WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2584/97 by Hilde HAWLICEK to the Commission. Extension of education programmes to countries in Central and Eastern Europe
C 82/112 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 3. 98 Following the results of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) parliamentary inquiry, the Commission transferred responsibility for veterinary control from the Directorate general for agriculture (DG VI) to the Directorate general for consumer policy and consumer health protection (DG XXIV). The Commission is fully aware of the importance of prompt and vigorous action in response to this situation to ensure that a high level of protection for animal and public health is ensured and that consumer confidence is maintained. To this end, all Member States are being kept informed of progress in the investigation, so that a coordinated approach can be followed. The Commission will ensure that the Parliament continues to be informed of developments. (98/C 82/185) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2581/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (24 July 1997) Subject: Forcible importation into Europe of US meat containing hormones Can the Commission say what the current situation is as regards the United Statesí insistent and threatening requests to import into Europe meat produced from cattle which have been treated with hormones? Not least because of the opinion of its Scientific Committees the European Union has so far been opposed to these requests, but now the World Trade Organization (WTO) has declared European opposition to be ácontrary to the rules of international free tradeí. Can the Commission say whether and, if so, how the European Union will continue to uphold its belief that the use of hormones in stock breeding, as practised in the United States, is seriously harmful to human health? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 September 1997) On 30 June 1997, the World trade organisation (WTO) panel notified the parties of its final reports on hormones meat. Effectively, the panel reports find violation of three provisions of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement by the Community directives prohibiting the use of hormones for animal growth promotion. A decision has been taken to appeal from the panelís reports. Until there is a definitive ruling on this matter under the WTO dispute settlement process (probably not before November 1997), it is not possible to indicate what course of action might be open to the Community. If the panelís conclusions are upheld by the appellate body of the WTO, the Community will still have a áreasonable periodí to decide its options. The Commission will continue to invoke the precautionary principle in support of its claims and to defend the position that the Communityís right to decide what level of sanitary protection it deems appropriate for its citizens be fully recognised by the SPS Agreement. (98/C 82/186) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2584/97 by Hilde Hawlicek (PSE) to the Commission (29 July 1997) Subject: Extension of education programmes to countries in Central and Eastern Europe As from 1998 it is intended that the Socrates and Leonardo programmes should be extended to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that pupils and students from EU Member States taking part in programmes in Central and Eastern European countries have a command of those countriesí languages?