ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2391/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 August 2001)

Subject: Commitology

Will the Commission give an assurance that the Insurance Committee and the Banking Advisory Committee have always respected the undertakings concerning openness in the agreements and regulations on commitology? Does the Commission regard the behaviour of those committees as a suitable model for the Regulators Committee and Securities Committee (the Lamfalussy Committees)?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Neither the Insurance Committee nor the Banking Advisory Committee, which are both committees assisting the Commission, have ever exercised new comitology powers in the period since the Council adopted its comitology decision on 28 June 1999(1). However, the Commission transmits on a voluntary basis the summary agendas of the Committee meetings to the Parliament. In addition, the Commission also transmits summary minutes of the meetings of the Insurance committee. To date, no comments have been received from the European Parliament on any of the transmitted information.

In the case of the Banking Advisory Committee, the Commission has also kept the Parliament updated on the review of bank capital adequacy rules in meetings of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

In contrast, the European Securities Committee and the Committee of the European Securities Regulators, which have been set up as internal advisory committees by Commission Decisions of 6 June 2001(2), do not act as comitology committees today. As regards the European Securities Committee, such a role has, however, been proposed by the Commission in the area of prospectuses(3) and market abuse(4).

The Commission hopes that both proposals as well as future legislative initiatives, all of which implement the Financial Services Action Plan of 1999(5) and the Lamfalussy Report of 2001, will be adopted soon under arrangements on openness and transparency being satisfactory to all the Institutions.

(1) Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, OJ L 184, 17.7.1999.

(2) Commission Decisions 2001/527/EC et 2001/528/EC of 6 June 2001, OJ L 191, 13.7.2001.

(3) Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.

(4) Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse), OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.

(5) COM(1999) 630 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2835/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Subject: Poland's accession to the European Union

The Financieele Dagblad of 27 September 2001 reported the following comments made by a senior Commission official: The enlargement without Poland would be the same as the introduction of the euro without Germany.

Does the European Commission share my view that each country should be judged individually in the light of the accession criteria originally laid down, and that Poland is no exception?

Does the European Commission likewise share my view that the accession of the other applicant countries should not be delayed by any failure on Poland's part to meet the criteria?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

In its Enlargement Strategy Paper for 2000, the Commission reiterated its commitment to honouring the historic promise of the 1993 Copenhagen European Council that the countries in Central and Eastern Europe that so desire shall become members of the Union. Accession will take place as soon as a country is able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions.

The European Councils of Nice (7 to 9 December 2000) and Göteborg (15 and 16 June 2001) confirmed this solemn commitment at the highest level, subscribing to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 4 December 2000 on the principle of differentiation and allowing scope for catching up, with the best prepared countries having the opportunity to progress more rapidly. The criteria laid down apply to all the candidate countries including Poland.

The Göteborg European Council re-stated the Commission's roadmap objective of concluding negotiations by the end of 2002 with the countries that were ready so that they could participate in the 2004 elections for the European Parliament as Member States. In view of their progress with accession preparations and internal planning, up to ten candidate countries, including Poland, have a real chance of concluding negotiations by the end of 2002.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3092/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Progress with olive cultivation register in Greece

As indicated in the Court of Auditors' Special Report 11/2000 and the Commission's answers to my previous questions (E-0214/99(1) and E-1557/97(2)), the process of drawing up an olive cultivation register in Greece is still in the initial stages, while utilisation of the amounts withheld from producers up to 1998 was negligible (0,42 %).

Given that the olive cultivation register must be completed if aid is to be paid out after 1 November 2003, will the Commission say:

1. what stage has now been reached in drawing up the olive cultivation register in Greece? What amounts of the sums withheld have been used?

2. Does the Commission consider that Greece will have completed the olive cultivation register within the prescribed deadlines so that payment of aid will not pose a problem?

(1) OJ C 325, 12.11.1999, p. 88.

(2) OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 70.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 2001)

As from 1 November 2003, olive-oil production aid will be granted solely on oil obtained from olive trees that are found to be present using an olive-cultivation geographical information system (GIS).

Since 1 November 1998, the main points distinguishing the olive-cultivation GIS from the register of olive cultivation previously used are the following: the method of financing is different, the inventory includes only those holdings covered by the aid scheme, no search is now made for the legal owner of parcels, which are now agricultural rather than land-register parcels, and more advanced digital mapmaking techniques are used. No amount is withheld from the aid to finance the olive-cultivation GIS. According to the Court of Auditors' Special Report 11/2000, between 1979 and 1998 the amount withheld from production aid for the register of olive cultivation amounted to 383.1 million, including 101,37 million in Greece. Use of the amounts withheld stands at 244,69 million, of which 0,42 % was used in Greece.

Introducing the olive-cultivation GIS entails looking into discrepancies between the number of olive trees found in aerial photographs and those declared by the aid applicants. Completion of the olive-cultivation GIS is determined at regional or Member State level on the basis of a report drawn up by the Member State. To that end, the regulations call for certain criteria to be met, including a discrepancy rate of up to 5 % between declarations and photo interpretations for all the cultivation declarations concerned.

In order to ascertain compliance with the deadline mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission is monitoring progress in the olive-cultivation GIS closely. As things stand, it is still too early to comment on the project's completion.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2619/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Council

(27 September 2001)

Subject: Council meeting of 25/26 June 2001

Will the Council state whether any votes were taken in the General Affairs Council on 25/26 June 2001 and if so, how many and on what matters?

Will it further record the votes of all those who voted on each issue during the meeting?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2625/01 and E-2627/01

(12 February 2002)

As a preliminary remark, the Council should like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the replies given to his questions E-3938/00 and E-3939/00, in which it is stated that the General Secretariat of the Council draws up monthly summaries of Council acts which contain lists of legislative and non-legislative acts of the Council, including the results of votes, explanations of voting and statements for the minutes when the Council is acting in its capacity as legislator. As from January 2001 they also include references to the voting procedure followed for the adoption of the acts by the Council (unanimity, qualified or simple majority). These monthly summaries can be obtained directly from the Council's website (http://ue. eu. int, under Transparency and Summary of Council acts). Furthermore, the results of the votes on legislative acts are published in the press releases which are issued after the Council meetings.

As for the Honourable Member's specific questions concerning the votes taken in several Council meetings held in June and July 2001, the following answers can be given:

- 2362nd Council meeting of 25/26 June 2001:

- No votes were taken.

- 2364th Council meeting of 27/28 June 2001:

- Adoption of the Council Regulation supplementing the Annex to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 on the registration of geographical indications and designations of origin under the procedure laid down in Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, with three votes against (DK, FIN, S) and one abstention (A).

- Adoption of a Common Position on the directive amending for the 20th time the Directive relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, with three votes against (B, DK, NL).

- 2365th Council meeting of 10 July 2001:

- No votes were taken.

- 2367th Council meeting of 16 July 2001:

- No votes were taken.

- 2368th Council meeting of 20 July 2001:

- No votes were taken.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3017/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 October 2001)

Subject: Commercial and sexual exploitation of children

The Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children is to be held in Yokohama, Japan, from 17 to 20 December 2001.

Will the Commission be taking part in that Congress? What views will it express and what commitments will it give as the European Union's contribution to the international fight against the sexual and commercial exploitation of children, and what is its assessment of its policy so far?

Does it have an evaluation of the implementation of the action plans adopted at the First World Congress held in Stockholm in 1996?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

The Commission participated in the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Its participation consisted of addressing the plenary session with a synthesis of the activities achieved in this area since the first congress in Stockholm back in 1996. This synthesis included legislative work as well as best practices obtained through the funding of projects, thanks to the Community programmes Daphne and STOP, which are a major achievement since the first World Congress.

Also, a workshop, involving non-governmental organisations (NGOs), was chaired by the Commission in order to reflect and programme further actions.

The activities carried out by the Commission show its commitment to the Action Plan set up in Stockholm, the Daphne and STOP programmes have operational budgets for at least another couple of years.

The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of Parliament as soon as possible of the outcome of the Conference.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2159/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 July 2001)

Subject: Measures to prevent abuses during introduction of the euro

In the run-up to the introduction of the euro, the main fear among European consumers is that it will lead to higher prices.

The major concern is that the changeover to the euro will lead traders to increase their prices when rounding up decimal figures and the fear of being cheated continues to spread.

Does the Commission agree that, in order to calm such fears among consumers during the next stage of the European currency, it should advocate codes of conduct on this question, including coercive measures, so that consumers can use the new currency without anxiety and without worrying about possible offences that some traders might attempt to commit?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's views. It was for this reason that it promoted the signing on 2 April 2001 at euro-zone level of a voluntary pledge by traders' representatives not to take advantage of the changeover to the euro to bring in price rises by the back door and to do everything possible to ensure that their prices remain stable overall when they are converted into euros. The agreement includes a shared slogan: New currency, stable prices. Transposal measures or similar agreements have since been adopted in Spain, France and Italy. The euro-zone-wide agreement can also be implemented without the need for national transposal measures. More generally, the Commission is closely monitoring the issue of price stability and contributing to the discussions of the Eurogroup on the subject.

Coercive measures can only be used to penalise the violation of the conversion rules applicable throughout the euro-zone in cases of dual pricing. Traders are and will remain free to determine their own prices. It will be up to consumer associations to denounce any excessive discrepancies which may occur so that they can be penalised by the market.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2068/01

by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Non-Community vessels in Italian waters

The owners of vessels who are non-resident in the European Union can stay in Italian waters for no more than six months, after which they have to leave territorial waters, otherwise they can be charged with illegal trafficking (unless they register the vessels in Italy).

This temporary importation is punitive for those who want to spend the whole winter in Italy, since they include not only wealthy people, but also those who love the sea and travel to and fro between their country of origin and the port where they have left their boat.

The EC has for some time been considering the proposal to extend authorisation for up to two years provided that vessels leave territorial waters for at least a day.

Some Community countries outside the Mediterranean areas already apply this new rule in practice.

Can the Commission say if the above is true and what urgent measures it intends to take?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

Non-Community vessels intended for re-export may be used in the customs territory of the Community with relief from import duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) if the goods are placed under the temporary importation procedure.

This customs procedure must be discharged within a given period. The re-exportation of the goods from the customs territory of the Community is the usual means of discharging a temporary importation procedure. The period for discharge for privately used means of sea and inland waterway transport is 18 months (Article 562 (e) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 993/2001 of 4 May 2001, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code(1)).

Due to the reform of the customs procedures with economic impact the legal situation is now better than before for those who want to stay with their vessels in the Union for more than 6 months. The longer period of 18 months applies from 1 July 2001.

(1) OJ L 141, 28.5.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2844/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Aosta-Milan motorway

As the reopening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel grows closer there is still great concern along the route of the road, which is for good reason included in the trans-European transport network because of its importance about an interruption in the motorway link between the A4 and A5 motorways (both to and from Milan), for which the firm Ativa has the concession. A whole carriageway in the commune of Pavone Canavese (Turin) was destroyed by last year's floods and rebuilding work has not yet started. What information does the Commission have on this and does it intend to take any official steps, in view of the importance of this route in the trans-European network?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The Commission confirms that the section of the motorway between Milan and Aosta forms part of the trans-European transport network and that this section is therefore likely to include projects of common interest within the meaning of the Community guidelines on the development of the trans-European transport network.

To date, the Commission has not received any request from the Italian Government for possible Community support for road repairs following the damage caused by last year's flood.

The Commission recalls that the improvement, use and maintenance of roads forming part of the trans-European transport network is the responsibility of the national authorities of the Member States or the institutions to which the authorities have entrusted the management of these roads. In particular, Member States must ensure a high level of road safety.

The Commission is prepared to examine the situation referred to by the Honourable Member in more detail on the basis of a full dossier on the subject to be sent to it.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2592/01

by Mario Borghezio (TDI) to the Commission

(18 September 2001)

Subject: European checks on irregular visas and residence permits issued by Italy

In Italy, investigations are currently underway, instigated by various legal bodies, which have uncovered extensive trafficking in visas and residence permits irregularly issued by Italian diplomatic and consular offices in several countries. In view of the fact that the investigations have found evidence of the involvement not only of Italian and foreign Mafia racketeers in the trafficking, but also of some Islamic terrorist networks: what urgent concrete steps are planned, at the European level, to put in place an effective system of checks to prevent immigrants who have entered the Schengen area on the basis of irregular documents from moving around the EU and remaining here?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

The existing provisions and procedures in the field of border controls allow the authorities to refuse entry to persons in possession of forged or falsified documents (passports, visa stickers, etc.).

Documents which are apparently in order but have been obtained in an irregular or fraudulent manner will be detected by border checks only if the Member State in which they originated is aware that they have been issued and has informed its partner States (circulation of serial numbers, issuing department, period covered, etc).

The Honourable Member's concerns, shared by the Commission, were recently echoed by the Council (Justice and Home Affairs) on 20 September 2001, which declared its support for a variety of measures to step up the fight against terrorism within the European Union. In particular, the Council called on the Member States to exercise the utmost vigilance when issuing identity documents, visas and residence permits. The Commission is planning to present in the near future a communication on preventing and combating illegal immigration which, among other things, will deal with the issues raised by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2472/01

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 September 2001)

Subject: Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in piglets

According to reports in the Dutch media (Varkens met wegkwijnziekte eindigen toch in slagerij (Pigs with PMWS still end up in the abattoir), Volkskrant 17 August 2001), postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is causing serious illness among piglets on 36 % of pig farms in the Netherlands. An increasing number of piglets a quarter at present do not survive this illness.

In spite of the provisions of the Meat Inspection Law stipulating that products from visibly sick animals must be withdrawn immediately from the food chain, sick animals are being slaughtered and their meat processed for human consumption.

Is the Commission aware of this situation in the Netherlands? If so, is the Commission of the opinion that Netherlands law is not being complied with?

If the Commission takes the view that the Netherlands are not properly complying with the law, what steps does the Commission envisage taking to compel the Netherlands to enforce European law?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2001)

The Commission is aware of the emergence of Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in pigs, both in many Member States, including the Netherlands, and in third countries. Although there is no indication or suspicion that this disease poses any risk to human health, the Commission, taking into account the economic importance of the pig-rearing sector and the uncertain aetiology of the disease, is funding two research projects in this area which started in early 2000.

The Commission has no evidence that pigs affected by this disease have been slaughtered in the normal way, either in the Netherlands or in other Member States, and would ask the Honourable Member to pass on the information in his possession.

The Commission would like to draw his attention to the fact that the disease in question affects piglets aged between five and 12 weeks. Consequently, it is unlikely that infected animals would enter the food chain, given that pigs are normally slaughtered at around six months old.

Under Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat(1), it is up to the official veterinarian to establish during the ante mortem examination whether an animal presented for slaughter is fit to enter the food chain.

If the Commission were to find evidence of a contravention of this rule or other elements of Community law, it would take the appropriate steps with the Member State concerned and, if necessary, initiate infringement proceedings in accordance with Article 226 (ex-Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ B 121, 29.7.1964.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2286/01

by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Foie gras force feeding of ducks

When does the Commission anticipate that other Member States will implement Directive 98/58/EC(1) into their national legislation and, in so doing, do they intend to ban force feeding?

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23.

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2284/01, E-2285/01 and E-2286/01given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2001)

The recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes are addressed to the Parties of the Convention.

The definition of current practice to limit the production of foie gras to certain areas in Europe has been agreed by the Parties to the Convention. They are entrusted with enforcing the requirements of these recommendations as adopted, such as the ones mentioned by the Honourable Member.

All Member States have implemented Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes(1) into their national legislation. However, it should be mentioned that a ban on force-feeding is neither foreseen by Directive 98/58/EC nor by the recommendations mentioned above.

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.