WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/00 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Stable currency markets.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: money market, single monetary policy

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/211

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

(22 September 2000)

The implementation of Article 7.4 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation
of wild birds falls under the exclusive competence of Member States. The practical arrangements for
hunting are set by national, regional and even local legislation. It is rather difficult to provide an overview
of the implementation of this Article in the framework of a written question. The Commission would
therefore invite the Honourable Member to consult the last published report from the Commission on the
application of Directive 79/409/EEC (cid:129) update for 1993-1995 based on information supplied by the
Member States on the application of national measures adopted pursuant to the Directive (1).

When the Commission has evidence that hunting practices in a Member State, including the setting of
hunting periods, are not in conformity with Article 7.4, it will normally open an infringement file in order
to assess any allegation within the framework of Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty. As far as
national hunting periods are concerned, infringement files have been opened for France (case before the
Court of justice) and Greece (reasoned opinion delivered on 28 July 2000).

The Commission at this stage cannot take a position on the new hunting law and regulations in France
since the French authorities have only recently transmitted the texts to the Commission.

Taking into consideration the principle of subsidiarity, the extensive geographical area of the Community,
the diversity of biological and ecological characteristics across Europe and the different economic and
recreational requirements recognised in the Directive, the Directive does not fix opening or closing dates
for hunting. The Commission considers that the provisions of the Directive are suitable for ensuring that
the practice of hunting is compatible with the conservation of wild birds.

Since the adoption of Directive 79/409/CEE, the Commission has produced and supported several studies
and guidelines to assist Member States in their implementation of the Directive. This technical and
scientific work is carried out with the framework of the ORNIS Committee and its scientific working
group.

(1) COM(2000) 180 final.

(2001/C 89 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2588/00

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Stable currency markets

In the light of unwarranted speculation against the Euro and other currencies, what plans does the EU have
to stabilise currency markets and make them accountable for their actions?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Article 111 (ex Article 109) of the EC Treaty stipulates that the Council may, acting unanimously on a
recommendation from the European Central Bank (ECB) or from the Commission and after consulting the
Parliament, conclude formal agreements on an exchange rate system for the euro. There are currently no
plans to suggest such a formal arrangement between the euro and major international non-Community
currencies. While such an arrangement might stabilise international currency markets, the monetary
policies, as well as other economic policies of participants would be submitted to external targets which
might interfere with the achievement of domestic objectives such as price stability and high employment.

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.