WRITTEN QUESTION P-0111/04 by Minerva Malliori (PSE) to the Commission. Dioxins in farm-raised salmon.
Date: 2004-01-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer protection, fish farming, food safety, food standard, pesticide residue, toxic substance

C 84 E/536

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Finally, regarding the types and amounts of sanctions imposed for market abuse in Member States, figures
for Greece are as follows: between 1997 and 2004, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC)
substantiated 136 cases of insider dealing and market manipulation, and has imposed administrative fines
of a total amount of EUR 52 million. Concerning penal sanctions, 31 from the HCMC’s investigated
market abuse cases were considered to be of penal character and have been referred to the Public
Prosecutor through the filing of criminal complaints. In these cases more than 100 natural persons are
involved.

(1) Directive 2003/6/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on insider dealing and market

manipulation, OJ L 96, 12.4.2003.

(2004/C 84 E/0613)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0111/04

by Minerva Malliori (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 2004)

Subject: Dioxins in farm-raised salmon

According to a report published in the reputable ‘Science’ journal, significant quantities of carcinogenic
substances, such as PCBs, have been found in farm-raised salmon. This has caused great concern among
consumers and breeders.

Given the large quantities of salmon consumed, since it is one of the healthiest fish, being rich in omega-3
fatty acids, reducing the risk of heart disease, together with the fact that it is a major source of revenue in
areas such as Scotland, can the Commission confirm the reports of contaminated fish and will it take
immediate measures to eliminate the danger to consumers and safeguard the livelihood of fish-breeders?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

The Honourable Member refers to a study published in the journal ‘Science’, which analysed 246 samples
of farmed and wild salmon from all over the world for 14 organochlorine contaminants, including dioxins
(sum of dioxins, furans, dioxin-like PCBs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)).

The substances, other than dioxins, mirex and PCBs are organochlorine pesticides or metabolites thereof,
the use of which has been prohibited for a long time, with the exception of lindane which has been
prohibited only since June 2002. Their presence in fish is due to the fact that residues of these pesticides
are still present in the environment long after their prohibition, due to their very persistent nature.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2375/2001 of 29 November 2001 amending Commission Regulation (EC)
No 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (1) establishes maximum levels
for dioxins in a range of foodstuffs including fish. The levels found in this study were all below the set
maximum levels. The Commission is of the opinion that the levels of dioxins and PCBs found in this study
are in line with those previously found and this study does not raise any new food safety issues.
No immediate action from the Commission is therefore required but the long term strategy foresees a
progressive reduction of the maximum levels.

(1) OJ L 321, 6.12.2001.