WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/02 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Illegal importing of dogs to Belgium.
Date: 2002-04-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, consumer protection, domestic animal, fraud, health legislation, illicit trade, import, trading operation, transport of animals

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/177

2.

No, the Commission is not aware of the facts described.

3. and 4.
responsibility of the Member States.

The Commission is not in a position to comment on health care issues that fall within the

Yes, see 1. Tables of the EARSS susceptibility data for Staphylococcus aureus since 1998 for 23

5.
countries are downloadable from the EARSS web site (1).

The global increase of antimicrobial resistance has been recognised as a major public health problem
6.
throughout
the Community. The Commission’ Communication ‘On a Community strategy against
antimicrobial resistance (2)’ described a comprehensive strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance compre-
hensively in all sectors concerned. An important part of that strategy are actions on the prudent use of
antimicrobial agents in human therapy to be implemented by the Commission and Member States. Since
November 2001 the Commission has supported a European surveillance project on antimicrobial
consumption (ESAC) to develop a Community data base for action. At the same time the Council adopted
a Recommendation (3) addressing the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in human therapy on the basis of
a Commission proposal (4). The implementation of the action plans in the Communication and of the
suggestions in the Recommendation should contribute to the solution of this problem. In any event, the
Commission shall keep matters covered by the Recommendation under review, with a view to its revision
and updating, and submit regular reports to the Council on the basis of the reports submitted by the
Member States.

(1) www.earss.rivm.nl.
(2) COM(2001) , 333 final, Volume I.
(3) OJ L 34, 5.2.2002.
(4) COM(2001) , 333 final, Volume II.

(2002/C 229 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Illegal importing of dogs to Belgium

(18 April 2002)

A French television programme shown on 22 March 2002 included a report stating that dogs are being
illegally imported into Belgium from eastern countries. The dogs reach Belgium from countries such as
Slovakia and Ukraine and are then sold to certain shops for a price of between EUR 30 and 75. The shops
then take it upon themselves to issue pedigrees to the dogs, thus turning them into products for export to
the entire European Union, and sell them on at prices of up to EUR 400.

Aside from the illegality of this trafficking, the problem is that very often many dogs are ill, resulting in a
very high mortality rate.

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of this illegal trade, and whether it intends in the future to
ensure that both consumers and the dogs which undergo this trafficking are protected?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2002)

The Commission is aware from the media that dogs from eastern countries are being imported illegally
into the Community and involved in trafficking, which is as harmful to consumers as to the animals
themselves. The Commission has been trying for several years to deal with this type of problem by
introducing binding measures to restrict the movement of animals across the EU both for commercial
purposes and as pets travelling with individuals.

C 229 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.9.2002

The main Community instrument governing trade in dogs from third countries is Council Directive 92/65/
EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the
Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in
specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC (1).

Chapter III of this Directive establishes a parallel between the rules for intra-Community trade in animals
and imports from third countries.

However, existing Community provisions on health policy and, more specifically, Directive 92/65/EEC,
apply only to commercial transactions. In this instance the imports are clearly fraudulent and Community
legislation on trade in animals therefore does not apply.

In an effort to solve the more specific problem of illegally importing dogs into the Community, the
amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health
requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals (submitted by the Commission in
accordance with Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty) (2) has been presented to Parliament and the Council.

Although the primary objective of this proposal is to regulate non-commercial movement of pets travelling
with individuals, it is necessary to align the provisions applicable to commercial transactions with rules
governing non-commercial movement
trade being
disguised as the non-commercial movement of pets.

fraud involving commercial

in order to prevent

This proposal was approved at first reading at Parliament’s part-session of 2/3 May 2001 and is soon to be
the subject of a common position.

(1) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992.
(2) OJ C 270 E, 25.9.2001.

(2002/C 229 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1101/02

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Giant sculptures in Sicily

is the Commission aware of the existence of a project near Calatafimi in Sicily which will include the
creation of giant sculptures of Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and Padre Pio in cement?

Is the Commission contributing money towards this project and, if so, how much?

What is the justification for spending money on such projects?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2002)

The Commission has no knowledge of the existence of such a project and can therefore reply only in the
negative to the question raised by the Honourable Member.