WRITTEN QUESTION E-0459/04 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Closure of Thyssen Krupp plants in Terni.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Italy, cessation of trading, collective dismissal, iron and steel industry

C 84 E/406

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2004)

According to international standards provided by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and
supported by risk analysis studies conducted in collaboration with the Avian Influenza Community
Reference Laboratory, these viruses are inactivated at temperatures of at least 60 °C applied for 30 minutes.
Commission Decision 97/222/EC (1) for the importation of meat products mitigates the risk of introduction
of the different notifiable animal diseases via imports of fresh meat by recognised techniques for disease
agent inactivation procedures applied to the product. These procedures are described in the Annex to this
decision and the model certificate for such products is laid down in Commission Decision 97/221/EC (2)
and has been used for many years.

Therefore the importation of poultry, ratites and feather game meat products originating from Thailand
that have undergone a treatment according to the methods prescribed by the Annex, part IV, points B, C
or D, to Commission Decision 97/222/EC continues to be authorised. The treatments require the product
to be heated to at least 70o Celsius throughout, which means in fact that higher temperatures will be
reached in the product.

When ‘Ready-meals’ contain meat which still has the characteristics of fresh meat (e.g. they have only been
salted, seasoned or rolled in flour and then frozen) they are not considered as meat products, but fall under
the definition of meat preparations, which are covered by the current ban.

It is the responsibility of the Member States to control consignments at the Community’s border inspection
posts on the fulfilment of the Community health standards and to take appropriate actions in case of non
conformity to the Community legislation.

The Commission’s Taxation and Customs Union Directorate-General (DG) is furthermore closely working
with Member States customs administrations to implement in a practical way a co-ordinated approach to
risk management across the Community. A recent example is the sharing of information to support
controls to enforce the recent ban on poultry products from the infected countries in Asia.

The Commission emphasizes that all measures are supported by the Standing Committee on the Food
Chain and Animal Health, in which experts of all Member States are represented.

The import of poultry meat from Asia in airports by passengers is banned by Commission Decision 2002/
995/EC (3). Under these rules, poultry meat and meat products cannot be introduced into the European
Union without conforming to the same health requirements as commercial imports.

(1) Commission Decision 97/222/EC of 28 February 1997 laying down the list of third countries from which the

Member States authorise the importation of meat products, OJ L 89, 4.4.1997.

(2) Commission Decision 97/221/EC of 28 February 1997 laying down the animal health conditions and model
veterinary certificates in respect of imports of meat products from third countries and revoking Decision 91/449/
EEC, OJ L 89, 4.4.1997.

(3) Commission Decision 2002/995/EC of 9 December 2002 laying down interim safeguard measures with regard to

imports of products of animal origin for personal consumption, OJ L 353, 30.12.2002.

(2004/C 84 E/0472)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0459/04

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Closure of Thyssen Krupp plants in Terni

The company Thyssen Krupp (TK) has announced the imminent closure of the magnetic steel production
plant at the company’s Ast factory in Terni, Italy. The closure of the plant will lead to the loss of 900 jobs,

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/407

with ramifications in terms of employment for Terni’s entire steelworking sector. In recent years, TK has
received European funding, including funding from the European Social Fund (ESF), granted to finance staff
training and infrastructure development at the Terni plant.

1. What urgent measures does the Commission intend to take to avert the closure of the magnetic steel
production plant at Thyssen Krupp’s factory in Terni?

2. What guarantees of employment are businesses that receive European funding, from the European
Social Fund for example, requested to provide in terms of the training of their own staff and the
improvement of company infrastructure?

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2004)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Questions P-0376/04 by
Mrs Sbarbati, P-0388/04 by Mrs Angelilli and P-0445/04 by Mr Mastella (1). In any case, the Commission
notes with satisfaction that an agreement appears to have been reached not to close down the installations.

(1) See page 206.

(2004/C 84 E/0473)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/04

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Belgium (cid:1) European leader in the combating of salmonella enteritidis (cid:1) pasteurisation of eggs

According to Commissioner Byrne, 160 000 cases of salmonella enteritidis are recorded every year in
Europe. The welfare costs involved amount to about EUR 2,8 billion, and at least 200 people actually die
as a consequence of eating contaminated eggs.

Consumption of contaminated eggs (cid:1) including in dishes prepared with eggs (cid:1) is one of the most
significant causes of salmonella enteritidis.

However, equipment which is apparently capable of combating such food contaminations without
impairing the nutritional value or the cooking characteristics of the product already exists. An industrial
appliance has been developed by Leda Technologies, a Flemish company, which kills off any bacteria in
shell eggs without adversely affecting the nutritional value or the composition thereof. The appliance is
also able to kill off any bacteria in eggs and cook them. Given that somewhat more than half of the cases
of salmonella enteritidis occur in (large-scale) industrial kitchens, it would appear sensible (cid:1) with a view to
protecting public health and reducing welfare costs (cid:1) to lay down a binding requirement that this
technology be used in (large-scale) industrial kitchens.

Is the Commission aware of the existence of this technology, and is it prepared, with a view to protecting
public health and reducing welfare costs, to promote the introduction of this technology in (large-scale)
industrial kitchens by offering financial incentives? If so, what specific measures has it already taken to that
end? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2004)

The Commission is aware of this technology, developed by the firm LEDA, which seems to be useful
particularly in institutional catering. There are no provisions in Community legislation to prevent its use in
large-scale or industrial kitchens. However, there are other ways of reducing the risk of salmonella
contamination at this stage in the food chain, for example in the use of egg products. In this context,
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying