WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3579/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Resolution on forest fires
C 207/90 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 7. 1999 This channel is independent. It belongs to a consortium of more than 18 public television networks from Europe and the Mediterranean basin associated with the audiovisual news company ITN. The European Union has no capital stake in it. in agreement with the budgetary authority, the Commission negotiated a memorandum of In 1998, understanding with this channel for a period three years. This agreement provides for the co-production and broadcasting of specific information programmes, intended for the general public, on various aspects of European current affairs. An annual agreement draws up the precise list of scheduled actions and their funding conditions. Apart from these co-productions the Commission does not accept any individual responsibility for this channel, regarding either its editorial policy or its management. The subject raised by the Honourable Member has not been dealt with in co-productions which are covered by the contract with Euronews. Therefore, the Commission, which has no editorial power over an independent television channel, considers that it has no right to intervene with the channel to influence the way it presents information. (1) OJ C 96, 8. 4. 1999, p. 22. (1999/C 207/120) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3571/98 by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission (1 December 1998) Subject: EU aid for greyhound breeders A number of newspaper articles have highlighted the awful treatment of greyhounds, and there is information to suggest that dogs no longer regarded as fit for racing are subjected to considerable cruelty. It has come to my notice that greyhound breeders can receive EU aid under agricultural support schemes. Is the Commission aware of the information which suggests that greyhounds are subjected to cruel treatment and, if so, what steps will it take regarding the possibilities for granting EU aid to greyhound breeders in future? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 January 1999) The Commission is aware of a number of press articles alleging ill-treatment of racing greyhounds. No Community support is now available for the greyhound rearing enterprise in the Community. (1999/C 207/121) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3579/98 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 December 1998) Subject: Resolution on forest fires The European Parliament recently adopted resolution B4-0815/98 on the forest fires which occurred in the European Union in the summer of 1998, paragraph 2 of which calls on the Commission ‘to make available the funds required to alleviate, as far as possible, the economic and environmental damage suffered by the regions affected’. Has the decision taken by the European Parliament in this respect been implemented?