WRITTEN QUESTION E-0316/04 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European voluntary and solidarity service.
Date: 2004-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: alternative service, social participation, voluntary military service, voluntary work, youth policy

C 84 E/198

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

2.

to set up networks to prepare the implementation of the Action Plan on language learning and
linguistic diversity.

The Commission takes the view that the projects selected meet the objectives of the Action Plan and will
help to prepare the ground for its implementation. As it specified in its answer to the Honourable
Member’s written question E-4031/03 (1), three of the seven projects are directly concerned with regional
and minority languages.

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 681.

(2004/C 84 E/0241)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0316/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: European voluntary and solidarity service

It is widely known that compulsory military service is gradually being abolished in the various European
countries. Unfortunately, as part of these rationalisation measures certain states are also beginning to
abolish the associated civilian service. The latter provides many aid organisations with a temporary
increase in staff, and it is thus a great source of help in their many day-to-day activities.

It would therefore be useful to provide both young men and women throughout the EU with basic
training lasting three to four months in first aid, social work and environmental services, so that they
would be prepared for any situation and ready to act in emergencies.

Commissioner Reding has already commented on this issue in a joint debate with the Culture and Youth
Committee of the European Parliament held on 2 December 2003, when she promised that part of the
next programme for young people would focus on voluntary service.

Can the Commission confirm these future plans? What
connection?

further steps does it plan to take in this

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2004)

The Commission firmly believes that participation in voluntary activities, and particularly in organised
national or international voluntary services, can be an extremely important non-formal learning experience
for young people and is one that promotes their active involvement in society. Its value in terms of social
cohesion is also beyond question.

In recognition of this, the Commission is continuing to support the European Voluntary Service, set up in
1996 and now Action 2 of the EU Youth Programme (2000-2006), and is endeavouring to extend and
improve it. The interim evaluation of the EU Youth Programme, which is about to be published, is a
demonstration of the extent of the interest generated by the European Voluntary Service.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) gives young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to work abroad
for up to 12 months in local projects in a wide variety of areas. Training events and educational support
are an integral part of the EVS. In 2004 the EVS had a budget of EUR 33 million, which allowed 4 000
young people to participate. Geographically, the Youth Programme covered 30 European countries plus
some third country regions.

As announced on 2 December 2003 by the Member of the Commission responsible for Education and
Culture, the intention is also to make the European Voluntary Service an established component of the
new generation of programmes starting in 2007. It is in the Community’s interest to add new, more
collective aspects to the EVS, which is currently very individual in nature, in order to continue increasing

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Official Journal of the European Union

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its effectiveness and visibility. The corresponding proposal to introduce a legal basis is likely to be
submitted in 2004, and the Commission is intending to adopt a communication in March 2004 on the
new programmes in the areas of youth, culture and audiovisual policy.

it could be added that in its White Paper ‘A New Impetus for European Youth’, the
In conclusion,
Commission regards voluntary activities for young people as a priority, and it is currently drawing up
proposals in this area for common objectives for all Member States.

(2004/C 84 E/0242)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0317/04

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Pork by-products

Is it correct that the EU plans to ban the sale of all pork by-products unless cooked? Is the Commission
aware that raw pork products contain digestive enzymes which provide relief to enzyme-deficient animals
who might otherwise suffer? What assurances can the Commission give that raw pork products will be
available for animal consumption for medicinal purposes?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2004)

Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying
down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption (1) requires that
any protein, except some such as milk or colostrum, is heat treated before being given to farm animals.

Furthermore, Article 22 of the same Regulation prohibits intra-species recycling. In accordance with this
prohibition, the feeding of processed animal proteins derived from one species to animals of the same
species, including the case of pigs, is banned.

However, without prejudice of the above mentioned Regulation, enzymes and micro-organisms may be
authorized in accordance with Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives
in feedstuffs (2).

The purpose of these rules is to minimize the risk to public and animal health from material derived from
animals.

(1) OJ L 273, 10.10.2002.
(2) OJ L 270, 14.12.1970.

(2004/C 84 E/0243)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0338/04

by Eluned Morgan (PSE) to the Commission

(4 February 2004)

Subject: Food safety

Is it true that the EFSA has approved the use of GM corn (NK603)? Did the ESFA conduct new and
impartial investigations into the safety of the food? How much, if any, of the information necessary for a
safety evaluation was provided by companies with a vested interest in the product?