ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0540/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2002)

Subject: Defective planes

Can the Commission state what action it has taken with regard to the recent scandal involving the sale of defective aircraft parts in Italy? In particular, are there any investigations ongoing into the activities of the company Panaviation?

What contact has the Commission had on this subject with the Italian Government?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0347/02, E-0378/02 and E-0540/02given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2002)

The problem of non-standard spare parts is an issue the American aeronautical authorities are already well-acquainted with; to tackle this problem, they have in the past launched various initiatives which have been taken over by several European aeronautical authorities.

Given this background, the announcement by the Italian police that Airbus A300 components resulting from the cannibalisation of out-dated aircraft had been seized, implicating three companies (Panaviation, New Tech Italia and New Tech Aerospace), is to be deplored although it did not come as a surprise.

The main components of aircraft are subject to a certification procedure and their lifespan is often limited (either in time or in terms of flight hours). Aircraft components are also documented so that their origin and history can be traced.

Unfortunately, as in any sector where important financial interests are at stake, falsification is possible. Indeed, the prices of aircraft components are such that illegal trading in non-certified spare parts or parts salvaged from out-dated aircraft can prove very lucrative.

The problem is therefore very real and aviation authorities are aware of this. Consequently, the Commission will take particular care to ensure that, when the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is set up, certification procedures for aircraft components take particular account of the falsification issue.

This will consist in a detailed review of Part 21 (aircraft and spare parts certification) of the existing Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) procedures, which will form the basis for the rules on implementing the EASA that the Commission will be drawing up.

The Commission is determined not to allow air security to be weakened in this way. This cannot, however, be a substitute for the efforts the Member States should be making, since it is they that have the penal powers in the fight against the falsification of certified parts and of documents in general.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0018/02

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 2002)

Subject: Communication on cable-cars, ski lifts and similar apparatus

The Commission has been dealing with the issue of State aids for companies operating cable-cars etc., as emerges, inter alia, from the 2000 Report on competition policy. The Commission has been made aware in every possible way of the delicate nature of this issue, in the interests of preventing damage due to measures not properly assessed in a sector vital to the mountain economy of Europe. For example, a seminar was held by the European Parliament on 8 November 2000, in which experts and operators in the sector from all over Europe took part. In the meantime Parliament expressed its views on mountain-related issues in its resolution of 6 September 2001, dealing with the above subject in paragraphs 23 and 24. The points made are totally consistent with what was written about mountain tourism in the Second Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, adopted by the Commission on 31 January 2001. There is now talk of a proposal for a communication, about which neither the relevant organisations nor the European Federation of Cable-car Operators have been officially informed.

Can the Commission say whether there is a proposal for a communication on State aids for cable-cars etc, what it contains, what form of consultation there will be, in particular with the representatives of the sector, and what timetable is envisaged for its adoption?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2002)

At the moment the Commission does not envisage adopting an own Communication on State aid to cableways.

It might be added that aid to the sector of cableway installations was the object of a Commission decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure in respect of State aid to cableway installations in the Province of Bolzano, Italy (Case C 42/2000).

An invitation to all interested parties to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty was published in the Official Journal(1).

Several comments were received including those of associations of operators of the sector and will be taken into consideration in the adoption of a final decision on this case.

(1) OJ C 27, 27.1.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0515/02

by Paolo Costa (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 February 2002)

Subject: Charging for the use of transport infrastructure

On 18 January 2001 the European Parliament adopted a report on transport infrastructure charging A5-0345/2000.

The conclusions of the Presidency of the Göteborg European Council of June 2001 say that a sustainable transport policy should tackle the full internalisation of social and environmental costs.

The Commission has also produced a White Paper(1), Part three, Chapter II. A of which is entitled Towards gradual charging for the use of infrastructure.

Paragraph 58 of the conclusions of the Presidency of the Laeken European Council of December 2001 says that the Commission will submit its framework proposal on charging for the use of infrastructure as soon as possible.

Can the Commission say approximately when and how it will be submitting this framework proposal?

(1) COM(2001) 370.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2002)

The Commission is currently developing a methodology for charging for the use of transport infrastructure which will apply to all modes of transport.

It will be examined with the assistance of experts and the Commission plans to consider a proposal for a framework directive during the second half of 2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0362/02

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) and Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 February 2002)

Subject: Economy class syndrome

In the last three years more than thirty persons have died in Europe after a long flight. They were all victims of cases of thrombosis. Some specialists and scientific publications have established a relationship between the overseas flights and those accidents.

The European Union could be facing a case of public health protection. Information is therefore necessary.

Can the Commission provide information about this problem? Have the air companies been asked to cooperate with the Commission in the investigation?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2002)

The Commission is well aware of recent reports and developments linking deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to air travel and takes them very seriously.

At present, the most widely held view in the medical community is that there is probably some link between DVT and air travel. However, at present it is not possible to measure its strength, that is the risk of someone who takes a long flight suffering DVT compared to the probability of other people doing so. The present evidence points to immobility, rather than cramped seating conditions, as being the source of the problem.

The Commission is convinced that precautions must be taken, the more so as there are many uncertainties and unknown. Consequently, as a first step, the Member of the Commission responsible for Transport and Energy has written to the presidents of the Association of European Airlines, the European Regions Airlines Association and the International Air Carrier Association, urging their members to take precautionary measures. In her letter, she encouraged airlines to inform passengers, when they make reservations or order tickets, of the risks, of predisposing factors and of precautionary measures to take before long flights, and also to advise them, once on board the aircraft, on what to do to lessen the chance of thrombosis.

A number of airlines have already introduced, on their own initiative, pre-boarding warnings and/or in-flight advice (leaflets, videos, in-flight magazines showing exercises, recommending what to do and what to avoid, etc).

In parallel, it is necessary to assess both the risks and the effectiveness of different preventive measures.

The World Health Organisation envisages the organisation of a set of studies covering:

- the link between air travel and DVT and its quantification;

- environmental and behavioural risk factors;

- preventive measures with standardised diagnostic methods.

This research programme should be launched in 2002 and concluded in June 2005, although preliminary results should be available. The Commission is looking closely at the possibility of supporting these studies.

As more data on DVT and air travel becomes available, the Commission will decide in due course whether measures are needed at Community level.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0668/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2002)

Subject: Support for the market in electrically powered cars

In the light of the extent of pollution in towns and cities, what measures will the Commission take and what measures will it propose that the Member States adopt to support the market in electrically powered cars or cars which combine electric power with conventional systems?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

As the Commission says in its White Paper European transport policy for 2010: time to decide(1), the subsidiarity principle dictates that responsibility for urban transport lies mainly with the national and local authorities.

The Commission is not, however, unaware of the ills besetting transport in urban areas and spoiling the quality of life.

It therefore basically supports the promotion of good practice in the areas concerned, and with its research and technological development and demonstration programmes it is backing numerous projects on alternative fuels and vehicles.

For example, in October 2000 the Commission launched the Civitas initiative, with a budget of 50 million, to help with carrying out integrated and innovative clean urban transport projects which will enable electrically powered vehicles to find their proper place in large-scale applications.

Furthermore, between 1995 and 1999 the research and technological development (RTD) programme Thermie financed some 15 projects totalling 25 million for demonstrating clean vehicles in the urban environment (especially electric vehicles and hybrids).

In line with the Commission's strategy on alternative fuels(2), which seeks to evaluate the potential contribution of each alternative fuel to the key political problems such as dependence on oil products, security of supply, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, the Commission recently started up some new demonstration projects on electric buses powered by fuel cells, notably the Cute and Ectos projects, with a budget of more than 25 million. These projects will make it possible to study how transport companies and local authorities can make use of this technology.

The Commission is contributing to the development of clean vehicles on the market both by laying down increasingly stringent emission requirements and by supporting research and demonstration projects which will allow vehicle technologies to gain the necessary maturity for promotion on an industrial scale. According to the subsidiarity principle, on the other hand, incentive schemes to encourage the purchase of such vehicles are a matter for the national, regional and local authorities.

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.

(2) Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on alternative fuels for road transportation and on a set of measures to promote the use of biofuels, COM(2001) 547 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0544/02

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 February 2002)

Subject: Implementation of Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions

In 1997, Parliament approved Directive 98/44/EC(1) on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. In 2001, the Court of Justice in Luxembourg dismissed an application by the

Netherlands Government for annulment of this directive (case C-377/98). Thus the Netherlands must comply with its obligations with regard to European legislation. However, the Dutch legislature (the Lower House of Parliament) has so far refused to transpose the directive into national law, despite the fact that this should have been done by 30 July 2000. This is very detrimental to existing and new biotech companies in the Netherlands and Europe at large.

1. Is the Commission aware of this situation?

2. What measures will the Commission take to hold the Netherlands to its European obligations, particularly its duty to swiftly and completely transpose the above directive?

3. Which other Member States have not yet transposed the directive?

(1) OJ L 213, 30.7.1998, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission's attention to the difficulties encountered in some Member States in implementing Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions.

1. The Commission is fully aware of the fact that Directive 98/44/EC has not been implemented in some Member States. The Commission would like to echo the comments made by the Honourable Member regarding the binding obligation upon Member States to immediately transpose this Directive, especially since the deadline for transposition has long since expired. In addition, any ambiguity there may have been about the legality of this Directive has been dispelled following the Court of Justice's rejection on 9 October 2001 of the application for the annulment of the Directive.

2. The Commission would like to point out that a letter of formal notice was sent on 30 November 2000 to those Member States which had not, at that time, transposed Directive 98/44/EC. It should be noted that the next stage in this procedure is to send a reasoned opinion on account of a failure to notify national transposition measures.

3. To date, five Member States have transposed Directive 98/44/EC: Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Finland and the United Kingdom.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0060/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(25 January 2002)

Subject: The Spanish presidency's position on the reform and constitutionalisation of the Treaties, envisaged in the Laeken Declaration

What is the Spanish presidency's position on the reform and constitutionalisation of the Treaties, envisaged in the Laeken Declaration? Does it consider that the reform should go as far as the formulation of a European Union Constitution?

Reply

(13 May 2002)

The Presidency responds to questions on behalf of the Council. It would be inappropriate for the Council to take a view on the position of any Member State on the reform and constitutionalisation of the Treaties.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1291/02

by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Commission

(8 May 2002)

Subject: Closure of the Fontaneda biscuit factory in Aguilar de Campoo (Palencia, Spain)

The biscuit factory in Aguilar de Campoo (Palencia province, Spain), which dates back to 1881, has long represented an oasis of prosperity in a district located in an Objective 1 region, characterised by severe socio-economic and labour problems.

A few days ago, the multinational United Biscuits, the new owner of the factory and its brand-name, which is the leading one in Spain and has been an emblem of quality for generations, announced the factory's closure, on arbitrary grounds related to a brutal and uncontrolled relocation policy which will cause suffering to an entire community.

Is the Commission aware of this problem, which is already giving rise to serious disturbances in the social and public order spheres? Can the Commission propose any means of preventing this attack on labour rights from succeeding?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-0312/02 by Mrs Rodriguez Ramos during question time at Parliament's Mai I 02 part-session(1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (May 2002).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0385/02

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Recreational fishing

In the context of the reform of the common fisheries policy the European Parliament has submitted its report on the Green Paper (A5-0470/2001). There is absolutely no mention of recreational or leisure fishing in either the report or the Green Paper.

However, it appears that such fishing has economic repercussions in coastal regions and also that the fishermen involved have quite an extensive knowledge of the marine environment.

Has the Commission already carried out studies into the social and economic status of recreational fishing in the European Union? If not, does it intend to do so? What status does it intend to give to recreational fishing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2002)

The Commission is aware of the importance the economic and social repercussions recreational fishing can have in coastal regions. In some of those regions recreational fishing represents a necessary adjunct to traditional fishing, providing the people living there with an essential source of income.

At the same time it has to be recognised that leisure fishing activities differ appreciably according to the regions in which they are carried on. Proposing a framework for action across the whole of the Community covering the different kinds of fishing would be difficult therefore. The Commission takes the view, as indicated in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture(1), that it is a matter first for the Member States to see to it that recreational and leisure fishing activities are consistent with the management of stocks.

Because of the differences in situations from one region to another the Commission has not considered it advisable to carry out studies on this aspect of the industry. As it explained to the heads of the European associations, studies of this kind are very costly to undertake and would not make it possible to arrive at practical conclusions.

(1) OJ L 389, 31.12.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1011/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Operation of the subsidised unit Typopoiitiria Thivas

In its answer to my Question P-3402/01(1) on the possible closure of Typopoiitiria Thivas which has been subsidised under Regulations (EEC) 355/77(2) and 866/90(3), the Commission expresses its interest in the operation of the unit and states that it wrote to the Greek authorities on 23 November 2001 requesting them to give explanations and take corrective measures to ensure that the unit can operate properly.

Will the Commission say whether it has received any reply to its letter of 23 November 2001 in which it called on the Greek authorities to solve the problem rapidly? Does it know whether any procedure has been set in motion to allow the unit to continue operating?

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002.

(2) OJ L 51, 23.2.1977, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Commission has not yet received an official reply from the Greek authorities and consequently has no written information on whether a procedure to enable Typopoiitiria Thivas to continue operating has begun.

It has in the meantime received a complaint on the matter that it will deal with under the procedures in force. In any event it rests with the Greek courts to rule in the dispute referred to them.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0157/02

by Fodé Sylla (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(29 January 2002)

Subject: Spain: Creation of anti-globalisation units and a database

It is reported by a number of information networks that the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has set up anti-globalisation units that will be brought in during events that take place during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, during first half of 2002, in particular to prevent any disturbances during anti-globalisation demonstrations.

The Ministry is apparently also updating a database which contains the personal details of a large number of people who took part in demonstrations during the Göteborg, Genoa and Barcelona summits. The database is said to contain information provided by different European police forces concerning the protests that took place in these three cities.

In the same context, the Spanish intelligence services have stated that they have been monitoring the Internet sites of anti-globalisation movements since December 2001.

Does the Council consider that setting up a database as described above is consistent with European standards of protection of privacy and access to personal data?

Can the Council guarantee that the demonstrators who appear in the database will be able to gain access to their personal data? If so, how?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-0142/02, P-0152/02, P-0157/02, P-0180/02,P-0191/02 and P-0205/02

(21 May 2002)

1. The Council draws the attention to Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, which says that:

This Title (Title VI: Provisions on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters) shall not affect the exercise of the responsibilities incumbent upon Member States with regard to the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security.

2. As concerns data protection, the Council of Europe Convention of 1981 for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data has been ratified by all 15 Member States.

3. In the conclusions adopted by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, on 13 July 2001, concerning security at meetings of the European Council and other comparable events the objective of the European Union was recalled to maintain and develop the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice. In such an area, citizens must enjoy the right freely to express their opinions and to assemble in a peaceful manner, rights reflected in the European Convention on Human Rights, and the right to do so in conditions where there is not a threat to their own security or to that of other citizens or properties.

In the same conclusions the importance was underlined of a constructive dialogue between the organisers of public demonstrations and the authorities of the host country and the importance of close international contacts, particularly among the Member States' law enforcement authorities, to ensure that legitimate demonstrations are not exploited or abused for the purpose of committing acts of collective or individual violence.