WRITTEN QUESTION P-2555/01 by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission. GMO and wine-growing.
Date: 2001-09-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, designation of origin, genetically modified organism, product quality, public awareness campaign, single market, third country, wine

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/157

(2002/C 93 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2551/01

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2001)

Subject: First agreement on the creation of a fishing venture between Spain and Tunisia

The signing of a first agreement to set up a joint fishing venture between Spain and Tunisia will enable
around ten vessels from the Spanish town of Algeciras which have been affected by the loss of the
Moroccan fishing grounds to fish in Tunisian waters and subsequently market their catch through Spanish
ports.

Half of the capital of the new firms will be provided by the shipowner in Algeciras and the other half by
his Tunisian counterpart. The vessels, all of them less than 20 tonnes, are to be listed in the Tunisian
register and sail under the Tunisian flag but with Spanish crews.

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of this type of agreement which, it appears, will soon be
concluded between other shipowners in Spain and Tunisia? Can it also say whether they might be covered
by the common fisheries policy in some way, and whether it can facilitate or indeed aid the extension of
this form of cooperation to other countries such as Algeria, and to countries in other parts of Africa?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 2001)

The Commission is not aware of arrangements or agreements that are concluded by private operators or
ship-owners in the Community. Moreover, current fisheries legislation does not require these transactions
to be reported to the Commission.

Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules
and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1) specifies the terms
for granting Community financial support for the creation of joint ventures between Community and third
country operators. Subject to those and other applicable conditions, the Commission could indeed facilitate
and support the implementation of such joint ventures.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2002/C 93 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2555/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 September 2001)

Subject: GMO and wine-growing

Wine is a typical product not only in Italy but throughout the Mediterranean region. The use of genetically
modified organisms would destroy its essential features (typical character, tradition, links with culture and
the land), impair its taste and flavour and detract from its commercial value.

In some regions wine is seen as an essential aspect of culture and tradition, from an economic as well as a
gastronomic point of view, with strong links with the environment and landscape and with an influence
on many other rural activities.

For example, Tuscany alone has five wines with registered and guaranteed designation of origin (DOCG),
34 wines with registered designation of origin (DOC) and 6 wines with typical geographical indication
(IGT), and is a prominent exporter with annual production of around 2.8 million hectolitres.

This is not to mention the employment capacity of the sector and the image and reputation enjoyed by
vineyards (often handed down from one generation to the next) in the EU and elsewhere, which must be
protected.

C 93 E/158

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The use of genetically modified organisms would have adverse effects not only on producers, but also and
above all on consumers and consumer health.

What policies does the Commission intend to pursue to support and develop the high quality of typical
agricultural products?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that, under the new arrangements introduced by
Council Regulations (EC) Nos 2702/1999 of 14 December 1999 on measures to provide information on,
and to promote, agricultural products in third countries (1) and 2826/2000 of 19 December 2000 on
information and promotion actions for agricultural products on the internal market (2), the Community
plans to implement a comprehensive and coherent policy providing information on and promoting
agricultural products, including foodstuffs, on the internal and third-country markets.

Such a policy that supplements and provides useful back-up for measures implemented by the Member
States is intended in particular to promote the image of these products with regard to quality, typical
character, nutrition, food safety and methods of production.

(1) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.
(2) OJ L 328, 23.12.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2556/01

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 September 2001)

Subject: European law enforcement unit

Following the events of the Genoa Summit, the German Minister of the Interior, Mr Otto Schily, and his
Italian counterpart, Mr Claudio Scajola, recommended the creation of a European law enforcement unit
(similar to the European cross-border police forces) and the setting up of a database listing the particulars
of violent protestors. The idea has recently received support from the German Chancellor, Mr Schröder, as
reflected by the proposed creation of an operational police unit with executive authority within Europol.
The individual proposals, however, have caused great confusion and met with an unfavourable response in
all Member States.

Does the Council intend to include this project as part of overall Community anti-terrorist strategy and
table the matter immediately at a forthcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible or, on the
contrary, does it take the view that the measures currently being envisaged to further develop direct
operational cooperation between the Member State police forces and give greater powers to Europol will
provide a sufficient response to increased crime and violence?

What measures does the Council think it can take to strengthen law enforcement at European level
without prejudice to individual rights?

Reply

(10 December 2001)

1.
The Council draws the attention of the Honourable Member of the Parliament to the reply given to
the written question P-2352/01. This reply referred to the conclusions of 13.7.2001, adopted by the
Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, on security at meetings of the
European Council and other comparable events (10608/01 Presse 281).

2.
In the light of the attacks in the United States on 11.9.2001 and following on from the decisions
taken since the Tampere European Council, the Council met on 20.9.2001 to take the necessary measures
to maintain the highest level of security and any other measure needed to combat terrorism. The Council
has decided to harness all the measures already adopted at European Union level to combat terrorism.