WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/00 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Future spread of the dwarf tapeworm in Sweden.
Date: 2000-12-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Sweden, animal disease, derogation from EU law, domestic animal, endemic disease, health certificate

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/209

(2001/C 174 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3988/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Future spread of the dwarf tapeworm in Sweden

There is a risk that the deadly dwarf tapeworm will proliferate in Sweden unless the requirement of a
deworming certificate is maintained for pets transported over Swedish borders.
In Switzerland and
Germany, the population is being urged not to eat preserved raw lingonberry, for example, as they may
ingest dwarf tapeworm in doing so. The incubation period for disease from this worm is 20 years and only
if detected at an early stage can it be cured.

At present, dwarf tapeworm does not exist in Sweden and to prevent dogs and cats bringing it into the
country, they are required to take a drug which kills the worm.

However, to facilitate freedom of movement of pets within the EU, some of the current rules applicable to
them are being scrapped.

Can Sweden have an exemption from the rules on pets transported over EU borders and require a
deworming certificate?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

In the third quarter of 2000 the Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council on animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial movements of
pet animals (1). This legal measure is based on the available scientific data, the aim being to reduce to an
acceptable level the health risks resulting from movements of pets.

Moreover, Article 8 of the proposal includes a provision that makes it possible for a Member State to
obtain additional guarantees where this is justified by a particular situation. The Commission is aware of
the risk of the introduction of Echinococcus multilocularis into the Member States that are free of this
tapeworm, as a result of movements of carnivores from areas where this parasitic disease is endemic. It is
therefore possible to make use of the provisions of this Article for this zoonosis.

The public health problem related to Echinococcus multilocularis has therefore been taken into account in
the Commission proposal and can thus be dealt with for Sweden, and for Ireland and the United Kingdom,
through this procedure.

(1) COM(2000) 529 final.

(2001/C 174 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3990/00

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 December 2000)

Subject: Exemption from passport requirement for Russian citizens in the Kaliningrad enclave

The Russian Government has reportedly made inquiries within the EU concerning the possible incorpora-
tion of part of its territory into the Schengen area. At present, the inhabitants of the small Kaliningrad
enclave are not required to carry passports to enter Poland or Latvia.
In Russia(cid:146)s view, when those
countries become members of the EU, the exemption from the obligation to carry a passport should be
replaced by membership of the Schengen area.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of this proposal?