WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/03 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council. Specific programme for research.
Date: 2003-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, bio-ethics, embryo and foetus, medical research, research programme, stem cell

C 84 E/42

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2003)

To monitor implementation of the provisions banning public aid for fleet segments not meeting their
targets from 1 July 2002, the Commission delivered a report to the Council and the European Parliament
on the intermediate results of the multi-annual guidance programmes for the fishing fleets at 30 June
2002 (1). This report identifies those segments that had not met their targets by that date.

Following completion of the fourth-generation guidance programmes (MAGP IV), the Commission also
delivered an annual report to the Council and the European Parliament on the results of the multi-annual
guidance programmes for the fishing fleets at the end of 2002 (2), which describes the results for each
Member State as regards compliance with the objectives laid down by the programmes for all fleet
segments.

Copies of these two reports will be sent to the Honourable Member.

(1) COM(2002) 483 final.
(2) COM(2003) 508 final.

(2004/C 84 E/0046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/03

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Specific programme for research

In the explanatory memorandum of the proposal for a Council Decision amending decision 2002/834/EC
on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration ‘Integrating and
strengthening the European research area’ (2002-2006), (1),
it is said that in the course of the ethical
review, there will be an assessment of whether a free, express and informed consent of the donors has
been obtained.

As it is intended that the stem cells for research will be obtained from early stage human embryos, can the
Council confirm:

(cid:1) who will donate the stem cells, from whom will they be harvested?

(cid:1) how will it intend to obtain consent from these human beings who will donate their stem cells, who

are not able to communicate verbally or orally at this specific stage of their development?

(1) COM(2003) 390 final.

Reply

(8 March 2004)

The Council attaches great importance to respecting fundamental ethical principles in the implementation
of the specific research programme referred to by the Honourable Member. In this respect, Council
Decision 2002/834/EC of 30 September 2002 (1)
‘Where appropriate,
participants in research projects must seek the approval of the relevant national or local ethics committees
prior to the start of the RTD activities. An ethical review will be implemented systematically by the
Commission for proposals dealing with ethically sensitive issues, in particular proposals involving the use
of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells’.

‘inter alia’,

stipulates

that,

Regarding the Commission proposal for amending the specific programme mentioned in the question, the
Council invites the Honourable Parliamentarian to refer to the conclusions adopted following its meeting
held on 3 December 2003, where the President, at the end of the discussion, concluded that no agreement

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/43

could be reached either on the Commission proposal as amended in the light of the opinion given by the
European Parliament in November or on the Presidency text put forward for the occasion.

(1) OJ L 294, 29.10.2002.

(2004/C 84 E/0047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2952/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) and Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council

Subject: Sentence of death by stoning in Nigeria

(8 October 2003)

Mr Jibrin Babaji, a Nigerian citizen aged 20, has been found guilty of sexual relations with three underage
boys and has been sentenced to death by stoning. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday,
23 September 2003 by an Islamic court in Bauchi state, under the Sharia penal code.

Does the Council have further information on the matter? What measures does it intend to take, in line
with the European positions in favour of a moratorium on the death penalty worldwide, to ensure that this
death sentence is not executed?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

The Council underlines that the EU and its Member States continuously act in international fora, such
instruments

1.
as the Commission on Human Rights, with a view to favoring the adoption of
condemning capital punishment.

legal

Regarding the specific problem mentioned in the question, the abolition of the death penalty in
2.
general and death by stoning in particular remains a subject of dialogue with Nigeria. The EU Heads of
Mission in Abuja have been asked to make representations regarding the sentence of death by stoning
passed on Jibril Babaji, as well as the sentences against Fatima Ousmane and Amadou Brahim, which have
just come to our attention.

(2004/C 84 E/0048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3014/03

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: European market in car insurance

Although the common market has been developing for some time and in certain sectors has been
completed, the internal market in car insurance has a long way to go, in particular as regards third-party
insurance. For example, it is still impossible to insure a vehicle with an insurance company based outside
the Member State in which the owner of the vehicle resides.

1. What initiatives has the Commission promoted to harmonise the internal market in car insurance?

2.
In view of the fact that it is impossible to insure a vehicle with an insurance company based outside
the Member State in which the owner of the vehicle resides, what steps will the Commission take to
remedy this anomaly?