WRITTEN QUESTION P-2737/02 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Limit values for GMOs and sloppy legislation.
Date: 2002-09-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, approximation of laws, drafting of EU law, genetically modified organism, labelling, marketing standard, seed, traceability

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/207

(2003/C 52 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/02

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Conclusions to be drawn from the Swedish pension fund experience

A new system for the funding of pensions was brought into force in Sweden in 2000. Under the new
arrangements, over and above the general system which will provide future pensioners in Sweden with a
minimum pension guaranteed by the State, workers may contribute to 450 investment funds managed by
sixty or so international fund managers which should, in principle, provide members with a supplementary
pension based on the appreciation of the contributions paid.

What initial conclusions may be drawn from the new Swedish system? What was the average performance
of these investment funds in 2001? Can the Commission say whether any lessons have been learned from
the Swedish experience?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2002)

The reformed Swedish pension system will continue to be the main source of income for pensioners and
partially replaces earned income before retirement up to 7,5 income base amounts (SEK 38800 in 2002,
i.e. a total of 291000 or roughly EUR 32 000 per annum). The contribution rate amounts to 18,5 % of
earnings of which 16 are channelled into the pay-as-you-go system and 2,5 % into the ‘premium reserve
system’ under which individuals are free to choose up to five funds among currently 600 different funds
with varying risk profiles. Every year, all those covered by the new pension system receive detailed
information on their accumulated pensions capital accrued both within the pay-as-you-go and the
premium pension system.

The Swedish national strategy report on the future of pension systems has just been submitted to the
Commission. It will be subject to indepth analysis by the Commission together with the reports of the
other Member States, the conclusions of which will be published towards the end of 2002. It is, however,
already possible to notice that
the total assets accumulated by the premium pension system on
31 December 2001 amounted to 3 % of the gross domestic product (GDP). The report does not evaluate
the financial performance of these funds (which can be expected to differ considerably depending on the
portfolio of each fund). However, data published on the Premium Pension Authority’s website (http://
www.ppm.nu/) suggest that the latest market values of funds (15 September 2002) are well below the
average value at which they were purchased by pension savers.

(2003/C 52 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2737/02

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(23 September 2002)

Subject: Limit values for GMOs and sloppy legislation

On 3 July 2002, Parliament adopted its first reading of two proposals for directives on, respectively, the
traceability of GMO materials and labelling of GMO-treated food and feed. With regard to food labelling, a
content limit value of 0,5 % for authorised GMOs was adopted by a large majority in Parliament. The
Commission is now apparently drafting a proposal on seed grain.
limit values for GMO
contamination in conventional seed grain of between 0,3 % and 0,7 % are being proposed, which do not
accord with Parliament’s decision of 3 July 2002.

In it,

In this connection, can the Commission say why it is not proposing limit values which are in keeping with
Parliament’s decision, possibly with a reference to Parliament’s final decision, so that consumers and
farmers are not confused and misled? What does this proposal mean in the light of the proposals voted on
by Parliament on 3 July 2002? How and, possibly, when is Parliament going to be involved?

C 52 E/208

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 2002)

The Commission is still discussing internally a draft for a Commission Directive amending the annexes of
the seed marketing Directives in particular in respect of purity criteria, by including thresholds to allow for
the adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified seeds in seed lots of non-
genetically modified varieties. The proposed thresholds for authorised genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) are 0,3, 0,5 and 0,7 %.

The Commission considers it to be of utmost importance that thresholds be established in the seed
legislation in order to take into account the reality which is that traces of genetically modified seeds can be
found in non-genetically modified seed lots, as other impurities are found and are regulated for. A legal
text is thus needed as soon as possible to address such an adventitious presence in seeds in a harmonised
way.

When the internal discussions within the Commission will be completed, the opportunity will be given to
Member States and also, as the Member of the Commission in charge of Health and Consumer Protection
has already announced, to the Parliament, to scrutinise the proposal.

(2003/C 52 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/02

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis

Can the Commission indicate whether there have been any cases of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis
(IHN) within the EU and, if so, when and how many? What research has been carried out in relation to
this disease? What measures are being taken against IHN, is it similar to ISA, and in what fish species does
it occur?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

The disease situation as regards IHN within the Community is variable, as IHN is endemic in certain parts
and absent in other areas. Cases are regularly occurring in particular in Germany, France and Italy. During
2001, IHN was officially reported to the Commission from Germany (eleven cases), France (eight cases),
Italy (seven cases) and Austria (one case).

Several projects and important research have been carried out in relation to IHN.

Projects, of which some have been financed or co-financed by Community funds, that can be mentioned
are:

(cid:1) epidemiological survey, in the early 1990s, to assess the rate of IHN infection in the Community (six

Member States took part);

(cid:1) experimental study of interaction between other fish viruses and IHN virus (IHNV);

(cid:1) experimental study of the pathogenicity of different IHNV isolates for young rainbow trout;

(cid:1) demonstration of the role of Salmo trutta as an asymptomatic carrier of the IHNV;

(cid:1) standardisation of serological techniques in order to be able to detect antibodies against IHNV in

farmed and wild fish.