do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0991/01 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Dangerous protein in maize.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU market, United States, consumer protection, food safety, genetically modified organism, health risk, maize, market approval

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/141

(2001/C 340 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0991/01

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Dangerous protein in maize

Research carried out into maize seeds in the USA this year found that they contained the genetically
modified protein Starlink called Cry9c. This causes dangerous allergic reactions in humans. Will the
Commission say whether any similar research has been carried out in Europe in order to to protect the
EU(cid:146)s food supply?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2001)

According to the american authorities, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided
not to licence the genetically modified maize variety (cid:145)StarLink(cid:146) for food use because of uncertainties
regarding its potential allergenicity. It took this decision based on the findings of two scientific panels,
which concluded that there was no evidence of an allergen, but that there was nonetheless insufficient
information to rule out potential allergenicity.

In the Community, genetically modified foods have to undergo a safety assessment under Regulation (EC)
258/97 of the Parliament and of the Counicl of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food
ingredients (1) before being placed on the market. Under this Regulation, authorisation will not be granted
if the food present a danger for the consumer, mislead the consumer or differ from foods or food
ingredients which they are intended to replace to such an extent that their normal consumption would be
nutritionally disadvantageous for the consumer.

No application for the approval of the placing on the market of the Star Link maize in the Community has
been forwarded to the Commission. StarLink maize has not been approved for cultivation or food use in
the Community, and foodstuffs containing or derived from StarLink maize may therefore not be placed on
the market in the Community.

(1) OJ L 43, 14.2.1997.

(2001/C 340 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0993/01

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Lies by Commissioner Kinnock to the Committee on Budgetary Control

A letter sent to Commissioner Kinnock on 26 February 2001 by Mr Reichenbach, Director-General of
Administration, and Mr Brouwer, Director, accuses the Commissioner of having lied to the Committee on
Budgetary Control in asserting that he had not been informed by the committee of the financial difficulties,
disorganisation and fraud observed in the rebuilding of the Berlaymont building.

Can Commissioner Kinnock refute these accusations?
Commission Opinion of 30 March 2001 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM-II) in the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Germany, nuclear industry, radioactive effluent, radioactive waste

C 117/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.4.2001

COMMISSION OPINION

of 30 March 2001

concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the high-flux neutron source
research facility (FRM-II) in the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of
the Euratom Treaty

(2001/C 117/02)

(Only the German text is authentic)

On 6 October 2000 the European Commission received from the German Government, in accordance
with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive
waste resulting from high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM(cid:150)II).

The representatives of the German Government provided more detailed information at the meeting of the
group of experts set up pursuant to the Euratom Treaty, which took place in Luxembourg on 17 and 18
January 2001.

On the basis of the information provided, and following consultation with the group of experts, the
Commission has drawn up the following opinion.

(a) The distance between the plant and the nearest point of another Member State, in this case Austria, is

approximately 70 km.

(b) Under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents are not liable to
cause an exposure, significant from the point of view of health, of the population in another Member
State.

(c) Solid radioactive waste is stored temporarily at the site before being taken to an approved national

facility. Irradiated fuel elements are stored at the site before being transported off-site.

(d) In the event of unplanned discharges of radioactive effluents, which may follow an accident of the type
and magnitude considered in the general data, the doses likely to be received by the population in
other Member States would not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for disposal of
radioactive waste, resulting from the high-flux neutron source research facility (FRM(cid:150)II) in the Federal
Republic of Germany, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude
considered in the general data, is not liable to result in the radioactive contamination, significant from the
point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0980/01 by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Surveys of environmental radioactivity.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental monitoring, nuclear test, nuclear weapon, radioactivity

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/19

(2001/C 364 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0884/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 March 2001)

Subject: Radiological sampling at military ranges where depleted uranium munitions have been tested

What plans does the Commission have, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III of the Euratom Treaty, to
conduct radiological sampling at military ranges or other sites in the UK and France where depleted
uranium munitions have been tested?

(2001/C 364 E/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0979/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Test firing of depleted uranium shells

Does the Commission consider that the test firing of depleted uranium shells into coastal waters within the
European Union is covered by the OSPAR Convention?

(2001/C 364 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0980/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Surveys of environmental radioactivity

What surveys of environmental radioactivity are currently being conducted by the Commission or its
agents?

(2001/C 364 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0981/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Firing of depleted uranium shells into the Solway Firth, United Kingdom

What evaluation has the Commission made of the environmental survey conducted by consultants W.S.
Atkins on behalf of the British Ministry of Defence in 1994, released in January 1995, into the impact on
the marine and terrestrial environment of the test-firing of depleted uranium shells in the United Kingdom
into the Solway Firth (from the Dundrennan range near Kirkcudbright,
in Scotland) and at Eskmeals
(Cumbria, in England)? Is it aware of any similar survey conducted by France into its depleted uranium
testing site at Granat?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0884/01, E-0979/01, E-0980/01 and E-0981/01
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2001)

Test ranges of depleted uranium munitions may be either terrestrial or in a marine environment.

In the case of marine test ranges, the Commission stated on several occasions (cid:129) most recently in its reply
to Oral Question H-0055/01 by Mrs Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s February
2001 part-session (1) (cid:129) that no contamination of the marine environment which could be distinguished
from naturally occurring uranium concentrations would result from this activity. It is the Commission(cid:146)s
understanding that this issue has so far not been addressed under the Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Convention.
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 27/2001 of 30 March 2001 amending Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) to the EEA Agreement
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: EEA Joint Committee
Subjects: laying poultry, live poultry, livestock farming, protection of animals, veterinary inspection

L 158/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.6.2001

DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE

No 27/2001

of 30 March 2001

amending Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) to the EEA Agreement

THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as amended by the Protocol adjusting
the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’, and in
particular Article 98 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Annex I to the Agreement was amended by Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 189/1999 of
17 December 1999 (1).

Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection
of laying hens (2) is to be incorporated into the Agreement.

Commission Decision 2000/50/EC of 17 December 1999 concerning minimum requirements for
the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes (3) is to be incorporated
into the Agreement.

(4)

This Decision is not to apply to Iceland and Liechtenstein,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following points shall be inserted after point 7 (Council Regulation (EC) No 411/98) in Part 9.1 of
Chapter I of Annex I to the Agreement:

‘8.

9.

399 L 0074: Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards
for the protection of laying hens (OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 53).

32000 D 0050: Commission Decision 2000/50/EC of 17 December 1999 concerning
minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming
purposes (OJ L 19, 25.1.2000, p. 51).’

Article 2

The texts of Council Directive 1999/74/EC and Commission Decision 2000/50/EC in the Norwegian
language, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities, shall
be authentic.

(1) OJ L 74, 15.3.2001, p. 24.
(2) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 53.
(3) OJ L 19, 25.1.2000, p. 51.

14.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 158/7

This Decision shall enter into force on 31 March 2001, provided that all the notifications under
Article 103(1) of the Agreement have been made to the EEA Joint Committee (*).

Article 3

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal
of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 30 March 2001.

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President

P. WESTERLUND

(*) No constitutional requirements indicated.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0974/01 by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE), Reimer Böge (PPE-DE) and Christian von Boetticher (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Problems in the cross-frontier labour market as a result of a Danish registration tax for official vehicles.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, Germany, cross-border transport, free movement of workers, labour market, vehicle registration, vehicle tax

C 318 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

(2001/C 318 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0974/01

by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE), Reimer B(cid:246)ge (PPE-DE)
and Christian von Boetticher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Problems in the cross-frontier labour market as a result of a Danish registration tax for official

vehicles

A registration tax for official vehicles in Denmark seems to be causing considerable problems in the cross-
frontier labour market between Germany and Denmark.

For example, a German elderly persons(cid:146) care worker resident in Denmark with a German place of
employment is required by Danish law to pay a registration tax for an official car that she uses solely for
professional purposes but has to park outside her home in case of emergency calls.

According to our information a group of about 150 people are affected by similar cases in the cross-
frontier labour market between Germany and Denmark.

At DKK 60 per day, the tax is so steep that the group of employees is placed at a disadvantage compared
with their colleagues living in Germany.

Since the tax may also be creating obstacles to employment that go against the aim of promoting a cross-
frontier labour market, the following questions arise:

1. Does the Commission believe that this state of affairs is compatible with freedom of movement in the

European Union?

2. What action has it taken or does it intend to take to solve this problem?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question E-1478/00 by
Mrs Riis-Jłrgensen (1). The Commission is still pursuing the infringement proceedings against Denmark.

(1) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001.

(2001/C 318 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0976/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Shellfish hygiene directive

Could the Commission confirm when and if the main shellfish-producing countries such as France, Ireland
and the Netherlands are intending to implement Annex III, paragraph 2, (of COM(2000) 438 final of
14 July 2000) of the new (cid:145)sanitary survey(cid:146) provisions?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 626/2001 of 30 March 2001 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agri-monetary policy, citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit

31.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 91/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 626/2001

of 30 March 2001

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

the standard
In compliance with the above criteria,
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
last
import arrangements
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1498/98 (2), and in particular
Article 4(1) thereof,

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
in
standard values for imports from third countries,
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 31 March 2001.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 30 March 2001.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 198, 15.7.1998, p. 4.

L 91/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

31.3.2001

to the Commission Regulation of 30 March 2001 establishing the standard import values for determining the
entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country
code (1)

Standard import
value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
624
999
052
624
999
052
204
624
999
052
204
212
220
600
624
999
388
400
404
508
512
524
528
720
999
388
512
528
999

86,2
35,2
71,2
85,7
69,6
140,4
89,6
115,0
126,6
84,2
63,1
91,3
76,1
48,1
45,5
57,2
54,5
51,1
55,4
97,4
80,2
86,2
88,0
85,0
92,2
91,0
107,8
91,0
71,6
70,6
74,8
72,3

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2032/2000 (OJ L 243, 28.9.2000, p. 14). Code ‘999’ stands for ‘of

other origin’.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1026/01 by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Off-piste skiing.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, accident prevention, mountain, sport

C 147 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

(2002/C 147 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1026/01

by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Off-piste skiing

In view of the frequency of accidents occurring to off-piste skiers, even those accompanied by tour guides,
will the Commission consider the possibility of reviewing safety conditions at ski resorts and the potential
desirability of a directive laying down framework safety standards in all the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

There is no Community legislation applicable to the safety of off-piste skiing.

The Commission does not plan to prepare a specific proposal for a directive laying down safety standards
for off-piste skiing. Off-piste skiing is just one of the many sport and recreational activities involving
potential risks. A proliferation of sectoral Community directives to deal with such risks would not
represent a viable approach.

However, the Commission intends to present to the Parliament and the Council, by the end of 2001, a
communication on the safety of services. This will assess the need for Community measures and propose a
suitable approach for Community action. Tourist activities will be considered in this communication
alongside other services. But the idea behind possible future Community initiatives on the safety of services
is to set a framework piece of legislation, similar in its spirit to the Directive on General Product Safety,
not to go into the specifics of particular activities. Moreover, subsidiarity considerations would probably
preclude measures such as restricting or submitting to conditions the access to off-piste skiing activities.

(2002/C 147 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1330/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Aircraft passengers and deep vein thrombosis

Further to the reply to my parliamentary question E-0191/01 (1) given by Commissioner Mrs de Palacio on
15 March 2001, which stated that the Commission had written to various bodies urging airlines to take
various actions, including advising passengers once on board aircraft on what to do to lessen the chance of
thrombosis, what response has the Commission received?

Has it evidence that airlines are now taking such action and, in particular, including such advice in pre-
take-off information briefings?

Is it satisfied with the response to date?

(1) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001, p. 131.
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 52/2001 of 30 March 2001 amending Annex XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: EEA Joint Committee
Subjects: EU Member State, European Union, carriage of goods, combined transport, cooperation policy, transport policy

14.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 158/69

DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE

No 52/2001

of 30 March 2001

amending Annex XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement

THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as amended by the Protocol adjusting
the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’, and in
particular Article 98 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Annex XIII to the Agreement was amended by Decision No 60/2000 of the EEA Joint Committee
of 28 June 2000 (1).

Council Resolution 2000/C 56/01 of 14 February 2000 on the promotion of intermodality and
intermodal freight transport in the European Union (2) is to be incorporated into the Agreement.

Council Resolution 2000/C 56/02 of 14 February 2000 on the promotion of short sea shipping (3)
is to be incorporated into the Agreement,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following points shall be inserted after point 91 (Council Resolution 1999/C 222/01) in Annex XIII
to the Agreement:

‘92. 32000 Y 0229(01): Council Resolution 2000/C 56/01 of 14 February 2000 on the promotion
of intermodality and intermodal freight transport in the European Union (OJ C 56, 29.2.2000,
p. 1).

93.

32000 Y 0229(02): Council Resolution 2000/C 56/02 of 14 February 2000 on the promotion
of short sea shipping (OJ C 56, 29.2.2000, p. 3).’

Article 2

The texts of Council Resolutions 2000/C 56/01 and 2000/C 56/02 in the Icelandic and Norwegian
languages, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities, shall
be authentic.

This Decision shall enter into force on 31 March 2001, provided that all the notifications under
Article 103(1) of the Agreement have been made to the EEA Joint Committee (*).

Article 3

(1) OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 76.
(2) OJ C 56, 29.2.2000, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 56, 29.2.2000, p. 3.
(*) No constitutional requirements indicated.

L 158/70

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.6.2001

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal
of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 30 March 2001.

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President

P. WESTERLUND