WRITTEN QUESTION E-2263/02 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Uniform definition of integrated crop production.
Date: 2002-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community certification, consumer protection, labelling, organic farming, organic product

C 110 E/36

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

(2003/C 110 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2194/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Industrial fishing geared to the processing of fish into meal

(19 July 2002)

Given the alleged scarcity of Community fisheries resources and the drastic recovery plans which the
Commission intends to implement for certain species, does the Commission not consider it necessary to
reconsider the question of industrial fishing devoted exclusively to the processing of fish into meal for
animal feed?

Could the needs of the Community domestic market not be met by imports from third countries and by
European industries which process meal exclusively from fishery byproducts?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2002)

Fishing for reduction to fish meal should target fish for which there is no market for direct human
consumption.
like other types of fishing, will be subject to the conservation and
management measures developed under the Community framework programme (CFP), including multi-
annual management plans.

Industrial fishing,

The Commission has recently asked the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to carry
out an evaluation of the impact of industrial fishing on marine ecosystems. It will continue to monitor the
conduct of industrial fisheries to ensure that their impact on human consumption fish species and other
marine species remains low and improved management measures will be proposed as appropriate.

As regards the appropriateness of substituting Community production with imports the Honourable
Member is referred to the answer to his written question E-2192/02 (1).

It does not appear that the proportion of fish meal coming from processing byproducts can be increased
substantially at this time. In 2001 an estimated 170 000 tonnes of fish meal was produced by this sector.
The relative share of production from this source by Member State was: United Kingdom 26 %, Spain,
24 %, Denmark 17 %, Ireland 9,5 %, Sweden 9,5 %, France 7 % and Germany 7 %. There are indications that
this sector may reduce in size due to difficulties in meeting the requirements of Council Directive 2001/
102/EC (2). Because the raw material can come from many different sources and sampling is to be on a lot
basis, the dioxin limits could mean that some of this material will be debarred from use in animal nutrition
in the future.

(1) See page 35.
(2) Council Directive 2001/102/EC of 27 November 2001 amending Directive 1999/29/EC on the undesirable

substances and products in animal nutrition, OJ L 6, 10.1.2002.

(2003/C 110 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2263/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2002)

Subject: Uniform definition of integrated crop production

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (1) of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products
and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs lays down the conditions under
which agricultural products may be designated and advertised as organic.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Article 2(13) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC (2) of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market defines integrated plant protection.

However, the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) and the International Institute for
the term ‘integrated pomaceous fruit
Horticultural Science have established an official definition of
growing’: the commercial growing of high-quality fruit, with precedence being given to ecologically sound
methods so as to minimise any undesirable side-effects and the use of agro-chemicals in order to protect
the environment and human health more effectively.

Some Member States, too, have an official legal definition of integrated crop production. However, there is
no European Community definition of integrated crop production.

Does not the European Commission feel that it would be appropriate to draw up a uniform definition of
integrated crop production (e.g. ecologically controlled crop production which protects the environment
and takes account of resistance management) in order to ensure throughout the European Union a more
effective and clear designation of products grown on organic and integrated holdings and, consequently, to
protect producers and consumers?

(1) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2002)

The Commission is aware of the existence of various definitions of integrated production,
integrated
agricultural systems, integrated pest control and integrated crop management. All these definitions come
under the more general heading of sustainable agriculture.

In some Member States ‘integrated agriculture’
regional link reflecting local climate and geology.

is the subject of provisions with a specific national or

In 2000 the Commission arranged for a study on integrated crop management to be carried out, the
findings of which were published in March 2002. This used case studies to investigate the various systems
and found, despite common reference to certain key elements,
there are wide differences in
interpretation of the concept and great potential variability in the conditions of its application.

that

Organic farming on the other hand is governed by rigorous principles underpinned by a common
philosophy and common goals; production rules are detailed and supervision strict. Such a system would
be difficult to set up for integrated agriculture, covering as it does very diverse fields and a multiplicity of
circumstances and aims.

At present, therefore, it is not easy to draw up a uniform definition of integrated production; with time a
clearer picture should emerge of the trend of these practices in the Member States, but they ought to be
encouraged given their often more beneficial impact on the environment and human health.

As announced in its mid-term review of the common agricultural policy (1), the Commission is nonetheless
examining how best to improve implementation of environmental, food safety, animal health and welfare
in quality assurance and
and occupational safety standards and to encourage farmers to take part
certification schemes recognised by the Member States.

(1) COM(2002) 394 final.