WRITTEN QUESTION E-0093/01 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Dumping of cattle carcasses in Mesía (Galicia, Spain).
Date: 2001-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, application of EU law, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, carcase, unauthorised dumping, veterinary legislation

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/181

(2001/C 187 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0093/01

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Dumping of cattle carcasses in Mes(cid:237)a (Galicia, Spain)

(29 January 2001)

In the first days of 2001 more than 300 cattle carcasses were discovered in a disused open-cast quartz
mine in Galicia, having been secretly dumped there. Those responsible for this dumping appear to have
been employees of the enterprise entrusted by the regional government with the task of incinerating these
carcasses, considered unsuitable for the food chain.

In view of the reasons given by the Galician regional authorities and the Spanish national authorities in
justification of this act of dumping:

Can the Commission state whether (cid:129) and if so, through what mechanisms (cid:129) it is monitoring the
implementation in the Member States of the measures adopted by the Council for the eradication of BSE
and the protection of consumer health in Europe?

Can the Commission state what penalties it intends to apply to acts such as the above?

Can the Commission state what measures it intends to take concerning this particular case of dumping of
cattle carcasses in Galicia?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2001)

In relation to matters relating to public and animal health, the Commission(cid:146)s policy is to maintain a high
level of vigilance in order to ensure that Member States fully comply with their obligations under
Community law.

Commission experts carry out regular on-the-spot checks in all Member States to verify the correct
implementation of Community legislation on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and related
matters.

The specific matter raised by the Honourable Member is being investigated by the Commission.

In cases where, after establishing the facts, it appears to the Commission that Spain is not fulfilling its
obligations,
the Commission is prepared to take all necessary action within its power ensure that
Community law is respected. In appropriate cases this action would include the opening of infringement
proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

(2001/C 187 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0096/01

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: BSE: blood donations

In response to the BSE crisis, the governments of the 15 Member States have adopted a series of
supplementary measures of their own to be applied in addition to the measures approved at Community
level by the Council of Ministers. One measure adopted by the French Government merits particular
attention, in that it places a ban on blood donations from people resident in the United Kingdom during
the BSE crisis there.

In view of this situation, does the Commission believe that any technical or scientific grounds exist for
banning blood donated by people resident in the United Kingdom during the BSE crisis there?