WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1063/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Bull bars on vehicles
C 386/76 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 11. 12. 98 So far the MAI negotiating group is discussing an incomplete package of proposals for a text that intends to deal with this issue in a comprehensive way. The different elements so far contained in papers before the group include: › the preamble, indicating the resolve of the parties to implement the MAI in a manner consistent with sustainable development and with environmental protection; › the affirmation in the text of the agreement of the right of contracting parties to regulate in a non- discriminatory manner to ensure that investment activity is undertaken in a manner sensitive to health, safety or environmental concerns; › a provision preventing the lowering of domestic environment measures to attract an investment; and › an exception in the prevention of performance requirements article covering such requirements that could affect compliance with laws and regulations, or that could affect health, safety or the environment. For its part, the Commission has proposed to introduce in the agreement a general exception similar to the General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) Article XX which would apply to measures necessary to protect human, animal and plant health and life and to protect exhaustible natural resources. On the basis of the same considerations, international rule-making in the field of environment can continue without being hampered by the MAI. For this reason a specific article to subordinate the MAI to international environmental agreements does not seem necessary. (98/C 386/100) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1063/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (6 April 1998) Subject: Bull bars on vehicles Will the Commission consider the use of new European legislation to ban the fitting of bull bars on all new vehicles at the earliest opportunity? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1998) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question No E-2965/97 by Mr Sindal (1). (1) OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998, p. 45. (98/C 386/101) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1064/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (6 April 1998) Subject: Agricultural grants for greyhound breeding Will the Commission confirm that no agricultural grants allow for greyhound breeding in Ireland to be subsidized?