WRITTEN QUESTION E-0450/04 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Counterfeit banknotes.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: area of freedom, security and justice, economic offence, euro, fraud, fraud against the EU, paper money

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3.4.2004

in Germany. A subsequent Commission
research laboratories in Münster (in North Rhine-Westphalia)
investigation showed that the German authorities have swiftly taken appropriate action. Therefore, the
Commission currently sees no need to conduct further investigations in this matter

The Commission has initiated a revision of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the
approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the
protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The aim of the revision is to
strengthen the legislation in the area of animal experimentation in the EU and to ensure that the animals
still used in experiments will receive appropriate care and humane treatment. Among other things, the
revision is looking into the requirements and conditions for the authorisation of experiments, personnel
and establishments, and inspections of establishments which breed, supply or use laboratory animals.

The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) has signalled the continued need for non-human primates in
biomedical research (1). However, the SSC also stressed that each testing proposal involving non-human
primates should be justified on a case-by-case basis.

The use of non-human primates in experiments is one of the issues that will be thoroughly reviewed
the
during the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC. To have the necessary background information,
Commission requested the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (Scahaw), to issue
an opinion on the welfare of non-human primates used in experiments (2). The Opinion was adopted on
17 December 2002 and is now used as a background document for the revision.

(1) The Scientific Steering Committee: ‘The need for non-human primates in biomedical research’, statement adopted
4/5 April 2002. The document is available on the Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out253_en.pdf

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/aw/aw_scahaw_en.html

(2004/C 84 E/0889)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0450/04

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Counterfeit banknotes

The European Central Bank has stated that 550 000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from
circulation in 2003. The banknotes withdrawn included the following denominations: EUR 50 (52 %),
EUR 20 (30 %) and EUR 100 (12,7 %). Can the Commission indicate what initiatives it has proposed or
intends to propose to curtail this phenomenon, and the total amount of euros withdrawn from circulation?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2004)

The protection of the euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting is carried out jointly by the
competent national authorities, the European Central Bank, Europol and the Commission. The roles and
responsibilities of these European institutions and bodies are complementary.

With a view to protecting euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting, Community legislation has
been adopted including, ‘inter alia’, the following:

(cid:1) legislation laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (1);

(cid:1) legislation increasing protection of euro banknotes and coins by criminal penalties and other sanctions

against counterfeiting (2); and

(cid:1) legislation establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme (Pericles) for the protection of

the euro (3).

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These mechanisms guarantee strong protection for the euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting,
through enhanced collaboration across countries and disciplines and intense training at national, European
and international level.

The Commission is currently committing significant resources to the complete implementation of the
Community acquis regarding the protection of the euro in the new Member States. Particular emphasis is
put on combating the rising threat of euro counterfeits coming from countries outside the EU.
The establishment of joint investigation teams among Member States, with the involvement of Europol,
is enhancing actions by law enforcement agencies.

The Commission, in collaboration with Member States and the other European institutions and bodies, is
also working to ensure complete implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001, particularly Article 6
regarding the obligations of credit institutions.

Finally, communication action is being intensified by the European Central Bank and the Commission, as
regards the protection of the euro.

The Commission will continue to take all necessary initiatives to reinforce the protection of euro
banknotes and coins against fraud and counterfeiting.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the
euro against counterfeiting, OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, Council Decision of 29 April 1999 extending Europol’s mandate
to deal with forgery of money, OJ C 149, 28.5.1999.

(2) Council Framework Decision of 29 May 2000 on increasing protection by criminal penalties and other sanctions

against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro, OJ L 140, 14.6.2000.

(3) Council Decision 2001/923/EC of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme

for the protection of euro against counterfeiting OJ L 339, 21.12.2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0890)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0452/04

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: INFO 2000 programme

The multiannual Community programme INFO 2000, covering a period of four years, aimed to encourage
the development of the European multimedia content industry and to contribute to the professional, social
and cultural development of European citizens.

Can the Commission indicate what actions to support the programme have been initiated, giving details of
the sums allocated?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The INFO 2000 programme to stimulate the supply and use of multimedia was adopted in 1996 (1) and
ended in 1999. A final evaluation of the programme and its impact assessment was carried out in the year
2000. The results were communicated to the Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee
the Regions in May 2001 (2). The evaluation report
(http://
and the Committee of
www.cordis.lu/econtent/studies/studies.htm).
the programme implementation,
149 actions were supported for EUR 68,6 million, broken down as follows:

In the four years of

is available at: