do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

16.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 305/3

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

15 December 2003

(2003/C 305/02)

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

1,223

132,09

7,4398

0,7013

8,992

1,5516

89,63

8,203

1,9515

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

0,58415

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

32,13

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6615

0,4301

4,6586

40 583

236,66

41,185

1 752 307

1,6525

1,6138

9,4941

1,8914

2,0905

263,95

KRW

South Korean won

1 446,56

3,4525

ZAR

South African rand

7,829

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2194/2003 of 16 December 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit, stone fruit

17.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 328/13

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2194/2003

of 16 December 2003

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
last
import arrangements
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1947/2002 (2), and in particu-
lar Article 4(1) thereof,

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 17 December 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17.

L 328/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.12.2003

to the Commission Regulation of 16 December 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining
the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50, 0805 20 70,
0805 20 90

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
624
999

052
628
999

052
204
999

052
204
388
421
999

052
204
999

052
464
999

052
388
400
600
999

052
060
064
400
404
720
999

060
064
400
528
720
999

71,3
59,9
113,1
160,7
101,3

46,3
141,6
94,0

135,1
81,0
108,1

45,0
40,9
46,3
13,6
36,5

62,0
63,5
62,8

73,0
122,4
97,7

61,6
77,8
39,2
66,3
61,2

58,6
43,9
51,0
78,8
84,9
71,4
64,8

62,2
59,9
102,1
218,0
42,7
97,0

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2020/2001 (OJ L 273, 16.10.2001, p. 6). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2197/2003 of 16 December 2003 apportioning, for the 2003/04 marketing year, 5000 tonnes of short flax fibre and hemp fibre as national guaranteed quantities between Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Luxembourg
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: flax, hemp, marketing, quantitative restriction, textile fibre

17.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 328/19

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2197/2003

of 16 December 2003

apportioning, for the 2003/04 marketing year, 5 000 tonnes of short flax fibre and hemp fibre as
national guaranteed quantities between Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Luxembourg

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000 of 27
July 2000 on the common organisation of the markets in flax
and hemp grown for fibre (1), and in particular Article 9
thereof,

quantity of 5 000 tonnes allocated to them, and the
national guaranteed quantities as set out below should
be set.

(5)

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

Whereas:

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Article 8(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 245/
2001 (2), which laid down detailed rules for the applica-
tion of Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000, stipulates that
the apportioning of 5 000 tonnes of short flax fibre and
hemp fibre as national guaranteed quantities, as provided
for in Article 3(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000,
must be effected before 16 November of the marketing
year in progress.

To that end, Denmark and Italy have sent the Commis-
sion information relating to areas covered by sale/
purchase contracts, processing commitments and proces-
sing contracts, and estimated flax and hemp straw and
fibre yields.

Conversely, no flax or hemp fibre will be produced for
Ireland or
the 2003/04 marketing year
Luxembourg.

in Greece,

On the basis of estimates of production resulting from
the information provided, total production in the five
Member States concerned will not reach the overall

Article 1

For the 2003/04 marketing year, the apportionment in national
guaranteed quantities provided for in Article 3(2)(b) of Regu-
lation (EC) No 1673/2000 shall be as follows:

— Denmark: 7 tonnes,

— Greece: 0 tonnes,

— Ireland: 0 tonnes,

— Italy: 399 tonnes,

— Luxembourg: 0 tonnes.

Article 2

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

It shall apply from 16 November 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000, p. 16. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1782/2003 (OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 35, 6.2.2001, p. 18. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 1401/2003 (OJ L 199, 7.8.2003, p. 3).
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850/03 by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission. Harmful isocyanates and the protection of workers.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: chemical product, dangerous substance, occupational health, occupational safety, toxicology

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/659

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2004)

The Commission has compiled data on the current practices and legal requirements related to organ
transplantation in the Member States and the Acceding Countries and it is in the process of analysing the
results. These results will be integrated in a more comprehensive report on a Community approach to be
taken in the field of organ transplantation that the Commission will bring forward when the necessary
analysis and preparation has been undertaken.

(2004/C 78 E/0702)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850/03

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Harmful isocyanates and the protection of workers

Isocyanates are basic chemicals that are used primarily in the production of polyurethane foam, and
polyurethane elastomers, etc. Isocyanates are thus found in chemical products such as paints, varnishes,
surface treatments, adhesives and sealing compounds. It has recently been discovered that exposure to
isocyanates also arises when mineral wool, glass wool and bakelite, etc. are heated.

For a long time now, the production and use of isocyanates has been on the increase. Most western
European countries apply the same occupational exposure limits (0,005 ppm). However, studies show that
the methods that have been used for many years to measure isocyanates in Europe are inadequate.
Therefore, trade unions in the EU are calling for European rules for the industrial use of products that
contain, or can emit, isocyanates.

Is the Commission aware of the harmful nature of isocyanates and the risks of exposure run by

1.
workers in many industries?

Does the Commission intend to take any measures and lay down European rules for the protection

2.
of workers from isocyanates?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission is well aware of the harmful effects of isocyanates for workers.

Several isocyanates are on the priority list for the work of the Scientific Committee for Occupational
Exposure Limit values (SCOEL) (1).

During 2004, the Committee (SCOEL) plans to start evaluating the available toxicological data with the
aim of recommending occupational exposure limit values for isocyanates. Where appropriate, after this
work has been accomplished, the Commission will propose occupational indicative exposure limit values
for isocyanates, according to the provisions of Article 3, of Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on
the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (2).

(1) OJ L 188, 9.8.1995.
(2) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3884/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Alcatel Italia: suspected infringement of rules on funding granted by the EU.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU financing arrangements, Italy, aid to undertakings, business ethics, multinational enterprise, outsourcing, telecommunications industry

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/331

(2004/C 78 E/0348)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3884/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: suspected infringement of rules on funding granted by the EU

It emerged from a meeting held with the trade union delegations from Alcatel Italia S.p.A. in Brussels in
November 2003 that the company has benefited in the past from favourable terms for funding production
activities in depressed areas of Italy, in accordance with the terms of Italian Law No 488/92, by means of
EU co-financing.

This law obliges the beneficiary company to respect,
increasing jobs, on the basis of the funding received, and abiding by a multiannual investment plan.

inter alia, certain parameters in terms of both

Furthermore, it would seem that Alcatel Italia has carried out an outsourcing plan, without adequately
informing the workers, and contravening the ban on altering the kinds of contracts already in force.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1. what kinds of EU funding in particular Alcatel Italia has received;

2. what kind of investment plan Alcatel drew up to step up productivity and increase employment, in

accordance with the provisions of Law No 488/92?

3. whether it considers that the granting of funding to businesses can be made subject to an ethical and

social clause?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 78 E/0349)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3885/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: possible checks on funding granted by the EU

The multinational firm Alcatel is, as regards turnover, the territory it covers and its number of employees,
one of the world’s largest producers of public and private telecommunications equipment. In Europe too it
is well-represented, with a branch in nearly every EU country. However, in the last few months Alcatel
Italia has announced that it wants to close the plants in Italy. The company has used structural funding to
step up employment and productivity, but it is not clear whether the funding was used to invest in the EU
or whether it was used for investments in ‘emerging’ countries, such as China or other areas outside the
Community.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1.

in how many EU countries Alcatel has obtained funding;

2. what other plants in the EU may be closed down;

3. what instruments can be used to ascertain that the funding granted to Alcatel has actually been used

in EU countries, rather than countries outside the EU?
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3320 — Electra Partners/Azelis) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: chemical product, economic concentration, investment company, merger control

C 305/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

16.12.2003

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3320 — Electra Partners/Azelis)

(2003/C 305/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 8 December 2003, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to
declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. The full text of the decision is only available in English and will be
made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

— as a paper version through the sales offices of the Office for Official Publications of the European

Communities (see list on the last page),

— in electronic form in the ‘CEN’ version of the CELEX database, under document No 303M3320. CELEX

is the computerised documentation system of European Community law.

For more information concerning subscriptions please contact:

EUR-OP,
Information, Marketing and Public Relations,
2, rue Mercier,
L-2985 Luxembourg.
Tel. (352) 29 29 427 18, fax (352) 29 29 427 09.
European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation derogating from Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 as regards the set-aside requirement for the 2004/2005 marketing year (COM(2003) 691 — C5-0559/2003 — 2003/0271(CNS))
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, European Parliament
Subjects: aid per hectare, derogation from EU law, marketing year, set-aside

C 91 E/66

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.4.2004

Tuesday 16 December 2003

P5_TA(2003)0558

Set-aside 2004/2005 *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation derogating
from Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 as regards the set-aside requirement for the 2004/2005
marketing year (COM(2003) 691 — C5-0559/2003 — 2003/0271(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2003) 691) (1),

— having regard to Articles 36 and 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted

Parliament (C5-0559/2003),

— having regard to Rules 67 and 158(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A5-0460/

2003),

1.

Approves the Commission proposal;

Calls on the Council

2.
Parliament;

to notify Parliament

if

it

intends to depart

from the text approved by

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal

3.
substantially;

4.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.

P5_TA(2003)0559

COM in raw tobacco *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation amending
in raw tobacco
Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 on the common organisation of

the market

(COM(2003) 633 — C5-0517/2003 — 2003/0251(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2003) 633) (1),

— having regard to Article 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C5-0517/2003),

— having regard to Rules 67 and 158(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A5-0462/

2003),

(1) Not yet published in OJ.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-3937/03 by Elisabeth Jeggle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European Regulation on yogurt.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: drafting of EU law, food standard, foodstuffs legislation, yoghourt

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/885

(2004/C 78 E/0936)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3937/03

by Elisabeth Jeggle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: European Regulation on yogurt

During an investigation of
the requirements for yogurt and yogurt products undertaken by the
Commission in December 2002, it was found that these vary greatly between the different Member States.
Some of the Member States, such as the southern European countries and Denmark, recognise only the
classic Bulgarian-style yogurt,
thermophilus and Lactobacillus
in which cultures of Streptococcus
bulgaricus are used.

in other Member States such as Germany, the Netherlands, England,

However,
Ireland, Sweden and
Finland, ‘mild yogurt’, in which other Lactobacillus species are used instead of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, is
permitted in addition to the classic Bulgarian-style yogurt. Furthermore, the Member States have different
requirements for the use of the designation ‘heat-treated yogurt product’.

It should be borne in mind in this context that in April 2002 the EC and the Member States approved the
Codex Standard for fermented milk products, and that Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (1) calls
on the Member States and the Community to ensure consistency between international technical standards
and food law. In view of the fact that during talks on the Codex Standard for fermented milk final
approval was granted by all the Member States and the Commission, it would seem reasonable to expect
that a proposal would be made for European harmonisation on the basis of Article 13 of Regulation (EC)
No 178/2002 and the Codex Standard.

However in reality the draft put forward by the Commission, the latest version of which is dated
20 August 2003, differs significantly in both its basic principles and its details from the Codex Standard
for fermented milk products.

What is the reason for this lack of consistency between Commission policy and the Codex Standard? It
should be noted that under the Codex Standard the EU is considered a single state, in which all products
must be able to circulate freely, including ‘heat-treated yogurt products’.

(1) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 January 2004)

As mentioned in the reply to Written Question E-2397/03 by Mr Vallvé (1), the Commission is examining
the need for yogurt legislation.

A first document prepared by the Commission services forms the basis for technical discussions with
experts. Up to now, the Commission has not decided to make a proposal for legislation on yogurt.

Should this decision be taken, there will be ample opportunity to discuss every aspect,
question asked by the Honourable Member, with Member States and the Parliament.

including the

(1) OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2200/2003 of 16 December 2003 prohibiting fishing for ling by vessels flying the flag of Spain
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU waters, Spain, fishing area, fishing rights, sea fish, ship's flag

17.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 328/25

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2200/2003

of 16 December 2003

prohibiting fishing for ling by vessels flying the flag of Spain

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 2340/2002 of 16 December
2002 fixing for 2003 and 2004 the fishing opportu-
nities for deep-sea fish stocks (3) lays down quotas for
ling 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 ling in the waters of ICES divisions VI,
VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV (EC waters and waters not
falling under the sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of
third countries), by vessels flying the flag of Spain or
registered in Spain have exhausted the quota allocated

for 2003. Spain has prohibited fishing for this stock
from 1 December 2003. This date should consequently
be adopted in this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Catches of ling in the waters of ICES divisions VI, VII, VIII, IX,
X, XII and XIV (EC waters and waters not falling under the
sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of third countries), by
vessels flying the flag of Spain or registered in Spain are hereby
deemed to have exhausted the quota allocated to Spain for
2003.

Fishing for ling in the waters of ICES divisions VI, VII, VIII, IX,
X, XII and XIV (EC waters and waters not falling under the
sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of third countries), by
vessels flying the flag of Spain or registered in Spain 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 1 December 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 16 December 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. 1.