WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Granting of protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and Reggio.
C 280 E/88 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 As a member of the Union following accession, Romania will have to respect the rights ensuing from the citizenship of the Union. According to Article 19 of the EC Treaty every citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he is not a national has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State in which he resides. Citizenship of the Union also entitles to vote and to stand as a candidate in the country of residence in elections to the European Parliament. To stand as a candidate in elections presupposes membership of a political party and consequently the possibility to carry out political activities and to contribute to financing a party (through membership fees in the first place). Thus the restrictions in question would be, upon accession, contrary to Article 19. Although there is at present no formal obligation for Romania not legislation containing such political restrictions for aliens, it is evident that Romania as a candidate country should endeavour to ensure that its legislation is gradually made compatible with that of the Community. to adopt The Honourable Member has also raised concern at two provisions in the draft legislation, i. e. the obligation for a person who receives a foreigner for more than five days to inform the authorities, and the rule which makes the granting of a residence permit conditional upon the presentation of a medical insurance. According to the Europe agreement the contracting parties have the right to apply national legislation concerning such issues relating to the entry and stay of foreigners. However, after accession, Romania will be obliged to participate in the Schengen co-operation and should therefore successively make its future legislation, i. e. the obligation to inform the authorities on the entry of foreigners, in line also with the Schengen agreement. The Commission maintains a continuous dialogue with the Romanian authorities on approximation of its legislation with a view to accession to the Community and will not fail to make the Romanian authorities aware of the need to progressively align with the acquis the provisions to which the Honourable Member has referred. (1) COM(99) 510 final. (2) OJ L 335, 28. 12. 1999. (2000/C 280 E/090) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2630/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Granting of protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and Reggio The regulatory committee has refused to grant protected designation of origin to the traditional balsamic vinegars of Reggio and Modena. According to the farmers and producerís associations that have taken an interest in the matter, the protection and exploitation of quality agricultural and food products are being undermined by exclusively commercial is why the committee has refused to grant protected interests and this, designation of origin to the above product. in their view, These vinegars, produced in the provinces of Modena and Reggio, in Emilia-Romagna, date back to the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. The balsamic vinegar of Modena has been famous since 1508, and the Reggio vinegar since the 12th century. For centuries they have been aged for over twelve years in small barrels made of the finest wood. On the European market and elsewhere producers of the traditional balsamic vinegars of Modena and Reggio have to continually guard against imitations. Italian government experts in agriculture and gastronomy unanimously believe that these vinegars are a typical and unique product and should not be confused with mass-produced vinegars. Given the above, does the Commission not consider that the traditional balsamic vinegars of Reggio and Modena meet all the necessary requirements for being granted a protected designation of origin? 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)