do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1129/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. European Tourist Agency
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: DIEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU office or agency, EU programme, tourism, tourism policy, travel agency













EUR-Lex - 91997E1129 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1129

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1129/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. European Tourist Agency  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0234 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1129/97 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: European Tourist AgencyWhat steps is the Commission taking to follow up Parliament's repeated calls for such an agency to be created?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)The Commission considers that at this stage, following the consultation it had with the Parliament, the first priority in its policy in favour of tourism is the adoption by the Council of the first multiannual programme to assist European tourism, Philoxenia, which will open up significant possibilities for the sector.The Commission considers that the examination of the issue of the creation of a European tourism agency should follow and not precede the decision on the establishment of a Community policy on tourism.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1112/97 by José BARROS MOURA to the Commission. Viability of the Alqueva project
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: BARROS MOURA, European Parliament
Subjects: Portugal, Spain, agreement (EU), engineering structure, environmental protection, hydraulic works, project evaluation













EUR-Lex - 91997E1112 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1112

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1112/97 by José BARROS MOURA to the Commission. Viability of the Alqueva project  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0071 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1112/97 by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: Viability of the Alqueva projectIn her reply of 27 February 1997 to my written question E-4057/96 ((OJ C 217, 17.7.1997, p. 51. )), Commissioner Wulf-Mathies now states "the survey (by the international consultants Montgomery Watson) concludes that the average flow of the River Guadiana is sufficient to ensure the viability of the Alqueva project¨. In addition, the Commissioner acknowledges that the management of water resources in the Guadiana basin should be carried out on a 'cooperative' basis between Portugal and Spain, recognizing 'the sovereignty of each country', with the aim of regulating by international agreement - similar to agreements already in existence - matters such as water quality, water flows, the transport of sediment, environmental aspects and water abstraction rights. I welcome this change for the better in the Commissioner's position compared to her statements to the Committee of the Regions which cast doubt on whether the water flow was sufficient to make the project viable.This is information which, although it was known to the Portuguese authorities, as the reply makes clear at a number of points, I myself could only request from the Commission. Firstly because an MEP's mandate does not confer powers of political scrutiny over national authorities. Secondly because it was only Commissioner Wulf-Mathies who questioned the viability of the project.In the light of this positive development in the Commissioner's position, I should like to ask when the Commission will draw the appropriate practical conclusions from the evidence that the project is viable as far as water flows are concerned?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (22 April 1997)On the basis of the conclusions of the Montgomery Watson survey and the assurances obtained by the Commission from the Spanish authorities on the matter of water management for rivers flowing through both Member States, the Commission is now in a position to consider that the Alqueva project will have enough water resources to be viable.Given the recent developments in the examination of the Alqueva dossier, the Commission, in close cooperation with the Portuguese authorities, will continue the work required for this project to be approved as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1109/97 by Giuseppe RAUTI to the Commission. Animals 'tortured' in order to produce the basic ingredient for pharmaceutical products
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: European Parliament, RAUTI
Subjects: equidae, hormone, medicinal product, pharmaceutical product, protection of animals













EUR-Lex - 91997E1109 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1109

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1109/97 by Giuseppe RAUTI to the Commission. Animals 'tortured' in order to produce the basic ingredient for pharmaceutical products  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1109/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: Animals 'tortured' in order to produce the basic ingredient for pharmaceutical productsIn connection with shocking documentation published by 'Impronte', the official journal of the Italian Anti-Vivisection League (LAV), can the Commission say whether it is acquainted with the 'techniques' used at the Wieth-Ayerst laboratory in the United States, where a multinational produces 'Premarin' and exports it all over the world? This pharmaceutical product - according to the October 1996 edition of 'Impronte' - is produced from approximately 75 000 mares in special 'farms' in the United States and Canada. The animals are forced to 'perform' under conditions of torture, because the system for collecting their urine 'injures their flesh' and their supply of water is even rationed in order to obtain urine with a higher concentration of oestrogens (22 litres of water per day instead of the 40-50 litres they need). It should also be noted that at a certain point the horses which survive are sent to special fattening centres and the meat eventually reaches Europe.In view of all this, is the Commission able and willing to take some action against Wieth-Ayerst, at least in the context of its 'activities' in European Union countries?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 May 1997)As the Commission does not have any information to confirm that there are farms within the Community where urine is collected from pregnant mares to produce the pharmaceutical product mentioned by the Honourable Member, it is not possible to take any action.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1027/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Legal basis for the marketing of genetically modified products
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: animal nutrition, biotechnology, food inspection, foodstuff, foodstuffs legislation, genetic engineering, genetically modified organism, human nutrition, marketing, new product













EUR-Lex - 91997E1027 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1027

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1027/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Legal basis for the marketing of genetically modified products  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0038 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1027/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 March 1997)Subject: Legal basis for the marketing of genetically modified productsThe marketing of genetically produced or modified food products is regulated by Directive 90/220/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p. 15. )) and European Parliament and Council Regulation 258/97 ((OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 1. )) concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (the 'novel food regulation').1. What rules govern the marketing of transgenic plants which are used as animal feedingstuffs and hence indirectly enter the human food chain?2. (a) How is the marketing of transgenic plants which are used directly for human consumption and also for animal feedingstuffs and the production of renewable raw materials regulated?(b) Is there only one procedure for this or more than one?(c) How do these procedures relate to each other?Answer (14 July 1997)1. Directive 90/220/EEC and Regulation (EC) No 258/97 govern, inter alia, the placing on the market of respectively products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and food and food ingredients that contain GMOs within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC or consist of such organisms, subject to the exclusions laid down in those acts.2. Directive 90/220/EEC does not, as such, distinguish on the basis of the use to which the product to be marketed will be put, although any Community legislation governing the product will apply and information relating to the planned use must be given. Regulation No 258/97 covers foods and ingredients intended for human consumption.3. The inter-relationship of the conditions for the application of the Directive and the Regulation is defined in Articles 1, 3 and 9 of the Regulation.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1115/97 by Edward NEWMAN to the Commission. Labelling of food products to highlight ingredients that can cause allergic reactions
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: European Parliament, NEWMAN
Subjects: EC Directive, allergy, consumer information, epidemiology, foodstuff, labelling, scientific cooperation













EUR-Lex - 91997E1115 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1115

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1115/97 by Edward NEWMAN to the Commission. Labelling of food products to highlight ingredients that can cause allergic reactions  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0072 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1115/97 by Edward Newman (PSE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: Labelling of food products to highlight ingredients that can cause allergic reactionsThe labelling of food products that can cause allergic reactions has now been the subject of concern for a number of years. The Commission published a Recommendation on this matter as recently as 24 January 1997 asking Member States to monitor and analyse allergens and aflatoxics.However, given the amount of time this has been an issue of concern, when will the Commission be in a position to propose legislation?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1997)The Commission is currently looking into the need to amend Directive 79/112/EEC on the labelling of foodstuffs ((OJ L 33, 8.2.1979, as last amended by Directive 97/4/EC, OJ L 43, 14.2.1997. )) so as to provide better information to those who suffer from food intolerance or allergies.One year ago, at the Commission's request, the Scientific Committee for Food finalized a report on scientific knowledge in this area. Within the framework of scientific cooperation between the Member States and the Commission, this work will be followed up by a review of the available epidemiological data (dose-response, geographical variations, frequency and degree of hypersensitivity). This is a necessary step in determining which criteria to apply in compiling a list of ingredients known to cause allergies or intolerance and which, where used in a foodstuff, would have to be indicated in the list of ingredients shown on the labelling. On the basis of the findings, which should be available by the end of this year, the Commission might be able to adopt a proposal to amend Directive 79/112/EEC.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1026/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Pending marketing applications for genetically modified foods and animal feedingstuffs
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: animal feedingstuffs, animal nutrition, biotechnology, food inspection, foodstuff, foodstuffs legislation, genetically modified organism, human nutrition, marketing, new product













EUR-Lex - 91997E1026 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1026

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1026/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Pending marketing applications for genetically modified foods and animal feedingstuffs  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0049 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1026/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 March 1997)Subject: Pending marketing applications for genetically modified foods and animal feedingstuffsTen applications to market genetically modified products throughout EU are currently pending under Directive 90/220/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p. 15. )). These are mainly applications to market genetically modified foods for human consumption and animal feedingstuffs.1. Is the the Council going to hold up the applications until the European Parliament and Council regulation on novel foods and novel food ingredients (the 'novel food regulation') has entered into force?2. What are the Council's reasons for its decision?3. Since a decision will not be taken on most of the applications until the novel food regulation has entered into force, will they automatically come under the novel food regulation as soon as it has entered into force?4. If the pending applications do not come under the novel food regulation as soon as it enters into force, what is the Council's justification for its action?Answer (2 July 1997)As specified in Articles 11 to 13 of Directive 90/220/EEC, the procedure for granting marketing authorizations for products containing genetically modified organisms is a matter for the competent authority of the Member State in which a marketing application has been submitted and for the Commission; other Member States may make comments or raise objections during this procedure.The conditions for applying Directive 90/220 and Regulation 258/97 are detailed in Articles 1, 3 and 9 of the Regulation.
97/360/EC: Council Decision of 24 March 1997 concerning the elimination of duties on certain spirituous beverages
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: United States, World Trade Organisation, alcoholic beverage, suspension of customs duties, trade agreement (EU)








L_1997155EN.01006001.xml










12.6.1997   


EN


Official Journal of the European Communities


L 155/60





COUNCIL DECISION
of 24 March 1997 (1)

concerning the elimination of duties on certain spirituous beverages
(97/360/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113, in conjunction with Article 228 (2) first sentence, thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas the elimination of tariffs by the United States and the European Community is considered to be of overall benefit;
Whereas the United States and the European Community have prepared an Agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding on spirituous beverages; whereas the Agreement includes modifications to an EC-Spirits-Schedule CXL which should be submitted to the World Trade Organization;
Whereas the Agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the European Community on spirituous beverages should be approved on behalf of the Community,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the United States of America on spirituous beverages is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
Article 2
The Commission is hereby authorized to submit to the World Trade Organization the modifications to the Community schedule as set out in the EC-Spirits-Schedule CXL contained in the Agreement attached hereto.
Article 3
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding in order to bind the Community.
Article 4
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 24 March 1997.


For the Council


The President

H. VAN MIERLO




(1)  The consolidated text of this Decision incorporates corrections approved by the Council on 14 May 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1130/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. Tourism and the IGC
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: DIEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU action, EU policy, European treaties, intergovernmental conference (EU), revision of the Treaty (EU), structural policy, tourism













EUR-Lex - 91997E1130 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1130

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1130/97 by Carmen DÍEZ DE RIVERA ICAZA to the Commission. Tourism and the IGC  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0235 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1130/97 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza (PSE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: Tourism and the IGCWhat steps is the Commission taking to ensure that tourism is included as a separate title in the revised Treaty?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (25 April 1997)As indicated in its report to the Council on civil protection, tourism and energy of 3 April 1996 ((SEC(96) 496. )), the Commission recognises the lack of specific basis for Community action in favour of tourism. This has not prevented the Community from undertaking and implementing action in favour of tourism, either in the framework of the Community's sectoral policies, or based on Article 235 of the EC Treaty.However, direct action based on Article 235 of the EC Treaty is likely to become much more difficult, if not impossible, in an enlarged Community in which unanimity would still be required for taking decisions.The Commission recognises that the continuity and coherence of Community action in these fields could be facilitated by inserting into the Treaty provisions which would make such action more efficient and more visible. However, the Commission is not asking for new powers in these areas and considers that it is for the intergovernmental conference to announce its position on the question of a separate title on tourism in the revised Treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1118/97 by Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Introduction of a directive on minimum seating space for air passengers
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: European Parliament, ILASKIVI
Subjects: air safety, air transport, aircraft, carriage of passengers, consumer information, consumer protection, product quality, transport user













EUR-Lex - 91997E1118 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1118

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1118/97 by Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Introduction of a directive on minimum seating space for air passengers  


Official Journal C 367 , 04/12/1997 P. 0080 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1118/97 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (24 March 1997)Subject: Introduction of a directive on minimum seating space for air passengersIn the EU and in Parliament in particular attention has recently been drawn in a sensible and serious way to the transport of animals. Emphasis has been placed on the space which should be reserved for each animal being transported and on the importance of feeding and watering and avoiding excessively long journey times.Less attention has, however, been paid to human beings travelling by air. On commercial flights - both regular and charter - travellers are packed by many airlines into seats which allow intolerably little leg room even for people little more than 1.85 m in height, and which force the passenger into positions which according to medical experts hinder the blood circulation and cause other injuries e.g. as a result of numbness. This policy is defended on the grounds of price competition and of endeavours to maximise the use of equipment, factors which seem to take precedence over health and simple comfort.Given that this state of affairs will only be improved by means of legislation applying to all airlines in EU countries, what does the Commission propose to do to introduce the necessary directive?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (23 May 1997)The Commission has received a number of complaints from users who complain that the quality of comfort offered in certain aeroplanes is not adequate for reasonably comfortable travel. It is therefore aware that certain air operators, airlines or package tour operators are inclined to increase aircraft occupancy in order to offer better tariffs.Community intervention would of course be legitimate if the loading of aircraft reduced safety, but since national and Community rules concerning certification and use of aircraft make provision against that there is no current basis for the sort of action suggested by the Honorable Member.However, the Commission considers that it would be beneficial for transport providers and travel agents to agree on appropriate arrangements to provide clear information to potential passengers on travel comfort so that customers could make informed choices. It will therefore take up this matter through its regular contacts with the relevant operators.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1033/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Risk to the health of the public and employees as a result of underestimating neutron radiation during transport of highly radioactive waste
Date: 1997-03-24
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: health legislation, health risk, ionising radiation, nuclear safety, occupational health, public health, radiation protection, radioactive waste, radioactivity, transport of dangerous goods













EUR-Lex - 91997E1033 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E1033

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1033/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Risk to the health of the public and employees as a result of underestimating neutron radiation during transport of highly radioactive waste  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0051 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (24 March 1997)Subject: Risk to the health of the public and employees as a result of underestimating neutron radiation during transport of highly radioactive wasteA group of scientists submitted to a sister organization of the ICRP, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU), even more far-reaching recommendations on quality factors. Because of the many indications in radiation biology experiments that the relative biological impact of neutrons, especially in low doses, is still much higher than originally assumed, these scientists proposed a quality factor of 25 irrespective of the energy of the neutrons (ICRU 40 1986).1. What is the Council's position vis-à-vis the guidelines proposed in ICRU 40 1986?2. What conclusions has it drawn as regards radiation protection in the EU Member States?Joint answer to Written Questions E-1029/97, E-1031/97 and E-1033/97 (2 July 1997)On 13 May 1996 the Council adopted Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1. )). Adoption of that Directive has enabled protection standards in the previous Directives to be strengthened, in the light of, in particular, recent scientific data.With particular reference to the assessment of the effects of various types and energies of ionizing radiation, Articles 15 and 16 of the Directive provide for the use of the radiation weighting factor values annexed to the Directive, which are those recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in its publication No 60, to which the Honourable member refers. Article 15 also stipulates that the competent authorities may authorize the use of equivalent methods. This possibility is of particular value where a knowledge of the actual parameteres of the situation enables the dose to be estimated more precisely.