WRITTEN QUESTION E-2404/99 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Uptake of funds for the RETEX Community Initiative.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community budget, Community support framework, EU initiative, Portugal, clothing industry, economic support, financial control, management, textile industry

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.