WRITTEN QUESTION E-2930/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Racing pigeon medicines.
Date: 2002-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: application of EU law, derogation from EU law, domestic animal, market approval, pharmaceutical legislation, sport, veterinary drug

C 192 E/84

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14.8.2003

difference in distribution and other costs mentioned above and are not a result from trade practices
infringing Community competition policy, no breach of EC Treaty rules occurs.

(2003/C 192 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2890/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Arrest of a North Korean and her interpreter in China

(14 October 2002)

Will the Commission seek clarification from the Chinese authorities concerning the fate of the 32-year-old
North Korean Yu Kum-shil, who was arrested in the border town of Erenhot on 31 August while
attempting to travel to Mongolia to visit her husband?

Can the Commission also have inquiries made of the Chinese authorities as to what has happened to her
husband, the South Korean Mr Yong-chol, and the interpreter who was accompanying her, Mr Shin Yong-
in?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2002)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for the information concerning the arrest of the North
Korean Yu Kum-shil and her interpreter on 31 August 2002 in the border town of Erenhot. The
Commission will investigate this particular case further.

The Union has, in the past, followed with particular attention the situation of North Korean refugees in
China and has raised the issue on every possible occasion both with the DPRK and China. The treatment
of North Korean refugees will be addressed during the next session of the EU-China bilateral Human Rights
dialogue on 13/14 November 2002 in Beijing.

(2003/C 192 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2930/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Racing pigeon medicines

Does the Commission see any reason why Article 67 of the Review 2001 process (Reform of the EC
Pharmaceutical Legislation) would require medicines for racing pigeons to be available on prescription
only?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 2002)

Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/82/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the
Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (1) gives the Member States the possibility to
permit exemptions in respect of veterinary medicinal products intended solely for certain categories of
species including homing pigeons. This national provision will exempt these products from marketing
authorisation requirements. However, such products can not contain substances the use of which require
veterinary control and adequate measures have to be applied by those Member States to prevent
unauthorised use of these products for other animals. Article 67 of Directive 2001/82/EC lays down the
minimum requirements regarding requirements for dispensing of veterinary medicinal products without

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law,
prejudice to stricter Community or national rules. Member States may therefore, under national
require stricter conditions to be applied. In conclusion, the application of Article 67 of Directive 2001/82/
EC to medicines for racing/homing pigeons will depend on national provisions and on the characteristics
of the medicines themselves.

(1) OJ L 311, 28.11.2001.

(2003/C 192 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/02

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Commission report of May 2002 on the investment climate in Poland, drawn up at the request of

the government of the Netherlands

1.
Is the Commission aware of the Commission information note on Poland and free movement of
capital, number MD 189/02, published on 31 May 2002, as referred to in the Netherlands government
document Staat van Europese Unie (State of the European Union) (Kamerstuk 28 604, No 1, page 9)?

2.
Can the Commission explain why the department in the ‘Enlargement’ DG with responsibility for
Poland stated in reply to my request for this report to be forwarded that ‘this report is not in the public
domain since it is closely linked to the accession negotiations’?

Can the Commission say how this statement relates to the transparency that is required in order to

3.
make an accurate and honest assessment of the candidate countries?

Does the Commission take the view that

4.
constitute a valid and credible reason to refuse access to it?

this document’s links to the accession negotiations

Does the Commission realise that by exercising this policy it is riding roughshod over one of the
the

that of exercising parliamentary control over

5.
European Parliament’s most essential powers,
Commission?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2002)

The Commission has prepared an Information Note reporting on Poland’s obligations and commitments
towards the Union as regards foreign direct investment and on the treatment of foreign investors in
privatisation transactions and privatised firms. Based on this Note, the Commission recommended to the
Polish authorities to give reassurance, notably vis-à-vis foreign economic operators, that the remaining
substantial agenda for privatisation will be soundly implemented on a non-discriminatory basis and to
push ahead with reforms and initiatives in the area of corporate governance.

The Honourable Member’s request
to receive a copy of this information note is being handled in
accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001,
regarding public access to Parliament, Council and Commission documents (1).

The Commission is keeping the Parliament fully informed on the progress of each of the candidate
countries towards accession, for instance by the participation of its President and or its Members in Plenary
sessions or Committee meetings of the Parliament. Moreover, the Director-General of Directorate-General
for Enlargement submits regular notes to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human
Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy on the state of play on negotiations. The Commission will
continue to inform the Parliament, in full respect for the provisions of the framework agreement.

(1) OJ L 145, 31.5.2001.