WRITTEN QUESTION E-2760/03 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Mexillón de Galicia (Galician mussels) — protected designation of origin (PDO).
Date: 2003-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, designation of origin, fresh product, mollusc, preparation for market, product designation, product quality

C 84 E/36

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0039)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2735/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Costs of using Microsoft software

Can the Commission indicate the total annual cost of running the computer systems using Microsoft
software, and can it confirm that it has considered using Linux Open Office which could save money and
also increase security, given that Microsoft programmes come with an in-built backdoor used by US
intelligence agencies?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2003)

The Commission estimates the current total annual cost of Microsoft products for its central office
automation infrastructure to be around EUR 226 per user.

The Commission draws the Honourable Member’s attention to the fact that this amount corresponds to
approximately 7 % of the total yearly cost of EUR 3 173 per user required for the operation of the office
automation environment; the remaining 93 % includes software from other editors, hardware, network
connectivity and the infrastructure needed to connect to information systems.

It should be highlighted that Microsoft does not sell its products directly, but through Large Account
Resellers (LARs) who can (cid:1) and do (cid:1) compete with each other. Therefore, the Commission’s expenditure
in this area is paid to a LAR selected on the basis of the Community public procurement Directives, and
not to Microsoft. The ongoing LAR contract was awarded to Siemens, but a call for tenders is running at
the moment for the selection of the Commission’s (and several other Institutions) next LAR.

Furthermore, the Commission, in co-operation with the other Institutions closely follows the evolution of
the Open Source Software solutions in general and, in particular, in the office automation area where it is
presently carrying out a pilot exercise. A detailed exposé regarding Commission’s activities in this area is
sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

(2004/C 84 E/0040)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2760/03

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 September 2003)

Subject:

‘Mexillón de Galicia’ (Galician mussels) (cid:1) protected designation of origin (PDO)

Between 260 and 300 million kg of exceptionally fine mussels are marketed every year; turnover totals
more than EUR 400 million; 2 400 families are directly involved in mussel culture; and the sector provides
13 000 jobs, of which approximately 8 500 are permanent, plus 7 000 generated indirectly. These figures
are a measure of the strength of Galician mussel culture and make Galicia the world’s largest producer of
cultivated mussels for human consumption. They are, moreover, particularly significant in view of the fact
that the proceeds of production are spread across a broad social base and, because decision-making
machinery is concentrated at the local level, reinvested in the region itself. The resulting knock-on effect on
the local economy makes for social and economic stability. The sector accounts for about 50 % of total EU
production: 35 % of its produce is sold fresh, 41 % is canned or preserved by traditional methods, and 24 %
is used for the increasingly popular alternative new ways of processing. The Galician mussel cultivation
management board has already applied for a protected designation of origin (PDO), which would
constitute a worldwide benchmark because it would be the first to be awarded to a seafood product. In his
answer of 30 October 2002 to my Written Question E-3117/02 (1) Mr Fischler stated that ‘The examination

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Official Journal of the European Union

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of the application for the name’Mejillones de Galicia‘to be registered has already been the subject of several
working meetings of the Scientific Committee, which has also asked for further information … The next
meeting will take place in early January 2003’.

Can the Commission say what progress has been made in the PDO approval and registration

1.
procedure?

2.

Can it explain the reasons for the delay and the possible obstacles to approval?

3. What steps has the Commission taken or will it take to facilitate and speed up approval of the PDO
for Galician mussels? When does it think that the approval and registration procedure will be completed?

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 167.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2003)

The application for the name Mejillón de Galicia to be registered as a protected designation of origin
(PDO) was submitted on 19 February 2001. The application referred to a specification including two types
of presentation: fresh mussels and processed mussels (heat-treated and then frozen or chilled).

The file received did not contain all the information needed to show that all the requirements for
registration stipulated in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of
geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1) were met.

The Commission asked for further information in order to be able to assess the validity of the application.
to dispel the doubts on certain points, the Scientific
Since the replies received were not sufficient
indications (PGIs) and
Committee for protected designations of origin (PDOs), protected geographical
traditional specialities guaranteed (TSGs) was asked to give an opinion.

In April 2003 the Committee concluded that heat
treatment and freezing alter the physical and
organoleptic characteristics of the fresh product and sever the link between the quality of the fresh product
and the geographical area of production. Thus the treatments described are not compatible with the
designation of origin concept. The Committee therefore found against registration of the name Mejillón de
Galicia as a protected designation of origin with a specification including presentation in processed form
(‘procesada’). But
the name with a specification restricted to the fresh
presentation.

it endorsed registration of

Given the Committee’s opinion, the fact that more than one quality label exists (protected designation of
origin and protected geographical indication) and the reputation enjoyed by Galician mussels, the Spanish
authorities have been invited to discuss with the Commission’s officials what is the best solution for the
application.

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2004/C 84 E/0041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2764/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(16 September 2003)

Subject: National land register in Turkey and property on the island of Imvros

According to the Imvros Association of Athens, the implementation of the Turkish national land register
on Imvros has led to the loss of most of Greek property on the island which has been arbitrarily registered
as belonging to the Turkish State. According to the results of the land register carried out in June 2003,