ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2865/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Council (13 September 1997)

Subject: Aid to developing countries

Following findings by UNICEF that aid from industrialized nations to developing countries has fallen to an all time low, will the Council consider reaching an agreement to increase such aid from the Member States whilst at the same time reviewing its effectiveness and encouraging mutually beneficial trade?

Answer (26 November 1997)

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn first of all to the fact that aid from Member States of the European Union for developing countries is entirely a matter within their own competence.

The most recent figures supplied by the OECD concerning development aid from the industralized countries meeting within the Development Aid Committee (DAC), which relate to 1995, show that contributions by the Member States of the European Union amounted to 26 910 billion dollars, exceeding by a large margin the contributions of other major donors such as the United States (7.4 billion dollars) and Japan (14.5 billion dollars). Adding the share of development aid financed by the European Community and the EDF, this aid amounts to 31 411 billion dollars, which represents 53.5% of the development aid given by all the industralized countries. Furthermore, since 1990 combined aid from the Member States and the Community has risen both in absolute figures (from 25 to 31 411 billion dollars) and in percentage terms (from under 50% to 53.5%].

With regard to the European Community's policy objectives in the field of development cooperation, Article 130u of the Treaty on European Union lays down as objectives the campaign against poverty, the sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries and the integration of those countries into the world economy.

Concerning the effectiveness of Community aid, it should be noted that, further to the (Development) Council's statement of 25 November 1994 and in accordance with the detailed arrangements it set out on 1 June 1995, a full, in-depth evaluation exercise is currently taking place of the programmes and instruments of Community aid, aimed at making an assessment of results in the light of its objectives and at drawing lessions from past experience. The first phase ("desk phase¨) of the evaluations of the ALA and MED programmes and of cooperation with the ACP countries has been completed, and the second phase, consisting of on-the-ground missions, has begun. The overall summary report covering the whole exercise will be drawn up by the Commission and is expected for the second half of 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2976/97 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Health of farmers in the EU

The men and women who work in the fields of Europe are exposed to numerous diseases related to their work. One of the most widespread occupational diseases in the countryside is brucellosis (also known as undulant fever) which is transmitted by contact, via airborne bacteria or through ingestion of dairy products derived from the milk of infected animals.There are other diseases of infectious origin as well, such as tuberculosis (transmitted via the milk of sick cows) and carbuncles, and also ones of parasitic origin, not to mention animal and insect bites. Moreover, the use (and misuse) of everyday machinery (certain tools, engines, mowing machines, etc.) produces vibration which, if experienced constantly and intensively, can cause significant damage to bone and muscle. Excessive exposure to the sun and health problems caused by the handling of chemicals are also a significant factor and can give rise to skin complaints. Lastly, high stress levels affect women farm workers in particular since they often work outside the farm as well as performing agricultural tasks, running a household and bringing up children.

In view of the fact that prevention campaigns need to be significantly broadened in order to minimize (and as much as possible prevent) the impact which such diseases may have on farm workers, could the Commission say whether there are any Community initiatives designed to alleviate (and ultimately resolve) this state of affairs?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1997)

The Commission is fully aware of the occupational risks to which farm workers are exposed.

There is an extensive corpus of European legislation concerned with the safety and health of workers, including farm workers. Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work ((OJ L 183, 29.6.1989. )) applies to all sectors of activity, including agriculture. Moreover, Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work ((OJ L 374, 31.12.1990. )) (amended subsequently by Directive 93/88/EEC ((OJ L 268, 29.10.1993. )) and by Directive 95/30/EEC ((OJ L 155, 6.7.1995. ))) lays down measures to be applied to activities in which workers are exposed or are liable to be exposed to biological agents such as those mentioned in the question.

Commission Recommendation No 90/326/EEC concerning the adoption of a European schedule of occupational diseases ((OJ L 160, 26.6.1990. )), addressed to the Member States, includes several diseases mentioned by the Honourable Member, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis and infectious or parasitic diseases transmitted to man by animals or animal remains.

Within the context of the Community programme on safety, hygiene and health at work (1996-2000), the Commission, with the aid of the information supplied by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, will examine whether other measures need to be introduced in the future.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2975/97 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: COM in sugar

The Union of EC Soft Drinks Associations (Unesda) regrets the fact that the sugar sector has been largely ignored in considerations regarding the forthcoming reform of the common agricultural policy. In view of the fact that the common organization of the market in sugar has not changed since 1967, Unesda believes that it needs to be reformed in such a way as to bring it gradually into line with the market and to ensure that it provides income support for sugar beet producers. It also maintains that the production surpluses forecast by Commission specialists could be partly absorbed by the soft drinks industry if sugar prices were stabilized at a reasonable level.

Could the Commission say what it thinks of Unesda's views?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1997)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the production and guaranteed price arrangements in the sugar sector apply by a decision of the Council of 24 April 1995, following consultation of Parliament, until the end of the 2000/01 marketing year ((Council Regulation (EC) No 1101/95 of 24 April 1995 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81 on the common organisation of the market in the sugar sector and Regulation (EEC) No 1010/86 laying down general rules for the production refund on certain sugar products used in the chemical industry: OJ L 110, 17.5.1995. )).

This is why the sector is not covered by the Agenda 2000 document ((COM(97) 2000. )) presented by the Commission, which sees no need for discussion of the sector at the present time given the deadline for settling its future of 1 January 2001.

Despite any claims to the contrary by Unesda, the market organisation has undergone several substantial adjustments since 1967. These have been essentially concerned with financing the disposal of exportable Community production through production levies paid by producers (i.e. growers and beet sugar refiners). This self-financing, which originally affected only B quota production over the quota application period, was extended to A quota production and then became a full self-financing requirement for each marketing year. This means that the Community's annual budget meets none of the costs of disposing of Community production in this sector, which would not be the case if aid for beet production was granted as envisaged by UNESDA. In the Commission's opinion such an approach would not at the moment be suitable for the sector.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2973/97 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Computerization in European SMEs

A Spanish director of a major company which is a world leader in software development recently stated that, in Spain, only half as much is invested in information technologies as in the rest of Europe. This difference is particularly apparent in small and medium-sized companies, half of which have no personal computer whilst the other half have no more than five, despite the fact that Spanish businessmen are aware of their importance as a means of improving the competitiveness of SMEs.

1. Has the Commission any statistics, broken down for each individual country, concerning the percentage of European Union SMEs with access to computerization? If so, could it make them available?

2. Could the Commission say whether SMEs are provided with any kind of Community aid to enable them to make the necessary investment? If so, what kind of initiatives are being implemented?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (24 October 1997)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3051/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Numbering policy for telecommunications services

With regard to the Green Paper on a numbering policy for telecommunications services in Europe (COM(96) 590 final), consideration should be given to the harmonization and synchronization of the process of introducing selection and pre-selection. Support should be given for the introduction of number portability as soon as possible with effect from 1 January 1998, as regards the portability of the installation (local area), the service and the service provider (including number portability for special services), if technically feasible. The European numbering area also needs to be established as soon as possible, while constantly reviewing the economic and social benefits to be derived from its implementation.

With this in view, what role is to be played by the new European authority that is to be set up and how will it operate?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1997)

In the numbering green paper of November 1996, the Commission submitted to public consultation various policy options concerning numbering issues. Among these options was the creation of a new structure for regulation and administration of numbers in Europe. This structure would have an important role in one of the more ambitious scenarios proposed, namely the harmonisation of national numbering schemes. However, on the basis of the results of the consultation, the Commission concluded in its communication of May 1997 ((COM(97) 203 final. )) that, at present, there was insufficient support for a more far reaching harmonisation of national numbering schemes. This assessment may change in the light of new market demands after full liberalisation and a further cost-benefit analysis should therefore be conducted in a few years from now.

In the short term, the only new task for numbering management at the European level would follow from the creation of a European telephony numbering space (ETNS) on the basis of the 388 country code, as proposed in the Commission communication of May. However, the scale of this ETNS would not justify the creation of a European numbering authority and the Commission has proposed to charge the existing European telecommunications office (ETO) with the management of the ETNS, in any case in the early stages.

By the end of 1999, the Commission will conduct a review of the Community's telecommunications regulatory framework in the light of the requirements of the liberalised telecommunications markets. The need for a European regulatory authority for telecommunications will be reconsidered as part of that review.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3054/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Reform of the COM in olive oil

The Commission has submitted a note to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament on the olive and olive oil sector (including economic, cultural, regional, social and environmental aspects), the current common market organization, the need for a reform and the alternatives envisaged (COM(97) 57 final).

From the political point of view, the Commission proposal fails to promote the development of the Community's traditional olive-growing regions.

From the economic point of view, it fails to encourage the competitiveness of the European olive-growing sector. In fact, the proposal to introduce aid per tree means it will be impossible to maintain sustainable olive groves in future, which is vital for safeguarding Europe's leading position.

From the environmental point of view, the introduction of aid per tree will prompt growers to stop cultivation, increasing the risk of environmental deterioration.

From the social point of view, production aid protects current levels of employment and prevents depopulation in rural areas. Introducing aid per tree would in practice lead to the disappearance of the various systems of exploiting the production of olive groves, some of which are of vital importance for small producers and their employees.

Will the Commission review the question of providing aid on the basis of the number of trees? In this connection, it should be stressed that growers could leave olives on the trees, collect the aid and save the labour costs concerned, or could plant olive trees solely for the purpose of securing aid.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1997)

First and foremost, it should be made clear that the note on the olive oil sector referred to by the Honourable Member sets out various alternatives for reforming the current common organisation of the market in olive oil, one being the grant of aid per tree.

The Commission does not believe that this particular alternative will have the negative consequences outlined by the Honourable Member (like the abandonment of cultivation, environmental deterioration and the problem of unemployed labour), provided that the aid per tree is granted subject to certain conditions, including the obligation to pick the olives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3063/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 October 1997)

Subject: Emissions of organic compounds

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council directive on limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain industrial activities (COM(96) 538 final -96/0276 SYN) ((OJ C 99, 26.3.1997, p. 32. )).

At European Union level, measures have already been introduced to reduce emissions of organic compounds such as the Auto-Oil programme and other legislative measures relating to emissions caused by traffic and the petrol distribution system. Emissions from stationary sources of solvents therefore need to be reduced, although specific conditions need to be laid down for the three main sub-sectors of application, given the considerable number of such sources.

Will the Commission introduce a methodology for securing equal reductions in each sector, given the large number of industrial sectors and undertakings involved, and set balanced reduction targets for each sector in terms of cost-effectiveness?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1997)

When preparing its proposal for a directive limiting emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) arising from the use of organic solvents in certain industrial activities, the Commission took the greatest of care in defining the requirements concerning VOC emissions by the various sectors of industry falling within its scope. Various sector-specific analyses have enabled the potential for reducing VOC emissions to be pinpointed for each of the sectors on the basis of the best available technologies. The emission limits and the solvent-consumption thresholds on the basis of which a facility is covered by the directive took the greatest account of these technical/economic factors at their definition stage.

The Commission has, in particular, taken steps to ensure that there is a certain consistency among the various sectors in terms of the average cost per tonne of VOC and of the marginal costs.

Conversely the Commission has not gone ahead with developing a uniform methodology for each sector concerned in cost/benefit terms. An exercise of this type would, indeed, have been extremely complex to conclude successfully, bearing in mind the large number and diversity of the branches of industry and companies involved. In addition, imposing a standards set of reduction charges throughout industry would potentially penalise small and medium-sized businesses.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2686/97 by Luigi Moretti (NI) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Delays in payments

In 1995 the Commission adopted a recommendation to the Member States on measures to reduce payment periods (No 95/198/EC) ((OJ L 127, 10.6.1995, p. 19. )). The Member States' failure to take the steps suggested in the recommendation has prompted the Commission recently to draw up and approve a communication on payment delays on commercial transactions and to provide for the drafting of a proposal for a directive to be submitted by the end of the year.

Given that recipients of funds from Community programmes and initiatives are increasingly complaining about unjustified delays in the payment of such funds by Community institutions, will the Commission explain what measures it is taking to ensure that time limits are respected in effecting payments under Community programmes?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)

Firstly, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its recent answers to written questions E-3101/96 by Mr Mather ((OJ C 105,3.4.1997. )) and E-1568/97 by Mr Novo ((OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 27. )). In these answers to questions similar to the one now put by the Honourable Member, the Commission informed Parliament of the changes made in recent years to its payment procedures, which have generally been speeded up and made more reliable.

The Commission regularly monitors the period taken to apply procedures. In 1996, it was found that with regard to all Commission budgetary payments, the average period between receipt of the invoice and the effective date on which the Commission's financial account was debited was 52 days. It was also found that, in 1996, 78% of payments were made in 60 days or less, 12% between 60 and 80 days and 10% over 90 days.

While these results can be further improved on and steps should be taken to ensure that 95% of payment orders are carried out within 60 calendar days, the Commission very recently approved a communication on payment periods ((SEC(97) 1205. )) acknowledging the principle that default interest should be paid where certain categories of payments are made after the deadline. The practical arrangements for implementing that measure, one of which will be the insertion of a clause in all Commission contracts, have already been adopted and have been updated since 1 October 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2510/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (22 July 1997)

Subject: Refund of income tax to single-income families

Is the Commission aware that an EEC Directive is being disregarded increasingly frequently in Italy - for example on the basis of an unclear judgment of the Italian Constitutional Court, No 358 of 24.7.1995. Since 1976 this Directive has recognized the right of single-income families (i.e. in which only one spouse is in paid employment) to a 50% income tax refund, together with the relevant interest and currency revaluation?

In view of the great social importance of the issue, does the Commission intend to prevail upon the Italian Government to ensure that the Directive is applied in Italy too?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1997)

Income taxation falls within the competence of the Member States. No Community directive (in particular not Directive 76/207/EEC ((Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion and working conditions - OJ L 39, 14.2.1976. ))) creates an obligation with respect to the method used for the income taxation of couples. Therefore the Commission has no case to raise with the Italian government.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2501/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)

Subject: CITES - Ivory

Given Parliament's resolution B4-0473/97 of 12 June 1997, which 'urged the parties not to accept any proposals from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to downlist the African elephant', and the desired position of several Member States to vote against this downlisting, the Commission's position affected the final outcome of the parties to the CITES convention.

In the interests of transparency will the Commission publish the specific proposals it made in Harare on the elephant issue, and will the Commission undertake in future to communicate its proposals for a common position of the Member States to Parliament well in advance?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1997)

The proposals concerning the transfer of the elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe were adopted by a far greater number of parties than the required two-thirds majority. The Commission's position to support a compromise with firm conditions and the subsequent Community position to abstain did not affect the final outcome of the meeting. The Commission and the Community did, however, contribute throughout the meeting to the positive results that were achieved.

The Commission is ready, in conformity with the code of conduct with the Parliament to inform fully the relevant committee on these negotiations and to explain the positions taken. This will be the occasion for the Parliament to see that there was no discrepancy between its position on elephants as laid down in its Resolution 94-0473/97 of 12 June 1997 and that of the Commission.

As demonstrated on the occasion of the Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) meeting, the Commission is in principle ready to take the Parliament's views into account when formulating common position proposals. Similarly, the Commission - together with the Presidency - has a regular exchange of information with representatives of the Community's non-governmental organizations during CITES meetings. As for the future communication to Parliament of proposals for Community positions well in advance of CITES meetings, the Commission will continue to conform with the provisions of the aforementioned code de conduct.