do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 116/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Testing on animals for cosmetics products
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: analytical chemistry, animal experimentation, chemical product, cosmetic product, protection of animals, technological change, toxic substance

C 223/116

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

17. 7. 98

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1998)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s
Secretariat.

(98/C 223/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0112/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Exemption of Greece from the ban on consumption of certain entrails

Commission Decision 97/534/EC (1), as amended by Decision 97/866/EC (2), prohibits from 1 April 1998 the use
of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

This  Decision  also  bans  the  consumption  in  Greece  of  certain  forms  of  entrails  from  sheep,  goats  and  cattle
despite the fact that Greece is free from transmissible forms of encephalopathies and not a single case of disease
has appeared in the country.

If the above ban also applies to Greece, it will affect traditional eating habits which are part of local and national
culture. Moreover, young local lambs and kids are used for some of these dishes and bonemeal is not used to feed
the ruminants that cause this terrible disease. Will the Commission, therefore, consider exempting Greece from
the above Decision under these stringent conditions?

(1)  OJ L 216, 8.8.1997, p. 95.
(2)  OJ L 351, 23.12.1997, p. 69.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 1998)

On  25  February  1998  the  Commission  approved  a  proposal  to  amend  Commission  Decision  97/534/EEC  of
30  July  1997.  The  philosophy  of  the  proposal  is  to  require,  pending  scientific  advice  on  the  transmissible
spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) status of each Member State, in Member States with native cases of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) removal of risk materiels appearing on a short list.

The  Commission  invited  the  Member  States  in  the  last  standing  veterinary  committee  to  submit  a  complete
dossier on their TSE status.

A copy of a press release is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

During the Agricultural Council which took place 16-17 March 1998 the Commission proposal has been rejected.
At the same time the Council invited the Commission to postpone the Decision 97/534/EC.

(98/C 223/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0116/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Testing on animals for cosmetics products

When  does  the  Commission  plan  to  issue  its  proposals  on  the  cosmetics  Directive  to  ban  testing  on  animals
where viable non-animal tests exists or finished product testing?
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 4/98 of 30 January 1998 amending Annex XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: EEA Joint Committee
Subjects: European Economic Area, agreement (EU), maritime transport, pollution from ships, transport of dangerous goods, transport safety

L 272/6

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

8.10.98

DECISION  OF  THE  EEA  JOINT  COMMITTEE

No  4/98

of  30  January  1998

amending  Annex  XIII  (Transport)  to  the  EEA  Agreement

THE  EEA  JOINT  COMMITTEE,

Having  regard  to  the  Agreement  on  the  European  Economic  Area,  as  adjusted  by  the  Protocol
adjusting  the  Agreement  on  the  European  Economic  Area,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  ‘the
Agreement’,  and  in  particular  Article  98  thereof,

Whereas  Annex  XIII  to  the  Agreement  was  amended  by  Decision  of  the  EEA  Joint  Committee
No  10/97 (1);

Whereas  Commission  Directive  97/34/EC  of  6  June  1997  amending  Council  Directive
93/75/EEC  concerning  minimum  requirements  for  vessels  bound  for  or  leaving  Community
ports  and  carrying  dangerous  or  polluting  goods (2)  is  to  be  incorporated  into  the  Agreement,

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

Article  1

The following indent shall be added in point 55a (Council Directive 93/75/EEC) in Annex XIII
to  the  Agreement:

‘— 397 L 0034:  Commission  Directive  97/34/EC  of  6  June  1997  (OJ  L  158,  17.6.1997,

p.  40),  as  corrected  by  OJ  L  162,  19.6.1997,  p.  56.’

The  texts  of  Directive  97/34/EC  in  the  Icelandic  and  Norwegian  languages,  which  are  annexed
to  the  respective  language  versions  of  this  Decision,  are  authentic.

Article  2

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 March 1998, provided that all the notifications under
Article  103(1)  of  the  Agreement  have  been  made  to  the  EEA  Joint  Committee.

Article  3

This  Decision  shall  be  published  in  the  EEA  section  of,  and  in  the  EEA  supplement  to,  the
Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities.

Article  4

Done  at  Brussels,  30  January  1998.

For  the  EEA  Joint  Committee

The  President

F.  BARBASO

(1) OJ  L  182,  10.7.1997,  p.  4.
(2) OJ  L  158,  17.6.1997,  p.  40.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 124/98 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Follow-up question on the school milk programme
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: aid system, child, consumer behaviour, drinking milk, educational institution, free service, milk fat, sales promotion, skimmed milk, whole milk

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/33

(98/C 304/45)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0115/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Battery hens

When does the Commission plan to bring forward its proposals to update the battery hen Directive?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 1998)

The Commission adopted on 11 March 1998 its report (1) to the Council and the Parliament as provided in Article
9 of Council Directive 88/166/EEC of 7 March 1988 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying
hens kept in battery cages (2), together with the proposals relevant to the report(cid:146)s conclusions.

(1)  COM(98) 135 final.
(2)  OJ L 74, 19.3.1988.

(98/C 304/46)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0124/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Follow-up question on the school milk programme

Commissioner  Fischler(cid:146)s  answer  of  17 December  1997  to  my  question  (E-3130/97) (1),  on  the  school  milk
scheme, is illogical. He states that the Commission does not wish its current scheme of subsidising full-fat milk
products (cid:145)to influence those who benefit from the scheme in their choice of one dairy product as against another(cid:146).

To enable me to understand the Commissioner(cid:146)s reasoning, I should like to ask him a follow-up question:

On what does the Commission base its claim that subsidising full-fat milk products at the expense of low-fat
products does not influence those who benefit from the scheme in favour of the former?

(1)  OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 1998)

The amount of aid for different dairy products distributed under the Community school milk scheme is fixed
taking  into  account  the  milk  content  of  the  products  concerned.  This  results  in  a  lower  amount  of  aid  for
semi-skimmed milk compared with whole milk. However, in view of the higher retail price of the latter, the net
price to be paid by the pupil is about the same for both types of products and should therefore, not influence the
choice in favour of one or the other.

(98/C 304/47)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/98

by Petrus Cornelissen (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Research into civil aviation incidents

1.
Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the number of serious incidents in civil aviation which have
been investigated in the various Member States of the European Union since directive 94/56 (1) of 21 November
1994 entered into force?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 125/98 by Petrus CORNELISSEN to the Commission. Research into civil aviation incidents
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: CORNELISSEN, European Parliament
Subjects: EC Directive, civil aviation, exchange of information, national implementing measure, report, roadworthiness tests, supervisory body, transport accident, transport safety

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/33

(98/C 304/45)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0115/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Battery hens

When does the Commission plan to bring forward its proposals to update the battery hen Directive?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 1998)

The Commission adopted on 11 March 1998 its report (1) to the Council and the Parliament as provided in Article
9 of Council Directive 88/166/EEC of 7 March 1988 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying
hens kept in battery cages (2), together with the proposals relevant to the report(cid:146)s conclusions.

(1)  COM(98) 135 final.
(2)  OJ L 74, 19.3.1988.

(98/C 304/46)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0124/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Follow-up question on the school milk programme

Commissioner  Fischler(cid:146)s  answer  of  17 December  1997  to  my  question  (E-3130/97) (1),  on  the  school  milk
scheme, is illogical. He states that the Commission does not wish its current scheme of subsidising full-fat milk
products (cid:145)to influence those who benefit from the scheme in their choice of one dairy product as against another(cid:146).

To enable me to understand the Commissioner(cid:146)s reasoning, I should like to ask him a follow-up question:

On what does the Commission base its claim that subsidising full-fat milk products at the expense of low-fat
products does not influence those who benefit from the scheme in favour of the former?

(1)  OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 1998)

The amount of aid for different dairy products distributed under the Community school milk scheme is fixed
taking  into  account  the  milk  content  of  the  products  concerned.  This  results  in  a  lower  amount  of  aid  for
semi-skimmed milk compared with whole milk. However, in view of the higher retail price of the latter, the net
price to be paid by the pupil is about the same for both types of products and should therefore, not influence the
choice in favour of one or the other.

(98/C 304/47)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0125/98

by Petrus Cornelissen (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Research into civil aviation incidents

1.
Can the Commission provide a breakdown of the number of serious incidents in civil aviation which have
been investigated in the various Member States of the European Union since directive 94/56 (1) of 21 November
1994 entered into force?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 96/98 by José VALVERDE LÓPEZ to the Commission. Designation of nicotine as an addictive substance
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, VALVERDE LOPEZ
Subjects: consumer information, dangerous substance, labelling, public health, smoking, tobacco, tobacco industry

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/109

(98/C 223/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0094/98

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Take-up State of appropriations from the Structural and Cohesion Funds

Can  the  Commission  indicate  in  absolute  terms  and  percentages  the  total  take-up  of  appropriations  from  the
Structural and Cohesion Funds by each Member State:

1.

2.

compared with total funds available for the entire current period (1994-1999)?

Compared with funds earmarked for programmes to the end of 1997?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 1998)

Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(98/C 223/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0096/98

by Jose· Valverde Lo·pez (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Designation of nicotine as an addictive substance

At the December 1997 part-session the Commission said that various steps were under way with a view to the EU
designating nicotine as an addictive substance.

Can the Commission say what specific initiatives are being taken and when it expects that it will be possible to
designate nicotine as an addictive substance in the EU?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1998)

The Parliament gave its opinion on the Commission(cid:146)s communication on the present and proposed Community
role in combatting tobacco consumption (1) in December 1997, and the Commission is now in the process of
examining to what extent action can be undertaken on the various points in that communication and in what order
such  action  shall  be  taken.  In  particular,  priority  is  presently  being  given  to  revising  Council  Directive
90/239/EEC of 17 May 1990 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States concerning the maximum tar yield of cigarettes (2) and Council Directive 92/41/EEC of 15 May
1992  amending  Directive  89/622/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws,  regulations  and  administrative
provisions of the Member States concerning the labelling of tobacco products (3) and to examining what are the
possibilities for common action as regards additives to tobacco products.

(1)  COM(96) 609 final.
(2)  OJ L 137, 30.5.1990.
(3)  OJ L 158, 11.6.1992.

(98/C 223/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0100/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Measures against clandestine immigration in Europe

The recent immigration of Albanians to Italy has given rise to heated discussions, often useless and exploited to
the  point  of  absurdity,  that  are  starting  all  over  again  with  the  arrival  of  Kurds.  According  to  international
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 68/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Unemployment among women in the EU
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: EU statistics, economic sector, female unemployment, female work, non-working population, social security, women's rights

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/101

(98/C 223/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0067/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(29 January 1998)

Subject: Fourth Action Programme to promote equal opportunities

It is striking that specifically those projects receiving funding from the Fourth Action Programme to promote
equal opportunities have been subject to particularly meticulous scrutiny, especially by comparison with other
EU aid programmes.

Does the EU have any reason to suppose that women(cid:146)s projects are particularly suspect?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1998)

The Commission has no reason to suppose that women(cid:146)s projects are particularly suspect.

The careful auditing by the Commission of projects co-financed under the fourth action programme is not only in
the  interest  of  the  European  tax  payer,  but  also  in  the  interest  of  the  Commission  itself,  because  it  obtains
precious information thereon for its work and policies.

The  fourth  action  programme  is  at  present  the  subject  of  an  audit  by  the  Court  of  auditors  which  acts
independently and in accordance with its own rules.

(98/C 223/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0068/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Unemployment among women in the EU

Official EU statistics give details of unemployment among women and the percentage of the total unemployment
figures which women represent. Unfortunately, those figures omit some data from the individual Member States
and the EU as a whole which, we feel, are very significant.

1.  What percentage of all women are unemployed?

2.  What are the employment patterns of women in gainful employment?

3.  How are women who are neither unemployed nor gainfully employed covered financially and in terms of

social security?

4.  How are unemployed women covered financially and in terms of social security in the individual Member

States?

5.  How are unemployed women(cid:146)s allowances calculated, and what factors have an impact thereon (e.g. family

circumstances, number of children, brothers and sisters, etc.)?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 1998)

The percentage of unemployed women relative to the female working-age population in 1996 (latest year

1.
for which complete labour force survey data is available) was:

B

DK

D

GR

E

F

IRL

I

L

N

A

P

FI

S

UK

E 15

6.7

6.3

6.0

7.2

13.6

9.0

5.9

7.1

2.1

4.9

3.3

5.1

11.1

7.1

4.4

7.2
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 250/98 of 30 January 1998 altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural state
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: export refund, raw sugar, white sugar

31. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 25/21

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 250/98

of 30 January 1998

altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural
state

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81
of 30 June 1981 on the common organization of the
markets in the sugar sector (1), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 1599/96 (2), and in particular the second
subparagraph of Article 19 (4) thereof,

Whereas the refunds on white sugar and raw sugar
exported in the natural state were fixed by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 140/98 (3), as amended by Regulation
(EC) No 211/98 (4);

Whereas it
follows from applying the detailed rules
contained in Regulation (EC) No 140/98 to the informa-
tion known to the Commission that the export refunds at

present in force should be altered to the amounts set out
in the Annex hereto,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The export refunds on the products listed in Article 1 (1)
(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81, undenatured and
exported in the natural state, as fixed in the Annex to
amended Regulation (EC) No 140/98 are hereby altered
to the amounts shown in the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 February
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 30 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 177, 1. 7. 1981, p. 4.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 43.
(3) OJ L 17, 22. 1. 1998, p. 5.
(4) OJ L 22, 29. 1. 1998, p. 5.

L 25/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

31. 1. 98

to the Commission Regulation of 30 January 1998 altering the export refunds on white
sugar and raw sugar exported in its unaltered state

ANNEX

Product code

1701 11 90 9100
1701 11 90 9910
1701 11 90 9950
1701 12 90 9100
1701 12 90 9910
1701 12 90 9950

Amount of refund

(cid:190) ECU/100 kg (cid:190)

37,00
34,67

37,00
34,67

(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(2)

(cid:190) ECU/1 % of sucrose (cid:253) 100 kg (cid:190)

1701 91 00 9000

0,4022

1701 99 10 9100
1701 99 10 9910
1701 99 10 9950

(cid:190) ECU/100 kg (cid:190)

40,22
40,22
40,22

(cid:190) ECU/1 % of sucrose (cid:253) 100 kg (cid:190)

1701 99 90 9100

0,4022

(1) Applicable to raw sugar with a yield of 92 %; if the yield is other than 92 %,
the refund applicable is calculated in accordance with the provisions of
Article 17a (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81.

(2) Fixing suspended by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2689/85 (OJ L 255, 26.
9. 1985, p. 12), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3251/85 (OJ L 309, 21. 11.
1985, p. 14).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 130/98 by Kirsten JENSEN to the Commission. GMO
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, JENSEN KIRSTEN
Subjects: Spain, antibiotic, food inspection, foodstuffs legislation, fruit vegetable, genetically modified organism, health policy, impact study, marketing, report













EUR-Lex - 91998E0130 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91998E0130

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 130/98 by Kirsten JENSEN to the Commission. GMO  


Official Journal C 304 , 02/10/1998 P. 0035 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0130/98 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)Subject: GMOCan the Commission confirm that a genetically modified tomato, which should be less perishable and therefore rot more slowly than natural tomatoes, is about to be approved in the EU?Does it think it is defensible to allow this product on the market when it contains an antibiotic-resistant gene which can perhaps be transmitted to humans?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (18 March 1998)At the end of November 1997 the Commission received a dossier concerning genetically modified tomatoes from the Spanish authorities under Article 12(2)(a) of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )). The procedure laid down in Article 13 is under way. The tomato contains an antibiotic resistance gene used as a marker gene and a partial endogenous polygalacturonase (PG) gene which decreases the rate of fruit softening.Directive 90/220/EEC stipulates that before a GMO product is placed on the market an assessment must be carried out of the potential risks for human health and the environment. Accordingly, all GMO product notifications are assessed on a case by case basis which includes consideration of the genes inserted into the organism in question.To date, the Commission has received no information on the marketing of genetically modified tomatoes as a novel food or novel food ingredient pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients ((OJ L 43, 14.2.1997. )).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 72/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Pollution of drinking water springs in Ioannina
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: EU control, Greece, application of EU law, carcinogenic substance, drinking water, environmental protection, industrial pollution, wood industry













EUR-Lex - 91998E0072 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91998E0072

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 72/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Pollution of drinking water springs in Ioannina  


Official Journal C 304 , 02/10/1998 P. 0028 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0072/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)Subject: Pollution of drinking water springs in IoanninaDrinking water from the Toumba springs in Ioannina (Greece) which supply water for over 45 000 persons faces a very serious risk, because Elviex, a timber impregnation plant, has been set up directly above the springs, notably in the village of Perivleptos in the Prefecture of Ioannina. This plant impregnates timber with the dangerous toxic substance creosote oil. The phenols and the other hydrocarbons contained in the creosote oil pollute the soil, the atmosphere and the groundwater of the region. These substances are known to be carcinogenic.This company is violating international environmental protection treaties and the relevant Community legislation.What action does the Commission intend to take to put an end to the continuing pollution of the environment by the above company?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (5 March 1998)The Commission will make the necessary contacts in order to obtain all available information on the matter described. It will not hesitate to initiate the procedure provided in Article 169 of the EC Treaty, should this prove necessary.