WRITTEN QUESTION E-0033/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Conference on the Biosafety Protocol.
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