Formal notice from the Commission asking Italy to repeal Law No 138 of 11 April 1974 concerning the ban on the use of powdered, condensed and reconstituted milk in dairy products
3.7.2015
Question for written answer E-010809-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Salvatore Cicu (PPE) , Antonio Tajani (PPE) , Elisabetta Gardini (PPE) , Lorenzo Cesa (PPE) , Remo Sernagiotto (ECR) , Lara Comi (PPE) , Fulvio Martusciello (PPE) , Alberto Cirio (PPE) , Salvatore Domenico Pogliese (PPE) , Aldo Patriciello (PPE) , Alessandra Mussolini (PPE)
The Commission has sent Italy a formal notice requesting that it repeal Italian Law No 138 of 11 April 1974, which lays down an absolute prohibition on the use of powdered milk in cheesemaking and other dairy products, and was brought in to guarantee the authenticity of these foodstuffs. Some years later, Europe introduced Regulation 1169/2011, which obliges all Member States to label food products to provide end consumers with information concerning the quality and authenticity of the goods. The manufacture of dairy products with fresh milk is a matter of huge pride for all involved in the Italian dairy industry, because it guarantees high standards of provenance and food safety, and consumers clearly appreciate this high level of quality, as demonstrated by an increase of over 9.3% in sales in the first quarter of 2015 alone.
— In light of this, and given the significant economic value of the industry, does the Commission intend to revoke this request to prevent the entire sector from going into financial meltdown?
— Can it clarify how the formal notice issued to Italy is compatible with Regulation 1169/2011, to prevent confusion in interpretation of the legislation?