do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1443/97 by Karl OLSSON to the Commission. Animal Welfare
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: European Parliament, OLSSON
Subjects: EC Directive, European Parliament, animal welfare, application of EU law, marketing, protection of animals, transport of animals

10. 2. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 45/33

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 1997)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s views on the importance of construction in the Community.
This is indeed one of the main industrial sectors in terms of production and job creation. With more specific
regard to employment, a strategic study commissioned by the Commission (1) emphasised that 8.8 million direct
jobs in the sector have led to 17.6 million indirect jobs.

In view, particularly, of the above, the Commission is exploring the expediency of preparing a communication to
the  Council,  Parliament,  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  in  which  it
would examine the key elements affecting the sector’s competitiveness.

(1)  Strategies for the European Construction Sector › A Programme for Change (1994).

(98/C 45/40)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1443/97

by Karl Olsson (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 April 1997)

Subject: Animal Welfare

A  directive  for  improving  the  protection  of  animals  has  been  adopted  after  lengthy  debate  in  the  European
Parliament. The directive came partly into force at the beginning of this year. Public and political opinion is
strongly against cruelty in the trade in live animals.

A report broadcast on Swedish television showed examples of mal-treatment of animals more appalling than
anything seen before. It is of course completely unacceptable and must be stopped.

What steps does Mr Fischler intend to take to ensure that the new animal protection directive is strictly complied
with,  to  make  animal  handling  and  transport  more  humane  and  ensure  that  those  breaking  the  law  get  the
punishment they deserve?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 1997)

The Commission would refer to the answer given to written question No E-1106/97 by Mr R. Paasilinna (1).

It should also be noted that the power of the Community to impose restrictions on trade from third countries, in
order to protect animal welfare, could possibly be limited by the Community(cid:146)s obligations under the World trade
organisation agreements.

In relation to compliance by Member States with their obligations under Council Directive 91/628/EEC on the
protection of animals during transport (2), the Commission intends to continue monitoring the enforcement of the
relevant provisions by the Member States, and will not fail to take the necessary measures, including the opening
of infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty, if Member States fail to comply with these
obligations.

(1)  OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 68.
(2)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1441/97 by Jacques DONNAY to the Commission. Rate of VAT applicable in the catering industry
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: DONNAY, European Parliament
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EC Directive, VAT, VAT rate, catering industry, derogation from EU law, proposal (EU), single market, tax harmonisation













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91997E1441

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1441/97 by Jacques DONNAY to the Commission. Rate of VAT applicable in the catering industry  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0131 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1441/97 by Jacques Donnay (UPE) to the Commission (28 April 1997)Subject: Rate of VAT applicable in the catering industryThought is currently being given to the future common system of VAT applicable in the EU.This appraisal, which is of crucial importance for the single market, must clearly seek to harmonize the VAT rates applied in the Member States.Directive 92/77/EEC of 19 October 1992 ((OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 1. )) laying down the rules for the transitional system of VAT excluded the catering industry from the list of supplies of goods and services which may be subject to reduced rates of VAT in the Member States.Nevertheless, eight of the fifteen Member States enjoy a derogation allowing them to apply the reduced rate to the catering trade.These derogations were due to terminate at the end of 1996 but were extended pending adoption of the final system which should harmonize the situation.1. Will this transitional system currently in force be revised to ensure that the catering industry benefits from the reduced rate of VAT in all Member States?2. Will the final harmonization of VAT rates stipulate that the reduced rate of VAT applies uniformly to catering-related activities?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)The Commission does not envisage a specific change in the current transitional value added tax (VAT) system with regard to the VAT rates applied to restaurant services. VAT rates in general are, however, subject to revision in the context of the Commission work programme on a new common system of VAT for the single market ((COM(96) 328. )). The first proposal for a Council directive in the area of VAT rates is scheduled for the end of 1997 and a second for mid-1999. The specific decision whether or not restaurant services will benefit from a permanent application of a reduced VAT rate will only need to be taken at this latter stage and it will take into account the general principles governing the new VAT system and its VAT rate structure.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1440/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Additions to cod liver oil
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: EU law, animal oil, food additive, vitamin

C 45/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10. 2. 98

For 1996, the training programmes were selected using the professional expertise procedure provided for by the
Decision, on the basis of their European dimension. The European value added is assessed by looking at the
course  content,  accessibility  for  non-nationals,  partnerships  with  industry  and  the  prospects  for  network
formation.

With a provisional budget of ECU 45 million for a five-year period, the training section of the second Media
Programme is designed to meet all the requirements identified in the preparatory phase through consultations
with  all  concerned.  The  objectives  are:  to  enable  professionals  to  develop  their  activities  at  European  and
international level by giving them the chance to update their skills; to enable organisations involved in training
(training  centres,  businesses,  professional  associations  etc.)  the  opportunity  to  give  their  courses  a  European
dimension and to encourage them to include market-oriented material; and, lastly, to foster the emergence of a
network of training opportunities by facilitating exchanges of know-how and experience.

3.
In line with the timetable laid down in Council Decision 95/563/EC establishing Media II (cid:150) Development
and  Disitribution,„  the  Commission  sent  the  Media  Committee  a  study  on  implementation  of  the  automatic
support system for cinema distribution at the end of 1996, the Programme’s first year. On the basis of this study
and feedback gathered by the Media Committee through regular consultations on how the system was working,
the Commission presented draft guidelines for the system to the Committee at its meeting on 22 April.

The system should be operational by the second half of 1997, if the timetable is observed.

(1)  OJ L 321, 30.12.1995.

(98/C 45/38)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1440/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(28 April 1997)

Subject: Additions to cod liver oil

Can the Commission please clarify the situation with regard to additions of vitamins to cod liver oil as a result of
European Union regulations.

Is this in fact the case, and if so, what additions have been made and why?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1997)

There are no Community rules providing for the compulsory addition of vitamins to cod liver oil.

(98/C 45/39)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1442/97

by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission

(28 April 1997)

Subject: European policy in the areas of construction and infrastructure

In view of the major importance to the EU of the construction and building sector › both private and public ›
and of infrastructure (highways, civil engineering works) both for growth and employment, can the Commission
state if and when it intends to submit a draft communication on this subject in a sector of activity that is crucial
for the future of the Union?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1459/97 by Jannis SAKELLARIOU to the Commission. Recognition of third country diplomas
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: European Parliament, SAKELLARIOU
Subjects: EU Member State, European Commission, competence of the Member States, diploma, exchange of information, free movement of persons, pharmacist, professional qualifications, recognition of diplomas, third country













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91997E1459

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1459/97 by Jannis SAKELLARIOU to the Commission. Recognition of third country diplomas  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0135 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1459/97 by Jannis Sakellariou (PSE) to the Commission (28 April 1997)Subject: Recognition of third country diplomas1. Is it correct that recognition of third country diplomas in the European Union is a matter for national discretion and that there is no European directive thereon? Is it also correct that recognition of a diploma in one EU Member State does not mean that other EU Member States are also bound to recognise that diploma? If so, what is the basis for the freedom from that obligation?2. Are there any special rules applying to pharmacists for the recognition of diplomas obtained in third countries? Do different arrangements apply depending on the third country involved?3. Is the Commission aware of any cases hitherto in which a national of an EU Member State has had his/her freedom of movement restricted because only one Member State of the Union recognized his/her third country diploma? If so, what are the judgments of the Court of Justice in those cases?4. Is freedom of movement within the Union guaranteed only if it can be proved that diplomas or other qualifications were obtained in the EU? Is such a restriction of freedom of movement logical in relation to people who are nationals of an EU Member State but obtained their educational qualifications in a third country, which are then only recognized by one Member State of the Union?5. Is the principle of trust on which the general directive on recognition, EEC/92/51 ((OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 25. )), is based not to be interpreted as meaning that a Member State must accept the classification of courses of study established by another Member State even where the courses involved are those of third countries?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (23 June 1997)In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 766/97 of 28 April 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92 on quality inspection of fresh fruit and vegetables
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: food inspection, fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, preparation for market, product quality, quality standard













EUR-Lex - 31997R0766 - EN






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31997R0766

Commission Regulation (EC) No 766/97 of 28 April 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92 on quality inspection of fresh fruit and vegetables  


Official Journal L 112 , 29/04/1997 P. 0010 - 0010 





COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 766/97 of 28 April 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92 on quality inspection of fresh fruit and vegetablesTHE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables (1), and in particular Articles 7 and 10 thereof,Whereas Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92 (2), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3148/94 (3), lays down that, in the case of imports from third countries, cases of non-compliance with Community quality standards must be notified to the Commission; whereas, at the moment, such notifications are sent to the Commission by telefax; whereas this means of transmission no longer meets the requirements of the system monitoring commercial quality; the IDES system should therefore be used as the sole means of notification to ensure a rapid transmission of documents and to allow for a statistical evaluation of the data notified;Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fruit and Vegetables,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:Article 1 The following sub-paragraph is added to Article 11 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92:'Notification to the Commission shall be done by the interactive data entry system known as "IDES".`Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.It shall apply from 1 September 1997.This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 28 April 1997.For the CommissionFranz FISCHLERMember of the Commission(1) OJ No L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 1.(2) OJ No L 219, 4. 8. 1992, p. 9.(3) OJ No L 332, 22. 12. 1994, p. 28.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1448/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Unemployment rate in Greece
Date: 1997-04-28
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU publication, Eurostat, Greece, economic survey, exchange of information, social analysis, unemployment, working population













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91997E1448

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1448/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Unemployment rate in Greece  


Official Journal C 373 , 09/12/1997 P. 0133 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (28 April 1997)Subject: Unemployment rate in Greece'Europe' of 3 March 1997 re-produced figures for unemployment in the EU Member States, Japan and the USA from Eurostat publications 'Chômage/2/97' and 'Unemployment 2/97' under the title 'Weekly Europe Selected No. 996'. However, as we have repeatedly pointed out, these statistics did not include figures for unemployment in Greece.Will the Commission say:1. why the figures for unemployment in Greece do not appear, and2. what measures it is taking to ensure that the Greek unemployment figures duly appear at the correct time in the various publications?Answer by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1997)1. The unemployment rates published by Eurostat are established in accordance with the recommendations of the International Labour Office on the basis of the labour force sample survey results. In implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3711/91 ((OJ L 351 of 20.12.1991. )), this survey is carried out in all the Member States in the spring of each year and thus shows the unemployment rate for that period. In the case of Greece, the labour force survey gives the unemployment rate for the second quarter, but there is no indicator which can provide a valid estimate of the unemployment rate outside that period.2. As from 1998, The National Statistical Service of Greece is planning to implement a continuous labour force survey which will provide quarterly unemployment rates. The Commission will publish these data as soon as they are available.