WRITTEN QUESTION No. 919/99 by Roberto MEZZAROMA Law on strays
21. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 370/139 the Syrian authorities, to express its concern over alleged cases of human rights abuses and the remaining prisoners of conscience in particular. The Union remains informed on the general conditions of human rights in Syria, including the question of Lebanese detainees, mainly through its heads of mission in Damascus. Additionally, the common commitment to respect human rights and to develop the rule of law and democracy enshrined in the Barcelona Declaration of 1995 will be reflected in the new association agreement between the Community and Syria currently under negotiation. This agreement will provide an enhanced framework to discuss almost all areas of mutual interest, including human rights, between the two partners. Furthermore, individual Member States, parties to the International covenant on civil and political rights, do have a specific mandate to raise human rights issues with Syria which also is a party to that Covenant. (1) Amnesty International, Syria Caught in a Regional Conflict: Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian Political Detainees in Syria, Report / MDE 24/01/99, 27 January 1999. (1999/C 370/195) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0919/99 by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission (8 April 1999) Subject: Law on strays Will the Commission please specify what EU funds have been earmarked for the Region of Tuscany to resolve the problem of stray animals and say what the EU intends to do to resolve this problem, which regards thousands of dogs? Answer givern by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1999) The Community has legislation in the field of the protection of pet animals during transport, Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC (1)) and on the use of dogs and cats in scientific experiments, Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (2). Legislation on stray dogs and cats and their enforcement is still a matter within the competence of the Member States. Following the above-mentioned principle the Commission has no intention to propose legislation in this field. No funding programmes specific for control of stray dogs in the Tuscany Region have been set up by the Commission. (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (2) OJ L 358, 18. 12. 1986. (1999/C 370/196) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0921/99 by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission Subject: Plans for the development of Anzio and Nettuno (8 April 1999) Will the Commission please say whether there are plans for revitalising the areas around Anzio and Nettuno (Lazio Region, Italy) via objectives or programmes to restore development opportunities to areas that are perfectly suited to the growth of SMEs and tourism?