WRITTEN QUESTION E-1701/00 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Descriptions of eggs.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Sweden, consumer information, egg, health control, labelling

C 81 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences(cid:146). To this end, the Centre has, in cooperation
with the national focal points and experts in Member States, defined five key epidemiological indicators
that describe the prevalence and health consequences of drug use in Community. The work on these
indicators is expected to be completed by the end of 2000. On drug-related deaths and on data obtained
through health and health-related surveys the EMCDDA is co-operating with Eurostat.

The Community drugs strategy 2000-2004 endorsed by the Helsinki European Council states that the
strategy has to be based on a regular assessment of the nature and magnitude of the drugs phenomenon
and its consequences. The strategy reinstates the importance of the role of the EMCDDA in implementing
this task and stresses the importance of developing an even closer relationship between the Centre and the
Member States. It is of utmost importance to ensure the highest quality of information flows to and from
the EMCDDA.

As the Honourable Member knows, collecting information on illicit drugs is not an easy task at any level.
Accurate and reliable information is however a prerequisite for effective action at all levels. The results of
an independent evaluation of
the Centre has clearly made an important
contribution in filling gaps in information and knowledge which existed at the time of its foundation.

the EMCDDA show that

The Community drugs strategy 2000-2004 stresses the importance of a balanced and multidisciplinary
approach towards drugs and the Community has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of working
together to face the common challenges posed by drugs. The Commission believes that comparable
information at Community level forms a solid base not only for planning and implementing drug-related
actions but also for the evaluation of these actions. In this context, the EMCDDA will continue to play a
vital role. With respect to comparable statistics, the EMCDDA will continue co-operation with Eurostat in
the framework of the Community statistical programme.

(2001/C 81 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1701/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Descriptions of eggs

There has been discussion in Sweden of whether Gr(cid:246)na Konsum is entitled to sell eggs described as
(cid:145)battery eggs(cid:146), (cid:145)free-range eggs(cid:146) and (cid:145)organic eggs(cid:146). Konsum oversees its suppliers very strictly and carries
out a separate salmonella control. The Swedish Food Administration (SFA), however, claims that the EU
has ruled that no descriptions may be used other than its own,
(cid:145)deep litter eggs,
maximum seven hens per square metre(cid:146),
(cid:145)deep litter eggs, more than seven hens per square metre(cid:146) and
(cid:145)semi-intensive eggs(cid:146). The SFA claims that Konsum cannot use its own descriptions of eggs but must
comply with the relevant EU regulation. Does the Commission share the SFA(cid:146)s point of view?

(cid:145)battery eggs(cid:146),

i.e.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2000)

Yes, Article 18(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91 (1) on common egg marketing standards, as amended
by Regulation (EEC) No 1221/92 (2) provides that no other terms except those set out in that Article may
be used in order to indicate types of farming on eggs and egg packs if the relevant conditions laid down in
Annex II of that Regulation are fulfilled.

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/75

These indications, decided in close cooperation with national administrations, aim to inform consumers in
clear and unequivocal terms. The common egg marketing standards have however not laid down terms or
production conditions for organic eggs.

(1) OJ L 121, 16.5.1991.
(2) OJ L 218, 1.8.1992.

(2001/C 81 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1702/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Declaration of contents for perfume

There are approximately 2500 different aromatic substances that can be combined to produce fragrances
for shampoo, perfumes and toothpastes etc. In early 1999, the German health and environment magazine,
OKO-TEST, claimed that their analyses showed that many of the best known perfumes in the world
contain substances which, when used in experiments on animals, had produced indications of liver
damage.

Is it not reasonable that
substances are used?

the declarations of contents for such goods should state which aromatic

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

The Commission is not aware of any aromatic substances that cause damage to the liver in humans when
used as fragrance compounds in cosmetic products on the European market. As its main objective is to
protect public health, Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of
the Member States relating to cosmetic products (1) the (cid:145)Cosmetics Directive(cid:146), states as a general principle
that only cosmetic products that do not cause damage to human health can be put on the market.
Therefore cosmetic products can only contain safe ingredients. An ingredient which cannot be safely used
should be banned because the cosmetic product would not be safe anymore.

Under the Cosmetics Directive, the safety of ingredients, even those used only as fragrance compounds,
can be evaluated by the scientific committee. If, based on scientific data, the scientific committee is of the
opinion that the substance submitted is toxic for the human liver when used as a cosmetic ingredient, it
should be banned and to this end put in Annex II of the Directive. If the scientific committee considers
that such ingredient is safe up to a certain level, then its use should be restricted and this ingredient put in
Annex III. An ingredient which has been shown to cause damage to the human liver should be banned or
its use restricted to a level which ensures its safety and not merely (cid:145)declared(cid:146) on the label.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2001/C 81 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1706/00

by Christa Randzio-Plath (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Relocation of jobs as result of the granting of subsidies

(18 May 2000)

One objective which characterises regional economic development is the notion that structural change and
the resultant job losses must be cushioned by state aid. However, it is apparent that some undertakings are