WRITTEN QUESTION P-3709/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (V) to the Commission (10 November 1997)

Subject: Transport of animals to Lebanon

Each year hundreds of thousands of live animals are exported from the European Union Member States to third countries. Again and again it emerges that the animals are being transported under scandalous conditions, which have been repeatedly condemned by the European Parliament. The necessity to transport live animals, particularly animals for slaughter, can hardly continue to be justified, all the more so when such transportation is subsidized by the EU. It appears that the Lebanese agriculture ministry recently indicated its willingness to import more frozen meat instead of live animals, if the EU could provide financial assistance with the construction of cold-storage depots.

Is the Commission aware of Lebanon's willingness to import more frozen meat from EU countries and its wish for cold-storage depots?

If so:

1. Which Lebanese government department has sought support from the Commission for the building of cold-storage depots in Lebanon? When was the request made and when and how did the Commission react?

2. Has the Commission made a spontaneous offer to the Lebanese authorities to assist with the building of cold-storage depots in Lebanon, for example in the framework of the European Union's MEDA programme? When was this offer made, and what was the reaction from the Lebanese side?

3. Can the Commission give more details of the 'cold-storage depot project', e.g. size, capacity, locations, cost, starting and completion dates for building?

4. Can the Commission say to what extent and in what time frame the export of live cattle and sheep for slaughter to Lebanon will be reduced by the building of cold-storage depots?

If not:

Does the Commission intend to make the Lebanese authorities an offer of financial help with the building of cold-storage depots on its own initiative?

Complementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 March 1998)

Further to the answer it gave on 17 December 1997 ((OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 179. )), the Commission is now in a position to provide the following information.

The Commission is not aware of Lebanon's willingness to import more regular chilled meat from EU countries.

It is however aware of a written request from the Lebanese Agriculture Minister applying for Community funding to help build modern slaughter facilities with annexes (including cold stores for chilled meat), which are essential in view of the precarious sanitary conditions in which slaughter takes place in that country.

The Commission replied to this letter to the effect that Community funds (in particular loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Community international investment partners (ECIP)) might be granted towards the construction of cold stores in Lebanon if the Lebanese authorities submitted a specific request under Lebanon's indicative programme.

This issue was recently raised once again at a meeting with the Lebanese Agriculture Minister, when the Commission clearly reiterated that funding can only take place if the Lebanese authorities submit a clear proposal under the indicative programme.