91999E0367

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0367/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Liberalisation of the sale of periodicals and newspapers

On 12 January the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved draft law No 3911 on new rules on sales points for newspapers and periodicals which provides for an experiment with new ways of selling newspapers, which will be available at sales points other than authorised shops such as tobacconists, petrol stations, bars, supermarkets and bookshops.

Even shops selling articles in a specific sector (e.g. fishing tackle) will be able to sell magazines related to their sector. The law also provides that shops participating in the experiment will be able to continue to sell newspapers and periodicals afterwards. This has caused a rebellion among authorised shopowners following a campaign organised by the weekly "Il Borghese".

The law, which has still to be approved by the Senate, is aimed at definitive liberalisation, without any rules or regulations. If enforced, such liberalisation could cause serious economic damage to the owners of authorised shops (kiosks) which are currently subject to strict rules governing opening hours and holidays.

The Commission:

1. Does it not think that sudden unregulated liberalisation could cause such economic harm to the owners of authorised shops as to bring about closure and thus a loss of jobs?

2. What is its general reaction?

Answer by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

The Commission thanks the honourable Member for bringing to its attention this new law being prepared by the Italian Parliament. According to the information provided by the honourable Member, the new regulations seeking to change the conditions of sale of newspapers and periodicals is part of a harmonisation approach designed to facilitate arrangements for such activities. By virtue of this, the purpose of the new bill does not seem likely to prompt doubts concerning its compatibility with the principles of the operation of the internal market, and in particular the freedom of establishment.

In any case, it is not for the Commission to comment on the assessment, undertaken by the authorities of the Member State, of the economic effects of a new regulatory measure on operators already established in the country.