WRITTEN QUESTION E-1372/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Promotion of olive oil on the Community and world markets.
Date: 2003-04-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common organisation of markets, olive oil, olive-growing, sales promotion

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/109

(cid:1) A Public Awareness Campaign for an Energy Sustainable Europe will be launched early 2004 as a
successor to the Renewable Energy Campaign for Take-off 2000-2003. Promoting best practice in
energy efficiency will be one of the pillars of this campaign involving national, regional and local
decision-makers in order to sensitise the public.

(cid:1) As a result of various campaigns there are now major websites providing information on

renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, including ManagEnergy.

(cid:1) A publication for distribution to the general public on the building directive and on how to save

energy is being prepared for distribution in print and through internet.

(cid:1) Additional awareness is created indirectly by means of press releases.

(cid:1) Some examples of awareness creation through Commission legislation or voluntary actions:

(cid:1) Labelling of domestic appliances: All consumers that are purchasing this kind of equipment are
informed of the energy performance at the point of sale in order to help them make responsible
choices. The information would also be provided on documentation leaflets and applies to
internet sales as well.

(cid:1) Labelling of office equipment: In this programme a special Energy Star logo is awarded to energy

efficient office equipment (computers, printers, scanners, …).

(cid:1) Ecolabel: Energy efficiency is one of the most important criteria to get this high quality label on

life cycle environmental impact.

(cid:1) Certification of buildings: In the near future, the new directive on buildings will imply certification
of the global energy performance of buildings, including homes of Union citizens. In addition,
buildings over 1 000 square metres (m2) occupied by public authorities and other institutions
providing public services and involving many visitors will be required to display their certificate
clearly to the public. In light of the results of the survey on energy these measures should boost
energy awareness considerably.

(2004/C 33 E/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1372/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 April 2003)

Subject: Promotion of olive oil on the Community and world markets

The provisions to promote olive oil on the European and world markets contained in the regulation
governing the common organisation of the market in olive oil expired at the end of 2002. Moreover, olive
oil is not covered by Council Regulation (EC) 2826/2000 (1) on information and promotion actions for
agricultural products on the internal market or the corresponding Commission implementing Regulation
(EC) 94/2002 (2). Since 1 January 2003, therefore, there has been no Community action to promote olive
oil on the world market.

Since this situation is one of concern to olive growers, will the Commission say what steps it will take to
address this problem?

(1) OJ L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 17, 19.1.2002, p. 20.

C 33 E/110

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

Olive oil Promotion on the Internal Market

A directly managed Union-wide campaign to promote the consumption of olive oil (the seventh campaign)
based on the old regulatory framework was still ongoing at the time when the new Regulation (1) was
initially adopted. This is why olive oil was not included in the list of products eligible for promotion at
that time.

The implementation of this campaign was finalised by the end of 2002. The evaluation part will be
finalised by the end of June 2003.

With the latest amendment of the above mentioned Regulation (2), olive oil and table olives were included
in the list of eligible products and guidelines to draft the programmes were annexed. This will enable the
professional organisations in the producing Member States to submit proposals within the current
Regulation.

Olive oil Promotion in Third Countries

Based on Council Regulation (EC) No 2702/1999 of 14 December 1999 on information/promotion of
agricultural products in third countries (3), the Community may, where measures are decided in particular
for the olive oil and table olive sector, carry them out through the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC).

The IOOC is for the moment in the process of reforming its administration and procedures.

the time being the IOOC promotional activities are carried out with an annual budget of

For
EUR 500 000 comprising the obligatory contributions of the IOOC members to the promotion fund.

A decision to contribute additionally with a voluntary financial contribution of the Community to the
promotion fund remains to be taken.

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 94/2002 of 18 January 2002 laying down detailed rules for applying Council
Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 on information and promotion actions for agricultural products on the internal
market.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 497/2003 of 18 March 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 94/2002 of 18 January 2002
laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 on information and promotion
actions for agricultural products on the internal market, OJ L 74, 20.3.2003.

(3) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.

(2004/C 33 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1377/03

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Deterioration of mobile telephone services

(7 April 2003)

The last 12 months have seen a considerable rise in the number of people using multimedia mobile
telephones capable of receiving and sending images and videos and of surfing and downloading internet
programmes.

However, mobile telephone transmission networks designed to carry voice signals have not been replaced
by UMTS networks appropriate to transmissions of this kind, nor have they been substantially reinforced:
in fact, there has been a drastic cutback in investment in the network.

The result is that the networks are so saturated that the general quality of service is falling, a fact which is
specifically affecting the launching and reliability of the new multimedia terminals.