WRITTEN QUESTION E-0718/01 by Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Use of satellite dishes and freedoms on the single market.
Date: 2001-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer policy, free movement of goods, free movement of programmes, freedom to provide services, parabolic aerial

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/183

implementation of the TRIPs Agreement,

full
property legislation which is more stringent than the Agreement requires.

it does not push WTO members to adopt intellectual

The letter of the former Member of the Commission responsible for trade, in which he raised the question
of the compatibility of the law amending the South African Medicines and Related Substances Control Act
with the WTO TRIPs Agreement, was sent in March 1998. To the Commission(cid:146)s knowledge, the letter
never got a reply. The Commission does not see much point in withdrawing a letter (cid:129) the letter exists.
The present Commission has made the fight against major communicable diseases a priority. With this
objective in mind,
it has put in place a global strategy, to improve access to health and adopted a
programme for action (available at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2000/com2000_0585en02.pdf
and http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2001/com2001_0096en01.pdf.).

As regards the problems that the South African government is facing in terms of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
the Commission has for long been providing
and the related social and economic consequences,
substantial support to South Africa through its bilateral co-operation programme. The Commission will
continue to do so, and stands ready to enhance this support if South Africa so wishes.

(2001/C 261 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0718/01

by Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 March 2001)

Subject: Use of satellite dishes and freedoms on the single market

Can the Commission say whether it intends in the near future to submit a document clarifying the
relationships between the freedom to provide services underlying the single market and the rules
governing the use of satellite dishes?

A document on that subject, in the form of a communication setting out the terms in which the above
relationships were to be interpreted, was already included in the 2000 work programme but has not yet
materialised.

Satellite dishes provide an easy means of receiving advanced-technology services (radio, TV, Internet, etc.)
from other countries and thus help to foster contacts between the Union(cid:146)s different languages and cultures.
Since the costs are relatively affordable, they are becoming increasingly popular with families. However,
their use sometimes encounters unreasonable obstacles stemming from administrative formalities, charges,
or collective decisions connected with the management of jointly owned buildings.

Is the Commission prepared to say whether and within what limits, if any, it believes that the freedoms
offered by the single market can be brought to bear at the practical level to benefit consumers in this area
of their daily lives?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2001)

As indicated in its answer to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s written question E-2216/99 (1), the Commission
wishes to reemphasise here the importance it attaches to the question raised by the Honourable Member.

The fact that users (cid:129) whether professionals or private individuals (cid:129) have the opportunity to receive
broadcasting or information society services easily and affordably is important both from the economic
point of view and from the point of view of increasing knowledge of the languages and culture of other
countries.

C 261 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

In view of the enormous interest aroused by this subject and the considerable number of requests for
information about regulatory and administrative obstacles in this field, the Commission confirmed in its
work programme for the current year (cid:129) which, incidentally, has already been submitted to Parliament (cid:129)
an interpretative communication on the application of the principles of free movement of goods and
services with regard to the use of satellite dishes (operation 2000/378).

It therefore reaffirms here its intention to submit such a document shortly for the various parties
concerned, particularly consumers who, as the recipients of services, also benefit from the free movement
of services which is a basic freedom directly applicable in national legal systems.

More generally, the Commission has recently set out a new Internal Market Strategy for Services (2), the
ultimate aim of which is to remove barriers to the free movement of services across borders using, inter
alia, non-legislative instruments such as a communication on satellite dishes.

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001.
(2) COM(2000) 888 final.

(2001/C 261 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0723/01

by Patrick Cox (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2001)

Subject: Regulation No 2978/94 relating to segregated ballast tanks (SBT) for tankers

The effect of Regulation No 2978/94 (1), has been to adversely affect pilots(cid:146) remuneration and their
pension which is based on their last year(cid:146)s earnings. In particular I refer to pilots on the river Shannon in
Ireland who are licensed by Shannon Estuary Ports and are self-employed. To the best of my knowledge
these are the only pilots in Ireland affected adversely by the regulation. Their remuneration is achieved on
a share basis and their income fluctuates depending on the amount of traffic entering the Shannon estuary.
Pilotage rates are levied on ships based on the vessel(cid:146)s gross tonnage. The regulation states that tankers
with SBT should have their gross tonnage reduced by a minimum of 17 %.

Was the intention of the regulation to adversely affect pilots(cid:146) remuneration? Has this affected pilots in
other Member States in a similar manner?

What steps, if any, does the Commission intend to take in order to rectify this situation?

(1) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2978/94 of 21 November 1994 of 21 November 1994 on the implementa-
tion of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Resolution A.747(18) on the application of tonnage
measurement of ballast spaces in segregated ballast oil tankers, aims at implementing the Resolution
A.747(18) adopted on 4 November 1993 by the IMO, the objective of which is to encourage the use of
environmentally friendly tankers and the use of segregated ballast tanks in oil tankers. This Regulation
introduces a differential calculation system for fees for oil tankers to be followed by port, harbour and
pilotage authorities in order to reach the objective of the IMO Resolution.