WRITTEN QUESTION P-0158/00 by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission. Adulteration of edible oils: illicit mixing of olive-oil with hazel-nut oil.
C 303 E/152 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 (2000/C 303 E/165) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0158/00 by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission (26 January 2000) Subject: Adulteration of edible oils: illicit mixing of olive-oil with hazel-nut oil Italian olive-oil producers are alarmed at the increase in illicit mixing of olive-oil with hazel-nut oil. Because of its chemical composition and organoleptic characteristics, which are similar to those of olive- oil, and its low price, about half the price of olive-oil, hazel-nut oil lends itself particularly well to adulteration of consumer products. Hazel-nut oil is not specifically identified in the Combined Nomenclature (CN), but falls under the ácatch- allí heading 15 15 9059. Importers are thus permitted to market the oil and designate it in customs papers by the wording ácrude seed oilí or ácrude vegetable oilí. To reduce olive-oil adulteration, could the Commission: 1. 2. allow hazel-nut oil to be identified as such by a specific CN code, as is the case for coconut oil, palm- kernel oil, and the like; and, in any event, impose a ban to prevent hazel-nut oil being marketed under generic names such as ácrude vegetable oilí or ácrude seed oilí which have been used to date? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 February 2000) The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his written question on olive oil/hazelnut oil mixtures. This is a serious problem, difficult to resolve because the chemical characteristics of hazelnut oil make it difficult to detect with current methods. Such mixtures are not harmful to human health but have serious implications for the image of olive oil and its market. New analysis methods that would be better at detecting the presence of hazelnut oil in olive oils are at present being tested. In the meantime the Commission will examine the Honourable Memberís suggestion for a specific Combined Nomenclature heading for hazelnut oil. While not totally resolving the problem this might well help reduce the fraud risk. (2000/C 303 E/166) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0160/00 by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission (26 January 2000) Subject: Sea- and land-based nature reserves Does the Commission consider it a matter of priority to protect the environment and marine flora and fauna in particular, on the understanding that any action aimed at safeguarding our seas should be consistent with the concept of sustainable development, without, leading to pointless extremism or undermining potential resources of the local or national tourist trade? The idea is that any sea- (for instance the Ponza Islands) or land-based nature reserves should help to protect the environment without damaging the local economy, bearing in mind not least that the Union finances tourism and fisheries projects under specific aid plans. in other words,