91996E0551

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0551/96 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Limit values for nitrate in vegetables

The Scientific Committee for Food points out in its opinion from September 1995 that there is no direct health-related need to introduce limit values for nitrate in vegetables. The main reason for introducing limit values for nitrate in lettuce and spinach is therefore the trade problems arising from differing limit values in those Member States where such values have been introduced.

How will the Commission ensure that distortion of competition does not arise between the Member States as a result of the introduction of European limit values, since the northern countries in particular will have difficulty in complying with the proposed limit values on account of climatic conditions?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1996)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the Scientific Committee for Food, in its Opinion delivered on 22 September 1995, recommended ongoing efforts to reduce exposure to nitrates and insisted that sound agricultural practices be adopted in order to keep nitrates at the lowest level possible.

In accordance with its repeated undertakings to the Council and Parliament, the Commission plans in the very near future to lay down maximum limits for nitrates present in certain vegetables in order to guarantee vegetable quality in terms of health requirements and ensure market unity.

The Commission is aware of the problems experienced by producers in northern regions of the Community; all its efforts are accordingly directed towards finding a balanced solution which would take account of the need to simultaneously ensure maximum protection of human health, the environment and the interests of producers.