WRITTEN QUESTION P-0008/00 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission. CITES-negotiations 2000.
C 330 E/66 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Directive 96/92/EC obliges transmission system operators (TSOs) either to publish the tariffs for 3. access to the network, where regulated third party access exists, or to publish indicative tariffs for the use of the network in the case of negotiated third party access. 4. The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member and insists on fees being non-discriminatory. Under Article 7,5 of the Directive TSOs may not discriminate between users of the network, particularly in favour of their shareholders or subsidiaries. The Commission agrees and has pointed out this risk of abuse of dominant position on the part of 5. the incumbent German electricity utilities in the letters that have been sent. 6. As mentioned under 1) the Commission has outlined its doubts as to the conformity of some aspects of the Verbaendevereinbarung with the Electricity Directive, and its doubts as to compatibility with the competition rules of the EC Treaty. It is clear the VV must guarantee a free and transparent market access to all players. (2000/C 330 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0003/00 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Excise duties on wine in Ireland With reference to the answers given by Nino Gemelli, chairman of the Committee on Petitions, and by the Commission on the subject of Petition No 1229/97 submitted by Mr Paris Cugini, an Italian citizen, on excise duties on wine in Ireland, can the Commission say: 1. whether it has questioned the Irish authorities; 2. whether there have been any new developments? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (15 February 2000) In response to Petition No 1229/97 submitted by Mr Paris Cugini, raising the possibility that Irish excise duties discriminate against wine and in favour of beer, the Commission contacted the Irish authorities to request clarification of this matter. Subsequently, in the context of infringement proceedings as defined in article 226 (formerly article 169) of the EC Treaty, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to the Irish government on 25 August 1999. In October 1999, the Irish government replied to the Commissionís reasoned opinion. This reply is presently being studied by the Commission, and its contents are confidential, as infringement procedures against a Member State require. (2000/C 330 E/073) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0008/00 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission (13 January 2000) Subject: CITES-negotiations 2000 The next Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will take place in Nairobi in April 2000. 1. A topic that will most likely be discussed at the COP 10 of CITES concerns elephant poaching related to trade in ivory in Asian and African countries. Contradictory information on this issue exists, and 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/67 different interests are at stake. At the 1997 COP in Harare a decision was taken to allow three southern African countries to export a limited amount of ivory to Japan. Does the Commission have a position on the CITES policy on elephant poaching for COP 10 at this moment, and on what information is this position based? 2. Consultation is an important part of the European decision-making process. How will the Com- mission consult with interested parties, such as NGOs, in drawing up its recommendations? How does the Commission take the specific position of developing countries into account in this respect? How will the Commission harmonise the need for development with the worldwide need to protect endangered species? 3. At the time of COP 10 of CITES in 1997 the EU common position was drawn up at the last minute before the Conference, with no time for consultation. The Commission has repeatedly called for increased transparency in international procedures. In order to be able to study the list of endangered species as well as to react to it, the European Parliament needs the Commission to present its recommendations on the listings proposals for the upcoming Conference in good time. Can the Commission guarantee that the proposals will indeed be presented early next year (2000) at the latest? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (7 February 2000) The Commission condemns elephant poaching in both Africa and Asia as this practice undermines international efforts to ensure the sustainable use of wildlife and threatens the conservation of the species. To the extent that this poaching is driven by a demand for international trade, CITES and our own wildlife trade Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1) are important instruments in reducing incentives. The Commission organised a hearing with European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 17 Jan- uary 2000 in order to inform the deliberations leading to Commission recommendations for common positions. The position of developing countries on specific proposals is often presented in the text of proposals to amend the CITES appendices and full account is taken of these views. On other issues, the views of developing countries only manifest themselves at the conference itself. Although the primary goal of CITES relates to the conservation of endangered species, the Commission takes the view that this objective is unlikely to be achieved without the support of local people in developing countries where much of the worldís biodiversity is to be found. The Commission makes its CITES conference recommendations as early as possible following the receipt of the proposals, and after consultations with experts from the Member States and European NGOs. The determination of the common position will be made in the Council. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2000/C 330 E/074) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0017/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council (20 January 2000) Subject: Oil discharges at sea Oil discharges in the Atlantic and the North Sea are a threat to the various biotopes along Europeís coastline. The large number of birds covered in oil, mainly in December, January and February, illustrates the serious nature of the pollution. Ships usually make use of stormy weather to flush their oil tanks clean without being seen. The only possible solution, according to the Maríne Ecological Centre in Ostend, would be rules making it compulsory for ships to clean their oil tanks before leaving port. Ships would not be able to leave without a certificate of proof