ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0925/00

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(25 March 2000)

Subject: Stockholm Declaration on education about the Holocaust

What steps has the Commission taken to act on the Stockholm Declaration on education about the Holocaust in the EU and the Member States?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0925/00 and E-1000/00 given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2000)

The Commission attaches the greatest importance to the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and, in general terms, to encouraging attitudes and values making for respect, acceptance and tolerance in multicultural social contexts in particular.

As regards Community action in the field of school education, the Comenius chapter of the Socrates programme provides for transnational cooperation for the purpose of intercultural education involving teaching establishments and other actors with a relevant interest. Over the five years during which Socrates I was in place, around 100 transnational projects a year were launched in this field.

In Socrates II, the intercultural dimension including the nurturing of attitudes and values underlying a pluralist society is given greater emphasis and is becoming one of the features common to school initiatives, training projects for those working in education, and the Comenius Networks.

It should, however, be stressed that the organisation and make-up of education systems in the Community are a matter for the Member States alone.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924/00

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Enlargement and decentralisation

In a recent appearance before the European Parliament, Commissioner Günter Verheugen asserted that it was absolutely essential for the countries applying for EU membership to undertake decentralisation and regionalisation.

Why are decentralisation and regionalisation so crucial? Will the Commission say what progress the applicant countries have made towards decentralisation?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

The concepts of decentralisation and regionalisation cover a wide range of constitutional realities in the Member States and in the candidate countries. The acquis in this respect is covered in the negotiation chapter dealing with regional policy and the coordination of the structural instruments. The underlying principles include subsidiarity, partnership and effectiveness.

The application of the principle of subsidiarity with respect to regional policy and the structural instruments requires that the implementation of assistance shall be the responsibility of the Member State, at the appropriate territorial level according to the arrangements specific to each Member State.

The principle of partnership refers to close consultation between the Commission and the Member State, together with the authorities and bodies designated by the Member State within the framework of its national rules and current practices, namely: the regional and local authorities and other competent public authorities; the economic and social partners, and any other relevant bodies within this framework (e.g. with responsibility for the environment and for the promotion of equality between women and men). Partnership shall cover the preparation, financing, monitoring and evaluation of assistance.

In order to ensure the respect of the principle of effectiveness in the context of regional policy and the structural instruments, the attention of the candidate countries has been drawn in the relevant negotiation chapter to the importance of having a working capacity at NUTs II(1) level for the implementation of objective 1 programmes.

Candidates have been invited to establish as soon as possible with the Commission (Eurostat) a provisional NUTs classification which reflects the administrative structure and socio-economic statistics available.

(1) NUTs II: nomenclature of the territorial statistical units of the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1229/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(14 April 2000)

Subject: Imports of orange juice from Mexico

The Commission recently agreed a large quota of imports on preferential terms, including 31 000 tonnes of Mexican orange juice, 750 tonnes of cut flowers, 400 tonnes of exotic flowers, 30 000 tonnes of honey and 1 000 tonnes of melons. This absurd arrangement, coming after the Euro-Mediterranean agreement, is yet another hard blow for the agricultural industry in southern Italy, and more especially Sicily, where the crisis in the citrus sector has dismayed tens of thousands of people working in that sector.

In view of the foregoing:

1. On what basis can unfair competition be regarded as compatible with cooperation with less developed countries?

2. Does the Commission consider that it should suspend, in the light of the changed market conditions, the devastating effects of the bilateral agricultural agreements and adopt corresponding compensatory measures, as laid down in those very agreements with third countries?

Answer given by My Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 May 2000)

The Commission believes that the recently concluded trade agreement with Mexico is one in which the overall outcome for agriculture is well balanced. Indeed, it could be said that in the fruit and vegetables and cut flowers sectors the outcome is in favour of the Community. For many products in these sectors, Mexico will grant immediate liberalisation on imports from the Community. A part from a limited number of quotas which it will grant to Mexico, the Community will keep most of these products on a list of products that are not to be liberalised at this stage.

The Commission also believes that the quotas granted will not have an adverse impact on either the less developed countries or European producers. The question of compensation to European producers therefore does not arise. It is also worth noting that in a declaration made in the context of the agreement, the Commission agreed to monitor imports on the Community market under the orange juice quota referred to by the Honourable Member. Furthermore, provision is made under Article 15 of the agreement for certain safeguard procedures in the event of particular difficulties as a result of imports to either the Community or Mexican markets.

The Commission negotiators also ensured that, under the agreement, the Community entry price system will continue to operate. As the Honourable Member will appreciate, this is particularly important in the fruit and vegetables sector.

Finally, the excellent outcome on rules of origin for agriculture products under the agreement, where Mexico accepted the Community rules of origin for many products, should be noted. This, for example, means that in the case of the orange juice quota referred to, such juice must come from oranges grown in Mexico.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2726/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Combine harvesters

What is the number of combine harvesters per one hundred hectares of land under cereals in each of the Member States?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2723/00, E-2724/00, E-2725/00, E-2726/00 and E-2728/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1507/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(12 May 2000)

Subject: EN 469

What steps are available to ensure that fire safety equipment that fails to meet EN 469 is withdrawn from the market? How do concerned individuals make complaints in the event of failure to comply?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Personal protective equipment (PPE), including fire safety equipment, is covered by Directive 89/686/EEC as amended and must therefore meet the basic health and safety requirements stipulated by this Directive.

Due to the gravity of the risk involved, fire safety equipment is also subject to a type examination by an approved body, and the manufacturing process is monitored.

The standard EN 469 Protective clothing for fire-fighters Requirements and test methods for protective clothing for fire-fighting is a harmonised standard under the PPE Directive and confers a presumption of conformity on protective clothing manufactured in accordance with the Directive. Use of this standard is not compulsory, and non-application in no way implies that the product is not in conformity with the requirements of the Directive. At present, there is no dispute concerning this standard.

The national governments are responsible for applying the Directive on personal protective equipment in the Member States, and it is up to them to take the necessary measures where products which are not in conformity with European rules are put on the market. However, the Commission has received no information from the administrations responsible concerning problems of this kind on their national markets.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1387/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Distorted image of women produced by the media

Since it has long been scientifically established and the Portuguese Council President Maria De Belém Roseira recently endorsed these findings that the media largely determine the image of the sexes and women are sometimes still very much portrayed as objects, will the Commission say what it intends to do as part of its future media policy to tackle this problem?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2000)

The Commission is also convinced that the perpetuation of negative or stereotyped images of women and men in the media does not provide an accurate or realistic picture of women's and men's multiple roles in society.

As educational tools and means of shaping values and with full respect for freedom of expression, the media should contribute to changing the existing gender stereotypes in the public perception and to presenting a fair gender portrayal.

In order to promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media, the Commission financed the Niki Prize between 1988 and 1997. This prize was awarded to programmes that provided an insight into the situation of women and which focused attention on women's efforts to play an equal and active part in society. In the framework of its programmes for equality of opportunities between women and men, the Commission has also paid particular attention to this subject and has financed various activities such as awareness-raising events and transnational projects on how to improve the image of women in the media.

More efforts need to be made by all involved in order to promote the elimination of all stereotypical gender discrimination, in particular, in the media and the development of good practice in this field.

The new Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005)(1), adopted by the Commission on 7 June 2000, proposes to continue to tackle this problem by ensuring the implementation of a gender perspective in media policy, promoting the exchange of views and good practice in the media, and conducting awareness-raising activities.

(1) COM(2000) 335 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1966/00

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: The scandal of doping in the former GDR

Mr Manfred Ewald and Mr Manfred Hoeppner have been tried in Germany on charges of promoting the systematic doping of GDR athletes when they were Chairmen of the Sports Federation of the former GDR and assistant of the Medical Sports Service respectively. They are charged with complicity in physical damage caused to 142 women athletes, and with setting up a system to mass produce champions.

This is not the first court case on this subject; individuals have already been sentenced in the past.

The Commission has made combating doping a priority in the field of sport.

The cases referred to are simply horrific, and provide shocking evidence of the ruthless manipulation of sport in the former GDR, against all principles of health and fundamental humanity. Such cases should therefore not be allowed to fall into oblivion. They constitute grim lessons for the future, since the only use they have is to prevent such things happening again.

Has the Commission followed all the court cases concerned? On the basis of the horrific experiments carried out in the former GDR, does it intend to promote research, information and training activities which will form part of a thoroughgoing anti-doping policy and help to combat any similar instances today or tomorrow, and provide lasting protection against such excesses and extreme abuse for future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

The Commission has followed with interest the court cases concerning the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) and doping.

The Commission shares the view that such practices should be strongly condemned. It is vital that the results of the political motivation, that was apparent in the former GDR, do not reappear in today's environment through other means such as over-commercialisation.

The President of the Commission referred to the fight against doping on 21 July 1999 in his first speech to the Parliament. The Commission's stance can be found in its communication on a Community support plan to combat doping in sport(1) which was issued on 1 December 1999.

The support plan contains a wide range of possible Community actions that can be carried out through a number of different policy areas ranging from public health to justice and home affairs. Research is included as one of the main areas that should be focused upon.

The Commission also intends to support a number of pilot actions in the field of education and information.

Through this structured package the Commission aims to reinforce the action taken by sports organisations, which must assume the leadership, in fighting against this scourge that seriously tarnishes the image of sport.

(1) COM(1999) 643 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1338/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Transfer of jobs from the United Kingdom to Germany due to tax credits

Is the Commission aware of the transfer of jobs from Commercial Hydraulics Ultra Division in Cheltenham, UK, with the loss of 252 jobs and the closure of the factory, to Sachsen Hydraulics in Chemnitz, Germany, and of the claim that this transfer is largely motivated by tax credits available in Germany and not in the UK?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 2000)

The Commission has not previously been made aware of the facts mentioned by the Honourable Member. However the Commission fully understands the social and economic difficulties created in regions which lose jobs to other parts of the Community.

The Commission has authorised a number of state aid schemes in Saxony, including a fiscal aid scheme called the Investitionszulage which allows tax credits for investments made. Unlike Cheltenham, Saxony is an area where the standard of living is abnormally low and which is therefore eligible for such regional state aid under Article 87(3)(a) (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty. The Commission is not currently in possession of any information which would suggest that Community state aid rules have been breached in this case.

The Commission believes that it is important not to overestimate the importance of aid in firms' decisions. Although aid may affect the choice of a new location, it is much more doubtful that it has a decisive influence on a decision to close or reduce the existing one. Other internal and external elements such as the firm's overall strategy, availability of manpower, wage levels and infrastructure play an important role.

That said, the Commission has already taken action which will reduce the level of incentives which Member States can give companies to close down in one place and open up in another.

In particular, the Commission reduced levels of regional aid which Member States can grant in the new regional aid guidelines(1). The multisectoral framework on regional aid for large investment projects(2) can further reduce these levels for large projects.

The Commission has also adopted a notice on the application of the state aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation(3), explaining how state aid rules can apply to fiscal incentives.

(1) OJ C 74, 10.3.1998.

(2) OJ C 107, 7.4.1998.

(3) OJ C 384, 10.12.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2109/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Item A-3026

350 000 has been allocated to Committees of European Experts under Item A-3026.

Who are these experts, what have they been commissioned to do, and when will their work be completed and published?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2000)

The three committees of European experts (think-tanks) receiving a grant under this line Trans-European Policy Studies Association, Centre for European Political Studies, and European Policy Centre have been chosen by the budgetary authority (see remarks to the budget line) and carry out research into European integration on their own initiative. Each year these organisations submit a report on their activities to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1945/00

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Acquisitions in the Spanish market in electricity generation

The Spanish press reported that the Competition Court was opposed to the acquisition of Hidrocantábrico by Unión Fenosa on the grounds that, were it to go ahead, only three competitors would remain in the Spanish electricity market and it would be difficult for new companies to enter the market.

Will this have an impact on the Commission's calculations of CTCs?

Has the Commission requested a copy of the Court's report for inclusion in the file?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the acquisition of Hidroeléctrica del Catábrico by Unión Eléctrica Fenosa did not go ahead and so did not have any impact on the costs of transition to competition since the situation on the Spanish electricity market remains unchanged.

Since the reports by the Competition Court are normally made public, the Commission did not deem it necessary to make a formal request for a copy of the report.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1142/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 April 2000)

Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority

The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food safety.

The principles of food safety must also apply to animal feed (section 69). Incidents in recent years justify regarding the animal feed sector as part of the food chain. The raw materials for producing animal feed, including animal by-products, need to be clearly defined.

A list of permitted raw materials is preferable, but the procedure this requires is complex and time-consuming. In the short term, accordingly, the negative list is to be extended. The Commission is committed to drawing up a positive list in the medium term. Legislation will be amended in such a way that cadavers and condemned material may not be used in animal feed. Only material from healthy animals may be used in animal feed.

1. Has the procedure for drawing up a positive list already started? If not, when will the Commission start the procedure?

2. What procedures does the Commission follow, or will it follow, in drawing up the positive list?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1122/00, E-1127/00, E-1128/00, E-1140/00, E-1141/00, E-1142/00, E-1143/00, E-1144/00, E-1145/00, E-1146/00, E-1147/00, E-1148/00, E-1150/00, E-1151/00, E-1152/00, E-1153/00, E-1155/00, E-1156/00, E-1157/00, E-1158/00, E-1160/00, E-1161/00 and E-1162/00 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 2000)

The issues raised by the Honourable Member are being studied with a view to bringing forward proposals for legislation according to the time scale set out in the white paper on food safety.

It would be inappropriate at this stage to anticipate the details of each proposal.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0972/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Subject: Aid from Community funds

Over 150 workers at Lisnave Lisbon Naval Shipyards Ltd have been waiting for 15 years to be taken on again by this undertaking, having been forcibly dismissed a move which they have never accepted.

It is now reported that Lisnave or Gestnave Industrial Services Ltd, the successor company, received aid from Community funds.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. What Community funds were allocated to these undertakings?

2. In allocating Community funds, was due attention paid to the need to maintain jobs?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2000)

According to information provided by the Portuguese authorities, the undertakings Lisnave Estaleiros Navais S.A. and Gestenave Prestação de Serviços Industriais S.A. (both of which emerged from the restructuring of Lisnave Estaleiros Navais de Lisboa S.A.) received European Social Fund (ESF) funding during the period 1994-1999 for vocational training activities.

Gestenave Prestação de Serviços Industriais S.A. obtained ESF co-financing to the tune of 5 041 072 under the Vocational Training and Employment Operational Programme (OP), for a total of 842 000 hours of training and 1 542 beneficiaries. These beneficiaries were employees and unemployed workers (ex-employees of SODIA). The re-training enabled the unemployed workers to be taken on by Gestenave or other undertakings and enabled others to start up self-employment projects.

Lisnave Estaleiros Navais S.A. obtained co-financing to the tune of 3 711 295 under the Industry Subprogramme (PEDIP II) of the Modernisation of the Economic Fabric OP, for a total of 501 000 hours of training and 1 907 beneficiaries. These beneficiaries were employees and young persons without vocational qualifications who were due to replace those workers who had signed up for the early retirement programme included in the restructuring plan. Due to falling orders, Lisnave was not able to give all these young people jobs and has promoted efforts to find work for them in other undertakings in the same sector or in the region. To this end, Lisnave has set up an employment observatory to monitor the employability of these young persons. Although the figures available so far are scanty, they give grounds for optimism.