WRITTEN QUESTION P-3915/98

by Sirkka-Liisa Anttila (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 December 1998)

Subject: Steps to improve animal protection in the European Union during the Finnish Council Presidency

In accordance with the protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty, in its agricultural policy the Community must take full account of animal welfare requirements. The welfare and treatment of animals are very important factors in the selection and assessment of foodstuffs by consumers. More and more often, consumers want to be sure that the procedures for the production, care and breeding of animals and their transport and treatment are ethically acceptable and beyond reproach. It is up to Commission to put forward the requisite proposals for directives on animal protection, taking consumer expectations into account.

One objective of the forthcoming Finnish Council Presidency is to achieve tangible progress on these animal protection issues. Does the Commission have sufficient staff to draw up the requisite proposals on animal protection? According to the information at my disposal, this is not the case. When and how does the Commission intend to expand its staff complement in this area?

It would be extremely important and useful if the Commission were to put forward the following proposals on animal protection before the start of the Finnish Council Presidency:

1. Amendment of Council Directive 93/119/EC(1) on protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing in respect of the authorised stunning and killing procedures.

2. As provided for in Council Directive 98/58/EC(2) on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, proposal on the harmonisation of the checks to ensure compliance with animal protection provisions required under the Directive and the related reports.

3. Amendment of Council Directive 91/630/EEC(3) laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs in such a way that it better reflects current knowledge on the animal protection requirements vital to the welfare of pigs.

Does the Commission plan to prepare its proposals concerning the above-mentioned directives on animal protection in good time so that a decision could be taken on them during the Finnish Council Presidency?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 1999)

The Commission is very sensitive about the welfare of animals and gives it high priority. Since the beginning of February 1999 two Commission members of staff are dealing with farm animal welfare matters.

The German Presidency of the Council also gives animal welfare a high priority, and aims to achieve Council adoption of the proposal on the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing(4), and Council discussion of the proposal on the protection of pigs passing through staging points(5).

The Commission is preparing a proposal on the stunning and killing of animals (Council Directive 93/119/EC) based on the reports of the scientific veterinary committee. It is also preparing a proposal on the harmonisation of checks and related reports (Council Directive 98/58/EC). These proposals are expected to be ready for discussion during the Finnish Presidency of the Council.

The Commission has also started to make checks on the application of Community animal welfare legislation. The results will be discussed in line with Council Directive 98/58/EC as soon as resources permit.

The Commission is about to start preparing the proposal for new standards for the welfare of pigs (Council Directive 91/630/EEC) which should be ready towards the end of the year.

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p. 21.

(2) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23.

(3) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 33.

(4) COM(98) 135 final.

(5) COM(98) 478 final.