WRITTEN QUESTION E-2602/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reform of the common organisation of the market for olive oil.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common organisation of markets, olive oil

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/195

(2001/C 103 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599/00

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Internal market for trotting horses

An internal market for race horses should mean that a Danish horse with a Danish owner should, without
hindrance, be able to take part in races in France or Italy and be sold without hin drance by a Danish
owner to a French or Italian buyer.

It seems however, that for protectionist reasons France and Italy are placing obstacles in the path of a free
internal market by imposing quite extraordinary requirements regarding the horses. They have also both
erected obstacles to the free movement of workers by, for example, denying Danish trotting-horse trainers
the opportunity to establish themselves on a self-employed basis in those countries.

Does the Commission not agree that
competition rules and the concept of free movement in the internal market?

Italy and France(cid:146)s actions are in contravention of

the EU(cid:146)s

Answer by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2000)

The honourable Member has raised several questions concerning the operation of the internal market. On
the basis of the information provided, however, the Commission cannot take a final position with regard
to the difficulties mentioned nor determine whether they are infringements of the principles that govern
the internal market.

The fact is that the difficulties encountered in connection with the cross-border movement of horses may
primarily concern the application of veterinary regulations and animal welfare rules regarding their
transport.

In addition, the difficulties encountered by Danish racehorse trainers in connection with freedom of
establishment should be analysed on the basis of clarification of the reasons for the ban in France or Italy.

The Commission therefore asks the honourable Member to submit more detailed information on the
national regulations referred to and the barriers encountered.

(2001/C 103 E/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2602/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Reform of the common organisation of the market for olive oil

1.

How long will the Commission take to reform the common organisation of the market for olive oil?

2. What will its main features be?

3. Will the Commission take account of the crisis affecting the olive oil market, which has led to a
drastic fall in producer prices?

C 103 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 2000)

As laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1638/98 of 20 July 1998 amending Regulation No 136/
1.
66/EEC on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats (1), the Commission
is committed to presenting a reform proposal in 2000 with a view to its application in the 2001/02
marketing year.

2.

The Commission will inform and consult Parliament at the appropriate time.

3.

Yes.

(1) OJ L 210, 28.7.1998.

(2001/C 103 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2609/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: UEFA (cid:129) EURO 2000: punishment of professional Portuguese footballers in violation of funda-

mental legal guarantees

A number of incidents occurred at the end of the match between Portugal and France in the semi-finals of
EURO 2000. A controversial handball, which very few people saw (the referee himself did not see it) and a
questionable penalty decision led to protests from the Portuguese side which, while regrettable, were
understandable given the context and the stage in the game. UEFA applied particularly severe penalties and
three Portuguese international players, Abel Xavier, Nuno Gomes and Paulo Bento, were banned from
taking part in any international competition for nine, eight and six months respectively. That measure also
affects the players(cid:146) clubs, which will be unable to use these players in international competitions for
reasons which are unconnected with the clubs concerned. UEFA did not even hear the players before
punishing them so harshly. Neither did it hear the clubs, which are also affected by the decision.

The European Union (Article 6 of the EU Treaty) (cid:145)is founded on ((cid:133)) respect for human rights ((cid:133)) and the
rule of law(cid:146). It refers to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms, specifically the guarantees laid down in Articles 6 and 7 thereof. A fundamental right of
citizens, and a guiding principle of the rule of law, is the right guaranteeing that anyone accused of an
offence cannot be punished without a prior hearing.

This was not the cause with regard to the above players. The fact that the appeal which they lodged is now
underway does not annul the breach of that fundamental guarantee already committed by UEFA. In line
with general legal principles, the failure to hear them should render the entire process null and void.

Consideration is currently being given to improving the treatment of sport in the Treaties, paying due
attention to its specific characteristics. This cannot be achieved while the individual guarantees of
European citizens are being harmed. Instead, UEFA should show greater respect for fundamental rights at
a time when it is advocating a corresponding revision of the Treaties.

At the same time, the Bosman judgment and its consequences mean that the single market now includes
the world of professional football and relations among clubs. In a situation of competition in a single
market, it is unacceptable that some European football clubs should be harmed and others should benefit
from illegal disciplinary decisions, taken in breach of basic legal guarantees and based on incidents entirely
unconnected with the clubs (which are indirectly being punished).