WRITTEN QUESTION E-2521/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Egg collection and dating.
C 280 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 January 2000) At its meeting of 22 December 1999, in accordance with the provisions of Article 141 of the Act of Accession, the Commission approved a programme of state aids for Finnish farmers covering the period 2000-2003. This programme includes an aid to be granted in respect of laying hens, which is recalculated from the aid allowed by Article 138 of the Act of Accession for eggs up to the end of 1999. The new aid is degressive, with an average annual decrease of 4,5 % from the amount allowed for 1999. The Commission took this decision after careful examination of a report presented by the Finnish authorities which showed that there were serious difficulties remaining for Finnish agriculture resulting from Accession. However, the overall amount of aid approved by the Commission is below that originally requested by Finland. (2000/C 280 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2521/99 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 December 1999) Subject: Egg collection and dating In reply to my question No E-1712/99 (1), the Commission explained that Sweden and Finland are allowed an exception to EU rules on egg collection to the effect that collection may take place once a week provided that the eggs are kept in cold storage. Does this exception mean that eggs collected once a week may also be dated 25 days ahead? (1) OJ C 219 E, 1. 8. 2000, p. 18. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 January 2000) The common marketing standards for eggs provide that the date of minimum durability (ábest-before dateí) must be indicated on large and small packs containing grade A eggs (Article 10(1)e) of Council Regulation (EEC) no 1907/90 of 26 June 1990 on certain marketing standards for eggs) (1). According to Article 16(2) of Commission Regulation (EEC) no 1274/91 of 15 May 1991 (2) implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 the best-before date corresponds to the sell-by date plus seven days. Regarding the sell-by date, Article 3 of Council Decision 94/371/EC of 20 June 1994 laying down specific public health conditions for the putting on the market of certain types of eggs (3) provides that eggs shall be delivered to the consumer within 21 days after laying. The best-before date is therefore not more than 28 days after laying. (1) OJ L 173, 6. 7. 1990. (2) OJ L 121, 16. 5. 1991. (3) OJ L 168, 2. 7. 1994