do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 381/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Consumption of isotonic drinks by children
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: beverage industry, health policy, human nutrition, marketing, product safety, scientific committee (EU), young person

21.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 370/33

Should it not also be made clear to consumers how these skins and leather products are obtained, by
requiring appropriate labelling, for example?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question E-40/99
by Mrs Maij-Weggen (1) on this subject.

There are no Community rules on labelling of fur of cats and dogs and products prepared using such fur.

(1) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 14.

(1999/C 370/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Consumption of isotonic drinks by children

According to research carried out by the Union’s Scientific Committee for Food, the consumption of
isotonic soft drinks by children causes agitation, anxiety and irritation. Can the Commission provide more
information on these findings? What measures will it take to protect children from consuming this type of
soft drink?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The scientific committee for food expressed an opinion (1) on caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone as
constituents of so-called energy drinks. It concluded for caffeine ‘that the contribution of energy drinks to
the total caffeine intake does not appear to be a matter of concern for adults. For children however, who
do not normally consume much tea or coffee, and who might substitute ’energy‘ drinks for cola and other
soft drinks, consumption of
’energy‘ drinks might represent an increase in daily caffeine exposure
compared with their previous intake. Such intake could result in behavioural changes, such as increased
arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety. For pregnant women the committee advised moderation of
intake from whatever source of caffeine’. As regards the other constituents evaluated (taurine and
glucuronolactone),
the scientific committee was unable to conclude that the safety in use of these
substances in the concentrations in certain so called ‘energy drinks’ has been adequately established.

It is primarily the producer, who must make available the scientific data allowing a risk assessment of the
safety of these substances in energy drinks. The Commission has therefore informed the Member States of
the opinion and asked them to ensure that, in conformity with the obligations under Council Directive 92/
59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety (2), products placed on their market are safe. The
Commission will continue to follow the scientific evaluation of the substances in question once new
relevant information is made available.

(1) Accessible via the Internet at: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scf/out22en.html).
(2) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 449/1999 of 1 March 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

2. 3. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 54/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 449/1999

of 1 March 1999

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain
fruit and vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/
94 of 21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the applica-
tion of
the import arrangements for fruit and veget-
ables (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1498/
98 (2), and in particular Article 4 (1) thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down,
pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilat-
eral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commis-
sion fixes the standard values for imports from third
countries, in respect of the products and periods stipu-
lated in the Annex thereto;

Whereas, in compliance with the above criteria, the stand-
ard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of
Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in
the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 2 March 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 1 March 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24. 12. 1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15. 7. 1998, p. 4.

L 54/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

2. 3. 1999

to the Commission Regulation of 1 March 1999 establishing the standard import values for
determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 30 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
624
999
052
068
999
220
999
052
204
999
052
204
212
600
624
999
052
600
999
039
060
388
400
404
508
512
528
706
720
728
999
388
400
512
528
624
999

82,9
48,1
103,1
184,0
104,5
115,6
104,9
110,3
297,7
297,7
124,5
175,7
150,1
40,0
50,1
43,7
53,5
54,1
48,3
41,1
61,6
51,3
80,9
36,7
135,9
79,5
79,2
59,4
108,7
98,1
107,2
97,6
67,1
86,4
81,7
81,1
72,1
72,9
61,2
73,8

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2317/97 (OJ L 321, 22. 11. 1997, p. 19). Code

‘999' stands for ‘of other origin'.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 425/99 by Mary BANOTTI Identity cards
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: BANOTTI, European Parliament
Subjects: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, free movement of persons, identity document, member country













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91999E0425

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 425/99 by Mary BANOTTI Identity cards  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0068 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0425/99by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Identity cardsFurther to its answer to Written Question E-3070/98(1), could the Commission indicate which Member States require their citizens to possess identity cards?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission(6 May 1999)In complement to the information provided in response to the Honourable Member's written question E-3070/98, to which the Honourable Member refers, and on the basis of the latest information available to the Commission, the following Member States require their citizens to obtain national identity cards: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal.Further to the information provided in response to the earlier question, and on the basis of clarifications received on this matter in the interim, as regards France, it should be noted that there is in effect no obligation in law to either obtain or carry an identity card. However for most practical purposes, including the accomplishment of administrative formalities, an identity card is a requirement de facto.With respect to the addition of Germany to the list, it should be noted that while there is an obligation to obtain a national identity card, there is, on the basis of the information available to the Commission, no obligation to carry the identity card on one's person, as is the case with the other Member States mentioned.(1) OJ C 289, 11.10.1999, p. 21.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 378/99 by Viviane REDING Agonising death of dogs and cats in Asia
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, REDING
Subjects: China, Philippines, Thailand, animal skin, animal welfare, domestic animal, export, hides and furskins industry, leather













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91999E0378

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 378/99 by Viviane REDING Agonising death of dogs and cats in Asia  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0032 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0378/99by Viviane Reding (PPE) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Agonising death of dogs and cats in AsiaRecent television reports have claimed that in Thailand, China and the Philippines dogs and cats are strangled painfully and slowly in abattoirs for their meat and especially their skins. It can be shown that a large proportion of the skins are exported to Europe to be made into coat collars, wallet covers and thermal blankets.Is the Commission aware of this unacceptable origin of imported dog and cat skins? What counteraction is it considering? Is it considering a ban on imports of dog and cat skins and leather products from these countries?Should it not also be made clear to consumers how these skins and leather products are obtained, by requiring appropriate labelling, for example?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(29 April 1999)The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question E-40/99 by Mrs Maij-Weggen(1) on this subject.There are no Community rules on labelling of fur of cats and dogs and products prepared using such fur.(1) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 14.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 370/99 by Edgar SCHIEDERMEIER Measures to combat social exclusion (promoting actions relating to the family and children)
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHIEDERMEIER
Subjects: EU action, European social policy, child, cooperation policy, dissemination of EU information, family policy, invitation to tender, marginalisation

C 325/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0370/99

by Edgar Schiedermeier (PPE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Measures to combat social exclusion (promoting actions relating to the family and children)

What is the Commission’s view of the demand from the English city of Reading with regard to the measures
referred to above?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Article 137.2 of the Amsterdam Treaty envisages the possible adoption by the Council of measures designed to
encourage cooperation between Member States through initiatives aimed at improving knowledge, developing
exchanges of information and best practices, promoting innovative approaches and evaluating experiences in
order to combat social exclusion.

The Commission will shortly publish a call for proposals designed to prepare for Community action along
these lines. Issues relating to the exclusion of families and children could certainly be addressed by proposals
submitted under this call.

The Commission will of course notify Reading borough council (and the other signatories to their letter) when
this call is published. Information regarding this call plus other Commission calls and activities in this area will
also be made available on the web: ‘http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg05/index_en.htm’.

(1999/C 325/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0416/99

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Rights of Greenlanders and Danes

What rights do Danes resident in Denmark have that Danes and Greenlanders in Greenland do not under the
provisions on Union citizenship and the fundamental rights in the EU recognised by the Court of Justice?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 1999)

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

(1999/C 325/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0417/99

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Free movement of Greenlanders in the EU and the EEA

What is the position of Greenlanders under the rules on free movement in the EU and the EEA?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 397/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Operating licence for quarry in protected area
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, competence of the Member States, environmental impact, environmental protection, mining operation, project evaluation, protected area, protected species, protection of animal life, protection of plant life













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91999E0397

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 397/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Operating licence for quarry in protected area  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0060 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0397/99by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Operating licence for quarry in protected areaEnvironmental organisations claim that authorisation has been granted to operate a marble quarry in the Pieria mountains at "Marmaro Sentoukia" in the prefecture of Pieria close to public woodland at Vria. The area is noted for its remarkable ecosystem, it is a priority area in the Natura 2000 network and has been proposed for inclusion in the Leader 2 programme to mark its importance as an archaeological site.Can the Commission answer the following questions:1. Have the requisite environmental impact studies been carried out to assess all the implications of the operation of the quarry?2. Will the Commission ask the Greek authorities to revoke this decision in order to maintain the ecological balance and the exceptional beauty of the area?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission(20 April 1999)1. The site the Honourable Member refers to ("Pieria Ori") has been proposed by the Greek authorities as a Site of Community Importance (SIC) in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora(1). The site hosts a number of priority habitats and species and should therefore be automatically included in the Natura 2000 network under the terms of the Directive. Consequently, appropriate measures must be taken by the Member State concerned to ensure that the site does not deteriorate. The Commission will therefore contact the Greek authorities to check whether the impact studies which should be carried out for the project in question, in accordance with Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(2), took sufficient account of the natural value of the site concerned.2 The decision to authorise the activity in question, and its revocation, is the sole responsibility of the Member State. The Commission can only intervene if Community law has clearly been infringed.(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 361/99 by James MOORHOUSE Violation of human rights in Burma
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MOORHOUSE
Subjects: Myanmar/Burma, ethnic discrimination, ethnic group, human rights, international sanctions, military regime, protection of minorities, the EU's international role













EUR-Lex - 91999E0361 - EN






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91999E0361

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 361/99 by James MOORHOUSE Violation of human rights in Burma  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0054 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0361/99by James Moorhouse (ELDR) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Violation of human rights in BurmaGiven the Burmese regime's continuing reprehensible policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against ethnic minorities, what action is the European Union taking against Burma?Anwer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission(16 March 1999)The Commission continues to follow closely the repressive measures imposed upon the Burmese people by the military regime.The Commission fully supports the continued and consistent application of the Union Common Position with regard to Burma. Recent events in Burma give no reason for any change in the Union position and its measures against Burma are therefore maintained.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 407/99 by Honório NOVO Semi-generic designations of origin for Port Wine
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO
Subjects: European Union, Portugal, South Africa, bilateral agreement, designation of origin, fortified wine, location of production, product designation, trade agreement













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91999E0407

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 407/99 by Honório NOVO Semi-generic designations of origin for Port Wine  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0037 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0407/99by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Semi-generic designations of origin for Port WineIn his reply of 17 October 1997 to my Question E-2674/97(1), Commissioner Franz Fischler informed me that "the Commission has begun negotiations with South Africa with the aim of enforcing, on a reciprocal basis, the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin of wines and spirits and, in particular, of putting an end to any generic or semi-generic use of Community indications".Information from various sources indicates that, in the wake of those negotiations, a draft agreement has been drawn up to regulate future trade relations between the EU and South Africa.Under the draft agreement, it appears that South Africa will be able to continue producing wine designated "Port" and/or "Porto" and/or "Port Wine" for marketing in its internal market for a period of 12 years, with no provision being made for a ban on the use of those designations of origin and geographical indications at the end of that generous period.If that information is correct, it clearly contradicts the information supplied to me by the Commission on 17 October 1997 and quoted above.What remarks would the Commission make on this contradiction?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(30 April 1999)The Commission can only confirm its position as set out in its answers to Mr Barros Moura's question E-2485/97(2) and the Honourable Member's E-2674/97 on strengthening the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for wine and spirits in the context of negotiations with third countries. With regard to port, this objective was confirmed at the time of the European summit in Berlin on the occasion of the conclusion of the agreement with South Africa (see also in this connection the Commission's answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-408/99(3)).(1) OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 41.(2) OJ C 82, 17.3.1998.(3) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 63.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 546/99 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE Discrimination in aid provision in Gibraltar
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: ARIAS CANETE, European Parliament
Subjects: Gibraltar, State aid, restriction on competition, single market, tax system, type of business













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91999E0546

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 546/99 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE Discrimination in aid provision in Gibraltar  


Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0127 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0546/99by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission(1 March 1999)Subject: Discrimination in aid provision in GibraltarDoes the Commission believe that the tax arrangements applicable in Gibraltar to certain categories of undertaking, especially those providing financial services, constitute State aid as prohibited by Article 42 of the EC Treaty, insofar as they grant preferential tax benefits not covered by the common arrangements, thereby distorting competition and disrupting trade in services and capital? Has the United Kingdom notified the Commission of these arrangements for State aid? What steps does the Commission intend to take to rectify this situation?Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission(6 April 1999)The Commission adopted on 11 November 1998(1) a notice on the application of state aid rules in the field of direct business taxation. The notice forms part of the wider objective of the Commission of clarifying and reinforcing the application of the state aid rules in the field of direct business taxation in order to reduce distortions of competition in the single market. The Commission's notice ensures that the rules and the objectives of the EC Treaty are applied consistently and equally.As indicated in the notice, the Commission is going to examine or re-examine all the existing tax arrangements in the Member States. The tax schemes that relate to intra-group services, financial services, insurance companies or offshore companies are the first to be examined under Article 92-93 of the EC Treaty. The tax schemes applicable in Gibraltar will be part of this investigation. Like most of the 35 tax schemes under investigation, the Gibraltar tax schemes have not been notified. The examination will determine whether the measures concerned constitute state aid under Article 92(1) and if so, whether or not they can be considered compatible under one of the derogations of Article 92(3).(1) SEC(98) 1800 final.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 400/99 by Robin TEVERSON EU food aid
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, TEVERSON
Subjects: EU aid, aid recipient, developing countries, distribution of aid, food aid, security of supply, terms for aid, third country

C 341/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.11.1999

problems calls for restructuring and support for the citrus fruit processing industry in order to modernise and
diversify, e.g. into the production and standardisation of natural juices.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Could measures to restructure citrus fruit growing and its processing industry be incorporated into the

operational programmes financed by the Structural funds?

2. What steps will the Commission take to include such measures in the 3rd Community Support

Framework?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 1999)

1.
This is in theory possible, but, given the advanced state of the current Structural Funds programming
period, there is not sufficient margin available in the 1994-99 Community Support Framework (CSF), in terms
of either funds or time, to initiate new structural measures in support of the citrus fruit sector.

2.
It is up to the authorities in the Member State in question to determine their priorities and include them
in their draft regional development plans and operational programmes. The Commission will examine them in
line with the provisions to be adopted for the third period, 2000-06.

(1999/C 341/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0400/99

by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: EU food aid

Would the Commission please list the total value of EU food aid to non-EU countries as it has evolved over the
last five years? In addition, would it provide a list of the value of this food aid by recipient country and, if
possible, by the donor EU Member State over the same period?

Is it also possible to have a list of the nature of EU food aid (i.e. grain, milk, processed goods) and an
explanation of how this aid system works (i.e. eligibility, decision process)?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

The total value of EU food aid over the last five years, broken down according to the nature of the aid, is shown
in tables which have been sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament.

Decisions on food aid and food security are currently adopted on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) 1292/96
of 27 June 1996 on food aid policy and food aid management and special operations in support of food
security (1).

The countries eligible for operations of this type are listed in the Annex to the Regulation. Allocations worth
more than EUR 2 million must first be approved by a management committee (composed of representatives of
the Member States and chaired by the Commission’s representative) before any decision is taken by the
Commission.

(1) OJ L 166, 5.7.1996.