WRITTEN QUESTION P-1410/00

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 May 2000)

Subject: Consumption of milk from sick cows continues

On 6 April 2000 Commissioner Byrne observed, in answer to my Question P-0768/00(1) on behalf of the Commission, that the information so far available suggests that there is no particular risk for public health. The Commission evidently has some doubts as to the reliability of the information from the Netherlands Government.

One in three cows in the Netherlands, more than 1,1 million cattle, have been inoculated with a contaminated vaccine. The vaccination campaign to check bovine influenza was stopped in February 1999. Around 7000 farmers whose cows were inoculated with a vaccine of this kind by Bayer are complaining that tens of thousands of their cows are having trouble with udder infections, nasal bleeding, miscarriages, loss of milk production and calves suffering from bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) immediately after birth.

One farmer, B. Roozengaarde of Zelhem, properly reported his problems with sick cows. His farm was closed down by the Netherlands Government in late November 1999. To this day he has received no compensation, despite the fact that it is mandatory under Netherlands law in cases of contagious disease. The many other farmers who have not reported their problems with their sick cows are receiving quite different treatment. Veterinarians from the Veterinary Health Service (VHS) are working under a protocol approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, which states that farms with more than a given percentage of sick cows may not go on supplying milk. If a farmer has more than this percentage of sick cows, the VHS advises them to have the sickest cows slaughtered, so as to come beneath the percentage prescribed. The farm is then approved and milk supplies, even from the remaining sick cows, can continue. The Algemeen Dagblad carries this story in its issue of 14 April 2000. This practice is in flagrant violation of European law.

Three farms have meanwhile been closed in the Netherlands. Hundreds, if not thousands, of farmers are supplying milk from sick cows to consumers with the cooperation of the Netherlands Government. Consumer confidence in the safety of our food has been damaged repeatedly over the last few years. This business with listless or staggering cows must be cleared up as soon as possible, and appropriate steps taken to put an end to the affair.

1. Does the Commission agree that double standards are being used in the Netherlands?

2. Does it agree that the Commission cannot go on relying on the information from the Netherlands Government any longer, but must itself launch an independent investigation and put an end to these unacceptable practices?

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 109.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2000)

In the light of the concerns in relation to the cattle health problems reported in the Netherlands, the Commission's food and veterinary office (FVO) carried out an on-the-spot inspection from 2 May 2000 4 May 2000. A report on this inspection is currently being finalised and will then be submitted to the standing veterinary committee for discussion. It will also be submitted to the Parliament and released on the Internet in accordance with the normal practice. The Commission will take the appropriate follow-up actions in the light of findings and recommendations in this report. The situation will also be kept under review in the light of further developments in the identification of the causes underlying the problem.