WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/03 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Programme to combat the use of drugs in Greece.
Date: 2003-02-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Greece, drug addiction, public awareness campaign, reintegration into working life, report, statistics, therapeutics

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/215

quantities of truffles which are sometimes indistinguishable from European ones, secondly, the use of
essences of various kinds (sometimes hydrocarbons), which may be harmful to health, to enhance the
flavour of truffles, especially imported ones, and thirdly, a growing fashion for truffle-flavoured products
(pasta, oil, butter, etc.), often containing these same chemical flavourings.

Can the Commission say what the situation is and what measures can be taken on the basis of the facts
outlined above?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2003)

There are several species of truffle on the market, some originating from the Community such as Tuber
melanosporum (black Truffle), Tuber magnatum or Tuber aestivum (both white truffles), others exclusively
originating from third countries (such as Tuber indicum, Asian truffle), all difficult to distinguish from each
other. At the moment, there are no Community Regulations specifically requiring the labelling of the
species marketed, nor is this question addressed by any international standards. However, the Commission
is following the initiatives taken by certain Member States with a view to asking the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to elaborate a UNECE standard for fresh truffles that could
address this situation.

The Commission is not aware of any problem concerning truffle flavour.

The use of chemically defined flavouring substances in and on food is not yet harmonised in the
Community. Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 (1)
lays down a procedure for the
establishment of a Union positive list of flavouring susbstances. Before this list is adopted, all flavouring
substances used in the Member States will be scientifically evaluated according to the programme laid
down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 (2). The Community positive list should be adopted
by July 2005.

Until then, national legislation on the authorisation and use of flavourings stays in place. The control of
compliance with existing legislation falls within the responsibility of the Member States.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of 28 October 1996 laying down a Community procedure for flavouring

substances used or intended for use in or on foodstuffs, OJ L 299, 23.11.1996.

(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000 laying down the measures necessary for the adoption
of an evaluation programme in application of Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the Parliament and of the Council,
OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.

(2003/C 161 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Programme to combat the use of drugs in Greece

(13 February 2003)

The aims of the Union’s strategy on drugs are to reduce use and addiction, particularly among the young,
and to increase substantially the number of recovered addicts. According to the report of The European
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for 2000, Greece continues to exhibit a rising trend in
sudden fatalities, while rehabilitation facilities fall short of the number of people seeking treatment.
Typically, public psychiatric clinics have no beds available for drug addicts for the ‘withdrawal’ period.

Since the Union has specific objectives, a programme and a timetable for measures to combat addiction,
will the Commission say whether Greece has submitted a programme and a timetable for action? What are
the Commission’s views in that regard? What measures are funded by the European Union?

C 161 E/216

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

According to the Annual Report 2002 of the European Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA),
the Greek Ministerial Council approved a number of decisions in June 2001 directed towards a holistic,
unified and co-ordinated policy on drugs. According to the report, the government committed itself to
introducing a five-year national action plan on drugs with specific targets. Further development of the
treatment services for the drug addicts is part of this policy.

Greece has also taken part in the mid term evaluation of the Union Action Plan on drugs 2000-2004 by
submitting to the Commission information concerning the implementation of the targets set for the
Member States in the Union Action Plan. A final evaluation of this Action Plan will take place in 2004.

Greece has participated in many of
the Community Action Programmes against drugs and drug
dependencies from 1996-2002, but the projects subsidized within this programme aim at prevention
rather than cure. The treatment systems set up in the Member States for the treatment of drug addicts do
not fall within Union competence but are the responsibility of the Member States. Funding for the
reintegration of the former drug addicts to the labour market e.g. through education may have been made
available through different non drug specific programs.

(2003/C 161 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0421/03

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE)
and Elena Paciotti (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 2003)

Subject: Professional training of future specialists

In Italy Legislative Decree No 368 of 17 August 1999 implemented Directive 93/16/EEC (1) on the free
movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal qualifications, as amended by Directives 97/50/EC (2), 98/21/EC (3), 98/63/EC (4) and 1999/46/EC (5).

On the basis of this legislation the contractual status of doctors studying to become specialists is equivalent
to that regulated by on-the-job training contracts.

The implementation of the provisions of Legislative Decree No 368/99 is dependent on the adoption of
regulations concerning financial cover, which the Italian Government has, however, not incorporated in
the budget.

Can the Commission say what steps it intends to take to ensure that Italy implements Directive 93/16/EEC
by providing adequate financial cover for Legislative Decree 368/99, in order to make contractual and
social security arrangements for on-the-job training applicable to doctors undergoing further training?

(1) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 291, 24.10.1997, p. 35.
(3) OJ L 119, 22.4.1998, p. 15.
(4) OJ L 253, 15.9.1998, p. 24.
(5) OJ L 139, 2.6.1999, p. 25.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2003)

According to Annex I of Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of
doctors and the mutual
formal
qualifications (also called Doctors Directive) the training of specialists shall be carried out in specific
posts recognised by the competent authority. Whilst no specific indication is given concerning the

their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of

recognition of