do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 561/99 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Competition policy in the retailing sector
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: competition law, competition policy, exclusive distribution agreement, restriction on competition, retail selling, vertical agreement

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/159

(1999/C 297/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0501/99

by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: International Year of the Older Person

What measures has the Commission undertaken to give European Union recognition to 1999 as the
International Year of the Older Person?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No 0149/99 by
Mr Sisó Cruellas (1).

(1)

See page 147.

(1999/C 297/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0561/99

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Competition policy in the retailing sector

Can the Commission please provide details of any initiatives recently taken or shortly to be taken in this
sphere?

Is the Commission policy in this area being reviewed and if so, on what basis?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 1999)

In 1997, following the publication of the green paper on vertical restraints (1), the Commission launched a
policy review exercise with a view to reconsidering the Community competition rules applicable to
distribution agreements, including the retailing sector. In the light of the indications arising from the wide
public consultation, the Commission adopted on 30 September 1998 a communication on the application of
Community competition rules to vertical restraints (2) which describes the policy the Commission intends to
adopt in this field.

The main aim of the proposed new policy is a shift to a more economic oriented approach, resulting in a much
broader coverage of vertical agreements by one block exemption regulation. Such a policy will lead to a
reduced regulatory burden, a simplification of the applicable rules, a reduction of the notification requirements
and a more effective control of vertical restraints implemented by companies holding significant market
power.

The Commission also follows the developments in the retailing sector, with particular reference to the
implications that the exercise of buying power may have on the application of Community competition rules.

(1) COM(96) 721 final.
(2) COM(98) 544 final.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 542/1999 of 12 March 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: customs regulations, fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, import price, reference price

13. 3. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 66/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 542/1999

of 12 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 13 March 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 12 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 66/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 3. 1999

to the Commission Regulation of 12 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
624
999
068
999
220
999
052
204
999
052
204
212
600
624
999
052
600
999
388
400
404
508
512
528
720
728
999
052
388
400
512
528
624
999

70,2
34,6
149,5
84,8
130,2
130,2
148,0
148,0
113,4
154,8
134,1
62,1
47,1
48,0
47,8
52,0
51,4
43,9
78,1
61,0
88,4
83,9
66,9
89,9
90,8
93,0
95,2
95,7
88,0
134,4
68,4
49,7
69,7
70,3
69,2
76,9

(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'.
Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services operating between Member States (COM(98)0251 C4-0424/98 98/0159(SYN)) (Cooperation procedure: first reading)
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: Committee on Transport and Tourism, European Parliament
Subjects: carriage of passengers, crew, ferryboat, maritime transport

C 175/440

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.6.1999

Friday 12 March 1999

Legislative  resolution  embodying  Parliament’s  opinion  on  the  proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation
amending  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3577/92  applying  the  principle  of  freedom  to  provide
services  to  maritime  transport  within  Member  States  (maritime  cabotage)  (COM(98)0251  −
C4-0423/98 − 98/0158(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

−  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0251 − 98/0158(SYN)( (1)),

−  having  been  consulted  by  the  Council  pursuant  to  Articles  189c  and  84(2)  of  the  EC  Treaty

(C4-0423/98),

−  having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

−  having  regard  to  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Transport  and  Tourism  and  the  opinion  of  the

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A4-0075/99),

1.

Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament’s amendments;

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC

2.
Treaty;

Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament’s amendments in the common position that it adopts

3.
in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text

4.
approved by Parliament;

Asks  to  be  consulted  again  should  the  Council  intend  to  make  substantial  modifications  to  the

5.
Commission proposal;

6.

Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.

(1)  OJ C 213, 9.7.1998, p. 16.

Proposal for a Council Directive on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services
operating between Member States (COM(98)0251 − C4-0424/98 − 98/0159(SYN))

II.

The proposal was approved with following amendments:

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION (*)

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

(Amendment 5)

Article 1a (new)

Article 1a

This Directive shall not apply to exclusively cargo-carrying
vessels engaged in trade between ports situated in different
Member States.

(*)  OJ C 213, 9.7.1998, p. 17.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 588/99 by Nuala AHERN Revisions to the Commission proposals in COM(92)56 final
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: AHERN, European Parliament
Subjects: EAEC, European Community, United Kingdom, confidentiality, exchange of information, protection of communications, right to justice

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/105

(1999/C 348/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0588/99

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Revisions to the Commission proposals in COM(92) 56 final

What revisions have been made to the Commission proposals (COM(92) 56 final) (1) on the security measures
applicable to classified information produced or transmitted in connection with EEC or Euratom activities, of
24 February 1992, in respect of the classification as confidential of information transmitted on Sellafield by the
United Kingdom authorities to Euratom or the Commission?

(1) OJ C 72, 21.3.1992, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1999)

The Honourable Member is invited to note that the proposal she cites has been withdrawn by the Commission.

(1999/C 348/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0613/99

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: The Tibetan Antelope 3 extinction and fur trade

The Tibetan Antelope has been included on the list of species for which trade is strictly forbidden under CITES
since 1979, as it is under threat of extinction.

Despite this ban, the animal’s fur, known as Shahtoosh, became very popular in the 1980s and is, according to
Friends of Nature, available for sale in a number of markets throughout the European Union, including
London.

Given this situation, and the fact that the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has pledged to raise this issue with
the relevant UK and European Union authorities, what action has the Commission taken to put an end to this
trade, being a clear breach of the CITES ban?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 1999)

The Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), is strictly
implemented in the Community with Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 (1) and Commission Regulation (EC)
939/97 (2).

Shawls containing the hair of the Tibetan antelope have indeed been on sale within Europe despite a total ban
on imports and sale under the regulations concerned. The Commission is not aware of this being a recent
problem but will raise the matter again in the committee on wild fauna and flora established with the above
Council Regulation and will urge Member States to take the necessary measures to avoid this kind of trade
taking place.

(1) OJ 61 of 3.3.1997.
(2) OJ 140 of 30.5.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 629/99 by Anne McINTOSH Working-time Directive
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MCINTOSH
Subjects: EC Directive, bankruptcy, carrier, road safety, road transport, small and medium-sized enterprises, wage cost, working conditions, working time

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/109

This information was transmitted to the complainant, who did not bring to the attention of the Commission
new elements helping to identify a breach of Community law in this case. In the light of the above, the facts
raised by the Honourable Members do not disclose a breach of Directive 92/43/EEC.

As no breach of Directive 92/43/EEC has been identified, the Commission does not consider it necessary to
open a special investigation about the way in which Community funds have been used. Nevertheless, as any
other Life-Nature project, this project is subject to regular technical and financial controls.

(1999/C 348/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0625/99

by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: The Commission’s replies to written questions

According to Rule 42 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament, the Commission is required to
reply to written questions from Members of the European Parliament within six weeks. In practice, however, it
often takes nearly 3 months for the Commission to reply.

Why is the Commission often unable to abide by the six-week deadline laid down in Parliament’s Rules of
Procedure?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 1999)

The Commission does its best to carry out its duty under Article 140 EC Treaty to reply to parliamentary
questions. It devotes considerable resources to giving replies which are as complete and rapid as possible.
These replies sometimes require extensive investigation or even enquiries of Member States.

The Commission replies to a large number of the questions inside the six week period set down in Parliament’s
internal rules, but is not able to do so in all cases. The average reply time of six weeks and four days in 1998 is
capable of improvement. The Commission is attempting to reply within the period identified by the
Parliament.

The Honourable Member will appreciate that recourse to the formal method of interrogating the Commission
provided by Article 140 EC Treaty implies certain consequences (use of 11 languages, coordination between
services, adoption in a way ensuring collegiate responsibility, publication in the official journal) which
inevitably take a certain time.

(1999/C 348/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0629/99

by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Working-time Directive

Has the Commission assessed the impact on the transport industry of the proposed extension of the Working-
time Directive?

Does the Commission not consider that the cost involved would be prohibitive, and risk putting some road
hauliers out of business?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 550/1999 of 12 March 1999 fixing the maximum purchasing price for butter for the 235th invitation to tender carried out under the standing invitation to tender governed by Regulation (EEC) No 1589/87
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, award of contract, butter, intervention buying, intervention price, market prices

L 66/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

13. 3. 1999

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 550/1999

of 12 March 1999

fixing the maximum purchasing price for butter for the 235th invitation to
tender carried out under the standing invitation to tender governed by Regula-
tion (EEC) No 1589/87

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 the first
subparagraph of Article 7a(1) first indent and Article 7a(3)
thereof,

Whereas Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No
1589/87 of 5 June 1987 on the sale by tender of butter to
intervention agencies (3), as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 124/1999 (4), provides that, in the light of the
tenders received for each invitation to tender, a maximum
buying-in price is to be fixed in relation to the interven-

tion price applicable and that it may also be decided not
to proceed with the invitation to tender;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 235th invitation to tender issued under Regula-
tion (EEC) No 1589/87, for which tenders had to be
submitted not later than 9 March 1999, the maximum
buying-in price is fixed at EUR 295,38/100 kg.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 13 March 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 12 March 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 146, 6. 6. 1987, p. 27.
(4) OJ L 16, 21. 1. 1999, p. 19.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 577/99 by Antonio TAJANI Proposal to include city police among the high-risk groups
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, TAJANI
Subjects: Lombardy, civil service, combustion gases, environmental risk prevention, health risk, local government, occupational health, occupational safety, police, respiratory disease

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/121

(1999/C 325/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0556/99

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Young people’s addiction to games machines

The Saragossa Association of Reformed Gamblers (Asociación Zaragozana de Jugadores de Rehabilitación )
AZAJER) has reported an increase in the number of teenagers from rural areas addicted to games and slot
machines. The Association claims that rural societies do not view slot machines as being particularly harmful,
nor is it widely felt that addiction to games machines is an illness that should be treated.

Is there any EU initiative aimed at preventing and treating the problem of addiction to games machines?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 1999)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that there is no Community initiative aimed at
preventing and treating the problem of addiction to games machines.

(1999/C 325/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0577/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Proposal to include city police among the high-risk groups

On Tuesday, 23 February 1999 five Milanese police officers were admitted to hospital with symptoms of
exhaust gas poisoning.

In the light of this latest incident, does the Commission believe that city police officers should be counted
among the high-risk groups?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 1999)

Article 2(1) of framework Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements
in the safety and health of workers at work (1) states that the Directive applies to all sectors of activity, both
public and private.

However, paragraph 2 of this Article states that certain specific public service activities, such as the armed
forces, the police or the civil protection services, may be excluded, but only where ‘characteristics peculiar to
[these] activities inevitably conflict with it’. In that event, it is necessary to ensure that the safety and health of
workers is guaranteed, insofar as at all possible, in keeping with the objectives of the Directive.

In the light of these provisions, and where characteristics peculiar to the activities carried out by local police
officers do not inevitably conflict with the application of the provisions of the framework Directive, the
employer must evaluate the risks to which they are exposed and introduce appropriate measures to ensure
enhanced protection of the safety and health of these workers. Their identification as a risk group will therefore
depend on the type of activity carried out and on the specific conditions under which local police officers have
to work.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 574/99 by Carlos BRU PURÓN Alteration of the course of the River Jarama
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: BRU PURON, European Parliament
Subjects: Spain, airport, environmental impact, project evaluation, watercourse

C 348/102

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

(1999/C 348/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0567/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Update on the central dairy in Rome

Various questions have been asked about the conformity of the procedure for the privatization of the central
dairy in Rome. Having regard to the answer given by Commissioner Fischler to Written Question E-3408/
97 (1), in which he referred to a complaint about the grant of public funds for the restructuring of the central
dairy, can the Commission say what has happened since then in relation to the complaint and what steps it
intends to take?

(1) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 103.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 1999)

Following the initiation of the procedure provided for in Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty with regard to the grant
of public funds by the municipality of Rome for the operation and privatisation of the Centrale del Latte
di Roma, the Commission hopes soon to be in a position to adopt a final decision on the matter.

(1999/C 348/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0574/99

by Carlos Bru Purón (PSE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Alteration of the course of the River Jarama

On Wednesday, 17 February 1999 the Spanish development minister, Mr Rafael Arias-Salgado, announced
plans to alter the current course of the River Jarama to make way for the expansion of Barajas airport.

Is the Commission aware of the risk involved in such activities, which have wreaked havoc in the past?

Does it know whether a report of any kind on the environmental impact of this project has been drawn up?

Is it true that this project would constitute an infringement of at least three European directives?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission had been unaware of the situation described by the Honourable Member.

However, as part of its examination of the complaints concerning the extension of Barajas airport, the
Commission has contacted the Spanish authorities in order to obtain details of the situation described in your
question.

Owing to the lack of more precise information on the intended relocation of the river Jarama’s course, the
Commission is currently unable to confirm whether the project in question could be in breach of any
Community Directive.