WRITTEN QUESTION E-3656/03 by Salvador Jové Peres (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. High quality code NC 1003 00 barley imports.
Date: 2003-12-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU statistics, barley, import (EU), trade statistics

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/845

total a community contribution of close to EUR 90 million. However, the information regarding the
specific amount of money only dedicated to stem cell research within these projects is not available to the
Commission. Regarding the countries involved, most of the Member States are represented as well as third
countries such as, Switzerland, Israel, Hungary, Norway, etc. More details on the participants of these
projects and the countries involved can be found on the internet site of Cordis (1).

The information on the number of embryos used to create the two stem cell lines in the United Kingdom
and the seven stem cell lines in Sweden is not available to the Commission.

The Commission does not have definitive information on the total number of human embryonic stem cell
lines created in Europe since 27 June 2002. The picture regarding the total number of such lines created in
Europe is continuously evolving. Because the procurement of human embryonic stem cells from
supernumerary embryos is now allowed by law in seven other Member States (B, DK, GR, ES, F, NL, FI),
it is probable that new lines are under development. In particular, the report provided by Astrid Thors,
rapporteur appointed by the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market to draft an opinion on
the proposal for a Council Decision amending Council Decision 2002/834/EC of 30 September 2002 (2)
on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: ‘Integrating and
strengthening the European research area’ (2002-2006) (3), mentions that three lines could be available in
Helsinki but does not say anything about their date of production.

All the human embryonic stem cell lines used, until now, in the Community funded projects are existing
lines created outside the Union. As mentioned above, two projects are concerned in the Fifth Framework
Programme: one plans to work on two lines imported from the American National Institute of Health
registry and the other involves an Israeli line for research activities performed in Israel. In the current Sixth
Framework Programme and following the first call for proposals, one proposal that involves a component
of research with a human embryonic stem cell line from the American National Institute of Health registry
could receive funds. As indicated in paragraph 1, the Commission is not in a position to know if the costs
of importation have been included in the Union contracts. The average cost for the lines listed in the
American National Institute of Health registry is USD 5 000-6 000 per line, but only for research use.

(1) http://dbs.cordis.lu/fep/LIFE/LIFE_PROJ1_search.html
(2) OJ L 294, 29.10.2002.
(3) COM(2003) 390.

(2004/C 78 E/0899)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3656/03

by Salvador Jové Peres (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 December 2003)

Subject: High quality code NC 1003 00 barley imports

What quantities has each Member State imported annually of the corresponding annual Community
customs tariff quota of 50 000 tons of code NC 1003 00 high quality barley for malt production for use in
manufacturing certain beers aged in barrels containing beechwood, at a tariff of 50 % of the total tariff
type in force from 1996 until 2002?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 January 2004)

The following table shows each Member State’s imports from 1996 to 2002 of malting barley for
production of beer aged in barrels containing beechwood.

C 78 E/846

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(Tonnes)

Member State

Licences applied for

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Belgium

Ireland

2 483

733

3 167

5 626

6 552

6 474

14 635

6 775

14 966

14 903

1 483

3 588

0

0

United Kingdom

16 706

20 312

18 964

19 456

14 866

8 504

2 000

Total EU

25 663

35 679

28 905

40 048

36 322

13 575

2 000

The reason why the figures for the second half of 2001 and for 2002 are much lower than in previous
years is that during that period the non-quota import duty on barley was low or even nil for long periods,
thus reducing the advantage of using the quota.

(2004/C 78 E/0900)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3657/03

by Giovanni Procacci (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 December 2003)

Subject: Storage of nuclear waste

The Italian Government has issued a decree stipulating that all nuclear waste currently in Italy is to be
stored in Scanzano Jonico, in a rock-salt deposit a few metres underground.

The storage location is less than one kilometre from the sea and close to a river, a few metres from a gas
field and in an earthquake-prone area.

According to studies carried out in the USA on waste stored in saline formations, over time radioactive
material generates a rise in temperature and movement in the saline fluids which causes corrosion of the
containers and therefore release of waste into the environment; scientists cannot guarantee that over time
the presence of the waste will not be dangerous for the town’s population.

In view of the above, can the Commission intervene by blocking this ridiculous decision, both because it
constitutes a real threat for the residents of the area living a few metres from the site, and because it is
detrimental to the Metapontino plain, an area located in the centre of Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria which
plays host to the most developed agrifood businesses in the south of Italy and has areas with excellent
tourist facilities?

How does the Commission intend to deal with the issue of radioactive waste at Community level, with a
view to protecting citizens’ health to the highest possible degree?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2004)

Concerning the proposal to construct a radioactive waste repository in the municipality of Scanzano
Jonico in Italy, the Commission notes that the original decree of the Italian government has been amended
and that Scanzano Jonico is but one option amongst other potential sites to be identified and assessed by a
commission of experts.

The Commission recalls that each Member State is responsible for the management of all spent fuel and
radioactive waste under its jurisdiction.

The Commission has already taken steps to ensure the protection of the public and the environment. In its
proposed new Directive on the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste under discussion in the
Council, Member States will be required to prepare programmes for the safe management of such wastes,
including their disposal.