WRITTEN QUESTION No. 976/98 by Armelle GUINEBERTIERE to the Commission. Legality, under European competition law, of the reservation of a quarter of French government and local authority contracts for workers' production cooperatives (WPCs)
21. 10. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 323/101 Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998) The Commission is aware that some 100 000 Bhutanese refugees are living at the Jhyapa and Morang districts in Eastern Nepal. The Community is the most important donor. Altogether Community contributions represent a major percentage of the total aid package. From 1992 to 1997, MECU 13. 4 has been allocated mostly for care and maintenance projects, while relevant assistance has been also provided for humanitarian support and food aid. The issue at stake at the moment is not the recognition of responsibilities, but the need for a solution which finally puts an end to the refugeesí plight. The Commission, which maintains a continuous dialogue with the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to convince them to reach an agreement, is aware however, that there is not an easy solution to this problem. Solutions can only result from in-depth dialogue between the involved parties. (98/C 323/151) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0976/98 by Armelle Guinebertie‘re (UPE) to the Commission (30 March 1998) Subject: Legality, under European competition law, of the reservation of a quarter of French government and local authority contracts for workersí production cooperatives (WPCs) French law on public procurement recognizes the existence of reserved rights for workersí production cooperatives (WPCs). For instance, where government and local authority contracts are concerned (Article 62 et seq. and Article 260 et seq. of the Public Procurement Regulations), WPCs are granted preferential treatment through the automatic reservation of a quarter of any given contract. Although French law makes procurement open to suppliers throughout Europe, and WPCs in other EU Member States may therefore bid for contracts, is it permissible for a State to reserve 25% of any contract, on principle, for suppliers with a particular status? In other words, does this not undermine competition among firms within the EU, since not all the market in France is open on the same terms? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member and will inform her of the outcome as soon as possible. (98/C 323/152) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0979/98 by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (18 March 1998) Subject: Mutual recognition of organic product labelling in the Community Can the labelling of organic products be mutually recognized in the Community? Under the present system (Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (1) on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs), operators who produce organic products are subject to an inspection system and must pay the costs of inspection