WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1313/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. New technologies and employment
22. 1. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 21/39 (98/C 21/114) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1311/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997) Subject: Identification of bovine animals and beef products The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) regarding the labelling of beef and beef products (COM(96) 460 final › 96/0228/0229 CNS) (1) (CES 1404/96 › 96/0228/0229 CNS). The new system will include the labelling of beef and beef products. Although the labelling of such products will be optional, the information that each operator or organization decides to indicate on the label (region of birth, method of fattening, slaughter and feeding details, etc. ) must first be approved by the competent national authorities. Overall, the proposal for a regulation regarding the labelling of beef and beef products is satisfactory, given that it will provide many consumers with the information they require and therefore make a major contribution towards re-establishing confidence in European beef. The Commission is asked to make indication of the origin of beef compulsory since this is only way of restoring consumer confidence in the long term. (1) OJ C 349, 20. 11. 1996, p. 14. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 May 1997) According to Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products, which was adopted by the Council on 21 April 1997 (1), a compulsory beef labelling system shall be introduced which shall be obligatory in all Member States from 1 January 2000, with the compulsory indications of the Member State or third country where the animal from which the beef is derived was born, the Member States or third countries where the animal was raised and the Member State or third country where the animal was slaughtered. However, this compulsory system shall not exclude the possibility for a Member State to apply the system merely on an optional basis to beef sold in that same Member State. A transitional voluntary labelling system shall be introduced until the end of 1999. In Member States where there is a sufficiently developed identification and registration system for bovine animals, a compulsory labelling system may be introduced before 1 January 2000, for beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in their territory. (1) OJ L 117, 7. 5. 1997. (98/C 21/115) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1313/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (11 April 1997) Subject: New technologies and employment Following the submission of The impact of the introduction of new technologies on employmentí (CES 1403/96), it must be said that the ever-increasing impact of new technologies on growth and employment is likely to increase social exclusion and regional marginalization. This situation calls for the introduction of vigorous policies to provide support for less-qualified workers and young people looking for their first job, since these are the most economically vulnerable groups and those most prone to long-term unemployment. Combating marginalization is even more important in respect of those least-favoured regions in which the problems caused by geographical remoteness are aggravated by a lack of proper structures and infrastructure linked up by means of a network with the rest of the European Union, and by technological disparities which are far worse than any economic disparities. In line with the priorities laid down in respect of economic and social cohesion in the EU, responsibility for technological development must be taken at different levels: Community, national and regional. The Commission is therefore asked to combine action under the Communityís R&TD policy with Structural Fund operations as effectively as possible