WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1623/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Fifth framework programme for RTDD (budget for implementation)
5. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 31/61 (1999/C 31/079) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1610/98 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (25 May 1998) Subject: Impact of GATT/WTO on animal protection There is growing concern that the GATT Agreement is making it increasingly difficult for the EU to introduce enhanced standards of animal welfare protection, as import bans may not be imposed on products, even if their production has involved substantial animal suffering. This in turn discourages the introduction of tighter restrictions within the EU because of a fear of competition from cheaper imports produced using production methods which are more cruel. Given the Commissionís Agenda 2000 proposal that CAP policies should be redirected to take animal welfare into account, what measures will the Commission be taking to ensure a higher profile for this problem, with a view to preventing a future possible conflict with CAP reform, during the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1998) Under World trade organisation (WTO) rules as currently interpreted there is a conflict between WTO agreements and Community animal welfare provisions if the Communityís welfare-based production standards are made a condition for imports from third countries. Such possible conflicts can effectively be avoided through the adoption of international welfare-based standards in the framework of bilateral or multilateral agreements. Furthermore, given the fact that animal welfare is becoming an increasingly relevant issue in terms of international trade, this issue may be raised in the WTO context in the future. The possibility of amending WTO rules to address welfare concerns will be addressed in the context of the determination of the Community negotiation objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations. (1999/C 31/080) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1623/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (27 May 1998) Subject: Fifth framework programme for RTDD (budget for implementation) With regard to the amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision concerning the Fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998-2002) and to the amended proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for research and training activities (1998-2002) (COM(97) 439 final › 97/ 0119 COD › 97/0120 CNS) (1), will the Commission ensure consistency between the requirements of an integrated approach by the Fifth framework programme and the concentration and interoperability of generic research activities, activities in support of major infrastructures and the key actions on which the new Community architecture is based, and identify, for this purpose, a series of qualitative and quantitative criteria for the guidance and monitoring of the activities of key actions, such as improvement in the employment sector, the potential take-up rate, their high profile and European dimension, the level of interaction between Community, European and national action, the presence of SMEs in the sector, the level of potential economic activity created in terms of new undertakings, new jobs and new skills? (1) OJ C 291, 25. 9. 1997, pp. 15-16