WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/00 by Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Homeopathic medicines in stock farming.
Date: 2000-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common agricultural policy, eco-label, homeopathic product, medical plant, veterinary drug

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/143

Reply

(25 May 2000)

The signing on 7 February last of a framework agreement for reform and civil concord by the government
of Djibouti and the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) envisages the suspension of
hostilities between government and rebel forces, as well as the liberation of prisoners held by both sides.
This agreement to which the Honourable Member refers to was welcomed in a Presidency declaration
issued on 21 February 200. The European Union expressed the hope that this agreement, in addition to
the one signed in December 1994, would contribute to reinforcing civil peace and consolidating
democracy and the development process in this country.

the framework agreement,

With respect to the question of the Honourable Member regarding encouragement and support for the
is a beneficiary of
implementation of
Community assistance allocated in the context of the LomØ agreement. A possible additional assistance
which would target objectives of a political nature and be funded through the budget lines of the general
budget of the EU dedicated to support human rights and democracy can always be considered, depending
on a proposal from the Commission.

the Council recalls that Djibouti

(2000/C 374 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/00

by Inger Sch(cid:246)rling (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(14 March 2000)

Subject: Homeopathic medicines in stock farming

Under a new Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1804/1999 (1) of 19 July 1999 supplementing
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (2) on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring
thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs to include livestock production), organically reared animals
are, primarily, to be treated with homeopathic and herbal medicines, provided they are effective.

It is very constructive that homeopathic and herbal medicines are now accepted and are to be used but, in
Sweden, veterinary surgeons have protested against the rule as they are not permitted to use homeopathic
medicines as long as there is no scientific evidence that such preparations are effective. In contrast, anyone
who is not a veterinary surgeon is allowed to treat sick animals with homeopathic medicine.

The consequence of this situation is that it is left to farmers first to make a diagnosis and then to try a
homeopathic treatment. There is a great risk in this process that a correct diagnosis and professional
treatment will come too late. There is also a greater risk of spreading disease.

What does the Council
intend to do to ensure that animals in all countries receive professional and
appropriate treatment and that veterinary surgeons are also allowed to use homeopathic and herbal
medicines?

(1) OJ L 222, 24.8.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1.

Reply

(18 May 2000)

Council regulation 1804/1999 stipulates that the treatment of sick or injured animals reared in organic
farming has to privilege the use of veterinary medicinal products of plant origin and of homeopathic
products, provided they are therapeutically effective and adapted to the illness the animal species
concerned.

C 374 E/144

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

Every medicinal product of whatsoever origin must comply with specific rules before it can be marketed or
administred in the European Community. According to the principles laid down in Article 4 of Directive
81/851/EEC, no veterinary medicinal product may be marketed in a Member State and no veterinary
medicinal product may be administered to animals unless authorization has previously been issued by a
competent authority.

Although Directive 92/74/EEC provides for a simplified registration procedure for homeopathic veterinary
medicinal products Article 7 of this Directive explicitly excludes products which are intended for food
producing animals from this simplified procedure. Both phytotherapeutic and homeopathic medicinal
products for food producing animals must be authorized in accordance with the provisions of Directive
81/851/EEC, including the provisions concerning proof of therapeutic effect.

The above-mentioned rules apply to all persons who place on the market and administer veterinary
medicinal products to animals.

The Council shall keep this situation under review and, in particular, shall examine any new proposals
which the Commission may choose to submit.

(2000/C 374 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0733/00

by Umberto Bossi (TDI) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Italian decree concerning the dairy sector

The Italian Government has issued Decree No 8 of 4 February 2000 concerning, inter alia, (cid:145)the temporary
regulation of the dairy sector(cid:146). Paragraph 5 states that in the event of the purchaser failing to pay the
additional levy the regional and provincial authorities shall forcibly collect it even from the producer,
whether or not the latter is entitled to reimbursement from an insolvent purchaser or one who fails to
fulfil his obligations.

This provision is surprising as it stands, unbelievable if it refers to the purchaser of milk as defined in
Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 (1), and blatantly distorts the gist of the contents and recitals of the
Regulation.

Can the Commission say:

1. what it thinks of the rules already introduced in Italy by virtue of the above-mentioned decree;

2. whether the concept of the purchaser as the sole and central instrument for the management and

collection of the levy remains valid in Italy following this decree;

3. whether the Italian provision does not constitute a dangerous precedent for the implementation of the

whole Community system;

4. whether, in view of this provision, producers should refuse to be subjected to the levy in order to

safeguard themselves and their businesses from the probability of a compulsory twofold levy;

5. whether the provision introduced by the Italian authorities might not induce unscrupulous purchasers
to avoid paying the levy, with impunity, appropriating the producer(cid:146)s funds for long periods of time
pending the outcome of endless legal proceedings typical of Italy.

(1) OJ L 405, 31.12.1992, p. 1.