WRITTEN QUESTION E-3072/01 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Salmonella infections caused by sub-standard animal transport conditions and intensive livestock farming.
Date: 2001-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, aid to agriculture, animal welfare, food inspection, intensive livestock farming, poultry, transport of animals, zoonosis

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/191

(2002/C 134 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3072/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 November 2001)

Subject: Salmonella infections caused by sub-standard animal transport conditions and intensive livestock

farming

Every year, more than 150 000 people are infected with salmonella in Germany alone, and over 200
people die from salmonella. The number of undisclosed cases is much higher.

Sub-standard animal transport conditions and intensive livestock farming are the cause of this.

1. What steps is the Commission proposing to take to combat the numerous cases of salmonella?

2.

How much funding does it make available in support of extensive chicken farming?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

The Commission is not aware that official figures show more than 150 000 persons falling ill from
salmonellosis each year in Germany. According to the data submitted to the Community zoonoses
monitoring system (1), the total number of cases notified in the Member States in 1999 (the most up-to-
date definitive figures known) was 165 659, with Germany having notified 85 146 of
these cases.
Salmonella may be present in a whole range of foodstuffs, including raw eggs, poultry, pork, beef, other
meat-based products and dairy products. From estimations made in certain Member States, the indications
are that eggs are the prime source of food-based salmonellosis, ahead of poultry meat.

Pursuant to Directive 92/117/EEC, measures to monitor and control breeding flocks have been operating
for several years now. However, the level of human salmonellosis, despite appearing to be stabilising, and
even declining in certain Member States, is still too high and needs to be reduced. On 1 August 2001 the
European Commission adopted, and submitted to Parliament and the Council, a report and two proposals
concerned with stepping up prevention and control of zoonoses, and specifically control of salmonella in
the food chain (2). This Regulation will set Community targets for pathogen reduction in specific animal
populations and,
if necessary, at other stages of the food chain. After a transitional period certain
restrictions on the marketing of eggs and poultry meat will apply.

Extensive farming has numerous advantages as regards animal protection and welfare. Hence, the Council
adopted Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of
laying hens (3), under which the traditional system of cages for laying hens will be phased out. In the same
vein, the Commission is examining the possibility of introducing specific provisions for the protection of
broiler chickens in 2002. However, from the point of view of salmonella prevention, the Commission has
no scientific evidence of a clear link between salmonella contamination and a particular farming method.
While keeping animals in less crowded conditions and giving them access to the open air may reduce the
intensity of certain forms of contamination, outside runs also offer more possibility of contamination from
wild animals.

Community assistance for extensification of livestock production is possible under Member States and
regions rural development programmes under Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999. For example, agrienviron-
ment measures within these programmes can include extensification measures to reduce stocking densities,
but such actions tend typically to be targeted at grazing animals. Support is also possible for investment
projects to improve hygiene conditions and animal welfare standards under the investment in agricultural
include investments to switch from cage to
holdings measure. This might, under certain conditions,

C 134 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

In line with the decentralised approach to programming of rural development
alternative systems.
measures, it is the responsibility of Member States and/or regions to decide if they wish to offer these types
of possibilities within their rural development programmes.

(1) Directive 92/117/EEC of the Council concerning measures for protection against specified zoonoses and specific
zoonotic agents in animals and products of animal origin in order to prevent outbreaks of food-borne infections
and intoxications (OJ L 62, 15.3.1993), as amended by Directive 1999/72/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 29 July 1999 (OJ L 210, 10.8.1999).

(2) OJ C 304 E, 30.10.2001.
(3) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999.

(2002/C 134 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3081/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Practical implementation of Eurodac

The development of a central database of fingerprints is in practice undeniably a complex matter.

Does the Commission know when Eurodac is due to become operational as a central fingerprint register?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s assessment that the development of Eurodac’s Central
Unit is indeed a complex matter.

However, implementation of the Central Unit is making good progress and is going according to plan.

Further progress will depend on the adoption of implementing rules which so far have not yet been
adopted by the Council of the European Union. Provided the implementing rules are adopted by January
2002 and operational tests with Member States go well, the Central Unit could be ready by mid-2002.

However, Article 27 of the Eurodac Regulation (1) stipulates inter alia that in order to start operations of
Eurodac, Member States have to notify the Commission that they have made the necessary technical
arrangements to transmit data to the Central Unit. All Member States to which the Regulation currently
applies presently estimate that such notification will occur before the end of 2002. Provided these
estimates are correct, Eurodac could thus start operations at the end of 2002.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 of 11 December 2000 concerning the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the

comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Dublin Convention, OJ L 316, 15.12.2000.

(2002/C 134 E/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3082/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Cost of developing migration control measures for the Schengen zone

How much has it cost the Schengen countries to step up migration control measures in connection with
implementation of the Schengen Agreement? What is the cost of other measures that are required to
implement the agreement, such as the creation of registers and increased staffing?