WRITTEN QUESTION E-2667/00 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Strategy to combat legionella bacteria.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, European social policy, Netherlands, epidemic, public health

C 103 E/206

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

The Commission is in contact with the highest authorities and church leaders, and uses every appropriate
occasion to convey its concern to the Indonesian authorities. Consultations continue with Member States
on the issue.

(2001/C 103 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2664/00

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill

Does the Commission believe that the UK Government(cid:146)s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill http://
if enacted in its present
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldbills/093/2000093.htm would,
form, in any way breach European law?

In particular, would the Bill contravene the terms of the e-commerce Directive or any part of the EU(cid:146)s data
protection legislation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission has been monitoring the passage of
legislation, which has now been enacted.

the Regulation of

Investigatory Powers Bill

The Commission is in the process of completing its internal legal analysis of this legislation, which is
particularly complex from a technical point of view. The Commission will examine the Act in question to
ensure full compliance with both Community legislation in the field of data protection and electronic
commerce.

(2001/C 103 E/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2667/00

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Strategy to combat legionella bacteria

In March 1999, the Netherlands was struck by an epidemic of legionnaire(cid:146)s disease. In Kapellen, Belgium,
too, people died from legionnaire(cid:146)s disease.

1. What preventive measures have now been taken in the Member States of the EU in order to prevent
legionnaire(cid:146)s disease?

Can the Commission indicate the extent to which, in its opinion, those measures provide protection

2.
for public health?

3. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of a harmonised European policy to prevent and combat legion-
naire(cid:146)s disease? What role does the Commission see in such a policy for itself and for the current Dutch
policy?

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/207

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

Following the outbreaks referred to by the Honourable Member, most Member States have
1. and 2.
reviewed or applied new or updated measures for the prevention and control of legionellosis on their
territories. These range from guidance to direct legislation depending on the groups being addressed and
the nature of the controls required. The policies of the Member States and the Commission attempt to
adapt to information gleaned from new outbreaks to ensure the high level of protection of public health.

Member States are responsible for the implementation of national measures for the protection of public
health. Given the sporadic nature of outbreaks of legionellosis of this type, evaluation of the efficacy of
these measures will only be possible over a long period.

3. Member States are already required by Decision 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of
communicable diseases in the Community (1) to report outbreaks, and on the basis of information available
through the network to consult each other in liaison with the Commission with a view to coordinating
their efforts. In this framework, the Commission has supported for many years, and continues to support
the surveillance of travel associated cases and clusters/outbreaks of legionellosis in the Community to
provide Member States with rapid information for control and prevention.

The Commission is also currently collaborating with experts from Member States on the prevention and
control of legionellosis and the Commission will consider the need for any future action at a European
level against this background.

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.

(2001/C 103 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2669/00

by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Subject: Delays in the provision of funding for Alzheimer(cid:146)s disease pilot projects

In 1999 an amendment to the Budget was approved which involved the allocation of € 2,5 million to the
heading entitled (cid:145)Pilot projects to improve the quality of life of persons suffering from neurodegenerative
diseases, such as Alzheimer(cid:146)s disease and related conditions, and those assisting them in a non-professional
capacity(cid:146).

However, the Commission has not so far published any kind of notice inviting applications for such
funding and (according to information received from the Alzheimer Europe organisation) it apparently
intends to transfer the amount which was earmarked for Alzheimer(cid:146)s disease pilot projects to the general
budget for health-promotion initiatives. This would seriously jeopardise the survival of a number of
European organisations which act on behalf of the 4,8 million people in the European Union who suffer
from Alzheimer(cid:146)s disease.

Will the Commission answer the following questions:

1. What is the reason for this delay in the allocation of resources? Is it because a decision has really been
taken to transfer those resources to the budget heading concerned with general health-promotion
initiatives?

2. Will the Commission provide a report on the programmes of Alzheimer Europe and other similar

associations for which funding has been approved but not yet made available?