EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/295

(2004/C 84 E/0342)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0016/04

by Jan Dhaene (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Subject: The Grefacsa company and the treatment of animal by-products

In Spain (in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia), there is a single, publicly-owned Category I plant authorised to carry out the treatment of meat by-products under that category. This plant belongs to a company called Grefacsa (Greixos i Farines Cárniques, S.A.), based in the locality of Térmens, and handles specified risk materials (SRMs) that are directly related to BSE (‘mad cow disease’) and other contagious illnesses.

The plant treats waste which may originate from a number of Spanish regions or from Andorra. The animal waste is used as a source of animal meals and fats; subsequently, transport is arranged by the company to authorised dumping-grounds or incineration plants.

Does Grefacsa receive subsidies from EU funds? If so, for what activities are those subsidies paid? Are the by-products obtained transported to other EU Member States? Should that be the case, under what current legislation is it possible to export by-products obtained from materials classified as SRMs?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2004)

The Animal by-products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (1) establishes health rules concerning the collection, transport, storage, handling, processing and use or disposal, placing on the market and, in certain specific cases, the export and transit of animal by-products and derived products to prevent them from presenting a risk to animal or public health. The dispatch of animal by-products and processed products to other Member States is allowed under Article 8 of the Regulation, provided such dispatch is in line with the channelling provisions of that Article. The export to third countries of specified risk materials is banned under the Regulation, but the import provisions do not yet apply until 1 May 2004.

Throughout the programming period 2000-2006 and with the exception of major Structural Funds projects, the selection of individual projects is the responsibility of the authorities in the Member States, once the programmes have been agreed by the Commission. The projects selected by the authorities must, however, conform with Community law in all respects, including that relating to the environment.

Accordingly, further to the information provided by the Member State, the Commission informs the Honourable Member that six operations submitted by Grefacsa have been part-financed so far by the 2000-2006 Rural Development Programme of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, under its measure ‘improving processing and marketing of agricultural projects’. These operations regardedl environmenta and technological improvements of the company's factories in Sant Joan les Fonts (Girona, 4 operations) and Térmens (Lleida, 2 operations). Concerning the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) the same national authorities have confirmed that no subvention have been allowed to this company.

The Commission has no information about possible transport of by-products obtained by this company from Spain to other Member States.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption, OJ L 273, 10.10.2002.