ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1672/96 by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Selection procedure under framework research programme - Targeted Socio-Economic Research

According to what criteria were the outside experts who examine the applications selected? What are the criteria for a favourable evaluation of the applications? In particular, what are the criteria for social innovation?

How many projects are being subsidized after the first round and which countries are participating? How does the Commission plan to evaluate the large number of project proposals and to incorporate them in the future version of the research programme? What level of funding is represented by the individual projects currently in receipt of subsidy?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1996)

Procedures for selecting experts to assess proposals for research and technological development activities submitted in response to open calls for proposals under the targeted socio-economic research programme follow the practice adopted by the Commission and the Council and outlined in the Commission's publication, 'EC-funded research and technological development'. Experts are chosen by the Commission from an extensive list of possible candidates suggested by the national members of the programme committee, scientific and professional bodies and organisations. When choosing experts, the Commission ensures that the individuals have the appropriate expertise and knowledge of the application areas.

Criteria for evaluating proposals follow the advice given in the information package which accompanied the application forms. Foremost amongst these criteria are scientific and technical excellence and novelty, integrity and multi-cultural skills. The experts' assessments are taken fully into consideration when the Commission issues its decision on the selected proposals. There are no specific criteria for social innovation which is not treated separately.

38 projects are being funded following the first call, involving some 308 partners (mostly higher education institutes) representing all Member States, Norway, and Switzerland. The total cost of the projects funded is approximately 24 MECU of which Community funding represents approximately 20 MECU.

The Commission is accustomed to handling large number of proposals submitted in response to its calls. The general procedures are outlined in the publication mentioned above.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1273/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 May 1996)

Subject: Consumer prices

In connection with the Parliament and Council Directive 95/58/EC ((OJ L 299, 12.12.1995, p. 11.)) on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of consumer products, will the Commission put forward a proposal covering the transition period following the introduction of the single European currency for the triple labelling of prices on products to show:

1. the sales price in the national currency;

2. the sales price in the single European currency;

3. the price per unit of measurement in the single European currency?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1272/96 and E-1273/96 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1996)

The Honourable Member takes over the concerns expressed in Parliament's amendments adopted on 18 April 1996 concerning the Commission proposal on consumer protection in the indication of the prices offered to consumers (amendment n° 19 for Written Question E-1272/96; amendment n° 15 for Written Question E-1273/96).

As invited by the Parliament, the Commission is preparing a modified proposal in which the Honourable Member will soon find the position of the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1232/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Labelling of feedstuffs

Exactly what information must be given on the label as to the ingredients of feedstuffs sold for consumption by livestock which are intended for human consumption?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0933/96 and P-1232/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1996)

In the light of the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), many animal feed manufacturers, livestock producers and consumers have become genuinely concerned over the use of certain by-products of animal origin in animal feed.

Council Directive 79/373/EEC of 2 April 1979 ((OJ L 86, 6.4.1979. )) sets out in great detail rules to be observed for the labelling of compound feedingstuffs intended for animals as a whole.

As regards the declaration of the ingredients of compound feedingstuffs for animals other than pets, i.e. production animals such a bovine livestock, the Directive lays down that all the ingredients shall be listed in descending order of their proportion in the feedingstuff.

For the purposes of the declaration, the ingredients may also be listed according to the categories laid down by Commission Directive 91/357/EEC. ((OJ L 193, 17.7.1991. ))

In the light of the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the Commission will examine whether it is necessary to tighten the current rules on labelling in order to provide livestock producers with yet more precise information on the rules governing the use of certain products of animal origin.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1419/96 by María Sornosa Martínez (GUE/NGL) and Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Women's suffrage in the Arab countries

In October 1996 Kuwait is to hold legislative elections in which women will have no right to vote or stand for election. This is one more example of the fact that in the Arab-Muslim world there is little participation by women in public life.

Whereas the very nature of the patriarchal regime which prevails in fundamentalist Islam conditions women culturally, socially and religiously to the point where it constructs a political reality in which there is no room for them,

Given that this political obstacle can only be seen, in the light of our own experience, as an obstacle to progress in any country and that this, without any doubt, affects our international relations,

Does the Commission believe that the situation of women in these countries might affect the relations of these countries with the European Union?

Does the Commission plan to take any measures to suggest to these countries that they should consolidate and uphold genuine democratic principles and respect for human rights, such as voting rights for women?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)

The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Members and deplores the plight of women in certain Arab countries. Full participation by women in political and social life is, in its view, a primary indicator of the state of democratization of a country.

The Commission in its communication on 'Improving relations between the European Union and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council' ((COM(95) 541 final. )), emphasises the importance of reinforcement of political dialogue with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to '... enable the two sides to discuss questions of human rights and democracy which are important both at international level and the level of the relations between the European Union and the GCC'. In this respect, a first political dialogue meeting at senior official level, which complements the political dialogue during ministerial meetings between the European Union and the GCC was held on 29 February 1996.

Regarding the parliamentary election in Kuwait scheduled for October 1996 the Commission considers that is an further step in the process of the democratisation of the country. While encouraging this process, the Commission deeply regrets that women are not allowed to vote or to be elected and hopes the government of Kuwait will introduce the necessary reforms to permit the full participation of women in the electoral process.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1194/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Link between industrial emissions and incidence of poor health at Canvey Island

Is the Commission aware of studies which show the link between industrial emissions and poor health, in particular asthma, such as that which afflicts my constituents at Canvey Island, Essex? Could the Commission state precisely what research has been undertaken on this subject at European level and which European funding programmes are available to fund further research in this respect?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (14 June 1996)

The Commission is aware of the many studies which show correlations between poor air quality and morbidity (including asthma prevalence) in various populations around Europe. Many such studies have been and are being supported by the Commission through both the environment and climate and the biomedicine and health (Biomed) research programmes.

In the environment and climate research programme, relevant research is supported under the topic 'Risks to human health'. Two recently terminated projects are particularly relevant. The results on the first project 'Aphea' (Short-term effects of air pollution on mortality and morbidity: a European approach using epidemiological time-series data) have recently been published as a supplement to the Journal of epidemiology & community health ((April 1996, Volume 50, Supplement 1, pages S1-S80. )). The results of the second project 'Peace' (Effects of short-term changes in urban air pollution on the respiratory health of children with chronic respiratory symptoms) will be published shortly as a supplement to the European respiratory review.

In the current Biomed 2 research programme, relevant research is supported under the areas 'Occupational and environmental health' and 'Chronic diseases, ageing and age-related diseases' where the objective is to elucidate the role of environmental factors in the development of asthma.

Titles of recent and current projects on the subject in both programmes are sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament's Secretariat and specific details of them are available from the Commission.

Relevant research proposals will be welcomed in both programmes, following calls for proposals scheduled for 15 September 1996.

A Commission proposal for an action programme on pollution-related diseases is under preparation in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health ((COM(93) 559 final. )) focusing on respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies, and aiming at exchanging information and increasing understanding about pollution-related health risks and how to address them. It is not envisaged that there will be a possibility to fund projects concerning surveys and reviews of data for preventive action until such time as the programme is adopted by the Parliament and the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1597/96 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Implementation of Directives 85/73, 88/409 and 93/118 by Spain

What is the state of compliance by Spain with Directives 85/73/EEC ((OJ L 32, 5.2.1985, p. 14. )), 88/409/EEC ((OJ L 194, 22.7.1988, p. 28. )) and 93/118/EEC ((OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p. 15. )), particularly as regards collection of the health inspection fee?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1996)

Spain has duly transposed into national law those aspects of Directives 85/73/EEC, 88/409/EEC and 93/118/EC which relate to health inspection fees. The transposed legislation sent to the Commission by Spain, in accordance with its requirement under the Directives in question, has been examined by the Commission and is considered to be in compliance with those Directives.

As regards the collection of health inspection fees by the Spanish authorities, following a complaint to the Commission asserting that such fees were not being duly collected from Spanish slaughterhouses, Spain has been sending regularly to the Commission proof of the recovery of health inspection fees by the Spanish Autonomous Communities.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1868/96 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission (28 June 1996)

Subject: Fraud against the Community rules governing the COM in bananas

It is public knowledge that in certain northern European ports the official weight of import crates for bananas is 18.14 kg, although their real weight is between 19 and 20 kg. The author of this question possesses evidence that certain Community institutions have been aware of this fact for at least two years. These differences in weight affect the assessment of the quantities actually imported into the Community market and imply an excess of approximately 100 000 tonnes per annum. This obviously creates distortions in the operation of Regulation 101/93 ((OJ L 47, 25.2.1993, p. 1. )), as the extra quantities are not counted by the customs authorities.

The Commission is known to have studied the matter, and is to deliver an opinion on what is visibly a form of distortion of the market in bananas.

Has the Commission finished preparing its opinion, and when will it be available?

What measures has the Commission taken, or what measures does it intend to take, to put a stop to what can only be called an instance of fraud against the Community rules?

What control measures concerning the weight of banana crates does the Commission intend to introduce in practice to correct this state of affairs?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 July 1996)

As the Honourable Member points out, the issue of banana import declarations has been raised with the Commission. It has conducted enquiries among the Member States.

In certain Member States, when declaring bananas for free circulation, importers customarily fill in the standard box weight, which is 40 pounds, or 18.14 kg, when the real weight of the box is in many cases higher. However, the boxes are not systematically overweight, and we cannot therefore confirm the Honourable Member's contention that the excess imports amount to 100 000 tonnes a year.

To verify such declarations, customs authorities are expected to weigh a sample for each declaration made. However, it is well known that - human resources being limited - as a rule only two or three per cent of declarations are subject to physical inspections. That is not enough to enable this particular problem to be resolved.

We recognize that disparities in Community practice that cannot easily be monitored are a problem, particularly as regards the tariff quota set as part of the common organization of the banana market and the collection of Community revenue. The Commission is currently engaged in pinpointing measures to ensure that Community legislation is enforced correctly and uniformly.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0920/96 by Peter Pex (PPE) to the Commission (23 April 1996)

Subject: Lack of a uniform post code in the European Union

The question of a uniform post code in the European Union has been under discussion for a number of years, but with no prospect of the issue being resolved, let alone of a date being set for implementation.

This is undesirable, in my opinion, because the current differences in the way post codes are structured mean that publishers of greetings cards have to preprint different spaces. EU post codes currently vary from four to eight figures and letters. The result is that any publisher wishing to service the foreign market, too, must print a different space for the post code for each Member State. This naturally involves additional expenditure.

What progress has been achieved towards adopting uniform post codes in the European Union? Is it not a matter of European interest for the Union, as an entity, to be able to adopt a uniform post code? What is the Commission planning to do about the lack of a uniform post code?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (31 May 1996)

Since early 1986 the Commission has regularly reviewed the situation with regard to the post codes used by public post operators and endeavoured to ascertain whether the postal community (comprising the regulatory authorities, business users, private consumers and service providers) feel that a uniform European post code is needed.

In this connection, the Commission had a study carried out into the mechanization and automation of mail. One of the study's conclusions was that consumers and users of postal services did not regard the adoption of uniform European post codes as an urgent priority.

The Commission has since adopted an overall approach to matters concerning the harmonization and standardization of services, giving the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) the task of drawing up a list of standards to be established for the postal sector as a matter of priority. The Postal Programming Committee, comprising the various parties concerned (business users, consumer associations, public and private operators), has agreed on the advisability of drawing up standards on the content and general positioning of information printed on envelopes, including post codes. The work in question will be carried out in the near future, the CEN's Technical Committee having recently endorsed the report drafted by the Planning Committee.

The Commission will carefully monitor how the situation develops, to see whether any action of benefit to European users is called for.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1647/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Failure to apply the bird protection directive in the Land of Brandenburg

1. Is the Commission aware that not a single bird protection area has been designated in the Land of Brandenburg?

2. Does the Commission see this as an infringement of the bird protection directive, 79/409/EEC? ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. ))

3. Will the Commission institute infringement proceedings?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1996)

1. The Commission already received from the German government in 1991 a non-binding list with possible special protection areas for the new German Länder, including Brandenburg. These areas were formally confirmed in 1992, although without Brandenburg, for which confirmation was promised for 1993. However, this has not yet happened. The Commission sent a reminder to the German government concerning Brandenburg in February 1996.

2. Germany has created close to 500 special protection areas according to Directive 79/409/EEC. However, the Commission is informed that the Directive is not yet sufficiently implemented in a number of Länder in this respect. This is true also regarding the fact that special protection areas have not yet been confirmed for Brandenburg.

3. The Commission, with a view to an infringement procedure according to Article 169 of the EC Treaty has given Germany the opportunity to submit its observations. The Commission is at present preparing a reasoned opinion.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1373/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Milk Quota

The press has recently been swamped by reports concerning an imbalance which is imminent in the EU milk and meat trade balance owing to the slaughter of over 3 million productive head of cattle in the UK due to spongiform encephalopathy.

Greece has for many years been calling on the European Community to approve a cow's milk quota that is close to the Community average (315 kilos on average in the European Union, compared to 60 kilos on average in Greece per inhabitant per year).

Is the Commission considering increasing the quota by 125 000 tonnes (from 625 000 to 750 000 tonnes at least) so as to enable Greece partly to meet its fresh cow's milk requirements, which are estimated at over 1 million tonnes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 June 1996)

The Commission does not think that bovine spongiform encephalopathy will have short term consequences for the Community, leading to a shortage of milk products on the market. On the contrary, the trend of the past two years has now been reversed, with a fall in market prices and an increase in the quantities of butter and skimmed milk powder delivered to intervention.

In these circumstances, there is no justification for an increase in the guaranteed overall quantity for any Member State, especially as the supplementary levy system expires in the year 2000 and a review of the future organization of the common organization of the milk and milk products markets is already under way.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1383/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Inspections of avocados from Mexico

The USA, Mexico's natural partner, have banned imports of Mexican avocados in order to protect domestic production and on the basis of plant health standards consistent with those of the GATT. Nonetheless, Mexican avocados enter the EU without any kind of inspection being carried out.

I would therefore ask the Commission whether it intends to take any steps to protect something as important as public health within the EU, and thus prevent diseases which could be due to this lack of health controls?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)

The Commission is aware that the US has banned imports of Mexican avocados because Mexico is affected by a number of types of fruit fly and by seed and stem weevils.

As indicated in response to oral question No H-436/96 on a closely related matter, which the Honourable Member asked at question time during the June part-session of Parliament, ((Parliament Debates, June 1996. )) the Commission also recognizes the damage the oligonychus perseae mite does to Mexican avocado crops by stripping the tree of leaves - even though the fruit is left untouched.

Community plant health rules provide adequate protection for the EU as they include measures to prevent fruit flies affecting crops like avocado from entering and spreading through the Community. However, these measures are now being revised to take account of new scientific findings which show that avocados can transmit the organisms in question.

However, as these organisms pose no risk to either consumers or public health, the Commission has no plans to take any steps to deal with them.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1261/96 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (24 May 1996)

Subject: Environment-friendly bananas

It has become very difficult to sell non-quota bananas since the Commission introduced the import quota system.

This is one of the reasons why not enough has been done to encourage the production of environment-friendly bananas.

Has the Commission thought of taking steps to promote the production of environment-friendly bananas by for instance allocating them a share of the import quota?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1996)

Organic bananas enter the Community market under the same conditions as all other bananas. Before the creation of the single market, they were also imported into individual Member States according to the provisions in force for conventional bananas.

Organic bananas from a variety of sources including the Dominican Republic and Angola are imported and sold within the Community.

The Community and its Member States must abide by international law. Currently the World trade organization rules forbid discrimination between like products on the grounds of production methods, which means that it is not possible to create or reserve an import quota for organic products.