WRITTEN QUESTION P-1544/02 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea.
Date: 2002-05-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: South Korea, disease prevention, foot-and-mouth disease, health control, health risk

C 301 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2002)

The Commission has repeatedly emphasised that it considers that the knowledge of languages is an
enriching factor not only for personal development but also for European society as a whole.

As previously stated in the reply to the Honourable Member’s written question E-1336/02 (1),
the
Commission fully acknowledges the problems linked to the teaching of migrant workers’ children and
actively strives to tackle these problems in co-operation with the Member States.

Regarding the draft legislation of the German federal state of Hessen to which the Honourable Member
refers, the Commission would underline that it does not wish to comment on draft legislation which has
not yet been adopted and which is not yet in force.

However,
EC Treaty, which states that:

in this context,

the Commission recalls the provisions of Article 149 paragraph 1 of

the

The Community shall contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging co-operation
between Member States and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action, while fully
respecting the responsibility of Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of
education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 189.

(2002/C 301 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1535/02

by Reimer Böge (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 May 2002)

Subject: Foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea

There has been an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea.

According to reports, should the disease spread, it cannot be ruled out that more than 300 000 animals
will have to be slaughtered, in particular in the regions of Anseung and Yoning some 100 km from Seoul.

What precautions will the Commission take in conjunction with the Member States to prevent the disease
spreading to Europe, particularly through travel to the football World Cup competition?

(2002/C 301 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1544/02

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 May 2002)

Subject: Foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea

Since the beginning of this month foot-and-mouth disease has been sweeping through South Korea. In an
effort to bring the disease under control, 110 000 animals, chiefly pigs, have now been slaughtered, but
even so in the past week new cases of the disease have been reported. Starting on 31 May, the football
World Cup is taking place in South Korea (and Japan). The city of Suwon, where teams including Portugal
are due to play matches, lies only 40 km from the affected area and Japan has now expressed the fear that
contaminated football fans may transmit the disease to that country.

Does the European Commission share the view that the large numbers of European football fans set to
visit South Korea represent a risk that contamination will spread to the EU? If not, why not?

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/173

Is the European Commission prepared to call on or require the Member States to take measures to prevent
contamination, such as strict border controls and, possibly, quarantine arrangements?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-1535/02 and P-1544/02
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2002)

The Commission wishes to confirm its awareness of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation in the
Republic of Korea and the potential threat posed by the increased volume of traffic between the Republic
of Korea and Member States as a result of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)
World Cup taking place in June 2002.

However, the Commission judges that because FMD is a highly contagious disease, all FMD affected
countries represent a potential risk to Member States and that for the reasons outlined below the existing
controls on imports are considered sufficient to prevent introduction of FMD virus through trade or in the
personal luggage of travellers.

This item was already subject of a risk assessment presented to the Chief Veterinary Officers of all Member
States at the 33rd Session of the Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease of the Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1999.

However, because the potential
the particular
circumstances related to this sporting event in the Republic of Korea, this issue was discussed with
Member States at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on
8 May 2002.

to Member States may be enhanced under

threat

The Commission has subsequently reminded all Member States that, in accordance with Council Directive
72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of
bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries (1) they are not authorised to import from
the Republic of Korea FMD susceptible animals and their products (fresh meat, meat products, meat
preparations, milk, milk products etc.).

The Commission has advised Member States that the introduction of foodstuff from the Republic of Korea
by passengers or through the sending of small personal consignments is also not allowed under the
provisions of Article 1 (2) of Council Directive 72/462/EEC and Article 16 (2) of Council Directive
97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary
checks on products entering the Community from third countries (2).

The Commission has furthermore requested that all Member States, in co-ordination with the competent
authorities in each country, ensure that public awareness of travellers visiting the Republic of Korea is
specifically addressed at airports and that controls at ports of entry into the Community on goods coming
from the Republic of Korea are reinforced.

Following the 2001 FMD epidemic the Commission has been preparing a number of draft proposals
addressing the issues related to non-commercial
including
measures to raise public awareness.

introduction of products of animal origin,

In a press release of 29 May 2002 when speaking about FMD in the Republic of Korea the Commissioner
in charge of Health and Consumer Protection emphasised ‘the need to observe the rules, which are simple
and straightforward’. He concluded by saying ‘we must be sure that the World Cup in Korea is not
remembered for the wrong reasons’.

(1) OJ L 302, 31.12.1972.
(2) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.