ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1864/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Beef imports from Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK

The Commission is edging towards recommending that the Council approve a partial lifting of the import ban on beef from the whole of the UK, following the lifting of restrictions on imports from Northern Ireland on 1 June 1998. This is a particularly serious matter, given the steady number of cases of "mad cow disease" in Northern Ireland - a region which accounts for over 12 % of total UK beef production - where 1769 cases have been recorded so far. The risk is far greater for countries which need to import livestock products on a large scale (such as Greece); moreover, contaminated meat from the UK can find its way to these countries through other Member States, owing to the abolition of internal border controls in the EU.

Will the Commission say why the process of lifting the import ban on UK beef has been speeded up, since it is not yet fully established that the meat imports in question are entirely safe for citizens throughout the EU?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2020/98

by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Democracy and Civil Society Awards

On 18 May 1998 the EU and the US announced a series of Democracy and Civil Society Awards. Fifty winners, including associations and individuals from 26 countries, received $20 000 each.

Who nominated candidates for these awards, and who selected the winners? How much of the total prize money of $1 000 000 came from the EU budget, and from which budget heading? Was this a one-off initiative, or will it become a regular event?

Why were there no prizewinners from Kosovo?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 1998)

The democracy and civil society awards are a highly successful and visible example of transatlantic co-operation in support of democracy and civil society around the world.

Nominations were made jointly by the United States and Member State embassies and Commission delegations in the eligible countries. Following examination by officials of the Commission, the Member States and the American administration, the recommendations were considered and endorsed by the senior level group meeting in the framework of the new transatlantic agenda. The Community and United States summit on 18 May 1998 gave the formal endorsement of the selection.

Half the prize money was from the Community budget (ECU 209,510 from budget line B7-701, and ECU 245,946 from budget line B7-700).

There are no plans for the event to be repeated, since it was conceived as a way of celebrating events which themselves are not annual, namely 50 years of the Marshall Plan and 40 years of the EC Treaty.

There was a prize winner from Kosovo and indeed there were three award winners from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with one of them, Mr. Gazmend Pula, an outspoken advocate of human rights in Kosovo. Mr. Pula has played a valuable role in attempting to widen the debate and open up the possibilities for dialogue between Serbs and ethnic Albanians, at a real risk to himself. On 18 May 1998 Mr. Pula and five other prizewinners participated in the summit, where they received their awards from the Presidents of the United States and the European Commission, and from the British Prime Minister.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1761/98

by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Liquid biofuels

Liquid biofuels (for example biodiesel) are an area of alternative fuels that have been promoted by the Commission via various R& D initiatives (for example the Altener and Life programmes). The expansion of the pilot project scheme to 2 % of the liquid fuels market is one of the recommendations contained in the White Paper on renewable energy resources, which was adopted by the European Commission on 26 November 1997.

It shows that the reductions in compulsory set-aside to 5 % have led to a lack of raw material supplies, putting in jeopardy the survival of the factories already producing biofuels. In addition the absence of specific measures for non-food crops in Agenda 2000 results in lack of confidence for further investment and development in biofuels by the private sector.

Will the Commission therefore consider emergency support measures in the June discussions on set-aside? What will the Commission propose as a long-term solution with the Agenda 2000 reforms?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 1998)

The Commission confirms what it has already indicated in its reply to Written Question E-1055/98 by Mr Santini, Mr Azzolini and Mr Scapagniru(1), namely that it is fully aware of the problems of raw material supply currently confronting the biofuels industry and the challenge posed by the adoption of the White Paper(2) on renewable energy sources.

Regarding the future development of the biofuels industry, the Commission will have to examine, in the negotiations on Agenda 2000(3), all the possibilities likely to ensure a stable raw material supply and consider a harmonised approach concerning the tax measures currently applied at national level.

Within the framework of Agenda 2000 voluntary set-aside should play an important role, in view of the possibility, for Member States, to allow producers to freeze up to 100 % of their arable land. This can then be used to grow raw materials for non-food purposes, for example biofuel production.

Moreover, the Commission proposals provide for market policy to be supplemented by a new rural development policy which could also offer prospects in the field of renewable raw materials. Thus Member States can obtain Community aid for their national programmes aiming at the promotion of investments concerning non-food products.

(1) See page (à compléter svp).

(2) COM(97) 599 final.

(3) COM(97) 2000 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2833/98

by Niall Andrews (UPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: School leaving age

Will the Commission give details of the legal school leaving age in each Member State of the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1998)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/98

by Felipe Camisón Asensio (PPE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Implementation of the Ecos-Ouverture programme in Extremadura

Does the Commission believe that it would be worth considering a request for regional cooperation under the Ecos-Ouverture programme, based on an exchange of experience or transfers of working techniques in the field of cynegetic development between the Spanish region of Extremadura and Hungary or Romania?

When could a formal proposal in that regard be expected?

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

(10 September 1998)

On 13 June 1998(1) the Commission published the last call for proposals under Ecos-Ouverture for the current programming period. The fields of cooperation envisaged concern only the following: improvement of local authorities' working methods and tools; improvement of the support services for modernisation and development of small and medium-sized enterprises; the safeguard and stewardship of the environment with a view to sustainable development, and exploiting the economic potential of the cultural heritage of the regions for the purpose of maintaining or creating long-term employment.

Hunting as such is not financed within this framework but measures which connect this topic to, for example, sustainable development or environmental protection could be eligible, subject to scrutiny by the Commission. The final date for submitting projects is 15 November 1998.

(1) OJ C 183, 13.6.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2554/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) , Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) and Jyrki Otila (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Equal treatment in respect of certain services

The Commission quite rightly pays close attention to the issue of the equal treatment of persons. In that connection, the advantages granted to shareholders in telephone companies have been declared invalid on the grounds that they represent a breach of the directive.

However, in Finland different policies are applied to summer and permanent residents as regards postal services, real estate taxes and refuse collection charges. An additional charge is levied for the delivery of mail to summer residents, whose monthly refuse collection charges may be as much as the annual costs paid by permanent residents.

Does the Commission not regard this as a breach of the legislation on equal treatment? If so, what measures does it plan to take to remedy the situation?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to written question no 3942/97 by Mr. Ilaskivi.(1)

(1) OJ C 223, 17.7.1998
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/98

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

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Convergence report

The Commission's document COM(98) 1999 (report on progress towards convergence and recommendation with a view to the transition to the third stage of economic and monetary union) states that on 23 October 1995 the Council adopted Regulation 2494/95(1) setting the legal base for the establishment of a harmonized methodology for compiling consumer price indices in the Member States.

This regulation proposed a two-stage harmonization:

1. the production of a set of interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs), based on existing national CIPs, adjusted so as to make the coverage of goods and services as similar as possible;

2. the construction of harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs).

Can the Commission state what goods and services have been included in the interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs)?

(1) OJ L 257, 27.10.1995, p. 1.

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1885/98, E-1886/98 and E-1887/98 given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1998)

The Commission has calculated the European economic area index of consumer prices (EEAICP) since January 1995 and the requested information for 1997 is available on a monthly basis via both electronic (New Cronos database) and printed (Statistics in Focus: Economy and Finance) media.

Mutatis mutandis the Commission has calculated the European index of consumer prices (EICP) also since January 1995 and the requested information for 1997 is available on a monthly basis in precisely the same manner as for the EEAICP.

As regards the goods and services covered by the interim indices of consumer prices (IICPs) the Commission is forwarding direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat the detailed information (No 15 of Eurostat news release "New way of comparing EU inflation" of 29 February 1996).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1298/98

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

(29 April 1998)

Subject: EU-South Africa fisheries agreement

The launch is expected in the near future of negotiations between the Commission and the South African authorities for the signing of a fisheries agreement. This agreement will fall within the framework of a global cooperation convention under which South Africa will obtain significant tariff concessions on its exports to the EU. At the same time, the Community freezer-trawler fleet will have to find alternative fishing-grounds, especially for hake. Can the Commission provide information on its guidelines and negotiation points for the talks, with a view to ensuring access for Community hake-fishery freezer-trawlers and guaranteeing that access for such vessels to the fishing-grounds will be granted, as a matter of priority, to those flying Community flags?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1998)

In September 1995, the Council gave the Commission a negotiating brief which leaves it plenty of room for manoeuvre as regards the type of fisheries agreement to seek with South Africa.

At a meeting on 8 April 1998, the Commission expressed to South Africa its wish to conclude a fisheries agreement combining several elements, such as traditional licences, the creation of joint ventures and the financing of joint enterprises.

Negotiations are still in their initial stages and it is premature to speculate on the final content of the agreement.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1667/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Compatibility of the criteria for aid under the Commission's milk programme with Article 129

The Commission's milk subsidy programme, the basic principle of which is to subsidise full-fat milk products to a greater extent than low-fat ones, is not sensible from a public health point of view.

That being so, does the Commission consider that the criteria for subsidy under the milk programme, which favour full-fat milk products at the expense of low-fat ones, are in accordance or are compatible with the objectives of Article 129 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

The Commission is convinced that the Community aid scheme for school milk, to which the Honourable Member is presumably referring, is entirely beneficial to public health. Accordingly, it considers that the programme is fully in line with the objectives set out in Article 129 of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Agency accommodation in Grange

Can the Commission state whether contracts have yet been finalised for the accommodation in Grange for the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection and Control Agency and when the move is expected to take place from the temporary accommodation so that the agency can begin to undertake its full work programme properly?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

First of all the Commission would underline that the Food and veterinary office (FVO) is an integral part of its services and forms a directorate of the Directorate General for consumer policy and consumer health protection.

As far as the Grange project is concerned the contracts between the Commission and the Irish authorities (Office of public works) for the accommodation of the FVO have not been yet finalised.

The contracts are however in an advanced state of progress and they are planned to be signed before the end of 1998. The time requested for the completion of the buildings in Grange is 18 months. It is therefore reasonable to think that the FVO will be operational in the new premises by the end of the year 2000 at the latest.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1505/98

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

(13 May 1998)

Subject: The information society and social and economic cohesion

In her appearance before Parliament's Committee on Regional Policy on 23 January 1997 in connection with the presentation of the Commission Communication on cohesion and the information society (COM(97) 7 final of 22 January 1997), Mrs Mathies, Commissioner, said that there would be greater support for information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly in relation to the current Objectives 1 and 2, on the basis of their contribution to the transition to the information society.

Could the Commission provide information regarding all the ICT projects which have so far been co-financed by the Commission under the current Objectives 1 and 2, and also those which will be co-financed between now and the end of the current planning period, specifying the regions concerned, the total cost of implementation and the extent of Community co-financing?

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

(22 June 1998)

The data contained in the Commission's communication on "Cohesion and the information society" resulted from an internal study by the Commission and represent an estimate of the actions related to telecommunications co-financed by the structural funds. The estimate is based on the programmes submitted by the Member States at the beginning of the current 1994-1999 structural funds programming period. An evaluation ex-post will be launched at the end of the programming period.

Over the current programming period, the structural funds (European regional development fund) are expected to co-finance actions in the area of telecommunications involving a total contribution of MECU 1 741 in objective 1, 2 and 5b regions.

The results of a tentative analysis of the above amount in terms of infrastructures and applications as well as a table with indicative details concerning the main beneficiary Member States are sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

Since these calculations were made, the mid-term review of the Community support frameworks and the annual distribution of the amounts resulting from the indexation of the structural funds have taken place. Several Member States have also proposed re-allocations of programming priorities. This has had an impact on the investments related to the information society. In some cases, for example in Spain, a new programming priority for the information society has been created, while in other cases, for example in Portugal, the existing telecommunications priority has been reinforced to address advanced applications and services.

A complete view of information society-related expenditure will therefore only be obtainable through the ex-post evaluation.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: Aid for businesses in the earthquake-hit areas of the Umbria and Marche regions

Italian law provides for special sliding scales governing access to the Structural Funds for businesses based in earthquake-hit areas. It also allows the Ministry for Industry to order the extension of the deadlines for submitting applications for businesses in this category, which is an important opportunity for companies in Umbria and the Marche.

The text of the legislation, which might provide the legal basis for extending access to the funds to include areas not normally covered, increasing the level of aid to the maximum, and using the reserved funds, in a way consistent with Objective 1, was forwarded on 19 December 1997 to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in order for it to notify the EU.

In view of the above: Is it true that the EU has not yet given its approval because it considers that the financial aid requested cannot be extended beyond earthquake-hit areas in Umbria and the Marche so as to cover other areas damaged in previous years and on repeated occasions in other parts of Italy, as outlined by the Italian Authorities?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1998)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it held a meeting with the Italian authorities on 7 July 1998 to discuss Italy's proposal on investment aid for firms based in earthquake-hit areas. At the meeting, it expressed concern at the very high levels of aid intensity envisaged, since what is involved is not aid to reimburse damage suffered, but actual investment aid.

The Italian authorities took note of these difficulties. The Commission trusts that a solution can be found soon so that all the necessary instruments to assist reconstruction and recovery can be made available to these areas.

The Commission would emphasise that, at all events, these difficulties regarding approval of the proposed aid scheme do not apply to the reconstruction and regeneration measures provided for in the single programming documents for the areas eligible under Objective 5b in the two regions which will soon receive additional aid from the Structural Funds amounting to almost ECU 500 million.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2511/98

by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Actions envisaged against France for failure to comply with competition rules

In view of the large number of actions currently being initiated against France for failure to comply with European legislation on compliance with the rules of competition, could the Commission list the actions it intends to initiate against France for failure to comply with the Community competition rules?

Joint answer

to Written Questions P-2478/98, E-2505/98, E-2506/98, E-2507/98,E-2508/98, E-2509/98, E-2510/98 and E-2511/98 given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the 15th report on the monitoring of the application of Community law(1) which describes its activities in this area.

(1) ,COM(98) 317 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2389/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Car prices: disparities in car prices among Member States

A new survey drawn up by accountants KPMG and highlighted in two BBC television programmes "Top Gear" and "Panorama" confirm that car prices in the UK are on average 6.6 % higher than in other parts of the European Union.

Given that the Commission was previously convinced that disparities in car prices among Member States were largely caused by the relative strength of individual currencies and fiscal policies in Member States, what steps is the Commission now considering with a view to investigating the claims made in these broadcasts and subsequent press reports that some manufacturers are operating "price-fixing strategies"?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

The Commission is aware of the claims made recently in the British media that some car manufacturers or dealers are operating price fixing strategies in the United Kingdom.

In view of the national character of the alleged strategies, and in the light of the subsidiarity principle, it would seem primarily to be for the United Kingdom authorities to verify whether these allegations are correct and, if so, to take appropriate steps to deal with them.