WRITTEN QUESTION P-3339/01 by Dirk Sterckx (ELDR) to the Commission. Dramatic consequences for a significant number of HGV drivers of the minimum visual acuity criteria laid down by Directive 91/439/EEC.
Date: 2001-11-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European driving licence, European standard, drivers, occupational health, traffic regulations

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/157

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 2002)

The Commission has examined the Netherlands’ monitoring report for 2000 and has noted that not
1.
all the samples in the Dutch report are randomly taken and that many are specifically directed towards
product-pesticide combinations for which possible violations were expected due to e.g. previous violations.
Sampling and analysis is expensive and it is justifiable to adopt an efficient sampling strategy to detect as
many violations as possible at the cost of the representativity of the sample. To obtain a representative
view the Commission organises annual co-ordinated monitoring exercises. From the results of these it can
be concluded that each year 3-4 % of samples exceed the legal limits for pesticide residues (MRLs) in food
on the European market.

In most of the national reports from the Member States, the levels of pesticide residues in domestic
2.
produce is lower than in imported produce. The Member States have not provided an explanation for this
to the Commission.

3.
The Commission considers that MRLs should be respected but does not consider that produce for
which MRLs are exceeded should automatically be destroyed because not all such produce is dangerous
and there may be other methods of processing, treatment or disposal available that could be considered on
a case-by-case basis, particularly when there is no risk to the consumer. However,
in the case of a
consumer health concern, then it is clear that such produce cannot be consumed. Advising consumers
only to eat organically grown produce could give the erroneous impression that food legally produced
using other methods is somehow unsafe and could also lead to market problems in view of the limited
supply of organic produce. Since the benefits to health of eating fresh fruit and vegetables are well-known,
then the taking of any measures that might reduce their consumption should be carefully considered
beforehand. Therefore the Commission does not agree with the consumer organisations’ view in this
instance and is of the opinion that legally produced conventionally and organically grown produce are safe
for the consumer and that the control measures in place aim to ensure the continued safety of both types
of production.

The Commission is currently reviewing the safety of all pesticide active substances and has presented
4.
a report to the Parliament and Council on this (1). The report includes ideas for strengthening the control
measures in place and, based on the reactions of the Council and the Parliament to the Report, the
Commission foresees proposing to amend the directive to do so.

5. Member States can prevent the marketing of produce containing excess residues by spending more
resources in monitoring and check sampling and by more directed and effective sampling at all stages of
the production chain.

There is a significant body of legislation already in place to ensure that consumers are protected.
6.
However, misuse of pesticides by operators can never be excluded and this is one reason why monitoring
and control measures are necessary. It is the responsibility of the Member States to monitor and impose
penalties.

(1) COM(2001) 444 final.

(2002/C 147 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3339/01

by Dirk Sterckx (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 November 2001)

Subject: Dramatic consequences for a significant number of HGV drivers of the minimum visual acuity

criteria laid down by Directive 91/439/EEC

The minimum visual acuity requirements laid down in Directive 91/439/EEC (1) have resulted in a
significant number of professional drivers, hitherto regarded as being medically fit to drive, suddenly being
prevented from exercising their profession any longer.

C 147 E/158

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

In its answer to my Written Question E-1272/00 (2) of 19 April 2000, the Commission indicated that it
was considering an amendment to the Directive whereby, within the limits of road safety requirements,
provision might be made for the possibility of less stringent health criteria being applied at national level
to professional drivers who had obtained their driving licences before the Directive entered into force.

it

I should be grateful if the Commission would indicate if it has already taken a decision on this matter and
when we may expect
for the amendment of the Directive. Does not the
Commission feel that the visual acuity requirements set out in Directive 91/439/EEC are disproportionate
for the attainment of the established objective? May I once again urge the Commission to do something to
tackle the dramatic consequences arising from the application of that Directive in a majority of the
Member States of the EU?

to submit a proposal

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 118.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2002)

The Commission is aware of the problem of lack of acquired rights for professional drivers who obtained
their licences before the entry into force of this Directive. However, the Commission has not yet adopted
any draft directive to amend Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences (1).

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2002/C 147 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3342/01

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Council

(3 December 2001)

Subject: Belgian Presidency meeting of EU Ministers for children

I was pleased to learn that the Belgian Presidency had convened a meeting of EU Ministers for children on
Friday 9 November. Can you report on the outcome of this meeting and plans for follow-up?

Reply

(1 March 2002)

The Council, as a Community institution, has no competence as regards an informal meeting organised
under the sole responsibility of the Belgian Presidency. The Honourable Member is therefore advised to
contact the Ministry of Child Welfare, with responsibility for Primary Education, Childcare and the Role of
the National Child Welfare Agency of the French Community of Belgium, under the aegis of which this
informal European meeting of Ministers with responsibility for children was organised.

(2002/C 147 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3349/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Council

(28 November 2001)

Subject:

’Enduring Freedom’

The war against Afghanistan, conducted by the USA and the coalition of states against terrorism in
response to the criminal acts perpetrated on 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington, seems to
have achieved significant objectives.