WRITTEN QUESTION E-1573/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Lack of limit values for dioxins and PCBs.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: food inspection, foodstuff, foodstuffs legislation, toxic substance

C 170 E/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

(2000/C 170 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1571/99

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Illegal marketing of genetically modified maize by the Pioneer seed company

At the beginning of May 1999 it became known that the Pioneer Hi-Bred seed company in southern
Germany had purchased genetically modified maize that had not received approval.

1. Was the Commission informed of this infringement of EU regulations and of the infringement of the
German law on genetic engineering?

2.

On what date was the Commission informed about the infringement?

3. What measures will the Commission take and what conclusions will it draw from this infringement?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 1999)

The Commission was informed on 31 May 1999 that, in southern Germany, seed was distributed which
possibly contained genetically modified seed that had not received approval
in the Community. The
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) mentioned have been found in sacks of supposedly GMO-free
Pioneer maize. The alleged infringement of Community law has yet to be confirmed. The infringement of
German law does not have to be assessed by the Commission (as far as Community law is not concerned).

The Commission has invited the German authorities to take a position. As tests to confirm whether there
were unauthorised GMOs present or not are still ongoing, there is no reply as yet. It should be added that
for the time being, it appears to be premature to use the word (cid:145)infringement(cid:146), since the question still needs
to be assessed.

(2000/C 170 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1573/99

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Lack of limit values for dioxins and PCBs

In view of the dioxin scandal
in Belgium and the fact that recital 5 of the Commission decision of
3 June 1999 noted that no maximum levels for dioxin contamination are set for individual basic
ingredients and foodstuffs and that there are no maximum levels for dioxins at international, Community
or national level:

1. Why has the Commission failed to set a limit value for PCBs, dioxins or other chlorine compounds?

2. When will the Commission correct this omission?

3. When exactly can a directive or regulation containing such limit values to be expected?

4.

Is the Commission taking steps to set up an independent, neutral foodstuffs monitoring centre at
EU level?

20.6.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/37

5.

Is it correct that there are no EU legal provisions for either animal or plant products that provide for
maximum levels of PCBs?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 1999)

At the moment there is no recognised international legislation setting maximum dioxin and polychlori-
nated biphenyl (PCB) levels according to the type of food. Research into the subject is also vague. Some
Member States have already set maximum levels for certain foods on the back of national scientific
opinions, but these levels do not always coincide.

After the (cid:145)dioxin crisis(cid:146) that broke out in Belgium at the end of May 1999, the Commission was obliged to
take urgent measures which incorporated maximum PCB levels in products of animal origin. Commission
Decision 1999/0449/EC of 9 July 1999 (1) therefore imposes maximum PCB levels for milk, dairy products
and poultry. In addition, Commission Decision 1999/0551/EC of 6 August 1999 (2) amending Decision
1999/0449/EC sets provisional maximum levels for beef, pork and products derived from these meats.
These levels only apply to the contamination cases uncovered in Belgium as dioxin and PCB contamination
manifests itself
in different ways according to each individual case. The provisions taken by the
Commission take into account the maximum levels imposed in several Member States, where these exist.
The Commission has already asked European scientific committees to give their opinion in order for a
European viewpoint
to consider
implementing maximum PCB levels across the Community.

to be reached which would allow the Commission,

if necessary,

Furthermore, as far as limit values for dioxin levels in food is concerned, in June 1998 the Commission
began an in-depth study into the contamination levels found in foodstuffs in several Member States. This
study is part of the Scientific Co-operation Programme between Member States (SCOOP). The preliminary
results of this study, which should be available very soon, and of work under way at the Joint Research
Centre (Institute for reference materials and measurements) will give a better idea of the risk involved and
provide a basis for further discussion.

In the meantime, the Commission(cid:146)s basis is still the scientific evaluation of the World Health Organisation
(WHO) which has recommended a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1 to 4 picograms per kilogram of body
weight per day for dioxins. By setting this level, the WHO hopes to safeguard human health as far as
possible. At the same time, the WHO recognises that there is a (cid:145)background level(cid:146) of dioxin in all
industrialised countries which cannot be ignored.

Until 1999, plans to monitor the situation in Member States were essentially intended to prevent
contaminated milk and dairy products entering the market. As of the year 2000, the Commission will
ask that meat and fish is also monitored. The results of such monitoring should allow us to have a precise
idea of the current situation in Europe.

Furthermore, as Community law stands, and leaving aside the levels set in Commission decisions on the
specific case of the dioxin crisis in Belgium, a maximum dioxin level for citrus pulp is included in Annex I,
Section B(21), of Council Directive 1999/0029/EC of 22 April 1999 on the undesirable substances and
products in animal nutrition (3). A proposal setting maximum PCB levels in raw materials and finished
goods intended for animal nutrition is also currently being discussed.

Finally, the Commission is currently studying the possibility of setting up an independent European food
agency. Possible options concerning this body will be presented before the end of the year in the white
paper proposing a food safety action plan.

(1) OJ L 175, 10.7.1999.
(2) OJ L 209, 7.8.1999.
(3) OJ L 115, 4.5.1999.