EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 340/1

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/QP-WEB

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

Written questions by Members of the European Parliament and their answers given by a European Union institution

(2013/C 340 E/01)

Contents

E-011468/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Portuguese researchers identify a new treatment for osteoarthritis

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011469/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Cuts in food bank support

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011470/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: FAO Report: need for greater investment in agriculture

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011471/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Food waste

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011472/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Kyoto Protocol

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011473/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EU citizens having difficulty obtaining work visas in Brazil

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011474/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Using polyphosphates in cod processing

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011475/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 1

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011481/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF: agroforestry 7

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011476/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 2

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011477/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 3

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011478/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 4

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011479/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 5

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011480/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: EURAF: agroforestry 6

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011482/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Textile industry: negotiations between the EU and Canada

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011483/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Cases of whooping cough are on the increase in EU countries

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011484/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: North Korea threatens peace by launching a ‘rocket’ into space

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011485/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Creating a development bank to manage EU funds

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011486/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Consumer protection in e-commerce

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011487/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Ireland granted more time to repay its loan to the Troika

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011488/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Fraud and money laundering in online gambling

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011489/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Reindustrialisation of the European Union

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011490/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Social Investment Package

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011491/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: A common visa policy

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011492/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Databases

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011493/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Improved financing conditions for Portugal under the terms of support from the Troika

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011494/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Moody's negative outlook for the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011495/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Significant yield differences in eurozone bonds

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011496/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Rise in Portugal's exports

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011497/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Investment in Portugal at 1980s levels

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011498/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Tax avoidance in the EU, technology multinationals

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011499/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Unemployment in Portugal in October 2012

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011500/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Recession in nearly a third of EU countries

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011501/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Poverty in Portugal

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011502/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Economic stagnation in Germany

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011503/12 by Nuno Melo to the Commission

Subject: Worsening of the recession in Portugal

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011504/12 by Alf Svensson to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — EU policy towards Rwanda in relation to the situation in eastern DRC

Svensk version

English version

E-011506/12 by Jutta Steinruck to the Commission

Subject: Falling wage levels in connection with opening up the inter-city coach market

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011507/12 by Brian Simpson, Spyros Danellis, Wojciech Michał Olejniczak, Phil Prendergast, Pavel Poc, Iratxe García Pérez and Jens Nilsson to the Commission

Subject: Rural Development Programmes: transitional arrangements for 2014

Versión española

České znění

Ελληνική έκδοση

Wersja polska

Svensk version

English version

E-011587/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: CAP post-2013

English version

E-011508/12 by Ashley Fox to the Commission

Subject: The treatment of bears in Vietnam

English version

E-011509/12 by Jan Mulder to the Commission

Subject: Biogas plants

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-011510/12 by Morten Løkkegaard to the Commission

Subject: Norwegian and UK contributions to the EU

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011511/12 by Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz to the Commission

Subject: The crisis in the European car industry

Magyar változat

English version

E-011512/12 by Joanna Senyszyn to the Commission

Subject: Anti-trafficking projects

Wersja polska

English version

E-011513/12 by Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă to the Commission

Subject: Steel industry

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011514/12 by Roberta Angelilli, Jacek Protasiewicz, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Elena Băsescu, Georgios Papanikolaou, Heinz K. Becker, Nuno Melo, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Licia Ronzulli, Anna Záborská, Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, Filip Kaczmarek, Maria Da Graça Carvalho, Sari Essayah, Mariya Gabriel, Burkhard Balz, Potito Salatto, Clemente Mastella, Jan Kozłowski, Lara Comi, Zoltán Bagó, Jim Higgins, Mário David, Eduard Kukan, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, José Manuel Fernandes, Nuno Teixeira, Georgios Papastamkos, Carlo Fidanza, Piotr Borys, Iva Zanicchi, Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska, József Szájer, Antonio Cancian, Zofija Mazej Kukovič, Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa, Eva Ortiz Vilella, Anne Delvaux, Giovanni La Via, Erminia Mazzoni, Georges Bach, Lívia Járóka, Konstantinos Poupakis, Svetoslav Hristov Malinov, Gabriel Mato Adrover, Marco Scurria, Ioannis A. Tsoukalas, Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska, Philippe Boulland, Monica Luisa Macovei, Mario Mauro, Esther Herranz García, Amalia Sartori, Czesław Adam Siekierski, Inese Vaidere, Georgios Koumoutsakos, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar, María Auxiliadora Correa Zamora, Paolo Bartolozzi, Paweł Zalewski, Małgorzata Handzlik, Salvador Garriga Polledo, Edit Bauer, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Marietta Giannakou, Salvador Sedó i Alabart, László Surján, Regina Bastos, Pablo Arias Echeverría, Elisabeth Köstinger, Elena Oana Antonescu, Salvatore Tatarella, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Luis de Grandes Pascual, Astrid Lulling, Kinga Gál, Peter Šťastný and Radvilė Mo to the Commission

Subject: Information on measures to tackle youth unemployment

българска версия

Versión española

Deutsche Fassung

Ελληνική έκδοση

Version française

Versione italiana

Latviešu valodas versija

Tekstas lietuvių kalba

Magyar változat

Nederlandse versie

Wersja polska

Versão portuguesa

Versiunea în limba română

Slovenské znenie

Slovenska različica

Suomenkielinen versio

English version

P-011515/12 by Trevor Colman to the Commission

Subject: Implementing rules on flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements

English version

E-011516/12 by Jutta Steinruck to the Commission

Subject: Social dumping through the posting of bogus self-employed persons from third countries

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011518/12 by Maurice Ponga to the Commission

Subject: Free movement of workers in the OCTs — principle of non-discrimination

Version française

English version

E-011519/12 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Protecting SMEs against scams

Version française

English version

E-011520/12 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Football referee death — violence against match officials

Version française

English version

E-011521/12 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Possibility of funding for a scientific and cultural project in the municipality of Radicofani, province of Siena

Versione italiana

English version

E-011522/12 by Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă to the Commission

Subject: Liberalisation of vine planting rights

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011523/12 by Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission

Subject: Amendment to the Working Time Directive 2003/88/EC and the situation of voluntary work in general and volunteer firefighters in particular

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011524/12 by Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission

Subject: Live plucking/gathering feathers from live geese

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011526/12 by Theodoros Skylakakis to the Commission

Subject: Selection on the basis of merit of heads of public institutions in Greece

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-011527/12 by Sir Graham Watson to the Commission

Subject: Bycatch technology

English version

E-011529/12 by Konstantinos Poupakis to the Commission

Subject: Full protection from adverse changes in employment conditions for Hellenic Sugar Industry employees transferred on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) No 320/2006

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-011531/12 by Filip Kaczmarek to the Commission

Subject: Further possible sanctions against North Korea

Wersja polska

English version

E-011532/12 by Bernadette Vergnaud to the Commission

Subject: Activities promoting and developing 112 and the ‘eCall’ project

Version française

English version

E-011534/12 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Investigation into Deutsche Bank by the US Securities and Exchange Commission

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-011535/12 by David Casa to the Commission

Subject: Unified patent system

Verżjoni Maltija

English version

E-011536/12 by David Casa to the Commission

Subject: EU delegation in Iraq

Verżjoni Maltija

English version

E-011537/12 by David Casa to the Commission

Subject: Action against marketing scams

Verżjoni Maltija

English version

E-011538/12 by Jacek Włosowicz, Zbigniew Ziobro, Tadeusz Cymański and Jacek Olgierd Kurski to the Commission

Subject: Relationship between the European Commission's state aid services and independent nations regulators

Wersja polska

English version

E-011539/12 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: ‘System data’ in the context of private-sector child safety activities

Svensk version

English version

E-011540/12 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Inconsistency in Commission policy with respect to the Convention of Cybercrime and the Global Alliance against Child Sexual Abuse Online

Svensk version

English version

E-011541/12 by Liam Aylward to the Commission

Subject: EASA opinion on flight time limitations for pilots and cabin crew

English version

E-011543/12 by Liam Aylward to the Commission

Subject: Tax rates on defibrillators

English version

E-011544/12 by Liam Aylward to the Commission

Subject: Diaspora centre

English version

E-011545/12 by Sir Graham Watson to the Commission

Subject: Peer-to-peer checks under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007

English version

E-011546/12 by Sir Graham Watson to the Commission

Subject: Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008

English version

P-011548/12 by Martina Anderson to the Commission

Subject: Use of full body scanners at EU airports

English version

E-011652/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: EU enlargement and public relations — the particular case of Croatia

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011549/12 by Roger Helmer to the Commission

Subject: Croatia

English version

E-011550/12 by Sir Graham Watson to the Commission

Subject: Waste tyre exports

English version

E-011551/12 by Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă to the Commission

Subject: Safety of winter sports facilities

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011552/12 by Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă to the Commission

Subject: New harbours for vessels across Europe

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011553/12 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: Double taxation of pensions in relation to EC law

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011554/12 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: Use of crosses and halos in the EU

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011555/12 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: VAT compensation in connection with the cross-border sale of cars

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011556/12 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: Disruption in the supply of essential items to Greece

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011557/12 by Morten Messerschmidt to the Commission

Subject: EU rules for the publication of documents

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011558/12 by John Stuart Agnew to the Commission

Subject: Meaning of ‘free trade’

English version

E-011559/12 by John Stuart Agnew to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Apostasy and freedom

English version

E-011560/12 by John Stuart Agnew to the Commission

Subject: EU's egregious error

English version

E-011561/12 by John Stuart Agnew to the Commission

Subject: EU acting ‘ultra vires’

English version

E-011563/12 by William (The Earl of) Dartmouth to the Commission

Subject: State aid criteria

English version

E-011564/12 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Call for the Commission to protect designations of origin for camembert

Versione italiana

English version

E-011565/12 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Call for the Commission to monitor the waste involved in the bridge over the Straits of Messina

Versione italiana

English version

E-011566/12 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: The Commission should monitor toxic substances found in Chinese teas

Versione italiana

English version

E-011567/12 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Real cost of current accounts in the EU

Versione italiana

English version

E-011568/12 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Women in Cambodia face jail for defending housing rights

Versión española

English version

E-011569/12 by Françoise Castex to the Commission

Subject: Abuse of selective distribution rules

Version française

English version

P-011571/12 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Exploiting natural resources in Western Sahara

Versión española

English version

P-011572/12 by Julie Girling to the Commission

Subject: Possible emergency measures to maintain technical conservation prohibition

English version

E-011573/12 by Claude Turmes to the Commission

Subject: UK electricity market reform (EMR), state aid for nuclear

Version française

English version

E-011575/12 by Mariya Gabriel to the Commission

Subject: Method for calculating the rates of payment for participants in the Lifelong Learning Programme and Horizon 2020

българска версия

English version

E-011576/12 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Fracking or hydraulic fracturing

Versión española

English version

E-011578/12 by Bendt Bendtsen to the Commission

Subject: The consequences of changes in Norwegian duties for Norway and for EU exports

Dansk udgave

English version

E-011579/12 by Franz Obermayr to the Commission

Subject: Assessment of product safety for cosmetics — Consumers' and SMEs' interests

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011580/12 by Julie Girling to the Commission

Subject: Gibraltar on EU maps

English version

E-011581/12 by Jörg Leichtfried to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Arrest of Vietnamese citizens and labour activists

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011582/12 by Raül Romeva i Rueda to the Commission

Subject: Excavation and earthmoving in Parco dei Monti Simbruini (Simbruini Mountain Park) in the Lazio region (Italy)

Versión española

English version

E-011583/12 by Isabella Lövin and Kriton Arsenis to the Commission

Subject: Welfare of farmed fish

Ελληνική έκδοση

Svensk version

English version

E-011585/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Animal welfare in Romania

English version

E-011586/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Ban on baby boxes

English version

E-011588/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Impact of Croatian accession

English version

E-011589/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Cross-compliance breaches

English version

E-011590/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Financial package for Egypt

English version

E-011591/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Erasmus programme

English version

E-011592/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Hamas attacks on Israel

English version

E-011593/12 by Philippe Juvin to the Commission

Subject: Collective redress

Version française

English version

E-011594/12 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Possibility of funding for the ONLUS Anagramma association set up to support differently able persons

Versione italiana

English version

E-011595/12 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Possibility of funding for clown therapy

Versione italiana

English version

E-011597/12 by Piotr Borys to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Arrest warrant issued against yet another politician in connection with the events in Zhanaozen and the intensified persecution of ‘Alga!’ party members in Kazakhstan

Wersja polska

English version

E-011598/12 by Konrad Szymański to the Commission

Subject: Excessive controls on Polish nationals at the Polish-Swedish maritime border and their compliance with Schengen provisions

Wersja polska

English version

E-011599/12 by Konrad Szymański to the Commission

Subject: Compliance of Polish laws with Council Directive 2008/118/EC and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Wersja polska

English version

E-011600/12 by Edite Estrela to the Commission

Subject: Abortion law in the Republic of Ireland

Versão portuguesa

English version

P-011602/12 by Marisa Matias to the Commission

Subject: Privatisation of Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA)

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011603/12 by María Auxiliadora Correa Zamora to the Commission

Subject: Involvement of businesses in the negotiating process for the EU-Japan free trade agreement

Versión española

English version

E-011604/12 by George Lyon to the Commission

Subject: UPDATE: Implementation of Directive 2008/120/EC on protection of pigs — Ban on individual sow stalls

English version

E-011605/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Persecution of Christians in Syria

English version

E-011606/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Structural and cohesion policy

English version

E-011607/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Travel insurance

English version

E-011608/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Laser eye surgery

English version

E-011609/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: Implications of changes to MOT testing

English version

E-011610/12 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: United Kingdom: tax on the location of the player and not of the operator

Version française

English version

E-011611/12 by Patrizia Toia to the Commission

Subject: MUOS in Niscemi, Caltanissetta

Versione italiana

English version

E-011612/12 by Alfredo Antoniozzi to the Commission

Subject: The management of the Euribor rate and its impact on variable-rate mortgages

Versione italiana

English version

E-011613/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Further attacks in Nigeria

English version

E-011614/12 by Diane Dodds to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Hezbollah

English version

E-011615/12 by Kathleen Van Brempt to the Commission

Subject: Sustainability criteria for solid biomass

Nederlandse versie

English version

P-011616/12 by Vital Moreira to the Commission

Subject: Safeguard investigation initiated by Morocco on EU exports of bars and rods

Versão portuguesa

English version

E-011618/12 by Angelika Werthmann to the Commission

Subject: Possible new Egyptian constitution

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011619/12 by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis to the Commission

Subject: Upstream barriers to trade in Europe for non-harmonised products, particularly car parts

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011620/12 by Jim Higgins to the Commission

Subject: The proximity of sewage plants to residential dwellings

English version

E-011621/12 by Emine Bozkurt and Alejandro Cercas to the Commission

Subject: Social security rights of Turkish workers in the EU following the Council Decision of 6 December 2012

Versión española

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-011623/12 by Syed Kamall to the Commission

Subject: Kidnappings and murders in Egypt

English version

E-011624/12 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: Natural disasters: floods — innovative solutions and environmental engineering research

Versione italiana

English version

E-011625/12 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up of the MoU for the Spanish financial sector

Versión española

English version

E-011626/12 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Relation between banking institutions and savings banks

Versión española

English version

E-011627/12 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Continuation of medical siege at Camp Liberty and psychological torture of residents

Versione italiana

English version

E-011628/12 by Maria Eleni Koppa to the Commission

Subject: EU assistance to civil society organisations

Ελληνική έκδοση

English version

E-011630/12 by Claude Moraes to the Commission

Subject: Clean air targets in London

English version

E-011631/12 by Adam Bielan to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Religious freedom violations in Chin State, Burma/Myanmar

Wersja polska

English version

E-011633/12 by Mara Bizzotto to the Commission

Subject: Criminal case against Russia's opposition

Versione italiana

English version

E-011634/12 by Mara Bizzotto to the Commission

Subject: 2012 — the deadliest year for journalists worldwide

Versione italiana

English version

E-011635/12 by Dominique Riquet to the Commission

Subject: Passenger transport by rail: detailed rules for establishing a public service obligation

Version française

English version

E-011637/12 by Oreste Rossi to the Commission

Subject: Taking care of others: family support networks

Versione italiana

English version

E-011638/12 by Giancarlo Scottà to the Commission

Subject: ‘Italian sounding’ products

Versione italiana

English version

E-011639/12 by Andrea Zanoni to the Commission

Subject: Completion of the waterway between Padua and the sea to avert the risk of flooding on the Veneto plain, in keeping with Directive 2007/60/EC

Versione italiana

English version

E-011640/12 by Filip Kaczmarek to the Commission

Subject: VAT on e-books

Wersja polska

English version

E-011641/12 by Hannu Takkula to the Commission

Subject: Fatah's logo and flag

Suomenkielinen versio

English version

E-011642/12 by Ingeborg Gräßle to the Commission

Subject: Conflict of objectives in relation to personal involvement of the OLAF Director-General in investigations

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011643/12 by Ingeborg Gräßle to the Commission

Subject: Commission meeting with representatives of the tobacco industry

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011644/12 by Julie Girling to the Commission

Subject: Phenylbutazone and food producing animals

English version

E-011645/12 by Bas Eickhout to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the directive on the energy performance of buildings

Nederlandse versie

English version

E-011646/12 by Francisco Sosa Wagner to the Commission

Subject: Taxation of the Spanish cogeneration sector

Versión española

English version

E-011647/12 by Hans-Peter Martin to the Commission

Subject: Procedure for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011648/12 by Hans-Peter Martin to the Commission

Subject: Funding for European transport infrastructure

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011649/12 by Hans-Peter Martin to the Commission

Subject: Development aid and combating famine in South Sudan

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011651/12 by Hans-Peter Martin to the Commission

Subject: Clarification regarding passenger name record data sharing with the US by Member States

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011653/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: Public procurement and research on corruption

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011654/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: Data quality of TED

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011655/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: Greater transparency in access to TED data

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011656/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: Information about research projects — procurement and outcomes

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011657/12 by Monica Luisa Macovei to the Commission

Subject: Information about research projects — procurement and outcomes

Versiunea în limba română

English version

E-011658/12 by Martin Callanan to the Commission

Subject: European Commission communication budget — cost and tendering process for banners hung on the Berlaymont building

English version

E-011659/12 by Angelika Werthmann to the Commission

Subject: Famagusta — the ‘ghost town’

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011660/12 by Angelika Werthmann to the Commission

Subject: Budget line 22 02 07 03 for 2013

Deutsche Fassung

English version

E-011666/12 by Véronique Mathieu, Sonia Alfano, Edit Bauer, Tanja Fajon, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Salvatore Iacolino, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Kinga Gál, Monika Hohlmeier, Ioan Enciu, Bill Newton Dunn, Edit Herczog, Simon Busuttil and Kinga Göncz to the Commission

Subject: Training of police forces in the European Union — Maintaining the CEPOL independent agency

Versión española

Deutsche Fassung

Version française

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E-011667/12 by Søren Bo Søndergaard to the Commission

Subject: Benefits and inconveniences of using European Summer Time

Dansk udgave

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E-011668/12 by Søren Bo Søndergaard to the Commission

Subject: Action to combat illegal child labour and trafficking

Dansk udgave

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E-011669/12 by Hubert Pirker, Georges Bach, Jim Higgins and Dominique Riquet to the Commission

Subject: European Aviation Safety Agency opinion on flight-time limitations for air crew

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E-011670/12 by Brice Hortefeux to the Commission

Subject: European Union support for the worldwide eradication of polio

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E-011671/12 by Mario Borghezio to the Commission

Subject: Request for clarification on the costs of the ‘Puzzled by Policy’ application

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E-011672/12 by Tomasz Piotr Poręba to the Commission

Subject: Declaring 25 May the European Day honouring the Heroes of the Fight against Totalitarianism

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E-011673/12 by Antonio López-Istúriz White to the Commission

Subject: Space for Mediterranean Countries Initiative

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E-011674/12 by Antonio López-Istúriz White to the Commission

Subject: Spanish resin production

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E-011675/12 by Christel Schaldemose to the Commission

Subject: EU rules on organic foodstuffs

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E-011676/12 by Anja Weisgerber to the Commission

Subject: Distinction between cosmetic products and medical devices in the case of tooth-bleaching products

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E-011677/12 by Ingeborg Gräßle to the Commission

Subject: Role of a Swedish national expert in OLAF investigations

Deutsche Fassung

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E-011678/12 by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy to the Commission

Subject: Misuse of EU funds in the Czech Republic

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E-011679/12 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Support for Tunisia

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P-011680/12 by Paul Murphy to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the Floods Directive

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E-011681/12 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Classification of substances which are dangerous for the consumer: concerns regarding the panel

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E-011682/12 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Trade agreement between the European Union and Palestine

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E-011683/12 by Rachida Dati to the Commission

Subject: Carbon inclusion mechanism at the borders of the European Union

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E-011684/12 by Andrea Zanoni to the Commission

Subject: Use of radioactive weapons in military activities and risk to human health in the EU

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E-011685/12 by Phil Bennion to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Corruption in South Asia

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E-011686/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Report on the impact of increased demand for biofuels

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E-011687/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Report on the functioning of the verification method referred to in Article 18(2) of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources

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E-011688/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Sustainable energy for all

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E-011689/12 by Georgios Papanikolaou to the Commission

Subject: Good practices for tackling the school drop-out rate

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E-011690/12 by Georgios Papanikolaou to the Commission

Subject: ESF and ERDF resources for youth employment

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E-011691/12 by Georgios Papanikolaou to the Commission

Subject: e-books

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E-011692/12 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Construction of a biological purification plant in the Marmaries — Kokkina area of the island of Tinos

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E-011693/12 by Hans-Peter Martin to the Commission

Subject: Integration of the Prüm Convention into EU legislation

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E-011694/12 by Sophie Auconie to the Commission

Subject: Eligibility of sports projects for ERDF funding

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E-011695/12 by Thomas Mann to the Commission

Subject: Spain's coastal protection law

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E-011697/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Interconnection of national electronic registers of road transport undertakings

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E-011698/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Commission

Subject: Interoperability of electronic road toll systems

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P-011699/12 by Silvia-Adriana Ţicău to the Council

Subject: Irish Presidency of the EU — lifting barriers for Romanian and Bulgarian workers

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E-011700/12 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Wind turbines in Farini

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P-011701/12 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Tax on transfer of real estate from ATEbank to Piraeus Bank

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P-011702/12 by Michèle Rivasi to the Commission

Subject: Composition of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) working group on endocrine disruptors

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P-011703/12 by Mara Bizzotto to the Commission

Subject: Safety of European citizens and precautionary measures under Italian law imposing an obligation to stay in a specified place: the case of Tezze sul Brenta (Province of Vicenza)

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P-011704/12 by Janusz Wojciechowski to the Commission

Subject: Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing

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E-000001/13 by Janusz Wojciechowski to the Commission

Subject: CHAP(2012)02494 case

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E-000002/13 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou to the Commission

Subject: Imbalances between Member States as regards youth unemployment and measures to address them

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E-000003/13 by Charalampos Angourakis to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — The new imperialist spheres of influence drawn in blood

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E-000004/13 by Nikolaos Chountis to the Commission

Subject: Greek state auction for Thessaloniki metro extension project

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E-000005/13 by Michèle Rivasi to the Commission

Subject: Registration of skin cancer

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E-000006/13 by Louis Grech to the Commission

Subject: Environment Action Programme (EAP)

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E-000007/13 by Amelia Andersdotter to the Commission

Subject: Clarification of the copyright situation regarding the survey initiated by the Commission on the structure of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe

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E-000008/13 by Ashley Fox to the Commission

Subject: Access to rail transport for wheelchair passengers in the EU

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E-000009/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Council

Subject: Three scenarios for the Union in 2030

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E-000010/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Three scenarios for the Union in 2030

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E-000011/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Critical situation in the Caucasus

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E-000012/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Instagram and consumer rights

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E-000013/13 by Marc Tarabella to the Commission

Subject: Mental health and energy drinks: a dangerous cocktail

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E-000014/13 by Andrea Zanoni to the Commission

Subject: Approval of the implementing development plan for Ca' Roman in the municipality of Venice in the absence of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) referred to in Directive 2001/42/EC

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E-000015/13 by Cornelis de Jong to the Commission

Subject: Trade in animal-tested cosmetics

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E-000016/13 by Lucas Hartong to the Commission

Subject: Appointment of a tobacco lobbyist to the Ethics Committee on Lobbying

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E-000017/13 by Christel Schaldemose to the Commission

Subject: Values for tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the new proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive

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E-000018/13 by Christian Engström to the Commission

Subject: Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) — what did the Court ask the Commission?

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E-000019/13 by Patricia van der Kammen to the Commission

Subject: Privatisation of drinking water

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E-000020/13 by Patricia van der Kammen to the Commission

Subject: Compulsory water-saving shower heads

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E-000021/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Freedom of religion

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E-000022/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: A bergamot-tinged war?

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P-000023/13 by Jim Higgins to the Commission

Subject: Carbon monoxide

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P-000024/13 by Toine Manders to the Commission

Subject: European classification system for medicines based on risks of impairment of driving ability

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E-000025/13 by Charalampos Angourakis to the Commission

Subject: VP/HR — Military attack on FARC-EP

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E-000026/13 by Derek Vaughan to the Commission

Subject: Tackling racism in football

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E-000027/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Case of international abduction of minors to Russia

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E-000028/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Case of international abduction of minors to Russia

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E-000029/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Case of international abduction of a minor to Russia

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E-000030/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Case of international abduction of a minor to Russia

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E-000031/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Case of international abduction of minors to France

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E-000032/13 by Patricia van der Kammen to the Commission

Subject: Nefarious practices at Ryanair

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P-000042/13 by Saïd El Khadraoui to the Commission

Subject: Ryanair aircraft flying with too little fuel on board

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E-000054/13 by Ivo Belet to the Commission

Subject: Safety issues raised by limited quantities of fuel carried on Ryanair flights

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E-000033/13 by Patricia van der Kammen to the Commission

Subject: Inappropriate farm subsidies

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E-000034/13 by Jim Higgins to the Commission

Subject: Food security and food education

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E-000035/13 by Andrea Zanoni to the Commission

Subject: Strictly supervised conditions in respect of the application of the derogations laid down in Article 9(c) of Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive)

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E-000036/13 by Crescenzio Rivellini to the Commission

Subject: Situation of Italian prisons and funding available for integrating prisoners and for families

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E-000037/13 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten to the Commission

Subject: Accumulation of pension entitlements by frontier workers in Belgium

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P-000038/13 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Free movement of capital

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P-000039/13 by Bart Staes to the Commission

Subject: The Dalli case and lobbying by the tobacco industry

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E-000040/13 by Laurence J.A.J. Stassen to the Commission

Subject: Turkish Minister: ‘Christianity is no longer a religion’

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P-000041/13 by Isabelle Thomas to the Commission

Subject: Drawing up the action plan for the Atlantic region

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E-000043/13 by Emine Bozkurt to the Commission

Subject: Use of the European Social Fund in Poland

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P-000044/13 by Julie Girling to the Commission

Subject: Schmallenberg virus

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E-000046/13 by Marian Harkin to the Commission

Subject: Good Samaritan law

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E-000047/13 by Sajjad Karim to the Commission

Subject: Dutch diving regulations — recognition of professional qualifications

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E-000048/13 by Chris Davies to the Commission

Subject: EU humanitarian aid to Burma

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E-000049/13 by Saïd El Khadraoui to the Commission

Subject: Possible breach of rules concerning the common charging scheme for air navigation services

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E-000050/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Concerns due to arsenic concentrations in ore that is planned to be extracted at Krumovgrad, Bulgaria

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E-000051/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Illegally granted mining concession without tender or environmental impact assessment at Krumovgrad, Bulgaria

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E-000052/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Pollution from mining facilities in Bulgaria

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E-000053/13 by Nikos Chrysogelos to the Commission

Subject: Arsenic contamination of Topolnitsa reservoir (Bulgaria) by the mining industry

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E-000055/13 by Marek Henryk Migalski to the Commission

Subject: Investigation into Russian opposition activist

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E-000056/13 by Marek Henryk Migalski to the Commission

Subject: Employment in management posts in EU institutions

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E-000057/13 by Mariya Gabriel to the Commission

Subject: Legislative amendments envisaged by the Commission for early 2013 which reduce or prohibit the use of natural ingredients in perfumes

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E-000058/13 by Dan Jørgensen to the Commission

Subject: Problems concerning the implementation of EU transport rules

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E-000059/13 by Matteo Salvini to the Commission

Subject: EU policies to tackle illegal immigration

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E-000060/13 by Roberta Angelilli to the Commission

Subject: Abduction of a minor in Romania

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P-000061/13 by Michael Cramer to the Commission

Subject: EASA opinion 04/2012 on flight time limitations

Deutsche Fassung

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P-000062/13 by Emma McClarkin to the Commission

Subject: European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)

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E-000063/13 by Ramon Tremosa i Balcells to the Commission

Subject: Spanish Ministry of Defence debt and expenditure

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E-000064/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Recapitalisation of banks in Cyprus

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E-000065/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Support programmes for the unemployed

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E-000066/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: VAT fraud

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E-000067/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: State benefits and welfare entitlements

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E-000068/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: International Conference and the Republic of Cyprus

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E-000069/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Cyprus' debt

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E-000070/13 by Antigoni Papadopoulou to the Commission

Subject: Immigration

Ελληνική έκδοση

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(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011468/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Investigadores portugueses identificam novo tratamento para a osteoartrose

Considerando que:

— A osteoartrose, vulgarmente chamada artrose, é uma das múltiplas doenças reumáticas e, de longe, a mais comum; que é uma doença de natureza degenerativa que envolve todas as articulações, sendo uma das principais causas de incapacidades motoras a nível laboral a partir dos 50 anos; que esta doença afeta milhões de pessoas e não existe um medicamento eficaz para o seu tratamento;

— Segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde, a osteoartrose é uma das 17 doenças prioritárias na área da prevenção e do tratamento; que a evolução da doença é um processo longo com custos diretos e indiretos muito elevados, tanto para o doente, como para o Serviço Nacional de Saúde;

— foi recentemente identificado por uma equipa de investigadores da Universidade de Coimbra um composto natural, extraído do zimbro, com elevado potencial para o tratamento da osteoartrose; que o composto identificado demonstra um enorme potencial para travar a doença e promover a regeneração do tecido da cartilagem;

— O processo de investigação em curso ainda não assegurou o financiamento necessário;

Pergunto à Comissão:

Tem conhecimento desta importante descoberta?

Sabendo que esta doença é considerada prioritária pela OMS, poderá a investigação em causa beneficiar de apoio financeiro por parte da Comissão Europeia?

Resposta dada por Máire Geoghegan-Quinn em nome da Comissão

(15 de fevereiro de 2013)

A Comissão está consciente da potencialidade da aplicação de compostos extraídos do zimbro no tratamento da osteoartrite (OA), tal como referido pelo Senhor Deputado (1).

Embora a investigação específica sobre a utilização de zimbro ou outras matérias vegetais no tratamento da OA ainda não tenha sido apoiada, a investigação sobre o diagnóstico, o acompanhamento e o tratamento desta doença tem sido amplamente tratada no âmbito dos Sexto e Sétimo Programas-Quadro de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (6.° PQ, 2002-2006; 7.° PQ, 2007-2013).

No 7. ° PQ, mais de 59 milhões de euros foram consagrados ao estudo e à luta contra a OA. Entre os domínios abrangidos contam-se, por exemplo, o papel da predisposição genética em grandes grupos da população (TREAT OA (2)), o desenvolvimento de ferramentas de diagnóstico com base em nanotecnologias (Nanodiara (3)), bem como a validação de novos biomarcadores de diagnóstico (D-BOARD (4)), o estudo do papel da alimentação e do exercício em casa na progressão da OA nas pessoas idosas (DO-Health (5)) e o desenvolvimento de materiais manipulados por técnicas de bioengenharia para a regeneração da cartilagem (OPHIS (6), Regenknee (7)).

Além disso, o Programa «Saúde Pública» (2008-2013) está a apoiar um projeto, iniciado em 2010, para o desenvolvimento de uma «Rede europeia de vigilância e informação sobre as doenças musculoesqueléticas» (Eumusc.NET (8), 1 milhão de euros).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011468/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: Portuguese researchers identify a new treatment for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, commonly known as arthritis, is one of many rheumatic diseases and by far the most common. It is a degenerative disease that affects all joints and is one of the main causes of mobility impairment impacting on the working lives of people over 50. This disease affects millions of people and there is no effective drug to treat it.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), osteoarthritis is one of 17 priority diseases in terms of prevention and treatment. The disease develops over a long period of time with very high direct and indirect costs, both for the patient and for the National Health Service.

A team of researchers from the University of Coimbra recently identified a natural compound extracted from juniper, which has good potential for treating osteoarthritis. The compound identified shows great potential in terms of curbing the condition and promoting the regeneration of cartilage tissue.

The ongoing research has not yet secured the necessary funding.

1. Is the Commission aware of this important discovery?

2. As osteoarthritis is considered a priority disease by the WHO, will it grant financial support for this research?

Answer given by Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2013)

The Commission is aware of the potential application of compounds extracted from juniper in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), as mentioned by the Honourable Member (9).

Although specific research on the use of juniper or other plant materials in the treatment of OA has not yet been supported, research on the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of this disease has been extensively addressed within the Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (FP6, 2002-2006; FP7, 2007-2013).

Within FP7, over EUR 59 million have been devoted to studying and combatting OA. Areas addressed include for instance the role of genetic predisposition in large population cohorts (TREAT OA (10)), the development of nanotechnology based diagnostic tools (NANODIARA (11)) as well as the validation of novel diagnostics biomarkers (D-BOARD (12)), the study of the role of diet and home exercise on OA progression in the elderly (DO-HEALTH (13)) and the development of bioengineered materials for cartilage regeneration (OPHIS (14), REGENKNEE (15)).

In addition, the Public Health Programme (2008-2013) is supporting a project, started in 2010, for the development of a ‘European Musculoskeletal Conditions Surveillance and Information Network’ (EUMUSC.NET (16), EUR 1 million).

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011469/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Corte nos apoios aos bancos alimentares

Considerando que:

— O Programa Comunitário de Apoio Alimentar a Carenciados (PCAAC), instituído em 1987, beneficiou, desde a sua criação, 18 milhões de cidadãos europeus em 20 Estados‐Membros; que mais de metade do total dos alimentos entregues pelas instituições nos Estados-Membros provinha do Programa Europeu;

— O PCAAC contribui diretamente para combater a pobreza e promover a inclusão social, revelando-se imprescindível em vários Estados-Membros, designadamente Portugal, que não dispõe de um programa alimentar próprio;

— O PCAAC irá desaparecer no final de 2013 e será substituído por um novo Fundo para apoiar os cidadãos europeus mais carenciados, com uma dotação global prevista de 2,5 mil milhões de euros para o período 2014-2020, passando a haver menos dinheiro para distribuir por mais países;

— Segundo o Eurostat, 79 milhões de pessoas vivem na Europa abaixo do limiar de pobreza e 30 milhões sofrem de subnutrição, e nos últimos anos, tendo os 240 Bancos Alimentares distribuído 360 mil toneladas de produtos alimentares a instituições de solidariedade social em 21 países europeus;

— É fundamental a criação de um mecanismo europeu claro e determinado que reforce a solidariedade e o combate à pobreza, cujo principal eixo seja o apoio alimentar, e que possa ser conjugado, de forma célere e eficaz, com os recursos dos Estados-Membros, da sociedade civil e dos voluntários;

Pergunto à Comissão:

Com que valores pode Portugal contar durante o período 2014-2020 e de que forma vão ser estruturados?

Pode a Comissão assegurar que o apoio alimentar será uma das prioridades do Fundo?

Que medidas complementares estão a ser definidas, que permitam, nomeadamente, conjugar a medida com os recursos dos Estados-Membros?

Resposta dada por László Andor em nome da Comissão

(21 de fevereiro de 2013)

A proposta da Comissão para o próximo quadro financeiro plurianual (QFP) prevê uma dotação de 2,5 mil milhões de euros para o Fundo de Auxílio Europeu às Pessoas Mais Carenciadas, confirmado pelas conclusões do Conselho Europeu de 7-9 de fevereiro. A repartição anual por Estado-Membro, assim como a afetação concreta a Portugal ainda será determinada pela Comissão num ato de execução baseado no número de pessoas que sofrem de formas graves de privação material e na população que vive em agregados com baixa intensidade de trabalho.

O Fundo de Auxílio Europeu às Pessoas Mais Carenciadas deve ser executado através de gestão partilhada, com base nos programas operacionais nacionais, nos quais cada Estado-Membro identificará e justificará o tipo de auxílio material a suportar pelo Fundo a partir das opções incluídas no regulamento, incluindo assistência de qualidade. Os Estados-Membros poderiam focar-se num tipo de auxílio material ou combinar vários, dependendo das circunstâncias e das escolhas nacionais. Esta flexibilidade será essencial para garantir a capacidade de resposta do instrumento às necessidades locais, o que maximizará a sua eficácia.

De acordo com o artigo 4.° da proposta da Comissão, o Fundo de Auxílio Europeu às Pessoas Mais Carenciadas deverá apoiar os esquemas nacionais na prestação de auxílio material aos mais carenciados. Além disso, prevê-se um cofinanciamento nacional que fomente as sinergias entre o Fundo de Auxílio Europeu às Pessoas Mais Carenciadas e os recursos nacionais.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011469/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: Cuts in food bank support

Since it was founded in 1987, the European food aid programme for deprived persons (PEAD) has helped 18 million EU citizens in 20 Member States; more than half of the total food handed out by charities in the Member States has come from this EU programme.

The PEAD directly helps to combat poverty and to promote social inclusion and has proved vital in several Member States, particularly Portugal, which does not have a national food programme.

The PEAD will cease to exist at the end of 2013 and will be replaced by a new fund to support the most deprived EU citizens. A total budget of EUR 2.5 billion is planned for the period 2014‐2020, meaning that there will be less money to distribute among more countries.

According to Eurostat, 79 million people in Europe are living below the poverty line and 30 million suffer from malnutrition. In recent years the 240 food banks have distributed 360 000 tonnes of food to charities in 21 European countries.

It is essential to create a clear and specific European mechanism to strengthen solidarity and to combat poverty, based on food aid, which can be quickly and efficiently combined with the resources of Member States, civil society and volunteers.

1. How much will Portugal receive from this fund during the period 2014‐2020 and how will this amount be structured?

2. Can the Commission guarantee that food aid will be one of the fund’s priorities?

3. What additional measures will be implemented which in particular will enable this fund to be used alongside Member States’ resources?

Answer given by Mr Andor on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2013)

The Commission's proposal for the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) foresees a budget of 2.5 billion EUR for the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, confirmed by the conclusions of the European Council of 7-9 February. The annual breakdown by Member State and thus also the concrete allocation to Portugal is to be determined by the Commission in an implementing act on the basis of the number of people suffering from severe material deprivation and the population living in households with very low work intensity.

The FEAD would be implemented in shared management, on the basis of national operational programmes, in which each Member State will identify and justify the type of material assistance that would be supported by the FEAD from the options included in the regulation including good assistance. The Member States would be able to focus on one type of material assistance or to combine them, depending on the national circumstances and choices. This flexibility will be key to ensure the responsiveness of the instrument to the local needs, hence maximising its effectiveness.

According to Article 4 of the Commission's proposal, the FEAD should support national schemes providing material assistance to the Most Deprived. In addition, a public national co-financing is foreseen, fostering the synergies between the FEAD and the national resources.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011470/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Relatório FAO: necessidade de maior investimento na agricultura

Segundo dados do relatório da ONU para a Agricultura e Alimentação (FAO), a agricultura vai enfrentar grandes desafios nas próximas décadas, nomeadamente satisfazer o crescimento da procura de alimentos devido ao aumento populacional.

O relatório refere ainda que «para satisfazer as necessidades e erradicar a fome e subnutrição, e ao mesmo tempo conservar os recursos naturais, é preciso estimular o crescimento da produção agrícola e garantir mais e melhores investimentos».

Recentemente foram divulgados cortes que irão ser aplicados nas verbas destinadas aos apoios ao setor agrícola.

Assim pergunto à Comissão:

Tem conhecimento do referido relatório? Como o avalia?

Resposta dada por Dacian Cioloşon em nome da Comissão

(11 de fevereiro de 2013)

A Comissão está perfeitamente ao corrente da mais recente publicação de referência da Organização para a Alimentação e a Agricultura (FAO) sobre o Estado Mundial da Agricultura e da Alimentação (SOFA). A Comissão participou num painel de discussão sobre o SOFA que se realizou em Roma em dezembro de 2012 à margem do Conselho da FAO.

O SOFA 2012, intitulado «Investir na agricultura para um futuro melhor», conclui que erradicar a fome exigirá «melhoramentos drásticos tanto no nível como na qualidade do investimento público no setor». A Comissão regozija-se vivamente com esta publicação. Na sua comunicação «Aumentar o impacto da política de desenvolvimento da UE: uma Agenda para a Mudança» (17), a Comissão sublinhou igualmente a importância da agricultura enquanto setor com fortes efeitos multiplicadores para o crescimento sustentável e a segurança alimentar nos países em desenvolvimento. A segurança alimentar continua igualmente a constituir um objetivo essencial da política agrícola comum, tal como sublinhado na comunicação e propostas «A PAC no horizonte 2020: responder aos desafios do futuro em matéria de alimentação, recursos naturais e territoriais» (18). Além disso, a publicação deste relatório FAO fornece elementos analíticos para o processo de consulta sobre os princípios para um investimento responsável na agricultura (RAI), no âmbito do Comité da Segurança Alimentar Mundial. Os investimentos na agricultura foram amplamente debatidos durante a Semana Verde realizada em Berlim em janeiro, para a qual a Comissão também deu um importante contributo.

Além disso, a Comissão nota que, embora os investimentos na agricultura sejam cruciais, é igualmente necessário envidar esforços para combater a subnutrição. Uma próxima comunicação sublinhará a forma como a Comissão tenciona abordar os problemas de raquitismo e emaciação, com especial atenção para a nutrição materna e infantil.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011470/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: FAO Report: need for greater investment in agriculture

According to the report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), agriculture will face major challenges in the decades ahead, particularly in order to meet the growing demand for food due to population growth.

The report also states that in order to meet needs and eradicate hunger and malnutrition, while conserving natural resources, it is necessary to stimulate the growth of agricultural production and ensure more and better investments.

It was recently announced that cuts are to be made to the funds allocated to support the agricultural sector.

I therefore ask the Commission:

Is it aware of this report? What does it think of it?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2013)

The Commission is well aware of the latest flagship publication of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA). The Commission participated in a panel discussion on SOFA taking place in Rome in December 2012 in the margins of the FAO Council.

The 2012 SOFA entitled ‘Investing in agriculture for a better future’ concludes that eradicating hunger will require a ‘dramatic improvements in both the level and quality of government investment in the sector’. The Commission strongly welcomes this publication. In its communication for ‘Increasing the impact of the EU Development Policy: an Agenda for change’ (19), the Commission also underlined the importance of agriculture as a sector with strong multiplier effects for sustainable growth and food security in developing countries. Food security also remains a key goal of the common agricultural policy, as outlined in the communication and proposals ‘The CAP towards 2020: meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future’ (20). Furthermore, the publication of this FAO report provides analytical elements for the consultation process on the principles for Responsible Agricultural Investments (RAI) within the Committee on World Food Security. Investment in agriculture was also discussed at length during Green Week in Berlin in January, to which the Commission also strongly contributed.

Furthermore, the Commission notes that, while investment in agriculture is crucial, efforts also need to be made to address under-nutrition. An upcoming Communication will highlight the way it intends to tackle the problems of stunting and wasting, with a focus on maternal and child nutrition.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011471/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Desperdício alimentar

Considerando que:

— De acordo com o Comissário Europeu Potocnik, e pese embora a extensa legislação atualmente existente que visa combater as razões dos desperdícios alimentares nas diversas fases da cadeia alimentar, 90 milhões de toneladas de alimentos, sem contar com os desperdícios relacionados com a agricultura e pesca, são desperdiçados anualmente (dados de 2011).

— Em Portugal, de acordo com o recente primeiro estudo nacional (de Dezembro de 2012) sobre perdas e desperdícios, 1 milhão de toneladas é quanto o país deita fora.

— Em contrapartida, e segundo o Eurostat, 79 milhões de pessoas vivem na Europa abaixo do limiar de pobreza e 30 milhões sofrem de subnutrição, e em Portugal, pelo menos 200 mil pessoas passam fome, número que deve ser considerado subavaliado.

— Em 2011, a Comissão Europeia comprometeu-se, conjuntamente com todos os intervenientes, a avaliar esta situação e a apresentar medidas concretas que atenuassem o desperdício nas diferentes fases de produção, incluindo o consumidor final.

Assim, e volvido um ano, pergunto à Comissão:

Que medidas foram implementadas e qual foi o seu impacto real? Que medidas estão previstas para os próximos anos, para minorar este desajustamento? Está a Comissão em condições de assegurar que estas medidas serão contempladas na estratégia de apoio alimentar 2014-2020, como sinal claro da coerência entre as políticas europeias de combate à pobreza?

Resposta dada por Tonio Borg em nome da Comissão

(20 de fevereiro de 2013)

A Comissão está a analisar, em cooperação estreita com as partes interessadas, formas de reduzir o desperdício de alimentos e está a debater possíveis medidas a nível comunitário para complementar as medidas a nível nacional. A reunião mais recente do grupo de trabalho responsável pelo desperdício de alimentos, inserido no Grupo Consultivo da Cadeia Alimentar, da Saúde Animal e da Fitossanidade (8 de fevereiro de 2013), centrou-se em tópicos específicos, tais como a doação de excedentes de comida a bancos de alimentos, o sistema de indicação da data nos rótulos, a alimentação animal, as cadeias de abastecimento alimentar curtas, a bioenergia, entre outros. Em paralelo, a Comissão divulga informações através do seu sítio Web dedicado ao assunto (21): um pequeno filme de grande difusão sobre o desperdício alimentar, «10 dicas para não desperdiçar alimentos», em todas as línguas da UE, e elementos para esclarecer o significado de «a consumir de preferência antes de …» e «data-limite de consumo». A Comissão também está a compilar boas práticas de aplicação fácil que estarão brevemente disponíveis no sítio Web. O Eurostat está a preparar uma recolha de dados sobre o desperdício alimentar que ocorre na cadeia de oferta e consumo de comida. Espera-se que os Estados-Membros forneçam dados numa base voluntária até ao outono de 2014.

A Comissão publicou, em agosto de 2011, orientações sobre a preparação de programas de prevenção do desperdício de alimentos («Guidelines on the Preparation of Food Waste Prevention Programes» (22)) que têm como objetivo ajudar os Estados-Membros a desenvolverem programas nacionais de prevenção de resíduos no domínio do desperdício alimentar.

Por fim, a Comissão está atualmente a preparar uma comunicação sobre alimentação sustentável («Sustainable Food»), prevista para o final de 2013, onde o desperdício de comida será uma questão central.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011471/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: Food waste

Given that:

— According to Commissioner Potočnik, despite the extensive legislation currently in force which aims to tackle the causes of food waste at various stages of the food chain, 90 million tonnes of food, excluding agriculture and fisheries waste, is thrown away each year (data from 2011).

— According to Portugal’s first national study on the subject which was carried out recently (December 2012), the country throws away one million tonnes of waste.

— In contrast, according to Eurostat, 79 million people in Europe are living below the poverty line and 30 million suffer from malnutrition. In Portugal, at least 200 000 people go hungry, a number which should be regarded as an underestimate.

— In 2011, the Commission, along with all stakeholders, made a commitment to assess the situation and to propose specific measures to reduce waste at different production stages, including the final consumer.

One year on, I would therefore ask the Commission:

What measures were implemented and what was their actual impact? What measures are planned for the coming years to reduce this discrepancy? Can it ensure that these measures will be addressed in the 2014‐2020 food support strategy, as a clear sign of the coherence between EU policies to combat poverty?

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2013)

The Commission is analysing, in close cooperation with stakeholders, how to reduce food waste and is discussing possible EU measures to complement national measures. The most recent meeting of the Working Group on Food Waste in the context of the Advisory Group on the Food Chain, Animal and Plant Health (8 February 2013) focused on specific topics such as: the donation of surplus food to food banks, date labelling, feed, short food supply chains, bio-energy, etc. In parallel, the Commission is disseminating information via its dedicated website (23): a viral clip on food waste, ‘10 tips to reduce food waste’ in all EU languages, clarification of ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ labels. The Commission is also compiling good practices in a user-friendly way, which will soon be available on the website. Eurostat is preparing a data collection on food waste arising in the food supply and consumption chain. Results from Member States providing data on a voluntary basis are expected by autumn 2014.

It has published on August 2011 ‘Guidelines on the Preparation of Food Waste Prevention Programmes’ (24) which aims to help Member States to develop National Waste Prevention Programmes on the issue of food waste.

Lastly, the Commission is currently preparing a communication on ‘Sustainable Food’ foreseen for end 2013 where food waste will be a key issue.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011472/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Protocolo de Quioto

Considerando que:

— O Protocolo de Quioto foi recentemente prolongado na Conferência Climática das Nações Unidas até 2020.

— O acordo para a extensão do protocolo foi conseguido sem parte dos maiores poluidores do mundo, como os Estados Unidos, o Canada, a Índia ou o Brasil, e obriga os subscritores a reduzir a emissão de gases com efeito de estufa.

Assim, pergunto:

Qual a posição da UE relativamente a esta matéria?

Considera a Comissão que a extensão do prolongamento do protocolo de Quioto até 2020 sem parte dos maiores poluidores do mundo poderá pôr em risco no futuro a redução da emissão de gases com efeito de estufa?

Resposta dada por Connie Hedegaard em nome da Comissão

(15 de fevereiro de 2013)

A UE anuiu em aderir a um segundo período de compromissos ao abrigo do Protocolo de Quioto, no contexto de um pacote mais vasto a executar no período 2013-2020, que constitui o período de transição para um novo acordo internacional que abranja todas as partes; este acordo deverá ser concluído até 2015 e aplicável a partir de 2020.

No contexto deste pacote mais vasto, além dos países com objetivos para 2013-2020 ao abrigo do Protocolo de Quioto, mais sessenta países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento, como os Estados Unidos, o Canadá, a China, a Índia e o Brasil, comprometeram‐se a realizar ações de atenuação no período até 2020, no contexto da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre as Alterações Climáticas. Tanto os Estados Unidos como o Canadá se comprometeram a reduzir as emissões em 17 % relativamente a 2005; a Índia comprometeu‐se a reduzir o consumo de energia em 20-25 % relativamente a 2005 e o Brasil comprometeu‐se a reduzir as emissões em 36,1 a 38,9 % relativamente à situação presente. No total, a quota das emissões mundiais abrangidas por compromissos relativos a vários tipos de ações de atenuação, ao abrigo do Protocolo de Quioto e da Convenção, ascende a 83 %.

Além disso, a UE preconiza a necessidade urgente de suprir as disparidades em matéria de atenuação anteriores a 2020 por meio de ações reforçadas a realizar pelos países desenvolvidos e pelos países em desenvolvimento; preconiza também a necessidade de um empenho ativo em negociações para um novo acordo abrangente com a participação de todos. O Portal Climático de Doha, acordado na Conferência de Doha sobre o Clima, em dezembro de 2012, reafirmou a decisão de prosseguir as negociações numa via única (Plataforma de Durban), na qual todos os países participem e que abranja tanto o Acordo de 2015 como a questão das disparidades em matéria de atenuação anteriores a 2020.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011472/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was recently extended to 2020 at the United Nations Climate Conference.

The agreement to extend the protocol was concluded without some of the world’s biggest polluters such as the United States, Canada, India and Brazil, and obliges signatories to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the EU’s stance on this issue?

Does the Commission believe that extending the Kyoto Protocol to 2020 without the agreement of some of the world’s biggest polluters could jeopardise the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the future?

Answer given by Ms Hedegaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2013)

The EU agreed to be included in a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol as part of a broader package that applies during the 2013-2020 transition towards a new international agreement applicable to all which is to be completed by 2015 and apply from 2020 onwards.

In this broader package, in addition to the countries with 2013-2020 targets under the Kyoto Protocol, a further sixty developed and developing countries, including the United States, Canada, China, India and Brazil, have committed to pledges for mitigation action in the period up to 2020 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Both the United States and Canada have pledged to reduce emissions by 17% (compared to 2005), India has pledged to reduce energy intensity by 20-25% (compared to 2005) and Brazil has pledged to reduce emissions by 36.1 to 38.9% compared to business-as-usual. In total, the share of global emissions covered by commitments for different kinds of mitigation action both under the Kyoto Protocol and the Convention amounts to 83%.

In addition, the EU advocates the urgent need to address the mitigation gap pre-2020 through enhanced actions by both developed and developing countries, as well as the need to actively engage in negotiations for a new and comprehensive agreement with all on board. The Doha Climate Gateway, agreed at the Doha climate conference in December 2012, reaffirmed the decision to pursue negotiations under one single track (the Durban Platform), in which all countries participate and where both the 2015 Agreement and the pre-2020 mitigation gap will be addressed.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011473/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Brasil — Dificuldade na obtenção de vistos de trabalho para cidadãos da UE

Considerando que:

— A Organização Internacional para as Migrações (OIM) revelou recentemente que a crise económica está a inverter o fluxo migratório entre os países da Europa e da América Latina, que se converteu nos últimos anos no principal destino de jovens europeus;

— Entre os países que registaram o maior número de saídas figuram a Espanha (47 701), a Alemanha (20 926), a Holanda (17 168) e a Itália (15 701), sendo o Brasil, a Argentina, a Venezuela e o México os principais recetores;

— No caso dos jovens portugueses, essencialmente engenheiros civis e arquitetos, o principal destino é o Brasil;

— Estes jovens procuram oportunidades nas crescentes vagas criadas em função dos preparativos para o Mundial de Futebol de 2014 e os Jogos Olímpicos de 2016;

— As autoridades brasileiras estão a dificultar a emissão de vistos de trabalho a cidadãos da UE, que reúnem os requisitos face à falta de quadros técnicos no Brasil;

— Em Janeiro de 2013, terá lugar a cimeira UE — Brasil, em Brasília.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Tem conhecimento desta situação?

Não considera oportuno que, na referida cimeira, se possa discutir uma eventual flexibilização, por parte das autoridades brasileiras, no que respeita à concessão de vistos de trabalho a cidadãos da UE?

Resposta dada por Cecilia Malmström em nome da Comissão

(5 de março de 2013)

As dificuldades com que os cidadãos da UE se têm defrontado na obtenção de vistos de trabalho no Brasil não têm sido comunicadas à Comissão. No entanto, a Comissão está ciente das oportunidades de trabalho emergentes para os cidadãos da UE nos países da Comunidade de Estados da América Latina e das Caraíbas (CELAC) e está determinada a continuar a trabalhar em conjunto com aquela região, incluindo o Brasil, para melhor organizar a migração legal e a promover uma mobilidade bem gerida, em sintonia com a Abordagem Global para a Migração e a Mobilidade. Esta cooperação surge no âmbito do Diálogo Estruturado e Abrangente UE-CELAC sobre Migrações criado em junho de 2009.

O Plano de Ação Conjunto UE-Brasil 2012-2014 procura melhorar o intercâmbio, organizando melhor os fluxos migratórios regulares e abordando eficazmente todas as dimensões do fenómeno migratório. A recente vaga de migração europeia para o Brasil foi efetivamente debatida em diferentes momentos aquando da cimeira UE-Brasil. As autoridades brasileiras reiteraram o seu interesse em receber jovens europeus qualificados que poderão desempenhar um papel na modernização e renovação da força de trabalho do país.

Acresce que as questões da migração fazem também parte das negociações em curso para a conclusão de um Acordo de Associação entre a UE e o Mercosul.

Por último, em conformidade com a declaração da cimeira UE-CELAC, recentemente adotada, a Comissão pretende enfrentar os desafios dos fluxos migratórios dinâmicos entre as duas regiões, baseando-se em factos e informações relevantes. O estudo da OIM mencionado na questão, financiado pela Comissão e baseado nos dados do Eurostat de 2011 para os anos de 2008 e 2009, é um primeiro passo para melhorar os nossos conhecimentos sobre o fenómeno.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011473/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: EU citizens having difficulty obtaining work visas in Brazil

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recently revealed that the economic crisis is causing a reversal in migration between Europe and Latin America, which in recent years has become the destination of choice for young Europeans.

Those countries which have seen the largest exoduses include Spain (47 701), Germany (20 926), the Netherlands (17 168) and Italy (15 701), with Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico being the main destinations.

For young Portuguese, namely civil engineers and architects, Brazil is the destination of choice.

These young people are seeking opportunities among the growing vacancies created by preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Brazilian authorities are making it difficult for EU citizens who meet the requirements to obtain work visas due to a lack of technical staff in Brazil.

The EU-Brazil Summit will take place in Brasilia in January 2013.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Does it not see this summit as an opportunity to discuss a possible relaxation by the Brazilian authorities in terms of granting work visas to EU citizens?

Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2013)

Difficulties faced by EU citizens in obtaining work visas in Brazil have not been brought to the attention of the Commission. However, the Commission is aware of the labour opportunities emerging in Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) countries for EU citizens and is determined to continue to work with the region, including Brazil, in better organising legal migration and fostering well managed mobility in line with the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility. Cooperation takes places as part of the EU-CELAC Comprehensive and Structured Dialogue on Migration established in June 2009.

The EU-Brazil Joint Action Plan 2012-2014 calls for further exchanges on better organising regular migration flows and effectively addressing all the dimensions of the migration phenomenon. The recent wave of European migration to Brazil was indeed discussed in different moments on the occasion of the EU-Brazil Summit. The Brazilian authorities have reiterated their interest in receiving qualified young Europeans who could play a role in the modernisation and upgrading of the country's labour force.

Moreover Migration issues are also part of the ongoing negotiations for the conclusion of an Association Agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR.

Finally, in line with the recently adopted EU-CELAC Summit Declaration, the Commission aims to address the challenges of the ever changing migration flows between the two regions, based on relevant facts and information. The IOM study mentioned in the question, funded by the Commission and based on 2011 Eurostat data for years 2008 and 2009, is a first step to improve our knowledge of the phenomenon.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011474/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: Utilização de polifosfatos na transformação do bacalhau

Considerando que:

— A indústria portuguesa de processamento do bacalhau representa, atualmente, 1 800 postos de trabalho diretos, apresentando uma faturação de 400 milhões de euros;

— Em 2011, Portugal importou 24 mil toneladas de bacalhau seco, o equivalente a 150 milhões de euros;

— A Comissão Europeia continua em negociações com Portugal sobre uma eventual introdução de polifosfatos no bacalhau de cura tradicional;

— A futura proposta deverá ser apresentada apenas no início de 2013;

— Recentemente, o Governo português enviou uma proposta à Comissão Europeia, no sentido de introduzir uma exceção para o produto destinado ao mercado português;

— Ao longo de cinco séculos, Portugal desenvolveu e aperfeiçoou um processo de secagem do bacalhau reconhecido pela sua qualidade em todo o mundo, sendo uma das principais bandeiras da gastronomia portuguesa.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Tendo em conta que a introdução de polifosfatos constitui uma forte ameaça à viabilidade económica da indústria portuguesa de transformação de bacalhau, pondera a Comissão aceitar a exceção ao referido produto destinado ao mercado português?

Poderia a certificação deste produto ser parte da solução do referido problema?

Resposta dada por Tonio Borg em nome da Comissão

(7 de fevereiro de 2013)

O uso de polifosfatos no peixe salgado deverá ser objeto de uma proposta da Comissão que será apresentada e discutida com os Estados-Membros nas próximas semanas. Assim que forem autorizados, os polifosfatos terão de ser rotulados na lista de ingredientes, em concordância com a Diretiva 2000/13/CE do Parlamento Europeu e do Conselho de 20 de março de 2000 relativa à aproximação das legislações dos Estados-Membros respeitantes à rotulagem, apresentação e publicidade dos géneros alimentícios. Além disso, os produtores de peixe de salga húmida não-tratado poderão também rotular o peixe em conformidade.

Por conseguinte, os produtores de bacalhau e os consumidores devem poder continuar a escolher o tipo de produtos. A produção tradicional do «bacalhau» em Portugal vai continuar a ser possível uma vez que os dois tipos de produtos (peixe salgado por salga húmida tratado e não-tratado) podem coexistir e ambos servem os mercados onde são alvo de procura.

Além disso, para permitir que os produtores de bacalhau se adaptem a uma situação em que o peixe tratado com polifosfatos poderá entrar no mercado, a Comissão tenciona propor a criação de um período de transição. Durante este período, os produtores de bacalhau poderão criar acordos com os seus fornecedores de peixe salgado por salga húmida para se certificarem de que os produtos não foram tratados com polifosfatos.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011474/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: Using polyphosphates in cod processing

Given that:

— The Portuguese cod processing industry currently accounts for 1 800 direct jobs, generating a turnover of EUR 400 million;

— In 2011, Portugal imported 24 000 tonnes of dried cod, worth EUR 150 million;

— The Commission is still in talks with Portugal about the possibility of introducing polyphosphates in salted cod;

— The future proposal will only be tabled in early 2013;

— The Portuguese Government recently submitted a proposal to the Commission to introduce an exception for cod destined for the Portuguese market;

— Over five centuries, Portugal has developed and perfected a process of drying cod which is recognised for its quality throughout the world and is one of the main specialities of Portuguese cuisine.

I would ask the Commission:

As the introduction of polyphosphates is a serious threat to the economic viability of the Portuguese cod processing industry, will it consider adopting the exception for cod destined for the Portuguese market?

Could certifying this product be part of the solution to this problem?

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2013)

The use of polyphosphates in salted fish should be the object of a Commission proposal due to be presented and discussed with the Member States in the coming weeks. Once authorised, polyphosphate will have to be labelled on the list of ingredients in accordance with Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs. Furthermore, producers of non-treated wet salted fish also have the possibility to label the fish accordingly.

Therefore, bacalhau producers and consumers should be able to continue to choose the type of products. The traditional production of ‘bacalhau’ in Portugal will continue to be possible since the two types of products — treated and untreated wet salted fish — could co-exist and both serve the markets in which they are demanded.

In addition, to allow bacalhau producers to adapt to the situation where fish treated with polyphosphates could be placed on the market, the Commission would propose to establish a transitional period. During this period, bacalhau producers could make agreements with their suppliers of wet slated fish to certify that products have not been treated with phosphates.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011475/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: EURAF: Agroflorestas 1

A European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) organizou recentemente em Bruxelas a primeira conferência científica sobre agroflorestas, com a participação de 17 países europeus e delegados da América do Norte e de África.

A EURAF descreve a agrofloresta como «a mistura de árvores com animais/colheita, um elemento chave para a segurança alimentar e energética num mundo imprevisível, sujeito a alterações climáticas e à escassez de combustíveis».

Como conclusão da conferência, foram emitidas 7 declarações com o intuito de alertar a Comissão Europeia para o tema da agrofloresta na discussão da futura PAC.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Qual a posição da Comissão relativamente à declaração da EURAF que considera que os sistemas agroflorestais tradicionais devem ser reconhecidos e regenerados e que deve ser promovida a implementação de sistemas agroflorestais inovadores?

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011481/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: EURAF: Agroflorestas 7

A European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) organizou recentemente em Bruxelas a primeira conferência científica sobre agroflorestas, com a participação de 17 países europeus e delegados da América do Norte e de África.

A EURAF descreve a agrofloresta como «a mistura de árvores com animais/colheita, um elemento chave para a segurança alimentar e energética num mundo imprevisível, sujeito a alterações climáticas e à escassez de combustíveis».

Como conclusão da conferência, foram emitidas 7 declarações com o intuito de alertar a Comissão Europeia para o tema da agrofloresta na discussão da futura PAC.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Qual a posição da Comissão relativamente à declaração da EURAF, que refere que os benefícios dos sistemas agroflorestais para a adaptação e mitigação das alterações climáticas devem ser reconhecidos e valorizados na política da União Europeia para as alterações climáticas?

Resposta conjunta dada por Dacian Cioloş em nome da Comissão

(22 de fevereiro de 2013)

A Comissão está consciente dos múltiplos benefícios dos sistemas agroflorestais. Na proposta de regulamento relativo ao desenvolvimento rural (25) após 2013, a Comissão inclui a elegibilidade dos custos de manutenção dos sistemas agroflorestais até 3 anos, permitindo a criação de sistemas agroflorestais em terrenos agrícolas e não agrícolas e o alargamento da lista de beneficiários potenciais, desde agricultores a proprietários rurais particulares, incluindo, no caso de sistemas silvopastoris, proprietários de florestas, rendeiros, municípios e respetivas associações.

Segundo a Proposta de Decisão relativa a regras contabilísticas e planos de ação para as emissões e absorções de gases com efeito de estufa resultantes das atividades relacionadas com o uso do solo, a reafetação do solo e a silvicultura (26), o balanço dos gases com efeitos de estufa dos sistemas agroflorestais será contabilizado no âmbito da gestão florestal, na condição de os sistemas agroflorestais respeitarem a definição de floresta (de acordo com os seguintes critérios: área mínima da superfície, coberto arbóreo mínimo ou índice de densidade equivalente, árvores com potencial para atingir uma altura mínima aquando da maturidade).

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011475/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 1

The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) recently held the first scientific conference on agroforestry in Brussels, with the participation of 17 European countries and delegates from North America and Africa.

EURAF describes agroforestry as the ‘mixture of trees with crops/animals’, and points out that it is ‘a key component of food and fuel security in an unpredictable world affected by climate change and fossil fuels scarcity’.

To wind up the conference, seven statements were issued with the aim of drawing the Commission's attention to agroforestry in the context of the debate on the future CAP.

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement that traditional agroforestry systems should be recognised and renewed, and the implementation of innovative agroforestry systems should be promoted?

Question for written answer E-011481/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: EURAF: agroforestry 7

The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) recently held the first scientific conference on agroforestry, which took place in Brussels and was attended by participants from 17 European countries and delegates from North America and Africa.

According to EURAF, agroforestry, ‘the “on purpose” mixture of trees with crops/animals, is a key component of food and fuel security in an unpredictable world affected by climate change and fossil fuels scarcity’.

The seven statements issued at the end of the conference were aimed at raising awareness of agroforestry within the Commission in anticipation of the discussion on the future CAP.

What does the Commission think about the EURAF statement that the benefits of agroforestry systems for climate change adaptation and mitigation should be recognised and turned to account in EU climate action policy?

Joint answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2013)

The Commission is aware of the multiple benefits of agroforestry systems. In its proposal for a Rural Development Regulation (27) post 2013, the Commission includes the eligibility of maintenance costs for agroforestry systems up to 3 years, allowing the establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land and non-agricultural land and extension of the list of potential beneficiaries from farmers to private landowners, including forest owners in the case of silvo-pastoral systems, tenants, municipalities and their associations.

According to the draft Decision on accounting rules and action plans on greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from activities related to land use, land use change and forestry (28), the greenhouse gas balance of agroforestry systems would be accounted under forest management, provided that agroforestry systems meet the definition for forest (according to three criteria: minimal size of the area, minimal tree crown cover or equivalent stocking level, minimal tree height at maturity).

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011476/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: EURAF: Agroflorestas 2

A European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) organizou recentemente em Bruxelas a primeira conferência científica sobre agroflorestas, com a participação de 17 países europeus e delegados da América do Norte e de África.

A EURAF descreve a agrofloresta como «a mistura de árvores com animais/colheita, um elemento chave para a segurança alimentar e energética num mundo imprevisível, sujeito a alterações climáticas e à escassez de combustíveis».

Como conclusão da conferência, foram emitidas 7 declarações com o intuito de alertar a Comissão Europeia para o tema da agrofloresta na discussão na futura PAC.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Qual o entendimento da Comissão relativamente à declaração da EURAF no sentido de tornar os sistemas agroflorestais totalmente elegíveis no âmbito do primeiro pilar da Política Agrícola Comum?

Resposta dada por Dacian Cioloș em nome da Comissão

(21 de fevereiro de 2013)

As regras pormenorizadas relativas à elegibilidade das terras para pagamentos diretos, nomeadamente as regras respeitantes ao tratamento de determinados casos em que as zonas agrícolas incluem árvores, serão estabelecidas em atos delegados com base no artigo 77.°, n.° 2, alínea b), da proposta de regulamento horizontal apresentada pela Comissão (29). As futuras regras devem assegurar que as ajudas diretas são concedidas para a utilização das terras agrícolas em atividades agrícolas. Na elaboração dessas regras, será devidamente tomada em conta a questão dos sistemas agroflorestais.

No entanto, no seu documento de reflexão sobre a ecologização, a Comissão indicava já que poderia vir a ponderar a elegibilidade de zonas com extensos sistemas agrícolas/pastoris tradicionais, inclusive nos casos em que a erva e outras forrageiras herbáceas não são predominantes, que desempenhem um papel essencial na biodiversidade e evitem a erosão dos solos e a libertação de carbono.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011476/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 2

The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) recently held the first scientific conference on agroforestry in Brussels, with the participation of 17 European countries and delegates from North America and Africa.

EURAF describes agroforestry as the ‘mixture of trees with crops/animals’, and points out that it is ‘a key component of food and fuel security in an unpredictable world affected by climate change and fossil fuels scarcity’.

To wind up the conference, seven statements were issued with the aim of drawing the Commission's attention to agroforestry in the context of the debate on the future CAP.

What is the Commission's view on the EURAF statement that agroforestry systems should be made fully eligible under the first pillar of the common agricultural policy?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2013)

The detailed rules on the eligibility of land to direct payments, including rules on how to deal with certain cases where agricultural areas contain trees, will be established in delegated acts based on Article 77(2)(b) of the Commission proposal for a Horizontal Regulation (30). The future rules will need to ensure that direct aids are granted to agricultural land used for an agricultural activity. When drafting the rules, full consideration will be given to the issue of agroforestry systems.

However, in its ‘Concept Paper on greening’ the Commission has already indicated that it could consider recognising as eligible, areas with extensive traditional pastoral/agricultural systems, even if grasses and other herbaceous species are not predominant, and which play a key role for biodiversity and prevent soil erosion and carbon release.

(Versão portuguesa)

Pergunta com pedido de resposta escrita E-011477/12

à Comissão

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 de dezembro de 2012)

Assunto: EURAF: Agroflorestas 3

A European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) organizou recentemente em Bruxelas a primeira conferência científica sobre agroflorestas, com a participação de 17 países europeus e delegados da América do Norte e de África.

A EURAF descreve a agrofloresta como «a mistura de árvores com animais/colheita, um elemento chave para a segurança alimentar e energética num mundo imprevisível, sujeito a alterações climáticas e à escassez de combustíveis».

Como conclusão da conferência, foram emitidas 7 declarações com o intuito de alertar a Comissão Europeia para o tema da agrofloresta na discussão da futura PAC.

Pergunto à Comissão:

Qual a posição da Comissão relativamente à declaração da EURAF que prevê uma ampla medida para o estabelecimento de sistemas agroflorestais (incluindo linhas de bordadura) a ser incluída no segundo pilar da PAC, por forma a ajudar os agricultores a implementarem estes sistemas adaptados ao ambiente?

Resposta dada por Dacian Cioloş em nome da Comissão

(22 de fevereiro de 2013)

A Comissão concorda com a importância desta medida agroflorestal e propôs continuar a alargar o seu âmbito no decorrer do próximo período de programação do desenvolvimento rural. Todavia, cabe aos Estados‐Membros decidir se a incluem nos programas respetivos. A repartição dos fundos relativamente ao orçamento disponível para dedicar a esta medida específica depende igualmente dos Estados‐Membros.

Na Proposta de Regulamento relativo ao apoio ao desenvolvimento rural (2011/0282 (COD)), a Comissão propõe a concessão de apoio aos custos de criação de sistemas agroflorestais e um prémio anual por hectare para cobrir os custos de manutenção durante um determinado número de anos. Por conseguinte, a criação de sistemas agroflorestais está abrangida pela proposta da Comissão.

No entanto, a instalação de linhas de bordadura não é abrangida pelo proposto no artigo 24.°, sobre apoio à criação de sistemas agroflorestais. No período de programação em vigor a instalação de linhas de bordadura é elegível ao abrigo da medida «Investimentos não produtivos» do artigo 41.° do Regulamento (CE) n.° 1698/2005 do Conselho (31). Na proposta da Comissão para o próximo período de programação a instalação de linhas de bordadura poderá ser elegível ao abrigo da medida «Investimentos em ativos corpóreos» (artigo 18.° da Proposta de Regulamento 2011/0282 (COD)). Por conseguinte, no próximo período de programação, os sistemas agroflorestais podem ser apoiados de forma ampla e exequível.

(English version)

Question for written answer E-011477/12

to the Commission

Nuno Melo (PPE)

(17 December 2012)

Subject: EURAF — agroforestry 3

The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) recently held the first scientific conference on agroforestry in Brussels, with the participation of 17 European countries and delegates from North America and Africa.

EURAF describes agroforestry as the ‘mixture of trees with crops/animals’, and points out that it is ‘a key component of food and fuel security in an unpredictable world affected by climate change and fossil fuels scarcity’.

To wind up the conference, seven statements were issued with the aim of drawing the Commission's attention to agroforestry in the context of the debate on the future CAP.

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement that a broad agroforestry measure for the establishment of agroforestry systems (including hedges) should be included in the second pillar of the CAP, to help farmers implement such systems geared to their environment?

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2013)

The Commission agrees with the importance of agro-forestry measure, and has proposed to continue and widen the scope of this particular measure during the next Programming period of Rural Development. However, the Member States decide whether they include the agro-forestry measure in their Rural Development Programme. The share of funds in relation to the available budget dedicated to this particular measure also depends on each Member State.

In its proposal for a new Rural Development Regulation (2011/0282 (COD)) the Commission proposes to grant support for the costs of establishment of agro-fores