# CE2004084EN.01090102.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/901 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/901

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(2004/C 84 E/0996)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0888/04

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2004)

Subject:   Slaughterhouses in Greece

Subject:

In the conclusions of a report by the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) on a mission it undertook to Greece in July 2003, reference is made to the fact that many Greek slaughterhouses still demonstrate serious shortcomings as regards compliance with EU requirements. Although the competent authorities have provided the Commission services with guarantees that they will complete planned actions, the FVO inspectors still found deficiencies in administrative structures, operational standards and in animal welfare and veterinary supervision.

Can the Commission say what action it will take, or has already taken, to improve the situation of slaughterhouses in Greece? Does this action include sanctions? If so, what are they, and when will it impose them?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

(30 April 2004)

The draft report of the mission of July 2003 to Greece (Ref: 9176/2003) on the production and placing on the market of fresh meat was sent to the Greek authorities for comment on 21 August 2003.

In their response of 30 September to the draft report, the Greek authorities gave assurances that official approval to market meat in the Community had been withdrawn from the slaughterhouses and cutting plants where serious deficiencies had been observed during the mission. In addition, standard forms for the monitoring of establishments had been sent by the central competent authorities in Athens to all prefectures in Greece, requiring them to assess and report back on the situation in the red-meat sector.

In their letter of 17 February 2004 and accompanying action plan, in response to the final report of the mission, the Greek authorities mainly repeated the information given in reply to the draft report. The action plan did not contain anything to indicate that the report's recommendations were being addressed satisfactorily.

In the light of this and other findings during recent FVO missions in Greece, the Commission services, on 27 February 2004, sent an administrative infringement letter to the Greek authorities regarding understaffing in the services responsible for food safety and veterinary controls seeking a response, within a short deadline, to concerns expressed by the Commission services. The answer received from the Greek authorities does not respond satisfactorily to those concerns. Therefore, the Commission will now initiate infringement proceedings against Greece on these matters. A further administrative letter will shortly be sent to the Greek authorities regarding animal welfare concerns.

In addition, other food safety and veterinary matters on which satisfactory written assurances have been received from the Greek authorities will be the subject of further on-the-spot checks during FVO missions to Greece planned for later this year.

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