ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Famine relief to Sudan

Can the Commission outline what steps have been taken to provide relief for the victims of the famine in southern Sudan and whether the budgetary resources available have been a limiting factor on the EU's relief activities?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

New Commission decisions in 1998 for humanitarian assistance in Sudan so far come to ECU 54,8 million.

This sum comprises:

- ECU 11,8 million (March): channelled to United Nations international children's emergency fund (UNICEF), International committee of the Red Cross and various non governmental organizations (NGOs);

- ECU 33 million (July): a contribution from the Food aid and food security unit to the World food programme (WFP);

- ECU 10 million (August): channelled to UNICEF, the International committee of the Red Cross and various NGOs.

Other confirmed contributions from the Commission which should be taken into account for 1998 are: ECU 6,7 million to the WFP which was decided at the end of 1997 but implemented in the first months of this year; and the annual cost of the Sudan operations of European Community humanitarian office (ECHO) flight, which amounts to approximately ECU 2,5 million per year.

A further contribution of ECU 10 million to the WFP is currently under consideration.

These contributions together make the Commission one of the two most important donors of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, alongside the United States.

The availability of budgetary resources was for a time a concern with regard to assistance that would be channelled through the Commission. This did not however prevent a significant contribution being made to the WFP through the Food aid and food security unit of the Commission. Since the second financial protocol of the Fourth Lomé Convention has come on stream, sufficient budgetary resources have been available in order to provide a greater level of assistance.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4038/98

by Wilfried Telkämper (V) to the Commission

(8 January 1999)

Subject: Risks posed by EDF's nuclear power station at Fessenheim on the Upper Rhine in Alsace

On 11 December 1998 the second generating unit of the Fessenheim nuclear power station had to be shut down because of deformation of a flexible metal bellows in the cooling system. The first unit was shut down in August 1998 for the same reason.

What information does the Commission have of the nature, extent and impact of the incident at the Fessenheim power station and does it see a need for an inspection of the power station and the security system by an independent expert institution to provide the public in Switzerland, Germany and France with adequate protection against any risk?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 1999)

On 11 December 1998, during restart operations in Unit 1 at the Fessenheim power plant, deformation of the flexible metal bellows was noted in the spray cooling system for the containment. It was decided to replace those bellows. Investigations were immediately carried out on the counterparts in Unit 2, where the same type of deformation was identified. Therefore, as a precautionary measure in compliance with the safety rules the power plant's management decided to shut Unit 2 down for the necessary work to be carried out. The repairs proceeded according to plan, thus enabling Unit 2 to be restarted on 28 December and the start-up operations for Unit 1to be reinitiated. Unit 1 should restart around mid-January.

The French safety authorities are responsible for licensing the nuclear power installations and for compliance with the safety requirements and practices applying in France.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3721/98

by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: EU-funded programmes in the Catanduanes province of the Philippines

Will the Commission state which EU-funded programmes are currently being undertaken in the island province of Catanduanes in the Philippines?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1998)

The Commission is currently funding one project in the Catanduanes province in the southern part of Luzon (Region V), namely the Cataduanes agricultural support programme (CATAG) (reference ALA/92/38, budget line B7-3000).

The programme started in 1994 and was originally intended to run for a period of five years. ECU 10 million have been invested so far, and an additional ECU 5 million have recently been allocated to allow for proper completion by 2002. The implementation is carried out in co-operation with the Department of agriculture (DA) and local farmers' and fishermen's organisations (LGO). The project management office is based in Virac and jointly run by the national and the European co-directors. To assist field operations, four small zone offices are established throughout the island.

The aim of the project is to assist rural communities to initiate and sustain increases in output from farming and fishing, thereby enabling them to raise their subsistence incomes and to generate cash surpluses. The programme is based on a community-based, bottom-up sustainable development strategy, linked to the development of viable market-led economic opportunities. The programme focuses firstly on the improvement of rural production methods and infrastructure through the intensification of productivity and diversification of crops, livestock and fisheries, as well as the extension of training services and farmers' associations and secondly on the establishment of an independent and viable self financing institution, to allow members of the local community both to save and to obtain loan finance so as to develop and manage their own resources more efficiently, thus growing into self sustaining entrepreneurs.

The programme has successfully been helping to alleviate poverty, generate employment, promote equitable growth and develop environmentally sustainable economic activity in the Catanduanes province. However, a series of typhoons, which hit the Philippines, and particular the most recent and most devastating typhoon Loleng or Bads, which swept the Catanduanes province during 21 and 23 October 1998, caused severe human and material damage. In response the Commission financed an emergency action for the distribution of food and primary necessity items amounting to ECU 700 000 channelled through various European non-governmental organisations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3905/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Determining the production coefficient for olive mills

Under the new Regulation on the application of production aid for olive oil the production coefficient for mills with a continuous two-stage production cycle has been estimated at 0,70 (where 0,80 would be more appropriate).

When olives are processed in a two-stage cycle, the oil and the sum of waste liquid plus residue are separated. Together, these components must make up 100 %.

If the average oil yield of olives is estimated to be around 20 %, the amount of residue produced must be 80 %.

Maintaining a 0,70 coefficient either suggests that the oil content of olives is 30 %, or creates a situation where it will be possible to justify a greater quantity of olives entering the mill than the actual quantity. Might that be the aim?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1882/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: SMEs

The Commission's report to Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the coordination of activities to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the craft sector (COM(07) 0610) (p. 58) briefly describes the Europartenariat and Interprise programmes aimed at encouraging international cooperation among SMEs.

Most of the buyers' exhibitions involve SMUs with less than 500 employees, in the context of cooperation in the process of internationalization of other SMUs in the region, crossborder regions and the enrichment and development of the local services sector.

Can the Commission give its opinion on the possibility of creating a specific programme to develop the "buyer's exhibition" instrument, in the context of the economic development of regions eligible for the Structural Funds?

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

(17 September 1998)

Europartenariat is financed under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund Regulation and under the third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). Its aim is to contribute to the economic development of areas eligible under Objectives 1, 2, 5(b) and 6 of the Structural Funds by stimulating transnational cooperation between such firms. This programme enables firms to meet potential partners in order to discuss and negotiate possible cooperation agreements. Two events of this type are organised each year.

In addition, attendance at fairs and exhibitions may be eligible under the programmes financed by the Structural Funds, subject to certain special conditions. Under the Commission's proposals for the new programming period (2000-2006)(1), this type of measure would remain eligible in the regions concerned. In addition, extra funds would be provided for the Interreg Community Initiative programme, and in particular the section relating to crossborder cooperation which includes support for fairs and exhibitions.

Consequently, the Commission does not consider it necessary to promote a specific instrument as suggested by the Honourable Member.

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2900/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Cooperative organizations

By introducing legislation to regulate the debts of cooperative organizations (Law 2538/97 on the cancellation of debts), the Greek Government has dealt with an issue which successive governments in the country had long neglected. The latter had refused to take timely steps to tackle the problem of how cooperative organizations were to bear the costs of harvesting products affected by Chernobyl and of how to tackle the effects of a government social policy which had led to the accumulation of debts. The cancellation of the debts of cooperative organizations, which the Commission believes to be anti-competitive, is tantamount to overlooking the responsibility of successive governments during the period 1981 to 1995, since these debts consist of interest outstanding on loans granted as part of the social policy. An attempt by the Commission to overturn this law could be interpreted as a stance in favour of private sector companies and against the cooperative sector, as well as representing a serious blow to cooperative organizations. The Commission should also bear in mind that it should not take a decision of this kind which would hamper the serious efforts now being made to regulate cooperatives' liabilities as regards the credit system and restore order in this sector so that it can play a vital role in maintaining farm incomes, which will be hit by the reform of the CAP and liberalisation of the market, as well as helping to develop the agricultural sector in Greece.

Has the Commission assessed all the implications of any decision to overturn the law on the cancellation of the debts of cooperative organizations?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

On 8 April 1998, the Commission decided to launch an investigation under Article 93 (2) of the EC Treaty on the aid measures included in Greek law nr. 2538/97. In the framework of this procedure, the Commission expressed its doubts about the conformity with the Treaty of several aid measures, including the debt write-offs mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission will receive the observations of the Greek government, as well as any remarks from third parties. Following assessment of this information, the Commission will issue a final decision on these aid measures.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3377/98

by Anneli Hulthén (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: EC approval of toys

Studies carried out in Sweden show that many of the toys awarded EC approval do not pass the more stringent national tests applied in Sweden. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that many toys are allowed on to the market which are not actually safe for children to use.

Does the Commission consider the situation to be satisfactory and can it guarantee the safety of our youngest EU citizens?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3264/98 and E-3377/98 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Responsibility for the compliance of toys with the essential security requirements laid down in Community law rests with the manufacturer or his Community-based representative, who attest such conformity by affixing the EC mark, without any requirement for an inspection by a third party prior to marketing where they affirm conformity with European harmonised standards (such an inspection remaining an option for the manufacturer if he so wishes) or after inspection by an approved body where they do not apply the said standards in full or in part.

Surveillance of the market is required by European Directive and is the responsibility of the national authorities, who must take all requisite measures to ensure toys are not marketed unless they meet the aforesaid essential safety requirements. If a Member State takes restrictive measures regarding EC-marked toys, it must so inform the Commission via the safeguard clause procedure contained in Article 7 of Council Directive 88/378/EEC (on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the safety of toys).

In this light the Commission can give the following answers to the Honourable Member's questions:

(a) and (b) a distinction needs to be drawn between formal non-compliance (markings, warnings, etc.) and substantial non-compliance (involving some safety deficiency); the several score cases of application of safeguard clauses notified by the Member States annually would indicate that quality controls are being carried out; the Commission cannot supply any data on the percentage of toys found to fail to meet specifications as keeping records in this area is a matter of national responsibility;

(c) the sanctions applicable where non-compliance is established are stipulated by national law;

(d) the Commission is aware that difficulties persist regarding the implementation of rules and is currently setting about an in-depth investigation of these with a view to dealing with this issue in the context of the action plan for the single market. On this basis it will then make appropriate proposals.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4085/98

by Giulio Fantuzzi (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Rice imports

According to information available to me, the Commission intends to apply a new system for imports of rice from third countries as from 1 January 1999, reducing the duty by on average [fmxeuro]25 a ton.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. How does it intend to compensate Community producers for this further reduction in customs duty and comply with the principle of preference for Community products?

2. How can it justify the 8 % increase in the prices considered for determining the duty, given that the reference quality is related to the best product available on the world market?

3. Does it plan to put forward an early proposal to amend the common organisation of the market in rice that will improve the economic situation of Community producers considering that planting will have to be done by March at the latest?

Anwser given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

The cumulative recovery system (CRS) for husked rice introduced by Commission Regulation (EC) 703/97 of April 1997 introducing for a trial period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 a cumulative recovery system for determining certain import duties on rice and amending Regulation (EC) 1503/96(1) operated to 31 December 1998. It was terminated because of its administrative complexity and the risk of distortion of trade. From 1 January 1999 the import duty on husked indica rice is calculated on its representative price in the United States market increased by 8 %.

This is an improvement on the CRS and should provide a more correct application of Community protection at the border.

The basis for the increase on the representative prices is data provided by application of the CRS and the trend of world market quotations notably for rice of higher quality.

The Commission is at present examining various possibilities for adjustment of the rice market organisation in order to resolve its structural problems. A proposal will be drawn up as soon as possible so that Community growers can take their decisions before planting time.

(1) OJ L 104, 22.4.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3693/98

by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Uncertainty about printing inks

The attempt to encourage the use of permanent paper, to prevent books deteriorating over time, cannot succeed unless the choice and quality of inks is also taken into account. Permanent paper is more absorbent and less water-resistant than acid papers and requires stable acid-based inks.

Can the Commission say whether it has launched technical research into printing inks, especially those most suitable for use with permanent paper?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

In the context of the research programme "Industrial and Materials technologies" the Commission has given financial support to a project on high performance products for ink jet printing. This project concerns the improvement of the quality of prints (up to the level of near-photographic quality) through the optimisation of the interaction between paper inks and ink jet heads. It involves a number of European companies specialised in each of these fields. The project is near completion and has led to higher quality products (paper, inks, print heads).

Another project in the same programme dealing with digital jet printing technology for the textiles, photographic and graphic industries has developed a printing system as well as environmentally friendly high gloss coated paper and polyester ink jet films with high light and water fastness.

Although within these projects the question of permanent paper and stable acid-based inks was not specifically addressed, the improved know-how on printing inks and printing technology should have increased the overall scientific knowledge in this area.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3131/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Use of illegal driftnets to catch bonito

In view of the accusations by fishermen operating from Burela (Lugo, Spain), that illegal driftnets over 2,5 km in length, and thus in contravention of EU standards, are being used in to catch bonito by the fleets of other Member States, notably Ireland,

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of the use of driftnets which are longer than legally authorized?

Can the Commission say what fleets and vessels have used such illegal nets?

What measures has the Commission taken and what measures does it intend to take to penalize such illegal practices?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1998)

Driftnet fishing for tuna will be prohibited only from 1 January 2002. In accordance with the Council decisions, the restrictions for 1998 and subsequent years have mainly concerned the permitted lengths. The Commission has worked hard to ensure that these provisions are complied with and it has sent a report of its observations each year to Parliament. It observes that, since 1995, the rules and regulations limiting the authorised maximum length to 2,5 km have been satisfactorily implemented.

The Commission does not yet have all the data on the Member States inspections for this year. Based on the information available, there has been at least one infringement by a fisherman using a net that did not conform to the rules on length. As in previous years, the Commission will produce a final report for the year once it has all the necessary data.

It is for the Member States to penalise infringements of the rules in force. The Commission will continue to ensure compliance with the rules on the use of driftnets and will similarly ensure compliance with the bans on their use, when the time comes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3482/98

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Safety criteria for nuclear power stations in potential applicant countries in the former Eastern bloc

Some of the nuclear power stations in potential applicant countries in the former Eastern bloc are known to be in a disastrous condition. Some of them have been classified as beyond repair by an EU commission of experts. Reports suggest that no efforts are currently being undertaken by the Commission to ensure uniform safety standards in Europe in the form of a directive.

What steps is the Commission planning to raise safety standards for nuclear power stations in potential applicant countries in the former Eastern bloc to the level in the West? How does it intend to ensure that uniform safety standards are implemented in the event of these countries joining when no relevant directives have been adopted? What measures will it be taking to ensure that those nuclear power stations classified as beyond repair by the above commission of experts are decommissioned as soon as the countries in question join the EU?

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

(6 January 1999)

The competence and responsibility for the safe design, construction and operation of a nuclear installation rest with the Member State having jurisdiction over such installation. The "acquis communautaire" in the field of nuclear safety is based on the Euratom treaty in particular Chapter III (health and safety). Nevertheless a "safety culture" has emerged over the years which is common to all Member States and is based upon a common understanding of the challenges arising from the use of nuclear energy and a similar conception of safety as the first priority.

In order to raise the level of safety in the Eastern countries, the Commission has, through the Community assistance programmes, supported the creation and operation of strong, competent and independent nuclear safety authorities and assisted the plant operators in safety upgrading measures. In its communication(1) to the Council and the Parliament, the Commission has given further indications on proposed action to achieve the objective of a high level of nuclear safety in these countries.

The Commission's position on reactors which cannot be upgraded has been outlined in Agenda 2000(2) as well as in the decisions on the Accession Partnerships which have been adopted by the Council. The timetables agreed by the governments concerned, subject to certain conditions, for the closure of non upgradeable units must be respected. This applies to Bohunice V1 in Slovakia, Ignalina in Lithuania and to units 1-4 at Kozloduy in Bulgaria.

(1) COM(98) 134.

(2) COM(97) 2000 final.