ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1176/96 by Werner Langen (PPE) to the Council (17 May 1996)

Subject: Subsidies to the French textiles and clothing industry

The French government has plans to relieve the French textiles and clothing industry of the obligation to pay social insurance contributions amounting to an annual sum equivalent to DM 600 million. This represents a considerable cost and competitive advantage to the industry compared with manufacturers from other Member States.

1. Is the Council aware of the French government's plans?

2. If so, does it feel this massive subsidy is compatible with the principle of harmonizing competitive conditions in the EU?

3. What action does the Council intend taking against the plans to relieve the French industry of its obligations?

Reply (29 October 1996)

1. The Council wishes to point out that, as responsibilities divided up between the Community institutions, it is the Commission's task, under Artricle 93 of the EC Treaty, to keep Member States' systems of aid under constant review, to assess whether any plans to grant or alter aid are compatible with Article 93 and initiate the appropriate procedures where necessary.

2. This being the case, the Honourable Member would be better advised to refer part 3 of his question to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2053/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (19 July 1996)

Subject: Employment and the Florence European Council

The Florence European Council did not make any progress as regards a common employment policy. Since employment is the stated priority of the Member States' governments, the EU institutions and the social partners,

how does the Commission account for the fact that its proposals on the subject were rejected? What is the future of the Madrid and Essen Summit proposals concerning the inclusion of a chapter on employment in the revised Treaty on European Union to be produced by the 1996 IGC?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (21 October 1996)

In Florence, the European Council agreed on strategic guidelines on employment, growth and competitiveness reflecting the general integrated approach as well as several of the specific proposals put forward by the Commission in its communication of 5 June 1996 on a confidence pact ((CSE(96) 1 final. )).

The Dublin European Council of December 1996 will provide an opportunity to review progress achieved on the implementation of the European employment strategy at all levels, and to make recommendations for further steps, on the basis of a joint report from the Council and the Commission.

Many participants in the Intergovernmental conference, including the Commission, have proposed that there be included in the Treaty specific provisions in favour of a common strategy for employment. This proposal is being studied in the conference.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1927/96 by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Delays in initiating projects funded under the EDF

The European Union has made major efforts to step up and improve the effectiveness of development cooperation in Latin America. This has substantially improved its public image in the region.

The US's budgetary problems, historical prejudice and the attitude adopted in some cases by the US administration have caused some Latin American countries to be wary of the United States.

Would the Commission state what steps it intends to take with a view to ensuring that the transatlantic dialogue between the US and the EU, which is of vital importance, does not have an adverse effect on countries which have suffered more directly than others from measures such as the extra-territorial laws, withdrawal of certification, and so on?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1996)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view that there has been both a quantitative and qualitative improvement in development cooperation between the Community and Latin America. It also believes that the major improvement in relations between the two regions has enhanced the Community's image in the eyes of Latin American governments and citizens.

The Commission will therefore continue to deepen ties between the Community and the Latin America countries on the basis of their separate and special model for their relations founded on dialogue, development cooperation and the respect for international laws.

In its communication of July 1995 ((COM(95) 411 final. )) the Commission set out in detail the need to bolster and update ties between the Community and the United States. There is no reason why this should have an adverse effect on third countries.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1140/96 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (13 May 1996)

Subject: Register of products protected against imitation

On 6 March 1996 the Commission approved two proposals to the Council for regulations containing lists of agricultural food products which should be protected against imitation.

Will the Commission say what products were included in this list? What criteria did the Commission use for selecting these products?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1996)

On 6 March the Commission adopted the first proposal containing 320 names for registration as designations of origin or geographical indications under the procedure provided for in Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 ((OJ L 208, 24.7.1992. )) applying to names already protected or established by usage in Member States.

The names proposed for registration are those recognized as conforming to Articles 2 and 4 of the Regulation following mature consideration by the Commission. Article 2 lays down definitions and criteria for 'designation of origin' and 'geographical indication.'

In order to obtain the protection conferred by a designation of origin it has to be substantiated that the quality or characteristics of the product are essentially or exclusively due to the geographical environment, with its natural and human factors, and that production, processing and preparation take place in the defined geographical area.

In order to obtain the protection conferred by a geographical indication it has to be substantiated that a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics are attributable to that geographical origin and that production, processing or preparation take place in the defined geographical area.

Article 4 requires a specification with which a name seeking registration must comply.

Note that under Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 names that have become generic may not be registered.

The list of 320 names is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Secretariat of Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1816/96 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Utilization of Community funds in southern Italy

Most of the structural funding the European Union has earmarked for Italy for the period 1994-1999 is intended for the south of the country.

However, among the 14 trans-European network projects which have been given priority, the three major projects which involve Italy directly are located in the north of the country.

1. Given that, under the 'high speed' plan drawn up by the Italian railway authorities, almost all modernization and extension work to be carried out is concentrated on the northern part of the rail network, can the Commission, with due respect for the autonomous decision-making powers of the various bodies involved, make appropriate representations with a view to ensuring that greater attention is paid to the needs of the area to the south of the river Garigliano, with particular regard to essential services such as a modern rail network, modernization of the Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway link (now a matter of urgency) and fitting out of the port of Gioia Tauro, which, with its 5 thousand metres of wharfage, is the largest port facility in the southern Mediterranean and lacks adequate hydraulic structures, for which no less than Lit 4 thousand billion have already been earmarked.

2. Given the above, can the Commission propose that ad hoc national public companies be set up to serve as reference points and coordinators, so as to ensure that Community subsidies are properly utilized?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1996)

In the allocation of the structural funds to the southern regions of Italy for the period 1994-1999, considerable emphasis was put on the improvement of the major infrastructures mentioned by the Honourable Member.

In particular, 701 MECU in Community aid has already been decided in favour of the state railways company and 40 MECU for the port of Gioia Tauro. A water programme with an aid allocation of 871 MECU has also been approved and a roads programme with aid totalling 249 MECU is currently in the final stages of examination by the Commission.

The Commission will follow the implementation of these programmes carefully and remains open to discussions on how they might be improved or reinforced, in the light of implementation experience, the availability of resources and the potential impact on development in the southern regions.

As far as the management of large infrastructure projects is concerned the Commission is willing to explore in partnership with the Italian authorities any proposals they may have to ensure the best management of these important investments.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1200/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Regional country park in South-East Essex

Would the Commission support the setting up of a regional country park linking Pitsea Hall Country Park, Hadleigh Castle Country Park, green-belt land at the redundant Occidental industrial site in Canvey Island, reclaimed landfall waste sites at Pitsea and Westwick and the Site of Special Scientific Interest North of the Mobil Oil Refinery in Thurrock? Bearing in mind its knowledge of the area, is the Commission aware of similar proposals or examples in other Member States? Precisely which European programmes are available which might provide financial support for such a project?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (4 July 1996)

It is a long-standing policy of the Commission to support the reclamation of former industrial sites to improve the image of regions where this will lead to the generation of new economic activities. This is a particular priority in those areas affected by industrial decline which are eligible for structural funds grants under objective 2.

The Commission is not in a position to make a judgement about the specific example in the Honourable Member's question concerning the establishment of a large regional country park linking existing parks in the area with reclaimed land and sites. It is thus difficult to refer to proposals or examples in other Member States that might be similar.

It appears that there is no possibility of Community financial support for this project under existing structural funds programmes in the area concerned.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1699/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Export of cultural goods

With the aim of establishing 'an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods... is ensured' pursuant to Article 7a of the EC Treaty, the Community has adopted two measures relating to cultural goods - Council Regulation No 3911/92 ((OJ L 395, 31.12.1992, p. 1.)) of 9 December 1992 on the export of cultural goods and Council Directive 93/7 ((OJ L 74, 27.3.1993, p. 74.)) of 15 March 1993 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State.

These two legal instruments are designed to provide protection at Community level in addition to the measures that each Member State is entitled to adopt pursuant to Article 36 of the EC Treaty to protect its national treasures.

While emphasizing that these measures are fully justified, will the Commission, when conducting its three yearly review of the Regulation and Directive scheduled for 1996, and in the light of its reports on application of the measures pursuant to Article 10 of the Regulation and Article 16 of the Directive, pay particular attention to the following aspects:

1. application of the Regulation and Directive in the various Member States;

2. whether it would be useful to have a kind of passport or certificate accompanying such works of art;

3. the development of cooperation between the police and the courts in identifying cultural objects that have been stolen or unlawfully exported?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1996)

In the report referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission will examine all the issues deemed of relevance for drawing up 'a report reviewing the application' of the Directive on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State, as required by Article 16(2) of the Directive, and 'a report on the implementation' of the Regulation on the export of cultural goods, as required by the third paragraph of Article 10 of the Regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1919/96 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Animal consignments - Bavaria: crossborder consignments of animals for slaughter

1. Via what border crossing-points are consignments of animals for slaughter delivered?

2. On what days of the week are animal transporters predominantly dispatched?

3. What species of animals are included in crossborder consignments of animals for slaughter?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1996)

The Commission is responsible for the approval of border inspection posts for veterinary checks of products and live animals arriving from third countries.

1) The border inspection posts Furth im Wald and Waidhaus in Bavaria are, in accordance with Commission Decision 95/357/EC ((OJ L 211, 6.9.1995. )) as last amended by Commission Decision 96/357/EC ((OJ L 138, 11.6.1996. )), approved for checking live animals for slaughter.

2) The Commission has no information as to the distribution of consignments of animals for slaughter during the week.

3) The approval of these border inspection posts covers all animals for slaughter.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2332/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Gianfranco Fini (NI) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: Frozen embryos

At the end of July, 3 300 human embryos frozen at the request of their parents, who then abandoned them, are to be destroyed. Under UK law, embryos may be kept in a frozen for no more than five years; this limit may be extended only at the specific request of the parents.

The couples who had asked for the 3 300 embryos to be frozen have disappeared without trace and decline all responsibility. It has proved impossible to contact 650 of the 910 couples concerned, while the remaining 260 have not replied to letters from the EFEA asking them to take a decision on the matter. It would be 'unacceptable' to continue to store the embryos without the consent of the parents and beyond a fixed limit. The authorities maintain that a limit is necessary in order to safeguard the integrity of frozen embryos, since it is still not known how long they can be maintained in that state without jeopardizing their future development.

In the light of what amounts to a massacre, would the Commission take legislative action to harmonize the existing laws and regulations in this extremely sensitive area, with due regard to the fact that natural laws may not be overturned by scientists, who have all too often shown their limitations, or by some visionary or other?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1996)

The matters raised by the Honourable Members fall within the competence of the Member States. The Commission has no intention to bring forward proposals to harmonise laws and regulations in this field.

The Commission is, however, well aware of the ethical issues linked to the applications of biotechnology. Under the fourth Community programme on research and technological development, a working group has been set up to deal with the ethical and legal issues of the protection of the human embryo and foetal tissue. The scope of this group is limited to Community research projects and does not cover United Kingdom legislation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: European Observatory for SMEs

One of the main tasks of the Observatory is to provide the Commission with data that will enable it to formulate specific policies for SMEs, including the craft sector. This data is also useful for national governments and organizations working in the sector.

In view of this and the extreme importance of this sector for creating new jobs which, in the near future, will undoubtedly no longer be generated by large-scale industries but by small craft firms, does the Commission not consider that the report, together with the executive summary, given its significance for all citizens of the Member States interested in the work of SMEs, should be published in all the European Union's official languages?

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

The Commission broadly shares the opinion of the Honourable Member as regards the importance and interest of the annual reports from the European Observatory for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which are an essential reference instrument for the Community institutions, national authorities and intermediary bodies representing SMEs. As a result, the Commission has encouraged the network responsible for compiling these independent reports to publish them in three languages and, as emphasised by the Honourable Member, the Commission itself ensures that the executive summaries of these reports are translated into all the Community languages and are disseminated as an Annex to the Commission's comments on each report.

Given the very nature of these reports, the Commission also feels that their dissemination could be further improved by other means such as those envisaged in its proposal on a third multiannual programme for SMEs ((OJ C 156, 31 May 1996. )). In particular, it will seek to determine whether it is possible to record the main qualitative and quantitative conclusions of the reports in a database which can be accessed directly by SMEs and whether some of the reports can be placed on the Internet. In order to reach a wider public, the Commission also intends to organise an annual conference at which the conclusions of each report would be discussed in depth with all the parties involved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1828/96 by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Council (8 July 1996)

Subject: Delays in starting up projects financed by the EDF

The Union's development cooperation with ACP countries takes place through budgetary resources and through the contributions which the Member States make via the EDF according to a time-table of periodic contributions?

Since it takes a long time to get EDF financed projects under way and the Union has suspended cooperation with a number of ACP countries because they have failed to respect human rights, the Member States' contributions of resources to fund the EDF are being paid increasingly late.

Can the Council say how that delay is going to affect the first contributions requested from the new Member States: Austria, Finland and Sweden?

Is this situation going to affect the eligibility of undertakings from the three Member States to participate in projects financed by the EDF?

Reply (7 November 1996)

The first call for contributions under the 8th EDF will not come before the entry into force of the Agreement amending the Fourth Lomé Convention and the Financial Protocol thereto, which must be ratified by two thirds of the ACP States and by all of the EU Member States. It seems unlikely that this will be the case before the beginning of 1997.

As regards the participation of firms from the three new Member States in projects financed by the 8th EDF, the Honourable Member's attention is drawn to Article 4 of the Protocol to the Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé consequent on the accession of the new Member States, the provisional application of which is provided for in Decision No 4/95 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 3 November 1995 ((OJ L 317, 30.12.1995. )) . That Article reads as follows: "Nationals and companies or firms (within the meaning of Article 274(2) of the Convention) of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and the supplies originating in the said States, shall not be eligible to take part in the calls for tender and contracts issued exclusively by the European Development Fund (EDF) to which the States of which they are nationals or companies have not contributed".

The firms in questions will therefore in fact be eligible once the revised Convention has entered into force.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (3 June 1996)

Subject: Successor to EU Helios Programme

Why has the Commission for the first time decided not to put forward a new social programme under Article 235 to replace the Helios Programme, when it decided to make such proposals in relation to the Women's Action and Anti-Poverty Programmes and the older people's programme? Does this not demonstrate that disabled people once again are accorded low status, and treated as a soft target for financial cutbacks?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 September 1996)

The Helios II programme will come to an end on 31 December 1996 but the final evaluation of the programme will only become available by 1 July 1997. In the meantime, it is considered that the benefits of Helios II can be developed without at this stage proposing a further programme of the same type. There is, therefore, no need to have recourse at this time to a programme under Article 235 of the EC Treaty.

On 30 July 1996 the Commission adopted a communication on non-discrimination and equality of opportunity for disabled people setting out its overall strategy in pursuing these objectives ((COM(96) 406 final. )). In addition, once the final evaluation report of Helios II is available the Commission will again take the opportunity to review and identify measures which could further reinforce cooperation at European level.

The Honourable Member can be assured that there is no question of disabled people being accorded low status by the Commission, nor are they considered as soft targets for financial cutbacks.