WRITTEN QUESTION E-1929/01 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Animal traceability in Europe.
Date: 2001-06-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal health, beef, database, health control, intra-EU trade, labelling, live animal, meat product, traceability

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/19

elaborate the legislative framework for the long-term protection of the 2 sites, and to create synergies with
various stakeholders. Some delays which occurred, resulting in a 3-month extension of the project
duration and in the non-completion of the aforementioned work, relate to the lengthy administrative
procedures in getting the necessary permits for certain works in the Pylos area. More information about
the project can be obtained from the relevant Web-site created (Internet address: http://ornithologiki.gr/life/
pylos-evrotas/) or directly from the beneficiary (address: Emm. Benaki 53, GR-10681 Athens, phone-fax:
++30-1-3811271).

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 115 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1929/01

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(29 June 2001)

Subject: Animal traceability in Europe

Given that
there are an estimated 334 million animals in the EU, generating on average 20 000
consignments of inter-Community exchanges per month, creating a potential risk in the spread of disease,
contamination or an opportunity for fraud, does the Commission feel that existing animal health and
welfare surveillance systems are adequate?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

The tracing of animals is of crucial importance for the control of contagious diseases and their eventual
spread through the rapid and convenient determination of the place of origin of an animal or carcass and
its movements throughout the Community.

With a view to ensure the tracing of animals specific Community legislation on the identification and
registration of animals has been laid down:

= Council Directive 92/102/EEC of 27 November 1992 on the identification and registration of

animals (1);

= Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on the
identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding labelling of beef and beef products and
repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 (2);

= Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964, on animal health problems affecting intra-Community
trade in bovine animals and swine (3) laying down provisions for setting up databases for recording of
all bovine animals and all movements of bovine animals as well as for recording of all pig holdings
and the movements of pigs.

Furthermore, the tracking of live animals which are transported between Member States is supported by
the obligation of the Member State of origin which issued the health certificate to communicate on the
same day to the central authority of the Member State of destination and to the authority of the place of
destination information on the consignment of animals that is being dispatched. This obligation is laid
down in Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks
applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of
the internal market (4). With a view to facilitating the exchange of this information the Commission has
introduced a computerised system, ANIMO, linking veterinary authorities of Member States.

The Commission has so far considered that the Community legislation on health and welfare surveillance
systems provides adequately for the tracing of animals. However, following the foot and mouth disease
crisis there will be a very thorough examination of all the contributory factors to the outbreak and which
measures might be taken in order to improve the systems.

(1) OJ L 355, 5.12.1992.
(2) OJ L 204, 11.8.2000.
(3) OJ B 121, 29.7.1964.
(4) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.