WRITTEN QUESTION E-2436/96 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (18 September 1996)

Subject: Use of glycopeptides in stock rearing

In view of the fact that the Commission refuses to answer any of my questions on the problems associated with the use of avoparcin and glycopeptides in stock rearing (Written Question E-1531/96 ((OJ C 365 of 4.12.1996, p. 8. )), I would submit the following questions again and request that they be duly answered.

The expiry of the six-month ban in Germany on the use of glycopeptides in stock rearing, the lack of an EU-wide ban on this antibiotic in stock rearing, the fact that there have been more than 13 000 fatalities in the USA, most of which could previously be cured by antibiotics, and the SCAN Committee's refusal to ban avoparcin give rise to the following questions.

1. What measures will the Commission take to curb the horrendous use of medicinal feed additives in order to prevent the possible development of resistance to antibiotics in humans?

2. What is the Commission's estimate of the economic damage caused by the development of resistance to antibiotics in humans as a result of animals being fed medicines as feed additives?

3. Does the Commission have figures indicating how many people would not have died if they had not been resistant to antibiotics?

4. (a) What is the Commission's view of the possibility of using alternative methods such as homeopathy and other natural healing processes to reduce the consumption of antibiotics in stock rearing?

(b) Is the Commission supporting research in this field, either directly or indirectly?

(c) If so, can the Commission provide the author of this question with a list of the research projects?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1996)

1. Should the investigations carried out by the Commission indicate that humans might become resistant to antibiotics because of their use in animal feed, the Commission will take immediate measures to protect public health, as it has already stated in its reply to the Honourable Member's Question No E 1531/96 ((OJ C 365, 4.12.1996. )).

The Commission now has the report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition into the possible risk to humans where avoparcin is used in animal feed. The Commission needed the report to comment on the reasons put forward by Denmark and Germany for banning avoparcin in their respective countries (possible formation of resistance to antibiotics of the glycopeptide group).

In accordance with the procedural rules laid down by Directive 70/524/EEC ((Article 11 of Directive 70/524/EEC, OJ L 270, 14.12.1970. )) to resolve such cases, the Commission has consulted the Member States through the Standing Committee on Feedingstuffs. It will decide on resistance transmission to humans in the coming weeks if the Member States provide it with their opinions in advance.

2. As long as a direct causal link between the use of antibiotics in animal feed and resistance to antibiotics in humans has not been established it is difficult to put a figure on any economic damage that might result.

Furthermore, the report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition and other studies contend that the issue of resistance to antibiotics is not confined by any means to animal feed but also involves the use of antibiotics in veterinary and human medicine.

3. The Commission does not have the figures requested by the Honourable Member. A system to collect such information would have to be introduced in each Community hospital.

4. The Commission does not know of any alternative 'natural' cures or homeopathic treatments that could replace the antibiotics added to feed to prevent the appearance of certain diseases. The Commission is not supporting research in this field.

By sending the Council the proposals for Directives 93/113/EEC ((OJ L 334, 31.12.1993. )) and 93/114/EEC on the use of enzymes and micro-organisms in animal feed, the Commission ensured the use of a new generation of additives whose properties - like antibiotics - improve the digestibility of the feed and stabilize the intestinal flora in the animal's digestive tract. Using these new additives may well curb the use of prophylactic antibiotics in animal feed.