do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 785/96 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Sale of puppies from Eastern Europe
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Eastern Bloc countries, domestic animal, health certificate, import, protection of animals, transport of animals, veterinary inspection, veterinary legislation













EUR-Lex - 91996E0785 - EN






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91996E0785

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 785/96 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Sale of puppies from Eastern Europe  


Official Journal C 297 , 08/10/1996 P. 0026 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0785/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Sale of puppies from Eastern EuropeEvery year in Italy, in the city of Milan alone, more than 1500 puppies die after being imported from Eastern Europe. Besides the suffering caused to these young puppies which are taken away from their mothers when only a few weeks old, and forced to endure long journeys under appalling conditions, this raises concerns for our own dogs, many of which are contracting diseases which had been eradicated here.Is the Commission aware that this trade in puppies is being carried on in the absence of any health controls?The most helpful measure would be a ban on removing puppies from their mothers before they are 90 days old and on putting them on sale without being fully vaccinated.Is the Commission aware of the need to introduce common regulations to protect both puppies and their owners?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1996)In so far as the Honourable Member refers to the trade in dogs (as distinct from the movement of pets), the dogs must, when imported, conform to Community animal health legislation (Council Directive 92/65/EEC ((OJ L 268, 14.9.1992. ))). Depending on their age they must be identified, be vaccinated against a number of diseases, be healthy at entry into the Community, and be accompanied by a veterinary certificate.The transport of these dogs within, to and from Member States is subject to Community welfare requirements (Council Directive 91/628/EEC ((OJ L 340, 11.12.1991. ))).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 771/96 by Ole KRARUP to the Commission. The environmental impact assessment directive
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, KRARUP
Subjects: EC Directive, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental protection, impact study













EUR-Lex - 91996E0771 - EN






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91996E0771

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 771/96 by Ole KRARUP to the Commission. The environmental impact assessment directive  


Official Journal C 322 , 28/10/1996 P. 0006 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0771/96 by Ole Krarup (EDN) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: The environmental impact assessment directiveThe Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (85/337/EEC) ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p.40. )) contains various requirements for the evaluation of and consultations on projects which might be harmful to the environment.Does the Commission consider that these requirements are legally binding on the national authorities? There has been uncertainty in practice as to whether- the directive is being complied with if developers produce provisional calculations of the environmental impact rather than awaiting final and reliable data (Article 5(2)),- consultations may be regarded as adequate if the final data are not included in the consultation papers,- development consent may be granted even though the approval of one or more authorities for all or part of the project is lacking,- the assessment of environmental impact may be held over for decision until after development consent has been given, and then included in it as a condition.Does the Commission consider that in such cases there have been breaches of the Directive and, if so, cannot legal action be instituted?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (24 May 1996)Like all directives addressed to Member States, Directive 85/337/EEC is binding on Member States as to the result to be achieved, but leaves to national authorities the choice of form and methods.Where an environmental impact assessment is required under Directive 85/337/EEC it must be carried out before development consent is granted for the project concerned. This includes supplying the information required under Article 5(2) of the Directive and carrying out the consultations required by Article 6(2). The information gathered pursuant to Article 5 and 6 must be taken into consideration during the development consent procedure. The Directive does not, however, provide that development consent can only be granted with the approval of all of the environmental authorities which have been consulted as part of the environmental assessment procedure.The Commission considers alleged breaches of Directive 85/337/EEC which are brought to its attention and, where appropriate, institutes legal proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 767/96 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Single market - broadcasting quotas
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MEGAHY
Subjects: France, application of EU law, broadcasting, freedom to provide services, linguistic discrimination, music, single market













EUR-Lex - 91996E0767 - EN






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91996E0767

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 767/96 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Single market - broadcasting quotas  


Official Journal C 217 , 26/07/1996 P. 0112 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0767/96 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Single market - broadcasting quotasUnder a new French law 40% of songs broadcast on French radio must be in French. The Irish Government has introduced a similar 30% quota for Irish material. Meanwhile the Portuguese and Belgian Governments are considering introducing similar quotas.Does the Commission see a need to take action in relation to the free movement of services in the European Community?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (26 April 1996)The Commission is examining the French and Irish legislation to see whether it is compatible with Article 59 EC Treaty, since radio broadcasts are services within the meaning of the Treaty. In respect of the French legislation the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-380/96 by Mr Wilson ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p. 31. )). The Commission will consider the need for action in view of the results of its evaluation of the legislation.The Commission is aware that there is a law in Portugal concerning radio quotas. The Commission has been informed that this law is not enforced. The Commission has no information relating to the possible introduction of such legislation in Belgium.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 775/96 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Public health information
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MEGAHY
Subjects: Türkiye, epidemic, health risk, information network, public health, tourism













EUR-Lex - 91996E0775 - EN






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91996E0775

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 775/96 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Public health information  


Official Journal C 217 , 26/07/1996 P. 0112 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/96 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Public health informationOne of my constituents has complained that he was exposed to the risk of catching Legionnaires' disease because of lack of proper public health communication between Turkey and the UK. This is a matter that may also concern other EU countries.He states that Legionnaires' disease was contracted at a hotel in Kusadisi in May 1995. There were eleven cases in total. However, it was only in late September that tourists were removed from this hotel and during this time four and a half thousand British holidaymakers had been exposed to the risk of Legionnaires' disease.What arrangements exist between the EU and Turkey for the exchange of vital public health information? Does the Commission think the present methods of communicating public health hazards are satisfactory? If not, what can be done to improve them?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (8 May 1996)Data on legionnaires' infections are the subject of a surveillance network funded by the Commission. This system, called the European working group for legionnaires' infections, includes the collection and analysis of data from 24 countries, including the Member States (except for Luxembourg), Croatia, the Czech Republic, Malta, Norway, Russia, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland and Turkey. Its objective is to rapidly identify clusters which may indicate a common source and to alert forthwith the countries participating in this network. The network was created in 1987. The collection centre, initially located at Stockholm, has been since 1 July 1993 the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre at Collindale (London).The Commission is keen to develop networks of this kind at Community level and for other communicable diseases, as can be seen from the Communication on surveillance networks for communicable diseases in the Community and the proposal for a Parliament and Council Decision on the creation of a network for the epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases in the Community ((COM(96) 78 final, 7.3.1996. )), currently under examination. Moreover, health indicators for Turkey may be obtained from the European regional office of the World Health Organisation, which covers this country and all the Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 768/96 by Ben FAYOT to the Commission. Discriminatory provision in Belgian insurance law
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, FAYOT
Subjects: Belgium, freedom to provide services, insurance company, insurance law, national law, right of establishment













EUR-Lex - 91996E0768 - EN






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91996E0768

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 768/96 by Ben FAYOT to the Commission. Discriminatory provision in Belgian insurance law  


Official Journal C 280 , 25/09/1996 P. 0075 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0768/96 by Ben Fayot (PSE) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Discriminatory provision in Belgian insurance lawArticle 10(5) of the Belgian law of 27 March 1995 on insurance intermediaries and insurance distribution stipulates that intermediaries must guarantee that, among the products they offer, all insurance contracts concluded with insurance companies which have not been granted official approval in Belgium meet the public interest requirement laid down in Belgian laws and regulations.Is this provision not discriminatory, in that it covers only those contracts concluded in accordance with Community rules on the freedom to provide services, and is the reference to approval in Belgium not just discriminatory but, indeed, contrary to the 'European passport' principle established in the third Directives?Furthermore, does not the provision constitute a clear barrier to the freedom to provide services, in that it discourages insurance intermediaries based in Belgium from offering insurance products of companies based in other countries?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1996)The Commission is currently examining the Belgian Act of 27 March 1995 on insurance intermediation and on the distribution of insurance.The Commission is of the opinion that Article 10.5 of the Act is not in accordance with Community law, in particular Articles 52 and 59 of the EC Treaty. In order to be registered and authorized to operate as an intermediary in Belgium, an insurance intermediary has to guarantee that the insurance contracts it offers, which are concluded with insurers not licensed in Belgium, comply with all Belgian legal and regulatory provisions concerning the general interest. However, an intermediary does not have to guarantee that the insurance contracts it offers, which are entered into with Belgian licensed insurers, are in accordance with the Belgian provisions referred to above. It follows that Article 10.5 discriminates against those insurance undertakings which are licensed in other Member States and are operating in Belgium by way of the provision of services or by way of establishment.The Commission will contact the Belgian authorities to inform them of its position and to ask for their comments.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 784/96 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Coordination of research and technological development policies
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: database, exchange of information, innovation, research and development, technological change













EUR-Lex - 91996E0784 - EN






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91996E0784

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 784/96 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Coordination of research and technological development policies  


Official Journal C 322 , 28/10/1996 P. 0008 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0784/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Coordination of research and technological development policiesA Commission communication was issued on 19 October 1994 entitled Research and Technological Development - Achieving Coordination through Cooperation (Com(94) 438 final).In its communication, the Commission acknowledges the scarcity of funds allocated to the Union's research and technological development programmes and their fragmentation between the different levels of decision-making and recognises the need for increased coordination of the programmes in order to mitigate the harmful effects of this fragmentation and enhance the programmes' impact and effectiveness.In view of the above, will the Commission move quickly to implement a system for the systematic exchange of information on the Union's research and technological innovation activities?Such a system for the advance exchange of information between Member States would take the form of a network of open, easily accessed data bases recording national plans for research and innovation initiatives. Research and industry councils, partly comprising members of the CREST, would be responsible for defining the strategy, under a codecision procedure with Parliament, on the basis of the principles of efficiency and maximum openness of proceedings.Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1996)In the light of the Parliamentary Resolution of 15 June 1995 ((OJ C 166, 3.7.1995. ))on the coordination of research and technological development policies (RTD), the Commission has set up a system of information exchanges on the national RTD activities via ad hoc committees consisting of those responsible in the Member States. That system targets those areas of RTD in which more coordination would prove useful and also enable early information to be provided on the initiatives and activities launched in the Member States.The various ad hoc committees will report annually to the scientific and technical research committee (CREST) which may, on that basis, deliver recommendations on the determination of the strategic priorities of Community RTD policy and the future directions to be taken by exchanges of information on national activities. Parliament will be kept informed of the progress made in this work.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 773/96 by Freddy BLAK to the Commission. Increase in occupational illness
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: BLAK, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, access to information, action programme, medical research, national statistics, occupational accident, occupational disease













EUR-Lex - 91996E0773 - EN






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91996E0773

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 773/96 by Freddy BLAK to the Commission. Increase in occupational illness  


Official Journal C 280 , 25/09/1996 P. 0078 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0773/96 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (1 April 1996)Subject: Increase in occupational illnessNew figures from the Occupational injuries and diseases board in Denmark show that occupational disease is on the increase, by a good 3000 cases over the last five years. Danish workers have been affected primarily by hearing and skin complaints, followed by back, shoulder and neck problems. Over the same period there has been an increase in the number of reported industrial accidents.Have there been any European surveys revealing a similar trend, and is there any European research into the causes of the increase in occupational injury and disease? Is the Commission planning to submit any proposals for directives in this field?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (22 May 1996)The Commission attaches the utmost importance to improving health and safety at work by reducing the number of accidents at work and occupational diseases.Since 1978 the Commission has implemented four action programmes in this area; the fourth (1996-2000) ((COM(95) 282. )) is currently under discussion at the Council.As regards statistics, the data currently available in the Member States concerning occupational diseases and accidents at work are not standard and comparable, and therefore it is still impossible to analyse trends on a rigorous basis. Thus in 1995 a pilot project was launched to collect data on occupational diseases recognised in the Member States. A similar exercise has been conducted in regard to data on accidents at work.The Commission considers that the existing legislation, based on Article 118a of the EC Treaty, is sufficient to address the main risks to safety and health at work. It does not envisage any specific proposal for a Directive concerning the questions raised by the Honourable Member, but will keep the situation under review.In the context of research by the European Coal and Steel Community, several projects have been funded in specific sectors (notably occupational skin diseases and work-related osteomuscular problems) as well as in the context of the Biomed programme.Finally, in 1996, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work will be set up in Bilbao (Spain), with the objective of providing the Community authorities, Member States and interested parties with useful technical, scientific and economic information pertaining to health and safety at work, necessary for establishing priorities for action.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 765/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Council. Human rights
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Türkiye, customs union, human rights, resolution (EU), the EU's international role













EUR-Lex - 91996E0765 - EN






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91996E0765

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 765/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Council. Human rights  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0002 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0765/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council (1 April 1996)Subject: Human rightsAt this year's annual meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the European Union will be tabling motions for resolutions concerning the human rights situation in various countries, such as Iran, Burma, Nigeria, Zaire and China.Turkey is the third country having the closest ties with the European Union, thanks to customs union.The human rights situation in this country is very serious and may readily be compared with that in other countries in respect of which European Union is tabling motions for resolutions as indicated above, indeed it may even be worse.Given that the human rights situation in Turkey in the first months of 1996 is worse than it was in 1995, and that the so-called constitutional amendments in that country do not constitute an adequate response to the real situation obtaining there:Will the Council say:1. On the basis of what criteria has the Council decided not to submit a motion for a resolution on the human rights situation in Turkey at this year's meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights?2. Why has the Council never tabled a motion for a resolution in respect of that country?3. Does it intend to table such a motion next year, if the human rights situation in Turkey fails to improve?Reply (19 November 1996)The Council attaches the utmost importance to the respect of human rights in all countries and expresses its concern when violations of those rights occur.The Council would like to draw the Honourable Member of Parliament's attention to the EU Presidency's statement at the 52nd Commission on Human Rights under item 10 of the Agenda. This statement conveyed to the Turkish Government the depth of the EU member's continuing concern about a number of human rights issues in Turkey and incorporated several steps which the Council hopes the Turkish Government will take to improve the human rights situation.The Council does not hesitate to express its condemnation of violations of human rights in its contacts with the Turkish authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 779/96 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Council. Fifth action programme Towards Sustainable Development
Date: 1996-04-01
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: environmental protection













EUR-Lex - 91996E0779 - EN






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91996E0779

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 779/96 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Council. Fifth action programme Towards Sustainable Development  


Official Journal C 305 , 15/10/1996 P. 0016 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0779/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Council (1 April 1996)Subject: Fifth action programme Towards Sustainable DevelopmentIn connection with the Parliament-Council co-decision procedure concerning the fifth action programme Towards Sustainable Development, whose importance should be stressed, does the Council not consider it advisable to move from a 'strategy' to a proper plan, and would it not be useful to establish balanced cooperation between all the parties concerned, including the various sectors and the DNG?Reply (18 July 1996)1. In their Resolution of 1 February 1993 ((OJ C 138, 17.05.1993, p.1. )), the Council and Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council approved the approach and general strategy advanced in the Commission programme. They invited the Commission to come forward with appropriate proposals to give effect to the programme insofar as it pertained to action at Community level, and undertook to decide on these proposals as expeditiously as possible taking account of the information provided by the programme in terms of objectives, targets and time-frames.2. The Resolution also noted that a review of the programme was envisaged before the end of 1995, in order to establish the extent to which the objectives and priorities it contained were still valid.3. On the basis of a progress report on the programme's implementation and an updated State of the Environment Report prepared by the European Environment Agency, the Commission recently submitted a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the review of the Programme ((Doc. 5641/96. )). The purpose of the proposal is to reaffirm the Community's political commitment to the approach and strategy of the Programme and to ensure that it is implemented more efficiently through increased Community action in certain priority areas.It is on the basis of this proposal, which does not alter the nature of the programme, that the Council and the European Parliament are required to comment in accordance with the co-decision procedure.4. Regarding the Honourable Member's request for balanced cooperation between all the parties concerned, it will be recalled that the aforementioned Resolution concluded with an appeal to all Community institutions, Member States, enterprises and citizens to accept their respective responsibilities to protect the environment and to play their full part in implementing the programme. This appeal is repeated right at the beginning of the proposal for a Decision on the review and the Council will certainly be re-emphasizing the importance it attaches to this element.