WRITTEN QUESTION P-2771/99

by Mario Mastella (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 January 2000)

Subject: Apparent European ban on wood-fired ovens

Recent reports in the Italian press, subsequently officially denied by a European Commission spokesman, have brought to light the apparent existence of a European Union directive banning the use of wood-fired ovens for food preparation, if they fail to comply with the new European hygiene standards. All this has raised understandable alarm in the gastronomic world in Italy, in particular in the traditional Neapolitan pizza sector, the very symbol of Italian cuisine, which is renowned and appreciated throughout the world, and the preparation of which requires the use of a clay oven.

Press reports also suggest that it was only thanks to a series of Commission communications that Italy managed to secure temporary derogations from the ban although many Italian municipalities have already begun to stop granting any further authorisations or licences to install new wood-fired ovens fearing that sooner or later they may be banned by law definitively.

Can the Commission therefore clarify the state of affairs described above by indicating whether or not such legislation exists, not least to safeguard the consumer's right to accurate information?

If so, on the basis of what health and safety considerations was the directive issued?

Does the Commission not consider that the indirect effect of measures of this kind may be to destroy the Neapolitan tradition and inventiveness that has made the region's pizza the best known and most highly appreciated in the world, and that there will be repercussions in terms of employment given that at this point pizzas and breads produced by hand in the traditional way are at risk of disappearing from the market?

Lastly, does the Commission not consider that it should present new legislation which, rather than penalising, would secure the legality and protect the specific characteristics of traditional quality products from all the Member States of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The Commission is aware of the reports in the Italian press and other Italian media about an alleged European hygiene directive which could lead to a ban on traditional Italian wood fired pizza ovens. The Commission can confirm that these reports are completely inaccurate and in fact there are no existing or proposed hygiene requirements relating to wood burning pizza ovens.

The European hygiene legislation covering the cooking of traditional pizzas is Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of foodstuffs(1). However there are no provisions in this Directive that would require wood burning pizza ovens to be banned. In fact, neither ovens, nor any other specific food preparation equipment are mentioned. The Directive covers many different types of food businesses using a wide range of preparation and cooking equipment and therefore it establishes very broad principles for food hygiene. It requires food equipment that comes into direct contact with food to be in good order, repair and condition so as to minimise the risk of contamination to food. Equipment must be cleaned, and where necessary disinfected, and the area surrounding should be cleanable.

The Commission is currently considering a proposal for a recast and consolidation into a single text of all 14 food hygiene directives, including Directive 93/43/EEC. This exercise does not include any changes to the current legislation covering the preparation and cooking of pizzas. The measure will focus on addressing risks to health from foodstuffs, their production and preparation at all stages from the farm to the consumer.

Where specific unacceptable risks to health are identified, linked to the production, preparation or cooking of any foodstuffs and these can best be addressed by measures at the European level, the Commission will continue to seek the most effective course of action necessary so as to protect consumer health.

(1) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.