WRITTEN QUESTION No. 666/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Endocrine disrupting chemicals
C 402/20 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 (98/C 402/024) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0657/98 by StØphane Buffetaut (I-EDN) to the Commission (10 March 1998) Subject: Aid to shipbuilding The Commission is applying a very strict policy on aid to shipbuilding in Europe (e. g. Boelwerf in Belgium, Burmeister & Wain in Denmark, the East German shipyards). Today the governments of the European countries are providing massive help, but to the Korean shipbuilding industry, by giving unprecedented financial support (US$ 57 billion) to Korea via the IMF, although the expansionist policy conducted by the major Korean shipbuilding groups in defiance of the international market has been partly responsible for the financial problems assailing Korea. Over the last five years, for every job lost in a European shipyard, one was created in Korea, and yet the European Union has not required any restrictions on output in return for this exceptional aid. Does the Commission intend to be as strict with Korea over shipbuilding as it is with in the Member States? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (2 April 1998) The Commission is keeping a very close eye on the financial crisis in Korea and especially on the impact it is having on shipbuilding. The IMFís financial support plan for Korea is not meant to rescue bankrupt shipyards. Instead, in return for aid, it imposes structural reforms which will certainly prevent the mistakes that led to a rash expansionist policy for the industry from happening again. Reorganisation of the countryís shipbuilding will help generally to improve the situation worldwide. The Commission already intends to request that bilateral talks with Korea be held soon so the matter can be looked at in depth. The Commission will continue to monitor the effects the financial crisis in Korea is having on Community shipyards. (98/C 402/025) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0666/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (10 March 1998) Subject: Endocrine disrupting chemicals Does the Commission agree that there is a need for standardized screening tests for new and existing chemicals for endocrine-disrupting potential and if so, what action is being taken to achieve this either at European or international level? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1998) The issue of endocrine disruption falls within the overall context of the existing Community chemicals legislation. At present, the specific detection of endocrine disrupting properties of chemical substances is not explicitly addressed in the relevant Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulation and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (1), as amended. Several scientific conferences, organised by the Organisation for economic