WRITTEN QUESTION E-2204/00 by Johan Van Hecke (PPE-DE) to the Commission. PCB and dioxin content of fish.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, animal nutrition, fish, food safety, human nutrition, meat, public health, scientific committee (EU), toxic substance

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/173

Can the Commission confirm whether or not the reply it has received from the Spanish authorities reflects
the situation described above?

If so, what further steps is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure compliance with Directive
85/337/EEC on environmental impact assessment as regards the construction of the Benic(cid:224)ssim-Oropesa
rail link?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 127.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

The Commission has indeed received a reply from the Spanish authorities regarding the project in
question.

Considering that reply to be unsatisfactory, it has decided to deliver a reasoned opinion concerning the
project.

(2001/C 81 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2204/00

by Johan Van Hecke (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: PCB and dioxin content of fish

Research has shown that high concentrations of PCB and dioxins are sometimes found in fish (cid:129)
found in chickens during the Belgian dioxin crisis. Both the European
concentrations at
authorities and the Member States are hesitating to apply the same stringent standards to fish as to meat.

the level

It appears that this question was raised by the Belgian Minister of Health at European level in Spring 1999,
but apparently there was a lack of willingness to do anything about it.

Is a high PCB and dioxin content in fish as dangerous to humans as the same level
Commission considering laying down a separate PCB and dioxin standard for fish and for meat?

in meat? Is the

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2000)

The contamination by dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed constitutes a risk to
public health. Therefore, the Commission will take the necessary measures to reduce the contamination
level of dioxins and PCBs in feed and food, including fish and fish feed, to ensure public health protection.
Accordingly, the Commission identified in the white paper on food safety (1) the need to define standards
for contaminants throughout the chain from feed to food. The scientific basis for setting these limits needs
to be addressed as a matter of priority.

The Commission has therefore requested the scientific committee for food and the scientific committee for
animal nutrition to assess the risks for public health arising from the presence of dioxins and PCBs in food
and feed. This will include an assessment of the dietary intake of dioxins and PCBs by the Community
population, identifying the main contributors. Given the great complexity of the problem, including the
problems caused by background levels of dioxin in the environment, the opinions are not to be expected
before autumn this year.

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.