ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0851/98 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: EU policy on seed varieties

EU legislation on seeds has been causing grave problems to those selling seed in small volumes. To sell seed it has to be registered. The cost of registration often exceeds the proceeds for selling less common varieties. There is therefore a risk that many less common and often traditional varieties of seeds will no longer be sold. This is a particularly serious matter, as the varieties concerned may be historically valuable vegetables or pot-herbs especially adapted to certain types of climates.

Does the Commission intend to propose amendment to the legislation concerned to remedy this problem?

Will the Commission consider a general exemption for traditional vegetables or seed varieties for which the volume of sales is low?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0851/98 and E-0878/98 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-246/98 by Mr Lindqvist during question time at Parliament's march 1998 part-session ((Debates of the Parliament (March 98). )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0497/98 by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE) to the Commission (2 March 1998)

Subject: EU-ACP fisheries trade balance

It is of vital interest to the European Union to promote the development of fisheries in the ACP countries, including a greater flow of exports from these countries to the EU.

Will the Commission provide information on the trade balance for fisheries products between the EU and the ACP countries in terms of both volume and value, including:

- fishery exports from each ACP country to each Member State;

- a breakdown by species of exports from each ACP country to each Member State;

- fishery imports by each ACP country with details of each exporter Member State;

- breakdown by species of imports by each ACP country and details of the Member State of origin?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998)

The Community has a very unfavourable balance of trade in fisheries products with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. In 1996, Community exports to the ACP states amounted to 331 000 tonnes and were worth ECU 185 million, while imports from them amounted to 378 000 tonnes, worth ECU 1 093 million. Community exports of fisheries products to the ACP states thus represent only 17% of imports in value terms.

Because of the amount of information involved, the Commission will send the Honourable Member and the Parliament Secretariat a summary table of the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0556/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Regional Operational Programme for Attiki - sub-programme 2, measure 3 (Eleon)

Sub-programme 2, measure 3 of the Regional Operational Programme for Attiki includes the measures for the development and improvement for the area of Eleon which are described as being of major in strategic importance for Athens.Under the timetable, ECU 13 208 million of the public funding earmarked for this purpose should have been utilized by the end of 1997.

1. What progress has been made by the sub-programme and what projects have been completed?

2. If there have been delays, where have they occurred and what were the principal reasons for them?

3. Did any delays occur during the CSF review? What were the budgetary implications of these delays?

4. What funds had been utilized by 31 December 1997?

5. Has the bill containing detailed provisions for the creation of an industrial area been adopted to facilitate the transfer of industries from Eleon to other areas?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (27 April 1998)

According to the financial tables amended on 21 October 1997, public expenditure earmarked for measure 2.3 of the operational programme for Attica (Eleon) until 1997 totals ECU 1.1 million.

The study dealing with spatial development in the Eleon region is under preparation. It must be completed before the go-ahead is given to work to be carried out in the region.

No changes were made to the regional programmes when the Community Support Framework Monitoring Committee last met, on 31 October 1997.

By the end of 1997 a total of ECU 0.4 million in appropriations had been utilised.

Law No 2545/97 on industrial areas was adopted by Greece's Parliament on 15 December 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0679/98 by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 March 1998)

Subject: Conditions for upgrading the Spanish 'Ingeniero Técnico' engineering qualification in comparison with others

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competition COM/A/1047 (OJ C 145 A, 13.5.1997), has the Commission included the requirement that applicants be holders of a 'university' qualification, when that same requirement does not appear in the German version of the said notice?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0635/98, E-0636/98, E-0637/98, E-0638/98, E-0639/98, E-0640/98, E-0641/98, E-0642/98, E-0643/98, E-0644/98, E-0645/98, E-0669/98, E-0670/98, E-0671/98, E-0672/98, E-0673/98, E-0674/98, E-0675/98, E-0676/98, E-0677/98, E-0678/98, E-0679/98, E-0724/98, E-0725/98, E-0726/98, E-0727/98 and E-0728/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998)

The Commission feels that most of the information requested by the Honourable Member is contained in its answers to written questions E-2749/97 by Ms Garcia Arias ((OJ C 82, 17.3.1998. )) and E-4186/97 by Ms Dührkop Dührkop ((OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 15. )). The Commission would accordingly refer the Honourable Member to these answers, where it gave a full statement of its general approach to qualifications giving access to A/LA posts in the European public service and more specifically to qualifications held by Spanish technical engineers.

The correct translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', and that is the term used on the notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02) published in the Official Journal. With regard to Competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/821, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given on 3 March 1994 by the Court of First Instance in Case T-82/92 Cortés Jiménez v Commission.

The Commission would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that the candidate at competition COM/A/104 has brought an action, registered at the Registry of the Court of First Instance under number T-299/97 on 1 December 1997. Accordingly the Commission cannot give an answer because the matter is sub judice.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1001/98 by Laura De Esteban Martin (PPE) to the Commission (2 April 1998)

Subject: Community competitions

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competition COM/A/1047 (OJ C 145 A, 13.5.1991), has the Commission included the requirement that applicants be holders of a 'university' qualification, when that same requirement does not appear in the German version of the said notice?

Why, in the Spanish version of the notice of open competitions COM/A/720 and COM/A/721 (OJ C 52 A, 28.2.1991), did the Commission include the requirement that applicants be holders of a higher education qualification obtained after a five-year course, when that same requirement did not appear in any other language version of the said notice?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (4 May 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to questions E-0643 and E-0645 by Mr Hernández Mollar ((See page 13. )), E-0725/98 by Mr Méndez de Vigo ((See page 15. )), and E-0677/98, E-0678 by Mr Gutiérrez Diaz ((See page 15. )), which were identical to the above question.

The proper translation of 'diploma universitario' into German is 'abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium', which was used in notice of competition COM/A/1047 (97/C 145 A/02), published in the Official Journal ((OJ C 145, 13.5.1997. )). With regard to his question on competition COM/A/720 and COM/A/721, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the judgment given by the Court of First Instance on 3 March 1994 in Case T-82/92 Cortés v. Commission ((OJ C 52, 28.2.1991. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1777/98 by Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission (5 June 1998)

Subject: Agenda 2000 and the WTO agreements

1. Could the Commission explain the criteria on the basis of which agricultural aid is classified as 'blue box' or 'green box' under the WTO agreements?

2. Could the Commission state the category under which the direct aid for beef and milk envisaged in Agenda 2000 can be classified?

3. Should the aid provided under the American FAIR (Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform) act be regarded, in principle, as eligible for inclusion in the 'green box' category?

4. Can the Commission confirm that the objective of establishing environmental standards for agriculture and including them in future world trade rules is enshrined in the GATT agreements?

5. What reports or recommendationshave been submitted to date pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on trade in services and the environment (OJ L 336 p. 265, 23.12.1994)?

6. What initiatives will the Commission take to ensure these agreements are effectively implemented at international level, or to propose and effect changes to Article XIV of the Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1117/98 by Paraskevas Avgerinos (PSE) to the Commission (8 April 1998)

Subject: Desecration of Armenian monastery in occupied Cyprus

The Turkish forces of occupation in Cyprus have taken an outrageous decision to convert the historic Armenian monastery of Ayios Magar, situated in occupied northern Cyprus, into a hotel.

Is the Commission aware of this decision and, if so, what does it intend to do to ensure that Turkey finally puts an end to its flagrant violation of human rights and destruction of historic relics which are an important part of mankind's cultural heritage?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-968/98 by Mrs Daskalaki ((OJ C 323, 21.10.1998, p. 100. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1472/98 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (13 May 1998)

Subject: Draft Recommendation on Homeworking

Further to my written question E-1951/97 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 125. )), what is the present situation regarding the Commission's commitment to bring forward a recommendation on homeworking, given that the medium-term social action programme in which this commitment was made has now come to an end, and given the importance attached by the Member States, in the 1998 Employment Guidelines, to developing new forms of work in a flexible, yet secure, labour market?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (22 June 1998)

On 27 May 1998 the Commission adopted a recommendation calling on the Member States to ratify International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No 177 on homeworking. The Commission believes that the objective of this Convention, namely to oblige countries which have ratified it to develop a policy on homeworkers, corresponds to that which it itself pursued under the medium-term social action programme (1995-1997). The Commission also recommends Member States to inform it, within 18 months following publication of the recommendation, of measures taken to this end.

On the basis of the information provided by the Member States, the Commission will then consider the need for further action at Community level with a view to supplementing the ILO Convention.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/98 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission (9 April 1998)

Subject: Budgetary implementation in Catalonia in 1996 and 1997

Will the Commission give details of the implementation of appropriations from the EAGGF-Guarantee Section for the financial years 1996 and 1997 in Catalonia?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1998)

The Commission does not generally have national figures broken down by region. However, since 1997 Spain has been declaring expenditure by autonomous region for those regions which have approved paying agencies. The Commission can therefore provide the information required for Catalonia: ESP 41 000 million (roughly ECU 250.3 million) in 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0949/98 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (30 March 1998)

Subject: Impact on animal protection of the GATT/WTO

Fears of GATT challenges have already led the EU severely to dilute two of its key animal protection measures, namely the ban on the import of pelts from countries using the leghold trap and the prohibition on the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals.

The GATT/WTO could well deter the EU from introducing new animal protection measures, as while the EU can, under the GATT, prohibit the use of a cruel system within its own territory, it cannot prohibit the import of products derived from animals subjected to that system.

Does the Commission agree that the GATT/WTO poses a threat to the introduction of improved standards of animal protection? Is the Commission in favour of the EU taking the lead at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in May in persuading the other WTO contracting parties of the need to reform the GATT/WTO to ensure that it does not prevent contracting parties from introducing measures genuinely aimed at securing improved standards of animal protection?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1998)

It is correct that the Community's obligations under the World trade organisation (WTO) agreement are among the elements which must be taken into account when developing any policies which may affect trade, including those mentioned by the Honourable Member. However, as the Honourable Member indicates the General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT)/WTO does not prevent the introduction of measures which are considered to be necessary for the protection of animals on the territory of the Community.

It is the Commission's view that it cannot unilaterally impose the Community's welfare-based production standards on third countries. For example, WTO rules do not permit the Community to prohibit imports of cosmetic products on the sole ground that they have been tested on animals, even if the Community imposes such an animal-testing ban for marketing of Community products. Rather than proceeding to an import ban of such products, the Community should focus on the creation of multilateral standards for animal welfare. The Community should first try to convince its trading partners to modify their policies in the direction it thinks appropriate. Consumers in Europe should, moreover, be in a position to make an informed choice about the animal welfare aspects of the products they buy, for example through labelling schemes.

Given that animal welfare is becoming increasingly relevant in terms of international trade, this issue may in the future be raised in the WTO context. The possibility of amending WTO rules to address welfare concerns more generally will be addressed in the context of the determination of the Community's negotiating objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1763/98 by Werner Langen (PPE) to the Council (8 June 1998)

Subject: Price agreement between the French cigarette industry and the French Government

In November 1997 an additional 2.5% duty on tobacco was supposed to be introduced in France on financial and health policy grounds. However, the government agreed with the French cigarette manufacturers on a minimum consumption duty to be levied per unit of 1 000 cigarettes, thus removing the price advantage of multipacks. This agreement was reached without consulting, for example, the Hamburg firm of Reemtsma, which, like some of its competitors, sells various products on the French market.

The price declaration submitted by Reemtsma in relation to imports of two of its products (West and West Light, in packs of 25) was rejected by the French Ministry for Economic Affairs and Finance by reference to the agreement reached with the domestic industry. Approval would be granted only if the price was substantially raised. The two products were not included in the 'arreté d'homologation' (official approval) issued at the end of 1997. There was no response to a further price declaration submitted on 28 January 1998. In a conversation early in March, Reemtsma was quoted a price which would secure approval, but the company rejected that option on market strategy grounds. Further conversations did not produce any progress.

Article 85 of the EC Treaty prohibits

'agreements between undertakings (...) which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the common market, and in particular those which:

(a) directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices (....)'

In view of the foregoing,

1. Does the Council regard this direct fixing of a minimum price by the French cigarette industry, by agreement with the French Ministry for Economic Affairs and Finance, as an infringement of the competition laws deriving from Article 3(g) of the EC Treaty in conjunction with Article 85? If so, what steps will it take to remedy the situation?

2. Does the Council know the grounds on which the French Government permits and justifies this form of horizontal cartel, by means of which the price or minimum price is directly fixed?

Answer (20 July 1998)

In view of the division of powers between Institutions laid down by the Treaty establishing the European Community, the Council can only inform the Honourable Member that this issue falls within the Commission's sphere of competence, notably by virtue of Article 89 of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0747/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Importance of local government bodies with the framework of structural funds

Given the recent changes in the UK structure of programme partnership for the delivery of structural funding support, does the Commission agree that local government is a vital strand in the three-way partnership between the Commission, the Member State and the Region?

What steps will the Commission take to ensure that the role of local government bodies will not be diminished as a result of the creation of Programme Executives?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1998)

The Commission agrees that local government is a vital aspect of the regional partnerships with responsibility for implementing Community regional policy programmes in the United Kingdom. The Commission has welcomed recent changes in the composition of monitoring committees in regional policy programmes, and in particular the inclusion of social partners and elected councillors on these committees. Elected councillors are now represented on all monitoring committees in England and Wales.

Programme executives have no decision making role in respect of their regional programmes. All decisions must be made by the relevant monitoring committee, as set out in the standard clauses attached to each single programming document.

Executives, or secretariats, are needed to implement the decisions of monitoring committees. The Commission will continue to ensure that this division of responsibilities is respected.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0930/98 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Payments made for measures in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises

At the end of 1997, only ECU 140 million of the ECU 910 million set aside for the Community SME initiative had actually been paid out.

Can the Commission say whether these figures are accurate? Can the Commission explain the reasons for this disparity between commitments and payments? What measures will the Commission take to remedy the disparity between commitments and payments made in connection with Community measures for small and medium-sized enterprises? Can the Commission list the amounts paid to each Member State for each of the measures designed to favour small and medium-sized enterprises?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1998)

A table sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat, sets out the level of commitments and payments made up to February 1998 for the programmes adopted under the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Community initiative. The total European co-financing allocated to the various programmes is 1 060 MECU, of which 545 MECU have already been committed and 303 MECU paid.

The differences between these figures result from a number of factors. This is the first programming period for this initiative, and this has resulted in some significant delays in the preparation and approval of the programmes, with some programmes only being approved in 1997. Delays in approval have also led to delays in implementation, with new partnerships having to be created and made operational. However, it is normal, during the currency of structural funds programmes, for payments to be less than commitments. Payments continue for two or three years after the final date for commitments.

Where appropriate, the Commission is encouraging Member States, through monitoring committee meetings, to speed up the execution of the initiative. The Commission is also facilitating the implementation of a series of exchange of experience projects to begin later this year within the framework of the initiative. These will act as a catalyst to encourage best practice and increase the quality of the actions.