WRITTEN QUESTION E-1582/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. State of the shipbuilding industry in the European Union.
Date: 2003-05-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, South Korea, State aid, economic support, maritime safety, shipbuilding, support policy, trade dispute

C 280 E/168

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

(2003/C 280 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1560/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Hair dyes and cancer

In response to Written Question P-0090/03 (1) on hair dyes and cancer, the Commission said that in the
specific area of oxidative hair dyes, the majority of substances have already been banned or their use is
subject to specific conditions on the basis of risk assessments made by the Scientific Committee on
Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP).
the Commission was
discussing with Member States and consumer and industry representatives the ‘prioritisation’ of substances
to be assessed or re-assessed.

It went on to say that

Could the Commission indicate when a conclusion is expected to these discussions, what action it then
proposes to take and to what extent the effects on ‘third persons’ or non-users of these products are taken
into account in the assessment of these products by the EU?

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 212.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

In a recent meeting held end of April 2003 with Member States and representatives of both consumers
and industry, the Commission presented for discussion a strategy for the systematic evaluation of hair dyes
in relation to published reports on a possible link between permanent hair dye use and bladder cancer.

The main element of the strategy is a tiered, modulated approach requiring industry to submit by certain
deadlines safety dossiers on hair dyes to be evaluated by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non
Food Products (SCCNFP). The overall objective of this strategy is to regulate the use of these substances on
the basis of scientific evaluation of dossiers. Substances for which no file has been submitted for risk
assessment by the SCCNFP will be treated on the highest priority basis whereas substances for which
information is available will be phased in later on. In the former case the Commission will consider the
most appropriate measures, including a possible ban on their use.

The approach was very much welcomed by the participants of the meeting. The Commission asked
industry and Member States for further information in order to prioritise the future work. The discussion
will be continued during the summer and a conclusion is foreseen in the following months.

(2003/C 280 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1582/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: State of the shipbuilding industry in the European Union

(8 May 2003)

A recent visit to the shipyard in Viana do Castelo, in northern Portugal, revealed the concern felt at the
problems which continue to affect the shipbuilding industry in the European Union and which may have
serious consequences in Portugal unless action is taken to safeguard this key strategic sector.

Furthermore, the recent ecological disasters caused by the wrecks of the ERIKA and Prestige make it
imperative to act on the calls for a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to the transport of heavy hydrocarbons by sea
to or from European Union countries. The Commission should not only ensure the swift and flexible
application of the temporary protection mechanism for the shipbuilding industry currently in force, but
should also provide new forms of support, particularly in the areas of R & D and innovation, with regard
to both the drawing-up of plans and prototypes. The new Leadership 2015 initiative is an innovation
deserving of support.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Can the Commission provide the following information:

1. What stage has been reached in the proceedings brought against the Republic of Korea in the WTO?

2. What steps will the Commission take, particularly as regards amending the current Regulation (EC)
No 1540/98 (1) and the new Leadership 2015 initiative, with the aim of supporting the shipbuilding
industry, a strategic sector in the European Union, and promoting the rapid renewal of fleets by
Community shipowners in order to help improve safety in maritime transport?

(1) OJ L 202, 18.7.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2003)

The Commission is aware of the difficult situation in the shipbuilding market, as evidenced by the
information provided in the Commission’s 7th shipbuilding report which has been submitted to the
Council on 13 May 2003 (1) and is now publicly available.

The Commission has responded to this continued crisis in several ways. In 2002, it adopted a two pronged
strategy consisting of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) action against Korea and the possibility to
authorise direct aid to shipyards for the construction of certain shiptypes under Council Regulation (EC)
No 1177/2002 of 27 June 2002 concerning a temporary defensive mechanism (TDM) to shipbuilding (2).
The TDM is an exceptional measure and is applicable as of 24 October 2002. It is now up to Member
States to implement the Regulation and notify any aid measure to the Commission, if they have not yet
done so.

Concerning the WTO dispute, the Commission held various rounds of consultations with the Korean
Government since the initiation of the dispute in October 2002 which have, however, failed to resolve the
issue. The Commission is, therefore, currently preparing its next step i.e. the request of a WTO Panel.

With regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1540/1998 of 29 June 1998 establishing new rules on aid to
shipbuilding, the Commission is actively engaged in the preparation of new appropriate rules for State aid
to shipbuilding, as the Regulation will expire by the end of 2003.

The Commission is also strongly supporting the work in LeaderSHIP 2015, which is an initiative of the
Union’s shipbuilding industry, in co-operation with the Commission, designed to develop new working
structures and technology priorities and so to sustain the competitiveness of the Community’s shipbuilding
industry. The initiative will, among other issues, look into new possible ways to support Research and
Technological Development (R & D) and innovation in the sector. First results will be presented before the
end of 2003.

As to the question of fleet renewal, this is already being promoted by the recent Union maritime safety
legislation. Any other specific measures would have to comply with the state aid rules for the shipping and
shipbuilding industry.

(1) COM(2003) 232 final.
(2) OJ L 172, 2.7.2002.

(2003/C 280 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1598/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 May 2003)

Subject: Animal Transport Directive

Further to my question H-0180/03 (1), when will inter-departmental consultations commence on the draft
proposal on the protection of animals during transport?

In the experience of the Commission how long do such inter-departmental consultations take?

(1) Written answer of 8 April 2003.