ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0716/97 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: Operating appropriations of the European Institutions

With regard to heading B3-302 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-2029/97 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (13 June 1997)

Subject: Cross-border pension rules

I recently handled a case on behalf of a constituent concerning a cross-border pension. There was one problem with this case, mainly that the pension authority in Belgium cut off the pension to the widower of the original

pension receiver who resided in the UK. There seemed to be no indication of why the widower was denied continued payment of the overseas pension and after nearly one year the matter has yet to be resolved.

I understand that the Commission has been looking into the area of cross-border pensions. Is it taking any steps to remedy this type of situation? It seems that the multitude of bureaucratic obstacles to an effective cross-border pension system are hindering the smooth operation of such systems. Are there any proposals for establishing a European body to redress this type of situation? I know that the Commission has been taking positive steps to eradicate late payments in its own disbursement system. Can the Commission comment on using this approach to remedy Member State problems of a similar nature?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 July 1997)

The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Member, as it concerns the application of the rules on the prevention of overlapping of benefits. These rules are present in the Belgian legislation but also exist in Community law, notably in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 ((An updated version of this Regulation has been approved by Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2.12.1996, OJ L 28 of 30.1.1997. )).

However, the information in the first part of the question is too general to enable the Commission to determine whether, in this particular case, Community law has been respected. The Commission invites the Honourable Member to submit more details of the case, so that it may examine them in the light of Community law.

With regard to bureaucratic obstacles in cross-border payments, the Commission is of the opinion that they should be dealt with in the first instance by the Member States.

The Commission recently proposed ((OJ C 341, 13.11.1996. )) new provisions aimed at simplifying and speeding up administrative procedures, so as to reinforce the impact of the multiannual Telematics for social security (TESS) programme. This should improve procedures for the acquisition of rights as well as the award and payment of social security benefits. Within the framework of this programme, several projects have been funded in order to develop electronic exchanges of information between social security institutions in Member States. A pilot project for the electronic exchange of information in the pension sector is scheduled to start in June 1997 between institutions in Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom, and it is expected that this shift from paper based information exchanges towards electronic information exchanges will allow a considerable reduction in the time needed to settle pension claims and requests for payments.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2431/97 by Edouard des Places (I-EDN) to the Commission (8 July 1997)

Subject: Authorization to place plant protection products on the market

In the light of the judgment of the Court of Justice of 12 November 1996 in Case C-201/94 on pharmaceutical products, where the competent authority of a Member State possesses evidence that a proprietary plant protection product with an authorization to market in another Member State and a proprietary plant protection product for which it has already issued a marketing authorization are manufactured by the same company or by its licensees, and that those two products, though not absolutely identical, have at least been manufactured according to the same formula and using the same active ingredient and that, furthermore, they have the same physical and chemical effects, must that authority, unless considerations such as the effective protection of human life and health militate against it, grant that marketing authorization to the imported plant protection product?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997)

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 E-1542/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (5 May 1997)

Subject: Phosphate ester poisoning due to the use of Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen

The flea-repellant Tiguvon (Fenthion) manufactured by Bayer Leverkusen can be administered in different forms. Tiguvon 10 is intended for cats over 2 kg in weight. The use of Tiguvon 20 is recommended for dogs weighing between 3 and 10 kg, while dogs with a body weight of more than 10 kg should be treated with Tiguvon 20 G. People who have repeatedly treated their pets with Tiguvon (Fenthion) have suffered serious phosphate ester poisoning. As it was unable to answer my Question E-1470/96 ((OJ C 345, 15.11.1996, p. 76. )) on the same subject, I would ask the Commission to answer the following question as a matter of urgency:

In the Commission's opinion, does Tiguvon comply with the EU authorizing directives?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (27 June 1997)

Tiguvon (Fenthion) is a veterinary medicinal product. It has been authorised by the Member States according to the provisions of Council Directive 81/851/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products ((OJ L 317, 6.11.1981, as amended by Council Directives 90/676/EEC OJ L 373, 31.12.1990, and 93/40/EEC OJ L 214, 24.8.1993. )) and Council Directive 81/852/EEC on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to analytical, pharmatoxicological and clinical standards and protocols in respect of the testing of veterinary medicinal products. These directives lay down the procedure to authorise a veterinary medicinal product under the decentralised procedure.

In order to obtain a marketing authorisation according to the above mentioned directives an applicant has to produce the results of all physico-chemical, biological, microbiological, toxicological, pharmacological and clinical tests carried out on the product. Detailed studies on toxicology have to refer to potential risks from the exposure of human beings to the veterinary medical product as a result of the administration to the animal. All information which is relevant to the evaluation of the veterinary medicinal product has to be included in the dossier for the application for marketing authorisation, whether favourable or unfavourable to the product. In particular, all relevant detail must be given of any incomplete or abandoned test or trial relating to the product. Moreover, after marketing authorisation, any information not in the original application, pertinent to the assessment of benefit and risk, shall be submitted forthwith to the authorities.

As a result of its evaluation of the relevant documentation the national authority will only grant a marketing authorisation, if it is assured that instructions for correct usage and a warning are included in all packets of products which present a potential risk through administration to the animal. In the case of Tiguvon the (human) user is advised to avoid close contact and not to touch the animal at the application site.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1995/97 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (9 June 1997)

Subject: Use of MEDA programme funds in 1996

1. How much funding was released for use under the MEDA programme in 1996? What was the legal basis? If certain sums were not released, why not?

2. Which countries receive funding under the MEDA programme and how much?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (15 July 1997)

1. In 1996, budget heading B7-410 (MEDA) was allocated commitment appropriations amounting to ECU 403 million and payment appropriations amounting to ECU 202 million. The legal basis for this budget heading is Regulation (EC) No 1488/96, adopted by the Council on 23 July 1996 ((OJ L 189, 30.7.1996. )). A negative reserve amounting to ECU 200 million entered in the 1996 budget was not released, by decision of the budgetary authority, following rejection of the transfer proposals submitted by the Commission.

Despite the late adoption of the legal basis in July, the rate of uptake of the available commitment appropriations under heading B7-410 was 100% and that of the payment appropriations was 77%.

2. The partners that are eligible for the MEDA programme are Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority. Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 does not provide for a fixed amount for each partner but for an overall financial programme planning, indicating the total amount of the national and regional indicative programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1555/97 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: Respect for fundamental workers' and trade union rights in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe

We have received information that various companies in Central and Eastern European countries (particularly those of Western origin) insist, when recruiting new staff, that they do not belong to trade unions.

This violates fundamental human rights and cannot be tolerated by the authorities in States which wish to join the European Union in the near future.

It would be even more devastating if it turned out that such firms received either orders paid for by resources from the PHARE or the JOPP programmes, or subsidized credit from the EBRD, and hence money from pockets of European workers.

1. Is the Commission aware of any cases in countries associated with the European Union in which non-membership of a trade union has been a condition of recruitment?

2. Has it discussed such matters with Central European governments?

3. Has the Commission ensured in the past that companies which violate the human right of freedom of association have not benefited from orders under the PHARE or JOPP programmes and have not received any EBRD subsidies?

4. If not, does it intend finally to take the appropriate preventive measures (possibly in the context of the new PHARE regulation) in the interests of European workers?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (6 June 1997)

The Commission is not aware of cases in associated countries where non-membership of a union was a condition of recruitment.

Consequently the subject has not been taken up with Central and Eastern European countries.

There is no specific clause on compliance with trade-union law in agreements with European businesses under the PHARE programme or for financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The provision of information to workers and their consultation are among the subjects covered by the cooperation procedure with qualified-majority voting, but trade-union law is under the jurisdiction of each of the Member States which - with the exception so far of the United Kingdom - have acceded to the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights of Workers adopted in 1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1976/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 June 1997)

Subject: Risk to Hadrian's Aqueduct from construction of an artificial lake

ICOMOS (the International Council of Monuments and Sites - technical adviser to UNESCO) and numerous civic organizations claim that Hadrian's Aqueduct in Nea Ionia, a few kilometres from the centre of Athens, is in danger of being destroyed because of a decision to build a 700m2 artificial lake, a cafe and other projects on the foundations of the aqueduct in breach of the rules on reafforestation and building in the area.

Some of the work was previously suspended after the intervention of the Directorate for Restoration but construction of the artificial lake recently started at the very foot of the monument's main support columns, making it even more likely to collapse.

In view of the fact that the project forms part of the national section of the environment operational programme under the second Community Support Framework, will the Commission say:

1. whether environmental studies have been carried out for the works in question, and

2. whether it intends to take measures to save the monument and, if so, what those measures are?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997)

The project to rehabilitate the Hadrian's Aqueduct and Giambourla dry stream bed area in the municipality of Nea Ionia (Athens) is part of the Environment operational programme under the 1994/99 Community support framework for Greece. Its budget is ECU 700 000 (DRA 200 million) and so far DRA 80 million has been declared as spent.

Following a preliminary study by the municipality of Nea Ionia the project was put out to tender. The technical study drawn up by the firm to which the work was assigned was sent to the Culture Ministry, which marked its agreement by a decision set out in its document YPPO/DAM/472/29563/14.6.96. Final approval was transmitted on 8 August 1996 and the work began.

On 4 February 1997 the Culture Ministry came back on its first decision and called for changes to the project relating to the artificial lake, the enclosure and certain other features. On 11 February the work was interrupted in order to permit archaeological excavation and modification of certain technical particulars of the project in line with the Member State's instructions. The Commission considers that any action to be taken in regard to the monument is a matter not of its competence but of the national authorities'.

For this type of project an environmental impact study is not required. The project is however covered by a signed agreement between the municipality of Nea Ionia and the Environment Ministry. The environmental authorities are thus closely associated with the project, the purpose of which is to upgrade the urban area in question.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1792/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (27 May 1997)

Subject: Maritime research and distribution of shoes

1. Is the Commission aware that in a recent study Mr Leopold of the Netherlands Institute for Forestry and Nature Research measured the number of shoes washed up from the sea?

2. Is the Commission also aware that that study showed that in a single winter 68 left shoes and 39 right shoes were washed up on the Dutch island of Texel, 63 left and 93 right shoes were washed up on the Shetland Islands?

3. Does the Commission consider this a fair distribution?

4. Is the Commission prepared in its annual allocation of fish quotas to provide a fair allocation of shoes as between left and right and by Member State?

5. Is the Commission also prepared to organized an exchange to make up the pairs, perhaps via the Interreg programme?

If so, how? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1997)

1. No.

2. No.

3. No.

4. No.

5. No, the Honourable Member's question does not fall within the Commission's sphere of activity.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1303/97 by José Apolinário (PSE) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Destruction of a vessel belonging to the firm of ACTAPESCAS in Guinea-Bissau

In the night of 5 to 6 October 1996 the freezer trawler 'Curaca' belonging to the firm of ACTAPESCAS was dragged off by a storm and began listing, so that part of the vessel became submerged. The firm sought compensation from the relevant insurance company, apparently to no avail.

Will the Commission say whether it is aware of this problem which has already been reported in the Portuguese press, and what steps the Community authorities can take?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (27 May 1997)

The freezer trawler 'Curaca', which was wrecked in the night of 5 to 6 October 1996 in Guinea-Bissau, was the subject of a transfer to that non-member country under a joint venture project pursuant to Article 21b of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 of 18 December 1986 on Community measures to improve and adapt structures in the fisheries and aquaculture sector ((OJ L 376, 31.12.1986. )).

The Commission was informed of the shipwreck at the time the application for payment of the balance of aid for the project was submitted. That application is currently under examination.

However, the dispute between the shipowner and its insurance company is outside the Commission's field of competence.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2100/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 June 1997)

Subject: Five-year extension of 39.2% duty on imports of handbags from China

The leather and travel goods sector, a traditional manufacturing industry in Greece, is undergoing a severe crisis as a result of imports from third countries - particularly those with low labour costs - which is reflected in falling employment and a declining number of businesses (approximately 25% closed down between 1992 and 1996).

As a stop-gap response, the EU imposed a 39.2% duty on handbags from China for a period of six months (1 February 1997 - 31 July 1997). Given that Chinese imports are causing extremely serious problems for the leather goods industry, what will the Commission do to extend to a period of five years the 39.2% duty originally imposed on imports of handbags from China for six months?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1997)

By means of the Regulation (EC) No 209/97 ((OJ L 33, 4.2.1997, p. 11. )), published in the Official journal on 4 February 1997, the Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of handbags originating in China, for a period of six months.

In the same Regulation, the Commission undertook to analyse further certain aspects of the Community interest of the proceeding that had not been fully ascertained before. For this purpose, the Commission invited all interested parties to present substantiated evidence on a number of relevant issues. Hearings were held in order to allow interested parties to present arguments in support of their position.

The analysis of this information concludes that anti-dumping measures should be taken with respect to imports of leather handbags, in view of the fact that all the requirements laid down by the anti-dumping basic regulation are fulfilled. Concerning handbags made of plastic and textile, however, the examination of the evidence submitted shows that there are compelling reasons why measures should not be adopted on the grounds of Community interest. Namely, it is considered unlikely that Community producers will benefit from the imposition of anti-dumping measures, since it has been ascertained that importers will source from other third countries. At the same time, the negative impact on importers, distributors and traders will be substantial, in a market where more than 80% of the Community consumption is supplied by imports from China.

Therefore on 2 July 1997, the Commission proposed to the Council that definitive anti-dumping measures be imposed on imports of leather handbags and that the proceeding should be terminated for plastic and textile handbags without the imposition of definitive measures. A final decision should be taken by the Council before 4 August 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1668/97 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (20 May 1997)

Subject: VOC emissions from ships

Does the Commission think it is necessary to prepare a proposal for a Council Directive to limit the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from ships when loading, unloading, ballasting and venting their cargoes in European ports?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (26 June 1997)

The provisions of the seventh recital of Directive 94/63/EEC on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations ((OJ L 365, 31.12.1994. )) indicate:

- that standards must be drawn up at International maritime organization (IMO) level for the vapour control and recovery systems to apply to both loading installations and ships;

- that the Community must therefore endeavour to ensure that the necessary provisions are introduced into the Marpol convention during its current revision (the International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships).

Work is currently in progress to finalise the new Annex VI to Marpol 73/78, dealing with restrictions on air pollutants (nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and VOCs) generated from ships. The proposed annex will be presented for approval at a conference in September 1997. After ratification by a sufficient number of states these provisions will enter into force.

In the light of the final agreement on the revision of the Marpol convention, the Commission will decide whether it is appropriate to propose an amendment to Directive 94/63/EEC, in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of that Directive, including an extension of the scope of the Directive to include vapour control and recovery systems for loading installations and ships.