WRITTEN QUESTION P-3215/01 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Plucking of live geese.
Date: 2001-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Poland, accession to the European Union, animal welfare, application of EU law, livestock farming, poultry, protection of animals

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/211

region would take place in autumn 2001 and that, should the classification of the Kahle Schmücke as an
FFH (fauna-flora-habitat) site prove in any way wanting, the Commission would take steps on its own
initiative.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Has the biogeographical meeting on the Continental region already taken place? (If so, what was the

outcome? If not, why not?)

2. Have there been developments in the Commission’s thinking regarding the FFH classification of the

Kahle Schmücke?

3. By what date will the Kahle Schmücke finally be confirmed as an FFH site?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2002)

1.
The second bio-geographical seminar for the continental region did not yet take place. The delay is
due among other things to the late and unsatisfactory notification of proposed sites of Community interest.
The second bio-geographical seminar for the continental region is now planned for October 2002.

There are for the moment no new aspects concerning the evaluation of the proposed site of

2.
Community importance ‘Kahle Schmücke’ as far as the Commission is aware.

3.
The final confirmation of the sites of Community importance for the continental region as proposed
by the Member States will take place within the framework of the establishment of the list of sites of
Community importance pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Habitat Directive (1). This will be done after
conclusion of the scientific evaluation within the framework of the above-mentioned bio-geographical
seminar.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 134 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3215/01

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(14 November 2001)

Subject: Plucking of live geese

This October the Danish TV channel DR broadcast a report showing down being plucked from live geese
in Poland, for use in duvets and pillows. The procedure is defended on the grounds of the relatively high
quality but unfortunately plucking geese alive constitutes maltreatment which is a breach of Article 23 of
Council of Europe recommendation T-AP(95)5.

These unethical production methods must be stopped immediately. What EU legislation applies in this area
and what measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure animal welfare in future in the case of
geese (and ducks, which are subject to the same production method)? It is also unreasonable for consumers
not to be told of relevant facts about production methods, such as plucking, when they are buying duvets
for example. In some cases they might opt to buy duvets filled with fibre rather than down to ensure that
they are not supporting unethical forms of production. Does the Commission intend to introduce labelling
or certification, so that consumers may make an informed choice and producers be persuaded to lay
greater emphasis on animal welfare?

C 134 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Geese seem to suffer in all kinds of ways, for example for the production of the luxury article foie gras, by
the obscene and indefensible practice of force feeding to the extent that they cannot even walk. The
Community must therefore tackle this problem without delay.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2002)

As mentioned by the Honourable Member, the plucking of live geese is in contravention of Article 23(3) of
the recommendation T-AP(95)20 concerning geese adopted on 22 June 1999 by the Standing Committee
of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes. Poland did not
ratify the Convention and as a consequence, for the moment is not bound to the same rules on geese
farming as the Community and its Member States. It should be mentioned that animal welfare legislation is
part of the ‘acquis communautaire’ and that farming systems in Poland would have to apply Community
welfare standards when the country will become a Member of the Union.

In the Community, the transposition of Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the
protection of animals kept for farming purposes (1) enables the Member States to give effect to the
Recommendations adopted under the Convention. Furthermore, according to Article 5 of the Directive the
Commission shall submit
to the Council any proposals which may be necessary for the uniform
application of the Convention and, on the basis of a scientific evaluation, any recommendation made
under this Convention.

The Commission is not aware of cases of non-compliance with the recommendation concerning geese
within the Union, which would make specific Community legislation necessary to ensure its uniform
application.

The Commission has no proposals at present to inform European consumers on the way goose feather
products are obtained and is not aware of any such proposals in the Member States. The situation will be
kept under review.

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

(2002/C 134 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3260/01

by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Council

(23 November 2001)

Subject: Roma activist Rudko Kawczynski

Is the Council aware of the German authorities’ intention to imprison the Roma activist Rudko Kawczynski
on 19 November for taking part in a human rights demonstration in 1990?

Will the Council urge the German authorities not to do so?

Reply

(14 February 2002)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that
administration of justice in a Member State.

it has no authority to interfere in the