WRITTEN QUESTION E-2709/01 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Definition of vegetarianism and vegetarian.
Date: 2001-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, crop production, foodstuff, human nutrition, labelling, packaging

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/83

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The negotiations for the Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) with South Africa were
successfully concluded in 1999. Council Decision 1999/753/EC of 29 July 1999, concerning the
provisional application of the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation between the European
Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, of the other part (1)
establishes provisional and partial application of the TDCA as of 1 January 2000, pending ratification by
the parties to the Agreement.

Negotiations for the conclusion of a separate Fisheries Agreement were suspended earlier in 2001, as it
became clear that the Commission mandate was for the conclusion of an agreement that would include
access to South African fishery resources for European vessels, in addition to cooperation in a number of
fishery-related areas. The South African delegation was mandated only to negotiate an agreement that
would not include such access.

The Commission does not rule out the possibility that parties will return to the negotiation table at a later
stage. It feels that this state of affairs does not affect the provisional application nor the full entry into
force of the TDCA.

In the opinion of the Commission this does not hold true for the ongoing Wine and Spirits negotiations.
At the South Africa-Community Cooperation Council on 26 June 2001 it was agreed that a group of six
high level officials would meet in order to work out a solution. The group met on 25 July 2001 and
agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding on outstanding issues, which is to be the basis for the
conclusion of the Wine and Spirits Agreement.

(1) OJ L 311, 4.12.1999.

(2002/C 134 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2709/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Definition of ‘vegetarianism’ and ‘vegetarian’

(3 October 2001)

In Germany, products are sold with a declaration that they are ‘vegetarian’ even though they contain
ingredients of animal origin.

1.

2.

Is it true that this is legal because there is no legal definition of vegetarianism?

If so, what is the Commission doing to prevent consumers being misinformed in this way?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2001)

There is no harmonised definition of ‘vegetarian’ or ‘vegetarianism’ at Community or international level.

Within the framework of the Codex alimentarius, discussions aimed at laying down such a definition were
discontinued after a number of years without any conclusions having been reached owing to differences of
approach and a lack of consensus.

According to some, the term ‘vegetarian’ implies only that no meat products are consumed, whereas others
believe that all products of animal origin should be excluded; there are also a number of different
approaches between these two extremes.

C 134 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

In order to avoid consumers being misled, the Commission takes the view that they should be placed in a
position to check the composition of foodstuffs labelled as ‘vegetarian’ in order to satisfy themselves that
this corresponds to their own conception of ‘vegetarianism’.

Manufacturers using the product designation in question should therefore indicate precisely on the label all
the ingredients that a product contains.

The Commission’s recent proposal to Parliament and the Council (1) providing for the listing of all
foodstuff ingredients on labels will eliminate any uncertainties about labelling of the products under
consideration here.

(1) COM(2001) 433 final.

(2002/C 134 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716/01

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Opening local transport markets

I would like to draw the Commission’s attention to the proposal for a Regulation (COM(2000) 7 final) (1) of
the European Parliament and of the Council on action by Member States concerning public service
requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland
waterway.

Under this regulation local authorities would be required to put out for tender all public transport services
with a turnover exceeding €400 000 per annum, thus putting an end to direct municipal control and
placing services in the hands of specialised multinationals, as well as calling into question the management
choices of elected representatives.

Above and beyond transport, this principle could be extended to all the public services, which might in the
long term be forced to open themselves to competition, thus losing their principal attribute @ their
non-profit-making status.

Against this background:

1. Does the regulation safeguard the essential role of public transport as a general-interest service?

2. Meeting public-service

requirements

sometimes calls

for

financial compensations. Will

their

compatibility with the Treaty be clearly stated?

3. Does the Commission plan to build important social and environmental aspects into the contract-

awarding mechanism?

4. What measures does the Commission intend to take to guarantee the safety of passengers after local

public transport markets have been opened?

(1) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000, p. 169.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

The Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on public service requirements in public passenger transport
recognises the importance of public passenger transport services and the central role of public authorities.
This draft Regulation reinforces the role of authorities, by placing them under an obligation, when
applying the Regulation’s provisions, to ‘secure adequate public passenger transport services that are of
high quality and availability’. The proposal also requires authorities to take into account a series of quality