WRITTEN QUESTION E-3300/00 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission. Soy products.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, food consumption, public health, soya bean

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/127

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

The Commission is currently undertaking a review of the regulatory process, and a final report is expected
shortly. As regards the effects of patent protection, it should be noted that it is possible to register a
generic product using data generated elsewhere, which means that generic products are often able to come
to market within the Community immediately upon patent expiry. The Commission currently has no plans
to propose changes to the patent position, although it naturally remains open to the views of producers
and consumers of pharmaceutical products on this question.

(2001/C 151 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3300/00

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Soy products

There are different opinions on the benefits of the consumption of soy products: on the one hand the
United States Food and Drug Administration has allowed most soy products to have (cid:145)health claims(cid:146)
labelling but independent scientists claim that increased consumption of soy products can provoke serious
health hazards, with defects or chronic diseases, such as vaginal adenocarcinoma or penile deformities in
new-born babies.

Is the Commission doing any research on the effects of soy consumption on human beings?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 2000)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that a research project is about to be funded on
the effects of soy consumption on human beings within the scope of key action 1 (Food, nutrition and
health) of the specific programme (cid:145)Quality of life and management of living resources(cid:146) of the Fifth
framework programme for Research and technological development (RTD) (1). This project has been
negotiated successfully and is
is entitled
(cid:145)The prevention of osteoporosis by nutritional phytoestrogens(cid:146). The coordinator is Dr Francesco Branca
of the Istituto nazionale di ricerca per gli alimenti e la nutrizione in Italy. A large-scale, multicentre,
randomised intervention trial will be conducted in three Member States using specially designed foods that
are enriched with isoflavones isolated from soy. Acceptability of these foods among the target population
(women 45 years old and more) and expectations created by different nutritional claims will be addressed
by a survey in five Member States.

selection by the Commission.

in the procedure of

It

Another project was funded in the fourth framework programme within the programme FAIR. This
project, entitled (cid:145)Phenolic phytoprotectants (PPP) (cid:129) Role in preventing initiation, promotion and progres-
sion of cancer(cid:146), was coordinated by Dr Herman Adlercreutz of the University of Helsinki and ended
in December 1998. The objectives were to identify and quantify PPPs in plants and foods including soy
products, assess their bioavailability and the role of intestinal microflora in their metabolism as well as to
evaluate anticancer effects. A soy-PPP-containing diet had no anticarcinogenic effect in a mouse model in
short-term experiments. However, when rats were fed with soy before and after transplantation of rat
prostate cancer into the back of the animals, there was a significant delay in the development of the
cancer.

C 151 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

To the Commission(cid:146)s knowledge, there is no scientific evidence proving that normal consumption of soy is
harmful. Abnormalities in the reproductive systems do not occur in the Oriental countries, where the
consumption of soy products is a part of the traditional diet. There are questions however, as to whether a
very high consumption of isoflavones over an extended period, may have harmful effects. The Commission
therefore agrees that more research is needed in order to clarify whether high dosage exposure to
isoflavones over an extended period may have adverse effects. Proposals in this area of research may be
submitted in the frame of key action 1 (Food, nutrition and health) of the specific programme (cid:145)Quality of
life and management of living resources(cid:146) of the fifth framework programme.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.

(2001/C 151 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3302/00

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Turkey and human rights

Last March the Turkish trade unionist, Suleyman Yeter, died in police custody after suffering torture. In the
opinion of Commissioner Verheugen what consequences does this apparent blatant breach of human
rights have on Turkey(cid:146)s application for membership?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2000)

According to the Commission(cid:146)s information, Mr Suleyman Yeter, member and education expert of Limter-
Is Union died in detention on 7 March 1999. Three police officers are currently on trial for causing his
death. A court hearing took place on 23 October 2000 in the Istanbul No 6 Heavy Penal Court and the
court is still in the process of hearing witnesses. Prison sentences of up to 13 years are demanded against
the police officers.

The Commission is monitoring closely developments in the human rights situation in Turkey, and made a
general assessment of this situation in its annual regular report on the progress of Turkey towards
accession, adopted on 8 November 2000.

(2001/C 151 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3305/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Lido Pizzo

Does the Commission intend to take immediate action to ascertain the compatibility of the building
projects (for holiday homes) in the area known as Lido Pizzo near Gallipoli (Apulia, Italy) which the Italian
government has authorised and even (according to press reports) granted funding to under the (cid:145)Sviluppo
Italia(cid:146) national development scheme?

The problem is that this area has been listed as an SCI (site of Community importance) and should
therefore be the subject of environmental protection.