ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2482/96 by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission (25 September 1996)

Subject: Anti-smoking campaigns

In Written Question E-1372/96, ((OJ C 365, 4.12.1996, p. 4.)) tabled on 3 June 1996, the Commission was asked to say:

- what action was being taken to combat the causes of cancer and what projects would be implemented to encourage non-smoking, thereby giving practical form to the fight against cancer; and

- why support for tobacco consumption was not being abolished, bearing in mind that tobacco consumption is so seriously damaging to health.

On 16 July 1996 Mr Flynn, on behalf of the Commission, gave an entirely non-committal answer in which he noted, among other things, that support for the market in raw tobacco was granted under the common market organization approved by Parliament and the Council and, as such, did not act in any way as an incentive to tobacco consumption.

In the light of the foregoing, will the Commission now say:

1. whether it will revise its totally unacceptable view;

2. whether it will not propose to Parliament and the Council that support measures for raw tobacco be discontinued and the common market organization abolished;

3. whether it does not believe that supported prices for raw tobacco constitute an incentive to tobacco consumption, given that, because of the EU's support measures, the drug, the proven trigger factor in 30% of all cancer cases, is offered more cheaply to consumers, a fact which no doubt encourages them to smoke;

4. whether it will at last abandon its hypocritical attitude, at least as far as this matter is concerned?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1996)

This matter is at present under active consideration by the Commission. A supplementary reply will be provided to the Honourable Member at that juncture.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2860/96 by Alex SMITH to the Council. Premier Transco pipeline



Official Journal C 105 , 03/04/1997 P. 0030



WRITTEN QUESTION P-2860/96 by Alex Smith (PSE) to the Council (17 October 1996) Subject: Premier Transco pipeline Will the Council press the British Government to halt the transmission of gas along the Premier Transco pipeline from South West Scotland to Northern Ireland, which passes close to the Beaufort's Dyke seabed area where surplus military munitions and toxic chemicals have been dumped and disturbed, until the entire seabed region has been cleared? Answer (13 February 1997) The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the fact that this question falls outside the Council's purview.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3570/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (17 December 1996)

Subject: Psychological working environment

A doctor, Bo Netterstrøm and a sociologist, Tage Søndergaard Kristensen, have produced a research report commissioned by the Danish Working Environment Foundation, one of the conclusions of which is that there is a connection between the psychological working environment and health. The report documents a direct connection between the psychological working environment and actual effects on health. It mentions, for example, a connection between cardiospasms and workload.

In the light of this report, does the Commission intend to take any action in this area and what is its attitude towards this situation?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1997)

Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work ((OJ L 183, 29.6.1989. )) requires employers to develop a coherent overall preventive policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of the factors related to the working environment.

At the request of the Commission, the advisory committee on safety, hygiene and health at work set up an ad hoc group to consider the issue of work-related stress. Professor Tage Kristensen participated in the work of the group. The group's report was adopted by the advisory committee at its plenary meeting in November 1996.

The Commission is now considering the report to see how its recommendations, which include the development of guidance, can most effectively be taken forward.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (27 August 1996)

Subject: BSE in Great Britain

1. What inspection measures have been adopted in Great Britain to ensure that no infected material enters production in Great Britain or the other EU states?

2. What are the production figures for beef in Great Britain?

3. What are the export and import figures for beef for Great Britain?

4. What quantities of beef has Great Britain exported during the last ten years and to which countries?

5. To what extent have rendering plants in Great Britain been brought into line with EU standards?

6. How are sheep infected with scrapie disposed of in the rendering plants?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1996)

1. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a notifiable disease in the United Kingdom. Animals suspected of being affected by BSE are killed under official control and their carcasses are transported under official supervision, accompanied by a certificate, to special incineration plants where they are burnt. The incinerators are under strict official veterinary control.

In addition, all parts of bovine animals which are more than 30 months old at the time of slaughter, except hides, are also destroyed under official control.

For bovine animals under 30 months old at the time of slaughter, official controls exist to ensure that certain tissues and organs which are considered to be of high risk for the transmission of BSE (specified risk material, or SRM) are removed from carcases at slaughter and from other dead animals. This material is also destroyed in designated plants under official control.

The dispatch of potentially infective material from bovine animals to other Member States and third countries was prohibited by Commisison Decision 96/239/EC ((OJ L 78, 28. 3.1996. )).

The Commission has carried out inspection in the United Kingdom to check on the effectiveness of these control measures. An inspection made in May 1996 revealed some deficiencies, particularly in view of the complexity of the measures. Subsequent inspections, in July and September, indicated that the situation had improved.

2, 3 and 4. The Commission is sending this information directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

5. The Commission is collecting the necessary information to enable it to reply to this question and will forward it directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat general of the Parliament.

6. Under Directive 90/667/EEC ((OJ L 363, 27.12.1990, as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. )), carcasses of sheep infected with scrapie are classified as high risk material. For this reason they must either be processed in a high-risk processing plant approved by the Member State in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Directive or be disposed of by burning or burial.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3197/96 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (22 November 1996)

Subject: URBAN programme - projects submitted from the Valencia region

The deadline for submitting urban development projects under the URBAN programme for 1997-1999 will expire on 10 January 1997.

How many of the projects submitted to date are from Spain? How many of these, and which, concern municipalities in the Autonomous Community of Valencia?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3196/96, E-3197/96 and E-3202/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1996)

Following consultations with Parliament, the Commission decided on 8 May 1996 on the indicative allocation of the reserve for the Community Initiatives. Under that decision, Urban in Spain received (at indexed 1995 prices) MECU 56,2 for the Objective 1 regions and MECU 21,4 for the other areas.

The submission of operational programmes for implementation of the extension of Urban is a matter for the Member States. This means that the Commission cannot make an estimate of any Community contribution to the Autonomous Community of Valencia.

So far, the Commission has received no operational programme from the Spanish authorities. It is not possible at present to predict when the Commission will take a decision, since this will depend on the quality of the proposals it receives.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492/96 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (25 September 1996)

Subject: Sheep and 'mad cows'

Towards the end of July 1996, the Commissioner for agriculture, Mr Fischler, stated that the sheep disease known as 'scrapie' had the characteristics of an epidemic similar to 'mad cow' disease.

Why did the Commissioner made the statement without consulting the Scientific Veterinary Committee and the Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Union?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2491/96, E-2492/96 and E-2493/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 December 1996)

Scrapie has been notifiable in the Community since 1 January 1993. However, the statistics are kept by the Member States and are not provided to the Commission. The level of infection varies widely and clear statements about the status of most countries cannot be made.

Evidence that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) can be transmitted experimentally to sheep was published in the scientific press in June 1996. This evidence was the basis for Mr Fischler's statement in July 1996. In order to assess the situation fully, the Commission asked the scientific veterinary committee to give its advice on this matter and on measures to combat the spread of this group of diseases.

The scientific veterinary committee pointed out that scrapie has not appeared to present a hazard to humans. The committee also pointed out that there is no evidence that BSE has naturally infected sheep and goats in any Member State, but this risk cannot be excluded. In the opinion of the committee, the risks can be significantly reduced by prohibiting the use of certain materials in the human food and animal feed chains.

The Commission has prepared proposals with a view to implementing the advice of the scientific veterinary committee.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B5-102: Consumer information

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading:

B5-102: Consumer information?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2640/96 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (15 October 1996)

Subject: Transfer from agricultural funds to finance the beef and veal sector

A plan to reform the beef and veal sector is currently under discussion in the Agriculture Council. At the meeting of 16 September 1996 a large number of Member States came out against transferring some of the compensation destined for the cereal sector to finance the beef and veal sector.

Could the Commission clarify its position on this matter, which is of great importance to European farmers, as they are facing the threat of competition from the American market and would suffer serious consequences were funding for the sector to be reduced?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1996)

The Commission considers that a cut in the compensatory allowances granted in the cereals sector as part of producer support for certain arable crops is not likely to alter the competitive position of Community farmers on the world market, in particular in relation to US production. This is particularly the case since new US legislation (Fair Act) has involved the replacement of the system of deficiency payments with an aid scheme completely decoupled from production with application of maximum ceilings.

Compensatory allowances constitute a part of farmers' income in the form of direct aid and do not affect the formation of prices in the marketplace, which is primarily influenced by the laws of supply and demand. However, in order to guarantee Community price stability, the common organization of the market in cereals sets an intervention price for cereals which is a floor price within the Community; as regards exports, the market organisation provides for an offset mechanism in the form of refunds or levies to compensate for differences between the price on the Community market and the price on the world market.

A reduction in compensatory payments would in any case not reduce the incomes of Community producers to a level where they could no longer produce, and so leave the market to US producers, because two thirds of this income comes from sales at market conditions, backed by the safety net of intervention.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3046/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Fleets of impounded and abandoned vehicles

There have been reports in the Italian press concerning the unusually serious problem of 'fleets' of motor vehicles, cycles and motorbikes which are left for decades in car parks after being impounded and then forgotten by the courts and the vehicles' owners; they are costing the Italian state more than Lit 1 400 a year and the accumulating heaps of rusting metal and debris constitute an eyesore as well as polluting the environment. Under a proposal from the private sector, which the Italian state would do well to consider, this huge liability would be converted into a profitable asset.

Could the Commission provide detailed information on the situation in the other European Union countries with a view to formulating a coordinated plan to tackle the problem at European level?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 January 1997)

The Commission understands that approximately 5 to 7% of vehicles are abandoned each year in the Community.

In order, among other things, to tackle the problem of abandoned vehicles, the Commission is considering the adoption of a proposal for a directive on end of life vehicles. One of the elements at present under consideration relates to the introduction of a certificate of destruction which would be a prerequisite for deregistration of vehicles from public registers. Only authorized centres (dismantlers, shredders) would be able to deliver the certificate of destruction to the last owner or user of the vehicle. At this stage, the Commission is not able to provide the Honourable Member with further details.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3456/96 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (9 December 1996)

Subject: Information technology, communications, and politics in the European Union

The Commission's Green Paper on 'Living and working in the information society: and people' first highlights the importance of making use of information and communication technology in involving citizens in the political process and raising their awareness; the national information infrastructure introduced by the US Government and the Danish Info-Society 2000 programme are good examples.

The Commission further points out the importance which approaches of this kind could have within the Union for encouraging a sense of European identity and increasing social cohesion.

Taking into account the enormous importance which this could have in bringing Europe closer to the man in the street, has the Commission investigated how to deal with the use of information and communication technologies for such a purpose within the Union?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1997)

The Commission is undertaking a number of actions and activities to underline the importance of the information society with respect to its potential to strengthen the democratic process in Europe by enhancing European citizens' access and use of new telematics information and services.

The publication of the green paper 'Living and working in the information society: people first' ((COM(96) 389. )), together with the high level expert group's interim report 'Building the European information society for us all' and the first annual report of the information society forum 'Networks for people and their communities - Making the most of the information society in the European Union', is part of the Commission's platform for raising awareness and debate on the information society. The final report of the high level expert group due to be completed in January 1997 will further develop some of these important issues.

On the basis of reactions to this consultation process and the experience already gained in Member States, the Commission will present a set of actions proposals in early 1997.

The Commission will also continue to promote these important issues within the framework of its second action plan for the information society ((COM(96) 607. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2976/96 by Christine Crawley (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Export of sheep

Can the Commission explain what action it is taking to ensure that sheep in the live export trade are not subject to unnecessary suffering?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 January 1997)

The transport of sheep, like other animals when exported to third countries from the Community, is subject to Council Directive 91/628/EEC ((OJ L 340, 11.12.1991 (modified by Directive 95/227/EC of OJ L 148, 30.6.1995). )) governing such matters as feeding and watering requirements, maximum journey times, design of vehicles etc. Day to day enforcement of the Directive is in the hands of the Member States, although the Commission has initiated an inspection programme within the Member States in order to ensure that the applicable legislation is properly enforced.

It is furthermore the intention of the Commission to propose further detailed rules on minimum requirements for staging points and additional standards for road vehicles used for the carriage of livestock on journeys exceeding a duration of eight hours.

It is the Commission view that it is possible to transport sheep in satisfactory welfare conditions if the relevant Community rules are respected.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3635/96 by Jean-Yves Le Gallou (NI) to the Commission (3 January 1997)

Subject: Budget heading B3-4301: Combating cancer

Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the figures, for each association and activity subsidised, for the subsidies granted in the financial year 1995, under budget heading:

B3-4301: Combating cancer?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3598/96, E-3600/96, E-3603/96, E-3604/96, E-3605/96, E-3606/96, E-3607/96, E-3608/96, E-3609/96, E-3610/96, E-3611/96, E-3612/96, E-3613/96, E-3614/96, E-3615/96, E-3616/96, E-3617/96, E-3618/96, E-3620/96, E-3621/96, E-3622/96, E-3623/96, E-3624/96, E-3625/96, E-3627/96, E-3629/96, E-3630/96, E-3631/96, E-3632/96, E-3633/96, E-3634/96, E-3635/96, E-3636/96, E-3637/96, E-3638/96, E-3641/96, E-3642/96 and E-3644/96 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (14 February 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3526/96 by Laura DE ESTEBAN MARTIN to the Council. Seminars on justice and home affairs



Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0007



WRITTEN QUESTION E-3526/96 by Laura De Esteban Martin (PPE) to the Council (12 December 1996) Subject: Seminars on justice and home affairs Can the Council say how many seminars were held in the field of justice and home affairs and charged to the Community budget as laid down in Article K.8 between 1992 and 1995, and can it say whether the conclusions of these seminars have been published in any form? Answer (16 May 1997) We would advise the Honourable Member to put this question to the Commission, which under Article 205 of the Treaty establishing the European Community is responsible for implementing the financing decisions taken by the Council up to and including 1995.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2271/96 by Wolfgang Nußbaumer (NI) to the Commission (30 July 1996)

Subject: Conformity of certain Austrian taxes and levies with Community legislation

Article 33 of Directive 77/388/EEC ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, p. 1. )), the Sixth Council Directive of 17 May 1977 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes - Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment, stipulates that the Member States are not prevented from maintaining or introducing other taxes, duties or charges which cannot be characterized as turnover taxes. This must mean that no other taxes, duties or charges which can be characterized as turnover taxes may be maintained or introduced.

In Austria, however, the basic levy on compulsory members of the chamber of commerce, the beverage tax and the tourist tax in the province of Vorarlberg are calculated according to the basis of assessment for turnover tax, or paid on the basis of self assessment following decisions to this effect by the tax authorities.

These taxes are levied, in addition to turnover taxes, according to the same basis of assessment, on the turnover for goods and services. In addition, they are a proportion of the cost of the goods and services and are levied at every stage of production and distribution.

How far do the basic levy on compulsory members of the chamber of commerce (KU1), the beverage tax and the tourist tax in Austria conform with current Community law?

Do these taxes still infringe Community law if they are only levied on services and turnover which are internal to Austria?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 April 1997)

Further to its answer dated 23 September 1996 ((OJ C 60, 26.2.1997, p. 58. )), the Commission would add the following.

The Austrian legislation referred to by the Honourable Member and which concerns the compulsory membership levy for the Chamber of Commerce (KU1) is currently the subject of a request for a preliminary ruling submitted to the Court of Justice (Case C-318/96) in respect of the interpretation of Article 33 of the Sixth Council Directive (77/388/EEC) of 17 May 1977 concerning value added tax ((OJ L 145, 13.6.1977. )). Accordingly, it is now for the Court of Justice to provide the Austrian court that submitted the request with the criteria for interpreting Article 33 of the Sixth Directive that will enable it to verify the conformity of the membership levy with Community law.

As for the other two taxes referred to, the Commission would tend a priori to take the view that, given their characteristics and effects, they were in conformity with Article 33, as interpreted by the Court.