do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1032/99 by Luigi FLORIO Safety in road and rail tunnels
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, FLORIO
Subjects: man-made disaster, safety standard, transport accident, transport safety, tunnel

C 370/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.12.1999

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The maximum journey times for live animal transport between Member States have been harmonized by
the adoption of Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC concerning
the protection of animals during transport (1).

This Directive laid down in Chapter VII, point 2 that journey times for animals belonging to the bovine,
equine, caprine, ovine and porcine species shall not exceed eight hours, unless the road vehicles meet some
special conditions. In these circumstances, it is laid down in Chapter VII, point 4 of the above mentioned
Directive how long animals of these species may be transported by a road vehicle, before the animals need
to be unloaded on staging points or at the final destination.

The Commission is therefore not of the opinion that there is a need to promote further harmonization of
maximum journey times for live animal transports between Member States.

(1) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995.

(1999/C 370/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1032/99

by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Safety in road and rail tunnels

The tragedy which occurred in the Mont Blanc tunnel last week starkly highlighted the lack of safety
provisions in all of Europe’s road and rail tunnels.

Does the Commission not consider that:

(a) European legislation should be drawn up without delay to guarantee uniform safety standards for all

tunnels?

(b)

temporary rules should be introduced governing safety provisions to be observed until such time as
existing structures can be adapted to new standards?

What other measures does the Commission think should be adopted to prevent similar tragedies recurring
elsewhere in the Union?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The Commission has noted the resolution adopted by the Parliament on 15 April 1999 on the accident in
the Mont Blanc tunnel.

In particular it shares the belief of the Parliament that it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions
before the report of the enquiry is published.

It also welcomes the Parliament’s wish to see both a speedy adoption of the proposed directive concerning
the roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of vehicles (1).

(1) OJ C 190, 18.6.1998.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 723/1999 of 7 April 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit

8. 4. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 93/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 723/1999

of 7 April 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-
the import arrangements for fruit and veget-
tion of
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;

in compliance with the above criteria,

Whereas,
the
standard 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 8 April 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 7 April 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 93/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 4. 1999

to the Commission Regulation of 7 April 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
999
052
068
999
220
999
052
204
999
052
204
212
600
624
999
052
999
039
388
400
404
508
512
524
528
720
804
999
388
400
512
528
720
999

80,5
65,2
72,8
114,3
107,2
110,8
220,2
220,2
87,6
117,8
102,7
44,8
46,3
50,2
50,9
47,4
47,9
52,7
52,7
110,0
89,0
92,4
98,1
79,2
91,9
68,8
74,5
99,1
107,8
91,1
66,7
65,2
75,5
65,6
79,6
70,5

(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. 849/99 by Anne ANDRÉ-LÉONARD Reductions in old age pensions for those already receiving a pension in another Member State
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Belgium, Community migration, EU law - national law, EU national, pension scheme, retirement conditions, self-employment, social security, wage earner

C 348/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

(1999/C 348/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0848/99

by Tony Cunningham (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Barbarity of the fur trade in China

Is the Commission aware of the barbaric treatment of animals in China, in particular of Alsatian dogs, involved
in the production of fur for the international market?

Can the Commission supply details of any fur trade between the EU and China and provide assurance that it
has no connection with the perpetrators of this horrific aspect of the trade?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that animals should not be treated in a cruel
manner, notably in order to produce fur for international trade.

However, the Commission is not collecting any specific information concerning trade and processing of dog
fur in China. It is therefore not possible to confirm whether this business is growing.

Given that animal welfare is becoming increasingly relevant in terms of international trade, this issue may in
the future be raised in the World trade organisation (WTO) context. The possibility of amending WTO rules to
address welfare concerns more generally will be addressed in the context of the determination of the
Community’s negotiating objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations.

(1999/C 348/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/99

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Reductions in old age pensions for those already receiving a pension in another Member State

In April 1998 it was reported in the press that proceedings were to be brought against Belgium before the
European Court of Justice following complaints about reductions in old age pensions for persons already
receiving a pension in another Member State.

Will the Commission say what progress has been made in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

It seems that the question posed concerns the application by the Belgian National Pensions Office of national
anti-overlapping? rules to reduce the amount of the supplement added to a mining worker’s old-age pension
when the person was already receiving one or more pensions of the same kind from one or more Member
State.

In its judgment of 22 October 1998 in case C143/97 ; Conti v ONP, the Court of Justice found for Mr Conti,
holding that a national rule such as the one in question constitutes a reduction clause? within the meaning of
Article 12(2) of Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 as amended by Regulation (EC) 118/97 on the application of social
security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving
within the Community (1).

(1) OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 975/99 by Eluned MORGAN Ritual slaughter of animals in religious festival
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, MORGAN
Subjects: Islam, animal health, animal welfare, customs and traditions, meat processing industry, protection of animals, public health, religious group, slaughter of animals, veterinary inspection

C 348/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission aims to avoid the use of such terms as ‘mentally handicapped’, ‘handicap’, or ‘handicapped’ in
English language texts being aware that people with disabilities consider them to be pejorative terms in
English. The preferred usage is, respectively, ‘with learning difficulties’, ‘disability’ and ‘disabled’.

(1999/C 348/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0975/99

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Ritual slaughter of animals in religious festival

Can the Commission clarify the legal situation with regard to the ritual slaughter of animals in religious
festivals in the open in Member States and how is this enforced?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 1999)

Council Directive 93/119/EEC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and
killing (1), requires that ritual slaughter must take place in an abattoir and must comply with other Community
public health, animal health and welfare requirements.

The Commission is aware that in certain Member States some slaughtering of animals during the religious
festival of Eid-el-Kabir may take place outside slaughterhouses. The Commission has raised the matter within
the standing veterinary committee. Most Member States have underlined that they have transposed the
Directive in such a way to prohibit slaughter outside the slaughterhouses.

However, in a minority of Member States ritual slaughter outside slaughterhouses either takes place illegally or
is subject to a certain degree of toleration by the competent authorities.

The Commission intends to raise the situation in the standing veterinary committee again and then draw its
conclusions.

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993.

(1999/C 348/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0983/99

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(15 April 1999)

Subject: Action to eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade with the United States

The customs formalities imposed by the United States are particularly detailed and require a large amount of
information, most of which would appear to be irrelevant for customs or statistical purposes. This is
prejudicial to European exporters, especially those in the textile sector.

Does the United States plan to act to resolve this problem? If not, does the Commission intend to take any
action in this area?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 840/99 by Sören WIBE The performance of the euro
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, WIBE
Subjects: economic analysis, euro, exchange rate, financial market, foreign exchange market













EUR-Lex - 91999E0840 - EN






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91999E0840

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 840/99 by Sören WIBE The performance of the euro  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0124 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0840/99by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission(7 April 1999)Subject: The performance of the euroWill the Commission explain why the euro is falling like a stone on international currency markets? Was it not intended that the euro should be a strong currency?Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission(7 May 1999)Seen over the last 12 months, the euro is not falling like a stone. The exchange rate with the United States dollar in late April 1999 (1 euro = $1,06/1,07) is very close to its synthetic rate before the Russian crisis in September 1998. The euro stood in the range $ 1,08/1,10 between spring 1997 and late August 1998. Bearing in mind that a certain level of fluctuation between the European and the United States currencies is normal, one could arguably say that the rate is just back to the level it enjoyed for almost one and a half years. Exchange rate developments since 1 January 1999 can mainly be explained by the unexpected strength of the United States economy.Regarding the long term prospects for the euro as an international currency, changes on the bond market are more significant than short term fluctuations of the exchange rate. These changes are structural, as shown by developments on the international bond market. During the first quarter of 1999, the world's total issuance amount denominated in euro has been larger than in $ (46 % and 44 % respectively), leaving the "market share" of third currencies, including the £ and the yen, to shrink to a mere 10 %. This is to be compared with the situation two years ago, when participating currencies accounted for less than 30 %.More globally speaking, the euro bond market has grown larger and more liquid, allowing new issuers, in particular companies, to tap it. The euro corporate bond market is currently soaring. To a lesser extent, and with a slower pace, the same positive evolution can be observed on the equity market. In spite of the short term weakening of its external value, the euro is already considered by financial investors to be one of the two leading world currencies.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 855/99 by Bill MILLER Excise duty
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, MILLER
Subjects: VAT rate, alcoholic beverage, economic analysis, economic statistics, excise duty, tax on consumption

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/139

(1999/C 348/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0855/99

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Excise duty

Does the Commission believe that the 1994 Bossard study and its results are still relevant? If not, does it intend
to update the study?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

The Bossard study of 1995 was based on statistics dating from the late eighties and early nineties. The
Commission has therefore decided to call for an update of that study before producing its report on the
minimum rates of duty on alcoholic drinks. Similarly, it will consult once more all interested bodies requesting
an update of their views on those minimum rates in the light of developments since the last review of
minimum rates (1).

(1) COM(95) 285 final.

(1999/C 348/192)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0857/99

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Discrimination against women in a municipal transport company in Murcia (Spain)

The transport company LAT Ltd operates in the Murcian capital and all the surrounding districts, providing
both municipal transport and discretionary and school transport services. It employs over 300 people, and
operates under a municipal concession from Murcia City Council.

I am informed that this company employs no women bus drivers, and does not even invite women to sit the
technical exams required for the job. Within the establishment, however, it so happens that those responsible
for cleaning the buses are mainly women, and they do have to drive the vehicles for cleaning purposes, a fact
which is in flat contradiction with the company’s policy of not contracting women as drivers.

1.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

2.
Does the Commission not believe that the municipal authorities, specifically the Murcia city councillor
responsible for town planning and transport, should have examined the company’s policy on the employment
of women when they granted it a municipal concession?

Does the Commission not believe that the municipal authorities are responsible for ensuring that labour

3.
legislation on quality of opportunities for men and women is actually complied with?

4.
Does the Commission not believe that the right of European women, and more specifically, Directive 76/
207/EEC (1) on implementing the principle of equal treatment for men and women is being infringed,
particularly with reference to access of employment, vocational training and development, and working
conditions?

5. What is the Commission doing about this situation?

(1) OJ L 39, 14.2.1976, p. 40.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 848/99 by Tony CUNNINGHAM Barbarity of the fur trade in China
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: CUNNINGHAM, European Parliament
Subjects: China, World Trade Organisation, animal welfare, domestic animal, fur-bearing animal, hides and furskins industry, international trade, protection of animals

C 348/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

(1999/C 348/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0848/99

by Tony Cunningham (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Barbarity of the fur trade in China

Is the Commission aware of the barbaric treatment of animals in China, in particular of Alsatian dogs, involved
in the production of fur for the international market?

Can the Commission supply details of any fur trade between the EU and China and provide assurance that it
has no connection with the perpetrators of this horrific aspect of the trade?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that animals should not be treated in a cruel
manner, notably in order to produce fur for international trade.

However, the Commission is not collecting any specific information concerning trade and processing of dog
fur in China. It is therefore not possible to confirm whether this business is growing.

Given that animal welfare is becoming increasingly relevant in terms of international trade, this issue may in
the future be raised in the World trade organisation (WTO) context. The possibility of amending WTO rules to
address welfare concerns more generally will be addressed in the context of the determination of the
Community’s negotiating objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations.

(1999/C 348/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0849/99

by Anne André-Léonard (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Reductions in old age pensions for those already receiving a pension in another Member State

In April 1998 it was reported in the press that proceedings were to be brought against Belgium before the
European Court of Justice following complaints about reductions in old age pensions for persons already
receiving a pension in another Member State.

Will the Commission say what progress has been made in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

It seems that the question posed concerns the application by the Belgian National Pensions Office of national
anti-overlapping? rules to reduce the amount of the supplement added to a mining worker’s old-age pension
when the person was already receiving one or more pensions of the same kind from one or more Member
State.

In its judgment of 22 October 1998 in case C143/97 ; Conti v ONP, the Court of Justice found for Mr Conti,
holding that a national rule such as the one in question constitutes a reduction clause? within the meaning of
Article 12(2) of Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 as amended by Regulation (EC) 118/97 on the application of social
security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving
within the Community (1).

(1) OJ L 28, 30.1.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 928/99 by Rijk van DAM Transport of emergency aid to Ukraine
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN DAM
Subjects: Ukraine, emergency aid, flood, humanitarian aid

21.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 370/141

on the questions and issues it raised. The Commission has also organised three public hearings
(24 February 1999 for individual entities or companies; 17 March 1999 for interest groups or associations;
30 March 1999 for administrations). The International amateur radio union (IARU) participated in one of
the meetings and had, and continues to have, the opportunity to put forward opinions.

Radio-amateurs as well as their national or European interest groups are welcome to submit in writing any
view deemed relevant. All comments will be published on the web site http://www.ispo.cec.be/spectrumgp.

The green paper addresses spectrum policy related issues from a generic point of view pertinent to all
sectors or applications, including the usage made by radio-amateurs which falls under the category of
Research and development (R&D) discussed in the green paper. The Commission welcomes any comments
which representative radio-amateur interest groups may wish to put forward on policy issues in relation
with spectrum policy and will study proposals carefully in the context of all responses received.

(1) COM(98) 596 final.

(1999/C 370/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0928/99

by Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Transport of emergency aid to Ukraine

Can the Commission confirm that the import of shipments of emergency aid to the areas of Ukraine
1.
affected by flooding (especially the sub-Carpathians) has been prevented by the customs authorities
since February 1999?

Is the Commission aware that various shipments of emergency aid have been put into store at the

2.
Ukrainian border and have not in fact been transported to the areas affected?

Can the Commission confirm that a suspension of the import rules in the period after the flooding

3.
has recently been followed by the reintroduction of especially strict rules?

Is the Commission prepared to raise this problem through its office in Kiev and endeavour to find a

4.
solution that enables the Ukrainian citizens concerned to receive the goods intended for them?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his interest in humanitarian operations in Ukraine.
The Commission, via its specialised service for humanitarian assistance (ECHO), has altogether funded five
assistance projects in connection with the floods in Transcarpathia and Western Ukraine (total value
1,28 million euro).

None of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) implementing these projects has so far reported
major difficulties with local authorities (including the customs authorities). Many of the humanitarian
goods required in the disaster zone have been purchased locally. The Commission has not received any
representations from humanitarian agencies encountering difficulties in Ukraine in this regard.