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News report : 20-03-97
Brussels, 20 March, 1997
A NEW DIMENSION FOR EU SPORT
A new dimension for EU sport
The hearing brought out the dual nature of sport. Discussion on the
first two themes - giving young people access to sport and the
inclusion of sport in the Treaty - highlighted its cultural role, while
the debate on sport and the media, showed its economic
importance.
Speakers in the first debate put forward a number of arguments to
show that sport should not be considered purely from an economic
viewpoint. It is an integral part of Europe's cultural heritage and
plays a role in promoting health
All the speakers said that, if these values were to be developed in
the EU, sport must be given a place in the Treaty. Speaking on the Bosman judgment, Mostapha OUEZEKHTI (chairman of FC Atlas), welcomed the freedom for players but
thought that the lack of flanking measures would put a number of
small clubs at risk as they might no longer have the funds to train
young players. Michael SULZBACHER (Austrian Federal Sports
Organization) said that the new system of sharing out income from
broadcasting rights ought to benefit small clubs.
The sport and the media debate focused on the financial aspects.
Jean-Bernard MÜNCH (European Broadcasting Union) said that an
exclusive rights system for major sports events would limit the
audience and viewers might ultimately lose interest. 
Further Information - Tel: Patrick BARAGIOLA - Tel: 284.32.51
DUMA DELEGATES STRONGLY OPPOSE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO
DUMA DELEGATES STRONGLY OPPOSE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO
Mikhail YURIEV, Deputy Chairman of the Duma, was strongly opposed to enlargement, which he
considered a threat to Russia. This view seems to be held almost unanimously within the
Russian Parliament. The Duma now has a 'No' group numbering 300 members out of a
parliament of 400. There is no military threat that would justify an extension of NATO eastwards.
Enlargement could be met by unilateral measures: the Duma might not sign the START Treaty or
it might denounce the existing CFE treaty. Although the economy is not strong, there are ways in
which Russia can show its power which cost nothing. Mr YURIEV has no objection to
enlargement of the WEU as the United States is not a member.
Speaking of the threat posed by military deployment of NATO troops on the territory of the
Central and Eastern European countries, Roman POPKOVICH, a member of the Duma's
Committee on Defence, even raised the possibility of another alliance to counterbalance NATO
to include Russia, China and Iran. Yuri SEVENARD, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on
Industry, thought it naive to believe that Russia would be resigned to joining the minor powers.
The EU and the USA have to realize that Russia is still a considerable power.
On the question of whether Russia has security plans to counteract the feeling of insecurity in
Central Europe, Mr YURIEV thought that a global security system was impossible. He proposes
putting the present situation on hold for ten years, maintaining the dividing line between the
countries of Europe, and signing a non-aggression treaty. There is no question of Russia joining
NATO while it is dominated by the United States.
Further Information: Etienne BASSOT - Tel: 284.47.41, and Cécile YVAN
A PROTECTION FORCE FOR ALBANIAN HUMANITARIAN AID
A PROTECTION FORCE FOR ALBANIAN HUMANITARIAN AID
The committee called on the Council, which is meeting on 25 March, to take the necessary
measures to establish democracy and respect for the rule of law in Albania.
Further information: Etienne BASSOT - Tel: 284.47.41
MAKING THE VALLETTA CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
MAKING THE VALLETTA CONFERENCE A SUCCESS Speaking on 20 March to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (chairman: Tom SPENCER, PES, UK), Manuel MARIN, Member of the Commission, hoped that the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Valletta on 15 and 16 April would achieve practical results. Progress had been made on association agreements, for example, but a lot remained to be done.
Mr MARIN expressed hopes of substantial progress in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
Parliament had a key role to play. There was a need to establish permanent channels for
dialogue, especially on issues of vital interest, such as water.
He was in favour of an interparliamentary forum with the Mediterranean. Parliament should of
course be a full participant in the EU delegation.
Further Information: Etienne BASSOT - Tel: 284.47.41, and Oliver SCHULZ
COMMISSIONER WARNED: PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY OF FOOD SAFETY WILL CONTINUE
COMMISSIONER WARNED: PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY OF FOOD
SAFETY WILL CONTINUE
Speaking a year to the day after the UK Parliament learned that there was, after all, a possible
link between BSE and CJD, Committee chairman Ken COLLINS (PES, UK) warned Mrs Bonino
that the European Parliament had a duty under its rules to be vigilant about food safety, including
veterinary legislation and veterinary products. The committee intended to carry out that duty and
would monitor developments closely.
In particular, Mr Collins asked Mrs Bonino whether Parliament would have the Commission's
support if it took action against the Council for adopting a regulation on beef labelling under
Article 43 (agriculture, consultation procedure) of the Treaty instead of Article 100a (internal
market, codecision procedure) as demanded by Parliament and accepted by the Commission.
Mrs Bonino replied that the text adopted by the Council was very disappointing as regards both
content and legal basis.
In fact, the committee has decided to write to the President of Parliament, Mr José María GIL-
ROBLES, to ask him to invite the Council to reconsult Parliament on this urgent matter. This
follows hot on the heels of a letter on another subject which the committee has just sent to the
President of Parliament suggesting that Parliament take the Council to the Court of Justice for
refusing to add Article 130s (the implementation of environmental objectives) to the legal basis
(Article 43) for forest protection regulations which it recently adopted.
Mr Collins also asked Mrs Bonino whether she agreed with the committee's view that genetically
modified products such as soya and maize should be labelled as completely as possible. In reply,
while querying the meaning of "as completely as possible", Mrs Bonino said she agreed
absolutely with the principle, but the problem was how to implement it in practice. In her initial address to the committee, Mrs Bonino said she intended to propose the creation of a Scientific Committee responsible for evaluating the risks from genetically modified organisms. Such a committee was "an absolute necessity". As regards genetically modified foodstuffs, she said: "We should be keeping a very close eye on this kind of food."
Mrs Bonino said that she intended to follow the principles laid down in that report's
recommendations concerning scientific consultation, eg the work of the Scientific Committees
should be transparent and their results should be published. She also agreed on the need to
have high-quality independent scientific experts.
Moreover, she wanted to develop a new approach towards inspection and control so as to
ensure control over the whole food chain from the farm to the point of sale and the consumer. "
It will be possible to put into effect a system of inspection based on audits with well-defined and
approved inspection procedures, " she said. However, the Commission could not replace
national control bodies. "It is principally the Member States that are responsible for inspection
and control within the European Union," she said.
Further information, Patrick REYNOLDS - tel. 284 4706
GREEN LIGHT FOR ARSENAL OF MEASURES TO COMBAT TRAFFIC POLLUTION
GREEN LIGHT FOR ARSENAL OF MEASURES TO COMBAT TRAFFIC
POLLUTION
In adopting four reports calling for a substantial reduction in vehicle emissions from road
transport, the committee, chaired by Mr Ken COLLINS (PES, UK), criticized the European
Commission for operating behind closed doors and failing to consult widely outside the industries
affected. Its closeness to the auto and oil industries, members claimed, had caused it to
exaggerate the cost of a clean-up while failing to take account of the resulting health savings and
environmental benefits.
In particular, rejecting the Commission's wish for voluntary controls, the committee opted for
mandatory instead of indicative limits on the emission of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ozone and sulphur. However, one member expressed concern
at the effect that a total lead ban might have on the performance of vintage cars.
In its defence, the Commission said that some of the amendments proposed could not be
achieved by 2000. As for 2005, the technologies to be evaluated were not available yet. That
was why the Commission was suggesting indicative limits.
The adoptions mark the first stage in the legislative process of implementing the so called
Auto/Oil Programme, which was developed by the Commission between 1992 and 1996 in
collaboration with the car and oil industries. The programme foresees a package of measures to
reduce emissions, such as the use of advanced technology in engine design, better car
maintenance, servicing and testing and the installation of car-borne diagnostic devices.
Setting the scene, the committee adopted a report by Doeke EISMA (ELDR, NL), under the
consultation procedure, on a Commission communication to the European Parliament and the
Council on
a future strategy for the control of atmospheric emissions from road transport, taking
account of the results of the Auto/Oil programme.
The report regretted that the Commission had
mistakenly based its approach on the principle of cost-effectiveness instead of carrying out a
cost-benefit analysis. In addition, the Commission had been guided exclusively by the effects of
air pollution on human health, whereas it also caused considerable damage to agricultural
crops, ecosystems and the environment generally. Noise nuisance and soil and water pollution
had also to be considered. The actual costs of motoring must be passed on to the consumer.
Emission standards for existing vehicles should be enforced by regular random tests. Standards
should be upgraded in 2000 and again in 2005. The Structural Funds should be used to finance
projects for sustainable transport.
As a start to implementing the strategy outlined by Mr EISMA, the committee adopted two
reports, under the codecision procedure (first reading), on Commission proposals on:
*
measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles
(mainly passenger
cars) amending Council Directives 70/156/EEC and 70/220/EEC (rapporteur: Bernd LANGE
(PES, D)). This report called for the use of tax incentives to encourage early compliance with
tough new emission limits, the replacement or retrofitting of older vehicles, the beefing up of
emission test procedures, including cold start emissions, and the encouragement of alternative
fuels. Manufacturers should not be able to exclude repairers or breakdown services from access
to diagnostic systems. A binding two-stage approach required mandatory emission limits to be
imposed from 2000 and 2005. "An adequate normative and fiscal framework should be created
as soon as possible to accelerate the introduction into the market of vehicles with innovative
propulsion technologies and vehicles which use alternative fuels with a low environmental
impact," it said.
*
the quality of petrol and diesel fuels,
amending Council Directive 93/12/EEC (rapporteur: Noël
MAMÈRE (Greens, F)). Calling for minimum environmental fuel specifications for petrol and
diesel, the report said that Member States needed the right of differential taxation in order to
promote the adoption of more advanced fuels. Low-quality diesel should no longer be sold after 1
January 2005. Special specifications were needed for the fuels (diesel, LPG and NGV) of fleets
of buses, taxis and commercial vehicles, which are particularly responsible for urban pollution.
All three reports criticized the Commission's failure to consult experts from outside the industries
affected. The LANGE report noted:"there has been absolutely no transparency and no
participation by social groupings, political decision-makers or relevant non-governmental
organizations".
The committee also adopted a non-legislative report by Laura GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ (GUE/NGL,
E) on a Commission communication on
a Community strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from
passenger cars and improve fuel economy.
CO2 emissions were not covered by the Auto/Oil
Programme, but CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. The report said
that in the light of the current increase in CO2 "business as usual" was not an option. Rejecting
the Commission's proposal for a voluntary agreement with the auto industry, the report calls on
the Commission to ensure, through the establishment of graduated limits, that by 2005 the
average CO2 emission of all new motor vehicles (diesel and petrol) in the EU is 120g per km.The
committee also raises the possibility of linking car purchase tax and/or annual road taxes to
emission levels so as to give consumers an incentive to buy less polluting vehicles. Fuel
economy labelling and the use of speed limiters and econometers are recommended and the
committee calls for a reconsideration of out-of-town shopping centres.
The reports are due to be discussed by the full Parliament at its April session in Strasbourg.
Further Information: Patrick REYNOLDS - Tel: 284.47.06
AGREEMENT WITH PLO APPROVED
AGREEMENT WITH PLO APPROVED
Contrary to other Euro-Mediterranean agreements, the agreement with the PLO is not a mixed
one and does not involve the Member States: ratification by the national parliaments is not
required will start negotiations with a view to concluding a Euro-Mediterranean association
agreement will start no later than 4 May 1999.
Further Information: Etienne BASSOT - Tel: 284.47.41, and Cécile YVAN
BUDGETARY CONTROL: ALL CLEAR FOR EUROPEA DEVELOPMENT FUND, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CE
BUDGETARY CONTROL: ALL CLEAR FOR THE EUROPEAN
DEVELOPMENT FUND, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE AND
THE DUBLIN FOUNDATION
Similarly, although the 1994 discharge for CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of
Vocational Training) in 1994, the Committee on Budgetary Control unanimously approved the report
by Edward KELLETT-BOWMAN (EPP, UK) which proposed granting a discharge for 1994 and 1995.
The committee has some doubts about the agreement between CEDEFOP and the Greek
Government on the construction and purchase of buildings in Thessaloniki. It has also noted that
difficulties concerning staff relocation from Berlin to Thessaloniki, for which the Council bore prime
responsibility, should be settled during 1997.
The Committee on Budgetary Control also unanimously approved the KELLETT-BOWMAN report
on granting a discharge for 1995 to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and
Working Conditions in Dublin.
The committee postponed approval of the WYNN and DANKERT reports on the discharge for the
1995 budget, scheduled for the April plenary session.
Further Information: Georgios GHIATIS - Tel.: 284.22.16
NEED FOR CONCILATION BY THE COUNCIL
Speaking at the invitation of the Committee on Culture (chairman: Peter PEX, EPP, Nl), the
President-in-Office of the Council, Aad NUIS, came under a running fire of questions for over an
hour, particularly on cultural programmes still at the conciliation stage (Ariane, Raphael and
Television without frontiers).
MEPs said they had made several attempts to reach agreement on the two cultural programmes
where there are budget difficulties but is not prepared to move.
Mr NUIS said that the Council and Parliament positions were close on one of the main issues
relating to Television without frontiers - free access for viewers to major sporting events.
He acknowledged that there was a blockage in the Council in connection with the Guarantee
Fund. He would try to get things moving by asking the delegations that had objections to put
forward alternative solutions. Further Information: Patrick BARAGIOLA - Tel: 284.32.51
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