ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0677/95 by Peter Crampton (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1995)

Subject: Commission proposals in the field of relations with Member States, openness and communication, 1994

How many proposals for legislation and regulations in the field of relations with Member States, openness and communication were put forward by the Commission in 1994?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0662/95, E-0663/95, E-0664/95, E-0665/95, E-0666/95 E-0667/95, E-0668/95, E-0669/95, E-0670/95, E-0671/95, E-0672/95, E-0673/95, E-0674/95, E-0675/95, E-0676/95, E-0677/95, E-0678/95, E-0679/95, E-0680/95, E-0681/95, E-0682/95, E-0683/95, E-0684/95, E-0685/95, E-0686/95, E-0687/95, E-0688/95, E-0689/95, E-0690/95 and E-0691/95 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

Further to its answer of 10 April 1995, the Commission can now give the following information.

The table below gives the number of proposals for legislation transmitted by the Commission in 1994 for adoption in the various areas to which the Honourable Member's questions relate.

Some were designed to implement new measures and others to update earlier legislation. They may also relate to the management of certain common policies (for example, commercial policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries, customs union).

Consolidation proposals are also included. Proposals amending proposals transmitted earlier are not included.

The statistics and list are taken from the Commission's APC database, to which Members of the European Parliament can have access, like the other institutions and the public.

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/96 by Robert Sturdy (PPE) to the Commission (29 February 1996)

Subject: Hops income aids

As payment of hops income aids to growers in the European Union continues to be made late, how does the Commission propose to remedy this problem? Does it agree that an advanced payment system (similar to that applied in the sheep and beef sectors) would improve the financial situation of hop growers, as suggested by the growers themselves?

Does the Commission plan to examine the problem of late payments in the hops sector, and if so, when can a report be expected?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 March 1996)

The Commission is well aware of farmers'interest in receiving payment of the hop income aid as soon as possible after 30 June. Therefore every effort is made to have the report on hop production and marketing ready around 30 April, as stated in the Regulation (EEC) n° 1696/71 establishing the common organization of the market in hops ((OJ L 175, 4.8.1971 (as last amended by Regulation (EEC) no 3290/94, OJ L 349, 31.12.1994. )). However for the preparation of the report, the Commission needs information from producing Member States which is not always received in time.

The Commission has the intention to examine the problem of late payments in the hop sector in the framework of a global review of the common market organisation for hops, which should take place in 1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/96 by Andrea Manzella (PSE) and Giorgio Ruffolo (PSE) to the Council (7 February 1996)

Subject: Inauguration of the Italian Presidency

Why was the President of Parliament not invited to the formal ceremony held at the City Hall in Rome to mark the opening of the six-month Italian Presidency?

Reply (20 May 1996)

At the meeting in Campidoglio on 8 January 1996 the Presidency met the Commission, as is customary, for a discussion on the European Union's lines of action in the first half of the year.

The meeting with the European Parliament took place, in accordance with the usual procedure, on 17 January 1996 when the Italian Presidency presented its work programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0100/96 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (26 January 1996)

Subject: Falsifying wine products

In a unanimously adopted resolution of November 1995, the European Wine Growing Regions have called on the Union to fight the current upsurge of falsified wine products, particularly of products resembling sparkling wines sold in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The resolution claims that it is absolutely essential that 'all possible means, including criminal proceedings should be used to combat these fraudulent activities which are prejudicial to the interests of producers and consumers, and the Union should adopt adequate legal measures with all possible dispatch with a view to preventing their recurrence'.

Is the Commission aware of the problem in question, and has it decided to take any measures to put a stop to it?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1996)

The Commission is aware of the problem to which the Honourable Member refers, namely the increasing sales of alcoholic beverages appearing to be sparkling wines. The Commission takes the view that the presentation of these products gives rise to confusion and is likely to mislead consumers as to their true nature and origin.

As long as they pose no threat to health - which would seem to be the case - and are manufactured in accordance with the regulations governing the production of foodstuffs, there is no reason to prohibit the manufacture of these products. That being said, protection of the consumer and fair competition dictate that they cease to be labelled and presented in a manner designed to create confusion with sparkling wines.

For that reason the Commission presented to the Council, in January 1996, a proposal for a Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 2333/92 on the description and presentation of sparkling wines. ((COM (96) 34. )) This amendment should satisfy the Honourable Member. It is planned to prohibit the use of the 'champagne' bottle for the products in question and require them to be labelled and presented in a way that prevents any confusion with sparkling wines.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0159/96 by Sebastiano Musumeci (NI) to the Commission (1 February 1996)

Subject: Sicilian citrus fruits

Given that in the European Union citrus imports from third countries are regulated by the quota arrangements laid down in cooperation agreements, what action does the Commission intend to take to prevent Member States, such as Spain, from literally recycling citrus fruits from Morocco and South Africa, by placing them on the European market under their own trademarks, thereby circumventing the quota arrangements and causing serious damage to the quality standards and production levels of producer countries such as Italy (Sicilian citrus fruit production)?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1996)

The Commission would remind the honourable member that the purpose of tariff quotas is solely to offer a measure of customs relief granted to certain third countries, not to restrict imports from any third country.

The Commission considers that the increased intra-Community trade resulting, as forecast, from the single market is proof of the advancement and enhanced competitiveness of Europe's entrepreneurs.

The regulations require the geographical origin of fruit to be displayed at the point of retail sale. The Commission is not aware of any offences of the kind referred to, and in the absence of any precise information which the honourable member might care to supply, it sees no reason to investigate the matter further.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0422/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission (29 February 1996)

Subject: Agriculture and the agreement with Morocco

Does the Commission have in its possession a study setting out conclusions on the possible impact on Community agriculture of the new association agreement with Morocco, under which Morocco is granted concessions in respect of some agricultural products?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 March 1996)

The Commission has assessed the impact on Community agriculture of the new association agreement with Morocco, with regard to both the concessions that the Community has granted to Morocco and those that Morocco has conceded in return.

However, a study dedicated solely to the agricultural sector would cover only some of the repercussions that this agreement will have on the Community's economy. Given the range of products involved and the likely aggregate effect of implementation of the agreement, its consequences must be assessed as a whole, in other words for both the agricultural and the industrial sectors.

The Commission and the Council feel that the reciprocal agricultural concessions granted by both sides in this new agreement are fairly balanced. It is possible that there will be a slight increase in competition with respect to Community agricultural production, but this will be for the most part offset, in particular, by the principle of reciprocal concessions, which will enable traditional exports of Community agricultural products to Morocco to continue.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0241/96 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (9 February 1996)

Subject: 'EU-Nachrichten' - December 1995 special edition

In December 1995 the Commission office in Germany put out a special edition of EU-Nachrichten welcoming the 'Euro'.

1. How much did the special edition cost?

2. To how many people was it sent?

3. What were the distribution costs?

4. What is the Commission's assessment of the costs in relation to the information content?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1996)

1. and 3. The production costs for EU-Nachtrichten were DM 892 for printing, DM 816 for distribution and DM 3 923 for postage.

2. The review was sent to some 6 000 subscribers, most of whom are information-relays in the media and politics.

4. It is always difficult to assess the cost/benefit ratio of public relations exercises. However, the Commission believed it would be useful to present and comment succintly on the main decisions regarding the introduction of the Euro adopted by the Madrid European Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0691/96 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 March 1996)

Subject: Social exclusion and isolation of remote islands

One of the main problems in the widely scattered Greek islands, especially in the most remote islands, is the social exclusion and isolation of the population. It is indicative that even the radio and TV stations broadcasting nationwide cannot be received on many of these islands because it is not cost-effective to set up transmitters for such a relatively small number of people. However, it is thought that setting up transmitters would have the desired effect of relieving their isolation.

i. Would such a project be eligible for funding under the Community Support Framework or other Community programmes (which?)

ii. and, if so, would the Commission, in conjunction with the Greek authorities, consider ways of jointly funding such projects?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 April 1996)

The Commission is aware of the isolation of certain Greek islands and has helped mainly through the Structural Funds to overcome this problem through improvements to the transport and telecommunications infrastructure. In principle, and assuming they do not adversely affect competition, the measures referred to by the Honourable Member would be eligible for funding. However, at present the Commission is unable to express an opinion on this particular case as it does not have all the necessary information at its disposal, nor has it received a request from the Greek authorities. Should such a request be made, it will, needless to say, be given the Commission's full attention.

The Commission would like to point out that the term 'social exclusion' is not applicable in this context.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0693/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1996)

Subject: Infertility

Infertility has been on the increase for a period of years throughout Europe.

Is the Commission contemplating, or has it already undertaken, an investigation into the causes of and possible solutions to this problem?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1996)

The popular and scientific press have carried items referring to an association between infertility and suspected exposure to 'pseudoendocrines' or 'xeno-oestrogens' in chemical substances released in the environment. Concerns have been expressed, in particular over reported declines in the quantity or quality of human sperm. Studies in which such trends have been reported, have, however, been contested. Other pertinent studies do not show such a decline. Moreover, it is by no means certain that the supposed decrease in human sperm quality implies a decline in human fertility. Proper conclusions about any causal relationship between the occurence of health phenomena and exposure to the substances will have to wait the outcome of additional scientific research.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0777/96 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission (1 April 1996)

Subject: Disparities in family allowances in the EU Member States

According to the findings of the Eurostat survey, between 1980 and 1991, the EU Member States spent 15 times as much as Spain on family benefits. A Spanish woman would need to have 16 children to receive the allowance which a British woman receives for one child.

While in most Member States of the Union family allowances are not linked to income, in Spain the allowances paid by the government are based on minimum income levels, which disqualifies the majority of families.

Does the Commission intend to tackle such disparities by proposing a family allowances policy which ensures that all European families receive equivalent allowances and rules out flagrant disparities such as those currently affecting Spanish families?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1996)

The fixing of family allowances is within the sole discretion of the Member States. The only competence of the Commission in this area is to make sure that citizens living in another Member State than of their origin do not suffer discrimination. Futhermore the European observatory on national family policies monitors the measures in favour of families and reports on them on an annual basis.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0664/96 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (15 March 1996)

Subject: Funding of the 'I Theotokos' Foundation

For 32 years, the 'I Theotokos' Foundation has provided education and vocational training for mentally retarded children. Because of its experience, the Foundation has received funding for many years from HORIZON and the programme to combat 'social exclusion' on the basis of training programmes which it has submitted. This finance constituted a substantial percentage of its budget. Unfortunately, however, the funds have been cut or abolished which is a serious threat to the administration of the programmes and the Foundation in general in 1996 and beyond.

In view of the fact the the training in question is long term and requires corresponding planning and that such cutbacks are unreasonable, will the Commission help to have these decisions reconsidered and ensure that the Foundation's training scheme in this particularly sensitive area is continued?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (12 April 1996)

The aim of the Community's Employment initiative is to cofinance transnational projects of an innovative nature. The conditions of eligibility for funding apply to the various programmes, including HORIZON.

In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the selection of individual projects and the allocation of funding for these is the sole responsibility of the Member States. The Commission is therefore unable to intervene to alter any such selection if the procedure followed was in keeping with the criteria agreed on for the Employment operational programme.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0288/96 by Olli Rehn (ELDR) to the Commission (15 February 1996)

Subject: Support for the construction of a motorway on the Costa del Sol

A toll motorway is under construction on the Costa del Sol in Spain which I understand the EU is helping to fund. According to my information the Spanish transport ministry has adopted a route which will bisect Calahonda, a community of 18 000 people belonging to the town of Mijas. The planned route will devastate the value of the community, damage the countryside and the municipal infrastructure and cause additional noise and pollution. There are many inhabitants of Calahonda who come from other parts of Europe who are seriously worried about the Spanish transport ministry's obstinacy. The Mijas town authorities have proposed an alternative route which is just as good in terms of the operation of the motorway and would avoid dispersing a community of people and causing significant environmental problems.

Given that the EU is contributing to the funding of the motorway through Calahonda, I would ask the Commission whether an environmental impact assessment has been carried out on the motorway and whether it indeed conforms with the purposes of the EU to participate in a scheme which does not meet the objectives of the structural funds such as the protection of communities and environmentally sustainable development.

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1996)

No cofinancing from Community structural funds has been requested for the project to which the Honourable member refers.

Nevertheless, the Commission has received two complaints concerning the application of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )) in respect of the Costa del Sol motorway project.

In order to study these complaints the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities for more information and will not fail to notify the Honourable Member of what they have to say.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0548/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Paper recycling

Is the Commission aware of any risk that recycling paper could lead to an increase in carbon dioxide as a result of paper producers planting fewer trees?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1996)

The Commission is not aware of any specific studies to date from which it is possible to assess, on a global and European scale, the impact of the paper recycling process on the uptake of atmospheric CO2, and in particular on the possible reduction of atmospheric CO2 as a result of the lack of forest regeneration. However, the Commission would make the following comments on this subject.

In general, cellulose and paper producers do not own land reserved for tree felling in order to produce paper, and as a result, they are rarely responsible for managing the land. On the contrary, in most cases the local, regional or national authorities implement sustainable management policies for woods and forests, including forest regeneration. This not only meets ecological criteria, but also economic criteria. It is therefore difficult, in this case, to see an immediate link between atmospheric CO2 not accumulated in the biomass, on the one hand, and the use of recycled paper, on the other.

It should be noted that not using recycled paper would in itself cause much additional environmental damage. Therefore, dumping an equivalent volume of non-recycled paper would see an increase in the total volume of waste and hence the number of tips that the Community would have to operate. Furthermore, the addition of organic materials in tips would cause an increase in the process of methanization and subsequently an increase in methane emissions into the atmosphere. It should be remembered that methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas which is far more powerful (and therefore harmful to the atmosphere) than carbon dioxide.

However, even if the equivalent volume of non-recycled paper were to be used to produce energy, the CO2 from combustion would still be emitted into the atmosphere. Finally, intensification of short-rotation tree-growing for the paper industry could lead to a deterioration in land quality, in the same way as excessive use of fertilizer could affect the groundwater.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0184/96 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission (5 February 1996)

Subject: Refusal by French banks to accept Eurocheques

Over the past year there have been cases in Normandy (France) of banks (specifically the Banque Publique, Crédit Mutuel and Crédit Agricole) refusing to accept Eurocheques from German tourists in exchange for cash.

1. Do French banks have the authority to refuse to accept Eurocheques when the relevant rules (presentation of Eurocheque card and compliance with the maximum limit) are respected?

2. What measures will the Commission take to put a stop to this practice by French banks?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1996)

1. The legal arrangements governing the acceptance of Eurocheques by French banks are contractual in nature. The agreement on commissions, value dates and the centralized clearing of uniform Eurocheques drawn in local currency and the opening-up of the non-banking sector (the 'Package Deal Agreement'), which was notified to the Commission under Article 4 of Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962, ((OJ No 13, 21.2.1962. )) does not require all the branches of a bank belonging to the Eurocheque system to accept Eurocheques. It follows that the agreement does not prevent banks from engaging in the practices referred to in the question. The Honourable Member should contact the bodies which administer the Eurocheque system, such as Europay France and Europay International, if he wants any further information.

2. It would appear at first sight that the situation described by the Honourable Member does not call for any action on the part of the Commission under the competition rules. The conduct of certain French banks as outlined by the Honourable Member does not seem to amount to an agreement, decision or concerted practice within the meaning of Article 85 of the EC Treaty.