Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986
# Official Journal C 55

Volume 38
### of the Communities 6 March 1995 European

#### C 55

Volume 38

6 March 1995

###### Information and Notices

English edition

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

95 / C 55 / 01

95 / C 55 / 02

95 / C 55 / 03

95 / C 55 / 04

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E-l 675 / 94 by Jean-Claude Martinez to the Commission
Subject : Calculating the assessment basis for grubbing premiums 1

E-l 679 / 94 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : ATR certificates issued by Turkey ( Supplementary answer ) 2

E-1692 / 94 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Amendment of Directive 91 / 628 / EEC to protect animals during transport 2

E-l 693 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Trade in bananas — waiving of customs duties by the German Government 3

E-l 695 / 94 by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : National Hydrological Plan of Spain ( PHNE ) 3

E-l 698 / 94 by Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject : Subsidization of tobacco-producing companies 4

E-l 705 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Flowers, commerce and the environment 4

E-l 750 / 94 by Kenneth Collins to the Council

Subject : Unemployment policy and Corfu summit 5

95 / C 55 / 09 E-1758 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : State aid to pig producers 5

95 / C 55 / 10

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E-1759 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Dangers of the spread of livestock diseases 6

Price : ECU 18 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No

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##### EN

Contents ( continued ) Page

E-1763 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Livestock disease epidemics

E-l 765 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Ban on use of drift-nets longer than 2,5 km

E-l 792 / 94 by Anne Van Lancker to the Council
Subject : Final decision on a proposal for an additional Directive on special supplementary social
security schemes

E-l 8 06 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Council
Subject : Continuation of the NPT and the delicate situation in South-East Asia

E-l 8 15 / 94 by Astrid Lulling to the Commission
Subject : Selection of methods of analysing grape must under the common organization of the
market in wine

E-l 832 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : The state of slaughterhouses in Greece

E-l 837 / 94 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Effect of the Schengen agreement on the freedom of movement in non-Schengen group
countries

E-l 884 / 94 by Richard Balfe to the Council

Subject : Anti-personnel land mines

E-l 885 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 887 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 888 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 890 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 891 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

E-l 894 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer )

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Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 55 / 25 E-l 895 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 14

95 / C 55 / 26 E -l 897 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 14

95 / C 55 / 27 E -l 898 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 15

95 / C 55 / 28 E -l 899 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 15

95 / C 55 / 29 E -l 900 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 16

95 / C 55 / 30 E-l 902 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels ( Supplementary answer ) 16

95 / C 55 / 31 E-l 908 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Compensatory payments under the ' General System ' 16

95 / C 55 / 32 E-l 914 / 94 by Jose Happart to the Commission
Subject : Aids for afforestation in the wake of CAP reform 17

95 / C 55 / 33 E -l 91 6 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Transport of live animals for slaughter 18

95 / C 55 / 34 E -l 924 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Representation of women in the European institutions 18

95 / C 55 / 35 E-l 945 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estevez and Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject : Problems related to fishing licences for the Community black hake fishery fleet

( Supplementary answer ) 19

95 / C 55 / 36 E -l 948 / 94 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna to the Council
Subject : Industrial anxiety in Burela ( Lugo province, Spain ) arising from the use of illegal fishing
equipment by French fishermen 20

95 / C 55 / 37 E-1966 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Age discrimination in the EC 20

95 / C 55 / 38 E-1972 / 94 by Alex Smith to the Council
Subject : Extension of NATO ' Partnership for Peace ' programme 21

95 / C 55 / 39 E-2006 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Standard parking arrangements for the disabled 22

##### EN

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 55 / 40 E-2025 / 94 by Jannis Sakellariou to the Commission
Subject : Lamb imports from Bulgaria 22

95 / C 55 / 41 E-2031 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Delay in the construction of the Athens Metro and the re-negotiation of the original
contract 23

95 / C 55 / 42 E-2051 / 94 by Detlev Samland to the Commission
Subject : Review of the field of application of the Directive on the procurement procedures of
entities operating in the water, energy and transport sectors t 23

95 / C 55 / 43 E-2061 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Extension of Frankfurt Airport and the construction of ' Cargo City Siid ' 24

95 / C 55 / 44 E-2065 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Council
Subject : Environment, trade and transparency 25

95 / C 55 / 45 E-2066 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( consumer safety ) 26

95 / C 55 / 46 E-2067 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( benefits ) 26

95 / C 55 / 47 E-2068 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( accessories industry ) 26

95 / C 55 / 48 E-2069 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( European standard ) 26

95 / C 55 / 49 E-2070 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( Cenelec guiding principles ) 27

95 / C 55 / 50 E-2071 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization (' Live with the differences ') 27

95 / C 55 / 51 E-2072 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( safety ) 27

95 / C 55 / 52 E-2073 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( electrical system ) 27

95 / C 55 / 53 E-2074 / 94 by John Tomlinson to the Commission
Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( cost / benefit analysis ) 27

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2066 / 94, E-2067 / 94, E-2068 / 94, E-2069 / 94,

E-2070 / 94, E-2071 / 94, E-2072 / 94, E-2073 / 94 and E-2074 / 94 27

95 / C 55 / 54 E-2075 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : EC postal charges 28

95 / C 55 / 55 E-2090 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Spraying against the olive fly 29

95 / C 55 / 56 E-2092 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Financing of the Channel Tunnel 29

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##### EN

E-2096 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission

" Subject : Growing difficulties in the agricultural sector 30

E-2 103 / 94 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Research into aid to the Aragonese Autonomous Community 31

E-2 105 / 94 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Combating fraud 31

E-2 107 / 94 by Joaquin Sisó Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Combating fraud 32

E-21 14 / 94 by John Corrie to the Commission
Subject : Agriculture — Sheep quota 32

E-2 11 5 / 94 by Kenneth Coates to the Commission
Subject : Welfare of battery hens 32

E-2118 / 94 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso and María Izquierdo Rojo to the Council
Subject : Mediterranean conference 33

E-2 127 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Council
Subject : Human rights in Indonesia 33

E-2128 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : German grocers ' campaign against buying British meat 34

E-2 13 0 / 94 by Mary Banotti to the Council
Subject : Live animal exports 34

E-2 132 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Inclusion of a project in the Second Community Support Framework 35

E-2 13 3 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to combat air pollution in Athens 35

E-2 13 8 / 94 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Nitrates in vegetables 36

E-2 13 9 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez and Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission
Subject : Border controls for rice imported into the European Union 36

E-2145 / 94 by Jacques Donnay to the Commission
Subject : Differing interpretations of Community rules on international maritime trade 37

E-2 153 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Financial assistance to Ierapetra, Crete 37

E-2 159 / 94 by Gerardo Fernandez - Albor to the Commission
Subject : Possible siting of the European Fisheries Assembly in Galicia, Spain 38

E-2 16 3 / 94 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Reduction in passenger flows at Community airports 38

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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E-2170 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : New electricity station in Atherinolakos in the district of Sitia, Crete 39

E-2 173 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Council
Subject : Community support for Portuguese textiles 39

E-2 177 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Council
Subject : Plutonium separation and storage in the EU 40

95 / C 55 / 78 E-2179 / 94 by Giulio Fantuzzi to the Council
Subject : Administration of quotas for processed tomato products 40

95 / C 55 / 79 E-2183 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject : Use of Dutch 41

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E-21 98 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 on agricultural production methods compatible with
requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside ... 41

E-2 199 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2079 / 92 instituting a Community aid scheme for early
retirement from - farming 42

95 / C 55 / 82 E-2201 / 94 by Miguel Arias Cañete to the Commission

Subject : Paprika and oil-resins 42

95 / C 55 / 83 E-2207 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Situation of migrant workers 43

95 / C 55 / 84 E-2208 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Council

Subject : Air-traffic control 43

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E-22 18 / 94 by Francesco Baldarelli to the Council
Subject : Transfer of clam fishing boats in the Adriatic 44

E-2224 / 94 by Diemut Theato to the Council
Subject : Extension to the Court of Justice and Court of First Instance buildings in
Luxembourg 45

E-2227 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Insult to the European flag 45

E-2237 / 94 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler to the Council
Subject : Trafficking in organs taken from Brazilian children put up for adoption 46

E-2251 / 94 by Anne Andre-Leonard to the Commission
Subject : European association — trans-border cooperation 46

E-2257 / 94 by Peter Truscott to the Commission
Subject : Stray dogs in Portugal 47

E-2262 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Conscientious objection 47

E-2266 / 94 by Elena Marinucci to the Commission
Subject : Allergies to synthetic fibres 47

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

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###### EN

E-2270 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Eye tests for drivers 48

E-2280 / 94 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Financing of geothermic sites in the Prefecture of Serres 48

E-2285 / 94 by Yiannis Roubatis to the Commission
Subject : Violation of the religious freedoms and independence of religious communities in
Albania 49

E-2302 / 94 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : The World Trade Organization ( WTO ) and animal welfare 50

E-2303 / 94 by Johanna Maij-Weggen to the Commission
Subject : Human rights in Bhutan 50

E-2305 / 94 by Honório Novo and Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Rivers in Spain and the Cohesion Fund 51

E-23 15 / 94 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : EU grant to Baby Milk Action Coalition 51

E-23 17 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Council
Subject : Trade in elephant products 52

E-2322 / 94 by Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Environmental impact assessment of European high-speed train network 52

E-2337 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject : Directive on nitrates 52

E-2362 / 94 by Wilfried Telkämper to the Commission
Subject : Stage reached in the consideration of Petition No 4220 / 94 53

E-2364 / 94 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of Community tourism statistics 53

E-2375 / 94 by Edward McMillan-Scott to the Commission
Subject : ' Heritage ' and regional development 54

E-2402 / 94 by David Martin to the Commission
Subject : World Trade Organization 54

E-2417 / 94 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : EU habitats Directive 55

E-2434 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Arms supplies to Indonesia 55

E-2435 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Europol 56

E-2457 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : US research on embryos 56

E-2460 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : The Commission and national interests 57

( Continued overleaf )

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E-2470 / 94 by Antoine-François Bernardini to the Commission
Subject : European Union measures the response to the flooding in the South of France

E-2474 / 94 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Election of the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union

E-2478 / 94 by Fausto Bertinotti to the Commission
Subject : Campaign against corruption in the Commission

E-2497 / 94 by Alexander Falconer to the Commission
Subject : G ATT / WTO

E-2502 / 94 by Luigi Vinci, Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz
to the Commission

Subject : Commission report to the Council and the European Parliament on statistics concerning
the number of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

E-2503 / 94 by Luigi Vinci, Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz
to the Commission

Subject : Failure by Italy to comply with the Directive on the protection of animals used for
experimental and other scientific purposes

E-2534 / 94 by Paul Lannoye to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements

E-2560 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The importance of fathers in European society

E-2570 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Council

Subject : Anti-personnel mines

E-25 84 / 94 by Noel Mamère to the Commission
Subject : Operation of the Super-Phenix nuclear power station in France

E-2591 / 94 by Francisco Lucas Pires to the Commission
Subject : Generalized System of Preferences

E-2596 / 94 by Ian White to the Commission
Subject : By-pass at Mojacar ( ALP-152 )

E-2608 / 94 by Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : Premises occupied by the European Union institutions in Brussels

E-2627 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Advertisements for posts within the EU

E-2642 / 94 by Hugh McMahon to the Commission
Subject : Eurostat labour market surveys

E-2654 / 94 by Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Working-time Directive

E-2676 / 94 by Gary Titley to the Commission
Subject : ' Blind spot ' in car mirrors

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6 . 3 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1675 / 94

by Jean-Claude Martinez ( NI )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 26 October 1994 )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 01 ) It should be remembered that the withdrawal of land from

production and compulsory distillation are two measures

Subject : Calculating the assessment basis for grubbing whose purpose are quite distinct .

premiums

Vine grubbing is eligible for Community premiums . These
are calculated on the basis of the concept of the productive
capacity of the vine .

This concept is based by the administration on a restricted
definition, which is different from that used in the
calculation of compulsory distillation .

Although the producer 's harvest declaration, which is
simply a reflection of commercial yield, is taken into
account, no account is taken of the quantity of alcohol
evaporated to produce the musts used to increase the
alcoholic content of the wines .

In the case of grubbing premiums, on the other hand, the
assessment basis is calculated restrictively, which continues
to be favourable to the administration, but is beginning to be
disadvantageous to growers .

Could the administrative policy not be harmonized to
ensure that the interpretation of Community texts does not
vary depending on whether the calculation relates to
obligatory distillation or to the calculation and payment of
grubbing premiums ?

Would the Commission state exactly how the concept of
productive capacity is defined and indicate whether it
should be understood to include or exclude the quantities of

alcohol which have been evaporated ?

Whereas compulsory distillation involves eliminating
quantities of table wines after they have actually been
produced, grubbing-up aims to reduce the potential for wine
production as a whole . The harvest and production
declaration is, therefore, the preferred means for
establishing the excess quantity as each producer is very
accurately assessed by taking account of all the holding 's
production . On the other hand, the said declaration only
constitutes one of the elements used in determining the yield
of a parcel to be grubbed up, since it does not reflect fully the
notion of productive capacity, which is closely linked to the
area involved .

The Member State thus has responsibility in this regard and
is in the best position to calculate on the spot the assessment
basis for the grubbing-up premium . The Member State may
of course ask the Commission for its opinion, if considered
appropriate .

In researching this case, the Commission has discovered that
a legal appeal has been instigated . Under the circumstances
it would be best to await the outcome ; the Commission will
be consulted should the case be referred to the Court of

Justice pursuant to Article 177 of the EC Treaty .

The Commission cannot therefore comment at this stage on
the second part of the Honourable Member 's question .

No C 55 / 2 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 679 / 94

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 02

Subject : ATR certificates issued by Turkey

Dutch forwarding agencies have imported goods,
particularly TV sets, originating in Turkey into the
Netherlands . The Turkish authorities have issued ATR

certificates pertaining to them, as a result of which 0%
import duty is payable on them in the Netherlands .
However, the Commission takes the view that Turkey has
wrongly failed to impose a compensatory levy on
components of the goods which are not of Turkish origin . A
number of European forwarding agencies, including Dutch
ones, can therefore expect retrospective import duty

assessments .

1 . Is it not highly unsatisfactory that bona fide businesses
should be held liable for an error by the Turkish
authorities, when the Turkish Government has an
agreement with the European Union ?

2 . What steps has the Commission taken to persuade the
Turkish authorities to comply with the relevant
provisions of the association agreement ?

3 . Ought not the Turkish authorities to indemnify the
forwarding agencies concerned ?

Supplementary answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

benefited from import duty exemptions in the past, the
Council Regulations in force require the relevant duties to
be recovered from the Community importers concerned . As
soon as the investigations undertaken by the Community
delegation which discovered Turkey 's failure to comply
with the Agreement were concluded, the Commission
formally notified the Turkish authorities that the situation
had to be rectified .

In the case in question, the Turkish Government has, at the
request of the Commission, taken measures ( EC / Turkey
Association Council document No 107 / 94 of 7 February

1994 and Decree No 94 / 5782 which came into force on

16 August 1994 ) to ensure the future collection of duty on
components imported from non-member countries which
are incorporated in Turkish television sets exported to the
Community . The Commission is examining these measures
to see whether they fully comply with the provisions of
Article 3 of the Additional Protocol .

The importers of televisions which have been wrongly
exempted from duty are requested to pay those duties which
would normally have been due . This measure applies
retroactively for a three-year period where importers are
deemed to have acted in good faith . The Commission has
drawn the attention of the Member States to the obligatory
nature of this provision .

Those importers who have contractual links with Turkish
exporters must assume the commercial risks inherent in
international trade and must themselves secure from their

Turkish counterparts compensation for the retrospective
recovery of a customs debt . The negative impact of this
situation on Community importers will be raised by the
Commission in its future dealings with Turkey .

on behalf of the Commission (!) OJ No C 24, 30 . 1 . 1995, p . 8 .

( 20 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 13 October 1994 ( ), the
Commission is now in a position to provide the following
information .

As the Honourable Member has pointed out, it is true that,
in the case of colour televisions, the Turkish authorities have
not complied with the provisions of Article 3 of the
Additional Protocol setting out the conditions governing the
importation into the Community of products made from
components which are not in free circulation in Turkey .
Before 15 January 1994, there was no legal provision in
Turkey for the collection of a compensatory levy on
components which were used in the manufacture of
televisions exported to the Community under ATR
certificates and which were not in free circulation in either

Turkey or the Community .

As the provisions of the Additional Protocol have not been
respected, these products automatically forfeit the
preferential treatment they would normally receive under
the Protocol, and must therefore fulfil normal import duty
requirements upon entry into the Community . With
particular reference to televisions which have wrongly

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1692 / 94

by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 03 )

Subject : Amendment of Directive 91 / 628 / EEC to protect

animals during transport

1 . Is it true the agriculture ministers of the Netherlands,
Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Denmark and
Germany are blocking a compromise on the amendments to
Directive 91 / 628 / EEC (*) for the protection of animals
during transport, because there is no provision for a
maximum period of transportation ?

2 . Is it true that these ministers advocate a maximum

period of transportation of 12 hours for animals for
slaughter ?

6 . 3 . 95 lEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 3

3 . Does the Commission realize that this would make it

impossible to export live animals for slaughter from the
Netherlands, for example, to the southern Member
States ?

4 . Does the Commission realize that if there were a time

limit for transportation, this would mean that loading and
unloading of livestock would involve extreme haste and
stress, which would certainly not benefit the animals '
welfare ?

5 . Will the Commission take measures at an early date to
ensure that no time limit is introduced for transportation of
livestock for slaughter ?

6 . If so, what measures ?

to protect Community products ( from the Caribbean,
Madeira, etc .) and those from countries with which the
Community has special relations ( the ACP countries, which
include former Portuguese colonies ).

In a clear act of defiance against the Court 's judgment, the
German Government apparently decided ( symbolically !) to
open its borders on 15 March 1994 to bananas from Latin
America, thereby flouting the regulation whose suspension
it failed to achieve by legal means in accordance with
Community law .

If this is true, does the Commission plan to take any action ?
If so, what ?

(!) OJ No L 340, 11 . 12 . 1991, p . 17 . Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1994 )

1 . and 2 . The Commission can confirm that some

Member States are in favour of introducing a maximum
period of transport of animals within the provisions of
Directive 91 / 628 / EEC .

3 . As no limit has been adopted, the Commission is not in
a position to speculate on the possible effects .

4 . When the animals are loaded and unloaded in

conformity with the rules laid down in Directive
91 / 628 / EEC there should be no harm or stress to them .

5 . and 6 . The Commission is of the opinion that it is
possible to transport animals for quite considerable
distances, irrespective of the purpose of the journey, as long
as they are given appropriate facilities and care . The
Commission has expressed this position in the Council and
the Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 693 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 04 )

Subject : Trade in bananas — waiving of customs duties by

the German Government

In June 1993 the EC Court of Justice rejected an action
brought by the German Government requesting the
suspension of the regulation on bananas, which is designed

( 26 October 1994 )

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable

Member that, as a result of his information, it made all the
appropriate contacts with the German authorities .

They stated that the German Government 's decision did not
mean that the application of Community legislation on
bananas was being abandoned . Thus, according to the
German authorities, the provisions on the importation of
bananas remain in force .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1695 / 94

by Laura González Alvarez ( GUE ) and

Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 05 )

Subject : National Hydrological Plan of Spain ( PHNE )

The above Members recently completed a visit to the
Portuguese section of the Tagus Valley, where they held a
number of meetings and contacted representatives of local
authorities and other social, political and economic
groupings in order to exchange information - on the PHNE
and the foreseeable repercussions thereof .

What does the Commission know of this plan, which
involves two Member States and will go beyond bilateral
level, since it will have to call on Community funds ?

How does it plan to stimulate discussion of the
consequences of the project — as regards the management
of cross-border water resources, the environmental impact,
regularization and navigability ?

No C 55 / 4 ΓΕΝ Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

Spain 's national hydrological plan has not been submitted as
such to the Commission . If an application were made for
finance for measures forming part of the plan, the
Commission would consider it in the light of the guidelines
set out in the Community support framework for Spain 's
Objective 1 regions and the relevant Community rules .

As regards the navigability of rivers in Spain and Portugal,
the Commission included the Douro, Tagus and Guadiana
in its proposal for a European Parliament and Council
Decision on Community guidelines for the development of a
trans-European transport network of 7 April 1994 ( 1 ). This
is now being considered by those institutions .

Í 1 ) COM(94 ) 106 final ; OJ No C 220, 8 . 8 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1698 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 06 )

difference between the price of Community-grown tobacco
and world market prices .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 705 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 07 )

Subject : Flowers, commerce and the environment

In the light of the conference organized by the Green Group
in the European Parliament on the topic of flower exports
and their adverse consequences, does the Commission have
any data, chemical or other, which would enable
comparison of the negative effects of flower exports by —
for instance — Colombia, the Netherlands and Israel ?

Does the Commission take the view that such data justify
the use of sensational slogans such as ' Every flower hides a
death ' and ' Flowers do not always mean happiness ', which
smack of trade wars rather than nature conservation ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Subsidization of tobacco-producing companies ( 11 November 1994 )

Have any subsidies been granted to Spanish tobacco ­
producing companies from the Community budget for the

1993 and 1994 financial years ? If so, for what purpose ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1994 )

The Commission wishes to point out that no subsidies are
granted directly to Spanish tobacco companies under the
current common organization of the market .

The Commission took note of the conference on flower

exports from Colombia held on 1 1 and 12 April 1994 and of
its main conclusions . However, the Commission does not
have at its disposal sufficient data to make a comparison of
the use of chemicals in the countries mentioned by the
Honourable Member .

For reference, the Commission can state that account has
been taken within the Community of protection of the
environment and the health of workers in Council Directive

( 91 / 414 / EEC ) concerning the placing of plant protection
products on the market (*). These products are also covered
by legislation fixing maximum levels for pesticide residues in
and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and
vegetables ( Council Directive 90 / 642 / EEC ( 2 )). Cut flowers
are not covered by this Directive .

First processors have only been intermediaries in the
payment of premiums to growers, both under this market
organization and the previous one . (!) OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 350, 14 . 12 . 1990 .

However, under the previous market organization tobacco
companies received export refunds intended to make up the

6 . 3 . 95 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 5

QUESTION E-l 750 / 94 preferential loan scheme for pig producers since last

Collins ( PSE ) October . The French Government is also giving preferential

to the Council treatment to its pig farmers under the Stabiporc scheme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 750 / 94

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 08 ) Given that this is a totally unacceptable form of State
intervention which protects home producers and
discriminates against producers from other EU Member
Subject : Unemployment policy and Corfu summit
States, what urgent action is the Commission taking to ban
such national aid schemes ?

Will the Council say what progress was made at the Corfu
summit on dealing with the problem of unemployment in
the European Union ?

Will they say what the total cost of the summit in Corfu was
as far as the European Union is concerned ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1994 )
Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

1 . In Corfu the European Council reviewed initiatives
taken in the Member States in accordance with the general
objectives which it defined in December 1993 and
encouraged the Member States to take other measures to
meet those objectives .

To support these efforts, the European Council invited the
Social Affairs Council, the Ecofin Council and the
Commission, on the basis of information collected by the
Commission, to keep progress in this area under constant
review . The Council will report to the European Council in
Essen on national experiences which have had positive
effects on employment, analyzing the reasons for their
success, and define appropriate policy recommendations for
adapting current policies .

The reports in response to the request made by the Corfu
European Council are ready .

2 . The expenditure covered by the Council General
Secretariat 's budget for the Corfu Summit amounted to
ECU 271 500 . The Secretariat has no information

concerning the cost of the organizational side of the Summit
which was borne by the Greek authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1758 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

In the wake of its Decision, of 16 February 1994, to open the
procedure under Article 93 § 2 of the EC Treaty against
State aid of FF 60 million paid by Stabiporc to pig
producers (*), the Commission decided on 25 July 1994 to
adopt a final Decision against this aid . The French
Government is required by this Decision to abolish
immediately this aid deemed to be incompatible with the
rules of the Treaty and to recover aid already paid . France is
required to tell the Commission the action it has taken to
comply with this Decision within three months of the date of
notification of the Decision, namely on 16 November

1994 .

Also on 25 July 1994, the Commission decided to open the
abovementioned procedure against the guarantee of Ofival
on funds granted by the banking pool and by Unigrains ( not
yet published ). From the information received from the
French authorities, it appears that aid to pigmeat producers
results also from the terms of the loan agreements between
Stabiporc and the banking pool, and between Stabiporc and
Unigrains . This procedure is not yet completed but when it
is, the Commission conclusion will, in accordance with
normal practice, be published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities .

Concerning the subsidized repayment of interest on loans
due in 1993, with a budget of FF 30 million, the
Commission decided on 16 February 1994 to open the
procedure under Article 93 § 2 of the EC Treaty .

( 95 / C 55 / 09 On 25 July 1994, the Commission adopted a Decision

concerning this aid . The Decision raises no objection except
where the grant of aid was to young farmers who had

Subject : State aid to pig producers already benefited from aid and where the cumulative effect

resulted in the ceilings on aid authorized by Commission
There is increasing frustration among pig producers in the policy for investments not being respected . For these
UK that the French Government has been operating a beneficiaries the decision is a final negative one . This

( 95 / C 55 / 09

Subject : State aid to pig producers

No C 55 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Decision also requires recovery of aid under conditions
similar to that for the Stabiporc measure .

(!) OJ No C 107, 15 . 4 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 759 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 10 )

Subject : Dangers of the spread of livestock diseases

«

Uruguay Round agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary

measures .

The measures set out above are based on the strategy that
the eradication of disease and the prevention of spread must
concentrate on the actual source of infection, and the
measures are flexible so that they can address the particular
problems posed by the different diseases . Furthermore, the
measures are supported by legislation governing :

( a ) a Community system for rapid notification of disease

occurrence,

( b ) harmonized methods for the control of epizootic

diseases,

( c ) reference laboratories to ensure uniformity of
diagnostic procedures,

( d ) contingency plans for dealing with epizootics,

Will the Commission comment on the fact that Britain is free ( e ) financial support related to disease prevention and
now of several serious livestock diseases which were control .

endemic in Europe and threatened to invade again ? The
Belgians have just destroyed 1 million pigs infected with The responsibility for the implementation of the control
classical swine fever, a disease carried on contaminated measures rests with the Member States, while the
lorries . British poultry are now clear of Newcastle disease, Commission is responsible for ensuring that the measures
but it is rife in Germany, Portugal and Holland . Other pig are properly applied .
diseases and virulent pneumonia in cattle are also serious
dangers .

The responsibility for the implementation of the control
measures rests with the Member States, while the
Commission is responsible for ensuring that the measures
are properly applied .

Effective implementation of this policy should ensure that,
where disease occurs, it is promptly and effectively tackled
with the minimum risk of spread .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1994 )

The Member States have historically each had their own
veterinary problems and, until comparatively recently,
progressed along different roads towards an improved
animal health situation . It is a fact that in the run up to the
establishment of the single market in 1993, it was not
possible to eradicate a number of diseases important for the
free movement of live animals and products of animal
origin . During 1994, the Commission adopted a number of
Decisions to prevent the spread of diseases which have
occurred in certain areas of the Community . The Decisions
have established protection measures in relation to diseases
such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical, swine fever and
bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the measures
appear to have been effective .

With the establishment of the single market, the Community
has taken a range of measures to prevent the spread of
disease including veterinary checks at the point of origin or
dispatch of animals and products, and regionalization .
Under regionalization, strict controls are applied to an
affected part of the Community to control or eradicate a
given disease while preventing spread to other areas .
Outside the defined affected area, free movement of animals
and their products are permitted . The concept of
regionalization has been recognized internationally in the

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1763 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 11 )

Subject : Livestock disease epidemics

Will the Commission comment on the view of Francis

Anthony, out-going president of the British Veterinary
Association, on the threat of livestock epidemics facing the
Community due to the EU ending of border control on
animals from eastern bloc countries, Turkey and North
Africa ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

The Commission can only express astonishment that such a
view could be held .

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 7

Veterinary controls are carried out at the external borders of
the Community in accordance with Council Directive
91 / 496 / EEC ( 1 ). This is the case for animals from eastern
European countries, Turkey and North Africa and other
non-member countries .

I 1 ) OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991 .

derogation fall, as mentioned in the report of Mrs Fraga
adopted at the plenary session of the Parliament of
September .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 792 / 94

by Anne Van Lancker ( PSE )

to the Council

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 765 / 94 (1 September 1994 )

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE ) ( 95 / C 55 / 13 )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 12

Subject : Ban on use of drift-nets longer than 2,5 km

Will the Commission state the reasons why on 7 April 1994
it granted a further derogation to France allowing the use of
5 km-long drift-nets ?

In 1993 alone, over a five-month period, approximately

1 750 dolphins and 83 000 blue sharks were caught up in
French fishery nets, in addition to thousands of non-target
species .

Will the Commission please implement the total ban on the
use of drift-nets as called for by the European Parliament in
its joint resolution of 17 December 1993 ( B3-1791 / 93 )?

Subject : Final decision on a proposal for an additional

Directive on special supplementary social security
schemes

To round off Directive 86 / 378 / EEC ( J ) on the
implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men
and women, an additional Directive on special
supplementary social security schemes has been
proposed .

When does the German Presidency intend to submit this
proposal to the Council for a final Decision ?

(!) OJ No L 225, 12 . 8 . 1986, p . 40 .

Answer

( 31 January 1995 )

given by Mr Paleokrassas The Presidency has noted that some delegations still have

of the Commission substantive reservations and that this text is not yet ready

for a Council Decision to be taken on the matter .
(7 November 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

On 8 April 1994, the Commission proposed a Council
Regulation amending for the sixteenth time Regulation

( EEC ) No 3094 / 86 laying down certain technical measures
for the conservation of fishery resources . This proposal
implements a phasing out of drift-nets used for the harvest
of a number of species over a three-year period, and a ban on
these drift-nets as of 31 December 1997 .

This proposal would have granted to albacore fishermen
who had already benefited in 1992 and 1993 from a
derogation to use 5 km-long drift-nets, a further derogation
for the 1994 albacore tuna fishing season . The reasons for
this were indicated in the ninth and tenth recitals of the

proposal .

Since the Council has not yet adopted the proposal, no
derogation has been granted for the 1994 albacore tuna
fishing season to France or any other Member State . The
articles in the Commission 's proposal referring to this

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 806 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 14 )

Subject : Continuation of the NPT and the delicate situation

in South-East Asia

The report adopted by Parliament at the end of the previous
parliamentary term on energy priorities in the revised
Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT ) calls for the determination
of a position, on as collective a basis as possible, within the
new framework of political union . With regard to

No C 55 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

South-East Asia it also calls on the Community to support,
by all available means, international actions aimed at
ensuring that the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea
responds in an acceptable manner to the need for
verification of its undertakings on safeguards . Finally, it
calls on the Commission services to exercise maximum
rigour in controlling exports of nuclear material to that

country .

During the brief period since then various events have
occurred, producing dramatic changes in the prospects for
agreement or conflict in the Democratic People 's Republic .
There have been missions such as the one by former
President Carter and negotiations between the two Koreas
and with the United States and other powers, which are still
going on . However, the unexpected death of President Kim
II Sung has caused a period of great instability, which has
paralysed the dialogue in Geneva and led to the army in
Seoul being put on the alert .

What steps does the Council intend to take in view of this
delicate situation in South-East Asia, and what
repercussions does it expect it to have on the on-going
negotiations for continuing the NPT ?

Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

The Council can only echo the Honourable Member 's
disquiet at the delicate situation in the Korean peninsula . It
would like to emphasize that the attitude taken by the
Member States of the European Union is coordinated in the
CFSP framework .

The - Union has expressed grave concern on several
occasions, most recently in its memorandum to the 49th
session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, as
well as doubts concerning the correctness and completeness
of the initial declaration of nuclear materials made by the
Democratic People 's Republic of Korea, and its violations of
its IAEA safeguards agreement . The Union has urged the
Democratic People 's Republic of Korea to comply fully with
its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its
IAEA safeguards agreement . The recent agreement between
the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea and the United
States could be a contribution towards security and stability
in the Korean peninsula .

The EU remains convinced that the Non-Proliferation

Treaty forms the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation
system and that everything possible must be done to
strengthen that system . The Council therefore adopted a
joint action in July 1994 designed to promote universal
membership of the Treaty and extend it indefinitely and
unconditionally . The Council considers that far from

leading to a change in this approach, isolated difficulties,
whatever their scale or gravity, can only reinforce it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1815 / 94

by Astrid Lulling ( PPE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 15 )

Subject : Selection of methods of analysing grape must

under the common organization of the market in
wine

The common organization of the market in wine requires
grape must analysis for the purposes of quality control and
fraud prevention . The analysis procedures differ from one
Member State to another, and may produce different
results . In one case, such discrepancies have proved to be
particularly hard on a particular wine grower .

1 . Are the methods of assessing must density established by
the EU or by the individual Member States within the
framework of the common organization of the market
in wine ?

2 . What analysis procedures are required by the
Commission or approved in the European Union ?

3 . When was it specified that only approved analysis
procedures would be authorized and since when have
Member States been required to use these
procedures ?

4 . What legal redress is open to a wine grower who has

suffered losses as a result of the use of non-approved
procedures ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 1994 )

1 to 3 . Official Community methods for the analysis of
wines to be used for commercial transactions and all checks

were introduced in the wine sector by Regulation ( EEC )
No 1539 / 71 ( 1 ). The Regulation entered into force on

1 September 1971 . Since then, and with a view to keeping up
with scientific progress, these methods have been the subject
of two revisions, by Commission Regulation ( EEC )

6 . 3 . 95 1 EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 9

No 1108 / 82 ( 2 ) and Commission Regulation ( EEC ) 1 . almost none of the slaughterhouses that are deemed
No 2676 / 90 ( 3 ) respectively . wholly unsuitable have ceased operating ;

Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 2676 / 90, in force since
1 October 1990, contains in its Annex the official methods
for determining the specific gravity and density of musts and
wines and a method for evaluating the sugar concentration
of grape must, concentrated grape must and rectified
concentrated grape must by means of a refractometer . The
Annex also includes official tables, introduced by the above
Regulation into Community law, for use in converting the
sugar concentration of must into ' natural ' alcoholic strength

( i.e. before enrichment of any kind ), expressed by the
symbol '% vol '. In the event of litigation, the official
Community method of analysis prevails over other existing
methods laid down in national provisions to determine the
component in question . In addition, for any normal
transaction, operators are free to use any method which, by
virtue of its accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility,
provides sufficiently reliable results .

4 . Any operator who suffers financial loss as a result of
the application of methods of analysis which are not
recognized should bring an action in the national courts .

(>) OJ No L 163, 21 . 7 . 1971 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 133, 21 . 7 . 1982 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 272, 3 . 10 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 832 / 94

2 . in very few slaughterhouses are any serious
improvements being carried out ;

3 . large-capacity slaughterhouses, such as the one in
Agrinion, for which the Community provided Dr 2
billion, are ready but have not started operating and
could suffer damage whereas the wholly unsuitable
municipal slaughterhouses in the centre of town are still
operating ;

4 . the construction of the industrial slaughterhouses in
Patras was halted four years ago although slaughtering
equipment worth Dr 400 million was purchased and has
already suffered damage in storage and the centuries-old
municipal slaughterhouses of Patras continue to operate
and discharge effluent which pollutes the surrounding
area and the sea ;

5 . in general, the conditions under which meat is produced
in Greek slaughterhouses and the conditions under
which animals are slaughtered clearly infringe the
Community Directives as well as Greek legislation and
at the same time give rise to severe environmental
pollution . Is the Commission aware of these facts and
what are its views on them ? Would spot checks be useful
in ascertaining the state of slaughterhouses in Greece
and what steps will the Commission take to ensure that
unsuitable slaughterhouses are closed down and that
those which fulfil the conditions laid down by the
Community are brought into operation ?

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE ) H OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991, p . 69

( 2 ) OJ No 121, 29 . 7 . 1964, p . 2012 / 64 .

to the Commission ( 3 ) OJ No L 268, 24 . 9 . 1991, p . 105 .

(1 September 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 16

Subject : The state of slaughterhouses in Greece

Directive 91 / 497 / EEC (*) provides that Directive
64 / 433 / EEC ( 2 ) on health conditions for the production and
marketing of fresh meat must be applied by all the Member
States from 1 January 1993 . Under the latter Directive,
slaughterhouses which do not fulfil the conditions laid
down by the Community may not operate from 1 January

1993 . Pursuant to Directive 91 / 498 / EEC ( 3 ), such
slaughterhouses may continue to operate, by way of
derogation, provided that those responsible for them submit
clear programmes of radical improvements designed to
ensure that the conditions laid down by the Community are
fulfilled by 31 December 1995 . Bearing in mind that, in
breach of the abovementioned Directive and Greek

legislation :

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1994 )

With a view to the completion of the internal market,

Council Directive 64 / 433 / EEC on health problems affecting
intra-Community trade in fresh meat and the production
and marketing of fresh meat was amended by Council
Directive 91 / 497 / EEC so as to establish specific rules for
low-capacity slaughterhouses whose meat is sold exclusively
on the local market . Slightly larger slaughterhouses may also
be covered by these rules if they satisfy certain
conditions .

No C 55 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Moreover, since all these requirements could not be met by Answer given by Mr Vanni
certain establishments by 1 January 1993, the principle of on behalf of the Commission
granting temporary and limited derogations from specific ( 20 October 1994 )
Community health rules was recognized in Council
Directive 91 / 498 / EEC .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

( 20 October 1994 )

The authorities of the Member States are responsible for the
implementation of these Directives and consequently for the
arrangements for derogations .

To verify their uniform application, the Commission
organized on-the-spot checks in all the Member States
during 1994 . The findings of these inspections will be
forwarded to the Member States by the end of 1994 so that
the necessary and appropriate measures may be taken as
soon as possible .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1837 / 94

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 17 )

Subject : Effect of the Schengen agreement on the freedom

of movement in non-Schengen group countries

At present an EC citizen who travels from Brussels airport to
Manchester airport in the UK goes through the same
immigration channel as all other EC citizens including UK
citizens . An EC citizen travelling from Manchester airport to
Brussels airport goes through the same immigration
channels as all passengers from whatever destination,
including Belgian citizens .

As I understand it, when the Schengen Agreements come in

( probably in October ) Schengen group citizens travelling
from Brussels to Manchester will still be treated equally with
British citizens at passport control, whereas UK citizens
travelling from Manchester to Brussels will be differentiated
against and will have to have their passports examined along
with Americans, Australians etc . whereas those passengers
from EC countries within the Schengen group will have
completely free entry .

Does the Commission consider this a correct interpretation,
and if so, does it consider the difference in freedom between
Schengen and non-Schengen countries within the European
Union to be consistent with European law as declared by the
Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty ?

As an observer at the Schengen group 's meetings, the
Commission has ensured that the Schengen instruments are
compatible with Community law and objectives such as the
principle of equal treatment between nationals of Member
States that have signed the Schengen agreements and the
nationals of other Member States .

According to the Commission 's interpretation of the
Convention of 19 June 1990 implementing the Schengen
Agreement, until such time as all the Member States apply
the principle of freedom of movement for persons in
accordance with Article 7a of the Treaty, implementation
will not lead to discrimination between citizens of the Union

according to whether or not they are nationals of Member
States which signed the Schengen agreements . The abolition
of internal border checks and the continuation of such

checks at the external borders of the Schengen area will no
longer be based on the nationality of the traveller
irrespective of country of destination or origin, the criterion
on which the use of special channels at airports is currently
based, but rather on the destination or origin of the flight,
irrespective of the nationality of the traveller .
Consequently :

— there will no longer be any checks on persons, regardless

of nationality, at internal borders within the Schengen
area ; all Union citizens, whether or not nationals of a
Member State party to the Schengen agreements, and all
nationals of non-member countries, will be free to cross
any internal borders ;

— the harmonized system of checks provided for in the

Convention will apply at the external borders of the
Schengen area ; under this system, all Union citizens,
whether or not nationals of a Member State party to the
Schengen agreements, will undergo a simple identity
check involving the presentation of travel documents ;
the nationals of non-member countries will undergo
more thorough checks .

Thus, in the example given by the Honourable Member,
both Belgian and British citizens travelling by air from
Manchester to Brussels will be allowed into Belgium on
production of an identity card or passport . These passengers
will be processed in the area reserved for traffic to and from
Member States that are not signatories to the Schengen

agreements .

The principle of equal treatment for citizens of the Union
means that checks must be the same for all Union citizens .

Thus, if an airport in a Member State party to the Schengen
Agreements were to have a separate channel in the
' international ' area, it could not be reserved for nationals of

6 . 3 . 95 LM Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 11

Schengen countries but would also have to be open to
nationals of other Member States of the Union and of States

covered by the EEA Agreement .

The Commission will see that the principles set out above
are observed by the Member States signatory to the
Schengen agreements when the implementing Convention is
put into practice .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 884 / 94

by Richard Balfe ( PSE )

to the Council

(1 September 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1885 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 19

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

Will the Commission ensure that its replies on actions

untertaken by the Commission on each of the 17
recommendations of Parliament 's report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), are given separately and not
collectively in one reply ;

( 95 / C 55 / 18 ) (!) OJ C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Subject : Anti-personnel land mines Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

Is the Council aware of the recent Unicef publication, ( 14 December 1994 )
Anti-personnel land mines : a scourge on children ? Does it
see any opportunities for coordinated European Union
action ? Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

The Commission is answering each of the 17 questions
Answer separately .

( 23 January 1995 )

(!) OJ C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

The Council can reassure the Honourable Member that a

coordinated European Union action does exist on
anti-personnel land mines .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887 / 94

The EU has been among the main promoters of the Review

Conference of the 1980 ' Convention on prohibition or
restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons
which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or have
indiscriminate effects ', to be held in 1995 . The Council
considers that good progress is being made on a revised
version of Protocol II, concerning landmines . The Member
States of the EU advocate, in the framework of this Protocol,
stricter restrictions and additional prohibitions as well as
sound verification measures . Moreover, Protocol II should
cover not only international but also internal armed
conflicts .

In addition, the EU attaches great importance to de-mining
activities and has contributed to several de-mining actions,
in particular in Asia ( Cambodia ), Latin America

( Nicaragua ), Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and
Mozambique .

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 20

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has the Commission taken to fulfil the request
made under recommendation 16 of the amended report on
the environmental and public health aspects of the storage,

. transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by

Mr Llewellyn Smith (*), as supported by Parliament on 16
July 1993, on conducting negotiations between the
Commission and all nations owning nuclear power stations
or nuclear weapons to facilitate the joining of the Vienna,
Paris and Brussels conventions on nuclear liability ?

(!) OJ C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

No C 55 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 ) ( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 C ) the Commission
is now able to provide the following information :

The Commission is working together with the OECD 's
Nuclear Energy Agency and the IAEA in order to update the
Vienna and Paris Conventions, whose scope is linked by the

1988 Joint Protocol . The aim of those Conventions is to

ensure that the national laws are in line with their

provisions .

It should be mentioned that the aim of revising the Vienna
Convention is to ensure that victims receive appropriate
compensation .

The Commission attaches the greatest importance to all the
States concerned becoming parties to that Convention .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888 / 94

by Alexander Falconer

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

The principle of self-sufficiency with regard to the storage of
radioactive waste at national level is a policy that has already
been put into practice in certain Member States . Although it
is entirely appropriate for Member States individually to
aim at being able to dispose of their own radioactive waste,
it is nevertheless regrettable, and in any case premature, to
rule out the possibility of assisting another Member State of
the Community in certain cases, and in particular when
nuclear safety is at risk . It would therefore appear suitable to
adopt a more open approach to the question of disposal and
would thus seem more appropriate to develop a united
approach to the problem of storage, especially of
high-activity waste .

The Commission has put this view forward in its
communication on a Community strategy for the
management of radioactive waste ( 2 ).

The Community Pagis project, which extended from 1982
to 1989 and involved all of the existing teams of scientists in
the Member States, and cost ECU 10 million, brought the
situation up to date in both world and European terms as
regards the feasibility of long-term storage and the
assessment of the medium and long-term radiological
impact of that waste . The answer concerning safety was
positive .

to the Commission
(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

(6 September 1994 ) ( 2 ) COMÍ94 ) 66 .

( 95 / C 55 / 21 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What legislative proposals have been brought forward by
the Commission in fulfilment of the requirement upon the
Commission under recommendation 15 of the amended

report on the environmental and public health aspects of the
storage, transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels,
A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), as supported by
Parliament on 16 July 1993, to ensure that no single
community within any Member State is forced to accept the
storage or disposal of radioactive waste from outside that
Member State ? What proposals have been brought forward
by the Commission regarding the environmental and
radiological impact upon humans of long-term storage and
disposal of high-level radioactive waste ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1890 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 22 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

-s
What action has the Commission taken to consult with the

radiological impact upon humans of long-term storage and OECD 's Nuclear Energy Agency and non-governmental
disposal of high-level radioactive waste ? organizations with a recognized insight and expertise on

nuclear hazards and accidents over the development of an
international convention on harmonized liability for
(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 . damage to people, property and the environment as called

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 13

for in recommendation 13 of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith (*), as supported by Parliament on 16
July 1993 ? Will the Commission explain why it has not

forwarded to Parliament the report on this consultation
requested in the recommendation ?

(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Attention should be drawn to the fact that the Commission
is working with the OECD 's Nuclear Energy Agency and the
IAEA in order to update the Vienna and Paris Conventions,
whose scope is linked by the 1988 Joint Protocol . The aim of
those conventions is to ensure that the national laws are in

line with their provisions . Even as early as the 60s the
Commission had been recommending the Member States to
become parties to the conventions in question .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 1995, p . 33 .

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( ) the Commission WRITTEN QUESTION E-1894 / 94
is now able to provide the following information : by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answer
to his Written Question No 1891 / 94 .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 1995, p . 33 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 891 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 23 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to meet the
requirements of recommendation 12 on nuclear insurance
and Commission participation in reviews of global
conventions on liability and compensation arising from
nuclear accidents of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), as supported by Parliament on 16
July 1993 ?

(') OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 24 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken to date to implement
recommendation 9 on Euratom-IAEA liaison on nuclear

safeguards of the amended report on the environmental and
public health aspects of the storage, transport and
re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn
Smith ( l ), as supported by Parliament on 16 July 1993 ?

t 1 ) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( a ) the Commission
is now able to provide the following information :

The cooperation between the Euratom safety-monitoring
department and the IAEA 's Safeguards Division was
instituted in the tripartite agreements between the Member
States, the European Atomic Energy Community and the
IAEA ( Infcircs 193, 263 and 290 ) to cover all nuclear
material . That cooperation has been enhanced by the
implementation of the ' New Partnership Approach '
policy .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .
Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 (*) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

No C 55 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 895 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 25 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to
implement recommendation 8 on the ad hoc working group
on plutonium demand of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith (*), as supported by Parliament on 16
July 1993 ?

Which independent experts have been invited to present
evidence before this ad hoc group ? When and where has it
met to date ? What plans exist for future meetings ? What
discussions have taken place with the IAEA over the ad hoc
group ? What reports have been made to the Council and
Parliament respectively pursuant to recommendation 8 ?

However, regardless of any change in the energy scenario,
the existing plants provide employment, with its attendant
economic and social benefits . Moreover, it is only by
operating these plants that :

— The option of recovering and re-cycling the fissile

material in the fuel can be kept open for a reasonable
period ; and

— the technical, environmental and economic feasibility

and the profitability of this option can properly be tested
against other options for disposing of irradiated fuel —
options which are still only at the experimental stage .

In view of these facts, it would be better to postpone
discussion of the problem raised by Parliament until all the
options are industrially available . Only then will a decision
have to be taken on whether to expand our re-processing
capacity or to replace it with an alternative system .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1897 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 . to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 26 )

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

Further to the answer it gave on 5 October 1994 (*), the
Commission is now in a position to communicate the
following information .

It is true that energy demand is no longer what it was in the
late 70s and early 80s, when work began on building the
major commercial re-processing plants . In the meantime,
however, these plants have been built and brought into
service . The re-processing of irradiated fuel and the
re-cycling of plutonium in light-water reactors are now an
industrial reality .

The re-processing plants have already been financed and the
loans will be repaid on the basis of service contracts signed
with European and other customers, covering the first ten
years of the plants ' operation .

In ten years ' time the energy demand and supply situation
may have changed yet again, and may require an even
greater use of nuclear energy .

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has the Commission taken to implement
recommendation 6(i ), ( ii ) and ( iii ) respectively on the risks
posed and safety measures required to transport high-level
nuclear waste of the amended report on the environmental
and public health aspects of the storage, transport and
re-processing of nuclear fuels,

A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith 0 ), as supported by
Parliament on 16 July 1993 ?

(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( a ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

6 . 3 . 95 [ JN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 15

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answer
given to his Written Question No 1898 / 94 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 899 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission
0 ) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .
(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 28 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1898 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 27 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What specific action has been undertaken by the
Commission 's DG-XI and Euratom to implement the full
cradle-to-grave environmental audits of alternative nuclear
fuel cycle options, including direct disposal, compacting and
re-processing, as called for in recommendation 4 of the
amended report on the environmental and public health
aspects of the storage, transport and re-processing of
nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( ! ), as
supported by Parliament on 16 July 1993 ? What resource
commitment has been made to fulfilling this request to the
Commission ? Will the Commission explain why the
requested environmental audits have not been represented
to Parliament by May 1994 as requested ?

What action has been taken by the Commission to commitment has been made to
implement recommendation 5 ( i-iv ) on the risks of Commission ? Will the
plutonium transport of the amended report on the requested environmental audits
environmental and public health aspects of the storage, to Parliament by May 1994 as
transport and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 1 ), as supported by Parliament on 16
July 1993 ? (!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

H OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission
Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission ( 14 December 1994 )

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention, with regard to the problems involved in the
transport of radioactive materials, to both the
Commissions 's paper on the international transport of
plutonium delivered at the parliamentary session of 18
November 1992 and to the Commission 's comments made

in response to certain points contained in the resolution on
the same subject adopted by Parliament on 19 November

1992 .

In addition, the Commission will shortly send to the Council
and Parliament a communication on radioactive material

transport safety, together with a full, detailed report on the
situation within the Community .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

Further to it answer of 5 October 1994 ( J ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

More detailed environmental studies on the nuclear options
open as regards closing of the nuclear fuel cycle have been
carried out as part of the shared-cost research programme

( 1985 — 1989 ) on the management and storage of
radioactive waste under the topic heading ' System studies '.
These were published ( 2 ) and relate to comparisons of the
management and storage of irradiated fuel both with and
without re-processing .

Similar studies were also carried out by certain Member
States at national level .

These studies all point to neither of the two fuel-cycle
closure options displaying any significant advantage as
regards potential exposure to ionizing radiation which, at
the current stage of knowledge and of the art — which
moreover differ from one to another — enable either option
to be preferred to the other .

No C 55 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

The Commission will not fail to inform Parliament on these

matters where so justified by any new factors .

t 1 ) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

( 2 ) Comparison of the waste management aspects of spent fuel

WRITTEN QUESTION E - 1902 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

disposal and re-processing ; post-disposal radiological impact . ( 95 / C 55 / 30 )
EUR 13561 / 1991 . Comparison of waste management aspect of
direct disposal of spent fuel and re-processing ; Construction of
data sets . EUR 14036 / 1992 . Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1900 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 29 )

Subject : Commission action on Parliament 's
recommendation on the report on the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels

What action has been taken by the Commission to
implement recommendation 3 of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and re-processing of nuclear fuels, A3-0220 / 93 by
Mr Llewellyn Smith (*), as supported by Parliament on

16 July 1993, to ensure that safeguards clauses are fully
incorporated into all EC agreements with countries outside
the EU, especially in central and eastern Europe and the
Middle and Far-East, involved in nuclear trade with EU
Member States or with Euratom ?

(!) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( J ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

In all of the bilateral agreements which Euratom has already
signed or negotiated with non-member countries
concerning the trade in nuclear materials, there are
extremely extensive, full provisions governing safety
monitoring . Where any agreements were to be reached in
future, more particularly with the non-member countries
mentioned by the Honourable Member, this would
obviously also be the case .

What action has the Commission taken to include in its
revision of Directive 92 / 3 / Euratom (*) on the prior
notification, supervision and control of radioactive wastes,
recommendation 1 of the amended report on the
environmental and public health aspects of the storage,
transport and processing of nuclear fuels,

A3-0220 / 93 by Mr Llewellyn Smith ( 2 ), as supported by
Parliament on 16 July 1993 ?

(!) OJ No L 35, 12 . 2 . 1992, p . 24 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 255, 20 . 9 . 1993, p . 255 .

Supplementary answer given by Mr Oreja

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Further to its answer of 5 October 1994 ( l ) the Commission
is now in a position to provide the following
information .

The recommendation proposed for the definition of nuclear
waste concerning irradiated fuel elements reflects the
Commission 's position on the subject and ties in with the
concept of radioactive waste as set out in Article 2 of
Directive 92 / 3 / Euratom . Consequently, there are no plans
for an amendment to this Directive on this point .

(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1908 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 31

Subject : Compensatory payments under the ' General
System '

obviously also be the case ., Following the reform of the CAP, in return for the drop in

prices, compensatory aids will be granted to make up for the
lower price .
(!) OJ No C 30, 6 . 2 . 1995, p . 33 .

On what objective criteria will the compensatory payments
be based ?

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 17

What reference is being used as a basis for determining the Answer given by Mr Steichen
right to aid and who will be entitled to receive aid, i.e. on behalf of the Commission
persons with more than one activity, spouses who manage (7 November 1994 )
holdings ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

(7 November 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 November 1994 )

Following the reform of the common agricultural policy and
the substantial reduction in prices, producers of certain
arable crops may apply for compensatory payments under
the arable support system to offset the resulting loss in
income . The level of compensatory payment was calculated
as the difference between the average common price for
cereals in 1992 and the new internal market target price
introduced by the reform .

The payment is fixed per hectare and calculated on a
regional basis using average historical yields . Each producer
claiming a payment, other than producers applying for aid
for an area no bigger than that needed to produce 92 tonnes
on the basis of the average yield in the region concerned, is
required to set-aside a certain percentage of his holding .

Anyone who has the status of a producer and who meets the
detailed requirements of the arable support system may
apply for a compensatory payment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1914 / 94

by José Happart ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 32 )

Subject : Aids for afforestation in the wake of CAP
reform

Aid measures to promote afforestation of land taken out of
cultivation cannot be viewed simply as a stop-gap easing the
difficulties farmers face as a result of the reform of the

CAP .

Are they viewed as a means to develop an economic sector or
simply seen as part of a balanced overall approach to land
use ?

Will aid be granted to fast-growing species for short-term
exploitation ?

What is the value of the aid granted for planting
conifers ?

The Community aid scheme for forestry measures on
agricultural holdings, introduced by Council Regulation

( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 ( J ), is intended not only to accompany
the changes to the market organizations, but also :

— to help improve forestry resources in the longer term,

— to contribute towards a form of nature management

more compatible with environmental balance,

— to combat the greenhouse effect by absorbing carbon

dioxide .

Where the economic development of the forestry and wood
sector is concerned, the aid scheme is supplemented by
measures under :

— Regulation ( EEC ) No 1610 / 89 laying down provisions

for implementing Regulation ( EEC ) No 4256 / 88 as
regards the scheme to develop and optimally utilize
woodlands in rural areas in the Community ( 2 ),

— Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 867 / 90 on improving the

processing and marketing conditions for forestry
products ( 3 ).

In the case of fast-growing species for short-term
exploitation, aid to cover afforestation costs is granted to
farmers practising farming as their main occupation who
fulfil the conditions laid down in Article 5(l)(a ) of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2328 / 91 ( 4 ) provided the species in
question are suited to local conditions and compatible with
the environment . Christmas tree plantations are not
eligible .

In addition, under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92
establishing a support scheme for producers of certain
arable crops ( 5 ), set-aside land may be used for the
production of raw materials for the manufacture of
products not directly intended for human or animal
consumption . Such raw materials include :

— short-rotation forest trees with a harvest cycle of 10

years or less ;

— trees, shrubs and bushes producing plant material

covered by CN code 1211 and by Chapter 14 of the
combined nomenclature, excluding all those which can
be used for human or animal consumption .

Under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2080 / 92 the
maximum amount eligible for Community part - financing in
the form of aid to cover softwood afforestation costs is ECU

3 000 per hectare . The Member States fix the level of aid
within this Community limit in the national or regional
programmes they draw up .

No C 55 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

In addition to this aid, there is an annual premium to cover
maintenance costs during the first five years . The maximum
costs eligible for Community part-financing are :

refund . This makes it possible for the Commission to keep a
close and careful watch on the foreseeable development of

exports .

— ECU 250 per hectare per year for the first two years, The Commission believes, lastly, that the present ratio

between refunds does not give live cattle a significant
advantage and if it is the case that exports have indeed

— ECU 150 per hectare per year for the following recovered over the last three years, it is because for various

years . reasons of their own the countries concerned prefer to

import live animals and slaughter them in their own
(!) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 . territory .

— ECU 250 per hectare per year for the first two years,

— ECU 150 per hectare per year for the following

years .

( 2 ) OJ No L 165, 15 . 6 . 1989 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 91, 6 . 4 . 1990 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991 .

( 5 ) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924 / 94

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 34 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1916 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 September 1994 )

Has the Commission noted the Larive report ( A3-35 / 94 (*))
on women in the decision-making process, which the
European Parliament adopted unanimously on 1 1 February

Subject : Representation of women in the European
institutions

( 95 / C 55 / 33 )
1994 ?

If so,
Subject : Transport of live animals for slaughter

Is it the case that the Commission pays a higher subsidy for
live animals than for carcasses, and does it accept that this
has led to a huge increase in live animals being cruelly
transported around from country to country before being
slaughtered ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

Live cattle have traditionally been exported in quantities
that vary primarily in relation to demand from certain
non-member countries . Leaving aside a few brief spells in

1993 when the refund for live cattle was raised to deal with

particular market situations, the ratio between the refunds
for adult male cattle and those for carcasses has scarcely
altered in recent years and cannot therefore be said to favour
live cattle .

Furthermore, in view of the firmness of the Community
market in beef and the suspension of public buying-in from
the autumn of 1993, in April 1994 the Commission reduced
the refunds for live adult cattle only and at the same time
introduced, as had already been introduced some years ago
for meat, a system of twice-weekly inspection of
applications for export licences with advance fixing of the

1 . Can the Commission inform the European Parliament
of the measures it has so far taken with regard to a
positive recruitment policy ?

2 . How does the Commission intend to follow up
paragraph 5 of the Larive report in particular ?

3 . Does the Commission intend to set target figures with a
view to striking a balance between men and women in
A1 to A5 posts ?

4 . Can the Commission say how many women it employs
in the various A grades ?

5 . Can the Commission give an assurance that it will report
to the European Parliament in writing on 1 March 1995

( one year after the adoption of the Larive report ) on
progress made in the representation of women in
decision-making posts ?

(!) OJ No C 61, 28 . 2 . 1994, p . 248 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

The Commission carefully noted Mrs Larive 's report which
was adopted by Parliament on 11 February 1994 . It wishes
to state the following in reply to the Honourable Member 's
question :

1 . One of the measures to implement the Second Positive
Action Programme, adopted in 1992, is that the
Commission, whatever other competitions are

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 19

organized, always holds an annual open competition for
Grade A8, for which a bigger percentage of women
apply, and it ensures that women are recruited to this
grade . As a direct result, 28 % of A8 officials are now
women . The administration regularly distributes to the
Directorates-General the reserve list of successful

candidates and at the same time draws their attention to

the need to right the balance in categories where women
are under-represented . The administration ensures that
women sit on selection boards and promotion
committees . And it is thoroughly revising the various
tests used in competitions in order to adjust them better
to candidates ' diversified multicultural backgrounds .

2 . When the Commission adopted the Second Positive

Action Programme, it set itself specific target figures to
arrive gradually at a balance between men and women in
categories where women are in a minority . Since a quota
system would conflict with the Staff Regulation
of Officials of the European Communities, the
Commission will implement the positive actions needed
to attain the targets .

3 . The Second Positive Action Programme set a 1994
target of 10% of management posts in the entire
Commission occupied by women . The percentage has
been reached, and the Commission raised the target to

12% in February 1994 .

4 . At 1 July 1994, posts occupied by women in the various
grades of Category A were broken down as follows :

Grade Women % C )

Al 1 2

A2 5 3,16

A3 28 6,77

A4 105 9,84

A5 119 14,54

A6 103 16,83

A7 134 20,30

A8 46 27,21

(') % of women in the total number of officials in each grade of

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1945 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) and

Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 35 )

Subject : Problems related to fishing licences for the
Community black hake fishery fleet

Fishing for black hake is carried out exclusively by the fleet
based on the port of Cadiz ( Spain ), which consists of 36
vessels ( of some 12 000 GRT ) fishing solely in the grounds
belonging to Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal . One of the
main problems affecting this fleet is that of licences ; most of
the vessels have two licences to enable them to engage in
their activities as required in those fishing-grounds, and are
thus obliged to take on board a certain number of local
sailors pursuant to the terms of the respective fisheries
agreements with Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania . In some
cases, as many as seven third-country sailors have been
taken on board a single vessel ( amounting to 41 % of the
crew ) — a figure which is surely excessive, especially if one
recalls that unemployment in that region of Spain is over
30% .

Most of the vessel owners concerned also have to make

considerable outlays on the fees and administrative expenses
involved in obtaining two licences rather than one, where
the period of use overlaps two calendar years .

Does the . Commission not consider that the necessary
representations should be made to the authorities of the
countries concerned with a view to halving the number of
sailors taken on board where a vessel has more than one

licence ( recalling that the matter has already been resolved
with Senegal )? Does it not consider that licences should be
issued for four-month periods ( as provided for in the
agreement with Mauritania ) and that owners should only
have to pay for one licence even where the proposed fishing
period overlaps two calendar years, and is it willing, where
necessary, to take the requisite action ?

Category A.
Supplementary answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Senior management posts Middle management posts ( 30 November 1994 )

Women % Women %

6 2,88 131 11,10

5 . At the end of 1994, the Commission will prepare a
report on the second year of the Positive Action
Programme . The report will show the progress made in
all categories and it will be sent to Parliament in due

course .

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Members and the Parliament Secretariat a list of

Community vessels fishing for black hake under fisheries
agreements, showing the licences obtained by each vessel in
one of the three third countries where this type of fishing is
practised .

The double licence and overlapping of periods can be
considered a marginal phenomenon, since it concerns only
four of the 66 vessels engaging in this type of fishing ( and
only one of those vessels has an overlapping period of more

No C 55 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

than two months concerning two calendar years ). This
would seem to show that shipowners do not need the double
licence to be profitable, since in the vast majority of cases a
single licence suffices .

Under the circumstances, the Commission does not intend
to call into question the provisions agreed on and included
in the fisheries agreements in question .

It should be stressed that each third country is quite entitled
to request the full application, without derogations, of the
agreement concerning it : this is why shipowners with two
licences are obliged, when commencing fishing activities in
the second zone, to comply, in particular, with the
percentage of crew members to take on for that zone, if
necessary putting off some or even all of the local crew
members taken on in order to carry out their activities in the
first zone .

Finally, the fishing agreement with Mauritania makes no
provision for four-month licences . This provision currently
exists only in the agreement with Senegal, but an overlap of
one period over two calendar years is, in principle,
impossible because in the administration of the licences each
four-month period has always been considered as included
in the same calendar year . The latter provision is clearly
stated in the new protocol recently renewed with
Senegal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1948 / 94

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna ( PPE )

to the Council

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 36

Subject : Industrial anxiety in Burela ( Lugo province, Spain )

arising from the use of illegal fishing equipment by
French fishermen

Serious problems and a high degree of tension are currently
in evidence in the fishing community in the coastal area
around the port of Burela in Lugo province ( Spain ), owing
to the illegal use by France of fishing equipment which is
outlawed by Community legislation .

What urgent measures has the Council taken, and what
measures does it intend to take in the forthcoming days, to
achieve a lasting solution to this conflict ?

Answer

( 31 January 1995 )

to the strict control and monitoring of compliance with
legislation on technical conservation measures and other
measures to protect fishery resources in Community waters .
In particular, the Council urges strict application of the
Community legislation in force concerning drift-nets .

2 . The Council recalls that, in conformity with the
principle of subsidiarity, the control and monitoring of
compliance with Community fisheries legislation is carried
out by Member States, in close cooperation with the
inspection services of the Commission . The Council has
noted the action undertaken by the Commission to find a
solution to the skirmishes between French and Spanish
fishermen in cooperation with the competent authorities of
these two Member States .

3 . The Council has also noted the intention of the
Commission to prosecute breaches of Community law in
accordance with Article 169 of the Treaty .

4 . The Council is at present examining a Commission
proposal on the possible prohibition of large-scale drift-nets
in Community waters . Following an in-depth examination
at the technical level, the Council has asked the Scientific,
Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries to

complement as soon as possible the scientific evidence on
the impact of drift-netting on stocks and the wider
ecological implications of by-catches .

5 . The Council will take a decision as soon as possible in
the light of the opinion of the European Parliament and the
updated scientific evidence, and in compliance with all the
principles of the common fisheries policy, which also allow
for assessment of socio-economic effects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1966 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 37 )

Subject : Age discrimination in the EC

In its response to my Question E-3542 / 93 ( ), the
Commission states in both the 2nd and 5th paragraphs that
it must advertise posts on the broadest geographical basis
without using national quotas . Surely the Commission
could ensure it had a fair geographical spread without
resorting to age discrimination ?

1 . The Council regrets and condemns any act of violence In paragraph 5, the Commission states that it is going to
between Community fishermen and confirms its attachment strengthen the reference to discrimination on the grounds of

6 . 3 . 95 LJN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 21

sex . Will this include ' indirect ' discrimination, which would
encompass the current age discrimination ?

The final sentence refers to ' progressive ' removal of age
limits for specialist posts — why not ' immediate '?

0 ) OJ No C 296, 24 . 10 . 1994, p . 53 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

The Commission recalls that current policy has been
effective in reducing imbalances in recruitment, with regard
both to the spread of nationalities and the proportion of

women .

The Commission 's 1992 report on ' recruitment
requirements in the Community institutions ' ( forwarded to
both Parliament and Council indicated that certain

nationalities were between five and 14 times more likely to
apply for recruitment competitions than others, and
underlined the shortage of women candidates in certain
categories . These phenomena have a knock-on effect on the
composition of the Commission 's staff, and seem to be
closely linked to mobility .

It is not a priori surprising that those located further away
are less likely to apply than those already located in or near
the main centres of institutional activity . More distant
candidates have not only to accept moving to another
Member State, in principle for a long period, but are more
likely to be confronted by practical ' questions such as
spouses ' employment, family responsibilities and childrens '
education, and existing property investments . These
questions affect woman candidates particularly .

The constraints on mobility tend to increase with age as well
as with distance, and the removal of age limits for general
competitions — while adding to the overall number of
candidates — would undoubtedly aggravate the imbalances
mentioned above . The Commission 's experience is that a
much better balance of nationalities and a much higher
proportion of women candidates has resulted, for example,
from an emphasis on recruiting recent graduates, and
applying an appropriate age limit .

It should not be overlooked that national balance and

male / female balance within the Commission 's staff are

pre-occupations for many, including members of Parliament
and national governments . The Commission does not apply
age limits for their own effect, but for the indirect beneficial
effect they have on these other balances . The Commission
does not consider that its approach discriminates against

women candidates, either directly or indirectly . That would
be the reverse of its intention . It is pleased to note that the
approach adopted is beginning to bear fruit .

The staff regulations require the institutions to recruit on the
basis of merit, as well on a broad geographical basis without
nevertheless reserving posts by nationality . Alternatives to
the current policy, such as the introduction of quotas, would
therefore compromise some of the fundamental principles
of an independent and professional civil service .

The Commission is of course aware that a limited number of

Member States have removed age limits for recruitment to
their own administrations . That is one of the reasons why
the Commission, notwithstanding the fact that its situation
is objectively different from that of national
administrations, keeps its policy under constant review . It
decided in 1993 to remove age limits for senior temporary
agent posts and will examine in the light of that experience
whether this can be done for more junior temporary agent
posts, bearing in mind the considerations outlined above .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1972 / 94

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Council

( 12 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 38 )

Subject : Extension of NATO ' Partnership for Peace '

programme

What discussions have taken place within the European

Council, following the decision in Spring 1994 to extend the
NATO ' Partnership for Peace ' programme, in regard to the
future cooperation between EU institutions, the Western
European Union and NATO 's 250 or so subcommittees on
military research and development to facilitate cooperation
between these organizations and eastern European
countries in military research and development on
technology and equipment ? What safeguards will be built
into cooperation to ensure this does not result in the regional
or global proliferation of military technology ?

Answer

( 23 January 199 S )

According to the TUE, the common foreign and security
policy includes the eventual framing of a common defence

No C 55 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

policy, which might in time lead to a common defence .
Questions of military research and developments have not
so far been discussed in the European Union .

3 . As regards the Commission 's policy on general
concessions for the disabled, it will concentrate on
measures based on the principle of equality of
opportunity presented in the White Paper entitled
' European Social Policy, a way forward for the
Union ' ( M.

(M COM(94 ) 333 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2006 / 94

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 19 September 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2025 / 94
( 95 / C 55 / 39 )

by Jannis Sakellariou ( PSE )

Subject : Standard parking arrangements for the disabled

Is the Commission aware of the case of Mr Meuwese, a
Dutch citizen who is a wheelchair user and who, in
Cagnes-sur-Mer, was forced to park his car in a no-stopping
area, except for loading and unloading, because he was
unable to get his wheelchair out of his car anywhere else . He
was fined by the French authorities ( in summer 1993 ) since
they did not recognize the Dutch disabled person 's parking
permit .

1 . Are parking concessions for the disabled recognized
throughout Europe ?

2 . If not, what will the Commission do in this regard in the
foreseeable future to ensure the proper functioning of
the internal market and people 's Europe ?

3 . What is its policy for the next few years as regards

concessions for disabled persons generally ?

to the Commission

( 22 September 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 40

Subject : Lamb imports from Bulgaria

1 . Is the Commission aware that only four Bulgarian
exporters still have the right to trade with EU States, that
each of these four firms trades with two firms in Greece and

Italy and that these four exporters, through their de facto
monopoly of the Greek and Italian market, are thereby
imposing dumping prices on Italian or Greek importers,
which could distort the EU market in lamb ?

2 . Does the Commission consider this practice to be
legal ?

3 . If so, on what basis ?

4 . ( a ) If not, what counter-measures does it propose to
take ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja ( b ) If none, why not ?
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission wishes to thank the Honourable Member
for drawing its attention to the outcome of the French ( 31 October 1994 )
authorities ' refusal to recognize the Dutch disabled person 's
parking permit .

1 . In its recommendation of 6 December 1977 the

European Conference of Ministers of Transport
( ECMT ) advocated inter alia measures to ensure that
reciprocal parking concessions be granted to the
disabled in all the Member States from 1 January 1980
at the latest . The ECMT is currently assessing the extent
to which this recommendation has been

implemented .

2 . On the basis of a questionnaire, the Commission has
established various possible options regarding parking
permits for the disabled . It plans to discuss the matter
with Member States and non-governmental
organizations .

The arrangements between Bulgaria and the Community
regarding the import of sheep and sheepmeat are set down in
the 1982 Voluntary Restraint Agreement and in the
Association Agreement between Bulgaria and the Union .

In order to import Bulgarian sheep and sheepmeat products,
an importer must be in possession of a valid import licence .
Member State customs authorities may issue such a licence
only in response to a valid export certificate issued by the
Bulgarian authorities . Under the terms of the Agreements,
the issue of these export certificates is a matter for the
Bulgarian authorities .

In addition, the trading arrangements of exporters and
importers are a matter of private business .

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 23

Finally, while the monitoring of prices of imports for
Bulgaria is provided for in the 1990 temporary adaptation
of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement, the Commission has
not been informed of low prices for imports undermining
Greek or Italian market prices . Indeed, as Bulgaria supplies
less than 2 % of Greek and Italian sheepmeat requirements
each year, such a development is unlikely .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2031 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 22 September 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 41

Subject : Delay in the construction of the Athens Metro and

the re-negotiation of the original contract

According to the Minister for the Environment, Regional
Planning and Public Works, work on the Athens Metro
which began in June 1991 is some 23 months behind
schedule so that the contractual deadlines are not being
respected and while 40% of the time allocated to this
project has already elapsed, only 20 % of the work has so far
been carried out . The Greek State and the joint venture
involved in the construction work are negotiating a
supplementary contract significantly overshooting the
original budget for the project . Will the Commission say
whether it is aware of these moves to draw up a
supplementary contract and to readjust the cost of the
project ? Does the European Union intend to pay the increase
in its contribution that such a rise in the overall cost of the

project would entail ? Does it consider that the initial
contract contained shortcomings which justify fresh
negotiations and the increase in the cost of the project ?
What circumstances does the joint venture in question
invoke to justify the increase in the cost of the project ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1994 )

responsible for the project of the types of problems
encountered and the steps they intend to take to solve them
and complete the works in the most satisfactory fashion .
The Commission does not, however, consider that it should
become involved in negotiations between the parties
concerned .

This means that the Commission was aware of the need to

clarify certain aspects of the contract and make the
definition of the project, including supplementary works,
more complete . These changes will involve additional

costs .

The Commission is currently considering the application
recently submitted by the Greek authorities for continued
assistance to finance for the project during the period

1994 — 1999 . Before taking a final decision, it will look at
the implications of the proposed amendments to the

contract .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2051 / 94

by Detlev Samland ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 42 )

Subject : Review of the field of application of the Directive

on the procurement procedures of entities
operating in the water, energy and transport

sectors

Article 36 of the Directive concerned ( 90 / 531 / EEC ) (*)
provides that the Commission shall review the field of
application of the Directive within four years . This time
limit expires on 17 September 1994 . Does the Commission
intend to remove private sector coal and brown coal mining
enterprises from the field of application of the Directive by
revoking Article 2(b)(i ) ? If not, can the Commission explain
how it will ensure that private sector mining enterprises
which in Germany are not affected by State provisions either
through the issuing of mining licences or through the
colliery operations plan procedure are not accorded the
same status as public contractors ?

Completion of the Athens metro is one of the priorities in the (!) OJ No L 297, 29 . 10 . 1990, p . 1 .

1994 — 1999 Community support framework for Greece .

It is true that implementation of the project, which received
finance under the first CSF ( 1989 — 1993 ), has encountered
certain problems which have resulted in the delays referred
to by the Honourable Member .

Through partnership and with due regard for subsidiarity,
the Commission has monitored the situation closely and has
been kept regularly informed by the national authorities

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 1994 )

In the answer given by the Commission to Written Question
No 642 / 94 ( a ), the Commission stated that the review of the

No C 55 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

field of application of Council Directive of 17 September
1990 on the procurement procedures of entities operating in
the water, energy, transport and telecommunications
sectors ( 90 / 531 / EEC ) ( 2 ) should be carried out by 1 July

1998 . This is because the provision of Article 36 of Directive
90 / 531 / EEC, to which the Honourable Member refers, has
been replaced by Article 44 of Council Directive 93 / 38 / EEC
of 14 June 1993 coordinating the procurement procedures
of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and
telecommunications sectors . It is therefore too early to say
whether the outcome of the review will warrant a revocation

of Article 2(2)(b)(i ) or not .

Meanwhile, undertakings which are not public authorities
or public undertakings, do fall within the field of application
of the Directive if they ' exploit a geographical area for the
purpose of exploring for or extracting oil, gas, coal or other
solid fuels ' on the basis of special or exclusive rights as
defined in Article 2 ( 3 ) of the Directive . Where that
condition is met, all contracting entities — also including
private undertakings — operating in the coal or lignite
sector must apply the full regime of the Directive unless the
Commission, pursuant to Article 3 of the Directive, has by
Decision authorized the Member State in question to apply
the so-called ' alternative ' regime pursuant to Article 3 to
contracting entities operating in the oil, coal and gas sector .
This is not the case as regards Germany . It should be noted
that the ' alternative ' regime, where authorized, is applicable
to all contracting entities, whatever their status .

(!) OJ No C 367, 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 37 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 199, 9 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2061 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

2 . ( a ) How does the Commission view the consequences
of the project on the groundwater and the loss of
forestry ( impairment of local recreation facilities )
and the local and global pollution that will result
from this project, taking into account inter alia the
EU Directives on aircraft emissions ?

( b ) To what extent does the Commission consider that

this project is in keeping with the Rio convention on
the climate ?

3 . ( a ) Does it have at its disposal estimates and figures on
increased noise levels ( notably at night ) for local
residents caused by aircraft ( notably freight
planes )?

( b ) Does it not consider that it would be more
reasonable to impose a ban on aircraft taking off

and landing at night at EU airports, and, if not, why
not ?

4 . ( a ) What is the Commission 's view of the
generally-accepted principle that real costs should
be borne by all carriers ( see the Green and White
Papers on the future long-term transport policy ( l )
and EP resolutions on this subject of 18 September
1992 ( 2 ) and 18 January 1994 ( 3 ) in regard to the tax
exemption of kerosene and when does it expect that
decisions and measures in keeping with this
principle will be taken ?

( b ) How is the project ' Cargo City Siid ' to be linked up

with road freight and how will this be in line with
the development of a long-term transport policy ?

( c ) How does it view the threat to safety due to the fact
that air traffic controllers are permanently
overworked and the constant measures that are

being taken to increase the volume of air traffic ?

to the Commission (M CC)M(90 ) 46 and COM(92 ) 494 .

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 43 )

Subject : Extension of Frankfurt Airport and the
construction of ' Cargo City Slid '

1 . ( a ) Can the Commission say whether an environmental
impact study is being carried out in respect of the
' Cargo City Siid ' project and what does it intend to
do if this is not the case or if a comprehensive study
is not carried out ?

( b ) How does the Commission view the finding that the

assessment of the impact on the balance of nature
submitted by Frankfurt Flughafen AG is based on
inadequate data as regards flora and fauna and is
unable to show the real impact on nature and the
environment and to suggest compensatory
measures ?

( 2 ) OJ No C 284, 2 . 11 . 1992, p . 164 .

( 3 ) OJ No C 44, 14 . 2 . 1994, p . 53 .

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1994 )

1 . ( a ) and ( b ) The Commission has no information on
whether an environmental impact assessment for
the project ' Cargo City South ' at Frankfurt airport is
being carried out .

Under Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the

assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment (*), an
environmental impact assessment is required in
relation to the modification of an airport with a
basic runway length of 2 100 metres or more if the

6 . 3 . 95 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 25

modification is likely to have a significant effect on
the environment . The Commission will write to the

German authorities asking for further information
on this project and ask whether the application of
the Directive to this project has been considered .

2 . ( a ) The Commission has no information available
which enables it to judge the impact of the project on
ground-water, forests and local and global
pollution . At present there is no Community
legislation on aircraft emissions . However, the
Commission intends, as foreseen in the future
development of the common transport policy White
Paper ( 2 ), to present a proposal to reduce nitrous
oxide emissions from aircraft .

( b ) The Climate Change Convention concerns the

global emissions of greenhouse gases and does not
include particular sectorial targets .

3 . ( a ) Council Directive 92 / 14 / EEC ( 3 ) will start to remove
the noisiest types of aircraft from use on 1 April

1995 . This Directive will see the gradual phase out
of the aircraft that do not meet the strictest

international aircraft noise standards .

( b ) Noise around airports is to a large extent
determined by the location of the airport . Operating
restrictions at certain airports are thus of the
competence of local or regional authorities .

4 . ( a ) The Commission is at present reflecting on future
initiatives at Community level concerning the
internalization of external costs . Regarding a
specific tax on aviation kerosene the Commission is
concerned about the negative impact of the
unilateral introduction of such a tax on the financial

situation of European airlines .

( b ) According to the information provided to the

Commission, the promoters of the project envisage a
direct rail link to the Cargo City South and are also
exploring the possibility for a pilot project in the
area of combined air and rail transport .

( c ) The Commission supports the strategy put forward
by ECAC, which aims at a progressive
harmonization of the air traffic management
systems in Europe . The Treaty on European Union
provides for the establishment of trans-European
networks, including those relevant to traffic
management . Accordingly the Cpmmission
included the air traffic management system in its
recent proposal for a trans-European transport
network ( 4 ).

t 1 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

( 2 ) COM(92 ) 494 final .

( 3 ) OJ No L 76, 23 . 3 . 1992 .

( 4 ) COM(94 ) 106 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2065 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Council

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 44 )

Subject : Environment, trade and transparency

The subcommittee on the GATT Council meeting of 20 July

1994 discussed a recent finding of a GATT investigative
panel that ruled against the United States in the so-called
tuna / dolphin case . This finding is still not officially released .
This investigative panel said that the US use of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act to bar foreign fishermen from
waters adjacent to the US was an unacceptable example of
using environmental concerns to erect trade barriers . A
request that environmental groups should be admitted to
GATT to give their opinion was turned down, among others
by the European Union . ( Source : International
Environmental Reporter of 10 August 1994 ).

1 . Is this information true ?

2 . Does the European Union have the same opinion as the
findings of the investigative panel ?

3 . How does this banning of environmental groups relate
to the official EU policy of transparency ?

4 . How does this relate to efforts of the EU-Commission to

involve environmental groups like Friends of the Earth
into the implementation of the White Book on ' Growth,
Competitiveness, Employment '?

5 . How does this relate to the Environmental Council of

July 1994 where for the first time representatives of EEB

spoke with the Environmental Ministers during a formal
Environmental Council Meeting ?

Answer

( 31 January 1995 )

Following unsuccessful consultations held under Article
XXIII . 1 of the GATT, the European Community and, on
behalf of the Netherlands Antilles, the Kingdom of the
Netherlands requested the establishment of a panel
pursuant to Article XXIII . 2 of the GATT to examine the
compatibility with GATT rules of import prohibitions on
certain kinds of tuna and tuna products imposed by the
United States pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection
Act . That Act prohibits the import for commercial purposes
of any fish or fish products harvested by a method that
results in the incidental killing or serious injury of marine
mammals in excess of US standards, which in this specific
case concernes dolphins .

No C 55 / 26 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

The issue in dispute was not the validity of the
environmental objectives of the United States to protect and
conserve dolphins . Indeed, the objective of sustainable
development, which includes the protection and
preservation of the environment, has been widely
recognized by the Contracting Parties to the GATT . The
issue was whether, in the pursuit of its environmental
objectives, the United States as a Contracting Party to the
GATT could impose trade embargos to secure changes in the
policies which other Contracting Parties pursued within
their own jurisdiction . In other words, the issue was one of
the interpretation of GATT rules, a matter which would
appear to fall outside the competence of ecological

experts .

The GATT panel submitted its report to the parties to the
dispute on 20 May 1994, and as the Honourable Member is
no doubt aware, the report found in favour of the
applicants .

The report was also made public and it cannot be argued, in
the view of the Council, that the Community took a
restrictive attitude vis-a-vis ecological groups in this case .
Indeed, the EU has shown its commitment on many
occasions to the principle of transparency in the framework
of various international organizations on which the
Community and its Member States participate .

No doubt the Honourable Member is aware that the

question of trade and environment constitutes a very
important new theme to be addressed in the WTO .
Following the ministerial declaration of Marrakech on this
aspect, intensive work has already started in the Preparatory
Committee set up in Geneva . In the course of these
proceedings, the EU will have a new opportunity for
reiterating its commitment to the principle of transparency
and to supplying ecological groups with the widest possible
information .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2066 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 45 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization

( consumer safety )

Does the Commission believe that across the European
Union consumer safety standards will be raised or lowered
during a transition period to a harmonized plug and socket
regime ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 46 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization
( benefits )

To which producers, incorporated in which Member States,
does the Commission believe that the greatest benefits
would accrue from a harmonized plug and socket
regime ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2068 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 47 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization

( accessories industry )

Would the Commission agree to the introduction of a
harmonized plug and socket system which would be to the
commercial disadvantage of the accessories industry in the
EU ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2069 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 48 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization

( European standard )

Would the Commission accept as a European standard a
system which did not fulfil the four Cenelec criteria that any
system should :

1 . Not be dangerously compatible with existing systems ;

2 . Be at least as safe as existing systems ;

3 . Offer no commercial advantage to any one country ;

4 . Be small and easy to make, install and use ?

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 27

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2070 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

Tomlinson ( PSE ) by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 49 ) ( 95 / C 55 / 52

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization ( Cenelec

guiding principles )

Does the Commission still support the guiding principles
which Cenelec set itself when commencing its investigation
intro European plug and socket harmonization ? These
criteria were as follows :

The new system should :

1 . Not be dangerously compatible with existing systems ;

2 . Be at least as safe as existing systems ;

3 . Offer no commercial advantage to any one country ;

4 . Be small and easy to make, install and use .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2071 / 94

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization
( electrical system )

Cenelec proposals for harmonization focus solely upon the
plug and socket interface, rather than the whole electrical
system, including wiring standards, domestic units, and
back-boxes . Is the Commission aware of or content with

this situation ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2074 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 53

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization

( cost / benefit analysis )

by John Tomlinson ( PSE ) Has the Commission undertaken any cost / benefit analysis

to the Commission to assess the usefulness of harmonizing electrical plugs and
sockets in the EU ?

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 50 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization (' Live

with the differences ')

Does the Commission accept the findings of the 1991
Cenelec report ' Live with the Differences ' which concluded
that the costs of European plug and socket harmonization
far outweighed the benefits ? If not, what are the reasons for
this ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072 / 94

by John Tomlinson ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

. 95 / C 55 / 51 )

Subject : European plug and socket harmonization
( safety )

Is the Commission willing to permit the introduction of a
European standard, which would be less safe than an
existing national standard ?

Joint answer to Written Questions
E-2066 / 94, E-2067 / 94, E-2068 / 94, E-2069 / 94,

E-2070 / 94, E-2071 / 94, E-2072 / 94, E-2073 / 94

and E-2074 / 94

given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

First of all the Commission would like to emphasise that it
supports fully the aim to harmonize a domain which it
considers a cornerstone of the single market in which goods
and persons circulate freely . However, the Commission
itself does not intend to achieve this harmonization by
means of regulatory instruments . According to the
subsidiarity principle, the work on a future harmonization
of plugs and sockets has been initiated and undertaken by
Cenelec, the European Committee for Electro-Technical
Standardization, which is a private and independent body .
The Commission is not entitled to give instructions to
Cenelec, whether on organizational aspects, or on the work
to be done, including priorities .

Concerning consumer protection, the Commission does not
believe that the introduction of a harmonized plug and
socket regime would lower the existing level of safety . The
Commission is confident that Cenelec 's standards reflect

No C 55 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

correctly and completely the state of the art in safety
matters . It has no reason to doubt the quality and
seriousness of the work provided by this standardization
institute . It is correct that during a transition period
adapters will be necessary . Work has therefore already
started within Cenelec 's technical committees on the design
of harmonized adapters which must be of such a quality that
safety is not jeopardized .

The Commission accepted and continues to accept the

Cenelec principles quoted by the Honourable Member in his
enquiry . These principles, drafted by this standardization
body itself, provide a guideline for the work of its technical
committees in this field . It therefore seems very unlikely that
standards not respecting these principles would be proposed
or adopted .

therefore join the Honourable Member in fearing that this
work would be to the overall disadvantage of a complete

sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2075 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

(3 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 54 )

Subject : EC postal charges

Prior to these guidelines, Cenelec indeed drew up a paper
' Does the Commission consider it acceptable
called Plugs and sockets in Europe : live with the
differences '. As already mentioned in reply to former State 's postal authorities to apply different

internal mail from those it applies to

parliamentary questions, the Commission did not accept the mail ?
ideas set out in this document . These ideas were of a very
general and political nature, while the supposedly enormous
cost involved implied an immediate switch to a new system, Is the Commission not worried that such
not taking into account the possibility of an adequate distort competition ?
transitional period . Furthermore, it appeared that not all
Cenelec members fully agreed with its contents . Three years
later, in the light of recent developments it may well be that
' Live with the differences ' is somewhat out-of-date . Answer given by Mr Bangemann

Does the Commission consider it acceptable for a Member
State 's postal authorities to apply different charges to
internal mail from those it applies to intra-Community
mail ?

Is the Commission not worried that such practices might
distort competition ?

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1995 )
The Commission undertook no cost / benefit analysis itself
on the effects of an harmonization of plugs and sockets as
the subject is dealt with in Cenelec in any case . Although it
would have been impractical for cost / benefit analysis to The total cost of sending a letter to its
have preceded the adoption of each of the one thousand five of the total component costs of
hundred European standards available today, it is certain functions, including the collection,
that, in addition to safety aspects, due account has been distribution of the mail . Even if
taken of commercial aspects and the need for transitional expensive than collection and
measures for adapting to the new system . In order to help the service depends on the distance
manufacturers to align their production, and to reduce costs postage and the point of delivery to
to the end-user to a minimum, the standards will lay down
adequate delays for implementation . Moreover for cross-border

The total cost of sending a letter to its destination is made up
of the total component costs of the different postal
functions, including the collection, transportation and
distribution of the mail . Even if transportation is often less
expensive than collection and distribution, the total cost of
the service depends on the distance between the place of
postage and the point of delivery to the addressee .

From a purely economic and commercial view, the
harmonization of plugs and sockets should be of benefit to
all manufacturers, allowing fair competition and providing
a stimulus for innovation . It will open the market for those
companies that are currently facing obstacles to free trade . It
seems unacceptable that these companies should be obliged
to limit their production to well-defined zones unless, for
export purposes, they create different production lines to
match different national configurations and requirements .
Moreover, the fitting of a single plug should allow appliance
manufacturers to achieve economies of scale .

Harmonization through normal standardization processes,
including technical exchanges and finalization by means of
democratic voting systems, taken into account the opinions
of all economic operators . The Commission does not

Moreover, for cross-border postal services the cost of mail
distribution is not that of the country of origin but of the
country of destination . Distribution costs — determined
mainly by labour costs — vary enormously depending on the
Member State . Consequently, even for delivery over the
same distance, the cost of a cross-border postal service may
be very different from that of a domestic service .

Moreover, sound management prescribes that rates are
linked to costs . It therefore seems justified that the rate for
letters to other Member States of the Community is higher
than the domestic rate . This difference in rates, which is
dependent on economic factors, should not distort
competition .

The Commission has emphasized several times, particularly
in two communications O on postal services, the necessity
to implement this pricing principle, since rates in accordance
with real costs for each service should ensure long-term

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 29

financial viability for universal service operators and reduce
the risk of anti-competitive cross-subsidization .

t 1 ) COM(91 ) 476 final and COM(93 ) 247 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2090 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 55 )

Subject : Spraying against the olive fly

This year farmers in Corfu are continuing to spray against
the olive fly, despite the ban by the State Council ( 1991 ),
despite the recommendations of the Ministry of Health to
the Ministry of Agriculture ( Ref . No 6495, 4 . 8 . 1989 ) to
allow only ground spraying on grounds of public health,
and despite the document sent by the Ministry of
Agriculture 's Directorate for the Protection of Plant
Production to the Fund for the Protection of Olive

Production ( Ref . No 91109, 16 . 3 . 1989 ) recommending the
gradual phasing out of spraying over the next thirty years
and listing the reasons why this must be done .

Given that :

— the active substances contained in the insecticides used

against the olive fly are among the most toxic not only to
insects but also to animals and humans ;

— many other crops in Corfu are sprayed as well as olive

trees ;

— spraying upsets the ecological balance of the area and

has undesirable affects on public health, and

— this practice is in contravention of Directive
91 / 414 / EEC, Article 1 ( ! ).

1 . Has the Greek Government brought its national laws
into line with the above Directive, in particular Article 1
concerning inter alia the use and control of plant
protection products, and, if not, what measures does the
Commission intend to take to ensure that it does so ?

2 . Given that there are alternative solutions ( e.g. fly traps,
ground spraying ), what measures does the Commission
intend to take to ban this unacceptable form of pest
control practiced in Corfu and in other parts of
Greece ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1994 )

1 . Greece has not yet notified to the Commission its
national measures for implementing Directive 91 / 414 / EEC
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the
market . The Commission has initiated the procedures
provided for in the Treaty in order to ensure that the
Directive is transposed into national law in Greece as soon
as possible .

It should be pointed out that the Directive will not apply
fully in the Member States until the active substances on the
market on 25 July 1992 have been reviewed under the

10-year review programme provided for in the Directive
and, where appropriate, have been included in Annex I
subject to certain conditions . The Commission began the
first phase of this programme in 1992 with Regulation
( EEC ) No 3600 / 92 ( x ).

2 . However, on its entry into force on 25 July 1992,
Directive 91 / 414 / EEC provided that all plant protection
products must be used in an appropriate manner, which
implies in particular compliance with the conditions laid
down when a product is authorized by the Member State on
whose territory it will be used . Such authorization cannot be
granted until a thorough examination has shown that the
product, used as intended, will have no harmful effects on
human or animal health and no unacceptable impact on the
environment . The Directive thus does not rule out air

spraying of plant protection products . However, this form
of treatment cannot be applied until the Member State, after
carrying out the thorough examination referred to above,
has authorized it for the product in question, where
necessary subject to compliance with the precautionary
measures provided for in the authorization .

(M OJ No L 366, 15 . 12 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2092 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 56

Subject : Financing of the Channel Tunnel

Can the Commission provide detailed information on the
ways in which the European Union has participated in the
Channel Tunnel project over the whole period since its
inception ?

Can the Commission give a breakdown of all separate direct
and indirect support measures adopted by the Commission
H OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991, p . 1 . or by one of its subordinate bodies ?

No C 55 / 30 | EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( IS December 1994 )

The Community as such has mobilized several Community
financial instruments in order to contribute this remarkable

achievement . As part of the specific programme on
infrastructures of Community interest for the 1982-1994
period, it gave financial support to projects intended to
improve the infrastructures that are linked with the Channel
Tunnel in the form not only of roads ( motorway A20 / M20
between Maidstone and Ashford and Folkestone and

Dover, or the RN28 between Abbeville and Rouen ), but also
in that of railway lines ( improvements to the line between
London and Folkestone or the studies concerning a new
reserved track running across Kent ).

The Community also welcomes the linking of this project
with another which is particularly close to its heart, namely
the trans-European high-speed-train network, for which the
London — Paris — Brussels triangular link forms the basic
structure . This will later extend to the other Member States,
crossing the frontiers of technology in order to bring people
closer together .

At this stage the London-Tunnel section will have to be
provided by upgrading an existing line between London and
Folkestone . In 1988 the Community had contributed ECU

10 million for the financing of this work .

However, use of the existing line is not intended to be the
ultimate solution . The UK authorities are currently
examining the problems arising from the building of any
new line . A request for the funding of a study assessing the
high-speed line between London and the Tunnel was lodged
for this purpose . That study involves examination of the
various routes from technical, economic and environmental
standpoints .

In 1991 a Community contribution of ECU 5 million was
granted, while in 1992 and 1993 the figure was ECU

10 million in both cases, and in 1994 this was ECU
15 million .

The financial support for the specific projects or studies are
as follows ( B5-700 ):

UNITED KINGDOM

( in million ECU )

Year Projects Support

1989 RN28 : Abbeville — Rouen section 3,9

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2096 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 57

Subject : Growing difficulties in the agricultural sector

The agricultural sector is being affected by growing
difficulties, especially in Portugal . The cost of production
factors is exceedingly high, and the reform of the CAP is
leading to disorder and a downturn in activity . That being
the case, has the Commission been gauging the impact of the
agricultural recession, not least in terms of employment ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1994 )

The Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable
Member on the need for the trends in incomes and

employment in agriculture to be closely monitored, in
particular, in those regions where economic activity is
dependent on the primary sector . It is in fact for this reason
that the Commission proposed, and the Council approved,
the reform of the common agricultural policy the aim of
which is, amongst other things, to support the incomes of
farmers through direct aids .

Year Projects Support

1989 A20 / M20, route section between
Maidstone and Ashford ( Kent )

1991 Channel Tunnel rail link : Assessment

study

1992 Channel Tunnel rail link : Assessment

study

1993 Route section : Channel Tunnel rail link :

Assessment study

1994 Route section : Channel Tunnel rail link :

Assessment study

FRANCE

2,8

5

12

10

15

( in million ECU )

Year Projects Support

1983 Study of fixed link across the Channel :
Work on the aspects used in assessing the
project by banking institutions

0,4

1986 M20, route section between Maidstone
and Ashford ( Kent )

1988 Improvements to the London —
Folkestone line

1989 A20 / M20, route section between
Folkestone and Dover

9

10

2

6 . 3 . 95 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 31

It is clear that an overhaul of the common agricultural policy
of this magnitude can have effects at local level which are
neither planned nor desired . The Commission is therefore
making a point of keeping a close watch on the
implementation of the reform and of carefully assessing its
impact . Any accounts of the effects of the reform will be
most welcome and will be given careful consideration by the
Commission . Many changes were already able to be made in
this way to the reform arrangements with a view to making
their application flexible and less restrictive for farmers .
That at times spectacular improvement in the markets over
the previous two years seems to indicate that the route
chosen for the purposes of the reform, with the support of
the Parliament, is a good route and will make it possible to
redress a situation which, in the early nineties, had become
untenable .

should be regarded as incompatible with the common
market . They are in fact operating aid rather than aid
intended to facilitate the sustainable development of
structures in the sectors concerned .

Under this procedure, the Commission gave the Spanish
Government notice to make its comments and asked the

governments of the other Member States and other
interested parties for their comments ( 1 ).

When it has received these, the Commission will decide
whether the aid is compatible with the common market
pursuant to Article 92 EC .

If under that decision the Commission asks for the aid to be

amended or not granted and the Member State does not
comply with that decision, the Commission may refer the
matter to the Court of Justice under Article 93(2 ) EC .

(*) Not yet published in the Official Journal .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2103 / 94

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 58 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2105 / 94

Subject : Research into aid to the Aragonese Autonomous

Community

The Spanish press has published a series of reports claiming
that the Commission has opened an investigation into
certain aid measures planned by the Spanish State for
concentrating or integrating farming associations or
cooperatives in the Aragonese Autonomous Community .

If this is the case, on what criteria did the Commission base
its decision ?

What conclusions is the investigation reaching ?

What specific measures does the Commission intend to take
on the basis of these results ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 1994 )

On 19 July 1994 the Commission decided to initiate
proceedings under Article 93(2 ) EC against part of the aid
scheme introduced by the Aragon regional government to
assist cooperatives and other farmers ' associations .

On the basis of the information in its possession, the
Commission considered aid provided for the consolidation
or integration of associations or cooperatives and aid to
finance loans in respect of investment already undertaken

by Joaquin Siso Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 59 )

Subject : Combating fraud

What training measures and what exchange programmes
exist to provide enhanced protection of the Union 's
financial interests ?

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1994 )

The Commission finances seminars to increase awareness of

fraud against Community finances on a Community-wide
scale . These training measures are organized if necessary
with the Member State authorities and are intended for staff

responsible for combating fraud on the ground . The
Commission encourages and coordinates programmes for
the exchange of officials between national government
departments and, for example, the EAGGF . In 1991 it
established a far-reaching programme in customs and taxes

( Mattheus ).

Mention should also be made of the activities of European
lawyers ' associations for the legal protection of the
Community 's financial interests, which have been set up

No C 55 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

since 1990 to encourage and organize seminars, training WRITTEN QUESTION
courses and information sessions for judges, lawyers and by John Corrie ( PPE )
officials engaged in the anti-fraud campaign .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2114 / 94

to the Commission

More detailed information on these training measures and
exchange programmes is contained in the Commission 's
latest annual reports on the fight against fraud ( 1992 and

1993 ) ( M.

(M COM(93 ) 141 final ; COM(94 ) 94 final .

(6 October 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 61 )

Subject : Agriculture — Sheep quota

Given the abolition of ewe premium headage limits and the
rigidity of the quota management system, will the
Commission now consider aligning the sheep quota rules
with those applying in the suckler cow sector in cases where
the quota is owned by a producer group ? .
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2107 / 94

by Joaquin Siso Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 95 / C 55 / 60 ) (7 November 1994 )

Subject : Combating fraud

Given that inter-governmental cooperation a 12 in most
cases involves complicated and obsolete procedures, and
that the ideal would be to implement action which avoids
such complexity, has the Commission studied are is it
currently examining the possibility of setting up a European
body of frontier authorities specializing in investigating and
eliminating fraudulent trans-frontier trafficking ?

The Commission, at the request of the Council, is currently
examining the definition of the producer in the sheep sector
and also the conditions under which producers with
premium rights may transfer these rights to other producers
who are members of the same producer group . In carrying
out this examination, the Commission is conscious of the
need to protect the siphon on transfers of premium rights
where the holding is not also transferred while, at the same
time, not penalizing the normal transfer of business
responsibilities especially in family farm partnerships .

The Commission expects to make proposals on this matter

Answer on behalf given of the by Mrs Commission Scrivener before the end of 1994 .

(9 November 1994 )

Effective customs cooperation on matters covered by
Community competence has existed for many years, with
the Commission taking an active role in co-ordinating
investigations undertaken by national authorities, carrying
out investigative missions to third countries, and developing
computerized information networks . For other matters,
customs cooperation is covered by inter-governmental

agreements .

In so far as on the spot customs activity does not, in practice,
distinguish between Community and non-Community
matters, work is currently being undertaken by the
Commission to define a common customs anti-fraud

strategy in order to enhance further cooperation between
the Member States, as well as between the Member States
and the Commission, when applicable . This strategy
foresees the development of a Community-wide database,
the use of risk analysis and a targeted approach for control
and investigation activities . Considerations do not,
however, include the creation of a European customs corps
as referred to by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-21 15 / 94

by Kenneth Coates ( PSE )

to the Commission

(6 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 62 )

Subject : Welfare of battery hens

According to Article 10 of the Directive ( 88 / 166 / EEC ) ( J ),
national aid is allowed during the transitional period for the
functional extension of buildings housing battery cages
necessary for rearing the same number of hens .

1 . Which Member States have taken up this option ?

2 . Is there any other financial aid available from European
Community funds for poultry farmers ?

H OJ No L 74, 19 . 3 . 1988, p . 83 .

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 33

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

1 . The Commission is aware that the option was taken
up by one Member State, Denmark . The Commission
currently does not have information which enables it to say
whether other Member States have so acted .

2 . According to Article 6(6 ) of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2328 / 91 (*), aid for investments in eggs and poultry
production is excluded from the Community scheme of aid
introduced by the Regulation .

Article 12(5 ) provides, however, for the possibility of
national aid to egg and poultry producers for investments
regarding the protection and improvement of the
environment, as well as for those concerning hygienic
conditions of animal production and compliance with

Community or national standards for the welfare of
animals, on condition that production is not increased .

( ! ) OJ No L 218, 6 . 8 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2118 / 94

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso ( PSE ) and

María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Council

(7 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 63 )

Subject : Mediterranean conference

The General Affairs Council stated at its meeting of July

1994 that it would undertake the necessary work taking
account of the possibility of calling a conference in which
the European Union and its Mediterranean partners would
take part .

When does the Council think that the preparatory work for
calling this conference will be concluded ?

What will the basic contents of the conference be ?

At its meeting on 4 October 1994, the Council noted
especially that in view of the importance attached by the
European Union to close links with its Mediterranean
partners and its wish to develop them further the
Commission would submit a communication before the end

of October containing guidelines for strengthening
Mediterranean policy in the short and medium-term to the
mutual benefit of the European Union and its partners of the
Mediterranean basin as regards peace, stability, security and
the economic and social development of the region .

In this context, the Council stressed the need to maintain a
balance between the European Union 's current endeavours
with regard to the countries of central and eastern Europe

( CCEE ) and its commitment to the countries of the
Mediterranean basin .

At its meeting on 31 October 1994, the Council noted with
considerable interest the Commission communication on

the strengthening of the Union 's Mediterranean policy .

With a view to the European Council meeting in Essen, the

Council adopted, at its meeting on 28 November 1994, a
report containing the main lines of future Union policy
regarding the Mediterranean countries, which represent a
zone of strategic importance for the Community . This
report, based on the Commission communication, approves
the general concept and objectives of a Euro-Mediterranean
partnership . The report also identifies lines of action in
respect of the various individual Mediterranean
countries .

The European Council is required to approve all the
elements of this strategy and to convene a
Euro-Mediterranean Conference during the second half of

next year .

The Council cannot, therefore, anticipate at this stage when
the preparatory work for this Conference will be completed,
nor what its basic content will be .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2127 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Council

( 17 October 1994 )

Answer ( 95 / C 55 / 64 )

( 23 January 1995 )

Subject : Human rights in Indonesia
Since the European Council meeting in Corfu, the Council
has discussed the action to be taken on this matter several

times at its meetings on 18 July, 4 and 31 October and What action will the Council be taking to press for an
28 November 1994 . improvement in the human rights situation in Indonesia ?

No C 55 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Steichen

Answer Answer given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 January 1995 )

The question of Human Rights in Indonesia and East Timor
remains a constant pre-occupation in the European Union 's
deliberations on Indonesia . It figures on the agendas of
meetings between the EU and the Indonesian
Government .

Regarding the overall policy of the European Union and
more particularly the situation in East Timor, the
Honourable Member may refer to the answers to Written
Question E-1817 / 94 and Oral Question H-0425 / 94 .

The competent working groups of the EU have discussed
recently in particular the cases of press censorship in
Indonesia and the arrest of syndicalist leader Muchtar
Pakpahan . EU Political Directors have requested Heads of
Mission in Jakarta to monitor these issues closely and to

report .

In his opening speech for the EU-Asean ministerial meeting
on September 1994 in Karlsruhe, Minister Kinkel, as acting
President of the Council of the European Union, welcomed
the contacts between Portugal and Indonesia under the
auspices of the UN Secretary - General on the issue of East
Timor, hoping that a just, comprehensive and
internationally acceptable solution will be found .
Moreover, this issue has been the object of a number of
common statements made by the EU during the current
session of the UNGA .

( 17 November 1994 )

The Commission has no knowledge of the situation to
which the Honourable Member refers and is looking into
it .

The measures to promote quality beef and veal which the
Commission has undertaken, in particular in Germany,
under Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2067 / 92 ( 1 ) contain
nothing to disadvantage British meat . On the contrary, they
should allow it to improve further its position on the single
market .

Article 2 of the above Regulation forbids any promotion
measure biased in favour of a product from a particular
Member State . The Commission will ensure that this

prohibition is complied with .

OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 130 / 94

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Council

( 17 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 66

Subject : Live animal exports

Does the German Presidency have plans to halt the export of
live cattle from the European Union to the Middle-East and
North Africa ?

What plans does it have to encourage beef exports from the
EU to the Middle-East and North Africa as a substitute for
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 128 / 94
the export of live animals ?

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

Answer
( 95 / C 55 / 65 )

( 23 January 1995 )

Subject : German grocers ' campaign against buying British

meat

Would the Commission comment on the observations of a
constituent of mine upon his findings of a poster campaign
against British meat in German supermarkets during recent
months . Does this not go against the basic ethos of the EU as
a Community of common ( high ) standards ?

1 . The specific questions put by the Honoura ble Member
on the management of markets fall within the
responsibilities of the - Commission, which has competence
for the management of the common market organizations
and in particular that in the beef and veal sector .

2 . The Council is now examining a proposal for a
Commission Directive (*), which has been amended to take
account of the opinion of the European Parliament ( 2 ) and is

6 . 3 . 95 1 EN | . Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 35

intended to improve the protection of animals during
transport in a more general sense . This draft Directive does
not deal with export patterns but with transport conditions
for animals .

(!) COM(93 ) 330 final .

( 2 ) COMÍ94 ) 252 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2132 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 67

Subject : Inclusion of a project in the Second Community

Support Framework

A project to lay sewers in Maniaki, Argos Orestikon, with a
budget of Dr 1,2 billion has been proposed by the Province
of Western Macedonia for inclusion in the Second

Community Support Framework .

Has the above proposal been included in the Second
Community Support Framework, and if so, how much has
been earmarked for it and what is the timetable for its

implementation ?

( VOCs ) in the air in Athens . For example, the maximum
values for toluene and benzene were 250 jx g and 120 fxg per
cubic metre respectively . The measurements also show that
the ozone and nitrogen dioxide limits were exceeded ( peak
values of 265 / xg and 400 / xg per cubic metre
respectively ).

1 . Why is no progress being made on the adoption of the

' Stage 1 ' Directive on the control of VOC emissions
resulting from the storage and distribution of fuels ?

2 . Will the Commission bring forward adoption of the

' Stage 2 ' Directive concerning VOC emissions from the
refuelling of cars at service stations ?

3 . What is the Commission 's assessment of Greece 's
implementation of Directive 91 / 441 / EEC ( 1 ), bearing in
mind that motor vehicles are responsible for 35 — 40 %
of VOC emissions ?

4 . What is its assessment of Greece 's implementation of

Directive 92 / 72 / EEC ( 2 ) on air pollution by ozone ?

5 . Will it lay down air-pollution limits for VOCs such as

toluene and benzene ?

6 . Will it promote a Community epidemiological
programme to observe the full effect of atmospheric
pollution on public health in cities such as Athens ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 242, 30 . 8 . 1991, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Millan ( 2 ) OJ No L 297, 13 . 10 . 1992, p . 1 .
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 November 1994 )

The MOP for Western Macedonia provides for measures to Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas
construct sewerage networks, but the regional authorities on behalf of the Commission
have not yet finalized their selection of specific projects to be ( 16 December 1994 )
financed under these measures .

1 . The so-called volatile organic compounds ( VOC )
Stage I Directive was adopted on 15 December 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2133 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE ) 2 . The Commission is still considering whether to

to the Commission propose a Directive concerning VOC emissions from

re-fuelling of cars at service stations — the so-called Stage

( 13 October 1994 ) II .

( 95 / C 55 / 68 )

Subject : Measures to combat air pollution in Athens

Initial measurements from the Athens section of the

Mediterranean campaign against photo-chemical pollution,
which is partly funded by DG XII, show alarming levels of
carcinogenic and teratogenic volatile organic compounds

3 . With regard to the emission standards under Directive
91 / 441 / EEC, the Commission is not aware of any
outstanding problems concerning the transposition of these
environmental objectives into Greek legislation . The
Commission is however in discussion with the Greek

authorities concerning other aspects of this and other
emission Directives .

No C 55 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Directive 91 / 441 / EEC will certainly contribute to the
improvement of air quality in Athens, as will other recent
Directives reducing motor vehicle emissions, i.e. Directive
93 / 59 / EEC ( J ) for light commercial vehicles and Directive
94 / 12 / EC ( 2 ) for passenger cars .

4 . Directive 92 / 72 / EEC on air pollution by ozone came
into force in March 1994 . Greece has transposd this
Directive into national law . The Directive requires Member
States to supply information and warnings to the public
when information and alert thresholds specified in the
Directive are exceeded . Member States are also required to
inform the Commission when the thresholds are breached

by the end of the month after the thresholds are breached .
Other reporting requirements listed in the Directive do not
apply until after January 1995 . While the Greek authorities
have supplied some information to the Commission in
conformity with the Directive this information is apparently
incomplete . The Commission will pursue this matter further
with the Greek authorities .

5 . The Commission made a proposal for a Directive on
ambient air quality assessment and management on 4 July

1994 ( 3 ). It proposes a framework for a common strategy to
establish air quality objectives, to assess air quality in the
Member States in a uniform manner, to provide information
to the public on air quality and to maintain good air quality
and improve poor air quality . It is proposed that air quality
objectives be set for a number of pollutants on an individual
basis through daughter legislation . A list of pollutants is
proposed in Annex I of the Directive proposal based on the
major concerns of Member States . This list includes benzene
but not toluene .

6 . A number of international epidemiological studies are
currently under way in Europe examining the effects of
ambient air pollution on public health, including a number
funded by the Commission . Athens is included in these
studies .

(!) OJ No L 186, 28 . 7 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 100, 19 . 4 . 1994 .

( 3 ) COM(94 ) 109 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2138 / 94

by Eryl McNally ( PSE )

nitrates in vegetables until it has fully taken into account the
results of the EERO report and the opinion of its own
Scientific Committee on Food and has studied the effect

such legislation would have in all Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that

all available scientific information, including the results of
the assessment made under the auspices of the European
Environmental Research Organization when they are
published, will be submitted to the scientific committee for
food . The Commission will also be mindful of the effects of

any measures on horticulture in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2139 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) and

Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 70 )

Subject : Border controls for rice imported into the
European Union

In view of the GATT agreements in the chapter on rice and
the problems they present to the rice producing and
processing sector, which are described in detail in the joint
statement of 5 September 1994 agreed on at the meeting of
industry representatives in Aries, what measures does the
Commission intend to adopt to monitor the invoices of
transactions, so as to prevent widespread fraud both as
regards prices and the quantities imported ?

to the Commission Answer given by Mr Steichen
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 18 November 1994 )
( 95 / C 55 / 69 )

Subject : Nitrates in vegetables The Commission is aware of the problem raised by the
Honourable Member . Imports of rice into the Community
must take place in accordance with the Marrakesh
Can the Commission give its assurance that it will take no agreement, which provides for a ceiling on the price
definitive action on its draft proposal to limit the level of inclusive of customs duty .

6 . 3 . 95 I EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 37

The Commission will do its best to ensure that imports of
rice into the Community take place in the spirit of the
commitments entered into and that fraudulent operations
are prevented .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2145 / 94

by Jacques Donnay ( RDE )

to the Commission

(5 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 71 )

Subject : Differing interpretations of Community rules on

international maritime trade

The Single European Act provides for the implementation of
four fundamental freedoms, in particular the free movement
of goods . Community rules have been introduced,
specifically in the field of international maritime trade, to
ensure fair competition .

There would, however, appear to be variations between the
countries of the European Union in the way such legislation
is interpreted, particularly between France and Belgium as
regards health and customs checks .

Examples of such variations include the situation whereby
Belgian customs agree to correct retrospectively
declarations concerning, for example, the new rules on
exports of maize gritz, whereas French customs refuse to do
do, which means that French exporters fail to qualify for
CAP refunds, the situation whereby rules on animal health
checks are applied more strictly at Dunkirk than at
Antwerp, and the situation whereby European regulations
are often duplicated by special French regulations .

What steps will the Commission take to avoid such differing
interpretations and re-establish fair competition between
ports in the Nord region of France and those in Belgium .

In this case, however, in order to enable it to intervene
constructively and effectively and to concentrate on any
difficulties which might hinder the smooth functioning of
the single market, the Commission would find it extremely
useful if the Honourable Member would elaborate on

certain allegations made by supplying any specific
information available to him ; his assistance would be
particularly appreciated in connection with the following
points :

— the nature of the litigious veterinary checks undertaken

at Dunkirk and Antwerp, the conditions under which
they were carried out and the arrangements applying to
them ;

— the nature of the corrections allegedly made by the

Belgian authorities in connection with declarations
relating to exports of maize grits, and the arrangements
applying to such corrections ;

— the references of the ' special French regulations ' ( sic )

referred to by the Honourable Member allegedly in
conflict with the Community legislation .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-21 53 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 72 )

Subject : Financial assistance to Ierapetra, Crete

What funds were provided for regenerating the
fire-damaged hillside flora at Butterfly Gorge at Ierapetra on
Crete ? What were the conditions of the finance, and how
was it used and administered ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1994 ) In order to regenerate the fire-damaged hillside flora at
Butterfly Gorge at Ierapetra on Crete, the following
measures were adopted :
The Honourable Member has brought to the Commission 's
attention certain differing interpretations given by the — within all the surrounding zone grazing was
French and Belgian authorities of Community rules on prohibited ;
international maritime trade .

— an area of 800 hectares was declared as recreational

Normally the Commission would obtain information
directly from the abovementioned authorities with a view to
looking into any malfunctioning which might result from a

divergent approach in the interpretation of Community
legislation .

forest according to the relevant national legislation ;

— 20 hectares of the area were replanted with indigenous

species ( pine trees, cypress and local broad-leaved
species );

No C 55 / 38 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

— an area of 70 hectares was treated to allow natural

regeneration and avoid erosion .

These works were funded with an estimated amount of ECU

140 000 provided from the resources of the Greek CSF .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2159 / 94

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 73

Subject : Possible siting of the European Fisheries Assembly

in Galicia, Spain

The very high number of incidents in the fisheries sector this
summer merely confirms the urgent need for fishermen, who
day by day harvest the sea 's fish resources, to have a forum
for discussion to enable any differences they may have to be
settled through dialogue rather than by force .

Although the proposal to establish such a forum is not new,
a satisfactory response has not been forthcoming from the
Community authorities who, through the common fisheries
policy, could have the necessary moral authority to convene
such an assembly .

Does the Commission believe that such an assembly would
be useful, and if so, does it consider that it could be sited in
the Spanish region of Galicia, the region with the greatest
concentraton of fishing interests in the Community ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1994 )

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that there already exist a number of routes through which
the fishing industry may consult the Commission and make
its views known to the Community institutions . Among
these the Parliament itself, the Economic and Social
Committee, and the Committee of the Regions have a role to
play . The Commission is always open to any approach by
fishermen and their organizations, whether at European,
national or regional level, to hear their views or to try to find
solutions to problems . Such contacts are in fact frequent,
through the participation of the Commission at assemblies
of the fishermens ' organizations, through participation of
the professionals in meetings organised by the Commission,
and through directly arranged contacts .

In particular the Commission would mention the Advisory
Committee on fisheries, which was set up in 1971 ^
specifically as a forum in which the Commission could meet
representatives of the fisheries industries to learn their views

on aspects of the common fisheries policy . It has recently
been very active in advising the Commission on its proposals
for legislation . This committee consists of representatives of
all the fishing industries ( fishermen, processors and traders
of fisheries products ), the fisheries workers, finance
institutions and consumers . Its members include

representatives of the fishermen of the Member States that
were involved in the incidents to which the Honourable

Member refers and the committee had discussed at an early
stage the Commission 's proposals for a Regulation on the
problems that gave rise to the incidents .

It is therefore within this proven structure that the
Commission prefers to continue to conduct its discussions
with the representatives of the fishing industry on the
various problems posed by the operation of the common
fisheries policy, including those raised by the Honourable
Member .

The Commission nevertheless remains open to consider all
appropriate means to maintain and improve its contacts,
through participation in meetings organized by professional
bodies in the fisheries industries .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2163 / 94

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 74 )

Subject : Reduction in passenger flows at Community

airports

Italian airports currently have to handle three types of
passenger flows : passengers on domestic flights, passengers
on Community flights, and passengers on flights to
countries outside the Community . The resulting
organizational problems and increased costs are
considerable .

Will the Commission adopt measures aimed at cutting the
number of passenger flows from three to two, bearing in
mind that Community Directives have been issued to do
away with customs barriers and airport management
companies and the clientele alike could save a great deal of
money ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 December 1994 )

There is no reason for three passenger flows at airports .
Community law ( Council Regulation ( EEC )

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 39

No 3925 / 91 ( ), complemented by Commission Regulation
( EEC ) No 1823 / 92 ( 2 )) provides for the abolition of controls
and formalities on the personal baggage of
intra-Community travellers . Under these provisions
authorities may elect to provide for two separate flows of
travellers for intra - and extra-Community flights
respectively . Moreover, passengers on domestic flights
should be considered as intra-Community passengers .

Concerning checks on people, at present two flows of
passengers must be distinguished : passengers of domestic
flights on the one hand, and passengers of intra-Community
and international flights on the other hand . Once checks on
people at internal borders are abolished, only two flows of
passengers will be necessary : on the one hand, passengers on
domestic flights and those on intra-Community flights, who
benefit from the abolition of internal border controls, and
on the other hand, passengers on flights from or to third
countries, who will remain subject to controls .

Once the abolition of controls on people at internal borders
has been completed, the distinction between the passenger
flows for customs and for identity checks will be
identical .

5 . Have any studies been carried out into alternative forms
of energy, such as biomass, wind power, solar energy,
etc ., of which Crete has an abundant supply ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 November 1994 )

The Commission has not received an application for
part-financing of this project . It cannot therefore answer
any questions about it .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2173 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Council

( 13 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 76 )
(!) OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 185, 4 . 7 . 1992 .

Subject : Community support for Portuguese textiles

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 170 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 75 )

Subject : New electricity station in Atherinolakos in the

district of Sitia, Crete

The Greek National Electricity Board is planning to build a
new power station in Atherinolakos, in the district of Sitia in
Crete, to cater for the island 's energy requirements .

Given that local bodies and local inhabitants have strongly
protested against the scheme, alleging that it will be
economically unviable and harmful to the environment, and
given that it might jeopardize the region 's development
prospects, can the Commission answer the following
questions :

1 . Is it aware of the above scheme and, if so, can it state
whether the scheme has been included in any
Community funding project ?

2 . Has an environmental impact assessment been carried
out ?

3 . Have the public and local bodies been informed ?

4 . Have any alternative sites for the power station been

considered ?

There is justifiable concern in party political and economic
circles in Portugal at the conflicting news ( and positions )
concerning the promised Community support for
Portuguese textiles .

Since such situations — in which the fundamental flaw of an

arguably inadequate budget serves as an excuse for all kinds
of speculation, which has very little to do with the essence of
the question, namely the Portuguese textile industry 's need
for resources to cushion the impact of the GATT Uruguay
Round, particularly in the social field — can only damage
the credibility of the Community authorities, can the
Council explain, as a matter of urgency, what its solution is
for ensuring that, pursuant to the Decision of December
1993, ECU 400 million are transferred to Portugal, its
textile industry and the workers in that industry ?

Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

As the Honourable Member points out, the Council decided
in December 1993 on the grant of ECU 400 million to the
textile sector in Portugal .

The question of implementation of that Decision is currently
under debate within the Council and the European
Parliament in the context of the discussion on adjusting the
financial perspectives .

No C 55 / 40 | EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 177 / 94

Answer

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V ) ( 23 January 1995 )

to the Council

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 77 )

Subject : Plutonium separation and storage in the EU

1 . According to the German Government, at the end of
the material balance period, the IAEO and Euratom
independently evaluate the material balance for plutonium
and the MUF ( Material Unaccounted For ) value in the
Sellafield and La Hague plants . What has been the annual
MUF value for plutonium over the last ten years :

( a ) in the La Hague re-processing plant,

( b ) in the Thorp re-processing plant,

( c ) in the Dounreay re-processing plant ?

2 . What MUF value ( expressed as a percentaige of the
throughput of fissile material ) does the Euratom Safeguards
expect under normal circumstances in the La Hague and
Sellafield re-processing plants ?

1 . The Council notes that the information requested
relating to points 1, 2 and 4 of the Question put by the
Honourable Member are matters for the Commission in the

framework of its powers under the Euratom Treaty .

Furthermore, the questions in points 3 and 6 concern the
bilateral relations of certain Member States with other

Member States or international organizations .

2 . Banning the storage of quantities of plutonium in a
non-nuclear weapon Member State as referred to in point 5
of the question, is not covered by Community
provisions .

3 . The Council would point out, with reference to point
7, that the provisions of Chapter II of the Euratom Treaty
relating to safeguards stipulate that it should be ensured that
special fissile materials are not diverted from their intended
uses as declared by the users .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 179 / 94

by Giulio Fantuzzi ( PSE )

to the Council

( 26 October 1994 )

3 . Is there a formal agreement ( in the sense of a ' facility
attachment ') between the operators of the re-processing ( 95 / C 55 / 78 )
plants at Sellafield, La Hague and Dounreay and the
International Atomic Energy Agency on the monitoring of
those plants by IAEA inspectors ? If not, why not ? Subject : Administration of quotas

4 . How many kilograms of separated plutonium are
there currently in the EU, broken down by individual
locations ?

5 . Is there an EU agreement or a Directive banning the
storage of large quantities of plutonium in a non-atomic
weapon State where there is no guarantee that the fissile
material will be re-processed as part of a civil nuclear
programme ?

6 . Is it true that under a 1984 agreement between the
Member States of the EU the plutonium of German origin
stock-piled in La Hague will not be transferred to the
Federal Republic until it can be re-processed to MOX fuel
elements ( see Nuclear Fuel, 21 June 1993 )?

7 . Does Community law permit nuclear States in the
Union to use for nuclear weapons fissile material originating
in non-nuclear States of the Union ?

Subject : Administration of quotas for processed tomato

products

Regulation ( EEC ) No 668 / 93 (*) provides for transfers of
the quotas granted to processing undertakings for
concentrated, peeled and other products according to
certain fixed percentages, but the provisions discriminate
heavily against undertakings which do not process peeled

tomatoes .

This mechanism could easily be replaced without
prejudicing in any way the aim of respecting the production
quotas as a whole, and could also encourage greater
competitiveness between tomato processing undertakings .

Can the Council say whether it intends to :

1 . remedy this illogical situation by proposing that the
three different kinds of tomato processing be replaced
by a single processing sector ;

2 . provide for the abolition of the mechanism for transfer
between the various types of product in the quotas
allocated to firms, at least in the short term ;

6 . 3 . 95 LEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 41

3 . reconsider the whole question of quotas for processed

tomatoes in the context of the recent proposal for
reform of the fruit and vegetable COM ?

t 1 ) OJ No L 72, 25 . 3 . 1993, p . 1 .

Why, despite earlier answers to parliamentary questions,
has the Commission not given the addresses in Dutch ? I
think it should, given the bilingual character of Brussels .

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

Answer

( 23 January 1995 ) Phare and Tacis follow the Commission 's rules and practices
with respect to the indication of addressees in the various
official languages, as explained in the answer to the

indicates the which Honourable Member 's previous question No 3772 / 93 ( 1 ).

As the Honourable Member indicates, the questions which
he has raised could usefully be examined within the
framework of the reform of the common organization of the
market in fruit and vegetables .

The Council has, however, not yet received a formal
proposal from the Commission with a view to such
reforms .

The Commission, following the commitments entered into
at the time of the decisions on prices for the 1993 / 94
marketing year, submitted on 30 August 1994 to the
Council and to the European Parliament a communication
on the development and future of Community policy in the
fruit and vegetable sector . With that staff paper the
Commission wanted to open, prior to the submission of
proposals, a wide-ranging debate on the prospects outlined
in its communication . The broad outlines of the document

were presented by the Commission at the Council meeting
on 19 and 20 September 1994 .

The Council then held a policy debate at its meeting on 24
and 25 October 1994 . Following that debate it noted that
the work carried out had provided the Commission with
sufficient evidence to be able to submit formal detailed

proposals for reforming the fruit and vegetables sector in the
near future .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2183 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 79 )

Subject : Use of Dutch

The addresses in Brussels which appear on the back covers

In order to avoid misunderstandings resulting from double
addressees, the Dutch address is used for Dutch publications
and the French for those in other languages . In line with the
measures set out in the answer cited above, the
Commission 's address will in future publications be
given :

— in a Dutch language publication, solely in Dutch

— in a French language publication, solely in French

— in publications in other languages, in both Dutch and

French .

(!) OJ No C 317, 14 . 11 . 1994 :

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 198 / 94

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 80 )

Subject : Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 on agricultural
production methods compatible with
requirements of the protection of the environment
and the maintenance of the countryside

Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 ( J ) provides for a
Community aid scheme the purpose of which is to
accompany the changes to be introduced under the market
organization rules, contribute to the achievement of the
Community 's policy objectives regarding agriculture and
the environment and contribute to providing an appropriate
income for farmers .

How many projects have been approved by the Commission
and what is the amount per Member State and, in the case of
Spain, per autonomous region, for the various types of aid
provided for in the Regulation ?

of the Commission 's two brochures concerning the Phare
and Tacis Programmes are printed only in French . t 1 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 85 .

No C 55 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 November 1994 ) ( 18 November 1994 )

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 of 30 June 1992
provides for a Community aid scheme to encourage the use
of agricultural production methods compatible with the
requirements of environmental protection and the
maintenance of the countryside .

The scheme is compulsory and all Member States are
applying it through one or more programmes .

To date, the programmes approved and their total funding,
including the national and Community contributions, are as
follows : Belgium : 1 programme ; ECU 33,7 million ;
Denmark : 1 programme ; ECU 74,3 million ; Germany : 12
programmes ; ECU 1 582 million ; France : 18 programmes ;
ECU 1 255,6 million ; Ireland : 1 programme ; ECU 280,5
million ; Italy : 13 programmes ; ECU 601,4 million ;
Netherlands : 3 programmes ; ECU 111,2 million ; Portugal :
3 programmes ; ECU 199,4 million ; United Kingdom : 58
programmes ; ECU 341,2 million .

In the case of Spain, three programmes have been approved :
one programme for horizontal measures, for a total amount
of ECU 144,9 million ; and two programmes for measures to
be applied in the Autonomous Communities of Castile-La
Mancha ( total amount : ECU 107,2 million ) and
Castile-Leon ( total amount : ECU 80,5 million ).

Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2079 / 92 provides for a
Community aid scheme for early retirement from
farming .

This scheme is optional and the United Kingdom and the
Netherlands do not wish to apply it .

To date, all the Member States interested in applying the
scheme, with the exception of Luxembourg, have presented
programmes which have already been approved by the
Commission .

14 programmes have been approved in all . The details can
be found in a table which has been sent directly to the
Honourable Members and to Parliament 's Secretariat ­

General .

In the case of Spain, three programmes have been approved :
one general programme and two programmes concerning
the Autonomous Communities of the Basque Country and
Navarre . The planned total cost of the three programmes is
ECU 444,3 million, of which ECU 303,2 million will be
borne by the EAGGF .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2201 / 94

by Miguel Arias . Caiiete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2199 / 94 ( 95 / C 55 / 82 )

by Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE ) and

Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE ) Subject : Paprika and oil-resins

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 81

Subject : Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2079 / 92 instituting

a Community aid scheme for early retirement from
farming

Regulation ( EEC ) No 2079 / 92 (}) provides for a
Community aid scheme the purpose of which is to
accompany the changes to be introduced under the market
organization rules .

How many projects have been approved by the Commission
and what is the cost per Member State and, in the case of
Spain, per autonomous region, of the various types of aid
provided for in the Regulation ?

Spanish producers of ground paprika, paprika oil-resin and
saffron are concerned about rumours circulating at
Community level of a decision by the Commission to
prohibit the use of chlorinated solvents in the extraction of
paprika oil-resin .

Does the Commission intend to prohibit this product ?

If so, why ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

, per, In accordance with Council Directive 88 / 344 / EEC on the
provided for in the Regulation ? approximation of laws of the Member States on extraction

solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food
0 ) OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 91 . ingredients ( x ), dichloromethane is the only chlorinated

6 . 3 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 43

solvent currently authorized in the production of foodstuffs
and food ingredients . It is authorized for the de-caffeination
of coffee and tea and for the removal of irritants from them

and for the preparation of flavourings from natural
flavouring materials, including the extraction from peppers
of paprika oil resin intended for use as a flavour, subject to a
maximum residue limit of 0,02 mg / kg in the final foodstuff .
The Commission does not intend to propose any
amendment of these provisions .

In accordance with the requirements laid down by Directive
89 / 107 / EEC on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States concerning food additives ( 2 ), the
Commission is currently examining purity criteria for
paprika extracts intended for use as food additives, which
are excluded from the scope of Directive 88 / 344 / EEC .

(!) OJ No L 157, 24 . 6 . 1988 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 40, 11 . 2 . 1989 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2207 / 94

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 21 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 83 )

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 19-95 )

The Commission is aware of the practice in the Netherlands
regarding the obligation for job seekers to be registered with
the aliens police in order to be able to seek employment . It
has contacted the Netherlands authorities ( Arbeids ­
voorziening — Centralbestuur ) to ask them for further
information . They have acknowledged that there is a
problem of compatibility with Community law and have
agreed to issue instructions so that job seekers from Member
States are no longer required to register first . The general
obligation to register remains valid and would not appear to
contravene Community law, in that it does not affect the
right to seek a job .

Regarding social security cover while seeking employment,
Article 69 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 (*) lays down
the conditions and limits for the retention of the right to
benefits for unemployed persons going to a Member State
other than the competent State in order to seek employment
there . These conditions do not mention a residence permit .
It is, in fact, a question of a direct right which cannot be
made subject to the holding of a residence permit .
Consequently, any national provision imposing this
additional condition should be regarded as being contrary
to applicable Community law .

(») OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971 .

Subject : Situation of migrant workers
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2208 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

Last March I asked a question about a document issued by
the Amsterdam police to which I have not yet received a
reply but which remains valid and relevant .

In the Netherlands, a Member State, there is a document
issued by the Amsterdam police ( the copy I have is dated
21 January 1994 ) which, according to its wording, must be
shown to an employer . The document serves to prove that
the bearer of a given passport (I am translating from the
Spanish ), ' as a citizen of an EEC Member State or of Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Austria, or Sweden ', has reported to the
' Amsterdam aliens police ' and is ' permitted to seek and do
work for a period of three months '. However, ' this right
applies only to the search for work : it does not include an
entitlement to social security cover during the three months
in question '.

Leaving aside the lack of rigour in its drafting ( the at times
gross inaccuracies vary according to the language used —
Dutch, English, German, French or Spanish ), does the
Commission know about this document ? Is it not totally
illegal and, indeed, does it not constitute a violation of the
Treaty and other legal provisions of the Community and
every Member State ?

to the Council

( 13 October 1994 )

.( 95 / C 55 / 84 )

Subject : Air-traffic control

Since the Commission 's replies at the September
part-session were so vague, can the Council tell me what
initiatives it plans to implement with a view to achieving a
final solution to the problems of air-traffic saturation and
control, so as to ensure that next Summer there will be no
more near-chaos in popular Community tourist areas such
as the Balearic Islands ?

Answer

( 31 January 1995 )

The Council currently does not have before it any proposals
on specific measures which might help to avoid certain
disturbances in the operation of air-traffic control in

No C 55 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Europe, in particular during periods of saturation .
Nonetheless, the Commission and various Member States
have already made several requests for a policy debate on
this matter to be held within the Council .

However, further to certain Council resolutions, in
particular that of 19 September 1992 concerning saturation
of airspace and air-traffic control, Member States and their
partners in the European Civil Aviation Conference ( ECAC )
have taken far-reaching steps towards harmonization and
integration of their air-traffic control systems with a view to
setting up a unified air-traffic management system covering
the whole of Europe 's airspace .

A first step towards fulfilment of this objective was taken
under the aegis of the Community with the adoption of the
Council Directive of 19 July 1993 on the definition and use
of compatible technical specifications for the procurement
of air-traffic-management equipment and systems .

With the same goal in mind, the Community is stepping up
its cooperation with Eurocontrol and ECAC in order to
facilitate the implementation of trans-European projects in
this area, such as Eatchip ( a ) and Apatsi ( 2 ).

To contribute also to the development of ideas and
technologies for the future air-traffic-management system,
the Community has included certain major activities in
the Fourth Research and Development Framework
Programme . These activities will be coordinated with those
of Eurocontrol, ESA and the Member States in the
framework of Ecarda ( 3 ).

The Council approved on 26 September 1994 a resolution
concerning the situation in European civil aviation
acknowledging the importance of making significant
progress in the spheres of air-traffic control and air-traffic
management as well as satellite navigation systems .

Lastly, the Council meeting on 21 and 22 November 1994
took note of a statement by Commissioner Oreja on the
difficulties and fragility of the air-traffic-management
system in Europe, particularly during periods of saturation,
suggesting that appropriate institutional machinery, such as
crisis management units, be set up with due regard for the
provisions of the Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-22 18 / 94

by Francesco Baldarelli ( PSE )

to the Council

( 18 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 85 )

Subject : Transfer of clam fishing boats in the Adriatic

The attitude of the Italian Minister for Agriculture and
Fisheries, Mrs Adriana Poli Bortoni ( Alleanza
Nazionale-MSI ), who has stated that she is willing to agree
to the transfer of 20 clam-fishing boats to coastal sectors
other than their own, has caused a serious controversy in the
central area of the Adriatic sea .

This transfer has been requested by around 20 operators
resident in the commune of Civitanova, with the support of
local fascist party leaders and the agreement of the Minister,
Mrs Poli Bortoni .

After selling their vessels, which are registered in the Ancona
coastal sector, and purchasing others ( at half the price of
those they had sold ) registered in the San Benedetto del
Tronto sector, these operators now wish to transfer their
new boats to other sectors ( Ancona, Pesaro and Rimini ),
where there are still extensive fishing resources, clearly

banking on increasing the vessels ' value .

They have plundered their own coastal sector, in defiance of
all codes of conduct, and now wish to move to sectors where
clam fishing opportunities still exist thanks to the efforts of
other fishermen, who have limited fishing in order to protect
the sea 's biological resources .

This transfer would cause considerable damage to maritime
resources and irreversibly destroy the balance which has
been achieved with difficulty over a period of four or five
years by all the other fishermen, who took it upon
themselves to stop or reduce their fishing activities over long
periods to enable the mollusc population to reproduce .

The Council has asked the Commission to consider
Community measures to deal, in particular, with crisis The national fishermen 's organizations ( Agci, Lega,
situations in this area . Federcoopesca and Federpesca ) have opposed the transfer

and the port authorities concerned have recommended that
the plan be rejected on safety grounds .
(') European Air-Traffic Control Harmonization and Integration

Programme .
( 2 ) Airport / Air-Traffic System Interface .
( 3 ) European Coherent Approach for Research and Development

in Air-Traffic Management .

In view of the above, will the Council act as quickly as
possible to Prevent the transfer and to ensure that the
considerable tension between all the fishermen and the

group which is requesting the transfer does not lead to acts
of intolerance and violence ?

6 . 3 . 95 I HN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 45

Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

The Council would draw the Honourable Member 's ( 21 October 1994 )
attention to the fact that management of the resources ( 95 / C 55 / 87 )
concerned by his question comes, by virtue of the relevant

Community legislation, within the competence of the Italian
national authorities alone . Under these circumstances the

Council is unable to initiate an action along the lines wished
by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2224 / 94

by Diemut Theato ( PPE )

to the Council

( 26 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 86 )

Subject : Extension to the Court of Justice and Court of First

Instance buildings in Luxembourg

An extension to the Court of Justice and Court of First
Instance buildings in Luxembourg has just been officially
opened . Parliament and the Court of Auditors have on
several occasions expressed their desire to see a framework
for coordinating the institutions ' building policies which
would include common rules on the construction of

administrative buildings .

Can the Council tell me :

— Who is the project manager for the building in
question ?

— Was the design chosen as a result of an architectural

competition ? If so, how as the competition
organized ?

— Were the Court of Justice and / or the Budgetary

Authority involved at the design stage ? If so, how ?

Subject : Insult to the European flag

On 4 October 1994, the news agency Reuters reported that
the British Advertising Standards Authority had condemned
the use of the European flag in an advertisement by British
Rail . The advertisement was in promotion of the Interrail
ticket and at the same time supported a European anti-Aids
campaign . In the advertisement, the stars of the European
flag were replaced by condoms .

The Advertising Standards Authority put forward two
arguments in support of its condemnation : the
advertisement was an insult to the European flag and was
highly irresponsible in its encouragement of promiscuity .

1 . Does the Commission share the view of the Advertising
Standards Authority that the use of the European flag in
the Inter-rail advertisement which supported an
anti-Aids campaign financed by the Commission was
reprehensible ?

2 . Is the use of the symbols of the Council of Europe and
the European Union subject to restrictions, and if so,
what restrictions and by whom are they established ?

3 . Does the Commission agree that the fight against Aids
should be fought openly and that moralistic judgements
about supposed promiscuity amongst young people or
other groups can only be detrimental to the desired
effectiveness of preventive health campaigns ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

Answer ( IS December 1994 )

( 31 January 1995 )

It is not for the Council to answer the Honourable

Member 's first two questions .

As regards the third question, on 25 July 1994 the Council
entered in the draft budget for 1995, in Section IV ( Court of
Justice ), most of the appropriations requested by the Court

under the chapter ' Investments in immovable property ',
without making any comments on the Court 's building
policy .

1 . According to the information available to the
Commission, the logo to which the Honourable Member
refers was not used in any campaign which received
financial support from the Commission .

2 . The Council of Europe registered the European
flag / emblem with the World Intellectual Property
Organization in 1979, in accordance with Article 6b(3)(b )
of the Paris Convention, with the result that it is now
protected as the emblem of an international organization . In
the same year, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of

No C 55 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Europe also adopted a recommendation advising
governments of the Member States to take the necessary
legislative measures to ensure that the emblem of the
Council of Europe enjoyed at least the same legal protection
as their own national flags .

3 . The ' Europe against AIDS ' programme, set up by
Decision 91 / 317 / EEC (*), which the Commission has
proposed extending ( 2 ), provides for a preventive campaign
aimed at young people and high-risk groups in particular .
The moral and religious values and traditions of the
Member States have always been taken into account in the
implementation of this programme .

(!) OJ No L 175, 4 . 7 . 1991 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 453 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2237 / 94

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dorfler ( V )

to the Council

( 27 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 88

Subject : Trafficking in organs taken from Brazilian children

put up for adoption

In the past year the European Union has initiated a
programme aimed at the protection and re-integration into
society of the street children in Brazil 's cities .

According to the Council for the Defence of Human Rights
in Brazil ( CDDPH ), another urgent problem is trafficking in
the organs of Brazilian adoptive children . There are said to
be indications that children are only adopted so that their
organs can be sold for human transplants .

Does the Council also possess such information ?

Does it have data on the number of children sent from Brazil

and other third world countries to Europe for adoption ?

Has the Council taken steps to monitor the trade in organs
in the Community, particularly organs taken from
children ?

Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2251 / 94

by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 26 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 89 )

Subject : European association — trans-border
cooperation

Noe Tourisme is an association which groups together the
main tourist organizations of Wallonia, France, the United
Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg .

In order to obtain European grants this association must be
recognized not as a European economic interest group but
rather as a European association in its own right .

Can the Commission indicate what steps these tourist
organizations must take in order to be recognized by the
relevant departments ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1994 )

The Commission does not have a list of recognized
companies or groups of companies in the tourism sector . In
connection with its current activities, the Commission
examines requests for subsidies from any person or
organization ( either national or trans-national ) in the
Community .

Under the Community action plan to assist tourism adopted
by the Council on 13 July 1992 (*), several times a year the
Commission publishes in the Official Journal calls for
proposals relating to one or more specific components of the
plan . Interested organizations submit their proposals, which
must generally relate to a number of Member States, in
accordance with the conditions laid down in the Official

Journal . These proposals are evaluated by the Commission,

and the most attractive are selected for a Community
subsidy .

As association of tourism federations of the type referred to
by the Honourable Member could therefore put forward
proposals relating to the subject of forthcoming calls for
proposals .

The question put by the Honourable Member has not been (M OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992 .
discussed within the Council in the context of the CFSP .

6 . 3 . 95 LJN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 47

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2257 / 94

by Peter Truscott ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 90 )

line with Article F(2 ) of the Treaty on European
Union ?

(!) OJ No C 44, 14 . 2 . 1994 .

Answer given by Mr Delors

Subject : Stray dogs in Portugal on behalf of the Commission
( 12 December 1994 )

Could the Commission give an update on what action it is
taking to prevent stray dogs in Portugal being used in
laboratory experiments ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1994 )

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer

given to questions H-406 / 94 and H-432 / 94 during the
question time of the European Parliament 's session of
September 1994 ( J ).

However during the last meeting of the competent
authorities for the application of Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ( 2 )
the Portuguese delegation declared that it was still
investigating the problem of use of stray dogs for
experimental purposes and that any new facts would be
brought to the attention of the Commission .

( ! ) Debates of the European Parliament of 28 . 9 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2262 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 91 )

Subject : Conscientious objection

In view of the arrest on 23 September 1994, the
imprisonment in the military prison of Pavlou Mela in
Thessaloniki, of Stathis Kelesidis who refuses military
service as a conscientious objector and claims the right to
undertake a form of alternative community service, will the
Commission say :

1 . Whether it has called on Greece to accept the principles

set out in the European Parliament 's resolution of

19 January 1994 ( A3-0411 / 93 ) ( a ) as demanded in
paragraph 15 thereof and, if so, what answer has it
received, and

2 . What representations does it intend to make to the

relevant Greek authorities to bring Greek legislation in

As was stated in Parliament 's debate on Mr Bandres Molet 's

and Mrs Bindi 's report in January 1994, the problem of
conscientious objection is a matter for the Member States
concerned, and it is therefore not the Commission 's place to
involve itself with matters for which it has no specific
responsibility . National jurisdiction should, however, be
exercised in the line with the international and regional
obligations the Member States have entered into, and in
particular the European Convention for the Protection of
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2266 / 94

by Elena Marinucci ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 92 )

Subject : Allergies to synthetic fibres

Given the provisions in the Maastricht Treaty for greater
consumer protection, what action is the Commission taking
to halt, and protect Union citizens from, the increased use of
synthetic fibres ( e.g. acrylic, polyamide, etc .) in clothing, to
which large numbers of people are allergic ?

Would it not be better if the Commission encouraged the use
of natural fibres, which are safer for our health and the

environment ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

With a view to avoiding allergies caused by synthetic fibres
in garments, the Honourable Member asks whether it
would not be advisable to adopt measures or other
initiatives with a view to encouraging the use of natural
fibres in these products .

However, the Commission does not envisage specific
measures in this domain : in the Commission 's view,
consumer protection is adequately assured by Directive
71 / 307 / EEC (*) on the approximation of the laws of the

No C 55 / 48 | EN [ Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Member States relating to textile names, which envisages
mandatory labelling of the fibre composition of textile
products .

An allergy is a manifestation of hyper-sensitivity to one or
more substances of synthetic or natural origin . The latter
include fibres of animal origin, such as wool .

Since this pathology is essentially of an individual nature,
varying from one person to another, it is vital to identify the
substances responsible, with a view to prevention .

It is precisely here that product labelling has a vital role to
play . From the wide range of items on the market, persons
who are allergic to certain textile fibres can choose, by
looking at their labels, those which do not contain the fibre
or fibres to which they are sensitive .

(!) OJ No L 185, 16 . 8 . 1971 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2270 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 93 )

Subject : Eye tests for drivers

In which Member States is there a requirement for an eye
test in order to qualify for a driving licence and can the
Commission provide details of the precise requirements
which exist to check drivers ' vision ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1994 )

Council Directives 80 / 1263 / EEC H and 91 / 439 / EEC ( 2 ) on
driving licences lay down ( in Annex III ) minimal standards
of physical and mental fitness for driving a motor
vehicle .

Where vision is concerned, minimum standards of visual
acuity are specified . However, the abovementioned
Directives do not require a systematic medical examination
for group 1 drivers ( categories A, B, B+E, A1 and El ). An eye
test is compulsory only where there is reason to think that an
applicant 's vision is inadequate . In that case, the eye test
must cover visual acuity, field of vision, twilight vision and
progressive eye diseases .

The Member States are in the process of incorporating
Directive 91 / 439 / EEC into national law . On the basis of the

information now available, three Member States require a
systematic medical examination ( including eye tests ) for
applicants for driving licences ( Italy, Luxembourg and
Spain ).

0 ) OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1980 .

( 2 J OJ No L 237, 24 . 8 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2280 / 94

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 94 )

Subject : Financing of geothermic sites in the Prefecture of

Serres

Numerous studies, including those carried out under the
Valoren Programme for the area, have confirmed the
geothermic potential of the entire geological basin of the
River Strimonas . In confirmation of this, on 14 June 1992
the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources organized a
meeting in Iraklia on the geothermic resources of the
Prefecture of Serres with funding from DG
XVII / Thermie / OPET . The confirmed geothermic sites, some
of which have already been drilled for production, are
Thermia, Nigrita, Sidirokastro, Iraklia, Angistro,
Ivira-Achinos and Promachonas, while a complete
geothermic survey is needed along the whole length of the
Strimonas basin to search for other sources .

Are proposals for the exploitation of these geothermic sites
for use in greenhouses, energy production, spa tourism,
mineral water bottling, district heating and aquaculture
eligible for funding ?

Have the Greek authorities submitted proposals for the
exploitation of the established geothermic sites ?

Have the Greek authorities submitted any proposal for a
complete geothermic survey of the Strimonas basin ?

Which Community programmes could provide funding for
the exploitation of the geothermic sites of this Greek border
region ?

Answer given by Mr Oreja
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 December 1994 )

According to the information available to the Commission,
no geothermal sites have been exploited to date in the Serres
region and no projects have been submitted under the
Thermie Programme .

6 . 3 . 95 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 49

Geothermal exploration of this region was carried out by
the Greek Institute of Geological Studies ( IGME ) and
completed in 1983 . Ten small-diameter wells were drilled to
a depth of up to 450 m, for temperature measurement and
water sampling .

The following studies have been done :

— a report by the IGME presenting the results of their

survey ;

— a study by the Department of Geology of the Aristotle

University in Thessaloniki ;

— a study by the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank

which examines the possibility of exploiting the
geothermal fields in the Prefecture of Serres, including
the geothermal field of Iraklia ;

— a study by the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources

concerning geothermal greenhouses and district
heating .

A feasibility study concerning the exploitation of
geothermic fields in the prefecture of Serres is currently
being carried out by the union of municipalities and
communes of the region under the programme entitled
' Energy planning in the Community '. This study looks at the
use of geothermal energy, combined with other energy
sources, for district heating, swimming pools, therapeutic
applications and agricultural uses .

If the eligibility requirements were met, the exploitation of
the geothermal reservoirs in the Serres region could receive
Community funding, either under the Thermie II
Programme or from the Structural Funds .

obvious that Article 7(4 ) is directed exclusively against
the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania and, in
particular, the distinguished person of Archbishop
Anastassios who has been unanimously recognized by
all orthodox churches ;

— the Albanian Government is seeking by this means to

render the Church of Albania leaderless because no

Albanian clergyman is yet able to fulfil the preconditions
for assuming the duties of head of the church ;

— it is noteworthy that the draft constitution requires the

heads of religious communities to have been resident in
Albania continuously for a longer period of time than
the Albanian head of State ( 10 years ) or Albanian MPs

( two years );

— the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, the

oldest and largest church in the country has been
persecuted more than any other church over the last 50
years . Unfortunately, after a period of three years during
which the political system was being re-organized, it is
now being persecuted once again .

In view of the above will the Commission please say :

1 . What information it has about the violation of the

religious freedoms and independence of the religious
communities in Albania ?

2 . What it intends to do to prevent the adoption of he

controversial article referred to above ?

3 . Whether it intends to re-examine the framework for

economic aid to Albania, a country which by its actions
is violating the religious freedoms and independence of
its religious communities ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2285 / 94

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek
by Yiannis Roubatis ( PSE ) on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission
( 12 December 1994 )

( 31 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 95

The draft constitution was rejected by a referendum on

Subject : Violation of the religious freedoms and
independence of religious communities in
Albania

The draft for the new Albanian Constitution constitutes a

flagrant violation of the religious freedoms and
independence of the religious communities in Albania .
Article 7(4 ) provides that the head of every religious
community in Albania must be an Albanian citizen, have
been born in Albania and have lived there for the last 20

years . In particular :

— Article 7(4 ) violates the basic right of religious
communities to manage their own internal affairs, and

notably to choose their own religious leaders . It is

6 November 1994 and President Berisha has duly noted the
wishes which the Albanian people have expressed .

The specific measures to which the Honourable Member
refers are therefore no longer an issue . Be that as it may, it is
for the Albanian Government to define the nature of its

relations with the various local religious communities, and
the methods it uses, while at the same time respecting its
commitment to fundamental rights, and in particular those
rights which form part of the CSCE framework .

From an economic point of view, the Commission has noted
that Albania has made considerable progress . External
economic aid, some of which comes from the European
Community, is vital to the country 's economic development .

No C 55 / 50 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

This aid has been and will continue to be beneficial to the

political evolution of the country towards a
democratization process and active respect for human
rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2302 / 94

by Johanna Maij-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 96 )

The Commission expects that, in view of the broad support
for the Panel 's Report, the approach taken by the Panel
could als well be applied by panels in future disputes which
raise similar issues . If so, this would also apply to
Community measures .

In this respect, the Commission notes that in many
provisions, the agreement establishing the World Trade
Organization and the multilateral agreements annexed
thereto, explicitly refer to the need to preserve members '
rights to protect human, animal, plant life or health and the
environment . The following examples can be given :

— the preamble to the agreement establishing the World

Trade Organization ;

— Articles XX(b ) and ( g ) of GATT 1994 ;
Subject : The World Trade Organization ( WTO ) and
animal welfare — Annex 2 point 2(a ) and ( g ), as well as point 12(a ) and ( b )

1 . Does the Commission consider that, in the light of the
ruling of the GATT disputes panel in the case of the US
Marine Mammal Protection Act ( Tuna / Dolphin II ), this
ruling and / or line of reasoning will in future also have to be
applied when deciding EU animal welfare or environmental
measures ?

2 . Given that, under the proposed rules of the WTO,
rulings by the disputes panel will almost certainly be
implemented, will EU legislation for the protection of
human beings, animals and the environment be watered
down or reconsidered as a result of rulings against the EU by
the dispute panel ?

of the agreement on agriculture ;

— the agreement on the application of sanitary and

phyto-sanitary measures ;

— the agreement on technical barriers to trade ;

— Article 8 paragraph 2(c ) of the agreement on subsidies

and countervailing measures ;

— Article XIV(b ) of the general agreement on trade in

services .

Furthermore, the Community, when it negotiatetd the
Uruguay Round agreement, took account of the possible
impact of its provisions on existing Community
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan legislation .

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 December 1994 )

The Commission does not expect that Community
legislation for the protection of humans, animals or the
environment will have to be substantially weakened as a
consequence of WTO or of possible dispute settlement panel

reports .

The Commission notes that it appeared at the October 1994
GATT Council meeting that the reasoning of the Second
Tuna / Dolphin is supported by almost all of the GATT
Contracting Parties, except the US, which has not yet taken
a final position . Furthermore, it notes that the Panel has
interpreted paragraphs ( b ) and ( g ) of Article XX of the
GATT in such a way that the measures allowed under these
provisions need not be limited to living things or exhaustible
natural resources located within the territory of the
Contracting Party invoking them . However, the Panel has
also concluded that Article XX paragraphs ( b ) and ( g ) do
not allow a Contracting Party to take measures so as to force
other countries to change their policies with respect to
people or things within their own jurisdictions, and which
require such changes in order to be effective .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2303 / 94

by Johanna Maii-Weggen ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 97 )

Subject : Human rights in Bhutan

1 . Is the Commission aware of Amnesty International 's
critical report on human rights in Bhutan, ' Bhutan, forcible
exile ', and does it agree that ethnic Nepalese are being forced
to leave Bhutan in large numbers ?

2 . Is the executive in Bhutan ( King / government )
collaborating with international bodies such as UNHCR in
this connection ?

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 51

3 . If the answer to the first question is affirmative, and if
human rights have been systematically violated over a
considerable period, does the Commission take this into,
account in its development relations with Bhutan ?

consquences for Portugal of projects receiving 85 % support
from the Cohesion Fund, which is aimed at trans-European
transport network and environmental infrastructures ?

Answer given by Mr Schmidhuber

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission
(7 December 1994 )
( 13 December 1994 )

The Commission has been closely following political events
in Bhutan . It learnt of the Amnesty International report
' Bhutan, forcible exile ' on 25 August 1994 .

The problem of the camps in Nepal filled with refugees from
Bhutan is part of a difficult but genuine negotiation process
which is taking place between the governments of these two
countries . During his visit to Bhutan in July 1994, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Ayala
Lasso, demonstrated his support for this process by calling
for joint cooperation between the United Nations and the
Bhutanese authorities in using technical assistance to
promote human rights .

In this way and through the projects it supports locally, the
Commission is able to contribute positively to improving
the situation in Bhutan .

The Commission has approved a group of projects for work
on river beds and river banks in Spain . The purpose is mainly
to consolidate and reinforce the banks, to facilitate access to
the rivers and to restore eroded areas .

The projects will make it possible to control the flow of
water and erosion, and the results for the environment will
be positive for both Spain and Portugal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 15 / 94

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 99 )

Subject : EU grant to Baby Milk Action Coalition

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305 / 94

by Honorio Novo ( GUE ) and Sergio Ribeiro ( GUE )

( GUE ) and Sergio Ribeiro ( GUE ) Could the Commission confirm that it has given, and will

continue to give, grants to the Baby Milk Action Coalition ?

to the Commission

Will it ensure that EU funding is directed to other eligible
( 15 November 1994 ) groups who are attempting to protect the health and

95 / C 55 / 98 well-being of our citizens ?

to the Commission

95 / C 55 / 98

Subject : Rivers in Spain and the Cohesion Fund

The Commission has just approved Cohesion Fund aid for a
group of projects involving river basins in Spain, for a total
of ECU 11 million, within the framework of the Spanish
National Hydrological Plan .

These rivers include the Douro, the Tejo and the Guadiana,
which for much of their course flow through Portugal,
meaning that their basins cannot be considered as belonging
exclusively to Portugal 's fellow Member State, Spain .

This issue has already been raised, and MEPs of both
nationalities have sought to have due account taken of this
fact .

This being so, and given that there have been no references
to this major issue in the press, can the Commission tell us
what was done to prepare for the environmental and other

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

The Commission confirms that it has co-financed projects
carried out by Baby Milk Action Coalition, and by other
similar NGOs, in the framework of its support to projects
designed to inform and educate sectors of the European
public about a wide range of issues concerning developing
countries and their relations with the Community .

The particular projects in question concern infant health in
developing countries . Further co-financing could be
considered, provided that the activities are in conformity
with the co-financing criteria .

No C 55 / 52 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 17 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Council

( 16 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 100

Subject : Trade in elephant products

Can the Commission assure us that the results of this

study will be made public ?

3 . Is the Commission prepared to initiate a similar EIA
concerning the Airports TEN ?

4 . Does the Commission share our opinion that a
reduction of mobility should form an integral part of EU
transport and environment policy ?

Will the Council of Ministers oppose changes proposed by
South Africa to the Cites Regulations which would allow Answer given by Mr Oreja
them to trade in elephant skins and meat instead of the on behalf of the Commission
current total ban on all trade in elephant products ? ( 12 December 1994 )

Answer

( 23 January 1995 )

The Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Cites Convention

( Fort Lauderdale, 7 — 18 November 1994 ) was not called
upon to vote on South Africa 's proposal, as it was
withdrawn from the agenda in the second week of the
Conference .

It remains the case that the ban on trade in products derived
from Loxodonta africana is needed to ensure the long-term
conservation of this species .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2322 / 94

by Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission

( 31 October 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 101

Subject : Environmental impact assessment of European

high-speed train network

The research and consultancy firm ' Mens en Ruimte ' made
an Environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) of the European
high-speed train ( HST ) network for the Commission in
October 1993 . A network of 9 800 kilometres of new

railways and 14 400 kilometres of upgraded old railways is
involved . The conclusion of this study is as follows : ' Energy
consumption [ by the long-distance transport of passengers ]
in the 2010 HST-scenario will be about 27 % higher than in

1988 . [. . .] Without the HST however energy consumption
would increase even faster and be 32 % higher in the year
2010 compared to 1988 .'

1 . Why has the Commission not brought this study to the

attention of the European Parliament ?

2 . Is it true that the Commission commissioned a similar

EIA of the roads involved in the Trans-European
Networks ( TEN ) ? If so, when will this study be finished ?

In its resolution of 17 December 1990 ( ) the Council
requested this study to be undertaken as part of the work of
the high-level working party on high-speed rail networks .
During and at the end of the consultant 's work, the
Commission informed the group of experts making up the
high-level working party of the main results . The study is the
subject of a chapter in the working party 's new report which
will be published in the coming months .

The study in question is not an environmental impact
assessment in the sense of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, but a
general study carried out according to the recommendations
of the Council 's resolution . To this end, energy
consumption by modes of transport other than rail, i.e. air
and road, has been taken into account and assessed . A new
report which specifically addresses transport by road and air
is not thought to be necessary at the moment .

The Commission does not believe that there can be an

official reduction in the mobility of persons since such a
measure would be contrary to the fundamental principles of
the EC Treaty . Organization of the markets and transport
policy development should be done by promoting scenarios
( complementarity between modes ) which best tie in with
energy and environmental constraints .

(M OJ No C 33, 8 . 2 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2337 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 102 )

Subject : Directive on nitrates

1 . What view does the Commission take of the

non-implementation by the German Government of the
Directive on nitrates ?

2 . When will the Commission initiate infringement
proceedings against the German Government ?

6 . 3 . 95 1 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 53

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 ) ( 10 January 1995 )

At present the Commission is examining the position of all
Member States as regards the implementation of Directive
91 / 676 / EEC ( ] ) concerning the protection of waters against
pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources .

An examination of the matter under Article 169 of the EC

Treaty concerns the non-communication of national
measures or the non-conformity of the measures notified
and does not amount to an assessment of the effects of

non-transposition .

O OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362 / 94

by Wilfried Telkamper ( V )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 103

Subject : Stage reached in the consideration of Petition No

4220 / 94

Cross-border cooperation is unfortunately still not the norm
in the upper Rhine valley region . According to my
information, a number of German women have submitted a
petition protesting against the authorization given for the
construction and operation of a sheet glass factory in
Hombourg, Alsace . Production would lead to increased
emissions of nitrogen oxide in the region and, particularly in
summer, in addition to the existing pollution caused by road
traffic, increased ozone levels with the corresponding health
problems . Moreover, the plant is situated in the last
remaining riverside forests along the Rhine, whose area has
alerady been severely reduced in recent years by a variety of
industrial projects, even though they are valuable habitats
for endangered plant and animal species .

1 . What stage has been reached in the consideration of the

abovementioned petition ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that the area concerned is

among the most deserving of protection under the
habitats Directive ?

3 . Does the Commission regard cross-border cooperation
between the regional authorities concerned with a view
to developing a common regional planning policy as
essential ?

4 . If so, what proposals has the Commission drawn up to
foster cross-border cooperation in the sphere of regional
planning ?

The petition against plans to set up a sheet glass factory in
Hombourg ( Upper Rhine ) is still being examined . After the
facts submitted had been examined, further information
was requested from the protesters, particularly regarding
the results of action brought before administrative courts
concerning the construction permit and the prefectural
decree authorizing the operation .

According to the information supplied in support of the
protest, the region affected by the planned construction is
likely to be covered by the list of ecologically important sites
in the Community . Nevertheless, the Commission would
like to remind the Honourable Member that, pursuant to
Article 4 ( 1 ) of Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (*), each
Member State has to put forward a list of sites indicating the
types of natural habitats as per Annex I and their indigenous
species as per Annex II and to send the list to the
Commission within three years of notification of the
Directive .

Cross-border cooperation is especially important
concerning projects likely to have significant effects on the
environment of another Member State . For this reason,
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment ( 2 ),
which applies to the plan to set up a sheet glass factory,
requires the Member State on whose territory it is proposed
to carry out the project to send information gathered in
accordance with Article 5 of the Directive to the other

Member State . This information has to serve as a basis for

any necessary consultation within the bilateral relations of
the two Member States .

(!) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2364 / 94

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 104 )

Subject : Harmonization of Community tourism statistics

Can the Commission state whether it intends to submit a

proposal for a Directive concerning a harmonized system of

No C 55 / 54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Community tourism statistics, in accordance with the
request already made by Parliament ? If so, can it supply a
date for submission of the proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

On 4 January 1995 the Commission adopted, for
transmission to the Parliament and the Council, a proposal
for a Council Directive on the collection of statistical

information in the field of tourism f 1 ).

(!) COM(94 ) 582 .

In addition, in the context of the regional policies, cultural
tourism has been recognized not only as a source of jobs and
economic development but also as a means of reinforcing
the diverse range of cultures which comprise the European
identity . Cultural tourism projects, have received
Community assistance as elements of Structural Funds
support for tourism . It is planned to maintain this approach
in the 1994 — 1999 planning period for which negotiations
are at an advanced stage .

With regard to the dissemination of experience on cultural
tourism, the European cooperation networks under
Article 10 of the European regional development fund

( ERDF ) provide funding assistance for interest groups to
share their experience and know how . This programme
helps transfer knowledge of successful cultural tourism
projects . The experience of the particular project mentioned
by the Honourable Member has been disseminated, and
derivations of the approach first devised in York have been
successfully developed with Community assistance, for
example, the ' Geraldine Experience ' in Tralee, Ireland .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2375 / 94 (!) OJ No L 231, 13 . 8 . 1992 .

by Edward McMillan-Scott ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 105 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2402 / 94

Subject : ' Heritage ' and regional development

Given the success of certain ' cultural tourism ' projects, such
as the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, in attracting visitors
and promoting economic development, what can the
Commission do to ensure that the experience gained can be
successfully put to use in other regions of the European
Union ?

by David Martin ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 106

Subject : World Trade Organization

What measures for informing and consulting Parliament on
matters relating to the World Trade Organization and its
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi associated bodies does the Commission plan to establish ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 13 January 1995 )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

The Community action plan to assist tourism, adopted by
Council Decision 92 / 421 / EEC of 13 July 1992 ( 1 ), stipulates (6 January 1995 )
that Community action in the field of cultural tourism is
designed to highlight the importance of the cultural heritage

The Commission is determined to do

for tourism and to promote a greater knowledge of the

associate the Parliament with

cultures, traditions and ways of life of Europeans .

The Commission co-finances innovative trans-national

projects in three fields, namely European cultural tourism
routes, visitor management techniques and European
cultural networks . Information on the selected pilot projects
is disseminated by means of multilingual brochures and
publications .

To ensure the successful transfer of know-how throughout
Europe, the Commission presents the most outstanding
projects at conferences to which representatives of the
Member States and the regions .

The Commission is determined to do all in its power to
associate the Parliament with policy-making in the WTO . In
particular, it is the Commission 's intention to follow three
principles :

1 . Parliamentary delegations will be included in European
representation in WT O ministerials, as they have been in
GATT in the past .

2 . Commission officials will provide regular written and
oral briefing to parliamentary committees, on

request .

3 . The commissioner responsible will work with the REX

Committee, at regular meetings and at ad hoc specialised

6 . 3 . 95 LJN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 55

hearings, to ensure a full Parliament input to policy
making on the post-round agenda . Commission policy
papers on economic relations issues will be debated with
the Rex Committee on request .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-24 17 / 94

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 107 )

Subject : EU habitats Directive

The Directive does not prescribe any consultation procedure
for the selection of sites . However, the Commission would
draw the Honourable Members attention to the existing
consultation procedures of the Irish authorities for special
protection areas classified under Council Directive
79 / 409 / EEC ( 2 ) on the conservation of wild birds . This
involves published notices inviting parties to make their
views known to the relevant authorities .

The primary objective of the conservation area network is to
safeguard habitats and species of Community importance .
Sustainable economic activities, which do not significantly
damage the conservation interest of the sites, are compatible
with this goal . Article 6 of the Directive provides
mechanisms for reconciling existing and future economic
activities with conservation needs . These include, where
appropriate, the preparation of management plans for the
sites .

(!) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

Each EU Member State is required to submit to the ( 2 ) OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .
Commission, by June 1995, a list of sites which it considers
should be given the status of Special Areas of Conservation
( SACs ). It also has to detail how it will subsequently manage
these sites .

As I understand it, any existing industry in such sites will
have to implement approved ' management plans '. The onus
will be on these industries to prove there is no environmental
damage on their part .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2434 / 94

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )
In the case of Ireland, ( 95 / C 55 / 108 )

— can the Commission state exacting which Irish authority

has been designated to carry out this survey of Special
Areas of Conservation ?

— is this authority required to seek the views of interest

groups / industries operating in the areas concerned ?

— what approach will be taken to industries located and

operating in such Areas of Conservation, for instance,
seaweed harvesting, shell fish and other fish farming,
tourism and sailing interests, oil and gas exploration ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 December 1994 )

Subject : Arms supplies to Indonesia

Various sources indicate that since 1980 the Netherlands

has supplied large quantities of military equipment to
Indonesia .

On 14 March 1989 and 13 July 1990, the European
Parliament stated its position on European arms exports .

In his reply on behalf of the Commission to my question

1652 / 91 on behalf of the Commission ( J ), Mr Delors said
that the Commission was in favour of setting up a
Community policy to monitor this sector . He also described
this as ' one of the first areas in which the common foreign
and security policy established by the Treaty of Maastricht
will apply '.

Responsibility for the practical implementation in Ireland of
Council Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( a ) on the conservation of What progress has been
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora lies with the monitoring ?
department of arts and culture and with the national parks
and wildlife service of the office of public works . The latter
organization is undertaking surveys to prepare the national Does the Commission already
list importance of sites eligible and designation for identification as special as areas sites of of conservation Community concerning Mr Delors ' the reply Perifra ? Programme
in accordance with the selection criteria which are outlined

in Annex III to the Directive . (!) OJ No C 317, 3 . 12 . 1992, p . 4 .

What progress has been made with regard to this
monitoring ?

Does the Commission already have evaluation reports
concerning the Perifra Programme, which is referred to on
Mr Delors ' reply ?

No C 55 / 56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1994 )

The Council working group on conventional arms exports
has been assigned the task of comparing the policies of the
Member States with a view, in particular, to identifying
common elements and the differences that exist in their

national laws . The purpose of this comparison is to propose
appropriate measures aimed at harmonizing controls on
exports of military products .

The action taken by the working group has already resulted
in :

— the adoption of a common list of embargoes at four

levels and standard phraseology for Community
embargoes ;

— the drawing up of a common reference list of monitored

goods ;

— the introduction of a standardized accompanying

document for movement within the Community of war
material, arms and ammunition ;

— the drawing up of comparative tables of export control

procedures, in particular as regards the final destination,
in force in the Member States .

At the present time, the Commission does not have any
evaluation reports on the special action for peripheral
regions and destabilized activities ( Perifra ) which
terminated recently .

on the basis of a convention, which is currently under
negotiation . Among issues under discussion is that of
parliamentary involvement, particularly in light of
Article K 6 of the Treaty . In this context, the Commission
favours the idea of an annual report on the work of Europol
which would be sent to the Parliament .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2457 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

. to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

95 / C 55 / 110 )

Subject : US research on embryos

Is the Commission closely monitoring the work of the
' Human Embryo Research Panel ' consisting of 18 US
scientists, lawyers, moralists, and distinguished citizens
concerned with the establishment of ethical standards to

regulate, where they deem it appropriate, research using
human embryos ?

If the Commission is familiar with the subject, will it give
brief details of the information at its disposal on the
question and describe the advantages and disadvantages of
such research ?

Does the Commission agree that, since the study is due to be
submitted to the federal health authorities in December, this
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2435 / 94 might be a suitable opportunity to study the final text more
closely ?

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 109 ) Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Europol ( 22 December 1994 )

Has Europol been instructed to submit an annual report on
its work ?

Will this report also be presented to the European
Parliament and national parliaments for scrutiny and
discussion ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

The European police office ( Europol ), referred to in Article
Kl(9 ) of the Treaty on European Union, will be established

The Commission is monitoring this work closely .

The Commission has organized : 1 . The meeting in Mainz,
7 / 8 November 1988, on human embryos and research

( proceedings published by Campus Verlag 1990 ); 2 . The
working group on human embryos and research as
requested by research ministers meeting in Kronberg,
9 October 1990 ( the report is sent direct to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of the Parliament ); 3 . A new
group on human embryo and foetus protection which met
on 14 December 1994 to assess the present situation ( the
agenda and list of participants are sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the

Parliament ).

6 . 3 . 95 LEN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 57

From the existing information, the Commission considers
that medical and scientific ' advantages ' could be obtained
from this kind of research ( e.g. treatment of infertility,
diagnosis of genetic and chromosomal defects, use of foetal
material to provide cell lines for diagnosis of human viral
disease, transplantation into patients with neuro ­
degenerative disease, or with insulin-dependent diabetes, or
treatment for leukaemia ). It further considers that ethical
' disadvantages ' do exist ( in particular for one of the main
views on the status of the embryo, namely that from the
moment of fertilisation there is a new human life ). There is
general agreement that all such research should be subject to
strict ethical review .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2460 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 111 )

Subject : The Commission and national interests

On 2 November 1994 Le Soir reported ( p. 5 ) that
Commissioner Brittan had explained his decision to remain
a Member of the Commission by stating that it was the best
way of defending the British point of view within the

Commission .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2470 / 94

by Antoine-François Bernardini ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 112 )

Subject : European Union measures the response to the

flooding in the South of France

Several departments in the southern France were hit by
unusually violent storms on 5 and 6 November 1994 .

The rains claimed the lives of five people, and several others
are missing .

They caused large-scale material damage, with bridges,
stations and roads destroyed, villages cut off, an airport
closed and industry paralysed .

The track used by the famous ' train des pignes ', a local train
linking Nice and Digne and much loved by tourists, was
destroyed . Computer facilities at Nice Airport are out of
action .

Damage is put at FF 400 million, Nice Airport accounting
for 300 million, the Nice-Digne railway for 50 million and
roads for 30 million of this figure .

Given this sad state of affairs, does the Commission intend
to release emergency aid for the victims and hard-hit
economic infrastructures in the departments of southern
France ?

Is this aim compatible with Article 157(1 ) of the EC Treaty,
which requires that the independence of Commissioners be
beyond doubt ?
Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1994 )

Sir Leon Brittan did not use the words attributed to him by
Le Soir . During the press conference to which the
Honourable Member refers, Sir Leon commented on the
continuing debate about European issues which was taking
place in the United Kingdom, said that he wanted to
contribute, and added that he had concluded that the best
way in which he could do so — in the interests of the United
Kingdom and of Europe as a whole — was as a member of
the Commission for a further term .

Ever since the violent storms hit southern France in

November, the Commission, together with its
representatives in France, has kept a close eye on the
situation .

The Commission acted swiftly to mobilize Community
emergency aid : on 9 November ECU 200 000 was granted
to victims in the departments affected . The purpose of this
humanitarian action was to give immediate and tangible
evidence of Community solidarity towards the victims '
families and those who had suffered material losses .

The Commission does not have a specific Community
instrument for the purposes of repairing damage caused by
natural disasters, including damage to the economic
infrastructure .

No C 55 / 58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Under the rules governing the Structural Funds, their
purpose is to finance investments and infrastructure in
regions that are lagging behind, in declining industrial
regions and in rural regions . So assistance from these funds
could only be channelled indirectly to the regions in central
and southern France which are eligible in whole or in part —
if the regional authorities were to propose that aid for
infrastructures and for investments in economic

development be allocated as a priority to areas hit by the
storms . Objective 5b areas ( rural development under the
reformed Structural Funds ) will receive Community
appropriations for 1994 — 1999 to cover projects relating to
agriculture, training and support for businesses .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2474 / 94

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 113 )

Subject : Election of the President of the Court of Justice of

the European Union

On 8 October 1994 the Spanish daily El Pais reported the
election of the Spanish judge, Rodriquez Iglesias to the
Presidency of the Court of Justice of the EU, and revealed, in
particular, that he was elected at the second ballot by seven
votes, that the Italian judge Mancini obtained five votes and
the Greek candidate Kakouris, stepped down after the first
ballot .

How can such information be disclosed when secrecy is not
simply desirable but is obligatory under Article 2 of the
Protocol on the Court of Justice of the European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2478 / 94

by Fausto Bertinotti ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 114 )

Subject : Campaign against corruption in the
Commission

Several months ago the Commission 's services began a study
to identify the best ways of ensuring that any instances of
corruption committed by its officials could be subject to
criminal proceedings .

Has this study been completed ? What conclusions has the
Commission reached and what action does it intend to take

on the matter ?

If the study is still under way, can the Commission say when
it will be completed ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

The Commission, with the collaboration of the Member
States, has completed an inquiry into anti-corruption
arrangements ( for the prevention, detection and sanctions
against corruption ) which are in place in each Member
State . As far as Commission officials are concerned, if there
were any case of corruption, criminal proceedings would
normally be launched .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2497 / 94

by Alexander Falconer ( PSE )

(9 January 1995 ) to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 115 )

The Commission cannot answer questions concerning the
circumstances in which the President of the Court of Justice
is appointed, since this falls within the Court 's exclusive
jurisdiction and is governed by Article 7(1 ) of its Rules of
Procedure ; the Commission has no role to play in the
process . Moreover, the Commission has no information of
the type referred to by the Honourable Member .

Subject : GATT / WTO

Notwithstanding its obligations under GATT / WTO, does
the Commission agree that in some cases, it is appropriate
for the EU to adopt unilateral trade-related measures in
pursuance of environmental, animal or consumer
protection objectives ?

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 59

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 January 1995 )

The GATT / WTO obligations do not prevent the
Community nor any other GATT Contracting Party and
future WTO member from adopting unilateral trade
measures in pursuance of environmental, animal or
consumer protection objectives provided that they are
decided in accordance with the rules of the multilateral

trading system .

The GATT allows contracting parties to take measures
which run counter to their normal GATT obligations, if
these measures are necessary to protect human, animal and
plant life or health ( Article XX(b )) or for the conservation of
natural resources ( Article XX(g )). Measures should not
however be applied in a manner which would constitute a
means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between
countries where the same conditions prevail, or a disguised
restriction on international trade .

Both the agreement on technical barriers to trade ( TBT ) and
the agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures ( SPS )
recognize the legitimate objective of the protection of
environment and human, plant and animal life and health .
These agreements recommend WTO members to adopt
international standards as far as sanitary and phytosanitary
measures and technical regulations and standards are
concerned . However, WTO members are allowed to deviate
from international standards under a number of conditions .

One condition is that the measures are not discriminatory,
arbitrary, unjustifiable nor more trade-restrictive than
necessary ' to fulfil the legitimate objective, taking into
account the risk non-fulfilment would create ' ( TBT,
Article 2.2 ). Another condition for implementing a higher
level of environmental protection is that the relevant
international standards or relevant parts would be
' ineffective or inappropriate means for fulfilment of the
legitimate objective pursued, for instance because of
fundamental climatic or geographical factors or
fundamental technological problems ' ( TBT Code,
Article 2.4 ) and if ' there is scientific justification, or as a
consequence of the level of sanitary or phytosanitary
protection a Member determines to be appropriate in
accordance with the relevant provisions of paragraphs 1
through 8 of Article 5 ' ( SPS Code, Article 3.3 ).

Furthermore the WTO committee on tr^ide and
environment ( CTE ) was established by a ministerial decision
last April . It has already started working within the
preparatory committee of the WTO ( pending the
ratification of the Uruguay Round ). The CTE has a
wide-ranging work programme and its mandate allows it to

' make appropriate recommendations on whether any
modifications of the provisions of the multilateral trading
system are required, compatible with the open, equitable
and non-discriminatory nature of the system ' to improve the
interaction between trade and environmental measures .

In conclusion the Commission considers that the

GATT / WTO already allow a large scope for
non-discriminatory unilateral trade measures, and that the
CTE will attempt to accommodate in the trading system
other environmental concerns with GATT compatibility
which may at the moment still be unclear .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 02 / 94

by Luigi Vinci ( GUE ), Laura Gonzalez Alvarez ( GUE ) and

Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 116 )

Subject : Commission report to the Council and the
European Parliament on statistics concerning the
number of animals used for experimental and
other scientific purposes

Given that :

— the Commission has issued its first report on the

abovementioned statistics (*), in accordance with
Article 26 of Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ( 2 ), albeit some three
years late ;

— the Commission says : ' The tables submitted by Italy

differ from the models adopted by the Council of
Europe . Also, the official data are incomplete, as
explained in the table ';

— the Italian Health Ministry used a somewhat unusual

method of assessment in the one table it provided, based
on a percentage increase of 50 % in 1990, 40 % in 1991
and 30% in 1992, which shows a significant overall
increase in the number of animals used in recent years in
contrast to all the public declarations claiming credit for
a significant reduction ;

1 . What is the Commission 's view on the attitude of the

Italian Health Ministry and its representative on the
permanent consultative committee provided for in
Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ?

2 . How does the Commission intend to prevent false

information from being circulated on the subject ?

f 1 ) OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986, p . 1 .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 195 final .

No C 55 / 60 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

Since the report published on 27 May 1994 was the first of
its kind prepared by the Commission, and as such a major
innovation, some Member States had considerable difficulty
in replying . In these circumstances it may be considered
satisfactory, despite the gaps .

In future, new tables prepared by the Commission in
accordance with Directive 86 / 609 / EEC, corrected and
revised with reference to the tables published by the Council
of Europe, will be proposed and there is every reason to
believe that the next report will give a much more accurate
picture of the situation .

The Commission will do all it can to ensure that subsequent
reports contain precise and comparable data on the number
of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes
in the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2503 / 94

by Luigi Vinci ( GUE ), Laura González Alvarez ( GUE ) and

Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Commission

— this decree has never entered into force ;

Does the Commission intend to initiate infringement
proceedings against Italy, pursuant to Article 169 of the
Treaty ?

(») OJ No C 141, 19 . 5 . 1993, p . 32 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 46, 14 . 2 . 1994, p . 34 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 358, 18 . 12 . 1986, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

The Commission had started infringement procedures
against Italy for failure to incorporate into national law the
obligation regarding periodic inspection set out in
Article 17, paragraph 2 of Directive 86 / 609 / EEC . The
Italian authorities sent notification of a Decree transposing
the aforementioned obligation in January 1994 .

The Commission is not aware of the fact that the Ministerial

Decree cited by the Honourable Members, which could be
that sent to the Commission by the Italian authorities, has
not entered into force . It will take up the matter with the
Italian authorities .

( 30 November 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2534 / 94
( 95 / C 55 / 117

by Paul Lannoye ( V )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

Subject : Failure by Italy to comply with the Directive on the

protection of animals used for experimental and ( 95 / C 55 / 118 )

protection of animals used for experimental and
other scientific purposes

Given the Commission 's answer to Question
No 2455 / 92 ( 1 ) and Question E-l 747 / 93 ( ) by Mr
Gianfranco Amendola ;

given that :

— in these replies, the Commission said that the Italian

Legislative Decree 116 / 92, transposing Directive
86 / 609 / EEC ( 3 ) into Italian law, failed to comply with
Article 17 of the Directive and that it would notify the
Italian authorities of this fact ;

— following this notification, the Italian Health Minister

drafted a ministerial decree dated 22 December 1993 to

remedy this failure and meet undertakings adopted by
the Italian Parliament on the basis of Article 24 of

Directive 86 / 609 / EEC ;

Subject : Implementation of the Uruguay Round
Agreements

Implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements, if they
are ratified by the European Parliament and the national
parliaments, will result in a net loss of revenue to the
Community budget which will have to be made up
somehow .

Has the Commission assessed this loss in annual terms ?

What proposals does it intend to put forward for alternative
sources of revenue or spending cuts ?

It would be extremely useful for MEPs to have the answers
to these two questions before the debate on ratification in
the next few weeks .

6 . 3 . 95 I EN l Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 61

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1994 ) (6 January 1995 )

A recent estimate puts the net loss of revenue to the 1999
Community budget as a result of the implementation of the
Uruguay Round agreements at around ECU 3 billion .

This estimate is based on macro-economic assumptions and
the predicted extra growth in trade brought about by the
agreements was very cautious . Consequently, the projected
loss of revenue is a maximum ; the real figure could be
lower .

There is no need to propose alternative ways of balancing
the budget since any shortfall in traditional own resources
will be made up for by other funding based on GNP .
Naturally, this will be subject to the annual ceiling on the
total resources the Communities may have at their
disposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2560 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 119 )

Subject : The importance of fathers in European society

Recent US research proves that fathers contribute
significantly to the well-being, particularly in moral terms,
of that society . For example, teenage girls whose fathers live
at home are only half as likely to become pregnant as those
whose fathers do not live at home . Similarly, it appears that
in the United States, almost two-thirds of rapists, three
quarters of teenage killers and the same proportion of
prisoners serving long prison terms are young males who
grew up in a fatherless home . ( Data gathered by Irving
Kristol, The Wall Street Journal, 4 / 5 November 1994 ).

Has a similar study or survey been carried out by the
Commission with the aim of assessing the role of fathers in
European society ?

If not, are the Commission services willing to do so and
could they draw any practical conclusions from it with
regard to the formulation of certain Community policies ?

The Commission has not hitherto carried out studies or

surveys along the lines referred to by the Honourable
Member .

It is well aware, however, of the increasing importance in the
Member States of the father 's role, as shown in reports by
the European Family Policy Observatory .

In June 1993, for example, it organized, together with the
Danish Presidency, a seminar on the father 's role in the
family of tomorrow . This seminar brought together
government representatives, researchers, representatives of
family organizations and practitioners . The aim was to
underline the importance of the father 's role, as well as that
of the mother, in bringing up children -. This seminar had
been preceded by another organized by the regional
authorities of Emilia-Romagna ( I ) and the Commission 's
Network on Childcare and Other Measures to Reconcile

Work and Family Responsibilities . The aim of this seminar
was to examine ways of increasing fathers ' involvement in
childcare and child-rearing .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 70 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Council

( 31 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 55 / 120 )

Subject : Anti-personnel mines

Is the Council aware of the long-lasting effects of
anti-personnel mines on civilians, and on the economies of
local communities affected ?

Will the Council :

work for the inclusion of an international agreement at the

1995 In-humane Weapon Convention ( 1980 ) Review
Conference to ban the production, stockpiling, transfer and
use of all anti-personnel mines and component parts ;

take the lead in resourcing a comprehensive global
programme of urgent mine clearance, to which
manufacturing countries of these weapons should make
substantial contributions ;

No C 55 / 62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

and increase its support for programmes for the victims of
anti-personnel mines and secure commitments to them from
other governments ?

Answer

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 84 / 94

by Noël Mamère ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 23 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 121 )

( 23 January 1995 ) Subject : Operation of the Super-Phenix nuclear power

station in France

The Honourable Member will be aware from previous
answers to parliamentary questions that a coordinated
European Union action exists on anti-personnel land
mines .

The European Union has been among the main promoters of
the Review Conference of the 1980 ' Convention on

prohibition or restrictions on the use ofcertain conventional
weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious
or have indiscriminate effects ' and is playing an active role in
the preparatory activities of this conference, which is due to
take place between 25 September and 13 October 1995 . The
European Union has appealed to third countries to
participate fully in this process as well as in the Conference
itself .

The EU welcomes progress made at the Geneva expert
discussions on a new version of Protocol II to the

Convention . The EU advocates, in the framework of this
Protocol, stricter restrictions and additional prohibitions as
well as sound verification measures . Moreover, Protocol II
should also cover non-international conflicts .

Member States of the European Union have declared
moratoriums on the export, transfer or sale of
anti-personnel land mines and related devices . They have
welcomed the adoption by consensus by the 49th UN

General Assembly of resolutions on the Convention and on
the moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land mines

( this latter establishing the ultimate goal of the eventual
elimination of anti-personnel land mines ), on which NAM
countries refrained from introducing divisive
amendments .

In the context of the follow-up of UN Resolution 48 / 7
entitled ' assistance of mine clearance ', the European Union
is considering favourably the proposal to establish a UN
Voluntary Trust Fund to assist especially in information and
training programmes relating to mine clearance and to
facilitate the launching of mine clearance operations . On
this matter, the Presidency, on behalf of the European
Union, introduced a draft resolution at the 49th General
Assembly . In this context, reference is also made to the
answer given to written questions 1884 / 94 of Mr Balfe and
2430 / 94 of Mr Nicholson, which indicates action already
undertaken by the European Union .

Can the Commission supply precise information concerning
the operation of the Super-Phenix nuclear power station ?

Have the additional health and safety measures required
under Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty received the assent
of the Commission ? If so, can it provide details of its
opinion ?

Can the Commission provide a list of any incidents which
have occurred at this power station and state how seriously
they affected the safety of the public and workers and the
protection of the environment ?

Has the Commission had occasion to deliver an opinion on
any plans for the disposal of radioactive waste from
Super-Phenix, as laid down in Article 37 of the Euratom
Treaty ? If so, can it provide details of its opinion ?

Has the Commission had the access to the facilities
necessary to carry out continuous monitoring of the level of
radioactivity, as provided for in Article 35 of the Euratom
Treaty ? If so, can it guarantee that these facilities are
operating efficiently ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 1995 )

Having been closed down since July 1990, the Super-Phenix
nuclear power station has been the subject of a new Decree
authorizing its re-opening ( ! ). The plant was re-started on
4 August 1994 . The planned load-increase which is to take
place in stages, each one being subject to specific
authorization, is forecast to reach 30% by the end of

1994 .

In the first stage, Super-Phenix will use its present core .
Then, from the end of 1995, the fertile section ( uranium-238
assemblies ) will gradually be replaced by sterile steel
elements . This will result in the reactor producing less and
less plutonium until it is burning more plutonium than it is
generating . It will then be a sub-generator .

Through its operation and the associated R and D
programme, Super-Phenix will form part of the programme
for the acquisition of knowledge :

— on the technology of fast neutron reactors,

6 . 3 . 95 1 EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 63

— on the development of fuels with a high level of

plutonium consumption,

— on the development of long-lived waste disposal

methods .

Breeder reactors can help manage stocks of plutonium
intended for civil or military purposes and help dispose of
radioactive waste .

Concerning Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty, it is up to the
Member State concerned to ask the Commission for its

opinion, where appropriate, and, since it has not been
consulted about Super-Phenix, the Commission has made
no comment on the subject . Nevertheless, at present it is
examining several official complaints concerning the
applicability of Article 34 to Super-Phenix ; in this respect,
more information has been requested from the French
Government .

Operators regularly notify the national competent
authorities of events affecting nuclear plants, Information
on Super-Phenix ( and other facilities in France ) can usually
be found in the Bulletin de Securite des Installations

Nucleaires published by the French authorities .

By reason of Decision 87 / 600 / Euratom on Community
arrangements for the early exchange of information in the
event of a radiological emergency ( 2 ), every Member State
has to inform the^Commission each time it decides to take
measures of a widespread nature in order to protect the
general public in case of a radiological emergency following
an accident in its territory involving facilities from which a
significant release of radioactive material occurs or is likely
to occur . Up to now the Commission has not received any
notification of this kind concerning Super-Phenix .

Two opinions have been given on the subject of
Creys-Malville in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom
Treaty but it must be remembered that its sole aim is to
determine whether the implementation of a radioactive
waste disposal plan is liable to contaminate a neighbouring
Member State . The first of these opinions, given in April

1986, concerned Super-Phenix and the second, given in the
month of August of the same year, the related fuel storage
tank . Both thought that these plants showed ' no risk of
significant radioactive contamination of the water, the soil
or airspace of another Member State either when operating
normally or in the event of an accident of the type and
severity of the one considered in the general data '.

In December 1989 the Commission decided to reintroduce

monitoring under Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty . The
inspections carried out in this connection so far have been
limited due to, among other things, a lack of resources .
Creys-Malville has still not been the subject of such
inspections .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2591 / 94

by Francisco Lucas Pires ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 122 )

Subject : Generalized System of Preferences

In the proposal for a Regulation on the new Generalized
System of Preferences, it is stipulated that the establishment
of the graduation mechanism is aimed at transferring the
preferential margins of countries which are relatively more
developed to those which are moderately or less advanced .
How does the Commission intend to ensure such a transfer

while preventing market niches currently enjoyed by sectors
of countries subject to such graduation being taken over by
competing industrialized countries ?

In the draft Regulation, the Commission proposes to extend
the special arrangements concerning drugs for an
unspecified period . They were initially planned to last only
four years . What concrete information is there to confirm
the effectiveness of these preferences in the fight against the
cultivation and trafficking of drugs ?

On what statistical grounds has the Commission decided,
under the new Generalized System of Preferences, to
propose the extension of special arrangements concerning
drugs to Venezuela ? Is there any precise information indicating that the problem of drug trafficking is as serious
and widespread in that country as in those countries that
formerly enjoyed the abovementioned special arrangements
or in countries which are not beneficiaries ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 January 1995 )

The basic aim of the GSP scheme is to promote export
growth in developing countries by applying preferential
tariffs to their products . The introduction of a ' graduation '
system will give less advanced countries preferential access
to the Community market, thus enabling them to compete
with the more advanced countries . It is up to the countries
concerned to pursue export policies that will allow them to
benefit from the new arrangements . In a communication
presented in June on the role of the GSP scheme in the period

Creys-Malville has still not been the subject of such 1995 — 2004 i 1 ), the Commission indicated its intention of
inspections . stepping up technical assistance to the beneficiary countries

to enable them to make the most of the advantages offered
( ! ) French Official Journal, 12 July 1994 . by these adjustments to the GSP scheme .
( 2 ) OJ No L 371, 30 . 12 . 1987 .

In advocating the special arrangements for drugs, the
Commission opted for a 10-year approach ( 1995 — 2004 ).

No C 55 / 64 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

The operational Regulation proposed by the Commission
covered a three-year period, which was extended to four
years by the Council .

These special arrangements are intended not to combat drug
cultivation and trafficking directly, but to help create a
favourable economic climate for the development of viable,
legal alternatives . Studies carried out in the countries
concerned show that the introduction of the special
arrangements has indeed brought about a change for the
better .

The Commission has convincing evidence, including
statistical data, that point to a significant increase in
drug-related activity in Venezuela, which in the space of a
few years has become a new centre for drug-trafficking
operations .

(!) COM(94 ) 212 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2596 / 94

by Ian White ( PSE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 123

Subject : By-pass at Mojacar ( ALP - 152 )

With regard to the proposed by-pass at Mojacar ( ALP-152 )
in Almerfa, Spain, would the Commission please confirm

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2608 / 94

by Yves Verwaerde ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 124 )

Subject : Premises occupied by the European Union
institutions in Brussels

Could the Commission draw up an exhaustive list of
premises occupied by the European Union in Brussels,
including those mentioned in the Tomlinson report ?

Could the Commission also state as precisely as possible the
nature and use of the premises ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

The list of premises which the Commission occupies, in
whole or in part, in Brussels, together with an indication of
the type of occupation, is being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament 's Secretariat ­

General .

The Commission is unable to ansv«r for the other

institutions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2627 / 94

,, by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

that
to the Commission

1 . European Union monies are to be used in its ( 30 November 1994 )
construction, ( 95 / C 55 / 125 )

2 . an appropriate Environmental Impact Assessment has
been both tabled and inspected,

3 . it is satisfied as to the need for such a road and that the

Spanish authorities have given proper consideration to
the proposed alternatives .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

Subject : Advertisements for posts within the EU

The Commission normally advertises posts with the proviso
that these are only open to EU citizens .

Is the Commission aware that these adverts with such a
proviso would be illegal under UK legislation ?

Will they undertake to cease such advertising for posts in the
UK ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission has asked the Member State concerned for
information regarding the facts referred to by the ( 10 January 1995 )
Honourable Member . It will inform him of its findings .

The institutions can only recruit officials in the manner and
according to the criteria laid down by the staff regulations,

6 . 3 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 55 / 65

which lay down the general rule that those recruited must be
nationals of a Member State .

Like other Community Regulations, the staff regulations are
directly applicable in the Member States, independently of
national law . There is therefore no question of the
Regulations being incompatible with national law .

The fact that the Regulations are in principle limited to

Community nationals is not radically different from the
situation which obtains under the Community rules on free
movement of employers and workers throughout the
Community . Article 48 EC Treaty and Regulation ( EEC )
No 1612 / 68 confer rights primarily on Community workers
and their families ( though family members do not have to be
Community nationals ), in particular by prohibiting
discriminations against them on grounds of nationality .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2654 / 94

by Thomas Megahy ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 127 )

Subject : Working-time Directive

What action has the Commission taken to fulfil its pledge to

' take initiatives to ensure the application of the principles of
the ( working-time ) Directive to the sectors and activities
excluded from the Directive ', including doctors in training ?

( See answer by Commissioner Flynn, to Ms Crawley 's
Question E-472 / 93 O )

f 1 ) OJ No C 317, 14 . 11 . 1994, p . 2 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642 / 94 ( 16 January 1995 )

by Hugh McMahon ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 55 / 126

Subject : Eurostat labour market surveys

What arrangements are made in the twelve EU Member
States as regards the collection of data for ' Eurostat ' with
reference to the European Social Fund ?

Is the work allocated to the relevant government
department, or is it contracted out, and what terms and
conditions do those employed in this task enjoy in each
Member State ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

As stated in the white paper on ' European social policy ' ( ),
consultations with the social partners or studies by the
Commission are proceeding in the case of sectors ( five
transport sectors plus sea fishing ) and activities ( other work
at sea and doctors in training ) excluded from the working
time Directive .

The Commission considers that agreements between the
social partners would be the best solution, but if no
agreements can be reached during 1995, proposals for
Directives based on Article 118a EC Treaty, will be
considered .

(M COM(94 ) 333 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2676 / 94

on behalf of the Commission by Gary Titley ( PSE )

( 13 January 1995 ) to the Commission

(6 December 1994 )

The data concerning the labour market which is assembled
by Eurostast covers a number of different surveys ( labour
costs, etc .) but the collection of the information is the
responsibility of national government departments, in
accordance with the subsidiarity principle .

The working arrangements of the people involved in the
various stages of collecting this information is therefore the
responsibility of these departments .

( 95 / C 55 / 128 )

Subject : ' Blind spot ' in car mirrors

Does the Commission intend to introduce new technical

specifications for motor vehicles in order to eradicate the
problem of ' blind spots ' in car mirrors ?

What research has the Commission done into this problem,
in particular as to whether car mirror blind spots are a major
contributory cause of accidents ?

No C 55 / 66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 6 . 3 . 95

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1995 )

The problem of ' blind spots ' in car mirrors has been known
for a long time . Directive 71 / 127 / EEC on the rear-view
mirrors of motor vehicles (*), as last amended by Directive
88 / 321 / EEC ( 2 ), provides for a compromise between, on the
one hand, the need to reduce this blind spot and, on the
other, the need to see objects to the rear of the vehicle
without the image being too small or distorted . The blind
spot can be significantly reduced by adjusting the rear - view
mirror appropriately .

Various technical possibilities have been explored to solve
this problem, particularly with new mirror shapes or even
automatic detection of vehicles present in the blind spot, as
was studied in the ' Prometheus ' Programme . The
Commission is following technological developments
closely, either through its work on adaptation to the

technical progress of the Directives on ' motor vehicles ' or
through Community research projects to assess the impact
of new technologies, for example, as part of the future Drive
Programme .

It is not possible to answer the question as to whether the

' blind spot ', which includes poor adjustment of the
rear - view mirror, is a determining factor in accidents : this
would require a detailed examination of a large number of
accidents . It has to be said that accident analysis has been
intensified as regards secondary safety, i.e. less serious
injuries from accidents, for which objective data are more
readily available than for primary safety . For this reason
several industrial and government projects designed to
consolidate existing data are being discussed by groups
concerned with road safety .

(!) OJ No L 68, 22 . 3 . 1971 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 147, 14 . 6 . 1988 .