WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/02 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Border Guard units.
Date: 2002-07-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: border control, external border of the EU, management

C 28 E/148

Official Journal of the European Union

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6.2.2003

(2003/C 28 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1849/02

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Illegal red seabream catch proposals

In its proposal for a regulation (1), the Commission proposes that two Member States should be granted
rights to catch red seabream within ICES Sub-Area X.

However, Regulation 2027/95 (2), as amended by Regulation 149/99 (3), states that the fishing effort of
those Member States in ICES Sub-Area X shall be zero for deep-sea species (within which category the red
seabream should be classified) and demersal species.

The above regulation has not been repealed and is, furthermore, cited in the recitals of the Commission
proposal.

It therefore appears necessary to ask the Commission to explain its proposal.

Is the Commission aware of the serious implications which its policy concerning deregulated fishing
incentives could have for
the Azores
Autonomous Region?

fisheries sustainability in the Exclusive Economic Zone of

(1) COM(2001) 764.
(2) OJ L 199, 24.8.1995, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 18, 23.1.1999, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

It is not correct that the two Member States referred to have a zero fishing effort allocation in ICES
Division X under the terms of the Western Waters effort Regulation scheme (Council Regulation (EC) No
2027/95 of 15 June 1995 establishing a system for the management of fishing effort relating to certain
Community fishing areas and resources, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 149/1999 of
19 January 1999). These Member States have a zero fishing effort allocation only in the part of ICES
Division X that is under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Portugal, and may legitimately deploy fishing
effort in other parts of ICES Division X. Therefore, the Commission’s proposal is consistent with existing
legislation.

The two Member States in question have been allocated very small quotas of 10 tonnes each, to cover by-
catches and to avoid discarding in exploratory fishing. These quantities are too small to have any
significant effect on the sustainability of the stock.

(2003/C 28 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/02

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Border Guard units

In connection with the debate on the Commission Communication entitled:
Management of
Commission kindly answer the following questions:

the External Borders of

the Member States of

‘Towards Integrated
the European Union’ (1), would the

1. How many border police or personnel employed on border security duties are there in the Member

States, and in which Member States are they so employed?

2. How much does an official with no managerial status earn on entry to the service?

(1) COM(2002) 233.

6.2.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(8 August 2002)

The Honourable Member’s question does not fall within the Community’s remit: it is a matter for the
it does not have the information
relevant national authorities alone. The Commission regrets that
requested.

(2003/C 28 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1891/02

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Genetically modified organisms

Is the Commission likely to take up the suggestion that GM-free zones should be established within the
European Union? If so, on what basis will these zones be decided?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2002)

The system authorising the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms for
research and development purposes or for their placing on the market is currently governed by Council
Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically
modified organisms (1). Directive 2001/18/EC (2) of
the Council of
12 March 2001 comprehensively amends the above Directive and repeals it with effect from 17 October
2002, by which date the Member States must have transposed the new Directive into their national
legislation.

the European Parliament and of

Under this Directive the Commission must ensure a high level of health and consumer protection. For a
GMO to be authorised under Part B (deliberate release for research and development purposes in
particular) or Part C (placing on the market of products containing GMOs) a scientific assessment must be
made of the risks to health and the environment inherent in the introduction of GMOs. Once GMOs are
authorised for cultivation, they can be planted provided that the notification regarding their placing on the
market covers their cultivation as well.

Neither Directive 90/220/EEC nor Directive 2001/18/EC provides for the creation of GMO-free zones in
the Union. However, the issue of GMO crops existing alongside conventional or organic crops has been
raised in the Communication on Life Sciences and Biotechnology and the resulting action plan, in which
the Commission has committed itself to developing certain ideas in partnership with the Member States,
farmers and the various operators involved. The aim is to ensure that conventional and organic agriculture
remains viable and can co-exist with GMO crops.

(1) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.
(2) OJ L 106, 17.4.2001.

(2003/C 28 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1892/02

by Pierre Jonckheer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 July 2002)

Subject: Open-cast coal mine in northern León (Valle de Laciana, Spain)

The company Minero-Siderúrgica de Ponferrada SA (MSP), owned by the Leonese businessman Victorino
Alonso, has begun to exploit the open-cast coal mine Fonfría in Villablino, in the district of Valle de
Laciana, covering a surface area of 300 hectares. The mine is located less than 700 metres from the village
of Orallo and 1500 metres from another open-cast mine, El Feixolín.