WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2649/98 by Undine-Uta BLOCH von BLOTTNITZ to the Commission. Shooting tests using live animals in Spain
Date: 1998-09-01
Institutions: BLOCH VON BLOTTNITZ, European Parliament
Subjects: Basque Country, animal experimentation, animal welfare, armed forces, civil defence, defence policy, firearms and munitions, live animal, protection of animals, testing

C 142/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.5.1999

(1999/C 142/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2639/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Structural Funds and Community law

(1 September 1998)

The fifteenth report on monitoring the implementation of Community law (1997) states that there have
been thirteen cases of violations (presumed and established) concerning the implementation of projects
receiving Community cofunding in Greece; these include five relating to the environment and eight
relating to public contracts.

Will the Commission say precisely which projects are affected by the violations that have been established
and what remedial measures have been taken so far?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

Of the five cases relating to the environment, three involve a failure to carry out in time the environmental
impact assessment for certain water treatment projects. The two other cases relate to waste treatment
projects. They are currently being studied by the Commission.

The eight cases involving public contracts concern unusually low tenders and compliance with the
principle of equality of treatment. The cases relate to infrastructure works in the fields of transport, health
and water treatment in particular. Two of the cases have already been closed.

It is for the national authorities to propose and take corrective measures. The Commission is co-operating
with the authorities so that such measures might ensure conformity with Community law.

(1999/C 142/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649/98

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission

Subject: Shooting tests using live animals in Spain

(1 September 1998)

In the Basque region of Spain munitions tests are being carried out using live animals, in order to
investigate the effects of different types of ammunition on the animals’ bodies. In its answer to a question
on this matter last year from Mrs González Álvarez, Mr Marset Campos and Mrs Sornosa Martínez
(E-0561/97 (1)), the Commission states tersely that it is not aware of such incidents. The Commission goes
on to explain that there is no Community legislation on this matter, and that Member States may therefore
regulate it as they see fit. In the Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam concerning the protection and welfare
of animals, their protection is raised to the status of a Community task. It is stated therein that ‘full regard’
must be paid to the welfare requirements of animals in connection with agriculture, transport, the internal
market and research. The only exceptions permitted in the Member States are those ‘relating in particular
to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage’.

Has the Commission taken the question from the above Members as an opportunity to seek

1.
information about the situation described therein, and if so, with what results?

Does the Commission share the view that shooting practice using live animals has nothing to do with

2.
religious rites, cultural traditions or regional heritage?

3. What practical possibilities for the Commission to take action are provided by the above Protocol?

4. What view does the Commission take of the possibility of instituting proceedings against Member
States for a breach of provisions of the Treaty on the basis of the above Protocol, and how does it judge
such a possibility of bringing proceedings in respect of the actual case of shooting tests?

(1) OJ C 367, 4.12.1997, p. 28.