WRITTEN QUESTION E-1346/00 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Institutional reform.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, administrative expenditure (EU), financing, in-service training, institutional reform

C 81 E/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

(2001/C 81 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1334/00

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Sea bass fishing situation

The sea fishermen(cid:146)s associations have drawn my attention to the situation with regard to sea bass fishing
in Community waters. I should like the Commission to supply some information on this subject, which is
a cause for concern.

During the reproduction period some fisherman fish for sea bass in the spawning grounds on an intensive
basis and are not subject to any kind of control. Such behaviour threatens the renewal of the species.

Have any scientific studies been carried out to ascertain the current levels of stocks in an effort to address
the issue of preserving the species? If not, could such a study be launched in the very near future?

In addition, what action can the European Commission take in order to protect the species (overall quota
for the entire European Union, minimum size of fish, etc.)?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

The Commission is aware about the widespread concern about the possibly excessive rate of exploitation
of bass.

The Commission is also aware that, in the light of this concern, the authorities of both France and United
Kingdom have established legislation which limits the quantities of bass which may be landed each week
by their commercial vessels.

For its part, the Commission has requested the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
to report on the state of exploitation of bass stocks in the north-east Atlantic and to suggest technical
means by which problems might be solved. ICES are still in the process of organising the appropriate
working groups required to deal with this topic by mid 2001 at the earliest. The report of ICES will be the
basis of further consideration of this topic by the Commission.

(2001/C 81 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1346/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Institutional reform

I note that in the report on Commission reform Mr Kinnock states quite vehemently that a significant
increase in spending on the training of Commission staff is needed and must be secured. Can the
Commission give its assurance that this increased spending will be funded from within the current
Commission budget, from efficiency savings, and that the Commission will not ask the Parliament for
any more money?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2000)

A reinforcement of € 2 million for training of Commission staff is envisaged in 2001. The total requested
appropriations for training (budget line A-706) will then reach € 7,5 million.

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/29

The additional training appropriations will be funded within the current envelope of Title A-7 (decen-
tralised expenditure on support staff and administration). The appropriations requested for Title A-7 in the
2001 preliminary draft budget are set at the same nominal level authorised in the 2000 budget.

At the proposed € 7,5 million level, provision for staff training will still only amount to about 0,05 % of
total employment costs. This contrasts with provision in Member State administrations which is typically
much higher.

As Reform proceeds and detailed proposals for necessary improvements in personnel policy are produced
for consultation later this year it will be relevant to give consideration to increasing provision for training
as an investment in improved efficiency and management. All analysis relating to such possible develop-
ments will naturally be available for parliamentary consideration.

(2001/C 81 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1350/00

by Jean-Louis BerniØ (EDD) to the Council

(3 May 2000)

Subject: The Commission(cid:146)s challenging of the principle of (cid:145)assumption of employment(cid:146) for performing

artists laid down in Article L 762-1 of the French Labour Code

France is threatened with legal proceedings before the European Court of Justice for its refusal to waive the
(cid:145)assumption of employment(cid:146) for foreign artists referred to in Article L 762-1 of the French Labour Code.

Is this measure not excessive, given that to apply this article exclusively to French artists in effect

1.
puts them at a disadvantage in their own country?

In fact, it means that those who employ foreign artists would no longer have to pay social costs but

2.
would have to do so when employing French artists.

3.
This downwards harmonisation will prejudice French performing artists. Is this not tantamount to a
sentence of death for this specifically French provision which offers performing artists one of the highest
standards of social protection in Europe?

Reply

(29 September 2000)

Article 211 of the EC Treaty requires the Commission to ensure that the provisions of the Treaty and the
measures taken by the institutions pursuant thereto are applied. The Council
is therefore unable to
comment on the way in which Community law provisions are implemented by Member States, especially
when such implementation is or shortly will be the subject of proceedings before the Court of Justice of
the European Communities.

(2001/C 81 E/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1356/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Modification of specific aids to the dried fruit and nuts sector

The Union of Small Farmers and Stockbreeders of MÆlaga province (Spain) has expressed its concern that
the dried fruit and nuts sector could cease to exist in the near future, as a result of the decision to change
the existing system of aids and replace it by a new system proposed by the Commission which could lead
to the disappearance of the sector, which provides a livelihood for 200 000 households. In MÆlaga
province alone, elimination of the aids would affect over 15 000 producers.