WRITTEN QUESTION E-3453/03 by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission. Political position adopted by EU officials' trade union TAO-AFI on night flights over outlying districts of Brussels.
Date: 2003-11-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, air traffic, air transport, airport, civil servants’ union, image, noise

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/551

Turning to the problems in connection with non-EU wine imported into Portugal that the Honourable
Member raises, we point out that according to the customs authorities’ figures such imports have been
negligible (1 130 hl in 2001, 1 730 hl in 2002). In any case Article 44(14) of Regulation (EC) No 1493/
1999 (1) prohibits blending of non-EU wine with Community wine. Policing of observance of
the
Community rules, including those on the presentation and naming of wines sold on the market, is the
Member State’s responsibility. Lastly, the rules on international trade do not permit a prohibition on
importation of bulk wines.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine,

OJ L 179, 14.7.1999.

(2004/C 78 E/0586)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3453/03

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(20 November 2003)

Subject: Political position adopted by EU officials’ trade union TAO-AFI on night flights over outlying

districts of Brussels

At the beginning of November the EU officials’ trade union TAO-AFI adopted a public position on night
flights from Zaventem airport. Controversy has been raging for months on the Belgian political scene as to
which communes the flight paths in question should pass over. It might be possible to reach consensus by
means of a distribution plan which shares the nuisance caused by night flights among various parts of the
periphery of Brussels and the adjoining communes. Evidently the officials’ trade union has a relatively large
number of members living in the residential communes to the east of Brussels, and objects to the
possibility that the area in question might also have to bear a share of the nuisance. The union argues,
inter alia, that rents are high in these communes and that many people went to live there at a time when
there was no suggestion that Zaventem airport might cause noise at night.

TAO-AFI’s intervention has annoyed residents of the periphery of Brussels who consider that some
solidarity should be displayed in sharing the inconvenience caused by the proximity of Zaventem airport.
All this is doing nothing to promote the image of the European institutions in Brussels.

Is it normal and desirable that a trade union representing European officials should adopt such
controversial positions in public?

Has the matter been discussed with TAO-AFI? If so, what were the conclusions?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 2004)

The decision of trade unions and staff associations in the Institutions to express views on matters of public
interest and concern are solely the responsibility of
those
organisations do not speak on behalf of the Commission.

the organisations. Obviously,

therefore,

The Commission has not discussed the issue of night flights to and from Zaventem airport with the
organisation referred to in the question or with any other staff union or association.