WRITTEN QUESTION No. 464/99 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA EU-Argentina fisheries agreement
Date: 1999-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA
Subjects: Argentina, agreement (EU), fisheries policy, fishing agreement, fishing regulations, fishing rights, national law, settlement of disputes

C 348/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.12.1999

completely uncooperative and that the cattle had been imported into Italy without the inspections required by
law even after the ‘mad cow’ affair. After the intervention of the Public Prosecutor many animals had been
destroyed but prior to that many had ended up on the tables of consumers.

Has the Commission been informed by the Italian authorities of this affair, which also involves other countries
in the European Union?

What measures does it intend to take?

(1) OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 31.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

According to the description provided by the Honourable Member, the question concerns illegal movements
of live animals from several Member States to Italy (Sicily).

The Commission has received no information from the Italian authorities on this subject. However, problems
concerning the structure of the veterinary service in Calabria and Sicily have been observed during a recent
mission in those regions for the control of brucellosis in small ruminants and the Italian authorities will be
requested to undertake the necessary steps in order to resolve the situation. At a forthcoming meeting of the
Standing Veterinary Committee, a point will be put on the agenda in order to obtain clarification from the
representatives of the Member States concerned.

(1999/C 348/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0464/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(24 February 1999)

Subject: EU-Argentina fisheries agreement

Fisheries relations between the EU and Argentina have suffered greatly as a result of the changes in the fisheries
rules adopted by Argentina which, as acknowledged by the Commission itself, are in blatant contravention of
the conditions laid down in the current EU-Argentina fisheries agreement. With a view to the forthcoming
meeting on 4 and 5 March of the EU-Argentina Joint Committee, can the Commission provide immediate
information regarding the action it intends to take in order to protect Community fishing interests, which have
been seriously affected by the changes made to the rules under Argentine law in contravention of what has
been agreed under higher international law, such as the current EU-Argentina fisheries agreement?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

On becoming aware of the changes made under Argentine law to which the HonourableMember refers the
Commission took immediate action, writing to the Argentine Under-Secretary for Fisheries to voice its dissent
as to both the procedures used and the content of the measures, and convening a meeting of the Community/
Argentina Joint Committee. This was held in Buenos Aires on 4 and 5 March and primarily devoted to this
matter.

At Parliament’s request a report was made to the members of its Committee on Fisheries on 15 and 16 March.