WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2290/97 by Lyndon HARRISON to the Commission. Quarantine
Date: 1997-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, HARRISON
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EC Directive, United Kingdom, domestic animal, health control, intra-EU trade, national implementing measure, rabies, scientific committee (EU), veterinary legislation

C 60/118

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 2. 98

The Member States are moving towards the definition of an original design for European security, which should
take  account  on  the  one  hand  of  existing  international  organizations  (WEU,  NATO,  OSCE,  etc.)  and,  on  the
other, the needs of those EU Member States which traditionally take a neutral or non-aligned stance in military
affairs.

Any action by the Commission in the defence industry sector should take account of the specific nature of this
industry and its links with security and defence policy, the systems of research and development and production,
and the dependence of the sector on purchases by ministries for defence.

In this connection, will the Commission impose a ban at European and international level on the production, sale
and use of anti-personnel land mines?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1997)

The conclusion of an international treaty to ban anti-personnel mines is essentially a matter to be negotiated
among sovereign states through the complementary mechanisms of the Ottawa process and the conference on
disarmament. In its joint action of October 1996, the Union is (cid:145)committed to the goal of the total elimination of
anti-personnel landmines and shall work actively towards the achievement, at the earliest possible date of an
effective international agreement to ban these weapons world-wide(cid:146). At the same time the Union implemented a
common moratorium on the export of all anti-personnel landmines to all destinations and continued its extensive
practical action to overcome the problems of anti-personnel landmines in all the most afflicted countries. The
Commission strongly supports the early conclusion of an international agreement on a total ban, and uses every
opportunity in its dealings with third countries, to encourage political and practical action that will assist this
process and help overcome the landmine tragedy.

(98/C 60/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2290/97

by Lyndon Harrison (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 1997)

Subject: Quarantine

Can the Commission confirm the status of the implementation of the BALAI directive?

Has the directive been reviewed and is it likely to be extended to cover pet dogs and cats?

Has  the  Commission  had  any  recent  contact  with  the  British  Government  about  the  future  of  the  British
quarantine system and its impact on free movement in the Single European Market?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 1997)

All of the Member States have notified the Commission that they have implemented Council Directive 92/65/EC
laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen,
ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in
Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC (1) (so called Balai Directive).

This  Directive  is  currently  being  reviewed  by  the  scientific  veterinary  committee,  particularly  in  relation  to
various aspects of rabies. A report is expected in the near future. Following this report the Commission will make
suitable proposals at an appropriate time.

The Commission has regular contacts with the British authorities on this subject.

(1)  OJ L 268, 14.9.1992.