B4-0078, 0079, 0080, 0083 and 0096/97

Resolution on the results of the Temporary Committee of Inquiry into BSE

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 138c thereof,

- having regard to the Decision of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 19 April 1995 on the detailed provisions governing the exercise of the European Parliament's right of inquiry ((OJ L 113, 19.5.1995, p. 2.)),

- having regard to Rules 37, 40 and 136 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Temporary Committee of Inquiry into Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (A4-0020/97),

A. whereas the measures to eradicate the BSE epidemic have led to a fundamental debate on the safety of foodstuffs, consumer protection and public health policy in the EU,

B. whereas full clarification of all aspects of consumer protection and complete transparency of the decisions taken by both the EU and the Member States on BSE is necessary to restore consumer confidence and stabilize the beef market in the EU,

C. regretting the fact that no Council representatives were present for its plenary debate on the results of the activities of the Temporary Committee of Inquiry into BSE,

1. Endorses the report of the Temporary Committee of Inquiry and insists that the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States take appropriate measures to implement its recommendations;

2. Condemns the behaviour of the UK Government and its mismanagement of the BSE crisis and deplores the refusal of its Minister for Agriculture to attend and give evidence to the committee, despite the agreement of all Member States to cooperate fully with the work of the committee;

3. Denounces the tacit support given by the Council to the UK Government's lack of action and transparency;

4. Recognizes that lack of transparency and manipulation of the committees dealing with veterinary and health issues were a major contributory factor to the crisis;

5. In view of the results of the inquiry, which make clear the responsibility of the Commission, calls on the Commission to take urgent and effective action to give effect to the report's recommendations;

6. Calls on the Commission to follow up the recommendations in the report of the Committee of Inquiry into BSE and to implement without delay the legislative, organizational and personnel measures therein, and to draw up a report for the European Parliament;

7. Instructs its President, on the basis of Rule 136 (11) of its Rules of Procedure, to instruct its competent committee or committees responsible for each aspect to verify the actions taken by the Commission on the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry and to submit to Parliament a report on this subject; if the recommendations have not been carried out within a reasonable deadline and in any event by November 1997, a motion of censure pursuant to Article 144 of the Treaty and Rule 34 of the Rules of Procedure will then be tabled;

8. Calls for reconsideration of the abovementioned Decision of 19 April 1995 with a view to including in it a sanction mechanism for Member States or institutions refusing to cooperate in the work of an inquiry;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the full report of the Temporary Committee of Inquiry to the Council, the Intergovernmental Conference, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.