ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/69

(2004/C 88 E/0076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/03

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 June 2003)

Subject: Commission support for NGOs

1. Do Attac Deutschland e.V., Share e.V. and/or Weed e.V. receive European Union funding?

2. If so, what amount and for what period?

3. On the basis of which budget line or which programme is funding provided?

4. If funds have already been paid out, are checks made on their proper use?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Two contracts have been awarded to WEED e.V. under budget line B7-6000 in the context of cofinancing for non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects to raise European public awareness of development issues:

— 1997/014-332: title Weltmarktregulation und Nord-Sud Beziehungen': — Duration 36 months, closed in 2001; — Community contribution EUR 319 739, 62 % of total; — Total cost EUR 514 206.

— 2001/010-327: title ‘Making the financial markets work for development’ (in consortium with Informationsstelle Lateinamerika e.V.) — Duration 36 months, ending on 31 December 2003; — Community contribution EUR 594 998, 75 % of total; — Total cost EUR 793 331.

No contracts have been awarded to SHARE e.V. or to ATTAC e.V. by any budget line managed by EuropeAid.

All contracts are subject to EuropeAid's control and monitoring procedures for grants, established in accordance with the provisions of successive Commission Regulations on the implementing rules of the framework Financial Regulation.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/127

(2004/C 78 E/0129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2565/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject: Residues of hormones, antibiotics and phthalic acid esters in drinking water

Drinking water obtained from surface water may contain residues of antibiotics and hormones. In addition, phthalic acid esters may be passed into drinking water from the pipe system.

1. Does the Commission have measurements of the above from the Member States?

2. Does the Commission plan to introduce limit values for the above?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 2003)

In the frame of the current Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (1), the substances mentioned by the Honourable Member are neither currently regulated nor monitored.

On the basis of the available information, the exact concentrations of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in drinking water and thus the quantities consumed are currently unknown for all the European countries.

In order to have more information about this issue, the Commission launched a study on endocrine disrupters in drinking water. The aim of this study was to provide information on the exposure to endocrine disrupters through water intended for human consumption, using existing data from the various Member States and published studies, and to design and execute a case study to produce a more complete picture of the actual occurrence of endocrine disrupters and the potential exposure of humans to endocrine disrupters through drinking water.

The following EDCs were selected as relevant for drinking water from an assessment of the published literature and a survey of the waterworks of several European countries: synthetic and natural estrogens, alkylphenol, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkylphenoxy acetic acids, Bisphenol A and organotin compounds.

The main conclusions of this study are:

— Efficient drinking water treatment chains are appropriate to avoid drinking water contamination by EDCs (e.g. using ozonation, activated carbon, bank filtration).

— Even if the raw water of waterworks is free of EDCs, drinking water/tap water might be contaminated by individual EDCs due to leaching from materials used in waterworks and water pipes.

— Even if the highest concentration of an individual EDC reported for drinking water is considered for the assessment of effects on humans, based on current knowledge, endocrine effects via the consumption of drinking water are very unlikely.

These conclusions and the need to regulate these substances in the drinking water will be discussed in the forthcoming seminar on the Drinking Water Directive (2) organised by the Commission on 27 and 28 October 2003. Detailed information on this seminar may be found at the following internet address: (www.drinkingwaterseminar.org).

(1) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.

(2) Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/354

(2004/C 78 E/0373)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0327/03

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 2003)

Subject: Implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 on crossborder payments in euro

Implementation of Council and European Parliament Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 (1) is causing a number of problems with particular regard to the drawing of money within the euro zone by means of cards issued in Portugal which are both credit and debit cards.

In Portugal the use of such a card in order to draw money attracts no charge, yet the act of drawing EUR 100 in Brussels (for example) incurs EUR 1,83 in commission paid to third parties, EUR 3 in commission paid to the Portuguese bank which issued to the card and EUR 0,19 in stamp duty.

Can the Commission answer the following:

— given that Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 exists, is such a situation legal;

— is it possible for two separate bank commissions to be levied in respect of one and the same transaction;

— if such a practice is illegal, what sanctions can be imposed (and by whom?) on the perpetrators thereof?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 (2) establishes the principle of equality of charges between national payments and cross-border payments in euro. This applies to electronic payment transactions in euro up to EUR 12 500 as of 1 July 2002 and will apply to credit transfers from 1 July 2003 onwards.

Article 3 of the Regulation specifies that charges for cross border payments have to be the same as those for ‘corresponding national payments’. This means that, if one takes the example of a debit card, the same charges shall apply to a payment made in the Member State where the issuing bank is located and a payment made in another Member State.

In the case of a multi-functional card (e.g. both credit and debit operations are possible) the reasoning is the same. For the same function (e.g. debit or credit), the use of such a card should attract the same charges as those in the Member State where it has been issued. However, the Honourable Member does not give sufficient information in order to establish whether, in this case, there is an incorrect application of the Regulation.

In case of non-respect of the Regulation, Article 7 foresees that there should be ‘effective, proportionate and deterrent’ sanctions, which naturally have to be applied by the national bodies having such competence. As regards the competent body in Portugal, the Commission has requested this information but has not yet received a reply.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 13.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 of the Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001 on cross-border payments in euro.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/15

(2004/C 84 E/0017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2195/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Council

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Counterfeiting and piracy

It has been forecast that counterfeiting and piracy will cost EU companies with international activities between EUR 400 and EUR 800 million per annum in the internal market and EUR 2 000 million outside it. In addition, Member States suffer enormous loss of revenue from the smuggling of excised goods. Can the Council give assurances that cooperation to deal with this problem will be discussed at forthcoming meetings of Justice and Home Affairs and Internal Market Ministers?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

In February 2003, the Council and the European Parliament had before them a proposal for a Directive on measures and procedures to ensure the enforcement of intellectual property rights (2003/0024(COD)).

This proposal is currently being examined in detail within the Council bodies pending the opinion of the European Parliament at first reading (scheduled for November 2003). The Council can ensure you that it will continue to accord this proposal the priority it deserves.

In this context, it should be noted that on 22 July 2003 the Council also adopted a Regulation concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights (1). The Regulation forms part of the more general framework of cooperation and mutual assistance between customs administrations at Community level.

(1) OJ L 196, 2.8.2003, p. 7.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/240

(2004/C 78 E/0243)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3219/03

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

(31 October 2003)

Subject: Recognition of fire regulations in the EU

With regard to the fireproofing of fabrics there seems to be confusion over the recognition of different standard marks from EU countries.

Would the Commission confirm that the British standard mark number for the fireproofing of fabric, BS5867 PART 2B, is equivalent to the French mark number M1?

Is the British standard mark legally acceptable in France?

Could the Commission give details of the legislation within the EU that concerns this?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

There is currently no Community legislation harmonising the standards for the fireproofing of fabrics. Accordingly, Member States are free to adopt their own standards. However, the free movement of fabrics between Member States is nevertheless assured to a considerable extent by the principle of mutual recognition, derived from the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice, in particular on the basis of Articles 28 and following of the EC Treaty.

This principle obliges a Member State to permit the placing on its market of a product lawfully manufactured or sold in another Member State unless it can show that the product does not afford a degree of protection of a legitimate public interest equivalent to that guaranteed by its own legislative or administrative requirements.

Therefore, if the French authorities decide not to permit the placing on the market in France of products complying with the British standard, it is for them to justify such refusal by demonstrating that the products do not afford sufficient protection of the consumer.

A lack of appropriate justifications may entail the breach of the EC Treaty as interpreted by the Court of Justice.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/738

(2004/C 84 E/0833)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Standardisation of national identity documents

Recently, the United Kingdom Home Secretary David Blunkett announced plans for the introduction of national identity cards with the setting up of a national biometric database which will include unique iris and fingerprint data, incorporating smartchip technology into the cards. The setting up of this system in the United Kingdom is expected to take course over the next five years.

Are there plans to develop similar database in other EU Member States? Given that EU citizens can travel freely on national identity cards even outside the Schengen area, what plans are there to standarize these documents throughout the EU? For instance, allowing the information to be readable by machine and recorded on the card in addition to the issuing authorities official language also in an international language, such as English and French, in order to facilitate their usage as EU-wide travel documents and enable ready recognition by the immigration and police authority outside of the citizens' Member State of origin?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

At European level, the Thessaloniki European Council (19/20 June 2003) called for a coherent approach in the Union on biometric identifiers or biometric data which would result in harmonised solutions for documents for third country nationals, Union citizens' passports and information systems (VIS and SIS II), and invited the Commission ‘to prepare the appropriate proposals, starting with the visa’.

As a first step, the Commission presented in September 2003 two proposals (1) on the integration of two biometrie identifiers, the facial image and two fingerprints, into the uniform format for visa and the residence permit for third country nationals.

As a second stage, the Commission is considering the feasibility of a proposal on the harmonisation of the security features of the European Passport including biometrics. Such an eventual proposal would relate only to provisions which improve the security of the passport by harmonising, and rendering legally binding, common security features which are currently set out in a non-binding Resolution of the Representatives of Member States meeting within the Council. Furthermore, biometrie identifiers would be integrated. The exercise to be undertaken would not go beyond what is required for security reasons and for the control of citizens crossing the external borders; a new harmonisation of the cover of the European passport is not at all foreseen.

For the time being, apart from the above mentioned initiatives, the Commission does not intend to present further proposals on the identity card or a European database related to the individual biometrie data of Union citizens.

Initiatives in view of setting up such a database for national citizens fall under the competence of Member States.

(1) COM(2003) 558 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/502

(2004/C 84 E/0580)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3171/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject: Progress towards completion of the Athens tramway

Recently grave concern has been expressed in the Greek press regarding progress made towards completion of the Athens tramway with reports indicating that, although work is well behind schedule, contractors are reneging on their undertakings regarding increased manning levels on the project. It appears highly unlikely that the work will be completed in time for the Olympic Games and alternative solutions are already being considered, including a reduction in the number of tram stops, to cover increased demand over this period. Furthermore, the scheduled tram route from the centre to the coast will encounter dozens of crossings and it is not at all clear how the traffic lights will be regulated so as to give it priority, the preferred solution appearing to be the stationing of traffic police at those points where tram and automobile meet!

1. In view of the fact that funding has been earmarked for the tramway project under the third CSF, what view does the Commission take of progress made?

2. What information does the Commission have concerning the issues being raised by the Greek press?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3170/03 and E-3171/03

given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2003)

The Commission knows about the articles in the Greek press on delays in construction of the Athens Suburban Railway and the Athens Tramway.

The decision to grant European financial assistance for these two projects (included in the 3rd Community Support Framework for Greece) followed a very positive assessment of the benefits they would afford the Attica Region and a finding that they could be completed during the present programming period (2000 to 2006). Completion in time for the 2004 Olympic Games would significantly improve public transport facilities during them but was not imposed as a condition for granting assistance.

Our information is that the delay in construction of the Doukissis Plakentias-SKA stretch of the railway track has been caused by problems of compatibility between the basic infrastructure put in place by the Attica Highway authorities and the technical specifications of the railway line, which is to lie between the two carriageways of the Highway. These problems do not affect the section between the Airport and Doukissis Plakentias, which is of particular importance for the Olympic Games.

In the case of the Tramway the delay appears to be a limited one affecting only the line between the city centre and the sea. The line along the seafront, the more important one for the Olympic Games, is apparently progressing as scheduled. It is of course important that when the Tramway comes into operation all necessary safety requirements are met.

We do not consider that the delays that have occurred up to now threaten completion of the railway project and the two tramway lines during the present Structural Fund programming period.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/108

(2004/C 78 E/0108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2380/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 July 2003)

Subject: New business formation

Will the Commission estimate the proportion of the working population engaged in new enterprises — however defined — in each Member State, the EU as a whole, and the United States?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2003)

At present, no regular data collection on new enterprises or the number of persons employed in new enterprises is carried out at European level. Therefore Directorate General Enterprise and Eurostat have launched a harmonised data collection on ‘Business Demography’ amongst Member States. A table with first results for reference year 2000 comprising ten Member States is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

In the ten Member States for which data is available new enterprises in the market economy created roughly 1,5 million jobs, equivalent to about 2,8 % of the total number of persons employed in the market economy in these Member States. In most Member States, especially new enterprises in Construction and Business Services created a relatively large number of new jobs — 4,7 % respectively 4,5 % of the total number of persons employed in the sector. It should be noted that employment data from Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland are provided in full-time equivalents (number of persons working less than the standard working time of a full-year full-time employee are converted into full time equivalents). This should be taken into consideration when comparing data for the different countries and using the totals of the ten Member States.

Directorate General Enterprise and Eurostat intend to continue this harmonised data collection among the Member States on the creation of new enterprises — with the scope of enlarging the data collection to all Member States — and, among other indicators, their impact on employment. Data on the proportion of the working population engaged in new enterprises are included in the design of the data collection. The results are planned to be included in the Structural Indicators from the 2004 Spring Report.

For the United States of America and Japan no data on the number of persons employed in new enterprises is available.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/521

(2004/C 84 E/0597)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4076/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Subject: Widespread desiccation of pine trees in Greece

In many regions of Greece, and particularly in Attica, the widespread desiccation of pine trees has been observed. According to published information, this phenomenon is probably due, primarily or indirectly, to Marchalina Hellenica, a honey-producing insect which infests pines. This insect produces honeydew which constitutes the basis for the production of pine honey.

Owing to the importance of this insect for beekeeping, this insect has been spread over the last few years by inoculating a large number of pines. This action has been funded to the tune of some two million euros under the Second CSF through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Given the fact that the desiccation of pines hosting the insect Marchalina Hellenica appears to be quite widespread and poses a threat to pine forests in many regions of Greece, will the Commission say:

1. Do any scientific data exist concerning the consequences of the spread of this insect through the inoculation of pines? Is the inoculation of pines with Marchalina Hellenica practised in other European countries for the production of pine honey?

2. Will it fund research to fully investigate the phenomenon of the desiccation of pines so that appropriate measures and steps can be taken to control and combat this phenomenon which threatens to destroy large areas of pine forest in Greece and to establish scientifically whether or not the insect Marchalina Hellenica is responsible for it?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

1. On 15 October 2003, the Greek Ministry of Agriculture invited experts to a workshop in order to discuss the recent outbreak of pine tree desiccation particularly affecting the region of Attica. They concluded that there is no direct cause/effect relationship between the presence of Marchalina hellenica and desiccation of trees of the genus Pinus but that the desiccation is a secondary damage brought about by i.a. climatic factors. To the Commission's knowledge, the deliberate spreading of M. hellenica in pine forests is only practised in Greece and Turkey.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/382

(2004/C 88 E/0388)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2077/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Community support for torture victims

The author of this question has received disturbing information from a number of torture-victim support agencies to the effect that, in 2002, the amount of funding which had hitherto been made available to such agencies was reduced by nearly 45 %.

As a consequence of that reduction, approximately 30 rehabilitation centres in 20 or so countries may have to close or to make drastic cutbacks in the assistance which they provide.

According to the agencies concerned the reduction is attributable to a change in the policy followed by the Commission, which has apparently decided to place greater emphasis on prevention at the expense of rehabilitation.

Can the Commission confirm this information?

Is the Commission aware of the harm which has been done by the change in its policy?

Has the Commission any information concerning the amount of funding which will be required if the rehabilitation projects financed by the Community are to continue?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2003)

The reply to written question E-1858/03 by Mr De Rossa (1) provided a comprehensive account of the situation with respect to funding for rehabilitation activities for torture victims in 2002 and 2003.

Further to that reply, the Commission is currently reflecting on the programming of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights for 2004 and beyond. A special Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) seminar was convened on 14 July 2003 (with attendance also by several Members of Parliament) in order to canvass views on thematic priorities for future funding, including torture.

(1) See page 48.