ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/354

(2004/C 78 E/0372)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/02

by Lennart Sacrédeus (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 January 2003)

Subject: Treatment and life situation of girls and women in Afghanistan

Under the rule of the Islamic Taliban regime in Afghanistan, girls were not allowed to go to school to be educated. The Taliban's discrimination against women was all-embracing, systematised and part of Islamic, male-dominated ideology. Since the fall of the Taliban dictatorship, a great deal of disturbing information has continued to come out of Afghanistan — the CNN report of 22 October being one instance — that girls and women are still treated badly in many parts of the country, examples of which are child labour, being denied access to schooling or being sold into virtual slavery through the practice of marrying off young girls as a means of repaying debts.

What measures is the Commission currently taking to promote equal, unique and inviolable human dignity for girls and women in present-day Afghanistan? Is it possible for the Union, through having representatives on the spot, to ensure that the rights and the precarious life situation of girls and children in general are improved?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2003)

The Commission is promoting change through its aid programme to Afghanistan. In 2002, specific projects for women were funded including the rehabilitation of women's baths and a park for women in Kabul. The Commission has also financed several initiatives to promote civil society and encourage advocacy for disadvantaged and minority groups, including women. Similar projects are planned for the future.

More broadly, the Commission alongside the international community, must ensure that the rights and roles of women are a key element of recovery and reconstruction. From facilitating their access to basic healthcare and education to pushing for their inclusion in all aspects of the policy making process. The Commission is a leading donor in the health sector where tackling child and maternal mortality as well as reproductive health issues are key priorities.

The Afghanistan Transitional Authority has set up two Advisory Groups on Gender and Human Rights as part of the Consultative Group Structure tasked with taking forward recovery and reconstruction. The meeting of the Afghanistan Development Forum in March 2003 will enable the international community to monitor progress, and to keep these issues at the heart of the Government's approach to development.

The international community must also work with the Government to ensure that the new Constitution enshrines Human Rights for all, including women, and that these are enforced through the judicial system. The Commission is contributing to the Law and Order trust fund which will help to finance judicial reform and to ensure that laws are implemented effectively.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/4

(2004/C 33 E/004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1954/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: European Year of Remembrance and Reconciliation

What consideration is the Commission giving to whether it would be desirable to designate 2005 as the European Year of Remembrance and Reconciliation in order to positively mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2002)

The Commission has given careful consideration to the suggestion that 2005 should be designated as the ‘European Year of Remembrance and Reconciliation’.

It is clearly desirable that the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War — the end of war within the boundaries of our Union — should be marked in a positive way. The Commission believes, however, that the process of enlargement including the welcoming of new Members of the Parliament and new Members of the Commission is its most tangible demonstration of reconciliation. It is, of course, precisely because it remembers the First and Second World Wars and the sacrifices made by its fellow Europeans that the Commission is determined to ensure the peace, security and stability of an enlarged Union.

Whilst the Commission is not proposing to designate 2005 as the European Year of Remembrance and Reconciliation as suggested by the Honourable Member, it is considering the possibility of focusing activities on 9 May 2005 on these specific themes. This would be an effective means of informing citizens of the very essence of the Union, of the values on which the Union was founded and which continue to guide the aims and objectives of the enlarged Union. The celebration of the peaceful enlarged Union of 2005 would be fitting act of remembrance.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0321/03

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2003)

Subject: Open borders

Can the Commission spell out what are the precise responsibilities of Member States with regard to keeping borders open for the free movement of trade? Can the Commission also spell out what should be the penalties on Member States for failure to keep borders open, and specifically what measures have been taken to penalise France for the closures of the port of Calais last year, and what compensation should be due for those who have suffered as a result?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2003)

Article 14(2) of the EC Treaty lays down that the internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers, within which the free movement of goods is ensured in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty. This fundamental principle is implemented in particular by Articles 28 and 29 of the EC Treaty, which lay down that quantitative restrictions on imports and exports and all measures having equivalent effect shall be prohibited between Member States.

As an indispensable means of achieving the market without internal frontiers, these provisions require the Member States not only not to act or behave in any way which is liable to constitute an obstacle to trade, but also, pursuant to Article 10 of the EC Treaty, to take all appropriate and necessary measures to ensure that this fundamental freedom is upheld on their territories.

It falls to the Court of Justice, in proceedings for failure to fulfil Treaty obligations, and taking account of its powers of assessment, to establish whether the Member State concerned has taken measures to ensure the free movement of goods as required by the above-mentioned Articles. On concluding its assessment, the Court may find against that State because its actions (or its failure to act) are incompatible with Community law.

The Court has also established the principle that a State in this position is liable for a breach of the EC Treaty. Accordingly, if found to be in breach of Community law, it should be required to compensate anyone who has established a sufficiently serious breach of a rule which affords him rights and the existence of a causal link between the injury suffered and the alleged breach.

As regards the case referred to in the question, the Commission has not received a complaint concerning the closure of the of the port of Calais, and has no information likely to provide grounds for its initiating proceedings for a breach of Article 226 of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0177/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 January 2003)

Subject: Mass poisoning of stray animals in Zappeion Park

Animal welfare and environmental organisations in Greece have condemned the mass killing of animals in Zappeion Park which took place only a few days before the official ceremony inaugurating the Greek Presidency and the meeting of the College of EU Commissioners in Zappeion Hall on 10 January 2003. Dogs and cats which had been neutered and vaccinated by animal welfare organisations were killed by a powerful poison, and traces of this poison have been found even in children's playgrounds.

Given that similar practices have occurred in the past both in Athens and in other regions of Greece, possibly with EU funding earmarked for the protection of strays (for instance, dog shelters), will the Commission say whether it intends to investigate these allegations? What is the Commission's overall view of Greek policy on animal protection?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2003)

The Commission deplores all forms of cruelty towards and inhumane treatment and neglect of animals. The welfare of stray dogs and cats is, however, a matter which falls entirely within the responsibility of the Greek authorities and there is no legal basis for intervention by the Commission.

In areas of animal welfare which are subject to Community harmonisation and notably the protection of animals during transport and at the time of slaughter or killing and the protection of farmed animals, Greek implementation and enforcement is still, regrettably, deficient. This has been demonstrated by mission reports of the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) and by many complaints received from animal welfare organisations. The Commission is currently considering the results of a further FVO mission, which took place between 13-17 January 2003.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0368/03

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 2003)

Subject: Problems affecting the truffle market

The truffle is still one of the most highly prized gastronomic products in a number of Member States, in particular Italy and France. However, the increase in consumption has given rise to three phenomena, which to some extent are interconnected: firstly, imports from countries outside the Community of large

quantities of truffles which are sometimes indistinguishable from European ones, secondly, the use of essences of various kinds (sometimes hydrocarbons), which may be harmful to health, to enhance the flavour of truffles, especially imported ones, and thirdly, a growing fashion for truffle-flavoured products (pasta, oil, butter, etc.), often containing these same chemical flavourings.

Can the Commission say what the situation is and what measures can be taken on the basis of the facts outlined above?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2003)

There are several species of truffle on the market, some originating from the Community such as Tuber melanosporum (black Truffle), Tuber magnatum or Tuber aestivum (both white truffles), others exclusively originating from third countries (such as Tuber indicum, Asian truffle), all difficult to distinguish from each other. At the moment, there are no Community Regulations specifically requiring the labelling of the species marketed, nor is this question addressed by any international standards. However, the Commission is following the initiatives taken by certain Member States with a view to asking the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to elaborate a UNECE standard for fresh truffles that could address this situation.

The Commission is not aware of any problem concerning truffle flavour.

The use of chemically defined flavouring substances in and on food is not yet harmonised in the Community. Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2232/96(1) lays down a procedure for the establishment of a Union positive list of flavouring susbstances. Before this list is adopted, all flavouring substances used in the Member States will be scientifically evaluated according to the programme laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000(2). The Community positive list should be adopted by July 2005.

Until then, national legislation on the authorisation and use of flavourings stays in place. The control of compliance with existing legislation falls within the responsibility of the Member States.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of 28 October 1996 laying down a Community procedure for flavouring substances used or intended for use in or on foodstuffs, OJ L 299, 23.11.1996.

(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000 laying down the measures necessary for the adoption of an evaluation programme in application of Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0592/03

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: European Union funding for Niedersachsen 2002

1. What amounts of European Union funding were paid to Niedersachsen in 2002 from:

- the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),

- the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guidance Section,

- the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guarantee Section,

- the European Social Fund (ESF),

- European Community research programmes,

- European Community programmes for the environment,

- other European Community programmes?

2. Who were the beneficiaries?

3. What amounts were made available by way of co-financing either with the Land of Niedersachsen or with the Federal Republic of Germany?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0495/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 February 2003)

Subject: Respecting and promoting linguistic diversity in Europe

Paragraph 13(f) of Parliament's resolution of 14 January 2003 on the role of regional and local authorities in European integration (P5_TA_PROV(2003)0009) calls for the following new Article 151a to be inserted in the EC Treaty:

The Community shall, within its spheres of competence, respect and promote linguistic diversity in Europe, including regional or minority languages as an expression of that diversity, by encouraging cooperation between Member States and utilising other appropriate instruments in the furtherance of this objective.

Can the Commission say what action it intends to take to achieve this goal, bearing in mind that 2002 was declared the European Year of Languages and there are languages in Europe which enjoy official status in their respective regions of the Member States but receive no official recognition at EU level, as is the case with Catalan? What concrete proposals does the Commission have for promoting this group of languages, which are in a special situation?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

Following the European Year of Languages, which has without doubt contributed to the promotion of linguistic diversity and language learning, as can be seen from the report on its implementation(1), there has been a widespread desire to maintain the momentum in favour of language learning and linguistic diversity that was generated by the Year. Commission staff have prepared a Consultation Document on promoting language learning and linguistic diversity(2) around which a wide public consultation was launched in December 2002, and which was also addressed to the Parliament. On the basis of the results of the consultation, the Commission intends in mid 2003 to adopt an Action Plan to promote language learning and linguistic diversity based on actions using resources available in existing Community programmes and activities.

The Commission has proposed the adoption of an inclusive approach in which regional and minority languages are included. One of the questions put forward in the discussion document concerns the ways in which the Union could support Member States in promoting linguistic diversity.

In parallel, the Commission has financed a major study on support for minority languages in Europe which is now available on the web site of the Directorate General for Education and Culture(3).

The Commission has continued its financial support for the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages and the Mercator Information Network.

(1) COM(2002) 597 final.

(2) SEC(2002) 1234 of 13 November 2002.

(3) http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/langmin.html.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0428/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: The social clause in international fisheries agreements

In its most recent resolutions on international fisheries agreements (e.g. the resolution of 20 November 2002 on the EC-São Tomé and Príncipe fisheries agreement), the European Parliament has urged

that protocols to agreements should incorporate the social clause adopted by the sea fishing industry Social Dialogue Committee meeting in plenary session, on 19 December 2001, in order to ensure that all seamen sailing on EU vessels may enjoy freedom of association and the right of collective bargaining, suffer no discrimination, earn a decent wage and benefit from living and working conditions similar to those of EU seamen.

In what way will the Commission incorporate the social clause when negotiating future fisheries protocols with third countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

The Commission intends to systematically propose the inclusion of the social clause agreed by the social partners in all future negotiations with third countries for the conclusion of fishery agreements or renewals of fisheries protocols.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0849/03

by Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2003)

Subject: Impact of CAP reform on potato production

Potato farmers in the Community are this year suffering from one of their habitual cyclical crises, a phenomenon which points up the need to create a common organisation of the market (COM) in this sector. Despite farmers' attempts at self-regulation of production, price sensitivity to market fluctuations is such that crises are all but inevitable.

In this context of periodic price collapses, does the Commission not believe that its proposal for the reform of the CAP, entailing as it does the possibility of farmers entitled to decoupled aids choosing to convert to non-eligible crops, will tend only to further destabilise the potato sector? When does the Commission intend to submit an impact assessment on the effects of decoupled aids on such crops? Has the Commission definitively ruled out the introduction of a COM to regulate potato production?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

The Commission's common agricultural policy reform proposal is in fact designed to lead to market-oriented agriculture in which market rules would have to play their full preventive role and obviate any structural imbalance between supply of and demand for any particular product.

The Commission asks the Honourable Member to give careful consideration to the provisions of Chapter 5 of Title III of the reform proposal, which allow Member States to opt for a regional approach that could be very advantageous to traditional potato growers.

It should also be recognised that as for most crops potatoes require a certain amount of specialisation, investment in farm equipment and solid experience if they are to be successfully marketed.

Since the Member States have never been able to reach agreement on it, the Commission has recently withdrawn its proposal to the Council of November 1991 for a common market organisation for potatoes.

In any case, now that its proposal for common agricultural policy reform has been made, an organisation on the lines proposed no longer appears desirable.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(19 February 2003)

Subject: Impact of industrial fishing on the bird population

Has the Commission asked for any studies to investigate the consequences of industrial fishing for the sand eel population and the knock-on effects on the bird population, which seems to have been seriously compromised in UK coastal waters?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2003)

During the last decade, a sandeel fishery developed in the north-west North Sea, off the Firth of Forth. This is an important breeding area for seabirds, and the removal of large quantities of sandeel, within their foraging range, soon became a matter of concern. The United Kingdom called for a moratorium on sandeel fishing adjacent to seabird colonies along the United Kingdom coast and in response the Community requested advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

An ICES Study Group was convened in 1999. On the basis of the information available the study group proposed that kittiwake breeding success was the best practical indicator of sandeel availability, at least to seabirds; kittiwake populations decline with breeding success below a certain threshold, and increase with breeding success above another threshold. The Study Group therefore recommended using these two values as triggers to close and re-open, respectively, the sandeel fishery near the Firth of Forth. As breeding success of kittiwakes had declined below the threshold, the Study Group recommended that the fishery be closed.

The Community agreed with ICES advice to close the fishery. A three year closure, from 2000 to 2002, was decided and the Commission was asked to produce annual reports to the Council (Article 29a of Council Regulation EC No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms(1)).

Now that the three-year period has expired, the Commission is organising an expert consultation meeting to determine future action. A report compiled by British and Danish scientists will be presented at the meeting.

The report draws upon information from the following Community and nationally funded contracts:

- Population structure in the lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) and its implications for fishery-predator interactions (DG XIV CFP. 94/071);

- Effects of Large-scale Industrial Fisheries on Non Target Species (Elifonts) (CFP 95/078);

- Modelling population dynamics of sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) populations in the North Sea on a spatially resolved level (CFP 98/025);

- Interactions between the Maríne environment, Predators, and prey: implications for Sustainable Sandeel fisheries (Impress) (FP5 QOL-2000-5.1.2);

- Danish monitoring programme (Dalskov 2002, Jensen et al 2002);

- Ecosystem approach to defining the sustainable level of fishing for sandeels (Scottish Executive ROAME MF0463).

(1) OJ L 125, 27.4.1998.