WRITTEN QUESTION E-0688/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission. Phytosanitary measures to detect Mexican fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly.
Date: 2003-03-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, fruit-growing, import, insect, originating product, plant disease, plant health control, plant health legislation

C 268 E/120

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

necessary flexibility to address the variable needs for scientific and technical support to Community policy
development and implementation is built
JRC work
programme budget is reviewed annually in close collaboration with our user Directorates General of the
Commission.

into the JRC resource allocation as the actual

Member State contributions to the Community budget are not broken down and attributed to specific
areas of expenditure, such as those mentioned in the question. It is, therefore, not possible to answer to
this specific question.

(1) more information is available from the following http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/lifescihealth.htm.
(2) more information is available from the following http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/support.htm.
(3) OJ L 232, 29.8.2002.

(2003/C 268 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0688/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Phytosanitary measures to detect Mexican fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly

Healthy quality of agricultural products is a precondition for viable trade, and the presence of pests and
disease is one of the major limiting factors on the sector’s productivity. Certain species of fruit fly represent
a serious problem for farmers, both in terms of the direct damage they inflict and the quarantine measures
they entail.

The Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens Loew), which attacks oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and the like,
is a good example; it lays its eggs under the outer skin of ripe or nearly ripe fruit, and once the larvae
hatch, they feed on the pulp, tunnelling through it and causing the fruit to fall to the ground, and
encouraging the proliferation of bacterial and fungal infections.

The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) deposits eggs in the tissue of the host fruit, where the
larvae grow until fully developed, when they leave the fruit and bury themselves in the soil at a depth of
1 to 5 centimetres, followed by pupation and the emergence of the adult insect. B. dorsalis is propagated
by flying adults, the wind and movements of infected host fruit by human agency. B. dorsalis’s hosts
include over 175 species. Over 100 types of fruit and vegetable are attacked by this pest, with some of the
most common and popular hosts being Citrus spp., Prunus spp., apples, guavas, mangoes, bananas, coffee
beans and papayas. Other hosts include Annona spp., pineapple, white sapote, star apples,
figs,
strawberries, passion fruit, avocados and others. B. dorsalis is one of the world’s most destructive soft
fruit pests.

Given the serious consequences should one of these pests enter the EU, does the Commission intend to
step up phytosanitary measures on produce entering European ports, with a view to detecting Oriental
fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) and Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in citrus products from the USA,
particularly California, so as to prevent
them entering the EU and devastating Spanish citrus fruit
production?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of developments as regards the two non-European fruit flies Anastrepha ludens
(Loew) and Bactrocera (Dacus) dorsalis Hendel in the United States, in particular in certain citrus producing
areas in California.

7.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 268 E/121

In order to prevent the introduction into the Community of any non-European fruit fly, including the two
above-mentioned harmful organisms, the Community plant health regime lays down provisions by virtue
of Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the
Community of organisms harmful
their spread within the
Community (1). The above-mentioned Directive defines procedures for imports, involving both the country
of origin and the Member States in taking appropriate measures.

to plants or plant products and against

From information received from Member States covering at least the last seven years, it appears that no
interception of any fruit fly,
including Anastrepha ludens and Bactrocera (Dacus) dorsalis, has been
reported on citrus fruits originating in the United States. Therefore, the Commission considers that the
current provisions for import of citrus fruits originating in the United States are adequate and need not be
modified at this stage.

(1) OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2003/22/EC of 24 March 2003, OJ L 78,

25.3.2003.

(2003/C 268 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0690/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Accident at the bridge over the river Aliakmona

(7 March 2003)

A fatal accident occurred at the bridge over the river Aliakmona in Greece in which 15 persons died.
Regardless of the causes of the accident, it is reported that, under a law of the Ministry of Transport and
Communications, KTEL buses have to be withdrawn from circulation after 23 years of service at the very
latest. However, 75 % of the 4 100 or so KTEL buses operating throughout Greece are over 15 years old
and no further training is provided for KTEL drivers to help them cope with difficult weather conditions or
unforeseen circumstances.

Bearing in mind the above, will the Commission say:

1.

Is the above Greek law in line with Community legislation?

2. Does uniform legislation exist concerning public transport in the European Union and, if so, is Greek

legislation in line with this legislation?

3. What are the existing criteria regarding drivers of public transport in Greece and what training do
they receive? What should these criteria and training consist of? What does the Commission intend to
do about this?

4.

Is all public transport fitted with safety belts and, if so, is compliance strictly monitored?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

There are no age related limits in Community law concerning vehicles in circulation. However, coaches
and other heavy commercial vehicles are subject to and must pass annual roadworthiness inspections as
required by Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20 December 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (1).

Community legislation on driving times and rest periods (Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85) (2) applies to
vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, which by virtue of their construction and equipment are
suitable for carrying more than nine persons. Those vehicles used for journeys of less than 50 kilometres