WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3419/96 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Irregularities concerning the exportation of 'feta' cheese from Denmark
Date: 1996-11-27
Institutions: European Parliament, HATZIDAKIS
Subjects: Denmark, agricultural product nomenclature, designation of origin, export monitoring, export refund, milk product, product quality, sheep's milk cheese













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91996E3419

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3419/96 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Irregularities concerning the exportation of 'feta' cheese from Denmark  


Official Journal C 096 , 24/03/1997 P. 0086 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3419/96 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (27 November 1996)Subject: Irregularities concerning the exportation of 'feta' cheese from DenmarkIn its 1995 annual report, the European Court of Auditors noted a large number of irregularities and violations in respect of applications for refunds in connection with the exportation of 'feta' cheese from Denmark to third countries (Regulation EEC, 3665/87). In particular it noted that the controls carried out by the Danish authorities on the fat content of dry material and the water content of the product were inadequate and generally unsatisfactory, so that the exported 'feta' sometimes fails to meet the composition standards laid down in Regulation EEC 3846/87 ((OJ L 366, 24.12.1987, p. 1. )).In the light of the above, can the Commission say what specific actions it intends to take to put an end to these violations and irregularities in future?Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (8 January 1997)As indicated in the Commission's reply included in the Court of Auditors' annual report concerning the financial year 1995 ((OJ C 340, 12.11.1996. )), any financial consequences of irregularities relating to the export of feta cheese from Denmark will be decided in the context of the clearance of accounts of the 1994 exercise.The Commission would point out that a similar situation as described for Denmark should not occur again in the future for three reasons. Firstly, on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 2721/95 ((OJ L 283, 25.11.1995. )), Regulation (EC) No 1854/96 ((OJ L 246, 27. 9.1996. )) establishing a list of reference methods to be applied for the analysis and quality evaluation of milk and milk products has been adopted. Using the new Regulation, which came into force on 1 October 1996, a reference method can be clearly identified in a specific analytical situation. Furthermore, guidelines for the interpretation of analytical results have recently been distributed which should ensure better data quality and fewer disputes relating to the evaluation of results. Secondly Regulation (EC) No 2123/96 ((OJ L 284, 6.11.1996 - See also Regulation (EC) No 2230/96; OJ L 305, 27.11.1996. )), amending Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87, establishing an agricultural product nomenclature for export refunds, specifies more precisely the requirements relating to product codes for cheeses including feta, particularly as regards maximum water content and minimum fat content. These requirements apply to licence applications submitted from 15 November 1996. Thirdly Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 ((OJ L 148, 21. 6.1996. )) which registers feta as a protected designation of origin (PDO) came into force on 21 June 1996.