WRITTEN QUESTION E-2925/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Apportioning of European grants.
Date: 2000-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU aid, European Commission, activity report, operational expenditure (EU)

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/215

With regard to the claims concerning the reduction in the risk of disease, as has already been pointed out
on several occasions, pursuant to Article 2 of Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the
labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (1), it is not permissible to attribute to any foodstuff the
property of preventing,
treating or curing a human disease, or to refer to such properties. Claims
concerning the reduction in the risk of contracting a disease come under this ban.

As the Commission indicated in the White Paper on Food Safety (2), it believes that there is no need to
change the principle of this provision.

As stated in the White Paper, however, the Commission will consider whether specific provisions should
be introduced into Community law to govern nutritional claims and functional claims concerning the
beneficial effects of a nutrient on certain normal bodily functions. The establishment of a strict framework
for this type of claim will be the first stage in an overall commitment to provide consumers with
information that is reliable, scientifically sound and appropriate to the nature of these products, so that
they can make choices that are beneficial for their health and general well-being.

(1) OJ L 109, 6.5.2000.
(2) COM(1999) 719 final.

(2001/C 113 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2925/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Apportioning of European grants

Can the Commission indicate what proportion of European Union grants is allocated to each of the
Member States, and has it taken steps to ensure that there is not an imbalance in the distribution of grants
in favour of some states at the expense of others?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

The Commission regularly reports on the allocation of Community expenditure by Member State in an
annual report entitled (cid:145)Allocation of EU Expenditure by Member State(cid:146). The latest report for the year 1999
has just been released and is available to all on the world wide web at the following address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/pdf/agenda2000/allocatedreport99.pdf.

The allocation of Community expenditure across the Member States is the result, to a dominant extent, of
rules governing the implementation of the policy objectives of the Community. These rules are jointly
determined by the Council, the Parliament and the Commission. For instance, Member States where the
needs for regional convergence towards the Community average are greatest tend to benefit more than
others from the allocation of structural funds. Similarly, Member States where agricultural activity is
prominent tend to benefit more from the allocation of expenditure under the common agricultural policy.
The data in the report (cid:145)Allocation of EU Expenditure by Member State(cid:146) are consistent with and confirm
these principles.