WRITTEN QUESTION E-1688/00 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Curvature of class 2 cucumbers.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Sweden, fruit vegetable, quality control of agricultural products, quality standard

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/71

(2001/C 81 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1684/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 May 2000)

Subject: Monitoring of the European Investment Bank(cid:146)s financial operations

Is the Council concerned about the allegations made recently by a former employee of the European
Investment Bank (EIB). Carlo de Nicola, regarding losses of hundreds of millions of euros on the
international bond markets and the policy of dealing only through certain brokers, at least one of whom
was a former employee of the Bank, at exorbitant rates of commission? Does the Council believe that the
Consolidated Treaty should be altered at the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference so that the Court
of Auditors is given full powers to monitor the activities of the EIB?

Reply

(10 October 2000)

In accordance with the Treaty, the Court of Auditors examines the accounts of all revenue and expenditure
of the Community. Thus its audit of the accounts of the EIB is, in principle, limited to those items which
involve such revenue and expenditure.

In accordance with Article 14 of the Protocol on the Statute of the EIB, a committee of three members,
appointed on the grounds of their competence by the Board of Governors, shall annually verify that the
operations of the Bank have been conducted and its books kept in a proper manner. The committee shall,
furthermore, confirm that the balance sheet and profit and loss account are in agreement with the
accounts and faithfully reflect the position of the Bank in respect of its assets and liabilities.

the Council has no role in the Conference of the
As the Honourable Member is probably aware,
Representatives of the Governments of the Member States and is therefore unable to comment on work
being undertaken by the Conference. The European Parliament, on the other hand, has two observers who
are closely involved in the work of the Conference at the preparatory level.

(2001/C 81 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1688/00

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

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Curvature of class 2 cucumbers

In the summer of 1997, a dispute took place between a cucumber grower and a Department of
Agriculture inspector. The inspector considered that the curvature of the cucumbers was too small. The
official maintained that if the cucumbers were to be sold as class 2, the curvature had to be two
centimetres. The grower said that, for safety(cid:146)s sake, he would describe the batch of cucumbers as class 1
and accepted that class 2 cucumbers had to curve 2 centimetres. During the dispute, however, the
cucumbers rotted.
In the Commission(cid:146)s view, what are the conditions affecting the classification of
cucumbers in terms of their curvature?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

The Commission was not aware of the case described and suggests asking the relevant Swedish inspection
department about the matter.

C 81 E/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

The Commission feels it ought to point out that the Community standard for cucumbers, as set out in
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1677/88 of 15 June 1988 laying down quality standards for cucum-
bers (1) and itself based on internationally accepted standards, does not contain any rules on minimum or
maximum curvature for Class II cucumbers. Cucumbers of all shapes, straight or curved, may be marketed
in this class.

(1) OJ L 150, 16.6.1988.

(2001/C 81 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1690/00

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

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Cost of the (cid:145)drink milk(cid:146) campaign

Can the Commission provide details of the budgeted costs for the (cid:145)trendy girls drink milk(cid:146) campaign, which
was launched in November 1999 to increase milk consumption in the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2000)

The Community did not finance the campaign with the title (cid:145)trendy girls drink milk(cid:146).

Complete information concerning promotional campaigns for milk and milk products funded by the
Community can be found on the following Commission web-site address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg06/prom/index_en.htm

(2001/C 81 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1695/00

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

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Legal aid to sue Paul van Buitenen

Has the Commission, or has the Commission not, offered free legal aid (with a possible view to suing) to
EU staff who feel that they have been slandered or discredited by Paul van Buitenen in his book?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

Under Article 24 Staff Regulations, (cid:145)the Communities shall assist any official, in particular in proceedings
against any person perpetrating threats, insulting or defamatory acts or utterances, ((cid:133)) by reason of his
position or duties(cid:146).

Based on this provision, the Commission can (cid:129) after due consideration (cid:129) be obliged to offer assistance to
members of Community staff who have been slandered or discredited. The assistance granted can consist
of the reimbursement of the legal fees due to a lawyer for suing the author of the defamation.