do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3352/03 by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Single Market rules.
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law - national law, England, Wales, hunting, hunting regulations, single market

C 78 E/270

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission is following the implementation of Directive 96/71/EC very closely and recently finished
the final stage of a general evaluation of it. In July 2003, the Commission adopted a Communication (1)
whose main objective was to identify persistent problems in the transposition and application of this
Directive. In this context, it was found that improving the practical cooperation between the authorities
responsible for supervising working and employment conditions could not only increase compliance with
the provisions of the Directive but also render superfluous a certain number of national information and
document-keeping obligations in the host Member State. A group of government experts was therefore
created, at the Commission’s initiative. This group is currently examining these questions in more detail.

the same time,

the Commission is very concerned about

the transposition and implementation
At
problems associated with Directive 96/71/EC in the Member States,
including the Grand-Duchy of
Luxembourg, of which it has been informed. It will be paying particular attention to the requirements
mentioned by the Honourable Member and will be taking the necessary measures in its capacity as
‘Guardian of the Treaties’.

(1) COM(2003) 458 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0270)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3352/03

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2003)

Subject: Single Market rules

You will be familiar with the plans of the British Government to ban hunting with hounds in England and
Wales (a ban of sorts already exists in Scotland). The likely effect of such a ban would be to drive hunt
followers to visit other EU countries where fox-hunting is still legal, for example Ireland, to pursue their
sport.

Given the considerable commercial implications of country sports like fox-hunting, there appears to be a
‘prima facie’ case that a hunting ban in England and Wales would create a serious distortion of trade, both
in tourism and in the equestrian business, and thus breach the spirit if not the letter of the Single Market.

Please may I have the Commission’s views on this question?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member in his question, the Commission
does not see how any future decision by the British Government to ban hunting with hounds in England
and Wales would be incompatible with Single Market rules.

More specifically, the mere fact that this type of activity is legal in other Member States and the economic
repercussions that such a decision could have are not, as such, sufficient to identify an infringement of the
Treaty in this instance.
Operation of scheduled air services — Public service obligations for the operation of scheduled air services between Dijon and Lille
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, air transport, airline, inland transport, provision of services, public service

C 272/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

13.11.2003

Legal basis: Proyecto de orden por la que se establecen ayudas
para reprarar los daños causados por lluvias,
temporales y
otros fenómenos naturales relacionados con la climatología
adversa acaecidos desde finales del mes de marzo hasta prime-
ros del mes de mayo de 2003, en la producción de fresa y
fresón de las provincias de Huelva, Cádiz y Sevilla

Budget: EUR 500 000

Aid intensity or amount: Less than the loss incurred

Duration: The 2002/03 marketing year

Aid No: N 686/02

Title: Aid for the use of biofuel for drying peppers

Objective: To promote the use of biofuel for drying peppers
by means of aid to offset the additional costs involved in using
firewood instead of the fuels used in industrial processes

Legal basis: Proyecto de Decreto por el que se establece una
línea de ayudas para el fomento de la utilización de biocarbu-
rantes en el secado tradicional del pimiento para pimentón en
la Comarca de la Vera

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confi-
dential information has been removed, can be found at

Budget: EUR 39 000 for 2003

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 75 % of the cost of the wood

Duration: Unlimited

Date of adoption of the decision: 17.10.2003

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confi-
dential information has been removed, can be found at

Member State: Spain (Extremadura)

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

OPERATION OF SCHEDULED AIR SERVICES

Public service obligations for the operation of scheduled air services between Dijon and Lille

(2003/C 272/06)

France has decided to suspend the public service obligations imposed on scheduled air services between
Dijon and Lille published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 240 of 15 September 1995.
Corrigendum to the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union (OJ C 235 of 1.10.2003)
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, National parliaments
Subjects: EU Member State, EU body, European Union, Presidency of the Council of the EU, conference proceedings, national parliament

13.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 272/23

Corrigendum to the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of
Parliaments of the European Union

CORRIGENDA

(Official Journal of the European Union C 235 of 1 October 2003)

(2003/C 272/12)

Page 1, in footnote (1):

for:

read:

‘As stated in the protocol on national Parliaments it is up to each Parliament to decide the extent to which the
Copenhagen Parliamentary Guidelines should be implemented.’

‘As stated in the protocol on the role of national Parliaments, it is up to each Parliament to decide the extent to
which the guidelines published as the Copenhagen Parliamentary Guidelines in the Official Journal of the European
Communities C 154 of 2 July 2002 should be implemented.’

Corrigendum to the call for proposals 75/2003

(Official Journal of the European Union C 266 of 5 November 2003)

(2003/C 272/13)

On page 18, in the last line:

for:

‘29 April 2004’

read:

‘3 May 2004’.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2001/2003 of 13 November 2003 concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the import of maize issued in Regulation (EC) No 1620/2003
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Spain, abolition of customs duties, award of contract, import, maize, originating product, third country

L 296/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.11.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2001/2003

of 13 November 2003

concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the import of maize issued
in Regulation (EC) No 1620/2003

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30
June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in
cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1104/
2003 (2), and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,

(3)

(4)

On the basis of the criteria laid down in Articles 6 and 7
of Regulation (EC) No 1839/95 a maximum reduction in
the duty should not be fixed.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for cereals,

Whereas:

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the maximum reduction in
the duty on maize imported into Spain from third coun-
tries was opened pursuant to Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1620/2003 (3).

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1839/
95 (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2235/
2000 (5), allows the Commission to decide,
in accor-
dance with the procedure laid down in Article 23 of
Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 and on the basis of the
tenders notified, to make no award.

Article 1

No action shall be taken on the tenders notified from 7 to 13
November 2003 in response to the invitation to tender for the
reduction in the duty on imported maize issued in Regulation
(EC) No 1620/2003.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 14 November 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 November 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 158, 27.6.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 231, 17.9.2003, p. 6.
(4) OJ L 177, 28.7.1995, p. 4.
(5) OJ L 256, 10.10.2000, p. 13.
Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: anti-dumping duty, man-made fibre, metal product, originating product, third country

C 272/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

13.11.2003

Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures

(2003/C 272/02)

1.
The Commission gives notice that, unless a review is initiated in accordance with the following
procedure, the anti-dumping measures mentioned below will expire on the date mentioned in the table
below, as provided in Article 11(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 (1) on
protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community.

2. Procedure

Community producers may lodge a written request for a review. This request must contain sufficient
evidence that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in a continuation or recurrence of
dumping and injury.

Should the Commission decide to review the measures concerned, importers, exporters, representatives of
the exporting country and Community producers will then be provided with the opportunity to amplify,
rebut or comment on the matters set out in the review request.

3. Time limit

Community producers may submit a written request for a review on the above basis, to reach the
European Commission, Directorate-General for Trade (Division B-1), J-79 5/16, B-1049 Brussels (2) at
any time from the date of the publication of the present notice but no later than three months before
the date mentioned in the table below.

This notice is published in accordance with Article 11(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of

4.
22 December 1995.

Product

Country(ies) of origin
or exportation

Measures

Reference

Date of expiry

Synthetic fibres
of polyester

Taiwan

Steel ropes and cables

People's Republic
of China
Hungary
India
Mexico
Poland
South Africa
Ukraine

Duty

Duty

Regulation (EC) No 1728/1999
(OJ L 204, 4.8.1999)

5.8.2004

Regulation (EC) No 1796/1999
(OJ L 217, 17.8.1999)
as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1674/2003
(OJ L 238, 25.9.2003)

18.8.2004

Hungary
Poland

Undertaking

India
Mexico
South Africa

Undertaking

Regulation (EC) No 362/1999
(OJ L 45, 19.2.1999)
as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1678/2003
(OJ L 238, 25.9.2003)

Decision No 1999/572/EC
(OJ L 217, 17.8.1999) as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No
1678/2003
(OJ L 238, 25.9.2003)

(1) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1972/2002 (OJ L 305, 7.11.2002, p. 1).
(2) Telex COMEU B 21877; fax (32-2) 295 65 05.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1998/2003 of 13 November 2003 prohibiting fishing for cod by vessels flying the flag of Sweden
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Sweden, fishing area, fishing rights, sea fish, ship's flag

L 296/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.11.2003

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1998/2003

of 13 November 2003

prohibiting fishing for cod by vessels flying the flag of Sweden

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12
October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the
common fisheries policy (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 806/2003 (2), and in particular Article 21(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002 of 20 December
2002 fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and asso-
ciated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of
fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for
Community vessels,
in waters where catch limitations
are required (3), as last amended by Commission Regula-
tion (EC) No 1754/2003 (4), lays down quotas for cod
for 2003.

In order
to ensure compliance with the provisions
relating to the quantity limits on catches of stocks
subject to quotas, the Commission must fix the date by
which catches made by vessels flying the flag of a
Member State are deemed to have exhausted the quota
allocated.

According to the information received by the Commis-
sion, catches of cod in the waters of ICES division IIIa
Kattegat, by vessels flying the flag of Sweden or regis-

tered in Sweden have exhausted the quota allocated for
2003. Sweden has prohibited fishing for this stock from
13 October 2003. This date should be adopted in this
Regulation also,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Catches of cod in the waters of ICES division IIIa Kattegat, by
vessels flying the flag of Sweden or registered in Sweden are
hereby deemed to have exhausted the quota allocated to
Sweden for 2003.

Fishing for cod in the waters of ICES division IIIa Kattegat, by
vessels flying the flag of Sweden or registered in Sweden is
hereby prohibited, as are the retention on board, transhipment
and landing of this stock caught by the above vessels after the
date of application of this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 13 October 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 November 2003.

For the Commission

Jörgen HOLMQUIST

Director-General for Fisheries

(1) OJ L 261, 20.10.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 356, 31.12.2002, p. 12.
(4) OJ L 252, 4.10.2003, p. 1.
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3322 — Polestar/Prisa/Inversiones Ibersuizas/JV) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: economic concentration, exchange of information, fine arts, holding company, merger control

13.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 272/21

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3322 — Polestar/Prisa/Inversiones Ibersuizas/JV)

(2003/C 272/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.
On 6 November 2003 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant
to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
1310/97 (2), by which Polestar group (UK), through its Dutch subsidiary Watmoughs Netherlands BV,
and the Spanish undertakings Prisa group, via its subsidiary Prisaprint SL, and Inversiones Ibersuizas SA,
acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation, joint control of a newly created company
constituting a joint venture by way of transfer of subsidiaries and cash contribution.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— Polestar group: graphic arts,

— Prisa group: media and graphic arts,

— Inversiones Ibersuizas SA: mixed-activity financial holding company,

— the JV: graphic arts.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within

3.
the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit

4.
proposed operation.

their possible observations on the

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference
COMP/M.3322 — Polestar/Prisa/Inversiones Ibersuizas/JV, to:

European Commission,
Directorate-General for Competition,
Merger Registry,
J-70,
B-1049 Brussels.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3353/03 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Equal treatment of men and women in sport.
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: equal treatment, gender equality, sport, sporting event, sports body

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/271

(2004/C 78 E/0271)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3353/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 November 2003)

Subject: Equal treatment of men and women in sport

Men and women are treated differently in a number of different sports: for example, female boxers are not
allowed to compete at the Olympic Games.

Does the Commission feel that this unequal treatment on the basis of gender is compatible with EU law?

If not, what legislation should be used to prevent discrimination in sport?

If it does, is the Commission thinking of closing the loopholes in the law, with, for example, the planned
directive on equality between men and women outside the workplace?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2004)

The European Union already has substantial legislation on gender equality in employment.

Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the principle of equal
treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and
treatment for men and women in sport, provided they are
working conditions (1) guarantees equal
professional sportspeople and fall within the definition of a ‘worker’.

for a Council Directive (2)
In addition, on 5 November 2003 the Commission adopted a proposal
implementing the principle of equal treatment for women and men outside the labour market. The aim of
this Directive is the progressive implementation of equal treatment.

With regard to women’s competitions at the Olympic Games, the Commission is unable to comment on a
matter which is not within its jurisdiction. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which organises
the competition, is a private body whose job it is to organise the event not only according to sporting
criteria but also in line with commercial criteria. The rules for participation in the Games are decided
jointly by the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations.

(1) OJ L 39, 14.2.1976.
(2) COM(2003) 657 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0272)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3360/03

by Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Free movement of persons

In closing with its frontier with Gibraltar, Spain has established a barrier to the freedom of movement of
persons within the territory of the European Community.
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3320 — Electra Partners Limited/Azélis) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: chemical product, economic concentration, exchange of information, investment company, merger control

13.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 272/19

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3320 — Electra Partners Limited/Azélis)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2003/C 272/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 6 November 2003 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant
1.
to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (1), as
last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 1310/97 (2), by which the undertaking Electra Partners Ltd (‘EPL’, United Kingdom), through an
acquisition vehicle, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation, control of the
whole of the undertaking Azélis (‘Azélis’, Luxembourg) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— EPL: holding company for fund management group, venture capital business, investment management,

advice and services,

— Azélis: specialty chemicals wholesale distribution services across Europe.

3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within
the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant
to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (3), it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under
the procedure set out in the notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit

4.
proposed operation.

their possible observations on the

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference
COMP/M.3320 — Electra Partners Limited/Azélis, to:

European Commission,
Directorate-General for Competition,
Merger Registry,
J-70,
B-1049 Brussels.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.
(3) OJ C 217, 29.7.2000, p. 32.
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

13.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 272/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

12 November 2003

(2003/C 272/01)

1 euro =

USD

JPY

DKK

GBP

SEK

CHF

ISK

NOK

BGN

CYP

CZK

EEK

HUF

LTL

Currency

US dollar

Japanese yen

Danish krone

Pound sterling

Swedish krona

Swiss franc

Iceland króna

Norwegian krone

Bulgarian lev

Cyprus pound

Czech koruna

Estonian kroon

Hungarian forint

Lithuanian litas

Exchange
rate

1,16

126,42

7,4359

0,693

8,9777

1,5668

88,37

8,201

1,9463

LVL

MTL

PLN

ROL

SIT

SKK

TRL

AUD

CAD

Currency

Latvian lats

Maltese lira

Polish zloty

Romanian leu

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

Australian dollar

Canadian dollar

0,58268

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

32,002

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6448

0,4273

4,5878

39 890

236,03

41,17

1 722 300

1,621

1,516

9,0048

1,8522

2,0113

258,65

KRW

South Korean won

1 360,56

3,4528

ZAR

South African rand

8,0153

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.