ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2382/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (6 September 1996)

Subject: European Union development cooperation with Ethiopia

In view of the alarming conclusions of the report commissioned by the EC on its development cooperation with Ethiopia, what action does DG VIII propose to take?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1996)

The Commission does not agree that the conclusions of the report on development cooperation with Ethiopia are alarming.

The report recognises that practically all Community aid to Ethiopia over more than 20 years was very relevant. In the context of the political instability, war and severe natural crisis faced by the country, the prospects for long term effectiveness and sustainability of aid were limited. It concludes that much of Community aid was a success in terms of meeting objectives, and in terms of the efficiency with which it was provided. As regards the failures, the report identifies reasons which are partly internal to Ethiopia and partly internal to the Community (including over-complex procedures - some of which are beyond the Commission's direct control - and organisational weaknesses due to a lack of specialised man-power). Comparison with similar large-scale country evaluations conducted by other donors shows their experience is very similar, even in contexts less extreme that those of Ethiopia in the 1970's and 1980's.

The report recommends simplifying and focusing the range of aid instruments, strengthening strategic planning at the country level, improving macroeconomic and sectoral policy analysis and policy dialogue, reinforcing the project cycle (better project preparation and supervision), decentralising and simplifying aid administration including procedures for disbursement, tendering and procuring programme aid, improving standards of reporting, and better deployment of resources, including more staff.

The report recognises 'some of these problems are currently being tackled'. The need for more coherent and integrated use of the different instruments and forms of aid, for an intensified dialogue on policies with the government, and for a more comprehensive country strategy were taken into account by the Commission in preparing for the negotiations leading to the conclusion of the 8th European development fund indicative programme for Ethiopia. Sectoral policy dialogue is already the context for the Community intervention in the road sector and substantial efforts are being made to improve the Community intervention in the structural adjustment process. In some areas quick progress is limited by a number of factors, (not exclusive to Ethiopia) including the problem of human resources, simplifying and focusing the range of instruments, and decentralising and simplifying administration and procedures.

Working methods and delegation of authority need to be examined within the framework laid down for Community decision making, which involves consultation with Member States prior to decision and implementation. Improvements can be expected in project preparation, monitoring and reporting, and the deployment of resources of all kinds.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1963/96 by Shaun Spiers (PSE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Welfare of broiler birds reared for meat

Bearing in mind the concerns expressed by animal welfare organizations, does the Commission intend to propose legislation which will oblige broiler breeding companies to halt the trend towards ever-faster weight gain and to seek to reverse the genetic selection which has resulted in health problems such as leg weakness and ascites in birds destined for slaughter at 6-7 weeks?

Will the Commission confirm that these, together with the other health problems which affect intensively reared broiler birds, will be addressed by the Scientific Veterinary Committee in its updated report on the welfare of hens and by the proposals for a Council regulation which the Commission is expected to forward before the end of 1996?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1963/96 and E-1964/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1996)

There is currently no Community legislation on the subject of the keeping and breeding of poultry kept for meat production. The Commission's approach in this domain has been to support and participate actively in the initiatives under the European convention on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes to which the Community is a contracting party. All Member States have ratified this convention.

A recommendation on domestic fowl was adopted by the standing committee of this European convention. This text covers, among other things, the issues which are of particular concern to the Honourable Member, notably the development of breeds or strains of poultry which would limit or reduce animal welfare problems.

With regard to the practice, mentioned by the Honourable Member, of keeping broiler breeders in a total state of chronic hunger, the recommendation under the European convention mentioned above provides specifically that feed levels for breeding birds shall not be so low that they are caused distress.

The Commission is presently examining the most appropriate way of implementing this recommendation within the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2886/96 by Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER to the Commission. Milk exports from Great Britain



Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0113



WRITTEN QUESTION E-2886/96 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (31 October 1996) Subject: Milk exports from Great Britain What milk products, and in what quantities, have 1. entered the individual Member States, 2. been exported to non-EU countries (please specify target countries) from Great Britain each year since 1988? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996) 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 E-2146/96 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission (3 August 1996)

Subject: Saturation planting of oilseed rape in the UK

Is the Commission aware of the strong public concern at health risks from rape planting?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1996)

A similar written question was put in 1991 ((No 2414/91 - OJ C 159, 25.6.1992. )). The Commission is still not aware of any demonstrated health risk from rape planting. Nevertheless, the Commission knows there is some concern about alleged links between allergic symptoms in humans and the flowering of oil seed rape. Therefore, the Commission is interested in the results of a new investigation using novel scientific procedures at the Crop research institute near Dundee.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2408/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: The required renovation of Paramaribo

Has the Commission received reports concerning the disastrous fire that destroyed the Suriname parliament building?

Is the Commission aware that the wooden parliament building was one of the most beautiful old buildings in the capital, Paramaribo, and that, together with many other wooden buildings, it formed part of the cultural heritage of Suriname?

Is the Commission aware that many other wooden buildings are also in an advanced state of disrepair and, in the long term, will have to be regarded as being lost for ever unless they are renovated promptly?

Does the Commission realize that the renovation and reconstruction of Paramaribo could provide a large number of jobs in a city which has a high rate of unemployment and that, in this way, the city could become more attractive as regards tourism, a sector which could also provide the required jobs?

How much money does Suriname receive annually from the development aid resources earmarked for the ACP States, and is it possible, should the Suriname Government so wish, to allocate some of that money to the reconstruction of the Suriname parliament building and the renovation of Paramaribo?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1996)

The Commission is aware of the fire that destroyed, on 1 August 1996, the historic buildings housing the National assembly and the ministry of foreign affairs in Suriname's capital Paramaribo. The Commission understands that following the fire, the Netherlands has written to the government of Suriname to indicate that it is prepared to finance the reconstruction of the National assembly and foreign affairs buildings. The Dutch government has already been involved in the rehabilitation of other historic buildings such as the presidential palace and fort Zeelandia.

As far as Community aid is concerned, Suriname has received in the last five years 27 MECU under the first financial protocol of the Lomé IV Convention. Discussions will begin in the near future with the government of Suriname on the priorities for the programmable resources available to Suriname as national indicative programme under the Lomé IV second financial protocol. Whilst not wishing to prejudge the outcome of these discussions, and taking into account the willingness of the Netherlands to participate in the reconstruction of the buildings, it would appear unlikely that the rehabilitation of historic buildings will be identified as a focal sector for future European development fund support.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2437/96 by Irene Soltwedel-Schäfer (V) to the Commission (18 September 1996)

Subject: Council Regulation (EC) No. 3281/94 of 19 December 1994 applying a four-year scheme of generalized tariff preferences (1995 to 1998) in respect of certain industrial products originating in developing countries

1. Is it likely that India will continue to figure among the countries to benefit from Regulation (EC) No. 3281/94 ((OJ L 348, 31.12.1994, p. 1. )) from 1 January 1998?

2. Is the Commission report referred to in Article 7(2) on the results of the studies carried out in international fora on the relationship between trade and labour rights already available?

3. Has the Commission already submitted the proposal for a Council decision referred to in Article 7(3)?

4. Will additional preferences be granted to certain groups of products only or to all exports from countries which fulfill the conditions set out in Article 7?

5. Has India applied for preferences on the basis of adopting and applying domestic legal provisions incorporating the standards laid down in ILO Convention No. 138 concerning minimum age for admission to employment?

6. Is an application for preferences admissible only if submitted by the government of a country or is it possible for a private organization to apply for preferences if it can be shown by the award of a product mark that the goods in question have been produced in compliance with, for example, ILO Convention No. 138 concerning minimum age for admission to employment?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (14 October 1996)

1. Yes.

2. No. Article 7(2) states that the Council will consider the report in 1997.

3. No. Article 7(3) requires the Commission to submit a proposal to the Council in the light of the Council's review, i.e. in 1997.

4. Article 7 is not limited to particular products.

5. No.

6. Article 7 provides for additional preferences to be given to countries which request them in writing. The rules for applying Article 7 to particular export operations in practice will be set out in the Commission proposal referred to in point 3; however, it is a basic rule of the generalized system of preferences that government bodies of beneficiary countries, not private organizations, are responsible for ensuring that the conditions for granting preferences are fulfilled.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2128/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) and Niels Sindal (PSE) to the Commission (3 August 1996)

Subject: Road haulage

A number of Danish hauliers have contacted us anonymously in the hope that we might be able to help them.

What will the Commission do to stop lorries being driven with excess loads in the EU? The carrying of excess loads is a well-known practice which hauliers come under pressure from freight forwarders, their customers, to accept. It is ultimately one of the main contributory factors in the reduction of safety on Europe's roads.

Will the Commission call on the Member States to monitor the weight of loads carried by lorries?

Answer given by Mr Kinnnock on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)

All Member States have laid down in their national legislation maximum weight limits for heavy goods vehicles circulating on their territory. For international transport these maximum authorised weights have been harmonised by Community legislation.

The enforcement and control of weight limits is a matter which falls fully within the responsibility of the individual Member States. It is primarily in their interest to prohibit overloading both for reasons of road safety and in order to protect their infrastructure against excessive deterioration.

A more systematic control of the weights of vehicles may be possible when modern automatic systems for weighing in motion are more generally applied. The Commission has supported and will continue to support development of systems that will contribute to an effective enforcement of weight limits.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1262/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (24 May 1996)

Subject: Athletes as employees

As a result of the EU Treaties athletes are increasingly regarded as employees.

Has the Commission therefore considered whether the status of employee might conflict with current regulations on doping, which can prevent athletes from exercising their profession?

Has the Commission considered clarifying the current regulations?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (31 October 1996)

Further to its answer of 18 July 1996, and after thorough investigation the Commission is glad to inform the Honourable Member that no questions or complaints have been received by the Commission dealing with the matter raised by the Honourable Member. Also, the Commission knows nothing about the cases to which the Honourable Member refers. Enquiries to some of the sports organisations indicate that no such cases are known at this moment.

On the general subject of doping the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-471/96 by Mr Boniperti ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996. )) in which reference was made to the ongoing activities in the Community.

The Commission invites the Honourable Member to draw to the attention of the Commission any case in which doping and freedom of movement overlap. The Commission will be more than willing to make a preliminary assessment of the case.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1929/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Discrepancies in translations of the most recent provisions on BSE

Following the EU's imposition of an embargo on exports from the UK of beef and veal and their derivatives and the events relating to the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), it was decided on 11 June 1996 that the embargo on imports of gelatine derived from bovine tissue should be lifted (Decision 96/362/EC) ((OJ L 139, 12.6.1996, p. 17. )).

The major disparities found in the various language versions of that directive could have extremely serious consequences. The Italian version states that gelatin may be produced from 'pelli, carnicci, tendini e nervi' (skins, fleshings, tendons and nerves) while all the other language versions refer only to 'hides, skins and tendons'. Nerve tissue and fleshings are believed to carry with them a high risk of contagion from BSE.

Is the Commission aware of the above situation?

Which language version is authentic?

Does the Commission believe that the words added were simply a mistake on the part of the translator or that, given the economic interests at stake, they were actually a deliberate misrepresentation of the original text?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1996)

1. Decision 96/362 is addressed to all Member States so all language versions are authentic.

2. As regards the word 'nervi', the Commission admits that there is a material error in the Italian version. As soon as it became aware of this mistake, it adopted and published a corrigendum (see OJ L 172 of 11.7.1996, p. 28, Italian version). The correct term was 'legamenti'.

3. As regards 'pelli e carnicci', the Commission believes that there is no error here as these are the appropriate technical terms in Italian in the light of the terms or words used in the other Community languages. 'Carniccio' is the technical term for adipose and connective tissues on the inside of the skin. The Commission does not deem it necessary to make a distinction, from the public and animal health point of view, between the skin in the strict sense of the term and the tissues naturally attached to it when it is removed from the carcass.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2825/96 by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Recognition of the profession of occupational therapist in Italy

Directive 92/51/EEC, governing the general system for the recognition of professional education and training to be applied by Member States, has been in force since 18 June 1992. ((OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 25. ))

In Member States such as Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom persons can qualify as an occupational therapist by taking a bachelor's or equivalent degree and may undertake further research by studying for a master's degree or doctorate.

Occupational therapy is not regarded as a specialized branch of physiotherapy in any Member State, but is a separate discipline with its own official representative body, COTEC (European Committee of Occupational Therapists for the European Community).

In the judgment handed down on 25 July 1991 the Court of Justice already ruled against Italy because Law 752/84, in conjunction with the later implementing decree issued on 16 July 1986, whereby entitlement to recognition in Italy of diplomas leading to admission to health professions awarded in other Member States is restricted to Italian nationals, is contrary to Articles 48, 52, and 59 of the Treaty, which enable workers within the EU to enjoy freedom of movement, freedom of establishment, and the freedom to provide services.

What steps will the Commission take to make Italy comply with the above-mentioned European Directive, thus ensuring that the Ministry of Health, responsible for this matter, can confer official status in Italy on occupational therapy qualifications obtained in other Member States?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2139/95 by Mrs Muscardini ((OJ C 326, 6.12.1995. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/96 by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (26 July 1996)

Subject: Planned installation of a desalination plant in the municipal district of Pulpí (Almería)

A plan to instal a desalination plant at Playa de las Palmeras in the municipal district of Pulpí (Almería) has been submitted.

All the indications from the reports submitted are that the aim is to build a power station, since all the power generated is to be sold to 'Sevillana de Electricidad', while the desalination plant will only be a by-product of the power station's cooling system.

Activities of this kind pose a threat to the environment, as well as to sectors such as agriculture and tourism, and the project could be funded partly from ERDF funds allocated by the Commission.

Has a prior environmental impact assessment been carried out for this project?

Does the Commission not believe that the content and implications of the plan should be made known as a matter of urgency?

What representations will the Commission make to the Spanish authorities to persuade them to carry out a wide-ranging study into this project to ensure that Community legislation is being observed?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1996)

The project referred to by the Honourable Member is not currently the subject of any application for co-financing by the European Regional Development Fund. Were such an application to be lodged, the Commission would ensure that it complied with the Community legislation in force.

Under Article 4(1) of Council Directive (EEC) 85/337 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, ((OJ L 175 of 5.7.1985. )) thermal power stations with a heat output capacity of at least 300 MW are subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure set out in the Directive.

The Commission will request information from the Spanish authorities to ensure that the aforementioned Directive has been properly applied in the case in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1933/96 by Luigi Florio (UPE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Italian translation of the decision of 11 June 1996 on mad cow disease

The Italian language version of Commission Decision 96/362/EC ((OJ L 139, 12.6.1996, p. 17. )) of 11 June 1996 amending Decision 96/239/EC ((OJ L 78, 28.3.1996, p. 47. )) on emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy reads: 'che tutte le atre materie prime (pelli e carnicci, tendini e nervi) siano sottoposte a trattamento alcalino come indicato al precedente trattino, seguito da trattamento technico a 138-140°C per 4 secondi' (Annex, paragraph 1, second indent).

The word 'nervi' (nerves) appears only in the Italian version and in none of the other language versions.

1. Which language version is authentic?

2. Does the Commission believe that the word 'nerves' was included by mistake?

3. If it does, how would it explain such a mistake which, rather than being a mistranslation, actually involves the inclusion of a new word?

4. Who will be held accountable for any damage to health which this mistake may cause in Italy, given that it was promptly transposed in a decree issued by the Minister for Health?

5. Who was responsible for the Italian translation of the aforementioned provision?

6. Who checks the work of translators?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1996)

1. As Commission Decision 96/362/ EC is addressed to all Member States, all the language versions are authentic. ((OJ L No 139 of 12.6.1996. ))

2. and 3. The Commission acknowledges that there was a material error in the Italian text. As soon as it became aware of the discrepancy vis-à-vis the other language versions, and in particular the error cited by the Honourable Member, it adopted and published an corrigendum. ((OJ L No 172 of 11.7.1996 (Italian version). ))

4., 5. and 6. Where such errors occur despite the checks that are carried out, the Commission assumes responsibility for this and sets in train as swiftly as possible the procedures laid down for making the necessary corrections. In the particular case referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission took the appropriate measures without delay to correct the mistake in the Italian version. It should be noted that the measure in question concerns gelatine and dicalcic phosphate produced in the United Kingdom and obtained from cattle slaughtered in the United Kingdom. The Commission has not yet fixed a date for resumption of consignments of the products listed in the Annex.