ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1032/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (19 March 1997)

Subject: Risk to the health of the public and employees as a result of underestimating neutron radiation during transport of highly radioactive waste

The biological radiation impact of dense ionising radiation, such as neutrons, is greater than the same physical dose of loose ionising radiation, such as gamma rays. In order to take account of this danger, a physical dose of neutrons is converted into an equivalent dose, by multiplying it by a quality factor Q. According to a scientific consensus which has prevailed for more than ten years, the quality factors for radiation protection do not reflect current scientific knowledge. As far back as 1990, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) adopted enhanced factors (ICRP 60 1991). The recommended values depend, like the previous factors, on the energy of the neutrons.

1. What is the Commission's position vis-à-vis the guidelines laid down in ICRP 60 1991?

2. What conclusions has it drawn as regards radiation protection in the EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1997)

As a result of increasing scientific knowledge on the biological effects of ionising radiation, the International commission on radiological protection (ICRP) produced publication 60 in which it recommended certain changes to the concepts used in dosimetry and radiation protection. Pursuant to Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission took the opportunity which this provided to revise the basic safety standards in radiation protection and drew up a draft directive after obtaining the opinion of the group of experts set up for this purpose.

As regards the assessment of neutron radiation, the Commission followed the ICRP's recommendations in its draft. The experts from the Member States and the institutions that were consulted accepted the new method of assessing neutron radiation. In addition, the opinion on the draft directive adopted by the Parliament at its plenary sitting on 20 April 1994 contained no request for an amendment in this regard ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994. )).

The Commission therefore thought it proper to incorporate in the draft directive the methods for assessing the biological effects of neutron radiation proposed in ICRP publication 60. The Council unanimously adopted Directive 96/26/Euratom on basic safety standards on 13 May 1996 ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996. )) and the Member States are required to implement it by 13 May 2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2084/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: JRC in Ispra

The Staff Regulations applicable to EU officials expressly forbid officials to engage in outside employment, even if it is linked to the duties carried out for the institution for which they work.

It would appear that a senior official at the JRC in Ispra is also managing director or chairman of various companies located in northern Italy.

Does the Commission consider this situation to be in line with the provisions of the Staff Regulations?

Can it state whether contractors are paid on time?

Can it state whether the findings of research undertaken on contract by the JRC are treated with the required degree of confidentiality and are not divulged to third parties?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (29 July 1997)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0743/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B4-306 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0749/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B4-3400 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0760/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-4020 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0698/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B2-600 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0786/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-703 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0770/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-3010 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1737/97 by Bernard Stasi (PPE) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Management by the Community of natural resources in southern Africa

At its meeting of 17-20 March 1997 in Brussels, the ACP-EU Joint Assembly unanimously adopted two resolutions concerning southern Africa, acknowledging the success of Community programmes for the management of natural resources, for example the 'Campfire' programme in Zimbabwe, and endorsing the strategies selected by the countries of southern Africa to develop their rural economies and protect resources in terms of biodiversity by making rural communities more aware of their responsibilities in this respect and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.

What steps will the Commission make - for example in the course of international fora such as the tenth CITES Conference to be held next June in Zimbabwe - to support efforts by southern African countries in this area, in accordance with the principles set out in the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1997)

The Commission welcomes the acknowledged success of the programmes for the conservation and management of natural resources in Southern Africa.

The Commission intends to pursue its current policy of support for the strategies adopted by the countries of Southern Africa, notably Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, to ensure the effective conservation and utilisation of their natural resources. It has accordingly provided financing for a training programme, launched under the aegis of the Southern Africa Development Community, concerning the management of fauna in the region.

In addition, within the framework of the programming of the Lomé IV Second Financial Protocol, the Commission, in accord with each of the countries concerned, has agreed to step up its support for rural development policies which lay particular stress on the conservation and efficient utilisation of natural resources.

The Commission considers that the results of the tenth Conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, held in Harare represent a compromise which recognises and supports the efforts made by the Southern African countries and which, whilst responding to their requests for sustainable exploitation of their natural resources and fauna, nevertheless ensures that these will be safeguarded in line with the principles of the Rio Declaration.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0702/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-101 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1699/97 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (20 May 1997)

Subject: The agri-environmental scheme

Further to its answer to written question E-0549/97 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 110. )), will the Commission now provide answers to the following questions concerning the regulation on agri-environmental measures?

1. Will it provide a list of the countries in which the 117 approved programmes are located?

2. How much financial assistance are the 117 programmes receiving from the Community?

3. What is the total amount that has been earmarked for this scheme by the Community?

4. What requirements must farmers satisfy in order to be able to participate in the agri-environmental scheme?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1997)

Agri-environment programmes have been approved in all Member States and by the end of the 1996 budget year implementation had begun in all Member States with the exception of Luxembourg.

The Commission is forwarding direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament a full list of the approved programmes at 31 December 1996. Finance is provided from the Community budget (European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund guarantee section) at the rate of 75% in Objective 1 regions and 50% in all other regions. Full data concerning the budget of each programme up to 1997 are being forwarded separately to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

The funding allocation (Community contribution only) for the first five years of implementation is given below:

>TABLE>

Programmes are developed and implemented by the Member States or regions, subject to approval by the Commission, and thus the specific conditions vary greatly between programmes. Programmes may comprise detailed obligations relating to the environmental management of land, beneficial farm practices, and the organization of training courses in environmental techniques. Farmers who choose to join programmes are bound to observe the undertakings set out in the relevant programme for the period specified which is at least five years for the land management measures.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1584/97 by Armelle Guinebertière (UPE) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: Compulsory quarantine for pet animals entering the United Kingdom

Freedom of movement for goods and persons is now an officially established principle within the European Union.

The United Kingdom nevertheless still requires pet animals to spend a period in quarantine (6 months in the case of dogs) before they can freely enter the country. Although the official reason given for this requirement is the need to fight rabies, some claim that it is a form of economic protectionism.

Given that this is an infringement of the principles of free movement of goods and persons, free competition and animal rights, and that there are extremely effective rabies vaccines, we believe that the continued application of the quarantine rule is contrary to Community law.

Does the Commission intend to urge the British Government to remedy this situation and put an end to such practices?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)

The Commission is aware of the problem and has taken a number of initiatives in this field.

In recent years, an eradication programme financed by the Community has been implemented. This programme has had remarkable results and rabies will be hopefully be eradicated in the relatively near future, which will render the quarantine of pets in the United Kingdom unnecessary.

In addition, the Commission is currently re-examining the situation and will make suitable proposals shortly. The Scientific Veterinary Committee will submit a report on the matter.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1862/97 by Carlos Pimenta (PPE) to the Commission (30 May 1997)

Subject: Entrance to medical specializations in the European Union

What administrative formalities are required for a graduate in medicine to embark on a medical specialization (e.g. in surgery) in each of the EU Member States, with particular regard to the entrance examinations and the existence or otherwise of a requirement to take a test in the language of the Member State concerned?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1997)

The administrative formalities which are required for a graduate in medicine to embark on a medical specialisation differ from one Member State to another, since they relate to the organisation of systems of study and therefore fall exclusively within domestic jurisdiction.

The Honourable Member may, if he wishes, contact the national academic recognition information centres in the Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area comprising the NARIC network, for which a list of contact points is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the Parliament.