WRITTEN QUESTION P-0225/01 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission. Build-up of resistance resulting from excessive use of antibiotics in farming.
Date: 2001-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal nutrition, antibiotic, crop production, health policy, health risk, public health, withdrawal from the market

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/67

The Commission is following the issues related to the project of the Struma Motorway very closely. It
3.
is in regular contact with the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Transport and the Cross-
border co-operation (CBC) implementation agency with regard to this project. Both Ministries and the CBC
implementation agency have been informed of the position of the Commission and of the content of the
answer to written question E-3147/00 by Mr Meijer (2). The Commission plans to officially transmit the
content of the anwer to written question E-3147/00 to both Ministries and to the CBC implementation
agency. Once the EIA report is finalised it will be made public.

(1) Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 73, 14.3.1997).

(2) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 20.

(2001/C 261 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0224/01

by Cristina Garc(cid:237)a-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Economy class syndrome

There have been frequent media reports concerning what is known as (cid:145)economy class syndrome(cid:146). Yet it
would seem that there are far more deaths from this syndrome than the media reports would suggest.

The syndrome consists of the formation of blood clots in the legs or hips during flights longer than two
hours. Because passengers are immobile, these clots can reach the brain and cause death.

In view of the importance of this issue and the possibility of taking preventive measures to reduce the risk,
will the Council say whether it plans to take any action to ensure that European airlines take preventive
measures to reduce the health risk to travellers posed by economy class syndrome?

Reply

(30 May 2001)

The Council has not received any proposal from the Commission regarding this subject but, upon receipt,
will give it its utmost consideration.

(2001/C 261 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0225/01

by Rosemarie M(cid:252)ller (PSE) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: Build-up of resistance resulting from excessive use of antibiotics in farming

Recently there have been reports in the media that antibiotics (in particular azoles) which are used on a
large scale in farming can very easily cause a build-up of resistance which could jeopardise the effect of
antibiotics used for treating humans.

Does the accelerated build-up of resistance resulting from the use of antibiotics in farming jeopardise

1.
the effect of antibiotics used for treating humans?

2. Would it be possible to reduce substantially the use of antibiotics in farming?

3.

Does the Commission feel there is a need for legislation in this respect?

C 261 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Antibiotic resistance is a complex issue that requires co-ordinated actions to be taken in a number of both
legislative and non-legislative fields concerning human medicine, animal welfare, health and nutrition and
plant health.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics including in farmed animals can contribute to increased or accelerated
resistance in pathogenic bacteria for humans. For this reason all antibiotics which are or may be used as
human or veterinary medicine for therapeutical purposes have been banned for use as growth promoters.

Implementation of prudent use policies and guidelines for therapy to ensure rational usage of antimicro-
bials is widely stimulated by competent bodies, including the Community, the (cid:145)Office international des
Øpizooties(cid:146)
(OIE), World Health Organisation (WHO) and national authorities. Resistance monitoring
programmes are being implemented to study and guide the effect of these policies.

In line with the conclusions of the opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) on microbial
resistance of 28 May 1999 the Commission is of the opinion that further reduction in the use of
antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary medicine, animal production and plant protection should be
possible. Indeed in some sectors improved hygiene conditions and development of new vaccines have
already contributed to the reduction of their need.

Actions to address the antibiotic resistance issue should form part of a more comprehensive strategy. A
Commission communication on such a strategy will be presented later this year.

The strategy will refer to possible proposals for new legislation, for example, to phase out those antibiotics
still authorised as growth promoters in farm animals. This phase out process must be planned and co-
ordinated since precipitous actions could have repercussions for animal health. At the same time it is a
prerequisite for the replacement of the antibiotics that alternatives are available thus avoiding possible
overprescription and illegal uses as well as environmental problems by using inappropriate substitutes.

This proposal is being considered for presentation this year.

(2001/C 261 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0227/01

by Rosemarie M(cid:252)ller (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 2001)

Subject: Freedom of movement for the disabled

Disabled persons(cid:146) organisations complain that because of administrative hurdles disabled persons have
great difficulty in exercising their right to freedom of movement and freedom to choose their place of
work within the EU. In particular, when disabled persons return to their country of origin there are
problems because the social service benefits, previously paid in the country of origin and suspended for
the duration of the period of residence abroad, can only be taken up again after laborious fresh application
procedures.

1.

Is the Commission aware of such legal and administrative hurdles making it difficult for disabled
persons to exercise their right of freedom of movement?

2. Does the Commission see any way of removing these obstacles?

3. Does the Commission have any plans for legislation to do away with such problems and, if so, when

can a legislative proposal be expected?