ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/548

(2004/C 78 E/0583)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3442/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 November 2003)

Subject: Discrimination amongst athletes

Paragraph 14 of the European Parliament resolution of 5 June 2003 on women and sport (P5_TA-PROV(2003)0269) ‘calls on government authorities to systematically take account of gender equality in their sports policies, particularly in the granting of subsidies’.

The Second International Women and Sport: Action for Change' Congress, organised by the Portuguese ‘Women and Sport’ Association, held in Porto at the beginning of this November, saw Portuguese women athletes denounce the existing discrimination between men and women in sport, particularly in the awarding of prizes in athletics trials where men and women are competing jointly. This unacceptable situation is to be met with, all the time, in Portugal.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to put an end to the discrimination to which women athletes continue to be subjected?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the answer given to Mrs Breyer's Question E-3353/03 (1), which sets out the Community's powers in relation to implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in sport.

(1) See page 271.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/245

(2004/C 78 E/0248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3262/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 November 2003)

Subject: Exclusion of persons who are nationals of another Member State from the right to purchase soft drugs or to be members of a users' association

1. Is the Commission aware that the selling of soft drugs in Netherlands ‘coffee shops’, allowed in practice since the 1970s, follows the basic principle that the sale of such drugs should be refused to those who are under age, but not to those who are not Netherlands nationals?

2. Is the Commission aware of the joint press conference held on 22 October 2003 in Berlin by the German Interior Minister and the Netherlands Justice Minister, at which, inter alia, statements were made which could lead to a policy based on different treatment of EU residents depending on their nationality or the country where they are resident?

3. Would it be permissible, on the basis of the current European Treaties, for the sale of the soft drugs sold in Netherlands ‘coffee shops’ to be refused in future to those who are not Netherlands nationals or citizens? If not, will the Commission be informing the Member States of this?

4. Would it be permissible, on the basis of the current European Treaties, for the sale of soft drugs in Netherlands ‘coffee shops’ to be limited in future to closed users' associations that must refuse membership to those who are not Netherlands nationals or citizens? If not, will the Commission be informing the Member States of this?

5. Would a possible alternative to discrimination based on nationality and citizenship be for the authorities wishing to combat the use of soft drugs on their territory to start from the basic principle that consumption must take place in the country of purchase, similarly to the way in which Netherlands nationals may purchase dangerous fireworks or firearms but may not import such products into the Netherlands?

Source: Netherlands newspaper NRC-Handelsblad, 23.10.2003.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2003)

The Commission is aware of the debate that is taking place in the Netherlands regarding national policy on cannabis, in particular relating to ‘coffee shops’.

In line with the subsidiarity principle, it would not be appropriate for the Commission to participate or intervene in debates taking place at national level regarding Member States' policies on this subject.

The Commission will, however, undertake the appropriate action in case of a possible infringement of the Treaties.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/464

(2004/C 78 E/0489)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3099/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Aid for the farming of mussels

The eutrophication of our coastal seas continues to be a major environmental problem even though certain measures have been taken on land to reduce the leakage of nutrients into the sea. Eco-systems adjust to some extent to the growing quantity of vegetable plankton caused by eutrophication through a sharp increase in the number of mussels and other organisms that act as filters. These filters are of crucial importance in reducing plankton biomass in coastal seas. The risk of harmful plankton efflorescence is reduced in areas with many filters. In some areas there are good opportunities for biological manipulation of fjord systems as it were by increasing the number of filters with the aid of mussel farming.

Today mussels are already being farmed in coastal areas including Bohuslän in Sweden, but attempts to expand such farming have entailed major problems. Mussel farming is hampered by long periods when harvesting has to stop because of toxic algae that make mussels poisonous.

How does the Commission assess the strategic role of mussel farming as a way of reducing the incidence of eutrophication and what measures are being taken to ensure that this industry can survive commercially?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

The Commission is certainly aware of the problems caused by eutrophication to the marine ecosystem.

The causes of this problem are diverse and their interrelation complex. However, a high level of nutrients in the water appears to be a condition sine qua non for the development of eutrophication episodes.

For that reason, Community action in this field mainly aims at reducing the input of nutrients to the marine waters, independently of their origin.

Aquaculture activities, both in freshwater and in the marine, are in some cases at the origin of effluents rich in nutrients to the sea. For that reason, the use of farmed mussels as natural fighters against eutrophication should be carefully assessed before its possible implementation. Moreover, as toxin-producing algae are often carried from offshore to inshore waters by currents, they can be harmful irrespective of the level of filter feeders near the coast.

Farming of mussels and other bivalves may enjoy, as many other forms of aquaculture, the measures foreseen in Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1).

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/92

(2004/C 78 E/0092)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2440/03

by Diana Wallis (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Addition of water and protein to chicken meat

The Commission is well aware of the scandalous situation where adulterated and incorrectly labelled chicken meat is being imported in large quantities into the UK. Trading Standards Officers in Hull have been pursuing this racket for six years. Most of this processed meat is exported from the Netherlands. In the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, the Dutch authorities claimed to have ended fraudulent practices on 13 June 2002, but this is clearly not the case. Indeed, the problem is getting worse as the processors are now using blocking agents to produce a negative PCR result for most tests.

Consumers and certain religious communities are being misled by the immoral practice of adding beef and pork proteins to chicken meat which is then labelled Halal. This is completely unacceptable. What immediate action will the Commission take to suspend exports of such products? Will the Commission bring forward urgently-needed legislation to limit the maximum allowable percentage of added water to 15 % and ban the use of protein additives?

Joint answer to

Written Questions E-2207/03 and P-2440/03

given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2003)

The present Community legislation does not provide for a limit to the amount of water that can be added to poultrymeat preparations and poultrymeat products. On the other hand, the fraudulent practice of not indicating in the label the artificial increase of the weight of meat by the addition of proteins and water should be strictly controlled and any fraud prosecuted by the competent authority in the Member State. The Commission has been alerted already and consideration is being given to the possibility of emphasising the water content on the labelling of meat preparations. Moreover, the Commission is also studying the possibility of developing standards to limit the amount of water that can be added to such products.

Any possible future initiative by the Commission in this area will take into full account the need to respect the World Trade Organisation/Technical Barries to Trade (WTO/TBT) obligations.

The indication of all ingredients used in the manufacture of any foodstuff, and still present in the finished product, is compulsory according to Directive 2000/13/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (1). Also the use of animal proteins in feed for livestock is well regulated within the Union and indication of different feed materials will be compulsory when labelling feed for livestock as from 6 November 2003.

(1) OJ L 109, 6.5.2000.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/605

(2004/C 88 E/0623)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0986/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(27 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Culture 2000 programme by the municipality of Pisa

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Pisa, urgently need to use European funds to enhance the common cultural area in all its diversity and respecting all its traditions, nurturing creativity and professional mobility, and promoting access to and dissemination of art and culture,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Pisa has submitted projects for the Culture 2000 programme?

2. whether the municipality of Pisa has secured funding for these projects?
2.

Is the Commission aware that the concern referred to above and the consequent campaigns are particularly directed against the conduct of the civil society adviser at the EU delegation in Sofia, who is accused of interfering unnecessarily with the internal decision-making of Bulgarian NGOs, basing her decisions on the allocation of funds primarily on her own preferences, excluding critics of her policy from the allocation of funds a priori and behaving in an arrogant and intimidating manner towards everyone who disagrees with her?
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/218

(2004/C 84 E/0262)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2837/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 September 2003)

Subject: Creation of a new airline from Olympic Airways

The Hellenic Parliament recently adopted a law regulating the form and operation of a new airline, Olympic Airlines, derived from Olympic Airways.

Article 11 of the new law annuls the collective labour agreements and procedures for reaching agreement concluded with the trade unions, following their termination by the Board of Olympic Airways and Olympic Aviation, while paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 9 of Law 1876/1990, which govern the period of validity of collective labour agreements, have ceased to apply.

Given that these developments constitute a change in industrial relations to the detriment of the workforce during the transfer to the new company, will the Commission say:

1. whether the annulment of articles of Law 1876/1990 governing compliance with collective agreements and procedures for reaching agreement (an article of the new law) is consistent with Articles 3 and 4 of Directive 98/50/EC (1) relating to the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, and

2. whether, in the event of non-compliance with the articles of Directive 98/50/EC, the Commission will intervene, and in what manner, to safeguard the rights of the workers who are being transferred to the new company and the rights of those remaining with the old company?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 2004)

In its letter of 30 October 2003, the Commission asked the Greek authorities for additional information on the questions raised by the Honourable Member about the social aspects of the formation of this new airline. As it received no response, it sent a reminder on 17 February 2004, giving the company two weeks to reply, which it failed to do.

As a result, the Commission is now considering what action it should take and will take care to inform the Honourable Member.

The Commission also decided on 17 March 2004 to examine in detail whether the formation of this new airline in September 2003 was compatible with the EC Treaty's rules on State aid.

(1) OJ L 201, 17.7.1998, p. 88.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/208

(2004/C 78 E/0212)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3010/03

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Blackout in Italy

Can the Commission say whether it intends to ascertain the causes of the blackout which hit Italy during the night of 27/28 September 2003?

Was the lengthy power cut caused by ‘human error’ as reported in the press or by other factors attributable to the countries that supply Italy with energy?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2003)

According to the information currently available, provided by the UCTE (Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity), the sequence of events was as follows:

— 28 September 2003 at 03.01 h: Lavorgno-Mettlen line tripped (situated in Switzerland, supplying Italy).

— 28 September 2003 at 03.25 h: Sils-Soazza and Airlo-Mettlen lines tripped (Swiss lines, supplying Italy).

After these power cuts the electricity supply from Switzerland to Italy was reduced by almost 3 000 megawatts. This power was transferred onto the other interconnecting lines — Italy-France, Italy-Austria — and this rapidly (within 40 seconds) resulted in the tripping of all lines interconnecting Italy and neighbouring countries.

The fact that the electricity imported into Italy (about 25 % of consumption during off-peak hours) could not be immediately replaced, after the power cut, by Italian-produced power during that time, meant that a blackout ensued across the entire Italian peninsula.

The UCTE is currently investigating the causes of this incident, in particular the possibility that one or more of its members did not comply with the operational standards. It is also inquiring into a possible lack of coordination between the transmission system operators (TSO).

The Italian and French regulators, in collaboration with the Swiss ministry, are also analysing the events.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/760

(2004/C 78 E/0807)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2839/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(25 September 2003)

Subject: Place of Iraq in the UN and position of the EU

Member States of the UN have particular characteristics (sovereignty, legitimacy etc.) clearly not possessed by Iraq, which is currently under occupation. The Provisional Government Council of Iraq has been appointed by the occupying authorities without any form of legitimising mechanism but also without any of the powers which would enable it to represent the country at the UN. As an occupied country, Iraq is no longer a state within the meaning of international law and its membership of the UN should be suspended in accordance with the precedent established with Cambodia between 1979 and 1989, following the intervention of Vietnamese troops, when the government controlled by the Vietnamese occupying forces was not accepted at the UN General Assembly. The suspension of Iraq's membership of the UN should last until elections have been held in the presence of UN observers.

Has the Council considered the matter of Iraq's seat at the UN in the context of Article 19, paragraph 2 (Title V) of the EU Treaty with a view to the forthcoming session of the UN General Assembly? What are the thoughts of the EU Presidency in this regard? Is there agreement on this matter, within the meaning of the above article of the EU Treaty, among the Member States which are members of the UN Security Council as to the position they will adopt in the Accreditation Committee under Rule 28 of the UN General Assembly's Rules of Procedure? What is the current status of diplomatic relations between the EU, and its Member States, and Iraq as an occupied country?

Reply

(4 March 2004)

The Council informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that it has not discussed the question as to Iraq's seat in the United Nations.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/285

(2004/C 84 E/0331)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4018/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2004)

Subject: Standardised use of the European flag on aircraft of EU airlines

The circumstance that some airlines from EU Member States display the European flag on their aircraft while others do not has given rise to the most diverse interpretations by airport authorities in third countries. This, not surprisingly, generates considerable confusion over the symbolic dimension.

One might therefore think it logical that there should be Community legislation to standardise the use of the European flag as a symbol, on aircraft that belong to the same (European) community. The consensus among third-country airport authorities is that either the Community flag should be displayed by all aircraft from EU Member States, or none of them should have the right to use or display it.

Can the Commission state its position on standardisation? Does it believe legislation should be proposed on the matter, in order to ensure that the EU projects a unified corporate image in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2004)

The European emblem dates back to 1955 and is the ‘property’ of the Council of Europe. In 1979, the Council of Europe notified the emblem to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. As a result, the emblem obtained protection in accordance with Article 6ter of the Paris Convention on the protection of industrial property.

Thus, any initiative to adopt Community legislation harmonising the use of the European emblem on aircrafts belonging to aircraft companieslocated in the Union would require the consensus of the Council of Europe.

With regard to the substance of the question, the Commission thinks that an initiative of the kind, as suggested by the Honourable Member, would require an in-depth prior assessment, notably involving the European air transport companies and competent national air transport authorities on the implications for the organization of air traffic, taking into account the legal framework of the Chicago Convention on international civil aviation.

The Commission is not aware of any practical problems arising for EU airlines in third countries due to the non-standardised use of the European flag.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/457

(2004/C 84 E/0532)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0162/03

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

(29 January 2003)

Subject: Duties on canned Asiatic tuna

The European canning industry, particularly in Galicia, is extremely concerned about the possible reductions in duties on canned tuna from the Philippines and Thailand which, it appears, may be being considered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Is the Commission aware of the damage this type of measure could cause to the European canning industry, in particular that of Galicia, at a time when Galicia is already burdened with huge economic problems owing to the ‘Prestige’ oil tanker accident?

What steps will the Commission take in order to prevent such a measure from being adopted?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

The Commission is aware of the importance of the tuna canning industry in Galicia and appreciates the concern in relation to reduced tariffs for Community imports of canned tuna from Thailand and the Philippines. It also appreciates the difficulties being experienced in that region following the ‘Prestige’ accident.

The Honourable Member will recall that during the Doha Ministerial in November 2001, the Member of the Commission responsible for Trade agreed that the Community would enter into consultations to examine the claims of Thailand and the Philippines that the Community's preferential tariff (duty-free) for imports of canned tuna from the Afriacan, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States was causing undue impairment. The Member of the Commission also agreed that the Community would enter into mediation if the consultations failed to produce a mutually satisfactory solution. The Honourable Member will also recall that the Commission felt it necessary to take this action in order to secure the agreement of Thailand and the Philippines for a waiver that had been sought by the Community over many months for the Cotonou Agreement.

In January 2003 the Commission informed the Member States of the mediator's ‘opinion’ proposing that the Community should open a non-discriminatory quota of 25 000 tonnes at 12 % tariff rate. The Commission carefully examined the proposal and concluded that the quantity and duty rate suggested by the mediator was fair and reasonable and that it would not have an adverse economic effect on the Community market. It is worth recalling that 25 000 tonnes represents only 9 % of total imports and around 4 % of total consumption in the Community of canned tuna in 2001.

The Commission, therefore, intends making a formal proposal to the Council that the mediator's opinion should be accepted by the opening of a tariff quota as mentioned above.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/92

(2004/C 84 E/0116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3724/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(10 December 2003)

Subject: Update concerning the funds for the SAVE II programme for the municipality of Macerata

With reference to question E-0965/03 (1), in which the Commission was asked whether the municipality of Macerata (Italy) had submitted projects and obtained funds under the SAVE II programme, the Commission replied on 25 April 2003 to the effect that no proposal had been submitted.

Can the Commission state whether, since then and up to the present, it has received any SAVE II projects from that municipality?

(1) OJ C 268 E, 7.11.2003, p. 169.