WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/99 by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission. Rules and regulations for inspection of abattoirs in the United Kingdom.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, animal welfare, costing, directive (EU), national implementing measure, protection of animals, slaughter of animals, veterinary inspection

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/33

Specific regulations are applicable for members of Parliament and their staff. Since the Commission is not
responsible for answering this part of the question, the Honourable Member is referred to the General
secretariat of the Parliament for further information.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(2) 89/654/EEC, 89/655/EEC and 89/656/EEC (OJ L 393, 30.12.1989); 90/269/EEC and 90/270/EEC (OJ L 156,

21.6.1990); 92/57/EEC and 92/58/EEC (OJ L 245, 26.8.1992).

(2000/C 330 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2643/99

by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Rules and regulations for inspection of abattoirs in the United Kingdom

Is the Commission satisfied with the UK Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulation 1995 which
purports to put into effect Directive 93/119/EC (1) on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or
killing?

How many complaints has the Commission received from British farmers about the implementation of this
Directive?

In the Commission(cid:146)s view, why does the slaughter of a lamb cost approximately EUR 17 in the UK and
less that EUR 5 in France?

(1) OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p. 21.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2000)

Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and
killing was transposed into United Kingdom law and the Commission is not aware of any current
problems with regard to the implementation and enforcement of the relevant national legislation in that
Member State.

The Commission has not received any complaints from United Kingdom farmers or their organisations
with regard to this Directive. The Commission is, however, aware of the report of a working group on
regulation in the meat sector which was recently presented to the British authorities.

The costs of slaughter include both the normal commercial costs of abattoirs and the fees imposed for
official veterinary control. These costs are not identical in the Member States (1). Commercial costs, in
particular, may vary even within Member States according to such factors as the ownership of the abattoir
(private, municipal or co-operative), local labour costs, taxation and various other factors.

The Commission is unable, therefore, to comment on the particular figures which have been quoted.

If more detailed information about the alleged difference in costs and the basis on which they have been
calculated were to be supplied by the Honourable Member, the Commission would be prepared to
consider the matter further.

(1) Council Directive 85/73/EEC of 29 January 1985 as amended and consolidated by Council Directive 96/43/EC
(OJ L 162, 1.7.1996) makes provisions for the harmonisation of rules on the financing of veterinary inspections
and controls. However article 5(3) there of enables Member States to charge fees exceeding the costs of Community
fees providing that the total fees charged do not exceed the costs of inspection.