WRITTEN QUESTION E-3777/00 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission. Scrapie.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: bovine spongiform encephalopathy, database, exchange of information, sheep, testing, veterinary legislation

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/7

The Commission has brought forward a proposal for a directive of the Parliament and of the Council on
national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (3) as part of the Community(cid:146)s strategy to
combat ground level ozone. This sets emissions ceilings for NMVOCs and nitrogen oxides amongst others.
This directive, when adopted, will leave Members States the flexibility to meet their particular emission
ceiling in the most cost-effective way subject to there being complementary Community measures where
these are appropriate.

The Commission has, therefore, no immediate plans to bring forward a proposal to establish Stage II
vapour emission controls on the re-fuelling of petrol cars. However, possible additional measures to reduce
emissions of NMVOCs will be kept under review in the context of the continued development of
Community policies on air pollution.

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.
(2) OJ L 350, 28.12.1998.
(3) OJ C 56 E, 29.2.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3777/00

by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Scrapie

Can the Commission indicate what action it is taking to control scrapie?

What practical measures has the Commission set up to study the transmission of BSE to sheep?

What results are available at present with regard to the risks of transmission of BSE from one sheep to
another through blood transfusion and what measures does the Commission intend to take in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2001)

Scrapie belongs to a group of fatal progressive neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as transmis-
sible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Unlike bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which is
considered transmissible to man causing variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD) in humans, scrapie has
been recognised for centuries in sheep and goats without indications that it could affect humans.

However, the presence of scrapie in the Community is a serious concern to the Commission, as scrapie
and BSE in sheep are indistinguishable under field conditions and sheep have been demonstrated to be
susceptible to infection with the BSE agent under experimental conditions. While there is currently no
evidence that BSE has been transmitted to sheep, other than experimentally, the Commission has chosen to
take a precautionary approach. A range of Community measures have been introduced, such as the
removal of specified risk materials from sheep, a ban on the feeding of meat-and-bone meal to sheep and
active surveillance for the presence of scrapie. It has also co-financed scrapie control programmes for
several years in a number of Member States. Furthermore, there are extensive provisions on scrapie
surveillance and eradication and for contingency plans in the event that BSE is ever discovered in sheep in
the Commission proposal for a regulation on TSEs (1), which recently was agreed in the Council.

C 261 E/8

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

Different aspects of scrapie and BSE in sheep are currently addressed in seven different research projects
supported by the Community in the framework of the Commission(cid:146)s Research Action Plan on TSE. A
summary of these projects can be found on the Community web-site (2). Following the request of the
Research Council in November 2000, a group of experts has now been established to help co-ordinate TSE
research work in Europe. Finally, the Commission is currently evaluating a number of new tests for BSE
which include tests that might help distinguish between BSE and scrapie.

The Scientific Steering Committee considered the implications of a scientific publication on the transmis-
sion of BSE by blood transfusion in sheep in its opinion of 26/27 October 2000. In that opinion, it was
considered that, as regards the safety of ovine blood, existing scientific opinions already anticipated the
risks resulting from the possible presence of low levels of TSE infectivity in blood.

(1) OJ C 45, 19.2.1999.
(2) http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int.

(2001/C 261 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3800/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 December 2000)

Subject: Eco-points system in Austria

There have been repeated complaints that local authorities are not adequately monitoring implementation
of the the eco-points regulation applicable in Tyrol and that there are frequent infringements. Yet in fact
the Tirol gendarmerie checks lorries for up to 16 hours a day at the Kundl checkpoint alone, so that there
have already been 32 810 inspections in the year to October, with prosecutions in the case of 1 046
vehicles (3,18 %).

However, the legal basis is posing major difficulties for these inspections. For instance only the lorry driver,
and not the registered owner, can be fined; and tax-evading drivers recorded electronically cannot be
penalised after the event, as one of the requirements for charging a fine is that the vehicle concerned
actually pulls up.

Should the Commission not consider amending the relevant EU regulation, so that its legal basis permits
more efficient inspection procedures?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 February 2001)

The Commission is concerned about the number of transit journeys being made through Austria by lorries
without ecopoints and is currently considering ways of amending the Community Regulations on the
operation of the ecopoint system in such a way as to deter this practice, without disproportionate
hindrance to the operation of the single market.

On the question of sanctions against hauliers the Honourable Member should note that this is currently a
matter of national law. The Court of Justice has ruled that sanctions imposed by Member States should be
effective, dissuasive and proportionate.