WRITTEN QUESTION P-1723/01 by Willi Görlach (PSE) to the Commission. Threat posed to European vine growing by phylloxera.
Date: 2001-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competence of the Member States, marketing, plant disease, plant health legislation, plant health product, plant health treatment, viticulture

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/191

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2001)

the
Under the Fifth framework programme for Research and Technological Development
Community (1998-2002) Decision No 182/1999/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 December
1999) (1), the Commission has so far funded the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) to a total
amount of approximately € 4,3 million. The funding encompasses several three-year research projects
started in 1999 and 2000. They cover research areas, such as vaccine and drug development for human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria and hepatitis C.

(RTD) of

The BPRC is mainly participating in research projects funded within the Quality of Life Programme
(Budget line: B1.6111) under the Fifth RTD framework programme of the Community.

The Commission has been most vigilant as
implementing the Fifth framework programme.

regards animal experiments and animal welfare in

The annex of the Fifth framework programme, concerning the Quality of Life Programme and the annex
of the specific program on Quality of Life (2) both specify that funding of research involving animals is
restricted under this programme with regard to animal experiments and tests on animals, which should,
when ever possible, be replaced with in vitro or other alternative methods. An obligation is placed on all
the 3Rs
applicants for proposals to describe the procedures adopted to respect
(replacement, reduction and refinement) and to protect the welfare of animals.

the principles of

In addition, research on the development of alternatives to animal experiments and animal welfare is
supported under this programme.

An independent ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Quality of Life specific
programme for proposals dealing with sensitive issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical
review panel includes, among others, representatives of animal welfare groups. The ethical review ensures
that all research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/CEE of
24 November 1986 (3). It takes account of the overall benefit of the research proposed in relation to the
possible costs in terms of animal suffering. Furthermore, participants in research projects must fulfil all
national
legal and ethical requirements. Funding of the project will not be granted before all ethical
questions has been answered satisfactorily.

The BPRC, which is situated in the Community but independent of the Community, has engaged itself
contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.
(2) Council Decision 1999/167/EC of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme for research, tecnological
development and demonstration on quality of life and management of living resources (1998 to 2002), (OJ L 64,
12.3.1999).

(3) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(2001/C 364 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1723/01

by Willi G(cid:246)rlach (PSE) to the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Subject: Threat posed to European vine growing by phylloxera

Grape phylloxera (Phylloxera, Dactylasphaera vitifoliae or Viteus vitifolii) is a vine pest which,
previous century, caused huge devastation to European vineyards.

in the

How does the Commission assess the current threat to the European vine growing sector from phylloxera?

C 364 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the preventive management measures taken by individual EU Member
States to combat phylloxera?

Does the Commission recommend the use of carbon disulphide to combat phylloxera?

How effective, in the Commission(cid:146)s view, is the Bayer AG product Confidor against the leaf galling form of
phylloxera?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2001)

The Grapevine phylloxera, Daktulosphairas vitifoliae (Fitch), has for principal hosts the plants of the genus
Vitis L. It is present in the following Member States: Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg,
Austria, Portugal and United Kingdom. The Community legislation recognises this insect as being a harmful
organism whose introduction into, and spread within, all Member States shall be banned if it is present on
plants of Vitis L., other than fruit and seeds. Therefore, it is listed under point 2 of Annex II, Part A,
Section II
the
introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their
spread within the Community ( (1)), as last amended by Commission directive 2001/33/EC of 8 May
2001( (2)).

to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against

The Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General, has among its
responsibilities the control of the harmonised implementation of the Community legislation in the plant
health field. Within the framework of this mandate, FVO officials regularly carry out missions in the
Member States. Moreover, since 1996, Member States have not notified the Commission of any
interception of Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) on plants of Vitis L. produced in the Community.

The use of plant protection products in the Community is regulated by Council Directive 91/414/EC of
15 July 1991, on the placing of plant protection products on the market ( (3)). Under the Directive, the
Commission is responsible for assessing the safety of the active ingredients used in such products and the
Member States are responsible, at national level, for evaluating and authorising the products themselves. In
so doing, the Member States have the competence to regulate the conditions of use. The active substance
carbon sulphide has not yet been evaluated at Community level and it is not within the competence of the
Commission to issue recommendations on its use. Imidacloprid, which is the active substance in the
is currently being evaluated by the Commission and the Member States. Until the
product Confidor,
evaluation of the active substance is complete, the Commission cannot judge the efficacy of the product
and it would, in any case, be the Member States that would have the responsibility of evaluating the
product.

(1) OJ L 169, 10.7.2000.
(2) OJ L 127, 9.5.2001.
(3) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2001/C 364 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1724/01

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Subject: Farmers in Europe

How many farmers are there in each of the applicant countries?