do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2678/97 by Ursula SCHLEICHER , Edgar SCHIEDERMEIER to the Commission. Damage to the environment due to the use of molasses in the yeast industry, at breweries and in the chemical industry
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHIEDERMEIER, SCHLEICHER
Subjects: European Commission, beverage industry, chemical industry, exchange of information, industrial pollution, molasses, pollution control measures, waste management













EUR-Lex - 91997E2678 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E2678

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2678/97 by Ursula SCHLEICHER , Edgar SCHIEDERMEIER to the Commission. Damage to the environment due to the use of molasses in the yeast industry, at breweries and in the chemical industry  


Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2678/97 by Ursula Schleicher (PPE) and Edgar Schiedermeier (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)Subject: Damage to the environment due to the use of molasses in the yeast industry, at breweries and in the chemical industryMolasses is a production residue (waste product) of the sugar industry, which is used as a raw material both in the chemical industry and in the production of yeast and by distillers. The residues (waste) are then disposed of by these industries.1. What waste is generated by the use of molasses as a raw material:(a) in production in the yeast industry?(b) at breweries?(c) in the chemical industry?2. How many of the approximately 30 yeast production plants in the EU Member States have their own effluent treatment plants?3. What damage is caused to the environment by this waste?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1997)Community legislation on waste does not require Member States to provide the Commission with the information requested by the Honourable Members.Nevertheless, both the chemical industry and treatment and processing intended for the production of food products are covered by Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control (the IPPC Directive) ((OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.)). IPPC sets out the general principles governing the basic obligations of industrial operators, and these include the avoidance, recovery or disposal of waste while avoiding or reducing any impact on the environment.Three provisions of the IPPC Directive could potentially be relevant for the provision of information such as that requested:- Member States will be required, starting from 30 April 2001, to provide to the Commission representative data on limit values set by the authorities as conditions contained in operating permits;- the Commission is required to publish every three years an inventory of the principal polluting emissions to air, water and land as well as the sources responsible;- the Commission is also required to organise an exchange of information on the best available techniques for each sector covered by the Directive, and to publish the results every three years. The published results should contain information on all techniques relevant for the protection of the environment as a whole, including for example on-site effluent treatment plants.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2656/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Light rail system for Dublin
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: EU financing, European Regional Development Fund, Ireland, Structural Funds, environmental impact, impact study, means of public conveyance, operational programme, rail network, underground railway

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/83

As far as the Resider programmes in Italy are concerned, the projects mentioned by the Honourable Member fall
within the terms of the operational programmes approved by the Commission following an ex-ante appraisal.
These programmes respect the guidelines adopted by the Commission for this Community initiative, which aims
to encourage the economic reconversion of areas affected by the declining steel industry, notably through the
promotion of new economic activities and the improvement of the environment.

The information available to the Commission on the Resider I programme in Lombardy indicates that more than
600 jobs have been created in the areas covered by the programme, which indicates that the strategy is bearing
fruit.

(98/C 102/119)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: EU support for renewable energy

On 27 June 1997 the Council adopted a resolution on renewable sources of energy (1). It stated that renewables
were important in the fight against climate change, in securing future energy supplies, creating employment and
strengthening the economic structure of isolated regions.

It also said that (cid:145)in order to stimulate the market for renewables, appropriate regulatory measures encouraging
market participants to buy energy produced from renewable resources may be introduced(cid:146).

Will the Commission give details of any plans which it may have to introduce any such regulatory measures on
the basis of this resolution?

(1)  OJ C 210, 11.7.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1997)

The  Council  Resolution (1)  the  Honourable  Member  is  referring  to  concerns  the  (cid:145)Energy  for  the  future:
Renewable  sources  of  energy’  Green  Paper  for  a  Community  strategy (2).  The  communication  also  looks  at
several regulatory measures which could be introduced to encourage market operators to buy energy produced
from renewable sources. The measures which the Commission actually intends to select will be set out in the
white paper and the renewable energy action plan which it will be presenting before the end of the year.

(1)  OJ C 210, 11.7.1997.
(2)  Doc. COM(96) 576.

(98/C 102/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Light rail system for Dublin

The  Commission  has  stipulated  that  one  of  the  lines  of  Dublin(cid:146)s  Luas  light  rail  system  ›  the  one  which
terminates at Dundrum › must be completed by 2001 if the project is to receive assistance from the Structural
Funds.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2770/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Use of 6 metre headland strips
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: agricultural production policy, application of EU law, cereals, fallow, oleaginous plant, set-aside, vegetable protein

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/115

3. Will  the  Commission  be  treating  the  most  recent  events  concerning  Forges  de  Clabecq  as  a  reason  for
requiring the Kingdom of Belgium to suspend payment of all funds to that company?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1997)

1.
On 19 December 1996, Forges de Clabecq went into bankruptcy. Therefore, when requested to recover the
aid paid to the company, the Belgian authorities registered with the bankruptcy authorities a claim corresponding
to the amount to be recovered.

The Commission has not yet received notification of the joint participation of the Walloon Region in the
2.
acquisition of Forges de Clabecq. If such information is received, the Commission will assess it thoroughly in
order to ensure that no new aid is involved in any possible form. As for an eventual reduction in capacity, there is
no situation in which aid could be considered compatible with the steel aid code against a reduction in capacity
unless such aid aimed at facilitating the partial or total closure of a company.

3.
The  Commission  has  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  Belgian  authorities  will  not  comply  with  their
notification obligations. It will however take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Community rules are
respected.

(98/C 102/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2770/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Use of 6 metre headland strips

Could the Commission give  advice on  the possibilities for  the  use  of 6  metre wide  headland  strips and field
margins as part of set aside?

It appears that the current regulations governing set aside require the minimum width to be 20 metres, which in
many cases means that this is not a viable scheme for many smaller farms.

Is there any possibility of the rules for set aside being changed to encompass the use of headland strips and field
margins, and if so, what is the likely timescale for such changes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 1997)

The point of the compulsory set-aside scheme is to control production of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops.

As a general rule, the land set aside is supposed to be the least productive land. The minimum width of 20 metres
was chosen to avoid only field margins being used to fulfil the compulsory set-aside requirement, since they are
less productive by definition.

The Commission has no intention of changing the rules on this aspect, especially since the problems of small
farms  referred  to  by  the  Honourable  Member  do  not  arise  anyway:  small  producers  are  exempted  from  the
compulsory set-aside scheme.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2655/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. EU support for renewable energy
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: EU aid, action programme, employment policy, energy policy, environmental protection, market support, renewable energy, support policy

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/83

As far as the Resider programmes in Italy are concerned, the projects mentioned by the Honourable Member fall
within the terms of the operational programmes approved by the Commission following an ex-ante appraisal.
These programmes respect the guidelines adopted by the Commission for this Community initiative, which aims
to encourage the economic reconversion of areas affected by the declining steel industry, notably through the
promotion of new economic activities and the improvement of the environment.

The information available to the Commission on the Resider I programme in Lombardy indicates that more than
600 jobs have been created in the areas covered by the programme, which indicates that the strategy is bearing
fruit.

(98/C 102/119)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: EU support for renewable energy

On 27 June 1997 the Council adopted a resolution on renewable sources of energy (1). It stated that renewables
were important in the fight against climate change, in securing future energy supplies, creating employment and
strengthening the economic structure of isolated regions.

It also said that (cid:145)in order to stimulate the market for renewables, appropriate regulatory measures encouraging
market participants to buy energy produced from renewable resources may be introduced(cid:146).

Will the Commission give details of any plans which it may have to introduce any such regulatory measures on
the basis of this resolution?

(1)  OJ C 210, 11.7.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1997)

The  Council  Resolution (1)  the  Honourable  Member  is  referring  to  concerns  the  (cid:145)Energy  for  the  future:
Renewable  sources  of  energy’  Green  Paper  for  a  Community  strategy (2).  The  communication  also  looks  at
several regulatory measures which could be introduced to encourage market operators to buy energy produced
from renewable sources. The measures which the Commission actually intends to select will be set out in the
white paper and the renewable energy action plan which it will be presenting before the end of the year.

(1)  OJ C 210, 11.7.1997.
(2)  Doc. COM(96) 576.

(98/C 102/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Light rail system for Dublin

The  Commission  has  stipulated  that  one  of  the  lines  of  Dublin(cid:146)s  Luas  light  rail  system  ›  the  one  which
terminates at Dundrum › must be completed by 2001 if the project is to receive assistance from the Structural
Funds.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2811/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Reduction in the growth of road travel
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: air transport, carriage of goods, common transport policy, free movement of persons, geographical mobility, inland waterway transport, maritime transport, means of public conveyance, rail transport, road transport

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/67

›  1993: ECU 154 360 for the (cid:145)Programme of the United Nations Declaration on the rights of minorities(cid:146) aimed
at covering the costs of the Cairo conference on minorities in the Arab world, a number of research projects,
publication of information on the concept of minorities rights, appeals and the scope for obtaining financial
support and on work within the United Nations.

›  1993: ECU 30 000 for the (cid:145)Minority rights group(cid:146) project, also aimed at strengthening the NGO’s activity in

the field of publications and education on minority rights.

›  1992: ECU 40 000 for the (cid:145)1992 programme of activities(cid:146).

›  1990: ECU 25 000 for the 1990/1991 programme of activities(cid:146).

Another branch of the NGO, based in Finland, also received ECU 18 000 from the Commission in 1995 for a
project on (cid:145)minorities and their right of political participation(cid:146). It involved an international seminar on minorities
to relaunch the debate within the United Nations and the Finnish parliament, plus the financing of publications
relating to the seminar.

(1)  Doc. SEC(96) 378.
(2)  Doc. COM(96) 672 Final.

(98/C 117/83)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2808/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Reduction of need to travel in Europe

Does the Commission support initiatives to (cid:145)reduce the need(cid:146) to travel in Europe?

(98/C 117/84)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2809/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Reduction of need to travel in Europe

What measures does the Commission advocate to reduce the growth in travel demand in Europe?

(98/C 117/85)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2810/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Mobility and accessibility in transport policies

Does the Commission encourage (cid:145)mobility(cid:146) and (cid:145)accessibility(cid:146) in its transport policies?

(98/C 117/86)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2811/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Reduction in the growth of road travel

What measures does the Commission advocate to reduce the growth of road travel in Europe?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2828/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Building societies' share distribution schemes following conversion to plc status
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: civil law, credit institution, infancy, legal capacity, mortgage, national law, private limited company, share

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. 2668/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Safety of steroid drugs
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: European Medicines Agency, drug surveillance, health risk, hormone, marketing, medicinal product, pharmaceutical legislation, public health

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/37

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(cid:146)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 (1)) 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).

(1)  OJ L 171, 6.7.1994.

(98/C 117/47)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2648/97

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Steroid prescriptions

Many patients have suffered both physically and financially from being prescribed steroids. Is the Commission
aware  of  the  strong  public  concern  over  this  issue  and  does  it  intend  to  take  any  action  to  raise  awareness
amongst patients of the risks involved with taking steroids in prescribed drugs?

(98/C 117/48)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2668/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Safety of steroid drugs

Is an investigation into the safety of steroid drugs to be carried out, and if so what is the likely timescale for the
investigation?

If such an investigation goes ahead, will the Commission be calling for evidence from victims of side-effects
from the drugs and if so, how will such evidence by called for?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2695/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Floods and environmental protection
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Italy, competence of the Member States, degradation of the environment, environmental protection, environmental risk prevention, flood, research programme, town planning

C 102/92

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

Answer

(10 November 1997)

Following the Opinion of the European Parliament, the Commission has presented an amended proposal for a
Council Directive to introduce rational planning techniques in the electricity and gas distribution sectors (1).  The
relevant Council bodies have begun examining that amended proposal.

(1)  OJ C 180, 14.6.1997, p. 37.

(98/C 102/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2694/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Restriction of vitamin and mineral preparations to Recommended Daily Allowance

Is there a European Union ruling restricting the availability of vitamin and mineral preparations to quantities not
exceeding the Recommended Daily Allowance?

If so, what is the reasoning behind such a restriction, as this is surely a matter which comes down to consumer
choice?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 1997)

There are no Community rules at present on the manufacture of or trade in the preparations referred to by the
Honourable Member.

However, the vast majority of Member States and a large number of representatives from economic and social
circles have made it quite clear to the Commission that they perceive an urgent need for such rules to be put in
place.

Since broad consultation of those involved is essential in this sector, a discussion paper has been drawn up and
widely disseminated. Comments are expected by the end of September 1997 at the latest.

(98/C 102/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2695/97

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Floods and environmental protection

As well as being caused by meteorological factors in the narrow sense, the latest floods in various parts of Europe
and those which have occurred over the last few years in Italy and elsewhere have in many cases resulted from
disturbances brought about by criminal policies that ruin the environment. According to a recent survey of the
banks of the river Adda in Valtellina conducted by the Lombardy branch of the WWF, 690 buildings and smaller
works,  including  376  homes  and  91  factories,  are  exposed  to  the  risk  of  flooding.  These  findings  patently
demonstrate that there is no policy of prevention on the ground, thus offering an inducement to build on the
banks in areas bordering the river.

In view of the grave dangers posed by this situation, will the Commission:

1.  monitor hydrogeological risks, having regard to the conditions required for a safe environment?

2.  propose that prior checks be carried out to ensure that forward urban development planning is compatible

with the geological state of the terrain, especially in regions most at risk when rivers burst their banks?