WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2227/98 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Conditions in which animals for slaughter are kept
Date: 1998-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, PIHA
Subjects: Finland, animal disease, animal welfare, living conditions, meat processing industry, protection of animals, slaughter animal, slaughter of animals













EUR-Lex - 91998E2227 - EN






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91998E2227

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2227/98 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Conditions in which animals for slaughter are kept  


Official Journal C 118 , 29/04/1999 P. 0045 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227/98by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission(16 July 1998)Subject: Conditions in which animals for slaughter are keptIn recent days, the Finnish media have given much coverage to problems associated with the bad conditions in which animals for slaughter are kept. According to statistics on slaughterhouse inspections, for example, cows and pigs have been suffering more than previously: that is to say that it has become increasingly frequent for animals taken for slaughter to be rejected as unfit for human consumption on account of disease. Because of the financial straits in which farmers find themselves and because of the way in which EU subsidies are calculated - for instance the number of days on which subsidy calculations are based - transport for slaughter is frequently delayed, causing extra problems, especially for animals which are sick and in poor condition.What is the Commission's view of allegations that the EU's support policy regarding animals for slaughter incites farmers to maximize their profits, inter alia, by delaying slaughter dates, and how could the Union's support policy be altered so as to take better account of the deficiencies in the living conditions of animals for slaughter? How will the Commission ascertain what deficiencies there are in livestock farming within the territory of the EU?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(22 September 1998)The Act of Accession for Austria, Finland and Sweden provided for the immediate introduction of common (lower) agricultural prices in these new Member States as of 1 January 1995. Finland reserved the right to grant degressive national subsidies as well as national aids to farmers during a transitional period until the problems from the small-scale structure of its agriculture are overcome.In animal production, degressive national aids are paid on a per head basis to respect international agreements. It is not thought that payment of these aids has led to lower quality calves or pigs since the greater part of farmers' revenue still derives from the prices obtained.The minimum standards provided in the present legislation concerning calves and pigs are based on scientific information. These directives include rules on the feeding and watering of the animals which every farmer has to observe up to the moment the animals go to the slaughterhouse, independent of subsidies. The national authorities monitor compliance with the rules and take action if there is any infringement.Furthermore the Member States have to inform the Commission every two years of the results of the inspections carried out.