WRITTEN QUESTION E-2717/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. New unleaded petrol and consumer protection in Italy.
Date: 2001-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: adjuvant, air quality, lead-free petrol, marketing, motor car, motor fuel, technical standard

C 115 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of
1.
agricultural products in the Technical
April 2000.

the FAO projection for production, consumption and trade in
Interim Report entitled ‘Agriculture: Towards 2015-2030’ of

it is difficult to express an opinion on the scientific reliability of a
As the report itself makes clear,
projection so far into the future. The figures for net requirements in developing countries in the year 2030
do not seem exaggerated when account is taken of the trends in production and consumption on which
those projections are based. The figures were calculated using trade growth rates that are lower than those
recorded in the past.

2.
The study would not appear to refer directly to the level of net trade of the countries of Europe but
confines itself to the overall requirements of developing countries that are met by the traditional exporting
industrialised countries. The only figures quoted come from other sources (United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the University of Bonn); they
do not relate to the Community of Fifteen but factor in an economic recovery in the countries of eastern
Europe where production has declined in the wake of the transition from planned to market economies.

3.
The policy of growing non-food crops on land withdrawn from cereal production reflects in
particular the current balance between production and potential outlets for cereals. The obligation to
withdraw land from production depends on the development of production, productivity and the markets.

(2002/C 115 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2717/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: New unleaded petrol and consumer protection in Italy

Next year, leaded petrol will be officially withdrawn from the market. This will mean that any consumer
whose car does not have a catalytic converter will be unable to use the vehicle without a special additive.
This additive, when combined with super petrol, makes it possible to use such cars without prejudice to
the engine and in compliance with Community environmental legislation. In certain countries distributors
will supply the additive directly with the fuel. In Spain, for example, ‘New Super 97’ petrol containing the
additive will be marketed from next year. In Italy, however, no such initiative has been taken by any oil
company based in the country. The cost of the additive will in fact be charged entirely to the consumer, as
would the vehicle’s adjustment for the purposes of making it compatible with the new standards.

Is the Commission aware of the different attitudes of oil companies in the various EU Member States

1.
to the withdrawal of leaded petrol?

Does it not consider that such companies should take initiatives similar to those taken in Spain,
2.
thereby ensuring that compliance with European environmental standards is accompanied by effective
consumer protection?

Does it not consider that legislation is needed to harmonise the relevant rules in all the EU Member

3.
States?

Does it not consider that action is needed in such an important area to avoid creating disparities in

4.
the way in which consumers are treated within the European Union?

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/151

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

Directive 98/70/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998, relating to the quality of
petrol and diesel fuels (1) requires Member States to prohibit the marketing of leaded petrol from 1 January
2000. In the case of Italy the Commission, pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 3 of the directive, granted a
derogation to permit Italy to continue the marketing of leaded petrol until 31 December 2001.

Directive 98/70/EC does not specify the precise steps which Member States should undertake to phase out
leaded petrol and in particular does not specify which additives should be used to replace lead in lead
replacement petrol or in what manner such additives should be distributed.

The Commission does not see a need at this point for Community legislation to specify how additives used
to replace lead should be distributed in lead replacement petrol as the sale of such petrol will only be
necessary for a transition phase until the demand for this product diminishes over time in accordance with
the declining number of vehicles requiring this petrol.

(1) OJ L 350, 28.12.1998.

(2002/C 115 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2729/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE), Reimer Böge (PPE-DE)
and Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Export of sperm to third countries

Breeding organisations have informed us about problems with the export of sperm to certain third
countries (for example Japan and Hungary) and also to Austria. Those countries refuse to import sperm
from countries where cases of BSE have been identified. The International Office of Epizootics (OIE) states
in its documents that sperm cannot be a carrier of BSE (this also applies to milk and leather). There is,
therefore, no reason why imports should be refused. The countries that are refusing to import sperm are
all members of the OIE.

Is the Commission aware of this situation, and what does it intend to do to solve this problem? Does the
refusal of these countries conflict with WTO rules?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of the restrictions imposed by certain third countries for exports of semen from
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) affected countries. The Commission considers that such
restrictions are not based on scientific principles and they are clearly against the international standards,
i.e. the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) animal health code. Consequently, the Commission
considers that these restrictions are not in compliance with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and
the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement.

The Commission has frequently addressed the above problem during bilateral and multilateral contacts C
such as the SPS Committee C with the relevant third countries insisting that import restrictions must be
science based and comply with the international standards. The Commission will continue to address this
issue in future contacts with these countries.

As regards the restrictions imposed by Austria on semen originating from Germany and France, the
Commission is considering the opportunity to initiate infringement procedures against Austria on basis of
article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty.