WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/00 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. The import of live animals from third countries.
Date: 2000-02-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, farm animal, national implementing measure, transport of animals

C 303 E/162

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

The Commission is also considering closer cooperation with Eastern European countries to improve checks
at departure and during transport. Most of the third countries concerned are in the process of accession
and could be helped by the technical assistance information exchange office (TAIEX). Contacts have
recently been made with TAIEX in order to promote animal welfare in these countries and particularly in
relation to the transport of live animals.

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

(2000/C 303 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0209/00

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: The import of live animals from third countries

In October 1999 the Commission published a report showing that the requirements of Council Directive
91/628/EEC (1)
(as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC) (2) on the protection of animals during
transport are often not being enforced at certain Italian border inspection posts in respect of live animals
entering the European Union from third countries. Animal welfare organisations have also reported
breaches of the laws designed to protect animals during transport at the border inspection post of Gorizia.

the Commission now consider withdrawing the approval

Will
inspection post?

for Gorizia to function as a border

Will the Commission also consider opening the Article 226 infringement procedure in respect of Italy(cid:146)s
failure to enforce the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (as amended by Council Directive
95/29/EC) at certain border inspection posts?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.
(2) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995, p. 52.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2000)

The Commission is aware of the problems in relation to the insufficient enforcement of Council Directive
91/628/EC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 concerning the protection of
animals during transport at the border inspection post of Gorizia (Italy). Reports by its veterinary
inspectorate and complaints from various animal welfare organizations also indicate that problems
continue to exist in this domain.

In the last five years five veterinary inspections missions have been carried out at the Italian border
inspection posts of Gorizia and Prosseco-Fernetti. The report on Gorizia, with reference to an inspection
carried out in July 1999, did not recommend the withdrawal of approval for the importation of live
animals. Withdrawing the approval of Gorizia to function as a border inspection post is also not foreseen,
as this measure would not prevent the traffic from continuing through other routes.

The Commission has intervened with the Italian authorities on a number of occasions concerning the
inadequate enforcement of the national
legislation transposing the requirements of Council Directive
91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EC. Although some short-term improvements were
noted in respect of earlier interventions it nevertheless appears that transport of the animals concerned is
still frequently being carried out with inadequate respect of animal welfare requirements.

The Commission will also in due course take a decision as to whether to open infringement proceedings
under Article 226 (ex Article 169) EC treaty in respect of Italy(cid:146)s failure to adequately enforce the rules of
the animal transport directives.