WRITTEN QUESTION E-0601/00

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(3 March 2000)

Subject: Transport of horses

On 17 December 1999, Office 3 of the Food, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health Department of the Italian Ministry of Public Health sent a directive (Note No 600/3/SA.21/7640) to all regional veterinary offices and authorities concerning the transport of horses from third countries involving a journey in excess of 24 hours. The note stipulates that the horses must be kept in the stables of the frontier inspection posts (FIPs) for a certain amount of time so that they may regain enough strength to continue their journey to the final destination.

The criteria for the approval of staging points are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1255/97(1). The Fernetti-Prosecco (Trieste) border crossing point has been approved as a staging point, and yet Gorizia has not, despite the fact that, according to ISTAT (Italian Statistical Office), most of the 130 000 horses that are imported for slaughter in Italy each year enter the country via the Gorizia border crossing point. Can the Commission say whether Gorizia has been exempted from the legislation on staging points?

In the light of the views expressed by the above department following a Community veterinary inspection in July 1999, should the Commission not also call on the Italian authorities to extend the staging post requirement of the note to cover all other animal species imported from third countries?

Lastly, what action does the Commission intend to take to increase the number of staging points that have so far been authorised?

(1) OJ L 174, 2.7.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2000)

Council Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC on the protection of animals during transport(1) lays down the requirements concerning transport time, resting period, feeding and drinking of the animals during transport.

The Community criteria to be met by staging points, where animals have to be unloaded and rested for at least 24 hours during the journey, are defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 concerning Community criteria for staging points and amending the route plan referred to in Annex to Directive 91/628/EEC(2).

Any natural or legal person can set up staging points in the territory of the Community. Member States shall ensure that staging points are officially approved and fulfil the requirements laid down in the Regulation. The Commission is not responsible for deciding where staging points have to be set up or for the number in each Member State.

The Member States shall notify the Commission of the list of approved staging points and any updates. The Commission presents this information to other Member States in the framework of the standing veterinary committee. The updated list of staging points is available on the web site of the Commission at the following address:

//forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/dg6/vets/info/data.

Concerning the inspection of the animals imported from third countries and their resting at the border inspection post of Gorizia, it should be noted that as provided by Directive 91/628/EEC, once the animals have reached the Community frontiers the authorities of Member States have to take any necessary steps to ensure the proper enforcement of Community legislation in the field of protection during transport and no animal shall be allowed to continue to travel if its condition is not found satisfactory after inspection by a veterinarian. Each animal found not fit to continue the journey has to be rested, watered and fed and can only be transported further when the veterinarian certifies its ability to continue the journey.

In the last five years five veterinary inspection missions of the Commission's food and veterinary office (FVO) have been carried out at the Italian border inspection post of Gorizia to monitor the proper enforcement of Directive 91/628/EEC. Based on the outcome of the missions the Commission has intervened with the Italian authorities on a number of occasions concerning the inadequate enforcement of Italian legislation transposing the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC and in particular requesting the proper resting of the animals at the border inspection posts. The FVO reports have recommended for animals, which have already been travelling for more than the prescibed times, to be rested for 24 hours when they cross the border.

Concerning the note from the Italian authorities mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission is hoping that it will constitute an improvement for the activity related to the protection of animals transported on long distance journeys. The Commission will continue to monitor the proper enforcement of Community legislation in this field by the Italian authorities at the border inspection post of Gorizia.

(1) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995.

(2) OJ L 174, 2.7.1997.