ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0476/99

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: Fresh Meat Directive 64/433/EEC and Poultrymeat Directive 71/118/EEC

How is the Commission monitoring the Member States' implementation of the Fresh Meat Directive 64/433/EEC(1) and the Poultrymeat Directive 71/118/EEC(2)?

What problems have been encountered by Member States in terms of implementation of these directives?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Commission audits and inspects the Member States in accordance with the rules laid down in Commission Decision 98/139/EC of 4 February 1998 laying down certain detailed rules concerning on-the-spot checks carried out in the veterinary field by Commission experts in the Member States(3).

For red meat, the Commission is carrying out an overall survey on the correct implementation, by the Member States, of Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat. This should be finalised by the end of May 1999. A report on the survey should be published and be made available on a Commission web site (at http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/) later this year. The reports on individual inspections in the Member States are being made available on the web site as they are completed.

For poultry meat, the Commission carried out a general survey in 1994-1995 which demonstrated a number of problems with the implementation of Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on health problems affecting trade in fresh poultry meat. Following the survey, the issue was discussed in a working group with the participation of the Member States in order to check whether an amendment of the legislation would be necessary. This group did not come to any conclusion with regard to possible amendments of the Directive.

The Commission commenced a new series of visits to the Member States earlier this year in order to verify the correct implementation and application of Commission legislation in regard to poultry meat production. The reports on individual inspections will be published on the Commission web site as they become available. A summary of the global evaluation will also be published in due course.

(1) OJ 121, 29.7.1964, p. 2012.

(2) OJ L 55, 8.3.1971, p. 23.

(3) OJ L 38, 12.2.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0652/99

by Ioannis Theonas (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 March 1999)

Subject: Threats to public health and the ecological balance from waste on Santorini

The inhabitants of the Aegean island of Santorini are facing a huge accumulation of problems over their water supply, sewage system and waste management. The problems are exacerbated by the island's high population density, especially in the summer months when, with the added number of tourists, there is a steep increase in the volume of effluent and rubbish, creating grave problems affecting both the health and quality of life of the islanders and the balance of the ecosystem (soil and groundwater pollution) and the island's outstanding beauty and cultural and archaeological heritage. A particularly acute problem is posed by rubbish, the disposal of which by the outdated method of incineration, against all safety rules, in residential areas, constitutes a direct threat to public health.

In view of the gravity of the problems and the immediate need for action to deal with them, and the fact that Santorini is included in an EU pilot programme under the Cohesion Fund (with 85 % of its finance from the fund and 15 % from the Greek State), for an integrated waste management and water supply and sewage scheme, will the Commission indicate the stage that has been reached in the implementation of this programme, whether the competent Greek authorities and ministries have approved the planning and siting of the works, and whether it is aware of the identity of the private contractor who will be carrying out the work or the terms of the competition and the criteria for awarding the contract? Is it also true that incineration, which has already roused public opposition because of its grave risk to public health and the balance of the ecosystem, has been preferred as the method of waste disposal?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Commission has on several occasions discussed the pilot project on integrated water-supply management, waste-water treatment and solid-waste disposal for the island of Santorini, both with the national Ministries for Economic Affairs, the Environment and the Aegean and with the local authorities of the island.

However, it has not yet received any official request from the Greek authorities for Cohesion Fund financing for this project. The Commission is therefore unable to answer the various questions put by the Honourable Member.

The Commission wishes to stress that it adopts decisions on part-financing by the Community Funds only if the projects concerned comply with Community legislation, including the rules on the environment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: EC development aid to countries of South Asia

Will the Commission please provide a list of total EC development aid to the following countries for each of the last five years:

India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives?

Can it also provide a list for the same countries of the EC development aid for each of the last five years on a per capita basis?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0740/99

by Alessandro Danesin (PPE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Electoral participation in Italy

On 25 July 1998, the Italian Parliament rejected a bill which would have given Italian voters living abroad the chance to vote when parliamentary elections are held in Italy.

The aim of the bill was to amend part of the Constitution so as to make a "postal vote" possible, as it is for Spanish citizens, for example.

The question of Italians voting abroad has been discussed for thirty years but has never been resolved.

Recently, the Italian Assembly began to reconsider the bill, which requires dual approval by Parliament. The Regulation is divided into two parts: the first provides for suitable structures under ordinary law that will allow citizens to vote; the second part lays down the detailed rules governing voting.

1. Is the Commission able to take measures which could clear up a situation that goes against the principles of democracy that EU Member States should respect?

2. Does it know which Member States allow their citizens to vote by post?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 1999)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned.
Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission
(6 September 1999)
The Commission considers that job sharing can be a very useful means of improving flexibility and
reconciling work and family life. In general, it is important, however, that the arrangements are voluntaryand that all the parties concerned are fully committed and flexible enough to make the system work. Inthese circumstances, the Commission does not consider that a Community directive to require theintroduction of compulsory job-sharing schemes would be appropriate. It does, however, consider that itwould be appropriate for Member States to examine their laws and other regulatory provisions to ensurethat they do not inhibit the development of job sharing arrangements, provided that adequate securitycontinues to be provided to the workers concerned. This would be consistent with the 1999 EmploymentGuidelines (Guideline 17).
(2000/C 27 E/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1409/99
by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Can the Commission indicate what percentage of its land each of the fifteen Member States currently
designates as worthy of conservation and therefore of listing as Sites of Special Scientific Interest?
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission
(10 September 1999)
The Honourable Member asked the Commission what percentage of their land the Member States
designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. However, while that classification is used in the UnitedKingdom, it does not exist under Community law.
On the other hand the Commission publishes a NaturabaromŁtre stating the percentage of the land
surface of each Member State that is proposed under the Community Birds and Habitats Directives, namelyCouncil Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (
1), and Council Directive
92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2).
This NaturabaromŁtre is updated every 4 months. It is published in the free information bulletin entitled
Natura 2000 and is available on website http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg11/nature/natura.htm.
(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2000/C 27 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1410/99
by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Licensing of childrens entertainers
Will the Commission please indicate what legislation exists within the EU governing the licensing and
training of childrens entertainers, and whether such persons are required to bring safety equipment withthem to performances? Are they also required to insure themselves to at least a minimum level?29.1.2000 EN C 27 E/53 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0177/99

by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Power supply line from Morocco to Spain

1. What is the Commission's view of the proposal to include in the list of projects for the trans-European networks an electricity supply line from Morocco to Spain, then feeding into the European grid, as a major factor in producing cheap. environmental energy from the large-scale wind energy plants in the Western Sahara, which is noted for its winds?

2. Could this project be financed under the MEDA programme?

3. Does the Commission see any possibility of (co)financing, in agreement with the government of Morocco, a feasibility study to look into all the economic, technical and constitutional aspects?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1999)

1. This project has already been carried out. The Moroccan and Spanish national electricity grids were connected in 1998 and up to 700 MW per 20 minute block can be shifted in either direction.

2. An [fmxeuro]80 million loan from the EIB under the fourth EC-Morocco financial protocol (1992-96) was used to finance the project.

The EIB loan comes under the heading of "horizontal" financial cooperation, a financial instrument of the new Mediterranean policy designed to fund investment projects of mutual interest to Member States and southern Mediterranean non-member countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1077/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(21 April 1999)

Subject: Grant aid to the floorcovering industry in Europe

Would the Commission clarify what levels of grant aid have been awarded to the floorcovering industry in other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

The Commission regrets that it does not have sufficient information to be able to answer the question. Most aid granted by Member States is granted in application of aid schemes approved by the Commission and Member States are under no obligation to inform the Commission on individual applications of these schemes in the specific sector of floorcovering.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0083/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Environmental impact of motorcycles

Will the Commission undertake a study of the environmental impact of motorcycles as compared to cars a study which should include energy and the materials used in production, the use of land [roads, car parks], congestion, noise and recycling?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 1999)

The Commission does not have any plans at present to carry out a general comparative analysis of all the environmental effects of motorcycles and cars.

Depending on the environmental impact in question motorcycles may be more or less environmentally harmful than cars. For example, whilst motorcycles consume less energy and road space, they can produce higher emissions of certain pollutants and can create noise problems. Noise nuisance is often more a result of bad driver behaviour and maintenance than construction and design.

As far as air quality impacts are concerned, the scope further to reduce emissions from motorcycles will be considered in the framework of the Auto-Oil II programme which compares the potential of different abatement options to achieve Community air quality objectives. The Commission intends to present a proposal in relation to motorcycle emissions by the end of 1999.

In relation to noise, Directive 97/24/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1997 on certain components and characteristics of two or three-wheel motor vehicles(1) contains the most recent reductions to be achieved.

Motorcycles will continue to be an important element in the transport system of the Community alongside other modes of transport.

(1) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0828/99

by Eva Kjer Hansen (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 1999)

Subject: Recruitment of officials without tests

According to Agence Europe of 5 March 1999 the Council intends to recruit a group of staff from the so-called Schengen secretariat without requiring them to sit tests or undergo a probationary period, which seems to conflict with the Staff Regulations.

The use of a possible alternative recruitment procedure based on Article 24 of the 1967 "merger treaty" means that, on specific terms and on the basis of a proposal from the Commission and after consulting Parliament, the Council will be able to recruit external staff as officials without testing them. But the Council has presumably not thought of using this procedure in this connection.

What steps does the Commission - as the guardian of the treaty - intend to take to oppose this manifest infringement of the Staff Regulations and the equally obvious disregard for the Commission's right of initiative which is confirmed by Article 24 of the "merger treaty"?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1999)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission (which is unfortunately unable to supply the information requested).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0647/99

by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission

(16 March 1999)

Subject: Liaison committee for senior citizens' organisations

The liaison committee for senior citizens' organisations, composed of 5 major European organisations, is run by the Commission and seems at present to be in suspended animation.

It is rumoured that the Commission wishes to reorganise this committee, turning it into a full-time senior citizens' forum, enlarged to cover a whole range of associations.

Can the Commission state whether the forum will be established, and if so, what the criteria will be for its composition? Care must be taken in particular to ensure that its member associations are representative at European level.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The liaison group for older people is active and is being run in accordance with the procedures set out in Commission Decision 91/544/EEC of 17 October 1991(1) establishing it. The liaison group meets twice a year and the agenda always covers a wide range of issues relating to the interests of the elderly, including social protection, employment and pensions.

Discussions have been held with the members of the liaison group on ways of strengthening co-operation and co-ordination between pan-European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the field of the elderly in order to raise the profile of this target group at European level, particularly during this United Nations International year of older people.

At the last meeting of the liaison group on 8 March 1999, a majority of members voted in favour of setting up a working group to look into the possibility of creating a European older people's platform. If this working group wishes to submit a proposal for the establishment of such a structure, aspects such as aims, tasks, rules and internal regulations (including questions concerning the degree of representation of potential platform members) will have to be addressed.

(1) OJ L 296, 26.10.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0236/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Council

(15 February 1999)

Subject: Italian secret services report on the euro's use for money-laundering purposes

Is the Council aware that, in a report which was subsequently published by the daily newspaper "Il Messagero" on 25 January 1999, the Italian military secret services (SISMI) maintained that the euro could be used to launder proceeds from criminal activities which had not yet entered financial and banking channels?

Does it intend to ask the Italian Government to forward the SISMI report?

What action does it intend to take to prevent computer systems and the Internet from being used for criminal activities?

Reply

(26 April 1999)

1. The Council has not received the report to which the Honourable Member refers.

2. On the subject of money laundering and actions to prevent computer systems and the Internet from being used for criminal activities, the Council would draw attention to the following:

- Joint Action of 3 December 1998 on money laundering, the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of instrumentalities and the proceeds from crime(1);

- Action Plan of 28 April 1997 to combat organised crime(2);

- Resolution of 17 January 1995 on the lawful interception of telecommunications(3).

The Council would also direct the Honourable Member to the ongoing discussions on:

- a Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters;

- a Council Decision instructing Europol to deal with forgery of money and means of payment;

- the implementation of the Council conclusions of 3 December 1998 on elements of the Union's strategy against high tech crime, and

- an Action Plan for a safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks.

3. Reference should also be made to the work being conducted in other fora, e.g.:

- Europol (harmonisation of work by EU law enforcement agencies to monitor the Internet; organised crime linked with high tech);

- Council of Europe (Committee on crime in cyberspace);

- OECD (Committee for information, computer and communications policy; guidelines for cryptography policy);

- G8 (Group on high tech crime; network of contact points; principles for combating high tech crime);

- Financial Action Task Force (Recommendations on money laundering).

(1) OJ L 333, 9.12.1998, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 251, 15.8.1997, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 329, 4.11.1996, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0727/99

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Structural Funds

The regions whose level of income per inhabitant is less than 75 % of that which corresponds to the average Community inhabitant are classed as "Objective 1 regions" and are entitled to substantial Community aid.

In order to work out whether this threshold has been crossed or not, the draft Council Regulation, COM(98) 0131 final(1), laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, stipulates that the figures corresponding to the last three years on which Eurostat has information will be taken into account.

Currently, only the figures corresponding to the financial years 1994, 1995 and 1996 are available.

What regions in Sweden does the Commission expect not to be classed as Objective 1 regions for this three-year period?

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0116/99

by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission

(22 January 1999)

Subject: Environmental Impact Procedure (85/337/EEC) and infringement proceedings against the UK authorities

Will the Commission specify which infringement procedures have been implemented for breach of Directive 85/337/EEC(1) in the UK since 1994? In particular, can the Commission specify whether Pilmuir Quarry, Newton Mearns, and Sheephill Quarry, Milton, Dunbartonshire (both Scotland) have been included in action taken by the Commission against the United Kingdom authorities?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 1999)

The Commission has opened four infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom under Article 169 EC Treaty with respect to Directive 85/337/EEC. These procedures concerned a development of a dock, a landfill site, the implementation of Article 7 and the scope of the Directive.

As regards Pilmuir Quarry, proceedings were opened under Article 169 EC Treaty. However, following the Court of justice judgement in case C-431/92, it was considered that Directive 85/337/EEC did not apply to this project as the application for planning permission was before July 1988. The Commission closed this case in July 1997 and a letter was sent to the Honourable Member informing him of this decision.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0282/99

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Poor environmental and health conditions in the "Tamburi" district (Taranto)

For some time the city of Taranto, particularly the "Tamburi" district close to the ILVA steel plant and the Shell refinery, has been plagued by terrible environment and health conditions. The incidence of cancers recorded in 1997 provides irrefutable evidence that Taranto now rates as one of the most polluted cities in the world.

According to analyses conducted by the Taranto ASL, approximately 90 % of the materials used by the ILVA steel plant contain asbestos, increasing the incidence of serious diseases caused by this substance.

Is the Commission aware of the situation and will it take steps to deal with it?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 1999)

The Commission is so far not aware of the situation as described by the Honourable Member.

Insofar as the prevention or reduction of air pollution is concerned, it can be assumed that Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants(1) applies to the metal works and the refinery mentioned by the Honourable Member. Under this Directive, Member States have to take the necessary measures to ensure that the operation of such plants requires prior authorisation by the authorities. An authorisation may be issued only when all appropriate preventive measures against air pollution have been taken, including the application of the best available technology, provided that the application of such measures does not entail excessive cost. The authorities must also be satisfied that the use of the plant will not cause significant air pollution. Member States shall also implement policies and strategies, including appropriate measures, for the adaptation of existing plants to the best available technology.

Oil refineries and plants for the production and processing of metals are explicitly listed in Annex I of the Directive. Asbestos is included in Annex II, the list of most important polluting substances.

The Directive, however, does not fix emission limit values for polluting substances.

On the basis of the elements given by the Honourable Member, it is not possible to conclude that there has been a breach of Community legislation.

(1) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984.