WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394/02 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission. MPA hormone scandal.
Date: 2002-08-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, application of EU law, export licence, hormone, pharmaceutical industry, product safety, waste management

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/269

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-2313/02 and E-2397/02
given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 August 2002)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that Selby is not included in the areas eligible for
the Objective 1 or 2 structural funds programmes for the years 2000-2006 in the United Kingdom.
Objective 3 funds are available (EUR 4,111,592,600) for England for the period 2000-2006.

Objective 3 funding can be used to support the adaptation and modernisation of policies and systems of
education, training and employment as stated in Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999
laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (1) (Article 1.3). More specifically, the scope for the
European Social Fund that
in Regulation (EC)
No 1784/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund (2)
(Article 2). It refers to promoting active labour market policies, social
lifelong learning and
entrepreneurship.

finances Objective 3 programmes has been set out

inclusion,

However, these funds are not managed by the Commission but by the governments of the Member States
and, in the case of Selby, by their local government office for Yorkshire and Humberside. Applications for
funding should be made to them directly or via any co-financing organisations that are active in the
region. The Commission does not take any initiative in any way in the allocation and deployment of these
funds.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.

(2002/C 301 E/289)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394/02

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: MPA hormone scandal

1. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Ireland disposes of its hormone waste via the processing firm of Cara
Environmental Technology. Does the legislation on waste permit a pharmaceuticals firm to dispose of
hormone waste without any control on what is done with the waste? Does the legislation on waste
products make sufficiently clear with what rules a firm must comply in the processing and subsequent
export of such waste? To what extent have the Irish authorities sufficiently checked what is happening to
this waste and are all the export permits in order?

2.
Is the Belgian firm of Bioland, which processed the MPA hormone, adequately monitored by the
Belgian government and governmental bodies, in the light of the fact that this firm has been discredited on
several occasions by its careless (to say the least) attitude to the rules?

3.

How are the Dutch firms which processed this waste monitored in the animal feed chain?

Is it possible to give an account by Member State of the financial losses suffered by pig farmers as a
4.
result of export restrictions, the closure of numerous farms for several weeks, and the possible infertility of
the herd?

To what extent can the European legislation on product liability offer a solution to the losses suffered

5.
by livestock farmers?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2002)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.