WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2247/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Cat welfare
Date: 1998-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, MACARTNEY
Subjects: animal breeding, animal experimentation, animal health, animal nutrition, animal welfare, domestic animal, protection of animals

C 118/48

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.4.1999

(1999/C 118/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2247/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Cat welfare

Is there any EC legislation relating to animal welfare which addresses the breeding cycle of cats bred for
laboratory purposes? What minimum (cid:145)resting(cid:146) periods are laid down for such animals and what housing
conditions are stipulated for their welfare?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

Directive 86/609/EEC (1) on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes
sets minimum standards for the housing and care of animals.

Article 5 (a) states that (cid:145)all experimental animals shall be provided with housing, an environment, at least
some freedom of movement, food, water and care which are appropriate to their health and well-being(cid:146).
Article 5 further states that (cid:145)For the implementation of the provision of paragraphs (a) and (b), Member
States shall pay regard to the guidelines set out in Annex II(cid:146).

Annex II of the Directive gives guidance for the accommodation and care of animals. These include
guidelines on cage height, floor space and room temperature by groups of species, one of them being cats.
In addition there are general guidelines on physical facilities, environment in the holding rooms and its
control, and care of animals including topics such as health, feeding, water, bedding, exercise and
handling, cleaning, and humane killing.

The Directive does not contain provisions for breeding cycles. However, Article 15 states that (cid:145)Breeding
and supplying establishments shall be approved by or registered with, the authority and comply with the
requirements of Articles 5 and ...(cid:146). Pursuant to this provision it is the responsibility of the national
authorities to determine the criteria which breeding establishments have to meet in order to be approved or
registered.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(1999/C 118/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2270/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

Subject: Extraordinary procedure at Athens Stock Exchange

(22 July 1998)

Greek investors on the Athens Stock Exchange who bought shares in Hellenic Petroleum on the first day
of trading (30 June 1998) were faced with an extraordinary situation which left many small investors who
paid to acquire the shares not actually receiving their share certificates

The fact that the share certificates were not issued in due time to all investors produced a distortion of the
market on the first day of trading in the shares which resulted in many making huge profits. As the
announcement of the flotation of Hellenic Petroleum stated that shares in the company would be
introduced for trading on the Athens Stock Exchange after the deadline for subscription had expired
and all certificates had been issued to their holders, there are very serious implications for those
responsible for these events since all the basic principles of fair competition have been violated and
thousands of small investors defrauded.

What action will the Commission take to compensate for the damage suffered by thousands of investors
and how will it intervene to identify those responsible for such an unprecedented situation?