WRITTEN QUESTION E-0099/01

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: BSE: compensation for cattle farmers

The various measures taken to protect consumer health in response to BSE include withdrawing and slaughtering cattle over the age of 30 months which are considered specified risk material (SRM). Although the decision in question has been taken at Community level, the task of implementing it falls to the national governments. This situation is giving rise

to disparities, depending on the national (or regional) government which is paying the relevant compensation to cattle farmers. Besides the fact that withdrawal prices differ, in some instances cattle farmers are entitled to or denied additional aid such as payments for loss of income. It is furthermore apparent that in some cases the administrative authorities bear the cost of withdrawing livestock or the SRM of head of cattle which have died on farms and provide safety guarantees for the transfer and subsequent slaughter thereof, whereas elsewhere this cost is incurred by the farmer (by and large a smallholder with 15 or so head of cattle).

Is the Commission aware of the aforementioned situation?

Will it provide information on the prices and compensation paid to cattle farmers in EU Member States for the withdrawal of cattle earmarked for slaughter? Furthermore, in which Member States is the cost of withdrawing cattle and SRM borne by farmers?

In its view, would it not be more appropriate to harmonise the compensation made available, as well as the systems and responsibility for destroying cattle and SRM, at European level?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2001)

No Community legislation provides for obligatory slaughter of animals aged more than 30 months and such animals are not considered as specific risk material (SRM) except with regard to the parts of the animal listed as SRM in Commission Decision 2000/418/EC of 29 June 2000 regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amending Decision 94/474/EC(1).

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2777/2000 of 18 December 2000 adopting exceptional support measures for the beef market(2) was not adopted solely in order to encourage testing of over thirty months of age (OTM) animals but also as a market support measure to remove animals from the beef market, which otherwise would be slaughtered for consumption and thereby make the imbalanced supply situation even worse. The financing of the scheme is shared between the Commission and national authorities according to specific rules laid down in that Regulation.

As to the actual payment under the purchase for destruction scheme within the basic rules of Article 4 of the above-mentioned Regulation, prices logically vary as a function of category, quality and prevailing market prices. With regard to the farmers' contribution to the destruction costs, the Commission has only provisional indications, but it is currently seeking further information on the subject.

The Commission has constantly reminded Member States that unless provided for in Community legislation, national financing of measures or compensations in relation to BSE must be notified and dealt with in accordance with Community law. The Commission will shortly present a report with a view to ensuring the proper functioning of the Internal Market.

(1) OJ L 158, 30.6.2000.

(2) OJ L 321, 19.12.2000.