WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2481/98 by Elisabeth SCHROEDTER , Friedrich-Wilhelm GRAEFE zu BARINGDORF to the Commission. Research concerning organic farming
C 50/148 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 2. 1999 (1999/C 50/224) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2481/98 by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) and Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (V) to the Commission Subject: Research concerning organic farming (30 July 1998) 1. (a) How many, and which, research proposals concerning organic farming (in accordance with the criteria of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 (1)) have received support to date under the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Framework Programmes? (b) How many, and which, research proposals have concerned comparative cost analyses of conventional and organic farming (in accordance with the criteria of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92)? 2. How many, and which, projects: (a) concerned cost/benefit calculations, taking into account ancillary social costs? (b) concerned research into interaction between human activities and the environment (no computer models)? (c) were based on feasibility studies which have already confirmed increased species diversity in situ? (1) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 85. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1998) Because of the length of the answer, which includes a number of tables, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Members and to Parliamentís Secretariat. (1999/C 50/225) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2518/98 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission (30 July 1998) Subject: Possible human rights violation in Uganda 1. Is the Commission aware of what happened in Kichwamba, Uganda, on 8 June 1998 when, according to the report issued by the Ugandan Government, some 50 students were burned alive by rebels on the university campus? 2. Does the Commission have any information as to the accuracy of that report, when other sources report that eyewitnesses claim that it was government troops, not the rebels, which killed the students, with Bagandan students being the main target? If so, what measures will the Commission take on the basis of this information? If not, does the Commission intend to investigate these events more closely? Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1998) 1. The Commission is aware of the events in Kabarole district, where about 80 people, most of them students, were killed when a building of the Kichwamba National Technical Institute was burnt down by rebels. In addition, some 100 students were abducted. It should be noted that the students who fell victim to this attack came from various regions in Uganda and not only from the Baganda ethnical group. 2. From the information that has reached the Commission, including various discussions between the Union Heads of Mission in Kampala, no evidence whatsoever has emerged which would indicate an active involvement of the Ugandan armed forces in the incident. The evidence clearly shows that rebel groups were responsible for the killings and abductions. It is true, however, that the local command of the Ugandan armed forces had not taken the necessary action to protect the victims against the rebel attack. The officers of the local command have been sanctioned meanwhile by the army Chief of staff. The commanding officer faces a court martial