WRITTEN QUESTION E-0503/01 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. EU-wide scams against the consumer.
Date: 2001-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advertising malpractice, consumer protection, economic offence, exchange of information, information network, marketing

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/129

The Commission is willing to support, as has been done up until now and provided that they pass the
external peer review, all scientifically sound research proposals which aim to identify possible technical
improvements to fisching gear to mitigate incidental catches of small cetaceans.

For the time being, the Commission has not received any formal proposal either within the so called
(cid:145)Biological studies(cid:146) or within the 5th Research and Technological Development Framework Programme.

However, as regards the possibility of testing such fishing gear in Community waters, the Community
established a Community framework for the collection and management of the data needed to conduct the
common fisheries policy (1). Article 9 of Council Decision 2000/439/EC of 29 June 2000 on a financial
contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by Member States in collecting data,
and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy (2) foresees the
spheres of activity which may be covered for studies and pilot projects.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1543/2000 (OJ L 176, 15.7.2000).
(2) OJ L 176, 15.7.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0503/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 February 2001)

Subject: EU-wide (cid:145)scams(cid:146) against the consumer

Is the Commission aware of letters being sent to the recently bereaved in some Member States from
addresses in Italy, Holland, France and Switzerland purporting to provide through (cid:145)lunar magic(cid:146) such
services as (cid:145)hypnotelepathic transmission treatment(cid:146), and (cid:145)four months of luck(cid:146), for a payment of £39.

What arrangements exist, or does the Commission intend to establish, to enable it to liase with the police
and trading standards officers in Member States, with a view to sharing information about EU-wide frauds
and planning concerted action?

In the view of the Commission, does the provision of (cid:145)four months of luck(cid:146) at a cost of £39, represent
good value for money for the consumer?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2001)

The Commission is not aware of the specific practice mentioned and is grateful for this having been
brought to its attention.

The International Marketing Supervision Network (IMSN) brings together national consumer protection
enforcement bodies from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries
to share information and plan concerted action. A sub-group of the IMSN has been established to bring
together enforcement bodies from the Community. The Commission has also established a network for the
exchange of information between the national enforcement bodies in the Community. Its forthcoming
communication on co-operation on consumer protection enforcement will make policy proposals to
reinforce co-operation between Community enforcement bodies to address practices such as this.