WRITTEN QUESTION No. 252/98 by Peter SKINNER to the Commission. Agriculture
C 304/62 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 10. 98 (98/C 304/86) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0252/98 by Peter Skinner (PSE) to the Commission (5 February 1998) Subject: Agriculture Can the Commission confirm if it has conducted its review on the quarantine situation in the Member States, as required under Article 10 of Directive 92/65/EEC (1), and if it will publish its results? (1) OJ L 268, 14. 9. 1992, p. 54. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 March 1998) The rabies quarantine situation was reviewed and updated by the scientific veterinary committee and a report was issued in September 1997. A copy is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat. It was concluded in this report that an alternative system to quarantine for rabies, for dogs and cats, was a viable option which offered an equivalent guarantee of safety. In brief, the alternative suggested system involves vaccination, microchips and blood testing. The Commission will make suitable proposals at an appropriate time. (98/C 304/87) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0253/98 by Karla Peijs (PPE) to the Commission (5 February 1998) Subject: Obligation to accept two currencies for the same transaction Is there a statutory obligation for businesses to accept two different currencies (the old national currency 1. and the euro) for the same transaction in the period between 1 January and 1 July 2002? If so, in what legislative act is this obligation laid down? 2. Would it not be more acceptable to drop this obligation to accept two different currencies if there were a large number of exchange points for the old national currency in commercial banks, for example? 3. Will the Commission make any recommendations on this matter? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1998) The obligation for businesses to accept a payment is a question about legal tender, which is a privilege of banknotes and, with some restrictions, of coins. Today in all Member States no one can be forced to accept a payment by cheque or electronic means, even in the national currency. This will remain the case with the euro. Euro notes and coins will be introduced in all participating Member States on 1 January 2002. According to article 10 and 11 of the draft regulation on the introduction of the euro (1), these euro notes and coins will be legal tender in all participating Member States and therefore must in principle be accepted by retailers for payment