EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/557

(2004/C 78 E/0592)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3466/03

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 November 2003)

Subject: Animal welfare at abattoirs in Greece

A new report by the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) concludes that Greece has made efforts to improve compliance with EU requirements on animal welfare at slaughter, but that there has been insufficient progress with surveillance and enforcement. The FVO points out that the procedures they saw at slaughterhouses in Greece were not routine. The clear implication is that less attention is given to animal welfare when the FVO inspectors are not present. Problems witnessed by the FVO include: 2 out of 12 sheep received a pre-stun electrical shock; some animals may not have been effectively stunned; and for some the interval between stunning and sticking was too long, which creates the risk of animals recovering consciousness.

What steps does the Commission plan to take to press Greece to strengthen enforcement and sanctions and to improve the training of slaughtermen?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2004)

The problems noted in the FVO's inspection in Greece (MR 9002/2003) in January 2003 were communicated to the Greek authorities in the regions visited during the inspection, to the central authorities in the closing meeting in Athens and formally in the final report sent to the Greek authorities. In the action plan submitted to the Commission in response to the published report, the Greek authorities stated that they would take measures to enforce the relevant animal welfare legislation, and, in particular, that they would carry out a re-inspection of all slaughterhouses before 2004, to verify compliance with the relevant legislation on animal welfare at slaughter (Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (1)).

A follow-up inspection in Greece was carried out by the FVO from 15-19 September 2003 (MR9211/2003). Due to a strike of veterinary staff at that time in Greece, it was not possible to assess animal welfare at slaughter, but the FVO inspection team reviewed the results of inspections conducted by Greek officials over previous months and other administrative issues arising from the previous FVO inspection in January 2003. Overall the inspection team concluded that there were still important weaknesses in animal welfare control systems in Greece. A draft report of this inspection was sent to the Greek authorities on 7 November 2003. Comments on the draft report and an action plan to address outstanding deficiencies are awaited from the Greek authorities.

On 23 October 2003, the acting Director General of Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) met the Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the Union and the Greek Chief Veterinary Officer, to underline the Commission's concerns over the implementation and enforcement of Union food safety and veterinary legislation in Greece. The Commission considers that the Greek authorities are not, and have not been for some time, operating their animal welfare control systems in compliance with the requirements of Union legislation. Commitments given by the Greek authorities to improve animal welfare following that meeting are being examined and if they are not sufficient to remedy the situation, by the summer, the Commission will be obliged to initiate infringements proceedings against Greece.

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993.