Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

#### C 152
# Official Journal

Volume 38

### of the European Communities

##### English edition Information and Notices

19 June 1995

Notice No Contents p ag e

I Information

European Parliament

' Written Questions with answer

95 / C 152 / 01 E-2277 / 94 by José Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : The Spanish National Hydrological Plan 1

95 / C 152 / 02 E-2378 / 94 by Doris Pack to the Commission
Subject : Veterinary specialist training 2

95 / C 152 / 03 E-2440 / 94 by Christine Oddy to the Commission
Subject : Discriminatory Italian taxes on cars 2

95 / C 152 / 04 E-2501 / 94 by Kenneth Stewart to the Commission
Subject : Merseyside Objective 1 3

95 / C 152 / 05 E-2513 / 94 by Miguel Arias Canete to the Commission
Subject : US retaliatory measures against the import of certain European food products, notably
tinned peeled tomatoes 3

95 / C 152 / 06 E-2516 / 94 by Marie-France Stirbois to the Commission
Subject : Sacem ( French performing rights society ) 4

95 / C 152 / 07 E-2532 / 94 by José Barros Moura to the Commission
Subject : Irrigation of the Cova da Beira 5

95 / C 152 / 08 E-2587 / 94 by Gerardo Fernândez-Albor to the Commission
Subject : ' Safety card ' to be carried by children in the EU Member States 5

95 / C 152 / 09 E-2590 / 94 by Francisco Lucas Pires to the Commission
Subject : Cocoa 5

95 / C 152 / 10 E-2593 / 94 by Werner Langen to the Commission
Subject : Export refunds on exports of EU table wine to eastern Europe 6

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2 ( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 152 / 11 E-2637 / 94 by Marianne Thyssen to the Commission
Subject : Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 3300 / 93 — marketing standards for eggs

95 / C 152 / 12 E-2639 / 94 by Reimer Böge, Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert, Christa Klaß, Ursula
Schleicher, Honor Funk, Lutz Goepel, Karsten Hoppenstedt, Werner Langen and Xaver
Mayer to the Commission
Subject : Control of animal diseases

95 / C 152 / 13 E-2647 / 94 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis to the Commission
Subject : Commitment and payment appropriations for Greece from the Structural Funds for

1994

95 / C 152 / 14 E-2649 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Free movements of students

95 / C 152 / 15 E-2657 / 94 by Maartje van Putten to the Commission
Subject : Environmental aspects of the Programme of Action of the UN International Conference
on Population and Development

95 / C 152 / 16 E-2679 / 94 by Klaus Rehder to the Commission
Subject : Vaccines against swine fever

95 / C 152 / 17 E-2684 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : US retaliatory measures in response to Directive 85 / 649 / EEC

95 / C 152 / 18 E-2718 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Uncontrolled acquisition of pesticides

95 / C 152 / 19 E-2724 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission

Subject : Health and diet

95 / C 152 / 20 E-2749 / 94 by Mary Banotti to the Commission

Subject : Human nutrition and health

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2724 / 94 and E-2749 / 94

95 / C 152 / 21 E-2730 / 94 by Joan Vallvé to the Commission
Subject : Destruction of banks of posidonia as a result of the extraction of sand from the sea-bed off
Majorca

95 / C 152 / 22 E-2734 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Common organization of the market in wine

95 / C 152 / 23 E-2740 / 94 by Marie-France Stirbois to the Commission
Subject : The cost of moving to a single currency

95 / C 152 / 24 E-2747 / 94 by Karl von Wogau to the Commission
Subject : Promotion of plant and floriculture product sales

95 / C 152 / 25 E-2750 / 94 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Community initiatives

95 / C 152 / 26 E-2751 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Community fishing-grounds in the international NAFO zone

95 / C 152 / 27 E-2761 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The Schengen agreements and frontier controls

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95 / C 152 / 28 E-2766 / 94 by Joaquin Sisô Cruellas to the Commission
Subject : Safeguard clause for garlic 18

95 / C 152 / 29 E-2797 / 94 by Edward Kellett-Bowman to the Commission
Subject : Unfair ship-repair subsidies 18

95 / C 152 / 30 E-2802 / 94 by Joan Vallvé to the Commission
Subject : Transfer of surplus apricots to food-processing enterprises in Majorca 19

95 / C 152 / 31 E-2810 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Pollution of surface water and groundwater 19

95 / C 152 / 32 E-2815 / 94 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Aid for investment in forestry in Andalusia 20

95 / C 152 / 33 E-2817 / 94 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Delays in the payment of inter-regional cooperation projects — Article 10 of the
ERDF 21

95 / C 152 / 34 E-2820 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Fur farms 21

95 / C 152 / 35 E-2831 / 94 by Salvador Garriga Polledo to the Commission
Subject : EMS currencies 22

95 / C 152 / 36 E-2867 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : EU aid to the fibre sector

95 / C 152 / 37 P-2875 / 94 by Kirsten Jensen to the Commission
Subject : Fish-farming

95 / C 152 / 38 E-2890 / 94 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subject : Studies on a strategy for sustainable development for the areas adjacent to the Donana
Park 23

95 / C 152 / 39 P-2892 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : Imports of foodstuffs derived from cows treated with rBST 23

95 / C 152 / 40 E-2900 / 94 by Carmen Fraga Estévez to the Commission
Subject : Commission report on the arrangements applicable to tuna for the canning industry 24

95 / C 152 / 41 E-2902 / 94 by Anne André-Léonard to the Commission
Subject : Extension of the derogation from Article 85 of the Treaty of Rome granted to UIP by the
Commission in 1989 25

95 / C 152 / 42 E-2904 / 94 by Jessica Larive to the Commission
Subject : Illegal art tråde 25

95 / C 152 / 43 P-l / 95 by Marie-France Stirbois to the Commission
Subject : The legal effect on financial obligations of the transition to the ECU 26

95 / C 152 / 44 E - 5 / 95 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz to the Commission
Subject : Global TransPark in Parchim 26

95 / C 152 / 45 E-10 / 95 by Terence Wynn to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco 27

95 / C 152 / 46 E-ll / 95 by Terence Wynn to the Commission
Subject : Tobacco 27

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( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 152 / 47 E-14 / 95 by Miguel Arias Cañete and Fernando Fernandez Martin to the
Commission

Subject : EU agreement with Morocco on tomato imports

95 / C 152 / 48 E-31 / 95 by Caroline Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Community Fund for tobacco research and information

95 / C 152 / 49 P-33 / 95 by Eolo Parodi to the Commission
Subject : Creation of a specific financial instrument for SMUs in the commercial and services

sectors

95 / C 152 / 50 E-37 / 95 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Continued use of illegal hormones in meat

95 / C 152 / 51 E-39 / 95 by Mark Killilea to the Commission
Subject : Cross-border taxation of workers

95 / C 152 / 52 P-48 / 95 by Nikitas Kaklamanis to the Commission
Subject : Uncontrolled use of nuclear materials

95 / C 152 / 53 E-57 / 95 by José Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : The Konver Community initiative — Beja military base

95 / C 152 / 54 E - 59 / 95 by José Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : The Konver Community initiative in Terceira ( the Azores )

Joint answer to Written Questions E-57 / 95 and E                 - 59 / 95

95 / C 152 / 55 E-62 / 95 by Ursula Schleicher to the Commission
Subject : IT study on chickens

95 / C 152 / 56 E-87 / 95 by Cristiana Muscardini to the Commission
Subject : Intervention selling of 4 000 tonnes of extra virgin olive oil and 10 000 tonnes of virgin
olive oil . .

95 / C 152 / 57 E-93 / 95 by Jean Gol to the Commission
Subject : Harmonization of VAT rates — distortion of competition arising from differences in VAT
rates between Member States

95 / C 152 / 58 E-l 00 / 95 by Manuel Porto to the Commission
Subject : Cost of newsprint

95 / C 152 / 59 E-103 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Consumer information in France

95 / C 152 / 60 E-104 / 95 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Lamb exported from Britain sold in France as French lamb

Joint answer to Written Questions E-103 / 95 and E-104 / 95

95 / C 152 / 61 E-117 / 95 by Elena Marinucci to the Commission
Subject : Possible disadvantages caused to consumers and producers of Italian colour television sets
by a company producing cathode-ray tubes

95 / C 152 / 62 E-146 / 95 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission
Subject : Difficulties with interpretation of the concept of blood self-sufficiency

95 / C 152 / 63 E-152 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Delays at border crossing points in central and eastern Europe

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95 / C 152 / 64 E-264 / 95 by Giles Chichester to the Commission
Subject : Common fisheries policy 36

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E-270 / 95 by Joan Vallvé to the Commission
Subject : The impact of the GATT Uruguay Round agreements on the fruit and vegetables
sector 36

E-295 / 95 by José Apolinârio to the Commission
Subject : Application of the EAGGF-Guidance Section to the first and second CSFs in Portugal 37

E-324 / 95 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Labelling of chemical containers 37

P-329 / 95 by Brigitte Langenhagen to the Commission

Subject : Edible gelatine — loophole in EU law 38

P-330 / 95 by Luigi Colajanni to the Commission
Subject : Application of the milk quota with respect to Sicily 39

E-331 / 95 by Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of Thermie resources 39

E-366 / 95 by Imelda Read to the Commission
Subject : Policies to counteract dyslexia 40

E-3 82 / 95 by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert to the Commission
Subject : Tax demands by the Netherlands in respect of German cars in the German / Dutch border
area 40

E-3 85 / 95 by Fausto Bertinotti and Laura Gonzalez Alvarez to the Commission
Subject : Cuts in dioxin emissions : compliance with the fifth action programme on the environment
and sustainable development 41

P-417 / 95 by Heidi Hautala to the Commission
Subject : Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network 42

E-4 65 / 95 by Florus Wijsenbeek to the Commission
Subject : Proposals for combating fraud in the transport of goods 42

E-510 / 95 by José Valverde Lopez to the Commission

Subject : Human genome analysis 43

95 / C 152 / 77 E-5 12 / 95 by Stephen Hughes to the Commission
Subject : Cosmetics Directive 43

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E-535 / 95 by Luciano Vecchi to the Commission
Subject : NGO involvement in programmes for the Palestinian Territories 44

E-542 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Maximum power of motorcycles 45

E-554 / 95 by Amedeo Amadeo to the Commission
Subject : Computerized flight reservations 45

E-557 / 95 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Transportation of nuclear waste 46

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

95 / C 152 / 82 E-560 / 95 by Eolo Parodi to the Commission
Subject : Community measures to promote ' travel medicine '

95 / C 152 / 83 E - 599 / 95 by Gijs de Vries to the Commission
Subject : Protection of Nazi concentration camp sites

95 / C 152 / 84 E-654 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the Union

95 / C 152 / 85 E-655 / 95 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the Union

95 / C 152 / 86 E-743 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Encouraging European Union private investment in the Mediterranean countries

95 / C 152 / 87 E-750 / 95 by Luigi Moretti to the Commission
Subject : Packaging of foodstuffs

95 / C 152 / 88 P-754 / 95 by Maria Izquierdo Rojo to the Commission
Subject : Establishing a fleet flying the flag of the European Union

95 / C 152 / 89 P-755 / 95 by Eryl McNally to the Commission
Subject : Heavy transport — possible levies

95 / C 152 / 90 E - 8 04 / 95 by Carmen Díez de Rivera Icaza to the Commission
Subject : Council of Ministers for Tourism

95 / C 152 / 91 E-906 / 95 by Markus Ferber to the Commission
Subject : EU social and regional fund support for Bayerisch Schwaben

95 / C 152 / 92 E-936 / 95 by Allan Macartney to the Commission
Subject : Importation and illegal re-sale of cheap tobacco in Scotland

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19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2277 / 94

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

to the Commission

(9 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 01 )

Subject : The Spanish National Hydrological Plan

According to press reports, the Spanish Hydrological Plan
contains provides for the storage and piping from north to
south within Spain of water from the international
Spanish-Portuguese rivers Douro, Tagus and Guadiana . If
certain forecasts are fulfilled, the levels of the Douro and the
Guadiana will be severely reduced, by as much as 13 % of
the current level in the case of the first ( it has already fallen
by 21 % since the agreements of the 1960s ), and by 10 % in
the second case ( it has fallen by 56 % as a result of previous
agreements ).

50 % of Portuguese water resources rise in Spain . If the Plan
is implemented, it would clearly have very considerable
repercussions on certain areas of Portugal, particularly in
the case of the Douro .

Given that the local inhabitants and authorities in Portugal
and various regions of Spain are firmly opposed to the Plan ;
that the agreements in force concerning the frontier rivers
between the two countries are those signed by the Franco
and Salazar dictatorships, with no popular consultation or
democratic participation ; that the European Union
membership of both States provides a democratic,
egalitarian institutional framework within which to seek a
mutually advantageous solution to their differences in this
sphere ; and finally, that the scale of the plan is such that it is
feasible only with Community funding, can the Commission
answer the following questions :

1 . Is it aware of the Plan ?

2 . Has an environmental impact assessment been carried
out ?

3 . Have Community funds of any kind been requested or
granted for preparing and / or implementing the Plan ?

4 . How does the Commission intend to protect the
environment and the equal rights of the Member
States ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

1 . The Commission has not received any official
communication of the Spanish National Hydrological Plan .
To its knowledge, the plan has not yet been adopted .

2 . Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (') on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment only applies to specific projects, as defined in
Article 1, and not to plans on a national or regional
scale .

3 . If co-financing for a hydrological project were to be
requested, the Commission would ensure that the
investment in question complied with the provisions
governing the granting of Community funds and, in
particular, those concerning the protection of the
environment and public contracts .

4 . It is up to the Member States to ensure environmental
protection and to respect the rights of other Member States
which might be affected by actions or investments which
may be envisaged as part of related international
conventions or bilateral agreements, such as the convention
on the protection and use of international waterways or the
bilateral Spanish-Portuguese agreement .

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

No C 152 / 2 | EN 1 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-23 78 / 94

by Doris Pack ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 22 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 02 )

Subject : Veterinary specialist training

The Commission is to be congratulated on the support it has
given to the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Training in
developing a trans-national structure for training in
veterinary specializations . Such a development is of great
value and long overdue .

The structure now being put in place is voluntary . Can the
Commission explain how diplomas awarded under the new
structure will be recognized internationally, especially in
those countries of the European Union where some form of
national specialist training already exists ? How can
discrimination be prevented against holders of the new
diplomas, which will be of a high standard ?

qualification . Such evidence must be of assistance to the
examining competent authority when assessing the
equivalence of the applicant's European qualification . For
example, the competent authority of the United Kingdom
has welcomed the European structure as so far developed,
and has stated that if the structure is maintained according
to the ACVT recommendations, it would recognize
qualifications issued by the European colleges . In such an
event the holder of the European diploma will have the same
access to specialist activity in the United Kingdom as that of
the equivalent British specialist qualification holder .

As a host authority may assess for equivalence but is obliged
to treat in a non discriminatory manner migrant
professionals, no problem arises when higher level
qualifications are presented by migrants . The migration of
highly qualified specialists contributes towards raising
standards of the profession, while ensuring a high level of
professional services .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2440 / 94

by Christine Oddy ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission ( 30 November 1994 )

(7 February 1995 ) ( 95 / C 152 / 03 )

The Commission is encouraged by the initiatives taken by
the veterinary profession at European level to act on the
report and recommendations on the trans-national
organization of veterinary specialization adopted by the
advisory committee on veterinary training ( ACVT ) on
12 February 1992 . In particular the organization of the
structure of veterinary specialization at European level is in
accordance with the detail of the ACVT recommendation .

The guidelines being established by the European colleges of
specialization for post graduate training and experience,
and the certification of vets as specialists at European level,
would certainly be of a quality and value which a national
competent authority should in principle welcome .

The scheme for the freedom of movement of vets in the

Community is based on national qualifications which are
issued on the completion of training which fulfils common
criteria . Specialist qualifications not currently the subject of
the Community legislation do exist in various Member
States . Although a qualification issued by a European
college of veterinary specialization will not be a national
qualification, it will be a qualification issued by a body with
structure and organization set up in accordance with the
recommendations of the ACVT and will be evidence of a

high standard of training .

Both the general system for the recognition of higher
education diplomas and the case law of the Court of Justice
require host competent authorities to examine a migrant
Community national's request for recognition of his

Subject : Discriminatory Italian taxes on cars

Is the Commission aware of the imposition of unfair
corporation taxes on cars in Italy and the detrimental effect
on cars manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd . with engines
exceeding 2-litre capacity ?

Will the Commission take steps against this breach of
Article 30 ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1995 )

The Commission is aware of the fiscal regime applicable in
Italy to cars with an engine of more than two litres . It has
received a number of complaints concerning such a system
in which various car manufacturers have specifically drawn
the attention of the Commission to the so-called ' imposta
straordinaria ' introduced in Italy for 1994 and to the
legislation concerning corporation taxes which allows
companies to deduct the running costs of cars of more than
two litres only if they are exclusively used for business

purposes .

The Commission has evaluated such taxes in the light of the
relevant Community provisions, namely Articles 30 and 95

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 3

of the EC Treaty . In particular, as far as corporation tax is
concerned, although this measure applies independently of
the origin of a car, it might have a more important effect on
cars imported from other Member States, since the majority
of cars with an engine of more than two litres on the Italian
market are of Community origin . A letter has been sent to
the Italian authorities seeking clarification of the existing
system concerning the deductibility of cars of more than two
litres from business revenues . Moreover, a meeting was held
with the Italian authorities, at which the latter
communicated their intention to review the system of
taxation of cars .

The Commission will therefore closely monitor any future
development in this case, so that the principle of the free
movement of goods in the internal market can be
safeguarded .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2501 / 94

by Kenneth Stewart ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 04 )

Subject : Merseyside Objective 1

Because of the undemocratic procedures by the Quangos
determining the allocation of Community Objective 1
funds, will the Commission review the conditions for the

1995 allocations, determining a more democratic system,
giving more to say to the public at large in the consultations
on the disposal of such funds and a greater input for local
authorities with equal voting rights, i.e . fewer un-elected
government yes-men having an automatic built-in-majority,
in order to ensure government policies are enacted, which
can be to the detriment of the spirit and intention of
Community financing and the area concerned .

In a recent reply to my letter the Commissioner stated that it
was admissible to include a percentage of long-term
unemployed and youth unemployed in local labour
Objective 1 contracts to contractors, providing this is
equally applied . Will the Commission inform Member
States of this position, especially the United Kingdom
Government ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

of partnership through monitoring committees comprising
the Member State government, the Commission and local
partners . In 1993 the applicable regulations were amended
to extend partnership to the ' competent authorities and
bodies — including, within the framework of each Member
State's national rules and current practices, the economic
and social partners, designated by the Member State '.

Precise arrangements differ from one Member State to
another because of differing structures of regional and local
government . In Great Britain where there are two Objective

1 programmes — ' Merseyside ' and ' Highlands & Islands ' —
the local partners on the monitoring committee include local
authorities and representatives from non-elected bodies
such as training and enterprise councils ( England ) or local
enterprise councils ( Scotland ), the voluntary sector, public
utilities and the higher and further education sector . In
Merseyside local authorities are able to appoint their own
representatives . The Commission pressed for greater
representation of local authorities on the committees . As
regards the social partners, the United Kingdom
Government has refused a Commission request that they
should be represented on these committees . The monitoring
committees do not take decisions by majority vote but by

consensus .

The Commission has already determined financial
allocations to the Member States for Objective 1 regions for
the period 1994 — 1999 . The conditions for these
allocations are set out in the Community support
frameworks and single programming documents . These
documents reflect agreements between the Member States
and the Commission .

In relation to local labour clauses within contracts for

Objective 1 projects, the United Kingdom Government is
aware of the Commission's position but has been unwilling
in the past to implement such an approach . The
Commission will continue to press the matter .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 13 / 94

by Miguel Arias Cañete ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

(9 SIC 152 / 05 )

Subject : US retaliatory measures against the import of

certain European food products, notably tinned
peeled tomatoes

(8 February 1995 ) Since 1 January 1989 tinned peeled tomatoes produced in

the Community have been subject to an extraordinary US
import duty of 100% ad, valorem . This has resulted in a
The Community's development programmes co-financed by virtual cessation of such imports and consequently in the
the structural funds are managed according to the principle disappearance of thousands of hectares of this crop .

No C 152 / 4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

In view of the above, can the Commission say what steps it
has taken or is taking in order to have this retaliatory
measure lifted, particularly in view of the signing of the
Uruguay Round agreements ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

From 1 January 1989, in retaliation for the application of
Community legislation banning the use of hormones as
growth promoters in cattle, the United States imposed

100% ad valorem surcharges on imports of a range of
Community agricultural products, notably tomato
products .

The Commission is well aware of the implication for
European producers of the unilateral measures taken by the
US administration in respect of imports of peeled

tomatoes .

The Commission has raised this question on numerous
occasions with the US administration, regrettably without
obtaining a satisfactory response .

The Commission is of the view that the procedures followed
and actions taken by the US administration are neither
consistent with the GATT ( 1947 ) nor compatible with the
conclusions of the Uruguay Round .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-25 16 / 94

by Marie-France Stirbois ( NI )

to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 06 )

Subject : Sacem ( French performing rights society )

In France, Sacem requires all users of music to pay fees
calculated as a percentage of revenue . In Luxembourg, it
collects a fixed fee based on the number of seats in an

establishment and the price of drinks .

French fee-payers thus find themselves in an entirely
different and totally unfair position :

— their average fee is four to five times higher .

— because the fee is based on turnover, it unfairly taxes all

investments on promotion, publicity, the performance
and staff, and thus the work of the owner or

manager .

Is this unfair treatment not an infringement of Community
law ?

What action does the Commission intend to take to stop
these practices which are in breach of the Treaty of
Rome ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the information given on page 423 of its 1992 Report on
Competition Policy, in which it announced its decision to
dismiss a number of complaints lodged by French
discotheque proprietors concerning the level of the fees
charged by Sacem for the copyright which it manages in
France and to refer the matter back to the French courts and

administrative authorities, for the reason indicated in the
relevant press release .

This Commission decision has led to appeals now pending
before the Court of First Instance of the European
Communities ( Cases T - 1 14 / 92 Bemim v . Commission and
T-5 / 93 Roger Tremblay and others v . Commission ). The
hearings took place on 14 May 1994 . The Court is still
considering its judgment .

After the decision was adopted, the French press reported an
opinion dated 20 April 1993 by the French Competition
Council, to which the Commission had sent its report
comparing the fees charged in the other Member States with
those which Sacem charged in France, and which concluded
that Sacem was abusing its dominant position within the
meaning of Article 86 of the EC Treaty .

According to this report, the Competition Council
considered that the fees charged by Sacem, both before and
after they were reduced on 1 January 1 99 0, were a good deal
higher than those charged by the other performing rights
societies in the Community as defined in the Court
judgments of 13 July 1989, and that their higher level was
not justified by objective and relevant differences between
copyright management in France and in the other Member
States .

In general, the Commission has found that current
technological developments have sometimes complicated
individual management of copyright and have added a new
dimension to the question of collective management .

This is why, in accordance with its working programme

' Follow-up to the Green Paper ' (*), the Commission is
continuing to look into collective management with a view
to determining whether, and to what extent, completion of
the single market requires Community action to harmonize
the activities of collecting societies and the conditions
governing their exercise .

(!) CC)M(90 ) 584 final .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 5

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2532 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2587 / 94

by José Barros Moura ( PSE )

Barros Moura ( PSE ) by Gerardo Fernândez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 30 November 1994 )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 07 ) ( 95 / C 152 / 08

Subject : ' Safety card ' to be carried by children in the EU

Subject : Irrigation of the Cova da Beira

The Sabugal Dam ( Coa ) is considered vital for the
implementation of the Cova da Beira irrigation project . The
lack of irrigation poses a major obstacle to the development
of agriculture in the region and thus leads to economic
decline, population exodus and desertification .

The irrigation of the Cova da Beira is a cause which for
decades has enjoyed the support of the most cultured and
generous minds of the region and of those genuinely,
interested in progress .

However, those responsible in government for planning
have made numerous contradictory declarations on this
issue, announcing or denying the implementation of the
plan according to the electoral calendar .

It has now been announced that ESC 4 200 million are to be

provided through Interreg to finance the Coa dam .

Can the Commission confirm or deny this decision, which
would mean the entry of this Community contribution in
the 1 995 General State Budget ? Is the Commission aware of
any Portuguese Government studies and projects regarding
this issue ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )

At the beginning of November 1994, the Commission
received a proposal from the Portuguese and Spanish
authorities under the Interreg Community Initiative . The
proposal is currently the subject of negotiations between the
Commission and the national authorities .

As part of the Portuguese input to the ' Socio-economic
development ' sub-programme, the proposal provides for a
measure entitled ' facilities in support of productive
activities ', under which construction of the Sabugal dam is
planned .

Member States

An experiment is under way in France to give
school-children a ' safety card ' showing the child's
photograph and listing his / her home address, surname and
forenames, blood group and the home and office telephone
numbers of the child's father and mother, neighbours who
can always be contacted, the police and local emergency
services .

The aim is to overcome the problems which arise in
identifying a child who has suffered an accident or who is
lost and unable to find his / her way back home .

Those in charge of the experiment in France have appealed
to the private sector for sponsorship to cover the costs of
issuing the card, which is the same size and shape as a credit
card .

In view of the obvious benefits of an identity card of this
kind, does the Commission believe that the European Union
should sponsor such ' safety cards ' for all children in the
European Union which, as well as fulfilling the original
' safety ' purpose, would also be a means of making
school-children familiar wih the name, symbols and logos of
the European Union ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 January 1995 )

The Commission has taken note of the Honourable

Member's question concerning the action taken by national
authorities . No Community initiatives in this particular area
are planned .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2590 / 94

by Francisco Lucas Pires ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 09 )

Subject : Cocoa

The Commission is preparing a new draft Directive on
chocolate production which will give Member States the

No C 152 / 6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

responsibility of enacting legislation on the use of vegetable
fats other than cocoa butter in the product . What is the
justification for the lack of harmonization in this sector,
bearing in mind what was laid down at the Edinburgh
Council, and what benefits can the European consumer
derive from legislation that is less restrictive than the one
currently in force ?

The use of vegetable fats other than cocoa butter in
chocolate production, as provided for in the new draft
Directive being drawn up by the Commission, benefits the
productive sector by giving it access to raw materials costing
less than cocoa . Would the increased profits not be
detrimental to the European consumer, who will receive
products of lesser quality, and the Third World cocoa
producers, whose export will be seriously affected ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

The Commission has so far not completed its assessment of
the suitability of putting forward a proposal for the
amendment of the Directive on cocoa products and
chocolate . The questions raised by the Honourable Member
are still being examined .

In line with Commission practice any proposal adopted will
be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum justifying
the Commission's action .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593 / 94

by Werner Langen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(5 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 10 )

Subject : Export refunds on exports of EU table wine to

eastern Europe

The German wine industry has rightly expressed concern
that a fraud involving export refunds and import quotas is
causing considerable damage to European wine-growers .
According to the wine industry, EU table wines are exported
to eastern Europe, attracting the substantial sum of around
DM 0,30 per litre in export refunds, and then reimported as
part of the eastern European countries ' import wine

quotas .

1 . Is the Commission aware 6 f this practice ?

2 . What financial advantages could importers and
exporters derive from it ?

3 . What has so far been done to stop these illegal
practices ?

4 . Will the Commission abolish export refunds in
countries which have import quotas for wine ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

1 . The Commission has been aware of the practice
indicated by the Honourable Member, viz . re-importation
into the Community of all or part of certain table wine
consignments, made with the benefit of a refund, to certain
east European countries .

Some of this exported wind has also been blended with local
wine to improve certain organoleptic characteristics .

2 . The advantages of such practices, both to Community
exporters ( higher volumes exported with refund ) and
exporters in these third countries ( availability of an
improved product at a competitive price ) are easy to
imagine .

3 . In response to this situation and to protect
Community winegrowers the Commission adopted
Regulation ( EC ) No 3345 / 93 C ) and subsequently
Regulation ( EC ) No 1220 / 94 ( 2 ). These suspended refunds
on exports to certain east European countries, including
those benefiting from a preferential tariff .

Refunds were then reintroduced for all the countries in

question except those of the former Yugoslavia, provided
that if the wine is exported in containers of more than 2 litres
proof is given by the Community exporter that it has been
bottled in the country declared ( see Regulation ( EC )
No 1343 / 94 ( 3 ).

4 . The Commission will shortly be examining the market
and trade situation for wine with these countries in the light
of the measures already adopted . It will not hesitate to adopt
other provisions should the situation demand .

(>) OJ No L 300, 7 . 12 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 136, 31 . 5 . 1994 .

(■') OJ No L 146, 11 . 6 . 1994 .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 7

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2637 / 94

by Marianne Thyssen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 11 )

Subject : Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 3300 / 93 —
marketing standards for eggs

1 . Article 1(3 ), point 2, of Commission Regulation ( EC )
No 3300 / 93 Ç ) lays down that both large packs and small
packs — even when contained in large packs — must bear an
indication to advise consumers to keep eggs refrigerated
after purchase .

Why does this provision also apply to large packs, with
which the consumer has no contact ?

2 . Is there not a danger that the internal market ( free
movement of goods ) may be impeded by imposing extra
administrative burdens on exporters ?

C ) OJ No L 296, 30 . 11 . 1993, p . 52 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1 99 S )

The advice to the consumer to keep eggs refrigerated after
purchase has to be mentioned on large packs, since these
may be delivered to large consumers such as restaurants,
hospitals, or canteens .

The advice has to be given by all suppliers ( packing stations )
and not just by exporters . Since it is a necessary piece of
information in terms of maintaining quality, it cannot be
said to hamper the functioning of the internal market .

measures for the effective control of animal diseases now

need to meet new requirements .

1 . Following recent experience of measures to control
swine fever, does the Commission believe that the
policy of non-vaccination combined with slaughter of
stocks where outbreaks occur, for example in the case
of swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, remains
the most promising strategy for the Community ?

2 . How much did it cost the EU and the Member States to

control swine fever in 1993 and 1994 ?

3 . How many pigs had to be slaughtered in the vicinity of
infected stocks because of the policy of
non-vaccination ?

4 . How much actual economic damage does the
Commission estimate that farmers and the processing
industry suffered, after allowing for compensation ?

5 . In view of these economic figures, how would
cost-benefit analyses of the policies of vaccination and
non   - vaccination currently compare ?

6 . How likely is it that the Commission will permit
vaccinations, including area vaccinations, after the
introduction of ' marked vaccines '?

7 . Will the Commission permit ring vaccinations in a
large area around the site of any outbreak of
foot-and-mouth disease ?

8 . What measures should be taken to prevent animal
diseases from being imported, particularly from central
and eastern Europe ?

9 . How will the danger of infection of pig stocks by the
wild boar population be prevented throughout EU
territory in future ?

10 . Is European public opinion likely in future to accept
the destruction of healthy pig stocks in areas around
sites where an outbreak of disease has occurred ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639 / 94 on behalf of the Commission

by Reimer Böge, Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert, Christa ( 15 February 1995 )
Klaß, Ursula Schleicher, Honor Funk, Lutz Goepel, Karsten

Hoppenstedt, Werner Langen and Xaver Mayer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 12 )

Subject : Control of animal diseases

With the creation of the single market and the elimination of
barriers between the EU and central and eastern Europe,

1 . In 1989, the Commission presented a report to the
Council on the options for the policy on foot-and-mouth
disease . In this it was noted that the annual cost of

vaccination was over ECU 135 million per annum at 1986
prices . This does not take account of the loss of export
markets to countries which insist on a non-vaccination

policy before recognising foot-and-mouth disease freedom .
The cost of the two epizootics in Italy and Greece has not
been fully determined, but it is much less than the cost of
annual vaccination . Similarly, a study on classical swine

No C 152 / 8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

fever was carried out prior to the development of the
legislation governing the control of this disease . The study
showed a cost benefit advantage in favour of
non-vaccination . Vaccination is a high cost option and, as
such, should be regarded as a route to eventual freedom and
not as a final policy .

2 . In accordance with the provisions of Council Decision
90 / 424 / EEC ('), Member States can obtain financial
contribution from the Community for the eradication of a
number of infectious diseases including classical swine fever
and African swine fever . Eligible expenditures amounted to
ECU 10,7 million during 1993 for classical swine fever in
Belgium and Germany which experienced major epidemics .
During 1994, the amounts were ECU 21,4 million

( estimated ) for classical swine fever and ECU 2,5 million for
African swine fever . The laboratories, awareness
programmes and swine fever contingency plans have not
been calculated . The annual budget for the operation of the
Community reference laboratory for classical swine fever is
about ECU 120 000 . In relation to outbreaks of classical
swine fever, three Member States applied for exceptional
market supporting during 1994 . About ECU 130 million
were made available in response to these requests . The figure
does not include national expenditures for these

measures .

3 . The legislation concerning the control and eradication
of classical swine fever is laid down in Council Directive
80 / 217 / EEC ( 2 ). A Member State may apply the eradication
measures given for an infected holding to other holdings
where pigs may have become infected as a result of their
location and direct or indirect contact with the infected

holding . The epidemiological investigations carried out by a
Member State in relation to an outbreak will provide
information on the number of pigs in contact farms which
will have to undergo preventive slaughter . One Member
State which experienced seven outbreaks in 1993 and 48 in

1994, stated that at the 55 infected holdings a total of
91 702 pigs were slaughtered, and preventive slaughter was
carried out at 326 farms containing 231 590 pigs . The
Member State in question performed intensive
epidemiological investigations on holdings which were
subject to preventive slaughter . An analysis of data obtained
during 1994 showed that 42% of classical swine fever
outbreaks were at holdings that were depopulated
preventively .

results would be expected for other epizootic diseases such
as classical swine fever . However, the Commission is at
present considering a new study on classical swine fever in
order to evaluate the current situation .

6 . There is a legal possibility for emergency vaccination
to be carried out if disease threatens to become extensive .

However, this is an option to be used with caution .
Vaccination will inevitably lead to long periods during
which trade from the vaccinated area will not be possible . It
will also damage the status of the region and, potentially, of
the Community . Experience has shown with both
foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever that it is

possible to control and eradicate without vaccination . At
present, the Commission is developing a computer model
which will assist in evaluating the alternative policies and
their potential impact at the macro - and micro-economic
level in order to be able to make a sound decision when the

problem is presented in the future .

Marker vaccines will probably be more useful but all
vaccines have the potential to mask symptoms of clinical
disease and must, therefore, be used cautiously after a full
evaluation of their safety and efficacy . The availability of
marker vaccines for diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease

and classical swine fever will not change the principles of
disease control and marker vaccines can certainly not be a
substitute for veterinary controls and sound farm
management practice .

7 . In accordance with the provisions of Council Directive
85 / 51 1 / EEC ( 3 ) ring or strategic vaccination is an option
which the Commission could authorise if necessary .
However, eradication by slaughter and destruction will
normally be the preferred option .

, a 8 . The Commission already adopted a Decision ( ) in
91 702 pigs were slaughtered, and preventive slaughter was 1993 to reinforce the controls on imports from eastern and
carried out at 326 farms containing 231 590 pigs . The central Europe . This lays down detailed certification
Member State in question performed intensive requirements as well as pre-export isolation and testing for
epidemiological investigations on holdings which were foot-and-mouth disease antibodies . Further reinforcement
subject to preventive slaughter . An analysis of data obtained of frontier checks is envisaged . However, the best strategy is
during 1994 showed that 42% of classical swine fever to assist the countries concerned to improve their health
outbreaks were at holdings that were depopulated status and the quality of their veterinary infrastructure . This
preventively . is one of the objectives of a recently adopted programme of

assistance to these countries worth a total of ECU 6 million

over three years .
4 . The Commission has no exact information on actual

economic damage caused by outbreaks of animal diseases
partly apart from covered those by expenditures Community financial which can aid be in covered acordance or classical 9 . Infectious swine fever diseases and Aujeszky's such as African disease occur swine in certain fever,
with existing legislation ( see point 2 ). Figures which have areas of the Community in the wild boar population and in
circulated in the press have not been evaluated and cannot domestic pigs, either of which can act as a reservoir for the
be confirmed or refuted .

5 . There is little doubt that a new cost benefit on study
foot-and-mouth disease would reveal a significant benefit
from non-vaccination in view of the high cost of vaccination
and the infrequency of incursions of the disease . Similar

9 . Infectious diseases such as African swine fever,
classical swine fever and Aujeszky's disease occur in certain
areas of the Community in the wild boar population and in
domestic pigs, either of which can act as a reservoir for the
diseases . Measures to prevent the spread of disease from
wild boar to the domestic pig include separation, direct and
indirect, of the two populations . In the case of classical
swine fever, attempts have also been made to apply oral
vaccination of wild boar using the experience gained from
the programme for oral vaccination of the fox against
rabies . Council Directive 80 / 217 / EEC contains provisions

19 . 6 . 95 I EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 9

for the control of classical swine fever in wild boar . The

measures adopted could be applied to other pig diseases if

necessary .

10 . The Commission is aware of the public concern
about slaughter and destruction of farm animals of any
spe cies . It is a matter of regret, but there is no known cure for
diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine
fever and African swine fever . Palliative treatments may
alleviate certain signs, but they cannot prevent spread of
disease . The measures in Community legislation to control
and eradicate foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever are

based on the stamping-out policy . This states that on
confirmation of disease any infected animal in the herd and
animals affected or suspected of being affected are
slaughtered and destroyed under supervision of the national
veterinary administration . Within the framework of the
legislation ' stamping-out ' is linked with an epidemiological
investigation . Experience has shown that when rapid and
comprehensive investigations are carried out the need for
slaughter and destruction of animals can be limited . This can
be achieved when contingency plans are well rehearsed, an
effective disease awareness is present, animals are
appropriately identified, movement records are available
and there is a complete participation and dedication of all
engaged in the livestock industry to prevent spread and
control of animal diseases . This means also that farmers,
dealers, transporters, vets and others who have close contact
with farm animals must accept and display a strong
self-discipline in their work .

Having gone through a major epidemic of classical swine
fever in 1990, the Belgian veterinary services and industry
demonstrated, during 1993 ( when classical swine fever was
imported via pigs from Germany ) and 1994, the necessary
discipline and have shown that the policy can work when
applied effectively . Classical swine fever in Belgium can now
be considered to have been eradicated . The last outbreak

was recorded in November 1994 .

In spite of all the efforts deployed by the German federal
authorities, complex problems at local and industrial levels
have contributed to the prolongation and exacerbation of
the epidemic . Furthermore, the persistent discussion about
re-introducing vaccination has tended to distract attention
from the need to focus on effective action against the spread
of the disease . It now seems that these problems are being
progressively solved by increased skill and joint work in
fighting the disease and improved awareness and
commitment by the industry . This trend must be maintained
in order to reach a prompt solution to the eradication
problems which have been encountered .

(') OJ No L 224, 18 . 8 . 1990 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 47, 21 . 2 . 1980 .
(-') OJ No L 315, 26 . 11 . 1985

( 4 ) OJ No L 137, 8 . 6 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2647 / 94

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 13 )

Subject : Commitment and payment appropriations for

Greece from the Structural Funds for 1994

What are the levels of commitment and payment
appropriations for Greece from the Second Community
Support Framework, the Cohesion Fund and from
Community initiatives for 1994 ?

Answer by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )

Greece received the following amounts for 1994 under the
Second Community Support Framework ( CSF ), the
Cohesion Fund and the Community initiatives :

( in ECU million )

Commitments Payments

CSF

ERDF 1 33 8 716

ESF 316 158

EAGGF 266 i 1 ) 289 ( 2 )

FIFG ( Pesca ) 18 9

Cohesion Fund 332 157,7

Community initiatives

ERDF 0 121 ( 3 )

ESF 0 17,6 ( 3 )

EAGGF 0 9,5 ( 3 )

Pesca 4,5 2,3

(') Of which ECU 247 million under the CSF for 1994 — 1999 and ECU

19 million in appropriations made available again .

( 2 ) Of which ECU 203 million under the CSF for 1994 — 1999 and ECU

86 million under the CSF for 1989 — 1993 .

( 3 ) The payments made in 1994 concern the Community initiatives for the

period 1989—1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649 / 94

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(8 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 14 )

Subject : Free movements of students

Does the Commission agree that, in view of the completion
of the internal market on 1 January 1993 and the aim of

No C 152 / 10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

creating a people's Europe, it is necessary in particular to
encourage the free movement of young people who wish to
study in a Member State other than their own and to remove
any obstacles they might encounter ?

Does it also agree that application of Article 7 of the Treaty
of Rome implies that a host State must accord students from
other Member States of the European Union the same
treatment as it accords its own students ?

If so, will the Commission explain why a Dutch student
studying for a MBA at the IESE in Barcelona had to submit
proof of a Ptas 700 000 bank balance and a medical
certificate in order to obtain a ' tarjeta de estudiante ', which
is a type of residence permit ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

which applies inter alia to students, provides that the issue of
a first residence permit may be refused for persons suffering
from certain diseases, the exhaustive list of which is given in
an Annex to the Directive . In so far as the purpose of a
medical certificate is to establish that the person concerned
is not suffering from one of the diseases in question, the
requirement to submit one is not contrary to Community
law .

(!) OJ No L 317, 18 . 12 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 56, 4 . 4 . 1964 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2657 / 94

by Maartie van Putten ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 17 February 1995 ) ( 95 / C 152 / 15 )

The new Article 8a(l ) of the EC Treaty establishes the
principle that every citizen of the Union has the right to
move and reside freely within the territory of the Member
States while making it clear that this right applies subject to
the limitations and conditions laid down in the Treaty and
by the measures adopted to give it effect . This means that the
new Article 8a of the Treaty has not invalidated the
instruments of secondary legislation concerning the free
movement of persons, in the light of which the formalities
for obtaining a residence permit mentioned by the
Honourable Member must be assessed .

As regards the submission of proof of a Ptas 700 000 bank
balance, it should be noted that under Article 1 of Directive
93 / 96 / EEC of 29 October 1993 on the right of residence for
students ( j ) ' the Member States shall recognize the right of
residence for any student who is a national of a Member
State . . . and for the student's spouse and their dependent
children, where the student assures the relevant national
authority, by means of a declaration or by such alternative
means as the student may choose that are at least equivalent,
that he has sufficient resources to avoid becoming a burden
on the social assistance system of the host Member State
during their period of residence . . .'. It is a consequence of
this provision that for the right of residence to be recognized

( and consequently for the issue of the residence permit,
which is merely the physical expression of this right )
Member States may not require the persons concerned to
provide strict proof of their resources, e.g . in the form of a
bank balance for a specific amount . The Commission has
accordingly contacted Spain with a view to ensuring that
Directive 93 / 96 / EEC is correctly transposed .

As regards presentation of a medical certificate, Council
Directive 64 / 22 1 / EEC of 25 February 1964 on the
coordination of special measures concerning the movement
and residence of foreign nationals which are justified on
grounds of public policy, public security or public health ( 2 ),

Subject : Environmental aspects of the Programme of

Action of the UN International Conference on

Population and Development

Since the preparation for Unced, and in greater detail in the
run-up to the UN International Conference on Population
and Development ( ICPD, 5 — 13 September 1994, Cairo ),
the inter-relationships between population growth,
sustainable development, poverty and environmental
degradation were discussed . These inter-relationships are
spelled out in detail in Chapter 3 of the Programme of
Action of the ICPD . This Programme of Action was
endorsed by the majority of governments present, including
the European Union .

1 . Which specific initiatives have been undertaken by the
Commission to provide a more integrated policy in
relation to sustainable development since Unced, and
what has been achieved so far ?

2 . What specific measures is the Commission planning to

take as a follow-up to the endorsement of the
Programme of Action of the ICPD ? Can the
Commission indicate on what terms and with which

( financial ) resources ?

3 . Is the Commission now planning to integrate
population issues into the formulation, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of all its policies,
programmes and projects relating to sustainable
development ?

4 . Is the Commission willing, now that it has been
recognized that all abovenamed inter-relationships are
mutually reinforcing, to reduce unsustainable
consumption and production patterns in the EU ? If so,
which specific measures will be taken, what are the
specific goals and timetables, and how will this be
financed ?

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 11

5 . Can the Commission explain what action will be taken outlined in the action plan adopted by the ICPD ( Cairo,
to increase its aid for family planning and population September 1994 ), the Commission intends, at this juncture,
programmes to ECU 300 million by the year 2000, as to increase progressively such assistance from ECU 150
proposed in its communication of May 1994 (*) which million in 1995 to ECU 300 million in 2000 . Part of these
set out the proposed position of the EU at the ICPD ? funds will be financeable by the Community budgets .

Particular efforts will be made in favour of the
(M COM(94 ) 100 . Mediterranean by population-related, Asian problems and African . countries most affected

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2679 / 94

by Klaus Rehder ( PSE )

Unced's commitments concerning population issues

cover :

( i ) the study and dissemination of links between
demography and sustainable development,

( ii ) the development of national policies linking
environment, development and demography,

( iii ) the implementation of programmes at local level .

The Commission has been working in all these areas . Besides
the introduction of specific attention to health and
population issues in the Fourth Research Framework
Programme, the Commission has commissioned studies and
publications on the links between environment,
development and demography, including an evaluation of
existing and potential projects, throughout the world . The
Commission has also commissioned two studies on

sustainable consumption in the Community .

In addition, the Commission has just published the first
report on demographic trends in the Community . In the
third Unced action area, it should be noted that Article 155
of the Lomé IV Convention integrates population issues in
projects related to sustainable development and the
Commission has developed a programme for increased aid
to family planning projects in ACP countries . Furthermore,
guidelines for family planning and population policy are
being developed to be used in all aid projects in ACP
countries . Population issues are also specifically integrated
in aid to projects in Latin America and in Asia and in the
protocol for aid to Mediterranean countries . The
Community has committed around ECU 20 million per year
to population related projects in the period 1991 — 1993,
increased to ECU 40 million in 1994 . The Commission has

also given support to 24 consumer awareness raising
campaigns under budget line B5-104 ( environmentally
aware and sustainable consumption ).

As to the implementation of the Commission's formal
proposal to increase its aid for population programmes as

to the Commission

( 14 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 16 )

Subi eet : Vaccines against swine fever

1 . When can a successfully developed and tested vaccine
for swine fever be expected which differs recognisably from
the virus when analysed ?

2 . How will measures to combat swine fever change after
the successful testing of such a vaccine ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

1 . Some research towards the production of a marker
vaccine against classical swine fever ( CSF ) has been
completed and reported in the scientific literature .

The time required for completing field tests, developing an
accompanying diagnostic test for differentiation of vaccine
and field virus antibodies, and obtaining marketing
authorization for a marker vaccine cannot be estimated with

certainty, but would be at least two years .

2 . When considering the use of a marker vaccine or any
other vaccine against CSF, one should not forget that the
so-called carrier sow syndrome is of special importance in
relation to control and eradication . If pregnant sows are
exposed to strains of low or moderate virulence, the
infection may initially go un-noticed but the virus can be
transmitted to the foetuses in the uterus . Depending on the
stage of pregnancy and the virulence of the virus strain, the
sow may later abort or produce mummified piglets, weak

No C 152 / 12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

piglets or piglets which appear to be healthy . Large amounts
of virus may be disseminated at farrowing . The apparently
healthy piglets can be the most insidious of all from an
epidemiological point of view . These piglets may shed large
quantities of virus for months without showing signs of
disease or developing an immune response . Vaccination of
carrier sows will not prevent the birth of piglets carrying the
virus .

In addition, when applying vaccination, it should be kept in
mind that the immune response, being a biological process,
never confers absolute protection under field conditions nor
is it equal in all pigs in a vaccinated population . The immune
response tends to follow a distribution whereby the
response of most pigs will be average, in a few will be
excellent and in a small proportion will be poor . Those with
a poor response may not be protected by an effective
vaccine .

Nevertheless, from a purely disease protection point of view,
an efficient marker vaccine and a conventional vaccine

could be considered equal ; but by using a marker vaccine it is
possible to differentiate between antibodies produced
against a vaccine virus and those produced against a field
virus .

Until the field tests mentioned under 1 have been completed
and sufficient scientific evidence allows marketing
authorization for a marker vaccine, the Commission will not
consider proposals to change Council Directive
80 / 21 7 / EEC .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 17 )

Subject : US retaliatory measures in response to Directive

85 / 649 / EEC

The retaliatory measures adopted by the US government in
response to Community Directive 85 / 649 / EEC ( ! )
concerning exports of hormone-treated meat to the
Community, affected a series of Community agricultural
products . A ' Task Force ' was set up to study the problem,
considering individual products and quantities, and a team
of veterinarians was dispatched to visit and approve US
slaughterhouses . As a result, US meat began to be imported
again, leading to a reduction in the fall in trade between the
USA and the EEC . This Task Force was extremely active in

the first few months following its establishment and solved
some but not all of the problems .

Can the Commission say what the results of the Task Force's
activities have been since January 1989, particularly as
regards peeled tomatoes ?

(!) OJ No L 382, 31 . 12 . 1985, p . 228 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

On 1 January 1989 the United States imposed 100% ad
valorem duties on a range of Community products,
including prepared and preserved tomatoes, in retaliation
for the Community's import ban on beef products from
animals treated with growth hormones . The value of trade
in the products on this list was considered by the US to be
equivalent to the value of its beef export trade lost as a
consequence of the hormones ban .

A joint task force was established to develop ways, including
suitable certification, within 75 days whereby the United
States could supply beef and beef products consistent with
Community law and with US production methods .

Measures agreed by a joint EC / US task force including
listing of farms producing without hormones, land
identification and separation of animals and meat
throughout the production chain enabled US exports of
hormone free beef products to the Community to resume,
and the US made consequent small reductions in 1989 in the
list of products subject to the 100% duty .

In subsequent years US beef products have been imported
into the Community at a more substantial level, although
still less than half the level of trade prior to the imposition of
the hormones measures . Consequently the Commission has
on numerous occasions made representations to the US for a
reduction in the range of products on the list including, in
particular, imports of peeled tomatoes, consistent with the
current level of US exports to the Community, regrettably
without obtaining a satisfactory response .

The Commission retains the objective of securing a
satisfactory solution to this trade dispute which would
ensure the abolition of the 100 % ad valorem duty from all
products on the US list .

The Commission is of the view that the procedures followed
and actions taken by the US administration are not
consistent with GATT .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 13

WRITTEN QUESTION E.2718 / 94 it presented recently, the Commission is unable to say
by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL ) whether Greece is contemplating including measures to

to the Commission encourage control of supplies of plant-protection products
in the new programme .

( 16 December 1994 )

{9 SIC 152 / 18 )

Subject : Uncontrolled acquisition of pesticides
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2724 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

In Greece farmers can obtain pesticides freely without
having to consult an agronomist and without a to the
' prescription '. Consequently, Greek farmers use plant ( 16 December
protection products incorrectly and in doing so pollute the
environment . ( 95 / C 152 / 19 )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

Bearing in mind that : Subject : Health and diet

— if a ' prescription ' was required ( in other words, if
pesticides could be obtained only on a written
recommendation from the municipal agronomist ), there
would be less use of pesticides and less damage to the
environment ;

— in Greece in 1988 Community funds were used to create

eight Regional Plant Protection Centres, of which six
operate below full capacity because they do not have
their full complement of agronomists ;

— Greece has very recently submitted its programme for

the implementation of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 2078 / 92 (') on agricultural development adapted to
the requirements of environmental protection, which
provides for Community-funded measures on the
education and training of farmers and the correct,
reduced use of pesticides .

Does Greece's new programme for the implemenation of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 provide for :

1, permission to use pesticides to be granted only on an
agronomist's written recommendation ?

2, Greece's eight regional Plant Protection Centres to be
properly staffed and run ?

3, checks to be carried out on agricultural products for
pesticide residues, which checks have been very
inadequate so far ?

(M OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992, p . 85 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1995 )

Why is the Commission engaged on the one hand in a
programme of education and information and public
health, and at he same time a programme emanating from
DG VI to persuade people to eat more saturated fat which
has a record as being a causal factor in heart disease ? Does
the Commission not understand that this contradiction is

met with incredulity by the public which sees this as another
example of European bureaucracy being unresponsive to
the needs of the people ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2749 / 94

by Mary Banotti ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 20 )

Subject : Human nutrition and health

Can the Commission explain why, in the light of increasing
concern regarding health effects of full fat products, it has
provided ECU 10 million for the promotion and
consumption of whole liquid milk ?

Does the Commission not agree that the effects of direct
marketing and promotion of full fat products is in direct
contrast to general guidelines to healthy living ?

Has the Commission fully researched all of the health claims
used in the promotion material, which those involved in the
health sector believe to be questionable ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-2724 / 94 and E-2749 / 94

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Since Greece has announced that it will be revising the ( 22 February 1995 )

. programme for the application of Regulation ( EEC )
No 2078 / 92 on agricultural production methods
compatible with the requirements of the protection of the
environment and the maintenance of the countryside, which

The 1994 / 95 programme for promoting milk products
approved by the Commission ( ] ) is not intended to persuade

No C 152 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

people to consume more saturated fat . The programme
centres on the promotion of liquid milk . Whole milk
accounts for a large part of the liquid milk market .

The Commission is aware of the disadvantages of excessive
fat consumption . That is why it made a point of specifying in
the programme the themes which are to be developed :
nutrition, a modern image and the pleasure aspect . It has
never been the Commission's intention to increase overall

consumption of fat, and all the programmes it has accepted
are aimed at a varied and balanced diet . As such these

programmes are fully consistent with the Commission's
general policies, and in particular those put forward in the
communication and proposal for a Parliament and Council
Decision adopting a programme of Community action on
health promotion, information, education and training in
the field of public health ( 2 ).

(M OJ No C 121, 3 . 5 . 1994 .

by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute nor by the Higher
Centre for Scientific Research ? Does it plan to take any steps
to protect the sea-bed of the Balearic Islands ?

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

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )

The Commission was hitherto unaware of the protected
extraction of sand from the see-beds off Majorca, or of the
shortcomings in the environmental analysis conducted on
those activities by the Spanish authorities since it does not
receive environmental studies as a matter of course .

( 2 ) OJ No C 252, 9 . 9 . 1994 .

, However, since according to the Honourable Member this

type of project could cause the destruction of the banks of
Posidonia Oceania, a major natural habitat that is protected
under Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( [ ), the Commission has
contacted the Spanish authorities in order to gain assurance
that these activities will be subjected to an environmental
assessment in accordance with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, and
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2730 / 94 in order to learn what action it intends to take in order to
protect that priority habitat .

by Joan Vallvé ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 21 )

Subject : Destruction of banks of posidonia as a result of the

extraction of sand from the sea-bed off Majorca

The Spanish Government's Ministry of Public Works and
Town Planning has plans to extract sand from the sea-bed
off Majorca in order to restore beaches . Under the plan, 6
million m 3 of sand would be extracted from the sea off

Andratx, Estellencs and Banyalbufar . In many places, the
extraction of sand will affect banks of posidonia growing on
the sea-bed . The head of the Coastline Mapping
Department of the Balearic Islands has acknowledged the
shortcomings and errors in the submarine maps provided at
the time of the relevant environmental assessment ( as
provided for in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*)) and criticisms
have also been made by scientists and technical experts at
the University of the Balearic Islands . Given that the best
environmental policy, as set out in Directive 85 / 337 / EEC, is
to prevent environmental damage from taking place rather
than dealing with it after the event, can the Commission
answer the following questions :

Is it aware of the damage which will be caused to the already
depleted fishery resources of Majorca if the banks of
posidonia are destroyed ? Is it aware that this will affect
more than 500 fishing vessels ? Is it aware that the
environmental assessment carried out was apparently
flawed and that no favourable reports have been delivered

(!) OJ No L 206, 22 . 10 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2734 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 22

Subject : Common organization of the market in wine

Article 18 of Regulation ( EEC ) No 822 / 87 ( 1 ). on the
common organization of the market in wine states that the
Commission shall, before the 1993 / 94 wine year, present to
Parliament and the Council a report setting out the
Community's wine-growing zones, that it is the Council's
responsibility to determine the definition of the zones and
that this decision shall apply as of the 1994 / 95 wine year .
The Commission has not presented any such report .

Why has the Commission failed to meet the obligation of
presenting the said report, which would have been an
available aid in drawing up the proposal for reform of the
common organization of the market in wine ?

r 1 ) OJ No L 84, 27 . 3 . 1987, p . 1 .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 15

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

The report on the Community's wine-growing zones
required by Article 18 of Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 822 / 87 on the common organization of the market in
wine is to be presented in the very near future .

On account of the complexity of the study and the size of the
resulting document, the time required for its publication
made it impossible for the Commission to present the above
report before the end of the 1993 / 94 marketing year .

Nevertheless, its content was known to the Commission
when the latter drafted its proposal for reform of the
common organization of the market in wine .

was that net benefits are expected from the transition to
stage three of the economic and monetary union, in
particular given the credibility of the commitment to low
inflation and the stabilization of the real economy leading to
higher growth .

It is really not possible at present to evaluate the specific
costs for banks of the changeover to the single currency,
since all estimates will remain provisional as long as the
details for the transition to the single currency have not been
defined . Several banks or banking associations are
conducting inquiries, which result in a range of diverging
assessments, according to the internal structure of the bank
and the different assumptions which are made in the
inquiries on the details for the changeover .

í 1 ) European Economy, No 44, October 1990 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2747 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740 / 94 by Karl von Wogau ( PPE )

by Marie-France Stirbois ( NI ) to the Commission

to the Commission ( 16 December 1994 )

( 16 December 1994 ) (9 SIC 152 / 24

( 95 / C 152 / 23 )

Subject : Promotion of plant and floriculture product

Subject : The cost of moving to a single currency

The bank ' Société Générale ' estimates the cost to European

banks of moving to a single currency at FF 2 0.00 billion .

Can the Commission provide its own estimate and indicate
its method of calculation ?

Has the Commission estimated the total economic cost of

moving to a single currency ? If so, what econometric model
has it used ?

Answer given by Mr De Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

In October 1990 the Commission published the survey ' One
market one money ' ( ! ), which analysed in qualitative terms
the overall costs and benefits of the economic and monetary
union under different aspects including the overcoming of
currency floating and exchange rate uncertainty, the
suppression of transaction costs and the benefits of
monetary stability . The Commission illustrated some
macro-economic effects of the transition to the single
currency by simulating its Quest-model and the IMF
Multimod model . Apart from assessments of costs and
benefits in some particular sectors — which would need in
any way to be updated — the overall conclusion of the study

sales

Last year Parliament entered a new item Bl-1860n, ' Flowers
and plants — promotional measures ', in the 1994 budget
estimates and made a token entry in the appropriations
column .

Despite being recognized as justified ( to eliminate the
imbalance between supply and demand on the market
brought about primarily by the EU's political decisions, e.g .
preferential imports from ACP States, the Mediterranean
region, Latin America, etc .), the specific wishes of the whole
sector for promotional measures, which have repeatedly
been submitted by and with the unanimous backing of the
EU's Advisory Committee on Live Plants, could not be taken
into account because there was no legal basis or appropriate
budget line .

1 . Does the Commission intend therefore to propose a
legal basis, either in the form of general framework rules
on promotional measures for all agricultural products as
part of the CAP reforms and / or implementation of the
GATT Agreement, or in the form of a specific legal basis,
in the shape of the basic Regulation on live plants and
floriculture products ( Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 234 / 68 (!))?

2 . Have the Member States expressed support for such a

( general or specific ) legal basis ?

3 . Does the Commission consider the results of

promotional measures in other sectors affected by

No C 152 / 16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

similar marketing problems to have been positive ? Have
they boosted consumption ?

4 . Does it intend, for the 1996 financial year, to enter
appropriations for the specific new item Bl-1860n for
flowers and plants, or to increase appropriations for the
general budget line for promotional measures in respect
of agricultural products ?

(M OJ No L 55, 2 . 3 . 1968, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

1 . Promotional measures require the existence of a legal
basis, namely a specific Council Regulation containing
provisions intended to increase consumption of live plants
and flowers . A Council Regulation can be adopted only if
there is an underlying political will by the Member States to
do so .

2 . The Member States have not expressed any clear wish
for a legal basis ( general or specific ).

3 . Promotional measures managed by the Commission
project a quality image of Community products boosting
their competitive impact, as already demonstrated in a
number of instances .

4 . There is no general budget line for promotion of
agricultural products, merely lines corresponding to specific
market organization provisions . The Commission has no
plans to introduce a general line in the preliminary draft
budget for 1 996 .

initiatives involving the European Regional Development
Fund . Total amounts of grant awarded by Community
initiative programme are broken down below, as follows :

(£ sterling )

Community initiative Total structural awarded fund grant

Renaval Tyne and Wear 24 141 000

Reneval Marlbrough,
Langbaurgh-on-Tees 4 282 258

Echar Tawsen 13 192 733

Rechar County Durham 9 415 509

Stride 774 268

Konver 916 075

Retex 152 515

Euroform 506 595

Horizon ( Disabilities ) 785 884

Total 54 166 837

Lists of the specific projects supported under these
Community initiatives are available from the programme
authorities in the region, at the following address :

European Programmes Secretariat
Government Office for the North East

Stanegate House
2 Groat Market

GB-Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1YN .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2751 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2750 / 94

( 95 / C 152 / 26 )
by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 25 )

Subject : Community initiatives

What specific projects in the North-East of England have
received funding from individual Community initiatives
since 1990, and how much have they received ?

Answer given by Frau Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )

Since 1990, projects in North-East England have been
awarded a total of £ 52 874 358 under Community

Subject : Community fishing-grounds in the international

NAFO zone

At the latest meeting of the Council of Ministers of Fisheries,
held in Brussels on 23 November 1994, it was agreed that
the EU would not raise any objections to the NAFO
agreements under which swingeing cuts are to be made to
the Greenland halibut quotas allotted to the Community
fleet . This decision runs counter to that taken by
Parliament .

Until this meeting, Community fleets caught over 60 000
tonnes of Greenland halibut anually in the NAFO zone ; this
figure was suddenly reduced to 27 000 tonnes for 1995,
without any justification being provided in the form of a
scientific report . This total allowable catch ( TAC ) was
established at the Halifax meeting — for a species which had
not hitherto been subject to any quotas .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 17

88 large freezer trawlers were fishing the NAFO zone until
recently, providing jobs for 2 700 crew members directly
and, indirectly, for 16 200 people employed in fish
processing . The companies involved in exploiting this new
resource, which they had discovered themselves, had
succeeded in building up a large international market and
were exporting about 60 % of production ; which generated
annual revenue of approximately Ptas 8 300 million in
direct sales and another Ptas 10 000 million after processing
and export, in Spain alone . Moreover, the companies
concerned are highly concentrated geograpically, so that
local populations are extremely dependent on these
resources and the EU's acceptance of the TAC of 27 000
tonnes, as indicated above, may mean bankruptcy and
closure for a large-scale enterprise in Europe .

What measures will the Commission take to prevent

bankruptcies and the creation of long-term unemployment
black spots in Objective 1 regions of the Community which
are highly dependent on fishing and have repeatedly
experienced severe industrial decline already ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1995 )

The 1994 —199 9 Structural Fund assistance programme
made new financial resources available to the Member

States from 1 January 1994, mainly for Objective 1 regions
for restructuring the fisheries sector and helping it and the
regions concerned to counter the economic and social
impact of restructuring by expanding job-creating
activities .

It is up to the Member States to implement the necessary
structural measures in the framework of Community
programmes . In particular

— Spanish programmes of measures for the fishing
industry itself and processing and marketing of its
products were adopted by the Commission on
2 December ( Objective 1 regions ) and 22 December
1994 ( other regions )

— the Spanish programme of measures under the Pesca

Community initiative geared to the specific needs of
areas dependent on the fisheries sector was adopted by
the Commission on 27 December 1994 .

Member States can also receive assistance from the Regional
Fund and the Social Fund for action in Objective 1, 2 and
5(b ) regions .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2761 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 27 )

Subject : The Schengen agreements and frontier controls

On 8 February 1994 a debate, described as ' vivid and
passionate ' by Commissioner Vanni d'Archirafi, was held in
Parliament on the failure to implement the Schengen
agreements and the continued existence of frontier
controls .

A number of members, speaking on behalf of their political
groups, stressed Parliament's dissatisfaction which the state
of affairs on both counts . Thus, for instance, Mr van
Outrive referred to what he saw as a serious multilateral

deception ; Mr Jarzembowski considered that the
Commission had failed in its role as guardian of the Treaties ;
Mr Wijsenbeek identified a lack of will on the part of both
the Member States and the Commission ; and Mr
Froment-Meurice expressed the view that the central
information system was not conceptually functional, and
never would be .

Commissioner Vanni d'Archirafi recalled that the

Commission had submitted two proposals, one introducing
a Regulation on visas ( first pillar ) and the other placing the
agreement on the external frontiers on a Community
footing ( third pillar ). He also announced fresh initiatives in
the direction implied by these developments .

Can the Commission state what progress, if any, has been
made since that debate in these two areas, i.e . the Schengen
agreements and frontier controls ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

At its meeting on 22 December 1994 the executive
committee of the Schengen Group decided that the Schengen
Agreement should be applied irreversibly with effect from
26 March 1 995 . On that date, Belgium, Germany, Spain,
France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal will
abolish checks at their common borders and will together
implement the accompanying measures provided for by the
Convention .

The two proposals referred to by the Honourable Member,
on which Parliament gave its opinion on 21 April 1994 ('),
are currently before the Council . The Essen European
Council was concerned that ' the Convention on controls on

persons crossing external frontiers . . . has still not been
concluded ' and invited ' the Council ( Justice and Home

No C 152 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

Affairs ) to submit the draft agreement for signature before
the next meeting of the European Council, provided the last
outstanding problem has been resolved '.

On 4 August 1 994 the Commission presented a proposal for
a Council Regulation based on Article 100c(3 ) of the Treaty
and laying down a uniform format for visas ( 2 ). Parliament
delivered its opinion on this proposal at its January
part-session .

(M OJ No C 128, 9 . 5 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No C 238, 26 . 8 . 1994 .

Union of Myanmar considerably exceeded traditional
volumes of imports originating in these countries .

A real risk of serious disturbance of the Community market
jeopardizing the objectives of Article 39 of the EC Treaty
forced the Commission, by Regulation ( EC )
No 2091 / 94 ( 2 ), to suspend imports of garlic originating in
Taiwan or Vietnam and, by Regulation ( EC )
No 2311 / 94 ( 3 ), to extend this suspension to the Union of
Myanmar .

The Commission continues to monitor the Community
garlic market closely . Any further measures required to
protect it will be taken in due time .

(M OJ No L 1 33, 28 . 5 . 1994 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 220, 25 . 8 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2766 / 94 ( 3 ) OJ No L 251, 27 . 9 . 1994 .

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 December 1994 )

( 95 / C 152 / 28 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2797 / 94

by Edward Kellett-Bowman ( PPE )
Subject : Safeguard clause for garlic to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

The Spanish Government has asked the Commission to
adopt safeguard measures for imports of garlic from third (9 SIC 152 / 29
countries, in view of the large number of requests to import
this product from parts of the Middle East and Far East ; this
situation suggests that diversions of trade are occurring in Subject : Unfair ship-repair subsidies
the case of Chinese garlic, despite the clause in force from

Subject : Unfair ship-repair subsidies

2 June to 31 August 1994 . Was the Dutch Government's subsidy of Fl 14 million to the
FSW Shipyard in Friesland in Holland approved by the

This situation is of particular seriousness for Spain, which Commission, and on what grounds, as it puts that shipyard
accounts for 70 % of the Community's garlic production . into a favoured position vis-à-vis its competitors in other EU

countries ?

This situation is of particular seriousness for Spain, which
accounts for 70 % of the Community's garlic production .
Spanish garlic production plays a major social role, being
concentrated in less-favoured areas where substitution

prospects are not high . In view of all this, can the
Commission state whether it has taken account of the

Spanish Government's request, and, if so, whether
safeguard measures will be adopted with a view to
protecting the Community market ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

A massive increase in garlic imports from China led the
Commission, to prevent disturbance of the Community
market, to adopt protective measures under the market
organization provisions for fruit and vegetables . Regulation

( EEC ) No 1213 / 94 ( J ) restricted the volume of Chinese
garlic that can be imported into the Community up to
31 May 1995 .

Following this measure applications for import licences for
garlic originating in Taiwan, Vietnam and subsequently the

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

According to the information available to the Commission
at this stage the FSW yard was forced by environmental
regulations to relocate from the centre of the city of
Harlingen . According to the dutch authorities, this
relocation entailed investments in environmental protection
measures which did not however impact on the yard's
capacity .

The Commission is investigating whether the public
financial assistance granted was compatible with the
seventh Council Directive on aid to shipbuilding ( Directive
90 / 684 / EEC, as amended by Directives 93 / 115 / EEC and
94 / 73 / EC ) and will let the Honourable Member know the
outcome of these investigations as soon as possible .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 19

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2802 / 94

by Joan Vallvé ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 30 )

Subject : Transfer of surplus apricots to food-processing

The production aid scheme provided by Regulation ( EEC )
No 426 / 86 covers the six Mediterranean products

( tomatoes, figs, dried grapes, prunes, and peaches and pears
in syrup ) most threatend by international competition .
Processed apricots are not included and it has been
impossible in the past to enlarge the list owing to both
budgetary constraints and the standstill ordered throughout
the Uruguay Round .

enterprises in Majorca The Commission is at present drawing up reform plans for
the fresh and processed fruit and vegetable sectors . Among
its aims are better cohesion of supply, a new type of

of apricots into dried form is a traditional management of contingent surpluses and elimination of
Majorca, where a specific industry has grown up structural surpluses, and a more balanced relationship
. Dried apricots are currently subject to between fresh and processed products .

The processing of apricots into dried form is a traditional
activity in Majorca, where a specific industry has grown up
for the purpose . Dried apricots are currently subject to
intense competition from Maghreb and Middle-Eastern
countries . In Majorca, 816 ha ( comprising both irrigated
and non-irrigated land ) are dedicated to apricot cultivation,
with some 18 000 units and an average yield of
approximately 6 000 kg / ha . The island's total apricot
production thus stands at some 4 500 tonnes, a substantial
proportion of which is withdrawn or destroyed under
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 ( ! ).

Moreover, for certain products of local or regional
importance for which the normal market organization
instruments are liable to prove inadequate, a specific
approach may be adopted .

The case of Majorcan apricots can be examined when the
In November 1994 the regional parliament of the Balearic new provisions are in place .
Islands unanimously adopted a motion urging the Union to
authorize the transfer of the surplus apricots for 1994 / 95 to
the apricot-processing enterprises in Majorca .

Does the Commission not consider that these apricot
surpluses should preferably be used for processing, in line
with Regulation ( EEC ) No 426 / 86 ( 2 ) and with the practice
in other food-processing areas ; that agricultural surpluses
should be processed rather than being withdrawn or
destroyed, especially where there an established tradition
exists, as in the case of Majorca's dried apricot industry ; and
that this situation represents an opportunity to give priority
to Union products over those from third countries ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2810 / 94

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

(') OJ No L 118, 20 . 5 . 1972, p . 1 . ( 95 / C 152 / 31 )

( 2 ) OJ No L 49, 27 . 2 . 1986, p . 1 .

Subject : Pollution of surface water and groundwater

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 1995 ) According to the Greek daily ' TO VIMA ' there are over
6 000 unofficial rubbish tips operating in Greece today ;
recent studies have shown that they are responsible for
environmental pollution and, particularly, pollution of the
surface and groundwater .
The Commission considers it unhealthy, apart from
exceptional cases, that a processing industry should depend
for supplies on market surpluses of the fresh product,
unforeseeable in character . Such an approach would also Taking into account the conclusions of a study carried out
merely shift the focus of the withdrawal problem and by the United Association of Municipalities and
moreover threaten to distort competition between Communities of the Prefecture of Attica ( ESDKNA ) that the
processors . pollution of the groundwater by Ano Liosia rubbish tip is

No C 152 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

' particularly alarming ', will the Commission say what
measures it has taken to ensure that the Greek authorities

correctly implement the Directive on the protection of the
groundwater in Greece and to fund relevant studies aimed at
shedding light on the extent of the pollution of groundwater
in the country as a whole ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

Council Directive 75 / 442 / EEC on waste ( ) prohibits
uncontrolled tips ( Article 4 ). The Member States are
responsible for complying with the requirement of Article 4
of the Directive that waste must be recovered or disposed of
without risk to water .

Directive 80 / 68 / EEC on the protection of groundwater ( 2 )
has been properly incorporated in Greece's legislation . The
objective is to prevent pollution of groundwater by
substances placed on Lists I or II because of their
toxicity .

Member States must order a prior investigation of any plans
for disposal or tipping of such substances . In the light of the
results of this investigation, Member States either prohibit
such activities or grant authorization provided all the
technical precautions necessary to prevent any indirect
discharge of List I substances and to limit indirect discharges
of List II substances have been taken so as to avoid pollution
of groundwater .

The Commission reminds the Honourable Member that it is

up to the Member States to take the specific measures
needed to apply all the rules of Directive 80 / 68 / EEC in
practice, including funding of studies to establish the extent
of groundwater pollution . The Commission would be
prepared to give favourable consideration to any request
from the Greek authorities for funding for specific measures
from the Structural Funds or the Cohesion Fund, provided
they were in line with the rules governing these financial
instruments .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2815 / 94

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

95 / C 152 / 32

Subject : Aid for investment in forestry in Andalusia

As an extension to the common agricultural policy, the
Community established a number of afforestation plans .
What is the current state of implementation of these plans in
the Mediterranean countries ( Spain, Portugal, France, Italy
and Greece ), what plans have been adopted for each
country, how many hectares are involved, what is the total
amount of aid granted and what is the position in Andalusia,
Spain ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )

Alongside the reform of the common agricultural policy, the
Council adopted a Community aid scheme for forestry
measures in agriculture, instituted by Regulation ( EEC )
No 2080 / 92 ( 1 ).

The Member States are to apply the scheme through
national or regional multiannual programmes, which they
submit to the Commission for approval .

Each decision taken gives a multinannual budget allocation
for 1993 — 1997, the period of application of the

programmes .

The following Decisions have been taken as regards the
Member States mentioned by the Honourable Member :

— Spain :

— a national programme was approved by Decision

C(94 ) 953 / 11 of 27 April 1994 ;

— two regional programmes were approved by
Decisions C(94 ) 953 / 12 ( Navarre ) and C(94 ) 953 / 13

( Basque Country ) of 27 April 1994 .

In order to gather the precise scientific data which it needs
for assessing groundwater and surface water pollution, the The
Commission requests the Honourable Member to send it a whole
further details, particularly on the 6 000 uncontrolled tips in
Greece and of the study, of which it was not aware, on the — Portugal :
Ano Liosia rubbish tip .

The multiannual allocation for 1993 — 1997 for Spain as
a whole amounts to ECU 430 million .

— a national programme for the mainland was

(M OJ No L 194, 25 . 7 . 1975 . approved by Decision C(94 ) 953 / 9 of 27 April
C -) OJ No L 20, 26 . 1 . 1980 . 1994 ;

— two regional programmes were approved by
Decisions C(94 ) 953 / 14 ( Madeira ) and C(94)953 / 15

( Azores ) of 27 April 1994 .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 21

The multiannual allocation for 1993 —97 for Portugal
as a whole amounts to ECU 96 million .

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )
— France :

— a national programme was approved by Decision

C(94 ) 953 / 4 of 27 April 1994 ;

— three regional sub-programmes are currently being

examined .

(M OJ No L 215, 30 . 7 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2817 / 94

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 11 January 199 S )

( 95 / C 152 / 33 )

Subject : Delays in the payment of inter-regional
cooperation projects — Article 10 of the ERDF

Under Article 10 of the ERDF, the Directorate-General for
Regional Policies has been funding inter-regional
cooperation programmes since 1989 .

Under these arrangements the ' Commission Arc Atlantique '
has been involved in a cooperation and exchange
programme for 1990 / 93 as part of the Finatlantic project,
the ' Compostella Forêt ' programme and the atlantis pilot
project .

The regions involved in these projects have had to mobilize
significant technical and financial resources .

However, the Commission's accounts services have altered
the administrative procedures set up for managing these
cooperation programmes while the programmes were under

way .

Cornmunity payments are currently being blocked and the
beneficiaries are facing cash-flow problems .

These problems, which affect a large number of projects, put
Europe in a very bad light and jeopardize the future of the
projects that have been launched .

What measures does the Commission intend to take to put
an end to this situation and to ensure that payments in
respect of all projects affected by these delays are speeded
up ?

Since 1989, the Commission has financed under Article 10
of the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF )
Regulation 36 pilot projects for inter-regional cooperation,
including those submitted by certain regions forming part of
the ' Commission Arc Atlantique ' ( Atlantic Arc, Finatlantic,
Atlantis and Compostela Forêt ).

The Commission has not altered the administrative

procedures for the management of the Structural Funds .
Since the Regulations governing the reform of these Funds
came into force in 1989, all their operations, including those
under the ERDF, have been governed by the same
management and audit rules .

It sometimes happens that the applications for payment
submitted by beneficiaries do not contain all the
information which the Commission requires to ensure full
compliance with the terms of the contract . In such cases, the
Commission requests further information which inevitably
entails a delay in payment, since the application cannot be
passed for financial settlement . This was what happened to
the projects in question .

The Commission would point out that, of the networks
referred to above, only in the case of Compostela Forêt has
the second payment of the Community grant not yet been
made . This will be done in the course of the next few

weeks .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

95 / C 152 / 34

Subi eet : Fur farms

Is the Commission aware that fur farms are cruel and has it

looked into whether or not any Council of Europe
Conventions on Animal Welfare are contravened by this
practice ? Is there any legal basis for banning fur
farming ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

The Community is a contracting party to the European
convention for the protection of animals kept for farming
purposes, and the Commission has made a proposal for a
Directive ( x ) to transpose the convention into Community

No C 152 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

law . It will also give the Community the possibility of
adopting the specific recommendations made by the
Council of Europe under the convention .

One of those recommendations, adopted by the Council of
Europe in October 1990, concerns the farming of animals
for their fur . In addition, the Commission has financed a
study into the legal, technical and animal welfare aspects of
fur farming ( 2 ), which is intended to serve as a basis for any
future rules which the Commission may propose on the
subject .

When the proposed Directive is adopted by the Council it
will be possible to consider what further measures may be
appropriate in relation to fur farming .

(M OJ No C 156, 23 . 6 . 1992 .

( 2 ) Availabe from the Office for Officiai Publications,
Luxembourg, Catalogue No CM-60-91-935-EN-C ).

The central banks of the UK, Italy and Greece are members

of the EMS agreement . However sterling, the lira and the
drachma do not currently participate in the exchange rate
mechanism of the ERM . Exchange rate stability is one of the
convergence criteria according to which the qualification of
a Member State to participate in the third stage of economic
and monetary union ( EMU ) will be assessed . Exchange rate
stability is defined in the EC Treaty ( Article 190 )") and in the
Protocol on convergence criteria in the following terms :

— observance of the normal fluctuation margins provided

by the exchange rate mechanism of the EMS,

— absence of severe tensions,

— absence of a devaluation on its own initiative

for at least two years preceding the examination .

The third stage of EMU can start in 1997 if a majority of the
Member States fulfil the necessary conditions ( Article 109j )
or at the latest on 1 January 1999 with the Member States
which fulfil the necessary conditions ( Article 109j, 4 ). Thus
the start of stage three does not require that all Member
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2831 / 94 States fulfil the necessary conditions to participate in it .

by Salvador Garriga Polledo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 11 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 35 )

Subject : EMS currencies

On what day will the entry of the Swedish, Austrian and
Finnish currencies into the EMS become effective ?

Does the Commission consider that the lira and the pound
should return to the EMS and that the drachma should enter

it so as to make it possible to speak properly of the
preparations that will be made during 1995 for transition to
the third stage of EMU ?

Answer given by Mr De Silguy

on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2867 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 36 )

Subject : EU aid to the fibre sector

Will the Commission state what applications have been
made to the Commission from EU countries for financial

support in the fibre sector ?

(9 February 1995 ) Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

The central banks of Austria, Finland and Sweden acceded ( 22 February 1995 )
to the European monetary system ( EMS ) agreement
between the central banks on the day the respective
countries became Member States of the European Union . When the programme for the

Accession to the EMS agreement does not yet imply
membership of the exchange rate mechanism ( ERM ) of the
EMS . The Austrian schilling participates in the exchange
rate mechanism of the EMS as of 9 January 1995, following
the decision of the Austrian Government to join the ERM .
The decision was taken according to the established
procedure by mutual agreement by ministers and central
bank governors of the Member States . Finland and Sweden
are not participating in the ERM so far .

When the programme for the Community Retex Initiative
were submitted it was apparent that some Member States
wished to devote a significant part of them to the textiles and
clothing sector despite the primary orientation of the
initiative towards the diversification of industrial structure

in areas highly dependent on that sector . The programmes
were accordingly adjusted by agreement to give priority to
diversification .

Greece has asked for a modernization programme for the
textiles and clothing sector similar to the one decided on for

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 23

Portugal and financed under budget rubric 3 . No additional WRITTEN QUESTION E-2890 / 94
financing is feasible, however, either under the Community by José Apolinârio ( PSE )
support frameworks, which have already been negotiated, to the Commission
or from the Community initiatives budget .

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 38

Subject : Studies on a strategy for sustainable development

for the areas adjacent to the Donana Park

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2875 / 94

by Kirsten Jensen ( PSE )

Can the Commission say what studies it has at its disposal

Commission with regard to a sustainable development strategy for the

January 1995 ) Donana Park and the surrounding areas, by whom they

were drawn up and what their respective conclusions
( 95 / C 152 / 37 ) are ?

to the Commission

(4 January 1995 )

Subject : Fish-farming

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

What is the Commission's assessment of the impact on
human health, including the development of resistence, and ( 17 February 1995 )
on the aquatic environment, of the use by the Danish
fish-farming industry of 300 tons of drugs in fish food every
year, including 3 tons of antibiotics, because the fish are The Commission has received the
vulnerable to disease when reared at such densities (')?

(') Article in T7ENK, ' Antibiotics from fish farms causing
environmental problems '.

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1995 )

The Commission has been monitoring for a long time the
interaction between the developing aquaculture industry
and the environment . It has drawn up a report, to be
published in 1995, the purpose of which is to inform the
widest possible readership of the current scientific
knowledge in this field .

As regards the specific problem raised by the Honourable
Member, the Commission feels that, as far as it is aware,
there is not enough scientific data available to confirm that
the antibiotics used in aquaculture have any effect on human
health or the environment . In the case of other drugs,
although scientific information is limited, there are grounds
for considering that, when administered in accordance with
the manufacturers ' instructions, such drugs may in general
prevent adverse effects on either humans or the
environment .

The Commission will, of course, carefully monitor expertise
in this field as it develops .

The Commission has received the final report from the
international committee of experts on the development of
the area adjacent to the Donana which was intended to
reconcile the proposals for development with preservation
of the natural features of the park . The Commission is
sending this report directd to the Honourable Member and
to Parliament's Secretariat .

This report contains a detailed list of the studies and reports
on this matter requested by the committee . These
documents, which contain the names of the people or bodies
which undertook them, may be obtained from the
department of public works and transport of the regional
government of Andalusia .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2892 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer

to the Commission

(5 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 39

Subject : Imports of foodstuffs derived from cows treated

with rBST

1 . Does the Commission know whether milk and / or

dairy products derived from cows treated with rBST are
imported into the EU internal market ?

2 . If so, what products, and from which countries ?

No C 152 / 24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

3 . Does the Commission require such products to be
labelled or accompanied by safety certificates in order to
ensure that foodstuffs from cows treated with rBST can be

identified ?

4 . Does the Commission know what quantities of
processed milk and meat products produced using rBST are
imported from the USA and eastern Europe ( especially US
ice-cream )?

5 . What milk, dairy and meat products are imported
from these countries in general, and in what quantities ?

6 . Has the Commission inquired, or does it know,
whether any European Member States have taken measures
in this connection ? If so, which Member States ?

7 . Can the Commission ensure that foodstuffs derived

from animals treated with rBST are not being marketed ?

( a ) If not, why not ?

( b ) If so, how ?

8 . Following the decision of 16 December 1994 by the
Council of Ministers of Agriculture to permit rBST trials in
the open on a limited scale, does the Commission insist that
product labelling should indicate that rBST has been
used ?

9 . How will the Commission tackle the problem of
foodstuffs derived from cows treated with rBST which enter

the EU market ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

At the same time a provision is made for limited practical
trials of the use of BST, under official veterinary control, to
be carried out by Member States which wish to do so . The
Commission has been invited to lay down the conditions
and criteria to be followed if these trials are undertaken .

Within this framework the Commission will consider the

questions of trading in the milk of animals involved in the
trials and the matter of labelling .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2900 / 94

by Carmen Fraga Estévez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 40 )

Subject : Commission report on the arrangements
applicable to tuna for the canning industry

In its conclusions the Commission report states that the
Community cannot in any case give absolute assurances of
survival to the sector, especially to the Community fleet,
without taking into account market conditions . Could the
Commission explain how an even greater cut-back in the
compensatory payments system will improve the
situation ?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

(8 February 1995 ) As indicated in the Commission report, the Community aid
arrangements for the tuna industry are significantly more
generous than those for other sectors and sections of the
fleet .

The Commission does not have information concerning
imports of milk, dairy products or meat products which
might originate from cows treated with recombinant bovine
somatotraphine ( BST ), and is not aware that any Member
State has such information . The Commission does not

consider that accurate information on this matter can be

obtained .

The recent Council Decision on this question prohibits the
marketing of BST and its administration to dairy cows in the
territory of the Member State by any means whatsoever . It
does not address sale or use in the territory of third countries
or imports of animal products which might arise from such

use .

The Commission recognizes the sector's economic
importance by proposing that the principles underlying the
existing arrangements be maintained and the proposed
adjustments to the compensatory payments system do not
detract from that recognition .

The adjustments are intended to stop the trend towards the
automatic payment of compensation at a time when the
Community tuna industry is again becoming competitive .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 25

QUESTION E-2902 / 94 removed from the territory of a Member State . Nine

André-Léonard ( ELDR ) Member States were required to transpose it into national

law by 15 December 1 993 and three by 15 March 1994 .
to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2902 / 94

by Anne André-Léonard ( ELDR )

( 16 January 199 S ) Does the Commission agree that :

( 95 / C 152 / 41 )

Subject : Extension of the derogation from Article 85 of the

Treaty of Rome granted to UIP by the Commission
in 1989

In 1989 the Commission granted UIP a derogation until
26 July 1993 .

On 22 June 1993 UIP asked for the derogation to be
extended .

UIP has been pursuing its activities for a year and a half since
then without the Commission having taken a decision .

1, the Directive was adopted, in the context of the
completion of the internal market as of 1 January 1993,
with the aim of promoting European cooperation to
protect the national and archeological heritage of the
Member States and assisting the recovery within the
Union of cultural objects exported improperly ?

If so, does the Commission further agree that :

2, countries outside the European Union likewise have the
right to keep their national cultural objects for
themselves ?

3, the European Union therefore has a moral obligation to
take measures to combat imports of illegally exported
cultural objects from South East Asia, South America
and Africa ?

How does the Commission intend to reply in respect of this
derogation still being granted to UIP ?
In this connection,

4, how is the European Union participating in the Unesco

given by Mr Van Miert convention ( Unidroit convention on stolen or illicitly

of the Commission exported cultural objects ), scheduled to enter into force

in June 1995 ?
(9 February 1 99 S )

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

As the Honourable Member has rightly stated, until 26 July

1993 the joint venture United International Pictures ( UIP )
benefited from an exemption decision, adopted on 12 July

1989 . This venture, which distributes the productions of its
three joint owners, has asked for the validity of the
exemption to be extended .

In this situation, the Commission felt that it had to gauge
exactly the economic effects generated by the 1989
decision .

The investigations in this case — which is now pending —
will shortly be completed . The Commission will then
indicate the action it intends to take on the UIP request .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2904 / 94

by Jessica Larive ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 16 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 42 )

Subject : Illegal art trade

On 15 March 1993 the Council adopted Directive
93 / 7 / EEC (') on the return of cultural objects unlawfully

(») OJ No L 74, 27 . 3 . 1993, p . 74 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 February 1995 )

1 . Pursuant to, and within the limits laid down in,
Article 36 of the EC Treaty, Member States may define their
national treasures and take the necessary measures to
protect them .

The Community has acquired two instruments in this
respect : Council Directive 93 / 7 / EEC of 15 March 1993 on
the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the
territory of a Member State and Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 3911 / 92 of 9 December 1992 on the export of cultural
goods ('). These are the indispensable accompanying
measures for the dismantling of internal border checks —
the objective enshrined in Article 7a of the EC Treaty — in
respect of cultural objects .

2.-4 . Article XX of the GATT ( the text of which
corresponds to Article 36 of the EC Treaty ) allows countries
to protect their national treasures .

At the request of Unesco, Unidroit has drawn up a draft
international convention on stolen or illicitly exported
cultural objects . The Commission took part as an observer
in the work of the Unidroit committee on the international

protection of cultural objects, which prepared the

No C 152 / 26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

preliminary draft of the convention, and in the work of the
committee of government experts that drew up the draft
convention . All the Member States were represented on the
latter committee .

(!) OJ No L 395, 31 . 12 . 1992 .

currency unit without monetary obligations being affected
in any way . The ECU will thus be substituted for the
currency which is legal tender in existing contracts .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 / 95

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz ( V )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION P-l / 95
( 19 January 199 S )

by Marie-France Stirbois ( NI )
95 / C 152 / 44 )
to the Commission

(5 January 1995 )

Subiect : Global TransPark in Parchim
( 95 / C 152 / 43 )

Subject : The legal effect on financial obligations of the

transition to the ECU

The essential part of many contracts ( indexed loans, rental
contracts, contracts of sale, etc .) consists of a reference to
the currency having legal tender .

Given that the transition to the ECU cannot be deemed to be

force majeure and that many legal experts therefore agree
that, in that case, the original financial obligation should by
rigths be renewed or terminated, resulting either in a new
reference base accepted by both parties or in the
disappearance of the obligation, can the Commission, in
respect of each Member State :

1, assess the number of contracts which might be
affected ?

2, evaluate the cost of such procedures ?

3, put forward the solutions it proposes to get round the
problem ?

There are plans to build a major airport, the ' Global
TransPark ', operating round-the-clock as a transit point

between Thailand and North America, in Parchim in the
German Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern . The scheme
was unveiled at a specialist conference in Brussels on 15 and

16 December 1994 . Immediately adjacent to the site
earmarked for the Global TransPark there are two

particularly important nature reserves : the Lewitz
Important Bird Area and the ' Lewitz Teichgebiet ',
recognized as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention .

1 . In what way have the plans for the Global TransPark
taken into account the particular need to protect these
two internationally significant sites ?

2 . Has European funding been sought to support the
Global TransPark scheme, and if so what level of
funding has been approved and from what sections of
the budget ?

3 . What impact does the Commission think
round-the-clock flight operations will have on the
species living in the adjacent nature reserves ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr de Silguy

on behalf of the Commission (8 March 1995 )

(9 February 1995 )

It is true that many loan contracts contain a reference to the
currency which is legal tender . The Commission has
examined currency unit changes which have already
occurred in the history of the Member States ( cf . currency
reform in Germany in 1948 and in France in 1959 ). These
reforms did not result in the novation or extinction of

obligations involving a reference to a currency .

Article 109(4 ) of the EC Treaty lays down that the
currencies of Member States participating in the third stage
will be replaced by the ECU at a conversion rate which is
irrevocably fixed . This means that those Member States '
currencies will be transformed into the new European

1 . Airport projects such as that planned in Parchim, in
the Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, are covered by
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (') and an environmental impact
assessment has to be carried out before they can be
authorized .

The German legislation which transposed the Directive into
national law also provides for a prior environmental impact
assessment for airports and local authorities must comply
with this obligation .

It would appear that the Parchim airport is located near to
the Naturschutzgebiet Lewits which has been designated a
special protection area under Article 4 of Directive

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 27

79 / 409 / EEC ( ). These areas are subject to conservation
measures in accordance with Article 6(2 ), ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) of
Directive 92 / 43 / EEC ( 3 ).

Aware that such conservation measures may be proposed as
part of the environmental impact study which has to be
carried out in connection with the project, the Commission
contacted the German authorities to establish the scope of
such measures and in particular those intended to protect
the ecosystem of the site in question, which is threatened by
air traffic .

2 . As regards ERDF assistance under the Community
support framework and related interventions for East
Germany ( Objective 1 ) there is no financial support
provided for the project mentioned in the written
question .

3 . As far as the Commission is concerned, the purpose of
the abovementioned impact study is precisely to assess the
effects of round-the-clock air traffic on the natural

environment of the protected site .

(M OJ No L 175, 5 . 7 . 1985 .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-ll / 95

by Terence Wynn ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1995 )

95 / C 152 / 46

Subject : Tobacco

A majority of the members of the Scientific and Technical
Committee of the Community Fund for Tobacco Research
and Information represent the tobacco sector ( six of nine )
and a minority represent the health sector .

Does the Commission consider that it is appropriate that a
committee dominated by tobacco interests should be
responsible for the management of a fund which will be used
to finance research and information programmes for the
improvement of public knowledge of the harmful effects of
tobacco use ?

( J ) OJ No L 206, 22 . 7 . 1992 . Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E     - 1 0 / 95

by Terence Wynn ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 45 )

Subi eet : Tobacco

The latest early warning report shows that tobacco grown in
the European Union in 1993 amounted to 340 000 tonnes .
Since only 160 000 tonnes has a saleable value and there are
no export refunds what will happen to the remaining
tobacco ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

The reform of the tobacco regime which was adotped in

1992 introduced a system of quotas which were designed to
limit eligibility of tobacco for Community premiums to
forecast sales possibilities . Furthermore, even for
production within quotas, premiums are only payable on
tobacco covered by a sales contract with a processor who
must, in addition to the commercial price, pass on the
premium in full to the grower . The production figures in the
early warning report for 1993 relate to production eligible
for support, all of which must, because of the rules set out
above, have had a market value .

The role of the scientific and technical committee is not to

manage the Community fund for information and research
on tobacco but to assist the Commission in its

management .

The Commission has paid particular attention to significant
representation of the health sector in the two committees set
up under the fund :

— all the chairmen of the national coordination

committees of the Europe Against Cancer Programme
are members of the indépendant experts group ;

— three high level cancer specialists represent the health

sector on the scientific and technical committee .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-14 / 95

by Miguel Arias Cañete and
Fernando Fernández Martín ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 47

Subject : EU agreement with Morocco on tomato imports

In the midst of the reform of the COM in fruit and

vegetables and coinciding with the entry into force of the

No C 152 / 28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

GATT agreements which significantly reduce Community WRITTEN QUESTION E-31
preference in the sector, the Commission has negotiated an by Caroline Jackson ( PPE )
agreement with Morocco which will not only bring about a to the Commission
fall in entry prices but also allow the importation of up to
130 000 metric tonnes of tomatoes under a quota covering ( 25 January 1995 )
the period 1 November to 31 March . ( 95 / C 152 / 48

WRITTEN QUESTION E-31 / 95

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 48

This agreement seriously threatens Canary Island tomato
producers since the imports from Morocco will take place
during their production period but will not affect French,
Belgian, Dutch and UK producers, whose production period
begins in April and extends over the time of the year in
which the entry price is higher than the price initially agreed
under GATT .

In view of the above, could the Commission state its reasons
for negotiating an agreement which is highly discriminatory
to the Canary Islands and breaks the principle of
Community preference after the issue had already been
settled within GATT ?

Subject : Community Fund for tobacco research and
information

In view of the Commission's Regulation ( EEC )
No 2427 / 93 (*) setting out rules for the establishment of a
Community Fund for tobacco research and information,
can the Commission yet confirm when the call for proposals
relating to the fund is to be made, when the contracts are
likely to be awarded, and how the Scientific and Technical
Committee which will assist the Commission in managing
the fund will be made up ?

Could the Commission also state how it will ensure that the
Health Sector is adequately represented within the Scientific
and Technical Committee, thereby adding credibility to the
fund's purpose of supporting education and information
Answer given by Mr Fischler about the dangers of tobacco use ?
on behalf of the Commission

( 24 February 1995 ) (M OJ No L 223, 2 . 9 . 1993, p . 3 .

The Community is tied to Morocco by a cooperation
agreement concluded in 1978, under which it granted
Morocco a tariff concession applying a zero customs duty
under a tariff quota for imports of tomatoes from that

country .

The agreement states that where the Community changes
the import arrangements, it will grant an advantage
comparable to that provided for in the agreement for
imports originating in Morocco .

Accordingly and in order to maintain protection within the
Community for imports of tomatoes from Morocco at a
level comparable with that existing previously, the
Community has negotiated a specific tariff arrangement
subject to a quota of 130 000 tonnes ( representing average
Community imports from Morocco in recent years ).

As the present arrangements and the level of traditional
imports have not been exceeded as a result of that
agreement, the Commission does not share the opinion of
the Honourable Member that the principle of Community
preference has been affected by it .

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )

In July 1994 the Commission, in the framework of the
Community fund for research and information in the field of
tobacco, launched a call for proposals . The deadline for the
reception of offers was 21 October 1994 .

The Commission, assisted by the scientific and technical
committee and by the group of independent experts is now
running the selection process and hopes contracts will be
signed before summer .

As for the composition of those two committees, the
Commission has ensured that the health sector is sufficiently
represented . All the presidents of the national committees of
coordination of the Europe Against Cancer Programme are
members of the independent expert groups and three high
level scientists represent the health sector in the scientific
and technical committee .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 29

WRITTEN QUESTION P-33 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-37 / 95

by Eolo Parodi ( FE )

by Eolo Parodi ( FE ) by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 13 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 49 )

Subject : Creation of a specific financial instrument for

SMUs in the commercial and services sectors

SMUs occupy an important position in the manufacturing,
building and wholesale sectors and are often to be found in
the retail trade .

However, Community Structural Fund policy makes
provision for any specific financing initiative for SMUs in
the commercial and services sectors .

1 . Can the Commission state the reasons for this ?

2 . Does it not consider it would be useful and desirable to

create a specific Community instrument for SMUs in the
commercial and services sector ?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 50 )

Subject : Continued use of illegal hormones in meat

On 20 December 1994, consumers associations announced
the findings of large-scale surveys carried out in the quality
of meat in 1 183 butchers shops and supermarkets
throughout the 12 EU Member States .

The findings confirmed that meat is still being treated with a
number of growth hormones, including anabolic agents, sex
hormones and clenbuterol .

Although there has been a blanket ban on the use of all such
substances since 1988, it is clear now that the law is being
flouted in a most open and blatant manner .

Given the damage which the beef industry suffered in recent
years when evidence of the use of hormones came to light,
will the Commission now outline what measures it proposes
to take to more successfully implement the ban, in a manner
which will leave producers in no doubt as to the seriousness
of breaking these laws ?

(6 February 1995 )
Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 February 1995 )
The regulations governing the Structural Funds do not
exclude the commercial sector and have already contributed
to measures in this sector as part of their support for general The findings announced on 20 December 1994 by consumer
development strategies in eligible regions . However, it associations on the large-scale illegal use of growth
should be noted that their work is not directed towards any hormones and clenbuterol in bovine production within the
sector of the economy in particular but assists development Community confirmed the problem highlighted by the
efforts in various sectors of economic activity on the basis of Commission in its communication to the Council and to the
their importance for the economic and social cohesion of the Parliament on 21 April 1993 ( } ), concerning residue
Community . controls in meat .

That is why the Commission has not so far agreed to specific
financing for small and medium-sized firms ( SMEs ) in this
sector, nor indeed to a specific Community instrument .
Measures concerning SMEs in this and other sectors may be
part-financed by the Structural Funds under the Community
Initiative for SMEs (*), provided that they comply with the
objectives of that initiative .

(M OJ No C 180, 1 . 7 . 1994 .

Following this communication, the Commission has
prepared, after consultation with Member States, some new
legislative proposals which were sent to the Council and to
the Parliament on 22 September 1993 ( 2 ).

The purpose of the measures proposed is to improve the
technical controls to make more effective the existing rules
which aim to prevent the misuse of certain growth
promoters and other substances in livestock production ; to
combat in particular the growing misuse of B-agonists for
fattening purposes ; to streamline and focus control
procedures in order better to enable the campaigns
conducted by the Member States to detect residues ; and to

No C 152 / 30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

create the conditions for more effective sanctions against
producers and all people involved along the chain of
production .

The Parliament, during the plenary session on 19 April 1994
in Strasbourg, approved these proposals with only a few
amendments . The proposals are under dicussion by the
Council working group .

(') COM(93 ) 167 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-48 / 95

by Nikitas Kaklamanis ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 18 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 52 )

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 441 final . Subject : Uncontrolled use of nuclear materials

WRITTEN QUESTION E-39 / 95

by Mark Killilea ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 25 January 1995 )

A Greek newspaper has published a report criticizing the
launch of a nuclear programme in Skopje . Millions of
dollars are being provided by the International Atomic
Energy Agency to fund the programme, the aim of which is
unknown .

( 95 / C 152 / 51 ) In view of the fact that Skopje shares a border with an EU
country and given the concern felt by both Parliament and
the Commission regarding nuclear issues, what steps will the

taxation of workers

Commission take to clarify the aim of such a huge nuclear
programme for such a small country ?

Subject : Cross-border taxation of workers

On 21 December 1993, the Commission drew up a
recommendation ( 94 / 79 / EC ) ( l ) aimed at encouraging
Member States to put an end to the penalizing tax situation
some workers found themselves in because they live in one
country but work in another . While such a recommendation
had no binding effect, I understand that from the beginning
of this year, it is the intention of the Commission to examine
the progress made to end tax discrimination in the Member
States, and to propose binding measures if necessary .

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 February 1995 )

Can the Commission give results of this progress report, and
outline details of further measures it intends to take in the

event of being dissatisfied with its findings ?

According to information available to the Commission, the
(!) OJ No L 39, 10 . 2 . 1994, p . 22 . cooperation activities carried out by the international
atomic energy agency ( IAEA ) in the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia ( Fyrom ) are not related to any
energy production programme, but only to specific areas of

on Answer behalf given of the by Commission Mr Monti research concerning nuclear medicine, animal disease

diagnosis, and radio-protection .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1995 )

The Commission has asked the Member States to

communicate to it the provisions already adopted following
that recommendation and any measures planned .

At present it has received only partial information from a
number of Member States and is, therefore, unable to take
stock of the situation and analyse the measures taken by the
Member States .

As soon as the Commission has received all the replies, it will
assess the situation and may decide to take further
action .

In 1994 seven fellowship applications were submitted to the
IAEA by the Fyrom in these areas . Furthermore, requests
were received by the IAEA for technical assistance projects
for a total amount of approximately US$ 800 000 in the
areas of animal disease diagnosis ; personnel dosimetry and
radiation protection ; nuclear medicine ; isotope hydrology ;
and non-destructive testing . All of them were approved . The
first three are funded by the IAEA technical cooperation
core budget and started early in January 1995, and the other
two are waiting for donors .

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 31

WRITTEN QUESTION E-57 / 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-62 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

José Apolinârio ( PSE ) by Ursula Schleicher ( PPE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 30 January 199 S )

( 30 January 199 S )

(9 SIC 152 / 53 ) ( 95 / C 152 / 55 )

Subject : The Konver Community initiative — Beja military

base

As part of the first phase of the Community initiative,
Konver, the Commission financed a study regarding the
conversion of Beja military base in Portugal .

As the second phase of this Community initiative is now
beginning, can the Commission say whether it intends to
co-finance a project at this base and also whether it has
received any proposals by the Portuguese Government in
this matter ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-59 / 95

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 January 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 54 )

Subject : IT study on chickens

A study carried out by the International Consumer Research
and Testing Organization ( IT ) has found that almost 50 %
of chicken meat on sale in the European Union is ' potentially
dangerous ' because it is contaminated by salmonella or
other bacteria . Salmonella was found in every fourth sample
tested in Germany and Campylobacter in every fifth sample .
These bacteria can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach
pains and may even prove fatal .

How can the Commission explain these findings ?

Does it consider that there is any connection between
bacterial contamination and the conditions under which

chickens are reared ?

What does it intend to do, and what conclusions does it
draw from the findings of this study ?

Did the Commission support this study financially ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

Subject : The Konver Community initiative in Terceira ( the

Azores ) ( 22 February 1995 )

Will the Commission say whether it has made provision

under the Community initiative, Konver, for any measures
in respect of the reference zone of the military base of Lajes

( the Azores ) and, whether it has received any proposals by
the Portuguese Government in this connection ?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-57 / 95 and E-59 / 95

given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 February 1995 )

The Commission has not yet received any proposal from the
Portuguese authorities concerning the second phase of the
Community initiative Konver and therefore does not yet
have any view on the projects which may be supported in the

programme .

The Commission considers the report to be an interesting
overview of the microbiological situation of poultry meat

( from whole carcasses to marinated fillets ) at the point of
sale . However, taking into account the extensive trade in
poultry and poultry meat, and the very broad aims of the
survey, the results obtained need to be evaluated carefully
especially when it comes to comparison of data between
Member States . Although the report, which is not
substantiated by previous published surveys, suggests a
variable percentage of contamination of raw poultry
products with salmonella and Campylobacter, certain data
suggest that the contamination rates are falling in some
Member States . Furthermore many of the statements made
in the report are of a general nature and apply not only to
chicken but to many other raw food products .

Production methods can have an influence on the prevalence
of pathogens . However, as the epidemiology of salmonella
and Campylobacter is very complex, many factors at
pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest level have to be
considered .

Community rules have been in force for several years to
address the problem of pathogens in food . However, since

No C 152 / 32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

safeguarding public health is a primary concern, it was
decided immeditately after publication of the report to
submit it to the scientific veterinary committee for an
analysis . Following the opinion of this committee, the
Commission will consider if further measures are required
in addition to the strict implementation of existing
provisions with regard to salmonella and hygiene .
Furthermore, the Commission will follow the
epidemiological evolution of food-borne diseases through
the reports on the trends and sources of zoonotic infections
required by Article 5 of Council Directive
92 / 117 / EEC C ).

The study was carried out with Commission financial

support .

shortage of oil in the period between the two marketing
years being evident from a marked increase in producer
prices . Similar sales in the months of September and October
were made in 1991 and 1993 ( Regulations ( EEC )
No 2713 / 91 (!), ( EEC ) No 3056 / 91 ( 2 ), ( EEC )
No 2575 / 93 ( 3 ) and ( EEC ) No 2763 / 93 ( 4 )).

(•) OJ No L 257, 14 . 9 . 1991 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 289, 19 . 10 . 1991 .

( } ) OJ No L 236, 21 . 9 . 1993 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 251, 8 . 10 . 1993 .

0 ) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993 . WRITTEN QUESTION E-93 / 95

by Jean Gol ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 57 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-87 / 95

by Cristiana Muscardini ( NI )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 56 )

Subject : Intervention selling of 4 000 tonnes of extra virgin

olive oil and 10 000 tonnes of virgin olive oil

The Official Journal of the European Communities of
6 September 1994 reported that Senpa ( the Spanish
intervention agency ) had been authorized to sell 4 000
tonnes of extra virgin olive oil and 10 000 tonnes of virgin
olive oil on the Community market ( Regulation ( EC ) No
2175 / 94 ) i 1 ).

It is a well-known fact that olives are usually harvested in
early October . A decision of this kind taken just a month
before the beginning of the harvest, can only jeopardize the
olive oil market .

Subject : Harmonization of VAT rates — distortion of

competition arising from differences in VAT rates
between Member States

1 . Will the Commission state whether, in its Green Paper
on VAT scheduled for March 1995, it will include measures
to take account of the distortions of competition caused by
differences in VAT rates between the Member States,
particularly between Belgium and Luxembourg in respect of
the sale of animal feed ?

2 . Is it aware of the reduced rates applied to such
products in Luxembourg although, contrary to the terms of
Directive 92 / 77 / EEC ( x ) of 19 October 1992, these reduced
rates were not in force on 1 January 1991 ?

3 . Does it intend to class the same groups of goods in the
same groups of VAT rates for all the Member States in the
definitive VAT regime ? If so, when are such measures likely
to enter into force ?

4 . Does it intend to permit the continuation, under the

Can the Commission explain why this decision was taken, definitive VAT regime, of the super-reduced rates permitted
or why it was taken such a short time before the harvest under the transitional regime ?
rather than around February or March, which would have
avoided any speculation in the olive oil market ? (•) OJ No L 316, 31 . 10 . 1992, p . 1 .

f 1 ) OJ No L 232, 6 . 9 . 1994, p . 8 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Fischler (1 March 1995 )
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

Under Community VAT legislation ( Article ( 28)(2)(c ) of the
sixth Council VAT Directive ( as amended )), Luxembourg is
The decision to sell 14 000 tonnes of olive oil on the Spanish in fact entitled to apply a VAT rate lower than the minimum
market was dictated by a need to supply the market, the laid down for the reduced rate (5 % ) to supplies of animal

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 33

foodstuffs, but only for the duration of the transitional
period . The transitional period is scheduled to end at the end
of 1996 with the introduction of the definitive VAT regime
on 1 January 1997 .

It is clear that, in drawing up its proposals for the
introduction of the definitive VAT regime, the Commission
will pay particular attention to all actual or potential
problems of distortions of competition, including those
which may arise as a result of excessive differences in VAT
rates as between Member States . The Commission will be

particularly anxious to create the conditions necessary for a
smooth changeover to the definitive regime so that all
Member States are on an equal footing to benefit from the
advantages of the new arrangements .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-100 / 95

by Manuel Porto ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(8 February 199 S )

(9 SIC 152 / 58 )

Subject : Cost of newsprint

In recent months, the cost of printing paper has seen an
unexpected and considerable increase of approximately
30% .

In view of its significance with regard to the cost of
publications, accounting for 20 to 25 % of the total cost, an
irreplaceable medium for the dissemination of information
and culture is being penalized, to the importance of which I
attempted to draw attention in my report for the European
Parliament in April 1994 ( A3-282 / 94 ). Moreover, the high
postal charges in some countries make distribution
particularly difficult .

Given that such important interests are at stake in the case of
the printed media, which must not be allowed to be placed at
a disadvantage with regard to the audio-visual media, I
would like to ask the Commission and the Council whether

this price increase is not the result of concerted practices
contrary to the EC Treaty ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 February 1995 )

The Commission has noted the rising cost of newsprint, but
it does not, at the moment, possess any particular
information relating to the existence of a concerted practice
between newsprint manufacturers .

However, the Commission has always acknowledged the
importance of the press and it will examine with the utmost

attention any information brought to its notice regarding
the existence or establishment of a price cartel between
newsprint manufacturers . It will take any action that is
necessary and will keep the Honourable Member informed
of its findings .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-103 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

(9 SIC 152 / 59 )

Subject : Consumer information in France

What is the criterion used in France for lamb to be sold

under the heading of French lamb ? Is any lamb on sale in
France which has originated in Britain but qualifies as
' French ' because of a period of fattening in France ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-104 / 95

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 60 )

Subject : Lamb exported from Britain sold in France as

French lamb

Is the Commission in possession of information as to the
amount of lamb sold in France as French lamb which has

originated in Britain ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-103 / 95 and E-104 / 95

given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 21 February 1995 )

In recent years, there have been substantial exports of live
sheep from the United Kingdom to the remainder of the
Community . Total exports peaked in 1993 at under two
million head of which about 70% was for France . Due to
current difficulties associated with the export of live
animals, this figure fell very substantially in 1994 .

Sheep slaughtered at approved slaughterhouses in the
Community are marked with a veterinary stamp which
indicates the number of the slaughterhouse and its Member
State . Therefore, all British lambs slaughtered in approved

No C 152 / 34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

slaughterhouses in France are marked with a French
veterinary stamp .

While this stamp does not confer changed nationality on the
lambs, traders do make use of it in order to gain commercial
advantage by pointing to the freshness of domestically
slaughtered lamb in France .

Although Community law does not require that
Community produced carcases be marked with a stamp
indicating their Member State of origin, various bodies
responsible for the promotion of quality French lamb insist
that it be locally produced in order to be so labelled .

WRITTEN QUESTION E    - 1 1 7 / 95

by Elena Marinucci ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 61 )

Subject : Possible disadvantages caused to consumers and

producers of Italian colour television sets by a
company producing cathode-ray tubes

The French company Thompson, which in practice is the
only European producer of cathode-ray tubes, has a large
production plant in Italy ( Videocolor ) with a daily output of
20 000 cathode-ray tubes and an annual output of over 6
million units . Formenti Italia SpA, which has been designing
and manufacturing colour television sets since 1973, has
always been supplied by Videocolor under a mutually
satisfactory arrangement . On instructions from Thompson,
Videocolor has decided to reduce drastically its supplies to
the Italian market, allocating it only 300 000 cathode-ray
tubes a year in future . Thus faced with the loss of adequate
supplies of cathode-ray tubes ( at least 160 000 ) annually,
Formenti runs the risk of closure, with the subsequent loss
of jobs for its 450-strong workforce .

Does the Commission intend to inquire into what is
happening ? Does it intend, for example, to ascertain
whether Thompson's decision to reduce the supply of
cathode-ray tubes to Formenti will affect consumers, who
will be forced to purchase colour television sets at higher
prices than those charged by Formenti, affect trade between
Member States and help to strengthen Thompson's already
dominant position with regard to the production of
cathode-ray tubes and the production of colour television
sets which it manufactures itself ? Does the Commission

intend to take preventive action, given that the whole of the
region of Campania, in particular the province of Caserta

and the town of Sessa Aurunca, is currently faced with the
prospect of further unemployment which, in the event of the
closure of the Formenti plant, would be caused not by any
inherent problems in the firm ( which is thriving ) but by the
actions and decisions of Thompson which, as the only
European producer of cathode-ray tubes ( picture tubes ),
enjoys a monopoly ?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 17 February 1995 )

On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable
Member, the Commission has sent the company Thomson a
request for information under Article 11 of Council
Regulation No 17 / 62 (*) of 6 February 1962 ( first
Regulation implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty ).
The purpose of that request is to enable the Commission to

determine whether Thomson has infringed Articles 85 and
86 .

The Commission would point out that, on the basis of the
information at its disposal, it does not share the view that
Thomson enjoys a monopoly of production of cathode-ray
tubes within the Community .

It would remind the Honourable Member that Formenti

Italia S.p.A. has the right to lodge a complaint with the
Commission under Article 3 of the above Regulation . The
company should attach to any such complaint all available
particulars that would enable the Commission to take a
position on the matter as soon as possible .

H OJ No 13, 21 . 2 . 1962 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 46 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 62

Subject : Difficulties with interpretation of the concept of

                - blood self-sufficiency

In its communication on blood self-sufficiency in the
European Community C ) of 25 May 1993, the Commission
noted that

' while consensus on the principle of self-sufficiency
exists, there is some ambiguity with regard to its
practical implementation '.

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 35

Does the Commission consider that this principle means
self-sufficiency should primarily be attained at a national
level or at European Union level ?

Does the Commission consider that strict interpretation of
the principle of self-sufficiency at national level would
compel European patients to depend on only one source of
supply, which could endanger their lives in the event of a
breakdown of supply ?

Does the Commission consider that in order to ensure a high
livel of protection of public health, the availability ( choice
and supply, for example ) of proprietary medicines derived
from plasma should be wide enough to ensure the best
possible treatment for patients ?

Is the Commission aware of the ' buy domestic plasma '
policy pursued by the national authorities irrespective of
Directive 89 / 381 / EEC ( 2 )) guaranteeing the free movement
of safe pharmaceutical proprietary medicines derived from
plasma ?

(>) COM(93 ) 198 .
C ') OJ No L 181, 28 . 6 . 1989, p . 44 .

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

Directive 89 / 381 / EEC requires Member States to take the
necessary measures to promote Community self-sufficiency
in blood and plasma through voluntary unpaid donations .
How this will be achieved, however, is up to the Member
States themselves, with those that have already achieved
self-sufficiency at the national level making surplus supplies
available at Community level . The Commission's
communication on blood safety and self-sufficiency in the
Community (') addresses several issues related to this
goal .

The concept of Community self-sufficiency implies that
patients should always have access to the medicinal
products they need . Directive 89 / 381 / EEC was introduced
so as to ensure that blood products of highest quality, safety
and efficacy are available in adequate supply throughout the
Community .

The Commission is not aware of any ' buy domestic plasma '
policy pursued by national authorities . It is aware, however,
that some Member States require that only plasma coming
from voluntary non-remunerated donors be used in the
preparation of medicinal products that are placed on their
market .

(M COM ( 94 ) 652 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 52 / 95

by Florus Wiisenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

95 / C 152 / 63

Subject : Delays at border crossing points in central and

eastern Europe

1 . Is the Commission aware that, according to the
international road transport organization IRU, there are
still considerable delays — not infrequently exceeding 24
hours — at a number of major border crossing points in
central and eastern Europe ?

2 . Does the Commission realize how much damage this
scandalous state of affairs causes to hauliers carrying goods
to and from central and eastern Europe ?

3 . Will the Commission act to deal with the situation

without delay ?

If so, how ?

If not, why not ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 March 1995 )

1 . The Commission regularly receives information from
the International Road Transport Union ( IRU ) and from the
national road hauliers ' associations of the difficulties

encountered by their members at border crossing points in
central and eastern Europe . The results of the IRU's annual
and monthly surveys of the most congested frontier points
do indeed indicate that, during the high season, waiting
times for certain heavy goods vehicles can exceed 24
hours .

2 . In the case in point, the economic losses for the
operators concerned are very considerable, especially when
hourly rates are high . Consideration of these losses when
assessing measures to improve infrastructures and
equipment at these frontier points helps to justify and
facilitate investment decisions .

3 . Since 1992, under the Phare action plan, the
Commission, in close concertation with the authorities of
the countries concerned, has been developing a programme
for the modernization of frontier posts including measures
to improve infrastructures and provide computerized and
telecommunications equipment as well as measures to train

No C 152 / 36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

customs personnel . As a result of Parliament's initiative to
include in the 1994 budget a cross-border facility for joint
projects involving a Member State and a central European
country, it has been possible to mobilize additional
resources for projects aimed at modernizing frontier points
in the region .

Thus, more than ECU 100 million have been allocated for
the improvement of infrastructures and procedures at more
than 50 frontier points in central and eastern Europe . The
majority of these frontier points are among the border posts
identified by the IRU as being the most congested . The
relevant projects should be completed before the end of

199 5 .

Furthermore, with the help of almost ECU 80 million under
the Phare programme it has been possible to finance
programmes for the harmonization and standardization of
customs documents and procedures in central Europe and to
promote the computerization of the customs
administrations of these countries . As well as helping to
speed up customs procedures, these activities also have a
significant impact in facilitating the flow of traffic at
frontiers .

For the rest, the Commission has taken a number of
initiatives at regional level to improve the situation, in
particular through the introduction of the ' single
administrative document ' and of common transit

procedures for the Visegrad countries as well as through the
establishment of customs corridors in South-East Europe .
These customs corridors rely on the TIR carnet and on an
administrative agreement between the customs authorities
of the countries concerned relating to a uniform
classification system of simplified controls to be applied to
lorries in transit issued with the TIR carnet . In addition, the
measures to modernize the frontier points under the Phare
programme have been integrated into the programme
implementing these customs corridors . At the request of the
countries concerned, the Commission is planning to extend
the customs corridor concept to the other regions of central
and eastern Europe . To this end, a study on the Baltic States
has just been completed, and a study on central Europe is
currently in progress .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-264 / 95

by Giles Chichester ( PPE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 64 )

Subject : Common fisheries policy

Please list the number of fishery protection and / or
enforcement officers in the Community by Member State
and where these officers are based ?

Belgium 4 1

Denmark 140 6

Germany 47 4

Spain 30 9

France 42 20

Ireland 16 3

Netherlands 57 3

Portugal 7 2

United Kingdom 156 15

(') Excludes Mediterranean, Finland and Sweden .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2 70 / 95

by Joan Vallvé ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 65

Subject : The impact of the GATT Uruguay Round
agreements on the fruit and vegetables sector

The outcome of the multilateral trade negotiations in the
Uruguay Round makes it essential to introduce new rules on
imports of fruit and vegetables . This will affect reference
prices .

Protective measures need to be maintained to soften the

impact of the arrival on European markets of fruit and
vegetable products from third countries, such as the
Maghreb countries as regards vegetables and citrus fruits
and Brazil and Argentina's regards orange juice .

In certain parts of the Valencia region, the Balearic Islands
and Catalonia and, in general, the EU's entire
Mediterranean rim, the regulations governing the fruit and
vegetable sector have a decisive impact not only on the
economic viability of these regions but also on the
development of rural society and on efforts to keep the land
occupied .

What measures to protect the European Union's fruit and
vegetable products does the Commission plan to introduce,

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

According to Commission estimates, and only including
personnel attached directly to the principal government
departments responsible for fishery matters ( ie . excluding
defence coast-guard, customs, inspectors from local or
regional bodies etc .) the breakdown of numbers employed
within the Member States is as follows :

Number of

Member State (')

land-based

inspectors

Number of districts

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 37

in accordance with the principle of Community preference,
given the consequences of the latest trend towards trade
liberalization established by the abovementioned
agreements ?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 February 1995 )

During the negotiations in the Uruguay round it was agreed
that the border protection for agricultural products,
including fruit and vegetables, should be made only through
ordinary customs duties . Consequently, the present
reference price system applicable to certain fruit and
vegetables had to be converted into ordinary customs duties .
This conversion was made for fruit and vegetables through a
system of entry prices by reference to which the level of
protection ( custom duties ) is determined . In this way fruit
and vegetables are ensured the same Community preference
as under the reference price system . In addition, the
Community undertook, as a general rule over a period of six
years, to reduce customs duties only by 20 % for such
products while the average reduction for agricultural
products is 36% .

The development strategy behind Structural Fund reform
puts the accent on partnership for the purposes of
implementation of programmes approved by the
Commission .

In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the information
requested by the Honourable Member can be obtained from
the Portuguese authorities, in particular the IFADP

( Instituto Financeiro de apoio ao desenvolvimento da
agricultura e pescas ).

H OJ No L 374, 31 . 12 . 1988 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-324 / 95

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 67 )

Subject : Labelling of chemical containers

What plans has the Commission to introduce universal
markings of containers for chemicals so that, in particular,
hazardous substances can be readily identified by both
emergency services and waste-disposal services ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

WRITTEN QUESTION E-295 / 95 on behalf of the Commission

by José Apolinârio ( PSE ) ( 31 March 1995 )

to the Commission

(9 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 66 )

Subject : Application of the EAGGF-Guidance Section to

the first and second CSFs in Portugal

What are the total funds for projects under the first and
second CSFs ( Portugal ) eligible for EAGGF-Guidance
Section funding which have been allocated to projects of the
Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture ( or its regional
directorates )?

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 28 February 1995 )

Following Structural Fund reform the Commission no
longer approves individual projects, with the sole exception
of large projects covered by Article 5 of Regulation ( EEC )
No 4254 / 88 (') dealing with the ERDF .

For the purposes of supply, handling and use, the
Commission is operating a marking system of packages of
chemicals, both substances and preparations, in the
following ways :

1, by the implementation of Directive 67 / 548 / EEC (*),
relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of
dangerous substances and its subsequent amendments
and adaptations to technical progress ;

2, by the implementation of Directive 88 / 379 / EEC ( 2 )
relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of
dangerous preparations and its derived Directives and
adaptations to technical progress .

The Commission would particularly draw the attention of
the Honourable Member to Articles 22 ( packaging ), 23

( labelling ), 24 ( implementation of labelling requirements ),
and 25 ( exemptions from labelling and packaging
requirements ) of Directive 67 / 548 / EEC as well as to
Articles 7, 8 and 9 of Directive 88 / 379 / EEC .

For the purposes of transport, the marking and labelling of
containers, packages and tanks will be covered by Council
Directive 94 / 55 / EC ( 3 ) relating to the transport of
dangerous goods by road from 1 January 1997 . This

No C 152 / 38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

Directive harmonizes all the existing legislations of the
Member States, using as a basis the international ADR
Agreement . Until then, detailed provisions concerning
marking and labelling for transport are applied through
national and international transport rules . Such labelling
systems allow for easy recognition by all concerned of the
hazards contained in the packaging or tank, which in turn
gives an indication of what steps should be taken should an
accident occur .

Insofar as ' universal markings ' are concerned, to the extent
that this means marking containers under the terms of a
world wide agreed scheme, the Commission has been
participating in the activities of harmonization of chemical
classification systems organized under the auspices of the
organization for economic cooperation and development
and the United Nations ( international labour office ). This
follows the 1992 United Nations conference on

environment and development ( Unced ) ( June 1992, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil ) which called for an internationally
harmonized scheme of classification ( Agenda 21,
Chapter 19 ). The timeframe set for such an international
harmonization of chemical classification systems to be
completed is the year 2000 .

For this reason it is not likely that the labelling ( marking )
provisions for containers of chemicals, in force in the
Community is, at the moment, universally followed, and
this in spite of the fact that the Community system serves as
a model . By the same token, however, there are elements in
common between the Community systems for supply,
handling, use and transport, and other major systems,
namely in Amercia . It is for this reason that the parties, while
acknowledging differences, are working towards a
harmonized universal system .

The Commission would also like to draw the attention of

the Honourable Member to the fact that, in the context of
such activities of harmonization, not only is a
harmonization of different international classification

systems envisaged, but also a harmonization across different
sectorial classification systems . This applies namely to the
sectors of :

— transport ( by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterway );

WRITTEN QUESTION P-329 / 95

by Brigitte Langenhagen ( PPE )

to the Commission

(6 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 68 )

Subiect : Edible gelatine — loophole in EU law

The drafts of Directive 77 / 99 / EEC ( l ) originally contained
detailed proposals on standards required of the raw material
for the manufacture of edible gelatine which were then
removed from the Directive .

Under Directive 92 / 118 / EEC ( 2 ) of 17 December 1992, the
health requirements governing the preparation of certain
gelatines for consumption were to be laid down by

1 January 1994 . However, that has not yet been done .

1 . Why were the requirements governing the composition
and hygienic processing of the raw material for the
production of edible gelatine withdrawn from the
provisions of Directive 77 / 99 / EEC ? Is this attributable
to the influence of the gelatine industry ?

2 . Does the Commission consider it acceptable for
connective tissue from dirty cattle hides, some of which
are from animals not suitable for human consumption,
together with bones and skin, which are not transported
or stored in accordance with the hygiene standards
applying to meat, to be used in the manufacture of edible
gelatine ?

3 . Is the Commission aware that this method of

manufacturing edible gelatine has been criticized as
disgusting on German television ?

4 . When will the Commission submit hygiene standards
governing the raw material and manufacture of edible
gelatine ? How will it put an end to the abuses referred to
in paragraph 2 above ?

— placing on the market ; (>) OJ No L 26, 31 . 1 . 1977, p . 85 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 62, 15 . 3 . 1993, p . 49 .

— users ( namely the professional user );

— stocking of chemicals .

These sectors have, quite naturally, different labelling
requirements, which are themselves part of the
harmonization difficulties facing the different parties
involved .

Nevertheless, the Commission and the Member States are
committed to such harmonization by the end of this

century .

í 1 ) OJ No L 196, 16 . 8 . 1967 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 187, 16 . 7 . 1988 .

(■*) OJ No L 319, 12 . 12 . 1994,

Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

The removal of gelatine from the scope of Council Directive
77 / 99 / EEC of 21 December 1976 on health problems
affecting intra-Community trade in meat products and
Council Directive 92 / 5 / EEC ( l ) of 10 February 1992
amending and updating Directive 77 / 99 / EEC on health
problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products
and amending Directive 64 / 43 3 / EEC and its inclusion in
that of Council Directive 92 / 118 / EEC of 17 December 1992

laying down animal health and public health requirement

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 39

governing trade in and imports into the Community of
products not subject to the said requirements laid down in
specific Community rules referred to in Annex A ( I ) to
Directive 89 / 662 / EEC and, as regards pathogens, to
Directive 90 / 425 / EEC was an initiative of the Council .

The Commission is now working to draft rules on health
conditions for the preparation of gelatine intended for
human consumption . At present the document is in a
consultation stage with the veterinary scientific committee
and with experts of the Member States .

f 1 ) OJ No L 57, 2 . 3 . 1992 .

WRITTEN QUESTION P-330 / 95

by Luigi Colajanni ( PSE )

to the Commission

(3 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 69 )

Subject : Application of the milk quota with respect to

Sicily

Is the Commission aware that the milk quota for Italy has
been applied by the Italian Government on the basis of
geographical criteria which fail to take account of
disadvantaged areas and make no special provision for
Objective 1 regions ?

A region such as Sicily, which produces less than 2 % of the
national product and less than 20 % of its own consumption
needs, would see its number of holdings reduced from the
figure of approximately 4 479 holdings recognized by
Bulletin 4 / 93 / 94 to approximately 1 984, representing a loss
of some 3 000 jobs .

This is contrary to the Union Directive promoting increased
consumption of fresh milk and to the policy of supporting
disadvantaged areas .

It is a particularly serious problem because Sicilian farmers
work in inland and mountainous areas where no other form

of production is possible .

Will the Commission agree to remind the Italian
Government of the European Union's criteria and objectives
designed to support disadvantaged regions ?

Italy, the reference year selected was the 1988 / 89 milk year,
as corrected by deliveries made during 1991 / 92, where the
latter prove greater . This is an objective method which does
not take account of regional differences and which aims to
grant production rights on a verifiable basis, i.e . individual
production during the reference year .

A solution may be found to the problem of producers
needing higher quotas by means of a national reserve . That
reserve is intended to provide additional quantities for
priority producers defined on the basis of objective criteria
established by the Member State in agreement with the
Commission .

The special problems of development in less-favoured areas
and in particular hill and mountain areas have induced the
Community to introduce various instruments and to step up
its structural action . Compensatory allowances for
mountain and hill areas, which are fixed on the basis of
natural handicaps, are granted out of the desire to take
account of natural production conditions and to provide
farmers in such regions with reasonable incomes . Mountain
and hill areas also receive preferential treatment, both as
regards the rates of assistance in holding improvement
plans, which are higher, and as regards the type of
investments which may cover tourist and craft-trade
activities, vocational training and training centres .

In conclusion, the Commission considers that since the
allocation of a right to produce is involved, the regulations
on milk quotas must have an objective basis, i.e . actual
individual production during the reference year, and must
not take account of regional criteria .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-331 / 95

by Gerhard Schmid ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 70 )

Subject : Allocation of Thermie resources

Will the Commission state what resources were allocated

from the Thermie programme from 1990 to 1994

( indicating breakdown by year ) to each of the Member
States of the Union ( in percentage and absolute figures )?

Answer given by Mr Fischler Answer given by Mr Papoutsis
on behalf of the Commission on behalf of the Commission

( 22 February 1995 ) (5 April 1995 )

The Community Regulations provide for individual
reference quantities to be allocated on the basis of the
producer's deliveries during the reference year . In the case of

The Commission is sending two tables containing the
information requested directly to the Honourable Member
and the Secretariat-General of Parliament .

No C 152 / 40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

These tables should be read in the light of two
observations :

— around 42 % of Thermie projects ( 60 % of total amount

allocted ) are carried out by enterprises from two or more
Member States . Table 1 shows the Member State of the

first contracting party ;

— the accompanying measures provided for by the
Thermie programme ( Table 2 ) are carried out at
European level, and it is not possible to assume that an
amount allocated to an organization situated in a
Member State is intended for that Member State .

A number of European activities addressing the needs of
people with dyslexia are co-financed on an annual basis .
Notable recent examples include a conference held in Spain
in October 1994 which focused on early educational
services for pre-school children and a meeting held in Paris
in January 1994 on early recognition of dyslexia .

In May 1995 a conference and exhibition will take place in
Edinburgh to examine the role of computer technology in
meeting the educational needs of people with dyslexia .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 82 / 95

by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert ( PPE )

to the Commission
WRITTEN QUESTION E-366 / 95

( 15 February 1995 )
by Imelda Read ( PSE )

to the Commission ( 95 / C 152 / 72 )

( 15 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 71 )

Subject : Policies to counteract dyslexia

Considering that dyslexia is a world-wide problem suffered
by approximately 20 % of the population, could the
Commission give some indication of whether it proposes
any policies to counteract the problems facing citizens with
this disability ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

In the framework of the Helios programme to promote the
equal opportunities and integration of disabled people, the
Commission cooperates with the European dyslexia
association, which is represented in ten Member States .

The European dyslexia association has a voice within the
European disability forum, one of the consultative
mechanisms set up in the framework of Helios II via the
non-governmental organizations sector representing
medical and specific impairments, disabilities and
handicaps .

The Helios programme, while not dealing exclusively with
people with dyslexia since it is aimed at all categories of the
disabled, makes it possible to address the specific problems
of particular groups of disabled people .

Subject : Tax demands by the Netherlands in respect of

German cars in the German / Dutch border area

Euregio, a cross-border association of 106 Dutch and
German local authorities in the border area between the

Rhine, Ijseel and Ems, has acquired a small car for its office
in Gronau ( Germany ) for errands in the border area .

1 . Is the Commission aware that a vehicle registered in
Germany may not be driven by a Dutch employee in the
Netherlands ?

2 . Is it also aware that Euregio will have to pay an
additional tax demand of Fl 8 000 if the Dutch employee
in question uses the vehicle on official business in the
Netherlands ?

3 . This bizarre situation is the result of a special vehicle tax
in the Netherlands, the BPN ( Belasting Personenautos
en Motoren — car and engine tax ). The Netherlands
seeks to prevent its nationals evading this tax by
registering their cars in Germany . However, it is
precisely in the border area that many small and
medium-sized firms operate on a cross-border basis,
with their firm's name registered in the neighbouring
country . Is the Commission aware that the free
movement of people and services, which was supposed
to have been guaranteed by the abolition of borders, is
thus being hampered by these rules ?

4 . What does the Commission intend to do about this

unsatisfactory state of affairs ?

5 . Is it prepared to make representations to the
Netherlands Finance Ministry with a view to securing a
relaxation of these rules, at least for the border area ?

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 41

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1995 )

The creation of the internal market saw the introduction of a

Community-wide excise duty system for alcohol, tobacco
and mineral oils . Under the relevant legal instrument, the
Member States retained the right to maintain or introduce
taxes on other goods and services — thus including motor
vehicles — provided they do not involve border-crossing
formalities .

Several Member States have invoked this provision for
motor vehicles, and apply taxes — typically registration
taxes — at often widely varying levels . The Commission has
noted that the measures taken by Member States to
safeguard their revenue from such sources of taxation may
appear to be incompatible with the concept of the internal
market . The particular case cited by the Honourable
Member, concerning use in a border area by an employee
resident in one Member State of a company vehicle
registered in the neighbouring Member State, is a good
example .

The Commission intends to forward a proposal this year to

update the existing rules with a view to ensuring a smoother
functioning of the internal market . The type of case
mentioned above will be addressed in that proposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-385 / 95

by Fausto Bertinotti and
Laura Gonzalez Alvarez ( GUE / NGL )

to the Commission

( 15 February 1995 )

(9 5 IC 152 / 73 )

Subject : Cuts in dioxin emissions : compliance with the fifth

action programme on the environment and
sustainable development

observance of emission standards may be waived until 1996,
not least with respect to emissions of dioxin into the
atmosphere .

The derogations are contrary to Articles 130r and 100a(3 )
of the Treaty, which stipulate that Commission proposals
must be based on a high level of protection, and inconsistent
with the action programme .

Does the Commission not believe that it should take steps,
by proposing an amendment to the abovementioned
Directive, in order to remedy the failure to comply with the
aims and principles of the Union ?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

Article 7.2 of Directive 84 / 67 / EC on the incineration of
hazardous waste (') stipulates that

' the emission of dioxins and furans shall be reduced by
the most progressive techniques and that from 1997, at
the latest, all average values measured over the sample
period of a minimum of six hours and a maximum of
eight hours shall not exceed a limit value of 0,1 ng / m 3
unless, at least before that date, the availability of
harmonized measurement methods has not been

established at Community level by the Commission .'

In this respect, the Commission considers that, far from
establishing a general derogation, this article merely sets out
harmonization measures seeking to limit the emission of
dioxins by 1 January 1997, at the latest .

Furthermore, the Commission's findings show that the
incineration of hazardous waste is not the principal source
of dioxin emissions . Indeed, it is clear from the following
studies that such emissions stem mainly from the
incineration of non-hazardous waste and from emissions

from motor vehicles :

— Environment Protection Agency, USA : ' Estimating
exposure to dioxin-like compounds ', June 1994 ;

— National Institute of Public Health and Environmental

Protection ( RIVM) / Netherlands Organization for
Under the fifth action programme on the environment and Applied Scientific Research ( TNO ): ' Emissions of dioxin
sustainable development, the Union is to reduce dioxin in NL ', February 1994 .
emissions by 90%, cutting them back to the 1985 level by
the year 2005 .

(') OJ No L 365, 31 . 12 . 1994 .

Both the proposal and the Directive on the incineration of
hazardous waste lay down general derogations whereby

No C 152 / 42 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION P-417 / 95

by Heidi Hautala ( V )

to the Commission

(8 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 74 )

Subject : Community guidelines for the development of the

trans-European transport network ( J )

As the Commission states in Article 2(2 ) of the above
proposal, this trans-European network is intended to
' ensure the sustainable and safe mobility of persons within
the area without internal frontiers under the best possible
social conditions, while contributing to the attainment of
the Community's environmental objectives '.

Given this, does the Commission intend to submit the global
network schemes ( for roads, railways, waterways, ports,
airports, intermodal freight terminals and produce
pipelines ) to a trans-European environmental impact study
according to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( 2 )

(') COM(94 ) 106 final .

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

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

The integration of environmental protection policy into
transport policy is one of the major priorities contained in
the 1992 White Paper on the future development of the
common transport policy, in accordance with Article 130r
of the EC Treaty .

On 7 April 1994, the Commission adopted a proposal for a
European Parliament and Council Decision on Community
guidelines for the development of the trans-European
transport network .

In accordance with the White Paper, the Commission is
committed to carrying out a strategic environmental
assessment of each project which forms part of the
trans-European transport network . This assessment will
consider the impact of the future development of the
network and should make it possible to specify quantitative
environmental objectives .

During the first reading of the proposal, Parliament
introduced a new article concerning environmental
requirements, referring in particular to the need to develop
methods of analysis in order to make a strategic assessment
of the environmental impact of the whole network .

The Commission has therefore begun a methodological
study of strategic environmental assessment, partly based on
the recommendations of a special working party of experts
consulted in June 1994 .

The work will be ' in two stages . The first stage is to specify a
method of analysis, possible scenarios and the data required .
The second stage is to conduct a study ( or studies ) of
strategic environmental assessment of the trans-European
transport network .

The purpose of this strategical environmental assessment is
to assess the global impact of the multimodal
trans-European transport network .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-465 / 95

by Florus Wijsenbeek ( ELDR )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 75 )

Subject : Proposals for combating fraud in the transport of

goods

Following my question No 1850 / 94 f 1 ), to which Mrs
Scrivener gave an answer on 30 September 1994, does not
the Commission believe that an effective way of reducing
forwarding agents ' risk might be to reverse the burden of
proof in respect of fraud ?

What does the Commission think of the proposal by Clecat,
the European forwarding agents ' organization, that a
receipt requested and issued by the customs office of
destination should exempt the forwarding agent from
claims by the tax authorities ?

Does the Commission agree that it is reasonable for the tax
authorities to prove that the forwarding agent is at fault, if
something adverse occurs during transport ?

What is the Commission's view of the proposal to record the
registration number of copy No 5 on the return to the office
of departure as an additional guarantee of proper customs
clearance ?

Does the Commission intend to take action in the near

future in this respect ?

If so, when ?

If not, why not ?

(M OJ No C 24, 30 . 1 . 1995, p . 38 .

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

Clearly the financial risk to the forwarding agent as
principal in a Community transit procedure could be

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 43

modifying the obligations imposed on him by the
Community legislation . But these obligations reflect the
overriding need to safeguard not only the Community's own
resources but the revenue of the Member States, even in
cases where it is impossible to identify the person
responsible for the diversion of goods in transit, and for such
time as the perpetrator of a fraud cannot be apprehended . In
any case, such obligations counterbalance the facilities
available to traders under the transit procedure .

The Commission is currently studying the possibility of
accepting alternative forms of proof of discharge of transit
operations, and the issue raised by the Honourable Member
is being considered in this context .

Proof of guilt or guilty knowledge would indeed be required
if penalties were to be imposed . The fact that the legislation
automatically assigns administrative and financial liability
to a particular party, on the other hand, is intended to ensure
that own resources and other dues can be systematically
recovered in the event of irregularities . The Honourable
Member is invited to refer in this connection to point 4 of the
Commission's answer to question No 1850 / 94 .

The current legislation provides for notification of the office
of departure . The information is to be entered in Box I on the
back of the return copy No 5 of the single administrative
document ( SAD ).

The Commission is drafting a report to the Council and
Parliament on transit fraud, with suggestions for the

necessary counter-measures .

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

Eighteen studies on various ethical, social and legal aspects
of research on the human genome were funded under the
first programme ( Human Genome Analysis Programme,

1990 — 1992 ). The full list is being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General . The

Commission has received the final reports on the studies . A
summary of the studies is being prepared . This publication
and fuller details on each of these studies can be obtained on

request from the Directorate-General for Science, Research
and Development .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 12 / 95

by Stephen Hughes ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 27 February 1 99 S )

( 95 / C 152 / 77 )

Subiect : Cosmetics Directive

Further to Written Question E-273 / 94 ( ), could the
Commission now inform Parliament as to the outcome of

their investigation of the effects of hairdressing chemicals on
health and what plans there are to ensure that hairdressers
and cosmeticians can work with them without getting skin
and respiratory complaints ?
WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 10 / 95

by José Valverde Lôpez ( PPE )

to the Commission (!) OJ No C 251, 8 . 9 . 1994, p . 45 .

( 27 February 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 76 )

Answer given by Mrs Bonino

Subject : Human genome analysis on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

Under the research programme on human genome analysis

( 1990 / 91 ) { l ), contracts were awarded for research into the
ethical, social and legal aspects of human genome analysis . Article 2 of Council Directive 76 / 768 / EEC on the
Specific issues such as the ethical aspects of experimental
gene therapy and information to the public were to be approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
studied . Are the results of these studies accessible ? Have they cosmetic products ( J ), as last amended by Commission
been published ? What steps have been taken to make them Directive 94 / 32 / EEC on 29 June 1994 ( 2 ), states that
available to the public ? cosmetic products must not be liable to cause damage to

human health when they are applied under normal
conditions of use . Moreover, Article 3 of the same Directive
(M OJ No L 196, 26 . 7 . 1990, p . 8 . obliges the Member States to take all necessary measures to

No C 152 / 44 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

ensure that only cosmetic products which conform to the
provisions of this Directive and its Annexes may be put on
the market . Article 6(1 ) ( d ) specificies that conditions of use
and warnings contained in the Annexes, and including
relevant information on particular precautions to be
observed in the professional use of cosmetic products,
including those intended for hairdressers, must be printed
on the label . The following examples of warnings to
professionals can be mentioned here : '. . . Contains
diaminobenzines . May cause an allergic reaction . Use
suitable gloves If this product comes into contact
with the eyes, rinse immediately . . .', ' Avoid contact with
eyes . . .'.

Documents relating to the toxicology of all hair dyes and
substances which are or will be listed in the Annexes to the

Directive are submitted to the Scientific Committee on

Cosmetology for scientific analysis and assessment . These
documents deal with allergy tests, sensitization tests, and
skin and mucus membrane irritation tests .

Moreover, the protection of professional hairdressers and
cosmeticians at their place of work is part of the overall
strategy of Council Directive 89 / 39 1 / EEC on the
introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the
safety and health of workers at work ( 3 ). This Directive is
supplemented by the provisions of Directive 80 / 1107 / EEC
on the protection of workers from the risks related to
exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at
work ( 4 ), which is currently being updated by an amended
proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of the
health and safety of workers from the risks related to
chemical agents at work ( 5 ). Once adopted by the Council,
this proposal will provide additional specific rules for the
use of chemical agents, including cosmetic products, at
work .

With regard to ' multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome '

( MCSS ), this is a phenomenon which has been observed not
only in professional hairdressers and cosmeticians who
come into contact with hair dyes, but also in people who
have not been exposed to these products at their place of
work or elsewhere . MCSS consists of a reaction by the body
whose symptoms suggest an allergy, but which, when tested
by scientifically sound methods, shows no indication of
sensitization . There is also nothing to suggest a
pseudo-allergy in the traditional meaning of the word . For
this reason, the origin of MCSS must still be considered as
unknown .

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

( 2 ) OJ No L 181, 15 . 7 . 1994 .

( 3 ) OJ No L 183, 29 . 6 . 1989 .

( 4 ) OJ No L 327, 3 . 12 . 1980 .

( 5 ) OJ No C 191, 14 . 7 . 1994 — COM(94 ) 230 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-535 / 95

by Luciano Vecchi ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

95 / C 152 / 78 )

Subject : NGO involvement in programmes for the
Palestinian Territories

Given that support for the development of civil society,
particularly in the Palestinian Territories, is crucially
important for the consolidation of the Middle East peace
process, and given the positive experience gained in recent
years with regard to European Union support for the
activities of NGOs working in Palestine, will the
Commission indicate how direct support for the activities of
NGOs working in Palestine can be provided under the
budget article B7-701 ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1995 )

In the past, and indeed up until the end of 1993, Community
funds for the Occupied Territories were channelled directly
through UNRWA ( United Nations relief and works agency
for palestine refugees in the near East ), municipalities or, in a
large number of cases through non-governmental
organizations ( NGOs ). However, since the establishment of
the Palestinian authority, the emphasis has been on directing
funds through the newly established administration . This,
indeed, brings the Occupied Territories into line with other
developing countries, where major donors tend to direct the
bulk of their funds through administrations in place .

The imperative to do so in the case of the Palestinian
authority is all the greater since donors have a responsibility
to help establish an administration as a counterpart body to
assist in the programming and implementation of the
massive donor support to the Palestinian population .

This is why particular effort has now to be made to direct
funds through the Palestinian authority . Without the right
institutional framework, and a well-resourced and
responsible administration, the development of the
Occupied Territories would be stillborn .

The Commission does nevertheless also appreciate that
precisely because there has been no indigenous
administration, NGOs have come to assume a vital role in
the provision of essential services to the Palestinian
population . NGOs are often important not only for such
services, but also in encouraging the development of civil
society .

19 . 6 . 95 CM Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 45

Thus while it is true that funds on the Community budget
line specifically aimed at the Palestinian population are
directed in large part through the Palestinian authority,
some ECU 1,4 million have been put to one side to establish
and fund the Palestinian centre for micro-projects
development . The purpose of this independent body is to
select and find local NGO projects . Projects may receive
funding only if they involve one or more local NGOs .

Apart from the budget lines managed by ECHO, the
European Community Humanitarian Office, which, while
working through NGO's given only humanitarian and not
development assistance, other Community budget lines
available for the financing of NGO projects in the Occupied
Territories include those for democracy and human rights in
the developing countries, and NGO co-financing .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-542 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 79 )

Subject : Maximum power of motorcycles

The agreement reached by the Council / European
Parliament Conciliation Committee on the Directive on the

maximum design speed, maximum torque and maximum
net engine power of motorcycles sets a limit fo 100 hp

( 74 k W ) for the permitted maximum power, citing safety
reasons which are so vague as to require a study to evaluate
the results of scientific research on the possible link between
road accidents and engine power in excess of 74 kW .

Given that the Directive will in any event be a serious blow
to the Italian motorcycle industry, whoch is now the sole
European bulwark against Japanese penetration, does the
Commission not consider that the reasoning cited is
somewhat feeble and that it should not issue a Directive

which penalizes a Community industry, is applied in a
biased manner and is based on vague scientific research ?

and maximum net engine power of two or three-wheel
motor vehicles (*) was adopted on 2 February 1995 . This
Directive is one of the separate Directives forming part of
the type approval system for these vehicles which is being
introduced in stages . The European industry in question is
very much in favour of this type-approval system since it will
allow the internal market to function on the basis of

common technical rules . The Commission would also point
out that this Directive is binding in nature which means that
only two or three-wheel vehicles approved on the basis of
the Directive may be placed on the market after the entry
into force of the new provisions .

In accordance with the compromise text finalized by the
Conciliation Committee, the new Directive does not fix a
limit on the power of motorcycle engines, but it permits
those Member States which so desire to refuse the initial

registration and any subsequent registration within their
territory of vehicles with a maximum net power of more
than 74 kW .

The Directive also states that the Commission will carry out
a comprehensive new study to establish whether there is a
link between accidents and maximum engine power above
74 kW . The Commission is drawing up the practical details
of this study which will then be submitted to Parliament,
Council and all interested parties for their comments . On
the basis of the study's conclusions, the Commission will, if
necessary, propose new legislative measures to Parliament
and the Council .

(!) OJ No L 52, 8 . 3 . 1995 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-554 / 95

by Amedeo Amadeo ( NI )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 80 )

Subject : Computerized flight reservations

given by Mr Bangemann According to a draft Commission study on computerized

of the Commission flight reservation systems, the cost of these systems is being

( 29 March 1995 ) met solely by the airlines .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

In view of the fact that airlines are already receiving ECU 30
Directive 95 / 1 / EC of the European Parliament and of the billion in the form of various types of aid and that the draft
Council on the maximum design speed, maximum torque study might lead to the partial transfer of management costs

No C 152 / 46 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

to the general public who would thus be paying twice, as
consumers and as taxpayers, will the Commission make
fresh arrangements for this study, firstly issuing an official
invitation to tender to select the author and, secondly,
assessing the implications of such a study for Community
consumers ?

to Japan ( which passes close to the coasts of Spain and the
Channel Islands ), what referrals have been made by the
French Government under Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty
which requires such referrals when particularly dangerous
nuclear experiments are to take place ?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1995 )

( 24 March 1995 )

The Commission is investigating computerized reservation
system ( CRS ) pricing policy following the receipt of a
number of complaints alleging that the present structure of
fees charged by CRSs is in breach of Article 10.1 of the code
of conduct for CRS ( Council Regulation ( EC ) 3089 / 93 (*) as
amended ).

Article 10.1 of the code requires, amongst other matters,
that any fee charged by a CRS shall be reasonably related to
the cost of the service provided and used, as well as
reasonably structured . The plaintiffs are concerned that the
provision of CRS services to travel agents at reduced or no
cost is not in conformity with that article .

As part of its examination of the complaints, an external
consultant was appointed in order to assist the Commission
in the in-depth review of the current charging policy and the
effects and practicability of a range of options for an
alternative CRS charging policy . The consultant will be
assisted by a working group made up of representatives of
all organizations involved in the CRS sector .

The consequences of any transfer of responsibility for
paying CRS fees from the air carrier to the subscriber and
ultimately to the consumer will form part of the study .

(') OJ No L 278, 11 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-557 / 95

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 81 )

Subject : Transportation of nuclear waste

In relation to the transportation by sea of high level nuclear
waste from Cap de La Hague re-processing plant in France

The procedure set out in Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty is
applicable only when two criteria are met, viz ., the activity
concerned constitutes an experiment and it is of a
particularly dangerous nature . The transport operation in
question does not, therefore, fall within the scope of
Article 34 and equally no communication has been received
from the French Government .

According to the information available to the Commission,
the operation is being carried out in full compliance with the
relevant national and international transport regulations . In
addition, it is noted that the ship in question, which has
already been used on numerous occasions for the transport
of highly radioactive materials, has been specially designed
and equipped to standards beyond those which would be
required by these regulations .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-560 / 95

by Eolo Parodi ( FE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 82 )

Subject : Community measures to promote ' travel
medicine '

Unless appropriate precautions are taken, travel ( for
recreational, business, study, or therapeutic purposes ) can
pose considerable health risks, and dangers of infection,
especially in developing countries .

Can the Commission therefore say what steps it will take to
organize forms of epidemiological monitoring for
travellers ?

What provision does it intend to make to promote complete
vocational training for doctors and, within their particular
province, tour operators, thereby ensuring that the
necessary assistance is available to travellers ?

Will the Commission sponsor and finance Community
measures in support of travel medicine and at the same time
encourage the introduction of a health passport ?

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 47

Answer given by Mr Flynn The Commission also follows the activities of international
on behalf of the Commission organizations ( International Society for Travel Medicine,

( 30 March 1995 ) World Tourism Organization, etc .) in this area .

The organization of a pan-European epidemiological
monitoring system for all travellers, involving several
hundred million journeys every year, would not be feasible
or appropriate for the Commission to undertake .

In this field only selective action can be taken and
epidemiological monitoring systems do exist which
concentrate on travellers ' health, such as for Legionnaire's
disease which frequently affects travellers . A European
network has been in place for several years for this

purpose .

As regards diseases which come under the international
health rules of the WHO ( World Health Organization ), of
which all the Member States are members, it is up to the
Member States to implement these rules and take suitable
measures on behalf of travellers . Generally speaking, they
do so, it was the case with the epidemic of pneumonic plague
that occurred recently in India .

Doctors, and especially general practitioners, receive
specific updated information on the health risks associated
with certain non-Member States as part of their continuing
training and through their professional organizations . They
also undertake to pass on any useful information to people
who consult them before going on a journey .

Tour operators are not responsible for providing medical
information . However, under the terms of Directive
90 / 314 / EEC on package travel, package holidays and
package tours C ), they are obliged to inform their customers
about the health formalities which have to be observed .

Moreover, travellers are advised to consult their general
practitioner or a travel advice centre . It is up to doctors to
advise any preventive measures to be taken, especially
vaccinations, medication to protect against malaria,
precautions against sexually transmitted diseases, etc . Such
centres exist in all the Member States and come under their

authority .

As part of the assistance it provides for the information and
training of specialists in the field of health promotion, the
Commission is willing to support, in cases meriting it,
activities to prevent diseases resulting from travel . The
Commission is proposing to intensify activities in this area
and for this reason put forward proposals for a five-year
programme on health promotion, information, education
and training . Moreover, the Commission intends to support
projects concerning prevention aspects of travel medicine
and the creation of relevant networks in the context of the

programme on AIDS and certain other communicable
diseases, in respect of which it forwarded a proposal to the
Parliament and the Council in November 1994 ( 2 ).

As regards the health passport, for which the contents and
procedures for issue have yet to be defined, it is the
responsibility of the Member States to decide on this matter
as agents of the WHO .

(M OJ No L 158, 23 . 6 . 1990 .

( 2 ) COM(94 ) 413 final .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-5 99 / 95

by Gijs de Vries ( ELDR )

to the Commission

(6 March 1995 )

(9 SIC 152 / 83 )

Subject : Protection of Nazi concentration camp sites

On the proposal of the Liberal Group, the budget of the
European Communities for the financial year 1995 includes
a provision to contribute to efforts to conserve the
significance of Nazi concentration camp sites ( Section III —
Part A — item A-303N ). As this year marks the
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz and other camps, what initiatives has the
Commission undertaken to implement this provision ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission

( 27 March 1995 )

In view of the number of sites, and the differences between
them in terms of size and degree of preservation, the
Commission has embarked on a process of consultation and
research to identify the most appropriate for funding under
item A-303-N of the Community budget .

No C 152 / 48 [ EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

WRITTEN QUESTION E-654 / 95

by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 84 )

Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the

Union

Why was the 1993 / 94 compendium of Force projects
published in French, English and German only ?

Does the Commission not take the view that this conflicts

with the policy of continued use of all the Union's official
languages ?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson

on behalf of the Commission

( 18 April 1995 )

The publication mentioned by the Honourable Member is
one of the working documents provided for the Commission
which have no impact on Member State legislation and
which for reasons of speed and economy are prepared only
in three major working languages .

Thos approach was shared by the advisory committee set up
to assist the Commission in the implementation of the Force
programme, which came to an end on 31 December 1994 .
The former Force national coordination units in the

different Member States have prepared information
material in the language of the Member State concerned,
which is forwarded direct to the Honourable Member and

to the Secretariat-General of the Parliament .

Does the Commission not take the view that this conflicts

with the policy of continued use of all the Union's official
languages ?

Contrary to the reply to one of my earlier parliamentary
questions, the addresses of contacts in Brussels are listed in
French only, although Brussels is a city with two official
languages . Will the Commission rectify this situation ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

The Commission endeavours to adhere to the principle of
equal treatment of the official languages in its

programmes .

The LEDA programme ( local employment development
action ) is supported financially by the Commission but is
managed by an outside contractor . The relatively modest
annual budget of this programme has to cover all the
activities of the network of which the publications are only a
part . This budget only allows the publication of the
newsletter in three languages, and the contractor is therefore
obliged to make a choice as to which languages are to be
used . For this reason, LEDA issues regularly a compendium
of articles from the newsletter in the LEDA magazine which
is published in nine languages ( including Dutch ), in order to
make these articles more widely accessible . In addition, a
practical manual on employment action for project leaders
has also been published in nine languages ( including
Dutch ).

As regards the Commission's contact addresses in Brussels,
every effort will be made to present in future the addresses in
the two local languages .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-743 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-655 / 95
to the Commission
by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission ( 15 March 1995 )

( 10 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 85 )

Subject : The use of Dutch as an official language within the

Union

Why is the Newsletter relating to the LEDA Programme not
published in Dutch ?

( 95 / C 152 / 86

Subject : Encouraging European Union private investment

in the Mediterranean countries

What specific measures does the Commission intend to
implement to stimulate private investment in the
Mediterranean countries, both from the European Union
and amongst the countries themselves ?

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 49

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-750 / 95

by Luigi Moretti ( ELDR )
(6 April 1995 ) to the Commission

( 15 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 87 )
The objectives of the Community's strengthened
Mediterranean policy centre on the achievement of peace,
stability and prosperity in our partner countries . The
Commission has proposed three themes for its Subject : Packaging of foodstuffs
interventions : support for economic transition ; support for
social development ; and support for regional integration .

Subject : Packaging of foodstuffs

Having regard to Directive 85 / 339 / EEC C ) on containers of
liquids for human consumption,

Support for economic transition will be translated into four
areas of action : the realization of the Euro-Mediterranean

free trade zone ; the modernization and restructuring of the
private sector ; the encouragement of European private
investment, and the improvement of economic and social
infrastructure .

Private investment is vital not only because of the
requirement for capital investment in the region but also
because it has the capacity to effect technology transfer and
improve management skills . The current round of
association agreements under negotiation are intended to
provide a supportive legal framework for foreign direct
investment . The Commission will also support the
development of macro-economic policy environment which
is conducive to private foreign investment .

The Commission will continue to encourage — and will give
greater support for — the establishment of joint ventures
between private sector operations in Europe and
Mediterranean countries . Active encouragement will also be
given to the establishment of franchise operations, licensing
agreements, sub-contracting and other forms of business
partnership . This will be done through existing instruments

( such as EC Investment Partners and MED-Invest ) which
facilitate the flow of information, support feasibility studies,
and identify suitable partners . The European Investment
Bank also has a potentially important role to play .

To consolidate work in this important area it is intended,
over time, to establish business centres in each of our partner
countries to provide support for the indigenous private
sector and for the formation of all the various types of
collaborative ventures between European and
Mediterranean companies .

The business centres will also promote regional
collaboration . It is envisaged that the association
agreements between Europe and individual Mediterranean
countries will be complemented with association
agreements between our Mediterranean partners . The
Commission will also support the establishment of regional
cooperation agreements and institutions .

having regard to Directive 94 / 62 / EC ( 2 ) on packaging and
packaging waste,

whereas the measures provided for in these Directives imply
the development of recovery and recycling capacities,

whereas the inclusion of recycled material in food packaging
is authorized, provided that the relevant provisions on
hygiene, health and consumer safety are respected,

whereas cardboard used for food packaging contains
recycled paper, some of which has been treated chemically
and, on contact with heated food, releases substances
dangerous to human health,

whereas it has been ascertained that such types of
packaging, currently used in Italy, are in fact harmful to
human health,

is the production and use of such containers in conformity
with the relevant Community provisions ?

(!) OJ No L 176, 6 . 7 . 1985, p . 18 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 365, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 10 .

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 10 April 1995 )

The Commission cannot adopt a position on the specific
case mentioned by the Honourable Member because it is not
in possession of the analyses which gave rise to the statement
that it has been ' ascertained ' that cardboard packaging
produced from paper which has been treated chemically
' releases substances dangerous to human health ' and is
' harmful to human health '.

However, if the facts referred to in the parliamentary
question have been proved ( and are not simply hypotheses ),

No C 152 / 50 I EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 6 . 95

the Commission would have no difficulty in declaring that WRITTEN QUESTION
the production and use of such packaging does not conform by Eryl McNally ( PSE )
to the relevant Community provisions which lay down,

to the Commission

among other things, that ' materials and articles . . . must not
transfer their constituents to foodstuffs in quantities which (2 March 1995 )
could endanger human health ' ( Article 2 of Directive {9 SIC 152 / 89 )
89 / 109 / EEC ) ( M.

WRITTEN QUESTION P-755 / 95

to the Commission

(2 March 1995 )

{9 SIC 152 / 89 )

(M OJ No L 40, 11 . 2 . 1989 .
Subject : Heavy transport — possible levies

Is there any legislation either already in place or due to be
introduced regarding levies on heavy duty transport
travelling on roads throughout the European
Community ?

WRITTEN QUESTION P-754 / 95

by María Izquierdo Rojo ( PSE )

to the Commission

(2 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 88 )

If there is such legislation, has any consideration been given
to the effect upon competitiveness ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : Establishing a fleet flying the flag of the European

Union ( 28 March 1995 )

Union

When are we going to get a fleet flying the Union flag ?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock

on behalf of the Commission

( 24 March 1995 )

The original Commission proposal for a Community
shipping register ( Euros ) (*) was amended twice in 1991 ( 2 )
and more flexible approaches were developed and discussed
at a number of high level meetings with officials from the
Member States . It has not yet been possible to find a
compromise between Member States ' views on the crew
nationality requirements on board Euros vessels and on the
approach to state support measures to benefit owners of
Euros vessels .

Meetings between the Commission and the seafarers ' trade
unions have recently taken place in an effort to identify areas
in which progress might be made, in particular on the
manning conditions . It has also become clear that progress
of Euros is linked to the question of the treatment by the
Commission of State aid . The Commission is currently
revising its guidelines on State aid for the shipping

sector .

Council Directive 93 / 89 / EEC ( ) lays down the minimum
rates for annual taxes on certain heavy vehicles used for the
carriage of goods by road and the conditions to be complied
with by Member States which wish to maintain or introduce
tolls or charges for the use of certain infrastructures .

Consideration has indeed been given to the effect of these
rules upon competitiveness, since one of the main objectives
of the Directives is the harmonization of conditions of

competition .

(M OJ No L 279, 12 . 11 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-804 / 95

by Carmen Diez de Rivera Icaza ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 20 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 90 )

0 ) COMI89 ) 266 final . Subject : Council of Ministers for Tourism

( 2 ) COM(91 ) 54 final and COM(91 ) 483 final .

As the last meeting of the Council of Ministers for Tourism
was inexplicably held as long ago as 4 June 1992, can the

19 . 6 . 95 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 152 / 51

Commission explain its inertia in such an important area
and ensure that in future, in accordance with Parliament's
wishes ( 1 ), a detailed agenda is drawn up under each
Presidency before the 1 996 Conference, so action can be
taken on the requests that Parliament approved in the
resolution referred to below .

(M A 4-80 / 94, Minutes, 15 . 12 . 1994, Part II, Item 6 .

5 . How many jobs have been created in this region in the
last five years with the help of EU economic and regional
aid ?

6 . What funding has been granted for pilot projects in this

region on the basis of EU budget lines, for example for
energy and the environment ?

Answer given by Mr Santer
on behalf of the Commission
Answer given by Mr Papoutsis

on behalf of the Commission ( 10 May 1995 )

( 24 April 1995 )

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to
The Commission shares the Honourable Member's views answer the question . It will communicate its findings as
about the importance of tourism and has, since the soon as possible .
beginning of the 1980s, been striving to ensure that it is
given all due consideration when Community actions are
drawn up .

However, the frequency of Council meetings is a matter for
the Council alone to decide . WRITTEN QUESTION E-936 / 95

by Allan Macartney ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 31 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 92 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-906 / 95

by Markus Ferber ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 29 March 1995 )

( 95 / C 152 / 91 )

Subject : EU social and regional fund support for Bayerisch

Schwaben

Can the Commission provide the following information on
the EU's financial and economic support for the
administrative region of Bayerisch-Schwaben :

1 . How much funding — broken down by Fund and
Community initiative — has this region received from
the EU Structural Funds over the last five years ?

2 . How much of this funding was for agriculture ?

3 . How much EU research funding has this region received
in the last five years ?

4 . How much funding for ecucation and training has the
EU given this region over the last five years ?

Subject : Importation and illegal re-sale of cheap tobacco in

Scotland

Can the Commission comment on the extent of the practice
of re-selling cigarettes and other tobacco products,
imported without payment of excise duty from mainland
Europe to Scotland ?

What action does the Commission propose to take to deal
with this problem ?

Answer given by Mr Monti
on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 1995 )

The Commission does not have sufficient details of the

matter to be able to investigate the problem raised and is not
therefore in a position to answer the question at the
moment . It would ask the Honourable Member to provide
more details .