WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3162/97 by Robert EVANS to the Commission. European Commission proposals for harmonized controls on sales of vitamins and minerals
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: EVANS, European Parliament
Subjects: European Commission, approximation of laws, exchange of information, proposal (EU), public health, sale, vitamin

C 134/102

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

In  addition,  the  Leonardo  da  Vinci  programme  (1995-1999)  also  contributes  to  this  objective.  Among  the
priorities, (cid:145)Combating exclusion(cid:146), pays particular attention to the disadvantaged and as such, to the disabled in
the  labour  market.  The  projects  selected  under  this  priority  aim  to  promote  access  to  training  and  improve
employability.  In  this  way  the  programme  favours  projects  involving  disabled  people  who  are  treated  as  a
particular  target  group.  To  date  about  60  projects  for  disabled  people  have  been  or  are  being  funded  by  the
programme.

(98/C 134/131)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3162/97

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: European Commission proposals for harmonized controls on sales of vitamins and minerals

Would the Commission inform me of the current state of its proposals for the harmonization of controls on the
sale of vitamins and minerals?

Some of my constituents have written to me on this subject and are most concerned at the possible implications
of these proposals, resulting in greatly reduced RDAs (Recommended Daily Allowances) for example. Scare
stories along these lines have appeared in British newspapers causing deep concern for those who regularly use
vitamin and mineral supplements.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 1997)

At this stage the Commission has not put forward any proposals for the harmonisation of legislation concerning
food supplements containing vitamins and minerals.

In June 1997 the Commission released a discussion paper on the subject which aimed to identify the points that
need to be considered and debated prior to any possible proposals for harmonisation. The Commission invited
comments on the issues raised by 30 September 1997. Many comments have been received. These will be studied
and evaluated prior to any decision whether proposals for harmonisation should be presented on the subject.

(98/C 134/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3164/97

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(13 October 1997)

Subject: Further information concerning the CERA annual report (cid:145)Extremism in Europe(cid:146)

In May 1997 the European Centre for Research and Action on Racism and Anti-Semitism published, with the
financial support of the European Commission, a study entitled (cid:145)Extremism in Europe(cid:146). This report has already
been the subject of at least two parliamentary questions to the Commission, P-1940/97 (1) and E-2047/97 (2),
which pointed out that the report presents a distorted view of the facts and offends the sensibilities of political
forces or entire Member States in the Union, which are unfairly accused of practising or encouraging racism and
xenophobia. In reply to the questions the Commission declined all responsibility for the publication, saying that
it was not an official Commission document, although various newspapers had presented it as such. However,
the rules on Commission sponsorship state that the Commission(cid:146)s moral support is given on the understanding
that the event concerned must not offend the sensibilities of a section of public opinion in one or more Member
States, an approach which also constituted one of the guidelines for the submission of reports in connection with
European Year Against Racism. It seems logical that the same requirement should be essential for financial as
well as moral support.