do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 253/99 by Riccardo NENCINI Redundancies at the Nuovo Pignone company (Florence)
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, NENCINI
Subjects: Tuscany, application of EU law, cessation of trading, collective dismissal, electrical industry, job cuts, redevelopment aid, worker consultation, worker information













EUR-Lex - 91999E0253 - EN






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91999E0253

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 253/99 by Riccardo NENCINI Redundancies at the Nuovo Pignone company (Florence)  


Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0073 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0253/99by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission(12 February 1999)Subject: Redundancies at the Nuovo Pignone company (Florence)The Nuovo Pignone company which is based in Florence and is controlled by the General Electric company has stated its intention of making 400 of its 3 100 staff redundant on the basis of the special "mobilità" procedure.The company has had a profit margin of between 14 % and 20 % over the past few years (ITL 800 billion over a four-year period) and the orders it has taken recently will enable it to maintain a dominant position in large sectors of the market.Florence City Council made an extremely substantial contribution - in the region of several billion lire - towards the training centre set up for the company's staff.Furthermore, Nuovo Pignone has also received various Community grants for staff training.Given the above, does the Commission intend to take action to prevent Nuovo Pignone's management from making such a large number of the company's staff redundant?Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission(6 April 1999)Decisions to lay off staff must comply with the provisions of Council Directive 98/59/EC of 20 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies(1).The main purpose of the Community instrument is to reinforce the protection of workers in the event of collective redundancies, by seeking to reduce the existing differences between national legislations as regards the "practical arrangements and procedures" and through measures designed to alleviate the consequences of these redundancies for the workers.Hence, Article 2 of the Directive provides that employers contemplating collective redundancies must begin consultations with the workers' representatives in good time with a view to reaching an agreement. These consultations must cover ways and means of avoiding collecting redundancies or reducing the number of workers affected and of mitigating the consequences by recourse to accompanying social measures aimed, inter alia, at aid for redeploying or retraining workers made redundant.There is nothing to indicate that the Community provisions and the associated national rules have been infringed. At any rate, it is primarily for the national courts and administration to address the legal consequences arising from this case.(1) OJ L 225, 12.8.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 240/99 by Ulf HOLM The UK's rebate from the EU
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, HOLM
Subjects: Community budget, Member States' contribution, United Kingdom, activity report, financing of the EU budget, financing policy, own resources, reduced price

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/95

The Italian government has never mentioned to the Commission the possibility of a new ‘eurotax’. The
Commission has never indicated an increase of fiscal pressure as a desirable strategy to reduce the budget
deficit. On the contrary, the Commission considers that a sound budgetary policy should be based on the
control of current expenditure.

The economic consequences of non-compliance with the requirements of the Stability and growth pact are
clearly indicated in the European Council Resolution on the Stability and growth pact (1) of 17 June 1997 and
in Council Regulations (EC) 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies and (EC) 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on
speeding and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit (2).

(1) OJ C 236, 2.8.1997.
(2) OJ L 209, 2.8.1997.

(1999/C 325/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0234/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Protection of the Macchia Tonda wildlife sanctuary (Rome)

Is the Commission aware that the Macchia Tonda natural wildlife sanctuary in the Province of Rome might be
destroyed as a result of the Italian Government’s plans to put an end to the army’s use of land in the San Severa
area, which currently ensures the sanctuary’s survival.

What action does it intend to take to protect the environment in one of the areas of the Latium coastline where
pollution levels are still extremely low?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 1999)

The site of Macchiatonda has been designated by the Italian authorities as a special protection area for the
protection of birds according to Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild
birds (1). The area has also been proposed as a site of Community importance for the protection of wild fauna
and flora according to Article 4 of Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2).

The site is therefore fully covered by Community nature conservation legislation.

Finally, the site is also protected by the regional law no 54 of 23 July 1983 as a regional reserve.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(1999/C 325/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0240/99

by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: The UK’s rebate from the EU

Why does the UK receive a rebate on its contributions to the EU?

Will the Commission say how much rebate the UK has received altogether since it was first introduced?

How big is the rebate expressed as a percentage of the annual contribution?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 334/1999 of 12 February 1999 fixing the maximum subsidy for the export of husked long grain rice to the island of Réunion referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2563/98
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Réunion, award of contract, export subsidy, rice

L 40/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 2. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 334/1999

of 12 February 1999

fixing the maximum subsidy for the export of husked long grain rice to the
island of R(cid:130)union referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2563/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of
22 December 1995 on the common organisation of the
market in rice (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
2072/98 (2), and in particular Article 10(1) thereof,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No
2692/89 of 6 September 1989 laying down detailed rules
for exports of rice to R(cid:130)union (3), and in particular Article
9(1) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2563/98 (4)
opens an invitation to tender for the subsidy on rice
exported to R(cid:130)union;

Whereas Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 2692/89 allows
the Commission to decide, in accordance with the proce-
dure laid down in Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No
3072/95 and on the basis of the tenders submitted, a
maximum subsidy;

Whereas the criteria laid down in Articles 2 and 3 of
Regulation (EEC) No 2692/89 should be taken into
account when fixing this maximum subsidy; whereas

successful tenderers shall be those bids at or below the
level of the maximum subsidy;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

A maximum subsidy on exports to R(cid:130)union of husked
long grain rice falling within CN code 1006 20 98 is
hereby set on the basis of the tenders lodged from 8 to 11
February 1999 at EUR 290,00 per tonne pursuant to the
invitation to tender referred to in Regulation (EC) No
2563/98.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 13 February
1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 12 February 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30. 12. 1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 265, 30. 9. 1998, p. 4.
(3) OJ L 29, 7. 9. 1989, p. 8.
(4) OJ L 320, 28. 11. 1998, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 251/99 by Caroline JACKSON Possible illegal subsidies to Irish mushroom growers
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, JACKSON CAROLINE
Subjects: EU aid, Ireland, State aid, agro-industry, aid to agriculture, fraud, mushroom-growing, restriction on competition, tax relief, use of aid













EUR-Lex - 91999E0251 - EN






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91999E0251

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 251/99 by Caroline JACKSON Possible illegal subsidies to Irish mushroom growers  


Official Journal C 320 , 06/11/1999 P. 0133 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0251/99by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission(12 February 1999)Subject: Possible illegal subsidies to Irish mushroom growersOn 11 October 1998, the London "Sunday Telegraph" reported that Irish mushroom farmers had benefited from EU subsidies, grants under the "Leader" programme and British tax concessions to such an extent that the British market was flooded with cheap Irish imports. Can the Commission state whether it believes that such subsidies and tax concessions in Ireland do constitute unfair competition? If so, what is the Commission doing about it?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(9 March 1999)Community funded aid is available to horticulture growers, including mushroom growers, in Ireland under the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry 1994-1999. The rates of aid agreed are in conformity with Community legislation.For the food processing sector, Community aid is available through the food sub-programme of the operational programme for industry 1994-1999. The rates of aid are in conformity with Council Regulation (EC) 951/97 of 20 May 1997 on improving processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products(1). A small number of mushroom processors have benefited from this aid.Leader II may not give aid for mushroom growing in Ireland but 3 projects have been identified for related activities (feasibility study on exotic mushrooms, composting services).The Commission cannot confirm the figures in the article quoted by the Honourable Member. The figure of IR£ 14 million is not correct.On the other hand an on-the-spot control of European social fund (ESF) aid to a particular company under the industry operational programme has found that training aid awarded to a particular mushroom company was not used for that purpose. The Commission is following up this case.For the purpose of completeness, it should be noted that in 1994 the Commission found state aid granted under the market development fund to be incompatible with the common market. Commission Decision 94/814/EC of 14 September 1994 on aid in respect of exports of mushrooms, granted in connection with the market Development Fund in Ireland was published(2). Following this negative decision the Irish authorities were obliged to abolish the aid and to recover the aid amounts paid in disregard of Community provisions. About 80 % of the aid concerned, plus interest, has been recovered. The Irish authorities are to keep the Commission informed on the recovery of the remaining 20 %.(1) OJ L 142, 2.6.1997.(2) OJ L 335, 23.12.1994.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 203/99 by Mark KILLILEA Seals
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, KILLILEA
Subjects: EU financing, European Commission, Ireland, dissemination of information, marine mammal, report, research project, sea fishing

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/85

The project will support integrated pilot actions focusing on the upgrading of coordination, policy
formulation, regulatory and service functions of the public sector, the improvement of environmental
sustainability of exploitation patterns, the support of alternative mariculture production and marine eco-
tourism, and the enhancement of responsible participation of producers and local communities in the
planning and management process. The project is being launched with the full co-operation of the Thai
government.

(1999/C 325/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0203/99

by Mark Killilea (UPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Seals

In April 1997, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, The Irish Sea Fisheries Board, submitted to DG XIV a report on the
Physical Interaction between Grey Seals and Fishing Gear. The report was drawn up with financial assistance
from the Commission.

Can the Commission indicate whether it circulated this report to fisheries organisations or to the fisheries
departments of the governments of the Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

The Commission finances large numbers of research projects, which makes it difficult for the Commission to
circulate or distribute reports resulting from such projects. However, copies of reports are available on request
from the Commission.

The Commission believes that the results from research projects should be made available to as wide an
audience as possible. Therefore, summaries of research projects funded by the Commission are accessible
through Internet.

Furthermore, it is one of the conditions for funding by the Commission of research projects, including the one
executed by the Irish sea fisheries board, that the recipient of the funds shall make an effort to distribute the
results from the project as widely as possible, in recognised scientific journals or by any other suitable means.

For more information on this same report by the Irish sea fisheries board the Honourable Member is referred
to the reply the Commission gave to the Honourable Member’s oral question H-72/99, during question time at
Parliament’s February 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of Parliament (February 1999).

(1999/C 325/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/99

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Waste dump at Corliano (Florence)

A 120 000 m2 waste dump is scheduled for construction between vineyards and olive groves at Corliano
(commune of Cerreto Guidi, Florence).

The project does not seem to have included any study into the state of the ground water or any pollution
caused to it by sewage from the old dump. Nor are there any plans to render the subsoil impermeable although
the site is traversed by watercourses and subject to frequent landslides, as local maps show.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 327/1999 of 12 February 1999 fixing the maximum aid for concentrated butter for the 197th special invitation to tender opened under the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 429/90
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: aid system, award of contract, butter, concentrated product

L 40/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 2. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 327/1999

of 12 February 1999

fixing the maximum aid for concentrated butter for the 197th special invitation
to tender opened under the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regula-
tion (EEC) No 429/90

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 of
27 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market
in milk and milk products (1), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 1587/96 (2), and in particular Article 7a(3)
thereof,

Whereas,
in accordance with Commission Regulation
(EEC) No 429/90 of 20 February 1990 on the granting by
invitation to tender of an aid for concentrated butter
intended for direct consumption in the Community (3), as
last amended by Regulation (EC) No 124/1999 (4), the
intervention agencies are opening a standing invitation to
tender for the granting of aid for concentrated butter;
whereas Article 6 of that Regulation provides that in the
light of the tenders received in response to each special
invitation to tender, a maximum amount of aid is to be
fixed for concentrated butter with a minimum fat content
of 96 % or a decision is to be taken to make no award;
whereas the end-use security must be fixed accordingly;

in the light of

the
Whereas,
maximum aid should be fixed at the level specified below
and the end-use security determined accordingly;

the tenders

received,

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 197th special
invitation to tender under the
standing invitation to tender opened by Regulation (EEC)
No 429/90, the maximum aid and the amount of the
end-use security shall be as follows:

— maximum aid:
— end-use security:

EUR 117/100 kg
EUR 129/100 kg.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 13 February
1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 12 February 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 21.
(3) OJ L 45, 21. 2. 1990, p. 8.
(4) OJ L 16, 21. 1. 1999, p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 237/99 by Antonio TAJANI Italian secret services report on the euro's use for money- laundering purposes
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, TAJANI
Subjects: Italy, capital transfer, information network, law of banking, monetary union, money laundering, recycling of capital, report, secret service













EUR-Lex - 91999E0237 - EN






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91999E0237

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 237/99 by Antonio TAJANI Italian secret services report on the euro's use for money- laundering purposes  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0041 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0237/99by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission(12 February 1999)Subject: Italian secret services report on the euro's use for money-laundering purposesIs the Commission aware that, in a report which was subsequently published by the daily newspaper "Il Messagero" on 25 January 1999, the Italian military secret services (SISMI) maintained that the euro could be used to launder proceeds from criminal activities which had not yet entered financial and banking channels?Does it intend to ask the Italian Government to forward the SISMI report?What action does the it intend to take to prevent computer systems and the Internet from being used for criminal activities?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission(23 April 1999)The Commission has noted the article in "Il Messaggero" and other press articles but is not in possession of any report from the Italian secret services. The Commission is interested in obtaining any relevant material on this important subject that the Member States are prepared to communicate to it and will inform the Italian authorities accordingly.The Commission has for some time been studying the implications of the introduction of the euro for the fight against money laundering. Within the contact committee set up under Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10 June 1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering(1), the Commission held a discussion with the Member States on 1 March 1999 concerning all the anti-money laundering issues raised by the introduction of the euro and the changeover to euro notes and coins as from 1 January 2002. There was a consensus that the Member States' existing anti-money laundering legislation should be sufficient to deal with any dangers posed by the changeover period. It was agreed, however, that this important question should be kept under regular review.As regards electronic money systems and the Internet the Commission continues to monitor closely technical developments and their potential vulnerability to being misused for money laundering purposes. The experts of the financial action task force (the foremost world body dedicated to the fight against money laundering) have not yet encountered cases of money laundering using electronic-money technologies but are aware of the possible dangers and remain vigilant.(1) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 352/99 by Eva KJER HANSEN Rules on the catching and breeding of the common eel
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, KJER HANSEN
Subjects: China, authorised catch, export restriction, fish farming, fishery management, freshwater fish, information, liberalisation of trade, report













EUR-Lex - 91999E0352 - EN






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91999E0352

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 352/99 by Eva KJER HANSEN Rules on the catching and breeding of the common eel  


Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0098 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0352/99by Eva Kjer Hansen (ELDR) to the Commission(12 February 1999)Subject: Rules on the catching and breeding of the common eelIn reply to my question P-3994/97(1), the Commission stated that it did not wish to take measures to introduce rules on the catching and breeding of the common eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) pending a report from the International Council for the exploration of the sea (ICES). This report has now been published. Would the Commission, therefore, say what measures it will take in response to the alarming conclusion in the report regarding the situation of the threatened eel?Will the Commission also describe the content of any repopulation programmes?Are there any plans to introduce an interim ban on exports to stabilise the European market?Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission(17 March 1999)The Commission has taken note of the advice from the International council for the exploration of the sea (ICES) about the decline of eel catches and the state of the European eel stock. It is also clear from ICES' advice that the scientists have not been able to ascertain the underlying causes of the decline. ICES has indicated that there are still considerable gaps in the knowledge about eel biology and fisheries which does not, therefore, provide the necessary background on which to develop a comprehensive management strategy for eel, based on measures that would be practical, operational and that would contribute to an enhanced stock development.More information is therefore needed from the scientists, the Member States and the eel industry before a management system can be developed. The Commission has held a series of meetings with the eel industry in 1998 and further meetings are planned for 1999. In addition, ICES has also been requested to provide additional information in 1999 about possible management measures. The Commission is also prepared to support further research on eel and has provided funds for a project aiming at monitoring the influx of eel-larvae to Europe.In order to justify a ban on exports of elvers, which would constitute a type of trade restriction which the Community has traditionally avoided, it would be necessary to have sufficient supportingevidence and data to support it. At present the scientific evidence to support such a measure is not sufficiently clear cut. In the mean time the Commission is looking at ways of engaging the Chinese authorities in addressing the problem of unrestricted trade in elvers on a bilateral basis.(1) OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 108.