WRITTEN QUESTION E-1730/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Export of cattle to third countries.
C 203 E/34 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 However, the Court of justice has held that Member States must nevertheless comply with Community law when exercising that power (3). As the German provision seems to constitute an obstacle to the freedom of movement of people, specifically of students, the Commission will therefore examine the question in more detail. The Commission is also aware of the situation of students who have taken out private insurance to fulfil the conditions regarding sickness insurance so as to obtain a residence permit and who are hence not covered by the above Regulation. A draft recommendation requesting Member States to make efforts to eliminate obstacles in this particular area is under preparation. (1) OJ L 38, 12. 2. 1999. (2) OJ L 28, 30. 1. 1997. (3) See case C-18/95 Terhoeve v Inspecteur van de Belastingdienst Particulieren/Ondernemingen Buitenland [1999] ECR I-345, paragraph 34. (2000/C 203 E/041) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1730/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (29 September 1999) Subject: Export of cattle to third countries How many live cattle were exported from the EU to third countries in 1998, and how much was paid out in export refunds for live cattle exports to third countries in the period 16 October 1997 to 15 October 1998? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (25 October 1999) In 1998 the Community exported 266 256 live cattle to third countries. For the budget year 1998, 16 October 1997 to 15 October 1998, € 93,5 million was granted in export subsidies for live cattle. (2000/C 203 E/042) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1733/99 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 September 1999) Subject: Cost of missions to Strasbourg About once a month, the institutional and administrative entity known as the European Parliament, plus significant contingents from the Council, the Commission and the other bodies comprising the European Union, transfers en masse for four to five days from Brussels to Strasbourg or, to put it another way, transfers for around 15 days from Strasbourg to Brussels. What are the figures and costs involved in this operation? How many people, apart from the 626 MEPs and their 1 000 or so assistants, commute between the two cities? Exactly how many people are on mission? What is the cost of the missions by employees of the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and other internal and related bodies? What is the overall expenditure on missions and the transfer operation as a whole (including means of transport, external firms etc. )?