WRITTEN QUESTION E-1801/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission. Lindane.
C 170 E/104 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 (see PE 279. 943). In that Resolution the European Parliament confirmed, as first readings under the co- decision procedure following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, a whole series of texts voted under the previous Parliament. Following that European Parliament Resolution, the Council will strive henceforth to make progress on the files concerned. (2000/C 170 E/121) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1801/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: Lindane The monograph produced by the Austrian authorities on the health and environmental effects of the pesticide lindane has been forwarded to the competent authorities of the Member States so that their views may be taken into account before the Commission brings forward a proposal on the use of this product. Given the huge number of pesticides and other chemicals for which safety data is lacking, is the Commission happy with the present slow and cumbersome review process? How does it intend to speed up this process without lowering safety standards? (2000/C 170 E/122) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1802/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: Lindane In connection with Council Directive 91/0414/EEC (1) the Austrian authorities have produced a mono- graph covering the health and environmental effects of the pesticide lindane. In the monograph they recommended the suspension of the use of lindane across the EU pending the submission of further data. Furthermore, they called for lindane to be classified under ácategory 3 of carcinogenic substancesí and for the label to contain the phrase ápossible risk of irreversible effectsí under Directive 67/0548/EEC (2). Given the recommendations in the report and the fact that Sweden and Denmark have already banned it fully accept the lindane, what action will the Commission be taking regarding this product? Will recommendations put forward by the Austrians, particularly in the light of the precautionary principle? (1) OJ L 230, 19. 8. 1991, p. 1. (2) OJ 196, 16. 8. 1967, p. 1. Joint answer to Written Questions E-1801/99 and E-1802/99 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1999) For the current state of the examination of the dossier concerning lindane, the Commission would refer to its answer to Written Question E-154/99 of Mrs Pollack (1). The Commission will follow the procedures established in Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/0414/EEC concerning the placing