do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3815/98 by Concepció FERRER Programmes and projects in the field of agriculture in Catalonia (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: Catalonia, EU aid, EU financing, farming sector, fishing industry

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/29

(1999/C 325/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3815/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of agriculture in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the area
of agriculture and fisheries for the period 1994-99?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question P-3790/98 (1).

(1) OJ C 142, 21.5.1999, p. 150.

(1999/C 325/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3819/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of social policy in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the area
of social policy for the period 1994-99?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

Answer given by Mr Flynn On behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Objective 2 of the European Social Fund (ESF) covers areas seriously affected by industrial decline. The total
amount allocated to Catalonia under this Objective during the period 1994-1999 is €263 662 237.

Objective 3 combats long-term unemployment, facilitates the integration into working life of young people
and of persons at risk of exclusion from the labour market, and promotes equal opportunities for men and
women. The total amount allocated to Catalonia under this Objective during the period 1994-1999 is
€403 782 193.

Objective 4 helps workers adapt to industrial changes and to changes in production systems. The total amount
allocated to Catalonia under this Objective during the period 1994-1999 is €133 801 800.

Objective 5b covers the development and structural adjustment of rural areas. The total amount allocated to
Catalonia under this Objective during the period 1994-1999 is €23 850 154.

The total amount allocated for all Objectives during the period 1994-1999 is €825 096 384.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3810/98 by Ulla SANDBÆK to the Commission. EU's actions on endocrine-disrupters
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, SANDBAEK
Subjects: chemical product, dangerous substance, disease prevention, endocrine disease, public health, research project

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/127

(1999/C 182/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3802/98

by Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Closure of the Nestlé factory in Matosinhos (Portugal)

According to Nestle’s Director of Public Relations, the company’s Longa Vida factory in Matosinhos (Portugal)
is to be closed and production is to be transferred to either France or Spain.

This decision will put over 100 workers out of a job and it follows on from other decisions taken by Nestlé,
which has already closed its Rajá and Findus factories and has already made approximately 70 workers
redundant at its Longa Vida factory.

The decision is all the more significant in view of the fact that Longa Vida is a modern industrial plant which
has received financial support from the Portuguese Government and the European Union in order to enable
investment to be made which, over the last five years, has totalled over 3 000 million escudos.

Since this is yet another case of relocation (in this particular instance within the territory of the Community)
and since substantial amounts of Community support are apparently involved, would the Commission say
whether or not it is aware of the situation, whether there are any framework contracts to which it is party or of
which it is aware, and whether the Nestlé company has received any further financial support in connection
with its relocation?

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

(22 January 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings
as soon as possible.

(1999/C 182/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3810/98

by Ulla Sandbæk (I-EDN) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: EU’s actions on endocrine-disrupters

The Commission indicated to Parliament in October that it would be looking at recommendations for short-,
medium- and long-term EU actions on endocrine-disrupters. What is the Commission’s proposed timetable for
considering and approving those recommendations and then for taking action on them, in particular the
short-term actions?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

The Commission is currently considering the components of an overall strategy for monitoring and preventing
the risks associated with chemicals which can act as endocrine disrupters.
intends to present a
communication on this subject in the course of the first half of 1999.

It

The Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) is also currently preparing a
scientific opinion on this subject, the title of which will be along the lines of ‘Opinion of the SCTEE concerning
the effects on human health and the environment of endocrine disrupters, focusing on ecotoxicological test
methods.’ This opinion should be adopted in the course of 1999.
98/737/CFSP: Council Decision of 22 December 1998 concerning the extension of Joint Action 95/545/CFSP with regard to the participation of the Union in the implementing structures of the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and amending Decision 98/607/CFSP
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU aid, diplomatic representation, joint action, peacekeeping, settlement of disputes

L 354/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 12. 98

COUNCIL DECISION

of 22 December 1998

concerning the extension of Joint Action 95/545/CFSP with regard to the parti-
cipation of the Union in the implementing structures of the peace plan for
Bosnia and Herzegovina and amending Decision 98/607/CFSP

(98/737/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Article 2

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
particular Article J.3 thereof,

Whereas on 11 December 1995 the Council adopted
Joint Action 95/545/CFSP with regard to the participa-
tion of the European Union in the implementing struc-
tures of the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina (1),
extended on 20 November 1996 by Decision 96/745/
CFSP (2) and supplemented on 26 October 1998 by
Decision 98/607/CFSP (3);

Whereas in its conclusions of 7 December 1998 the
Council assured the High Representative in Bosnia and
Herzegovina of its firm support;

Whereas at the Peace Implementation Council held in
Madrid on 15 and 16 December 1998 the Union reit-
erated its support for the efforts of the High Represen-
tative;

Whereas Joint Action 95/545/CFSP is due to expire on
31 December 1998 and should be extended; whereas the
continuity of the Union’s contribution to the costs of
such extension should be ensured,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Joint Action 95/545/CFSP shall be extended until 31
December 1999.

Article 2 of Decision 98/607/CFSP shall be replaced by
the following:

‘Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its
adoption and shall be applicable until 31 December
1999.'

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its
adoption.

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998.

For the Council

The President

C. EINEM

(1) OJ L 309, 21. 12. 1995, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 340, 30. 12. 1996, p. 3.
(3) OJ L 290, 29. 10. 1998, p. 3.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3814/98 by Concepció FERRER Programmes and projects in the field of research and development in Catalonia (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: Catalonia, EU financing, research and development, research project

C 325/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3811/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: VAT accounting for opticians

Given the problems identified in the UK with VAT accounting for opticians, has the Commission studied VAT
accounting for opticians in other Member States, and does it believe that the substantial VAT refunds obtained
in the UK could be replicated in other Member States?

Would the Commission explain briefly the ways in which the various Member States require opticians to
account for VAT?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 1999)

The Commission has not received any complaints from opticians regarding difficulties in accounting for VAT.

In accordance with Article 13(A)(1)(e) of the sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the
harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes 3 Common system of value added
tax: uniform basis of assessment (1), the provision of medical care in the exercise of the medical and
paramedical profession as defined by the Member State concerned is exempt from VAT. The Court of justice
has ruled (2) that this exemption did not extend to the supply of corrective spectacles prescribed by a doctor or
by other authorised persons.

The substantial refunds of VAT in the United Kingdom to which the Honourable Member refers are due to the
British courts finding against the interpretation by the British administration (HM Customs and Excise) that the
supply of spectacles constituted a single supply and was therefore fully taxable rather than being two supplies
3 that of the dispensing (measuring and fitting) service and the supply of the spectacles. In 1995 opticians in
the United Kingdom were invited to submit claims for repayment of VAT overpaid from 1 September 1988.

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977.
(2) Case 353/85, Commission of the European Communities v. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(1999/C 325/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3814/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of research and development in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the area
of research and development for the period 1994-99?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question P-3790/98 (1).

(1) OJ C 142, 21.5.1999, p. 150.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2791/98 of 22 December 1998 fixing the amount of the flat-rate premium for certain fishery products during the 1999 fishing year (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: competition, fishery product, producer organisation, production aid, storage premium, withdrawal from the market

L 347/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

23. 12. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2791/98

of 22 December 1998

fixing the amount of the flat-rate premium for certain fishery products during
the 1999 fishing year

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No
4176/88 of 28 December 1988 laying down detailed rules
for the grant of a flat-rate aid for certain fishery products
and aquaculture products (1), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EEC) No 3516/93 (2), and in particular Article 11
thereof,

Whereas the flat-rate premium should encourage the
producers’ organisations to prevent
the destruction of
products withdrawn from the market;

Whereas the amount of the premium must be fixed in
such a way as to take account of the interdependence of
the markets concerned and of the need to prevent distor-
tion of competition;

Whereas the amount of the premium may not exceed the
technical and financial costs of processing and storage
recorded during the previous fishing year, the highest
costs being disregarded;

Whereas, on the basis of the information concerning the
technical
associated with the
concerned operations recorded in the Community, the

and financial

costs

amount of the premium should be fixed for the 1999
fishing year as shown below;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 1999 fishing year, the amount of the flat-rate
premium for the products listed in Annex VI to Council
Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 (3) shall be as follows:

(a)

freezing and storage of products, whole, gutted with
head, or cut:

— EUR 126/tonne, for the first month
— EUR 18/tonne, per additional month;

(b) filleting, freezing and storage:

— EUR 200/tonne, for the first month
— EUR 18/tonne, per additional month.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998.

For the Commission

Emma BONINO

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 367, 31. 12. 1988, p. 63.
(2) OJ L 320, 22. 12. 1993, p. 10.

(3) OJ L 388, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3822/98 by Concepció FERRER Subsidies for the Indian leather sector (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: EU aid, India, fancy leather goods and glove-making industry, footwear industry, leather, originating product

C 341/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.11.1999

(1999/C 341/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3818/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of the environment in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the area
of the environment for the period 1994-99?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question P-3790/98 (1).

(1)

See page 12.

(1999/C 341/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3820/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of regional policy in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the area
of regional policy for the period 1994-99?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question P-3790/98 (1).

(1)

See page 12.

(1999/C 341/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3822/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Subsidies for the Indian leather sector

Can the Commission list the projects funded by the Commission to the benefit of the Indian leather sector
(leather, footwear, leather goods), specifying the date on which each of the projects in question was approved
and its objectives?
Decision No 7/98 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Czech Republic, of the other part, of 22 December 1998 extending the double-checking system established by Decision No 3/97 of the Association Council for the period 1 January to 31 December 1999
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: EC–Czech Republic Association Council
Subjects: Czechia, EU control, association agreement (EU), export monitoring, iron and steel product

L 29/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 2. 1999

DECISION No 7/98 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the
Czech Republic, of the other part

of 22 December 1998

extending the double-checking system established by Decision No 3/97 of the Associ-
ation Council for the period 1 January to 31 December 1999

(1999/87/EC)

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Whereas the Contact Group referred to in Article 10 of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement
establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the
one part, and the Czech Republic, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 February 1995,
met on 15 October 1998 and agreed to recommend to the Association Council established under
Article 104 of the Agreement that the double-checking system introduced in 1998 by Association
Council Decision No 3/97 should be extended for the period between 1 January and 31
December 1999;

Whereas the Association Council, having been supplied with all relevant information, has agreed
with this recommendation,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1.
The double-checking system established by Association Council Decision No 3/97 for the
period 1 January to 31 December 1998 shall continue to apply for the period between 1 January
and 31 December 1999. In the title, preamble and Article 1(1) and (3) of the Decision, references
to the period 1 January to 31 December 1998 shall be replaced by references to 1 January to 31
December 1999.

Annex I to the Decision shall be replaced by the text contained in the Annex to this

2.
Decision.

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply with effect from 1 January 1999.

Article 2

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998.

For the Association Council

The President

J. KAVAN

3. 2. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 29/27

ANNEX

‘ANNEX I

CZECH REPUBLIC

List of products subject to double-checking (1999)

Beams and sections

7216 31 11
7216 31 19
7216 31 91
7216 31 99
7216 32 11
7216 32 19
7216 32 91
7216 32 99

Welded tubes

Complete CN heading 7306'

Heavy plates

(excluding ex-CN codes)

7208 40 10
7208 51 30
7208 51 50
7208 51 91
7208 51 99
7208 52 91
7208 52 99
7208 54 10
7208 90 10
7208 90 90

Cold-rolled sheet

7209 15 00
7209 16 90
7209 17 90
7209 18 91
7209 18 99
7209 25 00
7209 26 90
7209 27 90
7209 28 90
7211 23 10
7211 23 51
7211 29 20
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3814/98 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Programmes and projects in the field of research and development in Catalonia
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: Catalonia, EU aid, EU expenditure, research and development

C 142/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.5.1999

(1999/C 142/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3812/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of telecommunications, information technologies and the

audiovisual media in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the
area of telecommunications, information technology and the audiovisual media for the period 1994-1999?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

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

(18 January 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(1999/C 142/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3813/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of transport in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the
area of transport for the period 1994-1999?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?

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

(18 January 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(1999/C 142/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3814/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Programmes and projects in the field of research and development in Catalonia

Bearing in mind the policy of transparency pursued by the Commission in relation to its spending, can the
Commission say what projects implemented in Catalonia benefitted from each type of aid available in the
area of research and development for the period 1994-1999?

Can the Commission further specify what amounts were finally allocated to each of the above projects?