WRITTEN QUESTION E-0844/00 by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Exports of tomatoes from the Kingdom of Morocco.
C 46 E/58 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 vision for all those who happen to be in the vicinity when they go into action. Journalistic sources report that the grenades and spray used by the police contain CS and CN-type chemicals and the particles remain in the environment for a long time, penetrate deep into human lungs and seriously contaminate the skin. Will the Commission say: 1. What are the substances involved, where are they produced and what is their composition? 2. How long do they remain in the human organism and the environment generally and what damage do they cause to health? Is there any truth to the allegations that they cause cancer? 3. Does the Commission intend to look into this matter, particularly from the point of view of public health? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (23 May 2000) The Commission has no information on the substances mentioned by the Honourable Member. Conse- quently, it cannot assess the possible effects on human health which may arise therefrom. (2001/C 46 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0843/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (21 March 2000) Subject: Human resources in the Commissionís Transport Directorate-General In view of the expanding role being played by the Commission in seeking to bring about the improvement of passenger rail services and reverse the decline in rail freight, is the Commission satisfied that it has the staff resources in its transport division to do the job required effectively? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (15 May 2000) The new organisational structure resulting from the merger of the former Transport and Energy DGs, as approved by the Commission on 22 December 1999, broadly reflects the emphasis of European policy. The merger entailed a redeployment of staff, notably towards rail transport. Should this prove insufficient, further redeployment may be undertaken in the new Directorate-General, without prejudice to requests for additional staff. (2001/C 46 E/064) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0844/00 by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Exports of tomatoes from the Kingdom of Morocco (21 March 2000) Because tomato exports from Morocco to the Community exceeded the total quantities allowed by 190 % in October 1999 and 37 % in November 1999 (something which the leading Spanish agricultural organisations had already been pointing out for months) a system of import certificates had to be introduced, as set out in the Regulation of 23 December 1999. 13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/59 When Commissioner Fischler met Parliamentís Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 25 January this year and answered questions from various Spanish Members on the withdrawal of the Regulation, he said that this was due to the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco had offered precise guarantees ensuring that total exports of tomatoes would not exceed the agreed quantities. Could the Commission say exactly what new and tangible guarantees the Kingdom of Morocco has offered to prevent what it has so far not managed to prevent, i. e. exports exceeding the agreed quantities? What steps will the Commission adopt to prevent larger quantities than those agreed from entering Community? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 May 2000) The introduction of a licence system for imports of tomatoes originating in Morocco (Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2767/1999 of 23 December 1999 (1)) led not only to representations from the Moroccan authorities but to complaints from importers and other commercial operators in the Commun- ity. The Moroccan authorities asked the Commission for consultations to clarify the situation regarding the overruns of the agreed Community import volumes. Morocco agreed to respect for the marketing year in the course the quantities agreed between herself and the Community, period November 1999 to March 2000. i. e. 145 676 tonnes for The Commission also called for regular and rapid notification of import volumes. Member States are notifying it each week of the quantities of Moroccan tomatoes imported onto their markets in the previous week. Under these circumstances the Commission was able to discontinue the licence requirement and so revert to the normal administrative arrangement indicated in the agreement. (1) OJ L 333, 24. 12. 1999. (2001/C 46 E/065) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0845/00 by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission (21 March 2000) Subject: Harmonisation of the conditions of production of family fruit growers and family producers of natural spirit In the European Union Member States there are differing legal provisions for the production of natural spirit. For some Member States, financial assistance is granted to family producers of natural spirit, because they maintain the old orchards, pass on know-how to the young, and motivate them to continue arboricultural activities and hence the cultivation of fruit tree parkland in the rural regions. In other countries such as France, the right to distil 10 litres pure alcohol per annum tax free can no longer be transmitted by succession, which means that young people are put off continuing the activity, with disastrous effects on the upkeep of orchards and in particular the conservation of old fruit varieties and hence the landscape