WRITTEN QUESTION E-1479/00 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission. Investigation of the energy drink Red Bull.
Date: 2000-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, market approval, non-alcoholic beverage, toxic substance

C 72 E/62

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

(2001/C 72 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1477/00

by Harlem DØsir (PSE) and Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Commission position on common organisation of market in bananas

In adopting the Dary report (A5-0093/2000) by a large majority, the European Parliament expressed its
opposition to the proposed amendment to the regulation on the common organisation of the market in
bananas (Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 (1)) which had been submitted to it by the Commission and which,
in order to ensure compliance with World Trade Organisation rulings, would lead to the abandonment, by
2006, of the tariff quota scheme which protects banana producers and, therefore, the economies of, and
jobs in, many ACP countries and several of the EU(cid:146)s outlying regions.

In the light of Parliament(cid:146)s vote, does the Commission intend to adopt the same position as Parliament and
to submit to the latter a fresh proposal which will maintain the EU(cid:146)s commitments with the ACP countries
unbroken, preserve the special nature of EU-ACP cooperation and safeguard the economic future of the
outlying regions concerned?

(1) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2000)

The Commission reminds the Honourable Members that from the very beginning of discussions in
Parliament it had made quite clear the serious difficulties involved in the choice of tariff quota manage-
ment measures.

Negotiations with the commercial partners in question have not yet led to a mutually satisfactory
agreement. As stated in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposal
for a Council
Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 on common organisation of the market in bananas (1),
the Commission will in due time draw up a report on the outcome of negotiations with the partners on
the tariff quota system.

The Commission remains fully aware that in this reform of import arrangements it must respect its
commitments to both Community growers and the ACP countries.

(1) COM(1999) 582 final.

(2001/C 72 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1479/00

by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Investigation of the energy drink (cid:145)Red Bull(cid:146)

(11 May 2000)

It has been reported by Denmark(cid:146)s Veterinary and Foodstuffs Directorate that the Commission has shelved
the (cid:145)Red Bull(cid:146) case in the light of the conclusion reached by its Scientific Committee on Food when asked
to evaluate the use of glucuronolactone, taurine and caffeine in (cid:145)energy drinks(cid:146).

The Scientific Committee stated that there was not sufficient information to assess whether it is acceptable
in health terms to employ the substances mentioned in the quantities in which they are added to (cid:145)energy
drinks(cid:146).

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/63

Can the Commission state whether it is correct that there is not sufficient information available to assess
whether it is acceptable in health terms to add glucuronolactone, taurine and caffeine to (cid:145)energy drinks(cid:146)?
Can it also state whether the (cid:145)Red Bull(cid:146) case has been shelved as a result of the conclusion reached by its
Scientific Committee on Food?

In case of doubt as to whether the abovementioned additives in the (cid:145)energy drink(cid:146) are acceptable in health
terms, will it then explain why (cid:145)Red Bull(cid:146) is still to be found on the market alongside other beverages?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2000)

The Honourable Member is referred to the reply the Commission gave to Oral Question H-323/00 by
Mr Cashman during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s April 2000 part-session (1) on the same subject. In
addition it should be clarified that the Commission has for the time being decided to postpone the
infringement proceedings.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (April 2000).

(2001/C 72 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1483/00

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Reduction of ecopoint quotas

In the transit agreement between Austria and the EU the number of transit authorisations is governed by
ecopoints. Besides an automatic annual reduction of these ecopoints, the arrangement also provides for a
quota reduction this year because low-emission vehicles enabled more journeys to be undertaken last year.
After the economic trend in 1999 led to heavier demand for transport through Austria than provided for
in the transit agreement, an additional and thus disproportionate reduction of the ecopoint quota is likely
this year.

Experience shows that the number of ecopoints issued is not enough to ensure that the whole of the
European business sector is supplied. This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that this year a
disproportionately high reduction is having an impact.

Is the Commission aware that a shortage of transit authorisations,
current economic upturn in Europe?

i.e. ecopoints, may jeopardise the

What does the Commission intend to do in this context to ensure that the European business sector is
supplied?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2000)

The Commission is obliged under Article 11(2)(c) of Protocol No 9 of the Act of Accession of Austria (1) to
make a proposal to reduce the total number of ecopoints available if the number of transit journeys by
lorries through Austria exceeds the 1991 level by more than 8 %. In 1999 the number of journeys
exceeded the 1991 level by almost 15 %.

The methodology for calculating the required reduction in ecopoints is clearly laid out in Protocol No 9
and is equivalent to some 300 000 transit journeys. In order to minimise its effect as much as possible, the
Commission is seeking to spread the reduction over the remaining 3‰ year life of the ecopoint system. By
spreading the reduction in this way the reduced possibilities for lorries to transit the Alps via Austria can