ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Destruction of the habitat of the Bubulcus ibis in Arrecife (Lanzarote)

In May of this year the Arrecife (Lanzarote, Canary Islands) local council lopped some branches off trees which constitutes virtually the entire nesting area for a colony of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) which had established themselves in one of the city's parks. According to the Spanish Ornithology Society (SEO-Birdlife) there were approximately 100 nests in the area but as a result of the tree lopping operation the number of examples of the species may have been reduced by half.

The Bubulcus ibis is protected under various Spanish and Canary Island laws (Law 4/89 of 27 March 1989 on the conservation of natural areas and of wild flora and fauna; Royal Decree 439/1990 relating to the National Catalogue of Threatened Species, Annex II of which includes the species in question as being one of "special interest"; the Order issued on 14 September 1997 by the Canary Islands Government) and also falls within the scope of Directive 79/409/EEC(1) on the protection of wild birds.

Is the Commission aware of the above facts?

Will the Commission seek relevant information from the appropriate Spanish authorities in order to establish whether or not the birds directive has been contravened?

What other measures will the Commission adopt in order to ensure compliance with the above directive and to provide protection for the bird population in question?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

The Commission is unaware of the circumstances referred to by the Honourable Member. It will make the necessary contacts to establish all the facts and will certainly inform the Honourable Member of the results of its enquires.

Until further details are known about the problem referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission is unable to say what measures, if any, it will adopt to ensure compliance, in this case, with Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2090/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Application of Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 in Rome

There have been various different interpretations of Council Regulation (EEC) 3820/85(1) of 20 December 1985 on the harmonization of certain social legislation relating to road transport.

While the regulation has been transposed into Italian law through Article 174 of the Highway Code, Atac/Cotral, the public transport company of Rome municipality, regularly disregards the rules guaranteeing the safety of operators and maximum journey times on the grounds that the regulation is not applicable in town but only for journeys outside.

This means that there are no proper rules governing the safety of Atac drivers in Rome or others, driving periods, breaks, rest periods and periods for physical and psychophysical recovery.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Have new directives or regulations been adopted on the subject since 1985?

2. Does the regulation apply to driving in towns and metropolitan areas?

3. Does it apply to drivers who drive a total of far more kilometres in successive journeys even though each journey is less than 50 km?

4. Has the regulation been transposed in other countries and, if so, how is it interpreted in similar cases?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

There have been no new directives or regulations which have directly impinged on the issue raised by the Honourable Member since 1986.

The exclusions and derogations within Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 do not specifically prohibit its application to urban or metropolitan areas. However Article 4(3) of the Regulation clearly states that the Regulation's provisions do not apply to regular passenger transport services where the route covered by the service is under 50 kilometres. In practice, therefore, the majority of urban passenger transport services are, in effect, excluded. Article 4(3) also clearly does not allow the cumulative total of driver journeys to be taken into account when determining whether the Regulation should apply.

The Regulation is directly applicable and provides a common set of rules for all Member States to administer. As this particular exclusion is precise, the Commission is not aware of any Member State holding a different interpretation of its provision.

(1) OJ L 370, 31.12.1985, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2570/98

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Environment statistics database

I am informed that the European Commission now has a new environment statistics database which is currently only available for use by the Commission and cannot be accessed by the European Parliament.

Can the Commission confirm whether such a database exists? What environmental statistics are contained in this database? When, if at all, it is planned that Members of the European Parliament should have access to this database? Why were Members not immediately informed of and given access to this database?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1998)

The Commission has no environment statistics data base which is accessible by policy-making departments of the Commission but not by the Parliament. In fact, environment data on Union, EFTA and candidate countries, once verified by Eurostat, is transferred to New Cronos, which is the general dissemination data base of Eurostat, equally accessible for Commission and Parliament staff.

The Honourable Member may be referring to the internal Eurostat database ENVSTAT, which has been set up for Eurostat's internal production purposes only and contains a mix of validated and non-validated data. This database is accessible exclusively to Eurostat staff responsible for correcting and completing the data. Once the data is completed and released, it is transferred to the New Cronos data base as described above.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2222/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Employment plan in Spain

What is the Commission's view of the Spanish Government's failure to seek the agreement of the social partners for its national employment plan?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 1998)

In its Communication to the European Council in Cardiff(1), the Commission examined, among other things, the political and institutional processes adopted by each of the Member States in preparing and approving the National Action Plans for Employment (NAPs), focussing particular attention on consultation and cooperation with the key actors at national or regional level and in some cases with the representatives of the social partners, depending on the different national circumstances.

This examination showed that "the Member States are pursuing an inclusive strategy" and that the "NAPs embody a more transparent and politically-driven policy approach open to scrutiny". The increased involvement of the social partners must therefore be considered as one of the main achievements of the Luxembourg process.

As regards Spain, the information submitted by the Spanish Government shows that the two sides of industry were consulted on the national action plan, although no agreement was reached. It should also be remembered that representatives of the social partners were present at the working meetings between the Commission and the Spanish authorities. The Council resolution on the 1998 employment guidelines reaffirmed that the social partners at all levels would be involved in all stages of the process. However, the Commission is not competent to judge the consultation process between the Spanish authorities and the social partners.

In its Communication to the European Council in Cardiff, the Commission stressed the importance it attached to ensuring that all parties concerned make efforts to ensure that the input of the social partners "is reinforced at both national and European levels and its impact on employment duly evaluated", and to encouraging the social partners to "reinforce, implement and evaluate the impact of their contributions (on the employment strategy)". In particular, the social partners at national and European levels play a very important role in ensuring the success of this strategy in terms of the "modernisation of the contractual and institutional framework for reconciling flexibility and security, establishment of systems for lifelong learning and the promotion of new forms of work organisation and employment patterns such as job rotation systems".

The Commission hopes that these recommendations on the contribution of the social players to the employment strategy will be increasingly followed up by each Member State, depending on its circumstances, in the drawing up, implementation and evaluation of the employment guidelines.

(1) COM(98) 316 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2235/98

by Hans Lindqvist (ELDR) to the Council

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Fermented herring

From 1 July 1998, fermented herring will be covered by the same rules that apply to other fish products in the EU, which means that it may not be kept in old wooden barrels, as has been done since the 16th century, if it is to be sold in food shops, nor may it be handled on premises with wooden floors, such as old boathouses. These rules will affect a one thousand year old industry and tradition in Sweden, making the situation particularly difficult for small local producers. The EU talks of subsidiarity and not interfering in details but does the exact opposite.

Does the Council believe that such detailed regulation is consistent with subsidiarity? If not, does it intend to block the directive on fermented herring?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2233/98 and E-2235/98

(19 October 1998)

1. Directive 91/493/EEC(1) lays down the health conditions for the production and the placing on the market of fishery products.

2. Chapter III of the Annex to that Directive, laying down the general conditions for establishments on land, stipulates in point 2(a) that such establishments shall have at least in areas where products are handled, prepared and processed:

"(a) waterproof flooring which is easy to clean and disinfect and laid down in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of the water or provided with equipment to remove water."

There is therefore no specific stipulation of cement flooring. It is for the relevant national authority to assess the nature of the flooring in order to achieve the health objectives of the Directive.

3. Chapter IV(IV)(6)(c) and Chapter VI(2) of the Annex to the Directive respectively stipulate that:

"6. (c) Any container used for salting or brining must be constructed in such a way as to preclude contamination during the salting or brining process.

2. Packaging materials and products liable to enter into contact with fishery products must comply with all the rules of hygiene, and in particular:

- they must not be such as to impair the organoleptic characteristics of the fishery products;

- they must not be capable of transmitting to the fishery products substances harmful to human health;

- they must be strong enough to protect the fishery products adequately."

Those derogations therefore do not explicitly require the use of plastic barrels.

4. The Council has no intention of interfering with a traditional Swedish industry, provided that that industry meets food-hygiene rules.

Furthermore, the said requirements allow the Swedish authorities sufficient latitude in applying the rules in question. The Council therefore feels that it has complied with the principle of subsidiarity.

(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 15.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2357/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Presidential elections in Togo

Following the visit to Togo by observers from the EU, the EU Presidency expressed deep concern about the legitimacy of the Presidential elections held in that country. As the European Union has serious doubts about the credibility of the election results announced by the Togolese Minister of the Interior on 24 June, what action is the Council taking to ensure democracy in Togo?

Reply

(7/8 December 1998)

The report of EU observers to the Presidential elections in Togo on 21 June 1998 identified serious flaws and questioned their validity. The Togolese opposition maintains that its candidate, Mr Gilchrist Olympio, won the elections and has refused to accept the legitimacy of President Eyadema after the expiry of his previous mandate on 25 August 1998.

As the Honourable Member is aware, the EU Council is endeavouring to promote democracy in Togo. The EU expressed its disappointment at the way the elections had been conducted in a declaration on 26 June 1998. As a further mark of EU dissatisfaction with the fashion in which the elections had been held, EU Ambassadors were instructed not to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Eyadema on 26 July.

The Council on 13 July 1998 approved the text of a letter to the Government of Togo requesting consultations with the Togolese Government on the basis of Article 366a of the revised Lomé IV Convention. The consultations were held in Brussels on 30 July. The Togolese delegation was led by Prime Minister, Mr Kwassi Klutse. The explanations offered by Togo differed considerably from the assessments of the EU observers' mission. The EU has decided to consider them in detail. It will take a decision in the light of these considerations and of the evolution of the democratic process in Togo on whether to pursue these consultations. Since 1993, EU development cooperation with Togo has been partially suspended.

In the meantime the Council will continue to follow closely the political situation and do everything in its power to encourage the development of democracy in Togo.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3190/98

by Arthur Newens (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Trade between the EU and certain Asian countries

Would the Commission provide figures to show the changes which have taken place in overall EU imports and exports to each of the following countries over the past three years: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China and Japan?

Could the Commission also give a breakdown of imports and exports between individual Member States and these countries?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the Eurostat publication "External and Intra-European Union Trade - Monthly Statistics" (pages 42-43 and 88-95)(1).

(1) Eurostat 10/1998-6B.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2405/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(28 July 1998)

Subject: Plans to halve Britain's nuclear strength

1. Has the Council noted the British Government's plans to halve the nuclear strength of its armed forces?

2. Does the Council not consider it necessary for the British Government to discuss such sweeping measures with its NATO and EU partners before taking a decision?

3. Is the Council prepared to request the British Government to proceed to a reduction in the number of its nuclear warheads only when the following conditions are satisfied:

a) The coherence of the strike power of European defence is not undermined by the reduction in the number of British warheads, at the very time when many EU Member States are cutting back on defence;

b) Russia has ratified the START Treaty;

c) India and Pakistan sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty?

Reply

(16 November 1998)

As the Honourable Member is certainly aware, national measures pertaining to defence are not discussed in the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0941/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(30 March 1998)

Subject: Swingeing taxation on used lorries imported into Greece

The Greek authorities intend to impose swingeing taxes on used lorries imported into Greece, even recent models fitted with EURO II-type engines. The new high level of taxation which is proposed ('special registration tax') will mean an excessive increase in the cost of used vehicles and in particular of lorries over 3.5 tonnes in weight.

The Greek Government calculates the value of imported vehicles taking into account not the import invoice, but the retail sale value of a new lorry, subject to an annual depreciation which reaches 52 % after six years.

Will the Commission give its official views on this new swingeing taxation for used lorries and on the fact that the Greek authorities seem unwilling to accept import invoices for lorries (which are clearly official Community tax documents) but intend to take the retail sales price of new lorries as a basis for their calculations?

Answer given by MrMonti on behalf of the Commission

(29 May 1998)

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for information regarding the facts raised to by the Honourable Member. It will inform him of its findings.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3044/98

by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: EU-funds for the trade sector

What percentage of EU funding goes on trade in the following areas, broken down by single Member State if possible:

1. Item B3-4000, "Industrial relations and social dialogue";

2. Item B3-4002, "Information and training measure for workers' organisations";

3. Item B3-4003, "Information, consultation, and participation of representatives of undertakings";

4. Administrative funds via DG XXIII in the fields of trade and support for SMES;

5. Leonardo Programme.

Can the Commissioner also tell me how and to what extent the social partners in the commercial sector are funded with EU monies, and provide data on their implementation, broken down by Member State?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2097/98 by Mr Blak(1).

(1) See page 14.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2891/98

by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Human rights violation in Colombia

According to human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, there are still widespread violations of human rights in Colombia. The situation in San José de Apartade is, apparently, particularly serious.

Is the Commission aware of the situation in San José de Apartade, and what action has it taken to bring this matter to the attention of the Colombian authorities?

Does the Commission provide financial aid of any sort for refugee groups in Colombia?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 1998)

The Commission is closely monitoring the human rights situation in Colombia, whose generally unsatisfactory development continues to give cause for concern. It has repeatedly expressed concern to the Colombian authorities about the seriousness of the situation regarding human rights and humanitarian issues and asked them to show firmer commitment to improving the situation.

The Commission is aware of the situation in San José de Apartade, which is one of the many examples of the situation referred to above. The Member State Ambassadors to Bogota and the Head of the Commission Delegation regularly visit the areas affected by armed conflict to demonstrate their support for the victims of violence and extorsion and to bear witness to the international community.

The Commission gives high priority to initiatives designed to protect human rights and monitor human rights violations in Colombia in three main ways:

- by increasing the presence of the international community in the country (renewing financing for international observers made available to the UN Commission for Human Rights for monitoring the human rights situation throughout the country);

- by financing initiatives for local non-governmental organisation (NGO) active in the field of democracy and human rights;

- by mobilising ECU 11 million of humanitarian aid specifically for displaced persons and victims of violence between 1997 and 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2609/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Promoting quality meat

What funds has the Commission provided or earmarked for the promotion of quality meat as a means of reversing the recent slump in beef consumption, restoring consumer confidence, and thus bringing about an increase in beef consumption?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Since 1993, the Commission has supported promotion and marketing measures for quality beef and veal under Council Regulation (EEC) 2067/92 of 30 June 1992 on measures to promote and market quality beef and veal(1).

The following table summarises the budgetary situation with regard to finance for the measures:

>TABLE>

(1) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2980/98

by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: The purchase of cars in the European single market

Following the difficulties that my constituents have encountered in purchasing European motor cars, with UK specifications, from suppliers in the Netherlands and elsewhere can the Commission say what action it is taking to ensure a genuine European single market in the purchase of cars?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions P-1957/97 by Mr Skinner(1), E-3298/97 by Mr Watts(2), E-1851/98 by Mr Mather(3) and E-2534/98 by Mr Mather(4).

(1) OJ C 21, 22.1.1998.

(2) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998.

(3) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 90.

(4) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 149.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2974/98

by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Serious irregularities in connection with Commission competition COM/A/8-9 - 10-11 - 12/98

It is clear from documentation sent to my office by a candidate sitting open competition COM/A/8-9 - 10-11 - 12/98 that (as the candidate comments in his covering letter) the full set of logical and mathematical test papers (with the corresponding answers) was available and in circulation off the Commission's premises before the day on which the competition was held.

According to information in my possession, the candidate entered a complaint in the invigilator's report; whilst the invigilator's conduct was exemplary, the same could not be said for other staff present on the premises where the tests were being held.

Will the Commission therefore investigate the source of these serious irregularities and implement all the necessary procedures to identify those responsible?

In the light of these serious allegations, does the Commission not also agree that it should cancel the competition?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2879/98

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Infringement of Directive 91/674/EEC concerning insurance undertakings

According to allegations by various bodies which have now come to light and reached the attention of the Commission, the Greek Ministry of Development is failing to show the necessary rigour in monitoring compliance with Greek and Community legislation, thereby permitting many insurance undertakings to accumulate deficits of millions of drachmas and illegally attempt to cover them during the following accounting period. This is resulting in constantly increasing deficits, thereby placing policyholders in a precarious position and allowing certain undertakings illegal access to stock exchange listing.

In the light of the information available to it, does the Commission consider that Directive 91/674/EEC(1) is being properly implemented in Greece and, if not, will it take appropriate measures?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1991, p. 7.