WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3454/97 by Reino PAASILINNA to the Commission. Support for the building industry in the cold weather zone
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/61 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1997) According to the Commission Decision of 3 April 1996 and the subsequent consent issued by the British authorities, the Monsanto genetically modified soya beans have been granted consent to be placed on the market for the specific uses of áhandling in the environment during import, before and during storage, and before and during its processing to non-viable productsí. The consumption as food of soya beans in a viable form was not authorized under this consent. In order for genetically modified soya beans to be grown in the Community, a new notification under Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (1) would be required. For soya bean sprouts from genetically modified soya to be used as food or a food ingredient, a notification under Regulation (EEC) No 258/97 on novel foods and novel food ingredients (2) will be required. No such notifications have been received by the Commission. (1) OJ L 117, 8. 5. 1990. (2) OJ L 43, 14. 2. 1997. (98/C 174/102) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3454/97 by Reino Paasilinna (PSE) to the Commission (31 October 1997) Subject: Support for the building industry in the cold weather zone Building in Finland is exceptionally expensive because of the difficult conditions which exist in the northern region. During the long cold weather period the ground freezes to a considerable depth, which means that the foundations both of buildings and of roads and railways have to be protected by expensive special structures. The heating, water, sewerage and electricity supply systems also have to be protected. Since the difference between the indoor and outside temperatures in Finnish buildings may be as much as 50°, the outer shell or casing of buildings must be made to withstand heating and moisture problems caused by temperature differences. The building methods called for are so complex that not all builders have been able to cope under the heavy pressure of costs. As a result, Finland has to foot a bill of FIM 60 bn for repairs arising from defective work, damp and mould problems. To enable an acceptable standard to be achieved in the building industry in future, what does the Commission intend to do with a view to establishing a construction support fund for the cold weather zone? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1998) The Commission is aware of the high cost of construction due to quite severe weather conditions in the cold zone, particularly in Finland. However, a specific aid programme for the building industry in the cold weather zone is not planned. It should be noted that, from a regulatory point of view, essential requirements, in terms of weather constraints, have been taken into consideration in Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (1), in order to ensure that work on new constructions is of a high standard in terms of reliability and durability. (1) OJ L 40, 11. 2. 1989