WRITTEN QUESTION P-0810/03 by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Averting alcohol-related harm in Finland and the Union.
Date: 2003-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Estonia, Finland, accession to the European Union, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, excise duty, import restriction, public health

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6.2.2004

1. What are the Commission’s views on this matter?

Does it not think that powdered milk should be used as a substitute for breastfeeding only on the

2.
advice of medical or paramedical authorities?

Does it not think that, in agreement with the governments of the countries concerned, information
the health benefits which

3.
campaigns should be conducted in order to promote an awareness of
breastfeeding confers on new-born babies?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

The Commission broadly agrees with the assessment of the problems related to formula feeding given in
the question. The Commission’s policy has consistently been to support breast-feeding in developing
countries, except where the infant’s mother is known to be HIV positive and the safety of formula feeding
plus security of supplies can be guaranteed, or in cases of other pressing medical indications, which are
rare.

The Commission therefore agrees that powdered mild should only be used as a substitute for breast-
feeding on the advice of health workers.

The Commission supports the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes which was
adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981. In the Commission’s view the Code remains of great
relevance, although there is a need for it to be updated (cid:1) particularly in view of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Commission agrees that governments have a responsibility to provide information and education
about infant feeding (cid:1) in particular the advantages of breast-feeding and the problems associated with
formula feeding (cid:1) but it has no plans to support specific programmes in this area.

Increasingly the Commission’s development funds are used for general health sector support rather than
earmarked projects. While in this context the national government of the recipient country takes the lead
in determining expenditure, the Commission would view the provision of appropriate information on baby
feeding very important.

(2004/C 33 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0810/03

by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Averting alcohol-related harm in Finland and the Union

(11 March 2003)

Finland, Sweden, and Denmark will have to end their restrictions on alcohol imports at the beginning of
2004. Once Estonia has been admitted to the EU on 1 May 2004, Finland will be faced with a very
difficult situation from the public health point of view. Alcoholic drinks are significantly cheaper in Estonia
than in Finland, the price difference being due mainly to the different tax rates. The scale of alcohol-related
harm varies in proportion to changes in total alcohol consumption. Studies indicate that, once import
restrictions have been lifted, total consumption in Finland will rise by as much as 15 %, resulting in,
among other things, an increase in alcohol-related deaths, by 450 cases a year, and in an upsurge, also
linked to alcohol, in the demand for social and health services, amounting to over 500 000 additional
visits a year.

In its Conclusions of 5 June 2001 on a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm (1) the Council
focused on drinking by young people as an area of particular concern. After the import restrictions have
been lifted, alcohol prices in Finland will fall, and consumption will increase accordingly, first and foremost
in low income groups, and that includes young people. Article 152 of the EC Treaty stipulates that all
Community policies and activities must be defined and implemented in such a way as to ensure a high

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Official Journal of the European Union

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in its Conclusions of 5 June 2001, called on the
level of human health protection. The Council,
Commission to put forward proposals for a comprehensive Community strategy aimed at reducing
alcohol-related harm and has identified excise duties as one means of pursuing such a strategy.

Contrary to what was stipulated in the text, Directive 92/84/EEC (2) on minimum excise duty rates was not
reviewed by the end of 1994. The Union could do much to prevent the harm which alcohol does to public
health by imposing standard excise duties on alcoholic beverages above the present rates. Should tax
harmonisation on the basis of public health considerations fail to happen, Finland will have no possibility
of protecting itself from the worsening adverse consequences of alcohol drinking unless it is allowed to
continue to restrict alcohol imports.

1. Will the Commission embark on an initiative with a view to raising the minimum assessment base
for excise duty on alcoholic beverages, taking into account the effects of alcohol consumption on public
health?

How would the Commission view a possible Finnish request to continue the restrictions on alcohol

2.
imports?

(1) OJ C 175, 20.6.2001, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 29.

(2004/C 33 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0870/03

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2003)

Subject: Averting alcohol-related harm in Finland

The assessment base used for excise duties on alcoholic beverages in Finland is substantially higher than in
most Member States. However, its yield does not match the costs to society incurred because of alcohol-
related harm.

By virtue of an exception granted in the membership negotiations, Finland has been allowed to restrict
quantities imported for private consumption so as to prevent the import incentive resulting from the
differences in excise duties from giving rise to insurmountable problems. That exception is now coming to
an end.

If a Member State can show that complete freedom as regards private imports causes serious problems
from the point of view of public morality, public policy, public security, or health, as referred to in
Article 30 of the EC Treaty, or specific public health problems within the meaning of Article 95, can it act
to put matters right? What kind of measures are possible in such a situation?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-0810/03 and P-0870/03
given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2003)

1.
Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 19 October 1992 deals with the approximation of rates of excise
duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Under its provisions it is necessary for the excise duty rates laid
down in that Directive to be reviewed periodically by Council. This review shall be based upon a
Commission report. The Commission is preparing such a report at present, which will take into account all
relevant issues,
in particular the proper functioning of the internal market, competition between the
different categories of alcoholic drinks, the real value of the rates of duty and the wider objectives of the
EC Treaty, as provided by Article 8 of the said Directive. These considerations will also include the public
health considerations mentioned by the Honourable Member.