do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1456/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission. Functional foods.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, dietary product, labelling, margarine, marketing

C 219 E/4

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

(2000/C 219 E/005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1456/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Functional foods

Can the Commission explain its objections to the new Unilever cholesterol-lowering margarine which was
initially approved by the Novel Foods Committee in the Netherlands?

(2000/C 219 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1457/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Functional foods

Does the Commission feel that it is justified to delay the launch of the Unilever cholesterol-lowering
margarine, considering that a similar product made by Raisio in Finland is already on the market in
Finland and will be marketed in several EU countries by McNiels?

(2000/C 219 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1458/99

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Functional foods

Does the Commission believe that the Finnish brand of cholesterol-lowering margarine, produced by
Raisio, should be investigated further now that concerns have been raised over the launch of Unilever(cid:146)s
equivalent brand?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1455/99, E-1456/99, E-1457/99 and E-1458/99
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 1999)

The Commission does not intend to propose new Community provisions for the labelling of so-called
(cid:145)functional foods(cid:146). This category does not currently exist in Community law, and the products concerned
are therefore subject to the general provisions of Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 (1)
on the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer.

In 1997, Unilever submitted in the Netherlands a request for placing on the Community market a yellow
fat spread with added phytosterol-esters, under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the Parliament and of the
Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (2). Unilever must have
considered that its product was not substantially equivalent to the product made in Finland by Raisio, as it
did not invoke Article 3(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 which lays down an abbreviated procedure for
products which are substantially equivalent to existing foods or food ingredients.

The Commission itself did not
the Dutch
authorities concerning the Unilever product. Reasoned objections were however presented by several
Member States; hence an authorisation can only be granted under the procedure laid down in Article 13 of

formulate objections to the initial assessment report of
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1489/99 by Brian CROWLEY Radiation from office computers
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: CROWLEY, European Parliament
Subjects: EU policy, electromagnetic interference, health policy, micro-computer

C 27 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1999)

One of the aims of developing the trans-European transport network is to use the existing waterways in
order to build up a consistent, interoperable and economically and ecologically rational network of inland
waterways which will enable these to provide a cheap, safe and environmentally-friendly form of transport
in an optimum manner.

Moreover, inland waterways perform multiple functions, in addition to that of transport, such as water-
borne tourism, regional planning, water management (irrigation, drinking water and groundwater replen-
ishment) apart from that of (cid:145)heritage(cid:146) (Canal du Midi
in France, boat lifts on the Canal du Centre in
Belgium). These are both factors that the Commission is attempting to include in its various areas of
thinking, such as those relating to infrastructure charges.

Against
highlighting the part played by waterways, including the World Canals Conference.

this backdrop the Commission is noting, with interest,

the outcome of the various events

(2000/C 27 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1489/99

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Radiation from office computers

The Commission will be aware of new research which suggests that office computers are capable of
making office workers sick by flooding their bodies with harmful radiation but that a new device can be
installed on top of computer screens which is designed to counter the effects of such radiation.

How does the Commission, therefore, intend to respond to the conclusion that low frequency magnetic
fields account for over a third of sick building syndrome?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1999)

In June, 1998 the Commission presented a proposal for a Council recommendation (1) on the limitation of
exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. This was adopted by the Council on 8 June
1999 (2).

This text takes account of the scientific opinion of the International commission on non-ionising radiation,
supported by the Commission(cid:146)s scientific steering committee.

The results of ongoing and future research in this area will be considered in the context of the reporting
procedure provided in this text.

(1) COM(99) 247 final.
(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(2000/C 27 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1490/99

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: The new EQUAL Community initiative

Under the new Structural Fund proposals, the existing ADAPT and Employment initiatives are to be
replaced with a single initiative to be called EQUAL.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1420/99 by Roberta ANGELILLI Reorganisation of the fire brigade
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU policy - national policy, first aid, health policy

C 27 E/60

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

(2000/C 27 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1419/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Protecting jobs at the Cooperativa Ceramica Industriale, Livorno

The Cooperativa Ceramica Industriale in Livorno, which has 130 employees, is Italy(cid:146)s largest producer of
ceramic insulators. Recently it has been experiencing the damaging effects of the new policy being pursued
by ENEL (Italy(cid:146)s national electricity company) which is intended to increase competition between suppliers
by means of bulk purchasing, the awarding of supply contracts to a limited number of companies, and so
on.

In view of the above, can the Commission say whether or not it considers that a business strategy
constitutes a serious threat to employment on account of the difficulties which it causes to many
companies, in particular very small ones, which can no longer hope to win contracts?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1999)

On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member the Commission is unable to assess
whether the measures taken by ENEL to obtain products from suppliers are in breach of the Community
rules on competition or whether they are legitimate measures which entail no distortion or discrimination
and are in compliance with the said rules in that a company with ENEL(cid:146)s legal and economic
responsibilities is obliged to take such measures for the purposes of obtaining the products in question.

As a rule, a company such as ENEL invites suppliers to compete with each other on the basis of objective
conditions laid down in the specifications for public procurement contracts. Suppliers, for their part, may
submit tenders either on their own or as part of a consortium if they see this as necessary in order to meet
the requirements set by the authority awarding the contract or as a more suitable way of countering the
competition from other tenderers.

(2000/C 27 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1420/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Reorganisation of the fire brigade

This question has been transformed into an oral question O-0200/99.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Commission does not have the information requested by the Honourable Member in its possession.
Indeed, for reasons of subsidiarity, the matters in question are dealt with at Member-State level.

However, we would ask the Honourable Member to refer to the Civil Defence Unit(cid:146)s website: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/dg11/civil/ which contains the (cid:145)Vade-mecum of Civil Protection in the European
Union(cid:146) which includes a description of the organisation of the emergency services in the 15 Member
States.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1552/99 by Graham WATSON European Commission Task Force on Vitamins and Minerals
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU policy, appointment of staff, food additive, food safety, food supplement, operation of the Institutions, scientific committee (EU), trace element, vitamin

C 27 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1999)

The Commission agrees that more sustainable forms of agriculture, such as organic farming, should be
promoted. In the Baden/Vienna organic conference of May 1999, the Commission made a commitment to
continue and where necessary increase its efforts to stimulate the development of the organic sector.

The reform of the common agricultural policy in Agenda 2000 in many ways provides important building
blocks for further development of this sector. In particular, several measures of Council Regulation (EC)
1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European agricultural guidance
and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (1), (e.g. investment, agri-
environment and processing and marketing) can be targeted to promote organic farming. Already in the
past, all Member States have used the possibility to promote organic farming through payments for
environmental services within their agri-environment programmes. The new requirement for the Member
States to produce integrated rural development programmes, will further facilitate the introduction of
marketing measures and other measures which will contribute to a balanced and sustainable organic
sector.

The Commission has introduced a legal framework for organic production by which definition of the
production method and inspection are harmonised for the Member States. Recently this legal framework
was expanded to include animal production and soon a Community logo for organic products will be
introduced.

A tiered approach to environmental programmes, as suggested by the Honourable Member, is already
pursued in the United Kingdom under the current programme period and may continue in the future.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 27 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1552/99

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: European Commission Task Force on Vitamins and Minerals

The European Commission has asked its Scientific Committee for Foods to set up a new Task Force to
look at the safety of vitamins and minerals. Will the Commission publish the membership list of the Task
Force and its detailed terms of reference?

(2000/C 27 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1593/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Task force on vitamins and minerals

Can the Commission indicate whether it has asked the Scientific Committee for Foods to set up a task
force to look into the safety of vitamins and minerals and with what remit?

If such a task force has already been established, who are its members? If no members have yet been
named, on what basis is recruitment planned?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1444/99 by Camilo NOGUEIRA ROMÁN Cultural development of the less-used European languages
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, NOGUEIRA ROMAN Camillo
Subjects: EU policy, cultural transmission, linguistic discrimination, regional culture, regional language

C 27 E/70

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

(2000/C 27 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1443/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Introduction of a pilot job creation scheme in Galicia pursuant to the Treaty of Amsterdam

Although the unemployment rate in Galicia stands at 17 % of the active population, neither the regional
government nor the central government of the Spanish state has instituted a job creation plan for Galicia
under the policy enshrined in the Treaty of Amsterdam and agreed by the Luxembourg European Council.
Both governments have merely submitted (cid:145)job creation plans(cid:146) to the EU which simply re-present budget
headings already accounted for, relabelling them to bring them into apparent line with the Union(cid:146)s
requirements while introducing no significant innovations which might entail any real change in policy on
a matter of crucial importance for the Galician economy.

In view of this, does the Commission consider it possible to introduce a pilot job creation scheme in
Galicia for 2000-2006, pursuant to the Treaty of Amsterdam?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-442/99
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s September 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (September 1999).

(2000/C 27 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1444/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Cultural development of the less-used European languages

Actions in the cultural field contribute to the promotion of cultural pluralism in Europe, as well as to its
diversity and variety. The so-called minority languages are, however, still badly served by the EU budget.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s position regarding the need for equitable budget treatment of the cultural
programmes based on the EU(cid:146)s less-used languages?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1999)

Learning and disseminating minority languages does of course help to maintain linguistic and cultural
diversity of the Community. The Commission has contributed to the promotion of regional and minority
languages in the Community by the implementation until 1998 of an action (cid:129) Promotion and safeguard
of regional and minority languages and culture (cid:129) funded by a specific item (B3-1006). The budget for this
item rose from 100 000 € in 1993 to 4 million € in 1988. The main activities involved in promoting
these languages were funding for projects presented by the language minorities concerned and for
information activities (Mercator information network), language research and funding for the European
Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL).
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1556/99 by Olivier DUPUIS The 3000 Kosovar prisoners still held in Serbia
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: DUPUIS, European Parliament
Subjects: Serbia, common foreign and security policy, international sanctions, political prisoner

C 27 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

(2000/C 27 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1556/99

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Council

(1 September 1999)

Subject: The 3 000 Kosovar prisoners still held in Serbia

In the last days of the international policing operations in Kosovo, some three thousand Kosovar prisoners
were abducted and forcibly transferred to Serbian prisons by Serbian military and paramilitary forces. The
prisoners include Prof. Ukshin Hoti, a prominent member of the opposition, whose prison sentence
expired in May 1999 and who has been nominated for the EP(cid:146)s 1999 Sakharov Prize, and Mr Albin Kurti,
former leader of the Pristina students(cid:146) movement.

Can the Council provide detailed information about the whereabouts and conditions of detention of
Prof. Hoti, Mr Kurti and the three thousand Kosovar prisoners still being held in Serbia?

What steps does the Council
intend to take to ensure that the Belgrade authorities immediately and
unconditionally release these 3 000 people and allow them to be reunited with their families in Kosovo?

Will the Council provide all the necessary assurances that neither the sanctions nor the embargo on Serbia
and Yugoslavia will be lifted until the Belgrade authorities release all the Kosovar prisoners currently held
in Yugoslav prisons?

Reply

(22 October 1999)

Regarding detailed information about the whereabouts and conditions of detention of these prisoners, the
Council wishes to inform the Honourable Parliamentarian that the ICRC has been allowed access to
Serbian jails by the Belgrade authorities and that it has identified 2 000 Kosovo Albanian prisoners so far.
On the issue of sanctions relief, the Council wishes to reassure the Honourable Parliamentarian that
progress in democratic freedoms and respect for the rights of minorities will be key elements in deciding
the lifting of sanctions targeting the Belgrade regime.

(2000/C 27 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/99

by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Questions on the EU complaints procedure (cid:129) Directive 65/65/EEC

Has the Commission ascertained to what extent other EU States have fulfilled these requirements, and

1.
what steps is it taking in this regard in the other EU States which are affected?

2.
Can these scientific publications, as the only evidence that the products are effective and harmless, be
considered to be a list of published references within the meaning of Article 4.8(a) of Directive 65/65/
EEC (1)?

3. What, in the Commission(cid:146)s view, are the prospects for the applicant achieving mutual European
recognition for complementary medicinal products, for example through setting up a committee for
alternative medicinal products?

(1) OJ L 22, 9.2.1965, p. 369.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1583/99 by Glyn FORD 'Green' fishmeal
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: common fisheries policy, eco-label, fish product

C 27 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

5. What will the Council do to restore the customary sporting links between Member States and
Yugoslavia as soon as possible?

Reply

(22 October 1999)

1.
The Council would like to recall that on 26 April 1999, the General Affairs Council meeting in
Luxembourg agreed to (cid:145)encourage member States and sporting organisations not to organise international
sporting events with the participation of the FRY(cid:146).

2.
Acting in conformity with the fore-mentioned recommendation, The Netherlands have informed
member States of their intention not to issue visas to sportsmen and women from the FRY wanting to
participate in international sporting events being organised in The Netherlands.

3.
In spite of efforts by all member States, the General Affairs Council meeting of 31 May 1999
(cid:145)expressed its disappointment that some major sporting events are still taking place. It calls on international
sporting organisations in Europe, notably UEFA, to reconsider decisions which would permit such sporting
fixtures.(cid:146)

4.
The Council wishes to underline its continued intention to reach out to the Serbian people, who have
suffered as a result of the detrimental policies of its leadership. This distinction between the Belgrade
regime and the population in the FRY was taken into account when the General Affairs Council of
13 September 1999 agreed to rescind its decision concerning the discouragement of the sporting links.

(2000/C 27 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1583/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject:

(cid:145)Green(cid:146) fishmeal

Is the Commission willing to allow a distinction to be made between fishmeal produced from fish waste
and that produced by (cid:145)industrial fishing(cid:146) which threatens to destroy habitats?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1999)

Fish meal is produced from fish that for various reasons cannot be used directly for human consumption.
The sources are fish trimmings, non-marketable fish and fish species for which consumption is currently
very limited or non-existent. As in the case of other fisheries, the Commission attaches great importance to
ensuring that fishing for industrial purposes is conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Directed fishing for industrial purposes is therefore carefully regulated and monitored and the Commission
is not aware of habitat threats caused by these fisheries.

The Commission is concerned about the practical and legal feasibility of implementing separate labelling of
fishmeal, as most fish meal processing plants use trimmings and industrial fish indistinguishably. What is
more important is to be sure that the products are derived from sustainable fishing.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1886/1999 of 1 September 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, grape, import price, pip fruit, stone fruit

2. 9. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 232/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1886/1999

of 1 September 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,

(2) Whereas,

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

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

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

(1) Whereas Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down,
pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multi-
the criteria whereby the
lateral
Commission fixes the standard values for imports from
third countries, in respect of the products and periods
stipulated in the Annex thereto;

trade negotiations,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

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

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 2 September 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 1 September 1999.

For the Commission

Neil KINNOCK

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15.7.1998, p. 4.

L 232/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

2. 9. 1999

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

ANNEX

CN code

0709 90 70

0805 30 10

0806 10 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

0809 30 10, 0809 30 90

0809 40 05

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
999
388
524
528
999
052
064
400
624
999
388
400
508
512
524
528
800
804
999
052
064
388
999
052
999
052
064
066
068
093
624
999

69,2
69,2
66,7
68,3
70,8
68,6
75,8
81,9
218,9
87,0
115,9
58,3
51,0
41,3
66,6
46,0
45,5
176,1
72,0
69,6
83,8
46,0
71,9
67,2
98,6
98,6
44,7
45,4
46,6
42,0
17,4
184,8
63,5

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2645/98 (OJ L 335, 10.12.1998, p. 22). Code ‘999’ stands for ‘of

other origin’.