do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2066/96 by Claude DESAMA to the Commission. Opening of municipal, rail and regional public transport markets
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: DESAMA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU law, EU publication, European Commission, competition law, invitation to tender, public contract, public transport, rail transport, road transport













EUR-Lex - 91996E2066 - EN






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91996E2066

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2066/96 by Claude DESAMA to the Commission. Opening of municipal, rail and regional public transport markets  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0080 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2066/96 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Opening of municipal, rail and regional public transport marketsIt now seems that the Commission will shortly open municipal, suburban and regional transport markets to competition in the near future. Does it intend to require applicants to provide a public service?If so, what will those services be and how does the Commission intend to ensure that they are actually provided? How will the public services be financed?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (13 September 1996)In its Green Paper 'The Citizens' Network' ((COM(95) 601. )), the Commission presented its thoughts on the current development of passenger transport in the Community and, inter alia, made reference to the regulatory framework, particularly as it relates to urban, suburban and regional public transport. Without a final position being taken on the subject, the Commission stated its intention to examine how Community-wide open tendering concessions for the provision of urban and regional passenger services could be promoted. With regard to the domestic transport of passengers, the Commission repeatedly stressed the need to allow Member States to guarantee the principle of public service.Council Regulation (EEC) 1191/69 ((OJ L 156, 28.6.1969. )) as amended by Council Regulation n° 1893/91 ((OJ L 169, 29.6.1991. )) details the concept of obligation inherent in the concept of a public service in transport by rail, road and inland waterway in conformity with Article 77 of the EC Treaty. The latter Regulation, in Article 1.4, establishes the possibility for Member States to conclude public service contracts with a transport company to guarantee sufficient transport services. Currently Article 1.1 establishes the possibility for Member States to exclude from the scope of the Regulation any undertakings whose activities are confined exclusively to the operation of urban, suburban or regional services. As mentioned in its Green Paper, the Commission intends to review the scope of this general derogation with a view to ensuring the appropriate financial and managerial incentives for these undertakings to improve services and to render them more efficient. Public service contracts to ensure such incentives should cover, inter alia, the price of the services agreed between the public authority and the transport undertaking and could fit in with possible tendering of concessions.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2125/96 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Waste dump at Grumolo delle Abbadesse (Veneto)
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: Veneto, domestic waste, environmental impact, groundwater, impact study, storage of waste













EUR-Lex - 91996E2125 - EN






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91996E2125

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2125/96 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Waste dump at Grumolo delle Abbadesse (Veneto)  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0099 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2125/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Waste dump at Grumolo delle Abbadesse (Veneto)On 30 May 1995, by decision No. 3092, the Veneto Region approved once again the proposal to site a dump for the disposal of municipal or similar solid waste in the commune of Grumolo delle Abbadesse, near Sarmego.The project had already been approved on 30 July 1993, but had been blocked on 24 November 1994 by the Veneto Regional Administrative Tribunal, whose decision was confirmed on 7 April 1995 by the State Council on the grounds that:- the proposal made no provision for adequate waterproofing and hence adequate protection of the water table, the upper limit of which lies above the lowest level of the proposed dump;- the report on compatibility did not comply with the Ministry of the Environment's decree No. 559/87 implementing Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40. )) on environmental impact assessment.The new decision was based on a later study which did not comply with the requirements laid down in the directive on environmental impact assessment and rehashed the previous compatibility study, in view of which the Veneto Regional Administrative Tribunal, on 27 March 1996, once again suspended the Region's decision.Since the Veneto Regional Council has expressed its determination to continue constructing the waste dump come what may, what measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the proposed dump complies with both the directive on environmental impact assessment and the directive on waste (91/156/EEC) ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32. )), which was supposed to enter into force on 1 April 1993?More generally, what action does it intend to take to ensure that Italy complies with the two directives in question, which have already been flouted on many occasions?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (20 September 1996)From the information provided by the Honourable Member, the Commission notes that the Italian courts have twice suspended decisions by the Veneto Region concerning the waste dump in question. It will contact the Italian authorities in connection with this case and will take appropriate action.With regard to Directive 91/156/EEC, the Commission has initiated an infringement procedure against Italy under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2092/96 by Anne ANDRÉ-LÉONARD to the Commission. Anti-competitive practices by Turkish textile and clothing companies
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU production, Türkiye, anti-dumping legislation, customs union, discriminatory price, dumping, free zone, restriction on competition, textile industry













EUR-Lex - 91996E2092 - EN






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91996E2092

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2092/96 by Anne ANDRÉ-LÉONARD to the Commission. Anti-competitive practices by Turkish textile and clothing companies  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0082 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2092/96 by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Anti-competitive practices by Turkish textile and clothing companiesIt appears that, since the entry into force of the Customs Union with Turkey, the EU's textile and clothing industry has been facing stiffer competition.Turkish textile companies are engaging in a number of practices which distort competition and prevent the market from operating as it should.On the one hand, EU textile companies are having to battle against export subsidies of approximately 17% which make Turkish textile products abnormally cheap (dumping).On the other hand it appears that Turkey still has 11 free zones which enable manufacturers to import and export goods without any quota restrictions or customs duties.Since the entry into force of the Customs Union it should in principle be no longer possible for such zones to be used for exports to the EU.Lastly all of these practices contravene the Customs Union protocol.Could the Commission intervene in order to put a stop to the practices described above, which are being engaged in by Turkish textile companies and are distorting competition?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)The decision of the Community-Turkey association council on implementing the final phase of the customs union, which came into force on 31 December 1995, does not prevent the parties concerned from continuing to use their respective trade defence instruments (such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation). In this regard, if the Community industry is experiencing problems from imports of products from Turkey which it considers to be unfairly priced, the Community is entitled, if certain criteria are met, to take action to protect its industry. The Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation provides that, if the Community industry makes a formal complaint to the Commission, investigations may be undertaken of allegations of unfair pricing by third country exporters which is causing injury to the Community industry, and appropriate measures may subsequently be taken.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2080/96 by Bernie MALONE to the Commission. Use of child labour in Burma
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MALONE
Subjects: France, UN Conference on Trade and Development, child labour, children's rights, free service, generalised preferences, oil industry, oil pipeline













EUR-Lex - 91996E2080 - EN






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91996E2080

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2080/96 by Bernie MALONE to the Commission. Use of child labour in Burma  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0080 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2080/96 by Bernie Malone (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Use of child labour in BurmaIs the Commission aware of the use of child labour in the laying of a pipeline in Burma by the French oil company Total and if so what action does it intend to take up with the company concerned and with the Burmese authorities to rectify this matter?Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1996)Information from a variety of sources suggests that the Myanmar authorities are indeed resorting to forced labour practices, which include the use of children, to build infrastructure and facilities for tourists. Firms from EU Member States are among the foreign investors active in Myanmar and some of them have recently decided to pull out because of human rights infringements perpetrated by the authorities there. As for the oil company referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission is not aware that it is using child labour.The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that is has already taken steps along the lines he advocates. In January 1996, pursuant to Articles 9 and 10 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3281/94, ((OJ L 348, 31 December 1994. )) it published a notice concerning initiation of an investigation of forced labour practices in Myanmar with a view to temporary withdrawal of benefits under the Community's generalized scheme of preferences. ((OJ C 15, 20 January 1996. )) The Commission is currently appraising the matter and the Myanmar authorities have been informed.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2061/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Environmentally-friendly diesel fuels
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: clean technology, diesel fuel, environmental protection, excise duty, motor vehicle pollution, non-polluting vehicle, pollution control measures, product quality, quality of the environment













EUR-Lex - 91996E2061 - EN






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91996E2061

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2061/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Environmentally-friendly diesel fuels  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0088 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2061/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Environmentally-friendly diesel fuelsCan the Commission provide details of what action it is taking to promote the use of environmentally-friendly diesel fuels such as city diesel?Is this to be included in the negotiations towards an environmental tax?What part is the Commission planning to take in this pro-active attempt to protect the environment?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)On 18 June 1996 the Commission adopted a new strategy for reducing emissions from road vehicles ((COM (96) 248. )) with a view to achieving strict air quality standards in respect of carbon monoxide, benzene, nitrogen dioxide, particulates and the ozone layer.This strategy will enable present levels of road vehicle emissions to be cut by 60% or 70% in the year 2010. It includes a proposal to reduce emissions from private cars and a proposal on fuel quality. Other proposals for legislation on vans and lorries, arising from the Auto Oil programme, and on roadworthiness tests will be presented in 1996 and 1997.With regard to measures to promote the use of environmentally-friendly diesel fuel, the abovementioned proposal for a Directive on fuel quality allows the member States, by way of an exemption, to require that 'special fuels' be placed on the market for use in areas where the right air quality standards cannot be achieved simply by implementing the Community measures.At present, the Member States can impose different duties on different fuels in order to promote the use of 'clean' fuels, but to do so they must obtain from the Council an exemption under Article 8(4) of Directive 92/81/EEC. ((OJ L 316, 31.10.1992. )) Several Member States have been authorized, in this way, to levy lighter duties on more environmentally-friendly diesel fuel.Since negotiations on the May 1995 amended proposal for a Directive on a CO2/energy tax ((COM(95) 172. )) were blocked, the Ecofin Council meeting on 11 March 1996 mandated the Commission to draw up new proposals on the taxation of energy products. When drawing up these proposals, the Commission will take full account of the need for a simple method of allowing Member States to levy lighter duties on more environmentally-friendly products.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2062/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Environmental impact assessment criteria
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: EC Directive, common position, environmental impact, environmental protection, large-scale construction, project evaluation, proposal (EU), public works













EUR-Lex - 91996E2062 - EN






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91996E2062

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2062/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Environmental impact assessment criteria  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0089 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2062/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Environmental impact assessment criteriaCan the Commission provide details of the new guidelines for the environmental assessment directive?In particular, what is the scale criteria under the terms of the new directive for a building or public works project for it to be deemed necessary for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)Projects listed in Annex II of Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment have to be assessed under the Directive when Member States consider that they are likely to have a significant effect on the environment. The proposal for a directive to amend Directive 85/337/EEC will insert a new annex into the 1985 Directive containing a list of selection criteria which Member States will have to take into account when determining which Annex II projects have to be assessed. The list does not contain, however, specific size thresholds for Annex II projects. The Council adopted a common position on this proposal on 25 July 1996 and this common position has been transmitted to the Parliament for the second reading.In addition to these legislative developments the Commission has also published some informal guides providing practical information for competent authorities involved in screening Annex II projects and scoping and reviewing environmental statements.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2124/96 by Giuseppe RAUTI to the Commission. Closure of Fisons-Italia by Rhône-Poulenc
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, RAUTI
Subjects: France, Italy, competition, dominant position, economic concentration, economic survey, liquidation, merger control, pharmaceutical industry













EUR-Lex - 91996E2124 - EN






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91996E2124

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2124/96 by Giuseppe RAUTI to the Commission. Closure of Fisons-Italia by Rhône-Poulenc  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0098 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2124/96 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Closure of Fisons-Italia by Rhône-PoulencDoes the Commission intend to intervene - at least by conducting searching inquiries prior to taking whatever measures may be appropriate - to ascertain the real reasons for Rhône-Poulenc-Rorer's decision to close down Fisons-Italia completely? The 133 sales staff are due to be dismissed, as are the 37 employees of the head office in Rome (which is to be closed down), while the jobs of the 77 employees of the Pomezia factory, which is for sale, are under threat.The French pharmaceuticals company is liquidating a group - Fisons-Italchimici SPA, a thriving business that is in the first rank in terms of staff, technology and science - after acquiring Fisons-Internazionale for Lire 5000 billion. This perverse financial manoeuvre aimed at achieving industrial concentration for speculative purposes is enormously damaging to employment and industry in Italy, and the Community authorities could and should intervene.Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1996)On 21 September 1995 the Commission adopted under Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 on the control of concentrations ((OJ L 395, 30.12.1989. )) with a Community dimension a decision declaring that the takeover of Fisons plc by Rhône Poulenc Rorer Inc. was compatible with the common market.The main aim of the appraisal carried out by the Commission in merger cases is to establish whether such operations are likely to create or strengthen a dominant position on the market. In so doing, the Commission is duty-bound to place its appraisal within the general framework of the fundamental objectives of the Treaty, including that of strengthening economic and social cohesion.The detailed investigation of the takeover of Fisons plc by Rhône Poulenc Rorer enabled the Commission to establish that the takeover had not led to the creation or strengthening of a dominant position by Rhône Poulenc Rorer. Given that considerations of economic and social cohesion can be taken into account only if the takeover creates a competition problem, the operation was declared to be compatible with the common market.The subsequent liquidation of Fisons Italchimici SpA cannot be assessed on the basis of the above-mentioned rules since the Commission is not competent to deal with that operation (which does not constitute a takeover).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2063/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Endometriosis
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: biology, medical research, statistics, woman













EUR-Lex - 91996E2063 - EN






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91996E2063

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2063/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Endometriosis  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0079 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2063/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: EndometriosisCan the Commission provide details of how many women in Europe are affected by endometriosis, and what steps are being taken to investigate and research the disease?Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1996)Endemetriosis is a disease in menstruating women that is known to interfere with fertility. The disease has not been retained as a priority area in the context of the framework for Community action in the field of public health and is not part of the working programme of the Biomedecine and health research programme. No action is presently going on at Community level on this subject.Its incidence in the Member States is not known and the data very much depend on the diagnostic methodology and criteria.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2109/96 by Carlos PIMENTA to the Commission. Alqueva dam
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, PIMENTA
Subjects: EU financing, Portugal, application of EU law, engineering structure, environmental impact, impact study, protected area













EUR-Lex - 91996E2109 - EN






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91996E2109

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2109/96 by Carlos PIMENTA to the Commission. Alqueva dam  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0097 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2109/96 by Carlos Pimenta (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Alqueva damThe Commission is now considering the possibility of financing a huge new dam, Alqueva, mostly justified by irrigation objectives. However, the cost of the irrigation component of the Alqueva project is many times higher than the cost of the dam itself. Without this component the project will fail to reach its main objectives.Is the Commission planning to finance this huge follow-up project or has it received a commitment from the Portuguese authorities that it will do so?Or will the Commission risk financing what is only the first part of the project without knowing where the huge amounts of money needed to continue it will come from?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)Commission discussions on the possible financing of the Alqueva dam have not concluded. They take into account all aspects linked to carrying out the project.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2067/96 by Fernand HERMAN to the Commission. Counterfeit goods
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, HERMAN
Subjects: Belgium, European Commission, application of EU law, customs regulations, free circulation, industrial counterfeiting, intellectual property, marketing restriction, right of action













EUR-Lex - 91996E2067 - EN






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91996E2067

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2067/96 by Fernand HERMAN to the Commission. Counterfeit goods  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0041 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067/96 by Fernand Herman (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Counterfeit goodsHave all Member States designated the services competent to receive and deal with applications to the customs authorities pursuant to Article 3(8) of 'counterfeit goods' Regulation 3295/94 ((OJ L 341, 30.12.1994, p. 8. )) of 22 December 1994?What are the names and addresses of those services?The Belgian customs authorities for instance tell holders of rights that there is no possibility of appeal when counterfeit goods are seized.Has the Commission abandoned its duty to ensure that the Member States properly apply Union regulations?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1996)Council Regulation (EC) No 3295/94 of 22 December 1994 laying down measures to prohibit the release for free circulation, export, re-export or entry for a suspensive procedure of counterfeit or pirated goods and the associated Commission implementing regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1367/95 ((OJ L 133, 17 June 1995. ))) have been in force since 1 July 1995.In accordance with Article 3(8) of the basic regulation and Article 5(1) of the implementing regulation, the Member States have sent the Commission the names and addresses of the departments to which owners of the relevant intellectual property rights or their representatives should apply for action to be taken. We are forwarding the list to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat direct.As regards the problems with Belgian customs referred to by the Honourable Member. the Commission will enquire into the circumstances and if necessary initiate proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty. As far as it is aware, however, holders of intellectual property rights are entitled to appeal to the Belgian courts against a refusal of customs to take action. The courts are competent to hear actions against any breach of intellectual property rights.