WRITTEN QUESTION E-0978/04 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Ingredients in food products.
Date: 2004-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cardiovascular disease, disease prevention, foodstuff, foodstuffs legislation, health policy, labelling, nutritional disease, public health

C 88 E/260

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The Commission is aware of the organisation of the health insurance system in the Czech Republic.
There is currently one general health insurance company, covering the majority of the population, and
eight branch health insurance companies which were originally foreseen for employees of particular
sectors (banking, mining), but are now open to all. All permanent residents are covered by an obligatory
health care insurance managed by these funds.

According to the information available to the Commission, an amendment to the legal acts governing the
operation of the health insurance companies is currently being debated in the Czech Parliament, including
provisions on the redistribution of collected funds.

The organisation and financing of healthcare and social protection systems is the responsibility of Member
States. However, Member States must exercise their responsibilities in this area in accordance with
Community law. In order to assess whether a health insurance provider is subject to EU competition rules,
it is necessary to assess whether the provider performs an economic activity or manages a social security
scheme. It follows from the case law of the European Court of Justice that bodies entrusted with the
management of certain compulsory social security schemes are not subject to competition rules.

According to the information available to the Commission, health care in the Czech Republic is paid by
obligatory health insurance covering all permanent residents. The insurance providers therefore appear to
primarily manage a social security scheme, which is not subject to competition rules. On the basis of the
information available, the Commission does not intend at present to raise this issue with the Czech
authorities.

(2004/C 88 E/0265)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0978/04

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2004)

Subject: Ingredients in food products

1.
In the light of the increasing concerns for public health (cid:1) in terms of obesity, high blood pressure
and diabetes, etc. (cid:1) can the Commission outline any action that it has taken to help Member States tackle
this problem?

Does the Commission plan any action as regards placing a maximum limit on sugar/salt content in

2.
food products and/or placing clear labelling on such products?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

1.
The European Commission has prepared a document entitled ‘Status report on the European
Commission’s work in the field of nutrition. October 2002’, which has been sent to the Information offices
of the Parliament, Commission offices in the Member States, Cabinets of the Commission, National
Parliaments, some information networks and consumer associations and it is available on the Public Health
web site.

A network on Nutrition and Physical Activity composed of Member States, Acceding Countries and
the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the
European Economic Area (EEA) expert
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) has been established by the
Commission. The network is a forum for exchanging experience and establishing and disseminating best
practice. In this way,
it will contribute to a coordination of Member State policies. The network also
advises the Commission on the creation of a Community strategy to improve public health nutrition,
reduce and prevent diet-related diseases, promote physical activity and to fight obesity.

institutes,

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/261

The Commission is financing projects aimed at collecting data on obesity, nutrition and physical activity
within the Public Health Action Programme (2003-2008) (1) and its 2003 and 2004 Work Plans.
Moreover, a major project aimed at preventing obesity in children will be supported under the
programme.

The Council Conclusions on Healthy lifestyles from December 2003 underline the need for an integrated
approach to fostering health, an approach which combines the promotion of healthy lifestyles with actions
aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities and the physical environment, and with a
commitment to pursue health objectives through other Community policies. This is very much in line
with the approach taken by the Commission with the Public Health Action Programme, and will include
action on promoting healthy nutrition and preventing obesity.

A specific working group has been established to deal with ‘health information’ aspects of lifestyles. The
purpose is to bring together the various projects dealing with lifestyle related indicators and data and to
consider what additional elements need to be addressed.

The Commission has actively supported the Irish Presidency’s initiatives on cardiovascular diseases and
obesity. This process is now leading to Council Conclusions on Promoting Heart Health. In the draft
proposal, the Commission is invited to bring forward a Proposal for Council Recommendations on health
determinants of major importance for the promotion of cardiovascular health; the prevention of obesity
will be an essential element in any such measure.

2.
The Commission does not have any plans regarding setting maximum levels on sugar/salt content in
food products. Regarding labelling, it is obligatory to list sugars and salt in the list of ingredients if they are
used in the manufacture of a food product and in decreasing order of weight. In addition, the Commission
has submitted for adoption to Parliament and Council a proposal for a Regulation (2) to harmonise the
rules on nutrition and health claims in the labelling, presentation and advertising of foods. Specific
conditions relating to nutrition claims regarding sugars and salt are proposed therein.

(1) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a

programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008), OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1.

(2) COM(2003) 424 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0266)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0980/04

by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 2004)

Subject: Instructions from the Army High Command in Turkey

In January, with the subsequent approval of Military Headquarters, the Army High Command in Turkey
instructed its own intelligence services and provincial governments to gather information on members of
the public and organisations in favour of Turkey entering the European Union, in favour of the United
States or with Satanist and Masonic links and on Internet groups, minorities, children of well-off families,
etc. In the High Command’s view, all such persons and organisations could become involved in separatist
or subversive activities.

This initiative has been fiercely criticised in the Turkish press.

Despite the brutally anti-democratic nature of this intrusion, which is hostile to Turkey’s entry to the
European Union and, furthermore, is in breach of Turkish law, The Turkish Government does not appear
to have raised any objections.

What are the Commission’s views on this matter, and what action does it intend to take in response to this
behaviour with a view to upholding the Copenhagen principles in general and to facilitating the
democratisation process within Turkey agreed between the Turkish Government and the European Union?