do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2638/97 by Pavlos SARLIS , Efthymios CHRISTODOULOU , Stelios ARGYROS to the Commission. Fine imposed on Antenna, a private TV channel
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: ARGYROS, CHRISTODOULOU, European Parliament, SARLIS
Subjects: Greece, administrative sanction, audiovisual communications policy, cessation of trading, fine, private media, professional ethics













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91997E2638

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2638/97 by Pavlos SARLIS , Efthymios CHRISTODOULOU , Stelios ARGYROS to the Commission. Fine imposed on Antenna, a private TV channel  


Official Journal C 082 , 17/03/1998 P. 0119 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2638/97 by Pavlos Sarlis (PPE), Efthymios Christodoulou (PPE) and Stelios Argyros (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Fine imposed on Antenna, a private TV channelThe National Radio and Television Council of Greece (ERS), a state body, recently singled out the Athens private television channel, Antenna, fining it DR 100 million and ordering it to suspend operations, as a punishment for a journalistic offence, even though no code of conduct has yet been adopted and the same offence has been committed on an almost daily basis for years by dozens of other Greek television channels which have been broadcasting similar television programmes with impunity.This arbitrary and biased action by the ERS is not only an act of political pressure and a gagging order, but also a clear violation of the provisions on competition laid down in the EU Treaty, because the administrative sanctions referred to above will benefit the state channels and the other private TV channels and put Antenna at a terrible competitive disadvantage.Will the Commission say what measure it intends to take within its remit to remedy this situation?Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1997)The Commission has received no complaint concerning the recent fine and order to suspend operations of the private Athens television chanel, Antenna, by the national radio and television council of Greece (ERS). Nor has it been suggested to the Commission that this decision constitutes any violation of Community law.Even if the penalty that has been imposed for a violation of national law might appear to be very heavy it does not, at first sight, constitute any violation of Community competition law, and there is no information indicating that trade between Member States has been affected.Therefore the Commission has no intention at present to take any action.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2611/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Organic farming practices
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: animal production, consumer protection, foodstuff, livestock farming, organic farming, regulation of agricultural production

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/73

(98/C 102/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2611/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Organic farming practices

Does  the  Commission  recognize  that  at  present  the  proposed  organic  livestock  regulation  is  causing  great
concern  for  many  organic  farmers  who  are  undertaking  a  conversion  to  organic  farming  practices  and  those
wishing to convert?

The proposals will prohibit farmers from rearing the same species organically and conventionally on a single
holding.  Does  the  Commission  recognize  that  this  policy  will  impede  the  expansion  of  organic  farming
throughout the EU?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 1997)

The Commission proposal (1) for a Council regulation supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic
production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs (2) to
include livestock production, includes a provision prohibiting the rearing of the same livestock species on the
conventional and organic units of the same holding.

This provision is coherent with a similar provision for crop products in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, as adopted
in 1991, and is essential to ensure credibility of organic husbandry to the consumer.

In the opinion delivered in its session of May 1997, the Parliament accepted the Commission(cid:146)s proposal on this
subject and did not propose any amendment.

(1)  COM(96) 366.
(2)  OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

(98/C 102/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2614/97

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Wood chippings as biofuel

In Finland a comparative study has been carried out on the relative prices of biofuels and heavy fuel oil and the
regional economic effects of their use. The study arose in connection with the planned construction of a 5 MW
district heating plant in which heat would be produced using forest wood chippings instead of heavy heating oil.

According to the study, the arguments in favour of the use of wood chippings as biofuel are its environmental
compatibility and its local provenance. The production of wood chippings employs local people not only directly
but also indirectly through transport and other services.

In the light of the experience gained in Finland, what kinds of programmes does the EU have to support the
construction of heating plants of this kind burning biofuel, and what additional measures does the Commission
propose to take to support job-creating and environmentally acceptable projects in this field?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 1997)

A  distinction  may  be  drawn  between  various  types  of  support  for  facilities  using  biomass  (including  wood
chippings) as their raw material.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2698/97 by Maartje van PUTTEN to the Commission. Demonstrators in Papua New Guinea
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN PUTTEN
Subjects: Amnesty International, Papua New Guinea, human rights, legal process, mercenary, opposition

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/95

› 

indirectly:  by  prioritising  support  for  displaced  groups  in  areas  covered  by  Community-financed  rural
development projects in Colombia.

(1)  OJ L 68, 8.3.1997.

(98/C 102/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2698/97

by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Demonstrators in Papua New Guinea

1.  a) 

Is  the  Commission  aware  that  criminal  proceedings  are  currently  under  way  in  Papua  New  Guinea
(PNG) against Jonathan O(cid:146)ata, John Kawowo, Powes Parkop and John Napu who had played a leading
role in March 1997 in organizing demonstrations against the deployment of mercenaries by the PNG
authorities in Bougainville?

1.  b)  If so, is it monitoring these proceedings?

2.  Does the Commission agree with Amnesty International that if these men are found guilty and imprisoned
they  should  be  regarded  as  political  prisoners  and  that  this  would  damage  the  relatively  open  political
climate in Papua New Guinea?

3.  What  opportunities  does  the  Commission  see  in  its  contacts  with  the  PNG  authorities  for  calling  for

proceedings which respect human rights and political freedoms?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1997)

The Commission has followed closely the issue of the accusations against Jonathan O(cid:146)ata, John Kawowo, Powes
Parkop and John Napu.

After the elections in June, a new government was formed on 29 July 1997 and it immediately became clear that
this new government sought a national reconciliation on issues related to the Sandline mercenaries crisis.

However, the four above named appeared in court on 29 August 1997 on charges of unlawful assembly. The
prosecution appeared not to have their case ready and requested the magistrate to adjourn it, without proposing a
date. This was not accepted by the defence and in the end the charges were dropped. The case is therefore to be
considered closed.

(98/C 102/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2702/97

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(28 July 1997)

Subject: Extremely  low  take-up  of  funds  from  the  CSF  for  Greece  for  the  region  of  Eastern  Macedonia  and

Thrace

According to reports in the Greek press, the take-up rate of funds under the CSF for the Greek region of Eastern
Macedonia  and  Thrace  is  extremely  low.  To  date,  i.e.  over  three  years  since  the  CSF  for  Greece  came  into
operation, the take-up rate for the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ›
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2635/97 by Ursula SCHLEICHER to the Commission. Children at risk from alcoholic drinks such as alcopops and designer drinks
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHLEICHER
Subjects: EU programme, aerated drink, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, health policy, labelling, public awareness campaign, young person













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91997E2635

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2635/97 by Ursula SCHLEICHER to the Commission. Children at risk from alcoholic drinks such as alcopops and designer drinks  


Official Journal C 102 , 03/04/1998 P. 0080 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2635/97 by Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Children at risk from alcoholic drinks such as alcopops and designer drinksDesigner drinks and alcopops are drinks containing between 4 and 21% alcohol. Marketing efforts, concentrated on children and young people, are increasing all the time in the European Union. These products are already sold in substantial quantities in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Great Britain. They appear to be very popular with children and young people.Does the Commission regard these products as 'soft drugs' leading to alcoholism?As part of its efforts to curb the detrimental effects of excessive alcohol consumption, what scope does the Commission see for intervening and pointing out the dangers?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)The Commission is aware that the so-called alcopops may contribute to the problem of excessive alcohol consumption. They appeal to children, teenagers and young adults to start drinking alcohol or to drink more alcohol by the presentation of attractive packaging and the sweet taste.At the European level, Council Directive 79/112/EEC ((OJ L 33, 8.2.1979. )) relating to labelling of foodstuffs imposes the indication of the alcoholic strength by volume for beverages containing more than 1.2% by volume of alcohol. The Commission will remind Member States of the existing legislation and will follow up its application.Within the framework of the Community action programme on health promotion, information, education and training (Decision No 645/96/EC ((OJ L 95, 16.4.1996. ))) alcohol abuse has been identified as one of the priority issues to be tackled. It allows support for actions concerning measures to prevent alcohol abuse and the health and social consequences thereof.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2791/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Relationship between the European Union and Mayotte
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, European Union, France, Mayotte, agreement (EU), association agreement (EU), economic cooperation, overseas countries and territories, regional development

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/123

What  agreements  on  development  cooperation  and/or  regional  development  does  the  Union  have  with  New
Caledonia and dependencies? What contribution did the Union make to New Caledonia and dependencies in
1994, 1995 and 1996?

What  plans  do  the  Union  and  New  Caledonia  and  dependencies  have  for  development  and  structural
improvements for the period 1997-2000?

(98/C 102/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/97

by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Relationship between the European Union and Mayotte

What  is  the  legal  and  constitutional  relationship  between  Mayotte  and  France  and  between  Mayotte  and  the
European Union?

What treaties, conventions, decisions, declarations, resolutions or other provisions of the European Union are
applicable to the relationship between Mayotte and the Union?

What commercial agreements does the European Union have with Mayotte? What was the value of imports and
exports with the Union in 1994, 1995 and 1996? What are the main products involved?

What agreements on development cooperation and/or regional development does the Union have with Mayotte?
What contribution did the Union make to Mayotte in 1994, 1995 and 1996?

What  plans  do  the  Union  and  Mayotte  have  for  development  and  structural  improvements  for  the  period
1997-2000?

(98/C 102/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2792/97

by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Relationship between the European Union and the Netherlands Antilles (Cura(cid:231)ao, Bonaire, St. Maarten,

Saba and St. Eustatius)

What  is  the  legal  and  constitutional  relationship  between  the  Netherlands  Antilles  (Cura(cid:231)ao,  Bonaire,
St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) and the Netherlands and between the Netherlands Antilles and the European
Union?

What treaties, conventions, decisions, declarations, resolutions or other provisions of the European Union are
applicable to the relationship between the Netherlands Antilles?

What commercial agreements does the European Union have with the Netherlands Antilles? What was the value
of imports and exports with the Union in 1994, 1995 and 1996? What are the main products involved?

What  agreements  on  development  cooperation  and/or  regional  development  does  the  Union  have  with  the
Netherlands Antilles? What contribution did the Union make to them in 1994, 1995 and 1996?

What plans do the Union and the Netherlands Antilles have for development and structural improvements for the
period 1997-2000?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2691/97 by James PROVAN to the Commission. Use of European Regional Development Funds in Sobral, Portugal (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, PROVAN
Subjects: Algarve, European Regional Development Fund, Portugal, aid to agriculture, citrus fruit, clearing of land, grubbing premium, motorway, town and country planning, transport infrastructure

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/1

I

(Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

(1999/C 31/001)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2691/97

by James Provan (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Use of European Regional Development Funds in Sobral, Portugal

It has been drawn to my attention that EU grants are being made twice to people in Sobral, Porches, Portugal;
once for orange-growing subsidies on land recently cleared, and once for the destruction of those new orange
trees to make way for infrastructure development in the form of the new autoroute, the Via Infante de Sagres.

What controls does the Commission employ to ensure that the projects qualifying for ERDF funds are not being
used by the national authorities to pay compensation for land which has already been in receipt of EU subsidy for
other purposes?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1998)

In the absence of more precise information (the beneficiaries(cid:146) names, exact location of the holdings concerned,
year of grant of aid), the Commission is not in a position to check whether the aid for orange-growing was
actually awarded. It is worth pointing out in this connection that any subsidy would have been conditional on
maintaining the new plantings for a minimum of five-years.

With regard to the construction of the Sobral-Algarve sections of the (cid:145)Via do Infante de Sagres(cid:146), the Portuguese
authorities have confirmed in a letter dated 13 March 1998 that no funding from the European Regional
Development Fund was awarded for these road sections. In the circumstances, the question of whether
Community funding was awarded twice to the same people does not arise.

(1999/C 31/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0222/98

by Markus Ferber (PPE) to the Commission

(13 February 1998)

Subject: EU aid from the social and regional funds for Bavarian Swabia

Can the Commission provide the following information on EU economic and regional aid for the region of
Bavarian Swabia:

1. How much EU structural aid › broken down by fund and Community initiative › went to that region in

1997?

2. What sum went to agriculture?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2686/97 by Luigi MORETTI to the Commission. Delays in payments
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MORETTI
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, financial transaction, invoicing, payment

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/91

(98/C 102/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2686/97

by Luigi Moretti (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Delays in payments

In  1995  the  Commission  adopted  a  recommendation  to  the  Member  States  on  measures  to  reduce  payment
periods (No 95/198/EC) (1). The Member States(cid:146) failure to take the steps suggested in the recommendation has
prompted the Commission recently to draw up and approve a communication on payment delays on commercial
transactions and to provide for the drafting of a proposal for a directive to be submitted by the end of the year.

Given that recipients of funds from Community programmes and initiatives are increasingly complaining about
unjustified delays in the payment of such funds by Community institutions, will the Commission explain what
measures  it  is  taking  to  ensure  that  time  limits  are  respected  in  effecting  payments  under  Community
programmes?

(1)  OJ L 127, 10.6.1995, p. 19.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1997)

Firstly,  the  Commission  would  refer  the  Honourable  Member  to  its  recent  answers  to  written  questions
E-3101/96 by Mr Mather (1) and E-1568/97 by Mr Novo (2). In these answers to questions similar to the one now
put by the Honourable Member, the Commission informed Parliament of the changes made in recent years to its
payment procedures, which have generally been speeded up and made more reliable.

The Commission regularly monitors the period taken to apply procedures. In 1996, it was found that with regard
to all Commission budgetary payments, the average period between receipt of the invoice and the effective date
on which the Commission’s financial account was debited was 52 days. It was also found that, in 1996, 78% of
payments were made in 60 days or less, 12% between 60 and 80 days and 10% over 90 days.

While these results can be further improved on and steps should be taken to ensure that 95% of payment orders
are carried out within 60 calendar days, the Commission very recently approved a communication on payment
periods (3) acknowledging the principle that default interest should be paid where certain categories of payments
are made after the deadline. The practical arrangements for implementing that measure, one of which will be the
insertion  of  a  clause  in  all  Commission  contracts,  have  already  been  adopted  and  have  been  updated  since
1 October 1997.

(1)  OJ C 105,3.4.1997.
(2)  OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 27.
(3)  SEC(97) 1205.

(98/C 102/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2690/97

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Council

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Rational Planning Techniques in the Electricity and Gas Distribution Sectors

What has happened to the Rational Planning Techniques Directive?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2830/97 by Nuala AHERN to the Commission. Steps being taken in France against Dr Jean- François Viel
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: AHERN, European Parliament
Subjects: France, blood disease, environmental impact, fuel reprocessing, medical research, physician, price reduction, property market, public health, scientific research

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/131

Accordingly,  the  notion  of  discarding  is  decisive  for  the  status  of  used  textiles.  The  notion  of  discarding
comprises  both  disposal  and  recovery  operations  as  well  as  operations  leading  to  disposal  or  recovery.
Consequently,  used  textiles  destined  for  textile  recycling  have  to  be  described  as  discarded.  Therefore  these
textiles are waste under Article 1a) of Directive 75/442/EEC. Storage of these materials constitutes storage of
waste. However, a recycling industry deposit for the storage of waste can not be described as a waste dump.

(1)  OJ C 76, 11.3.1997.
(2)  OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.

(98/C 102/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2826/97

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: PVC

What is the view of the Commission as to the safety of the use of PVC as a building material?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann au nom de la Commission

(25 September 1997)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used as a building material, for applications such as window frames, pipes,
floor and wall coverings and cables. Building applications account for over half of the Community PVC market
(55 % in 1995).

PVC products used in construction, as for those products manufactured with any other material, must meet the
applicable technical regulations on safety. The fact that the material used is PVC and not any other material does
not make a difference in this respect.

The Honourable Member may be interested to know that the Commission is committed to consider the evidence
regarding the environmental aspects relating to the presence of PVC in waste streams and, on the basis of this
evidence, will review its policy regarding PVC in waste streams and will come forward with proposals to address
problems which may arise in this regard, where this is justified on environmental or health grounds.

(98/C 102/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2830/97

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Steps being taken in France against Dr Jean-Fran(cid:231)ois Viel

Is the Commission aware of steps being taken in France against Dr Jean-Fran(cid:231)ois Viel, alleging that his scientific
studies on leukemia clusters at Cap La Hague are affecting property prices in the area? If this evidence on such a
critical matter for cross-border public health and the environment is so strong as to be published in the British
Medical Journal, surely the reprocessing plant itself should be immediately investigated by the Commission,
rather than having the scientific reporting of facts undermined in this way?