WRITTEN QUESTION P-2417/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 September 2001)

Subject: Border checks in the United Kingdom in connection with foot-and-mouth disease

Despite the continuing crisis involving foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom no disinfection measures whatsoever are being taken at the country's borders, ports and international airports, creating a genuine risk that the disease may be exported to other parts of the EU.

Why is the Commission not taking any steps, possibly in the form of penalties, to force Member States to implement the requisite measures?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

Council Directive 85/511/EEC of 18 November 1985 introducing Community measures for the control of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD)(1) establishes provisions for the disinfection of potentially contaminated materials and vehicles to be applied in the holdings and in the areas where outbreaks of this disease have occurred.

In relation to the FMD outbreaks in the Community in 2001, additional provisions on disinfection have been laid down in several Decisions adopted by the Commission in accordance with the opinion of the Member State experts in the Standing Veterinary Committee, which has met very frequently to examine the FMD situation.

As regards the United Kingdom, additional provisions on disinfection, including the disinfection of road vehicles leaving the United Kingdom, are laid down in Commission Decision 2001/356/EC of 4 May 2001 concerning certain protection measures with regard to FMD in the United Kingdom and repealing Decision 2001/172/EC(2), which has been amended several times to take the evolution of the situation into account.

In order to evaluate the action taken by Member States to implement the relevant Community legislation, the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) has, in the last six months, carried out several inspections on the operation of FMD controls in all the affected Member States, with particular attention to the United Kingdom.

During these missions, shortcomings have been detected in the implementation of Community rules regarding biosecurity measures, including disinfection, in relation to disease outbreaks, and to the movement of vehicles carrying livestock and animal products. The Member States concerned have been required to take appropriate corrective measures, and to report to the Commission upon the actions taken.

In view of the complexity of the disease situation in the United Kingdom, the inspections undertaken by the Commission have concentrated on controls in the areas where the disease outbreaks have occurred, and on those factors representing a high risk of disease spread. By adopting a risk-based approach, it has been possible for controls to be targeted in the most effective manner possible, and to obtain a clear picture of the state of the epidemic and its likely development. The specific issue of disinfection of vehicles at points of exit from the United Kingdom has not been given priority, as other issues were considered to represent significantly higher risks of spread of disease.

The minutes of the meetings of the Standing Veterinary Committee, and the FVO's mission reports, are transmitted to the Parliament in accordance with the normal procedures.

The Commission will evaluate, at the end of the epidemic and in the light of the corrective measures undertaken by the Member States, whether it is necessary to take further action in relation to the shortcomings which have been detected, in accordance with its responsibilities and duties in this regard.

(1) OJ L 315, 26.11.1985.

(2) OJ L 125, 5.5.2001.