WRITTEN QUESTION E-2631/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Granting of protected designation of origin to the cake known as Spongata tipica emiliana, produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/89 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 January 2000) The Commission considers that the requests to register áaceto balsamico tradizional di Modenaí and áaceto balsamico tradizional di Reggio Emiliaí as products with a protected designation of origin do indeed meet the conditions laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1). Accordingly, it presented a draft Regulation on awarding these products áprotected designation of originí status to the regulatory committee on geographical indications and designations of origin. The vote in this committee resulted in no opinion being delivered. In such circumstances, Article 15 of the Regulation requires the Commission to submit to the Council, without delay, a proposal on the measures to be taken. The Council votes on this proposal by qualified majority. If, however, it fails to produce a ruling within three months of the matter being referred to it, the proposed measures are adopted by the Commission. (1) OJ L 208, 24. 7. 1992. (2000/C 280 E/091) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2631/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Granting of protected designation of origin to the cake known as Spongata tipica emilianaí, produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma A traditional cake known as Spongata, made of honey, walnuts, flour and raisins, has been produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma since Roman times. In the Middle Ages spices were added to the recipe. Proof of the cakeís popularity can be found in a letter dating back to 1557 which said that, owing to a serious famine, production of the cake had been prohibited in Reggio Emilia that year. This century, several producers of traditional Spongata cakes from Emilia-Romagna have won prizes in national and international competitions for the distinctive features and quality of their product. This typical cake from Emilia-Romagna is appreciated, sold and eaten not only in Emilia-Romagna itself but also in other Italian regions and, recently, even abroad. Even now the cake is produced in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma by small, sometimes family- run firms, where it is made according to the ancient recipes and age-old tradition. In the light of the above, does the Commission not believe that the traditional Spongata cake from Reggio and Parma should be protected in that it is a typical regional cake which has been made for centuries using traditional recipes and that it consequently meets all the requirements for being granted a protected designation of origin? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (31 January 2000) The Commission is not in a position to express a detailed opinion on the product mentioned by the Honourable Member without more precise information, in particular that provided for in the specification within the meaning of Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and food- stuffs (1). C 280 E/90 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 Those concerned need to apply to the Italian Ministry for Agricultural Policy for registration of a designation of origin or geographical indication within the meaning of the above-mentioned Regulation. The procedure is that if the Ministry considers that the application is justified and contains the necessary information, it forwards the complete file to the Commission for registration at Community level. The Commission would point out for the evaluation of certain products which are clearly distinguishable from other similar products, the regulation applicable is Regulation (EC) No 2082/92 on certificates of specific character, which refers to a specific and traditional method of production. The Commission will give due consideration to any application from a national authority for the registration of a designation of origin or certificate of specific character for the product in question that (1) OJ L 208, 24. 7. 1992. (2000/C 280 E/092) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2632/99 by W. G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Millennium-compliance of the Albanian aviation sector Considerable thought has been given to the question of the millennium, which is a cause of concern to many. Now that there are fewer than thirty days to go, it appears that not all of Europe can make a safe transition to the new century. Albania has still not submitted a report to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) on the millennium compliance of airports in Albania. Clearly, not only the ICAO but the EU, too, has an interest in clear information on whether its neighbour is millennium-compliant. On 24 November 1999 the Commission referred to negotiations with Albania and the political, institutional and economic problems involved. 1. Is the Commission aware of the possible risks to the Union from this situation in Albania with regard to the millennium question and aviation? Which of these risks does the Commission regard as most important? How does the Commission envisage being able to limit the risks to EU citizens of an aviation system 2. in the immediate vicinity of the European Union which is not millennium-compliant? 3. What role did the millennium question play in the Commissionís conclusion (24 November 1999) that at present it is not possible to formulate an official proposal for negotiating guidelines on an agreement with Albania on stability and accession? 4. What action will the Commission take to obtain clarity on whether the Albanian aviation sector is millennium-compliant? In the absence of any clarity on this from the Albanian side, is the Commission prepared to issue a 5. warning not to fly to Albania or use Albanian airlines at the end of the year? 6. Given the special nature of these questions, can the Commission reply before 31 December 1999?