WRITTEN QUESTION E-1477/00 by Harlem Désir (PSE) and Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Commission. Commission position on common organisation of market in bananas.
Date: 2000-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, common organisation of markets, peripheral region, tariff quota, tropical fruit

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).