WRITTEN QUESTION E-1777/99

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: The welfare of pigs

Article 6 of Council Directive 91/630(1) laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs requires the Commission, by 1 October 1997, to submit to the Council a report, drawn up on the basis of an opinion from the Scientific Veterinary Committee, on intensive pig-rearing systems. Article 6 stipulates that the Commission's report shall be accompanied by appropriate proposals which take account of the report's conclusions.

On 30 September 1997 the Scientific Veterinary Committee published its opinion which, amongst other things, condemned the use of sow stalls, i.e. stalls so narrow that the sow cannot even turn round.

Will the Commission state when it intends to submit the report required by Article 6 of 91/0630/EEC? Moreover, will the Commission's proposals take account of the Scientific Veterinary Committee's conclusion that No individual pen should be used which does not allow the sow to turn around easily?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 33.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 1999)

Council Directive 91/0630/EEC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs, provides for a report from the Commission on different aspects concerning the keeping of pigs in intensive rearing systems with particular regard to the welfare of sows reared in varying degrees of confinement and in groups.

The Commission accordingly asked the scientific veterinary committee on animal welfare to make such a report. The scientific committee adopted the report on 30 September 1997 and a copy is available on Internet at the web site of the Health and consumer protection directorate general http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/oldcomm4/out17_en.html.

After the adoption of the report the Commission started to work on proposals to amend Directive 91/0630/EEC in line with the new scientific evidence and the recommendations included in the report of the scientific committee.

The preparation of a proposal in this field includes the consultation with different experts from Member States, from professional organizations and from the main animal welfare associations. The Commission is also requesting from Member States information on the inspections carried out on their territory following the provisions of Article 7 paragraph 3 of Council Directive 91/0630/EC. These data will have to be taken into account for the preparation of the new proposal.

It should be noted that in the meantime the standing committee of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes started the process of the revision of the recommendation on the keeping of pigs adopted in 1986. All the Member States and the Commission are parties to the Convention and are taking part in the work. The report of the Community scientific committee is actually the main basis of the preparation of the new recommendation on the keeping of pigs in the Council of Europe. Many elements of the report have been included in the draft proposal, including the keeping of sows and the provision for separate areas for the performing of different behaviour of the pigs. The next meeting of the standing committee will be held in Strasbourg during the week of 22-26 November 1999.

The discussion in the standing committee of the Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, is giving the Commission important elements to prepare its own proposal of the amendment of Council Directive 91/0630/EEC, that will include the main elements on welfare protection provided by the report of the scientific committee. The draft proposal will be then submitted to the Council for approval.