do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3680/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Business Tourism
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: European Economic Area, commercial law, competitiveness, financial legislation, product quality, tourism, tourist profession, travel, turnover

C 158/176

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 5. 98

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 1997)

The Commission recognises the adverse effect of the blockades during the French lorry drivers(cid:146) strike on the free
movement of goods and people within the Community. The Commission intervened at an early stage on each
occasion when there was a blockade during the past year, urging the French authorities to take all necessary
measures  to  secure  the  free  movement  of  road  hauliers  and  road  passenger  traffic  as  required  under  the  EC
Treaty.  In  addition,  whilst  there  is  no  obligation  under  Community  law  for  Member  States  to  provide
compensation  for  losses  incurred  by  transport  operators  as  a  result  of  an  industrial  dispute,  in  written  and
personal  contacts  the  Commission  repeatedly  emphasised  the  need  for  the  undertakings  given  by  the  French
government to provide compensation to be promptly and adequately fulfilled by the French authorities. Unless
and until Community law is changed, obligations to provide compensation continue to be matter of national law.

The Commission takes all elements of information and circumstances into account when assessing whether a
Member State is fulfilling its Community obligations. The strength and consistency of the efforts undertaken by
the  Member  State  concerned  to  resolve  the  problems  are  significant  in  such  assessments.  No  quantitative
threshold has ever been specified under the law of the Community.

The Commission is currently reflecting on whether additional Community measures relating to the conduct and
consequences of the disruption of the freedom of movement are possible and desirable and will report in the
normal fashion in due course.

(98/C 158/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3680/97

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Business Tourism

In 1996 the Commission had a report on business tourism prepared by Horwath & Axe; what, in detail, have been
done to implement its recommendations?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-3391/97 (1).

(1)  See page 96.

(98/C 158/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3681/97

by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Enforcement of EU health and safety legislation in Member States

Can the Commission indicate:

1.  How many Member States have not transposed health and safety directives which should now apply?

2.  How many actions have been taken against Member States for not acceding to legislation already in force?

3. 

Is the Commission satisfied that in respect of health and safety there is a level playing field across the whole
of the European Union?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3809/97 by Raymonde DURY to the Commission. Presence of MEPs at public events subsidised by the Commission
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: DURY, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, European Commission, Member of the European Parliament, administrative responsibility, conference proceedings, dissemination of EU information, duties of civil servants

C 134/180

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

(98/C 134/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3809/97

by Raymonde Dury (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Presence of MEPs at public events subsidised by the Commission

Can the Commission state, for each DG and for its Belgium office in Brussels, how many colloquies, seminars,
study days or public conferences it subsidised in 1997?

Can  it  say  at  how  many  of  these  events  one  or  more  Belgian  members  were  invited  to  put  the  European
Parliament(cid:146)s point of view?

Does it not think it would be useful to use this funding to stimulate more widespread information, a wider debate
and a greater presence by Members of the European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 1997)

A detailed reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s questions would require lengthy and difficult research which the
Commission is not in a position to undertake at the present time.

(98/C 134/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821/97

by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission

(28 November 1997)

Subject: Sweden

Is it true that, throughout the middle years of this century, many thousands of women of (cid:145)inferior race(cid:146) were
forcibly sterilized in Sweden, as reported in various European newspapers including the Messagero of 26 August
1997 and the Dagens Nyheter?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 1997)

It is Commission policy not to comment on articles appearing in the press.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3719/97 by Stelios ARGYROS to the Commission. Information brochure published by the Common Research Centre
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: ARGYROS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU publication, Joint Research Centre, book trade, dissemination of EU information, paper, plastics, production cost, research policy

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/107

3.
Community citizens who consider themselves to have been discriminated against through a decision of the
authorities of a Member State concerning access to training or to the taking-up or pursuit of a profession may
apply to the courts of the country in question. If there is doubt whether a provision of national law is compatible
with Community law, the national court may, where necessary, submit a reference to the Court of Justice for a
preliminary  ruling  on  one  or  more  questions.  The  individuals  in  question  may  also  make  a  complaint  to  the
Commission.

(98/C 174/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3719/97

by Stelios Argyros (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Information brochure published by the Common Research Centre

The  European  Research  Centre  (Commission,  DG  XII)  recently  issued  a  multifold  information  brochure  in
A4 x 8 format concerning the Joint Research Centres. This publication is printed on both sides and appears on
(cid:145)illustration(cid:146) paper with plastic surfacing.

Owing to its format, this publication is of questionable practical utility; moreover, owing to its composition, the
paper is non-recyclable and is thus non-environmentally friendly.

However, it was undoubtedly very expensive to produce, despite attempts to cut the cost of the JRCs as part of
the general austerity measures applied to Community research policy.

Will the Commission say:

›  How much did this publication cost to produce?

›  Which service approved the expenditure?

›  What is believed to be purpose and expected benefit of this publication?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 1998)

The  Commission(cid:146)s  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC)  plays  a  vital  role  in  providing  scientific  assistance  for
Community policies.

Moreover, it has great potential for promoting innovation in European industry through its competitive activities,
but this potential is not sufficiently well known as yet.

Consequently, an active approach to promoting the transfer of technology, collaborative research and training
has been adopted, with a view to increasing the value added by the JRC for the individual and for European
industry.

This approach also means that the JRC(cid:146)s activities have to be more clearly explained. The poster to which the
Honourable Member refers was produced with this aim in mind. It cost ECU 6 114 for 10 000 copies.

(98/C 174/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3720/97

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(21 November 1997)

Subject: Benefit levels for carers in EU Member States

Can the Commission please provide a breakdown by Member State of the level of benefit paid to individuals
acting as a carer for a disabled person, an elderly person or children?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3697/97 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Latvia
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, PIHA
Subjects: EU programme, European integration, Latvia, cross-border cooperation, education, energy policy, financial management, private sector, public sector, transport policy

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/103

(98/C 174/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3697/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Latvia

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great
deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have
applied  for  membership  of  the  EU.  Can  the  Commission  provide  details  of  the  utilization  of  appropriations
granted under PHARE in 1997 for Latvia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1997)

The  1997  Phare-funded  country  operational  programme  (COP)  for  Latvia  of  a  total  amount  of  37.6  MECU
focuses  on  infrastructure,  European  integration,  private  sector  development  and  institutional  and  human
resources development. The priority areas in 1997 are:

›  European integration (5.5 MECU)

›  Public sector development (4.85 MECU)

›  Private sector development (6.1 MECU)

›  Financial sector development (2.2 MECU)

›  Education (1.65 MECU)

›  Energy (3.9 MECU)

›  Environment (6.1 MECU)

›  Transport (5.1 MECU)

›  Management (1.3 MECU)

In  addition  to  the  1997  national  programme  1.8  MECU  has  been  committed  for  Tempus  and  3.2  MECU  for
cross-border cooperation projects.

The financing memorandum for the 1997 programme was signed in November 1997 and the programme will be
implemented during 1998 and 1999. It is therefore to early to assess the impact of the 1997 programme.

(98/C 174/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3698/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Lithuania

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great
deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have
applied  for  membership  of  the  EU.  Can  the  Commission  provide  details  of  the  utilization  of  appropriations
granted under PHARE in 1997 for Lithuania?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 1997)

The 1997 Phare-funded country operational programme (COP) of a total amount of 43.2 MECU includes the
following components:

›  European  integration  (11  MECU)  support  for  institutional,  legislative  and  regulatory  development  for
Lithuania(cid:146)s  integration  into  the  Community.  Assistance  in  this  area  will  include  activities,  linked  to
institution-building and structural identification, by the inter-ministerial working groups;
Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 establishing an additional levy in the milk and milk products sector
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: German Democratic Republic, agricultural levy, agricultural quota, milk, milk product

C  1/20

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

3.  1.  98

Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  (EC)  amending  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3950/92
establishing  an  additional  levy  in  the  milk  and  milk  products  sector

(98/C  1/12)

COM(97)  606  final  -  97/0328(CNS)

(Submitted  by  the  Commission  on  20  November  1997)

accordingly  be  allowed,  by  way  of  an  exception,  for  two
twelve(cid:220)month  periods,

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  REGULATION:

Article  1

The  following  subparagraph  is  added  to  Article  4  (4)  of
Regulation  (EEC)  No  3950/92:

"With  a  view  to  the  definitive  solution  of  the  diffi(cid:220)
culties  stemming  from  restructuring  as  referred  to
above,  the  application  of  the  first  subparagraph  shall
be  extended  for  two  twelve(cid:220)month  periods  from  the
expiry  of  the  period  referred  to 
in  the  second
subparagraph.’

Article  2

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  seventh  day
following  its  publication  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the
European  Communities.

This  Regulation  shall  be  binding 
directly  applicable  in  all  Member  States.

in 

its  entirety  and

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  43  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission,

Having 
Parliament,

regard 

to 

the  opinion  of 

the  European

Whereas,  when  originally  adopted,  Council  Regulation
(EEC)  No  3950/92  of  28  December  1992  establishing  an
additional  levy  in  the  milk  and  milk  products  sectors(cid:216)(˛),
(EC)
last  amended  by  Commission  Regulation 
as 
No  614/97(cid:216)(ˇ),  made  provision,  subject  to  certain  special
conditions,  for  the  reference  quantity  to  be  allocated
provisionally  for  a  twelve(cid:220)month  period  in  the  case  of
agricultural  holdings  situated 
in  the  territory  of  the
former  German  Democratic  Republic;  whereas,  with  a
view  to  the  completion  of  restructuring  of  such  holdings,
those  provisions  were 
the  end  of
1997/98(cid:216)(—),  whereas  difficulties  connected  in  particular
with  milk  production  on  leased  land  cannot  be  resolved
before  31  March  1998;  whereas,  to  overcome  the  diffi(cid:220)
culties  stemming  from  the  restructuring  of  such  holdings,
a  final  extension  of  the  derogation  measures  should

renewed  until 

(˛)(cid:217)OJ  L  405,  31.  12.  1992,  p.  1.
(ˇ)(cid:217)OJ  L  94,  9.  4.  1997,  p.  4.
(—)(cid:217)Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1883/94  of  27  July  1994,  OJ

L  197,  30.  7.  1994,  p.  25.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3683/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Transport of horses from Bulgaria to EU
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, application of EU law, approximation of laws, equidae, slaughter of animals, transport of animals, veterinary inspection, veterinary legislation













EUR-Lex - 91997E3683 - EN






Avis juridique important




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91997E3683

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3683/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Transport of horses from Bulgaria to EU  


Official Journal C 158 , 25/05/1998 P. 0178 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3683/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)Subject: Transport of horses from Bulgaria to EUIs the Commission aware of the ongoing trade in horses from Bulgaria through Greece and Italy for slaughter?Is the Commission pursuing any action to stop this trade, or at the very least ensure that the transportation is carried out in accordance with the accepted guidelines, particularly in conjunction with Bulgaria's application for membership of the EU?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1997)The Commission is aware that there is a large trade in horses for slaughter between Eastern Europe and Italy. A small percentage of these animals come from Bulgaria and are transported via Greece by ferry routes to Southern Italy.Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC ((OJ L 340, 11.12.1991. )) contains a requirement that transporters of animals to the Community must undertake to comply with the requirements of the Directive and make the necessary arrangements for such compliance.It has, however, proved to be difficult to enforce this aspect of the Directive because Community legislation does not apply directly in third countries.The Commission has intervened on several occasions with the Italian authorities in order to ensure that the requirements of the Directive are respected with regard to horses arriving from Eastern Europe. A recent inspection mission noted some improvement.Under the European agreements, the associated European countries (including Bulgaria) committed themselves to approximating their legislation to that of the Community and to take over the veterinary 'acquis' which includes animal welfare rules.The Commission agrees that in respect of Eastern European candidates for accession, the best way forward to securing conditions for transported livestock is to provide for early respect of Community legislation in this area.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3667/97 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. BSE
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, IVERSEN
Subjects: Denmark, animal disease, cattle, derogation from EU law, health risk, public health, scientific committee (EU), withdrawal from the market

22. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 196/9

of  the  current  system,  proposed  among  other  things  the  abolition  of  any  distinction  between  domestic  and
intra-Community transactions and a stage-by-stage programme for moving to the new common system of VAT.
The proposals to be made by the Commission within the framework of its work programme should, therefore,
resolve the problems raised.

(1)  COM(94) 515 final.
(2)  COM(96) 328 final.

(98/C 196/15)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658/97

by Mar(cid:14)·a Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: European projects for the city of Granada and the Albayz(cid:14)·n

Can  the  Commission  provide  detailed  information  on  the  projects  concerning  the  Albayz(cid:14)·n  and  Granada
approved for European co-funding, some of which are alluded to in a notice in (cid:145)Carta Local(cid:146), October 1997?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1998)

In 1986 the Commission financed a conservation project in Granada for the Patio de los Leones, the Ban(cid:152)os de
Comares and the (cid:145)cubiertas planas(cid:146) in the Alhambra with a total budget of ECU 200 000.

Under the Leonardo da Vinci training programme, three projects have been granted to the Granada region: a
project  in  1995  for  a  total  amount  of  ECU  58  000  (Iliberis)  and  two  projects  in  1997  for  a  total  amount  of
ECU 234 000 (European rural network for career guidance and information, and training in agriculture and the
environment in rural areas).

In July 1997, on the basis of Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regulation (1), the
Commission funded an urban pilot project for the Albayz(cid:14)·n including the Alhambra palace. The total eligible cost
of this project is ECU 6 051 150, and the ERDF funds available for the project are ECU 2 953 897.

(1)  OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.

(98/C 196/16)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3667/97

by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: BSE

Commission Decision 97/534/EU (1) instructs all Member States to remove specified risk material (SRM) from
the food chain. This decision is based on a recommendation from the Scientific Veterinary Committee that SRM
should be removed in countries or regions where a potential risk is identified of the presence of TSE agents. The
decision concludes, without more detailed documentation, that none of the Member States may be regarded as
free from a potential risk of TSE.

There  is  a  clear  distinction  between  slaughter  in  Danish  export  slaughterhouses  and  the  situation  in  other
Member States on the following points:

›  slaughter of Danish animals only as a result of US authorization,

›  no  cases  of  scrapie  have  ever  been  recorded  and  only  one  case  of  BSE  has  been  reported  in  an  animal

imported from the UK,
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3710/97 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Animals and cosmetic testing
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITEHEAD
Subjects: animal experimentation, animal welfare, cosmetic product, eco-label, protection of animals, scientific research

C 174/106

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 6. 98

(98/C 174/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3710/97

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Animals and cosmetic testing

Would the Commission consider giving the Eco-label a cruelty free dimension?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1998)

The Community eco-label award scheme, established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 on a Community
eco-label  award  scheme (1)  does  not  provide  for  the  establishment  of  criteria  specifically  aimed  at  animal
welfare.  However,  an  eco-label  may  not  be  awarded  to  products  which  do  not  comply  with  Community
legislation  applicable  to  animal  testing  such  as  Directive  86/609/EEC  on  the  protection  of  animals  used  for
experimental and other scientific purposes (2).

So far the problem has been purely hypothetical, given that eco-labelling criteria have not been established for
product groups, such as cosmetics.

In  the  Commission  proposal (3)  to  revise  Regulation  (EEC)  No  880/92  there  are  no  specific  animal  testing
protection requirements.

(1)  OJ L 99, 11.4.1992.
(2)  OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.
(3)  COM(96) 603 final.

(98/C 174/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3714/97

by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission

(12 November 1997)

Subject: Obstacles to the free movement of doctors in the United Kingdom

Various Community citizens whose medical or surgical degrees are in order, are certified qualified to practise
medicine or have a medical specialization have been the victims of blatant discrimination by the UK authorities
as regards access to the medical profession.

In  particular,  in  many  cases  doctors  trained  in  other  Community  countries  are  required  to  have  the  MRCP
certificate, which can be obtained only in the UK following two years(cid:146) general practice, in order to have access to
professional or training activities, when it is not necessary in other European countries.

This situation clearly conflicts with the principles of freedom of movement for workers and the horizontal and
vertical directives on access to the regulated professions.

1. 

Is the Commission aware of this discrimination?

2.  Has the Commission taken or will it take action against the UK authorities to resolve these problems?

3.  What recourse is open to Community citizens who are discriminated against by these rules?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 1998)

1. and 2.
Since the Commission does not have the information necessary to investigate the problem raised, it
regrets that it is at present unable to give an answer. It therefore requests the Honourable Member to provide
further particulars.