WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2610/97 by Graham WATSON to the Council. Organic farming practices
C 102/72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 4. 98 Can the Commission therefore say what its position is on this case and whether under the pretext of competition policy it is possible to carry out actions of this kind, whose only purpose is to perpetuate monopolistic positions and prevent Southern European countries from maintaining their pharmaceutical industry? (1) OJ 22, 9. 2. 1965, p. 369. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (29 September 1997) The matter raised by the Honourable Member seems to refer to a complaint which has been lodged with the Commission concerning an alleged infringement of Community pharmaceutical legislation by Portugal. According to the complainant, the Portuguese competent authorities have granted marketing authorisations for medicinal products that are based on evidently false pharmaceutical quality documentation or on insufficient scientific documentation. The Commission is carefully investigating the issue and a letter asking for clarification on the issue was sent to Portugal recently. The sole aim of the infringement procedure is to ensure that Community pharmaceutical legislation is fully respected. (98/C 102/106) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2610/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council (1 September 1997) Subject: Organic farming practices Will the President-in-Office make a statement on the current round of negotiations on the regulation for European organic livestock standards? Does the President-in-Office recognize that at present the proposed regulations are causing great concern for many organic farmers who are undertaking a conversion to organic farming practices and those wishing to convert? Answer (17 November 1997) On 29 July 1996 the Commission submitted to the Council a proposal for a Regualtion (COM(96) 366) supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/21 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs to include livestock production. The Council consulted the European Parliament on the subject on 12 September 1996, and the latter delivered its Opinion in plenary session on 14 May 1997. In order to continue its proceedings, the Council is awaiting the amended Commission proposal, following the European Parliamentís Opinion. The Council is well aware of the importance of the proposal and intends, through this Regulation, to answer the expectations of farmers involved in the development of organic farming in the area of livestock production