WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3389/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Risks posed by condemned beef
C 134/156 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 4. 98 (98/C 134/210) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3387/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (16 October 1997) Subject: Subsidies to support sale of processed cheese The US Government claims that the European Union has failed to respect its undertaking to limit export refunds for processed cheese, as agreed at the end of the Uruguay Round. This is deemed by the US to constitute an unfair trade practice and it is possible that sanctions may be imposed. How does the Commission react to this accusation and what steps are being taken to resolve the dispute? Is the Commission willing to open bilateral consultations with the US Government under the international dispute settlement procedure, so that a satisfactory solution may be found as quickly as possible? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 November 1997) This question has been discussed in the committee on agriculture established under the agreement on agriculture which is included in the Marrakech agreement establishing the World trade organisation (WTO). The processed cheese in question is produced under the inward processing relief arrangement whereby Community ingredients such as skimmed milk powder are used together with ingredients such as cheese imported from third countries. The ingredients from the Community are considered as exported with export refund and are counted against the ceilings for subsidised export. The United States on 8 October 1997 requested consultations with the Community under the understanding on rules and procedures governing the settlement of disputes under WTO. The consultations should take place within 30 days of that date. On 17 October 1997 the Community accepted consultations. These consultations will take place shortly. (98/C 134/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3389/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (23 October 1997) Subject: Risks posed by condemned beef According to reports in the European press, an extensive and well-organized trading network has been operating in the EU since last year, illegally channelling thousands of tonnes of banned beef (because of ámad cow diseaseí) from the UK to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Greece. Furthermore, a great many tonnes of condemned beef have reportedly already been dispatched from Belgium to Russia and Egypt. This network is trading in dangerous meat which it buys up cheaply and exports at more than 100% profit. The problem is particularly serious in countries with a beef shortage, such as Greece, where domestic production covers only 30% of the countryís consumption. What is the Commissionís response to this problem, which is a direct threat to public health in the Union and involves a huge network of fraud based on supplying condemned meat with false documentation and official stamps from countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, France etc. and dispatching it to other markets within and outside the Union? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1997) The Honourable Member refers to a fraud, involving the redescription and recertification of frozen beef of British origin as coming from other Member States