WRITTEN QUESTION E-1056/02 by Michiel van Hulten (PSE) to the Commission. Investigation into formation of cartel by Dutch breweries.
Date: 2002-04-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, application of EU law, beverage industry, cartel, control of restrictive practices, unlawful agreement

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/81

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the matter described by the Honourable Member.

It was not clear from the written question whether the project is for a toxic-waste dump, or a waste
treatment plant. The Commission is therefore unable to determine which Community legislation would
apply in this case.

In order to clarify this point, the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities for more information on
the project in question.

At present, therefore, the Commission can merely confirm that Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June
1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1), as
amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), would apply to the case in question. On the
basis of the information currently available, it is not possible to say whether the other Directives cited by
the Honourable Member would apply to this case.

The Commission, in its role as guardian of the Treaties, will take the necessary action to ensure that
Community legislation is respected in the case at issue.

According to the principle of subsidiarity, and in conformity with Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999
of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (3), Member States are responsible
for both the choice of projects and their realisation. The Commission has therefore contacted the Spanish
authorities to obtain information on any co-financing of this project and will certainly inform the
Honourable Member of the results of its inquiries.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 301 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1056/02

by Michiel van Hulten (PSE) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Investigation into formation of cartel by Dutch breweries

In March 2000,
the Commission, assisted by the Netherlands Competition Authority, carried out
inspections at the premises of the breweries Heineken, Grolsch, Interbrew and Bavaria and the Dutch
Brewers Society as part of an investigation to ascertain whether a cartel had been formed.

What further action has the Commission taken, and what stage has the investigation reached? When is it
likely to be completed?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The Commission confirms that in March 2000, on its behalf (1), the Netherlands Competition Authority,
assisted by Commission officials, carried out inspections at the premises of the breweries Heineken,
Grolsch, Interbrew and Bavaria and the Dutch Brewers Society as part of an investigation to ascertain
whether a cartel had been formed.

C 301 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

On the basis of the information gathered during the inspections, requests for additional information have
been sent to various operators in the Dutch market for beer, including but not limited to the companies
subjected to the March 2000 inspections. The answers to these requests are currently being assessed.

The Commission’s investigation is ongoing and, therefore, the final outcome of the case cannot be
prejudged.

(1) Pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation No 17 of the Council of 6 February 1962, OJ P 13, 21.2.1962.

(2002/C 301 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1057/02

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Information policy on the revision of the common fisheries policy

The Commission’s proposals on the revision of the common fisheries policy are expected in April. For this
reason, action must be taken as of now in order to ensure that those who work in the sector receive the
necessary information and are involved appropriately. This will enable the revision to be implemented
more successfully and the interested parties to be more closely involved in the legislative process. This is
an objective set out by the Commission in its Green Paper and supported by the European Parliament in
its resolution of 17 January 2002 on the future of the common fisheries policy. The budget already
contains a heading for dialogue with the fisheries sector (B2-903), under which information activities are
also financed.

How much money in each Member State has actually been spent on information under heading B2-903,
and what kind of information activities have been funded?

What action is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure that all necessary information
regarding the revision of the common fisheries policy is made available?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2002)

The Commission’s dual approach to closer dialogue with the fishing industry and other groups affected
comprises, firstly, facilitating meetings and exchanges between trade associations and bodies involved at
European level so as to prepare thoroughly the work of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and
Aquaculture (ACFA) and, secondly, informing all groups affected about the objectives and measures of the
common fisheries policy (CFP) so that they can become more closely involved in its conception and
implementation.

In 2002 and 2003 the central theme of that approach will continue to be the reform of the CFP. The
communication work which has accompanied discussion about the Green Paper on the future of the CFP
is due to be followed by an initiative to present and explain the Commission’s CFP reform proposals and,
subsequently, the decisions adopted.

The communication and information initiative has two key aspects:

(cid:1) producing and disseminating (cid:1) in written, audiovisual and electronic form and in all the EU official

languages (cid:1) information material tailored to the target audiences’ needs;

(cid:1) developing communication instruments and direct forms of communication which maximise access,
so that everyone concerned (cid:1) including those far away from the decision-making centres (cid:1) can easily
obtain information on the CFP.

The following are scheduled for 2002:

(cid:1) disseminating information on the Commission’s CFP reform proposals as soon as they have been
languages, which involves:

adopted and making related documents available in all the EU official