WRITTEN QUESTION E-3812/02 by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Immersion schools in France.
Date: 2003-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European symbol, France, language teaching, minority language, multilingualism, primary education, regional language, rights of minorities

C 155 E/192

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

deal of animal suffering and should be discussed in the context of a Commission proposal for an amended
directive.

Can the Commission explain why this proposal has not yet been published even though it was promised
several months ago?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2003)

The Commission is aware of the Parliament resolution of 13 November 2001 (1) and shares the opinion of
the Honourable Member of the priority given to this subject.

Before adopting its proposal the Commission needed to be updated on the latest scientific data concerning
the transport of animals. The Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (Scahaw)
adopted a report on the welfare of animals during transport on March 2002. It provided a comprehensive
scientific review of issues related to animal transport.

The question of animal transport and in particular the maximum duration of the journey was also debated
at the Agriculture Council of September 2002. On travelling times the debate was contentious and the
Commission considered that further consultation was necessary.

Therefore the Commission consulted both the European citizens and the relevant organisations on the
issue. Both initiatives have proved to be successful. Over the Web, more than 4,000 citizens from all over
Europe expressed their agreement to the broad measures that the Commission intends to propose.

Several measures supported in this consultation have been expressed in the resolution of the Parliament of
November 2001, such as better vehicles’
improved
communication between competent authorities.

training certificates

for drivers or

standards,

The Commission foresees the adoption of its proposal on the protection of animals during transport
during the first semester 2003.

(1) A5-0347/2001.

(2003/C 155 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3812/02

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Immersion schools in France

More than twenty years ago activists working in defence of native languages and cultures in Brittany,
Occitania, Alsace, Euzkadi Nord and Catalogne Nord set up immersion schools in which teaching takes
place right from the start (nursery school and the beginning of primary school) in the respective languages
of these regions, resulting in native language-French bilingualism by the end of primary school. State
schools have also developed education systems in which French and the native languages are placed on an
equal footing.

The French State is now calling this type of education into question.

Does the Commission believe that this is compatible with the rights of minorities as supported by the
Council in Copenhagen and with the respect due to the cultural and linguistic diversity recognised as an
integral part of the European heritage?

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/193

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2003)

In the field of education, Article 149 of the EC Treaty provides that the Member States are responsible for
the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems.

In order to safeguard cultural and linguistic diversity, which is recognised as an integral part of Europe’s
cultural heritage, the Community is also acting within the limits of the powers granted to it under the
treaties. Pursuant to Article 151(4) of the EC Treaty, which states that cultural aspects must be taken into
account in all Community actions, projects to promote and safeguard regional and minority languages
have been funded in the context of existing Community actions and programmes, such as Socrates,
Comenius or Interreg.

Following the Council Resolution of 14 February 2002 on the promotion of linguistic diversity and
language learning in the framework of the implementation of the objectives of the European Year of
Languages (1), the Commission published a consultation document (2) on the Education and Culture DG’s
website in December 2002. One issue dealt with is the assistance which the EU can give to Member States
to help them encourage linguistic diversity. Around the middle of this year, the Commission will present a
communication to Parliament and the Council concerning an action plan to promote linguistic diversity
and language learning.

The rights of persons belonging to minorities are among the principles common to the Member States as
set out in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union. These principles, enshrined in various international
conventions (3), were solemnly reaffirmed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (4).
Article 21(1) of the Charter prohibits any discrimination based, among other things, on ethnic origin,
language, religion or membership of a national minority; Article 22 provides that cultural, religious and
linguistic diversity must be respected. It should be stressed, however, that Article 51 of the Charter states
that its provisions are addressed to the institutions and bodies of the Union with due regard for the
principle of subsidiarity and to the Member States only when they are implementing Union law

The infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty and the political procedure laid
down in Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union ensure that these principles are complied with. In the
former case, the Commission may bring the matter before the Court of Justice if the infringement falls
within the scope of Community law; this is particularly the case where a Member State transposes a
Community directive incorrectly. In the latter case, the Commission or one third of the Member States
may refer to the Council, meeting in the composition of Heads of State or Government, a serious or
persistent breach of the principles laid down in Article 6.

With regard to language communities in France, and in particular the form of minority language teaching
in schools, the Commission does not have any information pointing to a serious and persistent breach
within the meaning of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union.

(1) OJ C 50, 23.2.2002.
(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/languages/consult_fr.html.
(3)

For example, the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 27 of which protects the culture
and language of persons belonging to minorities, has been ratified by all the Member States.

(4) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000.

(2003/C 155 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3814/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject:

‘Prize’ mailing scams

Is the Commission aware of the increasing volume of fraudulent mail offers designed to award recipients
with a false prize in return for a handling fee? There would however appear to be a loophole whereby they
are posted from and have a return address to another European country.