WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Lido Pizzo.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Apulia, application of EU law, building industry, environmental impact, protected area

C 151 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

To the Commission(cid:146)s knowledge, there is no scientific evidence proving that normal consumption of soy is
harmful. Abnormalities in the reproductive systems do not occur in the Oriental countries, where the
consumption of soy products is a part of the traditional diet. There are questions however, as to whether a
very high consumption of isoflavones over an extended period, may have harmful effects. The Commission
therefore agrees that more research is needed in order to clarify whether high dosage exposure to
isoflavones over an extended period may have adverse effects. Proposals in this area of research may be
submitted in the frame of key action 1 (Food, nutrition and health) of the specific programme (cid:145)Quality of
life and management of living resources(cid:146) of the fifth framework programme.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.

(2001/C 151 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3302/00

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Turkey and human rights

Last March the Turkish trade unionist, Suleyman Yeter, died in police custody after suffering torture. In the
opinion of Commissioner Verheugen what consequences does this apparent blatant breach of human
rights have on Turkey(cid:146)s application for membership?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2000)

According to the Commission(cid:146)s information, Mr Suleyman Yeter, member and education expert of Limter-
Is Union died in detention on 7 March 1999. Three police officers are currently on trial for causing his
death. A court hearing took place on 23 October 2000 in the Istanbul No 6 Heavy Penal Court and the
court is still in the process of hearing witnesses. Prison sentences of up to 13 years are demanded against
the police officers.

The Commission is monitoring closely developments in the human rights situation in Turkey, and made a
general assessment of this situation in its annual regular report on the progress of Turkey towards
accession, adopted on 8 November 2000.

(2001/C 151 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Lido Pizzo

Does the Commission intend to take immediate action to ascertain the compatibility of the building
projects (for holiday homes) in the area known as Lido Pizzo near Gallipoli (Apulia, Italy) which the Italian
government has authorised and even (according to press reports) granted funding to under the (cid:145)Sviluppo
Italia(cid:146) national development scheme?

The problem is that this area has been listed as an SCI (site of Community importance) and should
therefore be the subject of environmental protection.

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/129

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

(27 November 2000)

The Commission is not aware of the case mentioned. The site mentioned does not appear under the list of
sites of Community importance proposed by Italy.

Based on the information available, the Commission is not in a position to conclude there is a potential
infringement of Community legislation.

Should the Honourable Member be in a position to forward detailed information on the location and the
type of infringement, the Commission will assess it.

(2001/C 151 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3307/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(17 October 2000)

Subject: European Union sugar regime

I have been informed by angry farmers in the East of England that the European Union has proposed a
Regulation that will allow 48 of the least developed countries access to the EU sugar market to the tune of
2,2 million tons per year.

The Region that I represent produces about 70 % of UK sugar, with four major factories in Norfolk and
Suffolk being supplied.

The farmers advise me that the proposed European Union Regulation will have a devastating effect on
sugar beet production in my Region.

Will the European Commission please inform me what their assessment is of the effect of the proposed
Regulation on the sugar beet industry in the East of England?

In particular, please inform me whether you agree with the assessment of Mr Kevin Field, Managing
Director of British Sugar, plc. and Mr Adrian Gill, CBE, President of the National Farmers Union, that the
Regulation will have these effects:

1.

2.

Immediate quota cuts?

Significant job losses?

3. The reduction of UK sugar processing?

4. The loss of one of the few reliable break crops for arable producers?

5. Decreasing the value of current trade concessions to existing ACP procedures?

6. An increase in EU expenditure through the sales to intervention of both beet sugar and ACP sugar?

7. A discriminatory impact on the UK, since much of the European Union(cid:146)s raw sugar refining capacity

is located in this country?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2000)

The Honourable Member is referring to the recent Commission trade proposal for a Council regulation
amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 applying a multiannual scheme of generalised tariff
preferences for the period 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2001 so as to extend duty-free access without
any quantitative restrictions to products originating in the least-developed countries (1).