ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0863/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Public health

With regard to budget heading B3-4300: Public health, health promotion, information on health, health education and public health training, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 25 April 1997 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 81. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0860/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Combating AIDS

With regard to budget heading B3-4303: Combating AIDS and certain other transmissible diseases, can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 25 April 1997 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 81. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0865/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Helios II

With regard to budget heading B3-4102: Helios II (the integration of the disabled), can the Commission say whether subsidies have been granted for Italy and, if so, for which organizations and for which activities?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0858/97, E-0859/97, E-0860/97, E-0861/97, E-0862/97, E-0863/97, E-0864/97, E-0865/97, E-0866/97, E-0867/97, E-0868/97, E-0869/97, E-0870/97 and E-0871/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 25 April 1997 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 81. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat a table containing the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1615/97 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (7 May 1997)

Subject: Spanish involvement in agri-industrial projects

The Commission has recently approved 62 projects under the agricultural research programme. The Commission's selection of projects still inspires little confidence among researchers, who believe that procedures are insufficiently transparent and assessments inadequately based.

Does the Commission plan to alter the procedures?

How many Spanish scientific organizations are involved in the projects approved so far?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1997)

The Commission has not received any substantive evidence of the criticism to which the Honourable Member refers.

The criteria and procedures used for evaluating proposals and selecting projects under the specific research and technological development (RDT) programmes are clearly set out in the information packages prepared by each RTD programme and made available to potential proposers. These criteria are applied by the independent experts who evaluate the proposals and provide advice to the Commission.

In the context of the discussions on the forthcoming fifth framework programme for research and technological development, management issues, including selection procedures, are currently being examined with a view to learning from best practice and making the procedures even more transparent. Any changed management procedures which result from these discussions will be subject to the fundamental principles which have always governed the implementation of Community research programmes, namely equal access, equitable treatment, excellence as a priority, efficiency and transparency of procedures.

A total of 195 Spanish participants (research institutions, universities and industries) are involved in the 360 research projects selected for funding so far, under the first four calls for proposals of the Agriculture and fisheries specific RTD programme, FAIR, (1994-1998).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2102/97 by Luis Campoy Zueco (PPE) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: ERDF actions in Navarra

Will the Commission provide a breakdown of the actions funded from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) in the Community of Navarra in 1995 and 1996?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (11 September 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-2447/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Extension of the EU's youth programme to include early youth (under-15s)

Organizations working with the under-15s have proposed to the Commission the founding of a 'Children's Europe' group exchange programme to promote and support exchanges for groups of 10-15-year-olds in the EU Member States.

This could be a way of encouraging young people to form a picture of the world and gain knowledge of European peoples and cultures, supporting them in their development as good citizens, motivating them to learn languages and preventing the emergence of exclusion at an early age.

The EU's current youth programmes do not allow for participation by children of this age group. In Finland we have long and successful experience of treating young adults and under-15s (young people and early youth) as a single unit for action both in terms of assessment and support. I consider that the allocation of resources to meet EU objectives should be extended to cover this neglected group.

What does the Commission propose to do to ensure that young people under 15 can participate in future in the EU's youth programmes?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (8 September 1997)

The Socrates programme is the main instrument for the promotion of cooperation in the formal education sector within the Community. One of the overarching objectives of the programme is to contribute to the development of the European dimension of the participating educational institutions. Chapter II Action 1 (Comenius) is open to schools from nursery to upper secondary levels. The eligibility of educational institutions and types of schools is determined by the relevant authorities in each Member State participating in the programme.

Chapter III Action 1 (Lingua) provides support for the development of the teaching and learning of languages. Provision is made for the in-service training of language teachers and for the allocation of language assistants to primary and secondary schools. Lingua (Action E) also provides support for exchanges between groups of young people (14-25) who are involved in joint educational projects for the improvement of language competence.

While there is no specific funding available for the mobility of young people in the 10-15 age group, the emphasis on the development of collaborative projects involving whole class groups within schools ensures that all pupils involved in such projects benefit from a European dimension to their education.

Within the framework of the discussions on the education, training and youth programmes of the Community, the Commission is currently engaged in a process of reflection and discussion with the various partners the form and content of cooperation in the field of education in the period after 2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2177/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (25 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 - Demonstration methods

In order to distinguish a genetically engineered product from a product which is not genetically engineered, will only the proof of the protein created by the new gene be used?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2113/97, E-2115/97, E-2117/97, E-2119/97, E-2121/97, E-2123/97, E-2127/97, E-2129/97, E-2131/97, E-2133/97, E-2135/97, E-2137/97, E-2139/97, E-2141/97, E-2143/97, E-2145/97, E-2147/97, E-2149/97, E-2151/97, E-2153/97, E-2155/97, E-2157/97, E-2159/97, E-2161/97, E-2163/97, E-2165/97, E-2167/97, E-2169/97, E-2171/97, E-2173/97, E-2175/97, E-2177/97, E-2179/97, E-2181/97, E-2183/97, E-2185/97, E-2187/97, E-2189/97, E-2191/97, E-2193/97, E-2195/97, E-2197/97, E-2199/97, E-2201/97, E-2203/97 and E-2205/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1705/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Damage to the environment due to destruction of surplus fruit and vegetables

As the Commission gave only a general answer to my questions E-1901/96, E-1902/96 and E-1903/96 ((OJ C 60, 26.2.1997, p. 16. )) (and based it on outdated figures), I should like to repeat my question about damage to the environment due to destruction of fruit and vegetables (and the costs arising from it) and to request an appropriate answer:

According to a 1996 report by the Court of Auditors, serious environmental problems are caused in the Community by the destruction of surplus fruit and vegetables, particularly in Spain, Italy, Greece and France.

In what areas, regions and municipalities in the individual countries has such destruction caused environmental damage? What specific damage was caused in each case?

In what municipalities, regions and countries have efforts been made to remedy the environmental damage?

What costs are incurred in remedying this environmental damage? Are European Community budget funds allocated to this?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1997)

As the Commission stated in its reply to written questions E-1901/96, E-1902 and E-1903/96 ((OJ C 60, 26.2.1997. )), it was not aware of the particular facts reported by the Honourable Member. It would like the Honourable Member to provide detailed references to the report he mentions so that it can make enquiries of the Court of Auditors and, if relevant, the Member States that may be involved.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1545/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (5 May 1997)

Subject: Phosphate ester poisoning due to the use of Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen

The flea-repellant Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen can be administered in different forms. Tiguvon 10 is intended for cats over 2 kg in weight. The use of Tiguvon 20 is recommended for dogs weighing between 3 and 10 kg, while dogs with a body weight of more than 10 kg should be treated with Tiguvon 20 G. People who have repeatedly treated their pets with Tiguvon (Fenthion) have suffered serious phosphate ester poisoning. As the Commission was unable to answer my Question E-1470/96 ((OJ C 345, 15.11.1996, p. 76. )) on the same subject, I would ask the Council to answer the following questions as a matter of urgency:

What should be done if pet-owners suffer poisoning? Who takes responsibility for chronic damage to their health? What arrangements exist for the settlement of claims? What evidence needs to be produced?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1533/97, E-1535/97, E-1537/97, E-1539/97, E-1541/97, E-1543/97, E-1545/97 and E-1547/97 (25 September 1997)

The Council has to date not received any proposal from the Commission directly concerning the multiple problems raised by the Honourable Member. However, the Council would draw the Member's attention to the fact that at this stage there is not yet any Community harmonization of the status of these products which are treated, depending on the evaluation of Member States, in particular as medicinal or biocidal products. Bearing this in mind, as regards certain aspects of the questions put by the Honourable Member, the Council would point out that:

- following the 19th adaptation to technical and scientific progress ((OJ L 258, 11.10.1993, p. 29.)) of Annex 1 to Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, the Annex lists FENTHION under No 015-048-00-8 in the index ((OJ L 258A, 16.10.1993, p. 212.));

- under the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a future Directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market ((Common position of the Council of 20.12.1996, OJ C 69, 5.3.1997, p. 13.)), Annex V to which covers antiparasitics, these products may be marketed only after their active substances have been entered on a positive Community list and after a detailed assessment of the risks they might entail notably for human health.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2472/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Subsidies for the German nuclear industry

In Germany, nuclear-plant operators are legally required to build up reserves for the disposal of fuel elements and decommissioning.These reserves are raised from electricity charges. They are contingency reserves, and under subparagraph 1 of Article 249(1) of the German Commercial Code, must be shown on the commercial balance sheet. The requirement to transfer to the tax balance sheet the reserves shown on the commercial balance sheet derives from Article 5(1) of Germany's Income Tax Law. According to the Association of German Electricity Works (VDEW), these reserves totalled approximately DM 54 billion at the end of 1996. The nuclear operators are increasingly using such reserves, which have been accumulated well in excess of the levels required by their own criteria, as a means of financing their own undertakings tax-free and buying up other undertakings.

1. Does the Commission agree that the tacit immunity from taxation of the exorbitant reserves accruing from consumer payments is currently tantamount to a subsidy?

2. What action does the Commission intend to take against the subsidy?

3. Does the Commission consider that proposals for placing the disposal and decommissioning reserves in a public fund are more conducive to competition?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1997)

1. and 2. National commercial and fiscal legislation covers in principle the obligation to make provisions in the accounts, their appropriate level and their fiscal treatment. As far as these provisions do not seek, through their object and general structure, to create an advantage in favour of certain enterprises or certain sectors of the industry, state aid in the meaning of Article 92 (1) EC Treaty is not involved. The information available does not indicate to the Commission that operators of nuclear power plants enjoy privileged treatment concerning provisions and their fiscal treatment.

3. It does not fall within the Commission's competence to judge whether alternative proposals are appropriate. In accordance with the subsidiarity principle a Member State may, within the framework of Community law, adopt any legislative measure which it considers to be appropriate. The Commission examines the compatibility of a concrete project of a Member State with Community law in general and competition law in particular.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2542/97 by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission (24 July 1997)

Subject: Measures to safeguard the right to learn Greek in Germany

Despite the efforts of Community policy to preserve the education and culture of each Member State and ensure that all citizens can learn their mother-tongue, the Greek primary school in the large industrial City of Dortmund in Germany is closing down. Greek children in the first year of primary school are being sent to a German school where they will receive only five hours a week of Greek language tuition, while no classroom is available for the elder children.

Will the Commission say what measures it intends to take to ensure that Greek citizens in Germany can exercise their right to learn their mother-tongue properly and to enjoy access to their national culture?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

In accordance with Article 3 of Directive 77/486/EEC of 25 July 1997 on the education of the children of migrant workers ((OJ L 199, 6.8.1977. )), Member States shall, in cooperation with States of origin, take appropriate measures to promote, in coordination with normal education, teaching of the mother tongue and culture of the country of origin for the children of migrant workers.

The Socrates programme features a specific action aimed at promoting cooperation between Member States as regards teaching of the mother tongue and culture of the country of origin, and several projects with this aim have been funded.

Pursuant to Article 126 of the EC Treaty, however, the organisation of education systems and the content of teaching are the responsibility of the Member States alone.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Second report pursuant to Article 26 of Directive 86/609/EEC

Article 26 of Directive 86/609/EEC ((OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. )) of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes states that 'at regular intervals not exceeding three years (...) Member States shall inform the Commission of the measures taken in this area and provide a suitable summary of the information collected under the provisions of Article 13. The Commission shall prepare a report for the Council and the European Parliament'. The first report, COM (94) 195 final, was issued on 27 May 1994.

Since the 'regular interval not exceeding three years' has passed, is it possible to be informed about the second report?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1997)

The Commission invites the Honorable Member to refer to the answers given to written questions E-547/96 ((OJ C 280, 26.9.1996. )), E-173/97 ((OJ C 217, 17.7.1997. )), E-1419/97 ((OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 124. )) by Mrs Pollack and to oral question H-208/97 during question time at Parliament's April 1997 part session by Sir Stewart Clark ((Debates of the Parliament (April 1997). )).

At the present time, the Commission is proceeding with the introduction of the agreed statistical tables at Community level reporting the number of animals used in experiments and is examining the necessity of using an appropriate computerized system to achieve this task.

The Member States have committed themselves, on a voluntary basis, to implement the agreed statistical tables by the year 1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2364/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (10 July 1997)

Subject: Carcinogenic effects of chlorinated drinking water

Epidemiological population studies indicate that long-term consumption of chlorinated drinking water increases the risk of contracting certain forms of cancer. In Finland, research into this has been conducted jointly by the Public Health Institute and the cancer register. The findings have demonstrated that the more mutagenic the water was, the greater the risk of cancer.

It is therefore possible that chlorinated drinking water is causing an estimated 50 to 100 additional cases of cancer per annum in Finland. However, cancer is a worldwide problem. Millions of people constantly drink mutagenic water.

What will the Commission do to obtain further information about the effects of consuming chlorinated drinking water, and if justified, what action will it take to ensure that chlorine used in drinking water is replaced with substances which are not carcinogenic?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980. )) laid down the quality standards with which water intended for human consumption must comply, including the maximum admissible concentration of chloride.

In May 1995 the Commission proposed an amended version ((OJ C 131, 30.5.1995. )) of the said Directive. This text was examined by Parliament on 11 December 1996 and, following the amendments proposed by Parliament, a new amended proposal ((OJ C 213, 15.7.1997. )) was presented by the Commission. In this proposal, and with the continued aim of having a high level of consumer health protection, the scientific basis was based largely on the most recent recommendations (1993) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in this field.

As regards the question concerning the gathering of information, the Commission, within the framework of the 'Europe against Cancer' Programme, subsidises the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (the EPIC network). This network is coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, based in Lyon, and nine Member States are involved (Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom).

The main aim of this network is to collect data on diet, lifestyle and environmental factors in a population of 450 000 Europeans and to correlate these data with the incidence of cancers within the cohort.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0700/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B2-702 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

Further to its answer of 5 May 1997 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 28. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.