WRITTEN QUESTION E-3351/00 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission. Disposal of PVC.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, harvest, plastics, waste recycling

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/145

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3349/00 and P-3389/00
given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2000)

The Commission is aware of the irregularities and shortcomings in the October 2000 local elections in
Albania (cid:129) namely during the second round of these elections (cid:129) reported by the election monitoring
mission carried out jointly by the Organisation for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Office
In particular, the
of democratic institutions and human rights (ODIHR) and the Council of Europe.
Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Members concerning the irregularities in
the Himara area and a campaign marked by a nationalist tone and intimidation against a candidate of the
party of the Greek minority and its potential voters. The Commission takes the view that the government
of Albania must ensure that all irregularities are fully investigated in accordance with the rule of law and
the new electoral code. It also must follow the relevant recommendations made by the OSCE and ODIHR
to provide for effective means for redress and to ensure an appropriate functioning of the Central Election
Commission.

The macro-financial assistance adopted by the Council in April 1999 is linked to the respect by Albania of
human rights and democratic principles and can be suspended by the Community. This assistance is
currently not being implemented pending the agreement by the Albanian authorities on certain technical
implementation details.

At present, no formal Council mandate exists for the Commission to negotiate a (cid:145)Stabilisation and
Association Agreement(cid:146) with Albania. The respect of human rights and democratic principles, also in the
context of the holding of elections, constitutes of course an essential element within the(cid:145)EU Stabilisation
and Association Process(cid:146), including the consideration of a future possible opening of negotiations for such
agreement.

institution building, human rights and
A comprehensive Community assistance package to support
minority rights and the rule of
law is already in place in Albania in the area of police, public
administration and judiciary in order to help the country to meet European standards. In addition,
assistance to non-governmental organisations is provided under the European initiative for democracy
and human rights. Projects include raising awareness on the role of human rights in building a civil
society, production of radio and television programmes promoting tolerance, and supporting journalist
networks. Within the framework of the stability pact for South-Eastern Europe, Albania equally is involved
in specific activities aiming at promoting minority rights at regional level.

(2001/C 151 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3351/00

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Disposal of PVC

As part of its Green Paper on Environmental Issues involving PVC (COM)2000/469), will the Commission
seek to dissuade farmers from the unnecessary disposal of PVC sheeting used in raising early crops?
At present, such sheeting is not recycled but jettisoned after use on only one crop.

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

(4 December 2000)

On 26 July 2000 the Commission adopted a Green paper on Environmental Issues of PVC. One of the
main aspects analysed in the Green Paper was the management of PVC waste.

C 151 E/146

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

Estimates taken from a study of the mechanical recycling of PVC carried out for the Commission (1) suggest
that PVC waste generated in farming amounted to around 30 000 tonnes in 1999, i.e. about 1 % of all PVC
waste produced. At present, very little of this waste is being recycled. The Commission has no specific
information on the amount of PVC waste being re-used.

In the light of the Green Paper(cid:146)s analysis, and given the present low rate of recycling, the Commission
considers that more PVC needs to be recycled. This being so, the recycling of PVC sheeting used in
agriculture could be increased with due regard for the technical, socio-economic and environmental
aspects.

The Green Paper sets out a number of options for attaining the set objective of increased recycling of PVC.
Early in 2001, after the closure of the consultation period at the end of November 2000, the Commission
will present a communication setting out a Community strategy on the environmental problems of PVC,
which will tackle the question of recycling PVC waste.

(1) Prognos, Mechanical recycling of PVC waste, January 2000, http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/pvc/index.htm.

(2001/C 151 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3353/00

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Subject: Aid to the film industry

In the era of binary coding, the developments in technology and in the services offered by digitalisation are
such as to require not only a review of the legislation such as that regulating the audiovisual sector in
Directive 89/552/EEC (1) (which will come under review again before the end of 2002), but also the
drawing-up of a new directive on film making. Pending an exhaustive Commission study into the latter(cid:146)s
utility and potential, what means is the Commission using at the present time to boost and better
coordinate existing assistance for the film industry on the European internal market?

(1) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(30 November 2000)

The Commission recognises the importance of European cinema, and the need to strengthen the
competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry. This objective lead to the adoption of the MEDIA
and the MEDIA II Programme, which entered into force in January 1996 and provides for a series of
support measures dealing with the training of professionals; the development of production projects and
companies; the distribution of cinematographic works and audiovisual programme.

In December 1999, the Commission adopted its proposal for a programme in support of the audiovisual
industry called MEDIA PLUS (2001-2005) (1), to be introduced in 2001 as a follow-up to the MEDIA II
programme which ends on 31 December 2000.

In parallel with this initiative, the Commission announced that it intended to adopt a communication on
cinema, in which it would look at various aspects of the subject, including the definition of a European
work, and other issues, which can improve the circulation of movies. The Commission will launch a public
consultation once the communication has been adopted, and welcomes all written comments and
suggestions. One or more hearings will also be held to allow all interested parties to make their views
known.

In respect of national support systems, the Commission(cid:146)s role is to verify that these schemes are in line
with Community law.

(1) COM(2000) 658 final.