ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/501

(2004/C 84 E/0578)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3109/03

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Hydrogenated fats

In view of reservations expressed regarding the safety of hydrogenated fats, is the Commission prepared to launch an initiative which would see the potential health risk of hydrogenated fats being clearly indicated on product labelling? Furthermore, has any consideration been given to the outright ban of this substance?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Hydrogenation enables vegetable and animal oils to be transformed into solid fat, also making it saturated. The result of the hydrogenation process, together with other practices such as the de-odorisation process of oils and fats, is a change in the shape of fat molecules. Therefore, the natural configuration of the fatty acids molecules, known as cis configuration, very often changes into a different one, known as trans configuration. The above practices, which are used for many product applications, may lead to unacceptable amounts of trans fatty acids.

It is known that high intakes of certain saturated fatty acids are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Recently, reservations have also been expressed regarding trans fatty acids in the diet. Consequently, the Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to evaluate the evidence on the effect on health of trans fatty acids and how the effect, if any, compares to the effect on health of other types of fatty acids in the diet. The EFSA has been asked to provide a scientific opinion by the end of May 2004.

Regarding the labelling of foods, Directive 2000/13/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (1) indicates that when a food contains hydrogenated oils or fats the description ‘hydrogenated’ must accompany the indication of a hydrogenated oil or fat in the labelling of the food. Council Directive 90/496/EC of 24 September 1990 on nutrition labelling for foodstuffs (2) includes the possibility for the declaration of the saturated fatty acids in the nutrition labelling. The question of the inclusion or not of trans fatty acids in the nutrition labelling on foods is being considered within the context of an ongoing review of Directive 90/49 6/EC.

(1) OJ L 109, 6.5.2000.

(2) OJ L 276, 6.10.1990.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/328

(2004/C 88 E/0333)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0610/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Subject: EU/São Tomé and Príncipe 1999-2003: cooperation, development, human rights, assistance, etc.

For the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and with regard to São Tomé and Príncipe, can the Commission provide information on the following: What programmes have been or are being undertaken by the EU with São Tomé and Príncipe? What are the funds allocated? What is the expected duration of the individual programmes? What results have been obtained by the programmes, and what assessment has been made of their success or otherwise? What particular developments have characterised each of the programmes?
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/389

(2004/C 88 E/0395)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2177/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 June 2003)

Subject: Procurement

Will the Commission update its estimates of the proportion of the annual value of public contracts – broken down by capital and current spending – that are let to non-resident companies in each Member State?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

In reply to the earlier written question E-0563/03 from the Honourable Member on public procurement (1), the Commission provided estimates of the value of direct and indirect intra-Community imports as a percentage of total procurement in 1998, provided by a business survey.

It also indicated that it was pursuing the possibility of incorporating this survey within the framework of the structural business statistics programme carried out by Eurostat together with the Member States' statistical institutes. Member States' statistical institutes have not proved willing to incorporate such a survey within this programme and the Commission is not so far in a position to update these estimates.

All the evidence suggests that within the Union public procurement market the number and value of direct imports, or public contracts let to non-resident companies, remains low, at a comparable level with earlier figures. Current work being undertaken for the Commission should provide some new data regarding cross border activity, prices, and the participation of small and mediu- sized enterprises in public procurement markets. For example, initial results of a recent pilot panel study of both suppliers to public authorities and public authorities themselves, undertaken for the Commission, suggests that indirect imports now account for an increased amount of overall public procurement at around 14 %. If confirmed, this would be a marked increase over the estimate of 8,5 % in 1998.

The preliminary results of this work, which still remain to be analysed in detail and confirmed, also suggest, that foreign owned subsidiaries, who are significant players in many public procurement markets, have had a rate of success in winning tenders comparable to that of domestic suppliers. The results also indicate a continued active interest on the part of Union firms in bidding for public procurement contracts in Member States other than their own.

The Commission will be happy to keep the Honourable Member informed of the final results of this work, which should be available by October 2003 in time to contribute to the annual report on the functioning of Community product and capital markets.

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/307

(2004/C 78 E/0309)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(9 December 2003)

Subject: Ban Bullying Day — future action

Given that bullying at work is an increasing problem for workers in many Member States, the trade union Amicus has for the past ten years been campaigning and seeking legislation in the UK and Ireland to protect workers from the various forms of ill-treatment which constitute bullying. I believe that the decision of Amicus and several other organisations in the United Kingdom to declare Thursday 16 October 2003 (during European Safety Week) Ban Bullying Day was a step in the right direction.

Will the Commission investigate the extent of the problem of workplace bullying across the EU and the existence of legal and other protective measures in the various Member States with a view to bringing forward a report and proposals for action, taking into particular consideration the views of Amicus and the European Agency on Safety and Health, reporting back to Parliament with a timetable for action?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

In its communication Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006 (1), the Commission announced that it would ‘examine the appropriateness and the scope of a Community instrument on psychological harassment and violence at work’.

The Commission is at present gathering and reviewing the information available in this field. This review covers, among other things, the legislative initiatives and/or rules adopted or envisaged in the Member States.

Against that background, Parliament's resolution on harassment at the workplace (2) and the opinion adopted on violence at work by the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work (3), plus the information available through the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work, will also be taken into account. The Commission will also be mindful of specific experience in the area of violence at work, such as that mentioned in your written question.

Using the above as a basis, the Commission plans to consult the social partners in the course of 2004 on the possible direction of Community action in this field. Such consultation was included in the Commission's work programme for 2004 (4).

The Commission considers that bullying, harassment and intimidation are specific instances of violence at the workplace. In principle, it is planned that the consultation of the social partners will cover all forms of violence which could affect workers' health, physical and psychological integrity, and dignity.

(1) COM(2002) 118 final.

(2) A5-0283/2001 du 19.9.2001.

(3) COM(2003) 346 final.

(4) COM(2003) 645final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/407

(2004/C 78 E/0429)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2537/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 July 2003)

Subject: Net contribution to the common agricultural policy

In the second report on economic and social cohesion in the EU the Commission stated that Portugal was a net contributor to the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In answer to my Written Question P-0897/01 (1) the Commission produced the figures on which it had based that assertion. According to the Commission, Portugal's net contribution to the CAP between 1989 and 1998 amounted to EUR 2 000 m, in other words over EUR 260 per inhabitant.

That being the case, can the Commission say whether Portugal is still a CAP net contributor? Using the same method as for the period between 1989 and 1998, can it supply updated figures for the period between 1998 and 2002?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2003)

With regard to the methodology for measuring the impact on Portugal of the agricultural price and market policy, which therefore does not consider rural development policy (second pillar), as used in the second cohesion report, it should be noted that this method takes into account welfare effects not only on agricultural producers and food processors, but also on consumers and taxpayers. In that sense, it differs from calculations based on net budget position but gives a more complete picture of the position of Portugal, with regard to the cost or gain to the Portuguese economy from the agricultural market policy (first pillar).

For the calculation of those figures, the Commission has focussed his efforts on compiling the data requested by the Honourable Member for the period 2000 to 2002, in order to monitor the changes as from the time of the implementation of the Agenda 2000.

Using the same method as for the period 1989 to 1998, the Commission can report that the annual net effect in that period, at current prices, is given as follows:

(million euros) 2000 2001 2002 Net effect for Portugal –227,1 +4 –108,7

In terms of budget transfer, calculated on the basis of the gain or loss from the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) — Guarantee budget relative to the percentage contribution to the total Union budget, the net position of Portugal, which has been positive since 1994, has had the following recent evolution:

(million euros) 2000 2001 2002 Net budget transfer for Portugal +74,7 +221,6 +115,8

(1) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001, p. 213.
2.

As concerns security at football matches, the Council has adopted texts to increase co-operation between the competent bodies and authorities of the Member States. In particular, the Council has adopted: — the Recommendation of 22.4.1996 on guidelines for preventing and restraining disorder connected with football matches (1), — the Resolution of 9.6.1997 on preventing and restraining football hooliganism through the exchange of experience, exclusion from stadiums and media policy (2), — the Resolution of 6.12.2001 concerning a handbook with recommendations for international police co-operation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is involved (3), and — Decision 2002/348/JHA of 25.4.02 concerning security in connection with football matches with an international dimension (4). On the initiative of the Italian Presidency, the Council is examining a draft Resolution on the use by Member States of bans on access to venues of football matches with an international dimension.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/336

(2004/C 78 E/0354)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3925/03

by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Cat and dog furs — internal market

Given the fact that there is no official production and marketing of cat and dog furs in the EU Member States, will the Commission propose a European ban on the domestic production, marketing and use of dog and cat furs? If not, can the Commission explain what would prevent such an initiative?

Is the Commission aware of the fact that one Member State has recently introduced a national ban on trade in dog and cat furs, and nine Member States have expressed their wish to introduce this ban given that currently those products are available, unregulated, on the EU market?

In relation to the concern about possible WTO consequences, is the Commission aware of the fact that the US has already introduced such a ban covering domestic trade, production, and imports from third countries?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2004)

The Commission has been made aware of the possible importation of cat and dog furs into the Community. The Commission has also been informed about measures taken by some Member States and the United States to ban the trade in, and importation of, such furs.

The issue was also raised in the Agriculture Council on 17 November 2003. In replying to the request from Member States to come forward with proposals for Community rules, the Member of the Commission responsible for Health and Consumer Protection made clear that States are entitled, while respecting the general rules laid down in the EC Treaty, to introduce their own measures. The Commission is monitoring the situation in order to evaluate the possibility to take initiatives to address the issue at Community level.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/89

(2004/C 84 E/0106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3711/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(10 December 2003)

Subject: Update concerning the funds for the Altener II programme for the municipality of Perugia

With reference to question E-0967/03 (1), in which the Commission was asked whether the municipality of Perugia (Italy) had submitted projects and obtained funds under the Altener II programme, the Commission replied to the effect that no proposal had been submitted.

Can the Commission provide information on any projects submitted since the date of its reply (25 April 2003)?

(1) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 169.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/154

(2004/C 88 E/0164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3635/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Cabo Verde — special status vis-à-vis the EU

On 24 November the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde completed a working visit to Portugal, following official stays in other EU countries (Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France), the purpose of which was to raise awareness amongst those countries' authorities with a view to securing a special status for his country vis-à-vis the European Union.

According to press reports the Portuguese Prime Minister expressed the view (at the end of his meeting with José Maria Neves) that Cabo Verde ‘has a special role to play in providing a link between Africa and Europe’ and that ‘by virtue of its political development (Cabo Verde is an exemplary democracy), its cultural development, its strong human links with certain European countries (Portugal in particular) and its very location, Cabo Verde is a country which we could in some ways describe as Euro-African’.

As a basis for establishing the above-mentioned special status, the Cabo Verde Prime Minister referred to his country's ‘Atlantic vocation’, its presence in Europe ‘in the form of emigrant communities’ and its proximity to Europe ‘by virtue of the Macaronesia Islands’ (a geographical area encompassing the Portuguese archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores and the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands.

The Commission:

— is it aware of the Cabo Verde initiative which is described above;

— what has it to say on the subject;

— what action would it advise Cabo Verde to take in order to ensure that its proposal is accepted?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2004)

The Commission has never been notified in a formal way by the authorities of Cape Verde of this matter. However, the Commission is aware that the Cap-Verdian authorities, in the course of recent visits to the capitals of some Member States, have raised these issues. The Commission is also aware that the Portuguese authorities have shown openness to the question of creating a working group ‘to examine the different aspects of this question’.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/507

(2004/C 78 E/0528)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3284/03

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: Overbooking on Air France's flights

Does the Commission consider it unfair and/or unethical commercial practice for airlines to deny access to passengers who have bought a valid ticket, and will it formally enquire into Air France's regular and consistent policy of overbooking on some of its flights from Newcastle?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

The Commission is aware of the general frequency of the practice of denied boarding (about one out of one thousand passengers are affected) although it does not possess information on specific flights, such as those of Air France from Newcastle.

The Commission accepts that denial of boarding should be tolerated only with compensation and assistance for passengers prevented from flying. In 1991 the Community adopted Council Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 (1), which obliges air carriers denying boarding at airports in Member States to give passengers financial compensation, the choice between a refund and an alternative flight and meals and hotel accommodation, as appropriate. This was the Community's first step in the protection of passengers.

Ten years later, the Commission reviewed the situation and concluded that the frequency of denied boarding remained too high — around 250 000 passengers where affected each year — and should be reduced. It, therefore, proposed in 2001 a new Regulation (2) designed to cut the frequency of denied boarding. This would oblige air carriers, when expecting to deny boarding, to seek volunteers to give up their reservations in exchange for benefits. Only if too few volunteers came forward, would airlines be allowed to deny passengers boarding against their will. If they did so, they would have to compensate them at an increased rate and assist them as under the present Regulation. This should lead to a considerable fall in the number of passengers denied boarding.

The new regulation would also create rights for passengers whose flights are cancelled or subject to long delays and would cover non-scheduled (charter) flights as well as scheduled flights.

The Commission strongly hopes that the Parliament will vote for the compromise of the Conciliation Committee on this proposal.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 of 4 February 1991 establishing common rules for a denied-boarding compensation system in scheduled air transport, OJ L 36, 8.2.1991.

(2) OJ C 103 E, 30.4.2002.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/567

(2004/C 78 E/0602)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3506/03

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

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Community legislation on DNA

Experts claim that adoption of legislation on DNA at Community level would help to solve more crimes, thanks to the employment of techniques which allow the identification of individuals, which would in turn render Community collaboration on prosecuting crime more efficient.

The disparate situations obtaining in the relevant legal frameworks of the various Community countries constitutes a hindrance, and prevents more rapid progress being made in the prosecution of criminals and their crimes.

Does the Commission believe that it should use its power of initiative to make a survey of the current state of legal provisions on DNA in order to put forward standard Community legislation which would aid the EU as a whole to solve crimes within its territory more rapidly?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2004)

The use, within an appropriate legislative framework, of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analyses is an effective investigation technique available to the police and judicial authorities in more and more types of crime. It makes it possible to determine with a very high degree of probability the origin of samples of human cells or tissues taken from the crime scene. It can therefore considerably facilitate the process of identifying (either positively or negatively) those associated with the offence concerned.

Any legislative framework authorising the use of DNA testing is more effective if it allows genetic databases to be created so that profiles established at the crime scene can be compared with DNA profiles established in other criminal cases.

The Council has adopted two resolutions on the exchange of DNA analysis results. The first, dated 9 June 1997 (1), invites the Member States to establish national DNA databases in accordance with the same standards and in a compatible manner. The second, dated 25 June 2001 (2), lays down a minimum list of seven markers used for the forensic DNA analyses carried out in the Member States.

In order to make police and judicial action more effective in solving crime, and subject to legal arrangements yet to be defined, the Commission is considering the possibility of creating national DNA databases in all the Member States and broadening the comparison of a profile established on the basis of a sample taken at the scene of a crime in a Member State with the profiles contained in the other Member States' databases.

(1) Resolution 97C 193/02 of 9 June 1997.

(2) Resolution 2001C 187/01 of 25 June 2001.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/91

(2004/C 84 E/0113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3721/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(10 December 2003)

Subject: Update concerning the funds for the SAVE II programme for the municipality of Carrara

With reference to question E-0962/03 (1), in which the Commission was asked whether the municipality of Carrara (Italy) had submitted projects and obtained funds under the SAVE II programme, the Commission replied on 25 April 2003 to the effect that no proposal had been submitted.

Can the Commission state whether, since then and up to the present, it has received any SAVE II projects from that municipality?

(1) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 169.