WRITTEN QUESTION No. 921/98 by Dietrich ELCHLEPP to the Commission. Observance of EU hygiene regulations at slaughterhouses in Germany and France
Date: 1998-03-26
Institutions: ELCHLEPP, European Parliament
Subjects: France, Germany, consumer protection, frontier region, health control, health legislation, meat processing industry

19. 11. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 354/39

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1998)

The Commission is fully aware of the problem, which has been the subject of major discussions and decisions
within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The Commission has been
representing the Community in ICCAT since it became a member of the organisation in November 1997 and has
taken an active part in the discussions.

The  Council  has  adopted  Regulation  (EC)  No  65/98  of  19  December  1997 (1)  setting  catch  limitations  for
swordfish in the North Atlantic, in accordance with the recommendations of ICCAT. Steps are being taken also
to  incorporate  into  Community  law  the  total  allowable  catch  (TAC)  for  swordfish  in  the  South  Atlantic,  as
recommended also by ICCAT.

Regarding the adoption of retaliatory trade measures against countries which grant flags of convenience, the
Commission is aware that the action plan on swordfish adopted by ICCAT makes provision for measures of this
type. At the appropriate time, and on the basis of the information that will be presented at the next annual meeting
(16 to 23 November 1998), the Commission will be in a position to discuss this matter. In any event, it should be
pointed out that ICCAT has already recommended trade measures for certain non-member countries regarding
fishing for bluefin tuna. Proposals for measures concerning Honduras and Belize have been adopted already by
the Commission (2) and forwarded to the Council for adoption.

(1)  OJ L 12, 19.1.1998.
(2)  COM(98) 48 final.

(98/C 354/73)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0921/98

by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Observance of EU hygiene regulations at slaughterhouses in Germany and France

Farmers and and the meat industry in Germany fear that competition is being distorted by differing levels of
application, implementation and monitoring of EU hygiene regulations in slaughterhouses in the German-French
border area of the southern Upper Rhine.

What information does the Commission have on this matter?

In practice, are the EU hygiene regulations implemented equally in both countries and monitored by the national
authorities?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 1998)

The  Commission  is  not  aware  of  significant  differences  in  the  manner  in  which  Community  meat  hygiene
legislation is applied in the area to which the Honourable Member refers.

Member  States  are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  Community  legislation  is  properly  applied  in  their  own
territories. The Commission, through the Food and veterinary office, which forms part of Directorate General
XXIV  for  Consumer  policy  and  consumer  health  protection,  monitors  the  manner  in  which  Member  States
undertake this responsibility. For this purpose, the Food and veterinary office carries out control and inspection
missions to all Member States and a large number of third countries. The concerns expressed by the Honourable
Member have been noted and will be borne in mind in the planning of future control and inspection activities by
the Commission.