ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/39

(2004/C 33 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0339/03

by Horst Schnellhardt (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject: Ban on chocolate cigarettes

A letter from the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture of the Federal Republic of Germany announces measures drawn up by the European Commission designed to restrict advertising campaigns which seek to promote the consumption of tobacco by children and young people. In this connection, consideration would also be given to a ban on the manufacture, import and sale of sweets and toys which look like tobacco products.

1. On what basis and when will a measure of this nature be drawn up?

2. How are the objectives set out above to be attained?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Banning the sales of chocolate cigarettes is not a measure adopted by the Commission. Rather, such a prohibition is part of the Recommendation on the Prevention of Smoking and on Initiatives to Improve Tobacco Control, which the Council adopted on 2 December 2002 upon a proposal by the Commission under Article 152 paragraph 4 of the EC Treaty (1). With regard to this proposal of the Commission the Parliament adopted a resolution (2) which as modification 5 contains the following new paragraph under point 1 (d) of the Commission's proposal:

(da) By prohibiting the production, importation and sale of edible products and toys in the form of tobacco products.

The definitive version of the Recommendation adopted by the Council follows this suggestion with a different wording:

(e) Prohibiting the sale of sweets and toys intended for children and manufactured with the clear intention that the product and/or packaging would resemble in appearance a type of tobacco product.

As the name implies this Recommendation of the Council is not legally binding. It is, therefore, left to Member States to decide in which way they will follow-up the Council's Recommendation to prohibit the sale of products like chocolate cigarettes.

(1) Council Recommendation 2003/54/EG of 2 December 2002 on the Prevention of Smoking and on Initiatives to Improve Tobacco Control — OJ L 22, 25.1.2003.

(2) 2002/2167 INI.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/206

(2004/C 65 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2750/03

by Jan Dhaene (PSE) to the Commission

(15 September 2003)

Subject: Cycles as accompanied baggage on international trains

During my holidays I experienced problems taking my bicycle with me on international trains and TGVs. On a large number of international trains passengers are no longer authorised to travel with a bicycle. Some of these routes are even co-funded by the EU under the TENs-T programme.

Does the Commission intend to change the rules on intermodality and the carriage of cycles on trains in the TEN network

The Commission is currently working with passenger rail transport providers on a charter of passengers' rights. Does this measure also include the carriage of cycles?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

The Commission has no plans to include conditions in its decisions or its proposal for the Trans-European Networks (TEN) guidelines requiring train operators to allow transport of bikes on international train services, since these financing decisions refer to rail infrastructure investments and do not deal with the services to be operated on the TEN network.

The Community of European Railways has developed a Charter on Passenger services, which it has discussed with the representative organisations of consumers and passengers. This Charter, however, only addresses the issue of the availability of information on the accessibility of trains for bikes, as well as information on other modes of transport. According to its Workprogramme 2003, the Commission prepares a Regulation dealing with passengers' rights and obligations on international rail services, which address several issues, amongst which the obligation for railway undertakings to provide pre-trip information, such as the accessibility of trains for bicycles.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/138

(2004/C 33 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1584/03

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 May 2003)

Subject: Unfair subsidies

Is the Commission aware that since November 2002, the Strasbourg Chamber of Commerce and the Lower Rhine has subsidised the air service between London Stansted and Strasbourg by RyanAir to the extent of EUR1,7 million in the first year, thereby allowing RyanAir to offer tickets at an artificially low price? Is the Commission aware that this discriminatory subsidy is driving a competitor, Brit Air, which was profitable until last year, out of the market? What action will the Commission take, and how soon, to stamp out this and similar unfair public subsidies to individual private enterprises?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 2003)

The Commission is currently investigating a complaint about advantages granted by Strasbourg airport. The complaint was registered by the Commission on 16 April 2003 and the author has requested that his identity be kept confidential.

The Commission will have to decide what action to take on the basis of its analysis pursuant to the provisions of the EC Treaty on State aid (Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty).

For the record, the Commission has decided to launch a formal investigation in a case concerning payments made by an airport and a region to a low-cost company, that relating to the advantages received by Ryanair in Charleroi (Belgium). The reasons for this investigation have been made public and are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (1). The Commission will take a decision on this case on the basis of the information it is currently gathering from the parties concerned and the Belgian authorities in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (2).

(1) OJ C 18, 25.1.2003.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article93 of the EC Treaty, OJ L 83, 27.3.1999.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/108

(2004/C 33 E/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1366/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: EU citizens' awareness in regard to more economic use of energy

Modern societies are to a great extent based on large-scale consumption of energy. However, all uses of energy create environmental problems. If energy consumption is to be reduced in the long term, wide-ranging measures must be taken by consumers and producers alike. However, change requires knowledge and understanding. One of the conclusions drawn from a recent survey of 16 000 EU citizens carried out by the Directorate-General for Research is that a large section of those citizens has limited understanding of how energy is consumed in society or of how they themselves can help to reduce energy use in their own households.

In the Commission's view, what measures should be taken to heighten the awareness of EU citizens to achieve more economic use of energy?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2003)

In order to achieve the necessary objectives as described in the Green Paper on energy supply, on the demand side the Commission implements several instruments like legislation, promotion and education to help raise awareness of European citizens in energy use. The Commission is of the opinion that a mix of these approaches is important.

Nevertheless the Commission notes with pleasure that according to the recent Eurobarometer survey on energy there is a high awareness among European citizens that energy is very important in our society and that its use affects the environment. A positive attitude towards renewable energy and energy savings is clearly there.

Measures that were and are being taken to heighten the energy awareness of European citizens include the following initiatives:

— Examples of awareness creation through information and promotion: — The Energy Framework Programme, in particular in its Altener and Save projects, included the promotion of efficient production and consumption of energy, particularly measures aimed at the educational sector and the wider public, as well as the support for the development of a network of regional and local energy agencies. These actions will continue with the new Intelligent Energy programme (2003-2006). — A Public Awareness Campaign for an Energy Sustainable Europe will be launched early 2004 as a successor to the Renewable Energy Campaign for Take-off 2000-2003. Promoting best practice in energy efficiency will be one of the pillars of this campaign involving national, regional and local decision-makers in order to sensitise the public. — As a result of various campaigns there are now major websites providing information on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, including ManagEnergy. — A publication for distribution to the general public on the building directive and on how to save energy is being prepared for distribution in print and through internet. — Additional awareness is created indirectly by means of press releases.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/221

(2004/C 33 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2118/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(25 June 2003)

Subject: Temporary Agency Workers Directive

Will the Commission please give its view on the failure to reach agreement on the Temporary Agency Workers Directive on 3 June?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The failure of the Employment and Social Affairs Council of 3 June 2003 to reach agreement on the draft temporary agency workers Directive (1) was due to a blocking minority of four Member States (Denmark, Germany Ireland and the United Kingdom) who were demanding a permanent exemption for assignments of less than six months from the application of the principle of equal treatment for temporary agency workers. Such an exemption would have meant that the vast majority of temporary agency workers would fall outside the scope of the equal treatment provisions of the Directive.

The Lisbon European Council (23 and 24 March 2000) called for a balance between flexibility and security for Community labour markets. The Commission's proposal tries to strike this balance by providing minimum protection for temporary agency workers on the one hand, and by lifting current restrictions on the use of that type of work in order to create jobs on the other. The Commission hopes that a common position will be reached without delay and is committed to playing its role in ensuring that the mandate of the Brussels European Council of March 2003 to reach agreement by December 2003 is respected.

(1) Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and the Council on working conditions for temporary workers, OJ C 203 E, 27.8.2002 as amended, COM(2002) 701 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/20

(2004/C 65 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0180/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(30 January 2003)

Subject: GM crop trials

Can the Commission confirm whether, during and after GM crop trials, Member State citizens will have access to the details of the environmental monitoring procedure and its results?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Experimental releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including GM crops, are now regulated under Part Β of Directive 2001/18/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001, on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (1), which was applicable on 17 October 2002. To date (20 February 2003), 22 experimental releases have been conducted under this Directive. Summary details of these releases are publicly available via the web site of the Joint Research Centre of the Commission at: (http://gmosnif.jrc.i).

Directive 2001/18/EC replaced Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 (2), which similarly provided for regulation of experimental releases of GMOs, including GM crops, under its Part B. Approximately 1 700 experimental releases were conducted under Directive 90/220/EEC from its application in October 1991 until it was replaced on 17 October 2002. Summary details of these releases are publicly available via the web site of the Joint Research Centre of the Commission at: (http://biotech.jrc.it).

Under Directive 90/220/EEC, the examination of applications and granting of consent for experimental releases were carried out by the authorities of the Member State in which the release was to take place. This procedure will continue under Directive 2001/18/EC.

Article 4 of Directive 90/220/EEC required Member States to ensure that their competent authority organised inspection and other control measures, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with the Directive. This is again, similarly reflected in Directive 2001/18/EC.

Consequently, it is the competent authorities of Member States who control site inspections, including any monitoring, of GM crop trials and hold the relevant information.

In this context, Directive 2001/18/EC now requires, under Article 9(2) that ‘Member States shall make available to the public information on all Part Β releases of GMOs in their territory’.

(1) OJ L 106, 17.4.2001.

(2) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.
(a)

‘Free range eggs’ must be produced in poultry establishments which satisfy at least the conditions specified in Article 4 of Directive 1999/74/EC with effect from the dates referred to in that Article and in which: — hens have continuous daytime access to open-air runs, except in the case of temporary restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities; — the open-air runs to which hens have access is mainly covered with vegetation and not used for other purposes except for orchards, woodland and livestock grazing if the latter is authorised by the competent authorities; — the open-air runs must at least satisfy the conditions specified in Article 4(1)(3)b)(ii) of Council Directive 1999/74/EC whereby the maximum stocking density is not greater than 2500 hens per hectare of ground available to the hens or one hen per 4 m2 at all times; however, where at least 10 m2 per hen are available and where rotation is practiced and hens are given even access to the whole area over the flock's life, each paddock used must at any time assure at least 2,5 m2 per hen; — the open-air runs are not extending beyond a radius of 150 m from the nearest pophole of the building; however an extension of up to 350 m from the nearest pophole of the building is permissible provided that a sufficient number of shelters and drinking troughs within the meaning of that provision are evenly distributed throughout the whole open-air run with at least four shelter per hectare.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/61

(2004/C 65 E/064)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1176/03

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Community funding for Spain

Can the Commission forward, to the author of this question, a full list of all hydrological infrastructure schemes for which funding has been requested by the Spanish central government under the Structural Funds or the Cohesion Fund (for 2000-2006), in the context of major projects, whether planned on an individual basis or included in measures under the operative programmes?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 2003)

As established in Article 14.3: ‘Information and publicity’ of Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund (1), amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1264/1999 of 21 June 1999 (2) and by Council Regulation (EC) No 1265/1999 of 21 June 1999 (3), the Commission publishes yearly in the Official Journal of the European Union the main points of Decisions granting financial assistance under the above mentioned Regulation.

The information is classified by country and by field of assistance. The fields dealing with ‘water supply and water quality’ and with ‘waste-water disposal and treatment’ include the information regarding the hydrological infrastructure schemes financed by the Cohesion Fund.

The information for Spain is published in the following Official Journals of the European Union:

The information corresponding to the year 2002, already sent for publication, is enclosed in the Annex I of this reply, which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

Projects for which financing has been requested but which are still under consideration or have been approved in 2003 are set out in Annex II of this reply, which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

Regarding projects financed by the European Regional Development Fund under Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (4), the Member State is only obliged to communicate to the Commission its requests for the co-financing of major projects. Information on such projects is enclosed in Annex III of this reply, which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

(1) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994.

(2) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(3) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(4) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/70

(2004/C 65 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Rome city authorities: use of funds available under the Action Framework for sustainable urban development in the EU

In September 2002 the Italian Economic Affairs Ministry's monitoring committee submitted a statement of expenditure in respect of funding provided by the EU.

The statement worryingly reveals — amongst other things — that some local and regional bodies are very slow and inefficient when it comes to authorising projects.

Similar concern regarding the underuse of EU funding by such bodies has been expressed on a number of occasions — not least by the Commission itself.

With particular regard to the fact that certain local and regional bodies (such as the Rome city authorities) are greatly in need of EU funding in order to promote sustainable urban development,

would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Have the Rome city authorities submitted projects under the Action Framework for sustainable urban development?

2. Has funding for such projects been obtained?

3. Has that funding been used?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1210/03, E-1211/03, E-1212/03, E-1213/03,

E-1214/03, E-1215/03, E-1216/03, E-1217/03, E-1218/03, E-1219/03,

E-1220/03, E-1221/03, E-1222/03, E-1223/03, E-1224/03 and E-1235/03

given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to refer to its communication Sustainable urban development in the European Union: a framework for action (1). This is a policy discussion paper on coordination of the various approaches the Commission has taken in the numerous sectoral policies affecting the urban environment.

On use of Community funds by towns and cities, the paper recommends particular attention to urban problems when the Operational Programmes for Structural Fund Objectives 1, 2 and 3 are presented by the Member States' authorities.

Thus no Community funds have been directly awarded in implementation of the framework to the sixteen Italian towns and cities mentioned by the Honourable Member or to any other town or city in Europe.

(1) COM(98) 605 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/164

(2004/C 65 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2502/03

by Martin Callanan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 July 2003)

Subject: The Draft EU REACH Regulation

Following the interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 10 July, can the Commission explain whether a comment made by Commissioner Wallström:

Of course we should not test every chemical, only those that need testing and those that could cause risks to human health and the environment …

reflects the Commission's new policy on the Draft EU REACH Regulation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 2003)

The reply of the Member of the Commission in charge of Environment does indeed reflect the Commission's policy on Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), as set out in the White Paper on the Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy of February 2001 (1) and subsequently developed in the draft that formed the basis of the recent Internet consultation. There is no need to test chemicals for which adequate information is already available or for which adequate information can be obtained by other means. Furthermore, when the exposure to a chemical is very limited, such as for certain types of intermediates, the potential risk does not generally merit the performance of tests.

(1) COM(2001) 88 final.
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/164

(2004/C 33 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1748/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: Compulsory testing of passenger cars

Could the Commission please indicate the current position in each Member State regarding the implementation of Council Directive 96/96/EC (1) on the compulsory testing of passenger cars over four years old every two years. Is the Commission planning to review that Directive?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2003)

Roadworthiness testing within the Union is governed by Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20 December 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, which now includes the inspection of passenger cars and light vans within its scope and also gives detailed requirements for the testing of vehicle brakes and exhaust emissions.

Today, all Member States and Accession Countries have transposed and put into effect the Directive and therefore include passenger car testing within their national roadworthiness testing programmes in conformity with Directive 96/96/EC as amended (2). Since the Directive specifies minimum standards, some Member States have also introduced more stringent testing requirements or require more frequent testing or have extended the scope of technical inspection to cover more types of vehicles such as motorcycles.

Over the past decade there has been significant advances in vehicle construction standards, particularly in electronic control systems and the Commission is considering how roadworthiness testing requirements can evolve for the future. To assist in its analysis, the Commission is to launch soon a study on the assessment of future roadworthiness enforcement options for road vehicles taking account of the complexity of current vehicle safety and environmental control systems and their expected developments for the future and other developments such as ‘reciprocal recognition’ and the possibility of quality assurance schemes in some circumstances.

In the light of the study results which will probably take two years to complete, the Commission will decide on the appropriateness of modifying the roadworthiness-testing Directive.

(1) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 48, 17.2.2001.