WRITTEN QUESTION E-3928/00 by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission. Abandonment of seafarers in EU ports.
Date: 2000-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: crew, harbour installation, labour law, return migration, working conditions

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/85

Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that the human factor is the most important element in maritime
transport safety, since between 70 and 80 % of accidents or shipwrecks are caused by human error.

In this connection, what are the Commission(cid:146)s views on prohibiting access to Community ports for ships
which do not meet the social conditions laid down in ILO Convention 147? The question is also relevant
to the Paris memorandum, which should be amended so as to ensure that checks on social conditions on
board ships are systematic and effective.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using
Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international
standards for ships safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port State
control) (1) provides for the verification by inspectors of the port State control of the provisions of
Convention 147 of the International Labour Office (ILO). Non-compliance with social standards does not
of itself lead to a refusal of access to Community ports. However, under the Directive inspectors may
detain ships if the safety or hygiene conditions on board are unsatisfactory.

Directive 1999/95/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 concerning
the enforcement of provisions in respect of seafarers(cid:146) hours of work on board ships calling at Community
ports (2) reinforces its control by providing for verification in Community ports of compliance with the
provisions of ILO Convention 180 and the Protocol to Convention 147 concerning the conditions and
hours of work on board. Deficiencies revealed during such inspections (such as undue fatigue of members
of the crew) may lead to the detention of the vessel.

Finally, amendments made to Directive 95/21/EC are regularly incorporated into the Paris Memorandum.
In any event, where there are differences between the Paris Memorandum and Directive 95/21/EC, Member
States are required to comply with the provisions of the Directive.

(1) OJ L 157, 7.7.1995.
(2) OJ L 104, 20.1.2000.

(2001/C 187 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3928/00

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Abandonment of seafarers in EU ports

The scandalous abandonment of crew members and ships by some shipowners is one of the many
violations of seafarers(cid:146) rights reported in recent years and testifying to the decline in the living and
working conditions of these workers.

International solutions are needed to this problem, but above all recognition by the European Union via
special legislation and closer cooperation between states.

Should the European Union not introduce safeguards to prevent seafarers from extreme situations of this
kind?

Will this Commission remedy this shortcoming by proposing legislation to make binding the provisions of
ILO Convention 163, ILO Recommendation 173 on seafarers(cid:146) welfare and ILO Convention 166 on the
repatriation of seafarers?

C 187 E/86

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2001)

The Commission recognises that the abandonment of crews and their vessels by certain shipowners is
a serious problem requiring the attention of international and Community bodies alike.

The Commission is paying close attention to work being carried out at on this issue at international level
by the joint International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) expert
working group. The abandonment of seafarers is indeed an international problem, and one that cannot be
solved at Community level without taking the international context into account.

It is certainly generally important for Member States to apply the ILO Conventions on seafarers(cid:146) welfare
properly in order to improve living and working conditions on board ships. However, this in itself is not
enough to solve the problem of abandoned seafarers when the ships concerned do not fly a Community
flag.

That is why the Commission intends first of all to examine the conclusions reached by the above-
mentioned expert working group before considering the expediency of acting at Community level.

(2001/C 187 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3929/00

by BØatrice Patrie (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Non-food use of agricultural products

The development of non-food uses for renewable agricultural products is at present an area of vast
It would make it possible to cut our CO2 emissions at a stroke, reduce our
potential for the EU.
dependence on oil, and reduce Europe(cid:146)s deficit in vegetable proteins. Above all it would make it possible
to replace vast quantities of pollutant products of mineral origin by products of vegetable origin
(lubricants, solvents, inks, bio-fuels, pesticides, etc.) which have the advantage of being biodegradable,
non-toxic and renewable.

Yet it is clear that Agenda 2000 has neglected this sector. Furthermore, although the Commission has
already taken initiatives to develop non-food uses of renewable resources, these suffer from the lack of
a global strategy and coordination between the various directorates-general concerned.

The Committee of the Regions, in its opinion 2000/C226/06, and a considerable number of economic and
social representatives from the renewable resources sector, recently called on the Commission to set up an
in-house non-food task force that would make it possible to gain a strategic vision of the subject and
pursue a consistent policy.

the Commission respond to this request

How will
the Regions and
representatives of the sector concerned? Will it set up this task force in the short or medium term? Are
the relevant departments considering proposals for regulations on the non-food uses of products of
vegetable origin?

from both the Committee of

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2001)

The Commission does not at present consider it appropriate or useful to set up a special non-food task
force. In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol
signed in December 1997 stipulates that progress must be made by 2005 on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions in all sectors of the economy. The Community is committed to an 8 % reduction in emissions
(compared to 1990 levels) during the period 2008-2012.