WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/00 by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission. Herbicide ‐ Glyphosate.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental impact, environmental risk prevention, health risk, herbicide, marketing, standing committee (EU)

C 81 E/66

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

The Commission is fully committed to this timetable and will assist the Ecofin Council in meeting the
request from the European Council to pursue with determination work on all parts of the tax package so
as to achieve full agreement on the adoption of the directives and the tax package as a whole as soon as
possible and no later than by the end of 2002.

(1) The report by the Ecofin Council is attached to the Presidency conclusions of the Santa Maria da Feira European

Council of 19 and 20 June 2000 (Annex IV).

(2) Proposal for a directive to ensure a minimum of effective taxation of savings income in the form of interest

payments within the Community (OJ C 212, 8.7.1998).

(2001/C 81 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1651/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Missing persons following the tragic events in Cyprus

(29 May 2000)

Given that some 26 years after the invasion of Cyprus there has still been no official confirmation (cid:129)
establishing the facts beyond all doubt (cid:129) of the fate of those who went missing during the tragic events in
Cyprus and, in the light of the provisions of the agreement of 31 July 1997 between the two communities,
will the Commission say whether it will take steps in the context of the accession process, involving both
Cyprus and Turkey, to help finally resolve this matter, which is first and foremost a humanitarian issue?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2000)

to the political problem are mutually reinforcing processes. Further,

The Commission believes that progress towards the accession of Cyprus to the Union and the search for a
the
just and viable settlement
Commission believes that the accession of Cyprus to the Union will benefit both communities and lead
to civil peace and reconciliation in the island. The Commission regrets that it was not possible to find a
political solution before the start of accession negotiations. The Commission still earnestly hopes that
representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community will join the accession negotiations. The United Nations
sponsored proximity talks will resume in Geneva in July 2000. Clearly, the question of missing persons
will have to be definitively addressed within the framework of
these negotiations before a lasting
settlement to the political question can be established.

(2001/C 81 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Herbicide (cid:129) Glyphosate

Would the Commission please inform me what steps have been taken to ban the herbicide Glyphosate,
which has hitherto been claimed to be safe? In particular, may I please know what action has been taken
following the recent review of Glyphosate under the European Commission (cid:145)Authorisations(cid:146) Directive?

Please indicate any written reports or other evidence considered by the European Commission. I require
this information under the (cid:145)Transparency(cid:146) provisions applying to the European Commission.

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/67

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Question H-50/2000
by Mr Krarup during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s February 2000 part-session (1) and to Written Question
E-34/2000 by Mrs Kinnock (2).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (February 2000).
(2) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 71.

(2001/C 81 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1654/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Vegetable oil imports from Turkey

Pursuant to Commission Regulation No. 2828/93 (1), the Member States must adopt all necessary measures
to verify the destination and use of oils and to ensure that fats to be placed in free circulation are not
stored with other products.

A case of alleged infringements of public health reegulations has come to light involving a consignment of
vegetable oil from Turkey which was not subjected to all the controls called for by the Regulation.

According to press reports, the State Tax Agency in Spain admitted in June last year that such controls
were not duly carried out.

Is the Commission aware of the above?

If so, what measures has the Commission adopted to remedy the situation?

(1) OJ L 258, 16.10.1993, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission was not aware of the case referred to by the Honourable Member. In order to be able to
give a more detailed answer, the Commission would be grateful if the Honourable Member would provide
more information. The Commission would also like to stress that Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2828/
93 of 15 October 1993 laying down common rules on verification of the use and/or destination of
imported products falling within CN codes 1515 90 59 and 1515 90 99, cited by the Honourable
Member, does not deal with public health issues.

(2001/C 81 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1656/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) and Gianfranco Fini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Nuclear contamination in Severodvinsk (Russia)

(29 May 2000)

Approximately 1300 km north of Moscow and 100 km from the Arctic Circle lies a city which is closed
to foreigners and almost inaccessible even for Russians, who until recently needed a special passport to
enter the city, Severodvinsk. Built by order of Stalin by some 60 000 prisoners in 1936, 35 km west of
Archangel and on the shores of the White Sea, Severodvinsk is buffeted by year-long polar winds, with
winter temperatures reaching minus 30-40(cid:176)C. It was made into a labour camp, where victims of Stalin(cid:146)s