WRITTEN QUESTION P-0117/01

by Marit Paulsen (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 January 2001)

Subject: European legislation on animal protection

Yet again the media reports maltreatment of animals in the Member States (this time in Belgium). Yet again there is a public outcry against such inconceivable cruelty. And yet again comes the Commission's answer that it will be stopped.

The Commission's own report of 6 December 2000 on the situation regarding animal protection(1), demonstrates with terrifying clarity how animals in several countries are subjected to inhuman suffering and how the competent authorities continually fail to carry out proper inspections. The report also proposes a number of possible measures to improve the situation, though without setting out a timetable.

When does the Commission, therefore, intend to take a coherent approach and propose a uniform, comprehensive regulation on animal protection together with the necessary mechanisms to verify compliance for the benefit of both animal and public health in Europe?

Or does the Commission consider that such legislation is not necessary?

(1) COM(2000) 809.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of its key role in improving the conditions in which animals are reared, transported and slaughtered.

The Commission report on the protection of animals during transport, mentioned by the Honourable Member, aims at analyzing the level of implementation by Member States of the Community legislation in this field and recommends future actions. In this report the Commission considers further legislative proposals essential for the improvement of the current situation.

Several initiatives have already been undertaken or are ongoing in the field of animal transport, taking into account the international dimension of the problem. For this reason co-operation in the field of animal protection during transport with the candidate countries has been established. Furthermore, in April 2000, a mandate from the Council to negotiate the participation of the Community in the revised European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport was requested by the Commission. The proposal has already been discussed during three expert meetings in the Council and the Swedish Presidency defined the dossier as a priority.

A draft Commission Decision to amend veterinary certificates for intra-Community trade of livestock in order to refer to the fitness of the animals to be transported has already been discussed at the Standing Veterinary Committee in January 2001.

In addition, and in line with the recommendations of the report, the Commission is preparing different legislative initiatives.

During the first half of 2001, a proposal concerning improved ventilation provisions for long distance transportation by road, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 411/98(1), will be presented to the Council. This will ensure that animals will be protected from extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity, a cause of major suffering.

An additional proposal to the Council amending Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC(2) will also be presented aimed at improving the route plan, introducing a harmonized system for the authorization of transporters in the Community and determining a precise definition of animals unfit for transport. Additional measures for the protection of horses will also be introduced. Following the outcome of a new opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Welfare, expected for the end of 2001, a redefinition of travelling times and loading densities may be proposed, taking into account any new scientific evidence.

Member States' compliance with the Community Directives is a key element for success. To verify this, the Commission will closely follow the situation and react, when and where appropriate, if the level of enforcement of Community legislation has not improved. It must be emphasised, however, that Member States must accept their obligations to ensure that animals are treated in a humane manner. Such acceptance would be the single most positive measure leading to improved standards.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 411/98 of 16 February 1998 on additional animal protection standards applicable to road vehicles used for the carriage of livestock on journeys exceeding 8 hours (OJ L 52, 21.2.1998).

(2) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.