ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2494/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 August 2000)

Subject: EU action in the face of obstacles imposed by Chile on fishing vessels from Member States

Since 1991 Chile has been enforcing port restrictions on the Spanish fishing fleet operating in the Pacific Ocean, which numbers between 8 and 12 factory vessels fishing for tuna, depending on the season.

The basic problem is that the landing of catches and their transfer to other vessels is being prevented, in a clear breach of international obligations regarding freedom of transit and imports.

Will the Commission state the European Union's current position vis-à-vis the damaging approach adopted by Chile, which is causing immense harm to the Community fleet in the form of substantial economic losses and the inability to import fish into other markets?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 2000)

Since 1991, Community vessels have not been allowed to transship or land their catches of highly migratory species, such as swordfish, in Chilean ports, when these catches were made in contravention of conservation rules unilaterally imposed by Chile, regardless of the fact that the catches were made in international waters.

This question has been raised on several occasions with Chile on a bilateral basis. In 1998 the Commission initiated an examination procedure under Council Regulation (EC) No 3286/94 of 22 December 1994 laying down Community procedures in the field of the common commercial policy in order to ensure the exercise of the Community's rights under international trade rules, in particular those established under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation(1) (trade barriers regulation (TBR)). This investigation concluded that Chile violated the principle of freedom of transit, established by Article V of the General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) 1994, and that the Chilean ban on unloading catches made by Community vessels was contrary to Article XI.

It has not been possible to find an amicable solution on the basis of the conclusions of the TBR findings. Under these circumstances, the Community had to initiate World Trade Organisation (WTO) proceedings with Chile. WTO consultations have taken place during the June/July period. The issue will again be raised at the highest level at the end of September in Santiago. Depending on the outcome of these talks the Commission might need to consider to formally request the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the WTO.

(1) OJ L 349, 31.12.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/00

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 August 2000)

Subject: Cost of the changeover to the euro

1. Has the Council made any estimation of the cost of joining the single currency to the 11 countries which are currently part of the eurozone and the expected costs to Greece when it joins in 2001? Could the Council provide a breakdown of these figures?

2. Has the Council make any estimation of the cost of joining the euro to Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom, if these countries expressed a wish to join?

Reply

(16 November 2000)

No estimates concerning the costs related to the introduction of the euro, which are borne partly by the public and partly by the private sector, have been drawn up by the Council.

It should, however, be borne in mind that these costs are incurred only once, while there are important long term advantages both for the private and public sector due to the once and for all suppression of exchange related costs between the Member States adopting the euro.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2490/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council. Prison conditions in Italy.



Official Journal 103 E , 03/04/2001 P. 0166 - 0166



WRITTEN QUESTION E-2490/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council (24 July 2000) Subject: Prison conditions in Italy What is the Council's view of the human rights situation in Italian prisons? Joint answer to Written Questions E-2488/00 and E-2490/00 (7 November 2000) Policy concerning employment in prisons is a matter for the Member States. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the Community's action in the field of employment is restricted to encouraging cooperation between Member States and to supporting and, if necessary, complementing their action under the conditions specified in Articles 125 et seq. of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1640/00

by Alejandro Agag Longo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Competition in the telecommunications sector

The introduction of competition in the telecommunications sector is now an objective pursued, albeit with varying degrees of intensity, by all the Member States of the EU and backed up by the Commission in the recommendation contained in the broad economic policy giudelines. It is well known that there are different ways of issuing licences to the different operators charged with creating competition. Recent press reports indicated that the British State received some USD 36 000 million (ESP 6,3 trillion) as a result of the auction of third generation mobile telephony licences.

Without prejudice to the necessary level of subsidiarity of such decisions, does the Commission consider that the various methods of issuing licences are neutral vis-à-vis the process of opening up the sector to competition? In other words, does the Commission not think that the high prices achieved in such auctions may constitute a prior distortion of competition since they have an impact on the subsequent setting of prices and since they encourage the process concentration of businesses based solely on the need to be able to bid in such auctions?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2000)

The number of operators to whom frequencies can be granted for the offer of third-generation mobile services in particular is limited under the UMTS norm by the frequency spectrum available. A selection procedure is inevitable. Community directives provide that the criteria be objective, proportionate, open and non-discriminatory. Compliance with

the criteria is indispensable in order not to distort competition between potential operators. As the Commission stated in its answer to Written Question P-1839/2000 by Mr Van Velzen(1), Member States may apply the selection procedure of their choice as long as it is based on these criteria.

The choice between an auction type of procedure and a beauty contest type of procedure will affect the development of these services, which depend on a variety of factors (duration of the licence, methods of payment, compulsory geographical coverage, compulsory roaming function) and on the strategies employed by the firms in question and consumer reaction. These effects must therefore be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3080/00

by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission

(22 September 2000)

Subject: Appointments at the Commission

The Commission is redefining its tasks and priorities in the field of external relations and development cooperation. As part of this process, it recently appointed the new Director-General of the Common Service for External Relations. However, it has not yet appointed the Director-General of the Development DG.

Can the Commission explain the delay in the appointment of a new Director-General for Development, bearing in mind that the reorganisation of the SCR and of the Development DG should be carried out in parallel in order to prevent any difficulties in the functioning of two bodies which are required to work closely together?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Commission wished to reorganise the Joint Service for External Relations and the Directorate-General for Development simultaneously. Both Director-General posts were, therefore, published at the same time and with the same deadline for submission of applications (11 July).

After completion of the selection procedure stipulated for senior posts, the Commission decided at its meeting of 26 July 2000 to appoint Mr Bonacci as Director-General of the Joint Service for External Relations. At that stage, however, no decision was taken in relation to the Director-General for Development.

The latter appointment was discussed by the Commission at its meeting on 13 September. The College decided not to fill the vacancy of Director-General for Development but, whilst retaining the applications submitted under Article 29(1)(a) of the Staff Regulations, to proceed with the simultaneous publication of the post both inter-institutionally (Article 29(1)(c)) and externally (Article 29(2)). In order to ensure that the demands of this post are fully met, the Commission wishes to give as many potentially qualified people as possible the opportunity to apply, before taking a final decision. This additional step is fully in line with the Commission's code of conduct for senior appointments adopted last December.

Responses to the publication of the post have now been returned. The Commission will, therefore, proceed with the next stages of the appointment process without delay.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3035/00

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: FIFG and fish diseases

Can the Commission confirm whether any applications have been made under the new FIFG regulations that came in on 1 January 2000 to allow Member States to compensate fishermen for fish diseases? If so, can the Commission provide details of such applications, which Member States are concerned and the level of assistance foreseen?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2000)

To date, the Commission has no knowledge of any aid schemes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector under Structural Fund programmes for 2000-2006 which involve granting compensation for fish diseases.

During implementation of programmes, the Commission makes sure that they comply with the eligibility criteria laid down in Community legislation and the selection criteria set out in each programme. However, the selection of individual projects as such falls within the responsibility of the management authority designated by each Member State. The Commission receives information about the details of projects in the course of being implemented only through the annual reports, the first of which will not have to be produced until 2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2617/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Black and white television sets/general system of preferences

Can the Commission clarify which imports into the EU are covered by the general system of preferences?

How have black and white television sets been dealt with under this scheme?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2000)

The product coverage of the Community's scheme of generalized system of preferences (GSP) is laid down in Annexes I and VII of Council Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 of 21 December 1998 applying a multiannual scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2001(1).

In order to benefit from the preferential tariff rates, a product must originate in an eligible GSP beneficiary country, according to the origin criteria laid down under the Community customs code Commission Regulation (EC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community customs code(2), as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1602/00 of 24 July 2000(3). Furthermore, a GSP Form A certificate of origin, issued by the relevant governmental body of the beneficiary country must be presented when clearing through customs in the Community.

Black-and-white television receivers of combined nomenclature code 8528 13 00 are covered by the Community's GSP scheme. They are regarded as non-sensitive in the Community's current scheme, and accordingly can be imported free of customs duty (Article 2(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2820/98), the normal rate of the common customs tariff in 2000 being 2 %. By virtue of the graduation rules provided in Article 3 of that regulation, duty-free admission does not apply to Malaysian products.

Two alternative origin criteria apply to these television receivers. The value of the non-originating materials used must not exceed 40 % of the ex-works price of the product, where the value of all non-originating materials used does not exceed the value of the originating materials used or the value of the non-originating materials used must not exceed 25 % of the ex-works price of the product.

(1) OJ L 357, 30.12.1998.

(2) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993.

(3) OJ L 188, 26.7.2000.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Agricultural support and accession of Slovenia

1. What is the Commission's estimate of the extra annual cost of support if existing EU farm support policies were extended to Slovenia on its accession to the EU,

(a) assuming no change in its current agricultural production;

(b) projecting a change in its agricultural production based on changes in price incentives as support and structural policies were brought into line with existing EU policies?

2. What is the estimated annual cost respectively for both Guarantee and Structural Funds in each case?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2690/00, E-2691/00, E-2695/00, E-2699/00, E-2700/00 and E-2701/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

To estimate the extra annual cost of agricultural support resulting from the accession to the Community of Poland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Slovenia and Estonia it would be necessary to know with a reasonable degree of certainty the date, the terms and conditions of the accession of these countries to the Community. These aspects will have to be defined in the accession negotiations with these countries, the agricultural chapter of which was opened for negotiation in June 2000. Consequently, any cost estimate made on the basis of assumptions indicated by the Honourable Member would necessarily be of a hypothetical, speculative and uncertain nature. At the present state of the negotiating process the Commission is, therefore, not in a position to answer the questions asked by the Honourable Member.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3243/00

by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: Short sea crossings

My previous question (Oral Question QH-0699/00)(1) concerning ferries to peninsulas in Scotland was directed at two routes in particular. Will the Commission confirm that its answer to my question is also in principle applicable to routes linking Gourock with Kilcreggan and with Helensburgh?

(1) Written reply of 6 September 2000.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Commission has been having discussions with the Scottish Executive on bringing the routes currently operated by CalMac into conformity with Community law and in particular, Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage)(1) and the Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport(2). Since two of these routes, Gourock/Dunoon and Tarbert/Portavadie, are mainland to mainland, the Commission requested detailed information about the services provided on these routes and the very particular nature of the locations served. As the Commission's reply to the Honourable Member's Oral Question H-0699/00 given at Parliament's September 2000 Parliament session(3) noted, the evidence provided suggested that these two services could be regarded, for the purposes of Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92, as being in a similar situation as regular services with (or between) islands due to the overland alternative either not being a realistic option or being prohibitively long.

Since the service from Gourock to Helensburgh via Kilcreggan is provided by the local authority rather than CalMac, it has not yet been the subject of close examination by the Commission. However, information has been requested from the Scottish Executive on those maritime services not provided by CalMac, such as Gourock/Kilcreggan/Helensburgh, which may currently operate under public service obligations. When this information is available, the Commission will be in a position to take a view on this particular route.

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.

(2) OJ C 205, 5.7.1997.

(3) Debates of the European Parliament (September 2000).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3196/00

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 October 2000)

Subject: EU funding for NGOs

The Commission is able to support a number of NGOs' activities in various countries within the limits of the EU's annual budget. Since this aid should be public and transparent, can the Commission state to which organisations the Commission or its Finnish office directed EU budget appropriations in 1999, and what amounts were involved?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2530/00

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Subject: Fires in southern Europe

Will the Commission release emergency appropriations to cover the damage caused by the widespread fires which have raged across southern Europe and Greece, in particular, in recent days, in view of the need for exceptional funding to compensate those affected by the disaster and to restore the natural environment?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

The Commission is very concerned about the forest fires that affected Greece this summer and the personal tragedies involved.

The Community has no emergency financial aid mechanism to help southern Member States such as Greece cope with the damage caused by this wave of fires.

Member States can however, provided that all relevant rules, decisions and agreements are respected, use Community funds to repair damage to public infrastructure and purchase firefighting equipment.

On restoration of the natural environment, a number of operational programmes approved or in negotiation include aid under the sixth indent of Article 30(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and amending and repealing certain Regulations(1) that will help make good the needs identified.

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire(2) the Commission on 17 July 2000 to spend 3 750 000 (Community contribution 1 675 000) on forest protection in Greece. This includes creation of tracks, firebreaks and water points, preventive forestry measures and launching of monitoring action.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3052/00

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Implementing the veterinary control directive

The European Union faces the threat of a serious and economically damaging disease of poultry because of the failure of some Member states to apply strict veterinary controls to imports of animals intended for the exotic trade.

1. Does the Commission agree that this is the inescapable conclusion of the recent study carried out by the Dutch Dierenbescherming (animal welfare organisation) with the assistance of the senior veterinary officers of ten Member States?

2. Does the Commission agree that the report's recommendations are sensitive and that the quantitative risk analysis will have to be carried out as a matter of urgency, to say the least?

3. What action will the Commission take to prevent European citizens having to cope with serious illnesses caused by infected poultry?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3043/00 and E-3052/00 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the possible risk of introducting poultry diseases by imports of exotic birds, especially as these birds may originate from many different countries in the world.

Since the completion of the internal market, imports of poultry are harmonised by Community legislation. Furthermore in order to prevent the risk of introduction of poultry diseases by the import of exotic birds the Commission has recently proposed a draft decision(1) laying down the animal health requirements and the veterinary certification for the import of birds, other than poultry, and the conditions for quarantine.

All commercially traded birds other than poultry will have to be placed for at least 30 days in an officially approved quarantine facility or centre in Member States. During quarantine, clinical inspections and laboratory examinations for Newcastle disease and avian influenza will have to be carried out and birds may only be released by official authorisation on condition that all tests have given favourable results. This observation period will also provide for the detection of other diseases.

The Commission believes that the introduction of these harmonised rules caters for the disease concerns expressed in the report The veterinary control in the European Union of imported pet birds and mammals of Cites and non-Cites species prepared by the Eurogroup for animal welfare.

The import of birds accompanying their owners is subject to national rules and it is not the intention of the Commission to introduce harmonised rules in this area at the present time as according to information from Member States no outbreaks of disease in poultry have been attributed to such imports.

(1) SANCO/1295/2000 rev. 6.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2602/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Reform of the common organisation of the market for olive oil

1. How long will the Commission take to reform the common organisation of the market for olive oil?

2. What will its main features be?

3. Will the Commission take account of the crisis affecting the olive oil market, which has led to a drastic fall in producer prices?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

1. As laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1638/98 of 20 July 1998 amending Regulation No 136/66/EEC on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats(1), the Commission is committed to presenting a reform proposal in 2000 with a view to its application in the 2001/02 marketing year.

2. The Commission will inform and consult Parliament at the appropriate time.

3. Yes.

(1) OJ L 210, 28.7.1998.