91996E2823

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2823/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (25 October 1996)

Subject: Abolition of duty-free sales

The Commission has decided that all existing duty-free shops will be abolished in June 1999. Over 100 000 jobs will consequently be lost, and European consumers will be denied the full privileges granted to consumers from third countries.

Will the Commission reconsider the plan to close the duty-free shops and determine what plan might be drawn up to safeguard employment and protect the interests of European consumers?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (13 December 1996)

The rules providing for the abolition of duty-free sales in intra-Community trade on 30 June 1999 stem from two Directives adopted by the Council in the VAT and excise duties field as part of the single market programme, namely Directive 91/680/EEC supplementing the common system of value added tax and amending Directive 77/388/EEC with a view to the abolition of fiscal frontiers ((OJ L 376, 31.12.1991. )) and Directive 92/12/EEC on the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products. ((OJ L 76, 23.3.1992. ))

As the decision to abolish duty-free sales was taken by the Council in 1991, the business interests concerned and the Member States had plenty of time in which to prepare gradually for the new situation.

The Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Questions Nos E-2573/96 by Mr Amadeo and E-2690/96 by Mr Barros Moura on the same topic. ((See page 31. ))