WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/00 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Tomatoes and the hormone conflict between the EU and the US.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, United States, World Trade Organisation, beef, economic sanctions, fruit vegetable, hormone, settlement of disputes, trade restriction

C 81 E/174

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

Depending on these scientific risk assessments, the Commission will propose measures to limit the
presence of dioxins and PCBs throughout the whole food and feed chain.

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.

(2001/C 81 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/00

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Tomatoes and the hormone conflict between the EU and the US

As was the case last year, tomatoes are on the list of products which the United States wants to keep out
in retaliation for the European ban on hormone meat. Last year the situation was averted and in the end
tomatoes did not appear on the definitive list of products on which a 100 % ad valorem import duty was
levied. If fresh tomatoes appear on the list this year, it will mean a virtual end to the export of fresh
tomatoes to the United States (which in 1998 amounted to 48 352 tonnes worth about € 85 million).

Is the Commission aware of what damage it is inflicting on European tomato growers who in any case
receive very little European support?

Does the Commission intend to compensate the European products in some other way if tomatoes appear
on the definitive list of products this year? If so, how? If not, why not?

Does the Commission have a short-term solution to the conflict, given that if it continues it is likely to
have a knock-on effect on other sectors which have nothing to do with animal products?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the serious consequences the United States trade sanctions can have on
those concerned,
in particular on exporters of tomatoes, which is the most affected product in the
hormones dispute. The negative impact of these sanctions has been severely increased by the recent
adoption by the United States of
legislation, which obliges the United States Trade
Representative to modify every six months the list of products subject to sanctions imposed against a
member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which has not complied with a WTO panel ruling.

the (cid:145)carousel(cid:146)

The (cid:145)carousel(cid:146) is contrary to the basic principles of the WTO, in particular the prohibition of unilateralism
in trade matters and the need to ensure the predictability of the world trading system. The Commission
has therefore immediately initiated dispute settlement proceedings in Geneva against this WTO-incompa-
tible measure.

The Commission remains determined to resolve the hormones case as soon as possible, even if the recent
American move makes this objective harder to achieve. The Commission recently tabled a proposal with a
view to changing Community legislation in relation to the use of hormones in livestock, based on available
this proposal will make the
scientific evidence. Once adopted by the Parliament and the Council,
Community(cid:146)s trade regime fully WTO-compatible, while maintaining its chosen high level of protection.

On a short-term basis, the Commission is also willing to negotiate a possible trade-enhancing compensa-
tion package with the United States, to remove the trade-restrictive retaliation measures.

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/175

The Commission is however not in a position to take other measures to assist European companies that
are faced with American sanctions. Under the principle of subsidiarity, such assistance is a matter for each
Member State to consider, provided that Community rules on state aids and competition are complied
with.

(2001/C 81 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2216/00

by Jo Leinen (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Formal investigation concerning planned factory outlet mall in Zweibr(cid:252)cken, Saarland (Germany)

In September 1997 Helwin Peter MEP put a question (E-2966/97) (1) to the Commission asking if it
intended to initiate a formal investigation into the planned factory outlet mall in Zweibr(cid:252)cken.

In his answer of 15 December 1998 to a further written question (E-3497/98) (2), Commissioner Van Miert
said that the Commission would address to the complainants (Europaverband der Selbst(cid:228)ndigen Bundes-
verband Deutschland e.V. (cid:129) German branch of the European association of self-employed persons) a letter
stating what further action the Commission would take.

No such letter has yet been received.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1.

2.

Is the matter ready for a decision?

If so, what decision has been taken?

3. When will the complainants receive a communication on the subject?

(1) OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 46.
(2) OJ C 289, 11.10.1999, p. 53.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2000)

During the investigations of the case by the Commission it emerged that the facts as presented by the
complainants, which are either based on an article in the press or have been given without providing any
source, are incorrect. The correct presentation of the facts gives the Commission no reason to raise any
doubts concerning state aid.

The Commission has already informed the complainants on 14 July 2000.

(2001/C 81 E/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2221/00

by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Ill-treatment

Alleged ill-treatment in all kinds of families is reported in the media with depressing regularity.

Such cases of violence, perhaps particularly those involving physical violence and ill-treatment, demon-
strate the need for an immediate response and for means of defence, which are frequently not available to
the weakest side in the troubled family.