WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4070/98 by John CUSHNAHAN to the Commission. Misleading labelling
C 207/164 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 7. 1999 Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 February 1999) The Commission is aware that the Czech Republic intended to increase import duties on Community pigmeat to counter the negative impact on the Czech market of imports, in particular those from the Community. The Commission had set refunds at a level designed to promote exports of pigmeat, primarily to Russia, in an attempt to solve the problems on the Community pigmeat market, but this also led to an increase in exports to the Czech Republic and other associated countries destabilising their pigmeat markets. Other associated countries were planning similar measures. The Commission has had talks with the authorities of the countries in question with a view to ensuring that they continue to respect the provisions of the Europe Agreements. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that, as a result of these consultations, none of the countries in question have applied such measures. (1999/C 207/227) WRITTEN QUESTION P-4070/98 by John Cushnahan (PPE) to the Commission (4 January 1999) Subject: Misleading labelling Is the Commission aware that poultry/pigmeat products are being imported into Ireland in significant numbers and are being passed off as Irish through inadequate and misleading labelling? Will the Commission investigate this matter? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (29 January 1999) The Commission has in its possession no information concerning the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. Article 2 of Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 december 1978 (1), on the labelling of foods specifies that such labelling shall not mislead consumers, more particular as regards the origin or source of those foods. It is for the inspection authorities in the Member States to comply with that provision. In this instance any inquiry must therefore be conducted by the Irish inspection authorities. (1) OJ L 33, 8. 2. 1979. (1999/C 207/228) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4083/98 by Françoise Grossetête (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1999) Subject: Network for the surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases In view of the European Parliament and Council decision of 24 September 1998 establishing a network for the epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of communicable diseases; In view of the pilot scheme currently being funded by the Commission for an epidemiological surveillance network for the epidemiological surveillance of alveolar hydatid disease, a parasitic disease transmitted through food but also closely linked to environmental factors and water; In view of the spread of this disease in France and Germany, its appearance in the Netherlands and the threat it represents in the United Kingdom;