WRITTEN QUESTION E-2161/99 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) and Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Reimbursement of travelling expenses of representatives of twinned communities in Europe.
C 219 E/106 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Does it really believe that initiatives of this kind are likely to convey an image of a humane Europe, 5. or rather one of a Europe which is so technocratic, aloof and out of touch with the feelings of ordinary citizens that it is prepared to sweep away age-old traditions? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (5 January 2000) The Commission was not aware of the allegations to which the Honourable Member refers. The Commission has never drafted a proposal to ban traditional cheeses. Its only intention is to revise the health legislation relating to milk and dairy products, and in particular to update the microbiological criteria which apply to them. The opinions of the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health, of 23 Septem- ber 1999, brought together scientific knowledge in this field at international level. The question of establishing specific microbiological criteria for dairy products will be brought before the relevant scientific committee, and the committeeís opinion will serve as a basis for drawing up modernised rules. The Commissionís foremost concern is to ensure food safety, without neglecting the gastronomic and nutritional quality of food. Furthermore, its President has stated before Parliament that he gives priority to food safety and is aware of the strong social and cultural symbolism of food. As regards in particular the safeguarding of traditional production methods and typical products, it is important to note that since 1992 the Commission has pursued a policy of quality in the area of agri- foodstuffs. With regard to the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and food- stuffs (1), the Commission completed the list of names and indications registered, the total number of which is now 526. In terms both of the Member States concerned and of types of production, recent registrations prove that interest in protecting typical production forms linked to geographical origin is growing. (1) OJ L 208, 24. 7. 1992. (2000/C 219 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2161/99 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) and Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (24 November 1999) Subject: Reimbursement of travelling expenses of representatives of twinned communities in Europe When local authorities in different European countries enter into a partnership, for example to put across the European idea and to get to know each otherís habits and customs, representatives of the towns and cities involved regularly visit each other. If two local authorities take part, under the present system their representativesí travelling expenses are reimbursed at the rate of EUR 0,03 per kilometre if at least 10 representatives per local authority take part and if the distance travelled is at least 250 kilometres. If more than two local authorities are involved, the requirement is still that there should be at least 10 representatives of each local authority. What is the Commissionís view of the value of cooperation between more than two European local authorities, rather than between two? Why does the Commission impose the requirement of 10 participants per local authority even if the partnership is between more than two local authorities? To what extent does the Commission intend ü or is it prepared ü to review the system of reimbursing the travelling expenses of representatives of partner communities and, if so, in what way? 1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/107 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1999) The memorandum concerning Financial assistance from the European Commission for town twinningí indeed stipulates that exchanges involving fewer than 10 participants from the invited local authority are not eligible. This condition applies regardless of whether one or more local authorities are invited. For 1999, the grant for travel costs has been set at a maximum of EUR 0,04 per person and per kilometre (return journey). A minimum number of participants from the local authority or authorities invited is required in order to ensure that meetings between twinned local authorities are open to as many of the local population as possible. For the same reason, it is required that the exchanges do not involve mainly local councillors or local officials. The Commission is aware that it is more difficult to meet these conditions when several local authorities are invited by the host town. However, it cannot take responsibility for discarding the fundamental aim of greater involvement of European citizens in the meetings of twinned local authorities. Otherwise, it would not be possible to achieve the aim of the programme of assistance for town twinning, taken up by the Honourable Members, áto put across the European idea and to get to know the habits and customs (of the different countries) í (2000/C 219 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2162/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Promotion of biotechnological crops Could the Commission indicate whether any EU projects are being undertaken to promote biotechnolo- gical crops in ACP States and/or in the developing world? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1999) In the context of the Commissionís development cooperation there are no projects undertaken to promote genetically modified crops in the African, Caribbean and Pacific states or any other developing countries. (2000/C 219 E/137) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2163/99 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council (19 November 1999) Subject: Meeting of the Development Council on 11 November 1999 It is estimated that, on the eve of the new millennium, nearly one sixth of the world population will be illiterate. Given that, at the 1990 World Conference on Education For All, EU governments promised to work towards universal education by 2000, will the Council increase the current provision for education in its aid programmes? Will the Council include a discussion on education provision to the developing world at its forthcoming meeting on 11 November?