WRITTEN QUESTION E-2773/99 by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) and Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Commission staff recruitment.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/203 (2000/C 225 E/230) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2772/99 by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (7 January 2000) Subject: Dumping of BSE contaminated waste by-products I have received reports that a review of the proposed Animal Waste Directive 90/667 (1) could allow the dumping of BSE contaminated waste by-products in landfill sites in Ireland. Is EU legislation authorising this landfilling, and if that is the case what studies have been carried out to prove that this does not pose any risk. Is there any specific regulation on the handling of BSE contaminated waste (such as classification as hazardous substance)? (1) OJ L 363, 27. 12. 1990, p. 51. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (4 February 2000) Commission Decision 97/534/EC of 30 July 1997 on the prohibition of the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) (1) and Commission Decision 97/272/EC of 23 April 1998 on epidemio-surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amending Decision 94/474/EC (2) allow, by way of derogation from the general rules, specified risk material and animals which have died of TSE to be buried without prior treatment in accordance with specific conditions laid down in Article 3(2) of Directive 90/667/EEC of 27 November 1990 laying down the veterinary rules for the disposal and processing of animal waste, for its placing on the market and for the prevention of pathogens in feedstuffs of animal or fish origin and amending Directive 90/425/EEC. In particular, according to this Article, the authorities of the Member States may, where necessary, decide that such animal waste must be disposed of by burial. Following the international scientific conference on animal meal and the public consultation on meat-and- bone meal launched by the Commission in 1997 and in the light of the new scientific opinions recently adopted by the scientific steering committee, a draft proposal establishing new rules for the disposal and processing of animal waste has been prepared in the form of a working document. This working document takes account of the various options for the disposal of animal waste including from animals in which BSE is suspected or confirmed. On the basis of this working document, the submission of a proposal to the Council and to the Parliament is scheduled by June 2000. (1) OJ L 216, 8. 8. 1997, as last amended by Council Decision 1999/881/EC, OJ L 331, 23. 12. 1999. (2) OJ L 122, 24. 4. 1998. (2000/C 225 E/231) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2773/99 by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) and Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Commission staff recruitment (18 January 2000) There has been a vacant post for an A5 official at the Commissionís office in Athens for the past six months. Although there has been a large number of applications ü more than twenty ü no-one has been appointed. Have all the applicants been deemed unsuitable for a simple A5 post? Is something else going on, unbeknown to mere mortals? Why does the Commission persist in not filling the advertised post? C 225 E/204 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (14 February 2000) A grade A post for the Commission Office in Athens has been published. Publication was in abeyance pending completion of the restructuring of the Press and Communication Service, to which the Offices in the Member States have reported since 1 October 1999. Since the restructuring is progressing steadily, the post will be published again shortly and filled as soon as possible. (2000/C 225 E/232) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2775/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Consolidation of the tourist guide profession in Greece (18 January 2000) Greece has to date had no mechanism for certifying the tourist guide profession or for setting conditions for the issuing of a special card certifying that the holder is a tourist guide. Talks have recently begun between the parties concerned and the government over the introduction of a bill setting conditions for the recognition of this profession, and it would help facilitate the dialogue if the Commission could answer the following questions: 1. Does it consider confirmation from the employer alone to be sufficient justification for the issuing of a special card certifying the holder as a professional tourist guide, when there may be more convincing documents proving the exercise of the profession, such as the individualís tax return or the registers of the approved association of those trained in the field to date? 2. Does it consider it essential for the bill to take account of the conditions referred to in Article 7 of Directive 75/368/EEC (1), such as two yearsí previous service? 3. For the recognition of professional training, is it considered essential for training certificates to be validated by a State department or a professional association, or is a simple certificate of attendance of relevant training sufficient? (1) OJ L 167, 30. 6. 1975, p. 22. Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (17 February 2000) Only the courier profession is in fact covered by Council Directive 75/368/EEC of 16 June 1975 on measures to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services in respect of various activities (ex ISIC Division 01 to 85) and, in particular, transitional measures in respect of those activities (1). The Directive excludes the tourist guide profession which, depending on the level of training required in the different Member States, is covered either by Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three yearsí duration (2) or by Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC (3). The Commission can give the following answers to the specific questions raised by the Honourable Member about provisions to be included in the bill setting conditions for the recognition of the tourist guide profession in Greece. Firstly, it should be noted that each Member State can choose whether to regulate a profession in its own country or not. In addition, the rules which apply to nationals who have acquired their professional qualification in this Member State are outside Community law and at the discretion of the Member State. Consequently the Directive applies only to Community nationals who have acquired their professional qualification in a Member State other than the one where they intend to exercise their profession