91997E0970

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (13 March 1997)

Subject: Community-funded 'misleading' advertising to promote the consumption of beef and veal in Italy

Further to my previous question on this subject (E-4101/96 ((OJ C 217, 17.7.1997, p. 62. ))) and the Commission's reply of 12 February 1997, the Istituto di Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria (the Italian self-regulatory authority for advertising standards), a member of the AEEP/EASA (European advertising standards association), informed the Italian LAV Association, in response to its complaint, that the Italian Butchers' Consortium 'has undertaken no longer to use the adjective 'essential' (or any similar term) to describe meat as a foodstuff'.

This advertisement, which received Community funding, clearly displayed the Union flag and stressed the European endorsement even in its title ('From the sheds to the stars').

Will the Commission, which previously failed to accept that the advertisement was misleading, quoting unspecified scientific research, at least now take note of the ruling given by a self-regulatory authority for advertising standards?

Is the Commission aware that millions of EU citizens have been living without difficulty, some for many generations, without eating meat or beef and veal products?

What initiatives will it take in future to avoid financing advertising which misleads consumers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler for the Commission (6 May 1997)

The Commission can only confirm the contents of its answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-4101/96. This already noted the request expressed by the committee of the self-regulatory advertising standards authority.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it will continue to do its utmost to avoid financing misleading advertising campaigns.