do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0451/04 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Food aid and food security programme.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aid policy, food aid, project evaluation, technical cooperation

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/591

(2004/C 84 E/0666)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0451/04

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Food aid and food security programme

In 2001, the food aid and food security programme, with a budget of EUR 454 million, aimed to improve
food security in the overall development strategy of beneficiary countries; EUR 25,2 million was
earmarked for technical assistance in the field. Can the Commission indicate what technical assistance
projects have been subsidised and whether these have proved successful?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2004)

Some 80 % of the EUR 25,2 million provided for technical assistance under the 2001 budget for food and
food security was used to finance the contracts of individual experts attached to food security programmes
in 23 of the countries receiving our aid.

The rest of the budget was used to finance contracts for monitoring food aid (around 10 %) and
monitoring and/or evaluation contracts for our food security programmes (around 10 %).

Each food security programme provides for a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation carried out by
independent consultants. These evaluations, which obviously consider the technical assistance component,
are launched under the EC’s framework contract system and are regularly presented to the Food Aid and
Food Security Committees.

The technical assistance component is also evaluated in the overall evaluation exercises conducted by the
Commission.

(2004/C 84 E/0667)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0457/04

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Strain on main roads

Local organisations and associations in the municipality of Voula are complaining that
the Greek
Parliament has adopted an amendment relating to the use of the land along sections of major roads, such
as the avenues Vouliagmenis, Varis and Karamanli, in order to allow commercial activities in an area
which has been designated ‘purely residential’ since 1926. The status of the land is defined in Presidential
Decrees of 1926, 1934, 1940 and 1952 and is confirmed by the Council of State in its decisions 554/
2000, 2314 and 2315/2002 as well as Law 3044/2002.

Furthermore, recent research carried out by the National Technical University of Athens shows that
commercial activity along main roads such as Vouliagmenis creates serious problems for the operation of
the network and has a detrimental impact on the environment and the rest of the residential fabric of the
area. Moreover, according to the fundamental principles of
the
construction of roads is subsidised with a view to improving the quality of life in large cities, and
reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

the EU’s operational programme,

Will the Commission intervene to prevent the deterioration of the urban environment in the area?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0481/04 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Blue Dragon.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Anti-fraud Office, European official, fraud against the EU

C 84 E/800

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

It should be noted that achievement of these indicative targets is and will depend on the budgetary
authority confirming that the additional resources required to meet the measured needs arising from
enlargement of the Union by 10 Member States will be granted. If the establishment plan is not increased
year on year according to the forecasts of needs, the share of posts for nationals of new Member States’
would obviously have to be decreased accordingly with consequent implications for overall performance of
the Commission.

The results of successful candidatures in open competitions by nationality for 2001, 2002 and 2003 are
given in the annexe which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

(1) Decision 22/03/1995 Kotzonis/CES (T-586/93, Rec. p. II-665, RecFP p. II-203).
(2) Communication of 19 February 2003, C (2003) 436.

(2004/C 84 E/0895)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0481/04

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Blue Dragon

Could the Commission confirm if any of the OLAF investigators involved in the Blue Dragon investigation
were amongst the 12 former UCLAF staff moved from OLAF to the Commission in 2001?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has informed the Commission that three OLAF staff members
concerned initially with questions relating to the ‘Blue Dragon’ case had earlier been staff members of the
Unit for the Coordination of Fraud Prevention (UCLAF) and subsequently left OLAF for posts in the
Commission in 2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0896)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0487/04

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: EU dairy sector: Argentina and the WTO ‘peace clause’

(23 February 2004)

Following the expiry of the WTO ‘peace clause’ on 31 December 2003, Argentina has already threatened
to bring proceedings against the EU before the WTO’s dispute settlement body in relation to Community
subsidies to the dairy sector.

Does the Commission believe that the threats from Argentina might at some stage jeopardise the recently
reformed Community system?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

With regard to the expiry of the Peace Clause, the Commission maintains the following position: World
Trade Organisation (WTO) Members’ use of litigation in an attempt to challenge subsidies, granted in
conformity with the Agreement on Agriculture,
risks undermining comprehensive negotiations on
agriculture aimed at concluding an agreement acceptable to all Members.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0496/04 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE)and María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco (PSE) to the Commission. Research into Spanish Labour Ministry bursaries.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, application of EU law, education grant, gender equality, motherhood

C 84 E/416

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0485)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0496/04

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE)
and María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Research into Spanish Labour Ministry bursaries

(23 February 2004)

The Commission’s reply to our Question E-2188/03 (1) as to possible discrimination against pregnant
women by the Spanish Labour Ministry when granting working bursaries acknowledge that there was a
possible infringement of Community law on equality of treatment for men and women, and stated that the
Commission would investigate.

What stage has this investigation reached, and if the Spanish authorities have responded, in what terms
have they done so?

(1) OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004, p. 232.

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2004)

In the reply to Written Question number E-2188/03, the Honourable Members asked if the Commission
considered that the regulations governing the award of grants by the Institute for Women complies with
Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage
improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently
given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive
89/391/EEC) (1).

The Commission is following up this issue. It will be in contact with the Honourable Members in relation
to this issue when the matter has been fully investigated.

(1) OJ L 348, 28.11.1992.

(2004/C 84 E/0486)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0497/04

by María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco (PSE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Discrimination against minors with regard to access to sporting federations in Spain

In answer to Anna Terrón’s Question E-4005/03 (1), the Commission refers her to a reply given to myself
(P-3911/03) (1), which refers to discrimination against foreign minors, and therefore has nothing to do
with the situation facing Community minors.

Every Member State national enjoys European Union citizenship, and all discrimination on grounds of
nationality is banned by the Treaties and the Draft European Constitution (Articles 4 and 8).

Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises the right of the child to rest and leisure,
to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in
culture life and the arts, and states that countries shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal
opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.

Article 24 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights lays down the right of minors to protection and to the
care necessary for their wellbeing.
2004/188/CFSP: Council Decision 2004/188/CFSP of 23 February 2004 concerning the appointment of the Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM)
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Union, appointment of staff, police

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/27

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL DECISION 2004/188/CFSP

of 23 February 2004

concerning the appointment of the Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union
Police Mission (EUPM)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in par-
ticular Article 23(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Joint Action 2002/210/CFSP of 11
March 2002 on the European Union Police Mission (1), and in
particular Article 4 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Article 4 of Joint Action 2002/210/CFSP provides that
the Council, upon a proposal by the Secretary-General/
High Representative, shall appoint a Head of Mission/
Police Commissioner.

The Secretary-General/High Representative has proposed
the appointment of assistant Commissioner Bartho-
lomew Kevin Carty,

Article 1

Mr Bartholomew Kevin Carty is hereby appointed Head of
Mission/Police Commissioner of
the EUPM as of 1 March
2004.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

It shall apply until 1 March 2005.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Union.

Done at Brussels, 23 February 2004.

For the Council

The President

B. COWEN

(1) OJ L 70, 13.3.2002, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0477/04 by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Banana trade.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural productivity, aid to agriculture, common organisation of markets, policy on agricultural structures, project evaluation, tropical fruit

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/599

(2004/C 84 E/0673)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0477/04

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Banana trade

In 1998 the EU launched a three-year ‘New Banana Recovery programme’. Please could the Commission
confirm if the productivity of bananas has been increased or decreased since this date?

Has an inquiry taken place following the three-year programme to ascertain if it was a success? If so,
please give details.

Following the end of the recovery programme was a new Banana Recovery programme launched? If so,
please give details. Who approved this programme?

Were any MEPs substantially involved in the Banana Recovery programme? If so, please give details.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2004)

Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on the common organisation of the market in
bananas (1) introduced management and support measures for this product.

On the structural aid side, measures to improve quality and competitiveness for the banana production
chain were included in the 1994-1999 Operational Programmes for structural assistance in Objective 1
regions and were maintained for the period 2000-2006. There is however no specific ‘three-year
programme’ of Structural Fund assistance for banana production.

Since the market organisation was set up launching aid has been available for banana producer groups.

There is also an income loss compensation scheme for producers. The rate applied is calculated for each
marketing year.

A report assessing the effectiveness of the various market organisation measures is due at the end of this
year.

(1) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993.

(2004/C 84 E/0674)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0482/04

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Eurostat

Could the Commission confirm if any of
investigation were amongst the 12 former UCLAF staff moved from OLAF to the Commission in 2001?

the OLAF investigators initially involved in the Eurostat
Opinion No 1/2004 of the Court of Auditors of the European Communities on an amended proposal for a Council Regulation amending the Staff Regulations of officials and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Communities
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Court of Auditors
Subjects: European official, regulations for civil servants, servant (EU)

24.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 75/1

I

(Information)

COURT OF AUDITORS

OPINION No 1/2004

of the Court of Auditors of the European Communities on an amended proposal for a Council
Regulation amending the Staff Regulations of officials and the Conditions of Employment of other
servants of the European Communities

(2004/C 75/01)

THE COURT OF AUDITORS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 283 thereof,

Having regard to the Commission’s amended proposal of 18 November 2003 (1),

Having regard to the Council’s request for an opinion on this amended proposal, received at the Court on
28 November 2003,

Whereas the Commission’s amended proposal is presented after the other institutions concerned have been
consulted on the original proposal (2), on which the Court delivered its opinion No 14/2002 of 5 Decem-
ber 2002 (3),

HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION:

The Court of Auditors recalls that in its opinion No 14/2002 it made some observations and recom-

1.
mendations which have not all been taken into account.

2.
Concerning the Commission’s amended proposal, as it has been transmitted, the Court notes that the
transition to the amended Staff Regulations will give rise to discriminatory anomalies concerning recruitment
and new grading of staff. The Commission should propose a way to deal with issues of this nature.

(1) Amended proposal for a Council Regulation amending the Staff Regulation of officials and the Conditions of Employ-

ment of other servants of the European Communities (COM (2003) 721 final of 18 November 2003).

(2) COM (2002) 213 final of 24 April 2002.
(3) OJ C 21, 28.1.2003.

C 75/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.3.2004

The Court considers in general that for all the matters linked to the application of the new Staff Regula-

3.
tions adequate coordination must be ensured between the different institutions.

This Opinion was adopted by the Court of Auditors in Luxembourg the 23 February 2004.

For the Court of Auditors

Juan Manuel FABRA VALLÉS

President
Commission Regulation (EC) No 317/2004 of 23 February 2004 on adopting derogations from the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics as regards Austria, France and Luxembourg (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Austria, EU statistics, France, Luxembourg, derogation from EU law, statistical method, waste disposal, waste management

24.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 55/43

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 317/2004

of 23 February 2004

on adopting derogations from the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European
Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics as regards Austria, France and Luxembourg

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the Euro-
pean Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2002 on
waste statistics (1), and in particular Article 4(1) thereof,

Having regard to the request made by Austria on 30 June
2003,

Having regard to the request made by France on 12 June 2003,

Having regard to the request made by Luxembourg on 25 June
2003,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No
2150/2002, derogations
from certain provisions of
Annexes to that Regulation may be granted by the
Commission during a transitional period.

Such derogations should be granted, at their request, to
Austria, France and Luxembourg.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with
Statistical
Programme Committee established by Council Decision
89/382/EEC, Euratom (2),

opinion

the

the

of

Article 1

The following derogations from the provisions of Regu-

1.
lation (EC) No 2150/2002 are hereby granted:

(a) Austria is granted derogations for the production of results
relating to Section 8(1.1), item 1 (agriculture, hunting and
forestry) of Annex I.

(b) France is granted derogations for the production of results
relating to Section 8(1.1), items 1 (agriculture, hunting and
forestry), 2 (fisheries) and 16 (services activities) of Annex I
and those relating to Section 8(2) of Annex II.

(c) Luxembourg is granted derogations for the production of
items 1 (agriculture,

results relating to Section 8(1.1),
hunting and forestry) and 2 (fisheries) of Annex I.

2.
The derogations provided for in paragraph 1 are granted
only in respect of data from the first reference year, namely
2004.

After expiry of the transitional period, Austria, France and
Luxembourg shall transmit data from the 2006 reference year.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter
into force on the 20th day
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union.

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

Done at Brussels, 23 February 2004.

For the Commission

Pedro SOLBES MIRA

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 332, 9.12.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 315/2004 of 23 February 2004 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit, stone fruit

L 55/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.2.2004

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 315/2004

of 23 February 2004

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,

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

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.

(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,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

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 24 February 2004.

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

Done at Brussels, 23 February 2004.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1947/2002 (OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17).

24.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 55/15

to the Commission Regulation of 23 February 2004 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
999

052
068
204
999

052
204
999

052
204
212
220
600
624
999

204
999

052
204
220
400
464
600
624
999

600
999

060
400
404
512
524
528
720
999

060
388
400
512
528
720
999

87,8
36,0
114,0
79,3

161,8
88,3
32,1
94,1

113,3
63,5
88,4

47,1
48,0
48,5
46,2
41,8
60,1
48,6

76,6
76,6

65,1
102,1
74,5
58,9
75,0
71,8
76,2
74,8

65,3
65,3

36,8
87,9
96,1
97,6
85,9
94,2
69,5
81,1

55,2
82,4
88,5
104,6
86,9
152,2
95,0

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2081/2003 (OJ L 313, 28.11.2003, p. 11). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0467/04 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission. Mission expenses.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, administrative expenditure (EU), allowances and expenses

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/409

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2004)

The Commission would refer
Mrs Figueiredo (1).

(1) See page 343.

the Honourable Member

to its answer

to written E-0243/04 by

(2004/C 84 E/0475)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0467/04

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Mission expenses

What were the mission expenses for (i) Members and (ii) staff of the Commission in respect of their
attendance at part-sessions of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg (a) during 2001 and (b) during
2002?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2004)

The breakdown of mission expenses necessitated by attendance at part-sessions of the European Parliament
held in Strasbourg in 2001 and 2002 and by category was as follows:

Year

2001

2002

Cabinet staff

Category

Other Commission
staff

Members

Total

209 245,01

340 794,65

1 089 143,59

1 639 183,25

311 144,85

355 632,28

1 114 182,32

1 780 959,45

(in euro)

The above expenses relate to measurable and billed costs of transport, accommodation, meals, and other
expenditures such as telephone and fax use for work purposes.

(2004/C 84 E/0476)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0471/04

by Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Misuse of the model European disabled person’s parking card

In many European towns and cities, the disabled person’s parking card exempts disabled persons from
parking charges (more accurately, the parking tax). With the introduction of the model European disabled
person’s parking card, the printing of the related car registration number on the card is no longer
permitted, on the grounds that the card should be able to be used as widely as possible by and for disabled
persons.

In towns and cities with high parking rates, the possession of a disabled person’s card (not bearing a car
registration number) is very useful (for the able-bodied as well) for avoiding the payment of parking
charges.

Accordingly, there is, in practice, widespread abuse of the card system, and large numbers of cards are
stolen from disabled persons’ vehicles. The assumption that the cards are being used fraudulently may be