WRITTEN QUESTION P-0323/02 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Export of live cattle to third countries.
Date: 2002-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Middle East, North Africa, animal welfare, export (EU), export restriction, live animal, livestock, protection of animals, slaughter of animals, transport of animals

C 172 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

(2002/C 172 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0321/02

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 February 2002)

Subject: Preparations for the European Council meeting in Barcelona

The 2000 Lisbon European Council called on ‘the Member States and, where appropriate, the Community
to ensure that the frequency requirements for future mobile communications systems are met in a timely
and efficient manner. Fully integrated and liberalised telecommunications markets should be completed by
the end of 2001’. Does the Commission believe that this target was met?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

The Lisbon European Council
‘the Council and the European
(23 and 24 March 2000) called on:
Parliament to conclude as early as possible in 2001 work on the legislative proposals announced by the
Commission following its 1999 review of the telecoms regulatory framework’. It also called on:
‘the
Member States and, where appropriate, the Community to ensure that the frequency requirements for
future mobile communications systems are met in a timely and efficient manner. Fully integrated and
liberalised telecommunications markets should be completed by the end of 2001’.

The new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services was adopted by the
Council of Ministers on 14 February 2002 (1). The new legislative package aims at completing the internal
market for the information society by establishing a more harmonised framework for the regulation of
electronic communications networks and services. As part of this package, a Decision on a regulatory
framework for radio spectrum policy in the Community was adopted (2). Under the terms of this Decision,
the Commission will be able to regularly discuss radio spectrum policy issues with the Member States and
in co-operation with relevant international organisations while, where necessary, appropriate technical
implementing measures and legislation can be adopted with the aim to ensure harmonised conditions with
regard to the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum.

far as

the telecoms

liberalisation of

stated that:
As
‘telecommunications markets in the majority of Member States were opened to competition from
1 January 1998 with the last market open from 1 January 2001. Today the whole population in twelve
Member States is able to choose between more than five operators for long-distance and international calls
and in six Member States for local calls. This competition will be reinforced and strengthened once the
new legislation recently agreed comes into force in Spring 2003’ (3).

the Commission has

is concerned,

sector

Finally, with regard to frequency requirements for future mobile communications systems, it should be
noted that all Member States have reserved frequencies for the provision of third generation mobile
communications (including the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) which are expected to play
an important role in making European citizens part of a true information society.

(1) 6111/02 (Press 29-G).
(2) No yet published.
(3) SEC(2002) 29/2.

(2002/C 172 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0323/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Export of live cattle to third countries

How many head of cattle are exported annually from EU countries to the Middle East and North Africa?

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/185

What is the total cost of EU subsidies paid to support this trade?

Is the Commission aware of allegations that the long journeys involved, together with the brutal unloading
and slaughter methods used, inflict great suffering on the animals?

Does the Commission intend to end the payment of such subsidies or to take other action to reduce the
suffering alleged?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2002)

The Community export of slaughter cattle as well as purebred animals during the last three years to the
Middle East and North Africa is as follows (1):

Slaughter cattle (heads)

Middle East

193 391

168 390

128 726

North Africa

21 954

43 923

1 005

Pure bred animals (heads)

Middle East

North Africa

11 905

11 161

1 068

57 220

33 040

196

1999

2000

2001

1999

2000

2001

The total amount of export refunds calculated for those exports equals € 96,6 million in 1999, € 67,2
million in 2000 and € 30,4 million in 2001. In recent years subsidies paid for cattle traded for slaughtering
were reduced significantly from € 60,50/100 kg (in 1999) to € 41/100 kg (− 32 %). The export refund for
breeding cattle reduced from € 63/100kg to € 53/100 kg (− 16 %).

The Commission is aware of complaints from animal welfare organisations concerning the mistreatment of
animals during transport and in particular after arrival to third countries. Council Directive 91/628/EEC of
19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC
and 90/496/EEC (2), provides a set of rules. Member States have shown clear difficulties to enforce the
current Community legislation in this regard and the Commission intends to present a legislative proposal
this year to improve the situation. About the ill treatment of the animals after arrival in the third countries
of destination, the Community has no competencies to interfere in the way the animals are treated in third
countries and in the way cattle is slaughtered within the own slaughtering facilities of these countries.

Concerning the end of export refunds, the Commission believes that it has to strike a right balance
between several aspects of this very complex question. It would not be appropriate to remove export
refunds for live cattle and give away the export of cattle to other exporting countries. The traditional cattle
purchasing countries would not convert themselves into meat importers. This would be a too harsh
measure for the beef sector as a whole and for the producers that are highly depending on export.
Nevertheless, the Commission is now examining the possibilities to introduce stricter requirements and
stricter controls in Commission Regulation (EC) No 615/98 of 18 March 1998 laying down specific
detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine
animals during transport (3), which subject the payment of export refunds to compliance with provisions of
Directive 91/628/EEC.

(1) Data extracted from COMEXT.
(2) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.
(3) OJ L 82, 19.3.1998.