do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3994/98 by Honório NOVO Reduction in the value of export refunds for pigmeat
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO
Subjects: Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, agricultural surplus, export policy, export refund, farm prices, pigmeat













EUR-Lex - 91998E3994 - EN






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91998E3994

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3994/98 by Honório NOVO Reduction in the value of export refunds for pigmeat  


Official Journal C 320 , 06/11/1999 P. 0103 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3994/98by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(21 December 1998)Subject: Reduction in the value of export refunds for pigmeatThe Commission has decided to reduce by 50 % the value of export refunds for pigmeat bound for certain central and eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Slovenia), even though the prices of pigmeat products have increased by a much lower percentage. Pigmeat production in the EU still generates huge surpluses, whilst Russia is only just beginning to resume imports of pigmeat products.On the basis of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:1. Why did the Commission decide to reduce the value of export refunds by 50 %, even though the prices of pigmeat products are known to have increased at a much lower rate?2. Why did the Commission take such a decision when it knew that EU pigmeat production still generates huge surpluses which are unlikely to be absorbed by the incipient resumption of Russian imports?3. Does the Commission not think that the reduction (even though it only affects exports to the above-mentioned countries) could lead to lower export levels and, consequently, to an even greater increase in surpluses?4. Could the Commission confirm that the decision to reduce the value of refunds applies only to exports to the above-mentioned countries?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(27 January 1999)The refunds in force prior to the reduction mentioned by the Honourable Member were primarily meant to promote exports to Russia, where meat demand is high but ability to buy was impaired by the economic crisis. However, Community exports increased also to Eastern European countries disturbing pig meat markets in these countries, which are in a process of preparing for Community membership. The poor market situation in these countries was already leading to significantly increased import duties or the possibility of stopping pig meat imports from the Community. In these circumstances the Commission considered that the most expeditious way to respond to this situation was to reduce refunds for pig carcasses and certain cuts for Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as from 9 December 1998 back to the level where they had been before 3 August 1998.The production of pig meat in Europe has increased substantially in 1998 and is estimated to remain very high in 1999. Therefore, the Community will do its best to continue its active export policy.
1999/146/ECSC, Euratom: Commission Decision of 21 December 1998 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community of the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, acting within the framework of the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part (notified under number C(1998) 4164) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EAEC, ECSC, Slovenia, agreement (EU), association agreement (EU)

26.2.1999

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

L 51/213

COMMISSION

COMMISSION  DECISION

of  21  December  1998

concerning  the  conclusion  on  behalf  of  the  European  Coal  and  Steel  Community  and  the
European  Atomic  Energy  Community  of  the  Europe  Agreement  between  the  European
Communities and their Member States, acting within the framework of the European Union, of
the  one  part,  and  the  Republic  of  Slovenia,  of  the  other  part

(notified  under  number  C(1998)  4164)

(Text  with  EEA  relevance)

(1999/146/ECSC,  Euratom)

THE  COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES,

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Coal  and  Steel  Community,  and  in  particular  Article  95
thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Atomic  Energy  Community,  and  in  particular  the  second
paragraph  of  Article  101  thereof,

Having 
Parliament (1),

regard 

to 

the  assent  of 

the  European

Sole  Article

the  European
The  Europe  Agreement  between 
Community,  the  European  Coal  and  Steel  Community,
the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community,  of  the  one
part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, the
Protocols  annexed  thereto  and  the  declarations  attached
to  the  Final  Act  are  hereby  approved  on  behalf  of  the
European  Coal  and  Steel  Community  and  the  European
Atomic  Energy  Community.

The  texts  of  the  Agreement,  the  Protocols  annexed
thereto  and 
this
Decision (3).

the  Final  Act  are  attached 

to 

Whereas  the  Europe  Agreement  between  the  European
Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,
and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, signed in
Luxembourg  on  10  June  1996  should  be  approved,

Done  at  Brussels,  21  December  1998.

Having  consulted the ECSC  Consultative  Committee and
with  the  assent  and  approval  of  the  Council (2),

For  the  Commission

Hans  VAN  DEN  BROEK

Member  of  the  Commission

(1) OJ  C  347,  18.11.1996,  p.  145.
(2) ECSC  Consultative  Committee  delivered  its  opinion  on

23  October  1998.

(3) See  page  3  of  this  Official  Journal.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3993/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Contribution payable by holders of telecommunications licences in Italy
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: CACCAVALE, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, quasi-fiscal charge, telecommunications, trade licence, transmission network, type of business

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/157

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question 1495/98 by
Mr Kindermann (1).

(1) OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 42.

(1999/C 142/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3993/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(21 December 1998)

Subject: Contribution payable by holders of telecommunications licences in Italy

The Community market in telecommunications networks and services has been fully competitive since
1 January 1998.

Directive 97/13/EC (1) states, inter alia, that ‘any fees imposed on undertakings as part of authorization
procedures seek only to cover the administrative costs incurred in the issue, management, control and
enforcement of the applicable individual licences’.

As a result of the recent adoption of the 1999 budget, Italy has obliged holders of licences for the
installation and supply of telecommunication networks and services to pay an annual contribution
calculated on the basis of a percentage, varying according to the operator concerned, of the turnover of all
telecommunication services and facilities. This fee will decrease but will continue to be payable even after
2002.

Since the size of the contribution payable by Italian firms is larger than in any other Member State and is
out of all proportion to the administrative costs of issuing licences, can the Commission say:

− why Italy has not come into line with European legislation;

− whether the charging of this fee does not conflict with the principles of free competition, non-

discrimination, proportionality and objectivity;

− whether the Italian market and telecommunication firms operating in Italy are not being penalized,
compared with other European markets, in particular with reference to the development of innovative
services and the Information Society;

− what steps it intends to take to ensure compliance with Community rules;

− why it has not seen fit to follow up its stated position of 11 November 1998 vis-à-vis the Italian

Government?

(1) OJ L 117, 7.5.1997, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 1999)

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.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2767/98 of 21 December 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 2300/97 on detailed rules to implement Council Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 laying down general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and the marketing of honey
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, apiculture, co-financing, honey, marketing, production improvement

22. 12. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 346/13

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2767/98

of 21 December 1998

amending Regulation (EC) No 2300/97 on detailed rules to implement Council
Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 laying down general rules for the application of
measures to improve the production and the marketing of honey

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 of
25 June 1997 laying down general rules for the applica-
tion of measures
the production and
marketing of honey (1), as amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2070/98 (2), and in particular Article 5 thereof,

to improve

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2300/97 (3), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2633/98 (4),
lays
down provisions for the implementation of measures to
improve the production and the marketing of honey;

Whereas, in order to allow a certain flexibility in the
implementation of the programme, the financial limits
notified for each measure may vary by certain percentage
without, however, exceeding the overall ceiling for the
annual programme; whereas, if use is made of the flex-
ibility allowed in implementation of the programme, the
Community financial contribution must not exceed the
limit of 50 % of the expenditure actually borne by the
Member State concerned;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The following Article 4a is inserted in Regulation (EC)
No 2300/97:

‘Article 4a

limits

The financial
for each measure may be
increased or
reduced by a maximum of 10 %
the annual
provided that
the overall ceiling for
programme is not exceeded and the Community
contribution to financing of the programme referred
to in Article 3 does not exceed 50 % of the expend-
iture borne by the Member State concerned.'

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels, 21 December 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 173, 1. 7. 1997, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 265, 30. 9. 1998, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 319, 21. 11. 1997, p. 4.
(4) OJ L 333, 9. 12. 1998, p. 23.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3997/98 by Daniel FÉRET to the Commission. Child labour in the United Kingdom
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, FERET
Subjects: United Kingdom, application of EU law, child labour, child protection, labour law, national implementing measure













EUR-Lex - 91998E3997 - EN






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91998E3997

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3997/98 by Daniel FÉRET to the Commission. Child labour in the United Kingdom  


Official Journal C 182 , 28/06/1999 P. 0136 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3997/98by Daniel Féret (NI) to the Commission(21 December 1998)Subject: Child labour in the United KingdomIs the Commission aware of the scale of child labour in the United Kingdom, where 500 000 young people under 13 have jobs and 2 million adolescents under 16 are employed, as established in the inquiry carried out by the Low Pay Unit?Is it not worrying - not to say disturbing - to note that the United Kingdom still retains legislation which lays down only minimum standards governing child labour and the chronic inadequacy of the financial resources employed to enforce that legislation, even at a time when the country has a socialist government?Does the Commission not see a need to launch - in the form of a directive - a new initiative with the objective of laying down clear Community rules on child labour and guaranteeing children a high level of protection throughout the European Union?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(1 February 1999)The Commission reiterates the fact that child labour is prohibited under Community law.Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work(1) requires Member States to take the necessary measures to prohibit work by children. In order to enforce this ban, Member States must lay down a minimum working age that is not lower than the minimum age at which compulsory full-time schooling ends, or 15 years in any event.However, taking due account of the health and safety objectives of the Directive, Member States may make provision in their legislation for certain derogations for children of at least 14 years of age or at least 13 years of age performing light work. Member States making use of this possibility must comply with the limits and conditions laid down by the Directive.The UK authorities have communicated to the Commission the national legislation adopted to transpose the provisions of the Community Directive. In particular, the "Child (Protection at Work) Regulations 1998" entered into force in the United Kingdom on 4 August 1998. As regards the minimum working age and the age from which certain light work may be authorised, UK legislation does not appear to deviate from the Community rules laid down in Directive 94/33/EC. It is the task of the national authorities responsible for monitoring application of these rules to ensure that they are fully complied with.(1) OJ L 216, 20.8.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3963/98 by Peter SKINNER Industrial Relations Observatory - Dublin Foundation
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, SKINNER
Subjects: EU publication, Eurofound, information network, inter-industrial relations, report, work

21.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 370/13

Being outside the block exemption does not carry with it the presumption that a vertical restraint is illegal.
The agreement may not be anti-competitive at all, and it may fall outside Article 85(1) of the EC Treaty. It
may fall within Article 85(1) but be exemptable under the criteria for Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty. The
Commission will issue guidelines on the application of the competition rules above the threshold to clarify
its future policy for these companies.

Companies with market power above the threshold may have to adapt certain of their contracts if, upon
investigation of their market, this proves necessary to keep the market open and competitive. But this
protection of competition will be good for consumers and in the longer run will be good for employment
by guaranteeing a viable industry.

(1) COM(98) 544 final.

(1999/C 370/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3956/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Compliance with the code of conduct on arms exports

A recent study by the holder of the Unesco-sponsored chair of peace and human rights studies at the
Autonomous University of Barcelona on compliance with the EU code of conduct on arms exports states
that Spain has sold weapons, to the value of Ptas 23 bn, to twenty-three countries which do not meet the
standards of the code.

Is the Commission aware of this report? Can it state whether other Member States are similarly failing to
implement the code of conduct? Does it intend to take action to make the Member States aware of the
need to abide by the undertakings they entered into by signing the code?

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

(28 January 1999)

The Commission has no knowledge of the report mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission has no direct responsibility concerning arms exports licensing by Member States.
However, the Member States, having recently adopted the code of conduct on arms exports, are committed
to the rigorous implementation of its criteria, principles and procedures. The Commission will continue to
contribute in the appropriate fora so as to encourage Member States in this direction.

(1999/C 370/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3963/98

by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission

(21 December 1998)

Subject: Industrial Relations Observatory 7 Dublin Foundation

Would the Commission kindly supply detailed information about the output of the Observatory including:

1.

2.

3.

the Observatory’s 1998 work programme,

copies of all reports and papers produced by the Observatory in 1998,

details of the Observatory’s 1999 work programme?
1999/39/EC: Commission Decision of 21 December 1998 approving the plan presented by Germany for the eradication of classical swine fever in feral pigs in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Lower Saxony and repealing Decision 96/552/EC (notified under document number C(1998) 4325) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal plague, regions of Germany, swine, veterinary inspection, wild mammal

16. 1. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 11/47

COMMISSION DECISION

of 21 December 1998

approving the plan presented by Germany for the eradication of classical swine
fever in feral pigs in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Lower
Saxony and repealing Decision 96/552/EC

(notified under document number C(1998) 4325)

(Only the German text is authentic)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(1999/39/EC)

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary
Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The plan submitted by Germany for the eradication of
classical
in Brandenburg,
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony is
hereby approved.

in feral pigs

swine fever

Article 2

Germany shall bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions
implementing the plan
for
referred to in Article 1.

Article 3

The present Decision shall repeal Decision 96/552/EC.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of
Germany.

Done at Brussels, 21 December 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 80/217/EEC of 22
January 1980 introducing Community measures for the
control of classical swine fever (1), as last amended by the
Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in
particular Article 6a(4) thereof,

Whereas with Commission Decision 96/552/EC (2) the
plan presented by Germany for the eradication of classical
swine fever in feral pigs in Brandenburg and Mecklen-
burg-Western Pomerania was approved by the Commis-
sion;

Whereas German authorities have presented a new plan
for the eradication of classical swine fever in feral pigs
covering certain areas of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-
Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony;

Whereas the newly submitted plan has been examined
and found to comply with the provisions of Directive
80/217/EEC;

Whereas this plan takes into account that classical swine
fever virus has not been detected for more than six
months in the feral pig population in Brandenburg;

Whereas the newly submitted plan contains measures to
further reduce the risk of spreading disease in relation to
movements of domestic pigs
from areas defined as
infected in accordance with the provisions of Article 6a(3)
of Council Directive 80/217/EEC to other areas of
Germany and to other Member States;

Whereas Decision 96/552/EC in the interest of clarity
must be repealed;

(1) OJ L 47, 21. 2. 1980, p. 11.
(2) OJ L 240, 20. 9. 1996, p. 13.
1999/36/EC: Council Decision of 21 December 1998 on the provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the People's Republic of China amending the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the People's Republic of China on trade in textile products
Date: 1998-12-21
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: China, agreement (EU), originating product, quantitative restriction, textile product, trade agreement (EU)

16.1.1999

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

L 12/27

II

(Acts  whose  publication  is  not  obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL  DECISION

of  21  December  1998

on  the  provisional  application  of  the  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  exchange  of  letters  between
the European Community and the People’s Republic of China amending the Agreement between
the  European  Economic  Community  and  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  on  trade  in  textile
products

(1999/36/EC)

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  113  thereof,  in
conjunction  with  Article  228(2),  first  sentence,  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission,

Whereas the Commission has negotiated on behalf of the
community  an  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  exchange  of
letters  between  the  European  Community  and  the
People’s  Republic  of  China  amending  the  Agreement
between  the  European  Economic  Community  and  the
People’s Republic of China on trade in textile products as
last  amended  by  Agreements  initialled  on  13  December
1995;

Whereas  this  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  exchange  of
letters  should  be  applied  on  a  provisional  basis  from
1 January 1999 pending the completion of the procedures
necessary 
to  reciprocal
its  conclusion,  subject 
provisional  application  of  the  Agreement  by  the  People’s
Republic  of  China,

for 

Article  1

The  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an  exchange  of  letters
between  the  European  Community  and  the  People’s
Republic  of  China  amending  the  Agreement  between  the
European  Economic  Community  and 
the  People’s
Republic  of  China  on  trade  in  textile  products  as  last
amended  by  Agreements  initialled  on  13  December  1995
shall  be  applied  on  a  provisional  basis  from  1  January
1999  pending  its  formal  conclusion  and  subject  to
reciprocal  provisional  application  of  the  Agreement  by
the  People’s  Republic  of  China.

The  text  of  the  Agreement  is  attached  to  this  Decision.

Article  2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of
the  European  Communities.

Done  at  Brussels,  21  December  1998.

For  the  Council

The  President

M.  BARTENSTEIN