Dunn (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Testing for the carcinogenic properties of man-made vitreous fibres

I am informed that, during the mid-1990s, the Commission were conducting bio-persistence tests over a five-year period in order to ascertain the carcinogenicity or otherwise of man-made vitreous fibres, for example Rockwool and Glasswool.

Are the results of these tests known yet?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2000)

A Commission Directive of 1997(1) laid down the classification and labelling of certain man-made vitreous fibres according to their dangerous properties including tests for carcinogenicity. Article 2 of that Directive states that During the period of five years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission shall evaluate scientific developments and adopt measures to delete or amend Note Q. Note Q relates to the testing of the possible carcinogenic effects of such fibres.

The Commission is carrying forward the evaluation of a biopersistence test for inhalation, a so-called 90 days study. Its evaluation is in progress in co-operation between the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) of the Joint Research Centre, fibre industry associations and a renowned test house. The first phase will be finalised within several months from now. Further tests on biopersistence will be evaluated in the near future in co-operation between the ECB, industry and several test houses.

These activities will lead to a range of harmonised test protocols concerning the carcinogenic capacity of man-made vitreous fibres.

(1) Commission Directive 97/69/EC of 5 December 1997 adapting to technical progress for the 23rd time Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (OJ L 343, 13.12.1997).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2999/00

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: EU standards for hands-free telephones

The massive increase in the use of mobile telephones means that drivers in all Union countries also use them whilst they are in their cars, although legal obligations differ from country to country, for example as regards the permitted use of earphones connected to mobile phones, instead of the devices known as speakerphones.

Does the Commission not consider it would be useful to lay down Community standards in order to introduce greater uniformity within the Union?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

The Commission is aware of the debate on the potential dangers of using a mobile phone while driving and is following the issue closely.

As the Honourable Member notes there are differing regulations in the Member States concerning the use of mobile phones while driving.

Some Member States allow only hands free phones, others have no formal restriction on phone use, but require in the highway code that the driver be fully in control of the vehicle at all times. Regarding hands free telephones, the use of a speaker or ear-piece is not specified. The only requirement is that the driver need not use their hands to operate the system.

Given that all Member States require the driver to be in full control of their vehicle at all times and the rapid evolution of technology, the Commission does not feel it necessary to intervene at this stage and to propose specific legislation for mobile phones. As the type of hands free mobile phone allowed also varies, the Commission does not propose uniform standards for ear-pieces or speakers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2203/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Involvement of the Flemish Region in the European Greenlight programme

In February 2002 the Commission launched the Greenlight programme. It reflects the Kyoto objectives and seeks to reduce the adverse effect of lighting on the living environment. The Commission's booklet (http://www.eu-greenlight.org) lists 15 national agencies which have undertaken to promote the initiative.

For the Belgian federation the booklet refers only to the region of Wallonia. The person responsible for the Greenlight programme apparently also contacted the other regions, which appear not to have responded to the request to promote the Greenlight programme.

1. Has the Flemish Region officially requested to become a promoter (agency) of the European Greenlight programme? If so, when and by whom?

2. Has the Flemish Region responded to the Commission's request to be a partner in the Greenlight programme? If so, when, how and who gave a positive response to the Commission's offer? If not, why is the Flemish Region not interested in the Commission's Greenlight programme? What are the reasons put forward by the Flemish Region for not participating in the programme?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2000)

In early 1999 the Spanish energy agency Instituto para la Diversification y Ahorro de la Energía (IDAE) took the lead in an initiative together with other national and regional energy agencies in order to submit a proposal for a SAVE project to promote the greenlight programme. In this context the Commission provided IDAE with a list of European agencies, including the two regional agencies in Belgium. Most of the energy agencies that have been addressed by IDAE replied to this call. However, this was not the case for the two Belgian agencies.

Later in 1999, the Commission itself contacted the two Belgian regional agencies, as well as other national energy agencies that did not join this SAVE project in order to encourage their participation, but the Commission did not receive a reply from the Flemish agency. The Commission continues to be very interested in having an official promoter in the Flemish Region and to this end it will continue to seek a positive reaction from the Flemish agency.