WRITTEN QUESTION P-0514/00 by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Compensation for cocoa-producing farmers.
Date: 2000-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, EU aid, cocoa, confectionery product, directive (EU), farmer

26.1.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 26 E/53

Representatives of the Financial action task force on money laundering and the Organization for economic
cooperation and development (OECD) committee of fiscal affairs have been considering how anti-money-
laundering systems could be strengthened and how the effectiveness of
tax information exchange
arrangements could be increased.

The OECD has also identified the lack of exchange of information as a key factor in identifying tax havens.
Accordingly it recommends that countries that do not have rules concerning reporting of international
transactions and foreign operations of resident taxpayers should consider adopting such rules and that
countries exchange information obtained under these rules. The OECD intends to publish a list of tax
havens later this year and will consider the possibility of co-ordinating countermeasures against jurisdic-
tions that are uncooperative in the fight against harmful tax competition.

The Community has already adopted directives both to counter money-laundering and to provide mutual
assistance in the field of direct and indirect taxation. The latter specifically includes provisions for the
exchange of information between tax administrations in order to combat tax evasion and avoidance in the
Community. Furthermore the Community has taken the lead in identifying the need for co-ordinated
action, and in taking concrete steps to tackle harmful tax competition,
including in Member States(cid:146)
dependent and associated territories.

(2001/C 26 E/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0514/00

by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 February 2000)

Subject: Compensation for cocoa-producing farmers

Amendment of the directive on cocoa and chocolate products for human consumption is currently being
considered by the European Parliament at second reading. Although the exact outcome of the codecision
procedure is not yet known it seems likely that the 1973 chocolate directive will be substantially amended.
The main change is that after a certain time vegetable fats other than cocoa butter will be permitted in
chocolate.

This will affect sales of cocoa from the ACP and other developing countries.

In the interests of fairness in North-South relations and our legal obligations under the LomØ agreements
and the cocoa agreement, it seems obvious that cocoa-producing farmers should be adequately compen-
sated one way or another and possibly helped to switch to other crops.

Is there a legal basis that the Commission can use for initiatives in this area? If so, which one?

Does the Commission plan to take any initiatives in this area? What are its reasons, if it does not?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2000)

The estimation of the impact of the proposed directive (1) on the use of vegetable fats, other than cocoa, in
chocolate manufacture is not feasible before the directive comes into force nor justified in the light of the
in December 1999 (2). For example, the
provisions of the common position adopted by the Council
Council agreed to limit the vegetable fats to those of tropical origin and produced by African, Caribbean
and Pacific ACP countries; further, vegetable fats can only be present to the extent of 5 % and only be
added to the minimum content of cocoa required for each product; finally, it is not clear to what extent
vegetable fats will be more used than at present. All these elements need to be considered when assessing

C 26 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.1.2001

the impact on ACP countries and other cocoa producers and this can only be done once the directive is
implemented. In case an estimation of the impact were necessary in the future, the common position
foresees a study after 36 months of application of the directive.

As far as the compensatory measures are concerned, the Post LomØ Agreement introduces a special
mechanism designed to offer support to countries vulnerable to fluctuations from export earnings,
in
particular earnings from the agricultural and mining sector.

If a country is heavily dependent on the cocoa sector it may, subject to a number of criteria concerning
the importance of the export losses and the country(cid:146)s public finances, benefit from the support system. The
ACP country concerned may decide to target this additional support, when allocated, to compensate cocoa
farmers or help them to diversify their crops.

(1) OJ C 231, 9.8.1996.
(2) OJ C 10, 13.1.2000.

(2001/C 26 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Environmental health failures in Frankfurt (former US housing)

The new occupants of what was formerly US housing face a health risk, as very large amounts of adhesive
containing tar, with potential carcinogenic effects, were used in the past in the housing in question
(e.g. up to 80 % in the case of parquet flooring), as were toxic PCBs and pesticides (e.g. DDT).

Is the Commission aware that the authorities concerned have failed to observe the right to the

1.
provision of environmental information?

Does the Commission agree that it is a serious failing that the risk assessment does not take proper

2.
account of small children (under six years of age) as one of the main groups affected?

Does the Commission agree that the authorities have the greatest duty of care, and must act in as

3.
transparent a manner as possible, vis-(cid:224)-vis those concerned?

Does the Commission agree that,

4.
pollution?

in future, greater importance needs to be attached to indoor

Does the Commission agree that, pursuant to Article 17 of the environmental information directive,
5.
it should not be possible for public authorities to withhold, by claiming a derogation, information the
disclosure of which could avert a significant threat to health?

Does the Commission agree that the latest scientific findings should be taken into consideration in

6.
risk assessments?

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

(14 April 2000)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern that there must be transparency for European
citizens, especially with regard to environmental and health problems.

Article 3 of Council Directive 90/313/EEC of 7 June 1990 on the freedom of access to information on the
environment (1) stipulates that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the
environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Any