WRITTEN QUESTION E-1102/00 by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission. Promotion of quality beef in Spain.
Date: 2000-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, beef, common agricultural policy, sales promotion

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/123

(2001/C 46 E/132)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1100/00

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2000)

Subject: The use of Nandrolone

Can the Commission comment on the implications of Council Directive 96/22/EC (1) of 29 April 1996
prohibiting the use of the precursors of Nandrolone in foodstuffs after an Italian sports governing body
proved that it was to be found in an iron complex taken by athletes?

Can the Commission also confirm that the presence of unlabelled Nandrolone precursors is unlawful under
Council Directive 79/112/EC (2) of 18 December 1978?

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 33, 8.2.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2000)

As the Commission replied to Written Question P-1611/99 (1) by the Honourable Member, according to
Council Directive 96/22/EC of 29 April 1996, concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of
certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of (cid:223)-agonists, and repealing Directives 81/
602/EEC, 88/146/EEC and 88/299/EEC the administering to a farm or aquaculture animal, by any means
whatsoever, of substances having androgenic action, such as nandrolone, is prohibited. If residues of such
substances are found in such animals or processed products derived from such animals and marketed,
these should be removed immediately from the market and destroyed.

The Commission has no information about the exact nature of the products mentioned by the Honourable
Member. Foods intended for satisfying particular nutritional requirements of athletes are not yet covered
by specific Community legislation and national rules, where they exist, apply.

In general under Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of
the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs for sale to the
ultimate consumer, all ingredients of foods should appear on the list of ingredients on the labelling of
foods.

(1) OJ C 27 E, 29.1.2000.

(2001/C 46 E/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1102/00

by Mar(cid:237)a Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2000)

Subject: Promotion of quality beef in Spain

In connection with the European campaign to promote quality beef and in view of the fact that on
25 January last the Commission approved 14 programmes to promote quality beef in the 1999/2000
marketing year submitted by eight Member States (cid:129) Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom (cid:129) can the Commission say what decision it reached regarding Spain,
after studying the programmes submitted by that country?

C 46 E/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2000)

The Commission(cid:146)s decision approving part-financing of Spanish promotional measures for quality beef,
delayed by the need to obtain more information on regional quality marks, was taken on 28 April.

(2001/C 46 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1104/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Synthetic drugs and consequences for health

(7 April 2000)

The spread of synthetic drugs among young people in Europe is still on the increase. Commentators,
doctors and educators are issuing warnings about the impact on health of taking such drugs. Ecstasy in
particular seems to be the most widespread. It is even advertised on the Internet, which also provides
instructions for manufacturing it at home.

In view of this scourge and the differing opinions about its consequences, can the Commission confirm:

1.

2.

3.

4.

that the increased incidence of Parkinson(cid:146)s disease among young people can undoubtedly be attributed
to the devastating effects of ecstasy and other synthetic drugs on the brain;

that there is definite medical and scientific evidence that taking such drugs damages the nervous
system;

that there are research programmes partly funded by the EU;

that there are plans to disseminate this information to schools?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2000)

According to the latest figures from the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction
(EMCDDA), 0,5 to 3 % of the general adult population in Europe and between 1 to 5 % of young adults
have tried ecstasy (MDMA). Locally and within specific groups the figures are much higher and in general,
EMCDDA information confirms an upward trend in the use of ecstasy and other synthetic drugs.

As yet, little is known about the long-term effect of ecstasy use. Based on recent research findings, it is
thought that ecstasy causes damage to the neurones that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with
other neurones. Some research findings link ecstasy use to long term damage to those parts of the brain
critical to thought and memory. There are also increasing concerns about the possibility of mental health
problems, especially chronic depression, in connection with heavy long-term use of the drug.

MDMA structure and effects are related to metamphetamine, which has been shown to cause degeneration
of neurones containing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Damage to these neurones is the underlying cause
of the motoric disturbances seen in Parkinson(cid:146)s disease. However, much more research is needed in order
to establish a scientifically reliable link between the use of ecstasy and Parkinson(cid:146)s disease.

The fifth framework programme on research has a specific action line on public health research which also
addresses drug related health problems. Research priorities include determining the social, psychological
and socio-economic factors related to drug dependence and developing better understanding of the long-
term health and social consequences of drug use. Four projects have been selected for funding this year