WRITTEN QUESTION E-0296/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: Swine fever

In chapter 3 of its report on the financial year 1995, the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guarantee Section (EAGGF-Guarantee) - Organization and management of agricultural markets, the Court of

Auditors notes that the health and market support measures launched in 1993 following the outbreak of classical swine fever in Belgium had accounted for ECU 188 million of the Community's budget as at 31 December 1995.

What is the current situation regarding classical swine fever and what further costs to the Community budget are expected for health and market support measures?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 March 1997)

In 1995 a total of 97 outbreaks of classical swine fever were recorded in the domestic pig population of the Community (54 in Germany, 42 in Italy and 1 in Austria). The disease situation improved in 1996 when the number of outbreaks dropped to 55 (49 in Italy, 4 in Germany and 2 in Austria). In the beginning of 1997, the disease reappeared in 3 German Länder which had been without disease for some time, and in the Netherlands where no outbreaks had been recorded for the last 5 years.

It is difficult to predict the number of outbreaks which will be confirmed during 1997 and the costs related to the presence of the infection. Costs related to eradication of disease outbreaks can be reimbursed in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 (emergency measures) of Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field ((OJ L 224, 18.8.1990. )). The financial impact on veterinary credits (emergency fund) of outbreaks reported since the beginning of January 1997 has been estimated to be 3.3 mecu for the Netherlands and 1.5 mecu for Germany. In the event that the eradication measures are prolonged, it is possible to provide exceptional market support measures. Due to the restrictions on movements of pigs in certain regions of Germany and the Netherlands, proposals concerning exceptional support measures were presented to the management committee for pigmeat on 17 February 1997. These provide for the purchase and subsequent rendering of a maximum of 100 000 fattening pigs and 45 000 piglets in Germany and 350 000 fattening pigs and 450 000 piglets in the Netherlands. The total cost of these measures is estimated at 80 mecu, of which 70% (56 mecu) will be financed by the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund - guarantee section. It is not possible at this stage to predict whether further measures will be necessary. This will depend on the development of the disease. The cost of these measures depends on the density of pig holdings, and the type of pig production in the disease affected areas.

The Commission's forecast for specific measures related to classical swine fever programmes to be implemented during 1997 by Germany and Austria is 1 mecu and ECU 13 000 respectively. The forecast for a joint classical swine fever and African swine fever programme to be carried out by Italy is 1 mecu (see Commission Decision 96/598/EC of 14 October 1996 on the list of programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases qualifying for a financial contribution from the Community in 1997 ((OJ L 264, 17.10.1996. ))).