WRITTEN QUESTION E-3621/03 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Presence of chlophen in food produced in various regions of Greece.
Date: 2003-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, chemical product, consumer protection, food inspection, foodstuff, health control, health risk, industrial region, milk, toxic substance

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/249

Reply

(11 March 2004)

The Council recalls to the Honourable Parliamentarian that it is for the Member States to deal with identity
cards.

The Council has repeatedly expressed its concern regarding the situation of People with Disabilities but has
never discussed of the questions raised by the Honourable Parliamentarian.

(2004/C 84 E/0295)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3621/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Presence of chlophen in food produced in various regions of Greece

The published conclusions drawn from research carried out by Athens University and the Demokritos
research centre have established the presence of chlophen in milk produce in various regions of Greece,
such as Kozani and Aspropirgos.

In view of the danger associated with the presence of chlophen in food and the fact that these regions are
industrial areas in which clophen discharges have been identified in the past, will the Commission say:

1. whether the competent authorities have carried out checks in the above regions,

2. what measures the Commission intends to take to test for the presence of clophen in food produced

in the above regions, and

3. whether there will be a special control programme and, if so, when it will begin to operate? Should
clophen be found in food and thus constitute a serious health hazard to consumers, what measures
will the Commission take?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

As announced in the holding reply to this written question, the Commission requested the reports from
research carried out by Athens University and the Demokritos research centre concerning the presence of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in milk produced in various regions of Greece. However, despite several
requests to the competent authorities of Greece and the authors of the report, this information has not
been received.

On the other hand, the competent authorities of Greece have informed the Commission that in accordance
with Commission Recommendation 2002/201/EC of 4 March 2002 on the reduction of the presence of
dioxins, furans and PCBs in feedingstuffs and foodstuffs (1), a national monitoring programme was initiated
in 2003 for dioxins, furans and PCBs.

The analyses were performed in accordance with Commission Directive 2002/69/EC of 26 July 2002
laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of dioxins and the
determination of dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs (2) and Commission Directive 2002/70/EC of 26 July 2002
establishing requirements for the determination of levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feedingstuffs (2).

The results of this monitoring programme have been provided to the Commission. They indicate that the
levels of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in food (including milk) of Greek origin are low. However,
the competent authority of Greece indicated that the national monitoring programme did not include milk
samples originating from the regions mentioned in the question. The competent authority of Greece made

C 84 E/250

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

the commitment to include in the national monitoring programme for 2004 milk samples as well as
samples of other foodstuffs produced in these regions. In the case where levels above the EU maximum
levels are found, appropriate measures will be taken to avoid unacceptably contaminated foodstuffs
entering the food chain.

(1) OJ L 67, 9.3.2002.
(2) OJ L 209, 6.8.2002.

(2004/C 84 E/0296)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3661/03

by Konrad Schwaiger (PPE-DE)
and Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 December 2003)

Subject: Imports of preserved mushrooms from China

Under Regulation (EC) No 2125/95 (1), the customs quota for imports of preserved mushrooms from
China was fixed as 22 750 tonnes annually. The quota had been at that level for a number of years
previously, and it was not raised on the accession of the new German länder, despite the addition of nearly
16 million new consumers to the single market. Nor was it raised in response to the accessions by Sweden,
Finland and Austria. This means that the quantity of imported product available for marketing to a larger
number of consumers has remained unchanged. Business opportunities for importers from the hitherto
existing Community countries have thereby been reduced.

Does the Commission agree that,

in response to the forthcoming inclusion of ten new Member
1.
countries that have hitherto covered a significant part of their needs by importing primarily from China,
it will be necessary for the quota to be raised accordingly?

2.
Does the Commission agree that when the quota is raised, an adjustment should also be granted to
make good the failure to raise the quota in response to German reunification and the accessions by
Sweden, Finland and Austria?

(1) OJ L 212, 7.9.1995, p. 16.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

In the context of the upcoming accession to the Community of 10 new Member States, the Community
will respect its General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and World Trade Organisation (WTO)
obligations as has been the case for previous Community enlargements. In particular, the Community has
notified the WTO that it is ready to enter into negotiations with WTO Members according to Article XXIV:
6 of the GATT. Article XXIV.6 negotiations are likely to take place for certain products, which may include
canned mushrooms.

The existing tariff quota for canned mushrooms has been established and is maintained in accordance with
WTO rules and there is no obligation whatsoever to increase this tariff quota in connection with past
events relating to territorial modifications of the Community.

(2004/C 84 E/0297)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3812/03

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 December 2003)

Subject: Tempus programme in Romania

On 12 November 2003, the online edition of the German magazine ‘Stern’ reported a possible case of
embezzlement of Commission funds intended for the Tempus programme in Romania. According to the