ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1131/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Gaseous pollutant emissions from non-road machinery

The proposal for a directive COM(95) 350 ((OJ C 328, 07.12.1995, p. 1. )) sets emission standards and provides for the introduction of a type-approval procedure for engines installed in non-road machinery, for example excavators, fork-lift trucks and bulldozers. However, this sector, which has until now been entirely unregulated, must be regulated by economically efficient instruments based on a calculation of the cost per tonne of reducing the gaseous pollutant emissions. The market for this type of engine is huge, with countless applications, and there is considerable interest in the industry in the rapid regulation and harmonization of the sector in accordance with the standards in force in the USA so that certificates may be recognised as valid in both areas.

Will the Commission press for the mutual recognition of certificates issued by the US and the European authorities?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1996)

The proposal (for a Parliament and Council directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combution engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery) is compatible with the relevant United States rule (adopted in June 1994) in terms of measuring procedures and limit values for Stage I. This is likely to be the first transatlantic compatible mobile source emission legislation.

The Commission has a mandate from the Council to negotiate with certain third countries, such as the United States, with regard to mutual recognition of tests and certificates of conformity issued by competent bodies. Once the directive is adopted, this topic could be included in the negotiations. In any case this is not a subject of this directive.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1326/96 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (3 June 1996)

Subject: Radioactive waste in the Lobo-G mine (La Haba Extremadura)

The Lobo-G uranium mine in the area of La Serena is currently abandoned, but it is being used to store several hundred drums of nuclear waste from the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT).

The local people of La Serena are concerned and alarmed at the lack of information about what exactly these drums contain. They do not know what possible impact the waste might have on human health and the environment.

Does the Commission not believe that there is an urgent need to know whether the content of these drums is producing radiological effects?

With a view to guaranteeing respect for Community legislation, can the Commission carry out an inquiry to establish the precise content of the drums stored in the Lobo-G mine?

What steps can the Commission take to ensure that Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32. )) concerning waste is complied with?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (24 July 1996)

According to the Spanish centre for energy, environment and technology research (CIEMAT), the owner of the waste, the material stored at the former Lobo-G uranium mine is drums of mine tailings left after treatment of the rock (ore) for the extraction of uranium. The level of natural radioactivity will be lower then in the original material. The material in the drums does not contain any artificial radionucleides. According to CIEMAT, the licence for storing the waste in the former mine has been granted by the Spanish Consejo de seguridad nuclear (CSN).

Implementation of requirements in Community directives, including those relating to the licencing and control of facilities for the storage of wastes, is the responsibility of the national authorities. In the case of the waste stored at Lobo-G, the Commission has received no indications of non-compliance with any requirements by the owner of the waste or by the authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1132/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Gaseous pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines

In connection with the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery (COM(95) 350 ((OJ C 328, 07.12.1995, p. 1. )),

Will the Commission reach a firm decision on the penalties to be imposed on manufacturers who, once they have obtained type-approval for an engine, continue to manufacture engines of the same family which fail to comply with the characteristics registered and approved under the type-approval procedure?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1996)

The proposal (for a Parliament and Council directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery) lays down procedures in the case of non-conformity of the engines with the approved type (Article 13). It is up to the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that the engines in production conform to the approved type. The measures may extend to withdrawals of type-approvals (penalties).

Therefore a decision of the Commission on the penalties to be imposed is superfluous.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1692/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: European Observatory for SMEs

The findings set out in the report of the European Observatory for SMEs illustrates the great difficulty SMEs have in obtaining capital and it is evident that access to risk capital is a decisive factor in assessing the business environment. Alongside a comparable level of competition in the banking sector, efforts should be made to develop, within a harmonized framework in the countries of the Union, instruments such as participatory loans and local stockmarkets which do not exist yet in all Member States. The aim should be to create a credit market with a wide variety of different players competing with different products.

Will the Commission therefore adopt a robust and broad interpretation of Article 130 of the Treaty with regard to small and medium-sized enterprises?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member's analysis of the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regarding access to credit and equity. It would point out that, in accordance with the objectives stated in Article 130 of the EC Treaty, the enterprise policy aims to:

- promote an environment which is conducive to the development of SMEs,

- improve the competitiveness of SMEs and encourage their Europeanisation and globalisation.

As a result, the Commission has submitted to the Parliament and the Council a proposal for a third multiannual programme for SMEs covering the period from 1997 to 2000, which lists a better financial environment for enterprises as one of its priority objectives. In implementing this programme, the Commission aims to:

- improve access to loans, particularly by supporting the granting of bank guarantees by the European Investment Fund (EIF), especially in connection with implementing the new ELISE instrument (European Loan Insurance Scheme for Employment); by promoting the development of mutual guarantee companies; and by facilitating dialogue between banks and SMEs by means of the round table involving both parties;

- step up its efforts to reduce problems with payment arrears among enterprises and between administrations and enterprises;

- facilitate the development of specific financial instruments such as factoring or credit insurance;

- stimulate the development of capital markets for fast-growing SMEs;

- mobilise private risk capital investors to support enterprises with a high technology content and high growth potential.

The actions planned would continue or supplement the measures for financing SMEs which have already been implemented either as part of the Community's regional policy or under operations carried out by the European Investment Bank and the EIF.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1689/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: European Observatory for SMEs

The Observatory's first annual report concentrated on the structure of SMEs and their fields of operation, the second reviewed developments in the SME sector; the third report also concerns developments affecting SMEs and in particular the effects of completion of the internal market. It also makes a specific study of the administrative burdens on SMEs and the producer services sector.

Economic operators in this sector are not satisfied with the definition of SMEs currently applied and on which national legislation tends to be based. Will the Commission examine this matter, which must be settled if the proper economic policy options are to be applied?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)

The Commission shares the views of the Honourable Member regarding the need for clear guidelines in defining small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an essential reference point to ensure that policies in favour of SMEs are more consistent, visible and effective. For this reason, the Commission adopted on 4 April 1994 a recommendation on the definition of SMEs ((OJ L 107 of 30 April 1996. )) which, for the first time, lays down a set of precise rules for defining SMEs in Community programmes and instruments as well as those of the Member States. Whereas in the past, some measures in favour of SMEs adopted a threshold of 500 employees or were not subject to any specific criteria and could therefore sometimes benefit large enterprises, the definition contained in the recommendation helps limit these measures to enterprises with fewer than 250 employees - i.e. those that really need them. In doing so, this type of measure is made all the more effective.

In order to be classified as an SME, an enterprise must also comply with certain financial thresholds (either the annual turnover must not exceed ECU 40 million or the annual balance-sheet total must not exceed ECU 27 million) and an independence criterion. This independence criterion excludes enterprises which can benefit from the support of a large enterprise, by dint of a stake held by the latter, and are thus not really SMEs. The recommendation also established lower thresholds concerning the number of employees (50 and 10), which allow the Commission and the Member States to target some of their policies more accurately. The Commission is convinced that this recommendation should enable measures in favour of SMEs to be concentrated on enterprises which experience difficulties on account of their size, and should lead to greater consistency between Community and national measures.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1234/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (23 May 1996)

Subject: Nuclear safety

In recent newspapers reports the Deputy director of the nuclear and radioactive safety department of the 'UKRITFE' Scientific Centre has raised the alarm about the possibility of the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploding at any time. The danger, it would appear, is of a chain reaction and the collapse of the cover that has been put over the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl power station. The fourth reactor has in fact been reduced to an uncontrolled mass of dangerous nuclear material and radioactive substances that do not meet safety requirements.

Will the Commission take immediate and appropriate action to avert further nuclear dangers?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1996)

During the conference 'One decade after Chernobyl' in April 1996 scientists addressed concerns about the radiological pollution that could occur in the event of the collapse of the sarcophagus over what remains of the Chernobyl IV reactor. The conference concluded that, while a collapse could release radioactive dust and result in significant exposure to personnel at the reactor site, no widespread effects would be expected, in particular not outside the 30 kilometre exclusion zone around the reactor.

The Commission has always aimed to ensure that an accident like Chernobyl could never happen again and that the remaining units at the nuclear power plant should close as soon as possible. The governments of the Group of seven, the Commission and the government of the Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in December 1995 concerning the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant by the year 2000. Included in the MoU was an agreement to 'continue to cooperate in the development of a cost effective and environmentally sound approach to the shelter for Chernobyl IV, including the definition, as soon as possible, of technical and cost options'.

It was recently agreed at the Moscow nuclear safety and security summit - between leaders of the Group of seven, including the President of the Commission and the presidents of Russia and the Ukraine - that discussions on a 'renewed sarcophagus' would be undertaken as soon as the latest TACIS funded study is completed. This should be before the end of this year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388/96 by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Restoring the Albufera de Valencia and providing it with environmental protection

The Albufera de Valencia is one of Europe's major wetlands, classified as meriting special protection under the Community Directive on the preservation of woodland birds, but it continues to remain subject to a range of threats and ongoing environmental deterioration.

With no respect whatever for the natural environment, several hundred industries discharge their waste into the Albufera, while the majority of the surrounding towns discharge their untreated sewage into this ecological reserve, the most important in the Valencian Autonomous Community and one of the largest lakeland areas in the Iberian peninsula.

In 1995, the Commission proposed to the regional authorities that the Albufera de Valencia should be classified as one of the wetlands benefiting from conservation measures, but the proposal was rejected.

1. In view of this situation, does the Commission not believe that Directive 92/43/EEC ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. )) on the preservation of natural habitats and woodland fauna and flora makes the need to implement a programme to safeguard and restore this major European natural heritage site more justifiable than ever?

2. Would the Commission be prepared, in conjunction with the new national and Valencian authorities, to investigate the possibility of co-funding a plan to restore and protect the Albufera de Valencia within the framework of the LIFE Regulation?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1996)

1. The Community importance of the Albufera de Valencia comes from the fact that it is classified as meriting special protection under Directive 79/409/EEC (the 'birds Directive'). ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979. )) This area is therefore already part of the Natura 2000 network established by Directive 92/43/EEC (the 'habitats Directive').

It is therefore Spain which must introduce the management schemes needed to ensure conservation including, if necessary, specific management plans or plans that form an integral part of other management plans.

2. Plans to restore and protect the Albufera are potentially eligible under the LIFE Regulation. The Commission will carefully examine any proposals presented by the Spanish authorities in this framework.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1565/96 by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE) to the Commission (17 June 1996)

Subject: Information on the call for pilot project proposals under Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation

What progress has been made in the selection process for projects eligible for ERDF funding, under Article 10 thereof, following the call for proposals published in OJ C 319 of 30 November 1995?

Answer given by Ms Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)

In all, 484 dossiers have been presented to the Commission in response to the call for proposals published in the Official Journal referred to by the Honourable Member.

A panel of independent experts will be appointed to examine the proposals received. In view of the time needed to set up this panel and for detailed analysis and rigorous selection of the dossiers, it may be possible to complete the process towards the end of October.

The budget at present available will enable the Commission to cofinance only some 25 projects for all the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0965/96 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (26 April 1996)

Subject: European fish stocks

Is the Commission aware that the UN has banned large-scale drift nets (those longer than 2.5 km) but certain European countries continue to use them?

What steps will the Commission take to protect fish stocks in the future?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1996)

In accordance with Article 9a of Regulation (EEC) No 3094/86, ((Council Regulation (EEC) No 3094/86 of 7 October 1986 (OJ L 288, 11.10.1986), as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 3071/95 of 22 December 1995 (OJ L 329, 30.12.1995). )) drift-nets must not exceed 2.5 km in total length; the only exception to this rule is the Baltic Sea, where, in accordance with the measures agreed under the Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources in the Baltic Sea, large nets may be used for salmon-fishing under certain conditions.

The steps taken by the Commission to ensure observance of the above Article are described in the report on the use of large drift-nets under the common fisheries policy in 1995. ((SEC(95) 2259 of 14 December 1995. )) The Commission has adopted provisions similar to those adopted in 1995 for 1996.

Generally speaking, in order to conserve fisheries resources, the Commission has proposed a set of measures covering the protection of juveniles under what are termed technical measures, the reduction of exploitation rates under MGP IV, and also increased use of satellite-based position monitoring, and it has proposed to the Council that drift-nets be completely banned, a position accepted by Parliament. ((OJ C 118, 29.4.1994. ))
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1425/96 by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Action by the German police against Portuguese trade unionists

On more than one occasion I have asked the Commission about the situation of Portuguese workers in Germany, who either had been contracted by agencies 'trafficking in labour' or were fulfilling subcontracting arrangements involving obvious wage discrimination and dubious safety and hygiene conditions at work or had been victims of racist violence.

However, a recent incident gives more serious grounds for concern than the previous ones. In a context in which the free movement of workers has been institutionalized, and in which positive progress is being made through directives against unequal treatment arising from the posting of workers, it is unacceptable for violence to be perpetrated by representatives of the authorities. In one recent case, the victims were Portuguese trade unionists conducting a campaign to provide Portuguese workers with information, contacts and advice.

On 25 April 1996, in the hotel in Munich where they were staying, two trade unionists and an interpreter were accosted by a group of thirteen individuals who identified themselves as police officers, three of whom were in uniform. After they had identified themselves, they 'moved into action': jostling, behaving rudely and aggressively and confiscating photograph films and documents which the trade unionists had in their hotel room.

Is the Commission aware of these serious incidents and should it not ask the German Government to give an explanation for these events?

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

The Commission has no knowledge of the incidents referred to by the Honourable Member.

Community social policy guarantees the principle of equal treatment for migrant workers. Regarding posted workers, on 3 June 1996 the Council adopted a common position on a proposal for a Directive ((OJ C 187, 9.7.1993. )). The objective of this proposal for a Directive is to ensure that workers posted to another Member State are not deprived of protection afforded by certain mandatory rules of labour law in force in that Member State.

However, in the case in point, the complaints refer less to non-compliance with Community provisions than to the manner in which the trade unionists concerned were treated by police officers in Germany. The Commission feels that any act of violence is liable to infringe the fundamental values or liberties which are common to all Member States and that it is the duty of the authorities, in the context of the law and internal practices of Member States, and taking account of the specific nature of the situations in question, to ensure respect for those fundamental values or liberties, which form the basis for the rule of law.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1661/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Council (24 June 1996)

Subject: Market in potatoes

Does not the Council feel that more detailed regulation of the market in potatoes in the European Union is a matter of urgency and necessity in order to achieve better balance on the market, fix prices, guarantee producers' incomes and prevent distortions of competition and abuse by speculators in this product?

Does it not feel that now is the time to make progress with the COM in potatoes which has been pending before it for some time now?

Reply (10 October 1996)

It should be pointed out to the Honourable Members that the Commission proposal before the Council does not contain any instruments to 'fix prices' and 'guarantee producers' incomes'.

The proposal submitted by the Commission in 1992 would merely:

- internally, provide encouragement for the establishment of producer groups, on similar lines to existing arrangements for fruit and vegetables;

- in trade with third countries, introduce a system of import licences making possible statistical monitoring of imports and allowing for the adoption of safeguard measures.

At its meeting from 14 to 17 December 1992, the Council discussed the proposal, agreeing to press ahead with the matter and add provisions on marketing standards to the proposal.

Discussion of the proposal by the Council in 1993 and 1994 failed to bring agreement, in view of differences between delegations seeing no need for any common organization of the market and those wanting one which included tighter market management arrangements, as the Honourable Members are pressing for.

In December 1995, attempting to reach a compromise, the Spanish Presidency suggested adding to the above three components (establishment of marketing standards, encouragement of producer groups and third-country trade arrangements) the introduction of an 'operating fund' similar to that proposed under the reform of the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables.

That suggestion did not succeed in narrowing differences within the Council, individual delegations standing by their earlier positions.

The Irish Presidency intends to take the matter up again with a view to a Council decision as soon as possible.