WRITTEN QUESTION P-2246/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Organo-phosphate pesticides.
Date: 1999-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cereal product, consumer protection, directive (EU), environmental risk prevention, evaluation method, food contamination, food safety, health risk, pesticide

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/153

To ensure exhaustiveness of the data on gross national product (GNP) and other national accounts
aggregates used for Community purposes (especially in determining Member States contributions to the
Community budget), the Commission has worked intensively with the statistical services of the Member
States for the last ten years to ensure that all activity that should be included in GNP is in fact included,
regardless of whether or how it is declared to the authorities. A description of this work can be found in
the report from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament (cid:129) the application of the Council
Directive on the compilation of gross national product at market prices (1).

In the context of the European employment strategy, the Commission has issued a communication on
undeclared work (2) addressing policy options in this area. In this communication, undeclared work is
defined as any paid activities that are lawful as regards their nature but not declared to the public
authorities, bearing in mind that differences in the regulatory systems of Member States must be taken into
account.

(1) COM(96) 124 final.
(2) COM(98) 219 final.

(2000/C 170 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/99

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 December 1999)

Subject: Employees of the central banks of the Member States

Please state the number of qualified economists (possessing a higher degree in economics at an institution
of higher education) practising as economists in each of the national central banks and in the ECB.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission (which is unfortunately
unable to supply the information requested).

(2000/C 170 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2246/99

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Organo-phosphate pesticides

What action is the Commission taking to identify and reduce the long-term effects upon human health of
organo-phosphate pesticides in all their different forms?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

Council Directive 91/0414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on
the market (1) provides for a review programme for all the active substances which were on the market in
1993. The first phase of the review programme of existing active substances is undertaken for a list of
90 important active substances under Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying
down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in
Article 8 (2) of Council Directive 91/0414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the
market (2). The review of these active substances continues. It covers several organo-phosphates.

C 170 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

The Commission is preparing the second phase of the review programme. A draft regulation would
provide also for the evaluation of a second list of high-concern substances. This list includes all the
remaining organo-phosphates not covered by the first list of 90 active substances. It would provide for a
withdrawal from the market at the latest in July 2003 of active substances for which no complete dossiers
would be submitted by industry. For the active substances which would be defended, speeding up
procedures should allow early decisions.

In this way it is expected that for most of the organo-phosphates a final decision on their acceptability will
be taken by 2003.

In the 4th framework programme (3), the Community FAIR programme supports a research project aiming
test methods for a screening control system to monitor toxic
to develop rapid immunochemical
organophosphorous pesticides in cereals and cereal based products. This research project,
therefore,
substantially contributes to risk assessment and to the identification of human exposure to such pesticides
related to cereals and cereal based products.

In the 5th framework programme, key action 1 within the quality of
life programme is currently
negotiating two new projects. The first aims, amongst other goals, to harmonise principles, terminology
and methodology for risk assessment. This is to improve the scientific basis of risk assessment with respect
to food contaminants such as organophosphorous pesticides including possible interactions between
individual chemicals and effects of the food matrix for the protection of the consumer. The second aims
to develop new and validated software specifically designed for modelling (by using also organopho-
sphorous pesticide data) food chemical and nutrient intake for different target populations such as infants,
adolescents, and adults.

(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.
(2) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992.
(3) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.

(2000/C 170 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2404/99

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Uptake of funds for the RETEX Community Initiative

Under the most recent Community support framework (1993-1999) Portugal was to benefit from the
RETEX Community Initiative for diversifying regions heavily dependent on the textile and clothing
industry.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:129) What were the amounts allocated to Portugal and the other Member States and what are the figures
for funds actually paid out, broken down by Member State, under the RETEX initiative in 1993-1999?

(cid:129) What projects were funded in Portugal during this period under RETEX? What was their duration and

what funding did they receive?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

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