WRITTEN QUESTION P-3354/02 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Infant botulism syndrome.
Date: 2002-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, disease of the nervous system, disease prevention, early childhood, health care profession, honey, maize, public awareness campaign, syrup

C 137 E/194

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12.6.2003

(cid:1) whether it has taken or plans to take any action vis-à-vis the United States to enable the designation of

origin of Manchego cheese to be registered in that country;

(cid:1) whether it will warn against problems of this kind (cid:1) which affect a variety of European products (cid:1)

in the position it is about to submit in the context of the WTO negotiations?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 2002)

The Commission has no information on the existence of various imitations on the Community market,
in particular in Belgium, of the protected designation of origin cheese Queso Manchego.

The name Queso Manchego (PDO) registered at Community level since 1996 (1) enjoys on the Community
market the protection specified in Article 13 of Regulation 2081/92 (2) Under Article 10 of the Regulation
the inspection structures set up by the Member States for the purposes of its application ensure that
agricultural products and foodstuffs bearing a protected name meet the requirements given in their
specifications. Consequently any product bearing the name ‘Queso Manchego’ PDO on the Community
market must comply with the specification registered for that product, i.e. only complying products can
carry the name in question.

The Commission knows in a general way of
imitations and misappropriations in regard to Queso
Manchego and other designations of origin and geographical indications protected at Community level on
the international market.

It is for this reason that in WTO negotiations the Commission has made great efforts to forestall this type
of problem at international level. First of all, by negotiation in the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of a proposal it presented along with 20 other WTO members for
extending protection to products other than wines and spirits, and subsequently by its manifest wish that
geographical indications be brought within the framework of the Agreement on Agriculture and, more
concretely, be included in market access negotiations in connection with that agreement featuring on the
post-Doha Agenda.

In the case of the problem that the Honourable Member raises over registration in the United States of
Queso Manchego as a designation of origin, the Commission has no detailed knowledge of the situation
and so cannot express any opinion.

(1) OJ L 148, 21.6.1996.
(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on protection of geographical indications and designations

of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2003/C 137 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3354/02

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Infant botulism syndrome

Recently, a Dutch two-month old baby died from infant botulism syndrome. This is an infectious
neuroparalytic disease resulting from the ingestion of spores of clostridium botulinum, which germinate,
multiply and produce botunal toxin within the infant’s large intestine. Epidemiological studies have
implicated honey, and, to a lesser extent, corn syrup as factors. It is recommended that honey and corn
syrup not be fed to infants less than one year old to prevent the occurrence of infant botulism. The general
public, however, does not seem to be aware of this.

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Is the European Commission aware of the existence of this possibly lethal syndrome and its causes?

Does the European Commission intend to take action to inform the general European public about this
syndrome and to warn them against feeding honey and corn syrup to infants, for example through
information campaigns or obligatory warnings on honey and corn syrup?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 2002)

The Commission is aware of the botulism risk associated with the consumption of honey as described by
the Honourable Member, although a similar risk associated with corn syrup has not so far been brought to
its attention.

The Commission submitted a question to the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to
Public Health on this issue in June 2001. The Committee adopted an opinion on 19/20 June 2002, where
it confirmed that the only biological risk linked to the consumption of honey is botulism in young
children.

However, the Committee noted that:

(cid:1) the routes by which honey is contaminated are unknown;

(cid:1) the environment (soil, dust) is thought to play a critical role as a source of infection for infants;

(cid:1) in general, in Europe, the risk of infant botulism is extremely low,

(cid:1) the level and frequency of contamination of honey with the bacteria is also low.

As a conclusion, the Committee did not consider that requesting microbiological testing or setting
microbiological criteria would be effective control options against infant botulism, due to the sporadic
occurrence of the disease and low levels of the bacteria in honey. The Committee recommended that
effective and targeted information regarding the risks of infant botulism from the consumption of honey
should be provided (via leaflets, labelling or advice to health care professionals).

A preliminary discussion took place with the Member States in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain
and Animal Health (SCFCAH) before the scientific opinion was available. A further discussion with the
Member States, on the basis of the recent scientific recommendations, is foreseen at the next Committee
meeting. The Commission will consider the orientations of the SCFCAH and continue to follow all
developments with the utmost attention, in keeping with its obligations and its commitment to ensure a
high level of consumer protection.

(2003/C 137 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3370/02

by Jan Dhaene (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 November 2002)

Subject: Automatic rear fog flashlight (ARFF) equipment for vehicles

Each year, many die in rear-end collisions on Europe’s roads as result of fog. Failure to adjust speed is a
significant factor in such accidents, of course, but vehicle rear-light configurations also play a significant
role. Laws in Europe on the use of rear fog lights are highly diverse, too, nor are they harmonised.

The ARFF system can improve rear-light configurations without installing additional lamps: when a vehicle
brakes normally, the rear fog light, if it is switched on, will flash for eight seconds. An emergency stop
alarm system can be added, which, when a vehicle brakes sharply, will make the rear fog light flash for
eight seconds, too, even if it is not switched on. DaimlerChrysler has already carried out research into the