WRITTEN QUESTION E-1736/03 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Commission presence at the Fifth World Avocado Congress.
Date: 2003-05-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, common agricultural policy, international meeting, tropical fruit

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/477

granted to it, is led to abuse its dominant position or when such rights are liable to create a situation in
which that undertaking is led to commit such abuses (cases C-163/96, Raso; C-209/98, FFAD).

When the Danish legislation on the deposit and return system was drafted, the Commission was in contact
with the Danish competition authority. Due to its intervention, modifications of the draft legislation were
made. It is not envisaged to start an infringement procedure against Denmark based on the violation of
Community competition rules by granting an exclusive right to DRS. The fact that Carlsberg controls DRS
is as such not sufficient to demonstrate an abuse of DRS. Possible conflicts of interest raised by the
Honourable Member can be avoided if there are sufficient firewalls to make sure that Carlsberg does not
get access to sensitive business information held by the auditing company or DRS.

As already mentioned in the reply to the Written Question E-3828/02 of the Honourable Member, the
Commission is monitoring the practical operation of the system. As far as the practical operation or the
scope of the system raise competition issues, the Commission continues to co-operate with the Danish
competition authority.

(2004/C 84 E/0552)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1736/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: Commission presence at the Fifth World Avocado Congress

Further to my Written Question No E-1154/02 (1) of 22 April 2002, and the answer received from the
Commission, the organising committee of the Fifth World Avocado Congress is aware of the possibility
that a Commission representative might attend the event.

Following the previous four congresses held in the United States, Mexico, South Africa and Israel, the
holding of the forthcoming congress in Europe is particularly important for the sector and offers an
in its capacity as manager of the CAP, to gain first-hand
excellent opportunity for the Commission,
knowledge of the findings of papers presented at the congress and consider how they might be applied to
assist Community avocado producers.

Will the Commission therefore say whether it is able to accept the invitation from the organising
committee of the conference concerned and play an active part in it, examining how the congress’ findings
can be put into practice and reviewing the position of avocado production within and outside the
Community?

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 2003)

The organisers of the Fifth World Avocado Congress have sent us an invitation to the event without
stating any specific wish for active participation. We are looking at
the possibility of non-active
participation given our work priorities and human and financial resources.

If the organisers wish active participation on our part in the event and in putting its findings into practice,
they should make direct contact with the appropriate department within our organisation (Agriculture
Directorate-General, Directorate for Markets in Crop Products, Unit for Fresh and Processed Fruit and
Vegetables) so that their wishes can be ascertained and action agreed on.