WRITTEN QUESTION E-1573/99

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Lack of limit values for dioxins and PCBs

In view of the dioxin scandal in Belgium and the fact that recital 5 of the Commission decision of 3 June 1999 noted that no maximum levels for dioxin contamination are set for individual basic ingredients and foodstuffs and that there are no maximum levels for dioxins at international, Community or national level:

1. Why has the Commission failed to set a limit value for PCBs, dioxins or other chlorine compounds?

2. When will the Commission correct this omission?

3. When exactly can a directive or regulation containing such limit values to be expected?

4. Is the Commission taking steps to set up an independent, neutral foodstuffs monitoring centre at EU level?

5. Is it correct that there are no EU legal provisions for either animal or plant products that provide for maximum levels of PCBs?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 1999)

At the moment there is no recognised international legislation setting maximum dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels according to the type of food. Research into the subject is also vague. Some Member States have already set maximum levels for certain foods on the back of national scientific opinions, but these levels do not always coincide.

After the dioxin crisis that broke out in Belgium at the end of May 1999, the Commission was obliged to take urgent measures which incorporated maximum PCB levels in products of animal origin. Commission Decision 1999/0449/EC of 9 July 1999(1) therefore imposes maximum PCB levels for milk, dairy products and poultry. In addition, Commission Decision 1999/0551/EC of 6 August 1999(2) amending Decision 1999/0449/EC sets provisional maximum levels for beef, pork and products derived from these meats. These levels only apply to the contamination cases uncovered in Belgium as dioxin and PCB contamination manifests itself in different ways according to each individual case. The provisions taken by the Commission take into account the maximum levels imposed in several Member States, where these exist. The Commission has already asked European scientific committees to give their opinion in order for a European viewpoint to be reached which would allow the Commission, if necessary, to consider implementing maximum PCB levels across the Community.

Furthermore, as far as limit values for dioxin levels in food is concerned, in June 1998 the Commission began an in-depth study into the contamination levels found in foodstuffs in several Member States. This study is part of the Scientific Co-operation Programme between Member States (SCOOP). The preliminary results of this study, which should be available very soon, and of work under way at the Joint Research Centre (Institute for reference materials and measurements) will give a better idea of the risk involved and provide a basis for further discussion.

In the meantime, the Commission's basis is still the scientific evaluation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has recommended a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1 to 4 picograms per kilogram of body weight per day for dioxins. By setting this level, the WHO hopes to safeguard human health as far as possible. At the same time, the WHO recognises that there is a background level of dioxin in all industrialised countries which cannot be ignored.

Until 1999, plans to monitor the situation in Member States were essentially intended to prevent contaminated milk and dairy products entering the market. As of the year 2000, the Commission will ask that meat and fish is also monitored. The results of such monitoring should allow us to have a precise idea of the current situation in Europe.

Furthermore, as Community law stands, and leaving aside the levels set in Commission decisions on the specific case of the dioxin crisis in Belgium, a maximum dioxin level for citrus pulp is included in Annex I, Section B(21), of Council Directive 1999/0029/EC of 22 April 1999 on the undesirable substances and products in animal nutrition(3). A proposal setting maximum PCB levels in raw materials and finished goods intended for animal nutrition is also currently being discussed.

Finally, the Commission is currently studying the possibility of setting up an independent European food agency. Possible options concerning this body will be presented before the end of the year in the white paper proposing a food safety action plan.

(1) OJ L 175, 10.7.1999.

(2) OJ L 209, 7.8.1999.

(3) OJ L 115, 4.5.1999.