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23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/1

## I

_(Information)_

# EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1648/90

by Mr Manfred Vohrer (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 July 1990)_

(91/C 248/01)

_Subject:_ Directive on the conservation of wild birds in the
European Community and EP resolution

Since the adoption of the EP resolution (Doc.
A 2-181/88) on the implementation of Directive
79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds in the

European Community (') sufficient time has elapsed to
remedy the listed shortcomings.

1. What steps has the Commission taken to reduce
the excessive secrecy which was criticized in the
resolution?

2. How many of the important bird areas in the Member
States of the European Community designated by the
International Council for Bird Preservation were

notified to the Commission by each of the Member
States as special protection areas?

3. What measures is the Commission taking to ensure
that EC structural funds are not being used to make
the situation even worse in respect of birds?

4. What bird species does the Commission intend to
remove from or add to Annex II?

5. Will the Commission remove all endangered species
from Annex II (recital III CC and paragraph 18 of
Doc. A 2-981/88)?

6. What endangered species will the Commission include
in Annex I (recital III DD and paragraph 17)?

7. How many meetings has the Commission held with
NGOs with a view to improving the implementation
of the directive on the conservation of wild birds

(paragraph 3)?

8. What reports and assessments on the directive on
the conservation of wild birds has the Commission

published since 1989 (paragraph 4)?

O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

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

_(22 February 1991)_

1 and 8. The Commission has published report
EUR 12835 entitled 'information on the implementation
of Directive 79/409/EEC.

It is also arranging to circulate a report produced by
the Danish Game and Wildlife Administrative called

'Documentation on Bird Hunting and the Conservation
States of the Species involved, Situation in 1986'.

2. So far Member States have designated roughly 600
special protection areas.

3. In line with the requirements adopted under the
Community Support Frameworks concerning Structural
Fund intervention in the regions covered by reform of
targets 1, 2 and 5b, the Commission will ensure that when
the operating programmes are approved, Member States
will act as necessary in order to take account of the
potential effects on the environment of the intended
activities.

4 to 6. The Commission would invite the Honourable

Member to consult the answer which it gave to oral
question H-1298/90 by Mr Cassidy during question
time at the January 1991 session of the European
Parliament (').

7. The Commission has regularly held nieetings with
the Committee on Adaptation to Technical and Scientific
Progress provided for in Article 16 of Directive
79/409/EEC. Four meetings have been held since the
resolution was adopted. It also has regular contact with
NGOs involved, among other things, with nature

conservancy.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-398 (January
1991).

No C 248/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2163/90

by Mr Thomas Spencer (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 September 1990)_

(91/C 248/02)

_Subject:_ Personnel policy in DG VIII

How many of the Commission's DG VIII staff in Brussels
and in the Commission's third country offices respectively
possess academic, professional or occupational
qualifications and/or experience and skills (i.e. a
minimum of five years previous practical occupational
experience) broken down for each of the following
disciplines:

— forestry;

— agronomy;

— land planning;

— park/natural reserve management;

— livestock husbandry;

— wildlife management;

— fisheries (marine and fresh water);

— wetland management;

— economics;

— socio-economics;

— human development;

— rural development;

— women and development?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 April 1991)_

A certain number of 'A' category officials are assigned as
specialists to cover the areas cited by the Honourable
Member. Their numbers are as follows:

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2494/90

by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 248/03)

_Subject:_ Non-compliance with Spain by the directive
relating to the testing of veterinary medicinal
products

Council Directive 87/20/EEC O of 22 December 1986
amending Directive 81/852/EEC ( [2] ) on approximation of
the laws of the Member States relating to analytical
pharmaco-toxicological and clinical standards and
protocols in respect of the testing of veterinary medicinal
products is not being implemented in Spain. Is the
Commission considering whether to forward a summons
to Spain, as part of infringement proceedings, for failure
to implement the Community directive?

O OJNoLl5,17. 1.1987, p. 34.
O OJNoL 317,6. 11.1981,p. 16.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 January 1991)_

The Commission has been informed that Directive

87/20/EEC was implemented by Spain by circular 3/87
from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Commission would invite the Honourable Member

to provide it with any additional information he may have
concerning the implementation of this Directive.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2572/90

by Mr Michel Herve (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 November 1990)_

(91/C 248/04)

_Subject:_ Interest subsidies under the ECSC Treaty

Each year the ECSC budget contains appropriations
earmarked for interest subsidies on loans to undertakings
to facilitate certain investment programmes, that is to say:

— industrial investments under Article 54 of the

ECSC Treaty (for increasing production, reducing
production costs or facilitating the marketing of
products) and, as of next year, environmental
protection investments;

— investments earmarked for conversion under

Article 56 (2) (a) — in the coal and steel sector and
elsewhere — with the objective of creating new

Delegations

59

2

—

45

Forestry

Agronomy and rural
development

Park and wildlife

management

Animal husbandry

Fisheries

Human development

Women and development

Economics and

socio-economics

Brussels

2

12

1 (part time)

1

2

4

1 ( + 1 seconded

national
official)

67

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/3

activities or converting of existing undertakings
capable of reabsorbing the redundant workers into
productive employment.

Can the Commission confirm that these subsidized loans
are granted in accordance with the technical and
economic merit of projects and their conformity with
the objectives of the Treaty and not on a purely
chronological, 'first-come-first-served' basis?

_NB:_ No comment or criticism is being made of the
amounts earmarked for 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 808/91

by Mr Michel Herve (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _May 1991)_

(91/C 248/05)

_Subject:_ Aid towards interest payments under the ECSC
Treaty

Each year, the ECSC budget includes appropriations
intended as aid towards the payment of interest on loans
incurred by undertakings with a view to facilitating
certain investment programmes.

This concerns:

— industrial investment under Article 54 of the
ECSC Treaty (for increasing production, reducing
production costs or facilitating marketing), to which,
as from next year, will be added investment aimed at
environmental protection;

— conversion investment under Article 56 (2) (a), aimed
at creating — coal and steel undertakings, and also in
other areas — new activities or at converting existing
undertakings capable of reabsorbing the redundant
workers into productive employment.

Can the Commission confirm that the payments
concerned are granted in accordance with the technical
and economic value of the projects concerned and their
compatibility with the objectives of the Treaty, and not on
a purely chronological 'first come first served' basis?

_NB:_ No comments or criticism are here made of the

amounts entered for 1991.

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2572/90

and 808/91
given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 July 1991)_

With regard to ECSC industrial loans under Article 54
of the ECSC Treaty, only those for investments in
production and for the marketing of coal are eligible for
interest subsidies. In future the Commission also proposes

to grant interest subsidies for industrial loans to the coal
and steel industries for measures to protect the
environment.

The rules governing subsidized loans for conversion
under Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty are defined and
published by the Commission. The most recent update
was published in Official Journal C 188 of 28 July 1990.

The Commission confirms that, when granting the above
loans, it takes account of the technical and economic
merit of the projects submitted to it and of their
conformity with the objectives of the Community treaties.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2782/90

by Mr Adrian Zeller (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 248/06)

_Subject:_ Private supplementary pension schemes

The Commission is at present drawing up a proposal for
a directive on the freedom to provide services, with
particular reference to private supplementary pension
schemes.

At the moment France has a scheme, unique in Europe,
of compulsory supplementary pensions, carried out by
private sector bodies.

The compulsory nature of such a scheme is crucial to its
operation, on the principle of apportionment.

The aim of this scheme is not simply to boost the incomes
of pensioners who have paid into it, but also to ensure a
degree of solidarity between generations and between
social groupings.

Without its compulsory aspect, the scheme would be
unable to achieve the objective of greater social justice to
which the French people are especially attached.

In this context the aim is social protection rather than free
competition.

Does the Commission intend to include^ this social
dimension in its deliberations, and if so, to what extent?

If not, what criteria will the Commission use to compare a
compulsory supplementary pension scheme with schemes
operated by financial and insurance companies on a
purely commercial basis?

No C 248/4 Official JournaL of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1991)_

The social dimension referred to by the Honourable
Member is central to the deliberations of the Commission

which is currently preparing initiatives on pension
schemes.

The Commission has recently begun consultations with
Member States' experts on the basis of a working paper
'Completing the internal market for private retirement
provisions'.

This paper outlines the following three Commission
objectives:

— cross-border pension fund management;

— liberalization of investment restrictions on pension
fund assets;

— the possibility of cross-border membership of pension

funds.

The Commission is concerned here only with voluntary
retirement provisions which are financed through pension
funds or insurance companies. Social security schemes are
hence excluded from the scope of the work, as are
individual private pension plans and those such as the
French ones to which the Honourable Member refers,
which are based on the pay-as-you-go principle and are
not funded schemes.

The Commission thus fully acknowledges the differences
between the French obligatory complementary retirement
schemes (AGIRC and ARRCO), which are not covered by
any legislation or initiative in the field of insurance, and
voluntary retirement provisions which are financed
through pension funds or insurance companies.

The Commission has also taken up two proposals set
out in the Commission Action Programme on the
Implementation of the Social Charter. These relate to
migrant workers' rights to supplementary pensions and to
the convergence of Member States' social protection
policies.

With regard to migrant workers, a Commission
communication to the Council is envisaged with the aim
of identifying the problems posed by transferability of
supplementary pension rights and coming up with
possible proposals in this field.

On convergence, the Action Programme provides for
a recommendation which would establish the broad

objectives and principles of social protection while leaving
to the Member States the choice of instruments to attain

those objectives.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3053/90

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 248/07)

_Subject:_ Utilization of funds entered under Item 9530 of
the 1990 budget

In the 1990 budget ECU 30 000 000 in commitment
appropriations and ECU 24 800 000 in payment
appropriations were entered against Item 9530 for a
programme of positive measures regarding South Africa.
Subsequently the Commission requested and obtained an
additional ECU 10 000 000 in payment appropriations
under transfer of appropriations No 21/90.

In view of this, can the Commission give a detailed
breakdown of expenditure covered by this item;
indicating:

— the programmes funded under this heading?

— the recipient organizations?

what information does the Commission have concerning
the extent to which these funds are being used by the
recipients for the purposes laid down under the budgetary
procedure?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 July 1991)_

In 1990 the Commission was able to commit 100% of

budgetary appropriations under Item 9530, broken down
by type of project and organization as follows:

_(million_ _ECU)_

The Commission controls the use of funds in particular by
deciding on each project individually after consultation
with Member States' experts, through on-site checks of
projects in South Africa itself by Commission personnel,
and by close scrutiny of the reports which are produced
on these projects by the European NGOs with whom
individual contracts are signed. In addition, the
Commission has established a programme coordination

Legal
assistance

0,3

0,2

0,8

1,3

Training/
education

3,2

15,5

0,5

19,2

Churches

Kagiso Trust

Trade Unions

Total

Humanita
rian/social

3,7

5,0

0,8

9,5

Total

7,2

20,7

2,1

30,0

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/5

office in Pretoria which has been operational since
mid-February 1991, especially to follow the
implementation of the Community's special programme
on South Africa.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 7/91

by Mr Henry Chabert (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 248/08)

_Subject:_ Consequences for local authorities of the
increase in heavy goods traffic on the Rhone
artery as a result of decisions by the Swiss and
Austrian governments

Switzerland and Austria are currently refusing to allow
some heavy goods vehicles transit permission at certain
periods of the year, with the result that such traffic, which
is constantly expanding, is increasingly required to use the
Rhone artery.

This increased traffic has an impact on the local
authorities on this route.

What assistance can the Commission give to alleviate the
new burdens on these authorities resulting from the
decisions taken by the Swiss and Austrian governments?

Can it give details of the annual or multiannual
programme which it intends to propose in this context?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 July 1991)_

It is true that the major quantitative restrictions imposed
on road traffic by Switzerland and Austria have had a
knock-on effect on alternative routes in France,
particularly on the Rhone motorway network which
carries traffic to Piedmont (Italy) via the Mont Blanc and
Frejus tunnels.

This problem can be solved only by a more intensive use
of combined transport and, as far as possible, by
improving transit arrangements, especially in Switzerland.

The programme of action in the field of transport
infrastructure, approved by the Council on 20 November
1990, provides for a Community contribution to
combined transport networks of Community interest.

Accordingly, projects which met those criteria and which
are requested by the Member States may be financed by
the Community, to the extent that funds are available.

Under the Europe 2000 work programme, the
Commission wishes to further stimulate thinking, in the
Member States concerned, about possible solutions to
Alpine regional planning problems. Switzerland and
Austria will be involved in the discussions begun by the
Commission.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 13/91

by Mr Marco Taradash (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 248/09)

_Subject:_ Anti-terrorism law in Greece

An 'anti-terrorism' bill is now being debated in the Greek
Parliament. According to the proposed law a person who
sets up, heads or is morally responsible for any criminal
organization which carries out not only terrorist acts but
also a number of other offences such as trafficking in
illegal narcotic or psychotropic drugs, will always be
sentenced to life imprisonment. New types of offence are
also to be included in the Penal Code which are difficult
to prove and will leave scope for the abuse of power.

Can the Commission state its views on these legal
provisions, which in many details are contrary to habeas
corpus and the fundamental principles of a constitutional
state.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 April_ _1991)_

It is not for the Commission to comment on the elements

of individual criminal offences in the Member States or
on the penalties for those offences, all the more so when,
as in the case in point, the offence has yet to be created.

What the Commission is responsible for as guardian of
the Treaties is making sure that national criminal laws do
not include any provisions contrary to Community law.
However, it is impossible to determine on the basis of the
information contained in the Honourable Member's
question whether in this instance there is any risk of
Community law being infringed.

No C 248/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 21/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 248/10)

_Subject:_ ERDF funds and diversification in rural areas

At the last meeting of the Assembly of European Regions
held in Strasbourg several speakers, representing all
shades of political opinion, expressed their concern at the
proportion of structural funds allocated to 5B areas.

The EAGGF and the ESF do in fact often play a relatively
greater role than the ERDF, while rural areas are having
to cope with serious desertification. The ERDF is still an
excellent means of encouraging diversification projects in
rural areas, as the only genuine solution to desertification.

How does the Commission assess this imbalance in the
structural funds and how does it intend to remedy the
matter?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(31_ _May 1991)_

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member
that the real solution to the problem of rural depopulation
lies in economic diversification.

The proportion allocated to each Fund for the financing
of Objective 5 (b) measures was based on the requests
of the Member States as expressed in their rural
development plans (RDPs) and subsequently discussed
in the negotiations with the Commission on the
Objective 5 (b) Community support frameworks.

The overall budget of ECU 2 607 million allocated for all
the Objective 5 (b) CSFs, financed as to ECU 1 103
million from the ERDF, ECU 1 068 million from the
EAGGF Guidance Section and ECU 436 million from the
ESF, was shared out within each CSF according to the
requests of the Member States.

Although Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 confers a
particular promotional role on the EAGGF for the
development of the rural areas eligible under
Objective 5 (b), the ERDF's contribution to this objective
is particularly significant. ERDF assistance encourages a
balanced development of these areas, in particular
through the diversification of economic activity.

ERDF and EAGGF financial assistance is of the same
order. The Commission is trying to encourage thereby

both the maximum integration of the measures to be
undertaken in the areas concerned and, above all, synergy
between the various forms of Community assistance.

In order to achieve maximum efficiency, assistance from
the ERDF and EAGGF Guidance Section is supported by
European Social Fund measures to develop fully the
human resources involved.

The financial contribution of the three Funds to the
development of rural areas was the subject of a
Commission decision for each eligible area, the decision
taking concrete form as the Community support
frameworks (CSFs) adopted in mid 1990.

"Where an imbalance between the Funds comes to light
during the implementation of a programme, the
Commission may take corrective measures. So that
transfers of appropriations between the three Funds can
be examined by the Commission with a view to possible
amendment of the CSF for a particular area, a proposal
must be made in the Monitoring Committee and be the
subject of an official request by the Member State.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 23/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 February_ _1991)_

(91/C248/11)

_Subject:_ Nuclear safety

A report by the French National Assembly states that
nuclear safety concepts should be internationally
recognized and accepted. On this point its rapporteur said
that we need an international framework, with funding,
not just for safety checks but also to help build and
operate power stations to guaranteed minimum safety
standards.

How is the Commission going to ensure that the
European Community plays a central role in this plan for
internationalizing nuclear safety?

Answer given by Mr Pandolf i
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 June 1991)_

In the Member States of the European Community, two
major principles govern the safety of nuclear installations:

^ ^ 1 official journal of the Luropean Communities ^ o C ^ B B

DD the independence of the safety authorities responsible
for ensuring compliance ^vith the relevant regulations^

^ establishment of the operators responsibility to
ensure installation safety.

At Community levels the Commission is endeavouring to
promote the gradual harmonization of safety criteria and
requirements in response to the Council resolution of
^ j u l y l ^ ^ on the^Technolo^ical problems of nuclear
safety.

This action is bein^ conducted^ in particular^^ith the aid
of a^roup of nationalexpertsfromthe national safety
authorities^ the electricity producers and the constructers
of nuclear po^er equipment. It is the ^vork of this ^roup
on ^Thermalreactorsafety^^vhichenables^ o n t h e one
hand^ the various national options to be analysed in
detail and understood and^ on the other hand^ their

consequences and differences to be assessed so that a
consensus can be reached at Community level ^vith regard
to installation safety.

The researchanddevelopmentproiects implemented in
national laboratories ^vithCommunityparticipation in the
form of sharedcostprojects and in the laboratories of the
joint ResearchCentre provide fundamental support for
this harmonization action.

Having examined a recent communication from the
Commission to the Council on the implementation of
the Council resolution of ^ July 1 ^ ^ the Council
acknowledged that ^the activities reported upon serve
the obiective of leading towards an equivalent and
satisfactory decree of protection at the hi^hes^t practical
safety levels and contributing to the international
acceptance ofsimilarhi^h safety levelsuTothisend^ the
Commission is at present making everyeffort to ensure
that countries outside the Communitycanbenefit from
Community expertise in the field of nuclear safety,COne
example is the aid provided in this connection under
the PHARJE operation to central European countries
equipped ^vith old po^ver stations of soviet design in order
to improve plant safety and to strengthen the role of the
safety authorities in those countries,

furthermore^ the Commission is cooperating closely ^vith
other international organizations actively concerned ^vith
nuclear safety^ in particular the International Atomic
Lner^yA^ency^LALA^ and the nuclear Lner^yA^ency
^LA^oftheCBoLCLo,

Any further activity alon^ these lines obviously depends
on the availability of adequate financial resources.

^ ^ I T T E ^ ^ E ^ T I C ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^ i

b y l ^ r j e a ^ P i e r r e ^ a f f a r i ^ L L ^

to the Commission ofthe European Communities

^ I B C ^ ^ B l ^

^ ^ c e l n t e r r e ^ i o n a l information network on cultural

affairs

Ho^vdoes the Commissionpropose to respond to the
proposal from the Assembly of European Regions for the
establishment of an interregional cultural information
net^vork^

COne of the first results could beadatabank of European
cultural festivals throughout the year.

Publication of such a 5Eurofestival^ ^uide could be

especially valuable i n l ^ ^ ^ v h e n Europe ^vill be receiving
lar^e numbers of visitors for the Olympic Cames and the
Seville Exhibition,

Answer ^iven by ^rDondelin^er
on behalf of the Commission

^et^vorkin^ is a key instrument in supporting cultural
exchanges in the Community,The Commission has taken
note of the resolution of the Assembly of European
R.e^ions ^AER.^ and at the same time studied ^vith

particular interest various plans for creatine particular
networks. These plans have still to be specified^ and this
includesacareful study of possibilities to set upa^festival
calendareThe service responsible is in regular touch ^vith
the secretary o f ^ o r k i n ^ C r o u p l V o f the AER. on this

matter.

In additions the creation of networks for the purpose of
cultural exchanges and the publication of specialized
guides in the cultural sphere is of particular interest^vithin
the framework of the action plan in the field of tourism.

The competent Directorate (General may examine the
possibilities availablefor net^vorkin^ particularly inthe
field of cultural tourism.

by^rPoll^arck^PPE^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ I B C ^ ^ B t ^

^ ^ c ^, EC pavilion in COsaka

The reply to my written question ^o^tODB^O^raises
further questions,

1, rlo^v did the consortium of five maior European
companies come into bein^ ^ a s a public tenders

No C 248/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

procedure organized, or were certain firms
approached directly?

How did Heineken become the leader of the

consortium?

2. Is this technique also used in connection with other
EC exhibitions or events in third countries? If so, what
criteria and conditions are imposed?

3. What was the size of the consortium's financial

contribution?

O OJ No C 136,27.5.1991, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 May 1991)_

1. The Commission's delegation in Tokyo contacted
the Community's consuls based in Osaka and Kobe
as well as the European Business Council, which
represents the EC's business community in Japan for
potential corporate participation and contributions to a
Community participation at Osaka Expo 90.

Among the contacted companies, Heineken Japan KK
showed a particularly strong interest, and was able to
supply an attractive design and organize the construction
of a pavilion at very short notice. Heineken's Osaka
branch offered to set up a consortium which was joined
by other interested importers of European wines, coffee,
meat products and flowers. Heineken undertook this task
to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

2. Sponsorship of private firms in third countries is
sought from time to time for small amounts related to the
expenses linked to the presentation of exhibitions
(folders, receptions, renting of premises).

3. The Euroconsortium's total expenditure for
hardware (construction of the pavilion, its foundation,
supply pipes, gardening, flag poles, interior facilities) was
around 50 million Yen (ECU 280 000). This sum does not
include operating and staffing costs which were borne by
the individual companies separately during the six months
of operations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 78/91

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/14)

_Subject:_ The development of biotechnology in the
Community

The pharmaceutical industry has played a major role in
the economic development of Europe. Six of the world's

eight leading pharmaceutical companies are based in
Europe, and it is one of the few industries with a
substantial surplus trade balance.

However, European pharmaceutical companies lagged
behind in biotechnology in the 1980s because of lack of
venture capital investment and certain restrictive national
laws. Moreover, the industry has relied on research
carried out by American universities, which have set up
small enterprises supported by venture capital, a method
of industrial development which has never been widely
used in Europe.

Furthermore, certain countries, in particular Germany,
have laws which effectively prohibit the production of
genetically-modified organisms, probably for fear that
they may lead to genetically-predetermined types. Certain
European pharmaceutical companies have therefore
transferred their biotechnology activities to the USA,
thereby making the development of a European base in
this sector even more difficult.

Can the Commission state what legislative,
organizational, funding and research measures it intends
to take in order to promote European biotechnology
activities and in particular to prevent the transfer of such
activities to the USA?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1991)_

The Commission recognises the important role of the
pharmaceutical industry in Europe, in the development of
research activities in biotechnology and related
product-development and production activities.

For 10 years, the Commission has progressively
developed a series of actions to strengthen and encourage
the development of biotechnology in Europe. These have
included in particular:

— A series of ever larger research, development and
training programmes in biotechnology ('BRIDGE' (*),
ECU 100 million, 1990-93; a ECU 164 million
proposed programme, 'Biotechnology' (COM(90)
160)).

— Adjustment of sugar and starch price regimes to
favour their non-food industrial use, and hence the
development both of new outlets for European
agriculture and of biotechnology in Europe.

No C 248/9
23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities

— A regulatory framework, to provide a harmonized
context for biotechnology in Europe, and counter the
tendencies to national fragmentation noted by the
Member. Two directives specifically on genetically
modified organisms (90/219/EEC and 90/220/EEC)
were adopted in April 1990 ( [2] ), and should be
implemented in national legislation by October 1991.

A parallel Directive relating to the protection of
workers from risks related to exposure to biological
agents at work (90/679/EEC) covers genetically
modified biological agents and must be implemented
in national legislation by November 1993 (Portugal
1995) ( [3] ).

— Proposals for a directive on the protection of
biotechnological inventions (COM(88) 496) and a
regulation for a harmonized system of Community
plant variety rights (COM(90) 347), which it is hoped
will progress rapidly towards adoption.

These Community initiatives form part of an integrated,
and extensively prepared response to the challenges of
biotechnology, as demanded by Parliament in its 1987
'Resolution on biotechnology in Europe and the need for
an integrated policy' (")• The preparatory studies for the
Community actions involved extensive discussions with
representatives of industry and other interested parties.

On the institutional/organizational aspect, the
Commission was instrumental in encouraging the creation
in June 1985, of the 'European Biotechnology
Coordination Group', bringing together not only the
pharmaceutical industry (represented by EFPIA) but four
other trade associations (chemicals, agri-chemicals, food
enzymes and food industry), and recently further
expanded to include more sectors of the 'bio-industries'.
The Commission remains in regular dialogue with such
associations; it has received regular advice on its R&D
programmes from the Industry R&D Advisory
Committee (IRDAC), which has a Working Party on
Biotechnology, and it has increasingly involved industry
in participation in, and co-finance of, its research

programmes.

The Commission has on 17 April adopted a major policy
statement regarding its future policies and intentions for
biotechnology, in a communication to Council and
Parliament on 'promoting the competitive environment
for the industrial activities based on biotechnology in
Europe'. This envisages further expansion of research
efforts; implementation of Commission proposals on
intellectual property protection; a clear and streamlined
regulatory framework; development of European
standards; strengthening participation in bilateral and
multilateral cooperations, including those for
international biotechnology information infrastructure;
and establishing an appropriate structure to address
ethical issues raised by biotechnology.

The Commission recognizes the possibilities of industries
diverting investments and awareness of this possibility
was one of the factors to launch the initiatives as

described above.

O OJNoL360,9.12.1989.
O OJ No LI 17, 8. 5.1990.
O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1990.
( [4] ) OJ No C 76, 23. 3.1987.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 82/91

by Mrs Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/15)

_Subject:_ Conversion of disused railway lines into 'green
corridors'

1. Has the Commission been informed of the extent to

which old railway lines and other linear infrastructures in
the Member States are being abandoned?

2. Is the Commission aware of the enormous asset

these infrastructures represent and the irreversible loss if
abandonment means they are divided up?

3. Is the Commission aware of the importance of these
structures in establishing or re-establishing a 'green
network' in the Community, for public recreation and
contact with nature and for environmentally acceptable
connections between urban centres?

4. What projects, programmes or plans does the
Commission have with regard to:

— the evaluation of railway or other lines in the Member
States which are already in disuse or about to be taken
out of use;

— the development and financing of pilot schemes for
alternative uses and the rescue of abandoned lines;

— the establishment of a Community framework action
and fund to restore a 'green network' based on
disused railway lines?

5. For the moment, what Community fund or
programme could be used to cover the conversion of
disused railway lines into cycle tracks and footpaths in
order to obtain Community finance and support?

No C 248/10 Official Journal of thi

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 April 1991)_

The Commission is aware that some railway lines and
other such infrastructure are being taken out of service,
although it is not officially notified of these measures,
which are a matter for the Member States alone. In the

last 10 years about 4 000 km of railway lines have been
taken out of service in the 12 countries of the Community.

These lines are usually in rural areas, where there is far
too little passenger and goods traffic for them to be
profitable.

The lines revert to public ownership on condition that the
local government authorities concerned use the land to
establish footpaths and cycle tracks or convert it into
green spaces to regenerate the natural environment.

Since so little of this disused land is to be found in urban

centres, there is little scope for using it to create green
corridors in towns or cities.

However, the modernization or conversion of some
infrastructure in urban centres, such as Madrid or Paris,
has led to the paving-over of railway lines, which has
permitted a variety of uses, including the restoration of
the urban fabric, the provision of gardens or sports
grounds and, in certain cases, paths for walkers or
joggers.

The Commission has no particular programme for the
type of initiative referred to by the Honourable Member
and feels, since this is a limited phenomenon, that the
issue is best tackled by agreement between the local
authorities and the railway companies concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 92/91

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/16)

_Subject:_ Charter of social rights; proposals for resolving
the drugs problem

Under the sectors of Safety and Health in the Social
Charter, there are specific proposals for directives to be
forthcoming by 30 June 1992 on:

1. the promotion of prevention, awareness and
information campaigns for workers concerning the
effects of drug-taking;

European Communities 23. 9. 91

2. training programmes for industrial doctors with
regard to combating the drugs problem.

Will the Commission please let me know what progress is
being made on these two fronts?

Answer given by Mr Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(2_ _July 1991)_

There are no provisions in the Social Charter providing
for directives intended to resolve drug problems at work.

Since 1989 however, the Commission has been invited by
the Council and the Ministers for Health and Education

respectively meeting within the Council to undertake
actions in the general field of prevention, information and
education on drug abuse. Moreover, training for qualified
staff has also been mentioned in the European Plan
against Drugs of the CELAD (European Committee to
Combat Drugs), which was agreed by the European
Council of Rome on 15 December 1990. In this context,
the Commission will consider what measures may be
required in relation to the workplace, including the need
for information for workers and training for industrial
doctors.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 105/91

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/17)

_Subject:_ Community aid for four technology parks in
Greece

Provision has been made under the Regional
Development Plan in the field of research and technology
for Greece to set up four technology parks, notably in
Attika, Patras, Thessaloniki and Crete, at an overall cost
of ECU 18,33 million.

These technology parks will constitute centres for
technological research and applications but are also
intended to foster the development of private
undertakings producing and marketing technological
applications. Clearly, if these technology parks are to
prosper, various other forms of Community support are
necessary in addition to this Community co-financing. In
particular, the Community can — and, indeed, must —
play a decisive role in transferring technology and
knowhow.

Will the Commission say, firstly, whether it intends to
draw up a comprehensive, integrated policy of aid for

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/11

Community technology parks and, secondly, whether it
intends to create a coherent and autonomous institutional

and organizational framework for the transfer of
technology and knowhow to these technology parks?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

Technological parks being co-financed in the context of
the Community Support Framework (CSF) and the
implementation of the Community initiative STRIDE in
Greece are conceived as part of an integrated policy for
the development of research and technology in the
regions of Greece.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view

that these technology parks can flourish only with a full
range of support, including the transfer of technology and
know-how. Various measures being supported by the
Community's Structural Funds and by the Third
Framework Programmes for RTD will assist in this
regard. For example, it is intended to develop gradually
the management services so crucial to the firms in the
parks. Technology transfer will be encouraged as will
collaboration with similar institutions in other Member

States.

Nevertheless, at this stage and in view of the diversity of
the circumstances in the regions of the Community, a
specific action in favour of technology parks would not
appear to be appropriate.

In the framework of the SPRINT programme (Strategic
Programme for Innovation and Technology Transfer) an
action named 'Science Park Consultancy Scheme' was
launched in 1990. The Commission received 43 proposals
from promotors belonging to 9 Member States (including
5 initiatives from Greece, located in Athens, Patras,
Thessaloniki and Crete). Owing to its success, this project
could be renewed towards the end of 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 162/91

by Mr Reinhold Booklet (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C248/18)

_Subject:_ Investment subsidies for a starch factory in
southern Italy

The Italian Government has decided to allocate

investment aid amounting to Lit 522 billion for the
construction of a starch production plant in southern
Italy.

If this goes ahead, this project will lead to a doubling of
Italian production capacity, a 10% increase in European
production capacity and a substantial distortion of
competition in the European starch market. It will also
lead to an additional burden of up to ECU 70 million for
the EAGGF budget.

The Commission has initiated proceedings against this
measure in accordance with the procedure provided for in
Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty.

How has the Italian Government sought to justify this
subsidy?

What other positions have been adopted on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 June 1991)_

1. The economic justifications quoted by the Italian
authorities in defence of the project are as follows:

The project is an integrated one in which the production
of starch and glucose is only an intermediate phase
leading eventually to a series of new products for use
mainly in the chemical industry. The products are
intended to be used in:

— the manufacture of biodegradable plastics with a view
to environmental protection,

— fermentation processess and biotechnology,

— the production of dietary products, both new and
traditional, detergents and surface-active agents,
intermediate products for the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries, and cosmetics.

The Italian authorities anticipate that when the
investments in production are completed (1995—96) the
impact of the new products will be considerable and there
will accordingly be no risk of the starch produced being
introduced as such on to the market.

Lastly, the Italian authoritities consider that the project
concerned will add value to cereals produced for
non-food ends in line with Community aims (Regulation
(EEC) No 2176/90 ( [x] ) on stepping up the use of
agricultural raw materials for non-food ends).

According to the Italian authorities, such cereal
production could take place satisfactorily in the
Mezzogiorno. The integrated project could also absorb
stocks of cereals which are normally bought in, thus
reducing expenditure by the AIMA ( [2] ). The project is also
intended to contribute towards increasing employment in
the Mezzogiorno by creating 320 jobs directly and several
thousand jobs linked indirectly to cereal production.

No C 248/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

2. To date the Commission has received several letters

from interested parties other than the Member States
containing comments submitted under the procedure laid
down in Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty. These
comments are generally in line with the position adopted
by the Commission.

O OJNoL 198,28.7.1990.
( [2] ) Azienda dr stato per gli interventi nel mercato agricolo.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 164/91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/19)

_Subject:_ Agreement between NEC and Philips

In view of the present crisis of the European electronics
industry, what is the Commission's position concerning
the agreement reached in December 1990 between the
Japanese company NEC and the Netherlands company
Philips with regard to the manufacture and sale of
semiconductors conceived by the latter company?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(31 May 1991)_

The Philips-NEC agreement announced in January 1991,
allows the use by NEC in some of its products of a Philips
developed protocol (FCbus) for controlling consumer
electronics equipment. This protocol, developed by
Philips in the 1980s, has become an industry standard and
has already been licensed to other consumer electronics
companies, both European and Japanese.

It appears that the rationale of this agreement lies in
extending the use of a successful R&D result and in
providing royalties to the original investor (Philips),
adding on the benefits from the internal exploitation of
the research output.

The specific agreement is one of the many technology
agreements made by semiconductor companies, in order
to deal with the increasing globalization of the industry

and the extensive diversification of applications. Analysts
have identified a constant growth of the number of
technology alliances involving Japanese companies during
the 1980s. About 90 technology agreements between
semiconductor companies were recorded in 1990. These
agreements involved mostly US and Japanese partners.

In the framework of global competition and in the context
of the present difficulties of the European informatics and
electronics industry, balanced technology agreements
represent one of the means allowing companies to focus
on priority R&D domains and, by exchanging results with
other companies, at the same time to extend, in both
directions, the access to a broader range of technologies.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 198/91

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/20)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the fishing agreement
between the EEC and Greenland

With regard to the fishing agreement between the EEC
and Greenland and, in particular, the second Protocol
thereto (Regulation (EEC) No 2647/90) (*)), and with
regard to the allocation of Community catch quotas in
Greenland waters for 1990 as laid down in Regulation
(EEC) No 4054/89 ( [2] ), amended by Regulation (EEC)
No 1875/90 ( [3] ) by means of which quota levels were
increased, how much of the Community catch quotas
allocated to the Member States for the various species
involved has been used up?

O OJNoL252,15.9.1990, p. 1.
O OJNoL389,30.12. 1989, p. 65.
O OJ No L 171, 4. 7. 1990, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 April 1991)_

Catch possibilites used up under the fishing agreement
between the EEC and Greenland.

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/13

Allocation of Community catch quotas in Greenland waters for 1990
(Regulations (EEC) No 4054/89 and (EEC) No 1875/90) and quantities caught under these

quotas)

(quotas and catches expressed in tonnes — amount of quotas used up expressed in %)

1990

Member States

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
France

United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

France

Denmark

Total EEC

France

Denmark

Total EEC

Denmark

France

Germany

Total EEC

Germany
United Kingdom

Total EEC

Species

Cod

Redfish

Atlantic Halibut

Greenland Halibut

Shrimps

Catfish

Blue Whiting

Capelin

Zones

NAFO0/1

CIEMXIV/V

NAFO0/1

CIEMXIV/V

NAFO0/1

NAFO0/1

CIEMXIV/V

CIEMXIV/V

NAFO0/1

CIEMXIV/V

CIEMXIV/V

NAFO0/1

CIEMXIV/V

Quota used up

36

35

39

165

176

88

3

3

3

7

7

27

11

—

9

9

14

65

82

50

54

18

92

—

2

2

—

Quotas

23 000 O

18 210 O

4 790 0

15 000

13 040

1960

5 500

5 395

105

46 820

46 270

300

220

200

1650

1 575

75

3 550

3 375

175

776

376,5 O
399,5 O

1 074

548,5 O
525,5 O

30 000

3 000

3 000

24 000

2 000

2 000

30 000

Catches (')

8 268

6 421

1 847

24 754 O

23 028

1 726

136

133

3

3 458

3 398

60

22

21

—

328

303

25

506

307

199

582

97

485

—

48

47

1

—

( [1] ) Provisional figures.
( [2] ) A part of this quota may have been fished in the CIEM XIV/V zone where catches have been recorded.
(') Including transfer between the Member States concerned.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 199/91

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February_ _1991)_

(91/C 248/21)

_Subject:_ Implementation of the fishing agreement
between the EEC and Mozambique

Given that, under the fishing agreement between the
Community and Mozambique, the duration of the

Protocol thereto is from 1 January 1990 to 31 December
1991 and that the Protocol has therefore been in force for

over a year,

1. To what extent has the Protocol been used in respect
of the various types of vessel (deep-water and
shallow-water shrimp trawlers, crab catchers, tuna
seiners and sea-bed fishing vessels) to which fishing
rights are granted?

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

No C 248/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

3. What are the results of the scientific programme as
regards research into fishing resources and the
reconnaissance campaign carried out by two
Community trawlers to find new resources, referred
to in Article 5 (1) of the agreement?

4. What stage has been reached in the negotiations on
the new Protocol?

5. Has any conflict involving the Community fleet arisen
in the waters off Mozambique, and, if so, how was it
resolved?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(2 April 1991)_

The current protocol to the EEC/Mozambique Fisheries
Agreement provides for the following fishing possibilities:

— ocean-going tuna seiners: licences for 44 vessels;

— deep-water shrimp trawlers: 1 100 GRT per month on
a yearly average;

— deep and shallow water shrimp trawlers: 3 700 GRT
per month on a yearly average.

These possibilities were used as follows in 1990:

— tuna seiners: 44 licences (22 France, 22 Spain), 100%
rate of utilization;

— deep-water shrimp vessels: 1 085 GRT (4 Spanish
vessels), 99 % rate of utilization;

— deep and shallow water shrimp vessels: 3 660 GRT
(14 Spanish vessels), 99 % rate of utilization.

For 1991, the two parties have been unable to agree upon
the quotas which should be allocated to Community
shrimp vessels. The Mozambican delegation was unable
to offer the Community any shallow-water shrimp quota
at all and proposed a reduction in the deep-water shrimp
quota from 1 200 to 700 tonnes. This offer was rejected
by the Community. In these circumstances, no
Community vessel will fish for shrimp under the terms of
the Agreement in 1991 and the Community will withhold
payment of that portion of the financial compensation
which relates to shrimp fishing.

Under Article 4 of the Protocol, the Community is
required to pay ECU 950 000 towards the financing
of Mozambican scientific and technical programmes.
ECU 640 000 of this money will be spent on repairing and
preparing a Mozambican research vessel, ECU 250 000
on carrying out a programme of scientific research and
ECU 60 000 on financing participation in international
conferences.

Under Article 5 of the Protocol, the Community has to
date financed one reconnaissance campaign to find new
demersal resources in Mozambican waters. The results of

the first campaign were not particularly encouraging but a
further campaign is envisaged in order to obtain
complementary information.

Negotiations to renew the Protocol will be held later in
the year.

Two Community vessels have been detected fishing
within Mozambican territorial waters. The cases were

dealt with in the Mozambican courts and the vessels

owners were fined.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 222/91

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 248/22)

_Subject:_ Community financial legislation in respect of the
activities of savings banks

Savings banks are the financial institutions most directly
affected by cyclical trends in the Community banking
sector and European Community legislation in this area.

In certain Member States this has led to a spectacular rise
in the number of mergers between financial institutions
fulfilling the functions of savings ba*nks and, in other
Member States, has even resulted in mergers between
savings banks and general banks.

Consequently, the term 'credit institutions' now covers
all categories of financial institutions operating in the
community, without distinguishing between savings
banks, general banks and other financial institutions. This
has led to a significant transformation in the scope of
savings banks, some of which now refer to themselves as
'General and Savings Banks'.

Can the Commission say whether savings banks are
authorized under Community law to operate as both
general and savings banks and offer corresponding
services to their customers, and indicate what legal
conditions they are required to meet in each case?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 April 1991)_

The Commission is familiar with the problem of changing
the name of savings institutions. In certain Member

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/15

States, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, savings
institutions have been redesignated 'savings banks'. The
change, which reflects the wider banking services
provided, is a matter solely for the Member States and is
not covered by the Community's current banking
provisions.

The only Community rule concerning the designation
of credit institutions is that laid down in Article 5 of

Directive 77/780/EEC (*), which stipulates that such
institutions may use their original name throughout the
territory of the Community. However, the last sentence of
the same article states that, in the event of there being any
danger of confusion, the host Member State, where
stricter rules on the use of the word 'bank' may be in
force, may, for the purposes of clarification, require that
the name be accompanied by certain explanatory
particulars.

O OJNoL322, 17. 12.1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 249/91

by Mr Dieter Rogalla (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/23)

_Subject:_ Experiences with EC representations in various
countries in the world

1. How does the Commission evaluate its experience
with its various representations and delegations in
countries outside the EEC? Have special features
applying in only a few countries become apparent, or can
quite general basic conclusions be drawn about the
contributions of these representations or delegations to
cooperation with the countries concerned? If so, what are
these conclusions?

2. Are there generally valid staff criteria applicable in
all the countries concerned? Does geographical location
or the legal basis of cooperation have an influence?

3. What is the diplomatic status of these
representations or delegations compared with the
embassies of other countries? Are the heads of EC offices

or delegations on the same level as ambassadors, and do
they have any responsibility for coordinating work on
EC-related matters?

4. If the status and responsibilities referred to in
point 3 vary, can the differences be attributed to
particular approaches or groups of countries? If so, what
are they? If not, what other factors are responsible?

5. Are there countries in which EC representations and
delegations and their Heads do not have embassy status
and are regarded as subordinate to the Ambassadors of

EC countries? If so, which countries are concerned and
why? What action has the Commission taken in the last
five years to put this matter right? Are the measures it has
taken on the point of success and if so, where and when?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 July 1991)_

Commission delegations play a vital role in the
Commission's relations with non-member countries

serving as a channel of information and representation
_vis-d-vis_ the authorities and other interested parties in
these countries. Furthermore, in the developing countries,
they play an active part in implementing the cooperation
agreements between the Community and these countries
and in implementing financial assistance. Member States'
heads of mission and the Commission's representatives in
non-member countries meet regularly to coordinate their
positions and prepare joint reports.

Since October 1983 the Commission has been

systematically requesting that all heads of delegation be
accredited to the relevant Head of State. Accreditation at

the level of Head of Government is sought where the
constitution of the country in question provides for
accreditation solely at this level.

The Commission does so to take account of the special
nature of the European Community which is a legal
and political body to which its Member States have
transferred extensive powers and jurisdiction and which
enjoys the right of active and passive legation.

As regards delegations' status, the Commission concludes
with the non-member countries in question agreements
on the establishment and privileges and immunities of
its delegations which confers on them the status of
diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961.

Heads of delegation, who normally appear after the
representatives accredited to sovereign states, but before
the representatives of international organizations, on the
host country's diplomatic list, do not take precedence
over ambassadors of sovereign states.

A head of delegation is referred to as Ambassador —
Head of Delegation on the diplomatic list of the relevant
non-member country or international organization.

A delegation is usually referred to as Delegation of the
Commission of the European Communities.

No C 248/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 254/91

by Mr Paraskevas Avgerinos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/24)

_Subject:_ Infringements of funding procedures by the
Greek Government

It has come to my notice that the Greek Ministry of the
Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works:

1. allocated Dr 10 million as an advance payment to a
private organization to carry out a survey of the
Pindus mountain ranges, under the IMPs for Western
Greece and the Peloponnese even though the relevant
legislation has not been complied with nor have the
correct procedures been followed;

2. allocated Dr 10 million to a private organization for
documentation, archives and operational facilities in
connection with the setting up of a 'Mediterranean
Information Office' for environmental organizations,
although no contract was concluded beforehand and
there was a lack of transparency in the procedures
followed.

What steps does the Commission intend to take in
response to these two infringements of funding procedure
which have occurred at a time when forestry rangers are
being dismissed, on grounds of insufficient funds, in the
protected woodlands of Dasia Soufliou and the Northern
Sporades (projects jointly funded by the Community),
with the result that protection of those areas is now a dead
letter?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _July 1991)_

The procedures followed by the Greek authorities in
relation to the two studies mentioned by the Honourable
Member fall essentially within the competence of the
Member States.

In regard to the redundancies mentioned, which appears
to be a separate issue, the Commission will examine the
matter should the Honourable Member provide further
details enabling the source of Community cofinancing to
be identified.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 336/91

by Mr Karl Partsch (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/25)

_Subject:_ Environmental impact assessment

1. Which Member States are still failing to comply
with their obligations under Directive 85/337/EEC (')
regarding environmental impact assessments?

2. How does the Commission monitor the proper
implementation of enironmental impact assessments by
the Member States?

3. How will the Commission ensure that the project to
widen the Bolzano-Merano highway to four lanes is
suspended until it has been proved by means of a properly
implemented environmental impact assessment that it will
have no adverse effect on the environment?

4. Does it agree that, in the environmental impact
assessment of road construction projects in the Alpine
region, the disastrous effects of vehicle exhaust and noise
emissions on the ecological balance of the Alpine region
must be taken into account?

O OJ No L 175, 5. 7.1985, p. 40.

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

_(24 May 1991)_

1. The only Member State not yet to have incorporated
Directive 85/337/EEC into national law is Luxembourg.
However, the Commission has been apprised of gaps in
the incorporation and/or application of the Directive in
the other Member States.

2. One way that the Commission ensures proper
application of Directive 85/337/EEC is through the
procedure laid down in Article 169 of the EEC Treaty.
The Commission checks that Member States have sent

it the text of the provisions of national law they adopt
in the area covered by the Directive, and that these
national measures are a proper reflection of the provisions
of the Directive. In addition, the Commission examines
individual complaints concerning Member States'
infringements of the Directive and may, e.g. following a
petition or a parliamentary question, look into possible
infringements by Member States. Where appropriate, the
Commission may initiate an infringement procedure
against the Member State concerned and this may be
upheld by the Court of Justice. In practice, however,
Member States often fall into line during the procedure.

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the [European Communities ] No C 248/17

In addition, the Member States and the Commission
exchange information on the implementation of the
Directive, notably at regular meetings with national
experts on impact assessment. The Commission is also in
the process of drawing up a report for Parliament and the
Council on the application and effectiveness of the
Directive, as laid down in Article 11 thereof.

3. The Commission is aware of the facts referred to by
the Honourable Member. It has approached the Italian
authorities, and an infringement procedure has been
initiated against them following their failure to reply. The
Commission has also been informed that this case has

gone before the Italian courts, which have already
adopted injunctions suspending work on the project.

4. With regard to the problems of road infrastructure
in the Alpine region, the Commission agrees that the
environmental impact assessment procedure as set out in
the Community Directive must take account of the
problems referred to by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 343/91

by Mr Francois Musso (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/26)

_Subject:_ The INTERREG initiative programme and
Corsica and Sardinia

Can the Commission say what progress has been made in
implementing the Community INTERREG initiative
programme with regard to Corsica and Sardinia and, in
particular, whether the urban centres in the extreme south
of Corsica (Portovecchio, Bonifacio, etc.) have been
nominated and selected for assistance under this

programme?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 May 1991)_

INTERREG is one of the Community initiatives
supplementary to the multiannual Community support
frameworks agreed between the Commission and the
Member States. The initiative, decided upon on 25 July
1990, gave Member States a time limit, which ended in
February 1991, in which to prepare proposals.

The Commission staff have recently begun appraisal
of the initial proposals for Corsica and Sardinia.

The geographic areas eligible for the INTERREG
Community programme are at NUTS III level, covering
the department of South Corsica and the province of
Sassari.

Accordingly, the urban areas of the extreme south of
Corsica can qualify for assistance from the structural
Funds under the programme. With regard to Bonifacio in
particular, the proposals include improvements to the
commercial port and to the road network serving the port
(parking areas and access roads).

Non-localised measures to promote trade or concerning
centres for trade between Corsica and Sardinia are also

potentially of relevance to the urban areas in the extreme
south of Corsica.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 348/91

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/27)

_Subject:_ Expenditure on structure and support within the

CAP

Has the Commission a projected date when the level of
expenditure on 'structure' within the CAP will exceed that
on'support'?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 June 1991)_

The Commission has never stated the aim of reaching
a position where structural expenditure in agriculture
exceeds that on other support.

The level of future structural expenditure will be one of
the subjects treated in the mid-term review of the reform
of the Structural Funds later this year.

The level of expenditure on support will need to be
reassessed on the basis of proposals for the reform of the
CAP which have yet to be given precise values.

Whilst it is intended to redirect this category of
expenditure away from price support and towards direct
aids, the reform will not necessarily lead to lower overall
costs on support of farm incomes.

No C 248/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 383/91

by Mr Jeannou Lacaze (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/28)

_Subject:_ Community aid for Jordan

Since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, the
Jordanian economy has been subjected to severe strain as
a result of the massive influx of Bangladeshi, Indian,
Pakistani, Filipino, Sri Lankan, and other refugees, along
with Jordanian workers returning from the Gulf.

The Jordanian authorities and non-governmental
organizations are endeavouring to offer shelter to the
refugees, feed them, organize the necessary facilities,
house them, and send them back to their own countries.

The frontier between Jordan and Iraq has been reopened
in order to allow civilians fleeing the war to escape into
Jordan.

Aid from the Community and the Member States is being
granted to a growing number of countries affected by the

war.

What steps will the Commission therefore take to help the
Jordanian Government and the NGOs shoulder this

additional burden and, as far as possible, provide for the
well-being of the refugees?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1991)_

In view of the need to repatriate as speedily as possible
people fleeing from countries directly implicated in the
Gulf war, the Commission decided on 22 August 1990 to
make available emergency aid totalling, at 10 October last
year, ECU 50,5 million plus ECU 8 million in food aid, a
grant total of ECU 58,5 million.

A further ECU 3,5 for all victims of the Gulf war was
approved on 18 January this year and was added to the
ECU 4 million remaining from the first instalment of
emergency aid.

This aid was chanelled through humanitarian
organizations, such as the International Committee of the
Red Cross, the Red Cross Societies of the Member States,
the international migration organization, UN agencies
and other non-governmental organizations and was used,

without any discrimination, to meet the various needs of
victims of the conflict (shelter, food, health care and
medicines, transport).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 398/91

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/29)

_Subject:_ Sericulture

Sericulture and silk processing have almost disappeared
from the European economy with a few exceptions in
Italy and Greece. In Greece, these activities are limited
essentially to the region of the Evros in Thrace. In
particular, a considerable effort has been made in Soufli
to revive this traditional activity. However, the financial
assistance received by those engaged in sericulture has
remained steady at ECU 112 per basket since 1985.

Can the Commission state whether it intends to increase

this price and, generally, what other measures it intends to
take to support this traditional activity by raising the
standard of living of those engaged in sericulture and
preventing this activity from dying out completely?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

The Honourable Member is reminded that, starting in the
1972/73 marketing year, the Community introduced an
aid scheme for silkworm rearing in the Community in
recognition of its importance in certain regions, and
particularly in Greece where it constitutes an additional
source of income for farmers.

Thanks to this assistance, which has increased by about
3% in ecus and 125% in drachmas since 1985, and to the
rise in the world market price for silk, Community rearing
of silkworms has practically stabilized in recent years, at
about 5 000 boxes of silk seed.

The Commission has proposed to the Council that the aid
level of ECU 111,81 per box should be maintained for
1991/92, but no other measures are envisaged.

The Commission considers that this assistance,
representing about 30% of the silkfarmer's return and
60% of the sale price of the cocoons, is sufficient to
ensure the maintenance of this traditional activity in
certain regions.

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/19

WRITTEN QUESTION No 416/91

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/30)

_Subject:_ Funding for renewable energy production

What is the up-to-date funding available in 1991 for
renewable energy production projects?

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

_(23 May 1991)_

The Thermie Regulation provides an indicative
breakdown of the amount of appropriations for the
financial support namely of renewable energy production
projects. The breakdown contained in Annex 6 is as
follows:

— a 75 % share of the total amount will be allocated on

the basis of one quarter to each of the four fields of
application:

— rational use of energy,

— renewable energy sources,

— solid fuels,

— hydrocarbon.

— a provisional margin of 25 % of the total amount may
be allocated between these fields by the Commission,
depending on developments in the situation regarding
requirements and technologies;

— an indicative amount of 10 to 15 % of the total

appropriations will be allocated to the associated
measures designed to encourage the application and
market penetration of energy technologies.

The amount to be granted shall be entered each year in
the general budget. The regulation foresees an amount
'deemed necessary' of ECU 350 million for 1990, 1991
and 1992.

The allocated budget for 1990 was ECU 45 million and
for 1991 ECU 130 855 000 and ECU 4 645 000 (managing
cost).

An amount of ± ECU 20 million of the 1991 budget has
already been earmarked for associated measures.

About 19% of this ECU 20 million will be spent on
renewable energy sources.

The remaining ECU 110 million will be allocated to
innovative and dissemination projects. A call for tender
was published in September 1990 with a closing date in
January 1991. 519 proposals have been received and are
now being evaluated. A decision will probably be taken in
September 1991.

According to the rules of the Regulation, at least 25 % of
75% of the total appropriations for the period 1990 to
1992 will be allocated to renewables.

If the quality of projects submitted in response to the
abovementioned call for tender warrant it, one can
reasonably expect that at least ECU 21 million will be
allocated to projects for renewable energy sources in
1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 417/91

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/31)

_Subject:_ Private renewable energy

What provisions apply to the various Member States
regarding recompense payable to producers of private
renewable energy?

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

_(13 May 1991)_

At present the Commission only has information
concerning Germany, Denmark, Italy and Spain.

Germany

With effect from 1 January 1991, electricity produced by
private producers of renewable energy has to be paid for
by electricity companies at a rate of not less than 90 % of
the selling price to consumers. On average this is about
twice the present buy-back prices. This year private
producers using wind energy, for example, to generate
electricity should receive around 16,16 pfennigs (ECU
0,081) per kWh, whereas average prices last year were 9
pfennigs (ECU 0,044) per kWh.

Denmark

In Denmark, private wind generators are regulated by two
agreements.

One agreement was concluded between the three parties:
the Danish Wind Power Stations, the Danish Producers

of Wind Turbines and the Association of Danish Electric

Utilities.

The other was concluded between the Ministry of Energy
and the Association of Danish Electric Utilities.

Private wind generators complying with the conditions in
both regulations are entitled to 85 % of the local electricity
rate. It is a condition that the total generation of
electricity is fed into the public grid.

No C 248/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

If part of the electricity is consumed by the owner of the
wind turbine and only the surplus is fed into tta grid the
rate for settlement is 70 %.

All private wind turbines commissioned recently are

entitled to the 85 % rate.

Windmills not complying with both regulations cannot be
connected to the grid.

Italy

On 14 November 1990 the CIP (Interministerial Price
Committee) set a new buy-back price for sales of
electricity between independent electricity producers
using renewable sources and ENEL. The rate was set for a
five-year period at LIT 170/kWh (ECU 0,11/kWh) for
direct sales to ENEL, whatever the quantity supplied.

Spain

— Support up to 30 % of investment for producers with
installed capacity under 5 Mwe (Law 1982/80).

— Guaranteed buy-back price. Mandatory for electric
utilities for buying at official tariff independently of
costs (about 12 pesetas/kWh) (ECU 0,092/kWh).

It will be possible to give a complete picture for the
Community as a whole once all the Member States have
reported to the Commission on the development of
cooperation between public utilities and private producers
of electricity, pursuant to Council recommendation
88/611/EEC of 8 November 1988 ( [x] ).

O OJNoL335,7.12.1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 426/91

by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/32)

_Subject:_ Discriminatory treatment by France of Greek
exports of foie gras

According to reports in the Greek and French press and
Greek producers of foie gras, French producers, as part of
their efforts to protect themselves from competition from
the countries of eastern Europe and Israel, are obstructing
the delivery of Greek produce to customers and generally
preventing the free movement of this product within the
Community (by 'grey advertising', etc.) in breach of
Community legislation establishing the principles of
freedom of competition and freedom of movement of
goods between Community Member States.

Will the Commission say what representations it intends
to make to the French authorities so that they put an end
to this discrimination against Greece, a Member State of
the Community which is being treated in the same way as
third countries, such as eastern European countries and
Israel?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the difficulties that have

arisen, since November 1990, regarding imports into
France of foie gras from other Member States, following
the introduction of health checks on all imports of this
product, regardless of their origin or provenance.

Intra-Community trade in foie gras is governed by
Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on
health problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeat _Q),_
according to which Member States have a discretion in
carrying out such checks.

The Commission has asked the French authorities

consequently to provide it with details of the health
checks on foie gras imports, so that it can decide whether
they are compatible with Community law.

The Commission has received no complaint concerning
'grey advertising' campaigns.

Nevertheless, in keeping with its communication of 28
October 1988 on the promotion of agricultural products,
the Commission will ask the French authorities for

information on the subject.

O OJ No L 55, 8. 3.1971.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 427/91

by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/33)

_Subject:_ Damage caused by flooding in Rhodes

On 13 February 1991 the Island of Rhodes suffered severe
flooding which destroyed a large part of its road network,
made bridges collapse and caused serious damage to

crops.

According to experts, the flooding is due to the fact that
two-thirds of the island's forests have been destroyed by
fires over the last few years.

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/21

Will the Commission consider the possibility of granting
aid to this area on the edge of the Community, both to
repair the damage caused by the floods and to help
reafforestation in areas affected by forest fires?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the great damage caused to
the Island of Rhodes by the recent flooding.

With regard to the more specific problem of
reafforestation on Rhodes, it should be noted that:

— during the second phase of the 'Aegean Islands' IMP,
the amount initially provided for forestry measures
was increased to take account of additional needs

resulting from the forest fires on Rhodes and
elsewhere;

— subsequent to the proposal of the IMP Monitoring
Committee, the interministerial committee is
proposing for the third phase of the IMP a further
increase in the amount provided for forestry measures
in the Dodecanese islands.

Greece may put forward projects for the protection of
forests against fires under Regulation (EEC) No 3529/86
on protection of the Community's forests against fire, as
amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1614/89.

On the basis of information available to the Commission,
the problems on Rhodes regarding reafforestation do not
appear linked to the availability of funds, at least at
Community level. The problem seems to be linked rather
to the availability of local labour to undertake the work.

With regard to the damage caused to the road network, as
part of the review of the 'Aegean Islands' IMP, the
Commission is willing to examine the possibility of
financing improvement works, provided that such a
proposal is made by the Greek authorities.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 454/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/34)

_Subject:_ Quality of agricultural products

In the context of reform of the common agricultural
policy, to place emphasis on product quality the
Commission proposes to distinguish between two
categories:

— Protected geographical indication (PGI) and

— Protected designation of origin (PDO).

What types of products will be eligible to carry the PGI
label and what other types of products will be eligible to
carry the PDO label?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

Further to the undertakings it had given, in particular in
its communication on the future of rural society in
December 1990, the Commission adopted and sent to the
Council a proposal on the protection of geographical
indications and designations of origin for agricultural
products and foodstuffs.

The Commission's proposal distinguishes between two
types of designation, operating at different levels:

— PDO (protected designation of origin)

To qualify for a PDO, the product must originate
entirely in the region whose name it bears or, in
certain cases, in an immediately adjacent area and the
characteristics of the product must be due to that
geographical environment.

— PGI (protected geographical indication)

A PGI will be granted where the product does not
originate entirely from the geographical area but has a
quality or reputation which may be attributed to the
geographical environment. The raw material may
come from another geographical area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 459/91

by Mr Sergio Ribeiro (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/35)

_Subject:_ Natural gas for Portugal

The extension of the natural gas network to Portugal is of
major importance, especially in view of that country's
dependent situation as regards energy, and particularlyoil. Following the question of 19 December 1990
concerning the consumption level required for realization
of the project, and in view of the expiry of the deadline for
proposals, can the Commission describe the present state
of affairs with regard to Community participation, within
the framework of the REGEN programme, in the

No C 248/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

financing of the first stage of the project? Can it also state
whether the establishment of the co-financing percentage
is dependent on the analysis of the proposals submitted,
given that one of the prospective competitors withdrew at
the last moment on the grounds that suitable conditions
for competition had not been provided?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

The Commission can confirm that the Portuguese
authorities have requested Community financial support
under the Regen Community initiative for the natural gas
project in Portugal.

The project includes construction of a terminal for the
importation of liquefied natural gas at Setubal and of a
pipeline from Setubal to Braga. It is intended to provide a
link across Spain with the European network in due

course.

The project submitted by the Portuguese authorities is
currently being considered by the Commission. However,
no decision on Community assistance can be taken before
the Commission has assessed the proposal from the
Portuguese Government in the light of the international
call for tenders.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 483/91

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/36)

_Subject:_ Policy on development aid

Has the Commission made any proposals or is it planning
any action to follow the example of some Nordic
countries and link development aid with environmental
policies?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1991)_

The Community has sought to integrate environmental
concerns and development aid for several years. Recently
the links have been made more explicit. Thus Articles 33
to 41 of Lome IV sets out a jointly agreed framework for
environmental policy and priorities in aid to 69 African,
Caribbean and Pacific States. The guidelines agreed for

cooperation with Asian and Latin American developing
countries over the next decade reserve 10% of the aid

programme of ECU 2 750 million for projects to protect
the environment and place particular emphasis on tropical
forests. Similarly the Council decided in December 1990
that a specific sum should be set aside for environmental
projects within the overall financial allocation for the
Maghreb and Mashreq countries for the period 1992 to
1996.

On 29 May 1990 the 'Development' Council agreed a
resolution setting out overall policy on Environment and
Development. In the resolution the Council recognized
that it was for each country to determine its broad
environmental policies. However, the Council confirmed
that all projects and programmes financed by the
Community and the Member States in whatever sector
should take into account at all stages their effect on the
environment. The Council recognized this might entail
specific environmental safeguards agreed in dialogue with
developing countries on individual aid projects and

programmes.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 503/91

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/37)

_Subject:_ Special protection areas for the cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo)

Can the Commission list the special protection areas
created by France for the protection of the cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo) under Directive 79/409/EEC (').

O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 504/91

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/38)

_Subject:_ Special protection area for the hen harrier
(Circus cyaneus)

Can the Commission list the special protection areas
created by France for the protection of the hen harrier
(Circus cyaneus) under Directive 79/409/EEC.

23.9.91- Official Journal of

WRITTEN QUESTION No 505/91

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/39)

_Subject:_ Special protection areas for the black stork
(Ciconia nigra)

Can the Commission list the special protection areas
created by France of the protection of the black stork
(Ciconia nigra) under Directive 79/409/EEC.

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 503/91, 504/91

and 505/91

given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 April 1991)_

In France no special protection areas have been set up
under Directive 79/409/EEC for the protection of
individual species. However, the species to which the
Honourable Member refers are present in the following
special protection areas:

The cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo, Written Question
No 503/91) nests in the St Marcouf islands, the Chausey
islands, the Bay of Mont St Michel, the Lac de Grand Lieu
and the Colombiere islands.

It is also a bird of passage in the Lac de la Foret d'Orient,
the Lac du Der-Chantecoq, and in particular in the
Camargue. It winters in Charite-sur-Loire, La Truchere
and in the Camargue.

The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus, Written Question
No 504/91) nests in Mars-sur-Allier, le Pinail and the
Foret de Mouliere. It winters in the Lac de la Foret

d'Orient, the Lac du Der-Chantecoq, the Seine estuary,
the Baie des Veys, the Etang de Lachaussee, the Lac de
Madine, the Pointe d'Arcais, le Pinail and the Foret de la
Mouliere, the Bassin d'Arcachon and the Banc d'Anguin
where it is also a bird of passage.

The black stork (Ciconia nigra, Written Question
No 505/91) is a bird of passage at the Lac du
Der-Chantecoq and Charite-sur-Loire.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 557/91

by Mr Filippos Pierros (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/40)

_Subject:_ Proposals for Council directives on an effective
response to oil crises at Community level

Iraq's invasion and subsequent occupation of Kuwait at
the beginning of August 1990 created turmoil on the oil

European Communities No C 248/23

market. The fine balance of the market was disrupted and
the need for a more coordinated Community response to
energy crises was thrown into sharp relief.

The Commission submitted proposals for two Council
directives to the Council of Energy Ministers meeting in
October as part of a more effective Community response
to oil crises, viz:

— a proposal for a directive providing for appropriate
measures to be taken in the event of difficulties in the

supply of crude oil and petroleum products to the
Community, and

— a proposal for a directive laying down detailed rules
for the implementation of that directive with regard to
oil stocks.

Despite the obvious political and practical significance of
these proposals, Parliament is not being asked to give its
opinion, contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Treaty
of Rome. What is the Commission's view on this and

what measures does it intend to take to remedy this
unacceptable situation?

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

_(23 May 1991)_

On 29 October 1990 the Commission submitted to the

Council a communication (') on the oil supply situation,
incorporating two proposals for directives:

— one providing for appropriate measures to be taken in
the event of difficulties in the supply of crude oil and
petroleum products;

— the other laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of that directive with regard to oil
stocks.

At the time, in view of the situation in the Gulf, the

Commission considered that these texts should be

examined by the Council urgently, and proposed that they
enter into force on 1 January 1991. As a result, the
Commission did not propose to the Council that the
proposals be sent to Parliament for its opinion, but did
suggest that they be sent for information. Since then, the
Council has formally requested Parliament's opinion.

O COM(90) 514 final.

No C 248/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 562/91

by Mr James Nicholson (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/41)

_Subject:_ Budget and storage of agricultural produce

1. What is the cost of the Community budget for the
storage of agricultural produce in each of the last three
marketing years?

2. What percentage of the agricultural budget goes
towards the storage of surplus produce?

3. What is the percentage of the agricultural budget
that is paid direct to the farmers ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _June 1991)_

1. The amounts set out below were spent on the
storage of agricultural products under the EAGGF
Guarantee Section:

_(million_ _ECU)_

1990

3 778,C

750,7

4 528,7

1989

2 597,6

849,1

3 446,7

Public storage

Aids for private storage

Total storage

1988

5 032,2

787,7

5 819,9

2. Expenditure on storage represents the following
percentages of the agriculture budget (EAGGF Guarantee
Section): 1988: 20%, 1989: 13%, 1990:16%.

3. EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure is effected
with the help of 60 disbursing agencies in the 12 Member
States. The accounting system refers to budget items
of the Community budget and does not categorize
expenditure by types of recipient. A precise answer to this
question is, therefore, impossible.

It is worthwhile noting that, along with the aid which is
directly paid to farmers, they also benefit from aid paid
to exporters, slaughterhouses, dairies, processors, etc.
Without these aids, traders and manufacturers would not
be able to pay current prices to farmers.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 582/91

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/42)

_Subject:_ Production of biofuel

The region of Poitou-Charentes is currently studying a
project to establish a biofuel factory.

As a dynamic agricultural region, Poitou-Charentes is
developing this project with strategic, economic and
environmental goals in mind.

Indeed, the Gulf crisis once again underlines the fragility
of the European Community's oil supplies.

The USA was aware of this need when it decided in 1989

to double its production of ethanol.

How does the Commission intend to promote a credible
European programme in tne field of biofuel?

How can a region like Poitou-Charentes, whose
agriculture will be weakened by the new Community
agricultural policy, benefit from aid to finance a factory
for the production of biofuel ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 May 1991)_

The Community has in place a framework to promote the
non-food use of agricultural products, including their use
for energy generation.

This framework is made up of the three elements set out
below:

— the specific aid scheme for cereals used for non-food
purposes (set-aside land used for non-agricultural
purposes);

— privileged access to intervention stocks of cereals, oils
and fats for demonstration projects in the non-food

sector;

— preliminary work on seven non-food demonstration
projects, one of which involves the use of vegetable
oils and their derivatives as diesel fuel, together with
biofuel demonstration projects, including one in
particular on the use of rape-seed oil.

This framework provides the basis for a gradual
development in the use of biofuels. However, significant

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of thi

market penetration is unlikely in the short term. Some
technical aspects linked to the use of biofuels require
further testing and demonstration measures; most
importantly, the competitiveness of biofuels compared to
fossil fuels is doubtful, at least under existing economic
conditions and despite the favourable tax treatment
applied to them in certain Member States.

Assistance from Community funds to finance investments
linked to the production of biofuels is not ruled out.
However, to benefit from such assistance, the investments
must form part of sectoral plans drawn up by the Member
States and must comply with the eligibility conditions
and selection criteria in force (Council Regulation
(EEC) No 866/90 of 29 March 1990 on improving the
processing and marketing conditions for agricultural
products O and Commission Decision 90/342/EEC on
the selection criteria to be adopted for investments for
improving the processing and marketing conditions for
agricultural and forestry products ( [2] ).

O OJ No L 91, 6. 4.1990, p. 1.
O OJNoL 163,26.6.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 585/91

by Mr Michael Welsh (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/43)

_Subject:_ Telephone charges between Member States

Does the Commission have any plans for common rules
concerning telephone charges between Member States
particularly in frontier regions? It appears that someone
wishing to make a call from Spain to France has to pay the
equivalent of 70 p per minute up to 10 p.m., 50 p per
minute thereafter. This applies to cross-border calls which
would be considered local if they occurred within the
national boundaries. Calls in the other direction are very
much cheaper.

Will the Commission raise this matter with the Spanish

PTT?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 May 1991)_

The Commission is aware that telephone calls between a
number of Member States in frontier regions are charged
at full price international tariffs, which can lead to the
anomalies rightly noted by the Member of Parliament.

European Communities No C 248/25

In a number of situations the price of a call in one
direction differs significantly from the price of a call in
the opposite direction.

The Commission is currently carrying out a number of
studies in this area, covering these differences, as well as
examining other issues such as night-time and weekend
tariff rates. The Commission is also examining the pricing
of international telephone calls under EEC competition
rules.

An overview of the prices of three minute calls between
countries in the Community is given in an exhibit, which
will be sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the
Parliament's Secretariat.

In the framework of its telecommunications policy and
with a view to the establishment of the single market, the
Commission intends to raise these tariff issues with

Member States, in a communication which it will address
this year to the Council, the Parliament and the Economic
and Social Committee. This communication will address

the anomalies mentioned and in particular the issue of
establishing tariff call zones which traverse internal
Community frontiers.

It is the Commission's understanding that the possibility
already exists under the International Telecommunications Unions recommendations on accounting rate
procedures for telecommunications operators for such
operators to derogate from the international system of
account settlement in the case of frontier calls.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 592/91

byMrRolfLinkohr(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 March 1991)_

(91/C 248/44)

_Subject:_ Bitter lupin derivates

1. How does the Commission assess the possibility of
using bitter lupin derivates for industrial and agricultural
purposes?

2. How does the Commission assess the impact of such
a move on agriculture?

3. Does the Commission not agree that the time has
come to build a demonstration plant?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 May 1991)_

1 and 3. It is technically possible to extract alkaloids
from bitter lupins. These alkaloids may find a market in

No C 248/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

certain industrial uses, for example in pharmaceutical
preparations. The product which remains after the
extraction of alkaloids is rich in proteins and can be
marketed mainly for use in animal feedingstuffs.

With regard to the commercial viability of processes for
reducing the bitterness of lupins, the Commission has
financed preliminary work now under way which, should
the results prove conclusive, may induce it to set up a
demonstration project.

2. From the agronomic point of view, bitter lupin
growing seems well suited to some particularly poor and
acidic soils found in certain regions of the Community.

The Commission has no information on the commercial

profitability of bitter lupin growing.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 600/91

by Mr Peter Crampton (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/45)

_Subject:_ Destruction of the rain forests

Can the Commission outline the steps it has taken to date
to help stem the destruction of the world's rain forests,
and what it proposes to do in the future? Would it
consider a total ban on all tropical hardwoods into the EC
which do not come from sustainable sources?

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

_(13 May 1991)_

Measures taken or envisaged by the Commission to
contribute to the preservation of tropical rainforests.

1. Following the conclusions of the G7 Summit of
Houston, last July, the Commission is currently
working on the preparation of a comprehensive pilot
programme for the preservation of the Amazon forest,
in cooperation with the Brazilian Government and
the World Bank. The main orientations of this

programme should be finalized before the next G7
Summit, which will take place in July 1991.

2. The Commission is following all the initiatives aiming
at the conclusion of an international instrument for

the preservation of forests. It is already negotiating,
on behalf of the Community, the International
Convention on Climate Change, which could be
supplemented by a Protocol on the conservation of
forests. It is probable that the Community will also

become a party to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, which is currently being negotiated and
which will be of significant importance for the tropical
forests, given that they constitute one of the main
reservoirs of biological diversity.

The Commission does not exclude, at this stage, that
the Community may follow and take part in the
preparation of other international instruments (such
as a Declaration, a Charter or a Convention on
forests), provided such an instrument does not
duplicate the Conventions mentioned above.

3. The Commission is also actively involved in' the
reform and implementation of the Tropical Forestry
Action Plan. Its experts have already attended several
technical meetings, which have helped to redefine the
objectives of the TFAP.

4. Discus.sions are currently under way within the
Commission on a proposal for a revision of the
Regulation implementing, within the Community, the
Washington Convention on International Trade of
Endangered Species (CITES). This revision could
consist in the inclusion of some new species of tropical
timber in the annexes of the Convention, which would
allow an adequate monitoring of the trade of such
species.

5. Research on tropical forests also constitute a
significant part of the Commission's activity, either
through the STEP/EPOCH programmes or through
the STD programme.

The creation of a network of research institutes

concerned with tropical forests is also envisaged by
the Commission.

6. Studies have been launched by the Commission about
the legal, technical and economical aspects of the
import regime of tropical timber.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 611 /91

by Mr Jose Valverde L6pez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/46)

_Subject:_ Commission-approved programmes within the
Andalusian Economic Development Plan

Following the reform of the structural funds initiated on
1 January 1989, what was the situation on 31 December
1990 with regard to Commission-approved projects in
the Andalusian Autonomous Community within the
framework of the Andalusian Economic Development
Plan?

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/27

WRITTEN QUESTION No 614/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/47)

_Subject:_ Operational, programmes submitted by the
Andalusian Autonomous Community and
approved inl989andl990

In the wake of the reform of the structural funds

(EAGGF, ERDF, ESF) from 1 January 1989, what
operational programmes were submitted by the
Andalusian Autonomous Community in 1989 and 1990
and which of these were approved?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 611/91 and 614/91

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

The operational programmes submitted up to mid-April
by the Autonomous Community of Andalusia under the
reform of the structural Funds are as follows:

— NPCI Almeria-Levante;

— multifund operational programme (MOP) for
forestry in Andalusia, approved by the Commission
Decision of 13 December 1990 and involving
assistance worth ECU 11,59 million from the ERDF
and ECU 23,81 million from the EAGGF Guidance
Section;

— multifund operational programme (MOP) to improve
agricultural infrastructure, approved on the same
date, to which the ERDF will contribute ECU 20,6
million and the EAGGF Guidance Section ECU 43,39
million;

— EAGGF Guidance Section operational programme
under priority 4.4 of the CSF for the rational use of
the factors of production, the preservation of pasture
for the 'cerdo iberico' and genetic improvement of
livestock, approved by the Commission Decision of
10 December 1990 and involving assistance from the
EAGGF of ECU 14,2 million;

— ESF programme for the development of human
resources (Objective 1), approved on 30 November
1990 for ECU 69,35 million;

— ESF programme for long-term unemployment
(Objective 3), approved on 20 November 1990 for
ECU 9,61 million;

— ESF programme for young people under 25 years of
age (Objective 4), approved an 20 November 1990 for
ECU 42,9 million;

— ERDF operational programme for Malaga submitted
in December 1990 and awaiting approval.

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a list of

regional and multi-regional projects approved for
Andalusia under the reform of the structural Funds in

1989 and 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 622/91

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/48)

_Subject:_ Legislation in Member States promoting
combined heat and power

Will the Commission list the Member States which have

enacted legislation designed to promote the sale of heat as
well as electricity from the same generating plant?

How many heat and power schemes are presently
operational in each Member State?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 July 1991)_

Further to its answer of 6 June 1991 ( [x] ), the Commission is
sending direct to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat General of European Parliament the
information requested.

O OJNoC 187,18.7. 1991, p. 25.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 656/91

by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath and Mr Michael Hindley
(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/49)

_Subject:_ Outcome of the Uruguay Round

The future of free and fair world trade depends on
the outcome of the Uruguay Round. Parliament has

No C 248/28 Official Journal of the

repeatedly called for a strengthening of the world trading
system and for a stabilization of multilateral trading
relations. The Uruguay Round is drawing to a conclusion.

1. What does the Commission regard as the
achievements of the Uruguay Round?

2. What impact will the completion of the Uruguay
Round have on agriculture, textiles, services and
protection of intellectual property?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 July 1991)_

Contrary to expectations, the Uruguay Round was not
concluded at the Ministerial Conference held in Brussels

at the beginning of December 1990. Although
disappointing, this has not led the Community to
reconsider its negotiating objectives.

1. In basic terms, the Commission will see the Uruguay
Round as a success if the overall outcome is well

balanced and covers all 15 areas of negotiation. Such
an outcome would, taken as a whole, have to balance
the concessions made by each party with the
advantages gained. Therefore, any successful
agreement resulting from the Uruguay Round must,
above all, bring tangible benefits to all those taking
part in the negotiations.

2. No country can unilaterally reduce the level of
protection for agriculture and thus risk a severe
deterioration in competitiveness if other countries
persist in following their old policies. The agricultural
sector can gradually be exposed to normal market
forces only if all players on the world agricultural
market agree on the objectives and the terms of
the transition. Thus, it is the conditions governing
the future development of international trade in
agricultural goods which will be determined by the
outcome of the Uruguay Round negotiations in this

area.

With regard to textiles, the fourth Multifibre
Arrangement (MFA), providing for special rules
governing trade in these goods, is due to expire in July.
When the first MFA was signed, the signatories agreed
that it was to afford only temporary protection and that,
in the long term, trade in textiles and clothing should be
governed by the normal GATT free trade rules. After
almost 20 years of protection, however, the textiles
industry in the Community cannot suddenly be
confronted with harsh competition from textiles
industries elsewhere which enjoy numerous comparative
advantages. The agreement reached on textiles within the
framework of the Uruguay Round must allow the
Community textiles industry to carry out the adjustment
process successfully, by providing for satisfactory
transitional arrangements linking, in particular, the
openingup of the markets in the industrialized countries

European Communities 23. 9. 91

(including the Community) with stricter rules and
discipline, thus improving the conditions for international
competition.

The outcome of the Uruguay Round concerning services,
a relatively new and ever more important area of
economic activity, has to be a multilateral agreement
establishing fair, readily understandable and reliable
principles and rules for international trade in this sector,
in the same way as the GATT does for trade in goods. It is
clear how important the outcome of the Uruguay Round
is in this sector when one considers the substantial

increase in international trade in goods that has taken
place under the auspices of the GATT, and also the fact
that in 1987 services represented 24 % of the Community's
total external trade and accounted for 60 % of its GNP.

A set of substantive, precise and strict multilateral rules
on intellectual property, possibly as part of a 'TRIPs'
agreement, will, in the first instance, save industry in the
Community billions of ecus which are currently lost to it
because intellectual property rights are not protected or
are violated. Moreover, if protected by effective rules,
trade in goods with a high added value will be free to
develop unhindered, which cannot fail to stimulate the
more active sectors of the Community's economy.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 663/91

by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/50)

_Subject:_ Subsidies to the Nestle undertaking

According to press reports, the Commission is to grant
subsidies to the Nestle undertaking for the setting up of a
milk processing plant in Guadalajara (Spain).

According to the same sources, the Nestle undertaking
has agreed that this increase in milk capacity utilization
will be offset by a reduction in the activities of Nestle's
Penilla undertaking (in Cantabria, Spain).

Can the Commission confirm this?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 May 1991)_

The Commission cannot confirm the information in

question because, to date, the Nestle undertaking has not

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/29

presented any application for a subsidy for the setting up
of a milk processing plant in Guadalajara, Spain.

The Honourable Member has already received an answer
to this effect from the Commission in a letter that was sent

to him recently.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 668/91

by Mr Henry McCubbin (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/51)

_Subject:_ Minimum import prices for soft fruit

Would the Commission please state whether it intends to
continue the minimum import price regime for soft fruit,
particularly raspberries, in 1991?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 May 1991)_

By Regulation (EEC) No 810/91 (') the Commission has
extended the existing minimum import price regime for
soft fruits until 31 July 1991. This extension was decided
in order to permit the Commission to complete its
examination of the problems in the European
Communities soft fruit sector. The purpose of this
examination is to arrive at a more fundamental and long
term solution to the problems of the competitiveness of
the sector as regards the imports from third countries.

O OJ No L 82, 28. 3. 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 669/91

by Mr George Stevenson (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/52)

_Subject:_ Employment laws to protect striking workers
from dismissal

The International Labour Organization recently called on
the UK Government to revise employment laws to protect
striking workers from dismissal.

The ILO upheld a complaint from the National Union of
Seamen which claimed that UK laws allowed companies

to dismiss striking employees, such action being
incompatible with ILO conventions to which the UK
Government is a signatory.

Arbitrary dismissal of workers engaged in lawful
industrial action is still taking place in the UK; for
example, Hewitts Ltd, a company in my constituency, has
dismissed such workers and refuses to even discuss the

issue.

This action is contrary to the terms of the EC Social
Charter, and the UK is the only EC Member State where
such action is allowed.

Will the Commission comment on the ILO decision,
which highlights a continuing and unacceptable industrial
relations practice in the UK, and urge the UK
Government to take the necessary action to implement the
ILO decision?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 June 1991)_

The Commission is aware that the ILO Committee on

Freedom of Association has recommended that the

relevant UK legislation should be so amended as to
provide effective protection for workers dismissed for
having taken part in a strike.

However, it would not be appropriate for the
Commission to comment on the ILO's decision.

The Commission would add that point 13 of the
Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of
Workers specifically acknowledges the right to strike.
Furthermore, ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which have
been ratified by all the Member States (except Convention
No 98 in the Netherlands) also recognize the right to
strike.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 673/91

by Mr James Nicholson (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/53)

_Subject:_ Intervention for beef

Of the total stocks of beef in intervention, can the
Commission give a breakdown into the stocks held in
each of the 12 Member States?

What tonnage was added in eafch Member State during
the past 12 months?

23. 9. 91
No C 248/30 Official Journal of the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _June 1991)_

The information requested is set out in the table below.
The figures therein are expressed in tonnes and refer to
carcase weight equivalents.

Net increase

stocks durin

1990

    - 5 3 3

15 097

114614

—

56 500

155 856

37 749

—

675

—

9 824

95 709

485 491

Stock at

31 December

1990

245

15 935

164 436

   

57 749

219 565

37 749

—

775

—

13 563

106 848

616 865

Member State

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

United Kingdom

Total

Stock at

31 December

1989

778

838

49 822

—

1 249

63 709

— '

—

100

—

3 739

11 139

131 374

WRITTEN QUESTION No 687/91

by Mr Frederic Rosmini (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/54)

_Subject:_ Mediterranean forest

In 1979 the European Community decided to finance a
five-year programme of aid for the reconstitution and
improvement of the Mediterranean forest in Italy and
France. The programme was completed in 1985 and
provided more than FF 400 million for forestry
improvement in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region
(Regulation (EEC) No 269/79) (').

Both the first stage of this Community policy (1986—
1987—1988) and the second stage (1989—1990—
1991 — 1992) were carried out under the integrated
Mediterranean programme (IMP).

The first stage included a series of measures (preparatory
and ongoing studies, information, training and equipment
for wood production) for which a total of FF 211 million
was earmarked against the heading 'forestry'.

In the second stage, four special programmes were
adopted: studies, information, forestry and training and
equipment for wood production, for which a total of
FF 266 million was earmarked.

No major follow-up has yet been decided on after the
expiry of the IMP in 1992.

Given the amounts spent for this purpose by the
Community since 1979 and the major difficulties still
affecting Mediterranean forests, how will policies be
implemented in this area in future?

O OJNoL38, 14.2. 1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 June 1991)_

As the Honourable Member points out, the forestry
measures decided under Regulation (EEC) No 269/79
from 1979 to 1985, then included as part of the integrated
Mediterranean Programmes for the period 1986—92,
allowed a number of forestry schemes to be assisted in
southern France.

Since the entry into force of the Single Act, the reform of
the structural Funds has been undertaken in a further

effort to make the Community's structural measures more
efficient, particularly by concentrating Community
assistance on structurally weak regions and by increasing
the efficient use of this assistance.

The forestry development and exploitation measures
decided under the forestry action programme adopted by
the Council on 29 May 1989 (Council Regulation (EEC)
No 1610/89 O ) are thus linked to the policy to develop
the less-advanced regions and rural areas of the
Community.

These 'Objective 1 and Objective 5 (b)' areas, defined
for the purpose of the reform of the structural Funds,
have been designated on the basis of the criteria set
out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 _(_ _[2]_ _)._ In
the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, to which the
Honourable Member refers, only the departments of
Hautes Alpes and Alpes de Haute Provence are
designated as Objective 5 (b) areas.

But there are some horizontal forestry measures not
linked to these regional development programmes.
Council Regulation (EEC) No 3529/86 ( [3] ), as amended
by Regulation (EEC) No 1614/89 ( [4] ), provides for the
financing of measures to prevent forest fires and Council
Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 ( [5] ), as amended by
Regulation (EEC) No 1613/89 ( [6] ), provides for the

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/31

financing of pilot projects to study damage caused to
forests, in particular by air pollution, and the
establishment of a Community network of observation
points to monitor damage to forests. Projects or
programmes should be submitted to the Commission
through the Ministry of Agriculture. Furthermore,
processing and marketing measures for forest products
may be financed under Council Regulation (EEC)
No 867/90 O ; applications for assistance must be
grouped in sectoral programmes submitted to the
Commission by the Member States.

Finally, under the arable land set-aside scheme, measures
for the afforestation of agricultural land are also provided
for (Article 20 of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 ( [8] )); the
provisions for applying this measure are fixed by the
Member States.

It is expected that all this assistance will undoubtedly
produce positive results. However, the Commission is
conscious of its limitations and intends shortly to launch a
process of reflection and consultation with a view to
further improvements.

O OJNoLl65,15.6.1989.
O OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988.
O OJNoL326,17.11.1986.
( [4] ) OJNoLl65,15.6.1989.
O OJNoL326, 17. 11.1986.
0 OJNoL165,15.6.1989.
O OJ No 91,6. 4.1991.
(') OJ No 93, 30. 3. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 692/91

by Ms Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/55)

_Subject:_ Benefits to widowers

Which Member States, if any, give benefits to widowers
on the death of their wife?

Does the Commission consider it discrimination and

contrary to Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome that the
United Kingdom has a system of benefits for widows but
not widowers?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 June 1991)_

Tables on eligibility conditions for survivors' pensions
in the Member States are being sent directly to the

Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of

the European Parliament.

However, Article 119 of the EEC Treaty does not apply
to benefits paid under statutory schemes ('). Equality of
treatment between men and women for survivors' benefits

in staturory schemes is still a matter which falls outside
Community legislation in the field of social security and
especially Directive 79/7/EEC ( [2] ).

In its proposal for a Council Directive COM(87) 494
final, the Commission proposed, among other things, for
survivors' benefits (Article 4):

(a) either the recognition, on the same terms for
widowers, of entitlement to the pensions and other
benefits provided for widows;

(b) or the replacement of widows' benefits by the
creation or extension of a system of individual rights
open to all surviving spouses regardless of sex.

This proposal is still under discussion by the Council and
a final decision has not yet been taken.

(') Judgement of the Court of Justice of 25 May 1971 (Case

80/70 G. Defrenne v. Belgian State).
O Directive 79/7/EEC of 19 December 1978 relating to

progressive implementation of the principle of equal
treatment between men and women in the field of the social
security.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 695/91

by Ms Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/56)

_Subject:_ Energy efficiency in housing

What grants are available to members of the public to
improve their housing conditions in the respective
Member States, particularly in relation to energy
efficiency?

Does any Member State other than the United Kingdom
give grants to insulate the lofts of houses to promote
energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption?

What plans if any, does the Commission have to
harmonize grants to promote fuel economy by ordinary
households?

No C 248/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

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

_(3_ _June 1991)_

The situation differs greatly from one Member State to
another.

Generally speaking, the following applies:

— financial assistance is granted in the north of the
Community (except Ireland), while it is lacking in the
south;

— Member States tend to give tax incentives rather than
direct subsidies;

— Member States other than the United Kingdom, e.g.
the Netherlands and Luxembourg, also give grants for
the insulation of lofts.

The Commission has no plans to try to harmonize such
grants paid by Member States. However, the Commission
will make a number of proposals relating to buildings in
the context of its new energy efficiency programme
(SAVE), with the objective of establishing common rules
regarding the improvement of energy efficiency in this

sector.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 703/91

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/57)

_Subject:_ The appointment of a harbour doctor at
maritime health offices

A difficult situation has arisen at the maritime health

office of Taranto because of the continued daily absence
of the harbour doctor. Can the Commission take steps to
remedy the problems and inconvenience experienced by
people who have to be vaccinated against quarantinable
diseases or who have to undergo the medical
examinations required for the registering of seamen or
enrolment in naval training colleges, by bringing in a
directive providing for the appointment of a harbour
doctor to all maritime health offices?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 June 1991)_

As the Commission informed the Honourable Member in

its answer to her Written Question No 1694/90 ('), it
does not plan to take any specific action on this matter.

O OJNoC98,15.4. 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 708/91

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/58)

_Subject:_ EEC policy for the integration of immigrants

What conclusions have been reached by the group of
experts which has been studying policies regarding the
integration of immigrants? Is there a timetable for the
development of this kind of policy by the Community?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 775/91

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/59)

_Subject:_ Social integration of migration in the EC

What has happened to the experts' report on the above
subject dated 4 September 1990 (SEC90) 1813/3), and is
any action proposed on the report's conclusions and
suggestions?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 776/91

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

_•_ (91/C 248/60)

_Subject:_ Policies on immigration and social integration of
migrants in the Community

By what criteria were the group of experts selected who
produced the report on the above; who were they,
from what country and what were their qualifications?
Does the Commission feel this group of experts
are representative of ethnic minority residents in the
Community, and by whom were they recommended?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 708/91, 775/91

and 776/91

given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 June 1991)_

The terms of reference and qualifications of the panel of
experts set up to report on 'Policies on immigration and

^ 9 9 1 COHicial journal of the European Communities ^ o C ^ B o ^

the social integration of migrants in the European
Communities ^ e s e t o u t i n t h e i r i n t r o d u c t i o n a n d i n

Anne^lL

The e^nerts were not selected because thev belonged to
ethnicminorities hut for their specific knowledge, the
e^nerience thev could contribute, their immediate
availability forarather urgent task andtheir ability to
take stock of the situationafter extensive contacts with

nolitical leaders, senior officials, the two sides of industry
and several organizations reoresenting migrants in the
twelve member states.

C ^ ^ ^ u n ^ f i ^ u

^ ^ I l ^ P ^ ^ ^ ^ I ^ ^ ^ o ^ i i B ^ i

bv^rjack^tewartClark^O^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^91BC^BDl^

^ ^ c r B ^ o r w e g i a n salmon

Is the Commission aware that sincejunel990 there has
beenasteadverosion of the voluntary agreement made
betweenthe^orwegianCovernmentandthePurooean
Community to maintain the interventionBfreezing
nrogramme, to baneworts of nroductionDgrade fish and
tonreventillegal sales of salmon outside FCO^^

Is the Commission further aware that salmon orices for

ontimum size fishs have collaosed to levels between^l,^0
and ^ 1, ^ ner lb in the face of increasing Norwegian
volumes entering France and other countries of the
Community

Is the Commission also aware that some^OOO tonnes of

salmon are still held bvthe Norwegians in cold storages

If these factors are correct, what action will the
Commissionbe taking t o n u t a n e n d t o t h e o r a c t i c e o f
dumping farmed Atlantic salmon in the Community

Answer ^venhv^r^ar^rn

on behalf ofthe Commission

Following the develonments on the market for fresh
Atlantic salmon late in!9^9 and at the beginning of 1990,
which resulted ^ ^ r ^ ^ in the Commission'sstarting an
antPdumning nrocedure against imports of Norwegian
farmed salmon ^the nrocedure was closed bv the

Commission's decision of 1^ ^iarch 1 9 9 1 ^, the
Norwegian authorities and Norwegian salmon sector
adooted a series of measures aiming at restricting the

volume of salmon suonlied to the market. These

measures, which are continued for 1991, include ^ ^ r

^ strengthened control and imorovement of Norwegian
rules and regulations related to sales and e^norts of
salmons

— thenrosecutionof traders,if salmon is soldoutside
the framework of the Norwegian ^alesCOrganization,
thereby bvr^assingthe official oricesvstem^

^ continuationof the nrogramme for freezing surnlus
salmons

^ nrohibition of e^nort of salmon of the lowest qualitv,
the socalled production fish'^

^ agreement to enter into consultations with the
Commissionunonnotificationof amarketnroblem

causing an abnormal develonmentof orices, with a
viewto finding a^nrooriate solution.

The Commission is aware that orices for farmed Atlantic

salmon fluctuate according to seasons, currency
develonments and the international demandBsunniv

situation. Periods with rather low nrices are therefore not

abnormal. The nrice level for Atlantic salmon seems

generally to have been stabilized,though atalower level
than that of two vears ago. In the nresent situation, the
Commissiondoes not intend to imnose trade nrotection

measures, but will continue to follow closelv the market

trends.

^ ^ j ^ O L D ^ t D, ^ m ^ l

h v ^ r Carlos PerreaudePinnincklOomenech and ^ r j o s e
^uiz^ateosjimenezdeTejada^IO^

to the Commission of the Purooean Communities

^91BC^^BD^

^ ^ c r, l m m i g r a t i o n

Is aid of anv kind provided bv the Community via
the member States or international organizations to
heln meet the minimum subsistence requirements of
third^countrv immigrants without resources of their own
who are ineligible forsocial benefits in the host countrv^

Flas the Communitvanvnlansfordealingwith the serious
problem of immigrations

No C 248/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

To help the Member States responsible for measures to
give direct aid to the destitute in improving their policies
to improve the lot of the least well-off, the Community's
Poverty-3 programme is testing integrated development
strategies in 39 local-level projects. In certain cases the
target groups for these pilot projects include immigrants
and the ethnic minorities.

There is provision in one section of the Horizon
programme of Community initiatives, now being
launched, for support for schemes involving immigrants.

The Commission believes that it is up to the Member
States to make sure that third-country workers and
members of their families residing lawfully in a Member
State of the European Community receive equal
treatment, particularly as regards the granting of social
security benefits.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 733/91

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/63)

_Subject:_ University degree for translating and
interpreting studies

The petition drawn up by students of the Granada School
of Translating and Interpreting (Spain), who are asking
the Vice-Chancellor's Office of Granada University to
award a university degree for their studies, has once more
unleashed the debate on harmonization of the university
degree which should be awarded for such studies and the
need for greater understanding by the academic
authorities. . ;

While some countries regard the academic aspects of
translating and interpreting studies as comparable to a
university course, under certain academic authorities in
Spain these studies lead to a lower grade of diploma, a
iicenciatura mixta', which does not exist in any other

country.

Given the importance of translating and interpreting
activities for the work of the Community, does the
Commission consider that it should intervene in this

debate in order to ensure that students of this discipline
receive a university degree at the end of their studies?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 July 1991)_

In so far as the professions of interpreter and translator
are regulated in the host Member State, the mutual

recognition of diplomas in these fields is covered by
Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a

general system for the recognition of higher-education
diplomas awarded on completion of professional
education and training of at least three years' duration (*).

The Directive is of a general nature and applies to all
diplomas attesting to completion of 'a post-secondary
course of at least three years' duration . . . at a university
or establishment of higher education or another
establishment of similar level...'. The concept involved is
thus wider than that of university education alone.

Since the Directive intentionally makes no provision
for the prior coordination of training and fields of
professional activity, each Member State remains free to
organize on its territory, as it thinks fit, the professions in
question and the relevant training, particularly level,
duration and course content.

In the case in point, the organization of studies pursued
by interpreters and translators in Spain and the decision
as to whether or not they rank as university studies
fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Spanish
authorities. The Commission is therefore unable to take

any action on behalf of the students of the Granada
School of Translating and Interpreting.

O OJ No L 19, 24.1.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 767/91

by Mr Andrea Bonetti (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/64)

_Subject:_ Free movement of goods through Alpine frontier
crossings

The right of free movement through Alpine frontier
crossings is vital Italian road transport if it is to participate
fully in the Community economy, yet it encounters
serious obstacles in the form of Swiss and Austrian policy
on the movement of commercial vehicles on their

respective territories. It is for that reason that Italian
carriers are now mounting a protest directed in particular
against the inadequate numbers of transit permits issued
by Austria, which is hindering the free movement of
goods through Alpine frontier crossings.

Article 1 (2) (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 1841/88 ( [l] ) of
21 June 1988 stipulates that the Commission should, by
31 December 1989, have submitted a proposal to the
Council for adoption by 31 March 1990 of the decisions
on the arrangements to apply to transport between
Member States in transit through non-member countries
without discriminating between transporters from
different Member States.

23, ^ t official journal of the Luropean communities l^oCM2^B^

The fact that the commission should already ha^e
complied with that requirement notwithstanding, what
measures does itnowintend to adoptto eliminate the
discrimination to which Italian rOad transporters are now
being subjected^

C^OOI^OLtD^^Dm^^Dt

A^swer^ive^hy^rVa^^iert
or^ behalf oftheCom^issior^

^ ^ ^ ^

It is not true that the commission has failed to comply
with the obligations imposed on it by A r t i c l e l ^ ^ o f
(Souncil^egulation^LLCe^ot^tB^

Before the community can draw up arrangements to
apply to transport between member states in transit
through nonmember countries it must negotiate with
those countries the conditions under which suchtransit

is to take place. Accordingly, on ^ COctober 1 ^ ^, the
commission sent the C^ouncilaproposalforadecision on
the second stage of negotiations between the community,
the Republic of Austria, the ^wiss confederation and the
socialist federal Republic of r^ugosla^iainthefieldof
transport, including community transit through those
countries. The council adopted its Precision on 1^
L^ecembert^^,

^incethat time the commission has been negotiatingwith
those countries on behalf of the community, but the
complexity of theissues underdiscussion and acertain
intransigence on the part of Austria and Switzerland has
so far presented negotiations from reachingasuccessful
conclusion.

The council extended the Commissions negotiating
mandate until the end of]uly 1 ^ 1, The commission is
doing its utmostto find, before thatdate, satisfactory
solutions including an end to the discrimination from
which certain community transport operators are
suffering.

^ ^ I T T ^ ^ C ^ C l ^ T I C O ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

by^r^ijsdeVries^LtO^

to the commission of the European C^ommunities

^1BC^2^BD^

^^crBoGerman alcohol monopoly

C^an the commission state what action it has taken to

ensure that the (German alcohol monopoly will be
abolished b y t ] a n u a r y t ^ 3 B

C^an the commission also state what measures the

(German oGo^ernment has taken in that connection to
i m p l e m e n t A r t i c l e ^ ^ o f the Treaty^

Answer ^iven by ^ir Leon Brittan
on behalf ofthe Commission

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

t. The oGerman alcohol monopoly was adjusted, as
required b y A r t i c l e ^ o f the LECTreaty,by abolishing
the e^clusi^e import, export and marketing rights existing
in this area.

The monopoly may therefore be maintainedbeyond 1
J a n u a r y ! ^,

2, The CermanCo^ernment has not taken any special
measuresunderArticle^ ^, Itis,howe^er,retaining
a national organization of the market through its
purchasing monopoly; the former is not in itself
incompatible with theTreaty,as confirmed by the C^ourt
ofjustice of the European Communities in its]udgment
o f l 3 ^ a r c h l ^ ^ i n C ^ a s e ^ B ^ ^ r l a n s e n I ^

^ ^ I T T P ^ ^ t a ^ T I ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

by^r]eanPierreR,affarin^LIO^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^1BC2^BDD^

^ ^ c e T a i w a n ^ discriminatory liberalization of the
spirits market

InJanuary 1^1 the Co^ernmentofTaiwan announced
measures to liberalize the spirits market which will create
atotally unacceptable degree of discrimination between
the different types of product and, at the same time,
favour American spirits o^er spirits of community origin.
This discrimination,which is unacceptable on the part of
acountrywhich has requested membership of the (GATT,
arises from both the date of liberalization^staggered from
l A p r i l t ^ l t o l ] a n u a r y 1^3 according to products and
the le^el of taxation ^ T t ^ to ^ T l 2 ^ 0 per litre,
accordingto products,

AtatimewhenTaiwan is seeking improved access for its
products to the EEC^, can the Commission say^

t, what stage it has reached in its discussions with
Taiwan concerning the liberalization of the spirits
markets

2, what pressure it intends to apply to the Taiwan
C^o^emment to persuade it to open its market without
introducing discriminations

Answer ^iven by ^ r ^ a t u t e s
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission does ha^e detailed information on the

liberalization measures adopted byTaiwan and effective

No C 248/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

from 1 April this year. The Commission is aware that the
new rules discriminate against Community products from
the standpoint of both the level of duty and the
liberalization timetable (notably as it affects brandy).

As the Community does not maintain relations with
Taiwan and the latter is not a member of GATT, the
Community can neither make any formal protest nor
initiate official consultations.

The Commission has, however, indicated forcefully on a
number of occasions its disapproval of the proposed
Taiwanese measures.

It would seem that the question is being reviewed in
Taipei and there is some hope that changes might be made
to the rules over the coming months.

Should this prove not to be the case, the Commission is
ready to consider the implications for trade with Taiwan
in other major sectors.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 801/91

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/67)

_Subject:_ Compliance with the EC directive concerning
transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste

Relating to documentation received from Greater
Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, what action can
the Commission take against the Italian Regulatory
Authorities for failing to deal with the breach of the above
EC directive?

Answer by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(5_ _June 1991)_

Transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste is covered by
EC legislation, particularly by Directive 84/631/EEC on
the supervision and control within the European
Community of the transfrontier shipment of hazardous
waste ('). Based on this Directive the holder of the waste
has to provide the authorities of dispatch, destination
and, should the occasion arise, transit, with satisfactory
information on — among other things — the source and
composition of that waste. This information aims at
enabling the concerned authorities to control waste
shipments effectively. The Directive has been transposed
into Italian law.

The documentation attached to the question by the
Honourable Member states an infringement on the
described EC legislation by Italian authorities and/or the
concerned holders of waste. The Commission intends to

investigate the alleged infringement and, if such an
infringement is established, the Commission will take the
necessary steps to ensure that the concerned Member
State will stop the illegal traffic.

O OJNoL326,13.12.1984, p. 31.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 803/91

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 April 1991)_

(91/C 248/68)

_Subject:_ Runway extension at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Will the Commission comment on the justification of
awarding ERDF funding to the extension to St Mary's
Airport when it is acknowledged by the airport authority's
own policy document that 'the full potential commercial
use of the airfield may not be realised because of the
greater need to preserve the unique character of the
island'?

Answer by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(13 June 1991)_

Following an application by the Isles of Scilly Council
under the Cornwall Assisted Areas National Programme
of Community Interest, the Commission approved the
provision of £ 680 000 ERDF grant-aid toward the
£ 1 360 000 cost of hard surfacing an existing
grass-surfaced runway at St Mary's Airport on the Isles of
Scilly. No application for ERDF assistance in respect of
any extension work at the airport was received by the
Commission.

In 1990 the Civil Aviation Authority in Britain, which had
previously expressed safety concerns over the use of
St Mary's three grass-surfaced runways, closed two of
them. The remaining 440 meters runway was fit for only
the smallest of fixed-wing aircraft. The result was that the
airport, a major economic link with the mainland, was
unable to operate.

The application-approved ERDF assistance relates to the
hard surfacing of a grass-surfaced runway which is
570 metres long by 23 metres wide with a turning circle at
one end, 30 metres in diameter, which will allow the
airport to operate efficiently once more.

^ ^ t official Journal of the Luropean Communities ^ o C ^ B o ^

The Commission has recognized the islands need to
continue with its fi^oed-wingairlink to the mainland and
the importance of maintaining and developing the islands
infrastructure ofwhich the airport isamaior element.

by ^ir James ^cottDHopkins^TBn

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ I B C ^ ^ B D ^

^ ^ c r, facilities in public buildings

^ h a t new proposals does it intendto bring forward to
increase thefacilitiesrequiredtobepro^ided inpublic
buildings by those who run themi

Answergiver^byMrsPapandreou
on behalf of the Commission

CO^er the last few years the Commission has been
analyzing the technicals material and legislative aspects of
theaccessibility of publicbuildings andpublicser^ices^
including cultural or leisure facilities^ for disabled persons
in the Member states.

It has taken a variety of measures to support specific
operations designed to promote the self reliance of
disabled persons^

^ exchanges of information and experience at seminars
and annual conferences^

^ scientific and technical studies^

^ the assessment of experiments with a ^iew to
de^elopingaCommunity approach based on the best
innovations in the Member ^tates^

^ close coordination with other international activities'

^ support for a group of intergovernmental experts
whichdrafteda^European manual for anaccessible
environments

^ award of annual prizes for innovations presented by
the Member states.

^ ^ I T T E ^ ^ E ^ T I C ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^ B ^ i

byMrsChristineCOddy^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ I B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c ^ B T i b e t

^ h a t action is the European Commission taking to
reduce the human rights violations in Tibet^

^ill the European Commission consider taking action in
the form of trade sanctions against China to help alleviate
human rights abuses in Tibeti

Answer by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission shares the concerns of the Honourable

Member regarding human rights violations in Tibet.Thus
Commission representatives ha^e in the past often raised
thisissueintheir contacts withtheChineseauthorities

with the aim ofbringing these violations to an end.

In the present circumstances action in the form of trade
sanctions against China is not considered^ however.

^ ^ I P ^ E ^ ^ E ^ T t ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ B ^

byMrCarlos^obles^uer^P^E^

to the Commission ofthe European Communities

^ I B C ^ ^ B ^

^ ^ c ^, Japanese plan for vessels for concerting seawater
intodrinkingwater

IstheCommission aware of thejapaneseplantobuild
large vessels for concerting seawater into drinking waters
able to desalinateadailytOO 000 tonnes of waters L^oes it
consider that a similar technique could be used in the
coastal regional of the Community where drinking water
is scarcer

Answer gi^enby Mr ^ipadiMeana
on behalf ofthe Commission

The Commission is not aware of the particular plans to
which the Honourable Member refers but it would draw

No C 248/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

his attention to SAST project No 6. This aims to identify
new directions and policies for Community research,
including works on desalination.

The Strategic Analysis in Science and Technology (SAST)
projects form part of the Monitor programme established
by Council Decision 89/414/EEC of 27 June 1989 O

However, it notes that desalination of sea water is only
one of the possible ways in which the supply of drinking
water can be augmented in coastal zones.

It is likely that in most cases water reuse and
water demand management will be financially and
environmentally preferable methods of ensuring water
supply.

O OJNoL200,13.7.1989, p. 38.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 836/91

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Mum (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _May 1991)_

(91/C 248/72)

_Subject:_ Regional disparities

In view of the continued existence of large disparities
between the regions of the Community highlighted by the
Fourth Report on the regions of the EEC, what does the
Commission think would be the most effective way of
correcting this imbalance? Should it, perhaps, raise the
concentration of Community aid on the least favoured
regions to more than 60 % of the total?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 June 1991)_

The conclusions of the periodic report will be taken
into account in the preparations of the future of the
Community's actions to correct regional disparities.

It should also be added that the concentration of the

Community's structural actions on the least favoured
regions has risen from 55 % in 1987 to 64% for the period
1989-93.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 878/91

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/73)

_Subject:_ Anomalies in educational policy affecting rural

areas

No difference must be allowed to exist between

educational policies for rural and urban areas.

The presence of young people is an important element in
maintaining the social, economic and ecological fabric of
rural areas. This is why action must be taken with regard
to educational policies for these areas.

1. Can assurances be given that the EEC development
projects aimed at young people living in rural areas are
not part of its programmes for socially disadvantaged
groups?

2. Is there a policy of promoting the development of
less-favoured rural areas by transfer of scientific and
technological knowledge (joint training)?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(4 July 1991)_

1. The Commission shares the Honourable Member's

view that rural areas need the presence of young people
and that action must accordingly be taken in education
and vocational training policy in particular.

There are no distinctions made in the measures taken by
the Community to achieve its overall aim of developing
such policies for young people, whether in rural or urban
areas. Young people in rural areas, just like those in all
other areas, can take part in Community education and
vocational training programmes such as Petra, Force,
Eurotecnet, Erasmus and Comett, which are not designed
solely for disadvantaged social groups, and qualify for
assistance from the European Social Fund.

2. Young people in rural areas benefit from
Community solidarity in that all these programmes
promote transnational partnerships between developed
and less developed regions, where, in most cases, rural
young people live. This cooperation, which involves a
transfer of knowhow and resources, helps to provide an
answer to the specific problems of education and training
identified in the Commission communication to the

Council on the future of the rural society (*).

2 3 . ^ 1 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC248B^

The transfer of scientific and technical knowledge is one
of the priority aims of the research and development
programmes and receives particular attention in the
education and training programmes, especially
Eurotecnet and Comett.The first is designed to develop
training in new information technologies and the second
to stimulate cooperation between the universities and
industry as regards training in new technologies^These
programmes thus ensure particular solidarity in the
scientificand technological field.

C ^ e ^ ^ t f m a l

by^rAd^ien^eller(PPE)

to the Commission ofthe European Communities

^ P B C 2 ^ B ^

^ ^ c r . Customs levies on certain processed products
hased on fruit and vegetables imported from
third countries

Regulation (EEC) No426B86^) on the common
organizationof the market inproducts processed from
fruit and vegetables provides for an import levy to be
charged on5addedsugarsmnthe case of certain products
imported from third countries, in order to avoid
distortions of competition

The application of the present regulations has the effect
of classifying many raw materials imported by the
member ^tates^ processing industries without any real
addition to sugar under 5^dded sugars tariff subheadings,
thus making these products subiect to a levy which is
incompatible with the spirit of the regulation

This would appear to be due to inadequacies in the
method of analysis used for these products, it being
impossible in some cases to determine by the use of
refractive indiceswhetherornotsugarhas been added.

L^oes the Commission envisage proposing in the Council
that the rules be amended so that the refractive inde^ is
not longer applied indiscriminately to categories as
diverse as products packaged inaliquid medium, natural
products and,afortiori, concentrated products^

C)ooi^oL^,^^m^D,Dm.

A^swer^ivenby^r^ac^harry
on behalf of the Commission

ArticletO (2) of Regulation (EEC) No426B86, as last
amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2201B^0(^),makesa

simple assumption as regards the added sugar content of
processed products imported from nonDmember countries
and listed in Anne^ 11 to that Regulation, the import levy
on those products being f i ^ e d a t 2 ^ ^ ^ ^ r ^ ^ in respect
of the various added sugars.

Thissimpleassumptionisbasedonastandardmethod
adopted for the practical implementation of the
Regulation concerned in order to overcome the major
practical difficulties arising in the application of the
refractometric and other specific methods.

This matterwas referred to the Court ofjustice, which in
its judgments of IB Junel^l(Cas3BBq) and 26 April
l^B2(Case^2BB2), while recognizing thelegitimacyof
applyingahe standard method, explicitly declared that
when the sugar content ofaproduct exceeds the standard
limits laid down in the customs and agricultural
regulations, ^it is for the importer to prove that the
product contains only natural sugars (ground of
judgment^oflBlunel^l).

The problems arising from an amendment of the rules in
force will be examined by the Commission staff but the
current position is thatachangeinthe analysis criteria
based on the refractive inde^ is not contemplated.

oeoi^oL^on^nBm^o

^RlTE^EN^E^Tl^NNo^BB^i

by^r^ichael^elsh(EL^)

to the Commission of the European Communities

(^1BC2^B^)

^ ^ c r . ^TRlToEprogramme

^ill the Commission tabulate for each member ^tate the
number of contracts to date in implementing the ^TRlToE
Programmed

Answer ^iven by ^ r Lilian
on behalf ofthe Commission

The Commission is still in the process of analysing and
negotiating with the member States the final content of
^TRlLoECOperational Programmes and no contract has
been signed to date.

No C 248/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 974/91

by Mr Wilfried Telkamper (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/76)

_Subject:_ Funds for Israel and the Occupied Territories

The Commission recently published in the Official
Journal a proposal to earmark EC budget appropriations
of ECU 150 million for a loan to Israel and ECU 100

million by way of aid to the Occupied Territories.

In the meantime, the Commission appears to have
abandoned this idea in favour of a new package involving
only ECU 17,5 million for Israel by way of interest
subsidies (for a loan at market rates) and ECU 60 million
for the Occupied Territories.

1. What is the reason for this drastic cut in the aid

package originally envisaged?

2. Why was the EP not consulted on the original
proposal?

3. Given that the loan for Israel was intended to bolster

government finances or the balance of payments,
how does the Community intend to ensure the funds
are not directly or indirectly- misappropriated, for
example for the funding of Israeli settlements on the
West bank or for arms purchases?

4. Will the Commission formally insist on acceptance by
Israel of the presence of an official Commission
representative in the Occupied Territories to ensure
that EC funds reach their intended beneficiaries

unimpeded and without any danger of 'misallocation'?

5. What will the Commission do if Israel refuses?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1991)_

1. The Commission amended its original proposal in
order to limit the impact on the Community budget. The
amended proposal, like the original, strikes a balance
between the two components of the operation.

2. The Council has to transmit the Commission's

proposals formally to Parliament. However, the
Commission notified Parliament informally of both the
original and the amended proposals.

3. The Commission will take care to see that the loan

and related interest rate subsidies are used in accordance

with the aims of the operation, which is clearly intended
to reduce the social and economic impact on Israel's
territory of the Gulf War; this naturally rules out use of
the funds for the purposes mentioned by the Honourable
Member.

4. The Commission has repeatedly made clear to Israel
the importance it attaches to the appointment of a
representative in the Occupied Territories to ensure
the proper implementation of Community-financed
operations. The Commission will of course persist in its
efforts until it obtains a satisfactory response.

5. As in the past, this matter would have to be dealt
with by the European Political Cooperation process.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 978/91

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/77)

_Subject:_ Ban on dumping of cheap coal in Europe

Given that a large part of Europe's lowest-cost coal
production could be forced to close permanently unless
the Community stamps out the dumping of cheap
imports, has the Commission decided to investigate the
dumping of coal by the US, China and Colombia, and if
so, what progress has been made?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 July 1991)_

The Commission can well understand the concern of the

Honourable Member about this issue but, unfortunately,
it is not possible for the Commission to comment on the
receipt of any complaint or of any discussions on it prior
to a decision being taken to open an investigation. This
is in accordance with a GATT recommendation on

transparency of anti-dumping procedures.

With regard to the opening of investigations, the
Commission is always prepared to act after consultation
with Member States, where a complaint contains
sufficient evidence that the imports are dumped and that
injury is being caused which is material and can be
satisfactorily related to the dumped imports. In the
absence of positive evidence on all three points; it would,
of course, be contrary to both our international
obligations under GATT and Community law to proceed
to an investigation.

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/41

WRITTEN QUESTION No 990/91

by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/78)

_Subject:_ Women and development

Is the Commission actively participating in the follow up
to the meetings of UN organizations on measures to
improve the situation of women in the developing
countries of Latin America, Asia and the Mediterranean?
Does the Commission have any action programme which
would ensure that it continued to be represented at
the UN, thereby enabling international strategies for
improving the situation of women in these geographical
areas to be coordinated ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1991)_

The European Community, represented by the
Commission Delegation, which has observer status at the
United Nations, takes part in all the Member States'
coordination meetings. In this capacity, it participates in
UN meetings, including those of the General Assembly's
Third Committee, which deals with social affairs,
including improvements in the situation of women. The
Delegation also participates in ECOSOC meetings,
particularly those of the Commission on the Status of
Women.

At the 35th meeting of the Commission on the Status of
Women, which took place in Vienna from 27 February to
8 March, the Commission made a statement on behalf of
the Community concerning the integration of women
in the development process in the Community's
development policy for Latin America, Asia and the
Mediterranean countries, in accordance with UN
international strategies in this area.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 995/91

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/79)

_Subject:_ Guatemala

On 9 February 1991, 21 tourists were robbed and three
women were raped at Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala.

What steps will the Commission take

— to insist to the Guatemala authorities that the people
who carried out this crime should be caught?

— to ensure warning signs and leaflets are placed at
Tourist offices to ensure the safety of tourists from
the European Community?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 July 1991)_

It is clear that incidents such as these mentioned by the
Honourable Member can only damage the development
of tourism in Guatemala given the climate of violence in
that country.

Some Community countries have adopted a policy
whereby they warn their nationals who wish to visit
Guatemala as tourists.

The Commission is drawing the attention of the
Guatemalan authorities to the feeling aroused in Europe
by the incidents quoted by the Honourable Member and
the damaging effects on Guatemala's image within the
Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1002/91

by Mr Alexandros Alavanos (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/80)

_Subject:_ Project to improve water supplies in Athens

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture
No 181385 (21 November 1990), the project for the
immediate improvement of water supplies to Athens by
drilling large wells in Viotia to draw water from the
central watercourse of the Kifissos river, for which
Community funding has recently been granted, will affect
underground water resources in the area, creating serious
economic and social problems for farmers. Accordingly,
any moves in this direction must be preceded by a
hydrogeological study to ensure that the farmers have
enough water for irrigation purposes.

In view of this report and the justified concern being
voiced by local residents can the Commission provide the
following information:

1. On what hydrogeological study is the project as a
whole based?

2. How much water can be drawn from this area and

over what period of time ?

Have these considerations been used as criteria for

approving Community funding given that they are

No C 248/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 23.9.91

vital factors in maintaining environmental balance and
any excessive demand on water reserves will probably
cause an irreparable fall in water levels in this area?

3. Will funding be provided for the Orchomenos canal,
to supply water to the Kopais plant and the Lliki Lake
at less expense and with no wastage?

4. Does this project include studies and construction
work in connection with the Melanas, Central and
Upper Melanas canals?

5. What deliberations have taken place to date between
the Commission, the Member States and local
authorities to achieve the necessary agreement?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 July 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the recurrent water supply
problems of the Athens region, and encourages the Greek
authorities to find an appropriate solution to surmount
this. The Commission has not been informed of the
details of the project mentioned by the Honourable
Member.

In the event of an official request being made by the
Greek authorities for structural Fund assistance in respect
of such an investment, the Commission would examine all
aspects relevant to Community legislation, including
those relating to the environment.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1062/91

by Mr Alex Smith and Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 May 1991)_

(91/C248/81)

_Subject:_ Regional policy and 1992

What are the criteria which the Commission use to define
a 'Region' as documented in the Commission publication
'The regions in the 1990s' ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 June 1991)_

The statistical information contained in the Fourth
Periodical Report on the social and economic situation

and development of the regions of the Community,
like that in the three previous reports, concerns the
regions listed in the 'Nomenclature of Territorial Units
for Statistics (NUTS)', established by Eurostat in
cooperation with the other departments of the
Commission to provide a single, uniform territorial
subdivision for the production of Community regional
statistics.

For practical reasons relating to data availability and
the implementation of regional policies, the NUTS
nomenclature is essentially based on institutional
subdivisions in force in the Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1070/91

by Mr Jose Vasquez Fouz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/82)

_Subject:_ Incentives offered by certain States to attract
investments by migrants

It is well known that certain States grant facilities to
attract investors wishing to set up undertakings within
their territories, for example the granting of a residence
permit — as was recently reported by the EFE news
agency — by the United States Federal Government.
Under this scheme, investment of $500 000 in new
undertakings employing at least 10 US citizens entitles the
investor to a residence permit in the United States.
According to Government estimates, $4 billion per year
by way of investments can be legitimately obtained in this

way.

Can the Commission confirm this and does it have
information concerning similar measures in other
countries, particularly EC Member States, and what
procedures exist to check the origin of such capital in
order to ensure that the scheme is not used for laundering
illicit funds.

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1991)_

The Commission is aware of the information referred to
by the Honourable Member concerning the new US
immigration Act of 1991 which will enter into force on
1 October of this year.

The Commission does not believe that incentives to
attract increased investment of the kind described by
the Honourable Member are in themselves likely to
encourage or facilitate money laundering. In the

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/43

Commission's view the most effective way to combat
money laundering is to ensure that financial institutions in
the Community and of third countries have adequate
standards in order to identify and prevent money
laundering and that necessary instruments for
international cooperation are established in this respect.

This has been the approach followed by the Commission
in its proposal for a Directive on Money Laundering
which was adopted by the Council on 10 June. This
Directive will align the Community's standards in this
area with the strictest in the world. In the same way the
Commission has actively participated and will continue to
participate in the future in the work of the Financial Task
Force on Money Laundering, created by the Group of the
Seven most developed countries, which cover at present
all OECD countries and some other main international

off-shore centres. The main target of this work is to'
ensure the implementation of the Task Force
recommendations by the members and to extend them to
other geographical areas.

This action against money laundering as well as other
convergent instruments set up by other international fora,
like the UN Vienna Convention Against Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and
the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering,
Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from
Crime of 1990, will contribute significantly to preventing
and combating the phenomenon described by the
Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1083/91

by Mr Ben Visser (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 May 1991)_

(91/C 248/83)

_Subject:_ Frequent industrial action by customs staff at the
Italian border

At the end of March 1991 industrial action by Italian
customs officers made it impossible for lorries to cross the
Italian border. It is not the first time that this has

occurred. In 1990 alone the Italian border was affected by
industrial action on 15 occasions causing serious delays or
making it completely impossible to cross the border into
Italy for a total of 80 days, causing considerable damage
to the transport sector and commerce, according to
information supplied by the Dutch Organization for
International Transport (NIWO).

These actions by Italian customs officials are causing
increasingly angry protests and lorry drivers have
threatened the Italian Government with countermeasures

if the problems on the border continue.

1. Does the Commission find it acceptable that, for 80
days in one year, it was extremely difficult or
impossible for lorries to cross the Italian border?

2. What measures is the Commission considering, apart
from protesting to the Italian authorities on each
occasion, to put an end to this problem once and for
all?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 July 1991)_

As it has already had occasion to point out, the
Commission is aware of these frontier problems to which
the Honourable Member refers.

With the departments concerned, it makes
representations from time to time to the competent
national authorities in order to get traffic moving again.

In the specific case referred to here, the Italian
Government issued Decree No 101 of 28 March 1991

providing for the temporary replacement of customs
officials by the Guardia di Finanza.

In the Commission's view, however, the broader problem
should be resolved in legislative terms in the context of
completion of the internal market.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1148/91

by Mrs Astrid Lulling (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(5 June 1991)_

(91/C 248/84)

_Subject:_ The sale of duty-free products after the
completion of the single market

From a reply given by the Commission to Written
Question No 2289/90 O it emerges that the
Commission's present proposals on tax harmonization
would affect the sale of duty-free products in airports and
on planes and ships, in that duty-free shops would no
longer be authorized to sell duty-free products to people
travelling within the Community.

Does the completion of the single market depend on
the disappearance of such duty-free sales within the
Community?

No C 248/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 23. 9. 91

If so, should not the sale of duty-free products to
members of the Commission, senior officials and
embassies of Member States in other Community
Member States be abolished?

0) OJNoC98,15.4.1991, p. 35.

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(16 July 1991)_

For the reasons outlined in the answer to Written

Question No 2289/90, the completion of the internal
market, and in particular the abolition of tax frontiers,
will bring and end to duty-free sales to travellers moving
within the Community.

Sales of duty-free products to Members of the
Commission, senior officials and Embassies of Member
States in other Community Member States reflect
exemptions granted under commitments given by the
Member States themselves, incorporated in Community
law by Articles 14 and 15 of the sixth VAT Directive
(Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977) (»). Thus the
Member States are members of the Vienna Conventions

of 18 April 1961 and 24 April 1963 on diplomatic and
consular relations respectively, and have concluded
agreements with and approved the protocols of
international organizations, including the Community
itself, providing in specific cases for exemption from
import charges and frequently also from domestic taxes
on goods or services within the country concerned.

The continued existence of such duty-free sales cannot be
considered an impediment to the operation of the internal
market, since, unlike sales in airport or other duty-free
shops, they are not linked to the existence of internal
frontiers.

(') OJNoL145,13.6.1977.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1151/91

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_p June 1991)_

(91/C 248/85)

_Subject:_ A reference to comments attributed to the EEC

In an article entitled 'Misery in the suburbs' and under the
heading 'Hello Europe', the Belgian newspaper _La Meuse_
of 27—28 April 1991 wrote:

'Every big city has its high-risk suburbs. Experts on
EEC committees have noted an abnormal, widespread
influx of North Africans and gypsies from Eastern
Europe'.

Has information of this kind really been provided by
members of Community services or external staff?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _July 1991)_

No information of the kind mentioned by the
Honourable Member has been provided by staff of
Commission departments.

Nor is any such information contained in the experts'
report drawn up at the Commission's request: 'Policies on
immigration and the social integration of migrants in the
European Community' (').

(') SEC(90)1813final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1243/91

by Mr Luigi Vertemati (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 June 1991)_

(91/C 248/86)

_Subject:_ European water pipeline project in the Middle

East

Even after the end of the Gulf war continued conflicts

between peoples and states in the Middle East are making
this area one of the most problematic on the international

scene.

The Gulf War was prevented from spreading by the
strong unified position adopted by the international
community, which was effectively underpinned by the
responsible attitude adopted by many governments in the
Middle East such as those of Egypt, Israel and Syria.

However, despite efforts to achieve coordination, the
European Community does not have a well-defined
common foreign policy.

It is in the interest of Europe to maintain peace and
promote cooperation between all the countries of the
Middle East and to encourage cooperation between these
countries and the European Community.

Such cooperation cannot be achieved by statements of
principle alone and requires concrete initiatives to
promote the development of the countries and peoples of
the entire area.

Together with initiatives designed to achieve peace
between the peoples and countries of this area in
accordance with United Nations resolutions, does the
Commission not consider it possible to make a number of
specific moves towards achieving cooperation such as:

23. 9. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 248/45

1. an assessment of the quantity of water available in the
vast area covered by the Middle East,

2. the design of a pipeline to draw and distribute water,

3. the preparation of a budget including Community
support for this project,

4. the formulation of a plan for the administration and
management of the pipeline involving all the Member
States concerned?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 July 1991)_

Greater political stability in the Mediterranean and the
Middle East goes hand in hand with greater economic
equilibrium and solidarity.

The Commission has discussed the contribution which

the Community might make in promoting greater
economic stability between countries in this region, in
particular through the provision of more integrated
infrastructure. The Community could not only make use
of its existing instruments (chiefly the horizontal facets of
the new Mediterranean Policy) but also, if necessary, take
new initiatives.

The New Mediterranean Policy, which makes explicit
reference to regional integration, is intended to help
launch regional infrastructure projects fostering closer
links.

Water is without doubt one of the main components of
regional cooperation in the Mediterranean and Middle

East region. The Commission has identified four priority
areas of cooperation.

1. Making more resources available, in particular by:

(a) improving the distribution infrastructure,
including the building of pipelines as suggested
by the Honourable Member;

(b) undertaking local water schemes;

(c) restoring the vegetation cover;

(d) expanding desalination facilities.

2. Reducing consumption through improved
management techniques and advances in farming
technology (varieties, types of products, etc).

3. Improving and safeguarding water quality by
matching better the quality of water and the use made
of it, waste water treatment, controlling the use of
fertilizers and pesticides, etc.

4. Establishing, where necessary, a political and legal
framework for cooperation by:

(a) signing bilateral and multilateral water supply

agreements;

(b) signing agreements on network and basin
management;

(c) setting up a central authority.

In the Commission's view there is a vast and fruitful area

for regional cooperation and the Community has a unique
contribution ot make here and in the wider context of

economic cooperation.