WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3596/98 by Ingo FRIEDRICH to the Commission. Independence of the European Central Bank
C 297/84 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 15. 10. 1999 imported from third countries. This regime is managed either by the Commission (Article 11. 1) or, as is currently the case for products from the United States, by the Member States (Article 11. 6). The Community requirements provide that before organic products are imported into the Community from a third country, it has been adequately demonstrated that the products were produced in accordance with production standards and inspection arrangements equivalent to those applied to Community production. The Council is currently discussing the introduction of an overall prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in organic farming in the Community. It is clear that, once a decision on this issue is adopted by the Council, the possible use of GMOs in organic farming in a third country will have to be considered in the framework of this equivalency regime. 3. The draft for a Codex guideline currently under discussion provides for a prohibition on the use of GMOs in organic farming, and permits countries to establish equivalence regimes with regard to imports of organic products. It is expected that the Codex guidelines for organic products (from crop origin) will be adopted in April 1999. (1) OJ L 198, 22. 7. 1991. (1999/C 297/111) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3596/98 by Ingo Friedrich (PPE) to the Commission (3 December 1998) Subject: Independence of the European Central Bank Recent opinion surveys in the countries taking part in monetary union confirm increased public confidence in the single European currency, thanks not least to the efforts that have been made to attain and comply with the convergence criteria 3 in particular, price stability. Pursuant to Article 107 of the EC Treaty, the governments of the Member States have undertaken to respect the independence of the European Central Bank and the national central banks and not to seek to influence the members of the decision-making bodies in the performance of their tasks. This independence is the guarantee of the principal objective of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB): the maintenance of price stability. Accordingly, the shaping of currency and monetary policy is the sole responsibility of the appropriate decision-making bodies of the ESCB. In view of recent discussions, how does the Commission envisage ensuring compliance in the future with the relevant Treaty provisions so as to safeguard the independence of the ESCB? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (21 December 1998) As guardian of the EC Treaty, the Commission attaches the greatest importance to the respect of the Treaty provisions relating to the independence of central banks. The Commission will monitor the strict respect of these provisions in order to avoid any infringement. (1999/C 297/112) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3597/98 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (3 December 1998) Subject: Invitations to tender In an effort to guarantee free and equal competition, public works above a certain threshold value must be the subject of an EU invitation to tender. In connection with such invitations, it often proves difficult for firms that want to tender to find out what exactly is to be supplied or done because the specification is often couched in very abstract and formalistic terms to prevent any complaints about failure to comply with EU tendering rules. Experience has shown that this prevents some SMUs from tendering for works within their remit, and they generally incur extra consultancy costs in connection with tenders for technically uncomplicated works