Two independent studies have found that, if implemented in its current form, the proposal would
jeopardise1,7millionjobsinGermanyand670000jobsinFrance(betweennowand2012).
Giventhattheexpectedhealthandenvironmentalbenefitsdonotappearsufficienttojustifythethreatsto
thecompetitivenessofEurope’schemicalindustry,wouldtheCommissionbepreparedtoaskanimpartialbodytoassesstheimpactofthisnewlegislationbeforeitisformallypresented?
AnswergivenbyMrLiikanenonbehalfoftheCommission
(24October2003)
TheCommissionproposalsfortheimplementationofthenewstrategyonchemicalswillbeaccompanied
byanimpactassessmentwhichwilladdresstheestimatedcostsandbenefitsofthesystem.Theestimateswillbeunderpinnedmainlybytheresultsofacomprehensivestudycarriedoutbyanexternalconsultantfocusingonthedirectcostsofthesystem.
InrelationtothestudiesmentionedbytheHonourableMember,theCommissionwouldpointoutthat
their findings are based on texts posted for consultation on the internet in May 2003 and/or theCommission’sWhitePaperonaStrategyforaFutureChemicalsPolicy(
1).
Itisexpectedthatsignificantmodificationswillbemadetotheinternettexts,resultinginsubstantial
reductionsincoststoindustry.Thechangesenvisagedwilladdressinparticularpotentialproblemsfordownstreamusers,whoseobligationsunderthenewproposals,willbesubstantiallyalleviated.
(1) COM(2001)88final.
(2004/C58E/226) WRITTENQUESTIONE-2957/03
byMogensCamre(UEN)totheCommission
(8October2003)
Subject:Commission’sproposedamendmentofDirective94/35/EC
Areportinthescientificjournal‘Headache’(May2003,p.555)indicatesthatpeoplewithapredisposition
tomigrainemaysufferanattackiftheytakeasubstanceknownassucralose.
This substance is being considered for possible inclusion on the EU’s list of approved additives.
TheCommissionhasaccordinglysubmitted,inadocumentof16May2003,arevisedamendmentto
Directive94/35/EC(1)of30June1994onsweetenersforuseinfoodstuffs.Theamendmentproposesthat
theactivesubstance‘Splenda’(sucralose)beapprovedintheEUasE955.
TheamendmentalsorelatestosubstanceE962(aspartame-acesulphamesalt).Aspartameisawell-known
migraine-inducingsubstance,buttherearenostudiesonaspartame-acesulphamesalt.
Will the Commission take the initiative of having both these substances (together with other food
additives)thoroughlyinvestigatedforpossiblemigraine-inducingeffectbeforetheyareincludedonthelistofapprovedadditives?
(1) OJL237,10.9.1994,p.3.6.3.2004EN C58E/209 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion
AnswergivenbyMrByrneonbehalfoftheCommission
(24October2003)
TheCommissioniscollectingtheinformationitneedstoanswerthequestion.Itwillcommunicateits
findingsassoonaspossible.
(2004/C58E/227) WRITTENQUESTIONE-2994/03
byBernhardRapkay(PSE)totheCommission
(14October2003)
Subject:EUfundingforNordrhein-Westfalenfortheyears2001and2002
1. WhatamountsofEuropeanUnionfundingwerepaidtoNordrhein-Westfalenin2001and2002
from:
/dash theEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF),/dash theEuropeanAgriculturalGuidanceandGuaranteeFund(EAGGF)/dashGuidanceSection,
/dash theEuropeanAgriculturalGuidanceandGuaranteeFund(EAGGF)/dashGuaranteeSection,
/dash theEuropeanSocialFund(ESF),/dash EuropeanCommunityresearchprogrammes,/dash EuropeanCommunityprogrammesfortheenvironment,/dash otherEuropeanCommunityprogrammes?
2. Whowerethebeneficiaries?
3. Whatamountswere madeavailable byway ofco-financing either with the LandofNordrhein-
WestfalenorwiththeFederalRepublicofGermany?
AnswergivenbyMrProdionbehalfoftheCommission
(21October2003)
TheCommissioniscollectingtheinformationitneedstoanswerthequestion.Itwillcommunicateits
findingsassoonaspossible.C58E/210 EN6.3.2004 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnion