WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1667/96 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. BSE and export of British hides
Date: 1996-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: United Kingdom, animal disease, animal nutrition, application of EU law, cattle, export restriction, hides and furskins industry, leather industry, veterinary inspection, waste













EUR-Lex - 91996E1667 - EN






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91996E1667

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1667/96 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. BSE and export of British hides  


Official Journal C 356 , 25/11/1996 P. 0081 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1667/96 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (24 June 1996)Subject: BSE and export of British hidesThe processing of cattle hides (including those of British origin) in a number of European countries such as Italy and Spain where tanning is a traditional industry involves the use of as a by-product from the production of fat, protein and gelatin used in human foodstuffs and animal feed (excluding ruminants) and in agricultural fertilizers.In the tanning district of Chiampo-Arzignano in the Ministry of Health has now quite rightly ordered that waste from the processing of hides of British origin should no longer be sent to SICIT, a producer of feed for animals other than ruminants and which may therefore indirectly affect humans.This ban is not being applied in other European Union countries such as Spain and the muscle tissue and fats concerned may therefore be covered by the British sheep and cattle waste whose export was recently banned by the EU.Does the Commission not consider that the processing of these products is in breach of the ban?Does it not consider that bans imposed in one EU Member State may be to the advantage of other countries, in breach of the competition rules?Is it not necessary to ban the export of British hides to prevent products obtained from the flesh ending up in animal feed and indirectly in foodstuffs for human consumption?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1996)According to Commission Decision 96/239/EC ((OJ L 78, 28.3.1996, p.47 as last amended by Commission Decision 96/362/EC, OJ L 139, 12.6.1996. )), the United Kingdom shall not export from its territory to other Member States or third countries products obtained from bovine animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom which are liable to enter the animal feed or human food chains.Therefore the hides and skins can be exported from the United Kingdom only for tannery purposes. The resulting tannery waste cannot be used for the production of animal feed or human food.The Commission will undertake the necessary steps to ensure that all Member States apply this in the same manner.There is no export ban on sheep or products from sheep.The scientific veterinary committee is assessing the situation regarding transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in all the Member States in order to evaluate the need for any further measures. These measures should be applied across the Community.The Commission intends to inspect all Member States to ensure that each is taking the necessary measures to ensure that the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) rules are fully applied.