WRITTEN QUESTION E-3374/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(17 November 1998)

Subject: The threat to the designated protected origin status of buffalo-milk mozzarella in Italy

On 15 September the Italian Ministry responsible for agricultural policy issued a decree to liberalise the production of buffalo-milk mozzarella throughout the national territory. The decree authorised the extension of the "buffalo-milk mozzarella" designation, which previously could only be used for cheese bearing the "Campania buffalo-milk mozzarella" designated protected origin (DOP) mark, to mozzarella produced in areas of the country outside the DOP mark area, which covers only certain provinces of the Campania region and a number of neighbouring areas. Italy currently has approximately 200 000 head of the Mediterranean breed of buffalo. There is a serious danger that buffaloes will be imported from Eastern European countries, which, although morphologically identical, produce milk in smaller quantities and of a low quality. Community provisions(1) place buffaloes in the same category as domestic bovine animals as far as customs controls are concerned, on the grounds that they belong to the same family, and they are assigned the same combined nomenclature code. There is therefore a real risk of bovids classified as black cattle, but which are actually buffaloes with inferior genetic characteristics, being imported through Italy into Europe. This would seriously damage the livelihood of Italian livestock breeders who would be faced with unfair competition and it would also raise fears about the purity and quality of milk and of Italy's national buffalo herd.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

- what steps it intends to take to introduce a customs number specifically for buffaloes in order to stop them being confused with cattle and to prevent the illegal importation of buffaloes;

- whether it considers it advisable to issue specific provisions in order to protect the Campania buffalo herds, to ensure that buffalo-milk mozzarella remains a genuine product under the designated protected origin scheme, to protect consumers through greater transparency in the information provided about the gastronomic characteristics of mozzarella, and also to safeguard the principle of fair competition in the markets in which Italian livestock breeders and cheese producers operate?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1998)

In its answer to Written Question P-1571/97 from Mr Azzolini(2) the Commission made it clear that, in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designation of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs(3), the term "mozzarella di bufala" could not be reserved for use by holders of the protected designation of origin (PDO) "Mozzarella di Bufala Campana". The product specification for the PDO "Mozzarella di Bufala Campana" lays down a number of conditions to be met by producers of cheese bearing that name, stating in particular that the buffalo farms producing the milk used must be structured in line with local practice using animals of the Mediterranean breed originating in the area.

The attention of the Honourable Member is also drawn to the possibility provided for in Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) 2081/92, whereby "the Member State concerned may request the amendment of a specification, in particular to take account of developments in scientific and technical knowledge or to redefine the geographical area." Producers are therefore free to propose that the Member State request an amendment of the specification for "Mozzarella di Bufala Campana" (PDO) introducing stricter conditions, if considered necessary.

In view of the current process of simplification within the Commission aiming to at the reduction of the number of tariff lines, the Commission does not intend to create a specific subdivision for buffaloes. The introduction of a specific tariff heading for buffaloes in the combined nomenclature would not impact on the free access of animals originating in eastern European countries.

Any quantitative restriction on imports would be an infringement of the rules imposed by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

(1) OJ C 287, 15.9.1998.

(2) OJ C 45, 10.2.1998.

(3) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.