WRITTEN QUESTION E-0874/03 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Averting alcohol-related harm in the EU.
Date: 2003-03-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advertising, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, excise duty, health policy, sales promotion, tax harmonisation

C 268 E/158

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

The Convention lays down that permanent or regular work must be guaranteed, and that dockers must be
given guarantees of income stability; it further lays down that the use of supplementary workers must be
prevented when the work to be carried out would be insufficient to guarantee an acceptable standard of
living for the dockers properly speaking (cid:1) thus giving them the right to priority.

The forthcoming directive on access to the market in port services will allow handling to be carried out by
the vessels’ own crews. This means that this handling might not be carried out by the port concerned’s
own registered dockers which would cause employment problems; such an approach therefore contradicts
what is laid down in the aforesaid ILO Convention.

How does the Commission intend to make these two texts compatible, particularly in respect of those
Member States which ratified Convention 137 in good time?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2003)

There is no contradiction between the common position adopted by the Council for the adoption of the
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services (1) and
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 137 on dock work.

Article 19 of the Council’s common position indicates that it in no way affects the application of social
legislation in the Member States. As previously, the latter still have the authority to adopt ILO Convention
137, if they wish. They are not required to renounce the Convention if they have adopted it.

(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, amended by OJ C 181 E, 30.7.2002.

(2003/C 268 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0874/03

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

(20 March 2003)

Subject: Averting alcohol-related harm in the EU

In the Union successful attempts have been made over a long period to reduce the harm done to public
health by smoking, among other things by intervening in the tobacco market and warning in a
conspicuous fashion on product packaging of the health risks associated with tobacco. Given that alcohol
is a product posing health risks comparable to those entailed in smoking, it is reasonable to suppose that,
following the example of the Europe-wide measures implemented to deal with tobacco, similar action
might next be brought to bear to avert alcohol-related harm.

Will the Commission take the measures needed to avert alcohol-related harm, bearing in mind the
encouraging experiences resulting from the tobacco directives?

Will it set standard EU rates for excise duties on alcohol and other charges levied nationally at a level
reflecting the external costs of alcohol (and hence not the minimum level)?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

The action of the Community regarding prevention of alcohol-related harm is included in the Community
public health programme (2003-2008) (1) which refers to ‘promotion of health and prevention of disease
through action on health determinants across all Community activities and policies by … preparing and
implementing strategies and measures, including those relating to public awareness on life-style related
health determinants such as … alcohol …’.

7.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 268 E/159

In the recently-published work plan 2003 (2), a report on the economic and social burden of alcohol,
including issues of promotion of alcohol, protection of young people and children is provided for in the
‘health information and knowledge strand’. A pre-information tender notice has been issued in this
connection.

In the strand of the plan dealing with ‘health determinants’ it is envisaged to ‘Establish a network of expert
organisations to support the implementation of the Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol
by young people and to contribute to further development of a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-
related harm; Initiate preparation of a conference on alcohol, health and society to be held in 2005;
Promote the involvement of young people in the development of alcohol policies and activities (cid:1) a priority
of the Council Recommendation on alcohol and young people.’

A call for proposals (3) has recently been published in this respect.

It may also be mentioned that the Alcohol ad-hoc Working Party of the Commission, which has a
membership with representatives of all Member States, holds its next meeting on 11/12 June 2003.

Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 19 October 1992 deals with the approximation of rates of excise duty on
alcohol and alcoholic beverages (4). 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.

(1) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of

Community action in the field of Public Health (2003-2008), OJ L 271, 9.10.2002.
(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/documents/WP2003/WP_2003_en.pdf.
(3) http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/documents/Call_2003/call_2003_en.pdf.
(4) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(2003/C 268 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0916/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(24 March 2003)

Subject: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

In the light of its Treaty obligations to maintain high standards of public health and educate the public
about health risks, what action has the Commission taken or is it proposing to take on the possible risks
of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as the result of long- and short-haul travel on flights or long-distance rail
and car travel?

What research has the Commission undertaken on DVT?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

The Commission takes the issue of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its possible links to travelling very
seriously and shares your concern about this matter.

At present little is known about the link between DVT and air transport and in order to find an answer to
the question of how far DVT is related to air transport and which measures could be taken, the
Commission is co-financing a research programme with the United Kingdom government under the
auspices of the World Health Organisation. The result will be published in a final report, which would be
expected by the mid 2005, though provisional results are expected earlier.

As a precautionary measure, the Commission sent out a letter in January 2001, encouraging airlines to
inform their passengers on the possible risks of DVT during long flights and on possible measures to take.