WRITTEN QUESTION P-0788/00

by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: Contamination of Dutch dairy products

On 29 February there were a number of press reports on the possibility of Dutch dairy products being contaminated by a viral infection affecting dairy cattle at 350 to 600 farms.

Although the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture has apparently known about this for some time, no ban has been imposed on any farm and the milk from the infected animals is still being processed into drinking milk and other dairy products.

Has the Commission been informed by the Dutch authorities of this contamination?

Can the Commission say whether the Rapid Alert System has been activated to inform the other Member States?

Can the Commission say whether the contamination represents a risk to public health? If so, what action does the Commission intend taking to protect public health?

Joint answer to Written Questions P-0768/00 and P-788/00 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2000)

The Commission has been informed about the disease occurring in dairy cattle farms in the Netherlands by the Dutch authorities in the framework of Article 10 of Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(1), which establishes provisions on the information to be provided in the event of an animal disease that is likely to constitute a serious hazard to public or animal health. The matter has been reviewed during two recent meetings of the standing veterinary committee.

The Dutch authorities indicate that in a number of dairy cattle farms emaciation of milking cows has been reported, that these farms are specially checked by the Animal health service, and that investigations are being carried out to identify the precise causes of this disease. The results of these investigations suggest that in some farms the disease appeared after the use of a vaccine, which was contaminated with bovine viral diarrhea virus. This is a well-known virus of ruminants widespread in most countries in the world. There is no evidence or suspicion that it can affect human beings. In these farms all animals have been slaughtered and destroyed. However, in other farms the presence of infectious agents has not been confirmed and other causes (deficiency in cobalt and vitamin B12) are probably involved. Special instructions have been given to ensure that any cattle disease is immediately and properly reported to the authorities. The information so far available suggests that there is no particular risk for public health. However, the meat and other products (including milk) from unhealthy cattle are not used for human consumption, in accordance with Community legislation.

The rapid alert system has not been used in these circumstances as it only concerns products that have already been placed on the market.

An on-the spot inspection by the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office was carried out in the Netherlands in November 1999, as part of the ongoing assessment of implementation of Directive 92/46/EC in Member States. This Directive requires Member States to ensure that milk producing farms are subject to regular inspections and that milk for human consumption must come from cattle which are healthy. This mission was carried out before this problem was identified. However, the report of this mission indicated that a procedure of the controlling authority for milk and milk-products (COKZ) is in force to prohibit the delivery of milk for human consumption in case of unsatisfactory results of the controls carried out.

The Commission is following the situation very carefully to ensure the protection of public and animal health. A further inspection visit by the Food and Verterinary Office is planned in the very near future in the matter. A report on this visit will be prepared in the normal manner and will be circulated to the Parliament.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.