ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3701/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Impending shortage of labour

At the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Vienna Mrs Gradin referred to a study which stated that, "even though the Union has 18 million unemployed today, it may face a shortage of labour in 20 years".

1. Was the Commissioner quoted correctly, and does she confirm this statement?

2. If so, can she give the precise title of the study and say who wrote it and where it was published?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 1999)

The Commission confirms the statement made during the informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs ministers (Vienna, 29-30 October 1998) concerning the demographic trend in the Union and the applicant countries in the next 15-20 years. This statement was based on the "Demographic report"(1) a study carried out by the Commission and published in 1998(2).

The study focuses on the impact of demographic trends on the Community and the applicant countries' labour markets. It shows that, on the basis of analysis of past and current demographic trends, it is very likely that in 15-20 years time, the Community's demographic growth rate will slow considerably, and, above all, that there will be a decrease in the so-called active population (between 24 and 64 years old) especially in the years 2005 to 2015. Such a reduction of the active population rate could help diminish the current imbalance between labour supply and demand.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat the study in question.

(1) COM(97) 361 final.

(2) ISDN-92-8280873-4.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3623/98

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: Procedure for the awarding of a contract for the drawing up of a study on cross- border fixing of book prices

In response to my question to the Commission of 1 July 1998 (P-2184/98)(1) as to which institution of the Commission would be entrusted with the task of drawing up an opinion on cross-border fixing of book prices in European linguistic areas, I received the following answer from Commissioner Oreja on 11 September: A restricted call for tender was published on the basis of the notification of a call for expressions of interest(2). At the end of the various stages of the procedure, Euromonitor Consultancy was appointed.

After numerous enquiries, this reference from the Official Journal cited above could not be found, and I would therefore ask the following questions:

Why was there only a restricted call for tender? How restricted, in fact, was the call for tender, and why can the reference from the Official Journal not be found?

In response to these questions, could the Commission attach the precise text of the call for tender?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

The choice of contractor was made after a standard selection and award procedure. Before concluding a contract the Commission must issue an invitation to tender. In view of the very specific nature of the contract in question (carrying out research into the various economic and cultural aspects of books and reading), the Commission decided to conduct a restricted procedure, which involves distribution to natural and legal persons selected according to their special qualifications based on the applications received in response to the call for expressions of interest which was indeed published in the Official Journal(3). This procedure, which is often used when the value of the contract is below a certain amount, also has the advantage of being quicker. The Commission in this case wanted to act on the Council's request without delay. An invitation to tender was therefore issued to this effect in November 1997. A copy has been sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

(1) OJ C 118, 29.4.1999, p. 40.

(2) OJ S 153, 8.8.1997.

(3) OJ S 153, 8.8.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3891/98

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Exchanges with the countries of Latin America under the "Youth for Europe" programme

Would the Commission supply a report on the exchanges with Latin American countries carried out under the "Youth for Europe" programme, indicating what types of measures have been subsidised and in which countries?

Would it also say what will happen to such exchanges with the introduction of the new "Youth for Europe" programme? In the event of a merger with the European voluntary service programme, will measures aimed at Latin America still be given financial support?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 1999)

The Commission has been supporting exchanges of young people and activities in support of exchanges of young people with the countries of Latin America since 1992. Until 1994, these activities came under "Priority actions in the field of youth". As of 1995, exchanges of young people with third countries were incorporated into the "Youth for Europe" programme.

Since 1993, there has been sustained interest and a spirit of solidarity on the part of the European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in supporting youth work in these countries. Although initially there was a concentration of applications from Iberian associations, all the Member States eventually joined in, including Germany and the Nordic countries. The need to involve at least two Latin American countries also led to the exchange and transfer of experience and the establishing of fruitful relations between Latin American NGOs. Exchanges of young people have made a major contribution in some Latin American countries to the achievement of a democratic society, the process of peace consolidation, and the establishing of youth policies and structures.

In 1998 the Commission received 78 funding applications for youth guidance worker training or youth exchanges with Latin America and Central America, of which 31 were approved. Implementation of the European Voluntary Service pilot initiative in 1996 and of the programme proper as from 1998 has also led to the placing of 55 young European voluntary workers in projects located in Latin America and Central America.

As the cooperation agreements between the Community and these countries now include a strand on "cooperation in the field of education, vocational training and youth", the Commission is examining the possibilities of strengthening cooperation in the youth field, particularly with local players responsible for youth work and development of the associative fabric in the context of regional cooperation agreements between the Mercosur, Andean Pact and Central American countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4031/98

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 January 1999)

Subject: Imports of beef and veal and of animal feed produced in third countries

For reasons relating to the recent trade embargo on exports of Portuguese beef and veal, the Portuguese Government has decided to bring forward the introduction of the ban on the production of animal feed made from any substance or by-product originating in cattle.

This ban will not become compulsory throughout the EU until 1 January 1999.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. From 1 January 1999, will it be possible to import beef and veal (either live or slaughtered animals) from third countries, where cattle continue to be fed on animal feed made from substances and by-products originating in cattle? How is the Commission to set about monitoring the way in which such animals are fed in third countries?

2. With effect from the same date, will it be possible to import animal feed made from substances and by-products of animal origin? How does the Commission intend to monitor the production of all types of imported animal feed?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-4030/98 and E-4031/98 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

Commission Decision 94/381/EC of 27 June 1994 concerning certain protection measures with regard to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the feeding of mammalian derived protein(1), prohibits the feeding of processed animal protein of mammalian origin to ruminants in the Community. This prohibition applies both to feedingstuffs produced in the Community and to feedingstuffs imported from third countries.

Current Community legislation contains no rules prohibiting or monitoring the feeding of feedingstuffs containing ingredients of bovine origin to animals other than ruminants nor has the Commission proposed to introduce such rules in areas other than those representing the highest risk of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).

Certain Member States, such as Portugal and United Kingdom, have prohibited the use of feedingstuffs containing mammalian (including bovine) protein in feedingstuffs for all farm animals at a national level. Currently there are safeguard measures in place prohibiting the export of feedingstuffs of bovine origin from these two Member States to the other Member States.

The Commission proposes similar rules in the areas representing the highest TSE risk in its proposal for a Parliament and Council regulation laying down rules for the prevention and control of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(2).

(1) OJ L 172, 7.7.1994.

(2) COM(98) 623 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3370/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Karen people of Burma

Has the Commission studied the recent ILO report on Burma? What action does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

It is clear from recent reports of the heads of mission in Rangoon and from other sources such as the International labour organisation's report that the situation in Burma is deteriorating. There are clear indications of widespread forced labour and intensified harassment of the elected opposition and of the leader of the National league for democracy (NLD) Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Civilian abuse, extrajudicial executions, and massive programmes of forced relocation are the daily agenda of the State peace and development council (SPDC).

The General Affairs Council, held in Luxembourg on 26 October 1998, once again considered the deteriorating internal situation in Burma and remained deeply concerned at the lack of positive response from the Burmese authorities to the repeated calls for steps towards the promotion of democracy and human rights, and national reconciliation.

The Council therefore strengthened the Union common position(1), which was expiring on 28 October 1998 and extended its application for six months to 28 April 1999. The new common position(2) includes a widening of the visa ban by explicitly including transit visas under the current ban and its extension to cover Burmese authorities in the tourism sector, while ensuring that the ban is applied rigorously to all individual members of the SPDC and the military, together with their families. It further echoes the view, expressed by Daw Aung Suu Kyi, that, in the present situation, it is inappropriate for tourists to visit Burma.

(1) OJ L 287, 8.11.1996.

(2) 98/303/CFSP.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2552/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Accidents at work in the EU

Is the Commission able to say how many serious and fatal accidents at work have occurred in each of the Member States since 1996? How many such accidents have occurred as a result of the failure to incorporate Community social and employment law into national law or the failure to implement it?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1998)

On the basis of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work(1) and the Council Resolution of 21 December 1987(2), the Commission initiated a project in 1990 on the harmonisation of occupational accident statistics throughout the Community. This is known as the ESAW (European Statistics on Accidents at Work) project. The Council recognised the importance of this project in its Resolution of 27 March 1995(3).

The first results of the project relate to accidents in 1993 and 1994, which are the most recent figures available. In 1993(4), among a total of 122,4 million persons in employment, a total of 4,8 million work accidents resulting in more than three days' absence from work were reported. 5 977 of these accidents were fatal. In 1994(5), the number of people in employment rose to 131,9 million, and the number of work accidents resulting in more than three days' absence from work was estimated at 4,9 million, 6 423 of them fatal. Analysis of the European average frequency (accidents involving more than three days' absence from work per 100 000 persons in employment) reveals a figure of 4 505 for 1993 and 4 539 for 1994, a very slight increase. However, fatal accident frequency independent of the type of activity actually improved, falling from 5,3 in 1993 to 4,9 in 1994.

The results for each Member State for the two years 1993 and 1994 are set out in detail in the Eurostat publications referred to, copies of which are being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament's Secretariat. The corresponding harmonised statistics for 1995 and subsequent years have not yet been published, which means that accident figures for 1996 are not yet available.

The Member States have informed the Commission of the measures taken to incorporate the directives on health and safety protection for workers at work into national law.

The Parliament, Council, Economic and Social Committee and Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work are regularly informed by the Commission of the results of the practical implementation of these provisions, on the basis of the reports provided by the Member States.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.

(2) OJ C 28, 3.2.1988.

(3) OJ C 168, 4.7.1995.

(4) Source: Eurostat, "Statistics in Focus, Population and social conditions" 1997/2.

(5) Source: Eurostat, "Statistics in Focus, Population and social conditions" 1998/2.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3188/98

by Arthur Newens (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Humanitarian aid to the Sudan

Would the Commission state how much humanitarian and other EU aid has been delivered to the Sudan annually in each of the last five years and provide an estimate for the current year?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1998)

Total humanitarian assistance for Sudan over the last five years is ECU 115,64 million. The breakdown per year is ECU 26,11 million in 1994, ECU 21,40 million in 1995, ECU 17,38 million in 1996, ECU 18,95 million in 1997 and ECU 31,80 million in 1998 (to October). The above figures are not inclusive of costs of the regional "ECHO-flight" operation, providing humanitarian air transport to Sudan and to Somalia. The annual cost of the Sudan operations of ECHO flight is roughly ECU 2,5 million per year.

In addition to the figures concerning humanitarian assistance, the Commission provided co-financing to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) per year of ECU 441 824 in 1994, ECU 550 835 in 1995, ECU 619 208 in 1996, ECU 978 809 in 1997, and ECU 651 589 in 1998 (estimated); aid to human rights and democratization of ECU 74 500 in 1996 and ECU 663 990 in 1998 (estimated); and food aid or security of ECU 12,07 million in 1994, ECU 7,53 million in 1995, ECU 3,80 million in 1996, ECU 2,00 million in 1997 and ECU 39,00 million in 1998 (estimated).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3372/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: Crisis affecting the pigmeat and pigskin processing industry in the EU

The financial instability in Russia has resulted in numerous problems for pigmeat and pigskin processing enterprises trading with Russia. In the past five years, the total value of food products purchased by Russia from EU undertakings increased fourfold so that EU exports increased from PTA 218 000 million in 1992 to PTA 880 000 million in 1997.

As a result of the devaluation of the Rouble due to the financial crisis, companies which had made large investments in order to be able to meet the demand from the Russian market can no longer maintain the volume of exports to Russia and are thus incurring severe financial losses.

In view of the possible consequences in terms of plant closures and concomitant job losses, does the Commission plan to intervene in any way to alleviate the temporary effects on these companies of the closure of the Russian border as a result of the crisis?

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to adopt measures to allow the undertakings concerned to renegotiate loans or to take up special loans to help them overcome this financial slump?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 1999)

The exports of pigmeat from the Community to Russia have increased rapidly over the last few years, and in 1997 they amounted to 359 000 tonnes (product weight). In the first half of 1998 exports were still increasing, but were sharply reduced in August after a financial crisis hit the Russian economy. Since then the exports seem to be recovering slowly.

The rapid reduction in exports to Russia increased the pressure on the Community pigmeat market, which was already experiencing very low prices.

The Commission has taken several measures to help the European pig industry overcome the difficult situation. On 28 September 1998 the Commission introduced an aid for a private storage scheme (over 60 000 tonnes have been taken to the scheme during the first two months). In October the export refunds were raised for fresh and frozen products. In November, the Commission made an extra increase for the refunds with Russian destination (from ECU 40 to 70 per 100 kilograms for carcasses and certain cuts).

Also in November, the Commission agreed on a food supply programme to Russia, which includes 100 000 tonnes of pigmeat.

These measures should help the European pig industry to re-enter the Russian markets.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3884/98

by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: European Civilian Service

Most Member States of the Union acknowledge civilian service, but some, like Greece, do not. Accordingly, in the latter instance, people who refuse to undertake military service on religious or conscientious grounds are persecuted by national authorities.

On 22 September 1995, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (B4-1127/95)(1) on the establishment of a European Civilian Service in which it called on the Commission to submit a proposal for the establishment of a European Civilian Service.

The Commission:

- does it intend, as part of the process for the harmonisation of the legal system in the European Union, to put in hand an approximation of the relevant laws of the various Member States, and

- does it intend, in connection with the mobility of the inhabitants of the European Union, to devise a system which would permit the establishment of a genuine European Civilian Service or enable individuals to serve in a Civilian Service in a Member State of the Union other their own?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1999)

The programme of European voluntary service for young people is based on Article 126 of the EC Treaty, under the terms of which the Community encourages cooperation between Member States while respecting their responsibilities in such matters, thus excluding any harmonisation of existing systems.

In addition, recitals 21 and 22(2) of the Decision of 20 July 1998 establishing the Community action programme "European voluntary service for young people" state that "European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service, for the alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for (the) compulsory civilian service...", and that "the Commission and the Member States should endeavour to ensure complementarity between European voluntary service activities and similar national activities of various kinds". Community action has already had an impact on existing legislation in some Member States. Italy, for example, intends to adopt a law allowing complementarity between European voluntary service and national civilian service. Finally, the Commission is supporting a study (which is still under way) of the situation in the various Member States with regard to military service and alternative services, in order to strengthen and promote such complementarity in the Member States.

In general, it should be pointed out that European voluntary service enables young people aged between 18 and 25 to play an active part in activities aimed at meeting the needs of society in a variety of fields (social, socio-cultural, environmental, cultural, etc.). Thus it offers them a form of informal education based both on the acquisition of skills and aptitudes and on the exercising of responsible citizenship with a view to strengthening their active integration into society.

(1) OJ C 269, 16.10.1995, p. 232.

(2) OJ L 214, 31.7.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3322/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Information about the EU in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe

Recent opinion polls in several countries of Central and Eastern Europe have shown that citizens do not have nearly such a positive attitude to the possibility of EU membership as they did, for example, only a year ago. In Estonia, the approval figures have fallen by nearly 10 % over the year. One reason for the fall in approval may be a misdirected and patchy information policy, which has not succeeded in responding to citizens' uncertainty and suspicions.

How and with what type of resources has the Commission hitherto organised its information activities relating to EU membership in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe? How does the Commission propose in future to cooperate more effectively with the candidate countries' own information providers?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 1999)

The Commission is well aware of the developments in public opinion in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe mentioned by the Honourable Member and recognizes the need to increase information efforts. It recalls that the issue was specifically raised in the conclusions of the Essen European Council in December 1994.

However, the Commission is now spending some 3 million Euro each year on information in Central and Eastern European countries. A number of core services (European dialogue, Eurobarometer and the visits programme) are retained at the centre while Commission delegations each manage an annual budget of 250 000 to 750 000 euro in implementing country-specific information programmes designed locally and approved by headquarters. Thanks to this decentralisation, delegation infocentres have already opened in Prague and Budapest, and more are planned for the near future. Each delegation is planning the translation and dissemination of documents, brochures and leaflets. on Community policy; regional campaigns, involving Eurobuses; intensified audio-visual media relations and its own delegation web-site.

Candidate country governments, with many pressing pre-accession requirements, are at different stages in tackling the information challenges from their side. However, the Commission, through its delegations in the Central and Eastern European countries, aims at strengthening links and offering co-operation to the candidate governments' own information efforts, at whatever level is appropriate. Such efforts, on both sides, do, however, require a certain degree of stability and predictability in their future funding perspectives.