WRITTEN QUESTION E-0400/02 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council. The myth of Icarus and European cultural policy.
Date: 2002-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, cultural heritage, cultural policy, film production, heritage protection

C 205 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2002)

On 1 February 2002 a local newspaper article highlighted the existence of a ‘crack’ (in fact an internal
welding anomaly) in the High Flux Reactor (HFR). This has existed since the current reactor vessel was
installed in 1984.
It has been fully documented to the regulatory authorities. The ‘crack’ has been
monitored and measured continually over the years during ‘In Service Inspection’, and in August 2001 the
results of an inspection and measurement of this internal ‘crack’ led to public concern that the ‘crack’
might have grown. The scientific experts who carried out the tests and the Nuclear Research and
Consultancy Group (NRG) indicated that the apparent growth was explained by a change of instrument
used in the measurement and that it posed no danger to safety. After discussion and review of the
technical details of the measurements, the Dutch Safety Authorities (KFD-Kern Fysische Dienst) allowed the
reactor to continue operation but requested a further inspection in summer 2002.

In response to allegations made in 2001 by a staff member of NRG, the Dutch company operating the
HFR, the Dutch licensing authority launched an investigation into the safety and the functioning of the
High Flux Reactor. The Commission as a license holder fully co-operated in this investigation. The
investigation concluded that while the High Flux Reactor management had fully respected the license
conditions, there had been inconsistencies between the operating instructions and the technical safety
specifications applied by NRG, leading to different interpretations of how to apply some procedures. In the
light of
the Commission expressed to the Dutch authorities and NRG the view that
improvements in the safety culture of the HFR operation were possible and desirable.

the above,

At the request of the Joint Research Center (JRC), the International Atomic Energy Agency of Vienna
(IAEA) has accepted to perform an audit on the safety culture. The audit has started on 13 February 2002.
The expert panel of the IAEA, conducting this audit, will report directly to the Commission through the
Institute of Energy of the JRC.

In the light of the latest developments, the Commission has recommended that the reactor be shut down
temporarily to permit re-measurement of the ‘crack’ (the internal welding anomaly). The shutdown period
will also be used to accelerate the implementation of training and other measures to enhance the safety
culture.

In agreement with the KFD, it has been decided to keep the HFR in operation until the end of the current
cycle (18 February 2002) in order to minimise the risk of disruption to the short term supply of medical
radioisotopes used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This should allow radioisotope producers to
find alternative supplies.
the European
radioisotopes producers and European research reactors association foreseen in the coming days to
negotiate contingency schedules with reactor operators for the period February and March 2002.

the Commission welcomes the meeting of

In that context,

(2002/C 205 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0400/02

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

Subject: The myth of Icarus and European cultural policy

(22 February 2002)

Much to the displeasure of the inhabitants of Ikaria and public opinion in general
in Greece, British
director Peter Greenaway’s forthcoming production of ‘Icarus’ makes no mention of the island where,
according to the ancient myth, Icarus fell to earth and is buried.

Moreover, the fact that the production is funded by the Cultural Olympiad is causing concern and
misgivings about the content and the aims of cultural policy and its ability to protect and promote the
specific cultural heritage of nations.

is the extent of

What
in the Cultural Olympiad
programmes? What is the Council’s view of the circumstance described above and how does it intend to
react?

the Union’s financial and political

involvement

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/133

Reply

(21 May 2002)

The Council invites the Honourable Member to address her question to the Commission.

(2002/C 205 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0401/02

by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Problems regarding clementines

The citrus fruit industry is of recognised importance in the economy of the Valencian Community. Since
last December the clementine sector has been facing a difficult situation because of ‘Ceratitis Wied’ (the
Mediterranean fruit fly), which has led the US administration to freeze imports of Valencian clementines.
American inspectors recently visited the Valencian region to assess the situation, without finding anything
that could have cast doubt on the food and plant safety in the US.

It is clear that a crisis has arisen in the citrus fruit industry because of the failure to fulfil the bilateral
agreements between Spain and the US and the free trade agreement envisaged within the framework of
GATT and supported by the WTO itself.

Is the Commission aware of this problem?

Could the Commision express an opinion on the breach by the US of Articles 2, 5 and 6 of the WTO and
Articles XXII and XXIII of the GATT Agreements?

If so, what action does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

The Spanish authorities notified the Commission of the problems encountered by Spanish clementines,
including those from Valencia, in the United States, and have kept it informed of contacts undertaken at
political and technical level with the US Administration in an attempt to resolve the problem in time for
the next marketing year.

The Member of the Commission responsible for trade also raised the issue in Washington in the course of
a visit on 24-25 January.

The Commission is currently studying the available documents to see whether the US measures are
compatible with WTO (World Trade Organisation) agreements, or whether the United States is in breach
of its international obligations. It can then decide what action to take on this important issue.

(2002/C 205 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0402/02

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Excavated waste and filling of quarries

Italian law No 443 of 21 December 2001 (recovery of industrial production) prohibits excavated earth
from being defined as waste, even if it is contaminated. Article 1 of the law says that paragraph 3(b) of