WRITTEN QUESTION E-0164/01 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission. Progress reached in introducing the euro in the different Member States in the euro zone.
Date: 2001-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Netherlands, euro, euro area, public awareness campaign

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/53

third countries (3) respectively. In addition, further conditions apply to the labelling of beef and minced
beef as to the Member State/third country and the approval number of the establishments of slaughter or
cutting as appropriate. These requirements are laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 of the
Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 establishing a system for the identification and registration
of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products.

Up to early November 2000, a cumulative number of 83 deaths related to von Kreuzveldt-Jacob disease
(vCJD)
(81 in the United Kingdom, one in Ireland and one in France) have been reported in the
Community. Microbiological/molecular biological evidence collected over recent years indicates that BSE
and vCJD are most likely caused by the same (BSE) agent. This supports the hypothesis that humans
probably became infected as a result of the consumption of BSE contaminated material, most likely orally
(via food).

However, a number of uncertainties and unknowns, over such aspects as the transmission mechanism
from animals to man, the exact nature of the infective agent and the length of the incubation period of
vCJD (which could possibly vary from a few years to more than 25 years), indicate the need for further
research, which is under way.

Member States are already implementing a wide range of BSE control measures introduced in recent years
in the areas of SRM removal, rendering, feedstuff controls and epidemio-surveillance. On the basis of
recommendations from the Scientific Steering Committee, these controls are now being strengthened with
new measures on mechanically recovered meat, ruminant tallow and vertebral column.

In line with the conclusions of the Research Council of 16 November 2000, an expert group with
representatives from Member States and the Joint Research Centre has been set up in order to:

(cid:129) examine the state of TSE research across Member States,

(cid:129) encourage exchange of information between research teams; and

(cid:129) identify on-going research topics, which need strengthening as well as new research areas.

The work of the expert group should provide the basis for strengthening the co-ordination between
national research activities.

(1) OJ B 121, 29.7.1964.
(2) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989.
(3) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.

(2001/C 261 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0164/01

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Progress reached in introducing the euro in the different Member States in the euro zone

1.
The Netherlands Ministry of Finance has recently published figures (eighth progress report on the
euro and public authorities) on the lack of progress in introducing the euro by public authorities. For
example, it appears that 64 % of Dutch local authorities have not yet started implementation of the euro
process. Some local authorities (4 %),
in fact, have not even started with their preparations. Local
authorities are lagging well behind in the fields of communications and information in particular. Only
16 % have drawn up an external communications plan and only 31 % have an internal communications
plan. Only 45 % have a management plan for adjusting their administrative systems. The preparations

C 261 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

made by 60 % of social services and about 70 % of the implementing bodies are a cause for concern, with
many still in the initial stock-taking phase. Is the Commission aware of these disturbing figures?

Does the Commission share our concern that progress in introducing the euro in the euro zone

2.
leaves much to be desired?

Can the Commission provide a breakdown per Member State of progress made, the problems (if any)

3.
and the bottlenecks in the individual Member States of the euro zone?

4.
Can the Commission indicate whether the individual Member States of the euro zone are experien-
cing similar, or very different, problems in the process, and what action the Commission is intending to
take?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2001)

The Commission has received information about
the progress made by Dutch local authorities in
preparing for the introduction of the euro. It would appear that while the present state of preparation at
local level is very patchy, a number of good practices have also been observed and some Dutch towns and
cities have played an active role in preparing a guide aimed at helping European local authorities to make
the transition to the euro.

Work has started on improving local preparations, especially in the case of social welfare organisations,
and it is particularly important to monitor progress, not only in the Netherlands but in all other
participating Member States.

A recent Eurobarometer survey shows that forward planning and preparations for the introduction of the
euro by small and medium-sized businesses are clearly inadequate. However, it has not yet been possible to
take account of the vigorous national publicity campaigns launched at the beginning of 2001 or of the
campaign by the European Central Bank which plans to introduce coordinated and specific information
campaigns in the second half of 2001.

Every month the Commission prepares a (cid:145)scoreboard(cid:146) on preparations for the introduction of the euro.
This document, produced on the basis of information gathered from the individual national civil services,
is presented to the Eurogroup Finance Ministers and published, in summary, on the Internet.

Generally speaking, preparations for the introduction of the euro present the same kind of problems in all
Member States, although the scale of these problems may vary considerably (cid:129) which is why solving them
should be a matter for subsidiarity. However, the Commission has not been idle.
It has long been
supporting Member States(cid:146) efforts by encouraging the exchange of information and good practice between
the national officials responsible for the euro, co-financing national information campaigns and providing
direct finance for specific Europe-wide actions organised by the civil society. This financial assistance is
provided under the Prince programme, in which Parliament is involved at the level of preparation and
monitoring.

(2001/C 261 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0168/01

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: European Union approval of clean beaches

It was recently reported in the British press that the Europe Commission was considering fining the UK
Government, or Blackpool Council, around £65 000 per day for apparently being in breach of the
European Commission(cid:146)s (cid:145)Blue Flag(cid:146) safe beaches criteria.