Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-03-14-Speech-2-062"
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"en.20000314.4.2-062"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, genetically modified organisms and mad cow disease were not enough to temper the enthusiasm of those involved in food manipulation.
Humans are continuing to play the sorcerer’s apprentice, juggling with food safety. Here, courtesy of industrial lobbying, we have chocolate with added vegetable fats. Its cocoa content is going to be reduced by 15% but it is still going to be entitled to the designation ‘chocolate’. This is the crux of the problem. There is a clear lack of transparency, and yet we distinguish butter from margarine. There will perhaps be a discreet entry, in small letters on the back of the package, indicating its new composition.
There will be deterioration in the quality, of course, but also in the flavour, and the goods are clearly not what they are represented as being. This is unfair competition, with this ersatz, pseudo-chocolate being sold cheaper than pure chocolate manufactured by craftsmen with proper respect for authenticity, ethics and tradition. It offers the prospect of large profits, however, for the multinationals, who have been working behind the scenes for around fifteen years to achieve their ends, i.e. having the derogations granted, on the occasion of a number of countries’ joining the Union, extended to become the general rule. On the other hand, it represents a cause for concern among small specialist chocolate-makers and also developing countries which are cocoa producers, whose compensation is being seriously considered.
Finally, there is one major problem, while today we know how to detect vegetable fats in chocolate, we are still incapable of identifying and quantifying them. There is, therefore, no traceability and the door is open to all sorts of abuses.
As far as we are concerned, the use of the designation ‘chocolate’ should be prohibited for any product which contains ingredients other than sugar and cocoa. We must not mislead the consumer by giving the name ‘chocolate’ to just anything.
Europe must not become an accomplice in cheating, in the manipulation of food, at a time when food safety is becoming one of its priorities. Europe must not adopt the lowest possible standards. It must ensure the quality of food products and consumer health. In the light of these principles, we are unable to endorse the aims of this directive. Rejecting it would represent a strong message to our citizens and a responsible attitude adopted by Parliament. This is the thrust of our amendment. If not, when will we see wine made without grapes and butter without cream?"@en1
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