title: 98/692/EC: Commission Decision of 25 November 1998 amending Decision 98/256/EC as regards certain emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (notified under document number C(1998) 3773) (Text with EEA relevance)

eurovoc_concepts:
United Kingdom
animal disease
cattle
export
health certificate
veterinary inspection

text: L 328/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 98 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 25 November 1998 amending Decision 98/256/EC as regards certain emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (notified under document number C(1998) 3773) (Text with EEA relevance) (98/692/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra- Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), as last amended by Directive 92/ 118/EEC (2), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof, as (1) Whereas Council Decision 98/256/EC of 16 March 1998 concerning emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, amend- ing Decision 94/474/EC and repealing Decision 96/239/EC (3), by Commission amended Decision 98/564/EC (4), provided for a step-by-step approach to the lifting of the ban on the dispatch to other Member States and third countries of prod- ucts from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom; whereas the first step was the lifting of the prohibitions on the dispatch of products from bovine animals slaughtered, cut, processed and stored in establishments exclusively used for prod- ucts destined for dispatch to other Member States (1) OJ L 395, 30. 12. 1989, p. 13. (2) OJ L 62, 15. 3. 1993, p. 49. (3) OJ L 113, 15. 4. 1998, p. 32. (4) OJ L 273, 9. 10. 1998, p. 37. and third countries, and located in Northern Ireland; whereas subsequent steps will include the the prohibition on the processing of lifting of eligible meat from Northern Ireland in Great Britain, under conditions which will be laid down at a later stage; whereas the Commission will immediately start investigating, with the authorities of the United Kingdom, by what means and under what conditions those restrictions may be further relaxed; (2) Whereas the date on which the dispatch of prod- ucts under the Export Certified Herds Scheme (ECHS) could commence was set at 1 June 1998 by Commission Decision 98/351/EC (5); (3) Whereas the United Kingdom put forward a first proposal for a Date-Based Export Scheme (DBES) with a view to permitting, subject to certain condi- tions, the dispatch of products from animals born after a certain date to the Commission on 2 October 1997; whereas the Scientific Steering Committee concluded at its meetings of 8 and 9 December 1997 and 22 and 23 January 1998 that (5) OJ L 157, 30. 5. 1998, p. 110. 4. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 328/29 that proposal was not adequate; whereas the United Kingdom put forward a modified proposal dated 27 the Scientific Steering January 1998; whereas revised Committee issued an opinion on that the proposal on 20 February 1998 stating that revised proposal responded to the suggestions and questions formulated by the Scientific Steering Committee; to all (4) Whereas the feeding of ruminant protein to rumi- nants has been illegal in the United Kingdom since January 1989; whereas a total ban on the feeding of mammalian meat-and-bone meal was introduced in 1994; whereas the feeding of any mammalian meat-and-bone meal farmed livestock was banned on 4 April 1996; whereas by 1 August 1996 all feed containing mammalian meat-and-bone meal in the United Kingdom had been recalled and premises in which it had been stored were required to be cleansed and disinfected; whereas from that date it became a legal offence to sell or supply any mammalian meat-and-bone meal for incorporation into livestock feed or to feed live- stock any feed containing mammalian meat-and- bone meal or to possess mammalian meat-and- stored or bone meal wherever prepared; whereas the monitoring programme, in existence since 1 February 1996, to check that no mammalian meat-and-bone meal was being incor- porated in livestock feed after 1 August 1996 has that been extended; whereas programme demonstrated adequate compliance with the prohibition on incorporating mammalian meat-and-bone meal or protein in ruminant feedingstuffs from 1 August 1996; whereas there- fore, adequate guarantees have been given that cattle born after 1 August 1996 have not been exposed to a risk of infection in feed; farm feed was results of the (5) Whereas a mission of the Veterinary and Phyto- sanitary Inspection and Control Office of the Commission to the United Kingdom from 22 to 26 July 1996 assessing the effectiveness of the feed ban and the feed recall scheme confirmed that adequate guarantees on compliance were given; whereas those measures adequately address the risk of maternal transmission of BSE to an eligible animal; (7) Whereas the United Kingdom has introduced a bovine passport system in Great Britain for bovine animals born on or after 1 July 1996; whereas that system allows accurate verification of the identity of eligible animals, their date of birth and their dam; whereas the veterinary inspection services of the Commission assessed the effective implementation of that passport system during a mission from 30 September to 4 October 1996; whereas the United Kingdom intends to introduce a system of official controls and evidence provided by farmers to verify the survival of dams for six months; (8) Whereas this Decision should lay down a system of special approval of meat plants participating in the DBES; whereas an establishment approved under the DBES should not be allowed to slaughter bovine animals and process and handle meat ineli- gible for dispatch to the other Member States or third countries under the rules concerning the DBES, the ECHS and the redispatch of meat from animals slaughtered outside the United Kingdom; whereas cold-stores approved under the DBES should store meat eligible for dispatch in dedicated chambers; (9) Whereas the strict control provisions, including the additional health mark laid down in Decision 98/ the processing and dispatch of 256/EC for imported meat and for the ECHS should also apply to meat and meat products eligible under the DBES; (10) Whereas the United Kingdom has guaranteed that at least one official veterinarian will be perman- ently present in slaughterhouses approved under the DBES throughout ante-mortem and post- mortem examinations; whereas the United Kingdom has undertaken to ensure the daily pres- ence of an official veterinarian in cutting-plants approved under the DBES; (6) Whereas the United Kingdom is required to ensure that all offspring born after 1 August 1996 of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases are slaughtered and destroyed with a view to subse- quent incineration before dispatch under the DBES can commence; whereas the United Kingdom is also required to ensure that the dams of eligible animals have not contracted BSE at the time of slaughter of the eligible animal and have been alive for six months after the birth of the eligible animal; (11) Whereas the Food and Veterinary Office of the Commission conducted a mission to the United Kingdom from 20 to 24 July to assess the DBES; whereas the mission report recommended that the United Kingdom clarify the method of verification of the survival of the dam for six months, and the slaughter information becoming available after which would render the meat and products thereof ineligible; whereas the United Kingdom has agreed to further improvements to comply with those L 328/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 98 it was also recom- recommendations; whereas mended that the conditions of the proposal be clarified with respect to the offspring cull in order to take into account both the intention of the UK to directly incinerate the animals and the foresee- able fact that not all offspring (100 %) will be traceable; whereas minor amendments have been made to the proposal to comply with those recom- mendations; tions of that Article are complied with; whereas adequate guarantees should be provided on re-entry into the Community of meat originating from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom that when the corresponding consignments were exported, the Community requirements were met; whereas, the certificate referred to in Article 3. 2. 13. 9. of the OIE Code on BSE should accompany the consignment on exportation; therefore, (12) Whereas the measures for implementation of the DBES and the offspring cull will be examined by a mission of the Food and Veterinary Office of the Commission before the dispatch of meat and meat products may commence; whereas if that exam- ination is satisfactory the Commission will set the date on which dispatch may commence; (13) Whereas animals presented for slaughter under the ECHS or the DBES must meet all of the relevant conditions laid down in this Decision; whereas, if it it discovered after slaughter of an animal under one of those schemes that it should have been consid- ered ineligible, the competent authority must take the necessary measures to prevent the dispatch of products from that animal; whereas if any product from an animal subsequently found to be ineligible has been dispatched, the measures laid down in Article 9 of Directive 89/662/EEC must be applied; (14) Whereas it is therefore appropriate to lay down the rules for the DBES as a step to lifting the prohib- ition on the dispatch of fresh deboned meat and certain products made from that fresh deboned meat, from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom; (15) Whereas a revision of the Animal Health Code of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) on BSE (OIE Code on BSE) was adopted in the general assembly of the OIE in Paris on 29 May 1998; whereas Article 3. 2. 13. 9. of that Code recommends conditions for the import of deboned meat and meat products from cattle from a country or zone with a high incidence of BSE; whereas the condi- tions laid down in this Decision are in conformity with that Article of the OIE Code on BSE; (17) Whereas, in view of the low level of risk, it is appropriate to authorise, subject to certain condi- tions, the dispatch of food for domestic carnivores; (18) Whereas the scope of the provisions relating to cold store chambers, to the separation requirements for eligible animals and products during slaughter, cutting, processing and cold storage, and to identi- fication of serial numbers should be clarified; (19) Whereas Decision 98/256/EC should therefore be amended accordingly; favourable opinion; whereas (20) Whereas the Standing Veterinary Committee has not given a the Commission has therefore proposed these measures to the Council on 13 November 1998 in accord- ance with Article 17 of Directive 89/662/EEC, the Council being required to act within 15 days; (21) Whereas, however, the Council has not acted within the required time limit; whereas the Council has not decided against the proposed measures by simple majority within the same time limit; whereas these measures should now be adopted by the Commission, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Decision 98/256/EC is amended as follows: (1) Article 6 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 6 (16) Whereas Article 3. 2. 13. 9. of the OIE Code on BSE requires Veterinary Administrations, when goods are imported from a country or zone with a high incidence of BSE, to require the presentation of an international certificate attesting that the condi- By way of derogation from Article 3, the United 1. the dispatch to other Kingdom may authorise Member States or to third countries of the following products derived from bovine animals born and reared in the United Kingdom which have been slaughtered 4. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 328/31 in the United Kingdom in slaughterhouses which are not used for the slaughter of any ineligible bovine animal, in accordance with the conditions laid down in this Article, Article 7, Articles 9 to 12 and Annex II or, as appropriate, Annex III: (a) “fresh meat” as defined by Directive 64/433/EEC; For the purpose of this Decision “chamber” shall 7. mean a room or any other structure within a room which provides a secure lockable physical barrier. (*) OJ L 368, 31. 12. 1994, p. 10. (**) OJ L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 85. ' (b) “minced meat” and “meat preparations” as defined (2) Article 10 is amended as follows: by Council Directive 94/65/EC (*); (c) “meat products” as defined by Council Directive 77/99/EEC (**); (d) food which is destined for domestic carnivores. The fresh meat referred to in paragraph 1(a) shall 2. including adherent tissues, be deboned and all obvious nervous and lymphatic tissues, shall be removed in cutting plants in the United Kingdom which are not used for cutting any ineligible bovine products. Cold storage shall take place in the United Kingdom in chambers which are not used for storing any ineligible bovine products and are kept locked under the seal of the competent authority when the latter is not present. Cutting, storage and transport shall be carried out in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 7, Articles 9 to 12 and Annex II or, as appropriate, Annex III. 3. The fresh meat referred to in paragraph 1(a) may be used for the production of products referred to in paragraph 1(b), (c) and (d) in establishments in the United Kingdom which are not used for the produc- tion of any ineligible bovine products, in accordance with the conditions laid down in this Article, in Article 7, Articles 9 to 12 and Annex II or, as appro- priate, Annex III. 4. For the purposes of this Article, eligible products means products referred to in paragraph 1 and prod- ucts derived from bovine animals not slaughtered in the United Kingdom which comply with the condi- tions laid down in Articles 9 to 13. The Commission, 5. after having verified the application of all the provisions of this Decision on the basis of Community inspections and after having informed the Member States, shall set the date on which dispatch of the products referred to in Annex III may commence. 6. The Commission shall review the provisions of this Article at least every three months and shall take appropriate measures in accordance with the proced- ure laid down in Article 17 of Directive 89/662/EEC. (a) In point (b) of paragraph 1 the words ‘Articles 9, 11, 12 and 13' are replaced by the words ‘Articles 6, 9, 11, 12 and 13'; (b) Paragraph 3 is amended as follows: (i) In the second subparagraph the words ‘their serial numbers are replaced by the words ‘the relevant numbers in the consignment ensuring traceability of each individual unit'; in the consignment' (ii) In the third subparagraph the words ‘their serial numbers are replaced by the words ‘the relevant numbers in the consignment ensuring traceability of each individual unit'; in the consignment' (iii) The following subparagraph is added: ‘Where those products are dispatched to third countries, they shall be accompanied by a health certificate, issued by an official veteri- narian, stating that the conditions laid down in Decision 98/256/EC have been complied with'. (3) Annex II is replaced by the text in Annex I to this Decision. (4) Annex III, as set out in Annex II to this Decision, is added. Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 25 November 1998. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission L 328/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 98 ANNEX I ‘ANNEX II EXPORT CERTIFIED HERDS SCHEME (ECHS) 1. Deboned fresh meat and products referred to in Article 6(1)(b), (c) and (d) from that meat derived from bovine animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland may be dispatched from the United Kingdom in application of the provisions of Article 6 when obtained from ECHS-eligible animals which originate from ECHS-eligible herds. ECHS-eligible herds 2. A herd is a group of animals forming a separate and distinct unit, that is a group of animals which were managed, housed and kept separately from any other group of animals and which were identified with unique herd and animal identification numbers. 3. A herd is ECHS-eligible when for at least eight years, there has been no confirmed case of BSE, nor a suspect case for which the diagnosis of BSE has not been ruled out, in any animal which was still in or had moved through or from the herd. 4. A herd that has been in existence for less than eight years may be considered ECHS-eligible, after a thorough epidemiological investigation by the competent veterinary authority, on condition that: (a) all animals born or moved into the newly established herd complied with the conditions set out in point 6(a), (c), (d) and (e); and, (b) the herd has complied with the conditions set out in point 3 during its entire existence. 5. If a herd is newly established on a holding which experienced a confirmed case of BSE in any animal which was still in or had moved through or from a herd on that holding, the newly established herd can only be ECHS-eligible after a thorough epidemiological investigation by the competent veterinary authority, taking into account compliance with each of the following conditions to the satisfaction of the competent veterinary authority: (a) all animals of the affected herd previously established on the same holding have been removed or killed; (b) all feed has been removed and destroyed and all feed containers thoroughly cleansed; (c) all buildings have been emptied and thoroughly cleansed before the new animals were admitted; (d) all conditions set out in point 4 have been complied with. ECHS-eligible animals 6. A bovine animal is ECHS-eligible if it has been born and reared in Northern Ireland and at the time of slaughter: (a) the animal has been clearly identifiable throughout its life, enabling it to be traced back to the herd and dam of origin; all records of its birth, identity and movements are recorded on an official computerised tracing system; (b) it is more than six months but less than 30 months of age, determined by reference to an official computer record of its date of birth; (c) its dam has lived for at least six months after its birth; (d) its dam has not developed BSE and is not suspected of having contracted BSE; (e) the herd of birth of the animal and all herds through which it has ever moved are ECHS-eligible. 7. The official computerised tracing system referred to in point 6(a) will be accepted only where it has been in operation for sufficient time to contain all the information relating to the lifetime and movements of the animals needed to check compliance with the requirements of this Decision, and only in respect of animals born after the system came into operation. Historical data loaded into a computer for any period before the system was operational will not be accepted for this purpose. 4. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 328/33 Controls 8. If any animal presented for slaughter or any circumstance surrounding its slaughter does not meet all of the requirements of this Decision, the animal must be automatically rejected. If that information becomes available after slaughter, the competent authority must immediately cease issuing certificates, and cancel issued certificates. If dispatch has already taken place, the competent authority must notify the competent authority of the place of destination. The competent authority of the place of destination must take the appropriate measures. 9. Slaughter of ECHS-eligible animals must take place in slaughterhouses, in Northern Ireland, which are not used for slaughter of any bovine animal which is not eligible under the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) or under the ECHS. 10. The competent authority must ensure that procedures used in the cutting plants ensure that the following lymph nodes have been removed: popliteal, ischiatic, superficial inguinal, deep inguinal, medial and lateral iliac, renal prefemoral, lumbar, costocervical, sternal, prescapular, axilliary and caudal deep cervical. 11. Meat must be traceable back to the herd of the ECHS-eligible animal, or after cutting, to the animals cut in the same batch, by means of the computerised tracing system until the time of slaughter. After slaughter, labels must be capable of tracing fresh meat and products referred to in Article 6(1)(b) and (c) back to the herd to enable the consignment concerned to be recalled. Food for domestic carnivores must be traceable by means of accompanying documents and records. 12. All approved ECHS-eligible carcasses must have individual numbers correlated with the ear tag number. 13. The United Kingdom must have detailed protocols in place covering: (a) tracing and controls prior to slaughter; (b) controls during slaughter; (c) controls during processing of food for domestic carnivores; (d) all labelling and certification requirements after slaughter to the point of sale. 14. The competent authority must set up a system for recording checks on compliance so that control can be demonstrated. The establishment 15. To obtain approval, the establishment must, in addition to all other requirements of this Decision, devise and implement a system whereby the ECHS-eligible meat and/or ECHS-eligible product is identifiable and all meat can be traced back to its herds of origin, or after cutting, to the animals cut in the same batch. The system must facilitate full traceability of the meat or products at all stages and records must be retained for at least two years. Details of the system to be employed must be given, in writing, by the management of the establishment to the competent authority. 16. The competent authority must assess, approve and monitor the system provided by the establishment in order to ensure that it provides full segregation and traceability both backwards and forwards. ' L 328/34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 12. 98 ANNEX II ‘ANNEX III DATE-BASED EXPORT SCHEME (DBES) 1. Deboned fresh meat and products referred to in Article 6(1)(b), (c) and (d) from that meat derived from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom may be dispatched from the United Kingdom in application of the provisions of Article 6 when obtained from DBES-eligible animals born after 1 August 1996. 2. Before dispatch pursuant to point 1 may commence, the United Kingdom must have implemented and effectively enforced a programme for the killing and incineration of all offspring born after 1 August 1996 of dams in which BSE has been confirmed before 25 November 1998, and must have killed and incinerated all cattle found alive which were identified under this programme. Should confirmation take place after 25 November 1998, offspring born after 1 August 1996 of dams in which BSE has been confirmed, must be identified, slaughtered and incinerated without delay. DBES-eligible animals 3. A bovine animal is DBES-eligible if it has been born and reared in the United Kingdom and at the time of slaughter the following conditions are shown to have been met: (a) the animal has been clearly identifiable throughout its life, enabling it to be traced back to the dam and herd of origin; its unique eartag number, date and holding of birth and all movements after birth are recorded either in the animal’s official passport or on an official computerised identification and tracing system; the identity of its dam is known; (b) the animal is more than six months but less than 30 months of age, determined by reference to an official computer record of its date of birth, and in the case of animals from Great Britain, the animal’s official passport; (c) the competent authority has obtained and verified positive official evidence that the dam of the animal has lived for at least six months after the birth of the eligible animal; (d) the dam of the animal has not developed BSE and is not suspected of having contracted BSE. Controls 4. If any animal presented for slaughter or any circumstance surrounding its slaughter does not meet all of the requirements of this Decision, the animal must be automatically rejected. If that information becomes available after slaughter, the competent authority must immediately cease issuing certificates, and cancel issued certificates. If dispatch has already taken place, the competent authority must notify the competent authority of the place of destination. The competent authority of the place of destination must take the appropriate measures. 5. Slaughter of DBES-eligible animals must take place in slaughterhouses which are not used for slaughter of any bovine animal which is not eligible under the DBES when located in Great Britain, or under the DBES as well as under the ECHS when located in Northern Ireland. Slaughter of DBES-eligible animals originating from Great Britain in Northern Ireland, or, vice versa, originating from Northern Ireland in Great Britain, is only authorised if access to all relevant data is ensured. 6. The competent authority must ensure that procedures used in the cutting plants ensure that the following lymph nodes have been removed: popliteal, ischiatic, superficial inguinal, deep inguinal, medial and lateral iliac, renal prefemoral, lumbar, costocervical, sternal, prescapular, axilliary and caudal deep cervical. 4. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 328/35 7. Meat must be traceable back to the DBES-eligible animal, or after cutting, to the animals cut in the same batch, by means of an official tracing system until the time of slaughter. After slaughter, labels must be capable of tracing fresh meat and products referred to in Article 6(1)(b) and (c) back to the eligible animal to enable the consignment concerned to be recalled. Food for domestic carnivores must be traceable by means of accompanying documents and records. 8. All approved DBES-eligible carcasses must have individual numbers correlated with the ear tag number. 9. The United Kingdom must have detailed protocols in place covering: (a) tracing and controls prior to slaughter; (b) controls during slaughter; (c) controls during processing of food for domestic carnivores; (d) all labelling and certification requirements after slaughter to the point of sale. 10. The competent authority must set up a system for recording checks on compliance so that control can be demonstrated. The establishment 11. To obtain approval, the establishment must, in addition to all other requirements of this Decision, devise and implement a system whereby the DBES-eligible meat and/or DBES-eligible product is identifiable and all meat can be traced back to the DBES-eligible animal, or after cutting, to the animals cut in the same batch. The system must facilitate full traceability of the meat or products at all stages and records must be retained for at least two years. Details of the system to be employed must be given, in writing, by the management of the establishment to the competent authority. 12. The competent authority must assess, approve and monitor the system provided by the establishment in order to ensure that it provides full segregation and traceability both backwards and forwards. '


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 3469/98 del Ian WHITE Integraatiota koskevan Cardiffin sopimuksen täytäntöönpano

eurovoc_concepts:
Council of the European Union
environmental impact
environmental monitoring
environmental policy
impact study
interinstitutional relations (EU)
operation of the Institutions
personnel administration
project evaluation
vocational training

formats: html print


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3521/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Denied-boarding compensation system

eurovoc_concepts:
air transport
carriage of passengers
common transport policy
indemnification
trade agreement

formats: html pdf print

text: 21. 7. 1999 FI Euroopan yhteisöjen virallinen lehti C 207/81 Vastaus (9. maaliskuuta 1999) Neuvosto palauttaa mieliin, että se on määritellyt Agenda 2000:een liittyvien asioiden käsittelyn yhteydessä sekä Euroopan maanviljelyn mallin että Maailman kauppajärjestön (WTO) kanssa tulevaisuudessa käytävissä neuvotteluissa noudatettavan lähestymistavan kyseisen mallin säilyttämiseksi. Neuvosto on erityisesti katsonut, että Euroopan unionin olisi pyrittävä pääsemään WTO:ssa kahteen jossa tavoitteeseen, eli siihen, että Euroopalla säilyy mahdollisuus kehittää sille ominaista maataloutta, noudatetaan erittäin korkeita laatu- ja turvallisuusvaatimuksia ja siihen että maataloustuotteiden kauppa ja markkinoiden vapautuminen toteutetaan tunnustaen kansainvälisellä tasolla eurooppalaisille maanviljelijöille ja maataloustuotteille asetetut rajoitteet. Arvoisan parlamentin jäsenen mainitsemat elintarvikkeiden sekä eläinlääkintä- ja kasvinsuojelualan valvonta- ja tarkastustoimenpiteet kuuluvat tähän yleiseen lähestymistapaan. Neuvoston lähtökohtana ovat luonnollisesti edellä mainitut suuntaviivat, kun se valmistelee WTO:n kanssa tulevaisuudessa käytäviä neuvotteluja. (1999/C 207/108) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3521/98 esittäjä(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Korvaus tapauksessa, jolloin matkustajalta evätään pääsy lennolle Komissio on esittänyt ehdotuksen neuvoston asetukseksi (EY) 295/91 muuttamisesta (KOM(98) 0041 lopull. / 98/022(SYN)) (1). Asetuksen 295/91 2 artiklan a kohtaa pitäisi muuttaa siten, että matkustajien on ilmoittauduttava lähtöselvitykseen vähintään 30 minuuttia ennen lähtöä tai, jos vaadittu määräaika on aikaisempi, määräajassa, jonka lentoliikenteen harjoittaja tai sen valtuutettu matkatoimisto on etukäteen kirjallisesti ilmoittanut. Ilmaisulla ”ilmoittautua lähtöselvitykseen” on tarkoitettava myös jonotusta lähtöselvi- tykseen. Edellä olevan perusteella, voisiko komissio esittää ehdotuksia korvauksista tapauksissa, tehdään kaupallisista syistä? joissa peruutus (1) EYVL C 120, 18. 4. 1998, s. 18. Komission jäsenen Neil Kinnockin komission puolesta antama vastaus (3. helmikuuta 1999) Muutetussa ehdotuksessaan neuvoston asetukseksi sitä korvausjärjestelmää koskevista yhteisistä säännöistä, jota sovelletaan,jos matkustajalta säännöllisessä lentoliikenteessä evätään pääsy lennolle, annetun asetuksen (ETY) 295/91 (1) muuttamisesta komissio on jo ehdottanut 2 artiklan a kohdan lähtöselvitystä koskevan määrityksen muuttamista. Komission kannan mukaan matkustajien olisi tultava lähtöselvitykseen heille etukäteen kirjallisesti ilmoi- tettuna aikana tai, jos aikaa ei ole annettu, vähintään 30 minuuttia ennen julkistettua lähtöaikaa. Tämä mahdollistaisi joustavasti sekä lyhyemmät että pidemmät lähtöselvitysajat kuin tavanomaiset 30 minuuttia. Komissio ehdottaa myös, että lentoyhtiö on vastuussa niiden matkustajien tunnistamisesta, jotka ovat vielä jonossa lennon lähtöselvityksen sulkemishetkellä. Komissio on myös samassa muutetussa ehdotuksessa hyväksynyt parlamentin ehdotuksen sisällyttää kaupal- lisista syistä peruutetut lennot 2 artiklan d kohtaan. (1) EYVL C 351, 18. 11. 1998


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 3517/98 του Amedeo AMADEO προς την Επ τροπή. Έλεγχος των κρατικών ενισχύσεων

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Official Journal
State aid
administrative transparency
control of State aid
dissemination of EU information

text: 21. 5. 1999 EL Επι´σηµη Εφηµερι´δα των Ευρωπαι¨κω´ ν Κοινοτη´των C 142/141 (1999/C 142/185) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ P-3503/98 υποβολη´ : Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) προς την Επιτροπη´ (12 Νοεµβρι´ου 1998) Θε´µα: Επιχειρη´σεις εκµετα´λλευσης ταξι´ στη ∆ανι´α Συ´µφωνα µε τη νοµοθεσι´α της ∆ανι´ας που αφορα´ την εκµετα´λλευση των ταξι´, οι ενδιαφερο´µενες επιχειρη´σεις δεν µπορου´ν να λειτουργου´ν χωρι´ς ειδικη´ α´δεια που χορηγει´ται απο´ τις µεµονωµε´νες δηµοτικε´ς αρχε´ς. Εκτο´ς αυτου´, οι ανεξα´ρτητοι ιδιοκτη´τες ταξι´ πρε´πει να ει´ναι µε´λη γραφει´ου παραγγελιω´ ν. Αυτο´ το κεντρικο´ γραφει´ο λαµβα´νει τις παραγγελι´ες και στε´λνει ταξι´ στους πελα´τες απο´ εκει´να τα ταξι´ που ει´ναι εγγεγραµµε´να στο γραφει´ο. Κατα´υτο´ν τον τρο´πο η ι´δια η επιχει´ρηση δεν ε´χει α´µεση επαφη´ µε τους πελα´τες. Η υποχρεωτικη´ εγγραφη´ στα γραφει´α παραγγελιω´ ν δεν ισχυ´ει παρα´ µο´νο στους δη´µους ο´που ο αριθµο´ς των αδειω´ ν εκµετα´λλευσης ταξι´ ανε´ρχεται σε 10 η´ περισσο´τερες. ∆εν επιτρε´πεται η ελευ´θερη δηµιουργι´α γραφει´ου παραγγελιω´ ν απο´ τους ιδιοκτη´τες των ταξι´, δεδοµε´νου ο´τι χρεια´ζεται η ε´γκριση του Υπουργει´ου Μεταφορω´ ν της ∆ανι´ας. Σε πολλε´ς επαρχιακε´ς πο´λεις λειτουργει´ ε´να µο´νο εγκεκριµε´νο γραφει´ο παραγ- γελιω´ ν και οι δηµοτικε´ς αρχε´ς ει´ναι εκει´νες που καθορι´ζουν τις ανω´ τατες τιµε´ς. Μεµονωµε´να γραφει´α συνεργα´ζονται, ου´τως ω´ στε να µην υπα´ρχει διαφορα´ των τιµω´ ν, α´σχετα απο´ ποιο´ γραφει´ο η´ ποιοι´ επιχειρηµατι´ες διαλε´γονται. Στην πρα´ξη αυτο´ σηµαι´νει ο´τι η νοµικη´ απαι´τηση εγγραφη´ς σε γραφει´ο παραγγελιω´ ν συνεπα´γεται ο´τι η δανικη´ αγορα´ επιχειρη´σεων εκµετα´λλευσης ταξι´ ει´ναι εντελω´ ς κλειστη´ για ανταγωνισµο´ µεταξυ´ των ανεξαρτη´των ιδιοκτητω´ ν ταξι´. Θεωρει´ η Επιτροπη´ ο´τι συµβιβα´ζεται µε τους κανο´νες της εσωτερικη´ς αγορα´ς και του ανταγωνισµου´ το γεγονο´ς ο´τι στη ∆ανι´α ανεξα´ρτητες επιχειρη´σεις εκµετα´λλευσης ταξι´ ει´ναι υποχρεωµε´νες, βα´σει της σχετικη´ς δανικη´ς νοµοθεσι´ας, να ει´ναι εγγεγραµµε´νες σε εγκεκριµε´νο γραφει´ο παραγγελιω´ ν; Απα´ ντηση του κ. Monti εξ ονο´µατος της Επιτροπη´ ς (7 Ιανουαρι´ου 1999) Η Επιτροπη´ συγκεντρω´ νει τις πληροφορι´ες που απαιτου´νται για την απα´ντηση στην ερω´ τηση που τε´θηκε. ∆ε θα παραλει´ψει να γνωστοποιη´σει το συντοµο´τερο το αποτε´λεσµα των ερευνω´ ν της. (1999/C 142/186) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ E-3517/98 υποβολη´ : Amedeo Amadeo (NI) προς την Επιτροπη´ (25 Νοεµβρι´ου 1998) Θε´µα: *λεγχος των κρατικω´ ν ενισχυ´σεων Σε σχε´ση µε την «προ´ταση κανονισµου´ (ΕΚ) του Συµβουλι´ου για τη θε´σπιση λεπτοµερω´ ν κανο´νων εφαρµογη´ς του α´ρθρου 93 της Συνθη´κης ΕΚ» (COM(98)0073 τελ. − 98/0060 CNS) (1), πρε´πει να αναφερθει´ ο´τι κατα´ την υποστη´ριξη του σχεδι´ου της Επιτροπη´ς να καταστη´σει περισσο´τερο αποτελεσµατικη´ την κατα´σταση ως προς την ανα´κτηση των παρανο´µων ενισχυ´σεων, ιδιαι´τερα µε τη διαταγη´ αναστολη´ς η´ προσωρινη´ς ανα´κλησης της ενι´σχυσης (α´ρθρο 11) και µε τις ρυθµι´σεις της παραγρα´φου 3 του α´ρθρου 14 το οποι´ο προβλε´πει ο´τι «τα ε´νδικα µε´σα που προβλε´πει η εθνικη´ νοµοθεσι´α δεν ε´χουν ανασταλτικο´ αποτε´λεσµα», ο κανονισµο´ς δεν αναφε´ρει τι´ συµβαι´νει στην περι´πτωση κατα´ την οποι´α οι εθνικε´ς δικαστικε´ς διαδικασι´ες δεν ε´χουν ως αποτε´λεσµα την α´µεση και πραγµατικη´ εκτε´λεση. Απο´ πλευρα´ς σεβασµου´ στοιχειωδω´ ν αρχω´ ν ισο´τητας συνθηκω´ ν, τα κρα´τη µε´λη πρε´πει να δρα´σουν ω´ στε να καταστει´ δυνατη´ η α´µεση ανα´κτηση. Με´σα στο πλαι´σιο αυτο´, θα µπορου´σε η Επιτροπη´ να φροντι´σει ω´ στε να µη θεσπιστου´ν η´ εφαρµοστου´ν διασταλτικε´ς διαδικασι´ες νοουµε´νου ο´τι οι καταχρηστικα´ παρασχεθει´σες ενισχυ´σεις ανακτω´ νται τη στιγµη´ κατα´ την οποι´α καθι´στανται ασυµβι´βαστες µε τους κοινοτικου´ς κανο´νες οπο´τε ε´χουν ουσιαστικα´ καταστει´ παρα´νοµες; (1) ΕΕ C 116 της 16. 4. 1998, σελ. 13


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE Nr. 3517/98 von Amedeo AMADEO an die Kommission. Kontrolle der staatlichen Beihilfen

text: 21. 5. 1999 DE Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften C 142/141 (1999/C 142/185) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-3503/98 von Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) an die Kommission (12. November 1998) Betrifft: Taxiunternehmen in Dänemark Nach den dänischen Rechtsvorschriften für den Taxiverkehr u. ä. können in Dänemark Taxiunternehmen nur mit einer besonderen Erlaubnis betrieben werden, die von den jeweiligen Kommunalverwaltungen erteilt wird. Selbständige Taxiunternehmer müssen außerdem einem Auftragsbüro angeschlossen sein. Ein Auftragsbüro nimmt Aufträge entgegen und vermittelt dann dem Kunden ein Fahrzeug aus dem Bestand der dem Auftragsbüro angeschlossenen Fahrzeuge. Der Betrieb des Taxiunternehmers als solcher ist also nicht die direkte Anlaufstelle für den Kunden. Die obligatorische Zugehörigkeit zu Auftragsbüros gilt nur in Kommunen, in denen die Zahl der Taxigenehmigungen auf 10 oder mehr festgesetzt ist. Ein Auftragsbüro kann von den Transportunterneh- mern nicht frei eingerichtet werden, da die Genehmigung des dänischen Verkehrsministers erforderlich ist. In vielen dänischen Provinzstädten gibt es daher nur ein zugelassenes Auftragsbüro, und die Kommunalverwaltung setzt die Preisgrenzen fest. Einige Auftragsbüros stimmen sich in der Praxis ab und haben somit − gleich welches Auftragsbüro und somit welches Unternehmen gewählt wird − keine unterschiedlichen Preise. In der Praxis bedeutet diese gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Zugehörigkeit zu einem Auftragsbüro, daß der dänische Markt für Taxiunternehmen gegen Konkurrenz zwischen den selbständigen Taxiunternehmern völlig abgeschottet ist. Ist es nach Auffassung der Kommission mit den Regeln des Binnenmarktes und einem freien und fairen Wettbewerb im Einklang, daß selbständige dänische Taxiunternehmen aufgrund der dänischen Rechts- vorschriften in diesem Bereich einem zugelassenen Auftragsbüro angehören müssen? Antwort von Herrn Monti im Namen der Kommission (7. Januar 1999) Die Kommission holt gegenwärtig die zur Beantwortung der Frage erforderlichen Informationen ein. Sie wird das Ergebnis ihrer Nachforschungen unverzüglich mitteilen. (1999/C 142/186) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-3517/98 von Amedeo Amadeo (NI) an die Kommission (25. November 1998) Betrifft: Kontrolle der staatlichen Beihilfen In bezug auf den „Vorschlag für eine Verordnung (EG) des Rates über Vorschriften für die Anwendung von Artikel 93 des EG-Vertrages“ (KOM(98) 0073 endg. − 98/0060(CNS)) (1) sei angemerkt, daß die Bemühungen der Kommission, die Rückforderung unzulässiger Beihilfen effizienter zu gestalten, insbesondere durch eine Aussetzungsanordnung bzw. eine Rückforderungsanordnung (Artikel 11) sowie aufgrund der Bestimmungen von Artikel 14 Absatz 3, wonach vorgesehen ist, daß „innerstaatliche Rechtsmittel keine aufschiebende Wirkung haben“, zwar durchaus begrüßenswert sind, die Verordnung jedoch nichts darüber mitteilt, was geschieht, wenn die nationalen Rechtsverfahren die unmittelbare und tatsächliche Vollstreckung nicht zulassen. Die Mitgliedstaaten müssen sich verpflichten, die unverzügliche Rückforderung zu ermöglichen, um wenigstens ein Mindestmaß an Voraussetzungsgleichheit zu schaffen. Könnte die Kommission angesichts dieses Sachverhalts darüber wachen, daß keine aufschiebenden Verfahren eingeführt oder angewendet werden, wobei vorausgesetzt wird, daß mißbräuchlich gewährte Hilfen zu dem Zeitpunkt zurückgefordert werden, zu dem sie mit den Gemeinschaftsvorschriften unvereinbar und damit illegal geworden sind? (1) ABl. C 116 vom 16. 4. 1998, S. 13


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3536/98 by Richard CORBETT Commission assessment of appropriate legal base for its proposals

eurovoc_concepts:
European Commission
drafting of EU law
legal basis
operation of the Institutions
opposition
proposal (EU)

text: C 289/56 Euroopan yhteisöjen virallinen lehti FI 11. 10. 1999 (1999/C 289/074) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3522/98 esittäjä(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Korvaus tapauksessa, jolloin matkustajalta evätään pääsy lennolle Komissio on esittänyt ehdotuksen neuvoston asetukseksi (EY) 295/91 muuttamisesta (KOM(98) 0041 lopull. ’ 98/022(SYN)) (1). Voisiko komissio antaa joka kolmas vuosi kertomuksen asetuksen tehokkuudesta jäsenvaltioiden laatimien kertomusten perusteella? Olisi tärkeää varmistaa, että asetuksesta aiheutuvista kustannuksista ja hyödyistä tehdään täydellinen arvio kuulemalla asianosaisia ennen asetuksen uudelleentar- kastelua ja että samanaikaisesti laaditaan vertaileva tutkimus Yhdysvalloissa ja Euroopan unionissa sovelletta- vista säännöistä, jotka koskevat korvauksia tapauksissa, joissa matkustajilta evätään pääsy lennolle. (1) EYVL C 120, 18. 4. 1998, s. 18. Komission jäsenen Neil Kinnockin komission puolesta antama vastaus (29. tammikuuta 1999) Komissio on samaa mieltä siitä, että tilastolliset kertomukset tapauksista, joissa matkustajalta on evätty lennolle pääsy, ovat tärkeitä luotettavan tiedon saamiseksi matkustajien kohtaamista ongelmista. Tämän vuoksi komissio hyväksyi parlamentin aiemmin asian osalta tekemät ehdotukset muutetussa ehdotuksessa neuvoston asetukseksi sitä korvausjärjestelmää koskevista yhteisistä säännöistä, jota sovelletaan, jos matkustajalta säännöllisessä lentoliikenteessä evätään pääsy lennolle, annetun asetuksen (ETY) 295/91 muuttamisesta (1). Komissio on myös samaa mieltä siitä, että kustannus-hyötyarviot sekä asianomaisten osapuolten kanssa käytävät keskustelut sekä vertailut muiden maiden samankaltaiseen lainsäädäntöön ovat tärkeitä arvioitaessa mahdollista tarvetta muuttaa lainsäädäntöä tulevaisuudessa. Komissio kerää tapauksen mukaan tällaisia tietoja. (1) EYVL C 351, 18. 11. 1998. (1999/C 289/075) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3536/98 esittäjä(t): Richard Corbett (PSE) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Komission arvio sen ehdotuksissa sovellettavista oikeusperustoista Kuinka monessa tapauksessa yhtenäisasiakirjan voimaantulon jälkeen komission oikeudellinen yksikkö on ollut eri mieltä ehdotetusta oikeusperustasta ehdotuksesta vastaavan pääosaston kanssa? Kuinka tällaiset näkemyserot on ratkaistu komissiossa? Kuinka monessa tapauksessa komission jäsenten kollegion on täytynyt neuvotella ja päättää sovellettavaa oikeusperustaa koskevasta mielipide-erosta? Onko menettelytapa muuttunut ajan myötä? Komission puheenjohtajan Jacques Santerin komission puolesta antama vastaus (14. tammikuuta 1999) Komissio ei voi toimittaa arvoisalle parlamentin jäsenelle tämän pyytämiä tietoja. Tietojen antamisesta voi aiheutua haittaa julkiselle edulle sekä, kuten ensimmäisen oikeusasteen tuomioistui- men presidentti korosti 3. maaliskuuta 1998 tekemässään päätöksessä (1), erityisesti yhteisön oikeuden vakaudelle ja toimielinten toiminnan moitteettomalle sujumiselle. Koska komission oikeudellisen yksikön


title: Kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 2527/98 av den 25 november 1998 om komplettering av bilagan till förordning (EG) nr 2301/97 om att införa vissa benämningar i det register över skyddade särarter som föreskrivs i rådets förordning (EEG) nr 2082/92 om särartsskydd för jordbruksprodukter och livsmedel (Text av betydelse för EES)

eurovoc_concepts:
agricultural product
designation of origin
foodstuff
product designation

text: L 317/14 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 26. 11. 98 KOMMISSIONENS FÖRORDNING (EG) nr 2527/98 av den 25 november 1998 om komplettering av bilagan till förordning (EG) nr 2301/97 om att införa vissa benämningar i det register över skyddade särarter som föreskrivs i rådets förord- ning (EEG) nr 2082/92 om särartsskydd för jordbruksprodukter och livsmedel (Text av betydelse för EES) EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPERNAS KOMMISSION HAR ANTAGIT DENNA FÖRORDNING med beaktande av Fördraget om upprättandet av Euro- peiska gemenskapen, med beaktande av rådets förordning (EEG) nr 2082/92 av den 14 juli 1992 om särartsskydd för jordbruksprodukter och livsmedel (1), särskilt artikel 9. 2 b i denna, och av följande skäl: I enlighet med artikel 7 i förordning (EEG) nr 2082/92 har medlemsstaterna till kommissionen överlämnat en begäran om att vissa benämningar skall registreras som särarter. Det är endast för de benämningar som finns upptagna i registret som beteckningen ”garanterad traditionell specia- litet” får användas. officiella eller vetenskapligt erkända metoder. Dessa uppgifter utgör en del av de viktigaste uppgifterna i produktspecifikationen. Benämningen ”Mozzarella” bör tas upp i registret över skyddade särarter och i enlighet med artikel 13. 1 i förord- ning (EEG) nr 2082/92 skyddas i hela gemenskapen som garanterad traditionell specialitet. Detta hindrar inte att benämningen kan fortsätta att användas i enlighet med en annan produktspecifikation än den som är skyddad men utan möjlighet att på etiketten använda gemenskapens symbol och benämning. Bilagan till denna förordning kompletterar bilagan till kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 2301/97 (3), ändrad genom förordning (EG) nr 954/98 (4). De åtgärder som föreskrivs i denna förordning är förenliga med yttrandet från regleringskommittén för skyddade särarter. Efter offentliggörandet i Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning (2) av de viktigaste uppgifterna i ansökan om registrering anmäldes i enlighet med artikel 8 i den till invändningar ovannämnda kommissionen gällande benämningen ”Mozzarella”. förordningen flera I enlighet med artikel 9. 2 i samma förordning har kommissionen uppmanat de medlemsstater som berörs att träffa en förlikning. Någon förlikning har inte träffats och följaktligen skall kommissionen fatta beslut om regi- strering av den aktuella benämningen. Efter granskning av flera anmärkningar i invändningarna har man inte funnit att uppgifterna i den produktspecifi- kation som har sänts in av den ansökande medlemsstaten inte skulle stämma överens med villkoren i artiklarna 2 och 4–6 i samma förordning. De särskiljande och tradi- tionella egenskaperna anses ha bevisats med uppgifterna i produktspecifikationen. Beträffande kontrollen av en produkts särart enligt artikel 6 i samma förordning har den ansökande medlemsstaten klargjort att kontroller kommer att utföras för att påvisa närvaron och den korrekta beredningen av naturlig bakte- riekultur. Kontrollerna skall också omfatta stickprov på den färdiga produkten för att kontrollera de organolep- tiska, kemiska och mikrobiologiska egenskaperna med HÄRIGENOM FÖRESKRIVS FÖLJANDE. Artikel 1 Bilagan till förordning (EG) nr 2301/97 skall kompletteras med benämningen i bilaga I till denna förordning och denna benämning skall införas i registret över skyddade särarter i enlighet med artikel 9. 1 i förordning (EEG) nr 2082/92. Benämningen skall skyddas i enlighet med artikel 13. 1 i den förordningen. De viktigaste uppgifterna i produktspecifikationen finns i bilaga II. Dessa uppgifter skall ersätta dem som har offentliggjorts i Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 246, 24. 8. 1996, s. 9. Artikel 2 Denna förordning träder i kraft samma dag som den offentliggörs i Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning. (1) EGT L 208, 24. 7. 1992, s. 9. (2) EGT C 246, 24. 8. 1996, s. 9. (3) EGT L 319, 21. 11. 1997, s. 8. (4) EGT L 133, 7. 5. 1998, s. 10. 26. 11. 98 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning L 317/15 Denna förordning är till alla delar bindande och direkt tillämplig i alla medlemsstater. Utfärdad i Bryssel den 25 november 1998. På kommissionens vägnar Franz FISCHLER Ledamot av kommissionen L 317/16 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 26. 11. 98 Ost — Mozzarella BILAGA I BILAGA II ”REGISTRERINGSANSÖKAN FÖR EN SÄRSKILD PRODUKT Rådets förordning (EEG) nr 2082/92 Ansökningsnummer i medlemsstaten: 1 1. Behörig ansökande myndighet i medlemsstaten: Namn: Ministeriet för jordbruks-, livsmedels- och skogsresurser Tfn (39-6) 4665; Fax (39-6) 474 39 71 2. Ansökande grupp: a) Namn: Italienska mejeriförbundet b) Adress: Corso di Porta Romana 2, Milano, Italien c) Sammansättning: Privata och kooperativa förädlingsföretag inom mejerisektorn, därav omkring 50 mozzarellaproducerande medlemmar (Stadgar: se bilaga). a) Namn: Italienska kooperativa förbundets mejerisektion b) Adress: Via Dei Gigli D’Oro 21, Rom, Italien c) Sammansättning: Kooperativa förädlingsföretag inom mejerisektorn, därav omkring 20 mozzarellaprodu- cerande medlemmar (Stadgar: se bilaga). 3. Produktens namn: Mozzarella (traditionellt namn som inte kan översättas till andra språk) med gemenskapens symbol och benämning enligt förordning (EG) nr 2515/94. 4. Produkttyp: 1. 3 5. Produktspecifikation (sammanfattning av kraven i artikel 6. 2): a) Produktens namn: Mozzarella (traditionellt namn som inte kan översättas till andra språk) med gemenskapens symbol och benämning enligt förordning (EG) nr 2515/94. b) Produktionsmetod eller särskild beredningsmetod: Innefattar enbart följande faser som genomförs i ett kontinuerligt förlopp i samma anläggning: — Eventuell förmognad av mjölken enbart med naturlig bakteriekultur (1). 26. 11. 98 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning L 317/17 — Pastörisering av mjölken med en behandling under 15 sekunder vid minst 71,7 (cid:190)C eller behandling med motsvarande verkan. — Ympning av mjölken med naturlig syrakultur. — Tillsats av flytande bovint löpe med en total samlad pepsinaktivitet av mellan 20 och 30 %. — Löpläggning vid 35–39 (cid:190)C. — Skärning, brytning och vassleavskiljning av koaglet. — Mogning av koaglet till ett pH-värde av 5,0–5,4 — Skärning i bitar av den mogna ostmassan. — Sträckning (mekanisk värmebehandling av massan med varmvatten och eventuell tillsats av salt, till en sluttemperatur på massan av 58–65 (cid:190)C). — Formning av osten i värme. — Härdning i kallt vatten och eventuell tillsats av salt. — Förpackning. (1) Beredning av naturlig bakteriekultur Utgångskultur: — Uppvärmning av den okylda ystmjölken till en temperatur ej understigande +63 (cid:190)C under en tid av minst 15 minuter (eller en kombination av tid och temperatur som ger minst likvärdigt resultat). — Kylning till inkubationstemperatur (45–50 (cid:190)C). — Inkubation till en surhetsgrad som motsvarar 14–24 (cid:190)SH per 100 ml. — Kylning till en temperatur som understiger +8 (cid:190)C. — Kylförvaring vid en temperatur som ej överstiger +4 (cid:190)C. Upprepad bakteriekultur: — Inokulering av ystmjölk som även kan vara kyld med ett minimum av 4 % av beredd kultur. — Uppvärmning som för utgångskulturen. — Kylning till inkubationstemperatur (45–50 (cid:190)C), — Inkubation till en surhetsgrad som motsvarar 14–24 (cid:190)SH per 100 ml. — Kylning till en temperatur som understiger +8 (cid:190)C. — Kylförvaring vid en temperatur som ej överstiger +4 (cid:190)C. Bakteriekultur färdig för användning: Bakteriekultur färdig för användning skall — ha en samlad surhetsgrad av mellan 16 och 30 (cid:190)SH per 100 ml, — ha ett lägsta innehåll av termofila streptokocker av 108 cfu (*)/ml, — ha en negativ fosfatasaktivitet, — användas i produktionen inom tre dagar från beredningen. (*) cfu = colony–forming units. c) Traditionella egenskaper: Mozzarella är en ost som härror från en konsoliderad teknik för ostframställning från färsk trådig ostmassa, ett av den italienska mejerihanteringens historiska kulturarv. I dess mest hävdvunna typ som är föremålet för denna beskrivning skall produkten framställas av helmjölk som levereras i obehandlat skick till anläggningen, eventuellt justerad endast med avseende på fetthalten. Den avgörande faktorn är den naturliga bakteriekulturen som skall beredas från mjölk som härrör från uppsamlingsområdet för den anläggning som tillverkar osten och som skall användas på platsen. Den består av en kultur av mjölksyrabakterier som karakteriseras av värmeresistens, snabb utveckling och syrning, erhållen genom selektiv anrikning av den naturliga mjölkmikroflora som finns i den obehand- lade mjölken, och som återspeglar den ursprungliga mikrobiologiska kvaliteten. En korrekt framställd naturlig bakteriekultur består normalt av en obestämd blandning av stammar av Streptococcus thermo- som kan åtföljas av enterokocker och värmetåliga mjölksyrabakterier. Hela denna mjölkflora philus bidrar till att bestämma produktens slutgiltiga karakteristika. L 317/18 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 26. 11. 98 d) Produktionsbeskrivning: Mozzarella av hävdvunnen typ är en färsk ost av trådig ostmassa, mjuk (enligt definitionen i Codex Alimentarius), med mjölksyrajäsning. Dess form (se bifogade figurer) kan vara bollform (med en vikt av 20–250 g), eventuellt med huvud, eller strängform (med en vikt av 125–250 g). Mozzarella av hävdvunnen typ förpackas i skyddande omslag och saluförs i kontakt med en reglerande vätska som består av vatten, eventuellt med tillsats av salt, i direktkontakt om omslaget är vattentätt, genom diffusion om omslaget är perforerat eller genomsläppligt. O r g a n o l e p t i s k a k a r a k t e r i s t i k a Utseende: — Skorpa obefintlig, med ett skinn av mjuk konsistens. — Yta glatt och blank, homogen, av mjölkvit färg. — Massa med typisk trådig struktur, mera framträdande i början, med överlagrade blad som vid skärning och lätt tryck frigör en mjölkaktig vätska. Ostmassan kan ibland ha sprickor i vilka denna vätska samlas. — Rundpipor saknas. — Färg mjölkvit, homogen, saknar fläckar och strimmor. Konsistens: mjuk och lätt elastik. Smak: karakteristisk, välsmakande, som färsk svagt syrlig. Lukt: karakteristisk, välluktande, svag, av lätt syrad mjölk. K e m i s k a k a r a k t e r i s t i k a : — Fetthalt i procent av torrsubstansen: minst 44 viktprocent. — Vattenhalt: för den klotformiga typen 58–66 viktprocent, för den strängformade 56–62 viktpro- cent. — Vattenhalt i fettfri del: 69–80 viktprocent. — Fosfatasaktivitet ej högre än 12 lg fenol per gram ost. — pH i ostmassan: 5,1–5,6. — Mjölksyrasurhet L(+): mer än 0,2 viktprocent i prov som analyseras inom tre dagar från produktions- dagen. — Natriumklorid (NaCl) i förekommande fall ej överstigande 1 viktprocent. — Vassleprotein: högst 10 mg per 100 g proteinsubstans. M i k r o b i o l o g i s k a k a r a k t e r i s t i k a Mikroflora karakteristisk, resistent mot sträckningsförfarandet, i kvantiteter som inte understiger 107 cfu/g i prov som analyseras inom tre dagar från produktionsdagen. F ö r v a r i n g Produkten förvaras vid en temperatur av 0 (cid:190)C–+4 (cid:190)C. Högsta förvaringstemperatur anges på etikett liksom utgångsdatum som anges med texten 'sista förbrukningsdagen. ', samt dag och månad. e) Minimikrav och förfarande för kontroll av särarten: Kontrollerna kommer att avse följande: — På företagen skall det i framställningsledet kontrolleras att beredningen av naturlig bakteriekultur skeer på ett korrekt sätt (utgångskultur, upprepad bakteriekultur och bakteriekultur färdig för användning) eftersom denna egenskap anses vara avgörande för produktens traditionella karaktär. — Senare kommer kontrollerna även att innebära att man på företagen och i distributionsledet tar stickprov på den färdiga produkten. Härigenom kan man kontrollera de organoleptiska egenska- perna, de kemiska egenskaperna (med officiellt erkända metoder och normer, t. ex. FIL och ISO) och de mikrobiologiska egenskaperna med avseende på den typiska mikrofloran (med normerade mikro- biologiska metoder eller metoder som är belagda i den vetenskapliga litteraturen i ämnet). 6. Ansökan om skydd enligt artikel 13. 2: nej”


title: 98/698/CE: Décision de la Commission du 25 novembre 1998 concernant la réalisation d'essais et analyses communautaires sur des matériels de multiplication de légumes conformément à l'article 20, paragraphe 2, de la directive 92/33/CEE du Conseil [notifiée sous le numéro C(1998) 3636]

eurovoc_concepts:
Community certification
analytical chemistry
health legislation
plant health control
seedling
vegetable

text: L 332/20 FR Journal officiel des Communaut(cid:130)s europ(cid:130)ennes 8. 12. 98 D(cid:144)CISION DE LA COMMISSION du 25 novembre 1998 concernant la r(cid:130)alisation d’essais et analyses communautaires sur des mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de l(cid:130)gumes conform(cid:130)ment (cid:133) l’article 20, paragraphe 2, de la directive 92/33/CEE du Conseil [notifi(cid:130)e sous le num(cid:130)ro C(1998) 3636] (98/698/CE) LA COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUT(cid:144)S EUROP(cid:144)ENNES, vu le trait(cid:130) instituant la Communaut(cid:130) europ(cid:130)enne, vu la directive 92/33/CEE du Conseil du 28 avril 1992 concernant la commercialisation des plants de l(cid:130)gumes et des mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de l(cid:130)gumes autres que les semences (1), prorog(cid:130)e en dernier lieu par la d(cid:130)cision 97/ 109/CE de la Commission (2), et notamment son article 20, paragraphe 2, consid(cid:130)rant que, conform(cid:130)ment (cid:133) cette directive, des essais ou, le cas (cid:130)ch(cid:130)ant, des analyses sont effectu(cid:130)s dans les (cid:144)tats membres sur des (cid:130)chantillons pour v(cid:130)rifier la conformit(cid:130) des plants de l(cid:130)gumes et des mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de l(cid:130)gumes autres que les semences, (cid:130)num(cid:130)r(cid:130)s dans ladite directive, avec les prescriptions et conditions y (cid:130)nonc(cid:130)es; consid(cid:130)rant qu’il importe, (cid:133) cette fin, notamment dans la premi(cid:138)re phase de mise en œuvre de la directive, d’assurer un (cid:130)chantillonnage repr(cid:130)sentatif appropri(cid:130) des diff(cid:130)rentes origines de production et de commercialisation de l’en- semble de la Communaut(cid:130), du moins pour certaines esp(cid:138)ces; consid(cid:130)rant qu’il y a donc lieu d’effectuer en 1998/1999 des essais et analyses comparatifs communautaires sur les mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de Allium sativum; consid(cid:130)rant qu’il est exig(cid:130) de tous les (cid:144)tats membres qu’ils participent aux essais et analyses comparatifs communautaires, dans la mesure o(cid:151) les mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de Allium sativum sont couramment multipli(cid:130)s ou commercialis(cid:130)s sur leur territoire, afin de pouvoir en tirer les conclusions qu’il convient; comparatifs ces consid(cid:130)rant que communautaires seront utilis(cid:130)s pour harmoniser, en premier lieu, les m(cid:130)thodes techniques de contr(cid:147)le des mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication de ces esp(cid:138)ces; analyses essais et consid(cid:130)rant que les mesures pr(cid:130)vues par la pr(cid:130)sente d(cid:130)ci- sion sont conformes (cid:133) l’avis du comit(cid:130) permanent des semences et plants agricoles, horticoles et forestiers, A ARR(cid:219)T(cid:144) LA PR(cid:144)SENTE D(cid:144)CISION: Article premier 1. Des essais et analyses comparatifs communautaires sont effectu(cid:130)s en 1998/1999 sur les mat(cid:130)riels de multipli- cation de Allium sativum. 2. Les (cid:130)chantillons sont pr(cid:130)lev(cid:130)s officiellement. 3. Tous les (cid:144)tats membres participent aux essais et analyses comparatifs communautaires, dans la mesure o(cid:151) les mat(cid:130)riels de multiplication des esp(cid:138)ces vis(cid:130)es au para- graphe 1 sont couramment multipli(cid:130)s ou commercialis(cid:130)s sur leur territoire. Article 2 Les modalit(cid:130)s applicables (cid:133) la mise en œuvre des essais et analyses comparatifs communautaires et (cid:133) l’(cid:130)valuation des r(cid:130)sultats sont arr(cid:136)t(cid:130)es au sein du comit(cid:130) permanent des semences et plants agricoles, horticoles et forestiers. Article 3 Les (cid:144)tats membres sont destinataires de la pr(cid:130)sente d(cid:130)ci- sion. Fait (cid:133) Bruxelles, le 25 novembre 1998. Par la Commission Franz FISCHLER Membre de la Commission (1) JO L 157 du 10. 6. 1992, p. 1. (2) JO L 39 du 8. 2. 1997, p. 21


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA n. 3510/98 dell'on. Amedeo AMADEO Controllo e ispezione generi alimentari, in campo veterinario e fitosanitario

eurovoc_concepts:
EU control
World Trade Organisation
food hygiene
food inspection
health control
liberalisation of trade
plant health control
product safety
third country
veterinary inspection

text: C 289/54 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 11. 10. 1999 (1999/C 289/071) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-3510/98 di Amedeo Amadeo (NI) alla Commissione (25 novembre 1998) Oggetto: Controllo e ispezione generi alimentari, in campo veterinario e fitosanitario In merito alla «Comunicazione della Commissione al Parlamento europeo, al Consiglio e al Comitato economico e sociale sul controllo e l’ispezione relativi all’igiene dei generi alimentari, in campo veterinario e fitosanitario» (COM(98) 32 def. ) e in relazione ai negoziati svoltisi nell’ambito dell’OMC per equilibrare il libero scambio di merci a livello internazionale tenendo conto tra l’altro dell’aspetto sanitario e della sicurezza, potrebbe la Commissione impegnarsi quanto più attivamente possibile per mantenere e fare accettare dalla comunità internazionale la politica di controllo dell’Unione europea, in modo da affrontare così i problemi indotti dalla liberalizzazione degli scambi in campo alimentare, veterinario e fitosanitario? Risposta data dalla sig. ra Bonino in nome della Commissione (22 dicembre 1998) La Commissione può assicurare all’Onorevole parlamentare che essa fa il possibile per mantenere la politica di controllo della Comunità nel campo della sicurezza e dell’igiene alimentare nonché nel settore veterinario e in quello fitosanitario, soprattutto attraverso il rafforzamento delle ispezioni e dei controlli realizzati dall’Ufficio alimentare e veterinario nei paesi terzi e negli Stati membri. Inoltre essa si adopera per fare accettare tale politica di controllo da tutti gli organismi internazionali interessati. Nella sua veste di portavoce della Comunità in seno al comitato sanitario e fitosanitario dell’Organizzazione mondiale del commercio la Commissione si incarica inoltre di presentare, illustrare e difendere a livello internazionale la politica sanitaria e fitosanitaria della Comunità, con l’obiettivo di mantenere un livello elevato di protezione pur minimizzando gli impatti restrittivi sul commercio internazionale. (1999/C 289/072) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-3516/98 di Amedeo Amadeo (NI) alla Commissione (25 novembre 1998) Oggetto: Polizia sanitaria/scambi animali specie bovina e suina In merito alla «proposta di direttiva del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio che modifica la direttiva 64/432/ CEE relativa a problemi di polizia sanitaria in materia di scambi intracomunitari di animali delle specie bovina e suina» (COM(98) 0081 def. 7 98/0052 COD) (1), si rileva che, nell’appoggiare il progetto della Commissione inteso ad attuare il previsto sistema di informatizzazione, si segnala il fatto che la base dati esistenti non è ancora operante. Queste lacune non contribuiscono di certo a riconquistare la credibilità e la fiducia da parte di consumatori. Ciò premesso potrebbe la Commissione europea presentare una relazione sullo stato di attuazione in tutta l’area comunitaria? (1) GU C 100 del 2. 4. 1998, pag. 23. Risposta data dal sig. Fischler in nome della Commissione (28 gennaio 1999) All’articolo 5 del regolamento (CE) 820/97 del Consiglio, del 21 aprile 1997, che istituisce un sistema di identificazione e di registrazione dei bovini e relativo all’etichettatura delle carni bovine e dei prodotti a base di carni bovine (1), è previsto che «Entro il 31 dicembre 1999 le basi di dati informatizzate sono rese totalmente operative e, a partire da tale data, contengono tutti i dati richiesti ai sensi della direttiva 64/432/CEE». Attualmente, le autorità degli Stati membri stanno predisponendo gli strumenti necessari per ottemperare a tale obbligo; la situazione varia pertanto da uno Stato membro all’altro. In considerazione delle difficoltà


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3530/98 by Georg JARZEMBOWSKI to the Commission. Special EU representative for Tibet

eurovoc_concepts:
EU relations
Tibetan question
development aid
diplomatic representation
human rights

text: 21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/143 As regards the scope of the Regulation, it covers all aid coming under Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty. Insofar as certain tax measures satisfy the conditions of Article 92(1), they are therefore also covered by the Regulation. There is no provision in the Commission proposal for the publishing of notifications, for legal and practical reasons. The purpose of such an exercise would be to invite third parties to submit comments. The EC Treaty reserves this third-party role for the formal investigation procedure: the decision to initiate the procedure is published in the Official Journal. Such a procedure is mandatory in all aid cases which give rise to doubts as to their compatibility with the common market. It does, however, appear unnecessary for a large number of routine cases which quite clearly satisfy the criteria published by the Commission, and for which it would only delay the Commission’s decisions. All Commission decisions are, however, published in the Official Journal. (1999/C 142/189) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3525/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work With regard to the Council Directive amending for the second time Directive 90/394/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work (COM(98) 170 final − 98/ 0093/SYN) (1), up to now there has only been evidence of the carcinogenic nature of beech and oak dust, which can cause adenocarcinomas of the nose and/or mucous membranes of the nose. In addition, the Scientific Committee has stated that there is clear evidence implicating other types of wood. Differences still exist between the Member States with regard to the limit values for beech and oak wood dust and to some extent also with regard to wood dust in general. The various limit values range from 2 to 10 mg/m3. Can the Commission therefore incorporate in the directive an initial value of 5 mg/m3 as the threshold for exposure at work with the proviso that that value must be reviewed within five years on the basis of scientific data? (1) OJ C 123, 22. 4. 1998, p. 21. Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1998) The Commission has already taken account of the Honourable Member’s suggestions in its amended proposal for a Council Directive amending for the second time Directive 90/394/EEC (1). This proposal was adopted on 12 November 1998 following the opinion expressed by Parliament. (1) COM(98) 665 final. (1999/C 142/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/98 by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Special EU representative for Tibet The report of 8 July 1998 by the EU troika’s human rights mission to Tibet from 1 to 10 May 1998 showed clearly that the situation in Tibet is not satisfactory. The lack of transparency concerning respect for human rights in Tibet makes it imperative, from the point of view of the European Parliament, to appoint a special representative of the European Union for Tibet. Parliament’s resolution of 15 January 1998


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3508/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Community Statistical Programme

eurovoc_concepts:
EU programme
EU statistics
OSCE
VAT
consumer price
data collection
purchasing power
statistical method

text: C 182/90 Euroopan yhteisöjen virallinen lehti FI 28. 6. 1999 Neuvoston työryhmässä käydyssä parlamentin lausuntoa koskeneessa yksityiskohtaisessa keskustelussa ehdotettiin kuitenkin muutosta, jolla taloudellinen ja sosiaalinen yhteenkuuluvuus lisättäisiin erityisen huomionarvoisten politiikkojen joukkoon. (1999/C 182/118) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3508/98 esittäjä(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Yhteisön tilasto-ohjelma Ehdotukseen neuvoston päätökseksi yhteisön tilasto-ohjelmasta vuosiksi 1998#2002 (KOM(97) 0735 lopull. # 98/0012(CNS)) ja (CES 800/98-98/0012 CNS) liittyen, voisiko komissio korostaa tarvetta kehittää yhteiset menetelmät, joiden avulla kerätään tilastotietoa kuluttajahintojen kehityksestä ja ostovoimapariteeteista, sekä ilmaista selkeämmin tilastotietojen tarpeellisuuden yhteisön lopullisen alv-järjestelmän käyttöönottoa silmällä pitäen? Komission jäsenen Yves-Thibault de Silguyn komission puolesta antama vastaus (22. tammikuuta 1999) Yhteisön tilastojen vertailukelpoisuuden tarve, johon kuuluu menetelmien ja nimikkeistöjen yhdenmukais- taminen, on ilmaistu selkeästi sen ehdotuksen johdanto-osan kolmannessa kappaleessa, johon arvoisa parlamentin jäsen viittaa, ja se on yhteisön tilasto-ohjelman kaikkien aihepiirien yhteinen tekijä. Se on näin ollen olennainen osa kuluttajahintoja ja ostovoimapariteetteja koskevaa työtä. Komission on vielä viimeisteltävä ehdotuksensa yhteisön lopulliseksi alv-järjestelmäksi. Mahdolliset ajatellut ratkaisut huomioon ottaen Eurostat on jo ryhtynyt alustaviin neuvotteluihin kansallisten tilastolaitosten kanssa tilastoindikaattoreihin mahdollisesti kohdistuvista vaikutuksista, ja tämä näkökohta on otettu täysin huomioon ohjelman 1 liitteen V osastossa. Parlamentin lausunnon jälkeen neuvoston työryhmä tarkisti ja selvensi ohjelman tämän osan tekstin. (1999/C 182/119) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3511/98 esittäjä(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Väärennetyt ja laittomasti valmistetut tavarat Ehdotukseen neuvoston asetukseksi (EY) 3295/94 muuttamisesta (KOM(98) 0025 lopull. # 98/0018 ACC) (1) liittyen tuon esiin, että suorat aineettomien oikeuksien haltijoiden (yritykset) ja tullilaitosten väliset yhteydet ovat välttämättömiä tullivirkailijoiden motivaation lisäämiseksi. Yhteisön tavaramerkin perusajatukseen ei sovi, että hakemus rajalla tehtävästä takavarikosta voisi koskea vain tiettyjä EU:n jäsenmaita. Koska yhteisön tavaramerkki on voimassa koko yhteisön alueella ja sillä on kaikkialla samat oikeusvaikutukset, on mielekästä toteuttaa pitkällä tähtäyksellä ainoastaan yhtenäinen takavarikkoha- kemusjärjestelmä, joka on voimassa kaikkialla yhteisössä. Pitäen edellä mainittua lähtökohtana, voisiko Euroopan komissio ryhtyä riittäviin tämän suuntaisiin toimiin? (1) EYVL C 108, 7. 4. 1998, s. 63


title: Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - First annual report on the implementation of the code of conduct for business taxation and fiscal State aid - Progress report on the work concerning the taxation of income from savings and a common system of taxation for interest and royalty payments between associated companies (1998)

eurovoc_concepts:
code of conduct
restriction on competition
savings
tax system
type of business

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 25. 11. 1998 Brussels, 25. 11. 1998 COM(1998) 595 final COM(1998) 595 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TAXATION AND FISCAL STATE AID CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TAXATION AND FISCAL STATE AID PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WORK CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF INCOME PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WORK CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF INCOME FROM SAVINGS AND A COMMON SYSTEM OF TAXATION FOR INTEREST AND FROM SAVINGS AND A COMMON SYSTEM OF TAXATION FOR INTEREST AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS BETWEEN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES ROYALTY PAYMENTS BETWEEN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES 1998 1998 1. INTRODUCTION 1. A new global approach to taxation issues was first presented by the Commission in April 1996 at the informal ECOFIN Council in Verona. The objective was to place taxation issues in the broader context of Community policies and, in particular, to propose consideration of the economic and social disadvantages arising from the absence of tax co-ordination in the Union. 2. Discussions took place in this new global framework in 1996 and 1997 in a high level Taxation Policy Group consisting of personal representatives of Finance Ministers of Member States. The Commission Communication "A package to tackle harmful tax competition in the European Union" drew on those discussions, and, on the basis of that Communication, the Council, on 1 December 1997, adopted conclusions concerning tax policy, and in particular concerning a package of three tax measures'. 3. The tax package aims at achieving the objectives of reducing the continuing distortions in the Single Market, preventing excessive losses of tax revenue and encouraging tax structures to develop in a more employment friendly way. In reaching these conclusions, the Council emphasised the respective spheres of competence of the Member States and the Community resulting from the Treaty. In addition, it acknowledged the positive effects of fair competition and the need to consolidate the competitiveness of the European Union and the Member States at an international level, whilst noting that tax competition may also lead to tax measures with harmful effects. Conclusions of the ECOFIN council meeting on 1 December 1997 concerning taxation policy (98/C 2/01 ); OJ of 06. 01. 1998 n° C 2 page 1. 1 4. The Council and the Representatives of the Governments of Member States, meeting within the Council, agreed to a Resolution on a code of conduct for business taxation. The Council also agreed on a text on the taxation of income from savings. The Commission undertook • to submit rapidly proposals for Directives on the taxation of savings and on interest and royalty payments between companies, and • to publish guidelines on the application of state aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation. 5. In order to ensure the even and effective implementation of the Code of Conduct, the Council invited the Commission to report to it annually on the implementation of the Code and on the application of fiscal State aid. The Council further asked the Commission to submit each year, together with the report on the implementation of the Code, a progress report on the work concerning taxation of savings and interest and royalty payments between companies. This Communication contains the first annual report of the Commission. 2. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TAXATION AND FISCAL STATE AID 2. 1 THE CODE OF CON DUCT 6. The Code of Conduct covers measures which provide for a significantly lower (including zero) effective level of taxation than normally applies in the Member State concerned and which affect, or may affect, in a significant way the location of business activity within the Community. Such a level of taxation may operate by virtue of the nominal tax rate, the tax base or any other relevant factor. The Code provides for a number of criteria to be taken into account when assessing whether such measures which fall within the scope of the Code are harmful, in the light of the effects they may have within the Community. 7. In agreeing to the Code of Conduct on business taxation Member States committed themselves to: • refrain from introducing any new harmful tax measures (standstill) • re-examine their existing laws and established practices and amend such laws or practices as necessary with a view to eliminating any harmful measures as soon as possible taking into account the Council's discussions following the review process (rollback); • inform each other of existing and proposed tax measures which may fall within the scope of the Code; • establish a group to assess the tax measures that fall within the scope of the Code and to oversee the provision of information on those measures, and • promote the adoption of principles aimed at abolishing harmful tax measures in third countries and in territories to which the Treaty does not apply. In particular, Member States with dependent and associated territories or which have special responsibilities or taxation prerogatives in respect of other territories committed themselves, within the framework of their constitutional arrangements, to ensuring that these principles are applied in those territories. The Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation) was established by the ECOFIN Council on 9 March 19982 to assess the tax measures that may fall within the scope of the Code of Conduct and to oversee the provision of information on those measures. By common accord Mrs Primarolo (UK Financial Secretary to the Treasury) was appointed as Chair for the Group for a two year period. Two sub groups, chaired by Mrs Primarolo and Mr Nolz (Director General of the Austrian Ministry of Finance), were established3 to undertake a preliminary examination of a range of potentially harmful measures that the Code of Conduct Group had agreed to assess first and report back to the main group. These measures fall within the categories of intra group services and financial services and offshore companies. All Member States have contributed to the exchange of information process by providing details of the tax measures which might fall under the scope of the Code of Conduct. These have been categorised as intra group services, financial services and offshore centres, other sector specific measures, regional incentives, and other measures. The Commission has co-ordinated and facilitated the provision of this information. Where appropriate, Member States have subsequently provided detailed information, in terms of relevant legislation, administrative practices and detailed explanations regarding measures falling within the work of the two sub groups. The Commission compiled summaries of all the measures to be reviewed by the two sub-groups to provide basic information on the benefits they provide and the conditions attached. 2 Council Conclusions of 9 March 1998 concerning the establishment of the Code of Conduct group (business taxation) (98/C 99/01); OJ of 01. 04. 1998 n° C 99 page 1. 3 Council Conclusions of 6 July 1998 concerning the establishment of sub-groups to the Code of Conduct Group. 10. Member States have, to the knowledge of the Commission, refrained from introducing any new tax measures which are harmful within the meaning of the Code. Some proposed new measures have been referred to the Code Group for future consideration. The Commission notes that some measures which might fall within the scope of the Code have already been withdrawn or are being phased out in some Member States. 11. The Code of Conduct group will be making an interim report to the Council on I December 1998 setting out in more detail progress reached so far in the assessment of the measures which might fall within the scope of the Code. 12. In the context of promoting the adoption of principles aimed at abolishing harmful tax measures on as broad a geographical basis as possible, it should be noted that the OECD Council in April 1998 adopted a report on Harmful Tax Competition and the G7 has also demonstrated its commitment to the further work on harmful tax competition. The OECD report provides for a set of guidelines for dealing with harmful preferential regimes in OECD Member countries, for the development of an OECD tax haven list and for the establishment of a Forum on Harmful Tax Practices to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the report. 2. 2 FISCAL STATE AID 13. Some of the tax measures covered by the Code of Conduct on business taxation may fall within the scope of the provisions on state aid in Articles 92 to 94 of the Treaty. In the framework of the Code of Conduct the Commission committed itself to publish guidelines on the application of the state aid rules to fiscal aids. The guidelines were discussed with experts from the Member States and a notice them was including II November 19984. subsequently adopted by the Commission on 4 Commission notice on the application of the state aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation, SEC (1998) 1800 final. 14. The guidelines aim at clarifying the application of the state aid rules to cases relating to direct business taxation. They form part of a wider objective of clarifying and reinforcing the application of the state aid rules in order to reduce distortions of competition in the Single Market. 15. The Commission will, on the basis of the guidelines set out in the notice, examine the tax aid plans notified to it and any tax aid implemented in the Member States and will review existing systems. The Commission will take account of all specific circumstances in each individual case. 3. PROGRESS ON WORK CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF SAVINGS AND INTEREST AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS BETWEEN COMPANIES 3. 1 TAXATION OF SAVINGS 16. The Commission adopted in May 1998s a proposal for a directive on savings. The proposal is based on the key elements agreed by the ECOFIN Council on 1 December 1997 and takes into account the discussions in the Taxation Policy Group in February 1998. The Commission proposed the co-existence of a withholding tax of 20% and a system for providing information to tax authorities of other Member States. 17. The proposal was presented to the Council in June. The Austrian Presidency has taken negotiations forward in the Council and several meetings of the Council financial questions group have been arranged to discuss different aspects of the proposal. Proposal for a Directive to ensure a minimum of effective taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments within the Community, COM(1998) 295 final - O. J. of 08. 07. 1998 n° C212 page 13. 18. The European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee have begun their examination of the proposal for a Directive. It is foreseen that the opinions of both institutions will be adopted in early 1999. 19. In order to preserve the competitiveness of the financial markets of the Community in the global context, equivalent measures to ensure a minimum of effective taxation should be adopted as widely as possible. At the informal meeting of the ECOFIN Council in September the importance of the third country problem was emphasised. It was agreed that this question should be tackled rapidly and the Commission was invited to present outlines for solutions. The Commission services are presently finalising this document on the basis of a wide-ranging discussion held at the Taxation Policy Group on 12 November 1998. 3. 2. TAXATION OF INTEREST AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS BETWEEN COMPANIES 20. The Commission presented in March 1998 a proposal for a directive on a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments made between associated companies of different Member States6. The proposal aims at eliminating obstacles to cross-border co-operation between companies from different Member States, such as a possible double taxation of such payments. 21. The negotiations at technical level in the Council started under the UK Presidency and continued under the Austrian Presidency, which pursued the negotiations in order to make as much progress as possible towards an early adoption. 22. The Economic and Social Committee gave a favourable opinion on 1 July 19987. The European Parliament gave a favourable opinion on 16 September 1998. 6 Proposal for a Directive on a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments made between associated companies of different Member States; COM(1998) 67 final of 04. 03. 1998 - O. J. of 22. 04. 1998 n° C 123 page 9. 7 O. J. of 14. 09. 1998 n°C 284. 4. CONCLUSIONS 23. At its meeting in Cardiff on 15 and 16 June 1998, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to fostering tax efficiency and discouraging harmful tax competition. In this context, the European Council welcomed the establishment of the Code of Conduct Group and its intention to present a preliminary report to the Council by the end of 1998. 24. Ministers expressed their firm commitment to a rigorous implementation of the tax package at the informal meeting of the ECOFIN Council in Vienna in September 1998. They gave high priority to the implementation of the Code of Conduct and agreed to aim at concrete results with regard to the taxation of savings by the end of the German Presidency. 25. The Council is asked to • take note of this first annual report on the implementation of the Code of Conduct and fiscal state aids; • take note of this progress report on the work concerning taxation of savings and interest and royalty payments between companies; • confirm the objective of reaching concrete results in the negotiations on the proposal for a Directive on the taxation of income from savings by the end of June 1999; • set the objective of reaching concrete results in the negotiations on the proposal for a directive on interest and royalty payments between associated companies for the end of June 1999; and • reaffirm its commitment to a rapid implementation of the Code of Conduct and, within the context of the package to tackle harmful tax competition, ask the Code of Conduct Group to endeavour to complete the assessment of the measures which might fall within the scope of the Code by the end of June 1999. ISSN 0254-1475 COM(98) 595 final DOCUMENTS EN 09 06 01 16 Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-710-EN-C Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 3471/98 του Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA προς την Επ τροπή. Ρύθμιση των αλιευτικών δραστηριοτήτων στο Νοτιοδυτικό Ατλαντικό

eurovoc_concepts:
Argentina
exclusive economic zone
fishery management
fishery resources
fishing area
international conflict
international negotiations
law of the sea

text: C 207/74 Επι΄σηµη Εφηµερι΄δα των Ευρωπαι¨κω΄ν Κοινοτη΄των EL 21. 7. 1999 (1999/C 207/096) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ E-3471/98 υποβολη΄: Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) προς την Επιτροπη΄ (25 Νοεµβρι΄ου 1998) Θε΄µα: Ρυ΄θµιση των αλιευτικω΄ν δραστηριοτη΄των στο Νοτιοδυτικο΄ Ατλαντικο΄ Η Ευρωπαι¨κη΄ Επιτροπη΄ ανακοι΄νωνε στην απα΄ντηση που ε΄δωσε στις 26 Ιανουαρι΄ου 1998 στη γραπτη΄ µου ερω΄τηση αριθ. Ε-3951/97 (1) σχετικα΄ µε τη συ΄λληψη του κοινοτικου΄ σκα΄φους Arpón και στην ανα΄γκη διασαφη΄νισης της αποκλειστικη΄ς οικονοµικη΄ς ζω΄νης της Αργεντινη΄ς ο΄τι «η ΕΕ και η Αργεντινη΄ στοχευ΄ουν στην απο΄ κοινου΄ δηµιουργι΄α ενο΄ς πολυµερου΄ς καθεστω΄τος συνεργασι΄ας, για τη διαχει΄ριση και την προστασι΄α των πο΄ρων των ανοικτω΄ν θαλασσω΄ν του νοτιοανατολικου΄ Ατλαντικου΄. Βα΄σει των ανωτε΄ρω, η Επιτροπη΄ προ΄κειται να εξετα΄σει το εν λο΄γω θε΄µα δοθει΄σης ευκαιρι΄ας». ∆εδοµε΄νου ο΄τι ε΄χει περα΄σει αρκετο΄ς χρο΄νος χωρι΄ς να ε΄χουν σηµειωθει΄ σηµαντικε΄ς προ΄οδοι στο θε΄µα αυτο΄ και λαµβα΄νοντας υπο΄ψη επι΄σης ο΄τι εξακολουθει΄ να υπα΄ρχει νοµικη΄ ασα΄φεια στη ζω΄νη ο΄σον αφορα΄ την ελλιπη΄ οριοθε΄τηση της ΑΟΖ της Αργεντινη΄ς και ο΄τι η δηµιουργι΄α διεθνου΄ς πολυµερου΄ς οργα΄νωσης στην ζω΄νη (SAFO) θα αποτελου΄σε εγγυ΄ηση για την ασφα΄λεια της κοινοτικη΄ς αλιευτικη΄ς δραστηριο΄τητας σε διεθνη΄ υ΄δατα, 1. Μπορει΄ να αναφε΄ρει η Επιτροπη΄ σε ποιο σηµει΄ο βρι΄σκονται τω΄ρα οι διαπραγµατευ΄σεις; 2. Ποιοι λο΄γοι παρεµπο΄δισαν να σηµειωθου΄ν σηµαντικε΄ς προ΄οδοι στις εν λο΄γω διαπραγµατευ΄σεις; 3. Πο΄τε προβλε΄πει η Επιτροπη΄ να κλει΄σει η περιο΄δος διαπραγµατευ΄σεων και να περα΄σει στην δηµιουργι΄α της ζω΄νης SAFO; (1) ΕΕ C 310 της 9. 10. 1998, σελ. 5. Aπα΄ντηση της κας Bonino εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (15 Ιανουαρι΄ου 1999) Στις 19 Ιανουαρι΄ου 1998, το Συµβου΄λιο ενε΄κρινε εντολη΄ διαπραγµατευ΄σεων για να θεσπισθει΄ το πλαι΄σιο διαχει΄ρισης των αλιευτικω΄ν πο΄ρων που αναπτυ΄σσονται σε ορισµε΄να υ΄δατα της ανοικτη΄ς θα΄λασσας που βρι΄σκεται στο νοτιο-δυτικο΄ Ατλαντικο΄. Έκτοτε, η Επιτροπη΄ διατηρει΄ τις επαφε΄ς µε την Αργεντινη΄ ως προς αυτο΄ το θε΄µα ω΄στε να καθοριστει΄ η φυ΄ση και το περιεχο΄µενο που προσαρµο΄ζεται περισσο΄τερο στα χαρακτηριστικα΄ της σχετικη΄ς περιοχη΄ς. Οι εν λο΄γω συζητη΄σεις συνεχι΄ζουν κανονικα΄. Λαµβανοµε΄νου υπο΄ψη του γεγονο΄τος ο΄τι ο στο΄χος ει΄ναι η επι΄τευξη ενο΄ς πολυµερου΄ς συστη΄µατος, προβλε΄πεται τη δεδοµε΄νη στιγµη΄ να πραγµατοποιηθει΄ πολυµερη΄ς συ΄νοδος που θα συγκεντρω΄σει ο΄λα τα ενδιαφερο΄µενα µε΄ρη. (1999/C 207/097) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ P-3477/98 υποβολη΄: Ursula Stenzel (PPE) προς την Επιτροπη΄ (12 Νοεµβρι΄ου 1998) Θε΄µα: Ανθρω΄πινα δικαιω΄µατα Μπορει΄ η Επιτροπη΄ να ανακοινω΄σει πο΄σα χρη΄µατα ει΄ναι διαθε΄σιµα αυτο΄ το ε΄τος απο΄ τον πρου¨ πολογισµο΄ για δραστηριο΄τητες που αφορου΄ν τα ανθρω΄πινα δικαιω΄µατα (Κεφα΄λαιο B7-70 του πρου¨ πολογισµου΄); Μπορει΄ περαιτε΄ρω η Επιτροπη΄ να δω΄σει ακριβη΄ στοιχει΄α για τη χρησιµοποι΄ηση των πιστω΄σεων του πρου¨ πολογισµου΄ που προβλε΄πονται για δραστηριο΄τητες στον τοµε΄α των ανθρωπι΄νων δικαιωµα΄των; Πω΄ς δικαιολογει΄ η Επιτροπη΄ τη µη πλη΄ρη χρησιµοποι΄ηση ορισµε΄νων πιστω΄σεων του πρου¨ πολογισµου΄; Ποια΄ συγκεκριµε΄να µε΄τρα λη΄φθηκαν η΄ θα ληφθου΄ν, ω΄στε οι εν λο΄γω πιστω΄σεις να µπορου΄ν να χρησιµοποιου΄νται αποτελεσµατικα΄ και γρη΄γορα; Μπορει΄ η Επιτροπη΄ να αποκλει΄σει ο΄τι στο εν λο΄γω κεφα΄λαιο του πρου¨ πολογισµου΄ θα πρε΄πει στο τε΄λος του ε΄τους να µεταφερθου΄ν πιστω΄σεις στο επο΄µενο ε΄τος; Απα΄ντηση του κυρι΄ου van den Broek εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (14 Ιανουαρι΄ου 1999) Η χρη΄ση των γραµµω΄ν του πρου¨ πολογισµου΄ του κεφαλαι΄ου B7-70 που απο΄βλε΄πουν στην προω΄θηση και στην προστασι΄α των δικαιωµα΄των του ανθρω΄που αποτε΄λεσε αντικει΄µενο παρε΄µβασης του υπευ΄θυνου µε΄λους της Επιτροπη΄ς κατα΄ τη συ΄νοδο της ολοµε΄λειας του Κοινοβουλι΄ου στις 17 Νοεµβρι΄ου 1998. Με την ευκαιρι΄α αυτη΄ ανε΄φερε τις πολλε΄ς δυσκολι΄ες που συνα΄ντησε κατα τη δια΄ρκεια της χρη΄σης του 1998. Προ΄κειται κυρι΄ως για τις επιπτω΄σεις της


title: QUESTION ECRITE no 3518/98 de Amedeo AMADEO à la Commission. Contrôle des aides d'État

text: C 142/142 Journal officiel des Communautés européennes FR 21. 5. 1999 (1999/C 142/187) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-3518/98 posée par Amedeo Amadeo (NI) à la Commission (25 novembre 1998) Objet: Contrôle des aides d’État S’agissant de la «Proposition de règlement (CE) du Conseil portant modalités d’application de l’article 93 du traité» (COM(98) 0073 final − 98/0060 CNS) (1), il convient de souligner que ce règlement organise et rationalise, en leur conférant une structure organique, toute une série de pratiques et de principes contenus dans des arrêts de la Cour de Justice. Il convient d’approfondir cette opération d’organisation juridique de l’action communautaire en matière de concurrence, de manière à disposer dans quelques années des certitudes législatives plus importantes dans ce domaine. Le champ d’application de ce règlement doit notamment être étendu aux dispositions fiscales, qui sont à l’origine de distorsions de la concurrence entre les États membres. Compte tenu de ce qui précède, la Commission pourrait-elle se prononcer sur l’importance de rendre publiques, même sous forme de résumé, les notifications des États membres relatives à de nouvelles aides? (1) JO C 116 du 16. 4. 1998, p. 13. (1999/C 142/188) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-3519/98 posée par Amedeo Amadeo (NI) à la Commission (25 novembre 1998) Objet: Contrôle des aides d’État La «Proposition de règlement (CE) du Conseil portant modalités d’application de l’article 93 du traité» (COM(98) 0073 final − 98/0060 CNS) (1), ne contient pas, en matière de droit des tiers en général, de dispositions autorisant la Commission à divulguer la notification d’une aide déterminée et à diffuser des informations de base sur cette aide. Étant donné que l’absence de dispositions de ce type nuit à la transparence et porte atteinte aux droits des tiers, la Commission pourrait-elle veiller à ce que cet oubli soit réparé de toute urgence? (1) JO C 116 du 16. 4. 1998, p. 13. Réponse commune aux questions écrites E-3517/98, E-3518/98 et E-3519/98 donnée par M. Van Miert au nom de la Commission (15 décembre 1998) La Commission se félicite du support que l’Honorable Parlementaire donne à sa proposition de règlement sur les procédures en matière d’aides, qui vise à améliorer la transparence, la sécurité juridique et l’efficacité du contrôle. Les articles 11 et 14 sont effectivement des instruments importants pour rendre le contrôle plus efficace, notamment vis-à-vis des aides illégales. Lorsqu’une aide illégale est également incompatible avec le marché commun, le règlement établit l’obligation de principe pour la Commission d’en demander la récupération. L’État membre doit alors effectuer la récupération sans délai, selon les procédures du droit interne, mais pour autant que ces dernières permettent l’exécution immédiate et effective de la décision. Par ailleurs, l’État membre doit prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires, même provisoires, pour obtenir ce résultat. La Commission veillera à ce que la récupération ne soit pas retardée par des procédures dilatoires et prendra toutes les mesures à sa disposition, y inclus des recours devant la Cour de justice, pour assurer le respect de ses décisions


title: PERGUNTA ESCRITA n. 3519/98 do Deputado Amedeo AMADEO à Comissão. Controlo dos auxílios estatais

text: C 142/142 Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias PT 21. 5. 1999 (1999/C 142/187) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-3518/98 apresentada por Amedeo Amadeo (NI) à Comissão (25 de Novembro de 1998) Objecto: Controlo dos auxílios estatais Relativamente à proposta de regulamento (CE) do Conselho que estabelece regras de execução do artigo 93o do Tratado CE (COM(98) 0073 final − 98/0060(CNS)) (1), salienta-se que este regulamento organiza e racionaliza uma série de práticas e de princípios expressos nos acórdãos do Tribunal de Justiça, conferindo-lhes uma estrutura orgânica. Considera-se que esta organização jurídica da acção comunitária em matéria de concorrência requer um maior aprofundamento para que haja em breve uma certeza do direito relativo à concorrência. O campo de aplicação deste regulamento deveria ser também estendido, na nossa opinião, às disposições fiscais que determinam distorções de concorrência entre os Estados-membros. Nesta óptica, pode a Comissão avaliar a importância de se tornarem públicas, mesmo resumidamente, as notificações dos Estados-membros sobre os novos auxílios? (1) JO C 116 de 16. 4. 1998, p. 13. (1999/C 142/188) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-3519/98 apresentada por Amedeo Amadeo (NI) à Comissão (25 de Novembro de 1998) Objecto: Controlo dos auxílios estatais Relativamente à proposta de regulamento (CE) do Conselho que estabelece regras de execução do artigo 93o do Tratado CE (COM(98) 0073 final − 98/0060(CNS)) (1), salienta-se que, no que se refere aos direitos dos terceiros em geral, falta, na proposta em questão, uma disposição que autorize a Comissão a divulgar a notificação de um determinado auxílio, bem como as informações de base sobre o auxílio concedido. Considerando que a ausência de uma tal disposição prejudica a transparência e lesa os direitos dos terceiros, pode a Comissão providenciar com urgência neste sentido? (1) JO C 116 de 16. 4. 1998, p. 13. Resposta comum às perguntas escritas E-3517/98, E-3518/98 e E-3519/98 dada pelo Comissário Van Miert em nome da Comissão (15 de Dezembro de 1998) A Comissão agradece o apoio do Senhor Deputado à sua proposta de regulamento sobre os processos em matéria de auxílios, destinado a aumentar a transparência, a segurança jurídica e a eficácia do controlo. Os artigos 11o e 14o são, efectivamente, instrumentos importantes para uma maior eficácia do controlo, nomeadamente face aos auxílios ilegais. Sempre que um auxílio ilegal é igualmente incompatível com o mercado comum, o regulamento impõe à Comissão a obrigação de princípio de ordenar a sua recuperação. O Estado-membro deve então proceder imediatamente à sua recuperação, de acordo com direito processual nacional, porém desde que permita a execução imediata e efectiva da decisão. Por outro lado, o Estado-membro deve tomar todas as medidas necessárias, mesmo que provisoriamente, para obter este resultado. A Comissão velará no sentido de não ser alargado o prazo para a recuperação mediante procedimentos dilatórios e tomará todas as medidas à sua disposição, incluindo o recurso perante o Tribunal de Justiça, para assegurar o cumprimento das suas decisões


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3504/98 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Unlawful state aid to pig farmers

eurovoc_concepts:
State aid
financial aid
intra-EU trade
livestock farming
production aid
restriction on competition
single market
swine

text: C 207/80 Euroopan yhteisöjen virallinen lehti FI 21. 7. 1999 (1999/C 207/106) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3504/98 esittäjä(t): John Iversen (PSE) komissiolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Sianlihan tuottajien laiton valtion tuki EU:n valtion tukea koskevien sääntöjen mukaan kaikki tuotteille myönnettävä tuki on kielletty. Tämän vuoksi komission on puututtava valtion tukeen, jonka Ranskan hallitus on äskettäin myöntänyt ranskalaisille sianlihan tuottajille. Ranskan hallitus on myöntänyt 150 miljoonan frangin tukipaketin niiden 100 miljoonan frangin lisäksi, jotka se myönsi syyskuussa. Tämän lisäksi Ranskan maataloustuottajat voivat saada luottoa Stabiborc-luottolai- toksesta. Siihen järjestelmään on myönnetty 420 miljoonan frangin määräraha. Kaikkiaan Ranskan sianlihan tuottajille on siis myönnetty 670 miljoonan frangin edestä taloudellista tukea. Komission on heti puututtava asiaan ja julistettava tuki laittomaksi. Ensinnäkin on todettava, että EY:n tuomioistuin julisti Stabiporcin laittomaksi 1990-luvun alussa. Toiseksi on todettava, että Ranskan hallitus ei vieläkään ole pystynyt selvittämään niiden 100 miljoonan frangin laillisuutta, jotka se myönsi sianlihan tuottajille syyskuussa. Aikooko komissio huolehtia siitä, että Ranskan sianlihan tuottajilta poistetaan edellä mainittu laiton kilpailuetu? Komission jäsenen Franz Fischlerin komission puolesta antama vastaus (15. tammikuuta 1999) Komissio päätti 9. joulukuuta 1998 aloittaa EY:n perustamissopimuksen 93 artiklan 2 kohdan mukaisen menettelyn tuesta, jonka Ranskan viranomaiset aikovat myöntää sianlihan tuottajille. Tukijärjestelmässä on kolme toimenpidettä. Ranskan viranomaiset aikovat ottaa uudelleen käyttöön takaisin maksettavia ennakkoja koskevan Stabiporc- järjestelmän. Jos ennakot (luotot) myönnetään markkinakorkoisina ja komission vahvistamien viitekorkojen rajoissa, toimenpide ei luultavasti ole EY:n perustamissopimuksen 92 artiklan 1 kohdan mukaista valtiontu- kea. Kaksi muuta toimenpidettä ovat sosiaalimaksujen siirtäminen ja takuiden myöntäminen sijoittajien lainoille. Yhteisössä harjoitetaan kauppaa ja käydään kovaa kilpailua kyseisellä alalla. Toimenpiteet voivat vaikuttaa jäsenvaltioiden väliseen kauppaan ja uhkaavat vääristää kilpailua, koska ne suosivat ranskalaisia tuottajia. Tässä vaiheessa vaikuttaa siltä, etteivät toimenpiteet ole komission politiikan mukaisia ja ettei niihin voida soveltaa EY:n perustamissopimuksen 92 artiklan 2 ja 3 kohdan poikkeuksia. Kyseessä voi olla toimintatuki, joka ei sovellu yhteismarkkinoille. Jos epäilyt tukien soveltumattomuudesta yhteismarkkinoille osoittautuvat perustelluiksi, komissio voi joutua tekemään lopullisen kielteisen päätöksen kilpailutilanteen palauttamiseksi ennalleen. (1999/C 207/107) KIRJALLINEN KYSYMYS E-3509/98 esittäjä(t): Amedeo Amadeo (NI) neuvostolle (25. marraskuuta 1998) Aihe: Elintarvikkeiden sekä eläinlääkintä- ja kasvinsuojelualan valvonta ja tarkastukset Komissio on antanut tiedonannon Euroopan parlamentille, neuvostolle ja talous- ja sosiaalikomitealle elintarvikkeiden sekä eläinlääkintä- ja kasvinsuojelualan valvonnasta ja tarkastuksista (KOM(98) 0032 lopull. ). Maailman kauppajärjestössä on käyty neuvotteluja vapaan kansainvälisen tavaravaihdon tasapainottamisesta mm. kansanterveydellisistä ja turvallisuussyistä. Voisiko neuvosto edellä mainittuihin seikkoihin liittyen pyrkiä kaikin keinoin siihen, että unioni pitäisi kiinni valvontapolitiikastaan ja että se hyväksyttäisiin kansainvälisesti, jotta näin voitaisiin torjua kaupan vapauttamisesta elintarvike-, eläinlääkintä- ja kasvinsuojelualalla aiheutuvia ongelmia?