WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4050/98 by Eolo PARODI , Guido VICECONTE Protection of 'Parma ham'
11. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 289/119 In reply to my question (P-2344/98, of 5 August 1998) (1) the Commission indicated that these various labelling obligations could, at first sight, be regarded as an infringement of Directive 79/112/EEC (2) and undertook the consider the matter and, if appropriate, initiate infringement proceedings under Article 169. 1. What conclusion did the Commission reach concerning the infringement of Directive 79/112/EEC by the relevant law which requires: (a) indication of the percentage of ingredients used in foodstuffs, (b) (c) indication on the labelling of the products in question their country of origin and the country of origin of the ingredients used, indication on the labelling of the products of the name and address of the producer, the processor or, in the case of non-Greek products, the distributor in Greece? 2. What position was adopted by the Greek Government in response to the Commission’s communication? 3. What steps will the Commission take if the law is found to infringe Community rules in order to ensure the efficient production and marketing of food products in Greece? (1) OJ C 13, 18. 1. 1999, p. 157. (2) OJ L 33, 8. 2. 1979. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (10 March 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-4039/98 (1). (1) See page 118. (1999/C 289/157) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4050/98 by Eolo Parodi (PPE) and Guido Viceconte (PPE) to the Commission Subject: Protection of ‘Parma ham’ (13 January 1999) The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in London in the case ‘Asda/Consorzio Prosciutto di Parma’ (union of Parma ham producers), which authorizes the British supermarket chain to sell as ‘Parma ham’ hams purchased in Parma but sliced and packaged in the United Kingdom, does not take into due consideration the special slicing and packaging processes which are of decisive importance to the quality of the product. Can the Commission say whether it does not consider that Community legislation on protected 1. designations of origin and geographical ascriptions has been ignored in this case? 2. What measures it intends to take to protect the Italian association and European consumers? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (25 January 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question P-3881/98/ by Mr Filippi (1). (1) See page 102