WRITTEN QUESTION E-2512/00 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Special marketing terms for eggs.
Date: 2000-08-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal welfare, common agricultural policy, egg, laying poultry, marketing standard

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/167

Consequently the Commission will not be in a position to evaluate all of the proposals submitted by Spain
and the other member States of this biogeographical region before the first half of 2000. Provided that the
national lists of sites include an adequate representation of all the natural habitats and flora and fauna
species present in that region, the Commission might be able to adopt the list of Natura 2000 sites in the
course of 2001.

The Commission is therefore as yet unable to judge either what will be the ultimate area concerned in
Malaga province or what measures will need to be taken to manage these sites. The measures will have to
be taken by the Spanish authorities.

(2001/C 103 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Textbook on the European Union

(2 August 2000)

Schoolchildren of all ages, who are now coming across subjects relating to the European Union on a daily
basis and in every aspect of their educational
lives, are constantly asking for a more specific basic
grounding to assist them in shaping their perception of the political climate governing their lives present
and future.

As a result, a sizeable number of teachers have been wondering whether it might be advisable to introduce
an official textbook on the European Union which schoolchildren of all ages could use to study all aspects
of the Union and the kind of impact it will have on their lives when they complete their studies.

In view of the above, does the Commission see the need to propose a standard textbook for schoolchildren
which provides them with an insight into the European Union, thus ensuring that the teaching material
provided to schoolchildren anywhere in the EU paints a uniform, fair and balanced picture of the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the organisation of education systems,
including the content of teaching, is the responsibility of the Member States. As provided in Article 149 of
the EC Treaty, (cid:145)the Community shall contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging
cooperation between Member States ((cid:133)) while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for
the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems ((cid:133))(cid:146).

The Commission nevertheless has an active information policy and as a result has published several texts
for the public, including publications targeting young people. A catalogue of the works available can be
consulted on the Europa site and includes: Hello Europe (cid:129) A youth guide to Europe and the European
Union (CD-ROM); Europe-15; Europe from A to Z.

All three are available in the eleven official
uniform picture of the Union.

languages and help to give young people and teachers a

(2001/C 103 E/192)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2512/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2000)

Subject: Special marketing terms for eggs

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91 (1)
implementing Regulation (EEC) 1907/90 (2), which sets
marketing standards for eggs, recognises five Special Marketing Terms: Eggs from cages hens, Free range,
Semi-intensive, Deep litter, and Perchery (Barn) eggs.

C 103 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Following the adoption of Council Directive 1999/74/EC (3) of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum
standards for the protection of laying hens, what plans does the Commission have to review Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91?

Does it intend to make the Special Marketing Term (SMT) (cid:145)Eggs from caged hens(cid:146) a mandatory term to
apply to eggs produced in cage systems as set out in Chapters II and III of Council Directive 1999/74/EC?
Does it intend to reduce the outdoor stocking density for hens which produce eggs marketed as (cid:145)free range
eggs(cid:146)?

(1) OJ L 121, 16.5.1991, p. 11.
(2) OJ L 173, 6.7.1990, p. 5.
(3) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 53.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2000)

As the Honourable Member may know the Commission in its communication on the protection of laying
hens (1) indicated its intention to propose, in addition to the proposal for minimum standards for the
protection of laying hens, the obligation to label each table egg indicating the type of farming.

On the other hand, when adopting the Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down
minimum standards for the protection on laying hens (2), the Council requested the Commission to submit
before 1 January 2002 a proposal adapting the marketing standards applicable to eggs taking into
consideration in particular the possibility of introducing compulsory labeling.

Concerning this possible modification, two steps must be followed for the adaptation of the marketing
standards. First, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 of 26 June 1990 on certain marketing standards for
eggs (3) must be amended in order to introduce compulsory labeling of the type of farming on eggs. The
Commission adopted on 6 September 2000 a proposal (4) to amend the Council Regulation in this respect.
Second, Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91 of 15 May 1991 introducing detailed rules for
implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs (5) must be adapted
in order to lay down technical details like outdoor stocking densities. In this context, the Commission
consults all concerned, including consumers, producers, trade and manufacturers.

(1) COM(98) 135 final.
(2) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999.
(3) OJ L 173, 6.7.1990.
(4) COM(2000) 522.
(5) OJ L 121, 16.5.1991.

(2001/C 103 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2515/00

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 August 2000)

Subject: Household waste

Is the collection of household waste the subject of any EU directives, regulations or other laws? If so,
which ones?

Is the collection of the household waste the subject of any Commission communications, reports or
discussion documents?

Does the Commission have any view on the health implications of household waste collection?