WRITTEN QUESTION E-1832/97 by Jan Sonneveld (PPE) and Reimer Böge (PPE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Canning of pigmeat from swine fever quarantine areas in the Netherlands

Because of the current swine fever problems in the Netherlands and the measures required as a result, financial aid from the European Union is currently being used to buy up large numbers of pigs for destruction in the quarantine areas.

There are three consequences:

- a considerable financial burden for the EU and the Netherlands,

- an increasing shortage of raw materials for the pigmeat processing industry,

- increasing social resistance to the waste of healthy pigmeat.

By canning this meat it will be possible to:

- save on the costs of buying up pigs,

- create alternative employment opportunities,

- prevent the waste of healthy pigmeat.

1. Does the Commission share the view that this meat satisfies all the conditions for human consumption?

2. Does the Commission agree with the advantages of canning as opposed to destruction, as set out above?

3. Is it true that the Commission has authorized the canning of meat from quarantine areas for Germany, but not for the Netherlands?

4. If so, is the Commission prepared also to allow the Netherlands to can meat, and when?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 July 1997)

1. Pigs purchased under the exceptional market support scheme originated from pig holdings situated in areas considered as classical swine fever risk areas. The areas have been established around classical swine fever outbreaks of which more than 200 have been declared during the period February to May 1997. This large number of outbreaks indicates that the spread of the virus is not under control. Great efforts are being made to ensure that pigs purchased under the market support scheme are healthy and not incubating classical swine fever. The latter, however, cannot be completely excluded due to the presence of the virus in the area. An ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of individual pigs carried out in accordance with the provisions of Council Directive 64/433/EEC ((OJ 121, 29.7.1964. )) on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat will conclude whether or not the meat will satisfy all conditions for human consumption.

In the event that the ante mortem and post-mortem inspections did not detect a classical swine fever infection in an early stage of incubation, it cannot be excluded that the environment (vehicle used for transport, lairage and other areas of slaughterhouse) could be contaminated by the virus and be the potential source of a new infection.

2. The Commission does not believe that canning large quantities of pigmeat is a real alternative to the rendering of these animals as foreseen at present in Regulation (EC) No 413/97 ((OJ L 62, 4.3.1997. )) on special support measures in the pigmeat sector in the Netherlands. There is no market for such products within the Community. Export may be possible, but it could disturb the normal exports and cause harm to the reputation of Community processed products on the world market. In addition, it must be underlined that processing of such pigmeat requires an enormous effort in order to ensure that the whole carcase is processed, and that parts of the carcase are not 'deviated' to the internal market.

3. Germany was authorised at the end of March 1997 to use a small number of eligible fattened pigs for canning. Until the end of May around 23 000 carcases had been processed, giving 1 500 tonnes of canned products, which will be exported without refunds.

4. The question of canning is included in the ongoing discussion between the Commission and the Dutch authorities on classical swine fever. However, priority is given to those points which play an important role in order to combat the disease and to apply the exceptional market support measures in an effective way.