ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4010/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Quality standards for slate produced in the Community

At present there are no specific quality control rules at Community level for slate, whether produced in the EU or imported from third countries.

Can the Commission state what measures it has adopted or intends to adopt with a view to introducing specific and harmonized monitoring of the quality of slate produced in the EU or imported from third countries?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4006/97, E-4007/97 and E-4010/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998)

In its report to the Council on the implementation of the Council conclusions of 18 November 1993 on the non-energy extractive industry ((SEC(96) 852. )) the Commission established that, as such, Community law only occupies a subsidiary position in the set of problems concerning environmental costs as compared with national or sub-national regulations. Although it does not rule out any regional appeal of that sector and the availability to it of structural funds, the Commission does not have any financial instruments to hand in order to compensate for those costs.

The Commission does not have any means available for directly promoting slate products and feels that this is primarily a job for the trade associations. It would, however, point out that vocational training activities shared with other parts of the building trade, or indeed research, could help to achieve that aim.

The implementation of Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products ((OJ L 40, 11.2.1089. )) in which this area is involved via standardisation activities, is likely to have a favourable effect on the products' image and on the international competitiveness of Community producers. Indeed, after the Standing Committee on Construction had delivered a positive opinion the Commission, on 20 November 1997, adopted a decision (97/808/EEC) on the conformity certification of such products where these were members of the 'flooring' product family ((OJ L 331, 3.12.1997. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3361/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Environment education

What funds, if any, and under what budget line, are available for environment education in developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal?

If there are any such funds, exactly what are they being used for?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-3197/97 ((OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 55. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3272/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Fifth framework programme

To repeat the query not dealt with in the answer to my Written Question E-1873/97 ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 115. )) of 29 May 1997 (see point 2 of the question), will acceptance of projects be 'linked to compliance with the 50% reduction in the use of animals in experiments announced by the Commission in the fifth programme on the environment'?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1998)

The acceptance of research projects under the Fifth Framework Programme in the field of Research will depend on whether the criteria set out in Annex I of the Commission Proposal ((COM(97) 142 final. )) are met. Moreover, the Commission stipulates in its Proposal that, as far as possible, testing on animals will be replaced by in vitro experiments or other alternative means. The Commission places great importance on the objective of reducing the amount of testing carried out on animals to a minimum; to achieve this, when it comes to assessing the research projects submitted within the Fifth Framework Programme, compliance with the ethical requirements in relation to animal testing - replacement, reduction, optimisation - will be taken into account. These principles are also mentioned by the Group of Advisers on the Ethical Implications of Biotechnology in its 10th Opinion, published on 11 December 1997, on the ethical aspects of the Fifth Framework Programme.

The objective referred to by the Honourable Member appears in the general terms of the Commission Proposal on the Fifth Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment ((COM(92) 23. )), as presented by the Commission in 1992. This objective has not however been re-addressed at Council level in its resolution on the Fifth Community programme of policy and action, but it remains a principal which the Commission pays close attention to when accepting projects.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-4165/97 by Alman Metten (PSE) to the Commission (7 January 1998)

Subject: Pinching orders with the help of government subsidies

1. Is the Commission aware of a broadcast by TV-2 in the Netherlands on 15 December 1997, in which documentary evidence was produced to show that in 1994 the French Government managed to convert an order by Vietnam Airlines for Fokker into an order for ATR, partly by cancelling half of Vietnam's outstanding debt and partly by rescheduling the other half?

2. Does the Commission not take the view that cancelling debts in exchange for orders from a nationalized industry is a form of government subsidy?

3. Does the Commission agree that this kind of behaviour also distorts competition in the single market itself, particularly when it is designed to pinch an order from a competing European Union industry, since in some sectors such as the aerospace industry orders from third countries are crucial for the health if not survival of European Union businesses (such as Fokker)?

4. What steps is the Commission willing and able to take to put an end to cowboy practices of this sort?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (3 February 1998)

The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. It is investigating the matter with the Member States concerned in order to gather the necessary information for an assessment of the case. If it were to transpire that the firm ATR did receive state aid in the context of the order by Vietnam Airlines, the Commission would go on to examine its compatibility with the common market.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3878/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Vertical restraints in competition policy

With reference to the Green Paper on vertical restraints in EC competition policy (COM(96) 721 final), the system of category exemptions based on forms of distribution is too rigid and fails to cover forms of distribution which are dynamic adjustments to changing market conditions.

Will the Commission review the existing category exemption regulations, which are undoubtedly too rigid and often difficult to interpret, with a view to making them more flexible?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to its answer to his previous written question E-3877/97 ((See page 149. )).

The Commission can confirm to the Honourable Member that as part of its overall review of policy on vertical restraints it is also reviewing the existing category exemption regulations other than Commission Regulation (EC) No 1475/95 of 28 June 1995 on the application of Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty to certain categories of motor vehicle distribution and servicing agreements ((OJ L 145, 29.6.1995. )).

The concept of making the existing category exemption regulations more flexible is one of the possible policy options discussed in paragraphs 282 to 285 of the green paper on vertical restraints in EC competition policy. It is as yet too early to comment on the outcome of the green paper, as the Commission is currently in the process of formulating its own position in reaction to all the information, submissions and opinions received during the consultation exercise. Therefore, the Commission is not in a position at this stage to say whether or not it will propose that these category exemptions be made more flexible. The Commission hopes to be in a position to clarify its policy position during 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3672/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Castor nuclear waste shipment from Hamburg, Germany, to Sellafield, Britain

A Castor nuclear waste shipment is due to leave the Krummel nuclear site in Hamburg, Germany, within the coming week. The waste is destined for reprocessing at the British nuclear complex, Sellafield.

Krummel is reported not to have adequate storage space for its 150 spent fuel rods and therefore its operators wish for them to be reprocessed.

Has the Commission been supplied with details of this waste shipment? Has it assessed the safety aspects of the shipment? Is it satisfied that the waste will be transported in suitable containers? What action does it propose to take about this shipment?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

The irradiated nuclear fuel shipped from the Krümmel nuclear power plant to Sellafield (United Kingdom) will be submitted for reprocessing. The shipments resulted from long-standing contracts with Sellafield in order to recover the recycling products.

The practice of the transport of radioactive material is subject to the European basic safety standards directives 96/29/Euratom and 80/836/Euratom laying down radiation protection requirements ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, OJ L 246, 17.9.1980. )). The shipments by land take into account these requirements by the Community legislation on the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail (Council Directives 94/55/EC and 96/49/EC) ((OJ L 319, 12.12.1994 and OJ L 235, 17.9.1996. )). Sea transport is regulated by the IMDG Code ((International maritime dangerous goods code-class 7 (radioactive material). )) of the International maritime organisation (IMO). Both sets of regulations are based on the advisory regulations of the International atomic energy agency - Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material ((Safety Series No 6 - 1985 Edition (as amended 1990). )). Furthermore, ships which carry the packages of irradiated nuclear fuel satisfy the INF code ((INF-Code: 'Code for the safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high level radioactive wastes in flasks on-board ships', adopted by IMO-Resolution A.748(18). )) adopted by IMO.

It is up to the consignor to submit the package and shipment certificates, in conformity with the above-mentioned regulations, to the authorities of the Member States involved for approval.

Through the above mentioned Directives implemented by Member States legislation, a good level of safety is ensured and no further action is presently proposed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3696/97 by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Poland

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have applied for membership of the EU. Can the Commission provide details of the utilization of appropriations granted under PHARE in 1997 for Poland?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (6 January 1998)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member concerning the 1997 Phare programme in Poland as follows:

1. Phare national programme

The country operational programme (COP) 1997 received a favourable opinion of the Phare management committee on 30 October 1997. The breakdown of the allocations is given in the following table:

(MECU)

>TABLE>

In addition, an allocation of 20 MECU and of 1.5 MECU was approved for the Tempus programme and the College of Europe in Natolin respectively.

2. Cross-border cooperation programmes PL/D (49 MECU) and PL/Baltics (3.4 MECU).

The CBC programmes between Poland and Germany and Poland and the Baltic Sea region, presented to the Phare Management Committee in April and October 1997, received a favourable opinion. These consist of the following priorities and measures.

(a) CBC programme PL/D

(MECU)

>TABLE>

(b) CBC programme PL/Baltic Sea Region

(MECU)

>TABLE>

The overall Phare budget for Poland in 1997 is therefore 149.4 MECU.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3731/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Technical barriers to imports

Although agreement to remove technical barriers to imports was reached among the signatory states to GATT, and subsequently the WTO, in reality this is far from the case.

Day-to-day experience shows that technical barriers without any technical justification continue to exist, as is the case with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian laws on imports of processed fishery products.

Does the Commission not consider that, in the interests of fairer and more balanced trade, these countries should accept Community rules as a legitimate defence of Community interests?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1998)

Following the establishment of the World trade organisation (WTO), a large number of technical trade barriers have been eliminated by its members, but some do still exist.

The Honourable Member refers to specific national standards set up to protect human health and life. All countries apply such standards, including the Community, which generally speaking has chosen to set its standards at a relatively high level.

According to the WTO SPS Agreement sanitary measures should be applied only to the extent necessary to protect human animal or plant life or health and be based on scientific principles and not be maintained without sufficient scientific evidence. Furthermore, they must not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between Members, where identical or similar could thus prevail or function as a disguised restriction on trade. The measures should either be based on international standards, such as the Codex Alimentarius or the International office of Epizootics or be based on a decision to have a higher level of protection than the one achieved by the international standards if there is scientific justification, or as a consequence of the level of sanitary or phytosanitary protection a member determines to be appropriate in accordance with the relevant provisions of Article 5 of the WTO SPS code (risk assessment).

As a general rule, the Community supports the policy of preparing international standards inside the relevant multilateral fora, thereby gradually eliminating the various national technical trade barriers.

The Commission is not aware of any current import problems related to United States or Canadian legislation for canned fisheries products.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3962/97 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Plans to build a golf course in Cologne-Porz-Zündorf

In connection with the plans to build a golf course in Cologne-Porz-Zündorf, a complaint has been lodged with the Commission under No 97/4826SG(97)A/17838.

1. What is the present position with regard to consideration of this complaint?

2. Does the Commission share the views expressed by the complainants?

3. If so, what measures will the Commission take?

4. Have opinions been delivered by the authorities of North-Rhine Westphalia or the city of Cologne, and if so, what is the tenor of those opinions?

5. Is the Commission aware of any comparable cases and what action was taken on them?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1998)

1. to 4. The Commission, as the Honourable Member states, has been informed about the issue by a complaint. The information as provided for by the complainant has been assessed by the Commission. Given that this information was not sufficient to state an infringement at this stage, the Commission invited the complainant to put forward the still needed information. No reply has been received so far.

5. It is worth noting that the same issue has been put forward to the attention of the Commission by two other complainants which have also been invited to give further information on the case. Apart of this, the Commission is not aware of similar cases related to golf courses and their impact on Community law concerning nature conservation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4127/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Tissue engineering

European companies working on human health technology applications have refined various techniques to enable skin to be grown in laboratories.

One such technique involves growing skin on appropriate support media, such as hyaluronic acid. In the USA a Californian company is selling a product derived from the cells of babies and children who have undergone operations, the price being 700 thousand lire for 6cm of skin.

The US technique is used in particular for allotransplantation.

In view of the fact that tissue engineering is not concerned solely with skin but also with other tissues, does the Commission not consider that the existing rules on organ replacement should be reinforced by means of a new directive supplementing the rules on tissue production?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 April 1998)

The Commission is aware of the medical, social and ethical issues involved in organ or allotransplantation. Legislation on these issues is a matter for the Member States.

However, the Commission wishes to draw the Honourable Member's attention to Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices ((OJ L 169, 12.7.1993. )), devoted to products manufactured on an industrial scale. In the context of the proposal for a Directive on in vitro diagnostic medical devices ((COM(96) 643. )), the Commission has also proposed amending Directive 93/42/EEC so as to extend its scope to devices manufactured on the basis of substances of human origin. The legislative procedure is currently under way. This proposal concerns a number of products manufactured on the basis of substances derived from tissues of human origin that have been transformed and rendered non-viable.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4105/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Illegal activities by Turkish hauliers in northern Greece

Constant allegations and complaints are being received from Greek transporter companies in the north of the country concerning illegal activities by Turkish hauliers in the area carrying out internal transport operations without issuing waybills or paying VAT. In addition, they are using their transit authorizations for both countries and loading consignments for Turkey in Greece, something which is expressly forbidden under the agreement signed by Turkey. These persistent practices are threatening the existence of Greek transport companies and are nothing less than willful provocation, since entirely illegal transport operations in Community territory are going unpunished.

What steps will the Commission take in response to this situation with a view to ending these illegal activities and protect the interest of Greek transporters, who are being directly affected by the practices of Turkish hauliers?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 March 1998)

The Commission has not received any of the complaints referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Commission draws the Honourable Member's attention to Council Regulation (EEC) No 881/92 on access to the market in the carriage of goods by road within the Community to or from the territory of a Member State or passing across the territory of one or more Member States ((OJ L 95, 9.4.1992. )). Pursuant to that measure the Commission submitted a recommendation to open negotiations with a number of third countries, including Turkey, on mutual access to road transport markets. To date, the Council has authorised the opening of negotiations only with Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

While cooperation in transport is foreseen in the EC-Turkey Association Council Resolution of 6 March 1995, it has not been possible to implement any cooperation in this sector, due to significant restrictions on financial cooperation with Turkey.

Consequently, regulation of road freight traffic both between Greece and Turkey and within Greece by Turkish hauliers (cabotage) is entirely a matter for the two countries concerned, in compliance with the relevant international rules.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4090/97 by Peter Truscott (PSE) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Funding for Hertfordshire under the Fourth Framework Programme and from various Socrates education funds in 1994-1997

Would the Commission please inform me of the amount of funding Hertfordshire has received under the Fourth Framework Programme and from various Socrates Education Funds during the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (11 March 1998)

Hertfordshire received the funding shown below between 1994 and 1997 under the Fourth Framework Programme (FP) of Research and Technological Development (RTD). The figures are for all types of action, including shared-cost actions, concerted actions and accompanying measures (specific measures being included in other types of action).

(MECU)

>TABLE>

Source: All Research DGs.

However, it should be noted that the actual funding given only to a very small extent reflects the benefits that are gained by research groups in any one region by taking part in Community programmes.

Between 1994 and 1997, a total of ECU 977 048 was received by beneficiaries (institutions and individuals) in Hertfordshire as part of the various activities in the Socrates programme, from 1995, and earlier educational programmes, in particular Erasmus, before 1995.