ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0390/99

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Use of Objective 5b funds to finance the construction of golf courses in Bavaria

1. Is Focus magazine correct in reporting that the use of EU Objective 5b funds to finance the construction of golf courses does not comply with the operational programme's guidelines? If so, how can it be explained?

2. Must the funds be repaid by the recipient or by the Free State of Bavaria?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1999)

1. Between 1-5 December 1997 and 28-29 January 1998, the European Court of auditors (ECA) audited the Bavarian objective 5b programme 1989-1993. In its sector letter of 16 April 1998 the Court stated that assistance given in the framework of this programme to golf courses was often not coherent with the objectives as set out in the programme. It also doubted if the financing of golf courses was justified under the programme measure "farm holidays" and proposed a funding by the European regional development fund (ERDF). It also stated that neither the results of an environmental feasibility study nor planning permission for the time of the legal commitment of public funding was available.

In the answer to these findings, Germany explained that according to the description of the measure "holidays on farm" in the Community support framework (CSF) for this operational programme "it was intended to complete and to improve the possibilities for adequate accommodation and gastronomy. Therefore sport-, health- and cultural related tourism can be taken into consideration". The development plans submitted to the Commission before drafting the CSF mention explicitly the "creation of golf courses".

The Commission is deciding upon its position at this time.

2. In those cases in which the Commission claims refunds, it will address the Member State accordingly.
Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission
(7 October 1999)
One of the aims of developing the trans-European transport network is to use the existing waterways in
order to build up a consistent, interoperable and economically and ecologically rational network of inlandwaterways which will enable these to provide a cheap, safe and environmentally-friendly form of transportin an optimum manner.
Moreover, inland waterways perform multiple functions, in addition to that of transport, such as water-
borne tourism, regional planning, water management (irrigation, drinking water and groundwater replen-ishment) apart from that of heritage (Canal du Midi in France, boat lifts on the Canal du Centre inBelgium). These are both factors that the Commission is attempting to include in its various areas ofthinking, such as those relating to infrastructure charges.
Against this backdrop the Commission is noting, with interest, the outcome of the various events
highlighting the part played by waterways, including the World Canals Conference.
(2000/C 27 E/115) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1489/99
by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Radiation from office computers
The Commission will be aware of new research which suggests that office computers are capable of
making office workers sick by flooding their bodies with harmful radiation but that a new device can beinstalled on top of computer screens which is designed to counter the effects of such radiation.
How does the Commission, therefore, intend to respond to the conclusion that low frequency magnetic
fields account for over a third of sick building syndrome?
Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission
(16 September 1999)
In June, 1998 the Commission presented a proposal for a Council recommendation (
1) on the limitation of
exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. This was adopted by the Council on 8 June1999 (
2).
This text takes account of the scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionising radiation,
supported by the Commissions scientific steering committee.
The results of ongoing and future research in this area will be considered in the context of the reporting
procedure provided in this text.
(1) COM(99) 247 final.
(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(2000/C 27 E/116) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1490/99
by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: The new EQUAL Community initiative
Under the new Structural Fund proposals, the existing ADAPT and Employment initiatives are to be
replaced with a single initiative to be called EQUAL.C 27 E/94 EN 29.1.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0570/99

by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Export from Portugal to Spain of bulls to be used in bullfights

As a follow-up to my two earlier questions (E-3620/98 and E-0151/99), and with reference to the Commission's reply of 22 January 1999 to my question E-3620/98(1), would the human health concerns which allegedly justify imposing the embargo on bullfighting bulls as well (even though they are fed on pasture rather than on contaminated animal feed) not be entirely assuaged if Spain were to adopt the same procedure as the one followed in Colombia in respect of livestock imported from Spain, i.e. the incineration of the carcass after the bullfight?

The 26 January 1999 of the "6 Toros 6" magazine contains an authoritative report to the effect that Spanish livestock may now be infected too, for which reason it should perhaps not be used for fights in Spanish bullrings. Was it not an identical fear of contamination which led to the extension of the embargo to include livestock raised in Portugal?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

The Commission has not been able to confirm the information provided by the Honourable Member that Spain has decided to incinerate all fighting bulls after the bull fights. According to the information obtained by the Commission, most fighting bulls in Spain are normally destined for human consumption after the bullfights.

According to information available to the Commission concerning the rearing of fighting bulls, feed intake is based on natural feed, but calves may receive additional feed at the age of eight months and compound feed may be provided to bulls for fighting six months before the events.

The Commission is not aware of any evidence that Spanish fighting bulls might be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. If the Honourable Member has such information, the Commission would be grateful to receive it.

Furthermore, the Commission would like to repeat that any request to exempt fighting bulls from the general ban to move live bovine animals out of Portugal must be examined in the light of possibilities to prevent fraud and taking into consideration inter alia the control measures in place in the Member State of destination.

(1) OJ C 320, 6.11.1999.
(2000/C 27 E/071) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1419/99
by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Protecting jobs at the Cooperativa Ceramica Industriale, Livorno
The Cooperativa Ceramica Industriale in Livorno, which has 130 employees, is Italys largest producer of
ceramic insulators. Recently it has been experiencing the damaging effects of the new policy being pursuedby ENEL (Italys national electricity company) which is intended to increase competition between suppliersby means of bulk purchasing, the awarding of supply contracts to a limited number of companies, and soon.
In view of the above, can the Commission say whether or not it considers that a business strategy
constitutes a serious threat to employment on account of the difficulties which it causes to manycompanies, in particular very small ones, which can no longer hope to win contracts?
Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission
(5 October 1999)
On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member the Commission is unable to assess
whether the measures taken by ENEL to obtain products from suppliers are in breach of the Communityrules on competition or whether they are legitimate measures which entail no distortion or discriminationand are in compliance with the said rules in that a company with ENELs legal and economic
responsibilities is obliged to take such measures for the purposes of obtaining the products in question.
As a rule, a company such as ENEL invites suppliers to compete with each other on the basis of objective
conditions laid down in the specifications for public procurement contracts. Suppliers, for their part, maysubmit tenders either on their own or as part of a consortium if they see this as necessary in order to meetthe requirements set by the authority awarding the contract or as a more suitable way of countering thecompetition from other tenderers.
(2000/C 27 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1420/99
by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission
(1 September 1999)
Subject: Reorganisation of the fire brigade
This question has been transformed into an oral question O-0200/99.
Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission
(8 October 1999)
The Commission does not have the information requested by the Honourable Member in its possession.
Indeed, for reasons of subsidiarity, the matters in question are dealt with at Member-State level.
However, we would ask the Honourable Member to refer to the Civil Defence Units website: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/dg11/civil/ which contains the Vade-mecum of Civil Protection in the EuropeanUnion which includes a description of the organisation of the emergency services in the 15 MemberStates.C 27 E/60 EN 29.1.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0537/99

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

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it declared that "the sardine industry represents an economic activity of major importance for many Community regions" and pointed out that the sector is in a state of crisis, which requires the urgent adoption of protection measures, such as:

"(...) provision of the necessary funds for the period 2000-2006 to assist restructuring of the industry, in addition to the appropriations provided for under the present Structural Funds."

Can the Commission say what measures have been taken to comply with Parliament's request and tackle the grave crisis in the sardine canning industry?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 295.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-0355/99

by Giacomo Leopardi (PPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Numerus clausus for dentistry degree courses in Italy

For three years now too many students have enrolled for dentistry courses at Italian universities; although they failed the test for admission to the degree course they appealed against their exclusion and the regional administrative court authorised them to enrol provisionally, postponing the final decision until a judgment was handed down on the substance.

In order to comply with Directives 78/686/EC(1) and 78/687/EC(2) on the mutual recognition of diplomas, the 1980 Presidential decree No 135 introduced the degree course in dentistry (odontoiatria e protesi dentaria) and laid down the number and terms of admissibility of students. Referring to Community requirements, Constitutional Court judgment 383/98 recognised the legitimacy of adopting a numerus clausus.

What steps will the Commission take to uphold the planned number of enrolments, protect those who passed the test for admission to the degree course and guarantee them the possibility of following a course of study in accordance with European standards so that their degree is duly recognised throughout the Union?

Will the Commission take steps to determine whether the abovementioned courses are really available and how the Italian university authorities calculated the structures/students ratio to justify opting for a numerus clausus?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 1999)

The matter of the numerus clausus on access to studies in dentistry mentioned by the Honourable Member is, insofar as it complies with the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality, the sole responsibility of the national authorities and does not, under any circumstances, fall within the scope of Community law.

(1) OJ L 233, 24.8.1978, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 233, 24.8.1978, p. 10.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 873/99 by James NICHOLSON KONVER II initiative - Northern Ireland



Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0133



WRITTEN QUESTION E-0873/99 by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission (8 April 1999) Subject: KONVER II initiative - Northern Ireland How much funding has been granted in Northern Ireland under the KONVER II initiative in the current programming period?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0271/99

by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Transfer of resources and the Cohesion Fund

The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities has recently issued a publication on hydrological assessment in Spain and Portugal.

In the said publication, the Montgomery Watson consultancy firm (MWL) proposes conducting a number of studies, one of which would deal with transfers between catchment areas in Spain, whilst another would analyse funding for hydraulic works and the establishment of guidelines enabling the EU to support multi-purpose hydraulic development. Likewise, immediate action should apparently include establishing the infrastructure to connect catchment areas.

Bearing in mind the aforementioned facts, has the Commission conducted or commissioned any of the studies proposed by MWL?

Does it believe it necessary to conduct studies on the feasibility of connecting the Ebro catchment area to other catchment areas?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0745/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Fisheries and sustainability

Does the Commission ensure that PESCA funding is used to support nature conservation objectives? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

Funding from the PESCA operational programme is not provided directly for nature conservation schemes, as that is not its goal, but a number of PESCA measures have positive repercussions on the conservation of natural resources.

These include the protection of overexploited species and marine ecosystems through support for schemes to channel fishing effort towards new species and new fishing zones and for pilot projects for monitoring the impact of fishing effort and the mapping of the sea bed, alongside support for improvements in and facilities for extensive fishfarming and for environmentally-friendly fishfarming methods (new waste recycling processes and extensive sea bed mussel farming)and training for fishermen in sustainable fisheries management.

PESCA represents therefore an important source of funding for innovative projects which seek to combine the goal of an economically viable sector with the safeguarding of fish stocks and marine ecosystems and to test new strategies for the sustainable management of sea fisheries and fishfarming.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0086/99

by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Private sector funding for the Madrid-Saragossa-Barcelona stretch of the high-speed railway

In its communication on public-private partnerships in trans-European transport network projects, the Commission identifies the stretch of the high-speed railway linking Madrid, Saragossa and Barcelona as a candidate for funding through a PPP (public-private partnership), whereby funding for the project would be opened up to the private sector. In practical terms, such an arrangement could mean completing construction work ahead of schedule and opening the stretch earlier than originally planned, insofar as the implementation of the project would not be dependent solely on the availability of funding from state budgets.

Has the Commission taken any action in this regard? Has the Spanish Government signalled to the Commission any interest in implementing such an arrangement, involving cooperation on the project between the public and private sectors?

Has the Commission examined the possibility of extending arrangements of this kind to projects linking the transport networks in the various Member States other than the fourteen which have been given priority, such as road or rail projects to ease travel through the Pyrenees?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

In the Commission's communication to the Council and Parliament on public-private partnerships (PPP) in trans-European transport network (TETN) projects(1) a number of projects were identified as potential PPPs. They included projects which were not on the list of fourteen that were given priority for development under the TETNs framework. The Commission continues to discuss these projects with Member States, as it undertook to do, and to encourage government to consider the application of a PPP approach to infrastructure projects wherever possible and suitable.

There has, so far, been no request submitted by the Spanish authorities for co-financing from the TEN's budget or other city funds of a project involving a public-private partnership.

(1) COM(97) 453 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0081/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Register of contaminated land

Is there any register of contaminated land in the EU? If not, is there a possibility that the Commission might ask the Member States to compile such a register, one which would include the applicant countries?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that no legislation, specifically dealing with soil protection as such, has been passed at the Community level.

The European environment agency (EEA) is publishing a report by the European topic centre on soil according to which there are many hundreds of thousands of contaminated sites in the Community. A contaminated site can cause groundwater pollution, health hazards for on-site workers and the general public, and the restriction of future land uses.

There is at present no register of contaminated land or sites at Community level. However, the Topic centre on soil, which is part of the EEA system set up by Council Regulation (EEC) 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European environment agency and the European environment information and observation network(1), is planning to carry out this work in the next two years in order to improve the level of reliable information under existing national programmes enabling the collection of comparable information at the European level. This could be the basis for a broader assessment of the extent of contaminated land, the level of contamination and the extent of remediation being achieved, as well as an evaluation of whether further action is needed.

This activity will be carried out in collaboration with the Environment institute of the Joint research centre in Ispra, which will contribute, in particular, to the development of indicators of contaminated sites in Europe.

(1) OJ L 120, 11.5.1990.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0321/99

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(19 February 1999)

Subject: Beef and veal exports from the EU

Can the Commission state how much beef and veal may be exported from the European Union under the current WTO rules, how much of this quota has been exported to date in the current year and how much has been paid in respect of this beef and veal in export refunds?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

For the current General agreements on tariffs and trades (GATT) - year (1998-1999) the quantity of beef (expressed in carcass weight) which the Community is allowed to export with the benefit of export aid is 1 025 852,6 tonnes (including a carry over of 78 052,6 tonnes from the previous year).

On the base of the requests for export licences, until the end of January 1999, 388 157 tonnes (carcass equivalent) of beef were declared to be exported. The total amount of refund accordingly to be paid is [fmxeuro]338 430 589,6.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0303/99

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Recognition of honorary European citizens

The recent granting of the title of "honorary European citizen" once again raises the need for a regulation covering inter alia the privileges and immunities of those who are awarded this distinction, and those who have made a special contribution to the cause of the European Union.

The present generation and those to come need to be able adequately to channel their recognition of personalities who have made outstanding contributions to this historic undertaking, and who merit something more than the cold metal of a keepsake.

Does the Commission agree that it is its duty to take the initiative in proposing such a regulation?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

The Commission considers that the title of "honorary citizen of Europe" does not require a regulation. It does not, therefore, intend to propose one.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0138/99

by Antoinette Spaak (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Free movement of persons - burial

Does the principle of the free movement of persons entail the right of European citizens to be buried or cremated in the Member State of their choice?

Is there any harmonisation at European level of the laws governing cremation?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 1999)

The Commission would, first of all, like to inform the Honourable Member that there are no harmonisation measures at Community level concerning cremation.

However, the absence of such measures does not preclude the possibility of citizens making use of the principle of the free movement of persons in order to be buried in a Member State other than that in which they have died, whether this be of their own will or the will of their next-of-kin.

In this context, the application of this principle arises within the framework of national regulations which must reconcile the principle of free movement with grounds for protecting the general interest (such as public health), which may be invoked with regard to burial.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0539/99

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

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union

At its June 1998 part-session the European Parliament debated and adopted the own-initiative report on the fish product canning industry and aquaculture in the European Union (A4-0137/98)(1), in the conclusions to which, inter alia, it declared that "the sardine industry represents an economic activity of major importance for many Community regions" and pointed out that the sector is in a state of crisis, which requires the urgent adoption of protection measures, such as:

"(...) launching a Community-wide campaign, backed up by the necessary funds, to promote the consumption of sardines and products such as sardine preserves and sardine 'pâtés', bearing in mind the high nutritional value of this product."

Can the Commission say what measures have been taken to comply with Parliament's request and tackle the grave crisis in the sardine canning industry?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 295.