WRITTEN QUESTION E-1626/03 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products imported from the US.
Date: 2003-05-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, consumer protection, egg, egg product, health control, health risk, import (EU), safety standard

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/53

Can the Commission state categorically that, under the plans for the Ebro diversion as they currently stand
(including the target rate of flow), the cost of water will be lower than it would be under the alternative
schemes which the Spanish Government is not considering (desalination, re-use)?

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 140.
(2)

For its research the Commission has used data drawn up by the ecologist Narcís Prat, according to which a flow
rate of 350 hm3 will be needed in order to accommodate factors such as climate change.

(3) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 26.
(4) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

As stated in the answer to the previous question E-509/03 on this issue submitted by the Honourable
Member, Council Directive 98/83 EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human
consumption identifies conductivity as an indicator parameter with a value of 2 500 microSiemens per
centimetre. If monitoring programmes identify that this parameter has been exceeded, Member States shall
consider whether non-compliance poses any risk to human health. In addition, Council Directive 75/440/
EEC if 16 June 1975, concerning the quality of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking
water in the Member States, sets down a guide value of 1 000 microSiemens per centimetre which Member
states shall endeavour to respect.

As also indicated in the answer to the above-mentioned previous question, the current conductivity
measured in the lower Ebro is around 1000 microSiemens per centimetre. In this context, it should be
remembered that the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the
Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy (1)),
imposes a requirement to achieve good chemical status in waters by 2015. Therefore, for
reasons of conformity with the Water Framework Directive, the conductivity of the water in the lower
Ebro cannot be allowed to increase significantly.

It is possible with the increased projections for irrigation use in the delta river basin that this could exert
an upward pressure on the conductivity in the lower Ebro. However, there is no a priori reason to assume
that the proposed transfer of water from the river Ebro, will result in non-compliance with Community
water legislation as to the issue of water conductivity.

With regard to the issue of cost, there is no Community legislation or policy, which would expressly
require the Spanish Authorities to select the option which provides water at the lowest cost. It is,
therefore, inappropriate for the Commission to comment on this issue.

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2004/C 70 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1626/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 May 2003)

Subject: Consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products imported from the US

In light of the health precautions in place in the EU in relation to the production of eggs, how does the
Commission intend to ensure the same level of consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products
that are imported from the USA?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2003)

The existing legislation in place is already designed to ensure that both imported and domestically
produced eggs and egg products offer equivalent levels of safety. Recent checks carried out in Belgium
have brought to light the presence of residues of banned substances in egg products, including in products
imported from the United States. The Commission is, in accordance with the normal practice in such

C 70 E/54

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

cases, pursuing these findings with the authorities in the United States. In addition, the Commission has
requested Member States to carry out an increased level of testing on egg products, of both Union and
third country origin, for banned substances. Member States already have to carry out on a routine basis
sampling in the egg sector, mainly to check for banned substances, in accordance with the provisions laid
down by Council Directive 96/23/EC (1) and Commission Decision 97/747/EC (2).

Discussions have taken place with the Member States in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and
Animal Health and the situation will continue to be closely monitored, especially in the light of the results
of the increased testing requested by the Commission. The Commission especially took the opportunity to
remind Member States to sensitise all producers and traders of egg powder to the need to apply hazard
analysis and critical control points (HACCP) to their activities and to consider as a critical control point the
control of residues in the raw/starting materials. From a general point of view, Community legislation
imposes a series of health and supervisory requirements, designed to ensure that imported animals and
products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between,
Member States. Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 (3) lays down the health conditions for the
import of eggs and egg products. According to its provisions, these products must come from a third
country appearing on the list provided for in Part VIII of Commission Decision 94/278/EC (4). In addition,
they must fulfil the conditions laid down in Commission Decision 97/38/EC of 18 December 1996 setting
specific public health requirements for imports of egg products for human consumption and be
accompanied by a health certificate referred to in that Decision (5).

Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions laid down by Council Directive 97/78/EC, of 18 December
1997, laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the
Community from third countries (6), each consignment of eggs and egg products intended to be imported
from the United States into one of the Member States, must undergo a documentary, an identity and a
physical check,
including possible laboratory checks, to verify if the products offer the same level of
consumer protection required by the relevant Community legislation.

(1) Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in
live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC
and 91/664/EEC, OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.

(2) Commission Decision 97/747/EC of 27 October 1997 fixing the levels and frequencies of sampling provided for by
in certain animal

Council Directive 96/23/EC for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof
products, OJ L 303, 6.11.1997.

(3) Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing
trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific
Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive
90/425/EEC, OJ L 62, 15.3.1993.

(4) Commission Decision 94/278/EC of 18 March 1994 drawing up a list of third countries from which Member States

authorise imports of certain products subject to Council Directive 92/118/EEC, OJ L 120, 11.5.1994.

(5) OJ L 14, 17.1.1997.
(6) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.

(2004/C 70 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1627/03

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) and Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 May 2003)

Subject: Financial consequences of avian influenza for hatching-egg producers

Avian influenza has now spread to several Member States, resulting in major financial problems for the
sector.

Holdings which have been cleared receive compensation under European rules. Regrettably, that does not
apply to hatching-egg producers.