WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2701/97 by Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL to the Commission. Double premiums on supplementary pensions
17. 3. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 82/129 Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997) The project in question is managed by the authorities of the Member State. The Commission has taken up with them the matter raised by the Honourable Member and will provide a substantive reply as soon as possible. (98/C 82/210) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2693/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Seal culling in the White Sea The Commission has previously advised me that Directive 83/129/EEC (1) bans the import of skins of certain seal pup species (harp seals and other) and products derived from them, with the aim of putting a stop to the killing of baby seals. However, given the fact that over 30 000 seal pups continue to be slaughtered in the White Sea areas of Russia and given your failure to provide me with the results of the scientific studies carried out by the Russian authorities, reportedly carried out in 1995, what action does the Commission now intend to take? Given the total lack of progress by the Commission, has the time now come for the Commission to be a little more assertive in its dealings with the Russian authorities? What evidence indicates that the áscientific studiesí were even conducted? Were any PHARE funds utilized for this purpose? How long is the Commission going to wait and how many more seal pups will be killed before more urgent representations and action are taken? What action is the Commission planning to take? (1) OJ L 91, 9. 4. 1983, p. 30. Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 September 1997) The Commissionís request to obtain the results of the scientific study referred to by the Honourable Member has so far not been granted. The Commission has no information whether such a study was actually conducted. It has not financially contributed to studies on seal populations in the White Sea. In view of the fact that Directive 83/129/EEC effectively prohibits the import into the Community of pelts of whitecoat pups of harp seals, the Commission does not intend to take further action. (98/C 82/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/97 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Double premiums on supplementary pensions In its additional communication of 10 December 1996 on petitions Nos 734/93 and 1080/94, the Commission says that the Contribution Sociale Ge·ne·ralise·eí (CSG) in France must be regarded as a social premium within the meaning of Regulation 1408/71 (1). This premium cannot therefore be levied on Dutch citizens living in France whose pensions are subject to Dutch legislation. However, the Commission refers in this respect to decisions of the Court of Justice to the effect that Regulation No 1408/71 does not apply to supplementary pensions