Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

##### C 126
# Official Journal

Volume 35
### of the Communities 18 May 1992 European

Volume 35

18 May 1992

Information and Notices
English edition

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

92 / C 126 / 01 No 2693 / 90 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Imports of cattle originating in Eastern countries 1

92 / C 126 / 02 No 474 / 91 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Right of access to authorities ' records 2

92 / C 126 / 03 No 697 / 91 by Mrs Christine Oddy and Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Sri Lanka 3

92 / C 126 / 04 No 816 / 91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco subsidies 3

92 / C 126 / 05 No 887 / 91 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Mentally handicapped children and adults in Romania 3

92 / C 126 / 06 No 1045 / 91 by Mr Luigi Vertemati, Mr Lelio Lagorio, Mr Nereo Laroni, Mrs Maria
Magnani Noya, Mr Gianni Baget Bozzo, Mr Pierre Camiti, Mr Vincenzo Mattina
and Mr Franco Iacono to the Commission

Subject : Recent political events in the Baltic States 4

92 / C 126 / 07

92 / C 126 / 08

92 / C 126 / 09

2

No 1065 / 91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject : Discharge of solutions containing pesticides into the Waddenzee 5

No 1094 / 91 by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Dumping of Dutch manure in Flanders 6

No 1 104 / 91 by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega to the Commission
Subject : Food aid 6

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

92 / C 126 / 10 No 1184 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Research foodborne illness 7

92 / C 126 / 11 No 1 185 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Public health research contracts 7

92 / C 126 / 12 No 1186 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Public health research 7

92 / C 126 / 13 No 1 189 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Foodborne illness research DG VI 7

92 / C 126 / 14 No 1190 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Research foodborne illness DG III 7

92 / C 126 / 15 No 1191 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Public health research 7

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1184 / 91, 1185 / 91, 1186 / 91, 1189 / 91,

1190 / 91 and 1191 / 91 8

92 / C 126 / 16 No 1 167 / 91 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Contradiction between directives in respect of organohalogen compounds 8

92 / C 126 / 17 No 1 169 / 91 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Non-compliance by Italy with the directive on the quality of water intended for human
consumption 8

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1167 / 91 and 1169 / 91 9

92 / C 126 / 18 No 1298 / 91 by Mr Enrico Falqui to the Commission
Subject : Compliance with Community rules on concentrations of chlorinated solvents in water
intended for human consumption : Lombardy ( Italy ) 9

92 / C 126 / 19 No 1423 / 91 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Violation of Community law in the Messolonghi — Etoliko wetland 10

92 / C 126 / 20 No 1515 / 91 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Road measures 10

92 / C 126 / 21 No 1530 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The securing of scientists by Japan to design sixth generation computers 11

92 / C 126 / 22 No 1657 / 91 by Mrs Ulla Sandbæk to the Commission
Subject : Article 1 1 8A of the Treaty of Rome 12

92 / C 126 / 23 No 1699 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Community directive to protect independent television productions in Europe 12

92 / C 126 / 24 No 1713 / 91 by Mr Didier Anger and Mrs Solange Fernex to the Commission
Subject : Incorporation of the new ICRP standards in Community regulations 13

92 / C 126 / 25 No 1730 / 91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Organic vegetables 13

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

92 / C 126 / 26 No 1755 / 91 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Uruguay round and reform of the CAP 14

92 / C 126 / 27 No 1789 / 91 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Copyright in respect of musical works 14

92 / C 126 / 28 No 1799 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Freeze on transfers of public-sector employees 15

92 / C 126 / 29 No 1841 / 91 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Taxes on timber import 15

92 / C 126 / 30 No 1939 / 91 by Mr Francois Musso to the Commission
Subject : European development agencies : . . . 16

92 / C 126 / 31 No 1980 / 91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject : Effects of the set-aside regulations 16

92 / C 126 / 32 No 2026 / 91 by Mr James Ford to the Commission
Subject : The Week in Europe 17

92 / C 126 / 33 No 2036 / 91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination in UK pensions 17

92 / C 126 / 34 No 2078 / 91 by Mr Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Progress of Merseyside Integrated Development Operation 18

92 / C 126 / 35 No 2104 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : The island of Saint-Martin and the single market of 1992 — 93 18

92 / C 126 / 36 No 2110 / 91 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : EFTA : Tariff, tax and non-tariff barriers facing EC spirit drinks 19

92 / C 126 / 37 No 2202 / 91 by Mr Adrien Zeller to the Commission
Subject : Support for the forestry research programme in the context of the CAP reform 20

92 / C 126 / 38 No 2205 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Lessons to be drawn from the fraudulent treatment of executives and other staff of the
BCCI 20

92 / C 126 / 39 No 2224 / 91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Standardizing telephones in the EC 21

92 / C 126 / 40 No 2246 / 91 by Mr Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission
Subject : High-speed trains in the Italian railway system 22

92 / C 126 / 41 No 2258 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Cooperation between the Belgian Post Office and Greenpeace 22

92 / C 126 / 42 No 2301 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The Pinatubo eruption and the ocean current ' El Niño ' 23

92 / C 126 / 43 No 2304 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Agreements concerning Walvis Bay 23

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

92 /c 126 / 44 No 3185 / 91 by Mr Edward Newman to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Walvis Bay, Namibia, occupied by South Africa 24

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2304 / 91 and 3185 / 91 24

92 / C 126 / 45 No 2317 / 91 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : TGV high-speed train route between Brussels and Amsterdam 24

92 /C 126 / 46 No 2325 / 91 by Mr Heribert Barrera i Costa to the Commission
Subject : Funds for Objective 2 of the Structural Funds 25

92 / C 126 / 47 No 2344 / 91 by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Relations between the European Community and Guatemala 25

92 / C 126 / 48 No 2349 / 91 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Liberalization of textile imports from Eastern Europe 26

92 / C 126 / 49 No 2354 / 91 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Commission
Subject : Radioactivity released by atom bomb tests on Mururoa 26

92 / C 126 / 50 No 2406 / 91 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Qualifications for psychotherapy and hypnotherapy 27

92 / C 126 / 51 No 2413 / 91 by Mr Wayne David to the Commission
Subject : Pollution in Pontyclun 27

92 / C 126 / 52 No 2437 / 91 by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra to the Commission
Subject : Facilities for refugees in the international section of airports 27

92 / C 126 / 53 No 2455 / 91 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission
Subject : Export of German meat from the new Lender to the Soviet Union 28

92 / C 126 / 54 No 2474 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Engineering of food shortages in the USSR 28

92 / C 126 / 55 No 2477 / 91 by Mr Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Factory closures and job losses on Merseyside reach crisis point 29

92 / C 126 / 56 No 2499 / 91 by Mr Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Quality instruments for the food industry 29

92 / C 126 / 57 No 2534 / 91 by Mr Louis Lauga to the Commission
Subject : Maximum admissible concentration of pesticides in drinking water 30

92 / C 126 / 58 No 2537 / 91 by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : The gambling industry in the Community                   - 30

92 / C 126 / 59 No 2544 / 91 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : The common fisheries policy and lobsters 30

92 / C 126 / 60 No 2562 / 91 by Mr Bouke Beumer to the Commission
Subject : Active involvement with criminal organizations 31

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p *6 e

92 / C 126 / 61 No 2563 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of young people from the harmful effects of smoking 32

92 / C 126 / 62 No 2567 / 91 by Mrs Patricia Rawlings to the Commission
Subject : Consumption of goatmeat ( killed by non-Halal methods ) in the EC 32

92 / C 126 / 63 No 2568 / 91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Export of live animals to Spain and Portugal 33

92 / C 126 / 64 No 2570 / 91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Common fisheries policy 34

92 / C 126 / 65 No 2585 / 91 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : The decommissioning of the Caorso nuclear power station ( Piacenza, Italy ) 34

92 / C 126 / 66 No 2597 / 91 by Mr Alexander Langer and Mrs Maria Aglietta to European Political
Cooperation
Subject : Role of the European Community in the crisis in Yugoslavia 34

92 / C 126 / 67 No 2599 / 91 by Mrs Maria Cassanmagnago Cerretti and Mr Paraskevas Avgerinos to
European Political Cooperation
Subject : The Community 's role in the Yugoslav crisis 35

92 / C 126 / 68 No 2600 / 91 by Mr Thomas Spencer and Mr Willy De Clercq to the Commission
Subject : External aspects of the CAP reform proposal in the context of Uruguay Round trade
negotiations 36

92 / C 126 / 69 No 2609 / 91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the : Commission
Subject : Exports of pesticides to the developing countries 37

92 / C 126 / 70 No 2621 / 91 by Mrs Concepcio Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Retraining of staff employed in international trade 37

92 / C 126 / 71 No 2624 / 91 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject : Frontier crossing and 1993 38

92 / C 126 / 72 No 2625 / 91 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject : Frontiers and regional development aid in Ireland 38

92 / C 126 / 73 No 2635 / 91 by Mr Filippos Pierros to the Commission
Subject : Rising unemployment in Eastern Europe and the likelihood of mass ' economic '
migration 39

92 / C 126 / 74 No 2650 / 91 by Mr Fernando Suárez González to the Commission
Subject : Cooperation with Central America 39

92 / C 126 / 75 No 2651 / 91 by Mr Fernando Suárez González to the Commission
Subject : Cooperation with Central America 40

92 / C 126 / 76 No 2657 / 91 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Council
Subject : Seat belts in coaches and minibuses 40

92 / C 126 / 77 No 2693 / 91 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Recognition of Belgian diploma in industrial medicine 40

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

92 / C 126 / 78 No 2705 / 91 by Mr Louis Lauga to the Commission
Subject : Proliferation of fish-eating birds 41

92 / C 126 / 79 No 2720 / 91 by Mr John Cushnahan to the Commission
Subject : Unemployment in the Community 41

92 / C 126 / 80 No 2729 / 91 by Mr John Bird, Mr George Stevenson, Mr Terence Wynn, Mr Roger
Barton, Mrs Imelda Read, Mr Henry McCubbin, Mr Gary Titley, Mr Alexander
Falconer and Mr David Morris to the Commission
Subject : European Social Charter — Britool Ltd, UK, and Strafor Facom France 42

92 / C 126 / 81 No 2743 / 91 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Presence of Commission officials at an armaments trade fair 42

92 / C 126 / 82 No 2749 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Social security conventions 43

92 / C 126 / 83 No 2753 / 91 by Mr Proinsias De Rossa to the Commission
Subject : Payment of social security benefits outside the jurisdiction 43

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2749 / 91 and 2753 / 91 43

92 / C 126 / 84 No 2786 / 91 by Mr Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Emptying of chemical toilets 43

92 / C 126 / 85 No 2814 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Development of woodland by building cooperatives 44

92 / C 126 / 86 No 2815 / 91 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Council
Subject : ECIP 44

92 / C 126 / 87 No 2832 / 91 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando to the Commission
Subject : Aid for industrial firms located in Modane 44

92 / C 126 / 88 No 2872 / 91 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission
Subject : General medical practitioners 45

92 / C 126 / 89 No 2876 / 91 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission
Subject : UK budget contribution 46

92 / C 126 / 90 No 2878 / 91 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Commission premises in Brussels 46

92 / C 126 / 91 No 2884 / 91 by Mr Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Danger of jet skis 46

92 / C 126 / 92 No 2897 / 91 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Beer sector complaints 47

92 / C 126 / 93 No 2917 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Community contributions to nuclear disarmament in war zones 47

92 / C 126 / 94 No 2940 / 91 by Mr François Guillaume to the Council
Subject : Situation of persons employed by transit agencies in view of the elimination of internal
borders as of 1 January 1993 48

Notice No

92 / C 126 / 95

92 / C 126 / 96

92 / C 126 / 97

92 / C 126 / 98

92 / C 126 / 99

Contents ( continued ) Pa 8 e

No 2973 / 91 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Budget heading for arms industry ' conversion 49

No 3005 / 91 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Reflections on the new Community fisheries policy 49

No 3007 / 91 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : European Community aid to university-industry training partnerships 50

No 3041 / 91 by Mr Christian de la Malène to the Commission
Subject : The importance of the concept of ' EC mark ' in the 1989 directive on construction
products 51

No 3118 / 91 by Mr Thomas Spencer to the Commission
Subject : UK Broadcasting Act 51

92 / C 126 / 100 No 3136 / 91 by Mr Edward McMillan - Scott to European political Cooperation
Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards pluralism 51

92 / C 126 / 101 No 3137 / 91 by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards pluralism 51

92 / C 126 / 102 No 3199 / 91 by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards pluralism 52

' Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3136 / 91, 3137 / 91 and 3199 / 91 52

92 / C 126 / 103 No 3212 / 91 by Mr Reimer Böge to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring in the fisheries sector 52

92 / C 126 / 104 No 3232 / 91 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Combating illegal immigration 52

92 / C 126 / 105 No 3240 / 91 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council
Subject : Support for the local Israeli-Palestinian community of Neve Shalom 53

92 / C 126 / 106 No 60 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Council
Subject : Veterinary inspection posts in Poitou-Charentes 53

92 / C 126 / 107 No 91 / 92 by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis to European Political Cooperation
Subject : Nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union 54

92 / C 126 / 108 No 97 / 92 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Council
Subject : Community fact-finding mission to Bangladesh ( 20 — 22 October 1991 ) 54

92 / C 126 / 109 No 134 / 92 by Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez to the Council
Subject : Mining areas other than coalmining areas 55

92 / C 126 / 1 10 No 138 / 92 by Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez to the Council
Subject : Information and Coordination programme for environmental policies to protect the
Mediterranean 55

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

92 / C 126 / 111 No 216 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Council
Subject : Safety of food, drink and water intended for human consumption 56

92 / C 126 / 112 No 217 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Council
Subject : Improving the prevention and treatment of acute human poisoning 56

92 / C 1 26 / 113 No 30 1 / 92 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Council
Subject : Opening of borders and trade in drugs 57

92 / C 126 / 1 14 No 332 / 92 by Mr Edward Newman to the Council
Subject : Study on granting certain rights to third country nationals 57

92 / C 126 / 115 No 335 / 92 by Mr Edward Newman to the Council
Subject : Study on fingerprint collection of asylum-seekers 57

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2693 / 90 1987 :

by Mr José Happart ( S ) 1988 1989 : :

to the Commission of the European Communities 1990 :

(4 December 1990 ) 1991 : ( six months )

121 653 head

96 649 head

120 668 head

143 691 head

71 799 head

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2693 / 90

by Mr José Happart ( S )

(4 December 1990 )

( 92 / C 126 / 01 )

It emerges, therefore, that there has not been a huge
increase in these imports .
Subject : Imports of cattle originating in Eastern countries

From different contacts received, it appears that a number
of cattle traders have been able to obtain import licences
authorizing the entry into the territory of certain Member
States of several tens of thousand head of beef and veal .

This is a major distortion of competition, since the cattle

imported in this way from Eastern countries force down
quotations for Belgian breeders .

To forestall excessive disruptions on the market in meat
will the Commission state its attitude to this phenomena

and the measures envisaged to rectify the situation ?

What is the number of animals that have been imported

from Eastern countries since the beginning of the year ?

What is the total number of animals originating in the
East for which import licences have been issued since the
beginning of the year ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 November 1991 )

However, imports of calves ( bovine animals weighing less
than 200 kg ) have risen appreciably, from 250 000 head in
previous years to about 500 000 head in 1989 and 850 000
head in 1990 .

Except where these imports fall under the ' estimate '
arrangements, as drawn up each year by the Council
( since 1989, 198 000 head per year, weighing for the most
part between 220 and 300 kg ), they carry a customs duty
of 16% and have a levy ( + ECU 124 / 100 kg ) applied to
them .

At market level, during the second half of 1990, culled
cows from the former German Democratic Republic also
exerted a certain amount of pressure on prices on the
markets of some Member States . In August and
September 1990, animals from Germany introduced into
the Member States exceeded their normal quantities by
about 23 000 head . However, the production of meat
from those animals, amounting to 5 500 tonnes, cannot be
held as the main cause for the low level of prices . The
latter resulted essentially from a combination of several
factors, such as increased production, reduced
consumption ( BSE ) and export difficulties ( BSE and Gulf
crisis ), the effects of which were felt on the Community
markets . Against this background, a number of measures
were adopted in order to prevent a slump in prices .

The trend of imports into the Community of adult bovine Hence, the Commission substantially increased export
animals from eastern European countries is as follows : refunds in order to stimulate exports and accelerate the

No C 126 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

execution of export contracts for cows from the former
German Democratic Republic . Simultaneously, the
Community intervention arrangements were fully
operational . With regard to the estimates drawn up by the
Council on 4 March 1991, the imports of bovine animals
for fattening for 1991 have been maintained at their
former level ( 198 000 head ), and the Commission said
that for 1991 imports of calves should not exceed the
number of calves traditionally imported . A system for
monitoring imports was set up to this end . This led to the
issue of import licences being suspended from 25 April

1991 ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1023 / 91, Safeguard clause ).
Lastly, for 1991, under the estimates, there are no imports
at preferential rates for frozen meat for processing .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 474 / 91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 March 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 02 )

Subject : Right of access to authorities ' records

In the light of the provisions of the Council Directive
90 / 313 / EEC (') on the freedom of access to information
on the environment and the importance attached to the
submission of petitions, which encourages authorities to
operate democratically ( as introduced by Parliament with
regard to the application of Community law ), and since it
is essential that government actions be transparent, if
there is to be trust between the individual and the
authorities, and the right to information is an established
principle of civilized society,

1 . Can the Commission say whether it has carried out a

study of the legislation on the right of access to
authorities ' records in the Member States and whether
it proposes to submit a directive harmonizing such
legislation in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 100a of the Treaty ?

2 . Can the Commission say on what basis the
individual 's access to information on Community
actions is regulated and what criteria were used when
that basis was adopted ?

3 . Does not the Commission believe that it would be

appropriate to enshrine the right to information in
connection with authorities ' records in the draft
Charter of Rights on the European Citizen ?

O OJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990, p. 56 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 October 1991 )

1 . The Commission has carried out a comprehensive
study on the ' general access to information legislation ' in
the Member States which has just been published . This
study deals with legislation that grants a general right of
access to administrative documents . Access legislation is
usually seen as an element in the relationship between the
individual citizen and the state / public administration . It is
in this context that the Council of Europe has addressed
the issue in its Recommendation R(81)19 on the access to
information held by public authorities . The Commission
does not intend to propose for the time being a directive
harmonizing such legislation in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 100a of the Treaty, but it
will examine carefully whether this is necessary and
possible .

As part of its work in preparing the proposal for a Council

Directive on the freedom of access to information on the
environment, the Commission conducted a study on
national rules in this field . When the Directive

( 90 / 313 / EEC ) was adopted on 7 June 1990, the
Commission announced its intention of drawing up a
proposal aimed at extending to the Community
institutions the principles laid down in the Directive .

As regards the principles of transparency and the trust
between the individual and the authorities, the
Commission unveiled in September 1990 a package of
proposals ( ! ) on the protection of individuals in relation
to the processing of personal data in the Community and
information security . The proposals are designed to
guarantee, for example, a right of access to personal data
contained in public files and to avoid conflicts which may
occur between the protection of personal data and the
dissemination of public-sector information . As protection
of privacy is a fundamental right of the individual,
transparency is essential for each individual, in particular
where cross-border data flows within the single market

are concerned .

2 . At the moment, there are no general rules governing
the individual 's access to information on Community
activities . However, in the Commission 's view, steps must
be taken to ensure that, as the integration of the
Community progresses, each individual in the
Community is informed of the measures carried out in
this respect .

3 . The Commission does not believe that such a move

is indispensable under the present circumstances .

o CC)M(90 ) 314 final — SYN 287 and 288 .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 697 / 91
by Mrs Christine Oddy and Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 April 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 03 )

Subject : Sri Lanka

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that the
declaration of the 12 Member States of 19 October 1990
on violation of human rights in Sri Lanka has been
complied with ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1 991 )

Raw tobacco is an integral part of the common
agricultural policy and therefore the Community has to
support the production of this commodity . The obligation
to support tobacco derives from Article 39 of the EEC
Treaty with a view to ensuring a fair standard of living for
the tobacco producer . It should also be noted that tobacco
growing is of great importance to the economy of certain,
mostly less favoured regions of the Community, where in
most cases tobacco is the only source of income . More
than 200 000 producers are small family holdings,
growing tobacco on very small plots of land ( less than

1 hectare ) are involved ( 95 000 in Greece and 71 000 in
Italy ).

Answer given by Mr Matutes Over the last 10 years subsidies for the raw tobacco sector

on behalf of the Commission have reached the following amounts ( in million ecus ):

( 21 February 1992 )

The Commission is coordinating its intervention closely
with the EC Member States in the framework of the

European Political Cooperation . The answer provided by
the EPC Secretariat to the same question No 698 / 91 ( ! )
reflects the Commission 's position .

1981 :

1982 :

1983 :

1984 :

1985 :

1986 :

1987 :

1988 :

1989 :

1990 :

361.8

622,6

671.3

776.4

862.9

782,2
803,6
966,1

1 138,8

o OJ No C 210, 12 . 8 . 1991, p. 34 . 1990 : 1 232,1

WRITTEN QUESTION No 816 / 91

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 04 )

Subject : Tobacco subsidies

In recent years, the Commission has both initiated and
involved itself in a number of worthwhile projects
promoting health and encouraging healthier lifestyles
among Community people . I understand, however, that
EC subsidies to tobacco growers have increased at an
alarming rate . Would the Commission set out the
amounts of tobacco Subsidy over the last 10 years and
state what percentage of the CAP budget these represent ?

Approximately 440 000 EC people die each year from
tobacco related diseases . Would the Commission review
its policy of tobacco subsidy as a matter of urgency and
give projections for its reduction, also explaining to what
other products or projects ( agricultural or otherwise )
these funds will be diverted ?

These amounts represent on average 4,1 % of the EAGGF

( Guarantee section ) expenditures . It must, however, be
stressed that custom duties on raw tobacco imports are
very low which implies that most of the cost to protect
European production is borne by EAGGF .

On 9 October 1991, the Commission adopted proposals
for a Council Regulation on a new common organization
of the market in raw tobacco . These proposals aim to
substantially reduce expenditure in the tobacco sector and
prevent any possibility of uncontrolled expenditure .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 887 / 91

, by Mr Ian White ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 05 )

Subject : Mentally handicapped children and adults in

Romania

In view of the unsatisfactory reply to question
No 2896 / 90 (') would the Commission please advise :

1 . What foodstuffs are being sent specifically for

children and adults with mental handicaps ?

No C 126 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

2 . What medicines are being sent specifically for children

and adults with mental handicaps ?

3 . What educational supplies are being sent specifically

for children and adults with mental handicaps ?

4 . What paint or building materials to refurbish the

institutions where people with mental handicaps are
confined are being sent ?

5 . If ' none ' to questions 1 to 4, when will relief start ?

(') OJ No C 144, 3 . 6 . 1991, p. 16 .

Answer given by Mr Andnessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 February 1 992 )

Mentally handicapped adults

Mentally handicapped adults benefited from the general
food and medical supplies sent to Romania . No specific
supplies were directed to institutions for them .

( a ) Food aid contained : beef, butter, olive oil, maize, rye .

( b ) The medical supplies contained a standard list of 40

items .

( c ) and ( d ) No educational material for handicapped
adults nor building materials to refurbish the
institutions for handicapped adults were sent . No
specific projects for handicapped adults are planned
for 1991 .

Mentally handicapped children

( a ) Mentally handicapped children received the general

food supplies sent to some of the institutions
consisting of maize, oil, sugar, rice, enriched flour,
milk powder, infant formula, and lactose free milk .

( b ) Besides the standard list of medicines including

vitamins, antibiotics and anti-pyretics, provided to all
the institutions, those housing mentally handicapped
children were supplied on request with additional
special drugs including Tegretol, neuroleptics and
Valium .

( c ) Besides the general supplies for children which
inlcuded early learning games, no specific games for
mentally handicapped children were sent .

( d ) Material for the refurbishment of the institutions

was sent, especially for heating installations,
kitchens, laundry and sanitary facilities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1045 / 91
by Mr Luigi Vertemati, Mr Lelio Lagorio, Mr Nereo

Laroni, Mrs Maria Magnani Noya, Mr Gianni Baget

Bozzo, Mr Pierre Camiti, Mr Vincenzo Mattina and

Mr Franco Iacono ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 06 )

Subject : Recent political events in the Baltic States

Events in the USSR and in particular the Baltic Republics
have recently taken a dramatic turn, as reflected by the
military action in Vilnius, which resulted in dozens of
deaths and injuries . This is unacceptable and must be
condemned .

Support for President Gorbachev 's policy of
democratization was based on the upholding of the rights
of citizens and peoples in the whole of the USSR and the
unity and integrity of the USSR cannot be secured by
methods which violate the most fundamental human

rights .

Does the Commission intend to inform Parliament of the

measures taken vis-a-vis the Soviet authorities ?

Will the Commission send a Community delegation to

Moscow and to the Baltic Republics to observe the
situation and to inform all those involved of the
Community 's will and determination to make its aid and
support dependent upon a new Europe based on peace
and cooperation, the upholding of individual and
collective freedoms and the rejection of all violence ?

Answer given by Mr Andnessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1992 )

The Commission strongly reacted to the use of force

against the Baltic effort for independence . Following the
events of January 1991 in the Baltic countries, especially
the military action in Vilnius, the Commission decided to
suspend all high level contacts with the Soviet authorities
and notably the meeting of the joint USSR-EC
Committee that should have taken place at the end of
January . Furthermore, the European Community decided

to slow down the implementation of the assistance
programme to the USSR agreed by the European Council
in Rome in December 1990 . It was nevertheless decided to
continue to provide food aid for humanitarian reasons .

On 27 August 1991, the European Community and its
Member States officially recognized the independence of

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 5

the three Baltic States and proposed to establish
diplomatic relations without delay . At the same time, they
underlined their commitment to support the Baltic States
in their economic and political development . With this
end in view, the Commission promised to explore all
avenues for economic cooperation between the
Community and the Baltic States .

Accordingly, Vice-President Andriessen led a delegation
to Tallinn in September, where he held discussions with
the prime ministers and ministers for foreign affairs,
economy, and foreign trade of the three Baltic States .
These talks focused on the political and economic

situation, reform priorities, needs for assistance and
future relations with the Community . On the basis of
these discussions, the mandate for the negotiation of
trade and cooperation agreements was given by the
Council to the Commission on 4 November 1991 . These
are expected to be concluded shortly . The agreements will
be based on the same commitments to the principles
contained in the CSCE Helsinki Final Act and Paris
Charter which underpinned the three States ' declaration
of independence .

The Commission has also granted substantial aid to the

Baltic States . Following the military intervention in
Lithuania, the Commission decided to allocate ECU

115 000 for emergency medical aid, and on 20 December
1991 granted ECU 45 million of food aid to the three
States . The PHARE budget became available to the Baltic
States on 1 January 1992 ; prior to this, the Community
has extended ECU 15 million of the USSR 's technical

assistance allocation for 1991 to the Baltic States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1065 / 91

by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 07 )

Subject : Discharge of solutions containing pesticides into

the Waddenzee

Recently, the Waddenzee Association 's Eemsmond
Working Party wrote a report on investigations into the
discharge of solutions containing pesticides into the
Waddenzee . The study shows that the Waddenzee, one of
Western Europe 's most important natural habitats, is
being seriously polluted through its fresh surface water as
a result of eutrophication and the discharge of poisonous
organic substances harmful to the environment which are
used for agricultural purposes . The Eemsmond Working
Party calculates that 4,6 tonnes of pesticides are being
discharged annually into the Waddenzee in this way .
Many of these substances are on the EC 's black list .

1 . A number of substances on the EC 's ' black list '

(7 6 / 464 / EEC (')) are authorized for use as pesticides .
Given the harmful effect of such substances to the
environment, does not the Commission consider that
it should take measures to prevent this discharge into
the environment ?

2 . Has the Commission taken steps in response to the

recommendation of the European Parliament
( resolution on the Conference on the North Sea held
on 7 and 8 March 1990 ( 2 )) calling for a reduction in
the use of pesticides in the EC and, by the end of 1990,
submit a detailed action programme setting out
specific proposals for directives in the light of the
findings of the Third North Sea Conference ?

o OJNoL 129, 18 . 5 . 1976, p. 23 .
O OJ No C 1 13, 7 . 5 . 1990, p. 222 .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1 991 )

1 . Directive 76 / 464 / EEC requires Member States to
control discharges of dangerous substances to surface
waters, and certain pesticides fall within the scope of this
Directive . The Commission has presented to the Council
a list of priority substances for which limit values and
quality objectives have to be fixed . Following the same
directive Member States have the obligation to establish
programmes of emission reduction for these dangerous
substances . In addition there are obligations which arise
from Directive 75 / 440 / EEC on the quality of surface
water, intended for abstraction of drinking water ('). It is
for Member States to respect their obligations under these
directives and, where appropriate, the Commission will
use its powers under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty to
ensure their application .

2 . Concerning the use of pesticides a proposal for a
directive is currently being discussed by the Council . The
directive will, if it is adopted, require that pesticides
currently in use will be evaluated as to their effects and
that those pesticides which pose a significant pollution
problem will no longer be used .

With regard to an action programme emanating from the

third North Sea Conference in March 1990, the
Commission and the other participants at the Conference
set up a detailed action plan at a follow-up meeting held in
Copenhagen in December 1990 .

The plan sets out a number of actions to be taken to

implement the policy decisions taken at the last North Sea
Conference .

No C 126 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

Furthermore, the recently adopted directive on urban
waste water treatment plants ( 2 ) achieved one of the
decisions of the North Sea Conference, as does the
proposal of directive on nitrates actually under
discussion, and the future proposal currently being
elaborated on the ecological quality of waters .

O OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 .
O OJNoL 135, 30 . 5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1094 / 91
by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Paul Staes ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 May 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 08 )

Subject : Dumping of Dutch manure in Flanders

1 . Does the Commission know about reports that large
quantities of Dutch manure are being exported from the
Netherlands to Belgium ( according to the Flemish Public
Refuse Corporation as much as 100 000 — 150 000 tonnes
per year ) ?

2 . Does the Commission acknowledge that the
transporting of manure on such a large scale can cause
serious pollution in the region into which it is imported
and that it therefore constitutes a waste problem ?

3 . Can the Commission say whether the dumping of
Dutch manure in Flanders is compatible with the
principles laid down in the proposal for a Council
regulation COM(90 ) 415 final ( on the supervision and
control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the
European Community ) concerning ' environmentally
sound management of waste ', the need to be
' self-sufficient in waste disposal ' to ' reduce shipments to
strict essentials ' and observe ' the principle of prior written
consent of the State of destination ?

4 . Does the Commission not consider that the efforts
being made to solve the manure problem in areas which
produce a surplus of it ( such as the introduction of quotas
for the production of manure and the release of toxins per
hectare ) must not be thwarted by uncontrolled imports
from elsewhere and that regions / countries must be
allowed to take measures to combat such imports until the
rules of final treatment and dehydration have come into
effect ?

5 . Is the Commission aware of rumours that chemical
waste is mixed in with manure shipments and is it

investigating the matter ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 1992 )

1 . The Commission has no detailed information about
exports of manure from the Netherlands to Belgium .

2 . Since there are currently no specific Community
rules in force concerning the transfer of manure within
the Community and its spreading, the Commission takes
the view that when this product poses a serious danger,
for example, with respect to the health of livestock or
water protection, Member States may adopt prohibition
measures, under the terms of Article 36 of the EEC
Treaty . Such measures are permissible only on condition

that they do not discriminate against products from
another Member State and cause no unwarranted or
disproportionate obstacles to Community trade .

3 . Manure is not one of the products covered by the
proposal for a Regulation ( COM(90 ) 415 ) on the control
of waste .

4 . The Commission considers that the problem of
surplus waste in certain regions should not be solved by
excessive spreading in other regions .

5 . The Commission has no information about the
presence of chemical waste in this manure .

\ WRITTEN QUESTION No 1 104 / 91

by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 09 )

Subject : Food aid

Since food aid is based on the determination by product
of overall quantities, independently of market
developments and their effect on these products, this
sometimes gives an impression of inflexibility which can
give rise to comment . What is the Commission 's own
experience in this matter ? Can the amounts earmarked for
this purpose be altered without major difficulties arising ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1992 )

When proposing the appropriations for food aid in its

preliminary draft budget, the Commission works with
estimated quantities by product . These estimates are
determined taking into account foreseeable trends in

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 7

developing countries ' structural requirements for food
aid, and the requirements of international organizations
and NGOs .

When programming food aid, the Commission takes into

account the demand from developing countries,
international organizations and NGOs, not the
Community supply . So, for example, over the past few
years, the quantities for milk products have been reduced

in favour of such products as vegetable oil and legumes,
which are often better suited to the countries ' eating
habits .

Moreover, the overall quantity approved for each product
is a maximum ( except in the case of cereals, decided under
the 1986 Food Aid Convention which has been extended
until 30 June 1993 and which fixes a commitment ); it is
therefore possible to implement smaller quantities than
those set .

This happened in 1990 when 71 000 tonnes of milk and
9 280 tonnes of butteroil were committed, although the
overall quantities for those products had been set at
94 000 tonnes and 18 000 tonnes respectively .

The Commission considers that the present system is

flexible enough to allow it to respond to changes in
demand and conditions of supply for the various
products .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1184 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 June 1 991 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1186 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 12 )

Subject : Public health research

When will DG III publish research arising from contracts
issued to the Robert von Ostertag Institute, Berlin ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1189 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 June 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 13 )

Subject : Foodborne illness research DG VI

What research has been commissioned, and at what cost,
by DG VI, in relation to the incidence of foodborne
illness within the European Community, in the period

1980—1990 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1190 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 92 / C 126 / 10 ) ( 5 June 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 14 )

Subject : Research foodborne illness

What research has been commissioned, and at what cost,
by DG III in relation to the incidence of foodborne illness
within the European Community, in the period
1980—1990 ? "

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1185 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 June 1 991 )

Subject : Research foodborne illness DG III

What public health research commissioned by DG III in
the period 1980 — 1990 has been published ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1191 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 92 / C 126 / 11 ) ( 5 June 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 15 )

Subject : Public health research contracts

What public health research contracts have been issued by
DG III in the period 1980 — 1990 to the Robert von
Ostertag Institute, Berlin, or academic staff working at
this institute ?

Subject : Public health research

What public health research commissioned by DG VI in
the period 1980 — 1990 has been published ?

No C 126 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1184 / 91, 1185 / 91,

1186 / 91, 1189 / 91, 1190 / 91 and 1191 / 91

given by the Commission

( 7 November 1 991 )

On the basis of an EEC contract with DG III in 1986,
Prof. Gerigk, Dr Hartung and Dr Teufel of the Institut
fur Veterinarmedizin des Bundesgesundheitsamtes,
Berlin ( Robert von Ostertag Institut ) and Prof. Jouve of
the Ecole nationale veterinaire de Nantes have produced a
study on the elaboration of strategies for food control .
The results of this study have not been published . No

other research in this field has been commissioned by
DG III, but the Consumers Policy Service has also
ordered a study to be made on ' Food product hygiene in
the European Community '. The research has been made
by BEUC ( ref . 218 / 90 ) and it has not yet been published .
The paper deals with the incidence of food-borne disease

as well as the monitoring system in the EEC countries .

In work to coordinate agricultural research in the
Community and with its Scientific Committees, DG VI
has organized and funded seminars, reports and studies
dealing with public health aspects related to agricultural
products . Important reports and proceedings published
by the Commission are available on the following :

— environmental aspects of respiratory diseases in
intensive pig and poultry houses,

— Brucella melitensis,

— Campylobacteriosis,

— anabolic agents,

— some important parasite infections in bovine
considered from economic and social ( zoonoses )
points of view,

— Chlamydial disease of ruminants,

— Leptospirosis diagnosis and control,

— vaccination to control rabies in foxes,

— priority aspects of salmonellosis research,

— Beta-agonists and their effects on animal growth and

carcase quality,

— bovine spongiform encephalopathy .

In addition, the Scientific Veterinary Committee has
given opinions on several questions related to zoonotic
diseases and in particular on listeriosis in cheese and
biotoxins in molluscs . Other subjects, for example the
problem of biotoxins in fish and microbiological
contamination of fishery products, are being examined by
this Committee and studies will be published quite soon
by the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1167 / 91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 June 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 16 )

Subject : Contradiction between directives in respect of

organohalogen compounds

Whereas Directive 76 / 464 / EEC (') on dangerous waste

classifies organohalogen compounds in List I, i.e. among
the dangerous substances which, owing to their toxicity,
must be eliminated from waste ;

Whereas the US Environment Protection Agency
classifies organohalogen compounds among the 129
substances to be eliminated from the environment because
of their carcinogenic effects on man ;

Whereas Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ( 2 ) on the quality of
water intended for human consumption classifies
organohalogen compounds among ' undesirable
substances ' rather than among toxic substances ( with the
exception of antiparasitic and similar products );

1 . Can the Commission explain how it is possible that the

same compounds, recognized as toxic in the USA and
by the EEC itself, are to be eliminated from waste and
at the same time tolerated in drinking water ?

2 . Does not the Commission think it should act to ensure
that all organohalogen compounds are classified
among toxic substances in Annex I, section D, of
Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ?

O OJNoL 129, 18 . 5 . 1976 .
O OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1169 / 91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 17 )

Subject : Non-compliance by Italy with the directive on

the quality of water intended for human
consumption

Whereas Directive 80 / 778 / EEC classifies organohalogen
compounds among undesirable substances,
concentrations of which in drinking water must be
reduced to the lowest possible level, specifying 1 mg / 1 as
guide level, i.e. as the value which Member States must
take as a basis in fixing maximum admissible
concentrations ( Article 7 of the Directive );

18.5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 9

Whereas, however, in DPR 24 . 5 . 88 No 236, Italy has

fixed a limit 30 times higher than this and now, instead of
reducing it, is even increasing it to 50 times this limit ;

Whereas Directives 7 6 / 464 / EEC classifies these
substances as extremely dangerous on account of their
' toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation ' and whereas
the Environmental Protection Agency has passed a similar
verdict on the danger posed by these substances to human
health, findings which have since been confirmed by all
the data collected hitherto ;

Whereas, therefore, no derogation from Directive
80 / 778 / EEC must be allowed, as laid down in Article 9
( 3 ) which states ' in no case shall the derogations . . . relate
to toxic . . . factors or constitute a public health hazard ';

Does not the Commission think that an infringement
procedure should be initiated against the Italian Republic
for violation of Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1167 / 91

and 1169 / 91

given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 October 1991 )

1 . There is no contradiction between Directives

76 / 464 / EEC and 80 / 778 / EEC . Directive 76 / 464 / EEC
and its daughter Directives relate to discharges of certain
dangerous substances to the aquatic environment .
Directive 80 / 778 / EEC relates to the quality of water
intended for human consumption, in view of the
importance of such water for public health .

It should be recalled that the toxic thresholds for
organohalogenated compounds can be much lower for
aquatic organisms than for man . While the daily human
consumption of water is about 2 litres aquatic organisms
can be exposed to the substances continuously, and some
can bioaccumulate toxins to a considerable degree . It can
therefore be correct to have stricter standards for the
protection of aquatic life .

Parameters 32 and 55 in Directive 80 / 778 / EEC include
certain of the dangerous substances of the kind referred
to by the Honourable Member . It is for Member States to
ensure that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that
the Directive 's standards are respected . It is also open to
Member States to apply the provisions of Article 16 where
they judge it necessary to apply more stringent provisions
than are specified in the Directive .

The Guide value for parameter 32 in Directive
80 / 778 / EEC is 1 microgram / litre . However, Article 7 ( 3 )
does not oblige Member States to set values at or below

the Guide level ; they are required to take the Guide level
as a basis . It is therefore open to Member States to set a
valde higher than the Guide level, and setting such a value
would not necessarily constitute a derogation . The
Commission will invite the Italian Government to submit
its observations on the matters raised by the Honourable
Member and, in particular, the fact that the value has been
increased from 30 times the Guide value to 50 times this

value .

The Commission 's powers to intervene with Member

States are limited to those provided by the Treaty and by
Directives . It is for the Italian Government to do what is
necessary to comply with the Directive and also to take
any further measures necessary to protect public health .

2 . The Commission does not consider that it would be
helpful to seek to include in the Directive an exhaustive
list of the organohalogen compounds covered by List I of
the Annex to Directive 76 / 464 / EEC . It would be better to
include individual substances and parametric values where
circumstances made this necessary . In 1988, the
Commission made a proposal O for a Council Directive
to establish a Committee to facilitate this task . The
proposal was revised in 1989 ( 2 ) but the Council has not
yet acted on it . The Commission would inform the
Honourable Member that it has asked a research
organization to study individual substances included
within parameter 32 and to recommend suitable values .
The organization 's report will be made available to
Member States and could form the basis of proposals to
the Committee .

O OJNoC 13, 17 . 1 . 1989 .
O OJNoC 300, 29 . 11 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1298 / 91

by Mr Enrico Falqui ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 18 )

Subject : Compliance with Community rules on
concentrations of chlorinated solvents in water
intended for human consumption : Lombardy
( Italy )

Directive 80 / 778 / EEC (') laying down concentration
levels of chlorinated solvents ( trichlorethene,
trichloromethane and tetrachloromethane ) in water
intended for human consumption was implemented in
Italy by the ministerial decree of 24 May 1988 . The
directive lays down a maximum guide level of 1 mg per

No C 126 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

litre for these substances, which are potentially
carcinogenic, for the water to be considered fit for human
consumption . However, the ministerial decree deviates
considerably from this since it fixes the threshold at 30 mg
per litre .

Moreover, by a recent joint ministerial decree ( issued by
the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of
Health ) of April 1991, the Lombardy region has been
authorized to depart from Community standards for
three years, further raising the threshold for chlorinated
solvents ( to 50 mg per litre ), thereby avoiding the closure
of over 130 polluted sources .

1 . Does the Commission not consider that, in view of

this, it should initiate infringement proceedings
against Italy for failure to comply with Directive
80 / 778 / EEC ?

2 . More generally, does the Commission not consider

that it should exercise its own authority over the
competent Italian authorities in order to obviate the
danger to the affected populace ?

o OJNoL229, 30 . 8 . 1980, p. 11 .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 January 1992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to Written Questions Nos 1167 / 91 and
1 169 / 91 by Mr Amendola (').

(') See page 8 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1423 / 91

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 19 )

Subject : Violation of Community law in the Messolonghi

— Etoliko wetland

The wetland between Messolonghi and Etoliko is one of
the biggest in Europe ( 25 000 hectares ) and is protected
under the RAMSAR Convention . Located within the
region are a number of ornithologically significant areas
and separate salt marshes . The entire wetland has been
flagrantly abused since the beginning of the 70s and is still
under threat today, in particular the salt marshes at
Messolonghi . One of these, Kleisova, is under particular
threat from refuse dumped there from the town of
Messolonghi . This step was taken as a necessary solution

since the town is unable to implement a special
programme partly funded by the Community ( to the
amount of 70 million drachmas ) because the state will not
allow the local authority to take on the necessary staff .
Thousands of tons of rubbish are piling up on the banks

of the salt marsh and incinerated there while part of it is
sliding into the water !

The area is also threatend by unauthorized building along
the strip of land that separates the salt marsh from the sea
and at ' Bambakoula '. Apart from the fact that the
buildings are an eyesore and have been constructed
illegally on public land, and their presence is not
compatible with the natural features of the marsh
( pollution, intensive cultivation, traffic etc .). Finally, a
third activity is threatening the area, illegal and totally
unacceptable fishing using banned types of nets,
chemicals and dynamite .

Given that all of these activities are in violation of
virtually all Community legislation on the environment,
and in view of the fact that the Community is providing
two billion drachmas for projects to rehabilitate the salt
marshes in the area, will the Commission say what action
it will take to ensure that the projects are economically
and environmentally effective and to put an end to the
flagrant abuses referred to above .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 November 1 991 )

The Commission confirms that two billion drachmas are

available for Messolonghi-Etoliko in the framework of
IMP — Western Greece . The Commission is monitoring
the progress of this important development project, and
will ensure that the environmental legislation is being
respected . In particular, the Commission will pay
attention to the correct application of Directives
85 / 337 / EEC (') ( ELA ), 79 / 409 / EEC ( 2 ) ( wild birds ) and
75 / 442 / EEC ( ) ( solid wastes ).

O OJNoL 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .
O OJNoL 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .
O OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1515 / 91

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 20 )

Subject : Road measures

Road pricing is increasingly discussed among Member
States as a possible solution to traffic congestion . Indeed,

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 126 / 11

some Member States are already experimenting with road
pricing systems . Charging private motorized road users
for road space in times of high demand to reduce
congestion can, however, be seen as an interference with
the ' level playing field ' which underpins progress toward
the single European market .

With such difficulties in mind, will the Commission please

state its opinion on the current legality of road pricing in
the EC and say whether any action is being taken in the
run-up to the single European market which will affect
the legality of road pricing ? Will the Commission also
express its opinion on this issue of interference with the
' level playing field ' with regards to toll roads which are
already in use in some of the Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 2 December 1 991 )

The Commission is not aware of the existence in Member

States of systems charging users directly for their use of
roads apart from road tolls . However, in the event that a
Member State proposes to introduce such a system, the
Commission would examine its implications to ensure
that no infringement of the provisions of the EEC Treaty
is implied . In particular, the Commission would wish to
establish that such a system was not discriminatory and
did not represent a form of aid, concealed or otherwise,
towards a particular operator or mode of transport .

However, road tolls have been used by some Member
States for a number of years in an effort to recover
construction and maintenance costs for expensive
infrastructures such as motorways and bridges .

The Commission has made a proposal (') to the Council
regarding the charging of transport infrastructure costs to
heavy goods vehicles . In this proposal, criteria are set out
for toll roads as well as a system to avoid double taxation
i.e. where road users of non-toll countries use roads in toll

countries .

The Commission is currently studying the whole isSUe of
using financial measures, to supplement regulatory
action, aimed at a more efficient and well balanced
transport system . At this stage, it is premature to express
an opinion of the outcome of this study .

o COM(9Q ) 540 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1530 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 21 )

Subject : The securing of scientists by Japan to design

sixth generation computers

Whilst the Japanese and the Americans seem to be
reaching a new agreement on semiconductors in the
commercial field, there is still distrust about advanced
research in the field of information technology .
According to US sources, the Department of Trade has
asked MITI to refrain from directly contacting American
laboratories about large-scale projects, which must be
coordinated through official channels, according to the

1988 Scientific Convention between the United States and
Japan . The contacts concerned are being made between
Japanese civil servants and American scientists at Bell

Laboratories and a number of universities to ask them to

take part in a project called ' Sixth Generation Computer
Project ' ( International Herald Tribune of 22 May 1991 ).

Does the Commission know whether similar approaches
have been made to scientists in European laboratories or
universities ? Can it say what the Community 's policy is on
this subject ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 5 February 1 992 )

The Commission is fully aware of the Japanese proposal

for a new Japanese programme of research in the field of
advanced computing, and is following the development of
this proposal closely . In particular, the Commission is
acting as a channel of communication between Japan and
the European research community in this field .

NIPT ( New Information Processing Technologies ) has
been publicly announced by the Japanese side, notably
through an international conference held on 13 — 14
March in Tokyo and organized by MITI . Commission
representatives and several European experts attended
this exercise . The Commission has noted with satisfaction
that MITI has regularly debriefed the Commission about
the evolution of NIPT .

Pending clarification about the scope of NIPT, the
Commission has encouraged selected European experts to
follow NIPT through workshops and seminars organized
by MITI during their preparation of the research
programme, which itself will begin on full scale at a later

stage .

No C 126 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

The Commission 's policy in this case, as in other related

areas, is to ensure that possible European participation in
high-technology activities proposed by third countries is
organized in such a manner that European industrial and
academic interests are respected and that balanced and
equitable access to the results of such activities is ensured .
To this end, the Commission will support a thorough
exchange of information among interested European
participants and coordinate their possible participation in
these activities .

These requirements are, however, expressed as tangible

objectives that allow for flexibility in the choice of
method and means which they have to be achieved, the
overall aim being that harmonization of conditions as
regards safety and health for all workers is obtained while
maintaining the improvements made .

The responsible representatives of the Member States will
be consulted and kept fully informed, as well as the
European Parliament, of any relevant development . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1699 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 August 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 23 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1657 / 91

by Mrs Ulla Sandbaek ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 August 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 22 )

Subject : Article 1 1 8 A of the Treaty of Rome

Will the Commission please define small and
medium-sized undertakings ?

Could the statement that ' such directives shall avoid
imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in
a way which would hold back the creation and
development of small and medium-sized undertakings '
mean that small and medium-sized undertakings do not
have to comply with the minimum health and safety
requirements laid down in directives adopted on this
basis ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1991 )

Although no formal definition of the terms ' small and
medium-sized enterprises ' exists in the context of the
relevant provisions laid down in Article 1 1 8A of the EEC
Treaty, it is customarily held in the social policy field that

enterprises employing up to 50 employees may be
classified as small, and those with up to 500 employees as
' medium-sized '. A degree of flexibility in these definitions
is desirable in order to allow maximum effectiveness of
measures taken in a specific context .

As regards the second paragraph of section 2 of
Article 1 1 8A, it is stressed that the minimum requirements
laid down in the directives promulgated pursuant to that
article apply to all enterprises irrespective of their size .

Subject : Community directive to protect independent

television productions in Europe

Once again there have been calls for a directive
compelling public and private television companies in the
Community to purchase an annual quota of programmes
from European independent producers .

The European Coordinating Committee of Independent

Producers is thereby trying to ensure that our television
channels show as many Community television
productions as productions from outside the Community .
Does the Commission consider that it can and must speed
up work to prevent Community television producers from
continuing to lose ground ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 November 1 991 )

The Commission is aware of the importance of promoting
independent television productions in the Community
and creating a large enough market for independent
producers to be able to determine their own development
and find the necessary finance . This is one of the aims
clearly set out in the Commission 's communication to
Parliament and the Council on audiovisual policy ( 1 ).

Article 5 of Council Directive 89 / 552 / EEC (*), to which
the Member States had to give effect no later than 3
October 1991, requires that broadcasters reserve at least

10% of their transmission time or, alternatively, at least
10% of their programming budget, for European works
created by producers who are independent of
broadcasters ; this proportion must be achieved by
earmarking an adequate proportion for recent works .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 13

The Commission will monitor the implementation and
impact of this measure closely to assess whether there is a
need for further action and what form it should take .

The Media programme ( 1991 — 95 ) also encourages the

development of the independent production sector,
largely through Euro-aim and the Greco project .

Lastly, the Commission will be discussing independent
productions with experts in the field as part of the
consultations with the industry which have been going on
since the adoption of the communication on audiovisual
policy . The outcome of these meetings will enable the
Commission to improve its knowledge of the subject and
to respond in the most appropriate manner to the
concerns voiced by the Honourable Member .

O COM(90 ) 78 final .
( 2 ) Directive of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain

the recommendations of the International Commission
on Radiological Protection ( ICRP ).

The current 1980 version ('), the Annexes to which, in
particular, were revised in 1984 ( 2 ), is based on the
recommendations put forward by the ICRP in 1976 .

In accordance with the provisions set out in Article 31 of
the Euratom Treaty, the Commission has initiated the
procedure for revision of the Directives currently in force
in order to take account of the latest recommendations
( No 60 ) of the ICRP .

(') Directive 80 / 836 / Euratom ; OJ No L 246, 17 . 9 . 1980 .
( 2 ) Directive 84 / 467 / Euratom ; OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .

provisions laid down by law, regulation or administration
action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television
broadcasting activities ( OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989 ).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1730 / 91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 August 1991 )

( 92 /C 126 / 25 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1 7 1 3 / 9 1
by Mr Didier Anger and Mrs Solange Fernex ( V ) Subject : Organic vegetables
to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 August 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 24 )

Subject : Incorporation of the new ICRP standards in

Community regulations

At its November 1990 meeting the ICRP ( International
Commission for Radiological Protection ) unanimously
revised protection standards, adopting the following,
stricter, maximum doses :

1 . workers : 20 mSv / per year over five years

2 . working pregnant women : 2 mSv externally

3 . general public : 1 mSv / per year

What is the Commission 's timetable for incorporating
these maximum doses in the respective Community
regulations and directives ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 1 October 1 991 )

The Council Directive laying down the basic safety

standards for the health protection of the general public
and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation has
always been based, since its initial adoption in 1959, on

What proportion of the EC market in 1 . carrots, 2 .
potatoes, 3 . onions and 4 . turnips and swedes does the
Commission believe will be supplied by organically grown
products by the year 2000 ? Does it envisage that the
current substantial premium prices available to organic
growers will endure ? What encouragement is it giving to
producers to ' go organic ', in whole or at least in part ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 October 1 991 )

One of the purposes of the Commission 's proposal for a
Council Regulation on the introduction and maintenance
of agricultural production methods compatible with the
requirements of the protection of the environment and
the maintenance of the countryside (') is to encourage the
introduction and continuing use of organic farming
throughout the Community .

Under the proposal the Community will contribute to a
per hectare premium, granted by the Member States, up
to a maximum annual eligible amount of ECU 250 per
hectare .

The aims behind the proposal can be achieved only if the

Member States are prepared to make widespread use of it .
The Commission would like to see a range of organically
grown produce that is as wide as possible .

No C 126 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2092 / 91 of 24 June 1991
on organic production of agricultural products and
indications referring thereto on agricultural products and
foodstuffs ( 2 ) has introduced a framework of rules
covering production, labelling and inspection of organic
products . This will, by guaranteeing fair competition
between producers, enable organic agriculture to develop,
and will also enhance consumer confidence in its

products .

O COM(90 ) 366 final .
O OJ No L 198,22.7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1755 / 91

by Mr José Happart ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 26 )

Subject : Uruguay round and reform of the CAP

The Commission 's proposals for the reform of the CAP
are outlined in its document COM(91 ) 100 final .

Progressive market orientation for agricultural
production and trade can only be achieved if the basic
principles of the CAP are respected .

In the light of the new principles for the reform of the
CAP, what progress has been made in the negotiations
and what are the tangible results of the commitments
entered into during the Uruguay Round ?

Is the Commission aware of the need to reach agreement
within GATT in order to achieve a sound reform of the

CAP in economic and social terms ?

Does the Commission consider that relations with third
countries depends on the outcome of the Uruguay round
of negotiations, particularly in respect of world trade ?

market-oriented agricultural trading system . However,
the proposal is not motivated by the negotiations in
question, which are not concluded and where the eventual
commitments can not be foreseen .

The measures proposed for a reform of the common

agricultural policy are, hence, not elements of an
agreement in the framework of GATT . The
implementation of these measures is justified, in
particular, by the internal situation in the Community .
The aim of the GATT negotiations is to agree to

concerted action which will re-establish balanced markets
and a more market-oriented trading system . The reform
of the common agricultural policy, as proposed by the
Commission can not achieve that aim alone but other
third countries also have to reform their agricultural
policies .

If a balanced GATT agreement can be concluded, both
the Community and third countries will benefit from the
new arrangements, in particular developing countries,
which will participate more fully in the multilateral trade

system, special and differential treatment being provided
where necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1789 / 91

by Mr Gijs de Vries ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 27 )

Subject : Copyright in respect of musical works

At its congress held on 3 and 4 June 1991 in Paris, the

International Council of Authors and Composers
expressed its concern at the implications of Council
Directive 91 / 250 / EEC (') of 14 May 1991 on the legal
protection of computer programmes as literary works
within the meaning of the Berne Convention . The ICAC
fears that, in future, the authors of computer programmes
will be able to claim a share of royalties for works created
using these programmes .

What is the Commission 's own interpretation of the

Directive on this matter ?

O OJ No L 122, 17 . 5 . 1991, p. 42 .
Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1 991 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission 's proposal on reform of the common

agricultural policy is in line with the aim of the GATT
agricultural negotiations as stressed by the Community,
namely to progressively reduce support to the extent
necessary to re-establish balanced markets and a more

( 23 January 1992 )

The Directive on the legal protection of computer
programs 91 / 250 / EEC of 14 May 1991 deals with the

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 15

copyright protection of computer programs in all forms
including both source code and object code .

The term ' computer programs ' is not defined in the final
text of the Directive but was categorized in the original
explanatory memorandum ( COM(88 ) 816 final ) at
point 1.1 of the particular provisions as 'a set of
instructions which causes a computer to perform a
particular function '.

The question of the authorship of works created with the
aid of a computer program, whether such works are
literary, musical, artistic or other works, is therefore not
dealt with by Directive 91 / 250 / EEC which gives
protection only to computer programs . In circumstances
where the computer program is only used as a tool in the
creation of a work, the creator of the computer program
cannot be said to be the ' author ' of the work so created .

Moreover, the question of works generated entirely by a
computer without any creative contribution by a human
author was excluded from the scope of application of
Directive 91 / 250 / EEC as being premature, given the
present state of the art . This view was also shared by the
majority of states members of the Berne Union during the
recent discussion on computer generated works by the
Committee of Experts meeting in WIPO from 4 — 8
November 1991 to discuss a possible Protocol to the
Berne Convention .

2 . Will it take measures to ensure that the situation

returns to normal in the public sector, since this is
essential if Greece is to complete the complex process
of adapting to the single European market ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1991 )

The Commission would regret any measure leading to a
reduction on civil service efficiency . However, the
internal running of their civil services is the business of the
Member States .

The Member States are required to comply with the
deadlines laid down in Community legal instruments .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1841 / 91

by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 29 )

Subject : Taxes . on timber import

ITTO, in its February 1991 report on ' Incentives on
producer and consumer countries to promote sustainable
development of tropical forests ', proposed the partial
transfer of revenue from industrialized countries ( IC ) to
developing countries ( DC ) by taxes on timber imports
into ICs . How would the financial transfer be monitored
to ensure that these revenues would end up benefiting the
indigenous peoples, by creating biospheres for example ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1799 / 91 What is the position of the Commission towards this

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S ) proposal ?
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
( 92 / C 126 / 28 ) on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Freeze on transfers of public-sector employees

The Greek Government recently adopted a law
facilitating transfers of public-sector employees .
Unfortunately, this measure has been used to effect mass
transfers of civil servants who do not belong to the party
in government . This unacceptable situation has literally
paralysed the entire public sector, which is now totally
unable to respond to current Community and European
initiatives taken with a view to completion of the single
European market in 1993 .

1 . Will the Commission make representations to the

Greek Government to abolish this law, which has
caused such disruption in the civil service ?

( 15 November 1 991 )

The idea of a charge or levy on imports of tropical timber

into the Community or any other timber-consuming
country was put forward in 1988 by federations of
tropical timber importers in the Netherlands and the
United Kingdom .

This idea was then taken over by the UCBT ( Tropical
Timber Traders Union of the European Community ),
which made a proposal of its own .

This initiative, which was regarded as being worth
consideration, was also examined within the Community
and discussed by the ITTO .

The many practical difficulties involved in the application

of this system, including the collection of funds, their

No C 126 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 18.5.92

allocation, the monitoring of transfers and the need to
ensure that proper use is made of the funds transferred,
have to date represented the chief obstacle to continuing
examination of the proposal .

At its tenth session the ITTO Council discussed the report

referred to by the Honourable Member and decided to
look more closely at all the aspects of the incentives
policy, including in particular an import charge, in order
to arrive, if possible, at specific proposals .

Since these are matters which come under the headings of
both commercial policy and taxation, if a parallel
proposal were put to the ITTO for application by its
members, the Community would examine it very carefully
within the authorized forums and in accordance with its

own procedures .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1939 / 91

by Mr François Musso ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 30 )

and will shortly take the form of a data base called
APEL ( compendium of locally granted potential );

—
by encouraging the networking and exchange of

experiences between agencies involved in
inter-regional cooperation .

It should also be noted that, as far as the establishment
and development of businesses is concerned, the
Commission, as part of its regional policy, supports the
setting up of business and Innovation Centres ( BICs ).
These follow a Community model, but depend at local
level on agreement between the public and the private
sectors and concentrate their work on new or existing
firms which put forward innovative development projects
adding value to the economy of the region .

(') The Council of European Municipalities and Regions

publishes a list of European development agencies .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1980 / 91

by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 9 September 1 991 )

Subject : European development agencies
( 92 / C 126 / 31 )

Will the Commission indicate the framework within
which it is setting up ' European development agencies ' in

certain regions, giving a list of the ' agencies ' which have
already been or are about to be set up ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 November 1991 )

The bulk of the Community 's regional policy is designed
primarily to accompany and support the regional policies
of the Member States and the regions . The establishment
of ' European development agencies ' is not therefore a
matter for the Commission as such but rather an initiative
the impetus for which should come first of all from the
national and regional authorities (*).

Such agencies do, however, exist in a number of regions
and the Commission encourages their work in various

ways :

— firstly by including in the forms of assistance under

the structural Funds specific instruments such as
global grants which are intended to foster the
emergence of local development strategies . These are
to be implemented by intermediate bodies, the criteria
for which are very similar to those for the agencies in
question ;

— by carrying out a study of the local development

potential of regions which includes a list of agencies

Subject : Effects of the set-aside regulations

1 . Will the Commission comment on the conclusions
reached by the Centre for European Agricultural Studies
at Wye College in Britain in a study of the effects of the
new Community set-aside regulations on European cereal
production, in particular the claims that :

( a ) Community cereal production will fall by no more

than 2 million tonnes ;

( b ) it is primarily poor land that will be set aside ;

( c ) the stipulation that the arrangement does not apply
only to 1 5 % of the land down to cereals but to 1 5 %
of all arable land makes the scheme unattractive to
many farmers ?

2 . In view of these findings will the Commission
amend its proposals for the reform of the CAP ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 January 1992 )

The research to which the Honourable Member refers
was based on a survey of farmers ' stated intentions which

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 17

had been carried out before the full details of the
temporary set-aside scheme were known . The
Commission is therefore not at all surprised that the
research concluded that the cereals crop would be
reduced by 2 million tonnes at the most, as a result of the
application of this scheme . The Commission does
however share the opinion that the least fertile arable land
will be withdrawn from production . This is a natural

consequence of the fact that participation in the scheme is
entirely voluntary . This was taken into account in the
calculation of the cost-effectiveness of the scheme .
Contrary to the Honourable Member 's impression,
participants in the scheme are not required to withdraw

1 5 % of their total arable area from production, if they are
also sugarbeet or potato producers, for example . This is
precisely the kind of detail which reduces the predictive
value of the abovementioned research . In fact, producers '
representatives who have discussed the scheme with the
services of the Commission have not expressed concern
about the minimum withdrawal rate . Other concerns have
surfaced, however, notably concerning the precise
duration of the fallow period . The lessons drawn from
this will help in the detailed design of future reforms for
the arable sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2026 / 91

by Mr James Ford ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 September 1991 )

A flexible approach has been adopted regarding
organizations wishing to publicize conference and books,
and where space permits, an insertion of two or three lines
free of charge is accepted, if it is felt this will be of interest
to the readership .

On the same principle, the inclusion of a lightweight
leaflet is sometimes accepted provided that no extra cost
to the Commission is incurred, and where the enclosure is
felt to be of interest to the readers, as in the case in
question .

In general, however, this service exists mainly for
charitable and non-commercial organizations .

' European ' events organized by Trade Unions would be
eligible for enclosure, time and space permitting . Political
events could also be considered for inclusion, provided
they be connected with the Community, of general
interest, and give the opportunity for expressing different
viewpoints .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2036 / 91

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to die Commission of the European Communities

( 92 / C 126 / 32 ) ( 23 September 1 991 )

( 92 /C 126 / 33 )

Subject : The Week in Europe

With my copy of the above publication for the week of 25
July 1991 I received a large leaflet for an expensive

conference, put on by a private organization, respecting
business in one of the 12 Member States of the

Community .

Can the Commission tell me how much the organization
concerned ( FiBEX ) paid the Commission for this
privilege, and what criteria are laid down for approving
any such requests for this facility from, for example,
Trade Unions or other political organizations ?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1 991 )

The Week in Europe is the weekly news sheet of the
London Office of the Commission with a circulation of
some 1 1 000 persons interested in European affairs .

Subject : Discrimination in UK pensions

In the UK, state retirement pensions are paid to women
on reaching 60 years of age, whereas men cannot receive
them until they reach 65 . In the light of the spirit of
Directives 79 / 7 / EEC (*) and 86 / 378 / EEC ( 2 ) and the
draft directive COM(87 ) 494 which deal with the
principle of equal treatment between men and women in
pension schemes, would the Commission comment on
this situation ?

Furthermore, employees in the UK are entitled to a
graduated pension based on National Insurance
contributions made between 1961 and 1975 . A man
receives 6,8 lp for every £7,50 paid into the scheme,
whereas a woman had to contribute £9 to receive the same
benefit . Does the Commission agree that this is yet
another example of the gross discrimination which exists
within the UK pension system ?

In the light of information contained in this question
would the Commission outline what it considers to be best

No C 126 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

practice ? Moreover, in view of my question of 8 March

1990 ( H-348 / 90 ) ( 3 ) would the Commission report on
what action has been taken to establish, as a matter of
urgency, full equality in all areas of retirement in Member
States ? Is the Commission now in a position to give a date
by which this should be achieved ?

O OJN0L6, 10 . 1 . 1979, p. 6 .
O OJ No L 225, 12 . 8 . 1986, p. 40 .
( 5 ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-389 / April 1990 .

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 4 November 1 991 )

1 . The Commission can inform the Honourable

Member that no discussions have been held in the Council
on the proposal for a Directive supplementing Directives
79 / 7 / EEC and 86 / 378 / EEC since 12 June 1989 .

2 . The Commission was not aware of the
discrimination referred to and is planning to approach the
British Government for information on the subject .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 November 1 991 )

In the reply to Written Question No 1776 / 91 by the
Honourable Member (*) the Commission stated that the

157 projects which had been fully approved or approved
in principle were expected to attract ECU 70 million at
current prices . At the 22 July interim and final grant claims
for ECU 18,6 million had been approved . Since then
further grant claims have been approved and by 6
September the corresponding figure was ECU 26,7
million .

The Merseyside Integrated Development Operation
applies to the area as a whole and it seeks to identify and
encourage those projects which will contribute most to
the development of the region as a whole ; it is not
therefore based on allocations for each district council

and the Commission is not therefore able to comment on
the performance of individual local authorities . It is a
matter of some disappointment that despite the evident
need of the region the United Kingdom 's national
financial arrangements within which the public bodies in
the region are obliged to operate will probably prevent
Merseyside from taking up all the ERDF which was
allocated to its operational programme .

3 . The Commission is looking very closely at the new
situation regarding equal treatment between men and
women in occupational social security schemes following The amount of aid given to
the judgment of 17 May 1990 in Case 262 / 88 Barber and period 1992 and 1993 has
is awaiting with great interest the Court 's judgments on objective criteria which have
the further questions referred to it for a preliminary across the Community .
ruling, which will help to clarify the 17 May judgment .
o OJ No C 78, 30 . 3 . 1992, p. 24 .

The amount of aid given to each Objective 2 area for the
period 1992 and 1993 has been decided on the basis of
objective criteria which have been applied uniformily
across the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2078 / 91

by Mr Kenneth Stewart ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2104 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 26 September 1 991 )
( 92 / C 126 / 34 )
( 92 / C 126 / 35 )

Subject : Progress of Merseyside Integrated Development

Operation

Would the Commission state what amount of ERDF
funding has been used on projects to date by the
Merseyside Integrated Development Operation
submission ?

Is the Commission satisfied with the progress being made
by the five local authorities on their various projects, and
if not, which ones are at fault ?

Has the Commission taken into account the latest
assessment on poverty and deprivation in Liverpool and
Bootle, and in view of this, will it consider further grant
aid for the area ?

Subject : The island of Saint-Martin and the single market

of 1992 — 93

Returning to my Written Question No 2280 / 90 of 15
October 1990 and the Commission 's interesting reply of

19 December 1990 (*), I should like to put the following
questions :

1 . As the northern part of Saint-Martin — Sint Maarten

is administratively dependent on the French
d6partement of Guadeloupe, and the southern part is
an overseas territory under Netherlands sovereignty,
how is the apparently notional frontier defined ? Why
have several customs officers, to whom there have
apparently been some objections, been sent relatively
recently to the French part ?

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 19

2 . Is it true that the 1992 — 93 agreements on the single
market will apply only to the French part of
Saint-Martfn, and that the Dutch part will be
excluded ?

3 . Sint Maarten is organized as a free port, which is

illegal under French law ; how can this conflict be
reduced and resolved, using the good offices of the
Commission and its services ?

4 . What progress is being made on the island on the

Commission proposal, adopted by the Council, under
which, in principle, ' the development of the different
constituents of a given geographical area, each of
which has similar constraints and characteristics,
requires the implementation of regional projects
common to the various constituents, irrespective of
their status in relation to Community law, as this
makes it possible to achieve economies of scale and
strengthens regional cooperation among the partners
concerned '?

5 . Have the potential beneficiary authorities in both

parts of Saint-Martin — Sint Maarten submitted joint
applications to the Commission services responsible
for the internal coordination of the Structural Funds
and the European Development Fund ? Will the ' joint
ideas ' mentioned at the end of the above Commission
answer ( what are these ideas ?) become joint
applications ? Will they be encouraged ?

6 . Should not this case, in which archaism and
contradiction, not to mention indolence, are notable
features, be referred to the Council ?

territory . The Dutch part of St Martin is not part of
Community territory .

The Commission is not aware of any conflict arising out
of the custom regime in force .

In its contacts with the island 's authorities, the
Commission seeks to encourage cooperation between the
two parts of the island . As far as requests for Structural
Fund aid are concerned, the Commission procedures for
examining such requests permit the impact of projects on
both parts of the island to be taken into account .

A request from both local authorities for financing of a
feasibility study into the construction of a waste treatment
unit has been favourably received by the Commission . To
date, no other joint requests have been received .

As indicated in paragraph 5 above, the Commission is
supportive of efforts by the two parts of St Martin to
work together for their mutual benefit .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2110 / 91

by Mr Kenneth Collins ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 September 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 36 )

o OJNoC94, 11.4 . 1991, p. 39 . Subject : EFTA : Tariff, tax and non-tariff barriers facing

EC spirit drinks

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1 991 )

While physical evidence of the border separating the
French and Dutch parts of St Martin is minimal, the
existence of such a border is shown in the different legal
and administrative systems applied to the two parts of the
island, as outlined by the Honourable Member in his
Written Question No 2280 / 90 .

The recent arrival of customs officers in the French part
follows a drug seizure, and presumably reflects the desire
of the French authorities that the liberal custom regime in
force on the French part of the island should not facilitate
illegal activities .

Community legislation enabling the completion of the
Community 's internal market applies to Community

Will the Commission say what representations it has
received from industrial organizations concerning the
removal and / or improvement of various tariff, tax and
non-tariff problems facing European Communities spirit
drinks in EFTA markets ?

Will the Commission further say whether it considers
these representations reasonable and what steps it is
therefore taking to pursue the objectives outlined in these
representations ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 991 )

As in any decision making process, the Commission is
endeavouring to take account of as broad a range of
opinions on the issues as possible ; to that end various
trade interests concerned have forwarded documents to
the Commission staff containing information on the
barriers currently existing in the EFTA countries to trade
in alcoholic and spirituous beverages .

No C 126 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

The Commission is aware that certain practices in the

EFTA countries, in particular regarding monopolies and
the system of taxation, advertising and labelling,
constitute technical barriers to trade and penalize
Community exports of alcoholic and spirituous beverages
to those countries .

In the negotiations on the European Economic Area, the
Commission has taken account to a large extent of the
concerns of those in the alcoholic and spirituous
beverages trade and has made it clear in discussions that
Community law, including secondary legislation, on
competition must apply in the EEA under the same
conditions as in the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2202 / 91

by Mr Adrien Zeller ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 37 )

Subject : Support for the forestry research programme m

the context of the CAP reform

What does the Commission intend to do to promote

research into fast-growing forests or short rotation
coppices, which may, in the context of agricultural form,
provide a real alternative to today 's surplus agricultural
production ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1 991 )

Within the third framework programme for the
Community, and in particular the specific research and
technological development and demonstration
programme for the European Economic Community in
the field of agriculture and agro-industry, including
fisheries ( 1990—1994 ), forest and woodland research are
clearly included . Support is therefore available for actions
to promote sustainable economic systems where trees,
growing rapidly in short rotation, can be assessed as
alternatives to crops creating agricultural surpluses and to
make use of land set aside or abandoned .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2205 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 38 )

Subject : Lessons to be drawn from the fraudulent

treatment of executives and other staff of the

BCCI

Some executives and other staff of the BCCI who had
been employed in the organization for 10 years did not
receive any redundancy payment when their contracts
were terminated after the adoption of a restructuring and

streamlining plan in 1990 . In both Luxembourg and Paris
their employer justified this move by claiming that they
had been guilty of ' severe misconduct ' in refusing to be
suddenly seconded to positions in Africa and Asia where
they would not have been covered by French or
Luxembourgish social security arrangements . In Paris the
BCCP argued that those concerned were employed by the
head office of the organization in Brussels and the
registered office in Luxembourg . In Paris proceedings
have been initiated against the BCCP, before labour
tribunals, but progress is very slow ; London employees
seem to have suffered somewhat less .

In addition, staff were required to pay 8,33% of their
salary (!) to a non-registered provident fund which they
are now unable to have reimbursed . The former director
of the BCCI in Luxembourg is personally implicated in
misappropriating provident fund resources .

Proceedings have also been initiated before the
Luxembourg courts by the Luxembourg Monetary
Institute which may involve the problem of labour
relations in the BCCI .

Does the Commission not agree that this case amply
highlights the need to allow and even clearly encourage
concerted actions and protests by staff employed by
companies with a number of different seats in the
Community, while protecting them from fraud ? Is
sufficient attention being paid to this problem in drawing
up the directive due to be issued next spring ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1992 )

Procedures for informing and consulting employees of
European-scale groups of undertakings are the subject of
three different proposals submitted by the Commission to
the Council .

The proposal for a Council Directive on procedures for

informing and consulting employees of undertakings with
complex structures, in particular transnational
undertakings (') ( submitted to the Council on 24 October

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 126 / 21

1980 and amended on 13 July 1983 ( 2 )), covered all EC,
non-EC, and parents undertakings, having one or more
establishments or subsidiaries in the Community, and
employing as a whole at least 1 000 employees in
the Community . The proposal would require these
to regularly inform and consult the employees '
representatives via the local management, as provided by
the law or practice of the Member States . No single body
for employee representation was set up and the
information and consultation procedures envisaged were
channelled throughout the existing national
representation structures . After lengthy discussions, the
amended proposal did not find enough support among
the Member States .

In December 1990, the Commission adopted a proposal
for a Council Directive on the establishment of a
European Works Council ( EWC ) in Community-scale
undertakings or groups of undertakings for the purposes
of informing and consulting employees ( 3 ). This proposal
was amended and adopted by the Commission on

16 September 1991 . The revised proposal 's objective is
to improve the provision of information to, and
the consultation of, employees in Community-scale
undertakings and groups of undertakings . To this end, a
EWC is to be established in every Community-scale
undertaking and group of undertakings . According to the
Annex of the proposal, the EWC should have the right to
be informed and consulted by the central management of
the undertaking, by the controlling undertaking, or by
any other competent level of management, about any
management proposal concerning at least two controlled
undertakings situated in two different Member States and
having a serious consequence for the employees . The
proposal makes express reference to decisions related to
relocation, mergers, reduction in size, closure of
undertakings and introduction of new technologies .

Situations as those referred to by the Honourable
Member concerning corporate restructuring, closures or
collective redundancies would be covered by the
information and consultation procedures laid down by
the revised proposal .

On 18 September 1991, the Commission adopted a
proposal amending Council Directive 75 / 129 / EEC on
collective redundancies, with the effect of reinforcing the
requirements to transnational redundancy decisions and
to groups of undertakings . This would be done by
ensuring that employers may not rely on the defense that
they did not receive the relevant information in time from
the controlling undertaking which makes the decision
leading to collective redundancies .

(') OJ No L 297, 15 . 11 . 1980 . Supplement 3 / 80, Bulletin EC .
( 2 ) OJ No C 217, 12 . 8 . 1983 . Supplement 283, Bulletin EC .
O OJNo C 39, 15 . 2 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2224 / 91
by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 October 1 991 )

( 92 /C 126 / 39 )

Subject : Standardizing telephones in the EC

Are the charges brought by certain Member States against
Community citizens for selling cordless telephones
compatible with the free movement of goods and the rules
against abuse of dominant market positions ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1992 )

The Commission is aware of several cases in which

Member States have brought charges against private
citizens for marketing terminal equipment not approved
in the country of destination . Some of these cases concern
cordless telephones .

Charges such as these are the corollary to the requirement
for prior approval to market terminal equipment . The
Commission feels that in the light of Article 30 of the
EEC Treaty and of Directive 88 / 301 / EEC (') there is no
justification for this requirement if the terminals are
intended for a private network or for re-export . After all,
the objective of approval is to ensure compliance with the
essential requirements specific to the public telecommu ­
nications network in the country of destination .
Consequently, if the terminals are not intended for
connection to the public network, prior approval is no
longer warranted and, hence, is contrary to Community
legislation .

Cordless telephones operate in the radioelectric
frequency spectrum . However, irrespective of the
declared intended use, this type of terminal can, for
technical reasons, cause interference with the public
radiocommunications network . For this reason, the
Commission feels that prior approval of terminals using
the radioelectric frequency spectrum, as opposed to
terminals physically connected to the network, is justified,
even if the equipment is intended for a private network .
This is the approach adopted in Directive 91 / 263 / EEC ( 2 )
which is now being incorporated into the national
legislation . Application of common conformity
specifications, as provided for in the harmonization
Directives adopted in this field, is the only way to build a
system in which approval in one Member State suffices in
order to market equipment throughout the Community .

No C 126 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

Until such measures are introduced, the Member States
regulations imposing penalties on sellers of unapproved
cordless telephones cannot be considered contrary to
Article 30 of the Treaty .

However, these regulations could be contrary to
Article 90 of the Treaty in conjunction with Article 86 if
they impose an obligation on undertakings wishing to
market cordless telephones to obtain prior approval from
a body which is not independent of the public operator in
the country concerned . For this reason, Article 6 of
Commission Directive 8 8 / 301 / EEC of 16 May 1988
enjoins the Member States to ensure that approval is
granted by a body independent of their public telecommu ­
nications operator . Almost every Member State has
implemented this clause . However, the independence of
the bodies consequently set up can be assessed only in the
light of specific cases like those raised by the Honourable
Member .

O OJNoL 131,27 . 5 . 1988 .
O OJ No L 128, 23 . 5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2246 / 91

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 40 )

Subject : High-speed trains in the Italian railway system

In connection with the planned restructuring of the
Italian railway network involving the introduction of
high-speed trains, can the Commission answer the
following questions :

1 . Have the Italian authorities made any provision for

informing the Commission about the actual project ?

2 . Can the award by private negotiation of a series of

contracts worth some Lit 15 000 billion be considered
to be in accordance with Community law ?

3 . Does the Commission not consider that the fact that
the modernization of the Italian railway network
affects only marginally the regions of southern Italy,
whose weakness in transport and communications is
undoubtedly a primary cause of their lack of economic
development, constitutes a clear violation of the
obligations of economic cohesion as enshrined in the
Single European Act ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1 992 )

It was agreed with the Italian authorities that the details
relating to the restructuring of the Italian railways would

be submitted at the next meeting of the High-Level
Working Party on the High-Speed Network . These

details will include information on the arrangements Italy
has adopted for the introduction of high-speed rail
services .

Until it has this information the Commission cannot
express an opinion on the approaches being considered by
the Italian authorities or on their national priorities .

Nevertheless the Commission would remind the
Honourable Member that the European masterplan for
high-speed railways, adopted by the Council at the
meeting of 17 December 1990, provides for the southern
regions of Italy to be served by two main lines which are
projects of European interest . These are the new
Milan-Rome-Naples-Battipaglia line, with the extension
from Battipaglia to Reggio Calabria which is to be
modernized, and the modernized line from Verona to
Bologna, Foggia and Brindisi . These two will be linked by
a modernized section between Caserta and Foggia .
Sicily 's two main cities of Palermo and Messina will have
a modernized line .

Together, these lines and good connections from them to

the main southern cities will improve rail links in the
south and given the local economy a boost .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2258 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 41 )

Subject : Cooperation between the Belgian Post Office

and Greenpeace

On 25 May 1991 Greenpeace, the environmental
protection organization, celebrated its twentieth
anniversary . To mark the occasion the Belgian Post
Office decided to organize a campaign from the end of
May to 31 July 1991, to promote the sale of T-shirts
bearing the slogan ' Greenpeace toujours a son poste '.
Posters and leaflet were made available to customers in
post offices in support of the campaign, the cost of which
was largely offset by sales of the T-shirts, the proceeds
going to the Post Office . This scheme has helped the
Belgian Post Office improve its image among young
people .

Could not the Commission encourage similar cooperation
between Greenpeace and the national postal services in
the other Member States ?

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 23

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 November 1 991 )

The organization Greenpeace is completely separate from
the Commission, a situation which, of course, extends to
its promotional activities . It is not part of the
Commission 's role to participate in commercial or
promotional activities on behalf of a particular
organization, even when thos"e activities are of general
interest .

Accordingly, it is for the individual postal authorities to
decide with Greenpeace whether a promotional campaign
of this kind is in their mutual interest .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2301 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 42 )

Subject : The Pinatubo eruption and the ocean current ' El

Nino '

American scientists have recently claimed that in addition

to the local damage caused, the massive eruption of the
Philippine volcano Pinatubo will affect the atmosphere
world-wide due to the greenhouse effect ; another
American expert, speaking later in Santiago, Chile,
claimed that the reappearance of the ocean current known
as ' El Nino ' indicates that we can expect the temperature
of the Pacific Ocean to rise .

Does the Commission have any information concerning
these claims and the possible climatic consequences of the
phenomena in question ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 January 1992 )

The Commission carries out, through its Global
Environment Unit, a follow-up of current scientific
discussion developed in the framework of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ).

The IPCC is, for the time being, the most important body
for the scientific evaluation of all the physico-chemical
processes associated with the warming up of the planet .

The scientific report of the IPCC issued in June 1990
points out that aerosol particles play a relevant role in the
climate system because of their direct interaction

( absorption and scattering ) with solar and terrestrial
radiation, as well as through their influence on cloud
processes and thereby, indirectly, on radiative fluxes .

Aerosol particles derived from natural emissions may
contribute in important ways to climate feedback
processes . Following major volcanic eruptions, the
concentration of aerosol particles can be greatly enhanced
over the next few years .

Major volcanic eruptions can inject gaseous sulphur
dioxide and dust, among other chemicals, into the
stratosphere . The sulphur dioxide is quickly converted
into sulphuric acid aerosols . If present in sufficient
quantities in the stratosphere, these aerosols can
significantly affect the net radiation balance of the Earth .

In summary, there is little doubt that major volcanic
eruptions contribute to the variability of the global
temperature record ; but since the lifetime of the aerosols
in the stratosphere is only a few years, such an effect
would require frequent explosive eruptions to cause
long-term fluctuations in aerosol loading .

It should be mentioned that during the last session of the
negotiations of a Framework Convention on Climate
Change ( Nairobi, 9 — 20 September 1991 ), Professor
Ob&si, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological
Organization, cited specifically as major environmental
events which have recently affected climate, the oilfield
fires in Kuwait and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the
Philippines .

Nevertheless, the magnitude of global and regional
climate impact ( global warming or El Nino Southern
Oscillation phenomenon ), cannot be fully evaluated at
this stage and will need further analysis in the framework
of the World Climate Programme . It should be noted that
climate research depends upon many years of reliable data
and extensive international cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2304 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to European Political Cooperation

( 21 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 43 )

Subject : Agreements concerning Walvis Bay

What is the nature of the agreements apparently being
concluded between the governments of Namibia and
South Africa for joint administration of the port of Walvis
Bay and its hinterland, particularly with a view to
constructing roads and railways linking it with various
parts of southern Africa ?

No C 126 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3185 / 91

by Mr Edward Newman ( S )
to European Political Cooperation

( 24 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 44 )

Subject : Walvis Bay, Namibia, occupied by South Africa

What have the Foreign Ministers done, and what are they
prepared to do in the future to pressure South Africa to
withdraw from Walvis Bay in compliance with United

Nations Security Council Resolution 432 ?

Joint answer
to Written Questions Nos 2304 / 91 and 3185 / 91

. ( 10 April 1992 )

As the Honourable Parliamentarian is aware negotiations

are presently taking place between the Governments of
Namibia and South Africa on the future of Walvis Bay
and the Orange River boundary .

On 14 March 1991 a joint statement was issued . The
South African authorities acknowledged Namibia 's vital
interest in a secure deep-sea port and stated their
readiness to recommend to the South African Parliament

that :

— the middle of the Orange River be the border between

the two countries instead of the north bank of the

river

— a joint port authority be established to administer the

port and to give Namibia a stake in the running of the

port .

Concerning the issue of sovereignty over Walvis Bay and
the offshore islands, South Africa indicated its preference
to have the matter addressed only after the start of the
negotiations for a new South African Constitution .

It was agreed that the desirability to establish a joint water
authority in respect of the utilization of the waters of the
Orange River as well as of the Kuiseb River should be
investigated .

Negotiations and consultations on the subject of the
future of Walvis Bay were continued on a regular basis
since the abovementioned joint Statement was issued .
Following a meeting on 20 September 1991 a further joint
Statement was issued in which the wo Governments
indicated their acceptance in principle of the setting up of
a Joint Administration body to administer the territory of
Walvis Bay and the offshore islands as an interim

arrangement, pending an eventual settlement of the issue .
To this end the two Governments decided to establish a
Joint Technical Committee to advise them on the

functions and structures which could lead to joint
administration . In addition, as regards the Orange River
boundary, it has been decided to appoint a Joint Technical
Committee to investigate and report on the demarcation
of the boundary in the middle of the river .

The two Joint Technical Committees above were
officially constituted on 5 December 1991 and are
expected to commence their work soon .

The Community and its Member States note with

satisfaction the determination of the two governments to
reach a solution to this issue through peaceful means and
hope there will be further, early progress in the bilateral
negotiations .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2317 / 91

by Mr Ben Visser ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 45 )

Subject : TGV high-speed train route between Brussels

and Amsterdam

According to an article which appeared in the Volkskrant

on 6 August 1991, Commissioner Van Miert has
apparently indicated his willingness to participate in a
study on an alternative route to that agreed by the
Netherlands and Belgium .

The part of the route concerned is where the TGV crosses

the Belgian-Netherlands border .

1 . Does the Commission not share the view that it is not
the responsibility of the European Community to take
initiatives concerning details of the high-speed train
routes but that, in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity, this is a matter for the national
authorities and local authorities, such as the provinces
and municipalities ?

2 . Does the Commission not agree that its primary task

is to indicate the major routes ( e.g. Paris — Brussels

— Amsterdam ) and to ensure that the relevant
decisions are based on environmental impact
assessments and adequate consultation ?

3 . Is it correct that Commissioner Van Miert said he
would take part in a study into the choice of route,
despite the fact that the two governments had already
reached a compromise ?

4 . Does the Commission not consider that the
Community 's involvement in the details of the choice

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 25

of route will create a precedent that will impose an
unnecessary strain on its scarce manpower and
resources ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 72 February 1992 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's view .
The details of the route are not the Community 's

responsibility but that of the national authorities . In the
report the Commission adopted on 5 December and the
Council approved on 17 December - 1990, the High-Level
Working Party simply laid down the general outline of
the European high-speed rail network, the decision on the
actual line each route would take in each section being left
to the relevant national authorities .

Without making any formal commitment the Member of

the Commission, Mr Van Miert, reminded those
concerned that a Community contribution to the
financing of a study on the high-speed link between
Belgium and the Netherlands might be considered if the
countries concerned so wished .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2325 / 91

by Mr Heribert Barrera i Costa ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 46 )

Subject : Funds for Objective 2 of the Structural Funds

The Commission has decided to extend the life of the list

of Structural Funds Objective 2 regions for the period

1992—1993 .

It would appear that, in allocating Objective 2 funds to
each Member State, the Commission studied a number of
alternatives . The final decision means that Spain will
receive ECU 626 million for the period 1992 — 1993 .

Can the Commission confirm that, if it had chosen to use
other methods of calculation, Spain would have benefited
from an extra ECU 100 million for its Objective 2
regions ?

How can it justify this loss of funding for the Spanish
Objective 2 regions, when, according to the conclusions
of the study carried out by the Munich ' Institut fur
Wirtschaftsforschung ' ( IFO ) on the effects of 1992 and
the secondary legislation on the less favoured regions of
the EEC, the development prospects of the Atlantic coast
Objective 2 regions of Spain are deteriorating ?

Moreover, out of a total of ECU 3 350 million assigned to
Objective 2 regions until 1993, the Commission has
decided to devote ECU 507 million to Community
initiatives . What explanation does it offer for the fact that
funds for Community initiatives are being taken from the
total allocation for Objective 2 regions ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(2 January 1992 )

The total of ECU 7 205 million ( 1989 prices ) granted to

Objective 2 areas for the period 1989 / 93, is made up as
follows :

— national initiatives ( new and under way ): ECU 6 311

million ;

— so-called first-generation Community initiatives
( non-quota measures and Community programmes ):
ECU 387 million ;

— so-called second-generation Community initiatives

( Community initiatives ): ECU 507 million .

The total granted to Spain for national initiatives for the
whole of the period 1989 / 93 is ECU 1 305 million :

— ECU 679 million for the first phase ( 1989 — 1991 ),

— ECU 626 million for the second phase ( 1992 — 93 ).

This represents 20,7% of total Community funding for

national initiatives under Objective 2 over the five years
( ECU 6 311 million ). This is the percentage given in
Commission Decision 89 / 289 / EEC of 8 March 1989
fixing an indicative allocation between Member States of
85% of the commitment appropriations of the European
Regional Development Fund under Objective 2 for the
period 1989 — 93 . The allocation criteria are based on the
eligible population and the average unemployment rate in
the regions concerned in each country .

Appropriations for Community initiatives under
Objective 2, as for those under other Objectives, are from
the total sum earmarked for all the regions covered by
that Objective .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2344 / 91

by Mr Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 47 )

Subject : Relations between the European Community

and Guatemala

In the last two years :

1 . what measures has the Commission taken or
encouraged in order to promote socioeconomic
development in Guatemala ?

No C 126 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

2 . how has the Commission promoted cooperation

between the European Community and Guatemala ?

3 . on what terms has trade between the European

Community and Guatemala been maintained or
promoted ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1992 )

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 .

Eastern Europe, although economic factors have
constituted the major justification for maintaining the
restrictions .

It is to be noted that provisions for cooperation in the
environmental area are included in the Associations
Agreements and we can expect that in due course, and
with the assistance of the Community, substantially

similar environmental standards in this sector of
production will be enforced both in the EC and these
countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2354 / 91

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2349 / 91
( 22 October 1991 )

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 92 / C 126 / 49 )

( 21 October 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 48 ) Subject : Radioactivity released by atom bomb tests on

Mururoa

Subject : Liberalization of textile imports from Eastern

Europe

Within the framework of negotiations between the EC

and Eastern Europe the Commission intends to liberalize
imports in categories 36 ( artificial filament fabrics ) and

100 ( coated fabrics ) from Czechoslovakia, Hungary and
Poland . Category 36 includes fabrics of acetate and
viscose . The production of both these yarns is now
constrained in Western Europe by environmental controls
which do not yet apply in Eastern Europe . In the same
way, category 100 includes all kinds of PVC - and
polyurethane-coated fabrics, again with an environmental
connotation . What account is the Commission taking of
the danger that if trade in these two categories is
liberalized there will be strong temptation for EC
companies to source their products in Eastern Europe,
where legislative controls do not yet exist, thus effectively
exporting the pollution problem and giving rise to
increased unemployment within the EC ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1992 )

As an intermediary step towards the conclusion of the
Association Agreements between the EC and
Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, interim textile
agreements have been concluded for one year . As a result
of these negotiations, the restrictions on categories 36
and 100 have not been liberalized .

The Commission is aware of the environmental problem
arising from the production of these types of fabrics in

According to the German news magazine Der Spiegel \ of

12 July 1991, two Greenpeace activists measuring
radioactivity levels following subterranean atom bomb
tests on the French Polynesian atoll of Mururoa have
been arrested on the grounds that only the EC
Commission is entitled to measure any radioactive
contamination within Mururoa 's 12-mile zone .

1 . Is it true that two Greenpeace scientists were arrested
on Mururoa on these grounds and does the
Commission have further details of the circumstances
surrounding their arrest ?

2 . Is it true that only the EC Commission is entitled to
carry out measurements of radioactive pollution
within Mururoa 's 12-mile zone ?

3 . Is it true, as Der Spiegel claims, that the EC
Commission has declined and continues to decline to
carry out such investigations on the grounds that no
funds are available for it ?

4 . Has the Commission carried out measurements for
radioactivity within Mururoa 's 12-mile zone or does it
have any plans to do so ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1992 )

1 . The Commission has not been informed of the
arrest of two Greenpeace members on Mururoa .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 27

2 . Access within the 12-mile zone round Mururoa is
the sovereign right of the French Government .

3 . Under Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty, the
Commission has right of access to radioactivity
monitoring stations to check their operation and
efficiency . However, the Commission does not consider
it a priority for the moment to send inspectors to
the Mururoa site ( see also answers to oral question
H-335 / 89 by Mrs Piermont (*) and Written Questions
Nos 2450 / 90 by Mr Monnier-Besombes ( 2 ) and 2527 / 90
by Mr Hughes ( 2 ).

4 . The Commission does not itself carry out
radioactivity measurements as part of the
abovementioned monitoring . It has not, therefore, carried
out any such measurements within the Mururoa 12-mile
zone, nor does it intend to do so . Nevertheless, it is
paying close attention to the trend in radioactivity levels
on the basis of measurements communicated to it under

Article 36 of the European Treaty .

( l ) European Parliament Debates, Nos 3-3873 ( November
1989 ).
O OJ No C 70, 18 . 3 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2406 / 91

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 50 )

Subject : Qualifications for psychotherapy and
hypnotherapy

What plans does the Commission have to regulate the
recognition of qualifications for psychotherapists and
hypnotherapists in the European Community ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 1992 )

Recognition of psychotherapists ' and hypnotherapists '
qualifications is provided for, in the case of doctors, by
the ' doctors ' Directives 75 / 362 / EEC and 75 / 363 /
EEC (') and, in the case of non-doctors, depending on the
level of training in question, either by the ' general system '
Directive 89 / 48 / EEC (*) or, in future, by the proposal for
a Council Directive on a second general system for the
recognition of professional education and training which
complements Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( 3 ).

The Commission does not therefore plan to make specific
proposals in this field .

It would also refer the Honourable Member to the
answers to Written Questions Nos 1059 / 91 by Mr
Schmid ( 4 ) and 1239 / 91 by Mrs Crawley (*).

O OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975 .
O OJ No L 19,24 . 1 . 1989 .
( 3 ) OJ No C 263, 16 . 10 . 1989 ; amended proposal : OJ No C 217,

1.9 . 1990 .

O OJ No C 315, 5 . 12 . 1991 .
O OJ No C 259, 4 . 10 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2413 / 91

by Mr Wayne David ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 October 1991 )

( 92 /C 126 / 51 )

Subject : Pollution in Pontyclun

Would the Commission carry out an investigation into
pollution from the factory of Purolite International
Limited at Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan,
South Wales, to establish whether EC environmental
standards are being adhered to, and whether the
emissions from the plant are a danger to public health ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 991 )

The Commission believes that no EC environmental

standards apply to the atmospheric emissions from the
processes operated by Parolite International . Emissions
from the factory are monitored by the Employment
Medical Advisory Service, Her Majesty 's Inspectorate of
Pollution, and the local authority Environmental Health
Department . The Commission understands that none has
any reason to believe that the factory poses a threat to the
health of the workers at the factory or to the public living
within its vicinity . In the absence of an inspectorate, the
Commission sees no reason to supplement this
monitoring, or to carry out further inquiries, unless more
detailed information is available .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2437 / 91

by Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra ( GUE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 October 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 52 )

Subject : Facilities for refugees in the international section

of airports

On 23 September 1991 the Council of Europe 's
Parliamentary Assembly adopted a report on

No C 126 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

arrangements for asylum-seekers in European airports .
The report was particularly critical for the lack of

facilities currently provided for them ( in terms of
interpreters, legal assistance, communications with the
outside world, etc .).

What measures can the Commission take to promote the

introduction of humanitarian arrangements in the
international section of Member States ' airports for
foreigners not admitted to the country and
asylum-seekers, by helping to meet the cost of material
and social assistance ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1992 )

In its communication to the Council and the European
Parliament of 1 1 October 1991 on the right of asylum, the
Commission clearly stated that no common measures in
respect of immigration and asylum should detract from
humanitarian achievements as regards protection for
those suffering political persecution .

In asserting this principle, it attaches utmost importance
to the facilities provided for asylum-seekers at airports . It
will, therefore, look into the matter closely, paying

attention to the need to respect the rights of
asylum-seekers .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2455 / 91

by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty ( RDE )
to the Commission of . the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 53 )

Subject : Export of German meat from the new Lander to

the Soviet Union

When Germany was unified the FRG undertook to export

at its own expense to the Soviet Union a quantity of meat
then estimated at about 180 000 tonnes corresponding to
the slaughter of dairy cows following the introduction of
dairy quotas in the new Lander .

How much meat has in fact been exported from the new
German Lander to the Soviet Union and on what date ?

What was the cost of storing this meat before
exportation ? Will these storage costs be reimbursed by the
German Government ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 December 1 991 )

Before German unification the authorities of the former
GDR concluded sales contracts for the export of
beef / veal in particular to the USSR .

The quantities agreed on for export to the USSR amount

to 131 000 tonnes to 140 000 tonnes ( carcase weight ) with
cow beef accounting for 80 000 tonnes to 120 000 tonnes .

On the basis of information forwarded by the German
authorities, the following quantities had been purchased
or exported under the contract at 6 October 1991 :

— meat purchased : 118 400 tonnes ( including 91600

tonnes of cow beef );

— meat exported : 101 700 tonnes ( including 86 400
tonnes of cow beef ).

The dates on which individual quantities were exported

are not known to the Commission .

In this connection, it should be pointed out that in
accordance with Article 2 ( 4 ) of Regulation ( EEC )
No 3775 / 90 (') ( as amended by Regulation ( EEC )
No 2059 / 91 O ), Germany has been authorized to extend
the term of validity of the export licences and
advance-fixing certificates concerned until 31 December

1991 . The decision to authorize that Member State to
extend the validity of those documents was based on a
number of problems arising in the execution of the
contract, which prevented its being carried out in
accordance with the original timetable .

No specific provision has been made by the German
Government to cover the costs of storing the products
prior to export .

O OJNoL364, 28 . 12 . 1990 .
O OJ No L 187, 13.7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2474 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 54 )

Subject : Engineering of food shortages in the USSR

At the public meeting held on 21 August 1991 by the
Chamber of Representatives Committee on External
Relations, it was pointed out that ships containing
foodstuffs, including considerable quantities of meat, for
the Soviet Union had been held up in the port of Antwerp .
These allegations made in Parliament were not denied by

the Minister, Mr Eyskens .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 29

Will the Community institutions carry out a full
investigation into the possible engineering in European
ports of a situation favourable to the attempted coup
d'etat of 19 August 1991 ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 December 1 991 )

The Commission is not aware that ships containing

foodstuffs for the Soviet Union have been held up in the
port of Antwerp . If commercial deliveries were involved,
the Commission would not necessarily have been
informed of such delays .

The Commission can, however, confirm that there have
been no hold-ups in the Community 's food-aid
programme for the Soviet Union which is currently under
way . Furthermore, no deliveries of products supplied
under the programme were scheduled to go through the
port of Antwerp during the period in question .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 991 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's
concern at the continuing loss of manufacturing
employment in Merseyside and in other areas of the

Community already suffering from unacceptably high
levels of unemployment .

In the case of Merseyside, these job losses reinforce the
need for a sustained programme and work which will
revitalize the economy of this area through public and
private investment . It is in this spirit that the Commission
is currently preparing the Community Support
Framework which will cover Merseyside .

There is no record of the company GPT receiving help
from the European Regional Development Fund for any

purpose .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2499 / 91

by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 56 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2477 / 91

by Mr Kenneth Stewart ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : Quality instruments for the food industry

( 4 November 1 991 )

What scientific evidence is available that support DG Ill 's

( 92 / C 126 / 55 ) view that competition increases or maintains the quality

of foodstuffs, where both producers and consumers agree
that a ' lower quality ' product is acceptable ? In such
Subject : Factory closures and job losses on Merseyside circumstances why should competition force up

reach crisis standards ?

( 92 / C 126 / 55 )

reach crisis point

The Commission must be aware of the distress and

suffering to many Merseyside families by the ever
continual loss of jobs within the area, by factory closures
and companies moving out of the region, the most recent
company being GPT Liverpool and Huyton with job
losses of 600, following Mysons of Kirby with a further
300 redundancies . The list is far too great to quote here .

Would the Commission state if GPT has received any

European funding in order to help them advertise their
' System X ' telecommunications product and has the UK
Department of Trade and Industry taken any steps to
promote the product in Europe ?

In view of the deprivation in the Merseyside area, where
in many cases, two generations have never had a job, and
things now reaching crisis point, will the Commission
consider entering into discussion with the British
Government 's DTI and the companies concerned, to help
find a solution to this continual problem ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1992 )

The Commission considers that the concept of quality is

linked with the concept of the market as defined in the
ISO 9000 International Standards and the EN 29000
European Standards . These state that ' quality ' is all the
properties and characteristics of a service or product
which confer on it the ability to meet explicit or implicit
needs .

Thus, the Commission believes that, in the absence of
legislation, free competition will enable needs to be
expressed and satisfied .

NoC 126 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2537 / 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2534 / 91 QUESTION

by Mr Louis ( S ) by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete ( PPE )

by Mr Louis Lauga ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities to

8 November 1 991 ( 8 November 1 991 )

( 8 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 57 ) ( 92 / C 126 / 58 )

Subject : Maximum admissible concentration of pesticides

in drinking water

Parameter No 55 of Directive 80 / 778 / EEC O relating to
the quality of water intended for human consumption lays
down a maximum admissible concentration of 0,1 mg / 1
for one pesticide and 0,5 mg / 1 for a number of different
pesticides .

These maximum admissible concentrations are to be

considered as detectability threshold and are in no way
related to the toxicity thresholds, such as those applied in
the United States .

Is the Commission considering cooperation with other
international bodies, for example WHO (" World Health
Organization ) or the Codex Alimentarius for the
purposes of international harmonization in order to
encourage trade and avoid unnecessary disputes or
distortions of competition ?

o OJNoL229, 30 . 8 . 1990, p. 11 .

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 7 February 1 992 )

The Maximum Admissible Concentrations ( MAC ) for the
pesticides parameter in Directive 80 / 778 / EEC were set at
about the limit of detection for pesticides in water . They
reflect the view that pesticides have no place in drinking
water and are an early example of the precautionary
principle .

The Commission considers that the MAC values for
pesticides in the Directive adopted in 1980 by the Council
remain appropriate . It does not envisage making a
proposal to change them .

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that the guidelines for pesticide concentrations in
drinking water issued by the World Health Organization
are maximum tolerable concentrations based upon an
assessment of the available toxicological information .
Thus the WHO guidelines are not to be compared with

EEC standards which aim at a binding high level for the
quality of drinking water .

Given that the Directive applies throughout the
Community it is not obvious to the Commission how its
operation can lead to distortion of competition .

Subject : The gambling industry in the Community

Each year the gambling industry in the Community
involves the movement of enormous amounts of money,
represents an important source of income for many
Member States, is highly controlled and there are great
disparities between the different national regulations
concerning it .

In view of all these circumstances and the forthcoming
completion of the single market, can the Commission say
what measures it intends to adopt, and by what dates, to

harmonize and liberalize the gambling industry in the
Community ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 1992 )

The Commission agrees with the general assessment of
the Honourable Member concerning the economic
importance of the gambling sector in the European
Community . A general presentation of the existing legal
and market situation is to be found in the report on
' Gambling in the single market — A study of the current
legal and market situation ' published by the Office of
Official Publications, copies of which have been
deposited with the library of the Parliament .

The Commission intends to hold hearings with
representatives of all interested parties towards the end of
the year . It is only after these hearings that the
Commission will be in a position to decide how to
approach the sector and to prepare any necessary action .
It is therefore presently too early to say exactly what
measures could be appropriate and when they might be
taken .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2544 / 91

by Mr Peter Crampton ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 59 )

Subject : The common fisheries policy and lobsters

EC markets have recently been subject to falling lobster
prices because of the importation of Canadian lobsters .
There is no market regime under the CFP for lobsters .

Has the Commission investigated the possibility of
dumping taking place ?

18 . 5 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 31

Is the Commission confident that there are sufficient well as the coexistence of minimum biological sizes and
controls to prevent the spread of Gaffkaemia disease ? commercial sizes .

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a
regime for lobsters based upon minimum size ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 December 1 991 )

Statistics show that considerably more lobsters were
imported in 1990 than in 1989, the total increase, all
exporting countries taken together, being about 38 % .

The increase was mainly in live lobsters and, to a lesser

extent, frozen lobsters .

Accordingly, average import prices fell by 18% in 1990,

although the fall was limited by sustained demand .

Therefore, the reason for the lobster market situation in

1990 was not dumping practices, but the abundant supply,
not just from Canada but also from other countries .
Demand, which is still running high, in particular as a
result of the short supply of the directly competing
product — crawfish — led to a considerable recovery
during the first half of 1991, the average import price for
lobster increasing by 1 5 % .

However, Community produce prices, although affected
by the consequences of the increase in supply, have
remained higher than prices for the imported product,
due to the quality .

As regards veterinary controls at borders, Council
Directive 90 / 675 / EEC laying down the principles
governing the organization of veterinary checks on
products entering the Community from third
countries ('), provides for the harmonization of
veterinary checks on these products by the Member
States, but does not have to be adopted in national law
until 1 January 1993 . However, until then, pursuant to
Article 19 of that Directive, emergency measures may be
taken by the Commission after consulting the Standing
Veterinary Committee in the event of any threat to public
or animal health . This procedure was used in the case of
fishery products from certain Latin American countries
affected by the cholera epidemic in 1990 .

Finally, as regards the introduction of a minimum
marketing size for lobsters, the Commission thinks one of
the reasons for the abundant supply on the Community
market is the fixing by the United States of minimum
biological and marketing sizes, which is forcing Canada
to divert part of its exports to the Community . The
Commission has not yet adopted a final position and is at
present examining the general problem of cohesion as

O OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2562 / 91

by Mr Bouke Beumer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 60 )

Subject : Active involvement with criminal organizations

A confidential report has recently been produced in the
Netherlands entitled ' Organized crime in the
Netherlands ', listing the 599 groupings actively engaged
in organized crime in that country . Approximately 14% of
these organizations receive expert outside advice . This
usually takes the form of active collaboration by lawyers,
notaries and tax consultants in operating the ' legal ' front
for such criminal organizations . Provision of such
services cannot be reconciled with the meticulous and
conscientious performance of the professional duties or
functions of a lawyer, notary, tax consultant, etc .

1 . Nothwithstanding the confidential nature of this

issue, can the Commission indicate to what extent use
is made of lawyers, notaries, tax consultants, etc . in
operating the ' legal ' front for criminal organizations
and, in particular, in laundering illegally obtained
funds ?

2 . Does the Commission favour the introduction of a
reporting requirement for professional bodies where
they are approached in a professional capacity by
criminal organizations and, possibly, in this
connection will it call on the relevant professional
organizations to take active self   - regulatory measures ?

3 . Will the Commission, at European level, inform

organizations representing professions such as
lawyers, notaries and tax consultants that any form of
active collaboration with criminal organizations
constitutes a breach of professional ethics and, in
certain cases, their oaths of office for which the most
logical sanction would be suspension or dismissal
from their profession, and that this should apply
throughout the entire Community legal area ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 February 1992 )

The Commission does not have any information on the
role possibly played by the professions concerned in the
activities of criminal organizations .

No C 126 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

It would draw the Honourable Member 's attention to the
fact that the ethical rules applicable to those professions
are the responsibility of the Member States .

The Commission takes the view that Member States ' rules

on professional conduct and their provisions of criminal
law should suffice to allay the concerns that have been
voiced .

addition, limits have been set on the tar yield of cigarettes
( Directive 90 / 239 / EEC ) ( 2 ).

The Commission has also proposed a Directive to ban

advertising of tobacco products . Moreover, under the
action plan adopted for the ' Europe against cancer '
programme, the Commission is funding anti-smoking
measures taken by non-governmental organizations in the
Member States . An external office ( BASP ) has been given
the task of coordinating these organizations ' activities .

Both the legislative proposals and the Commission 's other
anti-smoking activities are primarily targeted on
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2563 / 91 preventing young people from smoking by improving
health education .

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 ) O O OJNoL OJ No L 359 137,, 8 30 . 12 . 5 . . 1989 1990 . .
( 92 / C 126 / 61 )

Subject : Protection of young people from the harmful

effects of smoking

In connection with anti-cancer week, the Greek Red
Cross announced that 75% of young people between 18
and 24 of age were smokers, many boys commencing at
the age of 1 1 and many girls at the age of 13 . According to
the Anti-Cancer Association, 33 % of deaths from cancer
are caused by smoking . Will the Commission take steps to
counter this problem and if so, what steps ?

Answer given by Miss Papandre ou

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1992 )

One of the main priorities of the Commission 's ' Europe
against cancer ' programme is the campaign against
smoking .

The Commission has already proposed various legislative
measures which have been adopted by the Council . With
the internal market in mind, very strict labelling rules have
been introduced and all tobacco products now have to
carry health warnings ( Directive 89 / 622 / EEC ) ('). In

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2567 / 91

by Mrs Patricia Rawlings ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 62 )

Subject : Consumption of goatmeat ( killed by non-Halal

methods ) in the EC

Would the Commission inform us as to the consumption
of goatmeat, killed by western methods only in each
Member State with a view to the future export of kid
raised in Derbyshire for consumption elsewhere in
Europe ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1992 )

Gross human consumption of sheep and goats meat

(' 000 tonnes )

Year EUR 12 D F I E P NL UEBL UK IRL DK GR

1983 1 201 54 236 81 201 27 6 17 412 25 2 139

1984 1 189 49 238 86 205 26 6 16 401 24 3 135

1985 1 216 53 242 89 209 25 7 16 408 24 3 139

1986 1 182 51 248 86 212 25 8 18 382 24 3 124

1987 1 235 53 258 89 226 30 9 18 383 24 4 140

1988 1 242 53 262 93 224 32 10 18 383 23 4 140

1989 1 320 62 276 102 22 7 33 11 19 414 25 4 146

1990 67 312 103 249 35 20 437 27 5 144

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 33

Gross consumption of sheep and goats meat

( kg / head )

Year EUR 12 D F I E P NL UEBL UK IRL DK GR

1983 3,7 0,9 4,3 1,4 5,3 2,7 0,4 1,7 7,3 7,1 0,4 14,1

1984 3,7 0,8 4,3 1,5 5,4 2,6 0,4 1,6 7,1 6,8 0,6 13,6

1985 3,8 0,9 4,4 1,6 5,4 2,5 0,5 1,6 7,2 6,8 0,6 14,0

1986 3,7 0,8 4,5 1,5 5,5 2,4 0,5 1,8 6,7 6,8 0,6 12,4

1987 3,8 0,9 4,6 1,6 5,9 2,9 0,6 1,8 6,7 6,8 0,8 14,1

1988 3,8 0,9 4,7 1,6 5,8 3,1 0,7 1,8 6,7 6,5 0,8 14,0

1989 4,1 1,0 4,9 1,8 5,9 3,2 0,7 1,8 7,2 7,1 0,8 14,6

1990 1,1 5,5 1,8 6,4 3,4 1,9 7,6 7,7 1,0 14,2

Slaughterings of goats

(' 000 heads )

Year EUR 12 D F I E P NL UEBL UK IRL DK GR

1987 8 190 7 983 438 2 107 284 55 4 315

1988 8 747 8 1 109 482 2 468 304 62 4 313

1989 9 004 8 1 129 525 2 140 316 69 4 816

1990 8 895 9 1 301 557 2 017 286 67 4 655

Slaughterings of goats

(' 000 tonnes )

Year EUR 12 D F I E P NL UEBL UK IRL DK GR

1987 72,2 0,1 6,6 4,5 17,2 1,9 0,7 40,9

1988 75,0 0,1 7,5 3,7 18,6 2,3 0,8 41,9

1989 78,9 0,1 7,7 3,8 16,2 2,0 0,9 48,2

1990 76,6 0,1 9,1 3,9 14,9 1,8 0,8 \

45,8

The Commission does not have information on consumption of goat meat killed by non-ritual

methods .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2568 / 91

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 63 )

Subject : Export of live animals to Spain and Portugal

Will the Commission consider proposing changes to the
export licensing system ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 3815 /
90 ( x )) to allow for a significant increase in the limit of
numbers of animals and a significant extension of the
period of validity of licences so that shiploads of animals
can be exported to these Member, States under a single
licence ?

O OJ No L 366, 29 . 12 . 1990, p. 30 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 January 1 992 )

In order to prevent speculation, the Commission does not
intend to propose changes to the export licensing system
set up by Regulation ( EEC ) No 3815 / 90 of 1.9 December

1990, which lays down detailed rules for the application
of the supplementary mechanism to trade in certain beef
and meat products intended for Portugal .

However, the Honourable Member should be aware that
Article 8 of the Regulation in question was amended by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 327 / 91 (') to the effect that
supplementary trade mechanism licences shall be valid for
30 days if the products are released onto the market in the
Azores or Madeira . The purpose of this amendment was

No C 126 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

to take account of the relatively long period required to
transport products to those destinations .

o OJ No L 38, 12.2 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2570 / 91

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 64 )

Subject : Common fisheries policy

Given the underdeveloped state of the fisheries industry
in many Member States, particularly in Ireland, would the
Commission agree that such Member States should be
exempted from proposals for ' across-the-board ' fleet
reductions ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 991 )

The current common structural policy sets out the general
principle of an overall reduction in fishing capacity over
the period 1987 — 1991 of 3% in terms of gross register
tonnage ( GRT ) and 2% in engine power ( in kw ). This is
realized by the multiannual guidance programmes
provided for within the framework of Regulation ( EEC )
No 4028 / 86 (') for all Member States . The state of
overcapacity of the Community fleet requires that all
Member States contribute to the achievement of a better
balance between the capacity of the fleet and the stocks
which are characterized by excessive fishing mortality .

As regards the period 1992 to 1996 the Commission is at
present working with the Member States on a more
integrated approach for the adaptation of the capacity of
the fleet to the available stocks .

O OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

wake of the Chernobyl disaster, the reactor fuel core was

left in place with the fuel rods inserted . On 26 July 1991
the CIPE ( Interministerial Committee for Economic
Planning ) decided to decommission the reactor .

1 . What coordinated measures can be taken at
Community level to ensure that a reactor is
decommissioned in accordance with standards
enabling the site to be used subsequently for purposes
which have no connection with nuclear energy ?

2 . Is there not a danger that the Caorso site will become
a nuclear waste dump ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1 992 )

1 . It is for the national authorities alone to decide how

a former nuclear site is to be used .

However, pursuant to Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty,
the Italian authorities must provide the Commission with
general data on any plan relating to the disposal of
radioactive waste arising from decommissioning ( stages 2
or 3 as defined by the International Atomic Energy
Agency ) of the Caorso nuclear power station ( PC-I ), in
order to enable it to determine whether the
implementation of any such plan is liable to result in the
radioactive contamination of the water, soil or air space of
another Member State .

The Article 37 procedure would also apply if the Italian

authorities planned to authorize the establishment of
nuclear waste storage facilities on the Caorso site .

2 . The Commission has not been informed of the
future destiny of the Caorso site and is therefore not
aware of the plan to store radioactive waste there .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2597 / 91
by Mr Alexander Langer and Mrs Maria Aglietta ( V )

to European Political Cooperation

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2585 / 91 ( 14 November 1 991 )

by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 65 )

Subject : The decommissioning of the Caorso nuclear

power station ( Piacenza, Italy )

Following the cold shutdown of the Caorso nuclear
power station ( Piacenza, Italy ) on 26 October 1986 in the

( 92 / C 126 / 66 )

Subject : Role of the European Community in the crisis in

Yugoslavia

1 . Can the Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation give an assessment of the action taken by the
European Community in the search for a peaceful
solution to the crisis in Yugoslavia, and in particular of
the outcome of the Brioni agreements ?

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 35

2 . In the Ministers ' opinion, what prospects can the
European Community offer the people of Yugoslavia
with regard to closer and more speedy integration into the
Community, should they so wish ?

3 . In the Ministers ' view, how does action by the EC
relate to action by the CSCE on the Yugoslav crisis ?

Answer

( 10 April 1992 )

The 1991 report to the European Parliament on progress

towards European union gives a comprehensive picture of
the involvement of the Community and its Member States
in the conflict in Yugoslavia during that year . On several
occasions, the European Parliament and the then Political
Affairs Committee were also extensively briefed by the

President of the Council of Ministers on progress in the
search for a peaceful solution of this conflict . The report
in the European Parliament, on 12 December 1991, by the
President of the European Council on the situation in
Yugoslavia and the role played by the European
Community and its Member States, is furthermore a clear
reflection of the most recent history of the conflict as well
as the state of play at that moment .

On the 16 December 1991, the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs adopted a common position with regard to the
recognition of Yugoslav Republics . In this connection
they agreed to recognize the independence of all Yugoslav
Republics fulfilling all the conditions set out in the
declaration they adopted that day . In conformity with the
abovementioned declaration, and in the light of the advice
of the Arbitration Commission, the Community and its
Member States were in a position on 15 January 1992 to
indicate their readiness to proceed with the recognition of
Slovenia and Croatia . With regard to the other two
republics which had expressed the wish to become
independent, there are still important matters to be
addressed before a similar step will be taken .

In the economic field, the restrictive measures adopted by
the Community and its Member States on 8 November

1991 in the light of the seriousness of the situation in
Yugoslavia were counterbalanced by positive
compensatory measures introduced on 2 December 1991
in favour of parties which did cooperate in a peaceful way
towards a comprehensive political solution on the basis of
the EC proposals . At their meeting on 10 January 1992,
this decision was extended to include Montenegro .
Following the more cooperative stand of Serbia, Ministers
decided to reexamine the question of sanctions against
this republic in the light of its attitude with regard to the
actual deployment of the UN Peacekeeping Force . The
development of future relations of the Community and its
Member States with the various republics will depend
largely on the way the republics themselves decide to

work towards a comprehensive settlement of their
differences, a.o . within the framework of the Conference
on Yugoslavia .

The CSCE has also been actively involved ever since the
beginning of the conflict in Yugoslavia, both in a spiritual
sense and as active participant . It could be maintained that
in that respect the CSCE and the Community and its
Member States have been largely complementary in their
approaches . E.g . the Brioni Agreement very clearly
stipulates that negotiations between parties should be
based upon CSCE principles, while the European
Community Monitor Mission, originally organized to
help stabilize the cease-fire in Slovenia, is in fact the
consequence of an initiative of the CSCE . Furthermore,
through regular progress reports, the Presidency keeps
the CSCE abreast of the situation in the field .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2599 / 91
by Mrs Maria Cassanmagnago Cerretti ( PPE ) and

Mr Paraskevas Avgerinos ( S )

to European Political Cooperation

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 67 )

Subject : The Community 's role in the Yugoslav crisis

1 . Can European political cooperation give an
assessment of Community action in the quest for a
peaceful solution to the Yugoslav crisis and, more
particularly, express its opinion of the role played so far
by Community observers in guaranteeing compliance with
the Brioni agreements ?

2 . Does European political cooperation intend in
future to involve the European Parliament more closely in
decision-making and in the negotiations which are now
under way with the aim of finding a peaceful settlement to
the situation in that country ?

Answer

( 10 April 1992 )

The 1991 report to the European Parliament on progress
towards European union gives a comprehensive picture of
the involvement of the Community and its Member States
in the conflict in Yugoslavia during that year . On several
occasions, the European Parliament and the then Political
Affairs Committee were also extensively briefed by the
President of the Council of Ministers on progress in the
search for a peaceful solution of this conflict . The report
in the European Parliament, on 12 December 1991, by the
President of the European Council on the situation in

No C 126 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 18.5.92

Yugoslavia and the role played by the European

Community and its Member States, is furthermore a clear
reflection of the most recent history of the conflict as well
as the state of play at that moment .

On the 16 December 1991, the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs adopted a common position with regard to the
recognition of Yugoslav Republics . In this connection
they agreed to recognize the independence of all Yugoslav
Republics fulfilling all the conditions set out in the
declaration they adopted that day . In conformity with the
abovementioned declaration, and in the light of the advice
of the Arbitration Commission, the Community and its
Member States were in a position on 15 January 1992 to
indicate their readiness to proceed with the recognition of
Slovenia and Croatia . With regard to the other two
republics which had expressed the wish to become
independent, there are still important matters to be
addressed before a similar step will be taken .

In the economic field, the restrictive measures adopted by
the Community and its Member States on 8 November

1991 in light of the seriousness of the situation in
Yugoslavia were counterbalanced by compensatory
positive measures introduced on 2 December 1991 in
favour of parties which did cooperate in a peaceful way
towards a comprehensive political solution on the basis of
the EC proposals . At their meeting on 10 January 1992,
this decision was extended to include Montenegro .
Following the more cooperative stand of Serbia, Ministers
decided to reexamine the question of sanctions against
this republic in the light of its attitude with regard to the
actual deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Force and its
further participation in the Conference . The development
of future relations with the various republics will depend
largely on the way the republics themselves decide to
work towards a comprehensive settlement of their
differences, a.o . within the framework of the Conference
on Yugoslavia .

The European Community and its Member States will

continue to ensure that the European Parliament remains
closely associated with its endeavours to find a peaceful
solution to the present crisis in Yugoslavia .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2600 / 91

by Mr Thomas Spencer ( ED ) and

Mr Willy De Clercq ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 68 )

Subject : External aspects of the CAP reform proposal in

the context of Uruguay Round trade
negotiations

1 . Does the Commission believe that its reform
proposals for the CAP, namely the proposed cuts of

intervention prices for cereals ( 35% ), beef meat ( 15% )
and milk ( 10% ) together with the proposed
accompanying measures ( set-aside, cut in milk quotas )
will be sufficient to resolve the structural problems of the

CAP ?

2 . Does the Commission further believe that these
proposals will allow the Uruguay trade negotiations to be
concluded successfully before the end of this year and is
the Commission therefore prepared to revise its offer of a

30 % reduction of overall support ?

3 . Which consequences does the Commission expect
from its proposal for CAP reform on :

— export refunds

— market access

— internal support ?

4 . Is the Commission not concerned that the proposed
direct income transfers to be paid to farmers in order to
compensate for losses due to the reduction of intervention
prices could provide new incentives to keep agricultural
production at a level which would again create surpluses
and hence lead to trade problems ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1992 )

1 . The Commission believes that the proposed price
cuts, in combination with direct supply control measures,
will contribute to a substantial reduction of the structural

surpluses in major commodity sectors . In cereals, this will
be achieved through a decrease in output due to set - aside,
and an increase in internal consumption as a consequence
of competitive pricing . In the dairy sector, this year 's 2 %
quota cut, plus the 3 % cut in the reform package, will go a
long way to restoring market balance . In the beef sector,
the extensification incentives and the early disposal
scheme for calves should help regulate the market .

2 . The seriousness with which the Community has
embarked on reform of its agricultural policy and the
direction of reform should enhance the chances of
successfully concluding the GATT Uruguay Round in the
next few months .

3 . The proposed price cuts for major commodities
should, by reducing the gap between the Community
price level and the world market, reduce the need for
exports refunds and import levies . By moving from price
support to more direct forms of aid to the producer, i.e.

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 37

per hectare or per animal payments, internal support
becomes more production neutral .

4 . In the case of arable crops, the direct payments
would not be linked to actual production, but would be
based on historical area and historical yields . The
incentive to continously increase and intensify production
as in the current system, where support is based on
output, would thus cease to exist . In the animal sector, the
direct payments would be subject to extensification
criteria and herd limits .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2609 / 91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 69 )

Subject : Exports of pesticides to the developing countries

Certain products needed for the protection of crops
against pests, diseases and weeds may have an adverse, or
even dangerous effect on the environment and public
health . Some of these products are exported to
Third-World countries, which were not always able to

control their use or aware of the problems involved .
Following the Netherlands, Belgium has recently
concluded an agreement with the plant protection sector
in an attempt to contain the problem in accordance with
FAO and UNEP requirements . What specific Community
projects exist in this area ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1992 )

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1734 / 88 ( 1 ) relates to the
trade in certain dangerous chemicals, including pesticides
which are banned or severely restricted in the European

Community . The first time that one of these pesticides is
exported to a third country, the designated authority in
the exporting Member State must inform the authorities
in the importing country of the pesticide shipment and
must provide it with information on the following :

— the identity of the substance or preparation ;

— precautions necessary in its use, including the category

of danger, and risk and safety advice ;

— summary of the regulatory restrictions and reasons for

them ;

— the name, address and telephone number of the

designated authority from whom further information
may be obtained .

This information dissemination is consistent with the
UNEP London Guidelines for the Exchange of
Information on Chemicals in International Trade in
Dangerous Chemicals, and the FAO Code of Conduct on
the Distribution and Use of Pesticides .

In December 1990, the Commission put forward a
proposal O to Council for the amendment of the above
Regulation so as to incorporate a ' Prior Informed
Consent ' ( PIC ) scheme compatible with that set up jointly
by the UNEP and FAO . Parliament gave its opinion on
this proposal at its Plenary Session of 24 October 1991 .

Under the PIC scheme information on chemicals,
including pesticides which are banned or severely
restricted in various countries, is sent to the designated
national authorities of the countries participating in the
scheme — more than 100 countries to date . This
information is provided in Decision Guidance Documents
( DGDs ) which give details of the potential hazards of the
chemicals and state why they are banned or severely
restricted . The DGDs are intended to help the importing
country decide whether or not they wish to permit future
imports of the chemical and to decide whether such
imports should be subject to any conditions .

The proposed amendment to Regulation ( EEC )
No 1734 / 88 would make it mandatory for exporters in all

- Member States to comply with the PIC decisions of

importing countries .

O OJN0LI55, 22 . 6 . 1988 .
( 2 ) OJNoC 17,25 . 1, 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2621 / 91

by Mrs Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 70 )

Subject : Retraining of staff employed in international

trade

In reply to oral question H-90 / 91 (*) in the February
part-session, the Commission said it was supporting
retraining seminars for staff employed in transport
undertakings at the German-Dutch frontier and that this
could usefully be extended to other Member States .

Have similar measures been carried out for staff
employed at other Community internal frontiers ? With
what results ?

NoC 126 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

When will similar retraining seminars be held for staff
employed in transport undertakings on the
Franco-Spanish frontier, in particular at la Jonquera and
Port Bou ?

Who is responsible for organizing and funding these
seminars ?

Who is responsible for initiating this measure ?

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-401 ( February

1991 ).

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1992 )

As far as the Commission is aware nothing similar has
taken place in other Member States .

It is for the representatives of those concerned to put
forward a vocational retraining programme through the
Member States ' competent authorities . No application
relating to the region referred to by the Honourable
Member has been put forward so far . Nevertheless, the
Director responsible for customs matters within the
Commission visited the Franco-Spanish frontier at
Figueras, Port-Bou and La Junquera on 21 November

1991 in order to inform those concerned of the action
which the Commission had in view as part of the
completion of the internal market, and to find out the
actual facts of the situation on the spot .

These meetings will make a useful contribution to the

assessment by the Commission 's departments of the study
now in progress into the future of customs clearing agents
in the single market .

( a ) involves freight companies in unpredictable delays
and detours ^ which put them at a competitive
disadvantage,

( b ) results in personal stress and an economic burden for

farmers with land on both side of the border, who
face long detours when crossing are closed,

( c ) is a source of stress and economic disadvantage for
many ( for instance school-teachers ) who live and
work on different sides of the frontier ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that the closure of
crossings is incompatible with the free movement of
people, goods and services due to be achieved by 1
January 1993 at the latest ?

4 . What steps is the Commission taking to ensure the
opening of the frontiers in question ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
the reply to his oral question H - 1045 / 91, which it gave
during question time at Parliament 's November 1991
part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-411 ( November

1991 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2625 / 91

by Mr Neil Blaney ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2624 / 91
( 92 / C 126 / 72 )

by Mr Neil Blaney ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 71 )

Subject : Frontier crossing and 1993

1 . Is the Commission aware :

( a ) that many of the frontier crossings between the

Republic of Ireland and the six counties in the north
under United Kingdom rule are permanently closed,

( b ) that for some months now many of the remaining

crossings have been subject to arbitrary and irregular
opening and closing ?

2 . Does the Commission realize that this situation

Subject : Frontiers and regional development aid in
Ireland

Will the Commission explain how it is that the Bally

Connall canal, which for some distance follows the
frontier between the Republic of Ireland and the six
counties under United Kingdom rule, is being restored to
commercial use with EC funds, but that nothing is being
done to repair the bridge over it, at Derry Lohar, which
was blown up by British troops, thus facing Community
citizens from either side, who wish to cross the border for
legitimate economic or personal reasons, with long and
time-consuming detours ?

Will this barrier to free movement within the Community
be removed by 1 January 1993 ?

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 39

If a project for rebuilding the bridge were submitted, Commission 's ideas on more effective cooperation in the
would it be eligible for financing from the Community 's areas of immigration and asylum .
regional and border area funds ?

O SEC(91 ) 1855 final and SEC(9 1 ) 1857 final .

Answer given by Mr Mulan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 Februa ry 1 992 )

The future of the bridge referred to in the question is a WRITTEN QUESTION No 2650 / 91
matter for the competent national authorities . If the by Mr Fernando Suárez González ( PPE )
authorities decided to do work on the bridge and if they
were of the view that the bridge meets the criteria for to the Commission of the European Communities

assistance under an appropriate operational programme,
such as the Peripherality, Tourism or INTERREG
programme, it could be considered for assistance from the
European Regional Development Fund .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2635 / 91

by Mr Filippos Pierros ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 73 )

Subject : Rising unemployment in Eastern Europe and the

likelihood of mass ' economic ' migration

The International Labour Organization 's forecast that 22
million people will be unemployed in 1992 in the USSR
and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe is an
alarming and extremely dangerous prospect . It is likely

inter alia to lead to an increase in the number of ' economic

refugees ' coming to the Community Member States,
which will place a great strain on the Community labour

market and increase social tensions . 1,5 million such
migrants from non-Community Member States have
already settled in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal . It is
clear that the Community will have to devise a uniform
and effective policy on this matter and take immediate
and radical steps to tackle the problem .

What steps does the Commission intend to take to this

end and what are its views on this matter ?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 February 1 992 )

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the

communications from the Commission to the Council and
Parliament of 11 October 1991 (') setting out the

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 74 )

Subject : Cooperation with Central America

The Commission has contributed ECU 350 000 towards

NTP Project 87 / 960 / 996, entitled Data Bank, being
carried out by the French organization SEMAGROUP .

Can the Commission explain who asked for this project to
be carried out, what exactly it involves and how many
Central Americans will benefit from it ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1992 )

The project was initiated at the request of CEDOPEX

( Dominican Republic ) acting on behalf of ASOEXPO,
and awarded to SIECA ( Guatemala ).

It involves :

— identifying commercial information on European

markets required by exporters of non-traditional
Central American products ;

— setting up two computerized offices, one in Brussels

( SEMA-GROUP ) and one in Guatemala ( SIECA );

— creating a data bank of commercial information on

non-traditional products ( prices, quality standards,
addresses of European importers, etc .);

— training SIECA staff to use the data bank ;

— transmitting the data required by the exporters .

This programme will be of help to all exporters of

non-traditional Central American products who require
information on European markets . On the basis of the

No C 126 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 18.5.92

membership lists of private sector export associations in
the region, the number of potential users in the seven
ASOEXPO countries can be estimated at around 4 000 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2651 / 91
by Mr Fernando Suárez González ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 75 )

Subject : Cooperation with Central America

The Commission has contributed ECU 185 000 towards

NTP Project 87 / 960 / 995, entitled ASOEXPO Transport
Users, being carried out by the Danish organization
Dangroup .

Can the Commission explain who asked for this project to
be carried out, what exactly it involves and how many
Central Americans will benefit from it ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1992 )

The project was initiated at the request of the Foreign
Trade Directorate of the Honduras Ministry of Economy

and Commerce, acting on behalf of the ASOEXPO
countries .

It involves organizing a seminar to be attended by
representatives of international freight transport
companies, Central American exporters and freight
transport users, and the public sector . The objectives are :

— to assess the export capacity of ASOEXPO ;

— to assess ASOEXPO 's freight transport
infrastructure ;

— to identify the major problems ( administrative, legal,

technological, financial etc .) affecting transport from
Central America to Europe and to find possible
solutions ;

— to make recommendations for improving the
transport of goods to export markets .

Approximately 50 Central Americans will benefit from
this project, which will create a ripple effect by virtue of
the fact that the participants will include senior
government officials from the ASOEXPO countries and
representatives of the Central American Transport Users
Associations, who will ensure that the conclusions

reached are duly disseminated .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2657 / 91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( ED )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 76 )

Subject : Seat belts in coaches and minibuses

Bearing in mind the incontrovertible evidence that the
wearing of seat belts helps to save lives, when does the
' Council propose to consider again making the fitting of

seat belts in all coaches and minibuses in the EC

compulsory ?

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

On 16 December 1991 the Council adopted Directive
9 1 / 671 / EEC on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to compulsory use of safety belts
in vehicles of less than 3,5 tonnes (*). Article 1 of the
Directive lays down that ' the provisions thereof shall
apply, as regards vehicles for the transport of persons, to
vehicles in cateogory M 1 and, in respect of the front seats
only, to vehicles in category M 2 whose weight does not
exceed 3,5 tonnes ; the categories are those defined in
Directive 70 / 156 / EEC ( 2 ).

There is at present no Commission proposal before the

Council on the subject of coaches and minibuses of a
weight exceeding 3,5 tonnes, which are not included in
the scope of the Directive recently adopted .

o OJNoL373, 31 . 12 . 1991 .
O OJ No L 42, 23 . 2 . 1970 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2693 / 91
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 77 )

Subject : Recognition of Belgian diploma in industrial

medicine '

Recognition of medical diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications is laid down in
Directives 75 / 362 / EEC O, 82 / 76 / EEC ( 2 ) and 89 / 594 /
EEC ( 3 ).

However, it is reported that the Belgian diploma in
industrial medicine has not yet been recognized .

1 . What conditions must be fulfilled for a diploma in

industrial medicine to be recognized by the other
Member States ?

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 126 / 41

2 . To what extent does Belgium fulfil these
requirements ?

3 . What steps can be taken to ensure that Belgium fulfils

these requirements ?

O OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975, p. 1 .
O OJNoL 43, 15.2 . 1982, p. 21 .
O OJNoL 341, 23 . 11 . 1989, p. 19 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1992 )

1 . For the other Member States to be required to
recognize a Belgian diploma in industrial medicine in
accordance with Directives 75 / 362 / EEC and

75 / 363 / EEC, a specialization in industrial medicine must
exist in Belgium which satisfied the requirements laid
down in particular in Articles 2 and 5 of Directive
75 / 363 / EEC and which is, therefore, shown under the
heading ' occupational medicine ' in Article 7 of Directive
75 / 362 / EEC .

2 . The Belgian authorities did not ask for a
specialization in industrial medicine to be entered in the
Directives when they were updated by Directive
89 / 594 / EEC . Furthermore, in Belgium the length of
training in this discipline is only one or two years, whereas
Article 5 of Directive 75 / 363 / EEC set its minimum length

at four years .

3 . The Belgian authorities do not have to fulfil any
requirements in this area . Nevertheless, should they wish
the Directives to include Belgium among the Member
States which recognize the specialization in industrial
medicine, they will have to take measures to ensure that
the training satisfies the requirements laid down in
Directive 75 / 363 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2705 / 91

by Mr Louis Lauga ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 78 )

Subject : Proliferation of fish-eating birds

The proliferation of fish-eating birds, particularly
cormorants, in the French department of Ain ' is a threat
to the activities and development of aquaculture .

In certain EC Member States, measures to combat this
problem are taken by way of derogation from European

and national rules on bird protection .

Under what conditions can the Commission extend such
derogations to the French department of Ain ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1992 )

As regards the derogations under Article 9 of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds ( x ), it is a
matter for the empowered authority to declare that the
required conditions obtain and to decide what means,
arrangements or methods may be used, within what limits
and by whom . The empowered authority in France is the
Directorate for Nature Conservation of the Ministry for
the Environment .

o OJNoL 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2720 / 91

by Mr John Cushnahan ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 79 )

Subject : Unemployment in the Community

The most recent ' Eurostat ' figures show the
unemployment rate in Ireland running at 17,8 % in August

1991, exactly double the Community rate of 8,9% . The
figures also reveal an unacceptably high rate of
unemployment in Spain of 15,3% . Would the
Commission agree that these statistics show that the
Community must significantly increase its efforts at
achieving economic and social cohesion among the
Member States ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 January 1992 )

The high levels of unemployment in the Community and
the wide divergences between unemployment rates
between Member States and regions is an issue of high
priority in the Community . The ' Employment in Europe '
report 1991, adopted by the Commission on 17 July,
focuses in particular on these two issues : the persistent
problem of unemployment, and the difficulties of
achieving real convergence between the more - and
less-developed regions of the Community .

While over nine million new jobs were created between

1985 and 1990, unemployment declined by only three
million . In fact, the report notes that despite five years of
substantial job creation, unemployment rates not only
remain high in many areas, but are increasing once again
in a number of countries .

No C 126 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 18.5.92

To get unemployment moving downwards again requires

not just a resumption of growth but special measures to
tackle deep-seated problems affecting particular groups
and regions .

Community-level policies will not be enough, however,
and employment development programmes at regional
and local level will also be required . The Commission 's
LEDA programme has developed a methodology of local
development which can be applied in a wide range of
circumstances .

The Community 's structural policies are an essential

element in this process and are currently being reviewed .

Article 3 ( 1 ) provides that the transferor 's rights and

obligations arising from a contract of employment or
from an employment relationship shall be transferred to
the transferor and Article 6 requires both the transferor
and the transferee to inform and consult employees '
representatives on the reasons and implications of the
transfer . The Directive does not however apply to
takeovers by share purchase .

Directive 77 / 187 / EEC has been implemented in the
United Kingdom by the Transfer of Undertakings

( Protection of Employment ) Regulations 1981, which
apply to the transfer from one person to another of an
undertaking situated in the United Kingdom immediately
before the transfer . It is up to the national authorities to
ensure that the abovementioned regulations are observed
by the employers concerned, the Commission 's role being
limited to ensuring that the laws of the Member States
fully implement the Directive 's provisions .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2729 / 91 (') OJ No L 61, 5 . 3 . 1977 .

by Mr John Bird, Mr George Stevenson, Mr Terence
Wynn, Mr Roger Barton, Mrs Imelda Read, Mr Henry

McCubbin, Mr Gary Titley, Mr Alexander Falconer and

Mr David Morris ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 80 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2743 / 91
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 991 )

Subject : European Social Charter — Britool Ltd, UK,

and Strafor Facom France ( 92 / C 126 / 81 )

and Strafor Facom France

Having regard to the Parliament 's commitment to a Social
Europe and together with that commitment a keen desire
to protect workers ' conditions of employment including
wages and salaries, and, recognizing that the completion
of the internal market and the implementation of the
Single Act take place on 1 January 1993,

will the Commission investigate the takeover of Britool

Ltd, Cannock Staffordshire, England by the French
company Strafor Facom, of Strasbourg, Alsace Lorraine,
France, and will it express a view as to whether the new
contracts and conditions imposed upon the workforce are
compatible with the spirit, and letter, of the Social
Charter ?

Subject : Presence of Commission officials at an
armaments trade fair

Is the Commission aware that, on Tuesday, 22 October

1991, Dr G. Burghardt ( Deputy Secretary-General of the
Commission ), Mr Juan Majo Cruzate ( adviser in DG
XIII ) and Mr Robert Verrue ( DG III ) spoke at an arms
industry symposium on in Brussels ?

Had they been instructed by the Commission to do so and
was this in connection with a European defence policy ?

Does the Commission consider such activities to be
compatible with an active peace policy ?

Will the Commission forward the texts of the speeches

made by these officials ?
Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 January 1992 )

The laws of the Member States relating to the
safeguarding of employees ' rights in the event of transfers
of undertakings, businesses or parts of businesses, have
been approximated by Council Directive 77 / 187 / EEC of
February 1977 ('). According to its preamble, this
Directive is intended ' to provide ' for the protection of
employees in the event of a change of employer in
particular to ensure that their rights are safeguarded '.

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 February 1 992 )

On 22 October 1991 Mr Burghardt, Political Director in
the Secretariat-General, and Mr Robert Verrue, Director
in DG III, addressed the symposium of the Armed Forces
Communications and Electronics Association ( AFCEA )
in response to an invitation from the Association .

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 43

The symposium was devoted to electronic technologies in

the service of international security . The Commission has
always been in favour of the fullest exchange of
information and opinions with a wide range of European
bodies on major subjects of European interest . It
therefore encourages its officials to accept invitations
which enable them to explain Community policies .

At the symposium the Commission speakers had an
opportunity to address a large audience on the
Commission 's approach to the political, industrial and
scientific aspects of European security . The Commission
made specific proposals on this matter at the
Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union . The
common foreign and security policy should, in the words
of the Rome II European Council, ' aim at maintaining
peace and international stability '.

The views expressed by the Commission officials were
their own ; they did not use prepared texts .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2749 / 91

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 82 )

Subject : Social security conventions

According to a report prepared by the Irish Free Legal
Advice Centres ( FLAC ), considerable confusion is caused

among claimants and advisors by the retention on Irish
statute books of pre-existing laws such as social security
conventions with the UK, which are now largely defunct
and overtaken by EC regulations .

Does the Commission have any plans to see this situation
rectified ?

are not applied in practice but nonetheless cause
considerable confusion .

Does the Commission have any plans to ensure that this
situation is rectified ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2749 / 91

and 2753 / 91

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 January 1992 )

Community law relating to social security does not create
an identical system of social security throughout the EC .
It coordinates national systems in order to facilitate the
movement of employed and self-employed persons from
one Member State to another . Member States may
continue to apply their national laws in so far as they are
not contrary to Community law and it is for them to
decide their programmes for repeal of redundant laws .

It may be relevant to retain on the Statute books certain
bilateral conventions and other laws relating to payment
of benefit abroad given the fact that Regulation ( EEC )
No 1408 / 71 (') replaces conventions only in so far as they
relate to its personal and material scope .

Even in relation to persons and matters to which the
Regulation applies, following the recent case law of the
Court ( 2 ), conventions may be relevant when a claim for
benefit is being considered and a more favourable result
could be obtained under a convention .

O OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971 .
( 2 ) Case No 227 / 89 Rttnfeldt, judgment of 7 . 2 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2786 / 91

by Mr Freddy Blak ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2753 / 91 ( 22 November 1 991 )

by Mr Proinsias De Rossa ( CG ) ( 92 / C 126 / 84 )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 November 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 83 )

Subject : Payment of social security benefits outside the

jurisdiction

According to a report by FLAC ( Ireland ) there remain

many provisions in Irish legislation concerning payment
of social security benefits outside the jurisdiction, which

Subject : Emptying of chemical toilets

An increasing number of tourist buses travelling in

Europe are equipped with chemical toilets . Unfortunately
these cannot be emptied into ordinary toilets at service
stations and other stopping places . When emptied in the
countryside, they cause pollution . Will the Commission
therefore take the initiative to enact rules to ensure that
chemical toilets can be emptied in an environmental
acceptable manner ?

No C 126 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1992 )

The problem stated by the Honourable Member has not
been identified by the Commission as a subject for
priority action at Community level : consequently, no
measures are currently envisaged .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2814 / 91

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 85 )

Subject : Development of woodland by building
cooperatives

The Greek Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of
the Environment, Regional and Public Works have put
forward proposals for building projects involving 25
hectares of woodland belonging to 215 building
cooperatives . Can the Commission state what steps it
intends to take to tackle the problem of the destruction of
woodland through building ?

Answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana

on behalf of the Commission

( 3 March 1992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1106 / 91 by Mr
Dessylas ( 1 ).

O OJ No C 38, 15 . 2 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2815 / 91

The Council has not yet approved the proposed
Regulation, although Parliament 's opinion was given
under the emergency procedure, recognizing that
administrative and budgetary constraints demanded a
decision creating a legal basis for the continuation of
ECIP within the shortest possible time .

1 . Given the importance which is attached to ECIP and

the Council 's request for urgency, can the Council
explain why, after more than 20 meetings to discuss
the proposal, no decision has yet been taken and can it
give any indication of when it expects to take a
decision ?

2 . As an equivalent measure for the countries of Central

and Eastern Europe was adopted after only six
meetings, does this mean that North / South relations
are suffering because of the Council 's preoccupation
with Central and Eastern European countries ?

3 . Is it the intention of the Council, in accordance with
the wishes of Parliament, to ensure full geographical
coverage of ECIP, flexibility of operation under an
appropriate committee procedure as recommended by
Parliament, and continuity of the proposal for a
minimum of three years ?

Answer

{9 April 1992 )

Further to a conciliation procedure with the European
Parliament, on 3 February 1992 the Council adopted the
Regulation on the implementation for a trial period of the
European Communities Investment Partners financial
instrument for countries of Latin America, Asia and the
Mediterranean region ( ! ).

O OJ No L 35, 12.2 . 1992, p. 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2832 / 91

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

by Mr Christopher Jackson ( ED )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 92 / C 126 / 87 )
(5 December 1991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 86 )

Subject : ECIP

On 14 June 1991 the European Parliament unanimously
adopted a favourable opinion on the Commission 's
proposal for a Regulation on the EC Investment Partners
financial instrument, intended to benefit the countries of
Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean .

\

Subject : Aid for industrial firms located in Modane

The Delegation for the Industrialization of Modane

( Savoie, France ) — an area bordering on Valle di Susa in
the province of Torino ( Italy ) — recently published a
document setting out, with a view to the 1993 single
European market, a series of incentives available to Italian
firms proposing to locate in the area .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 45

The incentives consist of assistance and advice provided

free of charge, together with logistical support, in order
to encourage firms to locate there .

The support also involves a considerable volume of
financial assistance, including developed sites on reduced
and negotiable terms, the construction of buildings for
subsequent leasing, rental or sale . There are also subsidies
from the department and region concerned in order to
reduce the cost of the buildings substantially .

' Preferential and secure financing ' is also being granted,
with unsecured loans and tax incentives, seven-year loans

on particularly advantageous terms . Reductions in the
cost of electricity consumption for a maximum period of
five years, and up to 25 % of the cost involved, are being
provided by the Savoie Departmental Council . There are
also tax exemptions, aid for hiring and training staff, etc .

Is the Commission aware of this initiative by the local
authorities in Savoie, has the initiative been authorized,
and does the Commission believe that all the incentives
are covered by the competition rules laid down in the EEC
Treaty ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 February 1992 )

On 27 September 1990, the Commission declared that the
extension to the canton of Modane of the activity of
Sofirem, the coal conversion company, approved by
decision of 31 May 1989, was compatible with the
common market .

As a result, the region of Modane, where some 25 to 30 %

of jobs are expected to be lost owing to the reduction in
activity connected with customs operations and the
reorganization of rail transport, is eligible for assistance
from Sofirem in the form of subsidized loans, the
acquisition of holdings — which, as a rule, do not
constitute aid — and the provision of advisory services .
Unless the Commission is notified in advance, only firms
with not more than 100 employees and with a turnover
not in excess of ECU 10 million qualify . The gross
maximum aid intensity may not exceed 7,5 % with aid for
advisory services being excluded from the calculation .
The normal conditions governing cumulation of aid and

sensitive sectors must also be respected .

With regard to the other measures mentioned by the
Honourable Member and not previously brought to the
attention of the Commission, information has now been
requested from the French authorities on the basis of the
particulars contained in the written question .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2872 / 91
by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 88 )

Subject : General medical practitioners

With effect from 1 January 1995, in order to begin work

as a general medical practitioner, it will be necessary to
complete specific training, in accordance with Council
Directive 86 / 457 / EEC (*). In Spain such training is
carried out through the ' MIR ' procedure and lasts three
years, with candidates being called up by the public

authorities .

Are Member States obliged to establish specific training in
general medical practice, without making access
conditonal upon budgetary constraints, and allowing
other alternative training procedures ?

Is such training compulsory for private and public
practice ?

Could Article 7 ( 5 ) of the above directive be
discriminatory with respect to those who cannot gain
access to such training in their own country, to the
advantage of others who may have qualified in
non-member States ?

Could this situation give rise to a kind of ' dumping ' in
training and an exodus towards those countries where it is
easier to obtain training, which would benefit those with
greater economic resources ? Can the Commission clarify
who is responsible for deciding that a doctor is
' established ', in accordance with Article 7 ( 2 ) of the above
directive ?

Does the Commission not consider it should harmonize
the procedures for access to specific training in order to
guarantee equality of opportunity ? Does it intend to do
this before 1 January 1995 ?

O OJ No L 267, 19 . 9 . 1986, p. 26 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1992 )

Community law does not prevent Member States from
limiting — by way of an examination — access to specific
training for general medical practitioners, provided that
nationals from other Member States, are not discriminated
against .

The scope of Directive 86 / 457 / EEC is not determined by

the distinction between private and public sector .
Pursuant to Article 7 ( 1 ), the training covered by the
Directive will be compulsory from 1 January 1995 as
regards exercise of the activities of general medical
practice under the national social security scheme .

No C 126 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

The Commission considers that training as a general
practitioner acquired in a non-member country must
satisfy at least the minimum criteria laid down in
Articles 2 and 3 of Directive 86 / 457 / EEC and that, at all

events, recognition of a diploma from a non-member
country pursuant to Article 7 ( 5 ) binds only the Member
State which grants recognition, and not the others .

The authorities competent to recognize a doctor 's
qualification pursuant to Article 7 ( 2 ) are the authorities
which allowed the doctor in question to become
established on their territory and to practise there in
accordance with Directives 75 / 362 / EEC and

75 / 363 / EEC C ).

The Commission takes the view that it is for each Member

State, and not the Community institutions, to ensure
equality of opportunity between nationals as regards
access to specific training in general practice .

o OTNoL 167, 30.6 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2876 / 91

by Mr Michael Welsh ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 89 )

Subject : UK budget contribution

In the Official Journal of 12 December 1990, pages 76 and
77, the Court of Auditors published tables showing own
resources received by Member States and annual
payments to Member States 1985 — 89 . If one deducts the
figures shown in the payments table from the own
resources tables the net contribution from the United
Kingdom to the Community budget is as follows in
million ecu .

1986 : 1 438,4
1987 : 2 606,0
1988 : 2 070,0
1989 : 3 553,8

Can the Commission state whether these figures take
account of all rebates and other adjustments and if not
what the true net contribution should be .

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 January 1992 )

According to the information available to the
Commission, the figures calculated by the Court of
Auditors include the correction of the budget imbalances
for the United Kingdom .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2878 / 91

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 90 )

Subject : Commission premises in Brussels

Would the Commission draw up a list of the premises it
occupies in Brussels ?

Could the Commission also specify how it uses these
premises ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 February 1992 )

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable

Member and Parliament 's Secretariat a list of the premises
it occupies in Brussels with details of how they are used .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2884 / 91

by Mr Gianfranco Amendola ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 91 )

Subject : Danger of jet skis

The Mediterranean coast has recently been invaded by jet
skis, powerful aquatic scooters which are extremely
dangerous to bathers . No licence, registration plate or
other form of identification is necessary to drive them off
the coast of Italy .

These powerful machines ( 500 — 650 tc ) are a source

absurdly excessive and unnecessary noise, pollution and
injury .

Will the Commission take steps, and if so what steps, to
protect Community citizens, already exposed to so many
forms of pollution and other dangers, who now find that
even their holidays may be spoiled by these machines,
which merely serve to encourage yet another
manifestation of speed coupled with mindlessness ?

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 47

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 1992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 2155 / 90 by Mrs Diez
de Rivera Icaza ( 1 ).

o OJ No C 161,20.6 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2897 / 91

by Mr Ian White ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 December 1991 )

Only two of these complaints remain outstanding, those
of 31 May 1985 and June 1991 . The delay concerning the
former complaint has been due to the need to establish a
leading precedent in a parallel case, and because of many
and substantial changes to the agreements over a period
of time, some of which related to requirements resulting
from new UK legislation subsequent to the 1989 MMC
Supply of Beer Report . Nevertheless, both the
outstanding cases are expected to reach conclusions in the
near future .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2917 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

( 92 / C 126 / 92 ) to European Political Cooperation

( 9 December 1 991 )

Subject : Beer sector complaints ( 92 / C 126 / 93 )

Will the Commission produce details of the number of

complaints which it has received on issues relating to the
interpretation of Title II of Regulation ( EEC ) No
1984 / 83 (') since the introduction of that Regulation
broken down as between Member States and giving the
date on which such complaints were received ?

Will the Commission also indicate when it anticipates

dealing with these complaints and explaining the reasons
for the lengthy delays which have been experienced in
dealing with many of them ?

O OJ No L 173, 30 . 6 . 1983, p. 5 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1 992 )

The Commission does not have a specific monitoring

system which records complaints on issues relating to the
interpretation of Title II of Commission Regulation
( EEC ) No 1984 / 83 of 22 June 1983 . However, research
has revealed the information requested, as per the table
below :

Date of complaint Member State concerned

8 June 1984 Germany

26 June 1984 Germany

30 November 1984 United Kingdom

31 May 1985 United Kingdom

14 November 1985 United Kingdom

9 April 1986 United Kingdom

19 December 1986 United Kingdom

9 July 1987 United Kingdom

4 September 1989 Germany

20 June 1991 United Kingdom

Subject : Community contributions to nuclear
disarmament in war zones

According to recent reports, the nuclear disarmament
policy advocated by the American President, George
Bush, may be seriously jeopardized in certain countries in
the Far East . In particular, prospects are uncertain in the
Korean peninsula, following talks between the Prime
Ministers of North and South Korea held at the end of
October, since the government of Pyongyang intends to
become a nuclear power ( International Herald Tribune, 28
October 1991 ). Similarly, the situation in China is
worrying in the light of its unexplained delay in ratifying
the Non-Proliferation Treaty at a time when Washington
was accusing it of collaboration with Iran in this area ( Le
Monde, 1 October 1991 )?

1 . Given the worldwide importance of nuclear
disarmament, how will EPC help to achieve
threatened objectives in this area ?

2 . In particular, does the Community have any means of

preventing Soviet nuclear scientists from offering the
benefit of their experience to countries which are
attempting to acquire nuclear weapons for their armed
forces ?

Answer

( 10 April 1992 )

The Community and its Member States fully share the
concerns expressed by the Honourable Parliamentarian .

Regarding his introductory remarks, the Community and
its Member States welcome the signature by North Korea
of its safeguard agreement and look forward to its early

No C 126 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

ratification and implementation . They also welcome
China 's decision to accede to the NPT .

In the Declaration on Non-Proliferation and arms
exports adopted by the European Council in Luxembourg
in June 1991, the Community and its Member States
expressed their support for a strengthening of the regime
of nuclear non-proliferation and called on all States to
become parties to the Treaty on the non-proliferation of
nuclear weapons . In the context of the 46th UNGA, they
reiterated this position and called in particular for a
strengthening and improvement of the IAEA 's safeguards

system .

They proposed to the IAEA Board of Governors, as well

as to the IAEA General Conference ( Vienna, 16—20
September 1991 ) the adoption of a first set of measures
which will be relatively straightforward to implement but
which will nevertheless make an immediate contribution
to the effectiveness of safeguards, namely :

— an obligation for States to declare any new facilities to

the Agency at least 180 days before construction work
begins ; in the case of any facilities already under
construction or complete, but not yet in use,
immediate declaration ;

— an obligation to declare all civil nuclear materials,

including uranium ore concentrate ( yellow cake )
produced in the territory of a State ;

— effective use by the Agency of special inspections,

including the use of such inspections in relation to
undeclared nuclear facilities ;

— setting up by the IAEA of a universal register of

exports and imports of equipment covered by Infcirc
254 and at the discretion of the IAEA, verification

that :

I. equipment covered by Infcirc 254 is actually

located in a monitored facility, and that

II . all nuclear materials processed in that facility are
effectively monitored,

— an obligation to notify the Board of Governors of any

application for exemption under the terms of
Articles 36 and 37 of Infcirc / 153, before accepting
such an application .

Although noting that the proposals put forward by the
Director-General of the Agency in the meantime largely
address these immediate concerns, the Community and its
Member States believe that consideration should be given
to improving the long term effectiveness, efficiency and
credibility of the international safeguards regime .

The last point raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian

is a major source of concern for the Community and its
Member States, At their recent EPC Ministerial meeting
in Lisbon, on 17 February 1992, they agreed to convey to
the authorities of the republics of the former Soviet
Union their readiness to give any technical support they
may need to eliminate nuclear weapons and establish an
effective non-proliferation system .

On that same occasion, they also subscribed to the
proposal put forward by Germany, together with Russia
and the United States to create an International Science
and Technology Centre in Russia that would support
projects aimed at giving weapons scientists and engineers
of the former Soviet Union opportunities to redirect their
talents to non-military endeavours and in particular to
minimize any incentives to engage in activities that would
result in proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical
weapons, and missile delivery systems . Through these
projects, scientists and engineers would also contribute to
ongoing efforts to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass
destruction, including development of technologies that
could assist in these efforts . The Commission will
examine ways of giving financial support to this initiative
in the framework of the 1992 Programmes for Technical
Assistance .

I can assure the Honourable Parliamentarian that the
Community and its Member States will spare no efforts
aimed at achieving an effective non-proliferation system .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2940 / 91

by Mr François Guillaume ( RDE )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 9 December 1 991 )

( 92 / C 126 / 94 )

Subject : Situation of persons employed by transit
agencies in view of the elimination of internal
borders as of 1 January 1993

The introduction of the single European market as of 1
January 1993 will considerably alter border control

procedures . The elimination of internal borders and the
payment of VAT and related levies at the point of
destination instead of at the borders constitutes a direct
threat to the job of 85 000 persons employed in transit
agencies within the Community in addition to customs
staff . The jobs generated by external trade will not be
sufficient to maintain the level of employment in this

sector .

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 49

1 . What measures will the Commission take to alleviate

the social consequences of the elimination of borders
in 1993 in respect of those employed by transit
agencies and customs staff, together with their
families ?

2 . What steps will it take to retrain and redeploy the staff

concerned and under what financial conditions ?

Answer

( 13 April 1992 )

On the subject of the vocational training of customs
officials, the Council adopted a Decision (9 1 / 341 / EEC )
on 20 June 1991 on the adoption of a programme of
Community action ( Matthaeus programme ) (').

For the rest, the Council would remind the Honourable
Member of the role of the European Social Fund, which is
administered by the Commission, in the field of
vocational training and redeployment and of the
Community initiative concerning border areas
( INTERREG ).

As the Internal Market Council meeting on 25 February

1992, the Commission also raised the specific problems
facing customs agents following completion of the
internal market .

O OJ No L 187, 13 . 7 . 1991, p. 41 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2973 / 91

by Mr Sérgio Ribeiro ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 95 )

Subject : Budget heading for arms industry conversion

In view of the recent statements by Commissioner Brittan
on the Community 's arms industries, which, in his view,
are uncompetitive because they are heavily protected, and
in view of the recent European Parliament resolution ( 12
September 1991 ) on the impact of cuts in military
spending on employment in certain regions, does the
Commission intend to present, in a future general budget
of the Communities, a budget heading in support of the
conversion of arms industries to civilian purposes, with a
view not only to preventing employment in, and the
economy of, regions dependent on those industries from
being adversely affected but also to making a positive
contribution to encouraging disarmament ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 February 1992 )

Over the last year the Commission has already
commented on the conversion of the arms industry in its
answers to Written Questions Nos 437 / 91 by Mr Arbeloa
Muru ( ! ) and 540 / 91 by Mr Peter ( 2 ) as well as during the
debate which took place in Parliament on 9 September

1991 concerning the impact on employment of cuts in
military spending .

On each of these occasions, the Commission indicated
that it would monitor developments very closely, paying
particular attention to the consequences for employment,
technological potential and economic activity in certain
regions of the Community . It also reported on the studies
under way .

As regards employment, a large proportion of those
employed in the arms industry is made up of engineers
and scientists, of which there is, generally speaking, a
shortage in the economy . This should facilitate the
absorption into civil industry of surplus skilled workers
from the arms industry .

Where such workers are in areas eligible for assistance
under Objective 2 of the structural Funds, it is up to
Member States to take the most appropriate measures
under the operational programmes approved by the
Commission .

In 1991 the Commission devoted 52% of the
appropriations under budget heading B2-61 ( Perifra ),
amounting to some ECU 21 million, to help finance
small-scale pilot projects in regions suffering as a direct
consequence of disarmament agreements and military
spending cuts . A large number of these projects were
concerned with the conversion of the arms industry . In

1992 an amount of ECU 50 million is to be appropriated
under this heading, part of which will be used for similar

measures .

Under the present rules, however, the structural Funds
cannot address the difficulties of the arms industry as a
whole or tackle problems of retraining and conversion on

an industry-wide basis .

O OJ No C 281, 28 . 10 . 1991 .
O OJ No C 214, 16.8 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3005 / 91
by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 96 )

Subject : Reflections on the new Community fisheries

policy

According to Commission sources, the common fisheries
policy initiated in March 1983 has met with overwhelming

No C 126 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

failure due to the pressure of excessive uncontrolled
fishing activity on diminishing resources .

It appears that in order to halt the deterioration in this
situation the European Community has proposed the
short-term implementation of far-reaching reform ; the
proposed measures include more direct European
Community control over the activity of fishing fleets
belonging to the different Member States with a view to
ensuring greater compliance with current legislation and
improved conservation of resources .

Since such rumours have led to queries from the fishing
sector about the new Community guidelines, could the
Commission indicate whether it sees fit to draw up a white
or blue paper on the subject for the consideration of all
the sectors involved, prior to adopting a new Community
fisheries policy, in order to seek the best solutions for all
concerned ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1992 )

On 4 December 1991 the Commission adopted a report to
the Council and Parliament on the common fisheries

policy .

Although Article 8 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 170 / 83 (') confines the scope of the report to the
fishery situation in the Community, the economic and
social development of coastal areas and the state of stocks
and their likely evolution the Commission has taken the
opportunity to give a broad and full review of the
common fisheries policy as a whole and to map out what it
considers the best way of safeguarding the future of the
industry .

The report sets out what might be done to effect the
immediate imperative of tightening access to fishery
resources, by reducing the fishing effort of the
Community fleet, including capacity reduction, and by
more rigorous management and monitoring of fishing
activities . It also stresses the need for short term action in
the form of accompanying measures to counter the
socio-economic impact of these reductions .

The report is intended to stimulate discussion within the

Community bodies and elsewhere and it is only in the
light of discussion in the first months of 1992 that the
Commission will present its regulatory proposals .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3007 / 91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 97 )

Subject : European Community aid to university-industry

training partnerships

One of the main results of the implementation of the
Comett programme (I and II ) has been the proliferation
and consolidation of UITPs ( university-industry training
partnerships ), of which there are already 156 throughout
Europe, acting as effective intermediaries between
universities and industry, while at the same time
organizing student exchanges .

Since these partnerships are grant-aided by the European

Community there is considerable interest in extending
this effective aspect of the Comett programme to
all the member countries, thereby strengthening its
implementation .

Could the Commission indicate the nature of Community
aid to UITPs, the prerequisites for access to such aid and
what Community provisions generally regulate European
Community support for UITPs ?

Answer given by Miss Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 January 1992 )

In accordance with Council Decision 89 / 27 / EEC of 16
December 1988 adopting the second phase of the
Programme on Cooperation between Universities and
Industry regarding training in the field of technology
( Comett II ) ( 1990 — 94 ) ( l ), the Community is granting
financial support to 158 university - industry training
partnerships ( UITPs ) under the Comett II programme .
This support is to further cooperation and partnership
between universities and industry for the purposes of :

— contribution to the identification of training needs in

technology ;

— meeting requirements on a structured and coordinated

o OJ No L 24, 27 . 1 . 1983 . basis ;

— providing a support structure for implementing the

Comett programme ;

18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 126 / 51

— strengthening cooperation and inter-regional transfer

between Member States ; and

— developing links in the form of sectoral networks .

If these conditions are met, the Community may provide a
flat-rate contribution to the UITP of up to 50% of
planned expenditure . This support will be reduced
progressively, with a ceiling per UITP of ECU 70 000,
ECU 60 000 and ECU 50 000 respectively for the first
three years of operation .

O OJNoL 13, 17 . 1 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3041 / 91

by Mr Christian de la Malène ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 98 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3118 / 91

by Mr Thomas Spencer ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 99 )

Subject : UK Broadcasting Act

The United Kingdom 's Broadcasting Act, which came

into force on 1 January this year, appears to grant the UK
authorities the power to board, arrest and tow away ships,
even if they are outside UK territorial waters, if they are
operating a broadcasting radio station not in conformity
with the 1967 Marine Broadcasting Act . Could the
Commission state whether these aspects of the UK
legislation are in conformity with the EEC Broadcasting
Directive and also with the more general provisions of the
Treaty, such as Article 59 et seq .?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1992 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the answers to
Written Questions No 772 / 91 by Mr Raffarin (') and

No 1679 / 91 by Mr Vernier ( 2 ).

Subject : The the 1989 importance directive of on the construction concept of products ' EC mark ' in O O OJ OJ No No C C 214 102,22.4, 16.8 . . 1991 1992 . .

In the context of Directive 89 / 106 / EEC (') on
construction products, can the Commission state how the
concept of ' EC mark ' should be understood ?

Should it be given a limited meaning covering only the
essential requirements of the product, or should a wider
interpretation be given covering not only the essential
requirements but also the specific characteristics of the
product which, once incorporated, should enable the
product to be used for the purpose for which it was
designed in accordance with the essential requirements ?

O OJNoL4Q, 11.2 . 1989, p. 12 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 February 1 992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 1685 / 91 by Mr
Lamassoure (').

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3136 / 91

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott ( ED )

to European Political Cooperation

( 24 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 100 )

Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards
pluralism

Will the Foreign Ministers verify a report that dossiers on

Securitate Officials will not be opened for 60 years and
that none of these officials will be arrested for

pre-revolutionary activities ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3137 / 91

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott ( ED )

to European Political Cooperation

( 24 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 101 )

Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards
o OJ NoC 102, 22 . 4 . 1992 . pluralism

Does the proposal in the draft Romanian Constitution to
establish a National Defence Council, separate from the

No C 126 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

civil government, conform to the Foreign Ministers ' idea
of a state based on the rule of law with organs of state
subject to the same law ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3199 / 91

by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott ( ED )

to European Political Cooperation

( 24 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 102 )

Subject : Surveillance of Romanian steps towards
pluralism

As proof of Glasnost in Romania, will the Foreign

Ministers request the Romanian authorities to bring to
justice the perpetrators of the murder of the Roman

Catholic priest, Father Geza Palffy, who protested at the
suppression of 25 December as a holiday by the
Ceaucescu regime ? Father Palffy disappeared in 1984 .

Joint answer
to Written Questions Nos 3136 / 91, 3137 / 91 and 3199 / 91

( 10 April 1992 )

The specific points raised by the Honourable Member

have as such not been discussed in the framework of
European Political Cooperation . However, as the
intensive debate with the Honourable Member over the
last year will bear out, he is most certainly aware that the
Community and its Member States are keeping
developments in Romania under constant review,
particularly so all aspects pertaining to the human rights
situation in that country .

214 cases only, although Danish fishermen put to sea

150 000 times .

In one case two Danish traders were fined DM 1 3 000 for
purchasing 300 000 kg of plaice designated as turbot from
Dutch suppliers so that the latter could maintain their
plaice quota . The Dutch suppliers were not penalized .

1 . Can the Commission suggest ways of combating such

forms of black marketeer ?

2 . In view of such incidents, does the Commission
consider that the quota policy cannot be implemented
in practice and should therefore be reviewed ?

3 . Does the Commission consider that such
infringements can be effectively countered by stricter
controls given that to date, such controls have
achieved only a modest degree of success, or have
failed completely to identify a number of offenders ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1992 )

1 . The Commission would point out that responsibility
for ensuring compliance with the provisions on the
conservation of fishery resources lies first and foremost

— according to Article 1 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 2241 / 87 — with the Member States .

2 . The Commission has on several occasions urged the
Member States to take appropriate control measures to
thwart illegal marketing, not only by stepping up physical
checks at the place of unloading but also by imposing
stiffer penalties on offenders . To that end it would also be
useful if the various inspection departments in the
Member States were to coordinate their efforts to trace
the origin of products transported by road .

3 . The Commission plans to put proposals to the
Council in the next few months for Community control
measures to reinforce the existing monitoring
arrangements and make inspections more effective . In
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3212 / 91
these proposals the Commission will stress the importance

by Mr Reimer Boge ( PPE ) of integrated control .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 103 )

Subject : Monitoring in the fisheries sector

Fishing quotas are frequently exceeded in many Member
States . A fisherman who has used all but 500 kg of his cod
quota and nets 3 tonnes at the first attempt does not throw
the dead fish back into the sea, since the processing
industry provides him with an adequate outlet . This has
led to a black market which may account for up to 50 % of
fish exports .

Inspectors in Denmark have admitted that only one
infringement in four is discovered . Fines were imposed in

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3232 / 91
by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S )

to European Political Cooperation

( 28 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 104 )

Subject : Combating illegal immigration

The working party set up following the meeting of 28

European Justice and Interior Ministers on 30 and 31

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 53

October 1991 in Berlin to take joint action against illegal
immigration consists of representatives of Austria,
Hungary and Italy . Does Italy represent the Community
as a whole ?

Answer ( )
( 13 April 1992 )

The Berlin Conference, to which the Honourable
Member is referring, was held outside the context of the
European Communities and the Council is not, therefore,
in a position to answer the question .

(') This reply has been given by the Council of the European

Communities, within whose province the question came .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3240 / 91

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 28 January 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 105 )

Subject : Support for the local Israeli-Palestinian
community of Neve Shalom

In 1972 Trappist monks leased out 12 500 m 2 to a local
mixed Israeli-Palestinian community known as Neve
Shalom ( New Peace ) situated in a sparsely populated
mountain region half way between Jerusalem and Tel
Aviv . This community was recognized in 1989 by the
parastatal regional council Mateh Jehuda, which helps
several kibbutzim and villages in the canton, but Israeli
legislation still prevents foreign aid from being sent to this
community and particularly to the Palestinian members of
it .

Belgian national radio broadcast a very informative
programme on 1 November 1991 in which spokesmen for
the two parties acknowledged, to varying degrees, the
positive nature of this experience as an instrument for
achieving local rapprochement of two enemy peoples . The
' '
mixed community of 80 inhabitants — including 20
well-educated children including young Palestinians from
the nearby Arab village of Abu Gosh — has, since its
creation, educated a considerable number of adolescents
and had the help of hundreds of adult educators
concerned to carry out their work in a spirit of mutual

trust .

Given that, despite its limited size, this inimitable
experience deserves appreciation and support on a wider
scale, does the Commission not consider that this is an
exceptional case which warrants generosity — in political

and material terms — even though Israeli interlocutors
persist in considering the Arabs of Neve Shalom as
unusual Israelis or total outsiders rather than as

non-violent Palestinians ?

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

Under the Council Decisions of 27 October 1986 the
Community applies measures to help the Palestinian
inhabitants of the West Bank of the Jordan and of the
Gaza Strip in the form of trade arrangements and
financial assistance . The latter is intended to improve the
economic and social situation of the Palestinian
inhabitants of the Occupied Territories, efforts being
concentrated on projects or measures in agriculture and
industry that create jobs, on training and on the
improvement of the operation of local Palestinian
institutions such as town councils, universities, colleges
and Arab vocational organizations . Projects in the field of
housing and health are given priority at present .

This aid, for which a commitment appropriation of ECU

12 million has been entered in the 1992 budget, is
administered by the Commission in accordance with a
procedure similar to that applicable to the implementation
of the cooperation agreements concluded by the
Community with neighbouring States .

In addition, the Council Decision of 22 July 1991 on
financial aid for Israel and the Palestinian population of
the Occupied Territories ( 91 / 408 / EEC ), intended to help
reduce the negative consequences of the Gulf War,
provides for non-repayable aid for those people of ECU
60 million . That aid is administered by the Commission in
accordance with the procedure laid down in the Decision .

It is therefore for the Commission to consider whether
the local community to which the Honourable Member
refers is eligible for Community aid .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 60 / 92

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( LDR )
to the Council of the European Communities

(6 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 106 )

Subject : Veterinary inspection posts in Poitou-Charentes

The Implementation of Directive 90 / 675 / EEC of 10

December 1990 (') on veterinary inspection posts for
products originating from third countries does not

No C 126 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5.92

provide for inspection posts to be established either in the
port of Rochefort or of La Rochelle .

This state of affairs is detrimental to the smooth running
of the economy in the Poitou-Charentes region .

In taking note of this situation, would the Council be
prepared to reconsider the establishment of frontier
inspection posts on the Atlantic coast in the
Poitou-Charentes region ?

O OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1990, p. 1 .

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

Under Article 9 of Directive 90 / 675 / EEC and Article 6 of

Directive 91 / 496 / EEC, it is the Member States ' role to
submit to the Commission the list of border inspection
posts responsible for carrying out veterinary checks upon
importation of products and live animals into Community
territory, once they have been shortlisted by national
authorities, acting in conjunction with the Commission
departments which verify their compliance with the
requirements set out in those Directives . The Commission
draws up the Community list only after inspection of the
border posts designated by the Member States .

In the context of the criteria laid down at Community
level, the selection of borders posts is therefore primarily
the Member States ' responsibility .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 91 / 92

by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis ( S )
to European Political Cooperation

(6 February 1992 )

They have made this a particular issue in their dealings
with the republics of the former Soviet Union by linking
the questions of recognition and non-proliferation .

In their declaration on the ' Guidelines on the recognition
of new States in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union ',
dated 16 December 1991, Ministers listed as precondition
for recognition of a new State ' acceptance of all relevant
commitments with regard to disarmament and nuclear
non-proliferation as well as to security and regional
stability '.

In their statement on the ' Future Status of Russia and
other former Soviet Republics ', dated 23 December 1991,
the Community and its Member States expressed their
expectation to receive assurances from the
Commonwealth of Independent States that they ' will
ensure single control over nuclear weapons and their
non-proliferation '.

In their statements on the ' Recognition of former Soviet
Republics ' dated 31 December 1991 and 15 January 1992,
the Community and its Member States expressed their
readiness to proceed with recognition on the basis of
assurances received and on the understanding that all
republics ' on whose territory nuclear weapons are
stationed, will adhere shortly to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty as non-nuclear weapon States '.

The Community and its Member States will continue to

give priority to non-proliferation issues, including the
question of a possible ' nuclear brain-drain ', in their future
contacts with the republics of the Commonwealth of
Independent States, namely within the framework of the
science and technology international centre .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 97 / 92

by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S )

( 92 / C 126 / 107 ) to the Council of the European Communities

(6 February 1992 )

Subject : Nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union ( 92 / C 126 / 108 )

According to many articles in the European and
international press and recent statements by former Soviet
officers there is a great danger that the former Soviet
republics have uncontrolled access to weapons and
nuclear materials . What steps will European Political
Cooperation take to avert this danger ?

Answer

( 10 April 1992 )

The Community and its Member States attach great
importance to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons .

Subject : Community fact-finding mission to Bangladesh

( 20—22 October 1991 )

1 . Did the fact-finding mission to Bangladesh obtain
information concerning the ( human rights ) situation in
the Chittagong Hill Tracts ? What were its findings ?

2 . With whom did the members of the fact-finding
mission discuss the situation in Bangladesh and what
conclusions did they draw ?

3 . Were discussions held on the possibilities of a safe
return from the Indian State of Tripura of those who had
earlier fled the Chittagong Hill Tracks ?

No C 126 / 55
18 . 5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities

4 . What guarantees does the Council have that food
and financial aid provided by the European Community
or the Member States to Bangladesh will be properly used
and will benefit the Chittagong Hill tribes and not simply
serve to fund the militarization of the area ?

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

of the area ? The Council has not to date received any proposal from

the Commission for the introduction of a programme of
specific aid for the non-coal mining areas of the
Community . The Honourable Member 's attention is,
however, drawn to the fact that a discussion of the general
question of mining policy is planned for the next Council
Answer
meeting on Industry .

( 13 April 1992 )

The aims of the fact-finding mission to Bangladesh

undertaken from 20 to 22 October by the President ­
in-Office of the Council ( Development ), accompanied by
his predecessor and successor or their representatives,

were :

— to examine the relationship between emergency aid,

aid for reconstruction, and long-term development
assistance and to investigate whether coordination
between donors could be improved ;

— to demonstrate Europe 's concern for and show

Europe 's interest in Bangladesh, which is one of the
poorest countries, subject to recurrent disasters, and
one of the principal beneficiaries of aid from the
Community and its Member States, and where
parliamentary democracy has recently been restored .

In its talks with the country 's political leaders, the
Community delegation repeatedly stressed the
importance attached by the Community and its Member
States to respect for human rights and the need for
democracy to become firmly established . The specific
question mentioned by the Honourable Member
concerning the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
was not raised .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 134 / 92

by Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez ( S )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 7 February 1 992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 109 )

Subject : Mining areas other than coalmining areas

Given the existence of the Community RECHAR support
programme for coal-mining areas, and the fact that there
are other non-coalmining areas and regions in the
Community which are currently undergoing major
redevelopment, has the Council considered setting up a
specific programme to assist the latter ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 138 / 92
by Mr Juan de la Cámara Martínez ( S )
to the Council of the European Communities

(7 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 110 )

Subject : Information and Coordination programme for

environmental policies to protect the
Mediterranean

Does the Council propose to implement an information
and coordination programme involving all the various
levels of public administration ( local, regional, national
and Community ) so as to increase the effectiveness of
environmental policies to protect the Mediterranean ?

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

1 . In its resolution ( 87 / C 328 / 01 ) on the continuation
and implementation of a European Community policy
and action programme on the environment
( 1987 — 1992 ) ( ! ) adopted on 19 October 1987 the Council
stressed the urgency of action to ensure the overall and
integrated protection of the environment in the
Mediterranean region .

2 . In that connection the Council adopted Regulation
( EEC ) No 563 / 91 on action by the Community for
protection of the environment in the Mediterranean
region ( MEDSPA ) ( 2 ) on 4 March 1991 .

The MEDSPA action takes account in particular of the
points of concern mentioned in the Honourable
Member 's question :

— one of the objectives listed in Article 2 of the

Regulation is in fact ' to increase cooperation and
coordination on protection of the environment in the
region concerned by integrating Community action
and the operations carried out at regional, national
and international level ';

— it should also be pointed out that the priority measures

eligible under this Regulation include, as regards

No C 126 / 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 5 . 92

action in non-Community Mediterranean countries,
help with the establishment of administrative
structures and technical assistance in the
establishment of environmental policies . The
implementation of such measures may also facilitate
exchanges of information and coordination between
the entities involved .

o OJ No C 328, 7 . 12 . 1987, p . 1 .
O OJ No L 63, 9 . 3 . 1991, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 216 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 13 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 111 )

Subject : Safety of food, drink and water intended for

human consumption

The conclusions of 3 December 1990 of the Council and
the Ministers for Health meeting within the Council on
the safety of food, drink and water intended for human
consumption (') recognized that the chief task of the
Community is to take urgent, coordinated and thorough
action to adopt as soon as possible effective rules,
particularly in the sectors which are of importance in
achieving a high level of health protection . What steps
have been taken by the Council and the Member States to
coordinate existing rules and to guarantee, ' through
effective, uniform application, that they are actually
complied with ' ?

Regarding the rules applicable by the Member States in
the absence of Community regulations, the Commission
indicates, in its interpretative communication on the free
movement of foodstuffs within the Community ('), how
the principle of the mutual recognition of national rules
and standards is to be applied, for matters which do not
require the adoption of Community legislative measures,
and the limits within which the Member States may meet
the mandatory requirement of public health protection .

To date, the Council has not received a specific proposal
from the Commission on other measures to coordinate
existing rules . If the Commission as initiator judges
another Council Decision on this subject to be necessary,
the Council will not fail to examine with the closest
attention any proposal to reinforce the present level of
coordination .

o OJ No C 271, 14 . 10 . 1989, p. 3 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 217 / 92

by Mr José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 13 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 112 )

Subject : Improving the prevention and treatment of acute

human poisoning

The resolution of the Council of 3 December 1990 on

improving the prevention and treatment of human
poisoning (') expressed determination to take the
necessary steps, including coordinated annual reports by
the competent authorities on the work of poison centres .
What progress has been made in carrying out the tasks set
out in this resolution ?

o OJ No C 329, 31 . 12 . 1990, p. 19 . O OJ No C 329, 31 . 12 . 1990, p. 6 .

Answer

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

The Commission report to the Council and the
Parliament on the implementation of measures for
completing the internal market ( SEC(91 ) 2491 final )
analyses the situation as at 10 December 1991 . It examines
the problems of implementing the measures for
completing the internal market in each of the areas
covered by the White Paper — including the sectors
playing a predominant role where a high level of health
protection must be attained — and initiatives taken to
ensure correct application of the various measures
adopted .

(9 April 1992 )

1 . The Council does not at present have any
information on implementation of the resolution of 3
December 1990 on improving the prevention and
treatment of acute human poisoning .

2 . Under the resolution, it is up to the Commission,
when the time comes, to submit a report to the Council
that will be taken as a basis for a review of the provisions
of the resolution, which should take place within five
years of its adoption .

18.5.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 126 / 57

WRITTEN QUESTION No 301 / 92

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 24 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 113 )

Subject : Opening of borders and trade in drugs

Every day numerous people cross the
Belgium-Netherlands border to purchase drugs in the
Netherlands which are freely available across the counter
there in order to resell them at a considerable profit in
Belgium . Many of these people obtain the money to buy
drugs by committing a crime or crimes in Belgium and
reselling the stolen goods in the Netherlands .

The Belgian legal authorities consider that the
Netherlands police could help them by identifying
Belgian drug purchasers in the Netherlands and passing
- on their names . Is this arrangement covered by the

Schengen Agreement ?

Answer

(9 April 1992 )

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the written

reply which she received to her Question No H-96 on the
same subject, put during Question Time in the February

1992 part-session .

The Council is not able to reply to the last part of the

question, since the Schengen Agreement is outside the
framework of the European Communities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 332 / 92

by Mr Edward Newman ( S )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 27 February 1 992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 114 )

Subject : Study on granting certain rights to third country

nationals

A study into the feasibility of granting certain rights,

applicable to EC citizens, to third country nationals who
have been residing in an EC Member State for a number
of years, has apparently been requested by the Ministers
responsible for immigration of the 12 Member States .
Who will carry out this study, when will it be completed
and what will be the status of its results ? Is it to be a
confidential inter-governmental document or a document

of the European institutions ? How is the study to be
financed ? Will the European Parliament be informed of
the results before its publication ?

Answer

( 13 April 1992 )

At its meeting in Maastricht the European Council took

note of a report on immigration and asylum drawn up at
its request by the Ministers responsible for immigration .

The European Council considered that the report formed

an adequate basis for the measures to be taken in those
areas and agreed on the work programmes and timetables
set out in it . The European Council asked the Ministers
for Immigration to implement them ; the questions raised
by the Honourable Member will be dealt with in this

context .

The report has been forwarded to the European
Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 335 / 92

by Mr Edward Newman ( S )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 27 February 1992 )

( 92 / C 126 / 115 )

Subject : Study on fingerprint collection of
asylum-seekers

The ad-hoc Group on Immigration is commissioning a

feasibility study of a European fingerprint collection of
asylum-seekers which should be completed before the end
of June this year .

What will be the status of the study findings and how is it
to be financed ? Will the European Parliament be
informed of the results before the report is officially
issued ?

Answer

( 13 April 1992 )

At this stage of proceedings it is envisaged that the
feasibility study into a European fingerprint exchange
system will be conducted by a working party answerable
to the Ministers with responsibility for immigration .