WRITTEN QUESTION E-2252/00 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Bathing water directive and natural open-air bathing establishments.
Date: 2000-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, bathing water

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/97

(cid:129) 28 % for the portion of income between 3 886,38 and 4 188,81 euros,

(cid:129) 30 % for the portion of income between 4 188,82 and 4 482,02 euros,

(cid:129) 33 % for the portion of income between 4 482,03 and 4 784,59 euros,

(cid:129) 35 % for the portion of income between 4 784,60 and 5 077,80 euros,

(cid:129) 40 % for the portion of income between 5 077,81 and 5 380,24 euros,

(cid:129) 45 % for the portion of income above 5 380,25 euros.

The rules and rates set out above also apply to the Members of the Commission (Article 20 of the
Protocol) as well as to the judges, the advocates general, the registrar and the assistant rapporteurs of the
Court of Justice (Article 21 of the Protocol).

Apart from the Community tax, Council Regulation (ECSC, EEC, Euratom) No 3831/91, which was
adopted on 19 December 1991 (3), introduced an additional temporary contribution of 5,8 % levied for a
period running from 1st January 1992 to 1st July 2001 on the remuneration paid by the Communities to
staff in active employment and to Commissioners.

Other income (e.g. income from savings and capital gains) gained by the above categories of personnel is,
according to Article 14 of the Protocol (4), subject to the tax rules of the Member State where they resided
before taking up duty with the Communities (including any relevant double taxation agreement concluded
by that Member State).

The above Articles of the Protocol are not applicable to members of the Parliament and delegates at the
Committee of the regions, who are taxed according to the tax rules of their Member State of residence.

The revenue provided to the Community budget from these sources for the financial year 2000 is
€ 333 million from the Community tax (Article 400) and € 44 million from the temporary contribution
(Article 403).

The present Community tax system is considered to be part of the overall system for remuneration. In its
Communication on pay and pensions adopted in July 2000 the Commission has proposed prolonging the
existing system for up to two more years, i.e. up to 30 June 2003 (5). The Commission has not proposed a
change in the present system of taxation.

(1) Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities, annexed to the Treaty signed on 8 April

1965 establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities.

(2) OJ L 56, 4.3.1968.
(3) OJ L 361, 31.12.1991.
(4) Article 14 of the Protocol provides that, in the application of income tax, wealth tax and death duties and in the
application of conventions on the avoidance of double taxation concluded between Member States, officials and
other servants of the Communities who, solely by reason of the performance of their duties in the service of the
Communities, establish their residence in the territory of a Member State other than their country of domicile for
tax purposes at the time of entering the service of the Communities, shall be considered, both in the country of
their actual residence and in the country of domicile for tax purposes, as having maintained their domicile in the
latter country provided that it is a member of the Communities.

(5) COM(2000) 569 final.

(2001/C 103 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2252/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Bathing water directive and natural open-air bathing establishments

1. When is the Commission planning to revise the bathing water directive?

C 103 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Does the Commission agree that greater importance should be attached to natural open-air baths
2.
which not only comply with the values set in the directive but are also operated on a more environmental
and less costly basis?

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

(12 September 2000)

The Commission has been working intensively on the revision of Council Directive 76/160/EEC of
8 December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water (1) since 1998. Trials on beach surveys are
carried out in most Member States and an expert working group is working on all monitoring aspects,
including parameters and methods of analysis. The Commission will ensure in this matter greatest possible
alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO) (proposed) standards.

The Commission foresees to come out before the end of the year with a communication to the Parliament
and the Council setting out the principles of the revision of the Directive. The communication is the
starting point of a broad consultation process involving all interested parties. The Commission envisages
putting forward a proposal for the revision in 2001.

The bathing water Directive combines public health and environment protection and there is a clear and
well-defined link with the water Framework Directive. Whilst the water framework Directive aims for a
good (environmental/ecological) status as a rule for all waters, some water might require complementary
quality standards and where necessary measures. All bathing waters (freshwater and coastal) (cid:129) falling
under the bathing water Directive and its revision (cid:129) are identified areas in a river basin district requiring
special protection (Article 6 and annex IV of the water framework Directive). Good status under the water
Framework Directive has physico-chemical and ecological elements, both of them supporting and further
improving bathing water quality.

(1) OJ L 31, 5.2.1976.

(2001/C 103 E/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2254/00

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Persecution of 13 Iranians of the Jewish faith in Iran

(7 July 2000)

13 Iranians of
the Jewish faith have been held in prison on groundless charges of espionage for
approximately one year and their trial, which began (cid:129) in camera (cid:129) on 1 May, provides no guarantees
of a fair, objective and impartial verdict. Since the verdict is due in the next two weeks, will the
Commission exert further pressure, in the context of the (cid:145)critical dialogue(cid:146) with Iran, to ensure that the
human rights and religious freedom of the 13 Jewish Iranians are respected and that they receive fair
judgment?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Commission follows with deep concern the issue of human rights in Iran. Questions regarding human
rights, including the trial in Shiraz, feature prominently in the comprehensive dialogue between the Union
and Iran, and are consistently raised by the Union.