WRITTEN QUESTION P-2580/99 by Umberto Bossi (TDI) to the Commission. Community programme ECIP.
C 280 E/76 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 for pan-European distribution and which aim to communicate smoking-cessation methods to smokers who wish to quit have to be re-made so as to meet Italian rules. However, advertisements that are distributed in Italy via satellite or cable and which originate from Member States other than Italy do not have to meet the same requirements. Consequently, advertisements in Italy for NRT patches (which promote public health) are restricted compared with advertisements for the same products in other Member States. This hinders the free flow of information to smokers in Italy about the health benefits of using NRT patches to stop smoking. Does the Commission consider that the Italian advertising rules conflict with the objective they are seeking to attain ü the protection of public health? If so, will the Commission consider initiating infringement proceedings against Italy in respect of those rules? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (11 February 2000) Products that help people dependent on nicotine break their addiction are medicinal products. When it comes to classifying such products for the purposes of prescriptions and possible advertising to the general public, however, Member States have adopted different approaches. In some Member States, such products are available without a prescription while in others they are not. However, because they seek to improve public health by breaking nicotine addiction, such products have been granted a derogation where advertising is concerned, as medicinal products that are available only on prescription cannot usually be advertised to the general public. Advertising to the general public has therefore been authorised in most Member States. Council Directive 92/28/EC of 31 March 1992 on the advertising of medicinal products for human use (1) provides for the advertising of medicinal products to the general public and harmonises requirements. Article 4b) of this Directive specifies that the following minimum information must be included: the name of the medicinal product, the information necessary for correct use of the product and an express, legible invitation to read carefully the instructions on the package leaflet or on the outer packaging. In order to protect public health, advertising medicinal products to the general public is very strictly regulated in all Member States. It is, of course, perfectly possible that advertisements in the different Member States comply with the regulations but at the same time vary as to content and length. The Commission does not have the information necessary to verify whether Italian regulations on the advertisements in question conflict with the objectives of protecting public health and the free flow of information, and will therefore contact the Italian authorities for additional information. (1) OJ L 113, 30. 4. 1992. (2000/C 280 E/077) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2580/99 by Umberto Bossi (TDI) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Community programme ECIP The European programme ECIP has been enormously successful, with over 3 billion euro having been distributed by the Commission for the cofinancing of actions provided for by Facilities 1, 2, 3 and 4. Following the internal reorganisation of the Commission, the procedures for selecting and evaluating projects submitted have slowed down considerably, which a few months ago led to payments being suspended, despite the availability of funds, for projects already approved by the Commission. 3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/77 the imminent expiry of the Furthermore, investment aid programmes for third countries are likely to result in further delays for the beneficiaries who, moreover, have not been told when the procedures are likely to be concluded. the Council Regulation and the overall reorganisation of In view of the above, can the Commission say: 1. Whether it has informed citizens of the decision to suspend payments, the reasons behind the suspension and the measures it intends to take to streamline procedures; 2. Whether it intends to provide for the release of financing for projects submitted and/or approved in the course of 1999; 3. What guarantees does it intend to give the beneficiaries of the projects that have already been lodged (and which are awaiting evaluation) and those that have already been selected, regarding the speedy resolution of the above problems; 4. Whether the ECIP programme will be renewed or replaced by a other programme; 5. Whether any transitional measures are planned in order to ensure continuity in the various procedural phases? (2000/C 280 E/078) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2599/99 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 January 2000) Subject: ECIP The ECIP (European Communities Investment Partners) financial instrument has received a very positive response from all concerned in recent years, with more than 2 200 actions being approved and funds totalling over EUR 250 million being made available. But the current programme set up under Council Regulation 213/96 of 29 January 1996 (1) will expire at the end of this year. Can the Commission state the official position ü if there is one ü on the extension of this financial instrument? If the Commission has not yet taken a decision concerning the future of ECIP, can it explain the reasons for the delay? (1) OJ L 28, 6. 2. 1996, p. 2. Joint answer to Written Questions P-2580/99 and E-2599/99 given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (24 January 2000) In recent years, a backlog of outstanding files has accumulated under the European Community Investment Partners (ECIP) programme. For this reason it was decided in early 1999 that the Commission would prioritise the use of its limited resources towards the closure of the existing contractual files, making outstanding payments, and the recovery of unused and reimbursable ECIP funds. The Commission has recently decided to propose to the Council and the Parliament that the ECIP Regulation should continue for a transitional period of one year to 31 December 2000 to allow for operational follow-up of actions already financed and amendments to contracts already signed, and for technical assistance to ensure the completion and closure of ongoing actions. New projects will not be financed after 31 December 1999 and any financing requests which were not the subject of formal Commission approval before that date will be returned to the applicants. In 2000, an independent evaluation of ECIP will be completed which will allow the Commission to define a more co-ordinated strategy for the various instruments intended to promote investment in developing countries