WRITTEN QUESTION E-2838/01 by Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE), John Purvis (PPE-DE),Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE)and Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Measures to combat potential bioterrorist attacks in Europe.
Date: 2001-10-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU institution, biological weapon, chemical weapon, civil defence, cooperation policy, health control, public safety, terrorism

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/57

The chambers may receive support from EBAS (European Business Advisory Services) which, as part of its
support for capacity building in private sector intermediary organisations, has already agreed to provide
co-financing of a total of € 343 000 for ten chambers of commerce in six different ACP countries (Côte
d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Botswana, Bahamas, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic). Individual operations
involve amounts ranging between € 5 000 and € 100 000. The types of operation also vary: a study of the
impact of trade liberalisation on the local economy in Bahamas, preparation of a business guide in the
Dominican Republic and Burkina Faso, a feasibility study on setting up a trade fair centre in Botswana, a
preliminary audit
the
organisation of training seminars for associated businesses in different fields in Côte d’Ivoire, support for
public-private sector dialogue in Botswana, upgrading of the management system in Ethiopia and setting
up a website in Burkina Faso.

to select companies interested in taking part

in a trade fair in Zimbabwe,

In future another instrument, Proinvest, managed by the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE),
will also be available for the assessment of requests for technical assistance submitted by private sector
intermediary organisations.

(2002/C 147 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2838/01

by Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE), John Purvis (PPE-DE),
Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE)
and Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Subject: Measures to combat potential bioterrorist attacks in Europe

7 Following the tragic terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in

Washington,

7 given the danger of terrorist attacks recurring and increasing around the world, including inside the

European Union, when the USA attacks terrorists in Afghanistan,

7 having regard,

in particular,

to the possibility of specific bioterrorist attacks, using chemical,

bacteriological and viral weapons,

7 given that

the terrorists’ potential

targets include the European Parliament’s places of work in
Strasbourg and Brussels and that one of their objectives might be to take strong action to blackmail
Europe into putting a stop to attacks by the USA and, possibly, its allies against the terrorists and
countries supporting them,

the Commission:

1. Does it not consider it necessary,

in addition to strengthening traditional medical prevention and
treatment facilities, to set up emergency clinical toxicology and intensive care facilities as soon as
possible in the vicinity of the European Parliament’s premises?

Such facilities should have qualified personnel and all the necessary scientific equipment, as well as all
antidotes, antagonists and serums known to be effective against intoxication by nerve gas or other
chemical, bacteriological or viral substances.

2. What measures does it intend to take, for the purposes of protecting the health of European citizens,
to recommend that all EU Member States set up emergency clinical toxicology and intensive care
facilities in the major cities of Europe and to strengthen existing medical
facilities in hospital
emergency units in those cities?

C 147 E/58

Official Journal of the European Communities

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20.6.2002

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

Quickly after the 11 September 2001 events, the Commission and Member States reacted in full co-
operation with each other and in keeping with their respective responsibilities, to consider the need for
care facilities and supplementary arrangements concerning threats or outbreaks in which biological and
chemical agents can be used.

In the field of public health there is already in place a basis at Community level on which one can build up
an effective mechanism for an early warning and response system for the prevention and control of
communicable diseases, also related to terrorist attacks. Work on the Community communicable disease
network (1) has been under development and is now being accelerated urgently with the necessary
assistance of Member States. Following consultation of representatives of Union Health Ministers, the
Commission proposed at the Health Council of 15 November 2001, to complement the current two
strands of the network, tracking diseases and rapid alert, by a third strand: emergency preparedness. The
in particular, address progress of preparedness planning and
emergency coordination mechanism will
prepare decision making mechanisms for emergency situations. The aim is to target a wider range of
emerging threats and to be able to deliver authoritative expert analysis rapidly. It is also foreseen to address
the issue of adequacy of services to cope with the consequences of attacks with a view to recommending
relevant measures and arrangements. By consequence, Community response will be built on resources
existing in the Member States and at Community level and directed at gaining real added value through
more effective and stronger coordination.

Member States have already taken steps to ensure that safety and security checks and vigilance are
increased and procedures established and adhered to for dealing with suspicious objects, circumstances or
occurrences at buildings and structures in which the public has access. The Commission, as part of its
action on the state of alertness and prevention capacity for emergencies linked to bioterrorism, will keep
relevant arrangements under review.

With full backing from Member States the Commission moved to anticipate entry into force of a new Civil
Protection Mechanism (foreseen for 1 January) co-ordinated by the Commission, which reinforces the EU
civil protection capabilities.

In light of the events, the co-operation was extended to include:

7 The pooling of expertise in the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical fields (NBC experts), available

24 hours a day to assist any country that requests help;

7 Enhanced co-operation on information-sharing concerning antidotes, vaccines, antibiotics, and access

to hospital treatment for any victims of such attacks;

7 Creation of a system of immediate and systematic exchange of information relating to accidents or

threats of terrorist attack;

7 Creation of a Civil Protection monitoring and information centre in the Commission.

the European Council

At
the Heads of State and Government called on the European
Commission and the Council to organise an urgent and co-ordinated program to respond to the threat of
bio-terrorism.

in Ghent,

In response to the request by EU Heads of State and Government, the European Commission approved on
28 November a Communication setting out the action it has taken to mobilise its resources, expertise and
networks in the area of civil protection to respond to terrorist threats. The Commission proposed to
appoint a European Co-ordinator for Civil Protection.

20.6.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/59

Moreover, it has been decided to organise a workshop mid December under the Belgian Presidency; the
latter will be entrusted with setting up a short, medium and long term working programme.

With regard to specific measures in the vicinity of the European Parliament’s premises, the Honourable
Member is advised to refer to the Administration of that institution.

(1) Parliament and Council Decision No 2119/98/EC, OJ L 268, 3.10.1998, Commission Decision 2000/57/EC, OJ L 21,

26.1.2000 and Commission Decision 2000/96/EC, OJ L 28, 3.2.2000.

(2002/C 147 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2860/01

by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE) to the Council

(19 October 2001)

Subject: Measures aimed at tackling the crisis in tourism following the terrorist attacks in the United States

A worldwide crisis is affecting international and European tourism following the terrorist attacks on New
York and Washington, not least because ordinary travellers understandably feel insecure.

is seriously jeopardising firms in the European tourist industry (losses are
This reluctance to travel
estimated at Lit 25 billion per day in Italy, for example), which are only to a small extent absorbed by the
inadequate social provisions and flexible in the sector (particularly in the hotel sector).

Requests for urgent measures are being submitted by operators in the sector. These would include tax
concessions for employees and firms,
temporarily extending to travel agencies and tour operators
instruments for compensation in the form of social and transport arrangements and the introduction and/
or extension of organisational flexibility in the use of staff.

In view of Article 202 et seq. of the Treaty establishing the European Community, what rules does the
Council intend to introduce to revive tourism and the related market?

Reply

(1 March 2002)

The Honourable Member’s attention is drawn to the declaration by the Heads of State or Government of
the European Union and the President of the European Commission (Ghent, 19 October 2001) on the
review of the economic situation in the aftermath of the September 11 events.

As regards the specific problems of the tourism sector in this context, at its meeting on 27 September
2001 the Council asked the Commission to submit an information note on the repercussions of the events
of 11 September in the United States on the tourist industry in the Community and returned to the subject
at its meeting on 26 November 2001, when the Commission submitted an information note on the effects
of the terrorist atrocities of 11 September 2001 on the tourism sector in the European Union. The Council
agreed to return to the subject at a future meeting.

(2002/C 147 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2868/01

by Florence Kuntz (EDD) to the Council

(19 October 2001)

Subject: Imposition of VAT on service charges

On 1 October 2001 the imposition of VAT on service charges levied on behalf of staff in eat-in catering
establishments and hairdressing salons became compulsory in France.