ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2068/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (16 June 1997)

Subject: Coordination of biomedical research

In its reply to question E-0535/97 ((OJ C 319, 18.10.1997, p. 103. )) of 11 April 1997 the Commission states that the Community has 'been able to achieve a high degree of coordination' in the spheres of biomedical and health research.

Can the Commission say how high a degree of coordination it has achieved between the 700 research networks to which it refers?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1997)

The setting-up of more than 700 biomedical research networks has enabled cooperation among research workers to be initiated or boosted, the available resources to be pooled, duplication of effort and research to be avoided and critical mass to be achieved in the data needed for the epidemiological studies, more particularly as regards rare diseases or pathologies linked with hazards at work.

By way of an example: a project funded by the Community and coordinated by a British laboratory has enabled the existence of a new variant of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease to be established via the exchange of information among various European centres. This result is essential in understanding the inter-species transmission of prion-initiated neurodegenerative diseases and in drawing up a strategy for bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1314/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: New technologies and employment

Having regard to 'The impact of the introduction of new technologies on employment' (CES 1403/96), the public sector's role must be reviewed and adjusted in response to the need to create the infrastructure required for the development and application of new technologies (particularly information and communication technologies) and to ensure that they rapidly spread throughout the production sector. Implementation of the trans-European networks programme is vital in order to provide properly-organized modern infrastructure at European level.

The Commission is asked to ensure that national and Community R& TD policies are based on instruments providing forecasts and information regarding technology and employment scenarios. Such scenarios would then be used by those involved in research to formulate their R& TD priorities on the basis of a 'bottom-up' approach and to organize integrated projects at European level.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1313/97 and E-1314/97 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1997)

The impact of technological progress, more particularly the development of information technology, on employment, is the subject of many concerns and is intensively studied at Community level. The overall conclusions of the work carried out on this issue are that the global effect of technological development on employment is a shift from less skilled and more repetitive jobs, to higher skilled and more creative ones.

It is also agreed that investment in research and technological development (RTD) has a positive impact on growth and competitiveness, which is a major factor of job creation, through the development of new products and the opening of new markets.

In order to benefit from these mechanisms, bearing in mind the concern to avoid social or regional marginalisation, the Community is making substantial efforts in the framework of social, regional, education and training and research policy, through a broad range of instruments and programmes, to stimulate both training and the mastering of new technologies, and the development of RTD activity.

The results of this action can already be observed. The gap between more advanced and less advanced Member States in terms of economic performance, as well as the even more important gap in terms of technological potential and activity, are progressively narrowing.

In order to strengthen the economic and social cohesion of the Community, and to maximise the impact of the actions undertaken, the Commission intends better to combine and fully exploit the possible synergies between RTD and regional policies, through a strengthening of the articulation between RTD programmes and structural funds.

Such a development is explicitly foreseen in the Commission proposal for the fifth framework programme (1998-2002). In a forthcoming communication on economic and social cohesion, research and competitivity, the guidelines the Commission proposes to follow in this respect will be presented, as well as mechanisms it would be possible to use.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0731/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-4310 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0772/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-3011 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1406/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Trade in embryos, gametes and genetic material

Cloning experiments as well as trade in embryos, gametes and genetic material are being conducted today in Europe, and throughout the world, totally unregulated.. This proves that we are now facing scientific boundaries that have certainly never been crossed before and that tackling and that resolving bioethical issues has become a matter of urgency.

Will the Commission establish a scientific committee to initiate the debate about cloning? And will it also present an urgent directive banning the trade in embryos - albeit with appropriate scientifically justified exceptions - as well as paid surrogate motherhood - restricting it solely to cases of proven, objective infertility, subject to the necessary guarantees that those concerned must provide.

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1997)

The Commission is paying close attention to the ethical implications of cloning. The Group of Advisers on the Ethical Implications of Biotechnology, set up by the Commission in 1991, delivered its opinion on the matter on 28 May 1997. The text is being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

The Commission is examining the recommendations in that opinion in order to identify the areas for which it would be responsible and in which Community action could be envisaged. In this context special attention is being given to the legal protection of biotechnological inventions (a draft directive on this matter is under discussion in Parliament) and to the proposal for a fifth framework programme on research and development.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1304/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Veterinary checks

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council Directive laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries, amending Directives 71/118/EEC, 72/462/EEC, 85/73/EEC, 91/67/EEC, 91/492/EEC, 91/493/EEC, 92/45/EEC and 92/118/EEC governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (COM(96)170 final - 96/0109/0110 (CNS)) ((OJ C 245, 23.8.1996, p. 9. )), (CES 1395/96 - 96/0109/0110/CNS).

Following the repeal of Directive 90/675/EEC ((OJ L 373, 31.12.1990, p. 1. )) it has become necessary to amend the text of the directive dealt with in the second Commission proposal, with a view to bringing it into line with the new directive proposed by the Council.

Would the Commission consolidate the existing legislation at the earliest opportunity, so as to make it clearer and more user-friendly?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1997)

At present, the Commission has no plans to consolidate the Directives mentioned by the Honourable Member. On the other hand, a number of them (71/118/EEC, 91/492/EEC, 91/493/EEC, 92/45/EEC and 92/118/EEC) are included in a general exercise to group the so-called 'vertical' directives on food hygiene in order to simplify the legislation and achieve consistency. With regard to the financing of checks, on 26 June 1996 the Council adopted Directive 96/43/EC amending and consolidating Directive 85/73/EEC ((OJ L 162, 1.7.1996. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0767/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-210 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2076/97 by Claudio Azzolini (UPE) to the Commission (11 June 1997)

Subject: Implementation of the Cites Convention

The 'super-fines' provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 ((OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1. )), which seeks to harmonize implementation in the 15 Member States of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites), come into force on 1 June 1997.

As far as coral is concerned, various distinctions must be made with a view to avoiding unlikely, but nevertheless possible, problems.

The species to be protected, which appear in the aforementioned Cites list, belong to the class Anthozoa, with particular regard to the Tubiporidae (organpipe corals), Antipatharia (black corals) and Madreporaria groups. Given that all the types of coral to be protected are of madreporarian structure, they cannot be made into necklaces or other types of manufactured goods and are therefore completely different from the Corallium rubrum which is to be found in many parts of the Union.

The false information on the subject which has appeared in the weekly and daily press represents a serious threat to direct and indirect jobs in the coral-working sector in areas such as Torre del Greco (Italy), where 6 000 people are employed. Would the Commission not agree that, with a view to protecting both the large number of people employed in this sector and, above all, individual members of the public who might be unjustly punished, it should take steps to ensure that comprehensive supporting evidence is put forward with the utmost urgency, so as to enable the serious and damaging misunderstanding caused by the above press reports to be cleared up?

Answer given by Mme Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)

The false information in the press on the subject of species of coral not covered by Regulation (EC) No 338/97 does not originate either from the Commission or from the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) press campaign currently co-financed by the Commission.

In order to avoid any damage to the interests of Member States, the Commission has asked the WWF to co-ordinate the content of all communications released during the information campaign on the new Council Regulation with the authorities of the signatory countries to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). During the committee meetings, the national authorities were officially informed by the Commission on several occasions of the progress of the campaign and of the necessity of co-operating with the WWF.

WWF Italy has duly collaborated with the Italian authorities in regulating communications released during the information campaign. The communication released cannot give rise to confusion since it indicates that not all types of coral are covered by the Regulation. It specifies that 'certain types of coral should not be gathered as souvenirs'.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0782/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B7-5091 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0763/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B5-600 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0709/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-2001 would the Commission give figures for the total amount of appropriations allocated in 1996 to expenditure on:

- studies

- meetings of experts

- conferences and congresses

- information and publications.

Can the Commission also give figures for these four types of expenditure expressed as a proportion of the total appropriations allocated to the heading in question and state whether it considers this to be a reasonable proportion.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0698/97, E-0699/97, E-0700/97, E-0701/97, E-0702/97, E-0703/97, E-0704/97, E-0705/97, E-0706/97, E-0707/97, E-0708/97, E-0709/97, E-0710/97, E-0711/97, E-0712/97, E-0713/97, E-0714/97, E-0715/97, E-0716/97, E-0717/97, E-0718/97, E-0719/97, E-0720/97, E-0721/97, E-0722/97, E-0723/97, E-0724/97, E-0725/97, E-0726/97, E-0727/97, E-0728/97, E-0729/97, E-0730/97, E-0731/97, E-0732/97, E-0733/97, E-0734/97, E-0735/97, E-0736/97, E-0737/97, E-0738/97, E-0739/97, E-0740/97, E-0741/97, E-0742/97, E-0743/97, E-0744/97, E-0745/97, E-0746/97, E-0747/97, E-0748/97, E-0749/97, E-0750/97, E-0751/97, E-0752/97, E-0753/97, E-0754/97, E-0755/97, E-0756/97, E-0757/97, E-0758/97, E-0759/97, E-0760/97, E-0761/97, E-0762/97, E-0763/97, E-0764/97, E-0765/97, E-0766/97, E-0767/97, E-0768/97, E-0769/97, E-0770/97, E-0771/97, E-0772/97, E-0773/97, E-0774/97, E-0775/97, E-0776/97, E-0777/97, E-0778/97, E-0779/97, E-0780/97, E-0781/97, E-0782/97, E-0783/97, E-0784/97, E-0785/97, E-0786/97, E-0787/97, E-0788/97, E-0789/97 and E-0790/97 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will continue its findings as soon as possible.