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# 91998E3086

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3086/98 by Karin RIIS-JØRGENSEN Mutual recognition of organic product labelling** 
  
*Official Journal C 320 , 06/11/1999 P. 0024*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3086/98

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Mutual recognition of organic product labelling

Further to my question to the Commission (P-0979/98)(1) and its answer concerning the mutual recognition of organic product labelling in the Community, will the Commission explain in greater detail how it in actual fact endeavours to ensure that trade in organic products can take place without dual inspection and in accordance with the internal market?

Does it believe it is reasonable that certain Member States or regions should place such great emphasis on a series of supplementary requirements that a producer who has already obtained national approval must secure an additional approval, which is even subject to civil law in the relevant Member State, in order to be granted authorisation to export to the country/region in question?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1998)

Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs(2) provides that Member States shall set up an inspection system operated by one or more designated inspection authorities or by inspection bodies, which are authorised and supervised.

Member States shall also ensure that an operator who complies with the provisions of this Regulation and pays his contribution to inspection expenses has access to the inspection system. In this way access to the market is ensured also for farmers who do not follow the supplementary requirements set by private marks.

In addition, Member States may not, on grounds relating to the method of production, to the labelling or to the presentation of that method, prohibit or restrict the marketing of organic products which satisfy the production and inspection requirements in the Regulation.

Authorities in Member States or regions may not impose additional requirements to those in Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (organic crop products and foodstuffs essentially composed of organic crop products). The Commission has no indications that such requirements would be imposed as a condition to bring products covered by Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 on the market.

(1) OJ C 323, 21.10.1998, p. 101.

(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

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