Bangemann stands firm on chocolate directive

Date: 21/03/1996

INDUSTRY Commissioner Martin Bangemann is steeling himself for a showdown with his colleagues over the long-delayed amendments to the chocolate directive.

After months of dispute, officials are determined that a proposal which would basically maintain the status quo will be put before the full Commission next week.

“We've taken as many of our colleagues' concerns on board as possible, but we couldn't fulfil all their ideas. We will hold our line,” said a senior official.

Bangemann will continue to insist that non-cocoa fats must be accepted as a legitimate ingredient in chocolate, that the free circulation of goods must be assured and that manufacturers should ensure minimum quantities of cocoa butter and cocoa solids in all chocolate bars. Officials hope that clear labelling will provide the key to “a solution which is acceptable to all”.

One explained: “The consumer must decide what product to buy, so it must be clear. If they want to, those using only cocoa butter will be able to use this as a marketing tool.”

Bangemann is keen to calm the storm of emotion aroused by the directive's review, under which he is seeking to write formally into EU law the long-established situation which allows chocolate manufacturers in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK to use up to 5&percent; non-cocoa vegetable fats in their products.

But Bangemann, determined to find a clear solution in line with the needs of the internal market, has faced opposition from several quarters. ACP Commissioner João de Deus Pinheiro has expressed concern over the possible effect of the measures on the economies of cocoa-producing African countries; both French Commissioners, Yves-Thibault de Silguy and Edith Cresson, and Belgian Commissioner Karel Van Miert have pressed for an end to the use of cocoa butter equivalents; Commission President Jacques Santer and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Emma Bonino were reportedly unhappy at enshrining different marketing standards in EU law; and even Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti was said to be undecided on which approach to adopt.