do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2618/97 by Jan SONNEVELD to the Commission. Export of dried bird droppings to France
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, SONNEVELD
Subjects: France, agricultural trade, animal product, environmental protection, export, health control, intra-EU trade, organic fertiliser, veterinary legislation













EUR-Lex - 91997E2618 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2618

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2618/97 by Jan SONNEVELD to the Commission. Export of dried bird droppings to France  


Official Journal C 082 , 17/03/1998 P. 0116 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-2618/97 by Jan Sonneveld (PPE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)Subject: Export of dried bird droppings to FranceOn 17 June 1997 the prefecture of the French département of Aube refused to grant authorization for the transport of dried bird droppings. It said that the application was incompatible with the industrial waste disposal plan for the region of Champagne-Ardenne which gives priority to locally produced fertilizers.1. Is the Commission of the opinion that dried bird droppings are a high-grade animal fertilizer which customers would be willing to pay for, and which should not therefore be regarded as a waste product?2. Is the Commission of the opinion that just as cereals are an essential input for livestock farming, so high-grade fertilizer is an essential input for the cultivation of certain agricultural products?3. Is the Commission of the opinion that a ban on importing such high-grade fertilizers is an infringement of the rules of the internal market?4. Is the Commission prepared to deal appropriately with the prefecture in question with a view to withdrawing this barrier to trade?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 September 1997)From the veterinary point of view, intra-Community trade in chicken droppings falls within the scope of Council Directive 92/118/CE ((OJ L 62 of 15.3.1993. )) laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules.From the point of view of environmental protection (protection of groundwater, muck-spreading plans), there are no specific Community rules regarding trade in chicken droppings. National rules therefore apply, subject to the general Community rules on the matter.The Commission has just learned of the main points of this case, which it will not fail to examine, if necessary, under the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EC treaty.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2348/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Council. Bringing Khmer Rouge leaders to trial
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: Amnesty International, Cambodia, International Court of Justice, crime against humanity, human rights, political violence, ruling, the EU's international role

C 102/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (2) is also
relevant  in  this  connection.  Article  4(b)(iv)  of  that  Directive  specifies  that  the  organiser  and/or  retailer  must
provide the consumer, in good time before the start of the journey, in writing or any other appropriate form, with
information on the optional conclusion of an insurance policy to cover the cost of cancellation by the consumer
or the cost of assistance, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness.

As  regards  the  situation  described  by  the  Honourable  Member,  which  concerns  the  exclusion  of  non-UK
nationals from holiday insurance cover, the Commission takes the view that this conduct probably reflects the
commercial policy of the insurance company or travel agency through which the holiday was booked rather than
discrimination on the grounds of nationality, for which a Member State would be responsible.

The  Commission  is  not  competent  to  rule  on  proceedings  for  breach  of  contract  which  may  be  instituted  by
consumers against the travel agency or insurance company. The domestic courts are competent to settle such
matters and to determine whether amounts paid for holiday insurance cover which is included in the overall cost
of a package but from which certain consumers are apparently excluded should be reimbursed. In that context,
the requirement set out in the package tours Directive to provide consumers with appropriate information could
be taken into consideration.

(1)  OJ L 339, 27.12.1984. This Directive was last amended by the Third Council Directive 92/49/EEC (OJ L 228, 11.8.1992) and European

Parliament and Council Directive 95/26/EEC (OJ L 168, 18.7.1995).

(2)  OJ L 158, 23.6.1990.

(98/C 102/43)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341/97

by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Variations in rules for car drivers

Could the Council list which Member States:

1.  Require a warning triangle to be carried in a car;

2.  Require a fire extinguisher to be carried in a car;

3.  Allow a sealed gallon of petrol to be carried in the boot of the car?

Answer

(10 November 1997)

The Council does not have the information requested by the Honourable Member at its disposal.

(98/C 102/44)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2348/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Bringing Khmer Rouge leaders to trial

A recent report by Amnesty International called on the international community to help bring Khmer Rouge
leaders who are believed to have been responsible for gross human rights abuses in Cambodia to justice and to
ensure that they receive fair trials.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2418/97 by Laura DE ESTEBAN MARTIN to the Council. Committees of experts
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: DE ESTEBAN MARTIN, European Parliament
Subjects: EU police cooperation, cooperation in home affairs, customs cooperation, immigration, judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU, self-employed person, statistics













EUR-Lex - 91997E2418 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2418

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2418/97 by Laura DE ESTEBAN MARTIN to the Council. Committees of experts  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0006 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2418/97 by Laura De Esteban Martin (PPE) to the Council (18 July 1997)Subject: Committees of expertsCan the Council state which particular working parties or committees of experts - and how many - carried out studies and specific work under the third pillar during 1995, 1996 and 1997, giving details of the participation of the various Member States in each one?Could the Council also provide Parliament on a regular basis with the information derived from these working parties on issues on which Parliament must be consulted or draw up a report, so as to facilitate Parliament's work?Answer (15 January 1998)The Honourable Member will find below a table showing meetings of expert working parties within the framework of justice and home affairs cooperation during 1995, 1996 and the first half of 1997. All Member States take part in these meetings.>TABLE>The Presidency has kept the European Parliament regularly informed of discussions on justice and home affairs, either through its regular meetings with the Committee on Civil Liberties and the Legal Affairs Committee, or at the annual debate provided for in the third paragraph of Article K.6 of the Treaty on European Union.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2341/97 by Stephen HUGHES to the Council. Variations in rules for car drivers
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, HUGHES STEPHEN
Subjects: European standard, common transport policy, motor car, motor vehicle, road safety, safety device, safety standard, technical standard, traffic signs, vehicle parts

C 102/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (2) is also
relevant  in  this  connection.  Article  4(b)(iv)  of  that  Directive  specifies  that  the  organiser  and/or  retailer  must
provide the consumer, in good time before the start of the journey, in writing or any other appropriate form, with
information on the optional conclusion of an insurance policy to cover the cost of cancellation by the consumer
or the cost of assistance, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness.

As  regards  the  situation  described  by  the  Honourable  Member,  which  concerns  the  exclusion  of  non-UK
nationals from holiday insurance cover, the Commission takes the view that this conduct probably reflects the
commercial policy of the insurance company or travel agency through which the holiday was booked rather than
discrimination on the grounds of nationality, for which a Member State would be responsible.

The  Commission  is  not  competent  to  rule  on  proceedings  for  breach  of  contract  which  may  be  instituted  by
consumers against the travel agency or insurance company. The domestic courts are competent to settle such
matters and to determine whether amounts paid for holiday insurance cover which is included in the overall cost
of a package but from which certain consumers are apparently excluded should be reimbursed. In that context,
the requirement set out in the package tours Directive to provide consumers with appropriate information could
be taken into consideration.

(1)  OJ L 339, 27.12.1984. This Directive was last amended by the Third Council Directive 92/49/EEC (OJ L 228, 11.8.1992) and European

Parliament and Council Directive 95/26/EEC (OJ L 168, 18.7.1995).

(2)  OJ L 158, 23.6.1990.

(98/C 102/43)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2341/97

by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Variations in rules for car drivers

Could the Council list which Member States:

1.  Require a warning triangle to be carried in a car;

2.  Require a fire extinguisher to be carried in a car;

3.  Allow a sealed gallon of petrol to be carried in the boot of the car?

Answer

(10 November 1997)

The Council does not have the information requested by the Honourable Member at its disposal.

(98/C 102/44)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2348/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Bringing Khmer Rouge leaders to trial

A recent report by Amnesty International called on the international community to help bring Khmer Rouge
leaders who are believed to have been responsible for gross human rights abuses in Cambodia to justice and to
ensure that they receive fair trials.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2500/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Fire safety in hotels
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: building safety, dissemination of EU information, fire protection, hotel industry, occupational safety, sample survey, statistics, tourism













EUR-Lex - 91997E2500 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2500

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2500/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Fire safety in hotels  


Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0020 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2500/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)Subject: Fire safety in hotelsFurther to my Written Question E-1423/97 ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 29. )), why has the study not yet been published in English? Is the Commission happy with the low response rate to the questionnaire issued by the group carrying out the study (ceten-apave) i.e. 1 213 returns from 20 000 questionnaires covering only eight EU countries?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)The Commission can provide further information to complement that given previously in reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-1423/97.It is true that the investigative study on fire safety was available only in French. This was due to its length including annexes (more than 750 pages). It can be used as a basis for information and action by the Commission without it having to be translated.The enquiry was managed on a large scale. The response, of more than 1 000 replies, was considered as being sufficiently representative to consolidate and analyse the information collected from private and public official bodies.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2356/97 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Opening of part of Syria's border with Iraq
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: EU aid, Iraq, Syria, UN Security Council, cross-border transport, human rights, military equipment, narcotic, telecommunications, tourism













EUR-Lex - 91997E2356 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2356

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2356/97 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Opening of part of Syria's border with Iraq  


Official Journal C 102 , 03/04/1998 P. 0033 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2356/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (18 July 1997)Subject: Opening of part of Syria's border with Iraq1. Has Syria - which is an important player in the peace process in the Middle East and a partner in the EU's Mediterranean policy - given the UN and the EU guarantees that it will not transport, or supply in any other way, via the recently opened section of its border with Iraq militarily strategic equipment or components, including those which can be used to make bacteriological weapons?2. Did the Commission stipulate, during the talks on the financial agreements worth ECU 31 million for telecommunications, promoting tourism and protecting the cultural heritage, that Syria's involvement in the production of drugs in the Beqa-a valley (estimated at a street value of two billion guilders) should cease forthwith?3. If not, how do the Council and Commission think they can explain to the people of Europe the grant of ECU 31 million, given that such drugs are sent via Syria and Turkey to undermine the health of the young peopled of the EU?4. Why has the Council still not forwarded to Parliament the report evaluating human rights in Syria? Is there something in it that needs to be concealed?Answer (17 November 1997)1. The Council expects Syria to respect all UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iraq.2. and 3. The distinguished Member of the European Parliament should refer her question to the Commission which is responsible for implementing the financial assistance to Syria. Projects on telecommunications and the development of tourism were presented to the MED Committee in September and May 1996. However the Commission is still carrying out negotiations with the Syrian authorities on the framework Agreement defining the overall arrangements for the implementations of the MEDA programme in Syria. Pending the conclusion of these negotiations, the implementation of projects has not taken place.4. Within the framework of the EC-Syria Cooperation Agreement, the Council raises questions related to reinforcement of democracy and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the latest meeting of the Cooperation Council in 1996 the EU noted with satisfaction the improvements recorded in Syria concerning respect for human rights, expressing however the belief that further progress was necessary.It is the Commission, not the Council, which has been asked to report to the Parliament on the human rights situation in Syria.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2208/97 by Hartmut NASSAUER to the Council. Protocols to European Union Conventions concerning the Court of Justice
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, NASSAUER
Subjects: Court of Justice of the European Union, EU Member State, Europol, Intergovernmental Convention (EU), Protocol (EU), computer systems, customs, financial interests of members

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/15

(98/C 102/22)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2114/97

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(24 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 › Authorization through entry in the catalogue of species

In future will transgenic plants still require any authorization and approval before being entered in the common
catalogue of species?

Answer

(31 October 1997)

Regulation No 258/97 is aimed not at plants as such, whether or not transgenic, but at foods and food ingredients
only, as specified in Article 1 thereof.

(98/C 102/23)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2118/97

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(24 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 › Authorization of varieties

Will follow-on products of plants already covered by variety authorization needed to be tested and authorized
individually pursuant to the novel food regulation (1) (FN)?

(1)  OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 1.

Answer

(31 October 1997)

Regulation No 258/97 does not specifically take into account whether a plant is a follow-on product or not.

(98/C 102/24)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2208/97

by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Protocols to European Union Conventions concerning the Court of Justice

For each Protocol to European Union Conventions under the third pillar concerning preliminary rulings by the
Court of Justice, will the Council set out the date of signature, the date of publication in the Official Journal, the
Member  States  who  have  so  far  made  a  declaration  accepting  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Court,  pursuant  to  the
relevant article in the Protocol, the date on which the declaration was made, and the date of publication of this
declaration in the Official Journal?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2501/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. CITES - Ivory
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, code of conduct, common position, material of animal origin, non-governmental organisation, protected species, protection of animal life, wild mammal













EUR-Lex - 91997E2501 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2501

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2501/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. CITES - Ivory  


Official Journal C 102 , 03/04/1998 P. 0050 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2501/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (18 July 1997)Subject: CITES - IvoryGiven Parliament's resolution B4-0473/97 of 12 June 1997, which 'urged the parties not to accept any proposals from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to downlist the African elephant', and the desired position of several Member States to vote against this downlisting, the Commission's position affected the final outcome of the parties to the CITES convention.In the interests of transparency will the Commission publish the specific proposals it made in Harare on the elephant issue, and will the Commission undertake in future to communicate its proposals for a common position of the Member States to Parliament well in advance?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1997)The proposals concerning the transfer of the elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe were adopted by a far greater number of parties than the required two-thirds majority. The Commission's position to support a compromise with firm conditions and the subsequent Community position to abstain did not affect the final outcome of the meeting. The Commission and the Community did, however, contribute throughout the meeting to the positive results that were achieved.The Commission is ready, in conformity with the code of conduct with the Parliament to inform fully the relevant committee on these negotiations and to explain the positions taken. This will be the occasion for the Parliament to see that there was no discrepancy between its position on elephants as laid down in its Resolution 94-0473/97 of 12 June 1997 and that of the Commission.As demonstrated on the occasion of the Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) meeting, the Commission is in principle ready to take the Parliament's views into account when formulating common position proposals. Similarly, the Commission - together with the Presidency - has a regular exchange of information with representatives of the Community's non-governmental organizations during CITES meetings. As for the future communication to Parliament of proposals for Community positions well in advance of CITES meetings, the Commission will continue to conform with the provisions of the aforementioned code de conduct.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2362/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Council. Refusal by Indonesia to allow journalists entry to East Timor
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: Amnesty International, East Timor, Indonesia, communications profession, diplomatic representation, freedom of movement, human rights, international organisation, non-governmental organisation

30. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134/3

3.  European Social Fund;

4.  European Union research programmes;

5.  European Union energy programmes;

6.  European Union environment programmes;

7.  Other European Union programmes?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1997)

In  view  of  the  length  of  its  answer,  the  Commission  is  sending  it  direct  to  the  Honourable  Member  and  to
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 134/05)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2296/97

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(26 June 1997)

Subject: Outstanding appropriations for structural actions

Can the Commission provide the following information, as at 31 December 1996:

1.  What were the outstanding appropriations for the EAGGF (Guarantee), the FIFG, the ERDF, the ESF and the
Cohesion Fund, broken down by Member State? Had these amounts been committed in 1996, 1995, 1994 or
before?

2.  What was the ratio between outstanding appropriations per Member State and commitments accumulated by

each Member State over the period 1994-1996?

3.  What was the comparative evolution of the execution of commitment appropriations, payment appropria-

tions and outstanding appropriations?

4.  What  was  the  total  in  outstanding  appropriations  on  31  December  in  relation  to  the  annual  commitment

appropriations?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1997)

In  view  of  the  length  of  its  answer,  the  Commission  is  sending  it  direct  to  the  Honourable  Member  and  to
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 134/06)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Refusal by Indonesia to allow journalists entry to East Timor

On June 24 1997 the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia visited East Timor. The Indonesian authorities refused
to allow any journalists to accompany him on this visit.

Amnesty  International  and  other  human  rights  organizations  have  also  been  denied  access  to  East  Timor  to
investigate the ongoing reports of serious human rights abuses there, as have some parliamentarians who have
tried to visit the Indonesian-controlled territory in the past.