WRITTEN QUESTION E-1273/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pan-European immigration plan.
Date: 2001-05-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU migration policy, migrant worker, migration control, migration policy

C 350 E/108

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

In the course of the last two years and on the basis of the information transmitted by the Member States,
the Commission has checked the degree of compliance with the first requirements of the Directive. It must
be noted that the Commission work has been slowed down, in some case substantially, by the delays with
which almost all Member States have provided information.

The Commission considers that, whilst considerable efforts have been made by certain Member States, the
implementation of the Urban Waste Water Directive is behind schedule and incomplete, with regard to
compliance with both the necessary treatment objectives and the deadlines fixed.

To achieve better implementation, the Commission will continue to monitor and help ensure compliance.
The Commission will not hesitate to take all the necessary steps, including recourse to the procedure set
out in Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty, to ensure full compliance with this legislation.

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.
(2) Population equivalent means the organic biodegradable load having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)

of 60 g of oxygen per day.

(2001/C 350 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1273/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Pan-European immigration plan

(2 May 2001)

It is plainly evident that there is a need for common legal provisions to deal with the growing influx of
migrants to Europe so as to establish a balanced joint policy on migration.

Among the possible measures, consideration ought to be given to each Member State giving prior
notification to Brussels of their estimated annual intake of immigrants, including specific data regarding
total numbers, professional qualifications and intended occupation. This way, the Commission could draw
up a general plan for the intake of immigrants.

Given that some Member State governments have already entered into bilateral agreements with certain
third countries in this area, to what extent does the Commission feel that it could still promote a joint
agreement to draw up a common plan for the intake of immigrants to rationalise the flux of immigrants
entering all the Member States of the Union, making sure that the Union(cid:146)s needs in this respect are
provided for while avoiding uncontrolled immigration?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2001)

In its (cid:145)Communication on a Community Immigration Policy(cid:146) (1) of 22 November 2000, the Commission set
out its ideas for a new and comprehensive approach to the management of migration flows and in
particular for the development of a common policy on immigration. At the heart of this policy will be
a common legislative framework, the basis of which has already been agreed by the Member States
(Article 63 (ex Article 73k) of the EC Treaty). According to the detailed programme established during the
European Council in Tampere on 15/16 October 1999, and set out in the (cid:145)Scoreboard to review progress
on the creation of an area of (cid:147)Freedom, Security and Justice(cid:148) in the European Union(cid:146) (2), the Commission
has already made proposals in a number of areas which provide the first elements of this framework.
Member States will be responsible for the implementation of these legal instruments and for putting in
place national legislation as necessary. In order to ensure coherence, the Commission has also adopted
proposals for an open method of coordination for the Community Immigration Policy (3).

In the field of legal immigration, a number of proposals are being prepared by the Commission on the
admission of third country nationals including a draft Council Directive on admission for economic
purposes which was adopted by the Commission on 12 July 2001 (4). The intention is to provide for
common conditions for the admission and residence of workers from third countries which will inter alia

11.12.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/109

concern the establishment of horizontal assessment programmes, conditions applicable to residence
permits issued under the directive and other matters. As part of the coordination procedure it is intended
that Member States should provide information to the Commission on migrants admitted which may
include data on total numbers, occupations and professional qualifications. Thus Member States, when
admitting third country nationals for the purpose of employment, will have to respect the criteria laid
down in the directive once it is in force.

In this way a general overview of migration policy and practice will be developed which will provide the
basis for the identification of common problems and solutions at European level where appropriate.

(1) COM(2000) 757 final.
(2) See biannual update COM(2000) 782 final and COM(2001) 278 final.
(3) COM(2001) 387 final.
(4) Proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of paid

employment and self-employed economic activities (COM(2001) 386).

(2001/C 350 E/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1288/01

by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Transport of live animals (cid:129) Eid-el-kebir

(3 May 2001)

Every year, tens of thousands of sheep in France are subjected to atrocious slaughter by unskilled people in
breach of EU regulations and religious tradition at the Eid-el-Kebir Festival in Paris.

Many of the methods of slaughter, where animals see each other die, are contrary to the detailed
procedures set out in Islamic tradition. Additional pain and suffering is caused when animals are killed by
unqualified people who do not have the necessary skills. The slaughter of animals in the open air rather
than in abattoirs defies Community legislation and the requests of the European Community to France to
enforce national law.

What will the Commission do to punish the French government for their flagrant disregard of EU law?

Why, despite repeated requests, has the Commission failed to take action to prevent this illegal practice?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the many complaints concerning the treatment of animals during this
event. The fact that the French authorities have organised or tolerated the slaughter of a large number of
animals under conditions which are undoubtedly in breach of Community legislation is not acceptable.

Member States are responsible for the enforcement of Community legislation concerning the slaughter and
killing of animals in accordance with the provisions of Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December
1993, on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (1).

The Commission has been in regular contact with the French authorities on this matter, and before the
Eid-el-Kabir 2001 there were direct contacts with the responsible French Minister.

The Commission was informed of a number of improvements in the organisation of the 2001 event. In
addition, the Commission was assured that all outdoor sites will be eliminated before 2004, and that in the
meantime the number of sites will be progressively reduced. It was pointed out that a more ambitious
timetable would risk serious public disorder. The Commission considers that this risk has to be taken
seriously.