WRITTEN QUESTION No. 63/98 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Lower than anticipated costs of the swine fever crisis in the Netherlands
Date: 1998-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, MULDER
Subjects: Community budget, EU Member State, Netherlands, animal plague, costing, disease prevention, market support, national budget, swine













EUR-Lex - 91998E0063 - EN






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91998E0063

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 63/98 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Lower than anticipated costs of the swine fever crisis in the Netherlands  


Official Journal C 304 , 02/10/1998 P. 0025 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0063/98 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (29 January 1998)Subject: Lower than anticipated costs of the swine fever crisis in the NetherlandsReports appeared recently in the Dutch press indicating that the costs of the swine fever crisis in the Netherlands would prove lower than originally expected.1. Can the Commission indicate the cost of the swine fever outbreak for the European budget in the Netherlands and in other EU Member States where the disease occurred and, by implication, the costs for the national budgets of the Member States?2. Does the Commission see any reason to change the approach to swine fever outbreaks in future if the 'marker' vaccines come onto the market quickly?3. Does the Commission see any reason, following the outbreak in recent years of animal diseases such as BSE and swine fever, to change the provisions on financial compensation from the European budget?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 March 1998)1. The amounts paid up to 31 December 1997 are the following:>TABLE>These figures refer to decisions or regulations already adopted by the Commission on the basis of the information provided by the Member States concerned, funds available and evolution of disease. Therefore, the figures cannot be considered as definitive.The cost of the most recent outbreaks of classical swine fever in Germany and the veterinary expenditure which could not have been taken into consideration due to shortage of credit (estimated 100 MECU) is also not included.The cost for national budgets of the Member States can be roughly estimated taking into account that the Commission supports about 50% of the veterinary expenditure and about 70% of the cost of the exceptional market support measures in Member States.2. The Commission is aware that classical swine fever marker vaccines are being developed. However, no applications for registration of marker vaccines have been sent to the European medicinal evaluation agency in London. Therefore it appears unlikely that a marker vaccine will be available on the market before 12-15 months.Moreover, data are lacking on the potential use of such vaccines in an emergency situation that are essential to amend current Community legislation regarding classical swine fever and to avoid any negative effect on trade of pigs and pork linked to the use of marker vaccines.Therefore, in agreement with the opinion recently delivered by the scientific veterinary committee on this matter, the Commission is evaluating the possibility to support a laboratory trial aimed at evaluating the potential use of such vaccines in field conditions.3. The Commission will consider the existing arrangement relating to financial contribution in view of its possible amendment.