WRITTEN QUESTION E-2589/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. European transplant list.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, organ transplantation

C 89 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

In the absence of an exchange rate system, the Council may formulate (cid:145)general orientations(cid:146) for exchange-
rate policy in relation to non-Community currencies. Such general orientations shall be without prejudice
to the primary objective of the European System of the Central Bank (ESCB) to maintain price stability.
Thus, exchange rate developments are taken into account to the extent they impact on the outlook for
price stability. If the ECB considers that exchange rate developments could threaten the price stability
objective (via their influence on import prices and export competitiveness), then it may counter these
impulses through its interest rate policy and interventions on foreign exchange markets. Although in May
2000, the Euro 11 group of Ministers and the Commissioner responsible for Economic and financial
affairs, and the President of the European Central Bank stressed a common concern about the level of the
euro which did not reflect strong economic fundamentals of the euro area, neither the Council, the
Commission nor the ECB has considered it necessary or desirable to issue such general orientations.

Other economic policies, in particular fiscal and structural policy, also have an impact on exchange rate.
A well balanced fiscal-monetary policy mix, structural reform and a well-functioning labour market may
flows and
raise the expected rate of return on investment in the euro area, thus attracting capital
strengthening the euro exchange rate.

(2001/C 89 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2589/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: European transplant list

The Benelux countries currently run a European transplant list, whereby citizens of these three countries in
need of a transplant can put their name down on the list and may receive a donated organ from anywhere
across the Benelux area. However, it appears that only citizens of these three countries are eligible to be
put on this European Transplant List.

Would the Commission indicate if there is currently a similar scheme running across the whole of the EU,
and if not, whether it has any plans to implement a genuinely European-wide transplant list for all EU
Member States?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2000)

The Commission is not aware of transplant waiting lists running across the whole of the Community,
which would be similar to the list which exists in the Benelux countries.

The question is currently under discussion within the Council of Europe and the Commission is associated
with the work.

Furthermore, Article 152 (ex Article 129) of the EC Treaty requires the Community to adopt measures
setting high standards of quality and safety of organs and substances of human origin, blood and blood
derivatives.

Under the new health strategy (1) which has been set up inter alia to apply these requirements, objectives in
the field of transplantation (see Annex 2.1) have been defined. One of the proposed aims is to develop and
operate a Community network on organs and substances of human origin. Whether such a network could
also have a role in the management of waiting lists for transplantation, remains to be seen and will be
looked at in close collaboration with Member States.

(1) Communication from the Commission to the Council, the Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the

Committee of the Regions on the health strategy of the Community, COM(2000) 285 final.