WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4083/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Growth hormones
17. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 223/51 Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (18 February 1998) With regard to the aid schemes established by Member States to assist in the creation of self-employed activities, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its annual publications entitled Employment Observatory. Tableau de Bord. Follow-up to the conclusions of the Essen European Council on employment policiesí. With regard to the Commission position on the impact of these schemes on competition, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the documents it has published on this subject, namely the Notice on monitoring of State aid and reduction of labour costsí (1) and the Guidelines on aid to employmentí (2). (1) OJ C 1, 3. 1. 1997. (2) OJ C 334, 12. 12. 1995. (98/C 223/61) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4083/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (15 January 1998) Subject: Growth hormones The following questions are asked in relation to the hormone conflict with the USA: 1. What arguments did the EU bring with it to the appeal proceedings? 2. What is the substance of the scientific opinions submitted by the EU and with whom do they originate? 3. What arguments were advanced by which two of the scientists called by the WTO in support of the EU expert opinions? 4. What arguments were advanced by which three of the scientists called by the WTO in support of the EU expert opinions? 5. With what arguments did the panel members support their decisions for or against this or that opinion? 6. To what extent did the arbitration committee interpret SPS measures incorrectly? 7. What point is there in subjecting imports to the same health requirements as internal products when no health considerations apply under WTO rules? 8. To what extent can the SPS convention be expected to provide WTO treaty partners with opportunities to improve on existing international food standards? Answer (11 May 1998) Under the EC Treaty, the Commission is responsible in this instance for representing the European Community in the WTO negotiations and therefore before the Panel and its Appellate Body. The Honourable Memberís questions should therefore be addressed to the Commission