WRITTEN QUESTION E-0794/98

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission

(18 March 1998)

Subject: Transport of calves in the EU and the early slaughter premium

In the European Union a premium is paid for the early slaughter of calves (known in German as the "Herod premium"). Even though some Member States have decided against paying this premium, this has not reduced the suffering of the animals. On the contrary, they suffer even more because they are bought up by cattle dealers in countries where the premium is not paid, and then transported long distances to other EU states which do pay it. Since the animals are destined for rendering plants, they are classed by the dealers and transporters as waste, and treated accordingly. According to the Commission, a ban on such transport would infringe competition law. However, the killing of an animal without a good reason is a criminal offence under Germany's Animal Protection Act.

1. Does the Commission consider that the early slaughter premium is morally justifiable?

2. How many animals per year are transported from Germany to France in order to cash in on the early slaughter premium?

3. What is the Commission's view of the payment of the early slaughter premium in respect of calves from beef breeds?

4. How does the Commission assess the chances of creating an EU-wide system of rules on the model of the German "early marketing premium"?

5. What concrete measures has the Commission taken so far to act on criticism of the early slaughter premium and introduce improvements or innovations?

6. How does the Commission think the German Animal Protection Act can be reconciled with the European rules on the early slaughter premium?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1998)

1. The Commission understands the concerns about the processing premium that have been voiced in certain circles.

2. The processing premium has only been in application in France since October 1996. Although no official statistics are available, the Commission estimates that in the first 12 months German farmers received the processing premium for approximately 40 000 calves sent to France.

3. The processing premium is not an ideal solution, but in accordance with the conclusions of the second report on the application of the two calf premium schemes(1), it must be recognised that this premium has been extremely effective during the BSE crisis in terms of reducing future production and in terms of cost-effectiveness. However, the Commission has already indicated in its "Agenda 2000"(2) communication that it is not acceptable to provide a permanent solution to the problem of overproduction by slaughtering calves a few days after birth.

4. All the Member States, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland, already apply the early marketing premium for calves. In view of the current positive trends on the beef and veal market and the progressive decline in the need for public intervention, it would not appear to make economic sense to extend this measure to the entire Community beyond November 1998.

5. By Regulation (EC) 2502/97 of 15 December 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) 3886/92 laying down detailed rules for the application of the premium schemes for beef and veal(3), the Commission has already modified the eligibility criteria for the calf processing premium to include compliance with Community standards on the protection of calves during transport. Moreover, this premium no longer figures in the proposed reform of the common agricultural policy recently presented by the Commission to the Council.

6. The provisions relating to slaughter and granting the processing premium for young calves have been harmonised at the Community level. These therefore have precedence over national standards.

(1) COM(97) 461 final.

(2) COM(97) 2000.

(3) OJ L 345, 16.12.1997.