WRITTEN QUESTION E-0927/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Marketing of grape juices (DG Competition).
C 53 E/42 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 (2001/C 53 E/048) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0927/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission (25 March 2000) Subject: Marketing of grape juices (DG Competition) At present there are no legal Community limits on the percentages of natural glycerol which may be contained in grape juices. The only limit (Regulation (EC) No 822/87 (1)) concerns the presence of alcohol in the finished product. According to a private German institution, GFL (the Berlin-based Gesellschaft für Lebensmittelforschung mbH), however, grape juices produced in Italy contain a percentage of glycerol which is áabove permitted levelsí. The GFL allegations constitute a non-tariff barrier to freedom of trade within the EU and patently conflict with the principles of the single market. Given the above, does the Commission not intend to take immediate action to ensure that Italian-produced grape juices are not effectively barred from the German market? (1) OJ L 84, 27. 3. 1987, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) Production and marketing requirements for fruit juices and certain similar products are set by Council Directive 93/77/EEC of 21 September 1993 (1), Article 1 of which defines fruit juice and fruit. No maximum limit is set for glycerol in grape juice nor is its addition to fruit juices authorised. The remarks of the private German organisation have no official or regulatory force as far as conformity of grape juice with Community marketing rules is concerned. The German authorities have not notified the Commission of any restriction or ban on marketing of Italian grape juice and the Commission has accordingly contacted them to seek clarification. It will not fail to take any appropriate action under Article 226 (formerly 169) of the EC Treaty. (1) OJ L 244, 30. 9. 1993. (2001/C 53 E/049) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0935/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (29 March 2000) Subject: Threat to dolphins by fishing practices What assessment has the Commission made of the threat to dolphins caused by the use of pelagic nets by French and Spanish fishing vessels, and what action does it intend to take to prevent the avoidable killing of dolphin in this way?