ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1166/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

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

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

The EU requirements on food safety are also applicable to products exported to third countries (Section 112). The Commission is to investigate whether rules are needed for export certification.

Will the Commission include this approach in the framework EU food law? If not, why not, given the major impact it has on food production and exports? If so, to what extent will the obligation of reciprocity be included and made compulsory in respect of third countries?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

As the biggest importer and exporter of food products in the world the Community must regard food safety as an issue that goes beyond internal policy. The Community expects and requires products from third countries to comply with its health requirements.

Similarly, appropriate health guarantees should be given for exports, as reflected in the white paper on food safety. In this context it should also be taken into account that import conditions are set by importers, not by exporters. However, exporters can set certain minimum conditions that they will respect.

The Community has not thus far fixed export requirements as regards food safety different from the provisions applied for the internal market. The possible benefits of fixing specific rules for Community exports as regards food safety and other sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) questions will be considered in the context of the Community food law.

At present Community producers are required to comply with the requirements laid down in Council Directive of 14 June 1993 93/43/EC on the hygiene of foodstuffs(1).

Moreover, Article 3 of Council Directive 89/397/EC of 14 June 1989 on the official control of foodstuffs(2) requires Member States not to exclude a product from appropriate control on the grounds that it is intended for export outside the Community.

As regards the establishment of health requirements for food exports, the Community's external obligations will need to be considered, notably the World trade organisation (WTO) SPS agreement provisions governing the establishment of import conditions and the concept of the appropriate level of protection. The Community is playing an active role in the WTO framework to ensure the right of Member States to establish and maintain high public health standards for food safety. The principle of mutual recognition as regards health requirements is addressed in the scope of the bilateral veterinary equivalence agreements of which the Community has concluded three so far.

(1) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.

(2) OJ L 186, 30.6.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2205/00

by Johan Van Hecke (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Ban on Belgian fishing vessels with Dutch owners sharing in the Belgian quota but selling their catch in the Netherlands

The Belgian authorities recently imposed a temporary fishing ban on twelve Belgian fishing vessels with Dutch owners because they failed to satisfy the requirements laid down by Belgian legislation. The law states that fishing vessels flying the Belgian flag must have an effective economic link with Belgium. The ships in question share in the Belgian fishing allocation but sell their catch in the Netherlands and not in Belgium. Furthermore, they do not have enough Belgian crew members on board. There have been loud protests in the Netherlands at this ban.

What is the view of the Commission? In the Commission's opinion, how can such situations be prevented in future with people sharing in the allocation of a country which derives no economic benefit from it?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2205/00 and P-2236/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

By its judgment of 14 December 1989, in a case referred for a preliminary ruling (The Queen v. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ex parte Jaderow Ltd, case C-216/87), the Court of justice recognised the right of a Member State to require that a fishing vessel flying its flag has a real economic link with that State if that link concerns only the relations between that vessel's fishing operations and the population dependent on fisheries and related industries. The Court stated that such an obligation was in conformity with Community law and, consequently, with the rules governing the internal market.

By an order dated 3 February 1999, the Belgian government has decided to require this real economic link for vessels flying the Belgian flag. This order states that the requirement is fulfilled when at least 50 % of the crew resides in the region of the Belgian coast, or when at least 50 % of the annual fishing catch is landed in ports on that coast and a substantial part of these landings is offered for sale in the local fish auctions, or, also, by a combination of those criteria. The shipowner may propose other criteria as well and the Belgian authorities have to decide whether the criteria suggested comply with this obligation.

The Belgian government had notified the Commission of the draft order and, as its provisions were in conformity with the above judgment of the Court of justice, the Commission had agreed to the draft order.

A group of shipowners has lodged a complaint against this obligation. It is related to the way in which this obligation is actually implemented by the Belgian authorities. The Commission is currently examining the complaint and will keep the Parliament informed.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/00

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 April 2000)

Subject: China's accession to the WTO

What plans have been developed to ensure that a significant European and multi-lateral technical assistance package is established as a flanking measure to China's forthcoming accession to the WTO aimed at improving the administrative and legal capacity in China to implement fully the obligations of China's WTO membership? In particular, what discussions have taken place to ensure that the EU and the US provide properly co-ordinated assistance in this field?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2000)

In order to help make China's further integration into the world economy as smooth as possible, the Commission has put in place a series of co-operation projects. These are designed to contribute to building the capacity of China's government and administration in areas directly related to the implementation of its impending commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Commission attaches great importance to the fact that technical assistance for implementation is provided in a spirit of co-operation and partnership with China and covers more than just surveillance from the Community side.

Five projects, with a budget totalling around 22 million, have already been tabled some are already underway, and others are due to come on stream in the months ahead.

In particular, a framework programme in support of WTO accession, providing training for Chinese officials who will be dealing with the implementation of China's commitments, will come on stream later this year.

Projects under way cover the development of a modern and effective system for the protection of intellectual property rights, the establishment of a framework for transparent and non-discriminatory public procurement, as well as the collection and provision of statistics.

Finally, a broad-based initiative to assist in the reform and restructuring of the financial services sector is due to start at the end of this year.

In addition, support for economic and social reform will continue to be a priority for co-operation funding in the future.

The Commission is examing how to enhance existing programmes should this prove necessary in the light of the first experience with the five projects mentioned above.

To date, the Commission is not aware of any concrete plans by the United States to provide WTO-related technical assistance to China. However, the Commission is seeking to coordinate its cooperation activities with the United States and other donors active in this area, with a view to avoiding overlaps and developing synergies between respective programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Herbicide Glyphosate

Would the Commission please inform me what steps have been taken to ban the herbicide Glyphosate, which has hitherto been claimed to be safe? In particular, may I please know what action has been taken following the recent review of Glyphosate under the European Commission Authorisations Directive?

Please indicate any written reports or other evidence considered by the European Commission. I require this information under the Transparency provisions applying to the European Commission.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Question H-50/2000 by Mr Krarup during question time at Parliament's February 2000 part-session(1) and to Written Question E-34/2000 by Mrs Kinnock(2).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (February 2000).

(2) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 71.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1786/00

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Inclusion of the European flag in the liveries worn by aircraft belonging to airlines from Community countries

The airlines belonging to the EU Member States do not seem particularly keen to include the European flag, alongside their respective national flags, as part of their livery, since only a very small number of the airlines concerned have taken such a step.

Since all airlines from an EU Member State should ideally demonstrate that they belong to a body which represents Europe throughout the world, consideration should be given to encouraging all EU airlines (by means of appropriate legislation) to include the European flag alongside the appropriate national flag on their aircraft.

Does the Commission think that it should seek an agreement with the various Member States concerning legislation designed to ensure that airlines apply the European flag to their aircraft?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The issue of airlines including the European flag on their aircraft does not fall within the scope of Community law. The Commission has, however, suggested to airlines established in the Member States that they display the European flag on the fuselage of their aircraft. It notes that some airlines have done so.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answers given to Written Questions E-2629/00(1) and E-583/95 by Mr Fernández-Albor(2) on this matter.

(1) OJ C 136, 27.5.1991.

(2) OJ C 196, 31.7.1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1658/00

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2000)

Subject: Information on decisions concerning subsidies for type II twinning arrangements

Following the lead given by Adoptiedorpen Roemenië-Vlaanderen (Romania-Flanders adoption villages), which has been in existence for ten years, Adoptiedorpen Roemenië-Kempen had the idea of organising a twinning arrangement and a colloquium from 29 November to 8 December 1999, at a cost of 49 145. The documentation (99-0186)

was submitted to the Commission as required, three months before the event. In August, the organisers were told informally that, in view of the soundness of the project and the limited funds available, they could reckon with about 20 000. They decided to continue with the initiative. But on 31 January 2000 the Commission told them that no funds were available.

1. Why can the Commission not respond to this kind of request within three months?

2. Why can the Commission not say immediately that insufficient funds are available, instead of letting it be known informally that limited funds will probably be available?

3. Is the Commission aware that circumstances of this kind can (1) undermine willingness to undertake such initiatives and even (2) undermine the organisations responsible for them?

4. Is there any way in which these projects, which are experiencing difficulties as a result, could be subsidised retroactively?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

In general, the Commission tries to respond to grant applications within a time limit of three months.

The Commission did in fact inform the beneficiaries that their application would be considered favourably.

However, because of the considerable volume of applications in 1999, the available funds allocated to the town-twinning programme were not enough to support this particular project.

Certain applications of particular importance or interest, including this one, were eventually able to be supported from the budget for 2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2323/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Inclusion of Schinia (Attica) in the Natura 2000 network

The international environmental organisation WWF has proposed that the Commission should include 2 326 new regions in the list of regions which form part of the Natura 2000 network (Directive 92/43/EEC)(1) submitted by the Member States. Among these new regions special priority is accorded to the Schinia wetlands in Attica.

Given that this region has been selected as a site for facilities for the 2004 Olympic Games, will the Commission consider the WWF proposal with a view to promoting the objectives of Natura 2000? What scope does the Commission have for intervening in this matter?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

The Schinia wetlands are indeed among the additional sites (the shadow list) proposed by the Worldwide Fund for Nature for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

When assessing, for each biogeographical region, the national lists transmitted by the Member States, the Commission takes the WWF's proposals into consideration whenever a type of habitat or a species is deemed to be insufficiently represented.

Regarding the facilities planned at Schinia for the 2004 Olympic Games, a complaint has already been lodged with the Commission, which will be examining the case within that context.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2176/00

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Encouraging US tourists to return to Spain's Costa de Sol

For a variety of unknown reasons the number of US tourists visiting Spain's Costa del Sol (a major tourist area) has fallen from 450 000 twenty years ago to the current figure of 80 000. This has had a serious impact on account of the high spending power of visitors from the US.

For this reason the local authorities have launched an intensive campaign to win those visitors back, focusing both on the quality of hotels, restaurants and other tourist establishments and on the training of those employed in them.

How could the EU work with the Spanish authorities affected for the purpose of studying the causes of the steep decline in holidaymakers visiting the Costa del Sol from the US and trying to remedy the situation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2176/00 and E-2240/00 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Under the implementation of the subsidiarity principle, it is up to the Member States' local, regional or national authorities to know, study, analyse and, where appropriate, to remedy the structural causes that may cause a diminution of tourists in the Costa del Sol, or elsewhere.

The Commission, in its role of catalyst of the different policies and Community instruments, can help Member States authorities develop the tourism potential. Recently, the Commission has published, in its Internet site, a guide entitled EU schemes in support of tourism. An Internet road-map for the tourism sector.

The Commission works currently, under the mandate of the Council, and in co-operation with experts chosen by the Member States, for the development of European tourism in the areas of information, training, quality of tourist products and promotion of the environmental protection and sustainability in tourism. To this end four working parties have been set up that will issue for the end of 2001 a final report with conclusions and recommendations, on the basis of which the Commission will analyse its policy relating to tourism for the coming years.

In order to provide guidelines to European tourist companies and destinations on how to implement an integrated quality management strategy in coastal, urban and rural destinations, the Commission has carried out three studies. These select the best practices and draw conclusions and recommendations with a view to implementing the integrated quality strategy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2807/00

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Use of an industrial site reclaimed through EU aid

The European Development Area (EDA) situated between Longwy, Athus and Pétange/Rodange, and straddling the borders between France, Belgium and Luxembourg, has unquestionably contributed to the economic growth of this former steel-making area.

The expenditure on infrastructure to create the Development Area, and also some other operations in this cross-border area, have been heavily dependent on the Community Structural Funds. It seems that the Luxembourg Government has just decided to allocate 4 hectares of industrial land, reclaimed with European Union funding, for the rebuilding of the Mathias Adam lycée in Pétange.

Does the Commission regard this decision as being compatible with the objectives of the European Development Area? Did the European funds involved at the time also intend this industrial site to be used for educational activities?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2184/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Better regulation

At the Lisbon Summit, a commitment was made to better regulation. What is the Commission intending to do to ensure that this commitment is met?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

The Commission intends to present a policy document on better regulation early next year and is currently examining existing initiatives (Business Environment Simplification Task force (BEST), Business Impact Assessment (BIA), Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM) and the Business Test Panel) with a view to creating greater synergy between them and strengthening their capacity to create a better regulatory environment for business. This document will be prepared for and discussed at the March 2001 European Council in Stockholm.

The policy review exercise also provides an opportunity for the Commission to reflect on the appropriate level of regulation required in the context of new forms of economic activity (e-commerce etc.), the possibilities offered by co-regulation and how best to ensure that national legislation does not generate additional burdens for business.

Current preparations are focused in particular on devising ways of ensuring that new Community legislation is carefully prepared and to that end the Commission is examining the potential offered by new impact assessment methods and possibilities to extend the range and depth of consultations when legislative drafts are under preparation.

The Commission is going to contribute to the initiative taken by the French Presidency to discuss the quality of national and Community legislation at a meeting of the ministers in charge of the functioning of public administration.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3148/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: Use of Community funds

The Portuguese company Electro Moagem do Marco S.A., which has approximately 70 employees, has been active for over 70 years in the food sector and is based in Marco de Canaveses (Portugal), an inland region with little industrial development.

The company, which holds a quality certificate issued by the Portuguese Quality Institute in 1999, has allegedly received a significant amount of Community funding for modernisation purposes. However, its employees are not being paid at the moment and the company is threatened with bankruptcy.

Would the Commission provide the following information? Did Electro Moagem do Marco S.A. actually receive Community funding? If so, how much? Has the use to which that funding was put been monitored, with particular reference to the protection of jobs?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1283/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(27 April 2000)

Subject: Exporting waste to third countries/Basle Convention

Despite international conventions, there is an increase in exports of (toxic) waste to developing countries. The Basle Convention and regulation 259/93/EEC(1) regulate these cross-border flows of waste. According to UNEP, in 1989 the OECD countries exported one fifth of their waste. UN rapporteur Fatma-Zohra Ksentini says the countries which export most are Australia, the US and EU Member States the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. She is particularly concerned at the growing tendency to ship toxic waste to developing countries where it is simply dumped.

1. How does the European Union ensure compliance with the Basle Convention and regulation 259/93/EEC, in particular:

(a) what service, and

(b) how many officials are involved,

(c) how many checks are carried out every year, and

(d) where?

2. How much category 1 waste have the fifteen EU Member States exported to third countries since the Basle Convention and regulation 259/93/EEC entered into force (broken down by year, exporting Member States and countries of destination)?

3. How much category 2 waste have the fifteen EU Member States exported to third countries since the Basle Convention and regulation 259/93/EEC entered into force (broken down by year, exporting Member States and countries of destination)?

4. How many infringements of the Basle Convention and Regulation 259/93/EEC have there been since they entered into force, in particular:

(a) in which Member States,

(b) to which third countries was the waste shipped,

(c) by which companies,

(d) what substances and quantities were involved (detailed breakdown of type and weight), and

(e) when (chronological breakdown of infringements)?

(1) OJ L 30, 6.2.1993, p. 1.

Reply

(18/19 September 2000)

The Honourable Member's Question is not a matter for the Council. Questions regarding the application of the Basle Convention and Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 are a matter for either the Member States or the Commission, within their respective spheres of responsibility.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1494/00

by Per Gahrton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Publication of Europe without frontiers

What does it cost to publish Europe without frontiers?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2000)

The newsletter Europe without Frontiers is published in 11 languages, with about 100 000 copies per issue (variations are due to new names being added to the mailing list) and 9 issues per year.

It costs about 120 000 a year. The annual cost of the Swedish version (10 300 copies) is about 11 300.