# CE2004078EN.01038501.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/385 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/385

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(2004/C 78 E/0407)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1763/03

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Subject:   Legislation in the EU, the Member States and the applicant countries concerning horse-keeping

Subject:

In recent years, there have been many examples of cruelty to animals. In some cases, there are no laws to safeguard animal welfare and, in other cases, the laws are not observed. The outcome in all too many cases is gross maltreatment. Unfortunately, the same applies to horses and ponies which are maltreated and often subjected to gross cruelty during rearing, selling and transport.

Will the Commission therefore say what welfare rules apply to horse-keeping in the EU, the Member States and the applicant countries? Does the Commission know of any studies on the welfare of horses and ponies in the EU, the Member States and the applicant countries? What new initiatives does the Commission intend to take to secure the welfare of horses and ponies?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

(4 August 2003)

Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 (1) lays down minimum standards for the protection of animals, including equidae, bred or kept for farming purposes. However, Article 1 of the Directive excludes animals intended for use in competitions, shows, cultural or sporting events or activities from its scope. In addition, Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 (2) details the animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae. Commercial transport of equidae for distances of over 50 kilometres is governed by Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 concerning the protection of animals during transport (3) as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC (4).

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Member States may also apply additional national legislative measures concerning animal welfare. The Community ‘acquis’ regarding welfare of equidae will apply from date of accession to the acceding States as agreed in the Accession Treaty. The Commission is intensively monitoring the transposition of the Community legislation and its implementation in the Acceding Countries.

In relation to scientific research the European Commission has supported various animal welfare projects under current and previous Framework Research Programmes. Scientific advice has also been provided by the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare. The Committee's recent report on the Welfare of Animals during Transport considered in detail the transport of equidae and included a detailed bibliography.

Scientific advice provides a sound basis for the drafting of legislative and policy proposals and the forthcoming legislative proposal on the protection of animals during transport, including horses, is only one example of a Commission initiative aimed at safeguarding the welfare of equidae.

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(1)  OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

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(2)  OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.

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(3)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

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(4)  OJ L 148, 30.6.1995.

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