WRITTEN QUESTION E-2352/99 by Freddy Thielemans (PSE) to the Commission. Food quality.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cheese, consumer protection, food contamination, food safety, health risk, toxic substance

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/149

particularly in view of the conditions binding upon him with regard to the receipt and forwarding of
parcels and documents by the companies concerned.

What view does the Commission take of this and in particular the absence of any provisions protecting the
interests of those sending cross-border consignments of documents or parcels?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2000)

There exists no Community-wide regulation with respect to the safety of the consignment of documents
and parcels transported by public or private companies or their delivery to the intended recipient. This
matter falls under national law.

(2000/C 219 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2331/99

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Council

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Council resolution on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes

Having regard to Council Resolution of 18 June 1992 on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes in third
countries by Community-based manufacturers (1) and,
in particular, to paragraph 2 and paragraph 5
thereof, could the Council please clarify the term (cid:145)competent authorities(cid:146) used in article 2?

(1) OJ C 172, 8.7.1992, p. 1.

Reply

(14 February 2000)

The term (cid:145)competent authorities(cid:146) used in paragraph 2 of the Council Resolution to which the Honourable
Member refers relates to the competent authorities in the third countries concerned, which of course
remain free to designate those authorities.

(2000/C 219 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2352/99

by Freddy Thielemans (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Food quality

Is the Commission aware that Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padana cheeses apparently contain large
quantities of copper (cid:129) up to 20 times as much as is permitted in quality cheeses with a protected
denomination of origin? It is a well-known fact that the copper salts which are probably used in cheese-
making to prevent the milk from fermenting are highly toxic. Is the Commission planning to activate the
rapid alert system?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2000)

The Commission is aware of the facts reported by the Honourable Member. Already during a mission of
the Commission(cid:146)s food and veterinary office carried out in March 1999, this situation was brought to the
attention of the Commission and the Member States. The report of that mission (report no XXIV/1099/99)
can be consulted at internet (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/vi/reports/index_en.html).

C 219 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

Since all Member States received this report, which is also available on the Internet,
appropriate to transmit again the same information through the rapid alert system for food.

it is no longer

(2000/C 219 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/99

by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Criminal record disclosure of job applicants

1.
Research cited by the European Offender Employment Forum reveals wide variations between
different EU countries in the regulations for disclosure of past criminal record information to potential
employers. Has the Commission made any assessment of the impact of these variations on either the free
movement of labour within the EU or the employment prospects of ex-offenders?

2.
The European Offender Employment Forum estimates that half a million people leave prisons in the
EU every year and that many face acute problems in reintegrating back into the labour market. What
measures is the Commission taking to support training and employment initiatives for ex-offenders and to
tackle discrimination against them in employment?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2000)

The variations between different Member States(cid:146) regulations on disclosure of past criminal record
information to potential employers have such an indirect link with the free movement of labour that the
Commission considers that these variations are not of particular relevance to the right to free movement.

Within the European employment strategy, ex-offenders(cid:146) particular difficulties in acquiring relevant skills
and in gaining access to the labour market are under guideline 9. This guideline recommends Member
States to give special attention to the needs of the disabled, ethnic minorities and other groups and
individuals who may be disadvantaged, and to develop appropriate forms of preventive and active policies
to promote their integration into the labour market.

Furthermore, social and economic re-integration of ex-offenders might also be covered by the incentive
measures mentioned in Article 137 (ex Article 118) of the EC Treaty and designed to encourage co-
operation between Member States through initiatives aimed at
improving knowledge, developing
exchanges of information and best practice and promoting innovative approaches. The Commission is
currently preparing a draft programme on the basis of this article.

(2000/C 219 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2366/99

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Commission reports on veterinary missions carried out in France and Greece

On 23 February 1999, the Commission published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to Greece. The
Report revealed serious breaches in Greece of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) on the protection of
animals during transport. The Report also pointed out that route plans for Spanish and Dutch sheep and
French cattle, all destined for Greece, were missing or not correctly filled in in the Member States of origin.