WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Seat of the European Food Safety Authority.
Date: 2003-04-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Food Safety Authority, legal basis, powers of the institutions (EU), seat of institution

C 88 E/354

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The EU has committed enormous amounts of financial aid to the region. Since 1993, over EUR 1,4 billion
has flowed into the PA-ruled areas, and since June 2001 the EU has paid a steady EUR 10 million per
month to the PA through direct budget payments. Further large appropriations are granted through the
MEDA programme. Is the Commission aware of the above-mentioned facts about the situation of gays,
lesbians, transsexuals and trans-genders in the PA areas? Does it have any other information? If so, what?
Does it know about the situation of homosexuals in the UNWRA camps co-funded by the EU? Has the
Commission already taken any measures to bring about a change in this intolerable situation? If not, does
the Commission consider that the EU (cid:1) in view of the extent to which it supports the PA (cid:1) has a right to
insist on compliance with human rights obligations by the PA, and must assert this right? If not, would the
Commission agree that the EU and its Member States should grant those affected immediate and unlimited
asylum? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2003)

The Commission is aware of press reports referred to by the Honourable Member concerning alleged
persecution of homosexuals in addition to informal accounts of human rights violations in the Palestinian
Territories.

The Commission is concerned by these reports of human rights violations and has, in conjunction with
international donors, called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake democratic reforms, to ensure the
rule of law, and to respect basic human rights.

The Union is actively participating in the Quartet and the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform,
which was established in July 2002 to monitor and support the implementation of Palestinian civil
reforms, and to guide the international donor community in its support for the Palestinian’s reform
agenda. The Task Force is composed of the United States, the Union, the Russian Federation, the United
Nations, Norway, Japan, Canada, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It is monitoring
progress across key areas such as civil society, public administration and rule of law and recommends
further actions to be undertaken by the Palestinian Authority.

The Commission is unaware of the specific situation of homosexuals among UNRWA refugees referred to
by the Honourable Member, nor has it received any reports on this matter.

The Commission will continue to monitor progress on reform within the framework of Union bilateral
relations with the Palestinian Authority as well as in conjunction with other international donors.

Regarding asylum, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that assessment of applications
for recognition of asylum status is carried out on an individual basis by the competent Member State
authorities, and in line with the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees.

(2004/C 88 E/0360)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 April 2003)

Subject: Seat of the European Food Safety Authority

It was reported a few days ago in the Italian press that the future European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
may be split between two seats, each being assigned different tasks and functions.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/355

Under such an arrangement there would be one seat in Helsinki dealing with health and scientific matters
and the study of nutritional policy and GMOs, and another in Parma concerned with quality control,
product origin, the agri-food sector, and the promotion of European food and wine.

However, the committee promoting Parma’s candidacy to host the Authority (made up of representatives
of the municipal and provincial authorities, banking institutions and Parma University) and major Italian
farmers’ associations have expressed astonishment at the possibility of the Authority having two seats, as
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (1), which establishes the Authority, only provides for one. Moreover, such a
step would necessitate a long and complex legislative process delaying still further the establishment of the
future second Authority.

Despite this the Commissioner for Agriculture, Franz Fischler, has expressed his support for the idea,
declaring that it would be technically possible for there to be two seats. Even the Italian Minister for
Agriculture, Giovanni Alemanno, has stated that the two seats would be equal and independent.

In light of the above, can the Commission state:

1. what tasks will be assigned to these two Authorities, and whether it will be possible in practice to

divide their areas of responsibilities as outlined above;

2. on what legislative and legal basis the second Authority, based in Parma, will be founded; and

3. what the timetable will be for the setting up of the two Authorities, given that Regulation (EC)

No 178/2002 only provides for one?

(1) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2003)

The Honourable Member is kindly asked to refer to the Commission’s answer to written question
P-1395/03 from Mr Colom I Naval (1) concerning the establishment of the seat of the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA).

As regards the establishment of the EFSA and the distribution of tasks between food safety and quality, the
Commission can provide the following information:

(cid:1) under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (2) establishing the EFSA, the Authority’s scientific mission covers
all issues which may have a direct or indirect effect on the safety of the food chain, including all areas
relating to animal health and welfare and plant health. The Authority will also provide scientific
opinions on genetically modified organisms even if they are not food and feed, and on nutrition;

(cid:1) consequently, the brief of the EFSA and its sphere of responsibility in no way include the aspects of

quality or the protection of the origin of food products;

(cid:1) the EFSA is already operating. Accordingly, its Management Board began work in September 2002,
and, at the beginning of 2003, its Executive Director took up his duties and the Advisory Forum
began functioning. The Scientific Committee and the standing Scientific Panels of the EFSA are
currently being set up. Finally, an initial core of staff, especially scientists, has been set up, and further
recruitment is expected in the near future;

(cid:1) there are currently no plans to set up an agency for designations of origin, geographical indications

and certificates of specific character.

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 228.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the
general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down
procedures in matters of food safety, OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.