WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Granting of protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and Reggio.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Emilia-Romagna, application of EU law, condiment, designation of origin

C 280 E/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

As a member of the Union following accession, Romania will have to respect the rights ensuing from the
citizenship of the Union. According to Article 19 of the EC Treaty every citizen of the Union residing in a
Member State of which he is not a national has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal
elections in the Member State in which he resides. Citizenship of the Union also entitles to vote and to
stand as a candidate in the country of residence in elections to the European Parliament. To stand as a
candidate in elections presupposes membership of a political party and consequently the possibility to
carry out political activities and to contribute to financing a party (through membership fees in the first
place). Thus the restrictions in question would be, upon accession, contrary to Article 19. Although there
is at present no formal obligation for Romania not
legislation containing such political
restrictions for aliens, it is evident that Romania as a candidate country should endeavour to ensure that
its legislation is gradually made compatible with that of the Community.

to adopt

The Honourable Member has also raised concern at two provisions in the draft legislation,
i.e. the
obligation for a person who receives a foreigner for more than five days to inform the authorities, and
the rule which makes the granting of a residence permit conditional upon the presentation of a medical
insurance. According to the Europe agreement the contracting parties have the right to apply national
legislation concerning such issues relating to the entry and stay of foreigners. However, after accession,
Romania will be obliged to participate in the Schengen co-operation and should therefore successively
make its future legislation, i.e. the obligation to inform the authorities on the entry of foreigners, in line
also with the Schengen agreement.

The Commission maintains a continuous dialogue with the Romanian authorities on approximation of its
legislation with a view to accession to the Community and will not fail to make the Romanian authorities
aware of the need to progressively align with the acquis the provisions to which the Honourable Member
has referred.

(1) COM(99) 510 final.
(2) OJ L 335, 28.12.1999.

(2000/C 280 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Granting of protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and

Reggio

The regulatory committee has refused to grant protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic
vinegars of Reggio and Modena.

According to the farmers and producer(cid:146)s associations that have taken an interest in the matter, the
protection and exploitation of quality agricultural and food products are being undermined by exclusively
commercial
is why the committee has refused to grant protected
interests and this,
designation of origin to the above product.

in their view,

These vinegars, produced in the provinces of Modena and Reggio, in Emilia-Romagna, date back to the
Renaissance and the Middle Ages. The balsamic vinegar of Modena has been famous since 1508, and the
Reggio vinegar since the 12th century.

For centuries they have been aged for over twelve years in small barrels made of the finest wood. On the
European market and elsewhere producers of the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and Reggio have
to continually guard against imitations.

Italian government experts in agriculture and gastronomy unanimously believe that these vinegars are a
typical and unique product and should not be confused with mass-produced vinegars.

Given the above, does the Commission not consider that the traditional balsamic vinegars of Reggio and
Modena meet all the necessary requirements for being granted a protected designation of origin?

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/89

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2000)

The Commission considers that the requests to register (cid:145)aceto balsamico tradizional di Modena(cid:146) and (cid:145)aceto
balsamico tradizional di Reggio Emilia(cid:146) as products with a protected designation of origin do indeed meet
the conditions laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of
geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1).

Accordingly, it presented a draft Regulation on awarding these products (cid:145)protected designation of origin(cid:146)
status to the regulatory committee on geographical indications and designations of origin. The vote in this
committee resulted in no opinion being delivered.

In such circumstances, Article 15 of the Regulation requires the Commission to submit to the Council,
without delay, a proposal on the measures to be taken. The Council votes on this proposal by qualified
majority. If, however, it fails to produce a ruling within three months of the matter being referred to it, the
proposed measures are adopted by the Commission.

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2000/C 280 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2631/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Granting of protected designation of origin to the cake known as (cid:145)Spongata tipica emiliana(cid:146),

produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma

A traditional cake known as Spongata, made of honey, walnuts, flour and raisins, has been produced in the
provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma since Roman times. In the Middle Ages spices were added to the
recipe. Proof of the cake(cid:146)s popularity can be found in a letter dating back to 1557 which said that, owing
to a serious famine, production of the cake had been prohibited in Reggio Emilia that year.

This century, several producers of traditional Spongata cakes from Emilia-Romagna have won prizes in
national and international competitions for the distinctive features and quality of their product.

This typical cake from Emilia-Romagna is appreciated, sold and eaten not only in Emilia-Romagna itself
but also in other Italian regions and, recently, even abroad.

Even now the cake is produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma by small, sometimes family-
run firms, where it is made according to the ancient recipes and age-old tradition.

In the light of the above, does the Commission not believe that the traditional Spongata cake from Reggio
and Parma should be protected in that it is a typical regional cake which has been made for centuries
using traditional recipes and that it consequently meets all the requirements for being granted a protected
designation of origin?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2000)

The Commission is not in a position to express a detailed opinion on the product mentioned by the
Honourable Member without more precise information, in particular that provided for in the specification
within the meaning of Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the
protection of geographical
indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and food-
stuffs (1).