WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330/99 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Private companies forwarding documents and parcels.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, postal service, private sector

C 219 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

In view of the difficult budget situation prevailing in 2000, the Commission cannot propose to the Council
that further measures of the type in force from 1991 until 1996, following the war in Yugoslavia, be taken
to assist the transport sector.

(2000/C 219 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2329/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Unauthorised building in the Parnassos National Park

(13 December 1999)

Environmental organisations are claiming that country houses have been built in the heart of the Parnassos
National Park, which forms part of the Fokida region(cid:146)s Natura 2000 network. There are also reports of a
presidential decree abolishing the national park and dividing it into plots and legalised pasturage.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether it is aware of the proposals to abolish or change the nature of the area forming part of the

Natura 2000 network and

2. what action it intends to take to protect the above area, which is a national park and classified as a

Natura 2000 zone (cid:145)A(cid:146)?

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

(21 December 1999)

The Commission is not aware of any plans to modify or abolish the protection status of the Parnassos
national park, which is included in a site proposed for the Natura 2000 network established according to
Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1).

As a matter of fact,
in the past, within the framework of a LIFE-Nature project co-funded by the
Commission and aiming to improve conservation and management conditions of Greek national parks, a
management plan for the Parnassos national park was also prepared. This management plan, drawing on
thorough knowledge acquired of the entire massif of Parnassos, provides for a modification of the
boundaries of the national park involving a correction and extension of the existing core area (dating
from 1938), as well as a clear definition and extension of the peripheral zone, only vaguely defined so far.
Within the core area in particular, no human interventions such as those mentioned by the Honourable
Member, are allowed.

According to information provided by the Greek authorities, a Presidential decree has now been drafted,
on the basis of the proposals of the management plan, and has been forwarded for adoption.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2000/C 219 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330/99

by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Private companies forwarding documents and parcels

(13 December 1999)

The forwarding of documents and parcels from one country to another using private despatching
companies and couriers appears to in practice offer little guarantee of the safety of the consignment or
its arrival with the intended recipient. The problem arises mainly from the fact that consignments are
forwarded using an outside company which, in turn, may entrust the transport and the delivery thereof to
yet other natural or legal persons, a process which offers no protection at all to the interests of the sender,

1.8.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/149

particularly in view of the conditions binding upon him with regard to the receipt and forwarding of
parcels and documents by the companies concerned.

What view does the Commission take of this and in particular the absence of any provisions protecting the
interests of those sending cross-border consignments of documents or parcels?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2000)

There exists no Community-wide regulation with respect to the safety of the consignment of documents
and parcels transported by public or private companies or their delivery to the intended recipient. This
matter falls under national law.

(2000/C 219 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331/99

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Council

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Council resolution on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes

Having regard to Council Resolution of 18 June 1992 on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes in third
countries by Community-based manufacturers (1) and,
in particular, to paragraph 2 and paragraph 5
thereof, could the Council please clarify the term (cid:145)competent authorities(cid:146) used in article 2?

(1) OJ C 172, 8.7.1992, p. 1.

Reply

(14 February 2000)

The term (cid:145)competent authorities(cid:146) used in paragraph 2 of the Council Resolution to which the Honourable
Member refers relates to the competent authorities in the third countries concerned, which of course
remain free to designate those authorities.

(2000/C 219 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2352/99

by Freddy Thielemans (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Food quality

Is the Commission aware that Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padana cheeses apparently contain large
quantities of copper (cid:129) up to 20 times as much as is permitted in quality cheeses with a protected
denomination of origin? It is a well-known fact that the copper salts which are probably used in cheese-
making to prevent the milk from fermenting are highly toxic. Is the Commission planning to activate the
rapid alert system?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2000)

The Commission is aware of the facts reported by the Honourable Member. Already during a mission of
the Commission(cid:146)s food and veterinary office carried out in March 1999, this situation was brought to the
attention of the Commission and the Member States. The report of that mission (report no XXIV/1099/99)
can be consulted at internet (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/vi/reports/index_en.html).