ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1463/96 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission (31 May 1996)

Subject: Brown bears in the EU

Brown bears in the wild are now rare in the European Union. Attempts are therefore being made in certain places, amid great difficulties, to reintroduce specimens of these animals. At the same time, brown bears are being bred year after year in Community zoos in order to attract the public with their loveable offspring. Once the animals have grown larger, the zoos dispose of these bears in a variety of ways. In Saxony-Anhalt (Germany) there is even a restaurant which breeds brown bears in order to put them on show in small cages and, later, slaughter them for consumption on the premises.

1. Where in the EU, and in precisely what ways, are brown bears currently being prepared for life in the wild?

2. Who is paying for these programmes, how much are they costing, and what is the EU's financial and/or moral commitment to such programmes?

3. How does the Commission view the fact that bear cubs are being bred in European zoos purely for the short-term gratification of the public?

4. How does the Commission view the fact that, on the one hand, attempts are being made, amid great difficulties, to reintroduce bears into the wild whilst, on the other hand, bears are being bred and kept under highly questionable conditions (as in Saxony-Anhalt, for example) for purposes of consumption?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1996)

1-2. The Commission has no information in its possession on any plans to breed brown bears (ursus arctos) in captivity with a view to their reintroduction into the Community.

3-4. The Commission has put a recommendation to the Council on the keeping of wild animals in a zoological environment. ((COM(95) 619 final. )) The matter of breeding in captivity is dealt with in Item 8.8.

In addition the boosting of the population that is jointly financed under LIFE-Nature Projects uses bears taken from a non-threatened wild population.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1195/96 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Threat of a major accident at Canvey Island, Essex

Is the Commission aware that the isolated island community of Canvey in my constituency is linked to the mainland by only a single carriage road, yet has been subject to major flooding from the sea in the early 1950s and could be threatened by a major accident involving oil and gas terminals sited on the island? Has the Commission taken action on the threat of major accidents to similar island communities in other Member States, and precisely which European directives and EU funding programmes are applicable in this case?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 July 1996)

Directive 82/501/EEC (the 'Seveso' Directive) on the major accident hazards of certain industrial activities ((OJ L 230, 5.8.1982. )) (implemented by the control of industrial major accident hazards (CIMAH) Regulations in the United Kingdom) will apply to oil and gas terminals on Canvey Island where the inventory of dangerous substances is above the levels prescribed in the Directive.

The Directive includes measures which require an emergency plan to be drawn up to enable an adequate response in the unlikely event of an accident. In addition, those liable to be affected by a major accident must be provided with information on safety measures and correct behaviour in case of an accident. In each case, it will be necessary to address any particular special features which prevail in the local community, such as at Canvey or other similar island communities.

The main funding mechanism for research in this area is through the Community's environmental and climate programme, which includes research on industrial safety and risk of flooding. The stated aim of industrial safety research within this programme is '... to improve the scientific basis for understanding industrial accidents, leading to better risk assessment and management and prevention'. In this context, one of the most important goals of the research is to support Community legislation, and notably the Seveso Directive and its forthcoming revision. In the area of natural risk, flood research is included with the aim of '... development of procedures for the assessment of the risk of flooding... in coastal, flat, flash-flood prone areas'.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1442/96 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Homeworkers and research

Will the Commission undertake to implement the recommendations in its publication 'Social Europe - homeworking in the European Union' Supplement 2/95 and ensure that Eurostat recognizes homeworking as a separate category of workers and records statistics accordingly, carry out detailed research on homeworkers on a sectoral basis into extent, nature, changing trends and conditions of homeworking, including the proportions of black and migrant women homeworkers and develop programmes of good practice?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1441/96, E-1442/96, E-1443/96 and E-1444/96 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1996)

The Commission has fully recognised the need to strive at European level to improve the working conditions of homeworkers and to increase the range of their employment options by including homeworking in the priorities for social policy in the Commission's medium term social action programme (1995-1997) ((COM(95) 134 final. )).

In the light of the recently adopted international convention and recommendation on homeworking, the Commission is currently reviewing its policy to take account of the International labour organisation (ILO) texts. The work of the United Nations institution will be an excellent starting point in this respect.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/96 by Patrick Cox (ELDR) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Status of the Irish language

1. Could the Commission explain the precise status of the Irish language in the EU and its institutions and the basis on which that status is founded?

2. Since Ireland's accession negotiations, to the knowledge of the Commission has any Irish government ever sought to extend the status of the Irish language in the EU?

3. In view of the special status of the Irish language, would the Commission, in its recruitment policy, be prepared to recognize fluency in Irish and two other working languages of the Union as fulfilling its required linguistic qualifications?

4. In view of the special status of the Irish language, are there any circumstances in which the Commission would contemplate the use of the Irish language as a working language in respect of those Irish citizens who would wish to conduct their business with the EU through the medium of the first official language of the Irish Republic?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (29 July 1996)

1 & 4. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answers given to oral question H-205/91 by Mr Landa Mendibe (( Debates of the Parliament 3-403 (March 1991). )) and written question E-896/86 by Mr Raftery. ((OJ C 82, 30.3.1987. ))

2. No.

3. For the purposes of recruitment, a thorough knowledge of one of the officials languages of the Community is required and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these languages.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1798/96 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (3 July 1996)

Subject: Internal market for electricity

Does the Commission think that consultative structures for the electricity sector should be set up, so that employers and trade unions from the sector can meet to discuss the impact of the internal market for electricity on the public service, the environment, energy structures and employment. If not, can the Commission explain why not?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)

In line with the its white paper on energy policy ((COM(95) 682 final. )) the Commission intends to establish a consultative committee to include all organisations with an interest in the energy sector. This committee will bring together employers, trade unions and also consumer interest groups to discuss matters of energy policy which will no doubt include all subjects of the internal electricity market. The Commission does not consider it necessary to create specific parallel structures for the electricity sector only.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2011/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (17 July 1996)

Subject: Density of olive groves in Greece

According to the information available to the Commission, what is the current average density per hectare of olive trees growing in Greece?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2006/96, E-2007/96, E-2008/96, E-2009/96, E-2010/96, E-2011/96, E-2012/96 and E-2013/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 September 1996)

Statistics for olive cultivation coming from different sources tend to vary considerably depending on the definitions on which they are based, and need to be treated with caution. However, on the specific points requested by the Honourable Member, the following figures may be advanced.

The total number of productive olive trees in each of the Member States in question, according to the official returns received by the Commission from the national authorities for the purposes of setting annual fruit and oil yields for the 1994/95 marketing year, was as follows:

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The average density of olive plantations in those Member States (trees per hectare) is:

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The average density thus varies considerably between Member States and may also vary significantly from region to region - or even farm to farm - within Member States, depending on the degree of local specialization or industrialization of olive growers.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2170/96 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (2 August 1996)

Subject: German Bundesbank gold

After the European Central Bank (ECB) is set up, the national central banks of the Member States belonging to the Monetary Union must transfer a certain proportion of their monetary reserves to that bank.

1. What will happen to the gold holdings of the national central banks, and in particular the Bundesbank?

2. Must a certain proportion thereof also be transferred to the ECB?

3. How are these gold holdings valued?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)

According to Article 105(2) third indent EC Treaty, one of the basic tasks to be carried out through the European system of central banks (ESCB) shall be 'to hold and manage the official foreign reserves of the Member States'. The transfer of foreign assets to the European central bank (ECB) is laid down by Article 30 of the statute of the ESCB and the ECB: '... the ECB shall be provided by the national central banks with foreign reserve assets, other than Member States' currencies, ECUs, IMF reserve positions and SDRs, up to an amount equivalent to ECU 50 000 million' (Article 30.1.). This means that the following types of assets are eligible for transfer to the ECB: currencies of third countries, currencies of non-participating Member States and gold. However, the requirement of transfer of gold is not expressly provided for. The decision on the amount and the composition of the foreign assets to be transferred has to be made by the Council of the ECB and therefore can only be made after the setting-up of the ECB in early 1998.

The non-transferred parts of the foreign reserve assets remain at the national central banks, whose free disposal is only limited by article 31.2. of the statute of the ESCB and ECB. Operations in the remaining foreign reserve assets and Member States'transactions with their foreign exchange working balances are, above a certain limit to be established by the ECB Council, subject to approval by the ECB. This provision will ensure the consistency of these operations with the exchange rate and monetary policies of the Community.

The question of the valuation of the foreign reserve assets is currently under discussion in the European monetary institute.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1688/96 by Markus Ferber (PPE) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Annual toll card for private cars in Austria

The Commission should be aware that Austria has for some years been issuing an annual toll card for the toll sections of the Brenner, Tauern, Pyhrn and Arlberg tunnel motorways at a cost of ÖS 1200. This represents a reduction for frequent travellers when compared with the individual journey cost. According to my information, however, the annual toll card is available only to drivers whose private car has an Austrian registration number. Regular travellers with foreign number plates must make do with the discount card costing ÖS 800 entitling them to reduced rates on all toll roads in Austria. Only for the Brenner motorway can the reduced-rate card also be purchased by drivers with foreign number plates. In view of this state of affairs, can the Commission respond to the following questions:

1. Does it agree with me that the present arrangements for the annual toll card for the Tauern and Pyhrn motorways and the Arlberg tunnel represent discrimination against all drivers of cars with foreign number plates which could be contrary to European law?

2. Is it taking steps to proceed against such discrimination and to verify the compatibility of the annual toll card with European law?

3. Does it also see a danger that, with the introduction of a car disc in Austria from 1 January 1997, foreign car drivers will be asked to pay twice on Austrian motorways?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1996)

1. Without prejudice to further analysis and in the light of the principle of non discrimination, the Commission will ask the Austrian authorities to provide further details as how the Brenner toll card regime operates with regard to vehicles not registered in Austria.

2. On the basis of the information provided, the Commission will take all necessary measures to ensure the application of Community law.

3. The Commission has analysed the Austrian draft bill proposing to introduce a time-based toll-system (vignette) for cars on 1 January 1997 and has asked the Austrian government to modify it in certain respects so as to render it compatible with Community law (Commission opinion SEC(96)1996).
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2476/96 by Mair Morgan (PSE) to the Commission (13 September 1996)

Subject: Carbon monoxide poisoning

Given the large number of deaths caused by carbon monoxide emissions from faulty heating devices, what plans does the Commission have to:

1. highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide to consumers through advertising campaigns and information supplied by manufacturers and energy suppliers?

2. Introduce a common European standard for carbon monoxide detectors, taking account of the needs of sight- and hearing-impaired individuals, along with a campaign to encourage their use?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1996)

In autumn 1995 the Commission received a report which it had commissioned on national rules concerning the installation, the maintenance and the control of gas installations, with a view to identifying deficiencies, if any, in the rules, as well as any difficulties in the application of the rules. This concluded that it was impossible to identify a single systemic deficiency which, if removed through a particular legislative initiative, would increase consumer safety in a measurable way.

This is not surprising since the directive for the placing on the market of appliances burning gaseous fuels, Directive 90/396/EEC ((OJ L 196, 26.7.1990. )), which came into force in 1992, provides for intrinsic safety of appliances with respect to combustion products and their dispersal, in particular with regard to carbon monoxide, preventing thereby, to the extent possible, negative effects from the disregard of installation and maintenance requirements. It furthermore requires the manufacturer to set out clearly the necessary information for installation and maintenance in the relevant manuals. The Commission is reflecting on its response to this report, and while these reflections are taking place, it does not envisage other initiatives.

As for informing consumers, in 1994 the Commission supported financially an information campaign mounted by Consumer safety international ltd. The Commission has published a call for the presentation of projects for the promotion and protection of consumer interests ((OJ C 213, 23.7.1996. )), to be financed on the 1997 budget. Among the priority themes for such projects is the promotion of consumer interests in private and public services. To the extent such projects cover the issue of service safety they should have a Community dimension.

On the broader issue of an appropriate response at Community level to the risks posed by carbon monoxide poisoning, the Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's reply to petitions 752/94, 976/94, 493/95 and 726/95.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1721/96 by Stelios Argyros (PPE) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Community support framework for Greece - assessment of measures under the culture subprogramme

Within the Community support framework for Greece, the Commission approved Community funding - for the culture subprogramme amounting to ECU 112 033 000 for the period 22 November 1994 to 31 December 1999.

Were cultural priorities assessed in this connection? Who carried out the assessment and what procedures and criteria were used? On the basis of what criteria was the allocation of funds to individual measures within the subprogramme decided?

Does the Commission consider that Community funding of ECU 19 434 000 for museums and for the restoration and improvement of monuments (Measures 2.4 and 2.5) will suffice for the promotion of culture and tourism, given that ECU 11 million will be taken up with the completion of the Athens Concert Hall, involving parking and conference facilities (Measure 2.7)?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Matthies on behalf of the Commission (5 August 1996)

Under the principle of subsidiarity, it is for Member States to choose the projects for which they will seek cofinancing under the various Community programmes. It goes without saying that the sums allocated for each measure should enable the projects concerned to be completed.

The sums allocated for museums and monuments are therefore in line with the Member State's plans for that field in the period covered by the programme. In the case of the concert hall, the percentage covered by the national budget is smaller than it would be in the case of measures concerning museums and monuments.

When approving the culture and tourism operational programme, the Commission was able to observe at first hand the strong link between the completion of the concert hall, part of which had already been financed by the first Community support framework, and tourism.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1720/96 by Stelios Argyros (PPE) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Community support framework for Greece - uptake of appropriations under the culture subprogramme

As part of the Community support programme for Greece, the Commission approved public expenditure of ECU 271 334 million for the culture subprogramme for the period from 22 November 1994 to 31 December 1999, including Community ERDF funding amounting to ECU 112 033 million.

Has the potential uptake of the funding by each of the measures proposed within the remaining three years been assessed? With regard to expenditure by legal persons governed by private law subsidized under the subprogramme, have formal commitments concerning funding and operational obligations concerning completion of the works been entered into?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (2 August 1996)

The Tourism and Culture Operational Programme (OP) was approved in November last year. The Commission still has no official information on the uptake of the measures provided for under the programme because the OP Monitoring Committee has not yet met.

The Commission considers it possible for the appropriations allocated to the Culture subprogramme to be taken up provided that administrative procedures are carried out efficiently.

It goes without saying that project-implementing agencies are required to use Community funds for cofinanced projects only and to ensure that projects work after completion.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1939/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)

Subject: Quota hopping

In response to the practice of quota hopping, the United Kingdom is currently considering whether to submit to the Intergovernmental Conference proposals for amendments to the Treaty which would enable each Member State to allocate the quotas to which it is entitled under the Common Fisheries Policy to vessels belonging to its own fleet, on the basis of pre-determined requirements, and thus to establish a genuine economic link between the vessels themselves and local communities which depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

Does the Commission intend to endorse the British proposals?

Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1996)

The Commission is aware that the United Kingdom intends to put forward proposals on quota-hopping at the Intergovernmental Conference.

It would point out that there is in fact nothing in Community law as it stands to prevent a Member State making the right of vessels flying its flag to catch fish under a national quota conditional on their having a real economic link with the country, in terms of a relationship between the vessel's fishing activities and the communities dependent on the fishing industry.

Existing European Court of Justice case law makes it plain that the conditions laid down to establish the existence of an economic link should not discriminate on grounds of nationality or be disruptive to normal fishing activity.

On this basis the Commission, as custodian of the Treaties, monitors national legislation on quota allocation for compliance with Community law.