WRITTEN QUESTION P-1164/96 by Salvador Jové Peres (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (3 May 1996)

Subject: Control of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

The Commission has recently proposed transferring budget line B2-51 within the budget guideline. This heading includes expenditure which might be used for emergency measures to control bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Additional expenditure can also be expected with respect to the COM for beef and veal. Given the concentration of agricultural expenditure in the COMs for arable crops and beef and veal and the restrictive proposals put forward by the Commission for reforming the COMs for wine and for fruit and vegetables, the outcome could be a common agricultural policy which targets only two sectors and an increase in the existing imbalances between sectors and regions in the Community.

There are substantial differences between the various language versions of the third indent of Article 1 of the Commission Decision of 27 March 1996 (96/239/EC) ((OJ L 78, 28.3.1996, p. 47. )) on emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, differences which mainly affect the English version. While in the Spanish and French versions a ban is imposed on the export from the territory of the United Kingdom of products destined for medicinal, cosmetic or pharmaceutical use obtained from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom, this restriction is limited in the English version to materials destined for use in medicinal products, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. This linguistic disparity might have an effect on public health and give rise to disputes between Member States.

1. In the wake of the BSE crisis, is the Commission upholding its proposals for the reclassification of budget lines?

2. Is the Commission aware of the regional and sectoral imbalances which are developing due to the concentration of agricultural expenditure in only two COMs?

3. When and in what sense will the Commission correct the disparities between the various language versions of its Decision of 27 March 1996?

4. How will the Commission resolve any disputes which might arise from the current wording of its Decision of 27 March 1996?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1996)

1. The Commission has not proposed a reclassification of budget line B2-51 in the preliminary draft budget for 1997.

2. The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern about maintaining a balance between agricultural sectors and between regions. It would, however, point out that the support given to an agricultural sector is not necessarily always reflected in the budget. For example, support for the oilseeds sector now consists solely of direct payments whereas for the sugar sector it consists primarily of support for high prices. As a general rule direct payments support is paid for by the budget whereas support in the form of high prices is paid for by the consumer. At the time of the reform in 1992, price support for cereals and beefmeat was cut and partly replaced by compensatory payments. This change in the type of support explains why it has become more transparent in budget terms.

With regard to the balance between regions, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that besides support for agricultural markets, as described above, the Community has other instruments which allow it to take account in a more targeted way of the need for greater interregional cohesion. In this connection the Commission has on several occasions underlined the importance which it attaches to harmonious rural development throughout the Community.

3. When Decision 96/362/EC amending Decision 96/239/EC on emergency measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy was adopted, particularly in respect of trade in gelatine, tallow and semen, the Commission took special care that the language versions were consistent with one another. ((OJ L 139, 12.6.1996. ))

4. Any disputes which come to the Commission's notice will be resolved by consultation with interested parties.