WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3454/97 by Reino PAASILINNA to the Commission. Support for the building industry in the cold weather zone
Date: 1997-10-31
Institutions: European Parliament, PAASILINNA
Subjects: Finland, building subsidy, construction costs, frigid zone

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/61

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 1997)

According  to  the  Commission  Decision  of  3  April  1996  and  the  subsequent  consent  issued  by  the  British
authorities, the Monsanto genetically modified soya beans have been granted consent to be placed on the market
for the specific uses of (cid:145)handling in the environment during import, before and during storage, and before and
during its processing to non-viable products(cid:146). The consumption as food of soya beans in a viable form was not
authorized under this consent.

In order for genetically modified soya beans to be grown in the Community, a new notification under Directive
90/220/EEC  on  the  deliberate  release  into  the  environment  of  genetically  modified  organisms (1)  would  be
required.  For  soya  bean  sprouts  from  genetically  modified  soya  to  be  used  as  food  or  a  food  ingredient,  a
notification under Regulation (EEC) No 258/97 on novel foods and novel food ingredients (2) will be required.
No such notifications have been received by the Commission.

(1)  OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.
(2)  OJ L 43, 14.2.1997.

(98/C 174/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3454/97

by Reino Paasilinna (PSE) to the Commission

(31 October 1997)

Subject: Support for the building industry in the cold weather zone

Building in Finland is exceptionally expensive because of the difficult conditions which exist in the northern
region. During the long cold weather period the ground freezes to a considerable depth, which means that the
foundations both of buildings and of roads and railways have to be protected by expensive special structures. The
heating, water, sewerage and electricity supply systems also have to be protected.

Since the difference between the indoor and outside temperatures in Finnish buildings may be as much as 50(cid:176),
the  outer  shell  or  casing  of  buildings  must  be  made  to  withstand  heating  and  moisture  problems  caused  by
temperature differences. The building methods called for are so complex that not all builders have been able to
cope under the heavy pressure of costs. As a result, Finland has to foot a bill of FIM 60 bn for repairs arising from
defective work, damp and mould problems.

To enable an acceptable standard to be achieved in the building industry in future, what does the Commission
intend to do with a view to establishing a construction support fund for the cold weather zone?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 1998)

The Commission is aware of the high cost of construction due to quite severe weather conditions in the cold zone,
particularly in Finland.

However, a specific aid programme for the building industry in the cold weather zone is not planned.

It should be noted that, from a regulatory point of view, essential requirements, in terms of weather constraints,
have been taken into consideration in Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation
of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (1), in
order to ensure that work on new constructions is of a high standard in terms of reliability and durability.

(1)  OJ L 40, 11.2.1989.