do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION P-2282/99 by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission. Commitology.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: administrative expenditure (EU), allowances and expenses

C 219 E/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

What has the Spanish authorities(cid:146) response been to the various letters of notice served on them by the
Commission?

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

(20 December 1999)

As a matter of course the Commission brings an action where Member States fail to provide information
of the steps taken to transpose directives within the deadlines set for these.

Since Spain has still not informed the Commission of any action to transpose Council Directive 96/61/EC
of 24 September1996 concerning integration pollution prevention (1) and control, the Commission will
shortly introduce an infringement procedure in accordance with Article 226 (former Article 169) of the EC
Treaty.

The Commission has already introduced infringement proceedings against Spain under Article 226 of the
EC Treaty in connection with Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, amending Directive 85/337/
EEC on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment (2). The
Spanish state was served notice of this matter in August 1999, but has so far not replied. In view of the
above the Commission is shortly due to decide on notifying Spain of the reasoned opinion that is the
second stage of the infringement procedure.

Since it did not consider the reply given by the Spanish authorities to the reasoned opinion concerning the
incorrect transposition of Council Directive 90/313/EEC of 7 June 1990 on the freedom of access to
information on the environment (3) to be satisfactory, the Commission has lodged a formal request with
the Court of Justice. The case bears reference No C-189/99.

(1) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 158, 23.6.1990.

(2000/C 219 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2282/99

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Commitology

Will the Commission provide a complete list of all the committees, groups of experts, etc. whose travel
expenses are reimbursed by the EU?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2000)

The Commission reimburses the travel expenses for all meetings of committees and groups of experts
which it convenes. It is transmitting the list of committees and groups of experts who attend such
meetings and are thus reimbursed to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat for the
current year.

In June 1999 the Commission transmitted to the Honourable Member a computer print-out of all
committee meetings in 1997. It will send him the equivalent figures for groups of experts for the same
year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2146/99 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission. Dual nationality.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, Germany, Poland, building industry, clandestine worker, competence of the Member States, dual nationality

C 219 E/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

The reference to funds allocated to the tobacco industry by Member State and by company is inexact, as
such support is only given to producers of raw tobacco in the framework of the common agricultural
policy.

(1) COM(96) 554 final.
(2) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.
(3) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997.
(4) OJ L 213, 30.7.1998.

(2000/C 219 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2146/99

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Dual nationality

The problem of illegal labour, particularly in the European building industry, is growing in scale.

The European trade union movement has recently reported an increasing number of cases in which Polish
workers in the building industry in Germany and Denmark, for example, hold dual (cid:129) both Polish and
fictitious German (cid:129) nationality.

Is the Commission aware of this problem and are there initiatives in the pipeline that may alter this
untenable situation?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2000)

The Commission is not aware of any problems caused by fictitious dual nationality of workers in the
construction industry.

In any case, as the issue of acquiring the nationality of a Member State comes in principle within the remit
of the Member State in question, it is up to the authorities in that country to monitor and verify whether
the workers employed within its territory have the nationality of that territory or that of a third country.

Moreover, in so far as the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question refers to situations involving the posting of
workers for the transnational provision of services, it may be useful to recall the objectives of Directive
96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of
workers in the framework of the provision of services (1). This Directive aims to ensure fair competition
between the undertakings providing the services, while at the same time guaranteeing adequate protection
for the posted workers. With regard to its scope, it must be emphasised that this Directive applies to
undertakings which post workers to another Member State without distinguishing between Community
and non-Community workers.

Within the sectoral dialogue committee on construction, the social partners in the European construction
industry, the European Federation of Building and Wood Workers and the European Construction Industry
Federation have discussed the problem of illegal work over recent years. Neither in these discussions nor in
other contacts with the social partners has the Commission been made aware of the problem raised by the
Honourable Member.

(1) OJ L 18, 21.1.1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/99 by Robert Sturdy (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Council Directives 86/469 and 96/23 on the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: access to EU information, application of EU law, food inspection, live animal, meat product, veterinary inspection

C 203 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

(2000/C 203 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/99

by Robert Sturdy (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Council Directives 86/469 and 96/23 on the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof

in live animals and animal products

Council Directive 86/469 (1), amended by Council Directive 96/23 (2), requires that all Member States
submit an annual report on large scale, random sampling for certain substance and residues thereof in live
animals and animal products.

Has the Commission received these annual reports from all Member States? If not, what steps is the
Commission taking to enforce this Directive?

Does the Commission have plans to make these results available to the European Parliament and therefore
the public? If so, when? If not, why has the Commission taken this decision?

(1) OJ L 275, 26.9.1986, p. 36.
(2) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 10.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

With regard to the annual reports on large scale, random sampling for certain substance and residues
thereof in live animals and animal products required by Council Directive 86/469 as amended by Council
Directive 96/23 (1), the Commission has received the summary results from all Member States, and the
detailed reports from all Member States except France. Since April, France has been officially requested by
the Commission in the standing veterinary committee to send detailed reports as soon as possible.

The Commission together with Member States(cid:146) experts started to analyse the reports on 6/7 December
1999 in order to provide a comprehensive report which will be available to the Parliament and therefore
the public next year.

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.

(2000/C 203 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2131/99

by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: European public register of supranational organisations

(24 November 1999)

There is no public register for non-profit-making supranational organisations in the European Union.

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce one?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission wishes to remain very accessible to non-profit making supranational organisations. It
does not, therefore, impose any system of accreditation and ensures equal treatment for all of them. In line
with this approach, a list of non-profit making interest groups operating at Community level, together
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2137/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Ban on BADGE and BFDGE used as paints for tins.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: carcinogenic substance, food safety, health risk, preparation for market, preserved product, product safety

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/147

(2000/C 170 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2137/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Ban on BADGE and BFDGE used as paints for tins

The Belgian federation has recently withdrawn from sale tins of sardines and tuna because of the possibly
harmful effect of the chemical paint used for coating the tins.

Analyses conducted by the consumer organisation Test-Aankoop show that 50-65 % of the food in the tins
investigated had been polluted with the chemical substances BADGE (biphenol-A-dyglycidylether) and
BFDGE (biphenol-F-dyglycidylether).

BADGE is used as the innermost coating in tins. BFDGE is related to BADGE but may not be used on
substances which come into contract with food. Nevertheless, Test-Aankoop found traces of BFDGE in
65 % of the tins analysed.

Given that imports of tins of sardines and tuna are not confined to the Belgian federation:

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of similar BADGE and/or BFDGE problems in the other Member States of
the European Union? If so, what action has been taken to remove contaminated food from shops? If
not, will the Commission request Member States to carry out careful checks on the presence of
BADGE and/or BFDGE in tinned food?

Is the Commission drafting a directive banning BADGE and BFDGE as innermost coating for tins? If
so, what is the main thrust of this directive? If not, is the Commission prepared to issue a ban on the
use of BADGE and BFDGE as coating layers for tins containing food, in the light of the carcinogenic
effect of the two substances?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1999)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member
and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.

(2000/C 170 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2148/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Scientific Committee for Food

What is the process by which annual declarations of interest of past and current members of the Scientific
Committee for Food are sought, submitted and published?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The independence of every member of a scientific committee is one of the three fundamental principles on
which the work of the new scientific committees is based, namely: scientific excellence, independence of
the members and transparency of the work undertaken.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2149/99 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Dietary Foods Directive.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: World Health Organisation, baby food, dietary product, directive (EU), marketing, mother's milk

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/101

(2000/C 219 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2147/99

by Patrick Cox (ELDR) and Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Wine and beer taxation

(24 November 1999)

With regard to taxation per unit of alcohol, Ireland(cid:146)s taxation regime is arguably one of the most neutral,
in fiscal terms, in the EU, with the rates for beer, wine and spirits corresponding most closely to their
respective alcohol strength by volume. The wine to beer relationship is 1 to 3.3, and this corresponds to
the prevailing alcoholic strength by volume of 4o for beer to 12o for wine. The wine to beer excise
relationship operating in the UK is 1 to 3.4. Seven countries in the EU have no excise tax on wine.

Can the Commission explain its case against Ireland and justify its arguments which are based on
theoretical wines of 5o and 6o, wines which are simply not available in Ireland, or, indeed, even in very
small quantities in other Member States of the Union?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2000)

In follow-up to Petition No 1229/97, forwarded to it by the Committee on Petitions, suggesting that wine
was being taxed less favourably than beer, the Commission contacted the Irish authorities for further
explanations.

After almost five months without any substantial reply from the Irish authorities the Commission decided
on 1 July 1999 to deliver a reasoned opinion under Article 226 (formerly Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

On 22 October 1999 the Irish government replied to the Commission(cid:146)s reasoned opinion. The Com-
mission is now considering this reply, which is subject to the confidentiality imposed by infringement
proceedings with regard to the Member State concerned.

(2000/C 219 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2149/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Dietary Foods Directive

What measures will the Commission take to ensure that the Dietary Food Directive meets the requirements
of the international code for the marketing of breast milk and subsequent WHA resolutions?

(2000/C 219 E/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2150/99

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Dietary Foods Directive

What consultation took place with experts on infant foods and their marketing when the Dietary Foods
Directive was being drawn up?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2474/1999 of 24 November 1999 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit

25. 11. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 302/5

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2474/1999

of 24 November 1999

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

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

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 25 November 1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 24 November 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 302/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 11. 1999

to the Commission Regulation of 24 November 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 90 70

0805 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50,
0805 20 70, 0805 20 90

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
628
999
052
204
999
204
999

052
999
052
528
600
999
039
060
388
400
404
800
804
999
052
064
400
720
999

77,6
42,4
60,0
134,8
134,8
80,3
102,4
91,3
59,4
59,4

54,9
54,9
32,6
77,3
64,2
58,0
90,7
34,4
70,4
83,2
72,1
149,2
26,8
75,3
148,2
63,2
89,3
80,6
95,3

(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’.
1999/782/EC, ECSC, Euratom: Decision of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 24 November 1999 appointing a judge to the Court of Justice of the European Communities
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: Representatives of the Governments of the Member States
Subjects: Court of Justice of the European Union, appointment of staff, judge

2. 12. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 307/57

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

CONFERENCE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES

DECISION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES

appointing a judge to the Court of Justice of the European Communities

of 24 November 1999

(1999/782/EC, ECSC, Euratom)

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE
MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 223 thereof,

(2)

Mr Antonio Mario La Pergola, currently Advocate-
General at
Justice, has agreed to be
appointed to this post,

the Court of

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and
Steel Community, and in particular Article 32b thereof,

Article 1

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic
Energy Community, and in particular Article 139 thereof,

Mr Antonio Mario La Pergola is hereby appointed a judge at
the Court of Justice of the European Communities for the
period 15 December 1999 to 6 October 2000.

Whereas:

(1)

Pursuant to Article 7 of the Protocol on the Statute of
the Court of Justice of the European Community and to
the corresponding provisions of the Protocols on the
Statutes of the Court of Justice of the European Coal and
Steel Community and of the European Atomic Energy
Community, and as a consequence of the death of Mr
Federico Mancini, a judge should be appointed for the
remaining period of Mr Federico Mancini's term of
office;

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 24 November 1999.

The President

A. SATULI
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2133/99 by Vitaliano Gemelli (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Procedural time limits laid down for the allocation of resources to the new territorial employment pacts.
Date: 1999-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, competence of the Member States

C 219 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

At a meeting of regional directors between the Community and the GCC in Riyadh in mid-October 1999,
the whole range of political and social matters were discussed, including human rights. In this forum, in
particular the questions of womens(cid:146) and childrens(cid:146) rights, the death penalty, and human rights in general
were discussed.

(2000/C 219 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2133/99

by Vitaliano Gemelli (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Procedural time limits laid down for the allocation of resources to the new territorial employment

pacts

On 9 June 1999 the ICEP (Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning) adopted Decision No 77/99
(cid:145)Allocation of resources for the financing of new territorial employment pacts(cid:146), which lays down terms and
procedures for obtaining financing for the implementation of projects targeted at production facilities.

One month later the decision was published in the Italian Official Journal of 5 August 1999 (General
Series, No 182).

The decision provided for an enquiry period of four months, and therefore set a deadline of 10 October
1999, while the addressees only learnt of it at the time of publication, which was 5 August 1999, a month
later, and hence had one month less in which to complete the enquiry stage.

The procedures for joining the territorial employment pacts are as follows:

(cid:129) joining procedure by the public bodies,

(cid:129) request

for declaration of consistency from the CNEL (National Council

for the Economy and

Employment),

(cid:129) ensuring publicity for the measures and programmes,

(cid:129) evaluating the projects(cid:146) advantages,

(cid:129) carrying out the enquiry,

(cid:129) publishing the findings,

It is clear that the delay in publishing the decision, which sets 10 October 1999 as the deadline for
completion of the four-month enquiry period, has led to a discrepancy whereby the time available for the
enquiry has been shortened.

In order to ensure that those concerned are able to benefit from the right to use the measure, will the
Commission make serious representations to the Italian Government with a view to restoring the
(minimum) four-month period laid down for the carrying out of the set procedure?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2000)

The grant of funds for new territorial employment pacts in Italy, and the associated procedural deadlines,
were decided under a national procedure adopted by the Interministerial Committee for Economic
Planning. The Commission is therefore not competent to deal with the question raised, which is purely a
matter for the national authorities.