WRITTEN QUESTION P-1586/99 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Increase in medical problems caused by stray pets and farm animals in Kosovo.
C 170 E/40 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 (2000/C 170 E/043) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1582/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Greeningí the processing of fish Will the Commission consider providing financial incentives to fish processors in order to encourage them to install plant for the utilisation of fish waste rather than encouraging industrial fishing? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 October 1999) Contrary to what encourage industrial fishing (meaning fishing intended for purposes other than human consumption). the Honourable Memberís question appears to imply, the Commission does not The current legal basis for financial incentives to the processing industry is Council Regulation (EC) 2468/98 of 3 November 1998 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products (1). In Annex II. 2. 4 of that Regulation it is explicitly stipulated that áinvestments shall not be eligible for assistance where they concern fishery and aquaculture products intended to be used and processed for purposes other than human consumption, with the exception of investments exclusively for the handling, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture product wastesí. The Commission has proposed that this clause be carried forward to the next legal basis (covering the 2000-2006 programming period of the Structural Funds). (1) OJ L 312, 20. 11. 1998. (2000/C 170 E/044) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1586/99 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Increase in medical problems caused by stray pets and farm animals in Kosovo Is the Commission aware of the article by Ray Gutman in the Washington Post referring to the increase in human medical problems caused by neglected stray pets and farm animals in Kosovo? Is the Commission aware that under these conditions diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis rapidly spread amongst humans? Is it possible to round up stray pets and farm animals and to put them in quarantine so that their lawful owners can collect them? Is the Commission prepared to give greater attention to this question in its aid programmes in the form of direct aid to veterinary surgeons and veterinary laboratories in Kosovo and presentive programmes in consultation with the relevant medical services, for example the WSPA which is already playing an active role in Kosovo? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1999) The Commission shares the Honourable Memberís concern about the situation in Kosovo, and about the health risks inherent in the present conditions for both human beings and animals. 20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/41 The Commissionís aid programmes for Kosovo, at present and for the foreseeable future, concern firstly humanitarian assistance and emergency repairs of dwellings in order to enable the population to cope with the coming winter, and secondly physical reconstruction. In addition, given the health risks to both humans and animals from neglected stray pets and farm animals in Kosovo, the Commission is pleased to inform the Honourable Member that its humanitarian office (ECHO) is already in discussions with the UN Food and agricultural organisation (FAO) regarding a programme of vaccination of all live stock and stray pets in Kosovo. This programme will allow a census of the number of animals in the province and will help prevent spreading diseases to the population. The programme will complement the Task Force programme of re-opening or restructuring the veterinary stations in Kosovo. (2000/C 170 E/045) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1587/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Restoration of historic monuments damaged by the war in Yugoslavia In June 1999, the Ministers of Culture of the Member States meeting in Weimar decided to call on the Commission to take measures for the restoration of historic monuments in Kosovo. According to the studies by the Icomos, the 160 damaged sites belonging to the European cultural heritage include 13 archaeological sites, 60 monasteries and churches, 1 mosque and many historic buildings and market squares. Can the Commission answer the following: 1. What funding does it intend to earmark for the restoration work? 2. Have specific restoration programmes been drawn up on the basis of scientific studies, timetables and priorities? 3. Does it intend to cooperate with organisations such as the Icomos and Unesco which are already aware of the issues involved? 4. Will it also provide funding for the restoration of monuments in the remainder of Yugoslavia? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1999) The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the destructive consequences that the conflict in Kosovo has had on its civil and religious heritage. As the Honourable Member is aware, the Commission does not itself have competence to take any measures for the protection of Kosovoís cultural heritage. It is of course willing to consider cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) or the International Council of monuments and sites (COMOS) should they undertake any initiative in this regard. At this time, the priority areas for reconstruction in Kosovo are demining, procurement of essential supplies for rehabilitation of housing and public buildings, customs, village employment and the rehabilitation of Mitrovica hospital. As for the remainder of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, there has been no destruction of monuments in the territory of the Republic of Montenegro. For the Republic of Serbia, only humanitarian assistance or support for democratisation and independent media is presently available