WRITTEN QUESTION E-2710/03 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Incense.
Date: 2003-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: carcinogenic substance, consumer information, health policy, public health, resin

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/195

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 2003)

It emerges from different sources that the system of motorway charging in Germany could cause transport
problems for road haulage firms. This is because of the limited availability of OBUs (on-board units), the
necessary stopping time at paypoints,
the additional administrative costs incurred by the firms,
discrimination between German operators and operators from other Member States etc.

In accordance with Directive 1999/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1999
on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (1),
(the ‘Eurovignette’
Directive), motorway tolls must be implemented and collected, and their payment controlled ‘in such a
way as to cause as little hindrance as possible to the free flow of traffic’. The Directive also provides that
the tolls are implemented without discrimination, either direct or indirect, on the grounds of
the
nationality of the haulage firm, or the origin or destination of the transport operation.

The Commission initiated the State aid procedure on 23 July 2003 (2)
in respect of the measure in
question. Furthermore, the Commission and the German Government agreed at the end of August 2003 to
set up a temporary working group composed of representatives of both the Commission and Germany.
The road haulage sector will also be linked to this group, which will examine the different technical issues
that arise in this connection.

The mission of this working group is to follow the different stages of the introduction of motorway
charging in Germany. It will aim to ensure that in practice the technical arrangements conform with
Directive 1999/62/CE and with the EC Treaty, guaranteeing in particular that the principles of free
movement of goods, and of non-discrimination are respected.

The creation of this group clearly does not prejudice the right of the Commission, in accordance with the
EC Treaty, to initiate infringement proceedings, if need be, against Germany. This initiative has however,
the clear advantage of being able to tackle all of the difficulties concerning the application of the new
system, before the effective levying of the toll on 2 November 2003, and involving the players concerned.

(1) OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.
(2) OJ C 202, 27.8.2003.

(2004/C 65 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2710/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Incense

In Ireland there is currently a debate about the health effects of burning incense. Jim McDade, a minister in
the Irish government, has issued a warning about the potentially carcinogenic effects of smoke from
incense.

Is the Commission aware of this debate?

What, in the Commission’s view, are the health risks associated with inhaling smoke from incense?

If it is harmful, what steps will the Commission take to warn the public?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2003)

There are no special European regulations concerning health warnings on commercial products containing
incense such as incense cones or candles.

C 65 E/196

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

The Commission services are aware of isolated media reports of concern over high levels of potentially
carcinogenic substances in the air resulting from burning incense in different settings in Asia. There is no
scientific evidence to suggest a comparable situation in the European Union.

Consequently, the Commission is not currently planning to issue a warning to the public on this matter.

However, if the Honourable Member has any scientific evidence, the Commission will be happy to have it
examined.

(2004/C 65 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2712/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Counterfeit money

The introduction of the euro did not result in large amounts of counterfeit money in the first year. This
now seems to have changed.

Can the Commission provide a review of the trend in counterfeit notes and coins since the introduction of
the euro including a detailed breakdown of the figures?

What action is the Commission taking to tackle the counterfeiting of euro notes and coins?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2003)

The following information is based on particulars provided by the European Central Bank (ECB), Europol
and the Commission.

In 2002 a total of 167 118 counterfeit euro notes and 2 339 counterfeit euro coins were withdrawn from
circulation. The number of notes is equivalent to less than one quarter of the total number of national
counterfeit notes reported to the national central banks in the euro area in 2001.

The tables giving the breakdown of counterfeit notes and coins by denomination in 2002 are being sent
direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

In the first half of 2003, 230 534 counterfeit euro notes and 7 875 counterfeit euro coins were withdrawn
from circulation.

As expected, the counterfeiting of euro notes has increased in 2003 compared with 2002, but the situation
has begun to stabilise in recent months. However, since around EUR 8,2 billion authentic notes are in
circulation, the volume of counterfeit notes is very small and there is no risk of public confidence in the
notes in circulation being undermined.

The counterfeiting of euro coins has also increased, as indicated by the high number of counterfeit coins
found to be in circulation in 2003. None the less, the volume of counterfeit coins is very small compared
with the 41 billion authentic coins in circulation and there is no risk of public confidence in euro coins
either being undermined.

The tables giving the breakdown of counterfeit notes and coins by denomination for the first half of 2003
are being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

Since the introduction of euro notes and coins, twelve illegal printing works have been closed down, ten in
the euro area and two outside. Three illegal workshops equipped to produce counterfeit euro coins have
also been shut down, two in Italy and one in Portugal. In one of the illegal workshops in Italy, more than
70 000 counterfeit 50-cent coins and all the production equipment were seized.