WRITTEN QUESTION E-1615/99 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Bison meat and premium payments under EU beef regime.
Date: 1999-09-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: World Trade Organisation, agricultural guidance, beef, common agricultural policy, external competence (EU)

C 203 E/10

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

(2000/C 203 E/011)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1603/99

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 September 1999)

Subject: Earthquake in Turkey and nuclear power station at Ankaya

On 16 August 1999 Turkey suffered one of the most disastrous earthquakes in the country(cid:146)s history,
measuring approximately 7 on the Richter scale. Many thousands have been killed or injured in the
earthquake and countless buildings have been destroyed in Istanbul, Izmit and Eskisehir.

It is worth pointing out that the earthquake comes in the wake of a long series of highly destructive
tremors that have affected the wider region in recent years, leaving it to be classified as one of the most
earthquake prone regions in the world.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view on the proposed construction of a nuclear power station in the Turkish
region of Ankaya which was also hit around one year ago by a destructive earthquake in which dozens of
Turks lost their lives and serious damage was done to buildings and infrastructures over a radius of several
kilometres?

Answer given by Mr. Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 1999)

The information available to the Commission indicates that the Turkish authorities have not yet awarded
the construction contract for the nuclear power station at Ankaya, nor does it give a date when they are
likely to take such a decision.

As far as safety is concerned, the authorities have already stated that the Ankaya site was chosen after
detailed seismic, geological and environmental studies. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has
said that the assumptions underlying the proposed plans allow for a stronger earthquake than any ever
recorded in the region, with the epicentre at the power station itself, rather than on the nearest fault line
20 kilometres away. According to the IAEA, the terrible earthquake in August in the north-west (though
far away from Ankaya) would not have changed the results.

Although the Commission is following this project closely, it does not have any authority in the decision-
making process regarding the construction work or the site. The Turkish authorities, especially the Turkish
Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA) are solely responsible.

(2000/C 203 E/012)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1615/99

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 September 1999)

Subject: Bison meat and premium payments under EU beef regime

Can the Commission state whether there is any possibility that it will agree to extend the system of
premium payments under the EU beef regime to bison meat? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Commission is not competent to extend the system of premiums in the beef and veal sector to include
bison. Clearly, neither the current basic regulation on beef and veal (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68) (1), nor
the new common organisation of the market as set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 (2) under

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/11

the Agenda 2000 package, provides for the grant of premiums for bison. Indeed, in the case of live
animals, the definition of bovine animals in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 (and the
corresponding Article of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999) covers only (cid:145)live animals of the domestic bovine
species(cid:146) described in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) (3). In practice this means that aid for domestic
bovine animals cannot be paid in respect of other bovine animals (including bison).

Two kinds of problem would arise if bison were to be included in the support scheme for domestic bovine
animals. Firstly, a greater number of animal species would enjoy Community support. Member States have
on a number of occasions been unwilling to accept such an increase. The matter was raised again during
the Agenda 2000 discussions, when it was decided not to change the legal status of bison and their
eligibility for beef premiums. The second problem arises in the context of the Community(cid:146)s international
relations. A fresh round of international trade negotiations (WTO talks (cid:129) World Trade Organisation) starts
in November 1999, when the Community(cid:146)s partners are likely to challenge the direct aid it grants under
the common agricultural policy. In these circumstances, therefore, it would not be appropriate to extend
the scope of this aid to include more species.

(1) OJ L 148, 28.6.1968.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(3)

See explanatory notes in OJ C 287, 15.9.1998.

(2000/C 203 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(15 September 1999)

Subject: Control of Internet use in Tunisia

Tunisia ranks amongst the countries in which Internet access is subject to the strictest control and
censorship, the aim being to avoid the propagation of (cid:145)subversive ideas(cid:146) and to protect (cid:145)state security(cid:146). Such
control takes the form of a state monopoly on access, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of
users, and the screening and monitoring of electronic mail. As a result, Tunisian citizens seeking to
exercise freedom of information and expression find themselves faced with extremely severe legal action.

Does the Commission not consider that such practices by the authorities in Tunis run counter to the spirit
and the letter of the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the European Union?

What measures have been or will be taken by the Commission to induce Tunisia to abolish the state
monopoly on Internet access and to eliminate firewall screening, checks on providers, the compulsory
registration of users and the monitoring of electronic mail?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 1999)

The Commission is aware of the extent to which the Tunisian authorities control use of the Internet.

All applications to subscribe to the Internet pass through the Tunisian Internet agency (ATI) which also
acts as a server for the Government and some diplomatic missions. There are two private companies
(Planet Tunisie and Global Tunisie) authorised as servers for private subscribers. Other institutional servers
exist in several areas of the public sector (education, research institutes, etc.). The number of Internet