A4-0261/96

Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (COM(96)0021 - C4-0133/96 - 96/0029(CNS)

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas the harmonization of rules concerning the conditions of calf-rearing in the framework of the common organization of the markets is necessary to ensure the rational development of production under satisfactory conditions of competition; whereas in this regard it is recognized scientifically that calves should benefit from an environment corresponding to their needs as a herd-living species; whereas for that reason they should be reared in groups; whereas calves, both group housed and individually penned, need sufficient space for exercise, contact with other cattle, and for normal movements when standing up or lying down;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the harmonization of rules concerning the conditions of calf-rearing in the framework of the common organization of the markets is necessary to ensure the rational development of production under satisfactory conditions of competition; whereas in this regard it is recognized scientifically that calves should benefit from an environment corresponding to their needs as a herd-living species; whereas for that reason they should be reared in groups; whereas, however, on grounds of health and welfare, in some cases preference should be given to calves being individually penned; whereas calves, both group housed and individually penned, need sufficient space for exercise, contact with other cattle, and for normal movements when standing up or lying down;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas Declaration No 24 annexed to the final act of the Treaty on European Union calls upon the European Institutions and on the Member States, when drafting and implementing Community legislation, to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals;

(Amendment 28)

Recital 5a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas changes to the provisions of the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC, particularly changes having major economic consequences for the sector involved, such as changes in provisions on feeding or the obligation to provide permanent supplies of drinking water, must not be assessed exclusively via the Standing Veterinary Committee;

(Amendments 4 and 22)

ARTICLE 1(1)

Article 3(3), first subparagraph (a) (Directive 91/629/EEC)

>Original text>

(a) No calf shall be confined in an individual pen after the age of eight weeks, unless a veterinarian has certified that its health or behaviour requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment. The width of any individual pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the tuber ischii (pin bone) multiplied by 1.1.

>Text following EP vote>

(a) No calf, in herds of more than ten calves, shall be housed in an individual pen after the age of six weeks; however, even after the complete adaptation of the pen for the obligatory group housing, on an exceptional basis and with certification from a veterinarian, a number of animals may be housed individually on the grounds of animal health or welfare. The width of any individual pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the tuber ischii (pin bone) multiplied by 1.1.

(Amendment 5)

ARTICLE 1(1)

Article 3(3), first subparagraph (ba) (new) (Directive 91/629/EEC)

>Text following EP vote>

(ba) calves shall have access to a dry space on which to lie down.

(Amendments 6 and 12)

ARTICLE 1(1)

Article 3(3), second subparagraph (Directive 91/629/EEC)

>Original text>

From 1 January 2008, the provisions of the first subparagraph shall apply on all holdings.

>Text following EP vote>

From 1 January 2005, the provisions of the first subparagraph shall apply on all holdings. Holdings which have made the necessary adaptations for group housing before 1 July 1996 and of which the available floor space amounts to at least 1.5m2 per animal must comply with the surface standards referred to under subparagraph (b) by 1 January 2013 at the latest.

>Text following EP vote>

Appropriate financial aid will be granted by the European Union to encourage the structural adaptation of holdings.

(Amendment 7)

ARTICLE 1(1a) (new)

Article 3(3a) and (3b) (new) (Directive 91/629/EEC)

>Text following EP vote>

1a. Add the following paragraphs to Article 3 of Directive 91/629/EEC:

>Text following EP vote>

(3a) Appropriate bedding, preferably straw, must be provided for all calves.

>Text following EP vote>

(3b) Any individual pens for calves (except those for the isolation of sick animals) must not have solid walls, but must have perforated sides which allow direct visual and tactile contact between the calves.

(Amendment 8)

ARTICLE 2(1), first subparagraph

>Original text>

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions, including any sanctions, necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 1 January 1997. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions, including any sanctions, necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 1 January 1997. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. They shall also inform the Commission of control measures taken and the findings of such control measures with respect to this Directive. Subsequently, the Commission shall carry out checks on the effectiveness of such controls by means of regular inspections.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (COM(96)0021 - C4-0133/96 - 96/0029(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0021 - 96/0029(CNS) ((OJ C 85, 22.3.1996, p. 19.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0133/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0261/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.