WRITTEN QUESTION E-0936/02 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. The welfare of intensively farmed fish.
Date: 2002-04-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC recommendation, animal welfare, fish farming, intensive livestock farming, protection of animals

C 277 E/110

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

The rules applicable to manning are in principle the responsibility of the Member State in which the vessel
is registered (flag state). However, under Article 3 of the Regulation, Member States may impose their own
rules on manning (host state rules) for vessels registered in another Member State carrying out island
cabotage in their territory.

The dispute between the Commission and Greece centres on the nature and extent of the manning rules
that may be decided by the host state. Greece considers that the host state is responsible for determining
the number of seamen on board a ship. The Commission believes that such a condition, when it goes
beyond minimum safety standards, excessively restricts the freedom to provide services. The Commission
and Greece are also in disagreement over the manning rules applicable to cruise liners carrying out island
cabotage.

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.

(2002/C 277 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0931/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(5 April 2002)

Subject: Investigation into a possible cartel of coltan producers

It was impossible to deduce from its enthralling answer to Written Question E-3498/01 (1) whether or not
the Commission had actually begun an investigation into the Tantalium-Niobium International Study
Center (TIC), an association of coltan producers which has its headquarters in Brussels. The well-founded
presumption still persists that the Center is a front organisation for a cartel which determines coltan prices.

Has the Commission already carried out an investigation into whether the TIC constitutes a cartel?

(1) OJ C 229 E, 26.9.2002.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The Commission has not started any investigation in order to assess if Tantalium-Niobium International
Study Center (TIC) constitutes a cartel.

(2002/C 277 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0936/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 April 2002)

Subject: The welfare of intensively farmed fish

With particular regard to maximum stocking densities, periods of starvation and methods of slaughter,
does the Commission intend to take any action to regulate the welfare of intensively farmed fish?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

Currently there is no specific legislation on the welfare of farmed fish at Community level. However, some
general requirements in Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 on the protection of animals kept for
farming purposes (1) also apply to farmed fish.

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/111

Furthermore, within the framework of the Convention of the Council of Europe on the protection of
animals kept for farming purposes, recommendations for the protection of different animal species have
been developed. All Member States and the Community are contracting parties to this Convention and, as
a consequence,
these recommendations.
Presently a specific Recommendation on farmed fish is under discussion.

the Commission participates closely in the preparation of

Directive 98/58/EC offers the possibility of adopting measures at Community level if this is necessary to
guarantee the uniform application of these Council of Europe recommendations in the Community.

The decision on legislative measures at Community level in this matter should await the adoption of the
Recommendation and first experiences with its application.

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

(2002/C 277 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0938/02

by Robert Sturdy (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 April 2002)

Subject: The classification of greyhounds

Given the growing popularity of greyhound racing and breeding across the EU, can the Commission please
clarify the situation regarding the legal status of greyhounds. Specific issues such as eligibility for rural
development funding hinge on whether these animals are deemed to be agricultural or domestic or belong
in another category.

At present there appears to be variation between Member States (i.e. The UK Government classifies them
as domestic animals and yet no VAT is charged on their food; the Irish as agricultural). Would the
Commission address this grey area.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

Although falling within the legal scope of the agricultural articles of the EC Treaty and Council Regulation
(EEC) No 827/68 of 28 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market in certain products listed in
Annex II of the EC Treaty (1) (now Annex 1), greyhounds have not in practice been allocated funding from
the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) as agricultural products.

However, for the period 1994 to 1999, under Article 5 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2085/93 of
20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 laying down provisions for implementing
Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund
(EAGGF) B Guidance Section (2), it was possible to fund measures to achieve diversification, especially
those providing multiple activities or alternative incomes for farmers of either sex, if their financing was
not ensured by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in a Community support framework.
Under an Operational Programme in the period 1994-1999 investment aid was thus available to improve
the housing of greyhounds in Ireland. However, subsequently,
the Irish authorities agreed that no
Community aid would be paid for that purpose under the relevant programme. No Community aid is
available at present for greyhound rearing.