WRITTEN QUESTION E-3742/98

by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Quarantine regulations concerning imports of pets into the United Kingdom

In the light of Directives 90/425/EEC(1) and 92/65/EEC(2), can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Is the Commission aware of the report "Quarantine and Rabies: a reappraisal" of the Advisory Group on Quarantine published by the British Ministry of Agriculture on October 1998 and, if so, has the Commission any views on recommendations 27 to 29 dealing with the harmonisation of a European system for the control of rabies?

2. Is it true that the Commission intends to revise (parts of) Directive 92/65/EEC and, if so, how does the Commission intend to tackle the derogation applicable to the United Kingdom with regard to imports of pets?

3. Has the Commission had an exchange of views recently with the British government on the British quarantine rules and the effect they have on freedom of movement in the internal market and, if so, can the Commission indicate the results of these contacts?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 1999)

The British government has forwarded to the Commission the report of the advisory group on quarantine, chaired by Professor Ian Kennedy, which was published on 23 September 1998.

This report, based on an independent assessment of the risk of the introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom, is definitely in favour of a change in the current policy on quarantine and the Commission considers its recommendations to be a major step forward. The Commission awaits the final decision of the British authorities following the three month consultation period.

The decision of the British authorities will have to be considered in the light of the international code of the "Office international des epizooties" (OIE) in its chapter relating to rabies. The recommendations of this code are very close to the main points of the Kennedy report and it is reasonable to think that it may justify a specific system for the entry of carnivores into Member States free of rabies.

However, as mentioned in recommendation 27 of the advisory group, the proposed system will need to be transitional. The situation with regard to rabies within Europe is improving very quickly. This is the consequence of the great success of the campaign of oral vaccination of foxes actively supported by the Commission.

It should be noted that the Community legislation cited by the Honourable Member (Council Directives 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 and 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC) does not apply to veterinary checks on movements between Member States of pets accompanied by their owners, where such movements are not the subject of a commercial transaction.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29.

(2) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.