WRITTEN QUESTION E-3783/98

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Subject: Inspection of meat-processing undertakings in Europe

Inspectors from the European Office for Veterinary and Plant Health Inspection and Control monitor compliance with Community rules in the EU's meat-processing industry.

1. What is the total number of European inspectors employed to monitor the EU's meat-processing industry?

2. What is the total number of meat-processing undertakings in the EU for which these inspectors are responsible?

3. How many of these officials speak German?

4. What is the number of German undertakings for which these inspectors are responsible?

5. How many inspections have been conducted in Germany since 1997, and in what language?

6. How many inspectors speak French?

7. What is the number of French undertakings for which these inspectors are responsible?

8. How many inspections have been conducted in France since 1997, and in what language?

9. In how many cases have the French authorities accepted an inspection which was not conducted in the French language?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 1999)

The fundamental responsibility for monitoring compliance with Community rules in the meat-processing industry lies with the Member States. The role of the Commission, or more specifically the Food and Veterinary Office, is basically to ensure that control programmes and audit systems introduced by the Member States are efficient and ensure compliance with the Community rules and, more fundamentally, protection of human health. As regards third countries, the main task is to check the equivalence of their production and marketing conditions with Community veterinary requirements.

In view of the Commission's role, there is no direct link between the number of meat-processing undertakings in each Member State and the number of inspectors. The Food and Veterinary Office currently has 50 inspectors. Their duties are not restricted to verifying the checks carried out by the Member States in the meat sector, but also cover other sectors (notably fishing products) in accordance with the Commission's inspection powers under Community law. Inspectors may also be required to carry out checks in third countries.

As most inspectors have a good knowledge of several Community languages (the Staff Regulations require them to know at least two), it is not possible to ascertain exactly how many inspectors speak German or French.

Commission experts carrying out checks may also be accompanied by experts from the Member States who are on a list drawn up by the Commission (see in particular Articles 4 and 5 of Commission Decision 98/139/EC of 4 February 1998(1) concerning on-the-spot checks carried out in the veterinary field in the Member States and Articles 3 and 4 of Commission Decision 98/140/EC of 4 February 19981 concerning equivalent checks in third countries). Articles 3 and 4 of Decision 98/139/EC also make provision for collaboration with experts appointed by the Member State in which checks are being carried out, which should avoid any language difficulties.

In 1997 and 1998, five inspections were carried out by the Commission's veterinary inspectorate in the meat sector in Germany, of which four involved German speaking officials. In the same period four inspections were carried out in the meat sector in France, of which one involved a non-French speaking official.

Inspectors are assigned to carry out inspections on the basis of their expertise in the subject matter of the inspection. Where possible, inspectors will also speak the language of the Member State which they visit. Where this is not possible, interpretation facilities may be provided in agreement with the authorities of the Member State. The Commission is not aware of any mission to Germany or France where the central authorities complained about the lack of translation provided during the visit.

(1) OJ L 38, 12.2.1998.