WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1393/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Consumer taxes in the European Union
Date: 1997-04-22
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: excise duty, intra-EU trade, restriction on competition, tax harmonisation, tax on consumption, tax system

C 21/52

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 1. 98

The Commission has not been informed of cabotage operations being carried out in Greece by hauliers from third
countries. The Commission has not been officially notified by the Greek authorities concerning the matter raised
by the Honourable Member.

(1)  OJ L 279, 12.11.1993.

(98/C 21/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1393/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(22 April 1997)

Subject: Consumer taxes in the European Union

In  the  present  EU  there  are  clear  differences  between  the  consumer  taxes  in  fifteen  Member  States  of  the
European Union, despite the fact that the Single Market has been established for some years.

Certain EU Member States, which are already at a disadvantage owing to their remoteness from the principal
markets of Central Europe and the higher transport costs this entails, also have to contend with higher taxation:
both these factors increase prices.

Will  the  Commission  say  whether  it  intends  to  take  immediate  action  ›  and  if  so  how  ›  to  ensure  the  full
harmonization of consumer taxes within the European Union in order to prevent some Member States suffering a
competitive disadvantage compared with the rest, thereby avoiding distortions in intra-Community trade?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 1997)

The Commission proposed harmonised rates of excise duty on mineral oils, alcohols and tobacco products in
1987. However, these proposals were not accepted by the Council, which ultimately adopted in 1992 a system
based on minimum rates. Under this system, the Member States are free to set their rates of excise duty at any
level, as long as it is not below the agreed minimum.

Those minimum rates fall to be reviewed every two years and, where appropriate, the Commission may make
proposals to amend them. Factors relevant to the reviews include the proper functioning of the internal market,
the real value of the duty rates and the wider objectives of the Treaty. Consequently, the concerns raised by the
Honourable Member would fall to be considered in the course of the reviews.

(98/C 21/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1406/97

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(22 April 1997)

Subject: Trade in embryos, gametes and genetic material

Cloning experiments as well as trade in embryos, gametes and genetic material are being conducted today in
Europe, and throughout the world, totally unregulated.. This proves that we are now facing scientific boundaries
that have certainly never been crossed before and that tackling and that resolving bioethical issues has become a
matter of urgency.

Will the Commission establish a scientific committee to initiate the debate about cloning? And will it also present
an urgent directive banning the trade in embryos › albeit with appropriate scientifically justified exceptions › as
well as paid surrogate motherhood › restricting it solely to cases of proven, objective infertility, subject to the
necessary guarantees that those concerned must provide.