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^  - ^ / * / * •  - "1 T *! ISSN 0378-6986
# Orncial Journal C232

. . Volume 34
### of the European Communities 5 $<*»)« »»

#### English edition Information and Notices

Notice N o Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

9 1 / C 232/01 N o 18/90 by M r Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: The present situation with regard to compliance with the Community directive on the
inspection and verification of Good Laboratory Practice 1

9 1 / C 232/02 N o 1722/90 by M r Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission

Subject: Community participation in the construction of motorways in Galicia 1

9 1 / C 232/03 N o 1923/90 by M r Carlos Robles P i q u e r t o t h e Commission

Subject: Aid received by Spain under the EAGGF 2

9 1 / C 232/04 N o 2102/90 by M r Mauro Chiabrando, M r Franco Borgo, M r Ferruccio Pisoni and

M r Gerardo Gaibisso to the Commission

Subject: Regulations on agricultural structures 2

9 1 / C 232/05 N o 2153/90 by M r Pol Marck to the Commission

Subject: Co-responsibility levy 3

91 / C 232/06 N o 2182/90 by M r Didier Anger to the Commission

Subject: Community aid for producers of echinoderms 3

9 1 / C 232/07 N o 2385/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: EC Directive for the Cinema 4

91 / C 232/08 N o 2396/90 by M r Thomas Maher to the Commission

Subject: Single market for private cars 4

91 / C 232/09 N o 2493/90 by M r Gerardo Fernandez Albor to the Commission

Subject: Projected conversion scheme for wines with the 'Jerez' designation of origin 6

9 1 / C 232/10 N o 2508/90 by Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten and M r Raphael Chanterie to the

Commission

Subject: Use of bioethanol as motor fuel 6

1 (Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 1 / C 232/11 N o 2512/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raff arin to the Commission

Subject: Conservation of nature and the Structural Funds 7

9 1 / C 232/12 N o 2547/90 by M r M a u r o Chiabrando and M r Franco Borgo to the Commission

Subject: Imports of farm products from Eastern Europe 8

91 / C 232/13 N o 2676/90 by M r H u g h M c M a h o n to the Commission

Subject: Norsap programme 8

9 1 / C 232/14 N o 2678/90 by M r Dieter Rogalla to the Commission

Subject: Staff Regulations: claims of divorced wives 9

9 1 / C 232/15 N o 2692/90 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Objectives in relation to agriculture and the environment 9

9 1 / C 232/16 N o 2760/90 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Statements by Commissioner Cardosa e Cunha in an interview with the 'Financieel
Dagblad' 10

9 1 / C 232/17 N o 2906/90 by M r Viginio Bettini and M r Mario Melis to the Commission

Subject: Environmental protection of the western coast of Sardinia 10

9 1 / C 232/18 N o 2932/90 by M r Bartho Pronk to the Commission

Subject: Introduction of electric cars 10

9 1 / C 232/19 N o 2968/90 by M r Paul Staes to the Commission

Subject: Implementation of Directive 80/778/EEC 11

91 / C 232/20 N o 2990/90 by M r Karl von Wogau to the Commission

Subject: Marketing of unpasteurized cheese 12

91 / C 232/21 N o 3021 /90 by M r Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission

Subject: Research project to combat soil erosion 12

9 1 / C 232/22 N o 3049/90 by M r Jean-Pierre Raff arin to the Commission

Subject: Research in the marine environment 13

9 1 / C 232/23 N o 3059/90 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject: Structural Fund and forestry in Ireland 14

9 1 / C 232/24 N o 3070/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Dietetic foodstuffs 15

9 1 / C 232/25 N o 3071/90 by M r Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission

Subject: Ford/VW project — Portugal and the 'misuse of appropriations' 15

9 1 / C 232/26 N o 337/91 by Mrjoaquim Miranda da Silva to the Commission

Subject: Community participation in Ford and Volkswagen investment in Portugal 16

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3071/90 and 337/91 16

9 1 / C 232/27 N o 109/91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission

Subject: Nuclear accident and drinking water 16

(Continued on page 28)

Notice No

91/C232/28

91/C232/29

91/C232/30

91/C232/31

91/C232/32

91/C232/33

91/C232/34

91/C232/35

91/C232/36

91/C232/37

91/C232/38

91/C232/39

91/C232/40

91/C232/41

91/C232/42

91/C232/43

91/C232/44

91/C232/45

Contents (continued) Page

No 133/91 by Mr Louis Lauga to the Commission
Subject: European centre for coordinating methods of bio-substitution 16

No 169/91 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject: Reduction in the VAT rates and elimination of the tax on diesel oil in the European
Community 17

No 178/91 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject: Costs related to intervention 17

No 180/91 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject: The 'laghetto del Piano' 18

No 212/91 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject: Airline compensation 18

No 262/91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject: European Centre for Alternatives to Animal Experimentation 19

No 265/91 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject: Italy: projected Porto Torres—Sassari heavy-traffic route and Sassari—Alghero
expressway 19

No 273/91 by Mr Jo5o Cravinho to the Commission
Subject: Delays in the payment of funds for projects adopted under Regulation 797 20

No 311/91 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Aid to the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain in the nut sector for the
89—90 marketing year 20

No 312/91 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Health problems affecting trade in heat-treated milk 21

No 316/91 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject: Non-implementation by Spain of the EEC Regulation on reafforestation 21

No 470/91 by Mr Jose Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject: Joint appropriation of East Timor's oil by Indonesia and Australia 22

No 484/91 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject: Skins of endangered species on sale in Rhodes 22

No 492/91 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Payment of interest on bonds 22

No 493/91 by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea to the Commission
Subject: Eligibility of the districts of Marche, Bastogne and Neufchateau (Belgium) to benefit
from regional aid schemes 23

No 508/91 by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond to the Commission
Subject: Dolphin deaths in the Mediterranean 24

No 684/91 by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira to the Commission

Subject: Community financing for the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira 24

No 813/91 by Mr Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject: Investment in Eastern European countries 24

(Continued on inside back cover)

Notice No Contents (continued) Page

91/C 232/46 No 893/91 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject: Status of fuel retailers for social security purposes 25

91/C 232/47 No 934/91 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject: Work permits 25

91/C 232/48 No 964/91 by Mr Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject: R&D statistics for the Twelve 26

91/C 232/49 No 993/91 by Mr Herman Verbeek to the Commission
Subject: Sale of condoms in the EC, with particular reference to Ireland 26

91/C 232/50 No 1036/91 by Mrs Karla Peijs, Mr Konstantinos Stavrou, Mr Karl von Wogau and
Mr Egon Klepsch to the Commission

Subject: European Economic Area 26

91/C 232/51 No 1199/91 by Mr Henry McCubbin to the Commission
Subject: Raspberry production and processing 27

91/C 232/52 No 1316/91 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject: Article 113 of the EEC Treaty 27

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/1

_(Information)_

##### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 18/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(91/C 232/01)

_Subject:_ The present situation with regard to compliance
with the Community directive on the inspection
and verification of Good Laboratory Practice

Directive 88/320/EEC (') deals with the inspection and
verification of Good Laboratory Practice and calls on the
Member States to carry out inspections and study audits
needed to ascertain compliance with the rules, and states
that the Commission must be notified about both positive
findings and any deficiencies discovered.

Can the Commission say to what extent the Member
States are complying with this Directive?

(') OJNoLl45,11.6. 1988, p. 35.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 March 1990)_

Directive 88/320/EEC of 9 June 1988 calls on the

Member States to carry out inspections and study audits
needed to ascertain the proper application of good
laboratory practice (GLP) by laboratories and obliges the
Member States to keep the Commission informed of the
proper application of the Directive. The final date for
implementing the Directive was 1 January 1989.

The information currently available to the Commission
shows that four Member States have transposed the
Directive into national law (Belgium, Denmark, the
United Kingdom and Luxembourg), while the
Netherlands takes the view that implementing measures
are not necessary.

When the Directive was adopted, the Council asked the
Commission to adapt it to technical progress to take
account of certain documents recently adopted by the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD). Most of the Member States felt
that it was necessary to wait for the second Directive
90/18/EEC to be adopted in order to implement the two
nationally at the same time. The latter Directive was
adopted by the Commission on 18 December 1989 (').
The Member States are required to implement it by 1 July
1990.

( [l] ) OJNoL 11,13.1.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1722/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 _July 1990)_

(91/C 232/02)

_Subject:_ Community participation in the construction of
motorways in Galicia

The publication of a manifesto in which various political
groups, trade unions, universities, industrial
confederations, regional chambers of commerce and the
Galicia council for labour relations call for social action to

demand that several motorways linking Galicia with the
Spanish meseta be completed by 1993 demonstrates the
region's insistence on the construction of the above
projects which are of vital importance to Galicia's
economic development.

Nevertheless, the construction of these motorways is not
included in the projects drawn up by the Spanish central
government, which means that central government is once
again ignoring the region of Galicia as it has in the past.

No C 232/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

In view of this dispute, can the Commission exercize its
powers of arbitration to resolve the conflict between the
State and the region of Galicia and provide structural
funds to promote the construction of these roads between
Galicia and the Spanish meseta?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 September 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the outlying situation of the
Autonomous Community of Galicia and the problems of
_access_ which stem from this. In fact, the Community
support sub-framework for Galicia acknowledges the
region's isolation and its weaknesses as regards
communications infrastructures; it recognizes the need to
improve access to the Cantabrian coast, inland Spain and
Portugal.

However, the Commission is unable to take the place of
the national authorities in defining strategic choices
concerning the motorway network. In any case, the
structural Funds can provide assistance only in response
to an application by the appropriate Spanish authorities in
the context of implementation of the CSF.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1923/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _August 1990)_

(91/C 232/03)

_Subject:_ Aid received by Spain under the EAGGF

Spain's position at the bottom of the list of Member States
receiving aid from the EAGGF — both Guidance and
Guarantee Sections — is all the more surprising when one
considers that Spanish agriculture accounts for 12% of
the Community's net agricultural production. It is
particularly surprising as far as the EAGGF-Guidance
Section is concerned, since Spain receives less aid than all
the other Member States for the management of
structures, if the amount of funding received is compared
with the number of farms.

Can the Commission say what, in its opinion, are the
reasons for Spain coming so far down the list with regard
to the distribution of direct aid from the EAGGF and

what it thinks the prospects are for restoring a balance, to
ensure that Spain receives a fair share of aid
commensurate with its importance as far as the
Community's net agricultural production is concerned?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 September 1990)_

The most recent payments by the EAGGF to Spain were
as follows:

1. EAGGF Guarantee Section

Payments in 1989 totalled ECU 24 403 million of which
ECU 1 854 million (7,6 %) went to Spain.

2. EAGGF Guidance Section

Payments in 1989 totalled ECU 1 349 million, of which
Spain received ECU 178,9 million, or 13,3% of the total
paid to all Member States. This means that Spain's total
receipts put it in fourth place among the 12 Community
Member States.

This demonstrates that the fears expressed are
groundless: Spain receives assistance from the EAGGF
commensurate with its contribution to net agricultural
production in the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2102/90

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando, Mr Franco Borgo,
Mr Ferrucdo Pisoni and Mr Gerardo Gaibisso (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 September 1990)_

(91/C 232/04)

_Subject:_ Regulations on agricultural structures

The proposal for a Council regulation set out in
COM(89) 597 final on the use of agricultural products for
non-food purposes, on which the European Parliament
delivered an opinion at the June 1990 part-session, is one
of the many amendments to Council Regulation (EEC)
No 797/85 O on improving the efficiency of agricultural

structures.

The original regulation has already been greatly
transformed by the large volume of previous amendments
and secondary legislation, thereby making it extremely
difficult to understand and interpret, in particular by the
Member State bodies responsible for implementing the
regulation and giving rise to continual confusion at the
expense of agricultural producers.

1. When does the Commission envisage attaining the
objectives set out in the decisions on the review of the
CAP of February 1988, thereby obviating the need for
further amendments and establishing a degree of

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/3

stability in policy making in this sector and more
secure prospects for farmers' production and
investment programmes?

2. Does the Commission intend to draw up without
delay a definitive integral text containing all direct*
amendments to Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 and all
secondary legislation on agricultural structures
relating thereto, thereby clarifying matters as far as
possible for civil servants, technical experts and
farmers, clearly specifying the rights and obligations
of the operators themselves ?

(') OJNoL93, 30. 3. 1985, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 November 1990)_

1. The European Council, at its meeting in February
1988, expressed support for reform of the structural
Funds and the common agricultural policy. This led to the
adoption of a series of regulations providing in particular
for the speeding up of the adjustment of agricultural
structures with a view to reform of the common

agricultural policy (Objective 5(a)). The rules required
for attaining this objective were adopted, in so far as the
improvement of the effectiveness of agricultural
structures is concerned, in December 1989, in Regulation
(EEC) No 3808/89 (') amending Regulation (EEC)
No 797/85.

The Commission is quite aware of the problems raised by
the successive amendments of Regulation (EEC)
No 797/85. It can assure the Honourable Members that it

has no intention of proposing the far-reaching
amendment of the Regulation before the end of 1992.
Limited amendments may, however, be made, where the
Regulation itself provides expressly for them or where the
development of the market situation makes them
desirable. In any case, the beneficiaries of aid provided for
in the Regulation will retain their established rights.

2. The Commission instructed its departments, by
Decision of 1 April 1987, to take steps to consolidate legal
acts which had been amended on several occasions. This

Decision was a response to the concern expressed many
times, among others by the European Parliament, that
Community law be made more transparent and accessible
to the public.

The Commission departments are at present drawing up a
proposal for a consolidation of Regulation (EEC)
No 797/85, which will be presented to the Council in the
near future.

(*) OJNoL371,20. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2153/90

by Mr Pol Marck (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 September 1990)_

(91/C 232/05)

_Subject:_ Co-responsibility levy

As is well known, certain Member States are late in
making their co-responsibility levy contributions to the
Commission.

Can the Commission provide an overview for the last
three years, with a breakdown by production sector and
Member State?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 November 1990)_

The Member States do not all meet their obligations to
pay the co-responsibility levy within the time laid down by
the regulations.

This is mainly due to delaying tactics on the part of those
who have to pay the levy which may go as far as a refusal
to pay and sometimes leads to legal proceedings before
the national courts.

The Commission keeps a close watch on EAGGF
payments by means of the monthly expenditure
declarations made by the Member States and does not fail
to remind Member States of their obligations if they are
falling behind, possibly referring the matter to the Court
of Justice and, where appropriate, taking financial action
through the system of advances and in the last resort at
the time of the clearance of accounts.

The details of the monthly amounts collected for 1988/89
and 1989/90 broken down by type of levy, sector,
Member State and budget year are being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and the Parliament Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2182/90

by Mr Didier Anger (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 October 1990)_

(91/C 232/06)

_Subject:_ Community aid for producers of echinoderms

1. Is it because they are, as yet, few in number that
producers of echinoderms and, in particular, sea urchins

No C 232/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

suffer from a lack of precise and consistent texts on the
subject?

2. Council Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 ('), which
refers to Annex 2 of the EEC Treaty, excluded from the
system of agricultural aid, and hence of aid for fisheries
products, a number of fisheries products including
echinoderms. Is that provision still in force? Can it be
altered?

3. Echinoderm producers are classified as producers of
sea fisheries products and echinoderms are classed with
oysters and mussels for the purpose of public health
protection measures. Why not for the purpose of
Community aid?

(') OJ No L 376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 November 1990)_

1. There are currently very few producers of
echinoderms because the relevant farming technology is
still virtually at the experimental or pilot project stage.
Sea-urchin fishing is itself a very old activity, but in
economic terms represents only a small part of the fishing
industry as a whole. The reason for this is that there is at
present no specific Community legislation covering aid to
farmers of sea-urchins.

2. Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 which concerns the
products of Chapter 3 (fish, crustaceans and molluscs) of
Annex II referred to in Article 38 of the EEC Treaty does
not cover echinoderrns. This Community Regulation, in
force since 1 January 1987 and applicable for a period of
10 years, may well undergo a number of amendments to
adapt the structural policy on fisheries to the
developments which it is hoped to introduce in the
industry and to changes in Community legislation, with
regard in particular to the reform of the structural Funds.

3. There are professional similarities between shellfish
farming and the production of echinoderms. However, it
is not possible, for the time being, to allocate Community
aid under Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 for the
promotion of farming of echinoderms.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2385/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 232/07)

_Subject:_ EC Directive for the Cinema

Could the Commission indicate whether they have any
plans to introduce an EC Directive for the Cinema Sector,

similar to the "TV without Frontiers' Directive in order to

assist the European Cinema Industry in competing with
US productions in particular?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 March 1991)_

A directive on the cinema along the lines of that on
'television without frontiers' is not planned because the
problems facing the film industry are different from those
addressed by Directive 89/552/EEC (').

It should be noted, however, that Chapter III of that
Directive concerns promotion of the distribution and
production of television programmes, including cinema
films.

Moreover, the Action Programme to Promote the
Development of the European Audiovisual Industry
'Media' (1991—95) ( [2] ) includes a set of measures aimed at
assisting the production and distribution of cinema films.

The Commission would also refer the Honourable

Member to its Communication of 21 February 1990 on
audiovisual policy ( [3] ), which defines a general framework
for the measures it proposes to take in this field.

O OJNoL298,17.10. 1989.
O COM(90) 132 final.
O COM(90) 78 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2396/90

by Mr Thomas Maher (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

(25 _October 1990)_

(91/C 232/08)

_Subject:_ Single market for private cars

A study carried out in the Member States by the European
Consumers Organization shows that there are growing
disparities as regards private cars. The tax-inclusive price
for the same car varies from one country to another as
follows:

Greece

Denmark
Portugal
Ireland
Spain
United Kingdom
Holland
Italy
France
Germany
Belgium
Luxembourg

25 404 ECU

19 232 ECU

16 569 ECU

15 196 ECU
13 574 ECU

13 529 ECU

12 853 ECU

11 676 ECU

11 297 ECU

11 135 ECU

10 516 ECU

9 475 ECU

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities ^ o C ^ B ^

Private cars occupyaprivileged position in the trade of
goods in the Community and the establishment of a
genuine single market for private cars in t99^ could have
serious political repercussions.

Consequently^what steps does the Commission envisage
takingtocomplete the single marketforprivatecars^

Idowlongwillittakeforthese steps to he carried outB

A^swer^ive^hyMrBa^e^a^n
onhehalf of the Commission

t. The Commissions like the honourable Member

wishes to see the completion ofagenuine single market
for carsh^ith this objective in mind^ the Commission
drew up a plan outlined in its communication of 1^
January t990 5A Single Community Motor Vehicle
Markets

^. As regards thepricedifferencesbetween Member
States^ the Commission has always operated on the
principle that widelyDdiverging retail prices for motor
vehicles will becomeathing of the past onceanumber of
factors which distort the market are removed and healthy
and effective competition is given free play.

There are several reasons for the price differences
between Member States.Shouldthe differences showa

tendency to increase rather than level off^onamarket as
important as the motor vehicle markets the Commission
would have to identify the principal causes and take the
appropriate action.

^5 COne of the measures advocated by the
communication of t^Januarywhich should have the most
important implications for the completion of the internal
market ^ namely the completion of work on EEC
typeapproval^will be implemented following adoption
by the Council of the final technical harmonization
Mirectives. These are being examined by the Council.
Eurthermore^ the progressive liberalisation of imports of
Japanese cars will make itpossible to remove national
import restrictions byljanuary 199^.This should reduce
the risk of distortions in the prices of imported vehicles.

^t. Another important measure is the approximation of
indirect taxation.

In the abovementioned communication relating to the
internal market for motor vehicles, the Commission

clearly expressed its concerns about excessive disparities
in this sectors

^The Commission considers ta^es which are at sucha

level that they seem exorbitant compared with the rest
of the national ta^ system to constitute barriers to
trade.In the light also ofdecisions on these matters
awaitedfrom the Court of Justices theCommission

will take steps to bring about real progress in this areaB

The Court ofjustice recently handed down an important
judgment inthis f i e l d s . T h e Commission iscurrently
studying this ruling and will of course assess its
implications for indirect taxation.

It should be noted that these disparities inta^ation are
one of the main causes of the considerable differences in

the ta^inclusive prices of motor vehicles within the
Community. Compared with thepreta^price^ indirect
ta^es vary on average by a ratio of ntB^ between
Luxembourg and lOenmarkr^^ starting out fromabase of
tOO in Lu^embourg^ the ta^inclusiveprice of a c a r i n
lOenmarkis^^.

^. In the content of its competition policy the
Commission haslaunched surveys designedto compare
the sellingprices charged by car manufacturers in the
differentMember States^.

Evaluating the findings of these surveys has proved more
[complicated than anticipated.lt must first be established](http://anticipated.lt)
whether price differences have been sustained over long
periods atalevel in excess of the margin of l ^ ^ o r l ^
allowed in certain circumstances by the 1 9 ^
communication attached to regulation t^EEC^
l ^ o l ^ B ^ ^ . It must also be determined whether some

of the technical distinctions between the models available

on the different national markets are the result of

technical or taxation rules^ of genuine differences in the
nature of the markets^ orareartificiallymaintained.

Einally^ in the event of excessive differences between
pretax prices^ it must be established whether the
distribution contracts for cars and the barriers to

competition which they can create might not be the
principal cause.

(') SEC(89) 2118 final.
( [2] ) Judgment of 11 December 1990 in Case C-47/88,
Commission v the Kingdom of Denmark.
(') From 17% (VAT) in Luxembourg to 217% (VAT +

registration tax for a car with a pre-tax price of Dkr 60 000) in
Denmark. The disparity is even greater for luxury cars.
(') See answer to Written Question No 1900/90 from Sir James

Scott-Hopkins - OJ No C 28, 4.2. 1991.
(') OJNoC 17, 18. 1.1985.

No C 232/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2493/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91 /C 232/09)

_Subject:_ Projected conversion scheme for wines with the
'Jerez' designation of origin

The crisis affecting Spanish 'Jerez' wines has attained
major proportions and it is imperative that an emergency
plan be adopted without delay.

The surplus wine amounts to 183 million litres and greater
efficiency is increasing production, resulting in total
saturation of the market. It is therefore necessary to adopt
the abovementioned emergency plan involving the
progressive elimination of approximately 4 000 hectares
of the existing 18 400 hectares of wine-growing land and
direct investment of Ptas seven billion.

Given this critical situation, does the Commission
consider that it should launch a special conversion
programme for 'Jerez' wines, in addition to the traditional
aids and subsidies to the wine-growing sector, with a
series of special measures designed to balance out the
economic production factors in this wine-growing area of
Spain.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 January 1991)_

The Honourable Member may recall that the rules
governing the common organization of the market in
wine require structural adjustment measures to be taken
in the event of an imbalance between supply and demand.

The task of devising a specific conversion plan is primarily
a matter for the national authorities responsible within
the sector concerned who, if they consider it appropriate,
may approach the Commission which, in turn, will make
concrete proposals.

Until such time as the competent national authorities
submit a detailed restructuring plan, the Commission
cannot propose special measures to help balance the
production of and demand for 'Jerez' wines.

The Commission would also point out that the ordinary
measures laid down by the EEC include those provided
for in Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 (') which make it
possible on the basis of an improvement plan, to introduce
any changes required in respect of agricultural holdings.

(') OJNoL93,30.3. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2508/90

by Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten and Mr Raphael Chanterie
(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 232/10)

_Subject:_ Use of bioethanol as motor fuel

For some time research has been going on into the use of
bioethanol as motor fuel, either as part of a mixture or by
itself, and even put into practice. Recently, the Brazilian
President launched another programme for the
large-scale production and use of bioethanol as motor
fuel in order to reduce dependency on imported oil.

The importance of alternative fuels has become
particularly clear in the current Gulf crisis.

However, the production and use of bioethanol as a
motor fuel may be of great importance, not only in terms
of energy supply, but also for agriculture and
environmental protection. Bioethanol is manufactured
from agricultural products and the present situation
confronting European agriculture, characterized by
over-production and set-aside premiums makes it
necessary to consider alternative agricultural objectives.
The greenhouse effect makes it necessary to look for
cleaner fuels and bioethanol is a step in the right direction.

For this reason, measures at European level to promote
research and development of the use of bioethanol as a
motor fuel appear desirable.

1. What are the views of the Commission concerning the
production and use of bioethanol as a motor fuel?

2. What specific measures are being and will be taken to
promote research and development of the use of
bioethanol as a motor fuel?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(28_ _January 1991)_

1. In 1985 the Commission drew attention for the first

time, in its Green Paper, to the potential significance of
energy outlets for European agriculture, in particular the
use of bioethanol as fuel. Since then it has continued to

follow closely the commercial, scientific and technical
developments in this field.

Several research and demonstration projects are still being
financed to this effect at Community level, in particular in
the sorghum-sugar sector (production and technology)

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/7

for the hydrolysis of cellulose material and research into
the 'ethanol farm' concept.

2. A new field of activity was created recently by two
Council Regulations (') which the Commission is
implementing at present, to promote the non-food use —
in particular energy use — of some agricultural raw
materials. Obviously bioethanol is a possible outlet.

— The 'industrial set-aside' scheme consisting in the
granting of specific aid for the cultivation of cereals
for industrial, non-food purposes under the general
set-aside scheme.

— The detailed rules for the application of this scheme
make it possible for it to be implemented already
during the 1990/91 marketing year.

— The provision of cereals and oils and fats held by the
intervention agencies for demonstration projects with
a view to developing new applications (including
bioethanol) for agricultural raw materials.

It is planned that the detailed rules for the application of
this scheme should come into effect early in 1991.

(*) OJNoL198,28.7. 1990 and OJ No L 201, 31.7. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2512/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 232/11)

_Subject:_ Conservation of nature and the Structural Funds

Under Article 130r of the Single Act environmental
protection should form part of all Community policies for
the purpose of 'environmental cohesion' in the
Community. Is the Commission therefore prepared to
ensure that:

— all opportunities created by the Structural Funds for
the protection of the environment are fully used by the
Member States (for example, measures to promote
traditional agriculture, promotion of 'green' tourism,
purchase of sites which are significant for the
protection of nature, training for staff of
environmental associations, etc., included in CCA
Objective 5b for the region Poitou-Charentes);

— nature protection associations are consulted and
involved in the drawing up of CCAs and operational
programmes in the Member States;

— nature conservation bodies in the Member States are

represented on the monitoring committees set up in
connection with the Structural Funds?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(21_ _January 1991)_

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's

concern to see applied in practice the measures contained
in the Community support frameworks (CSFs),
particularly those relating to the protection of the
environment, with full use being made in the best possible
way of the financial resources allocated to them.

The Member States undertook to do this when they
signed the CSFs and the Commission will use all the
means available to it under the rules.

In the specific case of the EAGGF Guidance Section, the
Commission recently presented a proposal for a measure
on the introduction and the maintenance of agricultural
production methods compatible with the requirements of
the protection of the environment and the maintenance of
the countryside ('), which includes introduction of an aid
scheme to encourage farmers to reduce the polluting
factors of production and to adapt production to the need
to maintain the landscape and the countryside. This
scheme would apply throughout the Community and to
all types of crop production.

The Commission believes that this proposal constitutes
significant progress towards achieving the objectives of
Article 130r in relation to the common agricultural policy.

The situation as regards the participation of nature
protection associations is as follows:

1. in the preparation of the CSFs: under the reform
Regulations, the CSFs are drawn up on the basis of a
partnership between the Commission, the Member
State and the responsible authorities designated by the
Member State at national, regional, local or other
level. It is for the Member State to decide whether it is

appropriate for nature protection associations to
participate in its negotiations with the Commission on
the CSFs;

2. in the preparation of the operational programmes:
these are introduced in accordance with the CSFs and

their implementation is the responsibility of the
appropriate authorities designated by the Member
States.

There is provision for the national and regional
authorities responsible for environmental matters in the
Member States to participate in the work of the
monitoring committees. Nature protection associations,
like any other non-governmental organization, may
always put their views to these authorities or, indeed,
direct to the Commission.

O COM(90) 366 final; OJ No C 267, 23.10.1990.

No C 232/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2547/90

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando and Mr Franco Borgo (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 232/12)

_Subject:_ Imports of farm products from Eastern Europe

1. Is the Commission aware that certain Community
agricultural markets have recently suffered as a result of
large imports of crops and livestock form Eastern Europe,
in particular the former German Democratic Republic,
pushing prices down as much as 20 % in the case of pigs?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the easing
of border controls is encouraging the import of farm
produce which fails to meet the health and quality
standards required of Community products, thereby
disrupting the market, in particular causing unfair price
competition?

3. What steps does the Commission take to ensure that
imports of certain farm products from these countries are
subjected to reliable and transparent inspection
procedures?

4. Does the Commission not consider that it has a

formal duty to acknowledge these infringements, which
have been reported in the press, and authorize the
Member States concerned to adopt the necessary
measures to remedy the situation?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 April 1991)_

The Commission is aware that imports from certain
Eastern European countries have caused difficulties on
certain markets in the Community. In order to assist the
development towards a market economy in these
countries the Council has decided to improve access to the
Community market from 1 January 1990 for certain
agricultural products, in particular for live animals,
certain meat and fruit and vegetable products. However,
the liberalization of trade in these countries, with a
consequent increase in the number of exporters of the
Community, as well as a very high inflation and an urgent
need for foreign currency, has resulted in very low offer
prices for certain products on the Community markets
during 1990.

As a consequence, safeguard measures have been
introduced for mushrooms and certain fruit products
while the market development is closely monitored in
other sectors. It is the Commission's impression that the
improvement in the economic development and the

increased costs of production in these countries has had a
stabilizing effect on exports to the Community. The
adjustments which are taking place in the former German
Democratic Republic have indeed had some effect on
Community markets. However, these adjustments are
considered to be short term. The Community frontier
control of health standards has not been relaxed,
although certain transitional control difficulties could
occur in connection with German unification. The

Commission is closely monitoring developments and will
continue to take appropriate action to ensure proper
management of the markets, and control of health
standards.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2676/90

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 232/13)

_Subject:_ Norsap programme

Can the Commission say what progress has been made on
the above and what applications, if any, have been
received and processed and from which Member State
these applications were submitted?

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

_(17 May 1991)_

In December 1990, the Commission transmitted a draft
Council regulation on a specific action for the protection
of the environment of the coastal zones and coastal

waters of the Irish Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and
the north-east part of the Atlantic Ocean (').

Parliament will be requested to give its opinion thereon.

Under the 1990 budget, ECU 2 million were entered in
Chapter 100, but not utilized because of the absence of
any legal basis.

In reply to a call for tenders, the Commission has received
a number of proposals which it has examined and which
are being kept in reserve for financial backing once the
legal basis has been established.

(') COM(90) 498 final.

No C 232/9
5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2678/90

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 232/14)

_Subject:_ Staff Regulations: claims of divorced wives

1. Is it true that the Staff Regulations still contain a
provision to the effect that a divorced wife is entitled to a
widow's pension unless she was named in the divorce
decree as the sole guilty party?

2. Does the Commission agree that the rule should be
changed, since in an increasing number of countries —
including some Member States — the law no longer
assigns guilt to any one party in divorce proceedings?

3. Will it propose the necessary amendments to the
Staff Regulations ?

4. What other amendments to the Staff Regulations is
the Commission planning to propose in the near future
and how does it rate the chances of securing the approval
of a majority in the Council?

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

_(8 February 1991)_

Article 19 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2799/85 (')
amended Article 27 of Annex VIII to the Staff

Regulations, which deals with the grant of a survivor's
pension to the divorced wife of an official. There is no
longer any reference to the grant of a pension being
dependent on whether the wife was named as the guilty
party in the divorce proceedings, and a divorced woman is
consequently entitled to a survivor's pension on the terms
laid down in Article 27 regardless of the grounds for the
divorce.

As to the Commission's other proposals for amendments
to the Staff Regulations ( [2] ), the Honourable Member's
attention is drawn to the report (A.3-243/90) by Mr
Malangre and to the debate held by the European
Parliament on 23 and 24 October 1990 ( [3] ).

(') OJNoL265,8. 10. 1985.
O COM(88) 776 final.
( [3] ) Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-395 (October
1990, second part-session).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2692/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 232/15)

_Subject:_ Objectives in relation to agriculture and the
environment

As regards the problem of agriculture in relation to the
environment can it be stated that valid assertions are being
supported on the basis of scientific studies ?

If not, can the Commission say whether any studies exist
on the responsibility of agriculture to the environment?

Do Community programmes now in operation provide
possibilities for gearing financing to the characteristics of
farm inputs?

What is the type of Community financing already in place
guaranteeing the change in integrated policy guidelines?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 January 1991)_

A very large number of scientific studies have been and
are being carried out in the Member States and at
Community level on the problems of agriculture and the
environment. For example, these problems are covered by
the specific Community programme of research in the
field of agriculture 1989—93.

The Commission is aware of the pollution which may be
caused by certain chemical inputs used in excess or
incorrectly in agriculture and it recently submitted a
proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on the
introduction and the maintenance of agricultural
production methods compatible with the requirements of
the protection of the environment and the maintenance of
the countryside ('). The proposed regulation includes an
aid scheme involving an annual premium per hectare for
farmers who undertake to reduce their use of fertilizers

and pesticides appreciably in order to reduce their
polluting effect.

This proposal could take over from Article 19 of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 ( [2] ) which already
authorizes aid for environment-friendly farming practices
carried out on a voluntary basis in sensitive areas
determined by the Member States.

The Community support frameworks, adopted in the
context of the reform of the structural Funds also take

these problems into account. Measures on agriculture and

No C 232/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

the environment are often included in the operational
programmes for Objective 1 and 5(b) regions submitted
by Member States for Community part-financing.

(') OJNoC267, 23. 10. 1990 - COM(90) 366 final.
( [2] ) OJNoL93,30. 3. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2760/90

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 December 1990)_

(91/C 232/16)

_Subject:_ Statements by Commissioner Cardosa e Cunha
in an interview with the _'Financieel Dagblad'_

In an interview last week with the _'Financieel Dagblad',_
Commissioner Cardosa e Cunha compared the Director
of the 'Nederlandse Gasunie' (Netherlands Gas
Corporation) with Mr Honecker and Dutch natural gas
with Trabants.

1. Was the Commissioner expressing the view of the
Commission as a whole on the character of the

Dutchman and the quality of the Dutch product in
question, and did his comparison with Mercedes cars
refer to Russian gas?

2. Does the Commission not feel that the Gasunie, which
has always resisted the gas transit Directive, has
already had enough to contend with, in view of the
fact that the Dutch Prime Minister's plans for a
European Energy Community have been used to
minimize the importance of the Netherlands' negative
attitude to this Directive and to adopt the Directive on
29 October?

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

_(8 February 1991)_

The report in the newspaper referred to was a
misinterpretation of the interview given by Commissioner
Cardoso e Cunha. He immediately clarified this in a
personal letter addressed to Mr Grotens. Both parties
now consider this matter to be closed.

The Commission is confident that Gasunie like other gas
companies will adapt itself to the new situation resulting
from the achievement of the internal market for energy in
general and for natural gas in particular. The progress
made on the Gas Transit Directive at the 29 October

Energy Council was clearly an important step in moving
away from compartmentalized markets at national level to
an open gas market at Community level, from which all
Europeans will benefit.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2906/90

by Mr Viginio Bettini (V) and Mr Mario Melis (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 232/17)

_Subject:_ Environmental protection of the western coast of
Sardinia

The nesting site of the last surviving population of Gypus
Fulvus (griffon vulture) is situated between Bosa and
Alghero on the western coast of Sardinia.

In the same area (between Sabba Druche and Tentizos)
the construction is planned of a tourist village with
accommodation for 2 000 people, which would cause so
much environmental damage as to jeopardize the survival
of that species.

Would the Commission state:

1. whether the project in question has obtained
Community funding,

2. whether the provisions of the Directive on habitats
(COM(88) 381 final and COM(90) 59 final) have
been complied with,

3. whether it is aware that the stretch of coast in question
is of direct relevance to Europe's environmental
objectives in view of its incalculable ecological
significance?

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

_(22 April 1991)_

1. The construction of the tourist village in Sardinia
(between Sabba Druche and Tentizos) has not received
Community funding via the ERDF.

2. The draft Directive on habitats has not yet been
adopted by the Council. The Directive is therefore not yet
in force.

3. The Commission is aware of the ecological
importance of the stretch of coast between Bosa and
Alghero, western Sardinia, since it includes two areas of
major importance for the conservation of wild birds in
Europe.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2932/90

by Mr Bartho Pronk (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/18)

_Subject:_ Introduction of electric cars

1. Is the Commission aware that a number of

automobile manufacturers are planning to introduce a

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/11

new generation of electrically-powered cars in the near
future which might, in the course of time, necessitate
certain infrastructural adjustments? One result might also
be a reduction of environmental pollution, particularly in
urban areas.

2. Does the Commission agree that it is urgently
necessary to have information concerning anticipated
technical developments in this field over the coming 10
years, together with a cost-benefit analysis of these
developments, so as to be able to make a prompt and
appropriate contribution to the planning and
implementation of the necessary infrastructures?

3. If _so,_ can the Commission say what studies it has
launched or commissioned in this field? Alternatively, can
it take the necessary steps to initiate such studies in the
near future?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 April 1991)_

1. Like the Honourable Member, the Commission has
noted that certain motor manufacturers have recently
announced that they intend to sell electric vehicles. If this
were to happen it would necessarily lead to (a) the
provision of specific infrastructures, particularly in
built-up areas and (b) help in reducing noise and
pollution.

2. Since it is aware of the advantages offered by electric
vehicles, while not forgetting the difficulties still needing
to be overcome if satisfactory performance is to be
obtained, the Commission has constantly been observing
and forecasting technical development and supporting the
research needed in this area. We would refer the

Honourable Member to the answers to Written Questions
2417/870 and 1286/90 ( [2] ) dealing with this matter.

3. Three projects are in progress:

— the study conducted at the request of the European
Parliament on advanced traction systems for buses,
lorries and passenger cars that are intended to reduce
pollution. The results will be available in December
1991;

— a study within the Joule ( [3] ) programme on the means
required for the introduction of electric road vehicles
in built-up areas. It includes, in particular, a case study
on the cities of Athens and Valencia;

— the association of European cities interested in the use
of electric vehicles (Citelec) which was set up with
Commission support in 1990, will count the number of
and analyse the need for electric vehicles in roughly 40

cities in order to define a market and its outcome on

infrastructures, regulations and vehicle
characteristics.

(') OJNoC 195,31.7. 1989.
O OJNoC328,31. 12.1990.
O OJNoL98, 11.4. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2968/90

byMrPaulStaes(V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/19)

_Subject:_ Implementation of Directive 80/778/EEC

1. Can the Commission give a complete progress
report on the implementation of Directive
80/778/EEC (') of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of
water intended for human consumption in the various
Member States and, in particular, any derogations from
the quality standards which have been adopted in the
different Member States?

2. To what extent does the use of atrazine in the

Member States make such derogations necessary?

(•) OJNoL229,30.8. 1980, p. 11.

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

_(28 February 1991)_

1. The Directive does not require Member States to
make reports on water quality. Although the Commission
receives a substantial amount of information in

connection with complaints and otherwise, this is not
sufficient to enable it to produce the complete overview
requested.

2. Member States are obliged to take the measures
necessary to respect the standards set in the Directive. If
the use of atrazine is likely to lead to the maximum
admissible concentration of 0,1 microgram per litre for an
individual pesticide being exceeded, then it will be
necessary to take the appropriate action, which might
include controls on the use of atrazine.

No C 232/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2990/90

by Mr Karl von Wogau (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/20)

_Subject:_ Marketing of unpasteurized cheese

The Regulation of 23 June 1989 on hygiene and quality
requirements for the production, treatment and
marketing of milk prohibits the marketing of cheese made
from unpasteurized milk in the Federal Republic of
Germany. Farm sales are exempted from this provison,
providing the rules of hygiene are observed. However, the
regulation expressly prohibits direct sales at weekly
markets.

Will the Commission say what rules govern the marketing
of unpasteurized milk products in other Community
countries and whether the Regulation in question is
compatible with the provisions on freedom of movement
of goods?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1991)_

According to the information available to the
Commission the German Regulation of 14 April 1986 on
cheese (as subsequently amended) does not, in principle,
prohibit the use of raw milk for the manufacture of
cheese.

On the question of imports, it should be noted that the
Regulation contains a clause inserted following the
judgment in the Cassis de Dijon case (paragraph 28 of the
Regulation as amended on 12 November 1990) to the
effect that imported cheese, which has been manufactured
and marketed in accordance with the law in its country of
production, may be imported into and marketed in
Germany, even if it does not meet German legal
requirements.

The milk used to make cheese must be pasteurized or
undergo heat treatment only if the cheese in question is
soft cheese, fresh cheese or cheese made from sour milk
(paragraph 3(3) of the Regulation). But soft cheese may
be made from raw milk and marketed in Germany if it
offers certain hygiene guarantees (paragraph 3(3) of the
Regulation). Imported soft cheese is subject to similar
requirements (paragraph 28(1 )(2) and (2)(1) as amended
on 12 November 1990).

Pasteurization and heat treatment are not required either
in the case of farm-produced soft cheese, fresh cheese or
cheese made from sour milk which is supplied directly to
the consumer, provided certain hygiene requirements are
met. The exception relating to farm-produced cheese was
introduced as a result of the amendment of the

Regulation on cheese by the German Regulation of 23
June 1989 (') on milk.

The Commission considers that the German provisions
do not infringe the Community provisions on the free
movement of goods (Articles 30 and 36 of the EEC Treaty
and Article 22(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 O). It
believes that more stringent requirements for the use of
raw milk in the manufacture of certain types of cheese
may be justified, in the absence of harmonized rules, on
grounds of health protection, given the special nature of
the products.

The Commission does not have any comparative
information on the relevant rules in other Member States,
except for the rules in France which are comparable with
those applied in Germany.

It should be noted, however, that the Commission has
presented a proposal for a Council Regulation laying
down the health rules for the production and placing on
the market of raw milk, of milk for the manufacture of
milk-based products and of milk-based products ( [3] )
which provides for the placing on the market of products
made with raw milk that has not undergone further heat
treatment, provided certain health requirements are met.

The proposal is currently being discussed in the Council
and has been sent to Parliament for its opinion.

Its purpose is to lay down, at Community level, health
rules governing the production and marketing of these
products which will apply throughout the Community.
Once adopted, they will apply also in Germany.

(') Regulation of 23 June 1989 on hygiene and quality
requirements for the production, treatment and marketing of
milk.

O OJNoL148,28.6. 1968.
O OJ No C 84, 2. 4. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3021/90

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/21)

_Subject:_ Research project to combat soil erosion

Following its decision to provide Ptas 500 million to
finance a research project to seek ways of combating the
erosion affecting the countries of the Mediterranean
basin, the Community should not overlook the
considerable effort being made in the desert highlands of
the Costa del Sol, Spain, to plant fruit trees, in particular
avocados, using the drip irrigation system, which has
already proved highly successful.

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/13

It would therefore be useful to know whether the

Commission would be prepared to make provision in the
above research project for the development of new and
better techniques for growing fruit-trees (in particular
avocados) in order to cooperate with the admirable
efforts being made by Andalusian farmers, who are
turning what were formerly unproductive desert
highlands into orchards.

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 April 1991)_

Following a single call for proposals (') several research
projects have been financed under the Epoch research
programme (European Programme on Climatology and
Natural Hazards, 1989—92) brought into being by the
Commission in order to cover climatic change.

Among other research projects the Medalus research
project, which brings together 17 participants from eight
Member States, deals with the study of the effect of
climate and weather on soil erosion and vegetation, more
particularly in the parts of Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece)
where this type of decline has given rise to desert-type
conditions.

In view of the specific aims of the Epoch programme the
Medalus project is at the moment restricted solely to the
theoretical and experimental study of the physical
phenomena involved in the desert formation process and
more particularly in interactions between the climate, soil
degradation, water resources and the use of agricultural
land.

Research on desert formation in the Mediterranean

regions will be boosted under the third framework
programme for Community R&D activities (1990-94) ( [2] ).
These activities will also be focused on recommendations

covering the rational use of potential desert areas.
Research projects aimed at developing new reclamation
techniques to be applied to agricultural land threatened by
soil degradation could be included within that
framework.

Moreover, as part of the agricultural research programme
concerned with the competitiveness of agriculture and the
management of agricultural resources, the Commission is
conducting research into the specific problems of the
more backward regions which also includes action on the
specific regional problems such as water resources,
redeployment of agricultural production and integrated
rural development.

A call for displays of interest in this aspect of the
programme is planned for 26 April 1991 ( [3] ). The

proposals put forward will then be assessed and selected
for the awarding of contracts.

A financial contribution by the Community under the
EAGGF ( [4] ) Guidance Section has also been earmarked
for preparatory studies and demonstration projects in
order to improve agricultural structures and promote the
development of underdeveloped regions.

Specific studies relating to avocados and other exotic
fruits were discussed at an initial symposium held on
21—24 July 1987 on non-surplus alternative crops within
the Agrimed subprogramme (1984—88) (*).

(') OJ No C 198, 3. 8.1989.
0) OJ No LI 17, 8. 5. 1990.
O OJNoC269,21.10.1989.
O OJNoL374,31. 12. 1988, Regulation 4256/88 Article 8.
(*) OJNoL358,22.12. 1983.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3049/90

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/22)

_Subject:_ Research in the marine environment

Concerning the 'marine environment', which receives
funding independently of 'the environment', can the
Commission say what proportion of the funding is
earmarked, on the one hand, for technological research
into the development of resources and, on the other hand,
for environmental research, that is, research into the
protection of the marine environment?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 April 1991)_

The marine environment is covered by several
Community programmes:

— the Marine Science and Technology programme
(MAST) 1989-92 0) and certain parts of the
Environmental Protection programme (STEP)
1989—92 0). In both cases, the main research
objective is to establish the scientific bases for
improved knowledge, protection and management of
the marine environment;

— the Fisheries programme (FAR, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Research) 1989—92 ( [3] );

No C 232/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

— the Community Medspa ( [4] ) 1986—88 and Norspa ( [5] )
programmes, which provide the framework for
on-site assessment of pilot or demonstration projects;

— the Community programme concerning 'support for
technological development in the hydrocarbons
sector' 1985—89 ( [6] ) which focused on the
development of technologies for the exploitation of
hydrocarbons resources, especially in the marine
environment; also the new Thermie programme
1990—94 _C)_ for the promotion of energy
technologies, including those relating to the
exploitation of hydrocarbons in the marine
environment;

— the various proposals currently being discussed,
including the Marine Science and Technology
1991—94 0 and Environment 1991-94 (')

programmes.

1. As regards 'environmental protection':

— MAST and STEP: all the funds committed for

research contracts, i.e. ECU 35 million for
MAST and ECU 5 million for the sections of

STEP concerning the sea may be regarded as
having been allocated to this objective.

— FAR: to date, ECU 3,5 million have been

allocated to environmental research.

— Medspa: in the preparatory phase of the
programme, the Commission funded projects
concerning the protection of the
Mediterranean marine environment to the tune

of ECU 0,8 million, i.e. 8% of total
expenditure. In 1989, ECU 0,4 million, i. e. 8 %
of total expenditure, and in 1990 ECU 1,3
million approximately, i.e. 16% of total
expenditure were also allocated for the
protection of this environment.

As regards Norspa, all the appropriations available
are in principle earmarked for operations of this
kind, since the protection of the marine
environment is its main objective. However,
appropriations entered in the budget may not be
used until the proposal for a regulation has been
adopted by the Council.

— 'Support for technological development in
the hydrocarbons sector': several projects
concerned with the development of techniques
to improve the safety of offshore operations by
reducing the impact of oil prospecting on the
environment may be considered part of
'environmental protection'. In 1989 these
projects accounted for a total of ECU 2,2
million (of the ECU 23 million allocated for
the whole of the programme's offshore sector).

— Thermie: in 1990, ECU 4,1 million (ECU 7
million allocated for the whole of the offshore

sector) went to projects concerning safety and
the dismantling of platforms (which are likely
to have an impact on environmental
protection).

The total amount allocated for all these activities

was ECU 52,3 million.

2. As regards 'technological research into the
development of resources', the figures to date are
as follows:

— FAR programme: ECU 18,5 million;

— 'support for technological development in the
hydrocarbons sector': ECU 20,8 million;

— Thermie: ECU 2,9 million.

Total: ECU 42,2 million.

:') OJNoL200,13.7.1989.
; [2] ) OJNoL359,8.12.1989.
: [J] ) OJ No L 314,4.11.1987.
; [4] ) OJ N o C 41, 21. 2. 1990 (invitation to submit proposals).

OJ N o C 80,30. 3.1990 (proposal for a regulation).
; [5] ) OJ N o C 24, 1.2. 1990 (invitation to submit proposals).
;') OJNoL350,27. 12.1985.
; [7] ) OJNoC 101,24.4.1989.
;*) COM(90) 159 final SYN 264.
;') COM(89) 158 final SYN 263.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3059/90

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/23)

_Subject:_ Structural Fund and forestry in Ireland

The 1989—93 Operational Programme for Forestry in
Ireland states that the afforestation of Areas of Scientific

Interest of National or International Importance is
discouraged.

Can the Commission state whether Community funding
will be provided for the afforestation of Areas of
Scientific Interest that are classified as being of local or
regional importance?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1991)_

The Operational Programme for Forestry in Ireland
(1989—93) provides that a pre-emptive assessment system

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/15

be applied to _all_ grant applications for forestry
development. It further provides that schemes likely to
have a negative impact on Areas of Scientific interest
(ASis) will be discouraged as far as possible, even though
they may not contravene legal requirements. In this
context, the distinction of 'national or international
importance' refers specifically to those boglands which
are excluded from the Operational Programme, and
hence from EC support.

Under the assessment procedure foreseen, the Forestry
Service _assesses_ possible conflicts of interest between
forestry proposals and ASis. Grant aid would not be
approved for such areas without examination and
subsequent possible modification of a proposal,
particularly where the Wildlife Service, responsible for
identifying ASis, were to object.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3070/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/24)

_Subject:_ Dietetic foodstuffs

In view of Council Directive 89/398/EEC (') on the
approximation of laws of the Member States relating to
foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses, which
implies Community agreement on this matter, which
Member State have in fact incorporated the Directive into
their legislation and which Member States, such as Italy,
have postponed its incorporation and implementation
until 1993 on grounds of inapplicability — the reason put
forward by the Italian authorities during a public
convention organized by the Italian National Chemists
Association on baby foods and dietetic foodstuffs?

(') OJ No L 186, 30. 6. 1989, p. 27.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 April 1991)_

Article 15 of Directive 89/398/EEC of 3 May 1989 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating
to foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses,

makes provision for Member States to amend their laws,
regulations and administrative provisions to:

— admit, as from 16 May 1990, trade in products which
comply with the Directive,

— prohibit, as from 16 May 19-91, trade in products
which do not comply with the Directive.

It should also be pointed out that, since this Directive is
based on the provisions of Directive 77/94/EEC (')
(already transposed into national law), for most of the
Member States this adaptation of their legislation
concerns only formal or supplementary aspects thereof.

In this context, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands and
the United Kingdom have already informed the
Commission that they have adopted the necessary
amendments to permit trade in products which comply
with the Directive.

As regards Italy, the competent authorities have
confirmed to the Commission that Directive 89/398/EEC

will be transposed into Italian law in 1991.

However, the Commission will continue to check that
time limits for the transposition of Community directives
are being respected and, where necessary, will initiate the
relevant infringement procedures.

(') OJNoL26,31.1.1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3071/90

by Mr Sergio Ribeiro (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 232/25)

_Subject:_ Ford/VW project — Portugal and the 'misuse of
appropriations'

Following the negotiations which recently attracted
publicity with the visit by Isabel Mota, Secretary of State
for Planning, and the reception given to Mr Bruce Millan,
Member of the Commission, it is expected that the sum of
more than Esc 100 billion allocated by the EEC to
cofinance 70% of the incentives provided by the
Portuguese State to attract overall investments of the
order of Esc 400 billion will be used to finance the

Ford/VW project. Will the Commission say whether this
may result in financial incentives being withdrawn from
other development projects or programmes and which
projects or programmes are most likely to be affected by
such a 'misuse of appropriations'?

No C 232/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 5.9.91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 337/91

by Mr Joaquim Miranda da Silva (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/26)

_Subject:_ Community participation in Ford and
Volkswagen investment in Portugal

A joint investment in Portugal by Ford and Volkswagen,
amounting to three billion dollars, will be largely
dependent on a Community contribution to that country
in the form of incentives which the Portuguese
Government will have to grant to those companies for the
venture to be possible.

What contacts and/or negotiations have taken place with
the Portuguese Government on the above subject? What
possibilities does the Commission have if it wishes to
participate? If this participation is confirmed, will it be
implemented within the existing Community support
framework (by increasing the overall amount or
eliminating projects currently involved)?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3071/90

and 337/91

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 April 1991)_

The Portuguese authorities have informed the
Commission of the possibility of this investment project
taking place. The question of financial assistance from
public authorities for the project is primarily one for the
Portuguese authorities themselves. They have indicated
that if the project does take place, financial assistance
from the European Community will also be sought. The
Commission is currently examining this matter. Any
Community financial assistance for this project would
have to be found within the existing limits of the
Community Support Framework for Portugal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 109/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/27)

_Subject:_ Nuclear accident and drinking water

An accident occurring in a nuclear power station or group
of power stations might produce radioactivity seriously

polluting water resources in the Community. Do the
water companies who collect and distribute water to the
population have regular contact with the operators of
nuclear installations so that they might be immediately
informed of any accident and have developed adequate
emergency measures?

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

_(15 March 1991)_

Under the terms of the Community radiological basic
safety standards (Council Directive 80/836/Euratom (')
as amended by Council Directive 84/467/Euratom ( [2] ))
Member States are required to draw up emergency plans
for dealing with accidents.

Where appropriate, these plans should provide for
potential drinking water contamination, and indeed, from
the information available to the Commission, such
provisions, including contact with the relevant water
authorities, are standard practice.

Relevant emergency plans may be activated either as the
result of an accident in the Member State concerned or, if
the accident occurs in another State, on the receipt of
information under the terms of a bilateral agreement or
the arrangements for the Community-wide rapid
information system established pursuant to Council
Decision (87/600/Euratom ( [J] )).

(') OJNoL246,17.9. 1980.
O OJNoL265,5.10.1984.
O OJNoL371,30. 12. 1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 133/91

by Mr Louis Lauga (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/28)

_Subject:_ European centre for coordinating methods of
bio-substitution

The Luxembourg Health Minister has expressed the wish
for the first European centre for coordinating methods of
bio-substitution to be set up in Luxembourg.

What is the position of the EEC Member States on this
European research programme?

Are substitution methods the subject of serious research
which will eventually enable them to be incorporated into
medical and pharmaceutical programmes?

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/17

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

_(18 April 1991)_

The Commission is doing all it can, through various
research programmes, and especially the biotechnology
programme, to encourage the development of new test
methods involving cell cultures (in-vitro methods) rather
than live animals. However, these alternative methods can
only replace traditional methods once they have been
validated and accepted internationally. That is why the
Commission is currently examining the possibility of
setting up a European centre for alternative testing
methods, whose main task would be to validate those
methods. Once established, the centre would play a very
positive role in encouraging international acceptance and
use of these methods. Attention should be drawn here to

the growing use of in-vitro tests in industry, apart from
analysis for registration purposes; these tests are more
suitable than experiments on laboratory animals by reason
of their cost, speed and precision.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 169/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/29)

_Subject:_ Reduction in the VAT rates and elimination of
the tax on diesel oil in the European Community

Given that a reduction in the VAT rate for the carriage of
persons on a commercial basis and the elimination of the
tax on diesel oil are in the interests both of taxi drivers and

consumers, under what circumstances could such a
measure be applied to taxis?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 April 1991)_

Provision for the reduction or exemption from excise
duty on diesel used by taxis exists in Denmark and France.

The Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on
the harmonization of the structures of excise duties on

mineral oils (') allows for Member States to continue to

determine the exemptions or reductions in the rate of duty
which apply to mineral oils used under fiscal control in
the area of local public transport.

With regard to VAT the Commission's proposal on the
approximation of VAT rates ( [2] ) tabled in 1987 suggests
that from 1993 onwards any tax levied on passenger
transport should be set at a reduced level of between 4 and
9%.

O COM(90)434.
( [2] ) COM(87)321.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 178/91

by Mr Alex Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/30)

_Subject:_ Costs related to intervention

Will the Commission detail the total cost, over the last
two financial years, of buying produce into intervention
under the common agricultural policy?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 March 1991)_

The overall cost of public intervention operations for
agricultural products is made up of the following:

— depreciation of stocks reducing them from their
buying-in value to their foreseeable sales value;

— technical storage costs covering, on a flat-rate basis,
the material costs incurred by Member States in
storing products bought into intervention (deposit
charges, storage expenses and withdrawal charges);

— storage financing charges covering, on a flat-rate
basis, fixed capital costs incurred by Member States in
buying products into intervention;

— other storage costs, representing the gap between the
buying-in price and the sales price of products in
intervention.

The table below sets out in detail these costs by product
for the last two accounting years (16 October to 15
October). The figures for 1990 have not been finally
adopted.

No C 232/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

Cost of Public Storage for 1989 and 1990

_(ECUmillion)_

1989

1990 provisional

Depreciation (')

1 245,21

35,03

0

1,69

2,65

158,85

64,46

390,27

414,97

881,68

3 194,81

Other

storage

costs

-286,85

- 0,43

0

- 42,5

- 0,98

- 3,05

2,21

- 2,7

- 40,57

- 55,23

-430,1

Other

storage

costs

-248,64

0

0

- 31,49

- 10,09

0,98

10,77

0,3

_202,82

_127,19_

51,91

Products

Cereals

Rice

Sugar

Olive oil

Oilseeds

Wine

Tobacco

Milk products
— skimmed milk

— butter

Beef

Totals

Total per year

Technical

storage

costs

245,65

0,55

0

9,19

0,16

7,93

19,51

4,16

9,34

70,36

366,85

3 346,56

Storage
financing

charges

47,35

0,55

0

5,81

0,11

2,97

3,24

2,97

137,91

14,09

215

Depreciation (')

553,25

0

0

0,43

0,98

268,07

81,53

1,18

270,14

1 175,58

Technical

storage

costs

209,48

0

 - 1,35

40,84

2,18

7,26

8,46

0,29

9,8

109,42

386,38

1 947,44

Storage
financing
charges

59,61

0

0

37,43

2,54

8,45

3,82

1,58

171,03

49,11

333,57

(') Depreciation in two instalments in accordance with Article 8 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1883/78.
_Source:_ Commission, DG VI.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 180/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/31)

_Subject:_ The 'laghetto del Piano'

Can the Commission take steps under the heading of
Community environmental protection policy with a view
to improving the site of the laghetto del Piano lake in
Carlazzo, Lombardy, close to the nature reserve set up in
the area two years ago, which is now likewise in a state of
utter neglect?

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

_(15 April 1991)_

Under the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No
2242/87 of 23 July 1987 on action by the Community
relating to the evironment (Article l(l)(e)) (') the
Commission may grant financial support for projects
providing an incentive and aimed at contributing towards
the maintenance or re-establishment of seriously
threatened biotopes which are the habitat of endangered
species and are of particular importance to the

Community under Directive 79/409/EEC on the
conservation of wild birds ( [2] ).

If Lake Piano, which is currently considered to be a
nature reserve under Regional Law No 86 of 30
November 1983 _(Bollettino_ _Ufficialeotl._ 12. 1983) meets
the above criteria it could receive this type of support.

The Council is currently studying new financial
instruments which could extend the scope of the
abovementioned Regulation.

(*) OJ No L 207, 29. 7.1987.
O OJ No L 103,25. 4. 1979.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 212/91

by Mrs Mary Banotti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 232/32)

_Subject:_ Airline compensation

New EC rules governing the compensation of airline
passengers denied boarding were agreed at a recent

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/19

transport Council meeting. Could the Commission
inform me how they expect to inform passengers about
these new regulations so that they can be sure of their
consumer rights? Would the Commission be prepared to
ask all airlines to include these regulations in a simple
form on all airline tickets?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 April 1991)_

Article 8 of the recently approved Council Regulation
establishing common rules for a denied-boarding
compensation system in scheduled air transport obliges
air carriers to provide each passenger affected by denied
boarding with a form setting out the denied-boarding
compensation rules.

The Commission considers that this obligation ensures
fully that passengers are aware of their rights in such a
situation.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 262/91

by Mrs Christine Crawley (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/33)

_Subject:_ European Centre for Alternatives to Animal
Experimentation

Now that the European Centre for Alternatives to Animal
Experimentation has been allocated funding by the
European Community budget, can the Commission give
an indication of when the centre will begin operating and
in what areas its initial priorities will be? Will the
Commission give assurances that any non-animal test
methods validated by the centre will be accepted as valid
by the Commission and that any such validated tests will
replace the appropriate current animal test method which
will no longer be required to meet EEC safety
regulations?

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

_(21 May 1991)_

Now that the budgetary authority has allocated funds for
the setting up of a European Centre for Alternatives to
Animal Experimentation, the Commission can begin
working towards the centre's objectives, while the
institutional problems are being solved and the centre is
actually being set up.

These objectives include, as a priority, the validation of
alternative methods designed to replace certain traditional
methods which involve the use of large numbers of
laboratory animals, for testing the toxicity of chemical
substances and medicinal products and, to a lesser extent,
cosmetics.

It is also planned to set up an alternative methods data
bank, to inform European scientists about these methods
and encourage them to use them.

Such methods, once validated, will be proposed by the
Commission to the Member States for adoption and
inclusion in Community legislation, in accordance with
current procedures in the legislative field concerned.

The Commission is also contributing, through several
research programmes (e.g. the Bridge (') biotechnology
programme), to the development of _in vitro_ toxicological
and pharmacological tests which, once validated, are
likely to be used as 'alternative' methods.

O OJNoL360,9. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 265/91

by Mr Virginio Bettini (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/34)

_Subject:_ Italy: projected Porto Torres—Sassari
heavy-traffic route and Sassari—Alghero

expressway

As part of the above project, an intersection (the point at
which the two roads cross) is to be constructed in the
heart of an olive-growing area. About 10 000 olive trees
would consequently have to be cut down, and 100 houses
demolished, entailing proportionate economic and social
costs as well as serious ecological damage.

The authorities in the Autonomous Region of Sardinia
have expressed a favourable opinion on the alternative
route proposed by 'Codacons' (Coordinating Committee
of Environmental Protection and User and Consumers'

Rights Associations), believing the committee's
arguments to be sound and well founded.

The project, which also affects Alghero-Fertilia
international airport, is an ambitious one and may be
relevant from the point of view of Directive
85/337/EEC ( [l] ) (Annex I, point 7).

The decisions in question date back to 1982 in the case of
the first road and to 1986 in the case of the second.

Given that the first component of the project was
proposed as long ago as 1975 and the second, in 1985,
there have inevitably been profound changes in the

No C 232/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

intervening period to the face of the area and in
settlement patterns, and the evident impact has to be
assessed and mitigated. Furthermore, work has not even
been started, let alone completed. Does the Commission
not therefore feel, in the light of the foregoing, that it
should enjoin the appropriate authorities to comply with
the abovementioned Directive on environmental impact
assessment?

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

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

_(15 April_ _J_ _991)_

The information contained in the Written Question does
not allow the Commission to conclude at this stage that
the Italian authorities have infringed Community law by
failing to apply Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment
of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment in the case of the roads to which the

Honourable Member refers.

Although the work has not yet begun, it appears that the
decisions relating thereto were made on a date preceeding
the entry into force of the Directive, i.e. 3 July 1988.

If the Honourable Member has any further information
on these projects, the Commission would like to be kept
informed.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 273/91

by Mr Joao Cravinho (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/35)

_Subject:_ Delays in the payment of funds for projects
adopted under Regulation 797

Portuguese farmers whose projects have been adopted
under Regulation 797 have complained of considerable
delays in funding. At the beginning of January 1991
payment of ECU 10 million was still outstanding.

Can the Commission explain who is responsible for this
state of affairs? What measures does it intend to take to

put an end to these delays? In cases where delays are
entirely due to the bodies administering the programme
concerned, could the excess costs incurred, notably
interest on bridging loans, be covered by Community
funding ?

This state of affairs poses a serious threat to the
short-term financial viability of a number of projects and
means additional expenditure for farmers which many can
ill afford.

Moreover, it seriously undermines the credibility of
Community programmes and the administration
concerned.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1991)_

The Commission has been informed of the situation in

Portugal created by delays in the reimbursement of
expenditure incurred by farmers in respect of farm
investment plans adopted under Regulation (EEC) No
797/85 0).

The situation developed in the last quarter of 1990 and
the Commission immediately sought the necessary
clarifications from the Portuguese authorities responsible
for administering the Regulation.

The delays, which have since been resolved, were caused
by inadequate national budget funding for the payment of
the expenditure, which is repaid by the EAGGF Guidance
Section only in the following year, as provided for under
the rules in force.

The Commission can only reimburse Member States
expenditure which is eligible under those rules, and these
do not cover the additional costs referred to by the
Honourable Member (which are attributable to delays
caused by the Member State).

The Commission is aware of the risks and damage caused
to farmers by such delays and will do all it can to prevent
such a situation recurring in the future.

O OJ No L 93, 30. 3. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 311/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/36)

_Subject:_ Aid to the Autonomous Community of
Andalusia, Spain in the nut sector for the 89—90
marketing year

Council Regulation 790/89 (') and Commission
Regulation 3403/89 ( [2] ) provide for aid for improving the

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/21

quality of orchards, and for improving the marketing and
consumption of nuts.

What aid has been granted, in whatever form, to the
Autonomous Community of Andalusia for the 89—90
marketing year in the nut sector?

(') OJ No L 85, 30. 3. 1989, p. 6.
O OJNoL328, 14. 11.1989, p. 23.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

The Commission is not in a position to reply to the
Honourable Member because the declaration of

expenditure is made by budget item and, where necessary,
by type of expenditure, aggregated at Member State level;
as a result, information for a specific region is not
available.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 312/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/37)

_Subject:_ Health problems affecting trade in heat-treated
milk

Council Directive 85/397/EEC (') on health and health
policy problems affecting intra-Community trade in
heat-treated milk has not been fully implemented in all
the Community countries; not all have taken the
necessary measures at national level to implement the
Directive. What is this sector's current position in this
respect?

(') OJNoL226,24.8. 1985, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 May 1991)_

Directive 85/397/EEC on health and animal-health

problems affecting intra-Community trade in
heat-treated milk has been implemented by all Member
States, except Spain.

Spain has sent the draft law implementing the Directive to
the Commission and has pointed out that it is undergoing

approval by the relevant authorities. Nevertheless, the
infringement procedure for failure to communicate
national implementing measures has been initiated against
Spain.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 316/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/38)

_Subject:_ Non-implementation by Spain of the EEC
Regulation on reafforestation

The EEC Regulation of 29 May 1989 on aid for
reafforestation has not yet been implemented in Spain,
with the result that the general aims of this Regulation are
being obstructed, and a section of the Spanish population
is suffering discrimination. What information does the
Commission have on the applicability of this Regulation
to Spain, and what steps does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1991)_

The legislation adopted by the Council in May 1989
included several Regulations which, taken together,
constitute the Community Forestry Action
Programme ('). Two of these Regulations, (EEC) Nos
1609/89 and 1610/89, contain measures providing for
Community aid for afforestation.

The first of these is a horizontal Regulation, i.e.
applicable throughout the Community, and concerns
afforestation operations, improvement of damaged
woodland, etc., pursuant to with Article 20 of Regulation
(EEC) No 797/85 ( [2] ). Application is voluntary and, to
date, Spain has not asked the Commission for it to be
applied. However, Article 20a of Regulation (EEC) No
797/85 concerning an annual premium following
afforestation will be applied in Spain as pan of the
set-aside scheme.

The second Regulation (EEC) No 1610/89 covers
afforestation and other measures applied as part of
regional and rural development programmes (Objectives
1 and 5(b) respectively of the reform of the structural
Funds O). Also voluntary, the forestry measures
contained in this Regulation, including afforestation,

No C 232/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

have already been adopted under many operational
programmes for Objective 1 regions in Spain and will be
adopted for several Objective 5(b) areas.

0 OJNoLl65,18.6. 1989.
0 OJ No L 93, 30. 3. 1985.
O Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 of 15 July 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 470/91

by Mr Jose Barros Moura (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/39)

_Subject:_ Joint appropriation of East Timor's oil by
Indonesia and Australia

In a letter of 16 November 1990 to the Co-Presidents of

the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly concerning its Resolution
of 27 September 1990 ('), the Australian Ambassador to
Brussels states: '(•..) Australia does not accept that any oil
or gas which may be found in the Timor Gap Treaty
belongs to the people of East Timor.' It appears to follow
that any such oil or gas belongs to Indonesia, the country
which is in illegal and forcible occupation of East Timor
and with which Australia signed the treaty concerned; in
this case, the treaty would seem to have no purpose.

What action has the Commission taken to date, in
accordance with the successive resolutions of Parliament,
to put an end to this scandalous violation of the rights of
the people of East Timor?

O OJ No C 27, 4. 2. 1991, p. 45.

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1991)_

The Commission has noted with particular attention the
resolutions adopted by Parliament on East Timor and is
keeping a weather eye on developments there, particularly
where human rights are concerned. It does not fail to
notify the Indonesian Government, whenever the
opportunity arises, of the importance it attaches to the
strict observance of those rights.

The Commission is convinced that a fair, lasting and
internationally recognized settlement of the East Timor
issue can be achieved only through peaceful negotiation,
under the auspices of the United Nations, between the
parties to the dispute. It is lending its support to the
efforts to that end being made by the UN
Secretary-General.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 484/91

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/40)

_Subject:_ Skins of endangered species on sale in Rhodes

Further to the Commission's response to my question
under H-56/90 ('), what response has the Commission
received from the Greek Government and what further

action has been taken?

(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-386 (February
1990).

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

_(22 May 1991)_

The Commission is still examining reports on the sale of
spotted cat furcoats in Greece with the Greek authorities.

The Commission has, in particular, sought from the
Greek authorities a clarification as to whether or not the

furs concerned entered the Community before the entry
into force of Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82 (*).

O OJ No L 384, 31.12. 1982.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 492/91

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/41)

_Subject:_ Payment of interest on bonds

Following its reply to Written Question No 1083/89 ('),
could the Commission consider the following two specific

cases:

(a) bonds issued by the Amro-Bank (1976—96) at 8,7%.
The bank regularly paid interest via the intermediary
bank, then in 1988 declared that bonds were
redeemable from 1980,1985,1986 and 1987;

(b) bonds issued by the Nederlandse Investeringsbank
voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (s'Gravenhage)
(1980—95) at 10,5%. The bank regularly paid
interest via the intermediary bank, then in October
1989 declared that bonds were redeemable from

1986—87 and 1988.

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/23

Does the Commission, therefore, not consider that:

1. the bond-holder should have received the full amount

of the bond, given that the issuing bank held the
capital represented by the bond during the years in
question;

2. reimbursement of the bond by the issuing bank but
after deduction of the interest paid over the years in
which it held the capital represented by the bond
constitutes a fraudulent means of obtaining profit
from capital without paying interest?

(') OJNoC 197,6.8. 1990, p. 6.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission considers that this question, which
concerns banks' dealings with their customers, falls within
the scope of the contractual relationship between the
parties involved and does not call for any action on its

part.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 493/91

by Mr Francois-Xavier de Donnea (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/42)

_Subject:_ Eligibility of the districts of Marche, Bastogne
and Neufchateau (Belgium) to benefit from
regional aid schemes

1. Can the Commission confirm that it has questioned
the eligibility of the districts of Marche, Bastogne and
Neufchateau in Belgium for ERDF and ESF aid? If so, for
what reason?

2. Can the Commission confirm that, since 1984, its
Eurostat service has been drawing up figures on the
economic development of these districts by using the 1984
figures and applying a linear coefficient of expected
development for successive years?

3. If so,

(a) who took the decision to apply this method of
calculation and why?

(b) does the Commission intend to amend this method
of calculation in the future?

4. Is the Commission aware of the offer from Idelux

(Intercommunale d'Equipement economique de

Luxembourg) to enlighten it as to the actual movement of
the economic indicators for this province?

If so, what action does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 May 1991)_

1. The districts of Marche-en-Famenne and Bastogne
are fully eligible under Objective 5(b) of the structural
Funds, which is to promote the development of the
Community's rural areas. They may receive assistance
from the ERDF, the ESF and the EAGGF Guidance
Section until the end of the five-year period running from
1989 to 1993.

The district of Neufchateau is no longer eligible for
regional assistance from the ERDF since the coming into
force of the reform of the structural Funds in 1989.

However, this district, like those of Marche-en-Famenne
and Bastogne, is eligible under the horizontal objectives
of the structural Funds; in this regard, the Social Fund
supports measures against long-term unemployment
(Objective 3) and the occupational integration of young
people (Objective 4).

2. Several indicators are calculated by Eurostat at the
NUTS III regional level, i.e. by district in the case of
Belgium; they are calculated on the basis of the most
recent statistics forwarded by the national statistical
offices or other national ministries responsible for
statistical information. For one of these indicators (GDP
per head), it is true that the data for Belgian districts are
presently estimated on the basis of 1984 regional added
values (the last regional accounting data forwarded by the
Belgian national statistical office).

3. The same method of calculation is applied by
Eurostat for all the regions of the Community, i.e.
national GDP is broken down regionally in proportion to
the regional added values of the corresponding year, or
the year closest to it.

The Commission does not intend amending this method
of calculation; regional estimates are revised, using the
same principles, when Eurostat receives more recent
regional accounts.

4. The Commission is not aware of the offer from

Idelux. In any event, and under present circumstances, it
is only reasonable that the Commission base its
calculation of indicators for defining the eligibility of
regions for Community structural measures on regional
data forwarded by the national institutes guaranteeing
their consistency.

No C 232/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 508/91

by Mr Pierre Bernard-Reymond (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 232/43)

_Subject:_ Dolphin deaths in the Mediterranean

Can the Commission provide information on the large
number of dolphins dying in the Mediterranean ?

Are the deaths caused by a virus? If so, is it possible that
the spread of the virus has been encouraged by pollution?

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

_(26 April 1991)_

The Commission does not have any specific information
on the large numbers of dolphins dying in the
Mediterranean, but it is working with the scientists
concerned to find out whether or not the deaths are being
caused by a virus.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answers to Written Questions Nos 2703/90 (') by Mr
Alavanos and 2810/90 ( [2] ) by Mrs Pollack on similar
subjects.

(') OJNoC 141,30.5. 1991.
O OJNoC 107,22.4. 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 684/91

by Mr Artur da Cunha Oliveira (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 232/44)

_Subject:_ Community financing for the autonomous
regions of the Azores and Madeira

Given the lack of transparency of available information
and Parliament's right and duty to monitor and respond
to developments in this area, can the Commission provide
the following information:

1. What appropriations were earmarked by the
Commission for the autonomous regions of Azores
and Madeira from 1986 to date, by autonomous
region, year and Community programme and/or
initiative?

2. What amounts were effectively paid from 1986 to
date, by autonomous region, year and Community
programme and/or initiative?

3. What payments were effected by the Guarantee
Section of the EAGGF from 1986 to date, by
autonomous region and by year?

4. What payments were effected by the Guidance Section
of the EAGGF to individual residents of the

autonomous regions, bypassing the regional bodies,
by autonomous region and by year?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 July 1991)_

In view of the length of its answer, which includes a
number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 813/91

by Mr Kenneth Collins _(S\_

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3 May 1991)_

(91/C 232/45)

_Subject:_ Investment in Eastern European countries

Is the Commission aware of how many European
Community companies are now investing in Poland and
other Eastern European countries? Are they aware that, in
some cases, this investment may be channelled into
sectors which will bring these countries into direct
competition with existing production within the
Community?

Bearing in mind the differential labour costs, etc., to say
nothing of health and safety at work provisions, is the
Commission prepared to say whether or not it considers
that this may be social dumping and, if so, what measures
does it propose to take in order to prevent it, while at the
same time encouraging the development of the Eastern
European economies?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 June 1991)_

The Commission is aware of investments by several
European Community companies in Poland and in other
Central and Eastern European countries. However, in
order to raise income and living standards in these
countries, total investments including foreign
investments, will need to increase considerably.

The Community is determined to assist the Central and
Eastern European countries in the difficult process of

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/25

economic and political transition that they are
undergoing. The Commission is convinced that private
investment, both local and foreign, will have a decisive
role in this process of transition.

The Europe agreements which the Community is
presently negotiating with Poland, Hungary and
Czechoslovakia will provide for the gradual creation of a
free trade area, based on reciprocal obligations and in
conformity with GATT rules. In order to prevent serious
disturbances in productive activities of any of the
contracting parties, safeguard clauses will be included in
the agreements as well as provisions for consultations in
the case of dumping and arrangements concerning
competition and State aids. The Europe agreements will
also aim at achieving approximation of laws in Poland,
Hungary and Czechoslovakia with Community law in the
areas of, _inter alia,_ company law, company taxes,
protection of workers in the workplace, rules of
competition, consumer protection, technical rules and
standards and environment. In this regard, the
Honourable Member is kindly requested to refer to
Commission Communication COM(90) 398.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 893/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 May 1991)_

(91/C 232/46)

_Subject:_ Status of fuel retailers for social security

purposes

The petroleum distribution sector, and particularly fuel
retailing, is highly complex. The social-security status of
those engaged in this sector, for example retailers, who
are legally self-employed but in fact dependent on their
suppliers, the major oil companies, appears to pose
problems in various Community Member States.

This is a problem both in itself and in respect of the
organization of the Community internal market.

Have the Community institutions considered the various
aspects of this major problem and if so with what results?
If not, when do they intend to do so?

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

_(1_ _July 1991)_

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1984/83 of 22 June
1983 on the application of Article 85(3) of the Treaty to
categories of exclusive purchasing agreements (') contains
special provisions applicable to service-station

agreements. However, these provisions seem to give rise
to problems in various Community countries. It has
therefore been suggested to various national
organizations representing independent resellers of
motor fuel who are contractually linked to the large
petroleum companies for their supplies that they should
get together at European level with a view to clarifying the
various aspects of the problem so that these can be
referred to the Commission for analysis.

So-called 'Assises europeennes des pompistes' were
organized during the congress of the European
Organization of Petrol Stations (EOPS) on 10—12 May
1991, and the Commission is waiting to receive
information on the outcome.

On the basis of the information currently at its disposal,
and as advocated more generally in its communication
entitled 'Towards a single market in distribution' ( [2] ), the
Commission considers that the problem of the status of
independent retailers might be solved to a large extent
through self-regulation, possibly leading to the drafting
of a European code of conduct governing cooperation
between partners operating within the same branch, on
the lines of what has been done in the area of franchising
or the new electronic means of payment.

(') OJ No L 173, 30.6.1983.
O COM(91) 41 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 934/91

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 May 1991)_

(91/C 232/47)

_Subject:_ Work permits

Work permits are still necessary for many EC nationals to
work in Member States other than their own. Can the

Commission supply a list of those countries which still
impose work permit requirements?

What action does the Commission propose to take against
those Member States for maintaining such restrictions on
the right of every Community citizen to take up
employment in another Member State?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 June 1991)_

Under Community law on the freedom of movement of
workers, nationals of a Member State may not be required
to hold a work permit.

No C 232/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 91

The Commission is not aware of any cases where this ban
on work permits is not being complied with. However, it
is prepared to look, into any specific instance of
non-compliance which the Honourable Member may
bring to its attention.

The Commission would, however, draw the Honourable

Member's attention to the fact that the Act of Accession

of Spain and Portugal provides that freedom of
movement of workers between these two States and the

other Member States shall not come into force until 31

December 1992 (31 December 1995 as regards
Luxembourg). The Commission recently presented a
proposal for a Council Regulation (*) to end the
transitional period on 31 December 1991 (31 December
1992 in Luxembourg).

(') COM(91) 124 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 964/91

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 232/48)

_Subject:_ R&D statistics for the Twelve

Will the Commission tabulate for each Member State

total public expenditure on research and development for
the period 1979—89 in ecus, and the percentage of GDP
for each Member State that this expenditure represented?
Would the Commission tabulate the corresponding
statistics for the USA and Japan?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ 5 _July 1991)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table

containing the information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 993/91

by Mr Herman Verbeek (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17May 1991)_

(91/C 232/49)

_Subject:_ Sale of condoms in the EC, with particular
reference to Ireland

In response to substantial pressure from the Roman
Catholic church, the Irish government has abandoned its

plan to legalize sales of contraceptives to persons over the
age of 16 as part of an AIDS prevention campaign. In its
answer to my Oral Question No H-504/89 (') the
Commission stated that condoms were mentioned in the

preventive measures in the conclusions regarding AIDS
prevention and control at Community level adopted by
the Health Council of 16 May 1989.

1. Is the Commission prepared to remind the Irish
government and the Roman Catholic Church Primate
of Ireland, Archbishop Daly, of the conclusions of the
abovementioned Council and to call on Ireland to

legalize without delay the sale of condoms at all
relevant sales points?

2. What progress has been reached with the
Commission's proposal on technical harmonization to
guarantee the quality of condoms in the EC?

(') Debates of the European Parliament, 3-384/89.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 July 1991)_

In its answer to Oral Question No H-504/89 by the
Honourable Member, the Commission made reference to
the conclusions of the Health Council of 16 May 1989
regarding future activities on AIDS prevention and
control at Community level, and stated that a proposal
would be submitted to the Council on the matter of

technical harmonization so as to guarantee the quality of
condoms available in the European Community.

A draft directive on medical devices, including condoms,
is now being finalized and will be transmitted to the
Council in the near future.

The question of the availability and sales of condoms falls
within the responsibility of the Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1036/91

by Mrs Karla Peijs, Mr Konstantinos Stavrou, Mr Karl von
Wogau and Mr Egon Klepsch (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 May 1991)_

(91/C232/50)

_Subject:_ European Economic Area

1. What is the Commission's assessment of the

progress of negotiations with the EFTA countries after
the Ministerial Conference held on 18 December 1990?

5. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/27

2. Will the Commission guarantee that the Community
will retain its primary autonomy to take decisions since,
otherwise, the assent of the European Parliament in
accordance with the EEC Treaty to the treaty creating the
European Economic Area would be called into question?

3. Does the Commission regard it as absolutely certain
that the derogations from the Community patrimony and
the four freedoms of the internal market granted to the
EFTA countries jointly or severally will be few in number
and subject to a time-limit?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1981)_

The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the
answer the Commission gave to Oral Question No
O-401/90 from Mrs Jepsen and Oral Question No
0-6/91 from Mr Rosetti at the March session of

Parliament (*), and to the answer which the Commission
gave to Oral Question No H-408/91 from Mr
Christiansen at question time during the May
part-session ( [2] ).

(*) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-402 (March 1991).
O Debates of the European Parliament No 3-405 (May 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1199/91

by Mr Henry McCubbin (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5_ _June 1991)_

(91/C 232/51)

_Subject:_ Raspberry production and processing

Could the Commission please provide the following
information on raspberry production and processing
within the Community?

1. Could the Commission provide the most recent
figures available for imports into the Community?

2. Could the Commission please provide the most recent
figures for the tonnage produced within the
Community?

3. Could the Commission provide the most recent
figures for the tonnage processed within the
Community?

4. Could the Commission provide the most recent
figures for the tonnage sold fresh within the
Community?

5. Could the Commission provide the most recent
figures for the tonnage exported from the
Community?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry

on behalf of the Commission

_(26 July 1991)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the

information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1316/91

by Mr Gijs de Vries (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 June 1991)_

(91/C 232/52)

_Subject:_ Article 113 of the EEC Treaty

What Commission proposals submitted to the Council
since 1 January 1985 were based on Article 113 of the EEC
Treaty?

Which of these proposals were based on any other article
or articles of the EEC Treaty and in addition to Article
113? On which other articles were they based?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 July 1991)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament the

information requested.