WRITTEN QUESTION E-3289/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Measures against caffein.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, food hygiene, non-alcoholic beverage, sugar

C 174 E/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

As regards support for certain types of project, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member
that the 2001 project priorities are to be announced under the call for programme proposals to be
published in the Official Journal during November 2000.

(1) OJ L 63, 10.3.2000.

(2001/C 174 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3279/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Arrest of priest in Turkey

The Turkish newspaper, Milliyet, reported on 6 October 2000 that the previous morning the police had
arrested the Syro-Chaldean priest, Yussuf Akbulut, at the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary at Diyarbakir in
full view of visiting tourists. The police confiscated the tourists(cid:146) cameras, took the priest into custody and
then brought him before the State Security Court. The priest(cid:146)s crime was a statement he had made to the
newspaper, Hurriyet, on 4 October in which he said that (cid:145)a great many Syro-Chaldeans were also
massacred together with the Armenians(cid:146). What steps will the Commission take to secure the immediate
release of the priest?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 2000)

The Commission can confirm that Mr Akbulut was interrogated by the Diyarbakir Security Department.
He stayed in the Security Department for 8 hours and was then released. Subsequently the priest was
indicted for (cid:145)inciting hatred and enmity among people(cid:146) according to Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code.
The first hearing at the Diyarbakir State Security Court will take place on 21 December 2000.

The Commission will raise this matter with the Turkish government in the framework of the political
dialogue.

(2001/C 174 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3289/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Measures against caffein

According to researchers from John Hopkins University in the USA, caffein is added to soft drinks because
of its addictive properties and not, as the manufacturers claim, to enhance flavour.

In addition to their addictive effect, such soft drinks are a major source of sugar, and tend to replace
healthier products in the daily diet. Sugar intake causes damage to teeth in particular and is a factor in
making people overweight.

Is the Commission considering measures against this on grounds of consumer protection (Article 153 of
the EC Treaty) or public health (Article 152)?

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/33

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2001)

The Commission is aware of the concern that has been expressed regarding the caffeine content of certain
food products. The matter has been discussed with the Member States and the Commission would be
favourable to the labelling of drinks containing a significant amount of caffeine, bearing a mention to alert
consumers to the presence of this substance. A proposal for a relevant measure will be prepared in 2001.

The Commission is also aware of the relationship between consumption of certain nutrients like sugar and
health. There is scientific evidence that a high frequency of daily sugar intake seems to have an adverse
effect on dental health. This subject has been covered in the report of the Eurodiet project co-financed by
the Commission and has been sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

The Commission is currently preparing a Communication on an action plan on nutrition and a proposal
for a Council Recommendation on European dietary guidelines. Actions for consumer education and
information on the above issues will be a prominent part of those proposals.

(2001/C 174 E/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3296/00

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Harmonisation of motor boat skippers(cid:146) licences

At present varying provisions are in force in the Member States regarding the use of motor boats. In
Germany, for example, a pleasure boat licence is required for persons wishing to skipper a motor boat
with an engine of 5 HP or more, whereas this provision does not exist in (for example) the Netherlands,
Sweden or the United Kingdom.

What measures does the Commission propose to take to avoid distortions of competition, particularly in
the tourism sector? When will the rules be harmonised at a European level?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2000)

The Commission is aware that there are differences between Member States(cid:146) legislation concerning any
requirement for a driving licence for using propeller (cid:129) driven motor boats with an engine of 5CV and
above.

Without underestimating the internal market dimension of the issue raised, the Commission is of the
opinion that the differences in requirement mentioned have essentially a local and regional impact.

In these circumstances and considering the present work programme of the Commission essentially
focused on maritime safety for merchant vessels, the Commission does not envisage, in the short term,
to address the question of harmonizing licences for this type of boat.