EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/530

(2004/C 84 E/0606)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0059/04

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Animal welfare and subsidies following the reform of the CAP

When the reform of the CAP enters into force, subsidies for cattle farmers will be specifically linked to compliance with EU basic requirements in terms of animal health and welfare. Farmers who fail to observe these requirements will be subject to cuts in direct payments, as well as the sanctions generally applicable.

How will farms be assessed for animal welfare?

How does the animal welfare factor tie in with subsidies for breeders of fighting bulls, who earn their living by repeatedly hiring out their animals for bullfights, during which they are left to face hours of torture, including being injured with lances, having their horns set on fire and being hunted into the sea? Does the Commission intend to reduce these farms' subsidies on a permanent basis, since it is clear that their very nature means that they cannot meet the minimum animal welfare requirements?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2004)

In the Commission's declaration which accompanied the agreement on the Council Regulation on the reform of the CAP (Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (1)) it is foreseen that the control of the farmers in respect of their cross-compliance obligations will normally be the responsibility of the official services which currently monitor compliance with the relevant animal welfare rules.

The agency responsible for the payment of aid will apply sanctions on the basis of these controls.

The Commission is currently drafting the necessary detailed rules on this subject, in accordance with the above-mentioned declaration.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, which was adopted in September 2003, following the Parliament's opinion, provides that direct payments are subject to cross-compliance, as from 1 January 2007, as regards animal welfare and in particular as regards Council Directive 98/58/CE of 20 July 1998 on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (2). However, bull fighting animals are not covered by this Directive according to Article 1 (2)b thereof, which excludes ‘animals intended for use in competitions, shows, cultural or sporting events or activities’. Moreover, Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 provides that any reduction or exclusion from payments ‘shall only apply if the non-compliance relates to a) an agricultural activity, b) an agricultural land of the holding …’ Therefore, the treatment received by these animals in the bull ring is entirely outside the scope of both those Regulations.

Furthermore, the Commission is not aware that the welfare of potential fighting bulls, whilst they are being reared on the farm is, in practice, inferior to that of animals reared for other purposes.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, OJ L 270, 21.10.2003.

(2) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.