do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2646/97 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Santa Pola - sales of immature catches
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, HOWITT
Subjects: Spain, authorised catch, conservation of fish stocks, conservation of resources, fishery resources, fishing area, fishing regulations, sea fish













EUR-Lex - 91997E2646 - EN






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91997E2646

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2646/97 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Santa Pola - sales of immature catches  


Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0036 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2646/97 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Santa Pola - sales of immature catchesCan the Commission please investigate and respond to reports that Santa Pola is being used as a sales point for immature catches of hake?Can it also investigate reports that the Santa Pola Regional Government is demonstrating lack of supervision over the landing of immature and undersize catches?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (30 October 1997)The sale of small-sized fish has traditionally been a widespread phenomenon in Mediterranean countries. A fair assessment of the situation, however, should take account of the fact that species from different areas can reach maturity at different sizes. Thus fish exploited locally in the Mediterranean can reach maturity at a much smaller size than the same species from the Atlantic. This is particularly true for hake.The protection of small juvenile fish has always been at the centre of the Community's policy of conservation of maritime resources. To this effect, the Council adopted in 1994 a series of technical measures for the Mediterranean (including Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean ((OJ L 171, 6.7.1994. ))) which, amongst other things, specifies a minimum landing size of hake of 20 centimetres and prohibits the retention, processing and sale of undersized fish.It is the responsibility of each Member State to ensure compliance with the relevant technical measures under Community legislation. To that end, the authorities of Member States must monitor landings and carry out inspections at sea and in port.The Commission monitors the enforcement activities carried out by the authorities in Member States including the implementation of rules concerning the minimum size for hake (20 centimetres).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2737/97 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Incompatibility of Veneto regional law No 15 of 22 May 1997 with Community legislation
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: EU control, EU law - national law, Veneto, application of EU law, bird, hunting regulations, national law, protection of animal life

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/107

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1997)

The  Commission  extends  its  deepest  sympathy  to  the  victims  of  the  floods  caused  by  torrential  rain  in  the
commune of Estaimpuis. The Commission is aware of the losses sustained by the people in this area.

It  has  to  inform  the  Honourable  Member  that,  under  the  1997  budget,  heading  B4-3400  (Emergency  aid  to
disaster victims) has not been allocated any funds which can be used for immediate action.

The Commission would also remind the Honourable Member that it has published in the Official Journal a call
for proposals for pilot projects in the field of environmental protection of areas prone to flash floods (1). The pilot
projects are intended to stimulate cooperation between the Member States in the collection, coordination and
consolidation of the best existing knowledge in Europe with regard to the management and protection of the
environment in areas prone to flash floods.

As  regards  longer-term  flood  prevention  through  land  management,  the  Commission  would  draw  the
Honourable Member’s attention to Interreg II C (1997-99), a Community initiative for which Hainaut province is
eligible.

(1)  OJ C 185, 18.6.1997.

(98/C 102/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737/97

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Incompatibility of Veneto regional law No 15 of 22 May 1997 with Community legislation

Regional law No 15 of 22 May 1997 on the breeding for exhibition or as pets of species of birds other than game
birds born in captivity was published in official bulletin No 43 of the Veneto region, Italy, on 27 May 1997.

Does this law comply with European directives on the protection of wild birds and game birds?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 1997)

The Commission has obtained and is examining the law cited by the Honourable Member, and will not hesitate to
initiate the procedure provided in Article 169 EC Treaty should this prove necessary.

(98/C 102/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Refugees fleeing from Burma to Bangladesh

An estimated 25 000 asylum-seekers have fled from Burma to Bangladesh over the past few months to escape
forced labour, human rights abuses and imposed hardship.

Bangladesh has so far refused to allow the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to interview these
refugees.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2742/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Council. Refugees fleeing from Burma to Bangladesh
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: Bangladesh, Council of the European Union, Myanmar/Burma, UNHCR, forced migration, human rights, international convention, refugee, return migration, the EU's international role













EUR-Lex - 91997E2742 - EN






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91997E2742

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2742/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Council. Refugees fleeing from Burma to Bangladesh  


Official Journal C 102 , 03/04/1998 P. 0107 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council (1 September 1997)Subject: Refugees fleeing from Burma to BangladeshAn estimated 25 000 asylum-seekers have fled from Burma to Bangladesh over the past few months to escape forced labour, human rights abuses and imposed hardship.Bangladesh has so far refused to allow the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to interview these refugees.Some of the refugees have been forcibly repatriated. On 20 July 1997, for example, a group of Burmese Muslims, known as Rohingyas, were sent back to Burma by Bangladeshi security forces.Has the Council made any representations to the Bangladeshi authorities to urge that UNHCR representatives be allowed interview these refugees and set up programmes to benefit them? If not, will it make such representations?Has it contacted the Bangladeshi authorities to seek that they fulfil their responsibilities under the Geneva Convention and other international agreements not to forcibly repatriate those seeking to escape persecution? If not, will it do so?Answer (21 November 1997)1. The Council is aware of the dramatic situation of the Burmese refugees in Bangladesh.Numerous approaches have been made in the past to the Bangladeshi and UNHCR authorities to ensure that there is adequate access to UN organizations operating locally and to prevent people being sent back wrongly.It should be noted that Bangladesh has not ratified the Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees.2. In view of the recent deterioration in the situation on the Burmese-Bangladeshi frontier, the European Union is prepared to take the measures that are necessary, in particular démarches in Dacca and contacts with the UNHCR.This matter is currently the subject of internal concertation in the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2651/97 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Single currency coins
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MEZZAROMA
Subjects: euro, industrial manufacturing, money, product design, product safety, production cost, public health, steel, technical specification













EUR-Lex - 91997E2651 - EN






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91997E2651

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2651/97 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Single currency coins  


Official Journal C 082 , 17/03/1998 P. 0122 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Single currency coinsOn 9 June 1997 ECOFIN, the Council of Finance Ministers, of Finance approved the draft regulation on the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins; this proposal for a regulation, which was also endorsed by the recent Amsterdam Summit, would completely preclude the use of stainless steel.Stainless steel offers the following advantages:1. economic: a saving of over ECU 300 million would be made, taking into account only the three intermediate-denomination coins (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 euro),2. technical: the material lends itself to coin production, maintains appearance and shape, and is suitable for vending machines,3. health: the stainless steels used in the coins produced by the Mints of the principal Member States present no risk to public health;4. recyclability: the proportion of scrap steel used in the manufacture of stainless steel is about 80%, and the product is 100% recyclable;5. ecological: stainless steel products do not present any risk to the environment;6. supply: there would be no problems with regard to the production of the euro coins (c. 300 000 tonnes).What are the initiatives and reasons which have narrowed down the choice so far to coins containing copper or copper alloys and completely ruled out the use of stainless steel, which is a typically European product (with Europe accounting for 44% of world output)?Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1997)On 29 May 1997 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins ((OJ 208, 9.7.1997. )) which was agreed in principle by the Council meeting (Economic and Financial Affairs) held on 9 June. This proposal is the result of the preparatory work which has been carried out by the mint directors of the Member States since 1994 and of the intensive consultations with user groups (consumers, the visually handicapped and the blind, and the vending machines industry).The materials chosen satisfy a number of technical, public health and security considerations, among others.The choice of materials is based on the results of numerous tests carried out on a wide range of materials, one of which was stainless steel. The availability of adequate production capacities for the materials adopted was also checked.Stainless steel is not one of the materials proposed, mainly because it did not satisfy all the security criteria required and because of the high production costs resulting from the wear on the production equipment.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2610/97 by Graham WATSON to the Council. Organic farming practices
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: animal production, biological standard, foodstuff, labelling, organic farming

C 102/72

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

Can the Commission therefore say what its position is on this case and whether under the pretext of competition
policy it is possible to carry out actions of this kind, whose only purpose is to perpetuate monopolistic positions
and prevent Southern European countries from maintaining their pharmaceutical industry?

(1)  OJ 22, 9.2.1965, p. 369.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 1997)

The matter raised by the Honourable Member seems to refer to a complaint which has been lodged with the
Commission concerning an alleged infringement of Community pharmaceutical legislation by Portugal.

According to the complainant, the Portuguese competent authorities have granted marketing authorisations for
medicinal products that are based on evidently false pharmaceutical quality documentation or on insufficient
scientific documentation. The Commission is carefully investigating the issue and a letter asking for clarification
on the issue was sent to Portugal recently.

The  sole  aim  of  the  infringement  procedure  is  to  ensure  that  Community  pharmaceutical  legislation  is  fully
respected.

(98/C 102/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2610/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Organic farming practices

Will  the  President-in-Office  make  a  statement  on  the  current  round  of  negotiations  on  the  regulation  for
European organic livestock standards?

Does the President-in-Office recognize that at present the proposed regulations are causing great concern for
many  organic  farmers  who  are  undertaking  a  conversion  to  organic  farming  practices  and  those  wishing  to
convert?

Answer

(17 November 1997)

On  29  July  1996  the  Commission  submitted  to  the  Council  a  proposal  for  a  Regualtion  (COM(96)  366)
supplementing  Regulation  (EEC)  No  2092/21  on  organic  production  of  agricultural  products  and  indications
referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs to include livestock production.

The Council consulted the European Parliament on the subject on 12 September 1996, and the latter delivered its
Opinion in plenary session on 14 May 1997.

In order to continue its proceedings, the Council is awaiting the amended Commission proposal, following the
European Parliament(cid:146)s Opinion.

The Council is well aware of the importance of the proposal and intends, through this Regulation, to answer the
expectations of farmers involved in the development of organic farming in the area of livestock production.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2837/97 by Eolo PARODI , Giancarlo LIGABUE to the Commission. Monitoring procedure for state aids
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, LIGABUE, PARODI
Subjects: Italy, State aid, aid for restructuring, control of State aid, inland waterway transport, liberalisation of the market, rail transport, road transport, transport policy

C 82/146

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 3. 98

(98/C 82/233)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2825/97

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Trade in anabolic steroids

Is the Commission aware that trade in anabolic steroids, which is allowed in Spain but banned in the Netherlands,
is distorting the internal market and jeopardizing public health protection?

Under what conditions is the trade in Spain permitted (is prescription required, is export allowed)?

What arrangements does the Commission have in mind to bring about uniform European regulations ensuring
comprehensive health protection?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 1997)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.

(98/C 82/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2828/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Building societies(cid:146) share distribution schemes following conversion to plc status

In recent times a number of UK building societies have converted to plc status. Members of building societies
under the age of 18 years are often precluded from enjoying the benefit of share distribution schemes; instead,
they are entitled to a statutory cash bonus scheme. This means many (cid:145)Under-18s(cid:146) shareholders receive a sum of
money less than the value of shares allocated to an adult member in the same position.

Will  the  Commission  investigate  the  criteria  for  such  share  distribution  award  schemes  which  appear  to
discriminate against members who are under 18 years old?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1997)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the national
authorities concerned.

(98/C 82/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2837/97

by Eolo Parodi (UPE) and Giancarlo Ligabue (UPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Monitoring procedure for state aids

On 25 February 1997, draft law No 3270 on the restructuring of road transport and the development of intermodal
systems  was  submitted  to  the  Italian  parliament.  In  accordance  with  Article  93(3)  of  the  Treaty,  the  Italian
Government forwarded the draft law to Directorate-General VII to enable it to assess whether the text of the law
complied  with  European  rules  in  force,  in  particular  Regulation  1107/70 (1),  last  amended  by  Regulation
543/97 (2), on the granting of aids for transport by rail, road and inland waterway.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2792/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Relationship between the European Union and the Netherlands Antilles (Curaçao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius)
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, European Union, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, 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. 2679/97 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO to the Commission. The Amsterdam Summit and new jobs
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: CABEZON ALONSO, European Parliament
Subjects: EU employment policy, European cooperation, comparative study, exchange of information, job creation, labour market, local employment initiative

C 82/126

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 3. 98

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1997)

The Council Decisions establishing the MEDIA II Programme (95/563/EEC) and 95/564/EEC) (1) clearly limit
its scope to supporting European audio-visual works, that is programmes and films which make use of both sight
and sound. This definition clearly excludes purely audio programmes.

As far as radio programmes are concerned, the Commission issues yearly calls for proposals aimed at supporting
new radio initiatives on the basis of the budget line earmarked for this purpose by the Parliament. The latest call
for proposals was published on 26 June 1997 with a closing date of 31 August 1997 (2).

(1)  OJ L 321, 30.12.1995.
(2)  OJ C 196, 26.6.1997.

(98/C 82/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2677/97

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Washington  Convention  on  International  Trade  in  Endangered  Species  ›  Council  Regulation  (EC)
No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  338/97  of  9  December  1996  was  published  in  Official  Journal  of  the  European
Communities L 61 of 3 March 1997. Almost immediately › in the Official Journal of 17 April 1997 › it was
necessary to publish a correction because the date of entry into force had been quoted as 1 January 1997, whereas
in fact the Regulation entered into force only on 1 June 1997.

The German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Reactor Safety has observed that in
addition  the  text  published  in  the  Official  Journal  contains  other  errors,  including  some  in  the  annexes.  It  is
therefore necessary to await an EC Regulation containing corrections.

What can be done to ensure that, in future, legal acts which need to be published in the Official Journal of the
European Union contain fewer errors, thereby obviating the need to issue a series of correcting Regulations?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1997)

The publication of regulations is the responsibility of the Council.

In this case, the errors were not misprints, but were contained in the original manuscript.

The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities plays no part in the contents of the Official
Journal.

(98/C 82/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2679/97

by Jesu· s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: The Amsterdam Summit and new jobs

Does the Commission think that the new provisions on employment adopted at the Amsterdam Summit will
provide incentives for sources of new jobs, local employment initiatives and territorial pacts on employment?