WRITTEN QUESTION E-0295/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Age discrimination in the provision of goods and services.
Date: 2004-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, age discrimination, equal treatment, goods and services

C 84 E/194

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Allowing for exceptions, it is compulsory to indicate the origin or provenance of foodstuffs only where
failure to give such particulars might mislead the consumer to a material degree as to the true origin or
provenance of the foodstuff.

(1) Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs, OJ L 109, 6.5.2000 Directive last
amended by Directive 2003/89/EC, OJ L 301, 25.11.2003.

(2004/C 84 E/0235)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0294/04

by Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Disclosure of the rate structure for the Central European Pipeline System

Is the Commission aware of the existence of the Central European Pipeline System (CEPS)? The system was
built up by the NATO allies between 1950 and 1989, during the Cold War, in order to transport fuel
during wartime. This military infrastructure is now being used on a commercial basis to cover a
proportion of the maintenance costs. The rates charged by NATO are anything but transparent for the
system’s various customers, however. Does the Commission believe that the CEPS’ maintenance costs
ought to be disclosed and linked to a transparent transport rating structure? In the final analysis, this
system is offering a service on the European internal transport market, and its rivals would willingly take a
look at the rates applied on the European transport market by what is a transport system funded by public
monies. Would the Commission be willing to make arrangements with NATO’s logistics arm in the near
future in order to establish a transparent system of rates? I myself would advocate a system of annual
reporting of the CEPS’ maintenance costs, with a minimum and a maximum rate to cover as large a
proportion of them as possible. In addition, not all routes within the system are equally commercially
attractive. Are the maintenance costs for those routes also charged for, however?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the existence of the NATO Pipeline System (NPS). It consists of nine separate
military storage and distribution systems for fuels and lubricants. The largest of these networks, the Central
European Pipeline System (CEPS) covers Belgium, Germany, France, Luxemburg and the Netherlands.
The system links storage deposits, air bases, civil airports, pumping stations and entry points. It is designed
to ensure that NATO’s requirements for petroleum products and their distribution can be met at all times.
According to NATO figures, CEPS represents some 2 to 3 % of petroleum products transported in these
Member States.

The system serves primarily military purposes but is open in part to commercial transactions as well.
The tariffs are published as in France or negotiated on a case by case basis under the supervision of a
committee where all members of the system are represented.

There is no specific Community legislation regarding tariffs and third party access to oil pipelines.
The Commission does, therefore, not intend to enter into negotiations with NATO as an international
organisation in order to establish such rules for this specific case.

(2004/C 84 E/0236)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0295/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Age discrimination in the provision of goods and services

(6 February 2004)

Employment Framework Directive 2000/78/EC (1) (due to have been transposed into Member State law,
2 December 2003) confirms that the European Union has committed itself to the fight against age

3.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/195

discrimination in employment. However, the Commission has so far not attempted to deal with the issue
of age discrimination beyond the area of employment.

Anecdotal evidence of older citizens being refused car insurance on the basis of their age highlights the
need for anti-discrimination legislation in the field of goods and services provision. Does the Commission
intend to propose age discrimination legislation in areas other than employment? If so, when, and if not,
why not?

(1) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

The Commission does not intend, for the time being, to propose legislation on particular grounds of
discrimination outside of the employment sphere. The Commission believes that such a proposal would be
premature; given that the date of transposition of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000
establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, has so recently
passed (December 2003), the impact of this Directive on the national legal systems will be considerable
and there will be a need to take stock of developments in this regard.

the Commission does believe that

there needs to be a wider reflection on the various
However,
instruments at Community level which aim to achieve equality in practice. In this regard, the Commission
intends to launch a public consultation (Green Paper) in Spring 2004 on the Future Strategy to combat
discrimination. This paper will take stock of progress made in EU anti-discrimination policy and will raise
issues/questions regarding future policy development. It will also address the new challenges posed by the
enlargement of the EU and will help to map out the way ahead for EU action on equality over the next
five years or more.

In addition, in 2006 the Commission will present to the Parliament and the Council a report on the
implementation of the 2000/78/EC Directive.

(2004/C 84 E/0237)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0299/04

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Compact disc pricing in the EU

It has come to my attention that compact discs ordered for delivery in the UK and Ireland will incur a
surcharge as companies will only be able to deliver compact discs manufactured within the EU, thus
increasing the production costs.

Could the Commission confirm that all compact discs sold and delivered in the UK and Ireland will have to
be manufactured in Europe? If so, what are the regulations governing this change in law?

If this is true, does the Commission agree it is against EU competition rules?