WRITTEN QUESTION P-3740/00 by Robert Sturdy (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Everything But Arms proposal.
Date: 2000-11-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU agricultural market, access to EU information, economic consequence, generalised preferences

C 174 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

(2001/C 174 E/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3740/00

by Robert Sturdy (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 November 2000)

Subject:

(cid:145)Everything But Arms(cid:146) proposal

In light of the (cid:145)Everything But Arms(cid:146) proposal concerning the unilateral abolition of tariffs for the 48 least
developed countries in the world, the Member States requested information on the impact of this proposal
on European agriculture in terms of cost. This study is currently being carried out by the European
Commission.

I understand that this impact assessment is to be completed in advance of a Council decision on the
proposal.

In my capacity as a Member of the European Parliament, I hereby request that this document and any
supporting documentation be made available by the Commission to myself and the other members of the
European Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on Agriculture as soon as the report has been completed and forwarded
to the Council.

Will the European Commission agree to this request?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 2000)

The Honourable Member is referring to the recent Commission proposal for a Regulation amending
Council Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 applying a multiannual scheme of generalised tariff preferences for
the period 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2001 (1) so as to extend duty-free access without any quantitative
restrictions to products originating in the least-developed countries (2).

The Commission will be happy to send the Honourable Member, and the relevant committees of the
Parliament, an impact assessment on the above proposal when it is sent to the Council.

Although the Commission is certainly proposing an (cid:145)autonomous(cid:146) measure under the Community(cid:146)s
generalized system of preferences,
tariff eradication as the
Commission proposal responds to multilateral commitments, and is being followed by initiatives from
other developed countries.

this should not be seen as (cid:145)unilateral(cid:146)

(1) OJ L 357, 30.12.1998.
(2) COM(2000) 561 final.

(2001/C 174 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3742/00

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(28 November 2000)

Subject: Insurance companies(cid:146) use of genetic tests for inherited diseases

As the Commission is no doubt aware there is concern that insurance companies inside and outside the
EU may seek authorisation to have access to and use genetic tests with the ultimate aim of either refusing
cover or increasing premiums. The great concern is that some people may be refused life insurance and
mortgages on the basis of the results of genetic tests.

Will the Commission outline whether or not it has considered this issue, and will it give an assurance that
it will not support or propose legislation aimed at giving insurance companies access to or the right to see
genetic test results?