do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3736/98 by Amedeo AMADEO Osteoporosis
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: disease prevention, elderly person, health policy, health statistics, illness, public awareness campaign, public health, trauma

11.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 289/81

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

(28 January 1999)

The Greek Government has confirmed to the Commission that it has not concluded any gentleman’s
agreement with the consortium building the Athens underground rail system.

It has informed the Commission of recent negotiations covering a range of technical problems with this large-
scale project. These negotiations, held under the provisions of the contract in force, resulted in an agreement
between the two parties involving no modification whatsoever of the contract.

The original contract for construction of the system, signed in 1991, was adjusted in 1994. This revision
incorporated a 14,64 % increase in the contract budget. The revised 1994 contract is still in force and it is
under its terms that an additional amount of 5 % has been granted to the consortium for additional work to
boost the safety of the system itself and the buildings of Athens, including construction of trial tunnels. A
further amount of 1 % has also been granted for various improvements to the project.

Community funding for the project under the Community support framework for Greece for 1994-99 is
EUR 783 million from the European Regional Development Fund. This amount has not been raised since the
CSF was approved.

(1999/C 289/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3736/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Osteoporosis

Recent scientific studies show that fractures attributable to osteoporosis pose a growing threat to the health of
the elderly, and that the incidence of such fractures will rise dramatically over the next few years.

Given that diet is an important factor in ensuring healthy bones, does the Commission plan to arrange for a
study to draw up public information policies and lay down systems to monitor the rate at which fractures
recur, both nationally and Community-wide?

With a view to Community measures directed towards preventing osteoporosis and increasing awareness
about it among the public and the health authorities of individual Member States, with the aim of safeguarding
the health of citizens and contributing to the training of appropriate health workers, can the Commission
launch a campaign to increase awareness about the fight against osteoporosis?

(1999/C 289/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3955/98

by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Osteoporosis

What measures has the Commission taken to date for the implementation of the recommendations set out in
the report on Osteoporosis in the European Community ; Action for Prevention, published on 10 June 1998?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3913/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. ECOFIN Council meeting of 1 December 1998
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: Community body, EU publication, code of conduct, dissemination of information, information policy, tax system, type of business













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91998E3913

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3913/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. ECOFIN Council meeting of 1 December 1998  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0113 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3913/98by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission(11 December 1998)Subject: Ecofin Council meeting of 1 December 1998At this meeting, Ministers discussed the first interim report of the Code of Conduct Group on business taxation.Press reports following the Council meeting clearly indicate that some journalists have obtained copies of this report. In view of this, can the Commission make this interim report available to MEPs? In particular, can the Commission explain to MEPs what measures in what Member States the Code of Conduct Group is discussing?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission(29 January 1999)When the code of conduct group was established in March 1998 the Ecofin Council determined that its work should remain confidential.There is an understandable concern that disclosure of information before the issues have been fully evaluated could adversely affect both the assessment process and the commitment to exchange what may be sensitive information on national legislative measures and practices. Given that the initial list of measures is not exhaustive, there are concerns that its disclosure might have negative economic, social and budgetary effects for individual Member States, as well as for the business community.Regardless of press speculation therefore, working papers, including details of tax measures under discussion in the group, and the interim report of the group are not available for distribution.The Commission has issued a communication(1) to the Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the code of conduct and other elements of the tax package.(1) COM(98) 595 final.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2683/98 of 11 December 1998 concerning tenders submitted in response to the invitation to tender for the export of husked long grain rice to the island of Réunion referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2563/98
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Réunion, aid system, award of contract, export subsidy, rice

12. 12. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 337/17

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2683/98

of 11 December 1998

concerning tenders submitted in response to the invitation to tender for the
export of husked long grain rice to the island of R(cid:130)union referred to in Regula-
tion (EC) No 2563/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of
22 December 1995 on the common organization of the
market in rice (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
2072/98 (2), and in particular Article 10 (1) thereof,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No
2692/89 of 6 September 1989 laying down detailed rules
for exports of rice to R(cid:130)union (3), and in particular Article
9 (1) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2563/98 (4)
opens an invitation to tender for the subsidy on rice
exported to R(cid:130)union;

Whereas Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 2692/89 allows
the Commission to decide, in accordance with the proce-
dure laid down in Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No
3072/95 and on the basis of the tenders submitted, to
make no award;

Whereas on the basis of the criteria laid down in Articles
2 and 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2692/89, a maximum
subsidy should not be fixed;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

No action shall be taken on the tenders submitted from 7
to 10 December 1998 in response to the invitation to
tender referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2563/98 for the
subsidy on exports to R(cid:130)union of husked long grain rice
falling within CN code 1 006 20 98.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 12 December
1998.

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

Done at Brussels, 11 December 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30. 12. 1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 265, 30. 9. 1998, p. 4.
(3) OJ L 29, 7. 9. 1989, p. 8.
(4) OJ L 320, 28. 11. 1998, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3782/98 by Gerhard SCHMID Reform of German spelling
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHMID
Subjects: EU institution, European Commission, European language, Germany, language teaching, living language, official document, official language, use of languages

C 289/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.10.1999

(1999/C 289/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3781/98

by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Aid for family pig farms

Given the current slump in the pigmeat sector in the European Union, due in large part to overproduction, the
suspension of exports to Russia and falling demand in Asia, a number of organisations have called for a range
of emergency aid to be granted to small family farms in order to ensure their survival.

For instance, various agricultural organisations have proposed providing livestock farms with linear aid
amounting to 75 000 pesetas per breeding sow, up to a maximum of 120 sows per farm.

Ad hoc measures such as this are designed to assist the weakest part of the sector, which at the same time
generates the most jobs.

Does the Commission believe that it could fund proposals such as this? Could a fund be set up to support
initiatives of this nature, enabling small-scale livestock farmers to cope with the current market situation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 1999)

The common organization of the market in pigmeat in Council Regulation (EEC) 2759/75 of 29 October
1975 (1) does not contain provisions for aids for pig farms of any size.

It should be noted that any national aid programmes for pig farmers should be compatible with the common
market having regard to Article 92 of the EC Treaty and should be notified to the Commission.

(1) OJ L 282, 1.11.1975.

(1999/C 289/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3782/98

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Reform of German spelling

The reformed spelling system will shortly enter into force in Germany.

Will the Commission draw up all official documents in German in accordance with the new spelling rules in
future?

If not, why?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

Yes, it being understood that it will coordinate its action on this matter with the other Community Institutions.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3708/98 by Hiltrud BREYER Human stem cells and tissue engineering
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU aid, United States, biotechnology, embryo and foetus, ethics, national law, scientific research

C 325/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3708/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Human stem cells and tissue engineering

Recent reports state that US and British research institutions are involved in the cloning and redesign of
‘master’ stem cells obtained from human embryos in order to produce body components.

Can the Commission please confirm that no EU funds are being used, either directly or indirectly, in such

1.
research?

2. Will the Commission also please indicate in which EU Member States such research is permitted and
what legal and ethical controls exist?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1999)

The Community is not funding any research project on the use of embryonic stem cells to produce body

1.
parts under the current framework programme.

Research involving the use of embryonic stem cells is part of the wider issue of human embryo research,
2.
which is regulated differently in the individual Member States. Information on the legal situation regarding
human embryo research in Member States, as known to the Commission from available sources, is being sent
direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

The Commission shares Parliament’s reservations concerning research on human embryos, which raises some
very complex issues. Rapid advances are being made in knowledge and technologies, and the interests of
couples and the sick must be taken into account. However, there are obviously certain limits that should not be
crossed.

(1999/C 325/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3770/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Biodiversity 4 Honey Bees

Bee breeders in the United Kingdom are increasingly concerned about the importation of bees into the UK
from other Member States and countries around the world. They are concerned that a combination of
hybridisation and infection from the varroa and Kashmir viruses will lead to the extinction of the indigenous
Apis Mellifera Mellifera honey bee population.

Breeders have therefore called for imports to be banned, on the grounds that such action would be justified
under the Habitats Directive and the International Convention on Biological Diversity. The UK Government
argues, however, that any such ban would contravene existing EC law, namely Directive 92/65/EC (1)
concerning the free trade in bees.

Does the Commission agree with the UK Government that Directive 92/65/EC takes precedence in this case
and that any ban designed to protect the indigenous sub-species would be illegal? Is the Commission aware of
any other similar cases or legal challenges in other Member States?

(1) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3731/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Breach of Community directives on working conditions
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Greece, infringement of EU law, labour law, occupational health, occupational safety, working conditions













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91998E3731

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3731/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Breach of Community directives on working conditions  


Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0119 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3731/98by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission(11 December 1998)Subject: Breach of Community directives on working conditionsThe Works Council at Andersen B.P.M. Ellas claims that working conditions are in breach of at least two Community directives on health and safety in the workplace and also accuses the company of failing to pay allowances to which the workers are entitled.Workers are showing symptoms of overwork, constant sickness and breakdowns owing to stress; there is only token compliance with the provisions of Directives 89/391/EEC(1) and 75/117/EEC(2) or International Labour Convention 135. Furthermore, there are anomalies in the payment of allowances to workers (e.g. the bonus of 10 % of the basic rate for working on screens is not paid to all the workers who are entitled to it), which creates justifiable bitterness and unrest among the staff.Is the Commission aware of the above company's failure to comply with the directives and what steps will it take to prompt the Greek authorities into action to enforce Community legislation in all companies operating in Greece, including Andersen B.P.M. Ellas?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(5 February 1999)The Commission has recently had a considerable amount of mail about the position of people working for Andersen B.P.M. Ellas (S.A.) and this is now being studied.The Commission will ensure Community law is correctly applied, by virtue of the powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty.(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1.(2) OJ L 45, 19.2.1975, p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3768/98 by Susan WADDINGTON to the Commission. Treatment of citizens during border controls
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Parliament, WADDINGTON
Subjects: border control, foreign language, free movement of persons, fundamental rights, police, vocational training

C 207/126

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

The Commission is not aware of any situations of the type referred to by the Honourable Member.

In the absence of more precise details, the Commission assumes that dismissal would be based on failure to
comply with criteria concerning the physical appearance of employees in a company, as would seem to be
suggested by the information in the question.

However, the Commission is willing to take a closer look at the situation referred to, if the Honourable
Member can provide concrete examples of cases in which male workers are alleged to have been treated in a
discriminatory manner compared with their female colleagues.

(1999/C 207/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3766/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Treatment of citizens during border controls

What measures is the Union taking to ensure that the Member States’ authorities responsible for border
controls respect the rights and dignity of women when identity checks, interviews, body searches and other
related activities are being carried out?

(1999/C 207/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3767/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Treatment of citizens during border controls

What measures is the Union taking to ensure that the Member States’ authorities responsible for border
controls respect the rights of minority groups, particularly ethnic minority citizens, when identity checks,
interviews, body searches and other related activities are being carried out?

(1999/C 207/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3768/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Treatment of citizens during border controls

What measures is the Union taking to ensure that citizens have access to information in their own language
whilst being questioned by Member States’ police officers when identity checks and other border controls are
being carried out?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3766/98, E-3767/98
and E-3768/98 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

With regard to ethnic minorities, and in particular the risk of racially-motivated checks, it should be pointed
out that the European Council in Vienna on 11 and 12 December 1998 particularly underlined the need to
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3750/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Shipment of euros
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: competence of the Member States, euro, freedom of movement, issuing of currency, monetary union, paper money

C 182/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3748/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Voting rights in referenda

Does the Commission take the view that the voting rights enjoyed by EU citizens living and residing in
Member States of the EU other than their own should extend to cover referenda on European issues?

Can the Commission indicate the current state of legislation in respect of the above for those Member States
that allow referenda?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1999)

Article 8b of the EC Treaty lays down that every citizen residing in a Member State of which he is not a national
shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal and European Parliament elections in the
Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that State.

Given that citizens of the Union enjoy the rights conferred by the Treaty under Article 8, there can be no
question of the interpretation of the right to vote granted as part of the new citizenship of the Union being
extended to include the plebiscites mentioned by the Honourable Member. However, Community law does not
prevent a Member State from deciding to grant citizens of the Union (or non-EU countries) resident in their
country the right to vote in elections other than those laid down in Article 8b.

As regards the Honourable Member’s inquiry as to the current state of legislation on this matter in the Member
States, the Commission regrets that it does not have sufficient information at its disposal in order to answer the
question.

(1999/C 182/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3750/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Shipment of euros

Given that there will be euro coins with ‘national symbols’ on one side, and allowing for the enormous
movement of people around the EU, can the Commission estimate, without involving some absurd system of
shipping ‘foreign coins’ back to the country of origin, how long it will be before the coins are effectively
randomly distributed across the EU?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 1999)

According to Article 105 A2 of the EC Treaty, Member States retain the responsibility for issuing coins. Both
Member States and the Commission exclude the idea of organising any system of repatriation to bring ‘foreign’
euro coins back to their Member State of origin. In the absence of such a system of repatriation, one can
imagine that a mixing of the euro coins with different national symbols will occur throughout the euro area
over time.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3712/98 by Carlos CARNERO GONZÁLEZ Commission assessment of the implementation of the Urban programme in Cadiz (Spain)
Date: 1998-12-11
Institutions: CARNERO GONZALEZ, European Parliament
Subjects: Andalusia, EU financing, EU programme, European Commission, exchange of information, management, project management, urban centre













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91998E3712

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3712/98 by Carlos CARNERO GONZÁLEZ Commission assessment of the implementation of the Urban programme in Cadiz (Spain)  


Official Journal C 320 , 06/11/1999 P. 0070 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3712/98by Carlos Carnero González (PSE) to the Commission(11 December 1998)Subject: Commission assessment of the implementation of the Urban programme in Cadiz (Spain)Given the concerns expressed by various political, social and community bodies in Cadiz (Spain) and the importance to the city of the Urban programme, launched some time ago with the involvement of the Commission, will the Commission provide details of the current situation as regards the Urban programme in Cadiz?In more specific terms, will it say what stage has been reached in the implementation of the various projects envisaged under the said programme, how much money has been invested thus far, and how much remains pending? What proposals have been approved and rejected?Likewise, what is the Commission's assessment of the implementation of the Urban programme in Cadiz? Which of the objectives set when the programme was drawn up and approved have been met, and which not?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission(3 February 1999)The URBAN programme in Cadiz comes under the "URBAN España" programme for the period 1994-1999, which was approved by the Commission on 19 July 1995 and covers 17 Spanish cities.According to information from the Spanish authorities, by 30 June 1998 around EUR 6,39 million had been paid out of total planned investment of EUR 14,49 million to implement the Urban programme in Cadiz, giving a rate of implementation (payments made and the ratio of obligations recognised to commitments entered into) of 44 %. In terms of total investment scheduled for the period 1995-98 (EUR 10,02 million), the rate of implementation is 63,7 %.As for the implementation of the various measures under the programme for the period 1995-98, the situation is as follows:>TABLE>The measures implemented under this programme are consistent with the Commission notice to the Member States laying down guidelines for operational programmes to be established within the framework of the Community initiative URBAN(1).The evaluation of the extent to which the objectives of the operational programme have been achieved will begin during the first quarter of 1999.(1) OJ C 180, 1.7.1994.