WRITTEN QUESTION E-3990/00 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Exemption from passport requirement for Russian citizens in the Kaliningrad enclave.
Date: 2000-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, Schengen Agreement, accession to an agreement

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/209

(2001/C 174 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Future spread of the dwarf tapeworm in Sweden

There is a risk that the deadly dwarf tapeworm will proliferate in Sweden unless the requirement of a
deworming certificate is maintained for pets transported over Swedish borders.
In Switzerland and
Germany, the population is being urged not to eat preserved raw lingonberry, for example, as they may
ingest dwarf tapeworm in doing so. The incubation period for disease from this worm is 20 years and only
if detected at an early stage can it be cured.

At present, dwarf tapeworm does not exist in Sweden and to prevent dogs and cats bringing it into the
country, they are required to take a drug which kills the worm.

However, to facilitate freedom of movement of pets within the EU, some of the current rules applicable to
them are being scrapped.

Can Sweden have an exemption from the rules on pets transported over EU borders and require a
deworming certificate?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

In the third quarter of 2000 the Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council on animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial movements of
pet animals (1). This legal measure is based on the available scientific data, the aim being to reduce to an
acceptable level the health risks resulting from movements of pets.

Moreover, Article 8 of the proposal includes a provision that makes it possible for a Member State to
obtain additional guarantees where this is justified by a particular situation. The Commission is aware of
the risk of the introduction of Echinococcus multilocularis into the Member States that are free of this
tapeworm, as a result of movements of carnivores from areas where this parasitic disease is endemic. It is
therefore possible to make use of the provisions of this Article for this zoonosis.

The public health problem related to Echinococcus multilocularis has therefore been taken into account in
the Commission proposal and can thus be dealt with for Sweden, and for Ireland and the United Kingdom,
through this procedure.

(1) COM(2000) 529 final.

(2001/C 174 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3990/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Exemption from passport requirement for Russian citizens in the Kaliningrad enclave

The Russian Government has reportedly made inquiries within the EU concerning the possible incorpora-
tion of part of its territory into the Schengen area. At present, the inhabitants of the small Kaliningrad
enclave are not required to carry passports to enter Poland or Latvia.
In Russia(cid:146)s view, when those
countries become members of the EU, the exemption from the obligation to carry a passport should be
replaced by membership of the Schengen area.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of this proposal?

C 174 E/210

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2001)

The Commission has not been approached formally by the Russian authorities on the question of whether
Schengen could be extended to include Kaliningrad. Nevertheless some concern has been expressed by the
Russian authorities as to the implications of the enlargement of the Union on movement across the
borders of Kaliningrad.

On 17 January 2001 the Commission adopted a Communication on (cid:145)The EU and the region of
Kaliningrad(cid:146) and transmitted this Communication (1) to the Council and the Parliament. The Communica-
tion aims to offer ideas and options for a Union debate with Russia, Lithuania and Poland on future co-
operation with Kaliningrad.

(1) COM(2001) 26 final.

(2001/C 174 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3992/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Forthcoming Swedish ban on firecrackers

At the end of October 2000, the Swedish Government proposed a total ban on firecrackers. Firecrackers
are a product which only make a bang, whereas fireworks also give off light. In the latter(cid:146)s case, the
Swedish Government plans to raise the age limit for purchasing the product from 15 to 18 years.

Is Sweden(cid:146)s total ban on firecrackers consistent with freedom of movement of goods on the internal
market?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2001)

The Commission was notified of the proposed Swedish legislation under Directive 98/34/EC of the
Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information
in the field of technical standards and regulations (1). The Commission issued observations on this draft
which were sent to the Swedish authorities on 10 October 2000. No reply has yet been received from the
Swedish authorities.

In these observations the Commission requested to be informed about the reasons for the proposed ban on
fireworks that only create an exploding sound in order to be able to make an assessment of this measure
in relation to Articles 28-30 (ex Articles 30-36) of the EC Treaty.

Against this background, the Commission cannot at this time make an assessment of the proposed
the Commission(cid:146)s position, as expressed in its reply to the question
Swedish legislation. However,
E-1798/00 (2) on the same matter, dated 18 May 2000, remains unchanged.

(1) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998.
(2) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 88.