WRITTEN QUESTION No. 547/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. The central dairy in Rome
C 310/84 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 10. 98 Nor does the Community have any powers as regards the protection of civilians during exercises by military aircraft, of the sort involved in the case in point, as the common transport policy deals only with civil aviation. Council Directive 94/56/EC of 21 November 1994 establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents (1) does not, therefore, apply to military aviation. (1) OJ L 319, 12. 12. 1994. (98/C 310/111) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0546/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (4 March 1998) Subject: The Di Bellaí therapy: disparities in treatment The experimental use of a form of treatment for cancer has been causing much controversy in Italy in the last few months. The treatment was devised by Professor Luigi Di Bella and is based on the use of a substance called somatostatin. This treatment is being provided free of charge by the Health Service in certain regions, whilst it is still unavailable in others, which means that Italian citizens are being subjected to wide disparities in treatment. According to the local press and statements made by Professor Di Bella himself somatostatin is now being produced without the necessary pharmacological quality guarantees. In the light of the above, can the Commission say: whether it does not consider that the attitude of the Italian authorities is jeopardizing the need to safeguard 1. public health, protect consumer rights and ensure product safety in accordance with Articles 129 and 129a of the EC Treaty; 2. 3. whether it does not consider that there is a disparity in the treatment received by Italian citizens; what it thinks of the issue as a whole? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1998) The EC Treaty defines the tasks and competences of the Community in the field of public health and consumer protection. According to Article 129 of the EC Treaty, Community action is essentially directed towards the prevention of diseases. In the case of cancer, this objective is pursued through the Europe against cancerí programme. However, the specific methods of treating of diseases and the delivery of health care lie within the competence and responsibility of the Member States. Due to this responsibility of the Member States, the Commission is not in a position to make comments on the management of the ánew therapyí in Italy mentioned by the Honourable Member, and on the way in which it is made available. However, the Commission will watch future developments with interest, in particular the planned clinical trial for the Di Bellaí therapy. (98/C 310/112) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0547/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (4 March 1998) Subject: The central dairy in Rome With reference to Mr Fischlerís answer of 27 November 1997 to Question E-3408/97 (1) tabled by myself, I should like to supply further information. During the last few days the Italian press has published new information concerning the dubious management of the Rome central dairy, which has resulted in a cash deficit of more than 57 billion