WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2791/98 by Claude DESAMA to the Commission. Town twinning scheme in 1998
28. 6. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 182/23 (1999/C 182/028) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2779/98 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (14 September 1998) Subject: The work of the ECVAM with regard to finding alternatives to experiments on animals Professor Balls, director of the ECVAM, recently had his contract renewed for only two years, although this type of appointment is normally renewed for five years. The members of the ESAC (the ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee) are very concerned at this short extension because they are afraid that the ECVAM’s important work could suffer as a result and because it sends out the wrong signal to the cosmetics industry. 1. Can the Commission state what the requirements in respect of the ECVAM are concerning implementa- tion of directive 76/768/EEC, and what are the prospects of finding adequate alternatives to animal experiments for cosmetic purposes? Can the Commission say how much money has been earmarked for this sort of work over the next five 2. years? Is the Commission prepared to give the ECVAM a broad financial and substantive mandate and to extend 3. Professor Balls’ appointment to five years instead of two? Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1998) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to joint Written Questions E-1979/98 by Mr Vandemeulebroucke and others (1), E-2428/98 by Mr Fayot (2) and E-2517/98 by Mrs van Putten (3). (1) OJ C 135, 14. 5. 1999. (2) (3) See page 6. See page 11. (1999/C 182/029) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/98 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission (17 September 1998) Subject: Town twinning scheme in 1998 A number of Belgian local authorities have recently received documentation detailing the town-twinning scheme for 1998. Sadly, it is clear from reading the said documentation that if what they have to offer in terms of culture, sport, tourism or folklore is excluded, these towns will find it all but impossible to qualify. All of the local authorities concerned are dismayed at the failure of the scheme’s priorities to match the wishes of their citizens. Can the Commission say whether the scheme is designed to strengthen ties amongst all of the citizens of Europe, or whether only some of them are to be targeted through certain chosen themes?