WRITTEN QUESTION E-1111/00 by Pernille Frahm (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Advertising campaign for Spanish oranges.
C 89 E/12 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 3. 2001 (2001/C 89 E/010) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1111/00 by Pernille Frahm (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 April 2000) Subject: Advertising campaign for Spanish oranges In the light of a survey published by the Danish organisation Grłn Informationí showing that Spanish oranges have an alarmingly high content of poisonous spray residues, will the Commission state why it has chosen to grant EU funding to advertise such oranges and, if the above information from Grłn Informationí is correct, whether it intends to withdraw its support for the advertising campaign? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 June 2000) The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the campaign to promote citrus fruit of Community origin is governed by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1201/90 of 7 May 1990 on measures to increase the consumption of citrus fruit (1), which inter alia deems fruit and vegetables to be healthy products whose consumption should be encouraged as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Article 2 stipulates that the measures provided for in the Regulation must not refer to any Member State. The purpose of the campaign is therefore to promote consumption of citrus fruit harvested in the Community. Since it is not aware of surveys which reveal that oranges originating from one of its regions have a high pesticide content, the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to send it all reliable information on this matter. The Commission would also emphasise that oranges marketed in the Community are required to comply with the Community rules on pesticide residues. The Danish authorities are responsible for ensuring compliance with those rules on Danish territory. The Community early warning system for foodstuffs enables the Commission and the Member States to exchange information quickly when high levels of pesticides or other contaminants are detected in food. Over the past six months the Commission has not received any notification from Denmark regarding pesticides in Spanish oranges. (1) OJ L 119, 11. 5. 1990. (2001/C 89 E/011) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1166/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food safety. The EU requirements on food safety are also applicable to products exported to third countries (Section 112). The Commission is to investigate whether rules are needed for export certification. Will the Commission include this approach in the framework EU food law? If not, why not, given the major impact it has on food production and exports? If so, to what extent will the obligation of reciprocity be included and made compulsory in respect of third countries?