ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1826/98

by Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE) to the Commission

(12 June 1998)

Subject: Local authority ban on PVC in Germany

A number of local authorities in Germany have for some time now been boycotting products containing polyvinyl chloride. Because of its versatility, PVC is used in particular in component parts in the construction industry. Its use in the building industry accounts for over 50 % of the PVC market in the Community.

Germany's local authorities are now issuing internal instructions that no more products containing PVC are to be purchased. In awarding public contracts, i.e. particularly when issuing calls for tenders for construction contracts, contracts are only to be awarded where PVC-free products are used. In practice, this can amount to a "local authority ban" on products containing PVC.

Is the Commission aware of these proceedings and what is its position on them given the economic importance of the construction industry and of the jobs associated with the production of PVC which are jeopardized by "local authority bans" of this nature?
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1917/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Takeover bid for Christie's Auction House

Will the Commission undertake an investigation into the proposal from the French investor, François Pinault, to buy Christie's, the UK Auction House.

As will most of Mr Pinault's acquisitions, Christie's will probably transfer from public to private ownership. Is this a matter of any concern to the Commission?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 1998)

The Commission is aware of the public offer by Artémis, an investment company chaired by Mr François Pinault, for the remainder of the shares in Christie's International Plc (Christie's) that it does not already own. The board of Christie's has recommended the offer to its shareholders.

The Commission investigates, under Council Regulation (EC) 4064/89(1) as amended - the so-called Merger Regulation - all mergers and takeovers which give rise to a concentration with a "Community dimension" as defined in the Regulation - which employs a test based on turnover. Such operations may only be implemented after notification to the Commission with full details, and there are penalties for failure to notify. The Commission examines notified operations to assess their compatibility with the common market. The Commission is required to declare incompatible those operations which are found to create or strengthen a dominant position as a result of which effective competition would be significantly impeded in the common market or a substantial part of it, and to prohibit them unless the parties modify them to make them compatible.

Whether or not such an investigation can be made in the present case depends, therefore, on whether the transaction meets the turnover criteria in the Regulation. According to information received from the parties, however, it does not.

Whether the shares in a company remain publicly quoted on a stock exchange after a change of ownership does not appear, in general, likely to have much, if any, effect on competition in the markets for goods and services in which that company operates. Consequently it is not considered likely to have a bearing on decisions as to compatibility.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2252/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: The EAGGF Guarantee Section in Italy from 1986 to 1995

Can the Commission indicate the total amount received by Italy under the EAGGF Guarantee Section from 1986 to 1995 and provide a breakdown of expenditure:

- by heading (arable crops, sugar, fibre plants and silk worms, other plant products, wine products, tobacco, milk and milk products, beef/veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, pigmeat, eggs and poultry, other measures concerning animal products, refunds on certain goods obtained by processing agricultural products, refunds in connection with Community food aid, distribution of agricultural products to deprived persons, accompanying measures, rural development measures linked to markets, other measures, income aid, and the European Fisheries Guarantee Fund); and

- by type of aid (export refunds, price compensating aids, acreage aid, aid for livestock, guidance premiums, private storage aid, withdrawals and similar operations, monetary compensatory amounts, measures accompanying reform of the CAP, and public storage costs)?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1779/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Staffing of the European Environmental Agency (EEA)

On 13 May 1998 Mrs Bjerregaard kindly answered my Written Question No 1007/98)(1) on recruitment for the EEA. The answer to my Question 4 consists of a table which shows that out of a total of 56 EEA officials, there is only one (1) Greek official, compared to seven (7) Belgian, four (4) Portuguese, three (3) Finnish, seven (7) Dutch and only one (1) Irish officials.

This is very strange as the population of Greece is at least as large as that of Belgium and Portugal, and substantially larger than that of Finland, but lower than the population of the Netherlands, although not so much as to justify the fact that there are seven times more Dutch than Greek officials. Ireland is in a similar position, since the number of Irish officials does not seem to correspond to the population of the country compared to that of other EU Member States.

Will the Commission say how and when this obvious imbalance in the distribution of officials by nationality will be corrected so that officials of Greek nationality are adequately represented on the staff of the EEA?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(13 July 1998)

The staff regulations applicable to officials and other agents of the European Communities apply to the European environment agency. Article 27 lays down the basic principles of recruitment and states that:

"Recruitment shall be directed to securing for the institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis among nationals of Member States of the Communities".

The Honourable Member will appreciate that there is no formal division of posts according to geographical or demographic criteria. On the contrary, recruitment is principally on merit and is based on open and transparent competitions that are designed with this objective in mind.

In a small organisation like the European environment agency, which is based in the North of Europe, there will inevitably be practical difficulties in reconciling the need for the best candidates and the need for a good geographical spread. This means that apparent imbalances will be more striking, as is the case with the Agency.

The Commission believes that the Agency has respected the broad principles of staff recruitment and that it has made efforts to achieve a better balance through the recruitment of national experts.

The Commission representative on the management board of the Agency will draw the attention of the executive director and the board as a whole to the Honourable Member's concerns.

(1) OJ C 402, 22.12.1998, p. 56.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1650/98

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Permethrin used in timber treatment

Permethrin is a water-based timber treatment, commonly used in homes. Has the Commission carried out a study into the chronic effects of the chemicals? If not, why not? In this respect, can the Commission explain the disparity in the health and safety recommendations of the UK (where re-entry to a property which has been sprayed with permethrin is allowed after just eight hours) and of Germany (where treated homes must be decontaminated before re-occupation)?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

Permethrin is used both as a biocide (e.g. for treatment of wood) and as a pesticide in agriculture.

Pesticides used in agriculture are regulated at Community level by Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market(1) which harmonizes the rules for their authorisation and requires risk assessment at Community level for their active substances and at Member State level for products containing them.

The effects on health and the environment of Permethrin are currently under evaluation in the context of Directive 91/414/EEC. The report on this active substance was submitted by the rapporteur Member State Ireland to the Commission on 10 June 1998. A detailed scientific and technical evaluation of this report at Community level will be organised soon.

Products for the preservation of wood (after the sawmill) will be covered by Directive 98/8/EC, concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market(2), adopted by the Parliament and the Council on 16 February 1998. It will enter into force on 14 May 1998, with deadline for the implementation by Member States on 13 May 2000. This Directive establishes that an active substance, to be incorporated in a biocidal product, must first be authorised at Community level and enter a positive list (Annex I, IA or IB to the Directive). Long term toxicity studies on mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity, together with other toxicological and ecotoxicological studies are required. The Commission will decide upon the inclusion of an active substance in Annex I in the light of the conclusions of the risk assessment. If it is concluded that the risks from a substance are acceptable for humans, animals and the environment, the active substance will enter the positive list subject to conditions of use and possible restrictions. If it is concluded that the risks are unacceptable, the active substance will be forbidden.

(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2) OJ L 123, 24.4.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1729/98

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Restructuring of the coal industry

Can the Commission say what type of assistance it intends to provide to the restructuring programme for the coal industry in Spain, particularly in view of the importance of coal mining in certain regions of that country?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 1998)

Aid for the restructuring programme of the coal industry in Spain is divided into two categories.

Firstly, there is the aid which is the result of State intervention by the Member States on behalf of their coal industries and which is regulated by Decision No 3632/93/ECSC of 28 December 1993(1). Under these rules, on 3 June 1998 the Commission authorised Spain to grant aid amounting to PTA 438 104 million, the principal purpose of which was to help solve social and regional problems due to restructuring.

The second type of aid is aimed at regional conversion. When it notified the Commission of its 1998-2002 plan to modernise, rationalise, restructure and reduce activity in its coal industry, Spain also informed the Commission of its intention to implement an alternative development plan for its mining areas, the main aim being to promote the conditions which would make it possible to create new jobs. The Commission cooperates in these plans through the operational programmes of the Structural Funds and through RECHAR.

(1) OJ L 329, 30.12.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1166/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Regional airports and access to hub airports

What plans does the Commission have for opening up access to hub airports for airlines operating out of regional airports?

While it is economic for hub airports to open the majority of slots to the highest bidder, would the Commission support the introduction of the concept of Designated Regional Airports which would have access to a limited number of slots in hub airports at a fixed price and with the same share of peak-time travel?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1165/98 and E-1166/98 given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(29 May 1998)

The Commission is aware that airlines operating to and from regional airports find it increasingly difficult to secure appropriate slots at congested hub airports. The Commission can confirm that since the entry into force of Council Regulation (EEC) 95/93 of 18 January 1993 on the common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports(1), the so-called Slot Regulation, pressure on the allocation system at Community airports has increased, in particular as a result of traffic growth. The situation for regional airports is being taken into account in the on-going preparation for amending and updating Regulation 95/93.

One of the main difficulties in the area of slot allocation is finding the right balance between interested parties. Major airlines consider that the proposal should facilitate the operation of integrated hub and spoke networks. Regional airlines and airports consider that regional carriers should obtain a better or even guaranteed access to congested airports. Airports, in general, are interested in the stability of services, in maximising the number of passengers, and in striking a better balance between the regional market and the long haul market. These elements often conflict with each other. This is why it would be difficult to introduce changes to the current paramaters that would give priority to one category of operators over another.

It is envisaged that, in the present regulation on slots, the revised legislation will retain the possibility of reserving slots on vital routes to and from regional airports where public service obligations have been imposed under Council Regulation 2408/92. Member States should therefore continue to be able to reserve slots in order to ensure the continued operation of such services between regional and hub airports.

(1) OJ L 14, 22.1.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1922/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: Third phase of SLIM

It is pleasing that the Commission has recently embarked upon a new phase of the SLIM (Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market) initiative. Simpler European legislation is a significant parameter for improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, in the internal market. Accordingly, the initiative to "do less, but better" also deserves wholehearted support.

With regard to the third phase of SLIM, can the Commission state when it plans to conclude the current review of the areas concerning the coordination of social insurance rules, the EMC Directive and insurance legislation? What areas will be targeted by the next phase of scrutiny, and when will it start?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 1998)

The teams for the third phase of SLIM (electromagnetic compatibility, insurance and co-ordination of social security systems) started their work during April 1998 and intend to submit their reports to the Commission by the end of September 1998. The recommendations contained in these reports will be the subject of a communication from the Commission to the Council and Parliament by November 1998. This communication will reflect the Commission's position on these recommendations and propose concrete actions for their implementation.

In the next phase of SLIM (Phase IV), the sectors to be examined are company law, pre-packaging and legislation on dangerous substances. The phase IV teams will start their work in September 1998 and issue their reports in spring 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2256/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: The EAGGF Guarantee Section in France from 1986 to 1995

Can the Commission indicate the total amount received by France under the EAGGF Guarantee Section from 1986 to 1995 and provide a breakdown of expenditure:

- by heading (arable crops, sugar, fibre plants and silk worms, other plant products, wine products, tobacco, milk and milk products, beef/veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, pigmeat, eggs and poultry, other measures concerning animal products, refunds on certain goods obtained by processing agricultural products, refunds in connection with Community food aid, distribution of agricultural products to deprived persons, accompanying measures, rural development measures linked to markets, other measures, income aid, and the European Fisheries Guarantee Fund); and

- by type of aid (export refunds, price compensating aids, acreage aid, aid for livestock, guidance premiums, private storage aid, withdrawals and similar operations, monetary compensatory amounts, measures accompanying reform of the CAP, and public storage costs)?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1636/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Mobile and wireless communications



Official Journal C 050 , 22/02/1999 P. 0059



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1636/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (29 May 1998) Subject: Mobile and wireless communications Having regard to (a) the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the further development of mobile and wireless communications - challenges and choices for the European Union (document COM(97) 217 final) and (b) the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions; strategy and policy orientations with regard to the further development of mobile and wireless communications (UMPS) - outcome of the public consultation and proposals for creating a favourable environment (Document COM(97) 217 final and document COM(97) 513 final), and in connection with the regulations, can the Commission ensure that the Member States take all the necessary measures to complete the implementation and application of the Community provisions and the decisions relating to the allocation of frequencies reached by the European Committee on Radio Communications and in particular that the question of the cover shared between the UMTS and the existing second generation systems (for example GSM, DCS-1800, PCS-1900) should be examined in depth?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1101/98

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Support for newspapers

It is well known that the Commission sets great store by the external influence of its policies, and therefore puts considerable effort into media work. In the Austrian newspaper articles are currently appearing which discuss the European priority topic of enlargement eastwards. These reports are accompanied by a note to the effect that they were produced with the special support of the Commission's representation in Austria.

1. What is the nature of this "support"?

2. If it is financial support, what is the amount involved?

3. What type of reports and what priority topics are supported?

4. What criteria do articles have to fulfil in order to qualify for Commission support?

5. Is this support restricted to Austria or is there similar support in all EU countries?

6. If so, what is the level of this support for the individual Member States and their papers?

7. How is the selection made among the individual media?

8. Does the Commission influence the priorities of the reports?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 1998)

The representation of the Commission in Austria supported a series in the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, a high quality daily for opinion leaders, on the issue of the enlargement of the Community.

The series consisted of ten full pages plus two interviews of a member of the Commission and an interview of the Head of the representation of the Commission in Austria.

The support consisted of a financial contribution of ATS 660 000 (including advertisement tax and VAT). This contribution amounted to 50 % of the total costs of the newspaper for the series.

The representation supported the series as a contribution to the debate in Austria on the enlargement of the Community. This policy area is among the most important of the Commission's communication activities of this year. Der Standard was chosen, because it is one of the ideal platforms to reach opinion leaders in this Member State.

The subject of the series was decided together between the newspaper and the representation of the Commission in Austria. The articles were written under the sole responsibility of the newspaper.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1538/98

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(18 May 1998)

Subject: Nutrition

When will the Commission present the review of the nutritional labelling directive?

What research has the Commission undertaken to assess how comprehensive nutritional labelling can be offered to consumers in a meaningful way?

Does the Commission intend to mandate nutritional labelling? Will the provisions include controls on nutritional claims?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 1998)

The Commission is currently examining what legal action needs to be taken in the coming years as regards food law. Following this examination the Commission will establish the order of priority of the different actions to be taken.

The Commission investigates with the interested parties and discusses at international level in the Codex Alimentarius the best way to inform consumers about the nutritional characteristics of foodstuffs.

The Commission will take a decision as to whether it will propose that nutritional labelling should be mandatory, as such, once the above-mentioned preparatory work is finished.

The Commission orientates its reflections towards creating a legal framework for health and nutritional claims in the context of a revision of the Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer(1).

(1) OJ L 33, 8.2.1979.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2242/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Human rights in Guatemala

The assassination in April 1998 of Monseigneur Juan Gerardi, Auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala and Coordinator of the Archbishop's Human Rights Office, was carried out two days after the publication of Nunca Jamas, a report which blamed the military for 80 % of the atrocities of the Guatemalan civil war.

Noting this, and given the commitment of the European Union to the protection of human rights, has the Commission taken any steps to monitor the investigation into Monseigneur Gerardi's death?

What influence is the Commission bringing to bear in ensuring that peace accords are being adhered to in Guatemala?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2191/98 by Mr Ford(1).

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999.