WRITTEN QUESTION P-2246/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Organo-phosphate pesticides.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/153 To ensure exhaustiveness of the data on gross national product (GNP) and other national accounts aggregates used for Community purposes (especially in determining Member States contributions to the Community budget), the Commission has worked intensively with the statistical services of the Member States for the last ten years to ensure that all activity that should be included in GNP is in fact included, regardless of whether or how it is declared to the authorities. A description of this work can be found in the report from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament ü the application of the Council Directive on the compilation of gross national product at market prices (1). In the context of the European employment strategy, the Commission has issued a communication on undeclared work (2) addressing policy options in this area. In this communication, undeclared work is defined as any paid activities that are lawful as regards their nature but not declared to the public authorities, bearing in mind that differences in the regulatory systems of Member States must be taken into account. (1) COM(96) 124 final. (2) COM(98) 219 final. (2000/C 170 E/187) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/99 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission (1 December 1999) Subject: Employees of the central banks of the Member States Please state the number of qualified economists (possessing a higher degree in economics at an institution of higher education) practising as economists in each of the national central banks and in the ECB. Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission (which is unfortunately unable to supply the information requested). (2000/C 170 E/188) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2246/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Organo-phosphate pesticides What action is the Commission taking to identify and reduce the long-term effects upon human health of organo-phosphate pesticides in all their different forms? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) Council Directive 91/0414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (1) provides for a review programme for all the active substances which were on the market in 1993. The first phase of the review programme of existing active substances is undertaken for a list of 90 important active substances under Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8 (2) of Council Directive 91/0414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (2). The review of these active substances continues. It covers several organo-phosphates. C 170 E/154 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 The Commission is preparing the second phase of the review programme. A draft regulation would provide also for the evaluation of a second list of high-concern substances. This list includes all the remaining organo-phosphates not covered by the first list of 90 active substances. It would provide for a withdrawal from the market at the latest in July 2003 of active substances for which no complete dossiers would be submitted by industry. For the active substances which would be defended, speeding up procedures should allow early decisions. In this way it is expected that for most of the organo-phosphates a final decision on their acceptability will be taken by 2003. In the 4th framework programme (3), the Community FAIR programme supports a research project aiming test methods for a screening control system to monitor toxic to develop rapid immunochemical organophosphorous pesticides in cereals and cereal based products. This research project, therefore, substantially contributes to risk assessment and to the identification of human exposure to such pesticides related to cereals and cereal based products. In the 5th framework programme, key action 1 within the quality of life programme is currently negotiating two new projects. The first aims, amongst other goals, to harmonise principles, terminology and methodology for risk assessment. This is to improve the scientific basis of risk assessment with respect to food contaminants such as organophosphorous pesticides including possible interactions between individual chemicals and effects of the food matrix for the protection of the consumer. The second aims to develop new and validated software specifically designed for modelling (by using also organopho- sphorous pesticide data) food chemical and nutrient intake for different target populations such as infants, adolescents, and adults. (1) OJ L 230, 19. 8. 1991. (2) OJ L 366, 15. 12. 1992. (3) OJ L 117, 8. 5. 1990. (2000/C 170 E/189) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2404/99 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Uptake of funds for the RETEX Community Initiative Under the most recent Community support framework (1993-1999) Portugal was to benefit from the RETEX Community Initiative for diversifying regions heavily dependent on the textile and clothing industry. Can the Commission answer the following: ü What were the amounts allocated to Portugal and the other Member States and what are the figures for funds actually paid out, broken down by Member State, under the RETEX initiative in 1993-1999? ü What projects were funded in Portugal during this period under RETEX? What was their duration and what funding did they receive? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible