do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2090/96 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. European technical harmonization standards
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MENDEZ DE VIGO
Subjects: European Commission, European Union, European standard, exchange of information, free movement of goods, harmonisation of standards, public hearing, small and medium-sized enterprises, standardisation, technical standard













EUR-Lex - 91996E2090 - EN






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91996E2090

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2090/96 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. European technical harmonization standards  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2090/96 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: European technical harmonization standardsThe European Parliament recently held a public hearing on the harmonization of technical standards, which is needed in order to ensure free movement of goods within the European Union.The SMU representative pointed out that the existence of three different standards bodies (ECS, CENELEC and ETSI) responsible for establishing European standards in this sector makes the task of SMU very difficult, since they are faced with time, financial and linguistic constraints.Does the Commission plan to take any measures to make it easier for SMU to comply with European standards regulations?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1996)Standards, by their nature, are made by and for those operating in the market. They provide a means to facilitate trade between enterprises, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). They are for voluntary application.Where there is European technical harmonization, especially within the context of directives adopted under the 'new approach', enterprises placing products on the market are bound to follow the essential requirements set out in the directives. However, European standards facilitate compliance with these requirements by providing a recognised, open specification that gives the product presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive. In various cases, they will allow for easier conformity assessment procedures. This helps SMEs by providing a specification that they can follow in confidence.The participation of small and medium sized enterprises in the standardizing process is helped by the Commmission's financial contribution to Normapme, representing federations of SMEs, to increase their role in European standardization work. The European standardization organisations are currently establishing close contacts with Normapme.Finally, the Commission has started on the implementation of a programme that will enhance visibility and market knowledge of European standards, in close collaboration both with Normapme and with the European standards organisations.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2193/96 by David HALLAM to the Commission. BSE culling incinverators
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, HALLAM
Subjects: animal disease, cattle, environmental impact, health risk, impact study, slaughter of animals, waste incineration













EUR-Lex - 91996E2193 - EN






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91996E2193

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2193/96 by David HALLAM to the Commission. BSE culling incinverators  


Official Journal C 060 , 26/02/1997 P. 0133 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-2193/96 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: BSE culling incinveratorsIs the Commission aware of any danger to human or livestock health, or to the immediate environment surrounding the site of a BSE culling incinerator, through the air or water courses, by coming into contact with persons or animals regularly exposed to the incinerator fumes or waste, or by disposing of the incinerated material by landfill dumping?Is the Commission aware of any contention within the scientific community regarding the safety of the incineration of BSE-infected material?What emissions could be expected from an incinerator carrying out this function?Have any studies been made by the Commission or by other organizations known to the Commission on the effects of BSE incineration and subsequent handling and dumping of the incinerated material;- on nearby urban areas, in particular the health of humans and animals and the safety of local water tables,- on nearby rural areas, in particular the health of humans and animals, and the safety of agricultural produce,- on those working at a BSE incinerator,- on water tables,- on the food chain?Have any studies been made by the Commission or by other organizations known to the Commission on the likely smell of burning carcasses infected with BSE?Will the Commission supply the texts of any such relevant studies?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1996)The Commission has no firm information on the risk, or absence of risk, from the operations mentioned. However, incineration involves heating to over 800°C, usually in burners with a second stage heater. The temperatures are known to denature protein completely. Survival of any infective agent is therefore considered unlikely.There is no reason why the smell of carcasses affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy should be different from that produced by the incineration of other animal material.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2118/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Establishment of liability in the area of free movement of goods with regard to marketing of meat-and-bone meal derived from offal of BSE-carrying cattle
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, VALVERDE LOPEZ
Subjects: action programme, animal disease, animal product, consumer movement, consumer protection, free movement of goods, health risk, producer's liability, proposal (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91996E2118 - EN






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91996E2118

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2118/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Establishment of liability in the area of free movement of goods with regard to marketing of meat-and-bone meal derived from offal of BSE-carrying cattle  


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





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2118/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Establishment of liability in the area of free movement of goods with regard to marketing of meat-and-bone meal derived from offal of BSE-carrying cattleThe free movement of goods within the single market requires a number of guarantees for the consumer. If this market is to function properly, it is essential that technical manufacturing standards are adhered to and that manufacturers are held responsible for 'defective products', which would involve civil, and even criminal, liability.To enable consumers to obtain justice, the Commission should provide assistance for consumer organizations and associations of cattle-breeders who have suffered as a result of animal feed contaminated by the agent which transmits BSE.What can the Commission do? Could it draw up a guide on how to make compensation claims?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1996)The Community has not yet established a right for consumer organisations to act in a case such as described in the question. A draft directive ((OJ C 107, 13.4.1996. )) and a related action programme on access to justice currently before the Parliament seek to establish some such rights.Individual consumers can however explore whether there may be any liability under the terms of Council Directive 85/374/EEC of 25 July 1985 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning liability for defective products ((OJ L 210, 7.8.1985. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2104/96 by Jaak VANDEMEULEBROUCKE to the Commission. Equal opportunities training courses
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, VANDEMEULEBROUCKE
Subjects: European Commission, European civil service, European official, adult education, equal treatment, servant (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91996E2104 - EN






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91996E2104

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2104/96 by Jaak VANDEMEULEBROUCKE to the Commission. Equal opportunities training courses  


Official Journal C 365 , 04/12/1996 P. 0083 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2104/96 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Equal opportunities training coursesThe Commission has devised a number of courses to familiarise its officials with the positive action programme on equal opportunities.Why are these courses given only in English and French? Is this not incompatible with a policy designed to give equal opportunities to officials of fifteen different language backgrounds?Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)Measures to familiarize staff with equal opportunities are an integral part of the training given by the Commission when officials take up duty.The aim of these courses is to encourage the harmonious integration of new Commission officials and other servants on taking up their duties.These courses are organized in five modules which are repeated regularly. Each include several introductions thereby enabling each participant to select those which suit him best in accordance with the requirements of his department.The language options proposed result largely from the needs expressed by the officials and other servants and they ensure that in all cases all participants have a sound active or passive knowledge of the languages used.In order to optimize the use of the limited budgetary and human resources available to the Commission for training, courses can be offered only when there is an adequate critical mass; they cannot be organized in all the Community languages.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2119/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Liability of manufacturers of meat-and-bone meal made from cattle with BSE
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, VALVERDE LOPEZ
Subjects: United Kingdom, animal disease, animal nutrition, cattle, indemnification, meat processing industry, meat product, producer organisation













EUR-Lex - 91996E2119 - EN






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91996E2119

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2119/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Liability of manufacturers of meat-and-bone meal made from cattle with BSE  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0122 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2119/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Liability of manufacturers of meat-and-bone meal made from cattle with BSEAll the evidence so far indicates that meat-and-bone meal made from BSE-infected cattle offal is a means by which BSE is transmitted.Does the Commission know whether the cattle-breeders concerned in the UK have submitted compensation claims to manufacturers of such meal?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)The Commission does not have the information requested.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2116/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Non-prohibition of the use of meal in feed for poultry, pigs and fish
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, VALVERDE LOPEZ
Subjects: European Commission, France, agricultural waste, animal nutrition, meat processing industry, meat product, product quality, public health, recommendation (EU), scientific committee (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91996E2116 - EN






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91996E2116

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2116/96 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Non-prohibition of the use of meal in feed for poultry, pigs and fish  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0049 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2116/96 by José Valverde López (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Non-prohibition of the use of meal in feed for poultry, pigs and fishAccording to various sources, France is considering precautionary measures which will soon prohibit manufacturers of meat-and-bone meal from using by-products of abattoir-slaughtered ruminants as inputs unless they have been declared fit for human consumption. However, the measures will not impose restrictions on the use of meat-and-bone meal in feed for poultry, pigs and fish.What is the Commission's position on this issue?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)The Commission has asked the scientific veterinary committee and the newly-established multi-disciplinary committee to make recommendations for measures to be taken in the Community as a whole in relation to the use of animal by-products for food and feed.The Commission always bases its proposals on the best possible scientific advice, and therefore prefers not to take a position on the reported French measures until these committees have finalised their dicussions.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2102/96 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Quotas for milk producers
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MULDER
Subjects: agricultural quota, dairy production, milk, over-production, producer organisation, production policy, production quota, regulation of agricultural production













EUR-Lex - 91996E2102 - EN






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91996E2102

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2102/96 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Quotas for milk producers  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0095 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2102/96 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Quotas for milk producersThe current milk quota arrangements are in force for one year, from 1 April each year to 31 March of the following year.However, leasing - the temporary transfer of milk quotas between producers - is possible only for a nine-month period, from 1 April to 31 December each year.Dairy cattle farmers are increasingly asking for more flexibility and for the leasing period to be equivalent to the period for the milk quota itself.1. Is the Commission prepared to follow up this suggestion?2. Can the Commission provide reasons for its reply?Answer given by Mr Franz Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 September 96)At the time of the 1992 revision of the milk quota scheme, leases - the temporary transfers of milk quotas between producers - for a twelve-month period were authorized until 31 December, that is to say, three months before the end of the quota year. However, the Member States were also authorized to decide against implementing the temporary transfers in response to the need to facilitate structural evolution and adaptation or to accommodate pressing administrative needs.The temporary transfers constitute a means to make the quota use profitable, either on a national level or on an individual basis. However, the Commission considers that too wide an application of this principle could impede structural modifications in the event that the majority of producers that do not entirely use up their quota might prefer to receive income by temporarily transferring, rather than selling, quota-bearing land to other farms that would like a structural improvement.Furthermore, the authorization for temporary transfers until 31 March would complicate administrative procedures by threatening the scheme's proper management and with particular reference to the buyer's duty to communicate the data concerning individual producers by 15 May of every year.In conclusion, the Commission considers that a modification of the cut-off date for the temporary transfers would not benefit the management of the quota scheme.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2064/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. The transport sector and the working time directive
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: EC Directive, EU publication, European Commission, drivers, report, road transport, transport regulations, working time













EUR-Lex - 91996E2064 - EN






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91996E2064

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2064/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. The transport sector and the working time directive  


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





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2064/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: The transport sector and the working time directiveCan the Commission provide details of the rationale behind their decision to exclude the transport sector from the working time directive?Is the Commission aware that long distance lorry drivers, by the nature of their industry, often work excessive hours and feel unnecessarily excluded from the directive?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1996)The Commission's original proposal for a directive concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time ((COM(90) 317 final. )) covered all economic sectors and activities. The Council decided, however, to exclude certain sectors and activities from the scope of the directive, including the transport sectors. According to a recital to the directive as adopted ((Council Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993 concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. )), the possible need for separate measures in respect of these sectors was based on 'the specific nature of the work concerned'.The Commission is aware that it will continue to be possible for workers in these sectors and activities to be required to work long hours, after the directive comes into operation on 23 November 1996. In order to try to ensure appropriate protection for these workers, the Commission is currently preparing a white paper on the sectors and activities excluded from the working time directive. This will examine the situation in each sector, including the road transport sector, and the main options available to the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2115/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. Illegal exports of BSE-contaminated meat
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: ARIAS CANETE, European Parliament
Subjects: European Commission, Italy, United Kingdom, animal disease, beef, customs inspection, free service, import, infringement of EU law, public health













EUR-Lex - 91996E2115 - EN






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91996E2115

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2115/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. Illegal exports of BSE-contaminated meat  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0048 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2115/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: Illegal exports of BSE-contaminated meatThe Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs has admitted that a consignment of meat from 'mad cows' has been detected while passing through Italian customs, having been declared as a consignment of potatoes. This is not the first time we have read in the press recently of illegal exports of such meat.Given the clear danger of such practices to the health of the EU public and given the warning issued by Community inspectors that UK measures to prevent exports of such meat leave room for improvement, what measures has the Commission taken to prevent illegal exports of British beef and veal and ensure that the UK carries out genuinely effective inspections?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1996)The Commission has carried out several inspections in the United Kingdom, including one on 22-26 July 1996. During this mission, the United Kingdom measures to prevent illegal exports were studied in detail. The British authorities have confirmed that it is an offence under national legislation to export a product of animal origin unless it meets the necessary health requirements. As a result of the recent information on illegal exports of bovine meal from the United Kingdom in contravention of the export ban, the Commission has made contact with officials from the British ministry of agriculture who informed the Commission, having investigated the matter, that they could find no confirmation of the alleged illegal exports. The Commission has requested that physical spot checks be carried out on export consignments and that regular information be provided to the Commission and the Member States on their findings. The British authorities have agreed.Community inspections will continue and this matter will be reviewed again.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2093/96 by Joan VALLVÉ to the Commission. PACTE programme (exchange of experience)
Date: 1996-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, VALLVE
Subjects: Community budget, EU programme, EU regional policy, European Commission, European Regional Development Fund, budget estimate, co-financing, exchange of information, local authority, regional authority













EUR-Lex - 91996E2093 - EN






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91996E2093

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2093/96 by Joan VALLVÉ to the Commission. PACTE programme (exchange of experience)  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0044 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2093/96 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission (26 July 1996)Subject: PACTE programme (exchange of experience)The PACTE programme (exchange of experience) was highly successful with cities and regions in 1995 and 1996.Since the programme cannot be financed under budget heading B2-600 because of an interinstitutional agreement, what alternative is the Commission proposing to ensure co-financing of the programme under the 1997 budget? Is heading B2-182 (transitional measures and innovatory schemes) a possible way of ensuring Community co-financing, in conjunction with local and regional authorities of PACTE projects which, by definition, are innovatory schemes for those authorities?Joint answer to Written Questions E-2093/96, E-2149/96 and E-2151/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1996)The Commission appreciates the Parliament's concern about the financing of projects for initiating interregional cooperation, and in view of the budgetary situation it is studying the possibility of funding these projects under Article 10 of Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 as amended, which relates to the European Regional Development Fund. ((OJ L 193, 31 July 1993. )) These projects could involve a Community contribution of ECU 150 000 to 300 000.The Commission will not fail to inform Parliament at the appropriate time of the results of its study, which must take account in particular of the Court of Auditors' criticisms of partially delegated management of Community appropriations.