WRITTEN QUESTION P-1544/02

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 May 2002)

Subject: Foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea

Since the beginning of this month foot-and-mouth disease has been sweeping through South Korea. In an effort to bring the disease under control, 110 000 animals, chiefly pigs, have now been slaughtered, but even so in the past week new cases of the disease have been reported. Starting on 31 May, the football World Cup is taking place in South Korea (and Japan). The city of Suwon, where teams including Portugal are due to play matches, lies only 40 km from the affected area and Japan has now expressed the fear that contaminated football fans may transmit the disease to that country.

Does the European Commission share the view that the large numbers of European football fans set to visit South Korea represent a risk that contamination will spread to the EU? If not, why not?

Is the European Commission prepared to call on or require the Member States to take measures to prevent contamination, such as strict border controls and, possibly, quarantine arrangements?

Joint answerto Written Questions P-1535/02 and P-1544/02given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2002)

The Commission wishes to confirm its awareness of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation in the Republic of Korea and the potential threat posed by the increased volume of traffic between the Republic of Korea and Member States as a result of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup taking place in June 2002.

However, the Commission judges that because FMD is a highly contagious disease, all FMD affected countries represent a potential risk to Member States and that for the reasons outlined below the existing controls on imports are considered sufficient to prevent introduction of FMD virus through trade or in the personal luggage of travellers.

This item was already subject of a risk assessment presented to the Chief Veterinary Officers of all Member States at the 33rd Session of the Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1999.

However, because the potential threat to Member States may be enhanced under the particular circumstances related to this sporting event in the Republic of Korea, this issue was discussed with Member States at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on 8 May 2002.

The Commission has subsequently reminded all Member States that, in accordance with Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries(1) they are not authorised to import from the Republic of Korea FMD susceptible animals and their products (fresh meat, meat products, meat preparations, milk, milk products etc.).

The Commission has advised Member States that the introduction of foodstuff from the Republic of Korea by passengers or through the sending of small personal consignments is also not allowed under the provisions of Article 1 (2) of Council Directive 72/462/EEC and Article 16 (2) of Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries(2).

The Commission has furthermore requested that all Member States, in co-ordination with the competent authorities in each country, ensure that public awareness of travellers visiting the Republic of Korea is specifically addressed at airports and that controls at ports of entry into the Community on goods coming from the Republic of Korea are reinforced.

Following the 2001 FMD epidemic the Commission has been preparing a number of draft proposals addressing the issues related to non-commercial introduction of products of animal origin, including measures to raise public awareness.

In a press release of 29 May 2002 when speaking about FMD in the Republic of Korea the Commissioner in charge of Health and Consumer Protection emphasised the need to observe the rules, which are simple and straightforward. He concluded by saying we must be sure that the World Cup in Korea is not remembered for the wrong reasons.

(1) OJ L 302, 31.12.1972.

(2) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.