WRITTEN QUESTION E-3605/00 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. Replanting vineyards in PDO and PGI areas.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, designation of origin, product quality, slaughter premium, vineyard

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/175

this Agreement,

the Commission is continuing a policy of protecting European
On the basis of
designations against misuse on foreign markets. Improvement of market access for Community quality
products is also part of the Communities(cid:146) comprehensive negotiating proposal under the WTO negotia-
tions on agriculture. The Commission has asked the Member States to provide it with information on
European products protected by geographical
indications or designations of origin which are being
counterfeited on the export markets. On this basis, the Commission is playing an active part in the
discussions currently being held on the multilateral register for wines and spirits and extension of the
protection of geographical indications to products other than wines and spirits under the TRIPS Council
integrated programme.

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2001/C 163 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3604/00

by Roberto Bigliardo (TDI) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Air travel: (cid:145)economy-class syndrome(cid:146)

Does the President of the Commission intend to adopt any binding measures, and if so which, in relation
to airline companies after the recent death of Miss Emma Christoffersen, a British citizen, who was taken
ill shortly after landing in London after a 20-hour flight on a Quantas Jumbo 747 from Sidney?

Miss Christoffersen suffered an embolism brought on by sitting still for a long time in cramped conditions.
Her sad death highlights the problems for passengers travelling long distances in economy class. The
limited space (70 to 85 cm) between rows of seats is a genuine hazard for many people, who run the risk
of suffering a fatal attack of thrombosis. At the very least, the airline companies could inform travellers of
the risks they incur by remaining seated throughout long flights.

Will more passengers have to die before any action is taken?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2001)

The Commission takes most seriously the question of links between immobility during long flights and
problems of blood circulation, and other potential health risks, such as those linked to air quality.

It therefore intends to set up groups of experts to scrutinise existing research and draw conclusions on
health risks and the need for further research. This will enable the Commission and all interested parties to
consider the case for further measures, whether the responsibility of the Community, national govern-
ments, airlines, airports or passengers themselves.

(2001/C 163 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3605/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Replanting vineyards in PDO and PGI areas

Some wine-growers in Italy grubbed up their vineyards in accordance with the scheme for the permanent
abandonment of areas under vines introduced by Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 (1).

C 163 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

Consequently they received the appropriate premium, but on the other hand caused the Community
substantial savings by reducing the need for subsidised distillation.

Meanwhile, the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 (2) on the common organisation of the market in
wine, and its implementing Regulation (EC) No 1227/2000 (3), is to maintain a balance between supply
and demand of wine products and enable producers to take advantage of the market with a view to
making the sector more competitive in the long term.

It should also be noted that the inalienable right to own property and the freedom to operate a business
are enshrined in the Italian Constitution and recognised by the other Member States.

Furthermore, the wine sector has considerable potential as a source of income and employment.

In view of the foregoing, does the Commission consider that it would be possible to amend Regulation
(EEC) No 1442/88 to restore the right to replant vines on areas of land particularly suited for that purpose
provided that at least ten years had elapsed since the relevant premium was paid in respect of those same
areas, holders undertook to replant such areas with valued varieties for which there was a demand on the
market and which were covered by the locally applicable PDO and PGI rules, and holders received a lower
amount of aid than that which would otherwise be payable in view of the fact that they had already
received public funds?

(1) OJ L 132, 28.5.1988, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 143, 16.6.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Council Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 of 24 May 1988 was repealed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/
1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine. However, the commitment
entered into by the recipient of aid, i.e. the loss of replanting rights, is still valid.

This Regulation substantially altered the common organisation of the market in wine by supporting all
initiatives focusing on adapting production to the new quality-related requirements of the market.

The aim of this new policy is to render the sector more profitable, (cid:145)enabling producers to take advantage
of the market(cid:146). To this end, the Council has adopted three types of important measures relating to
vineyards. The first is an aid scheme for vineyard restructuring and conversion, whereby vineyards ill-
adapted to market needs are replaced by newer, more modern models, planted with varieties for which
there is a demand on the market. The second is an aid scheme for the permanent abandonment of wine
growing areas intended to eradicate those in regions experiencing major market problems. The Member
State is fully authorised to define these areas and to lay down the conditions for applying this aid scheme.
It is the Commission(cid:146)s assessment that this scheme will be applied very restrictively by the Member States.
The third is the attribution of hectares of new planting rights to Member States for areas intended for the
production of quality wines produced in specified regions (quality wines psr) or table wines described by
means of a geographical indication, and where it is recognised that, because of its quality, demand for the
wine far outstrips production.

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s request to allow the replanting of varieties for which there is a demand on the
market in protected designation of origin (PDO) or protected geographical
indication (PGI) areas is
answered in the system provided for in the Council Regulation. Even if producers previously received
permanent abandonment premiums, they can claim new rights if the conditions required by the competent
authorities are met.