WRITTEN QUESTION E-1679/99

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 September 1999)

Subject: Antibiotics in feedingstuffs

For decades antibiotics have been used as growth promoters for fattening purposes. However, the use of such feed additives poses the risk that bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotics and it may no longer be possible to treat diseases occurring with them. Furthermore, residues of the antibiotics may find their way into the human body through the consumption of eggs, milk, meat, etc., thereby posing a significant health risk.

Sweden imposed a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in fattening on 1 January 1986, prior to the country's accession to the European Union. During the Austrian Presidency, the use of four antibiotic feed additives was banned throughout the EU.

Will the Commission support a ban on the use of all antibiotics as growth promoters in feedingstuffs?

If so, what measures does the Commission intend to take to enforce such a ban in all the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Council Directive 70/0524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feedingstuffs(1) governs both authorisation and withdrawal of authorisation for antibiotics as growth stimulants.

The Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2821/98 of 17 December 1998 amending, as regards withdrawal of the authorisation of certain antibiotics, Directive 70/0524/EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs(2), which withdrew authorisation for four antibiotics (virginiamycin, tylosin phosphate, spiramycin and bacitracin zinc) as additives in feedingstuffs.

Since these four antibiotics had either been authorised as human medicinal products or demonstrated cross-resistance to antibiotics used in human medicine, it was decided that they must be reserved for use in human medicine.

Four other antibiotics (monensin, salinomycin, avilamycin and flavophospholipol) were not included in the ban, since no substance belonging to this group was being used in veterinary or human medicine at that time.

Sweden's ban (under the Act of Accession) on using antibiotics as additives expired on 31 December 1998. In accordance with Article 11 of Directive 70/0524/EEC, on 1 January 1999 Sweden suspended authorisation for the four antibiotics still on the market. The Commission and Member State representatives on the standing committee on feedingstuffs are currently examining the documents submitted in this connection.

On 28 May 1999 the Commission's scientific steering committee delivered its opinion on antimicrobial resistance. The committee issued the following recommendations with regard to antibiotics used as additives in feedingstuffs: the use of agents from classes which are or may be used in human medicine should be phased out as soon as possible and ultimately abolished. Efforts should also be made to replace those antimicrobials promoting growth with no known risk of influencing intestinal bacterial infections by non-antimicrobial alternatives.

Having already taken such action at the end of 1998 in respect of four antibiotics, the Commission is currently examining the case of a fifth. It is also looking at how best to phase out the remaining antibiotics over the longer term and replace them with non-microbial alternatives.

(1) OJ L 270, 14.12.1970.

(2) OJ L 351, 29.12.1998.