Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

### of the European Communities

###### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 219

Volume 37

8 August 1994

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

94 / C 219 / 01 E-204 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Off-shore banking centres 1

94 / C 219 / 02 E-247 / 93 by Adriana Ceci and Luigi Vertemati to the Commission
Subject : Toxicity of the pesticide Benomyl 1

94 / C 219 / 03 E-524 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Anopthalmia in parts of the United Kingdom 2

94 / C 219 / 04 E-725 / 93 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : General failure to implement Directives on the internal market and industrial matters 3

94 / C 219 / 05 E-726 / 93 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Failure to implement motor-vehicle Directives 3

Joint answer to Written Questions E-725 / 93 and E-726 / 93 3

94 / C 219 / 06 E-1081 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Planning and organization of tourism policy 3

94 / C 219 / 07 E-1130 / 93 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Pesticides and blindness 4

94 / C 219 / 08 E-1160 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The Coto Donana 4

94 / C 219 / 09 E - 1 191 / 93 by Annemarie Goedmakers to the Commission
Subject : Fraud on importing pedigree cattle from Austria into the Community 5

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 219 / 10 E - 1 1 96 / 93 by Andrea Raggio to the Commission
Subject : Gasification of Sulcis coal

94 / C 219 / 11 E-1210 / 93 by Christian de la Malène to the Commission
Subject : Intra-Community trade in wine

94 / C 219 / 12 E-1289 / 93 by Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : EEC tariff preferences for certain Iberian American countries

94 / C 219 / 13 E-1292 / 93 by Giulio Fantuzzi to the Commission
Subject : Aid to environmentally sensitive areas

94 / C 219 / 14 E-130 9 / 93 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : British cider orchards

94 / C 219 / 15 E-1321 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Need to establish a Community system of epidemiological monitoring

94 / C 219 / 16 E-1370 / 93 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Parliamentary participation of the regions of the Atlantic coastline in Community joint
action projects

94 / C 219 / 17 E-1391 / 93 by Madron Seligman to the Commission
Subject : Abattoir in the Falklands

94 / C 219 / 18 E-1407 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Results of and outlook for the GAME project to boost microelectronics in Spain ....

94 / C 219 / 19 E-1418 / 93 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Spanish slaughterhouses

94 / C 219 / 20 E-1423 / 93 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Repeal of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 170 / 83 ( common fisheries policy )

94 / C 219 / 21 E-1426 / 93 by Anthony Wilson, David Morris, Brian Simpson, Anita Pollack, David
Bo we, Richard Balfe, Arthur Newens, John Tomlinson, Roger Barton, Stephen Hughes,
Alan Donnelly, Lyndon Harrison, Hugh McMahon, Michael McGowan, Gordon
Adam, Barry Seal, Thomas Megahy, Imelda Read, Henry McCubbin, Kenneth Coates,
Alex Smith, Wayne David and Janey Buchan to the Commission
Subject : Increased milk quota for the UK

94 / C 219 / 22 E-1437 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject : Ports in western Greece

94 / C 219 / 23 E-1439 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a new motorway linking Munich and the Venice-Trieste region

94 / C 219 / 24 E-1444 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Health Care Workers College in Greece

94 / C 219 / 25 E - 1 449 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Chios mastic

94 / C 219 / 26 E - 145 1 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Manufacture of fertilizers from waste

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94 / C 219 / 27 E-1461 / 93 by Henry Chabert to the Commission
Subject : Pornographie television broadcasts

94 / C 219 / 28 E-1473 / 93 by Alman Metten to the Commission
Subject : Officiai Journal on CD-ROM

94 / C 219 / 29 E-1478 / 93 by Antonio Navarro to the Commission
Subject : Request for aid to the Spanish cotton industry

94 / C 219 / 30 E-1488 / 93 by Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Measures to protect the occupation of sponge-diver on the island of Kalymnos

94 / C 219 / 31 E-1489 / 93 by Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Water supply problems facing Greek islands

94 / C 219 / 32 E-1527 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Responsibility for foot-and-mouth disease

94 / C 219 / 33 E-1531 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Closure of industries

94 / C 219 / 34 E-1541 / 93 by Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Acknowledgement of grant applications

94 / C 219 / 35 E-l 542 / 93 by Reimer Boge to the Commission
Subject : Integrated Mediterranean Programmes

94 / C 219 / 36 E-l 562 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear reprocessing

94 / C 219 / 37 E-1567 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission

Subject : Olympic Airways recovery plan

94 / C 219 / 38 E-l 578 / 93 by François Musso to the Commission
Subject : Passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Bonifacio

94 / C 219 / 39 E-1580 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Greece to comply with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC

94 / C 219 / 40 E-1600 / 93 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subject : Payment of production aid in the olive-oil sector

94 / C 219 / 41 E-l 61 3 / 93 by Henry Chabert to the Commission
Subject : Market situation in the dairy and dairy products sector

94 / C 219 / 42 E-l 61 8 / 93 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Measures to combat drugs

94 / C 219 / 43 E-1623 / 93 by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert to the Commission
Subject : Hazardous waste in border areas

94 / C 219 / 44 E-1630 / 93 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : Subsidiarity and the Euro-Arab University

94 / C 219 / 45 E-1631 / 93 by Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : Subsidiarity and road safety instruction for children

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( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 219 / 46 E-1640 / 93 by Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : Mixed oxide fuel plant at Sellafield, UK 24

94 / C 219 / 47 E-1641 / 93 by Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : South African nuclear weapons programme 24

94 / C 219 / 48 E-1643 / 93 by Llewellyn Smith to the Commission
Subject : EC Directives on environmental protection 25

94 / C 219 / 49 E-1513 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Agean Islands and the proposal for a Council Directive COM(92)226 final 25

94 / C 219 / 50 E-1539 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Exemption of islands in the Community from tax on carbon dioxide emissions and
energy 25

94 / C 219 / 51 E-1650 / 93 by Christos Papoutsis to the Commission
Subject : Exemption of Greek islands from the tax on carbon dioxide emissions and the use of
energy 26

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1513 / 93, E-1539 / 93 and E-1650 / 93 26

94 / C 219 / 52 E-1662 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Monaghan, Ireland 26

94 / C 219 / 53 E-1663 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Donegal, Ireland 27

94 / C 219 / 54 E-1664 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Cavan, Ireland 27

94 / C 219 / 55 E-1665 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Leitrim, Ireland 27

94 / C 219 / 56 E-1666 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Roscommon, Ireland 27

94 / C 219 / 57 E-1667 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Sligo, Ireland 28

94 / C 219 / 58 E - 1 668 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Mayo, Ireland 28

94 / C 219 / 59 E-1669 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County Galway, Ireland 28

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1662 / 93, E-1663 / 93, E-1664 / 93, E-1665 / 93,

E-1666 / 93, E-1667 / 93, E-1668 / 93 and E-l 669 / 93 28

94 / C 219 / 60 E-1671 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : ESF funding for University College, Galway, Ireland 29

Notice No

94 / C 219 / 61

94 / C 219 / 62

94 / C 219 / 63

94 / C 219 / 64

94 / C 219 / 65

94 / C 219 / 66

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94 / C 219 / 68

94 / C 219 / 69

94 / C 219 / 70

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94 / C 219 / 72

94 / C 219 / 73

94 / C 219 / 74

94 / C 219 / 75

94 / C 219 / 76

94 / C 219 / 77

94 / C 219 / 78

Contents ( continued ) p age

E-l 672 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Community financial contributions to fisheries controls in Member States 29

E-l 673 / 93 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : EC funds for Durham and Cleveland Counties ( England ) 1985 — 1992 29

E-l 688 / 93 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission
Subject : EC / Mexico reciprocal recognition of spirit drinks 30

E-l 695 / 93 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission

'
Subject : Public procurement — transposition of the Directive on ' excluded sectors 30

E-l 701 / 93 by Rudiger von Wechmar to the Commission
Subject : European flag 31

E-l 709 / 93 by Gérard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : Regular collection of obsolete documents and old paper in the Commission with a view to
recycling 31

E-1 712 / 93 by Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Unsuccessful move to locate a ' University Paediatric Polyclinic ' in the municipality of
Acerra 31

E - 1 71 3 / 93 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Zero rate VAT between VAT registered traders 32

E - 1 71 6 / 93 by Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : The Habitats Directive 32

E-l 71 8 / 93 by George Patterson to the Commission
Subject : Timetable for registration of land and livestock 33

E-l 728 / 93 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subject : Protection of public health in Portuguese abattoirs 33

E - 1 730 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Cogeneration plant fired by solar energy and gas 34

E - 1 734 / 93 by Paul Howell to the Commission
Subject : National questionnaires on farming statistics in the EC 34

E-l 75 1 / 93 by Annemarie Goedmakers to the Commission
Subject : Tropical rainforests 34

E-l 755 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Integrated development programme for the Vardar 35

E - 1 758 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : ' Parco del Ticino ' 36

E-l 772 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Export of uranium for enrichment to the former Soviet Union 36

E-1 780 / 93 by José Lafuente Lôpez to the Commission
Subject : Current position as regards the transposition into the legislation of the Member States of
the second banking Directive 36

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 219 / 79 E-1788 / 93 by James Janssen van Raay and Bartho Pronk to the Commission
Subject : Agreements between the main Netherlands banks in respect of maximum charges ... 37

94 / C 219 / 80

E-1791 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Compensation for tobacco growers 38

94 / C 219 / 81 E - 1 792 / 9 3 by Luigi Cola j anni and Giulio Fantuzzi to the Commission

Subject : Appointment of EEC agricultural advisory committees 38

94 / C 219 / 82

94 / C 219 / 83

94 / C 219 / 84

94 / C 219 / 85

94 / C 219 / 86

94 / C 219 / 87

94 / C 219 / 88

94 / C 219 / 89

94 / C 219 / 90

94 / C 219 / 91

94 / C 219 / 92

94 / C 219 / 93

E-0843 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Threat to the environment of the Lake Vouliagmeni area 39

E - 1 6 10 / 93 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : ' Development ' of the lake at Vouliagmeni for tourism 39

E - 1 795 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the rare geological formation of Lake Vouliagmeni 39

Joint answer to Written Questions E-843 / 93, E-1610 / 93 and E-1795 / 93 40

E-l 806 / 93 by Kenneth Coates, Alexander Falconer, Lyndon Harrison, Terence Wynn,
James Ford, Barry Seal, Michael Hindley, Thomas Megahy, Henry McCubbin, David

Martin, Hugh McMahon, David Bowe, Anita Pollack, Pauline Green, Michael Elliott,
Gary Titley, Arthur Newens, Edward Newman, Roger Barton, Brian Simpson, Peter
Crampton, Alex Smith, Stephen Hughes, Imelda Read, Kenneth Collins, Anthony

" Wilson, Gordon Adam, Kenneth Stewart and Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject : Palestinian refugees 40

E-l 8 1 8 / 93 by Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Imprisonment or death for redundant workers of the former EAS ( Urban Transport
Corporation ) 41

E-l 819 / 93 by Kenneth Coates to the Commission
Subject : Security vetting 41

E-l 833 / 93 by Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Problems with Community wine production 41

E-l 840 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Public Power Corporation programme to improve the electricity grid on the Greek
islands 42

E-l 842 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Toxic and heavy metals in Lavrion, Attica 42

E-l 851 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Convergence of the Greek economy with those of the other EC Member States 43

E-l 859 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Poaching on the Ionian islands, the Strofádes 43

E-l 864 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : ' Imports ' of cigarettes from the countries of eastern Europe 43

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 219 / 94 E-1869 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Abattoirs and regional markets in Greece 44

94 / C 219 / 95 E-l 871 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Proposals of the Federation of Greek Chambers of Commerce on SMEs . 44

94 / C 219 / 96 E-l 872 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Safety rules in public places in Greece 45

94 / C 219 / 97 E-l 889 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Combating genital cancer in women 45

94 / C 219 / 98 E-l 9 1 3 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The IRIS network 46

94 / C 219 / 99 E-1930 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of indirect taxes 47

94 / C 219 / 100 E-1933 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Share of the Delors II package for Greek agriculture 47

94 / C 219 / 101 E-1935 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Reform of the Greek cooperative movement in the context of the second Community
support framework 47

94 / C 219 / 102 E-1936 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Aid to cooperatives in countries eligible for Cohesion Fund resources 48

94 / C 219 / 103 E-1937 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Rented fields in Greece 48

94 / C 219 / 104 E-1941 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Adulterated olive oil in northern Greece 48

94 / C 219 / 105 E-1942 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Veterinary prescriptions 48

94 / C 219 / 106 E - 1 95 1 / 93 by Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Insufficient funds for creating farmland — request for European Community
intervention 49

94 / C 219 / 107 E-1956 / 93 by Isidoro Sanchez Garcia to the Commission
Subject : Movement of goods from the Canary Islands on which duty has been paid 50

94 / C 219 / 108 E-1959 / 93 by Barry Desmond to the Commission
Subject : Commission buildings, Brussels 51

94 / C 219 / 109 E-1979 / 93 by John McCartin to the Commission
Subject : Leader programme in Ireland 51

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 219 / 110

94 / C 219 / 111

E - 1 9 82 / 93 by Giuseppe Rauti to the Commission
Subject : The impact on EEC employment of the current transfer of production to countries outside
the EEC with lower labour costs 52

E - 1 9 84 / 93 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Group water schemes in the Republic of Ireland 52

94 / C 219 / 112 E - 1 993 / 93 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject : Sell-by dates for meat 53

94 / C 219 / 113

94 / C 219 / 114

E-2004 / 93 by Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Recruitment of Commission staff 53

E-2005 / 93 by Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe to the Commission
Subject : Job relocation in the textile industry 54

94 / C 219 / 115 E-2011 / 93 by Carole Tongue to the Commission

Subject : Consultation 55

94 / C 219 / 116 E-2012 / 93 by Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : EBRD 56

94 / C 219 / 117

94 / C 219 / 118

94 / C 219 / 119

94 / C 219 / 120

94 / C 219 / 121

94 / C 219 / 122

94 / C 219 / 123

94 / C 219 / 124

94 / C 219 / 125

E-2018 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : A Community prize for plastic arts 56

E-2038 / 93 by Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject : EC harmonization — Euro-plugs and sockets 57

E-2040 / 93 by Wilhelm Piecyk to the Commission
Subject : Compulsory marking of eggs with date of laying 57

E-2042 / 93 by Robert Delorozoy to the Commission
Subject : The effect of massive exports from the CIS on the ore and mineral extraction industries and
the metallurgical sector 58

E-2079 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Development of fish farming in Greece 59

E-2080 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Irrigation projects and the implementation of programmes to protect sectors of agriculture
in Greece 59

E-2091 / 93 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : European action programme for the elderly 60

E-2127 / 93 by Ana Miranda de Lage to the Commission
Subject : Reintroduction of the death penalty in Peru 60

E-2131 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Organization of relief work and improvement of housing infrastructures in areas at risk
from earthquakes 61

94 / C 219 / 126 E-21 59 / 93 by Gianfranco Amendola to the Commission
Subject : Compliance with Community rules in respect of the planned ' special ' waste composting
plant in the municipality of Cavatore in Piedmont, Italy 61

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 219 / 127 E-2162 / 93 by Brigitte Langenhagen to the Commission
Subject : The discarding of fish in Community fisheries 62

94 / C 219 / 128 E-2168 / 93 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : EC doctors ' working hours 63

94 / C 219 / 129 E-2169 / 93 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Crated veal industry 63

94 / C 219 / 130 E-2191 / 93 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The Community's biotechnological competitiveness 64

94 / C 219 / 131 E-2211 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Cot to the Commission
Subject : Reopening of the ' Super Phénix ' fast-breeder reactor at Creys-Malville ( France ) 64

94 / C 219 / 132 E-2213 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Maximum levels of mercury content in fisheries products 65

94 / C 219 / 133 E-2242 / 93 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Spanish aid scheme in regions where at least 10% of workers are employed in textiles 66

94 / C 219 / 134 E-2276 / 93 by Rolf Linkohr to the Commission
Subject : Sunken Soviet nuclear submarines 66

94 / C 219 / 135 E-2293 / 93 by Gérard Fuchs to the Commission
Subject : Conver programme 67

94 / C 219 / 136 E-2311 / 93 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Urban environment 67

94 / C 219 / 137 E-2332 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Kaleidoscope 67

94 / C 219 / 138 E-1148 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Use of languages at the Commission — indicating addresses 68

94 / C 219 / 139 E-2333 / 93 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Use of Dutch by the Commission 68

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 148 / 93 and E-2333 / 93 68

94 / C 219 / 140 E-2364 / 93 by José Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Research into the effect of ' perkinsus atlanticus ' on bivalves 68

94 / C 219 / 141 E-2395 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Aid for poor Third World countries 69

94 / C 219 / 142 E-2421 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Foundation of a ' Regional Climate Data Bank ' 69

94 / C 219 / 143 E-l 838 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Out-workers 70

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 219 / 144 E-2462 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Report by the working party on outwork 70

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 838 / 93 and E                 - 2462 / 93 70

94 / C 219 / 145 E-2490 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : International convention on nuclear safety 70

94 / C 219 / 146 E-2532 / 93 by Marie Isler Béguin and Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Community financial assistance for building the dam at Petit-Saut ( Guyana ) 71

94 / C 219 / 147 E-2583 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Common information area for small and medium-sized businesses 71

94 / C 219 / 148 E-2592 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Car tax in Greece 71

94 / C 219 / 149 E-2000 / 93 by José Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Konver programme 72

94 / C 219 / 150 E-2607 / 93 by José Mendes Bota to the Commission
Subject : Konver programme 72

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2000 / 93 and E-2607 / 93 72

94 / C 219 / 151 E-2641 / 93 by Arie Oostlander to the Commission
Subject : Youth event 72

94 / C 219 / 152 E-2679 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Improvement of further education programmes 73

94 / C 219 / 153 E-1962 / 93 by Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Directive 91 / 628 / EEC on transport of animals 73

94 / C 219 / 154 E-2688 / 93 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Animal transport 74

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1962 / 93 and E-2688 / 93 74

94 / C 219 / 155 E-2713 / 93 by Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Commission policy towards advisory committees 74

94 / C 219 / 156 E-2716 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Replies to Written Questions which have so far been left unanswered 74

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-204 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 01 )

Subject : Off-shore banking centres

' Off-shore ' is a loose term used to describe certain banking
activities in locations which present the following three
characteristics ; firstly, they deal exclusively with
non-residents ; secondly, they enjoy a privileged tax status ;
and, thirdly, they are subject to few legislative restrictions .
There are at least 20 such tax havens scattered over the

globe, including some which fall within the jurisdiction of
the European Community, for instance Gibraltar, Madeira,
Luxembourg, Dublin and the Jersey Islands . Given that
off-shore banking activities are extremely lucrative for the
local authorities, will the Commission say how it intends to
deal with this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

Although the Community does not have a policy on
off-shore financial centres as such, whether they are situated
inside or outside the Community, there are a number of
ways in which Community legislation has an impact on
these centres .

It is incorrect to describe as ' extra-territorial ' or ' off-shore '
financial centres to which, by virtue of Article 227 EEC
Treaty, the Treaty itself and derived legislation made under
it, are applicable . This is the case in respect of such centres

situated in those areas mentioned in the question ( with the
exception of the Channel Islands ). It follows that the
Directives on financial services apply to these centres and the
Member States cannot make any exemption or derogation
in this respect . In fact all the Member States concerned have
indicated that the relevant Community legislation is being
applied to these centres . In the same way these centres are
subject to the Community legislation in the taxation field,
such as the Directives aimed at reducing double taxation and
the Directives on strengthening co-operation on tax evasion,
as well as the Community rules on competition . That means
that any special tax arrangements or incentives need to be
notified to the Commission in order to allow it to verify if
they comply with these rules, and to be authorized by the
Commission . In some cases, such as Dublin, the
Commission's authorization may be limited to a specific
period .

Financial centres outside the Community are affected in
their business in the Community by a number of provisions
contained in Community law, for instance, the provisions
on suitability of shareholders and managers and on
monitoring qualifying holdings contained in the two
banking co-ordination Directives, as well as some of the
requirements provided in the Directive on money laundering
and on consolidated supervision .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-247 / 93

by Adriana Ceci ( PSE ) and Luigi Vertemati ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 February 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 02 )

Subject : Toxicity of the pesticide Benomyl

With regard to reports from the United Kingdom, where the
use of the pesticide Benomyl has been linked with the
occurrence of anophthalmia :

No C 219 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

1 . Does the above pesticide meet the criteria laid down by
Community standards relating to the necessary
conditions for a product to be placed on the market ?

2 . Does the Commission not consider in this case that it

should review the contents of the tables annexed to the

Framework Directive and the toxicity criteria, so as to
take proper account of the pre-natal effects ?

3 . Do the conditions exist at the present moment for
the withdrawal of the product as a precautionary
measure ?

4 . What action does the Commission propose to take on

this matter, and what has it done to date ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(U lune 1993 )

1 . The autorization of plant protection products will
remain subject to national rules until Directive
91 / 414 / EEC (*) on the placing of plant protections on the
market comes into force in July 1 993 . Under Article 8 of this
Directive, the Community must review, within a period of

10 years, all active substances already on the Community
market before 25 July 1993 . The Commission has
published, by Regulation ( EEC ) No 3600 / 92 ( 2 ) of
11 December 1992 a list of the first 90 active substances,
including benomyl, to be reviewed at Community level .
Until the data required under Directive 91 / 414 / EEC has
been obtained and reviewed it is not possible to determine
whether benomyl meets all the criteria of the Directive .

2 . The existing text in Annex I paragraph 5.5
' Reproduction toxicology ' provides for teratogenicity
studies in two animal species and multigeneration studies in
mammals and, as such, takes proper account of pre-natal
effects .

3 and 4 . Anophthalmia is a rare but known disorder
which may arise as a genetic abnormality or be provoked by
a teratogen . The United Kingdom authorities have recently
reviewed benomyl, including those studies where
anophthalmia and micropthalmia were reported and
concluded that a no-effect level of 30 mg / kg was appropriate
for teratogenicity in rats .

The Commission consulted the Member States in the

Standing Committee on Plant Health on 18 February 1993
on possible action concerning benomyl . The Member States
were satisfied with their national assessments and proposed
no special action for the present other than keeping the
matter under close review .

For its part the Commission will monitor the matter closely
and will not hesitate to act under Council Directive
79 / 1 17 / EEC ( 3 ) on the prohibition of the marketing and use
of plant protection products concerning certain active
substances should it be warranted .

H OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 366, 15 . 12 . 1992 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 33, 8 . 1 . 1979 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-524 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 03 )

Subject : Anopthalmia in parts of the United Kingdom

Dozens of children have been born without eyes in South
Wales and North Lincolnshire, which research workers at
Moorfields Hospital ascribe on the one hand to genetic
factors and on the other to disease related to the use of

pesticides and other environmental agents such as
dioxins .

What are the Commission's reactions on this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

The Honourable Member is referred to the reply given to
Written Question No 247 / 93 (*) by Mr Adriana Ceci and
Mr Luigi Vertenati on the subject of anophthalmia, the
plant protection product ' Benomyl ' which contains dioxin,
and the actions that have been taken to investigate any
relationship between them .

Dioxin has been studied extensively over the past two
decades and continues to be the subject of study . A review of
the results of those studies published in 1993 concludes that
there is no clear evidence that dioxin exposure has caused
any particular type of birth defect in humans . However the
results of a recent study lend credence to, but do not
conclusively prove, the hypothesis of an increased risk for
certain types of cancer following dioxin exposure . The
Commission continues to take careful note of the studies

which are carried out .

The United Kingdom authorities are commissioning a study
of the incidence of anophthalmia and any relationship it
may have to genetic, congenital and environmental factors .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 3

The Commission is keeping the matter under review and will
follow closely the outcome of the UK study .

Directive 92 / 23 / EEC ( 3 ).

What is the situation at present ?
( J ) See page 1 of this Official Journal .

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

( 2 ) OJ No L 129, 14 . 5 . 1992, p . 11 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 129, 14 . 5 . 1992, p . 95 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-725 / 93

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Joint answer to Written Questions E-725 / 93 and

of the European Communities E-726 / 93

( 14 April 1993 ) given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 94 / C 219 / 04 )

Subject : General failure to implement Directives on the

internal market and industrial matters

When the Commission ascertains that there is a general
failure to communicate the national implementing measures
of numerous Directives, as in the case of Directives on the
internal market and industrial matters, it is expected to
redouble its efforts and use every political option, such as a
publicizing the failure in the media and cooperating more
with the European Parliament, to obtain support for its
campaign of political pressure .

What steps will the Commission take in addition to the

formal procedures to pressure the Member States into
implementing the following Directives :

Directive 90 / 531 / EEC H,

Directive 91 / 173 / EEC ( 2 ),

Directive 91 / 339 / EEC ( ) and

Directive 91 / 442 / EEC ( 4 ).

What is the situation at present ?

(M OJ No L 297, 29 . 10 . 1990, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 85, 5 . 4 . 1991, p . 34 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 186, 12 . 7 . 1991, p . 64 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 238, 27 . 8 . 1991, p . 25 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-726 / 93

( 14 September 1993 )

The current situation regarding the transposition of the
Directives cited by the Honourable Member is as
follows :

— Directives 92 / 21 / EEC and 92 / 22 / EEC have been

transposed by 10 Member States ;

— Directive 92 / 23 / EEC has been transposed by 10 Member

States ;

— Directive 90 / 53 1 / EEC has been transposed by three

Member States ; and

— Directives 91 / 173 / EEC, 91 / 339 / EEC and 91 / 442 / EEC

have been transposed by five Member States .

Infringement proceedings have been initiated against those
Member States that have failed to communicate to the

Commission the national measures to implement the
Directives concerned .

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that, in practice, during the first two stages of the
infringement proceedings a process of dialogue is
established between the Commission and the Member

States with the aim of inducing them to conform to
Community law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1081 / 93

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

of the European Communities by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

( 14 April 1993 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 219 / 05 ) ( 10 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 06 )

Subject : Failure to implement motor-vehicle Directives

In December 1992 most of the Member States had failed to

implement various Directives on motor vehicles,
including :

Directive 92 / 21 / EEC, H

Directive 92 / 22 / EEC ( 2 ) and

Subject : Planning and organization of tourism policy

Will the Commission encourage all the government bodies
in the Member States responsible for planning and
organizing tourism policy to coordinate their efforts and
coperate at the earliest opportunity and how does it intend
to do this ?

No C 219 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi With regard to a possible link between the condition of

of the Commission anopthalmia and exposure to benomyl, the Commission

would draw the Honourable Member's attention to Written
( 27 September 1993 )
Question No 247 / 93 by Mrs Ceci and Mr Vertemati i 1 ).

on behalf of the Commission

In the context of the Community action plan to assist
tourism ( Council Decision 92 / 421 / EEC of 13 July 1992 i 1 )),
the Commission is seeking to coordinate efforts so as to
ensure that tourism is given due weight when Community
policies are devised and implemented .

Moreover, with regard to national policies to promote
tourism and with a view to establishing cooperation and
consultation between Member States in the field of tourism

( Council Decision 86 / 664 / EEC of 22 December 1986 ( 2 )),
regular meetings are organized under the auspices of the
Advisory Committee on Tourism, with the aim of enhancing
dialogue through more effective exchanges of
information .

Besides strengthening cooperation with the Member States,
the Commission consults widely with professional tourism
organisations . Such consultation is achieved through
meetings of the Advisory Committee on Tourism attended
by representatives of industry and persons responsible for
European tourism organizations, who are invited to discuss
specific points .

(!) OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 384, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 130 / 93

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 07 )

Subject : Pesticides and blindness

Is the Commission aware of any link between the condition
anopthalmia, when babies are born without eyes, and the
use of the agricultural fungicide benomyl, and is this
substance in use legally in any Member State ( if so, please
name them )?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1993 )

The information available to the Commission indicates that

benomyl is authorized for use as a plant protection product
in all Member States .

f 1 ) See page 1 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E l 160 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 08 )

Subject : The Coto Donana

In recent remarks to the press ( Diario ' ABC ' in Madrid, 14
March 1993, in an interview with Isabel San Sebastian )
former Commissioner Ripa di Meana comments on the
corruption which he says affects ' all the Socialist parties in
Europe ' and goes on :

' With regard to the Spanish, I must tell you that during
my time as European Commissioner for the
Environment I had a head-on collision with the

government of Felipe Gonzalez, mainly over the
property speculation scheme which they were
endeavouring to set up in Costa Donana, with serious
ecological repercussions, and more generally over an
environmental policy which I think is inadequate and is
jeopardizing the country's ecological future . As a matter
of fact, it is rather significant that the Minister for the
Environment is also the Minister of Public Works ...'.

Can the Commission explain whether in its judgment the
risk of property speculation in Costa Donana mentioned by
the Commissioner still exists and whether more generally it
still views the ecological future of Spain with concern ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

An international panel of experts including two
Commission officials was set up to deal with the Donana
National Park at the prompting of Spain and the
Commission .

In April 1992 this panel put forward its report and on the
basis of this a working party also involving representatives
of the ( central and autonomous ) Spanish administration,
together with two Commission officials, was set up . This
working party has produced a plan for the sustainable
development of Donana which avoids all real estate

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 5

speculation and is intended to promote the endogenous
development of the area . The Commission has undertaken,
in the years ahead, jointly to finance the operating
programme to be drawn up on the basis of that plan .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 191 / 93

by Annemarie Goedmakers ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )

(9 AIC 219 / 09 )

Subject : Fraud on importing pedigree cattle from Austria

into the Community

In the past I have asked questions on the export of pedigree
cattle to Poland . Export refunds were obtained for such
cattle on the grounds that the cattle concerned was intended
to build up a healthy stock, whereas in fact the cattle used
were intended for slaughter . The gap in the relevant
regulation was supposed to have been closed, according to
the answers I received .

Information is now reaching us of a similar situation
occurring with the import of pedigree cattle from Austria .
Much of the cattle concerned is wrongly being exempted
from import levies as it is being supplied for slaughter .

1 . Is it true that Austria is exporting pedigree cattle to the
European Community — for which there is a lower
import levy than for cattle imported for slaughter —
when such pedigree cattle are actually being used for
slaughter, so that unfair use is being made of the
difference in the tariff structure for import levies ?

2 . If so, what steps is the Commission taking to deal with
the problems described in 1 above ?

3 . Is the definition of pedigree cattle clear in both
cases ?

4 . How are checks on these regulations carried out ?

5 . Are such checks adequate in all Member States ?

suspected in fact of coming from eastern European countries
and slaughtered immediately after importation . False
declarations of type and origin are used with the aim of
evading payment of agricultural levies on imports into the
Community and of circumventing bans on imports of
animals originating in eastern European countries which
were imposed on health grounds .

2 . Under Regulation ( EEC ) No 1468 / 81 on mutual
assistance, the Commission kept the Member States
informed of the suspected fraud mechanism and warned
them against similar imports of cattle declared as originating
in Czechoslovakia ( 1 ).

3 . The rules on the definition of pure-bred livestock are
not called into question as regards either export refunds or
the import levies ; the rules apply equally to both .

4 . The relevant veterinary and customs authorities are
responsible for monitoring the application of export refunds
and import levies . A breeding certificate must be produced
for pure-bred breeding animals ; as it has proved difficult to
ensure via import checks that the animals are not
slaughtered within six months, the relevant authorities of
Member States have been monitoring the declarations
relating to pure-bred breeding animals until the time limit
has expired .

5 . It would appear that the checks carried out regularly in
the Member States do effectively detect and prevent fraud .
However, organized fraud sometimes escapes them . For this
reason the mutual assistance sheets sent to all Member

States urge them to step up their monitoring of the import
fraud mentioned . The Commission is keeping a close watch
on developments .

(*) The Federal Republic still existed at the time .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 196 / 93

by Andrea Raggio ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 10

Subject : Gasification of Sulcis coal
1 . The fraudulent importation into the Community of
pure-bred livestock from Austria mentioned by the
Honourable Member, which is the subject of proceedings in The European Parliament's recent resolution on coal policy
the Netherlands, consists in declaring as pure-bred breeding and energy strategy ( B3-1527 and B3-1566 / 92 (*)) calls for
animals from Austria, livestock, in this case, cattle, measures ' to step up and support research in clean

No C 219 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

technologies ( gasification, combined cycle, etc .) and the
industrial application thereof .

The proposed revival of the Sulcis coal-mining area provides
for the development of ' clean technologies ' for the use of
coal, with particular reference to gasification, and the
construction of a combined-cycle coal-gas-fired power
station at Portovesme ( Cagliari ). In this context, substantial
investments have already been carried out with a view to the
rationalization and modernization of the mining
industry .

What measures does the Commission intend to adopt to
promote the development of coal gasification technology
and, in particular, to support the Sulcis coal-mining area
revival programmes ?

(!) OJ No C 337, 21 . 12 . 1992, p . 198 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210 / 93

by Christian de la Malène ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 11

Subject : Intra-Community tråde in wine

Since 1 January 1993 it would appear that
intra-Community trade in wine, particularly shipments of
wine to individuals in a Community Member State, have
been hampered by a system of administrative formalities

( bank deposits, tax representatives, etc .) introduced on
behalf of large firms which work to the disadvantage of
small firms .

In order not to create needless problems for small producers,
should the Commission not propose, as soon as possible,
measures to simplify the administrative arrangements
governing the shipment of wine from producers to
individuals in the Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

Answer given by Mr Matutes on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission
( 29 October 1993 )
( 17 September 1993 )

The Commission provides funding for clean technologies
for the use of coal, in particular coal gasification, under the
Joule research programme, the ECSC coal research
programme and the Thermie energy demonstration
programme . These technologies are extremely promising
from an environmental viewpoint and it therefore intends to
continue and to step up its action in this field .

Electricity production based on coal gasification is
undoubtedly sufficiently advanced to enable actual projects
to be commenced . Under the Thermie programme, the
Commission launched a specific programme in the field of
IGCC ( Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle ) in 1991,
the building works for which now in progress at Puertollano
( Spain ) should be completed in 1 996 . This is the biggest
power station of this type in the world . Promoted by the
Commission, an ad hoc company has been set up ( Elcogas ),
the shareholders in which are eight major Community
electricity generators and three suppliers of technology .

Mining activities in Sardinia, especially those as part of the
proposed revival of the Sulcis coal-mining area, have
received various types of aid provided for under the above
three programmes . However, the Commission is of the view
that, until the Community project at Puertollano has been
completed and evaluated, it is not advisable for it to finance
the construction of a new power station of the same type in
the Sulcis area .

The Commission is fully aware of and attentive to the
difficulties encountered by certain traders since any
situation that might restrict trade would be contrary to the
objectives of the single market .

However, it appears that these difficulties are in part
inevitable since they stem from the fact that the system now
in place is new and sometimes misunderstood by certain
traders . As traders become better acquainted with the
procedures involved, it should be possible to apply the
Community rules uniformly and to establish efficient trade
networks without prejudicing the interests of producers .

Nevertheless, the Commission is studying various ways of
improving, within the existing legal framework, the
practical procedures for payment of excise duties in the
Member State of destination so as to enable traders to meet
their obligations while reducing the cost of those procedures
and limiting the constraints they impose .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1289 / 93

by Miguel Arias Cañete ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

(9 4 / C 219 / 12 )

Subject : EEC tariff preferences for certain Iberian
American countries

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3211 / 90 (') provides for all
products coming under CCT Chapter 3 originating in

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 7

Bolivia, Equador, Colombia and Peru to be exempted from
customs duties for a period of four years, extended in 1991
to other countries in the region, with the aim of providing an
alternative to the cultivation of drug crops .

It should be pointed out that the Regulation provides for
such preferential treatment only in respect of products
originating from those countries .

However, the origins of products are being manipulated in
order to introduce both whole tuna and tuna slices into the

Community's customs territory duty-free, even where such
products do not originate in the countries in question,
thereby defeating the object of the Regulation since, in that
case, the beneficiaries would be other foreign producers .

Can the Commission therefore state what measures it

intends to take to ensure that products which do not ;
originate from the countries in question are not allowed to
enter Community territory ?

(») OJ No L 308, 8 . 11 . 1990, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

1 . The application of the special preferences granted to
the Andean countries is conditional on compliance with the
specific criteria laid down in Commission Regulation ( EEC )
No 693 / 88 of 4 March 1988 (*) and presentation of a
Certificate of Origin Form A, issued in accordance with
those criteria .

2 . As regards whole tuna and tuna slices, which fall
within Chapter 3 of the Common Customs Tariff

( Combined Nomenclature ), the criteria stipulate that the
tuna concerned must be caught :

— either in the territorial waters ( within the 12-mile limit )

of the Andean country in question ;

— or, beyond that limit, by a ship having the nationality, as

defined in Regulation 693 / 88, of that Andean country or
of another such country in accordance with Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2955 / 85 of 22 October
1985 ( 2 ).

3 . Where these rules are not complied with, the products
concerned are subject to the normal tariff arrangements laid
down in the Common Customs Tariff ( tuna slices 18% ), the
effect of which is to remove enjoyment of preferences but
not to prevent imports into the Community . Furthermore,
apart from the ex post verification of the GSP Certificates of
Origin Form A, provided for in Regulation ( EEC )
No 692 / 88, cases of fraud and irregularity may be the
subject of specific investigations coordinated by the
Commission under Regulation ( EEC ) No 1468 / 81 on
mutual assistance in the customs and agricultural
fields ( 3 ).

4 . Attention should be drawn to the general suspension
of duties on whole tuna of all origins imported into the
Community for canning . There is no need to request
preferential treatment for such products imported from the
Andean countries since they qualify for the same tariff
treatment on arrival in the Community, regardless of where
they were caught or the nationality of the vessel .

t 1 ) OJ No L 77, 22 . 3 . 1988 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 285, 25 . 10 . 1985

( 3 ) OJ No L 144, 2 . 6 . 1981 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1292 / 93

by Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 13

Subject : Aid to environmentally sensitive areas

The 1992 report on the situation of agriculture in the
European Community published by the Commission
contains in the chapter on rural development a table giving a
breakdown per Member State of aid in ' areas sensitive as
regards protection of the environment ' ( Regulation ( EEC )
No 2328 / 91 (*) Title VII ) in terms of areas eligible for
premiums and the number of farmers in receipt of aid .

On the basis of those figures, can the Commission state
whether :

1 . Is detailed information available as regards the various
aid programmes ( i.e . a regional breakdown of the
sensitive areas and details of the aid granted )?

2, it can provide such information in respect of Italy ?

(') OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

More detailed information does exist concerning the
different programmes for aid which exist under title VII of
( EEC ) Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 92 . Such information
includes details about the regional distribution of
environmentally sensitive areas and the nature and
characteristics of the aids given . Also the number of farmers
involved in undertakings, the premia given and total costs
involved .

For Italy, Programmes exist in the regions of Toscana,
Trento, Lombardia and Val d'Aoste, Emilia Romagna,
Piemonte and Veneto under title VII of Regulation ( EEC )
No 2328 / 92 .

No C 219 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

The table below gives information in respect of these .

Predicted

number

of farmers

Total ECU

cost up
to 1992

Actual

number

of farmers

Name of Programme

Predicted surface

area

( ha )

Actual surface area

( ha )

TOSCANA +/- 37 100 62 +/- 1 933 352 230

Fabriche di Vallo ( 3 )

t mio Lit

( 545 mio )
annual

TRENTO 621 788 ( 3 ) — 40 650 — 8 200 mio

LOMBARDIA 250 909 — 65 000 — 26,2 mio

EMILIA - 188 000 14 500 2,8 mio
ROMAGNA - 101 000 4 700 — 1,0 mio

            - 159 000 — 8 333 — 1,7 mio

            - 474 000 — 27 000 — 6,9 mio

PIEMONTE 229 995 — 148 000 — 7 434 630

VENETO 206 000 — 22 500 — 16 575 mio

VAL D' AOSTE 42 050 — — — 3 212 500

( predicted )

QUESTION E-1309 / 93 Dessert apples and dessert pears imported from third

Ian White ( PSE ) countries are subject to the reference price mechanism . The

fact that prices are currently very low is mainly due to the

of the European Communities exceptional harvest in 1992 .

(1 June 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309 / 93

by Ian White ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 219 / 14 ) (!) OJNo L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991 .

Subject : British cider orchards

Would the Commission advise if it has considered giving
financial assistance to enable UK growers to continue the

- tradition of planting apple and perry orchards for the

production of pure cider and perry which are indigenous
and uniquely British drinks, and is the Commission aware
that the cheap imports of apples and pears from non-EC
countries are depressing and diluting the market for
growing apples and pears in the United Kingdom ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

Financial aid can be granted to producers of cider apples and
perry pears for their investments on their holdings under the
provisions of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 91 on
improving the efficiency of agricultural structures ( 1 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1321 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 15 )

Subject : Need to establish a Community system of
epidemiological monitoring

Given that the international health regulation adopted by
the World Health Organization on 25 July 1 969 requires all
Member States to take measures to prevent the transmission
of disease, does the Commission intend to submit a proposal
to set up a Community system for epidemiological
monitoring to coordinate the activities of health services in
this domain ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 9

Answer given by Mr Flynn regions on the Atlantic coastline in order to hear the views of
on behalf of the Commission regional parliamentarians on solving the problems common

( 30 September 1993 ) to those regions and draw up plans at Community level to
meet those aspirations ?

The international health regulation ( IHR ) adopted by the
22nd ( 1969 ) World Health Assembly and amended by the
26th ( 1973 ) and 34th ( 1981 ) World Health Assemblies,
obliges countries party to this international convention to
take measures to stop the spread of epidemics caused by
three diseases : rodent plague, cholera and yellow fever . The
Community and, in consequence, the Commission are not
bound by the provisions of the international health
regulation . In the absence of any competence deriving from
the present Treaties, their only obligations in the field of
public health are based on Council Decisions . However,
with regard to cholera, the Commission was induced to take
measures in 1992 prohibiting the entry into the Community
of certain foodstuffs from regions in which this disease had
reached epidemic proportions (*). In addition, the
resolution by the Council and the Ministers for Health of the
Member States meeting within the Council of 13 November

1992 on the monitoring and surveillance of communicable
diseases ( 2 ), invites the Commission to present a report to
the Council on this subject . The report is being drafted and
should be available in 1994 .

0 ) Régulation ( EEC ) No 3185 / 91 — OJ No L 303,
22 . 10 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 326, 11 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1370 / 93

by Gerardo Fernandez      - Albor ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission takes part regularly in meetings organized
by elected representatives of the Atlantic coastline regions
within the framework of the groupings which they have set
up ( Atlantic Coastline Committee of the Conference on
Maritime Peripheral Regions, Southern Europe Atlantic
Association ) and has financed information exchanges which
these groupings have organized .

The Commission is supportive of Parliament's work in this
context, notably the Maher Report, which has fostered a
better understanding of the problems of these regions and
helped to identify new development opportunities .

Further to an amendment by Parliament in respect of the

1993 budget, the Commission decided to finance a pilot
project (' Atlantis ') under Article 10 of the European
Regional Development Fund Regulation ( 1 ) for the benefit
of the Atlantic regions covered by the Maher Report .

f 1 ) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1391 / 93

(4 June 1993 ) by Madron Seligman ( PPE )

( 94 / C 219 / 16 to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 June 1993 )

Subject : Parliamentary participation of the regions of the (9 AIC 219 / 17 )

Atlantic coastline in Community joint action
projects

Subject : Abattoir in the Falklands

In addition to sharing a similar natural environment, the
regions on the Atlantic coastline offer possibilities for the
development of joint Community policies since the
problems they face and the objectives pursued are in many
cases common to various regions in the different
Community Member States .

The nature of this common denominator and the fact that

the same solutions are required for the same problems
would appear to suggest that joint meetings of the respective
regional parliaments should be held in order to discuss and
put forward proposals to the European Community on
projects and solutions as well as the means of iplementing
them .

Does the Commission consider that it would be useful to

hold regular consultations with the parliaments of the

It has been drawn to my attention that the European
Commission has decreed that the abattoir in Port Stanley in
the Falklands does not meet EC hygiene standards . As a
result, beef is being imported from Uruguay via London and
lamb directly from New Zealand and tens of thousands of
local animals are said to be ' bulldozed over cliffs ' since there

is no longer a demand for them .

Even if, as now reported, the EC is to contribute to the cost
of improving slaughtering facilities on the island, the present
situation seems patently absurd, especially as the island does
not contemplate exporting its meat to Europe .

Is the Commission aware of the effects on small businesses

and on consumers of limited means of its meat hygiene
rules ?

No C 219 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable

Member that its veterinary experts have to date never been
asked to inspect the Port Stanley slaughterhouse and that it
has therefore not given an opinion with regard to the
slaughterhouse .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1407 / 93

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

(9 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 18 )

Subject : Results of and outlook for the GAME project to

boost microelectronics in Spain

Can the Commission provide an evaluation of the results
achieved before the signing of a three-year extension to the
GAME programme ( Group to Boost Microelectronics in
Spain ), in which it participates together with the Ministry of
Industry and the Spanish Government's Interministerial
Committee on Science and Technology ?

Can it also provide information on the objectives of this new
phase ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

Following consultations with the Spanish authorities, the
Commission launched the Special Action GAME ( Grupo
Activador de la Microelectronica en Espana ) in September

1990 for a three-year period . The action is co-financed by
the Commission, Spanish authorities and participating
companies .

At the end of the first year of operation GAME was
evaluated alongside two similar actions initiated in Portugal
and Greece . The evaluators, a panel of four independent
international experts from Belgium, Denmark, France and
Ireland, were particularly impressed with the rapid progress
being made by the action and gave positive comments on the
fact that a dedicated and professional local support office
had been established to promote, administer and monitor
the work . The reviewers, however, recommended further
efforts to reinforce existing levels of technical support in
local centres of excellence .

A review of the second year's progress determined that
extremely good results were being produced in terms of

technical content, geographical coverage and, notably, in
the high-level of participation by small and medium sized
enterprises . The up-to-date summary which follows gives
some indication of the progress that has been made in a
relatively short period .

GAME has received some 68 industrial project and 44 of
these have been evaluated, selected and launched as projects .
Typically the projects are built on cooperation between
industry and academia and are able to draw on expertise
from four technical support centres which are closely
coupled to the work of the action . Geographically, there are
now activities in ten of the seventeen autonomous regions of
Spain . It is also worth noting that whilst half of the of the
companies participating in projects had some prior
experience in electronics, the other twenty-two were gaining
their first experience in exploiting microelectronic
technologies in the design of their products . To date,
seventeen of the projects have been successfully completed
and are now being incorporated into industrial prototype
products which are expected to enter production during the
course of 1993 and 1994 .

The second phase of GAME was launched in December

1992, as consequence of the success experienced in the first
pilot phase . The objectives are to expand the base of
industrial participation and the range of technologies
addressed, and to develop trans-national links between
Spanish participants and their counterparts in other parts of
Europe .

To achieve these objectives, three priority lines of action are
being pursued :

— ASIC demonstration activities — priority will be given to

companies with little or no previous experience as well
as to those with a need to master new technologies and
design approaches emerging from their research phases
in programmes such as Esprit and JESSI ;

— Sensor Technology and Applications — are targeted to

areas such as environmental management, medicine,
transport, food production . The expertise being
aggregated in Spain will also be linked to initiatives and
networks in other parts of Europe ;

— Technology Transfer, Training and Trans-national

development — will reinforce links between GAME
participants and centres of excellence in other parts of
Europe . A range of activities such as workshops,
seminars and staff-exchanges will be employed to
achieve these objectives .

By June 1993, twenty four firms had submitted proposals
for funding under the second phase of GAME . These
proposals are currently being evaluated by a Committee of
experts who will advise on the selection of projects for
funding .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 11

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418 / 93

by Winifred Ewing ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 lune 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 19 )

Subject : Spanish slaughterhouses

The British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals has video evidence of serious contraventions of the

EC Directive on the stunning of animals before slaughter . In
many cases cattle, horses, pigs and goats were still conscious
at the time of killing .

What action is the Commission taking to ensure compliance
with the Directive in all Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

The Commission received in 1991 the videotapes referred to
by the Honourable Member and contacted the Spanish
authorities immediately, requesting them to check that the
provisions of Council Directive 74 / 577 / EEC on the stunning
of animals before slaughter ( 1 ) were being observed .

The Spanish authorities informed the Commission that they
had found some breaches of the Directive and they took
immediate corrective action, including the closure of one of
the slaughterhouses involved . They have also issued a
comprehensive set of instructions to the regional authorities
responsible for the supervision of slaughterhouses,
reminding them of their obligations under the Spanish law
transposing the Directive .

Since that time, inspections by the Commission veterinary
inspectors have confirmed that the Directive is being applied
in Spain .

(!) OJ No L 316, 26 . 11 . 1974 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1423 / 93

by Winifred Ewing ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 20 )

Subject : Repeal of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 170 / 83

( common fisheries policy )

Commissioner Marin has implicitly confirmed that one of
the objectives of the proposal to repeal the existing CFP

Regulation is to enable the transitional fisheries regime
established under the Act of Accession with Spain and
Portugal to be terminated seven years ahead of the date
originally envisaged by the signatories to the Act of
Accession . He has also confirmed that he envisages that it
may enable the Council to decide on a new ' formula ' for
sharing out fishing opportunities between the Member
States, although the vital notion of relative stability as set
forth in Regulation ( EEC ) No 170 / 83 (*) was to be retained
for a period of at least 20 years when the CFP was
established .

Can the Commission accept that its proposal lacks
transparency, bearing in mind that it contains no cross
references on the impact of the proposal on the existing
transitional fisheries regime for Spain and Portugal, and
does it acknowledge that the legal basis of this proposal may
be open to challenge ?

How does the Commission propose to answer the charge
which has been levelled by fishermen's representatives in
Scotland that this is a ' highly dishonourable proposal '?

Will the Commission withdraw its proposal in view of the
considerable legal question marks which arise as to its legal
validity ?

(!) OJ No L 24, 27 . 1 . 1983, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1993 )

1 . After more than two years of discussions involving the
European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee,
the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and various bodies
representative of the fisheries sector, the Council adopted,
on 20 December 1992, Regulation ( EEC ) No 3760 / 92
establishing a Community system for fisheries and
aquaculture (*).

This Regulation replaces Council Regulation ( EEC ) No

170 / 83 of 25 January 1983 establishing a Community
system for the conservation and management of fishery

resources .

2 . The Legal Services of the Commission, the Council
and Parliament examined the legal basis of the proposal and
Parliament and the Council discussed it thoroughly . The
Council having adopted the Regulation, with the agreement
of Parliament, there is no longer any reason to think that the
legal basis is doubtful .

3 . In its proposal, the Commission incorporated all the
elements contained in the repealed Regulation with regard

No C 219 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

to the rules on access to waters and to resources, such as the WRITTEN QUESTION E-1426 / 93

12-mile band, the ' Shetland area ' and the principle of
' relative stability '.

Moreover, it must be stressed that in its 1991 report to the
Council and Parliament on the common fisheries policy ( 2 )
the Commission expressed very clearly and precisely its
intentions with regard to the access rules adopted in 1983

( see point 8.2.1.3 .).

by Anthony Wilson ( PSE ), David Morris ( PSE ), Brian
Simpson ( PSE ), Anita Pollack ( PSE ), David Bowe ( PSE ),
Richard Balfe ( PSE ), Arthur Newens ( PSE ), John Tomlinson
( PSE ), Roger Barton ( PSE ), Stephen Hughes ( PSE ), Alan
Donnelly ( PSE ), Lyndon Harrison ( PSE ), Hugh McMahon
( PSE ), Michael McGowan ( PSE ), Gordon Adam ( PSE ),
Barry Seal ( PSE ), Thomas Megahy ( PSE ), Imelda Read

( PSE ), Henry McCubbin ( PSE ), Kenneth Coates ( PSE ), Alex
Smith ( PSE ), Wayne David ( PSE ) and Janey Buchan

( PSE )
However, taking account to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 lune 1993 )

— of the innovatory character of certain features, such as

the Community system of fishing licences, the overall
integrated control system and the fixing of targets for the
restructuring of the fleets in harmony with the access
rules, and

— of the adjustments proposed, in particular in terms of

limitation of the exploitation rates, which now
encourage approaches by fisheries and make it possible
to integrate parameters other than strictly biological
ones in clear and longer-term prospects,

the Commission chose to replace Regulation ( EEC ) No

170 / 83 .

It should be noted that this replacement is also intended to
ensure that citizens find the new basic Regulation on the
common fisheries policy readable .

In any event Article 20 of the new Regulation stipulates that
' references to the provisions of the Regulation repealed shall
be construed as references to the corresponding provisions
of this Regulation '.

4 . With regard to the conditions of access of the Spanish
and Portuguese fleets as fixed by the Act of Accession of
Spain and Portugal, on the one hand the Regulation does not
prejudge in any way the discussions which will take place on
the basis of the 1992 report from the Commission to the
Council and Parliament on the Act of Accession of Spain
and Portugal in the fisheries sector ( 3 ) in the first half of

1993 and, on the other hand, does not call into question the
conditions of access established by the 1985 Act of
Accession . It is the Council which will decide before
31 December 1993 on the possible adjustments to certain
conditions of access laid down by the accession
arrangements and which will take effect on 1 January

1996 .

( 94 / C 219 / 21 )

Subject : Increased milk quota for the UK

Since the UK is not self-sufficient in milk production, and
since the UK dairy industries are losing a considerable
number of jobs as a result of having insufficient milk to
process, would the Commission allocate a two per cent
increase in milk quota to be used in those UK regions where
dairy-associated jobs are or have been threatened ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

The Member States ' guaranteed total quantities are fixed by
the Council not, as the Honourable Members appear to
believe, on the basis of the self-sufficiency rate but on the
basis of the quantities of milk marketed during a reference
year which, in the case of the United Kingdom, is 1981 .

Since the Community produces a large milk surplus and
since we now have a single market where this is one of the
fundamental objectives, the dairy industries of the regions
which are not self sufficient should obtain the milk they need
to supply their markets from the regions where there is a
surplus, without it being necessary to increase the available
reference quantities . Indeed, the constant increase in
intra-Community trade in the dairy sector shows that this is
happening .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1437 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

(!) OJ No L 389, 31 . 12 . 1992 . ( 94 / C 219 / 22 )

( 2 ) Doc . SEC(91 ) 2288 final of 18 . 12 . 1991 .
( 3 ) Doc . SEC(92 ) 2340 final of 23 . 12 . 1992 . Subject : Ports in western Greece

Given the constantly increasing volume of traffic in existing
ports in western Greece, which are no longer able to cope

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 13

with the flow of passengers and goods to and from Italy and
the rest of Europe, will the Commission, in cooperation with
the Greek authorities, take steps to enlarge, modernize and
improve the facilities of these Greek ports, including them in
the list of projects to receive funding under the Delors II
package ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1993 )

Annex I to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*) and must undergo
specific environmental assessment before authorization is
granted .

In accordance with the assessment procedure, the project
must be the subject of appropriate environmental analysis,
with consultation of the environmental authorities and the

public concerned .

It is therefore during this consultation period that interested
parties may submit their comments and any suggestions they
may have on the project to the competent authorities .

(!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .
The Commission is prepared to examine proposals from the
Greek authorities to enhance ports in western Greece in the
context of the Delors II package .

On the one hand support from thé structural funds could be
made available to those proposals which are consistent with
the Regional Development Plan .

If, on the other hand, support from the Cohesion Fund is
requested, the corresponding proposal should meet
objective and operational criteria agreed by the Member
State Group which assists the Commission in preparing
draft port guidelines under Article 129 c of the Treaty on
European Union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1439 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

                                            - (9 AIC 219 / 23

Subject : Construction of a new motorway linking Munich

and the Venice-Trieste region

Given that a large majority of the residents of the Pustertal in
South Tyrol and of the Veneto are opposed to the
construction of the new motorway linking the Munich and
Venice-Trieste regions, which will pass through the
Pustertal and the Veneto, greatly increasing traffic volumes
and having an adverse affect on public health and on the
environment, will the Commission issue a statement
expressing solidarity with the population concerned ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 1993 )

The construction of motorways, such as that to be built
between Munich and the Venice-Triest region, is covered by

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1444 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 24 )

Subject : Health Care Workers College in Greece

Teaching and professional training for hospital staff and
research relating to the health services are the two main
objectives of the Health Care Workers College recently
founded in Greece by the two largest health unions, the
General Greek Federation of Public Hospital Staff and the
Greek Federation of Hospital Doctors ' Unions . Can the
Commission provide funding in order to support the work
being done by the Health Care Workers College ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(U October 1993 )

Funding by the Commission to organisations such as that to
which the Honourable Member refers may be provided
either on the basis of an application to the Commission
supported by documents pertaining to the statutes,
objectives and activities of the organisation which
demonstrate a sound potential for contributing to the
Community's aims, or on the basis of sucessful proposals for
contractual work related to the various programmes and
actions undertaken for or supported by the Community .

No request for funding has been received but the
Honourable Member can be assured that any such request
by the organisation mentioned in his question will be given
consideration in accordance with the abovementioned

principles .

No C 219 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1449 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 25

Subject : Chios mastic

Given the importance and unique character of Chios mastic
will the Commission consider providing special aid for the
producers thereof ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

As mentioned in the Final Commission Report on certain
Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea ( 1 ), mastic production in
Chios could receive special aid under regional structural
measures for the Aegean islands on the basis of proposals by
the Greek authorities .

(M COM(92)569 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451 / 93

which is to attain a high level of environmental protection
through harmonization of the Member States ' legislation on
disposal and exploitation of waste . It requires Member
States to incorporate in waste management plans measures
to encourage recycling and re-use .

The Community has already acted in regard to re-use of
certain waste products in agriculture . Directive 86 / 278 / EEC
on protection of the environment, in particular the soil,
when sewage sludge is used in agriculture ( 2 ), sets limit
values for heavy metals in these sludges in order to make
them environmentally acceptable . Directive 91 / 676 / EEC ( 3 )
on protection of water against pollution caused by nitrates
from agricultural sources requires Member States to
establish codes of good practice for the application of
livestock manure to agricultural land . These are of course
two quite specific types of waste .

Article 2(2 ) of the framework Directive states that specific
or supplementary provisions to regulate the management of
particular categories of waste may be laid down by
individual Directives . The Commission considers however

that before it looks at the advisability of proposing any such
individual Directive Member States should be left to

implement their own waste management plans in
application of the framework Directive .

In conclusion, it is up to each Member State to look into the
possibilities of converting waste into fertilizer, pass on the
necessary information to the Commission and let it know of
difficulties encountered .

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities H OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 181, 4 . 7 . 1986 .
(9 June 1993 ) ( 3 ) OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1991
( 94 / C 219 / 26 )

Subject : Manufacture of fertilizers from waste

Given that industrial and domestic waste is generally rich in
organic substances which can be re-used as fertilizer to
improve agricultural productivity,

1, will the Commission issue Community guidelines

showing which substances contained in waste are
suitable for the production of fertilizers ?

2 . Will it take measures to inform the citizens of Europe
and in particular farmers of the possibilities of
producing fertilizers from waste ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1461 / 93

by Henry Chabert ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 June 1993 )

(9 4 / C 219 / 27 )

Subject : Pornographic television broadcasts

( 13 October 1993 )

It seems that many European countries wish to ban
pornographic films on television, and the Commission
Waste management is the subject of the framework Council recently authorized the British Government to suspend
Directive 91 / 156 / EEC of 18 March 1991 (*), the aim behind pornographic television broadcasts by satellite .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 15

1 . Can the Commission say if it intends in the near future to
put forward a stricter memorandum, communication or
legislative text and if so, on what criteria would it be
based ? Will the Commission, in line with the principle of
subsidiarity, issue a general Directive, leaving it up to the
Member States to achieve the objectives in due course,
and if so does it not think that this would entail a

considerable risk of encouraging a proliferation of

' pirate ' stations from country X, operating in country Y,
broadcasting to country Z ?

2 . In some countries, distributors of programmes
broadcast by satellite who over several months have
been trying to implement plans to open pornographic
film channels broadcast by satellite, have
understandably had their application rejected by the
public authorities on the grounds that the law should
protect human dignity . The distributors concerned plan
to appeal to the European authorities in the name of
freedom of competition and freedom to broadcast by
satellite from abroad .

It seems that the controversy is more than a simple matter of
competition ; can the Commission say what action ( for
example, a code of ethics ) it intends to propose to prevent
free range being given to all kinds of abuses with regard to
the broadcasting of pornographic films ?

On the other hand, Member States remain free to restrict the
reception and / or retransmission of broadcasts transmitted
by non-member countries and not falling within the
jurisdiction of a Member State .

Under the Directive, Member States may suspend the
retransmission on their territory of television programmes
broadcast in other Member States in the event of a repeated,
manifest violation of the rules on the protection of minors

( Article 22 ). A specific procedure is laid down for this
purpose in Article 2(2 ), whereby the Member State
concerned must give notice of its intention to suspend
retransmission of the offending broadcasts . The
Commission has to ensure that such action is compatible
with Community law ; it is for the Member States, not the
Commission, to set moral standards .

Accordingly, the Commission does not intend to propose
any special measure . As required by Article 26 of the
Directive, it will report by October 1994, report to the
Council, Parliament and the Economic and Social
Committee on the application of the Directive and, if
necessary, put forward proposals to adapt it to
developments in the field of television broadcasting .

0 ) OJ No L 298, 17 . 10 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1473 / 93

by Alman Metten ( PSE )
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro to the Commission of the European Communities

on behalf of the Commission
( 14 June 1993 )
( 22 October 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 28 )

Subject : Official Journal on CD-ROM
The question of pornographie television broadcasts is
already covered by Article 22 of Directive ' 8 9 / 55 2 / EEC ( l ), 1 . Is the Commission aware that CD-ROM technology is
which requires Member States to take appropriate now so sophisticated that it need cost no more than ECU 23
measures to ensure that television broadcasts by

to record 640 megabytes of information on a single disc, the

broadcasters under their jurisdiction do not include
programmes which might seriously impair the physical, equivalent of 240 000 A4 pages, and that the recorded data
mental or moral development of minors, in particular those can be indexed and retrieved in a rapid and user friendly
that involve pornography or gratuitous violence '. way ?

The period for transposing Directive 89 / 552 / EEC into
national law expired on 3 October 1991 . The aim of the
Directive is to ensure that television broadcasts transmitted

in a Member State in compliance with the harmonized rules
on advertising, sponsorship, the protection of minors, the
right of reply, the share of European works and support for
independent production can be freely received throughout
the Community . The system, which is based on the principle
of the unity of the law applicable to a cross-border
broadcasting service, is designed to achieve legal certainty so
that there is no risk of a broadcaster falling within the
jurisdiction of more than One Member State or indeed of
none of them .

2 . Does the Commission not agree that it is in the interest
of Members, staff, journalists and all concerned that
important information such as the Official Journals C and L
series, and the explanatory statements and background
documentation on Commission legislative proposals and
policy documents should be accessible in full on
CD-ROM ?

3 . Is the Commission prepared to enter into
consultations with the President of the Parliament, to whom
I have put a similar question, in order that practical
proposals can be drawn up before the beginning of the next
budgetary round to enable important information to be
made accessible on CD-ROM as fast as possible ?

No C 219 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 ) ( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission is keenly aware of the advantages of the
CD-ROM system for bulky publications .

The CD-ROM market is still rapidly developing, and the

Commission has carried out several trials in conjunction
with specialized companies .

The Publications Office is already distributing some
Eurostat publications in CD-ROM form and it has
authorized the production of twelve other CD-ROM
publications under licence and under co-publishing

contracts .

In the light of these trials the Publications Office will
examine the best solution for a CD-ROM version of the

Official Journal .

It should be emphasized that, while the price of each copy
made is low, the cost of creating a CD-ROM master for so
much information is very high, even when the mag-tapes
( magnetic tapes ) of the Official Journals are covered in full .
The costs flow mainly from the structuring, indexing and
encoding work which is indispensable if the user is to take
full advantage of the CD-ROM system .

The severe budgetary constraints imposed for 1994 will
undoubtedly make such an initiative difficult in the short
term, but the matter will be raised at the Publications Office
Management Committee comprising the Secretaries ­
General of all the institutions involved in the publication of
the Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1478 / 93

by Antonio Navarro ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 29 )

Subject : Request for aid to the Spanish cotton industry

The Spanish cotton processing industry has a large over
capacity problem in relation to the expected medium and
long term crops, as a result of the limits imposed by the
guaranteed maximum quantity scheme for the cotton
sector . This is forcing the industry to restructure so as to
bring processing capacity into line with the actual size of
cotton harvests .

Does the Commission propose to provide financial aid for
this restructuring, on the same basis as in the synthetic fibre
industry and plans for the Spanish sugar refining
industry ?

The Commission would point out that the stabilizer scheme
applied in the cotton sector is not designed to bring down
Community production in general, nor Spanish production
in particular, but to bring it, and thus expenditure, under
control .

The Commission does not fear that the stabilizer scheme

will lead in the medium or long term to a reduction in land
under cotton in Spain, nor, therefore, to over-capacity in the
cotton processing industry .

Moreover, it should be noted that the recent fall in Spanish
production is essentially a result of temporary irrigation
problems in the main production area .

Under these conditions the Commission sees no need for
restructuring measures for the processing industry .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-14 88 / 93

by Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 30

Subject : Measures to protect the occupation of
sponge-diver on the island of Kalymnos

The traditional occupation of sponge diver — which has
been practised on the island of Kalymnos since antiquity —
is dying out . This is due, inter alia, to a disease affecting
sponges in Greek waters and the refusal of Tunisia and
Libya to grant authorization for sponge fishing in their

waters .

Does the Commission intend to support this occupation
which, until a few years ago, constituted the main source of
employment for the inhabitants of the island ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 )

The livelihood of sponge-gatherers on the island of
Kalymnos is threatened by the increasing scarcity of sponges
in their traditional operational waters . Regrettably there has

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 17

until recently been no proper scientific study of the levels of
sustainability and the problems of management of
Mediterranean sponges . There is very little knowledge of the
effects of the epizootic disease which has attacked these
sponges . Nor is it certain that their increasing scarcity may
not, to a large extent, be due to excessive harvesting .

Morocco is currently the sole North African country in
whose waters sponges are found and with which the
Community has concluded a fishery agreement . The
Commission confirmed previously ( in its answer to Written
Question No 646 / 93 (*) by Mr J. Vazquez Fouz ) its hope
that fishery agreements which the Council has authorized it
to negotiate — will be concluded with other Maghreb
countries . It is hopeful that the contacts being developed
with maritime countries in connection with the
implementation of a common Mediterranean fisheries
scheme will result in a greater show of interest in such
agreements by certain of those countries than has hitherto
been the case .

It should, however, be pointed out that since
sponge-gathering opportunities under the EEC-Morocco
Agreement have yet to be exploited, there could be scope for
allowing Greek vessels representing a total of 300 tonnes
gross register tonnage preferential access to new operational

areas .

As regards aid for sponge-gatherers on the island of
Kalymnos, the Community has previously provided funding
totalling ECU 778 718 for two specifically Mediterranean
schemes, one in 1991 and the other in 1992 . The first of
these measures seeks to ensure improved training and
working conditions for the gatherers concerned, whilst the
second concerns know-how necessary for management of
the resources exploited in the eastern Mediterranean

waters .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1993 )

The Commission could perhaps examine with the Greek
authorities the possibility of financing measures to improve
the equipment of some of these plants . The Community
however cannot subsidize their operating costs .

The Commission thinks that the authorities in question
should set the price of water at an appropriate level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1527 / 93

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 32 )

Subject : Responsibility for foot-and-mouth disease

The recent epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in Italy led
the Community to introduce a number of drastic measures
which penalized Italian exports as a whole . It has now been
established that the infected cattle did originally come from
an eastern European country, but first passed through
another Community Member State before crossing the
Italian border .

What does the Commission intend to do to reimburse Italian

waters . undertakings hit by the EC sanctions, given that the main

responsibility lies with another Member State which
t 1 ) OJ No C 292, 28 . 10 . 1993 . allowed diseased animals to be imported ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1489 / 93 ( 24 September 1993 )

by Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 31 )

Subject : Water supply problems facing Greek islands

The municipalities of Ermoupolis, Mykonos, Nisiros and
Ithaki have announced that they are facing bankruptcy
owing to massive losses suffered by their water supply
services as a result of the high cost of operating de-salination
plants, which are not subsidized by the Greek
Government .

Can the Commission help find a solution to this problem
and enable these plants to continue operating ?

Council Decision ( 90 / 424 / EEC ) of 26 June 1990 on
expenditure in the veterinary field (*) sets out the rules in
relation to compensation following outbreaks of
foot-and-mouth disease . According to Article 11 of that
Decision the Community can make a financial contribution
of 70 % to the costs of compensating farmers for
slaughtering animals, for destruction of milk and of
contaminated feed and equipment, disinfection of holdings
etc . The Community rules do not cover the question of
liability, and the Commission does not intend to make
proposals on this aspect .

Where measures affecting exports from a particular region
or Member State are introduced following outbreaks of
foot-and-mouth disease, the objective is to prevent spread of
disease, and thereby protect producers and traders in other

No C 219 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

areas from the serious economic consequences that could
otherwise arise . The measures are maintained only as long as
is necessary to ensure the eradication of the disease in the
areas affected, and to provide essential protection for areas
free of disease . In the case of the outbreaks of

foot-and-mouth disease in Italy, the scope of the restrictions
has been adapted regularly to take account of progress in
eradicating the disease and in clarifying the disease situation
in the regions concerned .

f 1 ) OJ No L 244, 18 . 8 . 1990 .

experience . The ensuing reports are usually published and
circulated to interested parties .

However, Brianza is not at present eligible for assistance
from the Structural Funds . The Objective 2 areas for the
period 1994-1996 will be decided by the Commission later
this year in accordance with the new Structural Fund
Regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1541 / 93

by Christopher Jackson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1531 / 93
( 16 June 1993 )

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
( 94 / C 219 / 34
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 33 )

Subject : Closure of industries

Having lived through the long triumph and then the crisis of
industrialization, many industries in Brianza have been
forced to close down or, at best, to diversify . Many
communes, for example Desio, which experienced
unregulated growth — justified, however, by the fact that
the industries there provided jobs for the local population
and therefore ensured a certain prosperity — are now faced
with serious unemployment problems .

Will the Commission carry out a preliminary study to
identify measures which might serve to turn post-industrial
centres into multifunctional centres providing public and
private services ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1993 )

The Commission contributes by means of the European
Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) and the European
Social Fund ( ESF ) to conversion of industrial areas in decline

( Objective 2 ).

The conversion strategy for each area is worked out and
implemented in the partnership framework and is geared to
the specific characteristics of that area .

The Commission, with the aim of making its action in the
field of industrial conversion more effective, commissions
general studies and organizes activities for the exchange of

Subject : Acknowledgement of grant applications

Following a complaint from a local school that their
application under Helios, made in July 1992, has still not
been acknowledged by the Commission, will the
Commission state its policy regarding acknowledgement of
applications and how they expect applicants to know
whether or not their applications have been correctly
received ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

The Commission's policy regarding applications for funding
under the Helios programme is :

— to examine each request in relation to eligibility criteria

as mentioned in the note ' General Rules concerning the
co-financing of activities organised by Non
Governmental Organisations in the framework of
Helios II ' which is sent to every applicant with the
application forms for subsidies ; and

— to reply by sending a contract proposal or, if
appropriate, a refusal .

The application from the Abbey School for funding under
the Helios programme was received on 30 July 1992,
concerning an activity which was to take place in 1993 . No
financial resources were available for events which were

planned to take place in 1993 until the Helios II programme
was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 25 February

1993 and the budget was released on 29 March 1993 . The
decision to grant a subsidy to the activity proposed
by the Abbey School was conveyed to it by

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 19

telephone immediately following the release of the budget,
and confirmed by sending a contract proposal by post on 19
May 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1542 / 93

by Reimer Bôge ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 35 )

Subject : Integrated Mediterranean Programmes

The Integrated Mediterranean Programmes were
introduced in order to alleviate any disadvantages resulting
from the enlargement of the Community to the south to
include the present Mediterranean Member States .

1 . What appropriations have been earmarked to date for

the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes ?

2 . To what extent have Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and

France benefited ?

3 . Is a follow-up to this programme envisaged ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

The appropriations totalling ECU 4,1 billion at current
prices provided for in the IMP Regulation (*) were allocated
to the three countries concerned as follows :

Greece ECU 2 000,00 million

Italy ECU 1 256,46 million

France ECU 843,54 million

Since the purpose of the IMPs was to prepare the
Mediterranean regions of the Community of Ten for the
accession of Spain and Portugal, the latter countries did not
benefit from the programmes .

The legislation in question does not provide for any
follow-up to the programmes . Cohesion measures to assist
the Member States concerned are now dealt with under the

reform of the Structural Funds .

H Régulation ( EEC ) No 2088 / 85, OJ No L 197, 27 . 7 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 562 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 36 )

Subject : Nuclear reprocessing

What information has the Commission received on the
radiological consequences of the accident at the Tomsk-7
Nuclear Reprocessing Plant in Russia in April 1993 ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The release contained a few hundred grams of plutonium
and some 20 terabequerels of radioactive zirconium,
niobium and ruthenium . Contamination was spread over an
area of 200 km 2, largely forest, as shown by radiation above
normal background levels . The only residential area affected
was the village of Georgyevka with a population of some
200 people, where initial dose rates were generally of the
order of some tenths of microsievert per hour compared
with a natural background level of about one-tenth ;
plutonium contamination in the village was reported to be

15 becquerels per square metre .

On site the maximum exposure of a worker to external
radiation has been stated to be 0,7 millesievert but no
estimate of internal exposure has been provided .

The IAEA expert group which visited Tomsk-7
recommended that more detailed monitoring of the
environment and of individuals ( particularly from the point
of view of plutonium contamination ) be carried out .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1567 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 37 )

Subject : Olympic Airways recovery plan

The Community is reportedly considering solving the
problem of the Olympic Airways deficit by converting it into
share capital .

Since this measure presupposes that within five years the
company will have recovered sufficiently to be viable, what
specific measures does the Commission consider necessary
to achieve this objective ?

No C 219 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 1993 )

It is not the Commission's role to develop restructuring
plans for Community carriers . The Commission has
however to examine plans in order to establish whether they
involve state aid and, if so, whether they both facilitate the
development of economic activities and are in the common
interest, according to the state aid rules of the EEC Treaty

( Articles 92 and 93 ).

In evaluating such aids, the Commission sees whether the
restructuring plans are sufficiently comprehensive so that
the airlines can be expected to operate viably and without
further aid . In that context the Commission examines the

present and future financial performance of companies as
well as the economic and technical efficiency of plans .
However, it is not the Commission's role to put itself in the
place of entrepreneurs and to take the managerial decisions
which remain the sole responsibility of the governments and
companies concerned .

With regard to Olympic Airways the Commission is
examining the restructuring programme notified by the
Greek Government in July 1993, according to the
abovementioned rules .

— the measures already introduced unilaterally by Italy and

France in implementation of the Franco-Italian
agreement apply only to those vessels of either party
flying the respective national flags but not to vessels
operating under the flags of other Member States or
third countries ;

— France and Italy have submitted to the International

Maritime Organization ( IMO ) a draft amendment to the
currently applicable IMO Resolution A670(16 )
recommending that governments henceforth prohibit
vessels carrying oil, gas or dangerous substances from
passing through the Strait of Bonifacio, rather than
simply request that such vessels avoid this route ;

— since the aim is to increase the safety of shipping in the

waters of Member States of the European Union and, in
particular, to protect its ecologically most vulnerable
maritime areas, the Commission intends to support this,
Member State initiative vis-à-vis the IMO .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1580 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1578 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )

by François Musso ( RDE ) to the Commission of the European Communities
to the Commission of the European Communities ( 17 June 1993 )

( 17 June 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 39 )

( 94 / C 219 / 38

Subject : Passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Subject : Failure by

Bonifacio 85 / 337 / EEC

Subject : Failure by Greece to comply with Directive

Bonifacio

Can the Commission confirm that the agreement between
the French and Italian Governments permitting the passage
of oil tankers through the Strait of Bonifacio ( between
Corsica and Sardinia ) is in accordance with international
law and can therefore be effectively applied ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

Since Community law is in no way affected, it is not for the
Commission to make pronouncements on the validity in
international law of a bilateral agreement between Member
States .

But the Commission may make the following observations
on the problem of vessels carrying dangerous or polluting
goods using the Strait of Bonifacio :

As the Commission knows from a number of questions,
petitions, etc ., nearly all the projects falling within the scope
of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC O in Greece are in effect carried
out without any environmental impact assessment during
the planning stage . This is because of the systematic practice
of drawing up environmental impact assessments ( EIAs ) in
retrospect, and also because there are no EIAs for projects
which do not receive Community funding . Often there is no
preliminary study of alternatives, but a definitive study is
carried out immediately, with the result that the
environmental impact is assessed only in the light of the
definitive study and there is no way of using the EIA to help
identify the best solution .

— In which projects has Directive 85 / 337 / EEC not been

applied during the planning stage but only once the
project had been finalized and work started, regardless
of whether Greece submitted the EIA afterwards and the
matter was considered formally closed ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 21

— Is the Commission aware of the cases in which Greece Answer given by Mr Steichen

has failed to with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC in on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

has failed to comply with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC in on behalf of the
relation to projects not funded by the Community, and (8 October 1993 )
does it intend to investigate this matter ?

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

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 S November 1993 )

The Commission has published a report on the
implementation of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment
of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment . (*) This report, and in particular Volume 4 on
Greece, contains all the information requested by the
Honourable Member .

The Commission has received, and is continuing to receive, a
large number of complaints about the improper application
of the Directive, especially with regard to projects listed in
Annex II to the Directive . Within the limits of its
jurisdiction, the Commission is following these cases closely
to ensure that Community law is properly applied in
Greece .

(M COM(93 ) 28 final .

Because of the stabilizer applied in respect of olive oil,
production aid for producers whose average output is not
less than 500 kg can be paid as follows :

( a ) An advance, paid on the basis of estimated production

( for 1991 / 92, Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No
1308 / 92 of 21 May 1992 ). This advance generally
accounts for more than 80% of the total amount of

aid .

( b ) The balance, paid within 90 days of the fixing of the

final production figure ( for 1991 / 92, Commission
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1203 / 93 of 7 May 1993 ).

The aid from the EAGGF Guarantee Fund is credited to the

accounts of the Member States only after the beneficiaries
have actually been paid .

By 30 April 1993 no payment had been declared by Portugal
for the relevant marketing year so no funds were
transferred . But Portugal could have paid the advance as
early as June 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1613 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1600 / 93 by Henry Chabert ( PPE )

by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) to the Commission of the European Communities
to the Commission of the European Communities ( 18 lune 1993 )

( 18 lune 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 41

(9 A!C 219 / 40 )

Subject : Market situation in the dairy and dairy products

Subject : Payment of production aid in the olive-oil

sector

The Commission has constantly been talking of greater
transparency in the workings of the Community .
Agriculture is arguably one of the sectors in greatest need of
action to put that principle into practice .

To give a specific example, in May 1993 Portuguese olive oil
producers with an output exceeding 500 kg have still not
received production aid for the year 1992 .

1 . Is the Commission to blame for the delay ?

2 . When were the advance payments transferred to

Portugal, and what sum has been earmarked for the
olive-oil sector ?

sector

In its March 1993 report to the Council on the market
situation in the dairy and dairy products sector, the
Commission observes that it would be imprudent to ignore
the Dairy Export Incentive Programme being financed by
the United States, which is specifically targeted at the
Community's traditional markets . The Commission also
draws attention to rising production figures in New
Zealand, Australia and the United States .

1 . What steps will the Commission take to counter the

United States ' market penetration strategy which has
almost doubled its dairy exports over the last year ?

2 . Having reduced from six to three months the advance
fixing period for powdered milk and butter refunds,

No C 219 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

the Commission reduced export refunds for all dairy
products by 5% on 25 March 1993 .

Does the Commission consider that the European dairy
industry can continue under these conditions to export
products and, in particular, products with a high added
value ?

3 . If the European industry does not have sufficient milk to
manufacture dairy products because of quotas and
import ( inward processing ) bans, how can it continue to
export ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1618 / 93

by Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 42

Subject : Measures to combat drugs

What was the total level of appropriations earmarked by the
Community to combat drugs in 1992 ?

Would it not be obliged to transfer its manufacturing
activities outside the Community, thereby ruining a Answer given by Mr Flynn
large number of undertakings, causing thousands of job on behalf of the Commission
losses and a major reduction in turnover ? ( 16 November 1993 )

The total Community budget spent on measures to combat
drug abuse in 1992 amounted to 18,525 MECU . This was
Answer given by Mr Steichen broken down as follows :

on behalf of the Commission

B3 44 Measures to combat drug abuse
( 22 October 1993 )

B3 440 Measures to combat drug abuse 3,970 MECU

1 . The Commission has and will continue to implement
an export policy in the dairy sector which corresponds to the
needs of the Community's dairy market which includes the
maintenance of exports to traditional markets . In
implementing that policy the Commission is guided by,
amongst other elements, its obligations under the GATT
International Dairy Arrangement ( I. D. A. ) which establishes
in particular minimum export prices to be respected .

The Honourable Member will be aware that the United

States is not a participant in the IDA and consequently is not
restricted by the respect of GATT minimum prices .

The Commission is following with interest the development
of US exports of dairy products under the Dairy Export
Incentive Programme ( DIEP ). The Commission is
monitoring these activities and will, if necessary, take
appropriate action to protect its interests .

2 . The Commission reduced the validity periods of
export refund to ensure respect of its international
obligations in the context of the IDA, as well as for market
management and budgetary reasons .

The Commission reduced the cheese refund in light of the
internal and international market situations . The
Community's export performance for all dairy products is
constantly under review and measures are adopted where

necessary .

3 . The Honourable Member will be pleased to know that
Member States may authorize the use of inward processing
relief arrangements from 1 July 1993 where applicants
justify their requests .

B3 44 1 European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Dr ug
Addiction and preparatory measures

1,859 MECU

B7 508 Campaign against drug abuse

B7 5080 North-South cooperation schemes in the context

of the campaign against drug abuse

9,728 MECU

B7 5081 Other international cooperation in the campaign

against drug abuse p.m .

B7 600 Aid for the economic restructuringof the
countries of central and eastern Europe Regional
PHARE programme for the fight against drugs —
pilot phase 2 MECU

Other

B8 3700 Minibudget associated

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1623 / 93

by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 43 )

Subject : Hazardous waste in border areas

The Chief Executive of the Miinster district is currently
seeking a location for a new hazardous waste disposal site

with B3 440

B8 7580 Minibudget associated

with B7 508

0,898 MECU

0,340 MECU

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 23

within the district . Particular consideration is being given to
locations near the border with the Netherlands

( Borken-Westenborken, Rhede-Vardingholt, Vreden ­
Ammeloe ), thereby following the traditional and purely
national approach of locating unpleasant and dangerous
plants near the border with neighbouring countries . This
area already contains many hazardous plants and
installations ( hazardous waste in Ochtrup, uranium ­
enrichment plant on either side of the border and fuel
element interim storage site in Ahaus ). On the Dutch side of
the border the storage of nuclear and other highly toxic
waste in Salzstôcken is under discussion .

Does the Commission not consider that, following the
abolition of national borders, new borders are being
delineated by waste disposal sites ?

Can the Commission bring its influence to bear in respect of
plans to locate new waste disposal sites in border areas ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

1 . In the Commission's view, the framework Directive on
waste ( 91 / 156 / EEC ) provides adequate regulation of the
disposal of waste with its principle of proximity ( disposal of
waste as close as possible to the place of production ) (*).

The above Directive will be reinforced once Regulation

( EEC ) No 259 / 93 on the supervision and control of
shipments of waste within, into and out of the European
Community ( 2 ) enters into force in May 1994 . In addition,
the Honourable Member is no doubt aware of the proposal
for a directive on the landfill of waste, which is currently
being discussed in the Council . Once in full operation, this
directive should allow greater control of waste disposal
sites .

2 . The Commission does not exercise any specific control
over border areas in respect of the location of landfill sites
liable to affect the environment . However, any landfill
project involving hazardous waste falls within the scope
both of the Community's waste legislation ( including
Article 5 of framework Directive 91 / 156 / EEC and Article 5
of Directive 78 / 319 / EEC on dangerous waste ) ( 3 ) and of
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment . ( 4 )
As for projects liable to have cross-border effects, it falls to
the authorities of the Member State in which a project is to
be located to enter into consultation with the authorities of

the neighbouring Member State .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1630 / 93

by Leen van der Waal ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 J une 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 44 )

Subject : Subsidiarity and the Euro - Arab University

From the answer to Written Questions Nos . 2391 / 92 and
2538 / 92 i 1 ) it appears that the Commission still intends to
implement the decision taken by the General Committee of
the Euro - Arab dialogue in June 1990 in Dublin to set up a
Euro-Arab university .

1 . Has the Commission considered these plans in the light

of the subsidiarity principle established at the Edinburgh
Summit, in accordance with its announced intention to
assess current proposals against this principle ?

2 . If so, what arguments led it to the conclusion that it
should continue its plans, given its very restricted terms
of reference in respect of culture and education ?

3 . If the Commission has not yet carried out this
assessment, when does it plan to do so ?

(!) OJ No C 95, 5 . 4 . 1993, p . 39 .

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

The idea of a Euro-Arab University arose from a resolution
of the Parliament of 1984 (*). Subsequently, the 1990
Dublin Meeting of the General Committee of the Euro - Arab
Dialogue decided to propose that the Working Groups of
the Dialogue should study the value and range of activities
appropriate to an Euro-Arab University including its
feasibility, taking account of available financial
possibilities .

This particular project has been blocked for some time by
technical difficulties in the framework of the Euro-Arab

Dialogue . Nevertheless, work is continuing on this project,
and the Commission is actively contributing .

the authorities of the Member State in which a project is to In the Parliamentary resolution of 1984, it was envisaged
be located to enter into consultation with the authorities of that the Euro-Arab University was to be an autonomous,
the neighbouring Member State . non state-controlled, international, non-political and lay

institution . The principle of subsidiarity as determined by
f 1 ) OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991 . the Edinburgh Summit, if relevant, will be taken into

2 OJ No L 30 6 . 2 . 1993 . account for the establishment of the University .

( 2 ) OJ No L 30, 6 . 2 . 1993 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 . (!) OJ No C 117, 30 . 4 . 1984 .

No C 219 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1631 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1640 / 93

by Leen van der Waal ( NI ) by Llewellyn Smith ( PSE )

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

( 22 June 1993 ) ( 22 June 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 45 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 46 )

Subject : Mixed oxide fuel plant at Sellafield, UK

Subject : Subsidiarity and road safety instruction for
children

In the half-yearly report on the Commission follow-up to EP
own-initiative resolutions ( SP(92 ) 3191 / 2 ), the Commission
announced that it would table a communication on road
safety in response to the Wijsenbeek report ( A3-150 / 92 ) ( x )
on congestion and urban transport .

In view of the conclusions of the Edinburgh Summit
concerning the principle of subsidiarity, does the
Commission still take the view that its communication
should include road safety instruction for children, given
that in its report of 12 June referred to above it stated that
such matters should really be dealt with at local level ?

(!) OJ No C 176, 13 . 7 . 1992, p . 240 .

Has the Commission received any environmental impact
assessment from British Nuclear Fuels ( BNFL ) in regard to
its proposed mixed oxide fuels plant at Sellafield ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ) on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment applies to projects for which development
consent is given after 3 July 1988 . Where applicable, it
requires an impact assessment, including public
consultation, to be carried out before development consent
is granted by the competent authority or authorities . These
procedures are the responsibility of the Member State
concerned and neither the environmental impact statement
produced by the developer nor the environment impact
assessment will be submitted to the Commission .

(M OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .
Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1641 / 93

Road safety instruction is clearly a matter which should be
dealt with at national, regional or local level .

The Commission does, however, have a role to play, under
the principle of subsidiarity, in this area which can make a
valuable contribution to greater road safety . The
Commission can provide value added by gathering and
presenting information on the experience of all the Member
States in this field at less cost than if each individual Member

State did the same .

by Llewellyn Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 47 )

Subject : South African nuclear weapons programme

What information does the Commission possess regarding
assistance given by companies registered in the European
Community to the South African nuclear weapons
programme, revealed by President de Klerk in March

This is the approach upon which it has embarked and which 1993 ?
it sets out in the communication on a road safety action
programme of 9 June . ( x ) Educating and training road users
and drivers is something to which the Commission will give
priority in the short and medium term . Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(') COM(93 ) 246 final . ( 10 November 1993 )

The Commission possesses no information regarding any
assistance given by companies based in the Community to

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 25

the South African nuclear weapons programme, revealed by
President de Klerk in March 1993 .

Moreover, it wishes to point out that the sanctions applied
since 1985 against South Africa within the framework of
European Political Co-operation still apply to collaboration
in the nuclear sector . It is up to the Member States to
implement these sanctions and ensure that they are
observed .

regions to be exempt from the implementation of the
provision Directive .

Will the Commission say :

1 . Whether it considers that any exemptions should be

made and whether the granting of exemptions is in line
with the Community's well-known environmental
objectives ?

2 . If exemptions fro this Directive are to be allowed, why
have the Aegean Islands not been exempt ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1643 / 93 (!) OJ No C 196, 3 . 8 . 1992, p . 1 .

by Llewellyn Smith ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 48 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1539 / 93

by Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )
Subject : EC Directives on environmental protection to the Commission of the European Communities

Will the Commission study the report ' Threats to the Welsh ( 16 June 1993 )
Coast ' published by Friends of the Earth Cymru in Wales in ( 94 / C 219 / 50 )
March 1993 and make a statement on the various
allegations contained on the breach of EC Directives on
environmental protection ? Subject : Exemption of islands in the Community from tax

on carbon dioxide emissions and energy

Having regard to :
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

The Commission has not seen the report mentioned by the
Honourable Member . However the Commission would
welcome detailed information about any breach of
Community legislation on the Welsh coast, in order to
investigate the matter with the authorities of the Member
State .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1513 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 49 )

Subject : Agean Islands and the proposal for a Council

Directive COM ( 92)226 final

The proposal for a Council Decision COM(92)226 final (*)
which imposes taxes on carbon dioxide emissions and
energy provides, in Article 2 for numerous Community

1, the proposal for a Council Directive ( COM(92 ) 226
final ) introducing a tax on carbon dioxide emissions and

energy,

2, the fact that Article 2 provides for exemptions in the case
of the French overseas departments, the Canary Islands,
the Azores and other areas with special tax and customs

status,

3, the fact that islands are already facing immense
difficulties relating to energy costs, for example in sea
and air transport, and the fact that the imposition of
such a tax would cause them even further hardship,

4, the fact that, at the meeting of the joint Council of
Ministers for Energy and the Environment of the
Twelve, reservations and qualifications were expressed
by a number of Member States and the United Kingdom
opposed the measure,

will the Commission say whether, with due regard for its
environmental policy, it will exclude from this tax all
transport services to and from islands within the
Community, and whether, before the tax is imposed it will
draw up studies which make provision for the application of
this tax to islands in a manner which takes account of their

particular problems ?

No C 219 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1650 / 93

by Christos Papoutsis ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 51 )

Subject : Exemption of Greek islands from the tax on

carbon dioxide emissions and the use of energy

1 . Are the French overseas departments, the Canary
Islands, the Azores and other islands in the Community
being exempted from the tax on carbon dioxide emissions
and the use of energy and, if so, on what grounds ?

2 . Is the Commission prepared to propose exemption
from the tax for all Greek islands prior to deliberations on
this matter at the forthcoming meeting of the European
Council, given that undertakings on all the Greek islands
which are mainly small-scale — are facing serious problems
of survival because of their geographical situation and their
remoteness from the remainder of the Community and the
higher cost of transport, raw materials and finished
products and that any additional Community tax will
constitute an additional burden on these undertakings,
making them even less competitive ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1513 / 93, E-1539 / 93

and E-l 650 / 93
given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 )

Article 2 of the proposal for a Directive introducing a tax on
carbon dioxide emissions and energy lays down that it is to
apply in the territory of the Community as defined by
Article 227 of the EEC Treaty, excluding certain national
territories which do not form part of the Community's
customs territory .

The proposal also includes certain derogations concerning
parts of the territories of Member States which are outside
the Community's territory for taxation purposes, in
accordance with the provisions concerning VAT (*) and
excise duty ( 2 ).

Thus, in the case of products already subject to harmonized
Community rules, and of forms of fossil energy which are
put on the same footing,, the provisions proposed are subject
to the same principles of taxation, in particular as far as
excise duty is concerned .

Using the same definition of territory as applies for VAT and
harmonized excise duty enables us to ease the burden on

administrations and businesses, without distorting
competition .

The fact that the Greek islands fall within the Community's
VAT and excise territory necessarily involves keeping them
within the territorial scope of the proposal in question .

None the less, the draft Directive authorizes the
Member States to grant tax incentives to environmentally
more friendly forms of transport, including public
transport, and to certain expenditure aimed at energy
saving .

It should also be pointed out that the Greek islands are
already entitled to Community aid in this respect under
regional policy . Regional development programmes for the
islands stress the modernization of communication and
energy supply infrastructures, as priority measures to be
promoted during the forthcoming 1994-1999 Structural
Funds planning period .

(!) Directive 91 / 680 / EEC, 16 . 12 . 1991 ; OJ No L 376,
31 . 12 . 1991 .

( 2 ) Directive 92 / 12 / EEC, 25 . 2 . 1992 ; OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1662 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 52 )

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Monaghan, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Monaghan
County Council from each of these two measures in 1992
and which roads have benefited from this funding ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 27

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1663 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1665 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 ) ( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 53 ( 94 / C 219 / 55 )

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Donegal, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Donegal County
Council from each of these two measures in 1992 and which

roads have benefited from this funding ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1664 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Leitrim, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Leitrim County

Council from each of these two measures in 1992 and which

roads have benefited from this funding ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1666 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 ) ( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 54 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 56 )

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Cavan, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Cavan County
Council from each of these two measures in 1992 and which

roads have benefited from this funding ?

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Roscommon, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Roscommon
County Council from each of these two measures in 1992
and which roads have benefited from this funding ?

No C 219 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1667 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1669 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 ) ( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 57 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 59 )

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Sligo, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Sligo County

Council from each of these two measures in 1992 and which

roads have benefited from this funding ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1668 / 93

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Galway, Ireland

The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Galway County
Council and Galway Borough Council from each of these
two measures in 1992 and which roads have benefited from

this funding ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1662 / 93, E-1663 / 93,

E-1664 / 93, E-1665 / 93, E-1666 / 93, E-1667 / 93, E-1668 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE ) and E-1669 / 93

given by Mr Millan

to the Commission of the European Communities on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1993 )
( 29 October 1993 )
( 94 / C 219 / 58 )

The Operational Programme on Peripherality is co-financed

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County by the European Regional Development Fund and is

Mayo, Ireland administered by the national authorities, in accordance with

the objectives and criteria stated in the programme, under
the general supervision of a Monitoring Committee on
which the Commission is represented .
The Operational Programme on Peripherality for Ireland
established by the Commission Decision of 10 August

Subject : ERDF aid for regional and county roads in County

Mayo, Ireland

1990 contains a sub-programme entitled Sub-regional
Development, which in turn contains a specific measure for
grant-aiding the improvement of roads supporting
industrial development, which has an ERDF budget of ECU
41,1 million, and a second specific measure for grant-aiding
the improvement of roads supporting tourism development,
which has an ERDF budget of ECU 26,46 million .

What funding has been made available to Mayo County
Council from each of these two measures in 1992 and which

roads have benefited from this funding ?

In these circumstances the Commission does not possess the
detailed information on projects assisted under the
measures referred to by the Honourable Member and would
have to obtain it from the Chairman of the Peripherality OP
Monitoring Committee ( Department of Environment,
O'Connell Bridge House, Dublin 2 ). In these circumstances
and to save time, the Commission has asked the chairman to
send the information direct to the Honourable Member .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 29

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1671 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1672 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 ) ( 28 J une 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 60 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 61 )

Subject : Community financial contributions to fisheries

Subject : ESF funding for University College, Galway,

Ireland

Can the Commission inform me of the amount of ESF

funding and a possible breakdown of same, received by
University College, Galway, Ireland in 1992 ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

Since the reform of the Structural Funds in 1988, the
Commission channels Community assistance through multi
annual Operational Programmes, rather than supporting
individual training and education programmes or
institutions . Under the current Community Support
Framework ( CSF ) for Ireland ( 1989-93 ) the ESF is
providing assistance to training and employment incentive
measures implemented by 15 organizations under a range of
Operational Programmes . These set the context in which
actions " will be supported, establish objectives and outline
the manner in which these objectives will be achieved over
the period . They are the subject of on-going evaluation and
monitoring by the Irish authorities in partnership with the
Commission .

Therefore the Commission does not have a breakdown of
funding in 1992 to individual universities in Ireland . Under
the Industry and Services Operational Programme, the
Advanced Technical Skills ( ATS ) measure, managed by the
Department of Education, funds one year post graduate
diploma or the first year of longer postgraduate courses in
the university sector . One hundred and seventeen ATS
courses with a definite vocational orientation were provided
in seven universities in the academic year 1991 / 92 . In 1992,
University College Galway was approved by the
Department of Education to run 24 ATS programmes .

The ESF is contributing 36 MECU to the ATS measure over
the current CSF and when the Irish exchequer contribution
is added this brings the total investment to 55 MECU . In

1992 the ESF allocation to Ireland under the ATS

sub-measure was 9 MECU .

controls in Member States

Further to my Question No H-0924 / 92 i 1 ) on the subject of
illegal Spanish fishing, the Commission in its reply stated
that Community financial contributions of up to ECU 110
million were available to Member States to secure the

necessary resources in order to ensure control and
enforcement of the Community's fisheries rules .

Can the Commission inform me if Ireland has sought
funding under this heading, and if so, what amount has been
allocated ?

(') Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-423 ( October
1992 ).

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

The Commission can confirm that Ireland has benefited
from a Community financial contribution towards
expenditure incurred for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with the Community system for the
conservation and management of fishery resources .

The Community contribution allocated, covering 50% of
the eligible expenditure, has been as follows :

5 7 66 064 ECU for 1991 ( Décision 91 / 17 / CEE )

5 422 093 ECU for 1992 ( Décision 92 / 144 / CEE )

5 978 780 ECU for 1993 ( Décision 93 / 153 / CEE ).

The Commission has not yet received the programme of
Ireland for 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 673 / 93

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 62 )

Subject : EC funds for Durham and Cleveland Counties

( England ) 1985—1992

From 1985, to 1992 what Community funds were paid to
County Durham and County Cleveland in the north-east of
England, and for what measures, from the following
sources ?

No C 219 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF )

2 . The Guidance and Guarantee Sections of the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF )

3 . The European Social Fund ( ESF )

4 . Community research programmes

5 . Community energy programmes

6 . Community environmental programmes

7 . Other Community programmes .

March 1993 . During this meeting, talks were very open . At
this moment, it is too early to indicate any date on which
these negotiations will be concluded . The Commission
awaits further Mexican initiatives in this field .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1695 / 93

by Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Delors ( 94 / C 219 / 64
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 January 1994 )

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1688 / 93

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : Public procurement — transposition of the
Directive on ' excluded sectors '

By Law No 92-1282 of 2 December 1992, France
transposed into national law Council Directive
90 / 53 1 / EEC (*) on the procurement procedure of entities
operating in the water, energy, transport and
telecommunications sectors relating to ' excluded sectors '.

Can the Commission say whether France's partners have
also transposed this Community Directive ?

( 28 June 1993 ) (!) OJ No L 297, 29 . 10 . 1990, p . 1 .
( 94 / C 219 / 63 )

Subject : EC / Mexico reciprocal recognition of spirit
drinks

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

Article 11 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1576 / 89 ( x ) on
spirit drinks provides for the supervision and protection of
imported spirit drinks bearing a geographical designation,
subject to reciprocal arrangements with the third countries
concerned .

What stage has been reached in the negotiations on
reciprocal recognition of EC / Mexico spirit drinks, and
when does the Commission envisage that the negotiations
will be concluded ?

(!) OJ No L 160, 12 . 6 . 1989, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

In July 1993, Mexico expressed its interest in negotiating an
agreement on reciprocal recognition of spirit drinks in
conformity with Article 11 of Council Regulation No

1576 / 89 on spirit drinks . Mexico's interest concerns the
Community recognition of its spirit drinks ' Tequila ' and
' Mezcal '.

A first explanatory meeting between representatives of the
Mexican administration and the Commission took place in

on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1993 )

National measures implementing Directive 90 / 53 1 / EEC
have already been adopted or are about to the adopted in
Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
and the United Kingdom .

The Commission is currently examining the conformity
with Community law of the definitive and draft texts
transmitted to it .

Where Spain, Greece and Portugal are concerned, it has to
be borne in mind that they may opt for an extension of the
deadline by which the Directive has to be implemented .

As for Germany and Italy, the Commission views the
situation with concern since neither of them has as yet
adopted the measures necessary to ensure rapid and efficient
transposition of the Directive into national law . It will not
fail to take the measures incumbent upon it under the
EEC Treaty .

It is true that Germany and Italy have brought in certain
administrative measures to ensure de facto application of

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 31

the Directive, but these do not guarantee that the Directive
will be implemented in a proper and satisfactory manner .

supplying recycled paper to all its departments and
collecting old paper for recycling ?

Does not the Commission feel that internal measures of this

kind boost the credibility, both within the Commission and
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 701 / 93 outside, of its measures aimed at the sustainable use of
resources ?

by Rüdiger von Wechmar ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 65

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission
Subject : European flag

( 25 October 1993 )
The European flag ( twelve gold stars on a blue background )
has been the emblem of the Community since 1986, in
accordance with the Decision of the Community
institutions . The twelve stars might be taken to represent the The use of recycled paper at the Commission more than

doubled between 1989 and 1992 . In the near future it is

present number of EC Member States . Alternatively, they
could represent the twelve months of the year or the twelve possible that every internal document in the institutions will
apostles . be reproduced on recylced paper .

1 . What will happen if the Community is enlarged to

include new Member States ?

2 . Will the number of stars be correspondingly
increased ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

The European flag / emblem was created by the Council of
Europe in 1955 ( recommendation of the Consultative
Assembly of 25 October ; resolution of the Committee of
Ministers of 9 December ).

The Council of Europe adopted the following symbolic
description : ' Against the blue sky of the Western world, the
stars symbolize the peoples of Europe in the form of a circle,
the sign of union . The number of stars is invariably 12, the
figure 12 being the symbol of perfection and entirety .'

The number of stars is not therefore linked to the number of

Member States either of the Council of Europe or of the
Community, which adopted the flag in 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 709 / 93

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 66 )

The Commission is planning to implement a programme for
the selective collection of waste, which will include
monitoring the treatment of this waste .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1712 / 93

by Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

(9 AIC 219 / 67

Subject : Unsuccessful move to locate a ' University
Paediatric Polyclinic ' in the municipality of
Acerra

The Campania regional authority decided, on their own
initiative, to construct a University Paediatric Polyclinic in
the municipality of Acerra in response to the increase in the
number of unemployed ( approximately 8500 out of a
population of about 40 000 ). Subsequently a decision was
made to locate the project elsewhere .

This was judged unsatisfactory and an appeal was lodged
with the Regional Administrative Court, which ordered a
suspension of proceedings .

In vie w of this :
Subject : Regular collection of obsolete documents and old

paper in the Commission with a view to
recycling

In view of the impressive quantity of paper the Commission
produces, has it any plans to begin, on a regular basis,

1 . Does the Commission intend to bring pressure to bear
on the national and regional authorities concerned to
comply with the original decision to carry out the
hospital project in the municipality of Acerra ?

No C 219 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

2 . Would it be possible for the Commission to contribute Answer given by Mr Bangemann

in on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

funds in order to alleviate the acute unemployment on behalf of the
situation, which is causing great concern in the ( 13 October 1993 )
socio-economic sectors of this area ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission does not intervene in the political
and administrative affairs of Community regions .

2 . In the framework of the Structural Funds, the
Commission could part-finance the measures intended to
alleviate the socio-economic situation of the Commune of
Acerra if the funding concerned is accorded priority under
the relevant Community Support Framework and has been
proposed by the Italian authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1713 / 93

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 68 )

Subject : Zero rate VAT between VAT registered traders

In, the answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the
Commission to Written Questions 3446 / 92, 3447 / 92 and
3448 / 92 O it was stated that ;

' The Commission does not believe that the cost of meeting
ISO 9000 and of obtaining certification to that effect can be
termed an undue economic burden on small companies :
such compliance strengthens the over-all competitiveness of
the Company '.

Would the Commission outline on what basis was this

conclusion drawn and will he make available the relevant

fiche d'impact ?

There is no fiche d'impact on the economics of companies
meeting and obtaining certification to EN 29000 ( ISO
9000 ).

Every company has a management system of some sort . EN
29000 provides a standardized means of writing this down,
and thereby of identifying any gaps or deficiencies .
Certification of conformity with the standard represents an
independent review of the system, inspiring customer
confidence that the product will be delivered as specified .

The costs of undergoing this process will vary from

company to company .

Where the existing system is unsatisfactory, for example
wasteful of resources and productive of multiple rejects, the
implementation of an EN 29000 management system will
entail review, change and consequent costs . The savings, on
the other hand, once the system is in place, are likely to be in
proportion to the improvements made .

Where a company has an effective system in place and only
needs to tabulate it and present it for certification, the costs
will be much less . At the same time, the benefits will be
correspondingly less, being more in the domain of
transparency than of actual improvement .

The actual cost of certification relates to the size of the

company, and the Commission does not believe that these
are disproportionate to the benefits .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1716 / 93

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 69 )

Subject : The Habitats Directive

Does the Commission agree that, although the Habitats

Furthermore, is the Commission aware of the fact that some Directive 92 / 43 / EEC i 1 ) ( adopted by Council 21 May 1992 )
than 91,3% 10 of people all business each within and the the Member cost of States obtaining employ and less natural will not habitats come into in the force intervening until mid-1994 period will, the undermine destruction the of
maintaining ISO 9000 ( en 29 000 ) as a percentage turnover achievement of objectives of the Directive and that any
and as a percentage of profit is disproportionately high for, Member State which permits such destruction to take place
this size of business ?

on its territory should be deemed to be ' jeopardizing the
attainment of the objectives ' of Community law in breach of
H OJ No C 145, 25 . 5 . 1993, p . 38 . Article 5 of the EEC Treaty ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 33

What remedial action against Member States does the

Ireland : 14 May

Commission propose to take in such cases ?

Other
(!) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 . Member States : 5 May

The period during which the ' animal ' aid application can be
introduced are fixed by the Member States as follows :

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 October 1993 )

The Commission can agree that, in certain circumstances,
the destruction of natural habitats in the period before
Directive 92 / 43 / EEC comes fully into force may be so grave
as to undermine and / or jeopardize the attainment of the
objectives of that Directive .

Whether or not an instance or instances of destruction
would give rise to a breach of Article 5 of the EEC Treaty is a
matter to be judged in the light of particular circumstances .
Equally, the power of the Commission to intervene and the
appropriateness of an intervention would depend on such
circumstances .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 718 / 93

by George Patterson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 70 )

Subject : Timetable for registration of land and livestock

Beef Special
premium

Suckler Cow

Premium

Belgium The whole year Still to be fixed

( during 4th quarter of
93 )

Denmark The whole year 1 . 3 to 15 . 5

Germany The whole year 1 . 3 to 15 . 5

Greece 15 . 4 to 30 . 4

18 . 8 to 31 . 8

18 . 11 to 30 . 11

1 . 4 to 15 . 5

Spain The whole year before 30 . 6

France The whole year 15 . 2 to 12 . 3
17 . 5 to 18 . 6

11 . 10 to 12 . 11

Ireland 1 . 1 to 28 . 2

1 . 6 to 1 . 7

period year to be
fixed

15 . 4 to 15 . 6
Italy

1 . 10 to 30 . 11

15 . 5 to 15 . 6
Luxembourg
15 . 10 to 15 . 11

Netherlands 1 . 5 to 31 . 5

1 . 8 to 31 . 8

1 . 11 to 30 . 11

15 . 3 to 30 . 4
Portugal
15 . 9 to 15 . 10

1 . 6 to 1 . 7

1 . 11 to 30 . 11

15 . 4 to 15 . 10

15 . 5 to 15 . 6

During
September-October

15 . 7 to 12 . 9

U.K. The whole year 1 . 7 to 11 . 12

Could the Commission state what the timetable is in each
Member State for the registration of land in relation to the
Council Regulation EEC / 1765 / 92 { l ) of 30 June 1992
and for livestock in relation to Council Regulation
EEC / 2066 / 92 ( 2 ) amending regulation EEC / 805 / 68 ( 3 ). WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 728 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )
H OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992, p . 12 . to the Commission of the European Communities

( 2 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 49 .
(*) OJ No L 148, 28 . 6 . 1968, p . 24 . ( 29 June 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 O ctober 1993 )

The date limits for the introduction of the ' surface aid

application ' fixed by the Member States are :

Spain : 31 March ( extended to 15 April )

France : 30 April ( extended to 15 May )

Portugal : 30 April ( winter crops ) and 15 May
( other crops )

( 94 / C 219 / 71 )

Subject : Protection of public health in Portuguese
abattoirs

On Sunday 4 May 1993, the vice-chairman of the IROMA
(a public institute administering abattoirs ) publicly
maintained in an interview with a major television channel
that the IROMA abattoirs did not fully comply with the
technical and health standards required by law .

Can the Commission say what efforts have been made by the
Community in respect of Portuguese abattoirs ? Does it
know of any justification for risks to public health arising in
this connection ?

No C 219 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen interest as it offers the possibility of the combined use of

on behalf of the Commission natural gas and solar energy, the Commission recently

( 19 October 1993 ) ordered a feasibility study on appropriate sites for such

installations in the Mediterranean basin . When the findings
of the study are available, it will be possible to evaluate the
Portuguese establishments approved for the purposes of actual chances for economic success and possibly to launch a
placing meat on the Community market were inspected by Community programme to support the technology .
Commission veterinary experts in November 1992 and
March 1993 . The inspections revealed problems in certain
establishments . The relevant inspection reports were sent to
the competent authorities responsible for ensuring that the
necessary measures are taken to remedy the shortcomings
found . WRITTEN E-l 734 / 93

( 19 October 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 734 / 93

The Commission also intends to reinspect the
establishments concerned before the end of the year in order
to monitor the situation and ensure that the necessary
efforts have been made .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1730 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 lune 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 72 )

Subject : Cogeneration plant fired by solar energy and

gas

With regard to research into new forms of energy
production attention has recently focused on the work of
various specialized institutes throughout the Community in
assessing the viability of cogeneration plant fired by a
combination of solar energy and another type of fuel, such
as natural gas, the solar energy input being 25% .

Apart from the technical viability of such plants, there is also
a need to assess their cost-effectiveness .

What is the Commission's position on the promotion of this
kind of energy plant ? In the light of experience hitherto, in
both technical and commercial terms, would it support a
Community programme for the construction of
cogeneration plants fired by natural gas and solar
energy ?

by Paul Howell ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 73

Subject : National questionnaires on farming statistics in

the EC

Will the Commission publish in full the text of each national
questionnaire provided to farmers in each of the 12
countries of the EC in compliance with the integrated
agricultural control system now in operation as a result of
CAP reform ?

Will the Commission provide MEPs with copies of the
national documentation so that relevant comparisons can
be made ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )

The Commission does not intend to publish the application
forms provided to farmers by the Member States in
accordance with the provisions of the Integrated
Administrative and Control System . The formulation of
these questionnaires falls under the competence of Member
States . If however an individual Member of Parliament so

wishes, the relevant documentation could be provided
directly to him .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 75 1 / 93

by Annemarie Goedmakers ( PSE )
Answer given by Mr Matutes to the Commission of the European Communities

on behalf of the Commission
(2 July 1993 )
(5 October 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 74 )

Experiments on solar thermal conversion ( active Subject : Tropical rainforests
high-temperature solar power ) in the past have not led to
commercial exploitation of this type of generation of According to a press statement by Rolf Linkohr MEP on
electricity and steam . However, since the technology is of 14 May 1993, the money provided by the Community for

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 35

conservation of tropical rainforests in the Amazon region is
not being used to good effect because of ( Brazilian )
bureaucracy and a dispute about responsibilities .

1 . What proportion of the commitment and payment

appropriations for tropical rainforests earmarked for

1993 ( B7-5041 ) has currently been used ?

2 . What problems has the Commission experienced in

implementing its policy ?

3 . What is the Commission's assessment of the standards

of the ( financial ) operations implemented hitherto ? Is
this assessment based on evaluation reports ?

4 . What proportion of the commitment and payment

appropriations made available for 1993 is intended for
the tropical rainforests in the Amazon region ?

5 . Is conservation of the tropical rainforests more difficult
in the Amazon region than elsewhere ?

6 . Is so, why ?

5 and 6 . The sheer size of the Amazon forest ( two-thirds
of the world's tropical forests ) has led authorities to see it as
an unlimited frontier for development . There has been a
tendency to try to export social problems in other regions of
the Amazon countries to the forest, for example through
colonisation schemes . Increasing social inequality has
exacerbated the problem . Further, the vast complexity and
diversity of the area — the Hylea Amazonica or Amazon
vegetation type covers 7,5 million km 2 — leads to a hugely
increased information requirement for managing this
relatively unknown area . On the other hand, unsustainable
logging has not yet become the major problem it constitutes
in other regions . Furthermore, the governments of the
Amazon countries have recognised the need to halt
indiscriminate deforestation and have adopted a generally
receptive attitude towards international cooperation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1755 / 93

by Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities
Answer given by Mr Marin (2 July 1993 )
on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 75 )
( 29 October 1993 )

1 . By the end of September, some 35% of commitment
appropriations and 10% of payment appropriations had
been used .

2 . The Commission has opened dialogue with many
tropical countries with a view to drafting action
programmes ; it has also received numerous requests, mainly
from the NGO sector . Every project on tropical forest
conservation and sustainable management, whether local,
regional or national, needs careful consideration, because
threats to the rain forest vary from area to area and from
country to country, and of course the projects have to be
undertaken within the framework of both a coherent

national policy and Community guidelines .

These new responsibilities are enormous, and must be
matched by the operational resources required to carry them

out .

3 . So far, the projects have usually been pilot or
experimental projects, which have to be closely monitored
to ensure that they provide an appropriate response to the
problem in question . In some cases a phased approach is
adopted and the evaluation is made between phases, but
rpost of the current operations were only started quite
recently .

4 . Commitment appropriations will be finalized this
autumn . The Amazon will receive around 20 to 25% of the
1993 appropriations .

Subject : Integrated development programme for the
Vardar

There are reportedly plans afoot to develop the Vardar Plain
which are reminiscent of those to divert the River Acheloos .
Since 1989 the authorities in the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia have been preparing a programme for the
integrated development of the Vardar comprising the
construction of dams and roads, and the promotion of
industry, agriculture and tourism in the region . This
programme would make the country self-sufficient in
electricity and provide irrigation for more than 300 000
hectares of land . Total investment over a period of 20 years
is estimated at $3,5 bn and the authorities of the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are asking the EEC to
fund a feasibility study at a cost of $1,5 m .

1 . Does the Commission intend to fund such a study ?

2 . If so, does it intend to ask the former Y ugoslav Republic
of Macedonia to provide the same guarantees required
for funding similar projects in the Member States,
i.e . compliance with Directives 85 / 337 / EEC ( 1 ),
79 / 409 / EEC ( 2 ) and 92 / 43 / EEC ( 3 )?

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

( 2 ) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

No C 219 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan yet been classified as special protection areas pursuant to
on behalf the Commission Article 4 of the Directive .

( 29 November 1993 )

At the December 1992 Edinburgh Summit, it was decided
that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should
receive ECU 100 million in special aid ( ECU 50 million from
the Community budget and ECU 50 million from the
Member States themselves ). The ECU 50 million from the
Community budget was in addition to the ECU 10 million
already pledged at a Council meeting in October 1992 .

This sum of ECU 60 million has now almost all been

allocated to various projects, none of which involve a
feasibility study of the integrated development programme
for the Vardar Plain .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1758 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1772 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 77 )

Subject : Export of uranium for enrichment to the former

Soviet Union

What information has been provided to the Euratom
Safeguards and Supply Agencies by the French Government
and nuclear authorities since 1970 regarding the export to
the former Soviet Union of uranium for enrichment for use

in fuel rods in French commercial reactors ; and how are
such commercial arrangements compatible with
Community competition policy ?

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Matutes

(2 July 1993 ) on behalf of the Commission

( 94 / C 219 / 76 ) ( 22 October 1993 )

Subject : ' Parco del Ticino '

Given that the development plan for the ' Parco del Ticino '
has repeatedly been violated through the creation of dumps
and the building of motorway slip roads as well as a series of
unacceptable planning decisions, will the Commission
intervene to ensure that a new plan is drawn up
guaranteeing the presence of experts on the area's
environmental and social development and stressing the
need for the protected area's present boundaries to be left
intact ?

The Commission and the Euratom Supply Agency were
routinely provided, in accordance with the provisions of
Community law ( mainly Regulation Euratom 3227 / 76 )
with notifications and inventory change reports on exports
of civil nuclear material from France to the former Soviet

Union .

With regard to specific transfers the Commission regrets to
inform the Honourable Member that it is not at liberty to
disclose the relevant information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 780 / 93

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas by José Lafuente Lôpez ( PPE )

on behalf of the Commission to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 November 1993 ) ( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 78 )

The Commission has no power to intervene in the
formulation of a coordination plan . It can act only if
Community law is liable to be infringed .

The Commission is not aware of any area known as the
' Parco del Ticino '. The heronries close to Pavia and the

catchment of the Ticino river are listed amongst the bird
areas of Community interest under Council Directive
79 / 40 9 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds, but have not

Subject : Current position as regards the transposition into

the legislation of the Member States of the second
banking Directive

One of the most attractive and far-reaching objectives of the
Single Market, among professionals as well as the public, is
the establishment of a single financial market, which will be
needed to underpin moves towards the economic
integration of the Member States .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 37

However, it remains clear that, of the issues pending in the
area of the single market, the establishment of a single
financial market still faces a number of obstacles, as not all
the Member States have incorporated the second banking
directive, which is meant to remove such obstacles .

What stage has been reached in the transposition into
national law of the second banking Directive — which is
designed to achieve a single financial market — by the
Member States which have not yet done so ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

Eleven Member States have communicated to the
Commission national measures to implement the Second
banking Directive ( l ). The Commission has opened against
Spain the procedure provided in Article 169 of the EEC
Treaty .

The Spanish authorities state that the implementation
procedure has been delayed as a consequence of the general
election which took place in June . They are committed to
implement by regulation all the provisions of the Directive
which, according to Spanish law, do not require legislation
and to accelerate as much as possible the adoption of the
new legislation once the Parliament arisen from the election
starts its work .

(M Directive 89 / 646 / EEC — OJ No L 386, 31 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 788 / 93

by James Janssen van Raay ( PPE ) and

Bartho Pronk ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 79

Subject : Agreements between the main Netherlands banks

in respect of maximum charges

We refer to our joint Written Question No 196 / 92 O on
agreements between the main Netherlands banks in respect
of bank charges and the answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on
behalf of the Commission .

The Commission is still carrying out the analysis referred to
by Sir Leon . It appears that pressure by the Commission has
resulted in the agreed non-negotiable charge being replaced

with a maximum charge of the same amount . The evidence
is that converting a non-negotiable charge to a maximum
charge has had no practical effect . The banks still charge the
same ( maximum ) amount . This is apparent from the fact
that the banks are still passing on this charge in full to

users .

Does the Commission share our view that agreeing on
maximum prices is undesirable from the point of view of
monopolies legislation, given that maximum charges

( almost ) always result in a levelling up of prices ?

(!) OJ No C 235, 14 . 9 . 1992, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1993 )

An agreement which sets maximum prices will generally
constitute a restriction of competition falling within the
scope of Article 85 ( 1 ) of the EEC Treaty if it is liable to affect
trade between Member States . In principle, therefore, such
agreements are prohibited . This holds good for agreements
setting maximum prices for the settlement of costs between
firms performing the same economic function, an example
being the agreement on bank transfers between banks
operating in the Netherlands . Such agreements may have as
their object or effect a direct or indirect restriction of
competition between firms .

The Commission has no objection to the netting of costs as
such . The prohibition in Article 85(1 ) will apply only if there
is a concerted practice, an agreement or a decision on the
part of firms or associations of firms — that is to say,
collective conduct — and only in so far as there may be an
effect on trade between Member States . Interbank
settlement on the basis of bilateral agreements is not in
principle caught by the ban in Article 85(1 ).

If there are indeed maximum price agreements governing
interbank settlement which are caught by the ban in
Article 85(1 ), the Commission is empowered by
Article 85(3 ) to declare them exempt . Important
considerations here will be the extent to which competition
is in fact eliminated and whether the agreement is vital to the
proper operation of the payment system .

On 11 June 1993 the Commission initiated proceedings in
respect of the agreement between the banks operating in
the Netherlands which sets maximum prices for the
settlement of costs incurred in connection with the

preprinted transfer order system ; the Commission has not
yet taken any final decision in the case .

No C 219 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 791 / 93

by Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )

The Commission does not envisage taking any other
measures to assist Greek producers of Virginia tobacco .

to the Commission of the European Communities

(M COM(93 ) 71 final .
( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 80 )

Subject : Compensation for tobacco growers

The final decisions on tobacco quotas, particularly those
applying to the Virginia variety, have created a serious
problem arising from the retroactive implementation of
provisions affecting the interests of certain growers, at least
in Greece . Prospective growers ( 1992 ) who were authorized
by the Greek authorities to cultivate Virginia tobacco ( e.g . in
the Thessaloniki region ) and invested in curing kilns using
loans from the Agricultural Bank and Community aid have
suddenly found themselves without quotas, i.e . not entitled
to make use of their investments . Moreover, this ' ban ' was
imposed under a Community regulation published after
their decisions to invest had been taken .

Both the Greek authorities and the Community recognize
the injustice of this regulation as a decision has been taken to
provide 20 MECU in compensation to the growers affected .
This amounts to some ECU 13 000 in compensation for
each grower across the board but in no way adequately
covers the ' 1992 growers ' given that this sum is equal to
approximately half the value of a curing kiln and, in many
cases, groups of growers have bought two or three kilns .

How does the Commission intend to rectify this situation —
which is also problematic from the strictly legal point of
view — and duly compensate the growers concerned .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 792 / 93

by Luigi Colajanni ( PSE ) and Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 81 )

Subject : Appointment of EEC agricultural advisory
committees

The names of members of the EEC ' Agricultural Advisory
Committees ' have been published in the Official Journal of
the European Communities . This list shows that the Italian
delegation still includes a significant number of
Federconsorzi representatives .

Will the Commission explain on what criteria it based its
decision to accept the nominations made by COPA and
Cogeca without raising the slightest objection ?

Does the Commission consider it acceptable that an
organization such as FEDIT which has been put into
receivership by the Italian Government as a result of serious
financial difficulties and is largely responsible for the poor
image and loss of credibility of Italian agriculture in Europe
should surreptitiously regain political legitimacy by
representing without any valid basis the views and interests
of Italian farming cooperatives on the EEC advisory
committees ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )
As the Commission indicated in its special report on this
matter (*), it considers that a good part of the investments
made by Greek producers of Virginia tobacco in 1992 were The Italian members of the recently
essentially speculative .

However, given the social and political impact, unforeseen
by even the Greek authorities, of the overproduction of
Virginia tobacco, the Commission decided to propose to the
Council that it adopt the exceptional measures ^ or Greece
set out in the conclusions of the abovementioned report
( financial compensation, conversion, redistribution of
quotas, etc .). The relevant Regulations were adopted and
the measures are now being implemented .

The Italian members of the recently renewed agricultural
advisory committees ( Commission Decision 93 / C 96 / 01 of
9 March 1993 (*)) number approximately 140 . Five of them
gave their correspondence address as that of the
Federconsorzi .

For the renewal and the nominations, the Commission
followed the procedure provided for in Article 5 of the
decisions setting up agricultural advisory committees ( 2 ),
which require European-level professional organizations to
propose the most suitable persons to represent the various

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 39

economic categories within each sector . Article 5 also
provides for a very simple procedure whereby members who
have already been nominated can be replaced at the
initiative of those same professional organizations .

(!) OJ No C 96, 5 . 4 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 45, 14 . 2 . 1987 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0843 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 82

Subject : Threat to the environment of the Lake
Vouliagmeni area

The new tenant of the Lake Vouliagmeni area, Mr Miltiadis
Oikonomou is planning to embark on a development
project comprising a luxury restaurant, swimming pools,
car parks etc ., in a bid to develop the site further . However,
environmental organizations have expressed strong
opposition to these development plans, noting that they
pose a very serious threat to the environment of Lake
Vouliagmeni . In view of the above, what action does the
Commission intend to take to save the lake ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1610 / 93

swimming pool in the middle of the lake, footbridges,
indoor theatre, cinema, etc .) and consequently upset the
delicate geological balance of the area .

Since :

1, there are no hydrogeological studies of where the water
in the lake comes from and flows to for the works which

have been so irresponsibly planned, and no
environmental impact study has been carried out
pursuant to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*);

2, microorganisms and fish have been recorded at the
bottom of the lake ( e.g . cottus gobio ) which constitute
species of Community interest for which conservation
areas must be designated ( Annex II to Directive
92 / 43 / EEC ) ( 2 );

3, according to press reports and statements made by the
businessman himself, the project will be included for
funding under the Delors II package ;

will the Commission demand that the competent Greek
authorities comply with national and Community
legislation and classify the lake at Vouliagmeni as a special
conservation area before that site, which has been
proclaimed an area of exceptional natural beauty,
undergoes irreversible ecological change ? Has the
Commission received an application for financial assistance
towards the project and, in any event, will it approve such
financial assistance ? Under which ' development ',
' environmental protection ' or ' cultural action ' programme
and based on which aesthetic or other criteria ?

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

( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992, p . 7 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 795 / 93

by Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )
( 18 June 1993 )
to the Commission of the European Communities
( 94 / C 219 / 83 )
( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 84 )
Subject : ' Development ' of the lake at Vouliagmeni for

tourism

By decision of the Ministry of Culture ( 403 /
23043 / 31.3.81 ), the lake at Vouliagmeni was classified as a
place of exceptional natural beauty and rare geological
phenomena which must not be spoilt by contemporary
interference . It is also protected by Law No 4086 ( Greek
Government Official Journal 1 12 / A / 30 . 7.60 ) on spas, by
Decision No 34593 / 1108 ( 398 / B / 8.7.83 ) of the Ministry of
Culture on the protection of caves and EOT document
505539 / 14.2.89 explaining the dangers that building
creates for the water table, the environment and the purity
of spa water .

The Greek Church, to which the lake belongs, has leased it
for 30 years to a Greek businessman who intends to
' develop ' it for tourism ( by building a luxury restaurant, a

Subject : Protection of the rare geological formation of Lake

Vouliagmeni

Lake Vouliagmeni is a rare geological formation covering an
area of 3,6 hectares . It is an area of archaeological value
containing mineral springs and one of the few underwater
caves in the world as well as being a habitat for rare wildlife .
The Greek Government has designated it an area of
exceptional natural beauty which must not be disrupted by
modern development .

The area belongs to the Church which has leased it for years
to private individuals who have put up at least ten buildings,
without planning permission, for activities incompatible
with the natural environment and the mineral springs ; they
have also dammed up two springs thereby spoiling the
natural environment and polluting the rare aquatic

No C 219 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

ecosystem . Recently a new thirty-year lease was signed with
a private company for the use of the unauthorized buildings
in the area . The lease also provides for further building, to
the detriment of the natural environment, a floating
platform and swimming pools .

It would seem that Greece is in breach of Community
legislation at least in regard to Council Decisions 82 / 72 (*)
and 84 / 132 ( 2 ) and Directives 76 / 160 ( 3 ) and 78 / 659 ( 4 ).
What procedure would the Commission propose under

Community law to designate Lake Vouliagmeni a rare
European habitat and a unique European natural site . Is it
possible to approve funding through the Delors II package
for projects incompatible with the nature of the lake without
a comprehensive study to determine how the habitat can be
restored and without proof that the mineral springs will be
properly operated ?

(!) OJ No L 38, 10 . 2 . 1982, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 68, 10 . 3 . 1984, p . 3 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 31, 5 . 2 . 1976, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 806 / 93

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE ), Alexander Falconer ( PSE ),
Lyndon Harrison ( PSE ), Terence Wynn ( PSE ), James Ford
( PSE ), Barry Seal ( PSE ), Michael Hindley ( PSE ), Thomas
Megahy ( PSE ), Henry McCubbin ( PSE ), David Martin
( PSE ), Hugh McMahon ( PSE ), David Bowe ( PSE ), Anita
Pollack ( PSE ), Pauline Green ( PSE ), Michael Elliott ( PSE ),
Gary Titley ( PSE ), Arthur Newens ( PSE ), Edward Newman

( PSE ), Roger Barton ( PSE ), Brian Simpson ( PSE ), Peter
Crampton ( PSE ), Alex Smith ( PSE ), Stephen Hughes ( PSE ),
Imelda Read ( PSE ), Kenneth Collins ( PSE ), Anthony Wilson
( PSE ), Gordon Adam ( PSE ), Kenneth Stewart ( PSE ) and

Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 85 )

Subject : Palestinian refugees

( 4 ) OJ No L 222, 14 . 8 . 1978, p . 1 . In the light of Parliament's concern to ensure the immediate

safe return of all the Palestinian deportees in accordance
with international law and as required by UN Security
Council Resolution 799, will the Commission report on the
substance of discussions with Israel on this matter and also
Joint answer to Written Questions E-843 / 93, E-1610 / 93 on what action it intends to take to that end ?

and E-1 795 / 93

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 November 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

Further to its answer to Written Question No 1454 / 92 by ( 25 October 1993 )
Mr Kostopoulos O, the Commission would inform the
Honourable Members that Lake Vouliagmeni is not a
special protection area ; nor has it been identified as The Community and its Member States
important under Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the deportations of over 400 Palestinians
conservation of wild birds ( 2 ), which currently provides the December 1992 as a violation of
only applicable legal basis for the Community to act on Convention . They have reiterated their
nature conservation . Furthermore, it cannot yet be decided Nations Security Council Resolution
if this site qualifies as a future special area of conservation called for an urgent solution to the
under Council Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna ( 3 ), with which
Member States will in any event have to comply only from The Commission has participated in
June 1994 onwards . to Israel on this subject by the Troïka,

The Community and its Member States have condemned the
deportations of over 400 Palestinians carried out by Israel in
December 1992 as a violation of the Fourth Geneva
Convention . They have reiterated their support for United
Nations Security Council Resolution 799 and repeatedly
called for an urgent solution to the deportation problem .

It therefore falls to the Greek authorities to take the

necessary measures to ensure the wise use and protection of
the biotope in question and to see that Community law is
complied with .

As regards the application of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 4 ), the
Commission would point out that the work being proposed
in the area of Lake Vouliagmeni ( restaurants, swimming
pools, theatres ) does not fall within the scope of the
Directive .

H OJ No C 51, 22 . 2 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

The Commission has participated in representations made
to Israel on this subject by the Troïka, whether at ministerial
level or by heads of mission resident in Israel . The
Community and its Member States learned from the Israeli
Foreign Minister on 1 February 1993 at the EC-Israel
Cooperation Council meeting about moves to allow some
deportees to return and the halving of the term of exile of the
remainder . This was considered to be an important step
towards implementing UNSCR 799 and the Community
and its Member States expressed the hope that the Israeli
government would build on it . The Commission regrets that
the deportation problem remains unresolved .

At the Cooperation Council meeting, the European side
made clear to Foreign Minister Peres that it very much
hoped not to be put in the position of having to address the
issue of the updating of the 1975 EC-Israel Cooperation
Agreement in the absence of a solution to the deportation
problem . The Council agreed to continue exploratory talks
on the updating and on that basis a number of meetings have
taken place between the Commission and Israeli officials .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 41

The exploratory talks have been concluded and the Answer given by Mr Delors
Commission will shortly present draft negotiating on behalf of the Commission
Directives . (9 December 1993 )

There is no security vetting of applicants for jobs at the

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1818 / 93

by Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 20 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 86 )

Subject : Imprisonment or death for redundant workers of

the former EAS ( Urban Transport Corporation )

A committee set up by the GSEE ( Greek General
Confederation of Labour ), the Athens Law Society, the
federations and the mayors of Attica to secure the release
from prison of workers previously employed by the EAS,
reports that thirty drivers and technicians made redundant
by the former EAS have died in recent months, mainly from
heart complaints caused by stress and the desperation they
and their families have experienced .

Will the Commission support the drivers and their families
so that they no longer have to choose simply between
imprisonment or death ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

The Honourable Member's attention is respectfully drawn
to the reply given to Written Question No 867 / 93 from Mr
Kostopoulos (*).

Furthermore, as the Commission has as yet received no
evidence of violation of the Community standards on
collective redundancy as laid down in Directive
75 / 129 / EEC ( 2 ), there are no grounds for Community
intervention .

(!) OJ No C 301, 8 . 11 . 1993, p . 4 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 48, 22 . 2 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1819 / 93

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 20 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 87 )

Subject : Security vetting

1 . What is the policy of the Commission on the security
vetting of job applicants ?

2 . Are all applicants vetted ?

Commission . This accords with the legislation of the
Member States governing the recruitment of their own civil

servants .

However, to ensure compliance with Articles 27 and 28 of
the Staff Regulations, the Commission does require
candidates to produce an extract from the register of
criminal offences or a certificate of good conduct,
depending on national legislation, before taking up
duties .

The Commission also has certain ' security checks ' carried
out for the protection of classified information . The
Commission agency responsible is the Security Office acting
under Council Regulation No 3 implementing Article 24 of
the Euratom Treaty .

The checks are carried out on officials or other servants who

have access to classified information and are performed,
with their consent, by and under the responsibility of the
competent departments in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1833 / 93

by Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 88 )

Subject : Problems with Community wine production

According to reports at the recent conference of national
wine producing cooperatives in the Community, a new

' wine war ', similar to that which Europe experienced in
1978, is threatening to break out, again because of the
severe problems in the sector .

Representatives of the industry are calling for the vast stocks
of wine to be eliminated by implementing a special
distillation policy .

Can the Commission provide information on this situation
and say what measures it intends to take to resolve the
problems in this sector ?

No C 219 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 ) ( 30 November 1993 )

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission is
concerned by the way the wine sector is developing : it has
just adopted a communication on the development and
future of wine sector policy ( 1 ).

In this document, it first makes a severe diagnosis of the
situation, showing in particular that we have reached a
situation of major structural surplus that the current
organization of the market, and in particular the distillation
system, appears unable to absorb in a durable way . It then
indicates what the main lines of an in-depth reform of the
market organization could be in order to achieve market
balance by the end of the century, and calls for a
wide-ranging debate within the Community on this
subject .

The upwards revision of end-of-year stocks which is
currently being conducted does not particularly surprise the
Commission, which pointed out in its communication the
obviously distorted character of national declarations under
the present system .

In the short term, and pending the reform, the Commission
is following attentively the situation of 1992 / 93 end-of-year
stocks and the supply prospects for 1993 / 94 . On the basis of
all the information available, it will apply existing legislation
to fix as adequately as possible the distillation levels
necessary for this marketing year .

(M COM ( 93 ) 380 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 840 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

On the basis of the information available to it, the
Commission can confirm that DEI ( the Creek Public Power
Corporation ) has drawn up a ten-year programme with a
budget of about Dr 105 billion to improve the electricity
grid on the Greek islands .

The Commission has not received an application from the
Greek authorities to part-finance the programme and is
accordingly not in a position to inform the Honourable
Member of its precise content .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1 842 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 90 )

Subject : Toxic and heavy metals in Lavrion, Attica

Lavrion is beset by yet another problem . At a time when
70% of the town's inhabitants are unemployed, research by
the Institute for Geology and Mining shows that much of
Lavrion is polluted by toxic and heavy metals . The danger
for the local population, particularly children, is immediate
in the Kavodokanos, Prasini Alepou and Kyprianos

areas .

Can the Community help to protect children and the general
public in Lavrion from toxic and heavy metals ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 19 November 1993 )

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 89 )
The Commission does not intend to take specific measures
on toxic and heavy metals causing problems at various
points in the Community .

Subject : Public Power Corporation programme to improve

the electricity grid on the Greek islands

The Greek Public Power Corporation has announced a

10-year Community-funded programme to improve the
electricity grid on Greek islands in the Aegean with a budget
of Dr 100 billion . Has this programme been approved by the
Community and what exactly does it involve ?

With regard to the Lavrion region, however, a project to
rehabilitate sites polluted by heavy metals was recently
approved under the 1993 LIFE programme . The success of
this project should be a step towards a permanent solution
to the problem in that region .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 43

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1851 / 93 Greek authorities, actions which can be undertaken to

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) modernise and reform the public sector .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 91 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 859 / 93

Subject : Convergence of the Greek economy with those of

the other EC Member States

According to a report by the American analysts ' Oxford
Analytica ' the targets set by the Greek Government for
economic convergence with the other EC Member States are
far too ambitious and therefore almost impossible to
achieve .

However, the Greek Government is apparently unaware of
the problems of the Greek economy given that :

( a ) it is not carrying out reforms which could greatly help
to improve public services in Greece and

( b ) instead of reducing the number of public sector

workers, in line with Greece's commitments to the EC,
it is planning — in the run-up to the election — to take
on some 45 000 staff, using undefined procedures,
allegedly to cover urgent needs in regional
departments .

In view of the above, will the Commission call on the Greek
authorities to implement reforms, under its close
supervision, to improve the public sector and to prevent the
planned massive increase in the number of public
employees ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 )

The Greek Government's convergence programme foresees
that the Greek economy will satisfy the criteria of
convergence set out in the Treaty on European Union . The
policies on which this will depend are presented in the
convergence programme . It is for the Greek Government to
initiate these policies and to ensure that they are
implemented effectively .

As part of the multilateral surveillance procedure, Greece's
economy is subject to review at Community level . However,
there is no provision for the Commission to call formally on
the authorities to implement reforms, let alone closely
supervise them . In the context of the Community loan to
Greece, the Greek authorities are committed to a
programme of adjustment and reform and in the discussions
on the forthcoming Community Support Framework the
Commission will examine, in close cooperation with the

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 92 )

Subject : Poaching on the Ionian islands, the Strofâdes

The Ionian islands of the Strofâdes continue to be in danger
from poachers . As the Greek Animal Welfare Fund points
out, these islands remain ' undefended ' against the craze for
poaching, since this year the protection vessels which were
supposed to make regular patrols along the coast were not
put into operation . Given that the Strofâdes are of great
ecological importance and that they are included on the list
of Important Bird Areas in Europe and in the Community's
Corine programme, will the Commission call on Greece to
implement Directive 79 / 409 / EEC i 1 ) on the protection of
wild birds ?

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

Greece has not classified the zone under consideration as a
Special Protection Area according to Article 4 of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC, concerning the conservation of wild birds,
which is the only legal basis for Community intervention for
nature conservation applicable at present .

Consequently, it is the responsibility of the Greek
authorities to take the necessary measures for the protection
of the biotope in question .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 864 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 93 )

Subject : ' Imports ' of cigarettes from the countries of

eastern Europe

Tobacco products, particularly imported cigarettes, are
entering the Community from third countries, with the

No C 219 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

result that Member States are finding it difficult to sell their
tobacco products on the Community market . Moreover,
many cigarettes are entering the Community from the
countries of eastern Europe through racketeers who are
selling them at half-price and of course are paying no
duties .

Does the Commission intend to take steps to put an end to
the illegal activities of racketeers which are damaging the
interests of Community tobacco-growers and the tobacco
industry ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1993 )

Preventing illegal imports and the illegal sale of goods falls
primarily under the competence and responsibility of the
Member States . Where customs and agricultural regulations
are concerned, the Member States authorities cooperate
with each other and with the Commission, pursuant to
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1468 / 81, to ensure that the rules are
complied with i 1 ). As such activities involving the evasion of
indirect taxes affect in the first place Member State revenues,
it is in their interest that such activities do not take place . If
necessary, the Commission can ask Member States to
comply with their obligations in this respect .

64 / 433 / EEC ( ), as amended by Council Directive
91 / 497 / EEC ( 2 ).

Furthermore Council Directive 91 / 498 / EEC has established

a transitional period until 31 December 1995 for
establishments not fulfilling the conditions of Directive
64 / 433 / EEC .

During this period these establishments are not obliged to
close if they submit an application to the competent
authority for a derogation from the structural requirements
and if they submit a work plan and a programme indicating
the period within which it would be possible for the
establishments to comply with the requirements of Directive
64 / 433 / EEC .

These derogations are managed by the competent
authorities of the Member States .

(!) OJ No L 121, 29 . 7 . 1964 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991 .

/ 1 ) OJ No L 144, 2 . 6 . 1981 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 871 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 95 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 869 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 94 )

Subject : Abattoirs and regional markets in Greece

Basic infrastructure projects in Greece, such as the
construction of abattoirs and regional markets, have not
been completed . Can the Commission state who is
responsible for this state of affairs and what is to become of
these projects ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

The health conditions for the production and marketing
of fresh meat are laid down in Council Directive

Subject : Proposals of the Federation of Greek Chambers of

Commerce on SMEs

In a memorandum to the Secretary-General of the Greek
Industry Ministry, Mr D. Danilatos, the General Federation
of Greek Chambers of Commerce recently argued that a
policy on the funding of SMEs was pivotal to growth .

The Federation proposed the creation of a new up-to-date
funding framework which would comprise state guarantees,
interest subsidies, a regional and sectoral policy, aid to
business for the purchase of goods mainly from weak areas
and also the creation, at Community level, of funds and
funding policies for SMEs . The Federation also proposed
the establishment of an SME academy, arts and crafts parks
to decentralize SMEs and the creation of sectoral

institutions for SMEs . Finally, the Federation proposed a
pan-European conference of SMEs during the Greek
presidency of the EC .

How does the Commission view the Federation's

proposals ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 45

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 ) ( 22 November 1993 )

In its answer to Written Question No 850 / 93 put by the
Honourable Member (*), the Commission described the
main instruments developed at Community level for the
financing of small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ).
Several of these instruments, in particular those concerning
loan guarantees and interest-rate subsidies, help to achieve
the objectives of the proposals mentioned by the
Honourable Member .

The Commission welcomes any measures taken by the
Member States to promote a better financial environment
for SMEs and will, for its part, continue its work in this area,
in particular under the new multiannual programme for
SMEs ( ? ).

0 ) OJ No C 320, 26 . 11 . 1993 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 161, 2 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 872 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Over the years, the Comiriission has in order to ensure safety
in public places proposed a number of Directives and
resolutions, some of which are :

— Council recommendation of 22 December 1986 on fire

safety in existing hotels ( 86 / 666 / EEC ) i 1 )

— Council Directive of 21 December 1988 on the

approximation of laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States relating to construction
products ( 89 / 106 / EEC ) ( 2 )

— Corrigendum to Council Directive 89 / 654 / EEC of 30

November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and
health requirements for the workplace ( 3 )

— Council Directive 92 / 59 / EEC of 29 June 1992 on general

product safety — to be implemented by the Member
States by 29 June 1994 ( 4 ).

The Commission actively monitors the application of
Community law in the Member States, as can be seen from
its tenth annual report on this activity ( s ). If the Honourable
Member has concrete evidence that the directives on safety
in public places are not properly applied in Greece, he is
invited to communicate this to the Commission for

thorough examination .

( 15 July 1993 )
( 94 / C 219 / 96 ) H ( 2 ) OJ OJ No No L L 384 40, 11, 31 . 2 . 12 . 1989 . 1986 . .

< 3 ) OJ No L 393, 30 . 12 . 1989 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 228, 11 . 8 . 1992 .

Subject : Safety rules in public places in Greece

There are very few safety rules observed in public areas in
Greece . According to an assistant professor of orthopaedics
at the University of Athens ( Mr I. Papadopoulos ), who
specialises in accident prevention, safety rules are almost
never observed in Greece . For example, fire-prevention is
ignored . There are no fire extinguishers and where there are
any, rarely does anybody know how to use them .

This opinion on the whole subject is shared by the Secretary
for Workers ' Health and Safety of the Greek General
Federation of Labour, Mr Politis, who points out that small
and medium-sized firms do not have safe working
conditions . There are no safety procedures or works '
doctors, etc . Mr Politis also refers to Greece's failure to
apply the EEC framework directive which stipulates that
safety provisions should also be extended to smaller
firms .

In view of the above, will the Commission look into the
matter of compliance with safety rules in public places in
Greece ?

( 5 ) OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 889 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( ESE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 S July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 97 )

Subject : Combating genital cancer in women

The director of the Greek Oncology Centre, ' Aghios

Savvas ', Mr S. Fotiou, recently remarked that seven women
die every day in Greece from cancer of the genital organs .
Five of these could be saved if they consulted a doctor in
time . Mr Fotiou also pointed out that genital cancer in
women is one of the major problems of our times . It
develops mainly in young women and their age is falling ;

No C 219 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

there are now cases of Greek women younger than 25 who
have contracted the disease .

and appropriate training for health professionals, will
contribute to success in combating cervical cancer .

0 ) European Journal of Cancer, Vol . 26 ( 1990 ) No 12 .
In view of the fact that human lives could be saved if

information were available to women in Greece and the

Community in general about the excellent methods of
diagnosis and treatment now available, can the Commission
assist the national authorities in any way in informing
women of the most effective way to combat cancer ? Does
the Community have statistics on the extent of this problem WRITTEN QUESTION E-1913 / 93
in Greece and the EEC in general ?

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 98 )

. Answer given by Mr Flynn Subject : The IRIS network
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 ) In view of the important role of the IRIS network as a link
between the various Community programmes for the
training of women, is the Commission disposed to extend
it ?

As part of its ' Europe Against Cancer ' programme, the
Commission is using a European network of cancer registers
to collect epidemiological data on the incidence of and
deaths from cervical cancer . A study on the effects of cancer
in the Community and the Member States was published in Answer given by Mr Flynn

1990 i 1 ) and will be updated at the end of 1993 . The data on
cervical cancer are being sent to the Honourable Member
and the Secretariat - General of the Parliament .

With regard to promoting early screening for this type of
cancer, the Commission has taken various initiatives since

1987 under the ' Europe Against Cancer ' programme to
inform European women of the benefits of screening .

The European code against cancer, which was widely
disseminated by cancer associations and leagues during the
European Cancer information year in 198 9, recommends
regular cervical smears .

In the same context, the Commission organised a European
week against cancer in 199 1 which focussed on screening
for cancers affecting women, and during which numerous
information campaigns were organised in the Member
States, including Greece . The Commission has also set up a
network of pilot projects for cervical cancer screening, two
of which are in Greece .

Finally, the Commission has drawn up a guide containing
recommendations for quality control of cervical cancer
screening . This guide will be available in all languages by the
end of 1993 and will be distributed to those concerned .

The Commission is confident that these activities,
combining public information, practical work in the field

( 25 October 1993 )

At the end of 1988 the Commission launched the IRIS
network to promote vocational training for women in the
Community and provide an incentive for the development
of training programmes adapted to the needs of women .

After four years in operation the IRIS network was
evaluated by an outside organisation and on the basis of the
results of this evaluation the foundations were laid for the
second phase of the network .

To support the policy of equal opportunities in the
Community and the Commission's work on education and
vocational training, the IRIS network must be continued
and developed in line with current trends .

The Commission is keen to maintain the momentum given
to the vocational training of women by IRIS and has
therefore started work on the preparation of the next
phase .

The approach to be taken in this specific sector will be based
on the broader policy of vocational training outlined in the
document ' Guidelines for Community action in the field of
education and training ' (*) adopted by the Commission on
5 May 1993 .

This document is to be followed by formal proposals for
Council Decisions to be drawn up and presented by the end
of 1993 ; their legal bases will take completion of the

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 47

ratification of the Treaty of European Union into

account .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1993 )
H COM(93 ) 183 final .

The resources available for the less-developed regions
covered by Objective 1 were increased appreciably for the
period 1994 — 1999 ; they will amount to ECU 96,3 billion .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 930 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 99 )

Subject : Harmonization of indirect taxes

Does the Commission have information as to whether all the

Member States have harmonized all the indirect taxes

required ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

The Member States will submit to the Commission their

regional development plans specifying the objectives to be
achieved and the main priorities chosen for development .
The Commission, acting within the partnership and in
agreement with the Member State, will then establish a
Community Support Framework which will comprise the
priorities selected for Community assistance .

At the present stage it is not possible to indicate what share
of the appropriations will be reserved for Greek agriculture
for the forthcoming period .

( 11 October 1993 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1935 / 93

The Commission is satisfied that all Member States took the
necessary steps to ensure that the new arrangements in the
field of indirect taxation including the abolition of controls
at the Community's internal frontiers, were applied as
scheduled on 1 January 1993 consequent upon the
completion of the internal market as of that date .

In accordance with its obligations under the EC Treaty, the
Commission is at present undertaking an examination of the
relevant legislation of Member States to ensure that
provisions of Community law in the field of indirect
taxation have been correctly transposed into national
law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1933 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 101

Subject : Reform of the Greek cooperative movement in the

context of the second Community support
framework

The leading Greek farmers ' cooperative organization,
Paseges, has submitted a proposal to the Greek Ministry for
Economic Affairs for reforming the cooperative movement
in the context of drafting the second Community support
framework which will form the basis for allocating
resources from the Delors II package . Can the Commission
support this proposal ?

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission
( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 100 ) ( 12 November 1993 )

Subject : Share of the Delors II package for Greek The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
agriculture answer to his Written Question No 1330 / 93 ( 1 ).

Does the Commission intend to agree to the request by the ( x ) OJ No C 140 21 5 1994 p 48
Greek Ministry for Agriculture for an increase in the share
of resources Greece will receive for agriculture from the
Delors II package ?

No C 219 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1936 / 93 Answer given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 October 1993 )

( 19 July 1993 )

(9 AIC 219 / 102 ) The Commission does not intervene directly in the markets
for farmland, whether for sale or lease .

Farmers can, however, benefit fully from the whole range of
Subject : Aid to cooperatives in countries eligible for Community aid to support agricultural markets and from

Cohesion Fund resources

Community structural aid .

The executive committee of Cogeca ( General Committee for
Agricultural Cooperation in the EEC ) has proposed that
part of the Cohesion Fund's resources should be used for aid
to cooperative organizations in countries eligible for grants
from the Fund ( Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland ). Can
the Commission say whether it will respond favourably to
Cogeca's proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission could examine projects emanating from
agricultural cooperatives and other similar bodies providing
that they fall within the scope of the cohesion financial
instrument H and are submitted by the beneficiary Member
States . The nature and the scope of the cohesion financial
instrument are such that agricultural cooperatives and
similar bodies may not receive aid directly through the
cohesion financial instrument .

O Regulation ( EEC ) No 792 / 93 of 3 March 1993 — OJ No L 79,

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1941 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 104 )

Subject : Adulterated olive oil in northern Greece

There have been a number of cases of olive oil being
adulterated with mineral oil, soya bean oil and sunflower oil
in northern Greece . According to the February edition of the
Greek farmers ' journal ' Agrotikos Kirikus ' certain packing
plants, most of which are situated in Alexandria ( Imathia ),
are continuing to produce and market adulterated olive
oil .

Will the Commission call on the Greek authorities to take

action against the owners of packing plants carrying out
these illegal operations ?

1 April 1993 . Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission does not have any specific information
concerning the fraud mentioned in the question . The
Commission will immediately request the Greek authorities
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937 / 93 and the control agency for olive oil to carry out the necessary

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE ) enquiries and take all the appropriate measures .

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 103 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1942 / 93

Subject : Rented fieids in Greece by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Hundreds of thousands of Greek farmers who work rented ( 19 July 1993 )
fields are in despair . Farmers ' associations report that rents ( 94 / C 219 / 105 )
have increased five-fold over the last three to four years .

Subject : Veterinary prescriptions

Can the Commission say whether the Community can assist
those farmers in Greece who each year rent 760 000
hectares ?

Are there any Community provisions requiring a veterinary
prescription for administering medication to animals ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 49

Answer given by Mr Steichen

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1951 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE )
( 22 October 1993 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

The third subparagraph of Article 4(3 ) of Council
( 94 / C 219 / 106
Directive 81 / 85 1 / EEC on the approximation of the laws of
the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products
as amended by Council Directive 90 / 676 / EEC of Subject : Insufficient funds for
13 December 1990 (*) lays down that : for

Subject : Insufficient funds for creating farmland — request

for European Community intervention

' Without prejudice to stricter Community or national rules
relating to dispensing veterinary medicinal products and to
protect human and animal health, a prescription shall be
required for dispensing to the public the following
veterinary medicinal products ;

( a ) those products subject to official restrictions on supply
or use, such as :

— the restrictions resulting from the implementation

of the relevant United Nations conventions on

narcotic and psychotropic substances,

— the restrictions on the use of veterinary medicinal

products resulting from Community law ;

( b ) those products in respect.of which special precautions

must be taken by the veterinarian in order to avoid any
unnecessary risk to :

— the target species,

— the person administering the products to the

animal,

— the consumer of foodstuffs obtained from the

treated animal,

— the environment ;

( c ) those products intended for treatments or pathological

processes which require a precise prior diagnosis or the
use of which may cause effects which impede or
interfere with subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic

measures ;

( d ) magistral formulae intended for animals .

In addition, a prescription shall be required for new
veterinary medicinal products containing an active
ingredient which has been authorized for use in a veterinary
medicinal product for less than five years unless, having
regard to the information and particulars provided by the
applicant, or experience acquired in the practical use of the
product, the competent authorities are satisfied that none of
the criteria referred to in ( a ) to ( d ) of the third subparagraph
apply .'

Pursuant to Article 50b of the said Directive, Member States
must communicate to the Commission a list of the

veterinary medicinal products which are available without
prescription .

(M OJ No L 373, 31 . 12 . 1990 .

The Cassa per la Formazione délia Proprietà Contadina

( Fund for the Creation of Farmland ) has for many years not
been satisfying applications submitted by farmers in
connection with the creation and extension of agricultural
land with a view to forming agricultural undertakings
directly involved in farming, in accordance with the
guidelines of the common agricultural policy .

The reason is that in its budgets the Italian Government is
earmarking sums which are increasingly insufficient to meet
applicants ' needs .

There have been 1890 applications from agricultural and
rural interests for a total of approximately Lit 600
billion .

The lack of funding means that Italian farmers might have to
slow down the modernization process envisaged by the CAP
reform guidelines and the GATT accords .

1 . Can the Commission intervene with the Italian

Government to ask for adequate funding for the
creation and extension of production units with a view
to promoting a more effective land consolidation
policy ?

2 . Will the Commission, through the Structural Funds
policy, provide subsidies designed to satisfy the
applications of farmers and prevent further rural
depopulation ?

3 . Will the Commission persuade the EIB to grant equity

loans to support the development of farms ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission has not been empowered to
intervene in the land policy of Member States . However,
certain Community measures may be taken which can
facilitate the implementation of national policy . These
measures are defined in Regulation ( EEC ) No 4256 / 88
laying down provisions for implementing Regulation ( EEC )
No 2052 / 88 as regards the European Agricultural Guidance
and Guarantee Fund ( EAGGF ), Guidance Section (*), which
provides for two broad categories of measures :

— horizontal measures ( Objective 5a ), applicable
throughout the Community, which are the subject of

No C 219 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 91 on improving the
efficiency of agricultural structures ( 2 ) and which are
concerned in particular with investment in agricultural
holdings ; and

— regional measures applicable in Objective 1 and 5b

regions, which are concerned in particular with land
consolidation, including related land improvement, and
also with certain land improvement, irrigation and
drainage operations .

In addition, the market policy accompanying measures have
an impact on land structures, in particular the aid provided
for in Regulation ( EEC ) No 2079 / 92 instituting a
Community aid scheme for early retirement from
farming ( 3 ), which is designed to promote the expansion of
agricultural holdings . In this context, the land released may
be included in reparcelling operations or in a simple
exchange of parcels . They may also be taken in charge by
bodies which reconvey them at a later date .

The Commission's role is to examine the conformity and
eligibility of national provisions for implementing
Community horizontal measures . In the case of regional
measures, the Community establishes, in partnership with
the Member State concerned, a Community support
framework ( CSF ) which defines priority measures and a
financing plan .

The implementation of the different measures and the
assessment of individual aid applications are the
responsibility of each Member State .

2 . With regard to Structural Fund intervention to
promote rural development, in addition to the EAGGF
Guidance Section measures referred to in 1, above, measures
may be adopted in non-agricultural matters under
the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF )

( infrastructures etc .) and the European Social Fund ( ESF )

( training, employment aid ).

The aid granted under these headings is defined in the CSFs
referred to in point 1 .

3 . The EIB contributes through its global loans to
investment in farmholdings for the purpose of modernizing,
improving production, etc . Global loans are similar to lines
of credit opened with banks or financial institutions which
lend in turn smaller amounts for investment schemes agreed
with the EIB . In Italy the EIB cooperates with a number of
banks and financial institutions to facilitate financing of
small and medium sized investment projects, including
investment on farmholdings .

(M OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988, p . 25 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991, p . 1 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 91 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1956 / 93

by Isidoro Sánchez García ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 107 )

Subject : Movement of goods from the Canary Islands on

which duty has been paid

Is the Commission aware that the customs authorities of the

United Kingdom prevent the entry of goods bought in the
Canary Islands on the false assumption that VAT has not
been paid on them ? Since this policy contravenes both
Article 8a of the Treaty of Rome, which establishes freedom
of movement for goods, and Council Regulation ( EEC ) No

1911 / 91 i 1 ) of 26 June 1991 on the application of the
provisions of Community law to the Canary Islands, will the
Commission take urgent measures to remedy the situation,
which is holding up progress towards the completion of the
internal market ?

(!) OJ No L 171, 29 . 6 . 1991, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission wishes to point out that under Directive

77 / 388 / EEC ( l ), as amended by Directive 91 / 680 / EEC

( Article 1(1 )) and Directive 92 / 12 / EEC ( Article 2 ), certain
territories, including the Canaries, lie outside the
Community's fiscal territory .

The territorial field of application for VAT and excise duties
is thus more restricted than that for customs duties ( Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2151 / 84 ( 2 )), into which the Canaries
were integrated pursuant to Council Regulation ( EEC ) No

1911 / 92 ( 3 ).

Consequently, the goods in question should be allowed free
entry to Community fiscal territory, once the duties payable
have been paid to the competent national authorities .

(!) OJ No L 145, 13 . 6 . 1977 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 197, 27 . 7 . 1984 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 171, 29 . 6 . 1991 .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 51

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1959 / 93

by Barry Desmond ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 108 )

Subject : Commission buildings, Brussels

1 . Would the Commission supply details of the owners
from whom EC and Commission buildings are rented ?

2 . How does the Commission ensure that it pays a fixed
amount for its buildings, avoid being charged extortionate
rents by unscrupulous property developers taking
advantage of the EC institutions in Brussels, to the detriment
of the European taxpayer ?

3 . What is the present situation regarding the removal of
asbestos from the Berlaymont, due to commence in August

1993 ?

4 . Will the Commission confirm that as a tenant in the
property, the EC will not contribute towards the cost of this
expensive process, and that it is not continuing to rent the
property from the Belgian State until the termination of the
lease in 2003 ?

5 . Will the Commission seek ever more effective and

economic use of office space ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

3 . S.A. Berlaymont 2000, the company owning the
Berlaymont, would appear to be intending to carry out
asbestos removal from mid-1994 onwards .

4 . The company referred to above, in which the Belgian
State has a 70 % stake, will bear all the costs of the
renovation and alteration work . The Commission is

continuing to rent thé Berlaymont, in exchange for the
replacement buildings provided by the Belgian authorities,
until 1997 in the first instance . Renewal of the lease will

thereafter be annual . The financial terms for a possible
return to the building are subject to approval from the
budgetary authority .

5 . Yes .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1979 / 93

by John McCartin ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 109 )

Subject : Leader programme in Ireland

Can the Commission provide a progress report on the
implementation of the Leader programme in Ireland and in
particular, whether the individual Leader areas are expected
to have utilized all of their allocation of finance before the

end of this year ?

( 19 October 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

1 . A list of the landlords from whom the Commission ( 11 October 1993 )

rents buildings in Brussels is being sent directly to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the
Parliament . It may be noted that many buildings are rented 34 applications for support were received from Ireland
from insurance companies and / or pension funds . under the Leader programme . After discussion with the Irish
Information regarding other Community institutions authorities 16 groups were selected in two rounds . The
should be requested from those institutions directly . Department of Agriculture and Food was nominated as the

intermediary body .

2 . For Commission buildings rented from the private
sector, it is not possible to avoid some movement in prices,
in line with market fluctuations . The Commission had

hoped to be able, within the framework of the financial
perspectives 1993-1999, to proceed towards a larger
proportion of purchase of buildings which would have
enabled clear cost definition over time through fixed
reimbursements . This has, however, proved impossible in
view of the severe constraints placed on administrative
expenditure in the reference period . As an alternative
approach, the Commission uses its market position to
obtain the best terms it can, particularly as regards periods
between rent reviews .

Since selection the groups have been implementing their
workplans . Some groups have been more advanced from the
beginning due to their past history and experience in rural
development . On 30 May 1993, 65 % of the public fund
provisions were allocated to the final beneficiary, and 14 %
of public expediture had taken place, there being a timelag
between fund commitment and expenditure . All groups aim
to have committed all funds by the end of 1993 . The
Commission, along with the Monitoring Committee, is
keeping this matter under review .

No C 219 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1982 / 93

by Giuseppe Rauti ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 1 10

Subject : The impact on EEC employment of the current

transfer of production to countries outside the
EEC with lower labour costs

Is the Commission aware of the current phenomenon of
transfer of production outside the EEC ? It is caused by lower
labour costs in both the former Communist countries of
Eastern Europe and the countries of the Third and Fourth
Worlds . Recently in France Senator Jean Arthuis submitted
a report on the subject detailing and describing ' the
inexorable chain of events which is leading to a greater and
greater transfer of productive activities ' to countries outside
the EEC and pointing out that ' the number of jobs
threatened in Europe is between 3 and 5 million '.

1 . What statistics and economic data are available in this

connection ?

2 . What does the Commission propose to do to tackle this

terrible problem ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 November 1993 )

The shift of industry to countries with lower production
costs must be seen in the context of globalization of the
economy which developed during the 1980s, and of the
relations based on interdependence which grew up over the
same period . The adverse effects on employment now being
observed are indeed worrying . It is important to identify the
true, long-term causes, however, as the Commission
attempted to do when preparing the White Paper on
employment to be put to the European Council in Brussels in
December 1993 . Also, the bulk ( 81% ) of world foreign
investment goes to developed countries .

The link between delocation and unemployment has not
been sufficiently clearly identified to yield reliable figures .
And any estimate of the effect of international trade on
employment must take account of jobs created in Europe by
investment in third countries . Job losses in Europe, whether
or not linked with industrial relocation, generally reflect a
loss of competitiveness by European production .
Competitiveness must be seen as depending on a number of
factors : the cost of labour is considerably higher in Europe,
though its significance in the production process must be
seen in relative terms ( on average 20-25% of production
costs according to OECD ); macroeconomic balances, and
the considerable effect of exchange rates in particular ; the
cost of capital ; the quality of the workforce's training ; and

the physical and technical infrastructure of the economy .
The fact that Europe's present unemployment is largely
structural requires thought and a pro-active policy, with
structural measures on all these fronts . Its aims should be to

enable European economies to take advantage of freedom of
world trade, while making sure that the human cost of the
necessary restructuring is affordable .

Protectionist measures cannot provide a long-term solution
to job losses and may trigger chain reactions which would
jeopardize the freedom of international trade . Bear in mind
that Europe benefits from freedom of world trade, which is
guaranteed by the GATT, and that our exports provide
many jobs in the Community . The newly industrialized
countries of Asia in particular, together with central Europe,
are the ones whose purchases of Community products are
growing fastest ; the level of purchases by our traditional
trading partners is static .

With central Europe the Community has since 1991 had a
trade surplus, which is still growing, and our exports to
those countries now account for 5 % of Community exports
and are therefore the source of a large number of jobs in the
Community . A further point : in the Europe Agreements
between them and

the Community those countries undertook to bring their
laws more closely into line with the Community's in a
number of fields . As their economies develop, therefore,
their production conditions can be expected to come into
line with those of the Community .

The Commission is, furthermore, currently directing its
attention to the social consequences of the globalization of
competition .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1984 / 93

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 111 )

Subject : Group water schemes in the Republic of Ireland

In the past, the Commission has granted funding towards
the financing of privately-run group water schemes, mainly
in the rural areas of Ireland, under the EAGGF Guarantee
scheme as part of measures to assist in peripheral,
disadvantaged areas .

This programme has now come to an end, but there is still
very serious need to have continued funding towards the
establishment of such schemes, to provide adequate running

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 53

water and sanitation to houses and farms in these rural

areas .

Would such an application for funding be considered
favourably if made by the Irish Government under its
forthcoming submission under the Structural Funds
framework, and if so, under which heading would it most
properly fall, environment or rural development ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1993 )

Under the reform of the Structural Funds responsibility for
Community funding of infrastructures falls mainly to the
European Regional Development Fund . The EAGGF
( Guidance Section ) may contribute to improving rural
infrastructures necessary for the development of agriculture
and forestry, where their financing is not provided for by
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 4254 / 88 laying down
provisions for implementing Regulation ( EEC ) No 2052 / 88
as regards the European Regional Development Fund (*).

The Commission is conscious of the importance of the
development of basic infrastructures for rural development
and would consider their inclusion for support in the light of
their own importance and in the light of other priorities to
be selected .

The organization of Community Support Frameworks will
be discussed with each Member State in order to find the
response most appropriate to the needs and organization of
Member States .

(!) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1993 / 93

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 1993 )

The Commission has no information either on the practice
of treatment with certain substances of fresh meat not sold

before the ' used by ' date or on the commerce of such fresh
meat to mass caterers or distributors of cooked meals .

As official control of foodstuffs falls under the responsibility
of the Member States the Commission has raised the matter

with the relevant authorities in the Member States

concerned and will report back to the Honourable Member
the results .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004 / 93

by Paul Staes ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 113 )

Subject : Recruitment of Commission staff

1 . Is it true that Mr Tonnie De Koster, a member of the
external staff of DG XIII, Telecommunications,
Information Industries and Innovation, and the son of the
Director-General of DG IX, Personnel and Administration,
having failed Open Competition COM / 720-721 / 92, is to be
given a post as a temporary official in DG XXIII ?

2 . If it is true that there are 397 successful A-category
candidates from competitions which have already been held

( see answer to Written Question No 1704 / 91 (*) by Mr V
Mattina ), and that there will be approximately 200
successful candidates from the competition currently being
held, why does the Commission intend to hold a further
competition for A category officials, at an estimated
external cost of ECU 1 200 million ?

3 . Is there any connection between these two
questions ?

( 94 / C 219 / 112 )
4 . If not, can the Commission :

Subject : Sell-by dates for meat — forecast how many A-category officials it is likely to

need in the various Directorates-General in the next five

Can the Commission state whether or not it is true that the

large food distribution chains are accustomed to soak meat
in vinegar or some other substance once it has passed its
sell-by date and then put it out for sale again as fresh
meat ?

Is it also true that, if meat treated in this way then remains
unsold, it is delivered to firms which provide catering
services for staff canteens and / or to those which distribute

ready-cooked foodstuffs ?

years,

— give a breakdown of the successful A-category
candidates now ( 397 ) and in the future ( 200 from the
current competition ), according to their areas of
specialization ?

5 . Can the Commission say how it guarantees
transparency in external staff recruitment procedures and
whether recruiting temporary officials is not a way of letting

No C 219 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

in privileged officials by the back door, this at the expense of
several hundred successful candidates from A-category
competitions ?

f 1 ) OJ No C 6, 11 . 1 . 1993, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1993 )

2 and 4 . The Commission is planning to organize a
general competition to establish a reserve list of assistant
administrators ( A8 ) and administrators ( A7 / 6 ) in the
summer of 1993, since the existing reserve lists are not
adequate to cover staff requirements up to 1995 .

At present there are about 430 successful candidates on
about ten different lists . To this should be added about

20 additional successful candidates from the 1993 / 94 B to A

competition, giving a total of 450 potential recruits . This is a
theoretical figure because it does not take into account the
discrepancy between the qualifications of the successful
candidates and the future requirements of the DGs, nor of
the fact that some of them will no longer wish to be
recruited .

This assessment of the candidates available for recruitment
needs to be set against a reasoned assessment of external
recruitment needs based on posts already vacant, posts
which could fall vacant between now and the end of 1995,
and new posts which could be granted by the budget
authority up to 1 995 . Thus to the 300 A posts currently
vacant should be added an estimated 260 or so posts for
natural or accidental wastage ( retirement, death, invalidity,
resignations, unpaid leave on personal grounds ), 250 or so
new posts carried over to 1995, and the posts which would
have been requested by the Commission in 1994 if
budgetary and exchange constraints ( depreciation of the ecu
against the Belgian franc ) had not prevented it from so
doing .

These data show that the Commission's requirements could
be met by reserve lists available until mid - 1 994 or even until
the autumn of 1994, assuming that current budgetary
constraints persist .

But, given the minimum time required to organize
competitions ( one year ) and the fact that they must be
announced before the summer holidays in order to have
maximum impact on young graduates, it is right to start a
competition in the summer of 1993 with a reserve list that
will be available only in the second half of 1994 to satisfy

1995 requirements .

The Honourable Member's attention is also drawn to the

Commission's general view that, to satisfy the expectations

of potential candidates and to renew and enlarge the
geographical base of its recruitment, it is essential to
organize the major open competitions every year .

1 and 5 . The person to whom the Honourable Member
refers is a member of the temporary staff in the
Directorate-General for Enterprise Policy, Distributive
Trades, Tourism and Cooperatives ( DG XXIII ). Prior to
that, on 21 June 1990, he was engaged on an outside
staff contract by the Directorate-General for
Telecommunications, Information Industries and
Innovation ( DG XIII ).

His activities and experience in the latter
Directorate-General have given him a particularly
specialized profile, combining a thorough knowledge of
microeconomics and data processing .

In accordance with standard practice, he was recruited to
the temporary staff in DG XXIII, which had a temporary
need for the services of persons with such qualifications at a
time when the reserve lists from general competitions had
nobody possessing the requisite profile and combination of
skills to offer .

3 . No, for the reasons outlined above .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2005 / 93

by Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 114

Subject : Job relocation in the textile industry

The Union of Textile Industries ( UIT ) in France has
mounted a publicity campaign against unfàir competition,
which has disastrous implications for the future of
employment in this sector .

Can the Commission say what action it intends to take,
firstly, to protect the Community's textile industry from
having jobs relocated to countries where labour costs are
sometimes forty times lower than the normal level in the
Member States and, secondly, to prevent unauthorized
copying ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the worsening situation of the
Community's textiles sector, and in particular the

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 55

considerable job losses in some regions . It is trying to defend
the interests of the Community's textiles and clothing
industries in an appropriate manner, even though many
industries are being hit by large-scale unemployment and
relocation .

The Commission has twice negotiated the extension of the

GATT Multifibre Arrangement ( MFA ). In 1991 it obtained
a seventeen-month extension and last year a further twelve
months to December this year, without accepting any
amendment that might have strengthened the position of
exporters outside the Community .

At the same time the Commission has secured the extension
until December 1994 of all the bilateral agreements
concluded with the Community's main suppliers within the
MFA, with the option of tacit renewal to
31 December 1995 . The main suppliers, such as Hong
Kong, Macao and South Korea, have been granted no
increase in quantitative limits on imports beyond the annual
increases stipulated in the original agreements . For the very
first time, China has been treated as a dominant
supplier .

In consequence, there has been practically no improvement
in the terms of access to the Community textiles market for
dominant suppliers since the protocol extending the MFA
was negotiated in 1986 . Of all the Community's industries,
the textiles sector has been exempt from normal GATT rules
and disciplines for over twenty years now, enjoying an
exceptionally high level of protection at the Community's
external frontier .

With regard to unfair competition from certain
non-member countries, the Community is insisting in the
GATT Uruguay Round negotiations on the need for
satisfactory results on draft agreements of obvious relevance
to the textiles sector . It is notably seeking better access to the
textile markets of its main trading partners, effective
protection for intellectual property and the reinforcement of
GATT rules, particularly those on dumping and
subsidies .

In this area, the Commission attaches particular importance
to the effective protection of the industrial designs and trade
marks that are so important to the business of the
Community's textile industries . The Community has set up
a scheme to protect trade marks against counterfeiting . The
scheme is aimed at preventing counterfeit goods from
non-member countries flooding the Community market . It
enables, among other things, suspect goods to be stopped at
customs . The Community market is therefore legally
protected against counterfeit imports . This protection is
provided by the Member States ' customs administrations .

The scheme is based on a 1986 Regulation laying down
measures to prohibit the release for free circulation of
counterfeit goods .

For this measure to be effective, however, counterfeiting
should also be prohibited and punishable outside the
Community . The draft GATT agreement on the protection
of intellectual property ( TRIPS ) is aimed at extending

worldwide the protection our industries already enjoy
within the Community . This draft agreement would oblige
the parties to set up effective machinery to tackle
counterfeiting in the country where it is actually being
practised .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2011 / 93

by Carole Tongue ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 115

Subject : Consultation

Will the Commission list the organizations to which, on its
own initiative, it sent its Green Paper on Pluralism and
Media Concentration in the Internal Market of 23
December 1992 and formally invited comments ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

The Green Paper on ' pluralism and media concentration in
the internal market — an assessment of the need for
Community action ' (*) has been sent as a matter of course to
every European federation and association concerned with
the media, namely :

Association des télévisions commerciales ( ACT )

Association européenne des radios commerciales ( AER )

Association internationale des télédistributeurs ( AID )

Association mondiale des radiodiffuseurs communautaires

( AMARC + AMARC-EUROPE )

Bureau européen des unions des consommateurs ( BEUC )

Confédération des associations d' éditeurs de journaux
( CAEJ )

Coordination européenne des producteurs indépendants

( CEPI )

Confédération européenne des syndicats ( CES / ETUC )

Comité des Industries cinématographiques des
Communautés européennes ( CICCE )

European Association of Advertising Agencies ( EAAA )

European Alliance of Press Agencies ( EAPA ( Belga
Direction ))

Europäischer Gewerkschaftausschuß für Kunst, Medien
und Unterhaltung Secretariado

Internacional de los Sindicatos de Artes, Medios de
Comunicación y Espectáculo ( EGAKU / ISETU )

European Advertising Tripartite ( EAT )

European Films Producer Association ( EFPA )

European Group of Television Advertising ( EGTA )

No C 219 / 56 Officiai Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

European Graphical Fédération ( EGF / FGE )

European Programmes Providers Group ( EPPG )

European Publisher Council ( EPC )

Fédération des associations des éditeurs de périodiques
( FAEP )

Fédération des éditeurs européens ( FEP / FEE )

Fédération européenne des réalisateurs de l' audiovisuel

( FERA )

Fédération européenne des radios libres ( F.E.R.L. )

Fédération européenne des téléspectateurs ( FET / LA TELE
EST A NOUS )

Fédération internationale des artistes ( FIA )

Fédération internationale des associations de distributeurs

( FIAD )

Fédération internationale des associations de producteurs
de films ( FIAPF )

Fédération internationale des journalistes ( FIJ )

Fédération internationale des musiciens ( FIM )

Fédération internationale des producteurs de film
indépendant ( FIPFI )

Fédération internationale des syndicats des travailleurs de
l' audiovisuel ( FISTAV )

Groupement européen des sociétés d' auteurs et
compositeurs ( GESAC )

Fédération internationale des producteurs de phonographes

( IFPI )

Union européenne de radiodiffusion ( UER / EBU )

Union des confédérations de l' industrie et des employeurs
d' Europe ( UNICE )

World Federation of Advertisers ( WFA )

It has also been sent to a number of other national

organizations and associations at their request and to those
businesses, institutions or private individuals who have
asked for a copy .

As to issuing a formal invitation to submit comments, on
page 1 of the Green Paper there is a notice in which the
Commission asks in clear and formal language all interested
parties to do so, specifying the address to which any such
comments should be sent .

(!) COM(92 ) 480 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2012 / 93

by Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 116 )

Subject : EBRD

In its document ' Procurement Policies and rules for projects
financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and

Development ', paragraph 3.10 . states ' Open tendering for
individual contracts shall be advertised in official
gazettes and international trade publications as
appropriate '. In view of this, why is it that EBRD projects
are not advertised in the ' S ' series of the Official Journal of
the European Communities as a matter of routine ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1993 )

The Commission complies with all requests for the
publication of invitations to tender which it receives from
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

( EBRD ).

These invitations to tender have appeared regularly in the ' S '
series of the Official Journal, under the same heading as
those issued by the European Investment Bank, since the
beginning of 1993 .

The publication of this information has become a matter of
routine, partly as a result of the excellent relations that exist
between the EBRD and the Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2018 / 93

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )

(9 4 / C 219 / 117

Subject : A Community prize for plastic arts

There is an ever-growing awareness that a conscious
European identity needs more than a purely economic basis
and that greater attention needs to be paid to the cultural
aspect of European integration .

In this connection, the Commission seeks to encourage
artistic and cultural creativity by means of such things as its
European literary prize and European prize for
translation .

Many committed Europeans, however, would reproach the
Commission for its failure to date to introduce a prize for the
plastic arts, which would help to complete its programme of
aid to artists, especially young people setting out on their

careers .

Does the Commission not therefore believe that it should

organize a competition to encourage European painters,
sculptors and other exponents of the plastic arts ?

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 57

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro differences, considering as an example the difference in
on behalf of the Commission driving on one or the other side of the road '?

( 12 October 1993 )

Support for artistic creation is one of the objectives laid
down in the Treaty on European Union ( Article 128(2 )).
Such support, especially for talented young people, can be
provided either through a system of prizes or by means of a
specific mobility scheme . Both systems are equally valid :
prizes are awarded for past works while grants are an
expression of confidence in the further development of an
artist's talents . Prizes like the European Prize for Literature
and the European Prize for Translation ( Aristeoin ) may
attract a high level of media attention for the winning artist,
but oblige the panel of judges to choose one of a number of
artists of similar merit .

At their last meeting on 17 May 1993, the Ministers for the
arts held a detailed discussion on a Danish presidency
proposal for the encouragement of exchanges between
young artists . At the end of the discussion, the Council
invited the Commission to continue the discussion in the
Committee on Cultural Affairs and to present a
communication setting out an inventory of measures of
relevance to artists already existing within other
Community programmes ( Erasmus etc ) as well as any
proposals it might consider appropriate .

Furthermore, the Commission already grants assistance to
young artists in all fields of artistic endeavour under
Action II ( Encouragement of Artistic and Cultural Creation )
of the Kaleidoscope scheme (*).

(!) OJ No C 237, 19 . 9 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038 / 93

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission has taken note of the publications referred
to by the Honourable Member, which do indeed run
counter to the harmonization sought in the field of domestic
sockets and plugs . The Commission does not agree entirely
with the misgivings expressed and conclusions reached in
these publications . Indeed, since their appearance, the
Commission has noted that Community harmonization in
this field could be envisaged . Cenelec, the European
Electrotechnical Standardization Committee, decided at its
General Assembly in June 1993 to pursue harmonization
work and examine a coherent, realistic plan for introducing
a new single system in Europe which will take account of all
industrial and economic factors .

The Commission can only support these initiatives insofar
as harmonization of sockets and plugs contributes to the
completion of the internal market and the vast majority of
Cenelec members are in favour of such a Community
solution based on the already adopted international
standard 906-1 .

Moreover, Cenelec, CEN and ETSI are independent
standards bodies which take their decisions according to
their internal rules of operation . The adoption of
harmonized standards is based on a consensus and

democratic vote of Cenelec members according to the
procedures laid down for that purpose .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2040 / 93

by Bryan Cassidy ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

of the European Communities by Wilhelm Piecyk ( PSE )

( 23 July 1993 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

94 / C 219 / 118 ) ( 23 July 1993 )

Subject : EC harmonization — Euro-plugs and sockets

According to the British Standards Institute's Public Affairs
Newsletter, the estimated cost of standardizing on a
universal European plug and socket system is to be 100 000
m ECU over 15 to 20 years .

Will the Commission stop work on this proposal, in view of
the Cenelec statement in the same publication, ' this is not
the only field where we are well advised to live with such

( 94 / C 219 / 119 )

Subject : Compulsory marking of eggs with date of laying

1 . In view of the growing criticism by members of the
public and consumer associations in the Member States,
why has the Commission still not made any proposal for
legislation requiring eggs to be marked with the date on
which they were laid ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to make good this
omission in the near future ?

No C 219 / 58 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

3 . How would the Commission react if some Member
States, rather than awaiting a proposal, were to introduce
national measures in this field ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

1 and 2 . In accordance with Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1907 / 90 on certain marketing standards for eggs ( l ) the
laying date may be indicated on eggs and packs as an
optional measure, provided the provisions of Commission
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1274 / 91 ( 2 ) are respected .

In its answer to written question no 3346 / 92 by Mrs
Schleicher ( 3 ) the Commission explained its reasons, which
are still valid, for not proposing the compulsory
date-stamping of eggs . It does not, therefore, intend to make
a proposal to that effect . However, in June 1993 the
Commission proposed to the Council that, in order to
provide the consumer with better information, the
compulsory indication of the packing date should be
replaced by the date of minimum durability (' best-before '
date ) ( 4 ).

3 . The question is obviously prompted by the new hen
eggs — hygiene order adopted by the German Health
Minister on 28 May 1993 . However, this emergency
measure does not prescribe the compulsory indication of the
laying date but requires either the laying date or what is
known as a ' chilling date '.

The Commission intends, within the framework of Council
Directive 92 / 118 / EEC ( 5 ), to present a proposal in the
immediate future regarding health conditions for the
marketing of eggs so as to arrive at Community rules for
hygiene .

(!) OJ No L 173, 6 . 7 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 121, 16 . 5 . 1991 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 283, 20 . 10 . 1993 .

( 4 ) COM(93 ) 254 final of 4 . 6 . 1 993 .

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

Community ore extraction and metallurgical undertakings,
for example those producing aluminium and natural
uranium . The same applies to the nickel market and CIS
exports of potash .

The Community ore extraction and metallurgical sectors are
thus being seriously endangered by the use of plant, some of
which is obsolete and most of which is pollutant and which
does not even benefit as a result, since a considerable
proportion of the revenue does not return to Russia and the
effect of these exports in further depressing world prices
limits the earnings of Russian producers accordingly .

In view of this, it is urgent and indispensable for the
implementation of Community decisions concerning trade
relations with central and eastern European countries and
Russia to be accompanied by effective monitoring and by
provisions which can be progressively implemented, taking
account of the situation of the industries directly concerned
in the Community Member States .

What steps have been taken or envisaged in response to this
worrying situation ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for

pointing out the major problems caused to some
Community firms in the ore mineral extraction industries
and the metallurgical sector by a flood of cheap exports
from the former Soviet Union . Although the Community
does want the switch to a market economy in the new
republics of the CIS to be successful ( this being its objective
in negotiating the partnership and cooperation agreement
with Russia ), it is fully aware of the effect freer trade may
have on Community industry .

This is why easier access to the EC market has gone hand in
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2042 / 93 hand with constant monitoring by the Commission of

by Robert Delorozoy ( LDR ) certain sensitive products .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 ) Aluminium
( 94 / C 219 / 120 )

Subject : The effect of massive exports from the CIS on the

ore and mineral extraction industries and the

metallurgical sector

The slump in demand from the armaments industry in the
former USSR has caused Western markets to be flooded by
Russian raw materials, thereby jeopardizing many

For unwrought aluminium, monitoring took the form of a
system of prior and retrospective surveillance from May to
December last year . Accelerating imports led France to
request protective measures on 3 February following which
the Commission decided to open an investigation pursuant
to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 82 . The Commission
subsequently adopted protective measures for three and a
half months limiting CIS exports to the Community to

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 59

60 000 tonnes between mid-August and the end of
November . It is now seeking a wider-ranging agreement
with Russia to include industrial cooperation and trade .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2079 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )
Natura ! uranium
94 / C 219 / 121

There is in theory no reason to limit transactions which
adhere to fair trading conditions . However, as uranium is a
special product, current wider-ranging negotiations with
Russia are also looking at trade problems such as the
excessive rise in patently underpriced Russian uranium
exports to the Community .

In any event, such transactions have to be authorized by the
Euratom supply agency whose prerogatives enable the
Community to defend itself against unwanted imports and
hence against distortions harmful to its own industry .

Nickel

Although the former USSR is the main supplier to the
Community ( which is a net importer of nickel ), last year's
exports were only half the previous year's . They do not seem
to have caused trading difficulties with the CIS .
Nevertheless, the marked rise in imports of scrap and waste
nickel put the Commission on its guard and extremely close
surveillance was introduced for trade in all nickel products .
Similarly, in a bid for more market transparency, the
Commission has been supporting an initiative by the UN
International Nickel Study Group to encourage Russia to
join its ranks so that it can obtain the figures needed to see
whether problems might arise .

Potash

Following the opening of an anti-dumping investigation
concerning potassium chloride (a fertilizer commonly
known as potash ) originating in Russia, Ukraine and
Belarus, the provisional duties imposed in April last year
became definitive ( by setting minimum price levels on
imports ) on 23 October last year after Council
approval i 1 ).

As can be seen, the Commission does, when necessary and in
compliance with GATT rules, use every available
commercial policy and trade protection instrument to tackle
the sectoral problems and unfair trade referred to and
thereby prevent any major distortion of the economy in
these sectors .

Having been authorized to do so by the Council, the
Commission is negotiating a partnership and cooperation
agreement with Russia .

f 1 ) OJ No L 308, 24 . 10 . 1992 .

Subject : Development of fish farming in Greece

The Association of Greek Aquaculturalists, which has
submitted a proposal under the Delors II package to set up a
centre for quality control, planning and ichthyological
research claims, claims that the Greek authorities are being
obstructive and showing no real interest in pushing ahead
with the development of fish farming, a sector with great
wealth potential . Could the Commission take further
measures so that these proposals are examined
promptly ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

The Commission has for many years been participating in
the development of the aquaculture sector in the
Community, since it is conscious of the contribution that
this sector makes to improving supplies of fisheries products
and developing the economies of rural and coastal regions,
and in particular of remote regions, where there are few
opportunities for alternative employment .

The integration of fisheries into the Structural Funds in July

1993 will result in the implementation, on 1 January 1994,
of the new financial instrument for fisheries guidance

( FIFG ). This will make it possible to reinforce measures
already initiated and will enable Member States to
implement additional measures to develop the aquaculture
sector under the partnership arrangements .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2080 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 122

Subject : Irrigation projects and the implementation of

programmes to protect sectors of agriculture in
Greece

Irrigation projects and programmes to protect certain
agricultural sectors in Greece are not being implemented on
schedule ; a case in point is the restructuring programme for

No C 219 / 60 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

olives designed to improve the quality of olive oil . There are Whereas older people account for an ever increasing
further delays with a number of important regional centres proportion of the European population,
such as crop protection and quality control centres, and
with the relocation of stockfarming units . What are the Having regard to the European Year of the Elderly and
reasons for these delays in Greece ? Solidarity between Generations,

Does the Commission agree :

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1993 )

The Commission cannot entirely share the concern of the
Honourable Member, who feels that the agricultural
programmes in Greece are behind schedule . In fact, the
irrigation and drainage works and construction of the
centres for crop protection and product quality control are
right on schedule . The few delays that have been noted with
regard to the reservoirs in hilly areas on the islands, and the
relocation of barns, are in part a result of the lawyers ' strike
in Greece which held up the processing of certain appeals
against expropriation, and of the lengthy administrative
procedures involved in obtaining permission for various
measures ( permission from the health authorities, building
permission, etc .), respectively . These delays have now been
more or less made good . As to the programme for
restructuring olive farming, this was adopted very late in

1992, in the middle of the crop year . It is natural that the
olive farmers postponed the grubbing up and replanting of
their olive groves until after they had brought in the 1 992 / 93
harvest .

Given the great interest that this programme has aroused
among olive farmers in the areas concerned, the
Commission does not feel that there will be any particular
problems, and believes that the programme will be
completed within the grubbing-up / replanting period which,
since in practice it began this summer, will be over in autumn

1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091 / 93

1 . that structured, closer cooperation between the Member

States in the fields of research and exchanges of
information on national policy for the elderly falls
within the Community's sphere of competence and not
only during the Year of the Elderly ?

2 . If so, is the Commission willing to follow up the Year of
the Elderly by formulating a European action
programme for older people ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

The programme of Community Actions for Older People

1991 — 1993 is designed to promote study and exchange of
information related to the ageing of the population and the
situation of older people . To this end certain structures have
been put in place at Community level, including an advisory
committee ( governmental representatives ), a liaison group

( non-governmental representatives ), an observatory
( independent experts ) and networks ( innovative practices ).
During 1993, European Year of Older People and Solidarity
between Generations, the work since 1991 of these and
other less formal European structures is being brought
before a wider audience .

The question of follow-up to the first programme and the
European Year will be addressed early in 1994 on the basis
of an evaluation of the activities undertaken in the period

1991—1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2127 / 93

by Jessica Larive ( LDR )
to the Commission of the - European Communities

         - by Ana Miranda de Lage ( PSE )

( 23 July 1993 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 219 / 123 ) ( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 124 )

Subject : European action programme for the elderly

Subject : Reintroduction of the death penalty in Peru

Whereas the EC Member States are all facing the same
economic and social challenges of an increasingly aging
population,

The constituent Congress of Peru has decided to reintroduce
the death penalty in the new Constitution .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 61

This violates the Inter-American Convention on Human

Rights which prohibits the reintroduction of the death
penalty in countries where it has been abolished .

Moreover, the democratic conditionality clause, as laid
down in the third-generation Agreement between the
Community and the Andean Pact countries signed in
Copenhagen, requires that human rights be defended .

Is the Commission in a position to reconsider Peru's
participation in the Andean Pact Agreement on the basis of
the conditionality clause accepted by that country, in the
interests of ensuring the consistency of Community policy
and defending human rights ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2131 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(. 26 July 1993 )

{9 AIC 219 / 125 )

Subject : Organization of relief work and improvement of

housing infrastructures in areas at risk from
earthquakes

clause accepted by that country, in the Many Community citizens live in areas where earthquakes

are frequent and pose a very serious threat ; however, they

ensuring the consistency of Community policy

would be in a much better position if housing had been

human rights ?

improved and relief work plans in the event of earthquakes
were better organized . Does the Commission intend to
launch an initiative so that the EC and all the Member States

concerned ensure that the required infrastructures and
organizational measures are taken forthwith ?
Answer given by Mr van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is extremely sensitive to the death penalty
issue and regards it as essential that the guarantees enshrined
in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and other international and regional instruments be
honoured .

Cooperation ties between the Community and the
Cartagena Agreement countries ( Andean Group ) are
governed by a Framework Agreement for Cooperation .
Among its provisions, Article 1 refers to the democratic
basis for cooperation ; the Agreement in question is based on
respect for the democratic ' principles and human rights
which inspire the domestic and external policies of both the
Community and the Andean Pact .

In the event of serious and persistent violations of human
rights or an interruption of the democratic process in one or
more Andean Pact countries, the Community and its
Member States will consider adopting appropriate
measures, commensurate with the gravity of each case, on
the basis of objective criteria .

As regards the reintroduction of the death penalty in Peru,
the Commission would draw the Honourable Member's

attention to the fact that, following discussions within the
Democratic Constituent Congress of Peru, the text of the
new Constitution specifies that the death penalty may be
imposed only for treason or terrorism, in accordance with
Peru's own law and the international treaties to which the

country is party . In addition, a referendum will be held on
31 October on the new Constitution, which was adopted on
27 August .

The Commission will make a point of closely monitoring the
situation .

( 28 October 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
the content of its answer to his written question 2576 / 92 i 1 )
on the same topic .

It is the Commission's view that it is primarily up to the
authorities in the Member States to make whatever

arrangements are appropriate in the area of town and
country planning . It is also up to the national authorities to
adopt whatever measures are required in order to organize
assistance in the event of natural disasters provoked by
seismic activity .

The Commission has, under the Council resolution of 8 July

1991 on improving mutual aid between Member States in
the event of natural or technological disaster ( 2 ), put in place
a procedure to enable it to support such efforts by Member
States .

(M OJ No C 283, 20 . 10 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 198, 27 . 7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2159 / 93

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

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 126 )

Subject : Compliance with Community rules in respect of

the planned ' special ' waste composting plant in the
municipality of Cavatore in Piedmont, Italy

Having regard to Written Question No 2541 / 90 (*) and the
Commission's answer ;

No C 219 / 62 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Whereas Directive 91 / 156 / EEC ( ) on waste came into force
on 1 April 1993 ;

Whereas Article 4 of that Directive states, inter alia, that
waste must be ' recovered or disposed of without
endangering human health and without using processes or
methods which could harm the environment, and in
particular :

— without risk to water, air, soil and plants and
animals,

— without causing a nuisance through noise or odours,

Whereas the planned - special waste composting plant in

Cavatore would be constructed in the worst position in
terms of geological stability and within the protection zone
around the municipal pilot well for drawing water for
human consumption, as explained in the report by Dr Orsi
of the Ordine Nazionale dei Geologi ( national association of
geologists ) ( see Annex );

Whereas the plant falls within the scope of Annex II to
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 3 ), which has not been incorporated
into Italian law ;

Whereas the plant would be situated 1,4 km from the spa
facilities in Aqui, with the risk of escaping odours ;

1 . Does not the Commission consider it should include this

case in the infringement action against Italy for failure to
incorporate Annex II of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC into
national law ?

2 . Does not the Commission consider, in view of the
possible dangers to water intended for human
consumption and the possible effects of odours, that
Article 4 of Directive 91 / 156 / EEC has been infringed,
thus giving cause for further proceedings against the
Italian Government ?

3 . Does not the Commission consider that Article 11 of
Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ( 4 ) on water intended for human
consumption has also been infringed, given that one of
the acts incorporating it into Italian law ( DPR
24 . 5 . 1988 No 23 6 — GU 30 . 6 . 1988 No 152 )
prohibits any activities connected with waste treatment
plant in order to preserve the quality of water in
protection zones ( Article 6 )?

4 . Does not the Commission therefore consider that it

should institute infringement proceedings for failure to
comply with Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ?

(!) OJ No C 168, 27 . 6 . 1991, p . 10 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 78, 26 . 3 . 1991, p . 32 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

The Commission has been informed that the Piedmont
regional authorities have decided to discontinue the
procedure concerning the intended dump at Cavatore .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2162 / 93

by Brigitte Langenhagen ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 127 )

Subject : The discarding of fish in Community fisheries

During the process of reviewing the basic regulatiion

( Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 170 / 83 ) (*), the Commission
issued a number of communications in conjunction with the
' 1991 report ', including a document on the discarding of
fish in Community fisheries ( SEC(92 ) 423 final ). According
to statements made by the Commission at the time ( spring

1992 ), the document aimed to put forward specific
proposals to reduce the considerable volume of unused
catches given the scarcity of resources . No such proposal has
come to light as yet .

Does the Commission agree that a reduction in discards
requires a global approach which must not be restricted to
technical measures or research into the selectivity of fishing
gear or aspects of control or structural policies ?

Does the Commission actually intend to propose the
measures which it considered desirable a year ago ?

If so, when and how does the Commission intend to submit
such proposals to the Council and Parliament ? If not, can it
explain why ?

Negotiations are under way with a view to Norway's
accession to the European Community . Norway has
developed a specific policy to combat the phenomenon of
discarding fish, many aspects of which are based on
radically different options from those laid down in the
common fisheries policy . What effects could this have on the
progress of negotiations and on the Commission's own
policy objectives ?

( 3 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980, p . 11 . (!) OJ No L 24, 27 . 1 . 1983, p . 1 .

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 63

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 October 1993 )

This question concerns various problems related to
discarding of fish . In that context, Regulation ( EEC )
No 3094 / 86, the ' technical measures ' regulation for
fisheries, specifies numerous conditions relating to

— the minimum mesh size to be employed in various towed

gears ( trawls, demersal seines and similar gears ),

— areas of the sea to be closed to fishing by specified types

of gear for designated periods of time and

— minimum landing sizes for various species of fish .

In addition, further closed areas are defined in the
Community regulations of recent years which stipulate
Total Allowable Catches and associated quotas allocated to
Member States . The most recent of these Regulations, which
are issued annually, is Regulation ( EEC ) No 3919 / 92 .

The intention of all of these specifications is to reduce the
capture of small, juvenile fish many of which would be
discarded if caught .

At present, the Commission is in the process of preparing
proposals, in the light of available scientific advice, to
augment and / or amend the existing measures on technical
measures to be considered by forthcoming Fisheries
Councils during 1993 .

The Commission's view is that the solution to the discard

problem should be of a global nature . In addition to the
above-mentioned measures, policies adopted on other
aspects ( control policy, structural policy etc .) should also
aim at rationalisation of methods of fishing including the
minimisation of capture of undesired species and / or
size-groups of fish .

The Commission is aware of the Norwegian position and
practices with respect to discards and these will be topics for
discussion during the accession negotiations .

actually worked by junior doctors and the hours they are
available immediately for work ?

Is there a limit to the number of days a junior doctor may be
on duty per week ?

Are there any restrictions on the hours worked by junior
doctors in any of the EC countries ?

Will junior doctors ' hours be affected by the proposed
Directive on working hours ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

There are no statistics available which give comparable
information in respect of each Member State regarding the
hours worked by junior doctors or the hours they are
immediately available for work .

There is no legislation at Community level covering the
hours of work or the numbers of hours a junior doctor may
be on duty .

The Commission does not have precise information on
restrictions on the hours worked in all Member States . It is,
however, aware of a recent ministerial decision in the
Netherlands limiting the working hours of junior doctors to
a maximum of 48 per week on average .

Under the common position adopted by the Council of
Ministers on 30 June 1993 with a view to the adoption of a
directive on certain aspects of the organization of working
time, the activities of doctors in training would be excluded
from the scope of the Directive .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2169 / 93

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 July 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2168 / 93 ( 94 / C 219 / 129 )

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 128 )

Subject : EC doctors ' working hours

Can the Commission give statistics for the hours worked by
junior doctors in each EC country, including the hours

Subject : Crated veal industry

What steps is the Commission taking to ban the practice of
confining calves to individual wooden crates which are
slatted and in which calves are permanently tethered ?

Is the Commission aware that this practice has been banned
in the United Kingdom since 1990 because of the cruelty
involved ?

No C 219 / 64 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Answer given by Mr Steichen What action does the Commission intend to take to improve

on behalf of the Commission the Community's competitiveness in this field and create an

( 13 October 1993 ) investment     - friendly climate in the Community ?

Council Directive 91 / 629 / EEC laying down minimum
standards for the protection of calves ( 1 ), contains
provisions on the housing and care of calves up to six
months of age . Member States may maintain or apply within
their territories stricter provisions for the protection of
calves than those laid down in the Directive .

The Directive provides for a transitional period of four years
during which calves may be kept in groups or in individual
boxes . Boxes must be constructed of materials which are not

harmful to calves, and floors must form a rigid, even and
stable surface . If tethers are used they must not cause injury
to calves, must be adjusted regularly and must be long
enough to allow calves to lie down, stand up and groom
themselves without difficulty .

The Regulations adopted in the United Kingdom allow
calves to be kept in individual slatted wooden boxes . They
require calves to be given more space than allowed for by the
Directive, and include a requirement for calves to be free to
turn round, which is not required by the Directive .

During the four-year transitional period, the Commission
must make a study and report, accompanied by appropriate
proposals, on farming systems which meet the biological
needs of calves . This study will examine the points raised by
the Honourable Member .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

The Commission would draw attention to its

communication to the Council and Parliament on the
competitiveness of biotechnology in the Community (*).
This envisages three principal aspects : to implement a
coherent and balanced regulatory framework, an issue
emphasized by industry including SAGB ; to reinforce where
necessary the Community R&D efforts in the life sciences
domain — the Fourth R&D Framework programme
foresees Ecu 1,3 billion over 1994 / 98 ; and to monitor
through the collection of specific statistics, the
competitiveness of biotechnology in the Community .

The Commission is forwarding to the Honourable Member
and the Secretariat-General of Parliament a note prepared
in October 1992 by the Biotechnology Coordination
Committee which takes stock of the implementation of the
above mentioned Commission communication .

If there is indeed a continuing tendency for companies to
move out of Europe as forecast by the SAGB, the
Commission will analyse this development very carefully
and take appropriate steps .

(!) Promoting the competitive environment for the industrial

activities based on biotechnology within the Community

(!) OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991 . ( SEC(91)629, Final 19 April 1991 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2211 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2191 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Cot ( PSE )

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

to the Commission of the European Communities ( 29 July 1993 )

( 28 July 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 131 )

( 94 / C 219 / 130 )

Subject : The Community's biotechnological

competitiveness

A survey of Europe-based companies operating in the
food-producing, agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical
sectors which are members of the SAGB ( Senior Advisory
Group for Biotechnology ) has revealed a preference for the
US over the Community as a market for future
investments .

At present, the companies concerned are investing and
offering employment at the same levels in the Community as
in the US . The Director of the SAGB considers that the

results of the survey confer an added urgency on the revision
of Community policy for the sector currently under way .

Subject : Reopening of the ' Super Phénix ' fast-breeder
reactor at Creys-Malville ( France )

With respect to the above nuclear installation, the
submission of the dossier and accompanying comments in
respect of the public utility inquiry which is required prior to
authorization has been permitted, by a joint decision of the
local authorities concerned, only in the twelve
municipalities administered by the sub-prefectures of La
Tour-du-Pin and Belley and the prefectures of Grenoble and
Bourg-en-Bresse which fall within a 5-km radius of the
perimeter of the installation, which covers more than one
département .

The company responsible for the plant, NERSA, includes
representatives of the French, Italian and German national
electricity companies ( EDF, ENEL and BSK ). The correct
functioning of the installation has on numerous occasions

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 65

been disturbed by incidents of varying magnitude ; the plant Can the Commission state :
clearly constitutes a threat to personal safety, be it that of
those living in the immediate vicinity or that of the 1 . what scientific evidence has enabled it to reach the above
inhabitants of other regions of France and Europe .

conclusions ;

Does the Commission, in view of all the above, intend to
take action on the matter, given that the risks are not
confined to the départements concerned ?

If so, what action does the Commission intend to take, in its
capacity as guardian of the Treaties and, in particular, the
Euratom Treaty, to ensure that no serious risk to public
safety and the environment will be incurred should the plant
be reopened ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

2 . whether any other justifications than that cited exist,

and, if so, which ;

3 . realistic compromise ' in view of the actual frequent
contamination of the species listed in the annex beyond
the 0,5 ppm limit ( as in the case of red tunny ), whether it
considers it desirable that legislation should adjust to
progressive levels of environmental pollution, rather
than acting against the causes of such pollution ?

( 19 October 1993 ) Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Article 37 of The Euratom Treaty requires the Commission ( 20 October 1993 )
to deliver an opinion on all new plans for the disposal of
radioactive waste, so as to determine whether their
contamination implementation of other would Member result States in . Where the — radioactive as with The purpose of Commission Decision 93 / 35 1 / EEC of 19

May 1993 determining analysis methods, sampling plans

the Super Phénix fast breeder reactor — the Commission has and maximum limits for mercury in fishery products is to
already delivered an opinion on such a plan, only alterations harmonize the existing national rules, thereby removing
capable of causing a substantial increase in the exposure of possible obstacles to trade which could result from
the population of another Member State would make it excessively divergent standards in the Community, with
necessary to be the case for it here to give . a second opinion . This does not seem countries regard to both . Community fishing and imports from third

The Commission will nevertheless continue, in line with
Articles 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty, to monitor
radioactivity levels in France as in all the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2213 / 93

by Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 July 1993 )

{9 AIC 219 / 132 )

Subject : Maximum levels of mercury content in fisheries

products

On 19 May 1 993 the Commission laid down rules
concerning method, sampling and maximum levels in
respect of mercury in fisheries products . In the first article of
the relevant document, the mercury limit is fixed at 0,5 ppm

( weight of fresh product ), in line with the maximum already
applying in a number of Member States .

However, the Commission is still willing to tolerate a limit
of 1 ppm for a number of species listed in the annex, on the
curious grounds, as stated in the fifth recital, of supposed
respect for the objectives of public health protection .

The Commission fixed these levels on the basis of the

recommendations of the World Health Organization, which
has determined the acceptable weekly quantities, and the
Codex Alimentarius, which has proposed standards of
0,5 ppm of methyl mercury in fishery products in general
and 1 ppm of methyl mercury in long-lived predatory
species . By adopting identical levels for total mercury, the
Commission is therefore being more cautious than either of
these two international authorities, since methyl accounts
for only 70%-80% of total mercury in fishery products .
However, if these international recommendations were to
be changed as a result of epidemiological evidence, the
Commission would adjust these levels in accordance with
Article 4 of the Decision .

By fixing two total mercury contents in this way, the
legislation is not gradually adapting to increasing
environmental contamination but taking account of natural
factors . Most of the mercury in the food chain of the oceans
comes from natural sources connected with volcanic and
geothermal activity on land or under water . The predatory
fish at the end of the chain accumulate this metal in their
tissues throughout their lifetime . The level of 1 ppm fixed by
the Commission for these species therefore takes account of
this situation, which has always existed, while maintaining
the declared objective of protecting public health .

No C 219 / 66 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2242 / 93 competition of the other aid is limited, certain aid to larger

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE ) firms cannot be granted after 31 December 1993, and the

equipment-purchasing aid is limited to SMEs and, in areas
to the Commission of the European Communities not eligible for national regional aid, cannot be granted after

30 1993 31 December 1993 either .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2242 / 93

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

( 30 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 133 )

Subject : Spanish aid scheme in regions where at least 10%

of workers are employed in textiles

The Commission has taken a decision to approve a Spanish
scheme of regional aid for areas covered by objectives 1, 2 or
5b where textile employment represents at least 10% of
total industrial employment .

The aid, amounting to ECU 129 million for the period

1992 — 1996, will finance training, studies, research and the
setting up of associations .

Can the Commission specify the amount to be allocated to
regions that will receive the aid and say what the selection
criteria were ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1993 )

On 15 July 1992 the Commission decided not to raise any
objection under Articles 92 and 93 of the EEC Treaty to a
Spanish scheme of aid for Objective 1, 2 or 5(b ) areas in
which the textile industry accounts for at least 10% of
industrial employment . These areas provide 57,8% of
industrial employment in Spain . The recipients of the aid are
firms and bodies which carry out projects to adapt the
economic structure of the areas in question . The scheme
applies to all sectors . Aid takes the form of outright grants
for training, studies, research and development, design and
quality, and the setting-up of associations .

The scheme's total budget for the period 1992 — 1 996 is
PTA 16 700 million ( ECU 129 million ), broken down as
follows :

( PTA million )

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

1 000 3 000 3 000 4 000 5 700

The territorial breakdown of these funds has not been

notified by the Spanish authorities . It will naturally depend
on how the scheme is applied in the various regions eligible .
The Commission will then be informed .

The selection criteria were defined by the Spanish
authorities and form an integral part of the scheme notified
to the Commission . The Commission has not raised any
objection because the aid is regional, the R&D part complies
with the Community rules for that type of aid, the impact on

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2276 / 93

by Rolf Linkohr ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 134 )

Subject : Sunken Soviet nuclear submarines

What information can the Commission provide concerning
the state of sunken Soviet nuclear submarines, particularly
about the number of nuclear warheads they contain,
radioactivity, exact location and leakage ?

Is consideration being given to drawing up plans together
with Russia or the IAEA for salvaging these submarines or
taking measures to prevent damage to the environment ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1993 )

The Commission is sending the Honourable Member and
the Secretariat-General of Parliament a 1993 report from
the Office of the President of the Russian Federation entitled
' Facts and Problems Related to Radioactive Waste Disposal
in Seas Adjacent to the Territory of the Russian Federation '
( unofficial translation made available by the London
Dumping Convention Secretariat as document LC / IGPRAD
6 / INF.4 of 30 June, 1993 ).

Before deciding what might be appropriate in respect of the
submarines or other wastes it is necessary to inspect the sites
in question and check on the condition of the wastes .
Recovery attempts could lead to the break up of the
materials and increase of the hazard they represent . The
areas concerned are certain Arctic and Far Eastern

waters .

In the case of sites in the Barents and Kara Seas, research
cruises have been organized jointly by the Russian and
Norwegian authorities . The levels of radioactivity in sea
water and sediment samples taken during a 1992 cruise, in
which the IAEA was invited to participate, were relatively

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 67

encouraging . The results of a 1993 cruise, to which both the
IAEA and the Commission nominated experts, are awaited .
A coordinating panel has been set up under the aegis of the
IAEA .

The Commission will continue to follow events closely .

measures to assist such areas provided that they indicate
their reasons for making them priorities on the grounds of
defence conversion .

H OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2311 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2293 / 93 by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

by Gérard Fuchs ( PSE ) to the Commission of the European Communities
to the Commission of the European Communities (1 September 1993 )

(1 September 1993 ) ( 94 / C 219 / 136

( 94 / C 219 / 135 )

Subject : Urban environment

Subject : Conver programme
The Commission has promised an expert report on

The conversion of the armaments industry and military

bases is currently a crucial problem for a large number of
French and European regions affected by the crisis in this
sector, with 350 000 jobs being directly or indirectly
threatened in the Community .

The introduction of the Conver programme may meet
certain requirements . However, many areas where the arms
industry is firmly established and has been directly affected
by the recession and the reduction in the number of orders
are not among the regions traditionally eligible for
Structural Fund assistance under Objectives 1 and 2 .

What steps will the Commission take to deal with these
situations ? What are its short - and long-term projects for
military reconversion zones ? Is it possible to introduce an
element of geographical or ' sectoral flexibility into the
criteria for Structural Fund aid ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1993 )

The Commission, like the Honourable Member, has noted
that a significant number of regions in the Community
which are affected by the run-down of defence industries
and military bases are not eligible for assistance under
Structural Fund Objectives 1, 2 or 5(b ).

This consideration led the Commission to introduce a
provision allowing for geographical flexibility for
Community initiatives into the Structural Fund Regulations
( Article 11 of the coordination Regulation ).

The amended Regulations on the Structural Funds were
finally approved by the Council on 19 / 20 July 1993 O, so
they may now be applied to this year's Conver programme .
In the programme proposals that they must submit to the
Commission, Member States will have the right to include

' Sustainable cities ' this year, whose themes will include
transport, planning and wider integration of urban
environment policies .

When will it be completed and will the Commission forward
a copy to myself and the Parliament's Environment
Committee as soon as it is to hand ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

As a follow-up to the 1990 Green Paper on the Urban
Environment the Commission and the Expert Group for the
Urban Environment are currently preparing the first report
for the Sustainable City project . The report will contain
examples of best practice, demonstrating sustainable
development at local level .

The Expert Group and Commission aim to complete the
report by the end of this year, after which it will be published
and forwarded to the Parliament's Environment Committee

as well as other interested bodies .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2332 / 93

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 137 )

Subject : Kaleidoscope

What projects have been accepted for the 1993
Kaleidoscope programme ?

No C 219 / 68 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

Has the Commission accepted the jury's recommendation in WRITTEN QUESTION E-2333 / 93
every instance ? If not, why not, and in which instances ? by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

What criteria were used by the jury of experts in selecting the
projects ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

On 4 June 1993 the Commission issued a press-release on
the results of the Kaleidoscope programme for 1993 with
the names of the projects selected in an annex .

The Commission's decision was based on the opinion of a
panel of independent experts appointed by the Member
States . When selecting the projects, the judges took into
account quality, the innovative character and the European
aspect of each project .

The Commission accepted the judges ' choice . In some cases,
however, the projects selected were not adopted because the
budgetary imbalance was too great . The Commission also
added some projects to the judges ' list in view of their
innovative and European character . These projects are
marked by an asterisk in the list being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat .

(1 September 1993 )

(9 A / C 219 / 139 )

Subject : Use of Dutch by the Commission

Further to the reply by Mr Delors, President of the
Commission, to my Written Question No 1729 / 92 0 ), I
should be grateful if the President would explain why the
notepaper of a number of Commissioners gives only the
French version of their office addresses .

(!) OJ No C 309, 26 . 11 . 1992, p . 55 .

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 148 / 93 and
E-2333 / 93

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1993 )

The normal practice of the Commission is that notepaper
which is headed in French also indicates the Commission's

address in Brussels in French, while notepaper which is
headed in Dutch indicates the Commission's address in

Brussels in Dutch .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2364 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 148 / 93 (9 AIC 219 / 140 )

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 May 1993 )

94 / C 219 / 138 )

Subject : Use of languages at the Commission — indicating

addresses

In my correspondence with the Commission, I am struck
time and time again by the fact that the titles of
Commissioners are always given in their national language
on their letterheads, but their addresses are written in
French only .

Is the Commission aware that Brussels is a bilingual city ?
Does the Commission therefore not believe that it would be

more expedient for information on notepaper to be given
always in both the city's languages ? If not, why not, and why
is French chosen ?

Subject : Research into the effect of ' perkinsus atlanticus ' on

bivalves

Can the Commission say what research projects receive
assistance from the Community to investigate the effects of
' perkinsus atlanticus ' ( and ' perkinsus marinus ') on the
production of bivalves, particularly in regions with a
sizeable aquaculture industry such as Ria Formosa
( Portugal )?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

The Community has financed, in the framework of the
Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Programme, a research
project entitled : ' the use of marine invertebrate cell cultures
to determine parasite diseases and ways of treating
them '.

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 69

The project has provided information on the disease caused
by Perkinsus atlanticus . Knowledge has been improved on
several aspects such as the life cycle of the pathogen and the
role of environmental factors, the ways of infection of
healthy clams, and the symptomatology of the disease .

These results will allow further epidemiological studies in
cooperation with Portuguese shellfish farmers in order to
follow and limit the disease in the field .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2395 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 141 )

Subject : Aid for poor Third World countries

In granting further Community aid to the poor countries of
the Third World, will the Commission take account of
whether those countries have democratic systems and
uphold human rights ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

To the Commission, respect for human rights and
democratic principles is essential for fair, balanced and
lasting development . This is why it has adopted the general
principle of taking into account the promotion of human
rights and democracy, and respect for them, throughout its
development cooperation policy .

This principle is enshrined in particular in the Council
resolution of November 1991 on human rights, democracy
and development . Against this background the Community
and Member States have given a high priority to the positive
approach of encouraging human rights and fostering
democracy . Where there is serious and persistent violation
of human rights, however, or serious breach of the
democratic process, the Community and Member States
devise measures appropriate to the circumstances ; these may
go as far as suspension of aid, as with such countries as
Sudan, Haiti and Zaire .

Suspension of aid, however, never affects humanitarian
projects and emergency aid, which are meant for the most
vulnerable sections of the population .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 142 )

Subject : Foundation of a ' Regional Climate Data Bank '

Human activities are sending the Earth's temperature
soaring . European meteorologists have sounded the alarm,
claiming that the impact on the environment and climate
change will be considerable . In response to the changes
threatening the climate, European meteorologists and
climatologists recently met in Athens and discussed the
foundation of a ' Regional Climate Data Bank ', which will
contain data covering a period of a 100 years . Can the
Commission support this initiative ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

In December 1992 the European National Meteorological
services created the ' European Climate Support Network '

( ECSN ) by signing a memorandum of understanding . The
signatories were Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain,
Finland, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom . Other countries

( Germany, Iceland, Ireland and Italy ) have observer status .
In this framework several joint projects have been furthered,
in particular in the fields of climate change prediction

( modelling ) and data elaboration and analysis .

The Commission has regularly been represented at ECSN
meetings, and advised on funding possibilities for these
projects . Several projects are being funded through the
Environment programme of the third framework

programme .

One action advocated by ECSN is the establishment of
regional climatological databases, and the recent Athens
meeting was organized in order to discuss such an inititative
for central and southern Europe . In the longer term such a
database could be joined with the North Atlantic
Climatological Database ( NACD ), which is in an advanced
state of development .

The situation with regard to data archiving, availability and
quality differs considerably from country to country, and in
technical discussion within ECSN, the conclusion has been
that over the next years the main effort must be on a national
level for the rescue, digitization ( bringing on computer
compatible form ), and quality checking of instrumental data

No C 219 / 70 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

holdings in the national meteorological archives . The
European, and global, perspective lies at this stage in the
assurance of compatible formats and quality levels of data .
The conclusion is that support on the European level should
be limited to such coordinating activities, in part already
taken care of within ECSN .

The Commission considers this project is worthwhile, and
welcomes the initiatives taken within ECSN . If further
strengthening of the coordination of national activities is
needed, a COST action would probably be the most
appropriate mechanism at the European level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1838 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 143 )

Subject : Out-workers

Will the Commission take measures to achieve progress in
the adoption of Community legislation on out-workers ?

is limited by lack of alternatives, given their unpaid family
responsibilities and lack of opportunities on the labour
market .

Pay and conditions for homeworkers are generally inferior
to those for other workers . Even where hourly rates are
relatively good, their employment is insecure . For most
homeworkers, their flexibility means long hours of work at
low pay, with few of the rights taken for granted by the
majority of workers .

For employers, homeworkers are the most flexible
workforce . Even where the hourly rate is relatively high, the
flexibility of homework means savings for the employer, in
terms of social security and other employment costs,
overheads, capital and running costs such as electricity .

On the basis of the report, the Commission will consider
carefully whether and what action is necessary including the
need for appropriate action at Community level .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2490 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2462 / 93
(1 September 1993 )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 219 / 145 )

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 144 ) Subject : International convention on nuclear safety

Subject : Report by the working party on outwork

What are the most significant findings of the report by the
working party on outwork ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1838 / 93 and

E-2462 / 93

given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

The Commission has recently received the report of a group
it set up to look into home-working .

The report indicates that homework is on the increase and
associated with modern patterns of production in a range of
industries in most Member States .

In the case of homeworkers themselves, the majority of
whom are women, their employment provides income
needed for basic family costs . Their choice to do homework

Does the Commission intend to take any initiative to achieve
systematic progress towards an international convention on
nuclear safety ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

The Commission and the Member States already took an
important initiative in this field by making the proposal to
hold the International Conference on the Safety of Nuclear
Power, which took place under the auspices of the IAEA in
Vienna in 1991 . The Conference concluded that there was a

need to consider an integrated international approach to all
aspects of nuclear safety and, following a resolution at the
IAEA's General Conference ( at its 35th regular session ),
preparatory work began with a view to the establishment of
a nuclear safety convention . The timetable foresees that a
diplomatic conference to negotiate the convention will be

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 71

convened early in 1994 . The Commission has participated
in this preparatory work and will continue to play an active
part in the next stage .

businesses as a means of redirecting them into new areas of
specialization . What measures has the Commission taken to
put Mr Delors ' proposal into practice ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2532 / 93

by Marie Isler Béguin ( V ) and Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 146 )

Subject : Community financial assistance for building the

dam at Petit-Saut ( Guyana )

Electricité de France is currently completing construction of
the dam at Petit-Saut in Guyana, which will be France's
largest dam ( 300 km 2 and 3,5 million cubic metres ).

Can the Commission say whether the European Community
has provided financial assistance for this project, either from
regional funds or in the context of direct Community
funding and if so, under what heading ?

Following its proposal to the European Council in
Copenhagen, the Commission is currently preparing a
White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment
which, among other subjects, will cover points relating to a
common information area in which small and medium-sized

enterprises will have a fundamental role to play . This White
Paper will be presented to the European Council in Brussels
in December, enabling a substantive answer to be given to
the question raised .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 92 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

(9 AIC 219 / 148 )

Answer given by Mr Millan Subject : Car tax in Greece
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

The French authorities have not approached the
Commission for aid from the Strctural Funds for the

construction of the Petit-Saint dam in Guiana . However, it
has been informed that an application for a loan from the
European Investment Bank has been turned down .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 83 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Greece is the only EC Member State ( even among those with
no automobile industry ) which taxes imported cars not on
the basis of the category to which they belong or their
consumption but on the engine capacity, regardless of the
car in which it is installed .

Can the Commission say whether the Greek authorities
intend to change the system of taxation on the basis of
engine capacity, and when, so that the car market can be
brought into line and Greek citizens can enjoy the same
conditions as citizens of the other Member States of the

Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(1 September 1993 ) ( 21 October 1992 )

( 94 / C 219 / 147

Car tax in Greece is a matter for the Greek authorities .

Subject : Common information area for small and
medium-sized businesses

The proposal put forward by the Commission President, Mr
Jacques Delors, in June for a comprehensive approach to

Europe's economic problems stressed the need to create a
common information area for small and medium-sized

In accordance with Article 3(3 ) of Directive 92 / 12 / EEC of
25 February 1992 (*), Greece retains after 1 January 1993
the right to maintain this tax, provided that it does not give
rise to any border-crossing formalities in trade between
Member States . The tax must, of course, be compatible with
existing Community provisions, and in particular Article 95
of the EC Treaty .

No C 219 / 72 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

According to the latest information in the Commission's
possession, the Greek tax authorities intend to reduce the
amount of the tax in the near future .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641 / 93

by Arie Oostlander ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

1 1 ) OJ No L 7 6, 23 . 3 . 1992 . (1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 151 )

Subject : Youth event
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2000 / 93

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

1 . Is the Commission familiar with the report in the

of the European Communities Belgian paper ' De Morgen ' of 5 July 1992 which refers to

( 19 July 1993 ) the costs of the ' youth event ' on 3 — 7 July in Brussels,

94 / C 219 / 149 amounting to Bfrs 21 899 840 ?

( 94 / C 219 / 149 )

Subiect : Konver programme 2 . What was the Commission's contribution to this
event ?

Can the Commission tell me what specific measures are
planned for Portugal within the framework of the Konver
programme ( for 1993 )?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2607 / 93

by José Mendes Bota ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 150 )

Subject : Konver programme

Can the Commission say what projects have been submitted
by the Portuguese Government for the Konver programme,
what level of Community funding was requested and what
the response to these applications has been ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2000 / 93 and
E-2607 / 93

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

The Commission has received a proposal from the
Portuguese Government in the context of the Community
Initiative Konver which contains the following two
projects :

— reconversion of gun-powder factory of Barcarena

Public expenditure = 3 556 000 ECU ; Community
participation = 50%

— study on reconversion of air base at Be j a

Public expenditure = 64 000 ECU ; Community
participation = 50% .

The Commission is now examining this proposal . It will
take a decision as soon as possible .

3 . How does the Commission's contribution towards the

' youth event ' tie in with the Youth Information Action Plan

( COM(92 ) 297 final )?

4 . If it does not, were there any other reasons ( in terms of
positive results for information policy ) for participating in
the youth event ?

5 . By supporting this event is the Commission
anticipating the new strategy of the Commissioner
responsible for information policy ?

6 . Has the Commission taken any steps to inform the
public at large of the results of the youth event ? If so, what
agreements has the Commission made with the Youth
Forum ?

7 . Is the expenditure per participant per day justified in
the light of the returns from the youth event, and is the
Commission aware of the adverse effect of over-lavish

spending on the Community's image ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

The youth event ' Parole aux jeunes / Youth Take the Floor ' to
mark the beginning of the Belgian Presidency of the Council
was held in Brussels from 3 to 6 July 1993 . It was organized
jointly by the Youth Forum, the Belgian authorities and the
Commission .

To guarantee the success of the event, provision was made
for a substantial budget of up to ECU 539 000 if necessary .
A provisional financial estimate put the total cost at around
25% lower than the forecast maximum . It was agreed that

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 73

the Commission should bear 77% of the cost, and the
Belgian Presidency 23% . At least a third of the budget was
spent on providing preparatory training for the young
people and hosts participating in the event . Substantial
amounts were also spent on infrastructure and running
costs, travel expenses for the participants, interpretation
into nine languages, participation of ' y° ut h' media
representatives and evaluation and follow-up to the

event .

Around 220 young people from the Member States, EFT A
countries and central and eastern Europe participated . At
the final plenary session, they put questions to
decision-makers responsible for youth policy in Europe .
Those attending this meeting included Mr A Ruberti,
Vice-President of the Commission responsible for youth
affairs, Ms N Fontaine, Vice-President of the European
Parliament, Mr P Leuprecht, Deputy Secretary General of
the Council of Europe, and the Belgian and Greek Ministers
responsible for youth affairs . The Danish and German
Youth Affairs Ministers were represented by senior civil

servants .

There is no direct link between this youth event and its
financing and the Youth Information Action Plan ( 1 ). It
should rather be classed with current efforts to achieve a
coherent Community approach to youth policy . The event is
now in the process of evaluation, the results and conclusions
of which will take the form of a report, to be widely
distributed at all levels .

A file on the objectives, content and running of the event is
being forwarded directly to the Honourable Member and
the Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

(M COM(92 ) 297 final .

Answer by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

Most Community activity in the field of permanent training
falls under the FORCE programme, which seeks to improve
the quantity and quality of continuing vocational training in
the European Community and more specifically to
strengthen the competitive position of firms and enhance
employees ' skills by affording workers better access to
training and supporting companies ' investment in human

resources .

Broadly speaking, the Commission is satisfied with the
action taken in this area, given the legal framework set out
by the Council Decision establishing the programme and the
resources provided by the budgetary authority in order to
implement this decision .

The programme seeks to make all workers aware of the need
for training throughout their working lives to safeguard
their employment and avoid exclusion from the labour
market . It promotes equality of opportunity and free access
by all workers to in-service training . It also recognises the
importance of continuing training for greater mobility in the
labour market and for personal fulfilment .

An external evaluation of FORCE is currently being carried
out ( as prescribed by the Council Decision ) to provide an
objective and independent view of the results of the
programme . It is intended to assess whether the action taken
— in terms of transnational projects, pilot exchange

schemes, qualifications, surveys and the whole research
aspect — - addresses and attains the programme's objectives
and reflects the broad trends in in-service training for
European workers .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1962 / 93

by Christopher Jackson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2679 / 93
( 19 July 1993 )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
( 94 / C 219 / 153 )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 152 ) Subject : Implementation of Directive 91 / 628 / EEC on
transport of animals

Subject : Improvement of further education programmes

Will the Commission list those Member States which have
not implemented Directive 91 / 628 / EEC 0 ) as required by
Article 21 of the Directive ?

Is the Commission satisfied with the measures taken to
improve further education programmes ? H OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991, p . 17 .

No C 219 / 74 Official Journal of the European Communities 8 . 8 . 94

QUESTION E-2688 / 93 Does the Commission propose to follow a similar

Anita Pollack ( PSE ) democratic procedure and openly discuss with those same

institutions the future of the committees they helped to

of the European Communities create ?

(3 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2688 / 93

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 219 / 154 ) ( x ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-432 ( June 1993 ).

Subject : Animal transport

Would the Commission list the EC Member States that have

implemented the Directive on the transport of live
animals ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1962 / 93 and
E-2688 / 93

given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1993 )

The Commission has not received any notification of
national measures to implement Council Directive
91 / 628 / EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of
animals during transport and amending Directives
90 / 425 / EEC f 1 ) and 91 / 496 / EEC ( 2 ) from Belgium,
Germany, Greece, Spain, France or Ireland . Since the
deadline laid down in Article 21 of the Directive has passed,
the Commission has initiated the infringement procedure
under Article 169 of the EEC Treaty against these Member
States .

i 1 ) OJ No L 224, 18 . 8 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2713 / 93

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1993 )

{9 AIC 219 / 155 )

Subject : Commission policy towards advisory
committees

I refer to the reply given by the Commission to Oral
Question H-0434 / 93 ( 1 ).

The Commission has taken its decision about the future of

the advisory committees unilaterally, without consultation .
The committeees were set up by Council Decisions after
democratic discussions involving the Commission, Council,
Parliament and Economic and Social Committees .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

Decisions taken by the Commission in relation to the
advisory committees on the training of the various health
professionals have always been wholly within its
competence . They have been influenced by reasons of
obligations, budget and priorities as explained in the reply
given to the oral question H-434 / 93 .

Having consulted the then European Assembly and the
Economic and Social Committee on the principle of
advisory committees on training, by resolution of 6 June

1974 ( 1 ), the Council declared itself in favour of setting
up these advisory committees . The committees were
subsequently set up, as the Honourable Member recalls,
by Council Decisions ( without however any such further
consultation on their content ( 2 )) and have contributed to
ensuring comparably high standards of training of the
professions . In the event of any repeal of the committees, the
Honourable Member can rest assured that, any proposal by
the Commission would certainly, pursuant to the
requirements of the enabling provisions in the EC Treaty,
follow due procedures ( including consultation ).

(M OJ No C 98, 20 . 8 . 1974 .

( 2 ) See e.g . Council Decision 75 / 364 / EEC of 16 . 6 . 1975 creating

the Advisory Committee on Medical Training — OJ No L 167,
30 . 6 . 1975 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716 / 93

by Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 219 / 156

Subject : Replies to Written Questions which have so far

been left unanswered

When will the Commission decide to reply to the following
Written Questions which have so far received no answer :

8 . 8 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 219 / 75

No 611 / 92 ( February 1992 ), 3373 / 92 ( December 1992 ),
460 / 93 ( February 1993 ), 594 / 93 ( February 1993 ), 748 / 93

( February 1993 ), 1189 / 93 ( March 1993 )?

— 611 / 92

— 3373 / 92

— 460 / 93

— 594 / 93

9 August 1993
26 July 1993
30 September 1993

29 July 1993

29 July 1993
30 September 1993

— 748 / 93

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro —

on behalf of the Commission — 1189 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 ) The Commission has made a considerable effort to reduce
the accumulated delays in answers to Written Questions and
The answers to the Honourable Member's Questions were is endeavouring to shorten the time taken to give
sent to him on the following dates : answers .

/