WRITTEN QUESTION P-3785/00 by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Progress in the implementation of Directives 91/628/EEC, 95/29/EC and 70/156/EEC.
Date: 2000-11-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Scotland, animal welfare, application of EU law, commercial vehicle, economic consequence, livestock farming, motor vehicle, transport of animals, vehicle parts

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/141

(2001/C 174 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3785/00

by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 November 2000)

Subject: Progress in the implementation of Directives 91/628/EEC, 95/29/EC and 70/156/EEC

Will the Commission please inform me of the progress that has been made in the implementation of
Directives 91/628/EEC (1) and 95/29/EC (2) on the transport of live animals and of Directive 70/156/EEC (3)
on the technical requirements for motor vehicles and trailers used for animal transport and how the
implementation of these Directives may affect Scottish farming?

(1) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p. 17.
(2) OJ L 148, 30.6.1995, p. 52.
(3) OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2001)

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

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

The Commission recently adopted a report to the Council and to the Parliament on the experience
acquired by Member States since the implementation of the Directive on the protection of animals during
transport (1) and on possible improvements in the Community(cid:146)s regulatory framework.

In relation to Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, as last amended by
Directive 2000/40/EC of the Parliament and of the Council, of 26 June 2000 (2), a proposal was drafted
and transmitted (3) in 1997 to the Parliament and Council to establish technical requirements for the
construction of motor vehicles and their trailers intended for the transport of certain types of animals.
Based on Article 95 (ex Article 100a) of the EC Treaty, the proposal specifies, among others, the suitable
design and construction of the loading compartment and its partitions, the protection of animals with a
weather proofed and insulated roof, the loading and unloading ramps, the intermediate floors, the
approved access for inspection, suitable ventilation devices and the effectiveness of the light sources in
the loading compartment.

Compliance with these technical specifications will ensure free circulation for the vehicles concerned
within the internal market of the Community. Thus when a vehicle type obtains an approval in accordance
with this directive, Member States will be neither able to prohibit manufacturers from offering it for sale,
nor to refuse its registration nor entry into service for reasons relating to its construction with regard to
animal transport.

After the first reading by the Parliament, where 24 amendments were tabled, the Council has still to agree
a common position.

As to the effects of these measures on Scottish farming, the Commission is not aware of factors that would
lead to effects that differ from those elsewhere in the Community.

(1) COM(2000) 809 final.
(2) OJ L 203, 10.8.2000.
(3) OJ C 290, 24.9.1997.