WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3691/97 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Mad cow disease
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, PIHA
Subjects: Belgium, animal disease, animal nutrition, cattle, epidemic, health control, medical research, veterinary inspection

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/101

The  Community  has  reserved  all  rights  to  resume  the  WTO  panel  procedure,  or  begin  new  procedures,  if
measures are taken against Community companies under Helms Burton or D(cid:146)Amato as a result of waivers not
being granted or continued.

(98/C 174/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3691/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Mad cow disease

Mad  cow  disease  ›  BSE  ›  has,  as  the  Commission  knows,  been  a  sensitive  issue  which  has  raised  strong
feelings  in  the  Member  States.  The  European  Parliament  asked  the  Commission  for  a  report  on  BSE  and  its
progression and Mr Bo¤ge MEP has drafted a report for the Temporary Committee on BSE which will shortly be
debated in Parliament. Now that most of the fuss has died down, a new case of BSE has been found in Belgium.
The spread of the disease, the transport and sale of meat originating in another country has made people doubt the
principle of freedom of competition. What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that the spread of BSE is
halted?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 1998)

The  new  case  of  bovine  spongiform  encephalopathy  (BSE)  ascertained  in  Belgium  confirms  the  need  for
sustained and, if necessary, increased vigilance in regard to the epizootic on the part of all concerned, starting
with the Commission.

Hence the measures to combat BSE already introduced by the Commission will be maintained or adapted and, if
necessary, strengthened. These measures mainly concern meat and bone meal for animal feed and veterinary
inspection and control. The Commission is also working on a proposal concerning surveillance of TSE.

Other measures have been approved or are about to be adopted. They mainly concern research into transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), whereby the coordination work between the Member States, as well as
funding, will be continued or intensified, and specified risk materials and meal intended for animal consumption,
in respect of which the Commission will shortly be tabling new proposals on the control and inspection of the
entire production chain. To this end, staff was already increased in 1997 and more will be recruited in 1998.
Finally, measures to ensure the traceability of bovines will take effect on 1 January 1998.

Hence, as the Honourable Member can ascertain, the Commission in no way intends to relax its efforts in this
area but, on the contrary, intends to reinforce them, not only in order to combat the spread of BSE but also to
eradicate the epizootic as rapidly as possible.

(98/C 174/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3694/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Slovenia

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great
deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have
applied  for  membership  of  the  EU.  Can  the  Commission  provide  details  of  the  utilization  of  appropriations
granted under PHARE in 1997 for Slovenia?