WRITTEN QUESTION E-3157/01 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Transparency in the application of inspection procedures vis à vis the preservation of North Sea cod and haddock stocks.
Date: 2001-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: North Sea, catch quota, conservation of fish stocks, dissemination of information, fishing rights, report, sea fish

C 134 E/206

Official Journal of the European Communities

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6.6.2002

(2002/C 134 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3152/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Council

(15 November 2001)

Subject: Biometric passport

Netherlands recently introduced a new passport, offering the possibility in two to three years of recording
of biometric data, for example using fingerprinting or iris scanning. This will mean proof of identity which
is far more reliable than current evidence. The minister responsible, Mr Van Boxtel, has indicated that he is
very willing to share this advanced Netherlands technology with other EU Member States.

Does the Council take the view that standardisation or harmonisation in line with the highest
freedoms being

identity in Europe can increase security, without citizens’

1.
standard for evidence of
sacrificed as a result?

Is the Council willing to place this matter on the agenda for the JHA Council or the next European

2.
Council summit?

In the light of recent endeavours to introduce new measures to reduce the terrorist threat in Europe,

3.
is the Council willing to treat discussion of this matter as a priority?

Reply

(14 February 2002)

The Union has taken particular interest in innovative security features for identity documents such as
passports, identity cards, visas, residence permits, etc. since the Visa 2000 Symposium in Nuremberg in
June 1999, where new technologies were discussed and a number of biometric techniques presented. The
events of 11 September 2001 gave a stark reminder of the need to step up document security. At its
meeting on 20 September 2001 the Council recognised the importance of document security as a means
of fighting terrorism and placed emphasis on greater use of biometrics. Following that Council meeting,
the Commission submitted a new proposal for a Regulation amending the 1995 Regulation on the
uniform format for visas to include a digital photograph on the visa. The Council has reached broad
agreement on that proposal, subject to the Opinion of the European Parliament. A similar solution will
also be adopted under the Commission proposal laying down the uniform format for residence permits for
third-country nationals.

the Council would point

the
As regards passports,
Governments of
the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the security characteristics of
passports and other travel documents (1). The Resolution calls on Member States to introduce at the earliest
opportunity, and at the latest on 1 January 2005 (for passports) or 1 January 2006 (for identity cards and
short-term passports with more than six months’ validity), the minimum security standards for the
production and issue of new travel documents set out in the Annex to the Resolution. It also leaves open
the possibility of setting even more stringent security requirements.

the Representatives of

to the Resolution of

(1) OJ C 310, 28.10.2000, p. 1.

(2002/C 134 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3157/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 November 2001)

Subject: Transparency in the application of inspection procedures vis à vis the preservation of North Sea

cod and haddock stocks

With regard to Written Answer E-1896/01 (1), could the Commission indicate whether it believes in the
need for transparency and public scrutiny of the workings of the Common Fisheries Policy and, if so,

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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explain why it has no intention of publishing the findings of the observers employed by the relevant
Member States who are required to sample the percentage of each species of fish caught by vessels fishing
for sandeels in the North Sea so that fishermen’s representatives, marine biologists, legislators, journalists
or other independent observers may make a more informed assessment as to the efficacy of
the
Community’s conservation policies in this area?

(1) OJ C 40 E, 14.2.2002, p. 133.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2002)

The Commission shares with the Honourable Member the need for transparency and public scrutiny of the
workings of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 259/2001 (1) requests Member States to send to the
Commission by 1 June 2001 a comprehensive report on the activities and findings of the observers
assigned to Community vessels flying their flag and of their sampling of landings.

Regarding the findings of the observers employed by the relevant Member States, who are required to
sample notably by-catch of cod in the quantities caught by vessels fishing for sandeels in the North Sea,
the Commission has reminded the Member States concerned of their obligations to submit a report
compiling the results obtained during 2001.

The Commission will take the necessary steps in case the Member States do not comply with their
obligation to report in time.

Upon the reception of these reports the relevant information will be disseminated as appropriate.

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No. 259/2001 of 7 February 2001 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock
of cod in the North Sea (ICES subarea IV) and associated conditions for the control of activities of fishing vessels;
OJ L 39, 9.2.2001.

(2002/C 134 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3174/01

by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area

In the neighbourhoods of Vovousa on the Aoos (district of Ioannina) and Aghios Nikolaos on the
Arachthos (district of Arta), the engineering companies AEGEK Energy and Engineering Ltd are planning to
construct two 93 MW hydroelectric projects, and a smaller one is scheduled for construction in the Anilios
area (Ronas forest). The projects all lie within the larger area of the Pindus national park (Valia Kalda),
which is registered in Natura 2000, the European ecological network, and another national park currently
being set up. This construction will lead to environmental degradation of the whole region, important
habitats will be threatened by the diversion of the Aoos at Vovousa and cultural monuments on the
Arachthos (Plaka bridge and the customs building) will be put at risk. In none of these three cases were the
procedures for informing the public and taking public opinion into account complied with. In addition,
local environmental organisations say that Engineering A. E. submitted an inaccurate map to the relevant
authorities, showing the above monuments 1 kilometre north of
to avoid the
application of the licensing procedure.

their true position,