WRITTEN QUESTION E-3197/02 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Legionella contamination.
Date: 2002-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community body, Internet site, disease prevention, exchange of information, health control, infectious disease, information network, public health, tourism

12.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137 E/171

(2003/C 137 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3194/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Foreign market for chestnuts from Malaga

(8 November 2002)

The Andalusian co-operative Valle del Genal, in the municipality of Pujerra (Malaga province), is to start a
new phase of expansion by opening up markets directly in European countries and Australia and Japan,
as well as in the United States.

Hitherto most of the production was destined for the national market and sales abroad were organised by
distributors. Now, however, it is planned to market the chestnuts abroad directly, without the involvement
of intermediaries, and labelling is being adapted to comply with international legislation.

In view of this new approach on the part of Malaga chestnut producers, can the Commission say what
forms of Community aid might be requested to assist the direct marketing of the chestnuts abroad in
accordance with the labelling standards laid down in international legislation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation (CMO) of the
market in fruit and vegetables (1), provides a number of market instruments to support producers of fruit
and vegetables, including producers of nuts.

In particular, producers who are members of producer organisations recognised under this Regulation are
eligible for Community aid through operational
funds. These funds, co-financed by the producers
themselves, are used to finance common production and marketing endeavours, which can include the
direct marketing of products, domestically and abroad.

The co-operative Valle del Genal will surely obtain from the Provincial or Regional Agricultural services all
the information it will need in order to benefit from these Community instruments.

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.

(2003/C 137 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3197/02

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 November 2002)

Subject: Legionella contamination

Since the summer of 2000 I have been asking the Commission about the danger posed by the legionella
In its reply to my written question E-2312/02 (1),
bacterium, which causes legionnaires’ disease.
the Commission states that it is currently studying how measures to combat legionella bacteria can be
implemented.

When does the Commission expect to be able to announce the specific results of its study of ways of
controlling legionella bacteria? I have now been trying to extract a genuine answer from the Commission
for 18 months.

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 219.

C 137 E/172

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

12.6.2003

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

The Commission does not agree that there have been no concrete results following the series of questions
on legionella from the Honourable Member. The surveillance of the disease (especially related to travel
related illness (cid:1) the main preoccupation of the Honourable Member) has been fully integrated into the
framework of the European network created on the basis of the Parliament and Council Decision No 2119/
98/EC of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of
communicable diseases in the Community (1). All Member States now officially submit their validated data
for analysis by the Centre of the legionella network, located in the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS)
of the United Kingdom, through specially designated government contact points whose participation is
endorsed by the Member States in the Committee set up under Decision No 2119/98/EC.

The network on legionella (EWGLI: European Working Group for Legionella Infections) has developed
guidelines, also supported by the Network Committee, addressing the control and prevention of travel
associated legionnaires’ disease and defining a clear reporting scheme for all participants. The guidelines
address risk assessment (particularly in hotels), control of legionella in water systems and the environment,
and methods for investigation and control of outbreaks, standardising rapid control and prevention
measures in all participant countries. European laboratories share clinical and environmental specimens
and take part in External Quality Assurance schemes in order to improve the investigation of actual or
potential sources of outbreaks across European countries. The EWGLI web site is a European resource for
all aspects of information on legionella infections for health professionals, tour operators and members of
the public.

The Commission is of the opinion that these measures are very practical steps to improve surveillance, and
reaction to any outbreak, but they should not lead to complacency. The Commission is also taking
concrete steps to improve the Community’s capability to react to calls for assistance in response to
outbreaks and other health threats in terms of rapid and co-ordinated intervention. The Commission
believes that this could be achieved by the setting up of a European Centre for disease control, and intends
to bring forward proposals to the Parliament and Council in 2003. Such a Centre should add to the
Commission and Member States’ achievements in combating diseases, such as legionella, boosting technical
and scientific support, and enhancing preparedness.

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.

(2003/C 137 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3202/02

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(4 November 2002)

Subject: Aid for exports of Community products to the Swiss Confederation, the Principality of Andorra,
the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monte Carlo, the Republic of San Maríno and
Vatican City State

Does the Commission keep statistics on aid for exports of Community products to the Swiss
Confederation, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monte
Carlo, the Republic of San Maríno and Vatican City State?

If it does, for each importing country, can it supply a list of products covering the past five years and
showing the quantities imported, the amounts of aid provided and the names of the exporting countries?