WRITTEN QUESTION E-2886/02 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Price of newspapers.
Date: 2002-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, distribution cost, press, press undertaking, restriction on competition, retail price, trade restriction

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/83

(2003/C 192 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2886/02

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2002)

Subject: Price of newspapers

The introduction of the euro has made it much easier to compare the prices charged in different Member
States for identical products. It can be seen, for example, that different prices are charged for the same
newspaper depending on the country in which it is sold.

It is logical to assume, because of transport costs, that different prices might be charged for the same
newspaper or periodical depending on whether it is bought in the country of publication or in another
Member State.

However, some of the prices charged seem too high simply to be reflecting transport costs, particularly in
the case of subscriptions to certain periodicals.

Does the Commission not take the view, therefore, that these pricing policies could be regarded as an
obstacle to the rules of the single market and, if so, what steps does it intend to take to remedy the
situation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2002)

According to a study commissioned by the Commission a couple of years ago,
in general significant
variations exists in cross-border subscription prices due to promotional offers for specific Member States;
specific reader types, such as students, holiday-makers, businesses; a fixed duration, providing a discount
on long-term subscriptions.

As a result, for one title a variety of subscription prices is available in individual markets and a comparison
of subscription prices becomes very difficult. However, a comparison of standard annual subscriptions can
provide an indicator of cross-border pricing for subscription sales.

As in domestic markets, cross-border subscription prices are,
lower than their single copy
equivalents, reflecting the guarantee of a sale. According to the study, titles with low cross-border
subscription sales appear to be charging the same price for an annual subscription across the Community.
Given that the majority of these subscriptions are delivered via postal systems in the country of origin, a
single cost is applied for distribution.

in general,

International titles, and in particular business titles with significant cross-border sales, appear to be
charging different prices per market, reflecting, amongst others:

(cid:1) different distribution costs per market, due to volume discounts and the use of a mixture of

distribution networks;

(cid:1) domestic competition and purchasing power;

(cid:1) local VAT rates, which vary for newspapers between 0 % in Belgium to 22 % in Finland;

(cid:1) higher costs as a result of a substantial higher number of unsold copies for non-domestic sales. For
example, the above-mentioned study shows that the level of unsold non-domestic titles can represent
up to 50-70 %, compared to 10-30 % for domestic sales;

(cid:1) exchange rate fluctuations, although this no longer play a role within the eurozone.

The study concluded that the relatively low levels of cross-border sales as well as differences in prices
between Member States are the result of poor economics of cross-border sales, rather than the effect of
trade barriers. In line with the conclusions resulting from the study, different prices charged in different
Member States for the same newspaper seem to reflect the above-mentioned difference in costs per
national market. It can, therefore, not be concluded that differences in price per se result in obstacles to
the rules of the internal market. Therefore, as long as publishers pricing policies merely reflect the

C 192 E/84

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

difference in distribution and other costs mentioned above and are not a result from trade practices
infringing Community competition policy, no breach of EC Treaty rules occurs.

(2003/C 192 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2890/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Arrest of a North Korean and her interpreter in China

(14 October 2002)

Will the Commission seek clarification from the Chinese authorities concerning the fate of the 32-year-old
North Korean Yu Kum-shil, who was arrested in the border town of Erenhot on 31 August while
attempting to travel to Mongolia to visit her husband?

Can the Commission also have inquiries made of the Chinese authorities as to what has happened to her
husband, the South Korean Mr Yong-chol, and the interpreter who was accompanying her, Mr Shin Yong-
in?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2002)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for the information concerning the arrest of the North
Korean Yu Kum-shil and her interpreter on 31 August 2002 in the border town of Erenhot. The
Commission will investigate this particular case further.

The Union has, in the past, followed with particular attention the situation of North Korean refugees in
China and has raised the issue on every possible occasion both with the DPRK and China. The treatment
of North Korean refugees will be addressed during the next session of the EU-China bilateral Human Rights
dialogue on 13/14 November 2002 in Beijing.

(2003/C 192 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2930/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Racing pigeon medicines

Does the Commission see any reason why Article 67 of the Review 2001 process (Reform of the EC
Pharmaceutical Legislation) would require medicines for racing pigeons to be available on prescription
only?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 2002)

Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/82/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the
Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (1) gives the Member States the possibility to
permit exemptions in respect of veterinary medicinal products intended solely for certain categories of
species including homing pigeons. This national provision will exempt these products from marketing
authorisation requirements. However, such products can not contain substances the use of which require
veterinary control and adequate measures have to be applied by those Member States to prevent
unauthorised use of these products for other animals. Article 67 of Directive 2001/82/EC lays down the
minimum requirements regarding requirements for dispensing of veterinary medicinal products without