Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

# Official Journal

## of the European Communities

#### English edition Information and Notices

ISSN 0378-6986

### C93

Volume 33

11 April 1990

Notice N o

90/C93/01

90/C93/02

90/C93/03

90/C93/04

90/C93/05

90/C93/06

90/C93/07

90/C93/08

90/C93/09

90/C93/10

Contents p a g e

I _Information_

European Parliament

_Written Questions with_ _answer_

N o 740/88 by M r Francois Roelants du Vivier to the Commission

Subject: Polaroid photography (Supplementary answer) 1

N o 323/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Integrated development plan for the Canaries 1

N o 328/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Socio-structural measures applied to the Canaries in the agricultural sector 1

N o 337/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of live plants and flowers by the EEC in 1988 2

N o 338/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of fresh peppers and cucumbers in 1988 3

N o 339/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of fresh tomatoes in 1988 3

N o 340/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of avocadoes in 1988 3

N o 341/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of pineapples in 1988 3

N o 342/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of raw tobacco, 1988 3

N o 343/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of processed tobacco, 1988 3

(Continued overleaf)

Notice N o Contents (continued) Page

9 0 / C 93/11 N o 344/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of early potatoes, 1988 4

9 0 / C 93/12 N o 345/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: Imports of kiwi fruit, 1988 4

9 0 / C 93/13 N o 346/89 by M r Arturo Escuder Croft to the Commission

Subject: EEC banana imports, 1988 4

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 337/89 to 346/89 4

9 0 / C 93/14 N o 361/89 by M r Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject: State subsidies to German ports 4

9 0 / C 93/15 N o 368/89 by M r Stephen Hughes to the Commission

Subject: Dog registration 5

9 0 / C 93/16 N o 378/89 by Mrs Maria Santos to the Commission

Subject: Oil slick on Portugal's Alentejo coastline 5

9 0 / C 93/17 N o 379/89 by M r Antonio Coimbra Martins to the Commission

Subject: Catastrophic fire in the Chiado area of Lisbon 6

9 0 / C 93/18 N o 384/89 by M r Kenneth Collins to the Commission

Subject: Young people in dairy farming 6

9 0 / C 93/19 N o 411/89 by M r Michael Welsh to the Commission

Subject: UN World Summit for Children 1990 6

9 0 / C 93/20 N o 439/89 by M r Enrico Falqui to the Commission

Subject: EEC contribution to the energy sector in Tuscany, Italy 7

9 0 / C 93/21 N o 448/89 by M r Francesco Corleone to the Commission

Subject: EIB financing for the completion of the Autostrada dei Trafori motorway in Italy II . . 7

9 0 / C 93/22 N o 449/89 by M r M a u r o Chiabrando to the Commission

Subject: Imports of raspberries from third countries 8

9 0 / C 93/23 N o 459/89 by M r Paul Lannoye to the Commission

Subject: Subsidy for a biomethanization pilot project 8

9 0 / C 93/24 N o 460/89 by M r Kenneth Stewart to the Commission

Subject: Waste tip PCBs situated in Cheshire, leaking into farmland and poisoning food chain 9

9 0 / C 93/25 N o 462/89 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Establishment of future farmers 9

9 0 / C 93/26 N o 463/89 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Future of agriculture in view of budgetary restrictions 10

9 0 / C 93/27 N o 464/89 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Aid for the processing and marketing of agricultural products 11

9 0 / C 93/28 N o 465/89 by M r Jose Happart to the Commission

Subject: Less-favoured regions 11

Notice N o Contents (continued)

9 0 / C 93/29 N o 468/89 by M r Joaquin Siso Cruellas to the Commission

Subject: Irrigation project in Aragon (Spain) 12

9 0 / C 93/30 N o 469/89 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission

Subject: Conservation of protected species 12

9 0 / C 93/31 N o 481/89 by M r Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission

Subject: Aid for improving the quality of milk in Spain 13

9 0 / C 93/32 N o 483/89 by M r Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission

Subject: EAGGF-Guidance and Cantabria 13

9 0 / C 93/33 N o 485/89 by M r Jesus Cabezon Alonso to the Commission

Subject: Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 and Cantabria 13

9 0 / C 93/34 N o 495/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission

Subject: Large-scale destruction of fruit and vegetables 14

9 0 / C 93/35 N o 496/89 by M r Francisco Lucas Pires to the Commission

Subject: EEC support for Guinea Bissau 14

9 0 / C 93/36 N o 504/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

Subject: Prisoners of conscience in Cuba 15

9 0 / C 93/37 N o 505/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the

Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

Subject: People killed or imprisoned in Benin 15

9 0 / C 93/38 N o 506/89 by M r Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Foreign Ministers of the

Member States of the European Community meeting in European Political

Cooperation

Subject: Senior public servants held in detention in Malawi 15

9 0 / C 93/39 N o 511/89 by M r Pierre Lataillade to the Commission

Subject: Special paints and the harmonization of norms 15

9 0 / C 93/40 N o 519/89 by M r Wilfred Telkamper to the Commission

Subject: Pollution of the Rhine by the Stracel company 16

9 0 / C 93/41 N o 522/89 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Sale of lead paints 17

9 0 / C 93/42 N o 523/89 by M r Ernest Glinne to the Commission

Subject: Mysterious disease affecting oaks 17

9 0 / C 93/43 N o 528/89 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: Basle Convention on supervision of the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste . . . 18

9 0 / C 93/44 N o 529/89 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: The Community's attitude to safeguarding the Antarctic in the context of the 15th
Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Antarctic Treaty in October 1989 19

9 0 / C 93/45 N o 531 /89 by M r Pol Marck to the Commission

Subject: Alcohol stocks 19

(Continued overleaf)

Notice No

90/C93/46

90/C93/47

90/C93/48

90/C93/49

90/C93/50

90/C93/51

90/C93/52

90/C93/53

90/C93/54

90/C93/55

90/C93/56

90/C93/57

90/C93/58

90/C93/59

90/C93/60

90/C93/61

90/C93/62

90/C93/63

Contents (continued) Page

N o 590/89 by Lord O ' H a g a n to the Commission

Subject: Exchange of information on employment 20

N o 593/89 by M r Fernand Herman to the Commission

Subject: Equal treatment for maize producers 21

N o 595/89 by M r Terence Wynn to the Commission

Subject: The Mersey Basin II Programme — timetable for submitting programmes for ERDF
approval 21

N o 601/89 by M r Carlos Carvalhas and M r Joaquim Miranda da Silva to the

Commission

Subject: Catch limits in respect of cod 22

N o 602/89 by Mrs Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject: Transport of spent nuclear fuel through the Channel Tunnel 22

N o 604/89 by M r Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission

Subject: Infringement of Directives 79/409/EEC and 85/337/EEC 23

N o 606/89 by M r Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission

Subject: Destruction of wetlands of international importance 23

N o 608/89 by M r Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission

Subject: Protection of fashion designs in the European Community 24

N o 628/89 by M r Patrick Lane to the Commission

Subject: The apple market and opportunities 24

N o 630/89 by M r Mark Killilea to the Commission

Subject: ESF allocations for Irish agricultural students 24

N o 647/89 by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias to the Commission

Subject: Internal energy market 25

N o 653/89 by M r Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Commercial logging in Sarawak (Borneo) Malaysia — Imports to Europe 25

N o 671/89 by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana to the Commission

Subject: Olive oil 26

N o 677/89 by Mrs Winifred Ewing to the Commission

Subject: Financial involvement of pharmaceutical companies 26

N o 685/89 by M r John H u m e to the Commission

Subject: Milk quotas made available as a consequence of the Mulder case 26

N o 696/89 by Mrs Jessica Larive to the Commission

Subject: European car stickers 28

N o 712/89 by Mrs Mireille Elmalan to the Commission

Subject: Beneficiaries of Article 303 appropriations 28

N o 713/89 by Mrs Sylviane Ainardi to the Commission

Subject: Beneficiaries of Article 304 appropriations 28

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 712/89 and 713/89 28

(Continued on inside back cover)

N o Contents (continued)

90/C93/64

90/C93/65

90/C93/66

90/C93/67

90/C93/68

90/C93/69

90/C 93/70

90/C 93/71

90/C 93/72

90/C93/73

90/C93/74

90/C93/75

90/C93/76

90/C93/77

90/C93/78

90/C93/79

90/C93/80

N o 725/89 by M r James Ford to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in European Political Cooperation

Subject: Aid to Vietnam and Kampuchea 29

N o 727/89 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Tinted glass in car windows 29

N o 787/89 by M r Llewellyn Smith to the Commission

Subject: Proposed EEC Directive following Decision 86/574/EEC 29

N o 856/89 by M r Bruno Gollnisch to the Council

Subject: Milk imports into the Community 30

N o 873/89 by M r Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission

Subject: EC subsidies for university scientific research 30

N o 879/89 by M r Bryan Cassidy to the Commission

Subject: Commission criteria in the recruitment of 'stagiaires' 30

N o 1071/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Council

Subject: Rights related to professional mobility 30

N o 1093/89 by M r Gary Titley to the Commission

Subject: Minimum income provision in the UK in the light of the draft Social Charter 31

N o 1096/89 by M r H u g h M c M a h o n to the Council

Subject: EEC relations with EFTA countries 31

N o 1100/89 by M r Christopher Prout to the Commission

Subject: Services and care provision for disabled people in the European Community 31

N o 1156/89 by M r James Ford to the Council

Subject: Ban on Conibear and leghold traps 32

N o 1157/89 by M r James Ford to the Council

Subject: Canadian native population's reliance on fur trapping 32

N o 1177/89 by Mrs Pasquelina Napoletano and others to the Council

Subject: Directives on parental leave, equal treatment in social security schemes and the burden
of proof 32

N o 1200/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Council

Subject: Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 33

N o 1201/89 by M r Jose Alvarez de Paz to the Council

Subject: Timetable for the adoption of the proposal concerning the right to vote in municipal
elections 33

N o 1293/89 by M r John McCartin to the Commission

Subject: Fisheries protection 33

N o 43/90 by M r James Ford to the Commission

Subject: Methods of payment of office and staff allowances to members of national parliaments 33

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/1

###### I

_(Information)_

##### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 740/88

by Mr Francois Roelants du Vivier (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(8 July 1988)_

(90/C 93/01)

_Subject:_ Polaroid photography

Batteries weighing 20 grams are used in Polaroid colour
photography. Can the Commission

1. confirm that these batteries contain mercury?

2. say whether it has heard of any moves on the part of
the public authorities to prohibit the use of these
batteries?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Ripa di Meana
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 December 1989)_

Further to its answer of 28 September 1988 ( [x] ), the
Commission can now notify the Honourable Member
that, according to information received from Polaroid
Inc., the content by weight of mercury in batteries used in
Polaroid photographic systems has been reduced to
0,09 %, thanks to technical progress achieved in 1988.

(') OJNoC 114,8.5.1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 323/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(1 September 1989)_

(90/C 93/02)

_Subject:_ Integrated development plan for the Canaries

On 22 January 1988 the European Parliament adopted a
resolution (') calling for the adoption of a series of
measures to adjust the arrangements applicable to the
Canaries, in accordance with the final paragraph of

Article 25 (4) of the Act of Accession of Spain, and the
establishment of a development programme in the
Canaries.

In this connection can the Commission say:

1. What measures it has adopted in line with the
agreements reached by the European Parliament with
regard to the Canaries?

2. Whether it accepts all of the recommendations made
in the above-mentioned resolution?

O Doc. A2-245/87 - OJ No C 49, 22. 2. 1988, p. 176.

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

1. The Commission would refer the Honourable

Member to the answer given on 13 September 1989 to his
oral question No H-204/89 ( [x] ).

2. The Commission would refer the Honourable

Member to Mr Schmidhuber's remarks to Parliament on
22 January 1988 ( [2] ) and the report of 7 November 1988 on
action taken by the Commission in response to
own-initiative resolutions adopted by Parliament ( [J] ).

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-380 (September

1989).
( [2] ) Verbatim report of Parliament's January 1988 part-session,

p. 397.
O SP(88) 2623/2, p. 52.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 328/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/03)

_Subject:_ Socio-structural measures applied to the
Canaries in the agricultural sector

According to Article 25 (3) of the Act of Accession of
Spain, the Commission is to propose to the Council the

No C 93/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

socio-structural provisions which are to apply to the
Canary Islands in the agricultural sector.

With regard to the proposals made to the Council in
accordance with this provision, can the Commission say:

1. What precisely the socio-structural measures were
which it proposed to the Council to be adopted in the
agricultural sector in the Canaries in 1987 and 1988
pursuant to the above-mentioned Article 25 (3)?

2. Whether it received proposals for socio-structural
measures to be adopted in the Canaries from the
Spanish Government or the Autonomous Government
of the Canary Islands and, if so, what these proposals
were?

3. Which and how many of the proposals submitted by
either government it approved?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(7 November 1989)_

1. By Regulation (EEC) No 3240/88 O of 18 October
1988, the Council adopted a proposal to extend to the
Canary Islands the Community schemes to encourage the
cessation of farming and the formation of fruit and
vegetable producers' organizations.

2. The proposals from the Spanish Government and
from the Autonomous Government of the Canary Islands
for the application of Community socio-structural
measures under Regulation (EEC) No 2915/86 ( [2] ) were
as follows:

2.1. Council Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 on improving
the efficiency of agricultural structures ( [3] ):

(a) Royal Decree 808/87 of the Spanish
Government;

(b) Ministry of Agriculture Orders dated 1
October and 26 December 1988 amending
Royal Decree 808/87;

(c) Draft Decree of the _Consejeria de Agricultura y_
_Pesca_ of the Government of the Canary Islands
notified to the Commission on 6 June 1989;

2.2. Council Regulation (EEC) No 1360/78 on producer
groups and associations thereof ( [4] ):

Extension to the Canary Islands of the detailed rules
of application laid down by Commission Regulation
(EEC) No 2083/80 ( [5] ).

2.3. Council Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 on
improvement of the conditions under which
agricultural and fishery products are processed and
marketed ( [6] ).

Transmission of eight applications for assistance.

3. Proposals approved by the Commission:

2.1(a) : Commission Decision of 26 July 1988
(88/476/EEC) ( [7] );

2.1(b) : Commission Decisions of 1 December 1988
(88/618/EEQO and 14 April 1989
(89/291/EECO;

2.2. : Commission Regulation (EEC) No 559/88 ( [10] );

2.3. : Commission Decisions of 22 December 1987 ("),
30 June 1988 and 21 December 1988.

Following consultation of the STAR Committee on 18
July 1989, the Commission also transmitted a favourable
opinion on 2.1(c).

O OJNoL289,22. 10. 1988.
O OJNoL272,24. 9. 1986.
O OJNoL93, 30.3. 1985.
( [4] ) OJNoL166,23.6. 1978.
O OJ No L 203, 5. 8.1980.
(') OJNoL51,23.2. 1977.
O OJ No L 231, 20. 8.1988.
(") OJNoL343, 13.12.1988.
O OJNoL 113,26.4.1989.
( [10] ) OJNoL54, 1.3. 1988.
(") OJNoL9, 13. 1. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 337/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/04)

_Subject:_ Imports of live plants and flowers by the EEC in
1988

The Community imports live plants and flowers from a
number of third countries.

The following questions are aimed at establishing the
trend of these imports:

1. How many tonnes of live plants and flowers were
imported by each Member State in 1988 and from
which countries?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
country?

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/3

WRITTEN QUESTION No 338/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/05)

_Subject:_ Imports of fresh peppers and cucumbers in 1988

Through its various preferential agreements or simple
trade agreements with third countries, the Community
imports large quantities of fresh peppers and cucumbers

every year.

The following questions are aimed at establishing the
volume of these imports:

1. How many tonnes of fresh cucumbers and peppers
were imported by each Member State in 1988 and
from which countries?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
country?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 339/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/06)

_Subject:_ Imports of fresh tomatoes in 1988

Through its various preferential agreements or simple
trade agreements with third countries, the Community
imports large quantities of fresh tomatoes every year.

The following questions are aimed at establishing the
volume of these imports:

1. How many tonnes of fresh tomatoes were imported by
each Member State in 1988 and from which countries?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
country?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 340/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/07)

_Subject:_ Imports of avocadoes in 1988

Through its various preferential agreements or simple
trade agreements with third countries, the Community
imports large quantities of fresh avocadoes every year.

The following questions are aimed at establishing the
volume of these imports:

1. How many tonnes of fresh avocadoes were imported
by each Member State in 1988 and from which
countries ?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
country?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 341/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/08)

_Subject:_ Imports of pineapples in 1988

Through its various preferential agreements or simple
trade agreements with third countries, the Community
imports large quantities of fresh pineapples every year.

The following questions are aimed at establishing the
volume of these imports:

1. How many tonnes of pineapples were imported by
each Member State in 1988 and from which countries?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
country?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 342/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/09)

_Subject:_ Imports of raw tobacco, 1988

The Community annually imports significant quantities
of raw tobacco under various preferential treaties with
third countries and normal commercial agreements.

1. How many tonnes of raw tobacco, from which
countries of origin, were imported by each Member
State in 1988?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
Member State?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 343/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/10)

_Subject:_ Imports of processed tobacco, 1988

The Community annually imports significant quantities
of processed tobacco under various preferential treaties
with third countries and normal commercial agreements.

No C 93/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

1. How many tonnes of processed tobacco, from which
countries of origin, were imported by each Member
State in 1988?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
Member State?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 344/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/11)

_Subject:_ Imports of early potatoes, 1988

The Community annually imports significant quantities
of early potatoes under various preferential treaties with
third countries and normal commercial agreements.

1 . How many tonnes of early potatoes, from which
countries of origin, were imported by each Member
State in 1988?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
Member State?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 345/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/12)

_Subject:_ Imports of kiwi fruit, 1988

The Community annually imports significant quantities
of kiwi fruit under various preferential treaties with third
countries and normal commercial agreements.

1. How many tonnes of kiwi fruit, from which countries
of origin, were imported by each Member State in
1988?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
Member State?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 346/89

by Mr Arturo Escuder Croft (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(28 August 1989)_

(90/C 93/13)

_Subject:_ EEC banana imports, 1988

In 1985 the European Community imported
approximately 2 million tonnes of bananas from third
countries.

To indicate the trend in banana consumption, would the
Commission state:

How many tonnes of bananas, from which countries
of origin, were imported by each Member State in
1988?

2. What was the value in ecus of these imports per
Member State?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 337/89 to 346/89
given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(6 October 1989)_

The statistical data requested by the Honourable Member
are published regularly by Eurostat in the 'Analytical
Tables of External Trade' (Theme 6 — Series C). They
are also available in Eurostat's 'Comext' data bank, to
which the relevant Parliament department is linked.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 361/89

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(90/C 93/14)

_Subject:_ State subsidies to German ports

Does the Commission agree that the offer of free waste
disposal facilities to all vessels using German ports,
whereby the Federal Government assumes half the costs
to the ports, constitutes a state aid to German ports which
will distort competition between ports in northern
Europe? Has the Commission taken action to investigate
this scheme and to stop the payment of state aids in this
way?

What progress has the Commission made on drawing up
proposals to establish transparent systems of accounting
for all ports throughout the Community so that the
question of state aids can be properly examined for all
ports?

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/5

Answer given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

The Commission is aware of the support being provided
by the German Federal Government for a three-year
demonstration project for the provision of free reception
facilities in German ports for the disposal of substances
listed in Annexes I and II to the MARPOL Convention.

This support is being examined by the Commission under
Articles 92 and 93 of the EEC Treaty. The subject of ports
and environmental policies is a matter for continuing
discussions in the Community's Port Working Group,
consisting of experts from major ports in each Member
State and the question of possible distortion of
competition arising from such policies is currently
examined by the Commission.

In connection with a general study of state aid in the port
sector, the Commission has carried out a financial survey
of selected Community ports, which has shown the
difficulty for the identification and examination of state
aids that arises from the substantial differences in the

institutional organization and distribution of functions in
ports. The financial information collected provides
valuable background information for examining
individual cases of already known aid, but can hardly be
used to identify new aids. The Commission's study, on
which the comments of Member States have now been

sought, concludes that it is necessary to recommend that
Member States comply scrupulously with the
requirements to notify aid, which will continue, as in the
past, to be subjected to case by case examination in
accordance with the rules of Article 92 of the Treaty.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 368/89

by Mr Stephen Hughes (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(90/C 93/15)

_Subject:_ Dog registration

With the advent of 1992 and the free movement of people
and their pets (among other things), has the Commission
considered the danger that the free movement of possibly
rabid or infected animals could have on the various

domestic populations of animals, as well as the health of
the human population?

With these thoughts in mind, has the Commission
considered the implementation of a dog registration
scheme for the European Community along the lines of
that proposed by the RSPCA in the United Kingdom?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 October 1989)_

The Commission is aware of the possible effects of rabies
on human and animal health and, in fact, has recently
proposed Community measures for the eradication of this
disease, which has resulted in Council Decision
89/455/EEC of 24 July 1989 0).

Whilst it is currently customary to register dogs that have
been vaccinated in rabies endemic zones, it is considered
that vaccination will not be necessary after eradication
and therefore the Commission has no plans at the
moment to make proposals to introduce Communitywide registration for dogs.

(') OJ No L 223, 2. 8. 1989.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 378/89

by Mrs Maria Santos (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 September 1989)_

(90/C 93/16)

_Subject:_ Oil slick on Portugal's Alentejo coastline

In view of the consequences of an accident involving an
oil-tanker in the port of Sines resulting in a spill of crude
oil, which, over the last few weeks, has led to an
ecological disaster causing serious damage to the
environment and economic sectors such as tourism over a

long stretch of Portugal's Alentejo coastline; in view also
of the difficulties facing national and local authorities,
notably owing to a lack of the technical and material
resources needed to clean up the area and remove the
pollution; and given that the European Parliament was
unable to debate this problem at the July part-session and
adopt indispensable emergency measures, will the
Commission say what emergency measures it intends to
take to help the authorities and the population concerned
face the consequences of this ecological disaster?

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

_(17 November 1989)_

During the 'Mar3o' emergency on Portugal's Alentejo
coastline on 18 July 1989, the EEC Pollution Alert Section
was requested by the Portuguese administration to
provide assistance from the EEC Task Force for dealing
with accidental pollution at sea.

^ o C ^ B D Official Journal of the European Communities M ^ 0

An expert was sent on scene where he gave technical
advice to the authorities dealing with the accident at the
origin of the oil spill,ThisTaskEorce expert remained in
Portugal until2tJuly,Other experts were on stand-by but
on 2B^ July thePortuguese authorities informedthat no
further assistance was required from the EECTaskEorce.

by ^ r Antonio C o i m b r a ^ a r t i n s ^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ O B C ^ B t ^

^0^c^, CatastrophicfireintheChiadoareaofLisbon

Eollowing the catastrophic fire in the Chiado area of
Lisbon, the European Parliament voted in favour of
emergency aid and the Commission tookadecisionon
this matter.Parliament also votedaspecial appropriation
for studies and consultations with a view to the

restoration of this urban area as part of the appropriations
entered in the budget at the proposal of the Committee on
^outh and adoptedtogetherwith the budget.

Will the Commission say whether the relevant authorities
have applied for and received — or have begun to receive
^ t h i s budgetary appropriation and,if not,whether steps
have been taken to establish the contacts necessary to
enable this appropriation to be used for the purpose for
which it is intendeds

Answer ^iven by ^rlOondelinger
on behaif of the Commission

Eollowing the resolution adopted by the European
Parliament o n t ^ S e p t e m b e r t ^, a n d the announcement
of Presidentjacques Melors during his official visit to
Lisbon on B ^ ^ October r ^ concerning the
Commissions decision to financially assist in the
restorationof thehistoric monuments destroyedby the
f i r e i n L i s b o n o n ^ A u g u s t r ^, t h e C o m m i s s i o n w i l l
contribute ECC^ 2^0 000 for t^^^post^OO^, provided
the necessary proiect documentation and budget involved
are forwarded to the Commission,

Tothis effect, contact has been established between the
Commission^s^Cultural Actions Mivision and the Lisbon

authorities ^technical servicesof the City Councils, and
the necessary administrative procedure is well in progress.

b y ^ r ^ e n n e t h C o n m s ^

to the Commission of the European Communities

^ O B C ^ B t ^

^ ^ c e V ^ u n g people in dairyfarming

Will the Commission say what action is being undertaken
now,or is envisaged forthe future, in orderto keep young
people in dairyfarming^

Answer ^iven by ^ r ^ a c S h a r r y
on behaif of the Commission

In t ^ ^, after increasingly severe warnings from the
Commission, an additional levy was introduced with a
view to correcting the persistent imbalance in the milk and
milk products s e c t o r i n t ^ D the rules governing this levy
had to be tightened in orderto ensure their effectiveness.

The rules do, however,incorporate some flexibilityin that
the Aiember States are authorised to allocate additional

quantities to take account of the position of young
farmers in particular. .Phe structural measures also allow
farmers to receive aid, under the terms of A r t i c l e ^ ^ o f
Regulation ^ E E C ^ o ^ ^ B ^ e ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ do
not result intheir reference quantity being exceeded.In
thecaseof young farmersthis aidcanbeincreasedby

Consequently,if member States consider that the natural
conditions of certain areas offer little alternative to dairy
farming, they can grant aid to young dairyfarmers.

To widen the scope for such aid the Commission has
recently proposed to the Councilanumber of measures to
helpproducersfacingexceptionaldifficulties, including
youngfarmers.

C ^ o j ^ o e ^ ^ o ^ m ^

W^arEE^^ESTtO^^o^ttB^

by^r^chaelWetsh^EL^

to the Commission ofthe European Communities

^ O B C ^ B ^

^ ^ ^ . e ^ ^ W o r l d S u m m i t f o r C h i l d r e n l ^ O

Will the Commission be represented at the World Summit
for Children to be organised by the L^^nextyear and will
it make a financial contribution to the costs of the

Conference.If so,howmuch^

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/7

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 December 1989)_

The attention of the Commission, to the preparation of a
World Summit for Children to be convened in 1990, was
drawn in July 1989 by the Honourable Members, Messrs
Falconer, Hughes and Balfe. The Commission was
officially informed on this subject on 28 September by
UNICEF which, at the same time, requested a substantial
increase in the EEC contribution to UNICEF's

programmes taking account _inter alia_ of this World
Summit. The Commission is examining this request.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 439/89

by Mr Enrico Falqui (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(3 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/20)

_Subject:_ EEC contribution to the energy sector in
Tuscany, Italy

Between 1981 and 1985, the EEC set aside Lit 4 billion for
the energy sector in Tuscany.

Can the Commission say who was or were the recipient(s)
of this aid, how it was used and how much of it was used ?

Can the Commission say whether other similar
Community aid has been given to Tuscany since 1986 and
if so, how much, to whom and for what projects.

Answer given by Mr Christophersen
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 November 1989)_

The Community grants for specific measures to assist the
energy sector in Tuscany are shown in a computer list,
covering the period from 1981 to the present, which is
being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament's Secretariat.

The ERDF is to make grants for energy sector projects in
the Tuscan archipelago under the Valoren Community
programme and under the national programme of
Community interest (NPCI).

The Valoren programme covers the islands of the Tuscan
archipelago and provides for measures, costing a total of
some ECU 4,6 million over the period 1987—91, to
promote the exploitation of renewable energy sources and

in particular solar energy (ECU 4,1 million), energy
savings (ECU 0,3 million) and the replacement of oil
products (ECU 0,2 million).

Under the NPCI for the Tuscan archipelago, a total of
some ECU 34,5 million is to be invested over the period
1988—91 in infrastructure for the supply of methane gas
from the mainland.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 448/89

by Mr Francesco Corleone (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/21)

_Subject:_ EIB financing for the completion of the
Autostrada dei Trafori motorway in Italy II

In view of the pollution caused by the Italstrade company
whilst building the Autostrada dei Trafori motorway
(financed by the EIB) within the commune of Baveno, can
the Commission say:

1. what form of supervision it carries out to ensure
compliance with the directives on the assessment of
environmental impact, the quality of drinking water
and environmental protection in general?

2. whether damage has been caused to the environment
or local council amenities on other stretches of the

Autostrada dei Trafori?

3. what kind of damage has been caused, and in what
areas, during the building of the stretches of
motorway which have been finished?

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

_(23 November 1989)_

1. The Commission makes enquiries with the national
authorities so that it can determine whether the matters

raised are compatible with Community law. If necessary,
it will decide to initiate an infringement procedure.

2 and 3. In its enquiry into the case in question, the
Commission asked for information from the Italian
authorities on the current state of the work in progress
and its impact on the environment as well as on the checks
carried out by the authorities responsible. At the same
time, it contacted the authors of petition 670/88 on the

No C 93/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

same subject. As soon as it has the necessary information
for an assessment, it will in turn be able to provide the
Honourable Member with the information he has

requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 449/89

by Mr Mauro Chiabrando (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/22)

_Subject:_ Imports of raspberries from third countries

I have been informed that massive quantities of frozen
raspberries are being imported into Italy from outside the
Community (Hungary, Bulgaria, China, etc.) at very low
prices.

This is causing serious problems for Italian raspberry
producers, who are to be found mainly in mountainous
and less-favoured areas, where they play an important
role in safeguarding the land.

Can the Commission say whether these imports have been
properly authorized, and if so on the basis of what rules?

If authorization has been given, does not the Commission
consider that it should review its decisions and take

account of the serious problems created?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

Frozen raspberries imported into the Community from
third countries pay a bound customs duty of 18% and
must be accompanied by an import certificate issued by
the competent authorities of the Member States, for
statistical purposes.

In 1988, the Community imported 26 049 tonnes at an
average price of ECU 1 430/tonne. During the first four
months of 1989, the EEC imported 13 452 tonnes at an
average price of ECU 1 231/tonne. For Italy, the
respective figures are: 565 tonnes at ECU 1 235/tonne
(1988) and 285 tonnes at ECU 1 130/tonne (January to
April 1989). Although these import prices are tending to
drop, there is an identical trend on the intra-Community
market, where the price fell by ECU 214/tonne between
1988 and January to April 1989.

Imports into the Community are mainly from Yugoslavia
and, to a lesser extent, Hungary and Poland. Italy is
supplied almost exclusively by Yugoslavia.

Imports into the Community are not subject to any
specific rules other than application of the customs duty,
which has been the subject of undertakings in the context
of GATT. However, the Commission is aware of the
difficulties which massive imports of the product could
cause, and has established bilateral surveillance
arrangements with the chief suppliers, so that major
disturbances on the market can be avoided. To date, these
arrangements have achieved what was expected of them.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 459/89

by Mr Paul Lannoye (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/23)

_Subject:_ Subsidy for a biomethanization pilot project

The European Community helped to finance the
setting-up of the Valorga company (FF 7 600 000) which
was to develop a pilot project for the processing of
household waste in Amiens using tri-methanization.
Financial difficulties — due mainly to undercapitalization
— recently encountered by the company are now slowing
down the work, which had nevertheless reached its final

stage.

Can the Commission say what measure or measures it has
taken to enable this experiment to be completed? In view
of current regulations concerning the subsidization of
pilot projects, should not the sum allocated to the project
be reconsidered, since it amounts to only 6,4 % of the total
cost of the investment (FF 118 500 000) ?

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

_(21 November 1989)_

As part of the demonstration programme of the Energy
Directorate-General (sector for Biomass and energy from
waste), the Commission granted financial support for the
Valorga demonstration project of the town of Amiens
(BM.174.84).

The project has now been completed and the technical
and economic evaluation of the project is in progress.

The Commission has received a verbal assurance from the

contractor that the events which recently led to a change
in the name of the Valorga company do not effect the
proposed addition to the present contract.

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/9

WRITTEN QUESTION No 460/89

by Mr Kenneth Stewart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/24)

_Subject:_ Waste tip PCBs situated in Cheshire, leaking into
farmland and poisoning food chain

Is the Commission aware of the recent discovery of a toxic
waste tip in Frodsham, Cheshire which has been leaking
PCBs into the nearby farmland and consequently
poisoning the agricultural food chain, i.e. crops in the
area?

Is it aware that this tip has been used by BICC Chemicals
as a dump for over twenty years ?

Will the Commissioner investigate the incidence and state
if this is harmful to the public in purchasing crops in the
vicinity, and what action is intended for legislation to
Member States to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem?

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

_(28 November 1989)_

The Commission has no information on the pollution of
the environment by PCBs from the dump in Frodsham,
Cheshire, used by BICC Chemicals.

The Commission will contact the British authorities to

request further information on the matter raised by the
Honourable Member.

With regard to Community legislation in this field,
Council Directives 75/442/EEC on waste (') and
78/319/EEC on toxic and dangerous waste ( [2] ) oblige
Member States to take the measures necessary to ensure
that waste is disposed of without endangering the
environment and human health, and, in particular,
without risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
(Articles 4 and 5 respectively).

Waste containing PCBs is covered by Directive
78/403/76 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls
and polychlorinated terphenyls ( [3] ). This Directive
provides for waste PCBs to be disposed of by
establishments authorized by the competent authorities.
The Member States lay down the special provisions with
which the holders and those disposing of PCBs must
comply. There is at present no Community legislation
prohibiting PCBs and articles containing them from being
placed in toxic waste dumps.

The Commission has put forward a proposal for a
Council Directive on the disposal of PCBs and PCTs; it

was presented on 3 November 1988 and will replace the
present Directive ( [4] ). It provides for installations for the
collection and temporary storage of PCBs and equipment
containing PCBs. These installations will be authorized if
they meet certain minimum standards set out in an annex
to the proposal for a Directive.

Any holder of PCBs will be obliged to attach a special
label to equipment containing PCBs and declare his
equipment to the competent authorities. The Member
States will have to compile inventories of these
declarations.

The Commission hopes that the abovementioned
measures will prevent incidents such as that described by
the Honourable Member from occurring in the future.

0) OJNoL 189,25.7. 1975, p. 39.
O OJNoL84, 31.3. 1978, p. 43.
O OJNoLl08,26.4. 1976, p. 41.
O COM(88) 559 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 462/89

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/25)

_Subject:_ Establishment of future farmers

Budgetary neutrality is resulting in a constant fall in farm
prices.

How does the Commission view the inconsistency of
announcing plans to guarantee extend starting up
assistance for young farmers while failing to guarantee
fair and reasonable prices on the other?

Has the Commission already considered the complex
issue of the establishment of young farmers and what are
its views on the subject?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

In its proposal on the adjustment of the agricultural
structures policy ('), the Commission announced that it
was planning to reinforce the Community young farmers'
scheme which, it believed, helped offset the ageing of the
farming population. The changes would involve raising
the ceiling eligible for Community aid from ECU 7 500 to
ECU 10 000 for both the installation premium and the
capitalized value of the interest rate subsidy on loans

No C 93/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

taken out to cover the cost of installation. In addition, to
encourage more extensive and more effective use of the
measure, the Commission is proposing to offer the aid to
young part-time farmers who wish to take up farming as
their main occupation.

The Commission considers that the aids for the

installation of young farmers are in keeping with the
measures to improve market conditions in that they
introduce an enterprising and dynamic approach which is
conducive to the adaptation of production systems to the
constraints of the market. The socio-structural measures

encourage farmers to set up and to modernize the means
of production; they compensate for natural handicaps.
They thus place farmers on a competitive footing,
enabling them to respond to market signals.

O COM(89) 91 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 463/89

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/26)

_Subject:_ Future of agriculture in view of budgetary
restrictions

The 1990 preliminary draft budget would involve a
considerable reduction in real terms in the appropriations
earmarked for agriculture.

At the same time, production costs are rising and the
introduction of stabilizers will automatically lead to
further reductions in guaranteed prices.

Moreover, financial contributions by farmers to the CAP
are constantly increasing as a result of quotas, guarantee
thresholds, co-responsibility levies, and so on.

Under these conditions, how will it be possible to ensure
the survival of agriculture in the European Community?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

Firstly, the reduction in the appropriations earmarked for
agriculture in the 1990 preliminary draft budget is partly

due to the improved situation on the world markets for
agricultural products over the last two years.

This relative reduction follows a period of huge increases
in EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure which were
quite out of proportion with the growth of the
Community's gross domestic product and the increase in
the volume of agricultural production. From 1975 to
1988, EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure increased
sixfold in nominal terms and two and a half times in real

terms, while the Community's gross domestic product
grew by only about 31 % and the volume of agricultural
production by about 26%. During the same period,
despite the increased expenditure, the total net value
added in the agricultural sector fell by almost 23 % in real
terms and average farm incomes also fell relative to prices.

This shows that we cannot hope to keep agriculture viable
in the Community by allowing a continual increase in
expenditure on agricultural support (the farmers receive
only some of this support as direct aid). In this context, it
is significant that despite the restrictive measures
implemented under the reform of the CAP, or rather, in
most cases, precisely because of those measures and the
gradual improvement of the market situation which has
ensued, producer prices in many sectors have risen
considerably in recent years.

The Commission takes the view that Community
agriculture cannot maintain, much less improve, its
performance in a context of ever more difficult market
conditions at both the internal and the international level,
unless agriculture is integrated more fully into the
economy as a whole, agricultural production is constantly
adapted to market realities and sufficient support is
provided for this rationalization process. Thus, the
restrictive measures adopted under the CAP reform are
not designed to penalize agriculture and do not aim solely
at ensuring a more effective use of available funds. Their
chief objective is to make farmers more aware of the new
requirements, encouraging them to rationalize their
holdings.

Where market support is concerned, the more stringent
approach is accompanied by an increasing number of
measures and therefore of budgetary allocations to help
farmers, particularly those weakest in economic and
structural terms, to overcome the difficulties inherent in
this transition phase. Examples of this are the gradual
doubling of the structural funds, the adoption of systems
such as direct income support or set-aside and the

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/11

inclusion of differentiation of market-related measures so

as to assist small producers.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 464/89

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/27)

_Subject:_ Aid for the processing and marketing of
agricultural products

Within the framework of the programme for the
processing and marketing of agricultural products,
priority is given to projects which comply with CAP
principles.

Appropriations from the EAGGF Guidance Fund have
been earmarked for 23 projects in Belgium.

Are these projects connected with the reform of the
Structural Funds?

Which regions in Belgium will benefit?

Which are the sectors concerned in each of these regions?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(17 November 1989)_

Since 1 January 1989 all EAGGF Guidance Section
measures have been connected, in one way or another,
with the reform of the Structural Funds. Regulation
(EEC) No 355/77 on common measures to improve the
conditions under which agricultural and fishery products
are processed and marketed (') is an EAGGF Guidance
Section horizontal measure contributing to the
achievement of Objective 5a in line with Article 2 of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 ( [2] ) of 19
December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing
Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 ( [3] ) as regards the EAGGF
Guidance Section.

In accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 355/77, the
Commission granted total aid of Bfrs 343 443 029 to
Belgian projects as part of the first tranche for 1989.

This total included aid of Bfrs 188 085 581 for projects
covered by Regulation (EEC) No 3974/86 on the
rationalization and improvement of health conditions in
slaughterhouses in Belgium ( [4] ).

The aid was allocated as follows:

(') OJNoL51,23.2. 1977,p. 1.
O OJNoL374, 31.12. 1988, p. 25.
O OJNoL185, 15.7. 1988,p. 9.
O OJNoL370, 30. 12. 1986, p. 9.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 465/89

by Mr Jose Happart (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/28)

_Subject:_ Less-favoured regions

Some of the aid for less-favoured regions must be
earmarked for measures to speed up the adjustment of
agricultural structures.

What prospects for rural development in the
less-favoured regions will be set out by the Commission in
its forthcoming proposals?

What will be the future delimitation of the less-favoured
regions in southern Belgium?

projects in the province of
Luxembourg
(Bastogne, Rochefort)
project in the province of Namur
(Ciney)
project in the province of Antwerp
(Geel)
project in the province of West
Flanders (Staaden)
project in the province of East
Flanders (Aalst)

project in the province of
Luxembourg (Recogne)
project in the province of West
Flanders (Veurne)

projects in the province of Liege
(Bassenge-Gions, Hannut)
projects in the province of Namur
(Hamois, Courriere)

projects in the province of
Limbourg (Borgloon, Glabbeek)
project in the province of East
Flanders (Wetteren)
project in the province of West
Flanders (Langemark)

project in the province of East
Flanders (Aalst)

project in the province of Hainaut
(Frasnes-les-Buissenal)

projects in the province of East
Flanders (Zulte,
St. Laureins)

project in the province of Liege
(Ligneuville)
projects in the province of West
Flanders (Ostend, Bruges)

Meat

1. Abattoirs

2. 'Charcuteries'

Cereals

Fruit and vegetables

Flowers and plants

Seeds

Flax

Fisheries

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

No C 93/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

In its proposals on the adjustment of agricultural
structures ( [x] ), the Commission stressed the vital role of
farming in preserving the countryside and maintaining a
minimum population, particularly in less-favoured areas,
which are often predominantly rural.

With a view to respecting environmental and market
balances, the Commission proposed that the grant of
compensatory allowances should be restricted to holdings
with a livestock density not exceeding one livestock unit
per hectare of forage area. In addition, in order to
concentrate the Community's efforts on those farms
which are in greatest need, the Community contribution
would be granted on not more than 90 livestock or area
units.

These proposals make no changes to the existing
demarcation of less-favoured areas.

(') COM(89) 91 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 468/89

by Mr Joaquin Siso Cruellas (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/29)

_Subject:_ Irrigation project in Aragon (Spain)

The decision by the Autonomous Government of Aragon
(Spain) to commission a feasibility study on the
construction of a canal on the right bank of the Ebro
river, which will make it possible to irrigate more than
60 000 hectares of land, means that the first step has been
taken towards the realization of this ambitious project, in
which the farmers of Aragon are placing such high hopes.

Since this study, which is now being commenced, is
scheduled to take 27 months at the most, it should be
possible to ascertain precisely and in detail what
contribution can be made by the European Community to
the realization of this project.

How could the Commission take part in the feasibility
study in order to determine what contribution, if any, it
could make to this major irrigation project in Aragon,
within the framework of its structural policies?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

When the reform of the structural funds was effected by
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 O, most of the
Autonomous Community of Aragon was selected as an

eligible rural area under objective 5b. A detailed list of
these areas was set out in Commission Decision
89/426/EEC of 10 May 1989 ( [2] ).

Council' Regulations (EEC) No 2052/88, (EEC)
No 4253/88 and (EEC) No 4256/88 ( [J] ) lay down the
procedure for the Commission's activities in these areas.
Generally, this procedure commences with a rural
development plan, to be submitted by the Member State,
then the Commission draws up a Community support
framework into which the different operational
programmes will have to fit.

The Commission will very shortly be receiving the
Spanish rural development plans and will give
consideration to the irrigation programme involving the
construction of a canal on the right bank of the Ebro,
provided that the measure is included in the
corresponding rural development plan.

If this is the case, the Commission could support the
project through the structural funds, provided that the
newly irrigated areas are intended for the production of
crops compatible with the common agricultural policy.

In line with the reform of the structural funds, the
Commission would prefer to view this project in the
context of rural development in its broadest sense, (i.e.
with accompanying measures for training farmers in
irrigation techniques and farm management,
improvement of infrastructure, processing and marketing
of the products obtained, etc).

O OJNoL 185, 15.7. 1988,p. 9.
O OJ No L 198, 12. 7. 1989, p. 1.
O OJNoL374, 31.12. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 469/89

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini (NI)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/30)

_Subject:_ Conservation of protected species

What measures have been taken to monitor the

conservation of protected species in each of the Member
States, following the recent shooting of a lynx in Italy and
the numerous incidents involving the shooting of wild
cats? Does the Commission intend to call on the Member

States to draw up a common list of protected species, with
a view to concerning the natural ecological balance as far
as possible?

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

_(30 November 1989)_

The Commission has proposed to the Council a Directive
aimed at ensuring the conservation of natural and
semi-natural habitats as well as the wild fauna and flora

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/13

on the territory of the Member States to which the Treaty
applies ( [x] ).

This proposal concerns, among others, all the endangered
species in the Community.

Under this proposal the Member States would be obliged
to take the necessary measures to establish a general
system for the protection of these species.

A similar system is already in operation for birds ( [2] ).

O OJNoC 247,21.9. 1988,p. 3.
O OJ No C 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 481/89

by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/31)

_Subject:_ Aid for improving the quality of milk in Spain

The Management Committee for Milk Products recently
approved an investment aid grant of 530 million pesetas
for improving the quality of milk in Spain.

What programmes or projects in the Autonomous
Community of Cantabria (Spain) will be co-financed or
subsidized with funds from this grant, and what amounts
will be involved?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 November 1989)_

The list of projects for which aid has been given under
Regulation (EEC) No 382/89 O includes two with
recipients in the autonomous Community of Cantabria
(Spain), accounting for 7% of the number of projects
subsidized in Spain and 5 % of the total aid granted.

O OJNoL44, 16.2. 1989, p. 28.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 483/89

by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/32)

_Subject:_ EAGGF-Guidance and Cantabria

Of the projects approved by the EAGGF-Guidance
Section in June 1989 for the European Community,

essentially for agri-foodstuffs industries, which concern
the Autonomous Community of Cantabria (Spain) ?

What projects in Cantabria have been co-financed or
subsidized, and what amounts are involved?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

In June 1989 the Guidance Section of the EAGGF, acting
under Regulation (EEC) No 355/77 (*) to improve the
facilities for the marketing and processing of agricultural
and fishery products, granted aid amounting to Pta
15 966 513 towards project No 89.41.016.0 entitled
'Construccion de una nueva planta de recogida y
refrigeracion de leche en Puente Aguero (Cantabria)'
(Construction of a new milk collection and chilling plant
in Puente Aguero, Cantabria).

The aid granted by the EAGGF Guidance Section in
Cantabria between 1986 and 1988 amounted to Pta

132 658 766 and went towards five projects: two in the
meat sector, two in the milk sector and one relating to
fisheries.

O OJNoL51,23.2. 1977, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 485/89

by Mr Jesus Cabezon Alonso (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/33)

_Subject:_ Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 and Cantabria

In the first part of 1989, under Regulation (EEC)
No 4028/86 ('), what projects in the Autonomous
Community of Cantabria (Spain) for the restructuring
and modernization of a fishing fleet and for the
aquaculture have been co-financed or received aid and
what amounts are involved?

O OJNoL376, 31.12. 1986, p. 7.

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(21 November 1989)_

Financial assistance of ECU 160 724 (Pta 20 843 698) was
approved for four projects in Cantabria in the first round
of awards for 1989 under Council Regulation (EEC)

No C 93/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

No 4028/86 of 18 December 1986, two for vessel

construction and two for vessel modernization.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 495/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/34)

_Subject:_ Large-scale destruction of fruit and vegetables

Bearing in mind the condemnation by the Socialist
Members Mrs Buchan and Mr Newman of the

destruction of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fruit

and vegetables, has the Commission not studied a better
solution, more in keeping with the aims set out in Article 2
of the Treaty of Rome, for what are for many people
'luxury goods'?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that the withdrawal of fruit and vegetables is an important
feature of the management of those markets. Its aim is to
achieve a balance between supply and demand at prices
which reward the producer but are reasonable for the
consumer. Withdrawal, moreover, accounts for a small
proportion of the total output of fruit and vegetables (3 %
over the period 1981 — 87) and costs little (1,9% of the
value of production for the period 1983 — 86).

Under the rules products withdrawn from the market can
be used for various purposes, e.g. distribution free of
charge, non-food purposes, use in animal feed, direct
distillation in the case of apples, pears, peaches and
nectarines, and delivery of certain classes of oranges to
the processing industry. It is only if a product cannot be
used for any of these purposes that it is destroyed.

The Commission would emphasize, lastly, that a number
of measures, including the introduction of intervention
thresholds and the improvement of the aid scheme for the
processing of citrus fruit, have been adopted recently with
a view to reducing the scale of intervention in the fruit and
vegetables sector.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 496/89

by Mr Francisco Lucas Pires (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(12 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/35)

_Subject:_ EEC support for Guinea Bissau

What forms of exchange and support currently underlie
relations between the Community and Guinea Bissau, in
particular within the framework of the Lome Convention
and with respect to economic operations in that country
financed by the European Investment Bank?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

Guinea Bissau has been associated with the Community
since the first Lome Convention. Since 1975 it has

received a total of almost ECU 134 million in aid.

Relations between the Community and Guinea Bissau
have always been excellent.

Under Lome III an indicative programme signed in Bissau
in January 1986 provides ECU 35 million, including ECU
3,5 million in the form of risk capital. Priority under the
programme is given to rural development.

To date 86% of Commission-administered resources

under Lome III has been committed for two operations:

— an ECU 23,8 million rural development programme
in the eastern part of the country designed to
intensify and diversify food production, thus
reducing dependence on imports, and to improve
cash crop yields and collection in order to increase
export earnings;

— ECU 3 million of technical assistance with

restructuring operations designed to reform and
revitalize the country's trading capacity.

Guinea Bissau received a further ECU 6 million in

November 1988 under the special programme for
debt-burdened countries in the form of a general import
support operation which is already well on the way to
completion.

The European Investment Bank carries out two types of
operation in ACP countries: loans from its own resources,
i.e. essentially finance raised on the markets, and the
provision of risk capital from the resources of the EDF. It
is currently planning an ECU 3,5 million risk capital loan
to finance four trawlers and pay for the rehabilitation of a
fish-processing factory in Bissau.

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/15

WRITTEN QUESTION No 504/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in political cooperation

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/36)

_Subject:_ Prisoners of conscience in Cuba

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation inquire about the fate of Manuel Gonzalez
and his wife Lidia Gonzalez Garcia, members of the
unauthorized Pro-Human Rights Party in Cuba
(PPDHC), who were sentenced and imprisoned for
printing their party's newspaper?

Answer

_(21 February 1990)_

Mrs Lidia Gonzalez Garcia (PPDHC) was released on 18
October 1989. Mr Manuel Gonzalez Morell is still

imprisoned and is due to be released in January 1990 after
his sentence has expired. Their son, Manuel Gonzalez
Gonzalez, was released after six months' detention.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 505/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in political cooperation

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/37)

_Subject:_ People killed or imprisoned in Benin

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation inquire about what happened in Save, Benin,
last March, when a number of workers were killed when
the army received orders to open fire against strikers who
were protesting about not being paid their wages and
threatened redundancies? Can they also inquire into the
fate of about one hundred alleged left-wing activists who
have been held without charges or trial since 1985?

Answer

_(21 February 1990)_

The questions raised by the Honourable Member have
not been discussed within the framework of European

Political Cooperation. However, the Benin authorities are
aware of the importance which the Twelve attach to
respect for human rights. Furthermore, they have just
adopted an amnesty law which will cover 192 individuals.
The Twelve are following closely the implementation of
this law.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 506/89

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in political cooperation

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/38)

_Subject:_ Senior public servants held in detention in
Malawi

Can the Foreign Ministers meeting in European Political
Cooperation make inquiries about the fate of various
senior public servants in Malawi, including teachers and
doctors, most of them from the north of the country, who
have been held in solitary confinement and some of whom
have died in suspicious circumstances?

Answer

_(21 February 1990)_

The question raised by the Honourable Member has not
been discussed within the framework of European
Political Cooperation. However, the Government of
Malawi is aware of the importance which the Twelve
attach to respect for human rights.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 511/89

by Mr Pierre Lataillade (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/39)

_Subject:_ Special paints and the harmonization of norms

Directive 88/379/EEC (') relating in particular to the
classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous
preparations will come into force for all such preparations
within a period of three years, with the exception of
pesticides still covered by Directive 78/631/EEC ( [2] ).

The new Directive is based on three main points
according to which criteria for assessing the harmfulness
of products are classified: the calculation of concentration

No C 93/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

limits, the experimental determination of the product's
toxicological properties and evidence of the actual danger
posed by the preparation.

Under Directive 78/631/EEC all products placed on the
market by certain companies are considered harmful, in
particular insecticide paints manufactured in France, since
their composition is the only criteria by which they are
classified, irrespective of the proportion of constituents
and their safety.

In response to new scientific developments, the
Commission recently drew up a directive concerning all
dangerous preparations which answers some of the
difficulties of manufacturers; moreover, since 1986 some
companies have been attempting to gain recognition for
toxicological tests on products which have been placed on
the market and which have not been proved to be harmful.

In view of this situation, can the Commission say which
directive the companies concerned must apply, bearing in
mind that the 1978 Directive may be modified within a
period of two years in the light of loopholes or
inadequacies?

If the companies concerned are permitted to apply
Directive 88/379/EEC, how can they gain recognition for
toxicological tests carried out by laboratories?

O OJNoL187, 16.7. 1988,p. 14.
O OJNoL206, 29. 7. 1978, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

As the Honourable Member points out, insecticide paints
can come under two directives as a function of the use of

the product (Directive 88/379/EEC and/or Directive
78/631/EEC).

In the case of paint, Directive 88/379/EEC will apply as
from 7 June 1991 and all effects which prove dangerous to
health, as specified in Annex 1, will have to be assessed.
This assessment must be carried out in accordance with

the criteria laid down in Article 3 (3) and the methods
described in Article 3 (5) when the conventional method is
applied.

In the case of insecticides, classification and labelling
must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of
Directive 78/631/EEC.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 519/89

by Mr Wilfred Telkamper (V)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/40)

_Subject:_ Pollution of the Rhine by the Stracel company

Having regard to Directives:

— 80/68/EEC O on the protection of groundwater
against pollution caused by certain dangerous
substances,

— 75/440/EEC ( [2] ) on the protection of surface water
intended for the abstraction of drinking water,

— 76/464/EEC ( [3] ) on the discharge of dangerous
substances into the aquatic environment,

— 80/778/EEC ( [4] ) on the quality of water intended for
human consumption,

and the fact that chlorinated hydrocarbons appear in the
European Community 'black list',

1. is the Commission aware that the Strasbourg firm
Cellulose de Strasbourg (Stracel) has been operating
without a waste water plant for more than 50 years,
thereby discharging 60 million litres of highly toxic
waste water into the Rhine per day?

2. is the Commission aware that Stracel discharges 3,2
tonnes of AOX, into the Rhine per day, i.e. 30 tonnes
of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds?

3. is the Commission aware that, compared with all other
polluters of the Rhine, Stracel alone discharges almost
50 % of all chlorinated hydrocarbons into the river?

4. what substances in what concentration/volume are

currently discharged into the Rhine per day and per
year by the following firms: Cellulose de Strasbourg,
Holtzmann Papier Karlsruhe and PWA Papierwerke
Mannheim?

5. what values have been established for the biological
parameters in assessing toxicity?

6. when will 'state of the art technology' be introduced in
these firms?

7. is the Commission prepared to ensure that the
operating permit is subject to a time-limit in the event
that 'state of the art' technology is not introduced? If
not, why not?

(') OJNoL20,26. 1. 1980, p. 43.
O OJ No L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 26.
O OJNoL129, 18.5. 1976, p. 23.
( [4] ) OJNoL229, 30. 8. 1980, p. 11.

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/17

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

_(18 December 1989)_

The Commission is gathering the necessary information
from the French Agency for the Rhine-Meuse Catchment
Area, the authority concerned, and will not fail to inform
the Honourable Member of the result of its enquiries as
soon as possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 522/89

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/41)

_Subject:_ Sale of lead paints

The Belgian Minister for Employment and Labour very
recently ordered a ban on the marketing of paints
containing lead (ceruse and white pigments) in view of the
fact that they are highly toxic (lead poisoning).
Government departments, the railways, shipyards and
public-works services will be required to ensure that their
tender specifications rule out the use of lead paint and
that they themselves do not use such paint.

1. What is the position in each Member State with regard
to the production, domestic marketing and export
within the European Community of paints containing
lead?

2. What is the Commission's position in this regard?

3. To what extent is it necessary to withhold
authorization for exports of this hazardous product to
non-Community countries?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

1. The situation as regards the production, marketing
and export of paints based on ceruse (white lead)
pigments at present differs considerably from one
Member State to another.

In 1922, the International Labour Organization proposed
to its member countries to ratify ILO Convention 13 of
1921 which restricts the use of white lead in paints on
account of its toxic effects in man.

This Convention has now been ratified by the Community
Member States except for Denmark, Ireland, Portugal
and the United Kingdom. Some of them have adopted

national specifications to restrict the use of white
pigments. Nevertheless, a number of accidents are still
found to be taking place as a result of using such paints.

2. Under these circumstances the Commission

considered it appropriate to propose the prohibition of
the use of paints based on such pigments (*).

It has, however, accepted the amendment tabled at the
plenary session of the European Parliament in September
1989 whereby these paints may still be used, if the
Member State so wishes, for the restoration and
maintenance of historic buildings which form part of the
Community's socio-cultural heritage.

3. As regards the exportation of dangerous goods to
non-member States, Council Regulation (EEC)
No 1734/88 concerning export from and import into the
Community of certain dangerous chemicals ( [2] ) entered
into force on 22 June 1989. This regulation introduces a
notification procedure for the export of chemicals that are
banned or severely restricted in the Community. The
importing country is informed that the substances listed in
the Annex to this Regulation are banned or severely
restricted in the Community and the reasons are given for
such restrictions. This enables the importing countries to
take steps regarding the import of such substances or
preparations containing them.

The Commission considers that this regulation is the
appropriate instrument for controlling the export to
non-member States of dangerous substances and
preparations such as paints based on white lead.

(') COM(89) 316 final.
O OJ No L 155, 22. 6.1'

WRITTEN QUESTION No 523/89

by Mr Ernest Glinne (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/42)

_Subject:_ Mysterious disease affecting oaks

Apparently, oaks in Belgium, the Netherlands and the
Federal Republic of Germany — many over 100 years old
— are being increasingly stricken by a mysterious disease.
The symptoms are yellowing leaves, premature shedding
of leaves, and cracks in the bark; ultimately, the trees die.
Because the phenomenon continues to defy explanation

— there is apparently no link with acid rain or pollution
— forestry services are having to fell diseased oaks as a

No C 93/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

preventive measure; in Soignes Forest in Belgium, for
example, 500 trees are reported to have been earmarked
for this.

What are the Commission's views on this problem,
particularly with regard to scientific collaboration and to
how Community bodies can play a useful role?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(20 November 1989)_

The problem of diseased oaks has been occurring in
certain regions of the Federal Republic of Germany and
Austria and in the Netherlands since 1985. The

appearance of the disease in Belgium is more recent.

According to scientific circles, the phenomenon has been
caused by a sequence of extreme weather conditions since
the beginning of the 1980s. Dendrochronological
analyses have shown a link between the damage in the
north of the Federal Republic of Germany and periods of
heavy frost during the winter of 1984/85. As a result of
the physical damage caused by the frost, the trees have
been attacked by parasitic fungi.

At a major international congress on forest damage held
at Friedrichshafen in the Federal Republic of Germany in
early October 1989, it was suggested that periods of heavy
frost could be at the root of the problem. However, the
extent of the damage can only be explained if the trees
had previously been weakened, for example by periods of
serious drought. As a result of this weakness, the cracks in
the bark caused by the frost could no longer heal in the
normal way, allowing in the parasitic fungi, and perhaps
also other parasites, which then caused the trees to die.

In many regions of the Community, further weakening of
the oaks as a result of the harmful effects of atmospheric
pollution on forest soil, in particular, cannot be ruled out.

The Commission is investigating the reasons for the poor
state of health of our forests in general, within the
framework of its Research and Development
Programmes.

The Community's inventory of damage caused to forests,
updated annually pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC)
No 3528/86 (') of 17 November 1986 on the protection of
the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution,
makes it possible to monitor trends in the health of oaks
at Community level.

0) OJNoL326, 21. 11. 1986, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 528/89

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/43)

_Subject:_ Basle Convention on supervision of the
transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste

On 22 March 1989, the Community signed the Basle
Convention on supervision of the transfrontier shipment
of hazardous waste. Would the Commission say:

1. which Member States have not signed this Convention
and, in view of the fact that the Community is a
signatory, what are the repercussions of failing to do
so?

2. what action it will take with regard to• technology
transfers and aid to developing nations when
honouring its commitments under the Convention
(Article 10) and with regard to contributions to the
financing of regional training and technology transfer
centres and to the revolving fund for handling
emergencies as a result of accidents during shipment
or removal of hazardous waste (Article 14)?

3. whether the Community, pursuant to Article 20 (3) of
the Convention, will issue a declaration agreeing to
the mandatory referral to the International Court of
Justice of disputes concerning interpretation or
implementation of the Convention?

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

_(18 November 1989)_

1. The Member States which have yet to sign the Basle
Convention are currently completing the internal
procedures necessary to do so.

2. The Commission has briefed its delegations to the
ACP countries that it will give sympathetic consideration
to precise requests from these countries for assistance in
disposing of waste.

In a more structured approach, the Commission is
considering this matter in the context of bringing
Community law into line with the Basle Convention.

The questions concerning Article 14 of the Convention
are real but premature.

The Commission cannot take a position on the matter
until the need for regional centres has been determined
and a decision has been taken on setting up a revolving
fund, something which is merely envisaged in the
Convention.

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/19

3. The Community has no right of access to the
International Court of Justice: under Article 34 of its

Statute, this is reserved only for states. It is for this reason
that the Community normally seeks arbitration.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 529/89

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/44)

_Subject:_ The Community's attitude to safeguarding the
Antarctic in the context of the 15th Conference

of the Contracting Parties to the Antarctic
Treaty in October 1989

On 22 May 1989, Australia decided not to sign the
Wellington Convention, which allows controlled mining
activities in the Antarctic, and proposed that negotiations
be held on a convention on all-embracing safeguards for
the Antarctic which would extend and make more

stringent the moratorium on mining activities in the
region. In Belgium, on 30 June 1989, a law was adopted
which bans prospecting for, and mining and development
of, mineral resources in the Antarctic region by natural
persons who are Belgian nationals and by legal entities as
defined in Belgian law, whether their involvement is direct
or indirect through the intercession of any other legal
entity under Belgian or foreign law in which they have an
interest or with which they are contractually linked.

In the context of the 15th Conference of the Contracting
Parties to the Antarctic Treaty in October 1989, would
the Commission say what line it and the Member States
concerned propose to take on more radical arrangements
for protecting the Antarctic region than those set out in
the Wellington Convention?

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

_(13 December 1989)_

Since the Community is not one of the Consultative
Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, the Commission did not
participate in the 15th Conference of the Consultative
Parties held in Paris in October 1989. Consequently, it
has no precise information on the positions adopted by
the Member States at that Conference.

However, the Commission is conscious of the need for
measures to ensure greater protection of Antarctic
ecosystems. For this reason, it will, in the light of
decisions taken at the Conference in question and the

Community's fields of competence, examine the
advisability of Community participation in the definition
and implementation of new initiatives for the protection
of the ecological balance in the Antarctic.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 531/89

by Mr Pol Marck (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(13 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/45)

_Subject:_ Alcohol stocks

Can the Commission say:

1. what movement there was in alcohol stock in 1986,

1987 and 1988?

2. what is the current volume of stocks?

3. what attempts were made in 1988, and what attempts
have been made in 1989, to reduce stocks and at what

cost?

4. what has been the impact of this on the budget?

5. whether it is economic to put these stocks to use in the
energy sector?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

1 and 2. According to communications received from
Member States, the stocks of alcohol from compulsory
distillations were 3 784 007 hi on 31 August 1986,
5 940 454 hi on 31 August 1987, and 9 147 260 hi on 31
August 1988. On 31 July 1989 the stock was 11 120 000 hi.

3. In December 1988, the Council adopted Regulation
(EEC) No 3877/88 (') laying down general rules on the
disposal of alcohol obtained from compulsory
distillations held by intervention agencies.

In June 1989, the Commission adopted Regulation (EEC)
No 1780/89 ( [2] ) implementing the rules on the disposal of
these alcohols and laying down procedures for sale by
tender to reduce stocks of alcohol without adversely
affecting the Community market in alcohol and alcoholic
beverages.

To date, three successful invitations to tender for the
export of alcohol of vinous origin have been held,
allowing disposal by export of 1,5 million hi.

No C 93/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

4. Following the decision taken at the Council meeting
of 11 and 12 February 1988, the stocks held on 30
September 1988 were depreciated on the basis of the 1988,
1989 and 1990 budgets to bring the unit value of the
stocks to a price level close to the expected sale price, as
for other agricultural products. As from the beginning of
the 1989 financial year, new stocks are to be depreciated
to the price level forecast for the budgetary year during
which they enter into stock.

5. As regards the use of such alcohol, the Commission
has prosposed that a large part of it be used in the fuel
sector, both inside and outside the Community. To date
no bid has been accepted, either because the prices offered
were too low, or because the bidders could not guarantee
that the alcohol would reach the specified destination.

The Commission is nevertheless continuing to look into
the possibilities for the use of alcohol in the fuel sector,
although the most important thing is to avoid
disturbances on the alcohol markets. The Council believes

that preference should be given to the disposal of excess
alcohol in the energy sector but that other opportunities
for disposal should not be ruled out.

(') OJNoL346, 15. 12. 1988, p. 7.
O OJ No L 178, 24. 6. 1989, p. 1.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 590/89

byLordO'Hagan(ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/46)

_Subject:_ Exchange of information on employment

In the run up to 1992 it will become more important for
individuals to know what jobs are available, both at home
and in other Member States.

1. Is the Commission satisfied that it is easy for all
citizens in all Member States to find out about job
opportunities?

2. What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that
there is greater exchange of information in this field?

3. Is there anything in the Single European Act or the
Treaty of Rome which prevents employment agencies
or their equivalent from operating in each Member
State?

4. Is it true that in some Member States it is illegal to set
up employment agencies? If so, are these provisions in
accord with the Treaty of Rome?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 December 1989)_

1. The Commission has a statutory obligation under
the EEC Treaty and Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 (') on
the freedom of movement of workers, to ensure close
collaboration between the public employment services
within the Community. This cooperation has worked very
well, but the existing Sedoc system (concerning job offers
and related information) has been recognized as in need
of improvement — the Commission's recent reply to the
oral question No H-0234/89 by Mrs Nielsen ( [2] )
underlined this point.

2. The Commission is now engaged in a thorough
review of Sedoc and is questioning those involved in job
offers and placement. This involves a series of
consultations and studies on:

— the work of public employment agencies;

— the role and place (and legal status) of private
employment agencies in the Community;

— other bodies involved in providing information on
jobs and mobility (researchers, both sides of industry,
the media — radio, TV, newspapers etc.).

Based on the results of this work, the Commission will

consider what could be done in order to better achieve the

Treaty objectives regarding information on job vacancies
and living and working conditions, especially in the light
of 1992.

3. The Treaty of Rome, as amended by the Single
European Act, does not specifically address the question
of the operation of employment agencies.

There is in certain countries (e.g. Federal Republic of
Germany, Luxembourg), at least to some degree, a
monopoly on placement of workers which has been
assigned to specialized public agencies.

4. Insofar as employment agencies are temporary work
agencies, they are forbidden in Greece, Spain and Italy.
This reflects disapproval of temporary employment
contracts. In Portugal there is no regulation at all.

In all other Member States such agencies are required to
be registered, the specific conditions for which may vary
from country to country.

O OJNoL257, 19. 10. 1968, p. 2.
( [2] ) Debates of the European Parliament (October-II 1989).

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/21

WRITTEN QUESTION No 593/89

by Mr Fernand Herman (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/47)

_Subject:_ Equal treatment for maize producers

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take,
within the framework of the GATT talks, with a view to
guaranteeing equal treatment for maize producers, given
the detrimental effects of duty-free imports into the EEC
of heavily subsidized maize gluten?

Answer given by Mr Andriessen
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

The Community considers that many problems in
agricultural production and world markets are not only
due to the high support for agricultural production, but
are also the result of inconsistencies between the support
and protection systems applied for different agricultural
products.

For that reason, the Community insisted, in its initial
proposal of 26 October 1987 to the negotiation group on
agricultural trade within the framework of the Uruguay
Round, that a significant concerted reduction on support
should be coupled with a readjustment of external
protection. It is the Commission's intention to
substantiate this initiative now further and to submit a

paper to the agricultural negotiating group which would
_inter alia_ deal with the problems raised by the Honourable
Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 595/89

by Mr Terence Wynn (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(24 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/48)

_Subject:_ The Mersey Basin II Programme — timetable
for submitting programmes for ERDF approval

Obtaining approval for draft programmes submitted for
ERDF financial support can be a time-consuming activity,
with little guarantee of success at its conclusion.

The Mersey Basin II Programme was submitted in July
1987, sent back for additional material and resubmitted in

May 1988 and yet no decision has emerged on whether it
meets EEC requirements or the level of resources it is to
receive.

Coupled with the delay in approval are:

1. Changes in eligibility criteria for ERDF aid that mean
projects begun in 1987, 1988 and 1989 will not be
eligible for support.

2. Inadequate time-scales for consultation on basic
principles associated with the programme, e.g. the
Community Support Framework.

Can the Commission explain why the Mersey Basin II
Programme has been _so_ long delayed? How would it like
to see consultation at the pre-submission stage improved
to avoid the need for referral back to the Member State

for clarification?

Assuming the programme is approved, it will run to 1992.
That is only three years away. In view of past time-scales,
thought should now be given to Mersey Basin III. What
form would the Commission expect ERDF programmes
to take post-1992? How much financial assistance will be
allocated to the UK? Will the Commission still wish to

take a detailed interest in the content of the programme?

Early guidance on these points is essential if programmes
are to be ready for a 1993 start.

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

_(29 November 1989)_

The Mersey Basin II programme is one of several
applications from United Kingdom Objective 2 regions
which have had to be held in abeyance until decisions are
taken on financial allocations following the reform of the
Structural Funds. Like other outstanding United
Kingdom Objective 2 applications, the Mersey Basin II
programme will have to be reduced in order to fit in with
the finance available. Discussions on this and other issues

are continuing between the UK national and local
authorities and the Commission in the context of the

Community Support Framework for North West England
for the period 1989—1991.

The Commission has already issued guidance to Member
States on programme applications in the pre-submission
stage. It hopes that this guidance will reduce the need for
referral back to the Member State for clarification.

The Commission cannot at this stage make guarantees
about programmes in the Objective 2 areas after the

No C 93/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

1989—1991 Community Support Frameworks expire,
since the list of areas eligible for assistance under
Objective 2 will be reviewed before the end of this period.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 601/89

by Mr Carlos Carvalhas and Mr Joaquim Miranda da Silva

(CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/49)

_Subject:_ Catch limits in respect of cod

In view of the fact that Portugal has given the EEC its
largest exclusive fishing zone, the catch being officially
estimated at 400 000 tonnes per year, and that, owing to
shortcomings in the Accession Treaty, its fisheries sector
has received no significant benefits in return, and in view
of the fact that the Commission has imposed a zero catch
quota for cod in zone 3M for 1989—1990, which, if
upheld, will have serious consequences for the Portuguese
fisheries sector:

— is the Commission aware of the harm which its

decision, if upheld, will cause to the 23 fishing
companies, which account for the entire Portuguese
deep-sea fishing fleet operating in the NAFO area,
and is it prepared to review its position and adopt a
more flexible decision, in view of the protests by
Portuguese fishing companies at the imposition of a
zero catch quota for cod in zone 3Mfor 1989—1990?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 December 1989)_

The Portuguese fisheries sector has been integrated into
the Common Fisheries Policy system by the Act
concerning the conditions of accession of the Portuguese
Republic to the European Communities.

At the 11th Annual Meeting of NAFO, held in Brussels in
September 1989, a joint EEC-Canada proposal to have
the moratorium on the cod fishery in 3M extended into
1990 was unanimously adopted.

This moratorium was first established in 1988 and is, in
the view of the Commission, entirely justified for
conservation reasons considering the bad state of the
stock as demonstrated by scientific evidence.

The Commission is aware of the serious implications this
moratorium is having for the Community fleet and in
particular Portuguese fishermen with a traditionally high

share in this fishery. On the other hand, the rebuilding of
this cod stock is therefore also of primary interest to
Portuguese fishermen.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 602/89

by Mrs Anita Pollack (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/50)

_Subject:_ Transport of spent nuclear fuel through the
Channel Tunnel

In view of the fact that many people are alarmed that the
Channel Tunnel may be used for the transportation of
spent nuclear fuel from European reactors and worried at
the prospect of nuclear flasks travelling in a tunnel and
through highly populated areas:

1. What assurances can the Commission give that the
Channel Tunnel will not be used to transport nuclear
waste?

2. What emergency plans exist in Member States in the
event of accidents in this area?

3. Are there any moves to harmonize such emergency
plans as may exist?

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

_(30 November 1989)_

The Commission recently submitted to the Council and to
the European Parliament a Communication on the
transport of radioactive materials in the European
Community, accompanied by a report on the same subject
prepared by a special working party composed of national
experts ('). The report includes considerations on the
measures to be taken in the event of an accident.

1. The Commission is not informed on possible
limitations of the traffic through the Channel Tunnel.

2 and 3. The Council Directive laying down the basic
safety standards for the health protection of the
general public and workers against the dangers of
ionizing radiation ( [2] ) includes transport of radioactive
materials in its scope of application. Article 45
requires Member States to stipulate measures to be
taken in the event of accidents. A review of the

existing arrangements on transport accidents
involving radioactive material has recently been
published by the Commission ( [3] ).

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/23

A Council Decision of 14 December 1987 ( [4] ) establishes
Community arrangements for the early exchange of
information in the event of a radiological emergency.

Analogous measures are established at international level
by the Vienna Convention of 26 September 1986 on Early
Notification of a Nuclear Accident which was signed by
all Member States and to which the Community will
accede in conformity with a Council Decision of 14
December 1987.

Finally, a Communication from the Commission to the
Council ( [5] ) makes plain the actions that the Commission
intends to take to further Community cooperation on
protection and assistance in the case of a nuclear accident
or radiological emergency.

O SEC(89) 801 final.
O OJ No L 246, 17. 9. 1980 and OJ No L 265, 5. 10. 1984.
O EUR 12051.
O OJNoL371,30. 12. 1987.
( [5] ) COM(89) 25 final.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 604/89

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/51)

_Subject:_ Infringement of Directives 79/409/EEC and
85/337/EEC

The Greek Public Power Corporation (DEH) is placing
electric pylons along a road which has been built across
the chain of islands between Tsoukalio Lagoon and
Amvrakikos Bay, thereby posing a serious threat to the
breeding grounds of the Dalmation pelican _(Pelecanus_
_crispus —_ Annex I, No 12 of Directive 79/409/EEC (*)),
which are situated there. This area has been classified by
the Greek Government as a special protection area under
the above Directive (central wetlands).

Has the Commission been involved and has this harmful

project received Community funding? If so, which service
was responsible and who authorized such a measure?
How does this project tie in with the Community
programme of action for environmental protection in
Amvrakikos Bay, which was approved by DG XI in 1987?
What were the results of this particular programme? What
action has the Commission taken against Greece in view
of the above infringement of Articles 2, 3 (1), 3 (2), 4 (1)
and 4 (4) of Directive 79/409/EEC and of Directive

85/337/EEC ( [2] ) on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment?

O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.
O OJ No L 175,5.7. 1985, p. 40.

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

_(15 January 1990)_

The Commission was not directly involved in the project
to build a road across the isthmus between Tsoukalio

Lagoon and Amvrakikos Bay, and Community funds
were not used to finance this work. Nor was the

Commission involved in placing an electric power-line on
the isthmus.

The Community project on the environment in
Amvrakikos Bay concerns the same geographical area and
has made possible, among other measures, reinforcement
of the isthmus which is in fact where the road in question
has been built.

Since the Community project on the environment is not
yet finished, the Commission does not at this stage have
an assessment of its overall results.

Under the Community's environment policy, the
Commission will approach the Greek Government, on the
basis of the conditions for the granting of financial
assistance to the ACE project, to obtain a guarantee that
Greece is abandoning any measure which is incompatible
with the protection of the habitat in question and the
species to be found there, and will intervene with others to
see that they also abandon any such measures.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 606/89

by Mr Mihail Papayannakis (GUE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

_(90/C_ 93/52)

_Subject:_ Destruction of wetlands of international
importance

The Axeloos wetlands (near Mesolongion) are classified
as a protected area under Directive 79/409/EEC (') and
the Ramsar Convention. Around the Axeloos delta, at the
centre of this protected area, Ixthyka, a state-run
undertaking, is setting up a large intensive and
semi-intensive aquacultural complex, which Community
studies have shown to be totally incompatible with the
aquatic biotope. Ixthyka is currently destroying a large
area on the banks of the Axeloos and on Koutsilari hill as

a result of blasting designed to level the ground in

No C 93/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

preparation for construction work in this strictly
protected area. On 8 November 1988 the Greek
Ornithological Society lodged a complaint with the
Commission in this connection. What action has been

taken in response to this? What steps does the
Commission intend to take to end the destruction of these

important wetlands by an undertaking which is
completely under Greek Government control? Were
Community funds from the IMP or other budget
headings earmarked for this project? What action has the
Commission taken against Greece in view of the above
infringement of Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEEC and
of Directive 85/337/EEC ( [2] )?

O OJNoL 103,25.4. 1979, p. 1.
O OJNoLl75,5.7. 1985, p. 40.

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

_(15 January 1990)_

The Commission has initiated the infringement procedure
provided for by Article 169 of the EEC Treaty against
Greece for non-compliance with Directive 79/409/EEC
and in particular Article 3, Article 4(1) and Article 3 (4)
thereof, following the complaint to which the
Honourable Member refers, and after having asked the
Greek authorities for information on the subject.

The Commission can specify that Community funds were
not earmarked from the IMPs or ERDF for the project
mentioned by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 608/89

by Mr Floras Wijsenbeek (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/53)

_Subject:_ Protection of fashion designs in the European
Community

Is the Commission planning European measures for the
registering and protection of fashion designs, as part of
the protection of intellectual property?

If so, how?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(24 November 1989)_

The Commission is undertaking preparatory work with a
view to publishing a consultative document on the

problems relating to the legal production, whether by way
of copyright or by specific registered design law, of
designs of functional articles, including textiles and
fashion.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 628/89

by Mr Patrick Lane (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/54)

_Subject:_ The apple market and opportunities

In the light of the on-going debate on alternative farming
possibilities and opportunities, will the Commission state
to what extent the Community can assist apple production
and will it also outline what market opportunities exist at
EC level and worldwide?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry

on behalf of the Commission

_(23 November 1989)_

The Community apple market in recent years has suffered
many problems, of which low prices and increased
intervention have been among the most distinctive. In
view of this situation, the Council this year adopted a
guarantee threshold for apples, proposed by the
Commission.

Taking account of these existing difficulties,
opportunities for new apple growers are less favourable
on the EEC market, unless the consumption of apples,
which has been decreasing over a number of years, can be
raised.

In the light of the above, the Commission does not intend
to support the planting of apple trees as an alternative to
other crops, but it has already tried to encourage
producers to improve quality by raising the minimum size
for apples allowed on the market. Besides this, the
Commission is working on a report on the apple market
which will be accompanied by proposals for a
strengthening of this market.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 630/89

by Mr Mark Killilea (RDE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/55)

_Subject:_ ESF allocations for Irish agricultural students

In Ireland at present, students pursuing degree or diploma
courses through Irish agricultural colleges are not in

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/25

receipt of an allocation from the European Social Fund,
despite the fact that agricultural studies are regarded as
being of a technical nature. Meanwhile, their counterparts
pursuing other and similar technical courses in Irish
regional technical colleges are entitled to full payment of
fees and a maintenance grant.

What authority has the Commission to ensure payment of
ESF funding to such students?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 December 1989)_

Expenditure for grants to persons undergoing vocational
training is eligible for ESF assistance and the ESF
co-finances this expenditure for a number of training
courses carried out by different training bodies in Ireland.

The ESF is co-financing training courses for young
people in Ireland who wish to enter farming. Parts of
these courses take place at Regional Colleges.

For these courses the ESF applications include allowances
only for board and lodgings at Teagasc Regional Centres
and the period of placement with host farmers.
Consequently no other allowance for the students
concerned could be considered for assistance from the

Fund.

Regulation 4255/88 (') determining European Social
Fund intervention, does not discriminate, in its operation,
against agriculture or farmers. Thus professional training
in the agricultural sphere falls within the ambit of Social
Fund support.

O OJ No L 374, 31.12. 1988, p. 21.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 647/89

by Mrs Ludivina Garcia Arias (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(27 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/56)

_Subject:_ Internal energy market

Has the Commission consulted the trade unions

representing the energy sector about the various
implications of the internal energy market?

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

_(28 November 1989)_

Close links have always existed between the European
Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the
Directorate-General for Energy and were strengthened in
1983.

When the paper on the internal energy market was
adopted both sides of industry expressed a desire to
establish firmer consultation machinery in the important
run-up to 1992.

In November 1988 the European Trade Union
Confederation organized a European trade union
conference to which the Members of the Commission and

representatives of the Directorates-General were invited.

The practical arrangements for consultation were worked
out at this conference.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 653/89

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/57)

_Subject:_ Commercial logging in Sarawak (Borneo)
Malaysia — Imports to Europe

Does the Commission intend to act on the resolution

passed by the European Parliament in May 1988, to
suspend imports of timber from Sarawak (Doc. A
20092/88) until the indigenous people's issues had been
resolved?

Answer given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

_(30 November 1989)_

During negotiations in the International Tropical Timber
Organization (ITTO) in May 1989, Malaysia accepted
the establishment of an international panel under the
auspices of ITTO, which is mandated to examine the
situation in Sarawak.

The Commission will carefully review the results of this
exercise, which, it is hoped, will set a precedent for the
objective assessment of other problems of the type
encountered in Sarawak.

No C 93/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

WRITTEN QUESTION No 671/89

by Mrs Carmen Llorca Vilaplana (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(7 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/58)

_Subject:_ Olive oil

Many citizens in southern regions of the Community are
concerned at the rapid changes in the countryside as a
result of the Community's policy of grubbing up olive
trees. Conservationist groups are worried about the
consequent loss of a valuable habitat for a wide variety of
flora and fauna. What steps has the Commission taken or
will it take to ensure the survival of this rich ancient

countryside?

At the same time, the Community is supporting the
production of other edible oils, most of which are
extracted from annual harvests of seeds from plants which
are of little environmental value. What impact has
Community support for the production and processing of
these forms of edible oil had on the market in olive oil?

Answer given by Mr Mac Sharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(11 December 1989)_

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member

that the Community has, as part of the common
organization of the market in oils and fats, adopted a
number of measures designed to secure a fairer income
for olive growers and promote consumption of olive oil.

Community measures have also been adopted to aid the
reconstitution of olive groves damaged by frost in certain
parts of the Community.

The outcome of these various measures is stability of the
area under olives in the Community.

Community policy on oilseeds has not affected the rise in
consumption of olive oil in the Community.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 677/89

by Mrs Winifred Ewing (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/59)

_Subject:_ Financial involvement of pharmaceutical
companies

According to the 1988 annual report of the Medicines
Commission in the UK, most of the doctors and medical

scientists chosen by ministers to monitor the
pharmaceutical industry receive regular payments from
drug companies. The Committee on the Safety of
Medicines, the most important subcommittee of the
Medicines Commission, received payments and grants
from drug companies. Only four of its twenty members
declared no financial interests of any kind.

Is the Commission aware of this situation, and what
action does it propose to take to regulate the financial
involvement of pharmaceutical companies in government
advisory bodies in the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(28 November 1989)_

The Commission is aware that members of the advisory
committees established to advise the competent
authorities of Member States on matters relating to the
quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products
sometimes receive direct or indirect payments from
pharmaceutical companies.

It is important to ensure that those responsible for
providing scientific advice on medicinal products should
have practical experience of research and up-to-date
scientific knowledge. Since a substantial majority of
research into new medicinal products is financed by the
pharmaceutical industry itself, it is inevitable that those
undertaking such research should receive payments from
the industry.

It is the responsibility of Member States to ensure that no
conflicts of interest arise which may prejudice the capacity
of their expert advisers to provide independent advice, for
example by the maintenance of a register of financial
interests and the exclusion of the adviser from the

discussion in cases where a conflict of interest may arise.

The Commission has no power to intervene in the manner
in which Member States select their expert scientific
advisers.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 685/89

by Mr John Hume (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/60)

_Subject:_ Milk quotas made available as a consequence of
the Mulder case

1. How many farmers in each of the Member States
were entitled to apply for milk quota as a consequence of
the Mulder case?

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/27

2. How many farmers actually applied for milk quota
in each Member State as a consequence of the Mulder
case?

3. How many farmers in Northern Ireland would have
been entitled to apply and how many actually did apply
for Mulder quota?

4. How much quota was set aside to meet demand
under the Mulder case, and how much of that quota will
now be used (a) in each Member State (b) in Northern
Ireland?

5. Will the Commission make available that portion of
the quotas set aside to meet Mulder demand, and which is
not needed to meet primary claims, in order (a) to increase
the proportion of last years deliveries which claimants are
to receive as quota; and (b) to set up a reserve in each
Member State to enable recipients of Mulder quota to
make the hardship and development claims which they
would have made if they had been in production in 1983?

6. Has the Commission taken legal advice about the
rights of recipients of Mulder quota to make hardship and
development claims?

7. Has the Commission considered the question of
compensation for recipients of Mulder quota who
returned to milking by leasing quota, in the intervening
period?

8. Has the Commission considered the possibility of
compensation for interest paid or lost by recipients of
Mulder quota who have had quota levy refunded to them
in respect of overproduction in preceding years but who

have lost the benefit of that capital in the intervening
period?

9. In the event of a recipient of Mulder quota forming
a partnership with another producer, may the partnership
so formed enjoy the benefit of the Mulder quota?

Answer given by Mr MacSharry
on behalf of the Commission

_(27 November 1989)_

1. The number of eligible producers cannot be
ascertained exactly but falls between the number of
applications received and that of recipients of the
premiums for the non-marketing of milk and for the
conversion of dairy herds. The number of such recipients
is as follows:

Premium recipients

Member States

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

France

Ireland

Luxembourg

Netherlands

United Kingdem

Total

Non
marketing

2 122

7 577

73 831

15 777

2 280

389

3 895

5 694

111 565

Total

2 460

7 670

76 490

20 266

3 230

400

4 067

8 204

122 787

UK(')

861

F O

836

IRL(')

2 700

5. No.

6. Yes.

7. No.

8. No.

NL

965

L

15

DK

69

DC)

7 400

Conversion

338

93

2 659

4 489

950

11

172

2 510

11 222

Total

13 187

Member State

Number of

applications

(') Provisional
( [2] ) Approved

B

341

3. The number of eligible producers in Northern
Ireland is not available but 728 were awarded a

non-marketing premium. The number of approved
applications in Northern Ireland is 211.

4. The Community reserve was increased by 600 000
tonnes to be allocated among the Member States in
proportion to the applications approved.

No C 93/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

9. No, unless the requirements of Article 3 (a) of
Regulation (EEC) No 857/84 (») debarring any _ad hoc_
partnership, are met.

O OJNoL90, 1.4. 1984,p. 13.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 696/89

by Mrs Jessica Larive (LDR)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(6 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/61)

_Subject:_ European car stickers

1. Is the Commission aware that the European 'NL'
sticker — as a symbol of Netherlands and European
citizenship is very popular with Dutch drivers _(_ _[l]_ _)_ ?

2. Is the Commission willing to support moves to issue
this kind of sticker in all the Member States and, more
particularly, to allow this 'Eurosticker' to be used instead
of the national stickers which have been available

hitherto?

O See _De Telegraafot_ 3 October 1989.

Answer given by Mr Dondelinger
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 December 1989)_

The Commission is aware that the European 'NL' sticker
is used by many Dutch drivers.

This sticker is provided for by Article 37 and Annex III to
the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and strictly
speaking does not therefore lie within the Commission's
jurisdiction. The sticker must be displayed at the rear of
all motor vehicles in international traffic.

Annex III to the Convention states that the sticker must

be composed of one to three letters representing the
country's distinguishing sign: these letters must be painted
in black on a white ground of elliptical form. In theory
this rules out any embellishments such as a coloured flag,
blue stars on the circumference or the letter 'E' as a blue

shadow as a symbol of Europe.

However, it appears that in practice these additional
markings are tolerated provided that they do not affect
the legibility of the country's distinguishing sign.

The Commission naturally welcomes any move to
promote the Community ideal and boost European

awareness.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 712/89

by Mrs Mireille Elmalan (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/62)

_Subject:_ Beneficiaries of Article 303 appropriations

According to the draft budget for 1990, ECU 880 500
were allocated in 1988 to 'subsidies for certain activities of

non-governmental organizations pursuing humanitarian
aims and promoting human rights' (Article 303 — Section
III — Commission Part A — operating appropriations).
Can the Commission supply me with a list of the
beneficiary organizations with the amounts of the
subsidies paid to each for the year 1988?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 713/89

by Mrs Sylviane Ainardi (CG)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/63)

_Subject:_ Beneficiaries of Article 304 appropriations

In 1988 ECU 727 150 were allocated to 'subsidies to

organizations advancing the idea of Europe' (Article 304
— Section III — Commission Part A — operating
appropriations). Can the Commission provide me with a
list of the beneficiary organizations with the amounts of
the subsidies paid to each for the year 1988?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 712/89 and 713/89

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(5 December 198 9)_

Every year the Commission sends Parliament a list of the
subsidies granted, in accordance with the rules adopted in
response to point 91 of Parliament's resolution on the
1983 discharge.

The information requested by the Honourable Member
can therefore be obtained direct from Parliament's

Secretariat.

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/29

WRITTEN QUESTION No 725/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the
European Community meeting in political cooperation

_(14 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/64)

_Subject:_ Aid to Vietnam and Kampuchea

Given that the continuing embargoes on trade and
development aid for Vietnam and Kampuchea prolong
the suffering of the people, will the Foreign Ministers
meeting in cooperation say whether they are currently
discussing the undertaking of a mission to Vietnam to
establish that the Government there is no longer under
Khmer Rouge influence so that the ravages of the Pol Pot
regime can be reserved?

Answer

_(21 February 1990)_

The Twelve are carefully following developments in the
situation in Cambodia and are examining their relations
with both that country and Vietnam.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 727/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(14 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/65)

_Subject:_ Tinted glass in car windows

Is the Commission aware that it is becoming increasingly
impossible to buy a new car with clear glass windows, and
that it is rumoured that future production is to move
toward all cars having tinted windows? From the
standpoint of Britain in particular where bright weather is
the exception, this would seem a road safety hazard. Does
the Commission have any statistics with which to compare
the safety aspect of cars with two types of glass ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 December 1989)_

The Commission is aware of the fact that an increasing
number of new cars are being fitted with tinted windows.

This is to overcome the problems resulting from the
increase in the amount of glazing in the bodywork and the
extra heat due to increased exposure to sunlight.

With regard to a reduction in light transmission and the
consequences for road safety, the forthcoming proposal
for a Directive on windscreens and other panes of glass
used in vehicle structures will contain provisions
concerning light transmittance, which will be over 75%
for windscreens and 70 % for other glazing.

The Commission does not have any statistics on the
number of accidents which may have been caused by the
two types of glass — clear and tinted — in Europe.
However, a statistical analysis carried out in the United
States _(_ _[l]_ _)_ indicates that tinted windows do not increase
the risk of accident.

(') Dr A. M. Gittelsohn, Professor of Biostatistics at the School
of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 787/89

by Mr Llewellyn Smith (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(23 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/66)

_Subject:_ Proposed EEC Directive following Decision
86/574/EEC

Will the proposed Directive following Decision
86/574/EEC (') require inspection by the Commission on
the exchange of information directly to the Commission
of those substances of a biological nature as specified in
Decision 86/574?

O OJNoL335,28.11.1986,p. 44.

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(8 December 1989)_

As regards substances of a biological nature, Article 3 and
Annex II of Decision 77/795/EEC (*), as amended by
Decision 86/574/EEC, provide for the data on the
biological parameters, as far as they are measured, to be
part of the exchange of information and to be forwarded
to the Commission by the central agency of each Member
State. To date only the United Kingdom has provided the
Commission with information on the biological
parameters.

No C 93/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 4. 90

The Commission has not put forward any proposal for a
Directive following Decision 86/574/EEC.

0) OJNoL334,24. 12. 1977, p. 29.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 856/89

by Mr Bruno Gollnisch (DR)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/67)

_Subject:_ Milk imports into the Community

Can the Council state whether there have been recent

imports of milk into the Community, and, if so, in what
quantities and from which third countries?

Can it also state the size of the Community's stocks of
dried milk and the amount of milk which the EEC is to

supply to Poland?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

The questions put by the Honourable Member relate to
areas falling within the sphere of competence of the
Commission, to which he has addressed a similar
Question (No 855/89).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 873/89

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke (ARC)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 October 1989)_

(90/C 93/68)

_Subject:_ EC subsidies for university scientific research

Further to its answers to my earlier questions, can the
Commission state which university research projects in
Belgium received Community support in 1988, which
bodies nominated these projects for support, and what
sums were allocated to each project (total sum and
amount of EC support)?

Answer given by Mr Pandolfi
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 February 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table

containing the information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 879/89

by Mr Bryan Cassidy (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(29 November 1989)_

(90/C 93/69)

_Subject:_ Commission criteria in the recruitment of
'stagiaires'

In its answer to Written Question No 2718/88 ( [l] ) by Mr
Andrew Pearce on the nationality of 'stagiaires', the
Commission gave comparative figures for the Federal
Republic of Germany, France, Italy and the United
Kingdom. The United Kingdom figures included some 20
or so young British civil servants accepted by the
Commission under a special 'stage' programme. If these
young civil servants are excluded from the figures, the
United Kingdom share of 'stagiaires' is much lower than
that of the other three comparable countries.

What criteria does the Commission adopt in order to
ensure that there is a fair nationality balance in its
recruitment of 'stagiaires'?

O OJNoC270,23.10.1989, p. 57.

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

_(12 December 1989)_

As already stated in its answer to Written Question
No 2718/88 by Mr Pearce, the Commission tries to
achieve the best possible geographical balance between
'stagiaires' from the different Member States.

As regards the situation of British stagiaires, there have
already been signs of improvement with the October 1989
intake, when the number of British stagiaires increased to
40, as against 25 for October 1988 and 21 for March 1989
(not including the special programme for young civil
servants). This positive trend should be maintained in the
future.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1071/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(18 December 1989)_

(90/C 93/70)

_Subject:_ Rights related to professional mobility

Given the growing importance of all aspects of
professional training, does the Council consider that
there is a need to establish minimum rights in the field of
professional mobility?

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/31

Answer

(75 _February 1990)_

The Council has not received any Commission proposal
for establishing minimum rights in the field of
professional mobility.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1093/89

byMrGaryTitley(S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 93/71)

_Subject:_ Minimum income provision in the UK in the
light of the draft Social Charter

The draft Social Charter contains a commitment that 'all

employment shall be decently remunerated' and also to
the concept of a minimum income.

Does the Commission agree that in view of the fact that
Wages Councils, being the sole legal minimum wage
protection in the UK, only cover 2,5 million; that the
coverage of collective agreements at national, regional,
interoccupational, sectoral and company level is very
partial; and that there exists no auxiliary legislation to
extend collectively agreed terms and conditions to
non-organized sectors, the UK Government will be in
conflict with the Social Charter once it is approved?

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

its replies to his oral questions H-222/89 (*) and
H-520/89 ( [2] ), given during question time at Parliament's
September and December 1989 part sessions.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 2-380 (September

1989).
( [2] ) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1989).

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1096/89

by Mr Hugh McMahon (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 December 1989)_

(90/C 93/72)

_Subject:_ EEC relations with EFTA countries

Can the Council inform the House what will be the main

subjects on the agenda for the forthcoming EEC/EFTA

Summit in December and when it proposes to consult
Parliament under the terms of the Single European Act on
the proposed subjects for discussion? Will the Council
give Parliament an assurance that the EFTA countries will
be allowed to maintain the highest possible standards with
regard to the environment in the number of imports from
third countries?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

At the ministerial meeting between the Community and its
Member States and the EFTA countries held on 19

December 1989, the Ministers agreed to seek to define a
more structured framework for cooperation between the
Community and all of the EFTA countries together. To
this end, they decided to commence formal negotiations
as soon as possible in the first half of 1990, preceded by
preparatory talks between the Camjpission and EFTA.

The negotiations between the Community on the one
hand and the EFTA countries acting as a single
interlocutor on the other hand will have as their aim the

conclusion of a comprehensive agreement covering both
the substantive and the legal and institutional aspects
mentioned in the Joint declaration adopted and made
public on 19 December 1989.

The ministerial meeting was not concerned with specific
substantive problems, which are to be resolved in the
negotiations; these will be conducted on the basis of a
brief for which the Commission will submit a proposal to
the Council.

The relevant institutional procedures will obviously be
fully implemented by the Council.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1100/89

by Mr Christopher Prout (ED)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(19 December 1989)_

(90/C 93/73)

_Subject:_ Services and care provision for disabled people in
the European Community

Can the Commission indicate if there is any available
comparative information for EC Member States in respect
of care, available services and facilities for the disabled in
the Community?

No C 93/32 Official Journal of the

Answer given by Mrs Papandreou
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

The Commission does not have the information

requested by the Honourable Member.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1156/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/74)

_Subject:_ Ban on Conibear and leghold traps

Is the Council aware that Article 8 of the Berne

Convention bans the use of large scale and non-selective
ways and means of capture and killing of fauna including
snares and traps 'applied for large scale or non-selective
capture or killing', i.e. leghold traps and conibear traps
and will the Council therefore support the measures
called for by both the Commission and European
Parliament to ban the use of all such traps within the EEC
and to ban imports of fur products derived from animals
caught in such traps and snares?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

The Honourable Member should refer to the reply to
Oral Question No H-525/89 (*) of 7 December 1989.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 384 (December
1989)

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1157/89

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(10 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/75)

_Subject:_ Canadian native population's reliance on fur
trapping

Is the Council aware that the Canadian Government and

the fur trade have inflated the importance and
involvement of Canadian native peoples in the fur trade in
order to divert attention from the real issue of cruelty to
wild animals and the abuse of wildlife by the international
luxury fur trade as examination of the facts show that less

European Communities 11. 4. 90

than 1 % of North American trapped animals originate
from native peoples and that the USA is in fact the
greatest trapping nation where trapping is a weekend
pastime?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

1. The Honourable Member is requested to refer to
the reply to Oral Question No H-525/89 ( [l] ).

2. As regards the importing of furs from third
countries, the Council has received a Commission
proposal for the adoption of a Council Regulation on the
importation of certain furs ( [2] ) from countries using
certain kinds of trap.

The Council will examine this proposal carefully, with
particular reference to the work in progress on the
proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of
natural and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and
flora ( [3] ) and the relevant opinion from the European
Parliament.

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 384 (December

1989)
O OJNoC 134,31.5.1989.
O OJNoC 247,21.9. 1988.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1177/89

by Mrs Pasquelina Napoletano, Mrs Luciana Castellina,
Mrs Adriana Ceci, Mrs Anna Catasta, Mrs Dacia Valent,
Mrs Teresa Domingo Segarra and Mr Rinaldo Bontempi

(GUE)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/76)

_Subject:_ Directives on parental leave, equal treatment in
social security schemes and the burden of proof

Can the Council say whether and, if so, when it intends to
adopt the proposals for directives, on which Parliament
has already delivered an opinion, concerning:

— parental leave,

— the introduction of completely equal treatment in
social security schemes,

— the burden of proof?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

The Council intends to adopt the three Directives
mentioned — all of which are based on Article 100 and

11. 4. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 93/33

two of which are also based on Article 235 of the EEC

Treaty — as soon as the difficulties currently standing in
the way of a unanimous solution have been overcome.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1200/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/77)

_Subject:_ Amendment of Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68

The Council has declared that Regulation (EEC)
No 1612/68 (') needs to be amended. Does the Council
agree that the new types of family which have emerged in
recent years should be recognized and protected by
Community law?

O OJ No L 257, 19. 10. 1968, p. 2.

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

The Council cannot express a view on this question at this
stage, since the Commission proposal to amend
Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 O is still under
examination.

O OJNoL257, 19. 10. 1968, p. 2.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1201/89

by Mr Jose Alvarez de Paz (S)

to the Council of the European Communities

_(9 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/78)

_Subject:_ Timetable for the adoption of the proposal
concerning the right to vote in municipal
elections

When is it planned to adopt the Commission proposal
concerning the right of nationals of Member States to
vote in municipal elections in the Member State in which
they are resident?

Answer

_(15 February 1990)_

The Council very recently received the amended
Commission proposal following on from the opinion of
the European Parliament.

The Presidency intends to set in train discussions on this
new text as soon as possible.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1293/89

by Mr John McCartin (PPE)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(15 February 1990)_

(90/C 93/79)

_Subject:_ Fisheries protection

Can the Commission give, by Member State, the number
of arrests made for illegal fishing during the past three
years and state the country of origin of the boats arrested?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

_(15 February 1990)_

The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable
Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament a table

containing the information requested.

WRITTEN QUESTION No 43/90

by Mr James Ford (S)

to the Commission of the European Communities

_(26 January 1990)_

(90/C 93/80)

_Subject:_ Methods of payment of office and staff
allowances to members of national parliaments

Could the Commission outline the ways in which each
Member State Government pays staff and equipment/
office allowances to members of its national parliament?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

_(9 February 1990)_

In the performance of its duties under the Treaties, the
Commission does not acquire information of the kind
requested by the Honourable Member.

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Social Europe - special issue.
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