ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2976/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Funding of European Union island regions

In the first paragraph of the Commission's answer of 24 July 2000 to my Written Question No E-1738/2000(1) concerning the funding of European Union island regions, Commissioner Barnier states that the Commission does not anticipate creating a legal basis for such funding, despite the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Acting within its sphere of responsibilities, however, and in particular the 2001 budget guidelines, the European Parliament has decided to make such funding a budget priority, especially in view of the fact that implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty has already begun this year, 2000. It is surprising, therefore, that while the Commission should take initiatives to implement the Treaties, it appears from its answer that it is at the very least indifferent towards a matter of major importance for the development of certain regions of the EU.

What practical steps will the Commission take, on the basis of a specific timetable, to create a legal basis for the funding of EU island regions pursuant to the provisions of the relevant Treaties?

(1) OJ C 113 E, 18.4.2001, p. 38.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

As the Commission mentioned to the Honourable Member in its reply to Written Question E-1738/00(1), it does not plan at this stage to create a legal basis for the financing of European Union island regions. Indeed, these regions already receive special attention under existing Community policies since a considerable number of them are eligible for Objectives 1 or 2 of the Structural Funds for the 2000-2006 programming period.

A wide range of different situations exist within the EU island regions and as a consequence, their assets and needs are extremely diverse. In order to understand these better, the Commission intends to launch a study into all the island regions of the Community. This study will analyse and compare individual situations on the basis of various statistical criteria connected with for example, demography, the socio-economic situation, existing infrastructures or the environmental situation.

The results of this study are expected by the end of the first half of 2001 and will be communicated to Parliament as soon as they are published.

(1) OJ C 113 E, 18.4.2001, p. 38.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2616/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Television set fire safety/WEEE

Further to the exchange of views with Commissioner Wallström on 20 June in the Environment Committee on the subject of the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Directive on the restriction of certain hazardous substances, will the Commission confirm that existing flame retardant technologies in television sets will not be phased out until equivalent fire safety technologies are found?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

Certain flame-retardants commonly used in television sets are the subject of risk assessments under Council Regulation (EEC) no 793/93 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the Risks of existing substances(1).

If unacceptable risks are identified from the flame-retardants in question and a risk reduction strategy is proposed involving restrictions on marketing and use, the advantages and drawbacks of such restrictions are considered in the light of available substitutes and alternative fire safety technologies.

Pending adoption of the proposal for a directive(2) on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) the Commission will propose restrictions in the framework of Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations(3) only if it is satisfied the advantages of such restrictions outweigh the drawbacks.

According to article 4(1) of the proposal on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in EEE, Member States shall ensure that with effect from 1 January 2008 the use of certain heavy metals and two groups of brominated flame retardants, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), are substituted by other substances.

It is acknowledged in the proposal that the directive shall apply without prejudice to Community legislation on safety. In this sense, if substitution of the concerned substances is not possible or where the negative environmental or health impacts caused by substitution outweigh the possible environmental benefits thereof, the application of the concerned substance should be exempted from the substitution requirement. However, there is no indication that it will be necessary in the case of the substitution of PBBs and PBDEs to have recourse to such exemptions. Research undertaken in the area of electrical and electronic equipment indicates that adequate fire safety of such equipment could be achieved without using PBB and PBDE. This has been confirmed in various public statements of producers of this equipment.

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993.

(2) COM(2000) 347 Final.

(3) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/00

by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission

(5 July 2000)

Subject: Agreement between South Africa and the European Union

According to Portuguese exporters, despite the agreement concluded between South Africa and the European Union, there are still cases of dumping, in violation of Article 2 of the agreement and to the detriment of Portuguese industry.

What action has the Commission taken to prevent the occurrence of situations of unfair competition and what has it done to ensure that no harm is caused to Portuguese industries?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2000)

While South Africa continues to be entitled to take trade protection measures against dumped imports, the Community is very concerned with regard to the extensive use made by South Africa of the anti-dumping instrument. South Africa has become one of the most frequent users of antidumping measures in the world, and Community exports are increasingly hit by such duties. The Commission has repeatedly pointed out to the South African authorities its concerns and its doubts about the compatibility of some South African investigations with the relevant World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement. South Africa has not yet replied to the Commission's objections.

As regards Portugal, one measure is in force: definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylic tow. In relation with this case, the Commission has examined in some detail the substance of the case to ascertain whether there are enough elements to permit a valid WTO case to be brought should it deem this is the right course of action. There are a number of issues of both policy and substance to be resolved before a final decision is taken. The Commission appreciates that a considerable length of time has elapsed since the imposition of the duties but the Honourable Member will understand that the complexity of these issues results in the necessity of extensive debate and reflection.

The Commission has been in contact to that effect with the Portuguese exporter affected, which, of course, will be kept informed of the outcome of the evaluation as soon as a conclusion is reached.

As regards the trade, development and co-operation Agreement (TDCA) with South Africa, it has to be noted that its Article 2 concerns the essential elements (democracy, human rights, rule of law) of the Agreement, which do not seem to be directly affected by the measures taken by South Africa. In fact, Article 23.1 of the TDCA specifies explicitly that the Agreement does not affect the right of either party to take anti-dumping measures in conformity with WTO obligations
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2514/00

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Council

(26 July 2000)

Subject: United Nations trade embargo on Iraq

Given that for almost ten years, the United Nations trade embargo against Iraq has been unable to force the Iraqi Government to surrender its weapons of mass destruction, that the Iraqi people has suffered tremendously under the embargo, which has led to high crime rates, rampant unemployment, malnutrition, widespread disease, and infrastructure breakdown and that the mismanaged and abused oil-for-food scheme has largely failed as a humanitarian effort;

Would the Council provide a critical evaluation of the performance of the trade embargo vis-à-vis its objectives, comment on whether it thinks the embargo should continue and, if so, in what form and outline its future strategy on Iraq?

Reply

(20 November 2000)

1. It is true that the objective of the embargo on Iraq and the oil for food programme of forcing the Iraqi Government to surrender its weapons of mass destruction while avoiding excessive suffering and deprivation among the Iraqi people has not been fully attained.

While the weapons inspectors mandated by the UN have succeeded in partly dismantling the Iraqi arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the Iraqi Government has not cooperated with the UN and its subsidiary bodies. It has not been possible to carry out any inspections since 1998 to verify Iraqi compliance with the relevant Resolutions on weapons programmes.

2. The Council welcomes the setting up of a United Nations working group to put forward general recommendations on how to make UN sanctions more effective, in particular by targeting them better, and how to avoid unnecessary human suffering.

3. Resolution 1284/99 of the United Nations Security Council of 17 December 1999 offers Baghdad the possibility of having sanctions suspended if the Iraqi Government cooperates fully with disarmament inspectors. Sanctions can be lifted only after Iraq has fulfilled the obligations laid down in the Security Council resolutions. Until then, the declared embargo will continue to apply. The EU fully implements all Security Council Resolutions.

4. Cooperation by the Iraqi Government and compliance with UN Resolutions are necessary if the situation is to be improved. All EU action will be taken within the framework of these Resolutions, in particular Resolution 1284.

5. The Council has noted that in its Resolution 1302 of 8 June 2000, the United Nations Security Council has called on the UN Secretary-General to appoint independent experts to prepare a detailed report containing an analysis of the humanitarian situation in Iraq, and of humanitarian needs arising from that situation, and recommendations on how to address those needs.

6. Within the framework of the existing Resolutions, over the coming months the Council will be receiving concrete proposals concerning EU/Iraqi cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural fields.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3400/00

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 November 2000)

Subject: CD-ROM published by the Commission

In the CD-ROM Hello Europe A youth guide to Europe and the European Union published by the Commission, Directorate-General for Information, Communication, Culture and Audiovisual, Publications Unit, and distributed by the Official Publications Office of the European Communities, there is a difference in the way that minority languages in the Member States are treated.

One need only go to the description of Spain and Italy and click on If you want to know more and then on Listen to the language to see this difference:

- Spain: The official language is Castilian, often simply called Spanish. In some regions Catalan, Basque and Galician are also official languages;

- Italian: Our language is Italian and the capital is Rome.

Why does the CD-ROM not describe the linguistic diversity of Italy, exemplified by the use of French in Valle D'Aosta and German in South Tyrol?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 2000)

The Commission produced the Hello Europe CD-ROM in order to provide information for young Europeans on all aspects of the Union which might interest them. An introduction to the various Member States provides general information to enable the users of the CD-ROM to familiarise themselves with the different Member States making up the Union.

This introduction includes firstly the official language(s) spoken in each Member State, usually laid down in their constitutions. For example, Spain's official languages are set out in Article 3 of the Spanish Constitution, which includes the languages of the Autonomous Communities as official languages. Italy's official language is Italian.

Incidentally, linguistic diversity in Italy is described in the population section of the CD-ROM in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3356/00

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Subject: French ban on the use of bovine intestines

It has just been reported that, as part of precautionary measures taken to combat the mad cow disease epidemic, the French authorities have banned the use of bovine intestines in foodstuffs. This decision will have an obvious impact on the sausage industry and does not appear to have been echoed by similar decisions in any other EU Member States.

What scientific grounds are there for this precautionary measure, and what impact will it have on French imports and exports of such products?

Furthermore, would the Commission not agree that, in the interests of consumer safety, action to combat mad cow disease calls for a homogeneous approach at European or even world level?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 2000)

The French authorities have recently decided to ban the use of intestines from bovine animals of all ages in human food or animal feed. The intestines shall be removed at the slaughterhouse and destroyed as specified bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk materials.

The French measures go beyond the Community legislation in this area. According to Commission Decision 2000/418/EC regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(1) part of the intestine (the ileum) from bovine animals over 12 months shall be removed and destroyed in all Member States. In the United Kingdom and Portugal, the whole intestine from bovine animals over 6 months shall be removed and destroyed.

The decision by the French authorities was based on an opinion of the French agency for food safety (AFSSA), according to which BSE infectivity could be present in the whole intestine in bovine animals of all ages. The opinion has been submitted for an evaluation to the scientific steering committee, which advises the Commission in matters relating to BSE.

The Commission has also requested notification by the Member States of all national measures adopted in relation to BSE. On the basis of a scientific assessment of these measures, the Commission will present proposals to the Member States aimed at putting in place a coherent Community framework.

The Commission seeks a harmonised approach to rules on food safety within the Community and, as far as possible, at world level. However, this needs to be seen in the light of differences in BSE risk in different geographical areas.

(1) OJ L 158, 30.6.2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2550/00

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Statistical data concerning the geographical position of the Canary Islands, its rate of unemployment and its distance from Madrid

The general description of the outermost regions (French Overseas Territories, Canary Islands (Spain) and the Portuguese archipelagoes of the Azores and Madeira) by the Commission secretariat (on its website for outermost regions) contains statistical data for the various outermost regions of the EU some of which would seem to refer to the Canary Islands. In particular, its geographical position is said to be off the coast of Morocco, while no reference is made to its rate of unemployment or to the distance from Madrid of the Canary capitals.

Will the Commission correct, where appropriate, the statistical data regarding the exact geographical position of the Canary Islands, its rate of unemployment and its distance from Madrid?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 2000)

The present versions of the text on the europa.eu.int website in French, Spanish, Portuguese and English do in fact include information on the rate of unemployment and the distance between the Canary capitals and Madrid. As for the description of the Canary Islands' geographical location in the Atlantic Ocean, it is true that the Spanish version is incorrect. From now on, the expression Océano Atlántico (cerca de las costas de Marruecos) will be used in Spanish, which is a better rendering of the French Océan Atlantique (au large du Maroc) and the other language versions.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3067/00

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 September 2000)

Subject: International Year of Mountains

As the United Nations has proclaimed 2002 the International Year of Mountains, the Alpine Convention has begun to enter into force and a European Charter of Mountain Regions is currently under discussion, the concept of mountains in the European context is increasingly being discussed in the Member States, with particular reference to the different classificatory criteria applied under their respective national laws. These discussions highlight not only the absence of any European Union definition of mountains, but also the corresponding lack of any specific European policy on mountain areas, notwithstanding the fact that such areas may be covered by existing regional policies and qualify for the funds available on various grounds, as explained in a recent Commission publication on mountains in Europe.

What initiatives are planned in connection with the International Year of Mountains, and does the Commission consider that it should draw up an appropriate strategy for Europe's mountains, including specific measures, up to and beyond 2006, to address the need to identify the special characteristics of mountain areas and their economic development?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

The Commission intends to make action by the Structural Funds more transparent and, to this end, aims to make mountain regions more aware of the opportunities available to them under Community policies. This has also led to the Commission recently publishing a booklet on structural policies and mountain areas.

Furthermore, during 2002 the Commission is planning to organise a seminar for the International Year of Mountains explaining how to better mobilise Community policies in mountain regions.

The existence of an Alpine Region is recognised in strand B, Transnational Cooperation of the Community Initiative Interreg III for the programming period 2000-2006. This initiative makes it possible to finance cooperation projects throughout the Community's alpine regions, which cover Austria and parts of Germany, France and Italy.

Lastly, the Commission is currently preparing the second report on economic and social cohesion which should launch the debate on the future cohesion policy, in the context of an enlarged Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2622/00

by Ulpu Iivari (PSE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Monitoring of the distribution of EU food aid

It has been reported in Finland that, together with EU food aid, foodstuffs from other sources whose use-by dates were past and which were therefore unsuitable for consumption have been distributed. This has given the impression that the EU distributes to its less affluent citizens foodstuffs which are perished.

1. Do the rules and instructions concerning the distribution of food aid forbid distributors of EU aid to distribute food from other sources which has passed its use-by date?

2. If not, how will the Commission secure amendments to the rules and instructions?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 2000)

The regulatory provisions adopted by the Community(1) provide for distribution of products of Community origin held in intervention storage and products made from these. This may extend to exchange of products withdrawn from intervention storage for equivalent products that will be distributed to the needy. The Commission draws up annual plans that the Member States execute. It is they who designate the organisations which distribute the foodstuffs.

The rules incorporate a timetable. The whole distribution exercise, from the withdrawal from intervention stocks to the supply to charitable organisations must respect several time limits. This enables the whole operation to be run in the form of annual plans.

Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3149/92 require the Member States to undertake various policing responsibilities in connection with these plans. They are also required to send the Commission a report once each plan has been executed. Observations in the field by the various parties involved or by any interested party are followed up by the Commission.

The Honourable Member's question states that products past their sell-by date that were not part of the Community operation were distributed at the same time by organisations appointed by the national authorities to distribute the Community food aid. The Commission has nonetheless sought clarification from the authorities responsible for the plan in Finland. They must in any case send a report once execution of the annual plan in progress in complete.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3730/87 of 10 December 1987 laying down general rules for the supply of food from intervention stocks to designated organisations for distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community (OJ L 352, 15.12.1987). Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3149/92 of 29 October 1992 laying down detailed rules for the supply of food from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived persons in the Community (OJ L 313, 30.10.1992).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3760/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Rules governing debt collection

In Italy the business of debt collection is at present governed by Article 115 of the Act consolidating the public safety laws (T.U.L.P.S.), adopted under Royal Decree No 773 of 18 June 1931.

In Ministerial Circular 559/C.1205 of 2 July 1996 the Italian Ministry of the Interior restricted the operations of debt collection agencies to the territory of the province where an agency's licence was issued and its head office is based.

Can the Commission say whether the above restriction is compatible with the Treaties and the Community legislation whereby Member States have undertaken to refrain from obstructing the freedom to provide services, the heading under which debt collection for third parties in fact falls?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2000)

The Commission has no knowledge of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. It has asked the Member State concerned for information and will inform the Honourable Member of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/00

by Carmen Cerdeira Morterero (PSE) to the Commission

(11 July 2000)

Subject: The Leader+ programme and Ceuta

Can the Commission estimate the amount of funding to be assigned to the Spanish region of Ceuta under the Leader+ programme in the next programming period?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

The Spanish Government has not yet submitted any proposals to the Commission for the Leader+ Initiative in Spain.

The Commission cannot yet tell the Honourable Member whether the Spanish authorities will present a Leader+ programme for the region of Ceuta.