Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

#### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

### C305

Volume 32

4 December 1989

Notice N o

89/C305/01

89/C305/02

89/C305/03

89/C305/04

89/C305/05

89/C305/06

89/C305/07

89/C305/08

89/C305/09

Contents p a g e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

N o 2737/86 by M r Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject: Discrimination against non-French shareholders of Saint-Gobain (Supplementary
answer) 1

N o 1777/87 by M r Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission

Subject: Insecticide and the Monaco aquarium (Supplementary answer) 1

N o 2027/87 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: The Community's exclusive economic zone 2

N o 2467/87 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Pollution in the North Sea 3

N o 2485/87 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: Ban on camping-holiday flights to Greece (Supplementary answer) 3

N o 2517/87 by M r Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission

Subject: Curbing pesticide abuse 3

N o 2897/87 by M r Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission

Subject: Imports of wheat into the Mediterranean region and EEC policy 4

N o 347/88 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: European Community weightlifting tournament 5

N o 377/88 by M r Axel Zarges to the Commission

Subject: Wholesale deaths of animals associated with the growing of double zero rape 5

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents (continued)

89/C305/10

89/C 305/11

89/C305/12

89/C 305/13

89/C305/14

89/C305/15

89/C305/16

89/C305/17

89/C305/18

89/C305/19

89/C305/20

89/C305/21

89/C305/22

89/C305/23

89/C305/24

89/C305/25

89/C305/26

89/C 305/27

No 514/88 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject: Kangaroos 6

No 789/88 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission
Subject: Administrative checks at Zaventem (Supplementary answer) 7

No 1027/88 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject: Compatibility of ecological taxes and the internal market 7

No 1154/8 8 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject: Air fares (Supplementary answer) 8

No 1294/88 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject: Licence for combined road/rail carriage of goods between Italy and the Federal
Republic of Germany by rolling road via third countries (Supplementary answer) 9

No 1296/88 by Mr Horst Langes to the Commission
Subject: Result of reform of the agricultural policy (set-aside, extensification and early
retirement schemes) 9

No 1461/88 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission
Subject: Bamboo cultivation — research — EEC aid 10

No 1497/88 by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke to the Commission
Subject: Anti-pollution standards for small cars — position of the French Government —
attitude of the EEC 11

No 1807/88 by Mr Willy Kuijpers to the Commission
Subject: Protection of the Zwin nature reserve 11

No 1817/88 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Fishing boat construction 12

No 1847/88 by Mr William Newton Dunn to the Commission
Subject: Use of co-responsibility revenues 12

No 1863/88 by Mr Antonio Cantalamessa to the Commission
Subject: Diseased tomatoes in Campania 13

No 1877/88 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject: Korean barriers against Scotch whisky 13

No 1947/88 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject: Checks on food transport 14

No 1952/88 by Mr Bryan Cassidy to the Commission
Subject: Alcohol stocks 14

No 1973/88 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject: Contribution by the Community to combating the Striga or witchweed parasite 15

No 2007/88 by Mr Gerard Benhamou to the Commission
Subject: Social and fiscal status of cultural workers in the Community 16

No 2102/88 by Mr Jose Happartto the Commission
Subject: European Child Safety Year 16

Notice N o Contents (continued)

8 9 / C 305/28 N o 2126/88 by M r William Newton Dunn to the Commission

Subject: Research into horticulture 16

8 9 / C 305/29 N o 2143/88 by Mrs Vera Squarcialupi to the Commission

Subject: The situation with regard to the illness phenylketonuria in the Community 17

8 9 / C 305/30 N o 2218/88 by M r Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission

Subject: Waste plastics 18

8 9 / C 305/31 N o 2244/88 by M r Andrew Pearce to the Commission

Subject: Classification of snails 18

8 9 / C 305/32 N o 2257/88 by Mrs Francesca Marinaro to the Commission

Subject: Delays in the publication of invitations to tender 19

8 9 / C 305/33 N o 2263/88 by M r Derek Prag to the Commission

Subject: VAT on repairs to cathedrals 19

8 9 / C 305/34 N o 2267/88 by M r William Newton Dunn to the Commission

Subject: Road transport liberalization 20

8 9 / C 305/35 N o 2407/88 by M r Richard Cottrell to the Commission

Subject: Milk monopoly 20

8 9 / C 305/36 N o 2462/88 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: The World Bank and the environment : 20

8 9 / C 305/37 N o 2475/88 by M r Felice Ippolito to the Commission

Subject: Community participation in the construction of an electric power line via undersea
cable between Italy and Greece 21

8 9 / C 305/38 N o 37/89 by M r Vincenzo Giummarra, M r Ferruccio Pisoni,

M r Franco Borgo, M r Gerardo Gaibisso, M r Roberto Costanzo and M r Mauro

Chiabrando to the Commission

Subject: Serious crisis in the protected horticulture sector in Sicily 22

8 9 / C 305/39 N o 279/89 by M r Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Payment of guarantee price subsidies for agricultural products 22

8 9 / C 305/40 N o 283/89 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Total of aid to Lome countries 23

8 9 / C 305/41 N o 284/89 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission

Subject: Report on relations between the Community and the Third World 23

8 9 / C 305/42 N o 330/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Definition of Community waters 23

8 9 / C 305/43 N o 353/89 by M r Joachim Dalsass to the Council

Subject: Austria's application to join the EC 24

8 9 / C 305/44 N o 364/89 by M r Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: Mobility allowances for the blind and visually impaired 24

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No Contents^continued^ ^

8 9 / C 3 0 ^ / ^ No374/89hyMrsCarmenLlorcaVilaplanatotheCouncil
Subject: Victims of tc^ic oil syndrome in Soain ^4

89/C30^/4o No37o/89hyMr]oseCar^alhoCardosototheCouncil
Subject: Disastrous state of agriculture inPortugal owing to abnormal weather conditions .... ^

89/C30^/47 No 388/89 hyMrs Christiana Muscardini^ Mr GianfrancoFini and Mr Giuseppe

Rauti to the Council

Subject: educational qualifications in the health field ^

89/C30^/48 No 397/89hyMrTerence^ynntotheCommission

Subject: Legal aid ^

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/1

_(Information)_

##### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2737/86

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 February 1987)_

(89/C 305/01)

_Subject:_ Discrimination against non-French shareholders
of Saint-Gobain

Shareholders of Saint-Gobain have been advised that 'II

est rappele que les personnes physiques de nationality
francaise ou residentes beneficieront d'une attribution

gratuite, a raison d'une action pour dix actions acquises
directement de l'Etat a l'occasion de l'Offre Publique de
Vente.'

Can the Commission confirm that to disallow free shares

for non-French Community nationals (not living in
France) is discriminatory, and if so, what steps will the
Commission take to end this discrimination?

Supplementary answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 May 1989)_

Further to its answer of 5 August 1987 ('), the
Commission is now able to inform the Honourable

Member of the outcome of its discussions with the French

authorities. It has received express confirmation from
those authorities that the distribution of free shares in

connection with privatizations in France, and in particular
the privatization of Saint-Gobain, will be made without
any discrimination as between natural persons of French
nationality and other Community nationals.

O OJ No C 295, 5. 11.1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1777/87

by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 November 1987)_

(89/C 305/02)

_Subject:_ Insecticide and the Monaco aquarium

More than a thousand fish representing 90% of the
Mediterranean species and 80% of the tropical fish in the
Oceanographic Museum in Monaco have died as a result
of poisoning by an insecticide pumped in with the sea
water that directly supplies the tanks in the aquarium.

Can the Commission supply the name of this insecticide
and explain the causes of the accident and the conclusions
which it draws from it?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Clinton Davis
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 May 1988)_

Further to its answer of _27_ January 1988 ('), the
Commission can now inform the Honourable Member of

the results of its research.

The insecticide involved, resmethrin, is a pyrethroid that
is not harmful to hot- and cold-blooded animals in the

terrestrial environment. However, in the presence of sea
water, resmethrin gives rise to toxic and more persistent
bromoforms.

At the time of the accident, resmethrin was being used for
sewer maintenance, as has been standard practice in
Monaco every year for some time and with no apparent ill
effects; the distance between the outfall and the intake
screens to the Museum is barely 300 metres.

No C 305/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

The passage of the insecticide from the sewer water to the
water drawn in by the Museum pumps can be explained by
a temporary reversal in the normal direction of current.
This is a common phenomenon at the end of the summer
when the temperature of the surface water prevents the
water from the sewers from rising and being diluted,
causing it to remain instead in a dense layer on the sea
floor.

Pumping in this water through the Museum intake
screens caused toxic products to accumulate in the feeding
tanks, leading to the death of the fish. It should be noted
that a fraction of a gram of active ingredient in tanks of
this size is sufficient to kill all the fish.

However, the fish that were only slightly affected
recovered totally on being removed from the action of the
poison.

The Commission draws the following conclusions from
this accident:

a) the effects of the accident show that discharges of
resmethrin (and of other pyrethroids) in confined
spaces must be avoided;

b) as pyrethroids primarily are used in agriculture, where
they are biodegradable and harmless, there is no need
to take specific measures at Community level;

c) since the fish that were only slightly affected quickly
recovered, there is no cause for concern about the
effect of resmethrin discharges in running water;

d) in addition, the Commission has noted that the
sewage treatment facilities in the Principality will be
improved within one to two years, and that resmethrin
will probably cease to be used.

(') OJ No C 140, 30. 5. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2027/87

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 January 1988)_

(89/C 305/03)

_Subject:_ The Community's exclusive economic zone

The accession of Spain and Portugal to the European
Community involves a major adjustment to the
Community's exclusive economic zone, in view of the
existence of a number of Community archipelagos in the
North Atlantic.

Has the Commission mapped out the Community's
exclusive economic zones in the Atlantic?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 May 1989)_

At the present stage of integration there is no Community
exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

As international law now stands the Member States may
define, in their national legislation, EEZs or exclusive
fishing zones stretching as far as 200 nautical miles from
their baselines.

Unilateral definition by States in recent years has led to
the existence of 'grey zones', i.e. areas in dispute, and in
the absence of agreement between the States concerned
on precise delimitation the type of exercise mentioned by
the Honourable Member would serve no useful purpose.
Mapping of boundaries, whether of exclusive economic
or exclusive fishing zones, in any case falls within the
competence of the Member States and not of the
Commission.

Since the introduction of the common fisheries policy, the
sea areas in which under international law the Member

States have sovereign rights over fishery resources, i.e. the
area to which the policy applies, constitute the
'Community fishing zone'. The relevant regulations do
not, however, define the zone: they refer to the national
fishing zone definitions without stating them and use
delimitations for statistical purposes drawn up mainly by
the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
(ICES), which do not coincide with national boundaries
but rather relate to the geographical distribution of fish
stocks.

The Council had agreed that the Member States should
act in concert to extend their fishing zones to 200 nautical
miles off their North Sea and North Atlantic coastlines

with effect from 1 January 1977, without prejudice to
similar action in regard to the other fishing zones falling
within their jurisdiction, in particular the Mediterranean
(12 miles). Since then, the Member States have extended
their fishing limits in the Baltic Sea in particular (this is
referred to in the first recital of the basic Regulation on
conservation of fishery resources (')).

(') Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 25 January 1983, OJ No
L24, 27. 1.1983, p. 1.

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2467/87

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 February 1988)_

(89/C 305/04)

_Subject:_ Pollution in the North Sea

Has the Commission any evidence of the effects of
pollution on North Sea fish catches?

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

_(2 May 1988)_

The Commission has no evidence that pollution affects
catches of fish from the North Sea.

Negative effects, if any exist, would be difficult to detect
because of the high mortality rates of fish before they
start to be caught (of the order of 60—90 % a year, mainly
as a result of predation by older fish) and, after they enter
the fisheries, as a result of fishing (55 % a year).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2485/87

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 February 1988)_

(89/C 305/05)

_Subject:_ Ban on camping-holiday flights to Greece

1. Is it true that, with effect as of 1 January 1988, the
Greek authorities will no longer allow foreign tourists
simply to enter Greece by way of charter flights with the
intention of making their own accommodation
arrangements?

2. What is the precise reason for this?

3. Does the Greek Government really think tourists
are without the wit to find somewhere to stay all by
themselves?

4. Does the Commission share the view that tourists

holidaying on a limited budget will now find it harder to
take their holidays in Greece?

5. Is not this measure at variance with the principle of
free movement of persons within the frontiers of the
Community?

6. Is the Commission prepared to make approaches to
the Greek Government with the view to having this
extraordinary measure reversed, so that every national

travel agency will not be forced to devise separate
arrangements, thereby giving rise to inequality in the
treatment of European tourists?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 May 1989)_

The Commission has written to all Member States in the

Community in order to be informed about their charter
regulations. From the replies received, such regulations
seem to be, to a certain extent, similar. In particular, most
Member States appear to require that the air ticket be sold
together with land accommodation.

There is as yet no Community legislation in the field of
non-scheduled air services and, until specific measures are
introduced, the matter is regulated by national rules.
Greek regulations, therefore, do not seem to be
incompatible with the rules of the EEC Treaty.

The Commission is at present examining whether it would
be appropriate to introduce proposals to the Council in
this area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2517/87

by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _March 1988)_

(89/C 305/06)

_Subject:_ Curbing pesticide abuse

1. Is the Commission aware of the plan adopted by the
Danish Minister of the Environment for cutting pesticide
use by 50 % within a decade? What are its views on this?

2. Is the Commission aware of an evaluation carried

out in Denmark of the impact of a tax based on pesticide
application rates per hectare? What are its views on this?

3. What is the Commission's current strategy for
curbing pesticide abuse?

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 October 1988)_

1. The Commission has not been officially informed
about the Danish programme to reduce by 50 % the use of

No C 305/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

pesticides within a period of 10 years, but the Commission
services are aware of an agreement, not supported by
legislation, between the Danish Ministry of the
Environment and farmers' organizations, to reduce
pesticide use by 25% in the first three years and by a
further 25% in the following seven. Such initiatives are
welcome as they are in line with both agriculture and
environment policies followed by the Community in
recent years. The Danish initiative in particular, which is,
to the knowledge of the Commission, unique in the
Community, may offer a real possibility to reduce the use
of pesticides. The Commission will follow with interest
the developments of the Danish actions in order to assess
its effectiveness and whether conclusions can be drawn

for the Community as a whole.

2. The Commission is not yet aware of the study
mentioned by the Honourable Member. It has, however,
the intention to carefully examine the opportunity of
introducing economic instruments with a view to reducing
the use of pesticides and promoting the methods of
integrated crop protection.

3. The Commission shares the Honourable Member's

concern to prevent abusive use of pesticides as well as
non-optional application, which can also be a cause of
excessive usage.

With regard to the former, Directive 79/117/EEC (')
already prohibits the placing on the market and use of
plant protection products whose use in agriculture is no
longer considered to be desirable for safety or
environmental reasons. Also, the Commission intends
shortly to submit a revision of its 1976 proposal
concerning the approval of plant protection products with
strengthened provisions particularly relating to
environmental protection.

Moreover, the Commission has devoted for several years
considerable effort in agricultural research to promoting
the rational use of pesticides by developing integrated pest
control, the aim of which is to limit by a combination of
biological, chemical, cultural and plant breeding
measures, the use of chemical pesticides to the minimum
necessary. This research has shown that application of the
principles of integrated pest control may permit in the
right circumstances reductions up to 30 to 40% of the
number of applications and of the quantities of active
ingredients used. The Commission is currently
considering the possibility of setting up a European
education network concerning the implementation of
integrated pest control principles.

Finally, in its Fourth Environmental Action Programme,
the Commission has announced its intention to make

proposals on the control and reduction of water pollution
resulting from the excessive use of pesticides as well as

proposals to reduce the damage caused by agriculture to
the ecological infrastructure by proposing measures to
reduce the use of agricultural chemicals.

These measures will complement and reinforce existing
legislation on pesticide residues on and in certain
agricultural products as well as on the quality of drinking
water with respect to pesticide concentrations.

O OJNoL33, 8.2. 1979, p. 36.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2897/87

by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8_ _April 1988)_

(89/C 305/07)

_Subject:_ Imports of wheat into the Mediterranean region
and EEC policy

The world cereal market is depressed as a result of
surpluses and the transatlantic trade war leading to
interventions in the market.

A recent study of cereals and cereal products in the
Mediterranean, published by the 'Institut agronomique
mediterraneen de Montpellier' (IAM), in France draws
attention to the role played by countries of the
Mediterranean Basin in the regulation of this market,
which accounts for more than 25 million tonnes of wheat

imports, i.e. a quarter of the world market.

Egypt is the largest Third World importer after China,
importing 40 % of its food needs. The deficits of Morocco
and Tunisia are smaller but raise similar problems. Other
countries, such as Iraq, Libya and Syria also import
wheat.

In the light of the conclusions drawn by the above report,
what type of integrated trade policy for the wheat sector
does the EEC plan to conduct _vis-a-vis_ the other
cereal-producing countries in the Mediterranean region?

Could this policy not find natural geographical outlets for
the EEC's surplus production, as well as increasing
political stability, in particular in certain Maghreb
countries, in order to help combat the rise of
fundamentalist movements?

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/5

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 October 1988)_

The Commission is well aware of the importance of trade
in cereals in the Mediterranean basin, both for the
Community and for its competitors, and recognizes that
the regularity of food supplies is a major factor in the
political stability of certain countries in that region.

The Commission would point out that in recent
marketing years the United States has supplied
commodities to the Mediterranean countries under the

Export Enhancement Programme (EEP). The EEP is
essentially a programme allowing the United States to
subsidize sales of certain agricultural products (including
cereals) to specific countries. Here the Community's
policy has been to use its system of export refunds in
order to counterbalance United States sales under the

EEP which were likely to be damaging to the
Community's normal commerce in the Mediterranean

area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 347/88

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _June 1988)_

(89/C 305/08)

_Subject:_ European Community weightlifting tournament

Would the Commission state the cost of the EC

Weightlifting Tournament held in Strasbourg in March?

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

_(8 July 1988)_

The Commission contributed ECU 5 000 to the

organization of the 16th European Weightlifting
Championship held in Strasbourg on 25—26 March last.

The Commission's involvement is in line with the

recommendations made in the Adoninno Report
concerning the encouragement of sporting events at
Community level.

The Community dimension was strongly emphasized in
the Championship by the widespread use of the
Community's emblems. Taking into account the nature of

the discipline, the media coverage has been quite
satisfactory and justifies fully the Commission's
involvement.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 377/88

by Mr Axel Zarges (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 June 1988)_

(89/C 305/09)

_Subject:_ Wholesale deaths of animals associated with the
growing of double zero rape

To supplement my own question and that of my colleague
Meinolf Mertens on wholesale deaths of hares, and the
question by my colleague Dr Ingo Friedrich on double
zero rape in relation to birds, I would ask the
Commission:

1. whether, apart from deaths on a mass scale of birds,
hares and deer, it knows of any other recent cases
which should be described as wholesale animal deaths,
without any definite scientific verdict having been
reached as to the cause of the deaths, though a
supposition exists that it is associated with double zero
rape?

2. is any consideration already being given in the
Commission to the question of what is to be done if
definite scientific findings are forthcoming which
show that double zero rape cultivation actually is
causing the wholesale deaths of hares, deer and birds?
Is any thought being given to using vaccines and the
like, since it is to be feared that in the short term
nothing can be done to get rid of double zero rape,
especially as it is being more and more widely
cultivated, there is a demand for it from industry and
some 90 % of the crop is used as a foodstuff, so that
pressure from business on farmers to intensify
cultivation is kept up?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 October 1988)_

The Commission is not aware of such further cases as

outlined in the Honourable Member's question.

Before considering future actions, the Commission feels it
prudent to await further information. In this context, it
can be reported that, in the framework of the Community
programme for the coordination of agricultural research,
the Commission will organize a scientific seminar from 20
to 21 September 1988 in Brussels to review the available
data on the alleged poisoning effect of '00' rape varieties
on certain animals.

No C 305/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 514/88

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 June 1988)_

(89/C 305/10)

_Subject:_ Kangaroos

1. Is the Commission aware that the State of

Queensland, which in 1987 held 63% of the total
commercial kangaroo quota, made the background
documents to its proposed kangaroo management
programme for 1988 confidential to the Kangaroo
Advisory Committee which must advise the Federal
Minister?

2. Is the Commission aware that the Queensland
Government took court action against the Federal
Government before the Administrative Judicial Tribunal

in January 1988 in order to maintain confidentiality of
documentation on its kangaroo management programme?

3. As of today's date, there is no formal approval of the
Queensland Kangaroo Management Programme 1988.
Can the Commission confirm that any kangaroo or
wallaby skins exported from Queensland in the period
1 January to the present, under export permits granted in
1987, were not derived from animals killed in 1988?

4. Does the Commission consider the determination of

Queensland to keep confidential the scientific and
administrative details of its kangaroo management
programme to constitute sound wildlife management?

5. Is the Commission aware that the Australian

Government does not intend to publicly announce a
commercial kangaroo kill quota for 1988, as in previous
years? Does the Commission have any indication from the
Australian Government as to the intended commercial

kangaroo quota for 1988?

6. In the light of continuing uncertainty about the
foundation and implementation of the Australian
Kangaroo Management Programmes, will the
Commission now implement the recommendations of the
European Parliament as set out in Document A 2-91/87,
which urged the Commission and the Council of
Ministers to partially restrict imports of kangaroo
products to the European Community?

Answer given by Mr De Clercq
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _January 1989)_

1. Yes. The State of Queensland initially sought
confidentiality over material in support of its management
programme for 1988.

2. Yes. However, the federal court action by the
Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service against
the Commonwealth in support of its confidentiality claim
was subsequently withdrawn. The programme was then
submitted to and considered by the National Advisory
Committee on Kangaroos.

3. The 1988 Queensland Kangaroo Management
Programme and quotas have meanwhile been approved.
Skins exported before the approval, if any, are part of the
now approved quotas.

4. As indicated above, the Queensland authorities
concerned reconsidered their earlier decision.

5. The 1988 Kangaroo quotas were publically
announced by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the

Environment, Tourism and Territories; those for New
South Wales, South Australia and West Australia on
27 April 1988 and those for Queensland in May.

The figures are as follows (1987 figures given in brackets):

Total

1 050 600

(1 068 000)

181 700

(150 900)

1 571 000

(1 489 000)

26 500

(16 500)

70 000

(70 000)

50 000

(10 000)

2 949 800

(2 804 400)

South Australia

146 600

(180 000)

31700

(30 900)

—

—

16 500

(16 500)

—

—

—

—

194 800

(227 400)

New South Wales

354 000

(313 000)

105 000

(75 000)

271 000

(189 000)

—

—

—

—

—

—

730 000

(577 000)

West Australia

230 000

(200 000)

45 000

(45 000)

—

—

10 000

(-)

—

   
—

—

235 000

(245 000)

Red Kangaroo

Western Grey
Kangaroo

Eastern Grey
Kangaroo

Euro

Wallaroo

Whiptail
Wallaby

Total

Queensland

320 000

(375 000)

—

—

1 300 000

(1 300 000)

—

70 000

(70 000)

50 000

(10 000)

1 740 000

(1 755 000)

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/7

6. The Commission maintains its view that an import
restriction on kangaroo products other than those
covered by CITES is currently not necessary, but will of
course keep the situation under permanent review.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 789/88

by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22 July 1988)_

(89/C 305/11)

_Subject:_ Administrative checks at Zaventem

At Zaventem national airport, the baggage of incoming
travellers is regularly searched in accordance with
legislation on import and excise duty. During these
checks, documents suspected of having some fiscal value
or significance sometimes come to light. It has been
reported by the media that during these searches these
documents are regularly photocopied without the owner's
knowledge or prior permission. Can the Commission say
whether these reports are true, and, if so, whether these
checks have any legal basis and whether the customs
officers are authorized by any rule or regulation to
photocopy documents or copy them in any other similar
way without the owner's prior permission?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 March 1989)_

Further to its answer of 20 October 1988 (*), the
Commission has received information from the Belgian
authorities and is now able to pass on to the Honourable
Member the following particulars:

Under Article 182 of the General Customs and Excise

Law, customs and excise officials may inspect all means of
transport carrying goods or presumed to be carrying
goods, all goods being carried and any individual
suspected of carrying goods.

The aim is to ensure that no import, export, transit or
transport operations are carried out in breach of the law.

In performing their duties, the officials may need to
search briefcases, bags and the like, among other things in
order to ensure that individuals crossing frontiers are not
in illegal possession of certain goods such as drugs, gold
or diamonds.

On the occasion of such searches, they may also discover
documents or obtain information which, pursuant to
Article 210 (2) (i) of the aforementioned Law, it may be
possible to invoke in connection with any sum payable
under tax legislation.

Accordingly, the practice of Belgian customs officials at
Zaventem airport (photocopying of documents) does not
seem to infringe in any way the Belgian legislation in
force, which is applicable owing to the absence of any
corresponding Community provisions.

The Commission will, in any event, be looking into the
general problem of controls on European citizens at
Community airports, with a view to the objective of
abolishing all physical frontiers in line with the
conclusions of the Rhodes European Council.

O OJ No C 24, 30. 1.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1027/88

by Mrs Nel van Dijk (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1988)_

(89/C 305/12)

_Subject:_ Compatibility of ecological taxes and the
internal market

Ecological taxes are taxes on a series of products which
are harmful to the environment. The idea is to impose
ecological levies of between 20 and 200 % to cut back sales
of products which are harmful to the environment and
promote the development of alternative products which
have no harmful effects. Examples of products which
could be liable to payment of ecological taxes include:
non-returnable bottles, petrol, tropical wood, natural gas
and coal.

1. Are the ecological taxes which may be introduced in
the Netherlands incompatible with the completion of
the internal market in 1992, as referred to in the
Commission's White Paper COM(85) 310 final?

2. If the Commission considers that the introduction of

ecological taxes in a single Community country is
incompatible with the completion of the internal
market, does it take the view that, in the interests of
environmental protection, consideration should be
given to the introduction of ecological taxes
throughout the Community? Does it intend to carry
out a study of the advantages and disadvantages of
ecological taxes?

Answer given by Lord Cockfield
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 December 1988)_

1. In its White Paper on Completing the Internal
Market, the Commission proposed 'the abolition or
reduction of all excises other than the common ones (*)
where these would create distortions in the Common
Market ( [2] )'.

This policy was duly embodied in the Commission's
proposal for a directive providing for convergence in

No C 305/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

Member States' rates of VAT and excise duties ( [3] ). Under
this proposal Member States may not introduce new
excises or indirect taxes which give rise in
intra-Community trade to taxation on importation,
remission of tax on exportation or to frontier controls ( [4] ).

It follows that any additional forms of indirect taxation
raised for ecological or environmental reasons could be
considered compatible with the Commission's proposals
only in so far as their implementation does not involve
any form of control at national boundaries nor any
conflict with the proposed rates for the common excises.

Within the context of its programme for the completion
of the internal market, the Commission does not have any
proposal concerning the introduction of any taxes of the
type referred to by the Honourable Member.

2. The Commission would make the following two
observations on general Community environmental policy
as laid down in the fourth Environmental Action
Programme ( [5] ):

— whereas product charges related to product value are
incompatible with the realization of the Internal
Market, product charges related to emissions are not
(as, for instance, water charges per unit of pollution,
SO2 charges per tonne of carbon);

— to the extent that emission-oriented product charges
appear worthy of consideration and advantageous in
comparison to other environmental policy
instruments (e.g. prohibitions, subsidies) on
ecological, economical and administrative grounds,
Community-wide environmental product charges are
conceivable. The Commission will in the framework

of its reflections on the reorientation of the Polluter

Pays Principle also study the necessity and possibility
of the introduction of Community-wide
emission-oriented product charges. The research
project on this topic is due for completion by the end
of 1989.

(') i.e. those on manufactured tobacco, alcoholic beverages and

mineral oils.
O COM(85) 310, paragraph 214.
O COM(87) 324 final.
O ibid., Article 2(1).
O OJNoC328,7. 12. 1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1154/88

by Mr Ben Visser (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1988)_

(89/C 305/13)

_Subject:_ Airfares

The author of this question booked a return air ticket
from Brussels to Athens through Parliament's travel

office. The departure was scheduled for 30 June 1988 at
1.50 pm (OA 146) and the return for 2 July 1988, leaving
at 1.55 pm (LH 1083) for Frankfurt and 4.40 pm (LH
1718) for Brussels. The fare came to Bfrs 46 580. When he
asked, the author was told that this was the cheapest
option and he was offered a business class ticket. On the
outward journey it transpired that Olympic Airways did
not have a business class so he had to sit in the

(overcrowded) economy/tourist class section. The same
thing happened on the Lufthansa return flight to
Frankfurt. There was no business class on board. Once

again he had to travel tourist class (in an aircraft packed
with tourists). Owing to an hour's delay at Athens airport
he missed his connection to Brussels. The next flight was
at 9.25 pm! In other words he had to wait for almost five
hours at Frankfurt. The Lufthansa flight to Brussels also
had no business class. The upshot of all this was that a
return tourist/economy class flight from Brussels to
Athens with massive delays cost Bfrs 46 580! Fellow
Members of Parliament who returned a day later paid
about Bfrs 15 000 and the tourists presumably paid even
less.

1. Is it accepted practice that passengers should be sold
business class tickets when the company knows in
advance that the aircraft on the flights in question do
not have a business class?

2. Is it fair for passengers to have to put up with
tourist/economy class seats if there is no business
class?

3. Does the Commission agree that the price requested is
quite unreasonable in terms of the service provided?
(It is possible to make intercontinental flights for the
same fare or less!)

4. Does the Commission not consider the price
differences between a 'normal' ticket, a 'weekend'
ticket and a tourist fare far too great — especially as
exactly the same standard of comfort is offered?

5. Is the incident cited here in accordance with the

package of air transport measures decided by the
Council on 14 December 1987? If so, does the
Commission intend to put forward further proposals
for a more satisfactory fare structure for consumers?

6. Is the Commission prepared to raise this case with the
management of Olympic Airways and Lufthansa and
inform the author of the outcome of its discussions?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 April 1989)_

Further to its answer of 19 December 1988 ('), the
Commission can now inform the Honourable Member of

the result of its investigation.

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/9

1. The Commission has been informed by the airlines
concerned that on the Brussels-Athens route, Olympic
Airways offer first class and economy class fares only
while Lufthansa provides first class and business class
only on their short and medium distance flights. The fare
charged to Mr Visser was Bfrs 46 580 which is a business
class/full economy fare (there is no difference in price),
which gave him the maximum flexibility as far as dates of
departure, return, routings etc. are concerned. The first
class fare is Bfrs 62 120 — there is also an excursion fare

of Bfrs 26 870 - while an APEX fare of Bfrs 15 140 is

also available. It would appear that this latter fare is the
one availed by Mr Visser's colleagues, but in order to
obtain this fare they had to accept certain restrictions,
including the need to spend Saturday night in Athens.

2. As explained under 1 above, Olympic offers only
first class and economy class while Lufthansa offers only
first class and business class and this should have been

explained to Mr Visser by the travel agent.

3. The Community's aim is to reduce the cost of air
travel within the Community and it therefore cannot be
content with the current level of fares on this route.

4. If the existence of price differentials based on
advance purchase, off-peak travel and reduction of
administrative costs results in cheaper travel being
available for passengers by improving operational costs of
airlines, then this should have the approval of the
Commission.

5. There is no evidence that the two airlines acted in

breach of the December 1987 air transport package.
However, the Commission is committed to proposing
further liberalizing measures before 1 November 1989.

6. As already indicated in paragraph 1, the information
on which this answer was based was provided by Olympic
Airways and Lufthansa at the Commission's request.

O OJNoC 132,29.5.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1294/88

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 October 1988)_

(89/C 305/14)

_Subject:_ Licence for combined road/rail carriage of
goods between Italy and the Federal Republic of
Germany by rolling road via third countries

In the reply of 7 July 1988 to my Written Question
No 2796/87 (') concerning licences for combined
road/rail carriage of goods between Italy and the Federal

Republic of Germany by rolling road, Mr Clinton Davis
for the Commission stated that a licence was not

necessary.

Does this apply only to accompanied transport, or does it
include unaccompanied transport?

The Commission's reply refers only to Netherlands
operators, but does licence-free transport apply to
operators from any Member State?

O OJNoC36, 13.2.1989, p. 25.

Supplementary answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 May 1989)_

Further to its answer of 23 February 1989 ('), the
Commission confirms that road vehicles — registered in
any of the Member States — sent by _Rollende Landstrafie_
are exempt from licences and all forms of authorization.
Unaccompanied vehicles (trailers, swapbodies, etc.)
require the use of local vehicles for pick-up and delivery
to and from the railway station. The use of local vehicles
for unaccompanied consignments falls under the
provisions governing the establishment of road haulage
firms in the country in question. Where a tractor
registered in a country performs the road haulage in
another Member State, the haulier will be subject to the
rules on market access of that State, which implies that a
general authorization giving access to the market for the
carriage of goods for hire and reward is required.

O OJNoC174,10.7. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1296/88

by Mr Horst Langes (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 October 1988)_

(89/C 305/15)

_Subject:_ Result of reform of the agricultural policy (set
aside, extensification and early retirement
schemes)

The reforms of the agricultural policy initiated by the
Council of Ministers with the support of the European
Parliament include set-aside, support for extensification
and early retirement schemes for farmers. Appropriations
have been made for these measures in the EC budget.

No C 305/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

1. Can the Commission present an interim report on the
results of set-aside measures in the individual States of

the EC?

2. What use has been made of extensification (again,
broken down by individual States)?

3. Which States have introduced the early retirement
schemes, and how many farmers have applied for
early retirement?

4. Does the Commission believe that the appropriations
provided for these measures are sufficient?

5. What additional funding has been provided by the
governments of the Member States in these areas?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April 1989)_

1. On the occasion of oral question with debate
No 105/88 by Mr Bocklet, the Commission on 18
November 1988 (') reported on the progress of set-aside.

The Commission can further inform the Honourable

Member that all Member States have presented
programmes except Portugal, which is exempted until the
end of 1994. The schemes of the Netherlands, the United
Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany have been
in application since August 1988, that of Belgium since
October 1988 and those of Ireland, France, Spain and
Greece since December 1988. Luxembourg and Italy have
amended their provisions so that they fit the Community's
criteria better but in both countries there are

administrative procedures to be gone through before they
can be put into effect. Denmark has notified a draft
framework law that is under scrutiny by the Folketing.

The preliminary figures for the scheme are:

Germany: 23 400 applications covering 170 000 hectares.

United Kingdom: 2 000 applications covering 60 000

hectares.

Netherlands: 30 applications covering 500 hectares.

2. On 21 December the Commission adopted
Regulation (EEC) No 4115/88 laying down detailed rules

fur applying the aid scheme to promote the extensification
of production ( [2] ). Given the novelty of the measure and
the problems of application and control involved, it has
also proposed to the Council ( [3] ) that the Member States
apply extensification in 1989 experimentally using pilot

programmes.

3. The introduction of an early retirement scheme is
optional for the Member States and so far only the
Federal Republic of Germany has made known its
intention to operate a scheme.

4. The Commission considers that the financial

resources provided at the moment for operation of the
schemes are adequate. If need be it will propose
adjustments.

5. The schemes covering set-aside of arable land,
extensification of production and conversion of
production specified in Titles of 01, 02 and 03 of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 of 12 March 1985 ( [4] ) are
common measures which are compulsory for the Member
States and to which the Community contributes through
the EAGGF at the rates of refund indicated in the

Regulation. At the time when national provisions for
applying the set-aside scheme have been presented, the
Commission has checked that in no case will farmers

making valid applications be refused aid because of a lack
of funds. It has always indicated that appropriations must
if necessary be expanded to cope with the applications
made.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-371 (November

1988).
O OJNoL361,29. 12. 1988.
O COM(88) 745 final.
O OJNoL93, 30. 3. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1461/88

by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 October 1988)_

(89/C 305/16)

_Subject:_ Bamboo cultivation — research — EEC aid

An international congress of bamboo experts was recently
held in Prafranee (Gard — France). These experts
consider bamboo to be the plant which is most closely
connected to human civilization. It is an important raw
material used in construction and the daily life of a great
many peoples.

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/11

Research on bamboo is beginning to develop but is still
largely uncoordinated. The bamboo plantation in
Prafrance is unique in Europe with its 150 listed species of
bamboo.

Is the Commission aware of the agronomic and scientific
research work on bamboo carried out in Prafrance?

Does the Commission intend to support the development
of research into bamboo which would be useful as part of
its development aid policy?

Does the Commission have plans for the experimental
development of bamboo cultivation in certain European
regions which would be particularly suited to it (e.g. the
southern European countries)?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 February 1989)_

The Commission is aware of the existence of an important
collection of bamboo species at Prafrance, Gard. It has
not, however, been informed, as part of the coordination
of agricultural research, of the details of the research
work being carried out in this field.

The Commission can contribute to the financing of
research carried out jointly by Community laboratories
and laboratories in developing countries under the
Science and Technology for Development Programme
(1987—91) ('), for which proposals can be submitted until
31 December 1989. This programme can also cover
research into bamboo. In view of the priorities expressed
by the developing countries, namely the improvement of
their level of self-sufficiency in food, there is a likelihood
that the development of bamboo cultivation, with
Community support, would be of marginal importance in
the near future. It is not out of the question, however, that
_ad hoc_ measures to promote bamboo cultivation might
find a role in the context of rural development
programmes, at the request of the countries concerned.

While the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a
research programme on the competitiveness of agriculture
and the management of agricultural resources
(1989—93), presented by the Commission to Parliament
and the Council ( [2] ) on 12 September 1988, includes,
among the research topics, the definition of the
opportunities for agriculture of helping to reduce the
economic and social disparities between the regions which
are slower to develop, particularly in the Mediterranean
area, and the economically more developed parts of the
Community, the Commission takes the view that it is
premature to plan now for the experimental development
of bamboo cultivation as part of this forthcoming
agricultural research programme.

(') OJNoL355, 17. 12. 1987, p. 41.
O COM(88) 459 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1497/88

by Mr Luc Beyer de Ryke (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 October 1988)_

(89/C 305/17)

_Subject:_ Anti-pollution standards for small cars —
position of the French Government — attitude
of the EEC

On 29 June 1988, the majority of Ministers for the
Environment in the Community agreed on a timetable for
reducing the pollution caused by cars.

France has just repudiated the agreement, arguing that it
does not provide sufficient guarantees that drivers will be
treated equally in all the countries of the Community or as
regards the stability of the regulations proposed.

France's attitude would appear to be due to the strong
reaction on the part of the French industrial groups PSA
(Peugeot-Citroen) and Renault, denouncing the
demagogy and extremism of Europe and alluding to the
tax incentives available in three Member States, Denmark,
the Netherlands and Greece, for clean cars, i.e. vehicles
equipped with a catalytic converter, and to the five
different definitions of anti-pollution standards existing
in the Member States as a whole.

What is the Commission's reaction to France's calling into
question the agreement of 29 June 1988?

Answer given by Mr Clinton Davis
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _January 1989)_

At its meeting of 24 and 25 November 1988, the Council,
acting by a qualified majority, adopted a common
position on the proposal for a directive on pollutant
emissions from motor vehicles with a capacity of less than
1 400 cc.

The document constituting this common position
includes the limit values and deadlines proposed by the
Commission and was in fact approved by France.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1807/88

by Mr Willy Kuijpers (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/18)

_Subject:_ Protection of the Zwin nature reserve

The 550 hectare Zwin nature reserve, which has been
added to the Ramsar list, is being seriously threatened by

No C 305/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

progressive alluviation. According to the reserve
administrator, this is being caused by the Delta Project,
the hydraulic pumping up of sand along the Flemish coast
and the harbour works at Zeebrugge. The main reason for
failure to take the necessary measures to remedy the
problem and the consequences for the bird population
appears to be lack of funds. In the meantime the
alluviation has already had noticeable consequences.

Does the Commission intend to bring the necessary
pressure to bear to ensure that the consequences of the
alluviation for the bird population are kept to a minimum?

Is it possible to attribute the alluviation to certain specific
factors, so that financial disputes between the Member
States can in future be avoided?

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

_(19 April 1989)_

The 1 821 hectare Zwin nature reserve in West Flanders

has been designated a special protection area under
Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of

wild birds (').

The Commission will be contacting the Belgian
authorities responsible to obtain full details of the
situation.

(') OJNoL103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1817/88

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/19)

_Subject:_ Fishing boat construction

Since the Community withdrew its grant support for
fishing boats construction yards are now facing closure
through reduced contracts.

Will the Commission make a commitment to review the

situation and reinstate fishing boat grants?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 February 1989)_

The Commission found it necessary to temporarily
suspend the financing of projects for new constructions in
1988 in view of the fact that Member States failed to

provide or provided imcomplete reports on the progress
of the Multiannual Guidance Programmes at the first
round of decisions in April 1988.

The Commission offered to the Member States to

consider projects for new constructions at a special
tranche in July 1988 if the necessary information was
provided by 18 May 1988. Only Denmark and Portugal
responded fully and demonstrated that the evolution of
the fleet was in line with the objectives to reduce fleet
capacity.

During the second half of 1988 the Community fleet,
except for those of Portugal and Denmark, continued to
increase in capacity. Therefore the Commission had no
option but to again temporarily suspend financing of new
constructions.

In 1989 the Commission will again consider projects for
new constructions for those Member States who have

made the legal and/or administrative arrangements to
ensure compliance with the objectives on fleet capacity
reduction of the programmes.

With a view to this, the Commission has made suitable
financial arrangements to ensure that a blockage is
avoided when financing of new constructions is
recommended next year on a selective basis.

The Commission will also consider as 'frozen' all new

construction projects which have been during 1988
subject to consideration by the Commission for
Community financing under the terms of Regulation
(EEC) No 4028/86 (') and to consider them together with
the incoming applications for one more budgetary year
after re-confirmation by the Member State.

Furthermore, the Commission has discussed with
Member States, actions that would assist them in
complying with the objectives and which resulted in the
modification of the present decisions regarding the
Multiannual Guidance Programmes.

O OJ No L 376, 31. 12. 1986, p. 7.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1847/88

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(9 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/20)

_Subject:_ Use of co-responsibility revenues

Would the Commission kindly provide details of the uses
to which revenue from co-responsibility levies have been
put for the latest years for which the data have been
published?

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/13

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 February 1989)_

As far as the co-responsibility levy in the dairy sector is
concerned, the Commission would ask the Honourable
Member to refer to its answer to Written Question
No 1519/88 by Mr Marck (»).

In the case of cereals the revenue has been used to finance

general expenditure relating to the sector. Revenue from
the levy is thus entered as negative expenditure in the
relevant chapter of the budget.

O OJNoC 151, 19.6. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1863/88

by Mr Antonio Cantalamessa (DR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/21)

_Subject:_ Diseased tomatoes in Campania

What measures are to be taken to remedy the serious
situation in the Campania region, where the tomato crop
has been hit by the 'cucumber mosaic' virus? Is the
Commission aware that this epidemic was forecast as
early as 1987 by Professor Antonio Ragazzino, professor
of plant pathology at the agriculture faculty of the
University of Naples, and that no proper measures were
taken to prevent it?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to protect
next season's tomato crop against similar or even worse
infection, which would have serious consequences for
farmers, the tomato-canning industry and workers in the
sector?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March 1989)_

The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the
Honourable Member of damage to tomato crops in Italy
caused by the cucumber mosaic virus.

This virus is very widespread all over the world and is
carried by aphids. Among the numerous host plants are
several weeds found, for instance, on the edges of
cultivated fields. Eradication of the virus is not possible.
The only plant health measures available are spraying
crops with insecticides plus field hygiene.

Organizing such action is a matter for the local advisory
and/or plant health services. The Commission is willing
to consider any specific proposal likely to facilitate this
work.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1877/88

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/22)

_Subject:_ Korean barriers against Scotch whisky

What action will the Commission take to persuade the
Korean Government to abolish the punitive barriers it has
erected against Scotch whisky? At present the minimum
price of bottled-in-Scotland brands is about £ 40 per
bottle.

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 February 1989)_

Over the last few years, the Commission has repeatedly
raised the question of imports of Scotch whisky and other
alcoholic beverages into Korea. On the occasion of the
Fifth Ministerial Consultation which took place in Seoul
in September 1988, the Commission insisted on the need
for the opening of the Korean market to imports of
different bottled alcoholic beverages, and a rapid
reduction in duty rates and, more particularly, in the
prohibitive and discriminatory taxes applied to imported
alcoholic beverages, which put these at a clear
disadvantage to domestic and 'non-European style'
products.

The Korean authorities announced that the liberalization

of imports of alcoholic beverages was being taken into
serious consideration within their new 5-year programme
but would be implemented in consecutive stages so as to
offset the impact on domestic industries (particularly with
regard to whisky). Accordingly, they propose to liberalize
the import of bulk whisky on 1 January 1989 and that of
bottled whisky gradually through a transitional quota
system over a period of three years starting on 1 July 1989.

Meanwhile, the import duty of 100% on alcoholic
beverages is to be reduced to 70 % before the end of 1988,
and to 50% in 1989.

The Commission will continue to press for a more rapid
and harmonized opening of the Korean market for
alcoholic beverages and for an effective review of the
taxes currently applied to these products.

No C 305/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1947/88

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/23)

_Subject:_ Checks on food transport

Is the Commission aware of an article in the newspaper
'Transport' of 19 November 1988, which claims that no
checks have ever been carried out on a large food concern
with its own tanker-cleaning equipment to ensure that
there is no mixing of food with other substances?

In the light of this article and the resolution tabled in
Parliament by myself and Mr V. Pereira, does the
Commission believe that it is a matter of urgency to
legislate on food transport? If so, when does the
Commission intend to put forward proposals, if not, why
does the Commission not intend to submit proposals?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1989)_

The Commission has no knowledge of the article referred
to by the Honourable Member.

Following its adoption by the European Parliament, the
Commission sent to the Member States and trade circles

concerned the resolution on the carriage of foodstuffs by
container lorries and road tankers (') and asked them to
send it any comments they may wish to make on this
subject, together with the texts of the national laws on the
subject.

The results of this preliminary study have been examined
by the Commission; it is now considering what action is to
be taken in order to reach a Community solution to the
problem.

O OJNoC99,13.4. 1987, p. 110.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1952/88

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/24)

_Subject:_ Alcohol stocks

At the end of 1988, what was the level of stocks by volume
(hectolitre) and by value (ecu) at 31 December 1987 of the
following:

Alcohol of wine origin.

Alcohol of sugar-beet origin.

Alcohol of apple and other fruit origin.

Alcohol of molasses origin.

Other.

How many years' consumption by industrial users does
this represent?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 March 1989)_

The only alcohol that presents a problem in so far as
stocks are concerned is alcohol of wine origin. The output
of alcohol of sugar-beet, fruit and molasses origin is
generally limited to quantities which can be sold and
accounts for a very small proportion of the harvests of the
raw materials in question.

The situation is altogether different in the case of wine
products, production of which varies from one marketing
year to the next.

To this must be added at present structural
overproduction of wine. Since the only effective
intervention measure is distillation, the surplus
production gives rise to stocks of wine alcohol.

Responsibility for disposing of these stocks is shared by
the Member States and the Community. The former have
particular responsibility for disposing of alcohol of wine
origin produced by voluntary distillation (known as
'national' alcohol) and the Community, since 1982, has
been responsible for disposing of wine alcohol produced
by compulsory distillation (known as 'Community'
alcohol).

Community stocks of alcohol of wine origin amounted to
9 147 260 hi on 31 August 1988.

On 12 December last the Council adopted a
Regulation (*) for the sale of Community wine alcohol
held by the intervention agencies. When these sales have
taken place, stocks of alcohol of wine origin will no
longer be a problem.

O Council Regulation (EEC) No 3877/88, 12. 12. 1988; OJ No
L346, 15. 12. 1988, p. 7.

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1973/88

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/25)

_Subject:_ Contribution by the Community to combating
the Striga or witchweed parasite

Since the international colloquy of October 1986 in
Maroua in Cameroon, it is no longer possible to overlook
the scale of the devastation caused, particularly over the
last 15 years, by the proliferation of the Striga or
witchweed parasite, which is damaging crops, especially
food crops, in many ACP countries.

Can the Commission therefore give its views on the
following questions:

1. Is it possible to use in the ACP countries the same
methods as those used in Florida and South Carolina

(gases, weedkillers and substances to stimulate
germination) and if not, why not, apart from reasons
of cost?

2. Is the use of hostile 'host' plants capable of resisting
and stifling the parasite (soya, lucerne, cotton and
groundnuts) a supplement to, or a valuable
replacement for, the more sophisticated methods
referred to in paragraph 1 ?

3. What is the most recent assessment of the damage
caused by the spread of this parasite in its various
forms in the ACP countries?

4. What scientific and material contributions are being
made by the European Community to international
efforts to combat this new scourge and its
consequences (increased water shortages,
desertification, reduced production capacity and the
fall in farmers' incomes), both within the framework
of the Lome Convention and in more general terms?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 April 1989)_

The Commission is well aware of the considerable and

increasing damage caused by the parasitic weed Striga in
ACP and other developing countries.

1. Apart from cost, considerable technical difficulties
preclude widespread application of soil fumigation in
ACP countries. Ethylene gas which has been used
effectively to induce suicidal germination of Striga
seeds in the United States is very expensive and
requires sophisticated mechanization to inject the gas

below the soil surface. Treatment by methyl bromide
is also problematic and is potentially dangerous. The
limited effectiveness and instability in soil of
non-gaseous germination stimulants, such as the
Strigol derivatives, make their application unsuitable
for developing countries.

2. 'False-hosts' ('trap crops') or 'catch crops' usually
require several years of use before the problem can be
effectively reduced and, for local economic or climatic
reasons, it may not be possible to grow suitable 'trap
crops' for a sufficiently long period.

'Trap crops' induce germination of Striga but are not
parasitized, while 'catch crops' are parasitized and
therefore need to be destroyed before the Striga sets
its seed. The type of 'trap crops' which may be used
depends on the Striga species involved and, of course,
on the agricultural conditions. These methods of
control are already practised but do not bring about
complete eradication.

3. The Commission is aware that yield losses due to
Striga at a local level can be as high as 80% but does
not have figures concerning overall losses in ACP
countries.

4. The EC contributes to the fight against Striga by
funding cooperative research which aims to optimize
appropriate individual control measures and to
enhance their effectiveness when applied together.

In the framework of the first Science and Technology for
Development (STD) Programme (1983—1986)0, the
EC has financed three cooperative research projects
between EC laboratories and those in developing
countries on the subject of Striga. This work has led to:

— a further understanding of the mode of action of
synthetic seed germination stimulants, and to the
establishment of an expertise in the development of
new germination stimulants;

— increased knowledge of the biology and control
possibilities for Striga.

In the second STD Programme (1987—1991)0,
negotiations are in progress to establish a research
contract which will bring together scientists from the
Netherlands, France, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal
and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in
Nigeria.

O OJ No L 352, 14. 12. 1982, p. 24.
O OJNoL355, 17. 12. 1987, p. 41.

No C 305/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2007/88

by Mr Gerard Benhamou (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/26)

_Subject:_ Social and fiscal status of cultural workers in the
Community

Can the Commission define its position on this complex
matter, crucial as it is for the future of Europe's cultural
institutions, having regard in particular to:

— the various rules in force in the Member States;

— its own intentions in regard to future harmonization
of these national provisions?

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(3 March 1989)_

Article 117 of the Treaty states the essential aim of the
Community as being to bring about for all workers, and
this includes cultural workers, 'improved working
conditions and an improved standard of living . . . so as to
make possible their harmonization while the
improvement is being maintained'.

As it revealed in its plan for giving a fresh boost to culture
in the Community, the Commission is having a
comprehensive study carried out on the legal, social and
fiscal status of cultural workers.

It will inform the Honourable Member of the findings of
this study.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2102/88

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/27) '

_Subject:_ European Child Safety Year

1989 has been chosen for making European public
opinion aware of the importance of ensuring greater child
safety.

What measures has the Commission in mind to reduce the

number of accidents, whether domestic or on the roads?

Has the European Community made any progress
towards identifying the precise causes and circumstances
of accidents involving children?

What sort of public education campaign does the
Commission intend to mount with a view to involving
very young children as well?

When precisely is the event going to be announced?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1989)_

The Commission has stimulated the development of a
Child Safety Campaign, which each of the 12 Member
States will undertake in its own jurisdiction. Three
Member States have already commenced their campaigns,
France, United Kingdom and Denmark. It is hoped that
the others will also respond.

The Commission itself is trying to develop a creative
central activity, which will support the campaigns in the
individual Member States. It is hoped that such a project
will be identified and put into operation during the course
of this year.

Council Decision 86/138/EEC O of 22 April 1986
established a five-year demonstration project to monitor
accidents in the home and leisure sphere. The purpose of
the project was to develop a system which would produce
accurate information. Certain difficulties have been

encountered in the management of the project as also with
the quality of the information. The necessary adjustments
are being made to overcome these difficulties and it is
hoped that the project will be successfully concluded and
will lead to the establishment of a permanent system.

(') OJNoL109,26.4. 1986, p. 23.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2126/88

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 January 1989)_

(89/C 305/28)

_Subject:_ Research into horticulture

Are the arrangements for financing research into
horticulture the same in all Member States?

If not, what are the differences, and do any involve State
subsidies?

Are these State subsidies permissible under the Treaty of
Rome?

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/17

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 April 1989)_

Research into horticulture shares common features in the

Member States in that a large part of it is carried out in
government research establishments and in higher
education institutes.

However, the financial arrangements vary from one
Member State to another depending on the ministerial
responsibilities defined in the structural framework
adopted to implement general research policy at national
level.

Funding may take the form of financing public research
establishments, subsidies to university research centres or
aid to pilot projects.

The criteria used to define what constitutes aid in this

field, within the meaning of Article 92 of the EEC Treaty,
are those set out in the Community framework for State
aids for research and development ( [l] ). In general, aid
given for research activities in higher education or
research establishments is not considered as aid within the

meaning of Article 92 of the EEC Treaty.

The Member States are obliged to inform the
Commission, pursuant to Article 93 (3) of the EEC
Treaty, of plans to grant aid to private persons, in
particular research aid for pilot projects ( [2] ).

The Commission has not to date raised any objections to
this type of aid; in fact, it has regarded such aid as being
aimed at facilitating the development of certain activities
without affecting trading conditions to an extent contrary
to the common interest.

(') OJNoC83, 11.4. 1986.
( [2] ) See also inventory of State aids and their annual updates

regularly sent as confidential communications to the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2143/88

by Mrs Vera Squarcialupi (COM)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/29)

_Subject:_ The situation with regard to the illness
phenylketonuria in the Community

Unless it is diagnosed in time, i.e. during the first few days
of life, phenylketonuria, an illness discovered less than 20
years ago, can cause chronic mental disability in babies
who look perfectly normal.

The remedy consists in carrying out a blood test
immediately after a baby is born. If phenylketonuria is

diagnosed the child must be given a special diet at least
until the onset of puberty. After that it can lead a normal
life and will have no trace of the disease.

Can the Commission say:

(a) how widespread phenylketonuria is in the Member
States of the Community?

(b) in which countries the post-natal blood test is
compulsory?

(c) what rules exist concerning the labelling of
foodstuffs suitable for children suffering from the
disease?

(d) whether it intends to take steps to assess the
incidence of this illness in Europe and, moreover, to
eliminate it by common rules for the screening of
newborn babies, in the form of compulsory blood
tests during the first five days of life?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1989)_

a) Within the Community one case of phenylketonuria
is detected in every 10—20 000 newborn babies.

b) According to the information available to the
Commission, post-natal detection of phenylketonuria
seems to be carried out widely on newborn babies within
the Community.

c) Foodstuffs adapted to meet the particular
nutritional requirements of persons suffering from
phenylketonuria are foodstuffs intended for particular
nutritional uses. As such their labelling is governed by the
provisions of Council Directive 77/94/EEC ('). Apart
from the general labelling rules which are applicable to
these products, the designation under which they are sold
shall be accompanied by an indication of their particular
nutritional characteristics. Furthermore, their labelling
must include the particular elements of the qualitative and
quantitative composition or the special manufacturing
process which give the product its particular nutritional
characteristics.

d) Phenylketonuria is a non-contagious illness that has
been transmitted genetically by the parents to the
children.

Since phenylketonuria does not constitute a public health
hazard mandatory analyses are difficult to justify. It
seems preferable to recommend a general detection of
phenylketonuria in newborn babies while permitting the
parents a free choice.

Data recently acquired seems to indicate that, in addition
to post-natal detection, a follow-up in the case of
newborn females would be useful in order to take

appropriate precautions in the event of pregnancy.

O OJNoL26, 31. 1.1977, p. 55.

No C 305/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2218/88

by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/30)

_Subject:_ Waste plastics

In its resolution of 19 June 1987 on the waste-disposal
industry and old waste dumps ( _Official_ _Journal of the_
_European Communities_ No C 190 of 20 July 1987, p. 154),
the European Parliament called on the Commission to
expidite its work on a directive concerning waste plastics.

1. Could the Commission report on progress with this
work?

2. Could the Commission also provide information on
any recent initiatives taken by the Member States of
which it has been notified regarding the management
of plastic waste?

In its resolution of 7 July 1988 on a policy on urban waste
plastics _(Official Journal of the European Communities_ No
C 235 of 12 September 1988, p. 149), the European
Parliament asked the Commission to publish an
assessment of the policies developed in Switzerland and
Austria with a view to reducing the use of PVC in
packaging.

Does the Commission intend to act on this request and, if
so, approximately when?

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

_(26 May 1989)_

1. A proposal for a directive on waste plastics is being
drawn up.

2. Amongst recent initiatives taken by Member States
are the following:

(a) Voluntary measures

— In France: 'Operation Pelican' which aims to
promote the separate collection of plastic bottles.
The project was conceived and organized jointly
by the 'Groupe d'Etude pour le
Conditionnement Moderne' and the 'Federation

Francaise des Societes de Protection de la

Nature', who plan to help local councils organize
separate treatment of plastic bottles.

(b) Legally enforced measures

— In the Federal Republic of Germany: an
implementing regulation on refundable deposits
on plastic liquid food containers under Article 14
of the German Law of 27 August 1986 on waste.

According to this regulation soft drinks, water,
beer and wine, etc. can only be sold in plastic
containers if the empty containers are taken back
by the dealer and the drinks manufacturers.

In Italy: the Law of 9 November 1988 covers,
amongst other things, plastic containers. It sets
the target of 40 % for the recycling of plastics in
the years 1990 to 1992. The plastics consortium
is responsible for ensuring that the target is met.

Taxes are levied on the import of all plastic
materials intended for the manufacture of bags,
and on the purchase of all non-biodegradable
plastic bags.

The Commission would be able to meet Parliament's

request for an assessment of Swiss and Austrian policies if
these policies had been implemented for a sufficient time
and the countries concerned supplied the Commission
with statistical data:

— Switzerland has only one draft order on drinks
packagings under discussion. This deals with the
banning of PVC and other packagings
containing chlorine. The Commission is holding
discussions with the Swiss authorities about the

possible consequences of such a policy on the
Community industry (NB: Switzerland does not
produce such packagings).

— Austria is studying its policy on plastic
packagings. It has not yet legislated.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2244/88

by Mr Andrew Pearce (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/31)

_Subject:_ Classification of snails

In terms of Community policies relating thereto, are
snails classed as fish or meat?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _April 1989)_

Edible snails fall under heading 0307-60.00 of the
Combined Nomenclature (Common Customs Tariff) as
'Snails, other than sea snails'.

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/19

For practical reasons, they are dealt with — like other
animals falling under Chapter 3 — under the common
fisheries policy.

This in itself should not be taken to imply any particular
classification in the terms evoked by the Honourable
Member. Such a classification would be of little interest,
as there exists no Community Market Organization for
Snails.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2257/88

by Mrs Francesca Marinaro (COM)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/32)

_Subject:_ Delays in the publication of invitations to tender

In view of the fact that _Supplement to the Official Journal of_
_the European Communities_ No S 210 of 26 October 1988
contains, on page 90, an invitation to tender for public
purchasing, the deadline for which is set at 31 October
1988, and that the same page carries the following
footnote:

' O This notice, postmarked 4. 10. 1988, was received by
the Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities on 19. 10. 1988',

can the Commission state:

(a) whether it considers a 5-day interval between the
publication of an invitation to tender and the
deadline to be normal procedure?

(b) whether it does not consider that such a practice may
affect the fairness of the invitation to tender by
favouring certain interests?

(c) whether it is aware of other similar cases ?

(d) how it intends to ensure that bad organization of this
kind does not occur in future?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1989)_

The invitation to tender referred to by the Honourable
Member gave 10 November 1988 as the deadline for the
receipt of tenders, the date of 31 October 1988 being the
deadline for requesting the documents relating to the
contract. Consequently, the period between publication
of the notice in the Official Journal and the deadline for

submission of tenders was not five days, but fifteen days.
This was still less than the minimum of twenty-seven days
stipulated by Directive 77/62/EEC (').

The Commission is aware that reducing the period firms
in other Member States have in which to submit their

tenders restricts the extent to which the contract is opened
up to competitive bidding at Community level, the very
purpose of the arrangements for publishing invitations to
tender instituted by the 'public contracts' directives.

The Commission, noting that the case identified by the
Honourable Member is not the only one of its kind since
similar cases do occur albeit infrequently, has worked out
measures aimed at overcoming such problems, which,
being due to postal delays, are the fault of neither the
awarding authority nor the Office for Official
Publications.

These measures are based on the need for Member States

to cooperate with the Commission so that firms in other
Member States can take advantage of the periods laid
down by the Community rules. Where necessary, the
awarding authorities will be asked to set a new deadline.
The Office for Official Publications, for its part, will
ensure that notices are published at the earliest possible
date.

O OJNoL13, 15. 1.1977, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2263/88

by Mr Derek Prag (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/33)

_Subject:_ VAT on repairs to cathedrals

Will the Commission state which countries in the

European Community charge value added tax on repairs
to cathedrals and historic ecclesiastical buildings more
than 400 years old? Would it also state whether its
proposals with regard to VAT approximation would
change this situation and, if so, in what way?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 May 1989)_

According to the information at the Commission's
disposal, 10 Member States apply VAT to works on
buildings, irrespective of the nature or age of the building.
As regards works on historic buildings, the United
Kingdom taxes mere repairs, but restoration work is
zero-rated.

No C 305/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

Spain, for its part, also taxes repairs on all such buildings,
but exempts the restoration of ecclesiastical buildings.

The principle laid down by Directive 77/38 8/EEC (the
Sixth VAT Directive) (') is that works on buildings are
taxable. This principle is not affected by the proposal for a
Directive on the approximation of VAT rates ( [2] ). The rate
applicable under that proposal would be the normal rate,
i.e. in the range of 14 % to 20 %.

O OJNoL145, 13.6. 1977, p. 1.
O OJNoC250, 18.9. 1987, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2267/88

by Mr William Newton Dunn (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 February 1989)_

(89/C 305/34)

_Subject:_ Road transport liberalization

Does the Commission intend to propose liberalization by
the end of 1992 of the problem of semi-trailers which are
registered in one Member State but which are towed by a
tractor-unit which is registered in another Member State?

For example: if a British-registered tractor-unit belonging
to a British business hauls a load from Germany to
Scotland on a French-registered semi-trailer, it is
currently forbidden to carry its next load from Scotland
to England.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 April 1989)_

On 14 November 1985, acting on proposals from the
Commission, the Council adopted a series of
provisions (') whereby road haulage operations between
Member States can be carried out freely using a coupled
combination of vehicles even if the component parts (the
tractor-unit and the trailer or semi-trailer) are registered
or put into circulation in different Member States. These
provisions entered into force on 1 January 1987.

With regard to the national transport operations to which
the Written Question refers, each Member State is at
liberty to adopt such provisions as it sees fit to introduce.
If difficulties arose, however, the Commission would
consider what action should be taken at Community level.

(') Regulation (EEC) No 3243/85; OJ No L 309, 21. 11. 1985,
p. 1. Directive 85/505/EEC; OJ No L 309, 21.11. 1985, p. 27.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2407/88

by Mr Richard Cottrell (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6_ _March 1989)_

(89/C 305/35)

_Subject:_ Milk monopoly

The Milk Marketing Board in the United Kingdom has
purchased from Unigate that company's entire liquid milk
business north of the M4 motorway.

This will give Dairy Crest, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Milk Marketing Board, which is in turn a monopoly
structure controlled by the National Farmers' Union,
20% of the national liquid milk market in the United
Kingdom.

Will the Commission investigate this deal?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 April 1989)_

The Commission is aware of Dairy Crest's proposed
acquisition of part of Unigate's liquid milk business,
subject to acceptance by the United Kingdom Office of
Fair Trading.

The Commission is monitoring events closely and the
Directorate-Generals for Competition and Agriculture
are both responding to requests to investigate this deal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2462/88

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 March 1989)_

(89/C 305/36)

_Subject:_ The World Bank and the environment

The murder by a hired killer of Chico Mendes, a leading
member of the Brazilian Rubber Workers' Trade Union,
took place after the conclusion of a series of agreements
with local authorities and even banks to set up 'extraction
reserves' thus avoiding the exploitation of forest areas.
This local 'contamination' jeopardized large-scale,
unrealistic and dangerous colonization projects such as
that at Polonoroeste in the north-east of Brazil or that at

Carajas (iron mines). Polonoroeste involves the
destruction of a forest covering an area the size of Great

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/21

Britain and Carajas the deforestation of an area the size
of Wisconsin.

The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank
and European bodies and interests are involved in
planning and carrying out these projects which were
denounced by the popular American television
programme, 'Sixty Minutes', on Easter Sunday in 1987.
After the press had shown interest in the affair, Mr Barber
Conable, President of the World Bank, announced an
'ecological' change of policy by his institution on 5 May
1987. Are the Community's executive institutions satisfied
with this verbal change of policy and do they
acknowledge Europe's (a) partial responsibility before 5
May 1987; and (b) its joint responsibility since then both
through its connection with the World Bank and because
of specifically European involvement with particular
regard to the following:

(a) the appointment of 55 World Bank staff to
Washington and four regions (Africa; Asia; Latin
America and the Caribbean; Europe and the Middle
East), who are poorly coordinated by an
environmental director who is himself not given clear
instructions and who is responsible to two apparently
half-hearted vice-presidents. Is this measure
appropriate when these 'regional' environmental
staff are overwhelmed with work and neglected at the
day-to-day management level;

(b) in what way have the most controversial projects (the
abovementioned projects in Brazil, the Sardar
Sarovas dam in the Indian State of Gujarat, and the
thermal power station of Singrauli in the Indian State
of Uttar Pradesh, etc.) been revised, cut back or
modified (particularly as regards 'development
refugees');

(c) how do the Community and its Member States
decide what attitude to adopt within the Bank and its
'areas of operation' and what is their policy towards
the vast scale, costly in both financial and human
terms, of enormous and, in many ways, dangerous
projects? Is it inevitable that development cannot
take place without causing harm to local peoples (as
admitted by David Hopper, Vice-President of the
World Bank in a BBC interview in 1987) and must the
world's delicate ecological balance be endangered?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 May 1989)_

a) It is not for the Commission to comment on
decisions taken in the World Bank context.

b) Neither has it any direct involvement in the
decisions taken by the authorities in Brazil, or any other

non-member country, in the instances cited by the
Honourable Member.

c) The Commission believes that development must be
achieved in a climate of respect for human values and the
environment. As for the problem of deforestation, the
Commission agrees that this is a matter for great concern.
It has, however, observed an increase in awareness of the
environmental consequences of large-scale projects. The
Commission would draw the Honourable Member's

attention to the Community's participation in
reafforestation projects in various parts of the world,
particularly in Africa and South Asia.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2475/88

by Mr Felice Ippolito (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 March 1989)_

(89/C 305/37)

_Subject:_ Community participation in the construction of
an electric power line via undersea cable between
Italy and Greece

In March 1983 the European Parliament adopted a
resolution advocating the construction of an electric
power line by undersea cable between Italy and Greece
with support from the ERDF.

In March 1986, in the Adam report, Parliament again
called for the facilitation of the distribution of gas and
electricity on a Community-wide basis by promoting the
interconnection of gas and electricity grids. On 16
September 1986 the Council restated the need for flexible
energy systems through the development of
interconnected grids.

On 8 November 1988 the Council, when adopting the
Commission proposal on 'the internal energy market',
stressed that achievement of the internal energy market
depended on the development of efficient energy
infrastructures.

In the light of the above, what measures does the
Commission intend to take, more specifically by an
adequate grant from the European Regional
Development Fund to enable the first phase, namely a
feasibility study, of the project for the construction of an
electric power line via undersea cable between Italy and
Greece to go ahead?

Following the prefeasibility studies and analyses carried
out by the relevant technical bodies in the two countries,
all that is required for work to start on this important
project of great benefit to the Community is the financial
support of the Commission of the European
Communities.

No C 305/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 May 1989)_

In January 1989 the European Regional Development
Fund received an application for a grant towards a
feasibility study of the construction of an undersea cable
power line between Italy and Greece.

The application is currently being examined by the
Commission's departments, which, in order to complete
their appraisal, have put a number of supplementary
questions to the competent authorities.

At the present stage, it is too early to forecast the outcome
of the appraisal in progress; the Commission would
assure the Honourable Member that, in the light of the
merits of the case, it will take all the necessary steps at the
appropriate time.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 37/89

by Mr Vincenzo Giummarra, Mr Ferruccio Pisoni, Mr

Franco Borgo, Mr Gerardo Gaibisso, Mr Roberto
Costanzo, Mr Nino Pisoni and Mr Mauro Chiabrando

(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 April 1989)_

(89/C 305/38)

_Subject:_ Serious crisis in the protected horticulture sector
in Sicily

In view of the serious crisis that has struck Sicilian

greenhouse production, a market depressed by imports
from third countries and punishing, untenable
derogations, does the Commission not think it should do
what it can as a matter of urgency:

1. To enjoin amendment of the national regulation
which permits derogations for imports from third
countries, especially in the Mediterranean area at a
delicate time?

2. To insist at all events that imports should comply with
reference prices and quality standards and to call for
application of the safeguard clauses for Community
produce?

3. Lastly and above all, to initiate changes in the
regulations so that withdrawals can be effected in
good time before a crisis such as this?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 May 1989)_

1. According to the information officially notified to
the Commission Italy does not impose national import

restrictions on fresh fruit and vegetables as mentioned in
Article 22 of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 on the
common organization of the market in fruit and
vegetables (').

Under the said Article 22, national measures applying to
imports which are more restrictive than those in force
during the marketing year preceding 1 January 1970 may
not be introduced at the present time. In any case national
measures should disappear with the advent of the single
market in 1993.

2. To enable the reference price arrangement to
operate, Member States must every market day notify the
Commission of prices recorded on the representative
import markets named in Community legislation. If the
prices recorded are below the reference prices set before
the beginning of the year, a countervailing charge is
introduced for the products and exporting countries
concerned.

As regards application of Community quality standards, it
should be noted that all products put into free circulation
for which Community standards exist must meet them or
equivalent standards at all stages of marketing.
Surveillance of compliance with these standards is the
responsibility of agencies designated by the Member
States. The latter take appropriate measures to penalize
infringements and notify these to the Commission.

Protective measures against imports can be imposed
under Article 29 of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 if
justified, i.e. if the conditions laid down in Regulation
(EEC) No 2707/72 for applying protective measures for
fruit and vegetables ( [2] ) are met.

3. Withdrawal from the market is in general carried
out by producers' organizations during the period of
application of the basic and buying-in prices for each
product, on the basis of the market situation and of price
trends in particular.

Cases of serious disturbance and the action that may be
taken under such circumstances to rebalance the market

are dealt with in Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 on the
common organization of the market in fruit and
vegetables.

O OJ No LI 18, 20. 5.1972, p. 1.
O OJNoL291,28.12. 1972, p. 3.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 279/89

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1_ _August 1989)_

(89/C 305/39)

_Subject:_ Payment of guarantee price subsidies for
agricultural products

Is the Commission aware that in some Member States the

time lag between the submission of completed forms for

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/23

the approval of subsidies and/or the release of guarantee
funds and the actual payment or release is unreasonably
long?

Is it aware that this delay affects the competitive position
of those entitled to these payments, not only in the
Community but also in relation to competitors from third
countries?

With a view to the internal free market in 1992, is it
willing to set fixed deadlines which are the same for all
Member States for the release and payment of guarantee
funding?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 September 1989)_

The Commission is aware that relatively long delays in the
payment of refunds can adversely affect the economic
position of those entitled to payment.

Although no precise deadline has been set for the payment
of refunds, the Commission considers that they should be
paid within a reasonable time limit.

During a discussion with Member States the Commission
reminded them that two months would be permissible,
except in the case of an administrative enquiry, and that
the Commission reserved the right to refuse financing
when the accounts were being cleared if the delay was
excessive. In general, refunds are paid in reasonable time,
and whenever a lapse by a Member State is referred to the
Commission the infringement procedure under
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty is initiated.

No specific provisions on the release of securities are
contained in current legislation. The Commission adopts
the same approach here as for the payment of refunds,
and, for the moment, has no plans to amend the existing
rules.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 283/89

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1_ _August 1989)_

(89/C 305/40)

_Subject:_ Total of aid to Lome countries

What is the total of aid given by the Community to the
Lome countries since the commencement of the Lome-I

agreement to date?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 September 1989)_

The ACP countries have received an allocation of ECU

17 766 million of which ECU 14 219 million had been

approvedby 30 June 1989.

The breakdown by Lome Convention is as follows:

_(ECUmillion at30. 6. 1989)_

Approved

3 442

5 156

5 621

14 219

Lome-I

Lome-II

Lome-Ill

Allocation

3 483

5 428

8 855

17 766

WRITTEN QUESTION No 284/89

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1_ _August 1989)_

(89/C 305/41)

_Subject:_ Report on relations between the Community and
the Third World

When does the Commission intend to commission a

report into the likely effects of the completion of the
internal market on the relationship between the
Community and Third World countries?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 October 198 9)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply to his oral question H-132/89, which it gave
during question time at Parliament's September 1989
part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-380 (September
1989).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 330/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(89/C 305/42)

_Subject:_ Definition of Community waters

The publication of the fisheries agreement between the
European Community and Morocco has created a certain

No C 305/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

amount of tension in the Canaries because of the

definition of Moroccan waters given in it.

In view of this, can the Commission say whether it intends
to draw up a proper definition, in the near future, of
Community waters for the purposes of fishing activities,
to include Madeira, the Azores and the Canaries?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 October 1989)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to
its answer to his Written Question No 241/88 ( [x] ).

O OJNoC317,12. 12. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 353/89

by Mr Joachim Dalsass (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(89/C 305/43)

_Subject:_ Austria's application to join the EC

On 17 July 1989 Austria formally applied to the Council
for EC membership, a step that can only be welcomed by
the questioner, as by many others. Unaccountably,
however, as press reports have indicated, in the face of
Belgian opposition the application was not immediately
forwarded to the Commission for its opinion, although
this is required by the Treaty.

The Belgian Foreign Minister has now expressed the view
that the EC should hold talks on Austria's neutral status

with Moscow, in order if possible to arrive at a more
flexible interpretation.

In the light of these events, would the Council answer the
following, as a matter of urgency:

1. Does it not agree that Austria's application, pursuant
to Article 8 of the Single European Act (Article 237 of
the EEC Treaty), must be forwarded to the
Commission for its opinion forthwith, and that the
Council may consider the content of the application
only thereafter?

2. Does it not believe that it must dissociate itself from

the Belgian Foreign Minister's suggestion that talks be
held with the Soviet Union — i.e. a third country —
on Austria's self-imposed neutral status?

3. Does it not believe that Austria, and Austria alone, is
responsible for the interpretation placed upon its
neutrality, and is therefore the only party with whom
talks should properly be held?

Answer

_(10 October 1989)_

Following receipt of the letters from the Austrian
Government dated 14 July 1989 requesting Austria's
accession to the EEC, the EAEC and the ECSC, the
Council decided on 28 July 1989 to implement the
procedures laid down in the Treaties (Article 237 of the
EEC Treaty, Article 205 of the EAEC Treaty and
Article 98 of the ECSC Treaty).

On the same occasion the Council noted in a statement in

its minutes the considerations contained in the Austrian

Government's letters regarding Austria's permanent
status of neutrality. This question will be examined by the
Community bodies in the framework of the existing
provisions governing the institutions. The examination
will be carried out at the appropriate time in the light of
the relevant provisions of the Single Act and in particular
Article 30 (5) thereof.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 364/89

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(89/C 305/44)

_Subject:_ Mobility allowances for the blind and visually
impaired

Could the Commission provide information, by Member
State, on the mobility allowance rates given to blind and
visually impaired people which would enable them to
offset their travel costs?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 October 1989)_

The Commission does not have the information

requested by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 374/89

by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(89/C 305/45)

_Subject:_ Victims of toxic oil syndrome in Spain

What is the Council's view of the Spanish Government's
position on the claims for compensation from the victims

4. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 305/25

of toxic oil syndrome with respect to resolving a situation
which is severely prejudicial to the survivors of the
poisoning, most of whom are people of modest means ?

Answer

(25 _October 1989)_

As the case referred to by the Honourable Member does
not lie within its terms of reference, the Council would
ask her to put her question to the national authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 376/89

by Mr Jose Carvalho Cardoso (PPE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(89/C 305/46)

_Subject:_ Disastrous state of agriculture in Portugal owing
to abnormal weather conditions

At the part-session in July 1988 the European Parliament
adopted a motion for a resolution tabled by myself and
other Portuguese members on behalf of the PPE Group
on the above matter calling for emergency measures and a
demonstration of solidarity by the Community for a
Member State in difficulties.

Following the adoption of this resolution the Council
adopted Regulation (EEC) No 503/89 (') instituting an
exceptional emergency measure for less-favoured areas in
Portugal which provides that the contribution of ECU 20
million allocated to Portugal constitutes a supplement to
the compensatory allowances paid in 1989 pursuant to
Titel III of Council Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 ( [2] ).

This means that thousands of farmers, and notably
small-scale producers of fruit, wine, cereals and animal
fodder, who suffered considerable damage but are
outside the less-favoured areas are not covered by this
Regulation, while others, whose holdings are in the
less-favoured areas will receive a considerable increase in

their compensatory allowances, even if they only suffered
slight damage or no damage at all.

Will the Council state whether it is aware of this anomaly
and blatant injustice and whether it intends to rectify this
state of affairs as a matter of urgency by amending
Regulation (EEC) No 503/89?

O OJNoL58, 1.3. 1989, p. 3.
O OJ No L 93, 30. 3. 1985, p. 1.

Answer

_(25 October 1989)_

In Regulation (EEC) No 503/89 ('), as a result of the
unusually bad weather conditions in Portugal during the

first half of 1988, the Council instituted an. exceptional
emergency measure whereby the Community granted a
financial contribution of ECU 20 million to help farmers
in less-favoured areas of Portugal in the form of a
supplement to the compensatory allowances for 1989.
Application of the measure is limited to the areas defined
in Council Directive 86/467/EEC ( [2] ) of 14 July 1986
concerning the Community list of less-favoured farming
areas within the meaning of Directive 75/268/EEC ( [3] )
(Portugal).

In its decision the Council did not deviate from the

formula proposed by the Commission for this emergency
measure. If other measures should prove necessary, it
would be for the Commission to submit a proposal. In the
event of such a proposal being submitted to it, the Council
would not fail to give it its full attention.

O OJNoL58, 1.3. 1989, p. 3.
O OJNoL273,24.9. 1986, p. 173.
O OJNoLl28, 19.5. 1975,p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 388/89

by Mrs Christiana Muscardini, Mr Gianfranco Fini and Mr
Giuseppe Rauti (NI)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(89/C 305/47)

_Subject:_ Educational qualifications in the health field

Can the Council state whether any Member States have
not yet taken steps to adjust their national legislation so
that university or professional qualifications in the health
or paramedical field are valid throughout Community
territory and whether any Member States have a greater
number of professional qualifications recognized as
falling within the health field than the other Member
States and, if so, whether the Council intends to request
the governments of States in which such courses of study
do not exist to take measures to incorporate them in the
education system?

Answer

_(25 October 1989)_

The first part of the Question put by the Honourable
Members relates to the implementation of the existing
Directives for the mutual recognition of qualifications in
the medical and paramedical fields, for which the

No C 305/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 89

Commission has sole responsibility. Questions on this
point should therefore be addressed to the Commission.

With regard to the second part of the question, it should
be noted that adoption of the Directive instituting a
general system for the recognition of diplomas
(89/48/EEC: OJ No L 19, 24. 1. 1989) represents a
change of approach in relation to the sectoral Directives
already adopted, since recognition is no longer based on
prior coordination of training. This Directive, which also
refers to medical and paramedical professions not covered
by a sectoral Directive, provides for recognition to be
based on existing professional structures in the Member
States and for a system of adaptation to be used where
there are substantial differences either in the activities

which form part of the relevant profession or in the
training given in the two Member States concerned.

The Member States in which certain avenues of training
do not exist are therefore free to introduce them or not,
while any decision relating to professions not covered by a
sectoral directive falls within the competence of their own
authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 397/89

by Mr Terence Wynn (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(89/C 305/48)

_Subject:_ Legal aid

How is it possible to get the Greek Government to
honour their commitment to give legal laid to a British
citizen?

The person in question has not worked for eight years
because of an accident and has been seeking legal aid
from Greece during that time, to no avail.

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 October 1989)_

Since the Commission does not have the information it

would need to investigate the problem referred to by the
Honourable Member, it is not at the moment in a position
to answer his question.

It would therefore ask the Honourable Member to

provide more details.