do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 748/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Water and sewerage provisions
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: European Parliament, MACARTNEY
Subjects: England, Greece, Ireland, Wales, competence of the Member States, decontamination, local government, principle of subsidiarity, wastewater, water supply

11.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 386/39

(98/C 386/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0746/98

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: VAT

On the assumption that current rates of duty and VAT are applied, what rate of duty and VAT will be levied on a
bottle of spirits sold on board ship, following the proposed abolition of duty-free sales on a vessel en route:

1.

2.

from Dover to Calais and return:
(a) when the vessel is in UK territorial waters
(b) when the vessel is in French territorial waters

from Portsmouth to Santander and return:
(a) when the vessel is in UK territorial water
(b) when the vessel is outside territorial waters
(c) when the vessel is in French territorial waters
(d) when the vessel is in Spanish territorial waters?

What will be the cash sums charged in duty and VAT in these locations on a bottle of spirits of which the duty-
free and VAT-free price is ECU 10?

Will the VAT charged, in cash terms, vary according to the relevant rate of duty? To which Member State or
States will the duty and VAT be payable? What plans has the Commission to simplify the system?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 1998)

The Commission confirms to the Honourable Member that the current Community provisions in the fiscal field
ensure the appropriate taxation of sales at airports and on board aircraft and ferries which will be applicable on
1st July 1999, after the expiry of the transitional period allowed by the Council to the tax-free sector.

The elements provided in the question, which may appear specific cover nevertheless a large range of situations
and products and require detailed explanation, which is not possible in this framework.

For this reason, the Commission invites the Honourable Member to contact its services (directorate C of DG XXI)
who will provide him with an appropriate and complete answer.

(98/C 386/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Water and sewerage provisions

Can the Commission indicate which level of government or other body is responsible for the provision of water
and sewerage in each Member State and how such provisions are financed?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 1998)

First of all, the structure of the water and sewerage services is the responsibility of each Member State in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity and there is no Community legislation on it.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 712/98 by Amedeo AMADEO , Salvatore TATARELLA to the Commission. Food legislation - consumer health
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament, TATARELLA
Subjects: approximation of laws, consumer information, consumer protection, food inspection, foodstuffs legislation, labelling, mutual recognition principle, public health

C 386/34

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

(98/C 386/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0710/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure, by amending Directive 83/89/EC, that it is the task of the Member States to specify
that national laws do not constitute barriers to the internal market?

(98/C 386/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0711/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that only purely technical questions are dealt with by means of Committee
procedures, whilst fundamental questions continue to be the subject of political decisions?

(98/C 386/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0712/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that HACCP principles are valid for the whole food chain (from producer to
consumer), irrespective of the type and size of firm concerned?

(98/C 386/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0713/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that quality rules are harmonized only as regards health questions, whereas the
barriers to trade created by national quality requirements should be tackled by consistently applying the principle
of mutual recognition?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 795/98 by Reimer BÖGE to the Commission. Staff shortages in DG VI
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: BOEGE, European Parliament
Subjects: Community budget, European official, animal disease, plant health control, public health, recruitment, servant (EU), veterinarian













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91998E0795

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 795/98 by Reimer BÖGE to the Commission. Staff shortages in DG VI  


Official Journal C 386 , 11/12/1998 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0795/98by Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission(18 March 1998)Subject: Staff shortages in DG VIIn the light of experience in dealing with BSE, the Commission has carried out a thorough restructuring of its departments.Can the Commission state:- what staff changes have been made within DG VI and DG XXIV?- how many posts have been transferred from DG VI to DG XXIV?The Commission's Special report to the European Parliament on the recommendations on BSE (30 January 1998), refers to the fact that, as a result of staffing shortages in DG VI it has not been possible to deal adequately with some issues (p. 7 para. C.: "However, due to staff shortages a proposal could not yet be finalised, but remains one of the priorities of the BSE dossier")When will the necessary selection procedure finally be set in motion to increase the staffing of the veterinary services? The problem cannot be solved satisfactorily by the appointment of temporary officials.In addition to this procedure, is the Commission prepared to give greater consideration to this glaring problem in drawing up the Establishment Plan for the 1999 draft budget, or to resolve it by transferring posts when they come free?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(8 May 1998)In the light of the experience in dealing with BSE, the Commission has transferred the entire personnel of the phytosanitary and veterinary office to DG XXIV, that is 42 A, 7 B and 13 C, plus 3 national experts attached to the office, as well as additional staff amounting to 5 A and 14 C. As compensation, 8 A posts were allocated to DG VI.The measures for assuring the availability of a sufficient number of veterinarians for recruitment as permanent staff are currently being examined. In order to avoid short-term problems, an appeal has been made to Member States to provide lists of veterinary experts who would qualify for temporary agent status.According to the 1999 draft budget, 10 permanent posts shall be made available to DG VI. DG VI planning foresees to allocate 4 of these posts for the clearance of accounts (increase of staff in this field is considered a priority also by the Parliament). Most of the remaining 6 posts will be used for reinforcing the units dealing with public health, animal health and phytosanitary matters, which are an absolute priority.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 740/98 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Flooding on the island of Lesbos
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: Aegean Islands, EAGGF Guidance Section, EU aid, Structural Funds, flood, natural disaster

C 304/118

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

2. 10. 98

What is the Council(cid:146)s present assessment of the decision(cid:146)s impact on employment?

How can the Council justify the destruction of thousands of jobs on purely ideological grounds?

Will the Council create replacement jobs for the people who have been deprived of them by this ideologically
motivated decision?

If so, when and where will these jobs be created?

How will the creation of these jobs be funded?

If not, how can such decisions be reconciled with the numerous statements by all manner of Councils that they
will do everything in their power to create jobs?

(1)  OJ C 102, 3.4.1998, p. 85.

Answer

(18 May 1998)

The Council has nothing to add to the reply given to Written Question No E-2666/97 by the Honourable Member.

(98/C 304/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0491/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(2 March 1998)

Subject: Floods in northern Greece

The  bad  weather  of  5  February  1998  was  especially  harsh  in  the  islands  of  the  northern  Aegean,  eastern
Macedonia and Thrace, drowning one person on Thasos and causing widespread damage to the road and rail
network,  farms,  and  hundreds  of  homes,  shops  and  offices  which  were  flooded  by  the  torrential  and
unprecedented rainfall This devastation comes on top of the events of 2 February 1998 when three people lost
their lives on Lesbos.

Will  the  Commission  examine  the  possibility  of  providing  Community  resources  to  make  good  the  damage
caused by this natural disaster?.

(98/C 304/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0740/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Flooding on the island of Lesbos

In view of the widespread destruction caused by the recent heavy rainfall on Lesbos (January 1998), will the
Commission say how many › and which › drainage and flood prevention schemes it has funded on the island
since  Greece(cid:146)s  accession  to  the  European  Union,  how  much  funding  has  been  provided,  how  many  of  these
schemes have been completed so far and how much work remains to be done on those that are still uncompleted?

Will the Commission also say whether it intends to provide financial assistance if the relevant Greek authorities
submit  applications  for  structural  aid  so  as  to  meet  the  cost  of  urgently-needed  infrastructure  investments,
principally flood prevention schemes, but also sewage networks in various villages on Lesbos?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 710/98 by Amedeo AMADEO , Salvatore TATARELLA to the Commission. Food legislation - consumer health
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament, TATARELLA
Subjects: approximation of laws, consumer information, consumer protection, food inspection, foodstuffs legislation, labelling, mutual recognition principle, public health

C 386/34

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

(98/C 386/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0710/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure, by amending Directive 83/89/EC, that it is the task of the Member States to specify
that national laws do not constitute barriers to the internal market?

(98/C 386/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0711/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that only purely technical questions are dealt with by means of Committee
procedures, whilst fundamental questions continue to be the subject of political decisions?

(98/C 386/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0712/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that HACCP principles are valid for the whole food chain (from producer to
consumer), irrespective of the type and size of firm concerned?

(98/C 386/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0713/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation › consumer health

In connection with (cid:145)The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union(cid:146) (Commission Green Paper) and
(cid:145)Consumer Health and Food Safety(cid:146) (Commission Communication) (COM(97) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

can the Commission ensure that quality rules are harmonized only as regards health questions, whereas the
barriers to trade created by national quality requirements should be tackled by consistently applying the principle
of mutual recognition?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 797/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Commission. Putting guides on a par with tour operators
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: DASKALAKI, European Parliament
Subjects: archaeology, cultural heritage, diploma, freedom to provide services, group travel, professional qualifications, tourism, tourist profession, travel agency, vocational training

21. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 323/75

3. What specific projects were carried out for the following target groups:

›  women

›  young people

› 

the long-term unemployed,

and what amount of aid was granted for each?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 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 323/98)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Threat to traditional train service on the Diakofto-Kalavrita rack railway in the Peloponnese

One of the oldest railway lines in Europe, the rack railway between Kalavrita and Diakofto in the Peloponnese,
which has been operating for over a century is now threatened with closure because the relevant authorities no
longer consider it economically viable.

Given the historical and traditional character of this train service which passes through a gorge of unique natural
beauty  with  a  wealth  of  flora  and  fauna  and  given  also  its  importance  for  the  local  tourist  industry,  will  the
Commission take measures to save and protect this small train which keeps alive the technology and traditions of
a bygone era?

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

(27 April 1998)

The  Commission  is  providing  part-financing  to  cover  75%  of  the  cost  of  purchasing  two  engines  for  the
traditional railway line between Kalavrita and Diakofto. The project, which is estimated to cost ECU 1.72 mil-
lion,  has  been  approved  by  the  Monitoring  Committee  for  the  operational  programme  for  western  Greece
(subprogramme 2, measure 3, project 12).

Decisions on whether or not to maintain railway lines is a matter for the national authorities. The funding of this
project, however, demonstrates the willingness of the authorities concerned to keep the line in question alive.

(98/C 323/99)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0797/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Putting guides on a par with tour operators

The European Union has a number of Member States with very ancient civilizations and archaeological remains
which  attract  large  numbers  of  tourists.  Guided  tours  of  archaeological  sites  are  conducted  in  a  responsible
manner by guides with a university eduction who are frequently trained archaeologists, well able to provide an
expert commentary on Europe(cid:146)s unique cultural heritage.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 611/98 of 18 March 1998 fixing the maximum export refund for white sugar for the 31st partial invitation to tender issued within the framework of the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1408/97
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, white sugar

19. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 82/7

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 611/98

of 18 March 1998

fixing the maximum export refund for white sugar for the 31st partial invitation
to tender issued within the framework of the standing invitation to tender
provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1408/97

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 17 (5)

(b) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1408/97 of 22
July 1997 on a standing invitation to tender to determine
refunds on exports of white sugar (3),
levies and/or
requires partial invitations to tender to be issued for the
export of this sugar;

Whereas, pursuant to Article 9 (1) of Regulation (EC) No
1408/97 a maximum export refund shall be fixed, as the
case may be, account being taken in particular of the state
and foreseeable development of
the Community and
world markets in sugar, for the partial invitation to tender
in question;

following an examination of

the tenders
Whereas,
submitted in response to the 31st partial invitation to
tender, the provisions set out in Article 1 should be
adopted;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Sugar,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 31st partial invitation to tender for white sugar
to Regulation (EC) No 1408/97 the
issued pursuant
maximum amount of the export refund is fixed at ECU
45,495 per 100 kilograms.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 19 March 1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 18 March 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 194, 23. 7. 1997, p. 16.
Information from the Commission - New composition of the Consumer Committee
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: alternate, appointment of staff, committee (EU), consumer

C  93/22

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

28.3.98

New  composition  of  the  Consumer  Committee

(98/C  93/03)

(The  Consumer  Committee  was  set  up  by  Commission  Decision  95/260/EC  of  13  June  1995(cid:216)(˛))

By  Decision  of  18  March  1998,  the  Commission  has  appointed  the  following  persons  as  full
and  alternate  members  of  the  Consumer  Committee  for  a  period  of  two  years:

Members:

Alternates:

Mr  Jim  MURRAY  (BEUC)
Mrs  Mireille  LEROY  (EIICA)
Mr  Noæl  MOLISSE  (COFACE)
Mrs  Caroline  NAETT  (EUROCOOP)
Mrs  Anna  CIAPERONI  (CES)

Mr  Dirk  KLASEN  (Germany)
Mr  Hannes  SPITALSKY  (Austria)
Mr  Serge  MAUCQ  (Belgium)
Mr  Peter  NEDERGAARD  (Denmark)
Mr  Francisco  J.  ANGELINA  (Spain)
Mrs  Sinikka  TURUNEN  (Finland)
Mr  G~rard  MONTANT  (France)
Mr  Sotirios  PASCHALIDIS  (Greece)
Mrs  Bridin  TWIST  (Ireland)
Mr  Vincenzo  DONA  (Italy)
Mr  Aloyse  SCHMITZ  (Luxembourg)
Mr  Koos  ANDERSON  (Netherlands)
Mrs  Elisa  RAMOS  DAMI]O  (Portugal)
Mrs  Anne  DALTROP  (United  Kingdom)
Mrs  Maicen  EKMAN  (Sweden)

Mrs  Val~rie  THOMSON
Mrs  Cynthia  BAKER
Mrs  Marie(cid:220)Brigitte  VIGNON
Mr  Pierre  DEJEMEPPE
Mr  Pierre  MARLEIX

Mr  Georg  ABEL
Mr  Martin  PROHASKA
Mr  J.(cid:216)P.  DUCART
Mrs  Benedicte  FEDERSPIEL
Mrs  Carmen  BRA(cid:239)A  PINO
Mrs  Maria  OESCH(cid:220)FELDT
Mrs  V~ronique  CRESPEL
Mrs  Helen  GOULIELMOU
Mrs  Caroline  GILL
Mr  Pietro  PRADERI
Mrs  Val~rie  MONTEBELLO
Mr  Wibo  KOOLE
Mrs  Isabel  MENDES  CABE(cid:137)ADAS
Mrs  Susan  KNOX
Mr  Bengt  INGERSTAM

(˛)(cid:217)OJ  L  162,  13.7.1995,  p.  37.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 960/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Incorporation into Greek law of directive on the protection of cultural objects
Date: 1998-03-18
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EC Directive, Greece, cultural object, heritage protection, illicit trade, national implementing measure













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91998E0960

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 960/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Incorporation into Greek law of directive on the protection of cultural objects  


Official Journal C 323 , 21/10/1998 P. 0099 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0960/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 March 1998)Subject: Incorporation into Greek law of directive on the protection of cultural objectsThe Commission has sent Greece a reasoned opinion for failing to incorporate into national law in due time Community Directive 93/7, as amended by Directive 96/100 ((OJ L 60, 1.3.1997, p. 59. )), laying down the terms and conditions for the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State of the EU.1. What grounds has Greece cited for not having implemented the Directive?2. Could failure to incorporate the Directive into national law entail adverse repercussions and, possibly, risks for the cultural objects belonging to Greece and, if so, what are they?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1998)The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.