WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/00 by Peter Mombaur (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Implementing nuclear safety programmes in Central and Eastern Europe.
C 53 E/24 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 In this framework the Commission has started the procedure to negotiate the participation of the Community in the revised European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport (ETS-65). This will help to ensure an acceptable level of animal welfare protection in Europe and accelerate the process of harmonisation of legislation on animal protection in the candidate countries. Furthermore the issue of long distance transport and in particular the importation of horses in the Community from Central and Eastern countries was discussed and analysed at the 7th meeting of the working group of chief veterinary officers of the associated countries which was held in Lisbon on 11-14 April 2000. (1) OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1991. (2001/C 53 E/028) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0775/00 by Peter Mombaur (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 March 2000) Subject: Implementing nuclear safety programmes in Central and Eastern Europe It appears that less progress has been reached in implementing programmes to improve nuclear safety in Central and Eastern Europe and in the CIS, PHARE and TACIS than had been originally planned. To shed light on the situation, the Commission is requested to provide Parliament with an updated break-down of expenditure hitherto, with the amounts made available every year since 1996, and with a communication on the level of the appropriations approved every year by Parliament and the Council compared with actual expenditure. I should also like an explanation of the Commission proposals for organising implementation of the programme and an indication of technical and administrative responsibilities, including an assessment of how long it will take to bring the project back in line with the original timetable and plans. Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (23 May 2000) The Commission is preparing a communication to the Parliament and the Council on nuclear safety in Central Europe and the New Independent States. This communication will address the actions carried out in the period 1990-1999 by the Commission, including the status of contracting of PHARE and TACIS nuclear safety projects and will make proposals for the forthcoming periods. The communication is planned to be issued within the coming months. As the questions raised by the Honourable Member fall within the scope of the envisaged communication, it is suggested to await its transmission. As regards the question of the Honourable Member regarding proposed reorganisation of technical and administrative responsibilities in the nuclear safety field, this matter is still under internal discussion in the Commission. (2001/C 53 E/029) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0777/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (16 March 2000) Subject: VAT and labour in the vehicle repair industry Under current VAT legislation within the UK an independent vehicle repair company undertaking repairs on a customerís vehicle must charge VAT on the entire bill. In recent years, however, insurance companies have been setting up their own garages to repair their customersí cars: through this method they do not have to pay VAT on labour because the garage staff are their own employees