WRITTEN QUESTION E-2910/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Transportation of calves between Germany and France and methods used in French slaughterhouses

Is the Commission familiar with the documentary broadcast by ZDF (Second German TV channel) on 18 July 1997 which reported on the transport of 'surplus' male calves from Germany to France and on the methods used to kill those calves in French slaughterhouses ((The film, entitled 'Kopfgeld für Kälber', is available from the ZDF offices in Mainz (tel:0049-6131-704535). ))?

Is the Commission aware that this transportation takes place because a higher slaughter premium is payable in France than in Germany, and that such action could well be fraudulent?

Can the Commission state what the relevant slaughter premiums are in Germany and France, and how it is possible for these calves to be transported unnecessarily? To what extent do Commission rules play into the hands of those engaging in such practices?

The German television documentary also showed that the calves are first hung up by one leg and then have their throats cut. Does the Commission consider this as an authorized method of killing cattle earmarked for slaughter? Are there any European laws or regulations containing provisions relevant in this connection, and if so who is responsible for enforcing them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1997)

The Commission is putting special emphasis on improvement of Community rules on animal welfare. Recently new rules on the transport of animals as well as welfare of calves came into force. Some problems in this field result from insufficient implementation of rules or controls by the Member States. The Commission is carefully monitoring the situation and taking appropriate steps against Member States where obligations have not been respected.

Concerning the slaughter premium for calves it's necessary to discuss in a differentiated way:

In order to restore the beef market balance after the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crises, at the end of 1996 the Community introduced, for a transitional period of two years, the obligation for all Member States to apply at least one of the two following calf premiums: the early marketing premium and the calf processing premium. These premiums are designed to reduce output by taking out of production animals at an earlier stage. Member States had to apply one of these schemes or both if they decide to do so. The processing premium (for young bovine males lower than 20 days old of Community origin) was chosen by France, Ireland, Portugal and United Kingdom but not by Germany which preferred to apply the early marketing premium. The rules of application and the amount of the processing premium, 115 ECU for milk-breed calves or 145 ECU for beef breed calves at this moment, are the same in all Member States applying this premium.

Intra-Community trade of animals is a current practice when the prices are significantly different between Member States. In general, the prices of baby calves are lower in Germany than in France. Furthermore, during June and July this year, there had been a substantial increase of the price differential in this type of animal between France and Germany. This price difference could partially explain why the French market was still more attractive for German calves. Notwithstanding, the number of animals participating in the French processing premium scheme was lower than in the preceding months.

Due to the political and budgetary importance of these premiums, the Commission monitors them very closely and until now no evidence of fraud has been detected. In this way, the Commission has already presented to the Council an interim report in April 1997 ((COM(97) 165 final. )) and at this very moment, a second report on the application of both premiums is being sent to the Council for examination.

When these calves are slaughtered, the provisions of Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing ((OJ L 340, 31.12.1993. )) must be respected. This includes detailed requirements for lairaging, restraining, stunning and bleeding of these animals. As long as these calves are slaughtered in accordance with the Directive, and without being caused any unnecessary suffering, no welfare problem should arise.

With regard to enforcement of the rules, the primary responsibility remains with the Member States. The Commission is, nevertheless, responsible for the uniform application of the rules within the Community. In cases where it is discovered that the Directive is not being properly enforced by the authorities of the Member States, the Commission normally intervenes with those authorities and if the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the Commission may open the infringement procedure laid down in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. The Commission has requested a copy of the film and will examine it. If it appears that a breach of Directive 93/119/EC has occurred, the Commission will take the appropriate action.