WRITTEN QUESTION E-0205/00 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Possible EU legislation on dangerous sports.
C 280 E/200 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 In order to protect the financial interests of the Communities, the national authorities have been asked at this stage to take precautionary measures (deposits to be lodged by the operators concerned). The Commission will inform the authorities concerned of the conclusions of its examination direct. (1) OJ L 263, 19. 9. 1991. (amended by Decision 97/803/EC: OJ L 329, 29. 11. 1997). (2000/C 280 E/234) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0205/00 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: Possible EU legislation on dangerous sports Can the Commission state whether there is any specific legislation on the EU statute book relating to dangerous sports such as martial arts and the protection of the participants in those sports? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (8 March 2000) The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that there is no specific Community legislation on sport. The EC Treaty does not empower the Commission to legislate in this field. Regulations relating to sporting activities, including dangerous sports, are essentially the responsibility of the Member States. Several of them have adopted rules on instructor qualifications, access to activities, and safety standards, particularly in relation to sports regarded as dangerous. Sports federations also play a major role in organising and regulating their sports. The Honourable Memberís attention is drawn to the Helsinki Report on sport (1) adopted by the In this report the Commission emphasises the need for a new Commission on 1 December 1999. partnership between sports federations, Member States and Community institutions while respecting the principle of subsidarity and the autonomy of sporting organisations. (1) Helsinki Report on sport ü COM(1999) 644 final. Report from the Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework. (2000/C 280 E/235) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0212/00 by GØrard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: Aid to the iron and steel industry I recently addressed the House on the application in 1998 of the sixth Steel Aid Code. Although I welcomed the quality of the Commission report, I was dismayed that it did not cover every aspect of the aid. Although the Steel Aid Code is worded very clearly, the Commission has, on various occasions, authorised the granting to steel companies of aid which does not fall within the categories covered by the Code. With a view to ensuring a level playing field, the Code should either be strictly applied, or it should be changed if the Commission wishes to authorise aid of a kind other than those currently admissible in law