WRITTEN QUESTION E-1976/01 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Compulsory civil liability insurance for the liberal professions.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: liberal profession, proposal (EU), provision of services, third-party insurance

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/235

(2001/C 350 E/266)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1925/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 June 2001)

Subject: Export licences for cereals

On a number of occasions in the past marketing year the Commission has refused grain export licences
despite the fact that these exports require no export refund from the European Union. This has had the
effect of depressing prices on the European cereals market.

Why does the Commission not give licences automatically for cereals exports with zero refunds? Is the
Commission aware that refusing licences has the effect of lowering prices on the European cereals market?
Is the Commission prepared to do something about this?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

On only one occasion has the Commission rejected an application for an export licence not attracting
a refund under an invitation to tender for export refunds, and that was on technical grounds. In that
instance, moreover, the exporters were able as always to apply for and obtain export licences not attracting
refunds outside the scope of the invitation to tender. Licences without refunds valid for 30 days are issued
unrestrictedly by the Member States on the day the operators submit their applications.

Since the Agenda 2000 reforms have come into force, the Commission can apply restrictive measures in
trade with non-member countries solely in the event of serious disturbance that is likely to upset the
balance of the internal market in cereals.

(2001/C 350 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1976/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Compulsory civil liability insurance for the liberal professions

Many actions by members of the professions result in significant disadvantage to their clients, who are not
protected against the risks involved.

For this reason, many user and consumer groups are calling for the introduction of compulsory civil
liability insurance for all members of the liberal professions in the EU.

Does the Commission consider that it would be appropriate to adopt an initiative obliging certain
categories of professionals within the Community to take out civil liability insurance, in order to protect
their clients from any disadvantage that may result from their actions?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

The civil liability of service providers, in particular members of the liberal professions, is not currently
regulated at Community level.

A proposal for a directive on service providers(cid:146) liability presented to Parliament and to the Council in
1990 was withdrawn by the Commission in 1994 in view of the difficulties encountered.

C 350 E/236

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

The Commission feels that it is now time to re-examine the requirements, priorities and options for
Community action in the area of service safety. It plans to present a report on this matter to Parliament
and to the Council in 2003, accompanied, where necessary, by relevant proposals. The safety of services
provided by members of the liberal professions will be looked at in this context. However, it would be
premature at this stage to comment on whether Community action relating to compulsory civil liability
insurance for the liberal professions would be justified.

(2001/C 350 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Pesticides in Italian fruit and vegetables

(6 July 2001)

A survey conducted by Anpa-Arpa (the Italian national prevention and environment agency), in which
5 300 fruit and vegetable samples were analysed in 14 Italian regions, has revealed that the traces of
pesticides found in 4 fruits out of 10 (and 2 vegetables out of 10) exceed the legal limit values.

Given the serious risks to public health:

1. Does the Commission know about the findings of the survey?

2. What limits does European legislation lay down for pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables?

3. When the rules have been infringed, can the offenders be punished?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

1.
The Commission is aware of the results of the survey referred to but can find no grounds in the
results justifying the assertion in the question that 40 % of fruits and 20 % of vegetables exceed the
maximum residue limits for pesticides residues. The Commission is also aware of the recently published
results of the Italian national monitoring programme for 2000 for pesticides residues in fruits and
vegetables. The results are in line with those of previous years and with those reported by the other
Member States i.e. that about 60 % of samples contain no detectable residues, about 40 % of samples
contain detectable residues within the permissible limits and that about 2-3 % contain residues exceeding
the limits but not endangering health.

It is not practical to list the more than 20 000 Community maximum residue limits (MRLs) here. A
site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/ph_ps/pest/
listing is available on the Europa Internet

2.
full
index_en.htm).

The Member States are responsible for controlling compliance with the maximum residue limits in

3.
force and for taking appropriate action against transgressors.

(2001/C 350 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2026/01

by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Suspension of Schengen Agreement

(3 July 2001)

During the Gothenburg Summit,
the Schengen Agreement was suspended by the national police
commissioner and the V(cid:228)stra G(cid:246)taland county police commissioner. On what grounds and by whom
may the Schengen Agreement be suspended, and for what duration?