title: Communication from the Commission to the Council concerning the employment aspects of the decision to abolish tax- and duty-free sales for intra-community travellers

text: C 66/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 Communication from the Commission to the Council concerning the employment aspects of the decision to abolish tax(cid:220) and duty(cid:220)free sales for intra(cid:220)Community travellers (1999/C 66/04) INTRODUCTION employment are expected to be more than offset by long(cid:220)term effects on job creation. for intra(cid:220)Community The European Council in Vienna (11 and 12 December 1998), "with regard to the decision of 1991 on tax(cid:220)free "the sales Commission and the Council (Ecofin) to examine by March 1999 the problems which could arise with regard to employment and to address on the basis of proposals from the Commission possible means of tackling these problems, including the possibility of a limited extension of the transitional arrangements)(cid:216)(˛)’. travellers’ asked In response to the European Council’s request, the Communication proposes ways to tackle the problems which the abolition of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales(cid:216)(ˇ) could create especially as regards possible job losses. It does so in the context of the EU strategy on employment. The Commission notes that a consistent policy to make national tax systems more employment(cid:220)friendly is now a declared objective of Member States. This objective was recently reaffirmed by the Vienna European Council itself. The duty(cid:220)free regime cannot be considered in isolation. Its existence impacts on employment not only in that sector, but across the economy as a whole, because it retailers and between distorts competition between modes of transport. Indeed, duty(cid:220)free can be seen as a test case of the credibility of the EU’s determination to use tax coordination to fight harmful tax competition and hidden subsidies which put pressure on labour costs, and so reduce job creation. in keeping with the Vienna This Communication, mandate, looks chiefly at ways of dealing with potential the abolition of employment problems related duty(cid:220)free sales, limited extension. On the basis of this analysis, the Commission considers that the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales will not have a significant lasting negative impact on employment overall. On the contrary, as with the phasing out of any effects on distorting including the possibility of a short(cid:220)term negative subsidy, to 1. (cid:217)WHY WERE THE DECISIONS TAKEN? 1991 AND 1992 COUNCIL The creation of the Single Market meant the elimination of fiscal frontiers, so notions of importing and exporting disappeared within the EU. As a result, EU citizens can buy goods in the Member State of their choice and pay tax on them only at the point of purchase. Despite universal recognition for the huge benefits of the Single Market, it was realised that in the short term the elimi(cid:220) nation of fiscal frontiers might harm certain sectors. The Council therefore took specific measures to help those sectors to adapt: -(cid:217)it established a trainig programme to help national administrations(cid:216)(—) customs reorganise operations and to exchange officials (the Matthaeus programme); their -(cid:217)it launched a ECU 30 million action programme(cid:216)((cid:209)) designed to retrain and re(cid:220)employ customs agents and allowed Member States to use Community structural funds (European Social Fund and Inter(cid:220) reg I) to introduce accompanying measures; 63(cid:216)000 customs agents have been helped these schemes; through -(cid:217)it established, though decisions in 1991 (VAT) and 1992 (excise duties), a transitional regime(cid:216)((cid:210)) until 30 June 1999 to allow duty(cid:220)free shops to continue selling a set allowance of goods exempt from VAT and/or excise duties to be controlled by the vendor. This regime enabled operators of duty(cid:220)free shopping facilities to prepare for and adapt to an internal market without fiscal frontiers. (˛)(cid:217)Point 24 of the Conclusions of the European Council. (ˇ)(cid:217)In the remainder of the document, the term "duty(cid:220)free sales’ covers both tax(cid:220) and duty(cid:220)free sales. (—)(cid:217)Commission Decision No 94/844/EEC. ((cid:209))(cid:217)Council Regulation (EEC) No 3904/92. ((cid:210))(cid:217)Council Directive 91/680/EEC and Council Directive 92/12/EEC. 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/7 2. (cid:217)WHAT DID THE SINGLE MARKET MEAN TO THE DUTY(cid:220)FREE SECTOR? The creation of the Single Market and the abolition of fiscal frontiers took away the possibility for all retailers to exempt or reimburse tax paid in one Member State when goods were exported to another Member State. But to limit the effect of this decision on certain retailers, the Council, as a transitional measure, allowed Member States(cid:216)((cid:211)) to exempt from VAT and/or excise duties goods bought by people travelling within the EU on board ferries, on aircraft, or at airports (the Channel Tunnel Terminals were added later). All Member States (Germany and Luxembourg however with some limi(cid:220) tations) adopted this measure. There are no duty(cid:220)free sales on trains or coaches within the EU. It should be noted that goods can only be sold duty(cid:220)free up to a certain value or quantity(cid:216)((cid:212)). Very often customers are not aware that there is no duty(cid:220)free on big ticket items (anything over EUR 90 for example). At Council level, a political agreement was reached on to be observed by minimum standards of control Member States(cid:216)((cid:213)). A the Commission, reviewing this new control system(cid:216)((cid:214)) showed that the systems put into place did not in all cases guarantee that the limits for the tax exemption are respected. report by 3. (cid:217)CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DUTY(cid:220)FREE SECTOR In general, duty(cid:220)free shops benefit from attractive locations and a relatively captive market, thus enjoying a natural competitive advantage. The tax exemption adds an important element of further, artificial competitive advantage over other retailers and other transport operators (by land or rail) selling goods on which tax is paid. Duty(cid:220)free thus distorts competition not only traders, but especially between modes of between transport. ((cid:211))(cid:217)Artikel 28k of Directive 91/680/EEC and Article 28 of Directive 92/12/EEC respectively. ((cid:212))(cid:217)See Table 1 of Annex I. ((cid:213))(cid:217)Guidelines for Community, agreed by 14 December 1992. the control of the the Council of Ministers on tax(cid:220)free sales in ((cid:214))(cid:217)The vendor control report (COM(96) 245 of 26 July 1996). than to apply higher mark(cid:220)ups The tax exemption enjoyed by duty(cid:220)free shops enables them is otherwise practised by the retail sector. Various price comparison surveys(cid:216)(˛˝) show that, to the travelling consumer, the price advantage is often relatively small or even non existent. According to surveys, duty(cid:220)free prices often exceed those of high street retailers. Even for excisable goods (alcohol and tobacco) where the level of the excise higher than VAT in the majority of cases, represents the highest potential for lower prices, the saving passed on to the consumer in most cases represents only a fraction of the tax exemption. This can be substantiated when comparing the before(cid:220)tax price and the retail (after(cid:220)tax) price. Thus the tax exemption in fact subsidises profits of duty(cid:220)free firms more that it subsidises the demand for the products they sell. This must be kept in mind when considering the possible effects of the abolition. 4. (cid:217)THE DUTY(cid:220)FREE SECTOR IN FIGURES (˛˛) to from figures available According the duty(cid:220)free industry, the total 1996 duty(cid:220)free sales by EU duty(cid:220)free shops situated at airports and on board aircraft and ferries amounted to EUR 5,8 billion, up from EUR 3,6 billion in 1991. Intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free activities represented 71(cid:216)% of the total (EUR 4,1 billion) which is equivalent to 0,060(cid:216)% of the 1996 EU GDP(cid:216)(˛ˇ). The increase in sales clearly indicates that, during the transitional period given to operators of duty(cid:220)free shopping facilities to enable them to adapt their activities, the industry has expanded its business. Duty(cid:220)free activities are typically grouped in three broad categories: airports, where sales amounted to EUR 1,6 billion (39(cid:216)%), ferries, with sales of EUR 2,1 billion (51(cid:216)%), and airlines, with sales of EUR 0,4 billion (10(cid:216)%). intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free Traditionally, the products sold by duty(cid:220)free shops are grouped into four separate categories: wine and spirits, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetics and miscellaneous. Looking at sector regarding intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales, "miscellaneous’ with a turnover of EUR 1,2 billion accounted for 29(cid:216)% of sales. With sales of EUR 1,1 billion, wines and spirits represented a share of 27(cid:216)%. Sales of fragrances and the duty(cid:220)free figures from the (˛˝)(cid:217)For example by the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC(cid:220)study in 1994) and by the Commission (December 1998). (˛˛)(cid:217)See Annex I. (˛ˇ)(cid:217)It should be noted that this indicator overestimates the size of the sector since the sales (turnover) include the value of the input from other sectors to the duty(cid:220)free business (i. e. the merchandise). The value added by(cid:220)free activities can be estimated at around 0,02(cid:216)% of GDP. C 66/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 cosmetics and sales of tobacco each amounted to ECU 0,9 billion which is 22(cid:216)% of sales for each group. In total, excisable products tobacco products) represented 49(cid:216)% of total intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales. (i. e. alcohol and The duty(cid:220)free sector itself(cid:216)(˛—), based on 1996 figures, has estimated that duty(cid:220)free shops and activities involve a total of 140(cid:216)000 people. Since 70(cid:216)% of sales are made on intra(cid:220)EU voyages, it can be assumed that around 100(cid:216)000 of these jobs are related to intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free activities. This is equivalent to 0,066(cid:216)% of total EU employment in 1996. As indicated in Annex I, sales per employee in the retail trade are EUR 146(cid:216)000. However, sales per employee in the intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sector are, based on the above figures, only EUR 41(cid:216)000. This implies either that there are, in fact, less people employed in the duty(cid:220)free sector or that the figure of 100(cid:216)000 includes people not directly involved in sales activities. It is difficult to allocate jobs per product category. Given that excisable products (spirits and tobacco) represent 49(cid:216)% of total intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales(cid:216)(˛(cid:209)), it is people working in this category who might be affected the most by the abolition. However, it is likely that fewer people are employed pro rata for sales of wines, spirits and tobacco than for sales of miscellaneous goods for which larger selling spaces exist and more sales assistance is needed. 5. (cid:217)WHAT IMPACT MIGHT THE 1991 AND 1992 COUNCIL DECISIONS HAVE ON EMPLOYMENT? In order to examine the employment impact of the Council’s decisions to abolish intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales, the framework of any potential employment impact must be properly established. 5. 1. (cid:217)ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRY The duty(cid:220)free industry estimates that, following the abolition of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales, the direct impact on employment is 50(cid:216)000 affected jobs. When including the the potential impact on employment, indirect (˛—)(cid:217)The European Travel Research Foundation (EFRF). The organisation was created in 1995 by the duty(cid:220)free industry. It has 30 members representing duty(cid:220)free shop operators and producers and distributors of products for the duty(cid:220)free market. (˛(cid:209))(cid:217)See Table 4 of Annex I. lower profits, the sector estimates that as much as 140(cid:216)000 jobs might be affected(cid:216)(˛(cid:210)). This would be the result of lower sales and transport prices higher, dampening demand and leading to job losses in the transport sector. Ultimately that could have adverse effects on (e. g. shipyards). capital products intermediate or forcing The aggregate estimates are based on industry(cid:220)commis(cid:220) sioned studies that make use of different methods and assumptions. These estimates are arrived at by adding up the country specific figures, which include all possible negative factors, while disregarding positive employment effects taking place in duty(cid:220)paid retail outlets. Inde(cid:220) pendent studies(cid:216)(˛(cid:211)) indicate that this methodology over(cid:220) estimates the figures for jobs affected. 5. 2. (cid:217)ACCORDING TO MEMBER STATES National studies carried out by five Member States confirm that the obligation of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales would not levels overall(cid:216)(˛(cid:212)). According to these studies, the impact on employment is likely to be of a specific and local nature, mainly in the maritime sector. impact on employment (˛(cid:210))(cid:217)International Duty Free Confederation Francaise (IDFC) and Association Commerce Hors(cid:220)Taxes de (AFCOHT); Contribution of Duty(cid:220)Tax(cid:220)Free Sales to the EU and its citizens, September 1997. (˛(cid:211))(cid:217)A study carried out by Institut f(cid:190)r Wirtschaft of Munich on the European Internal Market and the system of duty(cid:220)free arrangements (IFO Financial Policy Studies 68, 1998) considered that in most of the studies conducted by or on behalf of the duty(cid:220)free sector, the employment impact had been overestimated. for (˛(cid:212))(cid:217)Denmark: Report on the assessment of the consequences of ending duty(cid:220)free trade for visitors between Denmark and EU countries 1 July 1999, December 1997, the Ministry of Taxation. France: Report to the Prime Minister on the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales in Europe: Impact and proposals, 23 July the 1998, drafted by Mr Andr~ Capet, Deputy Pas(cid:220)de(cid:220)Calais (France). Ireland: Report on the impact of abolition of Duty Free and Tax Free sales for EU travel in 1999, March 1998, KMPG Management Consulting in association with Fitzpatrick Associates and MDS Transmodal, commissioned by the Department of Finance. Sweden: Report on the consequences of the phasing out of tax(cid:220)free selling in the EU (Government Official Report), 25 March 1998, the Ministry of Transport and Communi(cid:220) cations. United Kingdom: Study into the economic consequences of abolition of duty free allowances within the EU, 1998, the Department of the Regions. the Environment, Transport and 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/9 To explore this further, the Commission asked Member States to provide any information that would help ident(cid:220) ifying the scale and scope of local employment problems. It has received information from the national adminis(cid:220) trations of all Member States(cid:216)(˛(cid:213)) corroborating the view impact on that employment intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales. there would not be an overall abolition of following the This in confirmed by the experience of US airports, where duty(cid:220)free sales have never been allowed for internal flights and where nevertheless there is a huge and growing market. This is confirmed by the expansion of ordinary shopping malls in airports, as the result of a growing demand from travellers, which have attracted international from European duty(cid:220)free operators. investments, including 5. 3. (cid:217)EVALUATION Firstly, it should not be forgotten that the abolition, on 30 June 1999, only applies to intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales, and travellers departing to third country destinations will still be entitled to make duty(cid:220)free purchases. Equally, the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales will not affect EC provisions concerning ship stores, which allow Member States to exempt from VAT and excise duties supplies of goods for consumption on board. This is particularly important in the case of cruise lines. Employment in the duty(cid:220)free sector consists primarily of jobs in the transport or related industries which only partly depend on duty(cid:220)free sales. The growing demand for transport services is not likely to be significantly affected by the abolition of duty(cid:220)free, since most people travel because they need to. It is only in the maritime sector where, in addition to genuine travellers, there also exists a category of people who travel to purchase. However, even the one(cid:220)day ferry excursions are often not solely purchased for duty(cid:220)free reasons, but in order to shop in Member States with lower excise duties. Moreover, it must not be forgotten that duty(cid:220)free sales often enjoy economies of scope, i. e. the same worker is allocated both to normal transport related activities and to selling duty(cid:220)free products, and in fact in serveral instances, like in the case of flight attendants, safety regulations and not sales productivity determine their numbers. For most travellers the possibility of duty(cid:220)free purchases is only an additional attraction. While waiting at the airport or spending time on the ferry, shopping is one of the prime ways to pass the time, and that is likely to be the case even after the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales. (˛(cid:213))(cid:217)See Annex II. that idea the reason the is not necessarily large extent For all these reasons shopping will continue to exist after the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales and sales assistants, shelf(cid:220) stockers, etc. will still be needed. For many products sold in duty(cid:220)free shops the unique selling position of the outlets must be considered a factor, the difference between some prices duty(cid:220)free and tax paid is often very for small. This supports the price travellers’ purchases advantage but the comparatively to a favourable location of duty(cid:220)free shops or the attraction of the product itself (for exemple smokers will not quit just because they will no longer be able to buy their ciga(cid:220) rettes duty(cid:220)free). Consequently, a sizeable impact on the aggregate sales of the goods concerned is not to be expected, since the total final demand will be simply re(cid:220)oriented to normal outlets without decreasing in total(cid:216)(˛(cid:214)). It is therefore unlikely that the abolition will have the sizeable negative employment effects on production side even in the short term. sales. Examples It is however acknowledged that some specific ferry lines might be affected. It is clear that ferry services depend more heavily on revenues from duty(cid:220)free sales than airports and airlines. The information available to the Commission seems to indicate that a number of ferry the services might be reduced or closed following abolition of duty(cid:220)free the include connection all the year around between two Interreg(cid:220) regions in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, certain short(cid:220)distance services between Germany and Denmark and at the least one service between Ireland and France. For these three specific examples, the direct employment loss can be estimated at up to 100 jobs. Whilst this suggests that there could be significant effects elsewhere in the ferry sector, the total effect on the sector as a whole is, however, likely to be more limited because the frequency of a majority of ferry services will not be substantially affected by the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales. (˛(cid:214))(cid:217)It is true that demand for these goods has been steadily falling while their after(cid:220)tax prices increased over the last two decades. Still, high excise duties only explain a marginal part of the trend. Changes in social habits and tastes, as well as health considerations have been the major driving forces reducing the demand for wines, spirits and tobacco. C 66/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 Conversely, in duty(cid:220)free the employment reduction outlets would be compensated by a corresponding increase in ordinary shops, whose organisations have complained the present distortion of competition. the Commission about to that in 1996 the The Commission has calculated duty(cid:220)free regime could have cost Member States up to EUR 2 billion in lost tax revenue. Taking into account the difficulty of calculating the real excise duty at stake, even on the most conservative estimate the lost revenue in 1996 would have been at least EUR 1 billion. This lost revenue would of course be higher today. It is effectively the European tax(cid:220)payer who finances the duty(cid:220)free exemption. If this money were instead used to reduce the generally applied levels of indirect taxation, consumption would increase and a net creation of new jobs could be expected. In this context, the Commission is submitting to the Council a proposal on the possibility of an experimental application of reduced VAT rates to labour intensive services. This is an instrument to convey in support of employment the tax receipts deriving from the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales. This positive effect would be even more significant if such revenues were used to finance a reduction in social security contributions targeted at relatively unskilled and low(cid:220)paid workers, in accordance with the proposed Employment Guidelines for 1999(cid:216)(ˇ˝). The phasing out of duty(cid:220)free sales could thus lead in the longer term to net job creation if the revenue were used to reduce the tax burden on labour. Previous experience and published simulations by the Commission departments show that in the targeted reductions of non(cid:220)wage order of EUR 1 billion could lead to a net creation of the order of 20(cid:216)000 new jobs(cid:216)(ˇ˛). labour costs Alternatively, Member States could use this amount to consolidate public finances, as reiterated by the Council in the Stability and Growth Pact and in the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines. change from a tax exemption to a reduction in non(cid:220)wage labour costs, consolidation of public finances - would outweigh the short term job losses. In conclusion, the analysis suggests that unemployment effects will be time(cid:220)limited and confined to specific geographical and economic sectors, while in the medium term net employment gains can be expected. 6. (cid:217)POLICY ACTION 6. 1. (cid:217)EXTENSION OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD An extension of the transitional period, allowing intra(cid:220) Community duty(cid:220)free sales to continue beyond 30 June 1999, could take several forms: an extension for a period of time to be determined, or limited to certain sectors, or certain products. Certain general considerations apply to all these variants. limited to The extension of duty(cid:220)free would prolong discrimination between comparable transport modes (i. e. air, sea and rail links between Member States without intermediary calls). Only air and sea transport benefit from the duty(cid:220)free arrangements, rail transport is excluded from the scheme, while road transport has no access to it. There is a genuine risk that operators who are adversely affected by distortion of competiton caused by duty(cid:220)free sales would challenge before the Courts the validity of any extension of duty(cid:220)free. The recent Eurotunnel case(cid:216)(ˇˇ) clearly demonstrated that operators may well the challenge European Court of the Justice, framework of an Article 177 preliminary ruling. Bodies with vested their intention to challenge before the Court any prolongation of the duty(cid:220)free regime. the validity of EC provisions before in interests have already expressed in particular It is clearly a matter for individual Member States to decide which of these courses to follow. However, in the long term, the combination of these effects - movement of demand from duty(cid:220)free shops to high street shops, (ˇ˝)(cid:217)Proposal for a Council Resolution on the 1999 Employment Guidelines, 18 January 1999. (ˇ˛)(cid:217)OECD (1997) Taxation and Economic Performance. European Commission (1994) European Economy No 56. Any new proposal by the Commission would need to take into account the State aid rules. Allowing sales of goods without imposing the VAT and excise duty normally due constitutes an economic advantage to the the case of this privilege which, beneficiary of include professional operators, and duty(cid:220)free, would in (ˇˇ)(cid:217)Judgement of 11 November 1997, Case C(cid:220)408/95. 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/11 transport enterprises. The duty(cid:220)free privilege could therefore be considered as an operating aid which the Commission would have to evaluate according to the Treaty. There is a risk that any extension would be inconsistent with EU policy in other areas, e. g. health policy by encouraging access to low(cid:220)priced tobacco and alcohol. It should be noted that in terms of turnover generated by duty(cid:220)free sales, alcohol and tobacco account for about one half. Finally, options for an extension share another important characteristic. Insofar as they constitute a prorogation of a transitional period set by a Council decision, they have an influence on any provision of Community legislation based on the credibility of transitional periods. Within the specific taxation domain, the credibility of important elements of the Community policy, addressed, among other objectives, to the orientation of taxation system in a more employment friendly way, would be put at risk. In the specific case of the code of conduct on business taxation, whose mechanism hinges on a political commitment of Member States to roll back within a set limit of time on the measures deemed as harmful by the Council, the further prorogation of a much longer implementation period of more than seven years set in a through a Directive would legally binding way undermine the whole engagement. In addition to the above, specific considerations apply to the different forms that might be taken by an extension of the transitional period. 1. (cid:217)A time(cid:220)limited extension One possible option could be to allow duty(cid:220)free sales to be maintained for a time limited period. In the short term (a period of six months or a year has been mentioned), extension would have no real and persistent impact on emloyment because it would not, by defi(cid:220) nition, enable effects to be spred over time. A further extension risks sending confusing signals to the duty(cid:220)free industry. Believing that yet further extensions may be subsequently possible, operators could delay making the necessary adjustments. In the longer(cid:220)term, this could exacerbate any employment problem. The evidence of the last seven years suggests that, for perfectly justifiable commercial reasons, the operators in the strongest position would seek to develop the market to increase profits, while those facing difficulties could be tempted to postpone inevitable structural adjustments. Furthermore, this option would only address possible sectoral employment difficulties if the duty(cid:220)free industry uses it to truly prepare for the abolition. If not, this would lead to an aggravation of some of the structural problems of the sectors concerned. 2. (cid:217)An extension limited both in time and to certain sectors (e. g. the ferries) Given their specific features, the different branches of the duty(cid:220)free business are not equally affected by the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales in the Union. One possible option could therefore be to allow duty(cid:220)free sales to be maintained, for a limited period, only by the ferry operators, since their business is more heavily dependent on duty(cid:220)free sales than the airports and airlines. Whilst having limited approach, this would however, by definition, constitute the principle of equal an even greater breach of in treatment and would treatment between modes of transport. the advantage of a more reinforce any differences targeted, exceptional circumstances where Commission guidelines for state aid in the maritime sector already provide the framework for the support of links by Member States. These guidelines are ferry restrictive since they give consent to operating aid only in are subsidised within a public service contract. Member States must normally conclude open(cid:220)tender contracts for links deemed essential. But, if a Member State were to consider to maintain support were necessary essential links, these guidelines would have the advantage of transparency and would avoid the legal uncertainties inherent in the prolongation of duty(cid:220)free exemptions. services that In conclusion, whilst this second option would be more targeted, it would, in consequence, further aggravate the currently existing distortions. Moreover, it would only address possible sectoral employment difficulties it were to be used to truly prepare for abolition and could also contribute sector’s structural difficulties. to an aggravation of the if 3. (cid:217)A progressive introduction of excise duties (on alcohol and tobacco) and immediate application of VAT This option was put forward in a French study published in July 1998(cid:216)(ˇ—). This approach suggests treating VAT and excise duties differently when abolishing duty(cid:220)free sales. In the solution proposed, VAT would be applied from 1 July 1999 and excise duties phased(cid:220)in in thirds until they reach the average European rate (for tobacco and alcohol). Between then and a future date, excise duties would be harmonised or, if harmonisation could not be achieved, raised by each Member State to its normal national rate. It is based on the assumption that the advantage for the consumers, in terms of VAT, is fairly limited, because only goods worth less than EUR 90 are exempted from VAT under the duty(cid:220)free regime (e. g. there is no tax exemption for high priced luxury goods such as cameras). The potential attraction of such an approach is that it will force the operators to make a gradual adaptation. However, to implement not least because in the same fiscal territory there would be two separate rates. it would be very difficult technically (ˇ—)(cid:217)Report to the Prime Minister on the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales in Europe: Impact and proposals, 23 July 1998, drafted by Mr Andr~ Capet, Deputy for the Pas(cid:220)de(cid:220)Calais (France). C 66/12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 Moreover the general this option would contradict principle laid down in Community excise legislation that only one rate may be applied within a Member State. If a first exception to this principle were made, it would give rise to pressure for applying reduced rates in other areas, especially in frontier regions. It would also mean that operators would incur increased administrative costs as a result of the gradual adaptation required. Finally, this option does not resolve the problem of unequal treatment of comparable modes of transport nor are the benefits in terms of employment particularly sectors of obvious duty(cid:220)free sales are less labour(cid:220)intensive. the alcohol and tobacco since immediately as above, but to A slight variant of this option would be to introduce introduce excise VAT duties in just one step at a later stage. This would be technically easier but does not have the attraction of the gradual approach. Moreover, it could implicity result in an unlimited extension of duty(cid:220)free sales, as unanimity if not on impossible to reach. rate harmonisation would be difficult 6. 2. (cid:217)ACTION TO TACKLE SPECIFIC EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS in Vienna, namely This approach has the great advantage of directly tackling the central problem raised by the European Council the possible effect on employment of the abolition of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales. The Commission staff working paper of 20 November 1998 (SEC(98) 1994) sets out the general framework in which Community instruments can be employed in these circumstances. 1. (cid:217)Within the framework of existing Community instruments Within this framework and under existing procedures, appropriate responses could be found to problems of a local or regional nature. Both the national studies and independent studies concluded that the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales would not have any marco(cid:220)economic impact and that any impact at micro(cid:220)economic level would be of a limited regional or local nature. It would be coherent to pursue a solution that would fall within the framework of existing Community policy objectives to target any local, regional or social problems that Member States may identify. -(cid:217)Structural Funds the following encounter economic and social problems that certain regions abolition. For might example, finances the European Social Fund vocational training for persons threatend with unem(cid:220) ployment anywhere in the Community (Objective 4). The current programming period for the Structural Funds expires at the end of 1999. Examination of the status at 1 January 1999 of financial programming for all the Structural Funds over the current period (1994(cid:220)1999) suggests that Member States still have significant room for manoeuvre to cover measures that would help absorb possible consequences of abolition. Some of involve measures already planned under the programmes, but it is expected that there is also room for some reallo(cid:220) cation of funds to additional activities specifically aimed at remedying the regional and local conse(cid:220) quences of abolition(cid:216)(ˇ(cid:209)). this could To date, Member States have not requested any action to be taken. The Commission will nevertheless give favourable consideration to any request made before the end of this year by a Member State or region for measures of that nature to be included in programmes currently being implemented. Because the current programming period expires at the end of 1999, it should be emphasised that the decisions the Commission will have such requests will also need taken before 31 December 1999. to make to be following The next programming period, which will run from 2000 to 2006, offers the advantage of allowing the Member States and regions concerned more time to propose structural measures to alleviate any economic and social difficulties arising at regional or local level. Measures of this nature could be proposed by way of generic assistance (the new Objectives 1, 2 and 3) and under the Interreg III initiative. Regions in which economic activity is heavily dependent on duty(cid:220)free for assistance under Objective 1 could be proposed by the national authorities for support under Objec(cid:220) tive 2. sales but which are not eligible - Cohesion Fund As far as the Cohesion Fund is concerned, the Member States affected could target projects on port and airport infrastructures fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the Fund and in particular belonging to the TENs (Trans European Networks). Within this framework, the Commission will give favourable consideration to any request made before this year by a Member State or the end of As has been pointed out in the Commission working paper, the Structural Funds can help to alleviate (ˇ(cid:209))(cid:217)See Annex III. 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/13 region for measures of this nature to be inluded in programmes currently being implemented. Since the current programming period will expire at the end of the year, the Commission must be able to decide on any such requests before 31 December 1999. - State aid As discussed above, Member States wishing to grant State aid in order to tackle local employment diffi(cid:220) culties in the duty(cid:220)free sector have to comply with the Community rules on State aid. However, special rules apply to aid for small and medium(cid:220)sized enter(cid:220) prises, for employment and for regional development. In the transport sector, the attention of Member States has been drawn to Community guidelines on State aid to the maritime and air transport industries. In conclusion, the Commission encourages Member States to apply for assistance under the Structural Funds or ad hoc initiatives (notably for SMEs), or for securing approval of State aid under the relevant guidelines laid down by the Commission. 2. (cid:217)A specific Community measure To the extent that existing Community instruments do not provide an adequate basis to resolve the short term, specific problems identified, an additional possibility could be the creation of a new and separate measure to provide specific, targeted support, along similar lines to the 1992 Regulation on customs agents(cid:216)(ˇ(cid:210)). The aim of such an instrument could be: -(cid:217)to provide specific, targeted support to those areas particularly dependent on duty free sales in terms of both employment and income, -(cid:217)to contribute to the conversion of the most heavily affected enterprises in the sector with a view to main(cid:220) taining jobs through diversification (and creating alternative employment). effectiveness Any such proposal would need a clear assessment of the potential these and measures, together with an identification of the scale of the problem and the target beneficiaries. It would also have to be in line with the new financial perspectives and comply with the relevant Community rules (e. g. State aids). value(cid:220)added of (ˇ(cid:210))(cid:217)See Chapter 1 of this communication. 7. (cid:217)CONCLUSIONS -(cid:217)The Commission’s analysis, corroborated by the is that the estimates supplied by Member States, impact employment of the abolition of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales is likely to be time limited and specific in terms both of localities and sectors affected with maritime activities (transport and harbour services) being potentially the most affected. -(cid:217)On the other hand, analysis done by the Commission and confirmed by at least the only Member State who developed such an approach is that the result of revenue recycling and sales re(cid:220)location can well, in the medium term, lead to a net creation of jobs. -(cid:217)The Commission gives the highest priority to job promotion. It considers that the effects on other sectors (in particular, other modes of transport and ordinary retail) should also be taken into account. In addition, the Commission believes that job promotion should be pursued through several coherent policy measures, the European Council - aimed at making tax systems more employment(cid:220)friendly by countering harmful tax competition. stressed by those - including -(cid:217)The Commission that considers an therefore extension of the duty(cid:220)free arrangements would not efficiently address the type of limited and specific employment problems it has identified. It is too broad an instrument and it would also be relatively costly given the limited employment impact of abolition on the European economy. Moreover, experience has shown duty(cid:220)free commercial encourage arrangements does not operators to prepare for a new situation. continuation that the of -(cid:217)To meet the limited and specific employment effects that might arise, the Commission considers that the appropriate response is to use existing Community instruments described above. therefore urges Member States to exploit fully all possibilities offered within the current EC framework for Structural in the future framework (2000(cid:220)2006) Funds and submitting specific funding proposals. It -(cid:217)In addition, and if the Council deems it appropriate, is room for developing a new measure to there answer the limited and specific employment problems tailored identified, form of a Community the Commission would be ready to submit a proposal should the Council request it. financial measure on which specially the in C 66/14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 ANNEX I Table 1: Travellers’ allowances applicable within EU travel Alcoholic beverages Tobacco products Perfume and toilet water Other goods 500 g of perfume; and 250 ml of toilet water Total value of EUR 90(cid:216)(˛) 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22(cid:216)% by volume; or 2 litres of spirits with an alcoholic strength of not more than 22(cid:216)% by volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine and sparkling wines; and 2 litres of still wine 200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250 g of smoking tobacco (˛)(cid:217)This value was increased from EUR 45 to EUR 90 from 1 April 1994. Table 2: Turnover generated by duty(cid:220)free sales according to the duty(cid:220)free sector 1991 Total duty(cid:220)free sales 3,6 1992 3,9 1993 4,5 1994 4,7 1995 5,4 1996 5,8 (EUR million) EU duty(cid:220)free sales - - - 3,7 4,1 Source: European Travel Research Foundation(cid:216)(˛). (˛)(cid:217)See footnote 13. Table 3: Turnover by the retail sector in general and the duty free sector in particular Retail sector in total (EUR billion)(cid:216)(˛) Duty(cid:220)free sector (EUR billion) Duty(cid:220)free sales as % of total retail Retail trade, Sales per employee (EUR 1(cid:216)000)(cid:216)(˛) Duty(cid:220)free, sales per "job supported by duty(cid:220)free’ (EUR 1(cid:216)000) Duty(cid:220)free sales as % of GDP Source: The Commission on the basis of Eurostat: Retailing in the European Economic Area 1997. (˛)(cid:217)Excluding motor trade. 1993/95 1(cid:216)361,1(cid:217) 4,1(cid:217) 0,3(cid:217) 146 41 0,07 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/15 Table 4: Turnover by product group Intra(cid:220)EU sales in EUR billion % of total Alcohol (spirits and wine) Tobacco Fragrances and cosmetics Miscellaneous Source: European Travel Research Foundation(cid:216)(˛). (˛)(cid:217)See footnote 13. 1,1 0,9 0,9 1,2 27 22 22 29 ANNEX II Data concerning employment provided by Member States In January 1999, Member States replied to the Commission’s request to provide information on the fore(cid:220) seeable employment effects of implementing the Council’s decision to abolish intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales. They did so in different ways, under different basic hypotheses. As a result, the data set is not completely comparable, although it does give a general picture. From this data, it is evident that the level of detail in the information varies from Member State to Member State. Some national administrations have not been able to provide substantiated figures on the possible employment effects. However, as an indicator, the information obtained from national administrations is useful when assessing the employment impact of the 1991 and 1992 Council decisions. It appears to corroborate the view that the employment impact is not of macroeconomic importance. The information shows that there are likely to be adjustment problems, but it should be possible to counter these problems using Structural Funds. The figures provided by Member States show that for each of them, the impact of the abolition of intra(cid:220) Community duty(cid:220)free sales is very limited. As a consequence of the various methods adopted by Member States to draw up this data, it is not possible to simply total the figures. Certain Member States chose to take into account indirect effects (through unspecified extrapolations for the impact on tourism etc. ) while others looked at the duty(cid:220)free sector in its entirety even though it would only be affected by the loss of the intra(cid:220)Community part of these sales. Also, a few Member States included the net effect of revenue recycling. This latter aspect makes it even more difficult to compare the potential overall impact. It should also be noted that certain Member States distanced themselves from the estimates because the analysis was carried out by the duty(cid:220)free sales industry itself. Finally, looking at the estimates as summarised below, it is clear that most national administrations expect only a small indirect impact on employment. Belgium: No estimate provided. However, the Belgian administration noted that the abolition of duty(cid:220)free sales is likely to have an impact on employment. (Source: Ministry of Finances) C 66/16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 Denmark: 1(cid:216)800 jobs would be affected in the air and maritime sectors, but the tax income (some 1 billion Danish crone) arising from the abolition of the tax exemption currently applicable to these sales could make it possible to create 2(cid:216)200 jobs. Denmark therefore mentions the creation of 400 jobs in the long term. (Source: Report of the Ministry of Taxation - December 1997) Germany: -(cid:217)For the air sector: 1(cid:216)350 jobs would be directly affected. -(cid:217)For the maritime sector: 3(cid:216)000 job losses would be in question from a total of 5(cid:216)700 jobs in the sector. (Source: Analysis based on sector studies carried out on behalf of the tax(cid:220)free sale industry) Greece: The administration’s overall analysis does not provide any estimate. However, they point out that significant employment consequences are possible owing to the rise in price of transport as well as a possible fall in tourism. (Source: Study by KPMG Peat Marwick for the European Travel Research Foundation(cid:216)(˛) - November 1997) Spain: An overall figure of 22(cid:216)406 job losses is provided. A rise in the air transport charges, as well as a fall in tourism would result from the abolition of these sales. (Source: Ministry of Finance) France: The analysis is essentially aimed at the maritime sector and various production sectors. -(cid:217)Northern Regions - areas of Calais and Brittany: Maritime companies: 1(cid:216)500 envisaged job losses. Ports: 600 affected jobs. Commercial sectors: 2(cid:216)500 jobs; -(cid:217)Region of Cognac (production and commercial): 2(cid:216)500 jobs; -(cid:217)Other alcoholic product production areas (production and commercial): 290 jobs; -(cid:217)Perfume industry (production and commercial): 1(cid:216)100 jobs; -(cid:217)Other industries (production and commercial): 900 jobs. (Source: Ministry for Economic Affairs, Finance and Industry - January 1999) Ireland: -(cid:217)For the air sector: 466 jobs at risk; -(cid:217)For the maritime sector: 700 jobs at risk; -(cid:217)Indirect employment losses (production, etc) were not considered; -(cid:217)The budgetary impact of abolition is estimated at a revenue gain of between IEP 30 to 45 million. (Source: KPMG Study, on behalf of the Department of Finance - March 1998) (˛)(cid:217)See footnote 13. 9. 3. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 66/17 Italy: Italy did not provide any estimate, but significant losses of employment are mentioned in the air sector in view of the important turnover from intra(cid:220)Community links (66(cid:216)% of sector turnover in 1998). (Source: Specific survey by the Minister of Finance) Luxembourg: Only the air sector would be concerned: six short(cid:220)term lays(cid:220)off and four to six medium term lays(cid:220)off are possible. (Source: Ministry of Finance, based on information collected from the industry) The Netherlands: -(cid:217)For direct jobs, the Netherlands considers that job losses could be between 681 (industry estimate from the Benelux Duty(cid:220)Free Association, July 1997) and 3(cid:216)258 (industry estimate from ETRF(cid:216)(˛), October 1998) -(cid:217)For indirect jobs, job losses would range between 362 (the industry estimate of July 1997) and 681 (the industry estimate of October 1998). However, in view of the source of this information, the national administration advises a cautious approach to the estimates. (Source: Ministry of Finance, based on estimates from the duty(cid:220)free industry) Austria: The air sector would be concerned: 250 job losses from a total of 500 jobs in the sector. (Source: Ministry of Finance) Portugal: The turnover of intra(cid:220)EU duty(cid:220)free sales represents almost 70(cid:216)% of the total turnover. Taking a pessimistic view, the possible reduction of the activity in the duty(cid:220)free sector could be around 57(cid:216)%. (Source: Ministry of Finances, based on the estimates of the duty(cid:220)free industry) Finland: For the air sector: 100 job losses should be feared. For the maritime sector: -(cid:217)between 2(cid:216)500 and 3(cid:216)000 jobs would be in question on the Baltic. However, these jobs will depend upon the operators’ commercial strategy for connections via the ¯land Islands (outside the Community tax territory), -(cid:217)for the Gulf of Bothnia: 300 job losses could be foreseen. However, a National State aid measure (based on a public service obligation) is being examined, -(cid:217)200 indirect jobs are also linked to the abolition of these sales. (Source: Ministry of Finance) Sweden: Sweden’s reply is based on a study that it had carried out in March 1998 and the effects on employment are focused on the activities of ferries where job losses are estimated between 500 and 1(cid:216)200 posts. (˛)(cid:217)See footnote 13. C 66/18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 1999 500 further jobs would also be at risk but will depend upon the operators’ commercial strategy for connections via the ¯land Islands (outside the Community tax territory). Regarding indirect effects, no structural effect is mentioned for retail sales, a limited effect is mentioned for tourism and a marginal effect on the price of lorry transport. Price increases for passenger transport on ferries would be about 15(cid:216)%. (Source: Report of the Ministry of Transport and Communications - March 1998) The United Kingdom: Direct job losses in duty(cid:220)free outlets at airports and on airlines, ferries and Eurotunnel, would be between 1(cid:216)300 and 2(cid:216)700. Indirect job losses on ferries, at ports and in the local economy would be between 780 and 915. In addition, between 580 and 1(cid:216)300 indirect jobs would also be lost, mainly in producer industries (tobacco, alcohol and fragrances). (Source: Study by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions) ANNEX III Commitments remaining to be implemented - situation as of 1 January 1999 for selected Community Structural Funds objectives and Community Initiatives (˛) Current prices 1999 Commitments remaining to be implemented (in EUR million) Structural Funds Objective 1 Objective 2 Objectives 3 and 4 Objective 5b Objective 6 Subtotal Community Initiatives Interreg II. A SME ADAPT Subtotal Total 18(cid:216)596 4(cid:216)336 3(cid:216)062 2(cid:216)594 210 28(cid:216)800 1(cid:216)286 418 645 2(cid:216)349 31(cid:216)149 Source: The Commission. (˛)(cid:217)As obtained by deducting total implementation of commitments as of 1 January 1999 from total allocations 1994(cid:220)1999 (after reallocations made in 1998)


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE Nr. 297/99 von Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS Kalorienarme Lebensmittel

eurovoc_concepts:
Greece
consumer protection
dietary product
human nutrition
labelling
marketing standard
national implementing measure
public health

formats: html pdf print

text: C 341/84 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 29. 11. 1999 (1999/C 341/115) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0284/99 von Irini Lambraki (PSE) an die Kommission (17. Februar 1999) Betrifft: Quoten für die Tabaksorte Katerini Im neuesten Vorschlag der Kommission betreffend die Garantieschwellen für Tabak je Mitgliedstaat und für die Ernten 1999 bis 2001 erscheint zum ersten Mal eine Quote für die Tabaksorte Katerini in Italien. Der Kommissionsvertreter wies im Ausschuß für Landwirtschaft darauf hin, daß dies auf Antrag eines privaten Verarbeiters, der in Italien mit dieser Sorte Versuche angestellt habe, geschehen sei. Kann die Kommission abgesehen von dem Erstaunen, welches das sofortige Eingehen der Kommission auf einen entsprechenden Antrag auslösen muß, der Öffentlichkeit Angaben über Namen, Anschrift und Wirtschaftstätigkeit des oben erwähnten privaten Weiterverarbeiters machen sowie alle Einzelheiten (Ort, zeitliche Dauer, Ergebnisse) des von ihm durchgeführten Anbauversuchs mitteilen? Antwort von Herrn Fischler im Namen der Kommission (17. März 1999) Die Kommission hat in ihrem Bericht an den Rat und das Europäische Parlament über die gemeinsame Marktorganisation für Rohtabak (1) auf die Notwendigkeit hingewiesen, den Quotenanteil für die besten Sorten zu erhöhen und den Anteil der Sorten, deren Absatz schwierig ist und die zu inakzeptabel niedrigen Preisen verkauft werden, zu senken. In Punkt 4b Absatz 3 dieses Dokuments ist vorgesehen, daß die Quote für die Gruppe V = sun-cured = gesenkt wird und die betreffenden Mengen haushaltsneutral auf andere Gruppen wie z. B. die Gruppen VI und VII übertragen werden. Die Kommission kann dem Herrn Abgeordneten mitteilen, daß der Vorschlag für eine Verordnung des Rates zur Änderung der Verordnung (EWG) 2075/92 und zur Festsetzung der Prämien und Garantieschwellen für Tabakblätter nach Sortengruppen und Mitgliedstaaten für die Ernten 1999, 2000 und 2001 (2) diesen Aspekt der Reform umsetzt, indem für Italien Quoten von der Gruppe V auf die Gruppe VII übertragen werden. In diesem Mitgliedstaat wurden seit der Ernte 1997 im Erzeugungsgebiet Apulien Anbauversuche für Sorten der Gruppe VII durchgeführt; die Ergebnisse werden von den einschlägigen nationalen Einrichtungen verwaltet. KOM(96) 554 endg. (1) (2) ABl. C 361 vom 24. 11. 1998. (1999/C 341/116) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0296/99 von Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) an die Kommission (17. Februar 1999) Betrifft: Weiterverarbeitete Nahrungsmittel auf Getreidebasis und Kindernahrung Kann die Kommission mitteilen, ob und wann Griechenland ihr die erforderlichen Rechts- und Verwaltungs- vorschriften notifiziert hat, mit denen es die Richtlinien 96/4 und 96/5/EG der Kommission vom 16. Februar 1996 umgesetzt hat, und welche Maßnahmen sie für den Fall ergreifen will, daß sie eine möglicherweise ungenügende Umsetzung der einschlägigen Rechtsvorschriften feststellen sollte? (1999/C 341/117) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0297/99 von Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) an die Kommission (17. Februar 1999) Betrifft: Kalorienarme Lebensmittel Der Verzehr von Lebensmitteln, die für eine kalorienarme Ernährung zur Gewichtsverringerung vorgesehen sind, ist weit verbreitet; deshalb ist der Gewährleistung der Gesundheit der Verbraucher besondere Aufmerk- samkeit zu widmen. Aufgrund der besonderen Art und Zweckbestimmung dieser kalorienarmen Lebensmittel


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 282/99 του Riccardo NENCINI Απαράδεκτη περιβαλλοντική και υγειονομική κατάσταση στη συνοικία Tamburi (Τάραντας)

eurovoc_concepts:
Apulia
air quality
asbestos
iron and steel industry
metalworking
oil refining
prevention of pollution

text: 29. 11. 1999 EL Επι΄σηµη Εφηµερι΄δα των Ευρωπαι¨κω΄ν Κοινοτη΄των C 341/83 Απα΄ντηση του κ. Oreja εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (23 Μαρτι΄ου 1999) Αν και κατανοει΄ πλη΄ρως τις ανησυχι΄ες που εκφρα΄ζονται απο΄ το αξιο΄τιµο µε΄λος του Κοινοβουλι΄ου, η Επιτροπη΄ θα η΄θελε να το πληροφορη΄σει ο΄τι, βα΄σει του α΄ρθρου 128 και της αρχη΄ς της επικουρικο΄τητας της συνθη΄κης ΕΚ, οιαδη΄ποτε µε΄τρα για την προστασι΄α της πολιτιστικη΄ς κληρονοµια΄ς εµπι΄πτουν στην αποκλειστικη΄ αρµοδιο΄τητα των εθνικω΄ν η΄ περιφερειακω΄ν αρχω΄ν. (1999/C 341/114) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ E-0282/99 υποβολη΄: Riccardo Nencini (PSE) προς την Επιτροπη΄ (17 Φεβρουαρι΄ου 1999) Θε΄µα: Απαρα΄δεκτη περιβαλλοντικη΄ και υγειονοµικη΄ κατα΄σταση στη συνοικι΄α Tamburi (Τα΄ραντας) Στην πο΄λη του Τα΄ραντα, και ειδικο΄τερα στη συνοικι΄α Tamburi, που βρι΄σκεται δι΄πλα στο σιδηρουργικο΄ συγκρο΄τηµα ILVA και στο διυλιστη΄ριο της Shell, ε΄χει εµφανιστει΄ απο΄ πολυ΄ν καιρο΄ µια απαρα΄δεκτη απο΄ περιβαλλοντικη΄ και υγειονοµικη΄ α΄ποψη κατα΄σταση. Η διαπιστωµε΄νη συχνο΄τητα νεοπλασιω΄ν κατα΄ το 1997 αποτελει΄ αδια΄σειστη µαρτυρι΄α ο΄τι ο Τα΄ραντας κατε΄χει µια απο΄ τις πρω΄τες θε΄σεις στην παγκο΄σµια κλι΄µακα των υψηλω΄ν κινδυ΄νων που οφει΄λονται στην περιβαλλοντικη΄ ρυ΄πανση. Το 90 % περι΄που των υλικω΄ν που χρησιµοποιου΄νται απο΄ την ILVA περιε΄χει αµι΄αντο (ανα΄λυση που πραγµατοποιη΄θηκε απο΄ την τοπικη΄ υγειονοµικη΄ υπηρεσι΄α του Τα΄ραντα) και το γεγονο΄ς αυτο΄ προκαλει΄ την αυ΄ξηση των σοβαρω΄ν ασθενειω΄ν που συνδε΄ονται µε τον αµι΄αντο. Γνωρι΄ζει η Επιτροπη΄ την ανωτε΄ρω κατα΄σταση; Σκοπευ΄ει να πα΄ρει σχετικα΄ µε΄τρα; Απα΄ντηση της κας Bjerregaard εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (31 Μαρτι΄ου 1999) Η Επιτροπη΄ µε΄χρι ση΄µερα δεν ε΄χει υπο΄ψη της την κατα΄σταση που περιγρα΄φει το Αξιο΄τιµο Με΄λος του Κοινοβουλι΄ου. Σε ο΄,τι αφορα΄ την προ΄ληψη η΄ την µει΄ωση της ατµοσφαιρικη΄ς ρυ΄πανσης, µπορει΄ να θεωρηθει΄ ο΄τι η οδηγι΄α του Συµβουλι΄ου 84/360/ΕΟΚ της 28ης Ιουνι΄ου 1984 για την καταπολε΄µηση της ατµοσφαιρικη΄ς ρυ΄πανσης απο΄ βιοµηχανικε΄ς εγκαταστα΄σεις (1) ισχυ΄ει για τις µεταλλουργικε΄ς εργασι΄ες και τα διυλιστη΄ρια που αναφε΄ρει το Αξιο΄τιµο Με΄λος του Κοινοβουλι΄ου. Βα΄σει της ως α΄νω οδηγι΄ας τα κρα΄τη µε΄λη ε΄χουν την υποχρε΄ωση να λαµβα΄νουν τα απαραι΄τητα µε΄τρα προκειµε΄νου να εξασφαλι΄ζουν ο΄τι για τη λειτουργι΄α αναλο΄γων µονα΄δων απαιτει΄ται προηγουµε΄νως ε΄γκριση εκ µε΄ρους των αρχω΄ν. Η α΄δεια εκδι΄δεται µο΄νο εφο΄σον ε΄χουν ληφθει΄ ο΄λα τα απαραι΄τητα προληπτικα΄ µε΄τρα για την καταπολε΄µηση της ρυ΄πανσης, συµπεριλαµβανοµε΄νης της εφαρµογη΄ς των βε΄λτιστων διαθε΄σιµων τεχνικω΄ν, και υπο΄ την πρου¨ πο΄θεση, ο΄τι η εφαρµογη΄ αναλο΄γων µε΄τρων δεν συνεπα΄γεται υπε΄ρµετρες δαπα΄νες. Οι αρχε΄ς πρε΄πει επι΄σης να πειστου΄ν ο΄τι η χρη΄ση των µονα΄δων δεν θα οδηγη΄σει σε σοβαρη΄ ατµοσφαιρικη΄ ρυ΄πανση. Τα κρα΄τη µε΄λη καλου΄νται επι΄σης να εφαρµο΄σουν πολιτικε΄ς και στρατηγικε΄ς, συµπεριλαµβανοµε΄νων των κατα΄λληλων µε΄τρων, για την προσαρµογη΄ των υφισταµε΄νων µονα΄δων στις βε΄λτιστες διαθε΄σιµες τεχνολογι΄ες. Τα διυλιστη΄ρια και οι µονα΄δες για την παραγωγη΄ και την επεξεργασι΄α µετα΄λλων αναφε΄ρονται ρητα΄ στο παρα΄ρτηµα Ι της οδηγι΄ας. Ο αµι΄αντος περιλαµβα΄νεται στο παρα΄ρτηµα ΙΙ, στον κατα΄λογο των σηµαντικο΄τερων ρυπογο΄νων ουσιω΄ν. Η οδηγι΄α, ωστο΄σο, δεν καθορι΄ζει οριακε΄ς τιµε΄ς εκποµπη΄ς για τις ρυπογο΄νες ουσι΄ες. Απο΄ τα στοιχει΄α του Αξιο΄τιµου Με΄λους του Κοινοβουλι΄ου δεν συνα΄γεται παρα΄βαση της κοινοτικη΄ς νοµοθεσι΄ας. (1) ΕΕ L 188 της 16. 7. 1984


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 306/99 van David BOWE Radioactief afval

eurovoc_concepts:
Central and Eastern Europe
European Union
European official
Russia
customs
financial aid
illicit trade
radiation protection
radioactive pollution
vocational training

text: C 341/88 Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen NL 29. 11. 1999 De volgende Interprise-evenementen uit de milieusector hadden echter wel gedeeltelijk betrekking op de sector van de vernieuwbare energie: (cid:26) Interprise Helsinki Region, georganiseerd door de Finse Organisatie voor Buitenlandse Handel op 6 maart 1997 te Helsinki, met 108 ondernemingen uit Duitsland, Finland, het Verenigd Koninkrijk en Zweden. (cid:26) Interprise Ecobusiness, georganiseerd door de kamer van koophandel van Toledo op 17 april 1997 te Toledo, met 65 ondernemingen uit Italië, Finland en Spanje. (cid:26) Interprise Ecobusiness, georganiseerd door International Consulting Executives op 25 mei 1998 te Graz, met ongeveer 180 ondernemingen uit Duitsland, Griekenland, Spanje, Frankrijk, Italië, Finland, Oosten- rijk en Zweden. (1999/C 341/122) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0306/99 van David Bowe (PSE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Radioactief afval Sinds het uiteenvallen van de voormalige Sovjetunie valt er in de EU een verontrustende toename te constateren van het aantal ontdekkingen van radioactieve bronnen van onbekende herkomst. Deze ontdekkingen zijn dikwijls bij toeval gedaan. Meent de Commissie niet dat er om dit probleem aan te pakken meer moet worden geïnvesteerd in de opleiding van grenspersoneel en aan het opstellen aan de grenzen van opsporingsapparatuur om het opsporingspercentage te verbeteren? (1999/C 341/123) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0307/99 van David Bowe (PSE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Radioactief afval Welke maatregelen denkt de Commissie te nemen om de coördinatie tussen de lidstaten met betrekking tot het vraagstuk van radioactief afval van onbekende herkomst te verbeteren? Meent zij niet dat de technische informatie moet worden gecoördineerd en uitgewisseld, zoals dat gebeurt in het kader van het Amerikaanse project voor technische samenwerking bij de recente ontdekking van radioactief afval in Georgia? (1999/C 341/124) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0308/99 van David Bowe (PSE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Radioactief afval Beoogt de Commissie een programma op te stellen ter bepaling van de locatie van legale stralingsbronnen om te voorkomen dat verloren gegaan of gestolen materiaal in de kringloopcyclus terechtkomt? (1999/C 341/125) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0309/99 van David Bowe (PSE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Radioactief afval Meent de Commissie niet dat de lidstaten afspraken zouden moeten maken over uniforme metingen en methoden voor het rapporteren van ontdekkingen van radioactief afval van onbekende herkomst om een duidelijker inzicht te krijgen in de omvang van de problematiek?


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE Nr. 300/99 von Cristiana MUSCARDINI Beihilfen für Schweinezüchter

eurovoc_concepts:
France
Spain
State aid
aid to agriculture
domestic market
livestock farming
restriction on competition
swine

text: C 341/86 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 29. 11. 1999 Eine offizielle Reaktion der argentinischen Behörden zu diesem Dokument liegt der Kommission noch nicht vor. Auf der informellen Tagung, die am 2. März 1999 zwischen der Kommission und den argentinischen Behörden stattfand, teilten letztere mit, daß sie ihre Antwort noch vor Sommer 1999 übermitteln werden. (1) ABl. C 207 vom 21. 7. 1999, S. 74. (1999/C 341/119) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0300/99 von Cristiana Muscardini (NI) an die Kommission (17. Februar 1999) Betrifft: Beihilfen für Schweinezüchter Kann die Kommission bestätigen, daß die französische und die spanische Regierung die Bereitstellung von Finanzierungserleichterungen für Schweinezüchter beschlossen haben, um dem Sektor die Überwindung der Krise zu erleichtern, die er zur Zeit durchmacht? Wenn ja, meint die Kommission nicht, daß solche Hilfen einem unlauteren Wettbewerb Vorschub leisten, da die anderen Länder, in denen der Schweinefleischsektor mit ähnlichen Schwierigkeiten zu kämpfen hat, den Erzeugern nicht mit Sonderfinanzierungen unter die Arme greifen? Kann die Kommission angeben, ob die derzeitigen Rechtsvorschriften eine solche unterschiedliche Behand- lung unter dem Aspekt des reibungslosen Funktionierens des Binnenmarkts gestatten? Antwort von Herrn Fischler im Namen der Kommission (22. März 1999) Die Kommisison bestätigt, daß die französische Regierung den Schweineproduzenten gewisse Beihilfen gewährt hat. Die Kommission hat nach dem Verfahren des Artikels 93 Absatz 2 EG-Vertrag eine formelle Prüfung dieser Beihilfemaßnahmen eingeleitet. Das Schreiben der Kommission an die französischen Behörden wurde im Amtsblatt (1) veröffentlicht, um Betroffenen Gelegenheit zur Äußerung zu geben. In Spanien sind offenbar sowohl von der Zentralregierung wie von bestimmten Regionalbehörden gewisse Beihilfen an den Schweinefleischsektor gewährt worden. Die Kommission hat zu den spanischen Behörden Kontakt aufgenommen, um zu klären, um welche Art von Maßnahmen es sich dabei handelt. Gemäß Artikel 92 Absatz 1 EG-Vertrag sind staatliche oder aus staatlichen Mitteln gewährte Beihilfen gleich welcher Art, die durch die Begünstigung bestimmter Unternehmen oder Produktionszweige den Wettbewerb verfälschen oder zu verfälschen drohen, mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt unvereinbar, soweit sie den Handel zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten beeinträchtigen. Das Verbot gilt jedoch nicht absolut. So ist in Artikel 92 Absatz 3 Buchstabe c) EG-Vertrag vorgesehen, daß Beihilfen zur Förderung der Entwicklung gewisser Wirtschaftszweige als mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar angesehen werden können, soweit sie die Handelsbedingungen nicht in einer Weise verändern, die dem gemeinsamen Interesse zuwiderläuft. Werden Erzeugern in finanziellen Schwierigkeiten Beihilfen gewährt, so wird die Kommission solche Beihilfen nur dann genehmigen, wenn dabei die Kriterien der Leitlinien der Kommission für die Beurteilung von staatlichen Beihilfen zur Rettung und Umstrukturierung von Unternehmen in Schwierigkeiten (2) eingehalten werden. (1) ABl. C 61 vom 3. 3. 1999. (2) ABl. C 283 vom 19. 9. 1997


title: PERGUNTA ESCRITA n. 298/99 do Deputado Kenneth COATES Privata fängelser

eurovoc_concepts:
human rights
penal institution
prison system
prisoner
private sector
suicide
violence

formats: html print


title: Regolamento (CE) n. 351/1999 della Commissione del 17 febbraio 1999 che modifica il regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93 recante modalità d'applicazione del regolamento (CEE) n. 2067/92 del Consiglio, relativo ad azioni di promozione e di commercializzazione a favore delle carni bovine di qualità

eurovoc_concepts:
agricultural guidance
beef
marketing
product quality
sales promotion

text: L 44/10 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:133) europee 18. 2. 1999 REGOLAMENTO (CE) N. 351/1999 DELLA COMMISSIONE del 17 febbraio 1999 che modifica il regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93 recante modalit(cid:133) d’applicazione del regolamento (CEE) n. 2067/92 del Consiglio, relativo ad azioni di promozione e di commercializzazione a favore delle carni bovine di qualit(cid:133) LA COMMISSIONE DELLE COMUNIT(cid:211) EUROPEE, visto il trattato che istituisce la Comunit(cid:133) europea, considerando che le misure previste dal presente regola- mento sono conformi al parere del comitato di gestione per le carni bovine, visto il regolamento (CEE) n. 2067/92 del Consiglio, del 30 giugno 1992, relativo ad azioni di promozione e di commercializzazione a favore delle carni bovine di qualit(cid:133) (1), in particolare l’articolo 4, considerando che il regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93 della Commissione (2), modificato da ultimo dal regolamento (CE) n. 1849/97 (3), ha stabilito le modalit(cid:133) di applicazione del regolamento succitato; considerando che, affinch(cid:130) l’organismo competente possa procedere ad una disamina pi(cid:151) approfondita dei programmi di promozione, (cid:138) opportuno prorogare il termine fissato all’articolo 5, paragrafo 1, del regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93; considerando che l’articolo 5, paragrafo 2, del regola- mento (CEE) n. 1318/93 non ha fissato un termine per la decisione della Commissione sulle domande da acco- gliere; considerando che, in base all’esperienza e per assicurare continuit(cid:133) nell’attuazione delle azioni, occorre fissare tale termine; considerando che occorre pertanto modificare l’articolo 5, paragrafi 1 e 2, del regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93; HA ADOTTATO IL PRESENTE REGOLAMENTO: Articolo 1 L’articolo 5 del regolamento (CEE) n. 1318/93 (cid:138) modifi- cato come segue. 1) Il paragrafo 1 (cid:138) sostituito dal testo seguente: «1. L’organismo competente compila l’elenco di tutte le domande di partecipazione finanziaria ricevute e lo trasmette alla Commissione, unitamente ad un parere motivato per ciascuna domanda, entro il 30 aprile. » 2) Al paragrafo 2, il primo comma (cid:138) sostituito dal testo seguente: «2. Previo esame da parte del comitato di gestione per le carni bovine, conformemente all’articolo 28 del regolamento (CEE) n. 805/68 (*), la Commissione decide entro il 30 settembre in merito alle domande da accogliere. (*) GU L 148 del 28. 6. 1968, pag. 24. » Articolo 2 Il presente regolamento entra in vigore il 1o marzo 1999. Il presente regolamento (cid:138) obbligatorio in tutti i suoi elementi e direttamente applicabile in ciascuno degli Stati membri. Fatto a Bruxelles, il 17 febbraio 1999. Per la Commissione Franz FISCHLER Membro della Commissione (1) GU L 215 del 30. 7. 1992, pag. 57. (2) GU L 132 del 29. 5. 1993, pag. 83. (3) GU L 264 del 26. 9. 1997, pag. 11


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 294/99 by Hiltrud BREYER Energy saving potential in hospitals

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
energy saving
environmental policy
exchange of information
medical institution

text: 3. 12. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 348/47 med Europeiska investeringsbankens och andra befintliga finansieringsorgans verksamheter) (1) (artikel 21. 1) för kommissionens betalningar till medlemsstaterna, i vilken det föreskrivs att den i allmänhet inte får vara längre än två månader från och med mottagandet av en godkänd ansökan. (1) EGT L 193, 31. 7. 1993. (1999/C 348/057) SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-0294/99 från Hiltrud Breyer (V) till kommissionen (17 februari 1999) Angående: Energisparpotential i sjukhus 1. 2. Hur stor energisparpotential anser kommissionen att de europeiska sjukhusens har? Kan kommissionen ange hur många sjukhus det finns i de olika medlemsstaterna? Har kommissionen information om hur uppgifter om sjukhusens energiförbrukning samlas in och 3. bedöms? Kan kommissionen kvantifiera den förväntade minskade miljöbelastningen som blir en följd av 4. energisparande i enskilda byggnader respektive medlemsländer (koldioxid, kväveoxider, svaveldioxid)? Svar från Christos Papoutsis på kommissionens vägnar (14 april 1999) Energisparpotentialen inom sjukvården är mycket stor p. g. a. de berörda byggnadernas antal och storlek. Det är dock mycket farligt att försöka beräkna de möjliga besparingarna. Sjukhusens främsta uppgift är att tillhandahålla vård och komfort av hög kvalitet. Energi är en av de faktorer som är nödvändiga för att uppnå detta. Det kan inte bli aktuellt att ta någon som helst risk vad gäller elförsörjningen eftersom ett strömavbrott kan ha allvarliga konsekvenser. Vad gäller den ekonomiska aspekten bör det betonas att energin i genomsnitt utgör endast 2,5 % av sjukhusens driftsbudget (varierar mellan 1,5 % och 5 %). Elförbrukningen i sjukhusen ligger inom flera olika områden: uppvärmning och luftkonditionering (50-65 %), varmvatten (15-28 %), kök (5-8 %), tvätteri (4-8 %), belysning och särskild elanvändning (6-12 %). På grund av olikheterna hos de olika tillsynsmyndigheterna är det svårt att genomföra särskilda åtgärder som riktar sig till sjukhusen. Kommissionen har ingen information om antalet sjukhus, men kommer att skicka en förteckning över antalet sjukhussängar i medlemsstaterna direkt till frågeställaren och parlamentets generalsekreterare. Kommissionen har inte heller någon information om hur uppgifter om sjukhusens energiförbrukning samlas in och bedöms. Uppgifter om förbrukningen av el och naturgas är lätta att erhålla, men förbrukningen av flytande och fasta bränslen är betydligt svårare att samla in, och de flesta institutionerna nöjer sig med att använda leveransfakturorna. Förbrukningens storlek under 1993 kan uppskattas till 6 475 000 ton oljeekvivalenter per år (tep/år) (EUR 12). Det är inte möjligt att ta fram några siffror över de minskade miljöföroreningar som skulle kunna uppnås genom energisparåtgärder i varje byggnad. Som helhet kan man hoppas på ekonomibesparingar på 1 till 1,5 miljoner tep och en minskning av koldioxidustläppen på 4 miljoner ton. Minskningen av svaveldioxidutläpp beror på kvaliteten hos de fasta och flytande bränslena. Vad gäller minskning av kväveoxidustläpp kan en bedömning på makroekonomisk nivå inte göras eftersom de särskilda bränsleförhållandena har en mycket stor betydelse för mängden kväveoxid


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 290/99 del Paul RÜBIG al Consejo. Eurooppalaisen graniittiteollisuuden suojelu

eurovoc_concepts:
China
India
anti-dumping legislation
earths and stones
import
international competition
market protection
mining operation
price reduction
restriction on competition


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 305/99 by David BOWE Eco-Label Regulation

eurovoc_concepts:
chemical industry
dangerous substance
eco-label
paints and varnishes
product quality
product safety
quality standard
safety standard

text: 12. 11. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 325/103 Svar från Anita Gradin på kommissionens vägnar (24 mars 1999) Kommissionen vill understryka vikten av att mänskliga rättigheter respekteras i enlighet med 1950 års Europarådskonvention om skydd för de mänskliga rättigheterna och grundläggande friheterna och Europa- rådets normer för behandling av fängelseinterner från 1973. Kommissionen har dock ingen fullständig databas över privata fängelser inom EU, utan hänvisar parlaments- ledamoten till andra internationella organisationer, till exempel Europarådet, som regelbundet publicerar statistik om fängelsesituationen i Europa. (1999/C 325/139) SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-0303/99 från Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) till kommissionen (17 februari 1999) Angående: Europeiska hedersmedborgare När titeln som europeisk hedersmedborgare infördes nyligen aktualiserades behovet av en förordning för att bland annat reglera de privilegier och immuniteter som kan tillkomma de personer som tilldelas titeln, liksom dem som utfört särskilda tjänster för Europeiska unionen. Det är nödvändigt att nu levande och kommande generationer på ett lämpligt sätt erkänner de personer som utmärkt sig i detta historiska värv och som gjort sig förtjänta av något mer än bara en kylig hågkomst. Inser kommissionen att det är den som måste ta initiativet till en sådan förordning? Svar från Jacques Santer på kommissionens vägnar (23 mars 1999) Kommissionen anser inte att titeln ”europeisk hedersmedborgare” kräver lagstiftning och avser inte att föreslå någon sådan. (1999/C 325/140) SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-0305/99 från David Bowe (PSE) till kommissionen (17 februari 1999) Angående: Miljömärkesförordning Kan kommissionen förklara varför regelkommittén som är ansvarig för genomförandet av miljömärkesför- ordningen vad gäller färger och lacker har ändrat kriterierna för vita pigment som tillverkats av titandioxid- industrin genom sulfatprocessen? Svar avgivet på kommissionens vägnar av Ritt Bjerregaard (26 mars 1999) Kommissionen hänvisar ledamoten till sitt svar på muntlig fråga nr H-1202/98 ställd av Mary Hardstaff under frågetiden vid parlamentets möte i januari 1999 (1). (1) Parlamentsdebatter (januari 1999)


title: Commission Regulation (EC) No 354/1999 of 17 February 1999 concerning applications for export licences for rice and broken rice with advance fixing of the refund

eurovoc_concepts:
export licence
export refund
rice

formats: pdf print

text: 18. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 44/15 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 354/1999 of 17 February 1999 concerning applications for export licences for rice and broken rice with advance fixing of the refund THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of 22 December 1995 on the common organisation of the market in rice (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2072/98 (2), Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1162/ 95 of 23 May 1995 laying down special detailed rules for import and export the system of the application of licences for cereals and rice (3), as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 444/98 (4), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 7(4) thereof, Whereas Article 7(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1162/95 provides, where this paragraph is specifically referred to when an export refund is fixed, for an interval of three working days between the day of submission of applica- tions and the granting of export licences with advance fixing of the refund and provides that the Commission is to fix a uniform percentage reduction in the quantities if applications for export licences exceed the quantities which may be exported; whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/1999 (5) fixes refunds under the procedure provided for in the abovementioned paragraph; Whereas the quantities applied for on 15 February 1999 are in excess of the available quantity of 2 000 tonnes; whereas a percentage reduction should therefore be fixed for export licence applications submitted on 15 February 1999; Whereas, in view of its purpose, this Regulation should take effect from the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Applications for export licences for rice and broken rice with advance fixing of the refund submitted under Regu- lation (EC) No 333/1999 on 15 February 1999 shall give rise to the issue of licences for the quantities applied for to which a percentage reduction of 48,52 % for rice for destinations 02, 03 and 05 in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 333/1999 has been applied. Article 2 Applications for export licences for rice and broken rice submitted from 16 February 1999 shall not give rise to the issue of export licences pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 333/1999. Article 3 This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 February 1999. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 17 February 1999. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission (1) OJ L 329, 30. 12. 1995, p. 18. (2) OJ L 265, 30. 9. 1998, p. 4. (3) OJ L 117, 24. 5. 1995, p. 2. (4) OJ L 56, 26. 2. 1998, p. 12. (5) OJ L 40, 13. 2. 1999, p. 30


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA n. 373/99 dell'on. Olivier DUPUIS al Consiglio. Preoccupante stato di salute di Ukshin Hoti e casi di scomparse e arresti senza colpa nella Repubblica Federale di Iugoslavia

eurovoc_concepts:
Red Cross
UNHCR
Yugoslavia
forced disappearance
health service
opposition
political prisoner
political violence
prison system
teacher

text: C 297/156 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 15. 10. 1999 (1999/C 297/213) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA P-0373/99 di Olivier Dupuis (TDI) al Consiglio (17 febbraio 1999) Oggetto: Preoccupante stato di salute di Ukshin Hoti e casi di scomparse e arresti senza colpa nella Repubblica Federale di Iugoslavia In una risoluzione urgente approvata il 14 maggio 1998 (1) il Parlamento europeo ha chiesto al Consiglio di fare il possibile affinché le autorità di Belgrado procedano alla liberazione di Ukshin Hoti, professore universitario kosovaro, condannato nel 1995 per reati d’opinione dalle autorità della Repubblica federale di Iugoslavia. Da allora lo stato di salute del prof. Hoti, che è tuttora detenuto, si è fortemente degradato a causa delle dure condizioni di detenzione. Può la Presidenza del Consiglio, attraverso il suo ambasciatore a Belgrado o con altri mezzi verificare de visu le condizioni di detenzione e lo stato di salute del prof. Hoti e intraprendere tutti i passi necessari a far sì che egli venga liberato non al termine della sua pena, nel maggio prossimo, bensì immediatamente? Può in generale la Presidenza in carica del Consiglio indicare qual è il numero delle persone attualmente detenute per reati d’opinione e fornire una stima sul numero degli arrestati senza colpa o degli scomparsi nella Repubblica federale di Iugoslavia dall’inizio dell’anno 1998? (1) GU C 167 del 1. 6. 1998, pag. 197. Risposta (26 aprile 1999) Il Consiglio condivide appieno le preoccupazioni dell’Onorevole in merito allo stato di salute di Ukshin Hoti. La Presidenza ha pertanto incaricato il suo Ambasciatore a Belgrado di mettersi in contatto con i rappresentanti locali del Comitato internazionale della Croce rossa (CICR) per verificare lo stato di salute e le condizioni di detenzione del Prof. Hoti e valutare le possibilità di una liberazione in anticipo. I rappresentanti del CICR hanno potuto incontrare il Prof. Hoti il 1o marzo 1999. La Presidenza cercherà di comunicare al Parlamento europeo le informazioni che i rappresentanti del CICR metteranno a disposizione del suo Ambasciatore a Belgrado. Il Consiglio tuttavia vorrebbe che l’Onorevole Parlamentare non nutrisse un ottimismo eccessivo in quanto le relazioni tra Belgrado e l’Unione europea sono molto tese, in particolare per l’attuale crisi del Kosovo e le richieste che il Consiglio ha rivolto alle autorità di Belgrado in merito. Il Consiglio non è in grado di indicare esattamente il numero di persone attalmente detenute per reati di opinione, che sono state arrestate senza imputazione di colpa o che sono scomparse. In base ai dati forniti dal CICR nell’agosto 1998, detta organizzazione indagava sul caso di 138 serbi e montenegrini, rapiti dall’esercito di liberazione del Kosovo secondo le informazioni, e di oltre 400 albanesi detenuti, dalle forze serbe, sempre secondo le informazioni. L’Alto Commissario delle Nazioni Unite per i rifugiati (UNHCR) ha indicato un totale di 400 casi, da esso registrati, di persone date per disperse. L’UNHCR ritiene che circa 200 di esse siano attualmente detenute dalla polizia. (1999/C 297/214) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA P-0384/99 di Ursula Stenzel (PPE) alla Commissione (19 febbraio 1999) Oggetto: Concorsi Facendo seguito all’interrogazione scritta E-3079/98 (1), concernente le irregolarità verificatesi il 14 settembre 1998 durante lo svolgimento dell’ultimo concorso, può la Commissione fornire i seguenti chiarimenti in relazione alle prove svoltesi il 6 febbraio 1999: 1. 2. quali sono stati i controlli e le misure di sicurezza adottate per lo svolgimento del concorso in parola? Può la Commissione escludere che si siano verificate ulteriori irregolarità?


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 305/99 van David BOWE Milieukeurverordening

text: 12. 11. 1999 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen C 325/103 Antwoord van mevrouw Gradin namens de Commissie (24 maart 1999) De Commissie wijst erop dat de mensenrechten moeten worden geëerbiedigd overeenkomstig het Europees Verdrag tot bescherming van de rechten van de mens en de algemene normen op het gebied van de behandeling van gevangenen zoals goedgekeurd door de Raad van Europa in 1973. De Commissie beschikt echter niet over een allesomvattende databank op het gebied van privégevangenissen in de Unie. Zij verwijst het geachte parlementslid naar andere internationale organisaties zoals de Raad van Europa, die regelmatig statistieken over de situatie van de gevangenissen in Europa publiceert. (1999/C 325/139) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0303/99 van Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Erkenning van Europese ereburgers Sinds kort wordt de titel Europees ereburger verleend. Eens te meer wordt het daardoor wenselijk dat er een desbetreffende verordening komt. Zo zal o. a. een regeling kunnen worden getroffen voor de privileges en immuniteiten die de met deze titel geëerde persoonlijkheden genieten alsook anderen die zich in buiten- gewone mate verdienstelijk hebben gemaakt voor de zaak van de Europese Unie. Het is noodzakelijk dat de huidige en toekomstige generaties op adequate wijze erkenning betuigen aan persoonlijkheden die zich onderscheiden bij deze historische taak en die meer verdienen dan een kille herinnering. Vindt de Commissie dat van haar het initiatief uit moet gaan om zich in te zetten voor een dergelijke verordening? Antwoord van de heer Santer namens de Commissie (23 maart 1999) De Commissie is van mening dat, gezien de aard van de titel, er geen regeling moet worden getroffen in verband met de toekenning van de titel van Europees ereburger. Zij is dan ook niet voornemens een dergelijke regeling voor te stellen. (1999/C 325/140) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-0305/99 van David Bowe (PSE) aan de Commissie (17 februari 1999) Betreft: Milieukeurverordening Kan de Commissie verklaren waarom het Reglementeringscomité dat verantwoordelijk is voor de tenuitvoer- legging van de verordening inzake de toekenning van milieukeuren voor verf en lak, wijziging heeft gebracht in de criteria voor de witte kleurstoffen die worden geproduceerd in het sulfaatprocédé dat door de titaniumdioxyde-industrie wordt aangewend? Antwoord van mevrouw Bjerregaard namens de Commissie (26 maart 1999) Het geachte parlementslid wordt verwezen naar het antwoord dat de Commissie heeft gegeven op mondelinge vraag H-1202/98 van mevrouw Hardstaff tijdens het vragenuur in de vergaderperiode van het Parlement van januari 1999 (1). (1) Handelingen van het Parlement (Januari 1999)


title: A Bizottság határozata (1999. február 17.) a DNOC-hatóanyagnak a 91/414/EGK tanácsi irányelv I. mellékletébe történő fel nem vételéről, valamint az e hatóanyagot tartalmazó növényvédő szerek engedélyének visszavonásáról (az értesítés a C(1999) 332. számú dokumentummal történt)EGT vonatkozású szöveg

eurovoc_concepts:
dangerous substance
pharmaceutical product
plant health product
withdrawal from the market

text: 406 HU Az Európai Unió Hivatalos Lapja 03/24. kötet 31999D0164 1999. 3. 2. AZ EURÓPAI KÖZÖSSÉGEK HIVATALOS LAPJA L 54/21 A BIZOTTSÁG HATÁROZATA (1999. február 17. ) a DNOC-hatóanyagnak a 91/414/EGK tanácsi irányelv I. mellékletébe történő fel nem vételéről, valamint az e hatóanyagot tartalmazó növényvédő szerek engedélyének visszavonásáról (az értesítés a C(1999) 332. számú dokumentummal történt) (EGT vonatkozású szöveg) (1999/164/EC) AZ EURÓPAI KÖZÖSSÉGEK BIZOTTSÁGA, tekintettel az Európai Közösséget létrehozó szerződésére, tekintettel a legutóbb a 97/73/EK irányelvvel (1) módosított, a növényvédő szerek forgalomba hozataláról szóló, 1991. július 15-i 91/414/EGK tanácsi irányelvre (2), szerek forgalomba tekintettel a legutóbb az 1199/97/EK rendelettel (3) módosított, a szóló növényvédő 91/414/EGK tanácsi irányelv 8. cikkének (2) bekezdésében említett munkaprogram első szakaszának végrehajtására vonat- kozó szóló, 1992. szabályok megállapításáról december 11-i 3600/92/EGK bizottsági rendeletre (4) és külö- nösen annak 7. cikke (3a) bekezdésének b) pontjára, hozataláról részletes mivel a benyújtott jelentést a tagállamok és a Bizottság felül- vizsgálta a Növény-egészségügyi Állandó Bizottságon belül; mivel ezt a felülvizsgálatot a 3600/92/EGK rendelet 7. cikke (6) bekezdésének előírásaival összhangban 1998. december 1-jén a Bizottság DNOC felülvizsgálati jelentése formájában véglegesí- tették; mivel az elvégzett becslésekből az tűnt ki, hogy a benyújtott információk nem bizonyítják, hogy az érintett hatóanyagot tartalmazó növényvédő szerek kielégítik a 91/414/EGK irányelv 5. cikke (1) bekezdésének a) és b) pontjaiban és az 5. cikk (2) bekezdésének b) pontjában megállapított követelményeket, különös tekintettel a felhasználó elfogadható expozíciójára és a nem célszervezetek expozíciójára; mivel ennek következtében nem lehetséges ezt a hatóanyagot a 91/414/EGK irányelv I. mellékletébe felvenni; mivel a legutóbb a 2230/95/EK rendelettel (5) módosított 933/94/EK bizottsági rendelet (6) megállapította a növényvédő szerek hatóanyagait és kijelölte a referens tagállamokat a 3600/92/EGK rendelet végrehajtására, valamint megjelölte az egyes hatóanyagok bejelentőit; mivel a 91/414/EGK irányelv 4. cikke (6) bekezdésének rendel- kezéseivel összhangban biztosítani kell egy korlátozott türelmi időt a meglévő készletek megsemmisítésre, forga- lomba hozatalára és használatára; tárolásra, mivel a DNOC egyike volt a munkaprogram első szakaszába tartozó 90 hatóanyagnak, amelyeket a 91/414/EGK tanácsi irányelv 8. cikkének (2) bekezdése írt elő; mivel ez a határozat nem érinti a Bizottságnak a 79/117/EGK tanácsi irányelv (7) keretében e hatóanyaggal kapcsolatban egy későbbi időpontban tett esetleges intézkedéseit; mivel a 3600/92/EGK rendelet 7. cikke (1) bekezdésének c) referens pontjával összhangban Franciaország, mint kijelölt tagállam a kapott információ értékeléséről 1996. szeptember 30-án jelentést nyújtott be a Bizottságnak a bejelentők által e rendelet 6. cikke (1) bekezdésének megfelelően szolgáltatott információkról készített értékeléséről; mivel a referens tagállam jelentésének kézhezvételekor a Bizottság konzultációkat kezdett a tagállamok szakértőivel, valamint a legfontosabb bejelentővel (Elf Atochem Agri SA), ahogyan az a 3600/92/EGK rendelet 7. cikk (3) bekezdésében elő van írva; (1) HL L 353. , 1997. 12. 24. , 26. o. (2) HL L 230. , 1991. 8. 19. , 1. o. (3) HL L 170. , 1997. 6. 28. , 19. o. (4) HL L 366. , 1992. 12. 15. , 10. o. (5) HL L 225. , 1995. 9. 22. , 1. o. (6) HL L 107. , 1994. 4. 28. , 8. o. mivel e határozat rendelkezései összhangban vannak a Növény- egészségügyi Állandó Bizottság véleményével, ELFOGADTA EZT A HATÁROZATOT: 1. cikk A DNOC hatóanyagként nem kerül felvételre a 91/414/EGK irányelv I. mellékletébe. (7) HL L 33. , 1979. 2. 8. , 36. o. 03/24. kötet HU Az Európai Unió Hivatalos Lapja 407 A tagállamok biztosítják: 2. cikk 1. hogy a DNOC hatóanyagú növényvédő szerekre kiadott engedélyeket az e határozatról szóló értesítéstől számított hat hónapon belül visszavonják; 2. hogy az e határozatról a 91/414/EGK irányelv 8. cikk (2) bekezdésében biztosított eltérési lehetőség alapján ne adjanak ki, vagy újítsanak meg DNOC hatóanyagú növényvédő szerekre engedélyt. szóló értesítéstől fogva hozatalára és használatára, amely a lehető legrövidebb, és nem hosszabb, mint az e határozatról szóló értesítéstől számított 15 hónap. 4. cikk Ennek a határozatnak a tagállamok a címzettjei. 3. cikk A tagállamok a 91/414/EGK irányelv 4. cikke (6) bekezdésének időt állapítanak meg a rendelkezéseivel összhangban türelmi forgalomba meglévő készletek megsemmisítésre, tárolásra, a Bizottság részéről Franz FISCHLER a Bizottság tagja Kelt Brüsszelben, 1999. február 17-én


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL nr. 290/99 af Paul RÜBIG til Rådet. Beskyttelse af den europæiske granitindustri


title: QUESTION ECRITE no 307/99 de David BOWE Déchets radioactifs

eurovoc_concepts:
EC Directive
Georgia
cooperation policy
dissemination of information
exchange of information
radioactive pollution
radioactive waste

text: C 341/88 Journal officiel des Communautés européennes FR 29. 11. 1999 Cependant, les manifestations Interprise suivantes, ciblées sur l’environnement, couvraient partiellement le secteur des énergies renouvelables: (cid:25) Interprise Helsinki Region, organisée à Helsinki le 6 mars 1997 par le Finnish Foreign Trade Association, a réuni environ 108 entreprises provenant d’Allemagne, de Finlande, du Royaume-Uni, et de Suède. (cid:25) Interprise Ecobusiness, organisée à Tolède le 17 avril 1997 par la chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Tolède, a réuni environ 65 entreprises provenant d’Italie, de Finlande et d’Espagne. (cid:25) Interprise Ecobusiness, organisée à Graz le 25 mai 1998 par International Consulting Executives, a réuni environ 180 entreprises provenant d’Allemagne, de Grèce, d’Espagne, de France, d’Italie, de Finlande, d’Autriche et de Suède. (1999/C 341/122) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-0306/99 posée par David Bowe (PSE) à la Commission (17 février 1999) Objet: Déchets radioactifs Depuis l’effondrement de l’ex-Union soviétique, le nombre de sources de pollution radioactives orphelines détectées dans l’Union européenne a augmenté de façon alarmante. Ces découvertes ont été souvent le fruit du hasard. La Commission n’estime-t-elle pas que, pour faire face à ce problème, elle devrait consacrer davantage d’efforts à la formation d’un personnel frontalier et équiper les frontières d’un matériel de détection afin d’améliorer le taux de détection? (1999/C 341/123) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-0307/99 posée par David Bowe (PSE) à la Commission (17 février 1999) Objet: Déchets radioactifs Quelles mesures la Commission entend-elle prendre afin d’améliorer la coordination entre les États membres sur la question des déchets radioactifs orphelins? N’estime-t-elle pas que des efforts devraient être faits pour coordonner et mettre en commun les informations techniques en s’inspirant du Technical Cooperation Project américain concernant la découverte récente de déchets radioactifs en Géorgie? (1999/C 341/124) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-0308/99 posée par David Bowe (PSE) à la Commission (17 février 1999) Objet: Déchets radioactifs La Commission n’envisage-t-elle pas d’adopter un programme afin de déterminer la localisation des sources de pollution radioactive autorisées afin d’empêcher le recyclage de déchets radioactifs perdus ou volés? (1999/C 341/125) QUESTION ÉCRITE E-0309/99 posée par David Bowe (PSE) à la Commission (17 février 1999) Objet: Déchets radioactifs La Commission n’estime-t-elle pas que les États membres devraient arrêter des mesures uniformes ainsi que des méthodes d’information mutuelle sur la découverte de déchets radioactifs orphelins afin de mieux faire comprendre la gravité du problème?


title: WRITTEN QUESTION No. 299/99 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA Regulating fishing activity in the South-West Atlantic

eurovoc_concepts:
Argentina
Atlantic Ocean
fishing regulations
negotiation of an agreement (EU)

text: 29. 11. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 341/85 den 26 februari 1996 har fastställt krav på deras sammansättning och märkning, vill jag fråga kommissionen om Grekland har vidtagit alla de lagstiftande, reglerande och administrativa åtgärder som behövs för att uppfylla ovannämnda direktiv, och i så fall när? Vilka åtgärder avser kommissionen att vidta om den kan konstatera att de ansvariga grekiska myndigheterna inte tillämpat bestämmelserna i detta direktiv på ett korrekt sätt? (1) EGT L 55, 6. 3. 1996, s. 22. Gemensamt svar på de skriftliga frågorna E-0296/99 och E-0297/99 ingivna av Martin Bangemann för kommissionen (9 april 1999) De grekiska myndigheterna har informerat kommissionen om antagandet av nationella åtgärder för genom- förande av dessa tre direktiv vilka är antagna inom området för specialdestinerade livsmedel. Kommissionens direktiv 96/4/EG av den 16 februari 1996 om ändring av direktiv 91/321/EEG om modersmjölksersättning och tillskottsnäring (1) införlivades genom ett ministerbeslut som antogs den 12 november 1997 och som offentliggjordes den 25 november 1997. Kommissionens direktiv 96/5/EG av den 16 februari 1996 om spannmålsbaserade livsmedel och barnmat för spädbarn och småbarn (1) införlivades genom ett ministerbeslut som antogs den 12 november 1997 och som offentliggjordes den 25 november 1997. Kommissionens direktiv 96/8/EG av den 26 februari 1996 om livsmedel avsedda att användas i energi- begränsade dieter för viktminskning (2) införlivades genom ett ministerbeslut som antogs den 15 oktober 1997 och som offentliggjordes den 13 mars 1998. Efter en första genomgång av de olika texterna anser kommissionen att de grekiska myndigheterna på ett tillfredsställande sätt har genomfört de ifrågavarande direktiven. (1) (2) EGT L 49, 28. 2. 1996. EGT L 55, 6. 3. 1996. (1999/C 341/118) SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-0299/99 från Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) till kommissionen Angående: Reglering av fisket i sydvästra Atlanten (17 februari 1999) Med hänsyn till det otillfredsställande svaret kommissionen gav på min skriftliga fråga E-3471/98 ställer jag ännu en gång följande frågor: 1. Kan kommissionen informera om det aktuella förhandlingsläget? 2. Vilka faktorer har förhindrat att betydande framsteg gjorts i nämnda förhandlingar? 3. När förutser kommissionen att förhandlingsperioden kan avslutas för att lämna plats åt bildandet av SAFO? Svar från Emma Bonino på kommissionens vägnar (26 mars 1999) Det är ännu för tidigt att säga något om utgången av förhandlingarna om ett multilateralt avtal för sydvästra Atlanten. De bilaterala kontakterna mellan kommissionen och Argentina är ett steg på vägen i de multilaterala förhandlingar som kommer att omfatta alla berörda parter. Utöver svaret på parlamentsledamotens skriftliga fråga E-3471/98 (1), finns det för närvarande bara en ny uppgift i ärendet, nämligen att kommissionen i augusti 1998 till de argentinska myndigheterna skickade ett icke-officiellt dokument som uttrycker gemenskapens ställningstagande