WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073/02 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission. Obligatory number plates for bicycles throughout the EU.
Date: 2002-07-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: police checks, traffic regulations, two-wheeled vehicle, vehicle registration

C 309 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

Given the special report of the Court of Auditors, does the Commission now intend to include all sheep in
future calculations of extensification payments?

Would it agree that this would result in a mass exodus from sheep production (cid:1) in deficit within the EU (cid:1)
and an increase in beef production (cid:1) already in surplus within the EU, as producers receive no
extensification payments for sheep and this could reduce payments on bovines?

(1) Written answer, 11.6.2002.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2002)

In the Commission’s reply to the Honourable Member’s oral question H-0410/02 during question time at
Parliament’s June 2002 session, it was stated that the Commission expected a solution to be found to the
problem of the lower profitability of sheep, compared to beef production in Ireland, within the context of
the Mid-Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy.

At that time, the Commission had not yet adopted its Communication to the Council and the Parliament
on the Mid-Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy (1), which was done on 10 July 2002.

A key element of the Mid-Term Review is the decoupling of headage payments for beef and sheep, and
their replacement with a single income payment per farm based on historical entitlements.

is the view of

It
this
decoupling of aids should reduce pressure towards intensive production and help achieve a more balanced
market situation.

together with reinforced cross-compliance conditions,

the Commission that,

In terms of the relative profitability of beef and sheep production in Ireland, under this proposal, all
farmers would have the flexibility to adjust their stock numbers to what was economically best for their
situation, without the relative level of the headage payments affecting their judgement.

It is thus in this context that the Commission would expect the problem of the distorting effects of the
current headage payment system to be discussed and solved.

(1) COM(2002) 394 final.

(2002/C 309 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073/02

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(12 July 2002)

Subject: Obligatory number plates for bicycles throughout the EU

Many Austrian towns are faced with the problem of the unauthorised use of public facilities and areas by
cyclists.

It is not unusual for cyclists to use paths or areas where cycling is forbidden. This breaking of the law
means that other road-users, passers-by and residents suffer, and accidents occur quite frequently.

It is, in general, difficult to call cyclists to account in such situations. Unless the cyclists stop, the absence
of number plates on bicycles makes it almost impossible for their identity to be established.

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/197

Since this is probably not just an Austrian problem:

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of the problem outlined above?

Is it considering presenting a proposal for a directive on obligatory number plates for bicycles
throughout the EU, in order to improve the chances of the identity of cyclists who break the law
being established?

3.

If not, why is it taking no action in this connection?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 August 2002)

The local bye-laws and regulations are, in accordance with the principle of susidiarity, the responsibility of
the urban, regional and national authorities. Accordingly, the Commission has no intention to present a
proposal for a directive on obligatory number plates for bicycles.

(2002/C 309 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2105/02

by Gianni Vattimo (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Promoting vegetarianism

An increasing number of nutritionists and scientists have been pointing out that it is important for human
health to reduce the consumption of animal protein and fat, and epidemiological studies show a lower
incidence of disease in people who follow a strictly vegetarian diet.

It was also recently demonstrated by a number of individuals during the FAO Food Summit that if food of
vegetable origin were consumed directly rather than being fed to animals destined for slaughter, vastly
greater quantities of food would be made available, thereby providing a valid response to the food
requirements of the South.

At present about 50 % of cereals and 75 % of soya produced worldwide are used to feed farm animals,
which is obviously a waste of food resources.

Intensive stock-breeding methods are now the most widespread, with adverse effects on animal welfare,
and the high concentration of industrial farms has often caused environmental damage on a large scale.
The spread of fish farms is also causing many pollution problems, as is the intensive use of antibiotics to
ensure that fish survive the inappropriate conditions in which they are kept.

Despite all this, the Commission has on several occasions granted funding to promote the consumption of
meat and fish in the Member States, as a form of aid to stock-breeders and fishermen, but there is
apparently no plan to devise information campaigns aimed at encouraging European citizens to stop
consuming foodstuffs of animal origin (cid:1) a choice already made by millions of them.

Can the Commission therefore say whether there are any measures planned to promote vegetarianism for
ethical, health and environmental reasons or as a gesture of solidarity.

If not, whether it considers it appropriate to launch information and awareness-raising campaigns of this
kind, targeting students and the general public?

Whether it does not consider it appropriate to launch a radical reform of European farming policy,
assigning priority to the production of crops which may bring benefits in terms of animal welfare, public
health, environmental costs and solidarity with the developing countries?