WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2246/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Horse registration scheme
Date: 1998-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, MACARTNEY
Subjects: animal show, domestic animal, equidae, health control, horsemeat, human nutrition, slaughter animal, sport, veterinary drug

C 135/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

The debate in the World trade organization (WTO) committee on trade and environment has so far mainly
focused on the relationship between environmental requirements,
to
multilateral environmental agreements, and trade rules, as well as on the environmental benefits of
removing trade restrictions and distortions. The establishment of special preferences for environmentally
friendly products has not been specifically considered. The Commission would however support further
work to examine ‘win-win’ situations of this nature which are a concrete example of how trade and
environment can be mutually supportive of sustainable development.

including measures pursuant

Finally, the Commission co-finances a number of research projects which aim to develop cleaner textile
production techniques.

(1) OJ L 99, 11.4.1992.
(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

(1999/C 135/040)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2246/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Horse registration scheme

Given that in many parts of the European Union a sharp distinction is drawn between horses bred for meat
and those used for recreation, has the Commission considered introducing a registration scheme whereby
horses not destined for consumption could continue to be treated with medicines currently used to treat
common ailments?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 1998)

Horses (and other domestic solipeds like donkeys and ponies) are used as ‘food-producing animals’ in the
Community. If they are slaughtered and their meat is intended for human consumption the rules of Council
Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh
meat (1) have to be applied.

It has been suggested that because horses kept for sporting purposes do not enter the food chain, they
should be excluded from the ‘residue requirements’ of Council Directive 81/851/EEC of 28 September
1981 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products (2)
and Council Regulation (EEC) 2377/90 of 26 June 1990 laying down a Community procedure for the
establishment of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal
origin (3). However, many horses enter the meat production chain at the end of their lives, irrespective of
whether they were kept for meat production or recreational purposes. This is also the case with horses in
countries where horsemeat is not usually consumed since these horses are often exported to other
countries where they are slaughtered for human consumption. Separation of sporting or recreational
animals from meat-producing animals is not easily achieved. Any system of control would need to be both
straightforward and reliable. Simply relying on documentation (especially if such documentation just
takes the form of a declaration by the horse’s owner) will not fulfil these requirements. Indelible marking
with microchips, branding and tattooing have all been suggested and discussions are still under way as to
whether such marking systems are likely to be feasible and effective. It is clear that any solution will have
to be valid for the whole Community and not for specific Member States.

At present, the Commission is seeking a solution for the existing problems, which takes the principles of
consumer protection into account.

(1) OJ L 121, 29.7.1964.
(2) OJ L 317, 6.11.1981.
(3) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.