ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0369/98 by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: Report by the British Government's Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee

Have the Commission's relevant energy, environment and transport directorates assessed the proposals set out by the British Government's Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) in its September 1997 report on the import and export of radioactive waste involving the United Kingdom, and will the Commission make a statement on the interpretation made by the RWMAC report on Directive 92/3/Euratom ((OJ L 35, 12.2.1992, p. 24. )) on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste between Member States and into and out of the Community with regard to its implementation in the United Kingdom?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1998)

Directive 92/3/Euratom on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste between Member States and into and out of the Community is implemented in the United Kingdom by Statutory Instrument 1993 No 3031, Atomic Energy and Radioactive Substances, the Transfrontier Shipments of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993, publication date 2 December 1993.

The Commission does not have the report by the radioactive waste management advisory committee (RWMAC) on the import and export of radioactive waste involving the United Kingdom, dated September 1997. The Commission will complete this answer as soon as it has obtained and considered the report in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1295/98 by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Commission (29 April 1998)

Subject: Publication - What exactly is Europe?

Is the Commission responsible for the publication 'What exactly is Europe?' for use in schools for children in the 11 to 14 years age range, and if so, what were the criteria for establishing the religious breakdown in EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (15 JUne 1998)

The publication 'What exactly is Europe' was produced by the representation of the Commission in the United Kingdom. It is intended as 'A classroom guide to the European Union'. It has proved to be a very popular publication and is much in demand by teachers. There has already been one reprint and a second is planned.

Material on religious allegiance in the Member States was taken from the reference work 'The Guinness European data book'. It was one of many illustrative items chosen to accompany the text of the Commission's publication. However, in order to allay any concerns on the matter, the full table from the reference work is being incorporated in the forthcoming reprint.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1016/98 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Recipients of support under the sugar regime

Which companies are the five biggest net recipients of Community support for imports, exports and the storage of sugar in Sweden, Germany and the UK respectively?

What percentage of the total amount of the aforementioned types of support do they account for in each of those countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Community's revenue and expenditure resulting from the application of the common organization of the markets in the sugar sector are recorded in the general budget of the Community. From this document, and from the annual financial reports of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund: guarantee section, it is possible to obtain an accounting breakdown to the level of each Member State.

The Commission does not possess the information needed to provide a more detailed breakdown to the level of individual undertakings. Such detailed accounting is not needed for the sound management of the Community's sugar sector and it is clear that the costs of establishing and maintaining the necessary centralized data base would be prohibitive in relation to any benefits that might accrue.

The Commission is accordingly unable to provide the detailed analyses requested by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1737/98 by Luciano Schifone (NI) to the Commission (20 May 1998)

Subject: Commission response to the natural disaster in Campania

Campania has recently been struck by a serious natural disaster which destroyed whole villages and led to hundreds of dead and thousands of homeless.

At the sitting of 11 May the President of Parliament, Mr Gil-Robles, expressed Europe's solidarity with those who had suffered.

Commissioner Monti mentioned the possibility of some form of concrete action by the Commission.

What appropriations does the Commission intend to earmark, when and on what terms, for the devastated communes in Campania?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1998)

The Commission would point out that it gave its views to Parliament during the emergency debate on 14 May 1998 on the disastrous floods in Campania. On that occasion it confirmed its intentions as originally expressed and gave details. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the Commission statement and to its reply to written question No P-1618/98 from Mr Caccavale.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0923/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Packaging of 'feta' cheese

Under the Greek Food and Drink Code, the traditional and widely consumed 'feta' cheese must be packed and transported only in wooden barrels or metal containers. However, the number of instances is increasing in which feta is instead sold in plastic containers both on the domestic market and as exports to other countries, particularly to Member States of the Union. Apart from the breach of the Code, there is also the issue of the effective protection of consumers and public health. Moreover, the unlawful use of plastic containers adversely affects producers of wooden barrels, a traditional craft which had been encouraged and given hope for the future by the Code.

Can the Commission investigate this matter and consider whether the use of plastic containers for selling feta also constitutes a breach of Community consumer law and policy and, if so, can the Commission help to enforce the above provisions of the Greek Food and Drink Code by making representations to the Greek Government?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1998)

The name 'feta' has been registered in the Community as a protected designation of origin under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 of 12 June 1996 on the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin under the procedure laid down in Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 ((OJ L 148, 21.6.1996. )). Registration means that the Community has endorsed the binding specifications laid down for feta cheese by Greek ministerial decree No 313025 of 11 January 1994.

Under Article 3(6) of that decree, feta cheese must be sold in either wooden barrels, metal containers, or materials suitable for coming into contact with foodstuffs.

Accordingly, the Commission cannot object to the plastic containers referred to by the Honourable Member as long as they meet the criteria laid down by the framework Directive 97/48/EC of 29 July 1997 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs ((OJ L 222, 12.8.1997. )) and Commission Directive 96/11/EC of 5 March 1996 amending Directive 90/128/EEC relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs ((OJ L 61, 12.3.1996. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0998/98 by Laura De Esteban Martin (PPE) to the Commission (2 April 1998)

Subject: Access to PhD Courses

Why does the Commission assert that holders of the 'Ingeniero Técnico' qualification are not eligible to study for doctorates, when some Member States allow them to do so?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (4 June 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0722/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Capital adequacy

This question concerns the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Council Directive 93/6/EEC on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions (COM(97) 71 final - 97/0124 COD) ((OJ C 240, 6.8.1997, p. 24. )).Can the Commission amend its proposal on the back-testing of internal models in order to ensure that it is more compatible with the aims of the competent international authorities and prevent the creation of competitive advantages for financial institutions in the EU by imposing prescriptive or excessive requirements?

In particular, financial institutions should not be obliged to carry out daily back-testing on the basis of two different systems and it should be specified on what basis more onerous requirements will be applied.

In line with the Basel Agreement, the competent national authorities should also have a greater margin for manoeuvre than the Commission in imposing on credit institutions which have registered between 5 and 9 overshootings over a period of 250 business days stricter capital requirements by using the plus factor.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1998)

The Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Members that it has amended its proposal for a Parliament and Council directive amending Council Directive 93/6/EEC of 15 March 1993 on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions ((OJ L 141, 11.6.1993. )) in the way that the Honourable Members suggest. The Commission adopted its amended proposal ((COM(98) 90 final. )) on 13 February 1998. The Council adopted a common position on this proposal on 9 March 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1159/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (24 April 1998)

Subject: Further information on the cable car disaster in Cermis, Italy

With reference to my previous question (E-545/98) on the cable car disaster caused by a US military airplane and recent press articles concerning the authorities' failure to bring the pilots of the US airplane before a court martial, would the Commission state:

1. whether it considers that the fact that the pilots of the American plane will be subject to civil proceedings, despite the fact that the incident happened on Italian territory, infringes international law?

2. whether it considers that it would be appropriate to request the United States authorities for clarifications concerning the pilots' current legal position?

3. whether it agrees that it would be appropriate to approach the United States authorities to request that the legal proceedings be completed as swiftly as possible, to ensure that the victims' families obtain justice?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1998)

Since, as the Commission stated in its reply to the Honourable Member's previous question E-545/98 ((OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 83. )), any legal proceedings concerning the accident fall within the purview of national military authorities, the Community, and in consequence, the Commission, has no competence in this matter. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to express views in relation thereto.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1435/98 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. European cooperation in developing the fisheries sector in third countries



Official Journal C 386 , 11/12/1998 P. 0128



WRITTEN QUESTION E-1435/98 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (11 May 1998) Subject: European cooperation in developing the fisheries sector in third countries Will the Commission say whether the development of the fisheries sector has been considered a priority matter in any West African countries, and if so, specify the countries, projects and financial sums involved?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1784/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The European Parliament previously expressed the view that it was vital to train teachers to help children in Bosnia-Herzegovina overcome the effects of war and considered that the EU should fund peace education programmes designed to foster tolerance among the peoples of the region.

At the present time, the education system in Bosnia-Herzegovina is instead placing emphasis on the differences between the various ethnic groups, thereby encouraging a segregationalist mentality which is making it impossible to lay the basic foundations for coexistence based on tolerance and respect.

Is the Commission aware of this situation and has it taken any firm measures to promote education for peace in the former Yugoslavia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 1998)

The Commission is very mindful of the situation with regard to education in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is making every effort to ensure that there is no place for segregationist attitudes in any of its programmes.

For example, the recently implemented Phare VET 97 programme has the main aim of fostering a spirit of tolerance between the population groups in the region. The three components of the project (institution building, curriculum development and specific training measures) are designed to create links between the various bodies of the educational system and build trust between teachers. The Pre Tempus programme for higher education has succeeded in regularly bringing together the chief education officers of the three communities and is regarded as a benchmark by those concerned in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2294/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: Pork prices

Can the Commission state what the average market price for pork was, as paid to farmers in the different states of the EU, last month (or the most recent month for which the figures are available)?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1234/98

by Ilona Graenitz (PSE) to the Commission

(9 April 1998)

Subject: Poultry farming

What improvements to the protection of animals in farming, in particular battery farms, has the Commission proposed in the reorientation of agricultural policy in Agenda 2000?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1998)

Agenda 2000(1) does not mention animal welfare specifically, but contains a number of general agricultural policy items, among which is the strengthening of the protection of the environment, including animal protection.

The Commission would like to refer to the protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam which requires the Commission and the Member States to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in the areas of agriculture, transport, internal market and research.

The Commission on 11 March 1998 presented a communication to the Council and a proposal for a new Council directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing(2).

(1) COM(97) 2000 final.

(2) COM(97) 135 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0507/98

by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Commission

(2 March 1998)

Subject: Prohibition on the use of driftnets

According to the statements made by Mr Morley before the Committee on Fisheries on 3 February 1998, it would seem that the Council's intention is to use Community funds to stop French, British and Irish albacove tuna netters from fishing in the Atlantic.

Mr Morley referred to the diversification policy in Italy as an example to follow. Before even thinking about applying this principle in the Atlantic, should not the Council first ascertain the outcome of the Italian plan? Does the Council have irrefutable evidence that fishing with driftnets of an illegal length has actually stopped in the Mediterranean, that boats which have received aid have not changed their Fag State and that the owners and crews concerned have in fact stopped their previous activities?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0323/98

by Riitta Myller (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Requirement to notify changes to national banknotes

The European Union has an internal market within which there is free movement of services, persons, workers and capital. However, there is no requirement to notify a change of banknotes even among European Union governments. For example there was no notification to the other Member States of Belgium's changes to its thousand and ten thousand franc notes. This causes unjustifiable problems for travellers.

Given that there may still yet be changes to banknotes even before the transition to the single currency, what action does the Commission propose taking to introduce a requirement that changes to banknotes must be notified within the European Union?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 1998)

According to Article 105a of the EC Treaty and Article 16 of the Protocol on the statute of the European system of central banks (ESCB) and of the European central bank (ECB) the governing council of the ECB shall have, as from the start of the third stage of economic and monetary union (EMU), the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes within the euro area. This right is independent from the fact that during the transitional period, running from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001, only banknotes denominated in the national currency units will be in circulation. It is therefore ensured that national banknotes will not be introduced in one Member State of the euro area without the involvement of the ECB.

Moreover, according to information obtained from the European monetary institute which supervises the technical preparation of euro banknotes, national central banks do not intend to issue new or re-designed banknotes during the transitional period. Therefore, the Commission does not see a need to take any action in this area.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0819/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Research and tourism

Will the Commission provide detailed information on actions related to tourism within the framework of the research budget and specify the aid, the amount provided and the allocation by Member State?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(13 May 1998)

The fourth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration (1994-1998), jointly decided by Parliament and the Council on 26 April 1994,(1) does not include specific actions as such in the tourism sector.

However, numerous research activities, such as "telematic applications", have an impact on the tourism sector.

Since these activities' relatedness to the tourism sector varies widely, it is not possible to be specific as to their financial impact.

The Commission will take the opportunity of the fifth framework programme to evaluate the knock-on impact of research programmes.

(1) OJ L 126, 18.5.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0764/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Problems encountered by refrigerated haulage firms

The refrigerated transport sector in Greece is encountering tremendous problems in the form of unfair competition from refrigerated transport with false documentation and the operation of foreign lorries which do not meet the most basic safety standards.

30 % of the refrigerated lorries on the roads have false registration plates and licences and no official documentation, while foreign lorries from Bulgaria, Rumania and Albania have broken plates and faulty indicators, fog lights and brake lights.

The Greek Union of Refrigerated International Transport Hauliers has repeatedly complained about this situation and that the policing and inspection of these vehicles is inadequate, which creates safety problems on Greek roads and unfair competition for Greek hauliers.

How will the Commission respond to ensure that the interests of Greek refrigerated haulage firms are safeguarded and to put an end to unequal competition which is forcing an entire sector out of business?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 1998)

The issues relating to enforcement referred to by the Honourable Member come entirely within the legal competence of the Greek authorities. Checking foreign vehicles (Bulgarian, Romanian and Albanian) for the validity of the number plates and of documents and licences on board as well as for the presence and good working order of safety equipment is a task for the authorities of the state within which these vehicles circulate.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1419/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Inspections and checks relating to Directives 93/43/EEC and 96/3/EEC

The Italian legislative provisions laid down in DL155 of 26.5.1997, implementing Directives 93/43/EEC(1) and 96/3/EEC(2), require companies, particularly farms and farm-based tourism companies, to comply with onerous regulations. These measures relating to the hygiene of foodstuffs and to the "healthiness" of agricultural products for human consumption, together with provisions on safety at work and environmental protection, form a sizeable and onerous set of regulations for companies. Producers in many regions have been inundated with inspections carried out by the excessively large number of monitoring organizations, whose responsibilities overlap owing to a lack of coordination (NAS and NOE (police units responsible for combating food contamination and pollution), USL (local health units), municipal police, customs/tax evasion officers, provincial police, regional inspectors, etc.). These inspections are often oppressively frequent and repetitive, with inspectors from the various investigating authorities who visit the same companies sometimes differing in their conclusions, judgments or viewpoints on the same subject. Nevertheless, the checks usually end in fines, financial penalties or even criminal charges for "crimes" (or alleged crimes), which are totally inappropriate, given the requirements and peculiarities of production conditions and of the social context in question.

1. Does the Commission not think that a system of prevention based on providing information could help avoid the detrimental effects described?

2. Does the Commission not think that these checks are very damaging, since in addition to the considerable expenditure firms have to sustain to comply with legislation, the delicate financial health of small companies is harmed, although they typically have limited resources and have to fight for their economic survival?

3. Does the Commission not think that training programmes aimed at raising cultural awareness, in order to remedy the lack of training among the staff of inspecting organizations, could avoid damage to the production system?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 1998)

In May 1995 the Commission transmitted to the competent authorities its report on the evaluation of the systems for the official control of food in Italy pursuant to Directive 93/99/EEC on the subject of additional measures concerning the official control of foodstuffs(3). On this occasion the Commission said it would welcome greater coordination between the various departments responsible for control and inspection. However, it should be noted that the organisation of control services is a matter for the Member States. At any rate the Commission considers that when infringements are ascertained, measures must be taken to protect consumers and, more generally, to ensure compliance with the legislation.

(1) OJ L 175, 19.7.93, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 21, 27.1.96, p. 42.

(3) OJ L 290, 24.11.1993.