WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1710/98 by Edouard des PLACES to the Commission. Packing and bottling in the region of production
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: DES PLACES, European Parliament
Subjects: France, bottling, designation of origin, location of production, preparation for market, wine

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/73

With regard to the use of the words (cid:145)domaine(cid:146) and (cid:145)ch(cid:226)teau(cid:146) to describe vineyards, the Commission regrets that it
is currently unable to reply, since it lacks the information required for carrying out the necessary research into the
multiplication of false names. It therefore asks the Honourable Member to provide further details.

However, the use of these terms in the designation of wines is provided for in Community legislation, i.e. Article
6 of Commission Regulation (EEC) 3201/90 of 16 October 1990 laying down detailed rules for the description
and presentation of wines and grape musts (2), and in the judgement of the Court of Justice in case C-403/92.

(1) See page 65.
(2) OJ L 309, 8.11.1990.

(1999/C 31/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1710/98

by Edouard des Places (I-EDN) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Packing and bottling in the region of production

Annex II, entitled (cid:145)Provisions to be notified to the European Commission and to be inserted in a subsequent bill(cid:146),
to the Agriculture Bill which the French Government is preparing to submit to the French National Assembly lays
down that the following third paragraph shall be added to Article 115-6 of the Consumer Code:

It (the National Institute for Designations of Origin › Institut National des Appellations d(cid:146)Origine) may, at
the request of the local organization concerned, provide that the product must be packed in a specific area.
A Council of State decree shall lay down the implementing provisions in respect of this paragraph.

Is this article which, as worded, enables it to be made obligatory for wine to be packed, i.e. bottled, in the region
of production, compatible with Articles 34, 85 and 86 of the Treaty and with the case-law of the Court of Justice
established in Case 647/90, Delhaize Le Lion v. Promalvin?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 1998)

The Commission has not so far received any notification from France on the bill mentioned by the Honourable
Member.

On the question of whether a law allowing the Institut national des appellations d(cid:146)origine, on request by the local
organisation concerned, to stipulate that a product must be packed in a specific area is compatible with Articles
34, 85 and 86 of the Treaty and with the decisions of the Court of Justice, the Honourable Member is asked to
refer to the Commission(cid:146)s reply to Written Question P-1657/98 by Mr Buffetaut (1).

(1) See page 65.

(1999/C 31/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1715/98

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Infringement proceedings brought by the European Union against Italy concerning the sale of the Rome

Milk Centre

Has the Commission received any new information from the Italian State and the Rome City Council concerning
the sale of the Rome Milk Centre, which is the subject of infringement proceedings initiated by the European
Union?

What further representations does the Commission intend to make to the Rome City Council?