Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 32
# Official Journal

Volume 37

### of the European Communities

##### Information and Notices

English edition

2 February 1994

Notice No Contents Page

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

94 / C 32 / 01 No 611 / 92 by Mr Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Protection for the habitat of the brown bear in France 1

94 / C 32 / 02 No 1134 / 92 by Mr Gerard Fuchs to the Commission
Subject : Controlled use of asbestos 1

94 / C 32 / 03 No 1 844 / 92 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Funding for universities to finance European studies courses 2

94 / C 32 / 04 No 1943 / 92 by Mr Paul Staes to the Commission
Subject : Aid to companies 3

94 / C 32 / 05 No 2514 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of asylum policy and Amnesty International 3

94 / C 32 / 06 No 2702 / 92 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Illegal transactions involving the cultural heritage 4

94 / C 32 / 07 No 3040 / 92 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The European Community, the lack of progress in social policy and the conclusions of a
discussion in the Greek Centre of European Studies ( EKEM ) 5

94 / C 32 / 08 No 3064 / 92 by Mr Neil Blaney to the Commission
Subject : Share-out of fishing rights 5

94 / C 32 / 09 No 243 / 93 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Possible misleading advertising by certain Community airlines 6

2 ( Continued overleaf )

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Contents ( continued ) Page

No 361 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Women homeworkers

No 462 / 93 by Mr Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Chemicals used by European growers

No 471 / 93 by Mr Henry Chabert to the Commission
Subject : The future of the Euronews news channel

No 488 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Incineration of chemical waste near the Waddenzee

No 619 / 93 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Support for NGOs defending human rights

No 667 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Structural funds : programme partnership

No 713 / 93 by Mr Max Simeoni to the Commission
Subject : Prohibiting the passage of oil tankers through sensitive and dangerous areas such as the
Bocche di Bonifacio

No 758 / 93 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Harmful effects of the pesticide Insegar ( Fenoxycarb )

No 804 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Maritime transport of plutonium and of oil

No 828 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Withdrawals of peaches in Imathia

No 842 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : State of the environment in Greece

No 864 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission

Subject : The need to protect gorillas

No 866 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The need for a rail link for Epirus

No 953 / 93 by Mr Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : Consequences of the European Court of Justice 's judgment in the case brought by the
ENU

No 966 / 93 by Mr Reimer Böge to the Commission
Subject : Additional national premiums for growing rape in France

No 1004 / 93 by Mrs Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : Formulation of a European ' calibration law '

No 1025 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate — Radioactive source term

No 1027 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate — Compliance with IAEA Safety Series 6

No 1029 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate — Public liability and compensation

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Notice No Contents ( continued ) p ag e

94 / C 32 / 29 No 1072 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject ; Programmes in favour of women and young people 15

94 / C 32 / 30 No 1125 / 93 by Mr Barry Desmond to the Commission
Subject : Research and development of a cure for pigmentary retinopathy 16

94 / C 32 / 31 No 1135 / 93 by Mr Thomas Megahy to the Commission
Subject : Research into nuclear safety 16

94 / C 32 / 32 No 1182 / 93 by Mr Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Transitional tariff arrangements in connection with German unification 17

94 / C 32 / 33 No 1193 / 93 by Mrs Martine Buron to the Commission
Subject : Decline in the agricultural machinery sector 17

94 / C 32 / 34 No 1194 / 93 by Mr Christian de la Malène to the Commission
Subject : The future of the European car industry and trade relations with Japan 18

94 / C 32 / 35 No 1195 / 93 by Mr Christian de la Malène to the Commission
Subject : The European car industry and trade relations with Japan 18

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1194 / 93 and 1195 / 93 18

94 / C 32 / 36 No 1222 / 93 by Mr Wilfried Telkämper to the Commission
Subject : The effects of development projects on indigenous peoples 19

94 / C 32 / 37 No 1225 / 93 by Mr Karl-Heinz Florenz to the Commission
Subject : Renewable primary products 19

94 / C 32 / 38 No 1240 / 93 by Lord O'Hagan to the Commission
Subject : Days-at-sea regimes                   - . # # . 20

94 / C 32 / 39 No 1248 / 93 by Mr Isidoro Sanchez Garcia to the Commission
Subject : Poseican : modification of Directive 77 / 93 / EEC 20

94 / C 32 / 40 No 1252 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Trade in tropical timber by EC companies in the Congo 21

94 / C 32 / 41 No 1253 / 93 by Mr Hemmo Muntingh to the Commission
Subject : Criminal activity in the tropical timber trade 21

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1252 / 93 and 1253 / 93 21

94 / C 32 / 42 No 1293 / 93 by Mr Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : JRC staff assigned to work on renewable forms of energy 22

94 / C 32 / 43 No 1313 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Assessment and cooperation with the CIS 22

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 32 / 44 No 1 325 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject ; The situation of Greek fauna 23

94 / C 32 / 45 No 1 354 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : New markets for hydrocarbons 24

94 / C 32 / 46 No 1371 / 93 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Possible disparities in Community milk policy 24

94 / C 32 / 47 No 1404 / 93 by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Decommissioning of nuclear power stations 25

94 / C 32 / 48 No 1452 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Merging of the Valia Kalda and Vikos Aoos national parks in Greece 26

94 / C 32 / 49 No 1453 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The ' Veïkou estate ' in Athens 26

94 / C 32 / 50 No 1490 / 93 by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Need for a national park on Rhodes 26

94 / C 32 / 51 No 1505 / 93 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Unauthorized aid from the Netherlands Government to Aldel and Pechiney aluminium
manufacturers ( Articles 92 . and 93 ) 27

94 / C 32 / 52 No 1508 / 93 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Action ( under Article 130r ) against the Netherlands Government in respect of subsidies to
the Aldel aluminium manufacturers running counter to the principle of sustainability . 27

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1505 / 93 and 1508 / 93 27

94 / C 32 / 53 No 1507 / 93 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Monitoring of State aids to primary aluminium producers 28

94 / C 32 / 54 No 1523 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Poverty in the EEC 28

94 / C 32 / 55 No 1525 / 93 by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Projects to protect Pre-Alpine basins 29

94 / C 32 / 56 No 1544 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Radioactive waste disposal 29

94 / C 32 / 57 No 1548 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Export of fuses to Iran and Iraq 30

94 / C 32 / 58 No 1555 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Plutonium 30

94 / C 32 / 59 No 1570 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Protection of birds in Malta 30

94 / C 32 / 60 No 1571 / 93 by Mr Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject : Financing for the Donana programme of action 31

94 / C 32 / 61 No 1575 / 93 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission
Subject : Recovery of illegal state subsidies in Belgium 31

Notice No Contents ( continued ) p age

94 / C 32 / 62 No 1576 / 93 by Mr Michael Welsh to the Commission
Subject : Persecution of Christians and Animists in Sudan 31

94 / C 32 / 63 No 1584 / 93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Exchange of information between Member States on vocational training for the
unemployed ' 32

94 / C 32 / 64 No 1585 / 93 by Mrs Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Instrument for the comparative analysis of vocational training schemes for the
unemployed 32

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1584 / 93 and 1585 / 93 33

94 / C 32 / 65 No 1609 / 93 by Mr Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Itinerant trade in the European Community 33

94 / C 32 / 66 No 1614 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Aquaculture projects                   -, » 34

94 / C 32 / 67 No 1615 / 93 by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Imports of hops from the former Soviet Union 34

94 / C 32 / 68 No 1632 / 93 by Mr Alexandres Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90 35

94 / C 32 / 69 No 1655 / 93 by Mr Herman Verbeek and Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf to
the Commission

Subject : Dumping of Community meat in the Sahel, 35

94 / C 32 / 70 No 1656 / 93 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Undermining of EC development aid to the Sahel area by the dumping of EC meat . . 36

94 / C 32 / 71 No 1657 / 93 by Mrs Nel van Dijk to the Commission
Subject : Unauthorized nuclear power station at Dodewaard 37

94 / C 32 / 72 No 1693 / 93 by Jean-Pierre Raffin and Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Duck poaching in France 37

94 / C 32 / 73 No 1714 / 93 by Mrs Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Equal opportunity employment practices 37

94 / C 32 / 74 No 1 724 / 93 by Mr Honor Funk to the Commission
Subject : Irradiation of foodstuffs ". >. 38

94 / C 32 / 75 E-l 769 / 93 by Mr Guy Guermeur to the Commission
Subject : Enlargement of the European Community 39

94 / C 32 / 76 E-l 775 / 93 by Mrs Margaret Daly to the Commission
Subject : Crash helmets 39

94 / C 32 / 77 E-l 789 / 93 by Mr David Martin to the Commission
Subject : Commission's answer to question 1821 / 92 . . 40

94 / C 32 / 78 E - l 793 / 93 by Mr Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Aviation checklist 40

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued )

94 / C 32 / 79 E - 1794 / 93 by Mr Antonio La Pergola to the Commission
Subject : Situation of Community distillation in Italy 41

94 / C 32 / 80 E-l 820 / 93 by Mrs Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert to the Commission
Subject : Health insurance in the Netherlands for German frontier workers 42

94 / C 32 / 81 E-l 834 / 93 by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis to the Commission
Subject : Illegal operation of quarries on Mount Pendeli 43

94 / C 32 / 82 E-l 852 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Entry of the drachma into the EMS 43

94 / C 32 / 83 E-l 923 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Industry in Thrace 43

94 / C 32 / 84 E-l 924 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Single market in postal services 44

94 / C 32 / 85 E-l 926 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Product liability rules                   - 44

94 / C 32 / 86 E-l 944 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Drought in Attica 45

94 / C 32 / 87 E-l 948 / 93 by Mr Yves Verwaerde to the Commission
Subject : General system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas — French Doctor of
Laws degree 45

94 / C 32 / 88 E-l 974 / 93 by Mr Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Information plan for young people 45

94 / C 32 / 89 E-2240 / 93 by Mrs Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : Action plan for informing young people 46

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 974 / 93 and E-2240 / 93 46

94 / C 32 / 90 E-2001 / 93 by Mr Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : Production aid in the olive oil sector 46

94 / C 32 / 91 E-2014 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Environmental protection 46

94 / C 32 / 92 E-2055 / 93 by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : Use of funds for the Tacis programme in Kyrgyzstan 47

94 / C 32 / 93 E-2081 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Leader programme for Macedonia 48

94 / C 32 / 94 E-2094 / 93 by Mr Jose Mendes Bota to the Commission
Subject : Since when have Portuguese-speaking countries counted as ' French-speaking '
countries ? 48

94 / C 32 / 95 E-21 12 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Damage to the environment in the area of Kastellokambos in Achaia 48

( Continued on inside back cover )

Notice No

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Contents ( continued ) Page

E-2 126 / 93 by Mr Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuels

E-2 143 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Correct implementation by Greece of Directive 76 / 160 / EEC

E-2 167 / 93 by Mrs Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco subsidies

E-2 195 / 93 by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Provision of economic aid to Palestine by the Arab countries

E-22 10 / 93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Unrestricted availability of potentially harmful medicinal plants

E-224 9 / 93 by Mrs Claudia Roth to the Commission
Subject : Violence against handicapped persons

E-2282 / 93 by Mr Henri Saby to the Commission
Subject : Decentralized cooperation

E-2365 / 93 by Mr Jose Apolinário to the Commission

Subject : ' Poverty III - programme

E-2391 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Response to terrorist acts in Egypt

E-2461 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Disadvantaged groups selected this year in Greece for vocational training measures . .

E-2538 / 93 by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Community participation in reestablishing democracy in Somalia

E-2554 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Construction of a waste incineration plant at Fyli, Attica

E-26 13 / 93 by Mr Jose Torres Couto to the Council
Subject : Social Europe

E-2634 / 93 by Mr Gerard Fuchs to the Commission
Subject : Directive on VAT harmonization / second-hand vehicles

E-3047 / 93 by Mrs Marie-Jose Denys to the Council
Subject : Free movement of persons

E-3056 / 93 by Mr Ernest Glinne to the Council
Subject : Measures taken by the Zurich multinational insurance company

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2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 1

I

( Information )

###### EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION No 611 / 92

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

( 23 March 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 01 )

Subject ; Protection for the habitat of the brown bear in

France

The Member States have two years within which to
transpose the provisions of this Directive into national
law .

France will therefore be required to provide a state of
conservation favourable to the brown bear as from June

1994 .

Meanwhile, actions integrated within the French ' Bear Plan '
are scheduled for support under the LIFE programme .

í 1 ) OJ No L 38, 10 . 2 . 1982 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .
What steps will the Commission take to ensure that France
provides proper protection for the habitats of the last
remaining Pyrenean bears ?

The measures belatedly taken in 1990 by France ( ban on
hunting and regulated use of forested tracks in areas
inhabited by bears ) cover only a small proportion of the land
area essential for the survival of the species and are more or
less ignored .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1134 / 92

by Mr Gérard Fuchs ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 May 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 02

(9 August 1993 )
Subject : Controlled use of asbestos

Protection of the habitat of the brown bear comes within the

scope of the Berne Convention on the Conservation of
European Wildlife and natural habitats which was approved
by the Community by Council Decision of 3 December

1981 ( ! ).

The brown bear is covered by Directive 92 / 43 / EEC on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and
flora ( 2 ) which was notified in June 1992 .

Council Directive 85 / 610 / EEC ( ) of 20 December 1985 on
relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations recently amended
on 31 October 1991 by the Committee on Adaptation to
Technical Progress includes provisions controlling the use of
asbestos .

Although the Commission has repeatedly affirmed its
support for the controlled use of asbestos, DG III has quite
illogically expressed its intention of drawing up a new
directive prohibiting the use of asbestos .

No C 32 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

What new scientific information has emerged leading the Answer given by Mr Pinheiro
Commission to modify its views with regard to the on behalf of the Commission
controlled use of asbestos ?
( 24 August 1993 )

(!) OJ No L 375, 31 . 12 . 1985, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 September 1993 )

The Commission has on several occasions expressed its
intention of finding a Community solution to limiting the
marketing and use of asbestos . Such a solution would take
account of the fact that the controlled use policy has led to
national measures undermining the principle of free
circulation of products containing asbestos .

By means of the Jean Monnet Project, launched by the
Commission in 1990 in response to a direct request from the
academic world, the Commission has, over the last three
years, supported a total of 652 initiatives selected from
among more than 2 600 applications .

A table giving the number of universities per country which
have benefited from the scheme is sent direct to the

Honourable Member and the Secretariat General of the

European Parliament .

Subsidies are offered to set up new teaching activities in
European integration, that is Community law, European
economic integration, political science and the history of
European integration . The subsidies are for :

— European ' chairs ', a symbolic term signifying a full-time

The Commission has since 1991 made efforts to find a — a
solution acceptable to the majority of Member States and is teaching-post entirely devoted to Community
still examining the possible approaches with a view to
reaching a Community wide solution . — Permanent courses on European Integration ;

teaching-post entirely devoted to Community studies ;

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1844 / 92

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 03

Subject : Funding for universities to finance European

studies courses

On 13 April 1992 the Commission reportedly decided to
grant financial support to universities to finance European
studies courses .

Can the Commission state what funds have been earmarked

for which universities ? Can it at least state how much the
various Member States and regions have received or will
receive ?

What conditions must a university meet in order to be
eligible for such support ? Must the funds be used for a
specific purpose ? Is there any monitoring of the way in
which they are spent ?

— European modules offered as an option or as a
complementary course of study for students in a wide
range of disciplines ;

— Research projects linked to the new ' chair '.

As regards conditions of eligibility, the scheme is exclusively
intended for higher education establishments within the
Member States . However, since June 1993, a similar Jean
Monnet project has been launched, by the Polish and the
Hungarian authorities together with the Commission . This
programme has been taken on their own national Phare
budgets . As regards selection, the Commission is advised in
both cases by the European University Council for the Jean
Monnet Project which assesses the academic feasibility and
scientific worth of applications . Subsequently, universities
are free to make their own appointments to the posts
created . The selection criteria are that the courses should
deal specifically with European integration, that they should
be compulsory and amount to a new initiative . Priority is
given to undergraduate courses .

Establishments successful in obtaining a Jean Monnet
subsidy undertake to maintain the teaching for at least seven
years, that is to say for four years after the period of
co-financing . This condition applies to ' European chairs '
and permanent courses which receive funding for three
years . In the Member States, the level of co-financing may
not exceed 80 %, of the direct teaching costs with a
maximum of ECU 25 000 for a ' chair ', and ECU 5 000 for a
permanent course or a module . Amounts have been adapted
to local criteria in Poland and Hungary .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 3

Universities are required to provide a report on the activities
co-financed and a breakdown of expenditure each year, to
enable the Commission to satisfy itself that the teaching
went ahead as planned and the co-financing was properly
used . An evaluation of the Jean Monnet Project is being
carried out by the European University Council for the Jean
Monnet Project in 1993, and will be ready by the end of

1993 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 November 1993 )

The Commission is sending the tables showing the requested
information directly to the Honourable Member and
Parliament 's Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2514 / 92

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1943 / 92 to the Commission of the European Communities

by Mr Paul Staes ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 October 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 05 )
(1 September 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 04 )

Subject : Aid to companies

Pursuant to Article 92 ( 1 ) of the EEC Treaty, any aid granted
by a Member State which distorts or threatens to distort
competition by favouring certain undertakings or the
production of certain goods, in so far as it affects trade
between Member States, shall be incompatible with the
common market .

The Commission must be informed, in sufficient time to
enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant aid . If
it considers that any such plan is not compatible with the
common market, it shall without delay initiate the
procedure provided for in Article 92 ( 3 ) of the EEC Treaty
and the proposed measure may not be put into effect until
the procedure has resulted in a final decision .

The latter can take the form of a decision which the Member

State concerned must comply with pursuant to Article 189

( 4 ) of the EEC Treaty . If the Member State does not comply
with the decision, then the matter may be brought before the
European Court of Justice .

Can the Commission list for each Member State :

1 . The number of Commission decisions regarding aid to

companies incompatible with the common market, their
date, the names of the companies concerned and the
sums which were unjustly paid .

2 . The number of judgments delivered by the European

Court of Justice as a result of non-compliance with
Commission decisions regarding aid to companies
incompatible with the common market ( quoting in each
case the reference number of the decision in

question ).

Subject ; Harmonization of asylum policy and Amnesty

International

Amnesty International recently issued a statement
expressing its concern at the forthcoming harmonization of
asylum policy in the European Community and noting that
applications for political asylum must be considered by
independent committees of experts familiar with the
relevant legislation and the state of human rights in the
various countries concerned . How does the Commission
view this whole matter today, in the light of this statement
by Amnesty International ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 September 1993 )

The Commission noted with interest the statement issued by
Amnesty International, entitled ' Europe : Harmonization of
asylum policy '. That statement concerned in the first
instance proposals which were before Ministers responsible
for Immigration Policies at their meeting in London in
November 1992 . As these meetings are of an
intergovernmental character, it would be in the first instance
for the Presidency to give this type of information .
Nevertheless, the Commission can indicate that the
substantive recommendations contained in Amnesty
International 's statement relate to areas of procedural
asylum law which have yet to be addressed by Immigration
Ministers . It should be recalled that the Work Programme
adopted by the European Council of Maastricht in
December 1 992 acknowledges the need for harmonization
of certain procedural aspects, as does the Commission 's

1991 Communication on the right of asylum but states
at the same time, that for pragmatic reasons only, priority
should be given to harmonization of substantive rules .
When the harmonization process enters into the area of
procedural asylum law, however, the recommendations by
Amnesty International may serve as a useful point of

No C 32 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 2, 2 . 94

reference, highlighting a number of areas that deserve be further strengthened if the Maastricht Treaty comes
special attention . into force — in regard to town and country planning and

cultural development ?
(!) Doc . SEC(91 ) 1857 def .

f 1 ) COM(89 ) 594 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 2702 / 92

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

Answer given by Mr Vanni a'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

of the European Communities (8 September 1993 )

( 29 October 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 06 )

Subject : Illegal transactions involving the, cultural
heritage

There has been a public debate in Greece recently about
taxation of the former royal family . In the agreement due for
ratification drawn up on this matter the Greek government
has ceded the entire area of the old town of Corfu ( otherwise
known as mon Repos ) to ex-king Constantine . On the basis
of archaeological finds and scientific studies archaeologists
claim that this is the site of the urban and administrative

centre and the ancient acropolis of the Phaeacians .

In view of the fact that :

This prime archaeological site constitutes the cultural
heritage of Europe as a whole and not of individuals .

There is no provisions in either the European Convention on
the protection of the archaeological heritage ratified by
Greece on 20 July 1981 or the Commission communication
to the Council on the protection of national treasures
possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value (*)
allowing archaeological sites to be subject to transactions
and agreements .

Corfu municipal council decided unanimously on
24 September 1992 to oppose the cession of the old town to
the former king .

There are strong legal doubts about the ownership of this
site since according to a Corfu provincial council document
of 1 June 1864, the site of the old town was ceded to the
royal family of the day for their use and not as their property
and therefore no individual property rights can be
recognized over the local government, will the Commission

say :

1 . whether this behaviour by the Greek authorities is

compatible with the provisions of the above
Communication on the protection of national treasures
and

2 . whether this flagrant violation of the rights of the local

government and the wilful refusal to consider its
position in this matter is compatible with the role that
local government is called on to play — a role which will

The Commission would point out that responsibility for
preserving and safeguarding the cultural heritage, and in
particular for protecting national treasures, lies with each
individual Member State . To that end, Article 36 of the EEC
Treaty permits Member States to restrict the free movement
of their national treasures provided that they comply with
the conditions laid down in that Article .

Following an initial communication on the protection of
national treasures possessing artistic, historic or
archaeological value : needs arising from the abolition of
internal frontiers after 1992, to which the Honourable
Member refers, and on the basis of numerous discussions
with the Member States, its own work and the work of
Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, the
Council adopted Regulation ( EEC ) No 3911 / 92 on the
export of cultural goods (*) on 9 December 1992 and
Directive 93 / 7 / EEC on the return of cultural objects
unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State ( 2 )
on 15 March 1993 .

These legislative measures are intended to accompany the
abolition of controls at the Community 's internal frontiers .
Since Member States have not been able since 1 January

1993 to carry out internal frontier checks and formalities
with a view to guaranteeing the necessary effective
protection for their national treasures, these measures,
which supplement national legislation, provide for
machinery for cooperation between Member States aimed at
protecting cultural goods within the Community and at its
external frontiers .

The measures affect neither property ownership
arrangements at national level nor agreements that may be
reached or transactions effected at that level . It will be noted

that Article 222 of the EEC Treaty stipulates that ' this
Treaty shall in no way prejudice the rules in Member States
governing the system of property ownership '.

Accordingly, the Commission is not competent to comment
on the Greek authorities ' decision to cede the site of

Paleopolis in Corfu to a private individual .

The important role which regional and local authorities are
already playing, and will increasingly be called on to play,
after the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union,

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 5

particularly in the cultural sphere, should be consistent with
the respective powers of those various authorities as
determined by each of the Member States .

As the case in question involves the national government
taking account of the views expressed by the local
authorities, t [ is] a matter for the Greek authorities [ .]

(!) OJ No L 395, 13 . 12, 1992,

( 2 ) OJ No L 74, 27 . 3 . 1993 .

The Luxembourg European Council of 28 and 29 June 1991
also noted that the progress achieved in completing the
internal market was not accompanied by comparable
progress in the field of social policy .

The Commission is of the opinion that the Protocol on
Social Policy annexed to the Treaty on European Union
which was signed on 7 February 1992 and is currently being
ratified by the Member States will, by extending approval by
qualified majority to certain aspects of social policy,
promote a balanced construction process within Europe,
which will both strengthen the competitiveness of
businesses and improve employment and living and working
conditions for employees and citizens within the Union .

(') Initial contributions by the Commission to the
Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union ( SEC(91 ) 500
WRITTEN QUESTION No 3040 / 92 final of 30 March 1991 ).

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

( 14 December 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 07 )

Subject : The European Community, the lack of progress in

social policy and the conclusions of a discussion in
the Greek Centre of European Studies ( EKEM )

Social policy plays a marginal role in the Community and
only scant progress has been made so far in this domain .
This is the conclusion reached recently by university
teachers and trade union representatives during a discussion
held at the Greek Centre for European Studies ( EKEM )
following the presentation of a study on ' social policy in the
European Community : an economic approach '. Does the
Commission intend to examine the conclusions of this

discussion ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 3064 / 92

by Mr Neil Blaney ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 December 1992 )

( 94 / C 32 / 08

Subject : Share-out of fishing rights

What criteria were used to share out between Member

States the fishing rights in the waters of third countries
which the Community has acquired under bilateral
agreements ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

(2 June 1993 ) on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is unable to accept the conclusions of the
discussion at the Greek Centre for European Studies which
describe the Community 's social policy as ' insignificant ' or
' marginal '. On the contrary, it notes that implementation of
the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights of
Workers has led to substantial progress in the field of health
and safety at work, for example .

The Commission, however, has already drawn attention to
the discrepancy between, on the one hand, the powers
conferred under the existing provisions of the EEC Treaty
and, on the other, the aspirations of the Charter and the new
obligations arising from completion of the internal
market ( M.

( 10 September 1993 )

Any fishing possibilities obtained by the Community under
fishery agreements concluded with third countries may be
allocated to Member States . Where fishing possibilities so
obtained are expressed in terms of an overall gross registered
tonnage of vessels they are not usually allocated to Member
States . Where the fishing possibilities obtained are subject to
variation due to management measures they may be
allocated in conformity with Article 8 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 3760 / 92, the Council deciding on the allocation by
qualified majority on a proposal of the Commission .

No C 32 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION No 243 / 93

by Mr Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

WRITTEN QUESTION No 361 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 February 1993 ) (3 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 09 ( 94 / C 32 / 10 )

Subject : Possible misleading advertising by certain
Community airlines

The fabled date of 1 January 1993 has, amongst other
advantages derived from implementation of the Single
European Act, brought about the liberalization of passenger
air fares . However, in view of the dearth of good news on
this matter, consumers in the Community remain sceptical
as to the possibility of any airlines drastically cutting prices
set before 1993 .

There have merely been a few advertising campaigns by
certain airlines announcing with much pomp and
circumstance, drastic cuts in fares, when in fact the reduced
fares have only applied to a vexy small number of seats
on certain flights . As a result, and in view of the
abovementioned fare liberalization, the majority of
consumers have come to regard these publicity campaigns as
misleading .

Does the Commission intend to closely monitor these
publicity campaigns by certain Community airlines, which
may be misleading the consumer as regards the real cost of
air fares ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

Since 1 January, airlines have been free to set
intra-Community air fares, including those for scheduled air
services . Such freedom, enjoyed by the vast majority of
competitive sectors in business and industry, is fundamental
to a market economy .

The recent bargain fares offered by some airlines may have
applied only for limited periods but they do show the
benefits to consumers of the new price flexibility now
granted to airlines .

The advertising campaigns referred to by the Honourable
Member also form part of this new freedom . The
Commission has not received any complaints about them
from users . It is, in any case, for government departments
and the courts in the Member States to impose penalties in
cases of misleading advertising according to their own rules,
which have to some extent been harmonized at Community
level by Council Directive 84 / 450 / EEC on that very
subject .

Subject : Women homeworkers

Further to my Written Question No 1970 / 90 (') on women
homeworkers, what progress has there been on Commission
studies in this area ?

Does the Commission intend to introduce legislation to
protect this group of women workers ?

(!) OJ No C 98, 15 . 4 . 1991, p . 28 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 1993 )

In addition to the studies mentioned in reply to the
Honourable Member 's earlier question, the Commission is
currently preparing a report on homeworking in the
Community, which should be completed by July 1993 . The
Commission 's programme for 1993 and 1994 C ) does not
include any proposal for legislation in this respect .

( 1 ) OJ No C 125, 6 . 5 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 462 / 93

by Mr Christopher Jackson ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 11 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 11 )

Subject : Chemicals used by European growers

Has the Commission a list of chemicals and sprays which are
permitted for use in each Member State ?

Will it make this list available to me ?

If chemicals and sprays are permitted in one Member State,
but forbidden in another, while the products so treated are
freely traded, does this not create a restraint of trade ?

Will the Commission clarify what controls are enforced to
check on chemical residues on food imported into the EC,
especially from Eastern Europe ?

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 7

Answer given by Mr Steichen Will the Commission take this unfavourable situation into

on behalf of the Commission account and provide due compensation in the next

( 22 September 1993 ) preliminary draft budget before the end of spring ?

The Commission has not prepared a list of plant protection
preparations on the Community market . However, certain
Member States compile such lists annually which are freely
available . In addition, commercial publications exist which
give information on the plant protection products
authorized in most Member States of the Community .

In the context of its work on the implementation of Council
Directive 91 / 414 / EEC (*) concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market, the Commission is
currently developing a list of the active substances on the
Community market on the date of implementation of the
Directive ( 25 July 1993 ). This list will shortly be available
and will be sent to the Honourable Member and the

Secretariat general of the Parliament .

Differences in plant protection authorizations granted by
Member States may give rise to trade difficulties .
Community work in the field of harmonization of
maximum pesticide residue levels has concentrated on those
cases that have either given rise to trade problems or
represent a high potential to do so .

Member States are obliged to ensure that produce complies
with Community maximum pesiticide residue levels from
the time it is put into circulation . However, sampling
programmes are the responsibility of Member States and
will normally be modified to take into account produce
from sources found to give rise to residues over the
established limits .

(') OJ No L 230, 19 . 8 . 1991 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 471 / 93

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1993 )

In the preliminary draft budget for 1993 the Commission
proposed an item entitled ' European dimension in the
audiovisual industry ' to provide support for Euronews,
European Radio International ( ERI, formerly Euroradio )
and the European dimension in film festivals and
audiovisual programmes . It entered ECU 5 million for it,
with the aim of preserving the ECU 3 million given to
support Euronews in 1992 .

At first reading the Council cut the appropriation to ECU 3
million, and Parliament at its first reading concurred in this
cut in the Commission 's proposal . Of the ECU 3 million
finally entered in the 1993 budget, Euronews received ECU
2,2 million, ERI received ECU 145 000 and the festivals

ECU 655 000 .

In the preliminary draft budget for 1994 the Commission
has proposed a specific item for Euronews and ERI, as their
objectives are broadly similar ; it is to be entitled
' Multilingual European television channels and radio
broadcasting networks ' and to have an appropriation of
ECU 2,5 million, being ECU 2,3 million for Euronews and
0,2 million for ERI .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 488 / 93

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

by Mr Henry Chabert ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 March 1993 )
( 11 March 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 12

Subject : The future of the Euronews news channel

Under the budget adopted for 1993 the project for the
European multilingual news channel, Euronews, has finally
been confirmed . However, because of the Euroradio project
and others, the appropriations entered against budget
heading B3-204 will benefit the European news channel
much less than originally envisaged .

Does the Commission » consider this solution to be
satisfactory in the very year when the European multilingual
news channel is beginning to broadcast ?

Subject : Incineration of chemical waste near the
Waddenzee

North Refinery in Delfzijl is planning to build a chemical
waste incineration plant near the Waddenzee, with the
result that many vessels carrying chemical waste mainly
from the west of the country will be obliged to cross the
North Sea and the Waddenzee . Another processing plant is
situated in Rotterdam .

North Refinery has not yet conducted an environmental
impact assessment since, according to the Dutch ministry

( 94 / C 32 / 13 )

No C 32 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

responsible, this is not necessary . However, is such activity
not governed by Council Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ! ) on
environmental impact assessments if it involves the burning
of phenols and polycyclical aromatic compounds ?

1 . Is it true that an environmental impact assessment
should be carried out for the planned North Refinery
combustion plant, under Council Directive 85 / 337 /
EEC ?

2 . Will the Commission inform North Refinery and the
Dutch Government immediately of their obligations
under this directive ?

3 . Does the Commission not agree that the siting of the
proposed plant close to the Waddenzee, a wildlife area
of very great international importance, should be
covered by an environmental impact assessment ?

4 . Does the Commission not agree that the principle of in
situ disposal will be best complied with if chemical waste
from the west of the country is incinerated on the
spot ?

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

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

The installation described in the question is classified as an
Annex I project in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC and is therefore
subject to a mandatory environmental impact assessment .
The Commission will write to the Dutch authorities to

assess the measures that have been taken to comply with the
requirements of the Directive .

The environmental impact assessment should include the
information in Annex III of the Directive, particularly the
direct and indirect effects of the project on inter alia fauna,
flora and ecosystems . Potential effects on the Waddenzee
area must therefore be thoroughly assessed .

According to Directive 91 / 156 / EEC, Member States have to
establish an integrated and adequate network of disposal
installations ensuring waste disposal in one of the nearest
appropriate installations .

It is true that the so called principle of proximity is not
absolute and totally rigid . It has to be interpreted in a
flexible way, taking into account in particular geographical
circumstances or the need for specialized installations for
certain types of waste . Therefore specific shipments of waste
may be in conformity with this principle . The facts
communicated do not allow a judgement in this respect .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 619 / 93

by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 April 1993 )

( 94 /G 32 / 14 )

Subject : Support for NGOs defending human rights

What steps have been taken to date to support NGOs
defending human rights using appropriations entered
against budget Item B7-5053 ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

A total of some ECU 3,8 million was committed in 1992
under budget heading B7-5053 to support initiatives of
non-governmental organizations or institutions aimed at
promoting and defending human rights and strengthening
the democratic structures of civil society in the developing
countries .

The Commission has recently decided to commit ECU
215 000 under the 1993 appropriation for heading B7-5053
in support of a number of initiatives to promote training,
information and communication via different media in the

fields of human rights and democratic principles .

Note also the decision to create a reserve fund of ECU
700 000 to help finance the participation of NGOs from
developing countries in the World Conference on Human
Rights, which was held recently in Vienna .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 667 / 93

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(6 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 15 )

Subject : Structural funds : programme partnership

What role is envisaged for local authorities within the next
round of programmes ?

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 9

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 ) ( 29 September 1993 )

The revised regulations governing the arrangements for
assistance from the Structural Funds, which were adopted
by the Council on 20 July 1993, enshrine the prinicple of
subsidiarity, under which it is up to the Member State
concerned to designate the authorities and bodies at
national, regional and local level which take part in the
partnership, which covers the preparation, financing, prior
appraisal, monitoring and ex-post evaluation of

measures .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 713 / 93

by Mr Max Simeoni ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(7 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 16 )

Subject : Prohibiting the passage of oil tankers through

sensitive and dangerous areas such as the Bocche di
Bonifacio

In September 1992 the European Parliament adopted the
Bertens report ( } ) recommending that the passage of oil
tankers or any other environmentally dangerous vessels
through the Bocche di Bonifacio be prohibited .

It is important and urgent to take measures to protect the
Mediterranean and the Bocche di Bonifacio, which are of
undoubtable ecological value for Europe and, being
extremely sensitive, are intended to become a protected
maritime area .

The geological nature of the Bocche di Bonifacio, their
narrowness and the large number of small islands make a
major environmental accident inevitable .

The Italian Government has prevaricated and the Ministry
of the Environment has been unable to come to any
agreement with the Ministry of the Merchant Navy .

In view of this what steps will the Commission take to
protect sensitive areas in general and in particular what
urgent steps will it take in respect of the Bocche di
Bonifacio ?

Will it make immediate representations to the Italian
Government ?

Should a solution be sought for Italian shipowners in order
to compensate for the additional transport costs arising
from the longer route between Italy and Porto Torres if
passage through the Bocche di Bonifacio is forbidden ?

(!) Resolution A3-0144 / 92 — OJ No C 284, 2 . 11 . 1992,
p . 80 .

Resolution A 670 ( 16 ) by the International Maritime
Organization ( IMO ) recommends that governments ask
masters of vessels over 5 000 GRT carrying dangerous or
polluting cargoes to steer clear of the Bocche di Bonifacio . In
practice, however, this is widely ignored .

Following the recent accidents in British and Spanish waters,
Italy and France have taken steps to ban vessels flying their
flags with dangerous or polluting cargoes from the Bocche
di Bonifacio, They have also tabled a motion in the IMP to
amend resolution A 670 ( 16 ) so that other governments
would be asked to do the same .

In accordance with the requests from Parliament and the
Council, the action programme set up by the Commission in
its communication of 24 February 1993 ( x ) provides for
immediate steps to be taken to identify sensitive areas at
Community level and to encourage suitable traffic control
schemes to be proposed . The Commission has already
organized a meeting, in April, of governmental experts from
the Member States to define the criteria for identifying
environmentally sensitive areas with need protection and to
see what type of traffic control measures the IMO should be
encouraged to adopt .

In view of the above, the Commission gives its wholehearted
support to the initiatives by Italy and France to afford the
Bocche di Bonifacio better protection .

(!) COM(93 ) 66 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 758 / 93

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

( 15 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 17 )

Subject : Harmful effects of the pesticide Insegar
( Fenoxycarb )

Insegar ( Fenoxycarb ), a pesticide used in agriculture to
control termites, ants, cochineal insects and, in particular,
fruit moths and butterflies, was withdrawn as a
precautionary measure in spring 1992, by order of the
Ministry of Health, because of the vast economic harm
sustained by mulberry silkworm cultivators .

No C 32 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Fenoxycarb prevents silkworms from spinning properly,
and the Community has granted Italy Lit 35 billion in
funding to assist its fledgling silk industry, partly with a view
to reducing imports .

Since Fenoxycarb, even in minute doses, is capable of
preventing silkworms from spinning, does not the
Commission believe that it should be included in the list of
banned pesticides under Directive 79 / 117 / EEC (') and the
amended versions thereof ?

(!) OJ No L 33, 8 . 8 . 1979, p . 36 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 September 1993 )

The Commission can confirm that the use of fenoxycarb as a
plant protection product has been temporarily withdrawn
in Italy as at precautionary measure pending the outcome of
investigations into its possible link with damage to the
mulberry silkworm .

As these investigations are still in progress, it would be
premature to consider the inclusion of fenoxycarb in
Council Directive 79 / 117 / EEC on the prohibition of the
placing on the market and use of plant protection products
containing active substances . However, considering the
local nature of the alleged risk associated with fenoxycarb, it
is unlikely that a Community-wide prohibition under
Directive 79 / 117 / EEC would be warranted .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 804 / 93

by Mr Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 18

Subject : Maritime transport of plutonium and of oil

The recent maritime transport of reprocessed plutonium
from France to Japan has caused great controversy in the
Community institutions as evidenced by the Commission 's
answer to Written Question No 2123 / 92 ( 1 ) by Mr Rogerio
Brito .

Now that the transfer has been concluded without disasters

or any contamination can the Commission assess the
situation and draw conclusions for the future ? In addition

could it provide a comparative analysis of the advantages
and drawbacks of this form of transport compared with oil
tankers, particularly in view of the accidents involving oil

tankers off the coasts of Galicia and Scotland, and others
that are even more recent ?

i 1 ) OJ No C 47, 18 . 2 . 1993, p . 19 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

In the recent transport by ship of plutonium oxide from the
La Hague reprocessing plant to Japan the safety measures
taken for the transport proved adequate, as they were for the
previous transport in 1988 .

The principles of safety in the transport of radioactive
materials were detailed by the Commission during the
debate on the planned plutonium transport in the plenary
session of the European Parliament on 18 November

1992 .

Safety of the transport of radioactive materials and
protection of the public and the environment are based on
two principles :

— the integrity of the package even in case of a severe

accident to the means of transport ;

— the same level of protection must be realized irrespective

of the transport modes .

The translations of these principles into regulations should
guarantee the safety of combined transport ( e.g. road / sea

- transport ).

The Commission has examined and found adequate the
safety measures for this plutonium transport, as based on
the opinion of the Standing Working Group on the
transport of radioactive material of the Commission and the
International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ),

The basic standards for the safe transport of radioactive
material are regularly revised in the light of experience
gained in the field and the results of safety oriented research
sponsored by the Commission and the IAEA . In this context
reference must be made to the discussions within the IAEA

and the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) in
which Member States of the Community and the
Commission participate .

In general, if the safety of the transport cannot be assured by
an appropriate package, as is the case of transport of
plutonium and other hazardous materials which are not
shipped in bulk, the ship — used for bulk transport — has to
be designed in such a way that it can serve as an appropriate,
package . Besides that, safety in maritime transport benefits
from shore based services provided to all ships and assisting
them when passing congested or environmentally sensitive
areas . These services are now under development in the
Community .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 11

Comparison of the safety of transport of plutonium and oil
is not useful, as the hazardous properties of both goods
differ widely and precautionary measures are directly
related to these properties . Besides that, the escort and other
sophisticated safety measures of the plutonium transport
were also for other reasons than safety in shipping, i.e. to
provide extra safety especially to avoid any risk of unlawful
seizure of the cargo . It should be borne in mind that both
plutonium and oil are transported with specially designed
ships taking into account all possible maritime safety and
environmental factors . Besides that, the conditions — ship
design and navigation — of transport of both plutonium
and oil are high on the agenda of the IMO .

vegetable sector . These inspectors have already made several
checks on withdrawal operations, particularly for peaches .
They found that the inspection procedures in place in Greece
were adequate . This does not mean that there are not
anomalies . In the light of the findings of the inquiry referred
to above, this procedure could be reexamined and requests
for specific improvements sent to the Greek authorities .

(!) OJ No L 137, 27 . 5 . 1985 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 842 / 93

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

( 26 April 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 828 / 93
( 94 / C 32 / 20

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

( 21 April 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 19 )

Subject : Withdrawals of peaches in Imathia

Rumours of fake withdrawals of peaches by groups of
producers are circulating in Imathia among Greek peach
growers . Will the Commission therefore call, firstly, for an
investigation into the matter and, secondly, consider
whether it is necessary to change the procedure for the
delivery of the fruit and tighten up the regulations to
eliminate loopholes .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Subject ; State of the environment in Greece

In view of the present state of the environment in Greece
which is set to deteriorate still further, unless appropriate
measures are taken and the relevant authorities institute
controls, does the Commission intend to work out a joint
approach with the Greek authorities to correct existing
ecological imbalances where they are caused by
Community-funded projects and, possibly, in other cases
too ? Docs it intend to propose that a programme be drawn
up to rectify existing ecological imbalances and prevent such
imbalances occurring in future ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

( 27 September 1993 ) In view of the existing incentive programmes and measures
and the environmental legislation in force, the Commission
does not intend to propose additional specific measures for

The Commission has been made aware of rumours Greece .
concerning possible fraud in the withdrawal of peaches in
the prefecture of Imathia . It has therefore contacted the
Greek authorities to ask them inter alia to make specific
inquiries into this matter and to inform it as soon as possible
of all necessary information .

If the inquiry shows that there has been fraud, the Greek
authorities should recover the amounts paid and impose the
administrative and penal sanctions provided for under
national legislation .

With regard to control arrangements, the Honourable
Member is reminded that under Community legislation the
Member States are responsible for organizing checks .

Under Regulation ( EEC ) No 1319 / 85 ('), the Commission
set up a specialized body of inspectors for the fruit and

WRITTEN QUESTION No 864 / 93

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

( 26 April 1993 )

. 94 / C 32 / 21 )

Subject : The need to protect gorillas

Three hundred gorillas — approximately half the total
population in the world — are directly endangered and the

No C 32 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Central African National Park where they live is caught up
in the civil war which has broken out between government
and rebel forces in Rwanda . The last scientists in the Park,
who have already left the area, reported that 52 of the
gorillas had already disappeared in recent weeks and they
fear that the animals are being eaten by starving rebel forces .
Will the Commission take steps to provide Community
support for efforts to protect the gorillas which are under
immediate threat of extinction ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 1993 )

The Commission will positively consider the co-funding of
viable projects aimed at the restoration of the protection of
the gorilla population concerned .

are already financing construction of the ' Egnatia ' road,
which is to reduce the isolation of Epirus .

Furthermore, the Cohesion Fund has not so far received any
official request from the Greek authorities to finance a
railway between Volos and Igoumenitsa .

Nevertheless, under the Transport Infrastructure
Programme ( budget heading B5-700 ), and in response to an
application from the Greek authorities, the Commission has
decided to finance 25% of the total cost of putting in
standard-gauge track on the Paleofarsalos-Kalambaka line,
including its upgrading for speeds of up to 150 km / h, at an
estimated cost of ECU 28 million, and 50% of a jointly
financed study, estimated to cost ECU 4,8 million, on a new
single-track line ( standard gauge ) to the port of Igoumenitsa
from Kalambaka, which would cover engineering and
environmental studies .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 953 / 93

by Mr Sérgio Ribeiro ( CG )
WRITTEN QUESTION No 866 / 93
to the Commission of the European Communities

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

( 29 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 23 )
( 26 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 22 )

Subject : The need for a rail link for Epirus

The people of Epirus are asking for Community aid, as part
of the Delors II package for instance, to build a rail link
through Epirus connecting the ports of Igoumenitsa and
Volos as a ' bridge ' between Europe and the Middle East .
Will the Commission support their request ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

The Commission has not so far received any official
application for possible finance from the Structural Funds
for building a railway between Epirus and Volos . Should
any such application from the Greek authorities reach the
Commission it will be considered from every angle,
including its degree of priority relative to other financing
requirements . Bear in mind that Community Programmes

Subject : Consequences of the European Court of Justice 's

judgment in the case brought by the ENU

On 18 February 1993 I tabled a question, pursuant to Rule
60 of the Rules of Procedure, to the Commission, asking
what consequences it drew from the judgment handed down
by the Court of Justice on 16 February condemning it for
violating Article 53 of the Euratom Treaty and vindicating
the position of the ENU, the Portuguese National Uranium
Undertaking ( Question H-0219 / 93 f 1 )).

I was somewhat puzzled by the reply I received dated 10
March : apart from telling me what I obviously knew — I
had after all asked the question — the Commission replied
that the consequences were . . . that the Commission
services were analyzing the consequences .

Since I hope that it has now had time to analyze the
consequences to its full satisfaction, let me repeat my
question ; will the Commission say what consequences it
draws from this judgment ?

(') Debates of the European Parliament No 3-429 .( March

1993 ).

2 . 2, 94 Official journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 13

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

Following the judgment of the Court of Justice in the ENU
case ( C-107 / 91 ), the Commission adopted a Decision on

19 July 1993 (') on a procedure for the application of the
second paragraph of Article 53 of the Euratom Treaty,
pursuant to Article 149 of that Treaty .

The Commission Decision does not echo the view of the

Empresa Nacional de Uranio SA ( ENU ) that a ' Community
preference ' exists, and considers that the Euratom Supply
Agency, while it should continue its efforts to find
Community users willing to purchase ENU 's production, is
not obliged to compel users to obtain supplies from that
source as a matter of preference .

(•) OJ No L 197, 6 . 8 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 966 / 93

by Mr Reimer Boge ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 April 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 24

Subject : Additional national premiums for growing rape in

France

According to press reports, France has granted French
farmers an additional national premium of FF 700—800 per
hectare for growing rape on land that has been set aside .
What is more, the French Government is supporting
through further measures the rape methylester price and has
pushed through pledges to take 40 000 m 1 in 1 993 and up to

140 000 m 3 in 1995 by means of binding agreements
between farmers, the State and mineral oil companies .

This is the equivalent of 1 00 000 hectares of rape .

Are these measures compatible with Community law ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

The Commission is informally aware of the aid granted by
the French Government for the production of rape
methylester on land intended for set-aside .

It has requested that the French authorities notify this aid
under Article 93 ( 3 ) of the EEC Treaty .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1004 / 93

by Mrs Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(3 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 25 )

Subject : Formulation of a European ' calibration law '

The development of an environmentally friendly re-usable
cup to replace the present disposable cup is prevented by
provisions of the German calibration law . This law does not
permit drinking receptacles to be marked with lines
indicating different quantities .

1 . Are there similar provisions in other Member States ?

2 . Does the Commission intend to harmonize national

legislation in this field ?

3 . If so, is it prepared to take account of such
environmental aspects ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission intends to harmonize national legislation
on metrology . The harmonized legislation is likely to cover
drinking vessels only as far as the metrological requirements
with which drinking vessels must comply are concerned .
Furthermore, only a small proportion of drinking vessels are
subject to metrological rules in the Member States on
account of their use .

The metrological requirements which its proposal will lay
down in respect of measuring instruments will not exclude
environmentally friendly drinking vessels .

However, the Commission does not intend to use
metrological legislation as an instrument of environmental
policy, as it can see no causal link between the metrological
requirements with which drinking vessels must comply and
environmental requirements, the two being mutually
independent . All drinking vessels with more than one

No C 32 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

nominal volume which meet the proposed metrological
requirements will be acceptable under its proposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1025 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 May 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 26

Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate —
Radioactive sourcc term

Has the Commission been advised of the radioactive source
term contained within a single flask of plutonium nitrate,
have safety studies been completed to demonstrate that for
every foreseeable accident full or partial release of this
radioactivity would result in acceptable consequences with
regard to the safety of members of the public, and is the
Commission satisfied that appropriate resources and
contingency plans have been laid in all Member States that
could be affected by such a release, and that these plans are
wholly sufficient to mitigate the potential consequences of
an accidental release ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The safety of the transport of radioactive materials is
covered by safety standards established at the broadest
international level in the framework of the IAEA, which arc
applied by the national ' Competent authorities '.

Whatever the contents of packages, there is no requirement
in Community regulations for the Commission to be
informed . Transport of radioactive materials is under
national responsibility . There is no Community
responsibility ( licensing ) in the authorization of a particular

transport .

A safety assessment on the transport operation of plutonium
nitrate was carried out prior to the commencement of
operations by the UK Nuclear Installations Inspectorate .
This report is generally available .

Also an environmental hazard assessment was carried out in

1984 assuming the worst case scenario of a breach of the
container . It is a condition of the IAEA regulations for the
Safe Transport of Radioactive Material that emergency
systems and contingency plans are in place and
operational .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1027 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(4 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 27

Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate —
Compliance with IAEA Safety Series 6

Has the Commission been advised of and does it concur
with exemption issued by HM Department of Transport on
the test and endurance specifications for the plutonium
nitrate flasks currently in use for the transportation of
plutonium nitrate, specifically with regard to the relaxation
of the period through which the flask may be left
unattended, that fire engulfment and impact tests may be
demonstrated by the use of scale models, and that should the
flask be subject to fire engulfment within the IAEA standard
conditions of time and temperature, there would be a
significant loss of neutron shielding ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

As explained in reply to Written Question No 1025 / 93 by
the Honourable Member ( ] ), it is the competent authority of
the country concerned which issues approvals for packages
used for the transport of radioactive materials . When
carrying out the approval procedure it will examine all the
evidence produced to show that the package meets the IAEA
regulations .

Full scale as well as model tests and calculations are accepted
means of seeking approval provided they are acceptable to
the competent authority . As the regulations require, the loss
of shielding is limited, so that following the tests ( impact,
fire, etc .) the package will still meet the requirements of the
regulations for dose rate on the outside of the package .

0 ) Sec page 14 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1029 / 93

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

(4 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 28

Subject : Transportation of plutonium nitrate — Public

liability and compensation

Is the Commission satisfied that in the event of an accident

and release of radioactive materials from a consignment of

2 . 2, 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 15

plutonium nitrate whilst under transportation at sea, that
the various parties involved in its transportation, including
HM Department of Transport, would assume full and
unlimited liability in meeting all proven claims for
compensation for health injury, damage etc ., and would
these measures of liability and compensation apply to other
Member States including the Republic of Ireland ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1993 )

As mentioned in reply to Written Question No 1025 / 93 by
the Honourable Member ( l ) the assessment made of the
environmental hazard involved with the transport of
plutonium nitrate by sea, which takes place within British
territorial waters, assuming the worst case scenario of
breach of the container, concluded that the impact to the
marine ecosystem and to the population would be
negligible .

The consignor and the carrier have taken out insurance
against public liability arising out of this transport of
plutonium nitrate by sea .

The ' Paris Convention on Third Party liability in the field of
Nuclear Damage ' would be applicable to nuclear damage .
Under the Paris Convention all liability is channelled on to
one person . In the case of the transport of radioactive
materials, the claim falls either upon the operator of the
nuclear installation in connection with which the substances

are carried, or upon the carrier . Under the Paris Convention
liability is limited .

Finally, the ' Paris Convention ' does not apply to nuclear
incidents occurring in the territory of non-contracting states
or to damage suffered in such territory unless the national
legislation of the operator otherwise provides . Ireland is not
a party to the abovementioned Convention .

( ] ) See page 14 of this Official Journal .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1072 / 93

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

(6 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 29

Subject : Programmes in favour of women and young

people

Does the Commission intend to say whether it considers that
programmes in favour of women and young people should

be extended and whether a programme should be launched
at the earliest opportunity to train senior management staff
to deal with issues concerning culture, young people and

women ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(2 September 1993 )

The European Social Fund, operating under the CSF

( Community Support Frameworks ), is cofinancing
operational programmes specifically promoting training
and employment for young people and women, for the
period 1989—93 .

Eligibility for funding in the area of education has been
extended, reflecting the Commission 's particular concern
with young people .

With specific regard to women, in December 1990 the
Commission adopted the NOW initiative, covering the
period 1991 — 1993, with the aim of implementing
innovative transnational measures to promote equal
opportunities in employment for men and women .

With the new reform of the Structural Funds, the
Commission has explicitly included equal opportunities for
the first time as one of the tasks of the European Social Fund
in the draft regulations . This should enable more
consideration to be given to women 's participation in all
ESF action, and operational programmes to be adopted
specifically for measures promoting women 's interests .

The Commission is therefore willing to consider proposals
from Member States for specific measures for women and
young people in the cultural field that are in line with the
Social Fund 's objectives .

This supplements action taken following the Council
resolution of 3 June 1 985 on promoting equal opportunities
for boys and girls in the field of education .

IRIS and LEI are two other specific instruments of
Community equal opportunities policy aiming to improve
the situation of women on the labour market .

The Community also offers the possibility of financial
support for projects organized by and for young people aged
between 15 and 25 outside the education and vocational

training systems, through the ' Youth for Europe '
programme concentrating on priority action for young
people . The average participation rate of young women in
the ' Youth for Europe ' programme is 48% .

As soon as the Treaty on European Union has been ratified,
the Commission intends to submit a proposal for a Council

No C 32 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 .. 2 . 94

decision, based on Article 126 of the Treaty, improving the The budget of this project is ECU 294 000 for the period
general framework and coordination of activities financed from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1995 .
in this field to date .

This proposal for a decision will include financial support
for transnational cooperation and training projects for
youth workers, i.e. persons running or assisting with youth
leisure activities . This type of project is already supported WRITTEN QUESTION No 1135 / 93
under the programme and measures described above .

by Mr Thomas Megahy ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 April 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 31 )

Subject : Research into nuclear safety
WRITTEN QUESTION No 1125 / 93

by Mr Barry Desmond ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Could the Commission explain why the Community 's funds

of the European Communities for research into nuclear safety have suffered drastic

( 29 April 1993 ) cutbacks in the last few years ? Are there any plans to restore
spending ?

( 94 / C 32 / 30 )

Subject : Research and development of a cure for
pigmentary retinopathy

Pigmentary retinopathy is a genetic disease which, as yet,
cannot be treated and leads to blindness .

To what extent has the Commission shown interest and

concern for those suffering from pigmentary retinopathy,
thus demonstrating awareness of the need for immediate
research for a cure, to restore sight in 400 000 people
throughout Europe ?

Would the Commission agree that cooperation between
Member States in the domain of research and development
is best achieved through a Community sponsored effort ?

To ensure coordinated research efforts by Member States,
will the Commission pilot such a scheme ?

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

Pigmentary retinopathy is the subject of an ongoing research
project within the Biomed 1 programme, entitled
' Prevention of blindness : molecular research and medical

care in retinitis pigmentosa '. This project is a concerted
action including 37 participants from 12 countries ( 10 from
the Community and two from EFTA ).

A description of the objectives of this project is addressed
directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat
General of the European Parliament .

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 1993 )

The Commission carries out nuclear safety R&D under the
following programmes :

—
decommissioning

— radiation protection

— nuclear fission safety

— Teleman ( remote handling in nuclear environments )

— waste storage and management

These activities are performed by the Joint Research Centre
as well as on a cost shared basis under contract by national
research organizations .

The reduction of Community funding during the last years
in the field of nuclear safety reflects the evolution of national
nuclear programmes and the appropriations voted by the
budgetary authority in the annual Community budgets .

The Commission adopted on 16 June 1993 ( J ) its proposal
for a Council decision concerning a framework programme
of Community activities in the field of research and training
for the European Atomic Energy Community
( 1994 — 1998 ). This proposal provides for ECU 495 million
as the amount deemed necessary for research into nuclear
safety and safeguards .

H COM(93 ) 276 final .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 17

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1182 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1193 / 93

by Mr Giis de Vries ( LDR ) by Mrs Martine Buron ( S )

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

( 13 May 1993 ) ( 13 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 32 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 33 )

Subject : Transitional tariff arrangements in connection

with German unification

In its proposal to amend the transitional tariff measures for
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania,
the USSR and Yugoslavia to take account of German
unification ( COM(93 ) 0005 final ), the Commission
proposes that a number of agricultural products, namely
fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetable
products, should be exempt from import duties .

1 . What amount is involved in exports of these products to

the EC

( a ) for all the exporting countries concerned ?

( b ) for each country ?

2 . Why has the Commission brought forward this
proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Decline in the agricultural machinery sector

Has the Commission investigated the combined adverse
effects of the reform of the common agricultural policy and
the in-flow of goods from Eastern European countries on
industries dependent on agriculture such as the agricultural
machinery industry ?

Recent figures show that in some countries half of the jobs in
agricultural machinery production have disappeared and
that this trend has recently been on the increase .

Given that this process seems irreversible and is affecting all
the EEC countries in the same way, does the Commission
not agree that specific measures, along the lines of Renaval,
for example, should be introduced to accompany the major
changes taking place in this industrial sector ?

(1 October 1993 ) Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

1 . Since the statistics regarding use of the tariff quotas ( 12 October 1993 )
concerned are not yet complete, the Commission cannot
give the Honourable Member the figures he requires, except
for the former Yugoslavia, whose imports under the
Regulation cited were of a total value of DM 0,83 million in The European Committee of

Machinery Manufacturers has drawn

1991 and DM 1,6 million in 1992 . The import data

attention to the problem created by

available for the other countries have not yet been

European agriculture .

systematically established, so that a conclusive evaluation
cannot yet be made . All the information available has been
sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the It is tempting to assume a connection
Parliament Secretariat .

The European Committee of Groups of Agricultural
Machinery Manufacturers has drawn the Commission 's
attention to the problem created by the restructuring of
European agriculture .

2 . The Commission judged the proposal to be useful
primarily for two reasons, already indicated in the recitals to
the Regulation referred to :

— firstly, despite the relatively small quantities involved,

the chances of survival of a number of small enterprises
in the new Lander depend on the extension of this

arrangement ;

— secondly, since the Community 's trade policy is
constantly developing towards closer cooperation with
the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, the
elimination of existing tariff quotas needs to be
harmonized with the development of Community tariff

, quotas .

It is tempting to assume a connection between the 13%
drop in the volume of production of agricultural equipment
between 1990 and 1992, worth some ECU 12 billion ( 1985
prices ), and the increase in imports of agricultural
machinery from the countries of Central Europe and the
CIS . However, the increase in these imports, from ECU 90
million in 1988 to ECU 138 million in 1992, is not
particularly significant seen against the far more
considerable impact of the CAP .

As soon as it became aware of these problems, the
Commission set about identifying the exact causes and
finding solutions . A study was commissioned from an
outside consultant, whose preliminary report has now been
received . Once it has the final report, the Commission will
examine what action should be taken .

No C 32 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1194 / 93

by Mr Christian de la Malene ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 34 )

Subject : The future of the European car industry and trade

relations with Japan

The agreement signed by the European Community and
Japan on the car industry in July 1 991 refers to monitoring

of the trend in vehicle flows between the two blocs in order

to ensure that the Japanese side complies with the
undertakings given in the agreement .

Will the Commission apprise us of all the information
collected as a result of this monitoring process on the current
position with regard to trade in the motor vehicle sector
between the European Community and Japan and tell us
how it views the present situation in this industry ? What are
its current projections concerning foreseeable developments
in EEC-Japan relations in this sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1195 / 93

by Mr Christian de la Malène ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 May 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 35

Subject : The European car industry and trade relations

with Japan

Restoring balanced economic relations presupposes the
political will to do so by both parties, but it also implies the
availability of reliable statistics on the development of trade
between the Community and Japan .

Will the Commission supply us with the statistics currently
available on motor vehicle trade between Europe and Japan
and can it confirm that the monitoring of the Agreement
between the EEC and Japan referred to in the declaration of
July 1991 has the necessary and adequate statistics at its

disposal to enable it to keep a close watch on the trend in
trade relations between the two sides, particularly in the car
industry ?

If such statistics are not available, docs the Commission
consider that a statistical observatory should be set up
to monitor trade developments or is it able to reassure us
that this need can be covered by the monitoring of the
Agreement ?

Some two years after the 1991 agreement, which included
an undertaking that there would be close surveillance of
market trends in the various areas concerned ( installation
and production of transplants, Japanese imports of
European cars and imports of Japanese cars into Europe,
specific reciprocity in individual sectors or general
reciprocity, etc .), can the Commission summarize the results
of the monitoring and provide specific data on trends in
trade and penetration rates and on each of the market
sectors covered by the 1991 agreement between Europe and
Japan ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1194 / 93

and 1195 / 93

given by Mr Bangemann
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission has in its possession reliable statistical
sources enabling it to monitor movements on the
Community motor - vehicle market . These cover, among
other things, the ( monthly and annual ) new-vehicle
registrations in each of the Member States of the
Community . These statistics are particularly detailed and
precise since the competent authorities in each Member
State list, for taxation purposes, the characteristics of each
newly registered vehicle . Moreover, the database on
external trade, COMEXT, provided by Eurostat and based
on the combined nomenclature, provides information on
the volume ( in value and unit terms ) of vehicle exports and
imports and on the balance with each of the non-member
countries concerned .

The Japanese association of motor vehicle manufactures
provides monthly data on vehicle exports from Japan to the
Community that have been authenticated by the Japanese
authorities and which do not identify any perceptible
discrepancy ( apart from time-lags due to transport and
stock effects ) with the import data referred to above . The
motor vehicle manufacturers established within the

Community also provide production statistics on a regular
basics . In addition several independent consultants
specializing in the motor-vehicle sector regularly pass on
their medium and long-term forecasts concerning vehicle
demand . The Commission feels that the setting up of a
motor-vehicle watchdog as suggested by the Honourable
Member will not enable any more closely defined and
complete statistics to be obtained than those already
available and summarized in the enclosed table .

More particularly with regard to the motor vehicle
agreement with Japan the Commission based itself, during
the negotiations, on a working hypothesis of sales of
Japanese vehicles produced within the Community of

1,2 million in 1999 . Sales of those vehicles have not justified
any challenge to the validity of that hypothesis . As for the
monitoring provided for in the agreement on vehicles
exported to the Community from Japan, it is up to the
Japanese authorities to ensure that the volume of exports

does not exceed the levels agreed bilaterally . Thus, as a result
of the consensus reached on 1 April 1993, Japan accepted a
9,4% reduction in exports for the whole of 1993 to

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 19

1 089 million ( as opposed to 1 202 million in 1992 ). This
drop in exports had, in particular, been based on a forecast
fall in Community demand of 6,5 % for the whole of the
year . The Commission is aware that registration since the
beginning of this year give rise to more pessimistic forecasts
for 1993 as a whole . In view of the agreement with Japan it
has therefore asked the Japanese authorities to resume
consultations in order to take account of this variation in

demand on the Community market . The Commission feels
in this connection, as in the past, that the flexible nature
of the Japanese monitoring will enable an effective
contribution to be made to avoiding market disruptions .

Statistics for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles

weighing less than 5 tonnes

Production in Community

of 12

( Source DRI ) (')

13 834 334

14 065 529

1991

1992

Registration CE 12

( Source AAA )

13 890 212

13 948 563

( ! ) Net of double entries and including LCV weighing less than 6 tonnes .

Imports by Community of 1 2 from Japan

( Source Comest ) (')

1991 1 373 878

1992 1 198 236

( ] ) Not including the Canary Islands .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1222 / 93

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The Commission attaches the greatest importance to the
social impact of its cooperation activities . It is aware of the
information and the rumours about the impact the Carajas
mine is having on the Awa Guaja and other Indian
tribes .

Social impact is considered for the present within the
framework of environmental assessment procedures . For
Commission-financed programmes in Brazil and other
countries in Latin America, such environmental procedures
came into effect in July 1992 and are based upon OECD
' best practices ' guidelines adopted in December 1991 . These
call inter alia for an environmental impact assessment to be
carried out where projects may have a significant negative
effect on the environment ( including indigenous
populations and other vulnerable groups in the area of
influence of the project e . g . mining, toxic waste disposal,
large-scale deforestation etc .). In countries covered by the
Lome Convention, social impact is examined in the light of
the recommendations set out in a Manual on Women in

Development published in 1991 and a Manual on
Environment which came into effect in June 1993 .

The Commission would point out that it has on a number of
occasions explained the situation and that even the Court of
Auditors ' report did not list any irregularities, mistakes or
failures by the Commission in its part-financing of the
Carajas mine project .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1225 / 93

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

( 18 May 1993 ) ( 18 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 36 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 37 )

Subject : The effects of development projects on indigenous Subject : Renewable primary products

peoples

Is the Commission aware of the desperate situation of the
Awa Guaja Indians in Brazil ( referred to in resolution
B3-0372 / 93 ). These people are still suffering the
consequences of the Carajas mine, which was co-financed
by the Commission . Has the Commission conducted a
review of the impact on indigenous peoples of the
development projects it finances ? Does it plan to introduce a
system of social effects reporting into its projects selection
procedure to make sure that such tragedies never happen
again ? Does it plan to introduce a requirement for
consultation of local people into its project selection
procedures ?

For reasons of soil and water conservation the use of

environmentally acceptable oils, form oils and lubricants is
urgently required . Scientific studies have shown that the use
of oils, form oils and lubricants produced from renewable
primary products has a mitigating effect on the
environmental damage caused . One of the advantages lies in
the faster biodegradability rate of these substances . Despite
this, the use of these products is subject to serious marketing
problems .

Does the Commission intend at a future time to promote the
use of renewable primary products as oils, form oils and
once-through lubricants ?

No C 32 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

Hitherto the Commission has not suggested the use of any
given material or materials, in connection with waste
management, that is / are to be preferred to others in order to
protect the environment . This is partly due to the fact that it
does not have reliable comparative ecological balance sheets
available .

Once it has been proven that the management of the waste
arising from vegetable oils displays significant ecological
advantages, in waste management terms as compared with
mineral oils and that vegetable oils may ( rest of text
missing ).

closures . The Member State must submit to the Commission

a programme describing existing or intended measures in
order to safety the Commission that they are adequate . The
measures will then be implemented at the earliest
opportunity .

3 . The objectives of the Multiannual Guidance
Programme specify reductions in fishing effort . These can be
achieved purely by capacity reductions or by a combination
of capacity and activity reductions . Member States opting to
reduce only capacity will not gain any advantages, since they
are required to implement controls to ensure that the
activity of the remaining vessels does not increase .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1248 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1240 / 93 by Mr Isidoro Sánchez García ( ARC )

by Lord O'Hagan ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 May 1993 )
( 18 May 1993 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 39 )

( 94 / C 32 / 38 )

Subject : Days-at-sea regimes Subject : Poseican : modification of Directive 77 / 93 / EEC

1 . Is it true that only The Netherlands, Belgium and the
United Kingdom are operating days-at-sea regimes ?

2 . When will these regimes be in force in all Member
States ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that unfair advantages may
be conferred on those Member States who do not implement
days-at-sea regimes as a consequence of the Multiannual
Guidance Programmes ?

Title IV ( 10.5 ) of the Annex to Council Decision
91 / 314 / EEC (*) of 26 June 1991 setting up a programme of
options specific to the remote and insular nature of the
Canary Islands ( Poseican ) provides for the modification of
Council Directive 77 / 93 / EEC ( 2 ) of 21 December 1976 on
protective measures against the introduction into the
Member States of organisms harmful to plants or plant
products .

What action has been taken in this regard and when ?

(') O J No L 171, 29 . 6 . 1991, p . 5 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 26, 31 . 1 . 1977, p . 20 .
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 1993 )

1 . Only the United Kingdom and the Netherlands intend
to control the activity of individual vessels ( and also Spain
and Portugal for the vessels in the Treaty of Accession ).
Belgium does not have a days at sea regime .

2 . Under the new generation of Multiannual Guidance
Programmes, all Member States are required to introduce
controls on the activity of fishing vessels, but this need not
be a days at sea regime for individual vessels . The measures
introduced to control activity are decided by each Member
State . Some Member States already operate broad
restrictions in activity, for example seasonal or weekend

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

On 22 March 1993 the Commission sent the Council,
Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee a

proposal for a Directive amending Directive 77 / 93 / EEC on
protective measures against introduction into the
Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant
products and their spread within the Community ( 1 ).

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 21

The proposal brings the Canary Islands within the scope of
the Directive, with additional provisions to protect the
special nature of their agricultural production .

The Council has not yet adopted these measures .

(') COM(93 ) 99 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1252 / 93

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 40 )

Subject : Trade in tropical timber by EC companies in the

Congo

A report prepared for the World Bank and the Congo
Government states that almost all forestry companies in the
Congo are operating in contravention of the law . Although
the Congo 's forestry laws are good, the report concludes
that monitoring of forestry activities is ' non-existent '.
Various EC companies are taking advantage of this lack of
supervision, either directly or through joint ventures . They
include the Forestiere Nord Congo ( FNC ), the Societe
Forestiere de Missa ( SFM ), the Societe Congolaise
Arabe-Libyenne, the Societe Nord Bois de Sangha ( SNBS ),
CIB and the Societe Congolaise Bois d'Ouesso ( SCBO ).

1 . Which EC companies are involved in the above forestry

activities in the Congo ? Which other EC companies are
active in forestry in the Congo ?

2 . What profits or losses do these companies make in their

forestry activities in the Congo ?

3 . What forms of fraud have been identified in the tropical

timber trade in the Congo ? Which EC companies are
associated with these ?

4 . How will the Commission ensure that all forms of fraud

perpetrated by EC companies in forestry activities in the
Congo are halted immediately, or that the suspicion of
fraud is disproved as soon as possible ?

5 . Will the Commission ask the World Bank for

clarification of the support for forestry projects in the
Congo and other African countries referred to in the
report ?

the Congo are operating in contravention of the law ; there is
fraud on a large scale . Although the Congo 's forestry laws
are reasonably good, the report concludes that monitoring
of forestry activities is ' non-existent '. Various EC
companies are taking advantage, directly or through joint
ventures, of the lack of supervision .

1 . How much tropical timber is imported from the Congo
to the EC ? Which EC companies are involved in these
imports ? Has an estimate been made of the scale of the
illegal trade in timber from other African countries ?

2 . Does the Commission agree that this fraud shows the
existence of a criminal trade in tropical timber
comparable with illegal trafficking in women, drugs or
wild flora and fauna ?

3 . Will the Commission combat fraud in the tropical trade
with the same instruments that it uses against other
forms of criminal trade ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1252 / 93

and 1253 / 93

given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for

bringing to its attention the existence of the report to which
he refers in his questions . This will enable it to contact the
World Bank to obtain more details .

The Commission has clearly stated its desire to work
towards sustainable management of rainforests while
respecting the sovereignty of the relevant countries .

In June last year, at the UN Conference on the Environment
and Development, the Community and its Member States
adopted the declaration in principle on the management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of

forest . Similarly, the Council on a number of occasions
declared that the Community and its Member States would
continue to work for a comprehensive, legally binding

QUESTION No 1253 / 93 instrument on the same issue . The Commission meanwhile

Hemmo Muntingh ( S ) clearly stated its desire to work for sustainable management
of the European Communities of rainforests while respecting the sovereignty of the

( 18 May 1993 ) countries concerned .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1253 / 93

by Mr Hemmo Muntingh ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 94 / C 32 / 41

Subject ; Criminal activity in the tropical timber trade

A report prepared for the World Bank and the Congo
Government states that virtually all forestry companies in

The Commission is currently looking into the relationship

between the timber trade and the sustainable management
of forests and the issue of certification and ecolabelling of
timber, which was widely discussed at the 14th ITTO
meeting in Kuala Lumpur .

No C 32 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Turning more specifically to the Congo, we can see from the

latest Stabex figures received by the Commission that
Community imports of rough and sawn timber from the
Congo were 484 000 tonnes in 1 990 and 387 222 tonnes in

1991 . The Commission does not have any estimates on the
production of tropical timber and is not aware of any
fraudulent trade in it as all export traffic is directed through
the port of Pointe Noire .

To the best of the Commission 's knowledge, the main
Community firms in the Congo involved in production and

export are :

Answer given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

In the research field in question, the JRC, in its present
programme 1 992 —94, contributes to the specific research
programmes of the third framework programme
' Measurement and testing ' ( in particular, prenormative
work carried out in the European Solar Test Installation )
and ' Environment ' ( assessment of energy / environment
related issues ). Furthermore, the JRC provides science and
technology support for the Thermie and SAVE

programmes .

— Placongo ( managed by three EC firms : SIBT ( France ),

Nordisk ( Denmark ) and Bruynzeel ( Netherlands )); There was no reduction of posts assigned to these tasks

during the present programme period . The JRC intends to
fill those posts which recently became vacant following
— Socobois Wonneman ( Germany ); normal departures due to retirement .

Nordisk ( Denmark ) and Bruynzeel ( Netherlands ));

— Foralac ( managed by the Portuguese group Barreto,
based in London ).

There are also other small-scale producers .

The Commission condemns all fraudulent practices as
illegal and therefore reprehensible .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1293 / 93

by Mr Virginio Bettini ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1313 / 93

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 June 1993 )

(9 4 / C 32 / 43 )

Subject : Assessment and cooperation with the CIS

Humanitarian and technical aid has been granted to the 12
republics which were previously members of the USSR,
namely the Commonwealth of Independent States . Can the
Commission say whether a general appraisal of the
achievements and setbacks of cooperation with the CIS has
been undertaken so far ?

(9 4 / C 32 / 42 )
Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

Subject : JRC staff assigned to work on renewable forms of

energy

Work on renewable forms of energy is being intensified in
the JRC 's 1992 — 94 programme and the European
Parliament 's resolution on the promotion of renewable
forms of energy ( Bettini report — Doc . A3-0405 / 92 ) calls on
the Commission to step up JRC research in this field, in the
context of the fourth framework programme, and envisages
additional funding for the JRC, to enable it to become a
' green centre ' developing energy and environmental analysis
methods .

In view of the fact that no steps have yet been taken to make
up for the reduction in JRC staff assigned to these expanding
activities, can the Commission say whether it intends to take
swift action to make its objectives feasible ?

The Commission has not yet conducted a general evaluation
of the results of the programme of cooperation with the
New Independent States ( NIS ), be it on technical assistance,
humanitarian aid or loans .

A. Evaluation of technical assistance

Where technical assistance is concerned this is because the

1991 and 1992 programmes have not yet been completed .
However, the Commission is currently setting up teams to
monitor projects and they will carry out evaluations as
projects are completed .

At the beginning of June technical assistance to the former
USSR was discussed in the European Parliament at the time
of the public hearings of the RFLX Committee and the budget
control exercise in respect of the Tacis and Phare

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 23

programmes, in the course of which the question of
evaluation was raised . Considering the difficulties
encountered, the Commission held the view that the Tacis
results were positive although they could have been
better .

B. Evaluation of humanitarian and loan operations

The Commission has not written a general report on the
various aid operations sincc the latest and biggest has not yet
been completed . However, the Commission monitored all
operations whilst they were under way and, for those that
have been completed, either the NGO responsible for
carrying out the operation or independent bodies have made
the respective evaluations .

Briefly, therefore, it may be said that, despite some
difficulties, the operations were completed satisfactorily .
Concerning the loan of ECU 1 250 million granted by the
Council on 16 December 1991 ( Decision 91 / 658 / EEC ), it is
too early to conduct an evaluation .

The following conclusions are possible at this stage :

1 . Grant of ECU 250 million to the former USSR

This food aid was distributed by non-governmental
organizations in the territory of the former USSR in 1991
and 1992 . Distribution was supervised by an independent
supervisory body . Delays were due mainly to the unstable
political situation during this period . For instance, the
operation, which was organized under Mr Gorbachev, had
just got under way when there was the coup d'etat of August

1991, whilst completion of the operation ran into the
difficulties caused by the splitting up of the Union .
Nevertheless, the operation was completed .

2 . Grant of ECU 200 million to the cities of Moscow, St
Petersburg, Chelyabinsk, Nizhniy-Novgorod and Saratov

The products supplied as food aid were sold by networks of
commercial outlets during the winter of 1991 — 1992 . The
product of the sales went to a fund set up to finance aid for
the elderly, orphans, students and other vulnerable
population groups . The operation was considered a

success .

3 . ECU 500 million loan guarantee to Russia

This loan meant that Russia was able to import food to a
value of ECU 375 million in 1992 . An evaluation will be

possible when the loan had been repaid in 1995 .

4 . Loan of ECU 1 250 million to the CIS States and
Georgia

This loan should enable the beneficiary republics to import
agricultural products, food and medical supplies . Deliveries
of agricultural products and food are well under way to all
republics and those of medical supplies have begun to most
republics . In the case of medical supplies, it takes longer for

the competent authorities in the republics to put out calls for
the tender and conclude contracts, and for the Commission
to approve the contracts, because of the large number of
medicines and supplies involved . It will not be possible to
carry out an evaluation before the end of the year .

Finally, it should be stressed that, each year, the Court of
Auditors checks the list of operations not yet completed .

5 . Emergency aid ( ECHO )

The Commission has sent substantial emergency aid to
several New Independent States, e.g. Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Tajikistan . The aid was mainly for those
affected by the conflicts which flared up in these
countries .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1325 / 93

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

(3 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 44 )

Subject : The situation of Greek fauna

According to the ' Red Handbook of Endangered
Vertebrates in Greece ', which has recently been published,
the situation of Greek fauna is giving particular cause for
concern . This invaluable work contains a comprehensive list
of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish giving their population
sizes and the dangers threatening them . According to this
handbook, published by the Greek Zoological Association
and the Greek Ornithological Association, 57 species and
six sub-species of mammals in Greece are endangered . The
endangered species include : the brown bear, the lynx, the
Mediterranean seal, the red deer, the wild goat and the
dwarf hamster ( type of rodent ).

The main threat to mammals is the destruction of their

natural habitats — defoliation of forests, property
development, the opening of roads through forests, even in
mountainous areas — together with hunting and poaching,
shortage of fodder and the use of traps . Will the
Commission make an effective contribution towards

protecting species of Greek fauna which are being
threatened by Man 's thoughtlessness ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 1993 )

Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds ( ),
and Regulation ( EEC ) No 1973 / 92 LIFE ( 2 ) currently

No C 32 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

provide the legal and financial basis for action to protect
biotopes and wild flora and fauna at Community level .

In addition, the Commission gives financial support to
projects to conserve biotopes and protect endangered
species in Greece .

Nonetheless, it falls primarily to the Greek authorities to
take the necessary measures to implement Community law
and maintain biodiversity in Greece .

(') OJ No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1354 / 93

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

(4 June 1993 )

( 94 / G 32 / 45 )

Subject : New markets for hydrocarbons

The countries of the former USSR wish to be able to export
hydrocarbons so as to finance the purchase of energy
technology, plant and equipment from Community
undertakings . Will the Commission therefore help
Community undertakings to play a part in creating new
markets for hydrocarbons from the countries of the former
USSR in the Community ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The countries of the former USSR are collectively the
world 's main exporters of hydrocarbons and possess
abundant reserves which are still largely unexploited or
under-exploited . They therefore offer the Community an
excellent opportunity to diversify its sources of supply and
to spread the attendant risk .

The European Energy Charter currently being drawn up
should create the conditions for exploiting this potential,
while at the same time giving Community undertakings the
possibility of direct access to new resources . It will also make
access to the Community market easier for undertakings in
the former Soviet Union .

It has been noticeable in recent years that, in spite of the fall
in their exports, the countries of the former Soviet Union
have concentrated on satisfying guaranteed external

demand in return for payment in the currencies of the
OECD countries, thus obtaining essential revenue to pay for
the imports they need in order to modernize other sectors of
their economies .

Mindful of this need, the Community acted promptly to
abolish the customs duties levied on products from the
countries of the former Soviet Union ( and of Eastern
Europe ) on entry into the Community, including the duties
on most petroleum products, by bringing these countries
within the Community 's generalized scheme of tariff
preferences ( GSP ). That decision was taken as a temporary
measure to boost exports from these countries to the
Community, pending the conclusion of European
agreements aimed at the gradual establishment of a free
trade area .

Furthermore, the application of GSP benefits to petroleum
products from the countries of the former Soviet Union is
perfectly consistent with the policy of liberalization which
the Commission and the Community have been pursuing for
a number of years and reflects a desire not to discriminate as
regards the origin of the products concerned and to promote
easier access to oil and gas markets .

As far as crude oil is concerned, imports into the
Community have been exempt from customs duties for
several decades . The same applies to natural gas, export of
which from the countries of the former Soviet Union to the

Community are likely to increase significantly between now
and 2000 or 2010 given the environmental advantages of
using natural gas compared with other fossil fuels .

Clearly, these imports of petroleum products will also have
to satisfy existing and future environmental regulations in
the Community ( as regards lead, sulphur, etc .). In this
connection the European Energy Charter will be conductive
to more substantial collaboration in the environmental

field .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1371 / 93

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

(4 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 46

Subject ; Possible disparities in Community milk policy

Farmers in the Spanish region of Galicia have difficulty in
understanding the conditions governing the application of
Community milk policy . Disparities in the way different
countries view the EAGGF are illustrated by the
phenomenon of ' black milk ', which refers to surpluses
disposed of through foreign industry — estimated to
amount of 1 million litres per month — at a price which will

2, 2, 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 25

always be more favourable than the 50-52 peseta
surcharge .

Galician farmers do not understand why a country such as
Holland, which accounts for 5,9 % of cattle, 10,4 % of milk
production and 4,9 % of meat production, should receive
ECU 8 836,7 million from the EAGGF Guarantee Section in
the three-year period from 1986 to 1988, while Spain, with
6,6 % of cattle, 5,2 % of milk production and 6,2 % of meat
production, received only ECU 2 762,7 million . This means
that, in the above three-year period, the EAGGF spent

82 367 pesetas for every Dutch citizen and 9 812 pesetas for
every Spaniard .

Can the Commission explain this disparity, which is leading
Galician farmers to believe that Spanish interests are being
inadequately represented at Community level and that
they are not receiving equal treatment ? What is the
Commission 's position on ' black milk '?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The quantities paid by the EAGGF ( Guarantee Section ) to
the Netherlands were Fl 11 213 million ( roughly ECU 4 163
million ) and to Spain PTA 85 933 million ( roughly ECU 552
million ). These are mainly payments for refunds on
quantities exported to third countries and, to a lesser extent,
aids paid for private storage and buying into
intervention .

The Netherlands exported more than 40 times the volume
exported by Spain and the quantities stored in Spain were
always much lower than those stored in the Netherlands .
That is because the Netherlands is in surplus and produces
twice as much as Spain with approximately a quarter of the
population . Moreover, several Member States export their
products via Dutch ports, and this is charged to the
Netherlands in the budget .

With regard to the non-declaration of produced milk,
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 3950 / 92, which sets an
additional levy in the milk and milk products sector, and
Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 536 / 93, which sets the
detailed rules of application of the levy, lay down the
conditions for application of the levy by imposing strict
requirements and very precise rules on both producers and
buyers with regard to notifications, time limits,
identification, etc . Buyers, carriers and producers are
obliged to comply strictly with the provisions of the
Regulations . In the event of non-compliance, there are
provisions for fines and penalties which could include
withdrawal of approval from the producer .

Moreover, Member States are responsible for taking all the
necessary control measures to ensure that all the provisions
regarding the production and marketing of milk products

are fulfilled . To this end, in 1992 the Commission started a
survey under the terms of Article 9 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 729 / 70 to check to what extent Member States verified
the actual existence and accurate accounting of milk
products falling within CN code 0401 which were the object
of intra-Community trade during the 1991 / 92 marketing
year . The first Member State to be visited as part of the
survey is Germany . Missions will follow first to the
Netherlands and then to other Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1404 / 93

by Mrs Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(8 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 47 }

Subject : Decommissioning of nuclear power stations

1 . Does the Commission consider the financial reserves

set aside by the operators of nuclear power stations to be
sufficient ? If not, what measures will it take in this

connection ?

2 . What experience has been gained to date regarding the
permanent storage of spent fuel rods ?

3 . What stage has been reached in R&D in the field of the
permanent storage of spent fuel rods in the Community ?

4 . In the Commission 's view, at what point should
reprocessing be discontinued as a means of disposal and
immediate permanent disposal be made compulsory ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission does not consider that the financial

reserves in the Member States for decommissioning are
inadequate . However decommissioning cost estimates
increased over the years and funding plans have to be
adapted to this evolution .

2 . There is no practical experience world-wide with
direct disposal of spent fuel elements nor with disposal of
high-level waste from reprocessing .

3 . Various R&D activities on direct disposal of spent fuel
elements are in progress in the Community, such as the AHE

( Active Handling Experiment ) conducted in the Asse salt
mine ( Germany ) under the Community R&D programme .
The AHE uses a Cf-252 neutron source to investigate the
effects of direct disposal of spent fuel elements in a salt
formation .

No C 32 / 2 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

4 . The Commission views both fuel reprocessing and
direct disposal of spent fuel as possible solutions .

implementation of the objectives of nature conservation and
should also be taken into account in the framework of this
action, the Commission could agree .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1453 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1452 / 93 by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI ) to the Commission of the European Communities
to the Commission of the European Communities (9 June 1993 )

(9 june 1993 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 49 )

( 94 / C 32 / 48 )

Subject : The ' Veïkou estate ' in Athens

Subject ; Merging of the Valia Kalda and Vikos Aoos

national parks in Greece

The merging of the Greek national parks Valia Kalda and
Vikos Aoos into a single national park is one of the
proposals contained in a study drawn up by the Goulandris
Natural History Museum concerning northern Pindos . This
study also proposes the development of suitable forms of
activity ( tourism, rural activities etc .), taking account of the
limitations, potential and resources of the area . The study
also proposes recognition and development of the cultural
heritage and, finally, the creation of land registers and the
stipulation of special conditions which must be respected for
the development or residential areas . Can the Commission
help to achieve the goals set out in this study by means of
Community funding ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 29 September 1993 )

Neither Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation

of wild birds, nor 92 / 43 / EEC on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora require particular forms
of protection status for sites . However, they do set out the
conservation measures in practice that enable those sites to
be maintained or, where appropriate, restored to a
favourable conservation status .

Since 1992 the Community provides funds under Council
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1973 / 92 ( LIFE ) for the first phase of
the improvement of conservation and of the management
conditions of Greek National Parks . This action is

implemented by the Greek Ministry of Agriculture as
competent authority . If the Greek Government believed that
merging the two National Parks mentioned by the
Honourable Member was a measure supporting improved

The Athens Forestry Authority is illegally refusing to advise
the prefect of Athens to announce that the ' Veïkou estate '
must be reafforested . Given that this ' estate ' is public land

( Ministry of Finance Decision No 39354 / 1987 ) and in view
of the serious environmental pollution in Attika, will the
Commission call on the Greek authorities to take all the

necessary measures for the reafforestation of this area ?

' Answer on behalf given of by the Mr Commission Paleokrassas

( 18 October 1993 )

In general, regional planning is the responsibility of the
national authorities .

The Commission therefore has no legal means of
approaching the Greek authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1490 / 93

by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 50 )

Subject : Need for a national park on Rhodes

According to local government representatives on Rhodes,
the island urgently needs a national park .

A national park would provide a haven for fauna, and
notably a rare species of deer, Dama Dama, which has
inhabited the forests on the island for hundreds of years but
is now threatened with extinction despite the praiseworthy

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 27

efforts of the municipality . This is due both to the recent
fires and the spread of poaching .

Does the Commission intend to back this initiative .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

According to information recently provided by the
Agriculture Ministry, the Embonas natural cypress forest on
Rhodes is regarded as a protected natural area,

However, it is not a special protection area within the
meaning of Article 4 of Directive 79 / 409 / EEC on the
conservation of wild birds which is the only Community
legal basis for nature conservation .

The Honourable Member could also refer to the answers

given by the Commission to Written Questions No 2313 / 91
by Mr Michael Papayannakis (') and No 1831 / 92 by Mr
Sotiris Kostopoulos ( 2 ).

(') OJ No C 309, 26 . 11 . 1992 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 6, 11 . 1 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1505 / 93

by Mrs Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 51

Subject : Unauthorized aid from the Netherlands
Government to Aldel and Pechiney aluminium
manufacturers ( Articles 92 and 93 )

The Aldel aluminium factory and its parent company,
Hoogovens, together with Pechiney, arc involved in
negotiations with Mr Andriessen, Minister for Economic
Affairs ( NL ), with a view to securing additional financial aid
in the form of a further energy price reduction in addition to
the annual ' subsidy ' received by both in the form of a
reduction in the cost price of the electricity supplied to
them .

Does the Commission agree that the aid provided and
projected by the Netherlands Government runs ' counter to
Article 92 ( 1 ) of the Treaty, that exemptions provided for
under Article 92 ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) do not apply here and that
in addition, this aid is incompatible with the fifth
environmental action programme and should therefore be
prohibited ?

Is the Commission prepared to initiate proceedings against
the Netherlands Government under Article 93 ( 2 )?

If not, why not ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1508 / 93

by Mrs Nel van Dijk ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 52 )

Subject : Action ( under Article 130r ) against the
Netherlands Government in respect of subsidies to
the Aldel aluminium manufacturers running
counter to the principle of sustainability

Aldel aluminium manufacturers and its parent company,
Hoogovens, together with Pechiney, are involved in
negotiations with Mr Andriessen, Minister of Economic
Affairs ( NL ), with a view to securing additional financial
assistance in the form of a further energy price reduction in
addition to the annual ' subsidy ' received by both in the form
of a reduction in the cost price of the electricity supplied to
them .

Does the Commission agree that this aid from the
Netherlands Government

— runs counter to the ' polluter pays ' principle ( Article 130r

( 2 )),

— infringes the letter and spirit of the fifth programme of

action for the environment,

— runs counter to the principle of internalizing external

costs and

— runs counter to the EC objective for the year 2000 to

stabilize the level of C0 2 emissions ?

Is the Commission prepared to take action against these aid
measures under Article 130r ( 3 ) ( iii ), given the fact that the
harm resulting to both the environment and the public from
failure to act is incompatible with the objectives of the
Community ?

If not, why not ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1505 / 93

and 1508 / 93

given by Mr Van Miert
on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission learned from newspaper articles that the
aluminium plants of Pechiney in Vlissingen and of Aldel in
Delfzijl would benefit from a reduction in electricity prices
for the coming years .

As such a measure can constitute state aid in the sense of

Article 92 ( 1 ) EEC Treaty, the Commission by letter of
28 April 1993 asked the Dutch authorities to notify the
measures including relevant information to enable the
Commission to assess the measures in relation to Articles 92
and 93 EEC Treaty .

(

Depending on the content of the answer of the Dutch
Government the Commission will apply the appropriate
provisions of Articles 92 — 93 EEC Treaty .

No C 32 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

The Commission will also take into account the Community
guidelines on the state aid for environmental protection .

Article 130r of the EEC Treaty does not give the
Commission competence to take action against a Member
State because of its granting of state aid to individual
enterprises . The article rather deals with fixing the
objectives of a Community policy in the field of the
environment, and it contains the elements which have to be
taken into account when elaborating this policy .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1507 / 93

by Mrs Nel van Dijk ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 53 )

Subject : Monitoring of State aids to primary aluminium

producers

In answer to Written Question No 16 / 91 ( J ), the
Commission states that it is not in a position to establish
what contracts have been concluded in this industry . In
addition, it states that, should the price level be such as to
suggest that the price might include an aid component, the
Commission is empowered to take action .

Under Article 93 ( 1 ) the Commission is required to keep all
systems of aid under constant review .

How can the Commission know, for constant review
purposes, whether aluminium manufacturers are receiving
aid if it is not in a position to establish what contracts have
been concluded in that industry for the supply of
electricity ?

Has the Commission ever taken action against state aid to
primary aluminium producers under Article 93 ( 2 )? Can it
give reasons for taking, or not taking, such action, as the
case may be ?

(!) OJ No C 214, 16 . 8 . 1991, p . 104 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

Member States are obliged under Article 93 ( 3 ) of the EEC
Treaty to notify any plans to grant or alter aid in sufficient
time to enable the Commission to submit its comments .

Member States may not put aid into effect until the
Commission has approved the measures involved . If the
Commission considers that any plan is not compatible with
the common market having regard to Article 92 of the EEC
Treaty, it initiates the procedures provided for in
Article 93(2 ) of the EEC Treaty,

Under Article 93 ( 1 ) of the EEC Treaty, the Commission
keeps existing aid systems under constant review in

cooperation with the Member States . If the conditions under
which aid authorization was granted have changed, and
there is no justification for the continued approval of the aid
scheme in question, the Commission acts accordingly .

The Commission has in several cases initiated the procedure
provided in Article 93 ( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty in respect of aid
granted by Member States to aluminium production and has
taken final decisions that aid received should be repaid .
These cases include, amongst others, Alcan Ludwigshafen
and BUG-Alutechnik in Germany ; and Aluminia and
Comsal in Italy .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1523 / 93

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 54

Subject : Poverty in the EEC

According to data provided by the European Conference of
local and regional authorities, of the Community 's 350
million citizens, 51 million are living in conditions ' below
the poverty-line ', and 5 million are actually homeless .

Given the lack of council housing in the Community, what
docs the Commission intend to do at least to guarantee the
right to housing ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The Commission has on several occasions expressed its
concern about the persistence and development of various
forms of social exclusion and recently issued a
communication on this subject (' Towards a Europe of
solidarity — intensifying the fight against social exclusion,
fostering integration ') ( 1 ).

The communication stresses the multifaceted nature of the

processes leading to social exclusion and points out,
amongst other things, that access to decent housing is one of
the decisive factors in social integration . It also emphasizes
the importance of a solemn affirmation of rights and the link
between this and the fostering of sound practice and
effective policies .

However, the Commission has no specific responsibilities in
the housing field and therefore does not intend to prepare
legislation on the right to housing . Its activities in this
area are mainly designed to facilitate the exchange of

2, 2, 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 29

information and the dissemination of good practice, in grateful for further, more specific information so that the
particular through the support given to European networks matter may be investigated fully .
of non-governmental organizations and low-cost housing
bodies, and more generally to stimulate a public debate on
the rights of the most deprived groups .

(M COM(92 ) 542 final, 23 . 12 . 1992 . WRITTEN QUESTION No 1S44 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 56 )

Subject : Radioactive waste disposal

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1525 / 93

by Mrs Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 14 June 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 55

Subject : Projects to protect Pre-Alpine basins

The need to improve the eco systems of Pre-Alpine basins
damaged by the dumping of urban and industrial waste is
now one of the priorities in the Community 's campaign to
protect the environment and to safeguard human health .

To this end, has the Commission examined the ' Affiri '
project, the aim of which is simply to install an oxygenator
at the bottom of the basin which draws in water from the

surface, purifies it at ambient temperature and then releases
it through a second outlet in the lake ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

Community legislation aimed at protecting the aquatic
environment sets various quality standards and objectives
for the Member States to achieve . It is, however, for the
Member States to take such action as they consider
necessary to meet the requirements set out in the relevant
legislation .

Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Commission
does not examine in detail the individual improvement
projects of Member States and the Commission has not
examined the Affiri Project .

However, if the Honourable Member is aware that the
implementation of the Affiri Project is resulting in a breach
of Community legislation, the Commission would be

What information does the Commission possess on the
planned disposal route for radioactive waste arising from
reprocessing at

( a ) Dounreay

( b ) Sellafield

( c ) La Hague

( d ) Karlsruhe and

( e ) Mol ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

According to the information in the Commission 's
possession, the planned disposal routes for the radioactive
waste arising from reprocessing are as follows :

( a ) Dounreay : Low-level waste is disposed of in pits on the
site . Intermediate-level waste is stored pending the
availability of a facility to be provided by NIREX .
High-level waste has to be vitrified and stored for 50 to

100 years in line with British government policy .

( b ) Sellafield : Low-level waste is disposed of at Drigg in
near surface engineered facilities . When the NIREX
facility mentioned under ( a ) becomes available,
low-level and intermediate-level waste will be disposed
of in this facility . High-level waste is dealt with as under

( a ). Waste resulting from the reprocessing of foreign
spent fuel will be dealt with as agreed in the bilateral
contractual arrangements .

( c ) La Hague : Low-level waste has been disposed of in a
near-surface engineered facility at the ' Centre de la
Manche ' till 1 992 ; it is now disposed of in a similar new
facility at the ' Centre de l'Aube ', Medium-level,
long-lived and high-level wastes are stored after
vitrification pending the availability of a specific
disposal facility, to be developed according to the
planning and procedures defined in the French Atomic
Law of December 1991 .

( d ) Karlsruhe : The various waste types are in storage on

site, and will be disposed of, according to types, in

No C 32 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

various underground facilities ( Konrad for the
non-heat-emitting waste ) as soon as these facilities
become operational . High-level waste is stored in liquid
form, pending vitrification in the Pamela Facility at
Mol .

( e ) Mol : The various waste types are in storage after having
been conditioned, waiting for government decisions to
proceed to the building of a near surface facility for the
disposal of low-level waste, and a deep underground
facility for other waste types .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1548 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 15 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 57 )

Legacy : Nuclear Proliferation out of Control, held at
Rhodes House, Oxford, on 21 April 1993, organized by the
Independent Oxford Research Group ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

Although is has received the document in question, it is not
for the Commission to take a stance on it .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1570 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( S )

to the Commission of the European Communities

Subject : Export of fuses to Iran and Iraq ( 17 June 1993 )
( 94 / C 32 / 59 )

What information docs the Commission possess on the

number of companies in the Community that produce
M7-39A1 and M-131 Fuses ; and what knowledge it has of
the export of such fuses to

( a ) Iran and

( b ) Iraq

from Community Member States since 1983 ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

The Commission does not possess information of any kind
on production or on exports of fuses from Member
States .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1555 / 93

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

( 15 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 58 )

Subject : Plutonium

Will the Commission seek to obtain a copy of the
proceedings of the International Seminar on the Plutonium

Subject : Protection of birds in Malta

What steps will the Commission take to prevent the
shooting in Malta of birds which are protected species in the
European Community ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

The Commission is fully aware of the ecological problems
arising from bird hunting in Malta .

In its opinion on Malta 's accession request released
on 30 June 1993 the Commission considers that
' unsustainable bird hunting in Malta is an issue of particular
importance . Even though the Maltese authorities have
enacted regulations to control bird hunting more strictly,
these are not sufficient to comply with Community
legislation . Considerable efforts will therefore have to be
made by the Maltese authorities to implement Community
provisions and they should give the Community clear
undertakings on this ', It should be noted that the
Commission has been recently informed that the
government of Malta is currently in the process of reforming
its existing legislation, and of improving the effectiveness of
its implementation . These reforms should bring the Maltese
legislation to closer conformity with Community
provisions, and in particular with those of Council Directive
79 / 409 / EEC on the conservation of wild birds .

2 . 2, 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 31

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1571 / 93

by Mr Miguel Arias Canete ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 60 )

Subject : Financing for the Donana programme of action

Recently a programme of action for the Donana with a
budget exceeding Ptas 63 million was submitted to the
Commission .

According to the Spanish press, the Community
contribution to the programme will be financed in
accordance with the ' Edinburgh small print ', which is the
same as the conclusions of the Presidency set out in
Document SN 456 / 92, section C, point 12(c ), containing a
paragraph in which the Commission undertakes to consider
the specific situation of Spain in 1 994, given the drawbacks
of the current system of own resources .

In view of this :

Will the Commission finance the programme of action and,
if so, on what legal basis and from which budget
heading ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its
answers to Written Questions Nos 601 / 93, 1107 / 93 and

1274 / 93 by Mr Valverde Lopez (').

(<) OJ No C 297, 3 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1575 / 93

In 1986, in response to Written Question No 2030 / 85 ( ] ) by
Mrs van Hemeldonck, Commissioner Sutherland confirmed
that the matter had been resolved in a satisfactory

manner .

It appears that Beaulieu have challenged the Belgian
Government 's right to recover the subsidy in the Courts and,
as a result, has still not repaid the grant eight years after it
was found to be illegal .

Can the Commission explain what steps it is taking to
enforce its decision and how the action of the Belgian Courts
can be reconciled with the principle that Community law is
paramount ?

(!) OJ No C 142, 9 . 6 . 1986, p . 8 .

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

Following confirmation by the Belgian Government, in a
letter dated 26 July 1988, that Commission Decision
84 / 111 / EEG of 30 November 1983 stating that the aid
granted to Fabelta was incompatible with the EEC Treaty
and would have to be repaid had not been implemented, the
Commission brought an action before the Court of
Justice .

On 21 February 1990 the Court ruled that the Belgian
authorities had failed to implement the Commission
Decision and reminded them of their obligations .

Since that date the Commission has restated at regular
intervals, including after the referral of the matter to the
Belgian courts, that it does not intend to exempt the
Beaulieu group, which owns Fabelta, from fulfilling its
obligations under Community law .

The Belgian authorities informed the Commission that the
Fabelta case would be heard before the Ghent Commercial

Court on 24 September 1993 .

by Mr Michael Welsh ( PPE )
to the Commission of the European Communities WRITTEN QUESTION No 1576 / 93

( 17 June 1993 ) by Mr Michael Welsh ( PPE )

( 94 / C 32 / 61 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 62
Subject ; Recovery of illegal state subsidies in Belgium

In 1984 Commissioner Andriessen, then responsible for
competition policy, agreed with the Belgian Minister
responsible for industry, Mr Eyskens, that aid paid to the
Belgian manufacturer Beaulieu, following its acquisition of
the bankrupt carpet manufacturer Fabelta Zwijnaarde, was
illegal and would be returned to the Belgian authorities . This
agreement was confirmed in an exchange of letters .

Subject : Persecution of Christians and Animists in Sudan

Christian sources and aid workers have produced
irrefutable evidence of the persecution of the southern tribes
in the Sudan by the Islamic Government in what appears to
be a systematic attempt to establish an Islamic state and
eliminate all other religions .

No C 32 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

The civil war between North and South has provided a cover
for the mass displacement of the southern population, the
establishment of concentration camps where torture and
rape are everyday occurrences, and forced conversion of
Christians and Animists . Indeed it appears that Islamic aid
agencies are using the provision of the most basic necessities
of life as an inducement to convert, withholding them from
those who refuse to abjure their faith .

Can the Commission give an account of its relations with the
Sudanese Government and state what action it is taking to
put a stop to its persecution of its citizens ? Can the
Commission confirm that no aid, other than humanitarian
assistance to the victims of the war, will be provided to the
Sudanese authorities and that the Commissioner

responsible will give appropriate instructions to the
Community 's representatives ?

progress in rectifying the human rights record and in
improving democratic accountability has been the reason
for the significant scaling down of development

assistance .

The European Council, at its recent meeting in Copenhagen,
expressed its serious concern at the human rights situation
in Sudan and urged the Government of Sudan not to support
activities which go against a constructive relationship with
the Community and its Member States . The European
Council declared that, in the light of the report of the Troika
mission, the Community and its Member States will
consider how they can best contribute further to an
alleviation of the plight of the Sudanese people including
restoration of respect of human rights .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1584 / 93

by Mr Van den Broek by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )

of the Commission

to the Commission of the European Communities
( 22 October 1993 ) ( 17 June 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission follows closely the human rights situation
in Sudan and takes every opportunity to impress upon the
Government of Sudan its obligation to ensure full respect of
human rights in that country .

In view of the unsatisfactory situation in Sudan and
especially the growing lack of respect for human rights, the '
Commission suspended in March 1990 the programming
dialogue with the Government of Sudan on the utilization of
Lome IV development resources . Following the execution of
a Sudanese national employed by the Commission in Juba,
the Community and its Member States in October 1992
publicly condemned the Sudanese authorities ' ' callous
disregard for human rights ' and expressed ' their abhorrence
of the systematic abuses of human rights throughout the
country '. The Community and its Member States supported
the adoption, in December 1992, by the UN General
Assembly of a resolution urging the Government of Sudan
to respect fully human rights and calling upon all parties to
cooperate in this respect . Subsequently they co-sponsored a
resolution adopted in March 1993 by the UN Human
Rights Commission which condemned human rights abuses
and appointed a special rapporteur to report on the
situation .

Following a decision of the Council of Development
Ministers in May 1993, a Community Troika mission at
ministerial level visited Sudan in June 1993 to underline the
seriousness with which the Community and its Member
States view the humanitarian crisis and the urgent need to
solve the underlying problems . On this occasion the Troika
stressed to all parties to the conflict the concerns of the
Community and its Member States regarding persistent
reports of serious human rights abuses throughout the
Sudan . It also reminded the Government that the lack of

( 94 / C 32 / 63 )

Subject : Exchange of information between Member States

on vocational training for the unemployed

With Article 128 of the Treaty of Rome vocational training
occupies a prominent place among Community policies, and
the Maastricht Treaty considerably strengthens this area .
The spread of unemployment throughout Europe points up
the importance of training schemes that enable the
unemployed to obtain qualifications .

What is the situation regarding cooperation on the exchange
of information between Member States on vocational
training for the unemployed ?

How does the Commission intend to encourage the
coordination of vocational training schemes particularly for
the unemployed, between regions and Member States ?

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1585 / 93

by Mrs Raymonde Dury ( S )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 17 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 64 )

Subject : Instrument for the comparative analysis of
vocational training schemes for the unemployed

With the alarming rise in unemployment in the European
Community, the development of policies for effective and

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 33

useful vocational training of the unemployed is vital . In the
coming years, the coordination of training policies at
European level will require the vital exchange of
information among Member States on their various
experiences .

In order to help Member States to interpret these
experiences, does the Commission have an instrument

( along the lines of MISSOC, for example ) for the
comparative analysis of national / regional training schemes
that will enable the unemployed to obtain qualifications ? If
not, does it envisage the introduction of similar
mechanisms ?

Joint answer to Written Questions Nos 1584 / 93

and 1585 / 93

given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 199.3 )

In 1982, the Commission set up the MISEP Community
network ( Mutual Information System on Employment
Policies ), composed of correspondents from the
employment services in the Member States, the
Commission, the OECD and a central secretariat .

The network was created in response to the demand by the
Member States within the Council for mutual information

on developments in national employment policy measures
and structures . MISEP 's objective was to gather, collate,
translate and disseminate information in the Member States

to promote exchange of experience and enable the
Commission to take on its proper role as coordinator at
Community level .

To ensure extensive dissemination of the information, the
network publishes a quarterly bulletin entitled ' Policies '

( Informisept ) containing articles on the new employment
measures taken in the Member States and comparing
measures, evaluations and statistical data . It also publishes a
basic information report on each country describing the
structure and content of their respective employment
policies .

In the field of vocational training in general, the
Community 's Euroform initiative is intended to give a
Community dimension to vocational training and
employment promotion activities, promote the
coordination of existing measures, networks and structures
at regional, national and Community level, set up
transnational exchange activities and provide support for
those actively involved in vocational training to keep up
with technological change and improve their management
and evaluation methods .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1609 / 93

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

( 18 June 7 993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 65

Subject : Itinerant trade in the European Community

Greek Law No 2000 / 91 contains provisions which are
incompatible with Community law and with the EEC
Treaty, in particular Article 30 ( 1 ) which provides that

'. . . this law prohibits the exercise of any commercial
activity in an uncovered area . . . The same prohibition shall
also apply to itinerant trade '. Regulation ( EEC ) No 559 / 9 2
of the Ministry for Trade, adopted subsequently, provides
that . . licences shall be issued, after the local trade
association has been consulted, to special classes of persons

( e.g. handicapped persons ) and for traditional good and
activities '.

Since :

— the abovementioned law and regulation of the Ministry

for Trade infringe Articles 54 ( 3 ) ( c ) and 86 of the EEC
Treaty and Directive 75 / 369 / EEC ( ! ) of 16 June 1975 on
measures to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom of

establishment and freedom to provide services in respect
of itinerant activities and, in particular, transitional
measures in respect of those activities ;

— it is completely contrary to statements made by Mr

Delors according to which itinerant trade plays a unique
social and political role in revitalizing commercial
activity in cities and it should be granted freedom of
movement without difficulties and prejudices so that it
can be exercised on equal terms with trade conducted in
permanent establishments ;

— itinerant street vendors and traders, who constitute an

important part of European trade and play an important
economic and social role ( 50 000 people are employed in
Greece and more than 800 000 undertakings provide
full employment for more than 1,2 million people in the
European Community ), have been severly hit ;

1 . Will the Commission make a fresh study of the role
played by itinerant trade in local economies ?

2 . How does it view the specific provision of Law No 2000
and what steps does it propose to take on the Greek
Government 's refusal to comply with Directive
75 / 369 / EEC and the provisions of the EEC Treaty ?

(') OJ No L 167, 30 . 6 . 1975, p . 29 .

No C 32 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Arehirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 October 1993 ) (3 September 1993 )

The question raised by the Honourable Member concerns
the compatibility of Greece 's legislative provisions on
itinerant trade with, on the one hand, the provisions of the
EEC Treaty dealing with the freedom to provide services
( Article 59 ) and, on the other, the provisions of Directive
75 / 369 / EEC on measures to facilitate the effective exercise
of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services
in respect of itinerant activities and, in particular,
transitional measures in respect of those activities .

The provisions of the Greek Law referred to by the
Honourable Member restrict pursuit of the activity in
question to certain categories of people ( e.g. the
handicapped ) and to certain traditional activities .

The Commission is aware that the activity of itinerant
traders plays a major social and political role in revitalizing
town markets .

It is an activity which constitutes a service within the
meaning of Article 60 of the EEC Treaty and is covered in
some cases by Article 52 et seq . ( right of establishment ) and
in others by Article 59 et seq . ( freedom to provide services ).
Identifying the dividing-line between these two basic
freedoms under the Treaty is not always easy .

However, for the provisions in question to apply,
the services provided must include a cross-border

component .

The question raised by the Honourable Member does not
involve a cross-border component since it concerns a
situation inside a Member State ; it does not, therefore, fall
within the jurisdiction of the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1614 / 93

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 66 )

Most of the aquaculture research projects financed under
the FAR ( fisheries research and research coordination ) and
AIR ( agricultural and industrial research including fisheries )
programmes have among their objectives the development
and improvement of production techniques as referred to by
the Honourable Member . The number of aquaculture
projects financed under the FAR programme is 47,
Community aid amounting to ECU 11,68 million, and
under AIR 20 aquaculture projects have been selected so far,
the amount of Community aid involved being around ECU

12,5 million .

Particulars of each of the abovementioned projects ^ re being
sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament 's

Secretariat .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1615 / 93

by Mr Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARC )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 18 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 67 )

Subject : Imports of hops from the former Soviet Union

In answer to my Written Question No 3257 / 92 ('), the
Commissioner replied that the Commission had no record
of hops having been imported from the former Soviet Union
between 1986 and 1991 .

I have subsequently learned that, at all events, dried hops
harvested in 1987 were imported into Belgium from the
USSR .

How is it that these imports are not included in Commission
statistics ? Can the Commission give its assurance that
Member States are effectively meeting their obligations
under Regulation ( EEC ) No 737 / 90 ( 2 ). What steps is the
Community taking to monitor this ?

(>) OJ No C 137, 15 . 5 . 1993, p . 26 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 82, 29 . 3 . 1990, p . 1 .
Subject : Aquaculture projects

Within the framework of the AIR and the former FAR

programme, the Community is supporting research projects
into new production techniques in the field of
aquaculture .

Can the Commission say what projects received support in
1990, 1991 and 1992 ( stating the amounts )?

Can the Commission also say what these projects involved
and what results were obtained ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

No hops were imported from the Soviet Union in 1986 or

1987 . However, hops were imported into the Community
from the former Soviet Union between 1988 and 1992 .
These were hop cones, fresh or dried, neither ground nor

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 35

powdered or in the form of pellets ( Combined
Nomenclature code 1210 1000 ),

An error slipped into the interrogation of the data base in
that import figures were requested not in respect of the
former Soviet Union, but for the Ukraine, which since 1992
has been a full member of the International Hop Growers
Convention,

In view of the information it has received, the Commission
has no reason to believe that certain Member States are not

applying all the provisions of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 737 / 90 of 22 March 1990 on the conditions governing
imports of agricultural goods originating in third countries
following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power
station .

Besides, the Regulation docs not empower the Commission
to carry out direct controls on Member States ' territory .
Such controls are the preserve of the competent national
authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1632 / 93

by Mr Alexandros Alavanos ( CG )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 22 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 68

Subject : Implementation of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 866 / 90

It appears that all funding under Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 866 / 90 (') intended for Greece in 1993 has already been
committed although we are only in the fifth month of the

year .

financing of the six operational programmes presented by
Greece for the period in question . That amount is broken
down by sector as follows :

( ECU )

Sector Total operational

programmes

Forestry products 5 173 587

Meat 16 111 056

Milk and milk products 34 251 530

Eggs and poultry 5 290 161

Various animal products ( honey ) 275 086

Cereals 13 455 737

Oilseeds 6 364 222

Wine and alcohol 3 636 426

Fruit and vegetables 28 094 457

Feedingstuffs 1 283 198

Total 113 935 460

In addition, in 1993 Greece presented three operational
programmes for different sectors requiring Community
assistance totalling ECU 28 032 243 . The appropriations
available for Greece for this purpose are therefore not
sufficient .

The Commission is currently examining the problem in
order to find a solution so that Greece 's request for
additional funds can be met .

( 1 ) OJ No L 31, 7 . 2 . 1992 .

For what investment projects have the above funds been
used, or will they be used and what steps will the
Commission take when and if further proposals for WRITTEN QUESTION No 1655 / 93
investment for 1993 are tabled ?

by Mr Herman Verbeek and
H OJ No L91, 6, 4 . 1990, p . 1 . Mr Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Steichen ( 94 / C 32 / 69 )

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )
Subject : Dumping of Community meat in the Sahel

Pursuant to Regulation ( EEC ) No 866 / 90, the
appropriations for Community part-financing of projects in
Greece connected with the marketing and processing of
agricultural and forestry products, as set out in the
Community support framework for Greece ( Commission
Decision 92 / 80 / EEC ) ( ] ), amount to ECU 125 221 136 in
current prices for the period from 1991 to 1993 .

To date, a total amount of ECU 113 935 460 has been
committed by the EAGGF Guidance Section for the

Every year, thousands of tonnes of meat from the European
Community, encouraged by large export refunds flood the
market in the Sahel area and the surrounding countries of
West Africa,

1 . Can the Commission say how many tonnes of meat have
been exported in recent years ?

2 . What export refunds were paid for this purpose ?

No C 32 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

3 . How many countries in the Sahel and surrounding area

received exports of Community meat ?

4 . Is the Commission aware that these European
Community meat exports arc making it impossible for
farmers in West Africa to remain competitive ?

5 . When will the Commission amend its present export

policy by putting a stop to the dumping of tonnes of
meat on the local West African markets ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1993 )

1 . Total exports of fresh or frozen beef ( expressed in
tonnes of boneless meat ) from the Community to third
countries in Western Africa amounted to :

— 26 322 tonnes in 1989

— 31 202 tonnes in 1990

— 53 247 tonnes in 1991

— 51 145 tonnes in 1992

2 . Since March 1991, the refund granted for individually
packed bones pieces has been ECU 1 650 / tonne . The overall
sum granted for exports in 1992 amounts to ECU 84
million .

3 . The principal countries of destination in Western
Africa are Cote d'lvoire, Ghana and Benin . In 1991 and

1992 these three countries alone absorbed approximately
90% of all exports to the 17 countries of Western
Africa .

4 . The Commission is aware of the export problems of
certain producer countries in this part of Western Africa but
it must also take account of the import needs of certain other
countries in Western Africa and the state of the Community
beef market . It must therefore strike a balance between the

various factors at issue .

5 . After a preliminary assessment, pending re-evaluation
on the basis of other data, the Commission on 12 June 1993
applied a 1 5 % cut to the refund referred to in point 2 on
exports to West Africa . It will continue to keep a close eye on
the trend of exports and, if necessary, adjust the level of the
refund accordingly .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1656 / 93

by Mrs Nel van Dijk ( V )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 70 )

Subject ; Undermining of EC development aid to the Sahel

area by the dumping of EC meat

The EC is paying a subsidy of F1 4,5 per kilo to promote
meat exports to West Africa . At the same time, it is
providing development aid for this area in order to support
local beef production . The dumping of European meat
surpluses in the Sahel is undermining smallholdings set up
with European aid .

Does not the Commission agree that it is absurd to allow EC
development policy in the Sahel to be undermined by its own
meat dumping practices ?

Is the Commission prepared to launch an independent
investigation within six months into the impact of
subsidized EC meat exports on development prospects for
stock breeders in the Sahel ?

Is the Commission prepared to end within one year the
export of subsidized EC meat, which is undermining its own
efforts to develop meat production in the Sahel ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the export problems faced by
certain West African producer countries, but it must also
take account of the actual import requirements of other
countries located in this region of West Africa and of the
situation on the Community beef and veal market, and must
try to arrive at a balance between the different aspects of the
problem .

After an initial study, to which further information is likely
to be added, the Commission, on 12 June 1993, introduced
a reduction of 15 % in the refund for certain boned beef and

veal packed individually ( ECU 1 400 / tonne instead of ECU
1 650 / tonne ) for export to West Africa . Moreover, the
Commission will continue to study trends in the exports and
if necessary it will readjust the refunds .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1657 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1657 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION No 1693 / 93

by Mrs Nel van Diik ( V ) by Jean-Pierre Raffin and Virginio Bettini ( V )

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

by Mrs Nel van Diik ( V )

( 28 June 1993 ) ( 28 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 71 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 72 )

Subject : Unauthorized nuclear power station at
Dodewaard

1 . Is the Commission aware that the ( 1988 ) operating
authorization for the Dodewaard ( NL ) nuclear power
station was quashed by the Council of State on 2 Tune

1992 ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that this nuclear power
station is now operating on the basis of its original
authorization, issued in 1968, which has since expired ?

3 . Does the Commission consider it desirable for the
Dodewaard nuclear power station to operate without
proper legal authorization before the PSA ( Probalistic Safety
Assessment ) has been completed ?

4 . Does the Commission approve of the fact that the
Netherlands Government and Parliament are willing to
condone this situation pending the issuing of a further
authorization in 1995 ? In this in accordance with the
relevant European directives ?

5 . Does the Commission agree that this nuclear power
station should be taken out of service and an environmental

impact assessment drawn up before a new authorization is
even considered ?

6 . What steps will the Commission take to end this
unacceptable situation ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )

The Commission would point out that the responsibility for
the safety of nuclear installations lies with the Member
States on whose territory they are located . More particularly
the system for authorizing and inspecting installations is the
sole prerogative of the safety authorities in the Member
State concerned and there are not specific Community
regulations in this area .

In a document entitled ' Gedoogbeschikking Kernenergie
Centrale Dodewaard ' of 10 March 1993 the Dutch Ministry
for Social Affairs, which is the safety authority empowered
to issue operating permits laid down specific technical
conditions for the Dodewaard nuclear - power plant to
enable it to be operated on a temporary basis under
satisfactory safety conditions .

Subject : Duck poaching in France

Under Article 5 of Council Directive 79 / 409 / EEC ( ! )
hunting of Anatidae is prohibited during the period of
breeding . Despite this, a French Government Minister
openly went shooting for ' Anas incatenata galliae ' (M and
JM ).

The weapon he used which was capable was causing the
local disappearance of the species is prohibited under
Article 8 of this Directive .

What steps does the Commission intend to take to remedy
this situation ?

H Oj No L 103, 25 . 4 . 1979, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 October 1993 )

Directive 79 / 409 / EEC does not allow hunting of the species
Anas Incantenata galliae, even though the bird is sometimes
considered liable to cause damage and thus to require
surveillance .

According to the Directive, regulatory measures such as this
must be applied in strictly controlled conditions ensuring
that the species remains in a situation conductive to its
conservation .

In addition, the Commission 's information indicates that
this species is very resistant to external pressures, to which it
usually responds by increasing its rate of reproduction .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1714 / 93

by Mrs Christine Crawley ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 73 )

Subject : Equal opportunity employment practices

Is the Commission aware that many organizations now
advertise themselves as ' Equal opportunities employers '?

No C 32 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Would the Commission consider preparing a legal definition
for such a term with a set of criteria and guidelines for
Member States to cover issues such as recruitment, selection,
training and career development which employers would
have to meet in order to designate themselves as a European
Community equal opportunities employer ?

Is the Commission aware that application forms for jobs,
training, college and university courses often contain
requests for information about the age, gender, ethnicity,
marital status ?

Does the Commission agree that such information could be
used to discriminate against significant groups of people
who may be under-represented ?

Does the Commission agree that this information, unless it
is kept absolutely confidential for monitoring purposes
alone, might contravene EC legislation ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1993 )

The Commission is aware of the fact that many
organizations advertise themselves as ' Equal opportunities
employers '.

In the Commission 's opinion, this has to be welcomed since
it reflects a marked shift in attitude, visible and growing in
momentum since the mid-1980s . It acknowledges that it
makes sound business sense to provide equal opportunities
and to ensure that the law on non-discrimination is

effectively implemented .

For the time being, the Commission docs not plan to draft a
legal definition containing criteria employers should meet to
designate themselves as Community equal opportunity
employers .

The Commission is aware of the fact that application forms
often contain requests for information about age, gender,
ethnicity and marital status .

While it is correct that such information could be used to

discriminate against some groups of people, the mere
collection and utilization of such information does not
necessarily constitute a discrimination or an infringement of
the law . Only the use of such information for discrimination
purposes would be unlawful .

WRITTEN QUESTION No 1724 / 93

by Mr Honor Funk ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 June 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 74 )

Subject : Irradiation of foodstuffs

Large sections of the population are opposed to the
- irradiation of foodstuffs . According to surveys carried out
by consumer organizations in Germany and France, 60 % of
consumers are unequivocally opposed to the consumption
of irradiated foodstuffs .

1 . Has the Commission investigated the medium   - and
long-term effects of irradiated foodstuffs on public
health ? If not, can any danger to humans safely be
excluded ?

2 . Is the Commission aware that, in France, Belgium and
the Netherlands, only foodstuffs for export are
irradiated ?

3 . Can the Commission ascertain whether the radioactive

isotopes Cobalt-60 and Caesium-17 are used in the
irradiation plant in Ede ( Netherlands ), the IRE plant in
Fleurus ( France ) and in the ' Conservatome ' plant near
Lyon and the Carbic plant near Paris ?

4 . How does the Commission view the potential hazards of
such plant ?

5 . Can the Commission exclude any possibility of the
creation of new pathogens through the irradiation of
foodstuffs ?

6 . Can the Commission list the Member States which

strictly prohibit the irradiation of foodstuffs ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 1993 )

The Commission is not in possession of the surveys referred
to in the Honourable Member 's question and is therefore
unable to comment on the figures cited .

It does, however, have the findings of surveys carried out in
certain countries, including France and the USA, and for
certain products, which reveal that a preference was
expressed for irradiated foodstuffs .

For further information, the Honourable Member is asked
to refer to the documents which the Commission has sent to

him direct and to the Secretariat-General of the European
Parliament .

During the preparation of the proposal for a directive, the
Commission asked the Scientific Committee to study all
aspects of the process which concern human health . The
Committee expressed its opinion in March 1986 after
having considered a reference list of 540 studies of the

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 39

process . The Committee 's opinion, which was published in
all Community languages, mentions all of these studies .
Copies of the opinion were sent to the European
Parliament .

This report, along with other more recent reports including
the WHO report published in May 1992, makes it clear that
the proper use of irradiation at the recommended doses does
not pose any risk to man .

The national legislation of Belgium, France and the
Netherlands also allows products irradiated in these
countries to be marketed within their respective
territories .

The radioactive isotope Cobalt 60 is used in the plants at
Ede ( Netherlands ), Flcurus ( Belgium ) and Lyon ( France ),
while the company Orsay ( near Paris ) uses a linear electron
accelerator .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 769 / 93

by Mr Guy Guermcur ( RDE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(2 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 75

Subject : Enlargement of the European Community

The European Council has finally acknowledged, in its
conclusions at Edinburgh in December 1 992, that accession
negotiations with Austria, Sweden and Finland should be
initiated straight away . Can the Commission give an

assurance :

1 . that enlargement of the Community will not be limited

to the EFTA countries alone, for reasons of their

GNP ?

2 . that political criteria such as a return to democracy will

be as decisive as they were for the accession of Greece,
Spain and Portugal ?

geographical, historical and cultural elements which all
contribute to the European identity . Other essential
characteristics of the Union, referred to in Article F of the
draft Treaty, arc the principles of democracy and the respect
of fundamental human rights .

On this basis the conclusions of the European Council
meeting in Lisbon in June 1992 noted that the Treaty on
European Union provides that any European State whose
system of government is founded on the principle of
democracy may apply to become a member of the Union . It
was further stated that the principle of a Union open to
European States that aspire to full participation and who
fulfil the conditions of memberhship is a fundamental
element of European construction .

The conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen on
21 —22 June 1993 furthermore state that : ' the associated
countries in Central and Eastern Europe that so desire shall
become members of the European Union . Accession will
take place as soon as an associated country is able to assume
the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic
and political conditions required . Membership requires that
the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions
guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and
respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a
functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope
with competitive pressure and market forces within the
Union . Membership presupposes the candidate 's ability to
take on the obligations of membership including adherence
to the aims of politcal, economic and monetary union .
The Union 's capacity to absorb new members, while
maintaining the momentum of European integration, is also
an important consideration in the general interest of both
the Union and the candidate countries '.

The Commission can only subscribe to these conclusions .

Finally, it should be pointed out than on 30 June the
Commission adopted its opinion on the applications of
Malta and Cyprus in which it was stated that these two
countries have a ' vocation ' to joint the Union .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1775 / 93

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

of the Commission by Mrs Margaret Daly ( PPE )

( 27 October 1993 ) to the Commission of the European Communities

on behalf of the Commission

Negotiations on enlargement were begun with Austria,
Finland and Sweden on 1 February 1993 and with Norway
on 5 April 1993 .

Article O of the draft Treaty on European Union states : ' any
European State may apply to become a member '. This is the
same text as Article 237 of the EEC Treaty . The term
' European ' has not been officially defined . It combines

( 12 July 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 76

Subject : Crash helmets

Does existing Community legislation on VAT allow
Member States the possibility of exempting or zero-rating
crash helmets for cyclists ?

No C 32 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1993 )

Under Council Directive 92 / 77 / EEC of 19 October 1 992 on
the approximation of VAT rates ('), only those zero rates
which were in force in Member States on 1 January 1991 in
accordance with Community law may be maintained at
present . Community law docs not allow the introduction of

new zero rates .

The United Kingdom was the only Member State to apply a
VAT zero rate to supplies of crash helmets for cyclists at

1 January 1991 and is thus the only Member State entitled to
continue to do so .

0 ) Oj No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 789 / 93

rights in developing countries . Moreover, the resolution
specifically requests the Commission to submit an annual
report on this implementation . It is for this reason that the
Commission 's reply to question No 1821 / 92 by Mr Arbeloa
Muru referred to ' implementation ' of the Council
resolution .

The Parliament 's resolutions are rather more specific and
deal with current concerns of the Parliament . It is therefore
more appropriate for the Commission to refer to their ' being
taken into account '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 793 / 93

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

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 78 )

by Mr David Martin ( PSE ) Subject : Aviation checklist

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 77 )

Subject : Commission's answer to question 1821 / 92

In its reply to parliamentary question 1821 / 92 (') by Mr
Arbeloa Muru on human rights in developing countries, the
Commission referred to resolutions by the Council and by
the European Parliament .

As ' resolutions ' of the Council are non-binding, as were
Parliament 's resolutions, but both seek to give political
guidance to the Commission, why is it that the Commission
in its answer, refers to the need to ' implement ' the Council
resolution, but merely to ' take account of ' Parliament 's
resolutions ?

0 ) OJ No C 61, 3 . 3 . 1993, p . 4 .

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 20 October 1993 )

The resolution of 28 November 1991 of the Council and the

Member States meeting in the Council deals with the general
framework of the Community 's approach towards human

In the Algemeen Dagblad of 1 0 May 1993 the association of
KLM flight engineers expressed its disquiet at the nature and
use of the checklist ( the routine checks prior to takeoff or
landing ), following comments made by the American
National Transport Safety Board ( NTSB ).

Despite advances in aircraft design the checklist has
remained unchanged for 50 years . Studies carried out by the
NTSB show that the crew sometimes depart from the list,
' do it from memory ', skip parts of it to save time or fail to
check whether appropriate operations have been carried

out .

Mistakes can also arise from the fact that manufacturers

have no standard terminology . For example, a throttle is
also known as a ' gashandle ', a ' power lever ', ' manette ' or
' engine power control '.

1 . Is the Commission familiar with the NTSB 's research,
and docs it accept the NTSB 's conclusion that many

( near ) accidents are due to failing to use checklists
properly or using out-of-date checklists ?

2 . Does the Commission also agree that the checklist is out
of date and that updating it would enhance safety ?

3 . Is it necessary, for safety reasons, for the same terms to
be used consistently for the same instruments ?

4 . What steps can be taken to ensure that all cockpit crews

regard the checklist as a key factor in safety and hence
arc meticulous in their use of it ?

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 41

5 . What steps does the Commission feel are necessary to

ensure optimal design and use of the checklist ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 October 1993 )

1 . The Commission is not familiar with the specific study
carried out by the National Technical Safety Board ( NTSB )
to which the Honourable Member refers, but it has
identified 17 recommendations published by the NTSB over
the past 20 years in which reference is made to this key
factor in air safety .

2 . The Commission considers that checklists should be

drawn up with the utmost care and be updated in
accordance with the experience gained by manufacturers,
users and the authorities responsible for the safety of civil
aviation .

3 . It seems desirable for the same name to be used

consistently for the same instrument, whatever the type of
aircraft . Manufacturers may, however, give different names
to instruments which have the same function but employ
different technology . In this case, any ambiguities can be
clarified when the cockpit crew is being trained to use a new
type of aircraft .

4 . The basic training received by cockpit crews and the
procedures which they are obliged to carry out both by
airline companies and by law are aimed at strict observance
of the safety procedures of which the checklist is an integral
part . Thus failure to observe the list represents both human
negligence and a breach of the law .

5 . The Commission believes that the efforts of the Joint
Aviation Authorities ( JAA ) to create harmonized manuals
should form the basis of harmonizing the design and use of
checklists in Europe . Moreover, the proposals made by the
Commission in its communication to the Council on

Community initiatives in the area of air incidents / accidents
should help clarify what causes the latter and may
consequently bring to light new aspects of air safety .

The Commission also wishes to draw the Honourable

Member 's attention to the fact that the studies carried out by
the NTSB generally concern accidents occurring in the
United States . Since the operational and legal situation is
very different in Europe, what may be true of the United
States cannot necessarily be applied to the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 794 / 93

by Mr Antonio La Pergola ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 12 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 79 )

Subject : Situation of Community distillation in Italy

It would appear that, by decree of the Minister of
Agriculture of 24 April 1993, the Italian Government
unexpectedly decided to suspend measures in respect of
purchases of alcohol produced through the preventive and
support distillation of table wine and through the
distillation of surplus fruit withdrawn from the market
pursuant to Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 i 1 ).

By a previous decree of 17 February 1993, withdrawal of
these alcohols by the Italian intervention agency had been
guaranteed for the whole of the current farming year .

On the basis of the last provision, Italian distillers concluded
contracts with wine producers for support distillation, as
provided for in Regulation ( EEC ) No 130 / 93 ( 2 ) of
26 January 1993 . According to the latest information
available, the distillers have renounced these contracts
because it is now impossible to sell the alcohol to the
intervention agency .

Is the Commission aware of this decision taken by the Italian
Government, which is seriously jeopardizing the legitimate
hopes of wine producers ? Does the Commission share the
view that interventions arranged in the course of a wine year
constitute an organic set of measures intended to restore a
balance in the market and must therefore be implemented as
a whole, and that decisions such as those taken by the Italian
authorities represent a violation of the spirit of the rules
governing the common organization of the market in
wine ?

Does the Commission not also consider that the Italian

Government 's decisions entail a serious form of

discrimination between Italian producers and those in other
Community Member States and the risk of trade distortions
in the internal market through the failure to dispose of
Italian table wine surpluses intended for support
distillation ?

0 ) OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972, p . 1 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 18, 27 . 1 . 19.93, p . 13 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 30 September 1993 )

The Commission has noted the Italian State Intervention

Agency 's decision to cease purchasing, from 27 April 1993,

No C 32 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

alcohol produced by voluntary distillation ( preventive and
support distillation ) under Articles 38 and 41 of Regulation
( EEC ) No 822 / 87 ( l ).

This immediately provoked a suspension of wine deliveries
to the distilleries since, according to the Italian distillers,
there are no longer any outlets for this alcohol on the normal
market, and also as a reaction to the failure to respect
contractual commitments regarding support distillation .

The Commission reacted by asking the Italian authorities to
respect the implications of accepting the intervention
measures decided at Community level in order to avoid any
disruption of an already very fragile market .

At present it seems that the Italian State Intervention Agency
may be in a position to revert to the previous arrangement
once the examination of its national intervention

programme, which has been submitted to the
Interministerial Economic Programming Committee, has
been completed .

The Commission is keeping a close eye on developments
regarding this matter and will not fail to take appropriate
steps if the Community wine market situation calls for rapid
and effective action .

The Commission is of the opinion that Italian Government
decisions which affect the production of Italian table wine
and lead to discrimination between Italian wine producers
and producers in other Member States do not constitute a
barrier to Community trade . ' Reverse discrimination '
practised by the State against its own nationals docs not fall
within the scope of application of Article 30 of the EEC
Treaty .

(') OJ No L 84, 27 . 3 . 1987 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 820 / 93

by Mrs Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 13 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 80 )

Subject : Health insurance in the Netherlands for German

frontier workers

The fact that national legislation in their country of
residence does not yet correspond with that in their country

of employment gives rise to problems for frontier workers,
as described below .

For a resident of the Netherlands who also works there it is
possible to take out private insurance with the Netherlands
Sickness Fund ( Ziekenfonds ), even above the contribution
assessment limit ( F1 56 650 in 1993 ).

For frontier workers living in Germany and working in the
Netherlands it is not possible to take out private insurance in
the Netherlands with the Netherlands Sickness Fund if they
exceed the contribution assessment limit . They can only
insure themselves ' collectively ' through their Dutch
employers .

Could this be a breach of the principle of equality set out in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1408 / 71 0, Articles 13 — 17, and the
ban on discrimination enacted by the countries of the EC in
the social area, which forbids any form of discrimination
against nationals of other EC countries ( Article 7 of the EEC
Treaty )?

( 1 ) OJ No L 149, 5 . 7 . 1971, p . 2 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

Contrary to what is suggested in the question, the relevant
Dutch law ( Ziekenfondswet ) does not allow sickness
insurance contracts to be taken out privately with a Dutch
fund ( Ziekenfonds ). Nor is such a fund authorized any
longer to offer private sickness insurance contracts .

This is because workers in the Netherlands are no longer
covered by statutory sickness insurance if they earn a wage
exceeding a particular amount ( F1 56 650 in 1993 ).
Consequently, if they are to be insured, they must take out
private insurance . This also applies to frontier workers
residing in Germany and working in the Netherlands . Such
contracts may, in principle, be taken out with a Dutch or
German insurer or with an insurer authorized to do business

somewhere in the Community .

The principle of equality of treatment ( Article 3 of
Regulation ( EFX ) No 1408 / 71 ) cannot be invoked in the
case in question since the Regulation applies only to
statutory social security schemes, and not to private
insurance schemes . The principle of non-discrimination on
grounds of nationality is not applicable in this case
either .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 43

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 834 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 852 /

by Mr Panayotis Roumeliotis ( PSE ) by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 852 / 93

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

( 13 July 1993 ) ( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 81 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 82

Subject : Illegal operation of quarries on Mount Pendeli

Illicit marble quarrying on Mount Pendeli is haying a
disastrous effect on the Attica landscape as well as putting
classical monuments, such as the Acropolis, at risk through
creating a shortage of Pendeli marble for restoration
work .

Quarrying was banned in 1974 but the Minister for
Agriculture states that it has continued unlawfully without
the permit issued by the Ministry .

What is the Commission 's position on these activities which
are a threat to the environment and our cultural

heritage ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 28 October 1993 )

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of
certain public and private projects on the environment (')
requires that projects for the extraction of marble be made
subject to prior assessment where Member States consider
that they are likely to have a significant effect on the
environment, e.g. by virtue of their size or location .

However, according to the information provided by the
Honourable Member it would appear that the Mount
Pendelis quarries are still in operation, even though the
extraction of marble has been prohibited since 1974 .

The Commission is therefore in a position to broach the
matter with the Greek authorities in those cases where work

has been authorized after 3 July 1988, the date on which
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC entered into force .

Subject : Entry of the drachma into the EMS

The European Parliament 's Committee on Economic and
Monetary Affairs recently received confirmation from the
Greek Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr Stefanos Manos,
that the drachma would join the European Monetary
System in the course of 1993 . Given that Greece has
galloping inflation at 15,5 %, can the Commission and the
Community in general confirm whether this will lead to the
closure of a large number of firms ?

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

The Greek government 's convergence programme foresees
that the drachma would join the ERM whenever sufficient
nominal convergence has been achieved ; no specific date has
been proposed . At present, trends in prices and in other
nominal variables in Greece relative to the Community
suggest that the necessary convergence has yet to be
attained . It is for the Greek authorities to decide on the

exchange rate strategy for the drachma taking account of all
the appropriate circumstances .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 923 / 93

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

( 15 July 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 83

Subject : Industry in Thrace

Directive 85 / 337 / EEC entered into force . Approximately 300 industrial and craft enterprises in Greek

Thrace are heavily indebted . According to a study carried
out by the Association of Greek Industrial Enterprises,

As for the illegality of the quarrying, the Commission would because of their accumulated debts to banks and interest
point out that it falls exclusively to the Member State payments, the firms in question, which at present employ
concerned to ensure that its national laws are complied 5 000 workers, have their backs against the wall . According
with . to the Association, these firms are viable but for them to

continue operating, Dr 12 billion are needed in the first year
( 1 ) OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 . and a further Dr 2,3 billion in subsequent years .

As for the illegality of the quarrying, the Commission would
point out that it falls exclusively to the Member State
concerned to ensure that its national laws are complied
with .

In order to save the enterprises in Greek Thrace, measures
such as the following are needed : interest subsidies on loans

No C 32 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

of working capital, cancellation of late interest payments,
roll-over of long-term loans, interest subsidies, an increase
from 6 to 12% in the Employment Office grant, and a
reduction in VAT rates .

In view of the above, what can the Commission do to help
firms in Greek Thrace to escape bankruptcy ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1993 )

It is for the Greek authorities to propose suitable measures
for restructuring industrial enterprises in Thrace, including
accompanying social measures .

The Commission would be prepared in response to such a
proposal to examine what measures could be given financial
assistance from the Structural Funds within the new

Community support framework for Greece for
1994 — 99 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 924 / 93

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

( IS July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 84 )

Subject : Single market in postal services

The Commission 's ' green paper ' contains a number of ideas
for the liberalization of certain postal services . However,
plans for a single market in postal services are still behind
schedule .

When will a definite decision on this subject be
announced ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )

Following the publication of the ' Green Paper on the
development of the single market for postal services ' on

11 June 1992 ( ] ), there was a particularly thorough period
of public consultation during which a large number of
meetings were held with the parties concerned and more
than 200 written contributions were received . This period
was extended up to this year, when the Commission
received opinions in particular from Parliament, the
Economic and Social Committee and most of the Member

States .

In the light of the Green Paper and the outcome of the
consultation, the Commission has prepared a
communication to the Council and Parliament entitled
' Guidelines for the development of Community postal
services ' ( 2 ) setting out its thinking with regard to the sector,

the concern always being closely to involve the Council and
the Parliament in accordance with their request .

Following this stage, the Commission will propose the
instruments needed to implement the agreed services .

(!) COM(91 ) 476 final .

( 2 ) COM ( 93 ) 247 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1926 / 93

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

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 85 )

Subject : Product liability rules

There are Community rules which provide that producers
are liable for every injury, damage or death caused by their
products . However, the rules are applied differently or are
not applied in all the Member States ( Italy and Spain ).

In view of this, does the Commission agree that common
and uniform product liablity rules must apply throughout
the Community as soon as possible ?

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archiraii

on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1993 )

The Council adopted in 1985 Directive 85 / 374 / EEC on the
liability of producers for defective products, which provides
for damages in the event of personal injury or death
attributable to a defective product . It has been implemented
by 10 Member States, and France and Spain are expected to
implement draft bills in early course . While the Directive, in
essence, is a harmonizing directive, three options were left
open to the Member States in respect of

( i ) the definition of a product ( they could include or
exclude primary agricultural products );

( ii ) the inclusion or exclusion of a defence in relation to
development risk and

( iii ) the application or non-application of a ceiling or
liability of not less than ECU 77 million .

This has resulted in some minor divergences .

However, a study pursuant to Article 21 of the Directive on
its application in practice is currently under way and will be
available towards the end of the year . This will form the
basis of the report in 1995 on the use of the options in
practice . The results may indicate that the options can be
removed or that in practice no prejudice arises from their

use .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 45

The Commission has contacted the Member States to ensure

as uniform as possible an application of the Directive in
respect of the liability of producers .

1 . To which regulated professions within the meaning of

Directive 89 / 48 / EEC ( 2 ) does the French Doctor of Laws
degree give access either by itself or in combination with
other diplomas ?

2, Which diplomas are required in order to take up those

professions in Member States other than France ?

(') Oj No C 185, 7 . 7 . 1993, p . 24 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1944 / 93 ( 2 ) OJ No L 19, 24 . 1 . 1989, p . 16 .

by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( NI )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 86 Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 )
Subject : Drought in Attica

The problem of drought affecting the inhabitants of the
Attica basin is assuming alarming proportions . There is a
direct link between this and the deteriorating changes in
climate which specially commissioned UN research shows
will accelerate rapidly over the next 20 to 30 years with
drastic effects on the ecosystem . In view of this, will the
Commission submit a proposal to the Council for the
promotion of renewable sources of energy in Attica and for
Community funding in the immediate future to support
plans for ' sustainable development ' in this area ?

1 . The French doctor of laws degree is essentially an
academic degree and is only in some cases one of the
elements liable to form part of the training of certain
university lecturers . It never seems to be a final degree in
itself giving access to a given profession . In any case,
determination of the regulated professions covered by
Directive 89 / 48 / EEC on a general system for the recognition
of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of
professional education and training of at least three years '
duration in the French system is a matter for national rules,
i.e . those of France .

2 . Without knowing precisely which regulated
professions are concerned in France, it is impossible to
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas identify the corresponding professions in other Member

on behalf of the Commission States .

( 18 October 1993 )

The Commission is of the opinion that there is sufficient
scope for funding under existing Community funds and
programmes and it therefore does not plan to put any
specific additional proposals to the Council . WRITTEN QUESTION E-1974 / 93

by Mr José Apolinârio ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 88 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1948 / 93

by Mr Yves Verwaerde ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 87 )

Subject : General system for the recognition of
higher-education diplomas — French Doctor of
Laws degree

With reference to the answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi
on behalf of the Commission to question No 3032 / 92 ( ') on
the French Doctor of Laws degree :

Subject : Information plan for young people

Can the Commission tell me :

1 . whether an ' Information plan for young people ' exists,

what funds are to be allocated to it, and what
requirements need to be met by youth organizations
wishing to apply,

2 . how the Plan is being, or has been publicized amongst
youth organizations,

3 . the names of the organizations which submitted
applications within the established deadline ?

No C 32 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2240 / 93

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2001 / 93

by Mrs Concepció Ferrer ( PPE ) by Mr José Apolinario ( PSE )

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

by Mrs Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 July 1993 )

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 89 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 90 )

Subject ; Action plan for informing young people

The action plan for informing young people about the
European Community proposed four kinds of action for the
current year : support for trial programmes for young
people, investigation into the setting up of a European
databank, meetings of those who are to provide young
people with information and direct information campaigns
aimed at young people .

Can the Commission provide specific information on the
development of this programme, including completed
activities, the proposed timetable, the plan 's budget,
allocation of the budget, the terms for participation in the
programme, etc .?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-l 974 / 93

and E-2240 / 93

given by Mr Ruberti
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 October 1993 )

The Youth Information Action Plan was adopted by the
Commission on 2 September 1992 pursuant to an initiative
taken by the Council in February 1992 . It has a budget of
ECU 500 000 for 1 993 . As 1 993 is its first year of operation
the Plan is necessarily experimental in nature .

The four types of activities to which the Honourable
Members refer have been implemented gradually by the
Commission, which has maintained close contact with the
agencies responsible for youth policy in the Member States
and with the international organizations representing the
youth movements, particularly the European Youth
Forum .

The Commission will assess the impact of these activities
and produce a full report on the progress of the programme
at the end of the first year .

The Action Plan is only one aspect of the Community 's
measures aimed at young Europeans . Others include the
' Youth for Europe ' programme and the information
projects implemented under the budget heading created by
Parliament ' Priority measures in the youth field '. A list of the
projects supported under this budget heading will be
included in the annual report for 1993 .

Subject ; Production aid in the olive oil sector

Portuguese olive oil producers ( producing over 500 kg ) have
regularly drawn attention to excessive delays in production
aid payments . Can the Commission tell me the payment
deadlines for each of the Community Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 September 1993 )

By reason of the stabilizing mechanism in the olive oil sector,
production aid for olive growers producing on average at
least 500 kg of oil is paid as follows :

( a ) an advance, in general corresponding to more than
80% of the total aid amount, paid after estimated
production is fixed ( for the 1992 / 93 marketing year,
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1090 / 93 of 4 May 1993 ). The
deadlines for payment of the advance vary, however,
depending on the procedure followed : the rapid
procedure provided for in Article 12 ( 2 ) of Regulation

( EEC ) No 2261 / 84 ( 1 ) or the normal procedure
provided for in paragraph 3 of that Article .

( b ) the balance, paid within 90 days of the fixing of

definitive production ( for the 1991 / 92 marketing year,
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1205 / 93 of 17 May 1993 ).

(') OJ No L 208, 3 . 8 . 1984, p . 3 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2014 / 93

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

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 91 )

Subject : Environmental protection

What organizations were consulted by the Commission in
its preparation of the proposals released on 2 June 1993 to
improve the requirements for environmental protection in
the drafting and implementation of Community policies ?

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 47

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Sir Leon Bnttan

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 October 1993 ) ( 21 October 1993 )

On 2 June 1993 the Commission adopted a set of internal
mechanisms and measures to ensure that it is better able to
integrate environmental considerations at the early stages of
definition of Commission policy and action in all policy

areas .

Since the measures are of an internal nature no external

organizations were consulted by the Commission .

However, in preparing these measures the Commission took
into account the specific references to the need for
integration in the resolutions adopted at the end of 1992
by the Parliament and by the Council of Ministers on
the fifth EC environment action programme ' Towards
sustainability ', and experiences in Member States in this
field .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2055 / 93

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

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 92

Subject : Use of funds for the Tacis programme in
Kyrgyzstan

The Tacis programme for Kyrgyzstan receives an annual
non-repayable subsidy from the Community of ECU 9,23
million, most of which will be disbursed in 1993 . 71 % of
this sum ( ECU 6,55 million ) is earmarked for providing 31
experts a year to work in the country, which amounts to
expenditure of ECU 211 000 per expert per year . This is
equivalent to approximately Ptas 3 165 000, Bfrs / Lfrs

8 440 000 and FF 1 400 000 per expert per year — sums
which compare very favourably with the fees paid within the
Community .

Can the Commission provide details on the following
points : have these 31 experts a year been taken on, wholly or
partly, on a contract basis ? What are their names and
qualifications ? Which tasks do each of them carry out ? How
have they been selected — at random or through
competitions ? Have they been taken on through the
intermediary of any particular companies and, if so, subject
to what conditions ? What were the reasons for choosing
such companies ?

Can the Commission also state whether, for example,
Kyrgyzstan citizens could be involved in the work carried
out by these experts so that they can carry out these tasks
themselves in the future ?

The latest forecast of the man / month requirements for the
implementation of the Tacis programme in Kyrgyzstan is
contained in the Tacis 1992 action programme for the
Republic of Kyrgyzstan . The programme for Kyrgyzstan
focuses on four priority areas . The breakdown in terms of
man / month for the four scctors is as follows :

— civil service reform and social protection : 158

— energy : 64

— support of enterprises : 36

— food production and distribution : 111 .

The man / month costs in the action programme 1992 for
Kyrgyzstan are calculated at the rate of ECU 15 000 .

The planning figure of ECU 1 5 000 per month is an
estimate . Therefore the planned figure does not necessarily
correspond to the actual costs per expert . The planned
figure of the man / month costs include a wide range of
overhead costs necessary to support the experts in their
specific tasks . The overhead costs include transport costs,
food and accommodation .

The actual man / month costs vary considerably . Depending
on the specialization required by the final beneficiary the
expert costs can be higher or lower than the estimate . The
' market price ' of experts in the area of agriculture is lower
than energy experts . The actual costs should never exceed
the planned figure . In cases where the actual costs are below
the planning estimate, the remaining sum will always be
allocated to other priority areas .

In this context it may be emphasized that the Tacis
programme is dealing with hardship countries . Inevitably,
this element has repercussions on the level of expert fees .

The experts implementing the Tacis programme are chosen
in a restricted tendering procedure . Companies originating
from one of the Community Member States or from the
recipient countries can participate in the tender . Local
consultancy groups can apply directly or jointly with
companies from the Member States . In a number of cases
Western consultancy companies have included local experts
as subcontractors in their project proposals .

The Coordinating Units co-planning and administering the
Tacis programme in the NIS, consist of local staff . In a first
stage they are supported by a team of Western experts . The
long term objective is to have the Coordinating Units
work autonomously as the counterparts of the Tacis
headquarters .

No G 32 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2081 / 93

QUESTION E-2081 / 93 Community 's cooperation policy by some Commission

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) officials who are overlooking the fact that Portuguese is the

official language of five ACP States ( Cape Verde,

of the European Communities Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola and

23 July 1993 ) Mozambique ) — a fact which should suffice to refute the

( 94 / C 32 / 93 ) provocative claim referred to above ?

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

( 23 July 1993 )

Subject : The Leader programme for Macedonia

Can the Commission confirm my information that the BCC
company owned by Mr D. Tsitouridis is responsible for the
Leader programme for Macedonia ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

The Commission would have liked the Honourable
Member to provide it with the information necessary to
allow it to evaluate the contents and import of his
question :

— with which Leader groups did the company in question

deal ?

— in what capacity ( external managing consultant,
other )?

— are there complaints against this company and if so,

why ?

In general, however, the Commission respecting the
principle of subsidiarity and the autonomy of the Leader
groups, does not become involved in their management
methods and the resultant decisions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2094 / 93

by Mr José Mendes Bota ( LDR )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 94 )

Subject : Since when have Portuguese-speaking countries

counted as ' French-speaking ' countries ?

I was stunned to see in the March / April 1993 edition of the
ACP - EEC Courier, which is funded by the Commission,
that countries such as Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau are
included on a list of ' French-speaking ' countries, according
to an article on the results of the EEC - West Africa Industrial

Forum ( FORD AK / 92 ) held last December in Dakar, an
event in the organization of which the CID ( Centre for
Industrial Development ) — also funded by the Commission
— played a substantial part .

Can the Commission say who is responsible for this lapse ?
Is it the ACP-EEC Courier or the CID, or is it the result
of a philosophy surreptitiously introduced into the

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 October 1993 )

The article in question was published in Partenariat, the

CID 's information bulletin, which is clearly identified as
being a CID publication in a box on the last page of every
issue . The Courier merely reproduces this publication to
give it a broader audience ; it is in no way responsible for the
content of the articles .

Any queries concerning the editorial content of Partenariat
should be addressed to the Centre for Industrial

Development ( CID ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-21 12 / 93

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

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 95 )

Subject : Damage to the environment in the area of

Kastellokambos in Achaia

According to the Eleftheros newspaper of 4 May 1993, the
problem of pollution of the sea around Kastellokambos in
Achaia by sewage from the Achaia Beach hotel complex has
assumed serious proportions . As they see the summer
approaching the alarmed inhabitants of the area are calling
for a halt to this unacceptable situation which is lowering
their quality of life, and threatening the environment and
public health . Will the Commission approach the Greek
authorities on this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1993 )

The conditions under which urban waste water must be

collected and treated in accordance with Council Directive

91 / 271 / EEC depend both on the characteristics of the waste
water and the sensitivity of the receiving waters .

Compliance with these conditions will not become
compulsory until 31 December 1998 at the earliest in the

2 . 2, 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 49

case of discharges from agglomerations of over 10 000 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2143 / 93
population equivalent into areas identified as sensitive . by Mr Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Until that time, the Commission is unable to raise the matter
referred to by the Honourable Member with the Greek
authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 126 / 93

by Mr Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 96

Subject : Safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuels

When did the Commission obtain a copy of the Working
Paper number 30 by the International Atomic Energy
Agency for the Second Technical Committee Meeting of the
Joint IAEA / IMO ( UNEP ) Working Group on Safe Carriage

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 26 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 97 )

Subject : Correct implementation by Greece of Directive

76 / 160 / EEC

Greece is failing adequately to implement Directive
76 / 160 / EEC C ) laying down limit values in respect of the
water at beach resorts . Analyses are only being carried out at
approximately one-fifth of the 16 000 kms of Greek
beaches, and three-fifths of these beaches have been given
the green light for swimming . Moreover, owing to staff
shortages and inadequate infrastructures, analyses are not
being carried out on a systematic basis and only two of the
five microbiological parameters laid down in the Directive
are used . Finally, no analyses are being carried out in respect
of the third group of parameters in Greece . In view of these
shortcomings, what action does the Commission intend to
take to persuade Greece fully to comply with Directive
76 / 160 / EEC ?

of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel ( INF ) by sea, held in Vienna on
26 — 30 April 1993 ; and what input if any has the
Commission had into the formulation of the new code ? ( 1 ) OJ No L 31, 5 . 2 . 1976, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

The Commission participated in the Second Technical
Committee Meeting of the Joint International Atomic
Energy Agency ( IAEA) / International Maritime
Organization ( IMO ) ( UNEP ) ( J ) Working Group on the
Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel ( INF ) by sea .

The Commission supported the objective that the code

should cover besides INF also the appropriate formulation
for the safe carriage of plutonium and high level waste . The
outcome of the meeting IAEA / IMO ( 26—30 April 1993 )
is to be submitted to the International Maritime

Organization .

The corresponding draft code has since then been approved
by the Maritime Safety Commission ( MSC ) and the
Maritime Environmental Protection Commission ( MEPC )
Committees of the IMO and will be presented to the IMO
Assembly in October of this year for official adoption .

(M UNEP : United Nations Environment Programme .

(8 October 1993 )

Article 1 of Directive 76 / 160 / EEC limits the scope of the
Directive to areas in which bathing is generally practised by
a large number of bathers . The Commission questioned the
Greek authorities about their failure to identify a sufficient
number of bathing areas . Following this enquiry the Greek
authorities increased the number of monitored areas from

554 in 1989 of 1 207 in 1992 .

The analyses carried out by the Greek authorities covered all
the microbiological and physico-chemical parameters

( Nos 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 ) with a mandatory value and two
parameters ( Nos 3 and 12 ) with a guide value . In this respect
the Greek authorities are complying with the obligations of
the Directive .

No C 32 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 167 / 93 WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 195 / 93

by Mrs Christine Oddy ( PSE ) by Mr Victor Manuel Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities to the Commission of the European Communities

( 28 July 1993 ) ( 29 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 98 ) ( 94 / C 32 / 99 )

Subject : Provision of economic aid to Palestine by the Arab

Subject : Tobacco subsidies

Will the Commission ensure that the planned reduction in
subsidies for tobacco production from £l billion to £270
million will be achieved ?

Does the Commission not agree that as smoking tobacco is
dangerous for people 's health, that further efforts should be
made to ensure that the subsidy is further reduced ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

1 . With the recent reform of the tobacco regime, the
Commission has ensured that, for 1993 and 1994,
Community tobacco production will be limited within the
quota ( fixed at 370 000 tonnes for 1993 and at 350 000
tonnes for 1994 ). Given that premium levels will be
unchanged, and in the absence of subsidies for public
intervention and export refunds, the annual expenditure for
the sector should be kept within the defined limits .

2 . The Commission is aware of the detrimental effects of
tobacco smoking on health and has, through its programme
' Europe against cancer ', undertaken a series of actions
aimed at reducing tobacco consumption, notably through
health information and education, but also through specific
preventive measures .

The Commission recognizes that reduction or
discontinuation of aid to Community tobacco producers
would make tobacco cropping unprofitable . However,
supply of tobacco to meet existing demand will remain
unaffected owing to tobacco imports from third countries .
The latter already cover about 70 % of the total Community
consumption .

Finally, it should not be forgotten that Community
production is mainly concentrated in less-favoured areas in
which economically viable alternatives for small farmers
often do not exist .

countries

What action is the Commission taking to convince the Arab
countries in the Middle East of the need to provide economic
aid to the territories under Israeli occupation, to supplement
the aid already supplied by the Community, which has to
date been the largest donor ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 October 1993 )

The Commission takes advantage of any meeting with
donors from Arab countries to discuss matters related to

assistance to the Palestinians living in and outside the
Occupied Territories . On these occasions the Commission
informs representatives from Arab countries about the
efforts the Community undertakes and reminds them of the
need to assist the Palestinians .

Furthermore the Commission participated in a demarche of
the Community Troika in the Gulf countries to Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuweit, Oman and the
General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

( 20 — 21 September 1993 ).

The Troika invited the Gulf countries to support the
Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, politically, as well as
economically, as it represents an important step towards
peace and stability in the region as a whole . The Gulf war
should be left behind .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2210 / 93

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

( 29 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 100 )

Subject : Unrestricted availability of potentially harmful

medicinal plants

In Belgium certain plant-based products described as being
beneficial to health are on sale both generally and, in some
cases, in pharmacies .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 51

These products arc not classified as medicines, and are thus
not subject to any legal requirements concerning
specification of their potentially harmful effects in certain
circumstances ( e.g. pregnancy ).

Such products are not necessarily harmless ; some consist of
a mixture of medicinal plant extracts which may endanger
the consumer 's health . The medicinal plants themselves are
also on unrestricted sale, especially at health food shops .
Serious incidents have occurred following the use of Chinese
plants which may cause damage to the kidney and liver .

Does the Commission not consider that there is a need to

regulate the market in such plant-based products on a
Community-wide basis, so that they would have to bear .a
detailed description of their composition and recommended
uses and, in the case of potentially harmful plants or plant
extracts, would only be available from pharmacies on
prescription ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1993 )

Under Community law, herbal products sold as having
preventative or curative effects with regard to disease are to
be regarded as medicinal products . They therefore require a
marketing authorization to verify their quality, safety and
effectiveness if they are industrially manufactured .

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's analysis
that some medicinal plants may be toxic and subject
to medical prescription in accordance with Directive
92 / 26 / EEC of 21 March 1992 ( ').

(') OJ No L 113, 30 . 4 . 1992 .

to set up a forum with the task of investigating the extent of
attacks on disabled persons, drawing up an annual report
and investigating the possibility of introducing
anti-discrimination laws ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 11 November 1993 )

The Commission will consider what measures should be

taken in response to the increasing violence against disabled
people as part of discussions within the European Forum for
Disabled People . The question has already been raised at the
meetings of the three advisory bodies within the Helios II
programme on 20, 21 and 22 September 1993 .

Conscious of the role that enhanced public awareness can
play in combating indifference, hostility and violence
towards the disabled, the Commission has provided impetus
and support for the first ' European Disabled People 's Day '
to be held on 3 December 1993 . This event in Brussels will

bring together 518 disabled people from all 12 Member
States to debate matters in connection with respect for
human rights from the point of view of the disabled, and will
be attended by top-level representatives from the
Community institutions .

The Commission also provided support for the organization
of Eurable, the first European conference for the physically
disabled, held in Maastricht on 2 to 4 August 1993, which
brought together 450 participants from 41 countries, a large
majority of whom were disabled . During the conference, a
working party debated the topic ' combating discrimination :
human rights and the disabled '.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2282 / 93

by Mr Henri Saby ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2249 / 93 ( 94 / C 32 / 102 )

by Mrs Claudia Roth ( V )
to the Commission of the European Communities

( 30 July 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 101

Subject : Violence against handicapped persons

What steps has the Commission taken and will it take to
implement the recommendations contained in the
resolution adopted by Parliament on 22 April 1 993 on the
upsurge of violence against handicapped persons and, in
particular, paragraph 3 where the Commission is requested

Subject : Decentralized cooperation

The purpose of the decentralized cooperation provisions set
out in Articles 20, 21, 22 and 230 of the Lome IV
Convention is to give a whole range of bodies — both
decentralized public bodies ( at regional, local, district and
other levels ) and private concerns ( groups of companies,
chambers of commerce, producers, cooperatives, NGOs,
media operators, etc .) — a central role in projects and

programmes .

Can the Commission make an initial appraisal of the
operations financed from EDF funds and from the

No C 32 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

appropriations for regional cooperation with
Mediterranean countries ? Can it say which strategies have

been adopted and what steps have been taken to ensure that
they are implemented in a manner consistent with the
priorities set for developing countries ?

Furthermore, would it not be appropriate to consider
extending this type of initiative to other regions of the world
( Latin America, Asia, etc .) and to the countries of Central
and Eastern Europe ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 November 1993 )

The Commission will be reporting to the Council and
Parliament on the initial stages of the implementation of
decentralized cooperation in time for the Council meeting of
2 December . In view of the magnitude of the subject, this
answer outlines only the main facts and guidelines .

With regard to the fourth Lome Convention, the
programming in 1990 — 91 of the resources of the first
financial Protocol specifically provided support for
decentralized programmes in a few countries, most notably
Cote d'lvoire, where such a programme is now under way .
On a more general basis, however, efforts were made during
the indicative programming stage to encourage this type of
cooperation by creating explicit or implicit opportunities
according to the nature of the programme . Furthermore,
some programmes of microprojects have grown in
complexitiy and consistency and can now be said to
constitute decentralized cooperation .

This opening stage must be viewed as one of preparation,
exploration of possibilities, making central government and
potential agents of decentralized cooperation aware of this
type of cooperation, and pilot projects . Manuals have been
distributed for this purpose . We are now regularly
encountering real and growing interest in this approach, not
only from decentralized cooperation bodies in the ACP
States and the Community but central government too .

A series of programmes have been launched in the course of
regional cooperation under the New Mediterranean Policy :
MED-URBS ( ECU 5 million ), MED-Campus ( ECU 6,5
million ), MED-INVEST ( ECU 9 million ) and MED-Media

( ECU 5 million ). In each case the aim is to mobilize
decentralized bodies in the southern or eastern

Mediterranean along with their counterparts in a number of
Member States .

Various forms of decentralized cooperation are now under
way with the Asian and Latin American ( ALA ) countries,

especially since the concept was introduced into the new
guidelines for cooperation with the ALA developing
countries .

Decentralized cooperation schemes under way in Latin
America include :

— Al-Invcst, an industrial cooperation programme for

which the Community has provided ECU 9,2 million
and which draws on the know-how of economic

operators ( chambers of commerce, industry federations,
investment-promotion organizations, etc .);

— cooperation between towns in the areas of municipal

administration or water management ;

— a forthcoming programme for cooperation between

universities .

Decentralized cooperation in central and eastern Europe is
wide-ranging . The Phare programme, in particular, includes
projects that involve the ordinary citizen in public affairs,
promote local government reform or the direct funding of
non-governmental organizations via the Phare democracy
programme and local development or women 's projects .
Other measures to link regions and cities in East and West
involve support from the ERDF-backed Recite programme
or open programmes, such as ECOS and LEDA, and
funding for twinning initiatives .

Budget Item B7-5077 ( Decentralized cooperation in the
developing countries ) is proving very useful in the
promotion of this type of cooperation . It funds public
information and education, the preparation of
wider-ranging programmes and pilot projects . In so far as its
very limited resources allow, it has already been used to
finance operations in Central and South America, Vietnam
and the ACP countries . Other operations are in the pipeline .
They concern a wide range of decentralized bodies : local
government, NGOs, associations of various kinds, trade
unions, women 's and youth movements .

That decentralized cooperation projects funded from the
Lome, Mediterranean or ALA resources coincide with the
developing countries ' own priorities is undoubtedly
attributable to the way in which financing decisions are
subject to cooperation guidelines agreed by the Commission
and the countries concerned . At a more basic level, we are
trying to promote grassroots development and democracy
by strengthening intermediate structures between the
central government and the citizen, with each level
complementing the others .

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 53

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2365 / 93

by Mr José Apolinario ( PSE )

to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 103 )

Subject : ' Poverty III ' programme

The Community has provided assistance to various projects
aimed at fighting social exclusion as part of a programme
entitled ' Poverty III ', The programme was established in

1989 for a five-year term, and its assessment is scheduled to
be finalized in 1994 .

Can the Commission provide detailed information on all the
projects which have received Community assistance since
the inception of the programme as well as an indication of
the Community 's contribution to each of the projects
concerned ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

since the beginning of the year . How does the Commission
intend to help President Mubarak and the Egyptian
Government to curb acts of terrorism by extremist
fundamentalists and prevent any adverse effects on tourism
in Egypt ?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 October 1993 )

The Commission has followed closely developments in
Egypt and deplores the terrorist attacks by extremist groups
which have caused loss of life and injury . The Commission
and partners in the EPC framework continue to monitor the
situation and would discuss any reaction in that
framework .

( 11 November 1993 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2461 / 93

As required by the Council Decision of 18 July 1989
establishing a Community programme for the economic and
social integration of the least privileged groups in society

( Poverty 3 ), the Commission will shortly be submitting an
interim report to the Parliament and Council on the
implementation and results of the programme .

Mid-term evaluations and details of activities under each of

the projects co-financed by the Community are being
sent directly to the Honourable Member and the
Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

The Community financial contribution to the projects is
around 50% of actual expenditure, rising to 55% in
exceptional cases . The average sum involved in ECU
250 000 per year for the model projects and ECU 50 000 for
innovative activities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2391 / 93

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

(1 September 1993 )

94 / C 32 / 104

Subject : Response to terrorist acts in Egypt

Seven dead and 20 wounded is the final toll of the bomb
attack which took place in a busy district of Cairo on

19 June . This attack is the eighth in the Egyptian capital

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

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 105 )

Subject : Disadvantaged groups selected this year in Greece

for vocational training measures

Which disadvantaged groups were selected this year in
Greece for vocational training measures under the
Community 's human resources programme, ' Horizon '?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1993 )

Disadvantaged groups eligible under the Community 's
Horizon initiative are those suffering from a physical or
mental handicap or specific problems preventing their
integration into the labour market . Persons affected by new
and exceptional socio-economic conditions with a massive
and lasting impact on the balance of employment are also
eligible .

Projects are selected by the national authorities following
Community guidelines and the specific national priorities
established by the Member State concerned .

No C 32 / 54 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2538 / 93 Community has opened up various avenues for action .
by Mr Gerardo Fernández-Albor ( PPE ) These include budgetary resources to promote democracy

and human rights .
to the Commission of the European Communities

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 106 )

Subject : Community participation in reestablishing
democracy in Somalia

It seems that the most crucial element in the reconstruction

of Somalia will be the success of the process culminating —
possibly in 1995 — in the first democratic elections to be
held in the country since 1967 .

The process should follow the course which was approved
in Addis Ababa last May, under the auspices of the UN, and
will have to overcome some serious deficiencies such as the

country 's administrative subdivision ; in many of the 18
regions, where serveral tribes or subtribes coexist, there are
as many as seven administrative subdivisions .

In view of the Community 's determination to support the
establishment of democratic regimes in Third World
countries, does the Commission intend to set up a special
plan to help Somalia complete successfully the process
which should lead to free and democratic elections no later

than 1995 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2554 / 93

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

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 107 )

Subject : Construction of a waste incineration plant at Fyli,

Attica

Without carrying out any environmental, economic or
technical studies, the local authorities of Fyli in Attica have
published an invitation to tender for the construction of a
plant for incinerating houshold refuse, industrial waste and
waste rubber with a daily capacity of 4 000 tonnes . In view
of the fact that waste incineration, particularly using this
method, is a hazardous technology which cannot resolve the
problem of waste management, how does the Commission
intend to act on this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 October 1993 )
Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

The Community has specific legislation on the incineration
( 13 October 1993 ) of waste in the form of several Directives which have been

approved or are being adopted by the Council .

The Honourable Member alludes in his question to the
Unosom-led process for rebuilding the Somali
administration, under which 1 8 regions and 92 districts will
be created .

While true that such a large number of administrative units,
each of them further divided into clans and sub-clans, does
not make the job of welding the country together again any
easier, it should be pointend out that the Addis Ababa
Agreement of 28 March 1993 also makes provision for a
Transitional National Council ( TNC ). Although unelected,
the TNC does have three representatives ( including one
woman ) from each region and delegates from 15 of the
country 's political factions .

In a declaration at the end of the Council ( general affairs )
meeting on 8 June, the Community and its Member States
reiterated their full backing for the UN in its attempt to
maintain peace and stability in Somalia .

Without trying to predict what measures will be taken after
the two-year transitional period, it should be noted that the

If the incineration plant planned in the municipality of Filis
is for household waste only, it will be subject to the
provisions of Council Directive 89 / 369 / EEC on the
prevention of atmospheric pollution from new municipal
waste incineration plants (') and the emission limit values
laid down therein .

If the incineration plant is also to be used for industrial
waste recognized as dangerous within the meaning of
Article 1 of Council Directive 91 / 689 / EEC on dangerous
waste ( 2 ), it will be subject to the provisions of the proposal
for a Council Directive on the incineration of dangerous
waste ( 3 ), adoption of which by the Council is planned for
the end of the year . If the operating permit for the plant is
granted by the competent Greek authorities prior to the
notification of the new Directive to the Member States, the
incineration plant will be regarded as an existing plant and
will have to comply with the requirements of the Directive
within three and a half years of notification .

Furthermore, in accordance with Council Directive
85 / 337 / EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment ( 4 ), planned

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 55

installations for the incineration, chemical treatment or
landfill of toxic, dangerous waste must undergo assessment
before a permit is granted by the competent authorities .

Community legislation does not, however, call for any
technico-economic assessment or study .

Community policy on waste management ( Council
resolution of 7 May 1 990 on waste policy ( 5 )) gives priority
to the prevention and reduction at source of waste
production, followed by recycling and re-use . Incineration
or landfill are therefore considered to be the last resort, but
existing Community provisions or those being discussed
must be complied with .

( 1 ) OJ No L 163, 8 . 6 . 1989 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 377, 12 . 12 . 1991 .

( 3 ) COM(92 ) 9 final, 19 . 3 . 1992 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 175, 27 . 6 . 1985 .
( 5 ) OJ No C 122, 18 . 5 . 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2613 / 93

by Mr José Torres Couto ( PSE )

to the Council of the European Communities

preparation for the European Council meeting on
29 October 1993 .

The Presidency of the European Council drew the following
conclusions with regard to the social dimension :

' The Union Treaty offers new foundations for social
policy, subject to the provisions of the Protocol annexed
to the Treaty . We are aware of the importance of this
aspect of the Community 's activities, particularly in the
present circumstances, and we have decided to
implement — in all their forms — the possibilities
afforded by the Treaty for a more mutually supportive
Community .

The European Council confirmed the creation of an
Agency for Health and Safety at Work, to be responsible
for providing Community authorities with all the data
relating to the assessment of situations and the expertise
necessary for the improvement of working
conditions .'

(1 September 1993 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2634 / 93
( 94 / C 32 / 108

by Mr Gérard Fuchs ( PSE )
to the Commission of the European Communities
Subject : Social Europe
(1 September 1993 )

In view of the result of the Danish referendum, what ( 94 / C 32 / 109 )
measures does the European Council intend to take to
relaunch ' social Europe '?

Subject : Directive on VAT harmonization / second-hand
vehicles

Answer

( 22 December 1993 )

1 . Implementation of the social dimension of the internal
market remains one of the Council 's major concerns .

In this connection, it has been discussing in particular ways
and means of combating unemployment .

The Standing Committee on Employment — at its meeting
on 22 September 1993 — in which the Presidents-in-Office
of the Labour and Social Affairs Council and of the Ecofin

Council took part — and the Ministers for Labour and
Social Affairs at their informal meeting in Bruges on 22 and
23 September 1993, held a wide-ranging exchange of views
on the problem, referring in particular to adaptability of the
labour market, reduction of wage bills arid the role of
training .

The Labour and Social Affairs Council meeting on
12 October 1 993 continued the discussion on this tropic in

The Sixth Directive on VAT harmonization stipulated that
the Council should adopt before 31 December 1977

( Article 32 of Directive 77 / 388 / EEC of 17 May 1977 (*)) a
Community taxation system to be applied to second-hand
goods . Fifteen years later, despite endless discussions in the
Council, this Seventh Directive has not yet been adopted .

Moreover, contrary to its undertaking in Directive
92 / 77 / EEC ( 2 ), the Council did not adopt the said directive
by 31 December 1992 . The coexistence of conflicting
national systems and the application of the transitional
Community VAT system creates distortions of competition
and implementation problems as regards intra-Community
transactions relating to second-hand vehicles, thereby
adversely affecting many SMUs operating in this sector .

Yet the Community has an extremely high rate of sales of
second-hand vehicles, amounting to approximately 27
million units per year, and a turnover estimated at over ECU

100 billion . By way of comparison, 12 million new vehicles
are sold each year in the Community .

No C 32 / 56 Official Journal of the European Communities 2 . 2 . 94

1 . Is it acceptable that the adoption of the Seventh
Directive should be blocked on the sole grounds that one
Member State is opposed to even a relatively low tax on
certain works of art ?

2 . Has the Commission received complaints from some of

the professions concerned about the resulting
distortions of competition ? If so, has it initiated the
consultations provided for in Article 101 of the
Treaty ?

3 . Why has the Commission not initiated the procedure

provided for in Article 175 of the Treaty against the
Council ?

4 . What other actions does the Commission intend to take
to speed up the adoption of the Seventh VAT
Directive ?

(!) OJ No L 145, 13 . 6 . 1977, p . 1 .
( 2 ) OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 1 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3047 / 93

by Mrs Marie-José Denys ( PSE )
to the Council of the European Communities

( 29 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 110

Subject : Free movement of persons

Will the Council state whether it is legal for a Belgian
national, who owns property and has been resident in
France for 10 years and is covered by a private social
insurance scheme in that country to have her application for
renewal of her residence permit rejected for the first time in

1993 .

This happened despite the fact that she presented the
authorities with a work contract, which she was asked to
produce for the first time in 1993 .

Are these measures not contrary to the principle of free
movement of persons within the Community ?

Answer given by Mrs Scrivener Answer

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 December 1993 )
( 21 October 1993 )

On 3 February 1989 the Commission presented a new
proposal for a Seventh Directive aimed at harmonizing the
system of value added tax applicable to works of art,
collectors ' items, antiques and used goods .

Substantial progress was made in the discussion on the
proposal in 1991 and 1992, although it could not be
adopted by 31 December 1992 in spite of the undertaking
given by the Council in Directive 92 / 77 / EEC of 19 October

1992 ( approximation of VAT rates ).

Nor was it possible to obtain unanimous agreement on the
proposal at the meeting of the Ecofin Council on 7 June

1993 .

Under Article 100a ( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty, fiscal provisions
may not be adopted by a qualified majority . It follows that,
in order to adopt the proposal for a Seventh Directive, the
Council must act unanimously and, for this, all the Member
States must agree on all the areas covered by the
proposal .

As mentioned by the Honourable Member, there are indeed
distortions of competition . While these already existed
before 1 January 1993, their impact has been further
accentuated with the establishment of the single market .

The Commission has received complaints relating to a
number of sectors covered by the proposal and is
investigating all the courses of action available under the
relevant provisions of the EEC Treaty .

The Council did not know of the facts reported by the
Honourable Member . However, it would point out that it
falls to the Commission to ensure that the provision of the
Treaty and the measures taken by the institutions pursuant
thereto are applied .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3056 / 93

by Mr Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to the Council of the European Communities

( 29 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 32 / 111 )

Subject : Measures taken by the Zurich multinational

insurance company

According to a report by the International Federation of
Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical
Employees ( FIET ), 15 avenue de Balexert, 1269 Chatelaine
— Geneva ( Switzerland ), appearing in its journal ( Issue
No 5, 1993 ) the Zurich insurance . company recently
launched what can only be described as a textbook example
of a social dumping offensive . In January 1993 it purchased
part of the British Municipal Mutual Insurance Co . ( MMI )
— one of the largest insurance companies in the United
Kingdom (2 300 staff in the spring of 1992 providing
services to local authorities and frequently to other
members ) — the Zurich cancelled the collective agreement
with the MSF Union concluded twenty years previously .

At the beginning of March 1993, almost 1 600 MMI posts
were transferred to the new employer, the Zurich

2 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32 / 57

Municipal, staff having to accept, without consultation, the What is the Commission 's opinion and what steps will it
immediate revocation of their pension entitlements, take ?
forfeiting their MMI cover for the considerably lower
benefits offered by the Zurich company . The director of the
new company subsequently stated that it was not the policy
of the Zurich company to sign written agreements with any Answer
recognized union and would take measures to end the ( 22 December 1993 )
current agreement, since collective agreements were not
binding and no period of notice was required . In my
opinion, this is a gross violation of ILO Conventions, It is for the Commission, which is responsible for ensuring
European directives ( particularly with regard to collective that the Treaties and provisions taken pursuant thereto are
bargaining in respect of redundancies, restructuring and applied, to assess whether and to what extent Community
company transfers ) and the spirit of the European Social law has been observed in the case raised by the Honourable
Charter . Member .

Answer

( 22 December 1993 )

It is for the Commission, which is responsible for ensuring
that the Treaties and provisions taken pursuant thereto are
applied, to assess whether and to what extent Community
law has been observed in the case raised by the Honourable
Member .