WRITTEN QUESTION E-3323/01 by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Proposals for changes in the regulation of veterinary medicinal products.
Date: 2001-11-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, application of EU law, consumer protection, illicit trade, marketing standard, veterinary drug, veterinary legislation

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/253

Community national applies for authorisation to practise a profession access to which depends, under
national
law, on the possession of a diploma or professional qualification, or on periods of practical
experience, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned must take into consideration all the
diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications of the person concerned and his relevant
experience, by comparing the specialised knowledge and abilities certified by those diplomas and that
experience with the knowledge and qualifications required by the national rules.’

system for

By Directive 2001/19/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2001 amending Council
Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC on the general
the recognition of professional
qualifications and Council Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC,
78/1027/EEC, 80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and 93/16/EEC concern-
ing the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife,
architect, pharmacist and doctor (4) which has to be implemented by Member States by the latest on
1 January 2003 Article 42c has been introduced into Directive 93/16/EC. It states that Member States shall
examine diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in the field covered by this
Directive obtained by the holder outside the Union in cases where those diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications have been recognised in a Member State, as well as of training undergone
and/or professional experience gained in a Member State. The Member State shall give its decision within
three months of the date on which the applicant submits his application together with full supporting
documentation. Furthermore, the host Member State is obliged to give the reasons for the decision and the
migrant has a right of appeal before the courts under national law. By enshrining these obligations directly
in the directive, the Community legislator has considerably contributed to legal certainty for situations
described by the Honourable Member.

(1) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993.
(2) ECJ Case C-319/92 (HAIM I).
(3) ECJ Case C-238/98 (Hocsman).
(4) OJ L 206, 31.7.2001.

(2002/C 115 E/273)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3323/01

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 November 2001)

Subject: Proposals for changes in the regulation of veterinary medicinal products

Proposals for changes in the regulation of veterinary medicinal products in the European Union (Revision
2001 ; Article 67 (b)) would mean significant changes for people working in the agricultural industry.
One particular provision would make all animal medicines for farm livestock and horses available only on
a veterinary prescription.

I agree that such medicines should be regulated, but would the Commission acknowledge that such a
proposal would spell the end for the majority of agricultural merchants in the UK and would mean extra
costs for farmers, who would be forced to deal solely with veterinary surgeons? Does the Commission
believe that the imposition of this proposal might result in a black market in veterinary products?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2002)

The Commission refers the Honourable Member to its reply to Written Question E-2913/01 by
Mr Bowe (1).

As far as dispensing of veterinary medicines is concerned, the Commission would stress that its proposals
to amend the pharmaceutical
legislation address only the provisions relating to prescription. The
Commission does not consider that its proposal to have a veterinary prescription required for dispensing
‘veterinary medicinal products for food producing animals’ would represent a significant change to the

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16.5.2002

present situation in the Union. In fact, a prescription is already required for a significant number of
categories of veterinary drugs, and the above mentioned proposal
is aimed at replacing the current
requirement for a prescription for ‘those products in respect of which special precautions must be taken by
the veterinarian in order to avoid any unnecessary risk to … the consumer of foodstuffs obtained from
treated animals’.

No changes have been proposed to the existing Community rules on retail distribution of veterinary
medicines. All retail distributors need to be authorised. However, the distribution system depends on the
legislation of the Member States. Depending on the national rules in place, veterinary medicinal products
may also be sold by pharmacists or other authorised persons ; upon the presentation of a relevant
prescription.

The Commission therefore does not share the view that its proposal would necessarily spell the end for
any category of retailers or extra costs for farmers. Similarly, appropriate control measures and adequate
sanctions should be in place to prevent a black market in veterinary medicinal products.

(1) OJ C 93 E, 18.4.2002, p. 209.

(2002/C 115 E/274)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 November 2001)

Subject: Allocation of Community funds

The ROHDE multinational (Portuguese-German) shoe manufacturing company based in Santa Maria da
Feira (Portugal) has announced its intention to scale down its operations by halting production on certain
days. This will affect 832 employees, who are challenging the company’s decision.

The company alleges that there has been a decline in orders, yet it still expects a high output from its
employees and it is still offering productivity bonuses.

Has the company received any Community funding? If so, how much was allocated, and when?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2002)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that ‘ROHDE- Sociedade Industrial de Calçado
Luso-Alemã’ has not received any Community funding from the European Social Fund.

The company ROHDE has, however, received co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund
for four separate projects, one under the Community Initiative Retex and the other three under the sub-
programme ‘Industry’ within the programme of modernisation of the Portuguese economic fabric for the
Community Support Framework covering the programming period 1994-1999. The total public
expenditure on these four projects was € 666 947, and the Community contribution € 502 390.

(2002/C 115 E/275)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3340/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 November 2001)

Subject: Closure of the Wärtsilä plant

The Finnish company, Wärtsilä, has decided to close its plant in Zwolle in the Netherlands. That decision
will entail the immediate dismissal of 700 employees and indirectly threaten the jobs of a further 1 000