WRITTEN QUESTION E-3564/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Transport of live animals for slaughter.
Date: 2000-11-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, animal welfare, live animal, protection of animals, slaughter animal, transport of animals, veterinary inspection

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/165

(2001/C 163 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3564/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 November 2000)

Subject: Transport of live animals for slaughter

The protection of animals during transport is governed by Directive 91/628 (1), as amended by Directive
95/29 (2), which lay down provisions improving the international carriage of goods by road in relation to
loading density, rest periods during journeys, space allowances and a ban on the transport of injured or ill
animals. However, this directive has not actually been transposed into national
legislation by a large
number of countries and, in addition, there are no checks to ensure that the rules laid down in Directive
95/29 are being complied with.

In view of the above, can the Commission state when it intends to revise the 1995 directive so as to put
an end to the inhumane treatment to which animals are subjected during transport? How does it intend to
ensure better monitoring of transport?

(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

(17 January 2001)

All Member States have now transposed Directive 91/628/EC of 19 November 1991, as amended by
Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 concerning the protection of animals during transport, into their
national legislation.

The Commission(cid:146)s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out periodic inspection missions within the
Member States in order to check actions taken by the authorities to ensure compliance with the Directives.
Serious deficiencies in relation to the implementation of the national legislation transposing the Directives
in a number of Member States have come to light as a result of FVO missions and complaints brought to
the Commission(cid:146)s attention by animal welfare organisations. The Commission has already opened
infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty against some Member States
in this connection.

The Commission is also planning for the near future a number of important initiatives aimed at improving
the situation.

The Commission has recently adopted a report (1) on experience acquired since the implementation of the
Directive on the protection of animals during transport. The document is submitted to the Council and to
the Parliament. This report sets out a number of ways in which the regulatory framework in this area can
be improved.

(1) COM(2000) 809 final.

(2001/C 163 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3568/00

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(17 November 2000)

Subject: When is crab paste not crab paste?

Can the Commission comment on the experience of my constituent, Mr D. Baker of Thorpe Bay, Essex,
who was assured that a pot of (cid:145)crab paste(cid:146) fully met European labelling and consumer rights standards,
when in fact the pot included only 10 % crab, 40 % mackerel, 24 % cod and 26 % other ingredients? What
is the minimum crab content beneath which the designation (cid:145)crab paste(cid:146)
is impermissible? Does the
Commission intend to approach a review of its legislation in this respect sideways like a crab, or head-on?