WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3323/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Replacement of pipes in water supply systems
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/137 Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997) Subtitling of television programmes, in some Member States, is the standard method for translating foreign language programmes to the domestic language. Subtitling also serves as the principal means to adapt programmes for the deaf. Among the incentives established by the MEDIA II programme is a support scheme in the form of loans for the transnational distribution of audiovisual programmes including television programmes. As a general rule, however the costs of dubbing and subtitling are not repayable. Thus, although Council Decision 95/563/EC of 10 July 1995 on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development and distribution of European audiovisual works (MEDIA II › Development and distribution) (1996-2000) (1) does not provide expressly any objectives towards supporting adaptation of programmes for the deaf, the programme does, through its incentives for increasing transnational distribution of television programmes, contribute indirectly to an increase in programmes adapted for this group. (1) OJ L 321, 30. 12. 1995. (98/C 134/183) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3322/97 by Esko Seppa¤nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: Threat posed to the unique natural salmon stock in the Teno-joki (Tana) river by the Norwegiansí proposals for salmon farms The Norwegian State has granted licences, against the recommendations of the regional environmental authorities and the Finnish-Norwegian border waters commission, for the rearing of significant quantities of salmon in bag-shaped enclosures in the Tana Fjord. By permitting the rearing of salmon in such enclosures in the Tana Fjord the Norwegian State has shown great irresponsibility. The farming of salmon in these enclosures in the Tana Fjord increases the risk of spreading salmon diseases and impairing the quality of the genome of the naturally occurring Teno-joki salmon. The destruction of the natural salmon stock would have incalculable consequences for the whole of the Teno-joki valley. What measures does the Commission propose taking to prevent the environmental risk posed by Norwegian salmon › whose market share is after all the largest in the EU › to the valley of the Teno-joki flowing into the Tana Fjord? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-2907/97 by Mrs Hautala (1). (1) See page 35. (98/C 134/184) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3323/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: Replacement of pipes in water supply systems The Italian press has recently given great prominence to reports from Brussels that the Union is planning to replace pipes in water supply systems installed after a certain date. The reason is that the pipes are allegedly dangerous because their lead content exceeds normal limits. Can the Commission: