WRITTEN QUESTION E-3661/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Environmental protection video

1. Is it true that DG XXIV (Unit A5) sent an ecological video by the comedian Beppe Grillo to 150 schools throughout Italy?

2. If so, did the initiative concern Italy alone or did it include other countries too? If the latter, did it involve the same person or other performers?

3. How much did the initiative confined to Italy cost?

4. Did the comedians participate free of charge?

5. If not, how much did it cost the European taxpayer?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1997)

1. The Commission has within the framework of the implementation of its communication 'Priorities for consumer policy 1996-1998' ((COM(95) 519. )), launched a number of information actions in southern Member States on sustainable consumption patterns.

A call for tender published in the Official journal ((OJ C 260, 7.9.1996. )), invited the submission of proposals for such actions in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. A contract was awarded for the realisation of a series of weekly radio programmes and is being executed in Spain. Since no proposals corresponding the specifications were received for Greece and Portugal, the call for tenders was republished ((OJ S 124, 1.7.1997. )). The Commission is finalising this procedure by the end of this year and expects to execute the approved actions in 1998. These actions do not follow a single model, but are developed and executed within the national context according to the proposal of the winning bid.

2. For the Italian lot, a contract has been signed following the call for tenders of July 1996, for a total amount of ECU 617 000. The implementation plan foresees four phases:

- a first phase of preliminary research and preparations;

- a second phase of launch of the research in 150 schools, launch of consumer research in supermarkets, media relation activities focused on initiating a public debate, launch of a helpdesk by consumer and environmental organisations and organisation of a workshop on sustainable consumption;

- a third phase of analysis of results of the research with a view to the development of sustainable consumption models, development of information materials, distribution of materials in schools and supermarkets, publicising results in the media with involvement of spokespersons and opinion leaders, and local events;

- a fourth phase of analysis of press clippings and evaluation

3. Within the framework of the execution of the information actions in Italy, a project has been launched in Italian schools. The first part of this project consists of a research activity in 150 schools. One of the tools provided to support this research activity is a 'didactic kit' containing various information material, among others a video cassette entitled 'Un Grillo per la testa', produced by the Swiss-Italian television. The video cassette contains statements of the comedian Beppe Grillo, interviews with scientists of the German Wuppertal Institut and information on sustainable development and sustainable consumption.

4. Swiss television has authorised the use of the video and received a total of SFR 500 (approximately ECU 800) (covering production of three master copies, dispatching and other expenses). The cost for making 150 copies was met by the contractor's budget for operational costs earmarked for the school project. The comedian has given his agreement for using the video without asking for any financial compensation.