Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

### of the European Communities

###### Information and Notices

English edition

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 40

Volume 36

15 February 1993

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

93 / C 40 / 01 No 807 / 91 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Public information activities of CUBE 1

93 / C 40 / 02 No 1918 / 91 by Mr Rui Amaral, Mr Florus Wijsenbeek and Mrs Mechthild von
Alemann to the Commission

Subject : Need to conclude transit agreements with the Swiss Confederation and Austria 2

93 / C 40 / 03 No 2580 / 91 by Mrs Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert to the Commission
Subject : Tax discrimination against cross-border workers in the German-Netherlands border
area 3

93 / C 40 / 04 No 2817 / 91 by Mr Ioannis Pezmazoglou to the Commission
Subject : Possible termination of visits to the Schuman Centre 3

93 / C 40 / 05 No 2833 / 91 by Mr Amédée Turner to the Commission
Subject : Information policy of the Commission — role of the Schuman Centre in Brussels 3

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2817 / 91 and 2833 / 91 3

93 / C 40 / 06 No 2882 / 91 by Mr Jean-Louis Borloo to the Commission
Subject : T ax arrangements for non-resident French citizens working in Belgium 4

93 / C 40 / 07 No 3083 / 91 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Community development relations with overseas countries and territories ( OCTs ) .... 4

93 / C 40 / 08 No 3257 / 91 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Greek sultanas 5

2 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 40 / 09 No 3267 / 91 by Mr Diego de los Santos López to the Commission

93 / C 40 / 10

93 / C 40 / 11

93 / C 40 / 12

93 / C 40 / 13

93 / C 40 / 14

93 / C 40 / 15

93 / C 40 / 16

93 / C 40 / 17

93 / C 40 / 18

93 / C 40 / 19

93 / C 40 / 20

93 / C 40 / 21

93 / C 40 / 22

93 / C 40 / 23

93 / C 40 / 24

93 / C 40 / 25

Subject : Ending toll charges on the Cadiz-Seville motorway

No 1 19 / 92 by Lord Plumb to the Commission
Subject : Agriculture

No 163 / 92 by Mr Jacques Vernier to the Commission
Subject : Reconversion measures for customs and forwarding agents

No 322 / 92 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Helios House

No 368 / 92 by Mr Juan Gangoiti Llaguno to the Commission
Subject : Conversion of customs sector activities

No 468 / 92 by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Dairy production in Spain

No 469 / 92 by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission
Subject : Slaughter of dairy cattle in Spain

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 468 / 92 and 469 / 92

No 478 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Tax rate for small and medium-sized undertakings in Greece

No 595 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Council
Subject : Maastricht : interpretation and implementation of the Social Protocol

No 647 / 92 by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath and Mrs Karla Peijs to the Commission
Subject : Different treatment for the distribution of dividends by companies based in a Member
State and those based in a third country

No 743 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Details concerning Community aid to least-favoured regions and assessment of
economic and social cohesion

No 762 / 92 by Mr Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : Quarries in the municipality of Oviedo ( Asturias, Spain ) and their negative impact on
the environment

No 766 / 92 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Commission communication on a Community strategy to limit carbon dioxide
emissions and improve energy efficiency

No 786 / 92 by Mr Georgios Romeos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of copyright for European products in the USA

No 840 / 92 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Underground transport of goods and persons

No 860 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Cooperation with Cuba by NGOs operating in the field of development aid

No 861 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Community action to encourage the adoption of children

6

6

8

9

9

10

10

10

11

12

13

14

14

15

16

16

17

17

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 40 / 26 No 881 / 92 by Mr James Ford to the Commission

Subject : Munir Ahmed 18

93 / C 40 / 27

93 / C 40 / 28

93 / C 40 / 29

93 / C 40 / 30

No 899 / 92 by Mr Antoni Gutierrez Diaz to the Commission
Subject : Structural Funds : public access to information 18

No 901 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Yannina Lake 19

No 944 / 92 by Mr Ingo Friedrich to the Commission
Subject : Proceedings against legislation on State aid to the new federal Länder 19

No 1036 / 92 by Mr Rudolf Luster to the Commission

Subject : EC funds for Berlin 1985 — 1991 20

93 / C 40 / 31 No 1077 / 92 by Mr Antonio La Pergola to the Commission

Subject : Wing shooting at Madonna del Tonnaro ( Messina ) 20

93 / C 40 / 32

93 / C 40 / 33

93 / C 40 / 34

93 / C 40 / 35

93 / C 40 / 36

93 / C 40 / 37

93 / C 40 / 38

93 / C 40 / 39

93 / C 40 / 40

93 / C 40 / 41

93 / C 40 / 42

93 / C 40 / 43

No 1 1 12 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Plan for storing nuclear waste in the State of Skopje 20

No 1 135 / 92 by Mr Dimitrios Nianias to the Commission
Subject : Location of natural gas plant on the island of Revithousa 21

No 1 140 / 92 by Sir James Scott - Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Financial assistance for Herefordshire, Worcestershire and West Gloucestershire 21

No 1 163 / 92 by Mrs Mary Banotti to the Commission
Subject : Acheloos river diversion, Greece 22

No 1 174 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : The words of the Community anthem 22

No 1210 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Council
Subject : The new Treaty, with particular reference to Article 8c of the section on Citizenship of
the Union 22

No 1249 / 92 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject : Committee of the Regions 23

No 1259 / 92 by Mr Giorgio Rossetti to the Commission
Subject : Criteria for selecting firms to transport Community aid to the countries of central and
eastern Europe 23

No 1273 / 92 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Transport policy — Community action programme on road safety 24

No 1285 / 92 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : The need for a drastic reduction in the use of insecticides 24

No 1287 / 92 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : The need for new politico-economic groupings in Africa and the attitude of the EC ... 25

No 1305 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Payment of Community cotton subsidies 26

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 40 / 44 No 1337 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Incorporation into national law of the Directive on environmental impact assessment 26

93 / C 40 / 45 No 1343 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Pharmacological products derived from the sea : possible medication for . the treatment
of some forms of cancer 27

93 / C 40 / 46 No 1382 / 92 by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete to the Commission
Subject : Euro-African monetary union 27

93 / C 40 / 47 No 1407 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : The Maastricht Treaty : Cohesion Fund 28

93 / C 40 / 48 No 1427 / 92 by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath to the Commission
Subject : Development cooperation with Zimbabwe 28

93 / C 40 / 49 No 1429 / 92 by Mr Franco Borgo, Mrs Gabriele Sboarina, Mrs Rosaría Bindi,
Mr Joachim Dalsass and Mr Ferruccio Pisoni to the Commission

Subject : Designation of wines from the Veneto and Friuli 30

93 / C 40 / 50 No 1452 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Fish farms in tourist areas, 30

93 / C 40 / 51 No 1462 / 92 by Mr Marco Taradash to the Commission
Subject : Human rights in Hong Kong and that country 's return to Chinese rule 31

93 / C 40 / 52 No 1468 / 92 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Road haulage and combined transport 31

93 / C 40 / 53 No 1477 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Transport of animals 32

93 / C 40 / 54 No 1480 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Skins of endangered species on sale in Greece 33

93 / C 40 / 55 No 1498 / 92 by Mr Fernand Herman to the Commission
Subject : Agricultural cooperatives — French law 33

93 / C 40 / 56 No 1503 / 92 by Mr Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Steel works in the new Bundesländer 34

93 / C 40 / 57 No 1507 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Liaison with Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria 35

93 / C 40 / 58 No 1513 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Funding of a study as part of the IMP for the Aegean Islands 35

93 / C 40 / 59 No 1518 / 92 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a new development between Mantua and Lago Superiore ( Italy ) 35

93 / C 40 / 60 No 1536 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The natural environment of the Mediterranean seal 36

93 / C 40 / 61 No 1543 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Containing financial deficits 36

Notice No

93 / C 40 / 62

93 / C 40 / 63

93 / C 40 / 64

93 / C 40 / 65

93 / C 40 / 66

93 / C . 40 / 67

93 / C 40 / 68

93 / C 40 / 69

93 / C 40 / 70

93 / C 40 / 71

93 / C 40 / 72

93 / C 40 / 73

93 / C 40 / 74

93 / C 40 / 75

93 / C 40 / 76

93 / C 40 / 77

93 / C 40 / 78

93 / C 40 / 79

Contents ( continued ) Page

No 1566 / 92 by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck to the Commission
Subject : Regulating gambling at European level 38

No 1571 / 92 by Mrs Carole Tongue to the Commission
Subject : Hazard Information Systems — Europe 38

No 1581 / 92 by Mr Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : The organization of the caraway-seed market 39

No 1587 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Rechar programme . . . 39

No 1599 / 92 by Mr Reimer Böge, Mr Horst Langes and Mr Diemut Theato to the
Commission

Subject : Programmes of aid for famine-stricken areas of Africa 40

No 1603 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Selling off the Athens Pipe Manufacturing Company 40

No 1618 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Ostrich farming 41

No 1627 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The motor vehicle market 41

No 1676 / 92 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : EC project in Guatemala 42

No 1677 / 92 by Mrs Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : State of emergency in hospitals in Suriname 42

No 1692 / 92 by Mr Jean-Louis Borloo to the Commission
Subject : Registered offices of industrial undertakings 43

No 1695 / 92 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Evaluation of environmental data from satellites 43

No 1706 / 92 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando to the Commission
Subject : Market prices for beef and veal 44

No 1712 / 92 by Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevallier to the Commission
Subject : CB radio 44

No 1714 / 92 by Mr Willi Rothley to the Commission
Subject : International Vehicle Registration discs 45

No 1721 / 92 by Mr Leen van der Waal to the Commission
Subject : CFCs from discarded fridges 45

No 1732 / 92 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for American undertakings 46

No 1738 / 92 by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the EEC — Mauritania fisheries agreement 46

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

93 / C 40 / 80 No 1752 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The cave of Perma at Ioannina 47

93 / C 40 / 81 No 1757 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Imports of cloves into Greece 48

93 / C 40 / 82 No 1758 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The natural habitat of Tytonidae ( owls ) in the Korakovouni 48

93 / C 40 / 83 No 1790 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Equine competition 49

93 / C 40 / 84 No 1795 / 92 by Mr Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Import of Portland cement into Spain 49

93 / C 40 / 85 No 1929 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Plan for the Committee of the Regions 49

93 / C 40 / 86 No 2029 / 92 by Mr Bernard Frimat to the Commission
Subject : Belgian tax arrangements for non-residents working in Belgium 50

93 / C 40 / 87 No 2240 / 92 by Mrs Dorothée Piermont to European Political Cooperation
Subject : EC protest at the stepping up of the US embargo on Cuba 50

93 / C 40 / 88 Written Questions to which no answer has been given 51

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 807 / 91

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 01 )

Subject : Public information activities of CUBE

1 . Can the Commission provide a list of projects which
have been funded under the public information aspect of
Action II ( Concertation ) of the Bridge programme,
specifying :

( a ) name and address of the ' contracting partner(s )
( organization and individual responsible );

( b ) title, description, and objective of project ;

( c ) duration and amount of grant ?

2 . Can the Commission provide a list of those
organizations and / or individuals which responded to the
Call for Expressions of Interest in the CUBE ­
administered public information activities mentioned
above, but which were rejected, specifying title,
description, and objective of the rejected project and
name and address of the applicant ?

3 . Given the new commitment within the Community
to the principle of subsidiarity, and given the great
differences in culture among the Member States, what
is the basis for the Commission to centralize
the dissemination of public information about
biotechnology ? Is this not the type of activity which is best
carried out by Member States ?

4 . Can the Commission justify why the Concertation
Unit of Biotechnology in Europe is engaged in and

funding analyses of the societal and psychological
mechanisms involved in the formation of public attitudes
toward biotechnology, such as, for example, the
international workshop entitled Knowledge, Attitudes
and Behaviour towards Biotechnology ( Brussels, 10
September 1990 )?

5 . What follow-up is planned to the 10 September 1990
workshop mentioned above in terms of future meetings,
studies, public surveys, the setting up of a network, or
other activity aimed at analyzing the formation of public
reactions to the development of life sciences and their
applications and / or the structure and functioning of
public interest groups ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1 992 )

In general terms, the Commission would like to point out
that the Concertation Unit for Biotechnology in Europe
( CUBE ) was set up in DG XII in 1984 on the emergence
of modern biotechnology in order to ensure a
technological watch in the sector . There has been a
two-fold development since that time . First, an
operational unit responsible for implementing the
research programmes in the field of biotechnology has
been set up in DGXII . Second, as the economic
importance of biotechnology, which is still increasing,
became apparent and the need arose to deal with certain
regulatory aspects at Community level, units dealing with
biotechnology were set up in Directorates-General other
than DG XII, e.g. DGs III and XI . The second
development created the need for coordination at a higher
level, which is ensured within the Secretariat-General, in
particular the ' Biotechnology Coordination Committee '
( BCC ) and the Group of Advisers on the ethical
implications of biotechnology .

No C 40 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2.93

On this overall basis, which shows, there has been
a redirection of the Commission 's activities in
biotechnology, the Commission decided, on 15 July 1992,
to abolish the CUBE by restructuring DGs XII and XIII .
However, its tasks directly related to R&D will especially
be continued . Coordination of the activities relating to
biotechnological research will in particular be ensured by
the adviser in the Directorate for R&TD activities — Life
sciences and technologies .

The Commission wishes to reply as follows to the specific
questions raised by the Honourable Member :

1 . A list of the projects is being sent direct to the

Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General
of the European Parliament .

2 . The Commission does not divulge information about

proposals not adopted so as to avoid damaging the
interests of the natural and / or legal persons
concerned .

3 . The Commission 's intention has never been and will
never be to centralize the dissemination of public
information about biotechnology . The Commission 's
aim has been more to help to facilitate its
dissemination by acting in agreement with the various
vectors at European level, in particular within the

Member States .

4 . and 5 . Under the Bridge programme, the Commission

is providing information to the public as specified in
the ' Concertation ' section of the decision for a
programme ( ! ). It is in this context that the
Commission partly funded the seminar to which the
Honourable Member refers, which was held in
Brussels on 10 September 1990 .

(') OJ No L 360, 9 . 12 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1918 / 91

by Mr Rui Amaral, Mr Florus Wijsenbeek and

Mrs Mechthild von Alemann ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 991 )

( 93 / C 40 / 02 )

Subject : Need to conclude transit agreements with the

Swiss Confederation and Austria

1 . What progress has the Commission achieved with
respect to concluding agreements between the European
Community and the Swiss Confederation and Austria on
transit measures, given that the Commission 's negotiating
brief expires at the end of June 1991 ?

2 . What are the guiding principles behind the
Commission 's approach in these negotiations ?

3 . Are the results so far obtained compatible with the
' acquis communautaire ', given that the adoption of the
' acquis communautaire ' by the EFTA countries is the
basic principle in negotiations on the European Economic
Area ?

4 . To what extent do the ' transit ' talks come under the
current negotiations with the EFTA countries on the
European Economic Area ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1992 )

1 . The transit negotiations which the Community held
with Austria and the Swiss Confederation on the basis
of the Council 's negotiating Directives and political
conclusions have been completed . The two agreements
were initialled in Brussels on 3 December 1991 and
concluded on 2 May this year .

2 . The Community 's approach in these negotiations
was based mainly on three factors :

— the development of railways and combined transport

as the only alternative to conventional road transport

— the need to reduce the pollution caused by road

transport ;

— the facilitation of all transit traffic in the interest

of completion of the internal market and
intra-Community trade .

3 . The following provisions, which result from the
transit negotiations, derogate from the ' acquis
communautaire ':

— the introduction of the eco-point system for road

traffic through Austria ;

— the maintenance of bilateral quotas between Member

States and Austria ;

— the maintenance of national legislation in Austria with

regard to the maximum weight allowed ( 38 tonnes )
and in Switzerland ( 28 tonnes with an exception in the
event of saturation of combined transport );

— the maintenance of Austrian border formalities to

check application of the eco-point system .

4 . These exceptions are included in the draft EEA

agreement .

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2580 / 91
by Mrs Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 November 1 991 )

( 93 / C 40 / 03 )

Subject : Tax discrimination against cross-border workers

in the German-Netherlands border area

For the purposes of calculating taxable income, child
allowance drawn by a worker employed in Germany and
resident in the Netherlands are reckoned as income .

Is the Commission aware of this and what will it do to

rectify this unacceptable situation ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1992 )

It is the Commission 's understanding that the
Honourable Member is referring to the application of the
Additional Protocol of 18 March 1980 to the Convention

of 16 June 1959 concluded between the Federal Republic
of Germany and the Netherlands to exclude double
taxation . The Protocol lays down that a person resident in
the Netherlands and working as an employee in Germany
qualifies for tax advantages and deductions if at least 90 %
of total income is earned in the latter country .

In calculating this percentage, any family allowances paid
by Dutch institutions are not taken into account, in
accordance with the relevant German administrative

guidelines .

On the basis of the information available to it, the
Commission cannot perceive any anomaly in the tax
treatment of the allowances in question under German
legislation .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2817 / 91

by Mr Ioannis Pezmazoglou ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 93 / C 40 / 04 )

Subject : Possible termination of visits to the Schuman

Centre

The Schuman Centre in Brussels receives 250 000 visitors
each year and provides valuable information on
Community matters . Mr Missia de Lusignan, the director
of the Centre, has been informed that the possible move
from the Berlaymont building means that the Schuman
Centre will be closed down and that visits will be

discontinued . Does the Commission not consider that a

solution should be found to ensure the continuation of
the Centre 's activities and programmes at a time when
crucial developments are occuring in the activities and
institutions of the Community ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2833 / 91

by Mr Amédée Turner ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 991 )

( 93 / C 40 / 05 )

Subject : Information policy of the Commission — role of

the Schuman Centre in Brussels

1 . I have been informed by some of my groups which
had the opportunity to visit the Commission in Brussels
that the Schuman Centre will be obliged to suspend its
activities as from 1 January 1992 because of the
Commission 's move from the Berlaymont to other
premises in Brussels .

According to the above information, there is no available

infrastructure in Brussels allowing the Schuman Centre to
continue its extensive work with the public, whereby in
one year 1 000 visits of 25 000 people are arranged
involving 500 speakers .

2 . Does the Commission really envisage such an
interruption or have I been misinformed ?

3 . Does the Commission not think that an information
centre like the Schuman Centre is absolutely
indispensable in order to inform and explain to the public
the raison d'etre of the European Community ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 2817 / 91

and 2833 / 91

given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 October 1 992 )

The Robert Schuman Centre, which was visited by some
25 000 members of the general public every year,
discontinued its activities when the Berlaymont building
was vacated at the end of 1991 .

However, visits to the Commission continue to be
organized by the Directorate-General for Audiovisual,
Information, Communications and Culture . They now
take place in the building containing DG X, 120 rue de
Treves, and in other Commission buildings .

Visits designed for priority target groups are continuing

at a rate equivalent to that recorded last year . Those
aimed at the general public have decreased in number
because of the smaller size of the new premises .

No C 40 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

The Commission attaches great importance to such visits

as a way of acquainting people with the Construction of
Europe . It is seeking ways of increasing the number of
visits by the general public .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2882 / 91

by Mr Jean-Louis Borloo ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 5 December 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 06 )

Subject : Tax arrangements for non-resident French
citizens working in Belgium

Tax arrangements for non-resident French citizens
working in Belgium are based on the tax convention of 10
March 1964 concluded by France and Belgium, as
amended by the Belgian Laws of 22 December 1989 and
28 December 1990 . Under the Law of December 1989,
taxation of non-residents differs, depending on whether
or not they have maintained a permanent residence in
Belgium during the entire taxable period . Non-residents
who live in Belgium on working days only and return at
the weekend to their homes and families abroad are not

considered as having their permanent residence in
Belgium .

Is the Commission aware that they are no longer eligible
for the same tax reliefs or increased concessions for
dependants, spouses, etc .? The renting of accommodation
in Belgium by a non-resident is not, in itself, equivalent to
having a permanent residence in Belgium .

In general, tax arrangements are based on the distinction
between the tax domicile and the place at which assets are
situated . However, this new distinction is based on the
existence or otherwise of a permanent residence in
Belgium . Does it therefore not run counter to the notion
of equal rights for European Community nationals and
residents ? Is such discrimination compatible with
Community law ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 November 1992 )

The Commission is aware of the changes made to Belgian
legislation concerning taxation of the income of
non-residents by the law of 22 December 1989 and 28
December 1990 .

The law of 22 December 19^9 made a very unfavourable
change to the taxation of non-residents with effect from

1991 . Non-residents no longer benefit from a number of

deductions relating to their personal circumstances, such
as the personal allowance, the spouse 's income allowance
and the dependent persons allowance, although these
reliefs are still available to taxpayers resident in Belgium .

With regard to the Honourable Member 's question
whether this legislation is compatible with Community

law, it should be noted that a very similar case (C 1 12 / 91
Werner v. Finanzamt Aachen ) is currently before the
Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling . The Court is
expected to hand down its judgment by the end of the

year .

The Commission 's position on this case is that where a
person who is non-resident for tax purposes receives no
income or only an insignificant amount of income in his
country of residence, the Country in which he works
cannot deprive him of the reliefs and allowances available
to residents . Refusal to grant these advantages is a breach
of Articles 48, 52 and 59 of the Treaty .

Given that the new Belgian legislation gives rise in some
cases to personal financial difficulties, Mrs Scrivener
wrote to Mr Maystadt, the Belgian Minister for Finance,
on behalf of the Commission, asking him to suspend
application of the legislative measure in question pending
a definitive solution to the problem .

Mr Maystadt announced at the beginning of July that the
Belgian tax authorities were suspending the usual
measures for collection of the tax arrears arising from the
law of 22 December 1989 . However, it is for the persons
concerned to apply in writing to the Belgian tax
authorities for suspension of collection of the arrears .

The Belgian Government has also decided to propose to
the Belgian Parliament an amendment to the current
arrangements for people who earn most of their income in
Belgium .

The Commission welcomes these decisions pending a
definitive solution .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3083 / 91

by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 07 )

Subject : Community development relations with overseas

countries and territories ( OCTs )

When does the Commission intend to revoke the import
levies and premiums on rice from OCTs laid down under

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 5

Regulation ( EEC ) No 3188 / 91 (') and Regulation ( EEC )
No 3189 / 91 ( 2 ) in view of their incompatibility with the
letter and spirit of the provisions of the Council Decision
of 25 July 1991 ( 3 ) on association of the overseas countries
and territories with the European Economic Community,
in particular Articles 100 and 101 thereof ?

How does the Commission intend to compensate the
losses suffered by certain OCTs as a result of these
Directives ?

(') OJ No L 303, 1 . 11 . 1991, p . 10 .
O OJ No L 303, 1 . 11 . 1991, p . 12 .
O OJ No L 263, 19.9 . 1991, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1992 )

Under Article 101 ( 1 ) of the Council Decision
91 / 482 / EEC on the association of the overseas countries

and territories with the EEC, it was concluded that
according to this provision no customs duties or import
levies are to be applied to imports of agricultural products
originating in the overseas countries and territories .

Since February 1992 this has been indicated in a footnote
in the Regulations fixing the import levies on rice and
broken rice ( Regulation ( EEC ) No 224 / 92 ) (').

o OJ No L 24, 1.2 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3257 / 91

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

( 29 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 08 )

Subject : Greek sultanas

The Commission and the agriculture Commissioner, Mr

MacSharry, have taken a number of practical measures to
promote the production and marketing of raisins . In
particular, they have encouraged the replanting of vines
so as to make Greek sultanas more competitive and to
reduce imports from third countries . Given that the
Community Directives regarding replanting have not
been properly implemented and producers are not able to
sell this year 's crop of Greek sultanas, causing unrest
among farmers, notably in Iraklion ( Crete ), will the

Commission say whether it intends to take swift measures
to finance rfeplanting ? Furthermore, does it intend to help
market Greek sultana 's in Community countries ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 September 1 992 )

The Commission is taking the necessary measures to
secure balance on the market in sultanas . The most

important of these are :

Structural measures

1 . In addition to general structural measures and
the vine-grubbing measures covering the whole
viticultural sector the Community has manifested its
concern in regard to phylloxera in Crete . Thus in

1989 the Commission, under Regulation ( EEC )
No 4253 / 88 ('), approved a five-year operational
programme to combat phylloxera and restructure
vineyards on Crete . The plan is for 6 500 hectares to
be grubbed and replanted by the end of 1993, with
priority for sultana vineyards . The aid of ECU 9 000
per hectare over three years is substantial, largely
covering the restructuring cost and loss of income to
producers .

2 . To accelerate the pace of replanting an additional

measure, specific to dried grape production, was
introduced in 1991 under which ( Regulation ( EEC )
No 2290 / 91 ( 2 )) annual aid of ECU 3 244 per hectare
is granted for three years, with no restriction on area,
to producers not covered by the operational
programme who wish to replant their vineyard with
vines resistant to phylloxera .

Market measures

1 . A substantial reform of the CMO for dried grapes was
introduced in 1990 with a transitional period of four
years, already half over . The aim is to increase the
competitiveness of sultanas and improve quality, by a
gradual transfer of the aid from the product to the
area cultivated .

2 . Faced with the difficulties of disposing of sultanas

occurring at the beginning of the 1991 / 92 marketing
year — difficulties bound up with the inadequacies of
the old system being gradually withdrawn — the
Commission decided to increase the maximum
countervailing duty on imports not observing a
minimum import price and to introduce an export
refund of ECU 350 per tonne . There has already been
a distinct improvement in the market situation .

No C 40 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

In conclusion the Commission is of the opinion that full
utilization in Greece of the replanting schemes now
available should permit a rapid return to vitality for
sultana production and permit adjustment to the new
market organization rules due to become fully applicable
from 1994 / 95 .

o OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .
O OJ No L 209, 31 . 7 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3267 / 91

by Mr Diego de los Santos López ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 January 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 09 )

Subject : Ending toll charges on the Cadiz-Seville

motorway

Since the 1970s, tolls have been charged on the
Cadiz-Seville motorway, the only one in Andalusia,
( Objective 1 region ), and this will continue until the year
2006 .

In view of the objectives of economic and social cohesion
in general and the related transport objectives in
particular :

Does the Commission not consider that this motorway
should be designated as European ?

Does the Commission consider it possible to continue
charging tolls until the year 2006 on a motorway in a
depressed region, where fast, safe and economic
communications are essential to development ?

Can the Commission commence negotiations with the
Spanish Government with a view to taking over the
motorway and abolishing the tolls .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1992 )

The Cadiz-Seville motorway is a major route of strategic

importance for the development of the Community .

It is covered by the framework programme for the
trans-European road network adopted by the
Commission on 10 June 1992 (').

The Commission does not regard tolls in general as an
obstacle to economic development . Raising finance from
the markets and repaying loans by tolls makes it possible
to undertake major infrastructure projects even when

public-sector funding is inadequate . The Cadiz-Seville
motorway, built in the 1970s, was one such project .

Clearly, if tolls are set excessively high they can hinder
economic and social development . In these circumstances
the government may decide to buy out the concession, an
option generally included in the contracts with the

operators .

The principle of subsidiarity means that it is not up to the

Commission, which has no direct responsibility for
building or managing infrastructure, to consider the
advisability of buying out motorway tolls .

In any case, the fact that an infrastructure project is
recognized as being of European importance has no
bearing on its financing .

It is up to Member States to decide how motorways are to
be financed .

O COM(92 ) 231 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 119 / 92

by Lord Plumb ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 February 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 10 )

Subject : Agriculture

How much better off, following the MacSharry
proposals, will a Birmingham stockbroker be who lives on
a 25-hectare farm in the Coleshill area of Warwickshire ?
His farm carries 20 suckler cows rearing one calf per year,
which are fattened on silage by 1 8 months of age . He also
grows 15 hectares of barley, most of which is used as feed
on the farm, and 10 hectares of wheat for sale .

Further, what would be the effect on a 105-hectare
dairy / arable farm running 100 cows and followers
( stocking rate 2,60 livestock units / hectare ), a quota of
565 000 litres, and also growing 15 hectares of barley for
use on the farm, and 32 hectares of wheat for sale ( at 8,5
tonnes / hectare ). The farm employs one man full time,
and two family members work on the farm, one full time
and one part time . There is no income from outside
activities coming into the farm .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1992 )

To calculate the effect of the CAP reform as decided by

the Council on 21 May 1992 on the two holdings as

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 7

described by the Honourable Member, a number of
assumptions have to be made . Moreover, it should be
noted that the analysis is static in nature ( e.g. no changes
in cropping or feeding patterns ) and based on full
implementation of the reform measures .

Although the smaller holding has 20 suckler cows, it has
no grazing area . If, in addition, all of the barley area is
used for grain production and the silage for the calves is
bought in as seems indicated, the holding has no forage
area and thus would not be eligible for the animal
premiums .

Assuming that for both holdings the regional average

cereals yield is 7,5 tonnes per hectare, the smaller holding
would have to set aside 3,75 ha of its 25 ha of arable land .
It would probably choose to set aside barley land ( lower
per hectare returns ). Its wheat income would slightly
increase after reform due to the abolition of the
coresponsibility levy . Barley revenue would also increase
because of the compensatory payments for the price cut
and for set-aside, although the volume of barley available
for sale would be smaller due to set-aside . Beef income

would drop as the savings on feeding costs would not
fully compensate the price reduction and the loss of
premiums . Overall income would however increase, the
loss on beef being more than compensated by the gain on
the crops sector .

The larger holding would have to set aside 7 ha of its 47
ha of arable land . Assuming it would also choose to set
aside barley land, its wheat and - barley revenue would
increase after reform, the price cuts being more than
compensated by the hectare payments . Milk income
would slightly rise due to lower feeding costs, which
would outweigh the price and quota reduction .

25 hectare holding

Before reform After reform

Wheat

area ( ha ) 10,00 10,00

yield ( t / ha ) 8,50 8,50

production ( tonnes ) 85,00 85,00

market value ( ECU ) 12 750,00 8 925,00

coresponsibility ( ECU ) 850,00 0,00

price cut compensation ( ECU ) n. a 3 375,00

gross revenue ( ECU ) 11 900,00 12 300,00

Before reform After reform

Barley

area ( ha ) 15,00 15,00

set aside ( ha ) n. a 3,75

yield ( t / ha ) 6,50 6,50

production ( tonnes ) 97,50 73,13

used on the farm ( tonnes ) 52,00 52,00

opportunity cost ( ECU ) 7 800,00 5 460,00

sales value remaining production
( ECU ) 6 825,00 2 218,13

coresponsibility ( ECU ) 455,00 0,00

price cut compensation ( ECU ) n. a 3 796,88

set aside compensation ( ECU ) n. a 1 265,63

gross revenue ( ECU ) 6 370,00 7 280,63

change ( ECU ): - I - 910,63

Beef

production ( tonnes, carcase
weight ) 4,50 4,50

market value ( ECU ) 12 150,00 10 327,50

premiums ( ECU ) 1 400,00 0,00

suckler cow 1 000,00 0,00

male « 400,00 0,00

feeding costs ( ECU ) - 10 390,00 7 532,00

grain 7 800,00 5 460,00

silage 2 590,00 2 072,00

revenue ( ECU ) 3 160,00 2 795,00

change ( ECU ): - 364,50

total change in revenue ( ECU ): + 946,13

Feed plan ( 20 suckler cows + offspring )

Suckler

cow ( 20 )

Calf = - 18
Total
months ( 20 )

annual energy
requirement ( MJ ) 580 000 740 000 1 320 000

concentrate intake

change in revenue after reform ( ECU ): + 400,00 ( tonnes ) 20 32 52
idem ( MJ ) 222 000 355 200 5 77 200

No C 40 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

Suckler

cow ( 20 )

Calf = > 18
Total
months ( 20 )

silage intake
( tonnes ) 74 74
idem ( MJ ) 273 000 273 000

remaining energy
required ( MJ ) 358 000 111 800 469 800
( milk straw )
idem ( tonnes ) 69

( straw )

Based on :

Suckler cow of 550 kg producing 1 500 1 of milk / year, annual energy
requirements System based on concentrate and straw treated with
ammonia or untreated straw with urea to provide sufficient protein . The
cow is fed 1 tonne of concentrate per year .
Beef animal of 500 kg slaughtered at 18 months with total energy
requirement of 37 000 MJ provided by milk, concentrates, silage, straw .
Concentrate intake 1,6 tonnes per animal, silage intake 3,7 tonnes per
animal ( e.g. grass silage 35% dry matter ).

Before reform After reform

Milk

production ( kg ) 565 000,00 553 700,00

quota reduction ( kg ) n. a 11 300,00

market value ( ECU ) 141 250,00 135 241,23

coresponsibility ( ECU ) 2 260,00 0,00

quota compensation ( ECU ) n. a 565,00
feeding costs ( ECU ) 23 812,50 18 771,38

Grain 14 625,00 5 425,88

purchased feedingst 9 187,50 13 345,50

revenue ( ECU ) 115 177,50 117 034,85 .

change ( ECU ): + 1 857,35

total change in revenue ( ECU ): + 8 199,85,

105 hectare holding Feed plan

Before reform After reform

Wheat

area ( ha ) 32,00 32,00 .

yield ( t / ha ) 8,50 8,50

production ( tonnes ) 272,00 272,00

market value ( ECU ) 40 800,00 28 560,00

coresponsibility ( ECU ) 2 720,00 0,00

price cut compensation ( ECU ) n. a 10 800,00

gross revenue ( ECU ) 38 080,00 39 360,00

change in revenue after reform ( ECU ): + 1 280,00

Barley

area ( ha ) 15,00 15,00

set aside ( ha ) n.a 7,05

yield ( t / ha ) 6,50 6,50

production ( tonnes ) 97,50 51,68

used on the farm ( tonnes ) 97,50 51,68

opportunity cost ( ECU ) 14 625,00 5 425,88

price cut compensation ( ECU ) n.a 2 683,13

set aside compensation ( ECU ) n.a 2 379,38

Before reform After reform

( 100 dairy cows ) ( 98 cows )

annual energy required ( MJ ) 5 300 000 5 194 000

concentrate intake ( tonnes ) 130 127,4
( + 20 tonnes ( + 19,6 tonnes
followers ) followers )

idem ( MJ ) 1 443 000 1 414 140

purch . feedingst ( tonnes ) 52,50 95,33
remaining energy required ( MJ ) 3 857 000

( met from 3 779 860
grass / straw )

Based on :

Dairy cow of 600 kg producing 5 650 1 of milk per year, annual energy
requirement 53 000 MJ ( 25 000 maintenance and 28 000 milk production ).
Concentrate intake per cow to attain level of milk production indicated 1,3
tonnes . Remainder of energy requirement met from grass and straw .
Cocentrate intake of dairy replacements 20 tonnes (1 tonne of barley per
eared heifer ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 163 / 92

by Mr Jacques Vernier ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 10 February 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 11 )

Subject : Reconversion measures for customs and
forwarding agents

gross revenue ( ECU ) 0,00 5 062,50 The activity of customs and forwarding agents will be

severely affected by the completion of the internal market
change ( ECU ): + 5 062,50 and ' the opening of borders '. According to sources in the
sector 85 000 jobs are threatened . However, one year

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 9

from the deadline of 1 January 1993, no reconversion and
restructuring measures appear to have been taken .

1 . Can the Commission give an assessment of the impact
of the internal market on this sector ?

2 . Can it say what measures have been taken or are being
envisaged by the Member States and the Community
to provide aid in this sector ?

Will the Commission present an overall programme of aid
for this sector in the near future ? If so, can it outline the
main content thereof ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1 992 )

An audit ordered by the Commission has quantified the
situation . Following this audit, and after consultation
with the representatives, employers and staff in the sector,
the Commission drew up Community support measures
for customs and forwarding agents, which it set out in its
communication ( dated 8 May ) to the Council and
Parliament .

The measures draw on three sources :

— the European Social Fund ;

— the Interreg programme ;

— tailor-made measures to cover schemes outside the

scope of the Structural Funds .

The activities eligible for help from the Social Fund are
those aimed at training and assisting placement in jobs of
individuals threatened with unemployment in priority
regions of the Community .

From 1 January next year the Commission plans to
consider customs and forwarding agents with no jobs as
falling into the same category as the long-term
unemployed .

Within Interreg, the Commission has already begun to
act, encouraging the Member States to put forward
programmes for restructuring and conversion in the
sector . It is up to the Member States to put together
priority projects for possible implementation .

On 22 July the Commission adopted a proposal for a
Council Regulation for specific activities not financed
with resources from the Structural Funds . Their aims are

as follows :

— to help the geographical areas most affected by the

elimination of borders ;

— to contribute to the conversion and / or restructuring

of weakened but viable firms .

In this connection, the proposals are for ECU 2 million to
be available for use during 1992, and for a new budget
heading for 1993, to be allocated ECU 30 million .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 322 / 92

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

( 27 February 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 12 )

Subject : Helios House

Would the Commission please supply the answers to the
following questions regarding Helios House,

How many staff are employed ?

What are the staff grade levels and the nationalities of
these ?

What activities are carried out at Helios House ?

How does Helios link with Handynet ?

Who appoints the related advisory bodies ?

How are results of the work done disseminated ?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 December 1 992 )

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 368 / 92

by Mr Juan Gangoiti Llaguno ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 February 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 13 )

Subject : Conversion of customs sector activities

The abolition of internal frontiers in the Community will
entail a major crisis in the traditionally important sector
constituted by customs agents . This crisis may affect some

100 000 jobs ; the Commission, however, has to date failed

No C 40 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

to adopt any programme or other measures to resolve the
problem .

Does the Commission not consider that it has an urgent
responsibility to submit a conversion plan for the sector ?

Is the EEC willing to authorize customs agents to
continue to administer the collection of VAT on imports ?

Is the Commission willing to continue to recognize the
profession of customs agent ?

Despite this, it appears that Spain 's dairy production
exceeds its authorized dairy quota .

Is the Commission willing to increase the dairy quota for
Spain in order to alleviate the harshest effects of the
restructuring of its dairy sector ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 469 / 92

by Mr Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener ( 9 March 1 992

on behalf of the Commission

( 93 / C 40 / 15 )

( 9 March 1 992 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 November 1 992 )

As regards the basic issue raised, the Honourable Member
is asked to refer to the Commission 's answer to Written
Question No 163 / 92 by Mr Vernier ( 1 ).

The Directive adopted by the Council on 16 December

1991 ( 2 ) removes from the common VAT system any
concept of importation and exportation in connection
with trade between Member States .

VAT due in respect of intra-Community transactions will
be declared and settled using the regular VAT returns and
applying the same principles and arrangements as for
transactions within a Member State .

VAT due on goods imported from third countries will be
declared and paid in accordance with the same principles
as apply now . Customs agents can therefore continue to
deal with VAT on imported goods in accordance with the
arrangements laid down by Member States .

The question of the occupational status of customs agents

is a matter for the Member States .

O See page 8 of this Official Journal .
O OJ No L 376, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 468 / 92

by Mr Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(9 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 14 )

Subject : Dairy production in Spain

Because of its dairy shortfall, Spain is obliged to import
about half a million tonnes of milk annually .

Subject : Slaughter of dairy cattle in Spain

According to certain sectors, the restructuring of the dairy
sector in Spain will involve the slaughtering of large
numbers of dairy cattle .

What is the difference in tonnes between dairy production

figures and authorized quotas ?

How many head of cattle will it be necessary to slaughter
in order to achieve the necessary restructuring ?

If it is necessary to slaughter dairy cattle, what steps will
the Commission take to :

1 . avoid price destabilization in the beef and veal sector,

2 . compensate producers forced to abandon stock ­

breeding ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 468 / 92 and 469 / 92

given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 September 1 992 )

The Spanish authorities recently sent the Commission a

report on the situation in the milk sector in Spain, calling
into question all the official statements previously issued
concerning this sector . The report has been studied in
detail . On this basis, the Council has estimated the
difference between milk production and the overall
guaranteed quantities allocated to Spain at 1 450 000

tonnes .

Part of this difference, put at 600 000 tonnes, has already
been made up under Royal Decree No 1888 of

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 11

30 December 1991 and the Ministerial Order of

30 December 1991 . The Council has also agreed to
contribute to narrowing the gap by increasing the overall
guaranteed quantity allocated to Spain by 600 000 tonnes
from 1 April 1993 and by providing for the transfer of

150 000 tonnes of guaranteed quantities from direct sales
to deliveries and also by financing a restructuring
programme involving up to 200 000 tonnes . It can thus be
seen that the difference is to be made up by an amount
corresponding to the output of about 220 000 cows to be
eliminated over a period of 24 months .

In the situation referred to by the Honourable Member,
the Commission has already adopted some transitional
support measures for the beef market in Spain
( Regulation ( EEC ) No 1320 / 92 (')); others are being
considered and could be adopted if required . Secondly, it
should be pointed out that the Community has already
allocated to Spain, under Regulations ( EEC )
No 1117 / 89 ( 2 ) and ( EEC ) No 1637 / 91 ( 3 ), a total of
ECU 120 million as aid for the cessation of milk

production and plans to increase this amount further
from 1 April 1993 by financing the abovementioned
restructuring programme for 200 tonnes .

O OJ No L 140, 23 . 5 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 118,29 . 4 . 1989 .
O OJNoL 150, 15.6 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 478 / 92

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

(9 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 16 )

Subject : Tax rate for small and medium-sized
undertakings in Greece

Great concern is being felt by hundreds of thousands of
professional people, craftsmen and businessmen at the
future of thousands of small and medium-sized
untertakings because of Greek Government 's economic
policy, in particular the projected new tax arrangements
involving a 35% tax on gross profits . The General
Confederation of Professional People, Craftsmen and
Businessmen of Greece ( GSEVEE ) predicts a twofold to
tenfold increase in the tax bill of many companies ( private
companies, public registered companies and limited
companies ) as a result of the new measures . Obviously, it
is extremely difficult for small and medium-sized
undertakings to cope with this increased burden .
According to the GSEVEE craftsmen 's representatives,
the excessive increase in the tax burden will lead to tax
evasion and will cause many small and medium-sized
undertakings to close . The Confederation therefore calls
for the reestablishment of the single tax rate and taxation

of profits in accordance with the normal scale . Does the
Commission agree that this increased tax burden on small
and medium-sized undertakings should be abolished and
what steps will it take to solve this problem ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 November 1 992 )

According to the information in the Commission 's
possession, the proposed tax reform is aimed, firstly, at
reducing from 46% to 35% the rate of corporation tax
payable by unlisted companies on re-invested profits .

Secondly, small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in
the form of partnerships, limited partnerships and private
limited liability companies currently subject to the
graduated scale of income tax, the rate of which varies
between 18% and 50%, would in future be taxed on the
basis of a dual rate . Their profits would be taxed at a
uniform rate of 35% after deduction of the remuneration
of the partners or managers who, as natural persons,
owned at least a third of the company 's shares . Such
remuneration, whether or not actually taken up, would be
estimated at a flat rate of 50% of the company 's net
income and tax would be payable on it by the partner or
manager in the form of personal income tax . The reform
proposed thus has the advantage of offering neutrality of
tax treatment for profits re-invested by firms, whatever
their legal form, with the uniform rate of 35% being
applied .

The problem raised by the Honourable Member
concerning the increase in the tax burden of SMEs derives
from the assessment made of the comparability between
the graduated scale of income tax and the corporation tax

rate .

The provisions proposed will constitute an undeniable

advantage for SMEs whose entire income was previously
taxed at the marginal rates of income tax, which are
higher than the rate of corporation tax . Conversely, the
smallest firms falling within the lowest marginal income
tax brackets might be penalized by the proposed measure
if the latter were applied automatically without any choice
being offered . It is difficult as things stand to estimate the
number of firms which could find themselves in either of

those situations .

The Commission has always been in favour of measures

aimed at improving the environment for SMEs . In the
field of direct taxation, the Community provisions
currently in force essentially concern transfrontier
cooperation between firms, including SMEs .

No C 40 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2 . 93

However, as regards both the rate of tax on company
profits and the tax base, the Commission will define its
position in the light of the conclusions of the debate on
company taxation initiated by the Communication to the
Council and Parliament on guidelines in this area ( 1 ).

to appeal against measures resulting from the
agreement of the Eleven ?

6 . Will the Court of Justice be empowered to verify the

Council and Parliament on guidelines in this area ( 1 ). proper implementation in the individual Member

States of measures resulting from the agreement of the
Eleven ?
o SEC(92 ) 1118 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 595 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 19 March 1992 )

What criteria must the Commission use in submitting
to the Council and Parliament measures in respect of
social policy on the basis of the Treaty or on the basis
of the agreement annexed to Protocol 14 ?

Answer

( 23 December 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 17 ) As the question put by the Honourable Member concerns
the interpretation of a Protocol forming part of a Treaty
which is not yet in force, this reply by the Council is of a

interpretation and implementation preliminary nature . Since it is also a matter of interpreting

Protocol an agreement concluded between 1 1 Member States, this

reply expresses the opinion of those Member States .

Subject : Maastricht : interpretation and implementation

of the Social Protocol

At the European Community Summit in Maastricht, the
Heads of State and Government adopted Protocol 14 on
social policy, under which 11 Member States were
authorized by the Twelve to make use of the institutions,
procedures and rules contained in the Treaty with a view
to the coordinated adoption of measures and decisions to
implement the agreement on social policy annexed to the
protocol .

1 . From the legal point of view, will the measures taken
as a result of the agreement between the 1 1 Member
States form part of Community law ?

2 . Can the agreement between the Eleven not be more

readily considered as an inter-governmental
agreement between 1 1 States similar to the Schengen
Agreement ?

3 . Will measures resulting from the agreement between

the Eleven in accordance with Community provisions
have the force of law in the various Member States or
will it be necessary to submit them for ratification to
the national parliaments before they acquire validity
in the Member State concerned ?

4 . What will be the role of the Court of Justice in respect

of measures resulting from agreements between the
Eleven ? Is the Court of Justice empowered to
investigate the legality of measures resulting from
agreement between the Eleven ?

5 . Will the Court of Justice be able to deliver judgments
on appeals against these measures on the grounds of
illegality, infringement of significant points of law or
abuse of power ? Will natural or legal persons be able

1 . The acts to be adopted by the Council pursuant to the

Agreement on Social Policy concluded between the

Member States of the European Community, with the
exception of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, will be acts of Community law, as
far as the 1 1 Member States in question are
concerned ;

2 . This Agreement cannot be regarded as an inter-State

agreement like the Schengen Agreement because it is
annexed to a Protocol which is an integral part of the
Treaty establishing the European Community under
Article 239 thereof . The Protocol makes provision for
recourse to the institutions, procedures and
mechanisms of that Treaty . This Protocol and the said
Agreement are without prejudice to the provisions of
this Treaty, particularly those relating to social policy
which constitute an integral part of the ' acquis
communautaire '.

3 . The acts adopted by the Council pursuant to the

Agreement will be Community acts within the
meaning of Article 189 of the Treaty establishing the
European Community and will therefore apply within
the 1 1 Member States in accordance with Community
rules . Consequently, there is no question of such acts
being ratified by national parliaments .

4 . 5 and 6 . From the answers to the previous questions it

is clear that, in the interpretation and implementation
of the Agreement between the 1 1 Member States and
acts adopted on the basis thereof, the Court of Justice
will play the role attributed to it by the Treaty

establishing the European Community, in the
conditions laid down therein . The Court of Justice
will, therefore, enjoy its powers in full .

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 13

7 . Since this question concerns the criteria that the
Commission might use when submitting proposals to
the Council, it is for the Commission to reply to it .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 647 / 92

by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath ( S )

and Mrs Karla Peijs ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 March 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 18 )

Subject : Different treatment for the distribution of
dividends by companies based in a Member State
and those based in a third country

1 . Is it acceptable under Community law that dividends
received by a German individual shareholder from
companies in other Member States are first subject to
withholding tax at the full domestic rates of those

Member States ( usually 25% ), and subsequently, such a
shareholder must apply for a refund of the amount of tax
withheld in excess of 15%, whereas in the case of
dividends paid by a US corporation to the same
shareholder only the treaty rate of 1 5 % is withheld from
the beginning . In the case of small investors the refund
procedure is rather burdensome and as such is an obstacle
to the creation of an internal market .

2 . Does the Commission agree that after the entry into
force of the Single Act, at the latest, the concept of
most-favoured nation treatment will apply to tax treaties
concluded by a Member State with either ( a ) another
Member State or ( b ) with a third country, i.e. when the
tax treaty which the taxpayer 's home country Member
State A has concluded with Member State B is less
favourable than a tax treaty that Member State B has
concluded with a Member State C ( or a third country D )
then the tax-payer of Member State A will be entitled to
the benefits of the more favourable provision of the third
party treaty ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 November 1 992 )

1 . ( a ) As the Honourable Members note in their
question, the rates of withholding tax applied to
the payment of dividends under double taxation
treaties concluded between States are in general
more favourable than those normally applied .
Under Article 10 ( 2 ) ( b ) of the OECD Model

Convention for the avoidance of double taxation,

which the Member States generally use in their
treaties, the rate of withholding tax is limited to

1 5 % for the ordinary shareholder .

However, a shareholder wishing to benefit from a
more favourable treaty rate of withholding tax
must prove that he is entitled to do so, i.e. as a rule
he must prove that he is resident for tax purposes
in the other Contracting State . The OECD Model
Convention lays down no precise rules on the
procedure for applying reduced rates .

Under the OECD Model Convention, therefore,
States may either limit taxation from the outset to
the reduced rate or levy tax at the full rate and
subsequently make a refund .

Thus the United States applies the reduced rate as
a matter of course, i.e. 15 % instead of 30 %, if the
US company indicates in its tax return the address
in Germany of the recipient of the dividends .

Moreover, it cannot be generally claimed that
dividends received by a German shareholder from
companies in other Member States are always first
charged to the normal rate of withholding tax .
Dividends received from Dutch companies, for
example, generally have the reduced rate of
withholding tax of 15% applied to them provided
that the German shareholder can prove his
entitlement by filling in a form certified by the
German tax authorities .

( b ) With regard to the Honourable Member ' question

of whether the different procedures for granting
the reduced rate of withholding tax are
compatible with Community law, it should be
noted that Community law as it stands does not
cover those procedures and there is nothing to
suggest that the procedures applied by the
Member States are in breach of the Treaty .

The Commission is aware of the complexity of
current agreement-barsed procedures designed to
alleviate taxation at source of cross-border
dividend payments . In its communication (') to
the Council and to Parliament of 26 June 1992, it
indicated its intention to study with Member
States new procedures for simplifying and
speeding up the mechanisms under which agreed
withholding tax procedures are applied in order to
prevent their cumbersome nature from penalizing
cross-border investments . Further consultants
with the Member States are also planned with a
view to defining a common policy towards double
taxation agreements within the Community and
with non-member countries .

No C 40 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

2 . In principle, the field of bilateral double taxation
agreements is the competence of the Member States
which they exercise with due regard for the principle and
rules contained in the Treaty, such as the principle of
non-discrimination, respect for the fundamental
freedoms enshrined in the Treaty and the obligation to
cooperate to attain the Treaty 's objectives . Elimination of
double taxation is one of the Community 's objectives .

In the communication referred to above, the Commission
undertook to ensure that the double taxation agreements
which the Member States conclude between each other

and with non-member countries are in strict accordance
with the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the
EEC Treaty .

Taking account of these points, the Commission
considers that current Community law does not oblige a
Member State to grant automatically the withholding tax
rate of its most favourable bilateral agreement to
taxpayers of another Member State which is not covered
by that agreement .

(') Commission communication to the Council and to
Parliament subsequent to the conclusion of the Ruding
Committee indicating guidelines on company taxation linked
to the further development of the internal market — SEC(92 )

1118 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 743 / 92

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

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 19 )

Subject : Details concerning Community aid to
least-favoured regions and assessment of
economic and social cohesion

In assessing the measures based on the Single Act and in
particular the delicate matter of economic and social
cohesion, the Commission refers, in a recent document
( Second Delors Package ) to Community transfers to the
less prosperous regions .

More specifically this document provides valuable, if
rather general information . For example, the Commission
observes that Community aid in 1988 helped to create
about 500 000 jobs in the less prosperous regions and
increase GNP by 3% in certain Member States .

activities in areas in industrial decline ( Objective 2 ) and in
which Member States these achievements have taken

place ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 8 September 1 992 )

The Commission is sending the following working
documents directly to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat of the European Parliament :

1 . ' Assessment of the potential impact of the structural
Funds on Objective 1 regions through the use of
macroeconomic models ',

2 . ' Implementation of the structural policies in
Objective 2 areas '.

These documents should shed further light on the

discussion of those Objectives in COM(92 ) 2000 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 762 / 92

by Mr Alonso Puerta ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 20 )

Subject : Quarries in the municipality of Oviedo ( Asturias,

Spain ) and their negative impact on the
environment

Neighbourhood and ecological associations have
reported that the inhabitants of El Llugarin, Las Caldas,
San Juan de Priorio and Santa Marina de Piedramuelle in
the municipality of Oviedo are suffering constant
nuisance and damage caused by quarries near their
homes .

Economic activity must be compatible with respect for the
natural environment .

1 . Does not the Commission consider that, by virtue
of the provisions of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (') on
the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment, an impact
assessment must be carried out on these quarries,
which are having significant negative effects on the
environment ?

2 . Can the Commission intervene with the Spanish
authorities to ensure that Community legislation on
environmental protection is correctly applied in this
case ?

Can the Commission amplify the above information and
say what has been achieved in creating alternative (') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p. 40 .

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 15

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 November 1 992 )

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC provides that Annex II projects,
such as activities by the extractive industry and hence also
the quarry project mentioned by the Honourable
Member, must be subject to an assessment of their impact
on the environment where this is considered to be
significant .

In this particular case, it appears that the inconvenience
and nuisance suffered by the inhabitants of the Oviedo
municipality are due to the exploitation of quarries that
have already been authorized . The Commission would
therefore like to receive more detailed information

regarding this authorization before approaching the
Spanish authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 766 / 92

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 21 )

Subject : Commission communication on a Community

strategy to limit carbon dioxide emissions and
improve energy efficiency

In its communication of 14 October 1991 on a

Community strategy to limit carbon dioxide emissions
and to improve energy efficiency ( SEC(91 ) 1744 final ) the
Commission proposes inter alia a combined COj / energy
tax aimed at achieving the Community 's goal of
stabilizing CO2 emissions .

A CO2 tax would threaten the existing, ecologically
preferable mixture ^ of energy, while risks of a different
nature would be enhanced .

A CO2 tax would give natural gas an advantage in terms of
price which would lead to an increase in demand ( not only
in the EC but in all developed countries ) and a rise in the
market price for natural gas with the result that
developing countries would be even less able to afford this
primary source of energy and would be forced to make
use of less acceptable fuels, using ecologically unsound
technology ( thus adding to the ecological risks and the
threat to the climate ), a market trend which would offset
any progress towards the fiscal and environmental goals .
There is a significant potential for reducing private energy
consumption, but a specific CO2 tax would offer little or
no incentive .

1 . In the light of the above, does the Commission

consider a CO2 tax to be an appropriate instrument ?

2 . Would a general energy tax not be a more suitable way

of tackling this international problem on a
comprehensive scale and creating a link with other
issues such as the conservation of resources and
long-term security of energy supplies ?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 October 1992 )

One of the elements of a Community strategy to limit
carbon dioxide emissions and to improve energy
efficiency should be the introduction of a tax on energy .
Tax induced price increases will contribute to the
promotion of energy efficiency and therefore help to
abate CO2 emissions . To the extent that such a tax gives a
price incentive to switch from carbon-rich fuels ( like coal )
to those with a low ( e.g. natural gas ) or zero carbon
content ( renewables, nuclear ) by taxing the latter energy
sources less than the carbon-rich fuels, the CO2 limiting
effect would be more pronounced . For an efficient CO2
limitation a 100% carbon tax would be the most logical
choice and it is in principle an appropriate instrument for
combating CO2 emissions .

However, as the Honourable Member points out, there
are further effects to be taken into account . The energy
structures of Member . States are different, and a 100%
carbon tax could have a significantly different impact on
the industrial competitive position of the Member States .
Moreover, a carbon tax would put the heaviest burden on
solid fuels, which are globally the most abundant and
secure energy sources . This could have an impact on our
fairly secure and widely diversified energy supplies .

Nevertheless, the extent to which differences in taxation
in favour of a specific energy source translate into large
price induced incentives to switch to this fuel depends also
on inter-fuel competition at the local level . In the absence
of direct gas to gas competition, it has been a widespread
practice to align the price of gas to that of competing fuels
like oil . A demand surge for natural gas with the
corresponding price increase on the world gas market
does not necessarily follow from the introduction of a
carbon tax .

As to the possible effects of CO2 taxation in the
Community on the availability of natural gas for
developing countries, it should be noted that the price of
gas deliveries is only one element for its market
penetration . Especially for developing countries, the
ability to deploy natural gas is highly dependent on the
resource endowment and on the availability of a gas
infrastructure ( pipelines or liquefied natural gas
terminals ). These infrastructures are, however, very

No C 40 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

expensive and the introduction of gas in developing
countries without cheap reserves may be precluded on
account of the lack of investment funds and due to the
other priorities of these often indebted countries .

Taking into account all these aspects the Commission
favours a combination of a carbon with an energy tax . A
mixture of both taxes, while avoiding their specific
disadvantages, combines their advantages in terms of CO2
abatement and energy efficiency improvements .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 786 / 92

by Mr Georgios Romeos ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1992 )

1989 do not at present enjoy copyright protection in the
United States and are thus being exploited there .

Under the circumstances, and in the light of the
information received by the Commission, the difficulties
experienced in the United States in obtaining for
audiovisual works by European authors copyright
protection consistent with the provisions of the Berne
Convention pose a genuine problem .

The Commission is looking into this matter carefully, and

Commission officials are making a detailed assessment of
the extent of the problem and its implications, so as to
determine what steps will have to be taken .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 840 / 92

by Mr Ben Visser ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 93 / C 40 / 22 ) to
( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 23 )
Subject : Protection of copyright for European products

in the USA

Subject : Underground transport of goods and persons

The FERA and AIDAA have alleged that cinematographic
works which are produced in Europe and are not
registered with the Copyright Bureau in Washington are
regarded as being in the public domain .

Given that the US Administration refuses to implement
the Bern Convention on copyright what action does the
Commission intend to take to protect cinematographic
works which are, in effect, being ' legally pirated ' in the
USA ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 September 1 992 )

After acceding to the Berne Convention on 1 March 1989,
the United States abolished the formalities previously
imposed for obtaining copyright protection . However,
the legislation adopted did not extend protection to work
which were already in the public domain in the United
States as a result of its failure to comply with formal
requirements prior to accession to the Berne Convention ;
only works for which the appropriate formalities had
been completed previously continued to be protected .

As a result of this situation, the Commission has been
informed by several European cinematographic
associations that certain European audiovisual works for
which formalities were not carried out before 1 March

In the Netherlands, road and rail transport infrastructures
cause a great deal of inconvenience because of the high
population density and the idea of placing them
underground is gaining support, particularly in view of
the example set by Japan .

It would be of great benefit to EC transport policy, which
is increasingly focused on switching traffic to the
environmentally friendly railways, if it were possible to
find an affordable means of overcoming the drawbacks of
rail transport ( noise pollution and loss of space ) in
densely populated areas .

1 . Does the Commission consider that underground rail
transport should be given serious and detailed
consideration and that it is consistent with the policies
set out in the Green Paper on transport ?

2 . If so, does the Commission consider that such studies
could be carried out more efficiently and cheaply at
Community level ?

3 . Is the Commission prepared to fund studies and
possible pilot projects in this area ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1 992 )

The Commission has noted with interest the matter raised
by the Honourable Member .

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 17

The question of underground networks for the carriage

of goods and passengers has been posed on several
occasions and a few years ago was even the subject of a
discussion at a seminar organized by the University of
Delft, on the possibility of using vacuum tubes in order, to
achieve higher speeds .

The solution of an urban underground network for the
carriage of goods is as yet not economically viable because
of the difficulties which large towns have in financing the
underground system .

Although the environmental advantages of such a system
cannot be denied, it should not be forgotten that
underground passenger transport over long distances and
therefore for periods of several hours would not be
readily accepted .

The Commission does not, however, rule out the
possibility of conducting a study on this matter, provided
that there is enough support from the Member States . At
present the Commission is discussing the future transport
research programme with them . The issue in question has
not yet been raised as a priority .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 860 / 92

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

( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 24 )

Subject : Cooperation with Cuba by NGOs operating in

the field of development aid

The oldest and biggest Spanish NGO in the field of
development aid is ' Manos Unidas '. The chairwoman of
this organization, Mrs Ana de Felipe, has just stated ' we
are proud, for example, to have worked in Nicaragua with
Somoza, then with the Sandinistas and now with the
Chamorro Government without any bureaucratic
difficulties '.

In the same interview ( in the weekly magazine ' Hechos '
No 39, Madrid, 17 February 1992, page 53 ) she adds that
Cuba is one of the few countries in the world which they
have not been able to enter without encountering red tape
and, for this reason, they do not work there .

In view of the extreme poverty which the Cuban
population is suffering as a consequence of the isolation
of its political system, does the Commission know
whether other NGOs have been able to give it
humanitarian aid, if so has the European Community
been involved and has such cooperation been possible
without interference from the present Cuban authorities ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1992 )

In recent years a small number of development projects in
Cuba have been cofinanced by the Community with
European NGOs under budget heading B7-5010
(' Community contribution towards schemes concerning
developing countries carried out by non-governmental
organizations '). They comprise :

( i ) one rural development project in 1990,

( ii ) a few mini-projects ( two in 1989, two in 1990 and
four in 1991 ) representing a total contribution from
the European Community of some ECU 80 000,

( iii ) one artisanal fishery project in 1992 .

As with all NGO projects, the above involved direct
assistance by a European NGO for a local community .

In addition, before the end of this year additional food
aid will be supplied to Cuba via Caritas-Germany .

The NGOs responsible for carrying out these operations

have not informed the Commission of any special
difficulties encountered in their work .

In addition to operations carried out through NGOs, the
Community also provides indirect aid as a donor of milk
products to the World Food Programme for its activities
in Cuba .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 861 / 92

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

( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 25 )

Subject : Community action to encourage the adoption of

children

The legal provisions within the Community governing the

adoption of children vary considerably from one country
to another and adoption procedures are rigid and
complex . Any improvement in this situation would make a
major contribution to increasing the number of
adoptions, to the clear benefit of many potential parents
and disadvantaged children .

In the light of the above, our laws governing this area
cannot be allowed to perpetuate a status quo which does
not reflect the realities of our time or the needs and
welfare standards of modern society .

No C 40 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

Does the Commission therefore consider that it should
propose a single, much more flexible Regulation on
adoption, applicable throughout the Member States,
together with practical procedures to provide social
support for families which choose to adopt a child, and
also promote existing practices at continental level so as to
increase the number of children adopted ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 September 1 992 )

Although this area of concern raises problems of an
emotional nature in many Member States, there is no
provision in the Treaty of Rome for Community action
on this matter .

However the matter has been raised within the context of
the Judicial Affairs Committee ( for civil matters ) of the
European Political Cooperation group, which is looking
at the potential for extending the Brussels Convention
( 1968 ) to include family law matters .

reported by the Honourable Member . If appropriate, it
will not fail to institute the procedure provided for in
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 899 / 92

by Mr Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 27 )

Subject : Structural Funds : public access to information

A non-governmental organization researching the
environmental implications of Structural Fund operations
in Spain was refused access to Operational Programmes
by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the
Ministry of Economy and Taxes, the State Secretariat for
the European Community, the regional governments of
Castilla y Leon and Aragon, the Ministry of Public
Administration and the Commission office in Madrid . Is
this compatible with Article 32 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 4253 / 88 O ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 881 / 92

by Mr James Ford ( S ) O QJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988, p. 1 .
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 26 )

Subject : Munir Ahmed

What action does the Commission intend to take over the

case of the German national and EC citizen, Mr Munir
Ahmed ?

Despite Mr Ahmed 's EC citizenship, the British Home
Office has, in direct contravention of the Treaty of Rome,
refused to issue him with a British residency permit .

In consideration of the Commission 's concern that EC

citizens of ethnic origin not be subject to racial
discrimination within the Single Market, would the
Commission please investigate this matter to ensure that
the British Home Office 's treatment of Mr Ahmed is not
racially motivated ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1992 )

The Commission very much regrets the situation to which
the Honourable Member refers, which is in accordance
neither with Article 32 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 4253 / 88
nor with its Notice to Member States concerning
information and publicity relating to assistance from the
European Regional Development Fund ('), nor with the
clauses on information and publicity about Community
assistance in the Community support frameworks ( CSFs ).

Under these provisions, the national and regional
authorities overseeing implementation of the CSF are
responsible for information on the spot .

The Commission is nevertheless willing to provide the

information required to all concerned and would ask the
Answer given by Mr Bangemann Honourable Member to provide further details so that it

on behalf of the Commission can investigate the facts .

( 11 November 1 992 )

The Commission has established the contacts necessary to

obtain all the relevant details concerning the matter

(') OJ No C 6, 10 . 1 . 1991 .

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 19

WRITTEN QUESTION No 901 / 92

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

( 15 April 1992 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 944 / 92

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

( 15 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 28 ) ( 93 / C 40 / 29 )

Subject : Proceedings against legislation on State aid to

Subject : Yannina Lake

Yannina Lake receives all the urban waste from the city of
Yannina which, together with the decomposed vegetable
matter which has accumulated on the lake bed, has altered
its ecosystem . The lake water is used for irrigation
purposes with the result that the level has fallen and it can
no longer support large fish . The murkiness of its waters,
the lack of oxygen, the large-scale increase in plankton
and the changes in its fisheries resources are symptoms of
the lake 's poor condition . The completion of the sewerage
network and a waste refinery factory would very probably
solve the problem of pollution in the lake, but this work is
dangerously behind schedule . In so far as there may be,
at the very least, an infringement of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC ('), does the Commission intend to demand
protection for this lake ?

O QJNoL 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 November 1 992 )

Yannina Lake is not classified by Greece as a special
protection area in accordance with Article 4 of Directive
79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds and has

also not been identified as a site of major interest under
the Directive .

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member
that it does not plan to insist on classification of areas
which are not among those of Community interest .

With regard to the water quality, Yannina Lake has been
designated as cyprinid waters within the meaning of
Directive 78 / 659 / EEC ('). The results of analyses carried
out in 1988 and reported to the Commission in 1990 show
that the parameters tested meet the requirements of the
Directive . However, Greece stated in the report that, as a
result of technical difficulties such as the lack of suitably
equipped laboratories and a shortage of staff, some of the
parameters listed in the Directive had not been checked .

(') OJNoL222, 14 . 8 . 1978 .

the new federal Lander

In order to promote rapid development in the new federal
Lander, the German Bundestag has adopted an
Investment Subsidies Law and a Regional Development
Law . The Commission has now initiated proceedings
against paragraph 6 of the Regional Development Law
and against the Investment Subsidy Law under Article 93
( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty . This has created a climate of great
uncertainty and a persistent reluctance to invest in the new
federal Lander .

1 . Does the Commission agree that, in view of the major

reconstruction problems facing the new federal
Lander, the possibility of providing what will
doubtless prove to be limited assistance must be kept
open ?

2 . When will the proceedings be concluded so that the

situation can be accurately assessed ?

3 . Can it at least be assumed that paragraph 4 ( special
depreciations ) of the Regional Development Law will
remain unaffected in future ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1992 )

1 . In the light of recent information on the
socio-economic situation in the former German
Democratic Republic, received under the procedure
provided for in Article 93 ( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty,
the Commission considers that the authorization
of tax-exempt reserves under Article 6 of the
' Fordergebietsgesetz ' ( Assisted Areas Law ) and the
extension of tax allowances for investment by the 1991
' Investitionszulagengesetz ' ( Investment Allowance Law ),
neither of which was notified as required by Article 93 ( 3 )
of the EEC Treaty, are compatible with the common
market within the meaning of Article 92 of the EEC
Treaty in so far as the aid schemes remain limited to the
territory of the former GDR .

2 . By decision of 10 June 1992 the Commission
terminated the above proceedings in respect of the former
GDR . However, on 31 July the Commission took a
negative decision on the extension of the two schemes to
West Berlin .

3 . At present the Commission has no objections to the
special depreciation scheme provided for in Article 4
of the ' Fordergebietsgesetz ', and approved by the
Commission until the end of 1994 .

s

No C 40 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1036 / 92

by Mr Rudolf Luster ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 27 April 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 30 )

Subject : EC funds for Berlin 1985 — 1991

What measures have been funded in Berlin by the
European Community from 1985 to 1991 and what were
the amounts paid in each case from :

1 . The European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ),

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

3 . the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee

Fund ( EAGGF ) — Guarantee Section,

4 . the European Social Fund ( ESF ),

5 . the European Community 's research programmes,

6 . the European Community 's energy programmes,

7 . the European Community 's environment pro ­

grammes,

8 . other European Community programmes ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1992 )

In view of the length of its answer, which includes several
tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the
Flonourable Membfer and Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1077 / 92

by Mr Antonio La Pergola ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 May 1992 )

Permission was only granted to restore a ruin, but the
plateau has been clearly developed to establish a wing
shooting area .

The planning regulations currently in force provide for
the establishment of parks and public gardens : in the new
planning regulations, which have not yet been approved,
the area is marked out for ' sporting facilities ', thus
supporting the objectives of those already establishing the
wing shooting area without permission .

Despite the fact that the site has been attached by the
Messina Public Prosecutor 's Office, the district council
has given permission for the boundary of the area to be
staked out .

Thousands of protected birds ( including birds of prey and
storks ) pass through this area in spring and hundreds of
poachers shoot them illegally every year .

The establishment and authorization of this wing
shooting area ( shooting with bows, clay pigeon shooting
and pigeon shooting ) would result in an increase in
poaching because hunting weapons are normally widely
available and hence difficult to monitor .

What steps does the Commission intend to take to prevent
this area from becoming once again a place where
migratory birds are slaughtered, having regard also to the
fact that EEC Directives, the new Italian law on hunting
and the Berne Convention provide for the establishment
of protected areas along international migratory routes ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1 992 )

The creation of a wing shooting area in the locality of

Madonna del Tonnaro is not in itself incompatible with
the Directive on wild birds . If it were to give rise to
unlawful practices ( poaching ), the local authorities would
have to put a stop to them .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1112 / 92

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

( 93 / C 40 / 31 )
( 11 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 32 )
Subject : Wing shooting at Madonna del Tonnaro
( Messina )

Subject : Plan for storing nuclear waste in the State of

At Madonna del Tonnaro ( Castanea, Province of
Messina, Italy ) a wing shooting area has been established,
completely illegally, along one of Europe 's most
important migratory routes .

Skopje

According to a lengthy report in the Greek newspaper
' Etnos ' the Skopje authorities are agreeing to a plan to

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 21

store nuclear waste from Community countries on their
territory in exchange for recognition and economic
benefits . If this plan goes ahead, it will have catastrophic
consequences for the entire region including Greece, a
Community country whose ground water may be polluted
together with the Gulf of Thessaloniki . Does the
Commission intend to investigate this matter and scrap
any plan that has been hatched to implement this
unacceptable arrangement ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1 992 )

The Commission is unable to comment on the newspaper
article referred to by the Honourable Member but will
seek further clarification on the subject .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1135 / 92

by Mr Dimitrios Nianias ( RDE )
to the Commission of the European Communities   

( 11 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 33 )

Subject : Location of natural gas plant on the island of

Revithousa

The siting of plant for the supply of natural gas on the
island of Revithousa in Greece has from the outset faced
difficulties for many reasons which are now well known
( lack of space, pollution and dying-out of marine life in
the Saronic Gulf, already heavily contaminated by
discharges from numerous factories, refineries etc . and
the danger arising from the geographical position of the
island in connection with sea and air transport which have
already reached saturation point in this area ). For this
reason the project was deemed impracticable by many
specialists and many local bodies able to assess objectively
the importance of the project on the one hand and the
wider interests of the area on the other .

A new and serious obstacle has arisen in the form of
unforeseen seismic activity in this area, seriously
aggravating the situation caused by the location of the
project, which was already ill-advised in every respect,
and placing the area in even greater danger . For this
reason it is necessary to select immediately another, more
suitable location .

Can the Commission say whether the project will be
continued under these circumstances .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1992 )

According to the information available to the
Commission it would appear that the delays experienced
in the LNG ( Liquefied Natural Gas ) tank construction at
Revythoussa are not due to new information on the
geology of the Island but to differences of opinion on
how to proceed between the contractor and the
organization responsible for the project .

Before construction started, ground conditions in
Revythoussa were known to the Greek authorities as a
result of studies and tests and expert opinion had declared
installation of the LNG facility to be feasible .

The Commission has had assurances from the Greek
authorities that proper procedures to ensure safety and
protection of the environment have been followed .

Contractual disputes are not a matter for the Commission
to deal with, but as the resulting delays endanger the
progress of the overall project the Commission is pressing
for an urgent resolution of the matter by the Greek
authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1140 / 92

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( ED )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 34 )

Subject : Financial assistance for Herefordshire,
Worcestershire and West Gloucestershire

What assistance, by way of grants or loans, has the
Community provided since 1 January 1990 towards
regional and rural development projects in Herefordshire,
Worcestershire and West Gloucestershire .

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 September 1 992 )

Community grants and loans since 1 January 1990
towards regional and rural development projects in
Herefordshire, Worcestershire and West Gloucestershire :

1 . Through ERDF : no funding . These counties are not

eligible for support from the ERDF .

No C 40 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

2 . Through ESF : since the Reform of the Structural

Funds, the funding of projects is only known at
Member State level .

3 . Through EAGGF — Guidance Section : As far as

horizontal structural measures are concerned, the
breakdown of aid at county level is not available . As
for regional measures, the counties in question are not
eligible under Objective 5(b ).

4 . Through the EIB : Since 1 January 1990 the European

Investment Bank has supported infrastructure projects
in the area referred to by the Honourable Member
with loans totalling ECU 8,63 million .

The investment in infrastructure which went towards
projects to improve drinking water supplies and
waste-water treatment in the three counties, formed part
of a larger scheme of benefit to regional development
areas in the West Midlands .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1163 / 92

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

( 15 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 35 )

Subject : Acheloos river diversion, Greece

Does the Environmental Impact Assessment relating to
the Acheloos Diversion scheme take into account the joint
effect of this scheme and that to divert the River Evinos ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1992 )

A part of the Acheloos project is under construction and .
has been funded by the Commission since 1987 as part of
the IMPs .

The Commission has not received any information up to

now on the Evinos project which is not included in the
CSF in force . Of course, if the Greek authorities submit
an application for funding to the Commission, all the
environmental aspects and in particular the consequences
of the project for the natural and ecological balance of the
region will be closely studied .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1 174 / 92

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

( 15 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 36 )

Subject : The words of the Community anthem

In many Community-related events held in the Member
States, it is customary to wind up proceedings with the
Community anthem, i.e. the tune that is habitually taken
to be the anthem representing the Community ideal .

However, those attending such events are still not sure of
the words that should accompany the Community
anthem, as there are different interpretations thereof .

For the purposes of harmonization, does the Commission
not consider that it should establish once and for all what
the official words and music of the Community anthem
should be and in what general context all the symbols
helping Community citizens to identify with the
European ideals represented by our Community should
be used ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 October 1992 )

The European anthem adopted by the Committee of

Ministers of the Council of Europe in 1972 is the prelude
to the Ode to Joy ( fourth Movement of Beethoven 's
Ninth Symphony ), as arranged by Herbert von Karajan .
There are no words to this anthem .

When they adopted the European flag in 1986, the
Community institutions took note of the proposal by the
Adonnino Committee that the anthem adopted by the

Council of Europe should also serve as the Community
anthem and it is now regularly played at Community
ceremonies . 1

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1210 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 21 May 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 37 )

Subject : The new Treaty, with particular reference to

Article 8c of the section on Citizenship of the
Union

Article 8c rightly states that ' Political parties at European
level are important as a factor of integration ', that they

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 23

' contribute to the forming of a European awareness ' and
that they are an expression ' of the political will of the
citizens of the Union '. However, what does the Council
understand by ' political parties at European level ' and
what specific action does it envisage in connection with
this statement in Article 8c ? Will the Council involve the

European Parliament in its deliberations ?

Answer

( 23 December 1 992 )

The new Article 138a of the Treaty establishing the

European Community, as amended by the Treaty on
European Union signed in Maastricht on 7 February

1992, is a response by the Intergovernmental Conference
to a request made by the President of the European
Parliament at the opening of the Conclave in Brussels on 2
December 1991 and reiterated at the European Council
on 9 December 1991 .

This request was based on a joint proposal by the
Presidents of the three main federations of political
parties in the Community .

As the Honourable Member will have noted, this Article

— which sanctions political parties at European level — is
included in the section of the Treaty which sets out the
provisions relating to the European Parliament .

This testifies to the desire of the authors of the new
Treaty to encourage the political forces in the various

Member States to contribute to the achievement of ever
closer union between the peoples of Europe by following
the example of the European Parliament in which the
elected representatives of the Member States sit in groups
based on political affinities rather than the national origin
of their members .

It should, however, be pointed out that the Article in
question is not in itself a legal basis for Council action in
this area .

It will essentially be for the political forces in all the
Member States to undertake whatever action they
consider appropriate in the light of this Article .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1249 / 92

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

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 38 )

Subject : Committee of the Regions

The Inter-Governmental Conferences have decided to set

up a Committee of the Regions .

1 . Could the Commission explain how this committee
would work with the directly elected European
Parliament ?

2 . Will the Committee of the Regions report to the

European Parliament Regional Affairs Committee ?

3 . How will duplication of work be avoided ?

4 . Will legislation initiated in the Committee of the

Regions be transmitted to the European Parliament ?

5 . To what extent will the function of the Social Partners

acting in a legislative capacity overlap with the duties
" of the Committee of the Regions in connection with

education, training and youth, and economic and
social cohesion ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1992 )

In the absence of specific provisions in the Treaty of
European Union, it is for the Parliament and the
Committee of the Regions to establish appropriate
working relationships in the light of their respective

constitutions and functions .

Neither the Committee nor the Social Partners have a
legislative function .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1259 / 92

by Mr Giorgio Rossetti ( GUE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 39 )

Subject : Criteria for selecting firms to transport
Community aid to the countries of central and
eastern Europe

Can the Commission say how firms are selected to
transport Community aid to the countries of central and
eastern Europe ?

Are there objective selection criteria which permit
freedom of competition ?

If not, what action does the Commission propose to take ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

The methods used by the Commission to select haulage
firms to transport aid to central and eastern Europe
provide the necessary guarantees for sound competition .

No C 40 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2.93

Two possibilities exist :

— If the requested goods are delivered from intervention

stocks, the intervention office of the Member State in
question publishes an invitation to tender for
transporting the goods and puts a proposal to the
Commission . In theory, the haulage firm with the .
lowest bid is selected .

— If the Commission has to buy the product on the

market, an offer to tender is generally published on a
cif basis for delivery to a certain port or free at
destination, i.e. the offer includes transport costs and
leaves the choice of haulier to the supplier of the
product .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1273 / 92

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 40 )

Subject : Transport policy — Community action
programme on road safety

In a resolution dated 21 June 1991 the Council called on
the Commission to implement a Community action
programme on road safety (').

Could the Commission say what stage it has reached in
this project ?

O OJNoC 178,9 . 7 . 1991, p. 1 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1992 )

As the Honourable Member has pointed out, the Council,
in a resolution adopted on 21 June last year, called upon
the Commission to draw up and implement a Community
programme on road safety, and to do so by setting up a
high-level working party .

At the Council meeting on transport on 17 December last
year, the Commission was asked to continue cooperating
with this working party with a view to submitting the
programme at the Council meeting the following June .

On the basis of the conclusions of the working party,
which drew up a final report in April, the Commission

will shortly send the Council a communication on
a Community road safety programme . This will be
accompanied by the report under the title ' Guidelines and
priority areas for a Community road safety programme '.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1285 / 92

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 41 )

Subject : The need for a drastic reduction in the use of

insecticides

Programmes to reduce the use of pesticides, for example
in Denmark and the Netherlands as well as several
third countries, plan to cut the use of insecticides
by 50% during the next few years . Implementing these
programmes is difficult, because of the influence of
conservative pressure groups, the difficulty of finding
viable alternatives — some of which already exist — and
the fact that consumers are not yet sufficiently mobilized .

I should like to know the Commission 's views on this
subject, bearing in mind the recent publication of
'
Common sense pest control — least toxic solution for
your home, garden, pets and community ' by William

Olkowski, Sheila Daar and Helga Olkowski, published by
the Bio-Integral Resource Center, POB 7414, Berkeley,
CA 94707 . Is it not the case that the increasing resistance
and powers of adaptation developed by the insects and
animals which are the target of ' chemical warfare '
constitute a formidable vicious circle ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1 992 )

The Commission recognizes the need to ensure that
pesticide use is kept to the minimum necessary for
effective control of pests .

In the 5th Action Programme (') the Commission has set a
target of achieving, by the year 2000, a significant
reduction in pesticide use per unit of land under
production together with the conversion of farmers to
integrate pest control methods . To achieve this the
Commission has proposed that pesticide products should
be registered, that there should be controls on the sale and

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 25

use of pesticides and that integrated pest control methods
should be promoted particularly through training
activities .

This process has already commenced with the adoption in
July 1991 of Directive 91 / 414 / EEC concerning the
placing of plant protection products on the market ( 2 ).
The Commission is also currently developing a similar
proposal concerning the placing on the market of biocidal
products ( non-agricultural pesticides ). Both Directive
91 / 414 / EEC and the proposed Directive on biocidal
products aim to ensure decisions are based on hazard and
risk assessment of the product and this includes
considerations of the problems of development of
resistance .

The protection of workers is already regulated under

Directive 81 / 1107 / EEC on the protection of workers
from risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and
biological agents at work ( 3 ). The Commission intends to
make a proposal to update this Directive which forms part
of the comprehensive body of legislation relating to
the workplace under the framework of Directive
89 / 391 / EEC on the introduction of measures to
encourage improvements in the health of workers ( 4 ).
This body of legislation relating to the workplace covers

all chemicals including pesticides .

The Commission has engaged consultants to examine the

approaches taken in the Member States with regard to
sale and use of plant protection products . This work will
help to identify the areas in which training will need to be
developed and through which integrated pest control
methods can be promoted .

o COM(92 ) 23 final .
O OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991 .
O OJ No L 326, 3 . 12 . 1989 .
O OJNoL 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1287 / 92

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 42 )

Subject : The need for new politico-economic groupings

in Africa and the attitude of the EC

The African continent, an important partner of
the European Community, is well aware of the need
for new politico-economic groupings, its attempts to
achieve which have not been without their failures and

partial failures . The Southern African Development
Coordination Conference ( SADCC ), which favours a
macroeconomic policy in southern Africa, the

Preferential Trade Area ( PTA ), the Economic
Community of the West African States ( Ecowas ), the now
defunct East African Community, etc . have pursued the
objective of greater regional cooperation with widely
differing results, and are remotivated in the present
situation by the fear of the North-South, Euro-African
dialogue being pushed aside in favour of East-West
cooperation on the continent of Europe .

It is a well-known fact that, in practice, these African
initiatives come to grief because of the desire to preserve
vulnerable national identities and a suspicion that the
Twelve are reverting to neo-colonialism . Paradoxically, in
the eyes of the outside world, the armed conflicts which
take place within and between African States tend to
strengthen the Africans ' desire to preserve their territorial
integrity, often with good reason .

Would the Commission therefore answer the following
questions :

1 . Has it been made totally clear to our partners that the

aid and ' right of intervention ' which are needed do
not involve any kind of ' interference or domination ';

2 . The African Economic Community, which was
established by a recent treaty, sets up a Pan-African
Parliament : ' in order to ensure that the peoples of
Africa are fully associated in the economic

. development and integration of the continent, a

Pan-African Parliament shall be established . Its
composition, powers and organization (. . .) will be set
out in an appropriate protocol '. How does the EC
view the commitment thus made, in the light of its
wish to provide the reassurance and aid required, with

the essential collaboration of the European
Parliament and in the most appropriate bilateral
forms, bearing in mind the institutional framework of
Lome IV ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1992 )

1 . The Community established cooperation with the
countries of Africa through the Lome Convention and
other agreements . These relations are based on equality
between the partners and call for respect of their
sovereignty, cooperation motivated by mutual interest,
and interdependence .

Article 5 of the fourth Lome Convention states that the
parties ( the Community and the ACP countries ) reiterate
their attachment to human dignity and human rights,
which are legitimate aspirations of individuals and
peoples .

A Council resolution of 28 November 1991 emphasized
the importance attached by the Community to the link

No C 40 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

between observance of human rights and democracy and remained too firmly in the hands of governments and
its development cooperation policy . regional institutions .

2 . With regard to regional groupings, the Community
supports the efforts of the countries of Africa to promote
their development through regional cooperation and
integration intended to increase their capacity for
collective action . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1305 / 92

The treaty establishing a Pan-African Economic
Community was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in June 1991 . It
provides for the creation of a pan-African parliament, the
composition and responsibilities of which will be set out
in a protocol of an appropriate form, and for six stages
lasting around 34 years for the establishment of the
economic community . The initial stages call above all else
for greater subregional integration .

The Commission welcomes the signing of the Abuja
Treaty as an important political signal that the countries
of Africa are committed to promoting economic
integration . The furthering of African integration
depends, however, on the progress made at subregional
level . It has to be acknowledged that the results achieved
by the subregional economic communities are
disappointing . There is a wide gap between the ambition
of the aims set and the genuine ability to translate them
into action . Furthermore, one year after the signing of the
treaty, only eight countries have ratified it .

Through its development cooperation policy, the
Community has long encouraged cooperation and
regional integration in Africa . This has been
demonstrated by the scale of regional projects and
programmes . Following the July 1990 conference on
Africa, the Commission agreed to work on a programme
of action to encourage cooperation and integration in
sub-Saharan Africa . In that connection, the Commission
recently ( May 1992 ) submitted a working paper to the
Kampala meeting of the advisory committee of the Global
Coalition for Africa . It also submitted a paper on the
regional dimension of adjustment to the donor group of
the special programme of assistance for sub-Saharan
Africa ( SPA ).

The Commission furthermore prepared a paper on
economic integration among developing countries ( not
only those in Africa ) for use in the OECD Development
Aid Committee 's discussion on this subject, planned for

September 1992 .

It is not possible at this point to make a judgment on the
plan for a pan-African parliament contained in the Abuja
Treaty . The Commission nevertheless welcomes the

increasing i-ole played by representative democratic
institutions in many parts of Africa . The parliaments of
the countries of Africa, having their roots in civil society,
should play a greater role in regional cooperation and
integration . Until now, regional integration issues have

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

( 5 June 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 43 )

Subject : Payment of Community cotton subsidies

The Greek Ministry of Agriculture promised Greek
farmers ' representatives to demand a change the way in
which Community cotton subsidies are paid so as to
streamline the process of production, ginning and
distribution . Farmers ' representatives have proposed that
the subsidy be paid directly to producers through the
Agricultural Bank . Will the Commission back this change
in the way Community cotton subsidies are paid ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 September 1 992 )

On the basis of a Commission report on the functioning
of the cotton aid scheme, the Council has decided that
this scheme should be continued for four marketing
years, subject to certain technical adjustments .

However, the Commission has undertaken to assess the
application of the scheme before the 1996 / 97 marketing
year at the latest . It is prepared as part of that assessment
to study in detail the possibility of a system whereby the
aid would be paid directly to producers .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1337 / 92

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

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 44 )

Subject : Incorporation into national law of the Directive

on environmental impact assessment

Can the Commission say what stage has been reached in
implementing Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (') in the Member

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 27

States and what infringement procedures it has already
initiated or intends to initiate where this Directive has not
been duly incorporated into national law ?

In particular :

1 . which Member States have complied fully with

incorporating Directive 85 / 337 / EEC into national
law ?

2 . with regard to the Member States which have not fully

complied, can the Commission say what shortcomings
it has identified, specifying whether :

( a ) impact assessments are correctly carried out

( b ) there is systematic consultation, and

( c ) the information forwarded by the Member States
is satisfactory ?

O OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985, p. 40 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1 992 )

Despite the delay with which some Member States have
adopted provisions to transpose Directive 85 / 337 / EEC
into national law, the Commission takes the view that the
dialogue it has begun with them should make it possible
to achieve satisfactory results in the practical application
of the Directive .

However, the transposition of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC is
encountering difficulties . As far as formal transposition is
concerned, infringement proceedings are being brought
against all of the Member States except Denmark for
failure to implement the Directive in full . In the case of
Denmark, the Commission is currently examining the
most recent provisions in force and will soon decide
whether infringement proceedings should be brought
against that Member State .

In general terms, it is Article 4 ( 2 ) of the Directive which
has been least satisfactorily transposed, a number of
Member States having failed to include provisions in their
national legislation for assessment of the impact of entire
categories of projects in Annex II . Shortcomings have also
been found as regards the transposition of the
requirement to take the measures necessary to ensure that
the developer provides all the information contained in
Article 5 ( 2 ) and the obligations to make information
available to and to consult the public concerned ( Article 6
( 2 ) of the Directive ), to consult neighbouring Member
States which may be affected ( Article 7 ), to take the
information gathered into consideration ( Article 8 ) and to
publish the decision taken ( Article 9 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1343 / 92

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

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 45 )

Subject : Pharmacological products derived from the sea :

possible medication for the treatment of some
forms of cancer

Among the resources that can be derived from the sea if
appropriate scientific research is carried out, are
substances of pharmacological value . Recently, the press
reported that a Spanish company had identified
approximately 100 pharmacologically active substances
derived from the sea . It appears that patents have been
filed for some 25 of these in Europe, as well as in the
United States, Japan, Australia and Canada .

What information does the Commission have on the

substance ecteinascidina ET 729, which the abovp
company has submitted to the National Cancer Institute
in Washington for tests ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 November 1 992 )

The Commission has found no reference in its assessment
files (' dossiers de valorisation ') to the molecule
ecteinascidina ET 729 . The data bank of European
patents contains no record of any patent having been filed
for this substance .

As for making use of marine substances of pharmaceutical
interest, the Commission would point out that this is an
important field of activity which has been encouraged in
the 1993 report of the Committee of Life Sciences and
Health of the American Federal Coordinating Council for
Science, Engineering and Technology ( Biotechnology for
the 21st century ).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1382 / 92

by Mrs Brigitte Ernst de la Graete ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(5 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 46 )

Subject : Euro-African monetary union

Can the Commission say what would be the impact of
monetary union on black Africa ?

What would be the long-term advantages and drawbacks
of transforming the franc zone into an ECU zone ? What

No C 40 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

would be the conditions for inclusion of an African

country in such a zone ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 September 1 992 )

Several analyses have been made of the general aspects of
the external impact of monetary union, the most
important being found in Chapter 7 of ' One market, one
money ' ( No 44 of European Economy, October 1990 ).

In the case of black Africa, only the existence of the franc
zone has been the subject of a specific assessment, the
conclusion reached being that monetary union in the
Community should not as such affect the operation of
that zone .

Transforming the franc zone into an ECU zone would

allow the African countries concerned to benefit from the

advantages associated with such a move ( lower
transaction costs for all transactions with Community
partners, access to a leading international reserve
currency, and availability of a more efficient money
market ), without this having any repercussions on the
Community 's monetary policy . Moreover, such a move
would not impose any additional exchange-rate
constraint on the African countries making up the franc
zone since the French franc has not been devalued since

1987 .

The conditions to be met by new African countries
wishing to join the franc zone once it had been
transformed into an ECU zone will have to be discussed
by the countries concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1407 / 92

by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

     - ( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 47 )

Subject : The Maastricht Treaty : Cohesion Fund

The Cohesion Fund provided for by the Maastricht
Treaty meets the expectations of the weaker countries,
which are desirous of achieving results that are average
for the Community as a whole . However, this new step of
placing assistance on a national basis is threatening to
slow down the development of inter-regional and
trans-national cooperation .

What does the Commission propose to do to foster
cooperation between the regions of Europe, regardless of
the zones of application of these necessary European
transfers ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1992 )

The decision of the Maastricht Summit to establish a

Cohesion Fund to assist four Member States of the

Community does not, in the Commission 's view, put at
risk the development of interregional and cross-border
cooperation .

This development is currently assisted through
Community programmes such as Interreg and Recite
financed under the Structural Funds regulations and
through other programmes financed from other parts of
the Community 's budget such as Comett and Esprit and
others .

The Commission believes that inter-regional and
cross-border cooperation can contribute to the objective
of economic and social cohesion and is looking at ways in
which it can reinforce Community support in this area in
the course of the next period of operation of the
Structural Funds which starts in 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1427 / 92

by Mrs Christa Randzio-Plath ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 /C 40 / 48 )

Subject : Development cooperation with Zimbabwe

1 . Is it true that the EC has not yet signed the
Memorandum of Understanding to implement Articles
243 — 250 of the Fourth Lome Convention ?

2 . How many EC microprojects were carried out in
Zimbabwe before 30 June 1990, and what were they ?

3 . How many microprojects have been carried out
since 1 July 1990, and what are they ?

4 . How do EC projects carried out in Zimbabwe before
30 June 1990 compare with those carried out later ?

5 . To what extent has EC development cooperation
responded to the disastrous drought in Zimbabwe and the
structural adjustment of the Zimbabwean economy ?

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 29

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 October 1 992 )

1 . The Microproject Programmes in Zimbabwe were
previously implemented within the framework of a formal
agreement with the national authorities . However, in
March 1991, the Government of Zimbabwe requested the
cancellation of the existing agreement and the preparation
of a new agreement . The Commission agreed to this
proposal .

Following long and difficult negociations a new
agreement was signed in June 1992 .

2 . During the period from 1981 to 30 June 1990, the
EC financed a total of 620 microprojects in Zimbabwe, of
which 216 are in the rural development sector, 84 in the
health sector, and 320 in the education sector .

3 . Since July 1990, 182 new microprojects have been
financed, of which 72 are in the rural development sector,

17 in the health sector, and 93 in the education sector .

4 . The situation on the Lome II, III and IV National
Indicative Programmes ( NIP ) in Zimbabwe, was as
follows in June 1992 :

Lomé II Convention : total NIP, Ecu 49 million

( in million Ecu )

NIP ( including
Microprojects
Microprojects )

Commitments

on 31 May 1990 42,0 6,6
on 31 May 1992 42,7 6,6

Disbursements

on 31 May 1990 33,8 5,9
on 31 May 1992 33,8 6,1

Lomé III Convention : total NIP, Ecu 77 million

( in million Ecu )

NIP ( including

Microprojects
Microprojects )

Commitments

on 31 May 1990 44,9 16,0
on 31 May 1992 53,3 16,0

Disbursements

on 31 May 1990 17,2 7,8
on 31 May 1992 38,6 12,5

Lomé IV Convention : total NIP, Ecu 88 million

( in million Ecu )

NIP ( including
Microprojects
Microprojects )

Commitments

on 31 May 1992 13,2 The financial
decision on

microprojects will
be signed in
October 1992

Disbursements

on 31 May 1992 0,0

These figures indicate, as far as the total NIP is
concerned, average annual disbursements of Ecu 5,1
million for the ten years up to 30 June 1990, and of Ecu

13,6 million for the two years from June 1990 to June
1992 . In other words, the average annual disbursements
over the past two years are 267 % of the average annual
disbursement from 1980 — 1990 .

As far as the microprojects are concerned, these figures
indicate average annual disbursements of Ecu 1,37 million
for the ten years up to June 1990 and for Ecu 2,45 million
for the two years from June 1990 to June 1992 . In other
words, the average annual disbursements of microprojects
over the past two years are 178% of the average annual
disbursements from 1980 to 1990 .

5 . The Commission will, within its recently approved
Special Food Aid Programme, provide Zimbabwe with
food aid in the order of 80 000 tonnes of cereal
equivalents and would like to stress that it is making every
effort to ensure a rapid and effective supply .

As far as the Structural Adjustment Programme is

concerned, the Commission has on several occasions
expressed its support for this project, notably during the
last two Consultative Group meetings for Zimbabwe in

1991 and 1992 . In this respect, an initial and additional
allocation of Ecu 10 million has been made available
to finance, in support of the Structural Adjustment
Programme, an import programme . This programme
currently under preparation will be supported with an
additional allocation of Ecu 9 million from the National
Indicative Programme .

No C 40 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1429 / 92

by Mr Franco Borgo,- Mrs Gabriele Sboarina, Mrs Rosaria
Bindi, Mr Joachim Dalsass and Mr Ferruccio Pisoni ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 49 )

Subject : Designation of wines from the Veneto and Friuli

According to press reports, the Commission has begun
negotiations with the Hungarian Government in order to
reach an agreement which would restrict the designation
' Tokay ' ( in Italian ' Tocai ') to Hungarian wines from the
Tokay region . It would thus no longer be possible to use
this designation for Tokay wines from the Regions of
Friuli-Venezia Guilia, Venetio and Trentino-Alto Adige .

It should be noted that :

— there is no possibility of confusion of unfair
competition between Hungarian ' Tokayj ' wines and
Italian wines designated ' Tocai friulano ' or ' Tocai
italico ';

— the Italian wine in question is produced using a species

of vine actually called Tokay, which was introduced
into Italy centuries ago ;

— the vines and production techniques used to make the

Hungarian wine are totally different from those used
in Italy ;

— following the accession of both countries to the

Madrid Agreement of 14 April 1981 on the protection
of designations of origin, completed subsequently by
the Lisbon and Stockholm agreements, it is up to the
two national governments themselves to solve the
dispute .

In view of the above, can the Commission confirm the
accuracy of the reports and state what it intends to do to
protect this prestigious Italian wine which, especially in
Friuli, accounts for a very large proportion of total wine
production ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 September 1 992 )

The Commission can confirm that discussions with the

Hungarian authorities have been taking place for a
number of years concerning the reciprocal protection of
wine designations . Similar discussions have been held
with other non-member countries on the same subject .
The protection of geographical and traditional
designations is one of the key aspects of quality policy, as
is the protection of fair trading in the wine sector .

The Community is playing an active role in the different
international forums in which such matters are debated,
particularly in the International Vine and Wine Office
( IWO ) and GATT .

The Community rules on the designation of wines give
priority to protecting designations of origin and
geographical indications . The Commission believes that
this approach must be taken into account in the context of
international negotiations .

The Commission is well aware of the conflict of interests
between the Hungarian designation of origin ' Tokaj ' and
the names of the vine varieties ' Tocai Friulano ' and ' Tocai
italico '. The Community will determine its position
following discussions to be held in the Council .

Article 63 of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 822 / 87 on
the common organization of the market in wine (')
provides that geographical indications of wines imported
from third countries will be protected on condition that
countries exporting to the Community practice reciprocal
protection . This protection is implemented through
agreements negotiated within the framework of the
commercial policy conducted pursuant to Article 1 1 3 of
the Treaty .

o OJ NoL 84, 27 . 3 . 1987 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1452 / 92

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

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 50 )

Subject : Fish farms in tourist areas

The Greek authorities recently gave authorization to set
up five fish farms by the sea in the region of Ritso in the
tourist area of Aghios Nikolaous in Chalkidiki . Local
inhabitants believe that the consequences of this decision
will be disastrous . Does the Commission agree that under
no circumstances should fish farms be set up in tourist
areas and, if so, what measures does it intend to take in
this particular case ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 November 1 992 )

There are a number of Directives which may be applied
for controlling aquatic pollution . They set standards
designed to ensure that a high environmental quality of
water is achieved . However, it is for the Greek
Government to take such action as is necessary to comply
with the obligations placed upon it by the various
Directives related to water quality .

Nothing in Community legislation prevents the
establishment of fish farms in tourist areas . The
Commission has no plans to propose such legislation .

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 31

However, in its Decision of 20 December 1991 on the
multiannual guidance programme for aquaculture
( 1992 — 1996 ) presented by Greece pursuant to
Regulation ( EEC ) No 4028 / 86, the Commission states
that special attention must be paid to the interaction
between the development of the aquaculture sector and
the environment (*).

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 ) lists only salmon breeding in
the annexes, more specifically Annex II on projects
subject to assessment of their environmental impact where
this is considered to be significant by virtue of their size or
location .

O OJ No L 29, 3 . 2 . 1992 .
O OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1462 / 92

by Mr Marco Taradash ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 51 )

. Subject : Human rights in Hong Kong and that country 's

return to Chinese rule

Whereas :

— in 1997, pursuant to the bilateral agreements between

the United Kingdom and China, the British colony of
Hong Kong will be handed back to the People 's
Republic of China ;

— a report by the International Commission of Jurists,

drawn up following a 10-day fact-finding mission to
the colony, sharply criticized the United Kingdom for
having denied Hong Kong the right to
self-determination under international law . At the
same time, it accused China of breaking its
commitment to guarantee the colony a high degree of
autonomy after 1997 by refusing to amend the text of
the constitution ( the so-called Basic Law ) which it
intends to impose in Hong Kong after that date ;

— the international community, and, in particular, the

EC and its Member States, cannot condone such a
brazen violation of international law and the
agreements governing respect for human rights ;

1 . What practical steps does the Commission intend to

take to prevent Hong Kong and its inhabitants from
paying a very high price for decisions dictated by
international raison d'etat in the form of human rights
violations and the collapse of democratic institutions ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to take action to prevent
the handover of Hong Kong to Chinese rule if China
does not become a democracy ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

The future status of Hong Kong has been agreed upon by
the United Kingdom and the People 's Republic of China
as reflected in the Sino-British declaration signed on 19
December 1984 . This agreement is the basis of the Basic
Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of
the People 's Republic of China of 4 April 1990 .

Within this legal framework, it is clearly established that

Hong Kong will continue to enjoy after 1997 a great deal
of autonomy not only in the economic field, with the
maintenance for 50 years of its present economic system,
including private property, free port, separate currency,
etc ., but also in the political and social fields, with
separate executive and legislative powers, an independent
judicial system, and, furthermore, again the guarantee
that for the same 50-year period Hong Kong 's social
system will not be changed and that the present rights and
freedoms will be maintained .

The Commission considers that those provisions provide

a solid basis to guarantee the respect of human rights and
democratic principles in Hong Kong . Furthermore, there
is no reason to believe that the People 's Republic of China
would in any way deviate from the full respect of the
international obligations undertaken in the Sino-British
declaration . The Commission will continue to monitor
the situation in Hong Kong and, as the Honourable
Member will know, has the intention to open an office
there in the very near future .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1468 / 92

by Mr Ben Visser ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 52 )

Subject : Road haulage and combined transport

The IRU recently published a study entitled ' Road
haulage in context in tomorrow 's Europe '. Some of the
report 's conclusions were that :

— the volume of road haulage will increase between 1989

and 2010 by 8,6 billion tonnes to 16,5 billion tonnes,
and that 7,4 billion tonnes of that increase will be
accounted for by domestic road haulage ;

No C 40 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2 . 93

— long-distance ( over 1 000 km ) road haulage makes up

only 1,2 % of the total volume ;

— combined road / rail transport will continue to play

only a marginal role, even if 50% of long-distance
road haulage volume is transferred to combined

transport ;

— if combined transport does come to play a more

significant role, the increase in volume will primarily
be seen on routes between 200 and 500 km ;

— the percentage of unladen journeys in Europe will

increase between 1986 and 2010 from 37,1% to ±
37,5 %, i.e. 1 32 billion vehicle km .

1 . Does the Commission endorse the conclusion reached
by the aforementioned study ?

2 . Will the study prompt the Commission to change its

view that combined transport should expand primarily
on routes above 500 km ?

3 . Does the Commission think that the percentage of

unladen journeys will increase when cabotage is
liberalized ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1992 )

1 . The Commission was not involved in the
preparation of the study referred to by the Honourable
Member and has only had the opportunity to examine the
principle results, notably the points referred to . In general
the Commission can agree that the increasing wealth of
the Community, stemming largely from the Single
Market, will lead to an increase in the demand for
transport . It can also agree that on the basis of existing
trends much of this increase in transport will be in the
road sector and will concern mainly goods moving over
relatively short distances . That this increase ' in transport is
a symbol of the increasing wealth of the Community is
clear . However, it is evident that this situation will create
new and difficult problems for the environment . The
Commission has set out its view in length in its recent
Green Paper on ' The Impact of Transport on the
Environment ' (') and in the communication on the
Development of Transport Infrastructure ( 2 ).

2 . The additional costs that are inherent in combined
transport, due to the need to tranship the loading units,
mean that the distance over which the mode can currently
compete with road transport is estimated to be around
700 kms in normal circumstances . However, the
Commission is seeking to promote ways in which the
costs of combined transport can be reduced, notably
by reducing the costs of terminal operations and

encouraging the use of more efficient operating methods .
If these efforts are successful the ' break even ' distance for
combined transport will be reduced and if this trend leads
to the mode becoming economic at distances of around
500 kms the market will become much larger . Should the
work of the IRU lead to further concrete proposals to
stimulate combined transport the Commission would be
prepared to support measures to evaluate the ideas .

3 . The Commission considers that the achievement of
full cabotage freedom for road haulage will be important
in the development of efficient ways to reduce the running
of empty road vehicles over long distances . Whilst it is
recognized that there is a tendency to employ more
specialized vehicles, which are difficult to load on return
journeys, it is foreseen that hauliers will find ways to
reduce empty movements, particularly in the face of the
combined pressure on operating costs from congestion
and increasing real costs of energy .

O COM(92 ) 46 .
O COM(92 ) 231 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1477 / 92

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 53 )

Subject : Transport of animals

What is the Commission doing about Spain 's continued
violation of EC Regulations on live animal transport ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1992 )

The Commission has from time to time received
complaints concerning individual incidents relating to
alleged breaches of the Community Directives on the
Welfare of Animals in International Transport by several

Member States . These complaints are always taken up
with the authorities of the Member States concerned .

If necessary the Commission has been prepared to take
such further appropriate action as is within its powers
including the opening of the Article 169 infringement
procedure .

Several complaints have been received concerning
individual incidents in Spain over the years since the
accession of that Member State and the Spanish

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 33

authorities have cooperated with the Commission 's
services in the investigations of the allegations .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1498 / 92

The Commission does not, however, have any evidence
suggesting that there has been a continuous or widespread ( 16 June 1 992 )
failure to respect the Directives in Spain . ( 93 / C 40 / 55 )

( 16 June 1 992 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1480 / 92

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 54 )

Subject : Skins of endangered species on sale in Greece

In January 1990 I wrote to the Commission about
allegations that leopard and other furs were available for
sale in shops in Rhodes . In February 1990 the
Commission answered my oral question H-56 / 90 (') on
this subject saying it was investigating the matter . In
August 1991, in response to Written Question
No 846 / 91 ( 2 ) by Mr Papayannakis, the matter was still
being investigated .

Since it is now more than two years since this was first
brought to the Commission 's attention, when does it
estimate it will have sufficient information to take

appropriate action ?

O Debates of the European Parliament No 3-386 ( February

1990 ).
O OJ No C 38, 15 . 2 . 1992, p. 12 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

In view of the matter referred to by the Honourable
Member, the Commission asked the Greek authorities for
information on 13 May 1991 .

On 10 September 1991 the Greek authorities informed
the Commission that the Cites rules are being strictly
applied in Greece, that no illegal imports have been
reported in Rhodes and that, if the facts stated were true,
they would need very precise information to carry out
investigations .

The Commission does not have this information and

would ask the Honourable Member to forward to it any
such information she may have .

Subject : Agricultural cooperatives — French law

French law provides for tax allowances in favour of the
cooperative agricultural sector which are exempt from
standard law applicable to agri-foodstuff undertakings in
the private sector .

The recent French Law of 3 January 1991 furthermore
grants agricultural cooperatives possibilities of access to
the finance market identical to those of industrial
undertakings, which increases the fiscal and economic
disparities between the private and cooperative
agricultural sectors .

These measures may be described as constituting aid
within the meaning of Article 92 ( 1 ) of the EEC Treaty, in
so far as they directly prejudice freedom of competition
between undertakings operating in the same market .

Can the Commission state whether this special treatment
is in line with the provisions of the EEC Treaty ?

How does the Commission intend to follow up complaint
No 547 / 91 on this subject ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 September 1 992 )

French tax treatment of cooperatives is not out of line
with practice in most other Member States, which for
traditional and practical reasons have applied special rules
to cooperatives .

The Commission has concluded that the special tax
position of cooperatives in France compared with
companies cannot easily be considered an unjustified
measure in favour of the agricultural sector since the
treatment extends to cooperatives in all sectors of activity .

Fiscal or social measures that apply to certain
undertakings, sectors or regions only and favour a group
of undertakings over other groups may constitute State
aid covered by Article 92 ( 1 ) of the EEC Treaty if they are

No C 40 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

not justified by the nature and structure of the tax or
social security system ( in this regard see the Court of
Justice 's judgment of 2 July 1974 in Case 173 / 73, Italy v.

Commission ).

The Commission has decided to carry out a
comprehensive survey of national measures of this type in
order to check whether or not they are to be considered as
State aids . A working group with representatives from
several Commission departments is at the moment
looking at the general question of cooperatives .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1503 / 92

by Mr Gerhard Schmid ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 56 )

Subject : Steel works in the new Bundeslander

1 . Is the Commission satisfied that the sale of various
steel works in the new Bundeslander as part of the policy
of the Treuhandanstalt has not resulted in distortions of

competition ?

2 . Was the way in which the selling price was calculated
examined ? If so, what were the results ?

3 . Has the Commission checked whether the steel

works in the new Bundeslander are marketing their
products at genuine market prices and, if so, with what
result ? If not, why not ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 9 November 1 992 )

1 . From the outset the Commission has closely
followed the activities of the Treuhandanstalt and
checked that they conform to the Community 's
competition rules . It has made particular efforts to ensure
that the privatization of businesses did not lead to any
dominant position being created or reinforced and that
the purchase price contained no element of aid .

The sale of a number of steel works in the new Lander was
examined in this way as regards its compatibility both
with the Commission 's formal decision concerning the

activities of the Treuhandanstalt, dated 18 September

1991 ('), and with Community rules for aid to the steel
industry ( 2 ). The Commission concluded that the works
had been sold to the highest bidders, having been given
wide international publicity, and that no aid had been
granted . The Commission has also made sure that
planned aid for investment in the businesses bought is
reported and that it is compatible with the Community
rules for aid to the steel industry .

2 . The examination of the prices offered by the
companies concerned was directed in particular at
determining to what extent additional financial burdens
were taken over and advantages granted . In a number of
cases, prices have been adjusted, for example when past
burdens were taken over . The Commission determined
that the steel works in question had, when this was taken
into account, been sold to the highest bidders, and that
therefore no aid had been granted in the form of an
artificially low price .

3 . The prices charged by a steelmaker are entirely his
own responsibility . As regards steel prices, Article 60 of
the ECSC Treaty lays down that undertakings must
publish price lists and conditions of sale ( 3 ). Like any
other business in the Community, one in the new Lander
is entitled to align its prices on those of a competing
Community producer providing the buyer with more
advantageous conditions ( 4 ) or indeed on the conditions
offered by undertakings outside the Community .
According to the information available to the
Commission, the undertakings in question are in the
process of coming into line with Community practice .

Information on sales by steel manufacturers in the
Community are collected by the Commission each month
through the questionnaire provided for in Decision
9 / 67 / ECSC ( 5 ). The nature of these figures is such that
they are covered by the obligation of professional secrecy
and may not be disclosed ( 6 ). All these rules have applied
to steel manufacturers in the new Lander since German

unification .

The Commission would nonetheless point out that, in its
communication to Parliament and the Council on the
future of the ECSC Treaty, it stated that the ECSC
price rules — in particular transparency and
non-discrimination — had been overtaken by events : in
the absence of any complaint by users or competitors,
prior supervision of pricing practices was no longer

necessary .

0 ) IP(91 ) 836 .
O Decision 3855 / 91 / ECSC, 27 . 1 1 . 1991 .
( 3 ) Article 60 ( 2 ) ( a ) of the Treaty .
( 4 ) Article 60 ( 2 ) ( b ) of the Treaty .
( 5 ) Decision 9 / 67 ECSC, 1 . 6 . 1967 .
( 6 ) Article 47 of the Treaty .

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 35

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1507 / 92

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 57 )

Subject : Liaison with Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria

When does the Commission intend to bring forward
proposals for the creation of a political and economic
partnership with the countries of Morocco, Tunisia and
Algeria ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1992 )

The Commission set out its ideas on the future of
relations between the Community and the Maghreb
countries in a communication to the Council and

Parliament on 30 April ( 1 ).

It has already embarked on exploratory talks with
Morocco and Tunisia with an eye to concluding new
agreements based on genuine partnership, and hopes to
be able to establish similar contracts with Algeria .

As these talks are to continue in the months ahead the

Commission is not yet able to say when it will present
proposals for negotiating Directives . It will - be reporting
to the Council before the end of the year on the progress
made in the talks .

O SEC(92 ) 401 final .

University of the Aegean, the body responsible for
carrying out this study, of its decision in writing . This
study, endowed with a budget of Dr 4 million, was then
included in the collective decision for studies No 019 / 2

with a budgetary allocation of Dr 1,2 million for 1990 .
Despite this, the University of the Aegean has not so far
received any money for drawing up a study .

Given that the problem of the quality of drinking water
on the Aegean Islands is a very serious one and that the
study forms part of the IMP Programme for the Aegean
will the Commission say whether it knows why funding
for this very urgent and important project which has
already been approved is being delayed and what
measures it intends to take to ensure that the funds

earmarked for this purpose are released forthwith ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1992 )

The information available to the Commission indicates
that the delays in approving the study in question referred
to by the Honourable Member are due to the consultation
procedures within the Greek civil service on the legal

aspects .

The Commission will make sure at the next meeting of the

Monitoring Committee for the Aegean Islands IMP that a
reminder is given to the Greek authorities regarding the
urgency of starting the study on water quality .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1518 / 92

by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 59 )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1513 / 92

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

( 16 June 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 58 )

Subject : Funding of a study as part of the IMP for the

Aegean Islands

On 27 / 28 November 1989 the secretariat of the

Monitoring Committee of the IMP for the Aegean
Islands unanimously decided to include the study on the
qualitative and quantitative analysis and description of
drinking water on the islands of Syros, Ikaria and Kos in
sub-programme No 5 of the IMP as an implementation
study measure and on 8 January 1990 it notified the

Subject : Construction of a new development between

Mantua and Lago Superiore ( Italy )

Lombardy Region, the Commune and Province of
Mantua, and Italian State Railways have initialled a
protocol of understanding on a town-planning scheme
involving construction of a new development, an
expansion in rail traffic, and the reorganization of road

transport .

The protocol provides for a number of projects which will
have a considerable environmental impact on part of the
Mantua area .

The local environmental association has declared that,
under the cloak of the new development on the shores of

No C 40 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2.93

Lago Superiore, an attempt is being made to resurrect
plans for an overhead road, a bypass, and other smaller
scale works .

1 . Can the Commission say whether the scheme being
undertaken by the local authorities and the Italian
railway organization is in keeping with the projections
and principles set out in the green paper on the urban
environment ?

2 . Should not the scheme be made subject to the
environmental impact assessment procedure laid
down in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (')?

3 . Does the Commission not believe that it should
approach the local authorities with a view to
ascertaining that the projected works as a whole are
compatible with protection of the natural environment
of the Mantua lakes ?

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

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1992 )

The draft town planning scheme referred to by the
Honourable Member seems, on first sight to be a regional
development scheme which, as such, is not included in the
annexes to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC .

Although the individual projects deriving from - this

scheme may be covered by that Directive it is not possible
at this stage to assess the environmental impact of those
projects .

Indeed, for the moment it is a question of signing an
agreement protocol on regional development for which
the Commission has no specific authority .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1536 / 92

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

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 60 )

Subject : The natural environment of the Mediterranean

seal

One of the rarest natural environments of the
Mediterranean seal ( monacus-monacus ), namely the area
of Mikro and Megalo Seitani in Samos, is under threat .
These beaches are part of the rural environment of the

community of Kosmadaia and have been classified by
decision of the National Council on Regional Planning
( FEK 4868 / 80 ) as protected areas . However, the local
group known as ' Gorgyra ' claims that houses and rural
dwellings are springing up like mushrooms in Seitani .
Does the Commission intend to recommend that the
Greek authorities take the necessary measures to ban
any building activity in order to protect the natural
environment of the Mediterranean seal ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1992 )

The problem referred to by the Honourable Member
concerns illegal construction in a protected area . The
Commission has no legal means of intervention here, the
application of national law being the responsibility of the
national authorities .

Nonetheless, the Commission intends to contact the
Greek authorities to see what can be done in this

particular case .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1543 / 92

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

( 16 June 1992 )

            - ( 93 / C 40 / 61 )

Subject : Containing financial deficits

A convergence of the economic policies of all Member
States of the European Communities is necessary if the
Community 's monetary and financial objectives are to be
attained . This is the basic conclusion of the first report of
the governors of the EC central banks which reviews
European economic progress so far and charts out the
future, setting objectives and, in essence, laying down an
economic policy line for national governments . This
report which was presented in Basle in Switzerland by the
Governor of the Bank of Denmark and is signed by the
governors of the 12 Member States says that stable prices
cannot be achieved merely by coordinating monetary
policies . If more significant progress is to be made in
combating inflation and achieving a greater degree of
economic and credit policy convergence, the national
authorities must not only contain their public deficits but
must also make substantial efforts to resist wage pressure .
Given that this matter is rightly considered very
important, does the Commission intend to make its views
known on this subject ?

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 37

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 September 1992 )

The conclusion of the report of the Central Bank

Governors of the Community that ' convergence of the
economic policies of all Member States is necessary if the
Community 's monetary and financial objectives are to be
attained ' has been the central theme of Community
economic policy for several years . A very brief review of
the major economic developments of recent years
highlights the longstanding recognition of the importance
of convergence :

— Report on EMU in the Community (' the Delors

report ', published in 1989 ): In Section 4, ' Problems
and perspectives ', the need for greater convergence of
economic policy and performance is explicitly and
strongly emphasised .

— Council Decision of 12 March 1990 ( 90 / 141 / EEC ):

The title of this Decision — ' on the attainment of
progressive convergence of economic policies and
performance during stage one of EMU ' — is
indicative of the contents .

— Council Decision of 12 March 1990 ( 90 / 142 / EEC ):

This Decision was introduced consequent to the
preceding Decision and facilitates a greater
coordination of monetary policies . The report of the
Committee of Central Bank Governors was itself

prepared in accordance with its provisions .

— Treaty on European Union : Article B of the Common

Provisions, Articles 2 and 3 and the articles of Title VI
on Economic and Monetary Policy deal extensively
with the necessity for improved convergence of
economic policies and performance .

The Commission fulfilled its normal role in the

progression of the above developments . In addition the
Commission has stressed the importance of improved
convergence in successive Annual Economic Reports
which have been submitted to the Parliament for

approval . The most recent Annual Economic Report,
' Strengthening growth and improving convergence ',
stressed the importance of this issue both in the report
itself and in some of the accompanying analytical studies .
In the Commission 's twice yearly communications to the
Council on economic developments in the Community
(' multilateral surveillance ') the issue of convergence has
also featured strongly . Vice-President Christophersen has
regularly reported to the Parliament on the outcome of
these exercises .

The role of wage moderation in contributing to the
reduction of inflationary pressures is well recognized and

the Commission has consistently argued in favour of
moderate wage increases both as a means of promoting
price and cost convergence as well as real wage
adjustment in order to favour profitability and
employment creating investment . During the 1980 's a
strong adjustment of both nominal and real wages took
place in a majority of Member States and in the
Community as a whole . Wage moderation went hand in
hand with the strong disinflation process which occurred
in this decade, promoted considerable progress with
regard to price and cost convergence and helped to
improve the general environment for investment,
employment and growth . The Commission has
consistently argued for a return to this wage behaviour
after the interruption which todk place in 1990 and 1991 .

The Commission has also emphasised the importance to a
credible macro-economic environment of the avoidance
of excessive pay rises . Policy makers must provide a
credible long-term orientation for economic agents by
conveying clear signals that they will not depart from a
stability oriented medium-term strategy . Economic agents
must be left in no doubt about the authorities,
commitment to a non-inflationary growth performance .
This will allow the social partners to adopt their wage
bargaining according to expectations of falling inflation .
This view has recently been endorsed by the social
partners and included in their Joint Opinion of 3 July 1992
on a renewed cooperative growth strategy for more
employment . The following extract from the Joint
Opinion highlights the importance attached by the social
partners to the mutual inter-dependence between a
credible macro-economic environment and a return to

moderate wage developments :

' The conduct of wage negotiations is under the
responsibility of the social partners . The more credible
and socially acceptable economic policies are, the more
easily the social partners can anticipate low or
decreasing inflation rates in the results of their wage
negotiations . This would reduce the strain on monetary
policy and contribute to the reduction also of
short-term interest rates . Furthermore, wage
developments have to take into account the
requirements of the profitability of employment
creating investment, the competitiveness of enterprises
on the world markets and the implications of full
Economic and Monetary Union . The non-inflationary
and sustainable growth process, thus generated, would
provide the appropriate scope for real wage increases
which underlines the interrelation between the

European integration process and rising living
standards .'

This extract also reflects the Commission 's views .

No C 40 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1566 / 92

by Mrs Marijke Van Hemeldonck ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 62 )

Subject : Regulating gambling at European level

In various EC Member States, separate legislation exists
in gambling, betting on horse racing, lotteries, licensed
casinos, and such like .

Can the Commission indicate the possible repercussions
on gambling activities as a result of abolishing the borders
between the Member States on 1 January ?

Will a completely free market be introduced in this area
on that date, meaning that the relevant national
legislation will have been superseded ?

In addition, are discussions being conducted within the
EC on regulating this area at European level, since there is
apparently apprehension that there will be international
organized ' trafficking ' in gambling if borders are
abolished ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 October 1992 )

According to the information available to the
Commission, the abolition of frontier controls between
Member States from 1 January 1993 is not likely to
produce any serious consequences in terms of the
regulation and control of gambling activities . In the
context of its general work on the abolition of frontier
controls, the Commission has already discussed with the
Member States the implications of the lifting of remaining
border controls concerning any areas of gambling
regulation . The position of the Commission is that either
all controls will be abolished or other forms of control
will be applied away from the frontiers, as appropriate to
the particular situation . There is only one case in the
gambling sector which is still under examination .

The rules of the EEC Treaty will continue to apply post 1
January 1993, as they do now . Any State measure which

contravenes these rules is open to challenge either before
national courts or before the Court of Justice of the
European Communities . To the extent that Community
law finds that existing restrictions on the basic freedoms
enshrined in the Treaty are justified and applied in a
manner which is proportionate to their purposes in the
light of all the relevant circumstances, such restrictions
can, of course, continue to apply . Where such restrictions
find no objective or proportionate justification, then the
principle of mutual recognition applies .

The Honourable Member refers to the concern that
organized international gambling ' trafficking ' will
develop if border controls are abolished . The
Commission, close to concluding its preliminary analysis
of this area of activity, is not aware of any such
developments .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1571 / 92

by Mrs Carole Tongue ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 63 )                   

Subject : Hazard Information Systems — Europe

As a result of European harmonization, there is a
possibility that a system of marking dangerous substances
within the United Kingdom, Hazchem, will be lost and
that as a consequence members of emergency services and
the public will be placed at further and unacceptable risk .

Since the 1970s a system of marking has been used on
road and rail transport of dangerous substances which
provided an emergency action code intended to indicate
immediate actions which may be taken by emergency
services ( usually the Fire Service ) to mitigate the dangers
of an untoward accident .

Can the Commission comment on what proposals there
may be for maintaining such a system of coding under the
European Agreement concerning the International
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1992 )

There are no current moves to prohibit the use of
Hazchem markings on British vehicles transporting
dangerous goods where these vehicles are involved in
purely domestic transport and for the time being the
Commission is not engaged in any formal discussions on
the issue .

There is no evidence to suggest that members of the
public and the emergency services will be placed at
increased risk through switching to the Kemler system in
the United Kingdom, nor is there any evidence that
Kemler would significantly decrease or increase safety .

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 39

The Commission is aware of UK proposals for a
composite Hazchem / Kemler plate in the ADR
Agreement to allow for both systems to continue to
operate side by side .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1581 / 92

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

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 64 )

Subject : The organization of the caraway-seed market

In answer to my Question No 1883 / 91 ( ® ) the
Commission refers only to caraway seed for sowing,
which may be marketed only if it is certified .

My question however related to the serious disruption of
the market because of the mixing of caraway seed for
consumption from European countries with that
produced in the EC .

O OJ No C 159, 25 . 6 . 1992, p. 11 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 1 October 1 992 )

Import statistics for the last four years show that imports
into the EEC of seeds of caraway destined for
consumption reduced steadily from 2 568 tonnes in 1988
to 1 987 tonnes in 1991 . The Commission is not aware of
anomalies for such products .

Seeds of caraway destined for consumption are covered
by Regulation ( EEC ) No 827 / 68 ('). This Regulation is
a rudimentary common market organization which
provides implementation of the Common Customs Tariff,
a safeguard clause, free movement within the Community
and the application of the competition rules laid down in
the Treaty .

O OJ No L 151, 30 . 6 . 1968 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1587 / 92
by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 16 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 65 )

— Ecu 1,521 million for Canton Chat ( No 901010003 ),

— Ecu 21,7 million for Limburg ( No 901010004 ).

These initiatives come under the European Regional
Development Fund .

Please indicate for each project :

1 . the precise purpose for which the aid is granted ;

2 . the local or regional authorities ' own contribution .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 September 1992 )

1 . Actions co-financed by ERDF

Rechar Chatelet

The total ERDF contribution to the Chatelet Rechar

programme amounts to Ecu 1,521 million ( prices 1991 ).

The programme covers the period 26 July 1990 to

31 December 1993 .

The concrete Chatelet Rechar actions concern :

— improvements of the environment ( renewal of an old

mining-hall at Aiseau-Presles into a SME incubator
centre, and construction of a water drain collector );

— renewal and modernization of basic infrastructure in

the mining villages ( renewal of water supply
networks ).

Rechar Limburg

The total ERDF contribution to the Limburg Rechar

programme amounts to Ecu 21,7 million ( prices 1991 ).

The programme covers the period 26 July 1990 to
31 December 1993 .

The concrete Limburg Rechar actions concern :

— sanering KS terreinen ;

— herstel infrastruktuur in mijn-cités ;

Subject : Rechar programme — economische ontwikkeling ;

The documentation on Community initiatives shows the
following grants to Belgium in 1991 under the Rechar

programme :

— beroepsopleidingsinfrastructuur ;

— beroepsopleiding, herscholing en inkomensgarantie .

No C 40 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2.93

2 . Financial contribution by authorities involved

( million Ecu )

Rechar Chatelêt

Total envelope 3,042

ERDF 1,521 ( 50% )

Région wallonne 1,521 ( 50% )

Rechar Limburg
Total envelope 71,03

ERDF 21,70 ( 30,55% )

Central overheid 32,38 ( 45,59% )

Lokale overheid 15,44 ( 21,74% )

Particulieren 1,51 ( 2,12% )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1599 / 92

by Mr Reimer Boge, Mr Horst Langes

and Mr Diemut Theato ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

account not only of harvests but also of the state of the
balance of payments, budgets, stocks, livestock numbers
and purchasing power .

The Commission will keep a weather eye on the situation
in southern Africa and will if necessary continue its aid to
the countries concerned at the beginning of next year
using the resources available under the regular food-aid
programme for 1993 . Should large-scale long-term aid
prove necessary it will again propose a special
programme, but it is too early to say in advance what will
be needed .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1603 / 92

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

( 24 June 1992 )

( 24 June 1992 ) ( 93 / C 40 / 67 )

( 93 / C 40 / 66 )

Subject : Programmes of aid for famine - stricken areas of

Africa

The European Community has decided on a programme
of aid for famine-stricken areas of southern Africa,
amounting to 800 000 tonnes of cereals to a value of ECU
220 million .

Does the Commission agree with FAO predictions that
cereal harvests in southern Africa will probably be halved,
necessitating cereal imports of approximately 10 million
tonnes in 1992 / 93 compared with 2 million tonnes in

1991 / 92 ?

What steps is the Commission taking to plan the
necessarary measures and ensure the availability of the
necessary budgetary appropriations for further
programmes of aid which already seem likely to be
necessary ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1992 )

The Commission does not feel able at present to make any
forecasts about the next cereal harvests in southern
Africa . As they depend on the rains due in the region
between October and December it will not be possible to
make any predictions on the different countries ' harvests
or food situation before the end of November . The

Commission 's forecasts on the food situation have to take

Subject : Selling off the Athens Pipe Manufacturing
Company

In 1986, following the issue of shares in order to meet its
debts, the Athens Pipe Manufacturing Company passed
into the ownership of the National Bank . In 1991 moves
were made to sell it off . In an answer to a question in the

Greek Parliament ( 30 January 1992 ) the Minister of the
National Economy and Chairman of the Interministerial
Committee stated that special arrangements would be
made to liquidate the company while it was in operation .

Despite this undertaking, the National Bank is closing
down the Athens Pipe Manufacturing Company and
releasing 450 workers, which means that the company will
lose its markets, thereby considerably reducing the
objective value of its assets .

This abrupt departure from the undertaking to liquidate
the company while it was in operation, together with the
persistent refusal of the National Bank to provide
information, is not creating sound conditions for the
transparent sale of the company under the best possible
conditions .

1 . Is the action by the National Bank in accordance with
Act No 2000, in view of the solution adopted by the
Interministerial Committee to liquidate the company
while it was in operation ?

2 . In the first three months of 1992, were any offers
made for the purchase of the company ? ( By whom ?
Whose offer was accepted ? Were any letters of

guarantee repudiated ?).

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 41

' 3 . Are the steps taken to date in accordance with

Community law ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1 992 )

1 . It is not within the competence of the Commission
to assess the legality, with regard to national law, of
action taken by national authorities and / or economic
agents, nor is it its role to gather information on
transactions made by them .

2 . The Commission approved the State aid elements of
the Greek privatization scheme under the following
conditions :

— open bid procedures would be used,

— notification of individual privatization in sensitive

sectors .

Moreover, the Greek Government stated that, if the
company in question could not be sold, it would be
liquidated . The decision to do so was and is the Greek
Government 's responsibility .

According to information at the disposal of the
Commission, at the beginning of 1992 the only potential
buyer for the company in question no longer showed
interest in it . The owner and its independent financial
advisers then came to the conclusion that the company
had to be liquidated . This decision was taken by
shareholders on 20 March 1992 . By April 1992 the
National Bank had already paid redundancy fees to 220
employees and the money for the redundancy fees of the
remaining 330 employees had been deposited in bank

accounts .

The decision to liquidate the company in question is the
responsibility of the Greek Government . As has been
shown, it tried to sell the company without success and
only then did it decide to liquidate it .

which other Member States this type of farming exists and
to what extent ?

When will the Commission bring forward its proposals on

standards for the keeping of all animals for farming ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 September 1992 )

The Commission has received some letters from

organizations in the United Kingdom indicating concern
about ostrich farming . The Commission does not have
statistics on ostrich farming in the Community .

The Commission has made a proposal (') for a Council

Directive concerning the protection of animals kept for
farming purposes . This proposal aims to adopt the
provisions of the European Convention for the
Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes, and
farmed ostriches would come within its scope of
application .

O COM(92 ) 192 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1627 / 92

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

( 24 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 69 )

Subject : The motor vehicle market

3 . According to the information available to the It was recently disclosed that the Court of Auditors of the
Commission, there seems to be no infringement of EC has discovered a series of transgressions, irregularities
Community law . and infringements concerning the motor vehicle market

and in particular as regards the method of fixing the price
of cars which varies from one Member State to the next .

Does the Commission intend to tackle this confusion in
the Community motor vehicle market and, if so, what
steps does it intend to take ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1618 / 92

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 24 June 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 68 )

Subject : Ostrich farming s

Is the Commission aware of the great public concern in
the United Kingdom about ostrich farming ? Can it say in

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1992 )

The Commission presumes that the Honourable Member
refers to Chapter 2, paragraphs 2.39 to 2.58 of the Annual
Report of the Court of Auditors for 1990 (').

No C 40 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2.93

In addition to the Commission 's reply published there,
the following comments are made :

— the Member States customs administrations will have

noted the Court 's views regarding checks on customs
value — related import documents ;

— as regards allowances for damage in transit,
differences between Member States can only be due to
the facts of actual damage, not variations in
administrative practice ;

— as regards allowances for defects, the Commission

accepts that simplified calculation may be necessary .
The amount per car in Germany (6 to 11 ECU ) is
small, largely within the ceiling for negligible amounts
set by Article 22 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1854 / 89 . However, other aspects of this practice
need to be examined further .

(') OJ No C 324, 13 . 12 . 1991 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 October 1992 )

The projects implemented by the Commission in
Guatemala are targeted at the poorest sections of the
population, those in rural areas especially .

The procedure for selecting projects, the presence of

expatriate technical assistance personnel on the spot and
the frequent checks carried out by Commission officials
and Commission monitoring bodies all go to ensure that
the aid does indeed reach those for whom it is intended .

The Commission was unable to identify the project to
which the Honourable Member referred when citing
problems connected with the quality of the housing
financed . She is kindly requested to supply further details
of the project in question .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1677 / 92

by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1676 / 92 ( 93 / C 40 / 71 )

by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 70 )

Subject : EC project in Guatemala

Can the Commission guarantee that EC projects in
Guatemala are being carried out in cooperation with the
intended beneficiaries of these projects ?

What guarantees does the Commission have that the

Indian organizations are also being consulted on the
resettlement villages project receiving EC funding ?

Does the Commission not share the view that small
houses with corrugated iron roofs can never provide the
same protection against the heat during the day or cold
during the night as the traditional Indian read dwellings ?

What funding is provided by the EC for resettlement
villages in Guatemala and what percentage of the total
does the EC funding amount to ?

What guarantees does the Commission have that, in the
case of the resettlement villages, no undue pressure is
brought to bear on people elsewhere to leave their
traditional territories ?

Subject : State of emergency in hospitals in Suriname

Is the Commission aware that the nursing association in
Suriname has declared a state of emergency in Suriname
hospitals because of the serious shortage of equipment
and medicinal products and the drain of professionals to
the Netherlands ?

Is the Commission prepared to provide aid to these
hospitals forthwith ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1992 )

The Commission is well aware of the problems for all
public services in Suriname, and for hospitals in
particular, caused by

— the departure of qualified personnel to the
Netherlands,

— the deficiencies of supplies, medical and others, due to

scarcity of foreign exchange .

As these problems do not relate to any sudden catastrophe
but to the longstanding deterioration of the
socio-economic situation in Suriname, they cannot be
helped by Community emergency aid .

An improvement of the situation is rather to be expected
from a speedy implementation of the Suriname Structural

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 43

Adjustment Programme, which has been prepared with

Community assistance and which will be supported by the
Netherlands, particularly in the social sectors, in the terms
of the framework agreement signed between Suriname
and the Netherlands on 18 June 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1692 / 92

by Mr Jean-Louis Borloo ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 72 )

Subject : Registered offices of industrial undertakings

In view of the efforts being made by all Member State
authorities to relieve congestion in their major cities, the
efforts made by national governments to establish a new
balance between central and regional authorities, the need
for national governments and the Community to
revitalize areas hit by the closure of large industries and
the fact that the Commission has already adopted new
Directives on regional planning, does the Commission not
consider that it would be desirable for the registered
office of an industrial undertaking to be situated in the
same region as its centre of operations with a view to
giving the regions a dynamic role in stimulating their own
development and development in general ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 15 September 1 992 )

While appreciating the point made by the Honourable

Member, it is not for the Commission to determine where
the registered office of an industrial undertaking should
be situated .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1695 / 92

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 73 )

Subject : Evaluation of environmental data from satellites

Since 1972, data concerning the entire Earth has been
gathered from space . Since mid-July 1991, the European
ERS-1 environmental satellite has, from an orbit of
800 km from the Earth been supplying regular statistical
data on the world 's environment independently of the

weather, since it is equipped with radar and microwave

instruments and is therefore able, for example, to map out
tropical forests below permanent cloud .

1 . How is the data evaluated ?

2 . Why has no comprehensive report been drawn up

compiling the information supplied on changes in our
environment over this 20-year period ?

3 . Would it be possible to launch a future Community

project providing Earth-data evaluation for a
European Community institution independent of the
space research organizations, so that it can also be
made available to countries which do not possess
satellites, such as developing countries, and which
could operate in a similar way to the Meteosat
programme ?

4 . Does the Commission agree that the information

available to date has not been effectively used ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

It is true that remote sensing data have been obtained
from space since the 1970s by satellites in orbit around the
Earth . The data originally came from the US Earth
observation satellites . However, Europe has also
contributed to remote sensing of the environment by
means of the Meteosat, ERS-1 and the SPOT series of
satellites .

1 . The satellite data are processed and evaluated by a

number of European scientific institutions and the
Joint Research Centre ( JRC ) of the European
Community . As part of the Trees project, for which
Parliament has authorized funds, data from the
NOAA ( USA ), SPOT and ERS-1 satellites are used by
the JRC in particular for monitoring the tropical
forests .

The realization that global changes in the
environment resulting from interactions between the
atmosphere, the land surface and the oceans are due
to the effects of human activities has opened up a new
dimension for the global observation of the Earth by
satellites .

2 . It is these interactions in the Earth 's system which
make systematic, simultaneous monitoring of the
Earth necessary . With few exceptions, satellites have
until now ' not been primarily designed for global
environmental observation but for observation of the
weather or for regional observation . Global
observation of the Earth based on the data from these
satellites has been shown to be very laborious and in
some case prohibitively expensive . In certain cases, the
data are also incompatible as continuity of the
measurements has not always been ensured . In
contrast to meteorological systems, there is also not
yet a worldwide network of environmental data from

No C 40 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

remote sensing satellites . Furthermore, there is a clear
lack of balance in Europe between efforts in space
technology and those in data processing and
evaluation .

3 and 4 . Against this background, the Commission, in its

proposal for the JRC 's 1992 — 1994 programme ('),
proposed the setting up of a decentralized network of
Earth observation centres together with the European
Space Agency ( ESA ) and in close cooperation with the
Member States . On the basis of the results of a
feasibility study by the JRC on the setting up of
a Centre for Earth Observation ( CEO ), the
Commission will draw up proposals for a Community
network of data centres in the Member States . This

network is to validate, archive, catalogue and
standardize the remote sensing data for the
environmental studies and work in close cooperation
with the future European Environment Agency .

The above proposal for a future project corresponds to
the recommendations in the Commission 's
communication ' The EC and space : Challenges,
opportunities and new actions ' ( 2 ), which has been
presented to the Parliament and the Council .

0 ) COM(91 ) 281 final .
O COM(92 ) 360 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1706 / 92

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 74 )

Subject : Market prices for beef and veal

Market prices for cattle for slaughter have undergone a
further disturbing decline of about 15% over the last two
years . Many stockbreeders, in particular small - and
medium-sized breeders, are closing down . The causes
appear to be attributable to the steady increase in
low-priced imports from eastern Europe .

This is confirmed by Table No 0002 of 26 March 1992,
forwarded to the European Parliament by the
Commission, showing imports of more than 260 000
tonnes of meat and livestock, and also by the recent
Regulations ( EEC ) Nos 898 / 92 (') and 1265 / 92 ( 2 )
reducing levies and duties by 20% .

In view of this and the serious disruption in this sector,
does the Commission intend to continue to open its
markets to eastern Europe or will it, as is hoped, set limits
in the form of quotas, duties and levies ?

O OJ No L 95, 9 . 4 . 1992, p . 44 .
O OJ No L 135, 19 . 5 . 1992, p . 6 .

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 September 1 992 )

It is true to say that the beef sector has been going
through a very difficult period over the past two years,
with a significant drop in market prices ; the sector has had
to face not only a substantial increase in production but
also three unforeseeable factors : BSE, the integration of
the former GDR into the Community and the Gulf crisis .

The Commission has reacted to these events by all the
means available under the market organization, in
particular by increasing export refunds and by massive
intervention buying-in . In addition, by Regulation ( EEC )
No 1023 / 91 O, at the end of April 1991, is adopted
safeguard-clause-type measures to limit imports of calves
from eastern European countries ; these measures were
extended for 1992 by Regulation ( EEC ) No 1350 / 92 ( 2 ).

As regards imports of beef from non-Community
countries, including those entering with reduced levies
under special arrangements such as that mentioned by the
Honourable Member, the Commission would point out
that these imports have remained at a very stable level in
recent years, whereas the Community 's exports of beef
have increased .

The imbalance between supply and demand remains the

main factor responsible for the fall in prices in this sector .
The persistence of the imbalance has led the Commission
to propose, as part of the reform of the common
agricultural policy, a cut in prices as a means of boosting
consumption, offset by income aids . These selective aids
are also designed to redirect production towards more
extensive systems .

O OJNoL 105, 25 . 4 . 1991 .
O OJNoL 145, 27 . 5 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1712 / 92

by Mr Jean-Marie Le Chevallier ( DR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 75 )

Subject : CB radio

CB radio is a social phenomenon that has expanded
considerably in the Community in recent years .

The frequency and power of transmitters vary
substantially from one Member State to another,

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 45

depending on national legislation, and this can often lead
to interference in frontier areas .

As we approach the single market in 1993, is the
Commission planning to approximate or harmonize
legislation on CB radio and CB transmission frequencies
and, if so, along what fines ?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 November 1 992 )

While it is true that the expansion of CB ( Citizens ' Band )
Radio in Community countries has been substantial, and
indeed explosive in some of them in recent years, this
trend has now generally decreased .

It is also true that a diversity of technical parameters exist
in the application of CB licences in Member States and
sporadically cause difficulties both in border areas and at
longer distances .

The European Radiocommunications Committee ( ERC )
of the CEPT is aware of the situation and has conducted
a comprehensive study on the issue . A new
Recommendation ( T / R 2009 ) was drawn up in 1992 with
the aim of harmonizing the technical characteristics
within CEPT member countries ( and inter alia the
Member States ). In addition, ETSI has produced a
standard ( ETS 300135 ) for CB equipment .

The Commission believes that the wide variety of existing

equipment would make it difficult to apply EC legislation
retrospectively . Furthermore, the relatively slow take up
of new equipment will make any changes slow to
implement .

In this context and bearing in mind the principle of
subsidiarity, the Community 's view is that Member States
should recognize the problem and be encouraged to
implement the ERC Recommendation in a manner which
is acceptable to their own requirements .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1714 / 92

by Mr Willi Rothley ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 76 )

Subject : International Vehicle Registration discs

In Germany it is not uncommon to see cars from other
Community countries that bear no International Vehicle
Registration disc . This can lead to difficulties in settling
damage claims after accidents .

Can the Commission say :

1 . Whether there is a legal obligation in all Member

States for vehicles to carry an IVR disc ?

2 . Are there any plans to introduce a uniform
registration disc for the Community ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1992 )

1 . The 1968 Vienna Convention provides that in
international traffic vehicles shall display at the rear the
symbol of the state of registration ( black letter(s ) on a
white oval background ). '

Most States have incorporated this provision in their
national highway code, although fewer and fewer drivers
apply the rule .

There is no such Community provision .

2 . Technical specifications for a Community model for
a number plate have been drawn up by a panel of
government experts, chaired by the Commission . In
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity each
Member State can decide if they wish to adopt this model,
as Ireland and Portugal have already done .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1721 / 92

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

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 77 )

Subject : CFCs from discarded fridges

Every year hundreds of tonnes of CFCs from the
Community 's discarded fridges and freezers are released
into the environment . Even after a complete ban on the
production of CFCs in 1996, waste will still continue to be
produced over a considerable period because fridges and,
freezers have a long life ( 10 to 15 years ).

In the Netherlands and Germany the cost of dismantling a
fridge or freezer commercially is around ECU 20 . In the
Netherlands preparations are under way for a disposal tax
of about that amount, which will be paid on top of the
purchase price . This covers the cost of collecting and
dismantling the old fridges and prevents the emission of
CFCs .

No C 40 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

1 . Does the Commission think there is a need to find
some way of curbing this type of emission ?

2 . If so, how does the Commission view the idea of
promoting the introduction of a disposal tax in all
Community countries ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

The lack of voluntary or obligatory programmes for the
recovery of ozone-depleting substances originating from
non-emissive applications ( CFC in refrigerators, halons in
fire extinguishers, etc .) represents a potential risk to the
ozone layer .

For this reason, legislators in several Member States
( France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands ) have
introduced provisions making it obligatory to recover and
recycle CFCs and / or halons from the products containing
them when these are discarded .

As, however, the differences between national markets
regarding substances that deplete the ozone layer have
not led to divergent requirements, the Commission has
not so far proposed uniform rules applying to the whole
Community in this field .

In the context of the second review of the Montreal
Protocol ( November 1992 in Copenhagen ), a recycling
proposal has been submitted to the contracting parties for
examination .

The Commission prefers to await the results of these
negotiations, in which it is taking an active part, before
proposing any measures on the recovery and recycling of
controlled substances originating from non-emissive
applications . Should the, case arise, it will propose the
application in Community territory of any decision on the
subject taken by the parties . In absence of an agreement at
international level, the Commission will assess the
opportuneness of a unilateral initiative .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1732 / 92

by Mr Gijs de Vries ( LDR )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 78 )

Subject : Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for

American undertakings

1 . ( a ) In what instances has the EC imposed
anti-dumping measures on undertakings from the
United States since 1 January 1991 ?

( b ) At the time of answering, are any anti-dumping

procedures still being applied to American
undertakings ?

2 . ( a ) In what instances has the EC imposed
anti-subsidy measures on United States
undertakings since 1 January 1991 ?

( b ) At the time of answering, are any anti-subsidy

procedures still being applied to American
undertakings ?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 November 1992 )

1 . ( a ) The Community has imposed, since 1 January
1991, anti-dumping duties on the following
product originating in the USA : Aspartame ( EEC )
/ No 1391 / 91 0 ).

( b ) There are no ongoing procedures against US

products .

2 . ( a ) None .

( b ) None .

(') OJ No LI 34, 29 . 5 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1738 / 92

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

(1 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 79 )

Subject : Implementation of the EEC — . Mauritania
fisheries agreement

With regard to the above agreement would the
Commission state, for the year 1991 :

1 . What was the extent of take-up of the various catch

opportunities laid down therein ( lobster boats, shrimp
boats, black hake trawlers and longliners, surface
seiners and trawlers, and tuna freezer-seiners )?

2 . Which Member States obtained licences, and how

many ?

3 . What were the results obtained from the scientific

research described in Article 4 of the Protocol which
are supposed to be reported by the ' Centre National
de Recherche Oceanographique et des Peches ' and
sent to the Commission ?

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 47

4 . Was there any conflict in these waters involving the

Community fleet, and if so, what was the outcome ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 September 1 992 )

1 . and 2 . The level of take-up of the agreement for the
second year of the current protocol (1 August 1991 to
31 July 1992 ) is given in the table below .

3 . As was the case for the preceding protocol, most of
the appropriations for the scientific programme were used
for the construction of accommodation for the
oceanographic research institute 's staff . Without such
funding the institute would not have been able to
complete the tasks it has been set . The remaining

appropriations were used to carry out two studies on
lobster and shrimp .

The Commission intends to make use of its right to
information laid down in Article 4 of the Protocol as
regards the results of the scientific programmes carried
out, with a view to preparing negotiations on an extension
of the Protocol annexed to the agreement, which expires
on 31 July . 1993 .

4 . The Commission has no record of any recent
conflict between Community shipowners and the
Mauritanain authorities . A few problems arose at the
beginning of the second year of application of the current
Protocol relating to the confiscation of the ship
documents of some Community fishing vessels
considered to be in an illegal position by Mauritanian
patrol boats . Joint protests by the shipowners concerned
and the Commission resulted in the Secretary-General of
the Mauritanian Ministry of Fisheries being instructed to
cease this practice on 1 February 1992 .

Country and type of fishing Total fishing Opportunities Take-up

opportunities reserved for

GRT Number of vessels

Mauritania

1 August 1991 / 31 July 1992

Crustaceans 10 000 GRT E 10 000 E 4 002,57 21

Black hake . 15 000 GRT E 11000

P 4 000

Pelagic fishing 9 000 GRT NL 7 500
P 1 500

Lobster boats 1 950 GRT F 1 275

P 675 '

E 8 592,33 27

0

0

8

5

Total 13

9

16

Total 25

Tuna pole-and-line vessels and

surface longliners

38 vessels F 18 vessels

E 20 vessels

Tuna seiners 25 vessels F 9 vessels

E 16 vessels

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1752 / 92

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

(2 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 80 )

Subject : The cave of Perma at Ioannina

The cave of Perma at Ioannina, one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Greece, with its unique stalactites
and stalagmites, is gradually being destroyed by
unsuitable lighting and the constant stream of visitors
in the absence of essential protection measures . Will

the Commission make representations to the Greek
Government concerning the need to investigate the
condition of the cave and to introduce measures in line
with up-to-date scientific fundings ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 September 1992 ) ;

The problem referred to by the Honourable Member is
essentially a matter for the Greek authorities .

The Commission could however examine the possibility
of providing aid to prepare a plan for the protection of

No C 40 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

the cave of Perma at Ioannina if an application was
forthcoming from the national authorities responsible in
accordance with the rules and procedures governing the
operation of the Structural Funds .

six months of 1992 compared to average prices in the
three previous years . The Commission does not believe
that the Greek market is threatened with serious
disturbances . The implementation of protective measures
is therefore not justified .

The Commission does not intend to submit a proposal for

a more stringent Regulation .

O OJNoL55, 2 . 3 . 1968 .
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1757 / 92 O OJ No L 326, 18 . 12 . 1975 .

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

(2 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 81 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1758 / 92

Subject : Imports of cloves into Greece

In the last five months, imports of cloves into Greece from
Colombia alone have exceeded 20 million units at a value
of more than Dr 200 million . According to an official
document issued by the Greek Ministry of Agriculture,
this amount accounts for 10% of Greece 's annual clove
production . In other words, on a 12-monthly basis, it
exceeds 25% of domestic production . When imports
of cloves from other third countries ( outside the
Community ) are added to this figure, clove imports into
Greece exceed total annual Greek production . Does the
Commission intend to submit a proposal for a Regulation
to protect Greek clove production bearing in mind that it
reaches a high point in winter and spring, while limiting
imports from third countries ?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry

on behalf of the Commission

( 7 October 1 992 )

Foreign trade in carnations is subject to the provisions
laid down in Regulation ( EEC ) No 234 / 68 (') on the
establishment of a common organization of the market in
live plants and cut flowers . Under Article 9 of this
Regulation, appropriate measures may be applied in trade
with third countries if, by reason of imports or exports,

the Community market in one or more of the products
referred to in Article 1 experiences or is threatened with
serious disturbances which may endanger the objectives
set out in Article 39 of the EEC Treaty .

The rules for applying such measures are contained in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3280 / 75 ( 2 ) laying down detailed
rules for applying protective measures in the market in
live plants and cut flowers .

The Greek authorities regularly notify the Commission of
the price of roses on the Athens market and the price of
carnations on the Troizhnia market . According to this
information, the price of carnations went up in the first

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

(2 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 82 )

Subject : The natural habitat of Tytonidae ( owls ) in the

Korakovouni

The opening of a regional bus route on the slopes of

Mount Hymettos is considered particularly dangerous for
the region 's wild fauna . The regional bus is scheduled to
pass just one kilometre from the top of Korakovouni on
the Cholargos and near to the Attika forest which is the
habitat of a rare species of owl . As biologists have noted,
the population of this species has declined considerably
throughout Europe because of the destruction of its
habitats . Does the Commission intend to take steps to
protect this species ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1992 )

The Commission has already received a complaint
regarding the plans to build a ring road at the foot of
Mount Hymettos .

This project is covered by Annex II to Directive
85 / 337 / EEC ('), which lists projects which must be
assessed to determine their effects on the environment, if
these are deemed to be significant by virtue inter alia of
their nature, size or location .

In addition, Article 3 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC lays down
that Member States must take the requisite measures to
preserve, maintain or reestablish a sufficient diversity and
area of habitats for species which, like Tyto alba ( the barn
owl ), enjoy general protection .

In view of the importance of the site for the species in
question, the Commission is going to contact the

15.2.93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 49

competent Greek authorities to find out wlfat measures
they intend to take to meet the obligations deriving from
Community law .

(') OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

This situation seriously affects Spanish producers who

must be considered as Community producers under the
terms of Regulation ( EEC ) No 2423 / 88 ('), resulting in a
reduction in their market share and forcing them to freeze
or cut their prices despite the increase in real outlay .

Will the Commission start immediate antidumping
proceedings against Portland cement imports from
Turkey, Romania and Tunisia into Spain ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1790 / 92 O OJ No L 209, 2 . 8 . 1988, p. 1 .

by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 83 )

Subject : Equine competition

The deaths of four horses during recent three-day events
at Badminton ( UK ) and Luhmuhlen ( Germany ) would
appear to indicate that the existing rules controlling these
events are inadequate and that the horses and riders are
being asked to take unacceptable risks and, therefore,
would the Commission agree that, for these and other
Community-wide sporting events where it has been
clearly shown that there can be an unacceptable risk to the
competing animals, there should be European legislation
introduced which would lay down rules of competition
which would ensure proper protection for the animals ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1992 )

As far as the subject raised by the Honourable Member is
concerned, there is no scope for introducing Community
legislation as the issue clearly falls within the competence
of individual Member States .

Answer given by Mr Anariessen

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 November 1 992 )

In January 1992, a complaint was lodged with the
Commission by Oficemen, the Spanish association of
cement manufacturers, on behalf of all cement producers
in Spain alleging that imports into this country of certain
Portland cement originating in Turkey, Romania and
Tunisia are being dumped and are thereby causing
material injury to Community industry .

The Commission has examined this complaint and, on the
basis of the allegations of dumping and injury resulting
therefrom contained in the complaint it decided, after
consultation within the Advisory Committee, that there
was sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a
proceeding . The Commission, therefore, initiated on 22
April 1992 (') an anti-dumping proceeding concerning
imports into Spain of certain Portland Cement originating
in Turkey, Romania and Tunisia and commenced an
investigation which is now in progress .

Furthermore, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to the reply to his oral question
H-652 / 92, which it gave during question time at
Parliament 's July 1992 part-session ( 2 ).

(') OJ No C 100,22.4 . 1992 .
( 2 ) Debates of the European Parliament No 3-420 ( July 1992 ).
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1795 / 92

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

(6 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 84 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1929 / 92

Subject : Import of Portland cement into Spain

Since 1988 imports of Portland cement into Spain from
Turkey, Romania and Tunisia, both loose and packaged,
for use in the building industry have continually
increased .

Exports from these countries are carried out with
dumping margins of between ECU 17 per tonne in the
case of Tunisia and ECU 30 per tonne in the cases of
Turkey and Romania .

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

( 23 July 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 85 )

Subject : Plan for the Committee of the Regions

Article 198 ( a ) of the Maastricht Treaty provides for a

Committee of the Regions to be set up representing

No C 40 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 15 . 2 . 93

regional and local bodies . Bearing in mind that this
Committee will play an important role in the further
development of Political Union, does the Commission
intend to draw up a proposal at the earliest opportunity
on the form this Committee will take, its composition, its
remit and its relations with Parliament ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1992 )

situation in accordance with the principle of individual
freedom and freedom of movement for workers in the

Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 November 1 992 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to Written Question No 2882 / 91 by Mr
Borloo (').

(') See page 4 of this Official Journal .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member
to the reply to oral question H-287 / 92 by Mr Elliott
which it gave during the May 1992 (') part-session of
Parliament, and to Written Questions No 1206 / 92 by
Mr Vandemeulebroucke ( 2 ) and No 1249 / 92 by Lord
O'Hagan ( 3 ). WRITTEN QUESTION No 2240 / 92

by Mrs Dorothée Piermont ( ARC )

(') Parliament Debates, No 3-418 ( May 1992 ). to European Political Cooperation
O OJN0C6, 11 . 1 . 1993, p . 10 .
( 3 ) See page 23 of this Official Journal . (1 September 1992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 87 )

Subject : EC protest at the stepping up of the US embargo

on Cuba

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2029 / 92

by Mr Bernard Frimat ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 1 September 1 992 )

( 93 / C 40 / 86 )

Subject : Belgian tax arrangements for non-residents
working in Belgium

The law of 22 December 1989 introduced less favourable
tax arrangements in Belgium for non-residents engaged in
a professional activity there . In particular, they no longer
benefit from allowances for dependents .

As a result, French nationals who are not resident in
Belgium receive very unfavourable treatment, which runs
counter to the principle of equal treatment of European
citizens for tax purposes .

What representations will the Commission make to the
Belgian Government with a view to remedying this

On 7 April 1992 the Commission, together with the
Portuguese Embassy in the USA and with the support of
the Swedish and Canadian Embassies, lodged a protest
with the US State Department with a view to preventing

the adoption of Bill No 4168 / 1992 tabled by Senator
Torricelli .

1 . What points in the bill were singled out for criticism

and on what grounds ?

2 . What is the precise wording thereof ?

3 . What official ( or unofficial ) answer to the protest did

the ministers receive ?

Answer (')
( 23 December 1992 )

The Council would ask the Honourable Member to refer

to the reply given by the Council on 18 November 1992 to
his question No H - 1065 / 92 .

O This reply has been given by the Council of the European

Communities, within whose province the question came .

15.2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 51

WRITTEN QUESTIONS TO WHICH NO ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN (*)

( 93 / C 40 / 88 )

This list is published pursuant to Rule 62 ( 3 ) af the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament,
which states : ' Questions to which no answer has been given within one month by the Commission, or
within two months by the Council of the Foreign Ministers, shall be recorded, pending an answer, in

the Official Journal of the European Communities .'

No 2547 / 92 by Mrs Maartje van Putten ( S ) to the Council

( 8 . 11 . 1992 )

Subject : International trafficking in children

No 2560 / 92 by Mr Pierre Lataillade ( RDE ) to the Council

No 2677 / 92 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S ) to the
Council ( 19 . 11 . 1992 )

Subject : Aids for producers of durum wheat

No 2678 / 92 by Mr Jesus Cabez6n Alonso ( S ) to the Council

( 14 . 11 . 1992 ) ( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
Subject : Ratification by the Member States of the Convention Subject : Environment and public expenditure
on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations and in
force since 2 September 1990 No 2679 / 92 by Mr Jesus Cabez6n Alonso ( S ) to the Council
( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
No 2569 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to European Subject : Measures to combat unemployment and poverty
Political Cooperation ( 14 . 11 . 1992 )

Subject : Community response to the UN Secretary-General 's No 2685 / 92 by Mr Jos£ Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Council
claim that the United Nations should have its own battalions ( 19 . 11 . 1992 )

No 2572 / 92 by Mr Jos£ Lafuente Lopez ( PPE ) to the Council

Subject : European summer university for teacher trainers

( 14 . 11 . 1992 ) No 2687 / 92 by Mr Giulio Fantuzzi ( GUE ) to the Council

Subject : Community standards for the protection and assistance ( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
of foreigners detained at frontier crossings Subject :

No 2595 / 92 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE ) to the Council

Subject : Compensatory payments in traditional production
zones for durum wheat in Emilia-Romagna

( 14 . 11 . 1992 ) No 2688 / 92 by Mr Luigi Moretti ( ARC ) to the Council

Subject : Headquarters of the European Training Foundation ( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
for Central and Eastern Europe Subject : The

No 2606 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) to the Council

Subject : The danger of authoritarian tendencies in Italy and the
common security policy

( 19 . 11 . 1992 ) No 2703 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE ) to the Council

Subject : Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of ( 21 . 11 . 1992 )
wild fauna and flora Subject : Illegal transactions involving the cultural heritage

No 2607 / 92 by Mr Jean-Piere Raffin ( V ) to the Council
( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
Subject : Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of
wild fauna and flora

No 2608 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) to the Council

( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
Subject : Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of
wild fauna and flora

No 2704 / 92 by Mr Stephen Hughes and Mr James Ford ( S ) to the
Council ( 21 . 11.1992 )

Subject : Deliberate delaying of health and safety proposals

No 2707 / 92 by Mr Marco Taradash and Mrs Djida Tazdait ( V ) to
the Council ( 21 . 11 . 1992 )

Subject : The Community 's home affairs policy and individual
freedoms

No 2708 / 92 by Mr Gene Fitzgerald ( RDE ) to the Council

No 2609 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V ) to the Council ( 21 . 11 . 1992 )
( 19 . 11 . 1992 ) Subject : Council meetings in public

Subject : Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of
wild fauna and flora

No 2620 / 92 by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V ) to - the Council
( 19 . 11 . 1992 )
Subject : Cost of common agricultural policy reform

No 2712 / 92 by Mr Enrique Bar6n Crespo ( S ) to the Council

( 21 . 11 . 1992 )

Subject : Relations with the Community of Independent States
( CIS )

No 2713 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Council

No 262 1 / 92 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers ( S ) to the Council ( 21 . 11 . 1992 )

( 19 . 11 . 1992 ) Subject : Safety of nuclear power plants in the countries of

Subject : Composition of advisory committees Eastern Europe

No 262 1 / 92 by Mrs Annemarie Goedmakers ( S ) to the Council

Subject : Composition of advisory committees

No 2641 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the Council

No 2875 / 92 by Mrs Anita Pollack ( S ) to the Commission

( 19 . 11 . 1992 ) ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Ratification of the Dublin Convention Subject : Wild Birds Directive

(*) The answers will be published as soon as they are received from the institution concerned . The full text of these questions appeared in the Bulletin of the

European Parliament No 25 / C-92 to No 29 / C-92 .

No C 40 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2 . 93

No 2876 / 92 by Mr Michael McGowan ( S ) to the Commission No 2895 / 92 by Mr Peter Crampton ( S ) to the Commission
( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : The European Community and indigenous peoples Subject : Circus animals

No 2877 / 92 by Mr Freddy Blak ( S ) to the Commission r No 2896 / 92 by Mr Marc Galle ( S ) to the Commission

( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Sponsoring agreements with the Danish tennis federa ­ bodies Subject : Abandonment of linguistic equality in new Community
tion

No 2877 / 92 by Mr Freddy Blak ( S ) to the Commission

Subject : Abandonment of linguistic equality in new Community
bodies

No 2898 / 92 by Mrs Sylvie Mayer ( CG ) to the Commission

No 2878 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE ) to the Commission ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) Subject : Delays in utilization of research appropriations

No 2878 / 92 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Clips used in abattoirs
No 2899 / 92 by Mr Cesare De Piccoli ( GUE ) to the Commission

No 2879 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) to the Commission ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
( 5 . 12 . 1992 Subject : Closure of the Alucentro establishment in Porto

Subject : Leading cooperative intervention bodies Marghera

No 2900 / 92 by Mr Juan Bandr6s Molet ( V ) to the Commission

No 2880 / 92 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Iron and steel programme for the Basque Country

Subject : Law for the restoration of the Valtellina and the Valle
D'Ossola No 2901 / 92 by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

No 2881 / 92 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE ) to the Commission Subject : Illegal taxation of Community farm subsidies in Greece

( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

No 2881 / 92 by Mr Mauro Chiabrando ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : The railway through the Simplon No 2902 / 92 by Mr Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

No 2882 / 92 by Mr Pol Marck ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Competitions for recruitment

No 2883 / 92 by Mr Pol Marck ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Crisis affecting tobacco producers in Greece

No 2904 / 92 by Mr Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC ) to the
Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : VAT on flower-growing

No 2905 / 92 by Mr Herman Verbeek ( V ) to the Commission

Subject : Food aid ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

No 2884 / 92 by Mr Jean-Piere Raffin ( V ) to the Commission

( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Allocation of funding for the Lyons northern ring road
and implications thereof

No 2885 / 92 by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V ) to the Commission
( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Chemical production zone in a residential area

No 2886 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar ( LDR ) to
the Commission ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Recycling of waste oils

No 2888 / 92 by Mr James Ford ( S ) to the Commission
( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Compensation for victims of violent crime

Subject : Port of Vigo — Consequences of the lack of an
EEC-Namibia fisheries agreement

No 2907 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Purchase by Asea Brown Boveri of the Spanish
undertaking CCC

No 2908 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Community involvement in Asia and relations with
Japan

No 2909 / 92 by Mrs Marie-Anne Isler B6guin ( V ) to the
Commission ( 9 . 12.1992 )

Subject : Implications of building a visitors ' centre at Mul ­
laghmore ( County Clare )

No 2910 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
No 2889 / 92 by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) Subject : Aircraft accidents and the Seveso Directive

Subject : Baha'i community in Yazd No 2911 / 92 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
No 2891 / 92 by Mr Jan Bertens ( LDR ) to the Commission Subject : Problems relating to the Acropolis Museum and the
( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) Athens underground

Subject : Violation of the right of establishment and freedom to
provide services affecting non-German fairground people in
Germany

No 2893 / 92 by Mr Carlos Perreau De Pinninck Domenéch
( RDE ) to the Commission ( 5 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Financial situation of Spain in the Community

No 2894 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Gaibisso ( PPE ) to the Commission

No 2912 / 92 by Mr Alonso Puerta ( GUE ) to the Commission
( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Construction of a hospital waste incinerator at Serin ­
Gij6n ( Asturias, Spain )

No 2918 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to
the Commission ( 9 . 12.1992 )

Subject : European Community aid to Paraguay

( 5 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2919 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to
Subject : Contract for Community premises awarded to Cogefar the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
Impresit, which is under investigation in Italy Subject : European Community aid to Venezuela

15.2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 53

No 2920 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to No 2944 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : European Community aid to Ecuador Subject : Marketing of Community groundnut production

No 2921 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to

No 2945 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission
the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) 9 12 1992

9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : European Community aid to Peru

Subject : Controls on this year 's Greek cotton production

No 2922 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2946 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : European Community aid to Uruguay

Subject : Poisoning of a bear in a Greek national park

No 2923 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2947 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : European Community aid to Argentina ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Controls on imported agricultural products
No 2924 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2948 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : European Community aid to Bolivia ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
No 2925 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to Subject : Investment in Greek cheese-making undertakings

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2950 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : European Community aid to Brazil ( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
No 2926 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Giménez Aguilar ( LDR ) to Subject : Students from Greece and other Community countries

the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) at universities in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Subject : European Community aid to Colombia

No 2928 / 92 by Mrs Guadalupe Ruiz-Gimenez Aguilar ( LDR ) to
the Commission ( 9 . 12 . 1 992 )

Subject : European Community aid to the Andean Group

No 2931 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

No 2951 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : Management of the Community 's financial resources

No 2952 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
( 9 . 12 . 1992 )

Subject : The

Subject : Natural asbestos in Greece

Subject : The plight of children in Bosnia-Herzegovina

No 2933 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

No 2954 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Rules governing the operation of quarries in Greece

Subject : Racist treatment of gypsies by the local authorities of
Ano Liosia, Attica

No 2934 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2955 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Sanitary standards along the coast of Attica ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Withholding of Community subsidies
No 2935 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2956 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Establishment of land registers in Greece ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

No 2936 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission Subject : Use of pesticides

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2957 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Modernization of the water supply system in the village ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
of Portaria, Magnesia

No 2937 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Protection of the environment from industrial waste at
Patras

( 9 . 12 . 1992 )
Subject : Violation of the human rights of two journalists in No 2958 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission
Greece ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

No 2939 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : European citizenship

9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2959 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Transport of olive oil by Omelva in Crete ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

No 2940 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission Subject : Protection of certain types of family

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2960 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Marketing of pumpkin seed production from the ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Xanthi region

Subject : Agriculture in mountainous and island regions

No 2941 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2961 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Marketing of last year 's stocks of Greek wine

Subject : Development of organic farming

No 2943 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 9 . 12 . 1992 ) No 2963 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Development of organic farming

No 2943 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

Subject : Marketing of grapes from the hill-farming communities 13 . 1 . 1993 ),
of Agrafa Subject : Livestock diseases

\

No C 40 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.2 . 93

No 2965 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission No 2991 / 92 by Mr Freddy Blak ( S ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Destruction of the woodland of Bathi Avlidas Subject : Creation of a qualifications databank

No 2968 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) No 2992 / 92 by Mr Freddy Blak ( S ) to the Commission
13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Subsidy for the TA Tamparas Greek Olive Oil
Production grading plant Subject : Recording of information concerning the results of

Subject : Recording of information concerning the results of
psychological tests x

No 2969 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) No 2993 / 92 by Mr Richard Simmonds ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Marketing of Greek cereals subject to Community
intervention

No 2975 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Quarrying and the development of tourism in Thasos

No 2976 / 92 by Mr Jean-Louis Bourlanges ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Council decision on the creation of an European inland
waterway network

No 2977 / 92 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro ( CG ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Satellite broadcasting

No 2994 / 92 by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : VAT and the leisure industry

No 2996 / 92 by Mr Elmar Brok ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Forwarding of luggage by rail to Italy and the United
Kingdom

13 . 1.1993 ) No 2998 / 92 by Mr Jean-Claude Pasty ( RDE ) to the Commission

Subject : GATT and the Multifibre Arrangement ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

No 2979 / 92 by Mr Kenneth Collins ( S ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993

Subject : Article 169 letters

No 2980 / 92 by Mr Kenneth Stewart ( S ) to the Commission

Subject : Introduction or maintenance of production measures
compatible with the protection of the environment, fauna or the
landscape

No 2999 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 ( 13 . 1.1993 )

Subject : Imports of cheap Colombian coal into Bootle, Mersey ­ Subject : Results and follow-up to the seminar on the detection
side of forged documents, for officials from the 12 Member States

responsible for controls at the external borders

Subject : Imports of cheap Colombian coal into Bootle, Mersey ­
side

No 2981 / 92 by Mrs Carmen Díez De Rivera Icaza ( S ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : The Corine programme

No 2982 / 92 by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Mutual recognition of qualifications in architecture

No 3000 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Operational aspects of external border control at the
seminar on the detection of forged documents, for officials from
the 12 Member States responsible for controls at external borders

No 3001 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission

No 2893 / 92 by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the Subject :

ization of a

directives on public works and supply contracts

No 2984 / 92 by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

Subject : Responsibility for Commission funding for the organ ­
ization of a seminar on the detection of forged documents, for
officials from the 12 Member States responsible for controls at
the external borders

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Inadequate implementation by the Spanish government No 3002 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission
of the directive on VAT in respect of advertising services ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

No 2985 / 92 by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Commission cooperation and the organization of a
seminar on the detection of forged documents, for officials from
the 12 Member States responsible for controls at external borders

Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the
Directive on Municipal Waste in Incineration Plants No 30JD3 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
No 2986 / 92 by Mr Jos6 Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) Subject : Information concerning the seminar on the detection of
forged documents, for officials from the 12 Member States

Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the responsible for controls at external borders

Subject : Failure of the Spanish government to implement the
directives on plastic materials and articles intended to come into
contact with foodstuffs

No 3004 / 92 by Mr Lode Van Outrive ( S ) to the Commission

No 2987 / 92 by Mr José Valverde L6pez ( PPE ) to the Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
( 13 . 1 . 1993 ) Subject : Seminar on the detection of forged documents, for
Subject : Dumping of waste at Playa de Usgo ( Spain ) by the officials from the 12 Community Member States responsible for
Solvay y Cia company controls at external borders

15 . 2 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 40 / 55

No 3013 / 92 by Lord O ' Hagan ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Subsidy to mushroom growers in the Republic of
Ireland

No 3014 / 92 by Mr Richard Simmonds ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : French Affaires Maritimes employment regulations

No 3016 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Environmental considerations and action undertaken
by the Structural Funds as detailed in the recent report by the
Court of Auditors

No 3017 / 92 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Conversion of nuclear warheads in the East and West
and aid to Russia to prevent a brain drain

No 3018 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez - Albor ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Community participation in the Year of St James

No 3019 / 92 by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE ) to the
Commission ( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Community support for creating a European union of
regional development agencies

No 3020 / 92 by Mr José Lafuente Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission
( 13 . 1 . 1993 )

Subject : Legal action against wilful propagation of the AIDS
virus 1

No 3021 / 92 by Mr José Lafuente Lôpez ( PPE ) to the Commission

( 13 . 1 . 1993 )
Subject : Community measures against noise pollution