ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4013/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 January 1999)

Subject: Replacement of old fishing boats

The policy of regenerating the fishing fleet provides for the replacement of old fishing vessels with new ones. The old vessels are to be withdrawn and scrapped. In Greece, however, this means scrapping the traditional wooden caïques, many of which are literally masterpieces of shipbuilding. What is destroyed with them (and the process is extremely efficient: they are literally shattered by being dropped from cranes from a great height and then "carved" up by chain saws, etc.) is centuries of craftsmanship and skill, cultural icons and symbols of co-existence with the sea and seafaring.

Could the Commission, therefore, seek ways of withdrawing these vessels from the fishing industry without destroying them in this terrible manner, possibly by giving them to recognised nautical clubs or similar non-profiting making organisations?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1999)

In its recent proposal to the Council laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(1) the Commission provides, among other things, for measures to adjust fishing effort, including measures to stop vessels' fishing activities permanently.

These measures, which may be applied only to vessels more than 15 years old, attract public aid for the scrapping of vessels, permanent transfer of vessels to third countries and permanent reassignment of vessels to uses in the Community other than fishing. In this connection, the proposal provides that where a vessel is definitively assigned for the preservation of historical heritage in the territory of a Member State, public aid may be granted on the same terms as for scrapping, i.e. the maximum public contribution is paid.

(1) OJ C 16, 21.1.1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3861/98

by Clive Needle (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Licensed goods vehicles

What records are held by the Commission of the number of licensed goods vehicles and licensed drivers in all the Member States? What are the totals, broken down by Member State, in all the relevant categories?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

The Commission does not hold records of the numbers of licensed goods vehicles and licensed goods vehicle drivers in all Member States. While statistics available to the Commission on the number of licensed goods vehicle drivers in each Member State are too incomplete to give an overall picture, the position regarding the number of licensed goods vehicles in each Member State is better documented. The following table, based on work carried out under the 4th framework programme, distinguishes between light goods vehicles (up to 3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight) and heavy goods vehicles (3,5 tonnes maximum authorised weight and over).

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2573/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Fishing agreement with the Comores 1994-1997

Can the Commission provide details of the amount of fish caught, the species caught, the market value of the fish and where the fish was landed under the 1994-1997 EU fishing agreement with the Comores?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-2572/98 and E-2573/98 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1998)

The fishing protocol signed with the Comoros Islands covered the three-year period from 20 July 1994 to 19 July 1997. For a permitted total of 37 vessels, the Comorian authorities issued 35 annual licences to Community tuna seiners in the first year, 33 in the second year and 37 in the third year, i.e. an average licence uptake rate of 95 %.

The average tonnage of the vessels operating in the area is 1 320 GRT, the smallest being 760 GRT and the largest 2 640 GRT.

The total annual catches were:

- 1994: 3 606 tonnes of tuna, worth approximately ECU 2,5 million,

- 1995: 1 728 tonnes of tuna worth approximately ECU 1 million,

- 1996: 3 143 tonnes of tuna worth approximately ECU 2 million,

- 1997 (until 17.7.1998): 1 830 tonnes of tuna worth approximately ECU 1,5 million.

The main species of tuna landed was bonito (approx. 70 %), followed by yellowfin tuna (approx. 20 %).

Since tuna is a highly migratory species, vessels holding a fishing licence under the agreement with the Comoros Islands generally also hold licences under the other agreements in the region, namely with the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius. This makes it difficult to calculate the number of days spent in the Comorian exclusive economic zone.

Catches are generally landed in the ports of Victoria (Seychelles), Port-Louis (Mauritius) and Antsiranana (Madagascar).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2764/98

by Armelle Guinebertière (UPE) to the Commission

(10 September 1998)

Subject: Cessation of work on the proposal for a directive on the distance selling of financial services

On several occasions the Commission has emphasised the pressing need for legislation on the distance selling of financial services. This stemmed from a legitimate desire to harmonise legislation within the European Union, improve consumer protection and achieve fairer competition among the professionals. The Austrian Presidency also seemed committed to these goals.

However, the Commission has just decided not to continue the work on drawing up a directive in this area. If the existing legal void persists, it is to be feared that the European citizen will be unable to make sense of this business and that obtaining consumer credits, mortgages, shares and insurance cover will not be made any easier.

In these circumstances, how does the Commission intend to defend consumers' interests at a time when the euro is being celebrated?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2295/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(22 July 1998)

Subject: EU beef exports to third countries

Can the Commission provide figures to show the total amount of beef exported from the EU to third countries over the last three years and state what was the average amount of export refunds paid per kg?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1998)

Exports of beef during the last three years were 1 199 255 tonnes carcase weight in 1995, 1 103 951 tonnes in 1996 and 1 050 034 tonnes in 1997.

Export refunds for beef and live animals are fixed at least every three months and published in the Official journal. The export refund paid on beef is differentiated and the rate varies according to destination. The present refund level paid for live animals other than pure-bred breeding animals to the destinations with the highest refunds are ECU 52,00 per 100 kilogramme live weight for male cattle, while for fresh meat of male adult bovine animals the refund rate is ECU 110,50 per 100 kilogramme carcase weight. For fresh meat of male adult bovine animals the refund rate has varied between ECU 110,50 per 100 kilogramme to ECU 169,00 per 100 kilogramme during the last three years.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3854/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: European Union Visitors Programme

Could the Commission indicate the percentage of EUVP participants during last year who were visiting European Union countries for the first time?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

Of the 160 non-Community nationals invited to participate in the European Union visitors programme (EUVP) in 1998, 141 will have visited Brussels and either Strasbourg or one Member State before the end of the calendar year. Of these, 27 % have not visited the Community in the last five years, 42 % have attended conferences orseminars, or visited the Community on brief business trips, but not on a regular basis, 4 % have visited the Community on a regular basis (i.e. at least once a year), 3 % have been posted to Member States for a period of more than six months, 11 % have visited Europe on private trips, and 1 % have stayed in a Member State for more than six months at university. For 12 %, no relevant information is available.

The inter-institutional EUVP is designed to enable young leaders from third countries to visit the Community, and in particular, its institutions, in order to gain first-hand experience and a better understanding of the Community, its institutions and policies, in the hope that this will be of benefit to them both professionally and personally. Many participants in the EUVP are selected specifically because of their professional interest in the Community, for example as politicians, government officials, journalists or academics. For this reason, it is inevitable that a significant number will have previously visited a Member State. This does not, however, necessarily mean that they will have received any in-depth exposure to the Community's institutions. In the case of participants from neighbouring countries in Europe, it is also, perhaps, inevitable that a higher percentage will have previously visited Member States.

The EUVP steering committee, under the co-chairmanship of a vice-president of the Parliament and a member of the Commission, will not endorse for participation in the programme an EUVP nominee with extensive or recent experience of visiting the Community.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4095/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Hemp products in Europe

The Greek police recently prosecuted a large number of shops selling clothes and other products manufactured using hemp (Cannabis sativa) as the raw material. These products were mostly imported from other EU countries where they are marketed legally and not subject to prosecution.

Will the Commission say:

1. Does the EU have any information to support the suspicion that these products could in any way lead to an increase in the consumption of, or addiction to, drugs?

2. If so, what action does it intend to take to have the sale of such products banned in Germany, Denmark, the UK and other EU countries?

3. If not, how does it intend to ensure that they can be sold without obstruction in Greece? Could aid be made available to support the production of hemp in Greece?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3679/98 and E-4095/98 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 1999)

The Commission received, during the last two months, complaints regarding the marketing prohibition of hemp-based products in Greece. These products, mainly garments, are according to the plaintiffs legally produced and marketed in other Member States (Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom).

The marketing prohibition in Greece was based on three reasons: a) the promotion of the use of illegal and dangerous drugs; b) the violation of market regulations and c) the lack of official state approval on the sale of certain products. The Commission is currently investigating the case on the basis of a possible infringement of Article 30 of the EC Treaty. For that purpose, letters have been addressed to the plaintiffs requesting further information on the facts and on the reasoning of the Greek authorities for the prohibition of the products. If the measures of the Greek authorities are proved to be an unnecessary and unjustified barrier to intra-Community trade, the Commission will open infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.

Council Regulation (EEC) 1308/70 of 29 June 1970 introduced the common organisation of the market in flax and hemp(1). Commission Regulation (EC) 2814/98 of 22 December 1998(2), modifying Regulation (EEC) 1164/89 of 28 April 1989(3), lays down detailed rules concerning the aid for fibre flax and hemp. Any Greek hemp textile producer complying with these rules can benefit from the Community aid.

(1) OJ L 146, 4.7.1970.

(2) OJ L 349, 24.12.1998.

(3) OJ L 121, 29.4.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2943/98

by Gianfranco Dell'Alba (TDI) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: B7-707 - Human rights and democracy in Asian countries

On the initiative of the European Parliament, the European Union budget provides in Item B7-707, Human rights and democracy in Asian countries, for ECU 5 million covering the promotion of the radio broadcasting of information by Tibetans.

On 31 July 1998, 7 months after the budget was adopted by the Budgetary Authority, no commitment appropriation has been committed although specific projects have been presented to the Commission. Since the Commission entered this budget line in its preliminary draft budget with the same remark and the Council retained it at first reading, why has the Commission still done nothing and what is it waiting for in order to implement it?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1998)

In the context of its general contacts and specific human rights dialogue with China one of the Commission's prime objectives is recognition and protection of the cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious identity of ethnic minorities in China, and especially in Tibet.

The Commission has decided to take a concrete approach, concentrating on projects within Tibet itself to help local communities of ethnic Tibetans.

So far none of the projects submitted to it has fitted in with this strategy of positive measures and it has therefore declined to support them.

It naturally remains willing to give favourable consideration to requests from non-governmental organisations working in the Autonomous Region of Tibet along the lines set out above.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2127/98

by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Aid for new company installations

The State aid granted to new industrial installations is subject to a ceiling which, published information suggests, may have been exceeded when the Alfacel company set up a new installation in Dueñas (Palencia), thereby distorting competition and damaging the sector as a whole.

Can the Commission say:

- what measures DG XVI is adopting to establish the total amount of State aid in question, including aid from State funds and that provided by any kind of public, local, provincial, regional, national or Community body?

- how should DG IV proceed if it does indeed emerge that State aid has exceeded 65 % and reached 90 %?

- does the Commission possess information or a file on the aid granted to the said company?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 1998)

The Commission has several mechanisms to prevent the ceilings on aid being exceeded. As a preventive measure, the Directorate-General for Competition is consulted on all programmes to be part-financed by the Structural Funds and the decision granting aid is not signed until it indicates its agreement. During the implementation of programmes, the Commission participates in the monitoring committees and in the on-going assessment. It also receives implementation reports. It contacts the authorities of the Member States regarding any specific problems. After implementation of the programmes, the Commission takes part in the ex-post evaluation.

Despite these various mechanisms, the increasing number of programmes with aid schemes part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can make checks difficult to carry out when aid could come from a variety of sources. This is leading, in the case of Spain, to demands for more sophisticated inspection mechanisms. As a pilot experiment, an aid register is being set up in the region of Castile-Leon. The Commission plans to extend the register to all areas eligible under the Structural Funds during the next programming period.

With regard to Alfacel, the Commission has requested further information from the Spanish authorities in order to check that the national, regional and Community aid paid to the company for its investment project did not exceed the cumulative ceiling.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/98

by Arie Oostlander (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Netherlands packaging requirements for milk products that qualify for subsidies under the EU school milk scheme

Are the Netherlands packaging requirements for milk products, which give rise to additional costs far in excess of the effect of subsidies under the EU school milk scheme, not inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the pertinent regulation?

If so, should such packaging not be prohibited so that the promotion of dairy products may have its intended effect?

Is the Commission prepared to approach the Netherlands authorities in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 1998)

The Honourable Member's question probably refers to the provision requiring packs of full-fat or semi-skimmed milk distributed under the school milk scheme in the Netherlands to contain 0,25 litre. In this respect, the Commission can confirm that the Community legislation on the school milk scheme makes no such requirement. The Netherlands authorities introduced the rule to facilitate inspections and notified the Commission of it in 1994 as part of their national application provisions. The Commission did not comment on it. It also appears that the Netherlands authorities are preparing an amendment of the provision in question.

The Commission recognises that small packs do indeed increase the cost of the product, and that this is likely to counteract the effect of the aid. However, such packaging also has certain undeniable advantages, particularly practical and administrative ones. The Commission therefore does not consider it appropriate to adopt Community rules on the matter.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3740/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Battery hens

Will the Commission indicate what research it has put in hand or undertaken on practical alternative methods to the battery system for producing eggs?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Animal welfare has been a research topic under the FAIR specific research programme (agriculture and fisheries, including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development, 1994-1998) since its inception.

Under this programme, research projects selected following calls for proposals can be funded by the Community. Two projects related to the welfare of poultry have been funded so far. The first deals with "Genetic solutions to health and welfare problems in poultry caused by painful skeleton disorders" and the second with "feather pecking: solutions through understanding". Abstracts are sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. In future research projects on animal welfare, including poultry, will continue to be funded under the 5th Community framework programme for research and technological development (1998-2002).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3945/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Brownfield sites/contaminated land

Has the Commission given any thought to the possibility of developing a market-based instrument to encourage investment in or to support the development of brownfield sites?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

The Commission agrees it is necessary to stimulate the reclamation of brownfield sites rather than developing greenfield sites.

Many programme under objectives 1 and 2 of the structural funds have attached a clear priority to the development of brownfield sites.

Whilst the structural funds co-finance national or regional financial instruments, the Community's structural policies do not develop specific market-based instruments to encourage a particular development. Under the programme approach and in line with the subsidiarity principle this is the responsibility of the Member States.

The forthcoming guidelines for the programming of 2000-2006 structural fund interventions will stress again the Commission's preference for regenerating derelict industrial sites as it promotes both productive investment and the environment.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3756/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Counterfeiting and piracy

On 22 October 1998 the Commission announced the publication of a Green Paper on combating counterfeiting and piracy in the single market, with which it launched wide-ranging consultations on the matter with interested parties in the Member States.

The Green Paper pursues four lines of thought: a) support for monitoring activities by the private sector; b) the legal protection of authenticating and security devices; c) an assessment of the sanctions and other means capable of ensuring that intellectual property rights are enforced; and d) the establishment of appropriate administrative cooperation between the Member States' competent authorities.

In the Commission's opinion, what effect may the damage suffered by undertakings have as regards investment?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3580/98

by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Foreign debts of the Central American countries hit by natural disasters

Several Central American countries, with Honduras and Nicaragua foremost among them, were recently hit by terrible natural disasters which caused thousands of deaths and left hundreds of thousands homeless and without any means of subsistence.

The countries concerned are among the poorest in the western hemisphere and are likely to be deprived of all means of recovery and development for a long time to come.

Given this situation, it appears wholly improbable that these countries will be able to continue to pay off the large foreign debts which are such a burden to them, and it is morally unacceptable to expect them to do so.

Action to reduce, reschedule or even cancel their foreign debts - as proposed by a large number of organisations, some European governments and the countries concerned themselves - is therefore not only extremely desirable but necessary.

Would the Commission agree that it should take steps directly, in conjunction with the Member States or within the international financial institutions, to reduce or cancel the foreign debts of Honduras, Nicaragua and other Central American countries?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 1999)

The Commission shares the sorrow of the international community for the catastrophic effects of hurricane Mitch on Central America. It has indicated its readiness to participate actively in the reconstruction efforts, to which the Community has already provided [fmxeuro] 210 million for humanitarian and emergency assistance. Furthermore, although the afflicted countries do not have any outstanding debt to the Community itself, the Commission supports the initiatives already undertaken by a number of Member States to reduce the external debt obligations of these countries so as to help reap the full benefits of the long-term development and reconstruction efforts. The Commission joined other major donors in the conference that took place in Washington in December 1998 to assess the region's needs and long term strategies.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3264/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 October 1998)

Subject: Certification of quality for products bearing the EC mark

Given the doubts raised in the press about the reliability of the EC (Conformité Européene) mark for toys, will the Commission say:

(a) Are a sufficient number of quality controls being carried out on toys bearing the EC mark, to ensure that they comply with the provisions of Directive 88/378/EEC(1)?

(b) What percentage of toys in circulation bearing the EC mark fails to meet the preestablished specifications, both in Greece and in the other Member States?

(c) What sanctions are imposed in such cases?

(d) What other information can the Commission provide as convincing evidence that the controls carried out by the Member States are adequate?

(1) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988, p. 1.