WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/00 by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission. Transport of live animals within the EU.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, application of EU law, competence of the Member States, health certificate, national implementing measure, protection of animals, report, transport of animals, veterinary inspection

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/147

The Commission(cid:146)s information shows the wearing of helmets to be compulsory for all motorcycle riders in
all the Member States. For vehicles with smaller engine sizes, the Commission will over the next month be
putting together a picture of the regulatory situation and of studies under way in the Member States on
compliance with, and the effectiveness of, helmet legislation and on the use of other protection devices.
After this initial stocktaking it will examine whether any harmonisation measures need to be taken.

(1) COM(2000) 125 final.

(2001/C 81 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2130/00

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Transport of live animals within the EU

In 1995 a directive was issued laying down minimum rules for the transport of live animals within the
European Union. Five years have now passed and the directive is not being observed.

What action does the Commission intend to take to enforce the directive?

Does the Commission have any plans to improve the directive and thereby improve animal protection?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2000)

The Commission(cid:146)s responsibilities towards animal protection have increased under the recent protocol to
the EC Treaty which requires the European institutions and Member States to consider animal welfare a
priority when drawing up agriculture, transport, single market and research policies.

Member States are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of Community legislation. Commission
experts, however, carry out periodic on-the-spot checks to ensure uniform application the Directive and
that the Member States are monitoring compliance with the requirements of this Directive.

A working group of the standing veterinary committee was set up in 1999 and it is currently considering
particular problems concerning the enforcement of the Community legislation in respect of long-distance
transport operations.

In accordance with Article 13 of Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection
of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC, the Commission as
soon as possible will submit a report to the Council on the experience acquired by Member States derived
from the application of Community legislation in this field. The report will also be presented to the
Parliament.

The data concerning the enforcement of the Directives on animal protection during transport derived from
the above-mentioned report, the conclusions of the working group as well as new scientific evidence in
this field will be taken into account by the Commission when proposing amendments to improve current
Community legislation.

Both the working group of the standing veterinary committee and the outcome of the report are
identifying several areas of difficulty in enforcement and practical solutions are currently being examined.

C 81 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

The Commission will submit proposals to address these difficulties and in particular will provide for higher
standards for the protection of horses transported for slaughter and to facilitate co-ordination and co-
operation between Member States for example proposing the adoption of an harmonized model for the
approval and certification of transporters. The question of the enforcement of transport legislation in third
countries that are origin of the animals will be addressed too.

The Commission is also considering additional legislation concerning the ventilation of vehicles used for
long distance transport including systems for the monitoring and registration of temperature inside the
compartments where animals are kept.

In addition, the Commission believes that the most effective way to achieve a widespread improvement in
animal protection standards is to work towards an international consensus on this issue.

The question of long distance transport of animals and in particular horses is being discussed with the
heads of the veterinary services of the Central and East European countries which are in the process of
negotiating accession to the Community. On the basis of the outcome of that discussion, a protocol for
the protection of horses during transport has been agreed.

In this framework the Commission is seeking a mandate from the Council to negotiate the participation of
the Community in the revised European Convention for the protection of animals during international
transport. This Convention (negotiated under the auspices of the Council of Europe) will help to ensure an
acceptable level of animal welfare protection throughout Europe.

(2001/C 81 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2131/00

by Dieter-Lebrecht Koch (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Safer car fronts for pedestrians and cyclists

(21 June 2000)

Safer car fronts for pedestrians and cyclists is one of the six Commission priorities for action it its recent
Road Safety Communication.

Experts believe that the adoption of the four well-established EEVC tests in a mandatory Directive could
save up to 2 000 lives a year across the EU, the largest potential saving being in Germany.

When will the Commission come forward with its legislative proposal, given that every month of delay
costs 175 lives?

(2001/C 81 E/183)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2133/00

by Mathieu Grosch (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Mandatory crash tests for pedestrian protection

(21 June 2000)

Following the 22-year EU-funded research and development programme on car design to improve
pedestrian protection, two previous attempts at legislation and several cost-benefit studies, when will the
Commission come forward with a legislative proposal to mandatorily require all new designs of cars to
pass the four sub-system crash tests recommended by the European Enhanced Safety of Vehicles
Committee, which brings together experts from Member States and observers from the car industry?