Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

## Official Journal

#### of the European Communities

###### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C233

Volume 33

17 September 1990

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Notice No

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Contents p a g e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

N o 541/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: The CFMU in Brussels 1

N o 680/89 by M r Jens-Peter Bonde to the Commission

Subject: Laboratory testing 1

N o 910/89 by M r Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission

Subject: Dangers of the Enichem plant in Manfredonia, Italy 2

N o 1000/89 by M r Eugenio Melandri to the Commission

Subject: Road works in the Alta Valle del Chiampo and building of the Marana-Campodalbero
road (Italy) 2

N o 1016/89 by M r Carlos Robles P i q u e r t o t h e Commission

Subject: Alleged pressure by the US in favour of tobacco 3

N o 1047/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: United Kingdom Government's privatization of water industry 3

N o 1063/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Joint Research Centre staff redundancies 4

N o 1091 /89 by M r Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Use of adrenergic substances for fattening cattle 5

N o 21/90 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: The use of hormones and other banned substances in intensive rearing 5

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1091/89 and 21/90 5

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

90/C233/10 N o 1135/89 by Mrs Christiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Substantial increase in Aids cases in Europe 6

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 1 N o 1147/89 by Mrs Pauline Green to the Council

Subject: The Turkish occupation of Cyprus 6

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 2 N o 1174/89 by Mrs Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina, Mrs Adriana

Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent, Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and M r

Rinaldo Bontempi to the Commission

Subject: Women and development: action programme 7

90/C233/13 N o 1226/89 by M r Pol Marck to the Commission

Subject: Pigs treated as food machines 7

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 4 N o 1233/89 by M r H e m m o Muntingh to the Commission

Subject: Fencing in Botswana's nature reserve

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 5 N o 1261/89 by M r Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Restricting imports of tropical timber

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 6 N o 1273/89 by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana to the Commission

Subject: Annexes relating to habitats 9

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 7 N o 1304/89 by M r Ben Fayot to the Commission

Subject: The case before the European Court of Justice involving GB-Innovation-BM v. the
State of Luxembourg and concerning the advertising of price reductions 9

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 8 N o 1331 /89 by M r Ben Visser to the Commission

Subject: Date of entry into force of the 'scrap and build' Regulation for inland waterway

transport

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 1 9 N o 1 /90 by M r Terence Wynn to the Commission

Subject: Loss of 30 000 pit jobs in run-up to electricity privatization 10

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 0 N o 32/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission

Subject: Experimental use of medication: informing patients 11

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 1 N o 38/90 by M r Madron Seligman to the Commission

Subject: Song thrush populations and the pate trade 11

90/C233/22 N o 75/90 by M r Alman Metten to the Commission

Subject: The price to the consumer of anti-dumping policy 12

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 3 N o 100/90 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Aid in respect of drought 13

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 4 N o 121 /90 by M r Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Manure surpluses 14

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 5 N o 125/90 by M r Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Advertising and information on pharmaceutical products 14

9 0 / C 2 3 3 / 2 6 N o 126/90 by M r Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Financial aid from the European Community 15

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 0 / C 233/27 N o 134/90 by M r Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject: United States banking legislation 16

9 0 / C 233/28 N o 145/90 by M r H e m m o Muntingh to the Commission

Subject: Ecology and development: the construction of a dam in French Guyana 16

9 0 / C 233/29 N o 150/90 by M r Yves Verwaerde and M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Safety of chemical products 17

9 0 / C 233/30 N o 154/90 by Mrs Viviane Reding to the Commission

Subject: Measures in respect of customs officers after the borders are opened 17

9 0 / C 233/31 N o 181 /90 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Job protection measures in the services sector 18

9 0 / C 233/32 N o 182/90 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Commission

Subject: Comparative study of legal and social provisions for seasonal workers 18

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos N o 181 /90 and 182/90 18

9 0 / C 233/33 N o 186/90 by M r Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of the Integrated Mediterranean Programme for Western Greece and
the Peloponnese in respect of the prefecture of Elis (Supplementary answer) 18

9 0 / C 233/34 N o 190/90 by M r Carlos Carvalhas to the Commission

Subject: Observance of the Euratom Treaty (Supplementary answer) 19

9 0 / C 233/35 N o 201 /90 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Commission Working Group on food additives 19

9 0 / C 233/36 N o 218/90 by M r John Tomlinson to the Commission

Subject: Community aid to sport 19

9 0 / C 233/37 N o 238/90 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: A single Community rail network (Supplementary answer) 20

9 0 / C 233/38 N o 251/90 by M r Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission

Subject: Legitimation of the Commission by means of elections 21

9 0 / C 233/39 N o 264/90 by M r David Morris to the Commission

Subject: Possible breach of the EEC Treaty by the United Kingdom Government under its
electricity privatization legislation (Supplementary answer) 21

9 0 / C 233/40 N o 265/90 by M r Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission

Subject: Review of the Regulation on marketing standards for eggs 22

9 0 / C 233/41 N o 275/90 by M r Miguel Arias Cafiete to the Commission

Subject: ERDF expenditure for 1989 22

9 0 / C 233/42 N o 292/90 by M r Georgios Romeos to the Commission

Subject: Measures to protect soya producers 23

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

90/C233/43

90/C233/44

90/C233/45

90/C233/46

90/C233/47

90/C233/48

90/C233/49

90/C233/50

90/C233/51

90/C233/52

90/C233/53

90/C233/54

90/C233/55

90/C233/56

90/C233/57

90/C233/58

90/C233/59

N o 293/90 by M r Alonso Puerta to the Commission

Subject: Pollution in the Bay of Biscay (Supplementary answer) 23

N o 312/90 by Mrs Christiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Imports of protected tropical creatures into the EEC 23

N o 316/90 by M r Jean-Claude Martinez to the Commission

Subject: Purchase of agricultural land in France 24

N o 330/90 by M r Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: Coal production costs and subsidies 25

N o 340/90 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission

Subject: Fishing activity in the Falklands 25

N o 341 /90 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission

Subject: EEC-Ivory Coast fisheries negotiations 26

N o 344/90 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Reform of the CAP 26

N o 350/90 by M r H o n o r Funk, M r Reinhold Bocklet, Mrs Hedwig KeppelhofWiechert, M r Egon Klepsch and M r Reimer Boge to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination against alternative agriculture (Supplementary answer) 26

N o 389/90 by M r Thomas Megay to the Commission

Subject: Transport of live animals for slaughter (Supplementary answer) .• 27

N o 398/90 by M r Alonso Puerta to the Commission

Subject: Air pollution in the city of Valladolid 28

N o 399/90 by Mrs Patricia Rawlings to the Commission

Subject: Draft Council Regulation on marketing animal products 28

N o 404/90 by Mrs Marlene Lenz, Mrs Rosaria Bindi, Mrs Maria Cassanmagnago

Cerretti, Mrs Nicole Fontaine, Mrs Anna Hermans, Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana,

Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Mrs Doris Pack, Mrs Karla Peijs, Mr Elmar Brok, M r

Nicolas Estgen and M r Egon Klepsch to the Council

Subject: Creation of a European family policy (Supplementary answer) 29

N o 418 /90 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Cofinancing of the Irurzun-Andoain highway 29

N o 477/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Convergence of the Member States' economic policies 30

N o 490/90 by M r Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission

Subject: Civil defence (Supplementary answer) 30

N o 524/90 by M r Ian White to the Commission

Subject: Rural areas 31

N o 533/90 by Mrs Raymonde D u t y to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of
the European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation

Subject: Training of senior political staff in Eastern Europe (Supplementary answer) 31

Notice N o

90/C233/60

90/C233/61

90/C233/62

90/C233/63

90/C233/64

90/C233/65

90/C233/66

90/C233/67

90/C233/68

90/C233/69

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90/C233/71

90/C233/72

90/C233/73

90/C233/74

90/C233/75

90/C233/76

Contents (continued) Page

N o 534/90 by M r Yves Galland to the Commission

Subject: Effects of implementing the 18th Directive 32

N o 535/90 by M r Yves Galland to the Commission

Subject: Employment legislation applicable to road transport 32

N o 550/90 by M r Philippe Herzog to the Commission

Subject: EEC subsidies to Japanese and American firms 33

N o 564/90 by M r Henry McCubbin to the Commission

Subject: Leukaemia among nuclear workers' children 33

N o 569/90 by M r Jean-Marie Le Chevalier to the Commission

Subject: Immigrant policy in the Community (Supplementary answer) 34

N o 580/90 by M r Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Commission body to deal with the increasing number of complaints over the
non-application or inadequate application of environmental Directives 34

N o 5 81 /90 by M r Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Financing of an expressway in the Aspe Valley (Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France) 35

N o 610/90 by M r Rafael Calvo Ortega to the Commission

Subject: Meeting of the Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) and its proposal to the
Commission 35

N o 625/90 by M r Juan Graikoetxea Urriza to the Commission

Subject: Nautical tourism along the Atlantic coast 36

N o 628/90 by M r Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission

Subject: Ratification by the Community of the 1988 Vienna Convention against illegal traffic in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (Supplementary answer) 36

N o 631/90 by M r Kenneth Collins to the Commission

Subject: Local employment development programmes 36

N o 636/90 by M r Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Support for the fur industry (Supplementary answer) 37

N o 643/90 by M r George Patterson to the Commission

Subject: Acces flooring standards 38

N o 708/90 by M r Herman Verbeek, M r Paul Staes, Mrs Claudia Roth and M r Yves

Cochet to the Commission

Subject: Schengen consultations and agreements 38

N o 709/90 by M r Jose Ruiz-Mateos Jiminez de Tejada and M r Carlos Perreau de

Pinninck Domenech to the Commission

Subject: Shipping accidents of the coast of Galicia 39

N o 729/90 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission

Subject: Financing of creches under the Regional Fund 39

N o 809/90 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Council

Subject: Ratification of the Vienna Convention 40

(Continued overleaf)

90/C233/77

90/C233/78

90/C233/79

90/C233/80

90/C233/81

90/C233/82

90/C233/83

90/C233/84

90/C233/85

90/C233/86

90/C233/87

90/C233/88

90/C233/89

90/C233/90

90/C233/91

90/C233/92

90/C233/93

90/C233/94

Contents (continued) p age

N o 810/90 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa M u m to the Council

Subject: The European Employment Survey 40

N o 811 /90 by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie to the Commission

Subject: France's application of regulations concerning the transfer of second category public
undertakings 40

N o 812/90 by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie to the Commission

Subject: Community measures for employment in the French department of
Pyrenees-Atlantiques 40

N o 849/90 by M r Yves Verwaerde to the Council

Subject: Programme of vocational training for the long-term unemployed 41

N o 870/90 by M r Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Council

Subject: Council meetings outside Brussels 41

N o 892/90 by M r Kenneth Collins to the Commission

Subject: Community spirits exports to Korea 41

N o 910/90 by M r Mauro Chiabrando, M r Nino Pisoni and M r Franco Borgo to the

Council

Subject: Ban on the use of hormones in livestock farming 42

N o 925/90 by M r Dieter Rogalla to the Commission

Subject: Arbitrary action by Member State authorities (Gobierno Civil de Sta. Cruz de
Teneriffa) to deny individuals the right of establishment 43

N o 941/90 by M r Filippos Pierros to the Commission

Subject: Commission's response to Turkey's application for accession to the Community 43

N o 952/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Kidnapping by parents and elimination of internal Community frontiers 44

N o 960/90 by M r Herman Verbeek to the Council

Subject: Employee consultation in the public sector at European level 44

N o 968/90 by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer to the Council

Subject: Situation of Portuguese and Spanish students in France 45

N o 982/90 by M r Carlos Carvalhas to the Council

Subject: Identity card for members of anti-fascist resistance movements 45

N o 996/90 by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra to the Council

Subject: Compensation for former political prisoners in Spain 45

N o 1009/90 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar to the Council

Subject: Management fund for the tropical rainforests 46

N o 1049/90 by M r Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Council

Subject: 'Observers' as representatives of the regions at Council level 46

N o 1061/90 by Mrs Sylvie Mayer to the Commission

Subject: Professional qualifications for geologists 46

N o 1068/90 by M r Antoine Waechter to the Council

Subject: Establishment of an oil refinery with a capacity of 150 000 barrels/day at Port Louis,
Guadeloupe 47

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Notice No Contents (continued)

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90/C233/96

90/C233/97

90/C233/98

90/C233/99

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N o 1078/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission

Subject: Additional protection certificate for pharmaceutical products 47

N o 1086/90 by M r Winifred Ewing to the Council

Subject: Student loan scheme in the United Kingdom 48

N o 1105/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Situation in Liberia and attitude of the Community 48

N o 1115/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Management, seat, and resources of the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development 49

N o 1117/90 by Mrs Nel van Dijk, Mrs Anna Catasta and Mrs Mireille Elmalan to the

Council

Subject: Free access to information about services in the Member States 50

N o 1177/90 by M r Frederic Rosmini to the Council

Subject: Relations between the Community and the Mediterranean countries 50

N o 1238/90 by M r Ian White to the Council

Subject: Leros 51

N o 1239/90 by M r Ian White to the Council

Subject: Leros 51

N o 1240/90 by M r Ian White to the Council

Subject: Leros 51

N o 1307/90 by M r George Stevenson to the Council

Subject: Leros psychiatric colony — Greece 51

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1238/90, 1239/90, 1240/90 and 1307/90 . . . . 51

N o 1264/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Incidence of lev

N o 960/90 by M r Herman Verbeek to the Council

Subject: Employee consultation in the public sector at European level 44

N o 968/90 by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer to the Council

Subject: Situation of P/90, 1239/90, 1240/90 and 1307/90 51

N o 1264/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Council

Subject: Incidence of leukaemia among the children of workers in the nuclear industry 51

N o 1266/90 by Mrs Maria Aglietta to the Council

Subject: Safety problems in the Krsko nuclear reactor 52

N o 1313/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Council

Subject: European solidarity for the funding of liver transplants 53

N o 1389/90 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Council

Subject: Treatment of conscientious objectors in Greece 54

N o 1397/90 by M r Neil Blaney to the Council

Subject: Respect for human rights in the Community 54

N o 1426/90 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject: Animal testing for cosmetics 54

N o 1440/90 by M r Giuseppe Rauti, M r Antonio Mazzone and Mrs Cristiana

Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Professional qualifications of non-Community immigrants 54

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

90/C233/112

90/C233/113

90/C233/114

90/C233/115

90/C233/116

90/C233/117

90/C233/118

No 1442/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: The establishment in the Member States of centres for the rehabilation of people with
brain damage and institutions for cerebrospinal surgery 55

No 1509/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Council

Subject: Application of Directive 88/378/EEC on the safety of toys 55

No 1530/90 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject: Zoo directive 55

No 1576/90 by Mr John Bird to the Commission

Subject: Protection of the walrus 56

No 1608/90 by Mrs Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Pons Grau, Mr Cabezon Alonso, Mr Sapena
Granell, Mr Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Diez de Rivera Icaza and Mr Sanz Fernandez to the
Council

Subject: Commission proposal concerning a renewed Mediterranean policy 56

No 1609/90 by Mrs Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Pons Grau, Mr Cabezon Alonso, Mr Sapena
Granell, Mr Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Diez de Rivera Icaza and Mr Sanz Fernandez to the
Council

Subject: Creation of a Euro-Mediterranean development bank 56

No 1701/90 by Mrs Carmen Diez De Rivera to the Commission
Subject: Recruitment of persons in their fifties 57

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/1

I

_(Information)_

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 541/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Mum (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 233/01)

_Subject:_ The CFMU in Brussels

Does the Commission intend to give any assistance to the
Central Air Traffic Flow Management Unit (CFMU) set
up in Brussels by the European Organization for the
Safety of Air Navigation ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1990)_

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 March 1990)_

The Commission was not aware of the complaint
submitted by 'Mailing KontroP to the European Affairs
Committee of the Danish Parliament (Folketingets
Markedsudvalg).

In the absence of precise information about the subject of
the complaint, the Commission can only give general
guidelines on the failure by a Member State to recognize
testing carried out in another Member State.

Article 30 of the EEC Treaty prohibits all quantitative
restrictions and measures having equivalent effect in
intra-Community trade.

The Court of Justice has interpreted this provision as
meaning that the requirement by a Member State to
repeat testing already carried out in another Member
State must be regarded as a measure having equivalent
effect (case-law in 'Biologische Produkten', judgment of
17 December 1981 in Case 272/80) ( [J] ).

If Article 30 EEC has been infringed, the Commission, in
its capacity as guardian of the Treaties, approaches the
Member State which has failed to fulfil its obligations
pursuant to Article 169.

In the case referred to by the Honourable Member, the
Commission will take appropriate action so that it is in a
position to express an opinion as to the application of the
above case-law.

O (1981) ECR3277 to 3293.

No need for any financial
expressed to the Commission.

participation has been

WRITTEN QUESTION No 680/89

by Mr Jens-Peter Bonde (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 233/02)

_Subject:_ Laboratory testing

How does the Commission intend to respond to the fact
that the French authorities do not approve laboratory
testing carried out by the Danish 'Elektronik-centralen';
see written complaint from 'Mailing kontrol' to the
Folketing's market affairs committee of 30 August 1989?

No C 233/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 910/89

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/03)

_Subject:_ Dangers of the Enichem plant in Manfredonia,
Italy

The Enichem agricultural plant in Manfredonia and
Macchie (an outlying district of Monte S. Angelo) in Italy
falls within the scope of Directive 82/501/EEC _(_ _[l]_ _),_ as
subsequently amended, on industrial risks.

In view of the incidents which occurred in 1976, 1978 and
1986, the court case on the discharge of toxic waste, the
increase in tumour-related and chronic, degenerative
diseases, the pollution of the surrounding environment
(groundwater, air and sea) and the effects on the health of
the workers and local inhabitants:

1. Can the Commission say whether and to what extent
the Enichem plant in Manfredonia complies with the
rules laid down in Directive 82/501/EEC, as
subsequently amended?

2. Does the Commission not agree that, in view of the
incidents which have occurred and the opposition of
local inhabitants and the local authorities, the only
way to ensure that other serious incidents do not
occur in future is to close down the Enichem plant in
Manfredonia?

O OJNoL230, 5. 8.1982, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 February 1990)_

The Enichem plant at Manfredonia, Italy, falls within the
scope of Article 5 of Directive 82/501/EEC on the
major-accident hazards of certain industrial activities (').

That Article lays down that a notification be sent to the
competent authorities giving detailed information on the
substances used, the industrial installation and accident
situations, together with a safety report on the
installation. On the basis of this notification, the
competent authorities must verify the installation safety
report and in particular ensure that the manufacturer is
taking the appropriate measures to prevent major
accidents. The Directive laid down that the notification

and the safety report were to be completed by 8 July 1989
at the latest.

The Italian Government implemented Directive
82/501/EEC by the Decree No 175 of 17 May 1988 of the
President of the Republic, later supplemented by the
Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 31

March 1989.

Enichem did submit the safety report on the installation
to the government in response to Decree No 175. On the
basis of this safety report, the Italian Government
proceeded to examine the dossier as laid down by
Article 18 of the above-mentioned Decree No 175, in
order to verify the safety of the installation and to identify
any supplementary safety measures which might be

necessary.

Consequently, with regard to the implementation of
Directive 82/501/EEC the Italian Government has taken

all the measures required with respect to Enichem.

With regard to the disposal of toxic substances and waste
at sea, the Commission points out that it has decided to
initiate an infringement procedure against Italy for its
failure to fulfil obligations under Directive 78/319/EEC
on toxic and dangerous waste ( [2] ).

O OJNoL230, 5.8. 1982.
O OJNoL84, 31.3. 1979.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1000/89

by Mr Eugenio Melandri (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/04)

_Subject:_ Road works in the Alta Valle del Chiampo and
building of the Marana-Campodalbero road
(Italy)

Decision No 230 of 20 October 1985 on Regulation
(EEC) No 1760/78 ( [x] ) makes provision for Community
funds amounting to approximately Lit 580 million to be
allocated to the abovementioned works.

The project was submitted three times and rejected twice
as technically unfeasible by the relevant Provincial
Council and by the Regional Technical Committee and,
by decrees of 10 September 1988 and 10 October 1988,
the Italian Minister for Cultural Assets annulled the

decisions taken by the Provincial Council of Vicenza on 8
June 1988 and 2 August 1988 respectively, authorizing the
works subject to certain restrictions.

1. Has the Commission checked thoroughly whether all
the conditions for the granting of funds are met?

2. What measures does the Commission intend to take to

prevent public funds from being used for a project
whose usefulness is doubtful and which is

unquestionably harmful to the environment?

3. Is the Commission aware that the Alto Chiampo
Development Consortium is in the process of calling
for tenders for the work in question and that the
owners of the land affected by the new road have met
to agree on compensation and arrangements for
taking possession of the land?

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/3

4. Does that Commission consider it appropriate further
to grant funds to a project which, despite having been
rejected several times, is substantially unchanged and
has met with strong opposition from local
environmental groups?

O OJ No L 204, 2-8. 7. 1978, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 February 1990)_

The Commission provided funding totalling Lit 620
million for the project 'Improvement of farm road
network in Crespadoro (Vicenza)' (project
No 85.20.IT.544.0) on 20 December 1985 in accordance
with Regulation (EEC) No 1760/78.

Following a letter sent by the World Wildlife Fund,
Vicenza Section, concerning the adverse environmental
impact of the project in question, the EAGGF Guidance
Section brought the matter to the attention of the Italian
national and local authorities in November 1988 in order

to obtain all the information required for preparation of

an answer.

Since no information had been received by the end of
December 1989, a reminder was sent to the Italian
authorities giving them one month in which to send the
information requested, failing which the Commission
would commence proceedings to block the funds seeing
that no application for payment had been received.

It is not possible to give further details at present.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1016/89

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/05)

_Subject:_ Alleged pressure by the US in favour of tobacco

Mr Peter G. Bourne, President of the American
Association for World Health, has written in the _Los_
_Angeles Times_ (as quoted in _World Development Forum,_
vol. 7, No 17, 30 September 1989) that the Government of
the United States has 'threatened three countries with

trade sanctions for refusing to open up their markets to
United States tobacco products, and is threatening other
countries that have banned or are strictly regulating their
advertisement and production'.

In the light of this statement, published in a respectable
newspaper, and in the light of its trade negotiations with

the United States, is the Commission in a position to state
whether this information is true and whether it is aware of

such pressures in relation to third countries? If it is, does
the Commission intend to take any steps either in favour
of the freedom to smoke or not to smoke or to protect the
health of non-smokers?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(31_ _May 1990)_

The Commission has established that since 1985, three
investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act have
been initiated by the United States Trade Representative
against South Korea, Japan and Taiwan with regard to
exports of cigarettes.

Furthermore, in the case of Thailand, the United States
has not only begun formal proceedings under Section 301,
but on 22 December 1989 it also requested the opening of
consultations under Article XXIII (1) of GATT, since
bilateral consultations had not resulted in a satisfactory
settlement. The United States considers that the import
restrictions imposed by Thailand on cigarettes run
counter to the General Agreement and that the measures
cancel out or jeopardize the advantages it gains from the
GATT.

The United States takes Thailand to task for preventing
cigarette imports and considers that it discriminates
against other countries since smoking is not banned in
Thailand and Thai production of cigarettes continues as
normal.

The Commission has always condemned threats by the
United States to take unilateral action in order to force

access to a market. It therefore adopts the same attitude to
the above cases, whatever restrictions there may be on
market access in these countries.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1047/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/06)

_Subject:_ United Kingdom Government's privatization of
water industry

In the performance of the sale of the water industry, the
United Kingdom Government has stipulated that
payment may only be made by cheques issued by British
Banks (members of the London Clearing Banks) and that

No C 233/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

it will not send any prospectuses to addresses outside the
United Kingdom. Has the Commission considered
whether this contravenes the Treaty of Rome, in that it
actively discriminates against overseas EC nationals?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1990)_

Payment for shares in the privatization of the British
water industry has to be made in the form of a cheque
which carries a United Kingdom bank sorting code in
order to allow the cheque to pass through an automated
system. Cheques carrying a United Kingdom bank sorting
code are available from branches of United Kingdom
banks in the other Member States, and also from other
Community banks with branches in the United Kingdom.
In addition, any Community bank could certainly supply
such a cheque through a correspondent bank amongst
those mentioned above; a problem of compatibility with
EEC provisions would only arise if the delays for
subscription were so short as not to allow an effective
application.

The United Kingdom in the past restricted the sending of
prospectuses to United Kingdom residents. This was due
to the fact that in several Member States restrictions were

imposed on the receipt of such prospectuses and that the
United Kingdom wanted to respect these requirements.
The Commission feels that the United Kingdom should
not be reproached for respecting the laws of those
Member States, but rather that the latter should be
questioned. The United Kingdom authorities have
informed the Commission that in the case of the water

privatization, only Italian residents would not be sent the
respective prospectuses due to Italian restrictions. The

Cause of leaving

Early retirements

Resignation

Legal retirement/invalidity

Death

Other

Total

1985

—

10

34

4

3

51

Commission has contacted the Italian authorities with a

view to establishing the circumstances of these
restrictions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1063/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/07)

_Subject:_ Joint Research Centre staff redundancies

Can the Commission give details for each of the last five
years of the number of staff who have left, by resignation
and retirement, positions with the Joint Research Centre.
Can details also be given of how many of these are
receiving an early retirement pension, invalidity pension
or other continued remuneration. Are any members of
staff who have left and in receipt of early retirement now
holding a post in the European Community in another
capacity?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 March 1990)_

"Within the last five years (1985 —1989), a total number of
479 staff have left the Joint Research Centre. This number

is the result of statutory procedures as laid down by the
Staff Regulations.

The details are as follows:

1986

79

13

56

4

1

153

1987

48

11

32

3

 

94

1988

49

2

44

7

4

106

1989

28

8

31

7

1

75

1985-1989

Total

204

44

197

25

9

479

None of these former Joint Research Centre staff members is now holding a post with the
European Community in another capacity.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/5

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1091/89

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 233/08)

_Subject:_ Use of adrenergic substances for fattening cattle

Following the ban under Community law on hormones
for fattening cattle, there has been an increase in the use
of other adrenergic substances to achieve the same result.

There is evidence of the use of products such as
clenbuterol, cimaterol and salbutamol, which aid the
conversion of fatty acids into glucose while retaining

water.

In view of this situation, can the Commission say whether
it is aware of the extent to which the above-mentioned

adrenergic substances are used, whether it has established
the consequences of such use and what measures it will
take to tackle the new situation posed by the use of these
preparations as a substitute for the banned hormones?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 21/90

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/09)

_Subject:_ The use of hormones and other banned
substances in intensive rearing

The use of hormones and other banned substances such as

beta-agonists (clenbuterol) in intensive rearing is a
long-standing problem which Parliament, too, has
considered in great depth, even setting up a special
committee of inquiry.

Last summer, a new scandal came to light in North
Rhine-Westphalia. On three farms calves to which a
human cough suppressant had been administered were
discovered. 3 800 calves from 21 sheds were confiscated.

The substance in question was salbutamol, which is
closely related to clenbuterol.

The use of human medicines adds a new dimension to the

fight against abuses in intensive rearing. Salbutamol is
only available on prescription, making it subject to
medical (and veterinary) ethics.

Can the Commission state:

1. What view it takes of these practices ?

2. What measures it has taken, or plans to take, to
combat abuses in intensive rearing?

3. Whether it believes that existing EC rules are adequate
to combat such abuses?

4. What its reaction is to the recommendations on the

use of hormones in stockbreeding, drawn up by
Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into the problem
of quality in the meat sector?

Joint answer to Written Questions No 1091/89 and 21/90

given by Mr Mc Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April 1990)_

The Commission considers that substances which are not

authorized for use in livestock for fattening purposes
must be dealt with in the same way as substances which
are specifically banned, such as the use of certain
hormones.

Substances of the group of the P-agonists (clenbuterol,
salbutamol and others) are not authorized as
feed-additives and may not therefore be legally used for
fattening purposes. The veterinary therapeutic use of
P-agonists may be authorized in the Member States for
the treatment of animal disease.

The Commission is aware that instances of illegal use
have been reported in certain Member States and is
concerned to ensure that Community rules are applied.

It has already taken certain measures to combat the
situation. The monitoring and surveillance for the
presence of residues of e P-agonists in live animals and
fresh meat is covered in principle by Directive
86/469/EEC (') concerning the examination of animals
and fresh meat for the presence of residues, under the
heading 'other veterinary medicines'.

Following this Directive the Member States have to
present plans for this category of residues. Originally, of
the plans presented by Member States, only a few
included controls for P-agonists. The problem is
complicated by the fact that P-agonists, which may be
used therapeutically, are a heterogeneous group.

Until very recently the lack of suitable methods for
screening had made it difficult for the Member States to
have a suitable control system for these residues under
Directive 86/469/EEC.

In the meantime the Scientific Veterinary Committee at
the request of the Commission has agreed on a method of
analysis of clenbuterol. The Commission will insist that
this method is included in the national plans which it must

No C 233/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

approve following the procedure of the Standing
Veterinary Committee. In order to harmonize the
application of the analytical methods, a workshop at
Community level is scheduled for May 1990.

The Commission is concerned at continual suggestions of
abusive and fraudulent use of these products.
Consequently, the Commission veterinary inspection
services will make on-the-spot inquiries into the situation
in the Member States at the earliest opportunity.

Proposals will be made as soon as possible to improve the
legislation for control of veterinary drugs and residue
monitoring.

(') OJ No L 275, 26. 9. 1986, p. 36.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1135/89

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/10)

_Subject:_ Substantial increase in Aids cases in Europe

Despite numerous prevention and information
campaigns, the number of cases of Aids is constantly
soaring in Europe, where an increase of 92% was
registered in 1989. The World Health Organization has
recorded more than 24 000 cases in Europe and has
accordingly issued a further warning against the
constantly increasing spread of an infection by Aids,
which seems unstoppable.

What further measures does the Commission intend to

take in the field of scientific research and the

coordination of such research by a European agency set
up for this purpose?

Does it also intend to launch a further information and

prevention campaign, using the press and audiovisual
media?

Answer given by Mrs Papaoadreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

In the field of medical and health research, 30 concerted
actions and six centralized facilities have been launched

for Aids research since the adoption of the Medical
Research Programme on 17 November 1987 ('). The Aids
research activities have already committed about ECU
15,5 million, part of which is for the European Federation
for Aids Research, founded by Professor Montagnier in
order to strengthen the research to combat Aids.

Since 1986 several texts have been adopted by the Council
on the principles and methods of prevention to be applied
at Community level (conclusions of the Health Council
on Aids and on texts adopted since 1986) ( [2] ). In line with
the conclusions of the Health Councils of 16 May and 13
November 1989, the Commission is undertaking
appropriate activities against Aids, including information
and prevention and the collection of statistical data.

(') OJNoL334,24. 11. 1987, p. 20.
O OJNoC185,22.7. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1147/89

by Mrs Pauline Green (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/11)

_Subject:_ The Turkish occupation of Cyprus

Will the Council state when they last spoke to the
government of Turkey and raised the question of the
Turkish army of occupation in Cyprus?

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

1. The problem of Cyprus is regularly discussed in the
political dialogue which takes place with Turkey in the
political cooperation framework and most recently during
talks between the political directors of the Troika and the
Turkish authorities on 13 June 1990.

2. The European Council, which met in Dublin on 25
and 26 June 1990, discussed the Cyprus question in the
light of the impasse in the intercommunal dialogue.

The European Council, deeply concerned at the situation,
fully reaffirmed its previous declarations and its support
for the unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Cyprus in accordance with the relevant UN
resolutions. Reiterating that the Cyprus problem affected
EC-Turkey relations and bearing in mind the importance
of these relations, it stressed the need for the prompt
elimination of the obstacles that are preventing the
pursuit of effective intercommunal talks aimed at finding
a just and viable solution to the question of Cyprus on the
basis of the mission of good offices of the SecretaryGeneral, as it was recently reaffirmed by Resolution
649/90 of the Security Council.

PB.^O Official journal of the European communities ^ooe^o5BB

by ^rsPas^ueli^a^po^et^io^^rsLucianaC^aste^ina^
^rsAdria^aC^ec^^rsA^^aC^atasta,^rsOaciaVa^n^
^TsT^eresaL^or^^o^e^ar^a^^d^TKi^aldoBo^tempi

to the C^or^missio^ofthe European C^ommumUes

^ ^ c e Women and developments action programme

In view of the meeting of ministers for Mevelopment held
on iD^viav 1 ^ ^ andtheresolutionby theC^ouncilof
lOevelopment ministers o f ^ ^ o v e m b e r t ^ ^ which called
on the Commission to draw up an action programme on
the role of women in development, can the commission
sav^

Whether it intends to suhmit such a programme, with
particular reference to the instruments which will make it
possible to take account of the role of women in the
various stages of implementation of the proiects and
programmes ^ including the selection of projects,
feasihilitystudiesandfollowupmeasu^es,andwaysof
involving the women concerned in the whole process^

Whetherit intends to take on the staff required, in view of
the fact that at present only^,^persons are involved in
work on women and developments

A^swer^ivenhylvlr^aTin
on behalf oftheC^ommissio^

L^heC^ommissionpresentedthe guidelines for anaction
programme in a paper on Women and Mevelopment
approved bvthe council on^D^viayl^^.

rbis paper analyses the situation of women, particularly
in the rural sector,identifies the objectives of cooperation
in the sphere of women and development, and describes
the working methods used bv the Commission.

rbeC^ouncilapprovedthis approachandrequestedthe
commission to conduct a closer examination of the

various subjects covered inasecond stage.This work will
form the subject of a communication which will be
prepared forafuture Council meeting on development.

With ^ega^d to the AC^ states, the guidelines of the
Action programme described in the Commission working
paper have alreadv been incorporated in the forth Lome
convention, various articles of which deal with the
problems of women and development, as covered by the
paperreferred to above.

As regards the implementation of the women and
development policy, bearing in mind the limited staff
resources for the whole of its cooperation policy within
the various sections involved, the commission has set up
thefollowingmachinervwhichenables it at present to
deal adequately with the task^ the Women and
development unit, which was set up int^^,operates asa
permanent technical backup instrument for the
geographical departments and the delegations responsible
for preparing ar^d implementing development projects in
whichwomen are directly orindirectly involved.

The Women and Mevelopment unit is thereforeamedium
for convening ideas and techniques to all those
responsible for implementing the aid, with whom it
collaborates on an ongoing basis through specific
workingparties.

W ^ T T ^ ^ ^ ^ T l C ^ ^ ^ o t ^ D B ^

b y ^ r P o l ^ a r c k ^ P r ^

to the commission of the European C^ommumues

^ O B C ^ ^ B l ^

^ ^ c ^ P i g s treated as food machines

In the United states experiments are being carried out by
the government and private firms to fatten pigs more
quickly and more cheaply using cholecystokinin.

t. Is the Commission aware of these experiments^

^. Is the ban on hormones also applicable to pigmeat
produced by such methods^

Answer ^iven by ^rl^ac^harTy
on behalf ofthe commission

t. C^holecystokinine was already described i n t ^ ^ a s a
polypeptide hormone, which enhances the secretion of
enzymes fromthe pancreatic gland. In the meantime, it
has been found out that the substance consists of a

molecule containing ^ amino acids. It additionally
induces an emptying of the gallbladder and increases
intestinal motility.Thesubstanceis today ascribedtoa
group of gastrointestinal hormones, regulating digestion
by local hormonal mechanisms. The use of ohe substance
asaperformance enhancer therefore seems to be possible.

^. The prohibition of certain substances having a
hormonal action and of any substances having a
thyreostatic action as expressed in Council POirective
^tBDO^BEEC^ does not refertocholecvstokinine.

^ O t ^ D L ^ ^ m ^ n n e ^

No C 233/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1233/89

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/14)

_Subject:_ Fencing in Botswana's nature reserve

It is proposed to set up a nature reserve in Botswana at the
recommendation of the Kalahari Conservation Society,
among others. It will be situated near the village of Nata
in the northern part of Sua Pan. The Nata local authority
is closely involved in the nature reserve. This will be the
first time that a reserve of this kind has been administered

by local authorities in Botswana.

Nevertheless the Botswana Veterinary Department has
decided, contrary to advice from inside and outside the
Botswana Government, to put up fencing in the proposed
nature reserve in connection with livestock breeding.
Consideration has been given to putting the fencing
elsewhere. However, just as a Community mission is
going to the area, probably in mid-January, it would
appear that for the time being this cannot be done. It is an
official Community mission of veterinary inspectors from
DG VI, which has been planned for a long time. The
Botswana Veterinary Department is now said to have told
the Community delegation in Botswana that the fencing
will be relocated outside the proposed nature reserve, but
not until after the Community mission has been there.

1. Does the Commission not consider it paradoxical that
the fencing cannot be moved just because of the
inspection by the Community mission, but will be
moved some time after?

2. Will the Commission ensure that the fencing really is
moved outside the proposed nature reserve?

3. Will the Commission inform Parliament when the

fencing actually has been moved?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _April 1990)_

Pursuant to Article 14 (2) of Directive 72/462/EEC on
health and veterinary inspection problems upon
importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat
and meat products from third countries ('), importation
into the Community of meat from countries vaccinating
against exotic foot and mouth disease is prohibited.
Article 15, however, allows the Commission to authorize
imports from specified regions provided that certain
requirements are met.

Botswana vaccinates against exotic foot and mouth
disease and requested benefit of the derogation provided
for in Article 15.

By Decision 81/987/EEC ( [2] ) the Commission
accordingly zoned its territory. Delimitation of
disease-free zones in the country is, by custom predating
the Decision, by fencing. The Botswanan veterinary
authorities operate these arrangements in line with their
priorities and the Commission, under the
abovementioned legislation, acts only to record boundary
changes and check that the Community's health
protection requirements can still be met.

Thus in 1984 Decision 81/987/EEC was replaced by
Decision 84/423/EEC ( [3] ).

The purpose of the visit by Commission veterinary
experts from 22 to 28 January 1990 was to collect the
information needed for an amendment of Decision

84/423/EEC. There was not intention to influence the

Botswanan veterinary treaties over delimitation of
stockrearing zones as described above.

The Commission's primary concern in granting
development aid to Botswana, and that of the Botswanan
Government, is to secure a balance between development
and the protection of natural resources.

The national indicative programme for utilization of
Community aid, in particular that covering the Lome III
period, faithfully reflects this concern.

The Commission will accordingly raise the question of
fence lines with the Botswanan Government in order to

ensure that the desired balance between the requirements
of development and the protection of nature is secured.

O OJNoL302, 31. 12. 1972, p. 28.
O OJ No L 361, 16. 2.1981, p. 29.
O OJNoL237,6.9. 1964, p. 18.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1261/89

by Mr Victor Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/15)

_Subject:_ Restricting imports of tropical timber

One of the measures being examined by the Community
with a view to conserving tropical rain forests is the
restriction of imports of wood from these forests. In the
Community's trading relations with American, African
and Asian countries over recent years, have there been any
restrictions on timber produced by the devastation of
tropical rain forests?

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/9

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

The Community has not imposed any unilateral
restriction on the import of tropical timber. It is clear that
any action taken in this sphere should be in conformity
with GATT rules.

The Commission is working constructively with Member
States of the Community within the ITTO (International
Tropical Timber Organization) and also in several other
international fora, with the objective of instituting
coordinated action, based on a full understanding of the
phenomenon.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1273/89

by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/16)

_Subject:_ Annexes relating to habitats

Speaking before the Committee on the Environment,
Public Health and Consumer Protection on 30 November

1989, Commissioner Ripa di Meana revealed that the
Directive on habitats would be considered by the Council
in March or April next year. When does the Commission
propose to release the much-heralded Annexes to the
Directive, which have not yet been distributed in spite of
requests that they be made available to Members?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

The Commission has adopted, for transmission, the
Annexes to its draft Directive on the protection of natural
and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (*).

Parliament will thus be able to deliver its opinion on the
full text.

O COM(90)59.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1304/89

by Mr Ben Fayot (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/17)

_Subject:_ The case before the European Court of Justice
involving GB-Innovation-BM v. the State of
Luxembourg and concerning the advertising of
price reductions.

In this case, according to the Agence Europe bulletin
of 4—5 December 1989, one of the parties is

GB-Innovation-BM. Is this the case? If so, on what basis,
in terms of the regulations on unfair competition, can the
Commission justify taking action against a Member State?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 March 1990)_

As required in any matter concerning a reference for a
preliminary ruling, the Commission has presented its
observations on the request for a preliminary ruling
362/88 GB-INNO-BM/Luxembourg Trade Confederation concerning the interpretation of Article 30 of the
EEC Treaty, which prohibits measures having an effect
equivalent to quantitative restrictions in intra-Community
trade.

In its observations, the Commission interprets Article 30
of the EEC Treaty as prohibiting the application by a
Member State of legislation under which goods may be
offered for sale or retail sale at temporarily reduced prices
(apart from during special or clearance sales) only if no
mention is made of the duration of the offer, and no
reference is made to the original prices, where such
legislation also applies to the sale of products imported
from another Member State where such offers are

lawfully made.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1331/89

by Mr Ben Visser (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/18)

_Subject:_ Date of entry into force of the 'scrap and build'
Regulation for inland waterway transport

According to the European Commission, the 'scrap and
build' Regulation accompanying the scrapping scheme for
inland waterway transport came into force on 28 October
1989. It argues that the Regulation was published in the
_Official Journal of the European Communities_ on 28 April
1989 and that taking into account the transitional period
of half a year laid down in the Regulation it therefore
took effect on 28 October 1989. In the Dutch

Government Gazette and other publications in the
Netherlands, 1 May is mentioned as the starting date,
which means that the transitional period expired on 1
November. The question arises as to whether vessels
which came into service between 28 October and 1

November come under the 'scrap and build' Regulation

No C 233/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

(the Commission's view) or not (the Dutch view). It is
estimated that 20 vessels, representing a total of 45 000
tonnes, came into service between the two dates. The
vessel owners concerned should, according to the
Commission, pay more than ECU 4 million into the
Scrapping Fund. _(NRC-Handelsblad_ of 6 December 1989)

1. Can the Commission say how this discrepancy
regarding the date of entry into force could have
arisen and how it intends to solve the problem?

2. Does the Commission agree that vessel owners are
perfectly within their rights according to the
Government Gazette, and should therefore not be
financially penalized because of this dispute over
dates?

3. If the Commission considers that the Dutch State

must pay the ECU 4 million into the Scrapping Fund,
would this constitute improper provision of aid for
inland waterway transport? Would it not be better, in
this particular case, to refrain from imposing the levy?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 February 1990)_

1. Council Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89 on
structural improvements in inland waterway transport _(_ _[l]_ _)_
entered into force, in accordance with Article 11 thereof,
on the day it was published in the _Official Journal of the_
_European Communities,_ that is, on 28 April 1989. The
six-month period during which carriers were not required
to fulfil the conditions on the 'scrap and build' regulation
for new vessels coming into service for the first time thus
ended on 28 October. With the exception of the
Netherlands, all the Member States concerned and
Switzerland, whose fleet is covered by the structural
improvement scheme, have correctly applied this date of
28 October.

It is clear from the Netherlands Ministerial Decree of 1

May 1989 on the application of the 'scrap and build'
Regulation that the Government of the Netherlands has
opted for 1 May and 1 November as the starting and
finishing dates of the six-month period. On 19 May,
however, as a member of the Central Commission for the
Navigation of the Rhine (CCR), the Netherlands signed a
resolution introducing structural improvement measures
in Rhine navigation; this resolution, which also gives 28
October as the end of the six-month period, is binding for
the Member States of the CCR and thus for the

Netherlands as well.

The industry as a whole has always regarded 28 April and
28 October as the beginning and end of the six-month
period referred to in Article 8 (3) (a) and has complained
to the Commission about the incorrect application of

this provision by the Netherlands authorities. The
Commission will therefore take appropriate action.

2. and 3. The entry into service of a new vessel requries
the scrapping of an equivalent tonnage of carrying
capacity or, if no vessel is scrapped, to the payment of a
special contribution to the appropriate Scrapping Fund.
These conditions must be met exclusively by the owner of
the new vessel. If an owner, on the basis of information
provided by his country's authorities, thinks that his
honesty has been called into question he can always apply
to the national courts for compensation.

O OJ No LI 16, 28. 4. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1/90

by Mr Terence Wynn (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/19)

_Subject:_ Loss of 30 000 pit jobs in run-up to electricity
privatization

The British Government plans to force the closure of 26
deep coal mines, with the loss of 30 000 jobs. This is to
increase imports of third-country coal in the run-up to
electricity privatization.

Does the Commission consider this to be detrimental to

Europe's energy supplies?

Do the proposed privatization proposals infringe EC
competition policy?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 June 1990)_

In view of past and current developments on the energy
market (low level of prices for oil and imported coal,
growing competition from gas), the European coal
industry has carried out and is still carrying out major
rationalization and restructuring measures.

In 1986, the Commission, which is aware of the
importance of the coal industry's role both in terms of the
Community's energy balance and from the social point of
view for the regions concerned, adopted a Decision

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/11

establishing Community rules for State aid to the coal
industry (Decision No 2064/86/ECSC) ('). Under the
Decision, the Commission accepts as compatible the
payment of State aid to coal producers designed to:

— improve the competitiveness of the coal industry,

— create new, economically viable capacity,

— solve the social and regional problems related to
developments in the coal industry.

Within this framework, British Coal has for a number of
years been carrying out a programme for the restructuring
and modernization of its production plants, and it has
accordingly implemented programmes to merge
workforces and close loss-making pits, but it has also
developed economically profitable pits (Selby, for
example).

Thus, British Coal's workforce, which has been
decreasing steadily since 1980, fell from 282 000 at the
end of 1980 to 130 000 at the end of 1987. However, this
fall in the workforce has been accompanied by a
spectacular increase in productivity, which has risen by
more than 70 % since 1980, with the result that output has
declined only slightly compared with the reduction in the
workforce, falling from 128 million tonnes in 1980 to
some 100 million tonnes at present.

It is therefore probable that if the closure plans referred to
here, of which we have no confirmation, are put into
effect, they will bring about only a slight fall in output and
will not therefore cause any deterioration in the
Community's security of supply, particularly as
non-Community coal is both abundant and
geographically and politically well distributed throughout
the world.

As regards competition policy aspects, the United
Kingdom Government has kept the Commission
informed of the various proposals for the privatization of
the United Kingdom electricity industry as they have
developed. Several of these proposals have, however, been
substantially modified since their initial presentation and
the possibility of further amendments cannot be excluded.
It is therefore not possible for the Commission to give a
definite assessment of the compatibility of the different
measures with Community competition rules before
formal notifications of all the envisaged measures have
been made.

It should, however, be underlined in this context that the
privatization action, as such, clearly has the objective of
introducing competition into a hitherto monopolistic
sector. The Commission will closely observe that during
this process previous restrictions on competition are not
replaced by new restrictive practices which might affect
trade between Member States.

(') OJNoL177, 1.7. 1986, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 32/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/20)

_Subject:_ Experimental use of medication: informing
patients

In 1988 a product manufactured by the Bayer Company to
combat certain types of fungoid growth was used
experimentally on babies in a hospital in Rome (Ospedale
Pediatrico del Bambino Gesu). No adverse affects were
observed.

Were the parents of these guinea-pigs properly informed
about the test and was their consent requested and
obtained after they had been fully apprised of the facts?

More generally, in the case of patients subjected to
experimental treatment, do Community rules exist to
guarantee their right to information?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 March_ _1'990)_

The Commission has no authority to monitor clinical
trials carried out in hospitals within the Community. This
is the responsibility of the health inspectorates in the
Member States.

It considers that where clinical trials are necessary to
improve treatment, they must always be performed with
due regard for the internationally agreed ethical
prinicples laid down in the Helsinki declaration on
experimentation on humans. This requires in particular
the fully informed consent of the patient or legal
guardian, where appropriate, and prior approval of the
test by an independent ethical committee, which verifies
the justification for the test and the conditions under
which it will be performed.

In order to give better protection to patients and improve
the conduct of clinical trials, a code of good practice for
clinical trials is being examined in the context of
harmonization of Community legislation on
pharmaceutical products. It contains detailed provisions
on ethical aspects and will probably be adopted by the
competent national authorities before the end of 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 38/90

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 233/21)

_Subject:_ Song thrush populations and the pate trade

It is widely reported that the song thrush _(Turdus_
_philomelos)_ is declining in many parts of the Community.

No C 233/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

At the same time, there remains a thriving trade in
pate made from thrushes and other wild birds, 10 years
after the publication of Directive 79/409/EEC (') which
outlaws this trade.

1. Does the Commission consider this trade to be a

threat to wild bird populations?

2. What steps has the Commission taken to stop the
trade in pate and other products made from wild
birds?

3. Why is the manufacture for sale of wild bird pate still
openly conducted in Corsica?

O OJ No L 103, 25.4. 1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 March 1990)_

According to the most recent sources, in particular the
1989 report by Bertelsen and Simonsen, 'Game and
Wildlife Administration, Denmark', overall nesting
populations of the song thrush _(Turdus philomelos)_ are
stable in most areas of the Community.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

of its answers to Written Questions Nos 2209/83 by Mr
Geronimi (') and 1450/85 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( [2] ), in
which it indicated that the marketing of pate made from
thrushes or blackbirds is prohibited under Article 6 of
Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the
conservation of wild birds. Any placing on the market of
such products contravenes that Directive.

The Commission would also remind the Honourable

Member that it is for the national authorities to enforce

their own legislation.

(') OJ No C 173,2.7. 1984, p. 14.
O OJ No C 78, 7. 4. 1986, p. 20.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 75/90

by Mr Alman Metten (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/22)

_Subject:_ The price to the consumer of anti-dumping
policy

Does the Commission not take the view:

1. (a) that the European consumer has an interest in a
prudent and balanced anti-dumping policy;

(b) that this requires that European consumer
organizations should be able to intervene
effectively on behalf of the consumer;

2. that the information on the basis of which an

anti-dumping levy is introduced must be made more
accessible to Parliament and the public so that the
fairness of such a measure can be more effectively
assessed;

3. that the number of anti-dumping levies, particularly in
the consumer electronics sector, is rising very quickly,
whereas the scope for action available to the
Commission the basis of Regulation (EEC)
No 2423/88 _(_ _[l]_ _)_ warrants a more cautious approach;

4. that in the consumer electronics sector, where market
conditions change very rapidly, it would seem natural
to impose levies for a much shorter duration than the
present customary five-year period;

5. that amendments to the anti-dumping regulation
should only, unlike those in force at present, be made
following consultation of the European Parliament
and the Economic and Social Committee?

O OJ No L 209, 2. 8. 1988, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 April 1990)_

1. (a)

The Commission considers that it is in the general
interest of the Community that its anti-dumping
policy is well-balanced and takes account not
only of the EEC producers' interests but also of
the Community's role as the world's most
important trading partner. This is why the
Community's anti-dumping legislation contains a
public interest test, which is a unique feature of
the EEC legislation. It can be seen from
Commission and Council decisions and

regulations that when considering the question of
public interest, due account is taken on its merits
of consumer interest.

(b) [When ] announcing the opening of an
investigation in the _Official Journal_ _of the_

_European Communities,_ the Commission invites
all interested parties to make known their views in
writing and allows them to be heard orally.
Accordingly, adequate provision is made for
consumer organizations to intervene on behalf of
their members. It should be noted, however, that
such right for intervention is not extensively used.

2. The Commission fully agrees with the need for
transparency in anti-dumping proceedings and strongly

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/13

supports the recommendation of the GATT Committee
on anti-dumping practices on this issue ( [1] ). It is the
practice, therefore, to publish full details of the dumping
and injury alleged in the complaint in the notice of the
initiation of an investigation. Similarly, the decisions and
regulations which conclude the investigations and apply
provisional or definitive anti-dumping measures, set out
the issues of fact and law which were considered to be

material in the investigation and give reasons for the
action taken, as well as the reasons for the acceptance or
rejection of relevant arguments or claims advanced by the
interested parties, including those made on behalf of
consumers. The decisions and regulations are also
published in the _Official Journal_ _of the_ _European_
_Communities_ and these are drawn to the attention of the

Parliament by the Commission in its annual reports on the
Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy activities.

3. The Commission cannot agree that there has been a
rapid increase in the number of anti-dumping duties
imposed on products in the consumer electronics sector,
the more so in a view of the phenomenal increase in
international trade in these products in recent years. Nor
has the Commission much scope for discretion under
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2423/88. Since it is the
practice to open an anti-dumping investigation only on
receipt of a well-founded complaint from the Community
industry affected, and the Commission has a legal
obligation to open investigation in such circumstances, it
has no control over the products involved or the country
of origin of the exports which are subject to investigation.
There is therefore no room for manoeuvre for the

Commission to adopt a more restrained attitude when
initiating anti-dumping investigations. Also the
Commission notes in this context that the latest resolution
of the Parliament ( [2] ) was in favour of a more robust
approach by the Commission when dealing with the
effects of dumping.

4. Rapid changes occur in many economic sectors and
are not confined to the consumer electronics sector. This

is recognized in Article 14 of Regulation (EEC)
No 2423/88 where provision is made for the review of
regulations and decisions imposing anti-dumping duties
or accepting price undertakings to be subject to review at
the request of an interested party, providing that party
submits sufficient evidence of changed circumstances to
justify such action. Given the provisions of Article 14,
there is no reason why the exporters of dumped consumer
electronic products should be placed in a more favourable
position than exporters of other dumped products by
curtailing the time span over which the duties are
imposed.

5. With regard to the question of the consultation of
the Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee,
it is of course for the Council to formally involve the
other institutions in the legislative process. The
Commission will, in any case, propose to the Council such
consultations in accordance with the EEC Treaty and the

general rules and agreements which have been applied for
optional consultations in the past.

(') GATT, Business Instruments & Selected Documents, 30th

supplement v. 24.
O Doc. A2-73/86 adopted by the Parliament on 6. 10. 1986, OJ

No C 283, 10. 11. 1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 100/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/23)

_Subject:_ Aid in respect of drought

What was the total aid granted in 1989 to farmers,
undertakings and agricultural bodies to relieve the
damage caused by the Community-wide drought? What
was the amount granted in Spain?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(4_ _April 1990)_

In March 1989, following damage caused by drought in
the Community's southern regions, the Council adopted
Regulation (EEC) No 592/89 _(_ _[l]_ _),_ under which 300 000
tonnes of Community intervention barley was put onto
the Italian market for the benefit of livestock farmers hit

by drought.

To alleviate the effects of the drought which affected
certain French regions in the summer of 1989, the
Commission has accepted the French Government's
request to release 400 000 tonnes of fodder grain to help
drought-stricken stock farmers there.

Regulation (EEC) No 244/90 on the transport and sale of
fodder grain held by the French intervention agency ( [2] )
was adopted on 30 January 1990.

The Spanish authorities have presented no request to the
Commission for aid to limit any damage that may have
been caused by the drought in Spain.

O OJNoL65,9. 3. 1989, p. 2.
O OJNoL27,31. 1.1990, p. 11.

No C 233/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 121/90

by Mr Marc Galle (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/24)

_Subject:_ Manure surpluses

Manure surpluses are partly responsible for the fact that
many streams and rivers in the Community's Member
States are biologically dead and that many sources supply
water which is unfit to drink because of excessive nitrate

levels.

Does the Commission still consider that the establishment

of 'manure banks' will provide an adequate solution to the
problem in the Community? If so, what conditions should
these manure banks meet and what checks and

improvements in this area does it envisage?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 March 1990)_

The water quality problems referred to by the
Honourable Member are of foremost concern to the

Commission. The most significant single expression of
this concern is the Commission's proposal for a Directive
on the protection of fresh, coastal and marine waters
against pollution caused by nitrates from diffuse
sources ( [J] ).

This proposal would involve limiting, inside vulnerable
areas to be established, the amount of animal manure that
can be spread on the land to a level of that from two
livestock units per hectare (or alternatively, the equivalent
of 170 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare). Furthermore
the draft Directive would require the Member State to
establish rules for the spreading and storage of manure.
The draft Directive would also require the Member State
to set up rules for spreading chemical fertilizers.

Manure banks ('Mestbanken') as referred to by the
Honourable Member can serve to remedy the problems
arising from intensive stock-raising with little or no land
available to receive the manure.

However this is only true if the excess manure can be
spread on adjacent areas which are deficient in manure.
Where there is a global excess of manure in a larger
region, other solutions must be looked for, even in the
short term.

Manure banks may thus serve as a temporary instrument
to prevent deterioration of the water quality while a
durable solution to the underlying concentration problem
is being sought. However, if subsidies are available to
compensate the farmers' cost on transporting the excess
manure, then there will be no incentive towards a solution
of the underlying concentration problem.

The re-establishment of the natural relationship between
the land and animal production is thus the Commission's

priority strategy to solve the nitrate pollution problems.
This proposal is in line with the principles in the European
Single Act (preventive action must be taken,
environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at
source, and the polluter should pay). The Council is still
examining the Commission's proposal to prevent nitrate
pollution of waters.

(') OJNoC54,3.3. 1989, p. 4.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 125/90

by Mr Marc Galle (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/25)

_Subject:_ Advertising and information on pharmaceutical
products

The Commission is at present preparing three Directives
on advertising and information for pharmaceutical
products.

Does it not consider that these Directives must address

the following aspects:

1. an instruction leaflet with each product containing
comprehensive and clear information;

2. scientific information for doctors on these products;

3. objective information and neutral advertising of
pharmaceutical products for the consumer.

Does the Commission intend to include these aspects in
its draft Directives?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1990)_

1. The inclusion of a leaflet in the packaging of
medicinal products was made compulsory by Council
Directive 89/341/EEC of 3 May 1989 (*).

2. With regard to scientific information on medicinal
products, the Commission takes the view that, every time
they visit, medical representatives should provide doctors
with a summary of the characteristics of each product
they present. The summary, the content of which is
regulated by Community legislation ( [2] ) includes all the
relevant scientific information, as approved by the
competent authorities when marketing authorization was
given.

3. The Commission believes that it is very important
for both consumers and medical personnel to have access

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/15

to neutral and objective information on the medicinal
products available on the market.

With the entry into force of Council Directive
89/105/EEC ( [3] ) on the transparency of measures
regulating the pricing of medicinal products, the
Commission, with the help of the Member States and
groups concerned, is looking into the possibility of setting
up a European data bank which could be accessible from
1993 and would provide neutral and objective
information on the conditions of use of the most common

medicinal products marketed in Europe.

O OJNoL142,25.5. 1989, p. 11.
( [2] ) Article 4a of Directive 65/65/EEC, OJ No L 22, 9. 2. 1965,
p. 369.
( [3] ) OJNoL40, 11.2. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 126/90

by Mr Marc Galle (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/26)

_Subject:_ Financial aid from the European Community

1. Can the Commission indicate what funds were made

available from the European Structural Funds, in
particular,

— the European Regional Development Fund,

— the European Social Fund, and

— the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund

to the Flemish Community in 1989?

2. How much was allocated to the Aalst district?

3. Can it indicate how many jobs were created or
maintained as a result of projects under these structural
funds?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _May 1990)_

1. Financial assistance in 1989 to the region of Flanders

(a) _European Regional Development Fund_

In 1989 the ERDF provided assistance totalling Bfrs
600 million to the region of Flanders.

(b) _Social Fund_

In 1989 the Social Fund provided assistance totalling
Bfrs 2 128 million to Belgium as a whole.

Since Social Fund applications do not have to relate to
a single region, the amount committed for Belgium
cannot be subdivided. Half the amount available was

granted to projects having no regional code but which
applied to a large geographical area and so had a code
covering the whole of Belgium.

(c) _European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund_

In 1989 the EAGGF provided the following amounts
to the region of Flanders:

_(in convertible Bfrs)_

Directive 72/ 159/EEC 0)

Directive 72/ 160/EEC ( [2] )

Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 ( [3] )

Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 ( [4] )

Total

2. Assistance to the district of Aalst

(a) _European Regional Development Fund_

164 787 221

168 533

175 783 500

259 427 614

600 166 868

The districts of Aalst and Oudenaarde are eligible
under the special programme for the conversion of
areas affected by the restructuring of the textile and
clothing industries and in 1989 Bfrs 96,2 million was
committed to the two districts together.

(b) _Social Fund_

Bfrs 3,8 million was committed for projects bearing
the regional code 'HA-' (Aalst). However, the
population of Aalst may well be affected by other
projects recorded under the national code and
applying in a geographically larger area. This makes it
highly likely that the amount available for projects in
the region of Aalst is higher than that recorded
specifically for the region.

. (c) _European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund_

The district of Aalst received convertible Bfrs

71 309 016 under Regulation (EEC) No 355/77. No
breakdown by district for the other directives and
regulations is available.

3. Number of jobs created or maintained as a result of this
finance

(a) _European Regional Development Fund_

The total of jobs created in a year is not available
because programmes cover a longer period and are

No C 233/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

broken down into annual instalments. In any event, the
impact on employment is in most cases indirect.

(b) _Social Fund_

The projects approved by the Commission provide
vocational training or recruitment aid affecting more
than 24 000 people.

It is only on paying the balance of the funds due that
the Social Fund analyses each individual application
and can _assess_ the number of additional jobs created or
the number of existing jobs maintained.

(') OJNoL96, 23.4. 1972, p. 1.
O OJ No L 96, 23. 4. 1972, p. 9.
O OJNoL93,30.3. 1985, p. 1.
( [4] ) OJ No L 51, 23. 2. 1977, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 134/90

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/27)

_Subject:_ United States banking legislation

Under the terms of the American Bank Holding Company
Act, European banks with a branch in the US may not
merge with, or acquire, European insurance companies
with a subsidiary in the US, unless they either divest their
branch in the US, or their US insurance subsidiary (or
unless they obtain a specific exemption from the Federal
Reserve Board).

This requirement is an impediment to mergers and
acquisitions by European banks and insurance companies.
It is all the more objectionable, as the Federal Reserve
Board has permitted United States bank holding
companies to engage in insurance agency and
underwriting activities within Member States of the
European Community.

Which initiatives does the Commission intend to develop
in order to further the abolition of this American

non-tariff barrier on the European market?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1990)_

The Commission has noted the Honourable Member's

information. If it appears that the case raised by the
Honourable Member constitutes an unfair obstacle to the

expansion of the financial activities of Community

institutions the Commission will rise the issue in the

appropriate fora.

The Commission has repeatedly stressed that he
liberalization of financial markets cannot stop at its
frontiers. The Community's fundamental contribution to
the development of more open world markets is through
liberalization of its own financial markets, which the

Commission would like other markets to follow. The

spotlight is now turning on other countries' procedures to
see how far they have gone to provide an open financial
market.

In the United States, despite improvements in recent
years, the McFadden Act still restricts the geographic
expansion of banks. The present arrangements may not
always ensure national treatment for Community banks.

Beyond the question of national treatment the
Commission intends to continue discussions with the US

authorities about the effects of the Glass-Steagall
restrictions on universal banking.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 145/90

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/28)

_Subject:_ Ecology and development: the construction of a
dam in French Guyana

It appears that Electricite de France began building a
hydroelectric dam in French Gmyana in 1988. The
accompanying reservoir will cover an area of 300 square
kilometres. The vegetation in these 30 000 hectares is
Amazon rain forest.

1. Can the Commission state for what purpose the
energy in this electricity project is being produced?

2. Is it true that the timber in the future reservoir area

will not be felled so it will not be possible to use the
water because of the methane produced in it?

3. Can the Commission give population figures for the
area to be covered by the reservoir and state what
agreements have been reached with the inhabitants
about their future?

4. Does the Commission think that an environmental

impact assessment ought to be carried out and, if this
has in fact been done, what are the conclusions?

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/17

5. Will the Commission ask France to provide an
environmental impact assessment on the dam
project in accordance with Council Directive
85/337/EEC (')?

(') OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

The Commission has no detailed information on the

construction methods being employed in the Petit Saut
hydroelectric dam in French Guyana.

However, it would inform the Honourable Member that
none of the money granted to French Guyana under
Objective No 1 of the ERDF is going towards the
building of the dam.

The EIB received an application for a loan for the dam but
turned down the request, particularly because of its
environmental impact.

As for the application of Directive 85/337/EEC, the
Commission considers that an environmental impact
assessment should indeed have been carried out if the

decision to authorize the building of the dam was taken
after the Directive entered into force (July 1988). The
Commission will ask the French authorities to state

precisely the date on which the project was authorized.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 150/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde and Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/29)

_Subject:_ Safety of chemical products

The member States of the OECD have recently decided to
step up their efforts with respect to the effects of chemical
products on health and the environment.

How does the Commission intend to participate in these
efforts?

What use does it intend to make of the results?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 March 1990)_

The OECD member countries have agreed to start work
to collect and if necessary, generate basic data on the

health and environmental effects of some tens of

chemicals. These chemicals were taken from a high
production volume list of 1 500 chemicals. Some EEC
Member States participate in this OECD activity and, of
course, the Commission is also closely involved in the
development of this work programme.

However, the Commission believes that is not enough to
look only at a small portion of those high production
volume chemicals because it is necessary to carry out a
systematic evaluation of the environmental risks of all
chemicals produced in large quantities. For this reason,
the Commission has decided to launch, at Community
level, a more comprehensive programme aimed at the
systematic evaluation of the potential risks of all
chemicals produced or imported in relevant quantities
inside the Community.

In this connection, the Commission is preparing a
proposal for a Council Regulaton on the evaluation and
control of the environmental risks of existing substances
which, as a first step, will provide for a systematic
collection of information and evaluation on nearly 2 000
chemicals which are produced or imported in quantities
greater than 1 000 tonnes per year inside the Community.
As a second step, over a longer period of time, substances
which are produced or imported in quantities greater than
10 tonnes but less than 1 000 tonnes per annum, will be
examined. The Commission will not duplicate the OECD
work since the Commission will ensure that the progress
and results achieved in the OECD will be used in the

Community programme.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 154/90

by Mrs Viviane Reding (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/30)

_Subject:_ Measures in respect of customs officers after the
borders are opened

The completion of the internal market will create major
social problems for customs officers in the Member States
of the European Community.

How many jobs will be lost in each of the Member States
when the borders are open to intra-Community traffic?
How many jobs will be lost during the transitional period
leading up to complete harmonization? How long will this
transitional period last?

Have programmes been drawn up for retraining,
re-employment and social measures for customs officers
affected by rationalization in the various Member States?

No C 233/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Is the Commission drawing up programmes of assistance
to ensure that the opening of borders and the completion
of the internal market does not take place at the expense
of customs officers and their families?

Answer given by Ms Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ _May 1990)_

It is beyond the Commission's ability at the moment to
give precise information on the matters raised by the
Honourable Member, given that responsibility for the
organization of national customs services is a matter for
the Member States alone. Obviously, however, the setting
up of the internal market will have consequences for the
structure of the Member States' customs administrations

and, undoubtedly, for the deployment of staff.

One of the effects of the progressive dismantling of
controls within the Community should be that the
Member States gradually adjust to the new situation.

The Commission is aware of the problem, and is prepared
to help with the necessary initiatives. Thus a budget
initiative from the European Parliament led it recently to
commission from the European Institute of Public
Administration in Maastricht a study of the changes
needed in the structures of the public services involved in
customs-related matters, on the basis of the present
situation.

Exchanges of customs officials between the Member
States and various training schemes aimed at giving these
officials a better idea of their role in the future as 1992

approaches are underway in the context of the Matthaeus
Programme, adopted by the Commission in spring 1989
and now at the pilot stage.

The Commission and its departments are in regular
contact on this issue with the organizations representing
the Member States' customs officials.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 181/90

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/31)

_Subject:_ Job protection measures in the services sector

According to forecasts by the Commission, the expected
increase in the number of jobs in the Community is mainly
accounted for by the services sector and the spread of
part-time jobs.

Is the Commission considering any specific measures to
safeguard these jobs.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 182/90

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/32)

_Subject:_ Comparative study of legal and social provisions
for seasonal workers

Is the Commission considering drawing up a comparative
study of the existing legal and social provisions governing
seasonal work in the Member States and does it intend to

submit proposals for laying down minimum standards
and improving the legal security of seasonal workers?

Joint answer to Written Questions No 181/90 and 182/90

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 March 1990)_

In its communication concerning its action programme
relating to the implementation of the Community Charter
of basic social rights for workers ( [x] ), the Commission
announces that it intends to submit a proposal for a
Council Directive on employment contracts and
relationships other than full-time open-ended contracts
during this year.

With regard to seasonal work, the Commission does not
intend to make a specific comparative study relating to
rules concerning seasonal employment relationships. To a
certain extent, information on this issue is included in the
Commission Staff Working Paper on a synopsis of a
comparative study on rules governing working conditions
in the Member States ( [2] ), which will be regularly updated
in the future.

O COM(89) 568 final.
O SEC(89)1137, 30.6. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 186/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/33)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the Integrated Mediterranean
Programme for Western Greece and the
Peloponnese in respect of the prefecture of Elis

Will the Commission indicate the precise amounts which
have so far been made available for the prefecture of Elis

P B ^ O Official journal of the European Communities ^oCh^Br^

under the Integrated Mediterranean Programme for
^esternGreeceandthe Peloponnese^ what projects in
the ahove area have heen financed, what are the amounts
in percentage terms and what are the deadlines for
implementations

Answer ^rvenb^ Mr Mrn^an

on behaif of the commission

TheCommissioncurrentlvhasstatisticsconcerningthe
distribution of funds for the freak IMPs hut onlv in

respect of the measures involved, ^ince the locahtv of the
subordinate projects has not in all cases been determined
in advance,it is not possible to giveabreakdown of funds
bv prefecture, nor in function concerning the
implementation ofthe projects.

The Commission is transmitting direct to the honourable
Member and to Parliaments secretariat a copv of the
IMP for^estern (Greece and the Peloponnese as recentlv
amended.

^^fLEfE^C^UE^^CO^^ot^OB^

bvMrOarlosC^arvaihas^^

to the commission of the European communities

^ ^ c ^ . Observance of the EuratomTreatv

E^L^,aPortugueseuraniumcompanv,hasaccusedthe
commission of negligence in its monitoring of the
application oftheEuratomlreatv and has claimed that
this hascaused the companvlossesof around E C L ^ ^
million ^Esc^billion^in the last fewvears. ^

Moes the Commission plan to take steps to combat
dumpingbvnonGommunitvcountries sellinguranium
and compensate E^LCforthe losses it has incurred^

Answer ^ivenhv Mr C^ardosoeC^unha

onbehalf of the commission

nothing in the current situation onthe natural uranium
market leads the Commission to think that dumping has
occurred^ the normal rules of supplv and demand obtain
throughout the market.

Cinder the Eu^atom ^Preatv the Commission has

undertaken to seekasolution to the problem of disposing
of uranium produced in Portugal, which is not
sufficiently competitive on todav^smarket.

^ ^ l E ^ E ^ ^ E ^ l ^ ^ ^ o ^ t B ^

b^ Mr James E o r d ^

to the commission ofthe European communities

^ O B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c ^ . Commission forking (Group on food additives

^ h v is there no representative of consumer groups on the
(Gommission^Working (Group on food addnives^

Answer ^ivenbv Mr Ban^emann

on hehaif of the commission

T h e ^ o r k i n g Group onfood additivesiscomposedof
respresentatives of Member states. Inthediscussionon
food additives and their conditions of use in foodstuffs,
the Commission, with the agreement of the Member
states, requires also the presence of technical experts to
discuss the technological conditions and levels for the use
offood additives.

The opinions of all economic groups, including
consumers, aresoughtbeforetheCommissionprepares
the final draft of proposals for Mirectives and therefore
the Commission consults the Advisorv (Gommittee on
Eoodstuffs commission decision ^OBIO^BEEC^in

which ^0 experts of the groups of agriculture, commerce,
consumers, industry and employees are represented in
equal proportions.

C ^ j ^ L ^, e ^ m t m ^ 0, n B ^

^ ^ r r E ^ ^ E ^ T l o ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

b^MrjohnPomiinson^

to the commission ofthe European C^ommumties

r ^ O B C ^ B ^

^ ^ c e C o m m u n i t v aid to sport

Canthe appropriate Commissioner supplvabreakdown
of all COmmunit^ aid to sporting organisations and
sporting events during t ^ ^ B ^, together with planned
future expenditure on sport for each vear, up to and
including thet^^OlvmpicGamesB

Eurthermore, this information should be broken down
into sports aidforthe able-bodied and the disabled.

No C 233/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

The breakdown of Community aid for sport is as follows:

1988

1989

1990

30 projects

32 projects

40 projects

ECU 1 200 000

ECU 1 200 000

ECU 1 250 000

The Commission does not finance sporting
organizations; it gives aid for sporting events with a
Community dimension.

Approximately two-thirds of the aid has gone to such

events as:

— the European Community Cycle Race,

— the European Community Swimming Championships,

— the European Yacht Race,

— the European Community Cross-Cup.

The other events which the Commission supports all fall
within the recommendations in the Adonnino report.

The projects to which the Commission contributes
include symposia and conferences on links between the
European Community and the world of sport. Here,
special emphasis is placed on the effects of the internal
market on sport.

As far as the Albertville and Barcelona Olympics are
concerned, the Commission is keeping up the requisite
contacts with the appropriate authorities to ensure that
there is a substantial Community presence at the Games.
The Commission will, of course, keep Parliament
informed of the progress of these talks.

Community aid to sport for the disabled breaks down as
follows:

ECU 99 996,50

ECU 100 025

ECU 325 000

1988

1989

1990

10 projects

15 projects

16 projects + the European
Summer Special Olympic Games

WRITTEN QUESTION No 238/90

by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/37)

_Subject:_ A single Community rail network

The chairman of the Spanish national railways said
recently that Europe did not have a rail network, but

rather a network of networks and that an incredible

amount of red tape was involved in transferring from one
to another. There was, he concluded, too much
bureaucracy.

Such statements, in the context of a Community rail
network that is supposed to be consolidated during the
1990s, are rather alarming.

What are the Commission comments on the aim of

achieving a single Community rail network to replace the
present networks and do away with the excessive
bureaucracy criticized by the chairman of the Spanish
railways?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 May 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the position of the railways
in the completion of the internal market. Therefore it has
recently presented to the Council a 'communication on
Community Rail Policy' (').

In this communication, after an assessment of the actual
situation, the Commission drew up a programme it
believes is best suited to the development of a Community
rail system. Annexed to the document are proposals for
legal measures. In order to facilitate the creation of
cross-border services operated by a single operator
responsible to the customer the Commission proposals
include:

—
_new railway undertakings_ may be established in any
Member State, in accordance with its national law,

— railway undertakings should be free to form
_'international groupings',_ each of them including at
least two undertakings established in different
Member States,

— such 'international groupings' should be granted
_rights of_ _access_ _and transit in the Member States of_
_establishment_ of their constituent undertakings, as
well as _transit rights in other Member_ _States,_ as required
for the provision of end-to-end international
transport services.

Acting on the basis of this communication and following
the Council conclusions of 4/5 December 1989 a high
level working group was set up last January to assist the
Commission in the action needed to develop a _Community_
_high-speed railway network._ This working group is
organized in three sub-groups to deal with the definition
of the network, the technical harmonization and the

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/21

traffic safety and control issues. The Group's work will
serve as a basis for a further communication from the

Commission and the end of 1990, concerning a future
master plan for high-speed links in the Community.

0) COM(89) 564 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 251/90

by Mr Dimitrios Nianias (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/38)

_Subject:_ Legitimation of the Commission by means of
elections

In his address to the European Parliament on 17 January
1990, Mr Delors referred to the need to legitimate the
Commission by means of elections.

What will the Commission do to secure the immediate

achievement of this objective?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(6_ _April 1990)_

The Honourable Member is no doubt referring to a
passage in the President's address to Parliament on 17
January, in which he spoke of an institutional structure
where the Commission 'would be appointed
democratically, the other two authorities deciding
initially on a mechanism for appointing its President, . . .'

The Commission may raise this question at the
forthcoming intergovernmental conference.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 264/90

by Mr David Morris (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/39)

_Subject:_ Possible breach of the EEC Treaty by the United
Kingdom Government under its electricity
privatization legislation

Article 92 of the EEC Treaty states that 'aid granted by a
Member State which distorts or threatens to distort

competition by favouring certain undertakings shall in so

far as it affects trade between Member States be

incompatible with the common market'.

The United Kingdom Government's plans for privatizing
the electricity industry propose:

1. the imposition of a 'statutory obligation on the
distribution companies to contract for a specified
minimum proportion of non-fossil-fuelled generating
capacity' (it has been made clear that this intended to
ensure a guaranteed market for the nuclear power
industry);

2. the introduction of a levy on fossil fuel power
generation;

3. to provide government subsidies for the disposal of
nuclear waste and the decommissioning of redundant
nuclear plants.

Does the Commission recognize that this legislation, if
enacted, will be incompatible with Article 92 in
conjunction with Article 5 of the Treaty, as each of the
three proposals listed above 'will distort or threaten to
distort competition' within the common market?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

The Commission has examined the proposed State aid
measures from the point of view of its competition and
energy policies. It has decided that the United Kingdom
proposals are in line with its policy of creating an internal
market for energy by progressively opening up national
markets while at the same time assuring security and
diversity of supply. From the competition point of view,
the Commission has sought to ensure equal and
non-discriminatory market access for actual and potential
suppliers of electricity in other Member States, so that
there are not adverse effects on intra-Community trade or
distortions of competition. It has also noted that the new
United Kingdom system introduces competition in a
previously closed market and greatly increases
transparency of costs.

The Commission accepts the rationale of keeping the
nuclear plants in operation for their normal lives, since the
high initial investment costs have already been paid and
the liability for decommissioning has already been
incurred, and electricity can now be produced at low
marginal cost over the years until the stations are
decommissioned. It has decided to authorize the

introduction of the levy system which places the
unavoidable burden of costs on the electricity consumer
instead of the taxpayer and allows for a degree of
transparency which could not previously be achieved. The
levy is expected to fall from 10,5% in 1990 to 5,5% in

No C 233/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

1998 as fossil fuel prices rise and more efficient nuclear
capacity comes on stream.

A provision of up to £ 2 500 million is also authorized by
the Commission. This will related to storage or
reprocessing of nuclear fuel, treatment or storage or
disposal of nuclear waste and decommissioning of nuclear
installations . It places the costs accruing from the past
directly on the Government rather than the consumer — a
cost which would have to be borne by the Government in
any event if the present system of supply simply
continued. Of the £ 2,5 billion total, £ 700 million will be

allocated to Scotland.

A debt write-down is planned for the Scottish nuclear
industry, to ensure that the newly created company is
viable and would not run the risk of going bankrupt. A
total of £ 1 400 million would be written off; any
remaining debt would be serviced from cash flow.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 265/90

by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/40)

_Subject:_ Review of the Regulation on marketing
standards for eggs

What stage has been reached concerning the review of
Regulation (EEC) No 95/69 ( [x] ) implementing Regulation
(EEC) No 1619/68 ( [2] ) on marketing standards for eggs?

O OJNoLl3, 18. 1.1969, p. 13.
O OJNoL258,21.10. 1968,p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 March 1990)_

In June 1988, the Commission transmitted to the Council
a proposal to amend Regulation (EEC) No 2772/75 on
marketing standards for eggs ('). This proposal is still
being studied by the Council. It is to be hoped that it will
be adopted before the end of June 1990. Pursuant to the
provisions of Article 17 of Regulation (EEC)
No 2772/75 ( [2] ), the Commission will then present a
proposal for an amendment to the implementing
Regulation (Regulation (EEC) No 95/69) to the
appropriate body (Management Committee).

O COM(88) 347 final.
O OJNoL282, 1.11. 1975, p. 56.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 275/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Cafiete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/41)

_Subject:_ ERDF expenditure for 1989

Can the Commission indicate the amount of ERDF

appropriations implemented in the 1989 budget,
particularly for Spain, specifying expenditure at regional
level?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1990)_

The amounts made available to the ERDF in 1989

totalled:

— ECU 4 710 million in commitment appropriations of
which ECU 4 666,22 million were utilized,

— ECU 3 920 million in payment appropriations, all of
which utilized.

Of these amounts, Spain received:

— ECU 1 220,51 million in commitments,

— ECU 980,05 million in payments, of which ECU
645,34 million were from 1989 commitments.

The breakdown of the commitments implemented in 1989

was:

_(in million_ _ECU)_

Multiregional

Galicia

Asturias

Cantabria

Basque Country

Navarre

Rioja

Aragon

Madrid

Castile-Leon

Castile-La Mancha

Extremadura

Catalonia

Valencia

Andalusia

Murcia

Ceuta-Melilla

Canary Islands

297,86

66,69

106,69

19,91

2,94

2,25

0

10,71

0,37

67,67

99,73

30,83

85,06

28,20

307,94

41,59

0

52,07

1 220,51

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/23

WRITTEN QUESTION No 292/90

by Mr Georgios Romeos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/42)

_Subject:_ Measures to protect soya producers

The high level which the co-responsibility levy for soya
has been set this year is having a direct effect on small
producers and, as a result, cultivation of this product is
being abandoned.

Does the Commission intend to review the threshold of

1,3 million tonnes and call for exemptions for small
producers (up to 20 tonnes) as is the case for growers of
other products (cotton, maize etc.)?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

The stabilization legislation which applies to soyabeans
does not include a co-responsibility levy. The legislation
provides for the institutional support prices to be abated
by a flat-rate amount in the light of the harvest estimate.
Since the market support arrangement works via the
payment of an aid to bridge the gap between Community
prices and the world market price, it is not possible in the
current system to guarantee a different price per tonne for
different categories of producers.

Nevertheless, the Commission has proposed (as part of
the 1990/91 proposals for prices and related measures) a
system of direct aids for small producers of crops, which
includes those who produce soyabeans.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 293/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/43)

_Subject:_ Pollution in the Bay of Biscay

Pollution in the Bay of Biscay (off Spain) is reaching
dangerous levels as a result of illegal discharges of
effluent, particularly industrial effluent.

1. Does the Commission know what quantities of
industrial effluent and dangerous substances are being
discharged daily into the Bay of Biscay by firms in the
Autonomous Communities of Galicia, Asturias,
Cantabria and the Basque Country, and where these
firms are located?

Does the Commission know what effect such

substances are having on marine flora and fauna in the
Bay of Biscay?

Does the Commission not consider that as a matter of

urgency it should consider drawing up proposals for
the prevention and control of pollution in the Bay of
Biscay?

Can the Commission guarantee that Community
legislation on the protection of the sea, in particular
Directive 76/464/EEC ('), is being applied in the
above Autonomous Communities?

Can the Commission provide me with all the
information it possesses on this matter and on any
measures being taken to combat pollution in the Bay
of Biscay?

(') OJNoL129, 18.5. 1976, p. 23.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1990)_

The Commission's attention has already been drawn
several times to the situation in the Bay of Biscay.

The Commission is still awaiting a reply to the request for
general information addressed to Spain in application of
Directive 76/464/EEC (*) on pollution caused by certain
dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic
environment.

Spain's reply should enable the Commission to locate the
points at which dangerous substances appearing in lists I
and II are discharged into the Bay of Biscay.

The Honourable Member will, at his request, be kept
informed of any further developments.

O OJNoL129, 18.5. 1976, p. 23.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 312/90

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/44)

_Subject:_ Imports of protected tropical creatures into the
EEC

Exotic creatures are imported and marketed in conditions
of unmitigated cruelty; they are transported over long

No C 233/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

distances for days on end, packed together by the
hundred, without food or water, in excessively narrow
containers.

These are usually protected species, as in the recent
incident in Belgium in which over a thousand tropical
birds died in horrific circumstances in the course of

transportation from Africa to Europe. Can the
Commission state whether there are any specific
conditions which should be observed by the importers of
tropical creatures, both when capturing them and when
marketing them in Europe?

Are there any standards drawn up by the Commission
concerning the containers in which the animals are
transported?

Does the Commission not consider that trade of this

nature should be outlawed in the Community, at least in
the case of endangered species or species in need of
protection?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1990)_

Imports of wild fauna and flora into the Community are
regulated under Council Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82
on the implementation in the Community of the
Convention in international trade in endangered species
of wild fauna and flora (Cites) (').

The Regulation concerned prohibits trade in endangered
species and subjects trade in other wildlife species to strict
import conditions.

On 29 June 1989, the Commission submitted a proposal to
the Council for a Regulation on the protection of animals
during transport ( [2] ).

(') OJNoL384, 31. 12. 1982, p. 1.
O COM(89) 322 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 316/90

by Mr Jean-Claude Martinez (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/45)

_Subject:_ Purchase of agricultural land in France

Large numbers of foreign nationals — especially British,
West Germans and Dutch — are buying up land in
France, where land prices are the lowest in the
Community, mainly for the purpose of acquiring second
homes.

In 1989, over 5 % of all transactions involving agricultural
land were accounted for by sales to foreigners.

In view of this phenomenon, which is likely to become
more pronounced in future years because of
desertification, the successive reforms of the CAP and the
ageing of the rural population, does the Commission
intend to create a file on unoccupied land in the various
Member States of the EEC and to keep a record of the
purchasers, listed by nationality? Can it also state the
average price per hectare of land in the various regions of
the Community?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

Certain provisions of the Treaty were reaffirmed and
given more emphasis in the Single Act: the free movement
of persons, the associated principle of freedom of
establishment, and the free movement of capital. With
regard to the matter in question, Article 54 (3) (e) of the
EEC Treaty establishes the prinicple that the Community
must enable 'a national of one Member State to acquire
and use land and buildings situated in the territory of
another Member State, in so far as this does not conflict
with the principles laid down in Article 39 (2)' concerning
the particular nature of agricultural activity.

These basic principles do not prevent Member States from
taking measures, in respect of land transactions, with a
view to protecting agriculture, for example by classifying
land recognized as suitable for farming. However, the
implementation of such measures must not introduce
discriminatory treatment based on nationality.

In the context of current Community legislation, the
Community has no plans to keep a file of unoccupied land
or a record of purchasers, listed by nationality.

At present there are no figures for average land prices per
hectare in the various regions of the Community. The
Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member
and to Parliament's Secretariat a compilation of
nationally-produced statistics used for the Table on the
'market value of agricultural land' in the annual report on
'the agricultural situation in the Community' (see Table
No 3.3.8 in the 1989 report). However, the figures are not
strictly comparable given the lack of harmonization of
sources. The Commission plans to improve this in the
future.

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the fact

that it is particularly difficult to determine land prices
which reflect the true agricultural situation because of
two major factors:

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/25

— the small volume of land on the market compared
with the area farmed, with the result that supply is
strictly limited. Actual prices therefore depend largely
on local situations and circumstances and give only a
very indadequate indication of the value of land as a
whole,

— the various possible uses of a given piece of land and,
in particular, the competition between rural and
urban uses, and between agriculture and tourism,
which can cause significant differences in land prices.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 330/90

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/46)

_Subject:_ Coal production costs and subsidies

Will the Commission provide for each coal-producing
Member State, a listing of average production costs per
GJ gross? Will the Commission also list the range, type
and amount of coal subsidies operating in each
coal-producing Member State, and illustrate the impact
this has upon production costs and delivered costs?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 April 1990)_

Financial aid Member States intend to grant to the
Community coal industry is governed by Decision
No 2064/86/ECSC ( [I] ). State aid to the coal industry can
only be considered compatible with the proper
functioning of the common market where it complies with
one of the following objectives of the decision:

— improved competitiveness in the coal industry,
helping to ensure a better security of supply;

— creation of new capacities as long as they are
economically viable,

— solution of social and regional problems related to
changes in the coal industry.

The Commission is directly sending to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat-General of the European
Parliament a table containing the amounts of aid for
current production in each coal producing Member State

for 1988 as well as production cost data both in ECUs per
tonne and per gigajoule (GJ).

O OJNoL-177,1.7.1986, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 340/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/47)

_Subject:_ Fishing activity in the Falklands

Bearing in mind the paramount importance of the
Falkland Islands fishing grounds for the Community
freezer-trawler fleet, particularly in the light of the
difficult situation in the Namibian fishing grounds, can
the Commission say:

1. How many licences have been awarded to the various
Member States of the EC by the Falklands Interim
Conservation and Management Zone, and how many
licences have been granted to third countries?

2. What it is doing to bring about an increase in the
activity of the Community freezer-trawler fleet?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May 1990)_

1. The authorities of the Falkland Interim

Conservation and Management Zone (FICMZ) have
granted the following licences for squid and fish catches
in 1989/90:

Illex

Loligo

1990

23

6

29

1990

2

146

148

Fish

1989/90

13

9

22

1989

38

6

44

For Community vessels

For vessels from third

countries

Total

1989

2

162

164

2. The Commission is aware of the importance of
fishing opportunities in the FICMZ for the Community's
high-sea fleet, particularly in view of the reduction in
fishing opportunities in other traditional fishing areas.
Assuming its overall responsibilities with regard to
fisheries, the Commission has maintained active
surveillance of the management measures adopted in
respect of fishery activities in the FICMZ, since these
affect the Community fleet. In addition, the Community
currently grants financial assistance to Community vessels
which engage in experimental fishing of certain species in
the waters around the Falkland Islands.

No C 233/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 341/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/48)

_Subject:_ EEC-Ivory Coast fisheries negotiations

Given that Cote d'lvoire is a key area for the Community
tuna fleet, almost all of which has traditionally used the
port of Abidjan on a consensus basis, can the Commission

state:

1. the advantages of a fisheries agreement over the
previous situation?

2. why, once negotiations for an agreement had begun,
they were then abruptly broken off?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 April 1990)_

Negotiations for a fisheries agreement between the
Community and the Republic of Cote d'lvoire must be
held within the context of the UN Convention on the Law

of the Sea and the provisions of the Lome Convention.

Following the negotiating guidelines approved by the
Council for other ACP countries, the Commission
intends to negotiate with Cote d'lvoire not only access for
the tuna fishing fleet, but also fishing opportunities for
trawlers.

It lies within the nature of the negotiating process as such
that the two parties need to meet several times before
arriving at a mutually satisfactory agreement.

In this particular case, the Community and Cote d'lvoire
have already met twice (once in Abidjan and once in
Brussels) and a third round of negotiations is planned in
Abidjan on 9 to 11 April.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 344/90

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/49)

_Subject:_ Reform of the CAP

Following the reported remarks of Commissioner Sir
Leon Brittan at the Oxford Farming Conference that
reform of the common agricultural policy will have to be

intensified if there is to be a full and fair system of green
currencies by 1992, what proposals does the Commission
intend to bring forward to achieve this objective?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1990)_

The Council and Commission recognize that the
dismantling of the present system is a-pre-requisite to
achieving a veritable single market for agricultural
products. In this context the process of removing MCAs
has already begun, and the 1990/91 price proposals
include provisions for the complete abolishment of
existing real monetary gaps in France, Ireland, Italy,
Portugal and the Federal Republic of Germany (except
for cereals in the Federal Republic of Germany where
there is a specific problem).

The Commission also proposes the dismantlement of
one-third of the real monetary gap for the United
Kingdom and Spain and a dismantlement of monetary
gaps in Greece of one-third of the new gaps created
between 10 January 1990 (monetary realignment) and the
date of the Council Decision.

This is in line with the principle accepted in July 1988 that
all existing monetary gaps should be abolished for 'stable'
currencies and a system would be devised to deal with the
abolishment of the variable monetary gaps.

In terms of achieving the single market for agricultural
products, the ideal situation would, of course, be one in
which all Community currencies adhered to the European
Monetary System (EMS).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 350/90

by Mr Honor Funk, Mr Reinhold Booklet, Mrs Hedwig

Keppelhof-Wiechert, Mr Egon Klepsch and Mr Reimer

Boge (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/50)

_Subject:_ Discrimination against alternative agriculture

Following the summit meeting of 11 — 12 February 1988,
the European Community called for the reduction of
agricultural surpluses by means of extensification,
specifying that average annual production should be
reduced by at least 20 % over a reference period of at least
five years. For arable products this could be achieved by
converting the entire holding to less intensive production
methods. This includes conversion from standard farming
methods to alternative agriculture.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/27

In this case the farmer is not obliged to prove that he has
reduced production as a result of less intensive methods
of production. This arrangement means that all farmers
who converted their holdings to alternative agricultural
methods prior to the entry into force of EEC
extensification arrangements are placed at a disadvantage.

1. Is the Commission aware these arrangements
discriminate against the farmers in question?

2. Does the Commission consider such discrimination to

be justified, particularly in view of the positive aspects
of alternative agriculture?

3. What opportunities does the Commission see for
these farmers, who have helped to reduce surplus
production without any incentive from the EEC, to be
given support comparable to that granted under the
extensification arrangements?

4. In the Commission's opinion how many farmers
would receive such support?

5. Is the Commission prepared to submit to the Council
and Parliament a proposal for the removal of such
discrimination?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 March 1990)_

1., 2. and 5. Article lb of Regulation (EEC)
No 797/85 O, as amended by Regulation (EEC)
No 1094/88 of 25 April 1988 ( [2] ), provides for an aid
scheme to promote extensification for surplus products.
The principal aim of this scheme is to reduce the volume
of intensive production, but conversion by farmers to
alternative agricultural methods is also, in this context, a
possible approach.

Since the conversion to alternative agriculture results, at
least in the first few years, in a loss of income, the
Member State should fix the rate of aid to be granted as
compensation for income losses sustained as a result of
such action.

Holdings which have already converted to alternative
agriculture generally manage to achieve market incomes
at least comparable to, if not greater than, earnings
obtained by holdings which continue to produce on the
basis of conventional methods.

The new methods do not therefore justify the payment of
financial incentives out of public funds.

Since the measure envisaged does not involve financial
losses for the holdings concerned, their ineligibility does
not constitute discrimination.

3. and 4. There are in the Community many farmers
who, without opting for aljernatiave methods of

agriculture, pay heed to the needs of the environment and
of the market in the way they farm and who are not
responsible, at least not to any serious extent, for surplus
production. No aid has been introduced for this category
of farmers and there is no reason why producers who
have opted for alternative agriculture should receive more
favourable treatment than farmers in the other category.

O OJNoL93, 30. 3. 1985, p. 1.
O OJNoL106,27.4. 1988, p. 28.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 389/90

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 February 1990)_

(90/C 233/51)

_Subject:_ Transport of live animals for slaughter

Does the Commission have any intention of proposing
the abolition of national laws, such as the United
Kingdom's Animal Health Act, which effectively outlaw
or restrict the export for slaughter of certain categories of
animals?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

Community law concerning the protection of animals
during international transport is currently contained in
two Council Directives, No 77/489/EEC ( [l] ) and
No81/389/EEC( [2] ). A Council Directive governing
slaughter of animals, No 74/577/EEC ( [3] ), is also in force.

In order to take account of the changes to the existing
arrangements to facilitate the full achievement of the
single market by the end of 1992, the Commission has
made a new proposal ( [4] ) to the Council for a Regulation
on the protection of animals during transport which will
extend to the transport of animals within, as well as to and
from, Member States.

The Commission is aware that the United Kingdom
presently applies certain additional restrictions which it
claims to be compatible with the Directives currently in
force.

Once the proposed Regulation mentioned above has been
adopted by the Council, the Commission will examine any
difficulties which the application of this text poses in
individual Member States.

( [l] ) OJNoL200, 8.8. 1977, p. 10.
O OJNo 150,6.6. 1981,p. 1.
(') OJNoL316, 26. 11. 1974, p. 11.
O OJ No C 214, 21. 8. 1989, p. 36.

No C 233/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 398/90 WRITTEN QUESTION No 399/90

by Mr Alonso Puerta (GUE) by Mrs Patricia Rawlings (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_ _(5_ _March 1990)_

(90/C 233/52) (90/C 233/53)

_Subject:_ Air pollution in the city of Valladolid

In the city of Valladolid air pollution is seriously
damaging the environment and people's health. This
means that there is an urgent need to reduce and monitor
emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO?) from one of the
greatest sources of pollution in the city — the firm
Nitratos de Castilla (Nicas).

1. Can the Commission guarantee that Nitratos de
Castilla is complying with the following Directives:

(a) Directive 84/360/EEC (') on the combating of
air pollution from industrial plants;

(b) Directive 85/203/EEC ( [2] ) on air quality
standards for nitrogen dioxide?

2. What steps will the Commission take to see that
Nitratos de Castilla ceases to be a potential source of
danger to the pollution of Valladolid?

3. Can the Commission keep me informed of the action
it intends to take on this matter?

O OJNoL188,16. 7. 1984, p. 20.
O OJ No L 87, 27. 3. 1985, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

The Commission has received a complaint on the same
subject as that referred to by the Honourable Member.

As part of its complaints procedure the Commission is
asking the Spanish authorities to supply information on
the application of the Directives referred to by the
Honourable Member.

Until it receives this information, the Commission cannot
determine whether emissions of NO2 by Nitratos de
Castilla are affecting the quality of the air in Valladolid or
whether they comply with the air quality Directives.

_Subject:_ Draft Council Regulation on marketing animal
products

With regard to the proposed EC regulations for the
disposal and processing of animal waste, for many
livestock producers this will mean the loss of salvage
value, and also increased costs in having to transport the
carcasses to the nearest tax rendering plant, given that
many livestock producers are currently operating on small
profit-margins, can the Commission explain how they
intend to mitigate the potentially far-reaching financial
effects of this proposal?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

The proposal referred to by the Honourable Member (*)
is designed to ensure that animal wastes are properly
disposed of in such a way that pathogens are not spread to
the environment and that human and animal health are

properly protected.

It lays down provisions for waste which is considered to
be a high risk and which in consequence should be
collected and transported directly to a processing plant
for sterilization in order to destroy pathogens. At the
same time it recognizes the need to encourage profitable
alternative uses for animal waste especially in the case of
low-risk material, provided this alternative use is without
risk to the health of livestock or humans.

In consequence provision is also made for the production
of animal feedstuffs; petfood for dogs, cats and other pet
animals and for the production of technical products
intended for purposes other than human consumption.

The Commission considers that this proposal should
enable livestock producers to receive appropriate salvage
value commensurate with the nature of the disease risk of

the animal waste concerned.

The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of
any further developments in this matter. O OJNoC327, 30. 12. 1989, p. 76.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/29

WRITTEN QUESTION No 404/90

by Mrs Marlene Lenz, Mrs Rosaria Bindi, Mrs Maria
Cassanmagnago Cerretti, Mrs Nicole Fontaine, Mrs Anna
Hermans, Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana, Mrs Ria
Oomen-Ruijten, Mrs Doris Pack, Mrs Karla Peijs, Mr
Elmar Brok, Mr Nicolas Estgen and Mr Egon Klepsch
_k_ (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/54)

_Subject:_ Creation of a European family policy

At their meeting of 29 September 1989 in Brussels the
Social Affairs Council and the Ministers responsible for
family affairs reached a number of conclusions on family
policy.

1. What specific steps will the Ministers concerned take
in response to these conclusions?

2. Apart from declarations of intent and requests for
information from the Member States, what legally
binding family policy at Community level will the
Ministers responsible for family affairs pursue in the
near future?

3. What practical measures are envisaged now and in the
run-up to completion of the large internal market to
support and help families with a view to creating a
genuine family policy in the European Community,
following the example of certain Member States, in
particular with respect to:

— birth grants and family allowances,

— maternity leave,

— parental leave, and

— increased social security.

4. What exactly does the Council mean by periodic
checks by the Council?

5. When exactly will the next meeting of Ministers
responsible for family affairs be held?

Answer

_(1_ _August 1990)_

At the meeting on 29 September 1989 the Council and the
Ministers responsible for family affairs, meeting within
the Council, examined the Commission communication
on family policies which was in response to the meetings
of the European Council in Copenhagen and Brussels and
the conclusions of the Council (General Affairs) on 29
February 1988.

The Council and the Ministers then held a discussion on

policies to be followed by the Member States in this field.

After that discussion, they adopted conclusions including
a series of suggestions and indications for the
Governments of the Member States.

Under point V of those conclusions, the Council will
undertake periodic assessment of the activities started or
continued in the Member States.

At this stage, it has not yet proved possible to specify the
date of the first assessment.

Further, the date of the next meeting of the Commission
and the Ministers responsible for Family Affairs, meeting
within the Council, has not yet been set.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 418/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/55)

_Subject:_ Cofinancing of the Irurzun-Andoain highway

In the event of the Commission's Directorate-General for

the Environment producing a favourable report on the
construction of the Irurzun-Andoain highway, would it
be possible for the Community to cofinance the project
together with the government of the Autonomous
Community of Navarra and the provincial authorities
(Diputacion Foral) of Guipuzcoa? Does the Commission
not agree that this would be a productive investment,
since this highway would provide a stimulus to the
economies of these two regions in the context of
developments over the next few years and the completion
of the single market in 1993 ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 May 1990)_

Because of the limited resources available to the Funds

and the fact that Objective 2 areas normally have a dense
network of communications infrastructure, the
Commission does not normaly give priority to operations
of this type in such areas. However, in view of their
difficulties of access to the major communications routes
and the problems caused by congestion in the Objective 2
areas of Spain, the Commission in agreement with the
national and regional authorities concerned, considered it
necessary to include in the Community support
framework for those areas a priority for the improvement
of the communications network.

No C 233/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Similarly, on 21 December 1989, the Commission
approved assistance totalling Pta 165 075 _000_ for
construction of the Irurzun-Echarren section of the

Navarre motorway. A project concerning the
Aduna-Irurzun section of that motorway forms part of an
operational programme which the Commission is now
considering.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 477/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/56)

_Subject:_ Convergence of the Member States' economic
policies

How does the Commission intend to fulfil the

commitment given by the Economic and Financial
Council on 6 December 1989 to strengthen multilateral
monitoring of the economies of the Member States in
order to bring about the progressive convergence of
economic policies during the phase of economic and
monetary union?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 April 1990)_

Following a proposal from the Commission ('), the
Council adopted on 12 March 1990 the two decisions on
convergence and on cooperation between the central
banks. The convergence decision provides that legal base
and the framework for multilateral surveillance. It will be

conducted by the Council on the basis of reports and
analyses submitted by the Commission which will assume
an essential part in this excercise. The Council shall
examine at least twice a year the general economic
conditions and policies and shall undertake specific
examinations whenever internal or external developments
threaten the economic stability and cohesion of the
Community. The Commission has undertaken to keep the
European Parliament regularly informed on work
concerning multilateral surveillance, whenever this is
leading to recommendations being addressed to one or
more Member States on their economic policy. The
president of the Council and the Commission shall report
regularly on the results of multilateral surveillance to the
European Council and the European Parliament.

(') COM(90) 81 final; COM(90) 82 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 490/90

by Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/57)

_Subject:_ Civil defence

When and how does the Commission plan to draw up,
budget for and carry out a programme to coordinate the
activities of the Member States in the field of civil

defence, in particular as regards the prevention of fires
and floods?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

For the last fifteen years the Community has been
financing a number of measures to lessen the risk of forest
fires in southern Europe, notably through Regulation
(EEC) No 269/79 establishing a common measure for
forestry in certain Mediterranean zones of the
Community ('), Regulation (EEC) No 1975/82 on the
acceleration of agricultural development in certain
regions of Greece ( [2] ), the Integrated Mediterranean
Programmes (Regulation (EEC) No 2088/85) ('), the
specific programme for the development of Portuguese
agriculture (Regulation (EEC) No 3828/85) ( [4] ), the
specific common measure to encourage the development
of agriculture in certain regions of Spain (Regulation
(EEC) No 1118/85) ( [5] ), and Regulation (EEC)
No 3529/86 on the protection of the Community's forests
against fire ( [6] ), recently amended by Regulation (EEC)
No 1614/89 CO
In addition, the Council has adopted Regulation (EEC)
No 1610/89 laying down provisions for implementing
Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 as regards the scheme to
develop and optimally utilize woodlands in rural areas in
the Community ( [8] ). This Regulation also provides for a
financial contribution from the Community towards
measures to protect forests against fires and the
reconstitution of forests destroyed by fire.

The Commission is aware that fire is the main problem in
the forests of southern Europe, especially after the major
fires of 1989, which brought to light certain gaps in the
forest protection arrangements. That is why the Standing
Forestry Committee, set up by Council Decision of 29
May 1989 ( [9] ), has set up a working party to examine the
protection of forests against fires. The working party held
its first meeting on 16 February 1990.

This analysis should pinpoint the priority measures which
need to be taken at Community level for greater
consistency in policies to protect forests against fire,
bringing together all the elements of 'protection', i.e.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/31

identification of causes, prevention, surveillance and
fire-fighting.

As regards the risk of disasters linked to fires in buildings,
the Commission organized an important symposium in
September 1984 on the protection of buildings against
fire ( [10] ). The Commission has also drawn up a working
report defining the different methodologies for
experimenting on the fire behaviour of materials, notably
building materials.

In addition, on 22 December 1986, on a proposal from the
Commission, the Council adopted a recommendation on
fire safety in existing hotels (").

The recommendations's provisions are based on the
following principles:

— reducing the risk of fire breaking out,

— preventing the spread of flames and smoke,

— ensuring the evacuation of occupants,

— enabling the emergency services to take action.

Lastly, a Council Directive on the approximation of the
laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States relating to construction products was
adopted on 21 December 1988 ( [12] )

As for research, the Epoch programme (European
Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards),
adopted by the Council on 20 November 1989, includes:

a section on forest fires, dealing with:

— understanding of the conditions which encourage or
prevent the breaking out and spreading of fires
(climate, land use, properties, vegetation structure,
etc.),

— the development of forecasting and warning
methods;

and a section on flooding, dealing with:

— a study of the causes (including those relating to land
use), mechanisms and impact of floods;

— methodologies for forecasting and reducing the risk
of floods.

O OJNoL38, 14.2. 1979.
O OJ No L 214, 22. 7. 1982.
O OJ No L 197, 27. 7. 1985.
O OJNoL372,31. 12.1985.
O OJNoL107, 28.4. 1988.
(') OJNoL326,21.11.1986.
O O J N o L l 6 5, 15.6.1989.
(•) OJ No LI 65, 15.6. 1989.
O OJNoL165, 15.6. 1989.
( [10] ) Mourareau, R., Thomas, M., ed. _Fires in Buildings,_ Elsevier
Applied Science Publishers, Brussels and Luxembourg, 1985.
(") OJNoL384,31. 12.1986.
( [12] ) OJNoL40, 11.2. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 524/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/58)

_Subject:_ Rural areas

1. What is the numerical size of each Member State's

rural population, region by region?

2. What is the rural gross domestic product for each
region?

3. What proportion of EC grant aid for (a) industry
and (b) social funding, goes directly to the rural areas of
each region?

4. Where possible, could answers on the above
questions also be supplied for the years since 1979?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1990)_

At present, there is, at Community level, no geographical
demarcation of rural areas nor a harmonized definition of

rural populations.

Any estimate of the rural population, by Member State or
by region, would therefore be purely indicative and could
not be used as a basic for meaningful comparisons.

As regards the breakdown of gross domestic product or
Community financial assistance between rural and urban
areas, this'would require not only a precise geographical
demarcation of rural areas but also the use of extremely
dubious rules governing allocation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 533/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/59)

_Subject:_ Training of senior political staff in Eastern
Europe

At the Council summit of Strasbourg on 8 and 9
December 1989, the Heads of State and government
stressed the need for the creation of a European
vocationial training foundation to assist senior political
staff in the Eastern European countries.

No C 233/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Since, apart from Chzechoslovakei, no Eastern European
country boasts a democratic, cultural and political
tradition, would it not be necessary to consider taking
measures or setting up structures for the dissemination of
democratic principles such as those which exist in the
Community Member States?

Reply
to Written Question No 533/90 put by Mrs Dury(*)

_(23 July 1990)_

Further to the mandate given by the Strasbourg European
Council, on 7 May 1990 the General Affairs Council
adopted Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 establishing a
European Training Foundation (') and Decision
90/233/EEC establishing a trans-European mobility
scheme for university studies (Tempus) ( [2] ).

The aim of the Tempus programme is to contribute to the
development of higher education and training systems in
the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, _inter alia_ by
exchanges of students, teachers and industry personnel.

The purpose of these exchanges is to respond, within the
terms of Decision 90/233/EEC, to the requirements of
the eligible countries, to be presented by them rather than
by any administrative structure, Community or otherwise.

It is therefore for the countries concerned, if they
consider it necessary, to ask for training with the content
mentioned by the Honourable Member.

If they did so, it would be for the Commission, which is
responsible for implementing the Tempus programme, to
_assess_ the action to be taken on such requests.

O OJNoLl31,23.5. 1990,p. 1.
O OJNoL131,23.5. 1990, p. 21.
(*) This reply has been given by the Council of the European
Communities, within whose province the question came.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 534/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/60)

_Subject:_ Effects of implementing the 18th Directive

The effect of the Eighteenth Directive is to exempt
transportation by ambulance from VAT from 1 January
1990. For French undertakings in this sector, this means
an increase in costs of more than 6 % due to the impact of
the non-recovery of VAT and their consequent liability to
tax on wages. Has the Commission studied the

implications of implementing this Directive for the laws
or regulations in force in the various Member States and
how does it propose to remedy the situation?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

At the outset, Article 13 of the Sixth VAT Directive _(_ _[l]_ _)_
laid down that the supply of transport services for sick or
injured persons in vehicles specially designed for the
purpose by duly authorized bodies is to be exempt from
VAT.

The Sixth Directive empowers Member State to derogate
from the normal VAT arrangements only during the
transitional period.

Exclusion of the right to deduct input tax means that the
goods and services intended for an exempt activity bear a
tax burden that is liable to be passed on in the price of the
services supplied. Nevertheless, this is a logical
consequence of the exemptions provided for in
Article 13A of the Directive, which aims to exempt from
tax a series of activities in the public interest, most of
which are intended for final consumers who would not,
therefore, be entitled to deducted input tax if it were
invoiced to them.

According to the information available to the
Commission, no other Member State has a system of
taxation of wages similar to that applied in France.

O OJNoL145, 13.6. 1977, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 535/90

by Mr Yves Galland (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/61)

_Subject:_ Employment legislation applicable to road

transport

The first phase of the liberalization of road haulage in the
EEC will come into effect on 1 July 1990. In order to
prevent distortions of competition occurring between
Member States as a result, Community harmonization is
needed, particularly in the social field. French
employment legislation means that French hauliers are
not covered by the weekly driving-time limitations

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/33

applicable under Community rules. How does the
Commission intend to ensure that France implements
these limitations which it has laid down?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

Community rules on driving periods, breaks and rest
periods are laid down in Regulations (EEC)
No 3820/85 O and (EEC) No 3821/85 ( [2] ). This
legislation provides for a harmonized system regulating
driving hours, breaks and rest periods throughout the
Community. It is supplemented by a Council Directive of
1988 on standard checking procedures ( [3] ) which provides
for a minimum number of annual checks in each Member

State, the qualitative nature of these checks and
coordinated action by the enforcement authorities of two
or more Member States.

The essential objective of the legislation is to provide a
common framework to regulate inter-Community traffic
in order to avoid distortions of competition. Under this
legislation Member States retain the right to adopt
national measures to promote social progress and improve
road safety.

In legislating for higher minimum rest periods and lower
maximum driving hours than those laid down in existing
Community legislation the French authorities are
exercising their right under Article 11 of Regulation
(EEC) No 3820/85.

(') OJNoL370, 31. 12. 1985, p. 1.
O OJNoL370, 31.12. 1985, p. 8.
0 OJNoL325,29. 11. 1988,p. 55.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 550/90

by Mr Philippe Herzog (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/62)

_Subject:_ EEC subsidies to Japanese and American firms

Can the Commission say what grants or preferential loans
have been provided by Member State or from Community
funds (European Investment Bank etc.) to Japanese or
American groups for setting up in Member States
subsidiary production or research units in 1988, 1989 and
1990?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 April 1990)_

The Honourable Member is kindly referred to the
Commission's answer to Written Question
No 2347/88 O by Mr Ford.

The lack of information referred to in it concerns both

State aids and Community subsidies granted to Japanese,
as well as American, subsidiaries.

O OJNoC270,23. 10. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 564/90

by Mr Henry McCubbin (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/63)

_Subject:_ Leukaemia among nuclear workers' children

Having regard to the study published recently in the
British Medical Journal by a team from the Medical
Research Council, Environmental Epidemiology Unit at
Southampton University in the United Kingdom, headed
by Professor Martin Gardiner, will the Commission be
revising the health and safety standards under Article 30
of the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty?
Further, as the Commission has assumed the
responsibility for basic standards, will it accept the
responsibility should links between the incidence of
leukaemia in young children and their father's
employment at nuclear installations be established at law?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1990)_

Preparations for a comprehensive revision in 1991 of the
Community Basic Safety Standards for the health
protection of the general public and workers have already
begun in anticipation of the latest recommendations of
the international Commission on Radiological Protection
currently in draft form.

Professor Gardiner's report is undoubtedly important but
its exact implications are as yet unclear: further
investigations have already been initiated by the United
Kingdom government. All available information will be
taken fully into consideration when the Community
standards are revised.

Under the terms of Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty, the
Commission will be responsible for drafting the proposed
changes after having consulted a group of experts
established by the Treaty for this purpose. Having
obtained the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee, the Commission will then submit its
proposals to the Council, which will in turn consult the

No C 233/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

European Parliament. The Council is then responsible for
deciding on the revisions to be enacted into Community
law.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 569/90

by Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevalier (DR.)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/64)

_Subject:_ Immigrant policy in the Community

In 1985 the Commission published a document entitled
'Guidelines for a Community policy on migration'
(COM(85) 48 final) setting out the Community policy on
immigration.

Four years on, does the policy defined in that document
still hold good, or will the Commission publish a new text
taking into account the changed situation as regards
immigration from outside Europe?

Secondly, what is the Commission's position as regards
the integration of non-European imigrants into the
Community and what measures does it intend to take in
this connection?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _April 1990)_

In accordance with its communication on its action

programme relating to the implementation of the
Community Charter of basic social rights for workers ('),
the Commission will be drawing up a memorandum
following up the Council Resolution of 16 July 1985 on
the guidelines referred to by the Honourable Member.

As regards the integration of nationals on non-member
countries, at the request of the Hanover European
Council of 27 and 28 June 1988, the Commission has
produced a study on 'The social integration of
third-country migrants residing on a permanent and
lawful basis in the Member States ( [2] ). Furthermore, in
response to the Strasbourg European Council of 8 and 9
December 1989, the Commission has embarked on the
production of an inventory of national positions on
immigration in preparation for a discussion on the subject
within the Council.

For its part, the Commission has always done what it can
to take account in its various programmes of aspects
relating to the integration of immigrants and will not fail
to take further action in the light of the current initiatives

and the debate in the Council, should this turn out to be
appropriate.

O COM(89) 568 final.
O SEC(89) 924 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 580/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/65)

_Subject:_ Commission body to deal with the increasing
number of complaints over the non-application
or inadequate application of environmental
Directives

It is a matter of public knowledge that many Member
States of the Community are failing to apply or are
applying inadequately Directives on the environment.

This is reflected in the increasing number of complaints to
the Commission.

What steps has the Commission taken (provision of staff
to deal with these tasks, follow-up procedure) to deal with
these complaints and ensure more satisfactory
implementation of these directives _(in situ_ monitoring)?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1990)_

Since 1984 the Directorate-General of the Commission

responsible for the environment has included a unit to
deal specifically with the application of Community law
on the environment.

The procedure for monitoring the application of law on
the environment can be summarized briefly as follows:

— with regard to the legal transposition of Directives
into the national legislation of Member States, the
Commission simultaneously monitors the
communication of national implementing measures
within the time-limit provided for in the Directives
and the conformity of these measures with the
Directives. The monitoring process is the subject of
regular meetings of the Commission organized by
DG XI in cooperation with the other
Directorates-General involved, the Legal Service and
the Commission's Secretariat-General. It should be

noted that this stage is preceded by an exchange of
correspondence and, if necessary, meetings at
technical level between the Commission and

representatives of the Member States, in order to

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/35

discuss problems relating to the interpretation and
transposition of Directives in the Member States,

— with regard to the monitoring of the practical
application of Directives, the Commission relies in
most cases on information supplied by complainants,
but also on written and oral questions submitted by
Members of the European Parliament or studies
which it itself carries out.

It is clear that the European Environment Agency and the
network which it will have at its disposal will increase the
possibility for the Commission to obtain objective,
reliable information on the state of the environment in the

Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 581/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/66)

_Subject:_ Financing of an expressway in the Aspe Valley
(Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France)

According to Mr Inchauspe, Member for the
Pyrenees-Atlantiques, the Commission is considering
helping to fund an expressway in the Upper Aspe Valley.
This road would disperse the small remaining bear
population in this area, for which various conservation
projects are currently being considered and will prevent
the contacts between bears of this species which inhabit
the Aspossalais Mountains awd bears in Spain.

1. Can the Commission say how this project ties in with
the concern expressed by the European Parliament in
February 1989 to safeguard bear habitats?

2. If plans exist to re-open the Pau-Orloron-Canfrance
railway by improving existing infrastructures, would it
not be better to support this more ecologically
acceptable project than to invest funds in a project
which would cause such destruction?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 April 1990)_

The Commission would request the Honourable Member
to refer to its answer to his Written Question
No 1183/89 ('), in which it stated that it shared his
concern that the safeguarding of Europe's natural
heritage, should be taken into account in the
implementation of measures financed by the Structural
Funds, especially those covered by the integrated
Mediterranean programmes (IMPs). It said that it had
asked the French authorities for information about the

impact of measures being taken under the IMP, including

the road project in the upper Aspe Valley, on animal life in
the area, particularly the brown bear.

The Commission has also reminded the French

authorities of their obligations concerning notification of
special protection areas unter Directive 79/409/EEC ( [2] )
(conservation of wild birds) in the Pyrenees.

With regard to ways of crossing the Somport pass, there
still appears to be controversy concerning the reopening
of the railway line from Oloron to Canfranc, which was
closed in 1970. Under their bilateral cooperation
agreement, France and Spain are currently working on a
transfrontier cooperation programme which includes
cross-Pyrenees links, and specifically the Somport pass.
The Commission will give careful consideration to the
various aspects of this matter in the light of Community
rules and priorities.

O OJ No C 139,7.6. 1990, p. 30.
O OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1

WRITTEN QUESTION No 610/90

by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/67)

_Subject:_ Meeting of the Union of European Football
Associations (Uefa) and its proposal to the
Commission

Doubts were again raised at the recent meeting of Uefa
concerning the free movement of footballers in the
Community and, in particular, the possibility of applying
the principle of the free movement of workers to
professional footballers.

Does the Commission consider that there is any reason
why footballers should be exempt from the general
principle fo free movement?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1990)_

In its judgment of 14 July 1976 in _Dona v. Montero_ ('), the
Court of Justice held that Article 7 and, where
appropriate, Articles 48 to 51 or 59 to 66 of the EEC
Treaty applied to professional footballers.

The Commission has just had talks on this subject with
the International Federation of Professional Footballers

(Fifpro), which represents players, and the European
Union of Football Association (Uefa), which represents
clubs. The Commission will assess the results of these

No C 233/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

talks and will inform Parliament of any further action it
plans to take.

Naturally, the complex organization of professional
football and the training constraints on clubs will be taken
into account by the Commission in its assessment.

(') Case 13/76(1976) ECR1333.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 625/90

by Mr Juan Graikoetxea Urriza (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/68)

_Subject:_ Nautical tourism along the Atlantic coast

In answer to my previous written question on the same
subject (Written Question No 1189/88 (')), the
Commission indicated that it intended to carry out a study
on nautical tourism along the Community's Atlantic

coast.

Has the Commission carried out this study? If so, what
were its principal findings?

Does the Commission intend to take any specific
measures in this field?

O OJNoC 111,2. 5. 1989, p. 45.

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1990)_

The study on nautical tourism along the Atlantic coast has
indeed been carried out and has recently been
communicated to the Commission. It lists existing
facilities for nautical tourism and assesses future

requirements. It evaluates existing types of pleasure craft
in the Member State ordering the Atlantic and assess
development prospects. One section of the study covers
legal and administrative problems hampering the
development of nautical tourism along the Atlantic coast.
Finally, the study makes a number of recommendations
on nautical tourism policies, facilities and products at
national and Community level.

A detailed examination of this extensive study, including a
breakdown by Member State, is required before any
measures are taken.

The Commission is sending copies of the study direct to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 628/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/69)

_Subject:_ Ratification by the Community of the 1988
Vienna Convention against illegal traffic in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

In its answer to Written Question No 614/89 _(_ _[l]_ _),_ the
Commission undertook to submit a communication

before the end of 1989 on ratification by the Community
of the 1988 Vienna Convention against illicit traffic in
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Would the Commission report on progress to date?

O OJNoC47,27.2. 1990, p. 11.

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 May 1990)_

On 21 December 1989 the Commission sent to the

Council a proposal (') for a Decision concerning the
conclusion, on behalf of the European Economic
Community, of the United Nations Convention against
illegal traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances, adopted in Vienna on 19 December 1988.

This proposal, which also covers the simultaneous
deposit, without needless delay, of the ratification
instruments by the referred and the Member States, is
being examined by the Council.

O COM(89) 654 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 631/90

by Mr Kenneth Collins (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/70)

_Subject:_ Local employment development programmes

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that
environmental protection projects are given appropriate
priority in the local employment development
programmes sponsored by the DG V (Leda, Petra) and
DG XVI (special employment measures)?

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/37

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 May 1990)_

The importance of the local dimension in employment
creation has been recognized in the Community and the
Member States for some years and both the Social Fund
and the ERDF have given particular priority or emphasis
to local development.

In the case of the Community's structural assistance to
regions whose development is lagging behind
(Objective 1) and declining industrial areas (Objective 2),
the Community support frameworks which the
Commission has established for those regions in
agreement with the Member States state that priority must
be given to achievement of the objectives of Community
legislation on the environment during the period covered
by the Community support framework in so far as it is
connected with the regional development or regional or
social conversion envisaged.

Furthermore, the granting of Community assistance for
individual projects is subject to compliance with
Community directives on the assessment of the
environmental impact of certain public and private
projects.

The Commission has also adopted a programme of
regional environmental measures (Envireg) to the
implementation of which the structural Funds will
contribute ECU 500 million.

In 1986 the Commission established an action and

research programme on local employment development
called Leda. In order to develop stronger partnerships at
the local level, strenghten local capacity to support
economic and labour market regeneration and identify
good practice in local development.

The Leda programme does not have a specific remit
concerning the environment, but supports the
development of local strategies and approaches for
employment creation which complement environmental
objectives.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 636/90

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/71)

_Subject:_ Support for the fur industry

The fur industry is a fundamental sector of the economy,
being established in all the Community countries and, in
particular, in Greece, where it provides employment for
tens of thousands of people in the region of Western
Macedonia. The industry is undergoing unprecedented

crisis because fo the international and local economic and

other factors, with the result that the very survival of a
considerable percentage of fur companies is now at stake.

Does the Commission:

1. have plans to support the fur industry, seeing that, in
all regions where the fur industry is found, there is
strict adherence to international regulations for the
protection of fauna and the primary materials are
derived from farmed animals;

2. anticipate giving financial support from the Social
Fund (retraining, unemployment grants, etc.) to fur
workers who have been laid off;

3. intend to include special measures for the fur industry
in Community programmes?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1990)_

Under the reform fo the Structural Funds, the whole of
Greek territory is considered to form part of the regions
covered by Objective 1 (regions whose development is
lagging behind).

The aim of the Community support framework for
Greece, which was approved by the Commission on 30
March 1990, is to intensify the efforts to develop all 13
regions. There is provision for a multi-fund operational
programme (involving the ERDF, the ESF, and the
EAGGF Guidance Section) for Eastern Macedonia; this
has yet to be presented by the Greek authorities.

In particular, the ESF subprogramme, the aim of which is
to promote vocational training and employment, provides
for special measures to satisfy local development needs.

When training requirements were defined, special
attention is paid to the fact that the region has a
long-established for industry. Hence the provision in the
ESF subprogramme for a set of vocational training
schemes to assist the industry's workforce, either by
providing vocational training for those employment or by
updating the skills of the unemployed.

The organization and content of these vocational training
schemes will be worked out with the aid of local training
bodies including the fur producers organizations of
Kastoria and Slatista, the local authorities, and the local
development team of the town of Kozani.

Final approval of the subprogramme will take account of
Community policy on the environment and in particular
on the protection of animal species.

No C 233/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 643/90

by Mr George Patterson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/72)

_Subject:_ Acces flooring standards

v Could the Commission state what progress has been made
the creation of Community standards for application to
access flooring under the construction products
Directive (')? Has contact been made with the European
Association of Access Flooring Manufacturers? And in
the absence of other standards, will those of the Public
Services Agency in the United Kingdom be given general
recognition?

O Directive 8 9 / 1 0 6 / E E C - O J No L 40, 11.2. 1989, p. 12.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April_ _J_ _990)_

First contact with the Access Flooring Association was
made early in 1989. At that time the association requested
information on the Eurocode programme to enable its
involvement and to assist in the drafting of a Eurocode
for raised access flooring. However, as the programme
was being transferred to the CEN (Comite Europeen de
Normalisation) under the general heading of the New
Approach, difficulty would be experienced by changing
the programme to accommodate access flooring during
the transfer negotiations.

The Access Flooring Association was advised, therefore,
to contact the British Standards Institute (BSI),who are
the United Kingdom representatives at the CEN, as a first
step on the road to a European standard.

The 'Proposal for a new project' (Form A), that is
proposal for a new European standard, is usually
submitted by the member country of CEN having a
particular interest in the subject, for discussion and
acceptance by the Technical Board.

CEN received a 'Form A' for the drafting of a European
Standard for Access Flooring on 9 March 1989; the
secretariat proposed for the work is BSI. Ongoing
discussion are being held at CEN level.

As far as the standards of the Property Services Agency
are concerned, it is the practice of CEN to take into
account all relevant material when drafting a European
standard.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 708/90

by Mr Herman Verbeek, Mr Paul Staes, Mrs Claudia Roth
and Mr Yves Cochet (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/73)

_Subject:_ Schengen consultations and agreements

(a) How does the Commission view the fact that five
Member States, acting in advance of the Community
internal market, propose to conclude a separate
agreement concerning their borders with each other as
part of what is known as the Schengen consultation
process?

(b) Is it true that the Commission attends the Schengen
consultations as an observer and, if so, can the
Commission indicate what the legal basis for this observer
status is?

(c) Does the Commission regard the (draft) Schengen
agreements as an appropriate model for the European
Community as a whole with regard to freedom of
movement and residence for individuals, to the law
governing aliens and policy on visas, to tackling drug
trafficking, to cooperation between police forces, to
international cooperation between judicial authorities in
criminal proceedings (including extradition), to granting
police investigation officers the right to pursue suspects,
and to drawing up a wanted-person register?

(d) How does the Commission view the refusal by the
parties to the talks to allow the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees to attend the Schengen consultations?

(e) Does the Commission agree that the draft
Schengen agreement contains inadequate safeguards for
individuals legitimately invoking the Convention on
refugees and, as such, represents a retrograde
development with regard to refugees' rights?

(f) Is the Commission in a position to urge the five
governments concerned to submit the draft agreements
forthwith to the five national parliaments and to the
European Parliament?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 May 1990)_

1., 2. and 3. The Honourable Member's attention is
drawn to the statement by the Commission in the course
of the debate on the free movement of persons during
Parliament's March 1990 part-session.

4. It is not for the Commission to comment on a refusal

by the Schengen group to allow the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees to attend its meetings.

5. No. In their draft agreements on the implementation
of the Schengen Agreement, the Member States

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/39

concerned reaffirm their commitment to the Geneva

Convention of 28 July 1951 relaing to the Status of
Refugees.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 709/90

by Mr Jose Ruiz-Mateos Jiminez de Tejada and Mr Carlos
Perreau de Pinninck Domenech (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/74)

_Subject:_ Shipping accidents off the coast of Galicia

The waters off the coast of the region of Galicia in
north-west Spain are among the most heavily used by
shipping throughout Europe.

They are frequently the scene of disasters and accidents
which unfortunately entail fatalities, economic loss and
serious risks to the ecosystem in the area.

Since this problem affects vessels from many Member
States, what preventive measures are being considered
with a view to preventing such accidents and limiting their
adverse effects?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

The Commission of the European Communities fully
shares the general concern and preoccupation regarding
maritime safety and in particular the massive pollution
caused by ship accidents. In this context the Commission
has followed with great interest the most recent incidents
which have occurred off the Atlantic coasts of Spain and
Portugal.

For some time now the Commission has been engaged
upon several important courses of action aimed at
protecting the maritime environment against accidental
pollution by oil tankers.

The EEC task force, created to provide every possible
assistance to the authorities in cases of a marine pollution
emergency, is fully operational and has participated with
success in several important incidents such as those
involving the 'Patmos' tanker in the Messina Straits; the
'Kowloon Bridge' and the 'Capo Emma' off Ireland, the
cargo ship 'Cason' loaded with dangerous substances in
the north-west of Spain, the 'Marao' tanker off Portugal
and the 'Khark 5' in Morocco and Spain, and also the
'Aragon' off Spain. For more than two months the task
force has been involved in the intervention in Portoa

Santo Island Madeira, and the operation for combating
the massive pollution affecting the Island.

The Commission is now actively participating in
large-scale initiatives for a convention on internatinal
cooperation on oil pollution preparedness and response in
emergencies and is also ready to support any initiatiave
for the establishment of an organization to prevent and
combat accidental pollution of the Atlantic coasts of
Spain, France and Portugal.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1297/89 by Mr
Fernandez-Albor about maritime safety.

In connection with the recent maritime pollution incidents
the Spanish Government has submitted a draft Council
resolution about the prevention of accidents causing
marine pollution. At the Transport Council of 29/3/1990
the Commission supported the intentions of the draft
resolution. It has already announced that it will
investigate what measures can be undertaken.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 729/90

by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 March 1990)_

(90/C 233/75)

_Subject:_ Financing of creches under the Regional Fund

At a meeting of the Association of Elected Local and
Regional Representatives, Commissioner Millan states
that creches can be financed under the Regional Fund if
the economic benefit thereof can be established.

What criteria are used for determining 'economic
benefit'?

How many creches have already been financed under the
Regional Fund, and in what regions are they located?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _May 1990)_

The ERDF can help to finance creches, in the same way as
other social facilities, only where they constitute an
integral part of the infrastructure of area of economic
activity and contribute directly to the creation or
preservation of jobs.

Creches which the ERDF has already helped to finance
therefore always fall within the framework of an
operational programme. Since such programmes are, in
the Commission's case, administered on the basis of
sub-programmes and mergers rather than individual

No C 233/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

projects, the Commission has no means of knowing, from
the information currently at its disposal, the precise
number of creches already cofinanced by the ERDF or
details of their location.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 809/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4 April 1990)_

(90/C 233/76)

_Subject:_ Ratification of the Vienna Convention

Which Community Member States have ratified the
Vienna Convention on judicial cooperation in the fight
against drug trafficking?

Does the Council believe that ratification is important as a
means to this end? What is it prepared to do to ensure that
the Convention is ratified?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

All the Member States have initiated proceedings with a
view to ratifying the Vienna Convention.

Whether or not Member States ratify this Convention is a
matter for them alone.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 810/90

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 233/77)

_Subject:_ The European Employment Survey

When will the Council set up the European Employment
Survey, provided for by the resolution of 30 December
1989?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

It is for the Commission and the Member States to set up
the European Employment Survey provided for by the
resolution of 30 November 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 811/90

by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 233/78)

_Subject:_ France's application of regulations concerning
the transfer of second category public
undertakings

The Commission's attention is drawn to fact that France

is applying the regulation concerning the transfer of
second category public undertakings ('airing' of the
public sector — Articles 20 and 21 of Law No 86-912 of 6
August 1986).

In so far as Community companies may be interested in
acquiring French second category public enterprises and
in so far as any such undertakings which are transferred
may have activities which extend beyond a strictly French
context, the procedurers and practices described in the
document transferred directly to the Commission may
come in conflict with the provisions of Articles 3 and 85 of
the Treaty of Rome.

Can the Commission say what measures it intends to take
to ensure that there is normal and free competition
between all the candidates for the acquisition of second
category public undertakings in France?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 June 1990)_

The Commission considers that it is not generally
competent to act in the matter referred to by the
Honourable Member.

It would point out, however, that, as regards the effects
on competition, the acquisition of second-category public
undertakings will be covered by Council Regulation
(EEC) No 4064/89 on the control of concentrations
between undertakings ('), which will enter into force on
21 September 1990, when the conditions for applying this
Regulation will have been met.

0) OJ No L 395, 30. 12. 1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 812/90

by Mrs Michele Alliot-Marie (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 233/79)

_Subject:_ Community measures for employment in the
French department of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques

1. Can the Commission supply estimated figures, for
each sector, of the number of jobs created and/or

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 23,3/41

safeguarded in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques between 1979
and 1989 as a result of assistance provided by the various
Community funds (ESF, ERDF, EAGGF, etc.), the EIB
andtheECSC?

2. Can it provide a detailed list, with figures, of the
various measures carried out in that region between 1979
and 1989?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1990)_

In view of the length of its answer, which includes a
number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 849/90

by Mr Yves Verwaerde (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(4_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 233/80)

_Subject:_ Programme of vocational training for the
long-term unemployed

Following the initiative taken by the Council, the
Commission has just submitted an action programme on
continuous vocational training in undertakings, which the
Council is likely to adopt shortly. In view of the interest of
the current President of the Council in dealing with
long-term unemployment, does the Commission not
consider that it should ask the Commission to draw up a
specific action programme for training the long-term
unemployed, to be endowed with significant budget
appropriations, regardless of ESF appropriations, and to
be implemented without delay?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

1. The Community devotes considerable sums to
dealing with long-term unemployment, particularly in the
context of achieving Objective No 3 of the Structural
Funds.

2. The Presidency is very much aware of the
seriousness of the problem and submitted to the Council a
draft resolution on actions to assist the long-term
unemployed in which the need for vocational training
support is recognized (including the preventive aspect of
such training).

The Council (Labour and Social Affairs) adopted both
the resolution on long-term unemployment and the

Decision on the action programme on continuing
vocational training (Force) at its meeting on 29 May 1990.
On that occasion, the Council considered that an
adequate proportion of the indicative amount of ECU 600
million set aside by the Commission for a Community
initiative on strengthening human resources should be
devoted to assistance for the long-term unemployed.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 870/90

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(9 April 1990)_

(90/C 233/81)

_Subject:_ Council meetings outside Brussels

Can the Council indicate the cost (removals, interpreters,
rentals, sessional costs, etc.) of holding Council meeting
outside Brussels and, in particular, of the meeting held in
Dublin in December 1989?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

1. In reply to the Honourable Member's question, it
should be noted that under the terms of the Decision of 8

April 1965 on the provisional location of certain
institutions and departments of the Communities, naming
Luxembourg, Brussels and Strasbourg as provisional
working places of the institutions, the Council meets in
Brussels but holds its April, June and October meetings in
Luxembourg.

There is therefore no reason why the Council should give
details of the cost of these meetings on the basis of their

venue.

Finally, the Honourable Member is informed that the
Council did not meet in Dublin in December 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 892/90

by Mr Kenneth Collins (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 April 1990)_

(90/C 233/82)

_Subject:_ Community spirits exports to Korea

Although the opening of the Korean domestic market to
imported spirits took place on 1 January 1990 with the
lifting of the remaining quota restrictions, EC spirits
exports continue to be severely impeded by high and
discriminatory duty and tax rates, a restrictive wholesale
licensing system and legislation prohibiting foreign
participation in importation and distribution.

No C 233/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

In these circumstances, will the Commission please advise
what action is being taken to urge the Korean
Government to:

— reduce and equalize the duty/tax rates,

— replace the _ad valorem_ taxation system by a 'specific'
system of taxation, based on alcohol content, for
spirits,

— allow all wholesalers to apply for a lincence to handle
imported spirits without the necessity of concluding
transaction agreements with three Korean
liquor-producing companies and without restriction
on when they may apply,

— permit foreign participation in importation and
distribution, and

— liberalize the market for liqueurs ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 June 1990)_

The Commission has discussed with the Korean

authorities on many occasions the problems encountered
in the export of spirits to Korea.

Certain progress has been made in the opening of Korea's
market for alcoholic beverages in recent months. Most
alcoholic beverages are now on the automatic import list
— with the notable exception of liqueurs. Import duties
have been reduced, distribution restrictions have been
relaxed and foreign investment in importation and
distribution will be allowed as from 1 January 1991.

Despite these improvements, however, many problems
still exist. The most important ones are in the fields of
internal taxation and wholesale/retail distribution. The

Commission has detailed these problems in an
aide-memoire which was handed over to the Korean

authorities at the beginning of March. Technical
discussions on this matter took place in Seoul in May
1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 910/90

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando, Mr Nino Pisoni and Mr Franco
Borgo (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(17 April 1990)_

(90/C 233/83)

_Subject:_ Ban on the use of hormones in livestock farming

The long-lasting debate on the banning of hormones in
stock farming for meat production demanded by farmers

and consumers was closed as a result of the decisive and

unequivocal action taken by Parliament and the other
European institutions — the ban became law throughout
the Community as of 1 January 1988.

After that date, the United States, which exports meat
containing oestrogen to Europe, did not accept the ban
but retaliated by imposing high customs duties on the
EEC, which penalized Italy in particular.

In the face of this 'hormone war' it would seem, at least
according to certain press reports, that the ban is being
relaxed in some Community countries, particularly the
United Kingdom and Italy.

In addition to this, the present ban may be put into
question again if the Community accepts the US proposal
to make the legal and scientific validity of its provision
subject to yet another 'expert opinion' and adapt it to the
new circumstances. Will the Commission therefore:

1. say whether these reports are true and, if so, what
official position it intends to adopt?

2. firmly reject this possibility and abide by its decision,
so as to avoid causing confusion among producers and
consumers and making the Community institutions
lose credibility?

3. appeal to GATT, if necessary, for a ruling on the
legitimacy of the reprisals carried out by the United
States?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

No news of any relaxation in the application of
Community legislation prohibiting the use of certain
substances having a normal action in livestock production
has been brought to the attention of the Council, and
specifically not by the Commission. The latter has,
moreover, not submitted any proposal to the Council to
amend that legislation.

It will be recalled that it is for the Commission to ensure

that the Directives which the Council has adopted in thies
field are implemented properly and, in particular, to
ensure that there are not failures to comply with
Community rules in connection with the Community
inspection procedure laid down in Directives
64/433/EEC (*) and 72/462/EEC ( [2] ).

P B 9 9 0 COfficial]ournal of the European Communities c ^ o C ^ B ^

It is also for the Commission to uphold Community
legislation within the framework of the common
commercialpolicypursuanttoArticle M^oftheTreaty.

^ e ^ i ^ L ^ ^ ^ m ^ m ^ ^ D ^

bylvlrDieter^o^alla^^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^90BC^^B8^

^ ^ c r . A r b i t r a r y action by member ^tate authorities
r^CobiernoCivilde ^ta. Cru^deleneriffa^ to

deny individuals the ri^ht of establishment

P Is the Commission aware of the case of ^vir

^olf^an^Loewe from ^iunster,achef experienced in the
catering trade, and his Cerman partner Michael l^oehler,
whoacquiredthe^CafeEuropa'inBaiamar^enerife^,
Spanish Canary Islands, ^pain^ in August 1989 and
proposed to continue to run it, backed byacontract, from
^eptember!989 onwards, but were prevented from doin^
so by local authorities, including those referred to in the
heading, on grounds which evidently conflict with
Community ri^ht of establishments

^. Is the Commission prepared to rectify matters
without delays

^. If not, is the Commission prepared to acquaint itself
promptlywith the facts ofthematteron the spot and to be
iust as prompt to ensure that the individuals concerned
are in a position to enioy forthwith their Community
rights offree movement as businessmen^^ill it notifythe
European parliament in this re^ard^

^. Can the Commission confirm that nationals of a

^iember^taterequireneitherresidencevisas nor work
permits to carry onabusiness in another member ^tate^

^. Does the Commission believe that proceedings
should be brought for infringement of the Treaty,
pursuant to Article 1D9 of theTreaty,and will it keep me
fully informed about the progress thereof^

D. Does the Commission a^ree that the individuals

referred to in question! are entitled to damages for loss
of earnings since ^eptember!989^^hat action will it take
to enforce their ri^hts^

Answer ^ven by ^rBan^emann
on behalf of the Commission

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

P r h e Commission has taken note of the facts

reported bythefdonourable member.

^.,^.and^. .Che Commission is naturally prepared to
take appropriate steps to ensure that Community law is
complied with.nevertheless,if it is to be inaposition to
take such steps and, where necessary, to institute
appropriate proceedings, it would need to be in
possession of further information on the difficulties
encountered by^virLoewe. It would,therefore, ask the
fdonourable^emberto let it have all the details necessary
forinvesti^atin^ the case.

^t Under Articled of Directive ^Bt^t8BEEC^, a
^residence permit foranationalofa^iember^tate of the
European Communities^ must be issued by the host
member ^tate to nationals of other member states who

establish themselves within its territory.^o visa or work
permit is required.

D. Thequestionof dama^esforlossof earnin^sisa
matterforthe courts ofthe member ^tate in question.

^ C o ] ^ o L t ^, ^ D m 9 ^

W^IT^E^^UE^T^^^o9^tB90

by^rEihpposPierros^PPE^

to the Commission of the European Communities

t^9eBC^B8^

^^crBCommission'sresponsetolurkey'sapplication
for accession to the Community

In response toTurkey'sapplication for accessionto the
Community,the Commission says that human rights and
respect for the identity of minorities have not yet reached
the requisite level forademocracy.

In respect of minorities, does the Commissionconsider
thatTurkey should explicitly reco^ni^e the section of the
l^urdishpopulation^known as mountainlurks^ living on
its territory and restore their rights in accordance with the
Helsinki Agreements and, at the same time, acknowledge
its own history and admit that the tragic events of!91^to
191B^ in which the Armenians were victims, constituted
genocide within the meaning of the United nations
Conventionof9Decemberl9^8 on the prevention and
punishment of the crime of ^enocide^

Answer^ivenbyl^r^atutes
on behalf of the Commission

In the opinion which it delivered onl8Decemberl989 on
Turkey's application for membership, the Commission
referred to certain political problems, notably observance

No C 233/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

of human rights, which it considers to be one of the
factors which preclude the possibility of negotiations
being opened before 1993.

The Commission considers that Turkey, as a signatory of
the Helsinki Agreement within the Conference on
Security and Cooperation in Europe, should ensure that
the national minorities living there are equal in the eyes of
the law and enjoy full human rights and fundamental
freedoms. The Commission will keep a watchful eye on
this situation.

As regards the tragic events of 1915—17 as a result of
which hundreds of thousands of Armenians died, the
Commission requests the Honourable Member to refer to
the answer it gave to Written Question No 62/90 from
MrVandemeulebroucke (').

(') OJNoC145, 14.6. 1990, p. 15.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 952/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 April 1990)_

(90/C 233/86)

_Subject:_ Kidnapping by parents and elimination of
internal Community frontiers

In Belgium the number of child kidnappings committed
by one of the divorced or separated parents has doubled
since 1984 (when the Foreign Ministry recorded 157
cases). Although in 1988, 41 % of parents kidnapping their
children were from the Maghreb countries, this problem
is not confined to 'mixed' couples, since an increasing
number of such kidnappings involve Belgian couples, one
of the parents taking refuge abroad with the children.

This development is likely to worsen with the approach of
1992 and the implementation of the 'Schengen
Agreement' involving the elimination of borders.
Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom, Community
Member States with a high immigration level, are
particularly affected by this problem.

Can the Commission say:

— what measures it will take to curb and monitor this

development, particularly in connection with the
future elimination of internal borders,

— whether it is giving financial or other support to
efforts by associations such as 'Missing Children',

which was set up in 1989 in Belgium to help all
Belgian children or children residing in Belgium who
are kidnapped or forcibly taken away in this manner?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 June 1990)_

The problem of 'legal kidnapping' is dealt with in the
context of European Political Cooperation (EPC). In
1989, within the EPC Working Party on judicial
cooperation in civil matters, an undertaking was given by
those Member States which had not yet done so that they
would sign and/or ratify the Convention on the civil
aspects of international child abduction (The Hague, 25
October 1980) and the European Convention on
recognition and enforcement of decisions concerning
custody of children and on restoration of custody of
children (Luxembourg, _20_ May 1980).

The Commission is not giving any financial or other
support to associations such as 'Missing Children'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 960/90

by Mr Herman Verbeek (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(2_ _5_ _April 1990)_

(90/C 233/87)

_Subject:_ Employee consultation in the public sector at
European level

According to information provided by the Dutch
AbvaKabo (trade union for employees in public service,
education, health and welfare) approximately 17% of all
European employees, a total of 23 million people, are
employed by public sector undertakings and institutions.

Freedom of movement in the internal market will also

have implications for public services in the EC Member
States. However, no moves have yet been made towards
the development or consultation between employers and
employees in the public sector.

Does the Council recognize the importance of employee
consultation for public services at European level and if so
it prepared to take the initiative in launching such
consultations?

Answer

_(23 July 1990)_

In accordance with Article 118b of the EEC Treaty, it is
for the Commission to endeavour to develop the dialogue
between management and labour at European level.

n^^o official journal of the European Communities ^ o C ^ 3 B ^

byMrsCor^cepcioPer^er^P^

to the Council of the European Communities

^ O B C ^ B ^

^ ^ c ^ . situation of Portuguese and Spanish students in
Prance

It has come to my attention that young people from ^pain
and Portugal wishing to study in Prance are required to
completeaset of procedures whichare not requiredof
students from the other Community Member states,
^pecifically^they are required to obtaina^isa^ for which
purpose it is necessary to show that they holdacurrent
account in their country of origins that they ha^e
sufficient resources to hEe on and that they ha^e
undergone a medical examination with satisfactory
results. If theydonotobtaina^isa^itisimpossibleto
acquirearesidence permit.

Is the Council aware of this undeniable form of

discrimination against Spanish and Portuguese citizens
compared with other Community citi^ens^

Is it acceptable in any instance foraCommunity Member
^tate to oblige Community nationals to producea^isa^

^ h a t measures can the Council take to end this situations

Answer

The Council has no knowledge of the facts referred to by
the Honourable Member.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that

it is theresponsibilityof the Commissionto ensure the
application ofthefreaty and ofthe provisions adopted by
the institutions pursuantthereto.

^ ^ T T E ^ ^ ^ T l ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

byMrC^osCarvaihas^C^

to the Council of the European Communities

^ O B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . Identity card for members of antifascist
resistance movements

Various associations of antifascist resistance movements

^ t h e Belgian Independence Pront and the C^rap^nion
of AntiPascist Portuguese resistance Mo^ements^ —
affiliated to thelnternationalPederation of AntiPascist

ResistanceMo^ementsha^erightlybeencallingforan
official identity card entitling their members to reductions
in the price of public transports ^especially railways^
Museums and cultural activities in all Community
Member states.

Moes the Council intend to take any steps in this
directions

Answer

ItistheCommission^sresponsibilitytodecidewhethermn
the content of possible Community actions the points
made by theHonourableMembershouldbe taken into
consideration.

^^PP^E^^E^t^^^O^^DB^O

hyMrsTeresaOomingo^e^arra^CUE^

to the Council of the European CommumUes

^ O B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . C o m p e n s a t i o n f o r former politicalprisonersin
^pain

Unlike other Member states of the European
Community^such as Pranced Italy^thePederal republic
of Cermanymhe Netherlands and Belgium^ which ha^e at
some time promulgated laws compensating the victims of
the ^a^i and Pascist movements and providing them with
pensions^pain still hasamoral debt towards those of its
citizens who suffered many years^ imprisonment for
opposition to the Pranco regime and the defence of
democracy in ^pain.

A c t ^ o l^Bt^^ of ^]une^which recognised the years
spent in prison for the purposes of social security
contributions^ has^ by itself^ benefited a ^ery small
numberof former prisoners. Pormer political prisoners
are unanimously calling for general compensation for
each year spent in prison.

Itisnownecessarytotakeagenerous decision without
delay.PewerthantOOO persons are affected and most of
these former prisoners are o^er^O years old and suffering
from illhealthasaresult of theiryears of imprisonment.

How can the Council ensure that the Spanish
Co^ernment takes measures to remedy this huustice^
providing compensation for the suffering inflicted by the
dictatorship and thereby turning the final page of one of
the most troubled chapters ofEuropeanhistoryB

No C 233/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Answer

_(1_ _August 1990)_

The problem raised by the Honourable Member is of
great importance to the persons concerned. As the
Council does not have the power to take the measures
suggested by the Honourable Member, it would invite her
to submit the matter directly to the appropriate competent
authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1009/90

by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz Gimenez Aguilar (LDR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 233/91)

_Subject:_ Management fund for the tropical rainforests

Does the Commission intend to set up a fund in the draft
budget for 1991 under item 9461 — Tropical forest
management fund?

What would be the sum allocated?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

The Council attaches great importance to the
conservation and efficient and sustainable management of
tropical forests. Its subsidiary bodies are currently
examining the Commission communication on the role
the Community could play in this area. At the Council
meeting on 29 May 1990, the Ministers for Development
Cooperation examined this issue.

On the question of the drafting of the budget for the 1991
financial year, the Honourable Member is reminded that
the budgetary procedure, which is the responsibility of the
two branches of the budget authority (the European
Parliament and the Council) has not yet begun.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1049/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/92)

_Subject:_ 'Observers' as representatives of the regions at
Council level

The 'observer' of the _Lander_ of the Federal Republic in
the European Communities has been a standing
institution since the signing of the Treaty of Rome, and
plays an important role in the flow of information from
the Brussels institutions to the _Lander._ The 'observer' is

appointed by the Conference of Ministers of the
Economy of the _Lander._

An agreement exists between the Federal Government and
the _Lander_ whereby the representative of the latter may
attend Council meetings as observer, without the right to
speak or to vote, but with access to the documents
forwarded to the governments of the Member States by
the Council Secretariat.

As both the institution itself and the role it plays are
extraordinarily attractive can the Council say whether the
institution of 'observer' exists in any other Member State,
and whether it does not believe that it could very usefully
be extended to each and every Member State, with each of
the autonomous regions of the Member States possessing
its own 'observer'?

Answer

_(1 August 1990)_

Under Article 2 of the Treaty of Brussels of 8 April 1965
establishing a single Council and a single Commission of
the European Communities:

'The Council shall consist of representatives of the
Member States. Each Government shall delegate to it
one of its members.'

It follows from this provision that the members of the
Council are members of national Governments and that it

is for the Government of each Member State to appoint
one of its members to represent it at each Council
meeting, irrespective of the internal distribution of
powers between the national Government and the
regional authorities within the Member State concerned.
Each Member State is therefore represented within the
Council by a member of its national Government unless
that member is prevented from attending a meeting, in
which case the situation is covered by Article 4 of the
Council's rules of procedure.

In addition, each member of the Council may be
accompanied by one or more delegates whose choice rests
with the individual Government.

The Council does not have any information as to whether
Member States other than Germany have set up an
institution or body of the type described by the
Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1061/90

by Mrs Sylvie Mayer (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/93)

_Subject:_ Professional qualifications for geologists

Can the Commission indicate the statutory position
concerning geologists in the Member States and the

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/47

standards of university courses leading to professional
qualification as a geologist?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 June 1990)_

The Commission would point out to the Honourable
Member that it does not have any precise information on
the statutory position of geologists or the standards of
university courses. Regulation of the profession of
geologist, in particular the establishment of a specific
legal status, is a matter solely for the Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1068/90

by Mr Antoine Waechter (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/94)

_Subject:_ Establishment of an oil refinery with a capacity
of 150 000 barrels/day at Port Louis,
Guadeloupe

If the Poseidom report indicates the Commission's
willingness to take account of the specific aspects of the
French overseas departements and in particular the
fragility of their eco-systems, does not the application to
establish an oil refinery at Port Louis, Guadeloupe, run
counter to the conclusions of this report?

Will the establishment of a refinery near the Grand Cul de
Sac Marin nature reserve not only harm the reserve but
also the attraction of Guadeloupe for tourists, which is
also inconsistent with the Commission's desire to aid

these peripheral regions and to develop their own
resources?

Lastly, does this plan not represent an outmoded attitude
in the Community, where the rich countries with stringent
standards still permit themselves to export their pollution
and to exploit accomodating regions, in this case
peripheral European regions ?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

1. The Council has not been informed of the

application to which the Honourable Member refers in
his question. In so far as it relates to the implementation
of the Poseidom programme established by Council
Decision 89/687/EEC of 22 December 1989 C), the

question should be put to the Commission, which is
responsible in particular for the management of the
existing Community instruments that would be involved.

2. It should nevertheless by remembered that the
Council, aware of the need to take effects on the
environment into account at the earliest possible stage in
all the technical planning and decision-making processes,
adopted the Directive on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment ( [2] )
on 27June 1985.

That Directive provides for the implementation of impact
study procedures, including consultations of the public.

3. Under Article 2 of the Directive, Member States
must adopt all measures necessary to ensure that, before
consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects
on the environment by virtue _inter alia_ of their nature, size
or location, as would seem to be the case regarding the
project to which the Honourable Member refers, are
made subject to an assessment with regard to their effects.

4. In this respect the Member States must:

— adopt the necessary measures to ensure that the
developer supplies the relevant information on the
project,

— take the necessary measures to ensure that the
authorities likely to be concerned by the project by
reason of their specific environmental responsibilities
are given the opportunity to express their opinion on
the application for development consent,

— ensure that the public concerned is given the
opportunity to express an opinion before the project
is initiated.

5. The information thus obtained has to be taken into

consideration in the development consent procedure.

O OJ No L 399, 30. 12. 1989, p. 39.
O OJNoL 175,5.7. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1078/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/95)

_Subject:_ Additional protection certificate for
pharmaceutical products

Does the Commission not fear that its introduction of an

additional protection certificate for pharmaceutical
products, which extends the actual period of validity of
patents, will reduce competition at a time when research

No C 233/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

and development activity in the Community
pharmaceuticals sector has been declining for several
years?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1990)_

The proposal for a Regulation concerning the creation of
a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal
products ('), which the Commission recently sent to the
Council, is in fact specifically intended to strengthen
research and development activity within the Community.

Research in this high-risk area, where the self-financing
cycle depends crucially on pay-back, is being discouraged
by the gradual reduction in the period of effective patent
protection for medicinal products, due to the increasing
length of time taken by marketing authorization
procedures.

Moreover, one of the best means of stimulating
competition between firms is the protection of innovation
through exclusive rights; this is particularly true in a
sector like pharmaceuticals, where competition is based
on product quality rather than on price.

The introduction of the supplementary protection
certificate will merely postpone competition between
research laboratories and manufacturers of

non-proprietary products, by delaying the latters' access
to the market; it will not change the rules governing such
competition, or the conditions under which competition
operates.

O COM(90) 101 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1086/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/96)

_Subject:_ Student loan scheme in the United Kingdom

Is the Council aware of the fact that the United Kingdom
Government is attempting to replace its university grant
scheme by a system of student loans? This proposed
action is causing immense concern and anger among
students, who feel that it will deny them their inalienable
right to a free education.

Will the Council discuss this matter at the next meeting of
Education Ministers and propose that the present system
of university grants is maintained?

Answer

_(20 July 1990)_

The situation regarding the provision of loans and/or
grants for university students varies widely among the
Member States, and decisions on such matters are in their

hands.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1105/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/97)

_Subject:_ Situation in Liberia and attitude of the
Community

Since the 'elections' of October 1985, characterized by
general intimidation, the exile and arrest of numerous
political figures, the closing down of newspapers and
flagrant irregularities in the counting of votes, the regime
of President Samuel K. Doe is now facing a rebellion in
the Nimba region. This rebellion is being repressed with
extreme cruelty (by means of a scorched earth policy and
very brutal massacres) causing 120 000 people to seek
refuge over the border. The confrontation is also taking
on tribal dimensions (the Krahn which currently hold
power are carrying out 'preventive' reprisals against the
Gios and Manos tribes) while 'disappearances' are
becoming increasingly frequent in the capital.

In view of this, the US House of Representatives and
Senate have suppressed the US aid programme (although
military advisers are remaining in Nimba to improve the
combat 'technique' of government units) despite the
enormous advantages traditionally granted by Monrovia
to Washington: Voice of America broadcasts throughout
Western Africa, special landing and refuelling rights for
the US Air Force, information, favourable treatment of
the giant rubber company, Firestone, etc. On 14 April the
Twelve expressed their 'deep concern'.

1. Since 1 January 1986, how much aid has been granted
to Liberia under Lome III and through the European
Development Fund?

^ . ^ 0 COfficial Journal of the European Communities ^ o C ^ B ^

^. Cover the same period how much bilateral aid has been
granted by European Community member ^tates^

^. ^ o u l d it not he appropriate to ^free^e^ assistance
under Lome IN and PV pending the conclusions of an
international committee of inquiry convened and
organised on anohiective and equalhasis with the
ACP countries and thereportshy thelnternational
Red Cross Committees

^. Is it not necessary to take measures to ensure the
presence of attentive on-the-spot observers for the
presidential elections to be held inl^t,assuming that
President lOoecompletes his termof office, and to
attempt to defuse without delay, if possible, the
extremely violent tribal and nonDtribal
confrontations^

Answer

P As regards aid granted by the Community to Liberia
under theLome Convention, the rionourable^iember^s

attention is drawnto the fact that it is the Commission

which is responsible for implementing Community aid
programmes and proiects. however, according to
information available to the Council, the Lome NT
indicative programme for Liberia was fi^ed at ECL^
^million. Lender the Lome IN programme ECL^
30,^ million ^ ^ has been covered by financing
agreements, of which ECL^ D,D million r^t^,D^ of the
indicative programmed has been formally committed and
ECL^^,^ million ^,^^actually disbursed.

^. The Council does not have any detailed information
on bilateral aid granted to Liberia by individual member

states.

^. Respect for human rights remains a constant
concern of theTwelve.The honourable member will be

aware that the new Lome Convention, signed on ^
MecemberP^^, contains specific provisions concerning
human rights in order to encourage their respect and
promotion, which the Community and its member states
consider necessaryfor^eal development. As in the past, in
cases of serious and continued violation of fundamental

human rights,the Community reserves the right to issuea
public political condemnation and to alter the
implementation of cooperation.

In the case of Liberia, on t^t April 1^0, the Twelve
formally reiterated to the Liberian authorities inapublic
statement the deep concern of the European Community
and its member states at the continuing tragic situation in
^imba County.

^ince the Twelvers initial expression of concern in
January, tens of thousands have fled to neighbouring
states, thousands have been displaced within Liberia and
hundreds of civilians have been killed, killings have been

committed both by members of the Liberian armed forces
and those opposed to the (Government, ^hile
condemning violence from whatever quarter, theTwelve
believe that the armed forces have a responsibility to
respecthuman rights and to act at all times inadisciplined
manner.lndiscriminate actions only bring discredit on the
forces themselves and reflect negatively on the
Government of Liberia.

TheTwelve urged most strongly on the Government of
Liberia to pursue a course of reconciliation so that a
solution by peaceful means can be found tothe current
tragicsituation.

In view of the steady worsening of the situation, the
Commission^sdelegation in Monrovia was withdrawn on
^1 ^viay andallnormalcooperationproiectshavebeen
stopped, although humanitarian assistance in Liberia and
to Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries is
continuing.

^ ^ I T T E ^ ^ t a E ^ T ^ ^ ^ o i t ^ B ^

hylvirEmestGhnne^

to the Council ofthe European Cor^munities

^ O B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . ^ i a n a g e m e n t, seat, and resources of the
European Bank of Reconstruction and
fOevelopment

P ^ h a t proportion of the total financial resources
contributed by the^shareholders is accounted to by the
Twelve, collectively and individually^ ^ h a t is the
situation as regards the other ^0 shareholders^

^. ^ h a t conclusions should be drawn from the special
mission already entrusted to the Commission and the
European Investment Bank regarding the proposed
choice of an eminent Erench personality to head the
European Bank for reconstruction and foevelopment^of
Eastern Europe^ and the location of the Bank^s seat
Strasbourg or Paris, no doubts

^. ^ o u l d it be possible for copies of the Bank^s
^ article ^CharteP to be sentto the European Parliament
^ecretariatforthe benefit of interested ^viembers^

Answer

The Council has consulted the Parliament on the proposal
submitted by the Commission for a Precision o^ the
conclusion of the Articles of Agreement establishing a
European Bank for Reconstruction and development.

No C 233/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

An Annex to that proposal sets out the Articles of
Agreement signed on 29 May 1990 by all those who took
part in the negotiations, in particular the Twelve, the
Community as such and the EIB.

The Honourable Member will find in the Articles of

Agreement the information sought on the breakdown of
the capital and the seat of the Bank. The Conference of
Signatory Parties designated Mr Attali as the Bank's
future President on the basis of the procedure laid down
in Article 30 of the Articles of Agreement.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1117/90

by Mrs Nel van Dijk (V), Mr Anna Catasta (GUE) and
Mrs Mireille Elmalan (CG)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/99)

_Subject:_ Free access to information about services in the
Member States

In Ireland, women's information centres have been
forbidden by the courts to provide information about
services legally available in another EC Member State.
This case concerns information about the possibility of
obtaining a legal abortion in the United Kingdom. A
further case related to free access to information about

services in other EC Member States has been referred to

the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

How does the Council view this matter, particularly
during the completion of the internal market and in the
light of the planned freedom to provide services; what
_does_ the Council intend to do in order to guarantee
citizens residing in the European Community free access
to information about services and free access to services in

other EC Member States?

Answer

_(23 July 1990)_

In its resolution of 9 November 1989 (') on future
priorities for relauching consumer protection policy, the
Council invited the Commission to bring to a conclusion,
in consultation with national experts, the work already
begun on the report on a general information policy for

consumers.

The Council awaits specific Commission proposals in this
connection.

(') OJ No C 294, 22. 11.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1117/90

by Mr Frederic Rosmini (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/100)

_Subject:_ Relations between the Community and the
Mediterranean countries

Current trends in the Mediterranean countries and the

completion of the Single Market show that Community
and multilateral machinery is inadequate to today's needs.

Mr E. Rhein, the Director-General for the Communities'
External Relations, has put forward specific proposals
that are all the more urgent in that the countries
concerned legitimately fear the priority being given to the
Eastern European countries, which is likely to exclude
them from a growing number of projects.

What is the Council's position on this report and what
action does it intend to take?

Answer

_(23 July 1990)_

At a time of crucial developments in Europe, the
importance of the Community's relations with its
Mediterranean partners and its commitment to
strengthening them, given the situation in that region and
the increased interdependence between the Community
and the Mediterranean countries, have been emphasized
not only by the Council at its meeting on _27_ November
1989 but also by the European Council at its meeting on 8
December 1989.

The European Council considered that the Community
should in the coming months flesh out its policy of
neighbourly relations with the Mediterranean States, with
which it has long had preferential ties, and that the
specific relationship with the Mediterranean countries
should be intensified and make it possible to support them
in their efforts towards cooperation with Europe,
regional integration and economic development.

It asked the Council to adapt, on the basis of the
Commission communication on redirecting the
Community's Mediterranean policy, the instruments
provided for under the current Agreements in order to
institute the means and methods of cooperation which are
best suited to the special nature of the relations which
must develop between the Community and these
countries, taking into consideration the particular
problems of each of them.

The European Council on 28 April 1990 expressed a
similar view.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/51

Furthermore, the revised financial perspective recently
approved by the Council provides for additional resources
for the years 1991 and 1992 in order to step up
cooperation with the Mediterranean countries.

Finally, following a policy debate on the courses of action
suggested by the Commission with a view to redirecting
Mediterranean policy, the Council, at its meeting on 5
February 1990, asked the Commission to submit practical
proposals to it, which it hoped would be implemented
rapidly. Those proposals have just been submitted to the
Council and are being examined by the appropriate bodies
with a view to enabling the Council to implement its
redirected Mediterranean policy.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1238/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/101)

_Subject:_ Leros

Why has the money available to be spent on Leros
produced no improvements in living conditions for the
inmates of the institution ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1239/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/102)

_Subject:_ Leros

Why is the Greek psychiatric establishment, which is
based wholly around Athens, allowed to get away with
accepting no responsibility for conditions which it has
helped to create?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1240/90

by Mr Ian White (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 233/103)

_Subject:_ Leros

Why has the Greek Government not committed itself to
the gradual and humane closure of the Leros asylum?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1307/90

by Mr George Stevenson (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/104)

_Subject:_ Leros psychiatric colony — Greece

The Council will be aware of the critical report on
conditions in the psychiatric colony in Greece, which was
prepared in 1984 by Professor Ivor Browne, and of the
substantial sum of money voted by the EEC, to be
matched by the Member State, in order to improve the
conditions of which there had been criticism.

Can the Council ascertain why there has been no
improvement of the conditions, why the money has not
been taken up, and can the Council indicate if there is any
monitoring of the situation by any organ of the European
Community and if there is, or has been, no monitoring,
can the Council indicate why not?

Joint reply to Written Questions Nos 1238/90, 1239/90,
1240/90 and 1307/90 put by Mr White and Mr Stevenson

_(1_ _August 1990)_

The reform of the Leros psychiatric hospital is a matter
for the relevant national authorities. For details regarding
the aid allocated the ERDF and the European Social
Fund, Honourable Members should refer to the replies
given by the Commission to Written Questions Nos
810/89 O (21 December 1989), 769/89 ( [2] ), 707/89 ( [3] ),
648/89 O (22 December 1989) and 575/89 ( [5] ) (4 January
1990).

O OJNoC90,9.4. 1990, p. 26.
O OJNoC97, 17.4. 1990, p. 23.
O OJNoC97, 17.4. 1990, p. 15.
( [4] ) OJNoC97, 17. 4. 1990, p. 11.
O OJNoC 125,21.5. 1990, p. 5.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1264/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/105)

_Subject:_ Incidence of leukaemia among the children of
workers in the nuclear industry

The _British Medical Journal_ of 17 February 1990 published
the results of a study on the high incidence of leukaemia
children born near the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing
plant in West Cumbria in the United Kingdom.

No C 233/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

This study has shown a strong correlation between men
employed in the nuclear reprocessing plant and the
incidence of leukaemia among their children (compared
with the children of workers employed in other
undertakings). In addition to homogeneous irradiation of
the body, radioelements concentrate in the genito-urinary
tract (internal irradiation). As a result the spermatozoids
are subject to high doses of radioactivity, causing
increased teratogenesis. In this case, the readings given by
the dosimeters carried by workers may be lower than the
real levels.

Other factors such as contamination of the house by
radioactive substances from clothes, for example, may be
contributing to the problem.

Within its terms of reference laid down under Article 118a

on health and safety in the working environment, does the
Council intend to launch similar studies in Member States

with nuclear power stations in order to assess the real
levels of risks to workers in the nuclear industry?

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

1. The Council is aware of the study mentioned by the
Honourable Member.

However, it is not for the Council to comment on the
findings from a scientific study.

2. At Community level the radiological protection of
workers is ensured, in accordance with the provisions of
the Euratom Treaty, in particular Chapter III, by the
Directives laying down basic safety standards for the
health protection of the general public and workers
against the dangers of ionizing radiation (').

These Directives are based _inter alia_ on the results of

international scientific work carried out (International
Commission on Radiological Protection — ICRP) and an
opinion of the group of scientific experts referred to in
Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty.

3. Once it has received proposals from the Commission
— which could, in 1991, concern more especially a partial
review of these basic standards Directives in the light of
developments in scientific knowledge concerning
radiological protection — the Council will of course take
a decision on this matter.

(') See Directive 80/836/Euratom (OJ No L 246, 17. 9. 1980,
p. 2) as amended by Directive 84/467/Euratom (OJ No
L 265, 5. 10. 1984, p. 4).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1266/90

by Mrs Maria Aglietta (V)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(22_ _May 1990)_

(90/C 233/106)

_Subject:_ Safety problems in the Krsko nuclear reactor

In 1981 a 670 MW nuclear reactor came on line near

Krsko in Slovenia, 130 kilometers from the Italian border.
During its nine years of activity, 80 more or less serious
incidents have occurred.

1. Does the Council consider that incidents involving
radioactive emissions could have an impact on the
territory of a Member State, and in particular Italy,
and have emergency measures accordingly been taken
to limit the consequences of such an incident?

2. Has the Council taken the necessary measures to
check the safety of the Krsko nuclear reactor, the
effectiveness of its monitoring equipment and the safe
diposal of the radioactive waste and fuel?

3. Has the Council taken measures to launch adequate
cooperation between the Community and Yugoslavia
in the energy sector with regard to both planning and
methods of saving and generating energy, as
requested by the European Parliament in its resolution
of 21 January 1988?

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

1. With regard to the case mentioned by the
Honourable Member of a possible nuclear accident or any
other radiological emergency, the Council has adopted a
range of instruments aimed, in particular in the event of
such a situation arising, at:

— ensuring that the health of the general public is
protected against the dangers of ionizing radiation,

— providing the Community with the necessary means
of reacting jointly and swiftly to such situations,

— ensuring efficient management of such possible crisis
situations.

2. The main instruments mentioned above are the

following:

— Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22 December
1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of
radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and of

feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any
other case of radiological emergency ('), amended
and supplemented by Regulation (Euratom) No
2218/89 ( [la] ) of 18 July 1989 ( [2] ),

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/53

— Regulation (EEC) No 2219/89 of 18 July 1989 on the
special conditions for exporting foodstuffs and
feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any
other case of radiological emergency ( [5] ),

— Directive (89/618/Euratom) of 27 November 1989
on informing the general public about health
protection measures to be taken in the event of a
radiological emergency ( [4] ),

— Decision (87/600/Euratom) on Community
arrangements for the early exchange of information
in the event of a radiological emergency ( [5] ),

— Council Decisions approving the conclusion by the
Community as such of:

(a) the Convention on Early Notification of a
Nuclear Accident;

(b) the Convention on assistance in the case of a
nuclear accident or radiological emergency ( [6] ).

3. As far as the second question put by the Honourable
Member is concerned, the Council is aware of the
problems arising in connection with nuclear safety in
Central and Eastern European countries.

These issues primarily concern third countries and will
have to be addressed in particular within the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose subordinate
bodies are accordingly Engaged in their examination at
present.

With regard to the specific questions relating to the safety
of the nuclear reactor in Krsko and the disposal of waste,
products and fuel used in that reactor, the Honourable
Member will be aware that these questions are a matter
solely for the third country concerned which, moreover, is
responsible for protecting the health of its population
against the dangers of ionizing radiation.

It is not therefore for the Council to state a position on
the second question.

The Cooperation Agreement between the European
Economic Community and Yugoslavia provides for
cooperation in the energy field, the aim of which is to
encourage in particular the participation of the
Contracting Parties' economic agents in research,
production and processing programmes in connection
with Yugoslavia's energy resources and any other projects
of mutual interest.

In its Decision No 1/89 of 26 November 1989 on

cooperation between the Community and Yugoslavia, the
Cooperation Council took note of the cooperation
programme fixed by both sides for 1989 in the fields of
energy planning and rational use of energy.

Of the different activities carried out in this sphere,
mention may be made of the study visits aimed at
clarifying the form to be taken by cooperation on
co-generation, new and renewable sources of energy,
various seminars (energy management), talks with 'YugeP
on electricity, visits concerning regional energy planning
projects in the Community, the energy outlook for 2010,
Energy Buses and demonstration projects.

The Cooperation Council encouraged the Parties to lay
down for 1990 a programme reflecting their joint
priorities, and a precise timetable for specific measures.
Both sides agreed to examine in the light of the results the
possibility of providing a suitable framework for
cooperation activities on energy matters. The programme
for 1990 is still being worked out in a Commission/
Yugoslavia Working Party.

0) OJNoL371,30. 12. 1987, p. 11.
( [la] ) OJ No L 211,22. 7. 1989, p. 1.
( [2] ) Certain specific points in these provisions are supplemented
by Commission Regulations,
( [3] ) OJ No L 211,22. 7. 1989, p. 4.
( [4] ) OJNoL357,7. 12. 1989,p. 31.
( [5] ) OJ No L 371, 30. 12. 1987, p. 76.
( [6] ) Conclusion (deposit of instrument of acceptance or
approval) will take place under Article 102 of the Euratom
Treaty once all the Member States concerned have notified
the Commission that the Conventions have become

applicable in accordance with the provisions of their
respective national laws.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1313/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(28 May 1990)_

(90/C 233/107)

_Subject:_ European solidarity for the funding of liver
transplants

The St Luc clinics in Brussels are at present the only
centres in Europe capable of carrying out liver transplants
on children aged ten or under.

Since these clinics are obliged to charge patients directly
for some of the costs involved, their families are required
to pay a large deposit (about Bfrs 1 200 000). This sum is
then used, if necessary, to cover any costs not met by the
social security authorities of the patient's country of
origin.

Would it not be possible to set up a Community-funded
system to meet any additional payments arising in such
cases?

Would this not be an opportunity to give concrete and
practical expression to the concept of European
solidarity?

No C 233/54 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Answer

_(23 July 1990)_

The Council has not received any proposal from the
Commission on this subject.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1389/90

by Mrs Maartje van Putten (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/108)

_Subject:_ Treatment of conscientious objectors in Greece

What steps has the Council taken to put an end to the
continuing persecuiton of conscientious objectors in
Greece, in particular Jehovah's Witnesses, and to remedy
the bad conditions in which many of them are being held
in the Avlona military camp, not least in view of
Parliament's resolution of 13 October 1989 on this subject
(Doc. A 3-0015/89)?

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

The Council has no information on the matter raised by
the Honourable Member which in any case does not fall
within the Council's competence.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1397/90

byMrNeilBlaney(ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/109)

_Subject:_ Respect for human rights in the Community

In a written reply to my question (H-305/90) (') tabled
for Question Time on 3 April 1990 but not taken, the
Council conspicuously fails to reply in the affirmative to
my specific enquiry as to whether it is 'satisfied that basic
human rights are currently being respected in the Member
States of the Community and in particular in the six
counties of Ireland under United Kingdom rule'. Will the
Council explain what information or what considerations
prevent it from affirming that human rights are being
respected in the Community?

( [l] ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-389 (April 1990).

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

The Council would re-affirm its reply to Question
H-305/90 posed by the Honourable Member recalling
that the respect for human rights is a domain which falls
essentially within the competence of the individual
Member States to be exercised in compliance with any
international obligations undertaken by them, in
particular having regard to the European Convention on
Human Rights.

It may be recalled that the Court of Justice ensures the full
respect of human rights but only as regards the exercise of
the powers attributed to the institutions or conferred on
the national authorities for the purpose of attaining the
objectives of the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1426/90

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/110)

_Subject:_ Animal testing for cosmetics

Does the Commission have any plans to bring forward
proposals to ban animal testing for cosmetic products?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 July 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 273/90 by Lord
O'Hagan.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1440/90

by Mr Giuseppe Rauti, Mr Antonio Mazzone and Mrs
Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/111)

_Subject:_ Professional qualifications of non-Community
immigrants

It is becoming increasingly evident that a substantial
number of immigrants from non-Community countries
are doing manual jobs which are not at all commensurate

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/55

with their professional skills, although there is a shortage
of such skills in their countries of origin.

Can the Commission supply figures for each Member
State on the professional qualifications of these
immigrants and propose measures to remedy this absurd
situation?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 July 1990)_

The Commission does not have the information

requested by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1442/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/112)

_Subject:_ The establishment in the Member States of
centres for the rehabilitation of people with brain
damage and institutions for cerebrospinal

surgery

It is estimated that in the industrialized countries 150 out

of every 100 000 inhabitants are seriously disabled as a
result of serious brain damage and that such damage is
nearly always followed by permanent impairment of brain
functions such as language, social behaviour, intellectual
faculties and motor skills, although it would be possible,
with the prompt use of rehabilitation methods, to enable
people to recover all or at least part of these skills.

Since there are also a clearly inadequate number of
rehabilitation centres for the brain-damaged, can the
Commission say whether it intends to draw up a
Community directive regarding the setting-up of centres
for rehabilitation of people with brain damage and
institutions for cerebrospinal surgery?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _July 1990)_

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the
question asked by the Honourable Member, which is a
matter solely for the national authorities concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1509/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(21 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/113)

_Subject:_ Application of Directive 88/378/EEC on the
safety of toys

During the debate on a draft law concerning toy safety
aimed at transposing Council Directive 88/378/EEC (')
into Belgian law, a problem arose regarding Article 11 (')
of the Directive. The affixing of the name and address of
the manufacturer to the product would enable consumers
to purchase directly from the manufacturer.

This practice could heavily penalize both retailers and
wholesalers.

1. Has the Council given thought to this matter?

2. Would indication of the name and address of the

manufacturer in the form of a bar code be compatible
with the provisions of this Directive?

O OJNoL187, 16.7. 1988,p. 1.

Answer

_(1_ _August 1990)_

1. The Directive on the safety of toys forms part of the
endeavour to achieve greater consumer safety.

2. During the discussions on the Directive, which took
place in particular during the Belgian Presidency in the
first six months of 1987, the examination of Article 11 (')
elicited no reaction such as that referred to by the
Honourable Member.

3. Article 11 (4) lays down that:

'The particulars referred to in paragraph 1 may be
abbreviated provided that the abbreviation enables the
manufacturer, his authorized representative or the
importer into the Community to be identified.'

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1530/90

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(21 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/114)

_Subject: "Zoo_ directive

Why is it taking so long for the Commission to come
forward with its long-promised directive on the keeping
of animals in zoos, and when can we hope to see such a
proposal?

No C 233/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 9. 90

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to oral question H-601/90 by Mrs Banotti,
which it gave during question time at Parliament's July
1990 part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1576/90

by Mr John Bird (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 June 1990)_

(90/C 233/115)

_Subject:_ Protection of the walrus

In view of the resolution passed by the European
Parliament's Intergroup for animal welfare (October
1989) on the conservation and protection of the North
American walrus, will the Commission inform me of the
action it has taken as a result of this resolution, and what
steps it will be recommending to conserve and protect the
North American walrus ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 July 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the replies given to oral questions H-603/90 and
H-691/90 by Mr Martin and Mr Morris respectively,
during question time at Parliament's June 1990
part-session.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1608/90

by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Josep Pons Grau, Mr
Jesus Cabezon Alonso, Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mr

Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza

and Mr Francisco Sanz Fernandez (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 233/116)

_Subject:_ Commission proposal concerning a renewed
Mediterranean policy.

On 15 November 1989, the Commission adopted a
communication to the Council concerning a renewed
mediterranean policy.

For its part, the European Council, meeting in Strasbourg
on 8 and 9 December, agreed to intensify the policy of
cooperation with the Mediterranean countries.

Subsequently, in February, the Council of Ministers
discussed the action proposed by the Commission in the
above document, confirmed once more its desire to give
special emphasis to cooperation with Mediterranean third
countries and called on the Commission to submit

operative proposals to enable this new Mediteranean
policy to get under way.

Can the Council of Ministers therefore confirm that it

accepts the renewed Mediterranean policy in the terms set
out in the Commission's communication?

Answer

_(1_ _August 1990)_

In accordance with the conclusions of the European
Council in Strasbourg, the Council confirms its resolve to
introduce a renewed Mediterranean policy, taking
account of developments in its Mediterranean partners'
economic and social situation and the new problems
facing them, with a view to strengthening the
Community's special relations with them and to
supporting them in their efforts towards development and
regional integration.

On 18 and 19 June 1990 the Commission submitted to the

Council the concrete guidelines which it proposes for that
purpose. The Council intends to arrive rapidly at
operative conclusions.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1609/90

by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, Mr Josep Pons Grau, Mr
Jesus Cabezon Alonso, Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, Mr

Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza

and Mr Francisco Sanz Fernandez (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 233/117)

_Subject:_ Creation of a Euro-Mediterranean development
bank

The European Council in Strasbourg in December 1989
backed the French Government's proposal for the
creation of a European reconstruction and development
bank for the countries of Eastern Europe.

Subsequently, leading authorities in the Community have
put forward the idea of setting up a Euro-Mediterranean
development bank with a view to assisting the economic
development of third countries in the Mediterranean.
This proposal offers a real opportunity for intensifying
cooperation with third countries in the Mediterranean,
which the European Council itself is in favour of.

17. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 233/57

In view of this proposal, would the Council be willing to
back a project or action plan for the creation of a
Euro-Mediterranean development bank?

Answer

_(30 July 1990)_

As the Honourable Members are aware, the Council at
present participates, under financial protocols, in the
financing of measures to assist the economic and social
development of Mediterranean third countries. Such
financing comes, _inter_ _alia,_ from EIB loans.

Moreover, at its meeting on 18 and 19 June the General
Affairs Council had an initial exchange of views on the
Commission communication entitled 'Redirecting the
Community's Mediterranean Policy'. That
communication proposes concrete guidelines concerning
trade, financing from the budget and from the European
Investment Bank's own resources and new fields of action

geared to the situation of the non-Community countries
of the Mediterranean, including financial aspects.

The Communication is currently being examined at the
Council.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1701/90

by Mrs Carmen Diez De Rivera (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _July 1990)_

(90/C 233/118)

_Subject:_ Recruitment of persons in their fifties

How many persons in their fifties were recruited by the
Commission between 1984 and 1989?

Can the Commission also state the percentage of women
recruited within this age group?

Can the Commission state the total number of persons
aged under fifty recruited over the same period?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 July 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table

containing the information requested.

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_If_ _you_ _wish to_ _order the_ _studies,_ _please_ _write to us._
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_Prices:_ _ECU8;_ _IRL6.40;_ _UKL5.40;_ _USD9.20_

r~l _Vocational training in_ _Denmark_

_Languages:_ _D DA D DE D EN_ D _FR_
_Prices:_ _ECU_ _10;_ _IRL7.80;_ _UKL6.60;_ _USD 12_

_Name,_ _first_ _name_

Q _Vocational training systems in the_ _Mem-_
_ber_ _States_ _of the_ _European_ _Community-_
_Comparative_ _study —_ _Guide CEDEFOP_
_Languages:_ D _DA_ D _DE D EN_  - _FR_

_OGR O IT_  - _NL_
_Prices:_ _ECU_ _12;_ _IRL8.25;_ _UKL8,10;USD13_

- _Vocational_ _training in the United_
_Kingdom_
_Languages:_ _D DE D EN_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

_\~\ Vocational training in Ireland_

_Languages:_ _D DE D EN_ D _FR D PT_
_Prices:_ _ECU_ _5;_ _IRL_ _3,90;_ _UKL_ _3,30;_ _USD_ _6_

Q _La formation professionnelle en France_

_Languages:_ D _FR_  - _IT_
_Prices:_ _ECU5;_ _IRL3.90;_ _UKL3.30;_ _USD9.20_

[~] _Vocational training in_ _Greece_

_Languages: D DE O EN_ D _FR D GR_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

r~l _Vocational training in Italy_

_Languages:_  - _DE D EN_  - _FR_  - _IT_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

Q _De_ _beroepsopleidlng_ _in_ _Nederland_

_Language: D NL_
_Prices:_ _ECU_ _5;_ _IRL_ _3,90;_ _UKL_ _3,30;_ _USD_ _6_

# I

f~l _Vocational training in Belgium_

_Languages:_ - _DA_ - _DE D EN_ - _FR_

D G f l D _IT O NL_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

Fl _Vocational training in Portugal_

_Languages:_ _D DE_  - _EN D FR_ D _PT_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4,60_

Q _Vocational training in Spain_

_Languages:_ _D DE_  - _EN_  - _ES_  - _FR_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3.20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

Q _Vocational training in the_ _People's_
_Republic of_ _China_
_Languages:_  - _DE DEN_  - _FR_
_Prices:_ _ECU4;_ _IRL3,20;_ _UKL2J0;_ _USD4.60_

##### Q

### O

_Street,_ _no._

- - _Postal_ _code,_ _town_

_Occupation,_ _function, organization_

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 - • *