WRITTEN QUESTION P-0725/01 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. UK university students attending EU universities.
Date: 2001-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, European integration, education grant, education policy, foreign student, student mobility

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/241

The Commission proposals in the area of food hygiene (2) are a response to the need to create a high level
of consumer protection. In addition to the creation of a high level of consumer protection the proposals
provide, more than the existing food hygiene rules contained in Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June
1993 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (3), for the flexibility that is needed to accommodate the needs of
businesses that are involved in traditional ways of
food production. This flexibility applies without
compromising the objectives of food safety. Since traditional food production is a matter that by nature
differs from one Member State to another, and even within Member States, it is up to Member States to
decide upon the level of flexibility that is needed. In order to ensure the correct implementation of the
principle of flexibility, Member States that have recourse to this possibility shall inform the Commission
and the other Member States thereof.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 (4)
lays down rules on the protection of
designations of origin and geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs at Community
level. This Regulation has three main objectives: the development of regional and speciality products, the
encouragement of more diversified agricultural output and the promoting of the development of rural
areas. The Regulation also envisages the protection of both consumers and producers.

Many consumers care about agricultural products and foodstuffs produced and/or processed in a particular
geographical area due to the fact that the specific characteristics of these products are attributable to this
region. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 provides the legal framework to guarantee that consumers
are not misled in this regard. But this Regulation also backs up marketing efforts of producers who make it
possible to individualise products by protecting them from abuse and unfair appropriation. In fact, the
Regulation grants producers with an exclusive right to use a registered name for their products.

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.
(2) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000.
(3) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.
(4) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2001/C 235 E/284)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0725/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(6 March 2001)

Subject: UK university students attending EU universities

British students are able to attend universities on the continent providing they have the necessary
education qualifications. However, there is no financial assistance for these students, and this frequently
acts as a deterrent to those wishing to study abroad.

Given that a key way of encouraging European integration is to encourage our young people to live and
study abroad, what measures is the Commission considering to help students to study in another EU
Member States, particularly vis-(cid:224)-vis financial assistance/grants etc.?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2001)

In order to enable and encourage students in one Member State to study in another Member State, which
as the Honourable Member stated is a way to further European integration, the Commission established
the Erasmus mobility scheme in 1987, first included under the Erasmus programme and from 1996 as
part of the Erasmus action under the Socrates programme.

C 235 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

The Erasmus mobility scheme enables a student from one of the Member States participating in the
Socrates programme to study between 3 to 12 months in another participating Member State. The student
receives an Erasmus grant of € 50-500 a month. The average grant among all participating countries in the
academic year 1999/2000 was € 166 per student per month.

The Erasmus student also benefits from the framework for mobility that has been built up under the
Erasmus mobility scheme. Before the Erasmus student leaves for his/her study period, the home university
and the host university agree, together with the student, on a clearly defined programme of studies. At the
end of the study period abroad, the host institution supplies the student and the home institution with
a certificate confirming that the agreed programme has been followed and concluded. The home university
shall ensure to all Erasmus mobility students academic recognition of their studies at the host institution as
a fully recognised part of their home country diploma/degree.

(2001/C 235 E/285)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0728/01

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 March 2001)

Subject: Limits on exemptions from taxation on personal motor vehicles when moving to Finland

In 1998, when it issued an official notification concerning the taxation of second-hand motor vehicles
imported into Finland from other Member States, the Commission also asked for any other related
breaches of Community law to be reported to it.

The Commission has already adopted a position on the shortcomings in the taxation of imported second-
hand motor vehicles.

The rules restricting imports of personal motor vehicles into Finland also require action by the Commis-
sion. Finland(cid:146)s motor vehicle taxation law restricts tax-free importation of such vehicles in a manner which
contravenes Directive 83/183/EEC (1):

(cid:129) FIM 80 000 is the limit for exemption from taxation of personal motor vehicles,

(cid:129) there is a limit of 72 days on length of stay in Finland,

(cid:129) the number of personal motor vehicles is limited to one,

(cid:129) the importer must be at least 18 years old,

(cid:129) a personal motor vehicle may only be imported at the time of change of residence,

(cid:129) the motor vehicle taxation law does not contain any provisions concerning freedom from taxation on

grounds of marriage or inheritance,

(cid:129) after a personal motor vehicle has been imported, it must be kept for an unreasonably long time

before it can change hands.

These restrictions are an obstacle to the free movement of persons within the EU. What will the
Commission do to ensure that personal motor vehicles can be imported into Finland tax-free?

(1) OJ L 105, 23.4.1983, p. 64.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2001)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that failure to apply in full Council Directive 83/
183/EEC of 28 March 1983 on tax exemptions applicable to permanent imports from a Member State of
the personal property of individuals is an obstacle to the free movement of persons. The question of