WRITTEN QUESTION P-0202/00 by Dominique Souchet (UEN) to the Commission. Customs procedures employed against Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/199 In the meantime this deplorable situation has in fact deteriorated so much that the absence or small number of commercial breaks has even become a kind of selling point for some programmes. Can the Commission say what findings have emerged from the investigations announced more than a year ago and whether it intends to adopt measures of any kind to ensure compliance with the aforementioned Directive in Spain? (1) OJ C 207, 21. 7. 1999, p. 138. (2) OJ L 298, 17. 10. 1989, p. 23. Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (28 February 2000) An infringement procedure under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty has been initiated concerning Spainís failure to comply with the advertising rules enshrined in the Television without frontiersí Directive (Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the Parliament and Council of 30 June 1997). (2000/C 280 E/233) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0202/00 by Dominique Souchet (UEN) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Customs procedures employed against Saint Pierre and Miquelon In the light of an inquiry conducted by the Unit for the Coordination of Fraud Prevention, certain European customs authorities have been instructed to refuse certificates of release for free circulation from the Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial collectivity pursuant to Article 101 of Decision 91/482/EEC (1). In relation to this particular case, will the Commission say what it defines as customs clearance procedures not subject to áan exemption from, or a refund of, in whole or in part, customs duties or taxes having equivalent effectí? In view of the huge difficulties that such procedures can and will pose for the Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial collectivity, is the Commission in a position to grant the collectivity a stay of execution pending the final outcome of the ongoing inquiry, given that the latter has stated its readiness to take any corrective measure proposed by the Commission? (1) OJ L 263, 19. 9. 1991, p. 1. Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) In the case referred to by the Honourable Member, it was found that transport aid was being granted in territories including Saint Pierre and Miquelon, to economic operators transhipping certain goods there. The Commission is examining, with due regard to the information provided by the French authorities and those of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, whether the transport aid amounts to a refund of customs duties under Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories (OCT) with the European Economic Community. (1) Under that Decision, products not originating in an OCT which are in free circulation there and are re-exported as such to the Community may be imported into the Community free of customs duties and taxes having equivalent effect, provided the conditions in Article 101(2) have been complied with (payment in the OCT of customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect, no exemption from or refund of customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect, in whole or in part, and presentation of an export certificate). C 280 E/200 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 In order to protect the financial interests of the Communities, the national authorities have been asked at this stage to take precautionary measures (deposits to be lodged by the operators concerned). The Commission will inform the authorities concerned of the conclusions of its examination direct. (1) OJ L 263, 19. 9. 1991. (amended by Decision 97/803/EC: OJ L 329, 29. 11. 1997). (2000/C 280 E/234) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0205/00 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: Possible EU legislation on dangerous sports Can the Commission state whether there is any specific legislation on the EU statute book relating to dangerous sports such as martial arts and the protection of the participants in those sports? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (8 March 2000) The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that there is no specific Community legislation on sport. The EC Treaty does not empower the Commission to legislate in this field. Regulations relating to sporting activities, including dangerous sports, are essentially the responsibility of the Member States. Several of them have adopted rules on instructor qualifications, access to activities, and safety standards, particularly in relation to sports regarded as dangerous. Sports federations also play a major role in organising and regulating their sports. The Honourable Memberís attention is drawn to the Helsinki Report on sport (1) adopted by the In this report the Commission emphasises the need for a new Commission on 1 December 1999. partnership between sports federations, Member States and Community institutions while respecting the principle of subsidarity and the autonomy of sporting organisations. (1) Helsinki Report on sport ü COM(1999) 644 final. Report from the Commission to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework. (2000/C 280 E/235) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0212/00 by GØrard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: Aid to the iron and steel industry I recently addressed the House on the application in 1998 of the sixth Steel Aid Code. Although I welcomed the quality of the Commission report, I was dismayed that it did not cover every aspect of the aid. Although the Steel Aid Code is worded very clearly, the Commission has, on various occasions, authorised the granting to steel companies of aid which does not fall within the categories covered by the Code. With a view to ensuring a level playing field, the Code should either be strictly applied, or it should be changed if the Commission wishes to authorise aid of a kind other than those currently admissible in law