ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0736/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B4-1030 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0759/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-401 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-4110 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0701/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B2-704 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1655/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (14 May 1997)

Subject: Proposal within the framework of the MEDA programme for Turkey

A recent edition of the Official Journal of the European Communities (S 50) carried a call for the submission of proposals for the provision of technical assistance within the framework of the MEDA programme for Turkey.

This call concerns the offices of the Commission Representation in Ankara, and more particularly the recruitment of staff.

A total of fifteen experts are to be recruited in five areas of activity.

Will the Commission say how the recruitment and salaries of these officials will be funded?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1997)

In 1996 the budgetary authority approved a special facility to help finance the Phare, Tacis and Meda programmes through recourse to external technical assistance aimed at assisting both the Commission and recipients in the implementation and follow-up of programmes and projects.

The Commission has decided to make technical assistance available to its delegations in the Mediterranean partner countries, consisting of highly-skilled experts, support and management personnel, the necessary support and reception infrastructure and personnel to maintain that infrastructure in the furtherance of cooperation between the Community and its Mediterranean partners within the framework of the Meda programme.

The Member States having delivered a favourable opinion, the Commission will commit the necessary appropriations from budget heading B7-410 in line with the remarks on this subject contained in the 1997 budget. Recruitment of technical assistance personnel will be by invitation to tender pursuant to Council Regulation 1488/96 (Meda) ((OJ L 189, 30.7.1996. )) and in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Financial Regulation applicable to the General Budget of the European Communities.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1779/97 by Karl von Wogau (PPE) to the Commission (27 May 1997)

Subject: Obstacle to free movement of services

The Mannheim Convention of 17 October 1868 declares the Rhine to be an 'international waterway' and vessels using it must therefore fly the flag of one of the bordering States. This provision also applies to the owners of pleasure craft.

Owners of pleasure craft who register their vessels in Strasbourg are required to pay a tax to obtain a French nationality certificate in order to be able to fly the French flag and sail on the Rhine. This tax is intended for navigation on the high seas and in international waters and amounts to FF 10 000 annually. Pleasure craft owners registering their vessels in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands or Switzerland do not pay a special tax in order to use the Rhine.

1. Is this Mannheim Convention dating from 1868 compatible with the Treaties of Rome and is not the Rhine an internal waterway of the EU?

2. Should not this tax to obtain a French nationality certificate when registering a vessel in Strasbourg be considered as an obstacle to the free movement of services to the extent that owners of pleasure craft will not register in Strasbourg and will as a result be prevented from providing services?

3. Would it be possible to sail under the European flag when the EU acquires legal personality?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

In accordance with Article 234 of the EC Treaty, the Mannheim Convention of 1868 is an example of an agreement which has not so far been affected by the provisions of the Treaty.

The information provided by the Honourable Member does not allow the Commission to conclude that the conditions governing registration of pleasure boats in Strasbourg constitute an obstacle to the freedom to provide services. The existence of restrictions upon the principle of the freedom to provide services pre-supposes obstacles which hinder the exercise of a cross-border economic activity, which is not the case here given the category of boat concerned.

The Commission has no plans to establish a European flag for vessels, irrespective of whether the Union obtains legal personality or not.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-410 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0779/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-5046 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1827/97 by Alfonso Novo Belenguer (ARE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: EU potato imports

Potato-growing is a firmly established activity in the autonomous community of Valencia. Thousands of families depend on the smooth operation of the European market. Nevertheless, this sector is being seriously damaged by massive potato imports from third countries, mainly Egypt, contrary to the principle of Community preference, and this is causing a steady fall in potato prices, which have slumped to 20 pesetas. Such prices do not allow Valencian farmers even to cover the costs involved in potato-growing.

Bearing in mind that, in spite of the crisis in the sector which has now lasted for two consecutive marketing years, the EU has offered Egypt customs-free entry of 220 000 tonnes of potatoes, what measures will the Commission adopt to offset the damage to the potato sector as a result of the preferential agreement with Egypt?

When will these measures come into effect?

Will the Commission guarantee minimum income levels for farmers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)

Negotiations with Egypt started in 1995 and are in progress. One of the unresolved elements of the negotiations is the arrangement on agricultural reciprocal concessions, where the positions of both parties remain apart. The Community position is based on the negotiation directives adopted by the Council in 1995.

Under the 1977 agreement which is operational at present, 109 000 tonnes of Egyptian early potatoes can be imported duty free between 1 January and 31 March each year. The average Egyptian exports in the period 1994/1996 were 204 000 tonnes, with a maximum of 271 000 tonnes in 1995. Actual exports depend strongly on the market situation of the Community so that the record export figure of 1995 coincides with a period of short internal supply. Egyptian exports within the preferential period account for 140 000 tonnes (average figure) while 64 000 tonnes are exported from 1 April to 15 May (paying full duties).

In the absence of a common market organization for potatoes, the Commission has no competence to regulate the potato market in Europe. The Commission is fully aware of the problems caused by the absence of a market organization for potatoes and proposed in 1992 to set up such a system ((OJ C 333, 17.12.1992. )). The Commission remains convinced that the existing proposal represents the best compromise taking into account the different points of view expressed by the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Identification of bovine animals and beef products

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) regarding the labelling of beef and beef products (COM(96) 460 final - 96/0228/0229 CNS) ((OJ C 349, 20.11.1996, p. 14. )) (CES 1404/96 - 96/0228/0229 CNS).

The new system will include the labelling of beef and beef products. Although the labelling of such products will be optional, the information that each operator or organization decides to indicate on the label (region of birth, method of fattening, slaughter and feeding details, etc.) must first be approved by the competent national authorities.

Overall, the proposal for a regulation regarding the labelling of beef and beef products is satisfactory, given that it will provide many consumers with the information they require and therefore make a major contribution towards re-establishing confidence in European beef.

The Commission is asked to make indication of the origin of beef compulsory since this is only way of restoring consumer confidence in the long term.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1997)

According to Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products, which was adopted by the Council on 21 April 1997 ((OJ L 117, 7.5.1997. )), a compulsory beef labelling system shall be introduced which shall be obligatory in all Member States from 1 January 2000, with the compulsory indications of the Member State or third country where the animal from which the beef is derived was born, the Member States or third countries where the animal was raised and the Member State or third country where the animal was slaughtered. However, this compulsory system shall not exclude the possibility for a Member State to apply the system merely on an optional basis to beef sold in that same Member State. A transitional voluntary labelling system shall be introduced until the end of 1999. In Member States where there is a sufficiently developed identification and registration system for bovine animals, a compulsory labelling system may be introduced before 1 January 2000, for beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in their territory.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1368/97 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (21 April 1997)

Subject: The programme 'New sources of employment'

Out of more than 340 projects submitted for the European Union's 'New sources of employment' programme the European Commission's Directorate-General XVI - Regional Policy and Cohesion - has ratified a total of 42, ten of which are Spanish.

Can the Commission give details of these ten projects, summarizing their content and specifying the amount of Community participation in them?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1997)

Under the programme 'New sources of employment' pursuant to Article 10 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 of 19 December 1988, laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as amended ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )), the Commission has selected 41 projects of which 10 were indeed presented by local authorities or bodies in Spain. The ERDF contribution to these 10 projects amounts to ECU 3 981 670. Basic information and a summary for each of these projects are directly accessible on the Internet site for innovative actions under Article 10 of the ERDF at the following address: http://www. aeidl.be/art10/.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1947/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (4 June 1997)

Subject: Torture inflicted on mares to produce the Premarin drug

The 'Impronte' review, which is printed and distributed by the LAV (Italian Anti-Vivisection League) has for some time denounced the fact that 75 000 mares are tortured in the United States and Canada to enable the American Wieth-ayerst laboratories to prepare substances used to produce the Premarin drug.

The torture inflicted on the mares consists in depriving them of adequate water supplies (i.e. giving them only 22 litres of water a day instead of the 50 they need), so as to obtain a much more concentrated urine. The method used to collect their urine also causes them pain and severe injuries.

Will the Commission therefore ensure that imports of this drug are banned in Europe so as to discourage such cruel practices?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1997)

Will the Honourable Member please refer to the answer given by the Commission to written questions E-1784/96 and 1785/96 from Mrs Van Dijk ((OJ C 11, 13.1.1997. )).

Generally speaking the international trade rules do not allow the Community to ban the import of products from non-member countries on the grounds that those products are obtained in those countries under conditions which would be considered unacceptable within the Community, especially since those products do not constitute any hazards to the lives and health of persons and animals within the Community.