WRITTEN QUESTION E-1175/01 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council. Birth deficit.
Date: 2001-04-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, births, population ageing

C 364 E/52

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

In 1991 the Council adopted Directive 91/67/EEC concerning the animal health conditions governing the
placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products with the objective of having harmonised health
rules for ensuring the development of the aquaculture sector and to increase productivity. In 1993,
Council Directive 93/53/EEC was adopted with the main objective to establish at Community level the
control measures to be taken in the event of outbreaks of disease. The aim of the legislation was not
necessarily to eradicate ISA from Community waters but rather to prevent the spread of the disease if
present and to eradicate the agent from infected farms.

In relation to measures preventing farmed fish from being infected with ISA virus present in the wild, in
addition to the obligatory measures laid down in the present legislation, a review of the animal health/
zootechnics aquaculture legislation has recently been initiated. In the review process, the criteria for
diseases to be controlled by obligatory measures will be examined, taking into account the present
knowledge about the presence of the agent in the wild and the interchange of infection between farmed
and wild susceptible fish. In addition, consideration will be given to further developing Community
legislation with regard to preventative management measures at farm and regional level.

(1) COM(2001) 37 final.
(2) OJ L 314, 14.12.2000.
(3) OJ L 46, 19.2.1991.

(2001/C 364 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1155/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2001)

Subject: Tuna steaks

On the basis of a study of the demand for tuna steak supplies which assessed the supply of tuna steaks to
the Community market in the short and medium term, the Commission decided to open an annual
quota of 4000 tonnes at a 6 % preferential rate of duty for the period 2001 to 2003, within the COM in
fisheries and aquaculture products.

How has this quota been used by the various Member States, both in 2000 and 2001?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The Commission considers that the information requested by the Honourable Member is covered by the
confidentiality provision in Article 308a(12) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993
laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the
Community Customs Code (1), as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1427/97 of 23 July
1997 (2). Consequently that information cannot be provided.

(1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993.
(2) OJ L 196, 24.7.1997.

(2001/C 364 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1175/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 April 2001)

Subject: Birth deficit

At the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 14 March 2001, the Council representative, Mrs Lindh, emphasised
that the phenomenon of the ageing population, which is expected to become an explosive issue by 2010,

20.12.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/53

constitutes a challenge both for Europe(cid:146)s mechanisms of production and its social systems. Studies into the
birth deficit show that the fall in the birth rate is not only due to women(cid:146)s difficulties in reconciling family
and working life but also to pathological causes relating to both partners. The little statistical data available
shows that one in ten couples are involuntarily childless.

1. Will the Council take initiatives to formulate a coherent and generous policy to tackle the birth
deficit?

2.
In an age in which medical science has developed techniques to assist reproduction, which in
combination with hi-tech drugs offer less fertile couples effective options, will the Council encourage the
Member States to adopt such practices in their health care systems?

Reply

(27 September 2001)

The Council is paying considerable attention to problems related to the low birth rate in Europe. This
work takes place mainly within the Social Protection Committee set up by the Council, in the context of
the open method of coordination introduced by the Lisbon European Council in March 2000.

The Nice European Council in December 2000 adopted the European Social Agenda, which addresses
amongst other issues the challenge of a declining birth rate and an ageing population. Appropriate policies
for families and children, including reconciling family life and working life, are considered to be important
tools.

in March 2001 reiterated the need to focus on the demographic
The Stockholm European Council
challenge by, inter alia, adapting existing social protection systems. To that end, the Stockholm European
Council invited the Council and the Commission to develop by 2002 indicators on the provision of care
facilities for children and other dependants and on family benefit systems.

According to Article 152 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the delivery of health
services and medical care practices in the health system is a matter of national competence and does not
fall within the competence of the Community.

(2001/C 364 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1180/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Plan Colombia

Would the Commission provide a detailed breakdown of the nature of the EU(cid:146)s € 105 million development
assistance package to Colombia?

In light of the resolution on Colombia adopted by Parliament on 1 February 2001, would the Commission
confirm that EU assistance to that country is entirely separate from the US sponsored Plan Colombia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2001)

The Commission has officially announced that the amount of aid reserved for the Colombian peace
process, in terms of new commitments, will be € 105 million for the period 2001-2006. A provision of
around € 6 million per year should be added to this amount to take into account the contribution of the
budgets non-programmable lines (European Community(cid:146)s Humanitarian Office (ECHO), non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), Refugees, etc.). The total amount resulting could therefore be estimated to be € 140
million.