WRITTEN QUESTION E-0241/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Banana directives.
Date: 2002-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European standard, disinformation, image, marketing standard, quality standard, tropical fruit

C 205 E/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

4. What are the latest developments in the case concerning the ELGA premiums (case C-355/00)
pending before the Court of Justice of the European Communities, since ELGA is now attempting to
bring in a new increase of 50 % to insurance contributions to cover
its excessive debt of
EUR 102 714 million?

5. Does the Commission intend to examine the ATE’s operating status as a state bank and the procedures
it uses (e.g. the requirement to give power of attorney for the withdrawal of arbitrary deductions from
the farmers’ accounts), on the basis of allegations made about the infringement of Community rules
and principles concerning the free market and fair competition, state aid and the protection of
consumers (farmers) in the single market?

(1) OJ C 115 E, 16.5.2002, p. 194.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 113.
(3) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

As regards points 1, 2 and 5 of their question the Honourable Members are asked to refer to the
Commission’s answer to written question E-0128/02 from Mr Alavanos (1).

As regards point 3, the corrections for the 2001 financial year applied under Commission Regulation (EC)
No 296/96 of 16 February 1996 on data to be forwarded by the Member States and the monthly booking
of expenditure financed under the Guarantee Section of
the European Agricultural Guidance and
Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (2) amounted to € 1 708 570,96, of which € 630 301,74 related to the period
from 1 July 2001 to 15 October 2001.

For the current financial year (2002), Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 296/96, as amended by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 1577/2001 of 1 August 2001, provides for the calculation and application of the
reductions based on a timetable covering expenditure in the period from 16 October 2001 to
31 March 2002.

The procedure for calculating, proposing and defining the corrections for this period has not started yet. It
will be finished by the beginning of August 2002.

As regards point 4 of the Honourable Members’ question, the Court of Justice fixed an oral hearing on case
C-355/00 for 7 March 2002.

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 148.
(2) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996.

(2002/C 205 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0241/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Banana directives

There are persistent reports in the British press that the European Union is forever delving into every nook
and cranny of life through the use of unnecessary directives. Others claim that these reports are Euro-
myths. One of the most persistent reports concerns the sale of bananas.

Can the Commission indicate whether it is true that all bananas sold within the European Union must
conform to certain standards including degree of curvature and size, and, if so, to specify the relevant
directive and the principal requirements that retailers of bananas are required to observe.

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/101

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on common organisation of the
market in bananas (1) states that quality standards shall be laid down for bananas, except plantains, that are
to be supplied fresh to the consumer.

The standards themselves are set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994
laying down quality standards for bananas (2).

They were adopted following wide consultation with the trade, which already applied its own commercial
standards.

In the interests of producers, the trade and consumers quality standards exist for many agricultural
products.

(1) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993.
(2) OJ L 245, 20.9.1994.

(2002/C 205 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0253/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Clophen leak at the DEI steam electric station at Agios Dimitrios in Kozani

On 25 December 2001 an explosion was recorded in the high voltage transformer at the Greek Electricity
Board (DEI) steam electric station at Agios Dimitrios in Kozani, resulting in the leak of toxic gases, such as
Clophen and dioxins. In fact, it was confirmed that of the condensers’ three Clophen containers (each
condenser contains 20-30 kilos of Clophen), two were empty, and those responsible concluded that there
had been a leak of this dangerous substance.

Under Directive 96/59/EC (1) on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls
(PCB/PCT), the Member States must ensure that inventories are compiled of equipment with PCB volumes
of more than 5 dm3, must send summaries of such inventories to the Commission at the latest three years
after the adoption of the Directive, and must draw up plans for the decontamination and/or disposal of
inventoried equipment and the PCBs contained therein, together with outlines for the collection and
subsequent disposal of equipment. In addition, there is considerable concern over the effects which these
toxic substances may have on public health.

In view of the above, can the Commission say whether the relevant Greek authorities are implementing the
above directive and whether they have sent the Commission, under Directive 78/319/EEC (2), a situation
report on the disposal of toxic and dangerous waste in Greece, and if so when?

(1) OJ L 243, 24.9.1996, p. 31.
(2) OJ L 84, 31.3.1978, p. 43.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2002)

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member on the importance of a safe handling and
disposal of equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). As correctly pointed out, Article 4 of
Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of PCBs and polychlorinated terphenyls
(PCTs) requires Member States to establish an inventory of equipment containing more than five litres of
PCBs and to submit a summary of such inventory to the Commission.