WRITTEN QUESTION P-3877/00 by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission. Electrically assisted bicycles.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, electric vehicle, two-wheeled vehicle

C 151 E/208

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

(2001/C 151 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3826/00

by Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Commission

(29 November 2000)

Subject: Improper use of the Valpolicella brand name in a publicity campaign against drink-driving

An article published on 12 November 2000 in the Verona newspaper (cid:145)Arena(cid:146) reveals that Valpolicella
Consortium advertisements have been used in Ireland in a campaign against drink-driving in an improper
and damaging way. The Valpolicella brand name is shown in the campaign with the letters (cid:145)police(cid:146), which
appear within the word, highlighted in red so as to create an obvious connection between the name of the
wine and checks by police officers.

Although a publicity campaign against drink-driving is a legitimate and praiseworthy initiative, does the
Commission not consider that the use of a specific registered appellation of origin, such as the Valpolicella
Consortium, constitutes a defamatory act resulting in considerable commercial damage to the brand name?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to resolve the situation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2001)

The Commission has no knowledge of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. It has asked the
Member State concerned for information and will inform the Honourable Member of its findings.

(2001/C 151 E/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3877/00

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Electrically assisted bicycles

Can the Commission confirm that European legislation will soon require simultaneous pedalling on
electrically assisted bicycles i.e. when the pedalling stops, the motor also stops? If so, UK legislation,
which currently allows for bikes to be ridden in (cid:145)electric-only(cid:146) mode, will be changed.

Does not the Commission agree that current restrictions on the weight of the vehicle, motor power and
the maximum motorised speed provide ample and sufficient limits on such vehicles, thereby allowing them
to be treated as pedal cycles?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2001)

A proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive (1) amending Council Directive 92/61/EEC of 30 June
1992 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles (2) is currently under discussion in
the Council working party for motor vehicles. In the original Commission proposal, which has been
accepted by the Parliament without amendments in its first reading on 27 October 1999 certain vehicles
are exempted from the scope.

Beside other vehicles this Commission proposal foresees the exclusion of (cid:145)cycles with pedal assistance
(EPACs) which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum power of 0,25 kilowatt
(kW), of which the output is progressively reduced as the vehicle speed increases, being cut off altogether
at a speed of 25 kilometre per hour (km/h), and which cannot be propelled solely by means of such a
motor(cid:146).

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/209

Several modifications proposed by Member States to the Commission(cid:146)s proposal have been discussed, but a
decision has not been taken yet. For this reason the Commission can at this stage not predict how far the
wording will be changed in the Council Common Position and if e.g. the possibility of simultaneous
pedalling on EPACs will be required or not.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.
(2) OJ L 225, 10.8.1992.

(2001/C 151 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3888/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Protection for shipwrecks

British Navy ships that were lost at sea during the war are nowadays often looted for souvenirs by
commercial operators and used as playgrounds by leisure divers.

What plans does the Commission have for protecting these shipwrecks from such activities?

Would the Commission consider giving them the same status as war graves?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2001)

The matter to which reference is made does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Community.

(2001/C 151 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3961/00

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Construction of gas turbines

The Minister for Development recently announced that gas turbine units would be built in the area of
Hellinoperamata (Herakleion) for the Greek Electricity Board (DEI). This decision is contrary to decisions of
the relevant prefectural and local government bodies. It should be pointed out that the area concerned is
already polluted by fumes from a DEI plant built inside the coastal area without any operating licence
which, along with other companies in the vicinity, is causing heavy pollution in the area to the west of the
City of Herakleion. A study drawn up for the municipality concerning the environmental consequences of
the DEI plant for the region in 1998 and 1999 respectively found that nitrogen and sulphur oxide levels
had risen by 300-400 %.

Is the Commission aware of these very serious allegations, and what action does it intend to take to ensure
compliance with Community environmental legislation and to put an end to pollution in the Hellinoper-
amata region?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2001)

The Commission is conducting a detailed investigation of the problem raised by the Honourable Member
and will inform him of the outcome as soon as possible.