WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Animal welfare implications of the growth hormone rBST.
Date: 1999-10-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal disease, animal welfare, environmental risk prevention, health risk, hormone, livestock farming, veterinary medicine

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/115

(2000/C 170 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/99

by Esko Sepp(cid:228)nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Policy on Baltic salmon

Research shows that the production of young salmon in the Tornio/Torne(cid:228)lv river between Finland and
Sweden has collapsed. The salmon live in the Baltic Sea, and from there they head up the river to spawn.
Since the Commission is now promoting what is in many respects a more liberal policy towards salmon
fisheries in the Baltic, this will make it harder for the EU to achieve its target of regenerating salmon stocks
by 2010. Is the Commission aware of the problem in the Tornio river, and will it have any effect on the
EU(cid:146)s Baltic salmon fisheries policy?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1999)

In February 1997 the International Baltic Sea fisheries commission (IBSFC) adopted a salmon action plan
(SAP). The objectives in this action plan are to achieve a natural production of at least 50 % of the
potential capacity of all wild salmon rivers, to undertake habitat improvement and to re-establish salmon
in potential salmon rivers. The plan has been complemented with national measures such as closed areas
and time restrictions of fishing.

The International council for the exploration of sea (ICES) has confirmed that the management actions
taken have resulted in a considerable increase in the numbers of wild salmon returning to home rivers.
The higher numbers of wild salmon spawning in the rivers have resulted in increased production of wild
smolt (juvenile salmon).

The same improvement has not been observed in all salmon rivers. However in the case of the Torne(cid:229)
river the increase has been very large and ICES reports that salmon occur in parts of the river for the first
time since the Second World War. According to ICES and to national sources the production in river
Torne(cid:229) has not collapsed; on the contrary, in 1998 the production was among the highest observed since
the early 1970(cid:146)s. Although a reduction in production was observed in 1999, production is still very good
and almost 5 times higher than that observed in the period 1976-1987. Furthermore a reduction in the
1999 production was expected as the returning salmon were from less numerous year classes, affected by
the M 74 syndrome, and hence fewer salmon would have participated in the spawning. The ICES forecast
for the Torne(cid:229) river indicates that the objective set out in the SAP might be achieved in the near future.

Against this background, the Commission does not share the view expressed by the Honourable Member
that the production of salmon in the Torne(cid:229) river has collapsed.

The encouraging signs of increased production of wild salmon in the several rivers in the Baltic confirm
that the actions instituted by IBSFC and supplemented by national measures are effective. However there
are rivers that do not show the same improvement and the Commission is convinced of the need to
continue with a responsible management strategy in order to achieve its objectives.

(2000/C 170 E/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Animal welfare implications of the growth hormone rBST

Will the Commission insist that the relevant committees study all evidence concerning the specific impact
on animal health of the growth hormone rBST in the context of any application by the company which
owns this drug for a licence to sell for use within the EU?

C 170 E/116

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 1999)

The scientific committee on animal health and animal welfare gave its opinion on 10 March 1999 on the
risk assessment on bovine somatotrophin (BST). The conclusion of the report is that BST should not be
administered to dairy cows because it can cause serious health problems (e.g. mastitis, foot and leg
disorders) as well as adversely affecting reproduction.

Unless a company or scientific research brings new elements to light leading to reconsideration, the risk
assessment on BST on animal health and welfare aspects has been completed.

(2000/C 170 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1888/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(29 October 1999)

Subject: Transport of live animals

Is the Commission aware of reports that France is reported by the RSPCA still to be in non-compliance
with the EU Directive (95/0029/EC) (1) on the transport of live animals?

Can the Commission say what has been the effect of the continued infringement proceedings against
France pursuant to Article 169 of the EC Treaty for failure to notify the necessary measures to implement
the Directive and what steps are being taken to ensure strict compliance with European Union law?

(1) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995, p. 52.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 1999)

The infringement proceedings brought by the Commission against France involve the incomplete
transposition of Council Directive 95/0029/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/0628/EEC
concerning the protection of animals during transport.

The Commission brought the case before the Court of justice on 15 June 1999.

The French authorities have in the meantime informed the Commission that the legislation to ensure
complete transposition of the Directive is under preparation.

After an inspection by the Commission a specific report has been issued. In the report, which is available
for health and consumer protection (1), a number of
on the Web site of
recommendations are addressed to France in relation to the unsatisfactory aspects. The Commission
intends to pursue the matter if France does not remedy the deficiencies.

the Directorate general

(1) Web address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/.

(2000/C 170 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1892/99

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

Subject: URBAN Community Initiative

(29 October 1999)

In response to an initiative of the European Parliament, the URBAN Community Initiative will continue
during the period from 2000 until 2006. The EP also asked for this Community Initiative to be directed
towards small and medium-sized towns in the EU.