WRITTEN QUESTION No. 105/99 by Anthony WILSON to the Commission. Scrapies in sheep flocks in New Zealand
C 297/146 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 15. 10. 1999 In paragraphs 29 et seq. of its notice of 22 August 1998 on the application of the competition rules to access agreements in the telecommunications sector framework, relevant markets and principles (1), the Commission identifies cases where it could take parallel action, namely where a formal complaint is referred to it and where national proceedings could lead to an excessive delay of the Commission’s action, without a satisfactory resolution of the matter at national level. An excessive delay could arise where the national authority fails to resolve the dispute within a reasonable period of time and where there is a substantial Community interest in the case affecting, or likely to affect, competition in a number of Member States. Moreover, the Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member that the internal market would be affected if firms were able to limit competition by agreements and concerted practices at the expense of consumers in the telecommunications market which has first been opened up to competition. For that reason, it attaches special importance to the application in full of the competition rules in this sector, as emphasised in the notice referred to above. (1) OJ C 265, 22. 8. 1998. (1999/C 297/199) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0105/99 by Anthony Wilson (PSE) to the Commission (2 February 1999) Subject: Scrapies in sheep flocks in New Zealand Can the Commission confirm whether any cases of scrapies have been found in sheep flocks in New Zealand? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (8 March 1999) There have been two periods where scrapie was detected in sheep in New Zealand. In 1952, scrapie was found in three sheep imported from England and in 1954 in four sheep originating from the flock affected in 1952. Scrapie was identified in sheep which were in quarantine in 1976 and 1977. The Commission is not aware of any recent cases of scrapie in sheep of New Zealand origin. (1999/C 297/200) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0139/99 by André Fourçans (PPE) to the Commission (11 February 1999) Subject: Erasmus student exchange programme Certain countries and universities taking part in the Erasmus student exchange programme do not recognise the equivalence of all units of study in the host country. This both undervalues the experience and hampers students who have to return to their country of origin to sit some of their examinations. What does the Commission intend to do to prevent this type of nonsense and to ensure that all study abroad is recognised in the student’s country of origin?