Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

ISSN 0378-6986

##### C 371
# Official Journal

Volume 37

### of the European Communities

###### English edition Information and Notices

27 December 1994

Notice No Contents p age

I Information

European Parliament

Written Questions with answer

94 / C 371 / 01 E-2767 / 92 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The protection of the acropolis of ancient Eressos 1

94 / C 371 / 02 E-3 130 / 92 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Cement distribution plant in Peristera Distomou ( Viotia ) ( Supplementary answer ) ... 1

94 / C 371 / 03 E-901 / 93 by Pierre Lataillade to the Commission
Subject : Major crisis in the fisheries sector 2

94 / C 371 / 04 E-l 197 / 93 by Laura Gonzalez Alvarez and Alonso Puerta to the Commission
Subject : Application in Spain of the EEC Directive on environmental impact assessment 2

94 / C 371 / 05 E-1388 / 93 by Klaus Hansch to the Commission
Subject : Results of the EC policy of aid to the European steel industry 3

94 / C 371 / 06 E-1853 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Infringement of EC Regulations and Directives by Greece 4

94 / C 371 / 07 E-l 870 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Banned plant-protection products in circulation in Greece 4

94 / C 371 / 08 E-l 899 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Money given to the National Returnees Foundation to support the Pontic Greeks ... 5

94 / C 371 / 09 E-1957 / 93 by Isidoro Sanchez Garcia to the Commission
Subject : Asessment of Community regional policy in the Canary Islands 5

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Contents ( continued ) Page

E-2 089 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : German law on packaging

E-2390 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Statements by the President of the Commission on the failure of Cyprus 's bid for EC
membership and the recognition of northern and southern Cyprus

E-2558 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Vocational training of the local population in coastal areas

E-2 599 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Levels of radioactivity to which students at the Pallini Experimental School of Music

( Attiki ) are exposed

E-2700 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Positive action for EC shipping

E-2701 / 93 by Ben Visser to the Commission
Subject : Euros register and nationality requirements for crews

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2700 / 93 and E-2701 / 93

E-2800 / 93 by Pierre Lataillade to the Commission
Subject : Crisis in the paper market

E-2907 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Repair of damage caused by forest fires in Greece

E-3042 / 93 by Laura González Alvarez to the Commission
Subject : The rail accident in Vega de Anzo ( Asturias )

E-3121 / 93 by Gerhard Schmid to the Commission
Subject : EC Regional Fund ( ERDF )

E-3 199 / 93 by Victor Arbeloa Muru to the Commission
Subject : Realities of Spanish farming

E-3 3 3 7 / 9 3 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Community aid to ACP countries

E-3522 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Establishment of prohibited zones for oil tankers

E-3554 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Air France capital injection

E-3625 / 93 by Jean-Marie Alexandre to the Commission
Subject : Unfair competition through the use of Community funds

E-3686 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Lack of reliable unemployment statistics in Greece

E-3 726 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Tacis Programme

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94 / C 371 / 27 E-3730 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Volatile organic compound emissions 14

94 / C 371 / 28 E-3762 / 93 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Publicity for EC initiatives in the West Midlands 15

94 / C 371 / 29 E-3782 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Protection of an historic site in Aegina in the light of plants to build a cement works 15

94 / C 371 / 30 E-3819 / 93 by Emmanouil Karellis to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries projects in the Greek IMP 16

94 / C 371 / 31 E-3820 / 93 by Alexandros Alavanos to the Commission
Subject : Pollution of Greece 's waters from land-based sources 16

94 / C 371 / 32 E-3 822 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination through job evaluation schemes 17

94 / C 371 / 33 E-3826 / 93 by Des Geraghty to the Commission
Subject : Action on equal pay 17

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3 822 / 93 and E-3 826 / 93 17

94 / C 371 / 34 E-3911 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of a common policy and measures to restrict traffic in city centres 17

94 / C 371 / 35 E-3920 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Re-opening of mines at Mandoudi, Evvia 18

94 / C 371 / 36 E-3921 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Restoration and development of the environment in the region of Mandoudi, Evvia 18

94 / C 371 / 37 E-3961 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Measures to prevent countries with little awareness of environmental issues from causing
damage to agriculture 18

94 / C 371 / 38 E - 399 0 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Quality of available arable land 19

94 / C 371 / 39 E-3991 / 93 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Fur industry in Kastoria 19

94 / C 371 / 40 E-4095 / 93 by Alex Smith to the Commission
Subject : Safety of high-level nuclear waste storage tanks 20

94 / C 371 / 41 E-4104 / 93 by Gerardo Fernández-Albor to the Commission
Subject : Grant of Community aid to the Spanish provinces of Zamora and Orense 20

94 / C 371 / 42 E-7 / 94 by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark to the Commission
Subject : The scope of the capital levy on milk producers in Scotland 21

94 / C 371 / 43 E-15 / 94 by Annemarie Goedmakers to the Commission
Subject : Structural Funds and stabilization of CO2 emissions : joint funding by the EU of two
Spanish power stations 21,

( Continued overleaf )

Notice No Contents ( continued ) Page

94 / C 371 / 44 E-635 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Climate change and the Structural Funds 22

Joint answer to Written Questions E-15 / 94 and E-635 / 94 22

94 / C 371 / 45 E-40 / 94 by Mihail Papayannakis to the Commission
Subject : Diversion of the Acheloos river 22

94 / C 371 / 46 E-44 / 94 by Hiltrud Breyer to the Commission
Subject : An ti                   - AID S spermicides — EU Market 22

94 / C 371 / 47 E-l 10 / 94 by Jean-Pierre Raffarin to the Commission
Subject : Set-aside biofuel : Amendment Bl-401 23

94 / C 371 / 48 E-144 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Revitalizing the Podoniftis in Athens 23

94 / C 371 / 49 E-147 / 94 by Tom Spencer to the Commission
Subject : Thermie Programme 24

94 / C 371 / 50 E-175 / 94 by Jose Apolinário to the Commission
Subject : The Lisbon-Algarve motorway . . 24

94 / C 371 / 51 E-184 / 94 by Francesco Guidolin to the Commission
Subject : Med-Invest Programme 25

94 / C 371 / 52 E-226 / 94 by Anita Pollack to the Commission
Subject : Holiday postcards                   - 25

94 / C 371 / 53 E-230 / 94 by Carlos Robles Piquer to the Commission
Subject : The Leader Programme 26

94 / C 371 / 54 E-235 / 94 by Enrique Sapena Granell and Pedro Bofill Abeilhe to the Commission
Subject : Prestigious auditing firms and the real situation regarding companies ' accounts 26

94 / C 371 / 55 E-254 / 94 by Giuseppe Mottola to the Commission
Subject : Compulsory distillation of wine 27

94 / C 371 / 56 E-263 / 94 by Wilhelm Piecyk to the Commission
Subject : Water content of dairy products 27

94 / C 371 / 57 E-264 / 94 by Iñigo Mendez de Vigo to the Commission
Subject : Extension of the period of validity of reference prices for tomatoes with effect from

1 January 1994 28

94 / C 371 / 58 E-270 / 94 by Raymonde Dury to the Commission
Subject : Agreement on the Uruguay Round ( textiles and clothing ) 28

94 / C 371 / 59 E-271 / 94 by Birgit Cramon Daiber and Virginio Bettini to the Commission
Subject : Valoren funding for the Aeolian Islands near Sicily 29

94 / C 371 / 60 E-275 / 94 by Dieter Rogalla to the Commission
Subject : Genetic engineering 29

94 / C 371 / 61 E-279 / 94 by Wilfried Telkamper to the Commission
Subject : Compatibility of Germany 's Rail Network Extension Law with the Environmental Impact
Assessment Directive 30

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Contents ( continued )

E-280 / 94 by Sir James Scott-Hopkins to the Commission
Subject : Cost of financing French farmers . 30

E-3 35 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Horizon Poultry Farms Ltd 31

E-381 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Legal protection of biotechnological inventions 31

E-409 / 94 by Dimitrios Dessylas to the Commission
Subject : Measures to support apiculture and honey producers 32

E-451 / 94 by Concepció Ferrer to the Commission
Subject : A new Miriam initiative 32

E-457 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Discrimination against similar products which are legally produced and marketed under
the same name 32

E-478 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Voluntary sector funding of Structural Fund projects 33

E-479 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission

Subject : Performance targets 33

E-488 / 94 by William Newton Dunn to the Commission
Subject : Irish State-aids for mushroom growing 34

E-561 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Implementation of the technical obligations decided on by the Council of Fisheries
Ministers on 28 October 1991 34

E-634 / 94 by Kenneth Collins to the Commission
Subject : Korea 35

E-671 / 94 by Edward Kellett-Bowman to the Commission
Subject : EC abattoir Regulations in Spain 35

E-694 / 94 by Winifred Ewing to the Commission
Subject : Community initiatives — Regis 35

E-710 / 94 by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke to the Commission
Subject : Background to the Council Decision concerning the placing on the market and
administration of BST 36

E-719 / 94 by Glyn Ford to the Commission
Subject : Irish mushroom industry 36

E-754 / 94 by Gerard Deprez to the Commission
Subject : ECOS Programme 37

E-764 / 94 by Jose Vazquez Fouz to the Commission
Subject : Fisheries Agreement with Namibia 37

E - 843 / 94 by Christian Rovsing to the Commission
Subject : Humanitarian aid in Georgia 38

E-847 / 94 by Christine Crawley to the Commission
Subject : Improvements in dental health for ethnic minorities 38

( Continued overleaf )

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Contents ( continued ) Page

E-900 / 94 by Jean-Pierre Raffin to the Commission
Subject : Community funding of Etablissements Phildar

E-9 13 / 94 by Jürgen Brand to the Commission
Subject : Allocation of EC funds for cross-border cooperation

E-9 19 / 94 by Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Situation of Michalis Voulgarelis, a Greek conscientious objector

E-921 / 94 by Ernest Glinne to the Commission
Subject : Situation of Greek conscientious objectors

Joint answer to Written Questions E-919 / 94 and E-921 / 94

E - 1067 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : Protection and conservation of monuments forming part of the historical and cultural
heritage of EU Member States

E-l 121 / 94 by Christopher Jackson to the Commission
Subject : Aid for re-structuring the EU apple industry

E - 1 130 / 94 by José Lafuente Lopez to the Commission

Subject : Aspects of the choice of the ' Kommander Amelia ' as a fishery inspection vessel for the
Community

E-1288 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Rechar Programme and Greece

E-1296 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Renaval Programme and Greece

E-1297 / 94 by Sotiris Kostopoulos to the Commission
Subject : The Regis Programme and Greece

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1288 / 94, E-1296 / 94 and E-1297 / 94

E-1408 / 94 by Jean-Claude Pasty to the Commission
Subject : The ' sugar ' safeguard clause in the Community 's offer to GATT

E-1473 / 94 by Sergio Ribeiro to the Commission
Subject : The economic crisis and its social consequences in the small town of Vieira de Leiria,
Marinha Grande, Portugal

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27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 1

I

( Information )

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2767 / 92

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 16 November 1992 )

( 94 / C 371 / 01 )

Subject : The protection of the acropolis of ancient
Eressos

The walls of the Eressos acropolis are crumbling daily as a
result of the unauthorized construction of a road

approximately three years ' ago on the side of the hill of the
acropolis ; this is a matter of concern for the local
department of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities which
last year drafted a report on saving the walls . As yet,
however, the Ministry of Culture has not moved towards
financing the works in question . Does the Commission
propose to call upon the Greek Ministry of Culture to
protect this site which forms part of the cultural heritage of
Lesbos, Greece and Europe in general ?

their action . The role of the Member States in this area is
preponderant, and action by the Community is
subsidiary .

Accordingly, the funding of consolidation work on the
acropolis for Eressos on Lesbos is purely a matter for the
competent Greek authorities, in this case the Ministry of
Culture .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 130 / 92

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(6 January 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 02 )

Subject : Cement distribution plant in Peristera Distomou

( Viotia )
Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

On Distomon beach, 20 metres from the village of Peristera,
(7 July 1993 ) a complex has been under contruction since August 1992
for the storage and distribution of bulk materials ( chalk,
cement kaoline, alumina, ash ) in powdered form . The

in the protection and conservation environment and quality of life in the surrounding area have
is spelled out in the conclusions already suffered greatly as a result of other activities,
of 12 November 1992 ' laying down including an aluminium factory, a bauxite loading wharf
cultural action and in the new and heavy lorry traffic . The coordinating committee
the EC Treaty by the Maastricht opposing this project ( local residents, aluminium workers
process of being ratified . union, elected representatives etc .) are highly critical of the

serious environmental implications, a number of

encourage cooperation between irregularities and infringements in connection with the
necessary, to support and supplement environmental impact assessment ( which does not even

The Commission 's role in the protection and conservation
of Europe 's cultural heritage is spelled out in the conclusions
of the Council meeting of 12 November 1992 laying down
' guidelines for Community cultural action ' and in the new
Article 128 inserted in the EC Treaty by the Maastricht
Treaty, which is in the process of being ratified .

Community action is to encourage cooperation between
Member States and, if necessary, to support and supplement

No C 371 / 2 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

acknowledge the existence of Peristera ) and the permits
authorizing the project .

1 . Is the Commission aware of the above facts and what

view does it take of the decision to authorize the above

project nevertheless ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

The Commission considers that the Structural Funds aid

steps will it make to check that the above project mechanisms which are currently in place to assist the

complies with Community environmental legislation conversion of regions dependent on fisheries can cover most
to prevent further damage to the environment and situations arising under Structural Funds Objectives 1 to
quality of life in this area ? 5(b ) within the limits of each Fund 's purposes . Specific

provisions to this end were also introduced in the Structural
Funds Regulation, in particular with regard to Objectives 2
and 5(b ). Moreover, in the Green Paper on future
Community initiatives the Commission discusses the
Supplementary answer given by Mr Paleokrassas possibility of dealing with these issues in a broader

on behalf of the Commission

context .

2 . What steps will it make to check that the above project

complies with Community environmental legislation
and to prevent further damage to the environment and
quality of life in this area ?

on behalf of the Commission

( 25 April 1994 )

Further to its answer ( ), the Commission would inform the
Honourable Member that, according to the information
provided by the Greek authorities, the plant in Peristera
Distomou ( Viotia ) is a cement storage complex and has
never been used for production .

Furthermore, the local authorities have just withdrawn the
promoters ' licence because they had illegally occupied a
wooded area .

The Commission therefore considers that there are no

longer any grounds for instituting infringement proceedings
against Greece in respect of environmental impact
assessment in the case in question .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 197 / 93

by Laura González Alvarez ( GUE )

and Alonso Puerta ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 18 May 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 04 )

Subject : Application in Spain of the EEC Directive on

environmental impact assessment
(!) OJ No C 264, 29 . 9 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-901 / 93

by Pierre Lataillade ( RDE )

to the Commission

( 27 April 1993 )

The Commission has opened infringement proceedings
against Spain ( Article 169 ) for failure to incorporate
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ! ) fully into national law . One aspect
of this case concerns projects jointly financed by
Community Funds which are known to have damaging
environmental implications and have not been subjected to
an environmental impact assessment in conformity with the
Directive .

( 94 / C 371 / 03 ) However, replying on behalf of the Commission to Written
Question No 2013 / 90 ( 2 ) on 14 January 1991, Mr
Christophersen said :

Subject : Major crisis in the fisheries sector

In view of the results of its study concerning regions which
are highly dependent on fishing, does the Commission
consider that the existing, Structural Fund-related aid
schemes to assist the conversion of such regions are capable
of dealing with all situations, or can the problem be solved
only by means of a special procedure such as was once
envisaged in the form of an Objective 6, specific to
fisheries ?

'. . . Lastly, where the Commission possesses proof that,
in the case of one or more measures, Community
policies, particularly environmental policy, have not
been or are not being complied with, and without
prejudice to any legal action, it terminates the payments
from the Community Fund to the measure or measures
in question and notifies the Member State responsible for
implementation of the programme accordingly . This
provision is specified in the decisions on the grant of aid
for operational programmes .'

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 3

1 . Can the Commission provide a list of projects jointly
financed with Community funds in Spain which have
not duly complied with Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ?

2 . Is the Commission aware of any project in Spain which
has not complied with Community measures on the
environment and for which it has suspended payments
from the Community Funds ?

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

2 . What aids and what amounts were granted in the form
of capital increases for state enterprises ?

3 . What reductions in production capacity were achieved
as a result, and in which Member States ?

( 2 ) OJ No C 70, 18 . 3 . 1991, p . 27 . Answer given by Herrn Van Miert

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 November 1993 )

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 1994 )

1 . Before taking a decision on projects presented for
financing under the Structural Funds, the Commission
checks that the competent authorities have made an
environmental impact assessment where required under
Directive 85 / 337 / EEC . If these conditions are not met, no
Community assistance is granted .

2 . To date no project financed in Spain has given rise to
the need for the recovery of undue payments as a result of
failure to comply with Community measures on the
environment .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388 / 93

by Klaus Hänsch ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 June 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 05

Subject : Results of the EC policy of aid to the European

steel industry

1 . What public aids and what amounts have been
approved by the Commission and / or Council since 1987 ?

1 . The State aid authorized by the Commission for the
ECSC sector of the steel industry in the EC is shown in the
table below . Aid not coming under the Steel Aid Code was
authorized with the unanimous assent of the Council

pursuant to Article 95 of the ECSC Treaty . In the case of
Spain and Portugal aid for adaptation was authorized for a
transitional period after their accession .

2 . No aid in the form of capital injections has been
granted to State enterprises .

However, since 1987 the public authorities have taken
capital holdings in ECSC enterprises on six occasions . In all
of these cases Neue Maxhiitte ( Bavaria ) ( 1987 and 1992 ),
DHS ( Saarland ) ( 1989 ), Aberneath Industry ( Wales )

( 1989 ), Usinor-Sacilor ( France ) ( 1990 ) and Usinor-Sacilor

( Credit Lyonnais ) 1991 ) the Commission found that the
capital operations were equivalent to a genuine provision of
private capital according to the practice in a market
economy and consequently did not constitute the granting
of aid .

The reduction of hot-rolling capacity linked to the grant of
aid under Article 95 of the ECSC Treaty amounted, in the
case of Spain, to 5 047 000 tonnes together with a further
reduction in such capacity of 2 380 000 tonnes resulting
from the closure of crude steel plant in Bagnoli . There has
been no reduction in the case of Portugal but agreement was
reached, in connection with certain aid measures, on the
abandonnment of the plan for expansion .

Authorized aid ( direct grants only )

( in millions of ecus ) (*)

Member States 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

Belgium

Denmark

0,1 ( J ) 29,2 ( 4 )

( former

GDR )

Germany 2,47 f 1 )
0,33 ( 2 )

3,75 ( x )
120,2 ( 3 )

Greece 0,55 ( 4 )

No C 371 / 4 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Member States 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

1,79 ( l )

3.0 ( 2 )
1.1 ( 2 )

Spain (**) 1 995,2 ( 5 ) ( 6 )

( Ensidesa,
AHV, Acenor,

Foarsa,
Reinosa )

292,4 ( 3 )

( 30 enterprises )

0,6 ( 2 )
19,1 ( 3 )

France 20,4 i 1 ) 72,3 ( 3 )

Ireland

Italy 3 223 ( 7 ) 2,5 (*) 3,2 i 1 )

Luxembourg 1,5 ( l ) 0,65 C ) 5,8 ( x ) 4,2 (*) 4,1 i 1 ) 0,25 0

Portugal (**) 80,1 ( 5 )
129,4 ( 5 )
301,9 ( 5 )

( Siderurgia

Nacional )

United

Kingdom

H R&D aid .

( 2 ) Aid for environmental protection .
( 3 ) Aid for closures .

0,15 ( 8 )

( 4 ) Regional investment aid ( all aid under the Steel Aid code ).

( 5 ) Aid authorized in connection with the transitional period for Spain and Portugal ( OJ No L 302, 15 . 11 . 1985 ).

( 6 ) Including ECU 433,6 million not paid .

( 7 ) Aid authorized under Article 95 of the ECSC Treaty .

( 8 ) Aid for energy measures .
(*) Average rate of exchange for the year in question .
**) Accession 1 January 1986

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1853 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 870 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 ) ( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 06 ) ( 94 / C 371 / 07 )

Subject : Infringement of EC Regulations and Directives by

Greece

Subject : Banned plant-protection products in circulation in

Greece

In which areas has Greece infringed Community
Regulations and Directives, and how are these
infringements being dealt with ? Fifty-six hazardous plant-protection products listed by the
United Nations as banned ( or restricted ) are in circulation in
Greece . Six of those products belong to the so-called ' dirty
dozen ', others are considered to be especially toxic, some are
Answer given by Mr Delors possibly carcinogenic, others pollute ground water and
on behalf of the Commission some are generally harmful to the environment .

( 25 January 1994 )

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

refer to the tenth annual report on Commission monitoring
of the application of Community law (*).

This was recently revealed by Mrs M. Mouratidou, a
biologist, during a meeting organized jointly by the General
Confederation of Greek Farmers ' Associations and the

Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Thessaloniki .

(!) OJ No C 233, 30 . 8 . 1993 . In view of the above, will the Commission take steps to
ensure that these plant-protection products are taken out of
circulation in Greece ?

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 5

Answer given by Mr Steichen Pontic Greeks returning to Greece from the former USSR

on behalf of the Commission had been squandered on sinecures for insiders . Is the

(6 May 1994 ) Commission aware of these charges, and, if so, what details
does it have ?

Directive 79 / 117 / EEC established a list of pesticide active
substances the use of which all Member States had to ban or

restrict on their territory .

The provisions of Directive 91 / 414 / EEC of 15 July 1991
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the
market apply to active substances not banned or restricted
by the above Directive . Directive 91 / 414 / EEC lays down
very strict requirements designed to guarantee, that plant
protection products placed on the market offer a very high
level of protection to public health and the environment .
However, these provisions will no apply fully in^all Member
States until the Council adopts the Commission proposal
regarding the ' uniform principles ' ( ! ) and the active
substances in question have been re-evaluated under the

10-year re-evaluation programme laid down in the
Directive .

After that re-evaluation, Member States will have to review
their authorizations for plant protection products
containing such active substances and if necessary ban or
restrict them if the re-evaluation indicates that they have
unacceptable effects on public health or the environment .
The initial list of 90 substances undergoing such a
re-evaluation was adopted by the Commission in
Regulation ( EEC ) No 3600 / 92, which also laid down all the
provisions needed to ensure a re-evaluation of the effects of
the substances on health and the environment on the basis of
a completely up to date dossier .

As long as the Community re-evaluation of certain
substances remains unfinalized in the re-evaluation

programme Member States will have the power to decide
whether to authorize them .

(M COM(93 ) 117 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 899 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 15 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 08 )

Subject : Money given to the National Returnees
Foundation to support the Pontic Greeks

The Pondiki newspaper of 6 May 1993 reports serious
allegations, made by the Association of Pontic Greeks of the
prefecture of Xanthi, that most of the money donated to the
National Returnees Foundation by the EEC to support

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

The Commission is not aware of any misappropriation of
funds granted to the national Returnees Foundation by the
EEC to support Pontic Greeks returning to Greece from the
former USSR .

However, the Commission intends to investigate the
allegations made by the newspaper To Pondiki and will take
appropriate action if necessary .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1957 / 93

by Isidoro Sánchez García ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 19 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 09 )

Subject : Asessment of Community regional policy in the

Canary Islands

What is the Commission 's assessment of the

implementation of Community regional policy in the
Canary Islands ( Spain ) during the period 1989-1993 ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

The measures adopted for implementing the regional
policies in the Canary islands during the period 1989-1993
are being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the
Secretariat-General of the Parliament . The tables set out
both the amounts involved and the contributions by the
various administrative bodies .

By 31 December 1993 all the ERDF funds had been
committed, although the degree of implementation is not
the same in all cases . Thus :

— The projects for the reclamation of Playamard beach and

the Binter project were completed on time, the Pasito
Blanco-Arguineguin motorway was finished recently
and the Las Palmas water treatment plant will be
completed in the early part of this year . The marine park
at Santa Cruz de Tenerife was started a year ago, but if

No C 371 / 6 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

work continues at the present rate it should be finished
on time . The Unelco project has been delayed by a series
of environmental problems . The project for the
improvement of the Las Canteras tourist area will be
completed in the course of this year .

— For financial commmitments relating to the operational

programmes for la Gomera and the Canary Islands the
Spanish Government has requested an extension until
the end of 1994 because of fluctuations in the Spanish
currency and delays in implementing the

programmes .

All the operational programmes can reasonably be
expected to use up the appropriations made available .

— Similarly, the Community initiatives should use up all

their appropriations in the course of 1994, including the
Regis initiative .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2089 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 23 July 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 10 )

Subject : German law on packaging

The German law on packaging has now been in force for 18
months and unfortunately is giving rise to a number of
problems .

1 . In answer to my earlier Written Question on this subject
( No 2494 / 91 ( 1 )), the Commission wrote : ' The
Commission is examining the DSD system in the light of
Articles 85 and 86 of the EEC Treaty .' What has been
the outcome of this examination ?

2 . The law is still causing numerous problems for the

Dutch companies that export to Germany . The situation
concerning the use of synthetic material gives particular
cause for confusion . The information from Germany is
incomplete and the rules are constantly changing .
Foreign companies feel they are at a disadvantage
compared with German companies . What is the
Commission 's reaction to this ?

3 . A British note on this subject states that the law on
packaging has a disruptive effect on the internal market
because the cost price of waste in Germany has become
artificially low ; in fact the consumer pays for collecting,

sorting and re-cycling . This waste provides a cheap raw
material for German industry, which consequently
obtains an unfair advantage over foreign producers .
What is the Commission 's reaction ?

4 . As the supply of packaging waste in Germany is greater
than demand, the surplus is exported to the
Netherlands, Belgium and the UK as a secondary raw
material . Taking the Netherlands as an example, the
artificially low prices have a disruptive effect on the
processing of Dutch packaging waste, which is closer to
market norms . Does the Commission share this view

and how can the problem be solved ?

(!) OJ No C 202, 10 . 8 . 1992, p . 19 .

Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission 's examination of the Duales System
Deutschland under Articles 85 and 86 EC Treaty is still
being carried out and no definitive position has yet been
adopted .

In relation to the Commission 's examination of the German

legislation under Articles 30 to 36 EC Treaty, a large
number of complaints have been received, as well as
submissions made by several Member States as to the
indirect effect which the implementation of the system is
having on their own capacity to deal with the problem of
effective waste disposal .

The Commission is concerned, as a result of the information
provided, that the resultant build up of waste pursuant to
the obligations imposed by the Decree and its
implementation by the Duales System Deutschland in fact
poses many problems for the environment . In this respect
the environment is to be considered in its Community wide
sense, rather than restricted to any one particular Member
State . This investigation also has not yet been completed .

The Environment Councils of 28 / 29 June and 15 December

1993 held detailed discussions of the possibility of achieving
a better control of the flow of packaging waste within the
Community and the importance of reaching a Community
wide solution was emphasised .

The Commission undertook to continue its efforts to obtain

a reasonable solution at the Community level whilst also
inviting the Member States which are most concerned by the
current problem to engage in bilateral negotiations .

These investigations will also address the various effects of
the price element in the sales of packaging waste .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 7

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2390 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 11 )

Subject : Statements by the President of the Commission on

the failure of Cyprus 's bid for EC membership and
the recognition of northern and southern
Cyprus

Statements made by Mr Jacques Delors, the President of the
Commission, at the recent summit conference, concerning
the failure of Cyprus 's bid for EC membership and the
recognition of northern and southern Cyprus, have raised a
number of questions about the EC 's position on this matter .
It is emphasized that on the same day that Mr Delors made
this statement, Mr Denktash called for northern Cyprus to
become an independent State . This creates the impression
that Mr Delors agrees with Mr Denktash and militates in
favour of international recognition of a pseudo-state . Mr
Delor 's statements seem to support Turkey 's obstructionist
policies which seek to block a peaceful solution to the
Cyprus problem at a time when Mr Denktash and the
Turkish authorities are abandoning the UN negotiating

process .

1 . Can the Commission confirm the validity of the summit
meeting resolutions recognizing the Turkish military
occupation of a UN member country and does it
recognize the Republic of Cyprus as an independent
State ?

2 . Will the Community continue showing solidarity
towards a Member State — Greece — or does it intend

to make it a hostage to Turkish intransigence ?

3 . Was this provocative ' attack ' unintended or deliberate ?
Was it the view of one person or of the Commission as a
whole and what is the position of the Greek
Commissioner ?

Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

( 16 May 1994 )

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member
that Mr Delors made no statement on Cyprus 's accession at
the European Council in question .

The Commission 's position was made quite clear during a
working visit to Athens in preparation for the Greek
Presidency . It expressed its support for the appointment of a
Union observer to signal the Community 's willingness to
back peace efforts and the search for a balanced and lasting
solution for Cyprus, as it considers that Cyprtis is a part of a
general process aimed at strengthening peace, mutual
respect, recognition and cooperation in the region .

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its

opinion on Cyprus 's application for EC membership, an
opinion which was widely approved by the Council ( general
affairs ) on 4 October, in which the Community 's support
for the UN Secretary - General 's efforts to reach a peaceful,
balanced and lasting settlement to the Cyprus question is
clearly stated . This is in keeping with the position constantly
expressed by the Commission, namely that the status quo on
the island is unacceptable .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2558 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 12 )

Subject : Vocational training of the local population in

coastal areas

If the traditions of the fishing communities are to be
preserved and protected, while tourism is developing, young
people must be trained in new or traditional occupations . In
view of this, will the Commission undertake to support the
vocational training of young people among the local
communities ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1993 )

Promoting the occupational integration of young people is
one of the priority objectives of the Community 's structural
policy . The ESF allocates a large proportion of its finances to
fund various guidance and training measures, recruitment
aids and aid for setting up self-employed activities .

The tourism sector especially is already one of the priority
targets for the Structural Funds, particularly in the less
well-off regions of the Community . In these regions the
ERDF usually supports investment in infrastructure and the
ESF supports training for young people and adults
specifically geared towards the development of tourism .

It goes without saying that the special development needs of
the coastal and island regions of the Community will be
taken into account when the new generation of CSFs is
planned and programmed for the 1994-1999 period . In
this connection the ESF measures to help young people
will be defined and coordinated under the partnership
arrangement, which involves close cooperation between the

No C 371 / 8 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Commission and all the relevant authorities at national,
regional or local levels .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 13 )

Subject : Levels of radioactivity to which students at the

Pallini Experimental School of Music ( Attiki ) are
exposed

Every day students at the Pallini experimental School of
Music ( Attiki ) are exposed to between two and three times
the legally accepted radiation level as a result of the powerful
electromagnetic fields created by the high tension wires
owned by the Greek Public Power Corporation, which pass
very close to the school and are increasing the incidence of
leukaemia and cancer among the children . This information
was given at a meeting of the Greek Technical Chamber held
on 26 May 1993, by Mr Alexandros Dimitriadis, Professor
and Electrological Research Scientist, who observed that the
electromagnetic readings taken at the school oscillated
between 3,5 and 5,2 milligauss . Can the Commission
investigate this matter ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 1993 )

Thd Commission has no new information to add to its reply
to Written Question No 3272 / 92 (*) concerning exactly the
same issue .

(!) OJ No C 145, 25 . 5 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700 / 93

outflagging of EC vessels to non-Community registers
continues apace and there is an even greater need for
action .

1 . There are rumours that in contacts with officials of the

Member States the Community has encountered stiff
opposition to proposals for positive action . Are these
rumours true ?

2 . Is it true that the Community is considering not
submitting proposals for a package of positive
measures, or at least not doing so for the foreseeable
future ?

3 . What prospect of success does the Commission feel the

Euros register will have if there are no accompanying
positive measures ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701 / 93

by Ben Visser ( PSE )

to the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 15 )

Subject : Euros register and nationality requirements for

crews

In its deliberations on the proposals concerning the Euros
register, the European Parliament opted for a compromise
solution to the question of crew members ' nationality :

100% of officers and 50% of other crew members should

come from EC countries .

1 . Is it true that the Commission and the Member States
have failed to find a solution — for example, along the
lines suggested by Parliament — to the question of
nationality ?

2 . Is it also true that the Commission is considering
presenting proposals whereby the requirements in
respect of nationality are not uniform for all types of
vessel ?

3 . When is the EC likely to produce new proposals on the

nationality requirements in the Euros register ?

by Ben Visser ( PSE ) Joint answer to Written Questions

to the Commission

(8 September 1993 )

E-2700 / 93 and E-2701 / 93

given by Mr Matutes
on behalf of the Commission

( 94 / C 371 / 14 ) ( 26 April 1994 )

Subject : Positive action for EC shipping

Over the last few years many people have come to the
conclusion, in the discussion on setting up a Euros
Community ship register, that Euros will be unable to
prevent the erosion of the EC fleet if there is no
accompanying package of positive measures . The
Commission has promised to submit proposals . The

It is true that the nationality requirements laid down in the
Commission 's proposal for the establishment of the
Community ship-register Euros failed to receive sufficient
support . Many Member States allow more flexibility on the
employment of foreign seafarers than contained in the
Commission ' proposal . This means that Parliament 's
amendment, to make the nationality requirement more
severe, cannot come to fruition either .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 9

On 20 January 1994, the Commission chaired a meeting of
officials from the Member States in order to reactivate the

debate on Euros . The Commission drew the inference that

further discussion on Euros is worthwhile and is preparing
to work on the further promotion of Euros . The
Commission is aware that flagging out of Community
vessels continues apace and there is, therefore, an urgent
need for effective action .

In the specific case of news-print, this of course means that
after 10 years the zero-duty quota beyond which customs
duties are charged will have lost all validity .

As regards the wood sector, the Community does not
currently intend to change its offer to reduce tariffs made in
Geneva in October 1993 . The offer proposes a customs duty
reduction of around 44 % . It should be noted that the tariff
reduction on plywood over and above the zero-duty quota
of 650 000 m 3 will be more modest, from 10% to 7% .

The Commission is examining at present whether a formula m more,
can be found which will match both the objective of
preservation of maritime know-how in the Community and
a realistic chance of registration of vessels in Euros . Part of
the solution might be a variation by type or size of the vessel .
If such a formula can be found the Commission will

continue to remould its proposal to such an extent that
positive measures can be taken by Member States more
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2907 / 93
easily .

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2800 / 93

by Pierre Lataillade ( RDE )

to the Commission

to the Commission

( 11 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 17 )

Subject : Repair of damage caused by forest fires in

Greece

(4 October 1993 ) Considerable areas of forestry were recently destroyed by

fires and adequate resources are now needed to fund

( 94 / C 371 / 16 ) projects to prevent soil erosion, provide protection against

flooding, carry out re-afforestation, etc . Will the
Commission say what measures it envisages to help repair
the damage caused by those fires ?
Subject : Crisis in the paper market

(4 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 16 )

Can the Commission state its position in the GATT
negotiations as regards the wood trade and, especially, the
paper sector ? In particular, what is the situation regarding
import quotas for newspaper and the possibility of
extending public invitations to tender ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

The GATT Uruguay Round negotiations were concluded on

15 December 1993 . With respect to customs tariffs, the
concessions made at that date by all Contracting Parties are
now bound and cannot be altered except for the better .

For the sake of a balanced overall outcome, last December
the Community agreed to eliminate customs duties in the
paper sector on a multilateral basis embracing all developed
countries, provided this was done over 10 years instead of
the five-year period traditionally applied under the GATT .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 January 1994 )

The aid requested by the Honourable Member could
conceivably be covered by the regional development
programmes, one of which, the national programme on
agricultural structures, provides for ECU 23 million to
repair damage to farm holdings as a result of natural
disasters .

The 1993 operational programme for forestry in Greece,
total investment in which amounts to ECU 31 million,
provides in particular for afforestation measures, forest
protection and technical assistance .

In any event, it is for the Greek authorities to review the
priorities, if deemed appropriate, with a view to meeting the
needs in question .

No C 371 / 10 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3042 / 93

by Laura González Alvarez ( GUE )

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission ( 26 April 1994 )

( 29 October 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 18

Subject : The rail accident in Vega de Anzo ( Asturias )

On 3 August 1993, one of the worst rail accidents in Spanish
history occurred in the Asturias region : 12 people were
killed and several more wounded following a head-on
collision between two trains, both belonging to the FEVE

( Spanish Narrow-Gauge Railways ) company, in the locality
of Vega de Anzo . This company has been responsible over
the last 10 years for accidents killing 16 people and
wounding over 200 in head-on collisions ; most of its track
lacks the most basic facilities necessary for safety and
accident prevention, such as central traffic control, manual
blocks, train earthing and line electrification . In the context
of the common transport policy, the Commission considers
rail to be of major importance, as being a ' safe ' form of
transport . Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 1893 / 91 (*)
amending Regulation ( EEC ) No 1191 /6 9 ( 2 ) on action by
Member States concerning the obligations inherent in the
concept of public service in transport by rail, road and
inland waterway is intended to ensure that due account is
taken of users ' interests .

1 . Does the Commission not consider that the most

suitable means of protecting trail travellers ' interests in
the Community is to urge the Member States to adopt
structural measures, where they are not already in place,
so as to bring all rail networks in the Community up to
the highest safety standards ?

2 . What action could the Commission take vis-a-vis the

Spanish authorities to convince them of the need to
correct the imbalances and inequalities existing in
regional terms within the Spanish rail system ?

3 . To what extent could the proposed cohesion fund and

EIB loans contribute to the investment in updated
technology and safety systems required by the FEVE
network ?

4 . Can the Commission request the Spanish authorities to
supply all possible information concerning the
structural factors which led to the accident on the FEVE

line in Asturias on 3 August 1993 ?

5 . Does the Commission not consider that the relevant

Community legislation should include concrete
provisions concerning the passenger safety aspects of
rail transport ?

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable

Member to ensure a high standard of safety in railway
transport . However the general level of rail safety in the
Community is higher than in other modes of transport,
particularly road . As regards the Honourable Member 's
specific questions :

1 . Safety in rail transport depends upon a range of factors
including the quality of infrastructure . It is for the
Member States to decide what priority they give to the
various means available to improve safety . The
Commission will endeavour to ensure that appropriate
safety standards are applied to projects of Community
interest . It might be noted that the European Investment
Bank provided in 1990, 1991 and 1993 three loans
totalling ECU 76,4 million, to Ferrocarriles de Via
Estrecha ( FEVE ), for improving the safety, reliability
and quality of service of the railway system along the
Cantabrian Coast in the Basque Country . These funds
are being used for the installation of modern automatic
train control and signalling equipment and the
automatization of level crossings . At present the Bank is
appraising further railroad investment for which FEVE
is seeking EIB financing . FEVE 's network in Asturias is
part of the scheme under review .

2 . The Commission adopted on 29 March 1994 a network
plan for conventional rail routes in the Community .
This plan will serve as a basis for future Community
financial aid to railway infrastructure . Due account has
been taken of regional interests in the preparation of the
network .

3 . The cohesion fund and other Community financial
instruments can contribute to the modernization and

improvement of the Community rail system to the
extent that the projects concerned meet the criteria
established for the particular instrument .

4 . The investigation of railway accidents is the
responsibility of the authorities of the Member States
and the Commission does not intend to intervene .

5 . The question of establishing rules concerning safety has

traditionally been a matter for the Member States and
the railway companies themselves . As new railway
(!) OJ No L 169, 29 . 6 . 1991, p . 1 . companies are likely to be established in the Community
( 2 ) OJ No L 156, 28 . 6 . 1969, p . 1 . to operate international services the Commission has

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 11

forwarded to the Council a proposal for a Directive on WRITTEN QUESTION E-3199 / 93
the licensing of railway undertakings ( x ) which takes by Victor Arbeloa Muru ( PSE )
account of the need to ensure high safety standards .
to the Commission

( 23 November 1993 )
(!) OJ No C 24, 28 . 1 . 1994 .

( 94 / C 371 / 20 )

Subject : Realities of Spanish farming

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3121 / 93

by Gerhard Schmid ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 November 1993 )

94 / C 371 / 19

Is there not a danger that the new reformed CAP proposals
may lead to irrigated land being set aside at a time when
substantial investment is still taking place, which would thus
be to no purpose ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

Subject : EC Regional Fund ( ERDF ) (4 May 1994 )

What specific projects in Bavaria have received Community
Regional Fund financing since 1990, and how much have
they received ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

The commitments of the European Regional Development
Fund for Bavaria since 1990 are as follows :

( million ecu )

1990 1991 1992 1993 Total

Objective 5b areas 2,2 14,1 27,2 34,2 77,7

Community initiatives :

Irrigation is taken into account in Spain by establishing a
basic ' regadio ' area for maize and other crops for which
higher yields are fixed than for cultivated land in ' secano '

areas .

Furthermore, in December 1993 the Council introduced a
greater degree of flexibility into the application of the
reform of the arable crops sector when it adjusted the
Regulation amending Regulation ( EEC ) No 1765 / 92 (*),
making it easier in particular for the producers whose
holdings extend across both ' regadio ' and ' secano ' regions
to set aside land in the ' secano ' area corresponding to an
application for compensation in the ' regadio ' area .

The Commission believes that there is accordingly little or
no risk of irrigated land being abandoned .

(!) OJ No L 181, 1 . 7 . 1992 .

—
Interreg

— Leader i 1 )

—
2,7 6,8 4,3 13,8

5,2

Total 96,7 WRITTEN QUESTION E-3337 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

( l ) Global grant . to the Commission

( 24 November 1993 )

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the choice of ( 94 / C 371 / 21 )
individual projects is made by the appropriate authorities of
the Member State . The Honourable Member is therefore

advised to address himself for more detailed information to
Subject : Community aid to ACP countries
the responsible Bavarian ministries .

Community aid is granted to ACP countries following talks
to determine appropriate measures and options for the

No C 371 / 12 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

strategic development of these third countries . However, WRITTEN QUESTION E-3522
despite the fact that the Lome Conventions recognize that by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
the ACP countries are free to choose their strategic to the Commission
development, it appears that many of these countries do not
honour their agreements, thus undermining the ( 13 December 1993 )
effectiveness of Community aid . In the light of this, will the ( 94 / C 371 / 22 )
Commission take steps in the immediate future to improve
cooperation with the ACP countries ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3522 / 93

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 22 )

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

The consultation process to which the Honourable Member
refers begins with the programming of Community aid with
every single ACP country and the drawing-up of a national
indicative programme . Programming is a vital stage in the
cooperation process, at which the Community specifies,
ACP State by ACP State, how much it is going to commit to
each focal sector for aid during the lifetime of the financial
protocol . For its part, the ACP country undertakes to take
the economic, administrative or financial measures required
in those sectors for Community aid to be fully effective .

In other words, the Commission, as part of this process,
backs policy reforms in the sectors chosen .

The Commission has delayed the adoption of indicative
programmes or postponed their implementation where ACP
countries have failed to honour their commitments .

The Commission nevertheless believes, in the light of
experience, that some programming procedures have
brought a degree of inflexibility and thereby reduced the
effectiveness of cooperation . A particular example of this is
the system whereby the resources available are allocated
from the very outset, which has not always been conducive
to dialogue and has in some cases led to funds being frozen
needlessly .

For this reason, the Commission, in its proposals to the
Council concerning the renewal of the Lome IV financial
protocol, has proposed a rolling programming system and
the granting of incentives as part of an on-going system to
get the ACP countries to honour their commitments,
fine-tune aid programmes during the lifetime of the protocol
and make the management of the funds more flexible .

If applied, all these measures will significantly improve the
Community 's cooperation with every single ACP

country .

Subject : Establishment of prohibited zones for oil
tankers

Environmental organizations are proposing the immediate
introduction of zones which are prohibited to oil tankers in
order to protect wetlands and habitats covered by the
Ramsar Convention . Is the Commission sympathetic to
such a proposal ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 27 April 1994 )

At the request of the Council, by mid-July 1993 the
Commission elaborated a list of common criteria for

definition of marine and coastal environmentally sensitive
areas ( ESA ) which might require measures of safeguard
against the hazards of maritime transport . This list is being
forwarded to Member States for the identification of ESA,
to be reported to the Commission in accordance with
Council Decision of 29 June 1993 . Such ESA would include
those foreseen by the Ramsar Convention .

The Commission should present the result of this
Community - wide identification of ESA to the Council in the
near future . Proposals for specific measures to be applied to
these ESA may follow .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-35 54 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 13 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 23 )

Subject : Air France capital injection

When considering the Air France capital injection ( 1990 )
the Commission took into account in a positive way the fact
that ' Air France 's home base is well located, not suffering
from infrastructure bottlenecks and therefore well prepared
to benefit from future growth ' ( ] ). This inter alia led the
Commission to conclude that the injection did not amount
to state aid in the context of Articles 92 and 93 of the

Treaty .

Does the Commission not consider it perverse, and contrary
to the fundamental Community objective of economic and

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 13

social cohesion, to allow support, even partially on grounds
of being centrally located in a wealthy area with a
well-developed airport infrastructure, while disallowing
support on a similar basis to Europe 's most peripheral
national airline, Aer Lingus ?

(M SEC(92 ) 431 .

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

In examining whether a market economy investor would
invest in a company, the Commission must evaluate the
positive and negative economic factors which underpin such
an investment decision .

With regard to the 1990 capital injection in Air France, the
Commission examined whether the structure and volume of

the company 's debts would be such that a return to normal
dividends and capital gains could be expected within a
reasonable time . Based on the financial projections at that
time, the Commission concluded that the anticipated overall
return on investment demonstrated a favourable outlook

for Air France in the future .

As part of its analysis, in this and other cases, the
Commission has to consider the company 's air traffic
projections . Accordingly, an appraisal of the airline 's
location and the likelihood of infrastructure bottlenecks has

also to be undertaken to ensure that such projections are
realistic, and consistent with these other factors .

Turning to the case of Aer Lingus, it should be noted that, in
contrast with the Air France case, the Commission
considered the capital injections to represent aid . The
Commission nevertheless found the aid to be compatible
with the common market subject to fulfilment of various
commitments given by the Irish Government . The
Commission noted in its Decision that the restructuring of
Aer Lingus will contribute to the development of air
transport activity in a peripheral area of the Community .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3625 / 93

by Jean-Marie Alexandre ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 December 1993 )

( 94 / C 371 / 24 )

Subject : Unfair competition through the use of Community

funds

Thanks to Community aid, its prices are apparently 20 %
lower than those charged by French cement works .

If this should prove to be the case, cement works in the
Pas-de-Calais will have to close down .

Following an inquiry, can the Commission confirm these
practices and, if so, justify them ?

If not, what steps will it take to prevent what is tantamount
to unfair competition ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 22 April 1994 )

No project of the type referred to in the question has been
financed by the European Regional Development Fund
under the Objective 2 programmes involving aid for Calais
and Dunkirk or under the Renaval Programme ( Dunkirk
employment area ). »

The Commission is not therefore in a position to answer the
other questions put by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3686 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 25 )

Subject : Lack of reliable unemployment statistics in
Greece

On 17 December 1992, in reply to a previous question of
mine concerning unemployment ( Written Question
No 2825 / 92 ) ( l ), the Commission replied that ' the number
of persons registered at employment offices cannot be
regarded as a representative unemployment indicator in the
case of Greece '. One year later, Eurostat reports that there
are no statistics available for unemployment in Greece for
September 1992, August 1993 and September 1993 .

In the light of the proposed white paper on employment up
to the year 2000, how does the Commission intend to tackle
the absence of unemployment statistics in Greece and what
steps will it take to remedy this chronic lack of a reliable
register of the unemployed in the country ?

The ( Greek-owned ) Titan group seems to be taking
advantage of Community aid to relocate its ( cement ) register of the unemployed in
production plant to sites in France and to build loading and
storage facilities at the ports of Calais and Dunkirk . (!) OJ No C 99, 7 . 4 . 1993, p . 23 .

No C 371 / 14 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Answer given by Mr Christophersen

on behalf of the Commission

( 11 April 1994 )

The Commission obtains statistics on unemployment in
Greece via the Community Labour Force survey which is
conducted in every Member State in the Spring of every year .
In order to get more frequent and up-to-date information,
the Commission intends to propose to the Member States
that the periodicity of this survey be stepped up from annual
to quarterly .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3726 / 93

by Alex Smith ( PSE )

to the Commission

projects is, however, dependant upon obtaining a full
indemnity statement by the Russian Government . In this
respect, the Commission 's negotiations with the Russian
authorities have not yet produced a tangible result .
Negotiations will be continued .

As regards Ukraine, its Government has not provided any
liability coverage for Tacis projects, despite continued
Commission insistance . In this respect as well, discussions
with the Ukrainian authorities will continue .

2 . Target sectors for assistance under the Tacis
Programme are established by the Commission in
cooperation with beneficiaries as well as with experts
nominated by the Member States .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3730 / 93
(3 January 1994 )

by Alex Smith ( PSE )
( 94 / C 371 / 26 )
to the Commission

(3 January 1994 )
Subject : Tacis Programme ( 94 / C 371 / 27 )

Further to its reply to Written Question No 2698 / 92 ( ), will
the Commission Subject : Volatile organic compound emissions

1 . set out the details of the preliminary arrangements
agreed to facilitate a solution to the problem posed by a
lack of liability cover for companies from the European
Communities working on safety upgrades for nuclear
plants within the Russian federation of Ukraine, under
the aegis of the Tacis Programme and

2 . describe the procedure by which the consortia of
agencies from different Member States have been chosen
to establish target sectors for assistance under the Tacis
Programme ?

Further to the reply to Written Question No 615 / 93 (*) by
Mr Seligman on volatile organic compound ( VOC )
emissions, will the Commission report on any queries it has
received arising from its proposals for a Directive on
VOCs ?

(!) OJ No C 288, 25 . 10 . 1993, p . 20 .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission
(!) OJ No C 292, 28 . 10 . 1993, p . 13 .
( 17 March 1994 )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

( 23 March 1994 )

1 . The Commission early this year requested from both
the Russian and the Ukrainian authorities an indemnity
statement in order to protect the Communities and
consultants working under the, Tacis Programme from
claims related to a nuclear accident .

The Russian Government has signed a limited nuclear
indemnity statement which however does not provide for
coverage if operating procedures are changed or equipment
installed . It has pledged to sign a non-restrictive statement in
the near future . On this basis, it has been possible to launch
all Tacis nuclear safety assistance projects, as Tacis
consultants agreed to begin work . The completion of the

The proposal for the so-called ' Stage I ' Directive () was
submitted to the Council, the Parliament and the Economic
and Social Committee on 30 July 1992 and since then all
negotiations on the proposal have taken place within the
framework of the procedures of these institutions .

The queries to which the Honourable Member refers were
not addressed to the Commission but to members of the

Parliament and E.S.C. and the Member State representatives
in Council .

This was also the case with the query from the British Petrol
Retailers Association to which the Commission referred in

its reply to the written question from Mr Seligman,

This British business organization approached the
authorities of the United Kingdom, who in turn asked the
Commission to assist in clarifying the issue of costs of

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 15

implementation for smaller service stations . As a
consequence an informal meeting was arranged between
the Commission, the UK authorities and the business
organization in Brussels in spring 1993 .

The information given in the reply to the written question by
Mr Seligman reflects the Commission 's conclusions drawn
from that meeting .

The Commission has not received further queries arising
from its proposal outside the framework of the discussions
in the Council, the Parliament and the Economic and Social

Committee .

The Commission will establish close working relations with
the Committee and has taken the necessary internal
measures to ensure that relations with it are coordinated and

its activities followed .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3782 / 93

by Alexandros Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

(M OJ No C 277, 3 . 9 . 1992 . ( 94 / C 371 / 29 )

Subject : Protection of an historic site in Aegina in the light

of plants to build a cement works

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 762 / 93

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 28 )

Subject : Publicity for EC initiatives in the West
Midlands

What is the Commission doing to increase awareness of new
EC initiatives in the region of the UK known as the West
Midlands ?

What role does it envisage the new Committee of the
Regions playing in this context ?

Does it expect to establish a close working relationship with
this committee and, if so, how does it intend to fulfil this

aim ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 29 April 1994 )

The Commission published a Green Paper on the future of
Community initiatives in June 1993 which has been widely
distributed, including to members of the monitoring
committee for the Community Support Framework in the
West Midlands . The Commission has now proposed draft
guidelines for the new Community Initiatives and will take a
final decision after it has received the views of the

Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the Economic
and Social Committee, and the Management Committee of
Member States representatives .

The role of the Committee of the Regions is set out in the EC
Treaty . It is up to the Committee to define its role precisely
and to take its place among the Community institutions and
bodies .

The historic area of Palaia Hora close to the monastery of
Saint Nectar on the isle of Aegina, in Greece, is an important
religious site, with 365 Byzantine churches . It is here, just
above the village of Kontos, that there are plans to begin
exploiting a quarry and to build a cement works . Local
authorities and local inhabitants are opposed to this project,
fearing that the dust from cement, sand and other raw
materials will have harmful consequences for public health,
the surrounding forests, the beauty of the site itself and the
prospects for the development of tourism on the island .

All the competent authorities on Aegina are calling for the
protection and enhancement of the site, while the Greek
Minister for Culture has launched a programme to restore
the religious buildings and the diocese is asking for a special
subsidy from the European Community . In the light of these
considerations and bearing in mind the provisions of
Annex II to Directive 85 / 337 / EEC (*) and the guidelines for
Community cultural action ( 2 ), what steps will the
Commission take to protect this historic site ?

Have the Greek authorities requested financial aid for the
protection and enhancement of the site ? Has a regional
planning or other study regarding Aegina been financed by
the Community ? What action will the Commission take in
response to the violations of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC
represented on the one hand by the failure to assess the
environmental impact of a quarry and cement works and,
on the other, by the absence of public consultation ?

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

( 2 ) OJ No C 336, 19 . 12 . 1992, p . 1 .

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

It should be recalled that the Member States are fully
sovereign as regards cultural policy, especially with respect

No C 371 / 16 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

to their architectural heritage, and that in accordance with
the principle of subsidiarity the Community confines itself
to supporting and supplementing their actions .

Article 128 of the EC Treaty and the Conclusions of the
Council meeting on 12 November 1992 on the guidelines
for Community cultural action spell out the limits of such
action .

In response to the first question, the Commission currently
has no power, given the subsidiarity principle to intervene
with the Greek authorities to secure the protection and
enhancement of Aegina .

With respect to the second question, no request for financial
support for the Aegina site has so far been submitted by the
Greek authorities . The Commission would, however, point
out that any such proposal under budget item B 3-2000
would have no prospect of success in view of the present
budgetary constraints on cultural measures .

Lastly, the Commission is not aware of any application to
the Structural Funds from the Greek authorities for financial
assistance for protection of the site, nor have the Funds
received any request for support for a regional planning or
other study .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-38 19 / 93

by Emmanouil Karellis ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 30 )

— aquaculture, research, training, development of
lagoons .

In most cases these measures have had a positive impact on
re-structuring of the sector .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3820 / 93

by Alexandras Alavanos ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 31 )

Subject : Pollution of Greece 's waters from land-based

sources

A recent report by the Greek Ministry of the Merchant
Marine confirms, following tests in 2101 establishments,
that pollution from the land-based sources remained acute
during the period 1991 / 92 and was around the same level as
in 1985 . 29% of factories, 74% of sewage systems in
coastal regions, 87 % of abattoirs, 26 % of oil-mills, 100 %
of fish - wharves and 66% of hospitals did not have the
necessary authorization for the disposal of effluents as
required by Council Decision 83 / 101 / EEC ( 1 ).

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure

that Greece complies with the above Decision ? What was
the total Community funding allocated to Greece up to

1992 for the treatment of effluents from the

abovementioned activities ? How does it view the fact that,
despite Community funding for such projects, no
substantial improvement was achieved between 1985 and
1992 ?

Subject : Fisheries projects in the Greek IMP (!) OJ No L 67, 12 . 3 . 1983, p . 1 .

Can the Commission inform Parliament of the fisheries

projects implemented in Greece during the period
1990-1993 as covered by the estimates for the Integrated
Mediterranean Programmes funded by the various funds

( Fisheries, ERDF, ESF and the IMP Line )?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

Examples of the projects in the fisheries sector which the
Commission has part-financed in Greece under the IMP

are :

— the withdrawal of fishing vessels,

— shelters for fishing vessels and improvement of port

facilities ;

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 April 1994 )

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member
that the Greek authorities are responsible for taking the
measures required to comply with and implement the
provisions of the various articles of the Protocol for the
protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from
land-based sources .

Furthermore, Decision 83 / 101 / EEC concerns the approval
of the said protocol on behalf of the Community only .

The Community programme which " has made the biggest
contribution to tackling pollution of the marine
environment from land-based sources is the Envireg
initiative, which has enabled projects to be co-financed with
a Community contribution of approximately ECU 53

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 17

million . The reason why the results are not yet clearly visible
is that most of the installations are being completed now and
will become operational during the course of 1994 ;
moreover, pollution of the Mediterranean Sea is not only
caused by Greek effluents, but also by effluents from other
Mediterranean countries, very heavy maritime traffic and
accidents at sea .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 822 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 32

Subject : Discrimination through job evaluation schemes

In its third action programme for equal opportunities for
women and men ( 1991-1995 ) (*) the Commission
undertook to ' adopt a Memorandum to define the scope and
concept of equal pay for work of equal value and provide
guidance on the criteria to be taken into account in job
evaluation and job classification '. The Commission expects
to adopt this memorandum shortly .

Among the points raised in its Green Paper on the future of
Europe 's social policy ( 2 ) the Commission also mentioned
the possibility of adopting a number of guidelines as the
basis for a Community code of practice for the
implementation of equal pay for work of equal value . The
code would be geared mainly towards employers and
workers and would be designed to increase awareness,
provide them with training material and encourage them to
tackle this complex subject as part of collective
bargaining .

The deadline for reactions to the suggestions made in the

Green Paper is 31 March 1994 ; the Commission will then
decide on the line to take on the basis of the replies
received .

.

Does the Commission have any measures in mind to combat
the tendency to devalue female-dominated jobs in job
classification and evaluation schemes ? (!) CC>M(90 ) 449 final .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 351 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3 826 / 93

by Des Geraghty ( NI )

to the Commission

( 17 January 1994 ) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3911 / 93

( 94 / C 371 / 33 ) by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )
Subject : Action on equal pay

( 94 / C 371 / 34 )

The results of a recent seminar on equal pay organized by the
Commission show that the body of EC national legislation
has had relatively little impact in breaking down the
principal source of inequality between men and women on
the labour market .

Does the Commission intend to adopt any new and
additional measures to further the objective of employment
quality for women and, if so, what are they ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-3 822 / 93 and E-3 826 / 93

given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

The principle of equal pay for male and female workers is
enshrined in Article 119 of the Treaty and is one of the
founding principles of the Community . It was consolidated
by Directive 75 / 117 / EEC on equal pay, which introduced
the concept of equal pay for work of equal value .

Subject : Implementation of a common policy and measures

to restrict traffic in city centres

Can the Commission state whether it can take steps ( and, if
so, which ) to implement a common policy and measures to
restrict traffic in European city centres, making it easier for
pedestrians to get around in traffic-free areas while
protecting the cultural heritage ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 26 April 1994 )

Pursuant to the principle of subsidiarity, responsibility for
urban traffic measures is a matter for the Member States

authorities, primarily the local authorities .

However, among the main priorities of the Community 's
environment and transport policies is the encouragement of

No C 371 / 18 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

environmentally friendly forms of transport and traffic
management measures in order to improve the quality of the
urban environment .

To this end the Commission is supporting the ' car free cities '
initiative due to be launched in March of this year with a
conference organized by the city of Amsterdam and the
creation of a network of ' car-free ' cities to promote the
development of practical projects for sustainable urban
mobility .

authorities, the possibility of Structural Fund part-financing
for an integrated conversion measure for the area ; in the
Commission 's view, this measure should concentrate on
basing the economic development of the area essentially on
activities other than those that have led to industrial

decline .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3921 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3920 / 93 ( 94 / C 371 / 36 )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 35 )

Subject : Re-opening of mines at Mandoudi, Evvia

Organizations in Mandoudi, Evvia, have submitted a
proposal to the Community through the LIFE Programme
for the restoration, protection and development of the
environment in the region . What is the Commission 's
reaction to this proposal ?

Subject : Restoration and development of the environment

in the region of Mandoudi, Evvia

More than 15 large companies have closed down in Evvia in
recent years, bringing the number of unemployed to 15 000 .
Factory shutdowns have produced a spectacular fall in the
living standards of the local population and the closure of Answer given by Mr
the mines at Skalistiris and Papastratis has created a on behalf of the
population problem in north-central Evvia due to internal ( 26 April 1994 )
migration .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

Can the Commission : A total of 260 proposals were submitted by the Greek
authorities for Community financing under the LIFE

1 measures to relief to the Programme in 1993 .

1 . support measures to bring immediate relief to the
unemployed and efforts to re-open the mines in
north-central Evvia ?

2 . help set up a single magnesite mining operation and
draw up a special development programme for
Evvia ?

The project to which the Honourable Member refers was of
good quality . However, considering the availability of
funds, only four projects, judged to be the best, were
financed .

on Answer behalf given of the by Commission Mr Millan WRITTEN QUESTION E-3961 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
(4 May 1994 )
to the Commission

( 24 January 1994 )

In the framework of the pesent operational programme for ( 94 / C 371 / 37 )
the region of central Greece ( 1989-1993 ), the European
Social Fund is contributing to the financing of vocational
training or aid to business start-ups to enable workers who Subject : Measures to prevent
have lost their jobs in the area of Mandoudi ( Evvia ) to awareness of environmental
retrain or become self-employed . The Commission is at damage to agriculture
present assessing the impact of these measures on
employment . Will the Commission what

Subject : Measures to prevent countries with little
awareness of environmental issues from causing
damage to agriculture

In the framework of their regional development plan for

1994-1999, the Greek authorities are proposing further
training and investment measures in the Mandoudi area .
The Commission is prepared to consider, with the Greek

Will the Commission say what measures, if any, have been
taken to prevent countries with little awareness of
environmental issues and extremely low salary costs, and
which profit from agricultural exports through the practice
of dumping, from damaging agriculture in their own
countries and in the European Union ?

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 19

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The conclusion of the Uruguay Round means that support
to and trade in agricultural products will become subject to
strengthened and transparent international disciplines .
These strengthened rules allow for the application of
anti-dumping duties and countervailing charges in cases of
dumping and similar practices . The rules also foresee the
application of a special safeguard clause, in particular when
import prices for certain products are very low .
Furthermore, in the framework of the Uruguay Round it
was agreed to draw up a work programme on trade and
environment .

These new initiatives should allow progress in the direction
desired by the Honourable Member .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3990 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 19 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 38 )

Subject : Quality of available arable land

— ways of using agricultural land which are compatible

with the protection and improvement of the
environment, the countryside, the landscape and the
soil, and the preservation of local breeds in danger of
extinction ;

— the upkeep of abandoned farmland and woodland

where necessary for environmental reasons ;

— the long-term set-aside of agricultural land for reasons

connected with the environment, and

— education and training for farmers in types of farming

compatible with the requirements of environmental
protection and upkeep of the countryside .

The scheme is implemented by means of multi-annual zonal
programmes drawn up by Member States, which cover a
minimum period of five years .

In addition an afforestation aid has been introduced to

provide an alternative use for agricultural land and
encourage the development of forestry on holdings .

The Commission considers that the allocation of marginal
land for non-agricultural purposes, the set-aside of land and
the promotion of production methods which are less
intensive will encourage the protection of the environment,
the landscape and natural resources .

The Commission does not intend to take further measures in

this context before the two abovementioned Regulations are
fully implemented .

In view of the warning issues by the UN 's International Food
and Agriculture Organization that the quality of 10% of
arable land world-wide will deteriorate over the next 20

years, unless suitable measures are taken, what additional
specific proposals does the Commission intend to submit to
promote environmentally friendly forms of agriculture ? WRITTEN QUESTION E-3991 / 93

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

As a supporting measure to the CAP reform a Community
aid scheme has already been introduced which encourages
farmers to use agricultural practices compatible with the
protection of the environment and maintenance of the
countryside . The specific objectives of the scheme set down
in Regulation ( EEC ) No 2078 / 92 are to promote :

— the use of farming practices which reduce the polluting

effects of agriculture ;

— the extensification of crop farming and sheep and cattle

farming ;

( 19 January 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 39 )

Subject : Fur industry in Kastoria

The fur industry in Kastoria is facing a crisis and in
desperation has called for the imposition of a ceiling on
imports of similar products from third countries ; this would
solve its short-term problems and in the long term, lead to
the re-structuring of the resources of the region and the
rapid completion of infrastructure progress, thereby
creating the conditions f6r a revival of the fur sector . What is
the Commission 's position on this matter, given that Greek
fur traders have proposed an import levy of 30 % for goods
worth up to ECU 10 million and, if possible, 300%
thereafter ?

No C 371 / 20 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4095 / 93

on behalf of the Commission

by Alex Smith ( PSE )
(4 May 1994 ) to the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

Under Council Regulation ( EC ) No 518 / 94 () on common
rules for imports, surveillance and safeguard measures may
be taken against imports from third countries, provided
certain conditions are met .

First, consultations have to be held to determine if there is
sufficient evidence to justify an investigation . No action may
be taken before these consultations, which are held either at
the request of a Member State or on the initiative of the
Commission, within an advisory committee made up of
representatives of each Member State with a representative
of the Commission as chairman .

Second, the investigation carried out by the Commission
must demonstrate that the product concerned is imported
into the Community in such greatly increased quantities
and / or ( 2 ) on such terms or conditions as to cause, or
threaten to cause, serious injury to Community producers of
like or directly competing products .

A prior investigation procedure is not mandatory where a
critical situation, in which any delay would cause injury
which it would be difficult to remedy, calls for immediate
intervention .

If the Community has signed an international trade
agreement with the exporting third country, consultations
with that country might also be required before taking
action .

If the conditions for applying surveillance or safeguard
measures are met in only one region of the Community, the
measures could exceptionally be applied only in the region
concerned . Such regional measures must however be
temporary and must disrupt the operation of the internal
market as little as possible .

No Member State has yet requested consultations on the
level or conditions of the imports of fur in Greece . The
Commission has not received evidence on the terms and
conditions of import of fur, on import trends, on the various
aspects of the economic and commercial situation as regards
the product in question, or on the alleged injury to the
Community producers concerned .

Under these circumstances, there are no grounds for taking
protective measures .

( J ) Regulation ( EC ) No 519 / 94 applies to certain third countries

( e.g., the former republics of the U.S.S.R. . . .).
( 2 ) The two conditions are cumulatively applied if the third country

is member of the GATT .

( 94 / C 371 / 40 )

Subject : Safety of high-level nuclear waste storage tanks

What assessment has been conducted by the nuclear safety
directorate or Euratom into the robustness of the safety of
. the high-level nuclear waste storage tanks at ( a ) Sellafield,

( b ) Dounreay, ( c ) Karlsruhe, ( d ) Mol and ( e ) The Hague
reprocessing facilities, using the Commission computer
programme Pi Cosyma .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

( 22 April 1994 )

Pc Cosyma ( ) is designed for assessing in a probabilistic
manner the potential effects of a given accidental release of
radioactive materials to the atmosphere . It is not designed to
evaluate the probability of such a release taking place and
hence could not be used to assess the robustness of the tanks

in question . Moreover, the Commission is not empowered
to carry out any assessment of the latter type . Responsibility
for any such evaluation lies with the Member State
concerned .

0 ) Cosyma ( Code System from Maria ) has been developed within

the CEC Maria ( Methods for Assessing the Radiological Impact
of Accidents ) Programme .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4104 / 93

by Gerardo Fernandez-Albor ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 41 )

Subject : Grant of Community aid to the Spanish provinces

of Zamora and Orense

Can the Commission say what aid the European
Community has granted to the parts of the Spanish
provinces of Orense and Zamora bordering Portugal under
the relevant Community programme for developing
Member States ' border areas ?

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 21

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 ) ( 19 April 1994 )

The Interreg Programme for Spain / Portugal includes the
following projects for the province of Orense :

— Improvement of road networks in ECU :

Bande-Hermille : 4 576 876

Hermille-Torno : 4 739 654

Ponte Barxas-Cortegada : 3 990 298
Alto Furriolo-Celanova : 1 419 607

The following projects are included for the province of
Zamora :

— Improvement of road networks in ECU :

Ricobayo-Torregamones-Frotera Miranda : 2 618 502
Puebla Sanabria-Frontera ( por Calabor ): 3 080 232
Alcañices-Benavente : 1 752 000

The Commission is aware of the ruling of the Scottish Court
of Session which, in the absence of any appeal, must be
accepted .

Whilst the ruling does not, of itself, remove the obligation
on the United Kingdom to comply with the reasoned
opinion issued on 18 June 1993, the Commission has
formed the view that, in the light of the undertaking given by
the United Kingdom to take the necessary action against the
Milk Marketing Boards to ensure that no further capital
contributions are raised, the infringement is effectively
terminated . Accordingly the proceedings currently engaged
against the United Kingdom under Article 169 EC Treaty,
the purpose of which are to bring about conformity with
Community law and not to compensate those adversely
affected by infringements, are to be closed .

— Water supply and treatment : 406 846 WRITTEN QUESTION E-15 / 94
by Annemarie Goedmakers ( PSE )

to the Commission

The abovementioned amounts correspond to the total cost
of the projects . The ERDF contribution to each project is (8 February 1994 )
70 % . ( 94 / C 371 / 43 )

Subject : Structural Funds and stabilization of CO2
emissions : joint funding by the EU of two Spanish
power stations

WRITTEN QUESTION E-7 / 94

by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark ( PPE )

to the Commission

(8 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 42 )

Subject : The scope of the capital levy on milk producers in

Scotland

Although the British Government has agreed with the
reasoned opinion of the Commission that Article 5 of
Regulation ( EEC ) No 1422 / 78 ( J ) makes the collection of
capital levies on dairy farmers by the Scottish Milk
Marketing Board illegal for anything other than the simple
buying and selling of milk, the Scottish Court of Session has
ruled otherwise . What action does the Commission propose
to take following the judgment ?

(!) OJ No L 171, 28 . 6 . 1978, p . 14 .

1 . Is it true that in 1991 the European Commission
decided to grant aid to Spain through the ERDF for the
construction of two oil-fired power stations ?

2 . Is it true that environmental impact assessments have
to be carried out for such projects ?

3 . What alternatives to oil-fired power stations ( e.g.
wind or solar energy ) were examined when the decision was
taken ?

4 . On what factors was the decision to build oil-fired

power stations based ?

5 . Does the Commission share the view that the

construction of oil-fired power stations contributes to an
increase in CO2 emissions in the European Union ?

6 . Tn view of the natural and climatological conditions
which prevail in the Canary Islands, to what extent is the
construction of oil-fired power stations compatible with the
Community 's aim of reducing CO2 emissions to their 1990
level by the year 2000 ?

No C 371 / 22 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

7 . Did the environmental impact assessment carried out
take account of the Community 's aim of stabilizing CO2
emissions in the year 2000 at their 1990 level ?

8 . Is it true that the required environmental impact
assessment procedure had not been completed when the
decision to build the oil-fired power stations was taken ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-635 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 17 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 44

Subject : Climate change and the Structural Funds

Does the Commission believe that its funding ( ECU 40
million ) to finance the construction of two oil-fired power
stations in the Canary Islands is compatible with the EU 's
commitments under the UN Framework Convention on

Climate Change, since it is estimated that these new power
stations, if built, will pump an extra 2 million tonnes of
carbon dioxide per year into the atmosphere ? Was the
environmental impact assessment procedure completed
before these funds were released ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-15 / 94 and E-635 / 94

(9 February 1994 )

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

Under the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes, the
Community co-financed the construction of a dam and
connected works at Messochora and preparatory works

( access roads and water tunnels ) for a dam at Sykia . Also
co-financed were some on-site technical investigations ( bore
holes, experimental tunnelling ) for the diversion tunnel .

No further works have been co-financed by the
Community .

The Commission understands that the Greek authorities

intend to pursue the Acheloos project and have included
provision for this in their Regional Development Plan for
the period 1994-1999 .

For its part, apart from those components of the project
mentioned above, the Commission has not yet taken any
decision on funding this project .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-44 / 94

by Hiltrud Breyer ( V )

to the Commission

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission ( 94 / C 371 / 46 )

(4 May 1994 )

Subject : Anti-AIDS spermicides — EU Market

The issues raised are currently the subject of proceedings
brought by an environmental group before the Court of Experiments with anti-AIDS spermicides are
First Instance of the European Communities ( Case out on prostitutes in Kenya, Senegal and other
T-585 / 93 ). countries as part of a WHO Programme . The

Under the circumstances the Commission would prefer not
to comment for the moment . It will inform the Honourable
Members of the Court 's judgment should they so wish .

Experiments with anti-AIDS spermicides are being carried
out on prostitutes in Kenya, Senegal and other Third World
countries as part of a WHO Programme . The preparations
given to the women, which cause ulcers and lead to higher
rates of HIV-infection, contain the active substance
Nonoxynol-9 .

1 . Is the substance also used in spermicidal contraceptives
( creams, pessaries, etc .) available on the EC market ?

2 . Is the Commission aware of the use of spermicides
causing similar health-related problems in the
WRITTEN QUESTION E-40 / 94 Community ?

by Mihail Papayannakis ( GUE )

to the Commission

(9 February 1994 ) Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission
( 94 / C 371 / 45 )

(S April 1994 )

Subject : Diversion of the Acheloos river

Will the Commission give full and precise details of the exact

nature of the Acheloos river project and say what individual
works have been financed or are in progress and what works
are to be financed in future ?

1 . The products referred to in the Written Question are
not yet covered by Community legislation . Contraceptive
products may fall under Directive 93 / 42 / EEC (*) relating to
medical devices which comes into force on 1 January
1995 .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 23

Following information received from several Member States
and manufacturers the substance non-oxynol-9 has been
used for several years in particular as a spermicide in
conjunction with various contraceptives or as
gynaecological disinfecting solution . Relevant products are
on sale on the European market .

2 . The Commission has not received any indication from
Member States which would confirm the effects alleged in
the Written Question . A higher degree of risk of irritation,
however, in the context of repetitive use under particular
conditions as in the case of prostitution, cannot be
excluded .

H OJ No L 169, 12 . 7 . 1993 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 10 / 94

by Jean-Pierre Raffarin ( PPE )

to the Commission

As a consequence of the adoption of Council Regulation

( EEC ) No 231 / 94 ( 2 ), amending Council Regulation ( EEC )
No 1765 / 92 establishing a support system for producers of
certain arable crops, which allows the growing of products
on set aside land for non-food purposes without
compensation, it is envisaged that sugarbeet will be eligible
for the non-food set aside scheme under those

conditions .

Clearly, the inclusion of sugarbeet in the scheme would
result in an additional raw material which could be used for

biofuels, given appropriate market conditions .

That Regulation also increased the aid granted to the farmer
in respect of his obligation to set his land aside from ECU 45
to ECU 57 multiplied by the average cereals yield worked
out in the regionalization plan .

(!) OJ No L 38, 16 . 2 . 1993 .

( 2 ) OJ No L 30, 3 . 2 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-144 / 94
( 17 February 1994 )

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )
( 94 / C 371 / 47 )
to the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )

Subject : Set-aside biofuel : Amendment Bl-401 ( 94 / C 371 / 48 )

During its vote on the budget of the European Union for

1994 the European Parliament adopted, by a wide majority,
an amendment by Mr Yves Galland ( Bl-401 ) on set-aside
biofuel .

This amendment concerned the creation of a new line to

encourage the production of non-food crops on land
set-aside with a view to developing biofuels .

What action will the Commission take on Parliament 's

request ?

Subject : Revitalizing the Podoniftis in Athens

The Municipality of Athens plans to transform the
Podoniftis, a tributary of the River Kifissos, into an oasis of
greenery and running water and in particular to revitalize it
by creating an environmental education park featuring the
natural elements of the Attica landcscape . Would the
Commission, if asked, help the Municipality of Athens to
implement that ambitious project to revitalize the
Podoniftis ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

( 19 April 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 20 April 1994 ) The description of the project cited by the Honourable
Member does not allow the Commission to determine

whether it would involve eligible expenditure under the
Structural Fund Regulations . However, should the Greek

Commission Regulation ( EEC ) No 334 / 93 ( ), lays down
the detailed implementing rules for the use of land set aside Authorities wish to propose such a project in the context of
for the provision of materials for the manufacture of discussions on the 1994-1999 Community Support
products not primarily intended for human or animal Framework, the Commission would examine the possibility
consumption . This Regulation allows certain agricultural of supporting it within the framework of the
products, in particular oilseeds and cereals, to be grown on Regulations .
set aside land for manufacture into non-food products
which include biofuels in particular .

No C 371 / 24 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-147 / 94

by Tom Spencer ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 17 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 49 )

Subject : Thermie Programme

Through the Thermie Programme, the Commission has
been sponsoring the validation of several promising
technologies which will enhance energy efficiency and
reduce energy consumption . Particularly in the case of
electric power generation and distribution, these
technologies would also assist the Community in reducing
CO2 emissions .

A significant barrier to introducing such technologies on a
commercial scale is the higher level of initial investment
required and the relatively long payback period, whereas in
terms of CO2 emissions, the benefits are immediate .

What steps does the Commission intend to take to reduce
these barriers and to encourage the rapid dissemination of
these proven technologies ?

Answer given by Mr Matutes

on behalf of the Commission

( 14 April 1994 )

The Commission agrees that the Thermie Programme plays
a vital role in the demonstration and dissemination of

known, but often untested, technologies in the areas of
energy production and energy consumption . These activities
can have an immediate, and significant impact in reducing
CO2 emissions . Many activities in the areas of both
demonstration and dissemination could not take place
without the support of Thermie because of the high initial
costs and relatively long payback period .

The Commission therefore intends to continue to support
demonstration activities as far as the Fourth Framework

Programme RTD permits and to propose an additional
instrument under Article 235 EC Treaty to ensure the
continuation of those aspects of demonstration and
dissemination which are not covered by the Fourth
Framework Programme, in particular dissemination
projects and dissemination of results of research and
development funded by industry or Member States .

In order to overcome the financial barriers faced by energy
saving technologies, the Commission will develop and

promote the use of new financial instruments such as Third
Party Financing . This, in addition to other financial
instruments ( such as guarantee funds, venture capital, long
term loans, interest rate subsidies ) will facilitate the
dissemination of new and proven technologies on the
marketplace .

The Commission also proposes to boost disseminaton of
proven technologies by building up the current network of
OPETs and Community Energy Centres throughout
western and eastern Europe and by allocating a higher
proportion of funding to dissemination projects .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 75 / 94

by José Apolinârio ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 50 )

Subject : The Lisbon-Algarve motorway

The proposed Regional Development Plan for 1994-1999
submitted to the Commission by the Portuguese
Government, does not include a motorway link between
Grandola and the Algarve, despite Council Decision
93 / 629 / EEC (*) on the trans-European road network to the
year 2002 ; ( the Decision is admittedly merely a guideline,
and subject to the financial resources at the disposal of the
Member States and the Community ).

With the negotiations on the new Community Support
Framework for Portugal under way, should Community
investment between 1994 and 1999 not be earmarked as of

now for the scheduled implementation of the Council
Decision referred to above ?

(!) OJ No L 305, 10 . 12 . 1993, p . 11 .

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Community Support Framework for Portugal for the
period 1994-1999 includes the construction of the section
of motorway between Lisbon and Grandola and the section
of road ( almost motorway standard ) from Grandola to
Algarve . These projects were included because of the current
and foreseeable volumes of traffic along these routes .

The Community may therefore part-finance
implementation of these two projects .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 25

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 84 / 94 other bodies with expertise in business information and

by Francesco Guidolin ( PPE ) cooperation and aid for economic development .

to the Commission

( 22 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 51 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-226 / 94

by Anita Pollack ( PSE )
Subject : Med-Invest Programme
to the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

What is the current state of implementation of the ( 94 / C 371 / 52 )
Med-Invest Programme and, in particular, what are the
terms under which Community SMUs may take part in the
programme ? Subject : Holiday postcards

Does the Commission have any information about the
length of time it takes for postcards posted in each Member
State to reach another ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

( 17 March 1994 )

The Med-Invest Programme is currently in its pilot stage .

Section A operations are being implemented at a good pace .
These operations involve the extension of instruments and
programmes to Mediterranean non-member countries to
promote business cooperation . In this way these countries
have benefited, or will benefit in future, from instruments
such as Europartenariat ( France and the United Kingdom in

1993, Poland and Spain in 1994 ), Med Partenariat ( Turkey
in 1994, Israel and Morocco in 1995 ) and Med Enterprise

( Tunisia, Italy and Spain in 1993 and Turkey in 1994 ). At
the same time partners and training places are being sought
so that the Mediterranean countries can take part in the
transnational cooperation networks for businesses

( BC-NET and BCC ).

Under Section B pilot projects are implemented to find out
what instruments would promote the setting-up and
development of small and medium-sized enterprises ( SME )
in the Mediterranean non-member countries, drawing on
European experience . Three projects have already started
up : ( i ) setting-up of an export management company in
Morocco ; ( ii ) a services centre, also in Morocco ; ( iii ) a
development agency in Turkey . Other projects of the same
type, together with projects to set up specialized finance or
business promotion companies in eligible countries, are on
the drawing board and will start up in coming months .

The current pilot stage will last until the end of 1995 .

Note that the Med-Invest Programme is aimed at creating an
environment conducive to the development of SME and to
increasing their competitiveness . It is not addressed to SME
as such but business or professional associations, local and
regional development agencies and institutions and any

Is it aware that it often takes three weeks for postcards from
seaside resorts in Spain to reach people in the UK ? Are there
any plans to attempt to improve postal services between
Member States ?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann

on behalf of the Commission

( 21 April 1994 )

The Commission has been very active in the postal sector
and the need to ensure a universal postal service at an
affordable price with a high quality of service was a
cornerstone of the proposals in the Green Paper i 1 ), the
communication to the Council ( 2 ) which followed the
period of consultation in the Green Paper and the Council
resolution adopted on 7 February this year .

The outcome of these initiatives will be the setting and
monitoring of standards of service between Member States,
to be undertaken at Community level . The results of
performance will be established using independent testing
and they will be published .

The majority of postal administrations do not distinguish
postcards from ordinary letter mail in their monitoring of
quality of service . The last independently assessed measure
of performance for cross-border Community mail ( 1991 )
was that on average, a letter took four days from time of
posting to time of receipt and this varied from two days to
over nine days . It should be remembered that many
postcards are posted in holiday locations which are not
adjacent to the principal dispatching centres for
international mail and so some effect on quality of service is
to be expected .

f 1 ) COM(91 ) 476 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 247 .

No C 371 / 26 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-230 / 94

by Carlos Robles Piquer ( PPE )

to the Commission

WRITTEN QUESTION E-235 / 94

by Enrique Sapena Granell ( PSE )

and Pedro Bofill Abeilhe ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

94 / C 371 / 53 ( 24 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 53 )

Subject : The Leader Programme

I have just received — in December 1993 — a copy of the
first issue of Leader magazine in Spanish, which is dated
summer 1992 . This is a large-size publication which I
welcome and which I have read carefully despite the ' slight '
delay in forwarding .

Having read it, I would like to ask the following
questions :

1 . Have other subsequent editions of Leader been
published each quarter, as promised in the first issue ?

2 . If so, would the Commission be kind enough to forward
them ?

3 . Apart from ' Alpujarra ', which is mentioned on page 8 of

the magazine, what are the other rural districts
belonging to Leader out of the 213 members to which
the publication refers ?

4 . Of the ECU 400 million allocated to the whole project,
apparently for the years 1991-1993, what aid has been
given to these districts ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

( 94 / C 371 / 54 )

Subject : Prestigious auditing firms and the real situation

regarding companies ' accounts

For more than a decade the prestige and influence of the six
major multinational auditing companies, the ' big six ', gave
accounting and financial credibility to the companies which
they inspected .

However, the recent revelation of very regrettable situations
in the accounts of certain companies or consortia which
were previously audited and approved by prestigious
auditing firms calls into question the credibility of such
firms as auditors .

Some recent cases, which were widely publicized in Europe,
have cast doubt on the reliability of these very expensive and
prestigious auditors . They include the cases of Ferruzzi in
Italy, Metallgesellschaft in Germany, Banesto in Spain and
Sasea in Switzerland .

What does the Commission think of these comments ?

What obligations do auditing companies have to meet in
Europe to guarantee their reliability ?

What kind of responsibilities does Community legislation
lay down in the event of doubtful auditing practices ?

(4 May 1994 ) Answer given by Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Leader publications, in particular the quarterly ' Leader
Magazine ', have been sent to the Honourable Member and
to all those elected to the Parliament .

The documents were regularly sent to him at the Madrid
address notified to us by Parliament .

Further to his request, the Commission has once again sent
the missing copies to the Honourable Member, as well as the
detailed documentation on the 217 Leader groups and their
funding .

( 26 April 1994 )

The statutory audit, which is required under Community
law, has been imposed in the public interest . Those dealing
with a company whose accounts have been audited must be
able to rely on the financial information published by that
company . For this reason the Eighth Council Directive

84 / 252 / EC of 10 April 1984 on the approval of people
responsible for carrying out the statutory audits of
accounting documents ( ! ) requires the auditors to be both
qualified and independent .

The Commission is aware that a number of important
financial failures have raised important issues about the
responsibilities of the statutory auditor . For this reason, as
has been announced in the strategic programme ' Making the

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 27

most of the internal market ' ( 2 ), efforts will be made at the
level of the Community to clarify the role, position and
responsibility of the statutory auditor . This action should
serve to re-inforce the reliability of published financial
information .

It must however be pointed out that the primary
responsibility for the financial information produced by an
enterprise remains with its management . The statutory audit
is no absolute guarantee against mis-management or
fraud .

obliged to distill in respect of the 1993 / 94 marketing year
under a draft Regulation that was not adopted .

The Commission instead adopted a new Regulation, based
on the provisional forecast supply balance, which allocates

18,2 million hectolitres among the Member States, of which
Italy is obliged to distil 12 500 000 hectolitres, not 20
million .

The details were published in Regulation ( EC )
No 343 / 94 i 1 ).

(!) OJ No L 126, 12 . 5 . 1984 . (!) OJ No L 44, 17 . 2 . 1994 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 632 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-263 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-254 / 94 by Wilhelm Piecyk ( PSE )

by Giuseppe Mottola ( PPE ) to the Commission

to the Commission ( 24 February 1994 )

( 24 February 1994 ) ( 94 / C 371 / 56 )

( 94 / C 371 / 55 )

Subject : Water content of dairy products

Subject : Compulsory distillation of wine

It has been suggested that Italy will have to send more than
20 million hectolitres of wine, out of a total of 32 million
hectolitres for the entire European Union, for compulsory
distillation .

1 . Does the Commission not consider that this is out of the

question, given that the official forecasts from the
Member States show an average fall in output of 10 %
and that the figure for Italy is around 15% for the

1992 / 93 marketing year ?

2 . Does the Commission not consider that this would cause

such a sharp drop in the earnings of winegrowers that
winegrowing would cease to be economic, particularly
in those areas with the highest costs, where winegrowing
plays a part in protecting the environment ?

3 . Does the Commission not also consider that there would

be serious public unrest in the areas most affected by
these measures, such as the regions of southern Italy,
bearing in mind, as well, that dividing up the volume of
national output to be sent for distillation among
producers remains fraught with problems, not least
because of the ridiculously low prices ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Honourable Member is referring to figures relating to
the considerable amount of wine Italy would have been

It is suspected by a number of consumer associations that
some dairy products contain above-average amounts of
water and some farmers are said to have been convicted for

adding water to milk in order to increase quantities .

1 . Is the Commission aware of any such cases ?

2 . How many farmers have so far been convicted on

account of practices of this kind ?

3 . What is the Commission doing to prevent this type of

fraud ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission has no information to confirm the facts

reported by the Honourable Member .

As regards the production and marketing of milk and milk
products, Council Directive 92 / 46 / EEC (*) prohibits milk
dilution and makes specific provisions with a view to
detecting this practice . It is the responsibility of the Member
States to ensure that this rule is observed .

It should be emphasized, furthermore, that the price of milk
paid to the producer is generally based on its fat and protein
content, which substantially reduces any potential gain
obtained by the addition of water . The gain is even less
apparent if the consequences of such action on the
implementation of the quantitative limits imposed by the
milk quota rules are taken into account .

No C 371 / 28 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Lastly, it should be borne in mind in this context that, in the
case of low-fat milk products in particular, the reduction in
the fat content is frequently offset — perfectly legally — by
an increase in the water content .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-270 / 94

by Raymonde Dury ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

(!) OJ No L 268, 14 . 9 . 1992 . ( 94 / C 371 / 58 )

Subject : Agreement on the Uruguay Round ( textiles and

clothing )
WRITTEN QUESTION E-264 / 94

by Inigo Méndez de Vigo ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 24 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 57

Subject : Extension of the period of validity of reference

prices for tomatoes with effect from 1 January

1994

In December 1993 the Commission unanimously approved
a proposal that the period of validity of reference prices for
the common organization of the market in tomatoes be
extended to include the months of January, February and
March .

As this agreement is of capital importance for Spanish
tomato producers and, more specifically, Canary Island
tomato producers, has the Commission envisaged the
possibility of applying the reference prices to exports of
tomatoes from third countries with effect from 1 January

1994 ?

If not, what immediate effective steps does the Commission
intend to take to prevent unauthorized exports from third
countries and the subsequent irreparable harm this would
cause to Community producers ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

In December 1993 the Community amended its offer in the
GATT Uruguay Round . This amendment included among
other amendments an extension of the application period of
entry prices for tomatoes to include the months of January,
February and March . This amendment only concerned the
Community 's offer in the GATT Uruguay Round, not the
application period for reference prices in 1994 .

From the start of 1994 the Commission has closely followed
the levels of import of tomatoes and has been in close
contact with the exporting countries with the aim of
avoiding any substantial increase in Community imports .

European textile and clothing companies have been
disappointed by the outcome of the Uruguay Round and
fear negative repercussions in their industry . They consider
that very little has been achieved in respect of fair trade,
opening up third-country markets, social dumping,
protecting intellectual property rights and cracking down
on counterfeit goods .

What can the Commission do to allay these concerns in an
industry subject to strong international competition ?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

In the Commission 's view the overall outcome of the
Uruguay Round in the textile and clothing sector is
balanced . The European Union has secured advantageous
terms for the gradual integration of textile trade over a
ten-year period into the more comprehensive GATT rules
and disciplines . For the first time in multilateral negotiations
the developing countries have accepted explicit obligations
to open up their markets ( by consolidating customs duties
and abolishing non-tariff barriers ) and protect intellectual
property rights . At the same time the European Union has
tightened up its anti-dumping and subsidy procedures, its
anti-fraud measures in the textile sector ( TAFI ) and its
export promotion programme ( Exprom ). It is also cracking
down on fraud in counterfeit goods at external borders in
the form of a Regulation to be shortly adopted .

The Commission has also tabled a proposal for a Regulation
on the protection of designs and models at Community level
and a proposal for a Directive harmonizing national
legislation on designs and models to Parliament and the
Council .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 29

WRITTEN QUESTION E-271 / 94 If not, will it give Parliament a report on this in the near
future ?
by Birgit Cramon Daiber ( V ) and Virginio Bettini ( V )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 59 ) Answer given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 1994 )
Subject : Valoren funding for the Aeolian Islands near

Sicily

As part of the Valoren Programme the European
Community has funded a pilot scheme, submitted by ENEL
( Italian National Electricity Board ), for a solar power plant
in Ginostra on the island of Stromboli .

More than a year later, the plant has not been built and is
therefore not in operation .

Will the Commission give the reasons for this delay, bearing
in mind that the scheme has been funded by the Community
without any guarantee that it will get off the ground ?

On a regular basis, the Commission obtains from the
programme committee on biotechnology R&D, established
by the Council Decision of 26 March 1992, detailed updates
on the latest national developments in fields identified for
their strategic importance . In a more global way the .
following table describes the Member States ' public
expenditures on biotechnological research — including
biotechnological research per se and in the fields of
agriculture, healthcare and the environment . These figures
are collected from published data . However, they do not
include expenses by regional authorities and, in any case,
have to be considered as under-estimations . Further to this,
the Commission has difficulty obtaining complete or
consistent figures for R&D expenditure on biotechnology in
the Community as Member States do not use the same
definition of biotechnology which, among others, may
result in statistics which cover different ranges of activities

Answer given by Mr Millan result in
on behalf of the Commission
( 1993 figures ).

(6 May 1994 )

As provided for in point 7.4 of the Valoren Programme and
in the relevant Commission Decision, the Commission has
committed expenditure and paid appropriations under the
programme on the basis of statements of expenditure
certified correct by the national authorities .

It transpires from the information sent by the Italian
authorities to the Commission on 26 April 1994 that no
project on the island of Stromboli has been financed under
the Valoren Programme .

( in million ECU )

Belgium 10,0

Denmark 15,0

Germany 116,0

Greece 4,7

Spain 14,0

France 51,0

Ireland 10,0

Italy 85,0

The Netherlands 16,5

Portugal 8,5

United Kingdom 133,0

Total 463,4
WRITTEN QUESTION E-275 / 94

by Dieter Rogalla ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 60 )

Subject : Genetic engineering

Can the Commission provide a general assessment of
research and development work and successes in the field of
genetic engineering in the Member States, perhaps broken
down into main areas, and possibly indicate the direction in
which developments should proceed if the EU wishes to
remain in the vanguard in this respect in relation to the rest
of the world ?

In the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and
employment (*) the Commission observed that the potential
of biotechnology to have a dramatic impact on
competitiveness is greatest in certain sectors, namely
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, process equipment and
appliances, agriculture and agricultural processing . As
noted in the White Paper, the Commission intends, together
with the Member States, to counter unfavourable factors
relating to R&D, to the legislative framework, and to public
perception, in order to maintain the competitiveness of these

sectors .

(M COM(93 ) 700 .

No C 371 / 30 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

WRITTEN QUESTION E-279 / 94 Answer given by Mr
on behalf of the Commission

by Wilfried Telkamper ( V )

to the Commission (5 May 1994 )

( 25 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 61

Subject : Compatibility of Germany 's Rail Network
Extension Law with the Environmental Impact
Assessment Directive

On 15 November 1993 the Bundestag adopted the Federal
Rail Network Extension Law . It was published on
24 November 1993 in the BGB1 1, pp . 1874 — 1876, and
entered into force on the day after its publication .

Section 1(1 ) of the Law reads as follows :

' The needs laid down in the requirements plan shall be
binding for the adoption of the plan pursuant to section
36 of the Federal Railways Law '.

Section 1 ( 2 ) of the German Trunk Road Network Extension
Law contains similar provisions . The Commission has on a
number of occasions expressed its views on these ( my
question 1868 / 91 (*) and question 2268 / 91 ( 2 ) by Breyer ).
The Commission also adopted a vigorous approach to this
matter in sending the German Government a formal
warning on 4 February 1992 ( SG(92 ) D / 1582, 90 / 4710 ).

In this connection, and with reference to a letter of
20 December 1993 from W. Mecklenburg to the
Commission on the same subject :

1 . Did Germany notify the Commission of the Rail
Network Extension Law ?

2 . Despite the German Government 's contestation of the
claim, does the Commission still believe that section 1(2 )
of the Trunk Road Network Extension Law runs

counter to the objectives of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Directive ?

- 3 . Does the Commission therefore believe that section 1(2 )
of the Rail Network Extension Law, which lays down
that the need for long-distance rail links shall be
determined Law, thus by-passing the approval
procedure, runs counter to the objectives of the
Environmental Impact Assessment Directive ?

4 . Following the formal warning of 4 February 1992, has
the Commission taken any further action vis-a-vis
Germany with regard to the Trunk Road Network
Extension Law (a letter of formal notice pursuant to
Article 169 of the EEC Treaty ) or does it intend to do
so ?

No . According to Article 1(2 ) of Directive 85 / 337 / EEC ( ),
consent means ' the decision of the competent authority or
authorities which entitles the developer to proceed with the
project '. Germany maintains that the Trunk Road Network
Extension Law relates only to the public utility of the
projects listed . In the light of these clarifications, the
Commission considers that the Law in question does not
form part of the consent procedure . The law does not
predetermine either the projects themselves or their routes .
Consequently, an impact assessment did not necessarily
have to precede its adoption .

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

WRITTEN QUESTION E-280 / 94

by Sir James Scott-Hopkins ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 62 )

Subject : Cost of financing French farmers

What does the Commission estimate will be the additional

cost to the EAGGF budget in ( a ) 1994, ( b ) 1995 and ( c )

1996, of the decision taken at the Brussels Summit to pick up
the bill for any losses in support which French farmers will
sustain as a result of the agreement over agriculture in the
GATT Uruguay Round ? Does this decision have any place in
the logic behind the reform of the CAP, or does it merely
represent a shift in the resourcing of protection for a vocal
lobby ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission takes the view that the agricultural aspects

Article 169 of the EEC Treaty ) or does it intend to do of the European Union offer to the GATT within the
so ? framework of the negotiations on the Uruguay Round will

not involve any restraints on agricultural producers in the
(!) OJ No C 183, 20 . 7 . 1992, p . 6 . European Union beyond those agreed under the reform of
( 2 ) OJ No C 235, 14 . 9 . 1992, p . 4 . the CAP . It follows that there will be no additional burden

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 31

on the budget of the EAGGF guarantee section for 1994, WRITTEN QUESTION E-381

1995 and 1996 arising from compensation for loss of by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-381 / 94

1995 and 1996 arising from compensation for loss of
income of producers ^ in the European Union and in
particular in France following the conclusion of the GATT

agreement .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-335 / 94

by Christine Crawley ( PSE )

to the Commission

(1 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 63 )

Subject : Horizon Poultry Farms Ltd

What comments would the Commission wish to make

concerning the public outcry in the UK to the decision of the
British Government to pay £ 250 000 of EAGGF funds to
assist Horizon Poultry Farms Ltd . to build Europe 's largest
battery egg complex ?

to the Commission

(1 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 64 )

Subject : Legal protection of biotechnological inventions

In the current review of the Directive on the Legal Protection
of Biotechnological Inventions will the Commission ensure
that any efforts to patent human genes are strenuously
opposed for the following reasons :

— on ethical and moral grounds

— on pragmatic grounds, as the existence of human gene

function patents would inhibit research and slow
progress towards the development of effective, available
and affordable therapies

— human genes, whether inside or outside the body,

whether of known or unknown function, are naturally
occurring entities and should not be patentable .

What reaction does the Commission make to growing
countries demands for ? a phasing out of all battery cages in EC Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi

on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1994 )

In October 1993 the Commission approved an operational
programme ( OP ) for EAGGF aid on the basis of a proposal
submitted by the United Kingdom authorities . This OP
included an investment from Horizon Poultry Farms related
solely to the provision of buildings and plant for the
packing, grading and distribution of shell eggs . No grant aid
for battery hen production is involved . It is also understood
that the packing plant will also receive production from
free-range and barn-reared hens . Incidentally Community
legislation forbids investment aids for egg production as
such .

(6 April 1994 )

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member 's

attention to the common position, adopted by the Council
on 8 February 1994, regarding the proposal for a European
Parliament and Council Directive on the legal protection of
biotechnological inventions, in which questions relating to
the patentability of genes of human origin are dealt with in
detail . Article 2(3)(a ) excludes from patentability the human
body or parts of the human body per se, and the tenth and
eleventh recitals specify the scope of that exclusion . The
reasons put forward by the Honourable Member for
opposing the patentability of human genes as parts of the
human body per se have, therefore, been taken into account
by the Council in its common position .

The Honourable Member may also wish to refer to the
answer given by the Commission to Written Question
No 4 / 92 by Mr Enrique Sapena Granell, which concerned
the patenting of living matter produced by biotechnology
and which also dealt with issues relating to the patentability
of genes of human origin (*). That answer is supported by
the Council 's common position .

One can understand the concern felt by many people about and which also dealt with
battery egg production . The Commission is currently

of genes of human origin

considering a report from the Scientific Veterinary the Council 's common
Committee on the various alternative egg production
systems, after which a decision will be taken on what further
measures may be appropriate . ( J ) OJ No C 185, 7 . 7 . 1993 .

No C 371 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-409 / 94 of European beekeeping which will also be sent to

by Dimitrios Dessylas ( CG ) Parliament .

to the Commission
( x ) OJ No C 367, 22 . 12 . 1994 .

(2 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 65

Subject : Measures to support apiculture and honey
producers

Apiculturalists are facing serious difficulties owing to :

( a ) the large quantities of cheap honey of dubious quality

being imported from third countries,

( b ) the failure of the EC and governments of the Member

States to take measures to support apiculture,

( c ) the damage to apiculture caused by the Varroa mite
and

( d ) damage caused by herbicides and crop spraying, fires

and drought .

Given the enormous contribution made by apiculture both
in protecting the natural environment and in promoting the
pollination and fertilization of plants and trees and the
development of agricultural production in general, will the
Commission say whether — and, if so, when — it intends to
take the following measures :

1 . protect European honey production by increasing the

import levy and introducing a compulsory designation
' imported honey ' and ' quality honey ' to prevent
adulteration ;

2 . granting pollination aid amounting to between 3 and

ECU 5 per bee-hive with a special programme to protect
the natural environment ;

3 . granting income support to offset loss of income for

producers ' and aid to combat the Varroa mite disease
affecting ;

4 . dispose of unsold honey stocks by means of food aid to
third countries ;

5 . fully integrate apiculture and honey in a common
organization of the market ( intervention prices,
subsidies for processing, standardization, advertising,
etc .)?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-451 / 94

by Concepció Ferrer ( PPE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 66 )

Subject : A new Miriam initiative

Owing to a lack of cooperation between the Community
institutions and the Member States, the Miriam initiative,
which was designed to provide information and assistance
for farmers through Green Euro Info Centres, was not put
into practice .

Given the need to establish coherent, long-term information
measures to enable small farmers in particular to acquire
information on and take advantage of the various forms of
Community assistance available to them, does the
Commission plan to submit a new initiative to the
Council ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission does not intend to resubmit the Miriam

initiative to the Council .

Nevertheless, it will continue to promote several measures
supplying information to farmers, using all the means at its
disposal .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-457 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )
Answer given by Mr Steichen 94 / C 371 / 67

on behalf of the Commission

( 94 / C 371 / 67 )

(6 May 1994 )
Subject : Discrimination against similar products which are

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to

the joint answer it gave to Questions Nos 3132 / 93 and
4038 / 93 ( J ).

The Commission would also inform him that, at the request
of the Council, it is preparing a discussion paper on the state

legally produced and marketed under the same

name

The Member States are still entitled to impose quality rules
in respect of goods manufactured by producers established
on their territory in order to promote their national
production . However, these rules can result in

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 33

discrimination against similar products which are legally
produced and marketed under the same name, particularly
in another Member State, when consumers are provided
with appropriate information . In view of the above, will the
Commission say if a policy aimed at restricting the use of a
produce name is incompatible with Article 30 of the EEC
Treaty and the objectives of the Common Market and, in
particular, the basic principle of the free movement of
goods ?

voluntary organizations in the UK have to be deducted from
local authority expenditure limits ?

Is this not a clear breach of additionally rules ?

Should the Commission not ask that the UK Government 's

Public Authority Support Certificate ( PASC ) be withdrawn
for the voluntary sector ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
Answer given by Mr Vanni d'Archirafi on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )
(3 May 1994 )

Following rulings by the Court of Justice, Member States
are, in the absence of harmonized Community rules,
competent to determine the rules governing the marketing
of their national products, and in particular product names .
They must, however, allow into their territory foodstuffs
legally produced and marketed in other Member States,
subject to certain conditions .

Accordingly, the introduction and marketing of a product
legally produced and marketed in another Member State
may be prevented only where the measure :

— can be justified as being necessary to comply with

objectives recognized by Article 36 of the EC Treaty or
to meet an overriding concern ( protection of public
health, consumer protection, fair trading,
environmental protection ),

— is proportionate to the objective in mind, and

— hinders attainment of that objective least .

Subject to the foregoing, there are grounds for considering
that restrictive measures, whether they relate to the
composition, quality or name of products imported from
another Member State, are, in principle, incompatible with
Community law .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-478 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

As a result of the February 1992 agreement between the
Commission and the United Kingdom on the transparency
and additionality of the European Regional Development
Fund 's grants, restrictions on the use of ERDF to co-finance
voluntary sector projects were removed, and public
expenditure cover is provided automatically for ERDF

grants .

As far as the ESF is concerned, the Commission will raise the
issue mentioned by the Honourable Member with the
United Kingdom authorities .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-479 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

(7 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 69 )

Subject : Performance targets

In view of justifiable concerns in various Member States
about how national governments deal with ESF and
ERDF applications, is the Commission proposing to set
performance targets for the handling of such applications
and publishing the results ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission (2 May 1994 )

(7 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 68 ) The Commission would remind the Honourable Member
that the way in which national governments deal with ESF
and ERDF applications is essentially a matter for them .

Subject : Voluntary sector funding of Structural Fund

projects

Does the Commission not find it absurd that, in order to
sponsor Structural Fund projects, monies raised by

However requests to the Commission for payments by a
Member State in respect of measures which have already
been agreed are covered by the Structural Funds Regulations
which provide in Article 21 of Regulation ( EEC )

No C 371 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

No 2082 / 83 ( ) that, as a general rule, payments will be
made within two months of receipt of an acceptable
application . They also provide that, as a general rule,
payments should reach the final beneficiary within three
months of the receipt of the funds by the Member State .

With respect to performance targets, the Regulations
contain strengthened requirements with respect to
evaluation and provide for an increased use of quantified
indicators on the outcome expected from individual

measures .

(M OJ No L 193, 31 . 7 . 1993 .

trading house status . As there is clearly a link between this
latter point and the corporation tax issue on which the
Article 93(2 ) EC Treaty procedure has been opened, it is
likely that this matter will be resolved only after the
corporation tax issue is finalized .

(*) OJ No C 94, 31 . 3 . 1994 .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-561 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( IS March 1994 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-488 / 94 ( 94 / C 371 / 71 )

by William Newton Dunn ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 14 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 70

Subject : Irish State-aids for mushroom growing

The Irish authorities provide tax advantages for mushroom
exporters under the so-called Trading Houses Scheme . The
Commission has asked the Irish Government to eliminate
fresh mushroom exporters from the scheme by the end of
the current fiscal year .

What reply has the Commission received from the Irish

Government ? If there has been no reply, what further action
will the Commission take ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission, as regards the application of the 10 % rate
of corporation tax to mushroom growers, decided on

19 January 1994 to initiate the procedure under
Article 93(2 ) EC Treaty (*). The Irish authorities
communicated recently their intention to abolish the above
tax arrangement from the tax year 1994 / 95 .

As regards the special trading houses scheme, which applies
for companies which market abroad the products of small
firms, the Commission in 1988 raised no objections to the
inclusion of these houses in the 10 % rate of corporation tax
scheme applicable to manufacturing industry .

The Commission has asked the Irish authorities for a report
on the situation in regard to the application of the special
trading houses scheme and in particular in regard to the
continued eligibility of mushroom exporters for special

Subject : Implementation of the technical obligations
decided on by the Council of Fisheries Ministers on
28 October 1991

Will the Commission say whether fishing vessels in the
Member States are respecting the technical obligations
decided on by the Council of Fisheries Ministers on
28 October 1991 ?

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

At the December 1991 Fisheries Council the Commission

proposed a restriction of 2,5 kilometres on the length of
drift-nets used by Community vessels, in line with United
Nations resolutions . Parliament supported the
Commission 's proposal .

Following lengthy discussion the Council reached a
compromise permitting a number of French vessels to
continue to use drift-nets of up to 5 kilometres on certain
terms until 31 December 1993 .

Checks on observance of the restriction pose serious
practical difficulties since these nets are mainly used in
distant water fishing outside the Community 's exclusive
economic zone .

Member States have however on a number of occasions

found vessels flying a Community flag fishing illegally with
drifting gillnets longer than 2,5 kilometres . Appropriate
action has been taken in response to these
contraventions .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 35

WRITTEN QUESTION E-634 / 94

by Kenneth Collins ( PSE )

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission (4 May 1994 )

( 17 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 72 The Commission regularly inspects a certain proportion of
approved slaughterhouses in Spain . In the course of such
inspections it has not noted any special problems and has
not found that the situation gives rise to particular
Subject : Korea concern .

Is the Commission satisfied that the Korean Government

has taken the necessary steps to implement the recent
EU / Korea agreement on spirit drinks ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-694 / 94

by Winifred Ewing ( ARE )

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan

on behalf of the Commission

to the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

( 15 April 1994 ) ( 94 / C 371 / 74 )

In line with its commitments under the June 1993 agreement
between Korea and the Community on alcoholic beverages,
the Korean Government reduced, as of January 1994, liquor
tax on whisky and brandy . At the same time it increased
liquor taxes on local brandy and whisky admixtures,
thereby diminishing the tax differential between imported
and local like products . The Korean National Assembly has,
however, amended the Korean Government 's proposals in
one respect, and has postponed by one year, i.e. until
January 1995, the introduction of an education tax on

soju .

The Korean Government has given firm assurances to the
Commission that the agreement between Korea and the
Community On spirits will be fully implemented . The
Commission will follow developments closely to ensure that
Korea 's undertakings are effectively carried out .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-671 / 94

by Edward Kellett-Bowman ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 73 )

Subject : EC abattoir Regulations in Spain

The Commission will be in no doubt as to the failure of the

Spanish authorities to ensure that their abattoirs are up to
EC standards before they are allowed to slaughter
animals .

What action is the Commission taking in this regard ?

Subject : Community initiatives — Regis

What criteria were used in determining the eligibility of
regions for inclusion under Regis ? Are there any plans to
extend the scope to include the islands of Ireland and
Scotland and what representations to that end have been
made by

( a ) the UK Government,

( b ) the Irish Government and

( c ) local authorities ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

In the draft guidelines for Regis II ( point 1 ), the eligible
regions are identified as the most remote regions as they are
defined in Declaration 26 attached to the Treaty on
European Union .

The Commission has already stated, on page 12 of ' The
Future of Community Initiatives under the Structural
Funds ' ( 1 ), which is the document summarizing the results of
the consultations on the Green Paper on Community
initiatives, who was in favour of enlarging the geographical
coverage of Regis ( Ireland and the UK and about 10 local
authorities in these Member States ).

The Honourable Member will find more details in the above

Commission document, which has already been sent to
Parliament in connection with the discussion of the

Community initiatives .

(M COM(94 ) 46 final .

No C 371 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-710 / 94
by Jaak Vandemeulebroucke ( ARE )

to the Commission

( 25 February 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 75 )

Subject : Background to the Council Decision concerning

the placing on the market and administration of
BST

Via Rapid, I have learned of the report on the 1720th
meeting of the Council of Ministers for Agriculture, which
took place from 14 to 17 December 1993 ( Doc .
PRES / 93 / 235 ). The Council unanimously took a decision of
principle to extend the ban of the placing on the market and
administration of BST to 31 December 1994 . This decision
of principle ( Decision 93 / 71 8 / EEC ) (*) was confirmed at a
subsequent Council meeting on 22 December 1993 . In the
meantime the European Parliament, too, delivered its
opinion on 17 December 1993 .

The Council Decision amends the Commission draft

( COM(93 ) 605 final ( 2 )) and also fails to take account of the
EP 's opinion . Both the Commission and the EP took the
view that the ban on the placing on the market and
administration of the hormone BST must apply for as long
as the milk quota arrangements are in force, i.e. until at least
the end of the century . The Council of Ministers has decided
to apply the ban provisionally until the end of this year only .
This is therefore a less strict measure .

Replying to a question in the Belgian Chamber of
Representatives by Representatives Dejonckheere ( Ecolo )
and Caudron ( Volksunie ) on 16 February 1994, the Belgian
Minister for Agriculture, Mr Andre Bourgeois, stated that
the decision had been adopted unanimously and with the
full consent of the Commission .

Will the Commission say :

1 . why the draft Decision, which had been approved by the
European Parliament, was amended to extend the ban
on BST for only one year instead of until the end of the
century ?

2 . whether the Decision actually was taken with the full
consent of the Commission ?

O OJ No L 333, 31 . 12 . 1993, p . 72 .

( 2 ) COM(93 ) 605 . OJ No C 3, 5 . 1 . 1994, p . 7 .

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Council 's unanimous decision cited by the Honourable
Member was taken in view of the urgency of the legal

situation and the need to provide sufficient time for the
consequences of the proposal to be considered more
carefully .

The Commission accepted this approach, it being
understood that its original proposal rests on the table .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-719 / 94

by Glyn Ford ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 21 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 76 )

Subject : Irish mushroom industry

Is the Commission aware that the Irish Government has still
not eliminated fresh mushrooms from the Trading Houses
Scheme despite the Commission declaring it illegal ?

' Will the Commission ensure in future that when cash

subvention is given the Market Development Scheme
conditions are respected ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission, as regards the application of the 10 % of
corporation tax to mushroom growers, decided on
19 January 1994 to initiate the procedure under
Article 93(2 ) EC Treaty (*). The Irish authorities
communicated recently their intention to abolish the tax
arrangement from the tax year 1994 / 95 .

As regards the special trading houses scheme, which applies
to companies whose role is to market abroad the products of
small firms, the Commission in 1988 raised no objections to
the inclusion of these houses in the 10 % rate of corporation
tax scheme applicable to manufacturing industry . The
Commission has asked the Irish authorities for a report on
the situation in regard to the application of the special
trading houses scheme and in particular in regard to the
continued eligibility of mushroom exporters for special
trading house status .

(!) OJ No C 94, 31 . 3 . 1994 .

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 37

WRITTEN QUESTION E-754 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-764 / 94

by Gérard Deprez ( PPE )

Gérard Deprez ( PPE ) by José Vazquez Fouz ( PSE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 22 March 1994 )

( 22 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 77 ( 94 / C 371 / 78

Subject : ECOS Programme

The aim of the Ecos Programme is to strengthen the links
between the Community 's regional and local authorities,
particularly those of towns and regions in the Community 's
less-favoured areas, and their counterparts in central and
eastern Europe .

Can the Commission provide details of the projects which
have so far taken place under this programme, including the
partners involved, the total budget and the role of the
ERDF ?

In particular, how many interregional cooperation projects
in the form of ' training of local elected representatives and
officials ' have been funded ? Can these projects be regarded
as fruitful in terms of exchanging experiences of local
democracy ?

Subject : Fisheries Agreement with Namibia

For some time, Parliament has been calling for a Fisheries
Agreement with Namibia, a matter of major importance for
the Union 's fisheries strategy and its international
cooperation policy, and a significant means of mitigating the
severe crisis affecting the Community 's frozen fish sector .

None the less, the lack of news and of specific proposals is
giving rise to — doubtless groundless — expectations and
rumours of all kinds, which are encouraged by the lack of .
concrete results .

What is the current state of EU-Namibian negotiations on
fisheries ?

What are the real reasons that are preventing an agreement
from being concluded ? When does the Commission expect
to conclude the agreement ?

Answer given by Mr Millan Which of the EP-approved criteria is the Commission
on behalf of the Commission applying in the negotiations ?

(6 May 1994 )

ECOS ( The European Cities Cooperation System ) is a
programme of de-centralized inter-regional cooperation
launched at the end of 1991 and is receiving financial
support for a three-year period of approximately ECU 7,5
million from the European Regional Development Fund .
ECOS supports cooperative links between cities in the
Community and in central and eastern Europe . It is
managed by the Council of European Municipalities and
Regions and the City of Strasbourg .

By the end of 1993, ECOS had been able to agree 55 projects
of the 121 submitted to it . Most of the projects have a
training component and nine in particular have as a specific
theme the training of locally elected officials .

The Commission also supports, the Ouverture Programme
which supports similar cooperation between regions in
the Community and central and eastern Europe . The
geographical coverage of both programmes was extended at
the end of 1993 to bring in the CIS . A brochure with details
about ECOS and Ouverture is being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of the

Parliament .

Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1994 )

The Commission shares the Honourable Member 's view

concerning the potential importance to the Community
freezer trawler fleet of the conclusion and implementation
of a fisheries agreement with Namibia, but expects the
forthcoming implementation of the agreement with
Argentina to add a new dimension that could help resolve
the crisis affecting this sector of the fleet .

The most recent contacts between the Community and the
Namibian authorities suggest that a fisheries agreement
with Namibia is likely to be concluded only if changes are
made to the Council 's negotiating guidelines . The Namibian
authorities want the agreement to include the establishment
of joint enterprises, which would also cover the processing
of fishery products in Namibia . The Council is considering
these changes at present .

In any event, it appears that the conclusion of a fisheries
agreement with Namibia, offering Community vessels the
firm prospect of operating in Namibian waters, cannot be

No C 371 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

contemplated in the short term, given the state of stocks on WRITTEN QUESTION E-847 / 94
the one hand and the capacity of the deep-sea fleet now in by Christine Crawley ( PSE )
position on the other . to the Commission

(9 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 80 )

WRITTEN QUESTION E-843 / 94

by Christiari Rovsing ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 79 )

Subject : Humanitarian aid in Georgia

Reports indicate that up to 400 Georgian soldiers lost one or
both legs during the recent war in Abhkazia . What steps is
the Commission taking to enable the rehabilitation of these
men, as a component of humanitarian aid in the Tacis
Programme ?

Answer given by Mr Marin
on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

Although the Tacis Programme included a certain amount
of humanitarian aid in 1993, the main humanitarian
programme had always been administered by the European
Community Humanitarian Office ( ECHO ) and in 1994 this
is the sole source of funding of such necessary actions .

ECHO has had a correspondent inside Georgia on a
permanent basis for the last year and is therefore kept fully
informed of developments and evolving needs in the
country . When fighting broke out in Abkhazia in August,
approval for extra medical supplies to the area was given
within 24 hours .

In 1993 the Commission financed, through ECHO,
different humanitarian actions — including food aid,
medicines and medical assistance, hygiene and baby parcels
and other relief items — for a total amount of ECU 11,77
million . Those operations were implemented By NGOs and
international organizations such as MSF, Caritas, ICRC,
Oxfam, Red Barnet, WFP, IFRC, UNHCR, ASB, Action
Internationale Contre la Faim .

As to the particular problem of people who have lost limbs,
the matter had already been brought up at a meeting called
by ECHO to discuss the situation and needs of the South
Caucasus region . The Commission can confirm that two of
its partner organizations have already been approached
with a view to treating those handicapped .

Subject : Improvements in dental health for ethnic
minorities

What health education strategies are being conducted in
Member States to improve the situation of dental health for
ethnic minorities ? As 1994 is WHO Year of Oral Health, are
there any formal agencies of the Community working in this
field ?

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

Dental health is one of the range of subjects covered by
health education programmes in the majority of Member
States . In the United Kingdom a National Health Service
Ethnic Health Unit has recently been established which has
supported the establishment of a unit of trans-cultural oral
health at the University of Birmingham . In the Netherlands
the Institute of preventive health care, Leiden, has
undertaken work on this subject .

The Commission is not currently working in the specific
field but is supporting concerted actions on efficiency in oral
health care which are evaluating oral health systems in the
Member States and involve 10 institutions in six Member
States (*).

I 1 ) Health Services Research, Biomedical and Health Research

Programme I ( 1990-1994 ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-900 / 94

by Jean-Pierre Raffin ( V )

to the Commission

( 30 May 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 81 )

Subject : Community funding of Etablissements Phildar

Can the Commission state whether Phildar, as a result of
recent re-structuring and in connection, with the siting of its
head office in Roubaix, has received Community aid for its
initiatives on jobs and employee training ?

If so, under what regime was such aid granted and what
amount was paid ?

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 39

Answer given by Mr Flynn
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

Following the reform of the Structural Funds in 1988, the
Commission has no detailed information on individual

projects or entities co-financed by the ESF .

Information on any aid which may have been granted to
Phildar is the responsibility of the French authorities and
more particularly of the Prefecture of Nord-Pas-de-Calais,
especially the Direction Regionale du Travail et de l'Emploi
and the Direction Regionale a la Formation
Professionnelle .

However, the Commission has requested information from
France and has obtained the following reply :

1 . For many years before the reform of the Structural
Funds, Phildar received aid which was co-financed by
the ESF .

2 . After 1989, Phildar received no ESF aid within the
framework of the reform of the Structural Funds

( Objective 2 ). Phildar is not one of the beneficiaries
under the two sets of arrangements co-financed by the
ESF to deal with restructuring operations : the FNE

( Fonds National pour l'Emploi ) and the EDF
( Engagements de Développement de la Formation ).

WRITTEN QUESTION E-913 / 94

by Jürgen Brand ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

94 / C 371 / 82 )

Subject : Allocation of EC funds for cross-border
cooperation

Can the Commission say, with reference to the period
1985-1993 :

1 . what appropriations for cross-border cooperation were

allocated to Bavaria, and from which EC
programmes ?

2 . what funds were earmarked for Euregios with Bavarian

involvement ?

3 . whether the funds made available over this period were

fully utilized ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

borders between Bavaria and the Czech Republic, Austria
and Switzerland respectively . This programme ran from

1991 to 1993 and granted ECU 15,4 million in aid, ECU
13,7 million from the ERDF ( 89,3 % ) and ECU 1,7 million
from the EAGGF .

2 . All of the Community contribution has been
committed, and ECU 10,3 million ( 74,9% ) has been
paid .

3 . The three Euregios in Bavaria to which the
Honourable Member refers did not yet exist when the
Interreg I Programme was drawn up . As such, they have not
received Community assistance . 

WRITTEN QUESTION E-919 / 94

by Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 83 )

Subject : Situation of Michalis Voulgarelis, a Greek
conscientious objector

Group 65 of Belgian Amnesty International has informed
me of its concern about the situation of Michalis

Voulgarelis, a greek national .

Mr Voulgarelis, who is a conscientious objector and a
Jehovah 's Witness, refused to do national service . As a result
he received a prison sentence in September 1992 . Amnesty
International regards him as a prisoner of conscience who
has peacefully exercised his right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion .

What steps has the Commission taken to persuade the Greek

Government to amend the Law which causes Greece to

disregard the resolutions adopted by the European
Parliament in October 1989 ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-921 / 94

by Ernest Glinne ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 84 )

Subject : Situation of Greek conscientious objectors

(6 May 1994 )

In its first annual report on the human rights situation in the
Community ( March 1993 ), the European Parliament
1 . Under the Community initiative Interreg I, the expressly condemned Greece because it treats conscientious
Commission financed a programme for areas along the objectors as criminals .

No C 371 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

However, more than 380 conscientious objectors are still in
prison in Greece because they refuse to do national
service .

The majority have been sentenced to four years ' forced
labour under extremely harsh conditions : overcrowded and
unsanitary cells, no health care whatsoever, etc . Once they
have completed their heavy prison sentences, conscientious
objectors are deprived of their political and civil rights for a
period of ten years .

Greece is the only Member State not to recognize the right of
conscientious objection to national service and not to have
introduced a civilian alternative, in spite of resolutions to
this end adopted by the United Nations, the Council of
Europe, the European Parliament and Member States of the
Community .

What steps has the Commission taken and what steps will it
take to persuade Greece, the cradle of democracy, to respect
the fundamental rights of its people ?

Joint answer to Written Questions

E-919 / 94 and E-921 / 94

given by Mr Delors
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

As the Commission has pointed out on past occasions,
notably in January when Parliament was debating the report
from Mr Bandres Molet and Mrs Binci, conscientious
objection is a matter for Member States, where respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms is extensively
ensured by effective monitoring systems, both within
countries, by internal appeal channels, and externally by
mechanisms put in place under the European Convention on
Human Rights, which all Member States have ratified . The
common provisions of the Treaty on European Union, and
Article F(2 ) in particular, re-state this very clearly .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1067 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 85 )

Subject : Protection and conservation of monuments
forming part of the historical and cultural heritage
of EU Member States

The current economic crisis has led some EU Member States
to cut back their budgets for the protection and
conservation of monuments forming part of their historical
and cultural heritage . In view of this, can the Commission

propose that the national authorities of the Member States
should retain a form of progressive funding in their national
budgets or that the EU establish a minimum level of funding
which the Member States should reserve in their budgets for
the protection and conservation of the historical and
cultural heritage ?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro

on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1994 )

The Commission fully appreciates the importance of
protecting the European cultural heritage, and indeed this is
explicitly referred to as a goal of Community action in
Article 128 of the EC Treaty .

There is indeed a danger that the cultural heritage will suffer
as a result of the current economic recession, which is
causing certain Member States to cut expenditure on the
conservation and restoration of their historic

monuments .

However, the Commission has no power under Article 128
to make suggestions to the Member States as to how to
manage their national budgets, nor can it impose a
minimum level of funding to be reserved for the protection
of the national heritage .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 121 / 94

by Christopher Jackson ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 18 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 86 )

Subject : Aid for re-structuring the EU apple industry

Following on-going contact with Commission officials,
the Secretary-General of COPA / Cogeca wrote to the
Director-General of DG VI on 6 December 1993 outlining
the most serious situation facing EU apple growers and
requested a grubbing grant to correct the structural surplus .
To date, two and a half months later, no reply has been
received .

As the Commission is aware, the market for EU-produced
apples is of the order of 7,5 million tonnes per annum,
whereas production is now of the order of 8,5 to 11 million
tonnes per annum . The apple industry throughout the EU is
in a state of crisis and it is no longer a question of weak
producers going under but also the strong, normally viable

ones .

1 . Without waiting for the completion of the review of

Regulation ( EEC ) No 1035 / 72 and the general report on
horticulture, will the Commission, in view of the current

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 41

crisis, agree as an interim measure to provide grants for
grubbing up some 33 000 hectares ( 12% ) of EU
orchards within the next month, to remove 1 million
tonnes of production and obviate the possibility of
another disaster in the 1994 / 95 marketing year ?

2 . On completion of the review of Regulation ( EEC )
No 1035 / 72, will the Commission consider linking any
further such grubbing grants to a reduction in
expenditure on invervention, in part by reducing the
co-efficient of varieties that remain in surplus ?

detail, chose the ' Kommander Amelia ' vessel, which,
according to the experts, had the best capabilities .

However, an examination of the application chosen shows
that this vessel is registered in the Isle of Man and that its
crew is composed of Europeans and Filipinos .

Can the Commission clarify the last two aspects, which have
implications for the ' Kommander Amelia ', and give the
reasons why, nonetheless, this vessel was chosen for the task
in question ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

given by Answer given by Mr Paleokrassas

on behalf of the Commission

on behalf of the Commission

( 19 April 1994 ) (5 May 1994 )

The Commission regrets that the grubbing up measure
instituted for the 1989 / 90, 1990 / 91 and 1991 / 92 marketing
years did not produce the results expected . Only 8 200 or
2,8 % of the 27 600 hectares of orchards grubbed up under
this measure were situated outside the new German Lander .

The overall trend has been in the opposite direction, with
new apple orchards being planted over the last few

years .

The Commission considers that, firstly, the increase in apple
production in 1992 / 93 was determined by temporary,
rather than structural factors and does not therefore justify
launching a structural operation and, secondly, subsidized
grubbing up should not become a habit for producers, who
should primarily be seeking to adjust their range of varieties
to demand trends .

The Commission does not, therefore, intend to propose a
new grubbing up operation for the time being ; this would in
any case involve releasing budget funds, which cannot be
considered in the present circumstances .

WRITTEN QUESTION E-l 130 / 94

by José Lafuente Lopez ( PPE )

to the Commission

( 30 March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 87

Subject : Aspects of the choice of the ' Kommander Amelia '

as a fishery inspection vessel for the Community

After holding a public tender to hire of a fishery inspection
vessel that would enable it to meet its monitoring
commitments in international waters and, in particular, in
waters governed by the NAFO agreement, the Commission,
through DG XIV, having considered the applications in

In response to the notice published ( ) there were eleven
requests for additional information from firms or
organizations in seven Member States . Twelve tenders
involving thirteen vessels were received . The evaluation of
the tenders was made on the basis of the price of the charter,
the suitability of the vessel and the experience of the
tenderer . Three of the tenders were considered worthy of
further examination .

Having examined the suitability of the vessels, the charter
prices quoted, the experience of the tenderers including the
experience of the crews, the equipment offered, and the
experience from previous years ' charters, it was found that
the British M / V ' Kommandor Amalie ' owned by Hays Ships
Ltd in Great Yarmouth, was the best choice for the task .
This assessment was, together with all relevant documents
including the original tenders and the opinion of the
inspectors who surveyed the three vessels, forwarded to the
Commission 's Advisory Committee on Procurement and
Contracts, which after having audited the material gave a
favourable opinion on the contract to be concluded with
Hays Ships Ltd .

The ' Kommandor Amalie ' is registered in the Isle of Man
Ships Register, which is the Second Register of the United
Kingdom like the Canary Islands Register is the Second
Register of Spain and the Danish International Ships
Register is the Second Register of Denmark .

The ' Kommandor Amalie ' is chartered by the Commission
on a Baltimore 1939 Uniform Time Charter . A small

number of the crew members are not citizens of the

European Union . However, these crew members are on
contract with Hays Ships Ltd .

All inspection missions carried out from the ' Kommandor
Amalie ' are undertaken by European Commission Fisheries
Inspectors, and crew members are not associated in any way
with these activities .

(!) OJ No C 257, 22 . 9 . 1993 .

No C 371 / 42 Official Journal of the European Communities 27 . 12 . 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1288 / 94

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1408 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

Kostopoulos ( PSE ) by Jean-Claude Pasty ( RDE )

to the Commission to the Commission

to the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

( 29 - March 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 88 ( 94 / C 371 / 91 )

Subject : The Rechar Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the Rechar Programme in Greece and how
much has so far actually been allocated to this
programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1296 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

( 94 / C 371 / 89

Subject : The Renaval Programme and Greece

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the Renaval Programme in Greece and how
much has actually been allocated to this programme ?

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1297 / 94

by Sotiris Kostopoulos ( PSE )

to the Commission

( 13 April 1994 )

94 / C 371 / 90

Subject : The Regis Programme and Greece

Subject : The ' sugar ' safeguard clause in the Community 's

offer to GATT .

Is it true that the Commission has deleted from the annexes

to the Community offer to GATT the notification of the
triggering thresholds for the ' sugar ' safeguard clause
provided for in Article 5 of the draft Final Act of the
Uruguay Round ?

Did the Commission take this step on its own initiative or is
it acting in accordance with its mandate from the Council,
i.e. simply to check the offers from a technical point of
view ?

Is the Commission aware of the extremely harmful effects
on the common organization of the market in sugar as a
whole of doing away with the triggering thresholds for the
safeguard clause, which sooner or later would lay the
European Union open to the danger of arbitrary decisions
by certain of the GATT panels ?

Answer given by Mr Steichen

on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 1994 )

When the Commission forwarded the European
Communities final offer on agriculture to the GATT on
25 March 1994, it informed the GATT that the European
Communities wished to recall their transmission of

14 December 1993 of a list showing the reference prices by
tariff line as referred to in Article 5(1 )( b ) of the Agreement
on Agriculture, and that this list was to be considered as an
integral part of the European Communities schedule .

Can the Commission say what amount of resources was
earmarked for the Regis Programme in Greece and how WRITTEN QUESTION E-1473 / 94
much has actually been allocated to this programme ?

by Sérgio Ribeiro ( GUE )

to the Commission

( 12 April 1994 )

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1288 / 94, E-1296 / 94 ( 94 / C 371 / 92 )

and E-1297 / 94

given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1994 )

The Rechar, Renaval and Regis Programmes do not concern
Greece .

Subject : The economic crisis and its social consequences in

the small town of Vieira de Leiria, Marinha
Grande, Portugal

Just over a year ago I tabled a question on the economic and

social situation in Marinha Grande, Portugal, caused by the
crisis or signs of impending crisis in the industrial sectors in
that area, especially the glass industry, but also in the sectors
of moulds, plastics, steel and files, on which the livelihood of

27 . 12 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 371 / 43

the area depends . I asked the Commission to provide urgent
financing for a detailed study of the situation and the
adoption of preventive measures .

On 15 July 1993, Commissioner Millan, on behalf of the
Commission, expressed willingness to provide such
financing if the Portuguese authorities so requested .

In the meantime, workers and employers in the glass
industry have managed to avoid or at least postpone the
worst . However, the situation in the steel and files sector has
deteriorated enormously . Following a mass lay-off financed
by the ECSC in December 1991, which halved the number
of workers, the steelworks, which may resume work if
money is invested in it, has not produced anything for
months . The management has disappeared and the firm was
put in the hands of the receiver on 28 March . The file
manufacturing industry is in greater difficulties now because
the steelworks was its natural supplier, and one factory has
already been closed down .

In a small town in the area, Vieira de Leiria, the social
situation is critical and may become desperate, since the
conditions for its economic viability are apparently
disappearing .

Is the Commission still willing to consider the possibility of
carrying out a study on the social and economic situation in
Marinha Grande and have the Portuguese authorities taken
any steps in this direction ?

Answer given by Mr Millan
on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1994 )

The Commission is aware of the problems relating to the
modernization and re-structuring of the Portuguese
economy, in particular in the areas referred to by the
Honourable Member .

For that reason it recently approved the new Community
Support Framework for Portugal for the period 1994-1999 .
Several operational programmes which will be financed by
the Community Structural Funds will make it possible to
address problems such as those cited by the Honourable
Member . For example, the ' industry ' sub-programme ( part
of the programme for modernizing the economic fabric of
Portugal ) and the programme for the Central Region, to
which ECU 1 661,2 million and 362 million of Community
funds have been allocated respectively, can be used for
operations in the Marinha Grande area . It is up to the
national authorities to decide which operations, projects
and, where appropriate, specific studies should be financed .
Through its monitoring of the programmes the Commission
will follow the development of the socio-economic situation
in the sectors and regions concerned . It is also ready to
examine any specific proposal that the Portuguese
authorities may submit for a study of the kind referred to by
the Honourable Member .