WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2017/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Genetic engineering in organic foodstuffs
19. 11. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 354/129 (98/C 354/209) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2017/98 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (30 June 1998) Subject: Genetic engineering in organic foodstuffs In the USA there has been a debate in recent months on a draft law from the USDA laying down rules governing the manufacture of organically farmed foodstuffs (USDA National Organic Program Proposal Rule). The USDA proposal allowed the use of genetic engineering in products derived from organic farming. It breached EU standards on 27 counts and the danger existed through the WTO, that genetically manipulated foodstuffs could end up on the European market having been declared as organic foods and could mislead consumers. In the meantime, this proposal has been withdrawn. It is nevertheless an example of how easily European standards can be undermined in the context of international trade. 1. 2. 3. Did the EU try in negotiations with the USA to modify this USDA proposal? If so, how? Is a mutual recognition agreement between the USA and the EU planned for foodstuffs? If so, on what standards is it to be based? Will the EU maintain its existing standards? 4. What value will be attached to environmental and consumer interests in the negotiations on the New Transatlantic Marketplace and/or the New Transatlantic Partnership (NTM and/or NTP)? 5. To what extent are foodstuffs to be included in the NTM and/or NTP? 6. What kind of agreements are envisaged for foodstuffs in the NTM and/or NTP? 7. What sanctions are contemplated? 8. Is the issue of genetically manipulated foodstuffs included? 9. What timescale does the Commission envisage for an NTM and/or NTP for foodstuffs? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (26 August 1998) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (98/C 354/210) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2037/98 by Klaus Ha¤nsch (PSE) to the Commission (7 July 1998) Subject: Allocation of EU resources to the district (Kreis) of Mettmann, North Rhine- Westphalia Regarding the allocation of EU resources to the district (Kreis) of Mettmann in North Rhine-Westphalia, can the Commission indicate: 1. the sum of EU structural resources received and their breakdown by Funds and the various Community programmes and initiatives and of EU resources allocated to the district (Kreis) of Mettmann from other budget lines since 1994 for pilot projects, measures or › as direct allocations › universities, research establishments, undertakings and other bodies, 2. the number of jobs created or preserved with the aid of these resources?