do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3957/98 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Safe delivery of food aid to Russia
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: EU aid, EU control, Russia, beef, cereals, food aid, powdered milk, rice, supply, use of aid

C 207/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

VAT rates applied to veterinary services as at 1 January 1999

Rate %

Standard

Special

B

21

DK

25

D

16

GR

18

E

16

7

F

IRL

I

L

NL

20,6

12,5

20

12

17,5

5,5

AT

20

P

17

12

FI

22

SE

25

UK

17,5

(1999/C 207/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3952/98

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Council

(4 January 1999)

Subject: German Government’s plans to halt nuclear reprocessing

What coordination has been undertaken by the Presidency in the Troika to take forward the German
Government’s plans to halt nuclear reprocessing and introduce ‘safe storage’ alternatives for irradiated spent
nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste?

Reply

(15 March 1999)

The German Government’s plan to which the Honourable Member refers is a matter for the Member State
concerned.

The Council has not to date received a Commission proposal on the management of radioactive waste, to
which the aspects raised in this question relate.

(1999/C 207/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3957/98

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Safe delivery of food aid to Russia

(4 January 1999)

The European Union has promised Russia food aid to the value of 2,4 billion marks in the form of cereals, rice,
meat and milk powder. However, ensuring the safe delivery of food aid is seen as a problem, as it is difficult to
supervise in Russia.

What will the Commission do, in cooperation with the Russian authorities, to ensure that food aid reaches its
intended destination?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

A number of measures have been taken in relation to the control of the distribution of the food aid programme
within the Russian Federation.

The regions and areas that will be the beneficiaries of the programme as well as the distribution of the products
by region are listed in an annex to the memorandum of understanding between the Community and Russia.
This annex will be subject to an official decision by the government of the Russian Federation, which will be
published. Consequently, all regional governors will be able to check that they receive the quantities which
have been designated for them.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3956/98 by Concepció FERRER Compliance with the code of conduct on arms exports
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: EU Member State, European Union, agreement (EU), code of conduct, competence of the Member States, export, export licence, military equipment

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?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3898/98 by Hiltrud BREYER Ethnic bomb
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: biological weapon, ethnic conflict, ethnic group, military equipment, military research, scientific research

C 341/18

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.11.1999

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1999)

The use of additives in animal feed is regulated by Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970
concerning additives in feedingstuffs (1).

Prohibition of the four additives to which the Honourable Member refers has been proposed by the
Commission since under Article 3a of the Directive it considers that ‘for serious reasons concerning human
or animal health’ their use must ‘be restricted to medical or veterinary purposes’.

As the preamble to the Regulation adopted by the Council on 17 December 1998 (2) states, withdrawal of
authorisation for bacitracin zinc, spiramycin, virginiamycin and tylosin phosphate is to be perceived as a
precautionary measure dictated by the need to preserve the effectiveness of human medicaments and so
protect human health.

The decision taken is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation conference
of October 1997, the Economic and Social Committee, the International Office of Epizootics and the
Copenhagen conference on antibiotic resistance of September 1998.

(1) OJ L 270, 14.12.1970.
(2) COM(98) 763 final.

(1999/C 341/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3898/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ethnic bomb

In the light of recent reports from South Africa and Israel concerning the possible development of biological
weapons capable of targeting victims by ethnic or racial origin.

Would the Commission please confirm:

1.

2.

that no EU funding is being used either directly or indirectly for any such research?

that no such research is being carried out in EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

The Commission can confirm that no Community funding is either directly or indirectly being used for the
research mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission is not aware of any such research being carried out in Member States.

(1999/C 341/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3917/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ecofin Council meeting of 1 December 1998

At this meeting, the Code of Conduct Group asked the Commission to complete as soon as possible two
studies: a comparative study of administrative practices, and a cross-country review of the taxation of holding
company activities and intra-group activities within Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3928/98 by Sir Jack STEWART-CLARK Comparison of agricultural prices
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, STEWART-CLARK
Subjects: EU Member State, beef, butter, comparative study, farm prices, maize, pigmeat, selling price, sheepmeat, wheat

C 320/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

mean that mills would no longer need to maximise the amount extracted to the same extent, since the amount
to be paid out would be the same regardless of the percentage received by olive-growers for either type of oil.
This would also have a favourable impact on the environment.

Does the Commission not believe that the system should be adjusted in order to bring it into line with the
actual situation and make it more favourable for consumers and the environment?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3904/98, E-3905/98, E-3906/98, E-3907/98 and E-3908/98
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1999)

When Council Regulation (EC) 1638/98 of 20 July 1998 amending Regulation No 136/66/EEC on the
establishment of a common organisation of the market (CMO) in oils and fats (1) was adopted, the Commission
and the Council agreed to give special priority to examining matters relating to quality strategy 2 including
aspects linked to olive-residue oil 2 before definitive reform of the olive oil CMO is proposed.

In the course of drafting and adopting Regulation (EC) 2366/98 of 30 October 1998 laying down detailed
rules for the application of the system of production aid for olive oil for the 1998/99, 1999/2000 and
2000/01 marketing years (2), the Commission sought to make urgent changes to the system pending detailed
examination of the issue before definitive reform proposals are drawn up. This applies, for example, to aspects
relating to fixed-rate payment of production aid for olive-residue oil (8 %) and its adjustment.

With regard to other aspects such as olive-residue monitoring at mills and bank records for the sale of olive
residues, the Member States’ supervisory authorities and particularly the olive-oil supervisory agencies are
required to ensure that olive-oil production aid is paid in compliance with the rules and that mills or other
parties involved in administering the measure keep detailed accounts and take any other steps which the
authorities deem necessary.

On the specific matter of determining a mill’s yield coefficient, it should be noted that the coefficients in Article
9(3) of Regulation (EC) 2366/98 to which the Honourable Member refers are indicative and are to be used in
the absence of technical specifications for the mill in question.

(1) OJ L 210, 28.7.1998.
(2) OJ L 293, 31.10.1998.

(1999/C 320/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3928/98

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Comparison of agricultural prices

Farmers in my constituency of East Sussex and Kent South are concerned about the low prices they received
for farm produce.

Would the Commission please provide a comparative table of the prices farmers in the 15 EU Member States
receive for beef, lamb, pork, butter, maize and wheat?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3988/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: EU publication, EU statistics, Italy, cultural heritage, cultural policy, data collection, heritage protection, project evaluation, statistical method, yearbook

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/135

What measures does the Commission plan to take, in connection with the new Finnish legislation on the
taxation of used cars, in order to ensure that it is brought into line with Article 95 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 1999)

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

(1999/C 182/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3923/98

by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Age limit for bus drivers

The age limit for bus drivers varies from Member State to Member State. For example, it is 65 in Italy (Article
135(6) of the Road Traffic Act) but 70 in Austria and Germany.

This situation has already resulted in legal uncertainty when checks have been carried out.

Can the Commission therefore indicate:

3 whether a bus driver holding an Austrian or German driving licence may only drive a bus in Italy until age

65 and

3 whether it intends in the foreseeable future to harmonise the provisions governing the age limit for bus

drivers?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E3997/97 (1).

(1) OJ C 22, 17.7.1998.

(1999/C 182/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe

In an answer given by Mr Oreja on 27 November 1996 to a previous written question which I submitted (E-
2761/96) (1) about the need for better management and protection for Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage, the
Commission stated that no specific studies on action by centres and institutions aimed at promoting the
national artistic heritage at European level were available to the Commission. However, at the same time, it
indicated that a directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe which sought to review the organisations
producing cultural statistics on a systematic basis was currently in preparation.

Despite the fact that this statement was made some time ago, I understand that the directory has not in fact
been published yet.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3917/98 by Graham MATHER ECOFIN Council meeting of 1 December 1998
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: administrative procedure, comparative study, consultancy, discretionary power, holding company, invitation to tender, tax authorities, tax system

C 341/18

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.11.1999

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1999)

The use of additives in animal feed is regulated by Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970
concerning additives in feedingstuffs (1).

Prohibition of the four additives to which the Honourable Member refers has been proposed by the
Commission since under Article 3a of the Directive it considers that ‘for serious reasons concerning human
or animal health’ their use must ‘be restricted to medical or veterinary purposes’.

As the preamble to the Regulation adopted by the Council on 17 December 1998 (2) states, withdrawal of
authorisation for bacitracin zinc, spiramycin, virginiamycin and tylosin phosphate is to be perceived as a
precautionary measure dictated by the need to preserve the effectiveness of human medicaments and so
protect human health.

The decision taken is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation conference
of October 1997, the Economic and Social Committee, the International Office of Epizootics and the
Copenhagen conference on antibiotic resistance of September 1998.

(1) OJ L 270, 14.12.1970.
(2) COM(98) 763 final.

(1999/C 341/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3898/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ethnic bomb

In the light of recent reports from South Africa and Israel concerning the possible development of biological
weapons capable of targeting victims by ethnic or racial origin.

Would the Commission please confirm:

1.

2.

that no EU funding is being used either directly or indirectly for any such research?

that no such research is being carried out in EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

The Commission can confirm that no Community funding is either directly or indirectly being used for the
research mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission is not aware of any such research being carried out in Member States.

(1999/C 341/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3917/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Ecofin Council meeting of 1 December 1998

At this meeting, the Code of Conduct Group asked the Commission to complete as soon as possible two
studies: a comparative study of administrative practices, and a cross-country review of the taxation of holding
company activities and intra-group activities within Member States.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3931/98 by Concepció FERRER Territorial pacts for employment
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: EU aid, Structural Funds, employment policy, regional aid, regional planning, regional policy, rural development, technical cooperation

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/89

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Selling prices (at farm level) in June 1998 (1).

Soft wheat

Maize

Adult cattle
(unit values)

Pig
(carcasses)
grade I

Fattening lambs

Butter

(in euro/100 kilogrammes)

10,8
11,6
12,1
(1)
15,4
11,2
(1)
15,1
(1)
12,3
11,0
13,1
14,5
12,0
11,4

(1)
(1)
11,8
(1)
14,9
10,7
(1)
14,2
(1)
(1)
10,9
13,9
(1)
(1)
(1)

247,1
247,4
242,9
335,9
253,3
285,0
238,6
293,0
277,8
243,6
255,9
273,3
241,7
262,5
236,5

128,4
112,4
115,4
(1)
(1)
116,2
(1)
(1)
139,9
(1)
112,6
143,5
131,6
132,8
128,1

(1)
166,3
348,6
281,6
231,8
(1)
157,8
244,1
(1)
170,4
192,4
201,0
(1)
(1)
183,4

336,9
393,8
344,6
439,8
(1)
459,4
(1)
361,7
(1)
332,7
(1)
(1)
323,5
389,7
314,9

Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Austria
Portugal
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom

Source: Eurostat.
(1)
not available.

(1) Carcasses weight for adult cattle and pig, live weight for fattening lambs.

(1999/C 320/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3931/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Territorial pacts for employment

On 8, 9 and 10 October this year the Commission held the first forum for the exchange of ideas on rural
development and employment in Turku, Finland.

During the forum the Commission announced that it was considering the possibility of granting additional
funding to promote the transfer of ‘good practice’ in order to establish a link with the next programming
period for the Structural Funds.

Can the Commission say what conclusions it has reached on this subject?

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

(8 February 1999)

The forum to which the Honourable Member refers was organised for the 89 territorial pacts for employment
and enabled over 700 bilateral meetings to be held.

On that occasion the Commission representatives referred to the principle of stepping up Community
technical assistance for the territorial pacts for employment so they could prepare to gear their action plans to
the new Structural Fund programming for 2000-2006.

The practical details of how this will be done are still being studied, within a ceiling of EUR 100 000 per pact.
In any case this additional funding will be dependent on the provision of a satisfactory account of how the
technical assistance already granted was used and on the preparation of a work programme covering the
period after 1999 and centred on the adaptation at local level of good practice useful in the context of the
pacts’ action plans, such as that presented at the Turku forum.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3923/98 by Michl EBNER to the Commission. Age limit for bus drivers
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: EBNER, European Parliament
Subjects: approximation of laws, bus, drivers, driving licence, older worker, retirement conditions, transport regulations

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/135

What measures does the Commission plan to take, in connection with the new Finnish legislation on the
taxation of used cars, in order to ensure that it is brought into line with Article 95 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 1999)

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

(1999/C 182/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3923/98

by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Age limit for bus drivers

The age limit for bus drivers varies from Member State to Member State. For example, it is 65 in Italy (Article
135(6) of the Road Traffic Act) but 70 in Austria and Germany.

This situation has already resulted in legal uncertainty when checks have been carried out.

Can the Commission therefore indicate:

3 whether a bus driver holding an Austrian or German driving licence may only drive a bus in Italy until age

65 and

3 whether it intends in the foreseeable future to harmonise the provisions governing the age limit for bus

drivers?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E3997/97 (1).

(1) OJ C 22, 17.7.1998.

(1999/C 182/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe

In an answer given by Mr Oreja on 27 November 1996 to a previous written question which I submitted (E-
2761/96) (1) about the need for better management and protection for Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage, the
Commission stated that no specific studies on action by centres and institutions aimed at promoting the
national artistic heritage at European level were available to the Commission. However, at the same time, it
indicated that a directory of cultural statistics sources in Europe which sought to review the organisations
producing cultural statistics on a systematic basis was currently in preparation.

Despite the fact that this statement was made some time ago, I understand that the directory has not in fact
been published yet.