WRITTEN QUESTION E-2808/99 by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. European legislation on labelling of LPG vehicles.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/135 (2000/C 280 E/146) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2805/99 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: EQUAL Community initiative (18 January 2000) Over the period 2000-2006 measures on new technologies and employment are to be covered by a single Community initiative, EQUAL, thus reducing the number of Community initiatives from 13 in the 1994-1999 budgetary period to 4 in the period 2000-2006. EQUAL, a Community initiative which seeks to achieve transnational cooperation in the promotion of new ways of combating instances of discrimination and inequality relating to the labour market, has emerged as a result of past experience. Can the Commission say how this initiative will be coordinated so as to cover all factors influencing the labour market, what its eligibility criteria will be, and how Member States should go about submitting proposals for a Community initiative programme? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (10 February 2000) The proposal for a Communication on the Community initiative EQUAL (1) is currently being examined by the Parliament. By creating development partnerships, EQUAL aims to involve public- and private-sector organisations, level, which can provide innovative solutions to the problems which exist in the mainly at territorial labour market. The eligibility criteria will be laid down in the respective national operational programmes. However, the Commission intends to ensure the participation of small-scale promoters in the development partnerships which will be set up. In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (2), the Member States should present their proposals which should be developed in line with the guidelines adopted by the Commission. Each Member State will ensure, by means of concrete proposals in its operational programme, that these guidelines are applied to the reality of the national labour market and, in particular, that key employment issues are selected as priorities in the context of the initiative. (1) COM(99) 476 final. (2) OJ L 161, 26. 6. 1999. (2000/C 280 E/147) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2808/99 by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: European legislation on labelling of LPG vehicles (18 January 2000) Professional fire-fighters in France have reported that, in a fire, LPG-fuelled vehicles present greater dangers. France is now aware of the need to inform the public of the particular dangers inherent in this type of fuel. C 280 E/136 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 However, fire-fighters are now questioning the desirability of visible, external, permanent identification marks on LPG vehicles. Such labelling may have the unwanted effect of provoking acts of vandalism. Moreover identification marks, on licence plates for example, become invisible in a fire. Fire-fighters prefer a system of identification which is activated only in the event of fire and remains invisible until then. Is there any European legislation on the need for these vehicles to be labelled? If not, does the Commission consider that legislation should be introduced? What is its view of this proposal for identification marks which are activated only in the event of fire? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (8 February 2000) The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the importance of protecting fire-fighters against the dangers posed by vehicles fuelled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the event of a fire. The Commission can confirm that Regulation 67 of the United Nationsí Economic Commission for Europe lays down conditions for the safety and installation of LPG equipment. Under the Regulation, a relief valve must be installed in the gas tank, which should remove the risk of explosion in the event of fire. The Community is considering whether to accede to the Regulation, which would mean its obligatory application by all the Member States. In that case, the Regulation would apply to the EC type-approval of new, LPG-fuelled vehicles. Certain Member States have anticipated this. With regard to vehicles fuelled with LPG already in service, the Commission can only encourage the French authorities to look for a solution which would provide specific identification to protect fire-fighters in the event of an accident involving an LPG-fuelled vehicle. Moreover, the Commission would be prepared to support such initiative in the framework of Council Decision 1999/847/EC of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (1). (1) OJ L 327, 21. 12. 1999. (2000/C 280 E/148) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2810/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Protocol on improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals In May 1999, the above, legally binding protocol entered into force. The protocol recognises that animals are sentient beings and requires that the Community take their welfare needs in particular areas fully into account. 1. What steps is the Commission taking to implement the protocol requirements? Does the Commission intend to submit proposals on intensive pig farming, as required by Council 2. Directive No 91/630 (1) which set a deadline of 1 October 1997? 3. Does it intend to propose a gradual abolition of gestation crates for pregnant sows, in view of the recommendations of the Scientific Veterinary Committee, according to which individual enclosures which do not allow the sow to turn round easily should be banned?