WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/98 by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission (4 March 1998)

Subject: Level of subsidies for the transport of slaughter cattle

Given that the transport of live cattle for slaughter, which is subsidized by the EU, frequently involves unnecessary suffering for the animals, will the Commission indicate:

1. the amount it makes available each year in subsidies for the transport of cattle for slaughter?

2. Whether payment of these funds is linked to specified minimum standards?

3. Whether the Commission is in favour of abolishing the support measures for the transport of slaughter cattle and proposes instead to subsidize the transport of animals which have already been slaughtered and of frozen meat?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998)

1. The Community does not subsidise the transport of live cattle for slaughter but it grants export refunds for exports of cattle and beef. For the budget year 1995 (16.10.1994-15.10.1995), 302.1 MECU was granted in export refunds for live animals. For the budget year 1996, the sum amounts to 296.2 MECU and for 1997 to 134.9 MECU.

2. Council Regulation (CE) No 2634/97 of 18 December 1997 ((OJ L 356, 31.12.1997. )) stipulates that in the case of exports of live animals, the payment of the export refund shall be subject to compliance with the provisions established in Community legislation concerning animal welfare and, in particular, the protection of animals during transport. The Parliament had given its opinion generally supportive of the Commission proposal. On 17 February 1998 the trade mechanisms management committee gave a favourable opinion to a Commission regulation ((In written procedure, should be published very soon. )) laying down specific detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine animals during transport.

Directive 91/628/EEC, as amended by Directive 95/29/EC concerning the protection of animals during transport ((OJ L 148, 30.6.1995. )), contains provisions designed to ensure the respect by transport operators, transporting animals from Community territory to third countries, of adequate welfare conditions for the animals. In particular, the authorities of the exporting Member State must ensure that no animal shall be transported unless suitable provisions have been made for its care during the journey. The animals should be transported in lorries and vessels which are adequate for the purpose. Under rules introduced by Directive 95/29/EC, a route plan must be prepared in advance and transmitted to the authority. The staff in charge of the transport must have the route plan certified at the point where the animals leave the Community, after the animals have been checked and judged by the official veterinarian to be fit to continue their journey.

3. Export of live animals is an important outlet for the Community beef market and can hardly be substituted by export of beef meat due to the different slaughtering rites, the lack of coldstores in importing countries or the specific demand for fresh meat of the required quality in these countries. If the export of live animals from the Community were to become impossible due to unrealistic requirements or disproportional costs or simply by phasing out export refunds, others will take over these markets (Australia increasingly exports live animals to the Arab world with a journey considerably longer than from the Community.