WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/00 by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Restrictions imposed by the Evin law on the televised broadcasting in France of sporting events from abroad.
Date: 2000-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, advertising, alcoholic beverage, application of EU law, free movement of programmes, health control, sporting event, television

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/179

Failure to do this will mean that European Union citizens who have accumulated German marks, French
francs, Italian lire, Belgian francs, etc.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2001)

There is little prospect of the commercial banks exchanging all coins in the euro zone free of charge: such
an operation would entail handling costs out of all proportion to the low face value of the coins. Article
5(3) of the Commission Recommendation of 11 October 2000 on measures to facilitate the preparation of
economic operators for the changeover to the euro therefore calls on Member States to (cid:145)make arrange-
ments to ensure that coins can be exchanged at official institutions after they cease to be legal tender for
long enough to allow holders of coins living abroad to return them(cid:146) (1).

(1) OJ C 303, 24.10.2000.

(2001/C 174 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/00

by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Restrictions imposed by the Evin law on the televised broadcasting in France of sporting events

from abroad

With reference to my written questions concerning the manner in which the Evin law is being applied in
France (E-550/00 (1) and E-2197/00 (2)) and the Commission(cid:146)s replies, I have been informed that France is
continuing to cancel broadcasting on French television channels of sporting events held abroad because of
the presence of hoardings advertising alcoholic beverages.

At the meeting of 6 June 2000 between Commissioner Bolkestein and Mrs Tasca, French Minister for
Cultural Affairs and Communications, the Commission asked the French authorities to amend the code of
good conduct applicable on the basis of consultation with all parties concerned.

On 9 October 2000 a consultation meeting was organised by the CSA, the French National Audiovisual
Media Council. However the organisations which had lodged complaints (CIVB-CNIV, CBMC/CEPS), the
together with the European
French federations representing the winegrowing and brewing sectors,
associations representing those concerned were not invited to attend. Does such an attitude not betray a
reluctance on the part of the French authorities to hold a constructive dialogue with a view to amending
the code of good conduct?

The British High Court has referred the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities for a
preliminary ruling regarding the compatibility of the Evin law with Community legislation on the free
movement of services, including commercial.

Given the lack of commitment being shown by the French authorities in finding a genuine solution to the
problem on the pretext of protecting public health, does the Commission still consider that the 1995 code
of good conduct, even in its amended form, is a suitable way of ensuring freedom to provide services in
the single market? In view of this situation, does the Commission not consider that proceedings should be
initiated against France with the Court of Justice of the European Communities? If not, what steps does the
Commission intend to take with a view to settling the matter as soon as possible in accordance with the
principles of the free movement of services in the single market?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 185.
(2) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 152.

C 174 E/180

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2001)

The Commission is still of the opinion that the 1995 code of conduct could in principle be an adequate
means to ensure that the rules of the internal market are respected. Regarding this point, the Commission
would like to refer to the reply it gave to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s Written Question E-2197/00 (1).

As a follow-up to the discussions held in Paris on 7 June 2000 and the meeting organised by the French
Conseil supØrieur d(cid:146)audiovisuel on 9 October 2000, both referred to in the question, the Member of the
Commission responsible for the Internal Market sent a letter on 11 December 2000 to Mrs Tasca, the
French Minister for Culture and Communication. This letter seeks to obtain more detailed information
from the French authorities as to the state of play concerning the steps they have committed themselves to
take.

The Commission will keep the Honourable Member informed of further developments.

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 152.

(2001/C 174 E/192)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3904/00

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Use of marker vaccines in the European Union

It has been proved that marker vaccines can be used effectively for the fight against, and the controlled
eradication of, infectious animal diseases.

1.
Can the Commission say whether it really does intend to permit vaccination with marker vaccines if
there are outbreaks of infectious animal diseases for which vaccination is not normally permitted, for
example swine fever?

Can the Commission state for which animal diseases,

2.
for which vaccination is not normally
permitted, marker vaccines are currently available which could limit a disease spreading if there is an
outbreak?

Can the Commission state for which animal diseases an outbreak could be prevented from spreading

3.
by means of vaccination?

If the Commission intends to use the vaccination strategy referred to above, is it also considering

4.
accumulating stocks of vaccines at strategic points in the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 2001)

1.
The approach of the Commission to the potential use of marker vaccines against classical swine fever
is made clear in its proposal for a Council Directive on Community measures for the control of this
disease (1).

The results of a trial, which was supported by the Commission, have indicated the need to be very cautious
in this matter, as the use of marker vaccines might not lead to any advantage in comparison with the
conventional ones.

However,
in accordance with the Commission(cid:146)s proposal, these vaccines might be used within the
framework of the current non-vaccination policy against classical swine fever, which does not exclude
vaccination in the event of an emergency.