WRITTEN QUESTION No. 852/99 by Graham WATSON Economic assessment of parallel imports
C 341/146 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 11. 1999 Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (28 April 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question No E-3227/96 by Mr Baldarelli (1). (1) OJ C 138, 5. 5. 1997. (1999/C 341/208) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0852/99 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (26 March 1999) Subject: Economic assessment of parallel imports Is the Commission satisfied with the NERA study into the economic impact of parallel imports? In view of NERA’s contract with the European Brand Owners’ Association does the Commission recognise the possible conflict of interests and would it consider commissioning a second study? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1999) The Commission considers that the NERA study was well carried out and represents a most useful basis for further discussions. However the Commission has been informed that for several reasons there are interest groups which did not have the opportunity to express their views on the question of exhaustion of trade mark rights during the study. The Commission arranged a hearing in Brussels on 28 April 1999 to enable all interested circles to comment on this important topic. The Commission considers furthermore that the study gives a complete analysis of the different aspects of the question of exhaustion of trade mark rights. There is therefore no reason to believe that any connections between the NERA institute and an interest group have affected the outcome of the study. There are no plans to commission a second study concerning this issue. (1999/C 341/209) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0879/99 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE) to the Commission (26 March 1999) Subject: Presence of asbestos and chrysotile in schools and possibility of funding replacement from 2nd CSF The continued use of asbestos building materials (for walls, ceilings etc) in 18 schools in Thessaloniki, against which parents and pupils are protesting by occupying the premises, represents a threat to the health of the children and the workers concerned. These schools were built using materials made of asbestos to cover the emergency needs caused by the earthquake which hit Thessaloniki in 1978; they have remained in place since then to the point where the asbestos panels are now sagging and cracking, spreading asbestos fibres into the environment. Exposure to chrysotile is extremely hazardous to health since it causes lung cancer and other respiratory diseases