Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

/^ /^     -     - *1 " w     - i ISSN 0J78-6y8 <
# Official Journal C258

#### of the European Communities 22 September 1993

###### English edition Information and Notices

Notice No Contents
Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

93 / C 258 / 01 No 1688 / 90 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Preserving the dignity of female officials of the Community institutions 1

93 / C 258 / 02 No 815 / 91 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject : Implementation and enforcement of legislation 1

93 / C 258 / 03 No 2031 / 91 by Mr Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Consequences of the risk posed by the presence of asbestos in the Berlaymont building, and
action taken 2

93 / C 258 / 04 No 2043 / 91 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Skins of endangered species on sale in Rhodes 2

93 / C 258 / 05 No 2734 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Informing the public about the European Community 3

93 / C 258 / 06 No 2812 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of the formerly green landscape of Thassos ( Greece ) 3

93 / C 258 / 07 No 324 / 92 by Mrs Sylvie Mayer to the Commission
Subject : Scientific cooperation with Vietnam 4

93 / C 258 / 08 No 817 / 92 by Mr Agostino Mantovani and Mr Nino Pisoni to the Commission
Subject : Diversion to Eastern Europe of food aid intended for developing countries 4

93 / C 258 / 09 No 949 / 92 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission
Subject : Free trade agreement with Morocco 5

Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 258 / 10 No 1399 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Lead in Lavrion 5

93 / C 258 / 11 No 1408 / 92 by Mr Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : A Belgian teacher 's possibilities of working in France 6

93 / C 258 / 12 No 1533 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Greek food aid for Albania 6

93 / C 258 / 13 No 1710 / 92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Interpretation of Article 4 of the directive on the conservation of wild birds 7

93 / C 258 / 14 No 131 / 93 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Failure to answer Written Questions 7

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1710 / 92 and 131 / 93 7

93 / C 258 / 15 No 1921 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of biotopes of rare birds of prey 8

93 / C 258 / 16 No 2069 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Refuge for birds of prey in the forest of Dadia ( Evros ) 8

Joint supplementary answer to Written Questions Nos 1921 / 92 and 2069 / 92 9

93 / C 258 / 17 No 2018 / 92 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : ' Made in Europe ' 9

93 / C 258 / 18 No 2075 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Environmental problems in the Bay of Gera on Lesbos 9

93 / C 258 / 19 No 2130 / 92 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring peace process in El Salvador 10

93 / C 258 / 20 No 2287 / 92 by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas to the Commission
Subject : Escalation of government violence and repression and murder of political prisoners in
Turkey 10

93 / C 258 / 21 No 2374 / 92 by Mr Herny McCubbin to the Commission
Subject : Set-aside of land formerly used for vining peas 11

93 / C 258 / 22 No 2380 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : The E7 road and the protection of the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) 11

93 / C 258 / 23 No 3349 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Joint funding of the RN 134 road project ( Vallée d'Aspe — Pyrénées Atlantique,
France ) 12

93 / C 258 / 24 No 150 / 93 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Answers to unanswered questions 12

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2380 / 92, 3349 / 92 and 150 / 93 12

93 / C 258 / 25 No 2504 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Coastal shipping links between the island of Leipsi in the Dodecanese and Piraeus . . 12

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 258 / 26 No 2570 / 92 by Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Complaints forms inside public transport vehicles 13

93 / C 258 / 27 No 2594 / 92 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : Plan to improve competitiveness of the Spanish integrated iron and steel industry ... 13

93 / C 258 / 28 No 2619 / 92 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Italian drift nets in Greek waters

14

k

93 / C 258 / 29

No 2700 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Accident at the Kozloduy nuclear reactor - « 15

93 / C 258 / 30 \ fo 2722 / 92 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission

Subject : Serious repercussions on the economy and employment in the dried fruit sector following
recent measures by the Turkish Government 16

93 / C 258 / 31 No 2734 / 92 by Mr Alexander Langer and Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Commission plans to extend the A27 motorway in Italy 16

93 / C 258 / 32 No 2736 / 92 by Alexandros Alavanos, Georgios Romeos, Christos Papoutsis, Mihail
Papayannakis, Paraskevas Avgerinos, Panayotis Lambdas, Georgios Saridakis,
Konstantinos Stavrou, Dimitrios Pagoropoulos, Konstantinos Tsimas, Georgios
Anastassopoulos, Dionysios Livanos, Dimitrios Nianias, Sotiris Kostopoulos, Georgios
Zavvos, Menelaos Hadjigeorgiou, Ioannis Pesmazoglou, Vassilis Ephremidis, Filippos
Pierros, Pavlos Sarlis, Efstathios Lagakos, Panayotis Roumeliotis, Ioannis Stamoulis and
Dimitrios Dessylas to the Commission
Subject : Programme of special measures for the Aegean Islands .... 17

93 / C 258 / 33

No 2748 / 92 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Complaint by the standing committee of the CITES on failure to implement the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 18

93 / C 258 / 34 No 2750 / 92 by Mr Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Temporary staff employed by the Ministry of Culture and deterioration of the artistic and
cultural heritage 18

93 / C 258 / 35 No 2823 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Tunnel under the Timfristos Ridge 19

93 / C 258 / 36 No 2845 / 92 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Recycling of scrap metals 20

93 / C 258 / 37

93 / C 258 / 38

93 / C 258 / 39

93 / C 258 / 40

No 2848 / 92 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Economically poor states 20

No 2863 / 92 by Mr Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission
Subject : Safety on European ferries 21

No 2871 / 92 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Green Paper oil the Urban Environment — . . . . 21

No 2876 / 92 by Mr Michael McGowan to the Commission
Subject : The European Community and indigenous peoples 22

93 / C 258 / 41 No 2877 / 92 by Mr Freddy Blak to the Commission
Subject : Sponsoring agreements with the Danish Tennis Federation 23

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 258 / 42 No Subject 2941 : Marketing / 92 by Mr of Sotiris last year Kostopoulos 's stocks of i Greek to the wine Commission 23

93 / C 258 / 43

93 / C 258 / 44

93 / C 258 / 45

93 / C 258 / 46

93 / C 258 / 47

93 / C 258 / 48

93 / C 258 / 49

93 / C 258 / 50

93 / C 258 / 51

93 / C 258 / 52

93 / C 258 / 53

93 / C 258 / 54

93 / C 258 / 55

93 / C 258 / 56

93 / C 258 / 57

93 / C 258 / 58

No 2944 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Marketing of Community groundnut production 24

No 3078 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Progress under the Community Support Framework for Greece — Athens
underground 24

No 3089 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Forecasts for passenger and goods traffic by land from Africa through the Iberian
Peninsula 25

No 3095 / 92 by Mr Ian White to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact assessment and the granting of permission for development ... 25

No 3114 / 92 by Mr Klaus Hansch to the Commission
Subject : Community programme of action on improving the mobility of disabled people .... 26

No 3139 / 92 by Mr Friedrich Merz to the Commission

Subject : Assistance to the cotton industry in southern Italy 26

No 3144 / 92 by Mr Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Residence « and employment in the Member States 27

No 3148 / 92 by Mr Francois Guillaume to the Commission
Subject : Reimbursement of enrolment fee (' minerval ') to foreign students who have studied in
Belgium . . 27

No 86 / 93 by Mr Georgios Zavvos to the Commission
Subject : University tuition fees received by the Belgian State in violation of Community law . . 27

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3148 / 92 and 86 / 93 28

No 3174 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Conversion of the area of ' Pirgos Vasilissis ' in west Athens into an environment
development park 28

No 3185 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Imports of Community produce into the USA 28

No 3199 / 92 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Norway 's application to join EC / fishing issues 29

No 3218 / 92 by Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez to the Commission
Subject : The possibility of acquiring a home of one 's own through property leasing 29

No 3227 / 92 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Application i t of EEC Regulations 30

No 3253 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Subsidies to the Women 's Forum 30

No 3297 / 92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Hijacking of lorries in Italy 31

                                                                                                                                                                 - »

i

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

\

93 / C 258 / 59 No 3305 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject ; Aid to olive oil producers 32

V

93 / C 258 / 60 No 3338 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Water on Hydra ' 32

93 / C 258 / 61 No 3344 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Support for Mediterranean produce 33

i

93 / C 258 / 62 No 3353 / 92 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Nuclear cooperation agreement between the United Kingdom and the Russian
Federation . ... 33

93 / C 258 / 63 No 3374 / 92 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Imports of Brazilian mahogany 34

93 / C 258 / 64 No 3384 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Swordfish fishing 35

«

93 / C 258 / 65 No 3385 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Failure by Greece to implement Community environment directives 35

93 / C 258 / 66 No 3489 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Violation of directives by Greek Presidential Decree No 74 D / 91 35

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 33%5!92 and 3489 / 92 36

93 / C 258 / 67 No 3388 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Recognition : of the role of cooperatives 36

93 / C 258 / 68 No 3393 / 92 by Mr Gary Titley to the Commission
Subject : Solvent abuse 37

93 / C 258 / 69 No 3395 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Eco-label for tuna 37

93 / C 258 / 70 No 3436 / 92 by Mr Peter Crampton to the Commission
Subject : Salmonella testing 38

V i
93 / C 258 / 71 No 3452 / 92 by Mr Karmelo Landa Mendibe to the Commission
Subject : The Itoiz reservoir ( Navarre — Spanish state ) and the EEC directive on the conservation of
wild birds 38

. i

93 / C 258 / 72 No 3453 / 92 by Mr Karmelo Landa Mendibe to the Commission
Subject : The Itoiz reservoir ( Navarre — Spanish state ) and the EEC Directive on environmental
impact assessments 39

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 3452 / 92 and 3453 / 92 39

'

93 / C 258 / 73 N No 3474 / 92 by Mr Virginio Bettini, Mr Mario Melis and Mr Felice Contu to the
Commission

Subject : Construction of a road by-passing the area of Milis 39

93 / C 258 / 74 No 3475 / 92 by Mr Jacques Tauran to the Commission

Subject : The horse race at Pardubice in Bohemia 40

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

93 / C 258 / 75

93 / C 258 / 76

          

93 / C 25 8 / 77

93 / C 258 / 78

93 / C 25 8 / 79

93 / C 258 / 80

93 / C 258 / 81

93 / C 258 / 82

93 / C 258 / 83

93 / C 25 8 / 84

93 / C 258 / 85

93 / C 258 / 86

93 / C 258 / 87

93 / C 258 / 88

93 / C 258 / 89

93 / C 258 / 90

93 / C 258 / 91

93 / C 258 / 92

Contents ( continued ) Page

No 3495 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Greek exports f . . 40

No 3499 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Tree-felling in the Kaniskas forest of Megalos Bodias in the area of Aegion in Achaia 41

No 3504 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Maintenance of the excellent standards of the Community fishing industry 41

No 3508 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Aquaculture and the environment 42

No 3518 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Modernization of the agricultural insurance organization in Greece 42

\ .

No 2 / 93 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : Completion of legislation on residues of plant protection chemicals in foods, with a view to
the free movement of goods « » 42

No 25 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Payment of Greek peach and nectarine producers 43

No 48 / 93 by Mr Patrick Lalor to the Commission
Subject : European Community embassies in third countries 44

No 72 / 93 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Report by Mr Böge, MEP, on beekeeping in the European Community 44

No 118 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The problem of radioactive waste in the Czech and Slovak Republics 45

' i

No 134 / 93 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : The extra-territorial operation of US legislation . . . 46

No 136 / 93 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : A treatment plant for toxic and dangerous waste in the municipality of Somozas ( Galicia,
Spain ) s ' i 46

No 185 / 93 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission v
Subject : Introduction of a land register in Greece - 47

No 198 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Greek Government repression of radio station 48

No 209 / 93 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers to the Commission
Subject : Construction of new RBMK nuclear power stations in Russia . . f 48

i

No 212 / 93 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Future of knackers ' yards in the EC 49

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
No 239 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Suspension of customs duties on products in the microelectronics and related sectors 49

No 255 / 93 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission i

Subject : Environmental Impact Assessments Directive . . . . -, . . 50

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 258 / 93

93 / C 258 / 94

No 259 / 93 by Mrs Marie Anne Isler s Beguin to the Commission
Subject : Cost of producing the ' Leader ' magazine 51

No 271 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission Subject : The effects of aircraft emissions on the environment and humans 51

»

93 / C 258 / 95 No 272 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission \

Subject : Athens University hospital 52

93 / C 258 / 96

93 / C 258 / 97

93 / C 258 / 98

No 274 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Children 's diseases in developing countries 52

No 305 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Hygiene in stockfarming and measures to prevent possible contamination in
slaughterhouses of meat coming into contact with hide soiled by dung 52

No 308 / 93 by Mr Willem van Velzen to the Commission
Subject : Interpretation of the directive on specific training in general medical practice 53

f
93 / C 258 / 99 No 325 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Use of ozone-depleting substances in the Channel Tunnel 53

93 / C 258 / 100 No 326 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission

Subject : Environmental talks between Japan and the EC 54

93 / C 258 / 101 No 345 / 93 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Data protection directive 55

93 / C 258 / 102 No 359 / 93 by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject : Waste disposal site in Santa María de Palautordera ( Vallés Oriental, Barcelona —

Spain ) 55

93 / C 258 / 103

93 / C 258 / 104

93 / C 258 / 105

No 363 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Sri Lanka 56

No 371 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Multifibre Arrangement 56

No 375 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject : EC / Japan automobile agreement 57

93 / C 258 / 106 No 379 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : GATT negotiations and the audiovisual market 57

93 / C 258 / 107

No 385 / 93 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Live animals — sea crossings 58

93 / C 258 / 108 No 398 / 93 by Mr Agostino Mantovani, Mr Franco Borgo, Mr Gerardo Gaibisso,
Mr Nino Pisoni, Mr Giuseppe Mottola, Mr Mauro Chiabrando, Mr Francesco Guidolin
and Mr Lorenzo De Vitto to the Commission

Subject : Market for cattle in parts of Italy bordering Austria and Switzerland 58

93 / C 258 / 109

No 419 / 93 by Mr Rinaldo Bontempi, Mrs Anna Catasta and Mr Roberto Speciale to the
Commission

Subject : Authorization of Italian state aid for the Fiat plant at Melfi 59

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 258 / 110 No 449 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : School milk scheme 60

93 / C 258 / 111 No 484 / 93 by Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Job creation measures in the Maghreb countries 60

93 / C 258 / 112 No 494 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Storage of spent nuclear fuel 60

93 / C 258 / 113 No 498 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Financial aid to Community overseas territories 61

93 / C 258 / 114 No 505 / 93 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission
Subject : Progress in implementing CAP reform 62

93 / C 258 / 1 15 No 526 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Customs agents, 63

93 / C 258 / 116 No 532 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Restoration of the cultural heritage of the former Yugoslavia 63

93 / C 258 / 117 No 542 / 93 by Mr Nino Pisoni, Mr Franco Borgo and Mr Agostino Mantovani to the
Commission

Subject : Imbalances in the allocation of national dairy quotas 63

93 / C 258 / 118 No 595 / 93 by Mr Reinhold Bocklet to the Commission
Subject : Period of reflection before the issue of malt export licences 64

93 / C 258 / 119 No 610 / 93 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Battery hen cages 65

93 / C 258 / 120 No 611 / 93 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Labelling of Battery Hen Eggs 65

93 / C 258 / 121 No 663 / 93 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Aid to Sri Lanka 65

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No « 1688 / 90

by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )

by Lord O'Hagan ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 815 / 91

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

(5 July 1990 ) (3 May 1991 )

(5 July 1990 )

( 93 / C 258 / 01 ) ( 93 / C 258 / 02 )

Subject : Preserving the dignity of female officials of the

Community institutions

The 20 May 1990 edition of the Italian weekly magazine
Europeo contained an article entitled ' Desperately seeking a
man ' which was an insult to the female officials of the

European Communities . In view of this, what steps has the
Commission taken to safeguard the dignity of women
employed by the Communities ?

Does the Commission not consider that it should

immediately condemn this kind of phoney journalism which
makes up for its inability to publish new by inventing
stories ? What steps has the Commission 's Press Office taken
to this end ?

Subject : Implementation and enforcement of legislation

1 . The European Parliament regularly approves
amendments to Commission legislative proposals which
would require the Commission to report regularly to the
European Parliament on the implementation of specific EC
legislation into national laws . The Commission refuses to
accept these amendments .

2 . What is the reason for this ?

to 3 . Does the Commission not agree that a more rigorous

monitoring of implementation and enforcement of EC
Has against the the Commission pseudo - journalist already responsible instituted legal for the proceedings libellous legislation would be welcomed by EC citizens ?
article in the Europeo and against the editor, in order to
defend the dignity of the Community 's female officials and 4 . Does the Commission believe that the European Court
the Community institutions themselves ? of Justice should be given powers to fine Member States

»

If it has not already done so, when does it intend to take
appropriate legal action in accordance with Italian
legislation governing the press ?

4 . Does the Commission believe that the European Court
of Justice should be given powers to fine Member States
which have not implemented EC legislation ?

the press ? 5 . Does the European Commission accept that the

European Parliament could perform a useful role in
publicizing the implementation record of some Member
States ?
Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission 0 )

(2 July 1993 )

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that it does not normally comment on articles appearing in
the press .

( J ) The Commission regrets the delay in supplying the answer to

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1993 )

this question .
Each year the Commission submits to the Parliament a
report on its control of the application of Community law

No C 25 8 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

( see COM(93 ) 320 ). This report includes a detailed
description of the implementation of specific Community
legislation by Member States .

The Commission considers that it would be impracticable

and, under certain circumstances, legally objectionable to
report regularly to the Parliament in a manner other than
that which is described in the paragraph above .

Can the Commission state what type of asbestos fibres are
present in the sheeting used to construct the Berlaymont ?

J

What stage has the plan to limit chrysolite to 0,5 F / cm 3
reached at the Commission, and will it involve the precise
harmonization of legislation in all Member States ?

What are the recommended maximum admissible radiation

limits for workers ?

From a practical point of view, a regular report to the Have the financial and budgetary implications of moving
Parliament on the implementation of each specific from the Berlaymont been assessed ?
Community act by each Member State would unnecessarily
increase the workload of the Commission and would Will the action taken be funded entirely out of the
require human resources which the Commission does not Community budget or will it be jointly funded by the
have .

Will the action taken be funded entirely out of

Community budget or will it be jointly funded by
Community and the Belgian State, which owns
building ?

the

the

the

From a legal point of view, a provision inserted in
Community legislation requiring the Commission to
transmit regular reports on implementation may, under
certain circumstances, be incompatible with the duty by the
Commission not to disclose the elements which underlie the

pre-contentious stage of infringement proceedings for
non-implementation or non compliance . The purpose of the
pre-contentious proceedings under Article 169 EEC Treaty
is to allow a Member State to comply with Community law
without a need for publicity or reference to the Court of
Justice .

In any case the Commission, as guardian of the rule of
Community law monitors the implementation of
Community acts by Member States and initiates
infringement proceedings after having considered all
elements involved, including the concerns of the citizens .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1993 )

The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable
Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat the information in

its possession .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2043 / 91

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 September 1991 )

Finally, Article 171 of the EEC Treaty, as amended by the ( 23 September
draft Treaty on European Union, provides that, if a Member ( 93 / C 258 / 04 )
State fails to take the necessary measures to comply with
judgements of the Court of Justice, the Commission may
request the Court to impose a lump sum or penalty payment Subject : Skins of endangered species
upon the Member State concerned .

Subject : Skins of endangered species on sale in Rhodes

Further to the Commission 's answer to my Written
Question No 484 / 91 (*), given on 22 May 1991, has the
Greek Government yet responded to the Commission 's
enquiries about the sale of spotted cat fur coats in Rhodes ? If
it has not responded, does the Commission intend to take
further action ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2031 / 91 (!) OJ No C 232, 5 . 9 . 1991, p. 22 .

by Mr Jose Happart ( S )
to the Commission of - the European Communities

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
( 23 September 1991 ) on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

( 93 / C 258 / 03 ) ( 11 March 1993 )

The Commission did ask the Greek authorities for

Subject : Consequences of the risk posed by the presence of

asbestos in the Berlaymont building, and action information about the matters referred to by the
taken Honourable Member . They replied on 10 September 1991,

stating that Greece strictly applied the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
The announcement of the danger posed by the asbestos in and Flora and that no illegal imports had been reported in
the Berlaymont building raises a number of questions . Rhodes .

Subject : Consequences of the risk posed by the presence of

asbestos in the Berlaymont building, and action
taken

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 3

The Commission is not in possession of any other
information . It would ask the Honourable Member to let it
have any further information he may have .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2734 / 91

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 21 November 1991 )

( 93 / C 258 / 05 )

taking steps to make Community legislation easier to
read and understand ( consolidation programme );

involved in maintaining and improving the Celex
database and managing and developing INFO 92, both
of which exist in Greek :

supporting measures to promote training in Community
law .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2812 / 91

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(S December 1991 )
Subject : Informing the public about the European ( 93 / C 258 / 06 )
Community

Subject : Protection of the formerly green landscape of

According to the experts, Greeks know relatively little about
Thassos ( Greece )
Community programmes such as those relating to economic
and monetary union and they are unaware of their rights
within the Community . They also point out in regard to the Vast damage has been
incorporation of Community law into Greek national law environment on the
that the adjustments made are largely of a formal rather than connivance of the
substantive nature . The Greek authorities and certain European Community,
Community authorities in Athens are largely responsible for organizations . In particular
the lack of information . that the

How will the Commission uphold the right of individual
citizens to receive adequate information about Community
programmes, Community law and Community-related
issues in general ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

Vast damage has been caused through exploitation of the
environment on the Greek island of Thassos with the

connivance of the national authorities and also of the

European Community, according to local environmental
organizations . In particular, five associations on Thassos
report that the environment is now in a disastrous state :
there are hardly any forest areas left and those areas which
were burnt down are occupied by illegal buildings or used as
grazing for sheep and goats . The associations are protesting
both at Community funding of programmes purportedly for
reforestation of burnt areas and that the funding of other
programmes which clearly run counter to legislation on
environmental protection . Does the Commission intend to
take steps to put an end to this illegal and senseless
exploitation ?

(4 June 1993 ) Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

Chapter IV, Section 2, of the 1992 general report, which
describes current information policy and the prospects for
improving it . In Greece, the Commission operates an office,
a European information centre and a network of
intercommunicating documentation centres which serve as
an effective means of reaching the public and the media .

This information can only complement activities
undertaken by national institutions .

( 18 June 1993 )

The question does not supply the details which would
enable us to identify the reforestation programmes
concerned, or the other programmes funded by the
Community which allegedly run counter to Community
legislation .

The town and country planning problems to which the
Honourable Member refers would appear to be the
responsibility of the national authorities, not the
Community .

As regards Community law in particular, the Commission
would remind the Honourable Member that it is : r »

No C 258 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 324 / 92 the increase of food aid to Eastern Europe ?

by Mrs Sylvie Mayer ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 February 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 07 )

2 . What are the total respective food aid volumes ?

3 . What specific steps will the Commission take to ensure
continued supplies of food aid to developing countries in
Subject : Scientific cooperation with Vietnam order to put an end as soon as possible to the tragic problem
of famine ?

Following the mutual recognition agreement at the end of
November 1990, can the Commission state what stage has
been reached in the process of implementing scientific
cooperation with Vietnam ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Marin ( 22 June 1993 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

S&T cooperation with Viet Nam is limited to the Life
Sciences and Technologies for Developing Countries ( STD )
Programme, which exists within the Community
framework R&D programme .

The STD is a programme for fundamental strategic or
applied scientific research, which operates primarily
through joint research on topics of interest for the
developing countries . It covers two main areas : tropical and
subtropical agriculture ( including forestry and fisheries ),
and medicine and health .

1 . Community food aid allocations to the Central and
Eastern European countries and the newly independent
States of the former Soviet Union since 1989 have in no way
resulted in a reduction of food aid allocations to developing
countries . Aid to Eastern Europe as a whole is financed
under different budget headings than those generally used
for operations involving developing countries . Indeed, the
financial resources allocated and disbursed in food aid to the
developing countries increased significantly, from ECU 568
million in 1990, to ECU 689 million in 1991, to ECU 805,7
million in 1992 .

Under the STD II Programme ( 1987 — 91 ) and the ongoing 2 . In 1992 the Community allocated a total of ECU 429
STD III ( 1991 — 94 ) first call, scientists from Viet Nam are million in food aid to the Central and Eastern European
participating in six joint research projects ( for a total countries and the newly independent States of the former

Soviet Union ( ECU 200 million to Russia, 125 million to

amount natural resource of ECU management 1,5 million ) in and agronomy primary health, aquaculture care ., Albania, 14 million to Romania and ' 90 million to the Baltic

States ). The developing countries total food aid allocation
was ECU 805,7 million .
Further information will be sent direct to the Honourable

Member and to the Secretariat of the European
Parliament . 3 . The Commission monitors the food situation in the

developing countries very closely in cooperation with
international bodies such as the FAO and the WFP, other
major donors and non-governmental organizations . It is
kept abreast of developments by its network of delegations
in the countries concerned, and also contributes financially
to a number of early-warning systems . Since the situation in

WRITTEN QUESTION No 8 1 7 / 92 many countries and regions in Africa and elsewhere has
by Mr Agostino Mantovani and Mr Nino Pisoni ( PPE ) improved considerably since the end of 1992, the ECU 616

to the Commission of the European Communities million currently earmarked for food aid to the developing

countries is down on the figures for 1991 and 1992, both of

( 14 April 1992 ) which were exceptionally calamitous years .

Under the STD II Programme ( 1987 — 91 ) and the ongoing
STD III ( 1991 — 94 ) first call, scientists from Viet Nam are
participating in six joint research projects ( for a total
amount of ECU 1,5 million ) in agronomy, aquaculture,
natural resource management and primary health care .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 8 1 7 / 92

by Mr Agostino Mantovani and Mr Nino Pisoni ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 08 )

As in the past, the Commission will not hesitate to propose
Subject : Diversion to Eastern Europe of food aid intended an increase in the resources set aside for food aid if the

for developing countries . situation should demand it .

1 . What is the relationship between :

the reduction of food aid to developing countries,

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION No 949 / 92 fruit and vegetables originating in Spain were abolished on
by Mr Diego de los Santos Lopez ( ARC ) 1 January 1993 .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( IS April 1992 )

93 / C 258 / 09

Subject : Free trade agreement with Morocco WRITTEN QUESTION - No 1399 / 92
by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Mr Fernandez Ordonez, the Spanish Foreign Minister,
recently visited Rabat, the capital of Morocco . It is reported ( 16 June 1992 )
that part of his brief visit was the offer of a Community free 93 / C 258 / 10
trade agreement with Morocco .

93 / C 258 / 10

Subject : Lead in Lavrion
Can the Commission specify the terms of the proposed free
trade agreement with Morocco ? Is the Commission aware
of the possible impact of such an agreement, particularly on Lead, one of the most toxic
the Andalusian fruit and vegetable sector ? very serious health threat,

Does the Commission consider this compatible with
maintaining until 1996 the present terms of the Treaty on
the Accession of Spain to the Community, in particular the
provisions on fruit and vegetables ?

Lead, one of the most toxic metals, has been shown to pose a
very serious health threat, particularly to small children and
the elderly . Studies have shown that the situation in Lavrion
is very alarming and a recent study estimates that the levels
of lead in primary schools in the area are approaching 100
times the Community limits . What does the Commission
intend to do to deal with the problem of lead pollution
affecting the children of Lavrion ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission ( 10 June 1993 )

(1 June 1993 )

At its meeting on 6 April the Council asked the Commission
to put forward draft negotiating directives for a new
agreement with Morocco . Accordingly, on 9 December, the
Commission sent the Council a recommendation for a

Decision authorizing it to negotiate an association
agreement with Morocco on the basis of four main
principles : political dialogue, economic, technical, cultural
and social cooperation embracing all areas of common
interest, the gradual creation of a free trade area, and
financial cooperation . Such an agreement would be in
conformity with the principles set out in the declaration on
relations between Europe and the Maghreb adopted by the

Lisbon European Council on 27 June 1992 .

In its recommendation of 9 December 1992 the Commission

proposed a full but gradual liberalization of trade in
industrial products . For agricultural products, however, the
objective of the new agreement will be limited to further
progress in the reciprocal liberalization of trade . The
Commission is to present detailed proposals on the
subject .

The Commission would also like to point out that the
restrictions imposed under the Act of Accession in respect of

Directive 77 / 312 / EEC ( J ) required Member State to take the
necessary steps to apply a common procedure for biological
monitoring in order to assess the exposure of the population
to lead outside the working environment . This procedure,
which was based on the measurement of blood lead levels,
was restricted to four years .

Community Directives currently cover various aspects of
lead pollution :

— air : Directive 82 / 844 / EEC ( 2 ) lays down a maximum

limit value of 2 ( ig / m 3 for the maximum concentration of
lead, and Directive 85 / 210 / EEC ( 3 ) limits the lead
content of petrol ;

— water : Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ( 4 ) fixes the maximum

concentration of lead in drinking water and Directive
76 / 464 / EEC ( 5 ) limits lead discharges through the
granting of authorizations ;

— protection of workers : Directive 82 / 605 / EEC ( 6 ) lays

down the levels of exposure above which measures must
be taken . It contains a list of activities likely to incur a
risk of lead absorption .

The Commission ensures that the individual obligations laid
down in these Directives are respected but there are at

i

No C 258 / 6 Official Journal or the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

present no regulations, except in the case of workers, laying
down a maximum dose of lead in individuals and children in
particular . The Commission is at the present time unable to
tackle the problem of lead accumulation .

With a view to adjusting the staff regulations for the public
service along these lines, French Law 91-715 of 26 July 1991
provides for the entire French public service ( including civil
servants in the employ of national and local government,
and the hospital service ) to be gradually opened up to
nationals of other Member States by means of decrees
amending the staff regulations in each area . Under Decree
No 92-1246 of 30 November 1992 ( Official Journal of the
French Republic of 2 December 1992, p. 16414 ), issued
under the new Law, the French nationality requirement is
waived for EC nationals applying for teaching posts in
primary and secondary education .

2 . The recognition of qualifications is covered either 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 (*) or by
Article 48 of the EEC Treaty, interpreted in accordance with
the case-law of the Court of Justice ( see Case C-222 / 8 6
Heylens ) ( 2 ) and, by analogy, the judgments concerning
Article 52 of the EEC Treaty handed down in Cases
C-340 / 89 Vlassopoulus ( 3 ) and C-104 / 91 Newman ( 4 ). The
Commission is currently examining the conformity of
French legislation teaching with these rules of Community
law .

0 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 4 )

( S )
( 6 )

OJ No L 105, 28 . 4 . 1977 .
OJ No L 378, 31 . 12 . 1982
OJ No L 96, 3 . 4 . 1985 .
OJ No L 229, 30 . 8 . 1980 .
OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976 .
OJ No L 247, 23 . 8 . 1982 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1408 / 92

by Mr Gerard Deprez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 11

OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989 .

( 1987 ) ECR 4097 .

Subject : A Belgian teacher 's possibilities of working in ( ) ( 1987 ) ECR 4097 .

France ( 3 ) ( 1991 ) ECR 1-2357 .

France

( x )

( 2 )

( 3 )

A taught Belgian there for nursery 15 school years - before teacher moving - who qualified to France in in Belgium August,

1990 . She wishes to work as a teacher . Up to now her
request has been turned down either on the grounds of her
nationality or because of her qualifications . What criteria
must this person satisfy in order to obtain a teaching post in
her new country of residence ?

( 4 ) Not yet reported .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1533 / 92

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

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 12 )
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Greek food aid for Albania
( 18 May 1993 )

Living conditions in Albania are dreadful, there is a food
shortage and President Berissa has requested aid .
1 . On the question of nationality, it should be pointed
out that, in accordance with a consistent line of decisions Given that :
handed down by the Court of Justice of the European
Communities ( Cases C-66 / 85, C-33 / 88 and C-4 / 91 ),

1 . almost half the peach production in Greece is dug in

teaching cannot be regarded as employment in the public
service within the meaning of the exception provided for in every year,
therefore Article 48 be ( 4 open ) of the to nationals EEC Treaty of . other Teaching Member posts States must 2 . the Greece distance and the between Albanian the border peach-producing does not exceed areas 150 km in
without any restriction on grounds of nationality .

Given that :

1 . almost half the peach production in Greece is dug in

every year,

therefore be open to nationals of . other Member States 2 . the Greece distance and the between Albanian the border peach-producing does not exceed areas 150 km in
without any restriction on grounds of nationality .

with the result that the cost of transporting peaches to
Albania in the form of food aid is not particularly
The Commission has already drawn the attention of the high,
French authorities to this problem and requested them to
bring their national rules on these matters into line with the Can the Commission state what measures it can take to
principles of Community law . amend Article 21 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 ( J )

Can the Commission state what measures it can take to
amend Article 21 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 ( J )

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 25 8 / 7

which provides for the free distribution of harvested peaches

for charitable purposes to non-profit-making organizations
so that peaches can be provided free of charge in the form of
food aid to Albania ?

4 . The two areas were specifically designated as special
protection areas since they are breeding grounds for the
common spoonbill .

5 . However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature

(!) OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972, p. 1 . Management of distribution and ' contained Fisheries in takes Article the view 4 of the that Directive the term ' does area

not mean every area in which they breed and that a regional
population such as the spoonbill in the Netherlands must be
considered as a whole .
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

6 . Does the Commission not take the view that this

( 26 May 1993 ) interpretation fails to comply with the judgment handed

down by the Court of Justice on 28 February 1991 in Case
No C                      - 57 / 89 ( Commission v. Federal Republic of Germany )
Neither the requests for food aid from the Albanian and deprives the designation of specific areas of any
government nor the reports of missions visiting Albania to significance ?
assess the food situation there have so far referred to needs
with regard to fruit . Albania itself produces fruit of various 7 . Is the Commission prepared to make a clear statement
kinds, including grapes, cherries, apples, pears and peaches . concerning the meaning of the term ' area of distribution ' in
It should also be pointed out that food aid normally consists Article 4 of the directive of 2 April 1979 with a view to the
of staple foods such as cereals, milk products, meat and so designation of a special protection area ?
on . Fruit is not usually included in food aid operations,
because of the difficulties involved in transporting, storing (!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .
and distributing it .

5 . However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature

, 20 . 5 . 1972, p. 1 . Management of distribution and ' contained Fisheries in takes Article the view 4 of the that Directive the term ' does area

not mean every area in which they breed and that a regional
population such as the spoonbill in the Netherlands must be
considered as a whole .
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 May 1993 )

7 . Is the Commission prepared to make a clear statement
concerning the meaning of the term ' area of distribution ' in
Article 4 of the directive of 2 April 1979 with a view to the
designation of a special protection area ?

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 131 / 93

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 February 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1710 / 92 ( 93 / C 258 / 14

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

\

Subject : Failure to answer Written Questions

( 93 / C 258 / 13 ) Can the Commission state why I have not received an
answer up to now to Written Questions Nos 1710 / 92 and
3135 / 92 ?

Subject : Interpretation of Article 4 of the directive on the

conservation of wild birds The first question dates back to 29 May 1992 and, in my
opinion, should have been answered long ago .

1 . Is the Commission aware that, in implementation of
the Council resolution of 2 April 1979 on the conservation Can the Commission notify me as soon as possible of its
of birds, the Netherlands has designated the Zwanewater stance on the problemes raised in the questions ?
and the Naardermeer as ' special protection areas ', since the
largest common spoonbill ( platalea leucorodia ) breeding
populations are to be found there and the species is listed in
Annex I to Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ( M ? Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 1710 / 92 and 131 / 93

2 . Is the Commission aware that after 1988, there was a
sudden drop in the number of spoonbills breeding in these
areas and that they completely disappeared in 1989 solely as
a result of predation by foxes ?

3 . Has the Commission referred the Ministry responsible
to the provisions of Article 4 of the directive of 25 April

1979 to the effect that the species referred to ' shall be the
subject of special conservation measures concerning their
habitat in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in
their area of distribution '?

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

(2 7 May 1 993 )

The Netherlands has classified Zwanenwater and the

Naardermeer as special protection areas under Council
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wildbirds . At
the time of classification, these areas held important
breeding populations of the spoonbill ( Platalea leucorodia )
as well as breeding populations of other species listed in
Annex I to this Directive .

No C 258 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

The Commission has been informed that in 1988 heavy of breeding spoonbills in the Netherlands has continued to
predation by foxes on the Naardermeer spoonbill colony increase over the past 10 years .
resulted in the birds moving to the Oostvaardersplassen,
which is also a special protection area . Although measures
to control foxes at the Naardermeer have been introduced

since then the spoonbills have not yet returned there .

Fox predation also occurred in the Zwanenwater in 1990,
resulting in only 17 pairs of spoonills breeding there that
year . Since then measures have been taken, including
erecting fences and controlling foxes and spoonbill numbers
have recovered .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1921 / 92

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

( 23 July 1992 )

93 / C 258 / 15 )

Predation has also occurred at the principal colony at
Oostvaardersplassen . Measures have been taken there, Subject : Protection of biotopes of rare birds of prey
including predator control and creating islands to breed on,
and the population, which comprises more than 200 pairs, is The Dadias-Soufliou forest was designated a protected
stable at present . in 1980 since it is the most important nesting area of

570 breeding pairs of spoonbills were found in the
Netherlands in 1992 and the population has been increasing
there over the last 10 years . 92% of the Netherlands
spoonbills now breed within the existing Dutch special
protection area network and only one colony of 44 pairs,
which has been established at Quackjeswater

( Zuid-Holland ) since 1988, is outside the network .

Many colonially breeding species of birds such as the
spoonbill are liable to predation at individual nesting sites,
especially as the colony size increases and predators are
more attracted to these areas . In addition to taking measures
to control the predators, the most important factor for the
conservation of the species is to ensure that sufficient
alternative breeding areas are available to the population
within the region to ensure the survival and reproduction of
the species . Just because areas such as the Naardermeer are
not being used at present does not mean that they are of no
further importance for the species as they will be available
for spoonbills in future summers .

Article 4 of the Birds Directive requires that species listed in
Annex I be the subject of special conservation measures
concerning their habitat in order ' to ensure their survival
and reproduction in their area of distribution '. The
Commission together with the Member States has
developed a method which is an objective means of
evaluating the endangered status of different bird species
throughout the Community and determining the proportion
of each bird population that should be within SPAs in each

The Dadias-Soufliou forest was designated a protected area
in 1980 since it is the most important nesting area of birds of
prey in Europe . Is has the largest number of species
throughout Europe . 36 of the 38 species having been
observed in this biotope and 26 of them nesting there . In

1987, the biotope was included in the network of specially
protected areas under Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC (*) on
the conservation of wild birds . From 1986 onwards

protection of this biotope was funded from the ACE, IMP
and ACNAT programmes and is now being funded under
the Regional Development programmes .

Recently an asphalt works extending over an area of 40 ares
has been set up, with the authorization of the Prefecture of
Evros, a few metres from the boundary of the strictly
protected zone and within the outer periphery of the
protected zone . The plant is now requesting authorization
for establishing itself permanently and purchase crushing
plant . This is one of the most polluting types of plant and the
noise from the machinery and the passage of large vehicles
will create a major problem for the rare birds of prey within
this biotope .

What steps will the Commission take to implement

Community environmental policy on the protection of the
biotope in respects of Dadias-Soufliou and to have the
asphalt plant removed ?

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2069 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

region . - (1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 16 )

For the spoonbill it results that 78% of the population
should be protected within the special protection areas for
each region where it occurs . Given that over 90% of
spoonbills are now breeding within SPAs in the Netherlands
the Commission is of the view that a sufficient network of

SPAs has been provided there to meet the objectives of
Article 4 as far as this species is concerned . The success of
these measures also can be seen by the fact that the number

Subject : Refuge for birds of prey in the forest of Dadia

( Evros )

One of the most beautiful forests in Greece, the forest of
Dadia near the village of Kornofolia ( Souflio ) in the
Prefecture of Evros — which is perhaps the most important

V

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 9

refuge for birds of prey in Europe — is under threat owing to 2 . If so, what rules will the Commission introduce
the recent establishment of an aspahlt-producing plant in concerning products partly manufactured in third
the area . According to Greek newspaper reports, the noise countries ? Will a percentage clause relating to EC
made be the machines and the passage of large vehicles value-added input or investment be introduced ? How will
disturb the nesting of these rare birds of prey and the only ' Made in Europe ' be defined ?
solution would be to make the forest a protected area and
reestablish this plant elsewhere . Does the Commission
intend to consider how it can effectively protect this refuge
for birds of prey in the Forest of Dadia ? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 June 1993 )

Joint supplementary answer to Written Questions

Nos 1921 / 92 and 2069 / 92 The Commission has no intention of submitting a legislative

given by Mr Paleokrassas proposal to create a ' Made in Europe ' label for products
on behalf of the Commission manufactured in the Community .

Nos 1921 / 92 and 2069 / 92

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1993 )

Further to its answer of 11 December 1992 ( 1 ), the
Commission can now inform the Honourable Members of

the reply it received from WWF Greece, the body
responsible for the ACNAT project entitled ' Protection of
Dadia-Soufli Reserve ', concerning a concrete-asphalt
plant :

1 . Operation permission was finally given by the Ministry
of Environment, Land Use and Public Works to the
concrete and asphalt production plants . The plants may
operate under two conditions :

' ( i ) that high quality filters are used, and

V

( ii ) using the gravel from the nearby river is avoided .

Authorization for the stone-break plant was
refused .

2 . WWF Greece, in the framework of the execution of the

abovementioned project, will elaborate an integrated
management project for the entire Special Protected
Area . As a result of this project the impact of any
industrial or other kind of human activity on the
populations of birds of prey will be systematically
assessed .

(!) OJ No C 132, 11 . 5 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2018 / 92

by Mr Gerhard Schmid ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2075 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 18 )

Subject : Environmental problems in the Bay of Gera on

Lesbos

The Bay of Gera on the island of Lesbos is facing severe
problems due to chemical effluents discharged by tanneries .
Does the Commission intend to act to protect this Bay ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1993 )

The Commission does not have in its possession any
information on the specific instance of pollution of the Gulf
of Gera on the island of Lesbos caused by discharges of
effluent from tanneries . Tanning is a pollutant activity the
final product of which ( leather ) only represents 20 % ( by
weight ) of the raw material ( untreated skins ). The
remainder ( 80 % ) comprises solid wastes, by-products and
liquid wastes . The environmental problems are due to waste
water and solid wastes which are not treated or discharged
in an appropriate manner . Discharges from tanneries are
variable, depending upon the procedures used . Chromium
tanning, for example, may generate trivalent chromium,
organic acids, oil solvents, ammonia compounds and
chlorine compounds . Effluent from synthetic tanning may
also contain phenols and polyphenols .

Subject : ' Made in Europe ' These ( either substances in list I or are in list covered II ) on by the Directive discharge 76 of / 464 dangerous / EEC { l )

substances into the aquatic environment, which is without
1 . Will the Commission submit a proposal for a ' Made in doubt a Community instrument to be applied in this
Europe ' label for products manufactured in the EC ? instance .

No C 258 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

The competent authorities in the Member States are
required to take steps to prevent pollution by dangerous
substances from list I and to reduce pollution by dangerous
substances from list II in the Annex to this Directive .

The Greek authorities should subject all discharges of
dangerous substances ( Articles 3 and 7 ( 2 )) to an
authorization that meets the conditions laid down in the
Community Directives that are specific to the list-I
substances and is in line with the national programmes for
the reduction of list-II substances ( Articles 7 ( 1 ) and 7 ( 3 )).
Chromium counts among the latter .

of the Truth Commission, which were presented on

15 March and constitute one of the key elements of the
Peace Agreements .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2287 / 92

by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 September 1992 )

The Commission has put forward a proposal for a Council ( 93 / C 258 / 20 )
Directive ( COM(85 ) 733 final ) ( 2 ) on quality targets for the
national programmes for the reduction of water pollution
by chromium in accordance with Article 7 of Directive Subject : Escalation of government
76 / 464 / EEC . No further action in support of this proposal and murder of political
for a Directive has been taken .

Subject : Escalation of government violence and repression

and murder of political prisoners in Turkey

The Commission will ask the Greek authorities for
information on the pollution that is due to tanneries on the
island of Lesbos, and on the action taken under Directive
76 / 464 / EEC .

(!) OJ No L 129, 18 . 5 . 1976 .
( 2 ) OJ No C 351, 31 . 12 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2130 / 92

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 19 )

Subject : Monitoring peace process in El Salvador

What steps is the European Commission taking to ensure
that the peace process in El Salvador is being observed
according to detail and timetable ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1993 )

Recently condemned by the International Helsinki
Federation for Human Rights, the brutal torture and
maltreatment of detainees in Turkey is continuing and even
increasing .

The following facts have also emerged : during the Kurdish
New Year ( Nevros ) over a hundred people were
assassinated in a single day . Five journalists have been
assassinated since March 1992 . The journalist Biilent Ulku,
correspondent of the magazine Combat was detained by
members of the security forces and his body was
subsequently found on an isolated country road . On 16 and

17 April 1992 11 members of the left-wing organization
Devrimci Sol were savagely murdered by the riot police .
Police entered the Ortakoy cultural centre in Istanbul and
arrested 46 people ( including 20 actors ). In the town of
Eskisehir the police burst into a concert and arrested and
maltreated the members of the musical groups Yurum and
Ekin as well as the organizers of the concert .

The members of the musical group Yurum ( whose musical
career goes back seven years ) are to be tried in the town of
Konya on 12 August on charges that their songs ' incite the
Turkish people to insurrection '!

When does the Commission intend to investigate this
matter ; what measures will it adopt and what steps will it
take with regard to the Turkish authorities concerning these
brutal human rights violations in Turkey ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1993 )

The Commission draws the Honourable Member 's

attention to the fact that this is a matter for the Member

States . The Commission remains, however, in close
consultation with the Member States in the framework of
European Political Cooperation .

to a matter The Commission has been concerned at the rising level of
States . The Commission remains, however, in close political violence in Turkey since early 1992 but hopes that
consultation with the Member States in the framework of the recently announced cease-fire by the Kurdish terrorist
European Political Cooperation . organization PKK will lead to a significant easing of this

situation .

At the recent ministerial conference ( San Jose IX ), a
declaration was read from the chair calling on the On numerous occasions members of the Commission, both
Salvadorian authorities to comply fully with the conlusions publicly and privately have made clear to the Turkish

On numerous occasions members of the Commission, both
publicly and privately have made clear to the Turkish

v

»

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 11

authorities the importance that the Community and its
Member States attach to the full respect of human rights and
to the commitments in this regard to which Turkey has
subscribed under United Nations, Council of Europe and
CSCE conventions, in particular in regard to the observance
of due process of law and the protection of political
detainees .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2374 / 92

by Mr Herny McCubbin ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 21 )

payment . However, this solution was not to the liking of the
processing industry nor the traditional producers of vining
peas in the northern Member States, as it threatened to
distrub the market balance that they had developed between
themselves . Moreover, it was felt that the imposition of a
set-aside requirement on small producers of vining peas
would be a significant additional burden when they were in
competition with larger producers .

Consequently, the Commission was requested to withdraw
the extension of the support, even if that meant excluding
any possibility of support under any circumstances for
vining pea producers in order to respect the requirement to
decouple the support payment from production . The
Commission acceded to this request and Regulation ( EEC )
No 3738 / 92 ( 2 ) restricted support to only those producers
sowing peas with the primary intention of harvesting them
in the dry state .

The vining pea industry is now, at its own request, fully
unsupported without recourse to Community aid in any
circumstances .

(!) OJ No L 246, 27 . 8 . 1992 .
Subject : Set-aside of land formerly used for vining peas ( 2 ) OJ No L 380, 24 . 12 . 1992 .

Could the Commission please explain why vining peas were
included in the reform of the CAP as being eligible for
set-aside ? Formerly this product had been regulated by
market forces and the growers feel aggrieved at not being
informed of the inclusion of their crop until it was too late to
do anything about it . WRITTEN QUESTION No 2380 / 92

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 September 1992 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen ( 93 / C 258 / 22 )

on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 1993 ) Subject : The E7 road and the protection of the brown bear

( Ursus arctos )

The scope of the new area-based support system for
producers of arable crops was widened by Regulation ( EEC )
No 2467 / 92 (*) to include all types of peas on the grounds of
equity, simplicity and controllability .

The maintenance of the status quo, whereby producers of
vining peas were able to receive Community support on that
part of their vining pea crop passed over by the processor
whilst not on that part of their crop picked fresh and
delivered to the processor, was not possible under the new
decoupled arrangements . Therefore, the Commission
proposed to extend support to all types of peas, so that
producers might be certain of their eligibility to receive
support at the time of sowing the crop and consequently
make the necessary set-aside in respect of these peas .

This solution reinforced the existing underlying support
that the Community provides for the vining pea industry
and made the lives of farmers and national authorities easier
by simplifying the application procedure for the support

On a number of occasions the Commission has shown its

concern to ensure the protection of the European natural
heritage . The latter includes the brown bear, the remaining
populations of which are at great risk, particularly in
France .

Although several MPs have pointed out the lack of an
overall environmental impact assessment of the E7 road
project ( Aspe valley-Somport tunnel ), the Commission has
committed itself to funding the project .

An official report drawn up in France (' Impact of the
regrading of National Highway 134 ; CEMAGREF
( Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Agricultural
Engineering, Water and Woodlands ), Natural Areas and
Wildlife Department ; June 1992 ) indicates the very serious
impact which these roadworks will have on France 's last
brown bear population . If the project is completed, it will
mean the disappearance from the region of this important
species . By continuing to provide financial backing for this
operation, the Commission is colluding in the destruction of

«

No C 258 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

a notable feature of the European natural heritage . Is it
aware of this ? Does it see this as a way of strengthening
European unity ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 150 / 93

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 February 1993 )

Moreover, this report effectively confirms observations on
failure to carry out a general environmental impact ( 93 / C 258 / 24 )
assessment in France ( Written Questions Nos 100 / 91 (*) by
Mr G. Monnier-Besombes and Mrs C. Joanny and

Subject : Answers to unanswered

1336 / 92 ( 2 ) by Mr J. P. Raffin ) and a number of instances of
failure to comply with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 3 ).

Subject : Answers to unanswered questions

When does the Commission intend to answer the following
Written Questions :

To this must now be added failure to respect the Council 's
decision on environmental impact assessments in a
transborder context .

How long will the Commission continue to turn a blind eye
to this ?

Nos 611 / 92 ( February 1992 ), 2380 / 92 ( September 1992 ),
2576 / 92 ( September 1992 ), 2799 / 92 ( October 1992 ) and
2884 / 92 ( October 1992 )?

Joint answer to Written Questions
H OJ No C 210, 12 . 8 . 1991, p . 15 Nos 2380 / 92, 3349 / 92 and 150 / 93

( 2 ) OJ No C 65, 8 . 3 . 1993, p . 14 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 175,, 5 . . 7 . . 1985,, p . . 40 . . given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3349 / 92

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 23 )

Subject : Joint funding of the RN 134 road project ( Vallee

d'Aspe — Pyrénées Atlantique, France )

The Commission is being extraordinarily obstinate in
stonewalling questions concerning the joint funding of the
RN 134 and Somport tunnel projects ( QE 1336 / 92 ( 1 ),
H-1038 / 92 ( 2 ), H-l 108 / 92 ( 3 )).

(3 June 1993 )

Following the judgment of the Pau Administrative Tribunal
cancelling the declaration of public utility, the Commission
has decided to suspend the disbursement of funds for this
project .

The French authorities have undertaken to carry out a new
impact study taking account of the direct and indirect effects
of the project as a whole .

This new assessment, to be conducted in accordance with
Article 5 of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, will need to identify
measures to safeguard the bear population, on the basis in
particular of the technical report drawn up by

CEMAGREF .

The Commission will reconsider its decision when a new
declaration of public utility is made .
Perhaps, like the walls of Jericho, the impenetrable defences
which the Commission has erected will come tumbling
down if the questions are asked again .

Could the Commission therefore indicate initially which
aspects of the environmental impact assessment persuaded
it to agree to joint funding of the RN 134 road project ?

Which environmental aspects liable to be affected
significantly by the proposed project, including the
population, the fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors,
material assets, including the architectural and
archaeological heritage, the landscape and the
interrelationship between all these, were drawn to the
attention of the Commission ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2504 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 25 )

Subject : Coastal shipping links between the island of Leipsi

in the Dodecanese and Piraeus

(!) OJ No C 65, 8 . 3 . 1993, p. 14 . The 600 inhabitants of the Dodecanese island of Leipsi on
( 2 ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-423 ( October the borders of Greece are outraged at their unfair treatment
1992 . by the transport authorities . The inhabitants are desperate

( 3 ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-424 ( November that a shipping line should be established between Leipsi
1992 ). and Piraeus . Does the Commission intend to show its

                                                                                                                                 

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 13

interest in this matter and back the islanders ' request, the absence of complaints forms enabling them to inform
bearing in mind that communications are the key to the relevant authorities of their dissatisfaction .
development in Leipsi ?

Could the Commission indicate whether there are any
Community provisions regulating the use of complaints

Answer given by Mr Matutes forms inside the various means of transport used by the

on behalf of the Commission public in Community territory, enabling them to express

their complaints about unsatisfactory provision of services,

( 26 May 1993 ) and if not, does it consider that it would be worth proposing

that public transport services issue complaints forms during
The Commission has obtained information from the Greek the journey to customers who are dissatisfied with the
government on the lack of a link between the Dodecanese service they have received ?
island of Leipsi and Piraeus . Leaving aside the matter of the
financial viability of such a link, the difficulty is that the
Leipsi harbour lacks the facilities to accommodate the type
of vessel used in the Dodecanese .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 May 1993 )

There are other, smaller vessels, however, which provide a
twice-weekly link between Leipsi and the islands of
Kalimnos, Kos and Patmos, thus giving the people who live
on Leipsi access to the services provided on an almost daily
basis by the vessels plying between those islands and Piraeus .
The relevant Greek government department continues to
attach priority importance to finding a speedy solution to
the problem of a direct link with Leipsi .

With regard to Community assistance through the
Structural Funds, the Aegean islands — like the rest of
Greece — received special attention under the integrated
Mediterranean programmes ( IMPs ) and the Community
support framework ( CSF ). One of the aims of the IMPs is to
improve communications with the islands, and one of the
focal points for operations to assist the Aegean islands under
the CSF is transport » infrastructure .

The Commission is willing to consider in the context of the
Structural funds programmes the possibility of cofinancing
improvements to the Leipsi harbour installations, on the
basis of a request presented by the Greek authorities .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 May 1993 )

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the
Honourable Member about protection for users of public

transport .

In the absence of Community law on the subject, however,
this is a matter for the Member States . The Commission has
no intention, for the time being, of taking steps in a field
where responsibility lies with the national authorities and
operators of the various means of transport .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2594 / 92

by Mr Alonso Puerta ( GUE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 27
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2570 / 92

by Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 26

Subject : Plan to improve competitiveness of the Spanish

integrated iron and steel industry

Has the Commission commissioned a report on the plan to
improve the competitiveness of the Spanish integrated iron
Subject : Complaints forms inside public transport and steel industry as reported in the Spanish media ?
vehicles

The summer holidays have enabled most Community
citizens to make all sorts of journeys by all kinds of means of
transport in Community territory .

Excessive demand, in some < cases, coupled with lack of
foresight in others has meant that the service received by
users of the various forms of transport has in some cases
been far from satisfactory, leading those affected to lament

Is it certain that the Commission will endorse the conclusion

of this report which among other things proposes a merger
between Ensidesa and Altos Hornos of Vizcaya, a reduction
in production capacity and the shedding of more than 9 000
jobs in this sector ?

Does the Commission intend to consult the trade unions and

the autonomous communities of Asturias and the Basque

No C 258 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

country of the conclusions of this report as they will be
affected by the restructuring of the iron and steel sector ?

Apart from restructuring, what other measures has the
Commission planned to cushion the social and economic
impact of the iron and steel crisis in Spain .

Moreover the Nervion zone in the Basque country has twice
been declared eligible for the Community prografnme
RESIDER ( reconversion of steel-making areas ). Under this
it is receiving from the ERDF an amount of ECU 39,36
million during the period 1988 — 1992 . The Basque
shipbulding areas will receive a contribution of ECU 18,23
million from the Community programme RENAVAL
during the period 1991 — 1993 .

Does the Commission i plan to tackle the . severe problems of
underdevelopment and industrial decline on the Cantabrian
The Basque and Cantabrican regions are also eligible for
cost as a whole on a ' transregional basis ?
national regional aid under Article 92 ( 3 ) ( c ) of the EEC
Treaty .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 June 1993 )

As the Honourable Member will know, in October 1992
the Commission decided, on the basis of a report from
an independent consultant jointly designated by the
Commission and the Spanish authorities, that the
restructuring plan for the Spanish integrated steel company
CSI was viable and that it represented a courageous and
constructive approach . However in the light of the current
difficulties on the Community steel market the Commission
took the view that the relation between the aid intensity and
the extent of the restructuring proposed needed to be
improved . The Commission put forward this view to the
Industry Council on 24 November 1993 but without
submitting a formal proposal for decision under Article 95
of the ECSC Treaty . The Council thus was not able to give a
formal opinion and concluded that the issues should be
further explored .

So far as Asturias is concerned, this is an Objective 1 region .
As such it will receive under the Community framework of
support for Spanish Objective 1 regions, ERDF support of
ECU 361,9 million regional and multiregionals programmes
for the period 1989 — 1993, including ECU 13 million
allocated, under the RESIDER programme, for the
reconversion of steelmaking areas . To that figure must be
added a further ECU 33,3 million for Community initiatives
including ECU 12,1 million in support of the reconversion
of coal-mining regioons under the RECHAR programme .
Asturias Would also be eligible for national regional aid
under Article 92 ( 3 ) ( a ) of the EEC Treaty .

Finally, there would be Community financial assistance
under Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty towards the social costs
of closures under the restructuring .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2619 / 92

The question of consultation with the trade unions and the WRITTEN QUESTION No
Spanish regional governments is a matter for the Spanish by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
Government . The Spanish Government also has primary

to the Commission of the European

responsibility for determining measures to alleviate the
regional social and economic impact of the restructuring . ( 27 October 1992 )
However a number of Community financial assistance ( 93 / C 258 / 28 )
instruments would be available .

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 28 )

Most of the Basque and Cantabrican regions are Objective 2 Subject : Italian drift nets in Greek waters
regions and accordingly received, for the period
1989—1991, ECU 140,36 million and ECU 35,19 million Since 1986 Italian fishermen have been
respectively from the European Regional Development with driftnets in the Ionian Sea . These '
Fund ; and ECU 34,88 million and ECU 5,48 million probably led to overfishing of swordfish .
respectively from the European Social Fund .

For the period 1992 — 1993 the following contributions are
forecast :

( million ecu )

ERDF ESF

N

Basque region 117,3 38,8

Cantabria 28 7 - 4

All figures in 1989 prices

Since 1986 Italian fishermen have been catching swordfish
with driftnets in the Ionian Sea . These ' walls of death ' have

probably led to overfishing of swordfish . They also claim
many victims among marine mammals and turtles . On

16 June 1992 five Italian fishermen were arrested for being
in Greek waters illegally and breaking Regulation ( EEC )
No 345 / 92 i 1 ), which prohibits the use of draft nets from

1 June 1992 .

1 . How many infringements of Regulation ( EEC )
No 345 / 92 have been reported since it came into force ?
How does the Commission intend to bring about more
effective enforcement of this regulation ?

2 . Will the Commission make a complaint to the Italian
Government over this incident ? How will the

22 . 9 . 93 Official journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 15

Commission persuade the Italian Government to
prevent such infringements ?

3 . How many by-catches of marine mammals and turtles in

drift nets have been reported in Greek waters ? What
instruments are employed to protect the marine
environment in Greek waters ?

i

4 . Does the Commission agree that the Structural Funds

should be used to encourage sustainable use of the
Mediterranean 's natural resources rather than their
exploitation ? Which are the relevant items in the
budget ?

(!) OJ No L 42, 18 . 2 . 1992, p. 15 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1 993 )

1 and 2 . The Commission is not in a position to quantify
the number of infringements of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 345 / 92 since its entry into force in 1992 . Responsibility
for the application and enforcement of Community
legislation rests, in the first instance, with the Member
States .

The Commission 's Fishery Inspectorate has the task of
verifying whether, and to what extent, national inspection
services correctly and fully apply Community legislation . If
the Inspectorate notes that legislation is not being fully
applied, the Commission can request Member States to take
the necessary steps to improve controls and enforcement .

With regard to the specific case mentioned, the Commission
has registered a complaint against Italy for an alleged failure
to comply with Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 and is
continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding
that complaint . Assurances have been given by the Italian
authorities that all appropriate steps to ensure compliance
with Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 will be taken and that,
where necessary, proceedings against Italian fishermen will

be commenced .

In pursuance of i its responsibilities for monitoring the
implementation of Community legislation and in particular
the application of Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 the
Commission 's Fisheries Inspectorate will be conducting a
series of inspection visits to Member States of the
Mediterranean in the near future .

3 . To date, the Greek authorities have forwarded no
information to the Commission with regard to the size of the
catches, in their waters, of marine mammals trapped in drift

nets .

The matter of the instruments employed to protect the

marine environment in Greek waters falls entirely within the
scope of national legislation .

4 . Under Regulation ( EEC ) No 4028 / 86 ( J ) on structural
measures in the fisheries sector, the Commission may grant
financial aid for the modernization of fishing vessels in order
to encourage the development of more selective fishing and
thus contribute to sustainable use of natural resources .

As to the use of natural fisheries resources in the
Mediterannean, the Commission recently restated the
objective of the common fisheries policy as being ' to ensure
the sustainability of activities in the fisheries sector while at
the same time ensuring the economic and social viability of
the sector by means of stable, rational and responsible
exploitation of living aquatic resources ' ( 2 ). Community
structural measures in the fisheries sector are a preferred
instrument of this policy and the forthcoming inclusion of
this instrument among the mechanism of the Structural
Funds wiU make it possible to improve coherence and
synergy between the various structural measures and thus
reinforce the overall contribution of the Structural Funds to
the implementation of the common fisheries policy .

(!) OJNoL 376, 31 . 12 . 1986 .

( 2 ) Explanatory memorandum to the proposal for a Council

Regulation ( EEC ) establishing a Community system for
fisheries and aquaculture, presented by the Commission,
COM(92 ) 387 final, 6 . 10 . 1982 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2700 / 92

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 29 )

Subject : Accident at the Kozloduy nuclear reactor

On 24 September 1992 a new fire broke out because of a
short circuit at the Kozloduy nuclear reactor in Bulgaria .
Reactor No 6, one of the two 1 000 MW units broke down .
I repeat a point made in a previous question that nuclear
power plants in Bulgaria are not fitted with a safety system
and are unable safely to dispose of nuclear effluent .

Given the financial support granted to Bulgaria under the
PHARE programme in particular, will the Commission say
how it intends to deal in future with the problem of the
outdated and technologically unsafe nuclear reactors in
Bulgaria and other countries in Eastern Europe and with the
threat they pose to the environment and public health both
in Bulgaria and neighbouring countries ?

No C 258 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

4 . reaffirm the principle of ' Community preference ' set out

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas 4 . reaffirm the principle

on behalf of the Commission in the EC Treaties ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 ) 5 . promote suitable trading measures to upgrade and

protect the Community hazelnut sector, given that
current rules are not adequate to meet the market 's need
The Commission has given very serious attention to the
for flexible and easily applied procedures ?
safety problems which have become apparent in Buglarian
nuclear reactors, particularly the older ones, and has set up

an emergency programme to :

I

— provide aid for the operators so that they can
satisfactorily meet safety requirements ;

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 April 1993 )

increase the Bulgarian safety authorities ' ability to assess
reactor safety and to take the appropriate decisions .

The Commission hopes that this strengthening of the safety
assessment system will lead the authorities concerned to
adopt responsible attitudes .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2722 / 92

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

( 29 October 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 30 )

Subject : Serious repercussions on the economy and
employment in the dried fruit sector following
recent measures by the Turkish Government

Measures introduced by the Turkish Government on

19 September 1992, reducing from $40 to $10 per hundred
kg the export duty on hazelnuts and eliminating the $30
export duty per hundred kg on processed and ground
hazelnuts, has recently caused the producer price of
Community hazelnuts to collapse, particularly in Italy,
where it has fallen by 50%, with serious repercussions on
the economy and employment .

The Italian Mezzogiorno and the Campania region, which

are particularly disadvantaged areas and account for 70 %
of national production, are particularly hard hit .

Will the Commission :

The Commission is aware of the exceptional difficulties
which the hazelnut sector has been encountering since the
beginning of the 1992 / 93 marketing year . These difficulties
have come about as a result mainly of overproduction in
Turkey, the leading hazelnut producer country, in the face
of relatively stable demand on both the world and the
Community markets .

The trends on those markets are being monitored very
carefully by the Commission . Prices have already started to
improve . Ways are being looked into by the Commission
and incollaboration with the Turkish authorities of
redressing the situation and preventing that such an
imbalance recur in the future .

It should be recalled that frontier arrangements for
hazelnuts from Turkey are governed by an association
agreement concluded between that country and the
Community . Under that agreement, hazelnuts are imported
under preferential conditions with in the limits of a tariff
quota, whilst the general arrangements for importing
processed hazelnuts ( prepared, grilled, etc .) are consolidated
under GATT .

It follows, therefore, that hazelnut production in the
Community must become more competitive to withstand
competition from third countries . If the specific measures
adopted by the Council in 1989 in respect of nuts are applied
rapidly and in the nut sector generally, modernization will
be possible and the sector will be better able to stand its
ground in a difficult economic situation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2734 / 92

by Mr Alexander Langer and Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )

1 . call a meeting of the Management Committee for Fresh, to the Commission of the European Communities
Dried and Tinned Fruit as soon as possible to consider ( 16 November 1992 )
what action to take ? ( 93 / C 258 / 31 )

2 . apply a customs duty of at least 12 % to restore balance
on the market and curb the persistent unfair
competition ?

3 . reduce the zero-duty quota 25 00 tonnes applied in

previous years ?

Subject : Commission plans to extend the A27 motorway in

Italy

The Commission communication on the creation of a

trans-European road network ( COM(92 ) 231 final ) refers

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 17

to bottlenecks caused by natural obstacles and transit WRITTEN QUESTION No 2736 / 92
through third countries, the planned elimination of by Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ), Georgios Romeos ( S ),
territorial enclaves, frequent delays in northern Italy and on Christos Papoutsis ( S ), Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE ),
North / South links, the importance of completing missing Paraskevas Avgerinos ( S ), Panayotis Lambrias ( PPE ),
links and plans to add to the approximately 37 000 km of Georgios Saridakis ( PPE ), Konstantinos Stavrou ( PPE ),
existing links a further 12 000 km in the next 10 years . The Dimitrios Pagoropoulos ( S ), Konstantinos Tsimas ( S ),
annexed trans-European network outline plan ( 2002 Georgios Anastassopoulos ( PPE ), Dionysios Livanos ( S ),
Horizon the planned ) includes ' Alemagna a route ' motorway which more or super or less highway corresponds linking to Dimitrios Georgios Zavvos Nianias ( PPE ( RDE ), Menelaos ), Sotiris Hadjigeorgiou Kostopoulos ( PPE ( NI ), ),
Central Europe and Italy . In view of the widespread Ioannis Pesmazoglou ( PPE ), Vassilis Ephremidis ( CG ),
opposition to the new major road links, particularly in the Filippos Pierros ( PPE ), Pavios Sarlis ( PPE ), Efstathios
Veneto region and in the autonomous province of South Lagakos ( PPE ), Panayotis Roumeliotis ( S ), Ioannis
Tirol-Alto Adige ( Bolzano ), can the Commission provide Stamoulis ( S ) and Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG )
the following information :
to the Commission of the European Communities

1 . Is the Commission planning an ' Alemagna ' motorway ( 16 November 1992 )
or super highway link and when ? ( 93 / C 258 / 32 )

2 . What consultations have been held on the subject ? Subject : Programme of special measures for the Aegean

Islands

3 . What environmental impact assessment have been

carried out or will be carried out on the subject ?

4 . What public opinion soundings will be carried out in the

areas affected ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

The master plan for a trans-European road network
proposed by the Commission in its communication of

( POSEIDOM, POSEICAN and POSEIMA ) have been
financed from the Guarantee Section of the EAGGF ?

Does the Commission not agree that the object of the
programme is to increase the flow of financial
resources ?

In 1988 the need for a programme of special measures for
the Aegean Islands was recognized for the first time . Since
then the POSEIDOM, POSEICAN and POSEIMA
programmes have been drawn up and implementation has
begun ; the programme for the Aegean Islands on the other
hand is being delayed .

In view of our concern over the future of this programme,
which we consider a sensitive issue and necessary for the
Community as a whole, particularly under present
conditions, will the Commission say :

1 . Why it intends to finance the programme almost

exclusively from the CSFs, while the other programmes

11 June 1992 (*), after consultation with a group of top programme to
experts on which Member States were represented, resources ?
incorporates a 100-kilometre stretch of the A27 motorway
already in service between Venice and Belluno . 2 . Why it has postponed the final date for the submission

of its final report to the Council until the end of July, a
delay for which Greece bears no responsibility ?
Given that the Italian government has indicated its intention
to improve the link between Belluno and the Austrian
frontier by 2002 ( although the standard of infrastructure
has still to be decided ) the planned extension was included in
the network master plan . Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 1993 )
Obviously, the subsidiarity principle and existing legislation
mean that it is for the Member State concerned to arrange
consultations with those affected and assess the

The Commission would inform the Honourable Members

environmental impact of the project . that the final report on a specific programme for the Aegean

Islands was adopted on 23 December 1992 and was
forwarded to the Parliament and the Council on
0 ) OJ No C 236, 15 . 9 . 1992
24 December 1992 ( 1 ).

The Honourable Members will be aware that the resources

available for structural interventions until the end of 1993

r

No C 258 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

have already been allocated in the Community Support
Frameworks and Community initiatives .

                                                                                                                      - r
For the period 1994 — 1999, the significantly increased
resources for Objective 1 regions will allow the structural
problems of those islands to be addressed, adding to the
significant resources already provided to them from the
Community Support Framework ( 1989 — 1993 ) and the
Integrated Mediterranean Programmes .

For 1993, the Commission has stated that ' during the life of
the present Community Support Framework the
Commission within the limits imposed by the implementing
provisions and the financial resources available, will agree
to any proposal from the Greek authorities to reallocate
unused appropriations for operational programmes for the
Aegean Islands ( multifund operational programmes,
Integrated Mediterranean Programmes and Community
initiatives )'. On the question of additional resources for
structural measures to be implemented in 1993 in the Greek
Islands in the Aegean, the Commission fully intends to look
for possible sources of financing to cover the most urgent
and sufficiently well-established projects .

Furthermore, the communication is accompanied by a draft
Council Regulation introducing specific measures for the
smaller Aegean Islands concerning certain agricultural
products . These specific measures entail financial assistance
from the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural
Guarantee and Guidance Fund which is estimated at ECU

87,1 million for the period 1993 — 1997 .

The reason for producing the intermediate report on 23 July

1992 and the draft final report only on 23 December 1992
was partly that the programme was the subject of intense
discussion between the Greek authorities and the

Commission .

(M COM(92 ) 569 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2748 / 92

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

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 33 )

Convention of i International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora and hence kegulation ( EEC )
No 3626 / 82 ( 1 )' amended by Regulation ( EEC )
No 197 / 90 ( 2 ).

This non-compliance appears to be partial rather than total,
and therefore does not justify severe sanctions .

1 . What action has the Commission taken to assist Italy in

avoiding sanctions by the CITES Standing
Committee ?

2 . What steps will the Commission take to help Italy to

implement the convention correctly and ensure that the
sanctions are withdrawn and the Regulation
implemented ?

0 ) OJ No L 384, 31 . 12 . 1982, p . 1 .
( 2 ) OJNoL 29, 31 . 1 . 1990, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 May 1993 )

Further to its reply to Written Question No 2167 / 92 by Mr
Raffin (*) on this issue, the Commission informs the
Honourable Member that the CITES Standing Committee
agreed to suspend the measures taken with regard to Italy, a
decision which was communicated to the Parties to the

Convention by the CITES Secretariat on 19 February 1993 .
The suspension has immediate effect .

A definitive withdrawal of the Standing Committee
recommendations remains subject to :

the adoption by the Italian Parliament, without changes
contrary to the provisions of the Convention, of the
relevant law-decree of 12 January 1993 ;

adequate application of the procedures adopted for
implementation of the Convention .

H OJ No C 51, 22 . 2 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2750 / 92

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

( 16 November 1992 )

Subject : Complaint by the standing committee of the ( 93 / C 258 / 34

CITES on failure to implement the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Subject : Temporary staff employed by the Ministry of
Fauna and Flora

Culture and deterioration of the artistic and

cultural heritage
At the beginning of November 1990 and at its meeting of
22 — 25 June 1992 the CITES Standing Committee Italy is among the leading artistic and cultural nations in
complained at the failure of Italy to implement the Europe and in the world, over 68% of our heritage of

Italy is among the leading artistic and cultural nations in
Europe and in the world, over 68% of our heritage of

\

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 19

enormous artistic and cultural value, being locked on its whose contracts may be terminated after six years '
territory . Much of it is situated in the Mezzogiorno and is employment by the Italian Ministry for the Cultural
often seriously misused, for example in cases where Heritage and all-year-round continuous opening hours for
buildings are used for purposes for which they were not those institutions which are the custodians of Italy 's cultural
intended and thereby detracting from their architecture . As assets, lies entirely which the Italian authorities .
a result, priceless works which are essential to Italy 's tourist
and cultural sector are suffering increasing damage . (!) OJ No C 336, 19 . 12 . 1992 .

However, the Ministry of the Environment and Culture
plans to release 1900 ' temporary ' staff, who were selected
for their qualifications and have been employed for six years
for the care and conservation of works of art, antiquities,
architectural monuments, archaeological sites and parks .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2823 / 92

In view of this will the Commission :

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

1 . Urge the Italian Government to set up a fund, possibly to

be combined with to and ( 16 November 1992 )

be combined with Community financing, to protect and
upgrade its historical, artistic, cultural and architectural
heritage, which is also the heritage of the
Community ?

( 93 / C 258 / 35

Subject : Tunnel under the Timfristos Ridge
2 . Take steps to ensure that suspended personnel are

re-employed to alleviate the particularly severe staff
shortages ?

In April 1991, I tabled a Written Question No 847 / 91 (*)
concerning the Lamia-Karpenision road and its effects on
the environment . The Commission replied that it had

to ensure continuous opening hours for the requested the Greek authorities to draw up an

artistic works and sites of natural interest environmental impact assessment and indicate the
the year in order to attract more tourists and corrective measures to be taken in order to compensate for
the professional experience acquired by the any environmentally negative effects . Instead of drawing up
staff concerned does not go to waste ? a comprehensive survey, the Directorate-General for the

Environment of the Ministry of Environment, Regional
Planning and Public Works limited itself to a preliminary
environmental assessment on the tunnel under the

Timfristos Ridge, which was submitted after the contractor
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro had already begun work on the project . In view of the fact

behalf of the Commission that :

3 . Take steps to ensure continuous opening hours for the

viewing of artistic works and sites of natural interest
throughout the year in order to attract more tourists and
ensure that the professional experience acquired by the
temporary staff concerned does not go to waste ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 June 1993 )

The scope for action by the Commission in the area of the
cultural heritage is defined in Article 128 of the Treaty of
Maastricht — currently in the process of ratification —
according to which Community action shall be aimed at
encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if
necessary, supporting and supplementing their action .

1 . part of the project is receiving IMP funding,

2 . no comprehensive environmental impact assessment has
been carried out for the project as a whole,

3 . it is an extremely delicate operation to add the
connecting roads at the entrance and exit of the tunnel,
since this will cause enormous damage to the
environment,

4 . measures should be taken to offset the adverse effects on

the environment, particularly on the terrain and
vegetation,

Furthermore, in their conclusions of 12 November 1992 on . measures to on
the ' guidelines for Community cultural action ' 0 ) the the environment, particularly on the terrain and
Ministers of Culture meeting within the Council stressed the vegetation,
preponderant role which the Member States continue to
play in this field as well as the subsidiary character imparted and since the Commission has stated that it is closely
to Community action . monitoring the state of progress of this project, will it urge
the Greek authorities to carry out a comprehensive

The Commission would therefore point out that it has no environmental impact assessment and will it ask the
power to adopt a position on the various measures referred responsible authorities to ensure that, as far as possible, the
to by the Honourable Member . Responsibility for assessing work is carried out in such a way that the landscape can be

restored ?

The Commission would therefore point out that it has no
power to adopt a position on the various measures referred responsible authorities to ensure

work is carried out in such a

to by the Honourable Member . Responsibility for assessing

restored ?

for appropriateness of those measures, i.e. the creation of a
new fund in Italy for the protection and upgrading of its
cultural heritage, the re-employment of the 1900 people (M OJ No C 66, 16 . 3 . 1992, p. 7 .

No C 258 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas transport and sale of radioactive substances are explicitly

on behalf of the Commission included in the scope of the Directive . Moreover the holder

( 18 June 1993 ) of radioactive substances who intends to carry out a

shipment has to obtain a prior declaration of the consignee
that he has complied with all the relevant requirements of
The Commission is closely, monitoring the progess of the the destination Member State .
project . It does not share the Honourable Member 's
misgivings . It believes that the project is being carried out in Specific guidance on the issue of recycling has been given by
accordance with the Community legislation in force .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 June 1993 )

. Specific guidance on the issue of recycling has been given by
with the Community legislation in force . the Group of Experts set up under the terms of Article 31 of

the Euratom Treaty ( Report Series Radiation Prptection

it does not believe that it should intervene in any No 43, CEC Luxembourg, 1988 ), proposing radiological

protection criteria for the recycling of steel . The Group of
Experts is currently revising its recommendations on the
basis of the latest studies conducted by the Commission and
by individual countries and in the light of international
advice ( ICRP, IAEA ) on radiological protection criteria
applicable to exemption from regulatory control . The
Group of Experts will subsequently consider other metals
WRITTEN QUESTION No 2845 / 92 such as copper and aluminium .

Therefore, it does not believe that it should intervene in any

way .

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 36

Subject : Recycling of scrap metals

What directives, guidelines or regulations have been issued
by the Commission covering the recycling of scrap metals
from decommissioned nuclear facilities within the European
Communities ; and what Community rules exist covering the
imports into the Community of decontaminated metals
from inactive areas of nuclear plants outside the
Community, for processing and recycling within the
Community ?

(!) OJ No L 266, 17 . 9 . 1980 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 265, 5 . 10 . 1984 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2848 / 92

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 37 )

Subject : Economically poor states
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1993 ) What steps have been taken since the end of the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development

( UNCED ) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992 to

The scrap metal produced upon dismantling of nuclear implement Community plans to increase and enhance
installations varies between non-contaminated and financial, technical and infrastructural development
non-activated on the one hand and severely radioactively support to the states of the ACP-Lome convention and to
contaminated and activated on the other hand . National other economically poor nations outside the ACP ?
authorities may authorize the release of contamination-free
or very slightly contaminated material . For such materials
the regulation and control system for radioactive materials
is relinquished and no further distinction is made between
such scrap and scrap of other origin . Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Basic Community safety standards for the health protection ( 15 April 1993 )
of the general public and workers against the dangers of
ionizing radiation, are laid down in Council Directive
8 0 / 8 3 6 / Euratom ( 1 ), amended by Council Directive At the United Nations Conference
84 / 467 / Euratom ( 2 ). UNCED the

These basic safety standards are currently being revised . In
the draft proposal of the Commission, the recycling of
materials containing radioactive substances is included
among cases where prior authorization is required . The

At the United Nations Conference on Environment and

Development ( UNCED ), the Community and its Member
States announced that they would make available ECU 3
billion, including new and additional resources, as a
contribution to the early implementation in developing
countries of Agenda 21, the action plan adopted at the
Conference . The fight against poverty, institution building

t

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 21

and technology transfer were listed as the main
cross-sectoral priorities for the allocation of funds and the
selection of projects .

The Community will take part in this initiative with a
contribution of ECU 350 million from already budgeted
Official Development Aid funds ( European Development
Fund and budgetary allocations for cooperation with Asian,
Latin American and Mediterranean countries ).

At the Council of Development Ministers in November

In view of the fact that these rules are embodied in

resolutions which are in no way binding, the Commission
plans ferries to operating present a in proposal Community to the waters Council comply to ensure with that V these all

requirements .

It should be noted, in this context, that the international
Maritime Organization ( IMO ) has adopted new
compulsory rules on fire protection, which will be gradually
extended to existing ferries . In addition, new regulations
and directives on safe management, safety instructions for
passengers and requirements for training crew members in
evacuating vessels have recently been adopted or are in the
process of being adopted .

1992, a first tranche of ECU 600 million was approved for to present a to to ensure V
Agenda 21 follow-up actions, to be committed during 1993 . ferries operating in Community waters comply with these
There are however several outstanding issues, including the requirements .
specific areas of intervention and the portion of new and
additional resources, which are currently being discussed . The policy recommended by the Commission is set out in its
communication 'A common policy on safe seas ' (*) which
The Commission considers that the Council should finalize has been sent to Parliament and the Council .

its discussions on the implementation of the financial
commitment announced at Rio by the Community and its While encouraging the Commission 's initiatives, the
Member States by June this year, in time for the first Council called on 25 January for more coordinated and
substantive meeting of the Commission on Sustainable determined action on the part of Member States and the
Development, the new UN body in charge of examining Community within IMO, particularly to reduce the safety
progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 .

While encouraging the Commission 's initiatives, the
Council called on 25 January for more coordinated and
determined action on the part of Member States and the
Community within IMO, particularly to reduce the safety
gap between existing vessels and new ones ( including
ferries ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2863 / 92

by Mr Karl-Heinz Florenz ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 38 )

(!) COM(93 ) 66 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2871 / 92

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : Safety on European ferries ( 16 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 39 )
There have recently been an increasing number of accidents
on European ferries involving passenger deaths .

Subject : Green Paper on the Urban Environment
For example, in the night of 11-12 August 1992, two
children died on the Swansea to Cork ferry as a result of Could the Commission inform me what actions
poisonous gas leaks . taken to implement of the recommendations

What steps will the Commission take to guarantee the safety
of passengers on ferries ?

What can be done to achieve maximum safety by means of
regular inspections ?

Could the Commission inform me what actions they have
taken to implement many of the recommendations of the
Green Paper and could they provide me with details of any
projects they have funded in Ireland ? Is the Commission in
future prepared to fund innovative urban renewal projects
which would involve in particular those working in the area
of culture ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Matutes on

on behalf of the Commission ( 19 May 1993 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 May 1993 )

The Commission has developed a number of activities in
The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's concern the framework of the ' Green Paper on the Urban
about the need to improve safety on ferries . Environment ':

No C 258 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

financial contributions to initiatives of local

communities which show an innovative approach
towards I the solution of urban problems ;

i
studies in order to develop the ideas of the Green Paper
on mixed urban uses, on transport problems and on
innovative aspects of rehabilitation of industrial waste
lands ; for example the study on ' car-free cities ' that
might lead to specific proposals to reduce the pressure
created by private cars on public space ;

contributions to seminars and congresses, often
international ;

United Nations Year of the Indigenous Peoples ; will the

Commission list all decisions, studies and actions taken to
date affecting indigenous peoples in the world in the fields of
development, human rights, environment or humanitarian
aid, list and describe all infrastructural and environmental
projects undertaken by the Community, affecting the lives
of indigenous peoples and finally list and describe all actions
taken by the . Commission to help indigenous refugees
throughout the world ?

the establishment of an international expert group . Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

Projects related to the urban environment funded by the ( 23 June 1993 )
Commission in Ireland are :

within the framework of the LIFE programme B4-320 a
joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce and
the Dublin City Council on installing improved urban
environment information systems to guide the
implementation of environment policies ;

In the conclusions adopted by the Council and the
representatives of the Governments of the Member States
meeting within the Council on the implementation of the

i 1991 resolution on human rights, democracy and

on budget line B2-6023 support to studies on the development, the community and its Member States
conservation of European cities with emphasis on links reaffirmed their determination to give priority and support
between the conservation of historic centres and their to creating new democratic institutions, strengthening the
economic development : rule of law and promoting popular participation . They also

reiterated their support for measures to promote good

— Waterford : study of City Quays to assess their governance and cuts in military spending where this was

problems and potential for future alternative uses excessive . They took the view that action could be taken in
and development, other areas too, for example to ensure that minorities

benefited from development aid and played a greater role in
— Cork : formulation of an action plan for the historic the political process in general .

i

on budget line B2-6023 support to studies on the
conservation of European cities with emphasis on links
between the conservation of historic centres and their

economic development :

— Waterford : study of City Quays to assess their

problems and potential for future alternative uses
and development,

centre with a clear economic focus and with

attention to traffic measures ;

on budget line B3-200 Assistance » to the conservation of
the architectural heritage in Europe, created in 1984, 15
projects for a total of ECU 850 000 have been financed
in Ireland . For 1992 the projects were Dr Steevens
Hospital in Dublin, The Crescent and the Milk Market
both at Limerick .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2876 / 92

by Mr Michael McGowan ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 40 )

The Community 's emergency humanitarian aid is provided
to non - member countries without discrimination . In 1992,
for example, the Commission allocated some ECU 1,8
million to measures in support of their inhabitants .

The Commission has funded a study of the indigenous
peoples that inhabit tropical forests, in order to obtain an
overall picture of their situation .

The study should also help to integrate this essential
component more effectively into programmes and projects
relating to tropical forests in Africa ( particularly Zaire,
Gabon and the Congo ), Asia ( Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines and Papua New Guinea ) and Latin America

( Brazil, Bolivia and Peru ).

When data are available at regional level ( Amazon basin, the
equatorial forests of Africa, etc .) they will also be
Subject : The European Community and indigenous indicated .
peoples

In view of the fact that 1992 is the Quincentenary of
Columbus ' travels to the Americas and 1993 will be the

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 23

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2877 / 92 the investigation was carried out by the Commission in close
by Mr Freddy Blak ( S ) collaboration with the Danish authorities .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 November 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 41 )

Subject : Sponsoring agreements with the Danish Tennis

Federation

According to an article in the Danish BT newspaper of
Monday, 12 October 1992, the Commission has instituted
proceedings against the Danish Tennis Federation,
demanding a fine of $ 50 000 for infringement of EC
competition and marketing legislation .

The Commission denies that it intends to fine the DTF

50 000 dollars . It has taken no decision whether or not the

DTF should be fined . Still less has the Commission
considered the size of any fine which might or not be
imposed . Therefore, the allegation that Commission has
decided to impose a fine and has stated the amount of the
fine is completely unfounded .

According to the article, the Commission is contesting
sponsoring agreements between the Danish Tennis
Federation and three tennis ball manufacturers . WRITTEN QUESTION No 2941 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

It appears very strange that the Commission should choose
to take action of this type in an area where the money paid ( 24 November 1 992 )
by sponsors benefits sportsmen and women, both young ( 93 / C 258 / 42 )
and old .

( 93 / C 258 / 42 )

Can the Commission give its reasons for instituting
proceedings against the Danish Tennis Federation and say
what stage matters have now reached ?

Subject : Marketing of last year 's stocks of Greek wine

Although this year 's grape harvest is in full swing, Greek
wine producers are still facing serious problems since the
storehouses are still full of last year 's produce ( 110 000

Answer given by Mr Van Miert tonnes out of a total production of 450 000 tonnes ). This

on behalf of the Commission year wine production in Greece will exceed 500 000 tonnes .

( 30 June 1993 ) In order to help market this produce, does the Commission

intend to propose that satisfactory levels of aid be granted as
soon as possible to enable last year 's produce to be
The Commission began investigations in this case because it converted into alcohol and that the use of sugar to increase
received a complaint from a Danish importer . the alcohol content be prohibited ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 June 1993 )

At least since mid-eighties the Danish Tennis Federation
( DTF ) had entered a sponsorship agreement with three large
international tennis ball producers and their exclusive
importers, whereby the Danish Tennis Federation gave
' official and exclusive recognition ' to their balls .
Furthermore, only their balls were to be used in Danish

tournaments .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1993 )

As a result of these arrangements the sole importers were
able to charge higher prices in Denmark than in other The Commission is aware that Community wine production
Member States . For example, there were large price for 1992 / 93 will rise to approximately 187 million hi, which
differences ( up to 30% ) between the Danish and the represents an increase of 19% on the previous marketing
German markets for balls of the same brand and the same year . Production also rose in Greece, although less

sharply .

quality . Other Danish importers claimed that they were able
to sell the same balls up to 40 % cheaper than the exclusive
importers . For the 1992 / 93 marketing year, the Commission made it
possible, even before 1 September 1992, to resort

It is obvious that this system was detrimental to Danish to preventive distillation ( cf . Regulation ( EEC )
consumers and to Danish importers who were not members No 2363 / 92 (*), amended by Regulation ( EEC )
of the agreement . The agreement was capable of affecting No 3192 / 92 ( 2 )), with a view to balancing the market by
appreciably trade between Member States . For these reason, voluntary distillation measures .

The Commission is aware that Community wine production
for 1992 / 93 will rise to approximately 187 million hi, which
represents an increase of 19% on the previous marketing
year . Production also rose in Greece, although less
sharply .

It is obvious that this system was detrimental to Danish
consumers and to Danish importers who were not members
of the agreement . The agreement was capable of affecting
appreciably trade between Member States . For these reason,

No C 25 8 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

In order to ease the difficulties encountered in selling table The Community meets its consumption requirements in
wines in particular, the Commission is offering the option of particular by the processing of imported groundnuts since
concluding long-term private storage contracts between Community production of these seeds is almost
December and February so that table wine, grape must, non-existent (a few thousand tonnes ).
concentrated grape must and rectified concentrated grape
must can be put on the market at more favourably-timed The system governing imports is bound under GATT and
intervals ( 3 ). involves either an exemption ( groundnut-oilseed ) or a low
level of protection ( peanuts ) in the interests of the processing
Other distillation measures were adopted in Regulations industry ( in particular the oil producing industry ) and

( EEC ) No 129 / 93 ( compulsory distillation ) and ( EEC ) Community consumers .

The Community meets its consumption requirements in
particular by the processing of imported groundnuts since
Community production of these seeds is almost
non-existent (a few thousand tonnes ).

( EEC ) No 129 / 93 ( compulsory distillation ) and ( EEC )
No 130 / 93 ( support distillation ). They should lead to better
matching of supply and demand for table wines and should
stimulate the market .

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that the use of sucrose to increase the alcohol content of

wines and of grape must is forbidden not only in Greece, but
also in Spain, Italy, Portugal and a large part of France .

O

( 2 )

( 3 )

OJ No L 230, 13 . 8 . 1992 .
OJ No L 317, 31 . 10 . 1992 .
For the 1991 / 92 marketing year, Regulation ( EEC ) No 3636 / 91

( OJNo L 344, 14 . 12 . 1991 ) provided for private storage aid to
be granted . It should be noted that, according to the most recent
information received, Greek operators have made almost no use
of this possibility during the last three marketing years .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2944 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Groundnuts are cultivated in the Community on a small
scale in certain regions where the climate is propitious and
where this crop can guarantee to the producers an income
comparable to that which they obtain from other crops .
Moreover, this crop benefits from all the across-the-board
measures of the common agricultural policy ( e.g. structural,
regional, environmental etc . measures ) which allow the
farmers concerned to improve their competitiveness or to
convert to other more profitable crops .

Under the circumstances, the Commission does not envisage
any additional measures in the peanuts sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3078 / 92

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

( 14 December 1992 )

( 24 November 1992 ) ( 93 / C 258 / 44 )

( 93 / C 258 / 43 )

Subject : Progress under the Community Support
Framework for Greece — Athens underground
Subject : Marketing of Community groundnut production

The Athens underground project has been incorporated as
part of the first Community Support Framework for Greece,
the amount involved being ECU 649 378 million, to be
utilized by 31 December 1993 .

Every year Community groundnut producers have trouble
selling their produce, owing to the large quantities of part of

the

groundnuts imported into the European Community from

utilized

third countries ( such as Turkey ) without being subject to
any duty . Does the Commission intend to demonstrate its

1 . What

concern by ensuring that Community groundnut

what

production finds a market and that this crop is protected in
1993 ?
general ?

1 . What has been the annual take-up of Funds and for

what purposes and what is the balance to be covered for

2 . What information can the Commission provide as to

how the above project is progressing ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 March 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

The level of peanut imports into the Community is very low, ( 14 April 1993 )
about 5 500 tonnes, which represents less than 15% of
intra-Comm unity trade . The main suppliers are the United
States and Turkey which between them account for 70 % of According to initial estimates based on the timetable
this quantity . included in the contractor 's tender, expenditure on the

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 25

Athens underground project should reach ECU 650 million
by the end of 1993 . Actual expenditure to the end of 1992
was ECU 213 million ( ECU 156 million in 1991 and ECU 57
million in 1992 ). As far as sums which will not be taken up
within the deadline are concerned, the CSF Monitoring
Committee has already decided to release them and
reallocate them to other programmes requiring additional
financing .

development of trade flows between the . Mediterranean
countries of southern Europe and north Africa, Another
study is to be undertaken in collaboration with the Spanish
Ministry of Public Works which is to throw light on flows of
passengers and goods from the Maghreb countries to the
Community across the Strait of Gibraltar .

The Commission has been notified that the following work
has been carried out : various detailed technical studies,
geological boreholes, soil sampling, commencement of
building work on Larissa station and progress on the WRITTEN QUESTION No 3095 / 92
construction of two tunnel-driving machines .

by Mr Ian White ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 46 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3089 / 92 Subject : Environmental impact assessment and the

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) granting of permission for development

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 45 ),

Subject : Forecasts for passenger and goods traffic by land

from Africa through the Iberian Peninsula

The Commission 's communication to the Council entitled
' Towards trans-European networks . For a Community
action programme .' ( COM(90 ) 585 final ) sets out a general
picture of the main expected requirements for
intra-Community transport . Does the Commission have
data and forecasts concerning the possible flows of
passengers and goods in the year 2010 by road and rail from
Africa through Spain ?

r

Where, subsequent to the preparation of an environmental
assessment and the grant of permission for development
based on that assessment, but before development is
implemented or reaches a stage beyond which it cannot
reasonably be stayed further information comes to the
knowledge of the developer or any person retained by the
developer which calls into question whether the assessment
would have reached the same conclusions had it been

prepared with knowledge of that information, so that the
effect is that permission for the development has been based
on an inadequate assessment, should not the developer be
under a legal obligation not to proceed further with the
development until

1 . the environmental assessment has been updated to take

into account the changed circumstances and

2 . the planning process has been given a full opportunity to
reconsider and redetermine whether it would have made
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi the same decision had the environmental assessment
contained the further information ?

on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 1993 )

In the communication referred to, COM(90 ) 585 final, the
Commission drew attention to the importance of
assembling all the necessary data in order to evaluate the
requirements of the networks and the technical and
financial difficulties which might impede their emergence .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 June 1993 )

Article 5.2 of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ! ) requires the

There is not at present any legal provision specifically developer to supply to the competent authority the data
covering trans-European networks which would allow the required to identify and assess the main effects which the
goals of the action programme to be pursued in a systematic project is likely to have on the environment . "
fashion, but despite this Commission departments have
pressed on with the relevant work under other The failure by a developer to supply certain items of such
programmes . data could constitute a breach of the directive only where
the developer would have been expected to gather and
By way of example, there is a study going on in the Europe supply those items before development consent was
2000 framework which is looking at the impact on regional granted . The directive does not impose any requirements

No C 258 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

where data are identified after development consent has 3 . The introduction of a European disability card
been granted which the developer could not have been presupposes standardization in all Member States of the
expected to gather and supply before development consent definition of disability, and of disability cards . The
was granted . Commission is endeavouring, within the limits of its

competence, to find a solution which would be acceptable to
all Member States .
(!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

Recognition of disability cards issued by other Member
States, so that the disabled persons concerned can take
advantage of present national laws concerning identity
cards, is the responsibility of the individual Member
States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3114 / 92

by Mr Klaus Hänsch ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 93 / C 258 / 47 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3139 / 92

Subject : Community programme of action on improving

the mobility of disabled people

In a resolution of 16 December 1991, the Council and the
representatives of the Governments of the Member States
meeting in the Council requested the Commission to draw
up a Community programme of action containing proposals
for specific measures to improve accessibility to all forms of
public transport and ancillary infrastructures .

1 . When will the Commission submit the programme of

action requested by the Council for the end of September

1992 ?

2 . Is it not a matter of urgency to draw up such proposals in
order to give disabled people the necessary
encouragement and hope for more opportunities in the
European Internal Market ?

by Mr Friedrich Merz ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

93 / C 258 / 48

Subject : Assistance to the cotton industry in southern

Italy

According to press reports, the Italian Government
supported the construction of a cotton mill in Castrovillari
by the ' Polli ' company with a subsidy of Lit 1 80 000 million
covering the greater part of the total cost of Lit 220 000
million .

1 . Has the Italian Government reported this, and the seven

installations financed in this manner in the past three
years, to the Commission and did the Commission
authorize them ?

3 . Will for the a Commission European disabled finally give persons priority ' to pass proposals and / or 2 . the Does catastrophic the Commission structural agree and that these economic subsidies problems, given

Community wide recognition of certain national passes, facing the European cotton processing industry, will
entitling holders, for example, to use parking places lead to a wholly unjustifiable distortion of
reserved for disabled people in all Member States ? intra-Community competition in this sector and that

they should be forbidden since they are clearly contrary
to the common interest ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 May 1993 ) Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 1993 )
1 . The Commission intends to submit the action
programme to the Council in the first half of 1993, given
that it adopted ( on 2 December 1992 ) its White Paper on the The Commission is following very closely developments in
future development of the Common Transport Policy, and the cotton industry . It has requested information from the
that the Community Action Programme on the accessibility Italian authorities on the aid programmes mentioned by the
of public transport forms part of the White Paper . Honourable Member but has not as yet received any reply to

its request .

2 . Yes . Among the urgent measures mentioned V in the
action programme are Community standards for buses and
coaches, as well as the approximation of laws relating to
railways .

As far as the Commission is aware, the Italian authorities
have not provided for any specific assistance measure for the
cotton industry . However, cotton firms in regions covered

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 27

by the Community 's Retex system are automatically eligible
for support in the same way as firms in all the other

sectors .

In addition, all firms, including cotton firms, located in any
area covered by a regional aid scheme are eligible for
support as a matter of course .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3144 / 92

by Mr Dieter Rogalla ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 49 )

For a longer period, the authorities of the host Member State
are required to issue a residence permit, which merely gives
concrete expression to the right of residence deriving
directly from Community law . It is for the person concerned
to take the necessary steps to obtain this document from the
competent authorities .

As regards access to paid employment or self-employed
activities, the Commission sees to it that the principle of
equal treatment, enshrined in Articles 48 and 52 of the EEC
Treaty and developed through various provisions of
secondary legislation, is complied with . Where it becomes
apparent that the legislation or administrative practice of a
Member State infringes this principle, the Commission takes
appropriate measures and, where necessary, may initiate
proceedings under Article 169 .

Subject : Residence and employment in the Member WRITTEN QUESTION No 3148 / 92
States

1 . Under the relevant Treaty provisions, EC nationals
have an unrestricted right of residence and may work in any
of the Member States of the EC .

2 . I assume that persons who claim those rights are
treated in exactly the same way as nationals of the State they

enter .

3 . Can the Commission therefore confirm that when
nationals of one Member State enter a neighbouring
Member State, in reliance on the freedom of movement of
persons and the right freely to choose a profession or trade,
in order to take up employment and change their place of
residence, there are no legal requirements or formalities of
any kind which must be complied with, apart from
registration with the local authorities, which is also a
requirement for nationals of the host Member State ?

4 . Should that assumption be incorrect, would the
Commission please list, for each Member State, the
additional requirements applicable to nationals arriving
from another Member State, citing the relevant legal
provisions ( references will be sufficient ).

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 1993 )

by Mr François Guillaume ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 50 )

Subject : Reimbursement of enrolment fee (' minerval ') to

foreign students who have studied in Belgium

Since 1976 foreign students in Belgium have had to pay an
enrolment fee (' minerval ') which Belgian students are not
required to pay .

In 1988, a judgment of the Court of Justice ordered the
Belgian State to reimburse these improperly charged fees to
the students who were the victims of this injustice, but so far
no reimbursements have been made .

Today this case is pending before the Belgian Courts of
Appeal whose procedure is very slow .

                                                                                              
The Commission, which promised to bring an action against
the Belgian State under Article 169 for failure to fulfil its
obligations under the Treaty, has not done so . Why not ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 86 / 93

by Mr Georgios Zavvos ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 51 )
The Community rules on the right of residence do not
provide that the steps to be taken by EC nationals moving to
another Member State must include registration with the Subject : University tuition fees
local authorities . Such an administrative formality does not, in violation of Community
incidentally, exist in all Member States .

Subject : University tuition fees received by the Belgian State

in violation of Community law

Between 1976 and 1988 the Belgian
university tuition fees from nationals of
States in violation of Community law .

Between 1976 and 1988 the Belgian State received

Under Community law, residence for a period of up to three university tuition fees from nationals of other Member
months is covered by the person 's identity card or passport . States in violation of Community law .

State

other

No C 258 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Despite its condemnation by the Court of Justice of the
European Communities, procedural problems posed by the
Belgian legal system seem to have prevented the repayment
of these fees so far .

Will the Commission say what further action it intends to
take to ensure that Belgium complies with the above
judgment and repays the fees to those concerned ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 3148 / 92 and 86 / 93

given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 June 1993 )

In 1988 the Court of Justice of the European Communities
delivered several judgments concerning the problem of the
student enrolment fee (' minerval ') in Belgium .

single indivisible unit . It is in west Athens, one of the
underdeveloped regions of Attica, which has a population of
more than 500 000, and has a surface area — most of which
is not built-up — of 120 hectares, of which 90 hectares is
publicly owned and 30 hectares privately owned . Local
authority bodies insist that ' Pirgos Vasilissis ' should be
developed to create a city park, a green oasis for recreational
and cultural activity . Dr 1,2 billion have been obtained from
the Community and Dr 400 million from national sources .
The West Athens Development Association has made a
financial contribution of Dr 300 million . Despite this, the
Athens Planning Department has been accused of delaying
any action for more than one and a half years and appears to
be advocating cancellation of the plans to convert the area
into an environment development park . Will the
Commission look into this matter and what action will it

take ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

None of these explicitly required the Belgian State to repay on
amounts unduly paid, but the judgment of 2 February 1988 ( IS April 1993 )
in Case 309 / 85 states that pupils and students from other
Member States who have been improperly obliged to pay a
registration fee may not be deprived by national legislation
of their right to repayment . The area referred to by the

of their right to repayment . The area referred to by the Honourable Member is not

considered as a special protection area or one of special

The Commission has noted that the Belgian provisions on importance within the meaning of the Community
the enrolment fee, some of which relate to reimbursement, legislation on nature conservation, nor is it the subject of
have not been brought into line with Community law, even specific Community measures . Furthermore, town and
though they have been amended . For this reason an country planning, and specifically the creation of parks, is
infringement procedure has been initiated under Article 169 the responsibility of the Member States . It is therefore for
of the EEC Treaty . the development competent which authorities may take in place Greece in the to ' decide Pirgos Vasilissis on any '

area, and on how such development should be funded .
The Commission 's application was submitted to the Court
of Justice on 17 February 1993 . The number of the case is
C - 47 / 93 .

The Commission has noted that the Belgian provisions on
the enrolment fee, some of which relate to reimbursement,
have not been brought into line with Community law, even
though they have been amended . For this reason an
infringement procedure has been initiated under Article 169
of the EEC Treaty .

Recognition of individual rights and determination of the
sums due are matters for the national courts alone to

decide .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3185 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3 1 74 / 92 (6 January 1993 )

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 53 )

( 93 / C 258 / 52 ) Subject : Imports of Community produce into the USA

Subject : Conversion of the area of ' Pirgos Vasilissis ' in west The US trade representative, Carla Hills, recently

Athens into an environment development park announced retaliatory measures against imports from the
eed . US customs will be imposing 200 % tariffs on these
The area of ' Pirgos Vasilissis ' was and continues to be an products from 5 December 1992 . How does the
area which is historically, functionally and structurally a Commission intend to respond ?

\

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 29

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 1993 )

On Norway 's accession to the EC, this Regulation along
with all other Community legislation will be applicable in
the enlarged Community waters, possibly subject to
adaptation measures during a transitional period .

On 26 November 1992, within the framework of the (*) OJ No L 276, 10 . 10 . 1983 .
negotiations on the agricultural side of the Uruguay Round,
the United States and the Commission managed to settle this
dispute . The Community will undertake to restrict the
permitted area for these crops to 5 128 million hectares .
Moreover this basic area will have to be reduced by
fallowing an area corresponding in proportion to that
imposed for cereals and amounting to at least 1 0 % of the WRITTEN
base area . Oilseeds may however be grown on the fallowed by Mr Jose
area for non-food purposes up to a limit of the equivalent of

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3218 / 92

1 million tonnes of soya cake . It was also agreed to include in
the list of the GATT concessions a tariff quota of 500 000
tonnes of maize for importation into Portugal at a rate of
duty that will be set at a level allowing the quota to be filled .
Following these discussions the United States announced
officially that it was closing the ' retaliation ' procedure .

by Mr Jose Lafuente Lopez ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 55 )

Subject : The possibility of acquiring a home of one 's own

through property leasing
On 26 January 1993 the Commission sent the Council a
recommendation for a Decision ( x ) on conclusion of an Of late, amongst the various methods used to finance the
agreement between the Community and the United States of acquisition of residential property for personal use,
America on oilseeds . property leasing has gained in popularity . This method

offers a number of advantages over other methods in terms
(!) SEC(93 ) 53 final . of flexibility and ' ease ' of payment .

However, the acquisition of the primary residence for
personal use through property leasing is not possible in all
the Member States, for there are countries in the
Community which specifically exclude the acquisition of
residential property in the provisions governing property
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3199 / 92 leasing .

by Mr Peter Crampton ( S )

1
to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities Can the Commission say whether Community legislation on

(6 January 1993 ) this matter allows for such a differentiation giving rise to the

abovementioned form of discrimination whereby some

93 / C 258 / 54 citizens can and others cannot, depending on the country

they live in, acquire a home of their own by means of
leasing ?
Subject : Norway 's application to join EC / fishing issues

(6 January 1993 )

93 / C 258 / 54

What steps will the Commission take to ensure that when

( and if ) Norway becomes a member of the EC, the
Norwegian authorities will accept an agreed level of
tolerance for infringements of catch reporting ? Such a
tolerance to be at the current EC tolerance allowed for

foreign vessels fishing in EC waters i.e 20% .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1993 )

In most Member States the only buildings subject to
property leasing are those used for commercial purposes .
The Commission has no reason to intervene in this area

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
( subsidiarity principle ).

on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1993 ) In fact, the issue raised by the Honourable Member
concerns matters internal to the Member States . How the

Member States regulate activities internal to their own

The of fish detailed by Member rules for States recording ' vessels information are laid down on in all Council catches territories intra-Community which trade have is no a significant matter within impact their on
of Regulation tolerance ( of EEC 20 ) % No in 2807 estimates / 83 ( ] of ), which the quantities permits, expressed a margin discretion .
in kilograms, of fish subject to a total allowable catch that
are retained on board ( Article 5, paragraph 2 ).

No C 258 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3227 / 92

by Mr Fernand Herman ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 January 1 993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 56 )

Subject : Application of EEC Regulations

In the Official Journal of the European Communities ( a ), I
see that Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 3044 / 92 of
21 October 1992 comes into force the day after its
publication in the Official Journal, i.e. 24 October, but that
it applies to products of every kind exported from India to
the Community from 25 September 1992 .

Why was the Commission so late in publishing a regulation
which should have come into force no later than
25 September 1992 ?

The same error, mutatis mutandis, occurred with
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3058 / 92 ( 2 ) of 22 October 1992
concerning imports from Malaysia and Regulation ( EEC )
No 3043 / 92 ( 3 ) of 22 October 1992 concerning imports
from Brazil .

The delay in publishing the Commission Regulation
establishing the provisional quantitative restrictions in the
Official Journal, and the fact that the Regulation applied
retroactively to goods which had been exported before its
entry into force, do not harm the economic operators
involved . Firstly, the provisional quantiative limits do not
apply to imports dispatched from the supplier country
before the Regulation entered into force provided they were
also dispatched before notification of the request for
consultations . Secondly, the quantities dispatched to the
Community between the Regulation 's implementation and
its publication in the Official Journal are in any case charged
against the quantitative limits " which are finally
established .

The Commission does its best to ensure that the decision to

impose restrictions is rapidy published as a Regulation . The
delays which sometimes occur are due mainly to the
excessive workload of the relevant Commission
departments, which have to prepare the Regulations in the
nine Community languages . The period to which the
question refers was furthermore especially busy because of
the renegotiation of all the bilateral textile agreements and
the reform of their management to suit the conditions of the
internal market .

The subdivision of Community quotas into regional quotas

What steps will the Commission take to rectify these ended on 1 January of this year and an integrated
errors ? quota - monitoring system has been established . In future,

therefore, rules and regulations in this field should be easier
(!) OJ No L 307, 23 . 10 . 1992, p. 22 . to prepare . This should considerably reduce the delays to
( 2 ) OJ No L 308, 24 . 10 . 1992, p. 5 . which the Honourable Member 's question refers .
( 3 ) OJ No L 307, 23 . 10 . 1992, p . 20 .

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 May 1993 )

The terms of the textiles agreements between the
Community and some of its suppliers make it possible
under certain circumstances to introduce ' provisional '
quantitative restrictions for products to which such
restrictions do not already apply . The agreements allow
such action to be taken with effect from the date on which a

non-member country is notified and requested to open
consultations aimed at reaching an agreement or joint
conclusions on a suitable level of restriction .

The Commission generally dispatches this notification in the
form of a note verbale immediately after receiving the assent
of the Textile Committee established by Council Regulation
( EEC ) No 4136 / 86 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3253 / 92

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 57

Subject : Subsidies to the Women 's Forum

Budget Item A-3091 provides for an appropriation for a
subsidy for the Women 's Forum .

Article 11 of the Regulation in question stipulates that a How was this appropriation spent in 1991 and 1992 ? If
communication concerning the implementation of such possible, please supply a summary of the activities
provisional measures must appear in the Official Journal . In subsidized .
the specific cases mentioned in the written question,
publication took place on 3 October 1992 ( Malaysia and
Brazil ) and 8 October 1992 ( India ). Where is the organization based ?

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 31

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3297 / 92

by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 58
In 1991 the European Parliament voted ECU 300 000 into
the Community budget for the setting up of the European
Women 's Lobby . Subject : Hijacking of lorries in Italy

As this was the first year of existence of the organization
much time was taken up with :

drafting and adapting the statutes of the organization
and legally registering them ;

finding suitable offices and purchasing equipment ;

publicising the existence of the Lobby .

1 . Is the Commission aware that the hijacking of lorries
in Italy has become so frequent as to be an everyday
occurrence ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that since lorry security has
improved, particularly following measures by the
Netherlands Association of Contr oiled-Temperature
Transporters, Transfrigoroute Holland and Koninklijk
Nederlands Vervoer ( Royal Dutch Transport ) these attacks
are becoming increasingly violent ?

3 . Does the Commission consider that the Italian

during the year included : Government can still be regarded as capable of providing a

reasonable guarantee of safety for foreign nationals
temporarily in Italy for professional or personal reasons ?
sending a request to the Dutch government to set up an
informal committee of Ministers having responsibilities 4 . Is the Commission aware that these attacks are mainly
concerned with women 's rights ;

Activities during the year included :

                            
examining the Maastricht Treaty to evaluate the
implications for women 's rights ;

work on programme to promote the role of women in
the decision-making process ;

work on a programme to promote the interests of
migrant women ;

contacts with the Commissions Directorate General for

Employment, Industrial Relations and Social Affairs on
the New Opportunities for Women ( NOW )

programme ;

starting up a number of projects in collaboration with
the European Movement ( women 's committee ), the
Council for the status of women in Ireland and the

European Forum of Socialist Feminists ;

contacts with the European Migrant 's Forum to discuss

common concerns .

The organization is located in Brussels .

4 . Is the Commission aware that these attacks are mainly
directed at specific consignments, such as meat ( which is
easily traded and untraceable after consumption ) and
electronic equipment ?

5 . Can the Commission say what representation it has
made to the Italian authorities with a view to bringing this
hijacking attacks to an end ?

6 . Is the Commission aware that, when a hijacking
occurs in Italy, the transporter concerned may be required to
pay import duties on the value of the stolen goods, a parking
fee for any time spent by the freight vehicle in a police pound
and also a fine because the vehicle has not been properly
taken care of ?

7 . Is the Commission aware that it may become
impossible to obtain insurance for the transport of certain
products to Italy ?

8 . Is the Commission aware that it is becoming
increasingly difficult to persuade drivers to take freight into
Italy .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

For 1992, the Commission has not yet received the
organization 's annual report and accounts . It is therefore The Commission is aware of the difficulties facing hauliers
not yet possible to reply to that part of the question . due to thefts of their lorries in Italy .

However, the difficulties are primarily a matter for the
Italian authorities .

No C 258 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Nevertheless, the Commission will examine in which way
increasing criminality and the negative influence it has on
international transport can be dealt with in the Community
framework .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

- i ( 10 May 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3305 / 92

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis i ( GUE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 59 )

Subject : Aid to olive oil producers

In the light of criticisms by olive producers concerning the
conditions of eligiblity for aid to olive oil producers in
Greece, it appears that Regulation ( EEC ) No 2261 / 84 f 1 ) as
amended by Council Regulations ( EEC ) Nos 892 / 88 ( 2 ),

1226 / 89 ( 3 ) and 3500 / 90 ( 4 ) is not clearly worded and could
be misconstrued thereby leading to injustices and fraud .
Producers are in a constant state of uncertainty and, for
inexplicable reasons, they have been shifted from the
category of producers paid on the basis on their actual
production, to the category paid on the basis of the number
of their trees in accordance with the average production in
their geographical area .

The common organization of the olive oil market comprises
two granting rules of production aid according to whether
the olive growers are classified ' large ' or ' small '. It should be
noted that the small producers benefit from the exemption
of the stabilizer and of aid, higher than that granted to the
large olive growers, on the basis of the four-year average of
the yields of the homogeneous olive-growing area to which
they belong . Moreover, the flat-rate character of the aid
granted to the small olive growers is likely to protect them
from the fluctuations due to the alternation of the
production of the olive-tree by ensuring them, in the
medium and long term, a stable income .

Within the framework of this system.it is thus possible that
the ' small olive grower ' receive, during a crop year major,
aid corresponding only partly to his real production . It goes
however from oneself that this same olive grower receives
aid higher than that corresponding to this real production in
a crop year weak .

On the other hand, it is clear that the olive growers, whose
protection is non-existent during a given campaign, cannot
benefit from production aid, more especially as the essential
condition for the granting of it is the presentation of the
trituration certificate of the olives produced by the mill with
oil .

trees average With regard to the natural disasters, the Community does
their geographical area . not have any automatic compensatory mechanism to help

the producers after such events . However, as it was judged

1 . How is it possible for a grower with 300 trees producing suitable, measures were adopted within the framework of

1 950 kg to receive aid for 200 kg ? the structural policy to the Community . As an example one

can quote, in the sector of the olive oil, the aid which
2 . . Why is it that producers who had no harvest received aid followed the frost of the olive groves in Italy and in Greece at

on the basis of the number of trees when the criteria laid the end of the years .

1 . How is it possible for a grower with 300 trees producing

1 950 kg to receive aid for 200 kg ?

on the basis of the number of trees when the criteria laid

down by the Regulation ( average for the last two years )
are that aid should be granted on the basis of actual
production ?

3 . The current Regulation creates ridiculous situations .

For example, in areas with low average production ( for
instance because of the large number of abandoned olive
trees or natural disasters, frosts etc . which have occurred
in previous years ) a small but industrious producer can
obtain aid for a small part of his production only,

. whereas a large producer who neglects his holding is
able to obtain support for his entire production, Is this
true ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3338 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 60 )

4 . What provisions are contained in the Regulation for Subject : Water on Hydra

i 1 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 4 )

areas hit by natural disasters ? Is account taken of the
fact that production has been reduced and that this
adversely effects the level of aid ?

OJ No L 208, 3 . 8 . 1984, p . 3 .
OJ No L 89, 6 . 4 . 1988, p . 1 .
OJ No L 128, 11 . 5 . 1989, p . 17
OJ No L 338, 5 . 12 . 1990, p . 3 .

The island of Hydra is in a state of confusion following the
opinion of the Health Directorate of the Prefecture of
Piraeus that the island 's water is unfit to drink since its

overall hardness and chloride content are far in excess of the

prescribed levels . Will the Commission assist the Greek
authorities to find a solution to this problem affecting the
island ?

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 33

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas maximum guaranteed quantities ) benefit as a whole from

on behalf of the Commission very high levels of Community aid ( tobacco and cotton ).

( 15 April 1993 ) The genuine danger of a budgetary overrun is one of the

reasons why a limit on the guarantees offered to producers is

necessary .
It is the responsibility of the Greek authorities to ensure that
water supplied for human consumption complies with the
requirements of Directive 80 / 778 / EEC ( l ). In this
connection, the Commission would remind the Honourable
Member that the Directive does not set maximum

admissible concentrations for chloride or hardness .

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1993 )

0 ) OJ No L 229, 15 . 7 . 1980 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3344 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 61 )

Subject : Support for Mediterranean produce

In view of the Commission 's undertaking to farmers '
representatives to support Mediterranean produce and
protect it from the GATT, especially following the most
recent CAP reform, when will proposals be submitted for
decisions to strengthen the position of Mediterranean
produce in short supply and to remove the basic restrictions
preventing its expansion ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3353 / 92

by Mr Fernand Herman ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 62 )

Subject : Nuclear cooperation agreement between the
United Kingdom and the Russian Federation

The above draft agreement was forwarded to the
Commission on 26 October 1992, i.e. 14 days before it was
officially signed by Mr Yeltsin and Mr Major . I understand
that a favourable reply from the Commission under
Article 103 of the EAEC Treaty was forwarded within 10
days .

1 .

In view of the fact that a similar type of agreement
between the European Community and the Russian
Federation based on the second paragraph of
Article 101 of the EAEC Treaty has been pending for
almost 12 months, how does the Commission explain
this difference in approach and the speed with which the
procedure was completed ?

The agreement s which has been adopted covers certain
aspects of nuclear safety . Can the Commission assure
Parliament, that in the brief period available, it was able
to carry out appropriate consultations before giving its
opinion ? Was the International Atomic Energy Agency,
of which the signatories are also members, duly
consulted ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

2 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1993 )

The Commission has previoulsy stated its intention, or said
that it sees scope for, submitting proposals for reform
concerning Mediterranean products, such as wine and
certain fruit and vegatables .

on behalf of the Commission

As regards the wine sector, the proposals can probably be on
submitted towards the end of the first half of 1993 . As far as (1 5 April 1 993 )
the timetable for the other products is concerned, the
Commission will notify this information at the appropriate
time . The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the major differences existing between the
However, the Commission would point out to the procedures provided for in Articles 101 and 103 of the
Honourable Member that of the Mediterranean products Euratom Treaty .
concerned, a considerable number do not fall within the
category of products in short supply, as is the case with the Under Article 1 03 Member States shall communicate to the
wine sector which is beset by large structural surpluses, or Commission draft agreements with a third state, to the
with certain fruit, such as peaches and nectarines . extent that such concern matters within the

The Commission would also remind the Honourable

Member that Mediterranean products which are currently
subject to certain quantitative restrictions ( quotas and

Under Article 1 03 Member States shall communicate to the
Commission draft agreements with a third state, to the
extent that such agreements concern matters within the
purview of the Euratom Treaty . If a draft agreement
contains clauses which may hamper the implementation of
that Treaty, the Commission will send its comments to the
Member State concerned within a period of one month .

No C 258 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

It should be noted that it was only possible to observe such a Environmental Office showed that, in one district, 70 % of
short deadline because implementation of Article 103 the felling certificates were invalid .
involves analysis by the Commission only, with no
consultation of outside bodies and no inter-institutional 1 What is the level of mahogany exports from Brazil to the
procedures . various countries ? What will the

The procedure under Article 101 of the Euratom Treaty is
very different . Under that Article the Community may,
within the limits of its powers and jurisdiction, conclude
agreements with a third state or which international
organizations . Such agreements are negotiated, by the
Commission in accordance with the procedures provided
for by the second indent of that Article which require prior
adoption by the Council of negotiating directives and,
following negotiations, approval by the Council of the
outcome of those negotiations . It is thus a matter here of ( a )
an incomparably more complex task ( negotiation ) and ( b )
an inter-institutional procedure which inevitably takes a
long time .

1 What is the level of mahogany exports from Brazil to the
various importing countries ? What steps will the
Commission take to limit imports by the Member States,
in particular the United Kingdom ?

Thus on 17 June 1991 the Council conferred upon the
Commission a mandate to negotiate three cooperation
agreements with the Soviet Union in the areas of nuclear
safety, fusion and trade in nuclear materials . However, a few
months later the institutional structures of the former Soviet

Union were radically changed . For legal reasons and in order
to accede to the wishes of the new Russian Federation the

negotiations continued to be pursued with the
representatives of that Federation . The Commission and
Russian negotiators reached an agreement, subject to
confirmation, on the texts sent by the Commission to the
Council on 30 September 1992 . The Council is currently
examining these texts with a view to their approval .

2 American mahogany is included in Appendix II of the
CITES Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species . What steps is the Commission
taking to meet the conditions contained therein ? Does
the Commission consider this sufficient to protect
mahogany from over-exploitation in Brazil ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that labelling and / or a

moratorium on trade in wood from non-sustainable
exploitation would constitute effective means of helping
to switch from over-felling to sustainable use ? If so, how
will the Commission implement these measures ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1993 )

confirmation, on the texts sent by the Commission to the 1 . According to the information at the Commission 's
Council on 30 September 1992 . The Council is currently disposal, imports of Brazilian timber into the Community
examining these texts with a view to their approval . represented approximately 200 000 m 3 of sawn timber . The

main importer was the United Kingdom, followed by Spain
and then France . Mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ) was
These texts must naturally also be approved by the the main species imported, followed by Virola .

Government of the Russian Federation .

2 . The species of American mahogany listed in Annex II
of the CITES are Swietenia mahagoni (a species found in the
Caribbean ) and Swietenia humilis (a species found in the
western part of Central America ).

QUESTION No 3374 / 92 The main species of American mahogany ( felled and

Muntingh ( S ) exported to Europe is Swietenia macrophylla, which is not

listed in Annex II of the CITES, but is found in indigenous

of the European Communities areas and other protected areas where the Brazilian

January 1993 ) Government has very recently banned the felling of this

93 / C 258 / 63 ) species .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3374 / 92

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

Subject : Imports of Brazilian mahogany

From a recent report from Brazil, it emerges that timber
traders are still mainly responsible for the destruction of
tropical rain forests, in particular mahogany because of the
high returns, on average $ 600 per cubic metre . It is reported
that 52 % of mahogany exports are purchased by the United
Kingdom .

Since mahogany is so dispersed in forest land, for every one
mahogany tree which is cut down, 28 other trees have to be
felled as well . An inquiry by the Brazilian Government

3 . The Commission has taken action to promote the
conservation and sustainable management of tropical
forests, in particular within the framework of the UNCED
Conference in Rio and renegotiation of the agreement with
the ITT A, and also through active participation in major
tropical forest protection programmes, such as the pilot
programme for the conservation of tropical rainforests in
Brazil .

The Commission has also started to look at how

environmental criteria ( exploitation and sustainable
management in particular ) could be taken into account in
international trade . Any mechanism selected would have to

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 35

be effective and respect the Community 's international
obligations especially within the framework of GATT and
the ITTA .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3384 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 64 )

Subject : Swordfish fishing

Fishermen, particularly Italians, working the Ionian Sea in
pursuit of swordfish are using surface nets and not
complying with Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 ( J ). What
action will the Commission take to prevent infringements of
this Regulation in future .

(!) OJ No L 42, 18 . 2 . 1992, p. 15 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1993 )

Fishing vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea in
Community waters may not have on board or use one or
more driftnets whose individual or total length exceeds 2,5
kilometers .

This rule applies equally to Community vessels operating
outside Community waters .

In recent months the Commission has received reports from
different sources on the illegal use of driftnets by
Community vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea
contrary to Community rules . On receipt of these reports
the Commission informed the Member States in whose
waters the illegal driftnets were allegedly used, and
requested inter alia Italy to forward detailed information on
the steps it has undertaken to ensure compliance with
Regulation ( EEC ) No 345 / 92 by its fishing fleet .

The Italian authorities have replied in detail to the

Commission 's request with a specific undertaking to enforce
vigorously the provisions of Community law in order to
curb illegal driftnetting .

For its part the Commission, through its own fisheries
inspectors, will, in the coming months, - closely monitor the
control over driftnetting exercised by the competent
authorities of the Member States .

i

The Commission takes this matter most seriously and will
not hesitate to commence the appropriate proceedings
against any Member State failing to enforce Community
regulations .

Subject : Violation of directives by Greek Presidential

Decree No 74 D / 91

Does the Commission intend to respond to the continuing
violation by Greek Presidential Decree No 74 D / 91 of
Directives 84 / 360 / EEC on combating air pollution from
industrial plants and 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment and the EC Green Paper on the urban
environment ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3385 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 65 )

Subject : Failure by Greece to implement Community

environment directives

Trade Unions and environmental organizations in Greece
are constantly protesting that Greece has not implemented
Council Directives 88 / 609 / EEC (*) of 24 November 1988
on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into
the air from large combustion plants, 88 / 610 / EEC ( 2 )
of 24 November 1988 as amended by Directive
82 / 501 / EEC ( 3 ) on the major-accident hazards of certain
industrial activities, ' 85 / 337 / EEC ( 4 ) on environmental
impact assessment and 84 / 360 / EEC ( 5 ) on combating air
pollution . When does the Commission intend to bring
Greece before the Court for its failure to take the necessary
measures within the prescribed deadlines to incorporate the
above directives into national law, since the Greek
authorities seem to have no regard for ' reasoned
opinions '?

n
( 2 )

( 3 )
( 4 )

( s )

OJ No L 336, 7 . 12 . 1988, p . 1 .
OJ No L 336, 7 . 12 . 1988, p . 14 .
OJ No L 230, 5 . 8 . 1982, p . 1 .
OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .
OJ No L 188, 16 . 7 . 1984, p . 20 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3489 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 66 )

No C . 25 8 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 3385 / 92 and 3489 / 92

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

4 . a policy encouraging the creation of new sources of
funding to facilitate access by cooperatives to capital for
essential investment ?

( 23 June 1993 ) (!) OJ No C 128, 16 . 5 . 1983, p. 51 .
( 2 ) OJ No C 246, 14 . 9 . 1987, p. 94 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 309, 5 . 12 . 1988, p . 420 .

The Commission does not believe that the Greek authorities
have no regard for infringement procedures . On the
contrary, they are making a major effort to transpose
Community directives into national law . Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Nonetheless, in 1992 the Commission had to issue a ( 29 April 1993 )
reasoned opinion in response to Greece 's failure to
communicate national measures implementing Directives
88 / 609 / EEC and 88 / 610 / EEC . Greece did transpose into Aid for the formation and development of producer
national law Directives 82 / 501 / EEC, 84 / 360 / EEC and associations, including cooperatives, has been a constant
85 / 33 7 / EEC . feature throughout the life of the common agricultural

policy . This aid consists of :

The Commission discusses specific cases of non-conformity
of national law to Community legislation or incorrect
application of the latter with the Member State concerned .
Information on this subject can be found in the annual
report on the control of the application of Community
law ( ! ).

(!) COM(93 ) 320 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3388 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 67 )

Furthermore, in an effort to improve the organization of
production with a view to marketing and processing,
Community rules have given support to inter-branch
agreements in the context of the common organizations of
the markets in flax and hemp, sugar, processed tomato
products and more recently, on a wider scale, tobacco

( a ) aid for the formation of producer groups in regions
and / or sectors facing structural deficiencies in the
supply and marketing of agricultural products

( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1360 / 78 ) 0 );

( b ) aid for the formation of producer organizations whose

duties include administering aid granted in the
framework of the common organizations of the
markets, e.g. in the fruit and vegetables sector

( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 ) ( 2 );

( c ) specific aid, in addition to launching aid, granted to
producer organizations in the nuts sector, providing
new sources of financing for quality improvement
plans, the establishment of revolving funds and product
promotion .

Subject : Recognition of the role of cooperatives products and more recently, on a
( Regulation ( EEC ) No 2077 / 92 ) ( 3 ).

Following the European Parliament 's recognition of the role
played by cooperatives ( reports by Mihr ( Doc . 1-849 / 82 ( a ),
Avgerinos ( Doc . A2-12 / 87 ( 2 ) and Trivellio ( Doc .
A2-205 / 88 ( 3 )), will the Commission propose that the

Community create stable conditions in which farmers '
economic organizations and cooperatives, in particular, can
develop ? Does it agree that there is a need for :

1 . a policy of market structuring which would be more
effective than at present in improving the conditions for
farmers ' processing and marketing enterprises ?

2 . a Community competition policy with rules to take
account of the need for the development of
cooperatives ?

3 . a research and development policy for the Community 's
farming industry which farmers ' economic
organizations could also implement ?

Certain agreements and contractual practices established by
the abovementioned producer associations and
inter-branch organizations are exempt from restrictions on
competition, within the bounds of Community rules .

In the context of the aid scheme for the financing of
investments to improve processing and marketing
conditions for agricultural products ( Regulation ( EEC )
No 866 / 90 ) ( 4 ), cooperatives and other types of producer
associations have the advantage of fulfilling more easily the
basic conditions relating to links with producers .

The Community 's research and development programmes
in the agroindustrial sector, whose main purpose is to
enhance the value of agricultural products, to increase the
efficiency and competitiveness of agro-industry and also to
improve the quality, safety and hygiene of food products,

N

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 37

are specifically intended for small and medium-sized
businesses, which are actively encouraged to participate .
Hence these programmes are also targeted at cooperatives,
which may participate fully if they so wish .

Regarding solvent abuse in general :

— Written Question No 1858 / 86 from Sir J. Scott
Hopkins ( 3 )

— Written Question No 2676 / 91 from Mr Titley ( 2 ).

Furthermore, the Commission proposal ( 5 ) on the statute
for a European cooperative society is intended to facilitate The latter also refers to the Written Question
cooperative operations and relations at Community level No 2015 / 88 from Mr Cottrell ( 4 ) and the oral question
and to improve access to capital markets and external No H-0037 / 91 from Mrs Oddy ( 5 ).
financing . In particular, the proposal provides for the
possibility of involving ' non-user investor members '. According to information obtained from the Belgian
authorities, there is at present no legislative instrument
prohibiting Tipp-Ex .
The Commission will continue to pay special heed to the
need to support the formation and development of farmers '
associations where structural conditions relating to In its current form, Tipp Ex contains 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
production or agricultural markets so demand . as a solvent, although the German manufacturer states that

The latter also refers to the Written Question
No 2015 / 88 from Mr Cottrell ( 4 ) and the oral question
No H-0037 / 91 from Mrs Oddy ( 5 ).

associations where structural conditions relating to In its current form, Tipp Ex contains 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
production or agricultural markets so demand . as a solvent, although the German manufacturer states that

this is not the case in all Member States where the product is
0 ) OJ No L 166, 23 . 6 . 1978 . marketed .
( 2 ) OJNo L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972 .
( 3 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 . 1,1,1-Trichloroethane is classified as harmful by inhalation
( 4 ) OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 . (R 20 ) under Commission Directive 91 / 325 / EEC ( 6 ),
( 5 ) OJNo C 99, 21 . 4 . 1992 . adapting to technical progress for the 12th time Council

OJ No L 166, 23 . 6 . 1978 .
OJNo L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972 .
OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .
OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 .
OJNo C 99, 21 . 4 . 1992 .

1,1,1-Trichloroethane is classified as harmful by inhalation
(R 20 ) under Commission Directive 91 / 325 / EEC ( 6 ),
adapting to technical progress for the 12th time Council
Directive 67 / 548 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3393 / 92

by Mr Gary Titley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 68 )

The proposal for a Council Directive amending for the 13th
time Directive 76 / 769 / EEC on the approximation of the
laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and

contains use of certain specific dangerous provisions substances i for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane and preparations ( 7 )

( point 40 of the Annex ).

t

In view of the danger to the environment arising from

1,1,1-Trichloroethane, the quantity placed on the market is
limited by Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 594 / 91 on
substances that deplete the ozone layer ( 8 ).

Subject : Solvent abuse 0 )

( 2 )

OJ No C 270, 8 . 10 . 1987 .
OJ No C 159, 25 . 6 . 1992 .
OJ No C 157, 15 . 6 . 1987 .
OJ No C 227, 4 . 9 . 1989 .
Debates of the European Parliament, No 3-398 ( January
1991 ).
OJ No L 180, 8 . 7 . 1991 .
OJ No C 157, 24 . 6 . 1992 .
OJ No L 67, 14 . 3 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3395 / 92

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

The Commission may be aware that a number of young
people have died prematurely over the last two years after
inhaling Tipp-ex solvent-based thinner fluid .

( 3 )

( 4 )

( 5 )

( 6 )

As a result of these incidents, is it the case that the Belgian n
( 8 )
authorities have now imposed a ban on Tipp-ex ? If yes, can
this ban now be extended to cover the whole of the EC ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 18 June 1993 )

( 25 January 1993 )
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

( 93 / C 258 / 69

replies already given :

Regarding Tipp-Ex : Subject ; Eco-label for tuna

Written Question No 3047 / 86 from Mr Glinne ( a )

Written Question No 2676 / 91 from Mr Glinne ( 2 ).

Does the Commission intend to award the EC Eco-label to
tuna products which are produced without risk to dolphins

No C 258 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

( i.e. dolphin friendly tuna ) so that consumers can exercise
their right to boycott tuna products which are not so
labelled and which it would be assumed are produced from
purse seine netting thus endangering dolphins ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 April 1993 )

Article 2 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 880 / 92 of
23 March 1992 ( a ) provides that the Regulation does not
apply to food and consequently it cannot be used for the
introduction of a possible label for tuna .

A label of this nature, which would involve the
establishment of Community arrangements for certifying
the method of fishing used, could, however, be included
among the legal instruments certifying the quality of fishery
products .

The Commission has launched a general debate on this
topic, notably in its communication of 28 February 1992
entitled : 'A quality policy for fishery products ' ( 2 ).

This paper is being considered at present by Parliament, in
particular by the Subcommittee on Fisheries, whose
rapporteur is Mr Vazquez Fouz .

health conditions governing intra - Community trade in, and
imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs .
The for infections programme caused must by, as salmonella a minimum pullorum, involve surveillance, salmonella - v

gallinarum and salmonella arizonae . The species concerned
as regards surveillance for salmonella pullorum and
salmonella gallinarum are fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl,
pheasant, partridges and ducks . The surveillance
programme for salmonella arizonae covers turkeys . The
programmes include the use of serological and
bacteriological tests to determine whether an infection is

present .

Testing of laying flocks for salmonella not covered by
Council Directive 90 / 539 / EEC varies from Member State to

Member State and the exact sampling and testing
procedures have not been reported to the Commission .
However, in accordance with the recently adopted Council
Directive 92 / 117 / EEC ( 2 ) concerning measures for
protection against specified zoonoses and specified zoonotic
agents in animals and products of animal origin in order to
prevent outbreaks of food-borne infections and
intoxications, Member States must forward to the
Commission before January 1994 plans drawn ' up for
monitoring salmonella in breeding flocks .

(!) OJ No L 303, 31 . 10 . 1990 .

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

(!) OJ No L 99, 11.4 . 1992 .
( 2 ) SEC ( 92 ) 353 final . WRITTEN QUESTION No 3452 / 92

by Mr Karmelo Landa Mendibe ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 71

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3436 / 92

by Mr Peter Crampton ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 70 )

Subject : Salmonella testing

Can « the Commission tell me whether or not all Member

States test laying flocks for salmonella ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 May 1993 )

Poultry establishments approved by Member States for
participation in intra-Community trade must have a
salmonella surveillance programme in accordance with the
provisions of Council Directive 90 / 539 / EEC ( 1 ) oh animal

Subject : The Itoiz reservoir ( Navarre — Spanish state ) and

the EEC directive on the conservation of wild

birds

Can the Commission state whether a large-scale project to
construct a regulatory reservoir is compatible with the
obligation imposed on Member States in Article 4 ( 4 ) of
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC (*), given that this project would
totally alter the habitat of species protected by Article 1

( listed in Annex I ) and Article 4 ( 1 ), where the area in
question has not been declared a special protection area by
the state authorities although it is eligible for such
protection ?

Does the first sentence in Article 4 ( 1 ) of the Directive mean
that a given geographical area forming a habitat and
nesting-ground for species protected in Annex I to the
Directive must be declared a special protection area ?

At all events, should it be inferred from the general spirit of
the Directive, in particular Article 4 ( 4 ) and, ultimately, the
final sentence of that paragraph, that any area serving as a
habitat for species protected by the Directive ( Annex I ) is

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 39

eligible for protection as laid down in the Directive or, at the
very least, that Member States are required to avoid
deterioration of the habitat.in question, thereby implying a
specific obligation on the one hand to take further protective
measures and, on the other hand, to prevent any negative
measures which would result in the deterioration of the

existing situation ?

Does the Commission consider it acceptable, from the point
of view of Community environmental law, that a large
reservoir should be built by flooding various habitats of
species protected by both Community and national
legislation, given that, of the species whose habitat would be
flooded, 98 are protected by national legislation, in some
cases with extremely strict provisions, and 23 ( some of
which are threatened with extinction ) are mentioned in
Annex I to Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ?

(!) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3453 / 92

by Mr Karmelo Landa Mendibe ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 25 January 1993 )

Joint answer to Written Questions

Nos 3452 / 92 and 3453 / 92

given by Mr Paleokrassas
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 June 1993 )

The Commission has received complaints about the
construction of a dam at Itoiz . The project could have a
major impact on the ' Sierra de Artxuba y Sierra de
Zariquieta ', classified by the Spanish authorities as a special
protection area pursuant to Article 4 ( 4 ) of Council
Directive 79 / 409 / EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation
of wild birds .

The complaints raise the question of whether or not the
project is compatible with the system of protection provided
for in Article 4 ( 4 ) of the abovementioned Directive . They
also draw the Commission 's attention to the fact that the
project has not been subjected to an environmental impact
assessment as provided for in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC of
27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment .

( 93 / C 258 / 72 ) The Commission asked the Spanish authorities to provide

V the necessary information . Their reply is now being

examined .

V

Subject : The Itoiz reservoir ( Navarre — Spanish state ) and

the EEC Directive on environmental impact

assessments

The Itoiz reservoir forms part of the Spanish Government 's
plans for a vast hydraulic engineering project aimed at
providing irrigated land for farming . The plan consists of a
hydraulic management scheme (a reservoir of 418 cubic
hectometres ), a project for the transport of controlled water
resources (a water course taking the water to areas situated
some 180 km away which can theoretically be irrigated by
the reservoir ) and the transformation of such areas into
irrigated farming land .

Does the Commission consider that this project should be
subject to separate environmental impact assessment
procedures ( for the reservoir, the canal and the
transformation of land into irrigated farmland ) at different
stages or, conversely, that the project as a whole should be
subject to a single environmental impact assessment ?

Is it acceptable, in view of the spirit and the letter of
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*) that the state laws transposing the
Directive on environmental impact assessments make it
obligatory for an environmental impact assessment to be
carried out only in respect of the reservoir project ?

Is it acceptable that three of the four regulatory basins
planned as part of the water course system for channelling
water from the reservoir to the areas to be irrigated should
be subject, where appropriate, and totally independently, to
an environmental impact assessment ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3474 / 92
by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V ), Mr Mario Melis ( ARC ) and Mr

Felice Contu ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 73 )

Subject : Construction of a road by-passing the area ^ of

Milis

Is the Commission aware that the planned works to
construct an alternative to the provincial road linking
Tramatza, Milis and Seneghe, bypassing the built-up area of
Milis, have been approved by the Provincial Council of
Oristano, despite the fact that no environmental impact
assessment has been carried out ?

Is it aware that this project will lead to further
fragmentation of rural property, the loss of very fertile land
and the destruction of springs, and that it will spoil and
destroy an area of green belt surrounding the
Sinis-Montiferro estate ?

Does the Commission not agree that this whole affair
amounts - to an infringement ( or may be considered so,
owing to the inadequate state legislation ) of the spirit and Is it aware that the planned route will spoil ancient citrus
the letter of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ? orchards, which were originally planted in the 13th century,

and will destroy areas of citrus trees planted with EAGGF
(!) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p. 40 . aid ?

No C 258 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Does the Commission not consider that it should make
representations to the Italian government to ensure that the
environmental impact assessment procedure is used and to
the regional government of Sardinia to ensure that
environmental and landscape regulations are complied
with, pointing out at the same time that the project fails to
meet the relevant criteria .

Does the Commission not consider that it would be useful to
speed up to the revision of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ) in such
a way as to extend its application to plans and insist that
Community powers are not encroached upon in the name of
subsidiarity ?

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

This deadly race is nothing short of slaughter . In 1990, at
least 10 horses were killed or had to be finished off after

suffering agony . The men who take part in the race are not
spared either : one French jockey was in a coma for three
days . The death of men and horses seems to be staged quite
deliberately .

. i

In view of this appalling spectacle, should a request not be
addressed to the Czech authorities, who tolerate it, calling
for an outright ban on this event, which is a stain on the
sport of horse racing ?

Should it fail to do so, what sanctions could be imposed now
that the Czech Republic is knocking on the Community 's
door ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission ( 12 May 1993 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 April 1993 )

1 . The documents supplied by the Honourable Member
refer to an appeal lodged with the regional administrative
tribunal against plans to construct an alternative to the road
linking Tramatza, Milis and Seneghe, by-passing the town
of Milis ( Oristano province ).

Given that the project satisfies the definition of an express
road as referred to in the list of project types in Annex I to
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, the Commission has asked the
Italian authorities to inform it of the measures taken or

planned to ensure compliance with the abovementioned
Directive in this case .

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the
Honourable Member concerning well being of animals .

As the Community is not involved in the issue referred to by
the Honourable Member and as there are no international

agreements on this subject, the Commission has no formal
basis for intervening .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3495 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

2 . As regards the revision of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, the ( 28
Commission is currently studying the findings of the report

(

on its implementation . Proposals which echo these findings
are also being studied, and may be tabled before the end of
this year . Subject : Greek exports

( 28 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 75 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3475 / 92

by Mr Jacques Tauran ( DR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

/ 93 / C 258 / 74

The Association of Exporters of Northern Greece has drawn
attention to the problems facing Greek exports . Many
export undertakings are fighting for their survival and the
rest are in serious difficulties owing to the absence of any
attempt to tackle external factors due to the situation
obtaining in the former Yugoslavia . Exports fell by 11,7%

( in value ) during the first half of 1992 compared with the
equivalent period in 1991, amounting to US$ 3 658 million
compared with US$ 4 140 million in the previous year . Does
the Commission intend to examine measures to protect
Greek export undertakings ?

Subject : The horse race at Pardubice in Bohemia Answer on behalf given of by the Sir Commission Leon Brittan

(1 June 1993 )
Every year the Grand Pardubice Steeplechase takes place

1 00 km east of Prague . 6900 metres long, the race comprises
31 extremely difficult jumps, at least one of which seems
designed to kill .,

                                                                          

The Commission is aware that the crisis in the former

Yugoslavia and the embargo against Serbia and

i

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 41

Montenegro may be causing problems for some Community
Member States and countries bordering on the former
Yugoslavia . The Commission notes that these measures
were taken by the Council in application of UN Security
Council Resolution 757 . There is thus no right to
compensation .

demand an explanation from the Greek authorities in a
sphere of activity which is the strict responsibility of the
Member States .

Council Resolution 757 . There is thus no right to In addition, the Commission would like to draw the
compensation . attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that tree

felling can be completely compatible with sound
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 525 / 92 of 25 February 1992 management of forest stands if they have reached maturity
made temporary provision for financial compensation of and their replacement is ensured .
ECU 4 million to cover the transport of certain fruit and
vegetables of Greek origin in 1991 O ). Council Regulation
( EEC ) No 3438 / 92 of 23 November 1992 extended
coverage to 1992 and 1993 . Commission Regulation ( EEC )
No 936 / 93 of 21 April 1993 set the amount of
compensation provided for in the above Regulations at ECU WRITTEN QUESTION No 3504 / 92
2,3 / 100 kg net weight . by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3504 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

0 OJ No L 58, 3 . 3 . 1992 . ( 28 January 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3499 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 76 )

Subject : Tree-felling in the Kaniskas forest of Megalos

Bodias in the area of Aegion in Achaia

The tree-falling which is taking place at the small forest of
Kaniskas near the village of Megalos Bodias is contributing
towards a large-scale ecological disaster as well as the
degradation of the environment of the area ( deforestation )
and this is adversely affecting the lives of the inhabitants of
the Aegion area . The inhabitants of the village of Megalos
Bodias are also particularly concerned about the fact that
the felling of a large number of tree diminishes the
protection provided by the forest and consequently pose the
threat of land-slides, rock-weathering, soil subsidence and
torrents which could sweep away the entire village . Is the
Commission willing to express its concern as regards the
situation and to appeal to the Greek authorities to prevent
economic interests destroying this particular forest in
Aegion ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1993 )

The Commission is not aware of specific problems
connected with tree felling in the Kaniskas forest, Megalos
Bodias, Greece .

( 93 / C 258 / 77 )

Subject : Maintenance of the excellent standards of the

Community fishing industry

Taking into account the need to maintain the excellent
standards of the Community fishing industry, does the
Commission agree that biological research will soon have to
be intensified at Community level and technical research
( mainly concerning collection facilities ) as well as economic
and sociological research will have to be promoted ? Which
steps does the Commission intend to propose in order to
improve coordination between the various types of
research ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 April 1993 )

The Commission has been playing an active role since 1988
in the development and coordination of fishery research
through the specific programmes adopted under the
Framework research and technological development

programmes .

Among the most important subjects of the ' Fisheries and
Aquaculture Research ( 1988 —92 )' and ' Agriculture and
Agro-industry, including Fisheries ( 1991 — 94 )'
programmes has been the question of technology as applied
with regard to fishing and the fisheries industry .

On 9 October 1992 the Commission presented to the
Council a working document concerning the fourth
Framework Programme of Community activities in the field
of research and technological development ( 1994 —98 ) 0 )
which, covering three main points ( legal aspects, content of
the programme and financial aspects ), seeks to define clearly
what the role of the programme should be .

(!) Doc . COM ( 92 ) 406 final .
Since the Community is making no financial contribution in
respect of this forest, the Commission has no authority to

V

No C 258 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3508 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3518 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 January 1993 )

93 / C 258 / 78 ( 93 / C 258 / 79 )

Subject : Aquaculture and the environment Subject : Modernization of the agricultural insurance
organization in Greece
Taking into account the view of many European citizens
that aquaculture, even though it is becoming increasingly The Agricultural Insurance Organization in Greece does not
important, must observe certain criteria as regards

have a register of persons ensured and is not computerized .

environmental protection and human and animal health,

In one specific incident a woman suffering from a heart

which particular measures does the Commission propose in

condition has been waiting for her pension for 32 months

this respect ?

while her papers have been gathering dust in the central
offices of the agricultural insurance organization . In view of
this can the Commission say whether there is any scope for
funding investments to the Greek farmers ' insurance
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas organization ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 April 1993 )

The Commission has long been aware of interaction

between aquaculture and the environment .

In its Decisions of 20 December 1991 on the multiannual
guidance programmes for aquaculture ( 1992 to 1996 )
submitted by the Member States pursuant to Regulation
( EEC ) No 4028 / 86 ( x ), the Commission specifies that special
attention must be given during the implementation of the
programme to the interaction between the development of
the aquaculture sector and the environment .

All applications for Community financial assistance for
aquaculture projects under Regulation ( EEC ) l^o 4028 / 86
must include a questionnaire certifying that the competent
national authorities have checked for compliance with
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ) as regards the environmental
impact of projects financed by public authorities .

Furthermore, the Commission sponsored the symposium
' Fish farm effluents and their control in the EEC countries ',
held in Hamburg from 23 to 25 November 1992 and
attended by approximately 200 experts from the sector, in
order to improve coordination of research in the field of
aquaculture effluents and find suitable solutions .

Finally, the Commission has financed a study to compile the
available bibliographical data on aquaculture / environment
interactions . The study was completed in 1992 and will be
published by the Commission soon . It forms part of the
ongoing analysis of the problem of aquaculture effluents
being carried out by the Commission which may lead to
other initiatives in the future .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 1993 )

The Community 's agricultural regulations contain no
specific provisions relating to agricultural social security . It
is therefore impossible to consider financing investments to
modernize the insurance arrangements applicable to Greek
farmers .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2 / 93

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

(3 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 80 )

Subject : Completion of legislation on residues of plant

protection chemicals in foods, with a view to the
free movement of goods

Discrepancies in legislation on residues of pesticides and
other substances in vegetables and fruit still constitute a
barrier to the free movement of goods within the EC .

0 ) OJ No L 29, 3 . 2 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 . In the 16 years since the adoption of Directive
76 / 895 / EEC ( 1 ), which lays down the maximum values of
pesticides in and on the surface of products, little progress
has so far been made towards extending its provisions .

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 43

Maximum levels have been established for a mere 70 of the
approximately 700 substances concerned .

1 . What reason(s ) can the Commission give for the lack of

progress in this area ?

2 . What measures has the Commission taken to speed up

the extension of Annex II of the abovementioned

directive ?

3 . Does the Commission regard the maximum levels
established by the WHO / FAO Codex Committee on
Pesticide Residues ( MRLs ) as a suitable benchmark for
maximum levels within the European Community ? If
not, why not ?

(!) OJ No L 340, 9 . 12 . 1976, p. 26 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1 993 )

legislation was made on 30 April 1992 . Subsequent lists
are in preparation . The Commission agrees that
progress in this field has been unsatisfactory and will not
hesitate to make further proposals if the functioning of
the new Directive proves disappointing .

3 . Maximum pesticide residue levels established by the

Codex Alimentarius Commission and the supporting
scientific evaluations of the Joint Meeting on Pesticide
Residues in Food and the Environment of the Food and

Agriculture Organization and the World Health
Organization are carefully considered when establishing
Community maximum pesticide residue levels .
However, the data on which Codex levels have been
based are sometimes out of date or insufficient by
modern standards . Codex recognizes this and is taking
steps to remedy the situation, to which process the
Community is contributing .

(M OJ No L 350, 14 . 12 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 25 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 February 1993 )

Differences in maximum levels of pesticide residues ( MRLs ) ( 93 / C 258 / 81 )
in agricultural products, fixed by Member States to protect
consumers, may cause barriers to trade but do not always do
so . Community work in this field has concentrated on those Subject : Payment of Greek
cases which have given rise to trade difficulties . - producers

Subject : Payment of Greek peach and nectarine

- producers

1 . In been the an Commission unsatisfactory 's view measure, Directive due particularly 76 / 895 / EEC to has its peaches Greek farmers and nectarines have still which not been they paid were for the vast forced to amount destroy of
optionality and the laborious procedure for fixing the last summer and they are threatening to stage a powerful
maximum levels by the Council on proposals from the protest against this state of affairs . Given that more than
Commission . 700 000 tonnes of peaches and nectarines — two-thirds of

Greek production — have so far been destroyed this
marketing sekson, does the Commission intend to
The latter element explains to a large extent the fact that demonstrate its concern that Greek producers should be
over the period only five separate proposals were paid forthwith ?
adopted covering approximately 70 active substances .

2 . Because of these shortcomings the Commission
proposed in 1988 a new measure, to supersede Directive
76 / 895 / EEC and provide for mandatory Community
MRLs and the extension of scope of Community
measures Council i adopted to products this in not November previously 1990 covered as Directive . The

90 / 642 / EEC (*) on the fixing of maximum levels for
pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant
origin, including fruit and vegetables . However,
although adopting the principle of mandatory
Community MRLs, the Council retained the power as
before tp fix these levels, despite warnings from the
Commission on the basis of previous experience . This
Directive came into force on 31 December 1992 and the

first list of proposed Community MRLs covering 22
active substances not previously covered by Community

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

The Commission reminds the Honourable Member that the

payment in the organizations of producers i of the financial
compensation envisaged by Community legislation for the
withdrawal operations of the market in the fresh fruit and
vegetable sector is the responsibility of the only national
authorities . According to information available to the
Commission, the payment by the Greek authorities of the
financial compensations due to the organizations of
producers for the peach and nectarine withdrawal
operations carried out in this Member State in 1992

No C 25 8 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 : 93

proceeds according to a satisfactory rhythm . The
Commission requests therefore the Honourable Member to
agree to point out in the concrete cases of abnormal
payment delays of which it would be informed .

headquarters agreements and letters of accreditation, and
the basis is to be found in Article 30 ( 9 ) of the Single
European Act . The appointment of a head of delegation is
accordingly an internal administrative matter for the
Commission itself . Comparison of the practices of the
Member States has shown that ambassadorial

appointments are made by the executive branch ; the
legislative branch exercises only general supervision over

governments .

Whenever a Delegate is appointed, his name and posting are
WRITTEN QUESTION No 48 / 93 notified to Parliament 's Secretariat with a request that the

by Mr Patrick Lalor ( RDE ) appropriate Committees be informed .

to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 February 1993 ) Whenever the Commission envisages opening new

delegations, it announces the fact in the course of the

( 93 / C 258 / 82 ) budgetary procedure .

Subject : European Community embassies in third
countries

The European Community is at present represented in over
90 third-country capitals by a network of offices established
by one of the European institutions, the Commission . The
Council of Ministers and the European Parliament have not
established representative offices in third countries .

In recent years, as the Community 's responsibilities in areas
such as external trade and development aid policies have
expanded, the Commission offices have increasingly
functioned as European Community embassies and the
Head of delegation in these offices is in many cases given
ambassadorial rank by the host countries . This function of
the Commission offices, effectively as EC embassies, is likely
to expand in the coming years as the Community moves
closer to developing a common foreign policy as foreseen in
the Maastricht Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 72 / 93

by Mr Gerhard Schmid ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 83 )

Subject : Report by Mr Boge, MEP, on beekeeping in the

European Community

1 . What is the Commission 's assessment of the report by
Mr Boge on beekeeping in the European Community

( A3-0154 / 92 ) and what conclusions does it draw from
it ?

2 . What measures and support is the Commission
Does the Commission now agree that with the broadening planning for Community beekeepers ?
of the functions of its representative offices in third
countries Community, the Institutions time has in now the come appointment to involve of the the Heads other of 3 . Does the Commission agree with the pollination
Delegation who are now effectively the European bonus proposed in the Boge report ? If it does, when will it be
Community 's Ambassadors in these countries and able not ? to draw up a proposal on the matter ? If not, why
specifically will the Commission agree to submit its
nominees for Heads of Delegation to the Europearj
Parliament for ratification before taking up their
appointments ?

3 . Does the Commission agree with the pollination
bonus proposed in the Boge report ? If it does, when will it be
able to draw up a proposal on the matter ? If not, why
not ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

1 . The Commission has taken note of the conclusions of

( 26 April 1993 ) Parliament 's report on the problems and needs of European

bee-keeping and has given particular consideration to the
measures required to combat varroasis .
The external delegations to which the Honourable Member
refers are delegations opened by the Commission in exercise Consumption of honey may appear unsatisfactory despite
of its independent rights to manage its own activities ; this is the increase in production in the Community . The fact is,
clear from the fact that they are called ' Delegation of the however, that a supply rate of 46,8 % was recorded in

( 26 April 1993 )

Consumption of honey may appear unsatisfactory despite
the increase in production in the Community . The fact is,
however, that a supply rate of 46,8 % was recorded in

Commission of the European Communities ' in the

1990 — 91 compared with 36,5% 10 years previously .

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 45

2 . Bee-keeping is not currently covered by any general
support scheme . However, certain specific aid measures
exist for bee-keepers, subject to very limited terms and only
locally applicable, such as the aid measure for bee-keepers in
the Canary Islands .

On 14 July 1992 the Council adopted Regulation ( EEC )
No 2081 / 92 on the protection of geographical indications
and designations of origin for agricultural products and
foodstuffs i 1 ) and Regulation ( EEC ) No 2082 / 92 on
certificates of specific character for agricultural products
and foodstuffs ( 1 ). Under this policy on quality, producer
groups may apply to have a specific designation recorded in
a Community register .

closed . Clearly, apart from other economic consequences, it
would not be possible to continue sending Czech supplies,
which are currently quite large, to Western Europe .

In view of these facts, is the Commission planning to take
urgent steps to help the Czech and Slovak Republics ?
Furthermore, what steps is the Commission planning to
recommend if it becomes necessary to do without the
electricity which was being imported from
Czechoslovakia ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

3 . In the Commission 's view, direct aid in the form of a on behalf of the Commission
general pollination bonus would most likely not solve the ( 26 April 1993 )
problems of European bee-keepers .

The experience of previous years as far as direct aid for
bee-keepers is concerned has been that management is
highly problematical, given the structure of the sector and
the inefficiency factor if the cost of the measure is compared
with the gain to bee-keepers who, numerically speaking, are
few and far between .

The Czech Republic operates four Soviet designed N reactors
of 440 MWe each at Dukovany and Slovakia four reactors
of the same gross capacity at Bohunice . Six further nuclear
power reactors totalling 3 700 MWe are under construction
at Mochovce ( Slovakia ) and Temelin ( Czech Republic ).

The operating reactors were designed to store all reactor
(!) OJ No L 208, 24 . 7 . 1992 . operation waste produced in the life time at the site ; used
nuclear fuel was sent back after a cooling period ot the
former Soviet Union .

Since 1988 the Soviet Union and now the Russian
Federation have not been accepting spent fuel from these
republics . Available storage capacity on the sites will be
sufficient till 1997 . Studies are underway to develop
additional capacity, envisaging compact storage in existing
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1 1 8 / 93 ponds and perhaps dry storage casks .

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 10 February 1993 )

93 / C 258 / 84 )

Subject : The problem of radioactive waste in the Czech and

The European Community provides assistance to improve
radioactive waste and spent fuel management . An important
part within the PHARE budget 1992 deals with the
problems of fuel cycle, waste management and
decommissioning .

Slovak Republics For the time being a study is underway analysing the
situation of spent fuel and radioactive waste management
not only in the Czech and Slovak Republics but also in
On 1 January 1993 the Czech and Slovak states split up, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania and Romania .
after peaceful negotiations which should have been about
something more worthwhile and are leading to an uncertain
future, a matter that does not appear to be giving rise to any To the Commission 's knowledge, there is no export of
celebration by those affected . electricity to the ' Community, and anyway, the respective

electricity networks are not compatible . There exists a
continuous current exchange link of 550 MVA capacity
Among the causes for concern is the problem of the between Slovakia and Austria, which is reported to be used
radioactive waste which was previously sent to the Soviet for export of Ukrainian electricity to Austria .
Union, where the fuel originated, to be reprocessed .
According to some experts, if a solution is not found
urgently, the two power stations which today produce
about 28 % of both republics ' electricity will have to be

»

No C 258 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 134 / 93

by Mr Gijs de Vries ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( IS February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 85

Subject : The extra-territorial operation of US legislation

In the Commission 's opinion, the American legislation to
which the Honourable Member is referring is contrary to
international law in the matter of the nationality of
enterprises . This legislation purports to bring subsidiaries of
American companies established in the Community and
incorporated in accordance with Member States ' law under
the criminal jurisdiction of the United States by regarding
them as ' American enterprises '. In fact, these subsidiaries are
first subject to the jurisdiction of the states under whose
legal system they were created . In international law an
extension of the jurisdiction of a state to the foreign
subsidiaries of its enterprises is permissible in time of war
but not in peacetime .

Despite the European Community 's repeated protests, on
23 October 1992 President Bush signed a bill ( the Torricelli but not in peacetime .
Bill, HR 5006 ) concerning the American blockade of Cuba .
This law has extra-territorial effects . Furthermore, the Commission shares the Honourable
Member 's opinion that a situation should be avoided in

In the United Kingdom the protection of Trading Interests which Community industry in the Member States is on an
Act of 1980 applies . Section 11 of the Act exempts British unequal footing under law with regard to the American

legislation concerned .

In the United Kingdom the protection of Trading Interests
Act of 1980 applies . Section 11 of the Act exempts British
companies from having to comply with the extra-territorial
application of foreign legislation .

Against this background, the Commission is currently

1 . What other Community countries have legislation holding discussions with the Member States to seek the most

comparable to the UK 's ? effective form of resistance against the unwelcome

extra-territorial effects of the American legislation
2 . Does the Commission share my opinion that an EC concerned their Member without States causing ' business disproportionate sectors . damage to
directive is necessary in order to prevent companies
from some Community countries being affected by the
extra-territorial application of the laws of third Various options are being examined, such as negotiations in
countries, while others are not ? the framework of GATT, the OECD and / or the United
Nations, continuation of the bilateral talks, application of
3 . Is the Commission prepared to submit a proposal to this the New Trade Policy Instrument and the possible
effect ? introduction of Community legislation .

1 . What other Community countries have legislation

comparable to the UK 's ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 May 1993 )

1 . As far as the Commission is aware, besides the United
Kingdom there is no other Community country which has
legislation comparable to UK legislation blocking the
extra-territorial application of foreign legislation on its own
soil .

Some Member States, including Belgium, Denmark,
Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands, have
legislation which prohibits companies from providing
information on their business activities . This legislation is
mainly confined to activities related to competition policy
and is especially applied against American antitrust law in
the maritime transport sector . The need for this legislation
arose inter alia from the fact that the antitrust law is also

directed against non - American national .

2 . The Commission has already protested to the
American government numerous times about American
legislation whose extra-territorial application does not have
the agreement of the competent authorities in this area .

3 . On the basis of the results of its examination, the
information it has on the effect of the American legislation
concerned on the Community 's trade with Cuba, and
developments in the democratization process in Cuba, the
Commission will reach its decision on drafting a proposal
aimed at blocking the unwelcome effects of the American
legislation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 136 / 93

by Mr Alonso Puerta ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 86 )

Subject : A treatment plant for toxic and dangerous waste in

the municipality of Somozas ( Galicia, Spain )

The Council for Industry of the Autonomous Community of
Galicia plans to build a treatment plant for toxic and
dangerous waste in the municipality of Somozas .

                                                                                                

22.-9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 47

V

This type of installation is mentioned in Annex I to Directive concerned is given the opportunity to express an opinion

85 / 337 / EEC i 1 ) on the assessment of the effects of certain before the project is initiated .
public and private projects on the environment .

1 . Does the Commission not think that the implications of The ensure Commission that the obligations in its role under as guardian Directives of the 75 Treaty / 442 / EEC will,

this project for the environment and public health, as 78 / 319 / EEC and 85 / 337 / EEC are respected .

Does the Commission not think that the implications of
this project for the environment and public health, as
well as the precautionary measures to be taken in order
to prevent any harmful effects, should be studied before
authorization is given to carry out the project ?

As regards the applicability of Directive 90 / 313 / EEC on
freedom of access to information on the environment, the
Commission cannot foresee how its obligations will be
applied to this case insofar as the Spanish authorities have
not yet transmitted any implementing legislation .
Infringement proceedings have been opened in this

respect .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 185 / 93

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

2 .

Can the Commission give an assurance that the
competent authorities will correctly apply the
Community directives governing this type of project :

( a ) Directive 87 / 337 / EEC ;

( b ) Directives 75 / 442 / EEC ( 2 ) and 78 / 319 / EEC ( 3 ) on

waste in general and toxic and dangerous waste in
particular ?

3 . Does the Commission not also think that, pursuant to
Directive 90 / 313 / EEC ( 4 ) on freedom of access to
information on the environment, the responsible
authorities should make available all the environmental

information concerning this project to individuals or
groups of citizens who require it ?

0 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 . ( 17 February 1993 )
( 2 ) OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975, p . 39 . 93 / C 258 / 87 )
( 3 ) OJ No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978, p . 43 .

93 / C 258 / 87 )

( 4 )

OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .
OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975, p . 39 .
OJ No L 84, 31 . 3 . 1978, p . 43 .
ÒJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990, p . 56 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

Plans for treatment plants for toxic and dangerous waste,
such as the Somozas project being considered by the Council
for Industry of the Autonomous Community of Galicia, are
covered by Annex I to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC . Consequently,
under Article 4 ( 1 ) of the Directive, an environmental impact
assessment must be carried out in connection with such

projects .

Subject : Introduction of a land register in Greece

In the absence of land registers in Greece, it has long been
widespread practice for individuals to occupy land illegally .
The authorities frequently turn a blind eye as building plots,
farmland and woodland ( fire-damaged or not ) are taken
over and usually built on in an attempt by the illegal
occupants to keep the land and have the State recognize
them as the owners . They nearly always succeed in this by
judiciously exerting political pressure, particularly in the
run-up to elections . This phenomenon is one of the main
causes of the fires which destroy Greek forests .

assessment must out Instead of providing funds exclusively for the protection of
projects . forests and for reafforestation, would it not be more useful

to give priority to drawing up a national land register in
The abovementioned Directive lays down that this Greece which would prevent many fires, and avoid
large-scale and frequently pointless expenditure ?
assessment must identify, describe and assess the direct and
indirect effects of the project on the factors listed in Article 3
of the Directive, which include human beings and, therefore,
health . Moreover, the information to be provided by the
developer . when compiling the environmental impact
assessment must include a description of the measures Answer given by Mr Millan
envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if poossible, remedy on behalf of the Commission
the project 's significant adverse effects on the (7 May 1993 )
environment .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1993 )

Article 6 ( 2 ) of the Directive requires that Member States make available to the public any request for development
consent and any related information, and that the public

As stated in its reply to Written Question No 2935 / 92 i 1 ),
the Commission would be willing to examine a request from
the Greek authorities to part-finance the carrying out of a

No C 258 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

cadastral survey and the creation of a land register in
Greece .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 209 / 93

by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(!) OJ No C 195, 19 . 7 . 1993, p. 22 . ( 18 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 89

Subject : Construction of new RBMK nuclear power

stations in Russia

WRITTEN QUESTION No 198 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 88 )

Subject : Greek Government repression of radio station

Division 12 of the Piraeus Customs Department has fined
the owner of the Athens radio station Sky, Mr Yannis
Alafouzos, Dr 3,43 billion in a case involving the vessel
' Aspronisi ', despite the fact that the case as a whole was
pending before the Piraeus Appeals Tribunal and that since

1988 administrative and judicial bodies have acquitted the
defendants eleven times . The Greek, Government seems to
have imposed the fine as an act of vindictiveness because of
the station 's opposition views . Given that the Community 's
Treaties, directives, resolutions, etc . provide for the
protection and safeguarding of pluralism and diversity of
views, how will the Commission respond to the Greek
Government 's repressive measures and does it intend to
bring the case before the European Court of Justice ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1993 )

The Commission has no information about the case to

which the Honourable Member refers .

It would, however, rermind the Honourable Member that
the Treaties have not conferred on the Community general
competence to secure respect for fundamental rights in the
Member States . Its competence extends only to the
application of Community law, which is founded on respect
for fundamental rights .

Observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in
the Member States is extensively secured both internally, by
provisions and procedures of domestic law, and externally,
by the machinery of the European Convention on Human
Rights .

The Russian Deputy Minister for Energy, Yevgenii
Reshetnikow, announced on 15 January 1993 that a new
RBMK nuclear power station would come into use in Kursk
this year ( according to the De Volkskrant of 16 January

1993 ). Two more new nuclear power stations will also come
into use this year . About twenty more nuclear power
stations will be built in the period up to 2010 .

1 . Is the Commission aware of these plans ?

2 . Does a master plan already exist ( including a strategy for
the planning construction, exploitation and
decommissioning of nuclear power stations in the
former Soviet Union, with help from the Commission in
the medium term )?

3 . Has the European Community helped make it possible

to bring the new RBMK power station in Kursk into

use :

7 . Do the nuclear power stations that are coming into use
or are going to be built comply with Community safety
standards ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1993 )

1 . The Commission is aware of the various aspects of the
Russian government 's decision of 28 December 1992 on the
next stage of its nuclear power programme . The plan
provides for the commissioning of a new RBMK nuclear
power station in Kursk and the commissioning of VVER

1000 reactors in Balakovo and Kalinin . As far as the future

of the Russian programme is concerned, no firm decision
has been taken to bring other units into operation .

4 .

5 .

6 .

According to Yevgenii Reshetnikov the new reactor in
Kursk is an RBMK but modified in such a way that it can
be considered a new, safer type . Does the Commission
know what kind of improvements have been made ?

Does the Commission think that it is possible to make
RBMK reactors ( i.e. the Chernobyl type ) safe ? Has the
International Atomic Energy Agency expressed an
opinion on the future of RBMK reactors ?

What type are the other two nuclear power stations that
will come into use in 1993 and the other nuclear power
. stations that have been planned up to 2010 ?

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 49

2 . The master plan which is part of the Phare and Tacis
programme is one of the instruments used by the
Commission in the management of its programmes in the
field ofnuclear safety . The aim is to bring together in a single
document all the factors which have a bearing on the
definition of future activities . The master plan is drawn up in
close consultation with the potential operators in the field .
The Commission is continuing its discussions with the
various interested parties on the methodology of the plan,
which evolves over time and should incorporate the latest
political objectives and the results of activities already
undertaken .

3 . The European Community has provided no specific
aid for the new RBMK reactor in Kursk .

4 . and 5 . The RBMK type of reactor has undergone a
series of modifications since the first model went into
operation . The Commission has launched a programme to
evaluate the safety of RBMK reactors and will be better
placed to assess their reliability once this study has been
completed .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 April 1993 )

The Commission has studied the role and operation of
knackers ' yards in those Member States where this has been
a traditional system for handling fallen stock . Its
investigations indicate that such enterprises still have a role
to play .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 239 / 93

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 91 )

The IAEA has issued no specific guidelines on the future of
RBMK reactors . Subject : Suspension of customs duties on products in the

microelectronics and related sectors

6 . The two other nuclear reactors which will come into

operation in 1993 are WER 1000s . Most of the power
stations which might be built between now and the year
2010 will be WER 1000s or new types of reactor .

7 . The main aim of the Community 's aid programme is
to evaluate the safety of Soviet-designed reactors on the
basis of the scientific evidence and, where necessary, identify
improvements which might enhance safety .

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3681 / 92 { l ) of 14 December
1992 suspended the autonomous Common Customs Tariff
duties on a very wide range of industrial products in the
microelectronics and related sectors until 30 June 1993 .
This suspension is analogous to earlier ones such as that
pursuant to Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3393 / 89 ( 2 ) of

16 October 1989, which was the subject of my Written
Question No 842 / 90 ( 3 ), which Mr Pandolfi answered on
behalf of the Commission on 19 June 1990 .

In view of that answer, can the Commission explain the
differences in content of these two regulations as regards the
deficiencies of the Community microelectronics industry,
which is undoubtedly short of the products listed in the
annexes to these documents ? Can the Commission provide
information on export and import trends in the industry for

WRITTEN QUESTION No 212 / 93 1991 and 1992 as compared with these shortages and the
progress referred to in the earlier answer ?

by Mrs Winifred Ewing ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

n OJ No L 381, 24 . 12 . 1992, p. 1 .
( 18 February 1993 ) ( 2 ) OJ No L 332, 16 . 11 . 1989, p. 1 .
( 93 / C 258 / 90 ) ( 3 ) OJ No C 303, 3 . 12 . 1990, p. 29 .

Subject : Future of knackers ' yards in the EC

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

has Current led to - uncertainty fears that - fallen about ii stock the survival will be left i of r ' knackers i on site - ' in yards, fields i, on behalf ^ of May the 1 Commission 993 )
buried in shallow graves or simply dumped in rivers, all of
which would cause serious health risks . Will the

Commission state the present situation with regard to the The European Information Technologies and
continuation of the very important role played by knackers ' Telecommunications ( IT&T ) industry considers complete
yards in the removal and treatment of animal carcasses ? system design as one of its major strengths . These complete

No C 258 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9, 93

systems are an assembly of a large number of basic building development of technologies needed to design and
blocks . The industry of the 90 's needs to be looked at in a manufacture ASICs . Several successes have been booked
global way and it is no longer necessary or even possible — already using the early programme results and ASICs .
due to cost considerations — to have all basic building block Complementing these achievements with the Regulation for
production capabilities, such as commodity Integrated the temporary suspension of the Common Customs Tariff
Circuits ( ICs ), within one country or within one region . duties helps the European IT&T industry to capitalize on
These characteristics do not prevent the European IT&T the results . In the quest to find the programme impact on the
industry from competing at the final product level with trade balance, it is important to keep in mind that it takes
non-European manufacturers . This competition is possible typically three to seven years for ideas leaving the R&D
through the diversification of final products . While inside environment to find their way into products, and that they
IT&T products a number of ICs can be found, which are will have undergone a metamorphose which required
essentially identical for all competitors, it is only through the enormous amounts of resources . It will be difficult to state
use of Application Specific Integrated Circuits ( ASICs ) that the impact of each element on the success .
distinct final products are achieved . It is precisely these
ASICs that render the end-products competitive . It is on that
type of Integrated Circuit that RTD programmes such as
ESPRIT and JESSI concentrate . \

In order for the European IT&T industry to compete
effectively in final products, it is essential that unlimited
access to the basic building blocks of such systems
( commodity ICs and products ) is guaranteed at competitive
cost . This access is ensured by Regulations svfch as ( EEC )
No 3681 / 92, which is reviewed and updated every six
months . It is a permanent point of attention for the
Economic Tariff Questions Group to verify that products
figuring on the list meet the basic criteria that production
within the EC is still insufficient or non-existent . Every six
months, new products appear on the list while others, for
which the production capability in the EC has been found
adequate, disappear from the list . The list of products in the
Regulation has grown steadily since 1989 . As the list results
from requests received from the industry, this growth proves
that many European IT&T product manufacturers have
entered the arena with new high-technology competitive
final products . While this tariff suspension helps the IT&T
products industry, it should be emphasized that in volume
terms, the trade in products in the list does not form a large
share of total imports . Indeed for 1990 the import volume of
listed items represented only 3% of total IT&T imports .

The correlation between export and import data, and tariff
suspension is not easily demonstrated . It is however likely
that a share of the ECU 3 1,4 billion export of IT &T goods in

1991 was due to the tariff suspension as there were no or
inadequate European sourced basic building blocks for
these goods . An observation which underpins this
assumption is that whereas the EC exports for all
commodities only rose by 1,9% between 1990 and 1991,
that for IT&T goods rose by 7,9%, about 4 times more .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 255 / 93

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 92 )

Subject : Environmental Impact Assessments Directive

Can a 63-page Statement of Reason for a Road Scheme be
an equivalent document to the non-technical summary
required under the environmental assessments directive ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

\

Article 5 ( 2 ) of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( a ) does not require
the non-technical summary to be a document on its own . It
may be integrated into another document .

The Statement of Reasons for a road scheme may meet the
requirements for a non-technical summary under Directive

85 / 337 / EEC under the following conditions :
As already mentioned, RTD programmes such as ESPRIT
and JESSI concentrate on ASICs which are essential for the
end-product diversification . The relatively low level of it provides all the information set down as required in
funding for these programmes is used to stimulate the the Directive,

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 51

— it is made available to the public in a way to be

determined by the Member State, and the public is given
an opportunity to express an opinion on its contents,

— it is taken into consideration by the competent
authorities before development consent is given for a
project .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 259 / 93

by Mrs Marie Anne Isler Beguin ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 93 )

Subject : Cost of producing the V ' Leader ' magazine

In summer 1992 the Commission sent out its first issue of

' Leader ', a quarterly magazine produced by the Leader unit,
to the Member States .

What was the cost of printing, promoting and sending the

30 000 copies ?

Is the A3 format for the benefit of the ageing agricultural
population who need larger i print in order to read ?

\

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1993 )

The Leader magazine is one of the numerous means of
providing information and exchanging experience
employed under the Leader Community programme
to support development initiatives taken by rural
communities .

Its production falls within the scope of the responsibility for
coordinating the network of 217 local Leader groups
contracted out ot an external agency following a call for
tenders ( 1 ).

Apart from official addresses, the 30 000 copies to which
the Honourable Member refers are distributed through the
local groups themselves and Community offices in the
Member States .

The total cost of producing the magazine, translation into
nine languages, printing and distribution is approximately
ECU 50 000 .

At the Commission 's request the magazine 's format was
reduced to half the previous size with effect from the second
number .

(!) OJ No C 76, 21 . 3 . 1991

WRITTEN . QUESTION No 271 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 94

Subject : The effects of aircraft emissions on the
environment and humans

Until very recently, the international community was not
unduly concerned about the effects of aircraft emissions on
the environment, at airports in general and in specific
working environments as a contributory factor to overall
pollution . The reason for this was that because exhaust
emissions from aircraft make up around 1 % of total
worldwide air pollution, their contribution was regarded as
minimal or negligible . However, Community-funded
reports ( DG XII ) drawn up in 1991 by the Worldwide Fund
for Nature and the Atomic Energy Association have
sounded alarm bells . If these reports are correct, aircraft
emissions — nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and water
vapours — particularly at altitudes of between 10 and

12 km, are responsible for the increase in world
temperatures at least as much as chlorofluorocarbons
emitted on the earth 's surface . So far no research has been

carried out as far as we know into the effects on humans and
the environment at lower altitudes, particularly around
airports and in the more specific context of airline staff 's
working environment . Will the Commission fund a
programme to investigate the adverse effects of aircraft
emissions on the environment and humans ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

There are a number of research projects being carried out on
the effect of high and low-level aircraft emissions . Those at
low level, around airports, are being coordinated by a
working group of the International Civil Aviation
Organization ( ICAO ) on which the Commission is an
Observer . This group should report on its findings in late

1994, after three years of work, and the Commission will
then consider how best to apply these findings at
Community level .

No C 258 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 272 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 February 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 95
The Commission is well aware of the fact that the very high
infant mortality rate found in developing countries is, to a
large extent, caused by easily curable infectious and
Subject : Athens University hospital parasitic diseases .

DR 26 billion have been approved from the Council of
Europe 's Development Fund to set up a university hospital
in Athens . However, there have been repeated delays in
paying out the money . Will the Commission therefore make
representations to the Greek authorities to ensure that the
project is completed within the next five to six years as
planned ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 April 1993 )

The Commission is not aware of funds allocated by the

Council of Europe to the project mentioned by the
Honourable Member . Nor does it have any locus standi to
intervene with the Greek authorities in regard to the use of
such funds .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 274 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 February 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 96 )

Acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and measles are
indeed major killers and therefore require priority action .
Other diseases however ( malnutrition, malaria, neonatal
tetanus, whooping cough and so on ) contribute either
directly or indirectly to child death and also need to be
stamped out .

Today these diseases can largely be prevented or treated
effectively and in this way a significant proportion of lives
could be saved .

In practice, however /, the fight against these diseases poses

numerous problems and cannot be conducted efficiently
unless major efforts are made to organize and manage health
services, provide staff training and supply vaccines and
medicines .

This is why the Commission has established support
programmes for developing countries, particularly those
that come under the Lome Convention ( as they have the
highest infant mortality rate in the world ). The aim is to help
such countries develop health care systems capable of
dealing efficiently with the basic health problems
confronting the population, particularly the high-risk
mother and child group .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 305 / 93

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

(1 March 1993 )

Subject : Children 's diseases in developing countries
93 / C 258 / 97

60% of the 13 million children who die worldwide every
year through poverty are killed by three diseases :
pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles . Pneumonia kills 3,5
million children who could be cured with antibiotics .

Diarrhoea kills 3 million, at least 50% of whom could be
saved if the parents were taught a technique to prevent
dehydration in these children by having them take liquids
orally . Finally, measles kills 800 000 children when
vaccination could save most if not all of them . In views of

this, will the Commission take action to help stamp out
these three diseases which kill millions of children in the

so-called developing countries ?

Subject : Hygiene in stockfarming and measures to prevent

possible contamination in slaughterhouses of meat
coming into contact with hide soiled by dung

The bodies responsible for drawing up Community
directives on livestock farming attach priority to the welfare
of the animals, inter alia to ensure maximum growth for
meat and milk production and prevent hides from being
soiled by dung . In order to safeguard human health, it is
necessary to ensure that meat is not contaminated in

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 53

slaughterhouses through contact with hides soiled by
dung .

training in general medical practice or to the legal position
of students training to become general medical
practitioners ?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to promote (!) OJ No L 267, 19 . 9 . 1986, p. 26 .
campaigns to encourage livestock farmers, particularly
cattle farmers, to practise hygienic methods, especially in
areas where there is a lot of slurry, for example by frequently
changing bedding ? Does it intend, in order to safeguard Answer given by Mr
human health, to impose a ban on slaughterhouses on behalf of the
accepting animals soiled by dung and make it obligatory for
animals to be properly hosed down and dried, with state and ( 18 May
industrial slaughterhouses being responsible for installing
the necessary equipment, subject to strict veterinary
controls, failing which their operating licences would be Directive 86 / 457 / EEC requires
revoked ? complete basic training in

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

Directive 86 / 457 / EEC requires Member States providing
complete basic training in medicine on their territories to
establish specific training in general medical practice . This
means that they must earmark the necessary funding .
However, the Directive does not deal with the way in which
this funding is to be provided .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 May 1993 )

Directive 64 / 43 3 / EEC ( 2 ) on health conditions for the
production and marketing of fresh meat, as last amended by
Directive 92 / 5 / EEC ( 2 ), already requires bleeding, flaying,
removing bristles, dressing and evisceration to be carried out
in a way which avoids any contamination of the meat .

The Commission considers that it is the duty of the
management of the slaughterhouse, in collaboration with
the official veterinarian, to take the necessary steps to
respect the rules of the Directive, including the avoidance of
the contamination of meat by dirty skins .

Likewise, there are no provisions in the Directive indicating
how the legal position of trainee general medical
practitioners is to be regulated . The only provision in the
Directive that relates to persons undergoing training in
general medical practice is Article 7 ( 1 ), which stipulates
that each Member State is required to make the exercise of
general medical practice under its national social security
scheme conditional on possession of a diploma in general
medical practice ; the requirement is to take effect on

1 January 1995, subject to any acquired rights recognized .
Nevertheless, Member States may exempt from this
condition persons who are undergoing specific training in
general medical practice .

(!) OJ No 121, 29 . 7 . 1964 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992 . WRITTEN QUESTION No 325 / 93

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 March 1993 )

( 93 1 C 258 / 99 )

Subject : Use of ozone-depleting substances in the Channel

Tunnel
WRITTEN QUESTION No 308 / 93

by Mr Willem van Velzen ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

1 . Are HCFCs being used for the cooling system in the

of the European Communities Channel Tunnel, as implied by the press ? If so, what

March 1993 ) alternative Coolants which would not deplete the ozone

( 93 /C 258 / 98 ) layer are available ?

(1 March 1993 )

2 . Can the Commission say what extra costs would be
incurred, or savings made, by using an alternative cooling

Subject : Interpretation of the directive on specific training system in the Channel Tunnel ? What were the arguments for

in general medical practice deciding on the HCFC system rather than, for example, an

ammonia-based system ?
Does the Commission agree with the interpretation by the
Netherlands Government of Directive 86 / 457 / EEC ( x ) on 3 . Does the Commission agree that the use of
specific training in general medical practice, i.e. that the ozone-depleting substances should be banned as soon as
directive does not relate in any way to the financing of possible ? What recommendations will the Commission

Subject : Interpretation of the directive on specific training

in general medical practice

3 . Does the Commission agree that the use of
ozone-depleting substances should be banned as soon as
possible ? What recommendations will the Commission

No C 258 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

make concerning a cooling system for the Channel Tunnel
which does not contain any ozone-depleting substances ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

on behalf of the Commission Annual high level consultations on environmental matters

( 19 May 1993 ) take place between the Commission and certain other

countries, including Japan . These meetings take the form of
exchanges of information, and as such do not provide a
forum for negotiation on the topics mentioned in the
As far as the Commission is aware HCFCs will be used to
Honourable Member 's question .
cool the Channel Tunnel . The selection of a cooling system
for this complex and unprecedented engineering project will
have been made after consideration of a variety of technical,
safety Commission and was environmental not involved in factors the . decision However making, the In 3 — the 4 December case of Japan 1992, when, the last climate change meeting took and place tropical on
process to identify an appropriate solution, nor was it party forests were discussed, as well as other post-UNCED
to confidential cost information on alternative chlorine free matters .

technologies such as ammonia .

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

In the case of Japan, the last meeting took place on
3 — 4 December 1992, when climate change and tropical
forests were discussed, as well as other post-UNCED

matters .

At the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol ( Copenhagen, 1992 ) the Community and its
international partners devised a control system for HCFCs
which carefully balanced society 's need for these chemicals
against their potential to damage the ozone layer . It is the
Commission 's main concern to implement this framework
for control within the Community, including provisions
which limit the use of HCFCs so that the benefits of these

chemicals can be enjoyed with the minimum of
environmental damage .

On forests, a joint EC / Japan technical group agreed on the
need for a rapid implementation of the UNCED
commitments . Information was exchanged on various
incentives with a view to the sustainable management of
forests . The International Tropical Timber Organization,
the Tropical Forestry Action Plan and the Pilot Programme
for the Conservation of Tropical Forests in Brazil, in which
both the EC and Japan participate, were discussed .

There was an exchange of information on how to implement
the ITTO Target 2000 ( by when the international trade in
tropical timber should derive from sustainably managed
forests ). The Japanese officials explained the thrust of their
policy : a close monitoring of the import of tropical timbers,
and a 30 % reduction ( by substitution ) of the use of tropical
timber ( by 1996 ) in the production of plywood . They also
presented the, EC with the report of an advisory group on
WRITTEN QUESTION No 326 / 93 Global Green Management Plan, for stimulating re - and

Mr Hemmo S afforestation .

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 100 )

Subject : Environmental talks between Japan and the EC

According to Japanese press reports, the final day of talks
between Japan and the European Community held in early
December 1992 included discussion on the protection of
tropical forests and climatic changes .

1 . What negotiations have been held with Japan on these

subjects ?

2 . What stance has been adopted by the ' Japanese
Government, in particular concerning opportunities for
limiting imports of tropical woods ?

3 . What were the results of the talks ? Will further talks be
held with Japan on these subjects, and if so when ?

On Climate Change, a proposed EC-Japanese working
group on minimization of CO2 emissions was discussed,
foreseen to take place during 1993, in Europe . Information
was exchanged on the EC strategy to stabilize CO2
emissions by the year 2000 at the 1990 level and on the
Japanese Action Programme to arrest global warming .

Finally, delegations agreed on the need to organize a
workshop in 1993 on the greenhouse gases methane and
nitrous oxide .

These discussions, being in the form of exchanges of
information, do not give rise to results of the kind which
follow from negotiations . Further similar discussions with
the Japanese government will take place in the latter half of

1993, on a date yet to be determined .

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 55

WRITTEN QUESTION No 345 / 93

by Mrs Mary Banotti ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 March 1993 )

not feel that the work of associations such as the one
referred to by the Honourable Member, the importance of
which should be underscored, will be hindered by the
implementation of the Directive .

( 93 / C 258 / 101 )
(!) Amended proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of

individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and
on the free movement of such data ( OJ No C 311, 27 . 11 .

Subject : Data protection directive 1992 ).
( 2 ) Opinion of 13 March 1992 ( OJ No C 94, 13 . 4 . 1992 ).

Could the Commission inform me why it has decided not to
exempt charities and organizations like National Cancer
Registries from this directive ? Does the Commission have
any views on the fact that the directive would place
considerable restrictions on the processing of personal data

for National Cancer Registries which would seem to go
against all the aims of the Europe Against Cancer
programme ? How does the Commission aim to solve this
apparent contradictions ?
WRITTEN QUESTION No 359 / 93
by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 102 )

Subject : Waste disposal site in Santa María de Palautordera

1 . The Commission considers that individuals ' privacy as ( Valles Oriental, Barcelona — Spain )
well as their fundamental freedoms and rights can best be
protected by placing a broad interpretation on the scope of
the relevant legislative provisions, while at the same time A waste disposal site located near Santa
providing, if necessary, for simplifications and exemptions Palautordera is currently being enlarged
from a number of obligations in certain sectors . residents are particularly concerned about its

A waste disposal site located near Santa Maria de
Palautordera is currently being enlarged and the local
residents are particularly concerned about its future size and
the amount of waste which will be dumped there .

For this reason, the proposal for a Directive (*), amended in
response to the opinion of Parliament ( 2 ), does not exclude
charities from its field of application . However, in line with Concerning the category of waste to be dumped at this site,
certain amendments adopted by Parliament in its opinion, there are two possibilities :
the proposal does contain a number of specific provisions
applicable to particular charities : 1 . The waste is covered by Directive 75 / 44 2 / EEC ( l ) on

an exemption, under certain conditions, from the
obligation to notify the supervisory authority of the
processing by foundations or non-profit-making
associations of a political, philosophical, religious or
trade-union character of personal data which relate to
their members ( second subparagraph of Article 8 ( 2 ));

an exemption, under the same conditions, from the
prohibition on the processing of sensitive data by such
foundations or associations ( Article 8 ( 2 ) ( b )).

2 . While proposing that the processing of sensitive data
( on health matters, for example ) should, in principle, be
prohibited ( Article 8 ( 1 )), the Commission has nevertheless
made provision for a number of exceptions .

In particular, Member States may, on grounds of important
public interest, lay down exemptions and specify suitable
safeguards ( Article 8 ( 3 )). As a result, the Commission does

2 .

waste in general . Article 4 of this directive states that
Member States shall take the necessary measures to
ensure that waste is disposed of without endangering
human health and without harming the environment,
and in particular without risk to water, air, soil, plants
or animals, without causing a nuisance through noise or
odours and without adversely affecting the countryside
or places of special interest .

The waste is covered by Directive 78 / 319 / EEC ( 2 ) since
it includes toxic and dangerous substances of the kind
listed in the annex ( in particular heavy metals ). If so,
under Articles 5 and 9 of this directive, Member States
will be required to prevent the uncontrolled discharge of
this waste and ensure that it is disposed of by authorized
installations, so as to ensure the protection of human
health and the environment . In addition, Directive
80 / 68 / EEC ( 3 ) on groundwater and Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ( 4 ) require Member States to carry out
environmental impact assessments, taking particular
account of ground water .

No C 258 / 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Can the Commission obtain information concerning the
types and quantities of waste to be disposed of at this
site ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 May 1993 )

What steps will the Commission take to ensure proper
compliance with Community law on waiste management
and disposal in this particular case ?
ECU 300 000 have been granted to the International
( 2 ) OJ OJ No No L L 194 84, 31, 25 . 3 . 7 . 1978 . 1975, p, p . 43 . 39 . Irrigation Management signature of the Financing Institute Agreement in Sri Lanka in December following 1992 the .
( 3 ) OJ No L 20, 26 . 1 . 1980, p . 43 .
( 4 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p . 40 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

1 . The Commission cannot provide information on the
types and quantities of waste to be managed at the disposal
site in question without :

( a ) the results of the environmental impact assessment
which must be carried out pursuant to Directive

85 / 337 / EEC ;

( b ) more detailed information about the disposal site and

its enlargement .

2 . Under Article 155 of the EEC Treaty the Commission
ensures that, the Member States comply with their
obligations under Community legislation . They are required
to adopt the national measures needed to incorporate
Community environmental law into national law, notify
them to the Commission, and ensure that their internal
measures are properly and fully applied . The Commission
will request additional information from the Spanish
authorities in order to guarantee observance of Community
law in this particular case .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 363 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 103 )

The Commission will evaluate the success of the whole

institute on the basis of reports done by an external audit for
the Consultation Group on International agricultural
Research ( CGIR ). This group, consisting of 45 donors,
including the World Bank and most Member States, gives
assistance to 18 organizations involved in agricultural
research in developing countries .

The human rights situation in Sri Lanka is of great concern
to the Commission when considering all projects for
implementation in Sri Lanka . Human rights are closely
monitored and policy adapted accordingly . The Sri Lankan
authorities are well aware of the importance which the
Community and its Member States attach to scrupulous
respect for human rights as set out in the declaration on
human rights adopted by the Luxembourg European
Council in June 1991 and the resolution adopted by the
Development Council on Human Rights, Democracy and
Development on 28 November 1991 . The Commission is
encouraged by the current efforts made by the government
of Sri Lanka in this area which the latest Amnesty
International report seems to confirm . However, a lot of
work remains to be done and the Commission will do
everything in its power to speed up the progress in this

area .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 371 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 )

Subject : Sri Lanka
( 93 / C 258 / 104 )

What progress has been made on the grant of ECU 300 000
to the International Irrigation Management Institute in Sri
Lanka ?

Subject : Multifibre Arrangement

How does the Commission intend to evaluate the success of

this project ?

How will the Commission monitor the human rights
situation in the country while the project is continuing ?

                                                                                 

How will the Commission ensure that workers producing
textiles in countries which are signatory to the Multifibre
Arrangement are not exploited ?

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 57

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(1 7 May 1 993 )

The Multifibre Arrangement aims at providing countries i
exporting textiles and clothing with an orderly and
progressive increase in access to developed country markets .
This increase in trade can reasonably be expected to
contribute to an improvement in conditions for workers in
the major exporting countries . Recent studies tend to
suggest that this has been the case .

The exploitation of workers, on the other hand, is a general
problem worldwide, which is not restricted to the
production of textiles or to countries which happen to be
signatory to the Multifibre Arrangement . The present MFA
which is in force since 1986 does not provide a basis for
dealing with this problem in the textile sector .

The Commission considers that a global approach to these
issues covering all areas of economic activity within the
appropriate multilateral bodies would be more appropriate .
In this context, it should be recalled that in 1986 at the
launch of the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations the
Community supported a US proposal to include a social
clause in the GATT . Unfortunately, to date, this proposal
has been rejected by developing country participants, who
fear that such a clause could be used one way or another to
limit their textile exports .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 375 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 105 )

Subject : EC / Japan automobile agreement

Will the Commission indicate how it intends to monitor the
seven-year agreement for the automobile sector between the
EC and Japan ?

Japan, and the arrangements for implementing it, have on

several occasions been presented by the Commission to
Parliament, in particular during the drafting and adoption
of the report of the European motor industry by
Parliament 's Committee on Economic and Monetary
Affairs and Industrial Policy .

Over the period 1993 —99, the task will be to apply the
arrangements, i.e. to assess at six-monthly meetings with the
Japanese authorities the state of the Community
motor - vehicle market and industry, with a view to adjusting
the annual level of Japanese exports so that hitherto
restricted markets ( Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, United
Kingdom ) can be gradually opened up without disrupting
the market in the Community as a whole . This is an essential
precondition for enabling our industry to adapt to greater
competition in satisfactory conditions . The Commission
will report to the Council and Parliament each autumn on
the competitiveness of the industry, its evolution and the
state of the market .

In the shorter term, the fall in demand for vehicles in the
Community is obviously making the outlook gloomy for the
whole of the year . The Community is extremely concerned
by the situation and is determined to ensure, in its
discussions with the Japanese authorities, that it is properly
taken into account .

The Commission considers that its annual reports on the
state of the industry are an appropriate means of keeping
Parliament regularly abreast of developments taking place
in a framework with which Honourable Members are

familiar .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 379 / 93

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 106
Will the Commission ensure that the European Parliament is
kept regularly and speedily informed of the results of this
monitoring programme ?

Subject : GATT negotiations and the audiovisual market

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

Can the Commission give an assurance that nothing agreed

on behalf of the Commission in the current GATT negotiations will in any way undermine

( 19 May 1993 ) the ability of Member States to take such measures as they

see fit to protect their film and television industries from the
ever-increasing tide of material imported from the United
The content and aims of the agreement on motor vehicles States, measures which are clearly necessary for the
concluded on 31 July 1991 between the Community and continuation of the rich diversity of European cultures ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

No C 258 / 58 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan different types of vessel and lengths of journey, under a

on behalf of the Commission variety of weather conditions .

( 26 April 1993 )

This information will be taken into consideration in the
course of preparing any rules which the Commission will
In the Uruguay Round negotiations, the Community 's propose in the future .
objective in the audiovisual sector is to ensure that it remains
in a position to pursue a policy aimed at the maintenance of
a viable industry which can act effectively as a vector for the
diversity of European cultures .

As the Community 's negotiator in Geneva, the Commission
intends to make sure that the outcome of the Uruguay
Round is consistent with the objectives set out in the
' Television Without Frontiers ' Directives and the measures

taken under it .

In particular, it seeks a recognition, in the draft General
Agreement on Trade in Services, of the specificity of the
sector arid thus of the need for appropriate measures to
promote cultural identity . All measures taken by Member
States with this aim must of course also be consistent with

Community law .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 398 / 93
by Mr Agostino Mantovani, Mr Franco Borgo, Mr Gerardo

Gaibisso, Mr Nino Pisoni, Mr Giuseppe Mottola,

Mr Mauro Chiabrando, Mr Francesco Guidolin

and Mr Lorenzo De Vitto ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(J March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 108 )

Subject : Market for cattle in parts of Italy bordering

Austria and Switzerland

For some years the market for cattle in parts of Italy
bordering Austria and Switzerland has been distorted and
WRITTEN QUESTION No 385 / 93 exposed to competition on the basis of the very large export

by Mr Christopher Jackson ( PPE ) subsidies granted by those countries .
to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 March 1993 ) Accordingly, EC stock farmers are excluded from the
market Or at any rate are seriously disadvantaged .
( 93 / C 258 / 107

Subject : Live animals — sea crossings

As the Commission is aware, all exports of live animals from
Britain have to travel by sea either on the short sea crossing
from Dover to Calais or on one of the longer crossings . The
same is also true for exports of live animals between, for
example, Greece and Italy . In calm weather this is probably
not too daunting an experience for the animals, as it will be
less bumpy than travel by road .

Has the Commission made any studies of or received any
evidence concerning stress on animals involved in sea
crossings in general, and in sea crossings during rough
weather in particular ?

Should this be taken into account in journey time allotment
or in prohibiting passage by sea under certain con ­
ditions ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

The Commission has received reports of several studies on
the welfare of animals during sea crossings . These cover

What steps does the Commission intend to take to persuade
the Swiss and Austrian governments to abolish such
measures, which are distorting free competition, having
regard also to the GATT Agreements and the establishement
of the European Economic Area ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1993 )

In view of the higher price level in Austria, and in particular
in Switzerland, in relation to the Community it is
understandable that these countries grant export subsidies .
The Community does the same when it exports beef and veal
products to third countries .

With regard to imports into Italy from both countries in

question, despite the granting of subsidies the quantities
imported during the last three years are clearly down,
especially for Austria, in comparison with the three previous
years ( cf . table below ).

In this context, it should be recalled that Community
imports from these two third countries are carried out
respectively within the framework :

V

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 59

of a quota of 42 600 head of cows and heifers of
mountain breeds (*),

of a quota of 5 000 head of bulls, cows and heifers of
certain alpine breeds ( 1 ),

of the specific levy scheme for live bovines and beef and
veal other than frozen, applicable with respect to
Austria, Sweden and Switzerland . However, for Austria,
separate preferential treatment is in force since 1 May

1992 .

Imports into Italy of live bovines

From Austria and Switzerland

to restrict the Fiat group 's overall increase in capacity to 3 %
would appear to have been one of the main factors behind
this decision, would the Commission :

1 . state whether this information is accurate ?

2 . state — if the information is accurate — on what

documents and planning undertakings supplied by the
Fiat group this forecast was based and, above all, which
northern Italian plants are to be affected by production
and job cuts and to what extent ?

3 . agree that, whatever the situation, it should provide
( bead ) detailed information on all aspects of this affair ?

Total

Calves

(- 220 kg )

Bovines

(+ 220 kg )

Pure-bred

animals for

breedihg

N

A. Austria

1986 2 781 37 834 13 869 54 484

1987 4 007 37 644 18 482 60 133

1988 1 342 39 337 16 187 56 866

1989 2 432 28 730 15 856 47 018

1990 2 421 27 430 14 842 44 693

1991 937 18 401 14 830 34 168

B. Switzerland '.

1986 0 836 8 849 9 685

1987 9 794 14 421 15 224

1988 0 1 838 8 118 9 956

198 9 18 3 3 36 8 662 12 016

1990 0 4 683 7 041 11 724

1991 0 4 250 8 022 12 272

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(1 8 May 1 993 )

In reply to the questions raised by the three Honourable
Members, the Commission would say :

the motivation of the Commission 's decision of

9 December 1992 authorizing the notified aid in support
of Fiat 's second Mezzogiorno plan is partly based on the
revised capacity plan of the Fiat Group which foresees
that the total Fiat car capacity in 1996 will exceed its

1990 level by certainly no more than 70 000 units . This
( ! ) Other than intended for slaughter . is equivalent to 3 % of the Group 's EC car capacity in

1990 ;

WRITTEN QUESTION No 419 / 93

by Mr Rinaldo Bontempi, Mrs Anna Catasta

and Mr Roberto Speciale ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 March 1993 )

93 / C 258 / 109 )

Subject : Authorization of Italian state aid for the Fiat plant

at Melfi

In view of reports in \ the Italian press NB . that the
Commission has authorized an Italian government subsidy
of Lit 3 100 billion for the construction of the Fiat plant at
Melfi and, furthermore, of the fact that a forecast reduction
in production capacity at the northern Italian plants in order

/

this information is based on an Italian Government letter

dated 17 November 1992 which confirmed that the Fiat
Group had revised its EC capacity forecast since the
opening of the procedure . In line with this forecast, the
Group is irreversibly closing its car assembly plants at
Desio and Chivasso in northern Italy and has also
reduced by half the capacity of the Lambrate plant . As
such, Fiat is in the process of closing a total capacity of
380 000 units in northern Italy . The Commission has
not received any information on the number of jobs
which are affected by these closures ;

the above information forms part of the Commission 's
letter dated 31 December 1992 by which this
Article 93 ( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty procedure was closed
( letter published in Official Journal of the European
Communities No C 37 of 11 February 1993 ).

No C 258 / 60 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 484 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 449 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 484 /
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) by Mrs María Izquierdo Rojo ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 March 1993 )

( 12 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 110 93 / C 258 / 111

Subject : Job creation measures in the Maghreb countries

Subject : School milk scheme

In reply to Question No 1361 / 92 ( J ) by Mrs Banotti, the
Commission said that aid amounting to ECU 8 542 million
had been given to Belgium .

Can the Commission say to whom, and on the basis of what
criteria, this aid was granted in Belgium ? Has the
Commission received ( and rejected ) other applications ?

Can the Commission give details concerning the European
Community budget appropriations earmarked for
exceptional job creation measures in the Maghreb countries

( Item B7-4082 ) and the projects envisaged for their
implementation ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 April 1993 )

(!) OJ No C 309, 26 . 11 . 1992, p. 37 . 1993 saw the introduction of a Community budget heading
for the financing of exceptional job creation measures in the
Maghreb countries ( B7-4082 ).

However, ' p.m .' is entered under this heading, since a
commitment appropriation of ECU 10 000 000 and a
Answer given by Mr Steichen payment appropriation of ECU 5 000 000 covering the

on behalf of the Commission same item are included in the contingency reserve ( Chapter

( 30 April 1993 ) B0-41 ).

The Commission is at present weighing up the available
options with a view to achieving the greatest possible impact
Aid for milk and milk products distributed to schools is on job creation with what are, after all, fairly limited
granted either direct to the schools or to the suppliers of resources .
these products, who then have to reflect this aid in the price
paid by the recipients . Pupils regularly attending various No definite programmes have as yet been adopted, but the
types of school may qualify for the aid, the exception being Commission is mainly looking at projects targeting young
university students or those attending comparable third people, as this section of the population has been especially
level institutions . badly hit by unemployment .

The Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian governments have
The Commission does not have a list of schools or suppliers been contacted, and their requests are currently being
to which the aforementioned aid is granted in Belgium, since examined by the Commission .
the payments are effected through a disbursing agency
designated by the Member State . This information has been
requested from the Belgian authorities, however, and the
Commission will forward it direct to the Honourable

Member as soon as it comes to hand .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 494 / 93

Apart from the eligibility criteria quoted above, the payment
of aid is conditional upon compliance with certain
administrative provisions enabling application of the
scheme to be verified . As already indicated, the national
authorities are responsible for applying the scheme and, in
this context, they can refuse requests for aid . The
Commission is not been informed of any such cases .

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 112

Subject : Storage of spent nuclear fuel

In November 1992, a public inquiry was opened in Scotland
to evaluate the application by Scottish Nuclear to build a
dry-storage facility for the long-term management of spent

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 61

nuclear fuel from the Tornless Nuclear plant instead of
sending the fuel to Sellafield .

" What studies has the Commission conducted, or put to
consultancy, on the benefits of dry-storage repositories for
spent nuclear fuel ; what standards have been set by the
Commission on the construction and maintenance of such

stores ; and under which articles of the Eur atom Treaty must
the United Kingdom notify the Commission if planning
permission is granted to construct the repository ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 May 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 498 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 113 )

Subject : Financial aid to Community overseas territories

Will the Commission list the projects supported to date by
the 1991 Council Decision on financial aid to Community
overseas territories and will the Commission explain the
benefits accruing to the Community of such support ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

It is not up to the Commission to conduct or have conducted ( 14 May 1993 )
exhaustive studies on the benefits of individual technical

solutions in the nuclear field since the Commission has no

responsibility, concerning the licensing of nuclear facilities .
This responsibility is entirely with the licensing authority of It is rather early to list the projects supported by Community
the Member State concerned . financial assistance under Council Decision 91 / 482 / EEC (*)
of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries
and territories with the EEC .

However a study ( x ) was carried out in 1987 under contract
with the Commission to assess the various aspects of the
very long term interim storage of spent fuel . The conclusion Following adoption of the Decision, Member States notified
was that long term wet or dry storage, may be performed the Commission of the amount to be allocated to each
safely . Although this conclusion was drawn for light water territory, from the programmable resources provided for in
reactor fuel, it should remain valid in general terms for the Article 154 ( 2 ). This process was concluded in early
fuel from advanced gas cooled reactors such as Torness . 1992 .

OCT concerned by Decision 91 / 482 / EEC

Two further points can be noted . Firstly, this project by
appears to fall within the scope of the environmental impact ( ECU million )
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ) which sets out certain procedures
to be undertaken by the Member State prior to development Allocation Unexpended balance
consent . Secondly, under the terms of Article 37 of the Member States : OCT 8th EDF 6th EDF
Euratom Treaty, the British Government will ' provide the Decision Decision
Commission with such general data ... as will make it 91 / 482 / EEC 91 / 404 / EEC
possible to determine whether the implementation of such a
plan is liable to result in the radioactive contamination . . . 1 . Denmark :
of another Member State '; this procedure is normally Greenland s —
undertaken approximately one year before the project in
question comes into operation . 2, France : I

Allocation

Unexpended

balance

6th EDF

8th EDF

Member States : OCT

Decision

91 / 482 / EEC

Decision

91 / 404 / EEC

1 . Denmark :

Greenland

s

—

2, France :

I

( J ) Report EUR 11866 — Long-term storage of spent fuel from

light-water reactors which the Commission is sending to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of

European Parliament .
( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p. 40 .

»

New Caledonia and r

dependencies 12,5

French Polynesia 13,1

French Southern and Antarctic

Territories 0,3

Wallis and Futuna Islands 4,6 0,5

Mayotte 6,7 0,5

Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,0 0,4

Total 40,20 1,4

N

No C 258 / 62 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

V
( ECU million ) Many projects, however, are currently at an advanced stage
of preparation, in readiness for financing decisions during

Unexpended

the course of 1993 .

Unexpended

Decision

91 / 404 / EEC

                                           

Member States : OCT

3 . Netherlands :

Allocation

8th EDF

Decision

91 / 482 / EEC

balance

6th EDF

Aruba 7,575

Netherlands Antilles ( Bonaire, 
Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St
Martin ) 22,725

Total 30,300 1,4

4 . United Kingdom :

Anguilla, 2,900 0,115

Cayman Islands

Falkland Islands

South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands

Montserrat 3,900 0,130

Pitcairn

Saint Helena and dependencies 2,400 0,120

British Antarctic Territory

British Indian Ocean Territory

Turks and Caicos Islands 3,900 0,130

British Virgin Islands 2,400 0,120

Total 15,500 0, Λ 5

Following this, the relevant authorities of each territory
drew up and submitted an indicative programme consistent
with their own priorities . The indicative programmes for the
Seventh European Development Fund were signed :

— for Montserrat on 24 February 1992

— for Anguilla on 26 February 1992

— for British Virgin Islands on 28 February 1992

— for Turks and Caicos Islands on 27 May 1992

— for Mayotte on 3 July 1992

— for New Caledonia on 15 July 1992

— for Wallis and Futuna Islands on 17 July 1992

— for French Polynesia on 20 July 1992 .

The indicative programmes for Aruba, the Netherlands
Antilles, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the French
Southern and Antarctic territories will be signed very

soon .

To date, the only project financed under these indicative
programmes is the Anguilla Water Distribution
Improvement project, for which a financing decision
involving ECU 1 710 000 ECU was adopted in December

Furthermore,' in addition to these programmable resources,
the Community has assisted New Caledonia ( ECU 250 000 )
and Wallis and Futuna Islands ( ECU 75 000 ) with
emergency aid following the hurricane in December

1992 .

Several EIB loans, with interest, rate subsidies, have been
granted ( Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Mayotte,
Netherlands Antilles ) and in two cases ( Aruba ) it has been
decided to provide risk capital financing .

Through such measures, the Community, in accordance
with the preamble to the EEC Treaty, ' confirms the
solidarity which binds Europe and the overseas countries
and desires to ensure the development of their
prosperity '.

Furthermore, such support is in accordance with ' the
purpose of association ' ( Article 131 ), which is ' to promote
the economic and social development of the countries and
territories and to establish close economic relations between
them and the Community as a whole '.

H OJ No L 263, 19 . 9 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 505 / 93

by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 114 )

Subject : Progress in implementing CAP reform

The implementation of the reformed CAP regulations give
rise to different situations in the Member States, depending
on the specific characteristics of production and agricultural
structures in each country .

What progress has been made by each Member State in
implementing the regulations relating to the CAP reform,
particularly with regard to compensatory payments for
cereal production and set-aside ?

What is the proportion of land set aside in each Member

State compared with cultivated land, with regard to field
crops ?

1992 . What areas have been exempted in each Member State ?

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 63

Finally, what measures have been taken by each Member
State for the use of set-aside land and land for industrial

crops ?

Community INTERREG programme and will be
implemented by the Commission in close conjunction with
national coordinators and professional bodies .

(!) OJ No C 90, 31 . 3 . 1993 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 394, 31 . 12 . 1992 .
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

The reform of the CAP in the arable crops sector will
become a practical reality as from the 1993 / 94 marketing

year .

The Member States are currently distributing implementing
circulars to the responsible authorities . The Commission,
for its part, is providing a full information service to the
groups of experts who meet regularly .

In this preparatory phase and at the present stage, it is not
possible to answer with sufficient precision the questions
put by the Honourable Member . Only in time will it be
possible to form an overall and clear view of the
implementation of the reform in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 526 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 532 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 116 )

Subject : Restoration of the cultural heritage of the former

Y ugoslavia

In view of the destruction of the cultural heritage in the
former Yugoslavia caused by the fighting between the
warring parties, will the Commission, in cooperation with
UNESCO, draw up an aid programme for its restoration as
soon as possible ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) ( 14 May 1993 )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 115 )

                                                                                                                              Subject : Customs agents

In view of the situation facing customs agents can the
Commission state what specific action is being taken to
guarantee their incomes and whether it intends to provide
for their retraining and the possibility of early retirement for
those over 55 years of age ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the reply given to Written Question No 2448 / 92 from Mr
John Cushnahan ( 1 ).

On 1 7 December last year, the Council adopted Regulation

( EEC ) No 3904 / 92 on measures to adapt the profession of
customs agent to the internal market ( 2 ).

The measures in the Regulation, which cover the areas and
firms most affected by the problem, fall outside the
European Structural Funds . They last until the end of the
year and will receive ECU 30 million in financing . They
complement European Social Fund action and the

The Commission is aware of destruction to the heritage of
the former Yugoslavia since fighting began .

Item B7-4092 of the Community budget ( Aid for the
reconstruction of the Republics formerly part of
Yugoslavia ) was brought in for the purpose of starting
certain reconstruction projects, in particular those relating
to the cultural heritage of the former Yugoslavia . The
budgetary authority did not include any appropriations
under this heading for the 1993 financial year . In view of the
uncertainty of the military and political situation on the
ground, consideration has not yet been given to
implementing an extensive programme of reconstruction .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 542 / 93
by Mr Nino Pisoni, Mr Franco Borgo

and Mr Agostino Mantovani ( PPE ) i

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 March 1993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 117 )

Subject : Imbalances in the allocation of national dairy

quotas

In view of the fact that Germany 's national dairy quota is a
good 10 million cubic litres more than it actually produces
and the Netherlands ' quota is three times as high as its

No C 258 / 64 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

requirements, will the Commission review the criteria for
allocating dairy quotas among the Member States in order
to prevent flagrant and unfair discrimination within the
Community which allows certain Member States to exceed
any reasonable levels while imposing dairy shortfalls of over
45 % on others ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 April 1993 )

The overall guaranteed quantities were fixed for each
Member State in 1984 using the quantities produced in a
particular reference year . The reference year chosen was

1981, except in the case of Italy and Ireland . For these two
Member States, 1983 was chosen on an exceptional basis, as
it was more favourable to the countries concerned .

refund levels . The Commission has progressively introduced
' a period of reflection before the issue of export licences for a

number of processed products . In agreement with the
national authorities and the export sector, malt was
excluded from these arrangements . Since the mid-80s the
Commission has calculated the malt refund on the basis of
the barley refund established in the tendering procedure
with a malting barley premium added .

On 10 September 1992, the Management Committee for
Cereals, without any prior Consultation, submitted to the
Commission a proposal for a regulation introducing a
three-day period of reflection before the issue of licences for
malt . Despite objections from the United Kingdom,
Belgium, France and Germany, the main Community malt
exporters, the Commission immediately introduced a
period of reflection before the issue of malt export licences

( Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 2804 / 92 ( x )).

1 . For what reasons did the Commission change its
previous practice, despite objections from the main
exporting countries ?

Application of the quota scheme has enabled production to
be reduced across the Community .

2 . Does the Commission consider that democratic

be reduced across the Community . principles are being properly respected if it is able to

push through a decision in the Management Committee
The difference between current production and the overall with 23 votes in favour and 53 against, or even against
the wishes of the entire Management Committee ?
quantity allocated to certain Member States reflects their
efforts to reduce milk production . In Germany the
difference is also due to the restructuring taking place in the 3 . How does the Commission view the implications of
new Lander . introducing a period of reflection before the issue of

3 . How does the Commission view the implications of

introducing a period of reflection before the issue of
malt export licences ?

It example is true that, milk in production certain Member, and States consequently, the Netherlands the overall for (!) OJ No L 282, 26 . 9 . 1992, p. 40 .
guaranteed quantity, exceeds domestic consumption . This is
not atypical in a single market, however, the same situation
being seen in respect of other products in other Member
States, and the quota system has furthermore resulted even
in the Netherlands, in a marked drop in production ( down Answer given by

15,7% between 1984 and 1992 ).

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

1 . The decision to introduce a period for reflection prior
to the issue of export licences for malt was not wholly
unexpected . The same provision had already been
introduced for common wheat flour and durum wheat

meal .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 595 / 93

by Mr Reinhold Bocklet ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

The idea had in fact long been current of imposing such a

to the Commission of the European Communities reflection period in order to curb the risk of a deluge of

(3 1 March 1 993 ) applications, something that has already occurred for malt

( 93 / C 258 / 118 ) export licences in the past . The exceptionally long validity of

these licences ( current month plus eleven months ) puts malt
at particular risk of speculative applications, a risk
heightened by the strong propensity of maltsters to act as a
Subject : Period of reflection before the issue of malt export group .

(3 1 March 1 993 )

( 93 / C 258 / 118 )

licences

2 . The rules on use of the management committee

For a number of years, the Commission has controlled procedure are set out in Article 26 of Council Regulation
cereals exports using a tendering procedure laying down ( EEC ) No 2727 / 75 of 29 October 1975 0 ).

22 . 9 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 258 / 65

3 . The measure in question was restricted to licences Hen Eggs — namely that - they should not be labelled by
applied for before 1 January 1993 and in fact the misnomers such as ' Farm Fresh ' or ' Country Fresh ' or ' Fresh
Commission did not use it . Brown ' which are misleading but should be labelled as

' Battery Hen Eggs '.
H OJ No L 281, 1 . 11 . 1975 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION No 610 / 93
( 11 May 1993 )

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 April 1993 ) Rules which would impose the obligation to label eggs as

( 93 / C 258 / 119 ) ' battery eggs ' are not justified for the purposes proposed by

the Honourable Member, particularly given that the
proportion of battery hens of this type in the Community
Subject : Battery hen cages exceeds 95% .

In pursuit of the best possible living conditions for laying
hens, would the Commission consider the following areas
for legislation : that hens kept for egg production must have
sufficient space to exercise and flap their wings without
difficulty . They should also have adequate facilities to perch,
dust-bathe, scratch and lay their eggs in a nest . Furthermore
would they be prepared to ban de-beaking ( other than on
veterinary advice )?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 May 1993 )

The Commission has asked the Scientific Veterinary
Committee to investigate the needs of laying hens and the
Committee has made a report on the subject . The report
considers in detail the matters raised by the Honourable
Member .

The Commission is at present examining the animal welfare
legislation of the Community and the Council of Europe
with a view to deciding what steps are necessary to
implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe
on, for example, the welfare of laying hens, while at the same
time avoiding any unnecessary duplication of effort .

When this examination has been completed the
Commission will decide what proposals are appropriate in
respect of laying hens .

Despite the absence of the obligation, the consumer is in a
position to obtain eggs from hens raised outdoors or on soil .
Since 1985 Community marketing rules for eggs have
provided for indications on packagings relating to the
various forms of farming, for the criteria for each form of
farming and for monitoring provisions ( amended by
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1274 / 91 i 1 )).

Moreover, the term ' fresh ' is not a reference to the form of
farming, but in accordance with Article 6 of Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1907 / 90 ( 2 ), it is synonymous with
Class ' A '.

Moreover, Article 2 ( 1 ) of Directive 79 / 112 / EEC on food
labelling ( 3 ) already stipulates that labelling must not be
likely to mislead the purchaser, particularly as to the
characteristics of the food product, including the method of
production .

( 2 )

( 3 )

OJ No L 121, 16 . 5 . 1991
OJ No L 173, 6 . 7 . 1990 .
OJ No L 33, 8 . 2 . 1979 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 663 / 93

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 611 / 93
( 93 / C 258 / 121 )

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 April 1993 ) Subject : Aid to Sri Lanka

( 93 / C 258 / 120 )

To what extent does the Commission calculate the absence
Subject : Labelling of Battery Hen Eggs of free press in Sri Lanka in its human rights equation when

In the interests of the consumer, would the Commission be
prepared to bring forward legislation concerning Battery

of free press in Sri Lanka in its human rights equation when
planning aid to Sri Lanka and what representations has it
made to the Sri Lankan government about the lack of press
freedom in that country ?

No C 258 / 66 Official Journal of the European Communities 22 . 9 . 93

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 May 1993 )

As far as the Commission is aware there is at present, in Sri
Lanka, a liberal government policy towards the press . The
daily press, which comes out in three different languages,
English, Sinhalese and Tamil, is mostly the private sector
with free expression of opinion on matters of interest
including government policy . The English speaking
non-government newspaper The Island, the Sinhalese
newspapers such as the Divayina and the Lanka Deepa, and
Tamil newspapers such as the Virakesari are considered to
be very outspoken and present a broad spectrum of opinions
which can be highly critical of government policy . In
addition there exist partly influenced newspapers of which

v

the Daily News and the Dinamina are sympathetic to the
government views .

The Sri Lankan authorities are well aware of the importance
which the Community and its Member States attach to
scrupulous respect for human rights, as set out in the
declaration on human rights adopted by the Luxembourg
European Council in June 1991 and the resolution on
human rights, democracy and development on
28 November 1991 adopted by the Development
Council .

The government of Sri Lanka has at certain times tried to
curb very critical publications . However, such attempts
have failed in the face of protests from the public, political
circles and from the journalists .