WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1113/97 by Honório NOVO to the Commission. Reduction of the fleet of Empresa de Pesca de Viana and Community aid
25. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 60/13 However, it is necessary to emphasise that the training of health professionals in the diagnosis of clinical symptoms of poisoning due to consumption of meat treated with beta-agonists is a matter for the Member States. The Commission, in the more general context of acute human poisoning, has promoted cooperation between the Member States pursuant to Council Resolution of 3 December 1990 on improving the prevention and treatment of acute human poisoning (2), which may be of assistance to the Member States with respect to the aforementioned diagnosis. (1) OJ L 125, 23. 5. 1996. (2) OJ C 329, 31. 12. 1990. (98/C 60/30) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1113/97 by Hono·rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 March 1997) Subject: Reduction of the fleet of Empresa de Pesca de Viana and Community aid The fisheries company Empresa de Pesca de Viana (EPV) which has been in business for nearly fifty years, has always been involved in catching and drying cod, and more recently in catching, processing and freezing a range of types of fish. In recent years, the company has significantly reduced its number of vessels (from 12 to 2-3) and has also made major cuts in its workforce › from around 300 eight years ago to around 70 at present. Now, at the beginning of this week, 39 of the above 70 have received notice that their current contracts will not be renewed. Among the reasons given is the reduction in the size of the fleet. However, the indications are that EPV has no plans to pay any compensation at all to the workers whom it plans to dismiss. I also have information which suggests that the previous wave of job cuts was carried out without any redundancy payments being made. I know for a fact that the above reduction in the number of vessels was carried out with support from Community funds. Exactly how many EPV vessels were decommissioned using Community cofunding? What was the total amount of such funding? Did the funds granted to EPV include sums specifically earmarked for a redundancy scheme designed to reduce the number of jobs? If so, can the Commission give details of the figures? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (16 May 1997) The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament data on ships which benefited from Community aid and the amounts of aid granted. During the period in question (1986-92), Community legislation on the granting of premiums for the permanent laying-up of fishing vessels did not include specific funding for social measures. (98/C 60/31) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1132/97 by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Laura Gonza·lez A· lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 March 1997) Subject: Projected construction of a subcritical nuclear power station in Aragon, Spain A debate has been triggered off by the prospect that an experimental electrical power project, known as an áenergy amplifierí › which would be an alternative to conventional systems › may be built in the region of Aragon