WRITTEN QUESTION E-0037/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Disaster in Venezuela.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/129 (2000/C 303 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0033/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Conference on the Biosafety Protocol The Commission will be aware of the resumption of the conference on the Biosafety Protocol due to take place in Montreal on 24-28 January. Would the Commission give details of information which it has received from individual Member States in preparation for this meeting? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (24 February 2000) The Council adopted on 13 December 1999 conclusions on the negotiations on the Biosafety Protocol (1) setting out the framework for the Community position. In line with these conclusions the Community managed to reach an agreement with 133 governments on the adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on 28 January 2000. The resulting Protocol is a major international achievement, integrating environment, trade and develop- ment concerns in a balanced way with the full support of the developing nations. It addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) that may have an adverse effect on biodiversity with a specific focus on transboundary movements. The Protocol establishes an advance informed agreement (AIA) procedure for imports of LMOs intended for introduction into the environment, an alternative procedure for LMOs intended for food, feed and processing (LMO commodities) and detailed information and documentation requirements. It specifically incorporates the precautionary principle. The Protocol also contains provisions regarding confidential information and information-sharing, capacity- building, and financial resources, with special attention to the situation of developing countries and those without domestic regulatory systems as well as an enabling provision for a future liability regime. The Communityís negotiation position was at all stages, in Brussels as well as during the negotiations in Montreal, established in close co-operation with all the Member States and based on strong internal coherence. (1) Press Release: 409 ü No 13854/99. (2000/C 303 E/132) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0037/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Disaster in Venezuela The much publicised natural disaster in Venezuela has killed thousands of people, destroyed homes and property over a vast area, and rendered many thousands of including those of Portuguese emigrants from Madeira, one of the remotest regions of the European Union. families homeless, How has active solidarity been displayed and what assistance has been made available? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (28 February 2000) Immediately following the recent floods in Venezuela, the Commission mobilised emergency aid for € 3 600 000, through its humanitarian office, and continued its support with a decision adopted on 7 February 2000, for an additional amount of € 2 000 000 of humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the C 303 E/130 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Commission is considering an action to assist reconstruction in the area, for which an expert mission is being prepared, to carry out an evaluation and to identify specific actions. The Commission, depending on the findings of the expert mission, will decide on a medium-term plan for the reconstruction of Venezuela. The Commission will closely co-operate with other donors in order to encourage a co-ordinated international action, and a clear definition of the priorities. (2000/C 303 E/133) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0038/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: New Poseima measures in the field of agriculture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores The Commission does not make any mention of new measures to assist agriculture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (as opposed to other very remote regions) in its report on measures to implement Article 299(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the outermost regions of the European Union. In what form and when will the Commission present details of the proposal concerning new measures in the field of agriculture for the Autonomous Region of the Azores? (2000/C 303 E/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0043/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission (20 January 2000) Subject: Cologne process: Milk quotas in ultraperipheral regions At the 23 November 1999 partnership meeting between the Commission and the ultraperipheral regions, at which views and information were exchanged in connection with drawing up the report on the regions concerned, Commissioner Fischlerís representative, Agriculture Director-General Guy Legras, referred to the need for a more flexible application of the milk quotas in the Azores, given the need to prevent market imbalances. Unlike RØunion, Guyana, Martinique and Guadalupe, milk quotas in the Azores Autonomous Region are applied without any special exemptions whatever. Can the Commission therefore explain why the report on the measures to implement Article 229(2) of the treaty in the ultraperipheral regions fails to mention this fact? How and when does it intend to give practical expression to the remark made by Commissioner Fischlerís representative? (2000/C 303 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0044/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission (20 January 2000) Subject: Cologne process: adjustment of the Poseima programme with regard to the supply of cereals as agricultural raw materials in the various islands of the Azores Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 (1) establishes a supply system which, in the case of agricultural raw materials, has a very significant impact on farm costs