ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1742/97 by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Narcolepsy

1. Is it true that consideration is being given at European level to withdrawing the entitlement to participate in motorized traffic from all people with a sleep-related disorder, including people with narcolepsy, in advance and as a category?

2. Can the Commission explain how this is regulated in other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1997)

1. Community provisions on the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving a power-driven vehicle are laid down in Annex III of Council Directive 91/439/EEC ((OJ L 237, 24.8.1991. )) of 29 July 1991 on driving licences.

Considering that sleepiness in general and narcolepsy in particular are not addressed specifically in the standards set by the Annex, they fall under the general provision (point 18 of Annex III) which states that:

'As a general rule, where applicants or drivers suffer from any disorder which is not mentioned in the preceding paragraphs but is liable to be, or to result in, a functional incapacity affecting safety at the wheel, driving licences shall not be issued or renewed unless the application is supported by authorized medical opinion and, if necessary, subject to regular medical check-ups'.

2. The Commission has no specific information on the way this particular medical disturbance is tackled by the different Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2449/97 by Leen van der Waal (I-EDN) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Obstacles to the activities of the Uzbek Bible Society

According to Open Doors, a Dutch foundation that offers help to persecuted Christians, some 25 000 copies of the New Testament were confiscated by Uzbekistan's customs authorities in late February. The Bibles were on their way from the Russian and Turkish Bible Society to the Uzbek Bible Society. They were confiscated on the recommendation of the Uzbek Council of Religious Affairs. The Uzbek Bible Society also received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs threatening it with closure for engaging in missionary activities. It appears that the Baptist Union also received a letter to this effect.

1. Can the Commission confirm these reports?

2. Does the Commission agree that this action by the Uzbek authorities is inconsistent with the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion and with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which has been concluded between Uzbekistan and the EU, but has yet to be ratified by the Member States and the EP?

3. Is the Commission prepared to ask the Uzbek authorities to release the Bibles as soon as possible and to permit the Uzbek Bible Society and the Baptist Union to operate freely?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2333/97 by Mrs Maij-Weggen ((See page 128. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2231/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: Development of forests and protecting them from fires

Bearing in mind the enormous importance which Greece attaches to developing forests and protecting them from pollution and fires:

1. What sums has the Commission approved for the forestry sector under the CSF 1994-99 for Greece?

2. Has Greece applied for EU funding for programmes on the protection and development of Greek forests?

3. If so, how much, and to what extent have the programmes been implemented and the appropriations taken up?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 July 1997)

1. Under the 1994-99 CSF forest development and protection accounts for a total budget of ECU 235.2 million, of which ECU 176.4 million is from the EAGGF Guidance Section. This latter amount was approved by the Commission as expenditure in part under the national operational programme for agriculture (ECU 92.8 million) and in part under the thirteen regional operational programmes (ECU 83.6 million) for the period 1994-99.

EAGGF payments for action on the ground amount, for 1994-96, to ECU 53.8 million for the national operational programme, a rate of realization of 58%, and to ECU 35.3 million for the thirteen multifund regional operational programmes, a rate of realization of 42.2%. This gives a total for both sides of the CSF (national and regional) of ECU 89.1 million in the first three years, i.e. 50.5% of total EAGGF funding programmed for the full six-year period (1994-99). Take-up of resources has thus been optimum given the requirements of the forest sector in Greece.

To these amounts must be added ECU 3.64 million from the EAGGF approved for the forest sector under the Interreg II Community Initiative (external frontiers).

2. The Greek programme for afforestation of agricultural land approved by the Commission on 27 April 1994 under Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992. )) schedules expenditure of ECU 43.5 million chargeable to EAGGF Guarantee for the period 1994-97. Actual expenditure to 30 April 1997 was ECU 30.9 million.

3. Under the Community aid scheme for protection of forests against fire (Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 ((OJ L 217, 31.12.1992. ))) ECU 13 million was granted for 57 Greek projects over the period 1992-96. Some 17 projects, accounting for ECU 6.8 million, have already been completed. Under the aid scheme for protection of forests against atmospheric pollution (Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 ((OJ L 326,21.11.1986. ))) ECU 710 029 was granted, for the period 1992-96, for 12 projects presented by Greece for the annual inventory of forest damage and forest soil condition and for continuous intensive ecosystem monitoring. Expenditure on these projects amounts to ECU 364 775.

Both schemes fall under budget heading B2-515 'Forestry' (non-EAGGF agricultural appropriations) and have been renewed for a further five-year period (1997-01) by Council Regulations (EC) Nos 307/97 and 308/97 amending Regulations (EEC) Nos 3528/96 and 2158/92 respectively ((OJ L 51, 21.2.1997. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1895/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (4 June 1997)

Subject: Organic production of agricultural products

With reference to the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs to include livestock production' (COM(96) 0366 final - 96/0205 CNS) ((OJ C 293, 5.10.1996, p. 23. )), regulating organic production with principles which are excessively vague and general risks diminishing the legal effectiveness of the regulation.

Will the Commission restrict the regulation and its annexes to the establishment of clearly defined minimum requirements for conditions in agricultural holdings?

Will it also take into account regional differences in natural and climate conditions within the EU and provide for national derogations which do not result in distortions of competition?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1997)

The Commission considers that the Annex to its proposal for a Council Regulation supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs to include livestock production ((Doc. COM(96) 366. )) strikes the right balance between on the one hand the need to have detailed rules to define the characteristics of the method of production and on the other sufficiently flexible rules to take account of the diversity of the conditions of production throughout the Community. However, in connection with certain technical aspects, the Commission accepted improvements proposed by Parliament which it will soon introduce in a proposal for an amendment.

The Commission is reticent to introduce national derogations into the Regulation since these are likely to create distortions of competition between producers in the various Member States. However, in the case of some very specific and limited aspects, the Commission accepted amendments proposed by Parliament, permitting Member States to accept, for a transitional period, certain national practices with a view to harmonising them before the end of the transitional period.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2551/97 by Richard Balfe (PSE) to the Commission (15 July 1997)

Subject: Sri Lanka

Will the Commission make a statement on the current situation in Sri Lanka?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997)

The Commission, as it has already stated on a number of occasions, remains seriously preoccupied by the internal conflicts which continue after 14 years to prevent normal life being resumed inside Sri Lanka and its people moving forward to what otherwise might be expected to be a prosperous future.

It is particularly concerned at the persistence of all too credible reports of grave violations of human rights perpetrated not only by the so called Tamil Tigers but also sometimes by the security forces, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians, who are in no way responsible for the armed conflict. It therefore supports fully the recent statement by President Chandrika Kumaratunga that all measures have been taken to protect innocent Tamil civilians and the reassurance she gave to Tamil parties that innocent Tamils living in Colombo and its suburbs should not be harassed by the security forces.

Nevertheless, the Commission cannot avoid some disquiet about whether the Human rights commission which has rather abruptly replaced the Human rights task force, will be able both to become fully operational quickly and also to exercise effectively its wider mandate.

For its part, the Commission remains ready to launch a substantial programme of rehabilitation and reconstruction to help the government of Sri Lanka as soon as conditions make this possible. Obviously a precondition must be to identify needs and prepare a programme which can be implemented in secure conditions. The Commission will therefore continue to watch the local situation closely so that it can begin such a programme without delay.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2555/97 by Michael Elliott (PSE) to the Commission (15 July 1997)

Subject: Transport of live animals

When will the Commission propose higher specifications for vehicles transporting live animals, introducing, for example, the requirement for these vehicles to have onboard watering facilities?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997)

In June 1997, the Commission presented to the Council a proposal concerning additional standards for road vehicles used for the carriage of livestock on journeys exceeding a duration of eight hours of travelling ((COM(97) 272. )).

This text lays down specific obligations with regard notably to adequate ventilation, separation of animals by moveable partitions and detailed arrangements concerning water supply. Compliance with these obligations will ensure improved welfare for animals transported on longer journeys.

With specific reference to on-board watering arrangements, the text provides for all relevant vehicles to be equipped for connection to a water supply during stops. In the case of transport of pigs, vehicles must be equipped with water tanks and other appropriate equipment to enable them to have water at all times.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1493/97 by Karl von Wogau (PPE) to the Council (30 April 1997)

Subject: Official written usage of the term 'Euro'

Since the Madrid European Council decided to call the future single currency the 'Euro', the term has appeared in texts in forms which vary both typographically (e.g. EURO, Euro and euro) and grammatically (is it invariable or does it have a plural form; if so, what is it?).

Would it not be advisable, in particular in view of the Euro's legal status, for the Commission to clarify the official written usage of the term 'Euro'?

Answer (25 September 1997)

The Madrid European Council in December 1995 decided to call the single currency "euro¨ and stated "that the name of the single currency must be the same in all the official languages of the European Union, taking into account the existence of different alphabets¨.

The Council has officially adopted, on the basis of Article 235 of the Treaty, a Regulation on certain provisions relating to the introduction of the euro.

The Council has also reached political agreement on a Council Regulation on the introduction of the euro (whose legal basis is Article 109L(4) of the Treaty), which is to be adopted formally later by participating Member States.

The texts in question, as finalized by the Legal/Linguistic Experts of the Council, observe certain standards and habits for currency designation in each language; the relevant provisions are contained in the various language versions of those texts.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2022/97 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) and Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Council (18 June 1997)

Subject: Further attacks on Spanish lorries by French farmers

Since the middle of May 1997 French farmers in various parts of southern France have been making repeated serious attacks on Spanish lorries transporting fruit and vegetables and on distributors' warehouses.

What steps has the Council taken and does it intend to take to prevent a repetition of these attacks, which violate the right of free movement, a basic principle of the European Union?

Do these measures include suspending Community aid to French agriculture?

Joint answer to Written Question E-1380/96 and E-2022/97 (25 September 1997)

The Council is aware of the acts of vandalism carried out by French farmers in April/May 1996 and May 1997 against lorries carrying fruit and vegetables from Spain to Member States of the European Union. Those acts are illegal under ordinary criminal law and are designed to impede the free movement of Community products which is one of the European Community's basic principles. They are therefore strongly condemned.

At its meeting on 29 and 30 April 1996 and 20 and 21 May 1997, the Council was informed, through a statement by the Spanish Minister for Agriculture, of those acts of vandalism, of the scale of the damage and of the Spanish Government's call for the French Government to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts in future, punish those responsible for them and compensate the victims.

At those meetings, the French Minister for Agriculture unequivocally condemned such acts of vandalism, stating that he had asked his colleagues in the French Government to take firm measures within their spheres of responsibility for the purpose of making good the damage caused and to do their utmost to see that such practices were not repeated.

On behalf of his colleagues, the President of the Council expressed the Council's solidarity with Spain and stressed the overriding need for the French Government's intention of taking the necessary action to be followed up by effective measures in practice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1541/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (5 May 1997)

Subject: Phosphate ester poisoning due to the use of Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen

The flea-repellant Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen can be administered in different forms. Tiguvon 10 is intended for cats over 2 kg in weight. The use of Tiguvon 20 is recommended for dogs weighing between 3 and 10 kg, while dogs with a body weight of more than 10 kg should be treated with Tiguvon 20 G. People who have repeatedly treated their pets with Tiguvon (Fenthion) have suffered serious phosphate ester poisoning. As the Commission was unable to answer my Question E-1470/96 ((OJ C 345, 15.11.1996, p. 76. )) on the same subject, I would ask the Council to answer the following question as a matter of urgency:

In the Council's opinion, does Tiguvon comply with the EU authorizing directives?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1533/97, E-1535/97, E-1537/97, E-1539/97, E-1541/97, E-1543/97, E-1545/97 and E-1547/97 (25 September 1997)

The Council has to date not received any proposal from the Commission directly concerning the multiple problems raised by the Honourable Member. However, the Council would draw the Member's attention to the fact that at this stage there is not yet any Community harmonization of the status of these products which are treated, depending on the evaluation of Member States, in particular as medicinal or biocidal products. Bearing this in mind, as regards certain aspects of the questions put by the Honourable Member, the Council would point out that:

- following the 19th adaptation to technical and scientific progress ((OJ L 258, 11.10.1993, p. 29.)) of Annex 1 to Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, the Annex lists FENTHION under No 015-048-00-8 in the index ((OJ L 258A, 16.10.1993, p. 212.));

- under the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a future Directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market ((Common position of the Council of 20.12.1996, OJ C 69, 5.3.1997, p. 13.)), Annex V to which covers antiparasitics, these products may be marketed only after their active substances have been entered on a positive Community list and after a detailed assessment of the risks they might entail notably for human health.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/97 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: EU contribution to the restoration and conservation of cathedrals

Many cathedrals in the Community, which form part of a vast spiritual, cultural and architectural heritage, require restoration and conservation work, with varying degrees of urgency, to protect them against the effects of wind and weather which threaten their existence.

Funding for such work is often either clearly insufficient or simply unavailable.

Given that the restoration and conservation of our cathedrals could be a major source of employment and provide work for people with both professional and manual skills, does the Commission believe that it should concentrate its action in this field into a specific programme under the ERDF so that, as well as helping to promote economic activity, it will make a substantial contribution to preserving the richness and uniqueness of the historical and spiritual legacy represented by cathedrals in the Community?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997)

The Commission understands and shares the Honourable Member's concern about the restoration and preservation of many cathedrals within the Community and it is for this very reason that the theme of its 1995 pilot restoration projects was specifically designed to support the protection and enhancement of religious monuments.

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the needs in this field are great indeed and also that any action for the restoration of our historic, religious, cultural and architectural heritage represented in the form of cathedrals will certainly have positive repercussions in social and economic terms with the provision of extra employment opportunities for people with either professional or manual skills.

As the Honourable Member is aware, actions in favour of the preservation of cultural heritage are already eligible under the European regional development fund (ERDF) provided, of course, that they meet its objectives and eligibility criteria. Furthermore, last year, Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 as amended ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )) provided extra support for projects that aimed to preserve and enhance the Community's cultural heritage in general and architectural heritage in particular.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2487/97 by Klaus Rehder (PSE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)

Subject: EU aid for processes for enriching drinking water with oxygen

1. What is the Commission's attitude towards processes for improving drinking water with oxygen?

2. Is there any way in which the European Union can provide aid for new processes for enriching drinking water with oxygen?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11. September 1997)

Water intended for human consumption must meet the requirements of the drinking water Directive 80/778/EEC ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980. )). In respect of the parameter dissolved oxygen, there is no guide level, or maximum admissible concentration, and therefore there is no mandatory standard with which drinking water must comply. The Community therefore does not have the possibility to demand that oxygen is added to drinking water to improve its quality.

However, in Directive 80/778/EEC there is a comment in respect of the parameter dissolved oxygen, that the saturation value should be 'greater than 75% except for underground water'. This means that it is advisable for surface water with a natural dissolved oxygen content of less than 75% to be oxygenated in order to improve its quality.

Under the proposal for a revised drinking water Directive ((COM(94) 612 final. )), which is currently being discussed in Council, dissolved oxygen is proposed as an 'indicator' parameter with a parametric value of greater than 50% saturation. This means that where drinking water fails to meet this value, Member States should investigate the cause, and take action to remedy the situation only where this is necessary in order to protect human health.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2540/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (24 July 1997)

Subject: Decision 94/730/EC establishing simplified procedures concerning the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified plants - the Commission's powers

As I am not satisfied with your answer either to Written Question E-2403/96 ((OJ C 96, 24.3.1997, p. 8. )) or to the supplement ((OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 5. )), I will put my question again.

1. What powers did the Council transfer to the Commission by virtue of the first sentence of Article 6(5) of Directive 90/220/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p. 15. ))?

2. When and how were these powers transferred?

3. What opportunities are there for Parliament and the Council to monitor the establishment of the criteria?

4. What procedures has the Council laid down for the exercise of these powers?

5. On what principles and rules are these procedures based?

6. Were these principles and rules established unanimously by the Council?

7. What was Parliament's opinion of these principles and rules?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2535/97, E-2536/97, E-2537/97, E-2538/97, E-2539/97, E-2540/97 and E-2541/97 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997)

The Commission regrets that the Honourable Member is not satisfied with the answer to seven written questions. It also regrets that the same questions have simply been asked again. The Commission takes the view that it has answered the questions conscientiously and correctly.

Some of the questions are addressed to the Parliament('what was Parliament's opinion of these principles and rules?'). Others are put in such a way that the Honourable Member can hardly expect a reply ('why did the Commission contravene Article 145 of the EC Treaty in Decision 97/730/EC?').

The Commission is keen to fulfil its duty under Article 140 EC Treaty to reply to oral and written questions. It answers questions from members who like the Honourable Member ask more than 100 questions in a year (1996) or even 46 questions in one day (9 June 1997). It is however up to the Commission to decide upon the content of its replies.