WRITTEN QUESTION E-3747/02 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. HPV test: a privilege?.
Date: 2002-12-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European official, cancer, competence of the Member States, disease prevention, free medical care, social-security benefit, woman

C 155 E/182

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Is the Commission aware of the strange and unexplained disappearance of Mr Fang? What steps has it
taken to obtain precise information from Beijing on Mr Fang’s fate?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2003)

The Commission is aware that Mr Fang Jue has disappeared since 4 November 2002.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concern regarding the disappearance of Mr Fang Jue. He
was therefore included on the Union’s list of individual cases of concern that was handed over to the
Chinese authorities in the framework of our last human rights dialogue in Beijing on 13/14 November
2002. Given that the Chinese authorities have not yet provided an answer on this particular case, the
Union reiterated its concern over the case, requesting more information during a contact with the Chinese
authorities in December 2002.

The Union will continue to follow the individual case of Mr Fan Jue with close attention. In general, the
Commission will continue to closely monitor the Chinese government’s respect for freedom of expression
and belief, and will continue to express concern about violations of this fundamental right.

(2003/C 155 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3747/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(20 December 2002)

Subject: HPV test: a privilege?

In June 2002 the European Parliament granted approval for reimbursement of the expenditure incurred by
its staff in having the human papilloma virus (HPV) test carried out. The virus is a recognised cause of
tumours in the cervix and Parliament’s decision followed on from a similar one taken by the Commission,
pursuant to which its staff are entitled to 85 % reimbursement of the cost of an HPV test.

Such tumours are the only ones which are treatable in 100 % of cases, provided that they are diagnosed
early enough. It is apparent from recent data that infections from the papilloma virus are on the increase
and that cervical cancer is the most widespread viral sexually transmitted disease. In Europe, that disease is
the second most common form of cancer in women.

Will the Commission state the reasons which prompted it to delay publication of its recommendations on
cancer screening? If it is true that Europe is the home of protected rights, why does the Commission not
think that the test should be made available to all women in the EU instead of being guarded as a privilege
solely for the female staff of the EU institutions?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Commission, as indicated in its Work Programme, is in the process of preparing a proposal for a
Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening which is based on Article 152 of the EC Treaty. It is based
on the work of the expert committee on cancer prevention and the European cancer screening networks,
and they are expected to be ready in March 2003. The Presidency has put this Recommendation on the
agenda of the Health Council 2/3 June 2003.

3.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/183

Although Treaty Article 152 defines in paragraphs 1 to 4 the legal competence of the Community in the
area of health,
the Member States for the
organisation and delivery of health services and medical care, which leaves the provision of HPV-testing for
their citizens to their sole discretion. The draft proposal of a Council Recommendation on cancer
screening will fully respect Article 152 (5).

it also enshrines in paragraph 5 the responsibilities of

The drafting has taken somewhat more time than expected. This is due to the need to carefully evaluate
the scientific evidence that has been accumulated in this area. The proposal for a Council Recommendation
will in particular focus on the principles and standards which should be applied when providing cancer
screening tests for European citizens.

The clinical value of organised screening for the early detection of cervical cancer by testing for certain
genotypes of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which are associated with a high risk to develop a
malignancy, is presently under study. Besides the organised clinical studies the test is commercially offered
and prescribed for individual screening on demand, usually in addition to the well established pap test.

(2003/C 155 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3756/02

by Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Separation of the TACs for sole and plaice from the cod problem, dealing with the cod crisis and

the TACS for sole and plaice

How will the Commission tackle illegal landing of cod, which is far more damaging to cod stocks than the
by-catches which occur in fishing for flatfish, and what quantitative targets has the Commission set itself
for reducing illegal landing of cod?

As an alternative to its proposals regarding cod stocks and the simultaneous reduction of TACs (Total
Allowable Catches) for sole and plaice, will the Commission allow flatfish fishermen to adopt more
stringent technical measures to prevent by-catches of cod while in addition reducing the fishing effort
during the spawning season and adopting measures for specific areas?

How will the Commission compensate the fishermen who suffer from the proposed measures, bearing in
mind that not every Member State can make budget funds available for this?

In view of the seriousness of the situation and the Council’s timetable of meetings, I would request an
answer to my question as soon as possible.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2003)

Given the difficulty of ensuring accurate catch reporting in relation to fish quota management, the
Commission considers that the management of fishing effort is an essential instrument to control the
fishing mortality rate experienced by the cod stocks that are under threat. Management of effort is needed
for all fisheries that catch cod, though the extent to which effort should be reduced needs to be in
proportion to the amount of cod caught in each fishery.

The Commission has not specified any permissible level of illegal cod landings nor does it intend to so.
The Commission encourages all Member States that participate in fisheries to put in place effective and
appropriate control, inspection and sanction régimes to reduce illegal landings to the lowest possible value.