WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1997/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Council. Fattening hormones
Date: 1997-06-10
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: United States, fattening, hormone, livestock, veterinary inspection, veterinary legislation

17. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 82/25

(98/C 82/33)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1997/97

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council

(10 June 1997)

Subject: Fattening hormones

1. What fattening hormones are permitted in the USA for what animals (cows, oxen, bullocks, young cattle,
female and male calves)?

How, in what form, how often, in what doses and at what age are these individual hormones administered to

2.
these animals?

3.

How can farmers obtain these hormones?

4. Who supplies them?

5. What are the duties of veterinary surgeons in connection with hormone fattening?

6. Who monitors the correct use of the fattening hormones permitted in the USA?

7.

How is their incorrect use prevented?

8. What measures has the USA taken to prevent the use of illegal fattening hormones?

9. What morphological and physiological effects does treatment with the respective fattening hormones have
on the organism of the above-mentioned animals (please give details)? Special reference should be made to the
endocrine glands.

By means of what scientific documentation can the USA prove that treatment with the individual fattening

10.
hormones does not adversely affect any of the numerous constituents of meat?

Answer

(16 October 1997)

As the Council stated to the European Parliament on many occasions, the EC Treaty lays down that the Council
acts on a proposal from the Commission. Before submitting proposals, the Commission takes advice from the
experts whom it deems necessary to consult. The Commission has available to it, inter alia, a number of scientific
advisory committees able to provide the very information required by the Honourable Member.

In addition to these customary activities, the Commission convened a scientific conference precisely in the area
of fattening hormones which was held in November/December 1995 and which was attended by Members of the
European Parliament, among others. That conference was able to provide information on the effect of the various
substances administred to animals in order to promote their growth.

The  Honourable  Member  is  requested  to  address  herself  to  the  Commission  for  scientific  answers  to  the
questions raised.

(98/C 82/34)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2002/97

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(10 June 1997)

Subject: Lobbyists and Staff Regulations

Is  the  Council  aware  that  Parliament  has  amended  its  rules  to  say  that  registered  lobbyists,  when  recruiting
former officials of the institutions, shall comply with the provisions of the Staff Regulations. These regulations
currently specify that former holders of sensitive posts may have to seek permission of the institutions to take up
new  jobs  where  they  interact  closely  with  the  Parliament.  I  understand  currently  no  posts  are  designated
sensitive. Is this an admission of impotence or an omission of action? Can the Council confirm it will look at the
matter and draw up a list of posts?