WRITTEN QUESTION P-2105/02 by Gianni Vattimo (PSE) to the Commission. Promoting vegetarianism.
Date: 2002-07-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal welfare, common agricultural policy, eating habits, food hygiene, food policy, public awareness campaign

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/197

Since this is probably not just an Austrian problem:

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of the problem outlined above?

Is it considering presenting a proposal for a directive on obligatory number plates for bicycles
throughout the EU, in order to improve the chances of the identity of cyclists who break the law
being established?

3.

If not, why is it taking no action in this connection?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 August 2002)

The local bye-laws and regulations are, in accordance with the principle of susidiarity, the responsibility of
the urban, regional and national authorities. Accordingly, the Commission has no intention to present a
proposal for a directive on obligatory number plates for bicycles.

(2002/C 309 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2105/02

by Gianni Vattimo (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Promoting vegetarianism

An increasing number of nutritionists and scientists have been pointing out that it is important for human
health to reduce the consumption of animal protein and fat, and epidemiological studies show a lower
incidence of disease in people who follow a strictly vegetarian diet.

It was also recently demonstrated by a number of individuals during the FAO Food Summit that if food of
vegetable origin were consumed directly rather than being fed to animals destined for slaughter, vastly
greater quantities of food would be made available, thereby providing a valid response to the food
requirements of the South.

At present about 50 % of cereals and 75 % of soya produced worldwide are used to feed farm animals,
which is obviously a waste of food resources.

Intensive stock-breeding methods are now the most widespread, with adverse effects on animal welfare,
and the high concentration of industrial farms has often caused environmental damage on a large scale.
The spread of fish farms is also causing many pollution problems, as is the intensive use of antibiotics to
ensure that fish survive the inappropriate conditions in which they are kept.

Despite all this, the Commission has on several occasions granted funding to promote the consumption of
meat and fish in the Member States, as a form of aid to stock-breeders and fishermen, but there is
apparently no plan to devise information campaigns aimed at encouraging European citizens to stop
consuming foodstuffs of animal origin (cid:1) a choice already made by millions of them.

Can the Commission therefore say whether there are any measures planned to promote vegetarianism for
ethical, health and environmental reasons or as a gesture of solidarity.

If not, whether it considers it appropriate to launch information and awareness-raising campaigns of this
kind, targeting students and the general public?

Whether it does not consider it appropriate to launch a radical reform of European farming policy,
assigning priority to the production of crops which may bring benefits in terms of animal welfare, public
health, environmental costs and solidarity with the developing countries?

C 309 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

It is not the intention of the Commission to promote a particular choice of diet, such as vegetarianism, to
the exclusion of other dietary choices. The Commission has to be mindful in this respect of the principle
of subsidiarity and the freedom of individuals to make their own dietary decisions.

The objective of nutrition policy in the Union is instead to improve the health and the quality of life of the
population at all stages of life, and to reduce the risk of diseases by promoting healthy diets and lifestyle.
The Commission is of the opinion that there are several ways to obtain a healthy diet, based on different
cultural traditions, availability of food and other factors. Vegetarianism is one, but not the only such
tradition. Community policies have a role to play in making food for healthy, nutritious diets available at
affordable prices, and to educate the consumer to make the appropriate dietary choices. Ability to access
food products (including purchase, transport and distribution aspects) rather than availability of such
products on the world markets is of principal concern.

The Community has funded promotion and information measures on the Community Internal Market for
several agricultural products, not only beef. Promotion of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, olive
oil, wine and of milk and milk products, as well as organic products inter alia, has also been funded. The
initiatives to start such campaigns come from different organisations within the Member States.

The Commission has just tabled its mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The aim of
this review is to ensure that the CAP meets the expectations of European society through supporting farm
incomes, improving food quality, promoting the preservation of the environment and animal welfare,
landscapes, cultural heritage, and enhancing social balance.

The Commission also committed itself at the Gothenburg European Council (15-16 June 2001) to work
on sustainable development, where one of the measures outlined is to reorient support from the CAP to
reward healthy, high-quality products and practices, rather than quantity.

(2002/C 309 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2109/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 July 2002)

Subject: Bomb-making instructions on the Internet

According to reports in the Greek press, there are sites on the Internet which provide all the information
needed to make anything from a ‘Molotov cocktail’ to an atomic bomb. Moreover, once they are published
on the Internet, these bomb-making manuals are also accessible to children.

In its edition of 4 April 1998, the Washington Post described (in a report by Fern Shen) electronic
conversations between 14-year-old children concerning which materials make the most effective bomb
casing. Furthermore, children have used instructions found on the Internet to construct explosive devices
which they have tested on actual targets. Examples include three high-school students from Utah in the
USA who were arrested for blowing up a church and two 15-year-olds from Ogden who were sent to a
rehabilitation centre for having a bomb in their possession.

Is the Commission aware of this issue and what are its views thereon? What measures has it taken or will
it take in the future to protect not only children but also adults from such information via the Internet?