WRITTEN QUESTION E-2932/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Danish feta export fraud.
Date: 2001-10-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, European Anti-fraud Office, cheese, designation of origin, export, export refund, fraud against the EU

C 134 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2001)

According to the information available to the Commission, the planned motorway ‘A 143 Westumfahrung
Halle’ will be located in the area of the site ‘Porphyrkuppenlandschaft nordwestlich von Halle’, which
includes the sites ‘Porphyrlandschaft bei Brachwitz’ and ‘Porphyrlandschaft bei Grimritz’ and is proposed as
a Site of Community Importance under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (1). This site originally excluded a
the German
corridor,
Government formally included this corridor in its proposal of Sites of Community Importance.

in which the motorway is now to be located. However,

in October 2000,

The site hosts priority grassland habitats mentioned in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (*6110 and
*6120), which are likely to be affected by the planned motorway. The planning authorities have foreseen
mitigation measures with a view to limiting the effects of the motorway on the environment.

The question of whether or not the effects of the motorway on the conservation objectives of the site
‘Porphyrkuppenlandschaft nordwestlich von Halle’ are likely to be significant and if a proper assessment of
implications pursuant to Article 6 paragraph 3 of the Habitats Directive has been carried out, is currently
being assessed by the Commission in the framework of a complaint procedure. By their letter of
11 September 2001, the Commission has asked the German Government to give its view on this case
within two months of receipt of the letter. The German reply is currently being awaited.

Once the German answer has arrived and has been assessed, the Commission will decide on the further
handling of this case, ensuring that applicable Community law is respected. The complainants will be
informed accordingly.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of nautral habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 134 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2932/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: Danish ‘feta’ export fraud

The Court of Auditors’ Special Report 7/2001 reveals that the cases of fraud investigated by OLAF
included the 1998 export to North Korea of some 3 200 tonnes of Danish ‘feta’ manufactured from cow’s
milk. Export refunds of 2,23 million euro were paid despite the fact that the ‘feta’ was more than
12 months past its sell-by date and the refunds amounted to more than double the selling price.

In addition to the case of fraud, there is also the matter of discrediting the name ‘feta’, which in 1998 was
a Greek product with protected designation of origin and which Denmark could use only for a transitional
period. Can the Commission answer the following:

1. How will it respond to the discrediting of the name ‘feta’ caused by the export of the Danish product?

2. Will the above case of fraud be taken into account in reconsidering the proposal to secure the status

of feta as a product with protected designation of origin?

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/155

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2001)

The Honourable Member refers to the case concerning an export of some 3 200 tons of Danish ‘feta’
cheese to North Korea with the payment of some € 2,23 million in export refunds. The Court of Auditors
referred this case to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for investigation. OLAF has indicated that this
investigation has been closed. The Danish authorities and the Commission have been informed of the
OLAF conclusions according to which irregularities occurred.

The Commission has in any case not in mind to respond to any possible discredit of the designation ‘feta’,
which, as your Honourable Member states, was a Protected Designation of Origin in 1998. Actually, and
independently of the outcome of the above-mentioned investigation, Denmark had at that time also the
right to use the name ‘feta’ for a transitional period.

With regard to the reconsideration of a proposal to secure the status of feta as a Protected Designation of
Origin, the outcome of OLAF’s investigation is irrelevant and consequently the Commission won’t take it
into account.

(2002/C 134 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Common policies E implementation integrating sport

(24 October 2001)

The annexes to the Nice Summit Presidency conclusions (7-9 December 2000), contain a statement by the
Heads of States and of Government on the importance of taking due account of the social, educational and
cultural function of sport, with a view to safeguarding the code of ethics and the solidarity essential to the
preservation of its social role, despite the fact that the European Union has no direct powers in this area.

Has the Commission drawn up a balance sheet of whatever measures has proved possible to take with a
view to meeting the objectives set out in the Nice European Summit Presidency conclusions with regard to
including sport when implementing common policies?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

The European Council highlighted the social and educational values of sport in the Nice declaration of
December 2000 on the specific characteristics of sport and its social function in Europe, of which account
should be taken in implementing common policies (1). The Commission had already had occasion to
emphasise its support for these values in the Helsinki Report on Sport adopted in December 1999 (2). The
approach adopted through the Nice declaration is thus in line with the efforts made by the Commission
over a period of several years.

Since the adoption of the Nice declaration, the Commission has been involved in follow-up activities under
the Swedish and Belgian Presidencies. It has also remained attentive to the specific characteristics of sport
in examining various issues related to sport: players’ agents, public aid for professional clubs, transfers, etc.
In the latter case the Commission has enforced Community law while taking account of the specific
constraints imposed by the nature of sport and the need to ensure the development of football. For
example, encouragement for clubs’ training efforts, protection of young people, and the need to ensure the
fairness of competitions and the stability of teams have been among the Commission’s main concerns.
Generally speaking, the Nice declaration on sport has been taken into account wherever sport-related
issues have been examined. The adoption, on 16 October 2001, of a proposal for a Decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Year of Education through Sport
2004 (3) is also consistent with the spirit of the Nice declaration. Finally, at the informal meeting of sports
ministers in Brussels on 12 November 2001, the Member States and the Commission looked at how the
Nice declaration has been followed up.