David Sumberg MEP
Date:
12/1/02
CHOCOLATE
WARS
North West Euro MP David Sumberg has branded Spain and Italy's ban on British chocolate 'pig headed' and called on them to stop flouting European Law.
Mr
Sumberg was speaking after the Advocate General advised the European Court the
bans were illegal.
"British
chocolate makers profits are being allowed to melt away due to the intransigence
of the Spanish and Italian Governments," he said. 'Conservative MEPs won the
battle in the European Parliament to permit British chocolate to be sold
throughout the EU. The Commission and Council of Ministers agreed with us. It is
unacceptable that Spain and Italy should flout this democratic decision, which
their governments endorsed at the time, by pig headedly digging their heals in.'
"Spain
is now entering the Presidency of the European Union. It would be a pity if this
were to be marked by their unwillingness to accept this clear legal advice from
the Advocate General to the Court.
'We
respect absolutely the right of Belgian, Spanish and Italian chocolatiers to
make and market their stronger chocolate. We enjoy their products. But they must
give our products the same market access. " ENDS.
Note: The issue of British chocolate was that up to 5%
of the content is permitted to be non-cocoa ingredients, such as palm and mango
oils, which makes for the softer texture particularly with milk chocolate. The
same applies to makers in Ireland, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden and Finland. All
other countries, including France and Belgium have accepted the Parliament's
decision that both chocolate making traditions were permissible and that it
should be for consumers to decide which they preferred.