WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority.
Date: 2000-04-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, food safety, nuclear accident, radioactive pollution

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/89

(2001/C 53 E/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1162/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority

The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is
concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food
safety.

Some consumers want to know where their food comes from (section 103). Little is known about the
costs of systems guaranteeing this or about the practical possibilities.

1. Will the Commission propose labelling identical ingredients derived from GMOs? If not, why does
the Commission not think it necessary to include on labels identical ingredients derived from GMOs in
view of their (cid:145)relationship(cid:146) to GMOs and in view of consumers(cid:146) right to be informed? If so, in what way
will the Commission make this a legal obligation?

2. What labelling does the Commission want for additives and flavourings produced by GMOs in
addition to the labelling rules for such substances which were adopted in January 2000?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1122/00, E-1127/00, E-1128/00, E-1140/00,
E-1141/00, E-1142/00, E-1143/00, E-1144/00, E-1145/00, E-1146/00, E-1147/00,
E-1148/00, E-1150/00, E-1151/00, E-1152/00, E-1153/00, E-1155/00, E-1156/00,
E-1157/00, E-1158/00, E-1160/00, E-1161/00 and E-1162/00
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 2000)

The issues raised by the Honourable Member are being studied with a view to bringing forward proposals
for legislation according to the time scale set out in the white paper on food safety.

It would be inappropriate at this stage to anticipate the details of each proposal.

(2001/C 53 E/119)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 April 2000)

Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority

The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is
concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food
safety.

Is there a scenario at EU level with measures in the event of a nuclear accident occurring in or in the
vicinity of the EU? If so, what is the main thrust of these measures? If not, will the Commission draw up
an action programme for nuclear accidents?

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

(14 June 2000)

Food of animal and vegetable origin carries inherent risks of microbiological and chemical contamination,
including radioactivity. The White Paper on Food Safety (1) confirms how important it is to adopt a
proactive attitude to all types of contamination and to continue close monitoring of the situation following
the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

C 53 E/90

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

foodstuffs and of

Among the measures the Community took after Chernobyl, as early as 1987 it adopted Council Regulation
(Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive
contamination of
feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of
radiological emergency (2), as amended by Council Regulation (Euratom) No 2218/89 of 18 July 1989 (3)
and supplemented by regulations (4). Article 2 of Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 provides that in the
event of the Commission receiving (cid:129) in particular according to either the Community arrangements for
the early exchange of information established pursuant to Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 Decem-
ber 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological
emergency (2), or under the International Atomic Energy Agency Convention of 26 September 1986 on
information on accidents or on any other case of
early notification of a nuclear accident (cid:129) official
radiological emergency, substantiating that the maximum permissible levels in the Annex to Regulation
(Euratom) No 3954/87 are likely to be reached or have been reached,
immediately adopt a
regulation rendering those maximum permissible levels applicable. This regulation will be of limited
duration (no more than three months). Within that time the Commission will present to the Council a
for a regulation confirming the action taken or if necessary adapting the levels to the
proposal
requirements of the accident, taking economic and social factors into account where appropriate.

it will

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.
(2) OJ L 371, 30.12.1987.
(3) OJ L 211, 27.7.1989.
(4) Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 944/89 of 12 April 1989 laying down maximum permitted levels of
radioactive contamination in minor foodstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological
emergency (cid:129) OJ L 101, 13.4.1989. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2219/89 of 18 July 1989 on the special
conditions for exporting foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological
emergency (cid:129) OJ L 211, 27.7.1989. Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 770/90 of 29 March 1990 laying down
maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other
case of radiological emergency (cid:129) OJ L 83, 30.3.1990.

(2001/C 53 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1168/00

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Subject: Monitoring the process of liberalisation of air transport

The main objective of the liberalisation of air transport undertaken on the Community(cid:146)s initiative was to
improve access to that means of transport for EU citizens.

It was believed that liberalisation would lead to a marked increase in competition among air transport
operators, resulting in:

(cid:129) more airlines operating on each route (more choice for users),

(cid:129) greater frequency (offering more possibilities for choosing flights at convenient times),

(cid:129) generalised reduction in prices and improvement in the quality of service.

After a promising initial phase in which it appeared that these objectives might be achieved, distortions
have gradually become apparent which are compromising the desired results.

The process of alliances between operators, through mergers, code-sharing or other commercial agree-
ments, is gradually giving rise to more serious situations of dominant position than were seen previously,
and the consequences are highly detrimental to the interests of passengers.