WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1933/98 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. The EU and the prevention of plant diseases
Date: 1998-06-18
Institutions: European Parliament, SEPPAENEN
Subjects: South America, customs inspection, import, plant disease, plant health control, third country

18.1.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 13/119

(1999/C 13/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1926/98

by Armelle GuinebertiŁre (UPE) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: Flanking measures in the context of the abolition of the duty-free sector

The decision to abolish the duty-free sector with effect from 30 June 1999 (Directive 91/680(EEC)) (1) was
confirmed when the Ecofin Council refused to accede to Ireland(cid:146)s request for the impact assessment which had
been promised to the Members of the European Parliament by Commissioner Scrivener in 1992, and duly noted
by them.

While such a decision may be regarded as questionable when tax harmonisation has hardly been begun in the
Member States of the EU, one is entitled to wonder what domestic and European mechanisms will need to be put
in place to help restructure the duty free sectors.

I should be glad if the Commission would explain its position. What flanking measures does it intend to adopt,
and what mechanisms will it use, to help the sectors which currently benefit from the duty-free scheme to adapt to
the new situation?

(1) OJ L 376, 31.12.1991, p .1.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 1998)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that it is for Member States to analyse the consequences
of abolishing duty-free sales on 30 June 1999, in line with the decision taken unanimously within the Council in
1991. They should also take any accompanying measures deemed by them to be necessary.

The Commission would further point out that on 19 May 1998 it undertook before the Ecofin Council to draw up
a working paper clarifying the instruments that could be deployed by Member States to mitigate any difficulties
they might encounter.

That paper, which summarises existing mechanisms at Community level, is currently being drafted. Parliament
will, of course, be kept informed of developments.

(1999/C 13/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1933/98

by Esko Sepp(cid:228)nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: The EU and the prevention of plant diseases

It is well known that appropriations from the general budget have been allocated for the prevention of a number
of animal diseases in the EU, including BSE and swine fever.

In addition to these there are reports from a number of countries of new plant diseases arriving in Europe from
South America. Has the Commission any information on what diseases these are and how they came to Europe?

Have there been instances of negligence in border controls, and what plans are there to combat these diseases?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 1998)

The Commission is aware of the risks of pests and diseases being brought into the Community with imports of
plants and plant products from non-member countries.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that Community plant-health arrangements were
set up by Council Directive 77/93/EEC (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 98/2/EC of 8 January 1998