WRITTEN QUESTION E-1306/03 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission. Further development of European legislation on car emissions.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, anti-pollution device, combustion gases, diesel engine, environmental standard, motor car, pollution control measures

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/467

(2004/C 84 E/0541)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1271/03

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

Subject: Detention of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva in Cuba

(3 April 2003)

Is the Commission aware of the situation of the human rights activist, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, who
has been detained in prison in Cuba since 5 March 2002 under inhumane conditions and has still not
been brought before a court? (See questions E-1458/02, E-1467/02 (1), E-3646/02 (2)).

What action has been taken by the EU recently in Mr Gonzalez Leiva’s case and what response has this
elicited from the Cuban authorities?

Is the Commission prepared to make stronger representations in the dialogue between the EU and Cuba on
human rights issues and will it examine whether the violation of human rights is having a bearing on the
Union’s common position on Cuba?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 109.
(2) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 16.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question E-3646/02 (1).

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 16.

(2004/C 84 E/0542)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1306/03

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Further development of European legislation on car emissions

Now that Directive 98/69/EC (1) has come into force and new cars are equipped accordingly, the question
arises as to the further development of EU legislation on car emissions. Community air quality policy calls
in particular for a further reduction in NOX and particles. It seems that the technology already exists for
significantly reducing particle values in diesel engines. And the question of ultrafine particles in modern
diesel-injection petrol engines seems to be developing into a new problem area.

1. What preliminary work has been down on a further stage in car emission legislation?

Does the Commission plan a Euro V stage for 2008 with further reductions of NOX and particles,

2.
with particular attention being given to ultrafine particles?

3. When will the Commission be presenting a proposal for a Euro V stage?

(1) OJ L 350, 28.12.1998, p. 1.

C 84 E/468

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2003)

The Commission is working towards the development of a Euro V standard for the light-duty vehicles
covered by the scope of Directive 98/69/EC (1). The main emphasis will be on the reduction of Nitrogen
oxides (NoX) and particulate emissions. The control of ultra-fine particulates, due to their perceived
association with human health effects, is a priority, not only for diesel engines but also for gasoline direct-
injection engines where there are concerns to be addressed. The development of new laboratory methods
for measuring ultra-fine particulates is progressing well under the auspices of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) but there is still some way to go before a rigorous and reliable test
method is available for the purposes of type-approving vehicles for their exhaust emissions.

The impacts of measures aiming at a Euro V standard will also have to be assessed taking into account the
elements of sustainable development.

The Commission intends that the Euro V stage would apply from the end of the decade for the various
categories of vehicles within the scope of Directive 98/69/EC, respecting the same five-year period of
legislative stability set by the institutions between the Euro III and Euro IV stages.

A proposal could be expected to be adopted by the Commission at the end of 2004.

(1) Directive 98/69/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to measures to be taken
against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/220/EEC, OJ L 350,
28.12.1998.

(2004/C 84 E/0543)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1367/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 April 2003)

Subject: EU agriculture subsidies and elimination of local producers

The Swedish media recently reported that the Swedish-Danish dairy company Arla had dumped several
thousand tonnes of powdered milk in the Dominican Republic, thereby eliminating some 15 000 local
producers from the market and depriving them of their means of making a living. Arla’s annual exports of
powdered milk are aided by SEK 160 million from EU export subsidies. Unfortunately, Arla’s subsidised
exports are no exception; several different cases of a similar nature constitute a clear pattern.

What view does the Commission take of a procedure whereby companies such as Arla, with the aid of EU
subsidies, can contribute to product dumping of this kind and what steps has it taken to ensure that such
cases can be avoided?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Trade between the Union and the Dominican Republic takes place in the context of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) following the Uruguay Round (UR) of Multilateral
Trade Negotiations and of
the Memorandum of Understanding between the Community and the
Dominican Republic on import protection for milk powder in the Dominican Republic.

The Memorandum of Understanding (1) was adopted by the European Council
in July 1998 and the
Dominican Republic Presidential Decree No 505/99 of 24 November 1999 provided for the implemen-
tation of the new WTO Schedule in the Dominican Republic. To protect local production and at the same
time ensure sufficient supply for consumers at reasonable prices, the Dominican Republic in its new WTO
Schedule, established a tariff rate quota of 32 000 tons of milk powder of which 70 % for the Community
and 15 % each for New Zealand and other suppliers. In that context, there have been regular imports of
Community milk powder in the Dominican Republic.