ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2418/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Monsanto and the terminator gene

What legal avenues are open to the EU to persuade or force Monsanto not to use its terminator gene?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1740/98

by Olivier Dupuis (ARE) to the Commission

(20 May 1998)

Subject: Financing of RAI (Italian public television) programme on Altiero Spinelli

On 7 and 8 May 1998, the first Italian public television channel, RAI 1, broadcast a programme on Altiero SPINELLI produced by Angelo Sferrazza and Edmondo Paolini and co-financed by the European Commission. The programme was broadcast at 00.50, in other words at a time when audiences are at their lowest or virtually non-existent.

Was the Commission informed of the time at which the programme was scheduled for broadcasting?

Can it state the exact amount provided for financing this programme and, more generally, the amounts and breakdown of funds allocated to Italian public television broadcasting?

Does the Commission not also consider it necessary to ensure that programmes co-financed by the EU - which is to say with European taxpayers' money - should be scheduled for broadcasting at times of the day when the largest possible numbers of European citizens stand to benefit from them?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

As part of the "Fathers of Europe" series, the Commission cofinanced the production by RAI of a documentary on Altiero Spinelli.

The grant from the Commission was ECU 40 000, i.e. less than a third of the cost of production.

The programme was presented to the press in Rome on 6 May 1998 and received widespread media coverage.

Since the programme was made by the "RAI Educational" Service, under RAI's own rules, it had to be broadcast for the first time on RAI Uno after midnight, the slot reserved for education programmes. It is also to be broadcast at better times.

Furthermore, the programme is being offered to the television stations which produced the other "Fathers of Europe" portraits and is being distributed throughout the Commission's information network.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1900/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Disability unemployment statistics in the EU

Would the Commission outline the sources of statistical information available on the levels of unemployment among people with disabilities in the EU?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Statistical information on the levels of unemployment among people with disabilities in the Community comes mainly from the registration of disability at the national authorities on employment, and, for some Member States, from national surveys on disability. A summary of these data (up to 1993) was compiled in a Eurostat/DG V document "Disabled persons: statistical data" published in 1995 of which copy is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. It should be noted that comparisons of the data on employment are hampered by differences in definitions used in the Member States. The fact that most of these data are concerned with the quota system also reduces the basis for comparisons.

It may be noted that the number of requests to the Commission for statistical data in the disability field is constantly increasing.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301/98

by Corrado Augias (PSE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Application of Article 93 of the Treaty

Does the Commission consider that the powers referred to in Article 93 of the EC Treaty with regard to ascertaining the compatibility of State aid with the common market are to be confined to examining the national laws regulating aid?

Or does it consider that these powers also extend to assessing the effects produced by such aid?

In the latter case and without prejudice to compliance with national laws, does the Commission consider that it is entitled to intervene to make Community law applicable to any counterproductive effects resulting from the application of aid?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Article 93 of the EC Treaty obliges the Commission to supervise the state aid policy and practice of Member States. The Commission must give its approval prior to the implementation of aid measures by Member States. This duty, by its very nature, cannot be limited to the examination of national regulations governing state aids. The Commission has to examine any kind of direct or indirect aid for enterprises from state resources, regardless of whether it is subject to a national regulation or not. Furthermore the Commission needs to be sure that any approved state aid regime is applied properly.

Consequently, and as the Honourable Member suggests, Article 93 and Article 92 of the EC Treaty require the Commission to carefully examine the actual or possible effects of the state aid measure under consideration. The lawfulness of aids, indeed, depends on their effects on competition and the trade between Member States and on whether the aid can be approved because of its contribution to objectives of the Community.

This duty of the Commission would be useless without a power to intervene. Article 93 of the EC Treaty therefore enables the Commission to authorize an aid measure compatible with the EC Treaty or to attach conditions to its authorization, in order to make it compatible. In these cases the Commission retains the right to monitor the aid schemes and to suggest changes for the future if the system no longer appears compatible with the EC Treaty. The Commission also could declare an aid scheme as not compatible with the common market.

The Commission can prohibit the payment of notified aid that would be in violation of the EC Treaty. It also can request the Member State - in order to restore undistorted competition - to recover authorized aid that has been misused or been authorized on the basis of incorrect information. The Commission finally can demand the recovery of subsidies paid without Commission prior authorization and which produce, or threaten to produce, effects incompatible with the common market.

For more transparency and efficiency of these procedures the Commission this year proposed a regulation on the procedure for applying Article 93 of the EC Treaty(1).

(1) OJ C 116, 16.4.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1788/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) , Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Effects on health of high-tension power lines

In recent years, many social groups (neighbourhood associations, environmentalists, etc.) have drawn attention to the effects on health of the electromagnetic fields created by the installation of high-tension power lines. Groups of scientists have also corroborated the theory that the electromagnetic radiation produced by these installations is harmful to the human body.

The harmful effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation seem to be confirmed by studies showing a link between exposure to such radiation and damage to health.

What are the most recent studies available to the Commission on electromagnetic contamination and effects on health?

Has the Commission examined the need for a directive on the effects of such radiation on public health?

Does the Commission consider that existing legalisation in the Community on the installation of high-tension power lines is adequate, particularly in Spain?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 1998)

The Commission keeps under review research undertaken on established, as well as presumed, health effects related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The latter are the object of various research initiatives by the Community as well as international efforts such as the EMF programme of the World health organization (WHO). A comprehensive review of relevant studies and provisions, entitled "Non-ionizing radiation: sources, exposure and health effects", was published by the Commission in 1996.

The Commission has provided extensive information on these initiatives. The subject was also raised in many petitions and parliamentary questions, in particular Written Questions E-2630/97 by Mrs Angelilli(1), E-1387/97 by Mrs Baldi(2), E-510/96 by Mr Ford(3), E-2751/96 by Mr Bowe(4) and E-2087/96 by Mrs Billingham(5).

The Commission presented in 1993 a proposal for a Council directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents(6) which included requirements on the limitation of exposure of workers to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the Commission has now proposed a Council recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hertz (Hz) - 300 Gigahertz (GHz)(7).

(1) OJ C 102, 3.4.1998.

(2) OJ C 373, 9.12.1997.

(3) OJ C 173, 17.6.1996.

(4) OJ C 60, 26.2.1997.

(5) OJ C 356, 25.11.1996.

(6) OJ C 77, 18.3.1993.

(7) COM(98) 268 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1165/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Regional airports and access to hub airports

Air traffic to and from regional airports constitutes a significant and growing sector in the aviation industry.

Does the Commission recognize that, set against the increased volume of travellers using regional airports, there remain disproportionate economic difficulties for regional airports in securing slots at hub airports?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1808/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Reform of general education syllabuses and commissioning of new school textbooks in Greece

Measure 1.1.a "Syllabuses - Textbooks" of subprogramme 1 "General and Technical Education" of the programme "Education and Basic Vocational Training" provides for specific procedures for drawing up syllabuses, for which the Coordinating Team and the Subject Committees are responsible, and for writing textbooks. Furthermore, the technical description of the measure specifies that the new books to be chosen and funded under the Second Community Support Framework must be in keeping with the syllabuses produced under the procedures laid down for the project.

Does the Commission know whether the new books proposed for funding are in keeping with the syllabuses drawn up by the Coordinating Team? Will the writing of the textbooks which will ultimately be selected for funding be commissioned directly or by competition? What method of commissioning has the Greek Ministry of Education chosen?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

The Commission considers that the new textbooks, written in the framework of measure 1.1 "Syllabuses and Textbooks" of the operational programme "Education and initial training" of the Greek community support framework should be in keeping with the syllabuses developed by the co-ordinating team. Nevertheless, the Commission does not have any more specific information on this matter.

According to the technical description of the measure, the writing of new textbooks selected for funding should be commissioned by open competition. Only in two specific cases can the writing of textbooks be commissioned directly, namely for textbooks for which copyright still exists, their updating and adaptation would be commissioned from their original authors; and for some textbooks for the Integrated Lyceum, which should be written urgently in order to be used already for the school year 1998-1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1817/98

by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Participation of central and eastern European countries in the 1999 pilot project for cultural action

The Kaleidoscope programme will expire this year. Next year, 1999, the Raphael programme is also due to expire. A common cultural framework programme for 2000 and the following years is currently being drawn up.

1999 will be a transitional year for cultural action, when some elements of the new framework programme will be contained in a pilot project, since Community legislation precludes any ordinary extension of the Kaleidoscope programme.

Bearing in mind that a conference is to be held in Graz, Austria, from 2 to 4 July on the topic "Management of change - cultural aspects of European integration and EU enlargement" and that I also drew attention to the importance of culture for the countries of central and eastern Europe in my opinion for Parliament's report on Agenda 2000, will the countries of central and eastern Europe be able to participate in the 1999 pilot project for cultural action? If so, which countries will be able to participate in the pilot project and on what terms?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 1998)

Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, have asked to participate in the Raphael Programme in 1999, the only Community cultural programme that will still be in operation at that date.

The Commission has presented a proposal relating to the "First European Community framework programme in support of culture (2000-2004)"(1).

In 1999, the Commission will launch preparatory measures for the programme, the terms of which it is currently drawing up. Here, the conditions under which the countries of central and eastern Europe can participate will be examined very closely.

(1) COM(98) 266 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1818/98

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Export of incapacitants from the UK to EU Member States

A company in my East Sussex constituency is a manufacturer of incapacitants for the police and security markets world-wide. The cost of sending a sample of an incapacitant spray to potential customers in EU Member States is £180. In addition to these exceedingly high costs there appears to be no common classification system for such products in the EU. In some countries incapacitant sprays are categorized as incapacitants, in others as a ballistic firearm.

1. What measures exist at European level which are applicable in all Member States for a clear classification of incapacitants?

2. What legislative framework exists at European level for courier companies engaged to transport incapacitants across national borders in the EU?

3. Are there any measures in place which could help to reduce the high costs of exporting samples of incapacitants to other Member States? If not, what action will the Commission take on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

1. and 2. Currently, there are no specific rules relating to incapacitants, their classification or their transport by courier companies at Community level.

3. In the absence of harmonised rules at Community level, Member States are free to adopt legislation, for example concerning the classification of the products mentioned, in order to protect legitimate interests, such as public safety and health. However, obstacles to intra-Community trade which arise as a result of such national legislation are only acceptable if they are compatible with the EC Treaty, in particular the provisions on the free movement of goods in Articles 30 to 36. This means that any national measures which regulate the production and marketing of incapacitants or might result in a high cost of exporting sample incapacitants might be considered as measures having equivalent effect falling within Article 30 EC Treaty if they restrict trade. Such measures could however be justified under Article 36 if they are necessary for the protection of the health and safety of for example the users of the incapacitants and proportionate in that it is not possible to achieve the same objective with other measures which are less restrictive to trade.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1602/98

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Professional standards at solariums

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has carried out a study at 68 solariums chosen at random in nine Spanish cities which warns of the very low professional standards of those working in these establishments where ultraviolet rays are used, while also warning that tanning sessions without proper supervision can cause irreparable damage to health.

According to this study, staff working in these establishments have no training, do not provide accurate information and do not take into account the skin type of users. Only six of the 68 centres visited gave advice on contra-indications and it is of particular concern that ten of them advised against the use of glasses to protect the eyes from radiation because "they would leave a mark". In addition, according to the OCU, the publicity material for solariums is a compendium of tired clichés, tendentious information, misleading advertising and reckless practice.

Will the Commission say whether any measures exist at European level to protect users from possible damage to their health which may occur at such solariums?

Are there any European laws governing equipment using ultraviolet rays for the purposes of tanning?

If not, does the Commission consider that appropriate measures need to be taken?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 1998)

The Commission is aware of the health risks related to the use of artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation for cosmetic purposes.

As a specific measure, Decision No 646/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 1996 adopting an action plan to combat cancer within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000)(1), proposed appropriate media campaigns making people aware of the risks associated with excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. The European week against cancer of 1996 addressed on a European scale the risk of excessive exposure by distribution of more than 25 million leaflets on the issue in Member States.

The lamps used for UV radiation are covered by Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits(2). This Directive also deals with the radiation from such equipment. Particular requirements for such appliances are fixed in standard EN 60335-2-27 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances - Part 2: Particular requirements for ultraviolet and infrared radiation skin treatment appliances for household and similar use).

However, Community legislation does not specifically cover the use of these lamps by suppliers of services nor does Community legislation demand mandatory health-risk related information to be given by sun centres to their customers. Therefore, Member States must themselves take necessary measure to protect the health and security of consumers.

(1) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996.

(2) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1883/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: SMEs

The Commission's report to Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the coordination of activities to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the craft sector (COM(07) 0610) (p. 30) states that in 1997 a reform was undertaken of the operating procedures of the Committee on Commerce and Distribution (CCD). At present there is also a parliamentary intergroup on commerce and distribution.

Are there arrangements for coordination between both forums in relation to the subjects dealt with on a monthly basis?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(22 July 1998)

The committee on commerce and distribution (CCD), established by Commission Decision 81/428/EEC of 20 May 1981(1), is a consultative body to the Commission whose members are entrepreneurs representing all sectors of commerce. Its main objective is to advise the Commission on policy matters with regard to commerce. The CCD normally meets in small working groups in order to discuss specific issues. Meetings are scheduled according to the urgency of the matter and to the need for debate and advice. The reform of the functioning of the committee in 1997 concerned internal working procedures.

There are no formal links between the CCD and the Parliament's commerce and distribution intergroup which is composed of members of the Parliament interested in issues related to commerce. However, these members of the Parliament are invited to the annual CCD conference where the president of the intergroup takes the floor. Whenever invited to intergroup meetings, the Commission participated in them and reported on CCD activities. The Commission will maintain the contacts with the Parliament intergroup and its members.

(1) OJ L 165, 23.6.1981.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1439/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Euro 1999

The current French government has announced its intention to reduce working time to 35 hours a week.

In the Commission's view, what impact would extending this measure to all Member States of the Union have on the competitiveness of European industry?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 1998)

The green paper "Partnership for a new organisation of work"(1) examines the scope for improving competitiveness and employment through a better organisation of work at the work place. Changes in working time should be considered in this context.

In the 1998 Employment Guidelines(2), the social partners are invited to negotiate, "at the appropriate levels, in particular at sectoral and enterprise levels, agreements to modernise the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security. Such agreements may, for example, cover the expression of working time as an annual figure, the reduction of working hours, the reduction of overtime, the development of part-time, lifelong training and career breaks".

The question of working time is also addressed in the Commission communication on "Growth and employment in the stability oriented framework of EMU"(3). Here an important distinction is made between compulsory and voluntary reductions in working time. Whereas the former raise a number of questions, the latter offer the possibility for increasing the labour content of growth.

Therefore specific measures of working time reductions at the micro-economic level where negotiated by the social partners can play a positive role for employment provided that certain conditions are met.

(1) COM(97) 128.

(2) OJ C 30, 28.1.1998.

(3) COM(98) 103.