WRITTEN QUESTION E-3324/03 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Authorisation of the harmful toxic spray Paraquat.
Date: 2003-11-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, dangerous substance, environmental protection, herbicide, market approval

C 70 E/256

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

At this stage, the Commission has completed its financial audit of the applications submitted pursuant to
Decision 2001/654/EC and considers a sum of EUR 378,2 million to be eligible, of which EUR 355 million
had already been paid as an advance. The excluded expenditure is not ineligible under Community law but
the result of an overestimation of the value of the animals in the Commission’s calculations as well as a
flat-rate financial correction for the deficiencies of the administrative control system.

The applications submitted pursuant to the other two financing Decisions are still being audited. The audit
is expected to be completed in 2004. The Community financial contributions will be paid upon
completion of these audits.

An advance of EUR 40 million is on the point of being paid towards expenditure covered by Decision
2003/676/EC.

(1) 90/424/EEC: Council Decision of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field, OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.
(2) 2001/654/EC: Commission Decision of 16 August 2001 concerning a financial contribution towards the

eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom in 2001, OJ L 230, 28.8.2001.

(3) 2003/23/EC: Commission Decision of 30 December 2002 concerning a financial contribution for the compulsory
slaughter between 1 July and 31 October 2001 of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom,
OJ L 8, 14.1.2003.

(4) 2003/676/EC: Commission Decision of 24 September 2003 on an additional financial contribution from the
Community towards the costs of the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom in 2001,
OJ L 249, 1.10.2003.

(2004/C 70 E/277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3324/03

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(12 November 2003)

Subject: Authorisation of the harmful toxic spray ‘Paraquat’

The Commission is expected to authorise the inclusion of the harmful toxic spray ‘Paraquat’ on the EU’s
positive list of approved substances. Denmark has banned the marketing and import of this toxic spray
since 1994. Approval at EU level may restrict Member States’ scope for upholding rules safeguarding the
environment and consumers with the result that, for example, Denmark may be compelled to allow
imports of foodstuffs containing residues of this toxic substance which is regarded as lethal for mammals
and birdlife.

Will the Commission therefore explain the reasons for which this substance is now to be approved and the
extent of its knowledge of scientific data relating to the harmful characteristics of Paraquat and to available
substitutes? How can Denmark and other Member States uphold or adopt more far-reaching restrictions on
Paraquat so as to protect consumers, animal life and the environment from this substance?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written P-3093/03 by Mr Ettl (1)

(1) OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004, p. 266.