WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1802/97 by Robert EVANS to the Commission. EU pollution regulations and wood shredding
10. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 45/105 (98/C 45/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/97 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997) Subject: EU pollution regulations and wood shredding What European Union regulations or encouragement is in place for firms to reduce or cease wood burning and shred wood instead? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1997) No such regulations are known to the Commission. Wood burning is an important source of energy for the European forest industries and others. Wood burning in controlled combustion plants contributes to the efficient use of raw materials, results in relatively clean emissions and decreases use of other energy sources, notably of fossil fuels. Therefore it would not be sound environmental policy to encourage firms to reduce or to cease wood burning. (98/C 45/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1808/97 by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997) Subject: MEDA democracy programme Can the Commission outline its selection criteria for deciding which projects to support under the MEDA democracy programme? Answer given by Mr Mar ·n on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1997) Drawing on earlier experience with democracy programmes, the Commission has produced and circulated to interested parties a brochure setting out guidelines for implementation of the MEDA programme and explaining the criteria that projects should meet to qualify for support. The selection criteria are broadly as follows. › Recipients: The programme provides backing for human rights and democracy in those countries which, with the European Union, have signed the Barcelona Declaration: Algeria, Morocco, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority. Both local and regional projects are eligible for support. › Possible areas of operation: The programme addresses political rights; this covers the democratic process (election arrangements, information centres, publicity campaigns, training, opinion polling) and the rule of law (institutional reform, training of officials, prison reform, human rights organizations, accountability in public administration). It also covers certain civil rights, including freedom of speech (independent media, codes of ethics, facilities for journalists), freedom of assembly (group contacts between political parties, support for civil society in general), freedom of religious observance and freedom of movement. Under the heading of socio-economic rights, support is available for trade unions and training activities. Target groups eligible for protection include women (with reference in particular to women’s integration into political and economic life and awareness programmes), children, minorities, refugees and displaced persons, torture victims and prisoners