WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/02 by Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission. Newcastle disease in cormorants.
Date: 2002-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal disease, bird, epidemiology, veterinary legislation

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/219

The Commission will therefore contact the German authorities to check on the situation described by the
Honourable Member.

(1) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993.
(2) OJ L 2, 5.1.2001.

(2002/C 205 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/02

by Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 March 2002)

Subject: Newcastle disease in cormorants

In September 2001, Newcastle disease, an infectious disease of poultry, was found in a sample taken from
cormorants as part of a research project in Denmark.

The relevant legislation is Council Directive 92/66/EEC (1) of 14 July 1992, concerning poultry, racing
pigeons and other birds kept in captivity. Wild birds living freely, such as cormorants, are not covered by
this directive, but when an infection is detected in such birds, individual Member States must inform the
Commission of any measures they have taken.

The directive also stipulates that minimum Community control measures should also be provided for
against Newcastle disease in certain species other than those specified in the directive.

In view of the discovery of Newcastle disease in cormorants in Denmark, will the Commission state:

4 How many cases of Newcastle disease in cormorants have been detected in the Member States and

what measures have been taken to control the disease?

4 Do the same guidelines apply as apply to outbreaks of the disease in poultry, where the entire flock

has to be killed, and what can be done to ensure against infection?

4 What Community control measures have been taken against Newcastle disease in cormorants?

(1) OJ L 260, 5.9.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2002)

Newcastle disease is a viral disease of domestic and wild birds including migratory feral waterfowl and
other aquatic birds. The seriousness of this disease varies widely and is dependent on several factors
including different degrees of virulence of distinct virus strains and the host species.

Council Directive 92/66/EEC of 14 July 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of
Newcastle disease, takes into account the particular characteristics of this disease and establishes in which
cases disease control measures should be applied, e.g. in case of serious disease of poultry.

The Member States must provide information to the Commission in cases of disease confirmed in wild
birds. According to the official data available to the Commission, the confirmation of Newcastle disease in
a cormorant in Denmark in 2001 has been the first report of such a disease in cormorants within the
Union. However, scientific literature mentions the detection of Newcastle disease in cormorants in the
United Kingdom (Scotland) in the 1940’s.

C 205 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

Council Directive 92/66/EEC does not include control measures as regards Newcastle disease in wild birds.
The lack of scientific knowledge as regards the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of Newcastle disease
has so far made it impossible to establish precise rules at Community level. Therefore, it is up to the
Member States to study the local epidemiological situation and to decide which measures could be
successfully applied.

(2002/C 205 E/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/02

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 March 2002)

Subject: Recreational Sea Angling (RSA) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Review

Recreational sea anglers in my constituency have expressed their concerns about the depletion of fish
stocks in their seas and the associated environmental damage caused by unsustainable commercial fishing
practices.

Will the Commission agree that current EU policy is failing to take into account a Recreational Sea
Angling (RSA) based approach, an approach that has had visible success in countries such as USA,
Australia, New Zealand and Argentina?

In future proposals regarding the Common Fishing Policy (CFP) would the Commission agree that more
should be done to consider the arguments put forward by the recreational sea anglers? Current policy
heavily favours the large commercial fishing sector.

Finally, will the Commission agree that a more balanced approach to fishery legislation is needed in order
to limit the environmental damage as well as safeguarding sea angling, a sport enjoyed by over 1 million
people in the UK alone?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2002)

The Commission is fully aware of the importance of sea angling and its contribution to the wellbeing of
certain coastal areas. However, the Commission believes that sea angling, in general terms, would be best
managed by Member States, on the basis of their proximity to the activity and the general absence, in
many cases, of a clear transnational dimension to this activity.

However, this does not mean that the Community should overlook such activity. In some cases, it is clear
that angling may have a Community dimension, for example where the species being caught are already
managed by the Community or in other cases where anglers’ contribution to the fishing mortality of
In such cases, the Commission believes that Community
certain fish stocks may be non negligible.
intervention may be necessary and Member States may be required to take measures in respect of sea
angling that reflect Community policy needs.

the
As to the question of participation of anglers in the Community’s decision making process,
Honourable Member will be aware that the enhancement of the participation of stakeholders is one of
the priorities in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. In that context, and in as much as the
Commission takes initiatives on sea angling or on fisheries in which they have a major interest, anglers’
associations will certainly be consulted as a fundamental stakeholder in this activity.