WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2046/98 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Export of calves from the United Kingdom
Date: 1998-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, WATTS
Subjects: France, United Kingdom, animal disease, calf, export, fraud, health certificate, originating product, transport of animals, veterinary inspection

C 96/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.4.1999

alternative testing methods had been scientifically validated and the Organisation for economic cooperation and
development had not adopted guidelines for any toxicity tests using non-animal methods.

Whilst it was not possible to foresee the date by which alternative methods for testing ingredients and
combinations of ingredients for risk to human health would become available for all toxic end-points, it was
equally important not to delay the timings for scientific reassessment of the situation. Therefore, Commission
Directive 97/18/EC of 17 April 1997 (3), postponed the ban on animal testing of cosmetics and their combinations
until 30 June 2000. Most importantly, the publication of this Directive in no way prejudiced the objective of
reducing the number of test animals and their suffering. In this respect, the Commission committed itself to the
promotion of research and validation of alternative methods. The Commission continues to fund a variety of
research programmes into the development of alternative methods to animal testing as well as leading validation
efforts through the work of the European centre for the validation of alternative methods (ECVAM).

A small amount of animal testing continues within the cosmetics sector, to safeguard consumer safety, but such
testing must be carried out under the provisions of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 (4) on the
protection of animals used in experimental and other scientific purposes. This Directive aims to reduce testing to
a minimum, and to ensure adequate care and that any suffering, where unavoidable, is kept to a minimum.

(1) OJ L 151, 23.6.1993.
(2) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
(3) OJ L 114, 1.5.1997.
(4) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(1999/C 96/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2046/98

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Export of calves from the United Kingdom

In 1995 the French government initiated a formal inquiry into the allegation that a significant number of calves
exported from the UK to France had failed to reach the final destination stated on the route plan submitted by
virtue of the Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) to the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This
inquiry apparently also examined the allegation that after arriving in France, some UK calves were being
(cid:145)converted(cid:146) into Irish animals with the use of forged Irish health certificates and ear-tags.

Would the Commission announce the results of the French government(cid:146)s inquiry? Moreover, in the light of the
possible forthcoming lifting of the ban on the export of beef from Britain, what steps does the Commission
propose to take to ensure that live calves exported from the UK do arrive at the final destination given on the route
plan drawn up under Council Directive 91/628/EEC and that the location of such calves remains traceable until
they are slaughtered?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1998)

The Commission has not been made aware of the findings of the French authorities(cid:146) inquiry referred to by the
Honourable Member.

On 21 and 22 June 1996 the Florence European Council approved a Commission proposal on introducing a
framework for the eradication of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom and for the
restoration of a single market in beef. The plan was to lift the ban gradually, stage by stage, and the Commission
does not at present intend to reauthorise trade in live bovine animals from the United Kingdom.