WRITTEN QUESTION E-1991/00 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission. Vitamin production.
Date: 2000-06-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: control of restrictive practices, infringement procedure (EU), vitamin

C 53 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(29 June 2000)

The bilateral dialogue begun in December 1999 culminated in an international agreement in the form of
(cid:145)Agreed Minutes between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Korea relating
to the world shipbuilding market(cid:146). This document, initialled on 10 April 2000, was adopted by the Council
on 19 June 2000 and signed by the two parties on 22 June 2000.

In its conclusions of 18 May 2000, the Council (Industry) called on the Commission to begin immediate
consultations with Korea under the Agreed Minutes. This request will officially be put to Korea as soon as
the agreement enters into force, i.e. on the day of its signature. Korea has, in principle, agreed to hold such
negotiations on 18 and 19 July 2000 in Seoul. The Commission delegation to be sent to Seoul will be
accompanied by a team of Commission experts covering various aspects of the matters to be discussed.

These consultations should cover verification of compliance with the undertakings given by the Koreans
with regard to transparency, non-subsidisation and commercially viable pricing practices.

Under the agreement, progress will be reviewed in September 2000 at a second meeting in Brussels.

In accordance with the Council conclusions of 18 May 2000, the Commission must report to the Council
by the end of September 2000 to evaluate the results of the consultations and the solutions found to
resolve the problems of the Community industry in the face of competition from Korean shipyards.

At all events,
the Commission will continue to monitor closely the shipbuilding market and the
competitive behaviour of Korean shipyards. It will report to the Council on the results of its investigations
when the time comes.

(2001/C 53 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1991/00

by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: Vitamin production

In 1999, the Danish association Landforeningen Den Lokale Andel learned that restrictive practices had
been operating in the vitamin industry and that heavy fines had been imposed in the USA in that
connection.

The association subsequently referred a matter to the Commission on 19 August 1999.

Having received no reply, the association contacted GD IV in November 1999 and was informed that a
decision was being drawn up and would be available shortly. No formal notification of the suspected
offence was therefore filed.

Is the Commission in the process of investigating this matter? What stage has the Commission reached in
considering the matter? When can a decision be expected?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

The Commission can confirm that it is in the process of investigating alleged anti-competitive practices in
the European vitamins market. Given that this is a pending cartel case, no further comments on the merits
or likely outcome of the procedure can be made at present. The procedure is however at a very advanced
stage.