WRITTEN QUESTION P-0356/01 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. BSE.
Date: 2001-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, Greece, Türkiye, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, health control, import policy, meat processing industry, trade restriction

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/95

(2001/C 261 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0356/01

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(6 February 2001)

Subject: BSE

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of the (cid:145)triangular(cid:146) arrangement involving cattle which were
allegedly transported from Turkey to Greece, were then sent to the Salento region and then, after being
dealt with in two slaughterhouses, were taken to Belgium? It seems that some young adult bovine animals
were then transported via two Belgian import-export companies to Italy. They were allegedly sold at a
derisory price because they were considered to be (cid:145)high risk(cid:146). The Belgian judiciary became involved, not
least because the animals were allegedly suffering from BSE.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2001)

The Commission has no knowledge of this case. For this reason it cannot comment on the specific
allegations. It would be interested to receive any information tending to substantiate them

In general terms it should be noted that Turkey is not allowed to export live cattle to the Community as it
does not fulfil the requirements of Council Directive 72/462/EC of 12 December 1972 (1) on health and
veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine, ovine and caprine animals and swine, fresh
meat or meat products from third countries. Due to the epidemic of bluetongue in Greece, the movements
of live cattle from Greek territory to other Member States or third countries has been forbidden since
November 1999, in accordance with Greek national legislation and Commission Decision 2000/350/EC of
2 May 2000 on epidemiological surveillance of bluetongue in Greece and certain measures to prevent the
spread of the disease (2).

(1) OJ L 302, 31.12.1972.
(2) OJ L 124, 25.5.2000.

(2001/C 261 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0365/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Xerox restructuring (cid:129) aid from the Irish Government

Xerox is currently in the process of restructuring its European Manufacturing Operations at Venrey, in
Holland, Mitcheldean in the UK and Dundalk in Ireland.

However, this restructuring is in danger of being distorted by the fact that Xerox will have to repay
thousands of euros to the Irish Government, granted as an incentive to bring it to Dundalk two years ago,
for each job lost in Ireland.

Does not the Commission feel that these barriers breach the spirit and, possibly, the letter of European
legislation on the establishment of a single European market place?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2001)

The Xerox plant in Dundalk, which manufactures computers and other information processing equipment,
was awarded initial investment aid in the form of capital and employment grants. Operations at the plant
have started and some of the incentives have been paid.