do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4083/98 by Françoise GROSSETÊTE to the Commission. Network for the surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases
Date: 1999-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, GROSSETETE
Subjects: disease prevention, epidemiology, health control, infectious disease, public health

C 207/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

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

(16 February 1999)

The Commission is aware that the Czech Republic intended to increase import duties on Community pigmeat
to counter the negative impact on the Czech market of imports, in particular those from the Community. The
Commission had set refunds at a level designed to promote exports of pigmeat, primarily to Russia, in an
attempt to solve the problems on the Community pigmeat market, but this also led to an increase in exports to
the Czech Republic and other associated countries destabilising their pigmeat markets.

Other associated countries were planning similar measures. The Commission has had talks with the authorities
of the countries in question with a view to ensuring that they continue to respect the provisions of the Europe
Agreements. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that, as a result of these consultations,
none of the countries in question have applied such measures.

(1999/C 207/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4070/98

by John Cushnahan (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Misleading labelling

Is the Commission aware that poultry/pigmeat products are being imported into Ireland in significant
numbers and are being passed off as Irish through inadequate and misleading labelling? Will the Commission
investigate this matter?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1999)

The Commission has in its possession no information concerning the facts referred to by the Honourable
Member.

Article 2 of Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 december 1978 (1), on the labelling of foods specifies that
such labelling shall not mislead consumers, more particular as regards the origin or source of those foods. It is
for the inspection authorities in the Member States to comply with that provision. In this instance any inquiry
must therefore be conducted by the Irish inspection authorities.

(1) OJ L 33, 8.2.1979.

(1999/C 207/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4083/98

by Françoise Grossetête (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Network for the surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases

In view of the European Parliament and Council decision of 24 September 1998 establishing a network for the
epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases;

In view of the pilot scheme currently being funded by the Commission for an epidemiological surveillance
network for the epidemiological surveillance of alveolar hydatid disease, a parasitic disease transmitted
through food but also closely linked to environmental factors and water;

In view of the spread of this disease in France and Germany, its appearance in the Netherlands and the threat it
represents in the United Kingdom;
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4066/98 by Esko SEPPÄNEN The Wassenaar Regulations
Date: 1999-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, SEPPAENEN
Subjects: Wassenaar arrangement, dual-use good, export monitoring, free movement of goods, intra-EU trade, new technology, secret service, technology transfer, trade restriction

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/111

1.

Does the Commission have figures on the number of solariums in the Member States?

2. What is the Commission’s view of the health risks of improperly operated sun beds?

3. Would it not be appropriate to draw attention to this problem, at least in the form of a recommendation
to the Member states, and to make more stringent monitoring incumbent on the Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1999)

The Commission has no information as to how many solariums there are in the Member States. Besides,
1.
it is difficult to put a number on them, since in addition to dedicated solariums there are other centres in which
sunbeds are just one of the services on offer.

Although the Member States bear primary responsibility for the safety of their citizens, the
2. and 3.
Commission has already taken a certain number of initiatives with an eye to improving the safety of equipment
of this kind and reducing the associated risks. For further details the Honourable Member should consult the
Commission’s reply to Written Question E-1602/98 put by Mr Siso Cruellas (1).

Currently the Commission does not plan to take any other specific initiatives.

(1) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 54.

(1999/C 320/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4066/98

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: The Wassenaar Regulations

The Wassenaar organisation, which continues the work carried out by COCOM during the Cold War, has
decided to agree, in accordance with the interests of the USA and its secret services, that the export of
confidential technology should be subject to restrictions. This decision infringes the principle of the freedom
to purchase services within the EU. How does the Commission intend to prepare the regulation on the
licensing of exports of confidential technology, which was agreed at Wassenaar? On what legal basis does the
Commission justify approving this kind of restriction on free trade?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1999)

The Commission is not aware of any changes in the control scope of stealth technology which has always been
subject to export controls, especially because it is considered to have far more military than civil applications.

In its proposal for a new Council regulation regarding the export of dual-use items (1), the Commission
proposes the abolition of licensing procedures for stealth technology in intra-Community trade. According to
the Commission proposal, companies will however have to notify their authorities about intra-Community
transactions with such products, in order to ensure effective controls and consultations in case such products
are subsequently to be exported to third countries.

(1) COM 257 final, 15.5.1998.