ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1441/96 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Homeworkers and trade unions

Will the Commission take into account the recommendations in its publication 'Social Europe - Homeworking in the European Union' Supplement 2/95 and assist with a media campaign to provide basic

information about legal and social rights, and support a recruitment drive by trade unions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1441/96, E-1442/96, E-1443/96 and E-1444/96 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1996)

The Commission has fully recognised the need to strive at European level to improve the working conditions of homeworkers and to increase the range of their employment options by including homeworking in the priorities for social policy in the Commission's medium term social action programme (1995-1997) ((COM(95) 134 final. )).

In the light of the recently adopted international convention and recommendation on homeworking, the Commission is currently reviewing its policy to take account of the International labour organisation (ILO) texts. The work of the United Nations institution will be an excellent starting point in this respect.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2433/96 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: European Tourism Agency

Following Parliament's adoption of resolutions A4-0080/94 ((OJ C 18, 23.1.1995, p. 159. )) and A4-0016/96 ((OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 34. )) at the December 1994 and February 1996 part-sessions in Strasbourg, calling for the establishment of a European Tourism Agency can the Commission say what steps it has taken to set up the Agency concerned?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1996)

The Commission considers that at this stage the first priority in its policy in favour of tourism is the adoption by the Council after consultation of the Parliament of the first multiannual programme to assist European tourism, Philoxenia, which will open up significant possibilities for the sector.

The Commission considers that the examination of the issue of the creation of a European tourism agency should follow and not precede the decision on the establishment of a Community policy on tourism.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1825/96 by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Situation of the starch industry and its industrial customers in the EU

Is the Commission aware that the future employment prospects of some 15 000 people within the EU are facing difficulties due to problems in the supply of maize, and due to the failure of the current levels of export refunds to enable European industries using starch to purchase supplies at prices comparable to those of their non-European competitors?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to tackle these twin problems for industrial users of starch?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1996)

The Commission acknowledges that the supply of maize to the Community processing industry has been affected by the reduced supplies available after the last harvest. This phenomenon is not confined to Community territory since it is also apparent on the world market, but it has not seriously undermined the activity of the starch industry.

Given this situation, which has led to a much higher price level both on the world market and on the Community market, the Commission has continued its policy of refunds for starch and starch products, the bulk of which are produced from maize. No refund was granted, however, for maize in the unaltered state during the last marketing year. Until 12 April this year the maize-based industry had always qualified for production refunds, but from that date the market statistics no longer justified a refund. Apart from a period of five weeks starting on 24 May, the export refunds have been maintained.

The Commission intends to continue its policy of fixing refunds for starch and its by-products while a significant price difference remains between the Community market and the world market.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2442/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: EU measures for imports of genetically engineered maize and maize products from the United States and Canada

1. Is the Commission aware that Ciba Geigy is growing and marketing genetically engineered maize in the United States and Canada?

2. Does the Commission see a risk that such maize and maize products may be imported into the EU without a marketing application?

3. Will the Commission demand a marketing application from Ciba Geigy, as in the case of the genetically engineered soya beans produced by Monsanto?

4. What measures will the Commission take if Ciba Geigy imports genetically engineered maize into the EU without authorization?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 October 1996)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2413/96 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: After-sales service

What is holding up the long-promised appearance of a draft directive on customer guarantee and after-sales service?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1996)

The Commission has adopted its proposal for a Parliament and Council directive on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees ((COM(95) 520 final. )) and forwarded it to the Council and Parliament.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1771/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (3 July 1996)

Subject: Fraud affecting the agriculture budget

According to the Commission 4700 cases of fraud against the Community budget were detected in 1995.

10% of these cases accounted for 50% of the total amount of fraud.

Half of all cases of fraud affected the agriculture budget.

Can the Commission confirm these figures? In which countries did the cases of fraud in the agricultural sector occur? What kinds of fraud are most common?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1996)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its 1995 report on the fight against fraud ((COM(96) 173 final. )).

The report indicates that in 1995, 4758 cases of irregularities involving 1146 MECU were detected. These figures include cases communicated by the Member States and inquiries conducted by the Commission with the Member States.

2190 cases involving 411 MECU concerned the expenditure side of the budget. The other cases concerned the income side (traditional own resources).

1853 cases involving 316 MECU concerned European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) - guarantee expenditure.

The Commission also confirms that a relatively small number of cases (less than 10% of the total) represent 574 MECU (50% of the total). These cases are the results of Commission inquiries conducted in 1995 with the Member States.

The details of the breakdown by Member State in the area of EAGGF as well as the breakdown by the nature of the irregularity are contained in the Commission's report.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2008/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (17 July 1996)

Subject: Olive trees in Italy

According to the information available to the Commission, how many olive trees are currently growing in Italy?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2006/96, E-2007/96, E-2008/96, E-2009/96, E-2010/96, E-2011/96, E-2012/96 and E-2013/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1996)

Statistics for olive cultivation coming from different sources tend to vary considerably depending on the definitions on which they are based, and need to be treated with caution. However, on the specific points requested by the Honourable Member, the following figures may be advanced.

The total number of productive olive trees in each of the Member States in question, according to the official returns received by the Commission from the national authorities for the purposes of setting annual fruit and oil yields for the 1994/95 marketing year, was as follows:

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The average density of olive plantations in those Member States (trees per hectare) is:

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The average density thus varies considerably between Member States and may also vary significantly from region to region - or even farm to farm - within Member States, depending on the degree of local specialization or industrialization of olive growers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2064/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)

Subject: The transport sector and the working time directive

Can the Commission provide details of the rationale behind their decision to exclude the transport sector from the working time directive?

Is the Commission aware that long distance lorry drivers, by the nature of their industry, often work excessive hours and feel unnecessarily excluded from the directive?

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

The Commission's original proposal for a directive concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time ((COM(90) 317 final. )) covered all economic sectors and activities. The Council decided, however, to exclude certain sectors and activities from the scope of the directive, including the transport sectors. According to a recital to the directive as adopted ((Council Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993 concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. )), the possible need for separate measures in respect of these sectors was based on 'the specific nature of the work concerned'.

The Commission is aware that it will continue to be possible for workers in these sectors and activities to be required to work long hours, after the directive comes into operation on 23 November 1996. In order to try to ensure appropriate protection for these workers, the Commission is currently preparing a white paper on the sectors and activities excluded from the working time directive. This will examine the situation in each sector, including the road transport sector, and the main options available to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937/96 by Enrico Ferri (PPE) and Pier Casini (PPE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Preventing value-added tax from being charged on national and regional taxes on the consumption of methane gas

The inclusion of value-added tax as well as national and regional consumption taxes in the taxable amount applicable to supplies of methane gas pursuant to Article 10 of Decree Law No 15/977 has led to disparities in treatment at Community level and given rise to serious doubts about the legality of such action at national level.

Italian consumers pay more for methane gas than consumers in any other country owing not only to the cost of the raw material but, above all, to a steady increase in the burden of taxation which, in the space of only a few years, has risen to over half of the consumer price.

The sixth directive on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States with a view to establishing a 'common system of value-added tax' (Directive 77/388/EEC ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1. ))) states explicitly and unequivocally that 'the taxable amount shall include: (a) taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the value-added tax itself' (Title VIII, Article 11(2)).

In view of the position regarding legislation in the various Member States, the only way of derogating from the generally accepted principle that taxes may be levied on other taxes is by means of Community legislation.

Given the above, would the Commission take the necessary steps with a view to the adoption of a directive amending the relevant national legislation so as to prevent (where possible) VAT from being charged on national and regional consumption taxes applying to supplies of methane gas?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (17 september 1996)

The basic concept of value added tax as a general and comprehensive consumption tax implies that the taxable base is valued by the final consumer's real expenditure on goods and services or, in other words, by the monetary consideration for a given supply of goods or services. It is therefore coherent to include taxes, duties, levies and

charges, excluding the value tax itself in the taxable amount. Article 11 A (2)(a) of the sixth VAT Directive 77/388/EEC is fully in line with this principle of value added tax. Accordingly there has been no discussion between Member States on this provision. The Commission does not plan to change this arrangement.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2163/96 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (2 August 1996)

Subject: Variation of budgetary funds allocated to the European Human Rights Foundation

The European Human Rights Foundation receives almost one third of the funds under budget line B7-5240.

Will the Commission provide information concerning:

1. the projects funded by the Foundation;

2. the geographical distribution of organizations financed by the Foundation both inside and outside EU Member States;

3. the possibility of refunding travel expenses through contributions allocated by the Foundation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2163/96 and E-2164/96 given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (13 September 1996)

As the Honourable Member points out, the Commission makes a full report to the Parliament on the use of funds under budget line B7-7040. The last such report sent on 15 January 1996, relating to 1995, specified the objectives of the line which carefully follow the budget commentary. The selection of projects is made with reference to these objectives purely on the basis of requests received by non-governmental organisations, irrespective of the Member State of origin. As many projects as possible are funded, provided they fall within the stated criteria, until the line is exhausted for the budget year in question.

With regard to the European human rights foundation, this organisation publishes a full annual report on its activities and the criteria under which they are conducted, which is sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1906/96 by Erich Schreiner (NI) to the Commission (11 July 1996)

Subject: Multiplicity of standards in the EU

The large number of different standards in Europe places a heavy burden on European undertakings. Invitations to tender, in particular, are often based on national technical standards.

1. What action is the Commission taking in this regard?

2. How are we to assess the distortions of competition which arise from this multiplicity of standards?

3. Will the Commission take steps to introduce Europe-wide harmonization of the various technical standards? If so, when can results be expected? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1996)

The Commission agrees with the view of the Honourable Member that the co-existence of divergent standards seriously affects the quality of economic integration in the Community. Since 1983, the Commission has been actively promoting European standards. The European standardization bodies are also working towards this goal.

Great progress has already been made, and the European standardization bodies (the European Committee for Standardization, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) are currently producing more than 1000 standards per year, i.e. more than four standards per working day. The main activities of the national standardization bodies are now also focused on European and international standardization. Once transposed into the national systems, the European standards require the withdrawal of divergent national standards, thus effectively leading to harmonization.

With regard to the drafting of new national standards, the procedures in Directive 83/189/EEC ((OJ L 109, 26.4.1983. )) enable interested parties to find out about, become involved in or request the drafting of a European standard instead of a national standard. The Commission regrets that interested parties do not make better use of the opportunities offered by the Directive.

In the field of public procurement in particular, the Commission has launched a study into the extent to which contracting authorities actually refer to the European standards. It will certainly inform the Honourable Member of the results.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2665/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Structural Funds

The Italian press has reported prominently to a warning issued by the Commission to the Italian Government to ensure adequate and prompt take-up of resources available under the Structural Funds. This referred to the fact that only 6% of the available funds were spent in the month of January.

Would the Commission provide a breakdown of expenditure for the following Italian regions: Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta for Objectives 2, 3, 4 and 5b in 1995 and 1996?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2217/96 and E-2665/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1996)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Members and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1725/96 by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Equal treatment in the media

In certain Valencian public undertakings, including TVV-Canal 9, there have been cases of behaviour which could infringe the principle of equal treatment as enshrined in EC legislation by Directive 76/207/EEC ((OJ L 39, 14.02.1976, p. 40. )), and the Recommendation on the protection of the dignity of women and men at work and the code of conduct against sexual harassment (92/131/EEC) ((OJ L 49, 24.02.1992, p. 1. )).

The fact that the infringement of the rights of women and the harassment concerned have occurred within public undertakings constitutes an aggravating factor, especially since TVV-Canal 9, a publicly owned mass medium, is projecting a sexist and discriminatory image of women.

Can the Commission state whether it believes a policy for regulating the application of the principle of equal treatment in the media is required at Community level?

Does the Commission intend to take any specific steps to make it possible to apply the existing legislation? Has it drafted any proposals in this connection?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1996)

The Commission has long upheld the principle of equal treatment at work. It is evident that Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9th February 1976 on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion and working conditions ((OJ L 39, 14.2.1976. )) and Council Recommendation 92/131/EEC of 27 November 1991 on the protection of the dignity of men and women at work ((OJ L 49, 24.3.1992. )) apply to the media just as to any other sector of employment.

Moreover, the Commission has encouraged specific action to protect and uphold the image of women in the media, through its proposal for a resolution which was adopted by the Council on 5 October 1995 ((OJ C 296, 10.11.1995. )).

It is imperative to ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of this legislation for the benefit of women and men in the media, as in all employment sectors. To this end, the Commission supports a group of legal experts who monitor the implementation of Community legislation in each of the Member States, and who present annual reports to the Commission.

The Commission has produced an evaluation report on the implementation of the recommendation on the protection of the dignity of men and women at work. The report confirms that, although progress has been made in a majority of Member States, existing legislation is inadequate to establish and maintain a workplace free of sexual harassment. For that reason, the Commission has recently prepared and addressed a consultation document to the social partners requesting their opinions on further action which might be appropriate in this field and the form any such action should take. The social partners are encouraged to negotiate on this issue and it is also suggested that the way forward in this area may be a binding instrument setting out a common plan to be adapted to each individual Member State's situation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2358/96 by Gianfranco Dell'Alba (ARE) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: Preliminary draft budget 1997

Can the Commission supply the annual report of the European Institute for South and South-East Asian studies (A-3050) and give details of the results of the Institute's activities, particularly with regard to the objective of 'promoting European integration'?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1996)

The Commission is sending a copy of the Institute's annual report for 1995 together with the workplan for 1996 direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament's secretariat.

In 1994, when the Institute began functioning, it served as a forum for discussion on relations between Europe and Asia. By 1995, the Institute had progressed considerably and had become a think tank and a research centre for relations between Europe and Asia. This year, the Institute changed its name from 'The European institute for south and south-east asian studies' to 'The European institute for asian studies' because the scope of its activities is to be extended to cover Asia as a whole.

The Institute's activities are mainly seminars and symposia, study projects, workshops and research. Through its activities, it hopes to assist policy makers and opinion shapers and to produce research which will be of internationally recognised quality.

The Institute is contributing to the promotion of European construction by helping to improve relations between Europe and Asia at a time when the Asian region is assuming greater economic and political importance for the Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2145/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (3 August 1996)

Subject: Elimination of budget line B7-871 (Compensation for ACP banana products)

With the continuing decline and instability of prices following the single market in bananas and the continuing oversupply of fruit, is it prudent to eliminate this facility which provides some well needed support to hard pressed producers?

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

Budget line B7-871 is the 1996 budget line for Council Regulation (EC) n° 2686/94 ((OJ L 286, 5.11.1994. )) which establishes a special system of assistance for traditional ACP suppliers of bananas.

Regulation (EC) n° 2686/94 was only ever intended to be a transitional measure, offering support to traditional ACP suppliers of bananas for a limited period of adjustment to the present common market organisation in bananas when it first came into force in July 1993. The Regulation therefore expired as foreseen on 28 February 1996 and although the Commission is currently seeking extension to the end of December 1996, this is purely for sound financial management reasons.

The Commission recognises the great importance of the banana industry to many ACP economies and the continued need for adjustment. For this reason Regulation (EC) n° 2686/94 has now been superseded by a more permanent provision in Annex LXXXVIII of the revised Lomé IV Convention, which provides for continued technical and financial assistance for all ACP banana suppliers.