Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

##### C 175
# Official Journal

Volume 38
### of the European Communities 10 July 1995

Volume 38

10 July 1995

###### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No Contents
Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 175 / 01 E-2367 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Incentives to encourage various forms of design 1

95 / C 175 / 02 E-2368 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : A European Design Council 1

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2367 / 94 and E-2368 / 94 1

95 / C 175 / 03 E-2542 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Seychelles Fishing Agreement 2

95 / C 175 / 04 E-2544 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Angola Fishing Agreement 2

95 / C 175 / 05 E-2546 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Gambia Fishing Agreement 2

95 / C 175 / 06 E-2547 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC / Guinea-Bissau Fishing Agreement 2

95 / C 175 / 07 E-2548 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Sao Tome e Principe Fishing Agreement 3

95 / C 175 / 08 E-2549 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Mauritania Fishing Agreement 3

###### EN

2 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-2551 / 94 by Miguel Arias Canete and Carmen Fraga Estevez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Mauritius Fishing Agreement

E-2552 / 94 by Miguel Arias Canete and Carmen Fraga Estevez to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Madagascar Fishing Agreement

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2542 / 94, E-2544 / 94, E-2546 / 94, E-2547 / 94,

E-2548 / 94, E-2549 / 94, E-2551 / 94 and E-2552 / 94

E-2580 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Thoughtless use of pesticides in Greece and public health

E-2582 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Nutrition labelling for foodstuffs ( complaint 93 / 4005 )

E-2623 / 94 by Karla Peijs to the Commission
Subject : Obstacle to the free movement of capital under the EEA Agreement

E-2661 / 94 by Bernard Antony to the Commission
Subject : Imports of skins in the wool from Australia

E-2702 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Bernkastei-Wittlich, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2703 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Rhein-Hunsriick-Kreis, Rhineland ­
Palatinate

E-2704 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Cochem-Zell, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2705 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Westerwald-Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate . . .

E-2706 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2707 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Rhein-Lahn Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate . . .

E-2708 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Neuwied, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2709 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate ....

E-27 10 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Birkenfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2711 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate

E-2712 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Palatinate

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Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 175 / 26 E-2713 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate 9

95 / C 175 / 27 E-2714 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate 9

95 / C 175 / 28 E-2715 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Daun, Rhineland-Palatinate 10

95 / C 175 / 29 E-2716 / 94 by Ralf Walter to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Bitburg-Priim, Rhineland-Palatinate 10

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-2702 / 94 to E-2716 / 94 10

95 / C 175 / 30 E-2732 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Commission by the Amsterdam municipal authorities and conformity with Directive
92 / 50 / EEC 11

95 / C 175 / 31 E-2753 / 94 by Frode Kristoffersen to the Commission
Subject : Postal deliveries between the Member States of the Union . . . 11

95 / C 175 / 32 E-2781 / 94 by Jose Apolinario to the Commission
Subject : Assessments carried out under the Community Support Frameworks concerning
Portugal 11

95 / C 175 / 33 E-2784 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Legislation for environmental protection 12

95 / C 175 / 34 E-2789 / 94 by Werner Langen to the Commission
Subject : VAT on measures to protect historic monuments 13

95 / C 175 / 35 E-2823 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Council
Subject : The situation in Bosnia and the CSCE 13

95 / C 175 / 36 E-2832 / 94 by Salvador Carriga Polledo to the Commission
Subject : Handing over Commission papers to the Court of Auditors 14

95 / C 175 / 37 E-2850 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Postage rates 14

95 / C 175 / 38 E-2856 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : BSE in each Member State 15

95 / C 175 / 39 E-2857 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : BSE infected farm 15

95 / C 175 / 40 E-2858 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : BSE contaminated animal feed 15

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2856 / 94, E-2857 / 94 and E-2858 / 94 16

95 / C 175 / 41 E-2893 / 94 by Maren Giinther to the Commission
Subject : Lack of flexibility in the food-aid programmes 16

###### EN

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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95 / C 175 / 46

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95 / C 175 / 58

###### EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-24 / 95 by Willi Rothley to the Commission
Subject : Information on the volume of EC aid allocated to the Rhineland-Palatinate in 1994

E-38 / 95 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : 1994 Free Food for the Needy

E-46 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen and Arie Oostlander to the Commission
Subject : Policy on asylum seekers and ' safe third countries '

E-72 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Compromise decision of 14 December 1994 on rBST by the Council of Agricultural
Ministers

E-73 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : On field trials involving rBST

E-74 / 95 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Authorization of field trials involving rBST

Joint answer to Written Questions E-72 / 95, E-73 / 95 and E-74 / 95

E-98 / 95 by Philippe De Coene to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92

E-l 14 / 95 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Transport of fruit and vegetables in Germany

E-l 20 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission

Subject : European ECU card

E-l 23 / 95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Age discrimination in employment

E-l 27 / 95 by Edouard des Places to the Commission '
Subject : Possibility of modifying the arrangements for compensatory payments which may be
applicable to protein crops

E-3 12 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo and Spalato Belleré to the Commission
Subject : Protein substances

Joint answer to Written Questions E-127 / 95 and E-3 12 / 95

E-129 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Amendment of Greek legislation to make environmental impact assessments more
effective

E-l 30 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Turkish refusal to recognize Greek property in Istanbul

E-l 32 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Reparation of flood damage in Heraklion, Crete

E-l 34 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject ( 1989—1993 : Assessment ) of Community regional policy ' in the Azores autonomous region

E-l 35 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject ( 1989—1993 : Assessment ) of Community regional policy ^ in the Madeira autonomous region

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Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

Joint answer to Written Questions E-134 / 95 and E-135 / 95 25

95 / C 175 / 59

95 / C 175 / 60

95 / C 175 / 61

95 / C 175 / 62

95 / C 175 / 63

95 / C 175 / 64

95 / C 175 / 65

95 / C 175 / 66

95 / C 175 / 67

95 / C 175 / 68

95 / C 175 / 69

E - 136 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Adjusting fishing activity, Portugal — I CSF 25

E-142 / 95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Employment of disabled persons 26

E-147 / 95 by Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Plasma-derived products as proprietary medicines 26

E-149 / 95 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Concealed State aid to the RDM shipyard 27

E-151 / 95 by Nel van Dijk and Magda Aelvoet to the Commission
Subject : Deepening of the Western Scheldt without an environmental impact assessment 27

E-263 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : References to the European Atomic Energy Community in the EU Bulletin 28

E-268 / 95 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community Directive to combat drug addiction and drug trafficking 29

E-272 / 95 by Noel Mamère to the Commission
Subject : European Environment Agency : involvement of non-member countries 29

E-278 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Recognized Turkish political refugee forced into hiding 30

E-282 / 95 by Helena Torres Marques to the Commission
Subject : Application from the Vila Nova de Gaia Municipal Council to the Community 's LIFE
Programme 30

E-288 / 95 by Eryl McNally to the Commission

Subject : Soya milk 31

95 / C 175 / 70 E-296 / 95 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Installation of an emergency alarm system on Community vessels 31

95 / C 175 / 71 E-3 10 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo and Spalato Belleré to the Commission

Subject : Free movement 32

95 / C 175 / 72 E-323 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission

Subject : Legal liability of lorry drivers for contents of vehicles 32

95 / C 175 / 73 E-327 / 95 by Roy Perry to the Commission
Subject : Measures imposed by German municipalities on the use of single-service food-packaging
products 33

95 / C 175 / 74 P-387 / 95 by Roy Perry to the Commission
Subject : Measures imposed by German municipalities on the use of single-service food-packaging
products 33

Joint answer to Written Questions E-327 / 95 and P-387 / 95 33

###### EN

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 175 / 75

95 / C 175 / 76

95 / C 175 / 77

95 / C 175 / 78

95 / C 175 / 79

95 / C 175 / 80

95 / C 175 / 81

95 / C 175 / 82

E-332 / 95 by Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Kaleidoscope 33

E-333 / 95 by Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Acquisition of fire engines in Greece 34

E-335 / 95 by Siegbert Alber to the Commission
Subject : Pollution by vehicles without catalytic converters 34

E-338 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Environmental pollution caused by airborne ash from mines belonging to the Greek
Electricity Corporation ( DEI ) 35

E-341 / 95 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission

Subject : Aegina pistachios 35

E-352 / 95 by Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Procedure by which businesses file complaints with the Commission 35

E-353 / 95 by Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Dredging in the Western Scheldt 36

E-359 / 95 by Karl Schweitzer to the Commission
Subject : Completion of the Mochovce nuclear power station 37

95 / C 175 / 83 E-360 / 95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission

Subject : European Prize for Tourism and the Environment 37

95 / C 175 / 84

95 / C 175 / 85

95 / C 175 / 86

95 / C 175 / 87

95 / C 175 / 88

95 / C 175 / 89

95 / C 175 / 90

95 / C 175 / 91

95 / C 175 / 92

###### EN

E-367 / 95 by Imelda Read to the Commission
Subject : Plans for VAT in areas in the EU currently VAT-free 37

E-370 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Subsidiarity — withdrawn Directives 38

E-3 74 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Compliance with Directive on procedures for the award of public contracts 39

E-405 / 95 by Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Price of newsprint in Europe 39

E-4 14 / 95 by Michele Lindeperg to the Commission

Subject : Funding of Title VI 40

E-4 18 / 95 by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the Directive on the treatment of urban waste water 40

E-421 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Council
Subject : Revision of the UN Arms convention and the problem of land mines 41

E-422 / 95 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : Revision of the UN Arms Convention and the problem of land mines 41

E-423 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Tropical forests and indigenous peoples 42

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 175 / 93 E-425 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Status of Bermuda 42

95 / C 175 / 94 E-446 / 95 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Unaccompanied refugee children worldwide 43

95 / C 175 / 95 E-449 / 95 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject : Postal services 43

95 / C 175 / 96 E-463 / 95 by Jan Mulder to the Commission
Subject : Transporting animals for slaughter to Austria 44

95 / C 175 / 97 E-482 / 95 by Giles Chichester to the Commission
Subject : Implementation and enforcement of the common fisheries policy 44

95 / C 175 / 98 E-484 / 95 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Parliamentary initiatives 45

95 / C 175 / 99 E-487 / 95 by Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Voting rights for EU citizens in national elections 45

95 / C 175 / 100 E-495 / 95 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Council
Subject : The case of the Russian scientist Vil Mirzajanov 46

95 / C 175 / 101 E-505 / 95 by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado to the Commission
Subject : Situation of managerial staff in the European Community 46

95 / C 175 / 102 E-517 / 95 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Fire in an oil refinery at Perama — infringement of the ' Seveso ' Directive 47

95 / C 175 / 103 E-543 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Changes to the Directive on cross-border payments 48

95 / C 175 / 104 E-544 / 95 by Frank Vanhecke to the Commission
Subject : Cost-benefit analysis of membership of the European Union for Belgium 48

95 / C 175 / 105 E-567 / 95 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Seals, birds and the poor 49

95 / C 175 / 106 E-576 / 95 by Otto von Habsburg to the Commission
Subject : Aviation safety 49

95 / C 175 / 107 E-577 / 95 by Bill Miller to the Commission
Subject : Invalidity payments to women 50

95 / C 175 / 108 E-580 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Commission measures for staff recruitment 50

95 / C 175 / 109 E-596 / 95 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : Commission replies to correspondence from MEPs 50

95 / C 175 / 110 E-597 / 95 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : Article 169, Treaty on European Union, infringement procedures 51

###### EN

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 175 / 111 E-602 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Stage reached in negotiations on the new EU-Morocco agreement 51

95 / C 175 / 112 E-605 / 95 by Aline Pailler to the Commission
Subject : Location of a factory and protection of the environment 51

95 / C 175 / 113 E-607 / 95 by Werner Langen to the Commission
Subject : EU funds to Rhineland-Palatinate 52

95 / C 175 / 114 E-617 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Directive on the conservation of wild birds 52

95 / C 175 / 115 P-619 / 9 5 by Mathias Reichhold to the Commission
Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 805 / 68 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal,
with regard to the de-seasonalization premium 52

95 / C 175 / 116 E-632 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Availability of documents under the Fourth Framework Programme in certain
languages 53

95 / C 175 / 117 E-633 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Complaints procedure in respect of languages 53

95 / C 175 / 118 P-637 / 95 by Roberto Mezzaroma to the Commission
Subject : Campaign against violence among football supporters 53

95 / C 175 / 119 E-644 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Preparing for the Euro-Mediterranean Conference 54

95 / C 175 / 120 E-646 / 95 by Helena Vaz da Silva to the Commission
Subject : ESF assistance for artists ' exchange networks 54

95 / C 175 / 121 E-652 / 95 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Nature and bird conservation and trans-European networks 55

95 / C 175 / 122 E-653 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the Union 55

95 / C 175 / 123 P-722 / 95 by Hugh Kerr to the Commission
Subject : Transparency in the standardization process 56

95 / C 175 / 124 E-732 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Kickbacks to the Flemish Socialist Party . 56

95 / C 175 / 125 E-822 / 95 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel to the Commission
Subject : Division of the Institute for Advanced Materials between two sites 57

95 / C 175 / 126 P-856 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Free movement of people within the European Union 57

###### EN

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2367 / 94

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-2367 / 94 and E-2368 / 94

by Sergio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

given by Mrs Cresson

to the Commission

on behalf of the Commission
( 15 November 1994 )

to the Commission

(6 April 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 01 )

Subject : Incentives to encourage various forms of design

In a resolution adopted at the March 1994 part-session,
Parliament called on the Commission to ' draw up a strategy
for a broad-based Community design initiative aimed
at supporting the entire design sector ( product,
communications and interior design, design management,
design and services )'.

Can the Commission state whether any progress has been
achieved in this connection, and, if so, to whom and on what
grounds responsibility has been assigned and whose views
have been or are to be heard ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2368 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 02 )

Subject : A European Design Council

Can the Commission state whether any progress has been
made towards the creation of a European Design Council, as
proposed in the resolution of Parliament on the subject, and,
if so, what the timetable is and who are the possible
participants, whether directly or via hearings and advice ?

In its communication on industrial competitiveness
policy ('), the Commission identified the promotion of
intangible investment as priority area . More specifically it
intends to give greater priority to intangible investment in all
its policies to support investment and to ensure, within the
context of the Fourth Framework Programme on research
and development activities ( 1994 — 1998 ), that research
policy takes further account of the needs of the market .

Design is an important form of intangible investment which
can contribute substantially to the competitiveness of new
products and services and is therefore likely to become more
prominent in future Community policies .

More specifically as regards research policy, the specific
programme corresponding to the third activity

( dissemination and optimization of results ) of the Fourth
Framework Programme, which was adopted by the Council
on 15 December 1994 ( 2 ), mandates the Commission to
undertake activities to promote the awareness and the
application of design as well as of other innovation
management methods by firms in their innovation

process .

A detailed workplan for the period 1994 — 1998, is
currently being elaborated covering various areas of
innovation management in particular technology watch,
value analysis, quality management and design . Within this
context the conception of possible future design initiatives
will take account of the experiences and evaluation of the

design related activities in the former Sprint Programme .

No C 175 / 2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Those activities, all of which were experimental in nature,
included the organization of the European Community
design prize ( in 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994 ), international
conferences, design audits, and various publications,
including the European design guide which features for each
Member State all relevant information related to design .

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
(') COM(94 ) 319 final . problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

( 2 ) OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2546 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2542 / 94 to the Commission

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and ( 30 November 1994 )

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) ( 95 / C 175 / 05 )
to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 03 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Seychelles Fishing

Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and the Seychelles has a duration of three years,
from 18 January 1993 to 17 January 1996, and given that
almost two years have now passed since it came into
force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities
provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Gambia Fishing
Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Gambia runs from 1 July 1993 to 30 June

1996, and given that over 18 months have now passed since
it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities

provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2547 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2544 / 94

( 95 / C 175 / 06 )
by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 04 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Angola Fishing
Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Angola has a duration of two years, from
3 May 1994 to 2 May 1996, and given that over six months
have now passed since it came into force :

Subject : Implementation of the EEC / Guinea-Bissau Fishing

Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Guinea-Bissau runs from 16 June 1993 to
15 June 1995, and given that 18 months have now passed
since it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities

provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how

many ?

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities 3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
provided for in the Protocol been used ? the principal results ?

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 3

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2548 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(. 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 07 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Sao Tome e Principe

Fishing Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Sao Tome e Principe runs from 1 June 1993
to 3 1 May 1 996, and given that almost 1 8 months have now
passed since it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities
provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2551 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 09 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Mauritius Fishing

Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Mauritius runs from 1 December 1993 to
30 November 1996, and given that a year has now passed
since it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities
provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2552 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549 / 94

QUESTION Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and to the Commission

to the Commission

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

(5 December 1994 )
to the Commission

( 95 / C 175 / 10 )

(. 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 08 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Mauritania Fishing

Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Mauritania runs from 1 August 1993 to
31 July 1996, and given that over a year has now passed
since it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities

provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how

many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

Subject : Implementation of the EEC-Madagascar Fishing

Agreement

Given that the Protocol to the fishing agreement between the
Community and Madagascar runs from 21 May 1992 to
20 May 1995, and given that over two years have now
passed since it came into force :

1 . To what extent have the different fishing opportunities
provided for in the Protocol been used ?

2 . Which Member States have obtained licences, and how
many ?

3 . Is there a scientific programme, and if so what have been
the principal results ?

4 . In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic 4 .
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

In the Commission 's opinion, what are the basic
problems arising from application of the Agreement ?

No C 175 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-2542 / 94, E-2544 / 94, E-2546 / 94, E-2547 / 94,
E-2548 / 94, E-2549 / 94, E-2551 / 94 and E-2552 / 94

given by Mrs Bonino
on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

1 . and 2 . The Commission is sending a summary of the
facts concerning each agreement, along with a table
indicating the number of licences issued, broken down by
Member State, the number of vessels concerned and the use
made of the Agreement, directly to the Honourable
Members and to the Parliament Secretariat .

3 . With regard to the results of any scientific
programmes, it should be pointed out that in the agreements
concerning tuna only ( the Seychelles, Mauritius,
Madagascar, Sao Tome ), the partner countries are using the
contribution provided for in the protocol for research,
studies or investment concerning species other than those
targeted by the Community fleet .

In Mauritania, the contribution was used to carry out
studies on crayfish and crustaceans and to create
infrastructures for the oceanography research centre .

In Angola, a study has been carried out on the situation of
the different stocks which shows that coastal shrimps are
being fully exploited and demersal species are being slightly
under-exploited .

In Guinea-Bissau the contribution has been used to finance

partially the Centre for Applied Fisheries Research .

4 . No basic problems have arisen in connection with the
agreements referred to in the Honorable Members '
questions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 80 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 11 )

Subject : Thoughtless use of pesticides in Greece and public .
health

On 8 November 1994 research findings based on chemical
analyses were published showing that agricultural products
in northern Greece contained dangerous concentrations of
toxic substances and fertilizer residues . Previous surveys in

1993 had found large concentrations of dangerous

substances in numerous samples of mothers ' milk in the
regions of Athens, Lamia, Kavalla and Xanthi . Will the
Commission say :

1 . Has it been apprised of findings of these surveys which
indicate the gravity of the problem ?

2 . Can it fund a special information campaign targeting
producers to persuade them to refrain from the
thoughtless use of pesticides and fertilizers ?

3 . What measures does it intend to take to inform

consumers so that they can protect themselves and
choose seasonal products which do not constitute a
health hazard ?

4 . Does it consider that the Greek authorities have the

infrastructures, personnel and equipment needed to
undertake the necessary regular monitoring operations
so as to restore public confidence in agricultural
products ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

1 . No . The Commission is not aware of the studies cited

by the Honourable Member .

2 . The Commission has over the years financed research
programmes to investigate integrated pest management
systems with a view to the development of techniques
leading to the more rational use of pesticides . In addition,
demonstration plots have been financed to show the level of
pest control possible using such methods under practical
conditions .

However, the Commission considers that normally the
promotion of good agricultural practice in the use of
pesticides and fertilizers is best achieved when integrated
into the normal national extension programmes of Member
States .

3 . Whilst the Commission promotes close monitoring of
food supplies for various residues to ensure that high
standards are achieved, it is not aware that levels of residues
found are of concern for consumers .

4 . The Commission is aware that the Greek authorities

are in the process of upgrading their infrastructure to
improve the monitoring of food supplies .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 82 / 94

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2623 / 94

by Karla Peijs ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 12 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 13 )

Subject : Nutrition labelling for foodstuffs ( complaint
93 / 4005 )

On 27 October 1992, General Biscuits Nederland B.V.
lodged a complaint with the European Commission .
According to the company, the Belgian Royal Decree of
3 March 1992 on the marketing of nutrients contravenes
( Directive 90 / 496 / EEC (')).

The complaint was accepted by the Commission on

8 February . Employees of General Biscuits Belgium and
Commission representatives met on 9 June 1993 . In the 17
months since then, the company has heard nothing from the
Commission .

1 . Is the Commission aware that companies and private
individuals who are obliged to wait over two years for
their complaint to be dealt with have lost their faith in
the reliability of the European Commission as the
upholder of European law ?

2 . Why has the Commission not informed the company of
the progress of its complaint since 9 June 1993 ?

3 . Is the complaint justified in the Commission 's view ? If
so, what action has the Commission taken, and with
what results ?

(') OJ No L 276, 6 . 10 . 1990, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )

The procedural guarantees provided by the Commission in

favour of complainants include the undertaking to inform
them of action taken on complaints . However, it should be
noted that representations to national authorities are
sometimes very time-consuming, and it is only once this
phase is completed that the Commission can decide on the
action to be taken .

In the case referred to by the Honourable Member, the
Commission instituted infringement proceedings following
the complaint and notified the complainant immediately .

Subject : Obstacle to the free movement of capital under the

EEA Agreement

1 . Is the Commission aware of the bill introduced by the
Austrian Government on 1 7 December 1993 amending Law
No 1957 / 267, the Gebiihrengesetz ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that this bill appears to be
an example of ad hoc legislation in that it is directed at just
one firm, namely Concord Cart Casino Gastronomie und
Freizeitgestaltung GmbH, a private limited company under
Austrian law ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that, because of this piece of
legislation, investors in the Austrian company, including a
Dutch private limited company, can no longer expect, as is
their right, to receive a normal return under normal
circumstances ?

4 . Does the Commission consider this action taken by the
Austrian Government just before the EEA Agreement
entered into force on 1 January 1994 to be incompatible
with the letter, or the spirit, of that Agreement because of the
de facto threat it constitutes to the free movement of capital
and the principle of non-discrimination as regards
trans-national investments ?

5 . In view of the interests of both the Dutch company
involved and the other European investors, is the
Commission prepared to ask the EEA Surveillance
Authority ( ESA ) to examine this case as a top priority ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )

1 . Yes, the Commission is aware of the bill introduced by
the Austrian Government on 17 December 1993, the
' Anderung des Gebiihrengesetzes ', BGB1 . Nr . 965 / 1993,
amending Law No 1957 / 267, the ' Gebiihrengesetz '.

2 . According to the information available to the
Commission the amendment affects all companies operating
as organizers of gambling and betting . The material change
in taxation affects all those companies which have so far
organized gambling and betting without themselves
participating in the game . Thus the Commission is not in
position to agree the assessment of the bill contained in
part 2 of the question .

No C 175 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

3 . No, the Commission is not aware of this fact . In
particular, if it is correct that the mentioned company, of
which the Dutch resident is one of the owners, is the only
company in this market in Austria, the evaluation of a
' normal return under normal circumstances ' might be
impossible to determine .

4 . Under Article 109(1 ) of the EEA Agreement the EFTA
Surveillance Authority ( ESA ) is the responsible institution
for dealing with this matter . So far as the Commission is
aware the ESA has not yet taken action in this matter, and
thus the Commission has not yet examined the possibility
under Article 109(5 ) of the EEA Agreement of bringing this
matter to the EEA Joint Committee .

Notwithstanding this procedural aspect, the Commission
has no indication that the Austrian amendment in question
would be incompatible with the EEA Agreement . In
particular, this tax measure is equally applied to Austrian
and non-Austrian residents . Thus the Commission does not

consider this measure to constitute a violation of the

' principle of non-discrimination as regards trans-national
investments ', as suggested in part 4 of the question .
Furthermore, nothing in the EEA Agreement prevents a
contracting party from changing its legislation after entry
into force of the agreement, as long as these changes do not
violate any of the obligations under the Agreement .

5 . The Commission is not aware of any particular
interest of other Community investors . Furthermore the
Commission does not consider it appropriate to interfere
with the internal proceedings of the FLSA, in particular to
suggest certain issues which it should consider as top

priority .

the wool from Australia ? What action will be taken to

prevent or to compensate for damage to a European
industry caused by such measures ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

On 17 December 1992 the Council adopted Directive
92 / 1 1 8 / EEC ( 1 ) laying down animal health and public
health requirements governing trade in and imports into the
Community of products not subject as regards such
requirements to the specific Community rules referred to in
Annex A(I ) to Directive 89 / 662 / EEC and as regards
pathogens Directive 90 / 425 / FT.C.

Chapter 3 of Annex I to Directive 92 / 118 / ETC gives the
animal health rules applicable to trade in and importation of
certain ungulate hides and skins . It was amended in the light
of experience since 1993 by Commission Decision
94 / 723 / EEC ( 2 ).

As far as the Commission is aware these rules put no
difficulties in the way of importation of skins in the wool
into the Community . The Honourable Member is asked to
provide it with details of any problems encountered over
their importation .

(') OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 288, 9 . 11 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2702 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2661 / 94 by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

by Bernard Antony ( NI ) to the Commission

to the Commission ( 16 December 1994 )

( 14 December 1994 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 15 )

( 95 / C 175 / 14 )

Subject : Imports of skins in the wool from Australia

It appears that the European Commission is currently
drawing up new veterinary standards which would directly
affect the export of skins in the wool to the European

Union .

These new regulations would once again pose a threat to
imports from some Australian slaughterhouses which are
vital for the French fellmongering industry, especially in the
area around Mazament .

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Eandkreis '
Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Eandkreis ' Bernkastel-Wittlich, Rhineland-Palatinate,
for the periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural

Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

What exactly are the terms of these regulations ? What 3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the
effects could the regulations have on the imports of skins in region .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 7

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region lor
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2703 / 94

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2705 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )
to the Commission

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 16 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 18 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Rhein-Hunsriick-Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information
for the ' Landkreis ' Rhein-Hunsriick-Kreis, Rhineland ­
Palatinate, for the periods beginning July 1979 and
July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural

Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of

this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU Funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2704 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Westerwald-Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Westerwald-Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate,
for the periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the
region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2706 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 17 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 19 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Cochem-Zell, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Cochem-Zell, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural

Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Koblenz,

Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the 3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region . region .

No C 175 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU Funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2707 / 94

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2709 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

Ralf Walter ( PSE ) by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 20 ) 95 / C 175 / 22 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Rhein-Lahn Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Rhein-Lahn Kreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, for
the periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the
region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2708 / 94

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, for
the periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2710 / 94

Ralf Walter ( PSE ) by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 21 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 23

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Neuwied, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Birkenfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Birkenfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 19 79 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the 3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region . region .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 9

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2711 / 94

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2713 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

Ralf Walter ( PSE ) by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 24 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 26 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Bad

Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, for
the periods beginning 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2712 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2714 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 25 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 27

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginnung July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural

Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, for
the periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural

Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the 3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the

region . region .

No C 175 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the
region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for

pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2715 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions

E-2702 / 94 to E-2716 / 94

given by Mr Santer
( 95 / C 175 / 28 ) on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )
Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Daun,

Rhineland-Palatinate

The Commission is now able to provide the following

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Daun, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the periods

beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of
this funding .

3 . The amount of EU research funding allocated to the
region .

4 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
the development of human resources under EU training

programmes .

5 . The amount of EU funding allocated to the region for
pilot projects under other budget headings, such as the
integration of migrant workers and environmental and
energy projects .

figures to complement the information it gave in its
answers (') of 10 and 11 January 1995 .

Breakdown of Community funding for Rhineland ­
Palatinate 1979—1989

( in ECU million )

1979—1989

ESF 5,77 0

ERDF 51,630

EAGGF, Guidance Section 69,79

F1FG 0,029

Research programmes 7,475

Thermie 2,400

TFRH ( 2 ) 0,040

The figure indicates the amount of aid given directly to promoters from

1985 to 1989 . It does not include the significant amounts given to
Rhineland-Palatinate via national programmes ( primarily via the
Bundesanstalt fur Arbeit ). The figures for 1979— 1984 are not
available .

Comett 1422 130 ECU

QUESTION E-2716 / 94 Erasmus 4 467 869 ECU

Force 1 1 77 500 ECU

Ralf Walter ( PSE ) Youth for Europe 30 027 ECU

to the Commission Petra I 002 430 ECU

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716 / 94

by Ralf Walter ( PSE )

( 16 December 1994 )

An Euro Info Centre has been set up as part of the enterprise
( 95 / C 175 / 29 )
policy . Furthermore, businesses in the region have benefited
from services provided by a member of the Business

EC funds to the ' Landkreis ' Cooperation Network .

Subject : Allocation of EC funds to the ' Landkreis '
Bitburg-Priim, Rhineland-Palatinate

Can the Commission supply the following information for
the ' Landkreis ' Bitburg-Priim, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the
periods beginning July 1979 and July 1989 ?

1 . The amount of funding received from the EU Structural
Funds, with a breakdown by individual fund or
Community measure .

2 . The number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of

this funding .

As part of its cultural policy, the Commission contributed
ECU 80 000 to a pilot project ( which has been running since
1984 ) concerned with protecting architectural heritage .

For the breakdown of funding within the Lander, the
Honourable Member is requested to contact the
appropriate regional authorities .

O ) No C 42, 20 . 2 . 1995 .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 1 75 / 1 1

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732 / 94

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission (9 February 1995 )

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 30 )

Subject : Commission by the Amsterdam municipal
authorities and conformity with Directive
92 / 50 / EEC

Recently the Amsterdam municipal authorities
commissioned the architect Alvaro Siza to make a new

design for the extension to the Amsterdam City Museum .
The Association of Netherlands Architects considers that
the municipal authorities ' action is in contravention of
Directive 92 / 50 / EEC ( 1 ), which has been in force since 1 July

1993 . Does the Commission agree ?

(') O J No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )

The Commission initially contacted the organization
mentioned by the Honourable Member for the information
it needed . It subsequently sent a letter to the Dutch
authorities requesting further information on the facts
brought to its attention .

The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of

the findings of its investigation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2753 / 94

The Commission has noted that cross-border postal services
do not always come up to the expectations of their users .
This is one of the main reasons behind a Community project
in the postal sector to make for satisfactory operation of the
internal market .

Following the two communications (') adopted on the
development of Community postal services and the
Council 's invitation in its resolution of 7 February 1 994 (-),
the Commission is preparing legislative measures to rectify
the situation . These measures concern in particular the
establishment of a stable and clear regulatory framework
which allows for more competition in cross-border postal
services, the development of technical standards which help
bring about the inter-connection of postal networks and
encouragement to improve the quality of service with a view
to making the delivery of letters and parcels by the postal
service faster and more reliable .

The Commission has also drawn the attention of the public
services to this matter . At present, the latter are negotiating
an agreement on their remuneration system for reciprocal
work whereby the rate paid at each post office of destination
will take acount of the performance of this post office in
respect of delivery time . The Commission is playing an
active role in the finalizing of this agreement between postal
services .

The Commission has also financed a telematics project
called CAPE ( computer aided post in Europe ) which is
applicable to postal services within the programme on
trans-European networks . This project has as its objective,
on the one hand, to improve data exchange on international
mail and, on the other, to promote the development of
cross-border postal electronic mail . This application aims to
significantly improve the quality of postal services .

(') COM(91 ) 476 final ; COM(93 ) 247 final .

by Frode Kristoffersen ( PPE )

( 2 ) OI No C 48, 16 . 2 . 1994 .

to the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 175 / 31 )

Subject : Postal deliveries between the Member States of the

Union

Recently there have been articles in the Danish and German
press calling for speedier postal deliveries between the
Member States of the European Union .

Does the Commission share the view that effective postal
services in the EU are important for the proper working of
the internal market ? In what way do the Member States '
postal authorities cooperate to ensure speedier deliveries

( dispatch of letters and parcels ) within the Union ? What is
the Commission doing to ensure closer cooperation in this
respect ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2781 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 32 )

Subject : Assessments carried out under the Community

Support Frameworks concerning Portugal

Can the Commission indicate what assessment studies it has

as regards Portugal in connection with the Community
Support Frameworks and by whom they were carried

out ?

No C 175 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2784 / 94

on behalf of the Commission

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )
( 10 February 1995 ) to the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 33 )
The Commission currently has the following assessment
studies on the two Community support frameworks ( CSFs )
for Portugal covering 1989 — 1993 and 1994 — 1999

Subject : Legislation for environmental

respectively . The following information is given for each
CSF : the title of the study, the company commissioned to
carry it out, the date the final report was received and the Is the Commission aware that
type of assessment undertaken : protection of public health and

Subject : Legislation for environmental protection

Objective 1 CSF for 1989 — 1993 :

— ' Intervention structurelle communautaire au Portugal :

Etude d'évaluation ', CEDRU — 01 / 91 — Prior
appraisal

— ' Intervention structurelle communautaire au Portugal :

Is the Commission aware that Sweden has higher levels of
protection of public health and environment than the EU
and has been granted a four-year transitional period in
which to continue to apply stricter rules ? Given that the
environment is in a condition of global crisis and, therefore,
the Commission cannot possibly countenance that Sweden
should lower its standards in four years time, is the
Commission planning to propose upward revisions in EU
legislation which falls below this level ? If not, why not ?

Etude d'évaluation ', CEDRU — 11 / 91 — On-going
assessment Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

— 'A dynamic general equilibrium analysis of EC (6 March 1995 )
Structural Funds with an application to Portugal ', A.
Pereira — 12 / 91 On-going assessment

— ' The economic impacts of the Community Support

Frameworks for the Objective 1 regions ', J. Beutel —
04 / 93 — On-going assessment

— ' Evaluation of the Community Support Frameworks

1989 / 1993 ', Deloitte & Touche — Sismet —
Hidrotecnica Portuguese ( in preparation ) — Ex post

assessment

— ' Structural policies in the European Community : an

international comparison ', A. Pereira — 09 / 94 —
Comparative assessment of Portugal, Greece and
Ireland

Objective 1 CSF for 1994 — 1999 :

— ' Apreciação de Plano do desenvolvimento Regional para

Portugal — 1994—1999 ', CEDRU — 11 / 93 — Prior
apppraisal of the plan

— ' Regional Development Plan 1994 — 1999 — Portugal ',

J. Beutel — 12 / 93 — Prior appraisal of the plan

— ' Community Support Framework 1994 — 1999 for
Portugal ', J. Beutel — 2 / 94 — Prior appraisal

— ' Evaluation of the Community Support Framework for

1994 — 1999 ', A. Pereira — 09 / 94 — Prior appraisal .

The Commission also has a series of more thematic or

sectoral studies .

It would not be correct to say that across the board Sweden
has higher levels of protection of public health and
environment than the rest of the Community, to the extent
that this depends on the sector of activity or population
group concerned .

For a limited number of cases in relation to product-related
environmental standards, the accession agreement for
Sweden, Austria and Finland provides for a four-year
transitional period during which national rules can be
maintained by way of derogation from existing Community
provisions . The agreement also provides for the
commitment by the Community to review these provisions,
with the new Member States fully participating in this
process . The provisions in question refer to requirements for
the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous
substances and preparations, pesticides, restrictions on
marketing and use of cadmium, organostannic compounds
and pentachlorophenol, batteries, and the cadmium content
of fertilisers, on some of which the revision within the
Community is already initiated . Work towards bridging the
gap between Community provisions and those of the new
Member States has already been undertaken under the
structures and procedures of the agreement on the European
Economic Area .

The Commission intends to present in due course the
necessary proposals in order to fulfil its review obligation . In
the implementation of this task, the Commission will attach
the greatest importance to the promotion of a high level of
health, safety and environmental protection, as required by
the joint declaration included in the accession agreement,
and as underlined in the Council resolution on the fifth

environmental action programme .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2789 / 94

by Werner Langen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 34 )

Subject : VAT on measures to protect historic

monuments

Those concerned with the preservation of historic
monuments and the countryside throughout Europe are
calling for the reduction or abolition of VAT on measures
and investment aimed at the protection of historic
monuments and the landscape . Owners of historic
buildings, parks and gardens need government support now
more than ever to carry out their task for preserving our
cultural heritage for future generations .

1 . Does the Commission consider their concern to be

justified ?

2 . Does it intend to place the protection of historic
monuments and the landscape on the relevant EU
exemption list when it reviews its taxation policy ?

3 . When is the exemption list next due for revision ( Annex
to Directive 92 / 77 / EEC ( M ?

present circumstances and on the available evidence, no
distortions of competition or dysfunction of the internal
market have arisen which would call for any change in the
list of supplies eligible for a reduced rate .

The Commission must, moreover, bear in mind the need to
establish the conditions necessary for the introduction of the
definitive regime in 1997 . Accordingly, it considers that it
would be inappropriate at this juncture to widen the scope
of the lower rate and thus of the optional elements in
Community legislation . Whether or not such extensions of
the lower rate are desirable can therefore only be considered
in the context of the forthcoming discussions on the
introduction of the 1997 definitive VAT regime . It should
also be noted that any amendment of VAT legislation must
be agreed unanimously in the Council .

(') COM(94 ) 584 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2823 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Council

( 12 January 1995 )

(') OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 1 . ( 95 / C 175 / 35 )

Subject : The situation in Bosnia and the CSCE

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1995 )

The preservation of historic monuments and the
countryside is very important in a continent as culturally
rich as Europe . The challenge is that of defining which are
the obstacles to a better preservation of the cultural heritage
and how to tackle them sensibly .

The Community VAT legislation ( sixth Council VAT
Directive, as amended by Directive 92 / 77 / EEC ) to which the
Honourable Member refers does not provide exemptions
from VAT . Rather, it lays down rules for the approximation
of VAT rates within the Community . In particular, these
rules specify those supplies of goods and services which are
eligible for the application of the reduced rate of VAT
subject to a minimum of 5 % . As the legislation stands at
present, services such as the repair or maintenance of
historic buildings are not eligible for reduced rating .

The list of goods and services entitled to a reduced rate is
reviewed every two years, beginning in 1994, on the basis of
a Commission report . In the first such report ( J ), already
sent to the Parliament, the Commission concluded that in

In the light of the latest serious developments in Bosnia,
which highlight yet again the European Union 's serious
shortcomings in the foreign policy sphere, culminating in the
failure of the CSCE summit conference in Budapest, where
the Europeans could not even agree on a call for a ceasefire
in the Balkans, thus allowing Russia and the USA to shift the
discussions to the enlargement of Nato, the backbone of the
CSCE, to include eastern European countries, will the
Council take steps to support a redefinition of the CSCE,
which is now a matter of urgency ? Will the European
Union 's Troika and the contact group go to Bosnia to bring
Prime Minister Silajdzic and the Bosnian Serb leader
Karadzic back to the negotiating table ?

Answer

( 18 May 1995 )

1 . Attempts at the Budapest Summit (5 and 6 December
1994 ) to arrive at an OSCE declaration on Bosnia ­
Herzegovina, and in particular on the situation in Bilhac,
were not successful . The Summit did not entirely come up to

No C 175 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

expectations in this connection, although significant results
were achieved in accordance with the programme the Union
had set itself .

2 . Following the decision by the OSCE Permanent
Committee of June 1994, of OSCE set up a mission in
Sarajevo with the principal task of supporting the
Ombudsmen provided for in the Federal Constitution . The
three Ombudsmen took up their posts last January . The
Union is continuing to give its full support to this
mission .

3 . As regards further efforts to bring about a peaceful
resolution of the conflict in former Yugoslavia, the General
Affairs Council on 23 January 1995 adopted a European
Union declaration calling on all parties in
Bosnia-Herzegovina to resume political negotiations on the
basis of acceptance of the Peace Plan as a starting point . The
European Union expects the period initiated by the
agreement on the cessation of hostilities on 31 December

1994 to be turned to advantage to revive the diplomatic
process and consequently called on all parties to implement
in full the provisions of the agreement on the cessation of
hostilities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2832 / 94

by Salvador Carriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 11 } anuary 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 36 )

Subject : Handing over Commission papers to the Court of

Auditors

What criteria does the Commission observe when granting
or denying the Court of Auditors right of access to internal
papers which the latter considers necessary to ensure that
the Community 's accounts are properly discharged each
year ?

Does the Commission consider that the Court 's continual

protests at being denied access to papers connected with the
discharge of the annual accounts are unjustified ?

Under Article 188c(3 ) of the EC Treaty the Court has access
to ' any document or information necessary to carry out its
task '. Article 85 of the Financial Regulation in conjunction
with Article 87 specifies that this covers ' all documents and
information relating to the financial management ', which
also includes information on magnetic tapes and ordinary
paper documents . Article 1 88c(2 ) of the EC Treaty refers to
all final financial decisions since it lays down that ' the audit
of revenue shall be carried out on the basis both of the

amounts established as due and the amounts actually paid to
the Community . The audit of expenditure shall be carried
out on the basis of commitments undertaken and payments
made '. Under these provisions, the Court of Auditors has
access to all files on which final decisions have been taken,
including the background documents, even if they are not
closed . The Court of Auditors does not have access :

— in principle, to documents relating to files which have no

financial implications ;

— to files, ongoing or pending, designed to prepare the

ground for decisions or proposals not yet adopted by the
Commission .

Pursuant to Article 188c of the EC Treaty relating to the
statement of assurance, the Commission and the Court have
concluded an agreement (') which extends the access to
information already enjoyed by the Court to the
Commission 's central accounting systems ( Sincom, and
OEAS for the EDF ), the local management systems of
authorizing departments and internal audit reports .

This system, based on Regulations and consensus, operates
to the general satisfaction of both institutions and the rare
complaints made by the Court refer to very marginal
individual cases which do not affect the efficiency of the
existing arrangements for granting the Court of Auditors
access to information .

(') Agreement of 11 October 1994 approved by the Court of

Auditors on 23 November 1994 and by the Commission on
21 December 1994 ( SEC(94 ) 1926 / 2 / 3, 16, 19 and
22 November 1994 and SEC(94 ) 2174 / 2, 14 and 21 December

1994 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2850 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Liikanen ( 11 January 199 S )

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 199 S )

( 95 / C 175 / 37 )

Subject : Postage rates
The criteria applied by the Commission in the matter of
granting the Court of Auditors access to internal
departmental documents are based primarily on the It appears that there is a uniform European postage rate for
provisions of the Treaties and the Financial Regulation . letters .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 15

However, there is no such uniform rate for the mailing of
magazines .

Are there acceptable grounds for this discrepancy ?

accepted, while cross-subsidies from the reserved sector to
the non-reserved sector should only be authorised if they
proved to be necessary to provide a universal service and
were compatible with the competition rules .

As long as costs of postal services continue to differ so
widely between Member States, a uniform postage rate
Answer given by Mr Bangemann cannot be expected .

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1995 ) (') OJ No L 1 55, 22 . 6 . 1979 .
(-) O I No C 48, 16 . 2 . 1994 .
(') Communication from the Commission to flic Council and the

There is no uniform European postage rate tor letters in the
Community . However, some public postal operators follow
a Commission recommendation 79 / 570 / EEC which dates

from 29 May 1 979 concerning the application of the inland
tariff to postal relations between Member States (') and set
inter-Community cross-border tariffs for standard letters

( 20 gr ) and for postcards at the same level as the inland
tariff . The Commission recommendation is not legally
binding and has not been implemented by all Member
States .

Except for the abovementioned items, different tariffs are
applied in the Community for domestic mail and
cross-border mail including magazines . This can be
explained by the fact that costs of postal services and
consequently tariffs vary significantly from one Member

State to another . The reason for this is that the postal sector
is very labour intensive, personnel costs accounting for
approximately 70% of total costs . There are also
considerable differences in productivity and quality of
service from one public postal operator to another . All these
differences can cause wide ranges in tariffs between Member
States for what are broadly similar services . Furthermore,
some Member States subsidize the mailing of press items,
including magazines .

The Council, in its resolution of 7 February 1994 on the
development of Community postal services ( 2 ), invited the
Commission to propose measures necessary for
implementing a Community policy on postal services,
containing in particular a definition of the universal service
and of the services which may be reserved for the universal
service providers .

The Commission is currently preparing appropriate
legislative proposals which on the one hand will guarantee a
minimum universal service in all Member States, offering
basic postal services of good quality at affordable prices to
all clients wherever they may be located, and on the other
hand will allow for the gradual introduction of
competition .

In its guidelines of 1 993 for the development of Community
postal services ( 3 ), the Commission takes the view that
tariffs should be based on costs in order to avoid the risk

of uncompetitive cross-subsidies and to ensure that
competition is fair . This principle has been confirmed by the
Council in its resolution of 7 February 1994 .

Cieographical cross-subsidies and subsidies from the
non-reserved sector to the reserved sector should be

Parliament, COM(93 ) 247 final, 2 . 6 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2856 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 38 )

Subject : BSE in each Member State

Will the Commission state what has been the incidence of

BSE in each EU State ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2857 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 39 )

Subject : BSE infected farm

Will the Commission give details of the BSE cases which all
passed through one particular farm . What was the name of
the farm and the address ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2858 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 40 )

Subject : BSE contaminated animal feed

Will the Commission give details of the cattle breeder, Horst
Freiser, suspected of using BSE-contaminated animal
feed ?

No C 175 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Joint answer to Written Questions Answer given by Mr Fischler
E-2856 / 94, E-2857 / 94 and E-2858 / 94 on behalf of the Commission

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

The incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy ( BSE )
in each Member State in 1994 as reported to the
Commission as follows :

( 13 March 1995 )

In 1992 / 93 the Community donated 340 656 tonnes of
cereals for human and animal feed to Latvia and 272 465

tonnes to Lithuania . At the end of November 1994,
approximately 72 500 tonnes of this cereals assistance was
in store in Latvia and 30 000 tonnes in Lithuania .

Germany

France

Ireland

Italy
Portugal
United Kingdom

4 cases ;
3 cases ;
19 cases ;

France 3 cases ; Agreements on national distribution and storage
Ireland 19 cases ; arrangements were concluded with the Baltic republics by

the Commission before deliveries commenced . Under these

Italy 1 case ;
Portugal 7 cases ; agreements, proceeds of any internal sales of Community
United Kingdom 25 788 cases . assistance became the property of the recipient government .

Receipts were placed in a national counterpart fund to be
used for measures agreed with the Community which
Denmark reported one case in 1992 . No other Member supported national economic reforms and developments .
State has reported BSE at any time . This also applies to
Austria, Sweden and Finland .

1 case ;
7 cases ;

25 788 cases .

The Commission has no details of BSE cases which have
passed through any particular farm . This data is the
responsibility of the Member State concerned .

The Commission has no details of the person cited in
question E-2858 / 94 . This information is the responsibility
of the Member State concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2893 / 94

by Maren Giinther ( PPE )

to the Commission

The Commission has systematically monitored the
operation of these arrangements and, as regards current
stocks, has agreed further arrangements for storage pending
proposals from the Latvian and Lithuanian Governments
for clearing existing stocks by the end of the current crop
year . Any reduction in forecast income resulting from these
definitive proposals will be borne by the counterpart funds .
These measures will not result in loss of receipts to the
Community 's budget nor compensating expenditure from
other Community resources .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-24 / 95

by Willi Rothley ( PSE )

to the Commission
( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 41 )

Subject : Lack of flexibility in the food-aid programmes

Points 12.94 and 12.95 of the Court of Auditors ' report ( l )
state that at the end of 1993 nearly 60 000 tonnes of cereals
were still in storage in Latvia and 103 000 tonnes in
Lithuania .

1 . What measures have been taken to remove them froim

storage, at what additional cost ?

2 . What appropriations are being used to meet the

additional costs ?

( 19 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 42 )

Subject : Information on the volume of EC aid allocated to

the Rhineland-Palatinate in 1994

What was the volume of EC aid allocated to the

Rhineland-Palatinate in 1994 from the following sources :

1 . the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ),

2 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guidance Section,

3 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
(') OI No C 327, 24 . 11 . 1994 . Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section,

10 . 7 . 95 1 EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 17

4 . the European Social Fund ( ESF ), and the organizations which undertook distribution of
same ?

5 . the European Community 's research programmes,

6 . the European Community 's programmes in the energy

sector,

7 . the European Community 's programmes in the
environmental sector, and

8 . other European Community programmes

and which measures benefited from these funds ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 March 1995 )

Community aid to the Rhineland-Palatinate in 1994 was as
follows :

( ECU million )

ESF 10,389 (')

ERDF 20,543

EAGGF 20,320

DG XII research programmes 7,080

DG XXII ( formerly TFHR ) 2,370 ( 2 )

(') A single Programing Document has been approved tor aid to Germany

under Objective 4 totalling ECU 104,515 million for the period
1994 — 1996 . These appropriations have not yet been allocated to
individual Lander .

C -) Comett 173 870 ECU,
Erasmus 1 105 898 ECU,
Force 650 000 ECU,
Youth for Europe 77 710 ECU,
Lingua 127 520 ECU,
Petra 237 631 ECU .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

In its Decision 93 / 484 / EC H of 27 August 1993, as
amended by Decision 94 / 177 / EC ( 2 ), the Commission
adopted the plan allocating to the Member States resources
to be charged to the 1994 budget year for the supply of food
from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived
in the Community .

The 1 994 plan indicates the quantity of each type of product
requested by each Member State that may be withdrawn
from intervention stocks for distribution, up to maximum
financial resources available to carry out the plan .

As regards Ireland, the allocation amounts to ECU
5 405 000 ( some £ Irl 4,4 million ), and the products
requested are beef and veal (1 450 tonnes ) and butter ( 50
tonnes ).

In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3730 / 87 ( 3 ), the organizations which are to distribute
the products to the most deprived are to be designated by the
Member State concerned . In Ireland, it is the Department of
Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Agriculture House, Dublin
2 which designates those organizations, distributes the
available resources and administers the measure .

(») OJ No L 227, 8 . 9 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 82, 25 . 3 . 1994 .
(*) OJ No L 352, 15 . 12 . 1987 .

The Rhineland-Palatinate has one Euro-Info Centre

operating under the Community 's entreprise policy and
business in the region have also benefited from the services
offered by two members of the Business Cooperation WRITTEN QUESTION E-46 / 95
Network BC-NET ).
by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE ) and

Arie Oostlander ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 44 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-38 / 95

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

Subject : Policy on asylum seekers and ' safe third
countries '

( 95 / C 175 / 43 )

1 . Could the Commission say which EU Member States
operate the ' safe third countries ' system when sending back
Subject : 1994 Free Food for the Needy asylum seekers ?

Can the Commission give details of allocations under this
scheme to Ireland, i.e. amounts of beef, dairy products, etc .,

2 . Could the Commission say which third countries are
regarded as ' safe ' by which Member States ?

No C 175 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

3 . Does the Commission play any part in determining
which third countries are ' safe ' and, if so, how is this

done ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-72 / 95

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 45 )

Subject : Compromise decision of 14 December 1994 on
(I March 1995 )

rBST by the Council of Agricultural Ministers

The phrase ' safe third countries ', covers two somewhat
different concepts : countries in which there is generally no
serious risk of persecution on the one hand ; and, on the
other hand, the host third countries, through which
asylum-seekers have been in transit and where they either
have already been granted protection, or have had an
opportunity to seek protection before leaving the country
and introducing a request for asylum in another country .

1 . The ministers responsible for immigration, at their
meeting in London on 30 November — 1 December

1992, adopted a resolution on a harmonized approach
to questions concerning host third countries which laid
down criteria for the application of this concept . A
separate resolution on manifestly unfounded
applications for asylum, adopted at the same meeting,
paragraph 1(b ) states that : ' an application for asylum
may not be subject to determination by a Member State
of refugee status under the terms of the Geneve
convention on the status of refugees when it falls within
the provisions of the resolution on host third
countries . . .'.

Member States have therefore indicated their intention

to apply the concept of host third countries as laid down
in the abovementioned resolution, which specifies that
its principles are to be incorporated in national
legislation as soon as possible and, at the latest, by the
time of the entry into force of the Dublin convention . It
is up to each Member State to determine how it does
this .

In their conclusion on countries in which there is

generally no serious risk of persecution, also adopted in
London in 1992, ministers laid down some elements of
assessment to be taken into account for the application
of the safe country of origin principle .

2 . Since not all Member States have drawn up and
published official lists of host third countries, the
Commission is not able to give a comprehensive
reply .

3 . Determination of the list of safe third countries is a

matter for Member States .

The Council of Agricultural Ministers, meeting on
14 December 1994, decided to instruct the Commission to
draw up legislation to enable the compromise adopted on
rBST to be implemented . The following questions arise in
connection with the authorization of rBST :

1 . Why does the Commission consider that further field
trials are necessary, although the socio-economic studies
that have been carried out militate against the
introduction of rBST, and consumers reject ' hormone
milk '?

2 . Which Member States have so far opposed further field

trials and intend to dispense with such trials in future,
and what arguments have they put forward ?

3 . Which Member States are in favour of further field trials

and what arguments have they used ?

4 . Can the Commission estimate the cost of these

experiments and say what funds it will make available
for this purpose ?

Which budgetary headings of the Commission of the

European Union ( and, possibly, of the Member States )
will these funds be drawn from ?

5 . Which authority is competent to give authorize field
trials ?

Who ( i.e. which farms, agricultural establishments,
institutions ) does the Commission consider should be
allowed to carry out field trials, and according to which
criteria ?

6 . Which environmental, consumer and animal protection

groups are being consulted in drawing up these
criteria ?

7 . How long will these ' limited ' field trials last and how
many animals have been selected for this purpose ?

8 . Does the Commission intend to publish the names of
applicants for authorization to conduct field trials and
the findings of these trials ? If not, why is the
Commission opposed to transparency in this case ?

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 19

WRITTEN QUESTION E-73 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-74 / 95

Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) by Hiltrud Breyer ( Y )

to the Commission to the Commission

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 46 )

Subject : On field trials involving rBST

1 . What action does the Commission intend to take to

prevent foodstuffs derived from cows treated with rBST
being sold in markets, dairies and / or directly on the
farm ?

2 . How does the Commission view the possibility of
detecting rBST : does it know of a feasible procedure for
detecting the presence of rBST which is reliable and can be
used on a large scale ?

3 . If so, what is this procedure and how does it
function ?

4 . If not, how long does it consider will be necessary to
draw up and establish such a procedure ?

( a ) Does the Commission know which research
establishments or undertakings are involved in
developing such a procedure ?

( b ) Does it intend to provide financial support for research
and development into a procedure for detecting the
presence of rBST ? If so, where does it intend to find the
funds and how much does it intend to allocate for this

purpose ?

5 . How does the Commission intend to ensure that

foodstuffs derived from cows treated with rBST are not

marketed ?

6 . Does the Commission intend to ban field trials until

such time as a detection system of this kind has been
developed ?

7 . If not, how does the Commission view the
introduction of the controls that would be needed to prevent
the transfrontier trade in foodstuffs derived from cows

treated with rBST and to ensure that such products are not
marketed ?

8 . Is the Commission aware of the danger that rBST
producers might invoke the principles of the internal market
and / or GATT and appeal against a ban on cross-border
trade, basing their appeal on the favourable opinion
delivered by the relevant EU committee on veterinary
drugs ?

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 47 )

Subject : Authorization of field trials involving rBST

1 . How does the Commission view the latest research

findings which suggest that the increase in the amount of the
insulin-type growth factor IGF-1 in the milk of cows treated
with rBST constitutes an unquantifiable health risk ( changes
in the intestinal cells of children and the increased risk of

breast cancer — The Lancet, 16 July 1994 )?

2 . How does it view other research findings which
indicate that rBST leads to an increase in the concentration

of viruses in the milk of mammals ( Liberation, 8 December

1993 )?

3 . How does it view the fact that these finals clearly
infringe existing legislation ? Under the European Union 's
Animal Protection Agreement ( European Convention for
the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes of
6 February 1992 — amending Protocol ) and the German
Animal Protection Law ( Article 1 ), it is forbidden to harm
animals in any way by using veterinary drugs ; these may
only be used if they are expected to result in significant
benefits for the animal concerned . Given the known dangers
and side-effects of rBST, together with the fact that it is used
to maximise profits, no responsible person could argue that
it fulfils this requirement .

4 . In the light of recent scientific findings, how does the
Commission view the recommendation to authorize rBST

given by the European Union 's veterinary drugs committee
on 1 February 1993 ?

5 . How does it view my objection to the favourable
opinion delivered by the CMVP on the authorization of
rBST, and what does it intend to do in this connection ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-72 / 95, E-73 / 95 and E-74 / 95

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

On 20 December 1994 the Council adopted Decision
94 / 936 / EEC ( '), amending Decision 90 / 21 8 / EF^C ( 2 ),
concerning the placing on the market and administration of
bovine somatotrophin ( BST ). As stated in the preamble to
that Decision, the committee on veterinary medicinal
products ( CVMP ) has recommended to Member States that
large-scale trials should be carried out over a period of at
least two years, under veterinary control, in order to assess
the effect of the administration of BST on mastitis and

No C 175 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

metabolic disorders, under conditions of commercial use .
Furthermore, the CVMP recommended that the effect on
animal welfare should also be assessed .

It is not for the Commission to explain the positions of the
different Member States within the Council .

The conditions and criteria to be followed in respect of field
trials will be fixed by the Commission, after obtaining the
opinion of the standing veterinary committee . As no
Member State has yet notified the Commission of a wish to
carry out such trials, the Commission is not in a position to
give any financial estimates or details of the duration of
trials or the number of cows involved . The results of trials

will be made publicly available in the appropriate

manner .

There is no practical method for the detection of residues of
BST in milk which could be used on a large scale . The
Commission is not aware of particular research projects
aimed at developing such a method and does not at present
envisage financing such research . A decision on the use of
milk or meat from cows involved in field trials will be taken

in the framework of the Commission Decision on the

conditions and criteria to be laid down for those trials .

The Commission is not in position to speculate on possible
future action by producers of BST .

The Commission is aware of the publications cited by the
Honourable Member . They will form part of the evaluation
to be made, in accordance with Article 2 ( 2 ) of Decision

90 / 21 8 / EEC, by a group of independent scientists to be
appointed by the Commission .

As far as existing Community legislation is concerned, the
Community is, by virtue of Council Decision
78 / 923 / EEC ( 3 ), a contracting party to the European
convention for the protection of animals kept for farming
purposes and has, by virtue of Council Decision
92 / 583 / EEC ( 4 ), approved the protocol of amendment to
that convention . Article 6 of the convention, as amended by
Article 4 of the protocol, states that :

' No . . . substance with the exception of those given
for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes shall be
administered to an animal unless it has been

demonstrated by scientific studies of animal welfare or
established experience that the effect of the substance is
not detrimental to the health or welfare of the

animal '.

The field trials provided for in Council Decision
94 / 936 / EEC are therefore, in accordance with this
requirement of the convention and are intended to
supplement the report of the CVMP .

(M OJ No L 366, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 116, 8 . 5 . 1990 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 323, 17 . 11 . 1978 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 395, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-98 / 95

by Philippe De Coene ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 48 )

Subject : Implementation of Regulation ( EEC ) No
2455 / 92

On 11 January 1994 the Commission for the first time
adopted a Regulation ( EEC ) No 41 / 94 ( ! ) amending
Annex II to Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92 ( 2 ). This annex
lists the dangerous chemicals subject to the Prior Informed
Consent ( PIC ) procedure, which under Article 5 of the
Regulation may not be exported to third countries which
have banned their importation .

How can the Commission account for the fact that these
chemicals were not listed in Annex II until a year and a half
after the Council had adopted Regulation ( EEC )
No 2455 / 92, and that the PIC provisions of Article 5
therefore remained ineffective until then ?

Why did the decision of 1 1 January 1994 contain particulars
concerning only six substances and around 20 third
countries, whereas 17 substances were already subject to the
UNEP / FAO PIC procedure and 59 countries had taken
decisions under the procedure ( cf . Report of the Sixth
FAO / UNEP Joint Meeting on Prior Informed Consent,
Geneva, 28 June — 2 July 1993 )? Why did the Commission
not consider it necessary to include certain particulars in
Annex II to Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92 ?

What measures will the Commission take to expedite the
incorporation in Annex II of the PIC decisions of third
countries in future ?

0 ) OJ No L 8, 12 . 1 . 1994, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 251, 29 . 8 . 1992, p . 13 .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92 makes compliance
with decisions made on prior informed consent ( PIC ) by
importing countries legally binding for European exports of
chemicals . Member States are obliged to take legal and
administrative measures in the case of infringement .

Countries participating in the PIC procedure notify their
import decisions on PIC chemicals in a standard format . The

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 21

results are published by FAO / IRPTC ( International Register
of potentially toxic chemicals ) in the biannual PIC circular
which is considered sufficient within the voluntary scheme
under the London guidelines for the exchange of
information in international trade ( UNEP ), and under the
code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides

( FAO ). It is, however, not considered as sufficient by
Member States and the Commission for the requirements of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2455 / 92 unless legal background
information is also available ( either official publication of
relevant legislation or copies of the original notifications of
the decision to IRPTC / FAO with related papers ).

The Commission considers it a priority to transfer import
decisions of third countries into Annex II to the Regulation
as quickly as possible . Nevertheless, care has to be taken that
such amendments are based on reliable and legal
information .

The first amendment of Annex II resulting in Commission
Regulation ( EC ) No 41 / 94 was prepared on the basis of the
first PIC circular . The delay in the adoption of this
Regulation resulted from the time needed by FAO / IRPTC to
provide copies of original notification forms, and despite
several requests for the Commission these documents did
not arrive until several months had elapsed . Also for legal
reasons, only unambiguous decisions were transferred into
Annex II and clarification is needed on other decisions .

The second amendment has been prepared on the basis of
the second and the third PIC circular . It cannot, however,
proceed before the relevant legal background information
mentioned above is provided by FAO and IRPTC .

In order to facilitate the flow of relevant information, the
Commission has made a financial contribution to IRPTC

for the establishment of a data base which will include all

relevant, legal data, and will make it available to the
Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 14 / 95

by Joaquin Siso Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 49 )

Subject : Transport of fruit and vegetables in Germany

The Spanish Association of Reinforced Cardboard
Producers has requested the Commission to act against the
German regulations which demand the use of plastic boxes
for transporting ( largely Spanish, Italian and French ) fruit
and vegetables .

Since, if true, these claims could be of considerable economic
and social importance, has the Commission investigated the
matter ?

If so, what conclusions did it reach and does it intend to
adopt any measures in this connection ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

The Commission is currently examining the compatiblity of
the German packaging decree with the rules governing the
free movement of goods . In the framework of this
infringement procedure, modifications to the German
packaging decree should result the elimination of possible
trade barriers which, according to the economic operators
of other Member States, arise out of the current decree .

The concrete question raised by the Honourable Member
concerns the use of certain standardized plastic boxes for
transporting fruit and vegetables . It should be pointed out
that this requirement is not laid down in the German
packaging decree . Nevertheless, it is true that the German
decree establishes a take-back and recycling obligation with
regard to so-called transport packaging . This obligation led
to a private initiative, in which German retailers set up a
' multi-use ' system for transport packaging . Such a system
entails the repeated use of the above mentioned
standardised plastic boxes when fruit and vegetables are
delivered by producers to German distributors and retailers .
It is furthermore true, that certain major German retailers
will only accept fruit and vegetables delivered in such
multi-use transport packaging .

This private initiative undertaken by the German
distribution and retail sector does not seem to be directly
attributed to the German packaging decree . Nevertheless, it
seems clear that the setting-up of a multi-use system for
transporting fruit and vegetables is the reaction of the
German distribution and retail sector to the take-back and

recycling obligation for one-way packaging . As such a
takeback and recycling obligation puts a heavy economic
and logistical burden on the retailers and distributors, it
makes economic sense for these operators to install a
multi-use system which is less burdensome for them . It is
clear, however, that certain foreign producers, which rely on
one-way packaging for the distribution of their products
over long distances might experience a lessening of their
exports to Germany, if the compulsory use of multi-use
systems is imposed by the German retail and distribution

sector .

The Honourable Member can rest assured that the current

analysis undertaken by the Commission in the framework of
the abovementioned infringement procedure will also cover
such ' indirect ' effects of the German packaging decree .

No C 1 75 / 22 F.N Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 123 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 120 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E 

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR ) bv Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission to the Commission

(8 February 1995 ) (8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 50 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 51 )

Subject : Age discrimination in employment

Subject : European ECU card

The KPMG company has drawn up a proposal for the
introduction of an electronic ECU card to promote
international payments in the European Union .

Can the Commission explain why if, as Commissioner
Flynn has said ( in an answer to Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos,
Written Question No 2676 / 93 (')), it supported a study on

' Age Discrimination in Employment ' and is aware of the
many problems facing older job-seekers, including the
problem of age discrimination, it continues to advertise
positions as available only to applicants under the age of
very low specified ages ?

In view of the obvious symbolic and practical importance of very low specified ages ?
this initiative, will the Commission provide funding for a
feasibility study on the introduction of the ECU card ?
(') O J No C 332, 28 . 11 . 1994, p . 18 .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission
( 14 March 1995 )
(7 March 1995 )

In February 1993 the company presented to the
Commission a project plan for a feasibility study concerning
' the ECU-card in the Furoregion Meuse-Rhine '. The
research, focusing on the feasibility of a single currency
denominated electronic purse in some regions of the
Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, was at a very
preliminary stage .

The Commission took the view that the technological
content of the project was not sufficiently innovative to

justify financial support in the framework of programmes
for information technologies and that the initiative could
have presented some problems in respect of some guidelines
which were under elaboration and later approved by the
European Monetary Institute in May 1994 .

On 19 August 1994 the Commission published in the
Official Journal a call for manifestation of interest opening
to all interested companies the participation in a
multi-currency electronic wallet trial financed under the
Third Framework Programme for Community research .
The company answered this call and is now a partner of the
newly created special interest group on multicurrency
electronic wallets ( SIGMEW ), a private association between
banks, providers of electronic payment systems,
technological companies and consultants . One of the
SIGMEW tasks is to propose to the Commission by the end
of 1995 further action in the field of high technology

payment systems .

The arguments for maintaining lower age limits among
junior grades are fully set out in the recent answer to Written
Question No 1966 / 94 (').

The Commission, like the other Community institutions,
applies age limits for the recruitment of certain grades of
officals, primarily the most junior grades . There are no age
limits for the most senior staff and the age limit for the
recruitment of middle managers ( A3 and A5 / 4 ) is 50 .

The Commission has been progressively eliminating age

limits, where appropriate, in its selection procedures for

temporary agents .

(') OJ No C 55, 6 . 3 . 1995, p . 20 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-127 / 95

by Edouard des Places ( EDN )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

95 / C 175 / 52 )

Subject : Possibility of modifying the arrangements for

compensatory payments which may be applicable

to protein crops

The protein crops Regulation makes it possible for the
Commission to modify the compensatory payment
arrangements in order to offset falls in market prices .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 1 75 / 23

Since the start of the 1994 / 95 marketing year, the market
price for protein crops has fallen by 10% and considerable
concern is emerging for the future of these products .

Protein crops are the only arable crop for which there are no
arrangements for stabilizing producers ' incomes .

If, therefore, no action is taken, protein crops ' loss of
profitability could bring about a considerable reduction, as
of this year, in acreage planted .

Protein crops are essential for soil balance in arable
farming .

Demand is strong, and they help to alleviate the European
Union 's serious protein shortage ( only 35 %
self-sufficiency ).

Does the Commission intend to make use, before the 1995
seeding season, of the relevant provision ( cf . Article 15(2 ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (')) and make an upwards
adjustment in the compensatory payment for protein
crops ?

Article 15(2 ):

' From the 1994 / 95 marketing year onwards, the Council
may decide, according to the procedure laid down in
Article 43(2 ) of the Treaty that the arrangements for
making the compensatory payments for oil seeds shall
also apply to the case of protein crops .'.

(') OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-312 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and Spalato Bellere ( NI )

to the Commission

Does the Commission not consider that the compensation
relating to protein substances should be increased in order
to fill a gap in Community regulations ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-127 / 95 and E-312 / 95

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(H March 1995 )

Despite the introduction of the 15 % set-aside requirement,
the area sown to protein plants has remained more or less
stable since the introduction of the reform of the common

agricultural policy ( CAP ). Protein plants were unduly
favoured by the phased introduction of the cereals
compensatory payment that followed the rhythm of the
gradual reduction in institutional prices . The compensatory
payment for protein plants was, however, applied
immediately at its full rate . The area sown to protein plants
has decreased in 1994 / 95 following the increase in the
cereals compensatory payment . However, it remains at a
level above that foreseen in the reform .

The Commission is following closely the developments on
the market through prices reported by the industry in order
to ascertain whether protein plant cultivation remains
competitive with cereal cultivation . This will only become
evident with the sowings for 1 995 / 96 and the full
implementation of the reform of the CAP . The Commission
does not intend to table a proposal before this to change the
support mechanism for protein plants . The Commission
will nevertheless keep the situation under review .

( 13 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-129 / 95
{9 SIC 175 / 53 )
by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

Subject : Protein substances (8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 54 )

Of all the major crops, protein substances are the only ones
in respect of which there is no producer income stabilization
scheme and therefore no price support ( as in the case of Subject : Amendment of Greek
cereals ) or end-off-season compensation readjustment environmental impact
mechanism which takes into account any changes in the
market ( as in the case of oil-seeds ). This shortcoming is even
more serious in view of the fact that protein substances are In an interview with the press on 16
subject to the twin influence of variation in the prices of Chamber of Technology pointed out
cereals and soya cake, which could make protein substances to be funded under the second
less competitive and thus cause them to be partially Framework were in danger of being
abandoned in favour of oil-seeds and cereals . This would lack of environmental impact
require raw materials to be imported, to the disadvantage of particularly stressed that it is
those working in the sector and also the EU 's trade EIA before the final plans for each
balance . that therefore Joint Ministerial

Subject : Amendment of Greek legislation to make
environmental impact assessments more effective

#### In an interview with the press on 16 March 1 994, the ­ Gr e k

Chamber of Technology pointed out that public works due
to be funded under the second Community Support
Framework were in danger of being cancelled because of the
lack of environmental impact assessments ( EIA ). It
particularly stressed that it is mandatory to complete the
EIA before the final plans for each project are drawn up and
that, therefore, Joint Ministerial Decision No 69269 / 90

No C 175 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

incorporating Directive 85 / 33 7 / EEC ( ) into national law
must be amended so that the EIAs can take effect .

Does the Commission share the view of the Greek Chamber
of Technology that JMD No 69269 / 90 must be amended if
the EIAs are to be effective ? If so, on what points and does it
agree that the requisite EIA must be completed for each
project before the final plans are drawn up ?

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

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of "
certain public and private project on the environment lays
down a procedure to be followed and therefore regulates the
way in which environmental assessment of the projects
which it covers is to be carried out .

The central feature of the procedure is the environmental
impact study for which all the information to be supplied by
the developer ( in accordance with Article 5 of and Annex III
to the Directive ) is available and on the basis of which the
final decision with regard to authorization is taken .

The assessment procedure laid down in the Directive
stipulates that this study must be carried out before a final
decision is taken and must be made available to the public
concerned to give it the opportunity to express an opinion
on the project ( Article 6 ).

The Directive does not specify at what stage the study must

be carried out and submitted to the authorities . It is for the

Member States to make it clear in their transposing
legislation, in accordance with their administrative
procedures, at what stage the study should be carried out so
as to allow the project to be subsequently assessed and
authorized by the authorities concerned .

deceased Magdalene Kallinoglou, a Turkish citizen of Greek
origin .

The Court upheld the application by the Turkish authorities
to annul previous rulings in favour of the heirs to the estate
on the grounds that such rulings were prohibited under the

1964 Secret Decree of the Turkish Council of Ministers .

Given that the Community has raised this issue in the past,
that it forms part of Turkey 's obligations under the
Association Agreement and that the special law of 1988
which supposedly abolished the 1964 decree does not seem
to have had any legal effect, what immediate representations
will the Commission make to the Turkish Government to

put an end to this blatant violation of the rights of the
citizens affected and to ensure compliance with the
Association Agreement ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

The Turkish authorities are aware of the importance the
European Union attaches to observance of its undertakings
within the OSCE and the Council of Europe .

As a member of the Council of Europe Turkey has ratified
the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms and its 1952 Protocol, Article 1 of
which provides :

' Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful
enjoyment of his possessions . No one shall be deprived of
his possessions except in the public interest and subject
to the conditions provided for by law and by the general
principles of international law .'

Turkey has accepted the procedural remedies provided for

by the Convention, and once Mrs Kallinoglou 's heirs have
exhausted domestic appeals procedures they are therefore
entitled to refer the matter to the Commission on Human

Rights if they consider that their rights under the
Convention have been breached .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 30 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-132 / 95
to the Commission by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

(8 February 1995 ) to the Commission

( 95 / C 175 / 55 ) (8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 56 )

Subject : Turkish refusal to recognize Greek property in

Istanbul

On 7 December 1993 the Istanbul Court of Appeal
pronounced its decision concerning the property of the

Subject : Reparation of flood damage in Heraklion, Crete

The floods in Heraklion, Crete, and the surrounding area
have destroyed infrastructure, farms, workshops, shops and

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 25

warehouses and endangered the lives of people and animals
alike . Given that the damage was caused by the overflowing
of the River Yiofyro, along the banks of which land had
been illegally claimed and built on, what measures will the
Commission take, in view of the international dimension of
the problem, to restore proper land planning in the area and
to provide direct assistance in repairing the infrastructure, as
was the case in other exceptional circumstances ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

Responsibility for deciding which projects are part-financed
by the Structural Funds remains the domain of the Greek
authorities, who prioritise projects according to a number of
regional factors, the selection criteria specified in the
operational programmes ( OPs ), und under the aegis of the
Monitoring Committee .

According to the information available to the Commission,
the Crete regional authorities intends funding a study, under
the OP Crete, which would lead to concrete measures for
restoring the area around the River Yiofyro, as well as the
damaged infrastructure .

This being so, it is expected that this proposal will be
examined at the next session of the Monitoring Committee
according to the usual procedure .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 34 / 95

by José Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 57 )

Subject : Assessment of Community regional policy in the

Azores autonomous region ( 1989 — 1993 )

In its reply to Written Question E-1957 / 93 ( 1 ), the
Commission made available a preliminary balance sheet for
the application of the Structural Funds in the Canary
Islands .

Can the Commission tell me how it assesses the application
of the Structural Funds in the Azores autonomous region

( Portugal ) for the period 1989 — 1993, and also the possible
carrying-over of unfinished projects and projects which are
about to finish into the period covered by the II CSF ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-135 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 58 )

Subject : Assessment of Community regional policy in the

Madeira autonomous region ( 1989—1993 )

In its reply to Written Question E-l 957 / 93, the Commission
made available a preliminary balance sheet for the
application of the Structural Funds in the Canary
Islands .

Can the Commission tell me how it assesses the application
of the Structural Funds in the Madeira autonomous region

( Portugal ) for the period 1989 — 1993, and also the possible
carrying-over of unfinished projects and projects which are
about to finish into the period covered by the II CSF ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-134 / 95 and E-135 / 95

given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies
on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

On 31 December 1993, all the Structural Funds
appropriations for operational assistance for the
autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira for the
period 1989 — 1993 had been committed . Furthermore, all
the amounts had been passed for payment, except the sums
for the last annual instalments, which will be transferred to
Portugal following the applicable financial procedures . It is
therefore reasonable to say that all the operational
programmes have used up their available funds .

As to the question of taking into account under the

1994 — 1999 CSF certain projects not completed in the
previous CSF eligibility period ( 1989 — 1993 ), such projects
may be included in the 1994 — 1999 operational
programmes for the Azores and Madeira where expenditure
relating to them is incurred during the eligibility period of
those programmes .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-136 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 59

Subject : Adjusting fishing activity, Portugal — I CSF

Can the Commission supply detail information as to the
number of new vessels and vessels laid up in Portugal, by
(') OJ No C 371, 27 . 12 . 1994, p . 5 . region, specifying the year, the funding granted and the

No C 175 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

regions, under the I Community Support Framework for
Portugal ?

computer facilities for candidates with severe motor
problems .

The aim at all times is to try to ensure that disabled
candidates can compete on equal terms with other
Answer given by Mrs Bonino candidates for posts in the Commission .

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The measures to renew the fishing fleet and adjust capacity
were funded under Regulation ( EEC ) No 4028 / 86 ('), not
by the CSF-I for Portugal .

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the
Commission 's answer to Written Question No 21 / 95 ( 2 ).

(') OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

( 2 ) O J No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995, p . 50 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-142 / 95

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 60 )

Subject : Employment of disabled persons

In its reply to Written Question E - 193 / 94 ('), the
Commission promised to make every effort to encourage the
participation of disabled people in its open competitions .
Could the Commission describe these efforts ?

(') OJ No C 362, 19 . 12 . 1994, p . 13 .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-147 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 199S )

( 95 / C 175 / 61 )

Subject : Plasma-derived products as proprietary
medicines

Products derived from plasma are considered to be
medicinal products ( Directive 89 / 381 / EEC ) (') and are
therefore subject to Community legislation on medicinal
products which means that in order to obtain a marketing
licence from the relevant authorities of a Member State, a
medicinal product derived from plasma has to meet certain
requirements as regards safety, quality and efficacy .

Does the Commission consider that a fourth requirement
applied in certain Member States, which is that the plasma
used to produce medicinal products should come from
voluntary unpaid donors, should constitute a vital criterion
to be taken into account when awarding marketing
licenses ?

Can the Commission also say whether plasma from unpaid
donors and the products derived therefrom are considered
to be safer than plasma from paid donors and its
derivatives ?

(') OJ No L 181, 28 . 6 . 1989, p . 44 .

( 21 March 1995 ) Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 1995 )
The Commission does all that it can to facilitate the

participation of the disabled in its open competitions .

— For candidates with an officially recognized physical

disability, age limits are raised by three years .

— Candidates with a physical disability are asked in the

application forms to give details of any special
arrangements that they believe to be necessary to enable
them to participate in tests . The approval of any such
arrangements rests with the independent selection
boards appointed for each competition . In the past these
have ranged from special lighting and enlarged question
papers for the visually impaired to the use of special

Article 3(4 ) of Directive 89 / 381 / EEC provides for measures
to promote the Community 's self-sufficiency in human
blood or human plasma from voluntary unpaid donations .
The Member States decide the organizational arrangements
applicable, on ethical or health grounds, to blood donations
and the manufacture of products derived from blood on
their national territory . At the time of adoption of Directive

89 / 381 / EEC in 1989, the Council wanted to leave it to each
Member State to decide, in the light of its own particular
level of self-sufficiency, the best means of attaining the
ethical objective of Community self-sufficiency in blood
from voluntary unpaid donations without depriving

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 27

patients of essential treatment . Certain Member States
wished to authorized only products derived from voluntary
unpaid blood donations in order to promote such donations
effectively . This is one means of implementing the
recommendations made in the Directive . However, the
Member States will not be allowed to apply this rule to
medicinal products granted a Community authorization
under the centralized authorization procedure established
by Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2309 / 93 (').

Article 4 of Directive 89 / 38 1 / EEC calls on the Member

States to take all necessary measures to ensure that the
manufacturing and purifying processes are properly
validated and guarantee the absence of specific viral
contamination, in so far as the state of technology permits .
In addition, every medicinal product is authorized solely on
the basis of the results of a detailed individual evaluation of

its quality, safety and efficacy . Unpaid donations per se are
no guarantee of safety, but are warranted by essentially
ethical considerations .

scheme or any decision to apply any general or regional aid
scheme to shipbuilding .

The Commission has not to date received any notification of
plans by the Dutch Government to grant public financial
assistance to the RDM yard .

It is therefore looking into the matter and will let the
Honourable Member know the outcome of its

investigations as soon as possible .

(') OJ No L 351, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-151 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V ) and Magda Aelvoet ( V )

(') OJ No L 214, 24 . 8 . 1993 . to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 63 )

Subject : Deepening of the Western Scheldt without an

WRITTEN QUESTION E-149 / 95

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 62 )

Subject : Concealed State aid to the RDM shipyard

The State of the Netherlands intends to sell 13 hectares of

land, currently owned by the State Property Department, in
Rotterdam docks, for just one guilder to the ailing shipyard
RDM . The Begemann group, which owns RDM, will then
sell this land, together with a further 29 hectares belonging
to RDM and a number of buildings, to a property dealer for
NLG 38 million .

Has the Netherlands Government already informed the
Commission of this concealed State aid to RDM / Begemann,
worth some NLG 12 million, pursuant to Article 93(3 ) of
the EC Treaty ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 1995 )

In accordance with the Seventh Council Directive on aid to
shipbuilding ( 90 / 684 / EEC as most recently amended by
Directive 94 / 73 / EC (')), Member States are required to
notify the Commission in advance of any shipbuilding aid

environmental impact assessment

On 17 January 1995, the Netherlands and Flemish
Governments were to sign an agreement on the deepening
and widening of the fairway in the Western Scheldt .
According to the Netherlands Minister of Transport, Public
Works and Water Management, this cross-border project
does not require an environmental impact assessment ( EIA ),
partly because it will not increase the surface area of the
Western Scheldt ( 1 ) . However, nature conservationists in
the Netherlands and Belgium have pointed out that salt
marshes and mud flats along the Western Scheldt will be
flooded, endangering the bird population . The wetland is a
feeding and breeding ground for dozens of species of bird,
including a substantial proportion of their European
populations .

Will the Commission examine whether the deepening of the
Western Scheldt without an environmental impact
assessment is compatible with the European Directive on
EIA, the Netherlands EIA Decree, and the Directive on
conservation of wild birds ?

As part of this examination, will the Commission also
consider the proposed construction of extra bank
protection and the canalization of the fairway, bearing in
mind inter alia that the Commission has already had to serve
a formal notice of complaint on the Netherlands
Government for failing to conduct an EIA before raising
river dykes along the Maas, Waal and Ijssel ?

Does the Commission not consider that the Netherlands

Government should at the earliest opportunity initiate an
EIA procedure for the deepening of the Western Scheldt, in

No C 175 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

order to ensure that work on the project does not WRITTEN QUESTION E-263
subsequently have to be suspended and altered, and in view by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )
of the major importance of this issue to the port of Antwerp, to the Commission
to nature conservationists and for relations between the
Netherlands and Belgium ? (9 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-263 / 95

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( l ) Reply of the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water

Management to written questions by Van Dijke, MP, Appendix
to the proceedings of the Lower House of Parliament,

1994 — 1995, No 292 ; letter from the Minister of Transport,
Public Works and Water Management to the Lower House of
Parliament, Parliamentary Documents II, 22 300 XII, No 75,

1992 .

( 95 / C 175 / 64 )

Subject : References to the European Atomic Energy
Community in the EU Bulletin

A persual of the monthly EU Bulletin shows that it never
contains any references to the ' European Atomic Energy
Community ', ' EAEC ', ' Euratom ' or the like . This gives the
impression that the activities of the EAEC are not reported
in the Bulletin .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerreggard Is this impression correct ?

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 ) If so, why are the activities of the EAEC not reported in the
EU Bulletin ?

The Commission has no knowledge of the work to deepen
the Westerschelde since, under Directive 85 / 337 / EEC C ) on
the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, Member States are not obliged
to automatically inform it of activities taking place on their
national territory .

However, the type of project to which the Honourable
Members refer figures in Annex II to the Directive and must
therefore be the subject, before authorization is granted,
of an environmental impact assessment, where its
characteristics so dictate . In this connection, the Member
States must among other things take account of the location
and scale of the project .

The Westerschelde is an important area for the survival and
reproduction of a large number of birds which are protected
by Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ( 2 ) on the conservation of wild
birds . Under that Directive and Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( 3 ) on
the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and

flora, Member States are obliged to take appropriate
measures to avoid the degradation of habitat and
disturbance to protected bird species in such areas .

On the basis of the above, the Commission has contacted the
Dutch authorities to obtain more detailed information on

the measures that they have taken or are planning to take in
order to ensure compliance with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC and
with Directive 79 / 409 / EEC and 92 / 43 / EEC .

f 1 ) OI No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

( 2 ) OI No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .
(') OI No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

If not, how does the Commission explain the fact that years
can pass without the activities of the EAEC being reported in
the EU Bulletin ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

It is correct that the headings ' European Atomic Energy
Community ', ' EAEC ' and ' Euratom ' do not figure in the
index to the Bulletin of the European Union .

Like all other Community activities, the work of Euratom is
covered systematically in the Bulletin . It is to be found
mainly under the headings ' Research and technology ',
' Energy ' ( subtitles ' Nuclear energy ' and ' Nuclear fusion '),
' Environment ' ( subtitle ' Nuclear safety ') and ' Financing
Community activities ' ( subtitle ' Euratom '), as well as where
appropriate in the chapters covering international
questions .

Bulletin readers may find information in the index under
several headings such as :

NEA, IAEA, ITER, JET, Nuclear research, Nuclear fusion,
Nuclear energy, Nuclear power stations, Nuclear fission,
Nuclear installations, Radioactive waste, Chernobyl,
Teleman, etc .

The editor of the Bulletin is currently studying the possibility
of changing the presentation of the index . The observations
of the Honourable Member will certainly be taken into
account . It is possible that in future all nuclear questions will
be indicated by the key word ' nuclear '.

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 29

WRITTEN QUESTION E-268 / 95 ( EDU ), and the political commitment to conclude the
by Gerardo Fernandez     - Albor ( PPE ) Europol convention at the Council meeting in June, are

important signs that there is awareness of the need for a
to the Commission
common strategy in this area .

(9 February 1995 )

( 951 C 175 / 65 )

Subject : Community Directive to combat drug addiction

and drug trafficking

There is evidence that the divergences between the laws and
policies of the Fifteen on drugs make life easier for drug
dealers, as well as harming their victims, a fact which
underlines the need to reduce the discrepancies between
national laws in this area .

For this reason, most European Union Member States are
calling for an approximation of legislation, to prevent drug
addiction and combat drug trafficking . An agreement on
this matter and a Directive requiring the relevant laws to be
amended should therefore be drawn up .

When does the Commission expect to be in a position to
submit a draft Directive which would standardize

Community policy in this area, in order to limit the freedom
of action enjoyed by drug dealers and establish a broad
Community policy, involving legislative consolidation,
covering everything from the approximation of national
laws to drug prevention policy as well as other matters
coming under the heading of united action in this field by the
Member States of the EU ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1995 )

Chapter VI of the Treaty on European Union provides the
Euiropean Union with new powers and Member States with
better preconditions for cooperation in the fight against
drug addiction . This is very important and the Commission
will contribute to this work .

The Commission adopted in June 1994 a communication,
addressed to the Council and Parliament, on an action plan
to combat drugs . The action plan covers the period of 1995
to 1999 and emphasizes the need to address in parallel the
closely related aspects of demand reduction, trafficking and
international cooperation .

Having said this, it must be remembered that the main
responsibility for combating drugs rests with the Member
States, which have the most effective and horizontal
instruments at their disposal to tackle this difficult task .

Harmonization of national legislation in this area is not
foreseen by the Treaty on European Union . Nevertheless,
the Commission hopes that improved cooperation between
Member States and the European Union will eventually
contribute to a common approach . The intensified
cooperation within the framework of Europol drugs unit

WRITTEN QUESTION E-272 / 95

by Noël Mamère ( ARE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

95 / C 175 / 66 )

Subject : European Environment Agency : involvement of

non-member countries

Could the Commission provide a list of the non-member
countries taking part in the activities of the European
Environment Agency and could it supply information on the
extent of such involvement ?

In the light of the wording of Article 1 9 of the Regulation
setting up the agency, what procedure does the Commission
intend to follow to negotiate the terms on which
non-member countries take part in the agency 's
activities ?

More particularly, what is and what will be the status of
non-member countries on the agency 's management board,
will they have any right to vote, and under what criteria is
the amount of their contribution to the agency 's budget
determined and under what criteria will it be

determined ?

What countries have formally applied to take part in the
activities of the agency ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The non-member countries now taking part in the activities
of the European Environment Agency are the EFT A
countries to which the Agreement of the European
Economic Area ( EEA Agreement ) applies, namely Norway
and Iceland .

Their participation in the work of the Agency is the subject
of a Decision of the EEA Agreement Joint Committee which
entered into force on 1 January 1995 . Protocol 31 to the
EEA Agreement provides for the possibility of participation
by EFTA countries which are contracting parties to the EEA
Agreement and, once the Agency was set up, it was possible
to negotiate the detailed rules concerning participation, on
the basis of the procedures laid down in the Agreement .

Pursuant to the Joint Committee 's Decision, the countries
concerned play a full part in the work of the Agency and the

No C 175 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

European environment and observation network, as
established by Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1210 / 90 ( l ).

Article 19 of that Regulation specifies that ' the Agency is
open to countries which are not members of the European
Communities but which share the concern of the

Communities and the Member States for the objectives of
the Agency under agreements concluded between them and
the Community following the procedure in Article 228 of
the Treaty .' The latter procedure is a general one for the
conclusion of agreements between the Community and one
or more non-member countries or an international

organization .

Pursuant to the Decision of the EEA Agreement Joint
Committee, Norway and Iceland take part in the work of
the Management Board but do not have the right to vote .
Their contribution to the Agency 's budget is determined on
the basis of the general criteria of the EEA Agreement
concerning EFTA countries ' financial contribution to
Community activities . This contribution has therefore been
calculated in accordance with Article 82(1 ) and Protocol 32
of the EEA Agreement on the basis of a ' proportionality
factor ' based on gross national product .

The detailed rules for the participation of any other
non-member countries in the work of the Agency would be
the subject of negotiations following the abovementioned
Article 228 procedure .

A formal application has been submitted by Switzerland
which, in a letter dated 10 October 1994, has requested the
opening of negotiations with a view to acceding to the
Agency . The Commission is examining this application in
the context of Article 19 of the Regulation on the
establishment of the Agency .

(') OJ No L 120, 11.5 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-278 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 67 )

Subject : Recognized Turkish political refugee forced into

hiding

After visiting his parents in Turkey, Ayhan Uzala, a Turkish
political refugee living in the Netherlands was picked up,
detained and tortured by the Turkish secret police .

He has since been released and has gone into hiding in
Turkey . He dare not board a plane bound for the
Netherlands for fear of being picked up again at the airport .
His Dutch wife and five-year old child have now been
waiting two months for his return .

Is the Commission prepared to approach the Turkish
Government as a matter of urgency, so that Mr Uzala can
return in safety to the Netherlands ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

The Commission uses every opportunity in its contacts with
the Turkish authorities to outline its views on the human

rights situation in Turkey .

On the specific case of Mr Uzala, the Commission is
currently not familiar with the details . The Commission 's

delegation in Ankara has been requested to look into the
matter, after which the Commission will assess the need for
any further steps . The findings will be communicated to the
Honourable Member as soon as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-282 / 95

by Helena Torres Marques ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1 995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 68 )

Subject : Application from the Vila Nova de Gaia Municipal

Council to the Community 's LIFE Programme

In March 1993, the Vila Nova de Gaia Municipal Council
submitted an application to the Community 's LIFE
Programme with a project for the renovation and
revitalization of the Douro River frontage known as the
Ribeira de Gaia . The application was rejected in December

1993 .

In March 1994, the Council submitted another application
to the Community Programme referred to which was an
amended version of the first . Once again, the application
was rejected on the grounds of scarcity of funds for the
Programme .

Could the Commission clarify the grounds on which the
Municipal Council 's second application was rejected, since
all the administrative and financial elements as well as the

projects proper were submitted and DG XI did not formally
ask for any additional information . I would add that the
European Court of Auditors in its information note on
Special Report No 4 / 94 on the Urban Environment said that
imprecise criteria had been used in the selection of Life
projects, and it specified them in that report .

What is involved is the renovation of an area of great
historical interest in rapid decline which includes most of the

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 31

famous port wine lodges, part of Portugal 's basic cultural
heritage .

Answer given by Mrs Bjerreggard

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The project to which the Honourable Member refers does
not comply with either the spirit or the letter of the LIFE
Programme, the financial instrument for the environment,
to which an application was submitted .

Proposals received under the LIFE Programme are subjected
to a technical evaluation by a group of high-level
independent experts who classify them in order of merit,
in accordance with criteria laid down by the LIFE
Management Committee .

In the case in point, the Gaia project received a low mark
compared with competing projects because it is not very
innovative .

In addition, a substantial proportion of the project concerns
infrastructure works ineligible under the LIFE
Programme .

Before deciding to reject the project, the Commission
unsuccessfully tried to make the proposer understand that
only the preparatory part was eligible under the LIFE
Programme and not the infrastructure works .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-288 / 95

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 69 )

Subject : Soya milk

Is the Commission aware of the possible threat to my
constituents who, for health reasons, have to drink soya
milk, if the continued use of the name ' soya milk ' is
forbidden .

from soya beans is prohibited, does not prevent the
production and commercialization of this product as ' soya
drink '. Hence, the Honourable Member 's constituents, who
for health reasons have to drink this product, are not under
threat, and the situation has not been changed .

The Commission reconsidered recently the question
whether ' soya milk ' should be included in the list of
products exempted from the provisions of the Regulation,
and consulted the milk management committee where all
Member States are represented . The majority of Member
States supported the view that the term ' soya milk ' was
potentially misleading, and only the United Kingdom
wished this change to be made . Accordingly, the
Commission felt that the continuation of the existing
prohibition on the use of the term ' soya milk ' was
justified .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-296 / 95

by José Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 70 )

Subject : Installation of an emergency alarm system on

Community vessels

A serious and tragic accident recently occurred involving a
Portuguese vessel operating under the EU-Morocco fisheries

agreement .

Leaving aside the causes of the accident, in which around
two dozen fishermen lost their lives, it appears that a
significant number of Portuguese vessels do not have on
board the ' black box ' which is part of the Sificat system .

What aid has been granted to Portugal for the installation of
this system and how has this situation come about ?

Can the Commission reconsider the objectives of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1898 / 87 (') to allow the name ' soya
milk ' to continue to be used in the UK ? Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(') O J No L 182, 3 . 7 . 1987, p . 36 . ( 17 March 1995 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1995 )

The Commission very much regrets the loss of the
Portuguese vessel in Moroccan waters .

The Commission can confirm that, pursuant to Council
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1 898 / 87, under which the use Decision 89 / 631 / EEC of 27 November 1989 on a
of the term ' soya milk ' for marketing the drink produced Community financial contribution towards expenditure

No C 175 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

incurred by Member States for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with the Community system for the
conservation and management of fishery resources (*), as
last amended by Decision 94 / 207 / EC ( 2 ), it granted funding
to the Portuguese authorities to assist in implementing the
Sificap system to which the Honourable Member refers . To
the Commission 's knowledge, 43 Portuguese fishing vessels
have been fitted with a ' black box '.

It should be noted in this regard that the Member States are
undertaking in 1994 / 95 pilot projects on continuous
satellite observation and positioning of fishing vessels . Some
350 vessels will be involved .

The outcome of the pilot projects should allow the Council
to decide whether to continue with a system that the
Commission believes will contribute significantly to safety

at sea .

make it possible to refuse payment by means which do not
constitute legal tender on domestic territory . This has led to
the refusal to accept payment made by means other than
bank notes, or coins for small amounts, which are legal
tender in France, as highlighted by the Honourable
Members .

The Commission agrees that the facts mentioned are a
source of inconvenience . This being said, such difficulties
will continue until the introduction of the single currency as
legal tender in the territories of the Member States
participating in the economic and monetary union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-323 / 95

(M OJ No L 364, 14 . 12 . 1989 . by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

( 2 ) OJ No L 101, 20 . 4 . 1994 . to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 72 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 10 / 95
by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI ) and Spalato Bellere ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 71 )

Subject : Free movement

On 3 January 1995 the following notice was displayed at the
office selling ski passes at Monginevro, a French ski resort
situated a little over a kilometre from the Italian border :

'
Lire not accepted at present — credit cards only '.

Quite apart from the considerable inconvenience caused to
many tourists, can the Commission take any action to
safeguard the principle of free movement and enforce the
requirement for currency exchange to be carried out
between the various EU Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1995 )

The problems encountered by an Italian tourist when paying
on French territory arise from national legal provisions
regulating the use of different means of payment .

Such provisions which are found in the legislation of several
Member States, may include the concept of legal tender, and

Subject : Legal liability of lorry drivers for contents of

vehicles

In the light of growing numbers of EC national lorry drivers
in EC jails not in their own country because illegal goods are
discovered in legal cargos, what plans does the Commission
have to formulate a European policy on the responsibility of
carriers of goods by road for the contents of their loads
which, whilst in their possession, are not their property ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

The Commission has no plans to formulate a European
policy on the criminal responsibility of carriers of goods by
road for the contents of their loads . Matters such as the
criminal responsibility of carriers of goods by road for the
contents of their loads are within the competence of national
authorities . However, under the Treaty on European Union
Member States do regard as matters of common interest
judicial cooperation in criminal matters, customs
cooperation, and police cooperation for the purposes of
preventing and combating terrorism, unlawful
drug-trafficking and other serious forms of international
crime . The Commission, although fully associated with the
work carried out within Council structures in these three

areas, does not have a right of initiative and is therefore not
in a position to propose a European policy in this

respect .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 33

WRITTEN QUESTION E-327 / 95

by Roy Perry ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 73 )

Subject : Measures imposed by German municipalities
on the use of single-service food-packaging
products

Is the Commission aware that certain German
municipalities, for example the cities of Kassel and
Frankfurt, have imposed taxes on single-service
food-packaging products such as vending cups and does the
Commission view this practice as a distortion of the Single
Market ?

Is it possible for the Commission to list those municipalities
in Germany which have imposed a tax, levy, ban, restriction
on use or other measure on such products, and to list the
respective measures, and does the Commission know of any
other restrictions of this type being placed on such products
by municipal authorities in other Member States ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-387 / 95

by Roy Perry ( PPE )

to the Commission

excess of that imposed on similar domestic products .
Furthermore, no Member State shall impose on the products
of other Member States any international taxation of such
nature as to afford indirect protection to other products . For
its part, Article 3 of Directive 92 / 12 / EEC permits Member
States to maintain or introduce such indirect taxes provided
that they do not give rise to border-crossing formalities in
trade between Member States . This means that Community
law forbids cross-border discrimination .

The said taxes do not appear to contravene either of these
articles .

However, as the individual measures and obligations
introduced by the various municipalities do not form a
uniform set of rules, the Commission is also examining the
measures, to see whether the local rules adopted constitute
infringements of the provisions of the Treaty concerning the
free movement of goods ( Articles 30 to 36 EC Treaty ).

The Commission has received information that apart from
Kassel and Frankfurt, approximately 60 German
municipalities are considering the adoption of similar
measures . As the respective measures vary and, in the
majority of cases, have not yet been imposed, it is not
possible at this stage to establish a list of the different
measures under discussion .

The Commission will continue to carefully monitor the
development of the cases in question as well as future
developments in other Member States .

(6 February 1995 ) H OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

( 95 / C 175 / 74 )

Subject : Measures imposed by German municipalities
on the use of single-service food-packaging
products

Is the Commission aware that certain German

municipalities, for example the cities of Kassel and
Frankfurt, have imposed taxes on single-service
food-packaging products such as vending cups and does the
Commission view this practice as a distortion of the Single
Market ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-327 / 95 and P-387 / 95

given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-332 / 95

, by Gerhard Schmid ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 75 )

Subject : Kaleidoscope

Will the Commission state the total amount required by the
Commission in 1994 ( giving relevant figures for personnel
costs, equipment and other administrative costs ) in respect
of the administration and allocation of resources under the
Kaleidoscope cultural promotion scheme ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware that several German
municipalities have imposed or are about to impose local (4 April 1995 )
taxes on certain non-reusable packaging products ( for
example disposable containers and cutlery ). The Commission has taken note of the Honourable

Member 's question .

In so far as taxes are concerned, the relevant Community
provisions are found in Article 95 of the EC Treaty and
Article 3 ( 2 ) of Directive 92 / 12 / EEC ('). Article 95 foresees
that no Member State shall impose on the products of other
Member States any international taxation of any kind in

With regard to staff costs, two officials and one secretary
were employed full time on management of the
Kaleidoscope Programme in 1 994 ; they were paid out of the
general Commission budget .

No C 175 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Several members of staff in the department concerned
helped with work on the Kaleidoscope Programme for
language reasons .

A panel of independent experts had to be organized at the
Commission 's expense ; its budget, covering travel and
subsistence expenses and fees, amounted to ECU 37 500 .

It is impossible to put a figure on the cost of equipment and
supplies since they are assigned to the unit as a whole .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-333 / 95

by Gerhard Schmid ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 76 )

Subject : Acquisition of fire engines in Greece

A Commission Decision 94 / 707 / EC of 12 April 1994
concerning the grant of assistance from the cohesion
financial instrument to the project concerning tankers for
fire-fighting in Greece, No CF : 93 / 09 / 61 / 071, was published
in Official Journal ('). The Decision concerns the
acquisition of 6 1 fire engines by the Greek Government for a
total cost of ECU 8 452 000 .

1 . Were invitations to tender for the purchase of the fire
engines published Community-wide ? If so, when and in
which Official Journal ?

2 . If not, why not ?

(') OJ No L 291, 11 . 11 . 1994, p . 9 .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-335 / 95

by Siegbert Alber ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 77 )

Subject : Pollution by vehicles without catalytic

converters

The findings of a survey carried out in five major European
cities show that only around 10 % of vehicles, in particular
old vehicles, are responsible for 60 % of carbon monoxide
and 45 % of hydrocarbon emissions .

1 . Is the Commission aware of the findings of this survey
carried out by the Shell company 's German
subsidiary ?

2 . What conclusions does the Commission draw from

these figures ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the study mentioned and of
other recent studies demonstrating the substantial
contribution made by old vehicles to all air pollution caused
by road traffic .

Council Directive 77 / 143 / EEC of 29 December 1976 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers ( 1 ),
as last amended by Commission Directive 94 / 23 / EC laying
down common rules for periodic roadworthiness tests for
vehicles has made it possible inter alia to introduce regular
checks on pollutants in exhaust gases since 1 January
1994 ( 2 ).

Other options could also be envisaged to reduce such

At the request of the Greek authorities the time schedule for emissions, such as incentives to replace old vehicles,
execution of the Decision in question and its financing plan retrofitting of old vehicles or even changes in the rules
were modified by Commission Decision C(94 ) 3690 of concerning roadworthiness tests . These options are being
20 December 1994 ('), the reason for the changes being the evaluated in a cost-benefit study ordered by the Commission
launching of two new invitations to tender for supply of the on all measures which could lead to a general reduction in
61 tankers . The Commission awaits notification by the pollution by car traffic . The results of this study, which
Greek authorities of the details of these two invitations so forms part of the auto-oil programme, will be available in a
that it can verify their conformity with Community law . few months .
Conformity will obviously be a requirement for Community
financing .
(') O ) No L 47, 18 . 2 . 1977 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 147, 14 . 6 . 1994 .
(') OJ No L ( not yet published ).

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 35

WRITTEN QUESTION E-338 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 78 )

Subject : Environmental pollution caused by airborne ash

from mines belonging to the Greek Electricity
Corporation ( DEI )

The ash produced by the burning of lignite in the regions of
Kozani, Ptolemaida and Megalopolis is carried away by the
wind during the transport and storage stages, creating
significant atmospheric pollution in the neighbouring
towns . Moreover, one of the storage areas is located very
close to the town of Megalopolis and there are plans to
locate another in a thickly wooded area nearby . Will the
Commission say :

1 . Are the conditions under which the ash is transported to,
and stored in, DEI installations in line with Community
legislation ? Have environmental impact studies been
drawn up as part of consultation procedures, as
provided for by Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ?

2 . Has the Community provided any financial aid for the
transport and storage of ash by the DEI, and, if so, how
much ? What measures have been provided to ensure the
implementation of the Community 's environmental
legislation ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 May 1995 )

unfair competition from similar, but inferior quality
products originating from third countries and, notably,
Syria, will the Commission say whether it has received a
proposal from the Greek Government to introduce the
' registered designation of origin ' classification for Aegina
pistachios, and what measures it intends to take in order
effectively to protect this product from various forms of
unfair competition ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1995 )

The Greek authorities have sent the Commission an
application for ' registered designation of origin ' status
for ' Aegina pistachios '. This is at present under
consideration .

As far as protection against unfair competition is concerned,
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2159 / 89 (') provides for recognized
producers ' organizations to receive aid under specific
measures in order to make good any inadequacies in
production and marketing and so maximize their
competitiveness .

The Commission considers that these measures will provide
the support needed for Aegina pistachios, the superior
quality of which would appear already to give them a
competitive edge .

(') O I No L 207, 19 . 7 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-352 / 95

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to by Bartho Pronk ( PPE )
answer the question . It will communicate its findings as to the Commission
soon as possible .

( 13 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-341 / 95

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 79 )

Subject : Aegina pistachios

Aegina pistachios are a traditional product, and the Island of
Aegina has been famous since antiquity for the quality of its
pistachios ; this is due to the particular soil and climate
conditions to be found there . Given the fact that this

product is facing marketing problems in Greece, owing to

( 95 / C 175 / 80 )

Subject : Procedure by which businesses file complaints

with the Commission

A study by Dutch employers ' organizations VNO and NCW
shows that official complaints are rarely filed with the
Commission or the national courts of Member States which

fail to fulfil their obligations .

1 . Does the Commission understand that the reason why
businesses do not institute complaints procedures is that
such procedures are very time-consuming and that the
Commission is not very accessible ?

2 . Businesses need an efficient, time-limited procedure for
filling complaints through the Commission . What steps
will it take in order to establish a more efficient and

shorter complaints procedure ?

No C 175 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

3 . What does it intend to do to improve the monitoring of

compliance with internal market directives ? Is it
prepared to develop an effective system of penalties and
controls in this area ?

If necessary the Commission is ready to propose that the
Court of Justice impose penalties under Article 171 of the
EC Treaty on Member States that do not comply with the
Court 's judgments finding them to be in breach of their
Treaty and Directive obligations .

(M OJ No C 26, 1 . 2 . 1989 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .
Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 1995 )

The Commission would be most grateful if the Honourable
Member would let it have the study referred to in his
question concerning the treatment of complaints .

The volume of complaints received by the Commission from
individuals and firms rose sharply for some years but has
now stabilized ( at 1592 in 1990, 1432 in 1991, 1545 in

1992, 1340 in 1993 and 1433 in 1994 ). These figures are
taken from the annexes to the report on monitoring the
application of Community law which the Commission
publishes each year in the Official Journal of the European
Communities .

Access to the Commission is simple and by no means
time-consuming . As is clear from a notice in the OJ f 1 ),
anybody may file a complaint against practices or measures
thought to be contrary to Community law . No special
formalities are required . A simple letter may be written or
the form in the OJ may be filled in and either sent to the
Commission 's headquarters in Brussels or handed in at one
of its Offices in the Member States ; there is no charge .

The Commission 's rule is that its response to a complaint

( closing the case or commencing infringement proceedings )
must be given within a year ( this rule was reiterated in the
tenth report on monitoring the application of Community
law ( 2 ), but in reality its response time is usually much
shorter . It can be longer if the case is particularly
complex .

The Commission keeps the implementation of Directives
generally and the internal market Directives in particular
under constant review . There are ongoing contacts with the
Member States, especially on the internal market Directives .
Every two months or so the Commission commences
infringement proceedings against Member States that have
failed to notify it of national measures implementing
Directives that are due for transposal . Upon notification of
national implementing measures it can sometimes
commence infringement proceedings for incorrect
transposal or incorrect application . " The annexes to the
annual reports on monitoring the application of
Community law give statistics on such cases .

The Commission is proposing measures to improve the
coordination of penalties imposed by the Member States for
infringements of Community law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-353 / 95

by Bartho Pronk ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 81 )

Subject : Dredging in the Western Scheldt

Dredging is being carried out in the Western Scheldt
pursuant to an agreement between the Netherlands and
Belgium . The Belgian authorities obviously take the view
that European Directives on tendering do not apply in this
case owing to the fact that a contract, which runs until 1 999,
already exists with the Belgische Tijdelijke Vereniging
Zeeschelde .

1 . Does the Commission take the view that, in this case,
Belgium is not obliged to follow the mandatory
tendering procedure in accordance with the Directives,
despite the fact that this is a totally new contract which,
a few months ago at least, was set to be put out to
tender ?

2 . If so, why ?

3 . If not, will it publicly remind the Belgian authorities of
their obligations in this area ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 April 1995 )

Council Directive 93 / 37 / EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning
the coordination of procedures for the award of public
works contracts (') applies to such contracts where their
estimated value excluding VAT is not less than ECU 5
million .

At present, the Commission does not have the information
needed to answer the Honourable Member 's question . It

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 37

will do so once it has made the necessary enquiries of the therefore, they will have a 6 % say in approving or rejecting
Member State concerned . the application for funding .

(') OJ No L 199, 9 . 8 . 1993 . ( ) OJ No L 84, 29 . 3 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-360 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-359 / 95 by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

by Karl Schweitzer ( NI ) to the Commission

to the Commission ( 15 February 1995 )

( 15 February 1995 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 83 )

( 95 / C 175 / 82 )

Subject : European Prize for Tourism and the
Environment

Subject : Completion of the Mochovce nuclear power

station

What importance does the Commission attach to the
completion of the Mochovce nuclear power station ?

Is opinion within the Commission united as regards
financing the Mochovce nuclear power station by means of
EBRD credits ?

Can the Commission influence EBRD financing of the
completion of the Mochovce nuclear power station ?

The European Investment Bank has a 6 % share in the
EBRD ; does this participation enable any influence to be
exerted for credits to be approved for the completion of
Mochovce ?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

The completion of the Mochovce nuclear power station is
one of the measures that needs to be taken to improve the
degree of safety and efficiency of nuclear power stations in
certain non-member countries . This objective, which has
been approved by the Council, is set out in Decision
94 / 179 / Euratom ( 5 ) authorizing the Commission to
contract borrowings for the financing of such projects . As
indicated in that Decision, the Community and the Member
States have also decided to make a concerted effort in this

connection at G-24 level .

The Commission has not yet adopted a position on the
financing of this project, whether through the EBRD or
through Euratom lending .

As the Commission and the EIB each hold 3 % of the shares

of the EBRD, they participate in the same proportion in the
decisions taken by the EBRD 's Board of Directors . In total,

Can the Commission indicate the criteria for the award of

the European Prize for Tourism and the Environment,
which is to be awarded for the first time the year ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 April 1995 )

This prize has been included in the Community action
plan to assist tourism, specifically Council Decision
92 / 42 1 / EEC (') Annex 6a . The conditions of participation,
criteria for selection and other regulations governing the
prize were agreed by the Commission after consultation of
this tourism management committee on 11 November

1994 . Each Member State involved has established an

expert group to undertake the selection of national entries .
Judging at the European level will begin in the third quarter

of 1995 .

An information pack giving more details is sent direct to the
Honourable Member and the Secretariat-General of the

Parliament .

(') OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-367 / 95

by Imelda Read ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 84 )

Subject : Plans for VAT in areas in the EU currently

VAT-free

Has the Commission any plans to ensure that VAT is
levied in those parts of the EU currently VAT-free, for

No C 175 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

example the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Andorra,
etc .?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 70 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

95 / C 175 / 85 )

Subject : Subsidiarity — withdrawn Directives

I understand that eleven proposals for legislation have been
withdrawn since 1993 on subsidiarity grounds and that a
number of other Directives have been amended .

The Commission has no plans at present to introduce VAT
in areas where it is not applicable . The exclusion of those
areas from the scope of VAT derives from the specific Can the Commission list the withdrawn
situation established under Article 227 of the EC Treaty, Directives which have been amended ?
from the acts of accession of new Member States or from

Article 3 of the Sixth VAT Directive ('), as amended by
Directives 91 / 680 / EEC ( 2 ) and 92 / 1 1 1 / EEC (■'). Pursuant to Can the Commission give me any idea of
Article that exclusions 3 of the Sixth from Directive VAT territory, if the are Commission no longer considers justified, proposals have been which ruled out are not on subsidiarity coming forward grounds at
particularly in terms of fair competition or own resources, it
must submit appropriate proposals to the Council . The
Commission has not as yet come across any situation
meriting implementation of this provision . Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

Can the Commission list the withdrawn Directives and the

Directives which have been amended ?

Can the Commission give me any idea of the number of
proposals which are not coming forward at all because they
have been ruled out on subsidiarity grounds ?

( 31 March 1995 )
The socio-economic conditions in some of those areas are

even such that they require special attention in order to
advance their development . They are handicapped by their
extremely remote location, by the fact that they are islands At the Edinburgh European Council in December 1992 the
and by the increased costs they face, particularly for Commission announced its intention of reviewing and
transport and the production of such essentials as drinking possibly withdrawing or revising a number of proposals
water and electricity . which did not sit well with the subsidiarity principle .

The Commission would draw attention in this connection to

the Council Decisions authorizing tax arrangements
adapted to the needs of some of those areas under the
Poseidom programme ( programme of options specific to the
remote and insular nature of the French overseas
departments ) ( 4 ) and the Poseican programme ( programme
of options specific to the remote and insular nature of the
Canary Islands ) C ).

Since the Honourable Member referred in her question, by
way of example, to the Channel Islands, the Canary Islands
and Andorra, the Commission would point out that
Andorra, while surrounded by Member States, is a sovereign
State outside the European Union .

(') OJ No L 145, 1.3 . 6 . 1977 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1991 .
(•') OJ No L 384, 30 . 12 . 1992 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 399, 30 . 12 . 1989 .

m OJ No L 171, 29 . 6 . 1991 .

In December 1993 it accordingly proceeded to withdraw the
following nine proposals :

— measures proposed at the time of the Gulf War to deal

with oil supply difficulties (');

— implementing rules regarding oil stocks ( 2 );

— indirect taxation on securities transactions (');

— indirect taxation on capital accumulations ( 4 );

— amendment of 6th VAT Directive ( );

— tax-free admission of fuel in tanks of trucks and

buses ( 6 );

— temporary importation of certain means of
transport ( );

— network of information centres on agricultural markets

and quality standards ( Miriam ) ( s );

— classification of documents of the Community
institutions ( 9 ).

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 39

In response to a German memorandum on subsidiarity ( )
it announced the withdrawal of two further proposals

on :

WRITTEN QUESTION E-374 / 95

by Giis de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

— animals in zoos ( ); ( IS February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 86 )

— liability of suppliers of services ( 1 _ ).

The Commission has revised two proposals on :

— protection of personal data in
telecommunications ( n );

— misleading advertising ( 14 ).

It has also revised the proposals, not on the Edinburgh list,

on :

—
time-sharing ( );

— pleasure vessels ( IA );

— internal market in gas and electricity ( ).

The Commission has begun revising existing legislation,
simplifying or recasting it as the case may require . Its report
to the Essen European Council on the application of the
subsidiarity principle in 1994 ( ls ) summed up its work in
this respect .

In that report the Commission explains how it applied the
principle to each of its legislative proposals . It is difficult to
put numbers on the proposals not made on that basis, but
the decline in the number of proposals between earlier years
and 1994 is evidence of its critical analysis ( |y ).

(') COM ( 92 ) 145 .
(-) COM ( 90 ) 514 .

( 5 ) COM(87 ) 139 .

( 4 ) COM(90 ) 94 .
H COM(84 ) 648 and COM(87 ) 315 .
(") COM(86 ) 383 .
(") COM(87 ) 14 .

( s ) COM(90 ) 230 .
H COM(92 ) 56 .
('") COM ( 94 ) 1251 final .
(") COM(91 ) 177 .

( I2 ) COM(90 ) 482 .

(") COM(90 ) 314, amended by COM(94 ) 128 .

( 14 ) COM(91 ) 147, amended by COM(94 ) 151 .
(") COM ( 92 ) 220, amended by COM(94 ) 363 .

( l6 ) COM(92 ) 141, amended by COM(94 ) 119 .

( r ) COM(91 ) 548, amended by COM(93 ) 643 .
('*) COM(94 ) final and 533 final / 2 .
('") COM(94 ) 533 final .

Subject : Compliance with Directive on procedures for the

award of public contracts

According to three experts, a member of the Netherlands
Government, State Secretary T. van de Vondevoort, has
violated the Directive on procedures for the award of public
service contracts by appointing two advisers without
holding a public tendering procedure ( NRC-Handelsblad,
2 December 1994 ).

Is this compliant well-founded ? If not, why not ? If so, on
what date did the Commission give the Netherlands
Government the opportunity to submit its observations
pursuant to Article 169 of the EC Treaty ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

Council Directive 92 / 50 / EECof 18 June 1992 relating to the
coordination of procedures for the award of public service
contracts ( 1 ) applies to public service contracts the estimated
value of which, net of VAT, is not less than ECU

200 000 .

The Commission will investigate the matter raised by the
Honourable Member as soon as it has obtained information

on the case from the Member State concerned .

(') O J No L 209, 24 . 7 . 1992, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-405 / 95

by Fernand Herman ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 87 )

Subject : Price of newsprint in Europe

Seven Scandinavian producers supply virtually 75 % of the
newsprint consumed in Europe . The Swedish company
Stora is the biggest producer, with some 13% of the
market .

Recently the Scandinavian producers have jointly demanded
very large price increases, of the order of 27 — 35 % .
Exploiting their dominant position, they are seeking to
impose fresh price rises in all the Community countries .

No C 175 / 40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

The quota for imports of Canadian newsprint remains
limited to 600 000 tonnes, although demand within the
Community continues to grow .

Will the Commission put an end to this situation which, at
first sight, resembles an abuse of a dominant position,
bearing in mind that the price of newsprint amounts to
approximately 30% of the cost price of newspapers and
that in most Community countries the press is in difficulties
because of competition from new media ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 March 1995 )

The Commission has noted the rising cost of newsprint but
it does not, at the moment, possess any particular
information relating to the abuse of a dominant position .

However, it has always acknowledged the importance of the
press and it will examine with the utmost attention any
information brought to its notice regarding a possible
infringement of the competition rules laid down in the EC
Treaty . It will take any action that is necessary and will keep
the Honourable Member informed of its findings .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 14 / 95

by Michèle Lindeperg ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 88 )

Subject : Funding of Title VI

In 1994, at Parliament 's initiative, ECU 2 million were
allocated from the Community budget for cooperation
between police authorities in the organization of
trans-frontier training and seminars .

charged to the budget of the Communities . Against this
background, the Commission repeatedly drew the attention
of the Council to the ECU 2 million made available, at the
initiative of the Parliament, in the 1994 budget for the
purpose of police cooperation, particularly for seminars and
cross-frontier training programmes . Unfortunately, the
Commission was not successful in its attempts to secure the
necessary consensus in the Council to enable the money to
be spent . The money was therefore reallocated to other
actions by means of an internal transfer within Chapter
B5-30 ( B5-302 — Subsidy for the Community trade marks
office, B5-304 — procedures for awarding and advertising
public works and supply contracts ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 18 / 95

by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

95 / C 175 / 89 )

Subject : Implementation of the Directive on the treatment

of urban waste water

The Directive on urban waste water treatment

( 91 / 271 / EEC ) of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste
water treatment (') sets deadlines, varying according to
population, within which local authorities are required to
achieve a given level of water purity .

1 . Does the Commission now have any information on the
progress of the implementation of this Directive in the
individual Member State, and is it aware whether, and if
so to what extent, the Member States will be in a
position to comply with the Directive and the levels of
water purity set out there, particularly the third level for
which the deadline is set on 1 January 1998 ?

2 . If not, is the Commission considering preparing interim
reports on the action taken by Member States in this
area so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when the
deadlines arrive ?

(') OJ No L 135, 30 . 5 . 1991, p . 40 .

What use has been made of this sum ? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1995 )

According to Article K8 of the Treaty on European Union, it
requires unanimous agreement in the Council to enable
operational expenditure in the field of justice and home
affairs, including therefore police cooperation, to be

Article 19 of Council Directive 91 / 271 / EEC requires
Member States to bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions necessary to comply with the
Directive no later than 30 June 1993 . They must inform the
Commission of the measures taken to that end . Article 17 of

the Directive requires Member States to establish a
programme, by 31 December 1993, for the implementation
of the Directive and to provide the Commission with
information on the programme by 30 June 1994 .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 41

To date only five Member States have notified the
Commission of the transposition of the Directive into
national law : Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and
the United Kingdom . The Flemish and Brussels-Capital
regions of Belgium have also given notification . The
Commission has sent the Governments of Germany, Greece,
Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal a reasoned
opinion for failure to communicate the texts transposing the
Directive .

The programmes implementing the Directive have been
established, using the format of the tables annexed to
Commission Decision C(93)2080, and notified to the
Commission by five Member States : Denmark, Germany,
France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom . Spain has
produced the document and is about to communicate it
formally .

On 3 February 1995, at the sixth meeting of the committee
set up pursuant to Article 18 of the Directive, it was decided
that discussion would begin on this subject at the next
meeting, scheduled for 31 May 1995, on the basis of the
programmes already received by the Commission . In the
light of all this information, the Commission will decide
what measures to take .

The Commission is now assessing those national
implementation programmes it has already received . It will
publish the results of its study .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-421 / 95

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Council

( 20 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 90 )

Subject : Revision of the UN Arms Convention and the

problem of land mines

What part is the Council playing in the preparations for the
review of the UN 's 1980 arms convention ?

What is the Council 's attitude to the review of the UN Arms

Convention and in particular to the problem of land
mines ?

indiscriminate effects, which was concluded in Geneva on

10 October 1980 ( hereinafter referred to as ' the 1980
Convention '). In replies to previous parliamentary
questions on this topic, the Council has already indicated
that there is a coordinated European Union approach to this
matter and that intensive preparations for the revision of
this Convention are being carried out on the context of the
CSFP .

The European Union 's efforts are aimed, primarily, at
guaranteeing the universal character of the convention, i.e.
ensuring that as many States as possible accede to it . The
European Union will make every effort in the negotiations
to revise the 1980 Convention to extend the scope of
Protocol No 2 to armed conflicts within a country and to
significantly reinforce the restrictions or prohibitions on
anti-personnel mines, including transfers thereof .

Another of the Union 's main objectives is to include in
Protocol No 2 efficient verification arrangements and
provisions on technical assistance in mine-clearance .

In preparation for the Revision Conference which will take
place in Vienna from 27 September to 13 October, the
European Union is planning an important initiative to
combat the spread of anti-personnel mines . This initiative,
which is currently being studied by the Political Committee,
could encompass three aspects :

— a moratorium on the - export of anti-personnel mines ;

— diplomatic efforts to help bring about a successful

outcome of the Revision Conference along the lines set
out above ;

— European Union assistance, including financing, for

international mine-clearance efforts .

The purpose of this comprehensive approach by the
European Union is not only to strengthen the 1980
Convention but also to respond to the urgent appeals made
in particular by the UN Secretary-General and echoed by the
European Parliament, regarding practical mine-clearance
requirements .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-422 / 95

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

Answer ( 95 / C 175 / 91 )

( 18 May 1995 )

Subject : Revision of the UN Arms Convention and the

The European Union attaches great importance to the
revision of the UN Convention on Prohibitions or

Restriction on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons
which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have

problem of land mines

Is the Commission playing any part in the preparations for
the review of the UN 's 1980 arms convention ?

No C 175 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

If so, is it taking account of the problem of land mines, and
in what way ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

The Commission is participating in the work of the Council
to identify and prepare a comprehensive action in respect of
the revision of the United Nations weaponry convention

( and the review conference for this purpose scheduled for
25 September to 13 October 1995 ); the international efforts
in mine-clearance and a moratorium on the exportation of
certain categories of anti-personnel mines . The problem of
anti-personnel landmines is a central feature of this work in
hand .

Meanwhile, mainly in furtherance of rehabilitation and
development programmes, the Commission has been
financing mine clearance operations in Northern Iraq,
Afghanistan, Cambodia and Mozambique . The
Commission 's joint research centre is carrying out a study
on the status of research into the detection of anti-personnel
mines . Research activity in related areas is in progress .

The Commission accepted all the Unced and WCHR
conclusions and its striving to incorporate them into the
policies of environment and development including the Fifth
Environment Action Programme — a new strategy for the
environment and sustainable development — and its
cooperation programmes including its funding of actions
for the protection of tropical forests . In view of the
inter-relationship between the natural environment and its
sustainable development and the cultural, social, economic
and physical well-being of indigenous peoples, the
Commission recognizes that all national and international
efforts to implement environmentally sound and sustainable
development should promote and strengthen the role of
indigenous peoples and their communities .

In its proposal for a Regulation on actions in favour of
tropical forests, the Commission stressed the need for prior
consultation and full participation of indigenous forest
peoples ( now included in the common position of the
Council ).

Under the budget line B7-5041, ' actions in favour of tropical
forests 1, a number of initiatives have already been financed
which promote innovative approaches to indigenous land
rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-425 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-423 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

to the Commission ( 17 February 1995 )

( 17 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 92 )

Subject : Tropical forests and indigenous peoples

Does the Commission accept that there needs to be a
relationship between indigenous peoples, scientists,
national governments and international organizations for
the better conservation and sustainable use of the world 's

tropical forests and that conventional models of land tenure
provide relatively limited protection to indigenous peoples
and the tropical ecosystem, and how is the Commission 's
forest proposal addressing the issue ?

( 95 / C 175 / 93 )

Subject : Status of Bermuda

Can the Commission indicate the status of Bermuda in

relation to the European Union ?

Is Bermuda eligible for any form of assistance via the
Commission by virtue of this status ?

If Bermuda were to become independent how would this
change ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1995 )

( 29 March 1995 )

Agenda 21, in particular its chapter 26, deals with the
problems faced by indigenous peoples and the role which
indigenous communities have traditionally played in the
stewardship of natural resources . The world conference on
human rights ( WCHR ) also placed considerable emphasis
on the rights of indigenous peoples .

The European Union has no special relations with Bermuda,
which is a British Dependent Territory enjoying a
considerable degree of autonomy .

The territory has one of the world 's highest per capita
incomes and receives no financial aid from the European
Union, nor indeed from the United Kingdom itself .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 43

It is not listed among the Member States ' territories
belonging to the association of overseas countries and
territories with the Community under Council Decision
91 / 482 / EEC ('), since the United Kingdom, which is
responsible for Bermuda 's external relations, did not
request this . For that reason Bermuda is not included either
among the countries and territories referred to in Article 362
of the fourth Lome Convention, which would be entitled,
should they become independent, to the same right as the
ACP States signatory to the Convention .

concerning unaccompanied minors in the discussion of the
draft resolution on minimum standards for asylum
procedures with respect to applications .

(') COM(94 ) 23 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-449 / 95

(') OJ No L 263, 19 . 9 . 1991 . by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1 995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 95 )

Subject : Postal services

WRITTEN QUESTION E-446 / 95

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 94 )

Subject : Unaccompanied refugee children worldwide

Europe receives about 5 % of the world 's refugees . Of the 1 8
million refugees worldwide about one half are children .
Unaccompanied children experience the trauma of
separation from family, friends and community and may
have experienced violence, war and harassment .
Consequently, unaccompanied children have special needs,
such as special care on arrival, ensuring siblings and friends
are not separated and careful assessment to ensure that
cultural, linguistic and religious needs are catered for .

Will the Commission ensure that EU asylum policies are
specially adapted to meet the needs of unaccompanied
refugee children worldwide ?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the difficult and traumatic
situation of unaccompanied refugee children for whom we
should all assume responsibility .

In its Memorandum on immigration and asylum policies
of 23 February 1994 ('), the Commission proposed
harmonizing policies on admission and humanitarian
reception of particularly vulnerable groups, and particularly
unaccompanied children . It made a number of suggestions

It is apparently the case that the postal administration of any
Member State may, at its discretion, place a charge on any
imported parcel . The result is that a person in one Member
State may pay the full cost of postage to send a parcel to
someone in another Member State and, on arrival, the
recipient is required to pay an unexpected and unwelcome
charge before being allowed to have the goods .

Does the Commission consider this practice to be fair and in
keeping with the principles of the single European
market ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 1995 )

The regulations governing the delivery of parcels for
cross-border services come under the postal parcels
agreement of the universal postal union ( UPU ). The
Member States are signatories of the postal parcels
agreement and the public postal operators apply it, in the
absence of a specific European regulation in this area .

The public postal operators are entitled to levy various
charges under this agreement, notably a charge for the
delivery to the addressee 's address ( Article 14e ). However,
during the last UPU Congress ( Seoul August — September

1 994 ), an amendment to the present Article 14 was adopted

( which will enter into force on 1 January 1996 ). This will
authorize the public operator in the country of destination
to charge the addressee only the same charges as for similar
domestic services ( such as ' poste restante ', for storage on a
parcel which has not been accepted, and to make a delivery
charge when delivery to the home is not normally provided
in the domestic service ).

It could be considered that these new provisions will better
correspond to the internal market and equality of treatment
to all customers and reflect the costs effectively incurred .

No C 175 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-463 / 95

by Jan Mulder ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 96

Subject : Transporting animals for slaughter to Austria

1 . Is the Commission aware that there are problems in
delivering to Austria animals for slaughter from Bavaria and
other Member States ? It appears that Austrian officials
insist that the animals from Bavaria are driven straight to the
nearest Austrian slaughterhouse from the point of entry into
Austria .

2 . Is the Commission aware that in numerous cases

transit through Austria of animals for slaughter by road is
impossible because of the Austrian law on the transit
transport of animals by road ?

3 . Is this Austrian legislation on the transport of animals
for slaughter compatible with EU rules on this subject ?

4 . If Austrian legislation is incompatible with EU rules,
what action will the Commission take to improve the
situation ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

1 and 2 . Yes . The Commission has already received some
complaints concerning the effect of Austrian legislation and
administrative requirements on the import and transit by
road of animals destined for slaughter . As it appears that
Austria imposes a maximum six-hour journey time or

150-km distance limit ( 300 km for motorway transport ) the
Commission accepts that this requirement would indeed
render it impossible to transport live slaughter animals to
Austria from most Member States if the limit is applied from
the place of departure rather than the place of entry into
Austrian territory .

3 and 4 . Council Directive No 91 / 628 / EEC (') on the
protection of animals during transport did not lay down
maximum journey times or distances . Article 13 of the
Directive established a procedure for the Commission to
make proposals to the Council inter alia on the matter of
maximum journey times on the basis of a report of the
scientific veterinary committee . In fact that committee took
the position that maximum journey times are not
indispensible provided that the animals are transported in
satisfactory conditions . Such maximum journey times or
distances are not therefore included in the proposals
submitted by the Commission to the Council .

However Article 1 3(4 ) of the Directive did permit, subject to
the general rules of the EC Treaty, Member States to apply
relevant national rules pending adoption of further
Community rules .

The Commission will examine in conjunction with the
Austrian authorities the question of compatibility of the
present Austrian rules with the currently applicable
Community rules . It will inform the Honourable Member of
its conclusions .

(') OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-482 / 95

by Giles Chichester ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 97 )

Subject : Implementation and enforcement of the common

fisheries policy

What evidence does the Commission possess that ilustrates
that satellite surveillance is an appropriate tool of
enforcement ?

Is the Commission prepared to ease the financial burden of
the purchase of satellite surveillance machinery ( up to
£10 000 in the UK experience ) by making provision to cover
the full cost of such purchases ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 March 1995 )

There is little doubt that satellite monitoring would lead to
more efficient monitoring of compliance with fishing
regulations . Satellites will however not be capable of
improving monitoring to the extent that existing
arrangements could be discontinued altogether . Benefits
from satellite technology will be achieved through synergy
with the conventional control means, e.g. by offering
valuable information for the logbook verification process
and by reducing the number of unregistered landings in
small ports .

Satellite monitoring could also allow more efficient
management of fishing effort . The availability of more
sophisticated monitoring methods will permit restrictions
on fishing to be imposed only when necessary .

Satellite monitoring can improve maritime safety . Fishing
vessels will become easily traceable by search and rescue
authorities .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 45

In order to assess the technologies to be used and the vessels
to be included in a satellite monitoring system, the Member
States, in coordination with the Commission, are carrying
out pilot projects . Detailed rules are laid down in
Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 897 / 94 ('). The
Commission approved the programmes for the
implementation of the pilot projects submitted by the
Member States by Decision 94 / 502 / EC ( 2 ) and Decision
94 / 645 / EC (*). The overall budget is ECU 9,4 million .
Community funding will cover 100% of the
expenditure .

In accordance with Article 3 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2847 / 93 ( 4 ) the Commission will decide, before
1 January 1996, if and to what extent and when a
continuous position monitoring system, either land - or
satellite-based and using satellite communications for data
transmission, will be installed in Community fishing vessels .
The Community is preparing a proposal to Council and
Parliament, based on an analysis of the pilot projects carried
out, which will include provisions for assisting Member
States with the financing of the new supervisory
installations .

— Council Directive 89 / 106 / EEC relating to construction

products ( 2 );

— harmonized standards for all construction products,

including those whose primary purpose is to prevent the
spread of fire ( implementing the above Directive ).

The Commission is currently studying the actual application
of current regulations . The findings will be sent to
Parliament as soon as they are available . The Commission
therefore feels that for the time being a proposal for a
Directive would not be an appropriate response to
Parliament 's concerns, which the Commission fully
endorses .

With respect to the prevention and repair of damage to the
environment, the Honourable Member is referred to the
answer to Written Question No 280 / 95 by Mrs
Aelvoet ( 3 ).

With respect to the question of transposal into national law,

11 Member States have notified the Commission of their

installations . implementing measures for Directive 89 / 106 / EEC relating

(') OJ No L 104, 23 . 4 . 1994 . to construction products . The Commission has initiated

2 OJ No L 202 5 8 1994 infringement proceedings against Belgium .

( 2 ) OJ No L 202, 5 . 8 . 1994 .

(■') OJ No L 249, 24 . 9 . 1994 .

( 4 ) O ) No L 261, 20 . 10 . 1993 (') OJ No L 384, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 40, 11 . 2 . 1989 .
(-') OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995, p . 66 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4 84 / 95

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-487 / 95

by Peter Crampton ( PSE )

( 95 / C 175 / 98 ) to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

Subject : Parliamentary initiatives ( 95 / C 175 / 99 )

How many Parliamentary initiatives tabled under
Article 138b have actually resulted in Commission
proposals based thereon being transposed into national
legislation ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 April 1995 )

To date, Parliament has adopted two resolutions under
Article 138b of the EC Treaty concerning :

Subject : Voting rights for EU citizens in national
elections

Can the Commission tell me which Member States allow

Union citizens who are not nationals to vote at national

( general ) elections and what ( if any ) length-of-residence
qualifications they operate ?

Does the Commission think that there should be some
uniformity across the Union of the right of resident
non-nationals to vote at national ( general ) elections ?

— fire safety in existing hotels ;
Answer given by Mr Monti
— prevention and repair of damage to the environment . on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 1 995 )

The Commission recalls the following initiatives previously
taken in the field of safety in hotels :

— Council recommendation 86 / 666 ( );

Currently two Member States allow for specific categories
of non-national citizens to participate in general elections . In

No C 175 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

Ireland, British nationals can participate in general elections
since 1985 . According to the Irish constitution, this right
may be extended to other European Union citizens on the
basis of reciprocity agreements between Ireland and other
Member States . However, no such agreements have been
concluded to date . In the United Kingdom, Irish nationals
may participate in general elections . Both Ireland and the
United Kingdom subject the right to vote in general elections
to the condition of residence on the respective Member State
territory at a particular date ( qualifying date ), without
imposing any form of residence period .

Moreover, the European Union has noted the assurances
given to it by various Russian authorities on Russia 's
compliance with the obligations incumbent upon it under
international treaties on chemical weapons . President
Yeltsin 's direct interest in this question and the fact that the
Russian Government has expressed its wish to see a
transparent and cooperative approach established in the
field of chemical weapons suggest that the matter may soon
be resolved in a satisfactory manner .

Mr Mirzajanov were closed on 12 March 1994, the charges
against him having been withdrawn on that date . Since the
proceedings were closed Mr Mirzajanov has not, to the
Council 's knowledge, been subjected to any prosecution or
legal action by the Russian authorities . At present he is
abroad, on a private journey .

The Commission considers that the examples of the United Russian Government has expressed its wish
Kingdom and Ireland show that the right for non-national transparent and cooperative approach
citizens to participate in general elections reflects specific field of chemical weapons suggest that the matter
cultural and historical experiences of these two Member be resolved in a satisfactory manner .
States . The preamble of the Treaty on European Union
expressly underlines the need to respect such culture and
history . In the absence of a specific Community competence
regarding the participation of non-national European
Union citizens in national elections the Commission reserves

its position, particularly since the issue raises serious
political and legal questions on which it is unhelpful to take
WRITTEN QUESTION E-505 / 95
a position in purely abstract terms .
by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado ( PPE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-495 / 95

by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE / NGL )

to the Council

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 100 )

Subject : The case of the Russian scientist Vil Mirzajanov

The Russian scientist Vil Mirzajanov has for some time been
harassed by the Russian authorities for having disclosed to
the mass media ( in particular, in Moskovskie Novosti and
Novoe Vremja ) information relating to the manufacture
of a new type of binary chemical weapon in Russia
(Q iHiftOiPsn ).

Does the Council agree that, by producing such weapons,
Russia has violated the International Convention
prohibiting the production, stockpiling and use of chemical
weapons ?

What measures does it intend to take vis-a-vis the Russian

authorities to ensure that Mr Mirzajanov is no longer
harassed ?

Answer

( 18 May 1995 )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 101 )

Subject : Situation of managerial staff in the European

Community

In its resolution A-l 96 / 93 ( 1 ) on the situation of managerial
staff in the European Community, Parliament emphasized
the need to ' promote the exchange of information and
experience in respect of national training systems .'

Can the Commission say what steps have been taken to this
end and what results have been achieved ?

(') OJ No C 194, 19 . 7 . 1993, p . 405 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 May 1995 )

The development of continuing training and, more broadly,
the promotion of life-long learning is one of the central
objectives on the Leonardo action programme, which is
designed to implement a Community vocational training
policy . This programme was recently adopted by the
Council and is now in the process of being launched .

The objective mentioned stems from the need to continually
The European Union takes particular interest in the update and adapt skills and qualifications against the
situation of Mr Mirzajanov . Criminal proceedings against current background of industrial change characterized bv

10 . 7 . 95 fEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 47

profound transformations both in the way work is
organized and in production processes . These developments
are part of the movement towards the information society,
which alters the relationship between human beings and the
work process by placing emphasis on information-transfer
and information-processing skills and, consequently,
changes the roles of the various socio-occupational groups
and, in particular, of management .

The Leonardo Programme will enable trans-national
operations — combining promotors from several Member
States and providing an opportunity for exchanges of
experiences and information — to be organized at three
levels :

— pilot projects to devise and test joint training modules or

joint methods for assessing needs ;

— placement and exchange schemes involving firms or

training bodies in another Member State ;

— surveys and analyses of national training systems,

focusing on priority areas .

Some of the measures in the Leonardo Programme are likely
to directly concern managerial staff . They include :

— measures to implement continuing training

programmes ;

— measures relating to changes in the way work is
organized ;

— innovation-transfer through targeted training

measures .

The relevant ' operational ' texts — a vade-mecum, a
promoter 's guide and calls for proposals — are now being
finalized and promotors will be invited over the next few
weeks to present projects for the 1995 financial year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 17 / 95

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 102 )

Subject : Fire in an oil refinery at Perama — infringement of

the ' Seveso ' Directive

On 7 February 1995, a fire broke out at the EL-Petrol plant
in Perama, an area of Attica, crowded with such
installations, without any form of separation from
residential areas . Perama is geographically hemmed in

between mountain and sea and has only one access road to
the rest of the Athens area and hence only one escape route
in an emergency . All available information indicates that the
fire was caused by the outdated plant and infrastructures
and the malfunctioning of the plant 's, in any case
inadequate, surveillance procedures and alarms .

In view of this, can the Commission indicate :

1 . whether the installations situated in Perama are covered

by the provisions of the ' Seveso ' Directive,

2 . whether the provisions of this Directive have been
applied in the Perama area,

3 . whether any further action has been taken on the
intention, expressed by the Commission, in reply to one
of my earlier questions, concerning the Petrola accident
to bring action against Greece before the European
Court of Justice for failure to implement the ' Seveso '
Directive, particularly since the gravity of this continued
omission has now been highlighted by the Perama
' accident '.

4 . whether it intends to take firmer action to ensure that

the Directive is applied to all areas containing dangerous
plant, and Perama in particular, especially in view of the
Bowe report, currently under consideration by the
European Parliament, calling for the provisions of the
Directive to be tightened up to include land-use plans
which could involve the compulsory removal of such
plant and consultations with the local authorities on the
matter ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1995 )

1 and 2 . The Commission was not aware of the incident

to which the Honourable Member refers .

It has taken the matter up with the Member State concerned
and will inform the Honourable Member of the outcome of

its inquiry .

3 and 4 . The Commission issued a reasoned opinion
concerning Greece 's application of Directive
82 / 501 / EEC (') ( the ' Seveso ' Directive ).

It is now considering the Greek authorities ' reply and will
soon take a decision on the case .

(') OI No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982 .

No C 175 / 48 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-543 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 103 )

Subject : Changes to the Directive on cross-border

payments

The draft Directive on cross-border payments presented by
the Commission needs not only a flexible legal framework
but also a number of changes to widen its scope .

Will the Commission introduce changes concerning the
division of charges between both the originator and the
beneficiary ?

Will it take steps to limit the scope of the Directive to
amounts of less than ECU 2 500 ?

Will it also broaden the Directive 's scope to cover payments
made by undertakings other than banks, such as postal
authorities ?

Article 3 ( s ) EC Treaty ), in particular where need for such
protection is greatest, i.e. for a transaction of a relatively
high amount . Typical cases would be one-off payments,
relating to the purchase of a house or a car, tax
payments, investments or transfers of life earnings ;

— it would encourage users wishing to benefit from the

Directive to split their transfers, for them to fall below
the threshold . This would also mean that a user would

have to pay fees many times over, instead of having to
pay one global and relatively lower fee .

The proposed Directive, and in particular Articles 1(1 ) and
2(b ), already covers the kind of undertakings suggested by
the Honourable Member, as indeed any other legal person
that supplies to the public, by way of business, cross-border
credit transfer services .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-544 / 95

by Frank Vanhecke ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 104 )
Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1995 ) Subject : Cost-benefit analysis of membership of the
European Union for Belgium

The proposed Directive on cross-border transfers offers
complete flexibility for the originator and beneficiary to
agree about the allocation of charges and commissions
between them . For this purpose the originator 's bank is
required to ensure that the credit transfer is executed in
accordance with the instruction given by the originator .
Article 6 therefore specifies as a general rule that all charges
should be deemed to be for the account of the originator,
unless the originator has specifically instructed its bank to
the contrary .

The Commission believes that setting a threshold, in
particular a very low threshold as suggested by the
Honourable Member, might well lead to unwarranted
consequences or distortions :

— it would fail to create a true internal market for all

cross-border transfers, only doing so for a sub-segment
of the market for transfer services ;

— it would preclude the application of the proposed

Directive to the great majority of the transactions carried
out by small and medium-sized enterprises in the context
of cross-border trade ;

— it would fail to contribute to the strengthening of

consumer protection ( an objective laid down in

Does the Commission have figures for the years 1991, 1992,

1993 and 1994 for the total contributions by the Belgian
State to the Community budget ( broken down into VAT,
customs duties, levies on sugar and isoglucose and, finally,
the GNP-based resource )?

What total amount — under which major budget headings
— was, so to speak, recovered by the Belgian State from the
Community budget for the years concerned ?

What part ( total amount and percentage ) of the Belgian
State 's revenue from the European budget concerns the
Community 's domestic expenditure ?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1995 )

The Commission has made it a rule not to publish itemized
figures which make it possible to calculate the net budgetary
and cash balances of the Member States .

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 49

But it would remind the Honourable Member that

information is given in the Court of Auditors ' annual

report .

As in the case of the other Member States, Belgium 's
payments to the Community budget each year since 1991
are given in the management accounts .

( in ECU million )

Budget Belgium's contribution

1991 2217

1992 2 239

1993 2 395

1994 2 822

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 67 / 95

Within the framework of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3907 / 91 of 19 December 1991 on action by the
Community relating to nature conservation ( ACNAT ) (')
and Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1973 / 92 of 21 May 1992
establishing a financial instrument for the environment

( LIFE ) ( 2 ) around ECU 2,7 million has been allocated since
1991 to the conservation of the monk seal ( Monachus
monachus ) and its habitat . The Commission has also
granted some ECU 250 000 to the Greek Society for the
Study and Protection of the Monk Seal . These actions must
be seen as part of the overall effort to conserve nature

( provided for in Council Directive 92 / 43 / EEC (- 1 ). The aim is
to preserve endangered species and ensure their subsistence .
The monk seal population has by now been reduced to a
very small number of individuals, which makes it pointless
to calculate the amount spent per head .

The Commission feels it would be insulting to the poor to
compare them with an endangered species .

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) (M OJ No L 370, 31 . 12.1991, p . 17 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 1 .
to the Commission (■') OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 105 )

Subject : Seals, birds and the poor

During a plenary debate in Strasbourg, the then Member of
the European Parliament, Mr Jacques Tauran, submitted a
written declaration ( 1 ) which prompts me to ask two
questions :

Firstly, does the Commission know what did happen when
the ' Chinese Revolution destroyed birds on the pretext that
they were becoming rivals of mankind '? I should be grateful
if the Commission could enlighten me on this matter .

Secondly, and more importantly, will the Commission say
what sums are provided for programmes for the protection
of seals ( which formed the subject of the report by Mr
Kililea, A3-1 86 / 94 ( 2 ), and give a breakdown of the sums
allocated for each seal by comparison with those provided
for the poorest sections of the population in the EU, under
the programmes earmarked by the Commission to combat
poverty ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 76 / 95

by Otto von Habsburg ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 106 )

Subject : Aviation safety

Recently the number of passengers carrying more than one
item of hand-luggage on European flights has been
increasing considerably, although this has been prohibited
for a long time . In the event of an accident, it could have
tragic consequences, as such baggage, which is often bulky,
may all too easily block escape routes .

(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-448, 6 . 5 . 1994 . Is it not time for the Commission to call upon European

( 2 ) OJ No C 205, 25 . 7 . 1994, p. 553 . airlines to observe the regulations ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission
( 25 April 1995 ). ( 31 March 1995 )

Firstly, the Commission has no particular information on a
massive programme of bird destruction during the Chinese
revolution .

The Commission intends to consult all the parties concerned
in order to examine together the best means of enforcing

No C 175 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

effectively international recommendations on hand luggage
accompanying passengers in the flight cabin .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 77 / 95

by Bill Miller ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 107 )

Subject : Invalidity payments to women

What is the current status of the appeal by the British
Government against the Commission 's interpretation of
Directive 79 / 7 / EEC (') which affects invalidity benefits
being paid to women under the age of 65 and will the ruling
refer to backdating payments even if ' the women have since
passed the age of 65 ?

(') OJ No L 6, 10 . 1 . 1979, p . 24 .

Answer given by Mr Liikanen

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 199 5 )

The Commission is required by the Staff Regulations to
recruit its officials on the broadest possible geographical
basis from among nationals of the Member States and
without reference to race, creed or sex .

The Commission recruits most of its staff by open
competitions, based entirely on merit . It publicizes its
recruitment procedures and advertises its competitions as
widely as financial constraints permit and does its best to
ensure that competitions are equally accessiblc to qualified
candidates, irrespective of their educational traditions or
nationality .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 96 / 95

Answer given by Mr Flynn by Hugh McMahon ( PSE )
on behalf of the Commission to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 ) (6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 109 )

The Commission has already made enquiries of the British
authorities concerning the payment of invalidity benefit to
women and men, on the same conditions, after the age of 60
following the judgment of the Court of Justice of 30 May

1993 on this issue ( Case C-328 / 91 Thomas and others ). The
British authorities informed the Commission that measures

were envisaged to implement this judgment .

In the meantime, there has been a question for a preliminary
ruling before the Court of Justice from the Court of Appeal
asking to clarify the judgment of 30 May 1993 ( Case 92 / 94
Secretary of State v. Graham and others ). The Commission
awaits the judgment with interest .

Subject : Commission replies to correspondence from
MEPs

Will the Commission give an assurance that replies to
correspondence from Members of the European Parliament
will be dealt with as quickly as possible and that Members
will not have to suffer long delays in receiving replies to
representations made by their constituents ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 80 / 95 ( 22 March 1995 )

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 ) The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it

( 95 / C 175 / 108 ) replies to correspondence from Members of the Parliament

as quickly as possible . A monitoring system is in effect in
order to ensure that such replies are given within three
Subject : Commission measures for staff recruitment weeks at the latest . This shows that, with very few
exceptions, this rule is being respected .

What measures, if any, does the Commission take to ensure
that its staff reflect the multi-cultural make-up of the
European Union ?

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 51

WRITTEN QUESTION E-597 / 95

by Hugh McMahon ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 110 )

Subject : Article 169, Treaty on European Union,
infringement procedures

Will the Commission publish the rules and procedures and
notes of guidance for the operation of the Article 169
infringement procedures, and can the President of the
Commission give an assurance that complaints from
Members of the European Parliament and others will be
handled with the utmost speed ?

an agreement on the arrangements governing certain
Moroccan agricultural exports, which were threatened by
the new tariffs introduced as a result of the Uruguay
Round .

The agreement concluded at the beginning of 1995 resolved
this problem, giving fresh impetus to the negotiations . The
Commission has proposed a series of meetings to the
Moroccan authorities to relaunch the talks as soon as

possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-605 / 95

by Aline Pailler ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1995 )

(7 April 1995 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 112 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

annual reports to Parliament on monitoring the application
of Community law ; the foreword to the tenth report (*)
outlines the various rules and formalities .

The Commission can give the Honourable Member the
assurance he seeks .

(') OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-602 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 111 )

Subject : Location of a factory and protection of the

environment

The Portuguese company, Autosil, is planning to build a
factory making lead batteries at Turenne in Correze with,
according to the estimate, regional, local and European
funding .

I have been alerted by the inhabitants of the region to the
health risks of this location for them, in particular the
discharge of large quantities of lead and sulphuric acid .

Has the Commission ascertained that the location of this

factory, which is to benefit from Community funds, respects
Community Directives on air quality ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Stage reached in negotiations on the new
( 25 April 1995 )
EU-Morocco agreement

What stage has been reached in the negotiations on the new

EU-Morocco agreement ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

Last year the negotiations with Morocco did not progress as
rapidly as we had hoped, owing to the fact that much of the
work carried out on both sides focused on attempts to reach

The Commission has no information to suggest that the plan
to locate a factory to produce lead batteries at Turrene in
Correze would pose a serious health or environmental
risk .

The Commission would invite the Honourable Member to
send it further information on the project to enable it to
check that the latter complies with Community
environment law .

No C 175 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-607 / 95

by Werner Langen ( PPE )

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 25 April 1 995 )

(6 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 113 ) The Honourable Member is referring to Act No 94-591 of

15 July 1 994 establishing the closing dates for the hunting of
migratory birds (').

Subject : EU funds to Rhineland-Palatinate

What funds were allocated to Rhineland-Palatinate during
the 10-year period from 1 January 1985 to 31 December

1994, broken down by recipient regional authority

( Landkreis )?

Will the Commission also provide information on the
offices responsible for allocating funds from the various
EU / Community initiatives and structural programmes, and
as to how the allocation of funds is currently monitored ?

Since the adoption of the new Act, the Commission has
received complaints that French law fails to comply with
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds .

Once it has finished examining whether or not French law
does comply, the Commission will decide how to deal with
the complaints .

The Commission has put forward a proposal for a Council
Directive amending Article 7 ( 4 ) of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC,
specifying the criteria which Member States may use to
determine the closing dates for the hunting of the migratory
species covered by the hunting legislation ( 2 ).

(') Official Gazette of the French Republic of 16 . 7 . 1994,

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

of the Commission p . 10246 .

C -) OJ No C 100, 9 . 4 . 1994 .
( 24 March 1 995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answer to Written Questions No 3033 / 93 ( 1 ), No 630 / 94 ( 2 )
and No 24 / 95 ( 3 ) by Mr Rothley .
WRITTEN QUESTION P-6 19 / 95

(') OJ No C 240, 29 . 8 . 1994 . by Mathias Reichhold ( NI )

( 2 ) OJ No C 362, 19 . 12 . 1994 .
(') See page 16 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-617 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 115 )

Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 805 / 68 on the common
organization of the market in beef and veal, with
regard to the de-seasonalization premium

to the Commission How does the budget take account of the new Member
States ?

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 114 )

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Directive on the conservation of wild birds
( 15 March 1995 )

I understand that, on 15 July 1994, the French Parliament
adopted a law authorizing the hunting of migratory birds
until 28 February .

Does not the Commission consider that this law infringes
the Directive on the conservation of wild birds ?

Alternatively, is the Commission considering amending the
above Directive ?

Budget heading Bl-2123 allots ECU 22 million to cover
payment of the de-seasonalization premium in 1995 to
eligible producers in all Community regions concerned .

Preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget
No 1 / 95, submitted by the Commission in February, takes
due account in the various EAGGF Guarantee headings of
requirements for appropriations to meet application of

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 53

Community rules in the new Member States . The
appropriation of ECU 22 million for heading Bl-2123 has
not however been increased .

The Commission is at present examining whether the
requirements for application of the de-seasonalization
premium in 1995 are met in the new Member States . Since
the premium applies to steers alone, the numbers involved
would in any case be fairly low and additional expenditure
very limited .

the availability of information material in the various
languages .

Several measures have been taken to facilitate the

participation of SMEs in the specific programmes . One such
measure provides that, for certain programmes, the
instruments specifically targeting SMEs, such as exploratory
awards and Craft, make provision for an open call for
proposals . SMEs can therefore submit a proposal relating to
these instruments at any time .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-632 / 95 WRITTEN QUESTION E-633 / 95
by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE ) by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

to the Commission
(9 March 1995 )

(9 March 1995 )

{9 SIC 175 / 116 ) ( 95 / C 175 / 117 )

Subject : Availability of documents under the Fourth
Framework Programme in certain languages

Is the Commission aware that various documents relating to
the Fourth Framework Programme were not made available
in all languages of the European Union .

Does not the Commission consider this to be an

infringement of the principle of non-discrimination ?

What steps will the Commission take with a view to
remedying matters, in view of the fact that a number of
SMUs were unable to submit their applications, or
submitted them late, because a number of documents were
not available in a particular official language ?

Subject : Complaints procedure in respect of languages

What steps should be taken by individual citizens of the
European Union if they consider that they are victims of
discrimination in connection with the use of an official

language of the Union ?

What action is taken in response to such complaints ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

The Commission is willing to examine any complaint it
receives from a Union citizen . It will, of course, be at pains to
ensure that Regulation No 1 / 58 is observed .
Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 April 1995 )

The specific programmes of the Fourth Framework
Programme are based on the principle of equal opportunity
for all interested parties . This means that, where the basic
criteria are met, industrial undertakings, SMEs, universities
and research institutes can submit a proposal to the
Commission during the period of the call for proposals . In
order to apply the equality principle, all the necessary
documentation ( info packs, etc .) is available in the official
languages of the Union . This ensures that the principle of
non-discrimination is observed .

There have, however, been some local difficulties resulting
primarily from insufficient supplies of documentation in
some Value relay centres .

Measures are being prepared to prevent this type of thing
from happening again . Particular attention will be paid to

WRITTEN QUESTION P-637 / 95

by Roberto Mezzaroma ( FE )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 118 )

Subject : Campaign against violence among football

supporters

In the light of Articles 7a and 59 of the EC Treaty and of
Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, and given that
violence at football matches has assumed worrying
proportions in all the Member States, especially at
international matches, does not the Commission feel that it
would provide specific Community aid to held eradicate this
problem and thereby help people brought up in conditions

No C 175 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

which predispose them to violence ? Does it not feel that it
should extend the scope of the social policy programmes to
stimulate the culture of non-violence among football
supporters and help violent supporters who come from
under-privileged backgrounds ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1995 )

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member 's
concern regarding violence at football matches .

The Commission has no firm views about the causes of the
phenomenon in the absence of a proper study of the matter .
Under its current powers the Commission plans to
cooperate with bodies competent in the field of sport, in
particular the Council of Europe . Fair-play campaigns
directed at young people have been initiated with the
Council of Europe . They are designed to spread the message
of fair and non-violent behaviour in sport .

Under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, the
Commission would be prepared to be associated with any
action in this field undertaken by the Member States in
accordance with the subsidiarity principle .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-644 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 119 )

Subject : Preparing for the Euro-Mediterranean
Conference

In the Commission work programme for 1995, action to
prepare for the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference
appears as a priority . What steps has the Commission taken
to date with regard to the preparation of this
conference ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

The Commission, working closely with the French
Presidency and the Council in the preparation of the
Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference, approved on
8 March 1995 a working document that constitutes an
action plan for the conference . The aim is to reach
agreement of the general affairs Council on 10 / 1 1 April on a
series of points as a basis for discussion with our
Mediterranean partners .

Furthermore, the Commission approved on the same day a
communication to the Parliament and the Council on the
implementation of the Community 's Euro-Mediterranean
policy detailing and amplifying its proposal of 19 October

1994 ( M.

(M COM(94 ) 427 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-646 / 95

by Helena Vaz da Silva ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(9 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 120 )

Subject : ESF assistance for artists ' exchange networks

For some years now, ' Pepinieres Europeennes pour Jeunes
Artistes ' has been promoting exchanges of young artists
from various countries and regions of Europe . In June 1994,
and again in October 1994, it asked the Commission for a
contribution from the European Social Fund under Article 6
of the ESF Regulation . To date, it has received no reply .

The Commission 's silence is causing doubts and
apprehension in artistic circles, especially since this project is
one of the few which promotes artists ' mobility .

Does the Commission 's silence mean that it is not interested

in projects concerning artists ' exchange networks ? Or will it
support other projects in the same field ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1995 )

A project proposed ' Pepinieres Europeennes pour jeunes
artistes ' was submitted as part of the 1994 call for proposals
for innovative projects under Article 6 of the European
Social Fund ( ESF ) regulation . This call, for which the
deadline was 28 October 1 994, resulted in the submission of
over 200 projects . From these, based upon the advice of a
panel of independent experts drawn from the Member
States and upon agreed selection criteria which take
particular account of the innovative quality of the projects
proposed, 31 projects were accepted for co-financing and
proposed to the Member States for implementation under
the partnership arrangements of the ESF . The Pepinieres
project was not amongst the projects selected in 1994 .

However, the Commission recalls that in 1994 the same
project group was in receipt of grants from the Commission
both under the arts education and training initiative

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 55

( ECU 20 000 ) and as part of a project for the creation of a
network of young artists ( ECU 43 500 ).

The proposers will be at liberty to re-submit the project
under future calls for proposals under Article 6 of the ESF
regulation, although its selection will depend on the
priorities which are specified from year to year .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-652 / 95

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 121 )

Subject : Nature and bird conservation and trans-European

networks

1 . Is the Commission aware of the Birdlife

International / World Conservation Centre report entitled
' The impact of trans-European networks on nature
conservation '?

2 . In the light of this report, will the Commission impose
special animal protection requirements in connection with
the construction of European networks ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-653 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

{9 SIC 175 / 122 )

Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the

Union

Why is it that in very many cases the names and addresses of
official bodies in Belgium are listed in French only ?
Examples include : OJ No L 175 / 30, 19 . 7 . 1993 ; OJ No
C 277 / 9, 15 . 10 . 1993 ; OJ No C 335 / 2, 10 . 12 . 1993 ; OJ No
C 19 / 18,22 . 1 . 1994 ; OJ No C 111 / 16,21.4 . 1994 ; OJ No
C 138 / 7, 20 . 5 . 1994 ; OJ No C 214 / 5, 4 . 8 . 1994 and OJ No
C 224 / 2, 12 . 8 . 1994 .

The examples cited include the addresses of both European
and Belgian institutions .

Moreover, the Dutch language version of the Official
Journal often gives the names of the Member States in

French only . What is the reason for this ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission ( 28 April 1995 )
( 28 April 1995 )

1 . Yes . The Official Journal is published on behalf of the
institutions by the Publications Office, an inter-institutional
service administratively attached to the Commission .

2 . The concerned report stresses the development of a
strategic environmental assessment ( SEA ). This implies an
assessment at the level of plans and programmes . Such an
assessment should be considered as complementary to the
existing environmental assessment of projects ( Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ( 1 )). As indicated in the work programme for
1995, the Commission intends to prepare a proposal for a
strategic environmental assessment .

In addition, in its recent proposal on the development of the
transport networks ( 2 ) the Commission announced that
strategic assessment will be part of this development and
together with socio-economic assessment will be part of the
basis for revisions . To this end, joint study initiatives have
been launched by the Commission on a methodology .

0 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 106 final .

The Publications Office applies as far as possible the rules
laid out in the replies to Questions 2076 / 94 { l ) and
285 1 / 94 ( 2 ), provided the text involved has not already been

type-set .

Concerning the addresses of other bodies, the Publications
Office does not generally have at its disposal the details
needed to adapt the text, and the publication deadlines do
not always allow the required information to be obtained in
time .

Concerning the designation of the Member States, it is not
unusual for the institutions to submit a single annex already
type-set for all the language versions . However, the
Publications Office does try to apply the rules in force in all
other cases .

No C 175 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10 . 7 . 95

The Commission will ask the Publications Office to draw

the attention of all the drafting institutions to the matter
raised by the Honourable Member .

(M OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 56 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 139, 5 . 6 . 1995, p . 39 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-722 / 95

by Hugh Kerr ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 123 )

Subject : Transparency in the standardization process

In his response to Question E-l 883 / 94 ( 1 ) last year,
Commissioner Bangemann confirmed that standards are
arrived at ' in an open and transparent procedure ', and ' are
adopted after a public enquiry, on the basis of consensus '.
Consensus, however, can only work effectively if a
committee is properly and fairly representative, and if all
those involved in the process fully understand the details
and ramifications of the issues under discussion — if this is

not so, then the whole system is wide open to abuse .

Given that standards effectively dictate what the citizens of
the EU can and cannot buy, that they are formulated by
technical committees comprised mainly of commercial
vested interests, that at national level these committees are
also usually responsible for formulating the basis of national
responses to EU harmonization initiatives and that
consumers are supposed to have representation on technical
committees, will the Commissioner confirm that :

1 . The principle of openness, transparency and
accountability must apply not only at European level,
but also to national standards bodies as well .

2 . The citizens of the EU should not be denied the right to
inspect in detail the membership lists of the committees
of those national standards bodies and minutes of their

meetings in order to satisfy themselves as to the balance
and fairness of a committee 's composition and its
competence, and also to enable them to make informed
analysis of, and comment on, the standards it produces,
at the public enquiry stage .

3 . Committee membership lists should include up-to-date
details of committee members ' names, bodies they
represent, who employs them, who else pays them, and

any conflicts of interest they may have relevant to their
work on that committee .

f 1 ) OJ No C 24, 30 . 1 . 1995, p . 45 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann .

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

Detailed rules concerning the national standards institutes
are laid down in national instruments . The Commission —

without taking a position on the assumptions in the question
put by the Honourable Member — considers that such
instruments should reflect principles of standardization,
such as openness, transparency and accountability .

As in its answer to the previous question, however, the
Commission draws attention to the voluntary nature of
standardization, both as regards the preparation of
standards and their use .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-732 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 124 )

Subject : Kickbacks to the Flemish Socialist Party

The scandal of the secret funding of the Flemish Socialist
Party in connection with the supply of Agusta helicopters to
the Belgian army in 1988 has raised serious doubts about
Commissioner Van Miert, who at the time was the Party 's
main spokesman .

Does the Commission not find it at least embarrassing that
its competition Commissioner should be the subject of legal
inquiries ?

Should the Commission not ask Commissioner Van Miert

to resign at least until the current inquiry has come to an
end ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

Mr Van Miert has cooperated fully with the Belgian inquiry
into the activities of those concerned by the Agusta affair .
Their advocates have indicated that Mr Van Miert was not

10 . 7 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175 / 57

involved nor informed about the affair . The Commission

has expressed its full confidence in Mr Van Miert .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-822 / 95

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 125 )

Subject : Division of the Institute for Advanced Materials

between two sites

Is the Institute for Advanced Materials the only European
Union Joint Research Centre which is divided between two
sites, namely Petten in the Netherlands and Ispra in
Italy ?

Does this division of the institute cause duplication of
research facilities, management structures and staffing ?

Does the institute 's division seriously impede consultation
and cooperation between scientific staff ?

What extra costs does the institute 's division entail per

annum ?

Why, after seven years, is the institute still not located at a
single site, namely in Petten ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

transfer to Petten of some of the advanced materials

activities carried out at Ispra, though others had to remain in
Ispra when existing facilities could not be moved .

The advanced materials activities carried out in Ispra benefit
from very considerable and useful synergies with the
activities of the other institutes located there, notably in the
field of fusion technology .

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that

this division between two sites has not led to any duplication
of effort in terms of facilities or human resources . As for

administration, all the staff of the Institute for Advanced
Materials, including those at Ispra, are covered by the
administrative departments at Petten .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-856 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 March 1 995 )

( 95 / C 175 / 126 )

Subject : Free movement of people within the European

Union

What steps will the Commission take against airlines who
refuse to allow certain Community citizens to use their
services ?

( 18 April 1995 ) Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

Since the Joint Research Centre first began its non-nuclear ( 28 March 1995 )
activities, work on advanced materials has been carried out
on two sites : Ispra ( Italy ) and Petten ( Netherlands ).

After the institutes of the Joint Research Centre were set up
in 1988, the centre of gravity of the Institute for Advanced
Materials was clearly established in Petten . This meant the

The Commission would invite the Honourable Member to

give full details of the incidents to which he refers, so that
they can be investigated by the Commission in its role as
guardian of Community law .