do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3392/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Commission's paper on rural development
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU publication, European Commission, dissemination of EU information, policy on agricultural structures, proposal (EU), rural development













EUR-Lex - 91997E3392 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E3392

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3392/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Commission's paper on rural development  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0157 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3392/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (23 October 1997)Subject: Commission's paper on rural developmentWhen does the Commission expect to publish its detailed proposals on rural development which were originally promised for the 1996 Cork Summit and how do these tie in with the proposals outlined in Agenda 2000?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1997)The Commission intends to publish its detailed proposals on rural development in the context of the overall Agenda 2000 ((Doc. COM(97) 2000 final. )) package in the first three months of 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3394/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Wind farms
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: EU programme, EU publication, European Union, energy policy, environmental protection, renewable energy, wind energy

C 174/52

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 6. 98

However,  the  Honourable  Member  should  know  that  the  Commission  is  currently  examining  scientific
justification recently submitted by Finland under the Treaty of Accession. Finland is requesting an amendment of
Community  legislation  to  ban  the  use  of  tylosin  and  spiramycin  as  additives,  in  order  to  preserve  their
effectiveness as substances authorised as veterinary medicinal products.

(1)  OJ L 330, 25.11.1978.
(2)  OJ L 270, 14.12.1970.

(98/C 174/91)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3394/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 1997)

Subject: Wind farms

Can the Commission confirm whether there is any truth in the rumour that there will be no new wind farms
created within the EU?

If this is the case, can the Commission comment on why such a decision has been taken?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1997)

The Commission is unaware of any decision in the Member States to block the construction of wind farms or the
development of that form of renewable energy.

Indeed, it has information from specialist circles pointing to a generally optimistic assessment of the prospects
for the medium and long-term growth of wind energy within the Community.

The  Commission  is  of  the  opinion  that  renewable  energy  sources,  including  wind  energy,  are  insufficiently
exploited in the Community. The Community provides support for promotion of renewable sources of energy,
for instance in the framework of the Altener and Joule-Thermie programmes, but the Commission is convinced
that renewable energy represents a significantly under-exploited energy potential. It therefore intends to step up
its  efforts  in  this  area,  in  order  to  meet  the  indicative  objective  of  doubling  the  contribution  from  renewable
sources of energy between now and 2010, as outlined in its recent white paper (cid:145)Energy for the future: renewable
sources of energy › a strategy and action plan(cid:146).

(98/C 174/92)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3398/97

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Council

(28 October 1997)

Subject: Human rights in Algeria

The bloodshed is continuing in Algeria. More than 60 people were murdered by armed gangs on the night of
Sunday, 28 and in the early hours of Monday, 29 September 1997 in the Blide region in the west of the country,
50 km from Algiers, and in two districts on the western outskirts of Algiers. The press accounts are terrifying: the
newspaper Liberta‘, for example, reported among other things that a baby(cid:146)s head had been found on the roof of a
house.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3391/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Business tourism
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: European Economic Area, commercial law, competitiveness, financial legislation, product quality, tourism, tourist profession, travel, turnover













EUR-Lex - 91997E3391 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E3391

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3391/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Business tourism  


Official Journal C 158 , 25/05/1998 P. 0096 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3391/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (23 October 1997)Subject: Business tourismIn 1996 the Commission had a report on business tourism prepared by Horwath & Axe. What, in detail, has been done to implement its recommendations?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1997)In the spring of 1996, the Commission published the executive summary of the report 'Business and conference tourism in the European Economic Area'. The executive summary has since been widely disseminated to interested organisations and individuals, as well as presented at three important international events.The report highlighted the significant level of turnover arising from business tourism, estimated at 162 000 MECU. In addition, induced activity is considered to account for upwards of twice this sum.Despite an optimistic outlook for future development of the market, the report concluded that the European business tourism industry needed to establish a common policy and global strategy to achieve its goals. While the problems identified were not exclusive to business tourism, among the difficulties mentioned were a real lack of statistics and information on market data and trends at all levels, a number of fiscal and legal barriers, a critical need for specialised skills training, scattered promotional programmes and lack of clarity in the definition of business tourism activities.While most of the issues raised are primarily for the industry itself, the Community can also make a contribution to the situation. In its proposal for a Council decision on a first multiannual programme to assist European tourism 'Philoxenia' (1997-2000) ((OJ C 222, 31.7.1996 as amended by OJ C 13, 14.1.1997. )) the Commission proposes to establish a framework within which measures can be taken to stimulate the quality and competitiveness of European tourism. The immediate objectives specified in the programme, namely improving knowledge in the field of tourism, improving the legislative and financial environment for tourism, raising quality in European tourism and increasing the number of tourists from third countries, provide ample scope for addressing the issues raised in the report. The Commission's proposal is currently under discussion in the Council.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3388/97 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Growth promotors
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, IVERSEN
Subjects: animal nutrition, antibiotic, application of EU law, consumer protection, health risk, hormone, livestock farming, pharmaceutical product, public health, swine













EUR-Lex - 91997E3388 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E3388

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3388/97 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Growth promotors  


Official Journal C 174 , 08/06/1998 P. 0051 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3388/97 by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission (23 October 1997)Subject: Growth promotorsCan the Commission confirm the suspicion that the use of the growth promotor Tylosin in pigfeed can cause pathogenic bacteria in humans to become resistant to the drug Erythromycin?If so, will it take steps to impose a ban on Tylosin?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1997)Tylosin is an antibiotic growth promoter authorised by Directive 78/974/EEC ((OJ L 330, 25.11.1978. )) for use in feed for piglets and pigs in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC ((OJ L 270, 14.12.1970. )). One of the preconditions for authorisation under this Directive is the absence of unfavourable effects on human health. Moreover, an additive may be authorised only in as far as, for serious reasons concerning human health, the use of such a substance is not restricted to medical purposes. In order to determine whether these authorisation criteria are satisfied, the file provided by the firm must, in particular, contain studies on cross-resistance to therapeutic antibiotics and studies to determine whether the additive can select resistance factors and whether such factors are transferable.It should be noted that tylosin is also administered as a medicine to animals.To date, the Commission has no information proving a causal relationship between the use of tylosin in pig feed and the appearance of resistance to erythromycin in pathogenic bacteria in humans. However, if the Honourable Member is in possession of new scientific data, the Commission would study it with great care and take any legislative measures required.However, the Honourable Member should know that the Commission is currently examining scientific justification recently submitted by Finland under the Treaty of Accession. Finland is requesting an amendment of Community legislation to ban the use of tylosin and spiramycin as additives, in order to preserve their effectiveness as substances authorised as veterinary medicinal products.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3374/97 by Markus FERBER to the Council. Evidence of compulsory health insurance cover - obligation to present the E111 form
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, FERBER
Subjects: EU national, administrative formalities, document, foreign student, free movement of persons, free movement of workers, health insurance, private insurance, residence permit, social security













EUR-Lex - 91997E3374 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E3374

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3374/97 by Markus FERBER to the Council. Evidence of compulsory health insurance cover - obligation to present the E111 form  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0152 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3374/97 by Markus Ferber (PPE) to the Council (23 October 1997)Subject: Evidence of compulsory health insurance cover - obligation to present the E 111 formTo enrol at French institutes of higher education, such as the Conservatoire in Paris, students need the E 111 form as evidence of compulsory health insurance cover. Persons who are privately insured or entitled to benefit do not have this form.Despite this, the presentation of the form is required at the time of enrolment. Evidence obtained from a private health insurance fund or benefit agency is not recognized.What measures will the Council take to enable evidence provided by private health insurance funds to be recognized?Answer (15 January 1998)The Council notes that students are not at present covered by Regulation No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (latest version published in Official Journal No L 28, 30 January 1997). This has also been noted in the Commission's Green Paper on Obstacles to Mobility which was discussed by the Education Council on 26 June 1997.However, the European Commission has submitted a proposal for an amendment of that Regulation in order to expand its coverage to include students, among others; the proposal is currently being examined at the Council.It should be pointed out that, as the case law of the Court of Justice makes clear, Articles 127 and 6 of the Treaty prohibit any discrimination between Member State nationals as regards access to vocational training in the Community.It should also be noted that Council Directive 93/96/EEC of 29 October 1993 on the right of residence for students stipulates that 'Member States shall recognize the right of residence for any student who is a national of a Member State ... provided that the student is enrolled in a recognized educational establishment for the principal purpose of following a vocational training course there and that he is covered by sickness insurance in respect of all risks in the host Member State'.It is the task of the European Commission to ensure that Community legislation is properly applied and, ultimately, it is for the Court of Justice to ensure that in the interpretation and application of the EC Treaty the law is observed.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3346/97 by Frank VANHECKE to the Council. Belgian contribution to the European budget
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Belgium, Community budget, European Court of Auditors, Member States' contribution, Netherlands, budgetary control, distribution of EU funding, financing of the EU budget, net contributor, net recipient

C 158/90

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 5. 98

The position of the Union with regard to respect for human rights in Turkey was recently confirmed at the

3.
European Council meeting in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997.

In  particular,  the  European  Council  recalled  that  strengthening  Turkey(cid:146)s  links  with  the  European  Union  also
depended on that country(cid:146)s pursuit of the political reforms on which it has embarked, including the alignment of
human rights standards and practices on those in force in the European Union.

(98/C 158/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3346/97

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Council

(23 October 1997)

Subject: Belgian contribution to the European budget

At the meeting of Finance Ministers in Mondorf on 13/14 September, the Netherlands requested a reduction in its
contribution to the Union, claiming, on the basis of its own table of figures, that it was the biggest net contributor
to the Union.

Can the Council supply a copy of this table of figures cited by the Netherlands?

Does the Council have calculations of its own which give a detailed indication of which Member States of the
Union are net contributors or net beneficiaries and, to what extent, for the years 1995, 1996 and 1997?

Answer

(20 January 1998)

1.
The working paper to which the Honourable Member refers was mentioned by the Netherlands delegation
at an informal meeting of Finance Ministers and was not the subject of an official communication to the Council.
According  to  customary  practice,  when  a  delegation  forwards  an  internal  document  of  that  kind  which  is
discussed in an informal setting, it is the responsibility of that delegation alone, i.e. in this case the Netherlands
delegation.

2. With regard to the second question, the Council has taken note of the figures prepared by the Commission
relating to the breakdown of resources and most expenditure per Member State. Similar information was also
made available to the Council during discussions on previous financial packages and is included in the Court of
Auditors reports. However, neither the Council nor the Commission has ever formally drawn up net balances per
Member State.

(98/C 158/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3351/97

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(22 October 1997)

Subject: Projects funded by LIFE II

In July 1997 the Commission selected 188 new projects to be co-funded by Life II, the Community(cid:146)s financial
instrument for the environment.

Will it say whether the selected projects include any Portuguese projects, and, if so, which ones?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3381/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Sun and climate change
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: climate, climate change, greenhouse effect, meteorology, report, scientific research, self-employed person, solar energy













EUR-Lex - 91997E3381 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91997E3381

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3381/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Sun and climate change  


Official Journal C 174 , 08/06/1998 P. 0050 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3381/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (23 October 1997)Subject: Sun and climate changeSome researchers, mostly from the United States, have apparently concluded that magnetic solar cycles, the average length of which is 11 years (varying from a maximum of 15 to a minimum of 8 years), are the principal factor involved in climate change and, in particular, the 'greenhouse effect', the implication being that less 'blame' should attach to damage caused by human agency, first and foremost carbon dioxide and other gaseous emissions.The above finding is certain to be discussed at the forthcoming Kyoto Conference, to be attended by the European institutions. Will the institutions go to the Conference with a standpoint worked out by their experts regarding the research in question?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 December 1997)It is correct that recent research results have shown a strong correlation between the observed 3-4% change in cloud cover during the recent solar cycle and the cosmic flux and solar activity. This observed systematic variation in cloud cover has an effect on the incoming solar radiation, and on the global temperature. Taking these recent results into account in future climate models will improve the baseline from which to assess the anthropogenic influence on climate change, and will enable us to improve regional models of climate change impacts.However, these cyclic changes do not explain the increase in global mean surface temperature of between 0.3 and 0.6°C since the end of the last century. In fact the background 'noise' of natural climate variability, caused by internal fluctuation and external sources such as solar variability or volcanic eruption have been taken into consideration in the assessment of the Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC). Considerable progress has been made since the publication of the first IPCC assessment report in 1990 in attempts to distinguish natural variability and anthropogenic influence on the climate. This led the IPCC to conclude in its 1995 assessment that 'the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate'.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3395/97 by Hugh KERR to the Commission. Harmonization of rights of way legislation in the EU
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, KERR
Subjects: United Kingdom, approximation of laws, case-law, country road, customary law, easement, road network, traffic signs

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/169

(98/C 102/255)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3303/97

by Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 1997)

Subject: COM in bananas

Could the Commission provide details of the quantities of bananas signed every three months to each of the three
licensed  types  of  operator  for  the  last  three  years,  with  particular  information  concerning  operators  working
under licence B?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 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 102/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3395/97

by Hugh Kerr (V) to the Commission

(23 October 1997)

Subject: Harmonization of rights of way legislation in the EU

Is the Commission aware that the public in the United Kingdom benefits greatly from rights of way legislation in
terms of access to the countryside compared to their counterparts in other Member States?

For example, in the UK there has always been a common law that in effect states that regular use of a way makes
it a public highway and once a highway always a highway.

It  is  an  offence  in  the  UK  to  obstruct  a  right  of  way  and  there  is  a  statutory  obligation  that  local  highway
authorities signpost footpaths and bridleways.

This is greatly appreciated by walkers from the Member States who visit the UK countryside.

Has the Commission any proposals in the pipeline to harmonize rights of way legislation in the Union?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1997)

The matter to which reference is made does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Community.

(98/C 102/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3456/97

by Olivier Duhamel (PSE) and Catherine Lalumie‘re (ARE) to the Commission

Subject: Allocation of PHARE funds for educational books

(31 October 1997)

The history textbook which was issued to schools in Slovakia by the Ministry of Education at the end of 1996 is
openly revisionist. The author was Milan S. Durica, who has acted, inter alia, as an apologist for Fascist Slovakia.
The  disputed  work  was  withdrawn  from  schools  at  the  end  of  August  this  year.  Slovakia  has  no  shortage  of
reputable historians, and there is a great need for the young generation of the countries of Eastern Europe to
re-learn their history.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3384/97 by Jaak VANDEMEULEBROUCKE to the Commission. Application form for the European Environment Agency (Copenhagen)
Date: 1997-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, VANDEMEULEBROUCKE
Subjects: EU Official Journal, EU office or agency, European Commission, European Environment Agency, European Parliament, board of directors, equal treatment, form, official language, recruitment

16. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/7

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1997)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the fact that Declaration 39 on the
1.
quality of the drafting of Community legislation, annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty, requests Parliament, the
Council and the Commission (cid:145)to establish by common accord guidelines for improving the quality of the drafting
of Community legislation.(cid:146)

The reply to these questions will depend on the work referred to above. The Commission recalls that it
2. - 4.
has already taken a number of measures to improve the quality of legislation in the broad sense. These measures
are referred to in the annual report on Better law-making (1). The 1997 report will appear in the next few weeks.

(1)  Doc. CSE(96) 6007.

(98/C 187/09)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3361/97

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(22 October 1997)

Subject: Environment education

What funds, if any, and under what budget line, are available for environment education in developing countries
such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal?

If there are any such funds, exactly what are they being used for?

Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-3197/97 (1).

(1)  OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 55.

(98/C 187/10)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3384/97

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARE) to the Commission

(23 October 1997)

Subject: Application form for the European Environment Agency (Copenhagen)

Official Journal C 294A of 27 September 1997 states that the European Environment Agency is organizing a
selection procedure to recruit a deputy director.

The application form attached is in English only (this is true of all the language versions of the Official Journal).

If the Commission is really seeking equal treatment for all citizens throughout the European Union, does it not
feel that all candidates for this selection procedure should be able to participate in their mother tongue, and does
it not think that candidates whose mother tongue is English will be at a clear advantage in this particular instance?

Is the Commission prepared to take effective and tangible measures to prevent any form of future discrimination,
and does it have any plans to provide application forms in all the official languages for this selection procedure?