WRITTEN QUESTION P-0163/02 by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Sparkling wine production in Italy and Austria.
Date: 2002-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, Italy, food standard, food technology, marketing, restriction on competition, sparkling wine, vinification

C 147 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts
which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of
approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (’Revised 1958 Agreement’) (2).

Regulation 44 permits a child seat to be secured to the vehicle by using the safety belts for adult
occupants.

In concrete terms, every child restraint system has to be approved according to either Directive 2000/3/EC
or Regulation 44 before being allowed to be put on the Community market. The proof of conformity is
given by the approval sticker affixed to the seat.

The Commission is participating actively in the works of the ‘Groupe de Rapporteurs sur la Sécurité
Passive (GRSP)’, within the UN/ECE, which is currently setting up technical requirements for a simpler
fixing method, called the Isofix system. Once adopted, the Isofix system will ease the fitting of child
restrain systems in any vehicle. As soon as the relevant UN/ECE regulations have been amended, the
Commission will adopt appropriate measures for the insertion of the new requirements in the Community
legislation.

(1) OJ L 53, 25.2.2000.
(2) OJ L 346, 17.12.1997.

(2002/C 147 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0097/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 January 2002)

Subject: Disability benefits

Will the Commission provide a comparison of the benefits and other entitlements of disabled people in
each of the Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2002)

Data on disability benefits in each Member State may be found in the Missoc data base (Mutual
Information System on Social Protection in the Member States), available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/
employment_social/missoc2000/index_en.htm.

Since disability benefits may take the form of various types of allowances, it would be advisable to consult
the following chapters:

? Chapter III: Sickness ? Cash Benefits,

? Chapter V: Invalidity,

? Chapter VIII: Employment injuries and occupational diseases,

? Chapter XI: Guaranteeing sufficient resources.

(2002/C 147 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0163/02

by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2002)

Subject: Sparkling wine production in Italy and Austria

’Prosecco’ semi-sparkling wines sold by Italian firms exceed the maximum limit in respect of pressure of
semi-sparkling wine clearly laid down in EU wine legislation (maximum 2,5 bar). This infringement was

20.6.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/243

detected in Germany and an appropriate complaint made to Italy. The German methods of measurement
used were apparently called into question by the Italian authorities and the matter shelved. Italian firms
therefore continue to be permitted to sell proseccos with a pressure of more than 2,5 bar.

The addition of gold leaf to sparkling wines has been banned throughout the EU. However, Austrian
sparkling wine producers have now been given special permission to conduct a large-scale trial. As a
result, Austrian firms are now selling sparkling wine containing gold leaf without facing competition.

Is the Commission aware of these facts?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to stop the maximum limit in respect of pressure of
semi-sparkling wine being exceeded in Italy?

Who gave special permission for a large-scale trial of sparkling wine containing gold leaf in Austria, and
does the Commission consider that this trial contravenes competition rules in the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the matters raised by the Honourable Member.

It is making enquiries of the Member States concerned and will inform the Honourable Member of the
outcome.

(2002/C 147 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0249/02

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 January 2002)

Subject: Funding for a prototype riding helmet (L-TC158 WG 5) DG Enterprise

Riding helmets currently available are not totally safe.

On the basis of a petition forwarded to the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (Petition
No 1030/96 of 28 April 1996), the Commission has asked CEN to draw up a high-specification safety
standard for safety helmets. If the work of Working Group 5 (L-TC 158 WG 5) is to progress smoothly,
funding will be required to cover the cost of developing a prototype helmet. Now that a proposal, based
on quotations submitted by Limerick University, Ireland, for testing and by DERA for manufacture of a
new high-technology prototype, has been drawn up, will the Commission please indicate the reason for
the delay in the allocation of funds and when those funds will be made available?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2002)

The Honourable Member’s assertion that riding helmets are not completely safe is accurate. This is
corroborated by the introduction of standards on helmets in Europe and other parts of the world. More
specifically, the European standard (EN) 1384:1996 on ‘Helmets for equestrian activities’, which was
subject to an amendment published in October 2001, includes the following introductory statement:

The protection afforded by a helmet depends on the circumstances of the accident and the wearing of
a helmet does not always ensure the avoidance of death or long-term invalidity.