WRITTEN QUESTION E-1629/03 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Promoting fair-trade products in the EU.
Date: 2003-05-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU institution, aid policy, common commercial policy, fair trade, public awareness campaign

C 88 E/358

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2003)

The recent large-scale arrest of dissidents, the unfair trials and the arbitrary and excessive sentences
imposed on them, as well as the execution of three Cuban citizens accused of hijacking a Cuban ferry,
have had a prompt, firm and sustained reaction from the Union. The Commission has fully and actively
supported the actions that have been taken in this context.

The Commission, together with the Member States, has strongly condemned such arrests in a declaration
published on 26 March 2003, which was followed by a Union démarche in Havana to urge the Cuban
authorities to allow the prisoners’ immediate release. A second Union démarche in Havana took place on
18 April 2003, following the Foreign Ministers’ statement issued on 14 April 2003.

Further measures have recently been agreed, including limits to high-level visits.

The Commission decided on 30 April 2003 to defer the examination of the Cuban application for
accession to the Cotonou Agreement, signalling that these recent developments are not conducive to co-
operation between the Union and Cuba.

The Cuban authorities decided on 16 May 2003 to withdraw their application.

As far as the Community cooperation funding is concerned, the recent opening of a Delegation in Havana
makes possible a closer follow-up of the use of funds. Community cooperation is focused since 2000 on
projects promoting economic reform and civil society development. Seven of the projects financed by the
Commission in Cuba were subject to an independent monitoring mission contracted by the Commission in
2002, and a new monitoring mission is foreseen during the third quarter of 2003.

Issues regarding the rights of European citizens in Cuba are the responsibility of their respective national
authorities.

(2004/C 88 E/0364)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1629/03

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

(14 May 2003)

Subject: Promoting fair-trade products in the EU

During Fair Trade Week, which begins on 3 May, campaigners in Finland will draw attention to fair-trade
products and seek to persuade members of churches, among others, to increase their use of fair-trade
coffee.

In reply to my written question P-3856/02 of 24 January 2003 (1), Commissioner Pascal Lamy wrote: ‘In
the long run, however, only a sustained trend of increased demand for fair trade products by European
consumers is likely to lead to large reductions in prices [of fair-trade products].’

Would it be possible for the EU to promote demand for fair-trade products by publicising European Fair
Trade Week (3 to 9 May) and by committing itself to the ideas already endorsed when the European
Communities were set up concerning the beneficial
impact of cross-border economic cooperation on
stability? (After all, Schuman Day also falls during the same week).

Will the Commission for its part promote demand for fair-trade products by means of public procurement
in the Community institutions and Member States?

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 26.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/359

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2003)

The idea of a European Fair Trade Week during which it would be possible to call the attention of a wider
public on fair trade products is certainly one worth exploring. Such an initiative would, prima facie, fit
with the overall Commission policy of raising awareness on fair trade products via the financing of
private-led activities.

It is difficult for the Union to commit itself, via this reply, to the implementation of such an initiative, as it
requires further analysis on the actual form that such a support could take. It would be therefore useful if
the promoters of the Fair Trade Week could approach the relevant services (Directorate General (DG)
Trade) of the Commission to study the support that could eventually be given by the Commission.

In this context it should be noted that specific actions of support will take place during the fair trade week
in Belgium (6 to 9 October 2003), alongside an advertisement campaign. Companies will be encouraged,
to the extent possible, to offer fair trade products and to continue the practice of offering such products as
long as demand is sustained.

The Commission is assisting a number of developing countries in the promotion of trade as a means for
economic growth and poverty reduction: in this context the principles underlying the Fair Trade concept
are duly taken into account. As stated in the Communication on Fair Trade (1), fair trade gives producers in
developing countries higher revenues for their goods, as well as increased opportunities to find new
markets. Fair trade is particularly helpful to small-scale producers, especially in agriculture and the
handicraft sector, since small-scale producers in developing countries are often living in isolated rural areas
and do not produce a sufficient quantity to export directly. In an upcoming Staff Working Document on
‘Agricultural Commodity Trade, Dependence an Poverty’ which explores strategy elements that could
support commodity-producing farmers in developing countries, fair trade is brought up as one path of the
important task of assisting producers to tap into new market segments.

Finally, the promotion of the use of fair trade products is of particular concern to the Commission and the
coffee served during meetings in Commission buildings is fair trade coffee. In addition, in the framework
of the promotion of corporate social responsibility, the Commission is negotiating the use and promotion
of fair trade products in the Euro-City supermarket in Brussels and in all selling points inside the
Commission buildings.

(1) COM(1999) 619 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0365)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1631/03

by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 May 2003)

Subject: Discrimination on grounds of nationality

The European Community’s development is no longer confined to the economic sphere. The Community
is now made up of 375 million people, who are not merely consumers in a large single market, but also
citizens of the European Union who have the right to move freely within the EU and to settle in any part
of that Union for personal or professional reasons and who hope they can live without fear of being
discriminated against in any way.