WRITTEN QUESTION No. 128/98 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Transport of calves and maximum weights (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1998-01-22
Institutions: European Parliament, IVERSEN
Subjects: Belgium, European standard, Netherlands, agricultural statistics, aid system, calf, quantitative restriction, slaughter of animals, statistical method, transport of animals













EUR-Lex - 91998E0128(01) - EN






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91998E0128(01)

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 128/98 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Transport of calves and maximum weights (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)  


Official Journal C 304 , 02/10/1998 P. 0034 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0128/98 by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission (22 January 1998)Subject: Transport of calves and maximum weightsIn the Commission's answer P-3757/97 ((OJ C 174, 8.6.1998, p. 120. )) it is asserted, without documentary backing, that the best slaughter-calves with a live weight of 300 kg can yield a carcass weight above 160 kg.Even if this is were correct, it would still be mathematically impossible to obtain an average of 162 kg for all calves of live weights below 300 kg.On page 12 of the Commission's report, COM(97)165, there is a breakdown of calves for slaughter in the Netherlands from December 1996 to 1997 week/12. Column II shows calves which, regardless of the early marketing premium, would have been delivered in those weight groups, i.e. the breakdown for 1995. These 84 464 calves had an average weight of 118.7 kg.If Column II is extrapolated to include weight groups up to 165 kg, it is mathematically impossible to distribute the remaining 284 150 calves delivered in the Netherlands over a sixteen week period among these weight groups so as to end up with a weighted average of 162 kg for these 368 614 calves. Even if the remaining 284 150 calves are assumed each to weigh 162 kg, the weighted average will still only be 154 kg.As of course all other calves will not be delivered at 300 kg live weight and with 'good to excellent conformation' there must have been errors in the Dutch and Belgian returns to Eurostat.1. Will the Commission give documentary evidence of the average carcass weight for calves whose live weight is less than 300 kg?2. Will the Commission show the distribution of calves slaughtered in 1995 in the Netherlands and Belgium, broken down by weight groups?3. If this is claimed to be impossible, will the Commission state the estimated distribution among the weight groups for the Netherlands and Belgium of slaughter calves which can produce an average weight of 162 kg?Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 February 1998)Further to its answer of 13 February 1998 ((OJ C 223, 17.7.1998, p. 120. )), the Commission is now able to provide the following additional information.The Commission takes note of the analysis provided by the Honourable Member in respect of weight references for calves.Since the Council opted for Eurostat references in designing the general rules for the early marketing premium the Commission had to rely on information from Member States to its Statistical office. Within the category of calves, i.e. animal up to a maximum of 300 kilogrammes liveweight, information is provided on the total number of veal calves slaughtered and the total carcase weight of those calves.The reported 1995 figures for the Netherlands were 1 198 000 calves equal to 193 900 tonnes while the corresponding figures in Belgium were 336 000 calves and 53 800 tonnes, equalling averages of 162 kilogrammes and 160 kilogrammes respectively.In respect of the last two questions raised, the Commission does not receive statistical details from Member States which would enable it to establish the weight distributions requested.