do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 134/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Compensation to fishermen for replacement of fishing gear
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, conservation of fish stocks, economic consequence, financial loss, fishery resources, fishing net, fishing regulations, investment

C 325/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0134/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Compensation to fishermen for replacement of fishing gear

(2 February 1999)

Under Regulation 1626/94 (1), Greek fishermen are required, as of 1 January 1999, to replace their fishing
gear, in particular their nets, with other types which will not allow small fish to be caught. The cost of
replacement is high and will result in a further deterioration of the financial position of fishermen and an
increase in unemployment in the fishing industry. Recently, the Commission adopted special measures
requiring fishermen to stop using drift nets.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether it has, accordingly, adopted special measures to compensate for the replacement of fishing gear

required by Regulation 1626/94, and

2. how it intends to help fishermen cope with the high cost involved in implementing Regulation 1626/94?

(1) OJ L 171, 6.7.1994, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

When Council Regulation (EC) 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical measures for the
conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean (1) was adopted, it provided for derogations allowing
fishermen to continue certain activities until 31 December 1998. The purpose of the derogations was to allow
a gradual adjustment to take place over a four year period, so minimising the financial losses occasioned by the
transition to the general rules.

As the circumstances involved in this transition are totally unlike those in the case of drift nets, the
Commission does not believe that any possible financial consequences have to be treated in like manner.

That said, the Commission will see if the derogations applying to the fisheries concerned can be extended in
the light of the better scientific information now available as to their impact on the resources.

(1) OJ L 171, 6.7.1994.

(1999/C 325/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0135/99

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Subsidies to the wine industry

I refer to the answer given by Commissioner Fischler (E-3429/98) (1) with regard to the additional subsidies,
over and above any in the Agenda 2000 package, to the wine industry.

In view of the bleak economic circumstances facing the Scotch whisky industry, could the Commission outline
any plans to help alleviate the hardship facing this indigenous industry?

(1) OJ C 182, 28.6.1999, p. 84.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 132/99 by Klaus-Heiner LEHNE Year 2000 problem
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, LEHNE
Subjects: computer equipment, computer systems, consumer protection, electronic equipment, labelling, medical device, product quality, product safety, technical standard

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/73

The Union has repeatedly expressed its condemnation of such lax standards regarding human rights, both
publicly in appropriate international fora as well as through diplomatic channels with the Israeli government.

(1999/C 325/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0132/99

by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Year 2000 problem

It is a requirement in the USA that every product carry an indication as to whether it can cope with the
changeover from 1999 to the year 2000, i.e. every electronic appliance, be it a computer or television set, must
be marked to indicate whether or not it is year-2000 compatible. So far there is no such requirement in
Europe.

What deliberations have taken place within the Commission with a view to resolving this problem in the light
of the need to protect consumers?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The Commission gave an initial analysis of the Year 2000 problem in its Communication of 25 February
1998 (1).

In the context of the attention which must be paid to the various consequences of the problem, the
Commission is particularly interested in the possible repercussions for consumers.

An ad hoc working party of the Consumer Committee 1 the Commission’s advisory body for the management
of consumer policy 1 has discussed the problem and issued an opinion on the identification of situations
which consumers are likely to face and recommendations seeking to minimise the impact of the Year 2000 on
the economic interests, health and safety of consumers.

Labelling schemes are voluntary initiatives of manufacturers or distributors, sometimes in collaboration with
the public authorities.

The Consumer Committee believes that they can help protect consumers, especially when linked to the
statutory guarantee regulations which already exist in the Member States. For example, in the Danish scheme
‘2000 Ready’, the seller declares that a particular product can cope with all dates in the 20th and 21st centuries
and promises to deal with any complaints arising until 31 January 2001 (whatever the expiry date of the
guarantee).

However, in the absence of a universal standard demonstrating that a product is 2000-compliant and given the
difficulty of obtaining certification of products by an independent or public-sector body 1 because no-one
wants to the assume the consequent legal responsibility 1 labelling should not be seen as the only response to
the Year 2000 problem.

For the same reasons, the Commission does not envisage any proposals on a European-level labelling scheme.

(1) COM(98) 102 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 123/99 by Patricia McKENNA Aircraft pollution
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: air quality, aircraft, civil aviation, engine, international organisation, international standard, pollution control measures













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91999E0123

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 123/99 by Patricia McKENNA Aircraft pollution  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0024 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0123/99by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission(2 February 1999)Subject: Aircraft pollutionDoes the Commission intend to present proposals for a directive on the reduction of environmentally polluting substances from aircraft, an issue which is becoming increasingly important, but on which the Commission remains silent?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission(12 April 1999)The Commission has stated its serious concern about the environmental impact of aircraft engine emissions on several occasions. Since these emissions contribute to global environmental problems such as climate change and atmospheric ozone depletion, regulatory action on aircraft engine emissions has a much more significant reduction potential if introduced at international level. This was clearly highlighted in the explanatory memorandum to the Commission proposal of 3 December 1997 for a Council directive on the limitation of the emission of oxides of nitrogen from civil subsonic jet aeroplanes(1).At international level there are currently mandatory certification standards in force for emissions of smoke, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen from aircraft engines, laid down in Volume II of Annex 16 to the Convention on international civil aviation. All Community Member States are signatories to that Convention and the international standard is applied in all Member States.As indicated in its Report on the main results of the 32nd session of the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and its implications for the Community(2), the Commission envisages taking an active part in the work of the committee on aviation environmental protection of ICAO with a view to contributing to continued progress in reducing the environmental impact of aircraft engine emissions.The Commission intends provide further reflections on the reduction of aircraft engine emissions in a proposed communication to the Council and the Parliament on air transport and the environment.The Commission, consequently, has not been and will not be "silent" on the issue of environmental pollution resulting from aircraft emissions.(1) OJ C 108, 7.4.1998.(2) COM(98) 677 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 121/99 by Patricia McKENNA Combating the problem
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: EC Directive, EU initiative, European Union, polluter pays principle, proposal (EU), waste management, waste recycling

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/55

administrative procedures involved in the acquisition of rights and the award and payment of social security
benefits. To this end, the Commission continues to encourage social security institutions to use the telematic
services to exchange information.

(1) COM(97) 586 final. See also communication on follow-up to the recommendations of the High-Level Panel on Free

Movement of Persons COM(98) 403).

(2) COM(98) 259 final.
(3) An updated version has been published in OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.
(4) COM(98) 779 final.
(5) OJ C 5, 9.1.1998.
(6) OJ L 209, 25.7.1998.

(1999/C 341/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0121/99

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Combating the problem

Is the Commission not aware of the urgent need in the European Union for measures to be taken to combat the
ever increasing problem of waste disposal?

Why has the Commission not yet come forward with a proposal for a directive on this subject, especially in
regard to composting, biomethanization, electrical and electronic waste, and PVC?

Should not the ‘precautionary principle’ and the ideas of ‘polluter pays’ and ‘preventive action’, as enshrined in
Article 130r of the European Community Treaty, also be used to the fullest possible extent?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 1999)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that waste prevention is of paramount importance in
any waste management system as well as for waste legislation. The Commission tries to promote the principle
of producer responsibility for waste management issues, which can be considered as a concrete way of
supporting the polluter-pays principle.

The Commission is considering an initiative on composting as a logical follow-up to the Community
discussion on landfills, where the proposed directive (1) seeks to reduce significantly the landfilling of
biodegradable municipal waste in the years to come. Such waste could very usefully go to composting or
to biomethanisation.

The Commission announced in its proposal on end-of-life vehicles (2) that it would look into the issue of
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in general and an examination is at present under way.

The Commission programme for 1998 announced a proposal for a directive on electrical and electronic waste.
Work on this subject has been slightly delayed.

(1) COM(98) 189 final.
(2) OJ C 337, 7.1.1997.

(1999/C 341/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0122/99

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Reduction of the use of pesticides and biocides in the European Union

When does the Commission intend to introduce proposals to reduce the use of pesticides and biocides as it
promised to do in the Fifth Environmental Action Programme of 1992?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 105/99 by Anthony WILSON to the Commission. Scrapies in sheep flocks in New Zealand
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, WILSON
Subjects: New Zealand, animal disease, sheep

C 297/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

15.10.1999

In paragraphs 29 et seq. of its notice of 22 August 1998 on the application of the competition rules to access
agreements in the telecommunications sector (cid:25) framework, relevant markets and principles (1),
the
Commission identifies cases where it could take parallel action, namely where a formal complaint is referred
to it and where national proceedings could lead to an excessive delay of the Commission’s action, without a
satisfactory resolution of the matter at national level. An excessive delay could arise where the national
authority fails to resolve the dispute within a reasonable period of time and where there is a substantial
Community interest in the case affecting, or likely to affect, competition in a number of Member States.

Moreover, the Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that the internal market would be
affected if firms were able to limit competition by agreements and concerted practices at the expense of
consumers in the telecommunications market which has first been opened up to competition. For that reason,
it attaches special importance to the application in full of the competition rules in this sector, as emphasised in
the notice referred to above.

(1) OJ C 265, 22.8.1998.

(1999/C 297/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0105/99

by Anthony Wilson (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Scrapies in sheep flocks in New Zealand

Can the Commission confirm whether any cases of scrapies have been found in sheep flocks in New Zealand?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1999)

There have been two periods where scrapie was detected in sheep in New Zealand. In 1952, scrapie was found
in three sheep imported from England and in 1954 in four sheep originating from the flock affected in 1952.
Scrapie was identified in sheep which were in quarantine in 1976 and 1977.

The Commission is not aware of any recent cases of scrapie in sheep of New Zealand origin.

(1999/C 297/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0139/99

by André Fourçans (PPE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Erasmus student exchange programme

Certain countries and universities taking part in the Erasmus student exchange programme do not recognise
the equivalence of all units of study in the host country. This both undervalues the experience and hampers
students who have to return to their country of origin to sit some of their examinations.

What does the Commission intend to do to prevent this type of nonsense and to ensure that all study abroad is
recognised in the student’s country of origin?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 118/99 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Stakes study on elderly women in Europe
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: EU financing, Finland, elderly person, equal treatment, health care, non-governmental organisation, project evaluation, woman

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/173

(1999/C 207/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0089/99

by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 1999)

Subject: Millennium Access Guide

Is the European Commission aware of the Millennium Access Guide published by the Disabled Peoples’
International European Union Committee?

What steps does it propose to take in order that the publication may become more widely known to the
organisers of Millennium events, thus enabling them to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the widest
possible access to celebrations marking the start of the next 1 000 years?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 1999)

The Commission is aware of the millennium access guide published by the Disabled peoples’ international
European Union committee, and has helped fund this publication. Copies have been given to the members of
the high level group of Member States’ representatives on disability with the request that they make it available
to appropriate bodies involved in the organisation of millennium celebrations.

(1999/C 207/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0118/99

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Stakes study on elderly women in Europe

It has been alleged in Belgian press reports that Mrs Hanna-Liisa Liikanen is the director of Stakes (a Finnish
welfare and health research and development centre) and, in that capacity, was in overall charge of a study on
elderly women in Europe, carried out for Commission DG V.

Have other contracts financed by the Commission been awarded to Mrs Liikanen?

If so, could the Commission supply a full list of the contracts in question, specifying:

1.

2.

3.

4.

the names and addresses of the institutes which carried out the research;

the activities financed;

the total sums obtained; and

the expenses reimbursed to Mrs Liikanen?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1999)

1.
In the Commission’s reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-3829/98 full details are
given of Mrs Hanna-Liisa Liikanen’s employment status with the Finnish National research and development
centre for welfare and health (STAKES) of Siltasaarenkatu 18, PO Box 220, Finland.

Mrs Liikanen has not been a director, or a main responsible for STAKES. In relation to Community projects,
her role as a civil servant employed by STAKES has been that of project leader on the ‘Situation of elderly
women’ (SEW) project and one of the contact people on a project concerning best practice day care for the
elderly.