WRITTEN QUESTION No. 409/99 by Honório NOVO Draft trade agreement between the EU and South Africa
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO
Subjects: EU aid, South Africa, designation of origin, export, marketing, negotiation of an agreement (EU), tariff quota, trade agreement (EU), wine

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/63

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 1999)

The renovation of the sewage treatment plant of Sortavala is of great importance both to the town of Sortavala
and for the improvement in the quality of the water of Lake Ladoga. The project aims to improve sewage
treatment and renovate and where necessary rebuild, if funds are available, the Sortavala sewage works to serve
the whole population of that town.

The delay in the implementation of the project has been caused because it has been difficult to determine the
exact role of the three parties involved: the Commission, the government of Finland and the municipality of
Sortavala.

The tender was published in 1997 following the adoption of the relevant programme after a positive opinion
of the TACIS Committee. The possibility to apply remained open until October 1998. A short-list for a
restricted tender will be drawn up soon. The terms of reference have however yet to be completed in detail, and
the formal approval (statement of endorsement) of the beneficiary (municipality of Sortavala) has still to be
obtained. It is hoped to complete all the necessary procedures during the next two or three months. Much
depends on how swiftly the necessary consents from third parties can be obtained.

(1999/C 348/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0408/99

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Negotiations on the future trade agreement between the EU and South Africa

Information from various sources, including the Port Wine Business Association, indicates that a draft
agreement has been drawn up between the South African Trade Minister and Commissioner Deus Pinheiro
regulating future trade relations between the EU and South Africa.

Under the draft agreement, it appears that South Africa will be able to continue producing wine designated
‘Port’ and/or ‘Porto’ and/or ‘Port Wine’ for the internal market (including not only South Africa but also
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) for a period of 12 years, after which the matter will be analysed
again, that is without any binding provision being made from the outset for a ban on the production of wine
with those designations of origin at the end of the 12 years.

1.
Can the Commission confirm whether the draft agreement between the EU and South Africa permits the
marketing of South African wine with the designation ‘Port’ and/or ‘Porto’ and/or ‘Port Wine’ throughout
South Africa’s internal market for a period of 12 years without any provision being made for a ban on such
marketing at the end of that period?

Can the Commission confirm whether the above marketing possibilities cover any of the following three
2.
designations of origin: ‘Port’, ‘Porto’, ‘Port Wine’, = all of which identify products labelled thus as ‘Vinho do
Porto’ produced in Portugal?

(1999/C 348/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0409/99

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Draft trade agreement between the EU and South Africa

Information from various sources, including the Port Wine Business Association, indicates that a draft
agreement has been drawn up between the South African Trade Minister and Commissioner Deus Pinheiro
regulating future trade relations between the EU and South Africa.

Under the draft agreement, it appears that South Africa will be banned from using the designations ‘Port’
and/or ‘Porto’ and/or ‘Port Wine’ for wines destined for export to third countries after a five-year transitional
period.