WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/02 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council. EU-Sudan relations.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Sudan, common foreign and security policy, establishment of peace, political situation

C 155 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Cells and tissue cultures are widely used as a successful alternative to laboratory animals for many research
purposes, as well as for the manufacturing of medicines produced by living cells, such as interferon, and
for the diagnosis of infectious and genetic diseases. Finally, foetal bovine serum is also used in media to
produce antigens for vaccines. However, detailed information on the collection of foetal bovine serum is
not available to the Commission.

The Commission is planning an in-depth revision of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986
on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member States regarding
the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The issue of foetal and
embryonic forms will be thoroughly examined during this revision. The ethical aspects related to the
practice of collecting foetal calf serum will be therefore examined by the Commission within this context.

(2003/C 155 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Low hospital bed ratio in the EU

Recent reports in the media indicate that Spain had 162 608 hospital beds in 1999, equivalent to four
beds per thousand inhabitants. This is the lowest ratio in the EU and lower than the figure of 5,4 in 1980
recorded by the OECD. The ratio is even lower if we discount the number of beds which are unusable
because of works being carried out in hospitals. Hospital administration in Spain is decentralised and
measures concerning funding are therefore the responsibility of each autonomous region.

The fall in the number of hospital beds is a problem shared by all the EU countries, but the European
average is seven beds per thousand inhabitants. Is the Commission aware of this shortage of beds in
European hospitals? In view of the absence of European legislation on the subject, does the Commission
intend to promote legislation on this crucial issue?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

Under the EC Treaty,
responsibility of the Member States, not of the Community (Article 152, paragraph 5).

the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care are the

The Commission is, therefore, not in the position to promote legislation on the issue of the hospital bed
ratio in the Member States.

(2003/C 155 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3026/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: EU-Sudan relations

Would the Council give details of the current status of its dialogue with Sudan, and the purpose of it? This
should include details of the personnel involved, the structure of the dialogue, progress made and the role
of the Council.

Would it also give details of the current position and immediate and long-term objectives of the dialogue
with Sudan?

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/75

Reply

(4 March 2003)

The Council invites the Honourable Parliamentarian to take note of the answer it gave to the question
E-2409/02 of Mr Bob van den Bos on Sudan.

In keeping with the conclusions adopted at the meeting on 17 June 2002, the Council confirms that the
EU objectives in the political dialogue with Sudan still remain valid and that account will be taken of the
progress made not only in the peace process but also on the benchmarks of the political dialogue (human
rights, democracy and the rule of law). The Government of Sudan will have to demonstrate progress on
the benchmarks of the political dialogue (human rights, democracy and the rule of law) as a condition for
normalisation of relations with Sudan. The EU continues to support humanitarian operations and reiterates
its commitment to support initiatives for a peace agreement.

With regard to the personnel involved, regular meetings between Head of Missions (HoMs) and Sudanese
authorities take place in Khartoum. Apart from contacts with civil society HoMs met also with SPLM
representatives this year. Since the renewal of the dialogue in 1999 one annual meeting takes place in
Khartoum with an EU Troika at senior official level to assess progress on the benchmarks of the political
dialogue defined the previous year. The last Troika mission to Khartoum took place on 9/10 December
2002 and has reported the EU readiness, once a comprehensive peace agreement is signed, to accompany
the Sudan in a new process of peace and development by normalising relations and resuming development
cooperation.

With regard to Sudan,
adjustments whenever the need arises.

the Council regularly reviews the situation and makes the necessary policy

(2003/C 155 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3038/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 October 2002)

Subject: Bernardos reservoir (Segovia, Spain) and its repercussions on the environment

The Bernardos reservoir was not included in the Spanish National Hydrological Plan owing to its negative
repercussions, enormous environmental
impact and lack of hydrological worth. The Confederación
Hidrográfica del Duero is nevertheless going ahead with the construction of the reservoir which, once
completed, would flood an area of 3 857 hectares of significant ecological importance, including several
hundred hectares of well-preserved pinewoods and an ash grove of great natural value. The construction of
this reservoir would result in the disappearance of the great wealth of wildlife found in the area, which is
home to protected species such as the lynx, wolf, otter and black stork, as well as many types of birds of
prey. The waters would also swallow up important archaeological and palaeontological remains such as
the ‘Los Casares’ Roman villa in the district of Armuña and the ‘El Otero’ site.

It should be pointed out that Article 2 of Directive 85/337/EEC (1) on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment, as amended by Directive 97/11/EC (2), lays down
that before being approved, projects should be subject to an assessment on the basis, inter alia, of their
nature, size and location.

Bearing in mind the significant number of wild birds and protected species that would be affected by this
project, can the Commission say to what extent Directive 79/409/EEC (3) on the conservation of wild birds
and Directive 92/43/EEC (4) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora apply?