WRITTEN QUESTION P-0569/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Technical difficulties in implementing the Community rules regarding the prevention of spongiform encephalopathy

In reply to Written Question E-3394/96 ((OJ C 186, 18.6.1997, p. 83. )), which the author submitted a few months ago and to which the Commission replied on 21 January 1997, the Commission asserted - albeit somewhat guardedly - that no technical obstacles stood in the way of implementing the Commission Decision of 18 July 1996 (96/449/EC) ((OJ L 184, 24.7.1996, p. 43. )) on the approval of alternative heat treatment systems for processing animal waste with a view to the inactivation of spongiform encephalopathy agents.

However, the firms working in this sector all maintain that, as yet, no companies have successfully tested or installed pressurized heat treatment equipment suited to the continuous plants used by companies with a medium-to-high production rate.

Given the above, would the Commission state:

1. what the real situation is as regards implementation of the requirements laid down in the above Decision (heat treatment at 133 degrees centigrade at a pressure of 3 bar for 20 minutes)?

2. which firms are currently able to supply equipment of this kind which is fully operational and not simply an experimental prototype?

3. what further measures it intends to adopt with a view to ensuring the feasibility of the requirements laid down in its Decision?

4. what support is available to firms willing to invest the substantial sums required to comply with the above Decision?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1997)

1. Several Member States are already working according to the processing requirements laid down in Commission Decision 96/449/EC. Other Member States should be able to comply by 1 April 1997, but some have indicated that they will not be able to meet this deadline.

2. There are several commercial firms able to supply fully operational equipment to process mammalian animal waste in accordance with the requirements laid down in the Decision.

3. The Commission is carefully monitoring the implementation of Decision 96/449/EC in all Member States.

4. The investments envisaged in this question do not concern prototypes or pilot projects. They have to be at least the first industrial application.

These productive investments fall within the category of the processing and marketing of agricultural products. Consequently, Council Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 of 29 March 1990 on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products ((OJ L 91, 6.4.1990. )) applies. Technological innovation and investments relating to health standards are, inter alia, priorities in this Regulation.

Aid from the Guidance section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund may be up to 50% of the eligible total costs in regions covered by Objective 1 and up to 30% in the other regions. Member State funding must be at least 5% of the costs for any type of region. Lastly, recipients have to finance at least 25% of the eligible total costs in Objective 1 areas and 45% in the other areas.