Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986
# Official Journal C 222

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 28 August 1995

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 222

Volume 38

### of the European Communities

Information and Notices
English edition

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 222 / 01 E-2 8 9 / 95 by Antonio Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject : Technical assistance contracts awarded by DG XI and DG XVI 1

95 / C 222 / 02 E-361 / 95 by Carmen Di'ez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : European Tourism Agency 2

95 / C 222 / 03 P-929 / 95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : European Tourism Agency 2

Joint answer to " Written Questions E-361 / 95 and P-929 / 95 2

95 / C 222 / 04 E-365 / 95 by Imelda Read to the Commission
Subject : VAT on NGOs, charities and welfare organizations 3

95 / C 222 / 05 E-376 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Regulation of the growing and distribution of cannabis in the Netherlands 3

95 / C 222 / 06 E-506 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Sectoral studies of services to enterprises 3

95 / C 222 / 07 E-532 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission
Subject : Unemployment rates and convergence criteria 4

95 / C 222 / 08 E-533 / 95 by Josu Imaz San Miguel to the Commission
Subject : Monopolistic practices in the Spanish electricity sector 5

95 / C 222 / 09 E-536 / 95 by Luciano Vecchi to the Commission
Subject : Co-financing of NGO activities 6

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Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

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E-574 / 95 by Karla Peijs to the Commission

Subject : Distortion of competition as a result of differences in excise duty on various alcoholic
beverages

E-608 / 95 by Glenys Kinnock to the Commission
Subject : Discretionary rates of VAT

E-609 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission

Subject : Convergence criteria

E-6 10 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission

Subject : Convergence criteria

Joint answer to Written Questions E-609 / 95 and E-610 / 95

E-6 12 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission

Subject : Single currency, payments system and bank accounts

E-624 / 95 by Robert Sturdy to the Commission
Subject : National aids in the sugar sector

E-627 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : Ecology of paper pulp

E - 636 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Discrepancies concerning the implementing of provisions on speed limitation devices

E-645 / 95 by Claude Desama to the Commission

Subject : Sale of certain medicaments by post

E-725 / 95 by Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission

Subject : European industrial policy

E-730 / 95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission

Subject : Local Environment Operational Programme ( Objective 1 ): projects in Malaga

E-731 / 95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission

Subject : Structural Funds : projects in Malaga

E-734 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Biofuels

E-744 / 95 by Celia Villalobos Talero to the Commission

Subject : Aids to SMUs — projects in Malaga

E-801 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Private sector involvement in ERDF

E-821 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission

Subject : ERDF aid for Lelystad Airport

E-827 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Programme of exchanges of experience

E-831 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject : The Republic of South Africa and the Lomé Convention

E-836 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission

Subject : State subsidy for Norwegian stationery manufacturers

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E-842 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Trans-European Transport Network 17

E-850 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Research carried out by the Commission 18

E-853 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : ECSC projects affecting the environment 19

E-868 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of footballers 19

E-874 / 95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission

Subject : Article 100a 20

E-877 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : European Union aid for the Albayzin district of the city of Granada 20

E-878 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The liberal professions, freedom of movement and membership of professional
associations 20

95 / C 222 / 36 E-903 / 95 by Francoise Grossetete to the Commission

Subject : Eco-management and audit scheme 21

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E-923 / 95 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Directive on cocoa and chocolate products 22

E-933 / 95 by James Provan to the Commission
Subject : Frontier controls in Spain 23

E-938 / 95 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Sustainable waste management 23

E-948 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of modern industrial architecture

( Supplementary answer ) 23

E-954 / 95 by Wolfgang Nuftbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Enlargement of the European Union to include central and eastern European
countries 24

E-961 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission

Subject : Fishing 25

95 / C 222 / 43 E-962 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Fishing nets 25

95 / C 222 / 44 E-963 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Technology transfers 26

95 / C 222 / 45 E-968 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : The fruit and vegetable sector 26

95 / C 222 / 46 E-972 / 95 by Antonio Trizza to the Commission

Subject : The use of jojoba oil 27

95 / C 222 / 47 P-976 / 95 by Riitta Myller to the Commission
Subject : Support for pilot projects in EU border regions 27

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( Continued overleaf )

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E-989 / 95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Promoting the European Union amongst small children by means of mascots, symbols and
advertising images

E-993 / 95 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission
Subject : Contamination of food chains by dioxin and furans

E-l 001 / 95 by Josep Pons Grau to the Commission
Subject : New Community agencies and offices

95 / C 222 / 51 E-1008 / 95 by Salvatore Tatarella to the Commission
Subject : Floriculture

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E-1015 / 95 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission
Subject : Structural support in areas affected by drought — the case of the Alentejo region

( Portugal )

E-l 030 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Risk assessment within the meaning of Directive 90 / 220 / EEC on the deliberate release into
the environment of genetically modified organisms and the Directive making the first adaptations to
technical progress ( Directive 94 / 15 / EEC )

E-l 03 1 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Assessment of the risks posed by deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into
the environment

E-l 035 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Accident statistics in the EU

E-1039 / 95 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Human rights in Indonesia and East Timor and the sale of arms to Indonesia

E-l 047 / 95 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Bee-keeping

E-1051 / 95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission
Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of handicapped workers in the European
institutions

P-1055 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission
Subject : Rights of foreign nationals in municipal elections

E-1058 / 95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Methods of detecting whether foodstuffs have been irradiated

E-l 060 / 95 by Mathias Reichhold to the Commission

Subject : Oil seeds

E-l 063 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : European Regional Development Fund after 1997

E-l 064 / 95 by James Provan to the Commission
Subject : Beef premiums

E-1078 / 95 by Vassilis Ephremidis to the Commission
Subject : The agricultural sector in Greece

E-l 079 / 95 by Joan Colom i Naval to the Commission
Subject : Irradiation of vegetables from the Netherlands

E-l 08 1 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Development of the European area

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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E-l 088 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission
Subject : EC aid to development projects in Uruguay 40

E-l 093 / 95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission
Subject : Ostrich farming 41

95 / C 222 / 69 E-l 103 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject : Food additives 41

95 / C 222 / 70 E-l 104 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Problems in applying the principle of mutual recognition 41

95 / C 222 / 71

P-1118 / 95 by Irini Lambraki to the Commission
Subject : Deduction of income tax from agricultural production subsidies 42

95 / C 222 / 72 E-l 126 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Fixed periods for anchovy fishing 43

95 / C 222 / 73 E-l 128 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : Fisheries agreement between Spain and France 43

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 126 / 95 and E-l 128 / 95 43

95 / C 222 / 74 E-l 129 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso, Juan Colino Salamanca and Josep Pons Grau to the
Commission

Subject : The drought in Spain 44

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E-l 134 / 95 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Protecting and developing the potential of the major collection of palaeolithic rock
carvings discovered in Coa ( Portugal ) 44

E-l 151 / 95 by Robin Teverson to the Commission
Subject : United Kingdom Government 's administration of United Kingdom sheep quotas .... 44

E-l 154 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission

Subject : Resider I and II programmes 45

95 / C 222 / 78 E-l 155 / 95 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission
Subject : Rechar 46

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###### EN

E-l 157 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Submission of the position paper on fisheries agreements 46

E-l 165 / 95 by Graham Mather to the Commission
Subject : Technology transfer agreements 46

E-l 170 / 95 by Per Stenmarck to the Commission
Subject : Discharges of oil in the Baltic 47

P - 11 72 / 95 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Access to technology for people with disabilities 48

E-l 173 / 95 by Lilli Gyldenkilde to the Commission
Subject : Rules on tendering 49

( Continued overleaf )

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E - 1175 / 95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission
Subject : EU Research in the field of Transmutation Technology 49

E-l 182 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Combating fraud 50

E-l 189 / 95 by Leo Tindemans to the Commission
Subject : Open Competitions for the new Member States COM / A / 904 and COM / A / 909 50

E-l 190 / 95 by Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : 1994 food-aid programme for the most needy 51

E-l 192 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Possible misuse of an ERDF grant for the construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South
Limburg 51

E-l 193 / 95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Organic farming 52

E-l 194 / 95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Age discrimination 52

E-l 196 / 95 by Saara-Maria Paakkinen to the Commission
Subject : The use of child labour 53

E-l 202 / 95 by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community support for provision of the resources required for combating drug
trafficking 54

E-1209 / 95 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark, James Provan, John Corrie and Anne Mcintosh to
the Commission

Subject : Temporary transfers of milk quota 55

E-l 2 10 / 95 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Evaluation of the ' Youth and Cooperation ' programme 55

E-l 21 9 / 95 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission
Subject : Exceptional aid for Lake Geneva 56

P-1221 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Finance for an urban park project in the Flisvos area of the Athens Basin 57

E-1224 / 95 by Wolfgang Nuβbaumer to the Commission
Subject : Promotion of closer links between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean Basin in
the energy sector 57

E-l 226 / 95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact assessment 57

E-1227 / 95 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Labelling of foods containing gluten 58

E-l 23 0 / 95 by Salvador Jove Peres to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of aid in the agriculture sector 58

P - 1243 / 95 by Stanislaw Tillich to the Commission
Subject : Use of appropriations from the Structural Funds in Saxony in 1994 59

E-1248 / 95 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies to dog breeders 60

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E-140 6 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies for greyhound breeding in Ireland 60

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1248 / 95 and E-1406 / 95 60

E-1250 / 95 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and Juan Colino Salamanca to the
Commission

Subject : The European civil service 60

E - 1254 / 95 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Consolidation of the common agricultural policy 61

E-l 257 / 95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission
Subject : Competitions for Swedish, Finnish and Austrian Commission administrators 62

E-1263 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Human rights abuses in Guatemala 62

E-1269 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco subsidies and death from smoking 63

E-1301 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Europe in Tadjikistan — war and peace 63

E-1307 / 95 by Alexandras Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Confiscation of the newspaper ' Balkan News ' at the Greek-Turkish border 64

E-130 9 / 95 by Wim van Velzen to the Commission
Subject : Unreasonably high health insurance premiums paid by frontier workers 64

E-1321 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject : Anti-dumping policy 65

E-1329 / 95 by Monica Baldi to the Commission
Subject : Archaeological park in a former mining area in the Val di Cornia — Resider II
initiative 66

P-1340 / 95 by Bernie Malone to the Commission
Subject : Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public Dunes and Amenity Areas in Dublin 66

E-l 342 / 95 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission
Subject : Directive on minimum Community measures to control diseases affecting bi-valve
molluscs 67

P-l 344 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Request for sanctions and compensation for damage caused by acts of vandalism
committed by French farmers 67

E-l 347 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission
Subject : State aids for the second Munich airport 68

E-1353 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Diesel catalysts ( following an article in ' Ends ' 2 / 95 ) 68

E-l 372 / 95 by Marco Pannella to the Commission
Subject : European funding for the region of Puglia 69

( Continued overleaf )

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E-l 389 / 95 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : Oppression of Christians in Bulgaria 69

E-l 398 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Renewable energy sources in the Tunis Conference 70

E-1400 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Old people 's homes 70

E-1401 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Diversion of the River Acheloos 71

P-1403 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Imports of beef into the European Union 71

E-1407 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Lindane and the food chain 72

E-1409 / 95 by Mark Watts to the Commission

Subject : Human rights in Guatemala 73

95 / C 222 / 127 E-141 1 / 95 by Mark Watts to the Commission
Subject : Human rights in Guatemala 73

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1409 / 95 and E-1411 / 95 73

95 / C 222 / 128

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95 / C 222 / 130

95 / C 222 / 131

P-1416 / 95 by Honorio Novo to the Commission
Subject : Amendments to the Pronorte Sub-programme B Regulation 73

E-1424 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Studies carried out by the Commission 74

P-1434 / 95 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission
Subject : Community support for Mr Thierry Roussel 's scheme in Odemira 74

E-1436 / 95 by Freddy Blak to the Commission

Subject : Medicine 75

95 / C 222 / 132 E-l 437 / 95 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler to the Commission
Subject : EU projects in El Salvador 1980 — 1992 75

95 / C 222 / 133 E-1456 / 95 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : Environmental nuisance of high-tension cables 76

95 / C 222 / 134 E-1462 / 95 by Jose Barros Moura to the Commission

Subject : Traffic in toxic waste 77

95 / C 222 / 135 E-1464 / 95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission
Subject : Member States ' gas safety regulations 77

95 / C 222 / 136 E-1490 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject : Nuclear energy 77

95 / C 222 / 137 E-1492 / 95 by James Moorhouse to the Commission
Subject : Member States ' gas safety regulations 78

95 / C 222 / 138

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E-1497 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the caretta caretta turtle on Zakynthos 78

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 222 / 139 E-1524 / 95 by Petrus Cornelissen to the Commission
Subject : Bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany on inland shipping 79

95 / C 222 / 140 P-1544 / 95 by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn to the Commission
Subject : Delays in the distribution of The Official Journal of the European Communities .... 79

95 / C 222 / 141 E-1554 / 95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission
Subject : Progress of the report on thermonuclear fusion 80

95 / C 222 / 142 E-l 580 / 95 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies to Flemish ports 80

95 / C 222 / 143 P-l 629 / 95 by Angela Sierra Gonzalez to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact of two thermal power stations being built on Tenerife and Gran
Canaria ( Spain ) 81

95 / C 222 / 144 E-l 676 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Inclusion of poultrymeat in the Food-Aid programme 81

95 / C 222 / 145 E-l 847 / 95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission
Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of handicapped workers in the European
institutions 82

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28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-289 / 95

by Antonio Gutiérrez Díaz ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 01 )

Subject : Technical assistance contracts awarded by DG XI

and DG XVI

I am informed that over 60 % of studies relating to DG XI
and DG XVI technical assistance contracts are carried out

by British consultants, 25 % by French consultants and the
rest is shared out between the other countries .

Can the Commission say whether these figures are correct
and, if they are not, can it give the actual breakdown by
nationality ?

are selected from a list of potential contractors established
after a call for expressions of interest . Where a potential
contract requires it, a notice of a call for tenders is published
in the Official Journal ( 1 ). The publication of the
announcement ensures maximum transparency and the
selection of those most able to fulfil the selection and award

criteria .

Commission investigations have shown that the contracts
awarded do not favour any one nationality group over
another . The criteria for selection are announced in the call

for tender, and candidates are required to possess sufficient
administrative and personnel resources to complete the
work they are hired to do, as well as showing that they have
the necessary experience and knowledge in that particular
domain . Nationality is not among the criteria . It is possible
that the selection of candidates is disproportionate to the
population of Member States but the Commission cannot
confirm that the Honourable Member 's figures are

correct .

Statistics giving a breakdown according to nationality are

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard misleading . Not only do they vary between financial years,

on behalf of the Commission but they also fail to account for the composition and status

( 12 June 1995 ) of the individual enterprise which could be an affiliate,

subsidiary or part of a consortium . However the available
information giving the amounts received by individuals and
All Commission public procurements respect financial and organisations from each Member State, broken down by
administrative procedures requiring that all potential major instruments of expenditure, is as follows :
suppliers have an equal opportunity to tender . Potential
tenderers for the studies and technical contracts in question (') OJ No C 31, 2 . 2 . 1994 ; OJ No C 157, 8 . 6 . 1994 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

DG XI

Proportions received by individuals and organizations from Member States from the environment budget

( four largest recipients in each category )

B DK D G E F IRL I I NL P UK %

1993

Study contracts 18,9 — 8,8 11,0 — 18,2 56,9

Consultants 24,6 — — — — 13,3 — — 8,7 33,5 — — 80,1

Financial contributions 12,4 — 10,9 — — 9,6 — — — 6,9 — — 39,8
Regulated financial
contribution — — — 13,6 10,4 12,1 — — — — 13,8 — 4 9,9

Provision of technical

services 18,0 — — — 7,4 21,3 — — — — 7,6 54,3

No C 222 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

B DK D G E F IRL I L NL P UK %

1994

Study contracts — — — 11,6 — 14,9 — — — 10,5 — 38,8 75,8

Consultants — — 27,0 — — — — — — 41,9 — 31,1 100,0

Financial contribution — 31,0 9,4 — — 15,2 — — — 8,7 — — 64,3

Regulated financial
contribution — — 16,0 — 14,6 15,6 — 11,7 — — — — 57,9

Provision of technical

service 27,0 — — — — 19,6 — 10,7 — — — 13,7 71,0

DG XVI Can the Commission amplify this commitment and set a
date for the presentation of a Regulation setting up and
establishing the functions of such an agency, as has been
Figures context showing of technical contracts assistance for studies ' outside concluded CCA ' since by DG 1989 XVI in . The the done in the case of the European Environment Agency ?

studies are attributed to the country in which the seat of the

organization is situated

By value of
Country contract

( in / o ) WRITTEN QUESTION P-929 / 95

By number of by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

contracts

Belgium 4 9

Denmark 1 1

Germany 8 5

Greece 1 4

Spain 3 9

France 22 15

Ireland 2 4

Italy 6 5

— —
Luxembourg

Netherlands 2 4

Portugal 10 4

United Kingdom 20 20

Other 22 20

Total 100 100

WRITTEN QUESTION E-361 / 95

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 02 )

Subject : European Tourism Agency

It was interesting to hear the new Commission undertake, at
the recent hearings, to set up the European Tourism Agency,
in accordance with Parliament 's wishes and with its

adoption of the Diez de Rivera Icaza report ( on
15 December 1994 ).

to the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 03 )

Subject : European Tourism Agency

What steps does the Commission intend to take to respond
to Parliament 's request to start laying the foundations for
setting up the future European Tourist Agency ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-361 / 95 and P-929 / 95

given by Mr Papoutsis
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the Parliament 's position
regarding the creation of a European Tourism Agency,
which could even work together with the European
Environment Agency .

It does not, however, feel that discussions on this matter
have reached the stage where they can examine the
feasibility of such an agency and the powers which might be
delegated to it .

The possibilities for the Community institutions to
implement a policy on tourism do, nevertheless, need to be
increased .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION E-365 / 95

by Imelda Read ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 04 )

Subject : VAT on NGOs, charities and welfare
organizations

When is the Commission likely to publish its discussion
paper on the definitive VAT regime and confirm whether
NGOs, charities and welfare organizations currently
benefiting from zero and reduced rates will be able to do so
under the definitive regime ?

With regard to the strong feelings across the EU over the
burden of irrecoverable VAT on NGOs, charities and
welfare organizations, will the Commission consider
undertaking a review of the VAT treatment of charities,
with a view to amending the Sixth Directive, to ensure that
NGOs do not pay such excessive amounts of irrecoverable
VAT ?

Would the Commission be prepared to endorse the
introduction of a VAT refund mechanism for charities,
NGOs and welfare organizations to ease the VAT
burden ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

The Commission intends to present the main featues of a
definitive VAT system before the summer . The preparatory
work includes consideration of the way in which non
governmental organizations, charities and welfare
organizations are to be treated .

purposes of consumption within the Netherlands in order to
reduce the influence of criminals in the field of soft drugs .
Under certain conditions, people growing cannabis in the
Netherlands and supplying it to sales outlets ( whose
existence is already tolerated under current Netherlands
Government policy ) would not be liable to prosecution or to
seizure of their stocks .

Does the Commission believe that Community law presents
any obstacles to such a policy of toleration ?

Will the Commission pay the customary European aid per
hectare for hemp cultivation to Dutch growers of hemp
containing a high level of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active
substance in Dutch cannabis ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 March 1995 )

Production and distribution at international level of
psychotropic products does not fall within the competence
of the Community but is regulated by United Nations
conventions .

Moreover the Treaty on European Union does not permit
Community law to be extended to these products, which are
a matter for the exclusive competence of the Member
States .

The Community aid scheme for hemp is restricted to
varieties offering certain safeguards as regards the
intoxicating-substance content of the harvested product . A
list of eligible varieties has been drawn up in which the
average tetrahydrocannabinol content does not exceed the
acceptable limit of 0,3 % .

The Commission has no intention of raising this limit .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 76 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-506 / 95
by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission
( 15 February 1995 )

( 27 February 1995 )
( 95 / C 222 / 05 )

Subject : Regulation of the growing and distribution of

cannabis in the Netherlands

The Netherlands Minister of Justice is considering
' regulating ' the production and distribution of cannabis for

( 95 / C 222 / 06 )

Subject : Sectoral studies of services to enterprises

The Commission has announced that it is carrying out
sectoral studies of services to enterprises with the aim of

No C 222 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

providing the necessary economic references to carry out a Answer given by Mr de Silguy
follow-up study of the internal market in services to on behalf of the Commission
enterprises . What is the distribution of these publications ( 10 May 1995 )
and will these studies lead to any specific decisions by the
Commission ?

( 10 May 1995 )

Although individual members of the British Government
may have suggested in speeches that the convergence criteria
Answer given by Mr Monti might be widened in the manner indicated by the
on behalf of the Commission Honourable Member, the British Government has made no
( 10 May 1995 ) formal proposal along these lines .

The Honourable Member seems to refer to the studies on

different business services the Commission carried out

several years ago . They have been distributed among the
undertakings in the sector concerned, and some of them
have been published ( such as that on management
consultancy ). The Commission does not envisage their
publication on a general basis .

No general measures have been specifically adopted on the
basis of these studies, which aimed to give the Commission
clearer knowledge of the sectors concerned and to identify
the remaining obstacles to the completion of the internal
market in order to establish priorities for action in the
future .

In the framework of the 1996 study on the effectiveness and
economic impact of the internal market, the situation of
business services will also be addressed . However, no
sectoral study will be devoted to this type of services . The
essential element of this general study is identify the
strengths and weaknesses of the single market programme
and to obtain a quantitative evaluation of its impact . The
results of the study will influence the formulation of future
policy .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-532 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 07 )

The Commission takes the view that there is no question of
amending the Treaty to include new convergence criteria, in
this case the unemployment rate . The Treaty was
negotiated, signed and ratified by all the Member States
using democratic procedures . Work is now needed to
implement it .

However, it is clear that, in the context of multilateral
surveillance, special attention will continue to be paid to
employment trends in the Member States since it is essential
to increase growth and the employment content of growth .
In other words, nominal convergence and increased
employment must go hand in hand .

Reducing unemployment and increasing employment has
been the top priority of the Union for some years and
continues to be so . This was reaffirmed in the White Paper
on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment and was
recently strengthened in the conclusions of the Essen
European Council . The Essen conclusions urged the
Member States to transpose these recommendations ( on
employment ) in their individual policies into a multi-annual
programme having regard to the specific features of their
economic and social situation .

In order to pursue these objectives, the Council requested
the Labour and Social Affairs and Economic and Financial

Affairs Councils and the Commission to keep close track of
employment trends, monitor the relevant policies of the
Member States and report annually to the Council on
further progress on the employment market, starting in
December 1995 .

The Commission would reaffirm the priority of this request .

Such is the purpose of employment surveillance as proposed
in its communication to the Council of 8 March 1995,
Subject : Unemployment rates and convergence criteria which was also sent to Parliament .

What is the Commission 's view of the British proposal to
include unemployment rates in the criteria for nominal
convergence ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION E-533 / 95

by Josu Imaz San Miguel ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 08 )

What action does the Commission plan to enable Spanish
industry to gain access to the electricity supply at market
rates and free of monopolistic control ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission
Subject : Monopolistic practices in the Spanish electricity ( 10 May 1995 )

sector

Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union defines one of the
activities of the Community as ' an internal market
characterized by the abolition, as between Member States,
of obstacles to the free movement of goods, persons, services
and capital '; another is 'a system ensuring that competition
in the internal market is not distorted '.

Under the Treaty on European Union electricity is one of the
goods or services whose free movement should be
guaranteed by the Commission, by taking appropriate
measures to prevent monopolistic practices which could
distort the internal market .

Law 40 / 1994 on arrangements for the Spanish electricity
system, adopted by the Spanish Parliament on 30 December

1994, will severely curtail competition on three points :
unified operation, electricity planning and charges on the
basis of standard costs . This restriction will encourage
inefficiency in the sector, and also conflicts with price
competition and the most basic Directives of the single

market .

Among these restrictions, charges based on standard costs
will consolidate privileged positions for some undertakings,
particularly the State-owned company Endesa, as it will be
granted recognition over and above the value of its assets in
specialized, complex installations, whilst it maintains
chronic inefficiencies in recognizing and charging for
specific levels of consumption in these installations at much
higher rates than in other EU Member States and than the
technological norm for decades . The result is extremely high
profits due to this monopolistic situation ( 1 5,9 % of sales in

1993 ), which is hard to reconcile with maintaining one of
the highest electricity tariffs in Europe .

What steps will the Commission take, as watchdog of the
Treaties and hence of competition, to prevent monopolistic
practices by the Spanish national electricity system and more
specifically by the Endesa company ?

The Commission agrees with the conclusion that the
Honourable Member draws from Article 3 of the EC Treaty,
namely that electricity too should form an integral part of
the internal market, this not yet being the case .

The amended proposal for a Directive concerning common
rules for the internal market in electricity ('), which is
currently being discussed by the Council, reflects the
Commission 's concern to incorporate this sector into the
internal market in a consensual fashion, without prejudice
to the normal application of the Treaty in this respect .

The Commission notes that Law 40 / 1994 of 30 December

1994 on arrangements for the Spanish electricity system,
which entered into force on 20 January 1995, does not
fundamentally alter that system . Leaving aside its
compatibility with the Treaty ( currently being examined ),
the Law could give rise to difficulties when the Spanish
electricity sector is eventually integrated into the single
market .

The Commission also notes that, under Article 13 of Law
40 / 1994, long-term electricity imports and exports remain
the sole preserve of the company managing the unified
system where such imports and exports come from, or are
intended for, all the installations of an integrated system,
subject to prior authorization by the Ministry of Industry
and Energy .

Under the new Law ( Article 11 ( 2 )), all energy produced in
Spain and energy traded internationally is included in the
integrated system . Article 16 ( l)also stipulates that the price
paid for energy purchases from foreign or independent
electricity systems is to be set by administrative means .

The Law also provides for the effective development of an
independent system in which the energy produced is not
subject to standard arrangements but is freely traded by the
parties concerned, on condition that the activities under this

No C 222 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

independent system do not adversely affect unified Answer given by Mr Pinheiro
operation or the integrated system 's transmission and on behalf of the Commission
distribution arrangements ( Article 12 ( 3 )). ( 16 June 1995 )

Taking account of the above, and notwithstanding the fact
that the new rules derogate from Law 49 / 1984 of
26 December on the unified operation of the national
electricity system ( which assigned to Red Electrica S.A.
exclusive rights in Spain for the import and export of
electricity, prompting the Commission to institute
infringement proceedings which are now before the Court
of Justice ), the Commission has not deemed it expedient to
stay proceedings since the new Law does not resolve the
matter in a satisfactory fashion .

( ! ) COM(93 ) 643 final — OJ No C 123, 4 . 5 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-536 / 95

by Luciano Vecchi ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 09 )

Subject : Co-financing of NGO activities

Positive results have hitherto been achieved in the field of

development cooperation as a result of collaboration
between European Union institutions and
non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ), but there has
been an unjustified increase in the number of controls and
administrative formalities imposed by the Commission 's
financial control departments, which frequently conflict
with the general rules on co-financing themselves .

Does the Commission not agree with the Court of Auditors
that the instruments for the qualitative evaluation of NGO
operations should be improved, rather than pedantically
and arbitrarily increasing the number of management
requirements and ' oppressive ' formal rules ?

Does it not consider that, where the execution of all the
budget lines that are basically devoted to NGOs is
concerned, their specific characteristics should be taken into
account, particularly in order to permit partially retroactive
funding of cooperation activities, to simplify the drafting of
budgets for projects and to make the arrangements for
checking the requisite bank guarantees more flexible ?

Since the subject raised in the Honourable Member 's
question is the joint responsibility of Mr Marin and Mr
Pinheiro, this answer is given by both on behalf of the
Commission .

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member, in
the sense that proliferation of prior administrative
procedures and checks does not improve, as such, the proper
and efficient use of Community funds by non-governmental
organizations ( NGOs ); quite the reverse : it may
unnecessarily and disproportionately complicate the NGOs '
burden of administration .

As soon as it took up its duties the Commission put in hand
an exercise to modernize and rationalize its internal

procedures in relation, among other things, to the detailed
rules for implementing the budget . In so doing, however, it
must comply fully with the provisions of the Financial
Regulation which lays down inter alia the procedures for the
commitment and payment of budget appropriations,
including prior checks by the Financial Controller . True,
these checks may be streamlined, provided that
ex-post-facto checks and the evaluation of results of action
by NGOs provide the necessary guarantees of compliance
with the principles of sound financial management and,
specifically, of economy and cost-effectiveness ( Article 2 of
the Financial Regulation ).

Article 9 of the General Conditions governing co-financing
with NGOs lays down that an NGO project may be
co-financed provided that it is not virtually complete when
the application for co-financing is submitted . The
Commission takes the view that this rule must be retained

because it takes account of the speed of action and spirit of
initiative of NGOs which are backing action by their
partners in the South, who are not able to wait for the formal
preparation of the application for co-financing by the NGO
and for it to be processed by the Commission or the local
people concerned may lose motivation . The Commission
takes account of the specific features of action by NGOs,
which therefore have great latitude in taking the initiative
without having to await the completion of formal
procedures to approve their application for funds .

The Commission is of the opinion that some simplifications
of administrative requirements relating to projects carried
out by NGOs could be decided on in a forthcoming review
of the ' General Conditions ' for NGO co-financing by easing
the rules laid down by the administrative authority which
would in practice prove burdensome . The aim will be to
focus checks more clearly on those points which can truly be
used to verify sound financial management and quality of
projects .

The Commission also points out that bank guarantees are
not required where NGO projects are co-financed but only

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 7

— and subject to certain conditions — where projects are

100% financed from Community funds ; this is to be
retained . In other cases, too, there is no reason to require
such guarantees, whatever the sums involved, where
genuine NGOs are being financed which properly should
not be treated like profit-making organizations . This is
particularly the case when NGOs make their own financial
contribution to their projects or when the Community
wishes them to act on account of the specific nature of what
they do .

Humanitarian aid projects administered by the Commission
are governed by the specific provisions of the ' framework
partnership contract ' for financing humanitarian projects .
Its aim is to reconcile the flexibility required by the inherent
nature of humanitarian aid projects with the requirements
for sound management of public funds . The framework
contract is currently under review to seek possible
improvements to it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-574 / 95

by Karla Peijs ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 10 )

Subject : Distortion of competition as a result of differences

in excise duty on various alcoholic beverages

1 . Is the Commission aware of the conclusions of the

Bossard report concerning competition among the various
types of alcoholic beverages ?

2 . Does the Commission agree with the report 's
conclusion that the level of excise duties affects competition
among the beverages ?

3 . Will the Commission amend Article 9 of Directive
92 / 84 / EEC C ) to eliminate its discriminatory impact on beer
in comparison with wine ? The minimum rate for wine is
ECU 0 ( six Member States apply this rate, i.e. levy no excise
on wine ), whereas the minimum rate for beer is ECU 8 .

4 . Is the Commission aware of the growing deflection of
trade caused by differences in excise ? Trade flows between
the United Kingdom and France are one example .

5 . If so, what will the Commission do about this ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1995 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the conclusions of the

report in question .

2 . The Commission accepts the conclusion that, among
the factors that affect consumption of alcoholic beverages,
the rate of excise duty can have an influence on their
consumption through its impact on consumer prices, but
this impact varies widely from product to product and

country to country .

3 . The Commission does not view Article 9 of Directive

92 / 84 / EEC as giving rise to any discrimination against
beer .

4 . The Commission is aware of the existence of
deflection of trade from the United Kingdom to France, as a
result of widely differing excise rates in those two Member
States . It would point out in this respect, that France
increased its rate of duty on beer ( the most widely purchased
product ) to meet its internal market obligations and has
since experienced a drop in consumption . The United
Kingdom however, has actually increased its already very
high excise rate on beer .

5 . The Council is required, under the provisions of
Article 8 of Directive 92 / 84 / EEC, to examine the various
minimum rates on the basis of a report from the
Commission . This report will be submitted a soon as
possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-608 / 95

by Glenys Kinnock ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 11 )

Subject : Discretionary rates of VAT

Is the Commission reviewing the list of goods and services
that may, at the discretion of Member States, be subjected to
lower rates of VAT ?

Will the conservation of historical buildings, and work
carried out on them, be included in this new list ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1995 )

Under Community legislation — The Sixth Council VAT
(') OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 29 . Directive as amended by Directive 92 / 77 / EEC — repairs and

No C 222 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

maintenance to church buildings and other buildings of
historic importance are not eligible for the reduced VAT
rate . The Council is required to undertake a review of this
legislation on the basis of a Commission report .

The first such report (') was adopted by the Commission at
the end of last year and has been sent to the Council and the
Parliament . That report reviews the operation of the present
VAT rate arrangements in the context of the transitional
VAT regime currently in force . The approach taken in the
report, as in all matters of VAT rate approximation, is based
on the criterion set out in Article 99 EC Treaty which
specifies that such approximation must be necessary to
ensure the establishment and the functioning of the internal
market . The report 's conclusions are that, in present
circumstances and on the evidence available, no distortions
of competition or disfunction of the internal market have
arisen which would call for any change in the list of supplies
eligible for a reduced rate .

The Commission must, moreover, bear in mind the need to
establish the conditions necessary for the introduction of the
definitive VAT regime in 1997 . Accordingly, it considers
that it would be inappropriate at this juncture to widen the
scope of the lower rate and thus of the optional elements in
Community legislation . Whether or not such extensions of
the lower rate may be desirable or possible can therefore
only be judged in the context of the discussions that will take
place on the definitive regime .

The Commission will of course take careful note of the

views expressed on this subject both in the Council and in
the Parliament . It should be noted, however, that any
changes to Community VAT legislation must be agreed
unanimously by the Council .

(') COM(94 ) 584 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-609 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 12

Subject : Convergence criteria

Article 109j of the EC Treaty and the Protocol on
convergence criteria define the ' exchange-rate stability '
criterion in terms of three requirements .

One of these is the absence of severe tensions .

Could the Commission define precisely what it means by
severe tensions ?

Who would decide whether or not severe tensions existed in

the case of a national currency ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-6 10 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 13 )

Subject : Convergence criteria

Can a Member State meet the ' exchange-rate stability '
convergence criterion without belonging to the Exchange
Rate Mechanism ( ERM )?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-609 / 95 and E-610 / 95

given by Mr de Silguy
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1995 )

In the view of the Commission, the EC Treaty together with
the Protocol on the convergence criteria, is sufficiently clear
to allow for the examination of the achievement of a high
degree of sustainable convergence, including the
examination by reference to the exchange criterion .

The criterion on exchange rate stability is defined as the
criterion on participation in the exchange rate mechanism

( Article 3 of the Protocol on the convergence criteria ).
According to Article 1 09j ( 1 ), the reports by the European
Monetary Institute ( EMI ) and the Commission will make
reference to the observance of the formal fluctuation

margins provided for by the exchange rate mechanism . This
criterion includes a condition that no severe tensions exist

during at least two years before the examination . The aim is
to ensure the consistency of the economic and monetary
union ( EMU ) process . Indeed, the macro-economic and
financial convergence has to be reflected in the stability of
the exchange rate before moving to the third stage of EMU .
Furthermore, the two reports will have to examine
convergence by reference to the durability of convergence
achieved by the Member State and of their participation in
the exchange rate mechanism being reflected in the
long-term interest rate levels .

As concerns Member States which do not participate in the
ERM, it is up to them to take the initiative to participate . In
order to be able to participate in the third stage of EMU, the
Member States concerned will have to take into account the

Treaty requirements .

The assessment concerning the fulfilment of the criteria will
be made by the EMI and the Commission in their respective
reports and on that basis, the Council will take its decision

28 . 8 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 9

according to the procedure provided for in Article 1 09 j of
the EC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-6 12 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

The green paper on the move to the single currency,
currently under preparation, will help to reduce
uncertainties and in this way facilitate a realistic estimate of
the costs and lead-times involved .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-624 / 95

by Robert Sturdy ( PPE )

( 95 / C 222 / 14 ) to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 15 )
Subject : Single currency, payments system and bank

accounts

Transition to a single currency will make it necessary to
change payment systems and bank accounts . The initial
estimates suggest that private banks will need five years to
prepare properly for the transition .

If it is proposed that the transition takes place in 1997 or

1999 and in view of the fact that it would be expensive to
speed up the banking changes mentioned, has the
Commission assessed the cost of preparing for the transition
to a single currency in the banks of the Union 's 15 Member
States ?

As private banks ar speaking of five years of preparation,
when would it be necessary to decide which countries are
moving on to the third stage ?

Will Community funds be provided to encourage the
necessary changes in payment systems and banks '
automated accounts ?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1995 )

Subject : National aids in the sugar sector

Could the Commission explain the legal provisions
governing admissibility of national aids in the sugar
sector ?

How many national aid was provided, in millions of ECU,
by Member State, in the most recent year for which data is
available ?

For those Member States where national aids are paid, by
how much have total returns been raised above common

support levels of both beet growers and beet sugar
processors ?

By how much does the Commission estimate EU sugar
production is raised as a result of the payment of these
national aids ?

How does the Commission view these aids with regard to
their distortionary effect on the Single Market ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

According to the evidence available to the Commission, ( 11 May 1995 )
estimates differ considerably as to the costs for banks arising
from the changeover to the single currency as well as the
required time for preparation . It is too early to make a firm 1 . With only two exceptions the
judgment .

Precise estimates are difficult, not least because it is hardly
possible to identify among the investments planned by
banks those projects which are specifically caused by the
introduction of the single currency .

The time and the costs also depend on the scenario chosen
for the introduction of the single currency . Furthermore, the
costs should be seen against the expected benefits from the
single and stable currency .

1 . With only two exceptions the legal basis for national
aid schemes in the sugar sector is Article 46 of Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785 / 81 on the common organization
of the markets in the sugar sector . This allows Germany,
Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom to grant national aid
on certain terms .

The legal basis of the aid that France may grant on sugar
production in the overseas departments is Article 4 of
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1254 / 89 fixing, for the
1989 / 90 marketing year inter alia certain sugar prices and
the standard quality of beet .

No C 222 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Article 1 10 of the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal of

1985 is the legal basis for the authorization held by Spain to
grant national aid to beet growers up to 31 December

1995 .

The Agriculture Council of 10 and 11 April 1995 agreed the
principles of the common organization of the sugar sector
markets for the 1995 / 96 to 2000 / 01 marketing years .
Amending Article 46 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785 / 81, it
authorized Italy to grant degressive aid, to end in 2000 / 01 in
the North and Centre regions but tailing off in the South so
that in 2000 / 01 it is still allowed to be 50 % of that granted
in 1994 / 95 . For Spain it authorized degressive aid similar to
that for Central Italy and also aid for the cane-sugar
production sector .

of 200 000 tonnes, the total aid that France is authorized to
grant works out at around ECU 15 million per marketing

year .

Spain has delegated the granting of aid under Article 1 10 of
the Act of Accession to its autonomous regions . The
Commission is not informed of the total amount of this aid

granted in Spain .

3 . The impact of national aid schemes on the prices paid

that in 2000 / 01 it is still allowed to be 50 % of that granted to beet growers and sugar producers can only be estimated
in 1994 / 95 . For Spain it authorized degressive aid similar to on the basis of various assumptions, namely that the
that for Central Italy and also aid for the cane-sugar authorization to grant national aid is used fully up to 100 %
production sector . and that aid is spread over a volume of sugar production

equal to the sum of the A and B quotas or of beet production
equivalent to this volume .
All the abovementioned instruments were adopted by the
Council after Parliament had given its opinion, their legal
basis being Article 43 of the Treaty in particular . Thus as regards the aid covered by Article 46 of Regulation

2 . The Council Regulations in question generally restrict
the Member State 's aid to a maximum overall amount or to

a specific rate in ecus per 100 kilograms of sugar and, this
being a matter of authorization given to the Member States,
they need not grant the full aid amount .

( EEC ) No 1785 / 81 it can be estimated that the aid granted in
Italy is equivalent to 28,3 % of the minimum price for A beet
set by the Council and that the aid granted to undertakings
in the new German Lander and in Spain is equivalent to
8,8 % and 2,3 % respectively of the intervention price for
white sugar .

The maximum aid that can be paid on sugar production in
Thus, given the limits specified in Article 46 of Regulation the French overseas departments is equivalent to 11,5 % of

( EEC ) No 1785 / 81, a maximum total aid amount the intervention price for white sugar .
authorized for Italy can be calculated of ECU 169,8 million .
In recent years aid has been given exclusively to beet

growers . It is estimated that the regional aids granted to beet
producers in Spain are equivalent to around 8 % to 10 % of
the minimum price for A beet .
The United Kingdom is authorized to grant aid on the
refining of raw sugar imported under the Protocol on ACP
sugar annexed to the Lome Convention and under the 4 . It is impossible to estimate as a separate quantity the
Agreement between the Community and the Republic of share of sugar production arising from the granting of
India . The maximum aid is ECU 0,54 per 100 kilograms of national aid, since a number of other factors, including the
white sugar equivalent . In the last three marketing years the price relationship between beet and other agricultural
United Kingdom has not granted this aid . products, geography and climate, help determine each

Member State 's sugar production .

Germany was authorized over the period 1990 / 91 to

1994 / 95 to grant aid of ECU 235,9 million to
sugar-producing undertakings located in the new Lander .

5 . The Commission would remind the Honourable

sugar-producing undertakings located in the new Lander . Member that the national aids covered by Article 46 of

Regulation ( EEC ) No 1785 / 81 and authorized on the basis
of Article 42 of the Treaty and that consequently
Lastly, since for the purposes of completion of the single competition and single market rules are not applicable in
market on 1 January 1993 Spanish prices were aligned these instances .
earlier than the scheduled date, Spain was authorized over
the period of the 1993 / 94 to 1 995 / 96 marketing years to
grant aid of ECU 45,6 million to sugar-producing The Commission has consented to these national aids as a
undertakings in connection with restructuring plans to temporary measure to resolve certain difficulties in specific
rationalize the sugar industry .

The Commission has consented to these national aids as a

undertakings in connection with restructuring plans to temporary measure to resolve certain difficulties in specific
rationalize the sugar industry . parts of the Community . It considers that they must be

tapered off in the course of a period during which beet
production has been brought adequately into line with
Sugar production in the French overseas departments varies modern techniques and the industry has undergone a certain
widely from one year to another . On the basis of production amount of restructuring .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 11

Lastly it should be noted that the national aid schemes in WRITTEN QUESTION E-636 /
question have not prevented the development of trade flows by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR )
from areas producing a surplus of sugar to areas in shortfall, to the Commission
the latter being in general those in which national aid has
been allowed . (9 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-636 / 95

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-627 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 16 )

Subject : Ecology of paper pulp

The use of recycled fibres is now a dominant criterion, to the
exclusion of other principles, and according to experts these
new criteria, applied to toilet paper and kitchen paper, will
be detrimental to the management of forests . At the
moment, there is no provision for paper based on virgin pulp
from forests managed to last, and this discourages the use of
virgin fibres to produce toilet paper and kitchen paper,
which require an ecological label .

The points system method of managing forests does not take
account of wood shavings and sawdust and wood cut to
make way for other trees to grow or to remove diseased

trees .

Does the Commission not consider it necessary to prepare a
directive to reformulate the criteria and to establish a

balance making it possible to promote ecological forestry
practices together with recycling ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 17 )

Subject : Discrepancies concerning the implementing of

provisions on speed limitation devices

1 . Is the Commission aware of the provisions set out in
the Netherlands Official Gazette of 9 August 1993
implementing Directive 92 / 6 / EEC (') of 10 February 1992
on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for
certain categories of motor vehicles and setting the
maximum speed at 85 km / h ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that other Member States,
for example, Spain, have fallen hopelessly behind with the
introduction of implementing rules and have failed even to
set a time limit for implementation ?

3 . Is the Commission also aware that, in other countries
where the directive is being implemented, the maximum
speed has been set at around 90 km / h ( Belgium ) or even
slightly above ( UK )?

4 . Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands is the

only Member State which has drawn up a directive
on monitoring and sanctions with regard to speed
limitation devices, imposing extremely heavy fines for
infringements ?

5 . Is the Commission aware that, as a result, Netherlands
drivers consider that they are being placed at a disadvantage
compared with their counterparts in other Member
States ?

6 . Does the Commission consider that such major
discrepancies in the implementation of Directive 92 / 6 / EEC
are resulting in distortion of competition between operators
from different Member States ?

7 . Will the Commission take prompt action in response
to this ?

If so, what action will it take and, if not, why not ?

The approach set out in Commission Decisions 94 / 924 / EC ( ! ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992, p . 27 .
and 94 / 925 / EC of 14 November 1994 ( J ) on ecological
criteria for toilet paper and kitchen rolls ( eco-label )
recognizes the value of promoting use of wood waste . Wood
residues are excluded from the calculation of the ' renewable Answer given by
resources ' parameter . This consequently favours paper from on behalf of the
forests in which such residues are recovered to produce

(3 May

paper pulp .

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

(!) OJ No L 364, 31 . 12 . 1994 . The Commission follows closely the implementation of
Directive 92 / 6 / EEC and is taking appropriate action against
Member States which have not implemented the legislation,
according to the usual procedures .

No C 222 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

As regards the set speed of the speed limiter for lorries, the
text of Directive 92 / 6 / EEC has given rise to some different
interpretations in Member States as it states in Article 3 that
' the speed limiter should be set in such a way that the speed
of the vehicle cannot exceed 90 km / h '. The Commission has

accepted an interpretation that allows the speed to be set
slightly higher than 85 km / h if a speed limiter is used which
has a smaller technical tolerance than 5 km / h . The result of

this interpretation ensures that no lorry equipped with a
speed limiter can ever go faster than the upper limit of
90 km / h . The Commission recalls, in this context, that
the technical characteristics of speed limiters must be
in conformity with the prescriptions of Directive
92 / 24 / EEC ( 1 ) which is one of the separate Directives for the
European type approval system for those vehicles .

The Commission intends shortly to include the speed limiter
as one of the items to be controlled in the roadworthiness
test as governed by Directive 77 / 143 / EEC ( 2 ). As far as
roadside enforcement is concerned, the Commission regards
this to be a matter within the competence of the Member
States provided there is no discrimination relating to
nationality . However, the Commission has no reason to
believe that the Dutch enforcement policy is discriminating
against Dutch hauliers . If the Honourable Member has
specific and relevant evidence of such discrimination, he is
welcome to provide it to the Commission .

( 1 ) OJ No L 129, 14 . 5 . 1992, p . 154 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 47, 18 . 2 . 1977 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-645 / 95

by Claude Desama ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 18 )

Subject : Sale of certain medicaments by post

In the proposals for the amendment of the Directive on
contracts negotiated at a distance, it seems that this practice
will not be prohibited but that each Member State may take
what it considers to be the requisite provisions at national
level .

For reasons of public health and patient safety protection, is
it not essential that patients receive professional and proper
advice when they purchase medicaments ? Apart from the
risks connected with self-medication, conditions for storing
the medicaments are not guaranteed, and no one can ensure
that their quality is maintained . Dispatch by post is too

distant in space and time, and it becomes difficult, if not
impossible, to withdraw defective products .

Accordingly, would it not be appropriate for the
Commission to adopt a general policy whereby
medicaments were not regarded in the same way as simple
commercial products ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 April 1995 )

The amended proposal for a Council Directive on the
protection of consumers in respect of contracts negotiated at
a distance ( distance selling ( COM(93 ) 396 final )) (') is a
general Directive relating to all products and services . It does
not entail a ban for any particular sector . In fact, it gives each
Member State the opportunity to regulate this kind of
marketing of medicinal products on its own territory .

The Commission has never viewed medicinal products
simply as commercial products ; this can be clearly seen by
analysing all the Community legislation on the subject, in
particular the Directives relating to the labelling and
advertising of medicinal products . It should also be noted
that Directive 92 / 28 / EEC on the advertising of medicinal
products for human use ( 2 ) bans all public advertising of
medicinal products which can only be issued on
prescription, thus making catalogue sales of such products
impossible .

It is the doctor who moves around, not the pharmacist .
Working on this premise, home delivery firms have been set
up in many Member States, usually in conjunction with the
postal services . Sometimes it is actually the postal operator
who provides this service . The service supplied to the
consumer by these firms is very useful, but does not
endanger the monopoly held by the pharmacists .

It should also be pointed out that the Court of Justice of the
European Communities has already ruled on cases of
purchase of medicinal products which have been prescribed
by a doctor in one Member State and purchased in a
pharmacy in another Member State ( 3 ). The Court
concluded that a total ban, in this case particularly for safety
reasons, would be incommensurate with the desired
objective .

(') OJ No C 308, 15 . 11 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 113, 30 . 4 . 1992 .
(') Case C 62 / 90 Commission against Federal Republic of
Germany .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E-725 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-730 / 95

by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 19 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 20 )

Subject : European industrial policy

According to Eurostat figures, industrial production in the
European Union grew by 5% in 1994 in relation to the
previous year .

Subject : Local Environment Operational Programme

( Objective 1 ): projects in Malaga

What projects have been selected in Malaga for financing
from the Local Environment Operational Programme

Will the Commission propose and develop active policies for ( Objective 1 )? Will the Commission specify the size of the
the promotion of European industry ? Community contribution and the dates on which the

Member State concerned presented the various projects, on
which the Commission gave its approval and on which the
Spanish authorities made available Community funding for
Answer given by Mr Bahgemann each project ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member

that it has recently launched numerous industrial policy
initiatives in line with the basic principles of Community
industrial policy, as approved by the Council in 1 990 and set
out in the Title of the Treaty that deals with industry, and
with the general guidelines as described in the White Paper
on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment . Their main
aim is to increase the overall competitiveness of European
industry but they also have a major impact on Community
industrial activity in terms of both quantity and quality .

These initiatives are based on compliance with the principle
of subsidiarity and on complementarity with the activities of
the Member States themselves but also concern the

economic, commercial, competitive and regulatory
environments in which companies operate as well as other
recognized factors in these areas such as infrastructure,
technology, vocational training and the industrial fabric of
small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ).

Particular reference should be made to the various

programmes relating to the implementation of Community
policies on trans-European networks, the information
society, telecommunications, biotechnology, the research
priorities defined in the fourth framework programme,
SMEs and the improvement of vocational qualifications .
The Commission has also launched a series of industrial

initiatives to improve the economic environment in certain
markets such as the aircraft industry, the motor industry,
the electronics industry, shipbuilding, the mechanical
industry and textiles .

These initiatives have now been supplemented by the
proposals on the encouragement of investment and the
development of industrial cooperation set out in the
communication on an industrial competitiveness policy for
the Community .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

On 20 December 1994 the Commission approved the Local
Environment Operational Programme for the Spanish
Objective 1 regions . The programme lays down the
objectives and the selection criteria for projects, but does not
identify the actual projects to be funded by it .

The Operational Programme lays down the amounts for
each region within an indicative funding range .

The Member State is responsible for choosing the projects
and it informs the Monitoring Committee of its choice . The
Committee ensures that the aid measures run smoothly in
order to achieve the set targets . It also ensures that the rules
governing the eligibility of the operations and projects are
complied with and that the schemes and measures reflect
both the priorities laid down in the Community support
framework ( CSF ) and the aims of the assistance .

The Member State chairs the committee and convenes it at

the appropriate time .

Information on project funding is available from the
Member State authorities, which in this case are :

— the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance,
Directorate-General for Planning, Madrid

— Junta de Andalucia, Consejería de Economía y
Hacienda, Seville .

No C 222 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

QUESTION E-731 / 95 life, can the Commission submit a Directive as soon as

Villalobos Talero ( PPE ) possible to regulate their production and establish an

to the Commission appropriate scheme of taxation ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-731 / 95

by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE )

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 21 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Structural Funds : projects in Malaga ( 12 May 1995 )

What projects have been selected in Malaga for financing
from the Structural Funds ? Will the Commission specify the
size of the Community contribution and the dates on which
the Member State concerned presented the various projects,
on which the Commission gave its approval and on which
the Spanish authorities made available Community funding
for each project ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

On 9 December 1994 the Commission approved the
1994 — 1999 European Regional Development Fund

( ERDF ) operational programme for Andalusia . The
programme implements the Community support
framework ( CSF ), lays down the priorities for assistance
and the characteristics thereof but does not generally specify
the projects for implementing those priorities .

The Honourable Member is asked to refer also to the answer
to Written Question E-730 / 95 ( ] ).

(') See page 13 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 734 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

As a part of the reform of the arable sector, a farmer may
continue to claim compensation in respect of the obligation
to set a portion of his land aside if he grows certain raw
materials on that land which are to be used primarily for
purposes other than human or animal consumption .
Biofuels are considered to be end-products eligible for the
scheme .

Raw materials covered by the scheme include cereals and
certain oilseeds when they are processed into, amongst other
things, bioethanol and biodiesel .

It is also permitted to grow sugarbeet on set aside land for
biofuels . In that case, however, the land upon which the
sugarbeet is grown does not benefit from such
compensation .

In addition to this scheme, at the beginning of 1992 the
Commission put forward a proposal for a Council Directive
on excise duties on motor fuels from agricultural sources ( ] ),
the aim of which is to bring about at Community level a
reduction in the rates of excise duty on fuels produced from
agricultural sources, that is to say ' biofuels '. The proposal
which has been approved by Parliament, is still being
considered by the Council .

Concerning in particular the oxygenated compounds, the
possibility of their utilization is already provided by Council
Directive 85 / 536 / EEC ( 2 ). Consideration is being given to
the possibility of a wider use .

í 1 ) OJ No C 73, 24 . 3 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 334, 12 . 12 . 1985 .

( 15 March 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-744 / 95

( 95 / C 222 / 22 ) by Celia Villalobos Talero ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

Subject : Biofuels 95 / C 222 / 23 )

The production of biofuels is one of the basic factors in the
development of products alternative to food products .

Since these products, being oxygen compounds, will help
combat air pollution effectively and improve the quality of

Subject : Aids to SMUs — projects in Malaga

Can the Commission tell me what SMU projects have been
decided on for Malaga, specifying the size of the Community
contribution, the date of approval and the project-type ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 15

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies WRITTEN QUESTION E-801 / 95
on behalf of the Commission b p eter Crampton ( PSE )
(8 May 1995 ) to Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 24 )

The bulk of Community regional aid to small and
medium-sized firms in Andalusia is provided through the
forms of assistance provided for implementation of the
Community support framework ( CSF ).

Subject : Private sector involvement in ERDF

What are the target figures for private sector contributions
to the regional single programmes in the UK ?
On 9 December 1994, the Commission approved the
operational programme for Andalusia for 1994 — 1999 .
This includes aid schemes for industry which will enable all
firms in the region to secure aid in accordance with the While the UK Government has made it clear that it is seeking
selection criteria laid down under the schemes . There is no to maximize the private sector contribution to projects to
pre-established territorial breakdown within the region . which the ERDF makes grants, how will the Commission

firms in the region to secure aid in accordance with the While the UK Government has made it clear that it is seeking
selection criteria laid down under the schemes . There is no to maximize the private sector contribution to projects to
pre-established territorial breakdown within the region . which the ERDF makes grants, how will the Commission

ensure that such projects are of general economic benefit to
the area concerned and that ERDF grants do not lead to
excessive profit ?
The Commission is currently considering the proposal for a
global grant for Andalusia, to be specifically directed to
small and medium-sized firms and managed by the Instituto
de Fomento de Andalusia ( Andalusian development
institute ). No date for the adoption of this programme by
the Commission has yet been set because this depends on the Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies
examination now going on . However, the Commission on behalf of the Commission
hopes that a decision can be taken before the summer . 1995

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1995 )

In both cases, the selection of projects is a matter for the
Member State, which notifies the Monitoring Committee of
each operation . The Monitoring Committee ensures that the
operation proceeds smoothly in order to achieve the
objectives laid down and in compliance with the regulations .
It also ensures that the measures are in line with the

priorities in the CSF and the aims of the assistance .

The target figures for private sector contributions to
approved regional single programming documents ( SPDs )
for Great Britain ( Objectives 1, 2 and 5b ) are ECU 1 454
million in relation to the operations of the Structural Funds
as a whole and ECU 1 054 million in relation to operations
co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

( ERDF ). For Northern Ireland the targets are ECU 915
million and ECU 601 million respectively .

The Member State provides the chairman of the Monitoring
Committee and calls meetings at the appropriate time . These sums represent the direct contribution of the private

sector as matching funding and form part of the eligible
expenditure to be declared to the Commission .

The authorities of the Member State ensure that financial

information on the projects is available .
The Commission takes the view that, in order to enlarge the
total overall programme expenditure and its economic
impact, the private sector contribution should be

The SME Community Initiative, intended to help small and maximised, subject to maintaining the level of public
medium-sized firms to adapt to the single market, could well national expenditure necessary to ensure the required
be used to support such firms in Andalusia . The additionality of funds .
Commission hopes to be able to adopt a decision on this
matter before the summer, once the Spanish authorities have
made their proposals . Precise conditions of eligibility, fixed in the SPDs, require
that any project, public or private, demonstrates an
additional and sustainable benefit to the economic

development of the area . The amount of the Community
contribution to any project should be fixed at the lowest

level that will allow the project to proceed .

No C 222 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Will the Commission take steps to prevent, suspend or
possibly demand repayment of the ERDF aid to Lelystad
Airport ?

Further conditions apply when profits are generated Will the Commission take steps to
through ERDF-funded projects . Where a project generates possibly demand repayment of the
revenue, the grant rate should, in accordance with Airport ?
Article 17 ( 3 ) of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88 as
amended ( 1 ), be modulated to ensure that the return to the
private sector is at market rate . The Commission is Answer given by Mrs
discussing with the United Kingdom authorities on behalf of the
mechanisms for the application of these conditions .
(2 June 1995 )

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

(M OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-821 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

(9 SIC 222 / 25 )

Subject : ERDF aid for Lelystad Airport

The Flevoland Provincial Executive in the Netherlands

intends to make ECU 2 341 920 in ERDF funding available
for the expansion of Lelystad Airport into a ' business
airport '. This project involves inter alia constructing a new
terminal building with a tower and platform, improving the
take-off and landing runways ( including creation of a
parallel grass runway ), extending a runway to 1 800 metres
and installing an Instrument Landing System .

Should the Commission be informed, pursuant to Article 93
of the Treaty, of the Netherlands State aid ( F1 8 250 000 )
and the ERDF aid for the expansion of Lelystad Airport —
which incidentally is wholly owned by N.V. Luchthaven
Schiphol ?

The Commission confirms the reply to the Honourable
Member 's Written Question E-789 / 95 ( J ). It considers that
investment in airport infrastructure does not qualify for
European regional development fund assistance under the
single programming document for Flevoland . It has made its
position known to the provincial authorities .

With regard to the possible application of Article 92 EC
Treaty to the financial injection given by the Dutch
authorities for the development of the airport of Lelystad,
the attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the

Commission guidelines for state aids in the aviation
sector ( 2 ), which outline in paragraph II . 3 that the
construction or enlargement of infrastructure ( such as
airports ) ' represent a general measure of economic policy
which cannot be controlled by the Commission under the
Treaty rules on State aid '.

í 1 ) OJ No C 196, 31 . 7 . 1995, p . 49 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 350, 10 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-827 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

(9 SIC 222 / 26 )

If so, has it been so informed ? Subject : Programme of exchanges of experience

If so, has the Commission approved the aid scheme ?

If not, is it permissible for Flevoland Provincial Executive to
sign an agreement or implementation agreement with
Lelystad Airport and to pay a 10% advance on the ERDF
aid, which is scheduled to happen at the end of February

1995 ?

Is the Commission aware that the environmental impact
assessment ( EIA ) concerning the expansion of Lelystad
Airport into a ' business airport ' has not yet begun ?

So long as the EIA has not been completed, is it permissible
to grant and pay ERDF aid to Lelystad Airport, in the light
of the European EIA Directive, the Netherlands EIA Decree
and the condition attached by the European Parliament to
item B2-120 of the Community budget for 1995 that all
projects which receive aid from the Structural Funds must
undergo an environmental impact assessment in advance ?

Could the Commission adopt a specific management system
which is more flexible and better suited to the programmes
of exchanges of experience, the implementation of which is
currently being seriously held up by the management
constraints to which they are subject ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1995 )

The Commission is currently re-examininig the
management arrangements in relation to inter-regional
cooperation, which has exchanges of experience as one of its
objectives . The results of this examination will be made
public before the summer .

The Commission would like to emphasize the need for
regional partners who receive financial and from the

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 17

jt

Commission for exchanges of experience and the transfer of WRITTEN QUESTION
know-how to respect Community Regulations governing by Glyn Ford ( PSE )
the administration of aid . These Regulations have in the past to the Commission
been published in the procedural guidelines sent to bodies
engaged in inter-regional cooperation, and will continue to ( 24 March 1995 )
be so . Training workshops have also been organized on this ( 95 / C 222 / 28 )
subject .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-836 / 95

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 28 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-831 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 27 )

Subject : The Republic of South Africa and the Lome

Convention

What is the Commission 's proposed response to the request
by the Republic of South Africa to become a signatory to the
Lome Convention ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : State subsidy for Norwegian stationery
manufacturers

Has the Commission taken action yet on behalf of ESMA

( European Stationery Manufacturers ' Association ) over
Norway 's breach of the bilateral agreement, with particular
reference to her State subsidy for stationery
manufacturers ?

If not, what can and will be done to rectify the position of the
European Stationery Manufacturers ' Association who are
trading in an unfair arena ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1995 ) (3 May 1995 )

In November 1994 the South African Deputy President
Thabo Mbeki sent a letter to the EU Presidency requesting
' to open negotiations with a view to establishing the closest
possible relationship with the Lome Convention '. South
Africa also asked ' that negotiations should cover a possible
agreement with the European Union on specific elements
that might more appropriately be accommodated outside
the Lome Convention, to the benefit of the existing Lome
members and South Africa itself '.

On 29 March 1995 the Commission has adoped a
communication to the Council proposing draft Directives
for the negotiation of a new, long term framework for
cooperation with South Africa . The Commission followed
the same twin track approach that is implied in the letter of
Deputy President Mbeki . Its proposal is aimed at

( a ) a Protocol to the Lome Convention covering the terms
and conditions of South Africa 's accession to the

Convention, and

( b ) a bilateral trade and cooperation agreement between
the European Community and South Africa, which
could include provisions for a mechanism leading to the
establishment of a Free Trade Area .

With this proposal the Commission gives full support to
South Africa 's request for qualified membership of the
Convention of Lome . Elements for which South Africa

cannot be eligible ( like the general trade regime ) or that need
additional coverage outside the Convention ( like financial
cooperation and the political dialogue ) will find a proper
framework in the separate bilateral Agreement .

The complaint submitted by ESMA in respect of aid
allegedly granted by Norway to the Frederik Lindegaard
group was transferred by the Commission to the EFT A
Surveillance Authority, which is responsible for monitoring
aid in the EFTA countries pursuant to Article 109 ( 4 ) of the
Agreement on the European Economic Area .

The complainant was notified that its complaint had been
passed to the EFTA Surveillance Authority for verification .
It was also requested to contact that body direct for any
further information relating to the case .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-842 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 29 )

Subject : Trans-European Transport Network

What research has the Commission conducted into the

macro-economic impacts and indirect economic benefits, of
the Trans-European Transport Network proposals ?

No C 222 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

by Mr De Silguy In addition, under the Fourth Framework Programme for

of the Commission research and development for the transport sector, the

(4 May 1995 ) impacts of TEN will be evaluated in detail .

Answer given by Mr De Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

The Trans-European networks ( TENs ) are an essential
complement to the single market . The effect of completing
the TENs according to the guidelines that are currently
being discussed is in the process of evaluation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-850 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 30 )
Work is most advanced in relation to the European
high-speed train network ( HST ), not surprisingly as it was
the first network to take shape from a planning viewpoint .
As more than half of the priority projects decided by the Subject : Research carried out by the
European Council at Essen concern HST projects, and due
to the size of the investment programmed, it can be said that The Commission carries out research
the evaluation of the HST economic impact is particularly

commissions hundreds of outside

relevant .

Subject : Research carried out by the Commission

, The Commission carries out research in its own right and
the evaluation of the HST economic impact is particularly
relevant . commissions throughout the hundreds year . What of outside sources studies of information and reports are

available to the general public and to interested bodies to
enable them to find out what work has been published ?
How can copies be obtained and how much do these
Consequently, as a result of a Council resolution of cost ?
December 1990, the Commission contracted a series of
studies on the socio-economic impact of the HST network,
its environmental impact, and its effects on employment .
The socio-economic profitability of the network has been
estimated at 13,7 %, environmental and employment effects Answer given by Mr Oreja
excluded . A report from the high level group on the HST on behalf of the Commission
network will soon be distributed showing the impact of this ( 13 June 1995 )
project and its indirect economic benefits .

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The abovementioned studies have a meso-economic sectoral

character, which is very important from a policy and
operational point of view . In addition, the Commission
intends to finance a study on the impact of inadequate
transport infrastructures on the functioning of the internal
market . This study will estimate the opportunity costs
arising for users, and will assess the impact on the EU
economy of the increased public and private capital
investment required for the adjustment of the TENs to the
internal market .

The Commission also has access to the socio-economic

analyses being prepared for the large TEN priority projects,
which ensure that those projects make sense from a
financial, economic and technical point of view . This is
moreover a pre-condition for the attribution of Community
support for such projects .

A large number of studies made on behalf of the
Commission are published and distributed by the Office for
Official Publications of the European Communities . The
Office advertises them in the same way as its other
publications . Studies and summaries of their conclusions are
generally publicized in the general and specialized press or in
Commission newsletters which are distributed widely to the
circles concerned . Studies are often also brought to the
public 's attention at conferences, symposia or other
seminars .

Studies which are not published are treated as ' Commission
documents ' and are accordingly covered by the Commission
Decision of 8 February 1994 on public access to
Commission documents ( l ). Under this Decision, which
gives effect to a common code of conduct for the
Commission and the Council, the public has the widest
access possible to Commission documents, provided always
that public and private interests are protected . A fee of ECU

10 plus ECU 0,35 per sheet is charged for copies of printed
documents exceeding 30 pages . Documents of less than
30 pages are supplied free of charge .

Furthermore, a study is currently under way concerning the (!) OJ No L 46, 18 . 2 . 1994 .
territorial strategies linked to trans-European transport
networks . Several aspects, including the economic impacts
from the development of TEN are examined .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 19

WRITTEN QUESTION E-853 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-868 / 95

by Maria Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 ) ( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 31 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 32 )

Subject : ECSC projects affecting the environment
Subject : Free movement of footballers

Under the 1991— 1995 steel research programme (*),
financial aid is being provided for projects which affect the
environment . What projects are being financed, and is the
Commission in possession of any firm results yet ?

Article 48 ( 2 ) of the Treaty states that freedom of movement
for workers

(') OJ No C 252, 6 . 10 . 1990, p . 3 . ' shall entail the abolition of any discrimination based on

nationality between workers of the Member States as
regards employment, remuneration and other conditions
of work and employment .'
Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1995 ) However, in the case of football, professionals in the EU
Member States do not have complete freedom to work in
Member States other than their own, as the national

— Steel research programme federations restrict the number of footballers from other

were financed which had an countries allowed to play in a particular team .

As part of the ECSC — Steel research programme

( 1991—1995 ), 52 projects were financed which had an
impact on the environment . The financial contribution by
the ECSC amounts to ECU 32,61 million and represents

15,4 % of all of the aid intended for ECSC — Steel research
from 1991 to 1994 ( l ). So far two projects have been
completed and the final reports have been published ( 2 )
while five others are in the process of publication .

It must also be stressed that Parliament approved specific
appropriations for ECU 1,5 million ( amendment No 853,
C3-250, 19 October 1993 ) for the practical application of
the results of research in the steel sector for 1994 . As part of
these activities ECU 165 000 ( 3 ) have been earmarked in
order to finance a project having an environmental impact .
This project began last December and the results are
expected for late 1996 .

Finally mention must be made of a study involving ECU

1,32 million ( 4 ), the aim of which is to assess the overall
impact of the iron and steel industry on the environment .
This study is based on a Community inventory and is
devoted to analysing the scope offered by the use of the best
available technologies ( BAT ) in protecting the iron and
steel-making environment . Another aim of this work is to
identify the research and development needed in order to
meet the expanding specification as regards environmental
protection in this area . This study is at the stage of analysis
and validation of results . A final report is planned for the
end of the year .

0 ) SEC(91 ) 1193 / 3, SEC(92 ) 1281, SEC(93 ) 330 / 2 and SEC(94 )

368 .

( 2 ) EUR No 15626 and 16021 .
P ) SEC(94 ) 1731 / 5 .

( 4 ) SEC(91 ) 1193 / 3 and SEC(93 ) 330 / 2 .

What measures does the Commission, as guardian of the
Treaty, plan to take to end this restriction of the free
movement of workers ? Does the Commission not think
that, given the amount of European public interest in this
sport, abolition of discrimination on grounds of nationality
and in contravention of the Treaty would encourage the
general public to feeling that they are part of a true
Union ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 April 1995 )

The Honourable Member 's question is currently the subject
of a request for a ruling submitted to the Court of Justice by
a Belgian court ( Case C-415 / 93, Bosman ). The Court is
expected to deliver its judgment during the second half of
this year . Under these circumstances the Commission is not
in a position at the present time to give a definitive answer to
the question . If the Court finds against the nationality
clauses imposed by the sports federations, the Commission
will take the measures which are within its sphere of
competence in order to ensure the effective implementation
of the judgment .

No C 222 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-874 / 95

by Karl Schweitzer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 33 )

Subject : Article 100a

Given the current formulation of Article 100a, can the new
Member States maintain their higher environmental
standards, even if this means breaking Community rules ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(2 lune 1995 )

Article 100a paragraph 4 EC Treaty provides that Member
States deeming it necessary on grounds of major needs
relating to the protection of the environment to apply
national provisions after the adoption of a harmonization
measure by the Council, shall notify the Commission of
these provisions . The Commission is required, before
confirming the provisions, to verify that they are not a
means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction
on trade between Member States .

The new Member States may apply measures which would
otherwise be in breach of Community law, in so far as this is
permitted by the Act of Accession .

In the field of product related environmental standards, the
Act of accession provides for a four-year transitional period
during which national rules can be maintained by way of
derogation from specific Community legislation ( Annexes
VIII, X, XII of the Act of Accession ). It further stipulates
that these provisions shall be reviewed during the
transitional period . In this respect, the Commission attaches
the greatest importance to the promotion of a high level of
health, safety and environmental protection, as required by
the Joint declaration included in the Act of Accession .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-877 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 34 )

Subject : European Union aid for the Albayzin district of the

city of Granada

Unesco has just declared the Albayzin district of the Spanish
city of Granada a World Heritage site . This is both a high

mark of distinction and a clear commitment to conserving
and enhancing the beauty of this unique Spanish
architectural treasure .

Experts have already calculated that to restore this historic
site, and provide it with an infrastructure which will meet its
specific aesthetic and town-planning requirements will cost
some Ptas 10 billion . Such an amount could clearly upset the
budget of the celebrated Andalusian city .

Does the Commission believe that it should take the
Albayzin under its protection, welcoming the fact that an
urban district of the European Union has been declared a
World Heritage site, and make a significant contribution to
renovating and restoring an urban district which will, when
rescued from its current state of decay, once more constitute
a jewel of Andalusian culture ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

Due to lack of financial resources and the need to

concentrate upon on-going projects, the Commission
cannot at the present time provide financial support for the
rehabilitation of this historic quarter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-8 78 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 35 )

Subject : The liberal professions, freedom of movement and

membership of professional associations

In the context of the four basic freedoms enjoyed in the
European Union, that of those exercising the various liberal
professions is considered to be one of the greatest
achievements of the removal of frontiers brought about by
the provisions of the Treaties .

This achievement is, however, somewhat tarnished due to
certain practical difficulties which make the movement of
those exercising the liberal professions within the
Community rather less than entirely free . I refer in particular
to the fact that in certain countries, they need to join each

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 21

professional association of the region, area or district in
which they intend to exercise their profession . This means
considerable expenditure every time they join one of the
area 's professional associations, quite apart from the
periodic payment of dues .

Could the Commission propose a sort of ' single membership
of professional associations ' for those exercising liberal
professions in each country of the Union, so as to obviate
their needing to join a wide range of such organizations, at
great expense, due to the excessive fragmentation of these
associations, a situation which could be avoided by means of
a single membership allowing the holder to exercise his or
her liberal profession in any part of the host country ?

The system of registration by region, area or district depends
on the territorial organization of each Member State . While
it is true — as the Honourable Member points out in his
question — that the excessive fragmentation of professional
associations presents practical difficulties ( both for a
Member State 's nationals and for those of other Member

States ), the Commission is unable, for the reasons given
above, to impose on Member States rules governing the
arrangements for registering with such professional
bodies .

(^) See the judgment of 22 September 1983 in Case 271 / 82 ( Auer )

[ 19831 ECR 2727 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-903 / 95

(2 May 1995 ) by Françoise Grossetête ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

The EC Treaty provisions on freedom to provide services
and freedom of establishment do not prevent Member States
from imposing on a profession specific rules and
regulations, such as a system of compulsory registration
with professional bodies, provided that they seek ' to ensure
the observance of moral and ethical principles and the
disciplinary control of the activity ' of the professional
people in question and that the principle of
non-discrimination is observed ( M.

In order to facilitate exercise of the freedom to provide
services and the freedom of establishment, the Council
adopted Directive 89 / 48 / EEC on a general system for the
recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on
completion of professional education and training of at least
three years ' duration ( 2 ). The preamble to the Directive
states that

' the general system for the recognition of
higher-education diplomas is intended neither to amend
the rules, including those relating to professional ethics,
applicable to any person pursuing a profession in the
territory of a Member State nor to exclude migrants from
the application of those rules ; . . . that system is confined
to laying down appropriate arrangements to ensure that
migrants comply with the professional rules of the host
Member State '.

Member States therefore retain the right to lay down
conditions governing the exercise of a profession on their
territory provided that those conditions comply with the
principle of equal treatment ( as regards rights and
obligations ) between Community nationals .

( 95 / C 222 / 36 )

Subject : Eco-management and audit scheme

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1836 / 93 ( ) calls on
industrial companies to participate voluntarily in an
eco-management and audit scheme which will enable them
to integrate environmental concerns into their development

strategy .

This eco-management scheme could be implemented using
technical standards established by Member States .

The French standards association has established a

standard, X 30-200, to enable companies to apply the EEC
Regulation .

For reasons pertaining to French standardization rules and
to internal procedures of the European Committee for
Standardization, it is possible that the references of this
' experimental ' standard will not be published in the Official
Journal of the European Communities .

However, this experimental period has allowed the
technical merit of the standard to be tested . Its validity has
now largely been demonstrated .

Could the Commission of the European Union state
whether it considers that the technical content of this

standard allows compliance with the European regulation,

No C 222 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

pending a European standard and, if so, for which
requirements this equivalence applies ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-923 / 95

by Maartje van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission
0 ) OJ No L 168, 10 . 7 . 1993, p . 1 .

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 37 )

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 ) Subject : Directive on cocoa and chocolate products

Article 12 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1836 / 93 ( ] ) foresees that
companies implementing national, European or
international standards for environmental management
systems and audits and certified according to appropriate
certification procedures, as complying with.those standards
shall be considered as meeting the corresponding
requirements of this Regulation, provided that :

( a ) the standards and procedures are recognised by the
Commission acting in accordance with the procedure
laid down in Article 19 ;

( b ) the certification is undertaken by a body whose

accreditation is recognised in the Member State where
the site is located .

The Commission recognises the benefits to organizations,
and to the level of participation in the eco-management and
audit-scheme, that recognition of the standards will
bring .

The extent to which the Commission is able to recognise the
standards presented is limited ; by the wording of Article 12,
only national, European or international standards may be
recognised . At this time, there are no international or
European standards in place . National standards need to be
in conformity with the rules that apply to these matters .
With respect to the Afnor X 30-200 pre-standards, the
Commission has completed an assessment of the degree to
which the French document corresponds with the
requirements of the Regulation . It appears to the
Commission that this document has the status of a

pre-standard or experimental standard rather than a full
national standard, which is the only type of document other
than a European or international standard which can be
given recognition under the Regulation . By the rules of
European committee for standardization ( CEN ), Afnor

( Association frangaise de normalisation ) is bound to take no
action that may prejudice the harmonization that is
intended by acceptance of the Commission 's mandate to
draw up a European standard in this field . This includes
enhancement of the status of the pre-standard to give it the
status of a full standard .

Without taking a position on the technical content of NF
X3 0-200, the Commission can not propose its acceptance as
a recognised standard under the Council Regulation
referred to since it is not a full standard and can not by the
rules of CEN ( which has not agreed to observe by virtue of
its membership of CEN ) be given the status of a full
standard .

1 . Can the Commission confirm that it is drawing up a
proposal for a new Directive on cocoa and chocolate
products ?

2 . Is it true that the draft proposal currently circulating
allows chocolate to contain cocoa butter substitute fats ?

3 . Has the Commission asked its legal service to examine
whether the draft proposal is compatible with :

( a ) Article 130v of the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

( b ) the commitments entered into by the European Union

in the Lome Agreement,

( c ) the obligations set out on the International Cocoa
Agreement ?

4 . ( a ) If so, what are the conclusions and what opinion has
the legal service given on the basis of those
conclusions ?

( b ) If not, does the Commission intend to seek such an
opinion before submitting the new Directive ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 1995 )

Following the conclusions of the European Summit in
Edinburgh in 1992, the Commission was asked to simplify a
whole series of Directives which were felt to be too detailed,
including Directives in the foodstuffs sector . Directive
73 / 241 / EEC on cocoa and chocolate products ( ] ) is one of
those Directives . The Commission is continuing to examine
the expediency of amending the Directive . To date no
proposal has been adopted . In any event, the Commission
will make sure that the international commitments to which

it has subscribed, including the International Cocoa
Agreement, are complied with .

(!) OJ No L 228, 16 . 8 . 1973 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 23

WRITTEN QUESTION E-933 / 95

by James Provan ( PPE )

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 15 May 1995 )

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 38 )

Subject : Frontier controls in Spain

Is the Commission aware that Spanish frontier officials are
still seeking proof of ownership of vehicles and green cards
for insurance purposes for vehicles entering Spain on
holiday from other European countries ?

What action does the Commission propose to take to
remove these difficulties faced by tourists ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1995 )

Checks on insurance against civil liability in respect of
vehicles based in another Member State were abolished by
Directive 72 / 166 / EEC C ).

The Commission has received no complaints that this
provision is not respected . If such complaints were received
or proof otherwise was presented in this context, the
Commission could initiate the procedure under Article 169
of the EC Treaty .

(') OJ No L 103, 2 . 5 . 1972, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-938 / 95

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 39 )

Subject : Sustainable waste management

The integrated waste management philosophy is that put
forward by the Commission in 1989 in its communication
on a Community strategy for waste management that was
ratified by the Council resolution of 7 May 1990 ( 1 ).

Under this strategy the minimization of waste production is
given priority, as is recycling and the extraction of economic
benefit before final disposal .

This strategy has already been followed through in several
Directives, including the framework Directive on waste
( Directive 91 / 156 / EEC ( 2 ), which amends Directive
75 / 442 / EEC ( 3 )). In addition there is, in particular, the
recent Directive on packaging and packaging waste
( Directive 94 / 62 / EC ) ( 4 ) which, by laying down percentages
of waste to be recycled and put to economic use, does not
simply leave things to the mercy of market forces .

The Commission fully intends to continue to work along
those lines .

(M OJ No C 122, 18 . 5 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 365, 31 . 12 . 1994,

WRITTEN QUESTION E-948 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 40 )

Subject : Demolition of the FIX factory, a monument of

modern industrial architecture

As part of the construction work on the Athens metro, the
Greek Government and the undertaking responsible for the
project have decided to demolish the FIX factory, a
monument of modern industrial architecture . The

expropriation of the building for demolition took place with
Community funding and this decision triggered strong
protests from many quarters both in Greece and abroad ( the
European Association of Architects, various Universities,
distinguished architects, etc .).

Given that :

Does the Commission believe that the management of
recycling should be left at the mercy of market forces, or is — the
legislation required to ensure progress is made towards an Paper
integrated waste management system, which includes waste
minimization as a priority, in order to achieve long-term the
environmental benefit ?

— the policy of the European Union as set out in the Green

Paper on the Urban Environment emphasizes the
importance of modern industrial monuments both for
the urban environment and for the future of modern

architecture ;

No C 222 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

— the Granada Convention endorsed by all members of the

European Union also provides for the protection of
modern industrial architectural monuments ;

— Greek law also provides for the protection of such

monuments, and this unique example of modern
industrial architecture by the famous architect and
teacher of modern architecture, Takis Zenetou has been
deemed worthy of conservation ;

Will the Commission say :

1 . whether it is familiar with the above facts ;

2 . whether it intends to use its influence to ensure that this

monument can be saved and restored and used for

contemporary cultural or productive purposes and that
the alternative schemes put forward by the relevant
bodies for the metro project are taken into account ;

3 . whether it might even suspend funding for this project

until a solution emerges that is more responsible and
more in keeping with European policy in this field so
that the future of this important architectural
monument is safeguarded ?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 June 1995 )

Further to its answer of 19 April 1995 ( ), the Commission
is now in a position to communicate the following
information .

The partial demolition of the former Fix factory, as part of
the plans for the construction of the Athens underground,
was required by the project owner ( Attiko Metro ) in its
contract with the contractor, in accordance with the terms
of contract between them which were ratified by the Greek
Parliament on 29 December 1994 . Demolition started on

3 February 1995, in line with a requirement on the project
owner to speed up the construction work on the basis of a
ministerial order permitting it .

A month later, on 3 March 1995, when demolition work
was already well-advanced, the Ministry of Culture
classified the building as a ' monument for preservation ',
although in the same decision it also permitted the
demolition in question . The decision of the Ministry of
Culture also stipulates that the demolished facades are to be
rebuilt later based on the original plans for the factory .

Alternative solutions were examined . They were not chosen
because they presented major disadvantages both for the
project and for urban traffic on nearby major roads .

The Commission would like to point out that Community
action in the cultural field is an area covered by subsidiarity
and that the leading role is played by Member States in such
cases . Accordingly, the preservation of the cultural heritage
and compliance with international treaties such as the

Granada Convention fall within the competence of the
national authorities .

(!) OJ No C 145, 12 . 6 . 1995, p . 60 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-954 / 95

by Wolfgang Nul?baumer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 41 )

Subject : Enlargement of the European Union to include

central and eastern European countries

Addressing the European Parliament at its sitting on
2 March 1995, the Commission President, Mr Santer,
commented on relations with the countries of central and

eastern Europe . He made the point that constitutional and
institutional improvements needed first to be brought about
before any enlargement could take place, and cited a number
of examples . In his impressive speech in Strasbourg,
President Mitterrand similarly talked of the need to
consolidate the Union as it stands, maintaining that
enlargement must not serve to weaken what we now
have .

What, therefore, in the opinion of the Commission, are the
principal economic and security goals and conditions that
need to be attained in order to stabilize the existing Union
before tackling enlargement ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 lune 1995 )

At its meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993, the European
Council stated that accession of associated countries of

central Europe can take place when ' an associated country is
able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying
the economic and political conditions required ' and that
' membership presupposes the candidate 's ability to take on
the obligations of membership including adherence to the
aims of political, economic and monetary union ' and further
' the Union 's capacity to absorb new members, while
maintaining the momentum of European integration, is also
an important consideration in the general interest of both
the Union and the candidate countries '. This was confirmed

by the Essen European Council in December 1994, which
adopted a strategy to assist the associated countries

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 25

in preparing for accession . That strategy is based upon the
Europe agreements and on the setting up of ' structured
relations ' between the associated States and the institutions

of the Union .

The quota alloction will be addressed to the NAFO

Contracting Parties in the framework of the Special
Fisheries Commission 's meeting of 7 — 9 June 1995 and the
annual session in September 1995 .

The question of the relationship between the common
foreign and security policy and enlargement may be
examined in due course by all the institutions and Member
States concerned within the framework of the 1966
conference . WRITTEN QUESTION E-962 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 43 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-961 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission Subject : Fishing nets

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 42 )

Subject : Fishing

The Community fleet 's share of the TAC ( Total Allowable

Catch ) for the Greenland habitat is to be cut from the 1994
level of 40 000 tonnes to a mere 3 600 tonnes ( out of a TAC
of 27 000 tonnes ). This would imply a loss of some 7 000
jobs in the fishing industry and related activities .

Furthermore, the principle applied by Canada to the
distribution of the quota, whereby the EU 's share was
reduced by 90% and Canada 's share was tripled, or, in
other words, half the open-sea quota was reserved for the
coastal State, violates the UN Convention on the Law of the

Sea .

Can the Commission take steps to restore a fair balance ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

Until 1994 the catch levels of Greenland halibut for

Community fleets were not determined by a total allowable
catch ( TAC ). They were the result of un-regulated fishing
activitiy in deep waters of the NAFO regulatory area
developed since 1990 . In this context the TAC of 27 000
tonnes adopted for 1995 by NAFO is a first conservation
measure devised to reverse the trend of increasing fishing
effort on this stock .

As to the allocation of this TAC amongst NAFO
Contracting Parties, the agreement recently signed with
Canada on this subject ensures a share of the TAC for
Community fishermen substantially higher than that
decided by NAFO at its meeting of 30 January — 1 February

1995 .

Tuna stocks have been preserved without any need for a
TAC . This is because fishing with rods is highly selective and
has maintained balanced fish stocks . Now, the
inappropriate use of fixed nets, in addition to upsetting this
balance, has resulted in unfair competition against those still
using rods .

Will the Commission ban this method of fishing ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 1995 )

The highly selective nature of fishing for tuna with rods has
indeed been acknowledged by the Scientific, Technical and
Economic Committee for Fisheries .

The introduction of driftnets into the tuna fisheries has

given cause for concern and has led to a number of initiatives
at international level .

Under Community rules, apart from the situation in the
Baltic where Regulation ( EEC ) No 1866 / 86 ( J ) permnits the
use of driftnets up to 21 km long, the length of driftnets used
may not be greater than 2,5 km . This rule is to be regarded as
conforming to the spirit of various resolutions ( Nos 44 / 225,
45 / 197 and 46 / 215 ) adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly . During last year 's tuna fishing season the
Member States concerned deployed considerable
surveillance resources in order to ensure compliance with
the Community rules .

The Commission, for its part, has presented to the Council a
proposal for a Regulation amending for the sixteenth time
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3094 / 86 ( 2 ) providing in the
short term for the cessation of all fishing activities involving
the use of driftnets after a transitional phase to allow for the
economic and social constraints on the fleets concerned . The

No C 222 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

proposal is now before the Council but to date agreement
has not been reached on its adoption .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-968 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

0 ) OJ No L 162, 18 . 6 . 1986 . ( 31 March 1995 )

( 2 ) COMÍ94 ) 131 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-963 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 44 )

Subject : Technology transfers

The transitional arrangements laid down in the draft
Regulation on patent agreements, and the Regulation on
licensing know-how currently in force, appear
unsatisfactory . Will the Commission stipulate that the new
rules and procedures for implementing the agreements will
only apply to agreements which take effect after the new
Regulation enters into force, since it would be a very
complicated matter for firms to apply new rules to existing
patent agreements ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

The Commission would favour a very long transitional
period for agreements concluded under Regulations ( EEC )
No 2349 / 84 ( ! ) and ( EEC ) No 556 / 89 ( 2 ).

It will take steps to ensure that the text still to be presented
to the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and
Dominant Positions reflects this concern .

However, it does not seem appropriate for such agreements
to remain subject to the existing Regulations beyond such a
lengthy transitional period as this would result in the same
subject being governed by two or more Regulations .

(M OJ No L 219, 16 . 8 . 1984 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 61, 4 . 3 . 1989 .

( 95 / C 222 / 45 )

Subject : The fruit and vegetable sector

In relation to the development of and outlook for
Community policy in the fruit and vegetable sector, the
Commission is being asked to lay down provisions under
which withdrawals are used purely as a means of adjusting
the market so as to manage cyclical surpluses and are under
no circumstances allowed to become a production target .

Can the Commission take suitable steps to ensure that
cyclical surpluses do not become production targets ?

Can the Commission also define and develop measures
which provide an alternative to destroying withdrawal
products ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

In its communication to the Council and Parliament on the

development and future of Community policy in the fruit
and vegetables sector ('), the Commission clearly expressed
the need to introduce a new way of managing short-term
surpluses and to eliminate structural surpluses over time .

To this end, the Commission has proposed establishing a
Community withdrawal subsidy set at an obviously
unprofitable rate for products that now qualify for
Community support . The measure should prevent even
short-term surpluses from becoming production targets .

Article 21 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 on the common
organization of the market in fruit and vegetables ( 2 )
provides for the disposal of such products withdrawn from
the market by various means, including free distribution
to charitable organizations and foundations, to
schoolchildren, prison institutions, children 's holiday
camps, hospitals and old people 's homes . The products can
also be used as animal feed or be put to non-food use .

(') COM(94 ) 360 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 27

WRITTEN QUESTION E-972 / 95

by Antonio Trizza ( NI )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 46 )

Subject : The use of jojoba oil

The jojoba plant, a bushy perennial which grows wild in
Mexico, the United States, Greece, Spain, Israel and Italy ( in
Apulia and Sardinia ), has been the subject of research
and experimentation for a number of years in view of its
special properties and the many possible uses for the oil
derived from its seeds ( particularly in the cosmetics,
pharmaceuticals and automobile sectors and also as a means
of combating desertification and protecting sperm
whales ).

Can the Commission give details of the progress achieved in
recent years in carrying out research and experiments
relating to this ' miracle plant ' and can it state whether there
are any alternative uses for this product and new prospects
for exploiting it commercially ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

At the moment, plants obtained have a yield of 40 quintals
of grain per hectare with a wax yield of around 18 quintals
per hectare . These results are comparable to the yields
currently obtained in California and Israel, which countries
are the pioneers of jojoba cultivation .

The pilot project resulted in the production of a
high-performance material ( genetically homogeneous
plants, assured yield ), perfect control of cultivation
techniques, identification of a prototype for the extraction
of wax, and identification of feasible outlets .

A mixed technology of wax extraction procedure has been
perfected in the pilot project . The first, mechanical-pressure
step, produces a high quality wax-oil, residue free, which
can be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries .
The press-cake is put through a second solvent extraction
process . The wax-oil is used as a lubricant .

(!) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 238, 23 . 9 . 1993 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 93, 3 . 3 . 1985 .

( 10 May 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION P-976 / 95

by Riitta Myller ( PSE )

to the Commission

As a part of the reform of the arable sector ( Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 ) 0 ), farmers remain eligible
to be granted aid in respect of their obligation to set aside a
portion of their land if they sow certain raw materials on
that land which are to be used primarily for purposes other
than human or animal consumption .

The jojoba bush is considered as a raw material eligible
for the scheme, when it is processed into certain
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofuels, amongst other
' non-food and non-feed ' end products ( Commission
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2595 / 93 ) ( 2 ).

In addition to this, the Community has financed a jojoba
pilot-demonstration project, which aims to cultivate and
valorize this crop in southern zones of the Community to
substitute traditional crops ( Article 22 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 797 / 85 ) ( 3 ).

The demonstration field in the south of Italy covered 105
hectares in total in different locations in order to define the

zones where jojoba represents a viable alternative . It was
shown that jojoba could be cultivated in Mediterranean
countries in so far as there is shelter from wind and winter

frost, on non-irrigated land but having possibilities of
watering . Cultivation techniques are relatively well known

now .

( 22 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 47 )

Subject : Support for pilot projects in EU border regions

Enlargement eastwards, the idea of which is generally
accepted in the EU, requires increasing interaction between
EU Member States and the countries of central and eastern

Europe . Structural Fund programmes, such as Phare and
Tacis, have been developed for this purpose . A particular
problem regarding Tacis is that it makes no separate
provision for cooperation between EU border regions and

CIS countries . It is, however, important for this cooperation
to be stepped up . This might, for instance, permit the
enormous gulf between living standards to be reduced and
its attendent problems as far as possible to be averted and
prevented in advance .

In view of the above, does the Commission support the
possibility of individual EU Member States ' developing and
promoting cooperation in border regions, with, for
example, the assistance of pilot projects . If so, what financial
and other support would the EU give to these pilot
projects ?

No C 222 / 28 [_ EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

by Mr Van den Broek WRITTEN QUESTION E-989 / 95

the Commission

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )
( 16 May 1995 ) to the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 48 )
The Commission attaches great importance to the
development of cooperation between the border regions of
Member States and central and eastern European Subject : Promoting the European
countries . children by means of

Subject : Promoting the European Union amongst small

children by means of mascots, symbols and
advertising images

For the territory of the Union, the Structural Funds may
support cross-border cooperation in the framework of the
Community initiative Interreg, on the one hand, and,
pursuant to Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation ( ] ), pilot
schemes for inter-regional cooperation, on the other hand .
As there is now a common border between the Union and

the CIS countries, i.e. that between Finland and Russia, its
Finnish border areas will be eligible for Interreg funding . As
soon as the corresponding allocations per border have been
decided, the Commission will invite the new Member States
to present detailed proposals for operational programmes
relating to their border areas . The Interreg guidelines ( 2 ) will
apply correspondingly .

As far as pilot schemes for inter-regional cooperation are
concerned, partners from the whole Union territory may
participate, also for cooperation with partners from areas
within the CIS countries . A number of such pilot schemes
exist already and others might be added in future . Their
financial and thematic scope will depend on the resources
and the guidelines that the Commission will decide in the
near future for the measures to be supported, until 1999,
under Article 10 of the ERDF Regulation .

There is already a strong regional and cross-border
dimension to the Tacis programme . The annual budgets for
the larger CIS countries set aside significant amounts for
assistance projects in ' areas of regional concentration '.
Indeed, under the 1995 action programme for Russia, one of
these areas will be North West Russia where a range of
actions is planned including forestry resource management
and energy related projects .

Existing cross-border cooperation in the framework of the
Barents Sea council has been taken into account in planning
the North-West Russia regional programme .

In addition, the Commission has recently proposed a
revision of the Regulation governing the Tacis programme,
which, if approved, will make it possible to support in future
joint cross-frontier cooperation together with the Interreg
and Phare programmes .

í 1 ) OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 .

Awareness of the existence of the European Union is
something which needs to penetrate the minds of citizens
from earliest childhood, so that it becomes a completely
integral complement to their sense of their own citizenship
and membership of the Union .

Specific advertising ' characters ' have enjoyed a resounding
success as mascots or similar symbols focusing the attention
of small children on specific political, social and societal
feelings, with ideas related to their having a specific
collective identity .

In the European Union, there have been attempts to create a
symbolic nexus of this kind, which would allow children to
identify with the socio-political environment in which they
will have to live their future lives . This was the case of the

Sirius mascot, whose development has gone beyond the
current advertising world for which it was created .

Can the Commission tell me about the present state of
development of creative programmes in this area, and the
current circumstances of projects such as Sirius and others
which would help small children to identify with the
European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The Commission fully realizes the importance of making
children aware from an early age of the environment in
which they will grow up to be citizens of the European
Union .

The Commission would like to see children and adolescents

growing up with a spirit of tolerance, open and inquiring
minds and feelings of mutual respect .

The Sirius mascot to which the Honourable Member refers

is a very imporant way — though by no means the only way
— of conveying this message .

The Sirius character systematically carries a little European
passport containing a few simple facts, which teaches the
child ( and possibly parents and educators ) basic
information about the other Member States . The passport
has been widely distributed and a report on its distribution
in the first half of 1995 has been sent direct to the

Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of

Parliament .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 29

An even wider distribution is planned and should reach
schools in the new Member States . In addition to the Sirius

project, the Commission considers it important that the
European dimension should be given its full weight in
curricula for young pupils . It is ready to lend its assistance
for this purpose to Member States ' education authorities .

Experiments with competitions in the classroom and in
cooperation with regional authorities have produced
excellent results and will also be continued .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-993 / 95

by Paul Lannoye ( V )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 49 )

Subject : Contamination of food chains by dioxin and

furans

In response to my Written Questions No 2733 / 90 and
No 2734 / 90 ( J ) on pollution by dioxins and furans and the
limits for concentrations of dioxins, the Commission
indicated on 26 February 1991 that, with regard to the
contamination of food chains by these substances, it had
addressed its concern to the Scientific Committee for Food .

The Commission also said that, given the large quantity of
data to be analyzed, it would take some time before the
Committee was able to deliver an opinion fixing tolerable
weekly or daily intakes for dioxins .

1 . At what stage is the Committee with its work ?

If this work has not yet been completed, what are the
reasons for this delay ?

2 . Which weekly or daily intakes does the Commission

intend to propose for these substances ?

This point of view appears to be shared by the Member
States, since only two Member States have established limits
for the levels of dioxins in certain foodstuffs, while no
Member State has established such limits in respect of
furans . As an alternative to establishing limits, most
Member States have preferred to concentrate on reducing
emissions at source .

Following the adoption of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 315 / 93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community
procedures for contaminants in foods ( j ), the legal powers
of the Commission to deal with questions concerning
contaminants in foods have increased substantially .
Furthermore as a result of Council Directive 93 / 5 / EEC of

25 February 1993 on assistance and cooperation to the
Commission by the Member States in the scientific
examination of questions relating to food ( 2 ), the resources
available to the Commission and the SCF to consider

questions relating to the safety of contaminants in the food
chain have also increased substantially .

In consequence, the Commission has asked Member States
to consider addressing the safety of dioxins and related
chemicals as a new task to be undertaken within the

scientific cooperation process . In view of the complexity of
this task, it is anticipated that about two years will be
required for its completion .

2 . Until the evaluation of these substances has been

completed, the Commission is unable to indicate what
weekly or daily intakes it might use as a basis for any future
regulatory action .

t 1 ) OJ No L 37, 13 . 2 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 52, 4 . 3 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1001 / 95

by Josep Pons Grau ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 50 )

0 ) OJ No C 141, 30 . 5 . 1991, p . 17 . Subject : New Community agencies and offices

The Council has set up the following new agencies and
offices :
Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission — Germany : European Monetary Institute

(7 lune 1995 ) — United Kingdom : European Agency for the Evaluation

of Medicinal Products

1 . As indicated in the replies to the Honourable
Member 's Written Questions No 2733 / 90 and No 2734 / 90,
the Commission addressed the question of the safety of
dioxins to the scientific committee for food ( SCF ) in 1991 .
However discussions within the committee at that time

indicated that the limit resources available should be

concentrated in the first instance on other questions of
greater concern to public health, including, in respect of
contaminants, the evaluation of certain heavy metals,
mycotoxins and nitrates .

— Denmark : European Environment Agency

— Greece : European Centre for the Development of

Vocational Training ( Cedefop )

— The Netherlands : Europol

— Italy : European Training Foundation

— Spain : Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market

and Agency for Health and Safety at Work

No C 222 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

— Ireland : Office for Veterinary and Plant Health
Inspection and Control

— Portugal : European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and

Drug Addiction

1 . What stage has been reached in the setting up and

operation of each of these agencies and offices ?

2 . Have their respective governing bodies been
established ?

3 . Have their head offices been set up yet, and, if so, are
they provisional or permanent ?

4 . To what extent have the State and local authorities

concerned helped with and cooperated on the setting up
of the various head offices ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

financial support, when the importance of financial
intervention in the sector is recognized,

2 . make participation in co-financing under Interreg II
conditional upon a more equitable distribution of funds
among the sectors concerned so that the agriculture
sector is less severely penalized,

3 . point out to the Puglia regional authorities that
excluding the floriculture sector, firms and members of
European economic interest groups is arbitrary and that
it is undesirable to maintain the privileges and priorities
of out-dated forms of association, which have been
shown to encourage dependency and patronage,

4 . introduce procedures for access to Community
programmes which will protect operators from
interference from national and regional authorities
which is not based solely on technical considerations ?

( 19 May 1995 ) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )
Parliament 's resolution B4-61 / 94 on the implementation of
the 1994 budget, passed on 27 September 1994, calls on the
Commission to supply a full progress report on the
establishment of all the satellite agencies . The Community Initiative Interreg II

When adopting the 1995 budget, Parliament asked for a
full timetable for establishment of the agencies to be laid
before it .

The technical questions raised by the Honourable Member
are answered in the Commission report transmitted to
Parliament on 20 March 1995, which summarizes in tabular
form all the information thus requested .

A copy of the report will be sent direct to the Honourable
Member and Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008 / 95

by Salvatore Tatarella ( NI )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 51 )

Subject : Floriculture

The Commission is about to begin negotiations with Italy
and Greece on Interreg II . In this context, does it accept the
need to :

1 . criticize the Puglia regional authorities for damaging the

interests of flower growers in the area by taking
decisions which in fact preclude them from applying for

The Community Initiative Interreg II is implemented by the
Member States through operational programmes and
projects which they draw up and submit to the Commission
in accordance with the Commission communication of

1 July 1994 (*). The Commission evaluates the conformity
of the proposals presented by the Member States with the
provisions of the above communication and, more
generally, their compatibility with the various Community
policies .

The proposal for a programme for Italy and Greece was
submitted jointly by the two Member States . In accordance
with the principle of subsidiarity, the national authorities
defined the assistance priorities and the schemes to be
included in the proposal for programme . The current
negotiations between the Commission and the national
authorities will make it possible to evaluate the proposal in
detail in order, where necessary, to make the adjustments
necessary to render the programme in conformity with the
objectives of the Interreg II Initiative .

At the present stage it is premature to say what the final
result will be, from both the technical and financial point of
view, in particular with regard to the distribution of funds
between the various areas for assistance and the definition

of priorities and of the schemes which will form the
programme . The Commission will be careful to ensure that a
proper balance is struck between the various measures
envisaged .

H OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 31

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1015 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1030 / 95

José Apolinârio ( PSE ) by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission to the Commission

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 52 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 53 )

Subject : Structural support in areas affected by drought —

the case of the Alentejo region ( Portugal )

If the current state of affairs continues, 1995 will also
witness the effects of drought, which is creating obvious
problems in vast areas of the Alentejo region ( Portugal ).
Could the Commission provide information on the specific
structural support to combat and prevent drought which
was offered to the Alentejo region under the first CSF

( 1989 — 1993 ) and on the funding available and the projects
to be initiated under the second CSF ( 1994 — 1999 ),
including, if possible, an annual break-down ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The Commission has always been concerned about the
problems caused by natural disasters occurring in the
Community territory, and in particular the drought which
has affected Portugal in recent years . In this connection,
under the first Community support framework for
1989 — 1993, the Commission approved an operational
programme relating to the 1992 drought in Portugal . This
programme provided for assistance involving :

— animal feed ;

— interest-rate reductions ;

— support for water-supply projects ;

— the prevention and control of forest fires .

On this programme, by way of additional information, the
Commission would remind the Honourable Member of its
reply to his Written Question No 1602 / 93 f 1 ).

Under the second CSF ( 1994 — 1999 ), specific measures to
prevent and combat the effects of drought are not
envisaged .

( i ) OJ No C 251, 8 . 9 . 1994 .

Subject : Risk assessment within the meaning of Directive

90 / 220 / EEC on the deliberate release into the
environment of genetically modified organisms
and the Directive making the first adaptations to
technical progress ( Directive 94 / 15 / EEC )

1 . What criteria have been laid down to govern risk
assessment within the meaning of Directive 90 / 220 / EEC on
the deliberate release into the environment of genetically
modified organisms (*)? Which bodies and organizations

( NGOs or environmental protection or consumers '
associations ) were involved in drawing up the criteria ?

( a ) Are the risk assessment criteria being adapted to take
account of the latest scientific findings, for example
relating to gene transfer, the stability of ' naked ' DNA,
health risks, or ecological consequences ? What
specific procedure is followed when making such
adaptations ?

( b ) Are the information requirements set out in Annex II to
Directive 94 / 15 / EEC ( 2 ) — which adapts Directive
90 / 220 / EEC to technical progress for the first time —
based on the findings of long-term studies ? If so, over
what period of time were the experiments conducted ? If

not, why not ?

2 . Will the Commission also apply socio-economic
criteria when determining whether to authorize release
applications ( as in the case of BST )?

If not, why not ?

3 . What attitude is the Commission taking to risk
assessment in the light of the newest scientific findings
concerning the possible transfer of resistance genes from one
species to another ( Abigail, New Scientist ) and the highly
significant comprehensive studies on pathogenicity and
interaction ( Holmes )?

4 . According to the findings of research by B. Tappeser
and M. Jager ( Freiburg Ecological Institute ), the persistence
and stability of free DNA have been grossly underestimated .
The implication is that the potential danger of its spread is
far greater than previously supposed . Will the Commission
undertake the necessary revision of Annex II to Directive
90 / 220 / EEC ( Annex II A, points II(A)(11 ) and ( 12 )) and
impose a moratorium on release until satisfactory provision
has been made for risk assessment ? If not, why not ?

(M OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990, p . 15 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 103, 22 . 4 . 1994, p . 20 .

No C 222 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

1 . According to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC the risk
assessment is carried out on the basis of the information

notified in accordance with Annex II to Directive

90 / 220 / EEC . The evaluation of the risks is carried out on the

basis of the latest scientific knowledge .

Directive 90 / 220 / EEC was adopted in 1990 and all its
dispositions, including the notification requirements

( Annex II to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC ) were based on the
scientific information available in the late 1980 's .

During the preparation of the proposal for Directive
90 / 220 / EEC consultations were carried out with experts
from Member States, non-governmental organizations

( NGOs ) and other interested parties .

( a ) Annex II to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC has recently been
adapted to technical progress through Commission
Directive 94 / 1 5 / EC . The potential for gene transfer is
covered by Annex II A, point II A. 9 and by Annex II B,
point D.6 . Health risks and ecological effects are
addressed by Annex II A, points II A 1 1, IV C 1 — 9, and
by Annex II B points D7, HI — 4 . Naked DNA is not
covered by Directive 90 / 220 / EEC since this Directive
covers organisms .

Amendments to the notification requirements can be
introduced following the procedure outlined in
Article 21 of Directive 90 / 220 / EEC, according to which
the Commission should submit a proposal to the
regulatory committee for opinion . The proposed
amendments can then be adopted by the Commission if
they are in accordance with the opinion of the
committee .

( b ) Commission Directive 94 / 15 / EC has been based on the
knowledge gained by numerous releases of transgenic
plants carried out in Member States since 1986 as well
as worldwide releases and has, therefore, taken into
account the accumulated experience concerning
releases of a number of different plant species and
inserted traits . This accumulated experience provided
the basis for the establishment of precise information
requirements for notifications of genetically modified
plants .

2 . Directive 90 / 220 / EEC is based on the principle that
preventive action for the protection of human health and the
environment should be taken and that products utilising
genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) should meet a high
level of human and environmental safety .

Consequently, Directive 90 / 220 / EEC is concerned with the
safe development of such products . According to Articles 6
and 10 consents for the release into the environment of

GMOs are granted following an assessment of the risks for
human health and the environment . Socio-economic criteria

are not, therefore, within the scope of Directive
90 / 220 / EEC .

Commission policy on socio-economic aspects of
biotechnology product assessment was described in the
Commission communication to the Parliament and the

Council (').

3 . Annex II to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC as amended by
Commission Directive 94 / 1 5 / EC, provides for the
consideration of all relevant recent scientific information,
including the studies mentioned in the question, when
carrying out the risk assessment .

4 . Annex II to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC already provides for
the possibility to take into account the persistence and
possibility for spread of genetic material ( including that
resulting from the degradation of the GMOs ), as the Annex
contains information requirements concerning the
dissemination of the genes .

Free DNA in the environment results from the breakdown

of all organisms, whether or not they are genetically
modified, and has, therefore, existed since the start of life on
earth .

Genetically modified organisms, when degraded, will
release into the environment DNA molecules which have
been released from the recipient, donor or parental
organisms for thousands of years .

(') SEC(91 ) 629, see Bulletin of he European Communities,

Supplement 3 / 91, European Industrial Policy for the 1990s .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1031 / 95

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 54 )

Subject : Assessment of the risks posed by deliberate release

of genetically modified organisms into the
environment

Regarding assessment of the risks posed by deliberate
release of genetically modified organisms into the
environment in accordance with Directive 90 / 220 / EEC ( ! ),
as amended by Directive 94 / 15 / EC ( 2 ), making the first
adaptations to technical progress, can the Commission
answer the following questions :

1 . Does the Commission believe that the findings of release
experiments can be safely assumed to hold good for
releases for commercial advantage, which take place on
a far larger scale and, in general, over a wider area ? How
does it view the differences in practice and the
opportunities for monitoring ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 33

2 . In the case of higher plants, why does risk assessment
not entail a requirement to provide conclusive
information about the safety of the vectors used

( possible gene transfer, pathogenicity, persistence,
possible activation of latent viruses, and so forth ), as is
mandatory under Annex II A where all other GMOs are
concerned ?

3 . Has the Commission made plans to set up a
documentation system to keep track of the spread of
organisms which may be marketed, in order that
unexpected effects may be detected sooner ?

( a ) If so, what data are recorded ?

( b ) If not, how does the Commission propose to ensure
that undesirable and unintentional or dangerous
effects are recognized as early as possible and
further harm is averted ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 117, 8 . 5 . 1990, p . 15 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 103, 22 . 4 . 1994, p . 20 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

1 . ( a ) Directive 90 / 220 / EEC, in particular Article 11, sets
out the information that should be taken into

consideration when carrying out the required risk
assessment for the placing on the market of
products . Results from previous notifications at the
research and development stages are just some of the
elements that have to be considered when carrying
out the risk assessment .

The information elements outlined in Annexes II

and III extended as necessary to take into account
the diversity of sites of release of the product have
also to be taken into consideration .

( b ) According to Directive 90 / 220 / EEC ( Article 11.6 ),

the notifier is obliged to inform the competent
authorities of any new information concerning risks
of products for human health and the environment,
while Member States ( Article 18 ) have to give a
report on the control of all products placed on the
market under Directive 90 / 220 / EEC .

Furthermore, according to Article 4 Member States
are responsible for ensuring that all appropriate
measures are taken in both commercial and

experimental releases of genetically modified
organisms ( GMOs ), to avoid adverse effects on
human health and the environment .

2 . A number of the requirements of the original Annex II
( which with minor modification has now become Annex
II A following Commission Directive 94 / 1 5 / EC ) were
appropriate for genetically modified micro-organisms and
not for higher plants . Former Annex II contained four
information elements concerning the vector ( points B 1 — 4

and C 2 ( b ). Point B. 3 ( frequency of mobilization of the
vector or genetic transfer capabilities ) is not relevant in the
case of genetic modification of higher plants where the
vector does not remain in the plant cells in a form that can be
mobilized or transferred as in the case of micro-organisms .
Current Annex II B, points C 1 — 3 and D 2 ( a ) not only
cover all the other information requirements concerning the
vector which are found in Annex II A, but extent them to
cover carrier or foreign DNA remaining in the genetically
modified higher plant .

It should also be mentioned that pathogenicity and possible
activation of latent viruses are information requirements
concerning the donor, recipient or parental organisms and
not the vector used .

As far as persistence is concerned, it has never been an
information requirement concerning the vector ( neither in
former Annex II, nor in present Annex II A ).

3 . ( a ) As already mentioned under 1 ( b ), Member States
have to give a report on the control of all products
on the market under Directive 90 / 220 / EEC and the

Commission has in turn to report to the Parliament
and the Council on the control by Member States of
such products .

The Commission has no other powers under
Directive 90 / 220 / EEC .

( b ) According to Article 4 of Directive 90 / 220 / EEC

Member States are responsible for ensuring that all
appropriate measures are taken to avoid adverse
effects and for organizing inspections and taking
control measures, where appropriate .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1035 / 95

by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 55 )

Subject : Accident statistics in the EU

Is the Commission aware that is not sufficiently clear how
complete and how representative accident statistics in the
Member States of the EU are ?

Nor is it known how many people are involved in accidents
in Member States other than their own ; for example the
number of Dutch people involved in accidents in France .

Will the Commission consult the Member States with a view

to compiling more comprehensive and representative
statistics on road accidents, in the interests of road
safety ?

No C 222 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Does the Commission not agree that safety measures are Answer given by Mr Marin
effective primarily where based on the number of accidents on behalf of the Commission
by means of transport or other factors, such as the number ( 12 May 1995 )
of kilometres travelled or routes taken, in the Union as a
whole ?

The Commission and the Member States have been

following closely the respect for human rights in

Answer given by Mr Kinnock Indonesia .

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 June 1995 )

The Commission realizes that official national accident

statistics as reported by the police or gendarmerie from the
site of the accident are sometimes incomplete or
inaccurate .

In order to improve the quality of the figures, it would be
necessary to have more sophisticated forms and
data-collection methods and these would have to be used by
specialized teams as the police have neither the training nor
the manpower for this kind of work .

The information collected by the police rarely refers to the
nationality of the driver or accident victims . A breakdown
by nationality would be useful if it specifically showed that
accidents were typically caused by differences in awareness
or knowledge of the national highway codes .

The development of the Care database ( Council Decision

93 / 704 / EC of 30 November 1993 on the setting up of a
Community database on road accidents ) ( l ) will provide a
platform for discussion of these points with the Member
States in order to raise awareness of the problems
concerned, to make good the abovementioned deficiencies
and to highlight areas in which action is justified, in
particular at Community level .

(M OJ No L 329, 30 . 12 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1039 / 95

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 56 )

Subject : Human rights in Indonesia and East Timor and the

sale of arms to Indonesia

Given the European Union 's respect for human rights, what
efforts has the Commission made to promote human rights
in Indonesia and in East Timor ( which is under occupation
by Indonesia ) and can it provide details of the sale of arms
and military hardware by EU Member States to the
Indonesian regime ?

Concerning East Timor, the Commission and the Member
States have repeatedly brought to the attention of the
Government of Indonesia their condemnation of

unjustifiable actions by the Indonesian security forces such
as the incident at Dili in November, 1991 ; as well as their
support for fair trials and humane treatment for those
arrested, for proper access by international organizations ;
and for a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable
settlement of the East Timor issue, respecting the principles
of the United Nations Charter, and taking into account the
need to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms, as
well as full respect for the legitimate interests and
aspirations of the population of East Timor .

On 18 July 1994, the Union again reaffirmed the need for
the observance of human rights, particularly as regards the
freedom of worship and free access to East Timor for
international organizations .

At the Asean-EU ministerial meeting in Karlsruhe in
September, 1994, ministers emphasised their common
commitment to the promotion of, and respect for, human
rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of the Charter
of the United Nations, the Universal declaration of human
rights, and the Vienna declaration and programme of
action .

Recent incidents, particularly on the occasion of the APEC
summit in Jakarta last November, as well as the report of the
United Nations Secretary General 's representative Mr
Ndaye, confirm that tension remains in East Timor . The
Commission supports the bilateral discussions between
Portugal and Indonesia in the United Nations context . It
sincerely hopes that these discussions will help to result in a
just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable
settlement of the East Timor issue .

Throughout this period, the Commission and the Member
States have kept the human rights situation permanently
under review .

Very recently the Union through its presidency expressed its
concern to the Government of Indonesia concerning the
events in East Timor . On that occasion, it was learned that
two commissions of inquiry had been set up, by the military
and the national human rights commission respectively, and
that any faults found to have been committed during the
recent events in East Timor will be sanctioned .

The national human rights commission in fact recently
condemned the execution by the army of six civilians at
Liquisa, East Timor, in January of this year .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 35

The Commission will continue, in liaison with the Member WRITTEN QUESTION E-1051 /
States, to encourage and contribute to a just and by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR )
internationally acceptable solution, respecting the interests to the Commission
of the population of East Timor .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1051 / 95

to the Commission

The Commission is not in possession of information
concerning arms sales to Indonesia .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1047 / 95

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 57 )

Subject : Bee-keeping

Recently the European Parliament called for assistance to
bee-keepers and honey producers .

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 58 )

Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of
handicapped workers in the European
institutions

Is there a quota regulation in the European institutions for
the appointment of handicapped workers ?

If so, what are the results of this regulation with regard to
the appointment of such workers in 1992, 1993 and

1994 ?

If not, why not ?

Would you be prepared to introduce such a quota
regulation giving qualified handicapped workers preference
in appointments to positions within the European
institutions ?

Will assistance be paid to domestic bee-keepers and what Answer given by Mr Liikanen
controls regarding domestic bee-keeping are currently in on behalf of the Commission
operation ? ( 29 May 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1995 )

The Commission thanks the Parliament for its careful

examination of the Commission communication ' discussion
paper on European agriculture ' (') and for suggesting
interesting lines for further exploration as well as aid

measures .

The Commission communication concluded that it is not

appropriate to set up a specific market organization for
honey nor a global system of support . Nevertheless, the
Commission indicated in its discussion paper possible
measures to improve the production and marketing of
honey .

These measures would cover the fight against varroasis, the
rationalization of transhumance, the management of a
network of regional beekeeping centres and a study of the
production and marketing structures in the sector .

The Commission will consider the resolution of the

Parliament carefully and it will present as soon as possible
proposals for appropriate measures on which Parliament
will be consulted .

f 1 ) COM(94 ) 256 final .

The provisions of the Staff Regulations in respect of
recruitment do not specify a quota for the appointment of
disabled officials in Community institutions .

An inter-service working group has been established within
the Commission with the object of producing a code of
practice for the employment of people with disabilities . The
group will need to consider all aspects of this important
question .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1055 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 28 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 59 )

Subject : Rights of foreign nationals in municipal
elections

Article 8b(l ) of the Maastricht Treaty stipulates that any
citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he
is not a national has the right to vote and to stand as a
candidate in municipal elections in the Member State in
which he resides . On 19 December 1994, the Council
adopted Directive 94 / 80 / EC ('), which defines and partly
limits this right .

The right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal
elections in the Member State of residence is expressly
reserved, both in the Maastricht Treaty and the Council

No C 222 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Directive, for persons who are nationals of an EU Member
State . However, there are millions of people in the EU who
are not nationals of an EU Member State, but of third
countries . Such people, some of whom have been living
legally in the Community for decades and have put down
roots in their municipalities of residence ( and, in a country
such as Germany, where ius sanguinis applies, even their
children who were born in that country ), are to continue to

be deprived of any rights to take part in municipal
elections .

Is the Commission aware of initiatives in the Member States

designed to give such people the right to vote in municipal
elections ?

Does it consider it reasonable not only for citizens of the
Union ( as the Council Directive states ), but also for people
from non-member countries who have been living in the
Member States for many years, to be better integrated in
their host country ?

Would it support the idea of granting special Union
citizenship to people, whether or not they are nationals of a
Member State, which would allow nationals of third
countries who were born or have lived legally in the
Community for five or ten years to vote in municipal
elections ?

(!) OJ No L 368, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 38 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

The Honourable Member raises the question whether local
voting rights which are granted to Union citizens by virtue of
Article 8B paragraph A of the EC Treaty and the
corresponding Council Directive 94 / 80 / EC should be
extended to nationals of third countries . Article 8B
paragraph A of the EC Treaty, which limits the scope of
beneficiaries of local voting rights in the Member State of
residence to Union citizens, forms part of the provisions of
the EC Treaty devoted to Union citizenship . Some Member
States have introduced such rights for third country
nationals residing on their territory . This is the case of
Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden .

For its part, the Commission both in 1976 in its first action
programme in favour of migrant workers and their
families { l ), and later in its guidelines for a Community
policy on migration ( 2 ) subscribed to the objective of full
participation by immigrants in local elections and
considered that the granting of local voting rights to third
country nationals by Member States would constitute
an important supplementary tool for a successful
integration .

(!) Suppl . 3 / 76 — Bull . EC .

( 2 ) Suppl . 9 / 85 — Bull . EC .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1058 / 95

by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

95 / C 222 / 60 )

Subject : Methods of detecting whether foodstuffs have

been irradiated

Pursuant to Directive 89 / 395 / EEC C ) of 14 June 1989 on
the approximation of the laws of the Member States relative
to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs
for sale to the ultimate consumer, foodstuffs treated with
ionizing radiation may only be placed on the market if they
bear a corresponding indication . Effective monitoring of
compliance with this provision, particularly in countries
where irradiation is banned, is only possible if appropriate
detection techniques are available .

Can the Commission provide an overview as to :

1 . how monitoring is carried out in the Member States ;

2 . the techniques and methods of analysis available for
detecting whether foodstuffs have been irradiated ;

3 . which of these methods of analysis are used in the
individual Member States ;

4 . and whether analysis techniques standardized at a
European level exist for detecting whether foodstuffs
have been irradiated ?

0 ) OJ No L 186, 30 . 6 . 1989, p . 17 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

The Commission every year receives general statistical
figures on the annual results of the inspections carried out in
the Member States pursuant to Article 14 of Directive
89 / 397 / EEC on the official control of foodstuffs (*). The
results received clearly show that a high level of control is
carried out with regard to the conformity of the labelling
and the presentation of foodstuffs . However, these results
cover the main categories of inspection and do not make it
possible to identify specific cases of inspection of labelling
with regard to irradiation .

In view of the opinion expressed by Parliament, the
Commission has embarked upon a concerted action for the
development of methods for the detection of irradiated
foodstuffs . Six methods have been developed for the
detection of certain irradiated products or categories of
producs based on the following :

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 37

( a ) analysis of the electronic paramagnetic resonance

( EPR ) or the electron spin resonance ( ESR ) spectrum of
the bones in meat or fish, the stones or kernels, skins or
shells and dry parts of fruit or nuts containing cellulose,
for example berries, pistachios, prunes, hazelnuts, etc .
and fresh fruit containing crystallized sugar ;

( b ) gas chromatography of foodstuffs containing fats or

raw chicken meat, pork or whole raw eggs (2
alkyl-cyclobutanone mass spectrometry ) and of raw
chicken meat, pork and beef ( hydrocarbon analysis );

( c ) thermoluminescence analysis of the silicated minerals
in condiments, spices and mixtures thereof and in
vegetables, fresh fruit and seafood .

The effectiveness of these methods has resulted in their

official adoption by some Member States .

The Commission has given the European Committee for

Standardization ( CEN ) a mandate to convert these methods
into European standards . CEN has already called for
comments on the preliminary draft standards for five of the
methods to be submitted by 22 June 1995 . If no comments
have been received by that date, the first standard methods
for irradiant foodstuffs will subsequently enter into
force .

With regard to the sixth method in respect of fresh fruit as
referred to in ( a ) above, the preliminary draft standard will
be drawn up at a later date to allow for the scope to be
extended .

tural projects relating to oilseed production . If any projects
receive national aid, they must respect the provisions of
Articles 92 — 94 of the EC Treaty .

Without details of the specific programmes to which the
Honourable Member refers, the Commission cannot
comment about their compatibility with Community
legislation .

As regards the possibility for Austria to make degressive
transitional payments to producers of oilseeds, Austria is
constrained in the same manner as the other Member States,
by the terms of the Memorandum of understanding on
oilseeds which was approved by Council Decision
93 / 355 / EEC ( l ).

Paragraph 3 of this Memorandum excludes the Community
from engaging in any market support expenditure in respect
of rape and colza seeds, sunflower seeds and soya beans
except in accordance with the terms and conditions
provided by Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 ( 2 ).

The proposals for transitional degressive payments
specifically for oilseed producers made by Austria would
constitute market support expenditure on oilseeds and their
terms do not fall within the scope of Council Regulation

( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 . Therefore, the Community must
preclude these payments .

The Commission cannot condone any type of payment

be drawn up at a later date to allow for the scope to be being made to oilseed producers in Austria that would lead
extended . to a breach of the terms of the Blair House agreement by the

Community .
H OJ No L 186, 30 . 6 . 1989 .

(M OJ No L 147, 18 . 6 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1060 / 95

by Mathias Reichhold ( NI ) WRITTEN QUESTION E   - 1063 / 95

to the Commission
by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 61 )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 62 )
Subject : Oil seeds

In Austria, there are a number of oil seed projects based on
very generous support schemes .

Will it be possible to maintain such schemes ?

Can the degressive compensatory payments be effected in
the form envisaged by Austria ? If not, what alternatives does
the Commission propose ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : European Regional Development Fund after
1997

What time scale does the Commission envisage for deciding
eligible areas for ERDF funding for the period commencing

1 January 1997 ?

Which ( if any ) Member States has the Commission entered
into discussion with about post-1997 ERDF eligibility ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 May 1995 ) (8 May 1995 )

Under the terms of the Accession Treaty, Austria must apply
prevailing Community legislation in respect of any agricul ­

The current lists of areas eligible under the regional
objectives of the Structural Funds were introduced with

No C 222 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

effect from 1 January 1994, or 1 January 1995 in the case of
the three new Member States . These lists remain in force for

the period to the end of 1999 with the exception of the list of
regions in industrial decline, eligible under Objective 2 of the
Structural Funds, where assistance is planned and
implemented on a three-yearly basis . Actions are
co-financed from both the European Regional Development
Fund and the European Social Fund in Objective 2
regions .

The current programming period for Objective 2 regions,
except for those in two of the new Member States, comes to
an end on 31 December 1996, which will provide an
opportunity to review the list of eligible areas in Article 9 ( 6 )
of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88, as amended ( [ ). It is
envisaged that this review will commence at the beginning of

appropriate consultations to arrive at a proposal which
excludes fighting bulls, but without affecting the same
producer 's right to rear other beef cattle .

Concerning repayment, in its reply to a certain number of
oral and written questions formulated in 1994, the
Commission has already pointed out that fighting bulls are
not expressly excluded from the premium system intended
for the male bovine cattle which has existed since 1987 .

Consequently, since there is no fraud, it is not legally
justifiable to seek repayment of the Community subsidies
granted to this type of cattle .

1996 to allow a smooth transition to the next generation of
Objective 2 programmes due to begin on 1 January 1997 .
The review will be conducted under the partnership
arrangements and the Commission will begin consultations WRITTEN QUESTION E-1078 / 95
early in 1996 with all the Member States concerned .

by Vassilis Ephremidis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission
( ] ) OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993, p . 5 .

( 12 April 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 064 / 95

by James Provan ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 63 )

Subject : Beef premiums

Has the Commission any current initiatives to look at
funding of producers of male bovines in Spain whose bulls
are to be used in bullfights ?

If not, will the Commission act to deprive such producers of
Community funding or seek ways in which the subsidy
granted to them can be repaid ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1995 )

In the context of last year 's price fixing, the Commission
proposed as a market measure, to limit the second of the two
premia to steers . Under this measure, all bulls which could
be considered for selection for bullfights would be excluded
from this premium . However, the Council did not adopt
that proposal . At this moment, the Commission is making

( 95 / C 222 / 64 )

Subject : The agricultural sector in Greece

The agricultural sector in Greece plays a major role in the
country 's economy . It employs 22% of its working
population and accounts for 33,1 % of the value of Greek
exports and 16,3% of GDP .

Although the balance of trade in the agricultural sector was
in Greece 's favour until the country joined the EEC, since
membership there has been a downward trend because of
the CAP ( common agricultural policy ) and in recent years it
has been badly affected by the difficulties of transport
through former Yugoslavia ( the embargo, the war etc .).

Between 1961 and 1991 investment in agriculture fell from

17% to 5% and, although many of the crops grown in
Greece are in short supply in the European Union ( e.g.
cotton, tobacco, raisins ) measures are being taken to cut
back even further . The result of this is a need to import from
third countries and the abandonment of farmland in Greece

which has a direct impact on the ecological balance in the
areas concerned .

Productivity in this sector in Greece is 55 % of the
Community average with an added value per farm of ECU
9 100 is opposed to ECU 16 500 for the EU in 1990 / 91, a
situation which will deteriorate once the GATT agreement is
implemented .

Farmers ' incomes are plummeting as prices remain stable or
even fall while the prices of raw materials ( seeds, fertilizers,
pesticides etc .) are rising .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 39

In view of the fact that abandonment of farming will
exacerbate the unemployment problem since a dwindling
Greek industrial sector cannot absorb the surplus labour
and given that de-population of the countryside will cause
environmental problems, does the EU have plans specifically
for Greece, for measures to compensate for the dramatic
impact on the Greek agricultural economy, or will this
disastrous situation continue to worsen as powerful
interests in certain EU countries would like ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

The Commission is at one with the Honourable Member in

acknowledging the vital importance of agriculture to the
Greek economy, particularly as regards employment and the
social and economic equilibrium of many Greek regions .

The Commission notes that in 1994 Greece enjoyed one of
the highest increases in farming incomes in the Community,
estimated by Eurostat at 11% . Farming income has also
risen over time, by 64,5 % in real terms between 1973 and

1993 .

Furthermore, the Greek rural and farming community is one
of the primary beneficiaries of Community structural
measures . All of Greece is classed as an Objective 1 region
and since accession the country has received ECU 2 600
million from the EAGGF Guidance Section, or 12% of the
total ; in contrast, the Greek contribution to the
Community 's final agricultural output is only 5% .

EAGGF Guidance Section commitments

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 079 / 95

by Joan Colom i Naval ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 65 )

Subject : Irradiation of vegetables from the Netherlands

Recently there has been a large increase in the quantity of
vegetables on European markets which can be kept for
longer than the normal period .

According to criticisms voiced by several consumer
associations, these vegetables — particularly lettuces and
radishes — have been subjected to irradiation processes
banned under Community rules .

Can the Commission refute these accusations ? Can it

provide guarantees that the proper phytosanitary checks
have been carried out ? Can it banish all fears concerning
unfair competition and health risks ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1995 )

The Commission cannot confirm the allegations of
consumer organizations that the better keeping quality of
vegetables that has been seen on the European markets of
late is to be attributed to treatment by ionizing
radiation .

According to the information available, only the United
Kingdom has permitted the irradiation of vegetables up to
now, not that it is known whether any application has been
made for a licence for this .

The Commission cannot comment on the implementation
of control procedures, since these are the responsibility of
the Member States . It has, nevertheless, developed detection
methods for certain foodstuffs, which will shortly be put
into the form of European standards ( see the Commission 's
answer to Written Question E - 105 8 / 95 from Mrs
Schleicher i 1 )). Some Member States have already officially
adopted these methods .

Furthermore, the proposal for a Directive on foods and food
ingredients treated with ionizing radiation ( 2 ), presented to
the Council as far back as 1988, provides for control
procedures for the installations used and the implemenation
of the process, both on Community territory and in third
countries . It authorises the treatment of a small number of

products, which would be entered in a Community list .

Greece

( in ECU million )

Europe %
( in ECU million )

1981 17,356 715,397 2,43

1982 30,333 781,719 3,88

1983 84,977 926,785 9,17

1984 111,094 842,505 13,19

1985 137,886 898,293 15,35

1986 139,549 972,534 14,35

1987 105,141 939,974 11,19

1988 148,610 1 180,000 12,59

1989 235,297 1 461,991 16,09

1990 270,165 1 925,676 14,03

1991 274,205 2 408,159 11,39

1992 392,200 2 874,814 13,64

1993 383,243 2 995,910 12,79

1994 266,288 3 335,426 7,98

Total 2 596,344 22 259,183 11,66

No C 222 / 40 ΓΕΝ Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

The Commission 's proposal was justified by the conclusions
of the most competent authorities, notably the World
Health Organization ( reports for 1981 and 1992 ) and the
Scientific Committee for Food ( 1986 ). None of these reports
attributes any human health risks to ionization if the
procedure is applied correctly . On the other hand, it is
considered to be one of the best ways of destroying the
pathogenic organisms transmissible via foodstuffs, some of
which, like salmonellae and campylobacteria, are kept in in
check only by ionization .

As to the possibility of disinfection of foodstuffs by means of
chemicals, this alternative is not always possible since
certain of these substances are prohibited or undesirable
since they are harmful to health or the environment

( ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, ethylene dibromide ).

On the other hand, the lack of Community legislation on
ionization does not allow the treatment conditions of

imported food to be checked either .

For all of these reasons, the Commission regrets Member
States ' unwillingness to adopt Community rules for the
treatment of foods with ionizing radiation .

Strasbourg on 30 and 31 March 19 95, a new stage in the
formulation of the European spatial development
perspective ( ESDP ) is now to commence with the
preparation of a ' desired scenario ' ( scenario volontariste )
that will be the subject of an interim document for
examination at the ministerial meeting to be held during
Spain 's Presidency .

As in the case of the trend scenarios examined at Strasbourg,
this ' desirable development ' scenario will be translated into
maps and will deal with the major transnational
development planning areas, in particular the
Mediterranean Arc, the Alpine Arc and the Atlantic Arc, but
also other areas such as the maritime basins of the Baltic and

the North Sea and the river basins of the Rhine and Meuse,
recently affected by widespread flooding .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )
( l ) See page 36 of this Official Journal .

( 2 ) OJ No C 336, 31 . 12 . 1988 . ( 95 / C 222 / 67 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1081 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 66 )

Subject : Development of the European area

How does the Commission envisage integration of the
major regional and transnational development areas of
Europe, such as the Mediterranean Arc, the Alpine Arc and
the Atlantic Arc, into the development plan for the
European area ?

Subject : EC aid to development projects in Uruguay

What major projects ( exceeding ECU 500 000 ), either
carried out in the years 1980 — 1994 or still in progress,
particularly in the fields of industrial development,
dam-building and infrastructure, has the Commission
co-financed in Uruguay ?

Does the Commission have any plans to finance and
implement such projects in Uruguay in 1995 and 1996 ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

Uruguay is a middle-income country, which benefits mainly
from economic forms of cooperation .

Such cooperation takes the form mainly of a transfer of
Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies know-how to diversify production and modernize State

on behalf of the Commission

structures .

( 17 May 1995 )

No infrastructure work is planned .

Subsequent to the informal meeting of ministers responsible
for regional policy and development planning held in

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 41

QUESTION E-1093 / 95 safety of the combined ingredients of certain types of

Schweitzer ( NI ) industrially manufactured food for mass consumption ? In

Commission other words, additives are evaluated individually, but the

question is whether the Commission has studies evaluating

12 April 1995 ) finished products as they are available in the shops,

( 95 / C 222 / 68 ) analysing possibile interactions between additives,
potentiation, metabolites etc .?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1093 / 95

by Karl Schweitzer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

Subject : Ostrich farming

Ostriches did not have uropygial glands, the secretions from
which are used by our indigenous birds to oil and thus
waterproof their feathers . In the cold, wet climate of
northern Europe it is impossible to keep ostriches in the
conditions they require . What measures will the
Commission take against this form of livestock farming,
which is inappropriate to the species concerned ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

It is true that ostriches and emus lack a preen gland and so
do not have the ability to oil their feathers to provide a
waterproof plumage .

Recommendations on the welfare of ratites ( ostriches, emus
and rheas ) are currently under discussion in the Standing
committee of the European convention for the protection of
animals kept for farming purposes . The Community is a
Contracting Party to this convention . In formulating its
recommendations, the committee takes full account of the
biological characteristics of the animal under discussion .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 103 / 95

by José Valverde Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

All food additives contained in the recently adopted
Directives 95 / 2 / EC (*), 94 / 3 5 / EC and 94 / 36 / EC ( 2 ) of the
Parliament and the Council were evaluated by the Scientific
committee for food and found acceptable for human
consumption .

The evaluation by this Committee involves a wide range of
scientific disciplines and indeed interactions between
different food additives and interactions of food additives

with food constituents are considered . For example, the
committee examined the effects of the use of sulphites on
vitamin B1 containing foodstuffs and established acceptable
daily intakes for groups of additives .

The detailed scientific opinions of the committee, including,
where necessary, the effects mentioned by the Honourable
Member, are published in the reports of the committee .
These reports are sent to the Parliament on a regular
basis .

( 1 ) OJ No L 61, 18 . 3 . 1995 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 237, 30 . 6 . 1994 .

( 12 April 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E                 - 1 104 / 95
( 95 / C 222 / 69 )

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

Subject : Food additives ( 12 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 70 )
European Union legislation on foodstuffs constitutes a
genuine legal instrument . Extensive harmonization has been
achieved, but it has not been possible to convey a message of
confidence and security to the general public . Consumers Subject : Problems in applying the
are uneasy and mistrustful at the increasing consumption of recognition
industrially manufactured food containing on average
about a dozen additives of various kinds such as colourings, In 1994 there was still considerable
anti-oxidants, emulsifiers etc ., of complex chemical removing non-tariff barriers, in
composition . of the of

Subject : Problems in applying the principle of mutual

recognition

Does the Commission have specific technical reports
evaluated by the Scientific Committee on foodstuffs on the

In 1994 there was still considerable difficulty in definitively
removing non-tariff barriers, in connection with the
application of the principle of mutual recognition which,
in product sectors where there is no Community
harmonization, allows the relevant authorities in the
purchasing countries to recognize the regulations of the

No C 222 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

other Member States . What action does the Commission

intend to take to ensure that the principle of mutual
recognition is respected ?

Can consideration be given to a regulation applying the
principle of mutual recognition under which as a general
rule it would be automatically applied, and in the event of a
discrepancy, the matter would be brought before a
Commission arbitration committee, but without paralysing
trade in the disputed product ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

In accordance with the interpretation given by the Court of
Justice in its ' Cassis de Dijon ' judgment ( J ) and confirmed by

all subsequent judgments in the field, any product lawfully
produced and marketed in a Member State may, as a general
rule, be imported to, and marketed in, any other Member
State . However, obstacles to free movement within the
Community resulting from disparities between national
rules may be accepted in so far as those rules are appropriate
and not excessive in order to satisfy mandatory
requirements of public interest .

In this connection, Member States may not conduct tests
and checks already carried out in the Member State of
production and are required to recognize the relevant
certificates issued by that Member State . Nor may they
make the marketing on their territory of goods produced in
other Member States subject to prior checks except where
serious and specific health risks are involved . Accordingly,
compliance with the principle of mutual recognition of
national laws which have not been harmonized at

Community level is already one of the obligations directly
incumbent on Member States by virtue of Article 30 of the
EC Treaty, as interpreted by the Court .

As regards the proposed measures to facilitate application of
the principle of mutual recognition between Member States,
the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the

proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision
establishing a procedure for the exchange of information on
national measures derogating from the principle of the free
movement of goods within the Community ( 2 ), and to the
discussions on this proposal .

( ! ) Case 120 / 78 Rewe-Zentral AG v . Bundesmonopolverwaltung

für Branntwein [ 1979 ] ECR 649 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 670 final, OJ No C 18, 21 . 1 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1118 / 95

by Irini Lambraki ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 71 )

Subject : Deduction of income tax from agricultural
production subsidies

On 20 March 1995 the Agricultural Bank of Greece
authorized the deduction of income tax from production
premiums for agricultural products pursuant to Greek Law
2065 / 92 .

Are such deductions consistent with Community law and, if
not, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that
the premium system operates properly and to protect
farmers ' incomes ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1995 )

Community law does not prevent the application and
enforcement of national taxation on the income of farmers,
or of any other citizens of the Community . Provided
national taxation systems do not violate the fundamental
principles laid down in the Treaty, Member States are free to
conduct their own income tax policy .

The principle of Member States ' autonomy was confirmed
for the agricultural sector by several judgments of the Court
of Justice C ). The Court of Justice founded this
interpretation in particular on Article 39 ( 2 ) ( c ) EC Treaty
which states that, in working out the common agricultural
policy, account is to be taken of the fact that in the Member
States agriculture constitutes a sector closely linked with the
economy as a whole . The Court 's case law also reveals that
an incompatibility with the provisions of the Treaty on
agriculture, or with the provisions on the common
organizations of the markets, would exist only to the extent
to which the tax had the effect, in particular as a result of its
influence on price formation or through the change in the
structure of agricultural holdings which might result
therefrom, of impeding the functioning of the common
organization of the markets . Whether this is the case can
only be determined on a case by case basis . At present, the
Commission does not dispose of the information to
conclude that the market mechanisms are indeed affected in

such a negative way by law No 2065 / 92 .

As regards the question of the Honourable Member whether
income taxes due by farmers can be recovered by the Greek
State through a set-off against subsidies payable under the
common agricultural policy, the answer must be that, in

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 43

principle, such a method of recovery is not incompatible
with Community law, provided set-off is allowed under
Greek law and is applied without discrimination against
Community subsidies . The Commission is, however, of the
opinion that the agricultural subsidies paid under the
so-called ' compensatory payment schemes ' provided for by
the 1992 reform of the common agricultural policy, cannot
be subjected to set-off . This conclusion follows from the
provision in the relevant Regulations ( Council Regulations

( EEC ) Nos 615 / 92 ( oilseeds ), ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 ( arable

, crops ) and ( EEC ) No 805 / 68 ( beef ) specifying that the aid

must be paid in full to the beneficiary . A similar provision is
laid down in Article 21 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 4253 / 88 on structural aid .

( ! ) See, e.g., Joined Cases 36 and 71 / 80, Irish Creamery Milk

Suppliers Association, ECR 1981, P. 750 and 297 / 82,
Samenwirkende Danske Landboforeninger, ECR 1983,
p. 3299 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 126 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )
and Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 72 )

Subject : Fixed periods for anchovy fishing

The fisheries ministries of Spain and France have signed an
agreement whereby between 20 March and 1 June French
inshore fishermen will suspend their activities in the
anchovy fishing season to allow Spanish fishermen to fish
over those months .

What would be the Commission 's attitude if the agreement
were not respected by either party ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 128 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE )
and Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 73 )

Subject : Fisheries agreement between Spain and France

The French and Spanish Governments maintain bilateral
agreements whereby Spain cedes 9 000 tonnes of anchovy to

France and in return French fishermen suspend their activity
for a fixed period .

What mechanism does the Commission have to check that

this agreement on catch distribution is honoured ?

What measures will the Commission take if it is shown that

either of the parties is not complying with the agreements
reached and currently in force ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-1126 / 95 and E-1128 / 95

given by Mrs Bonino
on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

At the Fisheries Council in December 1994, France and
Spain informed the Council and the Commission that a
' Franco-Spanish fisheries committee ' had been instituted to
examine and discuss all pertinent issues arising from the
exchange of quota . Consequently, this Committee is, in the
Commission view, the appropriate forum to discuss and
decide upon the issues referred to in the Honourable
Members ' questions .

The 1995 quota for anchovy agreed between Spain and
France is being monitored in the usual manner, that is to say,
the French authorities communicate to the Commission the

quantities taken by the French fleet . Due to adverse weather
conditions on the fishing grounds in the early part of 1995,
catches are well below the levels taken in previous years . The
Commission will of course continue to monitor catches and

to accompany the Member States ' inspectors on their
missions to ensure that national authorities are recording
and checking the quantities landed .

In order to find a solution to the problems in the anchovy
fishery, which basically arise from gear conflicts and quota
distribution between the two Member States concerned, the
Commission had encouraged these to agree bilaterally on
appropriate measures to end the recurring difficulties . The
Commission thinks that the quota arrangement and the
establishing of a Franco-Spanish fisheries committee are
excellent moves to deal with this controversial matter on a

long-term basis . In the — hypothetical — case of one of the
parties not respecting the engagements undertaken, the
above committee appears to be the competent body to settle
any possible dispute . Under the aspect of subsidiarity, the
Commission would only intervene if so requested by the
Member States concerned .

No C 222 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 129 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ),
Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE ) and Josep Pons Grau ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 199 S )

( 95 / C 222 / 74 )

Subject : The drought in Spain

At its part-session in March 1995 Parliament adopted a
resolution on the effects of the drought in Spain ( B4-414,
457 and 474 / 95 ).

What action has the Commission taken on this

resolution ?

What measures has it taken or does it intend to take once the

negative effects of the prolonged drought in Spain have been
ascertained and analysed ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 May 1995 )

The Commission has taken note of the points made in
Parliament 's resolution on the effects of the drought in
Spain .

It has always regarded the question of natural disasters,
including drought in certain areas of the Community, with
considerable concern .

The Commission is considering the various aspects of the
resolution so that it can decide on the action to be taken in

the light of the applicable rules and available finance .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 134 / 95

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

A ' Movement for the protection of the Rock Art of the Coa
Valley ' has been set up by associations of local secondary
school pupils ( Vila Nova de Foz Coa ) and university
students ( Universities of Tras-Montes, Minho and Evora
and the Arts Faculty of Oporto ) dedicated to preserving
what they call ' the greatest open-air rock art heritage site in
the world '; amongst other activities, the Movement has been
organizing visits by Portuguese political and cultural
bodies .

However, there is a need for studies to be carried out and for
the countryside around the ' palaeolithic sanctuary ' to be
systematically surveyed — since it is already known that
there are buried boulders with carvings on them, while other
as yet unidentified remains run the risk of being left
protected . These studies and surveys need to be made as a
matter of urgency, and will require considerable funding .

I would ask the Commission whether, following the
examples of other initiatives such as Conimbriga, its DG X
might not take an interest in this discovery in view of its
attested historical cultural and scientific interest ; and
whether it should not promote or corporate in the
systematic study of the site and in protecting it and
developing its potential ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that,
according to Article 128 EC Treaty and the principle of
subsidiarity, this matter is dealt exclusively by the national
authorities .

However, the project in question could, possibly, be
considered within the framework of the actions envisaged in
the Commission 's proposal for a Parliament and Council
Decision establishing a Community action programme in
the field of cultural heritage, the Raphael programme, once
it has been adopted .

( 20 April 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1151 / 95
( 95 / C 222 / 75 )

by Robin Teverson ( ELDR )

Subject : Protecting and developing the potential of the

major collection of palaeolithic rock carvings
discovered in Coa ( Portugal )

The historical and cultural value and exceptional scientific
importance of the recently discovered palaeolithic rock
carvings in the Coa Valley in Portugal, have been confirmed
by the interest shown and preliminary studies made by
outstanding national and world experts and by Unesco ;
these discoveries must be properly protected and the
potential of the site properly developed .

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 76 )

Subject : United Kingdom Government 's administration of

United Kingdom sheep quotas

The EU has set out Regulations regarding the
administration of sheep quotas in the Member States
allowing the national governments a free hand to

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 45

set up and administer a national reserve system for those
producers who have not received quota rights for annual
sheep premium .

The UK Government set up seven different categories in

1993 but in one ring - fenced area the English non-LFA ran
out of quotas after categories 1 and 2, leaving the other
sheep producers in the remaining five categories
empty-handed . This has resulted in hundreds of sheep
producers suddenly finding themselves with sheep but no
possibility of turning them into a future income . They have
been led along by the Government 's empty promises of

quotas .

Is the Commission aware of these problems facing sheep
producers in the UK and the lack of coordination in
allocating quotas ? What can it do to improve the situation
of sheep farmers who have been deceived due to the
incompetent management of the national reserve system by
MAFF ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1995 )

The Council Regulation governing the common market
organization for sheepmeat conferred on Member States the
authority to determine the order of priority for particular
types of sheep producer in the repartition of annual ewe
premium rights from the national reserve .

The Commission monitors closely the management of the
annual ewe premium scheme in all Member States and is
indeed aware that, in the case of the United Kingdom, the
number of rights available in the initial national reserve was
lower than the number of rights requested by producers .
However, the information which is currently available to the
Commission does not appear to indicate that the UK
Government has acted outside its competence in this

matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 154 / 95

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 77 )

Subject : Resider I and II programmes

Among the measures intended to promote new industries to
mitigate the effect of the decline of the steel industry, the

Resider I and II programmes are concerned with the
development of tourism .

Can the Commission say what tourist activities for the
Asturias region have been accepted into the Resider I and II
programmes ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

The Resider I operational programme ( OP ) for the Asturias
region, approved by the Commission on 21 April 1989,
provided for spending of ECU 13 million in aid from the
European Regional Development Fund over the period

1989 — 1993 . The total cost of the investments carried out

under the programme amounted to ECU 24 million
approximatately .

Investment in tourism accounted for 20 % of total

programme investment .

Examples of infrastructure investment are the Railway
Museum at Gijon and the camping site at Infazon, some 5
km from the city centre . With a view to encouraging tourism
initiatives, aid to small businesses was part-funded enabling
75 small projects investing in the refurbishment, upgrading
or creation of small, mainly family-run, hotels to be
grant-aided .

The Operational Programme for all the Spanish areas
eligible under the Resider II Community Initiative was
submitted to the Commission on 8 December 1994 and is at

an advanced stage of scrutiny .

Although the programme has not yet been finalized, a
measure is planned to promote tourism in the eligible areas
of Asturias . It will involve 8,25 % of the Community 's
Structural Fund aid for the region under the Resider II OP
for Spain .

Outfitting the Railway Museum at Gijon and measures to
promote the region 's tourist attractions and improve the
marketing of them are planned in particular .

However, it is worthwhile remembering that the actual
projects to be carried out under an operational programme
may only be identified within monitoring committees as the
form of assistance evolves, while remaining within the scope
of the aims and selection criteria established beforehand .

No C 222 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1157 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 155 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1157 /

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE ) by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

Subject : Rechar

to the Commission to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 ) ( 20 April 1995 )

(9 SIC 222 / 78 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 79 )

Subject : Submission of the position paper on fisheries

agreements

When will the position paper on fisheries agreements,
Among the measures intended to promote new industries to prepared by the Commission in 1994, be submitted to the
mitigate the effect of the decline in mining, the Rechar Council and Parliament ?
programme is concerned with the development of
tourism .

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

Can the Commission say what tourist activities for the on behalf of the Commission
Asturias region have been accepted into the Rechar ( 24 May 1 995 )
programme ?

The Commission has not yet examined the paper referred to
by the Honourable Member . Once it has been adopted, it
will be presented to the Council and Parliament .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 165 / 95

The operational programme ( OP ) covering all the Spanish by Graham Mather ( PPE )
areas eligible under the Rechar II Community Initiative was to the Commission
submitted to the Commission on 28 December 1994 and is ( 20 April 1995 )
now at an advanced stage of consideration .

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 80 )

While the programme is not fully established as yet, it can be
said at this stage that a measure is planned to promote
tourism in the eligible areas of Asturias . The measure will
attract 2,5 % of the Community aid from the Structural
Funds for this region under the Rechar II OP for Spain .

The plans include renovation of the former Parador at the
port of Pajares and various measures to develop all kinds of
tourism potential, especially through the provision of
appropriate small infrastructure works .

The characteristics of an OP should, however, be borne in

mind i.e. the actual projects to be carried out can be decided
on within the Monitoring Committees as the form of
assistance progresses, while maintaining the aims and
selection criteria established beforehand .

Subject : Technology transfer agreements

In June 1994 the Commission published a proposal for the
application of Article 85 ( 3 ) of the Treaty to certain
categories of technology transfer agreements ('). The
Commission subsequently held a hearing on this proposal
on 31 January 1995 . At that hearing European industry
unanimously expressed concerns about the effect of this
proposal and, particularly, that it may deter technology
transfer in the Community .

Industry is concerned that in deciding to include market
share thresholds the Commission has not ascertained how
many technology transfer agreements will require
notification to the Commission to be valid . It is also

concerned that the Commission has published no guidelines
and has no policy for cases which fall above the market share
threshold .

Can the Commission indicate how many agreements a year
it anticipates will fall above the thresholds, how it proposes

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 47

to handle those cases within its current resources and what

its policy to such cases will be ?

(') OJ No C 178, 30 . 6 . 1994, p . 3 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 May 1995 )

The Commission is currently considering a number of
amendments to the published draft, in the light of comments
received from business representatives at the public hearing
on 31 January 1995, with the aim of reducing to a minimum
the administrative burden imposed on European industry,
whilst ensuring that the Treaty 's competition rules are
respected .

Since the draft has not yet been finalised and the Advisory
committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions
must still be consulted, in particular as regards the level at
which market share thresholds may be fixed, it is not
possible at this stage to estimate how many agreements
annually will require notification . However, the revised
draft will ensure that the number is not excessive and may be
handled within the Commission 's resources .

As to the Commission 's policy towards agreements falling
outside the block exemption Regulation, there will be no
presumption that such agreements should not benefit from a
comfort letter or individual exemption, nor will there be any
presumption of abuse of a dominant position . Moreover,
the Commission recognises that the grant of an exclusive
licence to a larger company may be the most appropriate
means by which small and medium enterprises can exploit
their technological innovations and that such licences may
therefore benefit consumers .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 170 / 95

by Per Stenmarck ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 81

Subject : Discharges of oil in the Baltic

Thousands of birds were killed last winter through oil being
dumped into the Baltic, the Sound and along the west coast
of Sweden, damaging ecosystems and the tourist industry
throughout the region . The Swedish coastguard has done its
utmost to clear up the oil by mechanical means and
volunteers have joined in to help contain the damage .
Nevertheless, the effects are extremely serious . In many

ways, this is the worst environmental disaster in this region
for a quarter of a century . Parts of the mainland around the
Baltic, and the islands of Oland and Gotland, which
contains some of northern Europe 's most important
breeding grounds, are among the worst affected areas .

The long-term trend has been encouraging . Since the early

1980s, detected discharges of oil in the area have fallen from
500 to around 300 a year . Despite this, ships persist in
washing out their bilges and engine-rooms and flushing the
waste into the sea . However, it is now rarer for modern
tankers to clean out their oil tanks straight into the sea .

Efforts must now be made to persuade less conscientious
shipowners to recognize the problems that their actions
cause . As a number of countries are affected, the
Commissioner responsible should take the initiative to
resolve this problem .

What measures will the Commissioner responsible for the
environment intend to take to avoid a repetition of last
winter 's environment problems in the Baltic ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

Governments and industry, including shipping, have long
recognised the damaging effects of oil on ecosystem . In the
early seventies the International Maritime Organization
adopted an international convention for the prevention of
pollution from ships ( Marpol ). This convention entered into
force in 1983 and has been ratified by almost all maritime
countries . It applies strict requirements to the construction
of ships and their equipment, especially for oil tankers .

The convention also regulates the discharge of hazardous or
noxious substances . This includes the discharge of oil and
oily residues from engine rooms and cargo banks . Recently
these requirements of the convention have been
considerably strengthened . In the Baltic more stringent
discharge criteria apply .

The implementation and enforcement of international
conventions for shipping is however not easy . The primary
responsibility for the implemenation of international rules
rests with the flag States . In some cases flag States have not
taken these responsibilities seriously, especially the ' flags of
convenience ' States . It became apparent that the ports of call
could also play an important role in enforcement .

The Commission recognised this and proposed a Directive
on port State control . A common position on this proposal
was adopted by the Council on 14 March 1995 . It is
expected that the Directive will enter into force on 1 July

1996 .

No C 222 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

A study on the enforcement in Community waters of safety
and environmental rules will be finalized in the autumn for

the Commission . It will identify present practice and best
practice for enforcement policies within the Community
and suggest possible further policy options . It is already
envisaged that it will identify scope for considerable
improvement in the policy of international environmental
regulations and for the surveillance of European waters and
the collection of evidence against violators of the discharge
provisions . This will have a high priority .

The Commission will monitor closely all actions resulting
from this study to assess and analyse their effects . The aim is
strict compliance of the shipping industry with the
international requirements for the discharge of oil and oily
waste from ships, which should result in cleaner beaches and
better protection of sensitive ecosystems in enclosed areas
like the Baltic Sea area .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 172 / 95

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 82 )

Subject : Access to technology for people with disabilities

There are two million blind people in the European
Community who may be denied employment and
educational opportunities if computer software is not made
accessible to them .

As the pace of technological change gathers momentum and
two thirds of the PCs in the workplace now use Windows,
does the Commission have any plans to introduce
Regulations to ensure accessibility for people with
disability ?

Will the Commission state how much of the software

bought through public procurement for internal use i.e. in
the Community institutions, is accessible for visually
impaired users ?

Microsoft USA have recently announced their intention to
speed up the process of making Windows ' 95 accessible for
visually impaired users and have announced that four new
posts will be made available to people with disability in
programme development so that in the future accessibility
will be considered in the design at the early stage and not
when it arrives on the market . ( This was the case with
Windows 3 operating system released in 1990 and it took
five years for blind users to gain adequate access .) However
no such decision has yet been taken in Europe .

Would the Commission lend its support to ensuring that
Microsoft Europe — since we do not have any competitive
European software producers — implements a policy that
only software that is accessible to all people will be placed on
the market ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

Computer interface access by blind or visually impaired
computer operators involves at least three interrelated

issues :

1 . Standards, regulations and public procurement
implications .

2 . R&D development of accessible computer interfaces .

3 . Availability in the market of the adequate interfaces and
financial, social and service delivery schemes to solve the
socio-economic barriers for purchasing them .

The Commission is involved in the following actions

1 . In relation to standards and regulations issues :
Financing studies and workshops ( mainly through the
application of the Heart study recommendations
financed by the Technology for the socio-economic
integration of the disabled and elderly people ( TIDE )
programme ( ! )) to introduce the accessibility criteria in
the standardization work .

2 . In relation to R&D developments of accessible
computer interfaces : The access to Windows interfaces
has been and is a priority topic of TIDE workplans in
all its phases . Two of the TIDE projects GUIB and
VISA have developed solutions for Windows and
X-Windows, both based on braille and speech . Some of
them are already available on the market . During the
project development they worked in close cooperation
with Microsoft and Sun ( through the Mercator project )
and have agreements with them to be provided with
preliminary versions of software, so that solutions for
blind users can be available earlier .

In the TIDE programme there are also some efforts
devoted to the implementation of tools that will help in
the design of common interfaces that are accessible for
blind and sighted users .

3 . In relation to market and service delivery issues : the
TIDE study Heart has already collected systematic
information and produced useful criteria for
improvement of the current situation, including the
questions related to service delivery and legislation . For
their implementation, cooperation with the Member
States is essential .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 49

The Commission plans included in the white paper on
European social policy ( 2 ), especially in chapter VI, 23
related to the implementation at European level of the
United Nations ' standard rules on the equalization of
opportunities for persons with disabilities ', are of
paramount importance to produce effective instruments
for the availability of accessible technologies
' designed for all ', independently of disabilities or age
conditions .

The Commission has already established the
consultation channels and the user involvement schemes

to make possible an effective coordination between the
different R&D programmes and the social programmes
of the Community .

f 1 ) COM(94 ) 333 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 173 / 95

by Lilli Gyldenkilde ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 83 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 175 / 95

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 84 )

Subject : EU Research in the field of Transmutation
Technology

The Joint Research Centre is undertaking research into the
separation and transmutation of nuclear waste, as part of
the specific research programmes adopted by the Council in
April 1992 .

1 . What fundings have been submitted to the Commission

by the Joint Research Centre in connection with this
research which has now been in progress for three
years ?

2 . How much aid has been allocated to the research work

referred to above ?

3 . Has an interim report been submitted on the research
work undertaken by the Joint Research Centre ?

If so, can the Commission forward this report to the
author of this question ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

Subject : Rules on tendering on behalf of the Commission

( 27 June 1995 )

Does the Commission intend to respond to the Danish
Government 's call for Directives on tendering to include
rules on making it possible to establish environmental
criteria, thereby creating a clear legal basis in this respect
and promoting comprehensive monitoring of the
environment while counteracting discrimination on
non-objective grounds ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The fifth action programme on the environment stresses the
need for critical analysis by administrations of their own
operations, including purchasing and procurement policies,
from the point of view of environment and sustainable
development . In the context of the current review of the fifth
programme, the Commission is examining progress in this
area and will consider whether it is possible to introduce
environmental considerations into public procurement at
Community level .

1 . The Joint Research Centre ( JRC ), in collaboration
with partners from Member States, has demonstrated the
feasibility of a partitioning and transmutation cycle for
minor actinides . The initial results indicate that a reduction

in the amounts of minor actinides of 50 % can be achieved in

two to three years . The extraction of minor actinides from
irradiated fuel has been improved to the extent, that the
radiotoxic hazard for final storage could be reduced by a
factor of 100 .

2 . In the years from 1992 to 1994, the JRC has spent
about ECU 4,5 million for R+D in the area of partitioning
and transmutation .

3 . The results of the research and development activities
of the JRC have been published in the scientific literature
and in the JRC annual reports 1992 — 1994 . Reference can
also be made to the annual reports of the European Institute
for Transuranium Elements in Karlsruhe ( Germany ), where
the majority of the work is performed in the area of
partitioning and transmutation .

These reports are sent directly to the Honourable Member
and to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

No C 222 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 182 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-l

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE ) by Leo Tindemans ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 189 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 ) ( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 85 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 86 )

Subject : Combating fraud

The European Council has asked the Council of Ministers to
suggest a joint action to combat fraud for the first half of

1995 . What are the Commission 's proposals for ensuring
transparency in the use of the European funds ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

In 1994 the Commission presented to the Council and the
Parliament a proposal for a Regulation on administrative
sanctions and a proposal for a convention on the legal
protection of the financial interests of the Community ( 1 ).
The proposal for a convention was put forward in the
framework provided for by Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union . The Commission assumes that the
Presidency will carry out the wishes of the Essen Summit to
reach results before the Cannes Summit in June this year .

The Commission would point out that it attaches great
importance to openness in the fight against fraud, in
particular with respect to the Parliament . In this context, the
Commission makes a report each quarter to the committee
on budgetary control on significant cases of fraud and
submits each year to the Parliament and to the Council its
report on the protection of financial interests and the fight
against fraud ( 2 ). The Commission also presents its
antifraud work programme ( 3 ) in which it develops the
actions it foresees each year to improve the fight against
fraud . These documents are published and available to the
public .

On this issue of openness, the Commission would also refer
the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question
E-459 / 95 by Mr Kaklamanis ( 4 ), on transparency in the
management of Community resources .

(!) OJ No C 216, 6 . 8 . 1994 .

( 2 ) COM(95 ) 98 .

( 3 ) COM(95 ) 23 .

( 4 ) OJ No C 196, 31 . 7 . 1995, p . 30 .

Subject : Open Competitions for the new Member States

COM / A / 904 and COM / A / 909

1 . Is it correct that the Commission has delegated
the correction of the written exams of the Open
Competitions COM / A / 904 and COM / A / 909 to the national
administration, who apparently decided to have both the
essay question and the case study corrected by dependent
Austrian civil servants ?

2 . Can the Community character of these entrance
exams be safeguarded if national civil servants, working in a
purely national context, probably without ever being
exposed to Community affairs, have the decisive say over
the results ?

3 . Can the Commission ensure the principle of
non-discrimination if the Austrian essays are corrected by
national civil servants, whereas Swedish and Finnish essays
are corrected by independent experts ?

4 . Can the Commission ensure confidentiality and
impartiality in the process of correction of the
competitions ?

5 . Is the mode of correction of the Competitions
COM / A / 904 and COM / A / 909 not in contradiction to the

independence of the Commission services ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 May 1995 )

Open Competitions for administrators and assistant
administrators of Swedish, Finnish and Austrian nationality
are currently underway . The Staff Regulations stipulate that
the proceedings of the selection boards for competitions are
secret . The Commission can however confirm that the
selection boards are being assisted for certain of the written
tests by examiners from the Member States concerned who
are acting in accordance with the Staff Regulations in an
advisory capacity . It is the selection boards themselves
which have the responsibility for all decisions on the marks
awarded to candidates .

The Commission would point out that the competitions are
organized separately for each of the new Member States .
Austrian nationals are not, for example, in competition with
Swedish or Finnish nationals . Nonetheless, to ensure equal

28 . 8 . 95 1 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 51

treatment, the selection boards used the same written tests The intervention products that Senpa made available to the
for all the competitions . Red Cross were :

— durum wheat : 19 986 tonnes

The Commission is confident that it has taken all necessary
steps to ensure both confidentiality and impartiality in these
competitions .

— olive oil : 2 202 tonnes

— butter : 4 115 tonnes

— beef : 4 481 tonnes

The number of recipients was 975 338, including 105 948
in Catalonia . The Commission has no information on what

quantities were distributed in Catalonia .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 190 / 95

by Concepcio Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(!) OJ No L 227, 8 . 9 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 82, 25 . 3 . 1994 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 352, 15 . 12 . 1987 .
( 28 April 1995 )

(9 SIC 222 / 87 )

Subject : 1994 food-aid programme for the most needy WRITTEN QUESTION E - 1192 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

Could the Commission specify the quotas allotted to Spain,
and to Catalonia in particular, in the 1994 food-aid
programme for the most needy, i.e. the quantities of beef
and veal, dairy products etc ., and name the organizations in
charge of distribution ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

By Decision 93 / 484 / EEC ( ), amended by Decision
94 / 177 / EC ( 2 ), the Commission adopted the 1994 plan for
distribution of foodstuffs from intervention stocks to the

most needy in the Community .

For each Member State this specified the quantity of each
type of product requested that might be withdrawn from
intervention for distribution, within the limit of the financial
resources made available for execution of the plan .

Under Article 2 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3730 / 87 ( 3 ) the organizations carrying out distribution
are designated by the Member State . In Spain the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food designated the Red Cross,
which entered into a cooperation agreement with the
' Servicio nacional de productos agrarios ' ( Senpa ), the
national intervention agency .

For Spain the products requested for the 1994 plan were
durum wheat ( 30 000 tonnes ), olive oil (4 500 tonnes ),
butter (6 000 tonnes ) and beef (7 000 tonnes ). These
maximum quantities were shown in the plan for indicative
purposes since a financial limit applied of ECU 41,6 million

( Pta 6 408 million ).

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 88 )

Subject : Possible misuse of an ERDF grant for the
construction of a golf course in Brunssum, South
Limburg

Has the Commission drawn any conclusions, provisional
or otherwise, from its scrutiny of the final report on
the Europees Stimuleringsprogramma vor Oostelijk
Zuid-Limburg ( European Programme for the promotion of
eastern South Limburg ) ( See the Commission 's reply to my
Written Question E-2181 / 94 ) ( ! ).

Have the Netherlands authorities been informed of the

Commission 's conclusions, provisional or otherwise ?

What are the Commission 's conclusions, provisional or
otherwise, as regards the possible misuse of an ERDF grant
for the construction of a golf course and hotel in Brunssum,
and how have the Netherlands authorities reacted if at all

( See my Written Question E-1825 / 94 ) ( 2 )?

What measures will the Commission take if it is established

that a misuse of funds has taken place ?

(M OJ No C 75, 27 . 3 . 1995, p . 24 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 23 .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 May 1995 )

Following receipt of the final report on the Oostelijk
Zuid-Limburg programme, the Commission asked the

No C 222 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Member State for additional information . This was received

recently and is being examined . The Commission will ensure
that the credits from the European Regional Development
Fund are used in conformity with the Structural Funds
Regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 193 / 95

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 89 )

Subject : Organic farming

What EU appropriations have been set aside — and where
— for

1 . converting from conventional to organic farming

2 . developing and promoting the marketing of organic and
environmentally-friendly agricultural products

3 . developing and promoting national and transitional
training activities for ecological production and
marketing and consumer information ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

In relation to the funding that has been granted, however, it
is not possible to distinguish the amount devoted to organic
agriculture . It must also be noted that the programmes are in
an early stage of implementation and that information on
uptake by farmers is scarce . As regards the resources
available, the total allocated within European Agriculture
Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF ) Guarantee Section
for co-financing of expenditure under Regulation ( EEC )
No 2078 / 92 ( EUR 12 ) in the period 1993 — 1997 amounts
to around ECU 3,600 million .

The development and promotion of marketing of organic
and environmentally friendly products, as well as consumer
information, is not undertaken as such at Community level .
However, Regulation ( EEC ) No 2092 / 91 on organic
production of agricultural products and indications
referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs,
has established a standard for labelling, production and
inspection of organically produced products, in order to
increase consumer confidence in this type of products and
consequently promote the marketing thereof . Moreover
Regulation ( EEC ) No 4256 / 88 ( 2 ) on the EAGGF Guidance
Section includes in its Article 5 promotion, quality labelling
and investment for quality local or regional agricultural and
forestry products among measures for Objective 1 regions
and Objective 5b areas . Within this framework and
wherever requested, the promotion of local or regional
organic agricultural products has been included among the
measures to be co-financed by the fund .

f 1 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

( 13 June 1995 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 194 / 95

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

The conversion from conventional to organic farming, as
well as training and demonstration projects aimed at
understanding and applying organic production methods,
fall within the scope of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 (*).
This provides for Member States to implement multi-annual
zonal programmes, targeted to local situations, whereby an
annual premium per hectare is given to farmers who
undertake to apply one or more agri-environmental
measures . In addition, the programmes may include
demonstration projects and measures to improve training of
farmers with regard to production practices compatible
with the environment, such as organic farming .

At present there are about 150 programmes implemented in
the Member States, some of which are applied horizontally
throughout their territories, while others are relevant only at
local level . Aid for organic farming is foreseen in all Member
States, either among the horizontal measures or among the
regional ones .

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 90 )

Subject : Age discrimination

In answer to a recent question from Mr Mather
( E-2214 / 94 ) ('), the Commission stated that ' Current policy

( i.e. of maintaining age discrimination ) has . . . increased the
proportion of women candidates and recruits '. As age limits
inevitably disqualify women who have taken a career break
in order to have and raise children, could the Commission
cite the studies which were used to establish its surprising
view, giving details of methodology and findings ?

(») OJ No C 75, 27 . 3 . 1995, p . 27 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 53

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

Commission policy on age limits and their effect on the
participation of women candidates is based on internal
analysis of statistical evidence of numbers applying to
successive competitions .

Age limits are applied for a number of reasons explained in
the reply to Mr Mather . One objective of this policy, and the
Commission 's recruitment policy in general, is to encourage
more women to apply . One way in which this is done is
through a special provision allowing the age limit to be
raised by up to five years in respect of time spent out of paid
employment to look after children .

The policy of concentrating recruitment on young assistant
administrators has had the effect of increasing both the
proportion and the absolute numbers of women applying to
A-grade competitions . This approach has been confirmed by
recent experience . In three successive A8 competitions ( with
an age limit of 32 ) women made up around 50% of
applications, compared with approximately 37% for the
corresponding A7 competitions ( with a limit of 35 and a
minimum of two years ' professional experience ).

Any decision to raise the age limits in general would be likely
to be counter-productive . It would open the door to a
greater number of applications from men, while doing
nothing to solve the barrier to female participation . Further,
if the existence of age limits were to discriminate against
women, one would expect to see this reflected in the actual
numbers of applications to recent competitions . In fact,
neither the proportion of women applicants nor the
absolute numbers applying to recent competitions suggests
that age limits, together with the derogations, are
discouraging women .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 196 / 95

by Saara-Maria Paakkinen ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 91 )

Subject : The use of child labour

It is estimated that there are over 300 million under-age
children working worldwide . Child labour is used in

industry for factory work, in mines, in construction work,

tourism and the sex industry . A relatively large amount of
information exists on undertakings using child labour .

The use of child labour is increasing sharply . It has been
estimated that as many as 80 000 new children begin
working every day . The use of child labour is increasing all
over the world, not only in developing countries, but also in
industrialized ones .

The use of child labour is contrary to the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child, which had been ratified by 152
countries by 1993 .

Going to work prevents childen from going to school,
damages their health — often also their mental health — and
makes it impossible for them to feel secure and develop
properly .

What measures does the Commission intend to take :

1 . to prevent the use of child labour in the EU ?

2 . to publish the names of firms using child labour ?

3 . to promote schooling in poor countries ?

4 . to make the prohibition of child labour into a guiding

principle for cooperation with third countries ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 June 1995 )

On a proposal from the Commission, the Council adopted,
on 22 June 1994, Directive 94 / 33 / EC (*) on the protection
of young people at work .

The provisions of Article 1 of this Directive state that the
Member States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit
work by children ; it is also stipulated in the same Article that
the minimum employment age shall not be lower than the
age at which full-time schooling ceases to be compulsory, or

15 years in any event . The Directive also provides that the
Member States shall ensure that young people are protected
against economic exploitation and against any work likely
to harm their safety, health or physical, mental, moral or
social development or to jeopardise their education .

The Member States are required to implement all measures
necessary to ensure compliance with the Council Directive
by 22 June 1996 at the latest .

Within the framework of development cooperation, the

Commission has drawn up proposals to increase coordina ­

No C 222 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

tion between the Community and the Member States on
education and training schemes in developing countries ( 2 ).
One of the main aims is to make aid operations more
effective .

In this connection, the Council has emphasized that
education, and particularly basic schooling, is a basic
human right . The proposed guidelines, which were
confirmed by the Council in November 1 994, start from the
premise that support for local institutions is a key factor for
the effectiveness of external aid operations in the field of
education and training . Aid from the Community and the
Member States should therefore underpin the policies and
measures being carried out by develloping countries
themselves, as was agreed at the 1990 world conference on
' Education for all '.

As regards the problem of inadequate resources being
allocated to education and training, and in order to meet
increasing demands, the Community and the Member States
have agreed to look at ways of making additional resources
available ( particularly through the re-allocation of funds
between sectors ) for the purpose of increasing aid
operations in the area of education and training, and in
particular basic schooling .

The Commission has on several occasions indicated the

importance it attaches to the promotion of fundamental
social rights throughout the world, including observance of
the International Labour Organization ( ILO ) convention
concerning the minimum age of employment . The
Commission 's position on this question is essentially
reflected

— in its declaration at Marrakesh in April 1994 which

called for social matters to be included in the work

schedule of the World Trade Organization ( WTO );

— in its proposal, which has been adopted by the Council,

that the generalized system of preferences should include
a special promotion scheme in the social field, based on
internationally recognized norms, with particular
emphasis on child labour ;

— in the preparatory work for the World Summit for Social

Development held in Copenhagen in March 1995 . In its
communication ( 3 ), the Commission emphasised that
one of the basic objectives of the Community should be
to advance social rights by encouraging ratification of
ILO agreements, particularly that on child labour, and
to integrate multilaterally negotiated social standards
into the policies of UN bodies and specialized agencies,
the WTO, the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank .

(») OJ No L 216, 20 . 8 . 1994 .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 399 final .

I 3 ) COM(94 ) 669 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1202 / 95

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 92 )

Subject : Community support for provision of the resources

required for combating drug trafficking

In view of the growth in drug trafficking, it is essential that
the necessary monitoring and security resources should be
available with a view to combating the increasing
availability of drugs, especially from Africa and Latin
America .

A number of Union Member States already possess such
resources in the form of aircraft and vessels which are

especially suited to combating this flow of drugs into the
Community . It would therefore be both desirable and useful
for the entire territory of the Union to be protected by
similar monitoring and security systems .

Can the Commission state what support it has provided or
can provide to Member States wishing to acquire vessels and
aircraft with special resources with a view to improving the
effectiveness of action against the flow of drugs into the
Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

A number of Community actions and actions relating to
cooperation in the areas covered by Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union are currently under way to reinforce the
controls on the external frontiers of the Union and so, in
particular, to fight against the illicit trafficking of drugs .

Therefore, and in the light of the Commission
communication on an action plan to combat drugs

( 1995 — 1999 ) ( ! ), the Justice and Home Affairs Council of
9 and 10 March 1995 adopted a strategy for combating the
illicit trafficking of drugs, which aimed to increase
cooperation between Member States and to increase
efficiency by improving coordination between police and
customs forces .

This strategy is based on rationalizing controls, above all on
the external frontiers of the Union, and implies re-deploying
personnel and controls at ports and airports . The strategy
also rests on other specific measures, such as improved
detection equipment and modified air and sea protection

( e.g. aeroplanes, helicopters and patrol boats ).

In the past Community funding has been granted for the
purchase of such equipment, but the possibilities of the
Commission providing the sort of material help envisaged
have always been clearly circumscribed by the terms of the
Community budget . The Commission would draw to the

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 55

attention of the Honourable Member the new provisions
introduced by the Treaty on European Union concerning the
funding for cooperation in the fields of justice and home
affairs, which of course includes the fight against illegal drug
trafficking . Article K8 of the Treaty on European Union
states that the Council may :

— either decide unanimously that operating expenditure to

which the implementation of those provisions

( cooperation in the fields of Justice and home affairs )
gives rise is to be charged to the Community budget ; in
that event, the budgetary procedure laid down in the EC
Treaty shall be applicable ;

— or determine that such expenditure shall be charged to

the Member States, where appropriate in accordance
with a scale to be decided .

The general question of funding for Title VI is still being
discussed in the Council and the use of the ECU 5 million

written into the budget for 1995 depends on the decision
reached .

(M COM(94 ) 234 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209 / 95

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE ), James Provan ( PPE ),

John Corrie ( PPE ) and Anne Mcintosh ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 93 )

Subject : Temporary transfers of milk quota

The milk quota system has resulted in a situation where
some Member States cannot satisfy the demand for milk and
others are unable to use their quota fully . The Court of
Auditors in its special report 4 / 93 ( x ) on the implementation
of the milk quota system recommended that consideration
should be given to authorizing transfers of quota between
producers in different Member States .

Does the Commission agree that temporary transfers of
quota between producers in different Member States would
satisfy the need for additional quota in some countries
without increasing total Community quota ?

Does the Commission agree that temporary transfer would
provide a valuable outlet for producers in Member States
where quota is not fully utilized ?

Will the Commission make a report on the feasibility of
temporary transfers of milk quota ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

The Commission can understand that producers who will
exceed their individual quotas might wish to lease quotas
from other Member States in order to avoid the risk of the

superlevy . However, it cannot support this proposal .

The quota system is operated and controlled on a national
basis . It would complicate the system to allow quota to
move, even temporarily, from one administration to
another . Leasing is not authorised in all Member States .
Some Member States are inflexible in their way of
implementing the system, allowing leasing only between
producers delivering to the same purchaser, or imposing
limits on the quantities to be leased . The differences in the
way Member States have implemented temporary transfers
make it difficult to conceive a scheme of temporary transfers
among Member States .

It is also clear that, if the proposal could be made to work, it
would increase total milk production . Quota unused in one
Member State would be available elsewhere . Around 30 %
of existing milk production exceeds what the Community
can sell without subsidy .

The Commission also considers that mobility of quotas
inside the Community would also lead to the desertification
of some regions where milk production is an important
economic activity, and to the over-concentration of cows in
other regions, creating pollution and health problems .

- The Commission does not intend to draw up a report on the
' feasibility of temporary transfers of quotas between
Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210 / 95

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 94 )

Subject : Evaluation of the ' Youth and Cooperation '

programme

At the ACP-EU Joint Assembly in Dakar, resolutions were
(!) OJ No C 12, 15 . 1 . 1994, p . 1 . adopted to encourage integration of and participation by

No C 222 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

young people . One resolution called on governments to
facilitate implementation of the ' Youth and Cooperation '
programme which promotes twinning of schools and youth
exchanges . Commissioner Pinheiro expressed the view that
the lack of a youth programme in the Lome Convention
should not prevent programmes being devised for young
people .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1219 / 95

by Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 95 )

Can the Commission take action in this area by requesting Subject : Exceptional aid for Lake Geneva
an evaluation of the ' Youth and Cooperation ' programme,
which has carried out pilot projects for young people ?

Lake Geneva is an international site which needs to be

protected in the interests of the entire Rhone valley and of
the Mediterranean ; the French shore of this lake was
recently classified a ' sensitive area ' under the water law of
3 January 1992 and Council Directive 91 / 271 / EEC (*).
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1995 ) The Sivom undertaking of the Bas-Chablais which
comprises thirteen communes on the shores of Lake Geneva
is currently working to improve waste-water treatment, and
needs to build a new sewage treatment plant to meet the
needs of this thriving region and also to meet European

' is an international standards in this field .

' Youth and Cooperation ' is an international
non-profit-making organization governed by Belgian law . It
was launched in 1991 in Brussels by a Cameroonian, Mr
Nestor Fleml, and intended to promote greater
understanding by young people of the concept of
interdependence and partnership between North and South
via a three-strand development education programme :
twinning between schools in the North and South, a
' dialogue of the generations ' which brings students into
contact with European decision-makers, and information
videos .

Despite the fact that aid for this project is likely to exceed
60 % of the total cost, this policy will result in a sharp
increase in water prices for consumers .

Given the unique nature of this region, could the European
Union subsidize this project ?

(M OJ No L 135, 30 . 5 . 1991, p . 40 .
In 1994 the ' Youth and Cooperation ' programme received a
grant of ECU 1 591 under budget heading B7-5031

( formerly 5032 ) to promote the twinning of schools in
Africa and Europe . The project is continuing this year and
has received ECU 6 080 under the same budget heading,
which each year provides funding for some 60 European
youth organizations .

The Commission has been working jointly with ' Youth and

Cooperation ' in a search for potential new programmes .
One possibility, for example, is a scheme to complement the
' Youth for Europe ' programme which would involve a
priority initiative to promote youth exchanges with ACP
countries .

The Commission considers that the ' Youth and

Cooperation ' schemes are still on too small a scale and are
too recently established to warrant an evaluation and would
prefer to carry out such an exercise in 1996, once the
currently-financed programme has been completed .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

The Lake Geneva area receives assistance from the

Structural Funds through a programme under the
Community Initiative Interreg II . However, this programme
— which will be adopted soon by the Commission — does
not provide for financing waste-water treatment .

In view of the limited funds available and the need to

concentrate the assistance from the Structural Funds on
priorities defined within the framework of partnership, it is
not possible to envisage a subsidy for the construction of a
sewage plant on the French shores of the Lake .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 57

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1221 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1224 / 95

Alavanos ( GUE / NGL ) by Wolfgang NufSbaumer ( NI )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 96 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 97 )

Subject : Finance for an urban park project in the Flisvos

area of the Athens Basin

The Athens planning department ( Law 1515 / 85 ) has set
aside a 44-hectare site in the Flisvos area of Paleo Faliro for

recreation and walking at the seaward exit from Athens .
This area is of grant town-planning, social, archaeological
and ecological interest . Some of it has been developed as a
yacht marina, a maritime museum and watersport centre
and park . However, it has not yet been possible to find the
money for the complete refurbishment of the communal
area . Finance from Community sources would be vital to
preserve the communal character of Flisvos, as the local
authorities and inhabitants of the area are interested in

having one of the few remaining communal areas developed
in the interests of the environmental renewal of Athens .

1 . Would works of this nature to set up an area for

recreation and walking be eligible for inclusion in the
Second Community Support Framework when it is
revised, provided that a proposal to that effect is
made ?

2 . Are there other programmes, apart from the CSF, which
might cover this project ( Urban, LIFE, etc .)?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 May 1995 )

The project in question should be eligible for Structural
Fund Assistance provided that its connection with tourism
development can be established . The final decision rests,
however, with the Greek authorities who, depending on
their priorities, can decide to use such funds for this type of
project .

A project of this nature is not, however, eligible under the
Community Initiative Urban .

As regards the LIFE programme, when a second phase is
approved, local authorities may submit proposals for the
implementation of pilot projects of innovatory character in
the field of the environment . These proposals will be
evaluated on the basis of their individual merits in order to

select those to be financed .

Subject : Promotion of closer links between the EU and the

countries of the Mediterranean Basin in the energy

sector

In the Tunis Declaration, the product of the
Euro-Mediterranean Conference on cooperation in the
energy sector held in the Tunisian capital on 27 and
28 March 1995, the EU and the countries of the
Mediterranean Basin reaffirmed their resolve to develop
closer energy-sector links as an essential element of the
planned common prosperity area .

Is aid to the Mediterranean countries in the energy sector to
include subsidies for new nuclear reactors ? If so, in which
regions would the reactors be built ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 lune 1995 )

The Commission is not at the moment aware of any
particular project in a Mediterranean country to use nuclear
energy to meet the country 's energy needs .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1226 / 95

by Karl Schweitzer ( NI )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 98 )

Subject : Environmental impact assessment

Austria 's law on environmental impact assessments was due
to enter into force on 1 January 1994, but a six-month
transitional period was granted, during which a large
number of projects were submitted in order to avoid having
to comply with the new law .

The planned refuse incinerator project in Ranshofen,
Semmeringsbasistunnel between Lower Austria and Styria
and the 380 kV transmission line across Burgenland are
examples of the many projects submitted in the power,
transport and refuse incineration sectors .

No C 222 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

1 . Is the six-month transitional period granted in the
Austrian environmental impact assessment law
compatible with European law ?

allergies or intolerances . Discussions on this subject took
place last year at Community level and at international level
within the framework of Codex Alimentarius .

2 . If not, how should be projects submitted during the
transitional period be dealt with ?

be dealt with ? The scientific committee for food was entrusted by the

Commission with a study which aims to make a list of
foodstuffs or ingredients causing allergy or intolerance and
to count the population affected by these allergies as well as

by Mrs Bjerregaard the danger to health . The study which should be finalized in

of the Commission

late summer should make it possible to evaluate the need to
( 16 June 1995 ) amend Directive 79 / 112 / EEC relating to the labelling of
foodstuffs .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

With the entry into force of the agreement on the European
Economic Area ( EEA ) between the Community and the
European free trade association ( EFTA ) states ( except
Switzerland and Liechtenstein ) on 1 January 1994, Austria
had to implement Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( on environmental
impact assessment ( EIA ) of certain public and private
projects ) in national legislation . In the EEA agreement no
transitional period for the implementation was allowed in
this field .

As the Austria EIA Act entered into force on 1 July 1994 the
transposition was six months late .

With the accession of Austria to the Community in January

1995, the EFTA Surveillance authority submitted all
complaints concerning the implementation and the
application of the EIA Directive in Austria to the
Commission . The Commission is now considering these
complaints .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1227 / 95

by Caroline Jackson ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 99 )

Subject : Labelling of foods containing gluten

Does the Commission have any plans to include within
future amendments to the Food Labelling Directive
( 79 / 112 / EEC ) ( ! ) a provision for labelling of foods
containing gluten, or for the compulsory use of the
gluten-free symbol where appropriate ?

(!) OJ No L 33, 8 . 2 . 1979, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the problems that incomplete
labelling of foodstuffs can cause people suffering from

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1230 / 95

by Salvador Jove Peres ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 28 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 100 )

Subject : Allocation of aid in the agriculture sector

In 1991, in its reflection document of 1 January 1991
entitled ' The Development and Future of the CAP ' the
Commission stated that 80% of EAGGF aid goes to only
20 % of farms . It would now be extremely useful to know
what effect the 1992 CAP report has had on this state of
affairs . Although there is some indication that the unequal
distribution of aid prior to the reform has not been
corrected, analysis is hindered by the shortage of available
information .

This lack of information should be remedied, especially in
view of the fact that the reform, under which some of the
support is converted into direct aid, facilitates the
compilation of data, much of which can be obtained directly

from the CAP payment administration systems . The
Commission is therefore asked to provide information
concerning the allocation of EAGGF aid amongst farms and
including the following details, relating to each year and
each Member State :

1 . Total EAGGF aid per economic size bracket and
number of farms in each bracket

2 . For each type of direct aid ( compensatory payments,
premiums, etc .):

— total amount of aid for each economic size bracket,

accompanied by the number of farms in each
bracket

— total amount of aid for each group of beneficiaries,

classified by bracket on the basis of the amount of

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 59

aid received by each farm, and the number of farms
in each bracket .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1243 / 95

by Stanislaw Tillich ( PPE )

to the Commission

(') COM(91 ) 100 . ( 20 April 199 5 )

( 95 / C 222 / 101 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1995 )

Subject : Use of appropriations from the Structural Funds in

Saxony in 1994

What appropriations from the ERDF, ESF, EAGGF

( Guidance Section ), Community initiatives and transitional
measures were used in Saxony in 1994, and what
expenditure has been incurred to date ?
1 . It is still too early to be able to assess the impact of
reform of the CAP on the distribution of agricultural
support, given that implementation of the reform began
only in 1993 and is not due to be completed until 1995 / 96
and that the information available for the first two years is Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

insufficient to permit any thorough-going analysis . In
particular the Commission does not have a breakdown of ( 31 May 1995 )
EAGGF aid by size and economic class of farm .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

2 . Despite the present lack of statistical information, a
number of facts and analyses indicate that the CAP has had
and will have a positive impact on distribution of

support :

( a ) although less ambitious than the Commission 's initial
proposals, the reform measures adopted by the
Council contain provisions involving some degree of
redistribution of support in favour of smaller farms

( exemption of small producers from set-aside,
restriction of beef and sheepmeat sector premiums to a
maximum number of animals, calculation of
compensatory payments for field crops on the basis of
average regional yield, etc .);

( b ) in both 1993 and 1994, farm incomes rose markedly in
most Member States, in particular in the reformed
sectors . CAP reform appears, thanks to the
compensation introduced to offset lower institutional
prices, to have achieved its aim of greater security and
stability of income and consequently the survival of
those farms most threatened by a restrictive price
policy ;

( c ) a number of analyses carried out in some Member
States using the 1993 / 94 farm account figures clearly
show that the rise in incomes is markedly higher for
lower-income farms . The Commission intends to make

this type of analysis for all Member States once all the

1993 / 94 account figures are available . It has
substantially altered the farm-return form used to
collect the accounting data so that the impact of the
CAP reform on farm incomes can be more accurately
assessed .

The appropriations committed and paid under the
Structural Funds in Saxony during 1994 are as follows :

( in million ECU )

Commitments Payments

European Regional Development
Fund

No commitments or payments were made in 1994 under the
Community Initiatives .

—
Operational Programme

— mainly ERDF

—
Operational Programme

— mainly EAGGF

European Social Fund

—
Operational Programme

— mainly ESF

247,33 197,86

25,30 12,65

Total 272,63 210,51

120,00 83,00

— Horizontal measures 42,72 34,18

Total 162,72 117,18

European Agricultural Guidance
and Guarantee Fund — Guidance

Section

— Aid for farms

— Regulation ( EEC )

No 2328 / 91

—
Operational Programme

— mainly EAGGF

1,5 1,5

61,8 49,8

Total 63,3 51,3

No C 222 / 60 HEN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1248 / 95

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 102 )

Subject : Subsidies to dog breeders

Would the Commission outline the amounts of subsidies

paid to dog breeders throughout Europe, breaking the
figures down by country and, if possible breed . What is the
philosophy behind such subsidies ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 406 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 103 )

breeding . This is an extremely modest amount of aid within
the amounts available for diversification . Ireland is a major
producer of greyhounds aimed principally at the market in
the United Kingdom . In the period 1989 — 1993 124
beneficiaries received aid of £ Irl 172 504 for improvement
of breeding kennels . In the period 1994 — 1999, in addition
to these improvements aid is provided for breed
improvement and market development in order to improve
saleability of progeny . It is emphasised that greyhound
production in Ireland takes place under the supervision of
Bord na gCon ( the Irish Greyhound Board ).

The Commission would be concerned to learn of abuses in

greyhound racing, even if confined to a minority of owners .
Owners of animals have a responsibility to treat their racing
animals humanely and without cruelty . Abuses should be
reported to the authorities in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1250 / 95

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

Subject : Subsidies for greyhound breeding in Ireland Juan Colino Salamanca ( PSE )

to the Commission

Is the Commission aware that there is great concern about (5 May 1995 )
the cruelty involved in greyhound racing ; is it the case that ( 95 / C 222 / 104 )
EU subsidies are used to encourage greyhound breeding in
Ireland, and will the Commission cease this subsidy ?

Subject : The European civil service

Joint answer to Written Questions

The open competitions organized by the various European

/ 95 and E-1406 / 95 Union institutions frequently pass more candidates than

by Mr Fischler there are vacancies for . Thanks to the so-called ' reserve list '
the Commission

this gives rise to hopes which are not always fulfilled .
( 15 June 1995 )

E-1248 / 95 and E-1406 / 95

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

As part of the Community policy for rural development the
Commission has encouraged Member States to provide aid
for the diversification of agricultural production towards
non-food products and non-surplus products . In particular
in Objective 1 regions ( regions lagging in development ) and
Objective 5(b ) rural areas, the Commission has approved
operational programmes containing measures encouraging
the diversification of agricultural production and the
widening of the economic base of rural areas . Much of this
activity takes place on a small scale aimed at local niche
markets based on regional specialities . The Commission
does not have information on the funding paid to dog
producers .

In the case of Ireland Community aid was used to help
farmers and other rural dwellers to diversify into greyhound

The internal mechanisms for recruiting those who have
passed the competition do not always, in practice, meet the
criteria of independence and objectivity .

Is the Commission aware of this situation, which causes no
little frustration amongst candidates for the European civil
service in Union institutions ?

Would it not be better, when organizing competitions, to
state the number of places to be filled ?

Would it not be more proper to employ an objective system
of making appointments on the basis of the places to be
filled, rather than the present system of recruiting staff from
amongst those on the reserve lists ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 61

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

The Commission recruits principally through open
competitions to establish reserve lists of suitable candidates .
In most of these competitions, the Commission indicates the
number of posts it is seeking to fill . Given the delays in
organizing competitions, the estimate of posts takes into
account not only vacancies at the moment of publication but
also future possibilities from new posts and staff

turnover .

Article 5 of Annex III of the Staff Regulations stipulates,
however, that selection boards should draw up lists which
' wherever possible contain at least twice as many names as
the number of posts to be filled '. The competition notices
make clear that inclusion on a list is not a guarantee of an
offer of a job . Reserve lists allow the Commission a choice of
candidates to ensure recruitment of those most suited to the

functions in question .

The Commission could not agree with the statement that job
offers are not made in an independent and objective manner .
In accordance with the Staff Regulations, recruitment aims
to secure the services of officials of the highest standard of
ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest
possible geographical basis from among nationals of the
Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254 / 95

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 105

Subject : Consolidation of the common agricultural
policy

On 1 July 1995 the common agricultural policy will enter a
new phase of its history, with the implementation of the
Uruguay Round agreement on agriculture . Agricultural
organizations wish to prepare themselves as well as possible
for this date, and would like to draw the attention of
Parliament and the Commission to the following important

matters :

The set-aside measure should be adjusted and simplified to
make it easier to manage at farm level . With this aim in view,
does the Commission intend to review the specific eligibility
criteria and the tariff of sanctions for non-compliance with
this measure ?

There must also be improvements with regard to durum
wheat and high-protein crops . The Council 's undertaking of

18 and 19 July 1994 on flexibility in the management of
premium rights for durum wheat in traditional areas must
be put into action .

Can the Commission ensure that there is a clear and reliable

regulatory structure, which is what our farmers need if they
are to adapt their production strategies to the new
international economic environment ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

The Commission shares the view that the rules governing
set-aside suffer from a certain degree of complexity . Farmers
quote particularly the five-year requirement for rotational
set-aside and the rule under which land cannot be set aside

unless it has been part of the farm for at least two years

( two-year rule ).

The Commission would like to point out that these rules
have been made not to hamper farmers but to ensure the
effectiveness of the set-aside scheme in terms of reducing
production .

In the case of rotational set-aside, the five-year period was
fixed to ensure the withdrawal from production, in
succession, of a maximum of arable land, including also the
best land . Farmers can avoid the management problems
involved by opting for permanent set-aside .

In the case of the two-year rule, this was introduced to avoid
poor-quality land being brought back into production solely
in order to benefit from the compensation .

With regard to the penalties provided for within the
framework of the integrated administration and control
system, the Commission would like to point out that they
have already been eased somewhat .

As regards the scheme of compensation for protein crops
and durum wheat, the Commission considers that the areas
sown are in line with the forecasts worked out at the time of

the implementation of the CAP reform . Accordingly, there
are no pressing reasons to modify the relevant support
regimes in the near future . This also applies to flexibility in
the management of rights to durum wheat premiums .
However, the management of premium rights for durum
wheat, as in the case of other farming enterprises such as
sheepmeat and beef and veal production, is currently the
subject of reflection within the Commission in accordance
with commitments it has made to the Council . The results of

this reflection will be the subject of a report to the
Council .

No C 222 / 62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1257 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 1263 / 95

by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE / NGL )

Bertinotti ( GUE / NGL ) by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 106 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 107 )

Subject : Human rights abuses in Guatemala

Subject : Competitions for Swedish, Finnish and Austrian

Commission administrators

Can the Commission confirm that the written papers for its
competitions to recruit Swedish, Finnish and Austrian
officials are to be corrected by the respective national
administrations and not, as normally happens, by the
Commission 's services, as would normally be the case ?

If so, does the Commission not feel that this may be
prejudicial to the fairness and transparency of the
results ?

According to a report in the Financial Times dated 15 March

1995, the United Nations monitoring mission in Guatemala
reports that the security forces are allegedly involved in
running illegal paramilitary gangs, drug trafficking, and
other criminal rackets and points to torture and
assassinations . Impunity from prosecution is cited as the
most serious obstacle to respect for human rights .

What steps will the Commission take to alleviate human
rights abuses and to support the peace process in
Guatemala, given the seriousness and gravity of the
situation in that country ?

Will the Commission explain what measures it intends to Answer given by Mr Marin
take in order that the competitions are held in such a way as on behalf of the Commission
to guarantee the utmost fairness, transparency and
independence from the national administrations ? (1 June 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )

Open competitions for administrators and administrative
assistants of Swedish, Finnish and Austrian nationality are
currently in progress . Article 6 of Annex II of the Staff
Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
stipulates that proceedings of the Selection Board shall be
secret . However, the Commission can confirm that, as
provided for in the Staff Regulations, the Selection Board
may be assisted by examiners from the relevant Member
States serving in a purely advisory capacity for certain
written tests . The Selection Boards alone are responsible for
decisions on the marks awarded to candidates . The

independence of competition selection boards guarantees
equal and impartial treatment of all candidates . It must also
be pointed out that all procedures safeguard the anonymity
of candidates . Papers bear only a secret number so that the
candidate cannot be identified . Furthermore, any candidate
who attempts to breach the anonymity rule by marking his
or her paper with a distinctive sign of any sort will be
disqualified forthwith .

Lastly, the Commission would draw the Honourable
Member 's attention to its answer to Question 1189 / 95 by
Mr Tindemans ( l ).

( ! ) See page 50 of this Official Journal .

The Commission supports the actions undertaken by
Minugua ( United Nations Mission for Guatemala ). At
present, working meetings regarding projects financed by
Minugua are being held and the Commission is hoping to
reach an agreement in the near future allowing further
support for human rights initiatives .

Since 1991, the Commission has maintained its support for
any developments which favour the consolidation of the

peace process .

Over the last few years, several projects have been financed
with the express aim of educating civil society on awareness
of human rights and the democratization process, devoting
special attention to the fair administration of justice .
Institutions such as the Human Rights Procurator, the
National commission for reconciliation and the Supreme
ballot court have also benefited from Community
funding .

The Commission has remained strongly supportive of non
governmental organizations and the development of social
welfare with the intention of addressing the specific
difficulties relating to street children . In this way, the
Commission has started an important ECU 2,5 million
programme favouring the street-children community . Such
programme provides support to both, public bodies such as
the Human Rights Ombudsman 's Office, the Social Welfare
Office, Court of Minors and, collaborating NGO 's such as
Casa Alianza, Solo para Mujeres and CEOIC .

Guatemala benefits from every regional project financed by
the Community through the budgetary line democracy and
human rights in Latin America, which focuses in great part
on the power of the judiciary and the training and
modernization of both the armed and security forces .
Accordingly, Guatemala has been assigned funds committed

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 63

for several years of project execution, exclusively from this
budgetary line :

— in 1991 ECU 2 800 000

— in 1992 ECU 950 000

— in 1993 ECU 1 300 000

— in 1994 ECU 1 200 000

aid to this sector is justified, as it has no impact at all on the
level of tobacco consumption .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

In addition, the Commission is determined to preserve its (5 May 1995 )
close relationships at governmental and non-governmental ( 95 / C 222 / 109 )
levels to ensure further political contacts in order to
overcome unfair immunity from prosecution .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1269 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 108

Subject : Tobacco subsidies and death from smoking

How can the Commission justify subsidizing the tobacco
industry by £ 920 million in 1993 and spend barely
£ 1 million per year on anti-smoking campaigns ?

Is the Commission aware that approximately 511 000
people die annually in the EU as a result of smoking ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the detrimental effects of

tobacco on health .

The Commission would like to point out that no subsidies
are given to the tobacco industry . In fact, the Community
supports only the tobacco producing farmers .

As long as smoking persists there will be a demand for
tobacco within the Community . The suppression of aid to
Community producers would certainly make tobacco
production unprofitable, but this would only increase
imports of tobacco from third countries, which already
stand at around 70 % of the total consumption within the
Community .

Tobacco is largely produced in disadvantaged regions and
cropped by small farmers, who have no real alternative
sources of income . Therefore, the Commission believes that

Subject : Europe in Tadjikistan — war and peace

It appears to be difficult to ascertain exactly how many
people have been killed in the civil war in Tadjikistan ; one
special correspondent ( Steve LeVine of the Washington
Post ) referred, in December, to ' at least 50 000 lives ', while
in January the Russian affairs expert Andrew Meier cited a
figure of ' perhaps 50 000 lives ', over and above 650 000
refugees, in the New York Times .

The European Union seems to be resoundingly absent from
this country, partly as a result of the civil war . Nonetheless,
certain private companies are interested in it, above all with
the growing consolidation of the strength of the government
headed by Imali Rakhmonov . The expert referred to believes
that humanitarian aid — none of which he cites as coming
from Europe — must continue, while the granting of
funding for economic development must remain dependent
on the existence of a legal system and respect for human
rights .

All this explains the minimal EU presence in Tadjikistan,
which amounted to ECU 4 million in 1994, out of the ECU
510 million Tacis budget .

Can the Commission comment and amplify ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 June 1995 )

The Commission is unable to make any comment on the
figures of deaths and refugees in Tajikistan . It is certain that
the civil war did indeed create grave problems and that
fighting continues not only on the border but also
sporadically in the various urban centres . Nevertheless,
many refugees have returned to the country and the
reconstruction of their houses is one of the projects partially
funded by the Community as part of its humanitarian
aid .

The Commission has for some two years had a
correspondent in Dushanbe who follows the evolution of

No C 222 / 64 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

needs and ensures that projects are correctly implemented .
In 1994 ECU 9,8 million of humanitarian aid was provided
to targeted beneficiaires in the country and in addition,
nearly 50 000 tonnes of wheat flour has been provided as
part of a special food programme for the Caucasus,
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova . Already in 1995 over
ECU 6 million of assistance has been provided and the need
for further special food assistance is currently under
study .

It was because of the internal difficulties of the country that
the Tacis programme was suspended, but in 1994 ECU
4 million was allocated and a Tacis liaison office should be

established shortly .

The Commission is continuing to monitor the general
human rights situation in Turkey very carefully and is
calling for major changes in the country 's law and
practice .

The Turkish authorities realize how much remains to be

done . In a recent speech at Ankara 's Bilkent University, Mrs
Ciller herself set out the programme of reforms to be
implemented . These concern the constitution, the law to
combat terrorism and other laws which stand in the way of
freedom of organization and expression . Naturally, the
programme must now be translated into action, with
adoption by the Turkish parliament of the necessary
amendments and new laws .

The Commission is calling on Turkey to undertake these
far-reaching changes and, like the local human rights

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 307 / 95 organizations in the country, believes that the best results

are obtained through dialogue and cooperation rather than

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL ) through a policy of isolating T urkey or breaking off contacts

to the Commission with the government there .

(5 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 110 )

Subject : Confiscation of the newspaper ' Balkan News ' at

the Greek-Turkish border

At the beginning of April, the T urkish customs authorities at
the border with Greece confiscated copies of the weekly
English language newspaper ' Balkan News and Eastern
European Report ', which is published in Greece, without
offering any explanation . This is the second time that this
newspaper has been confiscated by the Turkish
authorities .

Persecution of the press and infringements of the freedom of
the press in Turkey ( abductions, murders, imprisonment of
journalists and closing down of newspapers ) are well
documented by international human rights organizations .
This most recent incident constitutes a dangerous precedent
which threatens freedom of expression and runs contrary to
international conventions on the protection of human rights
and freedoms as well as to the EEC-Turkey Association
Agreement .

What steps will the Commission take to obtain an
explanation of the incident from the T urkish authorities and
to deter them from taking further action against Balkan
News and the rest of the imported press in Turkey ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309 / 95

by Wim van Velzen ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 111 )

Subject : Unreasonably high health insurance premiums

paid by frontier workers

Dutch frontier workers employed and subject to
compulsory health insurance in Germany are forced to pay
unreasonably high premiums compared with persons
working and living in either the Netherlands or Germany .
Frontier workers who live so far from the border that they
opt for medical care in the Netherlands are forced to take
out additional insurance even though the premiums they
pay in Germany are significantly higher than in the
Netherlands .

Does the Commission feel that this situation is in keeping

by Mr Van den Broek with the principle of the equal treatment of EC citizens ? If

the Commission not, what does it intend to do rectify the present

( 19 June 1995 ) situation ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission has asked the Turkish authorities for an

explanation of the case referred to by the Honourable
Member .

Is the Commission aware of the German Government 's

plans to pass on the cost of ' Pflegeversicherung ' to frontier
workers ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 65

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 1995 )

1 . The Commission would inform the Honourable

Member that Article 19(1 )( a ) of Regulation ( EEC )
1408 / 71 (' ) states that a worker residing in the territory of a
Member State other than the competent State for social
security benefits shall be entitled to health-care benefits in
kind provided on behalf of the competent institution by the
institution of the place of residence in accordance with the
legislation of that institution as though he were insured with
it .

Therefore, a worker residing in the Netherlands but
working in Germany is covered by the German social
security scheme, but may take advantage of health-care
services in the Netherlands .

In this case, however, the Dutch institutions adhere to Dutch
legislation as regards the reimbursement of expenses . They
thus make such reimbursement in the same way as if the
person concerned were insured with them, in so far as this is
provided for in their own national legislation .

2 . The solution chosen in Regulation ( EEC ) 1408 / 71 was
for the institutions of a Member State providing services to
apply their own national legislation ; this was for reasons of
practicability . Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a situation in
which, for example, Dutch institutions would apply
German legislation, which is totally alien to them, in
connection with the reimbursement of medical expenses .

3 . It is therefore possible that, in the situation to which
the Honourable Member refers, the social-security
contributions which a frontier worker should pay in the
Member State in which he is employed do not correspond
exactly to the non-cash benefits he would be entitled to in
the Member State in which he is resident .

This, however, is the result of differences in the level of social
protection in the Member States concerned . It should be
remembered that Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 does not
set up a common social security scheme, but rather
maintains separate national schemes . The Court of Justice
has ruled on a number of occasions ( 2 ) that Article 51 of the
EC Treaty allows differences to exist between social-security
schemes in the Member States .

4 . The Commission would nevertheless like to draw the

Honourable Member 's attention to Article 20 of Regulation

( EEC ) No 1408 / 71, which stipulates that a frontier worker
may also obtain medical care in the territory of the
competent Member State . These benefits are provided by
the competent institution in accordance with the legislation
of the Member State concerned, as though the worker were
resident there . This means that frontier workers may receive
medical care in the competent Member State under the
legislation to which the payment of their contributions is
subject .

5 . As regards the imposition on frontier workers of
insurance contributions for long-term nursing care

( Pflegeversicherung ) in Germany, the Commission is able to
inform the Honourable Member that this problem is
currently being discussed by the Administrative
Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers . The
Commission hopes that it will be possible very soon to find a
solution to the problem of these contributions, as well as
other comparable social-security contributions in other
Member States, being imposed on frontier workers .

(M OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971 .

( 2 ) See especially the judgment of 15 January 1986 in Case 41 / 84

Pinna ( 1986 ) ECR 1, point 20, and the judgment of 7 February

1991 in Case C-227 Rônfeld ( 1989 ) ECR 1-323, point 12 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1321 / 95

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 112 )

Subject : Anti-dumping policy

In its resolution ( A3-336 / 90 ( )) on the Community 's
anti-dumping policy the European Parliament referred
to substantial delays before the publication of the
Commission 's annual reports . Parliament asked the
Commission to submit future reports no later than three
months into the year following the period covered by each

report .

The Commission has ignored this request . The 1990 and

1991 reports appeared five months, the 1992 report ten
months and the 1993 report . . . months after the end of the
year to which they related .

In the interests of the required transparency of its policy, is
the Commission still prepared to comply with the European
Parliament 's resolution in this respect ?

(') OJ No C 19, 28 . 1 . 1991, p . 633 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 lune 1995 )

The Commission notes the concern of the Honourable

Member in respect of the delays incurred in the publication
of successive annual reports to the Parliament on the
Community 's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy activities,
particularly in the light of the Parliament 's resolution on the
anti-dumping policy of the Community which requested the
Commission to submit future reports no later than three
months into the year following the period covered by the

report .

Far from ignoring the Parliament 's resolution, the
Commission has made conscious efforts to improve its

No C 222 / 66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

reporting to the Parliament . Indeed, since the resolution was
passed, the Commission has considerably extended the
content of the reports in order to enhance transparency . In
particular, an extensive section on individual proceedings
under anti-dumping or anti-subsidy legislation has been
included with the aim of informing the Parliament of
important cases in this area . This, together with
administrative difficulties related to the new format of

reporting ( not the least of which concerns translation into
all Community languages ) were the main reasons for the
delay in presenting the 1993 report . The situation has
improved with regard to the 1994 report, though difficulties
have arisen as regards translation into Finnish and Swedish .
The report for 1994 is likely to be transmitted to the
Parliament in the coming weeks . In future, it can be expected
that the reports will be available in the period envisaged by
the Parliament, given in particular the recruitment of new
staff — obtained very largely thanks to the Parliament 's
support — during the course of this year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1329 / 95

by Monica Baldi ( UPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 113 )

Subject : Archaeological park in a former mining area in the

Val di Cornia — Resider II initiative

Among the initiatives proposed by Italy ( for Tuscany ) and
approved by the European Commission, funds in the region
of four billion lire have been allocated to an archaeological
park in the Val di Cornia, for the landscaping and the
economic redevelopment of this former iron and steel
producing area for the purposes of tourism, in the context of
the Community initiative Resider II . In the . district of
Campiglia San Vincenzo ( Livorno ), an application has been
submitted to build a cement works in the Solvay quarry and
extend it to within just over 50 metres from the park . The
cement works would be built approximately 1 200 m from
the edge of the park, inside and outside of which there are
important archaeological remains . A new cement works
would inevitably cause atmospheric pollution ( the
formation of nitrogen oxides etc .), noise pollution ( shock
waves, vibrations etc .) and general environmental
pollution .

In view of this, can the Commission say what it intends
to do to prevent a conflict of interests between the
establishment of the Community-financed park of touristic,
archaeological and cultural value, and the building of the
cement works, whose aims would obviously clash with
those of the Community initiative Resider II ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1995 )

The Commission has part-funded the first stage of the
archaeological / mining park in the Val di Cornia under the
Resider Community initiative .

As the Commission was not aware of the construction of a

cement works beside the park, additional information has
been sought from the Tuscany regional authorities . The
Commission will raise the issue at the next meeting of the
programme monitoring committee .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1340 / 95

by Bernie Malone ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 114 )

Subject : Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public

Dunes and Amenity Areas in Dublin

In the light of the discussion in the Petitions Committee on
21 March 1995 concerning petition 471 / 94 from the
' Portmarnock Action Committee to save Public Dunes and

Amenity Areas ' in Dublin on the construction of a hotel in
an area of unique ecological and recreational importance,
what progress has the Commission made in investigating the
use of EU funding in the construction of this hotel and when
would it be in a position to provide the information on the
environmental, regional and tourist policy aspects,
requested by the committee ? What is its stance on the
possibility of EU funding being returned in the case of
non-compliance with EU law ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1995 )

The Commission has asked for further details of this project

from the Irish authorities . It will then be in a ' position to
provide the information required by the Parliament . In the
meantime, it can be stated that no Community funding is
involved in the construction of the hotel . European regional
development fund assistance of £ Irl 500 000 relates solely
to development of the associated golf course .

The regulations governing the operations of the Structural

Funds provide for the repayment to the Commission of sums
received unduly and to be recovered .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 67

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 342 / 95

by Pierre Bernard-Reymond ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 115 )

Subject : Directive on minimum Community measures to

control diseases affecting bi-valve molluscs

Would the Commission say why it believes the single market
would be incomplete and progress towards the construction
of Europe would be impeded if the Directive ' introducing
minimum Community measures necessary for the control of
diseases affecting bi-valve molluscs ' was abandoned in the
name of the principle of subsidiarity ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 June 1995 )

Certain diseases which are prevalent in the Community

( bonamiosis, marteiliosis ) have serious consequences for
shellfish-farming businesses . These diseases were
introduced via commercial transactions and have led to the

almost complete disappearance of the common oyster in
certain regions of the Community . Other diseases exist and
could cause identical problems in other species such as
cupped oysters . A way of preventing these problems is the
introduction in the Member States of a monitoring system
making it possible to detect newly introduced diseases as
quickly as possible, in order to prevent their spread to other
Community regions and to develop methods of identifying
them if necessary . It should be noted that in some Member
States such a system already operates in this sector and that
in other sectors identical systems exist and have proved their
effectiveness .

WRITTEN QUESTION P    - 1344 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 116 )

Subject : Request for sanctions and compensation for

damage caused by acts of vandalism committed by
French farmers

What kind of sanctions and demands for compensation will

be brought against French farmers who committed acts of
vandalism on the night of 20 / 21 April 1995 against nine
Spanish lorries carrying strawberries from Huelva,
tomatoes and courgettes, and seized, set fire to and
destroyed Community produce in the face of absolute
indifference on the part of the French forces of law and

order, who were present at the time and allowed such
malicious behaviour to take place ?

Will the Commission call on the French authorities to adopt
punitive measures on a sufficiently large scale to ensure that
such destruction is not repeated periodically, as it has been
hitherto, and ensure that the sanctions are effective,
preventive and act as deterrents ? Does the Commission
know that after these attacks and acts of aggression French
farmers are threatening further criminal acts ?

Will the Commission bring legal proceedings against France
for its failure to guarantee the free movement of goods ?

Does the Commission consider that the coincidence of the

elections and the French presidency of the EU might explain
this inexplicable passivity ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1995 )

The Commission has expressed its views on a number of
occasions on the problem of acts of vandalism committed
repeatedly by certain French producer groups and
organizations involving fruit and vegetables from Spain and
on France 's obligations in this situation to maintain law and
order in connection with the exercise of the principle of the
free movement of goods .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member also

to its answer to Written Question No 1818 / 94 by Mr Juan
Colino Salamanca ('); it would like point out that, under
Community law, the Member States ' public authorities are
required to adopt the measures necessary to prevent actions
which are an attack on the effective operation of the internal
market and the free movement of goods .

A lapse in this duty constitutes failure to meet one of the
obligations of Member States under Article 30 of the EC
Treaty and the legislation on the common market
organizations in conjunction with Article 5 of the Treaty .

The Commission, forced to conclude in 1994 that the
French authorities were not in a position to demonstrate
clearly that the preventive measures taken by the forces of
law and order against the inadmissible obstacles to the free
movement of goods were effective and adequate, decided to
initiate the procedure for infringement by sending a letter of
formal notice .

In view of the fact that the acts of vandalism on the night of
20 / 21 April 1995 demonstrate that incidents similar to
those referred to in the letter of formal notice have occurred

again and that the French authorities have failed to provide
evidence that their forces of law and order intervened

actively and in a diligent manner, and given the threat of
such acts being repeated in the course of this marketing year
for fruit and vegetables, the Commission has considered it

No C 222 / 68 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

necessary to take the procedure a step further by delivering a
reasoned opinion .

The type of penalty likely to be imposed on the perpetrators
of the abovementioned criminal acts is a matter for the

national authorities whose duty it is to consider the facts in
the light of the national law applicable, in particular the
criminal law .

(') OJ No C 24, 30 . 1 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1347 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 117 )

Subject : State aids for the second Munich airport

According to the Miinchener Flughafengesellschaft

( Munich Airport Company ) itself, the company is receiving
interest-free and non-redeemable loans of DM 2,5 billion
from the State Government of Bavaria and other public
bodies for operating Munich 's new second airport .

Does the Commission consider that a public loan
commitment in this form and of this amount is a subsidy
which must be submitted for approval ?

If the airport had had to pay interest on and redeem the
proprietor 's loans it received from central government, the
state government and the City of Munich, the DM

100 million net loss would have risen to DM 275 million .

Does not the Commission think, therefore, that these
interest-free and non-redeemable loans do not constitute

restructuring aid by way of knock-on financing, but are in
fact an on-going operating subsidy ?

Has the State Government of Bavaria notified this aid to the

EC Commission ?

Was the aid approved ? ( If so, on what grounds ?)

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1995 )

The Commission defined its policy on State aid in the
aviation sector in a communication adopted in December

1994 (').

According to the communication the construction or
enlargement of infrastructure projects, such as airports,
represents a general measure of economic policy which
cannot be scrutinized by the Commission under the Treaty
rules on State aid . Infrastructure development decisions fall

outside the scope of application of the communication in so
far as they aim to meet planning needs or to implement
general national environmental and transport policies .

This general principle is only valid for infrastructure . It is
without prejudice to evaluation of possible aid elements
resulting from preferential treatment of specific companies
when using the infrastructure .

In the case referred to by the Honourable Member the loans
have not been notified to the Commission and thus have not

been examined under the State aid rules .

However, on the basis of the information given in the
question it appears that the loans referred to are granted for
the operation of the infrastructure, but do not provide
specific advantage to individual companies using the
infrastructure . Therefore, the loans do not seem to fall
within the scope of Article 92 EC Treaty .

(>) OJ No C 350, 10 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 353 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 118 )

Subject : Diesel catalysts ( following an article in ' Ends '
2 / 95 )

Now that technology has been developed to fit
diesel-powered vehicles with catalytic converters, does the
Commission have any plans to make the introduction of
such catalysts compulsory ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(7 une 1995 )

Pursuant to Directive 94 / 1 2 / EC ( ), the Commission will
shortly be putting forward a proposal for measures to
reduce air pollution caused by road traffic . These will be
based on air quality criteria and a cost-effectiveness analysis
of the various options available from the year 2000
onwards . As in the past, the Commission will not be
advocating any particular technical device for vehicles, but
indicating performances to be achieved .

(') OJ No L 100, 19 . 4 . 1994 .

28 . 8 . 95 I EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 69

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1372 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389 / 95

by Marco Pannella ( ARE ) by Leen van der Waal ( EDN )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 ) ( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 119 ) ( 95 / C 222 / 120 )

Subject : European funding for the region of Puglia Subject : Oppression of Christians in Bulgaria

Puglia is one of the Italian regions whose Integrated
Operational Programme has not yet been approved to allow
the release of funds already allocated at European level .

Unless these funds are released immediately, there is a
serious risk that the Community funding for the current year
will be lost, and a considerable percentage will be lost for
subsequent years .

Puglia submitted its plan, albeit with an unacceptable delay,
several weeks ago .

Will the Comission say, as a matter of urgency, when it
intends to approve the Integrated Operational Programme
for Puglia ?

Will it also say what, if any, obstacles are holding up its
immediate approval ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

The Reformatorisch Dagblad of 10 March reported
increasing repression of religious minorities in Bulgaria . The
growth in the number of Baptist communities in particular
since the revolution of 1990 appears to have induced the
former Communists and the leaders of the Bulgarian
Orthodox Church to take joint action against them in the
form of campaigns of press vilification, intimidation, church
evictions and the unlawful expropriation of property .
Information has recently been received from the ' Kom Over
En Help ' foundation which assists churches and Christians
in eastern Europe about the threatened expropriation of a
plot of land in Sofia where the Baptist Union is building an
orphanage and church centre . This action is being taken
despite the fact that these Baptist communities acquired the
land in 1992, the building permit was granted in 1993 and
there are no planning arguments to justify the proposed
expropriation of the land by the local authority .

Can the Commission confirm these reports ? What action
does it intend to take to ensure compliance with the Europe
Agreement signed by Bulgaria ?

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission
(9 June 1995 )

( 19 June 1995 )

The multifund operational programme ( MOP ) for Apulia
was adopted by the Commission on 22 May 1995 .

The time needed for the approval of programmes depends
mainly on the degree of completeness of the original
proposal . The negotiations between the national authorities
and the Commission, within the framework of partnership,
made it possible to add in the elements of information
missing from the original proposal and to readjust certain
parts to the requirements and priorities of the various
Community policies .

It should be recalled, finally, that, whatever the date of
approval of the MOP, the expenditure which will be
accepted for part-financing will be that eligible from the date
of presentation of the proposal for the programme .

The Association Agreement between the Community and
Bulgaria clearly states that the domestic and international
policies of both sides should be informed by respect for
democratic principles and human rights as laid down in the
Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter for a New Europe .
This is an essential part of the Agreement . Respect for
human rights includes the right to freedom of thought,
opinion and religion as set out in Article 9 of the Convention
on the protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, which Bulgaria ratified in 1992 .

Now that relations with Bulgaria have become that much
closer, the Community is increasingly attentive to
developments in the human rights situation there and to the
potential emergence of worrying trends .

On his visit to Bulgaria in May, the Commission member
responsible for external relations with central and eastern

No C 222 / 70 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Europe said that there was no alternative to genuine WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400 / 95
democracy and that full integration of Bulgaria into the by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )
European family required the consolidation of democracy, to the Commission
including a free press, pluralistic thought and freedom of
conscience . 22 1995

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1398 / 95

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 122 )

Subject : Old people 's homes

An enquiry by Ministry of Health inspectors has revealed
the wretched conditions in which elderly people are living in
old people 's homes in Athens ( homes operating without
permits, lack of fire precautions, inadequate diet, shortage
of staff, non-existent hygiene ).

( 95 / C 222 / 121 ) In the light of :

Subject : Renewable energy sources in the Tunis
Conference

According to the index of subjects dealt with at the Tunis
conference on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the
energy sector, sectoral energy cooperation in the field of new
and renewable energy sources was discussed .

Can the Commission state what conclusions were reached in

this field, and what proposals it intends to make in the
interests of continuity, above all in view of the forthcoming
Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference ?

1 . the statements made by various Commission officials
during the Year of the Elderly,

2 . the Green Paper on European Social Policy which
contains a separate chapter on the situation of the
elderly and related policy, and

3 . the plan drawn up by the French Presidency for
employment for the elderly,

will the Commission :

( a ) submit a comparative study within a year on the
position of the elderly in the Member States of the EU
and

( b ) draw up a proposal for a Directive to harmonize the

various forms of care available to the elderly and, in
particular, the conditions on which the various
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis establishments housing elderly people may operate ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 June 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

With regard to new and renewable sources of energy, the
Tunis conference suggested the penetration of new ( 28 June 1995 )
technologies throughout the Mediterranean area .

To that end, it recommended that institutions and experts
from both north and south of the Mediterranean meet more

regularly . It also emphasized the need to include the
development of new and renewable energy sources among
energy policy priorities, and to remove any technical,
administrative and legal barriers to the market penetration
of those energy sources .

With a view to Barcelona, the Tunis conference agreed that
energy cooperation needed to be stepped up, especially with
a view to encouraging investment and partnerships in the
area of new and renewable energy sources .

1 . A comparative report on the situation of older people
was prepared by the European observatory on ageing and
older people and was published in 1993 . Copies of this
report, including an update for 1994, are forwarded to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the

Parliament .

2 . The Commission, in its proposal for a Decision on
Community support for actions in favour of older people,
adopted on 1 March 1995, envisages the promotion of
exchange of information on best practice between Member

States in the matter of care for dependent older people . An
initiative to harmonize the various forms of care is not

envisaged .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 71

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401 / 95 Programme for Central Greece ), well before Council of
by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL ) State Decision No 2760 / 94 of 9 July 1994 .

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 123 )

Subject : Diversion of the River Acheloos WRITTEN QUESTION P-1403 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

According to the latest environmental impact assessment
( EIA ) and the Acheloos operational programme under the
Community support framework 1994 — 1999, the volume
of water to be diverted may not exceed 700 million m 3 / per
year . However, the two main projects on the river ( i.e. the
Sikia dam and the tunnel diverting the Acheloos to Thessaly )
are on an enormous scale designed to cater for a much larger
volume of water, some 1,3 billion mVper year . In other
words, the scale of these two projects is exactly the same as
those submitted under the previous plan .

In the light of the government 's comments that the latest EIA
concludes that the project has been altered and is less
intrusive and that less water will be diverted, will the

Commission state :

1 . why the Greek authorities do not scale down the tunnel
and the dam at Sikia in accordance with the latest EIA in

order to save resources and reduce the impact on the
environment, and

2 . its position on the latest EIA and the continuation of the
works on the upper Acheloos in breach of decisions
taken by the Council of State ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1995 )

(4 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 124 )

Subject : Imports of beef into the European Union

Will the Commission explain how the GATT agreements in
force affect, or will affect, current arrangements relating to
the importation of beef into the European Union ?

Will it provide a detailed breakdown ( by country ) of import
quotas and the extent to which such quotas are
implemented ?

Will it state what means are available to the European Union
to stop imports of meat treated with growth-promoting
substances ?

Will it also state its position as regards scientific research

( inter alia by the Lamming Working Party ) which
demonstrates that the use in stockfarming of oestradiol 178,
testosterone, progesterone, zeranol and trenbolone does not
have a deleterious effect on public health if the correct
conditions are observed ( correct doses, administered by
specialists, after sufficiently long waiting periods )?

Does it endorse the view that the provisions of the GATT
agreements relating to the meat sector manifest
unacceptable disregard for the views of the vast majority of
European consumers and for European public opinion ?

Will it follow the recommendations formulated by

The impact Commission assessment has and not is yet thus seen not the in new a position environmental to state Parliament and continue on to 16 defend March at 1995 all costs ? Will the it blanket, therefore ban on, maintain the use
whether certain aspects of the project need to be reworked of hormones ?
from a technical viewpoint . It would also point out that it
has not taken a decision on whether to part-fund the
Acheloos operational programme or not . When the time
arrives to do so the Commission will make an overall
assessment of the project based on the documentation Answer given by Mr Fischler
submitted to it . on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

The Commission cannot commeiit on the continuing works
at Messochora, especially as it . is no longer funding the
project . The last financial commitments in that regard
date from 1992 ( under the Integrated Mediterranean

Under the current GATT regime, in force until 30 June

1995, imports of beef mainly take place under import

No C 222 / 72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

quotas or special import regimes . This will also be the case WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 407 / 95
under the Uruguay Round agreement . So the changes will be by Anita Pollack ( PSE )
very minor . to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

As there are more than ten different quotas and special ( 95 / C 222 / 125 )
import regimes for beef, it is difficult to give a detailed
overview for each country in the framework of a written
question .

Subject : Lindane and the food chain

The present system avoids the import of meat coming from
animals which have been treated with hormones for

fattening . All the trading partners have provided the
Community with guarantees, in some cases involving special
separate production and processing circuit lines, in order to
ensure that the present rules of importation are respected .
The Office of veterinary inspection keeps arrangements
under regular surveillance to ensure that agreed
arrangements are put in practice .

The Ad hoc scientific committee of experts on anabolic
agents in animal production, the Scientific veterinary
committee, the Committee on human foodstuffs and the
Committee on animal foodstuffs gave advice between
September 1982 and February 1983 . In essence, these
committees supported controlled use of natural hormones,
but were opposed to the use of trenbolone and zeranol due
to insufficient data .

On 12 June 1984, the Commission published its
proposal (') which envisaged the controlled use of three
substances for fattening . This approach was rejected by the
Parliament ( report of Mr Collins ) and by the Council . The
Commission modified its proposal in the light of these
reactions, confirming a ban on the use of all substances
concerned for fattening purposes .

The Uruguay Round agreement was the object of lengthy
negotiations and the final result was a delicate balance in
which are to be found both negative and positive aspects for
all the negotiating parties . It is the Commission 's view that
the overall agreement is extremely beneficial in terms of the
development of world trade and for the Contracting Parties
to GATT in particular . The vast majority of European
consumers will benefit from this agreement even if some
may disagree with some of its aspects .

Public concern has been expressed in the UK about the use of
lindane in agriculture . Lindane has been reported in breast
fat and breast milk and there are fears about a link with

breast cancer . What studies has the Commission made or

gathered on this subject and which EU Member States still
permit the use of lindane in agriculture ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

Many studies on organochlorine structures and pesticides
have been conducted, especially on dioxines, PCBs and the
pesticide DDT and its metabolite DDE . The Commission 's
scientific committee for pesticides considered lindane in

1988 . There was no evidence that lindane was linked with

an increase in breast cancer nor is there at present any
indication of a statistically significant causal correlation
between lindane and breast cancer . However the

Commission is aware of a 1993 study ( 1 ) of the incidence of
carcinogens in milk in Israel which has since suggested that
lindane could be cancinogenic, and induce breast cancer .

The Commission has started a programme for re-evaluation
of the pesticide active substances under Directive
93 / 71 / EEC ( 2 ). Lindane is one of the 90 active substances
which are covered under the first phase of this programme

( Regulation ( EEC ) No 3600 / 92 ( ? )). Depending on the
results of the re-evaluation, the Commission will take any
necessary measures to ensure safety for human health and
the environment .

According to the information available to the Commission,
lindane is authorized in all Member States with the
The Commission will defend the provisions of Community exception of Finland, Sweden and Denmark .
law as decided by the Council including the total ban on the
use of hormones, as recommended by the Parliament in
March 1993 . (') Westin J.B. Carcinogens in Israeli milk : a study in
regulatory failure International journal health service 1993,
23 497-517 .

(■) COM(84 ) 295 final . ( 2 ) OJ No L 221, 31 . 8 . 1993 .

( ? ) OJ No L 366, 15 . 12 . 1992 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 73

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1409 / 95

by Mark Watts ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 126 )

Subject : Human rights in Guatemala

Is the Commission monitoring the human rights situation in
Guatemala ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1411 / 95

by Mark Watts ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 127 )

Subject : Human rights in Guatemala

What conditionality does the Commission place on trade
aid links with Guatemala with regard to human rights
generally and the plight of street children in particular ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-1409 / 95 and E-1411 / 95

The ultimate beneficiaries of these measures are the

Guatemalan people as a whole : by strengthening the rule of
law and the democratic basis of society, through action
involving both the authorities and civil society generally, it is
hoped to train citizens in awareness of their rights and duties
and their defence vis-a-vis legitimate and credible public
authorities .

Community-financed projects in Guatemala under other
budget headings almost all concern the poorest sections of
the population, in many instances suffering the effects of
failure to observe human rights, with the common aim of
giving them decent living conditions and better access to
basic services .

The Commission trusts that pursuing this positive approach
of encouraging the observance of human rights and
democracy will provide a means of tackling existing
violations .

All the Community-backed measures to help the poorest
sections of society — themselves the prime victims of human
rights violations — are intended to secure progress in
establishing peace and democracy and in consolidating the
proper rule of law in Guatemala .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-14 16 / 95

given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

by Honorio Novo ( GUE / NGL )
( 20 June 1995 ) to the Commission

(4 May 1995 )

The Commission monitors the human rights situation in ( 95 / C 222 / 128 )
Guatemala very closely and uses all the means at its disposal
to support the Guatemalans ' efforts to promote and ensure
the observance of human rights in their country, in Subject : Amendments to the
accordance with the positive attitude adopted in this matter Regulation
by the Community .

Subject : Amendments to the Pronorte Sub-programme B

Regulation

Since 1991 the Community has financed a series of measures
under the budget heading covering democratization and
human rights in Latin America in order to develop and
consolidate the observance of human rights in the context of
the rule of law .

The schemes are carried out by official bodies and also by
organizations made up of private citizens which have a
special aptitude or interest in the areas of activity concerned .
These areas cover a very wide range : protection of
vulnerable sections of the population ( children, native
peoples, women, victims of violence ); backing for
institutions supporting the peace process ; the legal process
and legal aid ; promotion of human rights in civil society ; and
human rights-related training for members of the army and
the security forces . Very considerable support has been
given to the human rights ombudsman in Guatemala .
Lastly, assistance has been provided for a number of
schemes to help street children, including most recently a
major multiannual programme for such children in
Guatemala City .

According to the Pronorte Sub-programme B Regulation,
60 % of its funding should go to the medium-sized 18 towns
of the Northern Region of Portugal . These cities can only
apply for ' Action 1 ' of the Sub-programme if they have
adopted their respective strategic plans .

The Sub-programme Regulation was adopted by the
Commission which, as far as I know, did not amend it . It
seems to me that this means that it must be respected by all
Member State authorities .

Press reports indicate that the Sub-programme 's
management unit decided to amend the conditions of the
Regulation, and to consider applications on the basis of
these amendments on 9 May 1 995 . Their basic thrust is that
the more government funding applicants have received, the
more funding they will receive under Sub-programme B ;
this includes large urban conglomerations . The 18
medium-sized towns could be deprived of 10 billion
escudos ' worth of the total funding earmarked for
Sub-programme B for the 1994 — 1999 period . The town of

No C 222 / 74 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Viana do Castelo would be particularly badly affected ; It has
in fact submitted its strategic plan .

Is the Commission aware of the changes to the Pronorte
Sub-programme B Regulation, and does it intend to accept
them ? If not, will it intervene to prevent the 9 May selection
of applications on the basis of these amendments ? Is the
Commission aware that if these amendments are accepted,
the much-trumpeted political principle of encouraging
development in regional centres as a counterbalance to
over-concentration in urban areas will be affected ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 May 1995 )

The Commission was only notified at the meeting of the
Monitoring Committee for the Norte programme, held in
Porto on 11 May 1995, of the implementing Regulations for
the programme measures, adopted at national level . It is
now considering these documents, including the one
referred to by the Honourable Member .

The Commission is anxious to emphasize its interest in the
adoption of a development strategy for the medium-sized
towns and cities of Portugal which could help reduce the
harmful impact of over-concentration in urban areas on the
metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto . Last year it
provided funding, as part of technical assistance, for a
special study on these problems, the findings of which
have already been presented and approved by the
Commission .

At the meeting of the Monitoring committee referred to
above the Portuguese authorities expressed agreement with
the views of the Commission and pointed out that support
measures and a development strategy for medium-sized
towns and cities are provided for also under other
programmes covered by the Portuguese Community
support framework, in particular the programme to
promote regional development potential .

to know what specific studies have been carried out, what
arrangements exist for obtaining copies and, where
appropriate, how much they cost ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 June 1995 )

The Commission would point out that this question is
exactly the same as the Honourable Member 's Written
Question No 850 / 95 .

The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable

Member to the answer it has already given to that
question i 1 ).

(') See page 18 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1434 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 10 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 130 )

Subject : Community support for Mr Thierry Roussel 's

scheme in Odemira

Mr Thierry Roussel 's farm scheme in Odemira, which was
presented to the Portuguese public as a ' model project ', is in
ruins, despite its having obtained Community investment
more easily, perhaps, than a Portuguese citizen would have
done .

Can the Commission tell me how much Community funding
was invested in this scheme and what steps have been taken
to recover it ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1424 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 129 )

Subject : Studies carried out by the Commission

Every year, the Commission has studies carried out by its
own services, as well as contracting out hundreds of external
reports and pieces of research . What sources of information
are available to citizens and interested social sectors wishing

The Commission approved the operational programme for
development of the Mira area of the Alentejo and Algarve
regions of Portugal in a decision dated 21 November 1991 .
This is the location of the projects to which the Honourable
Member refers .

The Commission must first make clear that it has no

responsibility in the selection of projects for Community
part-financing and formulates no opinion on their
suitability . Under the Structural Fund Regulations the
Commission has responsibilities for monitoring,
devaluation and surveillance of implementation of the
operational programmes ( OPs ).

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 75

The agricultural projects in question involved two
companies growing fruit and vegetables under glass and in
the open with a particular emphasis on off-season
production . They received some 45 % of the public subsidies
granted for rural development in the Mira .

The Community contribution to this OP was initially set at
ECU 22 million . When the relevant monitoring committee
met on 29 July 1993 this was reduced by 40% to ECU

13,5 million in view of the difficulties of implementation
being encountered . The project in question received aid
from the Portuguese authorities of ECU 8 million, of which
ECU 6 million was contributed by the Community .

The Commission voiced concern about the unsatisfactory
progress of the two projects as early as 1 993 . Having learned
informally that the financial viability of the two companies
is said to be threatened, it has asked the Portuguese
authorities to provide a detailed picture so that it can
consider what action to take .

standards and leading to a Community authorization for the
medicinal product .

Beta interferon (a medicinal product derived from
biotechnology ) will be evaluated using this centralized
mechanism and as a result of a single marketing
authorization, valid for the entire single market, will be
available to all citizens at the same time .

The social and health systems of the Member States
generally provide access to such important new medicines,
using the national schemes .

I 1 ) OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1437 / 95

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler ( V )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1436 / 95 ( 95 / C 222 / 132 )

by Freddy Blak ( PSE )

to the Commission Subject : EU projects in El Salvador 1980 — 1992

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 131 )

Subject : Medicine

Over 300 000 people in Europe suffer from multiple
sclerosis, a disease which attacks the central nervous system .
It is still not known what causes the disease, although recent
clinical research has demonstrated that beta-interferon

provides effective treatment .

In view of this, will the Commission state whether it has
taken, or intends to take, steps to ensure that this
information and form of treatment is made available to

sufferers ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

What projects did the EU carry out with the El Salvador
Government during the war of 1980 — 1992 ?

What agreements made it possible for the EU to carry out
projects with NGOs in El Salvador even before the end of
the war ?

What conditions did the then El Salvador Government

impose ?

How were the right conditions created for beginning major
projects in El Salvador soon after the peace treaties were
signed ( on 16 January 1992 )?

What assistance and how much money did the EU provide
for gathering FMLN fighters in transit camps during the
demobilization stage from February to December 1992 ?

( 12 June 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

The rapid availability of new and improved medicinal ( 22 June 1995 )
products has been a priority objective of the Commission for
many years . January 1995 saw the introduction of the fruits
of these efforts by virtue of the setting up of the European Between 1980 and 1984 Community aid to El Salvador
agency for the evaluation of medicinal products ( Regulation totalled around ECU 9 million, consisting primarily of
( EEC ) No 2309 / 93 i 1 ). emergency and food aid .

This new European agency ensures a rapid evaluation of
new medicinal products, using the highest scientific

Cooperation between the two parties only really got under
way in 1985, following the conference held in San Jose,

No C 222 / 76 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Costa Rica, that inaugurated a dialogue between the
Community and Central America . One of the main
objectives was to help put an end to the fighting in those
parts of the region still in the throes of war, and to promote
democracy, human rights and social and economic
development . This led to the first major European-backed
projects in El Salvador, testifying to the Community 's
commitment to transcending the underlying causes of the
conflict and to improving the lives of ordinary people .

In 1985 the Community financed a project for ECU
3,3 million to rehabilitate the buildings housing the
University of El Salvador ( ALA 85 / 19 ).

In 1987, inspite of the continuing political instability and
serious civil disturbances, the Community financed a project
supporting small-scale traditional production in the poorest
parts of the country ( ECU 6 million : ALA 87 / 10 ). In the
wake of the earthquake that year, a further ECU 12 million
was provided from the ' disaster ' reserve to build and
commission a 200-bed hospital in San Salvador ( ALA
87 / 12 ).

soldiers who, having laid down their arms, are lodged in
camps under UN supervision ( ECU 2 million ). The
Community is also financing a Medecins Sans Frontieres
programme to maintain decent sanitary conditions in the
camps ( ECU 0,8 million ), and a UNHCR project to
reconstitute municipal registers destroyed during the war so
that former soldiers can be issued new identity papers

( ECU 0,9 million ).

Finally, in 1 992 the ALA Committee approved the first wave
of programmes for the social and economic reintegration
of demobilized soldiers in the provinces of Usulutan
and Chalatenango, which should make a substantial
contribution to establishing a lasting peace .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1456 / 95

by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

Between 1990 and 1993 third-generation cooperation ( 95 / C 222 / 133
agreements were concluded with all the Latin American
developing countries . One of the innovations of these
agreements was the introduction of a clause on democracy
and human rights . Subject : Environmental nuisance of high-tension cables

The proliferation of high-tension cables to convey electricity
from one country to another is harmful to the environment
and a bane for residents of the Belgian Province of
Luxembourg .

It was against this backcloth that the Community financed a
series of projects carried out by NGOs in 1990 and 1991 in from one country to another is harmful to the
the following fields : electoral participation and the return to and a bane for residents of the Belgian
a democratic system ( ECU 250 000 ); institutional support Luxembourg .
for the Archbishopric 's office for the promotion of human
rights ( ECU 85 000 ); a public awareness campaign in with
the Human Rights Commission ( ECU 100 000 ); and Does the European Union plan to create '
support for communications training at the Central this nuisance as far as possible ?
American Catholic University ( ECU 300 000 ). NGOs also
played a key part in implementing a 1991 project to support
micro-businesses with the aim of strengthening the structure
and organization of the informal sector ( ECU 7 million :
ALA 91 / 29 ). Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

Does the European Union plan to create ' corridors ' to limit
this nuisance as far as possible ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 June 1995 )

At the eighth San Jose conference, held in Lisbon in
February 1992 in an atmosphere enlivened by the signing
one month previously of the El Salvador peace agreements,
the Community announced its intention of supporting the As a general rule, the criteria governing the installation of
peace process by providing a financial package totalling high-tension cables are determined by the Member States .
around ECU 60 million for projects linked to the Consequently, and in accordance ' with the principle of
implementation of the Chapultepec agreements . subsidiarity, ' corridors for high-tension cables have not

been defined at Community level .

In cooperation with Observadores de las Naciones Unidas
en El Salvador ( Onusal ), the Community is currently playing
a leading role in supporting the demobilization of the
FMLN through the work of the organization Caritas in the
field of food security and initial training for former FMLN

However, it should be pointed out that, with a view to
tackling to nuisance effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, a Council Directive

( 85 / 337 / EEC ) ( J ) on the assessment of the environmental
impact was adopted in 1985 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 77

High-tension cables are subject to such an assessment WRITTEN QUESTION E-1464 / 95
whenever the Member States consider this to be necessary by James Moorhouse ( PPE )
by reason of their operational characteristics . to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )
(M OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

( 95 / C 222 / 135 )

Subject : Member States ' gas safety regulations

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1462 / 95

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 134 )

Having recently appointed a French firm to investigate
Member States ' laws, regulations and rules on gas safety,
can the Commission :

— state what are the objectives of this project ?

— give a detailed report of progress so far ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

Subject : Traffic in toxic waste on behalf of the Commission

( 12 June 1995 )
What measures does the Commission plan to take to combat
the illegal export of toxic and hazardous waste within the
EU, as in the case where the German company Grundig used As previously indicated in the answer
its plant in Bragan^a for this purpose ? No 2564 / 94 ( l ) the project aims to

What are the responsibilities of the two Member States
directly concerned ?

Has either of them requested the Commission to take
action ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

As previously indicated in the answer to Written Question
No 2564 / 94 ( l ) the project aims to pinpoint gaps in the
national rules concerning the installation, maintenance and
inspection of appliances burning gaseous fuels and liquid
fuels ( including gaps in the implementation of these rules ) so
as to identify measures to reduce accidents either in the
home or in buildings frequented by consumers, such as
hotels or holiday homes . When the results of the study are
known the Commission will consider what action may be

necessary .

The present position regarding the study is that contractors
ATG France have submitted an interim report dated
26 April 1995 to the Commission . The final . report is due by

15 July 1995 . If the final report is accepted by the
Commission then the Parliament will be informed of its

content and, subsequently, it will be made available to the
public .

The Commission is not informed of the case of illegal traffic (') OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995 .
raised by the Honourable Member and has not been
requested to take action in this respect .

The current Community legislation on shipments of
hazardous waste is Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 259 / 93 on
the supervision and control of shipments of hazardous
waste within, into and out of the Community i 1 ). Provisions
concerning responsibility in cases of illegal traffic are laid
down in Article 26 . However, without more information
about the alleged illegal traffic, the Commission cannot
indicate what the responsibilities of the Member States
involved would be .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1490 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 136 )

(') OJ No L 30, 6 . 2 . 1993 . Subject : Nuclear energy

In which Member States, if any, is nuclear energy
privatized ?

No C 222 / 78 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497 / 95

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 June 1995 )

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995

( 95 / C 222 / 138 )
Nuclear energy for the production of electricity is privatized
in Belgium, Germany and Spain . In Spain, however, the
State is a major shareholder in the owner / operator
company . In Sweden, two 600 MW are in the private sector
while the rest ( two-thirds ) is State-owned . In Finland, 61 % Subject : Protection of the caretta caretta turtle on
of nuclear energy is privatized and 39 % State-owned . Zakynthos

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1492 / 95

by James Moorhouse ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 137 )

Subject : Member States ' gas safety regulations

Having recently appointed a French firm to investigate
Member States ' laws, regulations and rules on gas safety,
can the Commission :

— state what are the objectives of this project ?

— give a detailed report of progress so far ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

The marine turtle, caretta caretta, has been declared an
endangered species within the EU and is one of the priority
species designated under Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( 1 ) on natural
habitats . On 5 July 1990, the Greek Government issued
Presidential Decree 347D designating particular areas as
' nature conservation areas '. These included Sekania which is

one of three beaches in the world with the highest
concentration of caretta caretta nests . The Environment

Ministry has also announced that a marine park is to be set
up on Zakynthos with a budget of Drs 350 million from the
Second Community Support Framework .

To locate Sekania at the centre of the marine park, the
private land behind the biggest section of the beach was
bought by the Greek WWF with the backing of the
Environment Ministry and 75 % funding from the EU under
the Acnat programme . Recently, at Sekania, the local
authorities have turned a blind eye to the illegal felling of
woodland, the filling-in of the river bed and the building of a
road to the beach, which has severely damaged the turtles '
breeding grounds (a 40 % reduction in the number of nests ).
It should be noted in this connection that the Council of

Europe has looked into the question of demolishing
unauthorized buildings in the neighbouring area of Daphni
and has submitted a ' recommendation ' to this effect to the

Greek Government .

on behalf of the Commission
In view of the above :
( 30 June 1995 )

The Commission would point out that this question is
exactly the same as the Honourable Member 's Written
Question E-1464 / 95 .

1 . what measures does the Commission intend to take

against the Greek Government for allowing these
projects to go ahead in breach of Community law
and

The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable 2 . will the Commission ask the Greek Government to
Member to the answer it has already given to that submit a specific timetable for setting up and operating
question ('). the National Marine Park to ensure that the Drs

350 million earmarked for this purpose under the
Second Community Support Framework is effectively
(') See page 77 of this Official Journal . spent ?

(') OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p. 7 .

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 79

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the problems facing Caretta
caretta on the Greek island of Zakynthos, including the
incidents on the beach at Sekania .

It is currently examining a complaint regarding the
protection of this species on Zakynthos to determine
whether Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of natural

habitats and of wild fauna and flora is being properly
applied . Annex IV to the Directive lists animal and plant
species of Community interest in need of strict protection,
including Caretta caretta .

The Commission has established direct contact with the

Greek Environment Ministry to ensure that the Greek
authorities take rapid and effective action .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1524 / 95

by Petrus Cornelissen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 31 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 139 )

Subject : Bilateral agreement between Austria and Germany

on inland shipping

Since Austria 's accession to the EU the bilateral agreement
between Austria and Germany has not been terminated by
either country . Austria, unlike Germany, has promised to
interpret the agreement ' liberally '.

Under this agreement non-German and non-Austrian
vessels require authorization to transport goods between
Germany and Austria . Since 1 January Austria has not
objected to any applications for authorization, but when
processing the same applications, the German authorities
want first to establish whether the goods concerned can be
transported by German vessels .

This attitude towards non-German carriers, which is
discriminatory in commercial and operational terms, seems
incompatible with the EU Treaty .

1 . Is the Commission aware of complaints about the
German authorities ' enforcement of the bilateral

agreement between Germany and Austria on inland
shipping ?

2 . Does it agree that the German authorities are guilty of
discrimination ?

3 . If so, does it intend to put an end to this practice ? If not,
on what grounds ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 June 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the situation referred to by the
Honourable Member which is not in conformity with the
general principle of freedom to provide services . In order to
help resolve this problem in accordance with the judgment
of the Court of Justice of 22 May 1985 in Case No 13 / 83 ( J ),
on 10 May 1995 it sent to the Council a proposal for
Regulation on common rules applicable to the transport of
goods or passengers by inland waterway between Member
States with a view to establishing freedom to provide such
services ( 2 ).

The proposal invites the Council to introduce, pursuant to
Article 75(1 ) ( a ) of the EC Treaty, Community rules for
access to transport services between Member States which
ensure that the principle of freedom to provide services
applies in law to all international transport links within the
Community . The achievement of this objective will make it
possible to ensure that all Community carriers can carry out
transport operations covered by the bilateral agreement
between Austria and Germany on inland shipping .

(!) ECR ( 1985 ) p . 1556 .

( 2 ) COM(95 ) 167 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l 544 / 95

by Marlies Mosiek-Urbahn ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 May 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 140 )

Subject : Delays in the distribution of The Official Journal

of the European Communities

Is the Commission aware that delays of several months
occur not infrequently in the distribution of The Official
Journal of the European Communities and thus in the

publication of European Union legislation ?

The new anti-dumping Regulation and the new rules on
European Union export controls provide examples . The

No C 222 / 80 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

former was adopted by the Council in September 1994 and WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554 /
came into force immediately, but the relevant issue of the by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR )
Official Journal only became available on 7 February 1995 . to the Commission
The export control rules were published in the Official
Journal of 31 December, but this was only dispatched by the (1 June 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554 / 95

to the Commission

(1 June 1995 )

relevant distributors at the beginning of April 1995 .

This distribution practice not only means that those to
whom legislation applies may sustain losses, but also places
a question mark, in the public mind, over the seriousness of
the European Union 's law-making .

( 95 / C 222 / 141 )

Subject : Progress of the report on thermonuclear fusion

What progress has there been following report A4-66 / 94 ( ! )
on adopting a specific programme of research and training
in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion ?

(M OJ No C 341, 5 . 12 . 1994, p . 150 .
Does the Commission see any way of putting a stop to this
delay in the distribution of The Official Journal of the
European Communities ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 June 1995 )

The greatest account has been taken of Report A4-66 / 94,
which sets out Parliament 's opinion on the proposal for a
Council Decision adopting a specific programme of research
and training in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion .
The Commission has accepted the seven amendments
adopted by Parliament and incorporated them into Council
Decision 94 / 799 / Euratom (').

The Official Journal is published on behalf of the (•) OJ No L 3 31, 21 . 12 . 1994 .
institutions by the Publications Office, which is an
inter-institutional service administratively attached to the
Commission . The two examples given by the Honourable
Member concern Regulations adopted by the Council,
which is responsible for the documents .

WRITTEN QUESTION E                        - 15 80 / 95

by Leen van der Waal ( EDN )

The problems mentioned by the Honourable Member are
caused primarily by delays which arise prior to the
institutions ' transmitting the 1 1 ( previously nine ) language
versions of the final manuscripts to the Publications Office .
In the case of the two examples given :

— publication of Council Regulation ( EC ) No 3381 / 94
adopted on 19 December 1994 was delayed because an
amending Regulation ( EC ) No 837 / 95 deferred the date
on which it took effect to 1 July ; in order to avoid any
confusion, the Council asked that the Regulation and
the amending Regulation appear on the same day, which
turned out to be 21 April 1995 ;

— the Publications Office did not receive the whole of

Council Regulation ( EC ) No 3283 / 94, adopted on
22 December 1994, until 20 January 1995 . It was then
published on 6 February, which is a normal time for
publication .

to the Commission

(7 June 1995 )

95 / C 222 / 142 )

Subject : Subsidies to Flemish ports

According to press reports, shipping companies are
transferring their container dispatch business from
Rotterdam to Antwerp as a result of a 20 % lower rate there
for the loading and unloading of containers .

1 . Can the Commission confirm that the tariffs for the

loading and unloading of containers in Flemish ports are
lower than those set in the ports of Rotterdam, Bremen
and Hamburg ?

2 . Are these lower tariffs partly the result of subsidies from
the Flemish Government, e.g. the funding of an
under-employed labour force and / or government
contributions to terminals ?

3 . Does the Commission consider the provision of
subsidies by the Flemish Government to be compatible
with the Union 's rules of competition ?

28 . 8 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 222 / 81

4 . If not, what measures does the Commission intend
taking to counteract this distortion of competition ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 June 1995 )

The Commission does not monitor levels of port tariffs in
the Community, and is not therefore in a position to confirm
differences in the levels charged between individual ports or
the reasons for the differences . The Commission is, of
course, acutely mindful that the rules of the Treaty
governing State aids apply to the port sector, and stresses
that Member States should be vigilant in notifying new aids .
The Commission takes extremely seriously its responsibility
for ensuring that State aid rules are respected, and is always
ready to investigate formal complaints and to follow-up
substantial evidence concerning breaches of the rules . If the
Honourable Member has such evidence he should make it

available to the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1629 / 95

by Angela Sierra González ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

2 . Can the Commission guarantee that construction will
not begin until the required environmental impact study
has been approved ?

3 . Does the Commission really believe it is necessary to
build these thermal power stations in the Canaries, given
that they would increase the CO2 levels in the area and
would have other significant consequences, such as the
construction of high-tension lines ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

The facts referred to by the Honourable Member are the
subject of a case now pending before the Court of First
Instance ( J ).

The Commission does not therefore wish to comment until

the Court has delivered its judgment .

(') Case T-585 / 93, Greenpeace and others v. Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676 / 95

(1 June 1995 )

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )
( 95 / C 222 / 143 ) to the Commission

( 15 June 1995 )

Subject : Environmental impact of two thermal power 95 / C 222 / 144 )

stations being built on Tenerife and Gran Canaria

( Spain )

Two thermal power stations are currently being built in the
Canary Islands, one in Granadilla, Tenerife, and the other in
San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria . Given that :

— both projects are financed by the European Union ;

— operating power plants of this kind would significantly

increase emissions of carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), one of the
gases responsible for climate change ;

— the Canary Islands ' energy scheme anticipates an 88 per

cent increase in CO2 emissions by the year 2005 ;

— there have been no serious energy efficiency and

energy-saving programmes or renewable energy schemes
undertaken in the Canaries ;

1 . How much does the Commission know about the

possible environmental impact of these power
stations ?

Subject : Inclusion of poultrymeat in the Food-Aid

programme

Has the Commission any plans to include poultrymeat in the
Food-Aid programme ? If not, what are the difficulties,
because this puts European producers at a disadvantage
compared to those in the USA and Brazil ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1995 )

As from the 1995 programme, poultry meat will be included
in the list of products which can be supplied as food aid . This
list will be published in the Official Journal .

No C 222 / 82 ΓΕΝΊ Official Journal of the European Communities 28 . 8 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 847 / 95

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(3 July 1995 )

( 95 / C 222 / 145 )

Subject : Quota regulation for the appointment of
handicapped workers in the European
institutions

The answer I received to my Written Question E-l 05 1 / 95 ( 1 )
on the appointment of handicapped workers in the
European institutions was that no quota system existed for
such employees, but that an inter-service working group had
been established within the Commission to produce a code
of practice on this subject .

1 . Does such a code of practice mean that more
handicapped people will in fact be appointed ?

2 . Why does the Commission not introduce a quota system
for appointments to posts within the European

institutions which gives preference to qualified
handicapped employees ?

3 . Are records kept of the numbers of handicapped
employees working for the various institutions ? If so,
what were the relevant percentages for Parliament, the
Council and the Commission respectively for the years

1992, 1993 and 1994 ? Do these figures suggest that a
quota system needs to be introduced ?

(') See page 35 of this Official Journal .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 July 1995 )

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