WRITTEN QUESTION E-1892/99 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. URBAN Community Initiative.
C 170 E/116 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1999) The scientific committee on animal health and animal welfare gave its opinion on 10 March 1999 on the risk assessment on bovine somatotrophin (BST). The conclusion of the report is that BST should not be administered to dairy cows because it can cause serious health problems (e. g. mastitis, foot and leg disorders) as well as adversely affecting reproduction. Unless a company or scientific research brings new elements to light leading to reconsideration, the risk assessment on BST on animal health and welfare aspects has been completed. (2000/C 170 E/137) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Transport of live animals Is the Commission aware of reports that France is reported by the RSPCA still to be in non-compliance with the EU Directive (95/0029/EC) (1) on the transport of live animals? Can the Commission say what has been the effect of the continued infringement proceedings against France pursuant to Article 169 of the EC Treaty for failure to notify the necessary measures to implement the Directive and what steps are being taken to ensure strict compliance with European Union law? (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 52. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (29 November 1999) The infringement proceedings brought by the Commission against France involve the incomplete transposition of Council Directive 95/0029/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/0628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport. The Commission brought the case before the Court of justice on 15 June 1999. The French authorities have in the meantime informed the Commission that the legislation to ensure complete transposition of the Directive is under preparation. After an inspection by the Commission a specific report has been issued. In the report, which is available for health and consumer protection (1), a number of on the Web site of recommendations are addressed to France in relation to the unsatisfactory aspects. The Commission intends to pursue the matter if France does not remedy the deficiencies. the Directorate general (1) Web address: http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg24/. (2000/C 170 E/138) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1892/99 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: URBAN Community Initiative (29 October 1999) In response to an initiative of the European Parliament, the URBAN Community Initiative will continue during the period from 2000 until 2006. The EP also asked for this Community Initiative to be directed towards small and medium-sized towns in the EU. 20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/117 Can the Commission indicate how it intends to fulfil the EPís request? Could the previous minimum number of inhabitants, 100 000 being the general rule, be taken as a maximum in the future so as to meet the wishes of the EP? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1999) The draft guidelines for the Urban Community Initiative, adopted by the Commission on 13 October 1999 (1), clearly indicate that there will no longer be a minimum population size for eligible urban areas. The Commission requires only that each urban area concerned have a population of at least 10 000. Member States therefore have the option of proposing small and medium-size urban areas, and also larger- sized towns, as Parliament wished. (1) COM(1999) 477 final. (2000/C 170 E/139) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1894/99 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Commission authorisation of the Siemens-Fujitsu joint venture According to press reports, on 3 October 1999 the Commission authorised an operational joint venture between Fujitsi Limited (Japanese) and Siemens AG (German). It apparently laid down certain economic and commercial conditions, but no social conditions. Agreements to establish business mergers or joint ventures generally entail internal restructuring measures in the companies concerned, leading to pressure to cut jobs. At a time when relocation measures, closures and downsizing strategies are on the agenda in countries like Portugal, with the possibility of Siemens factories closing down or, as in the case of Michelin, the prospect of thousands of workers being made redundant, I wish to ask the Commission whether approval of joint ventures or mergers of multinational firms in the internal market is subject to certain social conditions being met, in particular with respect to job maintenance and/or creation. If so, what specific conditions are laid down in this case? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (29 November 1999) On 30 September 1999 the Commission decided to authorise a joint venture between Fujitsu and Siemens designed to combine the businesses of both companies in Europe with a view to developing, producing and selling computer hardware and related products. It examined the joint venture in the light of the Merger Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 of 30 June 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) 4064/89 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (1)). The Commission sought to determine whether the operation would create or strengthen a dominant position on the markets concerned. Given the market shares of the parent companies and the presence of strong competitors on all those markets, it concluded that there was no such risk. Moreover, it noted effects of coordination between the two parent companies only on the financial workstations market. To address these serious doubts as to competition on that particular market, Siemens has undertaken to divest