WRITTEN QUESTION P-2642/97 by Jean-Antoine Giansily (UPE) to the Commission (25 July 1997)

Subject: Infringement of the embargo on British beef

According to statements by the Commission on 2 July 1997, which were subsequently confirmed at a meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, more than 1700 tonnes of beef has been fraudulently exported from the United Kingdom to other Member States of the European Union in violation of the embargo imposed in March 1996 and then re-exported to certain Eastern European countries.

The Commission also revealed that at the centre of this trade was probably Belgium, where there are said to be enterprises that have been specializing in the fraudulent import and export of British beef for some time.

Can the Commission, at the end of its investigation, add to this information, which is very disturbing, and does it not suspect the existence of other illegal trade that has not yet been identified? Does it not feel, moreover, that this situation is mainly due to the inadequacy, shortcomings and ineffectiveness of the customs and sanitary checks in certain Member States, and especially the United Kingdom, that were introduced after the decision to impose an embargo was taken?

Is the Commission able to evaluate the checks made in the United Kingdom and in the Member States incriminated in the recent events and to judge whether they comply with the commitments entered into as part of the fight against BSE?

Is the Commission not convinced of the need for sanctions against the persons responsible who have been identified and for the checks on the origin of beef to be tightened up as a matter of urgency so as to prevent fraudulent trade on such a scale and to ensure, as far as possible, the protection of the consumer's health and confidence in the beef production chain, since it is once again the European Union's breeders as a whole who are in danger of being heavily penalized by the consequences of an unacceptable situation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2579/97, P-2642/97 and P-2643/97 given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (2 October 1997)

The matter to which the Honourable Member refers relates to a recently uncovered fraud, involving the redescription and recertification of frozen beef of British origin as coming from other Member States.

Investigations by the Commission, working very closely with the relevant Member State authorities, into the extent and implications of this fraud are currently in hand and have been reported to the Parliament on an interim basis. However, care is needed at this stage not to jeopardize the success of these investigations through the premature release of information on their findings.

Primary responsibility for controlling the health marking, certification and movement of such beef rests with the Member States concerned. Although frauds are extremely difficult to prevent completely, it has become clear from the Commission's investigations that there is a need to improve health controls at a national level so as to increase the level of detection and prevention of such illegal activity. In response to the shortfalls already identified by the Commission's inquiries, a formal letter requesting information has already been sent to the United Kingdom.

Investigations into the possible existence of other fraudulent meat movements are continuing, with a view to ensuring that a full picture is obtained and that all possible avenues are explored.

Following the results of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) parliamentary inquiry, the Commission transferred responsibility for veterinary control from the Directorate general for agriculture (DG VI) to the Directorate general for consumer policy and consumer health protection (DG XXIV).

The Commission is fully aware of the importance of prompt and vigorous action in response to this situation to ensure that a high level of protection for animal and public health is ensured and that consumer confidence is maintained. To this end, all Member States are being kept informed of progress in the investigation, so that a coordinated approach can be followed.

The Commission will ensure that the Parliament continues to be informed of developments.