92003E0700

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0700/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 March 2003)

Subject: Doping in amateur sport

On 15 May of last year Commissioner Reding presented a study on the use of drugs by amateur sportsmen and -women attending the ca 23 000 fitness centres in the European Union. One of the recommendations made by the authors of the study was the introduction of quality labels for such products and systematic checks on their composition. This was motivated above all by the fact that (harmful) products of this kind can be ordered via the Internet.

Has the Commission since taken protective measures specifically relating to such products with a view to protecting European consumers?

What steps has the Commission since taken in order, if not to completely stop illegal trade via the Internet, at least to make it extremely difficult?

Does the Commission intend to stop harmful products of this kind at the EU's external borders and, where necessary, what steps does it intend to take to that end?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2003)

The Commission was interested to read the conclusions of the study mentioned by the Honourable Member. This study was carried out under the pilot measures financed by the Commission in 2000 and 2001 concerning the combating of doping in sport.

The conclusions of the study informed the Commission's thoughts on the combating of doping. They were used, among other things, to begin work on drawing up a Commission proposal for a Community anti-doping programme focusing on information, education and prevention. In the end, this initiative had to be suspended for budgetary reasons.

Since the publication of this study, there has been an important development, namely the adoption in 2002 of Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements(1).

The Commission raised the issue of special labelling for doping products at the 53rd meeting of the Community's Pharmaceutical Committee on 14 May 2002. This meeting examined the experience of the Member States in this area and the feasibility of an early warning system at European level. However, the discussions in the Pharmaceutical Committee revealed the difficulties of implementing a system of this kind, and the Commission currently has no plans to follow up this idea.

Finally, the Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that it has an obligation to act strictly within the limits of its powers and that, in the combating of doping, a number of measures can only be considered at national level.

(1) OJ L 183, 12.7.2002.