ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3654/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Continuation of Cohesion Fund actions

Under present rules Cohesion Fund resources are intended for those Member States whose per capita GNP is less than 90% of the Community average, providing there exists a national programme which satisfies the economic conditions for convergence.

In the action programme 2000 the Commission has proposed that the Cohesion Fund be maintained in its present form so as to allow Community support to continue for the less prosperous Member States which have embarked on the third phase of EMU.

On the basis of the above provisions, will those countries which do not embark on the third phase of EMU continue to be eligible for Cohesion Fund resources even after 1999, providing their per capita GNP is less than 90% the Community average and they have a national convergence programme?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (5 January 1998)

The Commission in its Agenda 2000 document ((COM(97) 2000 final. )) proposed to maintain the Cohesion fund in its present form. This means that Member States not taking part in the third phase of economic and monetary union (EMU) with a per capita gross national product of less than 90% continue to be eligible if a national programme leading to the fulfilment of the requirements of economic convergence in Article 104c of the EC Treaty has been drawn up.

A review of eligibility under the criterion of per capita GNP being less than 90% of the Community average will be carried out half-way in the period 2000-2006.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3598/97 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Misuse of cooperation funds

In 1993 approximately LIT 6 billion was allocated by DG VIII to CESTAS, an Italian NGO based in Bologna, for urgent health work in Angola.

There is still no evidence of CESTAS working in Angola, although it would seem that in 1993 and 1994 a large amount of expenses for extravagant 'fact-finding' missions in that tormented country were authorized by the directors of the NGO for its members.

Furthermore, it seems that the NGO had a number of problems with the Cape Verdean authorities (in Africa) in 1994 and 1995, since it allegedly failed for months to administer a project to combat AIDS, which was also commissioned and financed by the Commission's DG VIII.

Can the Commission:

1. shed light on these events without delay;

2. consider the possibility of suspending any funding which proves to have been wrongfully granted;

3. organize careful on-the-spot checks to ascertain whether EU funding is being used properly and efficiently;

4. assess whether there have been instances of 'favouritism' on the part of DG VIII and/or casual management by the officials responsible for on-the-spot checks?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (8 January 1998)

The Commission rejects any allegation that it shows favouritism in granting funds to NGOs for implementing development cooperation.

It systematically evaluates the merits of projects and programmes presented by European NGOs, notably as regards their compatibility with the development strategies of the countries concerned, before any financing decision is taken. It closely monitors project execution both at headquarters and in the delegations, with continued funding depending on strict implementation of the project even in sometimes difficult conditions.

On-the-spot project evaluation and supervision missions are carried out professionally and independently of the local authorities and NGOs concerned. Financing is suspended immediately if any irregularity is discovered. The last tranche is granted only on the basis of an implementation report and verification that expenditure has been made as planned in keeping with the rules on the utilisation of the funds.

The final tranche of the Cestas health project in Angola has not yet been paid. The Commission established that the NGO was having difficulties implementing the project in this strife-riven country. The NGO was asked to reorient the project and the measure has been extended.

As regards the Cestas project in Cape Verde, the health ministry complained about the delay in the supply of equipment. The dispute was settled in 1993 following an evaluation mission. The Cestas project came to an end in 1994 once all the services forming part of the contract had been performed. It is now being continued directly with the health education unit of the relevant ministry.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3729/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Opening of a reduced tariff quota of 1000 tonnes for 'loin' fillets of tuna

Regulation (EC) No 702/97 ((OJ L 104, 22.4.1997, p. 8. )) of 14 April 1997 provided for the opening of an autonomous Community tariff quota for certain fishery products.

The regulation provided for the entry of 1000 tonnes of 'loin' fillets of tuna from third countries at half the normal customs duty.

Will the Commission say why this possibility was opened to countries which enjoy generalized preferences and agreements such as the Convention of Lomé?

Was this an exceptional measure or is it likely to be repeated in the near future?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3729/97 and E-3730/97 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (23 January 1998)

An autonomous Community quota for the import of 1 000 tonnes of tuna loin fillets at a rate of customs duty of 12% was opened for 1997 on account of the difficulties the European tuna canning industry was experiencing in obtaining supplies. These difficulties sprang from the general situation on the world market in tuna (buoyant demand faced with inadequacy of supplies) as well as from changes in the methods of treating the raw material (development of ways of cutting the tuna into loin fillets in the countries close to the fishing grounds so that the 'useful' product only is transported for canning).

The tariff quota for loin fillets, intended for the Community processing industry, is directed at third countries other than the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, as the latter already benefit from totally duty free access.

Each year the Commission reviews the situation on each of the markets for which Member States submit requests for quotas or for suspensions of tariff duty. The review for 1998 is now under way and the Commission proposals are planned for late January 1998, which is the usual date for this exercise. In the case of tuna, a request was made to open a quota for loin fillets and this is being examined at the present time.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3551/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Experiments on embryos

The media have widely reported that an English biologist, Jonathan Slaek, has produced headless frogs by means of manipulation during the development of the embryo. This method makes it possible to develop embryos containing only certain organs. As Slaek himself states, it is hoped to extend this method to mammals, including human beings, so as to obtain a kind of 'organ factory' through the use of cloning.

Given that many researchers in various European states have said that similar experiments are being conducted in their laboratories, will the Commission state in what research centres such experiments are taking place and whether such research work is compatible with the Convention on human rights and biomedicine, as adopted by the Council of Europe in November 1996 and signed by nine EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden), and generally with EU law and EP resolutions?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

The Commission is aware of the media attention being given to the experiments referred to by the Honourable Member.

This type of research in no way forms part of the Community framework research and technological development (TRD) programmes that are either in progress (4th Framework Programme) ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )) or awaiting a decision (5th Framework Programme) ((COM(97) 142 final. )). The Commission feels that this type of research is incompatible with basic ethical principles.

These principles are covered by Article 6 of the proposed 5th Framework Programme, and by a reference in Article 10 of the proposal for a decision on the rules governing participation in research activities (Article 130J).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3732/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS)

Would the Commission inform me of the state of progress in implementing these agreements in the audiovisual sector?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (23 December 1997)

As a result of the Uruguay round the Community and its Member States did not undertake any specific commitments on market access (MA) and national treatment (NT) on audio-visual services. In addition, exemptions to the General agreement on trade in services (GATS) most-favoured nation (MFN) obligation ((This obligation applies unless it is specifically excluded, even if there are no specific commitments for a given sector. )) were undertaken in order to preserve works of European origin; the possibility to maintain bilateral or plurilateral agreements on coproduction of audiovisual works in relation to distribution and access to funding; and, European support programmes such as the action plan for advanced television services, MEDIA or Eurimages. Therefore, the Community and its Member States have no specific MA and NT obligations to apply GATS principles or commitments in the field of audio-visual services.

Furthermore, only a very limited number of World trade organisation (WTO) countries have commitments on audio-visual services and many have in addition taken MFN exemptions. The only problems on the implementation of those commitments raised so far are:

(i) United States: on 15 February 1997, the United States undertook an MFN exemption on satellite transmission of direct to home, digital broadcast services and digital audio services in the framework of the GATS agreement on basic telecommunications. The Community indicated at the time that this MFN exemption was in conflict with the American obligations on audio-visual services under the GATS. It is not possible to predict yet whether the United States will take any measures in this sense, since the Agreement on basic telecoms only enters into force on 1 January 1998. In any case, the Community reserved its rights as to possibly challenging that MFN exemption in the future.

(ii) Canada: although Canada undertook no specific MA and NT commitments on audio-visual services and protected some audio-visual activities through MFN exemption, this exemption does not protect film distribution activities. Therefore Canada is bound to the MFN obligation for film distribution services. The Commission is currently analysing the case of an European film distributor (Polygram) which claims to be suffering a discrimination in Canada vis-à-vis American distributors of film. The Commission and the Member States have had informal consultations with the Canadian government in order to clarify this situation and analysis continues.

The Commission is not aware of any further problems of application of the GATS agreement in relation to audio-visual services.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3243/97 by Alfonso Novo Belenguer (ARE) to the Commission (20 October 1997)

Subject: Transport of plutonium by sea

From December 1997 onwards France will increase its shipments of plutonium transported by sea from the French reprocessing plant of La Hague to Japan. In order to make the journey, the ships have to pass close to the Spanish coastline of Galicia and the Canary islands, with the danger which such hazardous waste entails.

Does the Commission know what route will be taken regularly by these ships on their way to Japan?

Has the Commission taken any steps to ensure that such dangerous radioactive cargo does not pass close to the coast?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1997)

According to Directive 93/75/EEC concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods ((OJ L 247, 5.10.1993. This Directive is being amended in order to incorporate the radioactive materials covered by the INF code. )), all operators of vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods, including nuclear materials, leaving a port of a Member State, or leaving a port outside the Community and bound for a port of a Member State, have to notify to the authority certain information, notably the intended route of the vessel.

The objective of the law is to improve information to national authorities in case of a maritime accident involving dangerous substances carried on board a vessel. Since, in this situation, other Member States involved should also be informed, the Commission does not need to be directly involved in the notification process, which serves an operational purpose. The Commission would only intervene in the event of failure to comply with this Directive.

Taking into account in particular the present level of protection for transporting packages used for the transport of plutonium shipped which conforms to the International maritime goods (IMDG) code and the code for the safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes in flasks on board ships (INF) of the International maritime organisation (IMO), the Commission does not currently envisage proposing further initiatives at Community level addressing routing of ships carrying plutonium or other radioactive materials.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4176/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Cohesion policy and culture

Can the Commission say what cultural projects were cofinanced in the context of the Community Initiative programmes during the programming periods 1989-1993 and 1994-1999, specifying the countries involved, the regional objective under which each project came, the total cost of execution and the amount cofinanced by the Community?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1998)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4185/97 by Bárbara DÜHRKOP DÜHRKOP to the Council. Ban on use of driftnets and the UK Presidency



Official Journal C 196 , 22/06/1998 P. 0094



WRITTEN QUESTION E-4185/97 by Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (PSE) to the Council (22 January 1998) Subject: Ban on use of driftnets and the UK Presidency Further to the decisions taken by the most recent Council of Ministers for Fisheries, what measures will the UK Presidency propose to the Council to end the use of driftnets? Answer (7 April 1998) The Presidency intends to make every effort, with the support of the Commission and taking account of the views of the European Parliament, to achieve the necessary conditions in the Council so that a decision on this issue may be taken at the earliest opportunity.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3864/97 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (5 December 1997)

Subject: Progress in implementing the regional operational energy programme in Greece

Greece's dependence on imports of foreign oil combined with the dollar's rise in value and the resultant increase in the price of liquid fuels have created serious problems in terms of the balance of trade and employment in Greece. These developments in conjunction with the pollution caused by extensive use of hydrocarbons have once again brought the spotlight to bear on the critical issue of promoting domestic renewable energy sources in Greece.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say what stage has been reached to date in implementing the regional operational energy programme under the Community Support Framework for Greece, with particular regard to the promotion of renewable energy sources?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998)

The operational programme for energy in the Community Support Framework for Greece has to date absorbed 98% of the public expenditure programmed for the first four years, i.e. 59% of the total amount planned for 1994-99. ECU 100.4 million, or 21% of the total for the programme, is allocated to renewable energy. Of this amount, ECU 25.9 million is earmarked for the development of applied technology infrastructure, demonstration of applications and determining what potential is technically and financially exploitable. The remaining ECU 74.5 is earmarked for assisting the private sector to invest in geothermal energy, hydraulic mini-facilities on water courses with a minimum capacity of 300 kW up to 5 mW and existing hydraulic networks, wind power, passive and active solar systems in buildings (particularly for heating, refrigeration and hot water), biofuel production and the use of renewable energy in sea-water desalination plants.

The private sector will mobilise an additional ECU 90.5 million towards the cost of these investments. The body responsible for managing the appropriations is currently signing contracts worth ECU 76 million to implement 26 projects selected out of a total of 68 proposals submitted under the first call for tenders. At the closing date for the second call for tenders (31 October 1997), 120 proposals had been submitted, representing ECU 501 million. These proposals are currently being assessed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4086/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (16 January 1998)

Subject: Mapping of indigenous territories in the Amazon region

A number of projects to map indigenous territories and protected areas in the Amazon region have been carried out on the instructions of the European Commission.

What contacts exist, in connection with the mapping of indigenous territories and protected areas, between the Commission's project partners and the respective national institutions in the Amazon states concerned? How does the Commission evaluate that cooperation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4084/97, E-4085/97 and E-4086/97 given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (3 February 1998)

The Community has financed numerous projects in Amazonia involving the mapping of indigenous territories, through the tropical forest budget line. These projects aim to establish the limits of indigenous territories with the primary intention of encouraging the conservation and sustainable development of tropical forests, so that such groups can chose to continue to practise their traditional ways of life wherever feasible and sustainable given competing demands from other land-users.

The Commission was invited to assist developing countries establish an accurate overall view of indigenous lands in their territories. In this context the Commission is preparing a working document on support for indigenous people in development cooperation.

The Commission has assisted the Instituto socio-ambiental (ISA) in Brazil to prepare accurate, up-to-date maps of indigenous territories in that country, and to set up a network linking similar organisations in Latin America to share experience and coordinate transboundary activities. This work is continuing in a second phase which is just getting under way, that will incorporate other geographical information such as vegetation types, into a single GIS (geographic information system). ISA has thus become the national repository of information on indigenous territories in Brazil, to the extent that government organisations such as National foundation of support to the indigenous (FUNAI), turn first to ISA for maps and to help resolve land conflict issues involving indigenous people. ISA has also got strong links with the G7 pilot programme, particularly the 'Indigenous lands' project, which has been demarcating the legal boundaries of recognised indigenous groups in the Brazilian Amazon with support from the German government and the Community (through the Rainforest trust fund).

In Brazil, ISA maintains very close contact with the government, especially FUNAI, the federal department responsible for indigenous affairs.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-4066/97 by Nel van Dijk (V) to the Commission (15 December 1997)

Subject: Poison spray used on people

In the village of Orgiva in the province of Granada in the south of Spain, olive-tree plantations are being sprayed from aircraft with pesticides. The pesticide concerned is the phosphoric acid ester dimethoate.

Is the use of this phosphoric acid ester permitted under European legislation? Is it in accordance with the code of good agricultural practice to spray this agent from an aircraft not only onto olive trees but also onto the people of the village of Orgiva - men, women, children and infants - as well as any tourists incidentally present? What action will the European Commission take to put a stop to abuses of this kind?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998)

Dimethoate is an insecticidal active substance which was authorized for use in plant protection products in most Member States before the implementation date (25 July 1993) of Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market ((OJ L 230, 19.8.1991. )), and therefore can continue to be authorized by Member States in accordance with the provisions of Article 8(3) and (4) of that Directive.

Directive 91/414/EEC provides that, in granting the authorization for such a plant protection product, the Member State must have established that the product, having regard to all normal conditions under which it may be used, has no harmful effect on human or animal health, directly or indirectly. Moreover, this Directive provides, in Article 3, that plant protection products must be used properly. Proper use includes compliance with the above mentioned safety conditions of use and also with the application of the principles of good plant protection practice.

The facts mentioned by the Honourable Member seem to indicate a practice which is not in accordance with the above mentioned provisions. The Commission will ask further information of the Spanish authorities on these facts as well as on the measures taken to ensure that the above mentioned provisions are adequately in case of spraying from aircraft.