ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3309/98

by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: 'Energy Amplifier' project in Aragon

In Aragon (Spain), an undertaking called LAESA (Energy Amplifier Laboratory) has recently been set up, in response to a proposal by Professor Rubbia, for the elimination of waste generated by nuclear power stations via the transmutation of elements.

This project has given rise to a major controversy in Aragon, since LAESA has proposed constructing, over the next few years, a prototype which would, in laboratory fashion, provide solutions to the still unresolved technical and engineering problems.

Given the scale of the investment involved in this project, LAESA has decided to seek public funding for it.

Is the Commission aware of this project?

If so, does the Commission believe that the prototype can be constructed within the next five years?

Is the Commission in a position to finance this or a similar project?

Has LAESA asked for any kind of financial support from the Commission? If so, was this granted, and what was the sum involved?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 1998)

The Commission is aware of the proposal of LAESA, and the information about the development of this project has been published. There are still many technical problems to be solved before operating such a prototype on a reliable basis and to achieve the construction of the prototype in five years would require a substantial effort from the main European nuclear industrial companies and research institutions.

LAESA like the other European nuclear industrial companies and research institutions will be able to participate in the call for proposals of the specific programme on nuclear energy of the fifth framework programme. Partitioning and transmutation is part of the key action on nuclear fission. LAESA has never asked for any kind of financial support from the Commission's research and technological development (RTD) framework-programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3021/98

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Limestone quarries in the French communes of Taltehull and Vingrau

For a number of years, the OMYA company has been exploiting a limestone quarry in the commune of Taltehull (Tautavel). The company has now decided to open a new quarry in the commune of Vingrau. The mayor and residents of this commune, which lies to the south of Corbières, are opposed to the quarry and the Vingrau municipal council considers that quarrying is contrary to Directive 79/409/EEC(1) of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds and Directive 92/43/EEC(2) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Has the Commission informed the French Government that quarrying in Vingrau in Northern Catalonia, in the department of Pyrénées Orientales, is contrary to the directives mentioned?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 1998)

The Commission has in the past received complaints about the plan to open limestone quarries in the "Basses Corbières" area, in the communes of Vingrau and Tautavel (Department of Pyrénées-Orientales). Moreover, the Commission has been questioned on a number of occasions by Parliament following petition No 923/94.

An examination of the facts has revealed that France has failed to apply Directives 79/409/EEC ("birds") and 92/43/EEC ("habitats") correctly. Specifically, France has not classified the "Basses Corbières" site as a special protection area for certain species of birds listed in Annex I of the "birds" Directive (including Bonelli's eagle) and for certain migratory species not listed in Annex I, nor taken special conservation measures concerning their habitat, contrary to Article 4(1) and (2) of that Directive. Furthermore, France has not taken appropriate steps in that site to avoid disturbance which could have a significant effect on the species for which that site has been designated and deterioration of their habitats, as a result of the opening and exploitation of limestone quarries in the communes of Tautavel and Vingrau, contrary to Article 6(2), (3) and (4) of the Directive on habitats.

Under Article 169 of the EC Treaty, the Commission delivered a reasoned opinion in December 1997 in which it finds that France has failed to fulfil its obligations under the "birds" and "habitats" Directives. As there is no indication that this matter has been rectified, the Commission has referred it to the Court of Justice (application registered on 20 October 1998 under reference C-374/98). It is now for the Court to establish that France has failed to fulfil its obligations.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3124/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Oligopolies and milk market in Italy

The milk market in Italy seems to be dominated by an oligopoly formed by two or three big names. When municipal milk marketing boards were privatised these few names managed to offer very large sums with which rival associations of agricultural producers were unable to compete. For one northern Italian board more than three times the reserve price was paid.

It is evident that it is the consumers that will have to pay, and so-called quality milk will cost a small fortune although the difference in price is not justified by the difference in quality.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Is it aware of this situation?

2. Could it go into the dynamics of the market and check the possibility of basic competition?

3. How can an oligopoly situation guarantee the interests of consumers in the use of an essential basic foodstuff?

4. Can it confirm whether it has investigated the acquisition of the Rome milk marketing board?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 1998)

1. to 3. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it is unaware of any business practices on the Italian milk market that could be caught by Article 85 or 86 of the EC Treaty. It would point out in this connection that an oligopoly situation is not in itself contrary to either article. It can therefore intervene on an oligopolistic market only in cases where it has in its possession particulars showing that businesses are conducting themselves in a manner contrary to Articles 85 and 86.

4. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it decided on 25 March 1998 to institute proceedings under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of aid granted for the privatisation of Centrale del Latte di Roma. It is currently examining the comments received from interested parties. In accordance with the procedure under Article 93(2), it will then take a final decision on the aid in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0880/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Freedom of movement in the EU to acquire medical specialization

Directive 93/16 (1) has created difficulties for people wishing to acquire a medical specialistion in the Member States. Before the Directive entered into force (April 1993) it was possible to recognise in Greece a qualification awarded in Austria, for example, and to grant doctors authorization to practise the profession in order to acquire a specialist field in Greece. Once the Directive entered into force, however, this provision was set aside. While the equivalence of diplomas is recognised, therefore, no authoristion is granted to practise the profession, which must be obtained in the country of study, while the criteria vary according to the national legislation in each country. These provisions create insurmountable problems for anyone who has studied in one Member State and wishes to acquire a specialist field in another.

1. For students enrolled at EU universities before the adoption of Directive 93/16, will the arrangements previously in place apply for a transitional period?

2. Given that diplomas awarded in the EU are equivalent, can provision be made to allow authorization to practise the profession to be obtained from the country in which the doctor intends to work rather than, mandatorily, from the country in which his/her diploma was awarded?

3. Provided the diplomas are equivalent, should it not be possible to acquire a specialist field in a Member State other than the one in which the diploma was awarded, since specialization is a part of medical training?

Answer given by MrMonti on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.

(1) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3564/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: EU funding of Orthodox church proposals

Which proposals of those submitted by Orthodox churches (within and outside the EU) have received funding from DG X of the Commission or under a heading in the Community budget?

Can the Commission provide details of similar proposals from churches of other faiths which have received support from Community resources?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 1999)

The Commission, in the framework of its actions and programmes in 1998 in favour of the preservation of the European cultural heritage (Raphael), co-financed one project submitted by the Centre for the diagnosis and research of Byzantine icons of the Sacred Convent of Annunciationá in Ormylia, Chalkidiki, Greece, which belongs to the Holy Monastery of Simonos-Petras in Mount Athos. In the framework of the structural funds, projects for the preservation of the architectural and cultural heritage are in principle eligible and co-financed through the different programmes. For example, the first and second Community support framework for Greece has co-funded a number of projects throughout the Member State in favour of the preservation and restoration of churches and monasteries which are an integral part of the heritage of Greece. A major part of these interventions concern Mount Athos.

Several projects, directly or indirectly linked with other Christian denominations, were co-financed in 1998 in the framework of the Raphael programme. A project on the conservation of medieval paintings on timber was submitted by the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough cathedral and concerned paintings in the cathedrals of Peterborough (United Kingdom), Bjorsater (Sweden) and Vestre Slidre (Norway). Another project submitted by the Spanish authorities in the framework of European heritage laboratories, as stated in the decision establishing the Raphael programme, concerns the preservation and enhancement of the religious monuments situated on the itinerary of St. Jacques de Compostelle.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2560/98

by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission

(29 July 1998)

Subject: Future security at the Boliden company's mine at Aznalcóllar (Doñana, Spain)

In the wake of the highly disturbing accident at Aznalcóllar (Spain), with its grave implications for the Doñana area, can the Commission state what proposals it has received from the Boliden mining company concerning its operational intentions for the Aznalcóllar mine, and also specify what preventive measures it is taking to ensure that any proposed future operations in this mining area are in line with safety standards and to prevent any more accidents from occurring?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 1998)

The Boliden company's proposed mining operation at Los Frailes has undergone the environmental impact assessment required by Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1). The environmental impact statement was published in the official journal of the Province of Seville, No 180, of 5 August 1995. According to the Commission's information, Boliden intends, this autumn, to apply for authorisation to bring the Los Frailes mine back into operation.

The Spanish authorities will be asked for details regarding the matters raised by the Honourable Member. In addition, as part of the follow-up to the accident these matters will be raised at a bilateral meeting between the Spanish authorities and the Commission, to be held in November 1998 in Madrid.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3886/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Adverse effects of Viagra on health

The recent announcement by the Federal Drugs Agency that three Viagra users have recently died in Germany is cause for legitimate concern about the safe use of the drug. Given that the cause of death in all three cases was a heart attack, it is considered quite probable that Viagra played a part in these fatalities. What measures has the Commission taken to protect the health of European citizens and, in particular, to ensure that they are responsibly informed?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Authorisation for placing Viagra on the market was granted by the Commission on 14 September 1998 on the basis of the scientific evaluation carried out by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products which delivered a favourable opinion on the request for authorisation to place the product on the market. In the scientific evaluation the safety of this medicine for users was carefully examined.

In the summary of product characteristics it is specified (under contra-indications) that this medicine must not be used by men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable, in particular patients with severe cardiovascular problems such as unstable angina pectoris or severe cardiac insufficiency. It is also mentioned (under special warnings and special precautions for use) that before commencing such treatment the doctor must carry out an examination of the patient's cardiovascular function as all sexual activity involves some cardiac risk. In the information for the patient it is clearly specified that he should not take Viagra in case of severe cardiac problems, a recent heart attack or low blood pressure.

In the scientists' view consumer protection is therefore guaranteed provided that the precautions for use and contra-indications are heeded.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3340/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Bhopal

Fourteen years after the Bhopal tragedy in India, 10-15 people are still dying every month, medical care has been cut and Union Carbide has still not paid adequate compensation. Is the Commission aware of the continuing problems, which include shortage of medicines, lack of clean drinking water and sanitary facilities, toxic chemicals in the community wells, and the closure of Women's training facilities, and does it have any support projects which might help the people in this area?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1998)

The Commission has long been aware of the Bhopal disaster and of the tragic consequences it has had for the people of the region. It is being kept informed of the situation both through the local and international press and through its Delegation in India. The Commission has not, however, been approached either by the Indian authorities or by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with proposals for a project specifically aimed at the Bhopal area. NGOs working in the Bhopal area may submit project proposals for co-financing by the Commission under the decentralised NGO support facility (budget line B7-6000). Such proposals will be considered like all others within the parameters of this facility.

According to the information available to the Commission, the distribution of agreed compensation to the victims of the Bhopal disaster proved extremely complex and lengthy. In cannot be excluded that any future aid may be affected similarly.

The Commission is already providing development aid aimed at human welfare in India: in 1997 the Community launched the largest project ever funded under the underdeveloped countries - Asia and Latin America countries (PVD-ALA) development budget line for the benefit of a single developing country. This is a sector investment programme entitled "Support to health and family welfare development" which provides ECU 200 million over a six year period to be used across the whole country. Its main objective is the provision of women's reproductive and child health services to groups that have hitherto not benefited from such services.

The Commission is always grateful for further information from individuals or organisations on humanitarian emergencies affecting the vulnerable in India, as well as for suggestions as to how such problems may be addressed, taking into account the financial constraints imposed by the Community budget.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3143/98

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: International literacy day

The international literacy day was celebrated on 8 September. This day was designated by the UN and Unesco with the aim of raising the awareness of the international community and ensuring that a commitment is entered into on a global scale with regard to education and development. Despite this, it is estimated that in the year 2005 there will be 870 million illiterate people over the age of 15. Similarly, according to data supplied by the Spanish national statistics institute, there are over a million illiterate people in Spain of which 960 000 are women and 380 000 are men.

In this connection, could the Commission answer the following two questions:

- Can the Commission say how many people in the European Union are illiterate and provide a breakdown both by gender and as a percentage of the population of each Member State?

- What specific actions are being pursued by the Union to end illiteracy?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 1998)

On 14 May 1987 the Council and Ministers of Education adopted conclusions concerning a European programme to step up action against illiteracy. Illiteracy was regarded as being attributable to a series of mutually sustaining causes, in addition to school-linked factors: social, geographic, medical, psychological factors, as well as a lack of correspondence between educational requirements and those of the languages used by the media, including the languages of information processing. It was also considered that compulsory schooling alone was incapable of eradicating illiteracy and that initiatives should be taken as part of an overall strategy to both prevent illiteracy in schools and improve literacy among adults.

Parliament resolution A3-0400/92 of 21 April 1993 on the eradication of illiteracy in the Member States notes that illiteracy, in particular functional illiteracy among adults, still persists in the Community and that Member States are failing to take adequate measures to deal with it. It also stresses that there is no definition of illiteracy in Europe and that this lack of coherence affects the relevance of the studies carried out. It calls upon European, national, regional and local institutions to marshal their human and financial resources in order to enable the population of the European Community to exercise one of its fundamental rights: the right to education and to a minimum of knowledge.

The Commission is not carrying out any specific measures in the field of illiteracy, but some projects contained in the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth for Europe programmes involve activities in this field when targeted at young people or adults in difficulty. Likewise, the European Social Fund, in particular under Objective 3, finances measures to help disadvantaged people, which may include activities to combat illiteracy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2007/98

by Felipe Camisón Asensio (PPE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: "Mediterranean ports" pilot action (ERDF funds)

It has recently been announced that the European Commission has approved various regional- planning pilot actions designed to solve similar problems affecting different regions in the Member States. One is the "Mediterranean Ports" action which will concern Spain and Portugal.

Will the Commission give details, for each geographical locality under consideration, of the funding, implementation timetable and specific projects planned for the "Mediterranean Ports" action?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 1998)

The pilot scheme "Gateways to the Mediterranean", part-financed under Article 10 of Regulation (EEC) 2084/93(1) on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) during the period 1997-99, concerns transnational cooperation between Portugal, Spain and Morocco in the field of spatial planning.

For this pilot scheme, ERDF part-financing of ECU 5 million is envisaged compared to a total public cost of ECU 6,67 million for the part corresponding to Spain and Portugal. The eligible regions in the Member States are as follows: Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Alentejo and the Algarve in Portugal; Andalusia, Estremadura and Murcia in Spain; all of the Objective 1 regions.

The financing of the part concerning Morocco is not yet settled. Possible part-financing of its participation by the MEDA programme is not yet decided. The Commission is awaiting a better definition of Morocco's participation before taking a final decision on this pilot scheme.

Projects will be approved by the monitoring committee, according to the selection criteria laid down in the programme for the pilot scheme.

(1) OJ L 195, 31.7.1993.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3274/98

by Kyösti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 October 1998)

Subject: Deferral of payment of area-based farm subsidies

One of the ways in which the European Union supports agriculture is by means of area-based subsidies. Accordingly, farmers are required to notify the areas of land used for cultivation to the nearest 0,01 hectare.

In Finland the agricultural administration has had a survey of the farmland used for crop production carried out by the Mallon Group, an Irish enterprise. The survey is full of errors and inexactitudes, which farmers have tried to correct. In view of the uncertainties, the agricultural administration has announced that payment of some subsidies may be deferred.

1. If the agricultural administration and its technical consultants have done their work badly and inexactly, is this an acceptable basis for penalising farmers by deferring payment of subsidies despite the fact that they have filed correct notifications in accordance with their statutory responsibilities?

2. Ought not farmers to receive payment for their work with the same promptness as those working in other professions?

3. Cannot any inexactitudes on the part of the agricultural administration, in whichever direction the error may lie, be corrected subsequently?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1998)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission's answer to Written Questions P-2826/98 by Mrs Hautala(1) and P-3048/98 by Mrs Ryynänen(2).

The rules provide for compensatory payments under the arable crops scheme to be made between 16 October and 31 December following the harvest. The Commission has been informed that the Finnish authorities will comply with this time limit. Therefore, while concerned to carry out its responsibility to ensure adequate controls and to make sure that aid is paid to farmers within the time limit laid down, the Commission considers that the stepping up of on-the-spot checks should not cause any delay in aid payments to farmers in Finland.

(1) OJ C 207, 21.7.1999, p. 13.

(2) OJ C 207, 21.7.1999, p. 24.
91999E0144

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 144/99 by Brigitte LANGENHAGEN to the Commission. EU aid to Verden



Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0141