WRITTEN QUESTION E-1914/00

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Protection of animals during slaughtering

In view of the significant discomfort to which animals destined for slaughter are subject, the fact that this discomfort not only causes pointless suffering to the animals themselves, but may be detrimental to the quality of the product obtained from slaughter, the repercussions of this discomfort in terms of consumer protection principles, and, finally, the current conditions under which live animals are imported into the Member States of the European Union by exporting countries, which are in fact countries involved in the accession process,

Can the Commission say:

1. what practical measures are planned, with regard to the importation of animals for slaughter into the European Union, concerning the implementation of the objective, which Parliament has set out in numerous resolutions, of slaughtering being carried out in the place of rearing or as near to it as possible,

2. whether the current slaughtering conditions in the countries involved in the accession process which export to the European Union comply with Community objectives concerning respect for animals and consumer protection,

3. whether the Commission is now or will in the near future be prepared to provide financial aid for:

- the improvement of structures, the environment and machinery in slaughterhouses in these countries,

- training courses on the protection of animals for slaughterers in these countries and for veterinary officials responsible for checking that slaughterers carry out their duties in compliance with these instructions?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Commission's responsibilities towards animal protection have increased under the recent protocol to the EC Treaty, which requires the European institutions and Member States to consider animal welfare a priority when drawing up agriculture, transport, single market and research policies.

Community legislation is drawn up on the basis of the results of scientific research and practical knowledge, both of which indicate that animal transport is feasible if specific animal protection conditions are met.

In relation to the transport of animals imported into the Community, the Commission believes that the most effective way to achieve a widespread improvement in animal welfare standards is to work towards an international consensus on this issue.

Given the priority of the subject, the question of long distance transport of animals and in particular horses has been discussed with the heads of the veterinary services of the Central and East European countries which are in the process of negotiating accession to the Union. On the basis of the outcome of that discussion a protocol for the protection of horses during transport has been agreed.

Furthermore the Commission is seeking a mandate from the Council to negotiate the participation of the Community in the revised European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport. This Convention (negotiated under the auspices of the Council of Europe) will help to ensure an acceptable level of animal welfare protection throughout Europe and to accelerate the process of harmonization of legislation on animal protection in the candidate countries.

The Commission's control and inspection services check the handling and slaughter of animals during visits to slaughterhouses in accession countries. If deficiencies are detected they are discussed with the authorities concerned at the time of the inspections, and are followed up during subsequent contacts with these authorities.

Concerning the third question, the Community already has a legislative basis to provide financial aid to improve structures, the environment and machinery in slaughterhouses in the applicant countries. The relevant text is Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 of 21 June 1999 on Community support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the applicant countries of central and eastern Europe in the pre-accession period(1) (Sapard). To the extent that programmes implementing that legislation include measures covering the above actions, they will be able to benefit from Community aid.

The PHARE programme also provides support, notably in the context of twinning, to help candidate countries to comply with the veterinary acquis, including animal welfare.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.