WRITTEN QUESTION P-0936/04 by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission. EU Economic EU support for positive publicity.
Date: 2004-03-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, advertising, broadcasting, dissemination of EU information, enlargement of the Union, invitation to tender, television

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/919

1.

2.

Can the Commission indicate whether the CEN has fulfilled the mandate entrusted to it?

If so, when were these standards adopted?

3. Where can they be accessed?

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 234.
(2) OJ L 169, 12.7.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2004)

The Standard for portable liquid oxygen devices, including connectors (EN ISO 18777), is now at public
enquiry stage in the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The enquiry was closed on
11 February 2004. CEN will review the comments received. The Standard will be put to formal vote
before March 2005.

(2004/C 84 E/1015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0932/04

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 March 2004)

Subject: Contribution to EU economy by fisheries

Has the Commission any information about the relative contributions to the EU’s economy of recreational
and commercial fisheries? What is the net value of commercial fisheries to the EU economy, i.e. after the
deduction of government subsidies? What is the net value of recreational angling?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

The EU fisheries sector output in 2001 was around EUR 24 billion (0,3 % of EU gross domestic product
(GDP)), from which EUR 6 billion is the value of landings, EUR 3 billion the value of aquaculture
production, and EUR 15 billion the value of processing industry output.

The Commission does not have the required information on the weight of recreational fisheries.

The Community structural aid, co-financed by Member States, and covering a broad range of measures, is
made available to the fisheries sector through multiannual programmes. Total public contribution
programmed for the seven year period 2000-2006 is EUR 5,6 billion. There are other public interventions
not quantifiable, at Commission level, which make impossible the calculation of
the net value of
commercial fisheries.

(2004/C 84 E/1016)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0936/04

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(22 March 2004)

Subject: EU Economic EU support for positive publicity

Will the Commission give a complete list of all medias which have received economic subsidies from the
EU Commission, and the journalists who have received subsidies from the Commission’s information
office?

The question is based on information from the article ‘Brussels pays for positive publicity’ on: (http://
www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?aid=14700).

C 84 E/920

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

In May 2003, the Directorates-General for Enlargement, General Press and Communication and Secretariat
General launched a call for proposals in the audiovisual sector, totalling EUR 16,5 million. It was intended
for television and radio broadcasters and covered Enlargement,
the EU and General
Information on the EU.

the Future of

The Honourable Member can find the results on the following sites:

(cid:1) for

‘Enlargement’:

(http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/communication/pdf/audiovisual_2003_re-

sult_fr.pdf)

(cid:1) for

‘Future of

the EU’ and ‘General

Information on the EU’:

(http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/

press_communication/grants/grants_en.htm)

(2004/C 84 E/1017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0944/04

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 2004)

Subject: Components of small toys in food products

Given the accident statistics involving child suffocation by toys made up of small components, and
specifically those to be found in food products.

Given the fact that the recommended age limit for these products is extremely low (normally age three)
and that according to paediatricians children between the age of three and five tend to put any objects
within their reach in their mouths.

Given that products of this type have been banned in the USA for decades, due to the inherent danger
they represent.

Given that most European manufacturers do not sell this type of product.

Would the Commission, as part of its revision of the Toys Directive, consider:

(cid:1) imposing larger minimum size standard patterns for the component pieces of toys, so as to prevent

further serious accidents involving small components (cylinders as a child safety pattern);

(cid:1) imposing a higher recommended age limit for these products?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2004)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the draft proposal for a revision of Council
Directive 88/378/EEC of 3 May 1988 on the safety of toys (1) is for the moment being discussed, in the
framework of the Expert Group on the safety of toys, with the Member States, the associations of
consumers and industry as well as with the standardisation organisations. The issue of toys contained in
foodstuffs is, therefore, open for discussion in this context.