WRITTEN QUESTION P-1976/99 by Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Brominated flame retardants.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/101 Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (22 November 1999) With regard to the transposal of Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1999 on the protection of young people at work, the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that Spanish legislation sets the minimum employment age at 16 years. Spain has made use of the derogation from the prohibition of work below this age for young people performing in cultural, artistic, sports or advertising activities. In conformity with the Community Directive, employment of children for these purposes is subject to prior authorisation to be given by the competent authority in individual cases. Spanish legislation stipulates in this context that the work in question can only be authorised on condition that it is not detrimental to the minorís physical health, vocational training or personal development. The Commission considers that in conformity with Directive 94/33/EC, to examine in each individual case whether in particular the conditions relating to the young peopleís health and safety are observed and whether adequate protective measures are taken before authorisation is given. this legislation obliges the Spanish authorities, (2000/C 203 E/127) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1976/99 by Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (28 October 1999) Subject: Brominated flame retardants There have recently been alarming reports in Sweden of high levels of brominated flame retardants in fish in the Baltic. The Swedish government has promised to ban brominated flame retardants in 2004 and to press for reductions in their use. How does the Commission intend to deal with the problem of brominated flame retardants? Does it intend to seek a ban at EU level, and if so, when? Could a unilateral Swedish ban on brominated fire retardants constitute an obstacle to the free movement of goods and thus an infringement of EU law? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer to Written Question E-3004/98 by Mr Eisma (1). The Commission is aware of recently published Swedish research on brominated flame retardants, in particular as regards polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). In this context, information not only on the levels of certain brominated flame retardants in fish but also on increased concentrations of five PBDE congeners in the blood of workers at recycling plants is a cause for concern. The Commission will give full consideration to these findings in preparing a proposal for a directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), which is intended to lead to a increase in the recycling of plastics containing flame retardants. C 203 E/102 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 With respect to the last question of the Honourable Member, a possible unilateral ban on brominated flame retardants would have to be assessed according to Articles 28 and 30 (ex Articles 30 and 36) of the EC Treaty concerning quantitative restrictions between Member States. (1) OJ C 142, 21. 5. 1999. (2000/C 203 E/128) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1979/99 by Michael Gahler (PPE-DE) to the Commission (5 November 1999) Subject: Involving rural districts (Landkreise) in twinning schemes In recent years town twinning schemes have proved an efficient means of European integration, since they encourage a coming together of citizens of different Member States. This is why the European Union supports these exchanges through budget line A-321. However, this form of support does not apply to rural districts although here, too, an exchange of experience would have a very positive result in terms of European integration. 1. What prospects does the Commission see of involving rural districts in promoting partnership arrangements, without any reduction in the funding currently available for towns and cities? 2. Does the Commission have plans for any other measures to provide financial support for exchanges between rural districts, for example in the form of grants to áorganisations advancing the idea of Europeí (budget line A-3021)? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1999) 1. Financial aid under budget heading A-3210 is specifically earmarked for town-twinning. This is why most of the appropriations are provided in connection with the twinning of towns and municipal districts. The use to which this aid is put is reviewed at the end of each year in close consultation with the representatives of Parliament and the national associations of administrative authorities. During the discussions on 8 December 1998 concerning guidelines for the programme in 1999, the representatives of Parliament and the national associations of administrative authorities considered that it would be wise not to extend Part I of this programme to intermediate administrative units (Kreise, dØpartements, provinces), since a decision to do so would have meant a reduction in the appropriations available for towns and municipal districts. The programme is nevertheless open to intermediate admin- istrative units to the extent that training, information and twinning-support measures are aimed at twinned municipal districts within their territory. Therefore, as regards Parts II (events) and III (training seminars for organisers of town-twinning schemes), the information note from the Commission setting out the criteria and guidelines for measures in 1999 states that funding may be provided for átwinning schemes involving towns in the same regioní. This also applies, of course, to twinning schemes involving towns in the same Landkreis. Furthermore, the criteria applying for the year 2000 were discussed in detail at the conference on European Town Twinning for the Third Millennium held in Bilbao from 3 to 5 December 1999. 2. No, the Commission does not intend to use the appropriations under heading A-3021 for twinning schemes as such. This budget heading is intended to provide funding for pro-European non-governmental for specific projects. Local and regional authorities belong to governmental organisations, and not organisations, which is why Landkreise are not eligible for financial support. In the past, funding was provided to organisations whose activities were partly concerned with twinning schemes. In any event, if Parliament follows the advice of its Committee on Budgets, the áunallocatedí appropriations under this heading will only amount to € 145 000