WRITTEN QUESTION E-0810/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Deficiencies in the handling of animal remains in Spain in connection with the BSE crisis

In spite of the royal decree adopted recently by the government on the incineration of animals in thermal power stations and cement works, the handling of animal remains in connection with the BSE crisis is posing grave problems in Spain.

Specifically:

- Disposal sites: at sites such as that in l'Alcora (Castellón) and Alpuente (Valencia), animal remains are not being disposed of properly. Not only are they not separated from other waste, but when buried they are not covered with the compulsory layer of clay. Inadequate disposal and burial of these remains could result in the disease entering the human food chain through ingestion of the remains by rodents, themselves ingested by other animals, and so on until humans are reached.

- Abandoned carcasses: over 300 animal carcasses were found in just the first round of inspections carried out by the Guardia Civil's Nature Protection Service (Seprona). The fact that the compulsory removal of carcasses is not being managed properly presents a two-fold risk, firstly to humans with the risk that prions may enter the human food chain via animals and secondly to certain protected species, particularly those which feed on carrion, since in addition to those affected by BSE, animals which have died of other causes are also being removed, depriving these species of the food source on which they have always depended.

- Incinerators and cement works: Spain has designated incinerators at Ourense, Castellón, Valencia, Gerona and León for disposal of the risk material. However, the plant designated by the authorities in Castille-León at Cebreros del Río has no municipal emissions licence for this particular use and does not keep a record of risk material entering and leaving the premises. Seprona has also discovered that it has illegally dumped contaminated blood into the Valdearacos river. Finally, with regard to all designated plants, the higher levels of emissions of heavy metals into the atmosphere, the release of sixteen times more dioxins than in normal conditions and the unpleasant odours and health risks for people in the surrounding areas must also be taken into account.

The need to destroy specified risk material is clearly not at issue, but is the Commission aware of:

- how this kind of waste is being processed in Spain?

- how it has drawn up a plan for monitoring and control of the latter from its place of origin, including transport, processing and destruction, with the necessary guarantees with regard to the environment and health?

- how will the Commission urge the Member States to ensure that their national BSE plans make provision for participation by social bodies and for a degree of public control?

- how can the Commission ensure that the destruction of risk material is being carried out in accordance with Community environmental and health protection legislation in all Member States?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2001)

During its recent round of inspections, the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carried out an inspection in Spain from 11 to 15 December 2000 to assess inter alia the measures in place to ensure safe processing and disposal of animal waste, including material most at risk of carrying transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents (i.e. specified risk material). In accordance with the FVO procedures a draft report containing the main findings, conclusions and recommendations has been sent to the Spanish authorities. As soon as their reply is received, a final report will be produced and sent to the Parliament.

Concerning the participation of various bodies in the national plans on TSEs, Commission Decision 98/272/EC of 23 April 1998 on epidemio-surveillance for TSEs and amending Decision 94/474/EC(1) requires Member States to ensure that a range of interests, including staff of the competent authority, diagnostic laboratories, veterinary practitioners, animal keepers and handlers have relevant knowledge on TSEs.

(1) OJ L 122, 24.4.1998.