WRITTEN QUESTION E-3678/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. WTO waiver.
Date: 2000-11-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, World Trade Organisation, extra-EU trade, import policy, trade dispute, tropical fruit

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/201

(2001/C 151 E/233)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3678/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(29 November 2000)

Subject: WTO waiver

Would the Commission give details of any progress which is being made in consultations to end the
impasse on a WTO waiver for the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement?

Would the Commission agree that reform of the EU(cid:146)s banana regime and the granting of a WTO waiver
for the Cotonou Agreement are two entirely separate issues, and that ACP countries should not be
penalised by any further delay in dealing with the waiver request?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2000)

The Commission fully agrees with the Honourable Member in that reform of the Community banana
regime and the granting of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) waiver for the Cotonou Agreement are two
entirely separate issues, and that the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should not be
penalised by any further delay in dealing with the waiver request. Indeed, the Commission, representing
the Communities in the WTO council for trade in goods (CTG), has repeatedly stated this very same
argument in its interventions in support of an examination of the request and then the granting of the
waiver.

However, in spite of the concerted efforts of the Community and the representatives of the ACP countries
in the CTG, it has not been possible to break the impasse on a WTO waiver for the Cotonou Agreement.
Some members of the WTO continue to claim all documentation relating to the Agreement has not been
made available since no details are given on the ACP preferential treatment for bananas. These members
have not been convinced by the ACP and Community arguments that the waiver request refers to tariff
preferences for the ACP, which is clearly foreseen in the Agreement, and not to the details of them.

The Commission wishes to underline that this situation has not penalised the ACP since they continue to
fully enjoy their preferential access to the Community without restrictions.

(2001/C 151 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3692/00

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 November 2000)

Subject: The toxic nature of the Shu Gan Wan pill

Is the Commission aware of the toxic nature of the Shu Gan Wan (or Shu Kan Wan) pill, a traditional
Chinese medicine? The pill is used to treat stomach or liver disorders and contains dangerous levels of
mercury. What action does the Commission intend to take to protect consumers against this health risk?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2000)

No medicinal product may be marketed in the Community unless it has received a marketing authorisation
and documentation has been submitted to enable its quality, safety and efficacy to be evaluated. Marketing
authorisations are granted either through the centralised procedure for medicinal products from biotech-