WRITTEN QUESTION E-1571/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Greyhound racing.
Date: 2000-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, animal show, animal welfare, competence of the Member States, domestic animal

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/165

(2001/C 53 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1570/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Greyhound racing

According to the Commission,
it is possible that Community aid is awarded for other purposes to
companies, people or organisations who rear greyhounds or are involved in greyhound racing in the
Community (questions E-0826/00 and E-0919/00 (1)). The Commission currently has no information on
such beneficiaries.

Will
the Commission obtain information from the companies, people or organisations to whom
Community aid may have been awarded for other purposes, to ascertain whether they rear greyhounds
or are involved in greyhound racing in the Community?

If not, why does the Commission refuse to obtain such information in the light of the complaints about
the ill-treatment of greyhounds used for racing?

If so, can the Commission forward this information to me as soon as it is available?

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 115.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2000)

The Commission does not intend to obtain information from companies, organisations or people to whom
aid may have been awarded for other purposes, to ascertain whether they rear greyhounds or are involved
in greyhound racing in the Community. The Commission would have no use for this information, the
collection of which would involve some considerable cost. The Honourable Member is reminded that
beneficiaries of Community aid may have multiple other interests which are not of interest for the award
of Community aid.

Although the Commission shares the view that unnecessary animal suffering should be avoided, the
prevention of mis-treatment of dogs in situations such as sporting events, falls under the sole responsibility
of the Member States.

(2001/C 53 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1571/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 May 2000)

Subject: Greyhound racing

Given that it is the task of the individual Member States to find a solution to the ill-treatment of
greyhounds, the Commission (cid:145)can only call upon responsible authorities to eliminate(cid:146) this ill-treatment
(questions E-0826/00 and E-0919/00 (1)).

1. What (cid:145)responsible authorities(cid:146) has the Commission called upon to ensure an end to the ill-treatment
of greyhounds?

2. When did the Commission call upon them to do this (please provide a chronological list of dates)?

In what way did the Commission call upon these authorities to ensure an end to the ill-treatment of

3.
greyhounds (verbatim quotes, please)?

C 53 E/166

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

4. Will the Commission call upon these authorities once again to ensure an end to the ill-treatment of
greyhounds? If not, why not, given that the ill-treatment of greyhounds continues?

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 115.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2000)

The Commission indicated clearly in its combined answer to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s Written Question
E-0826/00 and Written Question E-0919/00 by Mr Ford (1) that the conditions under which greyhounds
are kept and raced within Member States fall outside its competences. The welfare of these animals, except
when they are being transported, is therefore a matter regulated solely by the national law of the Member
States concerned.

Although the Commission deplores the infliction of unnecessary suffering on animals wherever it occurs it
can only take action to alleviate such suffering where it has the necessary legal power.

In consequence, in its answer to the above-mentioned written questions the Commission made a public
call for the elimination of the ill treatment of greyhounds which had been described by the Honourable
Members concerned. However, the Commission has not taken the matter further with the individual
Member States concerned because it currently has no legal basis which could be invoked to secure
compliance with its views.

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 115.

(2001/C 53 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1584/00

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(12 May 2000)

Subject: Skiing accident in Meribel, France

Is it the Commission(cid:146)s view that the International Ski Federation (ISF) Rules for the Conduct of Skiers have
legal force in the European Union? In particular, are they equally applicable in France and in the United
Kingdom?

With reference to cooperation in judicial matters and single market rules on insurance,
the
Commission(cid:146)s view that liability for an accident between two British skiers, which occurred in France,
could be properly decided in the British courts or that a French insurance company with which one of the
skiers was insured could require the proceedings to be conducted in a French court?

is it

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2000)

The Commission has no information on the International ski federation (ISF) rules for the conduct of skiers
and is therefore not in a position to reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s first question.

jurisdiction in civil matters are governed, within the Member States, by the Brussels
Questions of
Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters, as
amended. In principle, defendants are to be sued in the country where they are domiciled. However, the
Convention permits a number of alternatives. In the case of tortious liability, the plaintiff has the option of
suing the defendant in the country where the harmful event took place. The Brussels Convention provides
also for specific rules concerning jurisdiction in insurance matters (Articles. 8-12 a). According to these