WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2559/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Transport of live animals
Date: 1997-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: animal welfare, application of EU law, export refund, labour market, meat processing industry, protection of animals, technical standard, transport of animals

17. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 82/107

The question of age limits will be one of those to be assessed in the context of the future entry into force of
Article 6a of the EC Treaty introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty, on non-discrimination on grounds inter alia of
age, and of trends in this respect in the Member States.

(1)  OJ C 45, 10.2.1998.

(98/C 82/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2559/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(24 July 1997)

Subject: Transport of live animals

The  Commission  has  proposed  a  new  directive  specifying  technical  requirements  for  vehicles  used  for
transporting live animals. Improving animal welfare conditions is purported to be one of the main aims of this
directive.

On what basis does the Commission believe that this new directive would improve animal welfare standards?
Can  it  give  details  of  what  advice  it  obtained  from  veterinary  and  animal  welfare  experts  in  drafting  this
directive?

Has the Commission considered ending EU subsidies to the live export trade as a means of discouraging the
cruelty to animals which it involves? Has it considered any policy proposals to boost employment in the meat
processing industry by requiring that animals be slaughtered closed to where they are raised before their meat is
exported?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1997)

The Commission proposal of standards for vehicles used for transporting animals more than eight hours has been
based on Article 13 of Directive 91/628/EEC (1), amended by Directive 95/29/EC (2), on the protection of animals
during transport.

Directive 95/29/EC was a political compromise reached after long and difficult discussions. This Directive laid
down  the  basic  elements  for  the  standards  for  vehicles  in  Chapter  VII,  point  3  of  the  Annex,  taking  into
consideration all the available scientific information. From this information it is well known that especially the
ventilation and the regular or continious water supply to the animals, depending on species and age, are very
important for the welfare of the animals.

The Commission has examined the possibilities of withdrawing export refunds from exporters where it is shown
that they have not fully respected the rules on the welfare of animals during transport to their final destination.
The Commission recently presented a proposal to the Council under which the payment of export refunds would
be subject to compliance with the provisions on the protection of animals during transport.

The  Commission  has  not  considered  making  policy  proposals  to  boost  employment  in  the  meat  processing
industry by requiring the animals to be slaughtered close to the place of raising.

(1)  OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.
(2)  OJ L 148, 30. 6.1995.

(98/C 82/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2560/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(24 July 1997)

Subject: Euratom payments to the Sellafield nuclear complex, Britain

How much has been paid from Euratom to developments in the Sellafield nuclear complex in Combria, Britain,
over the past ten years?