ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0706/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-1020 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1370/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 April 1997)

Subject: Community imports of semi-preserves of anchovies in brine or oil

Can the Community supply information on the volume of imports of the above products and their countries of origin?

Can the Commission guarantee that the products are imported in compliance with minimum standards as regards quality and salt and moisture content and that they are cleared through customs under the correct tariff headings?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1997)

A table with information on imports of anchovies is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament.

There are no specific Community rules on semi-preserves of anchovies. These products are covered by the relevant health and hygiene rules and the provisions governing foodstuffs in general, such as, for example, additives or contact materials. Further quality standards can, if necessary, be imposed by national rules or manufacturing standards laid down by producers and recognized under approval systems. The national authorities are responsible for monitoring compliance with all applicable standards, both by Community production and by imports from non-member countries.

The Commission is not aware of any specific problems concerning semi-preserves of anchovies.

Finally, the goods introduced into the customs territory of the Community must be declared by the importer to the customs authorities of the Member State concerned, with all the information required to identify them. The customs authorities check that the correct tariff headings have been used and that they correspond to the goods declared and presented to the customs.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2206/97 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission (13 June 1997)

Subject: EU resources for the Rovno and Khmelnitzky nuclear power stations in Ukraine

An EBRD study has revealed that the completion of the Rovno 4 and Khmelnitzky 2 nuclear power stations in Ukraine is not the least-cost option for supplying Ukraine with electricity. The EBRD's statutes do not therefore permit it to participate financially. The EU has already contributed ECU 30 million to these nuclear projects.

1. Are any efforts being made to have further EU resources provided for the completion of the two Ukrainian reactors? If so, what resources, on what scale and over what period?

2. Are Euratom loans to be granted for the completion of the reactors? If so, on what scale and over what period?

3. Are resources from the EU's PHARE/TACIS programme to be provided for the completion of the reactors? If so, on what scale and over what period?

4. Does the EBRD's decision not to provide resources for the completion of the reactors because it does not satisfy the least-cost criterion have any implications for the allocation of EU resources under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)? If so, what are they? If not, why not?

5. Given the dangerous state of the sarcophagus over the damaged Chernobyl reactor, does the Commission not believe that a greater financial effort should at last be made to reduce the risk of the structure collapsing?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1997)

It should be noted that the European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) has not yet decided on its participation in the financing of the Rovno 4 and Khmelnitzky 2 nuclear reactors. This decision will take account of all relevant aspects.

1. and 3. There are no plans at this stage to provide additional Community resources for the completion of the two reactors beyond those already envisaged.

2. The Community has envisaged at the Corfou European Council in 1994 to contribute with Euratom loans to the financing of this project. The Commission is at present in the process of preparing this loan decision and no details are yet decided.

4. The EBRD has not yet decided on the loan application.

5. The Commission is concerned with the risks associated with the present sarcophagus and has undertaken serious efforts, since 1994, to evaluate possible realistic solutions. As a result of these efforts an agreement has been reached with Ukraine, in the context of the G-7, on a 'shelter implementation plan'. The financing is a matter still under discussion within the G-7.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0728/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-4301 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1818/97 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Milk market in the European Union

What basic principles will the Commission include in its document analysing the situation of the milk market in the European Union?

What time-scale does the Commission envisage for revising the COM for milk products?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1817/97 and E-1818/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)

In December 1992 the system of dairy quotas was extended until 31 March 2000. Discussions should now begin on the arrangements to be applied at a later date.

With this in mind, the Commission began by drawing up two working papers 'CAP 2000 long-term forecasts' and 'Situation and prospects in the dairy sector' which have recently been published and sent to Parliament. The Honourable Member is referred to them.

At this stage, it is therefore premature to give an opinion on any renewal of the system and its application.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0971/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (13 March 1997)

Subject: Distribution of a CD-Rom entitled 'Cepit' on EU funding for technological development and innovation

Daily newspapers in Italy have recently included advertisements for a CD-Rom entitled 'Cepit' containing information on how to obtain European funding for technological innovation. The advertisement includes the Union flag together with the words 'European Commission DG XIII - DG XVI, the logos of the ENEA (twice), the Ministry for Universities and Scientific Research, and the agency for the promotion of European research. The CD-Rom is produced and distributed by the Wonder Company srl of Trento and costs LIT 446 600 (approximately ECU 232). When asked, the Wonder Company said it had made available only one free copy of the CD-Rom to the Commission and one copy to the ENEA.

Is the Commission aware of this product?

Did it contribute to the product and, if so, how (documentation, funding, etc.)?

Does it not consider that advertising a commercial initiative of this kind with the EU flag in a more prominent position than the logo of the company producing the product may lead to unrealistic expectations?

For products of this kind, why could the Commission not make any involvement on its part conditional on the free distribution of a certain number of copies of the product to public institutions such as universities, Commission offices in different EU countries, etc.?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commisison (26 May 1997)

The Commisison has no knowledge of the CD-Rom and did not contribute to its production. It is collecting more details and will take any appropriate steps required.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1392/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: The use of asbestos cement piping in the water supply network in Greece

The EU Member States France and Denmark have eliminated asbestos cement piping for the distribution of drinking water. Research as far back as 1980 found that drinking water with corrosive properties contained up to 550 million asbestos fibres per litre.

Point 6.2g in Annex I of Directive 91/659/EEC ((OJ L 363, 31.12.1991, p. 36. )) of 3 December 1991 bans the use of asbestos filters for liquids and, consequently, for liquid foodstuffs. It thereby indirectly acknowledges that asbestos fibres must not enter the human organism through the digestive tract.

Does the Commission intend to examine and to implement a ban on the use of asbestos cement piping, at least as far as drinking water with corrosive properties is concerned, thereby in effect attaining the same objective for all the Member States of the Community?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1997)

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to the answer it gave to his Written Question No E-0115/97.

Asbestos cement pipes intended for drinking water supply are not included in the categories of asbestos-containing products which are banned. Such pipes do not give rise to release of significant quantities of fibres which are subsequently inhaled. Thus they are not thought to present an important risk of the diseases normally associated with asbestos, such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The prohibition of asbestos in

filters for liquids, provided by point 6.2(g) of the Annex to Commission Directive 91/659/EEC, is intended primarily to prevent exposure of maintenance workers to airborn asbestos fibres, though it does also avoid the take-up of fibres in the filtered liquid. This measure complements provisions in Directive 83/477/EEC ((OJ L 263, 24.9.1983. )) on the protection of workers from asbestos. The Commission furthermore will continue to study all possible risks associated with drinking water pipes containing asbestos as part of the work programme on asbestos.

The Commission drew up, in 1993, a draft proposal for a directive to ban asbestos with exemptions. However, no qualified majority could be identified for the draft proposal. The Commission relaunched discussions on the asbestos question with Member State experts in 1996. The last meetings were on 26th July 1996 and 7th November 1996. The Commission intends to examine, as quickly as possible, all the most recent scientific, technical and economical analyses in order to review the policy with regard to asbestos.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1780/97 by Giulio Fantuzzi (PSE) to the Commission (27 May 1997)

Subject: Report on the application of Regulations (EEC) 2078/92 and 2080/92

Article 10 of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 85. )) on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside, and Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 234. )) instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture stipulate that the Commission should submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the application of the regulations in question three years after the date of their implementation in the Member States.

Can the Commission explain why it has not yet submitted a report in compliance with this requirement?

Does the Commission intend to act on this matter?

If so, when?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1997)

The Commission has to present implementation reports after three years of application of the programmes.

Most of the programmes under Regulations 2078/92 and 2080/92 were adopted during the years 1994-1995, and some only in 1996.

Consequently the Commission is in the process of preparing the reports on the implementation of these two regulations for the initial years, and plans to present them to the Parliament and the Council during this year.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1959/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Compensation for French truck drivers dispute

I have been informed that five months after the French truck drivers dispute, many non-French road haulage companies who suffered great financial loss due to this dispute, have still received no financial compensation.

In view of the commitment towards free movement of goods and services under Article 3 of the Treaty, can the Commission continue to liaise with the French Government to ensure that non-French road haulage companies who were victims of this domestic dispute receive adequate and full compensation immediately?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1756/97 and P-1959/97 given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1997)

The Commission has no effective legal right or ability to intervene in a national dispute between employers and employees unless a Member State can be shown to be negligent in its duty to comply with its obligations under the EC Treaty. One such duty is, of course to uphold the right to freedom of movement of goods and people.

The Commission can urge Member States to take all measures necessary to guarantee this freedom and has done so frequently at times when the conduct of disputes has impeded the freedom of movement.

Compensation for losses incurred by operators is a matter for Member States. When governments have established schemes the Commission however repeatedly emphasises that Member States should act quickly to ensure that operators receive appropriate compensation without delay.

The Commission has not received any proposals from the IRU (International road transport union) on this subject. However the Commission understands that this organisation also intervened to help to put an end to the road blockages, and to try to obtain compensation for its member companies.

In the recent period, the Commission drew the attention of the French Minister of Transport to the fact that a very large number of complaints has been received and that this called into question the effectiveness of the current compensation arrangements. The Commission has, therefore, asked the French authorities for an urgent report on all the compensation claims submitted, to include details of the number of claims received, what stage they are at and those cases where compensation has been paid. No response has so far been received.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2367/97 by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission (1 July 1997)

Subject: Seizure of Spanish and Italian goods by the French customs authorities

A Spanish lorry with trailer, together with its load comprising spare parts for motor vehicles, was detained by the French customs authorities at the Franco-Spanish border on 16 January 1997. All the spare parts intended for the repair of motor vehicles produced by French manufacturers were confiscated as fakes. All these parts had been manufactured legally in Spain and were destined for sale in Italy, where they may legally be bought and sold. None of the parts was destined for sale in France.

On 7 February a formal petition was addressed to the Commission on behalf of the undertakings affected requesting as a matter of urgency that it take the necessary steps to end this breach of Community law on the free movement of goods in the European Union. Since the protest was lodged with the Commission, the French authorities have detained a further three loads of spare parts for motor vehicles in transit between Spain and Italy, as well as other goods in transit between Italy and Holland and between Spain and Croatia (the latter incident occurring on 4 June 1997).

Can the Commission inform Parliament of the steps which it is taking in connection with this formal protest in order to put an end to a serious distortion of the free movement of goods in the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1997)

Following several complaints from traders concerning checks on, and seizures of, motor vehicle spare parts manufactured in Spain by the French customs authorities, the Commission has asked the latter for their observations.

The reply from the French authorities is being examined. The Commission will shortly decide whether or not to institute proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty. The complainants have been informed of the substance of the reply from the French authorities and have been asked for their reaction.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/97 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: EU pollution regulations and wood shredding

What European Union regulations or encouragement is in place for firms to reduce or cease wood burning and shred wood instead?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1997)

No such regulations are known to the Commission.

Wood burning is an important source of energy for the European forest industries and others. Wood burning in controlled combustion plants contributes to the efficient use of raw materials, results in relatively clean emissions and decreases use of other energy sources, notably of fossil fuels.

Therefore it would not be sound environmental policy to encourage firms to reduce or to cease wood burning.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1218/97 by Annemarie Kuhn (PSE) and Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: Reducing CO2 emissions

Heating buildings accounts for around 40% of annual CO2 emissions in Germany. This percentage could be reduced significantly by cutting heating requirements. This would require improved insulation for existing buildings and stricter legal standards for new buildings.

1. Are there any insulation regulations for new buildings in the EU Member States? If so, in which countries do they apply and what standards do they lay down?

2. Are there any regulations on upgrading the insulation of older buildings in the individual EU Member States? If so, in which countries do they apply and with what objective?

3. The EU's objective is to stabilize CO2 emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. Would it not be appropriate, with a view to achieving this objective, for there to be European standards on insulation which take account of the variation in climate?

Has the Commission considered such a possibility, and is it prepared to act?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1997)

The Commission agrees that steps should be taken to improve thermal insulation. It wishes to stress, however, that the question of thermal insulation for new or existing buildings is a matter for the Member States, as is the question of how to go about fulfilling their commitments to cut CO2 emissions.

There are, nevertheless, a number of relevant Community provisions:

1. Council Directive 93/76/EEC of 13 September 1993 to limit carbon dioxide emissions by improving energy efficiency ((OJ L 237, 22.9.1993. )) provides that 'Member States shall draw up and implement programmes so that new buildings receive effective thermal insulation, taking a long-term view, on the basis of standards laid down by the Member States, taking account of climatic conditions or climatic areas and the intended use of the building'. All the Member States have now introduced energy efficiency requirements for new buildings. These requirements generally specify the insulation standards to be met but also allow other factors to be taken into consideration, such as the efficiency of the heating installation, internal energy savings or the passive solar contribution. The Commission will soon be producing a report on the application of Directive 93/76/EEC.

2. The difficulty facing any legislation to improve the insulation of old buildings is that such an operation is not worth while unless combined with other objectives. Thus most Member States have introduced legislation uncer which certain levels of insulation must be included in any major renovation work.

3. Under Directive 93/76/EEC, the thermal insulation requirements laid down by the Member States must take account of variations in climate.

The Commission is considering what further measures to propose to reduce CO2 emissions as part of our efforts to combat climate change.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1482/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 April 1997)

Subject: Approximation of the legislation of the Member States on the protection of human health

The President of the Commission, Mr Santer, presented a Commission proposal to the Intergovernmental Conference on a new Article 129 of the Treaty on European Union. Paragraph 4 of the proposed new article provides that the Commission will adopt measures for the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States on the protection of human health.

Can we assume that that paragraph also refers to the national health systems of the Member States, given that they too protect human health?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1997)

Yes, to the extent that measures, to be adopted by the Council acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b EC Treaty fall within the terms of the proposed Article 129.