WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/01 by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Electromagnetic fields.
Date: 2001-10-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC recommendation, European standard, electromagnetic interference, mobile phone, public health, safety standard

C 147 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

What stage has been reached in the work of assessment and what does the Commission intend to do to
avoid similar disturbances of the market in future aid operations?

(1) OJ C 25, 25.1.2001.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Commission has given a comprehensive response to the findings detailed in the report referred to by
the Honourable Member. This response, which is published as an annex to the European Court of
Auditor’s Special Report (1), addresses the concerns raised in the Honourable Member’s question.

In particular the Commission would draw the Honourable Member’s attention to paragraphs 48, 50, 51
and 52 dealing with trade disruption, paragraph 53 which addresses the issue of programme targeting and
to paragraphs 56 to 61 in the Conclusion. There is little evidence of disruption to trade and local markets.
Independent evaluators did point out the positive impact of the programme on the food chain. The
constitution of the counterpart funds from the sale of the food aid delivery did aid the clearance of Russian
pension arrears and contributed to the significant increase in basic pensions. Food aid to Russia has been
designed in accordance with international guidelines and has been implemented in close co-operation with
Russian authorities and other donor programmes.

In regard to ‘work assessment’ this Programme is not yet finalised despite the fact that the physical delivery
of 1,67 million tonnes of product was completed by end March 2000. The Community-Russia Joint
Working Group, set up to oversee implementation, continues to meet monthly until all arrears to the
Special Account have been cleared and final disbursements from this account are made. As of 3 October
2001 the arrears total was 576 million Russian Rubles (RUR) representing about 8 % of the total value of
Programme product sold. As mandated by Council (Council Regulation (EC) No 2802/98 of 17 December
1998 on a programme to supply agricultural products to the Russian Federation (2), article 4) an
independent evaluation has been completed. An independent audit is on going and the final audit report
is expected in spring 2002.

In the context of future food aid operations, the Commission will take account of the valuable experience
gained with this particular programme and the recommendations detailed in the independent evaluators
report. Necessarily, the Commission does take particular care to avoid market disruption, both within the
Community and at beneficiary level, with all large-scale food aid operations. In the case of the Russian
Federation, the Commission has no plans at present to propose further food aid operations.

(1) OJ C 25, 25.1.2001.
(2) OJ L 349, 24.12.1998.

(2002/C 147 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/01

by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Electromagnetic fields

What steps is the Commission intending to take to protect human health against the negative effects of
electromagnetic fields, specifically from mobile telephones?

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/47

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2002)

On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted a recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general
public to electromagnetic fields (1), including the radio frequencies used by mobile telephone systems.

Given the very rapid development of these systems and the fears to which they give rise concerning the
health of persons exposed, the Commission wished to take all necessary precautionary measures.
It
therefore asked the ‘Health and consumer protection’ Directorate-General’s Scientific Committee on
Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment to reexamine the subject and issue, from autumn 2001, a
new scientific opinion on the risks to human health from exposure and on suitable protection measures.

The Committee’s opinion with regard to intermediate, radio and microwave frequencies from 1Khz up to
300 Ghz, such as those emitted by mobile phones, microwave ovens and television sets, states that the
additional information that has become available does not call for any change in the exposure limits
contained in the Council Recommendation of 1999.

The Commission will consult Member States on the implications of the report. It will also continue to
cooperate with the World Health Organisation, which is engaged in a major epidemiological study of
electromagnetic fields and human health.

the Parliament and of

The attention of the Honourable Member is further drawn to Community legislation ensuring that
products like base stations and mobile phones are safe. In order to comply with this legislation (Directive
1999/5/EC of
the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and
telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2) and Council
Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to
electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (3)), manufacturers need to ensure that
products comply with strict safety standards following the latest scientific advice such as that laid down in
the Council Recommendation.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(2) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(3) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.

(2002/C 147 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(10 October 2001)

Subject: Saddam Hussein and the war crimes tribunal

Is the Council seeking to ensure that, should the occasion arise, Saddam Hussein and his henchmen should
be put before an internal war crimes tribunal? Is the Council prepared to play a part in having Saddam
Hussein and members of his government arrested if they were to make a State visit to another country?

Reply

(1 March 2002)

No international war crimes tribunal exists as yet to deal with the individuals referred to in your question.
Judicial proceedings against Saddam Hussein have nevertheless been initiated in certain national courts,
including courts in the European Union.

The EU and its Member States support the forthcoming establishment of the International Criminal Court,
as provided for in the Rome Statute of 17 July 1998. This is clear from the Council’s Common Position of
11 June 2001, in particular. In future it will be possible to bring proceedings concerning the crime of
genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and C once a definition is agreed on C the crime of