WRITTEN QUESTION E-3175/03 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Funding of prevention programmes and disease surveillance.
Date: 2003-10-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, disease prevention, epidemiology, health control, infectious disease, information network, public health

C 70 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

Supply of the outermost islands under these arrangements is restricted to what is required for human
consumption, as agricultural inputs and for processing. Sugar sent to the Azores with benefit of the SSA
(exemption from customs duty or in the case of Community sugar payment of an aid equal to the refund)
cannot leave the islands.

There is one exception to this principle. If processing of supplied products has occurred in the Azores the
resulting products can be shipped or exported within the limits of ‘traditional quantities’. The Court ruled
on this point in the following words (2). ‘It follows that the shipments of sugar must satisfy relatively strict
conditions in order to be classified as traditional trade flows or traditional shipments. Those requirements
refer as much to the magnitude of the shipments as to their frequency and the fact that they are ongoing.’
‘In order to determine whether shipments of sugar to mainland Portugal and to Madeira … are traditional
exports it must,
the Poseima Programme was
implemented by Regulation No 1600/92, with effect from 1 July 1992, those shipments were ongoing,
regular and significant. Sporadic and small-scale shipments made in the past cannot satisfy those
requirements.’

therefore, be determined whether, at

the time that

The Portuguese authorities have not provided evidence of shipments of sugar of the type specified by the
Court. Therefore since the exception to the principle is not valid in this case the islands’ sugar supply
needs must be worked out on the basis of local consumption.

There is nothing to suggest that sugar consumption in the Azores has risen by 3 000 tonnes a year.
Accordingly Sinaga’s request to the Commission for an increase in the supply balance must be turned
down.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001 of 28 June 2001 introducing specific measures for certain agricultural
products for the Azores and Madeira and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 (Poseima), OJ L 198, 21.7.2001.

(2) Paragraphs 44 and 45 of the judgment.

(2004/C 70 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3175/03

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject: Funding of prevention programmes and disease surveillance

In its proposal COM(2003) 441 (establishing a European Centre [for Disease Prevention and Control],
which is to be concerned with the surveillance of infectious diseases), the Commission has launched an
important health initiative. Under the proposal, the Centre is to administer the Community’s network of
competent national authorities or institutes, (cf. Decision 2119/98/EC (1)) and the dedicated surveillance
networks (DSNs) for specific diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, etc.

Can the Commission confirm that it has simultaneously decided not to continue its support for the DSNs
under the new prevention programme, with the result that several networks, including EUVAC.NET, have
been closed down (cid:1) directly contradicting the underlying aims of COM(2003) 441?

In the same connection, can the Commission state whether any other decisions have been taken which
directly or indirectly conflict with the EU’s surveillance effort, and can it give details of how it proposes to
finance other related activities in the health field, particularly with a view to surveillance and the
establishment of networks?

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998, p. 1.

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/231

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2003)

In the Commission proposal for the Parliament and the Council Regulation establishing a European Centre
for Disease Prevention and Control one of the tasks of the Centre would be to support the networking
activities and dedicated surveillance networks of authorities and structures designated under Decision
No 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the
epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (1) and ensure their
integrated operation through the provision of technical and scientific expertise to the Commission and the
Member States. These activities would be financed from the budget of the Centre. However, it is foreseen
that during the first years of the operation of the Centre its activities will be partly financed from the
Public Health Programme (2005 and 2006, EUR 4,9 million and EUR 6 million respectively).

Activities on surveillance form a significant part of the Public Health Programme established under
Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 (2). In line with
the priorities of the 2003 work plan (3) for the implementation of this programme, which received a
unanimous positive opinion by the Programme Committee, the Commission has proposed the funding of a
number of projects,
including several projects on surveillance networks. Not all of the applications
submitted can be funded, however, given the budgetary constraints. The Commission proposals for
funding of selected projects received a unanimous positive opinion by the Programme Committee.
However the final steps of the selection procedure are currently taking place.

The Commission will continue to support communicable disease surveillance activities in the most
effective and efficient way possible under the financial envelopes set by the Parliament and the Council.
Its proposal for a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has to be seen in this context and
reflects the priority that the Commission accords to the strengthening of the capacities of the Community
in this area.

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.
(2) OJ L 271, 9.10.2002.
(3) OJ C 62, 15.3.2003.

(2004/C 70 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3176/03

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject: Food safety and developing countries

The European Union has made significant efforts in the area of food safety in recent years. Following the
adoption of general legislation on food, further implementing measures have been on the agenda, such as
the package of directives on hygiene and controls (1).

1. What consequences has the greater concentration on food safety within the EU had, or what
consequences will it have, for developing countries?

2. Which countries have seen their food exports to the EU decline?

Does the Commission anticipate, as a consequence of the legislation on hygiene and controls (1)
3.
a reduction, or an increase, in food exports to the EU from African, Asian and Latin American countries?
Which countries will be particularly affected?

(1) COM(2000) 438 final and COM(2003) 52 final.