ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3846/98

by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Stage reached in the transposition of the directive on the disposal of PCBs and PCTs

Directive 96/59/EC(1) on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls was to be incorporated into the national laws of the Member States by the end of March 1998.

What is the situation as regards the Member States' compliance in the transposition of this directive?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

Eight Member States (Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden) have communicated to the Commission implementing measures for Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT). The Commission has opened infringement proceedings under Article 169 EC Treaty against the seven Member States which have not communicated their implementing measures.

(1) OJ L 243, 24.9.1996, p. 31.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2557/98

by ( Hanja) Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: UK quarantine law

Is it true that the United Kingdom still requires pet animals brought in by workers from elsewhere in the European Union (people who have found work in the United Kingdom and have decided to settle there) to be held in quarantine for six months?

Is it true that the United Kingdom permits cats and dogs imported for commercial purposes to be brought into the country provided that a health certificate, a certificate of anti-rabies vaccination and microchip identification can be produced and a blood test has been carried out?

Does the Commission know why this distinction is made, and does it conform to European legislation?

Will the Commission ask the United Kingdom government to drop this unusual form of discrimination with its bias against animals and allow pets that have been certified as healthy to be brought into the UK without problems?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3639/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Food aid to Russia

In its preparations for a food-aid package for Russia has the Commission considered the inclusion of quantities of frozen pelagic species (fish) for which there is at present a very poor export market for the EU?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 1999)

It is not the Commission's intention to include fish in the food supply programme for Russia, as its government has not requested this product.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3881/98

by Livio Filippi (PPE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Protection of Parma ham

Has the Commission studied the terms of the judgment by the Court of Appeal in London, which dismissed as unfounded the action brought by the Parma ham association, challenging the sale under the "Parma" label of ham which had been sliced and packed outside the area of production?

At a time when the European institutions are increasingly emphasising the need to exploit quality as a factor that will enhance the competitiveness of European agri-foodstuffs, what action will the Commission be taking to help find a solution to the dispute between the Parma ham association and the British authorities with a view to protecting the quality and name of Parma ham?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 1999)

The Commission knows about the judgment referred to by the Honourable Member in the case "Consorzio del prosciutto di Parma v. ASDA Food Store Ltd and Hygrade Foods Ltd" and has studied it in detail.

The issue is about whether slicing the "prosciutto di Parma" protected designation of origin (PDO) is permitted outside the area of production and without the supervision of the "consorzio". Slicing is an operation which appears not to be in conformity with what is specified, under certain conditions, in the product specification with regard to registered designation at Community level.

The Commission is prepared to express its views on the judgment referred to by the Honourable Member if a question for a preliminary ruling is referred to the Court of Justice as part of the means of redress available under national law in the United Kingdom.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4060/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(13 January 1999)

Subject: Biotechnology companies

Can the Commission say how many biotechnology firms are registered in each Member State and which are SMEs, which are large firms and which are listed on their stock exchanges?

Is it also possible to say how many biotechnology products each of them has gained a licence for and how many are currently on the market?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 1999)

The most recent data available show that the total number of biotech companies in the Community in 1997 was 942(1). The types of companies included in this number are start-up companies (1 to 49 employees and founded during 1997) small companies (1 to 49 employees and founded prior to 1997) mid-size companies (50 to 149 employees) and large companies (150 to 500 employees).

The breakdown per Member State is the following:

>TABLE>

As far as small and medium sized entreprises (SMEs) are concerned, the group of small, start-up and medium sized companies shows the dynamism of the biotech industry in the Community.

Currently, 61 European biotech companies are listed on various stock exchanges(2) in Europe (London Stock Exchange, Easdaq, Nouveau Marché) and North America (Nasdaq). It is not possible to say for how many biotechnology products each of them has gained a licence and how many are currently on the market. Nevertheless, the following table shows the number of patents granted to European companies by the European patent office (EPO) in 1997(3).

>TABLE>

The total number of patents granted to European companies in 1997 was 681, compared with 728 in 1996, 673 in 1995 and 726 in 1994.

Another indicator consists of the number of products put on the market within the framework of the European legislation. In 1997, the European medicines evaluation agency (EMEA) approved 22 products, of which 11 can be considered as pure biotech products. None of them, however, was developed by European entrepreneurial companies(4). Under Directive 90/220/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms(5), 16 out of 18 approved products were provided by European companies (as of November 9, 1998). Under the Novel Foods Regulation, 5 out of 8 products were notified by European companies pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 258/97(6).

(1) Ernst & Young, 1998: European Life Sciences 98: Continental Shift, p. 3. Data for Greece and Luxembourg were not included.

(2) Ernst & Young, 1998: European Life Sciences 98: Continental Shift, p. 11.

(3) Source: European patent office, Jan. 99. Type of patents included in the figures: A0IG (horticulture), A01H (new plants), A61K (preparations for medical, dental or toilet purposes), C12N (micro-organisms or enzymes), C12P (fermentation or enzyme-using processes), C12Q (measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or micro-organisms).

(4) Source: Ernst & Young, 1998: European Life Sciences 98: Continental Shift.

(5) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.

(6) OJ L 43, 14.2.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3250/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 1998)

Subject: Food aid for Russia

The EU intends to send food aid to Russia so as to enable this country to meet its food needs. However, it has been reported that this aid will consist mainly of animal products (meat and milk) and cereals; Mediterranean products such as citrus fruits, horticultural produce and olive oil will not be included or, if they are, it will be only on a very limited scale.

Since, from a medical point of view, citrus fruits, horticultural produce and olive oil are necessary for a balanced diet, and since Russia is one of the most important markets for Greek agricultural products, especially for citrus fruits (for example, 35 % of orange exports go to Russia) and the closure of this market is already having repercussions, will the Commission say whether it intends to take measures to ensure that Mediterranean products such as citrus fruits, horticultural produce and olive oil are included on terms of equality in food aid to Russia?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 1998)

The Commission has not received any official Russian request, either for food aid, or for humanitarian aid. Consequently the Community has not taken any decisions regarding this issue. However, the Commission is monitoring the Russian food situation closely.

If such an aid request were to be received, the Commission would examine it in detail. It is premature to discuss which products to include in a potential aid operation. Any information or view with regard to the range of products to be delivered in the case of a food aid programme to Russia is equally premature and will, in addition, depend on the contents of any Russian request.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3944/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Local Agenda 21

What steps has the Commission taken to support exchange of information and experience about local Agenda 21 plans?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 1999)

The Commission has actively supported the exchange of information and experience about local Agenda 21 over several years. Activities range from policy development to financial contributions for activities such as studies, projects, conferences and publications.

The communication(1)"Sustainable urban development in the European Union: a framework for action" reaffirms the Commission's commitment in this area. Actions 19, 20 and 23 are of particular relevance, setting out future priorities in relation to the exchange of experience and Local Agenda 21 activities.

Examples of past Commission activities in this field include the expert group on the urban environment and the sustainable cities project (it produced the sustainable cities report and the good practice guide, which highlight local Agenda 21 and provide practical examples); the European sustainable cities & towns campaign, set up to encourage and support local authorities in working towards sustainability by promoting development towards sustainability at the local level through local Agenda 21; European and regional conferences (including Aalborg 1994, Lisbon 1996, Turku and Sofia 1998, Seville and The Hague 1999); and a database on good practice in urban management and sustainability, focused on disseminating good practice about how cities and towns can be managed in more sustainable ways.

(1) COM(98) 605.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3586/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Transposition by Greece of Directive 92/44/EEC

By Presidential Decree 121/Gov. Journal A 103/15.5.98 Greece transposed Directive 92/44/EEC(1) on leased lines into national legislation.

Given that the Commission is reportedly concerned about the proper harmonisation of the above directive, will it say:

1. Does it consider that any problems have arisen concerning the proper and full transposition of this directive by Greece?

2. Have any similar problems arisen in any other Member States concerning the transposition of Directive 92/44/EEC?

3. What measures has the Commission taken in respect of individual Member States to ensure that they correctly transpose the above Directive?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Council Directive 92/44/EEC on the application of open network provision to leased lines concerns the harmonization of conditions for open and efficient access to and use of the leased lines on public telecommunications networks and the availability throughout the Community of a minimum set of leased lines with harmonized technical characteristics.

1. On 4 June 1998, the Greek Government notified to the Commission Presidential Decree 121 of 15 May 1998 aiming to transpose the Directive. The Decree was notified following a judgment delivered by the Court of justice in July 1995 declaring that Greece had failed to fulfill its obligations under the EC Treaty by omitting to bring into force within the prescribed period (on 5 June 1993, at the latest) the necessary law to comply fully with the Directive.

Although Greece has notified the above Presidential Decree, further measures should in the Commission's opinion be taken in order to comply fully with the Directive. This assessment relies, in particular, on the absence in Greek law of a requirement ensuring that a cost accounting system is adopted and put in practice, in compliance with the Directive.

2. On 25 November 1998, the Commission adopted a fourth report on the implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package(2). The report identifies the main remaining problems in implementing the telecommunications regulatory package in the Member States, including the formulation and application by the Member States of cost accounting systems for the provision of leased lines. The report can be consulted on http//www.ispo.cec.be/infosoc/telecompolicy and http//www/europa.eu.int/comm/dg4/lawliber/libera.htm.

3. The Commission continuously reviews the notified national measures which aim to transpose the directives and makes assessments on the implementation of the Community telecommunications legislation to verify that Member States comply with the requirements set out by the harmonization directives. Where a Member State fails to comply fully with the directives, the Commission opens infringement proceedings based on Article 169 of the EC Treaty. Proceedings are pending against two Member States which have failed to comply with the Directive.

(1) OJ L 165, 19.6.1992, p. 27.

(2) SEC(98) 1981.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850/98

by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: "Ice-Cream War"

Can the Commission provide details of the expenditure on the production, printing and distribution etc. of the material entitled "The Ice-Cream War"? How big an edition of "The Ice-Cream War" has been printed in the various languages?

Is the Commission planning further information campaigns of this type aimed at the younger youth bracket?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Total production costs for the publication "The Raspberry Ice Cream War" (Swedish title "Glasskriget") come to 181 970 euro. The costs for subsequent distribution on demand in the individual Member States are an integrated part of the work of the Commission representations and cannot be calculated. The publication has been printed in the following number of copies by language: Danish 14 650, German 97 530, English 136 100, Greek 10 900, French 112 100, Italian 31 520, Dutch 43 050, Spanish 47 000, Portuguese 33 400, Finnish 5 500, Swedish 7 250.

The Commission receives many requests for information material about the Community for use in schools. It has at present no plans to produce publications similar to the "The Raspberry Ice Cream War".
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3587/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: Exemption of Greece from Directive 98/18/EC

Directive 98/18/EC(1) on safety rules and standards for passenger ships provides that existing ships over 27 years old on 1 October 2000 must be substantially upgraded to make them safer. However, ships flying the Greek flag, and notably ships operating exclusively on domestic voyages between ports situated in Greece, are exempted; they will be withdrawn when they are 35 years old.

Will the Commission say:

1. Why is it safe to allow ships operating routes to the Greek islands not to be upgraded, but unsafe in the case of ships of other Member States which have to be upgraded?

2. Does the Commission envisage the possibility that ships which have not been adequately upgraded and operate routes in other Member States may be sold to Greek shipowners to be used to operate routes between Greek ports?

3. Has Greece forwarded to the Commission a list of existing passenger ships exempted from the provisions of the above directive on the basis of Article 6.3(g) of the above directive?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 1999)

1. The Commission has no reason to believe that the risks involved for passenger ships providing services between islands in Greece would be less than for those operating on domestic voyages in other Member States. The derogation in Article 6.3.(g) of Council Directive 98/18/EC to exempt a limited number of existing passenger ships from compliance with some of the upgrading requirements of the Directive has been granted to Greece for reasons of socio-economic cohesion, whilst giving due consideration to the fact that, unlike other Member States, Greece imposes a maximum age limit of 35 years on passenger ships for operation on domestic voyages. As the upgrading requirements in the Directive entail major structural modifications and substantial investments, it is considered that requiring this upgrading for ships with a remaining service life of less than 8 years would not be economically viable.

2. The Commission does not foresee a risk that passenger ships not complying with the upgrading requirements of the Directive would be sold to Greek owners to be engaged on domestic voyages between Greek ports. This risk has been excluded by limiting the possibility for derogation of Article 6.3.(g) to existing passenger ships which were already operating exclusively on domestic voyages in Greece before 1 January 1996 or which were transferred to such domestic voyages prior to the date of entry into force of the Directive.

3. Greece has notified to the Commission, in accordance with Article 6.3.(g), the list of existing passenger ships for which the derogation of Article 6.3.(g) may be applied. This list will be published in the Official journal in the near future.

(1) OJ L 144, 15.5.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0837/98

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: The content of television programmes and freedom of expression

There are four independent television channels in Finland, all of which are journalistically independent of the state. One of them (Oy Yleisradio Ab) has - for journalistic purposes and without sponsorship - produced a series of programmes designed to promote the sale of Finnish-made products. The Commission responded by writing a letter to the Finnish Ministry of Communications prohibiting the making of such programmes.

In so doing, the Commission violated journalistic freedom of expression and interfered with the content of television programmes. Does the Commission consider that its officials acted correctly in this matter, and if so, on what EU treaty does it base its view?

Answer given by MrMonti on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1942/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Infringement of Community regulations on environmental protection when creating a wind farm in Alto Sannio

A wind farm comprising some 600 turbines is being created in the area of Alto Sannio (province of Benevento, Italy). Although the area is scheduled for reforestation and the European Community has already allocated funds for the conservation of the countryside and nature and the creation of a mountain tourist area, the Campania region has taken advantage of other Community contributions to construct some power lines, some underground and some above ground, to supply electricity to the ENEL network. There is reason to believe that the wind farm has been planned in direct defiance of European directives on the protection, regeneration and exploitation of the region from the point of view of the countryside, environment, history and archaeology. The dangerous consequences of the undertaking are visible: rocks uprooted, springs destroyed, millions of cubic metres of rubble scattered on mountain tops, excavation work in areas that are naturally prone to subsidence. Moreover, no arrangements were made to consult the public as expressly provided for in Council Directive No 85/337 of 27 June 1985.

1. Is the granting of Community funds for incompatible projects in the same area not an enormous waste of resources?

2. Is the creation of this farm, albeit with the laudable intention of creating a source of alternative and renewable energy, not the result of a thoughtless regional policy that could cause irreversible ecological damage with all sorts of serious consequences for woodlands, fauna and forests?

3. Are there not grounds for initiating infringement proceedings against Italy for failure to implement and comply with Community directives on environmental and regional protection?(1)

Answer given by MrsWulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 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 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3838/98

by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Football transfers

As well as involving fantastic sums of money, transfers of professional players, particularly footballers, have become a mechanism for speculation and for restricting the free movement of footballers within the European Union.

What action will the Commission take to remedy this situation?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Since the Court of Justice judgment of 15 December 1995 in Bosman(1), the payment of fees at the end of an employment contract that are unrelated to training costs is prohibited for all international transfers within the European Economic Area (EEA) of footballers who are or have turned professional. The Court of Justice did not cover the question of the payment of fees in other situations, e.g. transfers of non-Community players, transfers of players under contract and domestic transfers.

The Commission sees to it that the Bosman judgment is complied with. It also considers that any attempt to continue to apply the international system of FIFA and UEFA transfers to situations other than those covered by the judgment in question is liable to infringe Article 85 of the EC Treaty. The same holds for the obligation imposed by FIFA on national associations to introduce national transfer systems.

For that reason, and recognising the need to encourage the recruitment and training of young players, the Commission has, since the Bosman judgment, been encouraging the organisations responsible to present it with an alternative to the international transfer system. With no acceptable proposal forthcoming, the Commission sent a statement of objections to FIFA on 15 December 1998. Its aim was to obtain the definitive abolition of all transfer systems based on fees unrelated to actual training costs. It is thus responding to numerous complaints and hopes to encourage FIFA to devise a system that is compatible with the rules of the EC Treaty and promotes the training of young players.

(1) Case C-415/93 [1995] ECR I-4921.