Source: EURLEX
Language: en
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_^ 0 ^ ._ / * / * •    - "1 T " "1 ISSN 0378-6986
# Onicial Journal cwi

_ ^ Volume 34
## of the European Communities n^mi

### English edition Information and Notices

Notice N o Contents Page

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

9 1 / C 161/01 N o 1029/90 by M r Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo, M r Mateo Sierra

Bardaji, M r Josep Pons Grau and M r Juan de la Camara Martinez to the Commission

Subject: Structural aid for non-industrial fishing in the Mediterranean 1

9 1 / C 161/02 N o 1108/90 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: VAT zero rating of household necessities 1

9 1 / C 161/03 N o 1208/90 by Mrs Pasqualina Napoletano to the Commission

Subject: Commission staff 2

9 1 / C 161/04 N o 1398/90 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject: Chronic persistent hunger 3

| 9 1 / C 161/05 N o 1405/90 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission

Subject: Six-day rule for minced meat production 3

9 1 / C 161/06 N o 1469/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Ingredients of alcohol-free beers 4

9 1 / C 161/07 N o 1629/90 by M r Carlos Perreau De Pinninck Domenech and M r Jose RuizMateos Jimenez de Tejada to the Commission

Subject: Illegal fishing activities in the Mediterranean 5

9 1 / C 161/08 N o 1960/90 by M r Francois Musso to the Commission

Subject: Lingua programme information centre in France 5

9 1 / C 161/09 N o 2088/90 by M r Adrien Zeller to the Commission

Subject: Stabilization of the market in beef and veal 6

j 9 1 / C 161/10 N o 2094/90 by M r Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Atmospheric effects of radioactive discharge Krypton-85 6

1 (Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 1 / C 161/11 N o 2140/90 by M r Gerhard Schmid to the Commission

Subject: Chemical pollution of textiles which may cause genetic changes 7

9 1 / C 161/12 N o 2155/90 by M r Carmen D i e z d e Rivera to the Commission

Subject: Water scooters 7

9 1 / C 161/13 N o 2180/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject: Child mortality and leukaemia in the proximity of the Sellaf ield reprocessing plant . . . 7

9 1 / C 161/14 N o 2270/90 by M r Gerardo Fernandez-Albor to the Commission

Subject: Suspension of mortgage payments 8

9 1 / C 161/15 N o 2285/90 by Mrs Caroline Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Non-specific Structural Fund grants and the environment 9

9 1 / C 161/16 N o 2300/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Protection of workers and the public from the risks associated with the presence of
tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite in various materials 9

9 1 / C 161/17 N o 2305/90 by M r Gerhard Schmid to the Commission

Subject: Environmental acceptability of chemical toilets 11

9 1 / C 161/18 N o 2321 /90 by Mrs Claudia Roth to the Commission

Subject: Animal testing in the field of cosmetic products 11

9 1 / C 161/19 N o 2371/90 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission

Subject: EC research in the area of human reproduction 11

9 1 / C 161/20 N o 2374/90 by Mrs Caroline Jackson to the Commission

Subject: Directive 73/404/EEC — Detergents 12

9 1 / C 161/21 N o 2451/90 by M r Gerard Monnier-Besombes to the Commission

Subject: Risks arising from the incineration of stocks of chemical weapons from Germany on the
Johnston Atoll (South Pacific) 13

9 1 / C 161/22 N o 2464/90 by M r Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission

Subject: Directive on the conservation of wild birds 13

9 1 / C 161/23 N o 2472/90 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject: Agricultural loans 13

9 1 / C 161/24 N o 2475/90 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission

Subject: Safety on Community beaches 14

9 1 / C 161/25 N o 2489/90 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Death of dolphins in the Mediterranean 14

9 1 / C 161/26 N o 2501/90 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Sugar quotas in the FRG 15

9 1 / C 161/27 N o 2515/90 by M r Peter Crampton to the Commission

Subject: Petrol prices during the Gulf crisis 15

9 1 / C 161/28 N o 2552/90 by M r Jose Vazquez Fouz to the Commission

Subject: Safety and health on fishing vessels 16

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 1 / C 161/29 N o 2558/90 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Building controls in the single market 16

9 1 / C 161/30 N o 2559/90 by M r Thomas Megahy to the Commission

Subject: Building controls in the single market 17

9 1 / C 161/31 N o 2574/90 by M r Joaquim Miranda da Silva to the Commission

Subject: Ecological disaster in the Tejo estuary 17

9 1 / C 161/32 N o 2606/90 by M r Madron Seligman to the Commission

Subject: Sponsorship by pharmaceutical companies 18

9 1 / C 161/33 N o 2625/90 by M r Vincenzo Mattina to the Commission

Subject: Racketeering on the Italian cement market 18

9 1 / C 161/34 N o 2630/90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Ingredients used in ice-cream 19

9 1 / C 161/35 N o 2631 /90 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: The 'Hopital de VillejuiP and protection of the patient 19

9 1 / C 161/36 N o 2649/90 by M r Mark Killilea to the Commission

Subject: Radon gas levels in the West of Ireland 20

9 1 / C 161/37 N o 2709/90 by M r Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Compliance with the directive on electro-medical equipment used in human and
veterinary medicine 21

9 1 / C 161/38 N o 2726/90 by M r Gerhard Schmid to the Commission

Subject: Bacteria off the coast of Brittany 21

9 1 / C 161/39 N o 2783/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission

Subject: List of occupational diseases 22

9 1 / C 161/40 N o 2888/90 by Mrs RiaOomen-Ruijten to the Commission

Subject: Recruitment policy of the Commission and women wishing to resume a career 22

9 1 / C 161/41 N o 2986/90 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Hydroelectric resources in the EEC Member States 22

9 1 / C 161 /42 N o 3014/90 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission

Subject: Emergency medical aid — training of ambulance staff 23

9 1 / C 161/43 N o 3045/90 by M r Elio Di Rupo to the Commission

Subject: Mortgages 23

9 1 / C 161/44 N o 3075/90 by M r Georgios Romeos to the Commission

Subject: Disruption in the Community's statistical programmes 24

9 1 / C 161/45 N o 61/91 by M r Rafael Calvo Ortega to the Commission

Subject: Trademark Office 24

9 1 / C 161 /46 N o 66/91 by M r Gerardo Gaibisso to the Commission

Subject: Structural Funds: operations in the region of Latium (Italy) 25

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 1 / C 161/47 N o 80/91 b y M r M i h a i l Papayannakis to the Commission

Subject: Pollution in the Prefecture of Kozani 25

9 1 / C 161/48 N o 89/91 by M r Alexander Langer, Mrs Solange Fernex, M r Enrico Falqui, M r Paul

Staes, M r Eugenio Melandri, M r Paul Lannoye and M r Virginio Bettini to the

Commission

Subject: Political and economic and monetary union and social cohesion 25

91 / C 161 /49 N o 191 /91 by M r Marc Galle to the Commission

Subject: Patent protection for medicines 26

9 1 / C 161/50 N o 203/91 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission

Subject: Female participants in exchange programmes 26

9 1 / C 161/51 N o 290/91 by Mr Bartho Pronk and M r James Janssen van Raay to the Commission

Subject: Charges for debit cards _27_

9 1 / C 161/52 N o 319/91 by M r Jose Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject: Development of the Arion programme 28

9 1 / C 161/53 N o 369/91 by Mrs Dorothee Piermont to the Commission

Subject: Dismissal of cleaning staff by the Commission because of the Gulf War 29

9 1 / C 161/54 N o 420/91 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Council

Subject: Changes to proposed waste water directive 29

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 161/1

_(Information)_

### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1029/90

by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz, Mrs Maria Izquierdo Rojo,

Mr Mateo Sierra Bardaji, Mr Josep Pons Grau and

Mr Juan de la Camara Martinez (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(11 May 1990)_

(91/C 161/01)

_Subject:_ Structural aid for non-industrial fishing in the
Mediterranean

What budgetary provision has the Commission made
for structural aid to non-industrial fishing in the
Mediterranean and what rate of implementation will be
applied?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 June 1990)_

Structural aid for Community non-industrial fishing in
the Mediterranean is governed by Council Regulation
(EEC) No 4028/86 of 18 December 1986 on Community
measures to improve and adapt structures in the fisheries
and aquaculture sector (').

With regard to fishing vessels measuring less than 9
metres in length between perpendiculars and which
are not covered by this Regulation, the Commission,
taking particular account of Parliament's resolution
of 23 January 1989 aimed at ensuring a fair standard
of living for fishermen engaged in small-scale fishing,
incorporated in its 1990 programme a proposal for
provisions which would extend to such vessels certain of
its structural policy measures.

(') OJNoL376, 31. 12.1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1108/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 May 1990)_

(91/C 161/02)

_Subject:_ VAT zero rating of household necessities

Given the essential nature of sanitary protection goods to
all women, can the Commission comment on why these
goods in the UK attract the same level of VAT as luxuries?
Will the Commission give the classification of these goods
for VAT purposes throughout each of the Member
States?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener
on behalf of the Commission

_(22 June 1990)_

According to the information at the Commission's
disposal, sanitary towels and tampons are subject in
Member States to the following rates of VAT:

Belgium:

Denmark:

Germany:

Greece:

Spain:

France:

Ireland:

Italy:

Luxembourg:

Netherlands:

Portugal:

United Kingdom:

19 %

22 %

14 %

16 %

12 %

18,6%

0 %

19

12

6

17

15

%

%

%

%

%

The Commission would point out to the Honourable
Member that, at the current stage of harmonization of

N o C 161/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

VAT legislation, setting and adjustment of rates are,
subject to certain conditions, matters solely for the
Member States.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1208/90

by Mrs Pasqualina Napoletano (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(22_ _May 1990)_

(91/C 161/03)

_Subject:_ Commission staff

Can the Commission give details of:

1. the number of category A officials who work in
Directorate-General VIII (in the head office and in
the ACP delegations), broken down by nationality;

2. the number of category A officials (in the head office
and in the ACP delegations) who hold managerial
posts (heads of unit, directors, assistant directorsgeneral, directors-general, advisers, etc.) broken
down by nationality and grade;

3. the number of experts, broken down by nationality,
who work in the Commission's offices, stating the
average length of contract?

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

_(20 March 1991)_

1. Approximately 50% of the category A officials
assigned to the Directorate-General for Development
on 1 June 1990 were at headquarters and 50% in the
delegations in the ACP countries, the breakdown by
nationality being as follows:

Nationality

F

40

37

_77_

I

26

32

58

UK

27

39

66

B

18

20

38

L

3

1

4

DK

6

8

14

GR

6

5

11

ESP

22

12

34

NL

9

21

30

IRL

8

9

17

PORT

7

7

14

Headquarters

Delegations

Total

D

26

33

59

2. The situation as regards managerial functions as at the same date was:

Director-General and Deputy Directors-General:

Directors (headquarters only):

UK

1

B

2

1

3

I

1

D

1

F

1

NL

1

ESP

1

Total

4

Heads of Unit, Advisers:

D

F

5

2

7

I

4

4

Total

3

UK

4

4

L

1

1

DK

1

1

NL

1

1

2

IRL

2

2

ESP

1

1

GR

PORT

1

1

TOTAL

198

224

422

PORT

1

Total

27

6

33

A3

A4

Total

5

2

7

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 161/3

Delegates:

UK

3

2

1

6

L

—

—

1

1

DK

1

1

 

2

ESP

2

2

 

4

F

3

6

1

10

I

3

3

6

B

1

2

1

4

NL

2

1

3

IRL

1

1

 

2

GR

—

1

1

PORT

1

 

1

Total

25

20

5

50

A3

A4

A5

3. Experts

Total

D

9

1

10

As at 31 May 1990, six seconded national experts were
working in DG VII from the following six Member States:
Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, France,
Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

These experts are national civil servants seconded to the
Commission by their home departments. They therefore
have no contract with the Commission. Their secondment

may last for up to three years and is not renewable.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1398/90

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(91/C 161/04)

_Subject:_ Chronic persistent hunger

What steps is the Commission taking in ACP countries to
eliminate chronic persistent hunger? What links does the
Commission have with the pressure group Results which
is committed to eliminating chronic persistent hunger?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 August 1990)_

In order to assess the Commission's activities to combat

hunger in the world, it is helpful to distinguish chronic
persistent hunger, referred to by the Honourable
Member, from acute hunger. Both types of hunger'need
different approaches. The Community has been active in
the alleviation of both types.

_Acute hunger_ or famine typically is the result of a natural
or man-made catastrophy (drought, civil war etc.). Relief
can be provided in the form of emergency food aid or
other emergency aid (medical supplies, shelter, transport
equipment etc.). Early warning activities would also fall in
this category. The Community, in collaboration with the
Member States, has been particularly active in this area.
Following the Ethiopian famine of 1984 there have been

significant improvements with respect to procedures and
international coordination. It is important to consider
that a large part of emergency assistance is not provided
directly to the government of the countries affected, but is
channelled to beneficiaries with the help of specialised
non-governmental or international organisations.
Another improvement has been since 1987 the possibility
of providing complementary assistance for food storage
and logistics (this possibility was specifically used in
Mozambique, Ethiopia and for the Afghan refugee
repatriation).

The struggle against _chronic hunger_ and malnutrition is of
a quite different nature. Here the root cause is structural
poverty and not an unexpected disaster (even though it is
typically the poorest countries that are the most disaster
prone). The bulk of regular EC development aid, both
within the ACP group and for other countries, has a clear
poverty reduction focus. E.g. rural development
programmes are generally focused on improving food and
non-food production as a way to generate rural income.
Poor households will use most of the additional income to

buy food. This is the most important way to reduce
chronic food insecurity. In this respect it should also be
stressed that the Commission pays special attention to
environmental, gender and population issues particularly
for their effects on the food situation.

There is no record of contact between the Commission

and the pressure group 'Results'.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1405/90

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(91/C 161/05)

_Subject:_ Six-day rule for minced meat production

There is much concern among butchers in Scotland about
Commission proposals to impose a six-day rule on the

No C 161/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

production of minced meat. This rule will prohibit the use
of meat chilled for more than six days for the production
of minced meat. This would eliminate mature beef

trimmings from minced meat, consequently increasing the
costs to the consumer.

At the vast majority of this mince is cooked before
consumption it is felt that this ruling should only apply to
countries where it is eaten raw (tartare etc.).

Will the Commission review this situation and allow a

longer time ruling (of up to 21 days) to allow chilled beef
trimmings to be used for minced meat production in
Scotland?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1991)_

The proposal for a Council Regulation laying down the
health rules for the production and placing on the market
of minced meat, meat preparations and comminuted meat
for industrial use ( [l] ) extends to the national market, the
rules already adopted for intra-Community trade for this
kind of meat (Council Directive 88/657/EEC of 16
December 1988 laying down the requirements for the
production of, and trade in, minced meat, meat in pieces
of less than 100 grams and meat preparations and
amending Directives 64/433/EEC, 71/118/EEC and
72/462/EEC ( [2] ).

The Commission would emphasize, that the aim of these
rules is to guarantee a high level of public health
protection.

The Commission is open to solutions that could be
accepted at EC level and would point out that Article 1
of the proposed regulation excludes from its field of
application the operations performed in retail shops.
Furthermore derogations from the rules of the Annexes
can be granted for establishments with small production
capacity.

The Commission is aware of certain UK concerns in

relation to this proposal.

(') COM(89) 671 final, OJ No C 84, 2. 4. 1990.
O OJNoL 382,31. 12. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1469/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 June 1990)_

(91/C 161/06)

_Subject:_ Ingredients of alcohol-free beers

Alcohol-free beers are marketed in some countries of

the Community and have many advantages. Certain
distributors refuse to give details of their ingredients,
some of which may, however, have contra-indications for
certain categories of consumers.

Can the Commission outline the information to which the

public and health professionals are entitled concerning
the ingredients of these beers, their fair price, any
taxation on them and their distribution throughout the
Community without any fiscal or health obstacles ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(31_ _July 1990)_

These products are covered by Directive 79/112/EEC (')
on the labelling of foodstuffs. Articles 3 and 6 of that
Directive stipulate that the labelling of foodstuffs must
include a list of ingredients. Where the strength of
beverages has been determined at more than 1,2% of
alcohol by volume Article 6 (3) states that rules governing
the labelling of the ingredients will be adopted by the
Council at a later date. These products are, however, to
bear a list of their ingredients since this departure does
not apply to alcohol-free beers having an alcohol content
of less than 1,2%.

According to the information in the Commission's
possession alcohol-free beers do not differ in content
from alcoholic beers. Merely a physical treatment has
enabled the alcohol to be removed.

As it pointed out in its 'communication on the free
movement of foods within the Community' ( [2] ) the
Commission feels as regards the matter of marketing
'without health barriers' throughout the Community that,
in the absence of community-wide harmonization, only
the protection of public health is likely to justify an
absolute ban on the import and marketing, within a
Member State, of foodstuffs imported from another
Member State where they have been legally produced and
marketed.

This means that, while awaiting any harmonized
provisions on, in particular, the composition of foodstuffs
including alcohol-free beers, the Member States are
required under Articles 30 and 36 of the EEC Treaty to

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/5

restrict the bans on imports of those foods from other
Member States to what is actually needed to safeguard
public health.

As also pointed out again by the Commission in its
communication the above means that an importing
Member State must authorize the marketing on its
territory of any foodstuff imported from another
Member State where, in view of the results of
international scientific research and the dietary habits
practised within the said importing Member State, it is
established that that foodstuff does not constitute a

hazard to human health.

There is at Community level no regulation on the setting
of a 'fair price' for this type of product.

Moreover, no specific fiscal measure currently applies at
Community level to these products. For the moment it is
still the independent national rules that apply.

(') OJ No L 33, 8. 2. 1979, p. 1, and OJ No L 186, 30. 6. 1989,

p. 17.
O OJ No C 271,24. 10.1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1629/90

by Mr Carlos Perreau De Pinninck Domenech and
Mr Jose Ruiz-Mateos Jimenez de Tejada (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(2_ _July 1990)_

(91/C 161/07)

_Subject:_ Illegal fishing activities in the Mediterranean

In view of the continuous complaints of illegal fishing
activities in the Mediterranean by vessels flying
continually changing flags of convenience and fishing
mainly for Atlantic tuna, has the Commission considered
taking any action to put an end to this activity which,
according to the International Committee for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, has reduced the stocks of
this species by over 60 % in the last 10 years ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 January 1991)_

Studies of Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks are made by the
Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS)
of the International Commission for the Conservation of

Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In its report for 1989 the
Committee states ('):

'The trends of this year's assessment for the eastern
Atlantic are similar to those of the 1988 assessment.

The analyses indicate the spawning stock size (ages 5
plus) is approximately 60 % of the 1970 value.'

The decline is due to the overall level of fishing
for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the

Mediterranean, but in particular to illegal catches of
undersized fish by the vessels of certain Member States.
While the stocks situation may not call for emergency
action, concerted management is essential.

The Commission deeply regrets the activities of vessels
flying flags of convenience which fail to observe the
ICCAT recommendations. However, since such fishing is
carried on in international waters, the Community has no
direct means of banning it.

O Report for the biennial period 1988 — 89, Part II, (1989)
ICCAT 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1960/90

by Mr Francois Musso (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1990)_

(91/C 161/08)

_Subject:_ Lingua programme information centre in France

How was the Lingua programme information centre in
France designated? More specifically, what is its task and
how is its work coordinated and supervised by the
Commission?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 September 1990)_

The Council Decision establishing the Lingua
programme _(_ _[l]_ _)_ requires each Member State to designate
one or more structures to coordinate at national level the

implementation of the programme. France has designated
the 'Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires et

Scolaires', and this is the official information centre with

which the Commission will deal. The activities of this

Centre in relation to the Lingua programme are governed
by the text of the Council Decision, by the content
of the Applicant's Guide for the programme, and
by administrative and financial arrangements were
formalized in a contract between the Commission and this

Centre.

(') Decision 89/489/EEC, 28 July 1989; OJ No L 239, 16. 8.
1989.

No C 161/6 Official Journal of the European Communities

1

20. 6. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2088/90

by Mr Adrien Zeller (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 September 1990)_

(91/C 161/09)

_Subject:_ Stabilization of the market in beef and veal

Given the slump in meat prices and the resulting drop
of up to 50% in incomes, will the Commission take
immediate measures to stabilize the market in beef and

veal?

Does it not believe that a review of intervention

mechanisms, closer monitoring of imports, and effective
enforcement of checks to put an end to the use of anabolic
substances are required in some Member States as a
matter of urgency?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(1_ 5 _November 1990)_

The Commission is aware of the difficult situation in the

beef and veal sector.

The current difficulties are contrary to all the forecasts by
those responsible for beef and veal production and could
not have been foreseen only six months ago; since then we
have had the BSE issue accompanied by a fall in
consumption in the United Kingdom and the loss of many
external customers, the Gulf crisis with the closure of two
important markets and finally the abolition of frontiers
with the former GDR and the consequent increase in
livestock numbers in the Community; at the same time the
high prices in recent years have resulted in calves being
imported and therefore increased production of beef and
veal.

Action has therefore had to be taken first of all to restore

consumer confidence, which has been shaken by BSE, a
number of scandals and press campaigns; the Commission
will spare no effort in ensuring that the legislation
prohibiting the use of hormones is applied correctly.

We have also had to rehabilitate the image of Community
beef and veal in the eyes of many clients in
non-Community countries; the measures taken are
beginning to have an impact.

Finally, exceptional clearance measures had to be taken in
order to restore the balance between supply and demand.
This was done by increasing public intervention and
raising export refunds.

As regards public intervention, the purchases made under
the normal scheme from April to the end of September
1990 were stepped up and involved some 156 000 tonnes
of young animals; this increased purchasing has made it
possible to contain the fall in prices and avoid recourse to

the 'safety net'; for adult animals however (in the
countries directly affected by BSE), the purchases made
initially render the normal scheme, involving some 20 000
tonnes, were replaced as from June by the safety net,
which involved approximately 148 000 tonnes of adult
animals in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In order to facilitate market clearance by exporting to
non-Community countries, a considerable increase in
refunds (17% and 25% respectively for meat from male
and female animals) was introduced at the beginning of
August for the Near and Middle East and African
countries. The disposal of surpluses from the former
GDR to the USSR and other Eastern countries is in

progress and German unification should have much less
effect on prices. All these measures have resulted in a
steadying of prices which began in the second half of
August.

The aim of the reforms recently introduced by the
Council was, by strengthening direct payment to
producers, to put an end to considering support to the
beef and veal sector purely in terms of market prices. In
this respect the premiums of ECU 40 paid for suckler
cows and the first 90 male animals represent an important
part of the support to this sector.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2094/90

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(17 September 1990)_

(91/C 161/10)

_Subject:_ Atmospheric effects of radioactive discharge
Krypton-8 5

What studies have been made of the effects upon the
atmosphere of discharges of Krypton-85 from nuclear
facilities such as Sellafield, in terms of the electrical
resistance of the lower atmosphere?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(8_ _January 1991)_

The radiological aspects of Krypton-8 5 releases in the
atmosphere have been investigated in the Community's
research programmes on radioactive waste management.
No studies on the impact of Krypton-85 release on
the electrical properties (e.g. resistance) of the lower
atmosphere have been performed in these programmes.

Several studies on the effects of Krypton-8 5 discharge
have been made in various countries in the broader

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 161/7

context of the effects of ionising radiations (natural or of
man-made origin) on the physics and chemistry of the
atmosphere, with a view to identify possible induced
environmental and climatic changes. A list of published
references is being sent directly to the Honourable
Member and to the General Secretariat of Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2140/90

by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 September 1990)_

(91/C 161/11)

_Subject:_ Chemical pollution of textiles which may cause
genetic changes

Is the Commission aware of the results of the Ames

experiment referred to in the 9/90 edition of the
magazine _Nature_ on the chemical pollution of textiles,
which may cause genetic changes?

What measures is the Commission considering in order to
bring about a reduction in the uses of chemical substances
or at least to protect consumers by introducing
compulsory labelling?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 January 1991)_

The Commission has taken note of the article in the

weekly magazine _Nature_ specifically reporting on the
'Ames' experiment carried out on the recommendation of
the magazine's editor.

Whilst it is not Commission policy to comment on articles
appearing in the press or in journals, a study will
nevertheless be made of the technical aspects of the article
to ascertain in what respect the results of the 'Ames'
experience falls within the competence of the Commission
relative to dangerous substances and preparations.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2155/90

by Mr Carmen Diez de Rivera (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 September 1990)_

(91/C 161/12)

_Subject:_ Water scooters

In view of the growing popularity of water scooters and
the many accidents at certain Mediterranean beaches to

which they have given rise — they are freely available on
hire, even to children — can the Commission state
whether there are any Community regulations governing
the use of water scooters and their noise level?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

The problem of the safety of water scooters was dealt
with in the answer to Written Question No 722/89 by Mr
Jackson ('), to which the Honourable Member is invited
to refer.

At the present time there are no Community regulations
directed at the problems caused by these machines.

However, disregarding the safety requirements provided
for in the proposal for a Directive concerning general
product safety ( [2] ), discussions are under way to assess the
advisability of adopting measures for sport and leisure
articles and equipment involving particular risks.

In these circumstances, it would be premature to express
an opinion on the specific problem of the noise level of
such machines referred to by the Honourable Member,
although a possible solution may be found by alignment,
where appropriate, on the criteria contained in Council
Directive 78/1015/EEC regulating the sound level of
motorcycles ( [3] ).

With regard to the risks associated with steering and the
safety of beaches and bathing waters, these are at present
the responsibility of the Member States; the possibility of
Community initiatives on these general safety aspects
depends on the hoped-for development of its consumer
protection policy.

(') O J N o C 9 7, 17.4. 1990.
O COM(90) 259 (OJ No C 156,27.6.1990).
(') Council Directive of 23 November 1978 (OJ No L 349, 13.

12. 1978), as last amended by Council Directive 89/235/EEC
of 13 March 1989 (OJ No L 98, 11. 4. 1989).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2180/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/13)

_Subject:_ Child mortality and leukaemia in the proximity
of the Sellafield reprocessing plant

A study by British scientists published on 16 February
1990 in the British Nuclear Journal demonstrated for the

No C 161/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

first time that there is a very significant correlation
between nuclear power stations and high levels of child
mortality in surrounding areas due to leukaemia and
diseases of the lymphatic system.

1. Does the Commission agree with the study's findings
that high doses of radiation sustained by male
employees in the course of working at a recycling
plant that cause genetic changes that can be
transmitted to their offspring?

2. What is the Commission's opinion of the comments
attributed to the company's medical officer Roger
Berry, who is reported to have said that people
employed at Sellafield should perhaps be advised
against conceiving children?

3. Does the Commission regard the maximum permitted
radiation levels in force at Sellafield as adequate?

4. In the light of the foregoing, how does the
Commission regard the German electricity supply
industry's plans to deliver 884 tonnes of spent fuel to
Sellafield?

Please provide a separate answer to each of these
questions.

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(14 January 1991)_

1. The Commission would refer the Honourable

Member to its answer to Written Question No 1263/90
by MrGlinne ( [1] ).

2. The expert group, under the chairmanship of Sir
Richard Doll, came to the conclusion that the statistical
limitations of the study were such that, due to the small
number of cases involved, the estimate of the size of the
risk was highly unreliable and that the meaning of the
results could not be determined until the observed

association was confirmed in other similar situations

or some understanding acquired of the biological
mechanisms by which they were produced. Thus, no
regulatory or other action was thought to be indicated.
Indeed,

— the reproducibility and scientific basis of an increase
in leukaemia incidence in children from exposed
fathers has not been established; in particular, this
finding has not been confirmed at other sites; these
workers may have been exposed to other potentially
noxious agents and no valid scientific explanation for
the observations has so far been offered;

— the exposure levels have been substantially reduced
since the years the workers in question had worked at
the plant;

— the risk of having children with leukaemia are small
compared with other risks of damage to the foetus and
child.

The answer of Professor Berry which was taken out of
context is to be understood in the sense that, since any
pregnancy brings about a risk of having a child with a
disease regardless of occupation or other conditions, the
only way to avoid this is to have no child at all. This was
confirmed in discussions between the Commission's staff

and Prof. Berry.

3. The Commission has established 'Basic safety
standards of the health protection of the general public
and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation'
which specify limits of exposure to external irradiation
and internally to radionuclides. These basic standards are
implemented and monitored by the Member States. In
addition, the requirement exists to optimize radiation
protection in such a way as to keep exposure below these
limits as low as reasonably achievable. The information
available indicates that these basic safety standards have
been respected and that in keeping with the optimization
principle, average doses to workers at Sellafield have
decreased substantially over the years.

4. The Commission is aware of the intended transfer

of irradiated fuel from Germany to Sellafield for
reprocessing. Such agreements between Member States
are compatible with Community nuclear policy.

(') OJNoC49, 25. 2. 1991, p. 11.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2270/90

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/14)

_Subject:_ Suspension of mortgage payments

The anouncement by the Secretary-General on Consumer
Affairs of the Spanish Government that the executive of
that country is studying the legal basis to provide for the
suspension of mortgage payments has naturally continued
to be welcomed both by banks and by the thousands of
Spanish families whose homes could be put up for
auction, if they were to default on mortgage repayments.

Arguing that 'if a company is permitted to renegotiate the
terms of loans it has taken out with banks, then the
consumer should also have this opportunity', the
abovementioned Secretary-General announced this
legislation, which is naturally bound to be rather
controversial.

In order to shed some light on this matter, can the
Commission state whether provisions similar to those

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/9

announced by the Spanish executive are envisaged in the
corresponding body of Community legislation, or
whether, on the contrary, it might not be contradicting its
own financial legal framework on which the European
Economic Community's own economic philosophy is
based?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 January 1991)_

According to the information received by the
Commission, the Spanish Secretary-General for
Consumer Affairs made no reference whatsoever to

mortgage credit; he spoke only of consumer debt and
over-indebtedness.

No rules exist at the present time, at Community level,
concerning the consequences of a private individual's
failure to repay a mortgage or, more specifically, of his
failure to maintain his periodical repayments of mortgage
credit. It is national law which applies in such cases.

These matters would normally fall to be discussed in the
context of the rules, or prospective rules, relating to civil
bankruptcy or insolvency, arrangements, compositions
and similar proceedings, including private individual
debtor's rehabilitation proceedings. However, the EC
draft Bankruptcy Convention never came to fruition and
no proposals, drafts or projects are being prepared to deal
with the problems raised by the Honourable Member.
The Commission has nevertheless been examining the
complex field of consumer debt and over-indebtedness,
which has already been discussed at consumer
conferences and which the Commission will be examining
with the Consumer's Consultative Council.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2285/90

by Mrs Caroline Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/15)

_Subject:_ Non-specific Structural Fund grants and the
environment

The Community support frameworks all envisage global
grants to intermediate agencies as a means of funding for
development projects.

There is substantial evidence from a number of

Community countries — for example Greece and Ireland
— that funds provided in this way have been used to
support environmentally damaging projects.

1. Is the Commission aware, despite previous
protestations to the contrary, that it has provided
funding which has indirectly enabled environmentally
damaging projects to proceed?

2. Is the Commission prepared to subject projects
funded through global grants to the same
environmental screening procedures as directly
funded projects?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 January 1991)_

Global grants — which are not the preferred form of aid
under the reform of the structural Funds — are, like all
other forms of Fund aid, subject to the procedure
outlined in the joint answer to Written Questions
No 1962/90 by Mr Monnier-Besombes and others and
No 2013/90 by Mr Papayannakis and others (').

It should be noted that no global grant has been allocated
to Greece in connection with its Community support
framework.

The only global grants in use in Ireland are those
administered by Bord Failte Eireann and the Shannon
Free Airport Development Company, under the
operational programme for tourism, to assist private
sector investments in the tourism sector. Community
environmental legislation is being fully observed in
executing these global grants, in accordance with the
provisions detailed in the answer to the above Written
Questions.

The Honourable Member is asked to notify the
Commission of the concrete examples to which point 1 of
the question refers only indirectly.

(') OJNoC 70, 18.3.1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2300/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/16)

_Subject:_ Protection of workers and the public from the
risks associated with the presence of tremolite,
anthophyllite, and actinolite in various materials

Going beyond proposal COM(90) 184 final —
C3-0187/90 - SYN 256, soon to be submitted to the

N o C 161/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

Council after Parliament has delivered its opinion, it
seems necessary, in view of the discussions now taking
place in the United States and due to end no later than
1995, to consider the effects that the tremolite,
anthophyllite, and actinolite found in various products
have on workers and the public. For it is an
over-simplification to regard asbestos as one specific
mineral, whereas the term is in fact a catch-all applied
to a group of minerals with a number of similar
characteristics. The three abovementioned minerals,
moreover, are classed in the United States in the category
of non-asbestiform fibres (ATA), which since 1972 have
been grouped together with asbestos under the definition
of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health, although industry is endeavouring to deny the
link with asbestos and the injurious effects of the
minerals. The presence of the tremolite form of asbestos
has been detected in several products by Dr Jerrold
Abraham, pathologist at New York State University in
Syracuse, and Dr Mark Germine, a New Jersey geologist
and physician. Dr Abraham has been calling — so far in
vain — on the Consumer Product Safety Commission to
ban products containing more than 0,01% tremolite,
which is found in particular in non-marine sand, pellets,
and gravel for lawns and gardens. Litigation is under way,
and hearings were held in February at the Department of
Labor in Washington. Dr Philip Landrigan, paediatrician
and professor of environmental medicine at the Mount
Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, takes a
particularly severe view of the dilatoriness being shown by
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (he feels that
to postpone the decision until 1995 is irresponsible),
especially when dealing with the presence of 'asbestos'
in quarried sand used in gardens and children's
playgrounds.

What is the Commission's position as regards the
presence of the three minerals in a good many products,
the need to treat them as being equivalent to asbestos, and
the desirability of adding them to the list of products to be
handled with care or banned?

Should not the definition 'harmful' be applied to all fibres
that can be inhaled, become embedded permanently in the
lungs without dissolving, and in the medium and long
term lead to the development of symptoms of asbestosis
and/or a particularly deadly form of lung cancer
(mesothelioma)?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15_ _January 1991)_

The Commission's policy on asbestos is one of controlled
use and is applied both at the workplace and to the
marketing and use of products. As far as products are

concerned the policy is implemented by progressively
removing the more dangerous asbestos and asbestos
containing products from the market as soon as they can
be replaced by safer substitute products.

Directive 83/477/EEC ('), which is in the process of
being amended ( [2] ), defines the specific provisions
concerning the protection of workers against all types of
asbestos fibres.

Council Directive 83/478/EEC ( [3] ) of 19 September 1983
amending for the fifth time Directive 76/769/EEC (")
specified that the crocidolite type of asbestos fibre
and products containing it may, with three possible
exceptions, no longer be placed on the market and used;
this same directive established obligatory labelling
provisions for all products containing asbestos fibres.

Council Directive 85/610/EEC ( [5] ) of 20 December 1985
amending for the seventh time Directive 76/769/EEC
specified that asbestos fibres can no longer be placed on
the market and used in toys, materials and preparations
applied by spraying, retail products in powder form,
smoking accessories, catalytic heaters, paints and
varnishes.

A Commission Directive to introduce further limitations

in the framework of Council Directive 76/769/EEC is

at an advanced stage of preparation. This will extend
the partial ban on crocidolite to a prohibition of all
amphiboles. It will also limit or prohibit a further group of
products containing chrysotile.

The Commission is aware that tremolite, anthrophylite
and actinolite may be present as impurities in products
such as those indicated by the Honourable Member. The
potential hazard posed by the presence of such impurities
depends upon which impurities are present, on whether
these are asbestiform or non-asbestiform and on the

quantities present. Non-asbestiform material is widely
regarded as less hazardous than the asbestiform varieties.

The issue of tremolite as an impurity in, e.g. chrysotile has
been mentioned as a concern; however, studies have
shown that it is not a universal contaminant, but can be
found in 40 % of tested samples of commercial chrysotile
asbestos. The average percentage found is around
0,09% but not all tremolite material found is fibrous
(asbestiform).

The available test methods in this area are neither precise
nor discerning, making it difficult to distinguish
accurately between the different materials in practice and
to estimate the degree of contamination. For these
reasons it is difficult to arrive at an accurate estimation of

the hazard in a particular case.

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/11

The Commission will, in the context of its policy of
controlled use of asbestos, keep under constant review the
type of product cited by the Honourable Member.

;') No L 263, 24. 9. 1983.

_2_ _)_ N o L 161,30.6. 1990.
;') N o L 263, 24. 9. 1983
M ) N o L 262, 27.9. 1976.
; [5] ) N o L 375, 31. 12. 1985.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2305/90

by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/17)

_Subject:_ Environmental acceptability of chemical toilets

Is the Commission aware that chemical toilets severely
pollute the environment and, moreover, are a serious
potential source of infection?

What measures will it take to deal with the problem?

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

_(16 January 1991)_

The problem stated by the Honourable Member has not
been identified by the Commission as a subject for
priority action at Community level: consequently, no
measures are currently envisaged.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2321/90

by Mrs Claudia Roth (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/18)

_Subject:_ Animal testing in the field of cosmetic products

Does the Commission intend to amend Directive

76/768/EEC (') on animal testing in the field of cosmetic
products?

If so, has the Commission not taken any account at all
of all the alternatives to these cruel and pointless
experiments (e.g. computer analysis of products, which is
an extremely reliable method)?

Why has the Commission ignored the European
Parliament's desire to cut down on such testing? Finally,
does not the Commission agree that it should respect the

wishes of the large number of consumers who want to use
natural products which have not been manufactured at
the expense of hideous suffering to animals?

(') OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 169.

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 January 1991)_

The Commission is planning to adopt a proposal for an
amendment to Directive 76/768/EEC on cosmetic

products in order to introduce greater clarity with regard
to the ingredients used in such products by indicating the
ingredients on the labelling of cosmetic products. With
regard to regulatory control, animal experiments in the
field of cosmetology are subject to the provisions of the
Directive on cosmetic products. However, they must be
carried out in accordance with the principles of good
laboratory practice (Directive 87/18/EEC) (') and under
the conditions provided for in Directive 86/609/EEC
on the protection of animals used for experimental
purposes ( [2] ).

The Commission does take into account to a large extent
the European Parliament's desire to reduce the numbers
of experiments on animals, in particular by monitoring
the application of the abovementioned Directive
86/609/EEC, financing research projects to develop
alternative methods, developing and validating alternative
methods, such as the fixed dose procedure (FDP) which is
intended to replace the lethal dose 50 method (LD50),
and by looking into the possibility of creating a European
Centre for the validation of these methods.

The Commission has never been of the opinion that
evaluation of the safety of cosmetic products must be
based on experiments which inflict hideous suffering of
animals.

(') OJNoL 15, 17. 1.1987.
O OJNoL358,18. 12. 1986.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2371/90

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/19)

_Subject:_ EC research in the area of human reproduction

Does the Commission, through any of its services or
programmes, fund any research on medically assisted or
artificial procreation, in vitro fertilization and embryo
transfer, the new reproductive technologies, or fertility
and infertility?

No C 161/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

If so, what specific projects are being funded (brief
description of project, name of principal researcher, name
and address of institute, running dates of project), under
which Commission service or programme, for what
amounts?

Does the Commission, through any of its services or
programmes, fund any research on human embryos?

If so, what specific projects are being funded (brief
description of project, name of principal researcher, name
and address of institute, running dates of project), under
which Commission service or programme, for what
amounts?

Has the Commission, through any of its services or
programmes, funded any research, either on the new
reproductive technologies or on human embryos, in the
past?

If so, what specific projects were funded (brief description
of project, name of principal researcher, name and
address of institute, running dates of project), under
which Commission service or programme, for what
amounts?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 January 1991)_

The Commission does not fund any research on medically
assisted or artificial procreation, in vitro fertilization and
embryo transfer, or the new reproductive technologies.

With regard to fertility and infertility, there is one
concerted action in the framework of the fourth medical

and healths R & D programme on 'European studies of
infertility and subfecundity', covering the period July
1989 to December 1991 and funded at the level of ECU

205 000.

The objectives of this concerted action fall into three main
categories:

(a) To review published results on infertility,
subfecundity (time to pregnancy) and to reanalyse
existing data in order to elucidate strength and
weakness of previously used interview forms and
questionnaires, to select models for analysing data,
and to estimate differences in infertility and
subfecundity between different countries or with
respect to differences between groups of couples.

(b) To develop a standard questionnaire (or
questionnaires) in all European languages after
validation and feasibility studies in several European
countries.

(c) To carry out descriptive surveys of infertility and
subfecundity in as many European countries as
possible in order to assemble internationally
comparable data and in order to test the
questionnaire on a larger scale.

The Commission does not fund any research on human
embryos.

The Commission has not funded any research on the new
reproductive technologies or on human embryos in the
past.

In addition, a European Bioethics Conference was held in
Mainz in November 1988, on 'Human embryos and
research'. It was organized by the Commission in
collaboration with the German Federal Ministry of
Research and Technology, and earlier in 1990 a copy of
the Conference Proceedings was sent to each member of
the European Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2374/90

by Mrs Caroline Jackson (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(25 October 1990)_

(91/C 161/20)

_Subject:_ Directive 73/404/EEC — Detergents

Does the Commission intend to revise Directive

73/404/EEC (') on detergents in view of the fact that the
biodegradability of surface active agents in detergents is
currently set at just 80% under the conditions of the
OECD test?

(') OJNoL347, 17. 12. 1973,p. 51.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(11_ _January 1991)_

The Commission is of the opinion that test methods used
in 1973 to determine the biodegradability of certain
surface active agents are to be aligned with the latest
technical progress.

However, it does not mean that future tests will be more
severe; they will simply aim at a more precise execution
such as for instance that described in the sixth

modification to the dangerous substances directive.

The Commission will start working on this subject in mid
1991 and the collaboration of the Member States and of

the industry concerned has been obtained.

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/13

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2451/90

by Mr Gerard Monnier-Besombes (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/21)

_Subject:_ Risks arising from the incineration of stocks
of chemical weapons from Germany on the
Johnston Atoll (South Pacific)

Following the dismantling of 400 tonnes of chemical
weapons at the Clausen base (Germany), it appears that
some of these highly toxic products are to be destroyed on
the Johnston Atoll near Hawaii.

Is the Commission aware of this project? If so, can it give
a precise list indicating the quantity of the products which
will be transported to the atoll and the method of
destruction to be used?

Given the declarations and resolutions currently being
issued at European level on the need to avert risks arising
from the export of dangerous products, what is the
Commission's opinion of this project? In particular, is it
compatible with Community legislation?

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

_(8_ _January 1991)_

The Commission has not received any details concerning
the transport of the chemical weapons referred to by the
Honourable Member. It is therefore unable to answer the

questions put.

Moreover Community law does not apply to this type of
waste, nor to its disposal.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2464/90

by Mr Giuseppe Mottola (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/22)

_Subject:_ Directive on the conservation of wild birds

With regard to Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC of 2
April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds ('), and, in
particular, the derogations which Member States are
permitted, what derogations were exercised by Member
States in 1988 and 1989 for the purpose of protection of
flora and fauna in the Community?

(') OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 15.

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

_(16 January 1991)_

Part of the information requested is contained in the
Member States' reports for 1988 concerning derogations
communicated under Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC,
which the Commission is sending directly to the
Honourable Member and has already sent to Parliament's
Secretariat ( [l] ). Information regarding 1989 will be
available at the beginning of 1991.

O Answer to Written Question No 1841/90 — OJ No C 28,
4.2. 1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2472/90

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/23)

_Subject:_ Agricultural loans

Which countries in the Community have an agricultural
bank?

Which countries in the Community give preferential
interest rates to farmers?

What is the preferential rate compared with the
commercial rate?

What other advantages are offered to farmers by the
banking sector in the Community?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1991)_

The Commission does not possess all the information
sought by the Honourable Member, although it is able to
provide a partial answer.

If an 'agricultural bank' is taken to mean a bank devoted
exclusively to providing farmers with loans at preferential
rates, such banks exist only in Greece, Portugal and
Spain, where direct or indirect assistance from the central
government budget allows them to do some or all of their
business on non-market conditions.

In France, the Credit Agricole, which conducted business
on a similar basis, has gradually become an ordinary
credit institution, losing in 1990 the monopoly of
subsidized loans which it had enjoyed under special
legislation for several decades. At present, all credit
institutions possessing a national network may grant
subsidized loans, i.e. loans the interest rate on which is
financed in part by the central government budget.

No C 161/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

In Italy, a number of banks have an 'agricultural credit'
section authorized to make loans that are subsidized by
the central government or by the regional authorities.

In Germany, a public agency, the LRP, finances
agriculture by providing refinancing at attractive rates to
banks grating loans to farmers.

In Belgium, this role is played by the Fonds
d'investissement agricole, a public agency financed by the
central government.

In all the countries referred to above, farmers are eligible
for subsidized loans. In the United Kingdom, the main
advantage of specialized institutions is that they provide
guarantees. It is difficult to give accurate figures for the
difference between preferential and market rates since the
latter are constantly changing. However, the difference
averages between 2 and 4 percentage points.

As to the final part of the question, the Commission is
unaware of any special advantages granted to farmers by
the banking sector other than those that are granted
directly or indirectly by the central government or by
other public authorities and that mostly take the form of
subsidized loans, guarantees and, very exceptionally,
capital grants.

These rank, therefore, as state aids governed by the
relevant Community rules, the Commission being
responsible for ensuring compliance with those rules in
order to prevent distortions of competition.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2475/90

by Mrs Christine Oddy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/24)

_Subject:_ Safety on Community beaches

Can the Commission state how many children and adults
have died from drowning in Member States over the last
five years?

What safety measures are taken in Member States to
prevent death by drowning on Community beaches?

What measures does the Commission intend to take in

order to harmonize safety standards and reduce the
number of deaths by drowning?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

The Commission has no overall statistics about deaths by
drowning. However, the statistical data compiled by the
Member States indicate the seriousness of the problem,
although the specific causes are not established.

Surveillance measures, mainly of a local character,
relating to the use of bathing waters and the dangers
caused by movements of various types of boats and other
aquatic devices, such as sea scooters, wind surfing
equipment, etc., have been adopted in certain Member
States.

There are also legislative provisions and standards
concerning the safety of certain items of aquatic
equipment, in particular for children.

Where child safety is concerned, water toys are regulated
by Council Directive 88/378/EEC on toy safety ('), but
certain items of aquatic equipment and other floating
articles normally intended for children are generally
excluded from the scope of the directive. Appropriate
safety measures should therefore be considered where
they are concerned.

With regard to the general safety problems of beaches
and bathing waters, which normally come within the
jurisdiction of the Member States, an examination is
being carried out into the desirability of ensuring
minimum safety standards in this area in the Community
in view of the importance of these problems in terms of
the physical protection of consumers.

( [l] ) OJNoL 187, 16.7. 1988.

' WRITTEN QUESTION No 2489/90

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/25)

_Subject:_ Death of dolphins in the Mediterranean

The Greenpeace organization has asserted that dolphins
in the Mediterranean are greatly affected by toxic
residues containing between 700 and 1 000 ppm of
polychlorinated biphenyls. These PCBs are synthetic
molecules derived from oil and have many industrial uses,
in particular the manufacture of transformers. A Council
directive from as long ago as 1976 indicated that PCBs
constituted a risk to public health and the environment.
Can the Commission say what measures have been taken
to limit the use of PCBs?

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

_(18 January 1991)_

Polychlorinated bi-phenyls, while very useful to industry
by virtue of their special properties, especially as

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/15

di-electric fluids in transformers and capacitors, became
the subject of increasing concern with regard to their
possible effects on man and the environment.

With respect to human health, PCBs can be directly toxic
to man and in addition some of the by-products which are
produced when PCBs are involved in fires are extremely
toxic. From the point of view of their environmental
impact, the ecotoxicity and persistence of PCBs as well as
their potential to bio-accumulate (concentrate in living
tissues), make them some of the most dangerous
compounds known to man.

At the Community level measures have already been taken
to severely restrict the marketing and use of PCBs. One
of the first substances to fall under the Council

Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 September 1976 0) on the
approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on
the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances
and preparations, were PCBs. This Directive was
modified for a sixth time in 1985 by Council
Directive 85/467/EEC 0) banning further the marketing
and use of PCBs as from 30 June 1986, with certain very
limited exceptions. This modification included specific
provisions relating to the labelling of products containing
PCBs and PCTs.

Furthermore the development of PCB substitutes needs to
be acceptable in terms of their technical performance as
well as satisfying safety criteria and human and
environment criteria. That was the reason why on 15
January 1990 the Commission submitted a proposal ( [3] )
for a Council Directive amending for the 11th time
Directive 76/769/EEC, to introduce Community
measures restricting the marketing and use of three
substances, Ugilec 141, Ugilec 1212 and DBBT. These
three compounds are intended as substitutes for PCBs
and are all regarded as constituting a potentially high risk
to man and the environment.

In respect of the disposal of polychlorinated bi-phenyls
and indeed polychlorinated terphenyls, there is a Council
Directive of 6 April 1976 ( [4] ) which lays down measures to
make mandatory disposal of waste PCB or of PCB in
objects or equipment no longer capable of being used.
There is now a proposal 0) to improve the operating of
this Directive which at present being discussed by the
Parliament. It is proposed that Member States shall take
the necessary measures to prohibit the uncontrolled
disposal of PCBs, used PCBs or equipment containing
PCBs; to prohibit the mixing of waste containing PCBs
with other waste or substances prior to transfer to a
disposal undertaking; and to prohibit the incineration of
PCBs on incinerator ships from 1995.

(') OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976.
O OJNoL269, 11. 10. 1985.
O COM(89) 665 final.
O OJNoL 108,26.4. 1976.
O COM(88) 559 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2501/90

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/26)

_Subject:_ Sugar quotas in the FRG

A series of transitional measures will be applied following
the accession of the GDR to the EEC, especially in respect
of sugar quotas.

What sugar production quota will be allocated to
Germany following unification?

Will the Commission apply the customary criteria for the
allocation of quotas to new Member States based on
statistical data relating to the marketing year?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(10 January 1991)_

As regards transitional measures for the sugar sector, the
Commission decided to allocate a total basic quantity A
+ B of 870 000 tonnes (see Regulation (EEC)
No 2765/90 (')) to undertakings situated in the region
corresponding to the territory of the former German
Democratic Republic.

The Regulation clearly states, in particular with regard
to the basic quantities A + B, that it is provisional
and without prejudice in any way to any subsequent
Commission decision, or more especially, to the opinion
of Parliament. Any amendments to the Commission
Regulation would, therefore, be applied retrospectively.

The Council is inclining towards a quota figure of
847 000 tonnes.

(') OJ No L 267, 29. 9. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2515/90

by Mr Peter Crampton (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/27)

_Subject:_ Petrol prices during the Gulf crisis

Petrol prices have soared in the United Kingdom since the
beginning of the Gulf crisis. The petrol companies have

N o C 161/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

been using the crisis as an excuse to make even greater
profits. Can the Commission use its authority to persuade
national governments to forbid the companies to raise
prices, as has been done in France?

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

_(16_ _January 1991)_

Changes in oil product prices in Community countries are
subject to the price regime in operation in these countries.
In several Community countries, such as the United
Kingdom and France, prices evolve under a free market
system. The temporary intervention in the product prices
introduced by the French authorities in August was
abandoned in September. In other countries governments
impose maximum retail prices which take price
developments in the international markets into account.
In both cases, the rules of the Treaty regarding
competition and the free circulation of products apply.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2552/90

by Mr Jose Vazquez Fouz (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/28)

_Subject:_ Safety and health on fishing vessels

The Commission has drawn up an ergonomic programme
intended to improve safety and health on board fishing
vessels.

What stage has been reached in the programme?

Have its objectives been achieved?

Will its objectives be reviewed and updated?

Have the same criteria and funding provisions been
applied to the new Member States as to the Community of
Ten?

What is the Commission's assessment of the

implementation of the programme in the various Member
States?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

1. The Honourable Member is presumably referring to
the Commission's programme on safety, hygiene and

health at the workplace ('), which deals with ergonomic
matters among others. The programme includes
legislative measures as well as practical operations in the
field of information and training.

To take legislative measures first, the Commission has
presented a proposal for a Council Directive on minimum
health and safety requirements for improved medical
treatment on board vessels ( [2] ). Furthermore, as it pointed
out in its communication on its action programme
for the implementation of the Community Charter of
the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers ( [3] ), the
Commission is planning a proposal for a Council
Directive on minimum health and safety requirements for
fishing vessels.

As regards information and training, the Commission has
begun work on setting up teams of specialists to advise
national authorities and the two sides of industry on
living and working conditions on board vessels and design
improvements.

2. There is no need to review the aims set out in the

programme for the moment as they are comprehensive
enough.

3. The Commission is contributing financial aid to
training the teams of specialists referred to in paragraph 1
wherever they have been set up. Since they joined the
Community, the new Member States have been given
priority in these operations, given the importance of their
fishing industries.

4. The legislation adopted under the programme will
not be applicable in the Member States until after 1992.
The Commission is endeavouring to press ahead with
activities related to the other aspects as equitably as
possible.

(') OJNoC 28, 23. 2. 1968.
( [2] ) OJNoC 183,24.7.1990.
O COM(89) 568 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2558/90

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/29)

_Subject:_ Building controls in the single market

Does the Commission intend to make any proposals to
safeguard the quality of service provided by current
building control systems and to encourage the
approximation across the Community of best existing
practices?

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/17

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 January 1991)_

The White Paper 'Completing the internal market' ('),
refers to building regulations, but only to the extent of
indicating that a proposal for a directive prohibiting the
introduction or modification of building regulations for a
period of five years may be made.

This was to enable the Commission to study the need for
harmonization in this area. This item was, however,
included in Council Directive 89/106/EEC ( [2] ) on the
approximation of laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States relating to construction
products.

This Directive, which addresses itself to the essential
requirements of building performance, is aimed at the free
movement of construction products on the internal
market. This is done by taking measures to ensure that the
products which are intended to be used in works (both
building and civil engineering) are fit for their intended

use.

Harmonization of technical specifications is the way
in which a presumption of conformity regarding fitness
for intended use is identified. As a consequence
of harmonization the technical content of building
regulations in Member States will change. However, it is
not intended, nor is it within the scope of this Directive, to
extend these procedures to building control systems.

Nevertheless, the Commission asked an external
consultant to do a study concerning 'Controls, contracts,
liability and insurance in the construction industry in the
European Community' with a view to eventual
Community harmonization. This study includes
references to construction inspection systems.

(') COM(85) 310 final.
O OJNoL40, 11.2. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2559/90

by Mr Thomas Megahy (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(16 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/30)

_Subject:_ Building controls in the single market

Has the Commission investigated the implications of the
development of the single market for services for existing
national building control systems and practices?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 January 1991)_

The Commission has not investigated the implications of
the development of the single market for services for
existing national Building Control Systems and practices.

The Commission's competence in the field of building
technology is limited to the approximation of laws,
regulations and administrative provisions relating
to Construction Products. However, the essential
requirements of the Council Directive concerned
(89/106/EEC) O are similar to the basic requirements of
the building regulations in the Member States and, as a
consequence of the harmonization of technical
specifications, some building regulations will change.

The way in which building regulations are administered in
the Member States is not within the scope of the
Directive; therefore it is not intended to investigate the
implications of the development of the single market for
services for existing national Building Control Systems
and practices (see also the reply to Written Question
No 2558/90).

(') OJNoL40, 11.2. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2574/90

by Mr Joaquim Miranda da Silva (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/31)

_Subject:_ Ecological disaster in the Tejo estuary

The ecological situation in the Tejo estuary is totally
unacceptable following the environmental disaster which
commenced in early September 1990 leading to the death
of more than 100 tonnes of fish in the estuary for reasons
which remain to be established.

Earnest endeavours by the Vila Franca de Xira municipal
authorities, in cooperation with various national
organizations and laboratories, to solve this problem are
not meeting with an adequate response from the other
competent authorities.

It is, however, essential to the interests of the local
inhabitants affected, in particular the families of
small-scale fishermen prevented from carrying out their
professional activities, and to protect and safeguard the

No C 161/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

Tejo estuary and the extremely valuable nature reserve
surrounding it.

What measures can the Commission take to have the

situation investigated and its exact cause(s) established?

In collaboration with national and local authorities, what
scientific technical laboratory and financial resources
can it make available with a view to the progressive
transformation of the ecological situation in the Tejo

estuary.

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

_(16 January 1991)_

The Commission learned in the press of the facts referred
to by the Honourable Member, but the matter has not
been referred to it by the bodies concerned. However, the
Commission is prepared to examine any request from the
competent authorities for association with a study or
operation to deal with the environmental problems
involved.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2606/90

by Mr Madron Seligman (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/32)

_Subject:_ Sponsorship by pharmaceutical companies

There is a happy tradition in the United Kingdom,
whereby many industrial and commercial undertakings
sponsor educational and cultural activities and
organizations. Such financial support assists the
development — and indeed sometimes ensures the
survival — of educational establishments, orchestras,
sports clubs and so on.

One of the Royal Colleges of medical studies in London
has drawn my attention to Article 9 of the EC Proposal
for a Council Directive relating to Sponsorship by
Pharmaceutical companies.

Article 9 very correctly seeks to render illegal any
incentive or bribe offered to promote the sale of any
medicinal product. However, the fear has been expressed
that it could also render illegal the type of impartial
sponsorship described above.

May I seek the Commission's assurance that such fear is
groundless?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(18 December 1990)_

Article 9 of the proposal for a directive on the advertising
of medicinal products for human use (') prohibits
incitement to prescribe or supply medicinal products in
the course of their promotion. Furthermore, Article 1 (3)
of the proposal specifies that any incitement to prescribe
or supply medicinal products means the gift, offer or
promise of any benefit or bonus, whether in money or in
kind, including invitations to travel or to congresses.

It follows, on the basis of this proposal and the current
state of the debate, that invitations to travel or to
congresses are prohibited if the conditions set out in
Article 9 are fulfilled, i.e. if the aim of such invitations, in
the course of promoting medicinal products to persons
qualified to prescribe or supply them, is to incite such
persons to prescribe or supply a particular medicinal
product.

O OJNoC 163,4.7.1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2625/90

by Mr Vincenzo Mattina (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/33)

_Subject:_ Racketeering on the Italian cement market

The Italian customs service has noted that the 'Eurocem'

undertaking in Avellino has managed to dominate the
Italian cement market by means of racketeering methods,
including extortion and the intimidation of competitors.

The main purchasers of imported Greek cement are
concrete-mixing firms in Campania, which are, on the
basis of strong evidence, suspected of engaging in illegal
activities and, despite the low cost of the raw materials,
are marketing concrete at prices higher than those
normally asked in Italy.

I have already brought this serious distortion of free
competition in the Community to the attention of the
leading Italian newspapers, as a result of which
proceedings have been brought against me accompanied
by a request for waiver of my parliamentary immunity.

In the light of the new facts uncovered by the Italian
Customs Service:

1. Will the Commission speed up the procedure for
ascertaining whether or not Community Rules on free
competition have been infringed?

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/19

2. Will the Commission request the Greek Government
to initiate and the Italian Government to continue

police investigations to ascertain the extent to which
the Greek cement manufacturers are implicated in
Eurocem's illegal activities?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 January 1991)_

The Commission will do all it can under the procedures
laid down in Council Regulation No 17 to continue the
investigation into illegal business activities infringing
competition rules.

However, the Commission has no power of intervention
with regard to activities illegal under national laws.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2630/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/34)

_Subject:_ Ingredients used in ice-cream

Belgian ice-cream manufacturers are obliged by law to
specify the ingredients of their products; no exception for
ice-cream ingredients is included in the royal decree of 13
November 1986 on the labelling of prepackaged food
products _(Moniteur_ _beige, 2_ December 1986). The
ingredients authorized in Belgium are listed in the royal
decree of 28 October 1976 on ice cream and the basic

preparations for ice-cream manufacture _(Moniteur beige,_
30 October 1976), while the royal decree of 27 July 1978
containing the list of authorized additives to food
products _(Moniteur beige,_ 20 October 1978) specifies
which additives are authorized, for what products and
under what conditions.

Is the Commission satisfied with this situation and with

the existing levels of sample control and the arrangements
for detecting infringements? In view of the frequent
updating of the list of authorized additives to food
products, is the Commission satisfied with the current
state of the lists used in the various Member States and

with the general situation in the Community and the
Member States as regards the coordination, updating and
implementation of common provisions, given the need to
ensure the highest possible level of consumer protection?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 January 1991)_

Under Article 6 of Directive 79/112/EEC on the

labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs ('),
foodstuffs must be labelled with a list of ingredients; this
Article makes no exception for ice-cream. Belgian
legislation is therefore in conformity with Community
provisions.

As regards the list of additives, the Member States may
authorize only those additives which appear in
Community Directives on colourings, sweeteners,
emulsifiers, etc. On the other hand, Member States are
still competent to lay down conditions for the use of
additives until the Council adopts relevant Directives. The
Council is currently considering a Commission proposal
concerning the conditions of use of sweeteners; for other
additives, proposals for Directives will be sent by the
Commission to the Council during the course of 1991.

As for controls, in 1989 the Council adopted
Directive 89/397/EEC harmonizing the principles for
foodstuffs controls ( [2] ). Member States have until 20 June
1991 to introduce the necessary measures to comply with
that Directive.

Under Article 14 of that Directive, Member States must
send every year to the Commission all the necessary
information on the implementation of their inspection

programmes.

In particular this information must include the criteria
applied in drawing up the programmes, the number and
type of inspections carried out and the number and type
of infringements established.

The Commission does not have this information at

present.

(') OJ No L33, 8. 2. 1979, p. 1, last amended by

Directive 89/395/EEC, OJ No L 186,30.6.1989.
_C)_ OJNoL 186,30.6. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2631/90

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/35)

_Subject:_ The 'Hopital de Villejuif and protection of the
patient

An anonymous circular containing a list of food additives
has recently been distributed in a number of Belgian
municipalities. According to this document,

1. The following additives are carcinogenic: El02, El 10,
E120, E123, E124, E127, E211, E220, E226, E230,
E239, E240, E250, E251, E311, E312, E320, E321,
E330,E407andE450.

No C 161/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

2. The following additives are suspect and should be
investigated further: E125, E131, E142, E150, E153,
E170, E171, E172, E210, E212, E213, E214, E215,
E216, E217, E221, E222, E223, E224, E225, E231,
E232, E241, E338, E339, E340, E341, E460, E461,
E462, E463, E465, E466, E470 and E477.

This anonymous pamphlet is probably the 'Liste de
Villejuif, which appears occasionally containing a
number of lies and inventions on the subject of additives.
It was distributed for the first time some 15 years ago
under the letterhead of the 'Hopital de Villejuif, but is
disowned, as regards both its origin and content, by the
famous cancer research institute of that name whose

credibility it thus undermines.

Whatever the origin of this list, can the Commission state
which of the additives mentioned therein are no longer
authorized, having ceased to be so some years ago
following, in particular, the intervention of the
Community's Scientific Committee for Food, and on
what grounds? Which of the additives listed are
considered to be harmless, and on what grounds? Are the
existing cooperation arrangements with the relevant
authorities in the Member States in the area of

surveillance considered satisfactory with respect to the
effective prohibition of food additives which are believed
to be dangerous or suspect?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(15_ _January 1991)_

As already stated in its reply to Written Question
No 1190/88 by Mrs Schleicher ('), the Commission
regrets that the list mentioned by the Honourable
Member causes unfounded concern to the general public
and is still circulating.

The Commission has carefully checked both lists of food
additives cited in the question. All additives on the list,
except three of them, are food additives contained in the
EC directives and therefore permitted legally.

Only materials which have been subjected to evaluation
by the Scientific Committee for Food and judged to be
safe when used within the conditions prescribed by that
Committee are proposed for authorisation if they also
fulfil a technological purpose. In order that additives can
be readily identified and indicated on food labels they are
allocated E numbers.

The numbers E125, E241 and E462 indicated on the list

do not exist.

However El25 was formerly allocated to a food
colour Scarlet GN which was withdrawn by
Directive 76/399/EEC ( [2] ) since developments in the
methods of toxicological investigation evaluated by the
Scientific Committee for Food indicated that it should no

longer be permitted as a food additive.

E462 was allocated to ethylcellulose but was withdrawn
by Directive 78/612/EEC ( [3] ) because it was considered to
have no technological function as a thickener, stabilizer
or gelling agent.

The number E241 has never been allocated to a food

additive.

The Commission therefore considers that the list referred

to by the Honourable Member is inaccurate and that the
assertion that those additives listed could be injurious
to health under the conditions laid down by law is
misleading to a material degree.

Public control of foodstuffs is primarily the responsibility
of the Member States within the provision of the
Directive 89/397/EEC O on Official Control of

Foodstuffs. The Commission attaches great importance
to effective enforcement which is the subject of a recent
Communication ( [5] ) sent to Parliament.

The Commission intends to use fully the provisions of the
Directive in cooperation with the Member States to
ensure that Community law is effectively enforced.

(') OJNoC 145, 12.6. 1989.
( [2] ) OJNoL 108,26.4.1976.
(') OJNoL 197, 22. 7. 1978.
O OJNoL 186,30.6.1989.
(') COM(90) 392 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2649/90

by Mr Mark Killilea (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1990)_

(91/C 161/36)

_Subject:_ Radon gas levels in the West of Ireland

Studies recently carried out in Ireland by University
College Dublin and the Nuclear Energy Board have
shown the existence of dangerously high levels of a
naturally-occurring radioactive gas known as radon,
which poses a major threat to the health of thousands of
people living mainly in the West of the country. This gas is
being found in unacceptably high levels in homes built on
predominantly limestone rock in the West of Ireland.

The Nuclear Energy Board has stated that this gas
presents a threat hundreds of thousands of times greater
than Sellafield or Chernobyl. The gas, which breaks down
into another more radioactive element, podium, becomes
embedded in the lungs, greatly increasing the risk of lung
cancer. The acceptable level for this gas is thought to be
around 150 Becquerels per cubic metre, whereas in 1,5%
of homes, the level was found to be at 400 Becquerels, and
in one home as high a 2 000 Becquerels.

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 161/21

The implication of these surveys is that major structural
work will have to be carried out on these homes to prevent
the seepage of radon gas into them. As present, an
estimated 70 000 or more people are at risk from the
effects of this gas. However, to construct a house that will
be radon-proof, or to take remedial action on houses
already built, is enormously expensive.

Can the Commission say whether funding can be made
available to enable homeowners in affected areas to carry
out structural work on their homes which would insulate

them from the effects of radon gas?

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

_(17 January 1991)_

It is well known to the Commission that some counties in

the West of Ireland exhibit enhanced levels of indoor

radiation concentration. This is related to the

geographical features of the area (limestone rock) which
are not dissimiliar to other regions within the Member
States. The Commission issued a recommendation on the

protection of the public against indoor exposure to radon
on 21 February 1990. A reference level of 400 Bq.m [ 3] was
defined above which simple but effective measures aimed
at reducing the radon level in existing dwellings should be
considered. Experience of the cost and effectiveness of
remedial action measures indicates that the problem can
be overcome. Research aimed at gaining a better
understanding of the parameters affecting radon
increases and on methods of reducing the latter is being
carried out and supported in the framework of the
Commission's radiation protection programme 1990—91.
The Commission is not considering making funds
available to enable home-owners to carry out such works.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2709/90

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 December 1990)_

(91/C 161/37)

_Subject:_ Compliance with the directive on electro-medical
equipment used in human and veterinary
medicine

Council Directive 84/539/EEC ( [l] ) of 17 September 1984
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to electro-medical equipment used in human and
veterinary medicine is apparently not being observed by
Member States.

What information can the Commission provide on this
matter?

(') OJNoL 300, 19. 11. 1984, p. 179.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 January 1991)_

The situation with regard to the transposition of
Directive 84/539/EEC on electro-medical equipment
used in human and veterinary medicine, adopted by the
Council on 17 September 1984, is as follows:

— nine Member States (UK, Germany, France, Greece,
Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Ireland and Denmark)
have transposed this Directive into their national
legislation;

— the three others (Spain, Portugal and the
Netherlands) are having proceedings taken against
them by the Commission for their failure to act.
Infringement procedures have been initiated against
these Member States.

In addition, following a complaint concerning the failure
of a Member State to observe the provisions of this
Directive, the Commission has initiated an infringement
procedure against this Member State.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2726/90

by Mr Gerhard Schmid (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(10 December 1990)_

(91/C 161/38)

_Subject:_ Bacteria off the coast of Brittany

In the summer of 1990 the Breton fisheries sector suffered

heavy losses as a result of unidentified bacteria which
thrive on fuel and damage the motors of fishing vessels.

1. Is the Commission aware of this ?

2. Does the Commission consider that this might have
been caused by genetic engineering?

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

_(16 January 1991)_

The Commission has not been aware of the incident of

damage caused by bacteria in Brittany mentioned by the
Honourable Member, and cannot have any views of any
possible link with biotechnology without further
information. The Commission is not aware of any releases
to the environment of any genetically modified bacteria
feeding on oil.

No C 161/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2783/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 December 1990)_

(91/C 161/39)

_Subject:_ List of occupational diseases

Can the Commission say whether Belgium has
incorporated the Community's list of occupational
diseases into its own system?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 March 1991}_

The Commission has updated the European list of
occupational diseases described in its recommendations
of 1962 and 1966 (') and the recommendation it adopted
on 22 May 1990 O

The information the Commission has indicates that

Belgium had incorporated in its own system a major part
of the European list of occupational diseases described in
the Commission Recommendations of 1962 and 1966.

The Commission will be unable to inform the

Honourable Member as to the extent to which the new

European list has been incorporated in Belgian legislation
until it has reviewed progress in the application of its new
recommendation in line with the provisions of that
recommendation.

(') OJNo80,31.8. 1962; OJ No 147,9.8.1966.
_(')_ OJNoL 160,26.6. 1990.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2888/90

by Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3_ _January 1991)_

(91/C 161/40)

_Subject:_ Recruitment policy of the Commission and
women wishing to resume a career

In notices of open competition for the recruitment of
administrators by the Commission one of the conditions
is that applicants must be no more than 35 years of age.
One exception from this is for women who have brought
up children. The age limit is then raised by one year for
each child, up to a maximum of three years. The notices
also state that the Commission is an equal opportunities
employer and welcomes applications from women.

It is unlikely that these periods are long enough for
women who have abandoned a career in order to devote

their time to their children, and then wish to resume work.

Women who have been out of the labour market for a

period in order to look after children, often need a long
time for training, adaptation and preparation before they
start work again.

Does this exemption offer women a proper chance to
reintegrate?

Should not the Commission, which expressly states that it
encourages women to apply, adopt a more positive policy
in respect of these age limits for applications?

Is the Commission prepared, on the basis of the above and
in the light of its policy of encouraging opportunities for
women in the labour market, to carry out a comparative
study of age limits governing recruitment in the Member
States and their impact on women wishing to start work
again?

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

_(20 March 1991)_

The Commission is anxious to improve the opportunities
available to women and is changing the age limits set out
in the notices of open competition for women who have
given up working to bring up their children.

The change is also designed to bring about
inter-institutional harmonization, given the more
generous attitudes of the other institutions.

As regards a comparative study on age limits for
recruitment in the Member States and their consequences
for women wishing to resume work, a basic document
prepared by the Steering Committee of the Institute of
Public Administration came to the Commission's

attention in the summer of 1989. However, the
Commission feels that the promotion and pension
difficulties encountered by persons recruited after the
customary age limits for the starting grades remain to be
resolved for women as well.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2986/90

by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January 1991)_

(91/C 161/41)

_Subject:_ Hydroelectric resources in the EEC Member
States

There has been sustained development of hydroelectric
resources in the EEC Member States.

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/23

However, despite the enormous capacity already
installed, there are still sites which, whether because of
their small size or because relative energy prices were not
right at the time, have not yet been utilized.

Can the Commission supply data on the existing
hydroelectric capacity in the Member States in respect of
power stations of up to 10 000 Kw capacity, together with
current generating costs?

Answer given by Mr Cardoso e Cunha

on behalf of the Commission

_(14 March_ _1991)_

Theoretical hydroelectric potential in the form of physical
reality (height of head, flowrate) is very difficult from the
economically exploitable potential. Technical, economic,
legal and even environmental-protection requirements
considerably reduce the actually useable potential. Thus,
within the European Community, total theoretical
hydroelectric potential amounts to 980 TWh/yr and
usable economic potential during a normal hydrological
year is 290 TWh. 225 TWh, or 78 %, have thus been
harnessed. In 1988 true hydroelectric output, excluding
pump storage, was 184 TWh/.

The Commission does not have at its fingertips any data
base on the Community which would enable it to identify
hydrological sites which could receive power plants
producing less than 10 MW as opposed to sites which
could receive more powerful facilities.

Production costs depend upon a whole number of factors
including, above all, the necessary investment. This varies
according to the characteristics of the site under
consideration. Under current economic conditions the

investment needs generally lie between ECU 1 000 and
1 500 per kilowatt installed.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3014/90

by Mrs Raymonde Dury (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 January_ _1991)_

(91/C 161/42)

_Subject:_ Emergency medical aid — training of ambulance
staff

In Belgium, training given to ambulance staff in
administering emergency medical aid lasts 20 hours. In
the FRG it is 380 hours and in France 460 hours. Should

not some consideration be given to establishing a
Community standard in this area and to introducing
Community rules on access to this profession?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 February_ _1991)_

Because of its general nature, the proposal for a Directive
on a second general system for the recognition of

professional and vocational education and training (')
could also cover ambulance staff. It follows the new

approach, which is now general rather than sectoral. It is
not, therefore, confined to a particular occupation or
group of occupations and deliberately disregards any
prior coordination of vocational training or occupational
activities between Member States. This approach was
used for the first time in Council Directive 89/48/EEC of

21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition
of higher education diplomas awarded on completion of
professional education and training of at least three years'
duration ( [2] ).

Accordingly, the Commission has no plans to present any
specific proposals for ambulance staff.

O OJ No C 263, 16. 10. 1989; amended proposal: _O]_ No C 217,

1.9.1990.
O OJNoL 19,24.1. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3045/90

by Mr Elio Di Rupo (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January_ _1991)_

(91/C 161/43)

_Subject:_ Mortgages

Mortgages are complex and involve competition, lending
and even insurance considerations.

In view of specific problems (for example, a national of
country A purchases housing in country B with a
mortgage taken out with an institution in country C) and
general problems (distinguishing between fiscal policies
which encourage house purchases and protectionist
policies) associated with mortgages could the
Commission give its views on the need for a European
directive on mortgages?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(26 February_ _1991)_

The Commission is well aware of the importance of
creating a single market for mortgage credit within the
Community. To this end it introduced an initial proposal
for a directive at the beginning of 1985 on the freedom of
establishment and the free supply of services in the field of
mortgage credit, based on the principle of mutual
recognition of financial techniques ( [x] ). As the proposal

N o C 161/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

did not make the progress hoped for in the Council, it was
largely superseded by the proposal for a second directive
coordinating the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States on credit institutions ( [2] )>
which this time was adopted speedily by the Council (on
15 December 1989) ( [3] ), and which specifically mentions
mortgage lending in the list of mutually recognized
activities contained in the annex.

As regards the protection of borrowers, the Commission's
departments are engaged in preparing a proposal for a
directive establishing a uniform method enabling the
borrower, when contracting a mortgage loan, to calculate
the actual cost.

The Commission's earlier work in the consumer credit

field has stood it in very good stead in this new sphere of
activity.

(') COM(84) 730 of 4 February 1985; OJ No C 42, 14. 2. 1985.

COM(87) 255 of 27 May 1987; OJ No C 161, 19. 6. 1987.
O O J N o C 84,31.3. 1988.
( [3] ) Directive 89/646/EEC, OJ No L 386, 30. 12. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3075/90

by Mr Georgios Romeos (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 January 1991)_

(91/C 161/44)

_Subject:_ Disruption in the Community's statistical

programmes

The Commission of the European Communities has
repeatedly noted the lack of statistical data provided by
Greece in many areas. In order to remedy this situation
the Commission has funded specific statistical
programmes and a number of officials were specially
recruited for this purpose. The Greek Government
recently dismissed these officials so that these
programmes have now been suspended and it is uncertain
whether the contracts signed with Eurostat will be
honoured.

Will the Commission say whether the Greek Government
has notified it of the action it has taken in disrupting the
statistical programmes funded by the Community, and
what action does it intend to take in this connection?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 February 1991)_

The Commission has been aware of the weakness of the

statistical system in Greece right from the time Greece
became a member of the European Communities.

It was in an endeavour to improve the situation that the
Commission, in agreement with the Greek authorities in
1985, proposed to the Council a decision promoting the
restructuring of the system of agricultural surveys
(Council Decision 85/360/EEC).

This decision which provides for a Communities
contribution of ECU 20 million was modified last year
(extension of the programme for another three years
(ending 1993) and better financial conditions for Greece)
in order to catch up the delays accumulated in the first
four years.

In addition a 'Community support framework for Greece'
has been recently adopted by the Commission (March
1990). In the framework of this plan has been foreseen
technical assistance to improve the system of regional
statistics (other than agricultural).

In preparation and monitoring of these aids and more
generally there have been continuing contacts between the
Greek statistical office and the Commission.

In view of the measures already taken at Community level
it is for the Greek government to take the necessary steps
to ensure that the quality and the timeliness of Greek
statistics are brought to the level of the other Member
States. The absence of reliable statistics is a brake on the

Communities' ability to help Greece in numerous areas.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 61/91

by Mr Rafael Calvo Ortega (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/45)

_Subject:_ Trademark Office

The need to decide on the seat of the European
Trademark Office is becoming increasingly urgent as the
deadline for the completion of the internal market
approaches. Its seems unlikely that an overall solution can
be expected unless there is a clearer definition of
Community policy.

What criteria should be taken into account, in the
Commission's view, when designating the seat?

Can the Commission state the approximate date on which
the decision on the seat will be taken?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 March 1991)_

The Commission would like to point out to the
Honourable Member that the future Community body to

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/25

which he refers will be charged with processing
applications for Community Trade Marks only and thus
will not be concerned with applications for Community
patents.

All Member States, except for Denmark, have declared
their candidature for the location of the Community
Trade Mark Office.

It is the Commission's expectation and wish that an
appropriate solution to the outstanding question
regarding the site of the Office will be found, on the basis
of criteria which reflect those established by Parliament in
1984, within a short period of time so that it may become
operational around 1 January 1993.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 66/91

by Mr Gerardo Gaibisso (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/46)

_Subject:_ Structural Funds: operations in the region of
Latium (Italy)

The region of Latium has received aid under the
Structural Funds for both public and private economic
operators. Can the Commission provide details of the
sums granted by the ESF, the ERDF and the EAGGF to
the region of Latium in the period 1985 to 1989?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(3_ _May 1991)_

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

WRITTEN QUESTION No 80/91

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/47)

_Subject:_ Pollution in the Prefecture of Kozani

There are currently 16 DEH (Greek National Electricity
Board) power stations in the Kozani-Ptolemai'da basin,
with a capacity of 3683 MW. DEH mining activities have

resulted in damage to the underground water-bearing
strata in the 'Saringiol' basin, which provides water to the
town of Kozani. In a few years' time the town will thus
face serious problems. The biological treatment of DEH
waste is inadequate, and so this waste, together with that
of AEBAL and the town of Ptolemaida is polluting and
destroying the River Soulou and Lake Vegorritida.

The Greek Government issued Ministerial Decision

40786/2143/1988 in accordance with Article 8 (1) and (2)
of Law 1650/86 with the aim of reducing the emissions of
airborne ash particles from the DEH lignite plants in the
prefectures of Kozani and Fiorina. This decision provides
for a number of environmental measures: those relating to
the reduction of pollution and those relating to measuring
and registering pollution levels are due to enter into force
on 6june 1990 and 6June 1989 respectively.

Since the pollution levels exceed the limit values set by
Directives 80/779/EEC (') and 85/203/EEC ( [2] ), and
since this Ministerial Decision is not being observed and
the DEH is blatantly ignoring the fines imposed by the
Kozani authorities, does the Commission intend to ask
the Greek Government to explain why it is failing to
enforce the regulations provided for in its own Ministerial
Decision, and what measures it intends to take to ensure
that its decisions are respected in future, particularly by
public companies?

(') OJNoL229,30. 8. 1989, p. 30.
(') OJ No L 87, 27. 3. 1985, p. 1.

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

_(21 March 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its answer to his Written Question No 81/91 (').

(') OJNoC 150,10.6.1991.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 89/91

by Mr Alexander Langer, Mrs Solange Fernex,
Mr Enrico Falqui, Mr Paul Staes, Mr Eugenio Melandri,

Mr Paul Lannoye and Mr Virginio Bettini (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/48)

_Subject:_ Political and economic and monetary union and
social cohesion

In view of the decision to hold two intergovernmental
conferences on economic and monetary union and

No C 161/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

political union and of the conclusions of the European
Council of 25 and 26 June 1990 to the effect that the

_raison d'etre_ of the Community is the promotion of the
rights, liberties and wellbeing of the peoples that go to
form it, and given that the continued existence and
growth of serious poverty and social marginalization
exclude the victims from participation on the development
of European society, while the active participation and
representation of those concerned is essential to a policy
of combating marginalization, can the Commission state:

1. what proposals it intends to submit to the
intergovernmental conference for the representation
of marginalized sections of society in the European
institutions?

2. what proposals it intends to submit to strengthen the
resources, powers and independence of the Economic
and Social Committee?

3. what proposals it intends to submit to guarantee the
representation of impoverished households on the
Economic and Social Committee?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 May 1991)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members

to its answers to oral questions H-103/91 by Mr Rogalla
at the February part-session and H-198/91 by Mr Fayot
at the March part-session (').

(') Debates of the European Parliament, Nos 3-401 and 3-403
(February and March 1991).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 191/91

by Mr Marc Galle (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(20 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/49)

_Subject:_ Patent protection for medicines

The Commission will shortly submit a proposal to the
Council concerning the introduction of a patent
protection for new medicines.

1. What legal basis will the Commission use for this ?

2. What form will the Community act taken (directive or
regulation) ?

3. How will the proposal be reconciled with the
terms of international conventions, particularly with
Article 163 of the Munich convention on the

Community Patent?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(25 March 1991)_

The proposal for a Regulation concerning the creation of
a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal
products, to which the Honourable Member refers, was
the subject of a favourable opinion on first reading by
Parliament during its December 1990 part-session.
Parliament endorsed the Commission's thinking in
relation to the legal basis proposed (Article 100a), the
legislative form of a Regulation, and the proposal's
compatibility with the European Patent Convention:

WRITTEN QUESTION No 203/91

by Mrs Christine Crawley (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(18 February 1991)_

(91/C 161/50)

_Subject:_ Female participants in exchange programmes

What are the latest figures on the number of female
participants in the various exchange programmes
organized by the Commission for young people
(Erasmus, Petra, Young Workers' Programmes, Lingua,
YES, etc)?

Does the Commission agree that it is particularly
important to achieve a higher level of female participation
in those sectors where women have traditionally been at a
disadvantage, such as some sectors covered by the Young
Workers' Exchange Programme?

Is it true that the Commission intends to scrap the Young
Workers' Exchange Programme and absorb it in Petra
with a lower age limit (25 instead of 28), which would
make the participation of young women wishing to return
to the workforce, who are more likely to fall into the
upper age range more difficult?

Will the absorption of a work experience programme into
a vocational training programme not actually make it
more difficult to recruit female participants?

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 161/27

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(19 March 1991)_

The latest figures available on female participation in the
Community exchange programmes mentioned are largely
positive.

— Exchange of young workers: average participation of
young women 1985—90: 50,6%

— Erasmus: according to a preliminary analysis female
participation is 54% (see answer given to Written
Question No 2026/90 (')).

— Youth for Europe: based on information from
National Agencies for 1989/90, female participation
was approximately 48 %.

— Comett: figures are not yet available. Information will
be provided later this year.

— Lingua: programme only fully operational from 1991,
data therefore unavailable.

— Petra: in the framework of the European Network of
Training Partnerships approximately 10 500 young
women and girls were involved in Petra project
activities in the period 1988 — 1990.

In regard to the Youth Initiative part of the Petra
programme it is estimated that 5 500 young people
were directly involved in about 450 youth initiative
projects supported since 1988. A statistical analysis is
currently being undertaken but no information on the
number of female participants is available at present.

The Commission is particularly concerned to achieve
good rates of female participation in all exchange and
mobility programmes.

In its Memorandum on the rationalisation and

coordination of vocational training programmes at
Community level (COM(90) 334 final of 21 August 1990)
the Commission sets out the context of the proposal to
amalgamate Petra and the Young Workers Exchange
Programme. The objective is to optimize the training and
exchange experiences of both young people in initial
vocational training and young workers. The
Commission's proposal for an enlarged Petra programme
envisages 20 000 exchanges of young workers over the
period 1992—1994 and thus represents a substantial
increase on the current figure of approximately 4 000
exchanges per year.

The Commission is not therefore eliminating its actions in
favour of young workers but instead is building on the
current experience and substantially expanding the
number of exchanges of young workers in a new enlarged
framework.

The proposal for the enlarged Petra programme does put
an age limit of 25 on young workers. This is essentially for

two reasons:

(a) In the context of the guidelines of the Structural
Funds and in particular the European Social Fund,
the age limit for Social Fund interventions under
objective 4, the Social Integration of Young People,
is 25. This same age limit was chosen for Petra as part
of the Commission's rationalisation strategy and
with a view to contributing to a synergy between
Petra and the actions of the European Social Fund.

(b) Workers over the age of 25 are eligible for support
within the framework of the Community programme
for continuing vocational training, the Force
programme, which of course did not exist when the
Young Workers' Exchange Programme was
established.

There has been a high level of female participation in both
Petra and the Young Workers' Exchange Programme up
to the present. This high level should continue in the
new framework which provides a great many more
possibilities.

(*) OJNoC90, 8.4. 1991, p. 32.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 290/91

by Mr Bartho Pronk and Mr James Janssen van Raay
(PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 161/51)

_Subject:_ Charges for debit cards

1. Is the Commission aware that many filling stations
in the Netherlands have recently been charging Fl 0,50
extra for debit cards, i.e. the price of the fuel purchased is
increased by this amount?

2. Is the Commission aware that Bovag, the association
of Dutch filling stations, issues its members with stickers
bearing the Bovag logo and a text stating that their filling
stations charge an extra Fl 0,50 for debit cards, even
though the cost to the filling station of cashing cheques
can be even higher (yet this cost is not passed on to the
consumer)?

3. Has Bovag notified the Commission of the action is
has taken?

4. Does the Commission believe that the action taken

by filling stations and Bovag may contravene Articles 85
and 86 of the EEC Treaty?

5. What steps does the Commission intend taking to
prevent this?

No C 161/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 6. 91

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

_(10 April 1991)_ _(20 March 1991)_

1. No.

2. On the occasion of an oral consultation between

Bovag and the Commission, Bovag stated that the stickers
in question are supplied on request to its members.
According to Bovag, however, the amount of the
additional charge has to be indicated on the sticker by
each member individually.

3. No.

4. It has to be assumed that the supply of stickers is the
result of a decision by Bovag to advise its members,
suppliers of motor fuels, to charge their clients a certain
amount of money if they pay by electronic means.

Such a decison, however, would only be contrary to the
provisions laid down in Article 85, paragraph 1 of the
EEC Treaty if the restrictions of competition bring about
an effect on inter-state trade to any appreciable extent.

5. This point, regarding the potential effect on trade
between Member States, has caused the Commission to
start consultations with competent Dutch authorities, the
Directorate for Competition of the Ministry of Economic
Affairs.

On the basis of information disclosed on the occasion of

these consultations, the Commission has come to the
provisional conclusion that this case is within the
competence of the national authorities.

However, the Commission is determined to watch
developments very closely and to apply appropriate
means, if necessary, to end an eventual infringement of
Article 85, paragraph 1 of the EEC Treaty, should the
restrictions have an effect on trade between Member

States to any appreciable extent.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 319/91

by Mr Jose Valverde Lopez (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(4 March 1991)_

(91/C 161/52)

_Subject:_ Development of the Arion programme

Would the Commission provide information on the
progress of the Arion programme, how it functions, and
the distribution of funds according to country?

As the Honourable Member knows, the Arion scheme of
study visits for education specialists has been running
since 1978.

The scheme is designed to enable those exercising
important educational responsibilities at the local or
regional levels to review and modify their work in the
light of direct experience of developments in other
Member States, and to increase the amount of
high-quality, selected and up-to-date information about
education developments throughout the Community
which is available to policy makers.

To date, some 4 500 education specialists have taken part
in the scheme. Until 1990—91, 600 grants were
distributed each year. This number will be increased with
some 100 extra grants for 1991—92. The distribution by
Member State is as follows:

(') Special measures in favour of Germany.

As from 1991—92, the study visits for groups of
participants coming from about five different Member
States will be organised on four groups of themes: the
education systems and their values, the actors of
education (pupils, teachers and parents), education and its
tools and the school and its environment.

The Arion scheme is aimed at education specialists, who
through their professional status, are in a position to
generate a multiplying effect. The results of their study

1991-92

40

23

95 4- 20 (')

36

80

95

23

95

10

44

36

95

672 4- 20

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

The Netherlands

Portugal

United Kingdom

Total

1990-91

36

23

80

36

80

80

23

80

10

36

36

80

600

20. 6. 91 Official Journal of the

tour (group reports) is disseminated to the policy makers
(e.g. the senior officials of education) and, via the
Euryduce network, to the interested public.

Apart from its European dimension, it is also a useful tool
to prepare the ground for networks of education experts
and for school twinnings.

The Commission is preparing an information brochure on
the scheme and its participants, which it will send to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of

the European Parliament.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 369/91

by Mrs Dorothee Piermont (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 March 1991)_

(91/C 161/53)

_Subject:_ Dismissal of cleaning staff by the Commission
because of the Gulf War

According to press reports, the Commission has dismissed
three quarters of its cleaning staff. In view of the Gulf
war, it was apparently considered that cleaning ladies of
Arab or Turkish origin constituted a security risk
( _Tageszeitung_ 4 February 1991).

1. Is it true that the Commission has dismissed cleaning
staff?

2. Were there specific reasons for these dismissals or
were those concerned considered suspect on grounds
of their ethnic origins alone?

3. What social security provisions were made in respect
of those dismissed ?

4. If those concerned were employed by subcontractors
engaged by the Commission, did the Commission
bring pressure to bear on the undertakings in question
to dismiss those concerned? What attempts has the
Commission made to prevent discrimination against
employees of Arab or Turkish origin? What social
security benefits will be received by the women
dismissed?

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

_(5_ _April 1991)_

Against the background of the events associated with
the Gulf crisis, the Commission adopted a stricter

European Communities No C 161/29

system of checks on established and contract staff and
visitors.

This did not give rise to any dismissals or special

measures.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 420/91

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(11 March 1991)_

(91/C 161/54)

_Subject:_ Changes to proposed waste water directive

In Annex III of the proposal for a Council directive on
waste water treatment (COM(89) 518), under item (d)
'areas of high ecological quality due to the flora and fauna
present and other areas which are important from a
scientific or nature protection point of view' are to be
designated sensitive areas. Parliament attached great
importance to this and even strengthened it in the
amendments adopted on 13 September 1990 by extending
the scope of Annex III (d).

However, I have been informed that in the document
currently before Council item (d) of Annex III has been
deleted entirely. This would be a retrograde step for the
protection of species and habitats currently threatened by
raw sewage pollution (such as the dolphin population of
the Moray Firth in Scotland). It violates the spirit of the
Memorandum of Understanding on Small Cetaceans in
the North Sea, part of the final declaration of the Third
North Sea Conference and signed by six Member States.

Can the Commission reassure Parliament that item (d) of
Annex III will be maintained? If I have been correctly
informed that it has already been deleted, could the
Council explain its reasons fordoing so to Parliament?

Answer

_(17 May 1991)_

1. The Environment Council of 18 March 1991

reached agreement in principle on the text of the
Directive, which is to be formally adopted at a later date.

The point referred to by the Honourable Member does
not appear in the version adopted by the Council; the
Council considered that the issue was already covered by
the current wording of point (c) of Annex III, which
designates as sensitive areas those areas for which further
treatment than the secondary treatment or an equivalent

^oClDlB^O Official journal of the European communities ^ O . D . ^ 1

process prescribed in Article^is necessary to comply with
the Council directives.

^. It will be remembered in this connection that the

protection of flora and fauna and their habitats in Europe
is covered by the Berne Convention, ^o which the
Community is a contracting party p^. moreover, the
proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of

natural and semi-natural habitats, presently under
discussion in the council, makes provision for measures
for the conservation of habitats of wild fauna and flora

withparticular attention to the habitats of endangered
species^.