WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1507/97 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Pig protection standards - Directive 91/630/EEC
Date: 1997-04-30
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: EU control, Italy, application of EU law, intensive livestock farming, national implementing measure, protection of animals, swine, transport of animals, veterinary inspection, veterinary legislation

C 45/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

10. 2. 98

(98/C 45/53)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1507/97

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(30 April 1997)

Subject: Pig protection standards › Directive 91/630/EEC

Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (1) has been implemented in
Italy by means of Legislative Decree No 534, issued on 30 December 1992. Article 6(2) of the latter stipulates
that, every two years, not later than the last working day in April, and, for the first time, not later than 30 April
1996, the Ministry of Health must inform the Commission of the results of the inspections carried out in the two
preceding years in accordance with the article in question, specifying the number of inspections conducted in
relation to the number of holdings on the national territory.

Can  the  Commission  say  what  were  the  findings  of  the  inspections  carried  out  in  Italy,  according  to  the
information forwarded by the Ministry of Health? What were the findings of the inspections, if any, conducted by
Commission experts on Italian territory or in connection with pig imports for Italian farmers?

(1)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 33.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1997)

Italy has not yet informed the Commission of the result of inspections carried out under Article 7 of Council
Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs as required by paragraph 3 of
that Article. The Commission has reminded Italy of its obligations in this connection and will, if these obligations
are not met within the near future, open infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty.

Commission  veterinary  experts  have  not  as  yet  carried  out  the  checks  provided  in  Article  9  of  the  above
mentioned Directive. Directive 91/630/EEC does not contain any particular provisions for imported pigs.

The welfare of these animals during transport does however fall within the scope of Directive 91/628/EEC (1).
The Commission has carried out an inspection mission in 1995 on Italian territory to check the enforcement of
Directive 91/628/EEC and certain recommendations have been communicated to the Italian authorities.

Most of the journey times for pigs from exporting countries would not exceed 24 hours. However, it appeared at
that time, that for pigs in a number of cases of transports from the Netherlands and Belgium to the south of Italy
or  to  Greece  via  Italy  with  a  time  of  over  24  hours  feeding  and  watering  was  not  sufficiently  secured.  The
Commission is continuing to monitor the situation in the light of the amendments introduced in the directive in
relation to journey times and feeding, watering and resting requirements.

(1)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

(98/C 45/54)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1509/97

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 April 1997)

Subject: Euro campaign lecturers

According to reports already confirmed, the Commission has set up and is coordinating a team of lecturers for the
campaign on the single currency.

The reports also state that the team will consist of some 180 specialists who have agreed to sign a declaration in
which they promise to refrain from advocating any idea contrary to those put forward by the Commission.