ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0667/01

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 March 2001)

Subject: Lisbon European Council and agreed indicators

The 2000 Lisbon European Council invited the Council and the Commission to promote a better understanding of social exclusion through continued dialogue and exchanges of information and best practice, on the basis of commonly agreed indicators. Have these indicators been established, and if so what are they?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2001)

The Lisbon European Council invited the Council and the Commission to promote a better understanding of social exclusion through continued dialogue and exchanges of information and good practice, on the basis of commonly agreed indicators, and agreed that the Social Protection Committee should be involved in establishing these indicators. To this end, the Social Protection Committee has established a subgroup on indicators to assist it in the selection and development of indicators. This subgroup, which met for the first time on 20 February 2001, will prepare at technical level the deliberations of the Committee in this area. The progress achieved in developing indicators in the field of social exclusion will be presented in a report to the Laeken European Council at the end of 2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0751/01

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 March 2001)

Subject: The Regions

What view does the Commission take of the demands made by the Committee of the Regions:

- to give decision-taking powers back to the citizens and establish a clear division of responsibilities between the various levels (EU, the national States, the regions and communes)?

- not to define the EU in a definitive manner, which would lead to an extension of its powers?

- to accept the regions as basic units for free elections to a European Parliament?

- to ensure that the Europe of the regions is not just represented by the Committee of the Regions, but that new decision-taking forums are set up involving local authorities?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2001)

The Union's actions are based on powers expressly assigned by the Treaties and exercised in accordance with the subsidiarity principle defined in Article 5 (formerly Article 3b) of the EC Treaty and in the protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. In accordance with Declaration No 23 adopted by the Nice European Council in December 2000, a wide-ranging debate at European level bringing together all the parties concerned should take place in preparation for the Laeken European Council and with a view to a new Intergovernmental Conference in 2004; the question of the division of powers should be part of this debate.

The Commission will contribute with specific initiatives in collaboration, notably, with Parliament, as well as its White Paper on Governance, which will be adopted in the summer. The Commission does not share the view that defining the Union's purpose will necessarily mean an extension of its powers.

The Commission has no power of initiative as far as the provisions for elections to Parliament are concerned. In accordance with Article 190(4) (formerly Article 138) of the EC Treaty, it is Parliament which is asked to draw up a proposal for a uniform electoral procedure in all the Member States. Its proposal must be approved by the Council, acting unanimously, receive a favourable opinion from a majority of the Members of Parliament, and be adopted by all the Member States in accordance with their internal constitutional requirements.

The Commission endorses the Committee of the Regions' demands that it should be fully consulted in the fields provided for by the EC Treaty. Procedures for consulting territorial bodies on initiatives that affect them are often used, in full compliance, naturally, with the provisions and structures of each Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1546/01

by Peter Sichrovsky (NI) to the Commission

(14 May 2001)

Subject: About law in France

In the opinion of the Commission, does the About bill aimed at reinforcing the legal provisions to combat associations or groupings representing a threat to public order or a major danger to the human person as a result of their criminal activities , which was adopted in the French Senate on Thursday, 3 May comply with Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Convention on Human Rights of 4 November 1950?

Does this law not violate freedom of religion?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2001)

It is not for the Commission to comment on the question raised.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0410/01

by Karla Peijs (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Subject: Ban on certification markings from private service undertakings

The so-called Blue Guide states, in explanation of the ban on third-party certification markings, that voluntary markings must not as a general rule relate to aspects that already fall within the scope of the CE marking.

Is the Commission aware that the effect of this blanket ban on third-party markings in areas to which the CE marking applies is to turn the relationship between rules and exceptions established in the texts of directives as regards authorisations and prohibitions into its opposite, and to jeopardise the survival of European third-party certification agencies?

How can the Commission justify using a non-legally binding document (Blue Guide), on which the European Parliament has had no say, to intervene against existing market structures with such far-reaching consequences?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

The CE marking is a mandatory conformity marking which must be affixed on products covered by New Approach and Global Approach Directives before they are placed on the market and/or put into service. The CE marking signifies that products conforms with the provisions of all relevant Directives. Furthermore the CE marking is the only marking which can be affixed on a product in order to signify compliance with all relevant Community Directives.

The affixing of additional marks is allowed to the extent that such marks do not create confusion referring to the meaning or the form of the CE marking, and that they do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the CE marking.

This is explained in more depth in the Guide to the implementation of directives based on the New Approach and Global Approach(1). In this Guide, in section 7.4 CE marking and other marks it is stated that In view of the objectives of technical harmonisation, markings and marks additional to the CE marking need to fulfil a different function from that of the CE marking. Thus they should provide an added value in signifying conformity with objectives that are different from those to which the CE marking relates.

The guide was prepared by the services of the Commission in order to increase, facilitate the understanding and the new approach directives.

The Guide has in addition not introduced a blanket ban on third-party markings. Concerning the status of the Guide, it cannot replace a legal text or change what the legislator has decided, but it can draw out the meaning, significance and practical consequences of the directives to which it refers.

(1) Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, reference C-22-99-014-EN-C.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072/01

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: European legal bases for the prosecution of persons involved in extreme right-wing activities

Right-wing extremism is a Europe-wide phenomenon not restricted to individual states. In some cases right-wing extremists are punished by the courts in one Member State only to continue their activities in another.

1. What legal provisions exist which could be used to halt extreme right-wing activities throughout the EU?

2. Does the Commission intend to put forward a proposal for a directive clearing the way for the prosecution throughout the EU of persons involved in extreme right-wing activities?

3. What provisions exist at international level on the basis of which such persons could be prosecuted outside the EU as well?

4. If no such provisions exist, does the Commission intend to propose their introduction?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

There is no EU legislation banning extreme right-wing activities as such.

However, the Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that the Union shall respect fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States. The proclamation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights reaffirmed the Union's commitment on this matter.

The Commission therefore condemns all forms of violence or expressions of racism or xenophobia which constitute a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

As regards the criminal law, on 15 July 1996 the Council adopted a joint action on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia. It requires Member States to make a number of types of racist or xenophobic behaviour punishable as a criminal offence, or, failing that, to derogate from the principle of double criminality for such behaviour.

The Commission is planning to table a draft legislative instrument (framework decision) this year to replace the above joint action. This act will contain common definitions, offences and penalties for crimes involving racism and xenophobia. Member States will be required to take the necessary steps to comply with the framework decision once it has been adopted by the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1200/01

by Arlindo Cunha (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 April 2001)

Subject: Authorising a vaccine for wild rabbits

The wild rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus) is on the verge of extinction in the Iberian peninsula, thanks to two terrible diseases, viral haemorrhagic disease and myxamatosis.

There is an ecological recombinant vaccine which can cure these diseases, namely Lapinvac-FI, which is awaiting approval by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

Given the extremely urgent need to avert a potential catastrophe, will the Commission state what stage the approval process has reached?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0916/01 and P-1200/01 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 2001)

The two rabbit diseases mentioned by the Honourable Member are not compulsory notifiable by the Member States to the Commission and the wild rabbit is not an endangered species.

The scientific evaluation of any individual application for marketing authorisation of a veterinary medicinal product submitted to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 laying down Community procedures for the authorization and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products(1) is the responsibility of the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products. The Commission thereafter receives an opinion of the Committee on the quality, safety and efficacy of the product within a specific time frame and proceeds on the basis of this opinion, to draw up a draft decision to be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 73 in the aforementioned Regulation. However, the Commission may in no way interfere in the scientific evaluation process.

(1) OJ L 214, 24.8.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2399/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 August 2001)

Subject: Repatriation of powers

Will the Commission indicate whether a Member State is entitled to repatriate unilaterally to its national parliament powers that it has ceded to the European Union under the treaties? If a Member State were to repatriate some of those powers, what, in the Commission's view, would its membership status be?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2001)

The delimitation of powers between the European Union and the Member States is laid down by the Treaties establishing the European Union and the European Communities. These Treaties cannot be amended unilaterally. The allocation of powers can be changed only by an amendment to the Treaties in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 48 (formerly Article N) of the Treaty on European Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0845/01

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Regulatory impact analysis

Could the Commission specify how many regulations and directives have been proposed since June 1999 by the directorates-general which come under the responsibility of Commissioner Diamantopoulou?

Of these, how many were subject to a regulatory impact analysis which was specifically included in the text of the proposal?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2001)

In the area of employment and social affairs, the Commission has adopted six proposals for legislative acts (regulations and directives) since June 1999(1). A regulatory impact analysis was done in respect of all these proposals. A special annex was added to the text of the act as proposed by the Commission describing this analysis and its outcome. Furthermore, for the proposals falling under article 137 (ex Article 118) of the EC Treaty, both sides of industry are consulted in two steps according to article 138 (ex Article 118A) of the EC Treaty where they give their views on the proposal including its potential impact. In this context they can decide to jointly negotiate an agreement according to article 138 of the EC Treaty which de facto can replace the Commission's proposal (Article 139 (ex Article 118B) of the EC Treaty).

(1) Proposal for a Council Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000). Proposal for a Council Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin COM(1999) 566 final. Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions (OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000). Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the European Agreement on the Organisation of Working Time of Mobile Workers in Civil Aviation concluded by the Association of European Airlines (AEA), the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), the European Cockpit Association (ECA), the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) and the International Air Carrier Association (IACA) (OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000). Amended proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council amending for the second time Directive 89/655/EEC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (2nd individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 of Directive 89/391/EEC) (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty) COM(2000) 648 final. Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 80/987/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer COM(2000) 832 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1175/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 April 2001)

Subject: Birth deficit

At the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 14 March 2001, the Council representative, Mrs Lindh, emphasised that the phenomenon of the ageing population, which is expected to become an explosive issue

by 2010, constitutes a challenge both for Europe's mechanisms of production and its social systems. Studies into the birth deficit show that the fall in the birth rate is not only due to women's difficulties in reconciling family and working life but also to pathological causes relating to both partners. The little statistical data available shows that one in ten couples are involuntarily childless.

1. Will the Council take initiatives to formulate a coherent and generous policy to tackle the birth deficit?

2. In an age in which medical science has developed techniques to assist reproduction, which in combination with hi-tech drugs offer less fertile couples effective options, will the Council encourage the Member States to adopt such practices in their health care systems?

Reply

(27 September 2001)

The Council is paying considerable attention to problems related to the low birth rate in Europe. This work takes place mainly within the Social Protection Committee set up by the Council, in the context of the open method of coordination introduced by the Lisbon European Council in March 2000.

The Nice European Council in December 2000 adopted the European Social Agenda, which addresses amongst other issues the challenge of a declining birth rate and an ageing population. Appropriate policies for families and children, including reconciling family life and working life, are considered to be important tools.

The Stockholm European Council in March 2001 reiterated the need to focus on the demographic challenge by, inter alia, adapting existing social protection systems. To that end, the Stockholm European Council invited the Council and the Commission to develop by 2002 indicators on the provision of care facilities for children and other dependants and on family benefit systems.

According to Article 152 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the delivery of health services and medical care practices in the health system is a matter of national competence and does not fall within the competence of the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1176/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Birth deficit

At the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 14 March 2001, the President of the Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, referred to the demographic problem facing Europe as one of the

ten areas in which it has been slow to make progress. Studies show that the fall in the birth rate is not only due to women's difficulties in reconciling family and working life but also to pathological causes relating to both partners. The little statistical data available shows that one in ten couples are involuntarily childless.

Will the Commission carry out studies to identify all the social and pathological factors underlying the birth deficit? Will it take initiatives to formulate a coherent and generous policy to tackle the birth deficit?

In an age in which medical science has developed techniques to assist reproduction, which in combination with hi-tech drugs offer less fertile couples effective options, will the Commission encourage the Member States to adopt such practices in their health care systems?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2001)

The Commission shares the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member in relation to the low fertility levels observed over recent decades in the Community. Although family and fertility issues remain the responsibility of Member States, the Commission has always expressed its willingness to help Member States in their efforts to define adequate policies. In this context, the Commission finances a European Observatory on Demography and Family Matters whose tasks include the examination of family and fertility issues, and Member States' policiesin this field.

More information can be found in the following website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/family/observatory/home.html.

With regard to the medical problems of infertile couples, the Commission stresses that Member States are responsible for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1304/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Disease-modifying Drugs

Will the Commission investigate the cost and availability of beta-interferons and glatiramer acetate for people with multiple sclerosis in each Member State? Is the Commission aware that this is a matter of deep concern for those who suffer from multiple sclerosis?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2001)

As of May 2001, the Commission has granted Community marketing authorisations to three beta interferons as immunostimulation agents and for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The medicinal product glatiramer acetate has not been submitted via the centralised procedure and the product is not yet authorised in all Member States. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products(1) and a centralised marketing authorisation procedure for innovative therapies and therapies derived from biotechnology is intended to facilitate the availability of such products, by allowing access to the markets of all Member States following a single scientific assessment and the granting of a single community marketing authorisation.

Pricing and social security related activities remain within the national competences of Member States and are outside the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93/EC. Nonetheless the Commission monitors the availability of all medicinal products which have community marketing authorisations to ensure that the products are actually made available in all Member States and has verified that this is the case for the beta interferons authorised to treat patients with multiple sclerosis.

(1) OJ L 214, 24.8.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0446/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: The labelling of animal extracts in medicines

Ingredients of animal origin are essential to the manufacture of a large proportion of medicines. Since this is a matter of concern to some vegetarians, what plans has the EU's Pharmaceutical Committee to indicate on the labels of medicinal products whether they contain material extracted from animals?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2001)

Medicines are products administered to humans to either prevent or treat illnesses or to make a medicinal diagnosis(1).

The purpose of Community legislation is to guarantee that safe and effective medicines are placed on the market and to provide information for patients.

The labelling of medicines is therefore intended to indicate the active ingredients of medicines in qualitative and quantitative terms, plus the list of excipients having a known action or effect i.e. having either an effect on the metabolism or producing allergic reactions in certain patients.

In addition, to ensure that patients are fully informed, the leaflet for users is to state in full the active ingredients and excipients in qualitative terms(2). All other information in leaflets and on labels, also given in full, is intended to permit the correct use of medicines. Patients are therefore given access to detailed information on the contents of medicines.

In accordance with the objectives of Community legislation in force, ingredients of animal origin are not specifically indicated as such. There are no plans to change this legislation.

However, health professionals will be able to provide interested patients with more information.

(1) Council Directive 65/65/EEC of 26 January 1965 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products, OJ B 22 of 9.2.1965.

(2) Council Directive 92/27/CEE of 31 March 1992 on the labelling of medicinal products for human use and on package leaflets, OJ L 113 of 30.4.1992.