ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3982/98

by Alan Gillis (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Forestry

In view of the reported deterioration of the forests of the European Union, what action other than monitoring does the Commission propose to take to address the serious decline in forest health?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

Forest condition is the result of the interaction of a large number of factors, some of which are anthropogenic whereas others are natural, biotic or abiotic. Some factors may be influenced by forest management practices or prevention measures, while others are subject to actions in the field of air quality. Finally natural factors such as climatic extremes like drought, unusually cold winters and hot summers are beyond human influence.

Sustainable forest management has to be implemented through national or regional programmes in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. The Commission proposal on rural development policy in the context of Agenda 2000 provides a good basis for support to the Member States in their efforts to promote sustainable forest management.

Forest fires constitute a major threat to European forests. The Community is currently part-financing forest fire prevention measures within the framework of rural development policy and through specific Community action to protect forests against fires.

The protection of forests against atmospheric pollution can only be ensured by continuous efforts to improve air quality. Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management(1) provides a major Community instrument in this respect. The first proposal for daughter legislation under this framework will set limit values for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in air specifically to protect against direct effects on vegetation and ecosystems. The proposed directives on large combustion plants(2), solvents and sulphur in liquid fuel will also have a beneficial effect on air quality. The 5th environmental action programme includes the goal that critical loads and levels for acidification would not be exceeded. Whilst this is not achievable over the whole of the Community in the near future, much progress has already been made. The Commission is now finalising a proposal to set national emission ceilings for certain pollutants with the aim of reducing remaining excess levels by 50 % by 2010. The Community scheme on the protection of forests against atmospheric pollution provides in addition to monitoring activities also for experiences in the field to improve understanding of air pollution effects on forests and to devise methods for the restoration of damaged forests.

For a more extensive information the Honourable Member may refer to the Commission's communication of 18 November 1998 on a forestry strategy for the European Union(3).

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.

(2) OJ C 300, 29.9.1998.

(3) COM(98) 649 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3577/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Increased export quotas for automobiles from Japan

As part of the process of fulfilling the compromise arrived at between the EU and Japan in 1991 with regard to limiting exports of Japanese automobiles to the EU, on Monday afternoon negotiators from the Commission and the Japanese trade and industry ministry agreed on definite quotas for 1998. Under the agreement, Japan will be able to export a maximum of 1 190 000 automobiles to the Community market this year, an increase of 23 000.

Has the Commission weighed up the potential impact of this increase on the Community automobile industry? Likewise, has it made provision for some kind of compensation of benefit to other sectors of Community industry?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The arrangement on motor vehicles agreed by the Community and Japan in July 1991 ("the elements of consensus") provides that Japan will monitor exports to the Community and the five Member States that previously restricted imports (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and the United Kingdom), for a transitional period ending by 31 December 1999.

The key objective for such period of transition is to offer Community manufacturers a clear period to take the necessary measures to adjust in order to achieve competitiveness at an international level while progressively opening the previously restricted markets to exports from Japan. This progressive opening is of course linked to the evolution of demand for cars in those markets. This is why the underlying principles of the elements of consensus are based on forecasts of exports from Japan which are linked to assumptions about demand for cars in general.

The forecasts are to be worked out through twice-yearly consultations between the Commission and the government of Japan. In the process they are to take account of market developments. The last such consultations took place on 12 October 1998. As actual demand in 1998 was higher than was originally assumed, both in Spain and in the Community as a whole, the demand and export assumptions were revised accordingly.

The difference between the initial forecast made in March 1998 and the revised forecast made in October, amounting to 23,000 units, is therefore the logical result of a higher demand for cars and was made, as every year, in observance of the underlying principles of the arrangement.

This arrangement consists of an autonomous agreement under the GATT/WTO and relates exclusively to the automobile sector. In fact, Community automobile manufacturers have during that transition period significantly improved their competitiveness which has also enabled them to improve their presence in Europe and on the world market. This has also created opportunities for the Community automotive industry as a whole including for original equipment automotive component and service suppliers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3679/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Hemp textile products in Europe

The Greek police has recently begun to take action against many business selling clothing and other products made from hemp (cannabis sativa), which are generally imported from other EU Member States where trade in these products is legal and not subject to sanctions.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Are there any grounds for suspecting that these products could in any way lead to increased drugs use or drugs dependence in the EU?

2. If so, what steps will the Commission take to prohibit trade in these products in Germany, Denmark, the UK and other EU Member States?

3. If not, what steps will it take to remove obstacles to trade in this these products in Greece? Could it provide aid for hemp textile production in Greece?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3082/98

by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Application of Council Regulation (EEC) 3693/93

Given the importance of Council Regulation (EEC) 3696/93(1), which is designed to harmonise the criteria governing the statistical classification of products by activity (CPA) in the EU:

Will the Commission say to what extent the said regulation has been applied in the various Member States?

Has it established a monitoring or control procedure of any kind to verify whether the regulation is indeed being applied?

Does it have any evidence that the regulation may have been breached in the Member States? If so, what form have the penalties imposed taken?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Council Regulation (EEC) 3696/93 of 29 October 1993 on the statistical classification of products by activity (CPA) in the Community as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) 1232/98(2) provided a framework to ensure comparability between national and Community classifications and hence national and Community statistics.

The Regulation permits the Member States wishing to use a national classification derived from the CPA to do so. Nine Member States (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland and Sweden) have developed national product classifications linked to CPA. Six Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom) ensure that sectorial applications are harmonised with CPA.

The Commission is monitoring developments through the statistical programme committee (SPC) as established by Article 4 of the Regulation. An additional audit is foreseen in 1999 as part of the procedure for the next update of CPA in 2002.

(1) OJ L 342, 31.12.1993, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 177, 22.6.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3999/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Subject: Operation of Cedefop

Since the end of 1995, Cedefop has been operating in Greece. An ancillary unit has also been operating in Brussels.

Will the Commission say:

1. how many permanent officials work at the Centre in Thessaloniki and how many in the ancillary unit in Brussels, and

2. what the operating costs (pay, publications, maintenance of buildings etc.) are for the Centre in Thessaloniki and for the ancillary unit?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1999)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has had an information office in Brussels since 1991. This Brussels office is also an important contact point with all the Community institutions and the Centre's partners at European level (e.g. social partners). The presence of an on-site expert allows the Centre to participate and be represented in a multitude of European-level activities.

1. The office in Brussels currently has three officials: one A5 (an expert responsible for representing the Centre and producing monographs on the vocational training systems of the Member States), one B1 and one C1. These three officials are rotated every three years and represent 3 % of the total staff (97) of the Centre (officials (27), temporary staff, auxiliaries, local staff and seconded national experts).

2. The annual cost of running the Brussels office is EUR 259 800. This breaks down as follows: salaries (EUR 246 800), premises, heating, electricity and water (EUR 3 000) and telephone, fax, etc. (EUR 10 000). The Centre's total annual budget for 1998 is in the order of EUR 13,3 million. This breaks down as follows: (a) personnel costs (EUR 6,5 million), (b) administration of buildings, infrastructure, etc. (EUR 1,4 million) and (c) operational costs of documentation, dissemination, projects, etc. (EUR 5,4 million).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3084/98

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: EIB loan to SONAE Investimentos SGPS SA

The publication EIB Information (1-1998-No 96, ISSN 0258-2147) contains information concerning the loans granted by the European Investment Bank to Portugal during 1997.

On the list of the contracts concluded in that year with Portuguese companies and institutions is a loan of ECU 50,3 million (a little over ESC 10 billion) granted to SONAE Investimentos SGPS SA, one of the economically and financially most powerful groups based in Portugal. According to the information provided by the EIB, the loan in question was intended for the construction of a shopping complex in Oporto.

EIB loans are normally granted at subsidised interest rates, the cost of which is borne by the Community budget (i.e. paid out of the taxpayers' pocket).

The project for which funding has been received lies within one of the EU economies' most profitable sectors and the group to which the loan has been granted is one which cannot by any stretch of the imagination be described as a "small or medium-sized company". The EIB's decision was no doubt taken on the grounds that the SONAE project is being supported by the Portuguese Government.

In the light of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. How is it possible to justify the granting of an EIB loan to a financial and economic group which is fully capable of meeting the normal contractual conditions imposed by a commercial bank?

2. Did SONAE's application for funding in order to build a shopping complex in Oporto receive support of any kind from the Portuguese Government?

3. Does the Commission consider that the project for which the loan was granted can be included amongst the EU objectives which it is the EIB's job to help achieve?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

The loan was extended according to normal European investment bank (EIB) procedures which include obtaining the opinion of the Member State in which the project will be carried out, and the lending rate was based on the funding cost plus a small margin to cover operating costs. It does not benefit from subsidies or budget resources of the Community.

According to the information made available to the Commission by the EIB, the two shopping centres co-financed with the EIB loan are located in objective 1 regions. Regional development is one of the top priorities of EIB activity (Article 198 E point a of the EC Treaty). In addition, the project has positive direct employment effects (estimated creation of the equivalent of 5 000 full-time jobs in the two shopping centres). The project will contribute to the modernisation of the retail sector in Portugal, which at present lags behind the more mature markets. The new infrastructure will meet the demanding standards which specialist retailers require when entering new markets, thus supporting the policy of the single market. By strengthening competition, shopping centres will facilitate access to internationally available merchandise at competitive prices, thereby providing consumer benefits.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2919/98

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(18 September 1998)

Subject: Privatisation of the Rome milk marketing board

Is the Commission, which has initiated infringement proceedings against the Italian State and Rome municipality over the sale of the Rome milk marketing board, aware of the damage caused to consumers and farmers?

Is the Commission aware of the decision to reduce the producer price of milk by Lit 40 a litre and at the same time increase the consumer price by Lit 100 a litre?

Does the Commission not think that these initiatives violate European competition rules?

What information has Rome municipality given the Commission about the privatisation of the milk marketing board?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1998)

The Commission was unaware of the reduction in the producer price for milk and the increase in the consumer price mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission is currently analysing the comments made by the municipality of Rome. When this analysis is completed, as well as the analysis of any other comments sent by interested third parties and other Member States, the Commission will take a final decision on the aids in question in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3652/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Agenda 2000 proposals on oilseeds

With reference to the Agenda 2000 proposals on oilseeds:

1. does the Commission not consider that world market conditions no longer justify the measures proposed;

2. does it not consider that the United States has unilaterally contravened the agreement, in that it has not in fact ended subsidies for oilseeds under the new "Fair ACT" agricultural policy;

3. in view of the United State's failure to comply with the agreement would it not be appropriate to renegotiate the Blair House agreements;

4. does it not consider that the Community's agricultural industry needs to focus more on crops that are an alternative to cereals, and that it must lay claim to its rightful share of the growing market in oils and vegetable proteins, in both the EU and third-country markets?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 1999)

With reference to the Agenda 2000 proposals on oilseeds, the Commission does not consider that market conditions have altered so much as to warrant changes in the measures proposed. Market prices for oilseeds have remained at a level that is well above the reference price of [fmxeuro]196,8 per tonne.

US agricultural policy was amended by the Fair Trade Act. It is for the WTO (World Trade Organisation) to verify whether that policy complies with the provisions of the Uruguay Round.

The Commission's views as regards the objective of allowing European producers to have a share in the expected growth of the markets are in tune with those of the Honourable Member. This objective is reflected in Agenda 2000 by an amount of aid common to oilseeds and other arable crops, such as cereals, and the set aside of land so as to abolish the specific nature of the current aid for oilseeds. The provisions which had been introduced as part of the arrangements for arable crops under the Blair House memorandum will as a result no longer need to be applied and the restrictions imposed on producers will thus be lifted. The European agricultural industry will in this way have its fair share of the growing market in the oilseeds and vegetable oils market.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4007/98

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Subject: Lost customs duties in the port of Antwerp

The customs service in the port of Antwerp is 400 officials short of its intended complement of 1 600. This results in many dues, especially European import duties, not being collected, a situation which has now persisted for several years.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Is there an estimate of the amount of customs duties that has been lost?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

Customs duties, which are assigned as own resources to the Community budget, are collected by Member States in accordance with national law, adapted if necessary to conform with Community rules. The Member States retain 10 % to cover the cost of collection.

It is therefore up to the Member States themselves to organise their customs departments in such a way that they can carry out this task properly, and to ensure that they are adequately staffed. Member States are also required to inspect and monitor the way the system is working. The Commission, as the body responsible for revenue, also audits own resources, which includes carrying out independent inspections in the Member States.

The Commission has no reason to think that staff shortages in the Port of Antwerp Customs are adversely affecting the collection of own resources, but would ask the Honourable Member to pass on any evidence of such a situation. It will then undertake any investigations that might prove necessary.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3510/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(25 November 1998)

Subject: Food, veterinary and plant health control and inspection

With reference to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee on food, veterinary and plant health control and inspection (COM(98) 32 final) and to the negotiations within the WTO with a view to maintaining equilibrium in international free trade, taking into account inter alia health and safety aspects, can the Commission endeavour as actively as possible to support the European Union's control policy and to gain acceptance of it by the international community so that the problems caused by the liberalisation of trade in the food, veterinary and plant health sector can be dealt with?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 1998)

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it is making every effort to maintain the Community's control policy in the food, veterinary and plant health sector, in particular by stepping up the inspections and checks carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office in third countries and in the Member States. It is also endeavouring to get this control policy accepted in all the international bodies concerned. Thus, as spokesman for the Community on the World Trade Organisation's sanitary and phytosanitary committee, the Commission is presenting, explaining and defending the Community's sanitary and phytosanitary policy, with a view to maintaining a high level of protection while minimising any restrictive effects on international trade.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3440/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: Abduction of two children in Libya

There recently appeared in the Italian press the story of Anisa and Amira, the daughters of two women, Antonia Bartoli and Barbara De Dominicis, and of a Libyan, Abubaker al Sherif, who in 1996, claiming to be a political refugee, abducted the two girls. Following a series of appeals to the Libyan courts on the basis of Libyan law, custody was awarded to the children's natural mothers, provided that they reside in Libya. On 21 June, following an appeal submitted by the father, the decision to award custody to the mothers was once again upheld. Abubaker al Sherif is currently in hiding in Libya, together with the two girls.

On the basis of the above, does the Commission not think that it should make representations to the Libyan authorities in order to ask for greater efforts to be made in the investigations which are meant to lead to the arrest of the father and the return of the children to their own mothers in accordance with what has been decided under Libyan law?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Having no contractual ties with Libya, the Commission possesses no first-hand information on the cases cited by the Honourable Member.

This is not a matter for the Commission but for the relevant national and consular authorities.